Objective To investigate the effect of astragalus polysaccharide,a component of an aqueous extract of Astragalus Membranaceus roots,on differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells in vitro. Methods 30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups,normal control group,100,200 mg/kg APS intraperitoneal injection groups. After one week,weight the mouse spleen,account the splenetic index. Collect the mouse bone marrow cell,induced and cultured with rmGM-CSF and rmIL-4. With inverted microscope to investigate the morphous of DC cell. The phenotypes of DC were detected by flow cytometry and the expression of the GM-CSF protein in serum was tested by ELISA. Results Astragalus polysaccharide injection had obvious effects on the spleen weight of mice. The degree of CD11c and MHC-Ⅱ expression in 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg groups on flow cytometry were advanced significantly compared with that in normal control group,but the degree of CD80 and CD86 was not increased. And the expression of the GM-CSF protein in serum in 100 mg/kg group and 200 mg/kg group were both not increased significantly compared with nomal control group. Conclusion The intraperitoneal injection of astragalus polysaccharide could stimulate the proliferation of the pre DC in bone marrow. The angtigen presentation of DC might be enhanced,but this effects was not positive correlation with concentration of GM-CSF.

Objective To study the expression of protein and mRNA of caspase-3 during hepatocyte apoptosis in the mice with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Methods Liver damage was induced by tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) in D-galactosamine (GalN) sensitized BALB/c mice. Hepatocyte apoptosis was examined by electric microscopy, in site end labeling (ISEL) and DNA electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel. The expression of protein and mRNA of caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results After 1.5 h, 3.5 h, 6 h, and 9 h of administration of GalN and TNF-?, rates of hepatocyte apoptosis were found to be 0.0%, 0.3%, 3.15% and 3.19% respectively. The rates of caspase-3 positive hepatocytes were 0.7%, 4.6% , 17.8% and 24.2% respectively. The relative expressive density of caspase-3 mRNA were 0.26%, 0.29%, 0.41% and 0.38% respectively. Conclusions The expression of caspase-3 is up regulated in the TNF-? induced FHF model and may trigger hepatocyte apoptosis and finally lead to FHF.

Objective To observe the effects of PTD-hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) induced murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) maturation on T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.Methods Bone marrow derived DCs isolated from BALB/c mice were cultured with recombinant granu|ocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) and recombinant interleutin-4 (rIL-4)for 5 days.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a,HBcAg and PTD-HBcAg were added to induce DCs maturation.The distribution and localization of intracellular immunofluorescence were observed by confocal microscopy,and DCs phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry.The level of IL-12 p70 in the supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorhent assay (ELISA).The proliferation of T lymphocytes was performed by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).All data were analyzed using t test.Results DCs were cultured and identified successfully.Recombinant PTD-HBcAg could penetrate into DCs cytoplasm while recombinant HBcAg was detected on the surface of cells.DCs surface molecules,such as CD80,CD86 and major histocompability complex (MHC) II were upregulated by PTDHBcAg;IL-12 p70 levels induced by 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L recombinant PTD-HBcAg were (142.50±18.31) ng/L and (124.30±15.12) ng/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those induced by recombinant HBcAg [(42.31±4.21 ) ng/L,t = 9.234 and 9.045,respectively,P＜0.05].The proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by PTD-HBcAg was much higher than that in HBcAg group or positive control TNF-a group.Conclusions PTD-HBcAg could penetrate membrane of DCs and promote the differentiation and maturation of DCs.PTD-HBcAg could up-regulate the expressions of costimulatory molecules on cell surface of DCs,and enhance the ability of DCs on stimulating T lymphocytes proliferation and IL-12 p70 production.

Objective To evaluate the overall failure rate of one or two-stage exchange arthroplasty for infections in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the predictors affecting the outcome of exchange.Methods Thirty-nine cases received one or two-stage exchange arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infections after primary TKA in Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Southeast Hospital affiliated to Xiamen University from January 2012 to November 2014 were reviewed.Periprosthetic tissue and articular fluid of all patients were analyzed by bacterial culture.All patients were followed up for more than one year.C-reactive protein (CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),procalcitonin (PCT) and blood routine were tested every four weeks,and the evaluation on pain,total periprosthetic function,range of motion and deformation of arthroplasty were conducted.Differences between groups were analyzed using chi-square test or Student's t test when appropriate.A stepwise selection approach in logistic regression analysis was used to screen key predictors for outcome of one or two-stage exchange for infections in TKA.Results There were 39 patients who had undergone one or two-stage exchange for infections in TKA,including 20 males (51.3％) and 19 females (48.7％) with an average age of (62.4±11.7) years.Among the 39 patients,18 gram-positive strains were isolated from specimens,and 6 gram negative strains,2 Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 1 candida albicans.Ten of 39 reimplantations developed reinfection.Between the success and failure groups,there were significant differences in the time from primary TKA to revision (P =0.023),operative time (P =0.029),multidrug resistant organisms (P =0.045),the preoperative and post-operative ESR (P=0.002 and P＜0.001,respectively) and post-operative CRP (P=0.018).Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that time from primary TKA to revision (OR =0.96,95％CI:0.92-1.00,P=0.025),preoperative ESR (OR=0.97,95％CI:0.95-1.00,P=0.045) and post-operative ESR (OR =0.94,95％ CI:0.91-0.98,P =0.002) were independent indicators associated with the outcome of one or two-stage revision.Conclusions The failure rate after revision for infected TKA is relatively high.The time from primary TKA to revision,preoperative and post-operative ESR could predict the outcome of one or two-stage revision effectively.

OBJECTIVE To investigate CD25 expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from patients with chronic hepatitis B,and explore its significance in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.METHODS To detect CD25 expression in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis B by means of flow cytometry.CD25 expression was observed in chronic hepatitis B patients.In the meantime,CD25 expression in T cells from severe chronic hepatitis or acute hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic carriers of HBV was also observed.RESULTS Varying degrees of CD25 were expressed in T cells from hepatitis B patients.The expression in CD3+ T and CD8+T cells was higher than that in CD4+T cells.CD25 expression in CD4+T was lower.The average of CD25 expression in CD3+T cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B,acute hepatitis B,and chronic severe hepatitis B and asymptomatic carriers of HBV was(2.92?0.13)%,(0.51?0.36)%,(1.60?0.07)%,and(0.95?0.23)%,respectively.The average of CD25 expression in CD4+T cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B,acute hepatitis B and chronic severe hepatitis B and asymptomatic carriers of HBV was(2.58?0.50)%,(0.34?0.07)%,(1.45?0.02)%,and(0.83?0.13)%,respectively.CD3+T and CD4+T CD25 expression in patients with chronic hepatitis and,severe chronic hepatitis B was increased compared with that of acute hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic carriers of HBV.Compared with chronic severe hepatitis B,the expression of chronic hepatitis B was higher.CONCLUSIONS CD4+ CD25+T cells in chronic hepatitis B virus infection are increased compared with acute hepatitis,CD4+ CD25+T cells may be related to immune tolerance.

BACKGROUND:Tissue-engineered bone scaffold fabricated by 3D-bioprinting technique has good controlability in morphology and structure. However, construction of tissue-engineered bone/cel growth factor complex and time-dose effect of sustained-release factors are needed to be further researched.
OBJECTIVE:To fabricate a sustained-release composite of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) scaffold carrying bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) using 3D-bioprinting technique, and test the biological properties of the PLGA/n-HA scaffold carrying BMP-2 and the sustained-release properties, thereby to discuss its feasibility as the tissue-engineered bone scaffold composite.
METHODS:Temperature-sensitive chitosan hydrogel was prepared using chitosan andβ-glycerophosphate to construct a sustained-release composite, chitosan nanoparticles carrying BMP-2 . 3D-bioprinting technique was utilized to fabricate the PLGA/n-HA scaffold carrying BMP-2. Biological features of the scaffold composite were tested, and time-dose effect of BMP-2 sustained-release was observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average pore size of the scaffold-cytokine composite was (431.31±18.40)μm, and the porosity was (73.64±1.82)%. The cumulative release rate of BMP-2 from the scaffold-cytokine composite that effectively controled the burst release during 48 hours and 30 days were suitable for the physiological needs. In conclusion, the porosity, pore size, release property, degradation rate, and mechanical strength of the scaffold-cytokine composite al meet the biological requirements of tissue-engineered bone construction.

0bjective To observe the cell membrane penetration of protein transduction domain (PTD)-HBeAg fusion protein in vitro.Methods The sequence of trans-activator of transcription (Tat)-PTD was synthesized and the whole HBcAg gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Overlap extension PCR was employed to fuse Tat-PTD and whole HBcAg gene.Then the fusion gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2X.The correct vector was transformed into E.coli Rosetta-gamiTM 2(DE3),and the protein was induced by isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside(IPTG).Western blot was used tO identify the protein. Furthermore,the fusion protein PTD-HBcAg was purified by affinity chromatography.HBcAg protein expressed using the same methods was employed as eontr0l.The purified protein was added tO HuH-7 cell culture,then the transduction of PTD-HBcAg and HBcAg in cells were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).Results The fusion protein was effectively expressed in E. Coli and purified by affinity chromatography.Both purified PTD-HBcAg and HBcAg could be recognized by HBeAg monoclonal antibody in Western blot analysis.IFA visualization showed that PTD-HBeAg could be introduced into HUH-7 ceils while HBcAg only could not be detected in cells.Conclusions PTD-HBcAg fusion protein can be expressed effectively and purified in prokaryotic expression system.PTD could mediate HBcAg penetrating eell membrane into the cells.

Objective To observe the effects of cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP)-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin induced murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) maturation on T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro,Methods Bone marrow derived DC isolated from BALB/c mice were cultured with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interleutin (IL)-4 for 5 days followed by lipopolysaccharide added to induce DC maturation.10 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin,50 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin,10 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27 or RPMI-1640 were added into culture medium to induce DC maturation.DC phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry.The level of IL-12p70 in the supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The proliferation of.T lymphocytes was performed by using cell counting kit-8 and intracellular cytokine of proliferative T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.The means among groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and those between two groups were compared by least significant difference test.Results DC were cultured and induced successfully.The molecules on DC surface,such as CD80,CD86 and major histocompatibility antigen-Ⅰ were upregulated by CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin.IL-12p70 level induced by 50 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin was (61.12±10.25) pg/mL,which was higher than those induced by 10 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin (50.43±10.42) pg/mL,10μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27 (40.17±8.54) pg/mL and medium control (30.51±8.03) pg/mL (F=15.85,P=0.030 and 0.037).The proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by CTP- HBcAg18-27 -Tapasin was higher than control groups.The amounts of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induced by 50 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin [(2.05±0.41) ％] and 10 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27-Tapasin [(1.06 ±0.10 )％] were both significantly higher than the 10 μg/L CTP-HBcAg18-27 group [(0.45±0.11)％] and medium group [(0.09±0.02)％,F=60.22,P=0.003].Conclusions CTP HBcAg18- 27 Tapasin could promote the differentiation and maturation of DC,and enhance the ability of DC stimulating T lymphocytes proliferation and increase CTL expression effectively.

AIM: To construct an eukaryotic expression vector of human single-chain variable fragment ~against hepatitis B virus core protein (anti-HBc ScFv) and detect its expression in HepG2 cells. METHODS: Anti-HBc ScFv genes were amplified from the plasmids abstracted from positive clone and inserted into pEGFP-c1 vector that contained green fluorescent protein gene. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cells, and resistant clones were obtained by G418 selection. The expression of the gene of fusion protein was determined by fluorescent invert microscope and ELISA. RESULTS: Recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. The plasmid transfected HepG2 cells were obtained by G418 selection. Specific fluorescence was observed in HepG2 cells 48 hours after transfection. ELISA analysis confirmed the expression of anti-HBc ScFv in the cells. CONCLUSION: The construction of human anti-HBc ScFv eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in HepG2 cells lay the foundation for advanced research of intracellular anti-HBc ScFv.

Objective:To clarify the effect of ubiquitination hepatitis B virus core antigen (Ub-HBcAg) on dendritic cells (DC) autophagy, and to explore the mechanism of autophagy in enhancing DC antigen presentation and inducing hepatitis B virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses.Methods:Ub-HBcAg lentiviral vector (LV-Ub-HBcAg), lentiviral vector-hepatitis B virus core antigen (LV-HBcAg) and no-load plasmid LV (LV) were constructed and packaged. DC2.4 cells were divided into LV-Ub-HBcAg group, LV-HBcAg group and LV group. The blank control group (NC group) was also set. The protein expression of autophagy-related protein P62, microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3B), autophagy related 5(ATG5) and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blotting. The expressions of co-stimulatory molecules such as CD86, CD80 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-Ⅱ were detected by flow cytometry. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect T lymphocytes proliferation. The non-radioactive lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) release method was applied to detect the killing ability of CTL. Statistical analysis was conducted by independent sample t test. Results:The relative protein expressions of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and ATG5 in NC group were 0.445±0.076, 0.522±0.026 and 0.761±0.038, respectively, which were all lower than those in LV-Ub-HBcAg group (0.926±0.021, 0.919±0.016 and 1.451±0.028, respectively). The relative protein expression of P62 in the NC group was higher than that in LV-Ub-HBcAg group ((1.875±0.016) vs (0.647±0.121)). The differences were all statistically significant ( t=6.102, 9.842, 17.490 and 10.590, respectively, all P<0.01). The expressions of CD86 (75.51%), CD80 (83.35%), MHC-Ⅱ (66.66%) in the LV-Ub-HBcAg group were high, and those in the NC group were 8.03%, 7.49%, 0.04%, respectively. The specific CTL killing rate ((65.310±2.091)%) of the LV-Ub-HBcAg group was significantly higher than both NC group ((14.400±0.497)%) and LV-HBcAg group ((54.870±1.443)%), and the differences were both statistically significant ( t=23.690 and 4.111, respectively, both P<0.05). Conclusion:Ub-HBcAg promotes the DC autophagy, up-regulates the expressions of costimulatory molecules on cell surface of DC to induce the maturation and activation, and then stimulates T lymphocyte to induce a stronger specific CTL response under the effort of ubiquitination.