B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a receptor of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). Human IgG1Fc fusion proteins with the extracellular domain of BCMA(eBCMA), also called decoy receptors, have beenused as a potential BLyS antagonists to block BLyS activities. In order to design novel BLyS antagonistpeptides, computer-aided homologue modeling was used to construct an eBCMA-Fc fusion protein based on thecrystal structures of BCMA and Fc fragmant. To ensure the activity of eBCMA not to be interfered by Fcfusion, the root mean square distance (RMSD) for eBCMA and Fc were calculated to be 0.036 nm and 0.064nm, respectively, based on molecular docking modeling. An eBCMA-Fc fusion gene was constructed andintroduced into E. coli for expression. As expected, the purified 36 kD eBCMA-Fc fusion protein was able tobind BLyS in vitro at a dosage-dependent manner and demonstrated an anti-proliferative activity induced byBLyS in Daudi cells. The results have provided useful information on the evaluation of computer modeling andthe in vitro biological activity for the design of potential BLyS antagonist peptides.

The physicochemical environment and action are similar between the traditional decoction and the extract technics with water or alcohol in the production of Chinese patent drug. Different heating time inevitably differs Chinese patent drug from its decoction; and the alteration of extracting dissolvent make great changes in the chemical constitution. All these lead to the change in the nature of a Chinese patent drug. The authors hold that it is difficult to embody exactly the aim of the prescription of Chinese drug in the existing production technology of Chinese patent drug. It is necessary to advance innovative thoughts of adopting modern technology to extract effective ingredients from single Chinese drug and in the reference of traditional decoction, recombining the composition and dosage of Chinese patent drug.

Objective To establish a stable cell line secreting human IgE Cε2-4 protein, and in-vestigate the binding capacity of receptor FcεR Ⅰ Methods The E24 gene was derived from SKO-O07 cell line, and was then cloned into pcDNA3.1 (+) (signal peptides were synthesized and fused at the 5'-end of E24 gene) or pCMV-L vector. After transient transfection into 293T cell, the secreted F24 protein was ana-lyzed by sandwich ELISA. The best vector was chosen to be transfected into CHO cells with LipofectAMI-NETM 2000 reagent. After being selected by G418 and subcloned three times by limited-dilution method, two stable cell lines were established. E24 gene was amplified by RT-PCR, and the E24 protein in the superna-tant was identified by ELISA. Besides, the binding capacity of FceR ⅠⅡ was analyzed by flow cytometry method. Results Three mammalian expression vector SP-E24-F3. 1, SP lI-E24-P3.1 and E24-PL were constructed and transient transfected to 293T cells. The output of E24 protein in the supernatant were 19.1, 19.4 and 8.7 μg/ml, respectively. Then the vector SP IX-E24-P3.1 was transfected into CHO cells. Final-ly, two single clones secreting E24 protein were stably obtained. The output of E24 were all at least 25 μg/ml. RT-PCR could detect the E24 gene from one of the two clones. Furthermore, flow cytometry results showed that E24 could bind the receptor in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Two stable cell line se- creting E24 protein were obtained, while E24 could specifically bind FcεR Ⅰ.

Objective To design and express a novel peptide based on ricin toxin antibody in E. coli, and to evaluate its biological activity. Methods Based on the crystal structure of ricin toxin A chain (RTA) and the RTA-rRNA interact in the complex model, the steric conformation of RTA was theoretical modeled and its functional domain was preliminarily determined. The humanized single-domain RTA antibody was designed rationally by computer-guidod molecular design method. Its coding sequence was ob- tained by overlapping extension PCR, and cloned into the pET-32a vector. The fusion protein was then ex-pressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3), identified by Western blot, and purified with Ni-NTA agarose. The binding and neutralizing activity of this novel peptide for riein was evaluated by competitive ELlSA assay and MTT assay. Results A recombinant human single-domain antibody expressing a polypeptide against RTA in the CDR3 loop was designed. The fusion protein was successfully expressed in E. coll. The purified protein can bind to ricin, and neutralize its activity in SP2/0 viability assay. Conclusion The success of the novel pep-tide based on riein toxin antibody provides a novel method to develop new generation of ricin antagonists.

Objective:To explore the torque effect of controlling root auxiliary arch on the straight wire appliance on maxillary anterior teeth.Methods:22 patients with class Ⅱ1 extraction treatment,treated with straightwire appliance,at the detailing treatment stage were treated with controlling root auxiliary arch over the erect or introverted maxillary incisors for positive torque.The main arch wire of 0.46 mm ×0.64 mm stainless steel edge wire was used in 14 cases,the main arch wire of 0.46 mm stainless steel round wire was used in 8 cases.Cephalometric results before and after maxillary incisor torque were analyzed by t test.Results:After maxillary incisor torque in the 22 cases 1-SN and UIa-NA value increased(P ＜0.01),positive torque was achieved by controlling root auxiliary arch on the upper incisors;the round wire maxillary incisor torque worked faster than the edge wire(P ＜0.05).Conclusion:At the detailing stage of treatment straight wire appliance on front teeth,controlling root auxiliary arch is simple and effective in the treatment of exces-sive erect or lingual inclination of maxillary incisor.

A three-dimensional (3D) graphic model of a single-chain Fv (scFv) which was derived from an anti-human placental acidic isoferritin (PAF) monoclonal antibody (Mab) was constructed by a homologous protein-predicting computer algorithm on Silicon graphic computer station.The structure, surface static electricity and hydrophobicity of scFv were investigated. Computer graphic modelling indicated that all regions of scFv including the linker, variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains were suitable. The VH region and the VL region were involved in composing the "hydrophobic pocket". The linker was drifted away VH and VL regions. The complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of VH and VL regions surrounded the "hydrophobic pocket". This study provides a theory basis for improving antibody affinity, investigating antibody structure and analyzing the functions of VH and VL regions in antibody activity.

A three-dimensional (3D) graphic model of a single-chain Fv (scFv) which was derived from an anti-human placental acidic isoferritin (PAF) monoclonal antibody (Mab) was constructed by a homologous protein-predicting computer algorithm on Silicon graphic computer station.The structure, surface static electricity and hydrophobicity of scFv were investigated. Computer graphic modelling indicated that all regions of scFv including the linker, variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains were suitable. The VH region and the VL region were involved in composing the "hydrophobic pocket". The linker was drifted away VH and VL regions. The complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of VH and VL regions surrounded the "hydrophobic pocket". This study provides a theory basis for improving antibody affinity, investigating antibody structure and analyzing the functions of VH and VL regions in antibody activity.

Objective To develop a human Tim-3 specific monoclonal antibody and evaluate its biological activity and possible use in clinical diseases associated with dysregulated Tim-3 expression .Methods The BALB/c mice were immu-nized by conventional method, and positive clones were used to develop anti-human Tim-3 antibody, the binding and neutralization activities of which in vitro and in vivo were investigated.Results ①A monoclonal antibody (clone L3D) which could specifically bind to human Tim-3 protein in ELISA assay was obtained and the subtype of the monoclonal antibody was IgG2a .②Flow cytometry indicated that the monoclonal antibody could bind to Tim-3 expressed in human U937 cells.This antibody also showed a cross activity to mice′Tim-3.③The monoclonal antibody inhibited the apoptosis of THP1 cells induced by Gal-9, the ligand of Tim-3.④Injection of Tim-3 antibody exacerbated sepsis in mice as marked by the decreased survival rate and increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines .Conclusion An anti-human Tim-3 monoclonal antibody is successfully obtained.The excellent binding and neutralization activities of this antibody enable it to be widely used in clinical diseases associated with deregulated Tim-3 expression .

Objective To examine whether Tim-3 plays a protective role in paraquat poisoning induced excessive immune response and tissue damage based on the critical roles of Tim-3 controlling inflammatory response.Methods A paraquat poisoning model was established in wild type and in Tim-3 transgenic C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of paraquat (40 mg/kg) .In addition, C57BL/6 mice with paraquat poisoning were injected with Tim-3 soluble protein( sTim-3) or control protein to see the effect of Tim-3 blocking on the progression of paraquat poisoning.Samples were collected at 6 and 24 h after paraquat injection respectively and were examined for tissue damage, cytokine expression and paraquat metabolism.Results After paraquat poisoning, there was significantly attenuated tissue damage in the lungs and kidneys and decreased TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 beta expression in the PBMCs or in the serum from Tim-3 transgenic mice compared to wild type mice.The serum concentration of paraquat in Tim-3 transgenic mice was also significantly decreased.However, in sTim-3 treated paraquat poisoning mice, there was significantly increased cytokine expression and tissue damage compared to control protein treated mice.The in vitro data showed that Tim-3 signaling negatively regulated macrophages mediated inflammatory response.Conclusion Tim-3 plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis after paraquat poisoning. Further investigation on the regulatory roles of Tim-3 in inflammation will shed new light on the pathogenesis of paraquat poisoning and provide new therapeutic strategies.

Objective To study the intrinsic relationships between the binding energy of the antibody light and heavy chains and the conformational characteristics , physical and chemical properties , and to establish a corresponding mathemat-ical model and evaluate the thermal stability of the antibody molecules , which contribute to the antibody design , optimiza-tion and affinity maturation .Methods Based on bioinformatics and computational biology methods , the antibody′s structur-al information with the crystal diffraction data was analyzed .The conformational character of the variable domain of the antibody was studied using distance geometry and computer graphics technology .With the aid of the intermolecular hydrogen bond formation theory and the reaction free energy theory , the dynamic structure and energy characteristics be-tween the heavy and light chain variable regions of the antibody were studied .Furthermore , using nonlinear fitting and regression analysis, a mathematical model was set up .Results According to simulation and statistic analysis , there was a linear relationship between the binding energy and the number of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding , Van der Waals interaction of the heavy and light chains of the antibody .There was polynomial correlation between the binding energy and the physicochemical properties of the antibody .Using the frequency of amino acid position and the established model , the humanized anti-ricin antibody , which could not obtain the stable engineering cell line , was evaluated and optimized .The stable engineering cell line of the humanized anti-ricin antibody was obtained in the experiment .Conclusion The self structure of the antibody variable region ( conformation and physicochemical properties ) has much effect on its stability . The antibody stability can be improved by structural optimization .