AIM: To construct full length hCD59 eukaryotic and extracellular domain of hCD59 (hsCD59) prokaryotic expression vectors and prepare polyclonal antibody of hCD59. METHODS: cDNA fragments encoding hCD59 and hsCD59 were amplified from human PBMCs by RT-PCR and cloned into the eukaryotic vector pVAX-1 and prokaryotic vector pGEX-KG, respectively. The recombinant fusion protein GST-hsCD59 was expressed in E. coil BL21 induced by IPTG. Then the fusion protein was purified and identified. Polyclonal antibody against hCD59 was prepared by immunizing rabbit with pVAX-1-hCD59 and boosting with GSThsCD59 fusion protein, and the titer was identified. RESULTS: The recombinant eukaryotic vector pVAX-1-hCD59 and prokaryotic vector pGEX-KG-hsCD59 were successfully constructed. The GST-hsCD59 fusion protein was over-expressed in E. coli BL21 and the relative molecular mass (M~r) of the expression product was identical with predicted size. The titer of the anti-hCD59 serum was 1:3 200. CONCLUSION: We got the recombinant eukaryotic vector pVAX-1-hCD59, prokaryotic vector pGEX-KG-hsCD59 and rabbit anti-hCD59 polyclonal antibody successfully. These work would be helpful for the further study of the biological function of human CD59.

AIM: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that parthenolide suppresses ischemia-induced neuroinflammation in the MCAO model of adult rat. METHODS: MCAO rats were treated i.p. with parthenolide (500 μg/kg). Brain sections were analyzed for BrdU, BrdU-DCX, BrdU-Tuj-1, BrdU-MAP-2 and BrdU-GFAP staining. Total protein was extracted from ischemic striatum, and Western blot was used to determine TNF-α expression. RESULTS: Cerebral ischemia increases expression of TNF-α in the ischemic striatum. Parthenolide suppressed the expression of TNF-α and enhances the proliferation of newborn cells in the ischemic striatum. The cell number of BrdU~+-DCX~+, BrdU~+-Tuj-1~+, and BrdU~+-MAP-2~+ is increased in the ischemic striatum after parthenolide treatment at 3 d, 7 d or 28 d after MCAO. Furthermore, parthenolide depressed the cell number of BrdU~+-GFAP~+ in the ischemic striatum at 3 d, 7 d and 28 d after MCAO. CONCLUSION: Parthenolide inhibits neuroinflammation induced by cerebral ischemia and promotes neurogenesis in the ischemic striatum. Further study of the effects of parthenolide on inflammatory gene expression using model animal systems as described here are critical to elucidating their mechanisms of action.

Aim To improve the sensitivity of phycobiliprotein immunofluorescence assay(PBPIFA), by introducing into bridged avidin biotin(BRAB) technique,known as BRAB-PBPIFA. Methods Using ELISA as a gold standard, effectiveness of three assays(direct PBPIFA, BRAB-PBPIFA and ELISA)were compared in simultaneous detection of standard antigen and 500 serum samples. Results BRAB improved greatly sensitivity of PBPIFA in detecting antigen of low concentration, and detection rate of weakly positive samples could increase by one times and a half. In the applying, protein-free blocking agent Tween 20 to BRAB-PBPIFA,possessed better blocking effect. Conclusion Combination of BRAB technique with PBPIFA can improve the detcctive sensitivity.

AIM: To construct the replicative defecient adenovirus Ad-Runx3 expressing Runx3, and to express it in U251 malignant glioblastoma cells. METHODS: The runx3 gene with a flag tag was amplified by PCR using pCMV5-AML2 as a template, and was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The adenovirus shuttle vector pShuttle-CMVRunx3 was constructed by introducing runx3 DNA fragment into the sites of Kpn Ⅰ and Xho Ⅰ of pShuttle-CMV vector. This recombinant plasmid was linearized by Pmel and electronically transfected into BJ5183 cells to get the recombinant adenovirus vector Ad-Runx3. The recombinant adenovirus expressing Runx3 was infected into U251 malignant glioblastoma cells. The expression of exogenous Runx3 was observed by immonoblotting and its localization was detected by immunostaining using anti-Flag tag antibody. RESULTS: The recombinant adenovirus expressing Runx3 with a Flag tag was constructed and infected into U251 glioblastoma cells. The exogenous Runx3 protein was detected only in the nuclei. CONCLUSION: The recombinant adenovirus expressing Runx3 with a Flag tag is constructed successfully, and the Runx3 protein expressed in the nuclei of infected cells. The study laid a foundation for further research of the function of Runx3 in gliocarcinogenesis.

AIM: To investigate the CdTe quantum dots coated with MPA and explore its biocompatibility with living cells. METHODS: CdTe quantum dots coated with MPA were prepared in aqueous phase and MPA CdTe QDs were Characterized with TEM, fluorospectrophotometer and ultraviolet spectrophotometer. QDs were Modified with with avidin, purified and prepared as flurescent probe. LSCM was used to observe the expression of MHC Ⅱ antigen on PMφ cells, which was labeled by QDs. Cell culture and MTT assays were used to determine the biocompatibility of MPA coated CdTe quantum dots with the B-16 cells as target cells. RESULTS: The particle diameter of CdTe quantum dots prepared in aqueous phase was well distributed. They had good photological performance and greater stability after coated with MPA. MHC Ⅱ antigen on PMφ was labeled with the QDs-Avidin fluorescent probe showed great fluorescence intensity, which was easy to be detected by fluorescence microscope and LSCM. MPA CdTe QDs showed cytotoxicity when its density was very high, but they showed little cytotoxicity during the normal use of influence label density limit. CONCLUSION: MPA CdTe QDs can be used as new fluorescent lable as they are of even size, not easy to bleach or quench, have good photological performance and stability and good biocompatibility.

AIM: To prepare a soluble hemangiopoietin(HAPO) protein and to construct pET22b(+) expression vector, to obtain pure recombinant HAPO protein and to measure its bioactivity. METHODS: HAPO cDNA was amplified using RT-PCR method from a commercial human fetal liver cDNA library. The resulting product was cloned into pET22b(+) vector and transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant protein was isolated and purified by Ni~(2+)-NTA chelating resin and the chromatographies of SP Sepharose FF. The adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were measured by adhesion assay. RESULTS: HAPO gene with a reading frame of 897 bp was successfully cloned from human fetal liver cDNA library, the expressed pET22b(+)-HAPO fused protein existed in a soluble form, with the yield above 10% total bacterial protein and its purity achieved above 80%. The activity assay showed that the treatment of HAPO enhanced total adherence of HUVEC in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: HAPO protein can be expressed in a soluble form. HAPO may facilitate the homing of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro.

AIM: To clone EBV-LMP2A gene, construct and identify the recombinant retroviral vector and stable cell strains expressing EBV LMP2A. METHODS: The full-length EBV LMP2A gene was generated by RT-PCR amplification from B95.8 cells which contain complement nucleotide sequence of EBV LMP2A gene. The gene was ligated to T-vector and sequenced to construct retroviral vector consisting with LMP2A. To produce retroviral virus, packing cells, 293T cells were co-transfected with recombinant retroviral expression vector pGEZ-LMP2A and two auxiliary viral vectors pHIT456 and pHIT60 by lipofectAMINE2000. Viral titration was performed according to the instructions of the manufacturer. To establish L929 cell line stable expressing LMP2A, L929 cells were infected with recombinant retrovirus three times and selected by Zeocine. The Zeocine-resistant clones (L929/LMP2A) were screened for LMP2A expression by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The recombinant retrovirus vector carrying LMP2A gene was constructed successfully. Transfection yield a titer of 5×10~8 infectious particles/L. The infected L929 cells were selected by Zeocine. Results of RT-PCR and Western blot indicated that L929 transgenetic cells could stably express EBV-LMP2A. CONCLUSION: The L929 cell line stably expressing LMP2A provides suitability for extraction of the LMP2A protein and preparations of the vaccine for the therapy of EBV-associated diseases.

AIM: To investigate the alteration and its significance of T help 17 cells(Th17) in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis(CLT). METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: CLT patients with euthyroidism (n = 15), CLT patients with hypothyroidism (n = 30) and healthy control group(n = 20). The ratio of Th17 lymphocytes subpopulations in the preipheral blood were evaluated by technique of flow cytometry. Production of thyroid autoantibody (TPO-Ab, TG-Ab) were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, in CLT group: The frequencies of Th17 in peripheral blood were found to be significantly higher in patients with CLT than healthy control group (P < 0.01); Production of TPO-Ab and TG-Ab markedly increased in CLT patients than healthy control group (P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between the positive expression of thyroid autoantibody and the changes of Th17 subpopulations (r=0.50, r=0.43 respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequencies of Th17 cell increased in patients with CLT which may suggest a potential role for Th17 in the progression and happen of CLT.

Aim To explore the ethanol-induced apoptosis effect on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells and its relationship to the expression of apoptosis associated genes, bax and bcl-2. Methods The cytotoxic effect of 20～ 100 mL/ L ethanol on HCC cell line HCC-9204 was tested by thiazolyl-blue (MTT) assay. Then apoptosis of HCC-9204 cells was induced with 60 mL/ L of ethanol for 6 h. The morphological change, DNA breakage and the change of DNA content of different cell cycles of the apoptotic cells were detected by May-Grunwald Giemsa(MGG) staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometer respectively. The changes of expression level of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were detected by immunocytochemical staining and image analysis. Results The higher the concentration of ethanol was, the stronger the cytotoxic effect on HCC-9204 cells was. 60 mL/ L of ethanol could lead to obviously morphological apoptotic changes of HCC-9204 cells, and majority of the cells were TUNEL positive by TUNEL labeling assay. Typical apoptotic sub G1 peak was observed by flow cytometer. The level of Bax protein expression increased significantly after induced with 60 mL/ L of ethanol for 6 h, no expression of Bcl 2 were found before and after induced with ethanol. Conclusion Low dose of ethanol can induce apoptosis of HCC-9204 cells obviously, and occurance of the apoptosis is related to the increase of the level of Bax protein expression.

AIM: To study the effect and mechanism of BCG on human nature killer cells. METHODS: PBMC or purified NK cells were isolated from normal human peripheral blood with negative anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody and cultured with BCG, IL-12, BCG plus IL-12 and BCG plus anti-IL-12Rβ1 mAb (2B10), respectively. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-12p40 in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The frequency of IFN-γ and granzyme B producing cells were analyzed by ELISpot. The cytolytic activity was detected by MTT reduction assay. The surface expression of IL-12Rβ1 on NK cells was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: BCG significantly induced IFN-γ production by PBMC in a dose-dependent manner. When PBMC was stimulated with BCG, the frequency of granzyme B producing cells was higher than that in unstimulated PBMC (P<0.05). BCG enhanced the cytotoxic activity of PBMC. BCG alone didn' t induce IFN-γ production by purified NK cells, but it can augment IL-12-induced IFN-γ production by purified NK cells. The cytotoxic activities of BCG-stimulated and unstimulated purified NK cells were not significantly different (P>0.05). BCG induced IL-12 production by PBMC in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced IL-12Rβ1 expression on different subsets of NK cells. Blocking the effect of IL-12 by anti-IL-12Rβ1 mAb (2B10) inhibited BCG-induced IFN-γ production and granzyme B releasing by PBMC. CONCLUSION: BCG can indirectly promote biologic activity of NK cells and the production of endogenous IL-12 combined with up-regulation IL-12Rβ1 expression on the surface of NK cells is a part of the mechanisms of IL-12 on human NK cells.