1.Immunogenicity analysis of a recombinant protein CPSIT_p7 and its expression in HeLa cells during persistent Chlamydophila psittaci infection
Qingzhi HE ; Huaicai ZENG ; Zhiqing LI ; Chuan WANG ; Yanqun HU ; Zhixi CHEN ; Yimou WU
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2014;(8):604-608
Objective To construct a prokaryotic expression plasmid for CPSIT_p7 gene from Chlamydophila psittaci ( Cps) 6BC strain and to evaluate immunogenicity of the recombinant protein His-CPSIT_p7 and detect its dynamic expression at mRNA and protein levels in HeLa cells during persistent Cps infection.Methods The fusion protein His-CPSIT_p7 was expressed in E.coli BL21 and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography .BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant protein to prepare polyclonal antibody for evaluation of the immunogenicity of His-CPSIT_p7 by ELISA.Penicillin sodium was used to establish a model of Cps persistence infection .RT-PCR and Western blot assay were performed to de-tect the expression of CPSIT_p7 at mRNA and protein levels during Cps persistent infection .Results The fusion protein His-CPSIT_p7 was successfully expressed with the use of constructed recombinant expression plasmid pET30 a-CPSIT_p7 and purified .ELISA result showed that the specific antibody titer against CPSIT_p7 reached 1 ∶1 000 000 on the 40th days after immunization .The expression of CPSIT_p7 at mRNA and protein levels were increased in a time-dependent manner in Cps-infected HeLa cells .The peak of mRNA level was reached at the time point of 36 hours after infection , followed by a time-dependent decrease during Cps acute infection .However , the expression of CPSIT_p7 at mRNA and protein levels were not decreased until 60 hours after infection during Cps persistent infection .Conclusion His-CPSIT_p7 protein was suc-cessfully expressed in the prokaryotic expression system and purified , showing an advantage of good immuno-genicity.Highly expressed CPSIT_p7 at mRNA and protein levels were detected during Cps persistent infection.
2.In vitro antifungal activity of four antifungal agents alone or in combination against Exophiala dermatitidis biofilms
Wenqian ZHENG ; Yi SUN ; Lujuan GAO ; Qingzhi WU ; Ming LI ; Tongxiang ZENG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2018;51(1):51-53
Objective To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of 4 antifungal agents alone or in combination against Exophiala dermatitidis (E.dermatitidis) biofilms.Methods E.dermatitidis biofilms were prepared by using a modified 96-well plate-based method.The in vitro antifungal activity of amphotericin B,voriconazole,itraconazole and caspofungin alone or in combination against E.dermatitidis biofilms were investigated via the broth microdilution checkerboard technique.Results The sessile minimum inhibitory concentration ranges resulting in 50% (SMICS0) and 80% inhibition (SMIC80) of E.dermatitidis biofilms were all > 32 mg/L for itraconazole,voriconazole and caspofungin,and the SMIC50 and SMIC80 ranges of amphotericin B were 1-2 mg/L and 4-8 mg/L respectively.The combination of amphotericin B with voriconazole showed synergistic inhibitory effects against E.dermatitidis biofilms,while the combination of amphotericin B with itraconazole or caspofungin,as well as the combination of voriconazole with caspofungin,revealed no synergistic effects.No antagonistic effect was observed in any of the combinations.Conclusion Amphotericin B appears more active against E.dermatitidis biofilms,and the combination with voriconazole can enhance the anti-biofilm effects against E.dermatitidis biofilms.
3.Approach to the mental health service system development in Shanghai
Fei XIE ; Yanling HE ; Bin XIE ; Yifeng XU ; Ning MA ; Yanping GUO ; Xinhua MU ; Qingzhi ZENG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2019;35(2):94-99
Mental health is key to public health, as building and developing a mental health service system is legally required in the Mental Health Law of China. The authors probed deep, by means of questionnaire, field survey and group interview, into the characteristics and setbacks of the resources available, organizational framework and operations of the system in China. As found in the study, given a framework in place, this system is plagued by insufficient human resources, weak infrastructure, unreasonable input and compensation mechanism, as well as poor management at community level. These problems are common nationwide. On this basis and with reference to experiences of developed countries, policy proposals are raised in terms of integrated system building, capacity building and assurance mechanism, for framework building and supportive policies of other cities in China.
4.Highly sensitive H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system for precise treatment of atherosclerosis.
Xiaoyu LIANG ; Huiyang LI ; Xuanling LI ; Xinxin TIAN ; Aiai ZHANG ; Qingzhi LUO ; Jianwei DUAN ; Youlu CHEN ; Liyun PANG ; Chen LI ; Xing-Jie LIANG ; Yong ZENG ; Jing YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(1):372-389
In atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory processes in local diseased areas may lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we devised a highly sensitive H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system loaded with probucol (RPP-PU), to treat atherosclerosis more effectively. The RPP material had high sensitivity to H2O2, and the response sensitivity could be reduced from 40 to 10 μmol/L which was close to the lowest concentration of H2O2 levels of the pathological environment. RPP-PU delayed the release and prolonged the duration of PU in vivo. In Apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE‒/‒) mice, RPP-PU effectively eliminated pathological ROS, reduced the level of lipids and related metabolic enzymes, and significantly decreased the area of vascular plaques and fibers. Our study demonstrated that the H2O2-scavenging nano-bionic system could scavenge the abundant ROS in the atherosclerosis lesion, thereby reducing the oxidative stress for treating atherosclerosis and thus achieve the therapeutic goals with atherosclerosis more desirably.