Objective To investigate the mocelualr mechanism of Cordycepin negative modulates LPSinduced cytokine production in murine macrophages.Methods The RAW264.7 murine macrophages were cultured in vitro and were pre-treated by different concentration of Cordycepin,and then stimulated by LPS for 8 h.Production of TNF-o,IL-6 and IL-12,and the content of p65 in the nuclear were detected by ELISA.Expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and phosphorylation of IκB and p38 were measured by Western blot.Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was detected by Immunofluorescence.Results 1 ～ 30 μg/mL of Cordycepin treatment significantly abrogated LPS-induced TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-12 production,p65 nuclear translocation and IκB phosphorylation.In addition,different concentration of Cordycepin could also induce RAW264.7 cells expression of HO-1,phosphorylation of p38 and nuclear translocation of Nrf2.Application of p38 inhibitor and small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of Nrf-2 significantly inhibited surfactin-induced HO-1 expression.Treatment with a selective inhibitor of HO-1 reversed the Cordycepin mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Conclusions Cordycepin induces antiinflammatory effects by inhibition of NF-κB and activation of Nrf-2 and p38 mediated HO-1 induction.

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are well associated with the desiccation tolerance in organisms. LEA proteins are categorized into at least seven groups by virtue of similarities in their deduced amino acid sequences. Most of the LEA proteins have the characteristics of high hydrophilicity and thermo-stability. The LEA proteins are in unstructured conformation in aqueous solution. However, they adopted amphiphilic alpha-helix structure during desiccation condition. LEA proteins are localized to the different organelles in the cells, i.e. cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nucleus. The multi-functional capacity of LEA proteins are suggested, as protein stabilization, protection of enzyme activity, membrane association and stabilization, antioxidant function, metal-ion binding or DNA protection, etc. Here, we review the structural and functional characteristics of LEA proteins to provide a reference platform to understand their protective mechanisms during the adaptive response to desiccation in organisms.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Dehydration ; Desiccation ; Droughts ; Plant Physiological Phenomena ; Plant Proteins ; physiology ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo study the pattern of CGG repeat instability within germline cells derived from two male fetuses affected with Fragile X syndrome (FXS).

METHODSThe length and methylation status of CGG repeats within the testes of a fetus carrying a full FXS mutation and another fetus carrying mosaicism FXS mutation were analyzed with Southern blotting and AmplideX FMR1 PCR. Immunohistochemistry was also applied for the measurement of FMR1 protein (FMRP) expression within the testes.

RESULTSFor the fetus carrying the full mutation, Southern blotting analysis of the PCR product has detected an expected band representing the full mutation in its brain and a premutation band of > 160 CGG repeats in its testis. Whereas the pattern of premutation/full mutation in mosaic testis was similar to that in peripheral blood and no sign of contracted fragment was found other than a band of about 160 CGG repeats. Immunohistochemistry assay with a FMRP-specific antibody demonstrated a number of FMRP-positive germ cells, which suggested a contraction from full mutation to premutation alleles.

CONCLUSIONThis study has clarified the instability pattern of CGG repeat and expression of FMRP protein within the testes of fetuses affected with FXS, confirming that the CGG repeat can contract progressively within the germline. The FMRP expression in the testis is consistent with spermatogonium proliferation, and thus the contraction from full mutation to unmethylated premutations may occur for the requirement of FMRP expression during spermatogenesis. The better understanding of FMRP function during germ cell proliferation may elucidate the mechanism underlying the contraction of full FXS mutation in male germline.

Abortion, Eugenic ; Blotting, Southern ; Brain ; embryology ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Fatal Outcome ; Fetus ; cytology ; metabolism ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fragile X Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mosaicism ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Testis ; cytology ; embryology ; metabolism ; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion ; genetics

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common monogenic form of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More than 99% of individuals with FXS are caused by the unstable expansion of CGG repeats located within the 5'-untranslated region of the FMR1 gene. The clinical features of FXS include various degrees of cognitive deficit, physical, behavioral and psychiatric problems. Early treatment and prevention from having further affected children can be guided by molecular genetic testing of the FMR1 gene. The following guideline has combined the relevant research, guidelines and consensus worldwide, and summarized the genetic knowledge and clinical treatment for FXS in order to achieve a standardized diagnosis, treatment and prevention for patients and families affected by this disease.
Child ; Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy* ; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein/genetics* ; Fragile X Syndrome/therapy* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the effects of Ureaplasma urealyticum GrpE ( Uu-GrpE) on the maturation of dendritic cells and the polarization of T cells. Methods:Uu-GrpE was expressed and purified, and then identified by Western blot. The cytotoxicity of Uu-GrpE to mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was analyzed by LDH kit. After stimulating BMDCs with Uu-GrpE, the expression of costimulatory molecules, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHCⅡ), on the surface of BMDCs was detected by flow cytometry, and ELISA was used to detect the cytokines such as IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. CD4 + Na?ve T cells were isolated from mouse spleen tissues by magnetic beads. A co-culture system of BMDCs and Na?ve T cells was constructed to analyze the effects of GrpE-stimulated mature BMDCs (GrpE-BMDCs) on T cell proliferation and polarization towards Th1/Th2. Mice were immunized with GrpE-BMDCs through the tail vein, and the induced humoral and cellular immune responses were detected by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results:Uu-GrpE was successfully express and high purity BMDCs were isolated. Uu-GrpE could stimulate BMDCs to secrete cytokines such as IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 without having cytotoxicity. Uu-GrpE significantly increased the expression of CD80 [mean flourscence indensity (MFI): (324.00±22.11) vs (91.03±10.95), P<0.01], CD86 [MFI: (1 176.00±51.39) vs (217.00±14.93), P<0.01] and MHCⅡ [MFI: (708.70±56.32) vs (185.70±16.77), P<0.01] on BMDCs. Compared to the GrpE-BMDCs only group and GrpE (boiled)-BMDCs+ T cell group, the GrpE-BMDCs+ T cell group showed significantly increased T cell proliferation [stimulation index: (7.25±0.21) vs(6.55±0.23) and (6.09±0.35), both P<0.05], and dramatically promoted T cell secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ [IL-2: (145.60±14.67) pg/ml vs(55.92±3.12) pg/ml and (26.05±2.40) pg/ml, P<0.05 and P<0.01; IFN-γ: (267.20±37.80) pg/ml vs(146.70±20.65) pg/ml and(27.84±6.69) pg/ml, both P<0.05]. However, no significant change was observed in the expression of Th2-type cytokines. Moreover, the adoptive transfer of GrpE-BMDCs induced a Th1-type immune response. Conclusions:Uu-GrpE could stimulate the maturation and polarization of BMDCs. Moreover, it could induce Th1 immune response as a candidate protein vaccine for Ureaplasma urealyticum.