Objective To investigate the relationship between the immune defence reaction against Plasmodium infection and the prophenoloxidase (PPO) of the midgut by comparative analysis of the distributions and the changes of PPO in the midgut of Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles dirus before and after infection with Plasmodium yoelii . Methods Midguts were dissected out from both Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles dirus at 3, 5, 7, 11 and 15 d before and after infection with Plasmodium yoelii . Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed respectively on the collected midguts using Manduca Sexta PPO IgG polyantibody. Results PPO in the midguts from both Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles dirus was mainly located in the circulation conduit of midgut before infection with Plasmodium yoelii , but aggregated and distributed at the interspace of midguts as pieced or/and stripped forms after infection. Furthermore, PPO in the midgut of Anopheles dirus was more concentrated than that of Anopheles stephensi . Western blotting revealed that the PPO band with about molecular weight of 67?10 3 was detected in the midguts of both Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles dirus before and after Plasmodium yoelii infection. There was significant difference before and after infection, and the PPO band was obviously enhanced after infection. PPO bands in the midgut of Anopheles dirus were more prominent than those of Anopheles stephensi . Conclusion PPO in the midgut of Anopheles mosquitoes may come from the hemolymph by the circulation conduit before Plasmodium yoelii infection. However, the different distributions and changes of PPO in the midguts resulted from the Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodia may be closely correlated with Plasmodia infection, which may be of important physiological significance and may be involved in the immune defensive reaction against Plasmodium .

Objective To clone the partial cDNA sequence of prophenoloxidase (PPO) gene of Anopheles dirus . Methods Degenerative primers were designed according to the conserved sequence blocks within the prophenoloxidase of insects. RNA sequence of the larva of Anopheles dirus was amplified by RT PCR to get the prophenoloxidase cDNA which was then cloned into T vector and sequenced. The partial cDNA sequence of prophenoloxidase gene was analysed and compared with other prophenoloxidase gene of insects. Results The partial cDNA sequence of AdPPO4 was 597 bp, and its deduced amino acid sequence was 199aa. The cDNA sequence homology and amino acid sequence homology was 84% and 90%, respectively, as compared with the PPO4 gene of Anopheles gambiae . Conclusion The AdPPO4, with high sequence homology with the PPO4 gene of Anopheles gambiae , is successfully cloned from the larva of Anopheles dirus .

BACKGROUND:It is reported that tailless-like protein (TLX) plays critical roles in the regulation of early developmental processes in vertebrates, and it plays a key role in stem cells proliferation and differentiation into neurons. OBJECTIVE: To construct recombinant plasmid pEGFPN1-TLX and study the transfection into dermal multipotential stem cells. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Cytogene experiment was performed at the Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from March to December 2007. MATERIALS: An adult SD was obtained from the Experimental Animal Center of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; dermal moltipotential stem cells (DMSCs) were cultured by the Institute of Combined Injury of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; pEGFPN1 and DH5α was gifted by professor Xu.METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from rat brain tissue to amplify TLX-coded cDNA sequence using RT-PCR. T/A was cloned on pMD18-T vector and determined using BamHI and Hindlll. The products were positive recombinant plasmid pMD18-T-TLX segments, which were sub-cloned in pEGFPN1 to construct recombinant plasmid pEGFPN1-TLX. Finally, pEGFPN1-TLX was transfected into DMSCs.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The fluorescence protein expression was observed under fluorescence microscope at 24 hours after transfection; TLX mRNA expression was detected using RT-PCR; neuronal differentiation was observed using immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: TLX full length cDNA was successfully cloned into pEGFPN1, and pEGFPN1-TLX was successfully constructed by means of sequence analysis and enzyme cutting identification. As compared with non-transfected DMSCs, pEGFPN1-TLX transfected DMSCs were observed after 10 days, formed resistant clones after 15 days, and shown a green fluorescent protein expression. However, non-transfected DMSCs died at day 10. RT-PCR indicated that pEGFPN1-TLX transfected DMSCs could express TLX mRNA. At day 3 after induction, NF200 positive cells were increased, but glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells were decreased after induction of pEGFPN1-TLX transfected DMSCs.CONCLUSION: TLX was successfully constructed and transfected into DMSCs. After transfection, neuronal differentiation of DMSCs was enhanced, and the differentiation to gliocytes was inhibited.

The development of acute liver injury can result in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer, yet there is currently no effective therapy for it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and therapeutic mechanism of Lyciumbarbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). To create a model of acute liver injury, experimental canines received an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL/kg of CCl₄ solution. The experimental canines in the therapy group were then fed LBPs (20 mg/kg). CCl₄-induced liver structural damage, excessive fibrosis, and reduced mitochondrial density were all improved by LBPs, according to microstructure data. By suppressing Kelch-like epichlorohydrin (ECH)-associated protein 1 (Keap1), promoting the production of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1)/p62, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and phase II detoxification genes and proteins downstream of Nrf2, and restoring the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), LBPs can restore and increase the antioxidant capacity of liver. To lessen mitochondrial damage, LBPs can also enhance mitochondrial respiration, raise tissue adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and reactivate the respiratory chain complexes I‒V. According to serum metabolomics, the therapeutic impact of LBPs on acute liver damage is accomplished mostly by controlling the pathways to lipid metabolism. 9-Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC/LPC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) may be potential indicators of acute liver injury. This study confirmed that LBPs, an effective hepatoprotective drug, may cure acute liver injury by lowering oxidative stress, repairing mitochondrial damage, and regulating metabolic pathways.
Animals ; Dogs ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Liver ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Lycium/chemistry*