Although DNA vaccination is now a promising strategy against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, this approach has relatively modest antiviral effect, indicating that immunosuppressive mechanisms may occur in the long-term established infection. In this study, we studied the immunogenicity and anti-HBV efficiency of a combination of HBV surface (HBsAg) and core (HBcAg) DNA vaccine, enhanced by heat shock protein (HSP) gp96 or HSP70 and mediated by in vivo electroporation. Immunization with gp96 adjuvanted HBsAg/HBcAg DNA formulation induced potent T cell and antibody immunity against HBsAg and HBcAg. Notably, treatment with gp96 or HSP70 as adjuvant resulted in reduction of Treg populations by around 20%. Moreover, compared with nonimmunized control mice, immunization with gp96 or HSP70 adjuvanted DNA vaccine dramatically decreased serum HBsAg and viral DNA levels, and HBcAg expression in liver. These results may therefore provide an effective strategy for designing gp96-based DNA vaccine for immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Electroporation ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; prevention & control ; Immunization ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology

Objective To investigate the time-effect relationship of angiogenesis induced by ultrasound.mediated microbubble destruction in the skeletal muscle of rats.Methods Forty-eight healthy SD rats were divided into 4 groups:ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction group,ultrasound only group,microbubble only group and control group.In ultrasound-mediated mierobubble destruction group, microbubbles were inj ected by vein at a dose of 0.5 ml and the target skeletal muscle was radiated at 2.0W/cm2.In ultrasound only group,the target skeletal muscle was radiated at 2.0 W/cm2.In microbubble only group.microbubbles were injected by vein at a dose of 0.5 ml.The control rats were without ultrasound radiation and microbubbles.On the 3rd,7th,10th,14th,21st and 28th day after the ultrasound radiation,two rats in each group were sacrificed and the target skeletal muscle was harvested for HE staining to observe the microstructure of tissue,immunohistochemistry staining was used to count the microvessel density (MVD),enzyme 1inked inmmunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial grouth factor(VEGF).Results Angiogenesis was significant in ultrasound-mediated mierobubhle destruction group,but a little in ultrasound only group.There was not any angiogenesis in either microbubble only group or control group.MVD and VEGF expression of ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction group arrived at a peak on the 1Oth day as well as on the 14th day of ultrasound group.Conclusions Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction can facilliate the endogenous secretion of VEGF quickly and more,and accelerate the angiogenesis in the skeletal muscle.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction on endothelium-dysfunction in ovariecto-mized rats.METHODS:The ovariectomized rats were treated with Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction or turbid liquid of estradiol va-lerate for 8 weeks.The vascular ring tension was measured.Scanning electron microscopy and Western blotting were ap-plied to assess the function of endothelium-dependent dilation, aortic endothelial morphology and the expression of endothe-lial lipase.The pathologic sections were prepared to observe the effect of Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction on the uterus.RE-SULTS:In ovariectomized rats, the decrease in endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine ( ACh) was reversed to normal level, the endothelial morphology returned to normal without lipid accumulation and the endothelial lipase expression was decreased by Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction.Furthermore, no obvious change of the wet weight of uterine between the ovari-ectomized rats with or without Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction treatment was observed.CONCLUSION:Jia-jian-yi-yin decoction may have protective effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and aortic endothelial morphology in estrogen-deficient animals.

Objective : To identify the factors affecting microvascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), so as to provide insights into the management of microvascular complications of T2DM. Methods: T2DM patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology of a tertiary hospital in Weifang City, Shandong Province from January 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled, and subjects' basic information, lifestyle and medical history were collected using questionnaire surveys. Fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were measured, and factors affecting microvascular complications were identified among T2DM patients using a multivariable logistic regression model and a decision tree model. Results: Totally 1 003 T2DM inpatients were enrolled, including 515 men (51.35%) and 488 women (48.65%), and the prevalence of microvascular complications was 40.18%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age of 60 years and older (OR=2.510, 95%CI: 1.441-4.374), T2DM duration of 10 years and longer (OR=3.205, 95%CI: 2.242-4.581), fasting insulin of lower than 3.21 μIU/mL (OR=1.749, 95%CI: 1.239-2.469), using of agents or insulin to control blood glucose (OR=1.880, 95%CI: 1.143-3.092), glycated hemoglobin level of 7% and higher (OR=1.751, 95%CI: 1.172-2.615) as factors affecting microvascular complications among T2DM patients. Decision tree analysis identified course of T2DM as a major factor affecting the risk of microvascular complications among T2DM patients, and the prevalence of microvascular complications was 70.22% among T2DM patients with disease course of 10 years and longer and fasting insulin of lower than 3.21 μIU/mL or 16.32 μIU/mL and higher, 44.23% among T2DM patients with disease course of 5 to 10 years and at ages of 60 years and older, and 43.10% among T2DM patients with disease course of less than 5 years and fasting insulin of lower than 3.21 μIU/mL. Conclusion Advanced age, long course of T2DM, low fasting insulin and high glycated hemoglobin may increase the risk of microvascular complications among T2DM patients.

Secretory anti-gp96 scFv fragment was expressed in Pichia pastoris to obtain a small molecule antibody that specifically recognizes heat shock protein gp96. The gp96-scFv fragment gene was synthesized and cloned to Pichia pastoris expression plasmid pPICZa-A. Pichia pastoris X33 was electroporated with the linearized recombinant expression vector, and expression of gp96-scFv fragment was induced by methanol. The His-tagged recombinant protein was then purified by affinity chromatography and analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting assays. The biological activities of recombinant gp96-scFv fragment were determined by Western blotting, Immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS assays. The gp96-scFv fragment was expressed successfully in Pichia pastoris. About 50 mg of recombinant protein could be purified from 1 liter of the Pichia pastoris culture supernatant. Its molecular weight was about 15 kDa. The gp96-scFv fragment could specifically bind to gp96 protein by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS analyses. Pichia pastoris-expressed gp96-scFv fragment specifically recognizes gp96 protein, which could be used for Western blotting, Immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS analyses.
Blotting, Western ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; biosynthesis

Heat-shock protein gp96 associates with antigenic peptides derived from tumor and virus. Exogenous gp96-peptide complexes are taken up by antigen-presenting cells through interaction with its receptor CD91 on the cell surface, and cross-present antigenic peptides to MHC class I molecules by a peptide relay line in the endoplasmic reticulum for specific T-cell activation. Meanwhile, gp96 has been shown to initiate innate immune responses through interaction with toll-like receptor 2 and toll-like receptor 4. Recent studies have shown a gp96-mediated immune balance between CTL and Tregs. With the further understanding of counteracting immunosuppressive mechanisms in gp96-induced cellular immune responses, and establishment of high level production of recombinant gp96 by the yeast, gp96 appears to be a promising candidate for designing effective therapeutic vaccines against tumor and infectious diseases.
Animals ; Communicable Diseases ; therapy ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; methods ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

As the most abundant liver-specific microRNA, microRNA-122 (miR-122) is involved in various physiological processes in hepatic function as well as in liver pathology. There is now compelling evidence that miR-122, as a regulator of gene networks and pathways in hepatocytes, plays a central role in diverse aspects of hepatic function and in the progress of liver diseases. This liver-enriched transcription factors-regulated miRNA promotes differentiation of hepatocytes and regulates lipid metabolism. With regard to liver diseases, miR-122 was shown to stimulate hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication through a unique and unusual interaction with two binding sites in the 5'-UTR of HCV genome to mediate the stability of the viral RNA, whereas inhibit the expression and replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by a miR-122-cylin G1/p53-HBV enhancer regulatory pathway. In addition, miR-122 acts as a suppressor of cell proliferation and malignant transformation of hepatocytes with remarkable tumor inhibition activity. Notably, a clinical trial targeting miR-122 with the anti-miR-122 oligonucleotides miravirsen, the first miRNA targeted drug, has been initiated for treatment of HCV infection. With further understanding of the comprehensive roles of miR-122 in hepatic functions and the mechanisms involved in miR-122 down-regulation in chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma, miR-122 appears to be a promising candidate for effective therapeutic approaches against tumor and infectious diseases.
Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; genetics ; Liver ; growth & development ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Diseases ; genetics ; physiopathology ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Biological

Objective:To evaluate the value of measles IgG antibody avidity assay in identifying the measles cases.Methods:Data from the Measles Surveillance Information System was used to collect laboratory confirmed or discarded cases in 2013-2015, and then tracing back the blood specimens from all measles network laboratories in Tianjin. Measles antibody avidity assay was used to detect and to redefine cases from the discarded ones.Results:A total of 326 measles cases including 267 laboratory-confirmed and 59 discarded cases were enrolled into this study, with 92.33% (301/326) of them aged ≥20 years. Result from the measles IgG antibody avidity assay showed that the ratio of high-avidity was 91.23%(52/57) of the discarded cases, which was significantly higher than 66.95% (158/236) of the laboratory confirmed cases ( χ2=13.33, P<0.001). According to the case criterion, 15.25% (9/59) of the discarded cases were redefined as measles cases. Eight out of the nine cases were high-avidity with measles containing vaccine (MCV) vaccination history that named as SVF cases. One in nine cases with low-avidity was with typical clinical symptomatic measles but with no vaccination history of MCV. Conclusion:Measles IgG antibody avidity assay could provide reference serological evidence to reduce the error from those discarded cases caused by false negative results on IgM antibody, when diagnosing the measles cases.

Objective To study the application of measles specific IgM and IgG antibody detection in classification of primary vaccination failure (PVF) and secondary vaccination failure (SVF). Methods Measles surveillance information system was used to collect measles confirmed cases in Tianjin, 2013-2015, and their blood specimens were collected, totally 284 cases were enrolled. Measles IgM and IgG were detected with enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the relative avidity index (RAI) was used to express the result of measles avidity. Measles IgM, IgG and IgM/IgG was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) as evaluation indicators. In addition, compared with a measles outbreak (26 cases) of a middle school in Tianjin in 2016, for making further verification on the diagnostic value of vaccination failure with IgM, IgG and IgM/IgG. Results The age of cases ranged was 0-58 years old, the interval median (P25, P75) of serum collection after rash onset was 2 (1, 4) days. The positive rate of measles IgM and IgG in acute phase specimens were 76.06% (216 cases) and 88.38% (251 cases). According to the ROC curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of IgM, IgG and IgM/IgG were 0.753, 0.891 and 0.952, indicating that IgM/IgG was the best index to distinguish PVF and SVF. The best cut off value for IgM/IgG was 0.06, the sensibility and specificity were 88.75% and 86.63%. When IgM/IgG>1, 96.30% cases were low?avidity (RAI<40%), only 1 case was equivocal response (RAI: 40%-60%). 97.14% cases were high?avidity (RAI >60%) when IgM/IgG <0.01, only 3 cases were equivocal response (RAI 40%-60%). The threshold of IgM/IgG was used to verify the measles outbreak of a middle school in Tianjin, 2016. In the acute phase specimens, 100% (26 cases) of IgM/IgG were <0.06, 84.62% (22 cases) of IgM/IgG were<0.01. Conclusion The detection of measles IgM and IgG with ELISA, and IgM/IgG is a valuable diagnostic tool to distinguish PVF and SVF.