Objective To study the influence of oral antigens on the expression of costimulatory molecules CD80/CD86 on the surface of M and to investigate the genesis of pregnancy immunological tolerance induced by oral antigens through CD80/CD86. Methods Mice of spontaneous abortion(CBA/J?DBA/2) were divided into two groups: immune group and non-immune group.Trophoblast membrane antigen-2(TMA2)or ovum albumin(OVA) was administered orally to the mice in the immune group.Mice of normal pregnancy(CBA/J?BALB/c) were served as controls.The number of CD80/CD86 M of spleen and mesenteric lymph node(MLN) were determined by double-label FCM method. Results In the MLN,CD80 M of non-immune group was increased significantly as compared with that of the control group(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of the gene polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 2 ( TLR2) and TLR4 with the susceptibility and recurrence of condyloma acuminatum (CA).

METHODSUsing Snapshot, we detected the gene polymorphisms of TLR2 597(T/C), 1350(T/C), 15607(A/G), and 2258(G/A) and TLR4 896(A/G) and 1196(C/T) in the peripheral blood of 140 CA patients and 105 HPV-negative controls. We made comparisons between the CA patients and controls as well as between the cases of recurrent CA and those of non-recurrence at 6 months after treatment.

RESULTSThere were 72, 48, and 20 cases of genotype TT, TC, and CC of TLR2 597 (T/C), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 71, 31, and 3 cases in the controls. The gene frequency of mutant C was 31. 43% in the patients, significantly higher than 17.62% in the controls (χ2 = 12.04, P < 0.01), and it was 38.68% in the recurrent cases, remarkably higher than 27.01% in the non-recurrent cases (χ2 = 4.16, P < 0.05). There were 74, 49, and 17 cases of genotype TT, TC, and CC of TLR2 1350( T/C), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 73, 29, and 3 cases in the controls. The gene frequency of mutant C was 29. 64% in the patients, significantly higher than 16. 67% in the controls (χ2 =11.05, P < 0.01), and it was 36.79% in the recurrent cases, markedly higher than 25. 29% in the non-recurrent cases (χ2 = 4.18, P < 0.05). There were 44, 66, and 30 cases of genotype AA, AG, and GG of TLR2 15607(A/G), respectively, in the CA patients, as compared with 26, 58, and 21 cases in the controls. There was no significant difference in the gene frequencies of mutant G between the two groups (χ2 = 0.33, P > 0.05). No mutant genes of TLR2 2508 (G/A) or TLR4 896(A/G) and 1196(C/ T) were detected in either the CA patients or the controls. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed a tight linkage between TLR2 597 (T/C) and 1350(T/C) (D' = 1, r2 = 0.93).

CONCLUSIONTLR2 597(T/C) is tightly linked to 1350(T/C), which is correlated with both the susceptibility and the recurrence of condyloma acuminatum.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Condylomata Acuminata ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Recurrence ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics

Background and purpose:Concurrent radiochemotherapy is the standard modality for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. This clinical trial aimed to assess the effectiveness and toxicity of continuous infusion of 5-lfuorouracil (5-FU) and weekly paclitaxel combined with radiotherapy in ESCC patients. Methods:Patients with locally advanced (T2-4N0-1M0-1a) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in a prospective, single-institutional, single-arm study of deifnitive chemoradiotherapy. Patients received 61.2 Gy with IMRT in 34 fractions. Patients had a Karnofsky performance status of 70 or greater, and normal liver, renal, and bone marrow functions. Patients were recommended to receive concurrent 5-FU (300 mg/m2 civ 96 h) for 5 days a week for 5 weeks, plus paclitaxel (50 mg/m2) given during 3 hours every week for 5 weeks. Patients were recommended to receive 2 courses of consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent radio (chemo) therapy (5-FU 1 800 mg/m2 civ 72 h, plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 28 days). The primary endpoints of the study were 5 year overall survival and acute toxicity. Results:Fifty patients were enrolled in this study, including 38 male patients and 12 female patients;median age:58 years (ranged 26 to 75 years). 72%patients completed all the chemotherapy and 98%patients received the full dose of radiotherapy. 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 75%, 56%, 42%and 28%respectively. Among haematological toxicities, grade 3 leukopenia (16%) was recorded, and no patients experienced any≥grade 2 thrombocytopenia or anaemia. Among non-haematological toxicities, the rates of grade 2 peripheral neurotoxicity, arthralgias and myalgias, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue were 8%, 4%, 4%, 2%and 6%respectively. The rates of≥grade 2 acute radiation-induced esophageal toxicity, radiation pneumonitis and skin toxicity were 32%, 44% and 14% respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred and no patients experienced any ≥ grade 4 toxicities. Conclusion: Continuous infusion of 5-FU plus paclitaxel given concurrently with radiotherapy may be an effective and tolerable treatment option for ESCC patients.

Objective To study the mechanism of pregnancy immune tolerance induced by adoptive transferring of FasL gene-modified dendritic cells(DC). Methods The mouse models of spontaneous abortion(CBA/J ? DBA/2) and normal pregnancy(CBA/J ? BALB/c) were established.Five different experimental groups were included: mice of normal pregnancy(CBA/J?BALB/c)(n=17),served as control group;mice of spontaneous abortion without treatment(CBA/J?DBA/2)(n=37),mice injected with DC culture medium(DCCM)(n=25);mice immunized with empty plasmid pcDNA3.1-DC(n=6);and mice immunized with pcDNA3.1-FasL-DC(n=5).Embryo resorption rates of pregnant mice in each groups were observed.Annexin V-FITC was used to detect the apoptosis of T cells.Immunohistochemical staining(SABC) was used to detect the expression of FasL in decidual membranes of pregnant mice. ResultsThe embryo resorption rate of mice immunized with FasL-DC was decreased significantly as compared with that of mice of spontaneous abortion without treatment,DCCM group and immunized with pcDNA3.1-DC(P0.05). Conclusion The decreased apoptosis rate of peripheral T cells and the reduced expression of FasL in decidual membranes may be an important mechanism for the pathogenesis of abortion.Adoptive transfer of FasL gene-modified DC may induce pregnancy immune tolerance by increasing FasL expression of maternal-fetal interface and decreasing embryo resorption rate.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36),Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points on adjuvant arthritis rats,and explore the mechanism of EA treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:Sixty male rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a methotrexate group and an EA group,with 15 rats in each group.Rats in the normal group and the model group were routinely raised and did not receive treatment;rats in the methotrexate group received methotrexate at a dose of 0.35 mg/(kg·bw),twice a week for 3 weeks;rats in the EA group received acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36),Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points,and the bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Ashi points were connected to EA apparatus,once a day for 3 weeks.The general status,the swelling degree of the toe,the arthritis index (AI) score,the pathological morphology of the ankle joint,and the mRNA expressions of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (c-IAP) 1 and c-IAP2 in joint synovial tissue cells of the rats in each group were observed.Results:The swelling degree of the toe,AI score and mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the swelling degree of the toe,AI score and mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in the methotrexate group and the EA group improved (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);the expressions of c-IAP1 mRNA and c-IAP2 mRNA in rat synovial tissues in the EA group were significantly higher than those in the methotrexate group (P＜0.01).Conclusion:EA alleviates joint swelling in rats with adjuvant arthritis.The mechanism may be related to suppressing mRNA expressions of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2,thus to induce apoptosis of synoviocytes.

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries. Echocardiography using a linear phased array probe was performed as well as pathological examination and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement at 3, 4 and 6 weeks after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The results showed that the acute mortality rate (within 24 h) of this modified rat model was 8%. Animals who underwent AAC demonstrated significantly increased interventricular septal (IVS), LV posterior wall (LVPWd), LV mass index (LVMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocytes, and perivascular fibrosis; the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and cardiac output (CO) were consistently lower at each time point after AAC. Notably, differences in these parameters between AAC group and sham group were significant by 3 weeks and reached peaks at 4th week. Following AAC, the plasma BNP was gradually elevated compared with the sham group at 3rd and 6th week. It was concluded that this modified AAC model can develop LVH, both stably and safely, by week four post-surgery; echocardiography is able to assess changes in chamber dimensions and systolic properties accurately in rats with LVH.

0.05),but a significant difference at weeks 4,8,and 12 between two groups(P

To develop a reverse dot blot assay for rapid detection of HBV genotypes.Specific oligonucleotides probes were desighed and immobilized on nylon membranes.The DNA sample to be tested was PCR-amplified with DIG labeling primers and then hybridized with the immobilized probes.This procedure for detecting HBV genotypes was simple,rapid and specificity.30 specimens in Chongqing area were collected and detected by this method,and results were evaluated using direct sequencing.Results showed that: This new method was applicable to precise detection HBV genotypes for specimen with copies up to 103,and the HBV genotyping results showed that genotype B was the predominant genotype in Chongqing area.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of APL cell resistance to ATRA.

METHODSThe ATRA sensitive and resistant APL cell lines, NB4 and NB4-R1, were used as in vitro models. The effects of specific inhibitors and activators of adenylate cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) on ATRA-induced differentiation was evaluated by cell morphology, cell surface antigen expression and nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assays.

RESULTSSQ22536, a specific antagonist of AC, could dramatically block ATRA-induced NB4 cell differentiation. When ATRA + SQ22536 group compared with ATRA group, the positivity of CD11b decreased from (95.9 +/- 2.5)% to (60.3 +/- 7.1)%, while the A(540) in NBT reduction assay decreased from 0.585 +/- 0.092 to 0.170 +/- 0.028 (P < 0.05). Forskolin, an agonist of AC, could overcome the resistance of NB4-R1 cells to ATRA. When ATRA + forskolin group compared with ATRA group, the positivity of CD11b increased from (34.3 +/- 5.3)% to (94.6 +/- 2.4)%, while the A(540) in NBT reduction assay increased from 0.110 +/- 0.028 to 0.395 +/- 0.049 (P < 0.05). In contrast, the specific antagonist and agonist of PDE, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and calmodulin, exerted little impact on ATRA treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe defaults in the initiation of AC activation may contribute to the resistance to ATRA in some APL cells.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; CD11b Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

An alkaline catalase has been purified and characterized from a slightly halophilic and alkaliphilic bacterium Bacillus sp. F26. The purification was performed with a four step procedure consisting of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange, gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and finally achieved a 58.5-fold-purifying over the crude extract. The purified catalase was composed of two identical subunits with a native molecular mass of 140 kD. The native enzyme showed the typical Soret band appearing at 408 nm. The pyridine hemochrome spectrum indicated the presence of protoheme IX as the prosthetic group. The apparent Km value for enzyme activity on H2O2 was calculated to be 32.5 mmol/L. The activity of this catalase was not reduced by dithionite but was strongly inhibited by cyanide, azide, and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (the specific inhibitor of monofunctional catalase). No peroxidase activity of this enzyme was detected when using o-dianisidine, diaminobenzidine (DAB) and p-phenylenediamine as electron donor. Moreover, the N-terminal sequence of this catalase exhibited substantial similarity to the monofunctional catalase subgroup rather than catalase-peroxidase or Mn-catalase one. Therefore, we characterize the purified catalase as a monofunctional catalase. Besides, this monofunctional catalase was thermosensitive and its activity exhibited pH-independent over pH 5-9 but showed a sharp maximum at pH 11. An activity half-life of approximately 49 h was measured when the enzyme was incubated at 20 degrees C and pH 11. To our knowledge, pH 11 is the most alkaline condition for optimum catalysis and enzyme stability among the catalases reported up to now. Furthermore, this monofunctional catalase also showed excellent halo-alkali-stability with a half-life of approximately 90 h at 0.5 mol/L NaCl and pH 10.5. On the other hand, so far as we know, the characterized catalase is the first dimeric monofunctional catalase from alkaliphiles and is also the first monofunctional catalase derived from a natural soda lake, which could partially reflect the oxidative stress response in the corresponding environment.
Bacillus ; enzymology ; Bacterial Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Catalase ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme Stability ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Temperature