This study investigated the specific immune response of BALB/c mice that was induced by a circular RNA (circRNA) vaccine expressing the herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD). The aim was to evaluate the immunological potential of this vaccine and lay a foundation for developing an mRNA vaccine against HSV-2. PCR and homologous recombination were employed to integrate the gD gene obtained from the pT7AMP-gD ectodomain plasmid into pUC57 to generate the recombinant plasmid pUC57-circ-gD, which was then sequenced and characterized. In vitro transcription and cyclization were performed on the template DNA to generate pUC57-circ-gD mRNA. To validate the formation of circular RNA, we cleaved the pUC57-circ-gD mRNA with RNase R and employed RT-PCR to validate the cyclization. The pUC57-circ-gD mRNA was then transfected into 293T cells. After 72 h, the cell supernatant was collected, and Western blotting was employed to measure the protein level of gD. Subsequently, the mRNA was encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) by microfluidic encapsulation. BALB/c mice were administrated with the encapsulated mRNA, and blood was collected from the fundus venous plexus after 21 and 35 days, and from the enucleated eyeballs after 49 days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the titers of antibodies, including virus-neutralizing antibodies. After 49 days, spleens were harvested and assessed for secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunospot. The results showed successful construction and sequencing of the recombinant plasmid. RNase R digestion confirmed the presence of circular RNAs. Western blotting of the 293T cells transfected with the mRNA showed clear specific bands. The quality of the vaccine was tested by size exclusion chromatography-high performance liquid chromatography, which showed that the purity of the vaccine was about 90%. The mRNA-LNP showcased the particle size of 82.76 nm and an encapsulation rate of approximately 98%. Following three-dose vaccination, all immunized mice exhibited steady weight gain with 100% survival rate throughout the 28-day observation period, indicating no significant acute toxicity associated with the vaccine formulation. The immunized mice showed dose-dependent increases in serum IgG antibody titer and IFN-γ secretion by splenocytes and they were resistant to virus attacks. These findings indicate good immunogenicity and persistence of the pUC57-circ-gD mRNA vaccine, providing a reference for further studies on circRNA vaccines.
Animals ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Circular ; Mice ; Humans ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/genetics* ; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; HEK293 Cells ; Female ; Nanoparticles ; Plasmids

This study aims to investigate the potential of oncolytic nanoparticles encapsulating Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) full-genome mRNA (CVA21@ONP) to resurrect CVA21 and induce apoptosis in host cells, as well as the antitumor immune effects of CVA21@ONP in immunocompetent tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. We used lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to encapsulate CVA21 full-genome mRNA, thus preparing CVA21@ONP. The killing efficacy of CVA21@ONP was determined by the plaque assay and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the apoptosis in HT29 and CT26-iRFP cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Mice were administrated with CVA21@ONP at high and low doses intratumorally, and the growth of tumors expressing infra-red fluorescent protein (iRFP) was monitored. Additionally, the types and changes of immune cells in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that CVA21@ONP successfully resurrected CVA21 in both HT29 and U87MG cells. The plaque assay revealed robust killing effects of CVA21@ONP against both human and murine cell lines, and flow cytometry results showed increased early and late apoptotic cells. Notably, intratumoral detection revealed significantly down-regulated expression of iRFP in both high- and low-dose CVA21@ONP groups. Flow cytometry results further indicated that CVA21@ONP treatment effectively reduced the levels of immunosuppressive cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), in the spleen, while enhancing T cell-dependent antitumor immune responses. These findings suggest that CVA21@ONP can replicate and survive extensively both in vitro and in vivo, activating the immune system of mice administrated with CVA21@ONP to target cells at the tumor site, thereby remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment and accelerating the suppression or even complete regression of tumors. The oncolytic performance of CVA21@ONP has been verified through intratumoral injection administration in this study, aimed at further exploring its therapeutic potential and promoting the development of the field of tumor treatment.
Animals ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Humans ; Apoptosis ; Oncolytic Viruses/genetics* ; Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; HT29 Cells

Objective To explore the feasibility of second-generation dual-layer detector spectral CT ab-dominal virtual non-contrast(VNC) for diagnosing fatty liver.Methods The imaging data of 128 patients with second-generation dual-layer detector spectral CT abdominal enhanced CT in West China Hospital of Si-chuan University from June 2022 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The CT values of the left lobe,right anterior lobe,right posterior lobe and spleen of all patients were measured on TNC,arterial stage VNC (A-VNC) and venous stage VNC (V-VNC) images.The difference value (L-S) and ratio value (L/S) between the CT value of liver and CT value of spleen were calculated.According to the threshold value of TNC image diagnosis of fatty liver in previous studies,the included cases were divided into two groups:fatty liver group and non-fatty liver group.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference of quanti-tative parameters between the fatty liver group and non-fatty liver group.The efficiency of VNC in the diagno-sis of fatty liver was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,and the difference be-tween ROC curves was compared with DeLong's test.The intra-group and inter-group correlation coefficient (ICC) values were used to evaluate the consistency of data measurement.Results The ICC values of intra-group and inter-group consistency of data ranged (0.835-0.986) and (0.810-0.978),respectively (P<0.05).The mean value of left lobe,right anterior lobe,right posterior lobe and triple lobe of liver and CT val-ue of spleen in A-VNC and V-VNC images were lower than those of TNC images,and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The CT values of TNC,A-VNC,V-VNC,(L-S) values and (L/S) values of the non-fatty liver group were higher than those of the fatty liver group,and the differences were statistical-ly significant (P<0.05).The CT value,(L-S) value and (L/S) value of TNC,A-VNC and V-VNC images in the non-fatty liver group were higher than those in the fatty liver group,and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The area under the curve (AUC) of CT values of A-VNC and V-VNC for the diagnosis of fatty liver all were 0.997,and their efficiencies for diagnosing fatty liver had no statistical difference (Z=0.407,P=0.684).AUC of A-VNC (L-S) and V-VNC (L-S) in the diagnosis of fatty liver was 1.000 and 0.981,respectively,and their efficiencies for diagnosing fatty liver had no statistical difference (Z=1.790,P=0.074).AUC of A-VNC (L/S) and V-VNC (L/S) in the diagnosis of fatty liver was 0.992 and 0.987,respec-tively,and their efficiencies for diagnosing fatty liver also had no statistical difference (Z=0.665,P=0.506). Conclusion The CT values of liver and spleen in VNC images reconstructed by second-generation dual-layer detector spectral CT are lower than TNC,but it is still feasible to diagnose fatty liver based on VNC images.

AIM: To optimize an orthopedic non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) model in nude mouse by comparing four different ways of cellular transplantation, and to evaluate the efficacy of drug by bladder instillation, so as to provide a stable and efficient animal model for the treatment of bladder cancer. METHODS: After disruption of bladder mucosa by dilute acid-alkali or silver nitrate, T24 cells were instilled into the nude mouse bladder. T24 cells were injected directly into the bladder with mechanical injury of bladder mucosa. T24 cells were injected into the bladder wall. On the 14th day after making models, the nude mice were sacrificed. And the bladder mass and histopathological changes of tumor (including bladder) was observe to confirm the formation of orthopedic bladder cancer. The dynamic changes of orthopedic bladder cancer were observed after injecting T24 cells into the bladder wall. Gemcitabine was used to verify the applicability of the model of injecting T24 cells into the bladder wall in vivo. RESULTS: No tumor was found in the bladder after intravesical instillation of T24 cells with dilute acid-alkali or silver nitrate treatment. With mechanical injury of bladder mucosa, all nude mice had tumors after injection T24 cells. But the number of tumors varied and often occurred at multiple sites. The tumor was found in the bladder of all nude mice by injecting T24 cells into bladder wall, and there was only one tumor. The tumor showed slow linear growth within 15 days and rapid linear growth from day 18 to 31. In vivo efficacy evaluation, gemcitabine 150 mg/kg intravesical perfusion could significantly inhibit the growth of NMIBC in nude mice replicated by direct injection of T24 cells into the bladder wall, and the tumor inhibition rate was 97.1%. CONCLUSION: The orthotopic NMIBC model can not be established with the bladder mucosa injuried by dilute acid-alkali or silver nitrate treatment. The number and size of orthotopic bladder cancer are different by mechanical injury of bladder mucosa. Injection of T24 cells into the bladder wall of nude mouse can successfully establish the orthotopic NMIBC model, which can be used for the evaluation of NMIBC therapeutic drugs.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of propofol on inflammatory responses in substantia nigra in mice with Parkinson′s disease (PD) and its relationship with α-synuclein (α-syn) expression.Methods:Thirty-three SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 12 weeks, weighing 24-26 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=11 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), group PD and propofol group (group Pro). In PD and Pro groups, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 5 consecutive days to induce PD.Propofol 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 2 h after the last injection of MPTP in group Pro, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in Con and PD groups.The rotarod test was performed at 24 h after administration.The animals were then sacrificed and substantia nigra was removed for determination of contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and p-caspase-1 (by Western blot) and the expression of α-syn (by immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with Con group, the first fall-off time was significantly shortened, the number of falling off was increased, the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α were increased, and the expression NLRP3, p-caspase-1and α-syn was up-regulated in substantia nigra in group PD ( P<0.05). Compared with PD group, the first fall-off time was significantly prolonged, the number of falling off was decreased, the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α were decreased, and the expression NLRP3, p-caspase-1and α-syn was down-regulated in substantia nigra in group Pro ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Propofol can improve behaviors of the mice through inhibiting inflammatory responses in substantia nigra, and the mechanism is related to down-regulating the expression of α-syn.

Objective Radiological grade of splenic injury was seldomly used in China trauma center now,though it had been established in 1994 by American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and widely used.The present study is aimed to analyze the imaging grade and clinical characteristics of traumatic splenic rupture in children,discuss the feasibility of conservative treatment,and the role of radiographic grading during clinical treatment.Methods Information (including age,gender,severity based on radiological findings,treatment strategies,and clinical outcome) regarding 59 hospitalized splenic injury patients whose injuries occurred between 2008 and 2014 was retrospectively analyzed.Results Between 2008 and 2014,59 pediatric patients with splenic injury were treated in our institution.Median age was 9.5 years (range,3 months to 16 years).Of all patients,41 (69.5%) were male.The injuries were primarily caused by traffic crash (45.7%),stumbling/falling from a height (38.9%).According to AAST,5 cases were grade Ⅰ,26 patients grade Ⅱ (44.1%),and 21 cases grade Ⅲ (35.6%),6 over grade Ⅳ,and only one was unclear.Of all patients,25 cases were with the other organs complications.All patients underwent fasting,bed rest,and antibiotics.Only 1 case was transferred to operation during the conservative treatment.Forty-nine patients underwent with CT scan over 2 times.Conclusion Imaging classification helps guide clinical treatment.Conservative treatment is feasible for traumatic splenic injury in children.Early imaging classification of splenic injury may be helpful in clinical judgment,and reduce children radiation exposure.

BACKGROUND:As the potent, specific immunosuppressants emerge, the survival rate after intestinal transplantation is improved to some extent. However, the adverse effects of immunosuppressants and expensive treatment costs are not tolerable for many patients. Therefore, it is clinical y meaningful to choose traditional Chinese medicine which presents immunosuppressive effects. Artesunate has immune suppression effect, reduces acute rejection fol owing smal intestine transplantation, and improves the success rate of smal intestine transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and action mechanism of artesunate in acute rejection after smal intestine transplantation in rats.
METHODS:Al ogeneic smal intestine transplantation models were established in the closed group of
Sprague-Dawley rats and Wistar rats, and then were randomly divided into three groups, syngenic transplantation group (SD→SD), al ogeneic transplantation group (Wistar→SD), and artesunate treatment group (Wistar→SD+artesunate 60 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Rats in syngenic transplantation group survived for more than 10 days and they were al kil ed on day 10. The average survival of rats in al ogeneic transplantation group and artesunate treatment group was respectively (6.73±0.58) days and (8.50±0.74) days, with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). Histopathological examination showed that, there was no apparent rejection in syngenic transplantation group specimens, but mild, moderate and severe rejections in al ogeneic transplantation group on days 3, 5, 7. In treatment group, some specimens had mild rejection, but appeared relatively late to a low degree. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that, serum interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma expression levels in al ogeneic transplantation group were significantly higher than other two groups after surgery (P<0.01), serum interleukin-2 gene expression level in treatment group was also higher than syngenic transplantation group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05), serum interferon-gamma expression level in treatment group was higher than syngenic transplantation group (P<0.05). Artesunate can inhibit acute rejection after rat smal intestine transplantation, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition effect on the secretion and expression of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma and other cytokines.