Development of FPV140 antigen-specific ELISA differentiating fowlpox virus isolates from all other viral pathogens of avian origin

The FPV140 gene encodes an envelope protein of fowlpox virus (FPV). In this study, the FPV140 gene of FPV Chinese isolate HH2008 was cloned and the comparison of its sequence with other FPV isolates showed it to be highly conserved across all FPV isolates. A recombinant plasmid pET-FPV140 carrying FPV140 gene was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli. The optimal expression condition for the FPV140 gene was developed and purified FPV140 recombinant protein was used to produce rabbit polyclonal antibody. An indirect ELISA using this anti-FPV140 polyclonal antibody was capable of distinguishing avian FPV isolates from other common avian pathogens such as mycoplasma gallisepticum, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, avian influenza virus, infectious bursal disease virus, and avian infectious bronchitis virus. This ELISA will serve as a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of FPV in clinical samples.

Protective effects of genistein and estradiol on PAHs-induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos

The toxicity of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or phytoestrogen is relatively well characterized. However, the toxicity of combined exposure to PAHs and phytoestrogen is not well investigated. In the present study, benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and benzo(k)fluorathene (B(k)F), genistein, along with 17β-estradiol (E2), were investigated for their single and combined developmental toxicity using zebrafish embryos as model system. We demonstrated that two representative PAHs, both B(a)P (≥1 μM) and B(k)F (≥10 μM), can cause significant malformation and mortality in developing zebrafish embryos. The toxicity effect of B(a)P was in general higher than that of B(k)F. Developmental exposure to high level of genistein (>20 μM) or E2 (>10 μM), also caused significant malformation and mortality in zebrafish larvae at 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). However, different toxic effects were observed for the combined exposure to PAHs and phytoestrogen in zebrafish. Lower doses of genistein (1 and 10 μM) and E2 (0.1 and 1 μM), when used in combination with high concentration of B(a)P (1 μM) or B(k)F (20 μM), can significantly suppress the toxicity effect of B(a)P and B(k)F in developing zebrafish embryos. The beneficial effect of genistein may be due to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes via directly interacting with aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, or disturbing the AhR pathway through interacting with estrogen receptor pathway.

A rat model of diabetic artery calcification

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to develop a rat model that shares the similarities of calcification in diabetes.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats received a high-fat diet during 8 weeks followed by a low dose of streptozotocin. Half of them were treated with vitamin D3 and nicotine (VDN) 1 week after streptozotocin injection (DM) (DM+VDN). The others were treated with vehicle (DM). Arterial calcification was facilitated by vitamin D3 and nicotine in age-matched rats (VDN). Measurements of metabolic parameters, aortic calcium content, von Kossa staining, alkaline phosphatase activity and immunohistochemistry for osteopontin were performed. The expression of genes and proteins associated with calcification were also examined.

RESULTS

Treatment with VDN alone resulted in a small but not significant elevation of calcium content in aorta. However, in DM+VDN, aortic calcium content increased significantly as compared to the VDN. This calcification had also dramatically increased, as shown by von Kossa staining. Mechanistic studies revealed that addition of VDN treatment in diabetic rats enhanced both activity and mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase. This treatment in diabetic- rats also enhanced the expression of core binding factor α 1 and its downstream protein osteopontin. In aorta, strong immunostaining for osteopontin was observed in DM+VDN. The result was also confirmed by Western blot analysis.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that a model of accelerated arterial calcification in diabetes have been established and this model could be useful to investigate mechanisms related to vascular complication in diabetes.

Aptamers: selection, modification and application to nervous system diseases

Aptamers are nonnaturally occurring oligonucleotides generated by the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment) process. Due to their unique three-dimensional structures, aptamers can bind to various targets, ranging from small compounds to cells and tissues, with high affinity and specificity. While first reported in 1990, aptamers have become useful tools in the biomedical field because of their unique characteristics, such as easy and quick preparation, cost-effectiveness, small size, versatility, et al. Recently various chemical modifications have been introduced to enhance aptamers' stability in the body fluids and their bioavailability in animals, which have pushed aptamer closer to therapeutic and diagnostic application. This review provides an overview of the aptamer modifications and their application in the nervous system disorders.

Pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Pulmonary pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathologically, PSCC is characterized by interanastomosing cords and channels, lined by atypical cells, with spaces containing erythrocytes or floating tumour cells. PSCC mimics angiosarcoma, so careful attention should be paid to immunohistochemical differences. Two PSCC cases are described here: in a 79-year-old male, bronchoscopy revealed mucosal swelling and hypertrophy and an adrenal mass was found 1 month later; in a 76-year-old male, computed tomography revealed rib destruction due to a non-calcified soft-tissue tumour and, although the tumour resembled an angiosarcoma, endothelial markers were negative and cytokeratin and p63 markers were positive. Immunohistochemical analyses may be helpful in establishing an accurate diagnosis. PSCC had a progressive course in both patients, who died ≤ 3 months postdiagnosis.

NAC1 modulates sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin by altering the HMGB1-mediated autophagic response

Nucleus accumbens-1 (NAC1), a nuclear factor belonging to the BTB/POZ gene family, is known to play important roles in proliferation and growth of tumor cells and in chemotherapy resistance. Yet, the mechanisms underlying how NAC1 contributes to drug resistance remain largely unclear. We reported here that autophagy was involved in NAC1-mediated resistance to cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We found that treatment with cisplatin caused an activation of autophagy in ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780, OVCAR3, and SKOV3. We further demonstrated that knockdown of NAC1 by RNAi or inactivation of NAC1 by inducing the expression of a NAC1 deletion mutant that contains only the BTB/POZ domain significantly inhibited the cisplatin-induced autophagy, resulting in increased cisplatin cytotoxicity. Moreover, inhibition of autophagy and sensitization to cisplatin by NAC1 knockdown or inactivation were accompanied by induction of apoptosis. To confirm that the sensitizing effect of NAC1 inhibition on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was attributed to suppression of autophagy, we assessed the effects of the autophagy inhibitors, 3-MA and chloroquine, and siRNAs targeting beclin 1 or Atg5, on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Treatment with 3-MA, chloroquine or beclin 1 and Atg5-targeted siRNA also enhanced the sensitivity of SKOV3, A2780 and OVCAR3 cells to cisplatin, indicating that suppression of autophagy indeed renders tumor cells more sensitive to cisplatin. Regulation of autophagy by NAC1 was mediated via high mobility group box1 (HMGB1), as the functional status of NAC1 was associated with the expression, translocation and release of HMGB1. The results of our study not only revealed a new mechanism determining cisplatin sensitivity, but also identified NAC1 as a novel regulator of autophagy. Thus, the NAC1- mediated autophagy may be exploited as a new target for enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer and other types of malignancies.

MiR-148a promotes apoptosis by targeting Bcl-2 in colorectal cancer

Apoptosis has a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, and dysregulation of the apoptotic pathway is now widely recognized as a key step in tumourigenesis. Increasingly, evidence has demonstrated that microRNA (miRNA) can exert various biological functions in tumours by targeting oncogenes or tumour suppressors. Nevertheless, the role of miRNA in apoptosis remains unclear. Here we show that ectopical expression of miR-148a can induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, MYB can inhibit miR-148a by directly acting on the transcription factor binding site in miR-148a gene and miR-148a can posttranscriptionally silence Bcl-2. Subsequently, the intrinsic apoptosis pathway is activated by releasing cytochrome c, cleaving caspase 9, caspase 3 and PARP, which eventually induce cancer-cell apoptosis. These findings are part of a hitherto undocumented apoptotic regulatory pathway in which a pleiotropic transcription factor controls the expression of a miRNA and the miRNA inhibits the target, leading to activation of an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and tumour apoptosis.

Genotypic resistance profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a large cohort of nucleos(t)ide analogue-experienced Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection

The study investigated the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypic resistance profile in 1803 nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection. Serum HBV DNA was extracted, and the reverse transcriptase region was analysed by a high-sensitive direct PCR sequencing and verified by clonal sequencing if necessary. Drug-resistant mutations were detected in 560 of the 1803 patients, including 214 of 490 patients who received lamivudine (LAM), 35 of 428 patients who received adefovir (ADV), five of 18 patients who received telbivudine and 306 of 794 patients who received various sequential/combined NA therapies. ADV-resistant mutations were detected in 36 of 381 patients who received LAM and then switched-to ADV in contrast to one of 82 patients who received ADV add-on LAM. Entecavir (ETV)-resistant mutations were detected not only in LAM- and ETV-treated patients but also in LAM-treated ETV-naïve patients. Double mutations rtM204I and rtL180M were detected more frequently in genotype C than in genotype B virus, and patients infected with this mutant had higher alanine transaminase levels than those infected with mutant containing the rtM204I substitution alone. Multidrug-resistant HBV strains were identified in eight patients, including two novel strains with mutational patterns rtL180M + A181V + S202G + M204V + N236T and rtL180M + S202G + M204V + N236T. The results provide new information on HBV genotypic resistance profiles in a large cohort of Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection and may have important clinical implication for HBV drug resistance management in China.

Tissue-specific dysregulation of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate transporter production in db/db mice as a model of type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Tissue-specific amplification of glucocorticoid action through 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) affects the development of the metabolic syndrome. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) mediates intracellular NADPH availability for 11β-HSD1 and depends on the glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT). Little is known about the tissue-specific alterations of H6PDH and G6PT and their contributions to local glucocorticoid action in db/db mice.

METHODS

We characterised the role of H6PDH and G6PT in pre-receptor metabolism of glucocorticoids by examining the production of the hepatic 11β-HSD1-H6PDH-G6PT system in db/db mice.

RESULTS

We observed that increased production of hepatic H6PDH in db/db mice was paralleled by upregulation of hepatic G6PT production and responded to elevated circulating levels of corticosterone. Treatment of db/db mice with the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 markedly reduced production of both H6PDH and 11β-HSD1 and improved hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. The reduction of H6PDH and 11β-HSD1 production by RU486 was accompanied by RU486-induced suppression of hepatic G6pt (also known as Slc37a4) mRNA. Incubation of mouse primary hepatocytes with corticosterone enhanced G6PT and H6PDH production with corresponding activation of 11β-HSD1 and PEPCK: effects that were blocked by RU486. Knockdown of H6pd by small interfering RNA showed effects comparable with those of RU486 for attenuating the corticosterone-induced H6PDH production and 11ß-HSD1 reductase activity in these intact cells. Addition of the G6PT inhibitor chlorogenic acid to primary hepatocytes suppressed H6PDH production.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These findings suggest that increased hepatic H6PDH and G6PT production contribute to 11β-HSD1 upregulation of local glucocorticoid action that may be related to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Characterization and utility of monoclonal antibodies against spike protein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus

Aims:  This work aims to characterize the utility of four newly generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV).

Methods and Results:  Four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the N‐terminal half of spike protein (S1 protein) of TGEV were identified. Affinity constant of these mAbs was analysed. These mAbs were capable of reacting with the TGEV S1 protein analysed by ELISA and Western blot. A competition assay between the different mAbs was performed to determine whether the different antibodies mapped in the same or a different antigenic region of the protein. Investigation on the neutralizing ability of these mAbs indicated that two of these mAbs completely neutralized TGEV at an appropriate concentration. These mAbs were able to detect the TGEV‐infected cells in immunofluorescence assays and Western blot. Moreover, they differentiated TGEV S protein from other control proteins.

Conclusions:  The generated four mAbs are very specific, and the established immunofluorescence assays, Western blot and discrimination ELISA are useful approaches for detecting of TGEV.

Significance and Impact of the Study:  It is a novel report regarding the use of the S1 protein of TGEV to generate specific mAbs. Their utility and the established immunoassays contribute to the surveillance of TGE coronavirus.

Hepatitis B virus genotype and basal core promoter/precore mutations are associated with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure without pre-existing liver cirrhosis

The study was undertaken to investigate the features and clinical implications of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) mutations in hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HB-ACLF). Samples from 75 patients with HB-ACLF and without pre-existing liver cirrhosis and 328 age-matched patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analyzed. HBV genotype and BCP/PC mutations were determined by direct sequencing. Mutations at 8 sites of the BCP/PC region were compared between the two groups of patients. A significantly higher ratio of genotype B to C was found in patients with HB-ACLF than in patients with CHB (30.7-69.3% vs 16.5-82.6%, P < 0.01). Single mutations including T1753V (C/A/G), A1762T, G1764A, G1896A and G1899A and triple mutations T1753V/A1762T/G1764A and A1762T/G1764A/C1766T (or T1768A) were more frequently detected in patients with HB-ACLF than in patients with CHB. Correspondingly, BCP/PC wild-type sequences were absent in patients with HB-ACLF in contrast to 27.1% in patients with CHB. The BCP/PC mutations were found to be associated with increased HBeAg negativity, higher alanine aminotransferase level and lower viral load. Patients with HB-ACLF infected with the PC mutant virus had a higher mortality. The findings suggest that patients with CHB infected with genotype B with BCP/PC mutations were more likely to develop HB-ACLF than those with genotype C with wild-type BCP/PC regions, and patients with HB-ACLF with the PC mutation had increased risk of a fatal outcome.

Intravenous administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells benefits experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis mice through an immunomodulatory action

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are potent in immunomodulation. It has been proven that MSC functioned to correct immune disorder in several immune diseases. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MSC from human bone marrow (hMSC) can provide a potential therapy for experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). EAMG mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of synthetic analogue of acetylcholine receptor (AchR), then, hMSC were intravenously delivered into these mice repeatedly. The results showed that hMSC could specifically home to spleen tissue and hMSC treatment significantly improved the functional deficits of EAMG mice. In addition, AchR antibody level was dramatically decreased in cell-treated group when compared with untreated control on 10 days after the second cell injection. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro mixed lymphocyte proliferation assays revealed that hMSC could definitely inhibit the proliferation of AchR-specific lymphocyte. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that hMSC treatment was therapeutically useful in autoimmune myasthenia gravis mice, and the underlying mechanism may relate with their immunomodulatory potential.

Monoclonal antibodies against Stx1B subunit of Escherichia coli O157:H7 distinguish the bacterium from other bacteria

AIMS

The Shiga-like toxins (Stx) are critical virulence factors of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Stx1B subunit plays important roles in EHEC infection. This work aims to generate and characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the Stx1B and to investigate their utility in discrimination ELISA.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two newly identified mAbs (designated 2H8 and 1B10, respectively) against the Stx1B protein were prepared via hybridoma techniques. The immunoreactivity of both mAbs to the Stx1B protein was confirmed in ELISA and Western blot. Moreover, they differentiate EHEC from Salmonella enteritis, non-Stx1-producing E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-STx1B mAbs are valuable diagnostic reagents for distinguishing EHEC from other bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report regarding the usage of anti-STx1B mAbs in discrimination ELISA. The established ELISA may have potential in clinical surveillance of EHEC infection.

Recombinant N-terminal part of bovine herpesvirus 1 ICP27 protein: its preparation, purification, and use for raising specific antiserum

Recombinant N-terminal part of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) ICP27 protein fused with thioredoxin and His-tag ("the recombinant protein") expressed in Escherichia coli was purified by the Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography and used for the preparation of antiserum by immunization of rabbits. The antiserum recognized the recombinant protein in Western blot analysis and was able to detect BoHV-1 ICP27 in the nucleoli of BoHV-1-infected MDBK cells. These results showed that such an antiserum could serve as a valuable tool in further studies of the functions of BoHV-1 ICP27.

KEYWORDS

Bovine herpesvirus 1, ICP27, recombinant protein, antiserum, immunofluorescence assay.

A comparison of the cytogenetic alterations and global DNA hypomethylation induced by the benzene metabolite, hydroquinone, with those induced by melphalan and etoposide

Specific cytogenetic alterations and changes in DNA methylation are involved in leukemogenesis. Benzene, an established human leukemogen, is known to induce cytogenetic changes through its active metabolites including hydroquinone (HQ), but the specific alterations have not been fully characterized. Global DNA hypomethylation was reported in a population exposed to benzene, but has not been confirmed in vitro. In this study, we examined cytogenetic changes in chromosomes 5, 7, 8, 11 and 21, and global DNA methylation in human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells treated with HQ for 48 h, and compared the HQ-induced alterations with those induced by two well-known leukemogens, melphalan, an alkylating agent, and etoposide, a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor. We found that rather than inducing cytogenetic alterations distinct from those induced by melphalan and etoposide, HQ induced alterations characteristic of each agent. HQ induced global DNA hypomethylation at a level intermediate to melphalan (no effect) and etoposide (potent effect). These results suggest that HQ may act similar to an alkylating agent and also similar to a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor in living cells, both of which may be potential mechanisms of benzene toxicity. In addition to cytogenetic changes, global DNA hypomethylation may be another mechanism underlying the leukemogenicity of benzene.

Oncogenic mutations regulate tumor microenvironment through induction of growth factors and angiogenic mediators

Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of HER2 (ErbB2) have been identified in human cancers. Compared to wild-type HER2, mutant HER2 shows constitutively activate kinase activity and increased oncogenicity. Cells transformed by mutant HER2 are resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and exhibit an attenuated response to the HER2 antibody trastuzumab. We investigated herein pathways through which mutant HER2 alters the extracellular environment, potentially leading to drug resistance and the effect of simultaneously targeting HER2 and the tumor cell microenvironment with a therapeutic intent. Expression of mutant HER2 in mammary epithelial cells activated autocrine transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 signaling through a mechanism involving Rac1 and JNK-AP1-dependent transcription. Cells transformed by an activating mutant of H-Ras (G12V) also expressed higher TGF-β1 level through Rac1 activation. In addition, mutant HER2 induced the EGFR ligands TGF-α and amphiregulin at the mRNA and protein levels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a target of the TGF-β-Smad transcriptional regulation, was also induced as a result of expression of mutant HER2. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling with the Alk5 small molecule inhibitor LY2109761 reduced growth and invasiveness of cells expressing mutant HER2. Combined inhibition of intracellular and paracrine effects of mutant HER2 by trastuzumab and the EGFR antibody cetuximab was more efficient than single-agent therapies. These data suggest that mutations in oncogenes such as HER2 and Ras not only alter intracellular signaling and also influence on other components of the tumor microenvironment by inducing several pro-invasive growth factors. In turn, these serve as extracellular targets of novel therapeutic strategies directed at both cancer-driving oncogenes and the modified tumor microenvironment.