Molecular cloning and characterization of the full-length cDNA encoding the porcine CD28

CD28 is one of the most important co-stimulatory molecules required for effective activation of resting T cells in human and mouse. However, there are few studies on porcine CD28 (pCD28) until now. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA of CD28 from the miniature?pig. The open reading frame (ORF) sequence of pCD28 gene was organized into four exons, which were predicted to be in correspondence with the signal sequence, immunoglobulin variable-like (IgV) domain, transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail, respectively. We also identified the putative ligand binding site of CD28 within the IgV domain and the consensus motifs (one "YMNM" motif and two proline-rich motifs) within the cytoplasmic domain. Porcine CD28 was confirmed to be expressed on the cell membrane as indicated by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The putative promoter region of pCD28 was also cloned by the modified nested PCR and the cloned region could successfully drive the expression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) expression in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The present study is the first report of cloning and characterization of CD28 in porcine. Our work provided fundamental information for further researches on the structure and function of CD28 in porcine.     

Transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation for humans]

Transgenic livestock have been generated via microinjection of DNA-constructs into pronuclei of zygotes. However, efficiency is low and only 1-3% transgenic offspring are to be obtained. Integration of the transgene occurs at random and expression is independent from the number of integrated copies but can be affected by the integration site. To overcome the shortage of human organs, transgenic pigs have been generated that express human complement regulatory genes. This approach enables to overcome the hyperacute rejection response as shown by an average survival rate (40-90 days) of the immunosuppressed primate recipients receiving a heart from a transgenic pig. It is expected that transgenic pigs would be available as organ donors in the next 5-10 years. A major prerequisite, however, is the prevention of the potential transfer of pathogenic microorganisms, in particular porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV). Improvements of the efficiency in the generation of transgenic pigs will be achieved by the use of genetically modified donor cells in nuclear transfer technology (cloning).     

Application of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase procedure to the localization of pituitary hormones and calcitonin in various domestic animals and human beings

Specific cell populations in the pituitary glands of the rat, cat, pig, and human being were positive for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When reacted with prediluted rabbit anti-human TSH, LH, and FSH, antisera were not positive for the demonstration of these hormones in the horse, cow, or dog. Immunocytochemical staining was obtained in the horse, cow, and dog by the use of a primary antiserum against a specific beta-subunit of bovine TSH. The immunocytochemical staining of TSH, LH, FSH, adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, and calcitonin was examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, using standard commercially available kits. All species examined had a strong positive reaction in specific pituitary cell populations for adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin. Sections of normal thyroid gland tissue had positive staining of C cells containing calcitonin at the dilution of 1:100 of the primary antibody in the rat, horse, cow, dog, cat, pig, and human being.     

Comparative study of the developmental competence of cloned pig embryos derived from spermatogonial stem cells and fetal fibroblasts

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are promising resources for genetic preservation and restoration of male germ cells in humans and animals. However, no studies have used SSC as donor nuclei in pig somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This study investigated the potential for use of porcine SSC as a nuclei donor for SCNT and developmental competence of SSC‐derived cloned embryos. In addition, demecolcine was investigated to determine whether it could prevent rupture of SSC during SCNT. When the potential of SSC to support embryonic development after SCNT was compared with that of foetal fibroblasts (FF), SSC‐derived SCNT embryos showed a higher (p < .05) developmental competence to the blastocyst stage (47.8%) than FF‐derived embryos (25.6%). However, when SSC were used as donor nuclei in the SCNT process, cell fusion rates were lower (p < .05) than when FF were used (61.9% vs. 75.8%). Treatment of SSC with demecolcine significantly (p < .05) decreased rupture of SSC during the SCNT procedure (7.5% vs. 18.8%) and increased fusion of cell‐oocyte couplets compared with no treatment (74.6% vs. 61.6%). In addition, SSC‐derived SCNT embryos showed higher blastocyst formation (48.4%) than FF‐derived embryos without (28.4%) and with demecolcine treatment (17.4%), even after demecolcine treatment. Our results demonstrate that porcine SSC are a desirable donor cell type for production of SCNT pig embryos and that demecolcine increases production efficiency of cloned embryos by inhibiting rupture of nuclei donor SSC during SCNT.     

猪生长分化因子11的原核表达及抗体制备

本研究旨在获得猪GDF-11的特异性抗体,以便于进一步研究猪GDF-11的功能.对猪GDF-11的编码区进行了克隆、表达载体的构建和转化、原核诱导表达和纯化以及将GDF-11注射到小鼠中并分离抗体.从猪胚肾中分离总RNA,经RT-PCR扩增得到猪GDF-11基因的编码区,插入pMD18-T载体中.再经限制性内切酶BarnH Ⅰ和EcoRⅠ双酶切,将回收的GDF-11酶切片段插入原核表达载体pGEX-4T-2中,获得重组原核表达质粒pGEX-4T-2-GDF-11.重组质粒经测序鉴定后转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),并经IPTG诱导产生了65 ku的GST-GDF-11融合蛋白.融合蛋白经凝血酶酶切,分离纯化出42 ku左右的GDF-11蛋白;然后注射小鼠,制备了多克隆抗体,其滴度最高可达1:25 600,而且特异性好,表明得到了猪GDF-11的多克隆抗体.     

Molecular Cloning,Characterization of Porcine IZUMO1, an IgSF Family Member

IZUMO1, belonging to the family of mammalian immunoglobulin proteins, has been well characterized in the mouse. Here, we describe the molecular cloning and expression analysis of porcine IZUMO1 (pIZUMO1). Partial sequence information published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database was used to generate the full‐length sequence for IZUMO1 using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). A search of the porcine genomic sequence in the NCBI database identified a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) encoding the pIZUMO1 gene. This BAC is derived from porcine chromosome 6 and is syntenic with the corresponding regions of mouse, bovine, and human genomes encoding the IZUMO gene family. This BAC was found to encode an IZUMO1 protein with a predicted amino acid sequence having high similarity with mouse and human IZUMO1. Western blot analysis of proteins from porcine tissues indicated that pIZUMO1 was specifically expressed in the sperm. Furthermore, to confirm whether pIZUMO1 forms complexes, we overexpressed pIZUMO1 in HEK293 cells. The recombinant pIZUMO1 from cell extracts was found to form complexes. Our finding suggests that pIZUMO1 forms homodimeric complex on the sperm membrane. Furthermore, an IVF inhibition assay with an antibody for the porcine IZUMO1 Ig‐like domain showed that Ig‐like domain effectively prevented pig sperm–egg interactions.     

Cloning of pig parotid secretory protein gene upstream promoter and the establishment of a transgenic mouse model expressing bacterial phytase for agricultural phosphorus pollution control

This study examined the feasibility of using the promoter of the pig parotid secretory protein (PSP) gene for expression of the phytase transgene in mouse models. The pig parotid secretory protein gene is specifically expressed at high levels in the salivary glands. The 10-kb upstream promoter region of the gene necessary for tissue-specific expression has been identified. We have constructed phytase transgenes composed of the appA phytase gene from Escherichia coli driven by the upstream promoter region of the pig PSP gene with a 3' tail of either bovine growth hormone or the pig PSP gene polyadenylation signal. Transgenic mouse models with the construct showed that the upstream region of the pig PSP gene is sufficient for directing the expression of phytase transgenes in the saliva. Expression of salivary phytase reduced fecal phytate by 8.5 and 12.5% in 2 transgenic mouse lines, respectively. These results suggest that the expression of phytase in salivary glands of monogastric animals offers a promising biological approach to relieve the requirement for dietary phosphate supplements and to reduce phosphorus pollution from animal agriculture.     

Isolation and characterization of immortalized porcine aortic endothelial cell lines

Primary porcine endothelial cells have a limited life span in culture. After four to five passages, they tend to de-differentiate and eventually reach senescence. The aim of this work was to establish immortalized porcine aortic endothelial cell lines (AOCs) to facilitate in vitro studies of different pathological process involving the endothelium. Primary porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) were transfected with a plasmid containing the SV40 genome and selected on the basis of morphological and phenotypical features. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated uptake of acetylated low density lipoproteins (Ac-LDL) and constitutive expression of SLA class I, CD29, CD31, CD41/61, CD80/86, CD46, SWC3, and LAMP-1 antigens by all analyzed lines and showed little differences to primary cells. The functional similarity between primary and immortalized endothelial cells was demonstrated in a cytotoxicity assay using a human natural killer cell line (NKL) as effector. The AOCs cell lines should be valuable tools for in vitro study of the human immune response against pig endothelial cells. In addition, they would be very useful to gain insight in the pathogenesis of some viral haemorrhagic diseases of pig such as African swine fever (ASF) or classical swine fever (CSF).     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of porcine IFN-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1)

The IFN-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1), also known as MAVS/VISA/Cardif, is an adaptor molecule for the retinoic-acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I) or melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) that recognizes intracellular double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and triggers a signal for producing type I IFN. In the present study, porcine IPS-1 cDNA was cloned, using RT-PCR coupled with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR, from porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The open reading frame of porcine IPS-1 consists of 1575bp encoding 524 amino acids. The putative porcine IPS-1 protein contains a N-terminal CARD-like domain, a central proline-rich domain, a C-terminal transmembrane domain, and exhibits similarity to mouse, rat, monkey, human and cattle counterparts, ranging from 59% to 79%. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that porcine IPS-1 mRNA was widely expressed in different tissues. Porcine kidney (PK-15) cells transfected with a DNA construct encoding porcine IPS-1 produced type I IFN, and activated IRF3 and NF-kappaB. Deletion mutant analyses further revealed that both the CARD-like domain and transmembrane domain are essential for these functions. In addition, poly(I:C)-induced porcine IFN-beta promoter activation in PK-15 cells was significantly reduced by siRNA targeting IPS-1, indicating that IPS-1 is an important immunoregulator in the porcine innate immune system. The availability of porcine IPS-1 and establishment of its function in the type I IFN signaling pathway provides a useful molecule for defining its role during the course of pig infectious diseases.     

Leukocyte endothelial cell interactions in pig to human organ xenograft rejection

In cases where antibody- and complement-mediated hyperacute rejection (HAR) of vascularized organ xenografts has been prevented, acute vascular rejection (AVR) and acute T cell-mediated rejection (ACR) cause graft destruction. Infiltration of leukocytes (innate and graft-primed T cells) into the graft execute the latter two rejection modalities. The leukocyte extravasation process, which is a prerequisite for graft infiltration, is governed by adhesion molecules, including the selectin, integrin and immunoglobulin protein families, and the chemokine protein family. The compatibility between porcine endothelial cell and human leukocyte adhesion molecules was investigated in dynamic adhesion and static transendothelial migration assays. The effect of human anti-pig antibodies on human leukocyte adhesion to, and transendothelial migration across, porcine endothelium was assessed under dynamic and static conditions, respectively. In contrast to previously published results, no difference in the ability of neutrophils to adhere to pig and human endothelium was observed. Furthermore, no evident quantitative or qualitative differences in the capacity of human and porcine endothelium to support transendothelial migration of human leukocytes (T, B and natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and neutrophils) could be detected. The presence of human anti-pig antibodies (Abs) modulated the migration of leukocytes across porcine endothelium, as well as neutrophil adhesion to porcine endothelium under conditions of flow. Antibodies specific for pig endothelial adhesion molecules can potentially be used as species (graft)-specific immunosuppressive reagents in order to prevent cellular organ xenograft rejection.     

猪β-防御素-2基因在大肠杆菌中的融合表达及抑菌活性检测

将猪β-防御素-2基因(pBD-2)片段正确连接到pET32a载体上,从而得到稳定表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌表达株。根据已报道的pBD-2基因序列,按大肠杆菌密码子优化原则合成了5条pBD-2基因片段,通过重叠延伸PCR(SOE PCR)方法将这5段延伸成完整的pBD-2基因序列,将该基因定向插入原核表达质粒pET32a的多克隆位点上,成功地在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达出TrxA-pBD2融合蛋白。结果显示,表达的融合蛋白用肠激酶切掉TrxA后做琼脂孔穴扩散法检测,pBD-2对金黄色葡萄球菌有较好的抑菌活性,表明试验获得表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌菌株。