程序性细胞死亡因子10抑制Ⅰ型干扰素表达并促进FMDV复制

旨在探究宿主蛋白程序性细胞死亡因子10（programmed cell death factor 10，PDCD10）通过抑制Ⅰ型干扰素表达进而促进口蹄疫病毒（foot-and-mouth disease virus，FMDV）的复制。首先，本研究验证了过表达和沉默PDCD10对FMDV复制的影响，接着利用双荧光素酶报告系统探究PDCD10对Ⅰ型干扰素信号通路活化的影响，最后，利用实时荧光定量PCR探究PDCD10对Ⅰ型干扰素通路下游刺激基因（IFN-stimulated genes，ISGs）转录的影响。结果表明，过表达PDCD10显著促进FMDV的复制，沉默PDCD10显著抑制FMDV的复制。与对照相比，过表达PDCD10后感染仙台病毒（Sendai virus，SeV）的细胞培养液上清液显著促进FMDV复制，进一步，PDCD10显著抑制SeV诱导的IFN-β启动子以及NF-κB的激活且呈剂量依赖性，并且PDCD10负调控Ⅰ型干扰素通路信号分子转录，最后还发现PDCD10负调控Ⅰ型干扰素下游ISGs转录。本研究结果为深入探究PDCD10在抗病毒天然免疫中的作用积累了资料。     

体细胞克隆荷斯坦奶牛出生后死亡犊牛内脏器官的组织病理学观察

为探究体细胞克隆荷斯坦奶牛出生后死亡的原因,对新生后死亡的克隆荷斯坦公牛和自然繁殖的荷斯坦公犊的主要组织器官进行比较。通过解剖和石蜡切片-HE(hematoxylin-eosin staining)染色技术,对主要的组织器官结构进行观察和分析。结果表明,新生后死亡的克隆荷斯坦公牛肺部结构清晰;肝脏的肝细胞明显肿大,出现脂肪轻度变性;肾小管上皮细胞出现变性;心肌的肌纤维间空隙增大;骨骼肌纤维间隙明显,空泡变性,这可能导致该克隆牛犊肌肉无力并功能不全;淋巴结皮髓质界限不分明,淋巴小结细胞较稀疏,生发中心不明显,淋巴窦细胞较少;脾脏内红细胞较少,这说明该克隆牛的造血功能可能不完善;胸腺的皮质部分和髓质部分界限不明显,嗜酸性胸腺小体不易辨认,可能发育不全。该克隆公牛免疫器官出现不同程度的发育不全现象较严重,这有可能是其出生后死亡率高的主要原因。     

A Lymphoid Organ Specific Anti-Lipopolysaccharide Factor from Litopenaeus vannamei Exhibits Strong Antimicrobial Activities

Different shrimp species are known to possess apparent distinct resistance to different pathogens in aquaculture. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this finding still remains unknown. One kind of important antimicrobial peptides, anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALF), exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Here, we reported a newly identified ALF from the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and compared the immune function with its counterpart in the shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The ALF, designated as LvALF8, was specifically expressed in the lymphoid organ of L. vannamei. The expression level of LvALF8 was apparently changed after white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) or Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenges. The synthetic LBD peptide of LvALF8 (LvALF8-LBD) showed strong antibacterial activities against most tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. LvALF8-LBD could also inhibit the in vivo propagation of WSSV similar as FcALF8-LBD, the LBD of LvALF8 counterpart in F. chinensis. However, LvALF8-LBD and FcALF8-LBD exhibited apparently different antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus, the main pathogen causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) of affected shrimp. A structural analysis showed that the positive net charge and amphipathicity characteristics of LvALF8-LBD peptide were speculated as two important components for its enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to those of FcALF8-LBD. These new findings may not only provide some evidence to explain the distinct disease resistance among different shrimp species, but also lay out new research ground for the testing and development of LBD-originated antimicrobial peptides to control of shrimp diseases.     

蛋鸡脂肪肝综合征模型的建立

试验旨在建立蛋鸡脂肪肝综合征病理模型。选取5日龄的海兰褐蛋鸡公雏280只，随机分为对照组（基础日粮组）和3个模型组（A、B、C组），试验第1~10天给模型组饲喂不同配比的高脂饲料，第11~20天饲喂常规基础日粮，每天观察并记录试验鸡精神状态、外观体征、饮水量和食欲情况，试验第0、10、20天从各组随机抽取15只鸡进行翅静脉采血并剖取肝脏和腹脂，测定肝脏系数、肝脂率、腹脂率，血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）和谷草转氨酶（AST）水平。结果显示，试验第10天，3个模型组剖检时可见腹腔和肠系膜有大量的脂肪沉积，肝脏系数、肝脂率和腹脂率，以及血清中总胆固醇、甘油三酯、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶指标均符合鸡脂肪肝综合征模型的诊断标准；试验第20天，模型A、B组谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶水平有所恢复，其他指标仍高于对照组，而模型C组的临床症状和各项检测指标仍符合鸡脂肪肝综合征模型的诊断标准。因此采用连续饲喂高脂饲料C（74.5%基础日粮、6%胆固醇、14%猪油、5%蔗糖、0.5%丙基硫氧嘧啶）可成功建立蛋鸡脂肪肝综合征模型。     

WSSV envelope protein VP51B links structural protein complexes and may mediate virus infection

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an enveloped double‐stranded DNA virus, is the causative agent of a disease that has led to severe mortalities of cultured shrimps in Taiwan and many other countries. In the previous study, Penaeus monodon chitin‐binding protein (CBP) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), two cell membrane proteins, were found to at least interact with other 10 WSSV envelope proteins including VP51B. These envelope proteins might form a protein complex. According to the known information, VP51B was used to identify its role in the protein complex. Western blotting of the intact viral particles and fractionation of the viral components confirmed that VP51B is one of WSSV envelope proteins. In this study, the protein–protein interaction between VP51B and other WSSV envelope proteins was identified by far‐western blot experiment and VP51B was found to interact with VP24, VP31, VP32, VP39B and VP41A. Furthermore, the in vivo neutralization experiment using recombinant VP51B plus with VP39B showed the best inhibition. These data indicate that VP51B participates in the WSSV protein complex and plays an important role in WSSV infection.     

In vitro and in vivo selection of probiotic purple nonsulphur bacteria with an ability to inhibit shrimp pathogens: acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease‐causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other vibrios

Shrimp cultivation has been faced with huge losses in productivity caused by infectious shrimp pathogenic vibrios, especially Vibrio parahaemolyticus that causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). Hence, purple nonsulphur bacteria (PNSB) were isolated from shrimp ponds for investigating their abilities to control shrimp pathogenic Vibrio spp. and their use as probiotics for sustainable shrimp cultivation. Based on their probiotic properties, strains S3W10 and SS15 were selected because of their strong abilities to produce amylase, gelatinase and vitamin B12. However, only three PNSB strains (SS15, TKW17 and STW181) strongly inhibited V. harveyi_KSAAHRC and V. vulnificus_KSAAHRC including V. parahaemolyticusAHPND strains by secreting antivibrio compounds. Four selected PNSB also grew in the presence of pancreatic enzymes, and they were identified as Rhodobacter sphaeroides for strains S3W10, SS15 and TKW17 and Afifella marina for strain STW181. The effects of a mixed culture were also investigated as follows: T1 (S3W10 + SS15), T2 (S3W10 + TKW17) and T3 (S3W10 + STW181) on postlarval white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) for 60 days by comparison with a control. All three probiotic PNSB sets significantly improved the digestive enzyme activities and shrimp growth with their proliferation in shrimp gastrointestinal tract although the shrimp survival was not significantly different. They also significantly reduced the cumulative mortality of shrimp exposed to a virulent AHPND strain (V. parahaemolyticusSR2). This is the first to conclude that selected probiotic PNSB strains have great potential to be used for shrimp cultivation to control vibrios including AHPND strains.     

Reactive oxygen species are involved in cell death in wheat roots against powdery mildew

Inoculation of wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) leaves with wheat powdery mildew fungus(Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) induces the cell death in adventitious roots. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) play a key role in respond to biotic stress in plants. To study the involvement of ROS and the degree of cell death in the wheat roots following inoculation, ROS levels and microstructure of root cells were analyzed in two wheat cultivars that are susceptible(Huamai 8) and resistant(Shenmai 8) to powdery mildew fungus. At 18 d after powdery mildew fungus inoculation, only Huamai 8 displayed the leaf lesions, while root cell death occurred in both varieties. Huamai 8 had a high level of ROS accumulation, which is associated with increased root cell degradation, while in Shenmai 8, there was little ROS accumulation correlating with slight root cell degradation. The molecular study about the expression levels of ROS scavenging genes(MnSOD and CAT) in wheat roots showed that these genes expression decreased after the leaves of wheat was inoculated. The difference between Huamai 8 and Shenmai 8 on subcellular localization of H2 O2 and O2–· was corresponded with the different down-regulation of the genes encoding for superoxide dismutase and catalase in two wheat cultivars. These results suggested that ROS were involved in the process by which powdery mildew fungus induced cell death in wheat roots.     

miR-140-3p inhibits viability,invasion and migration of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells by targeting PD-L1

AIM: To explore the target relationship between microRNA-140-3p (miR-140-3p) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and their effect on the viability, migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to detect the miR-140-3p expression in HLF-1, A549 and H1299 cells, and then the A549 cells with the most significant difference were selected as the subsequent research object. TargetScan software and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to predict and confirm the target relationship between miR-140-3p and PD-L1. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to determine the effects of miR-140-3p mimic and inhibitor on PD-L1 expression level. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of A549 cells. Transwell assay was performed to detect the migration and invasion abilities of the A549 cells.RESULTS: miR-140-3p was significantly down-regulated in the A549 cells and H1299 cells (P<0.05). Transfection with miR-140-3p mimic decreased the expression of PD-L1 and inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of the A549 cells. Transfection with pcDNA3.0-PD-L1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-140-3p on the viability, migration and invasion of the A549 cells.CONCLUSION: miR-140-3p inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of A549 cells by targeting PD-L1.     

The M43 domain-containing metalloprotease RcMEP1 in Rhizoctonia cerealis is a pathogenicity factor during the fungus infection to wheat

Wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) is an important staple crop for global human. The necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis is the causal pathogen of sharp eyespot, a devastating disease of wheat. Herein, we identified RcMEP1, a zinc metalloproteaseencoding gene from R. cerealis genomic sequences, and characterized its pathogenesis function. RcMEP1 expressed at markedly-high levels during R. cerealis infection process to wheat. The predicted protein RcMEP1 comprises of 287 amino acid residues and contains a signal peptide and a M43 metalloprotease domain harboring the active site motif(HEVGHWLGLYH). The assays of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves indicated that RcMEP1 is an apoplastic elicitor of cell death, and that the predicted signal peptide functions and is required for secretion and cell death-induction. The purified RcMEP1 protein and its M43 domain peptide were individually able to induce plant cell death and H2 O2 accumulation, and to inhibit expression of host chitinases when infiltrated into wheat and N. benthamiana leaves, while the M43 domain-deleting peptide and negative control lacked the capacity. Moreover, compared with the control pretreatment, the purified RcMEP1 protein or its M43-domain peptide resulted in enhanced pathogenesis in the inoculated wheat, whereas the M43 domain-deleting peptide failed. These results suggest that RcMEP1 acted as an important pathogenicity factor during R. cerealis infection to wheat and that its signal peptide and M43 domain are required for the secretion and pathogenesis of RcMEP1. This study provides insights into pathogenesis role of M43 domain-containing metalloproteases during R. cerealis infection to wheat.     

Role of cytokeratin 8 on changes of intestinal epithelial permeability induced by corticotropin-releasing factor

AIM: To investigate the role of cytokeratin 8 (CK8) on the change of intercellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells induced by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). METHODS: The expression levels of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRFR2 on human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cell surface were determined by immunofluorescence staining. After treatment with 100 nmol/L CRF for 72 h, the translocation of FITC-labelled dextran was measured in a Transwell chamber. The structural changes of tight junctions were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of CK8, and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were determined by Western blot. The activity of protein kinase C (PKC) was detected by ELISA. Furthermore, the effects of CRF on intestinal epithelial permeability were examined in CK8-silencing HT29 cells, which were constructed by infection with sh-CK8 lentivirus. RESULTS: CRF treatment increased the permeability of FITC-labelled dextran (P<0.05), caused the opening of tight junctions, and induced increased fluorescence intensity of CK8. The expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 were down-regulated (P<0.05). PKC activity was decreased at 1 h after CRF treatment (P<0.05). CRF-induced increase in the permeability and down-regulation of occludin were not blocked by CK8 silencing. Nevertheless,CK8 silencing blocked the effects of CRF regarding the decrease in the expression levels of ZO-1 and the increase in PKC activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CK8 may be involved in CRF-induced increase in intestinal epithelial permeability by inhibiting the activity of PKC, and there may be other signaling pathways involved.