Fundamentals of host immune response against Brucella abortus: what the mouse model has revealed about control of infection

The studies reviewed here evaluated the role cellular immune system components play in control of brucellosis by conducting comparative studies with brucella-resistant C57BL/10 or C57BL/6 mice and susceptible BALB/c mice. We have shown by both in vitro and in vivo studies that activation of macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is an important factor for control of infection with B. abortus in the mouse model and that the mechanism of anti-brucella activity largely involved reactive oxygen intermediates. Differences in control of the organism by resistant and susceptible mice was not related to inherent differences in the ability of their macrophages to control infection either with or without IFN-γ activation nor was it attributable to NK cells since we found no role for them in control of brucellosis in either mouse strain. However, relative resistance to brucellosis did correlate with increased production of IFN-γ by CD4 T cells during the first weeks after infection while IL-10 contributed to susceptibility in BALB/c mice. Moreover, by 3 weeks post-infection splenocytes from the susceptible BALB/c mice failed to produce IFN-γ and relied on TNF- as well as CD8 T cells to control infection until the end of the plateau phase around 6 weeks post-infection when IFN-γ production resumed and clearance began. In contrast, IFN-γ was crucial for control throughout the infection in the more resistant C57BL/6 mice and the mice died in its absence by 6 weeks post-infection compared to 12 weeks for the more susceptible mice that relied on additional mechanisms of control. In contrast to the IFN-γ knock-out mice, both β2 microglobulin knock-out C57BL/6 mice, which do not express conventional MHC class I molecules and thus cannot present antigen to CD8 T cells, or perforin knock-out C57BL/6 mice, which have no T cell cytotoxic activity, controlled and cleared the infection as well as normal C57BL/6 mice. The hiatus of IFN-γ production in BALB/c mice correlated with very high levels of total IL-12 and it was postulated that the lack of IFN-γ was a consequence of p40 homodimer blocking activity. However, reduction of p40 IL-12 in vivo through administration of indomethacin reduced the infection without a concomitant measurable increase in IFN-γ. Current studies are aimed at elucidating the mechanism of the IFN-γ hiatus.     

小鼠感染肝片吸虫早期IL-4/IFN-γ及M2巨噬细胞标记分子的变化

为弄清肝片吸虫感染早期的主要细胞免疫类型及选择性激活巨噬细胞(M2或AAMΦ)标记分子的变化,本试验采用肝片吸虫囊蚴为感染源,经口分别感染雌性BALB/c野生型小鼠,运用特异性PCR鉴定成功感染小鼠后用间接ELISA对腹腔中IL-4和IFN-γ的水平进行测定,并对细胞因子IL-4、转录因子GATA3和M2的标记蛋白Relm a、Ym1分子的mRNA进行荧光定量PCR检测.结果显示,在感染后1,3,5,7周,从所获取肝脏组织中扩增的ITS2片段条带清晰,大小正确,测序后确定为肝片吸虫ITS2序列,表明肝片吸虫感染成功.对腹腔中IL-4和IFN-γ的水平测定表明感染组IL-4在感染后1,3,5周比对照组的显著增加(P=0.013,P＜0.01,P=0.02),但在第7周时无显著差异.IL-4的水平显著高于IFN-γ(P=0.011),而在第7周两者间无显著差异；对腹腔中IL-4、GATA3、Relm α和Ym1 mRNA水平的测定结果表明,感染后IL-4和GATA3 mRNA水平在第3周达到最高峰；于感染后1,3,5,7周,IL-4和GATA3 mRNA水平都分别显著高于对照组(IL4:P=0.01,P=0.012,P=0.023,P=0.014;GATA3:P=0.011,P＜0.01,P=0.032,P=0.014),但IL-4和GATA3间无显著差异；Relm α和Ym1mRNA水平都分别显著高于对照组(Relm α:P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P=0.011;Ym1:P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P=0.012),且二者间无显著差异,并随时间推移mRNA水平都呈下降趋势,于第7周达到最低水平.本研究成功利用肝片吸虫-小鼠模型研究蠕虫感染早期细胞免疫类型及M2标记分子的变化,发现在肝片吸虫感染小鼠早期主要引起Th2为主的细胞免疫.IL-4和M2巨噬细胞标记分子Relm α和Ym1在感染后1,3,5,7周都显著增加且具有相似的变化趋势,但nelmα和Ym1在第1周的高表达可能受诸多因素的影响还有待深入研究.     

Relationship between rate of infection and markers of inflammation/immunity in Holy Birman cats with feline coronavirus

The aim of this study was to assess whether Holy Birman cats (HB) have a peculiar immune profile and a higher rate of infection by feline coronaviruses (FCoV). Leucocyte and lymphocyte subsets, antibody titers, α₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP), globulin fractions, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-γ in blood and fecal FCoV excretion were determined in HB (n = 75) and in cats from other breeds (n = 94). Significantly higher CD4/CD8 ratio, IFN-γ concentration and IL12/IL4 ratio and significantly lower IL-4 concentration and proportion of shedders were found in HB than in other breeds. No other differences were found. In conclusion, this study did not provide evidence of peculiar immune profiles in HB, except for a prevalent Th1 profile, that may explain why in our caseload the rate of shedders was lower in HB than in other breeds.     

归参汤对免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α和脾细胞Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响

为了探讨归参汤(GST)对免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α和脾细胞Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响。本试验采用环磷酰胺制造免疫抑制模型,利用双抗夹心ELISA法,观察归参汤对小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α的影响;RT-PCR法观察归参汤对小鼠脾细胞中INF-γ、IL-4、T-bet和GATA-3的mRNA表达的影响。结果显示:归参汤高剂量组可以显著增加免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α的含量(P<0.01),提高INF-γ的表达(P<0.05),降低IL-4的含量(P<0.05),升高T-bet(P<0.05),降低GATA-3的表达(P<0.05)。归参汤的免疫增强作用与升高血清中IL-2、TNF-α有关,且升高INF-γ/IL-4纠正免疫抑制小鼠Thl/Th2细胞因子的比例紊乱,其机制可能部分归因于对T-bet和GATA-3的mRNA表达的影响。     

Antigen-nonspecific macrophage factors modulating the antibody response in vitro

Antibody response to an antigen involves the co-operation between three types of cells: macrophages, T cells and B cells. The cognate interactions between these cells play a fundamental role in the expression of a specific antibody response, but the last is modulated by antigen-nonspecific soluble factors produced either by macrophages or by T cells. Macrophages elaborate a spectrum of molecules modulating the function of lymphoid cells; among them are IL1 and prostaglandins of the E series, which are respectively enhancer and inhibitor of the antibody response in vitro. These molecules alter T cell and B cell activities through different mechanisms involving activation or inhibition of IL2 production, or alteration of cells surface antigens. However, the cellular events following the fixation of soluble factor on its receptors are not known.     

Relationship between Th17 cells infiltrated in lungs and pulmonary vascular reconstruction under hypobarric hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) mRNA and interleukin-17(IL-17) protein in the lung tissue under hypobaric hypoxia, and the relationship between Th17 cells and hypoxic pulmonary vascular reconstruction. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice(n=50) were randomly divided into control group and 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypobaric hypoxia groups. The mice in hypobaric hypoxia groups were housed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(simulated altitude of 6 000 m) for 3 d, 7 d, 14 d or 28 d. The mice in control group were housed in normal pressure and oxygen environment. The hemodynamic data were recorded by cardiac catheterization. The hypertrophy of right ventricle was evaluated by the ratio of weight of the right ventricle to the weight of the left ventricle plus interventri-cular septum, and the right ventricular weight over body weight. The spleen was collected and the proportions of the Th17(CD4⁺IL-17⁺RORγt⁺) cells were detected by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 and the change of IL-17 in the lung tissue were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the spleen and lung tissues was measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mouse right ventricular systolic pressure, the hypertrophy index of right ventricle and the serum IL-17 level were significantly elevated in hypoxia groups, which was consistent with the results of flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the lung tissue was also significantly increased in 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. The expression of IL-17 in the lung tissue was significantly increased in 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia promotes differentiation of Th0 cells to Th17 cells in the spleen. The Th17 cells infiltrated in the lung tissue under hypobarric hypoxia are involved in pulmonary vascular reconstruction.     

Characterization of a wheat–Thinopyron intermedium substitution line with resistance to powdery mildew

Among the progenies of a hybrid between common wheat Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yannong 15 and Thinopyron intermedium, plant E99018 was identified with the chromosome number 2n = 42 and stable agronomic traits. An analysis of the metaphase chromosome pairing indicated that it formed 21 bivalents but that 2 univalents were present in the F₁ hybrid of this plant with common wheat. Resistance verification by race 15 and with mixed races of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici at the seedling and adult stages showed that at both stages, the plant was immune to powdery mildew. In situ hybridization with the genomic Th. intermedium and the St genome DNAs as probes and wheat DNA as a block has shown that it contained a pair of Th. intermedium chromosomes. On the basis of the hybridization pattern of the St genome probe to the critical chromosome, a conclusion was reached that this pair of chromosomes belonged to the E genome. Therefore, plant E99018 was a spontaneously formed substitution line. An analysis by 116 SSR markers indicated that the substituted wheat chromosome was 2D and the most likely substitution in E99018 is 2E(2D).     

Promising genetic resources for resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus and the wheat curl mite in wheat-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thinopyrum</Emphasis> partial amphiploids and their derivatives

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), vectored by the wheat curl mite (WCM),Aceria tosichella Keifer, is one of the most destructive viral diseases of wheat found in many wheat producing areas of the world. Host resistance is the most effective method for controlling this disease and its vector. Symptomatological analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to characterize WSMV-resistance in wheat-alien partial amphiploid lines and their derivatives. The results showed that most of partial amphiploids derived fromThinopyrum ponticum andTh. intermedium were free of systemic symptoms with very low ELISA readings that were similar to that of the non-inoculated Chinese Spring control. While the partial amphiploid lines 693 and PWM706 were identified as new genetic resources of resistance to WSMV. The present study demonstrated that both symptomatological and ELISA methods efficiently assessed WSMV-resistance in the wheat-alien hybrids and systemic symptom incidence and ELISA absorbance readings were highly correlated (r ₂ = 0.8658–0.9323) over time following inoculation. The ELISA results also indicated that the virus did not buildup in the plant tissues of these virus-resistant partial amphiploids. Similar results were observed in chromosome translocation and substitution lines that have the geneWsm1 conferring WSMV resistance. However, the lines containing the geneWsm1 and all the partial amphiploid lines, except Agrotana, were susceptible to the WCM. One line derived from a cross of wheat and Agrotana, was effective in controlling the spread of WSMV and was highly resistant to the WCM. Another line and an accession ofTriticum dicoccoides (Koern.) Schweinf. were highly susceptible to WSMV and WCM. Early disease development was delayed in a new hard red winter cultivar McClintock. The partial WSMV-resistance of McClintock was demonstrated by initially low ELISA readings, and a lower percentage of infected plants than other WSMV-susceptible wheat. The use of the identified promising sources of resistance to WSMV and the WCM in wheat breeding is discussed.LRC Contribution No. 387-01061.     

泛发性皮肤瘙痒症患者Th1/Th2 细胞因子平衡状态的初探

采用ELISA的方法检测35例泛发性皮肤瘙痒症患者的外周血单核细胞 (PBMC) 在体外经PHA诱导后T辅助细胞不同功能亚群细胞因子IL-4、IL-6及IFN-γ的分泌,同时以20例正常人的PBMC作对照. 结果表明: 泛发性皮肤瘙痒症患者PBMC中T辅助-2型 (Th2) 的细胞因子IL-4的产生明显高于正常对照(P<0.05), 而T辅助-1型 (Th1) 的细胞因子IFN-γ的产生明显低于正常对照(P<0.05),细胞因子IL-6的产生在泛发性皮肤瘙痒症患者PBMC与正常对照的PBMC中无明显差异 (P>0.05).同时,患者的瘙痒程度评分分数与其IL-4的产生呈正相关,而与其γ-IFN的产生呈负相关(P值均<0.05).     

几个小麦材料根部性状的研究

用 6个小麦 -偃麦草的中间育种材料和 6个小麦品种 30d的幼苗来研究根部性状 ,包括根系长度、根系干重、根长与株高比、地下部分与地上部分干重比 ,成熟胚和未成熟胚接种在含PEG模拟抗旱剂的培养基上 ,分析它们对PEG的抗性。结果表明 ,小麦 -偃麦草的中间育种材料 ,尤其是无芒中 4、L1、临抗 1号和宁春 4号 ,具有比其它小麦品种发达的根系 ,它们的成熟胚对 15 %的PEG表现了完全抗性 ,未成熟胚对10 %的PEG表现了完全抗性。证明中间育种材料可能含有一些来自中间偃麦草的控制根部遗传性状的基因或与抗旱有关的基因。中间育种材料、临抗 1号和宁春 4号可以作为改良小麦根部性状和抗旱性的遗传资源加以利用