Immunohistochemical expression of interferon-γ in different types of granulomatous lesions associated with bovine paratuberculosis

Animals infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) show a variety of lesions, from focal forms, seen in subclinical stages to diffuse lesions in clinical cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the local expression of IFN-γ by immunohistochemistry in relation with the type of lesion in naturally Map-infected cows. The number of immunolabelled cells, −the majority morphologically consistent with lymphocytes-, was higher in focal and diffuse paucibacillary forms than in diffuse multibacillary lesions, where they appeared closely related to epithelioid cells. Diffuse multibacillary lesions had the lowest numbers, but higher than controls, and positive cells were intermingled among the macrophages. The peripheral IFN-γ production was higher in all Map infected cows and a positive correlation was found with the number of immunolabelled cells in the intestine. The findings of this study show that IFN-γ would play a role in the development of the different types of lesions in paratuberculosis, and also points out the importance of adequate sampling of lymphoid tissue containing samples when studying the local immune response in which IFN-γ expression may be involved, especially in cases where focal lesions are present.     

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。     

Cytokine profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with cystic echinococcosis

IntroductionCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), which affects domestic and wild carnivores as the definitive host and ungulates as intermediate hosts. In intermediate hosts, both Th1 and Th2 cells are involved in the immune responses to an echinoccocal infection. This study aimed to investigate production of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CE patients before and after surgical treatment.MethodsTo evaluate cytokine production in response to E. granulosus antigens, we investigated IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ production in PBMCs of 20 CE patients in response to hydatid cyst fluid antigen (HCF-Ag) before and after surgical treatment using ELISA.ResultsThe mean IL-4 production from HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while IFN-γ was significantly increased in HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs in patients after surgery (p = 0.005).Furthermore, our results showed that there is no significant difference between IL-10 production in patients before and after treatment (p = 0.562).ConclusionsOur data Indicated production of IL-4 in cultured PBMCs of CE patients stimulated with HCF-Ag was decreased significantly. While, production of IFN-γ was increased significantly in responses to HCF Ag after surgery. We concluded that the evaluation of IL-4 and IFN-γ in HCF-Ag stimulated PBMCs of CE patients should be considered as a useful marker in the follow up of patients with cystic echinococcosis.     

东北虎γ-干扰素基因的克隆、生物信息学分析及其在毕赤酵母中的表达

本试验旨在通过克隆东北虎γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)基因,研究其分子特征并预测蛋白生物学功能,为后续研究干扰素抗病毒活性做前期准备。通过RT-PCR从ConA诱导过的东北虎血淋巴细胞中扩增东北虎IFN-γ基因并测序,应用生物信息学方法进行序列分析。结果表明:东北虎IFN-γ编码区由504个核苷酸组成,共编码167个氨基酸,蛋白相对分子质量为19.59 ku,等电点为9.03,所编码的蛋白为碱性亲水性蛋白,其中前23个氨基酸可能为信号肽,IFN-γ编码蛋白保守结构域为IFN-γ超家族,且存在跨膜结构,其中1-6位氨基酸为胞内区域,7-28位氨基酸为跨膜区域,29-167位氨基酸为胞外区域;IFN-γ编码蛋白二级结构主要以α-螺旋(58.08%)和无规则卷曲(33.53%)为主,存在5个潜在的B细胞抗原表位,3个潜在的N-糖基化位点;分子进化分析显示,东北虎IFN-γ与GenBank上发表的东北虎、非洲狮、金钱豹、美洲狮、猎豹、家猫、加拿大猞猁、野猪等的核苷酸相似性为80.4%~99.8%,氨基酸相似性为70.5%~100%,东北虎IFN-γ与非洲狮、金钱豹亲缘关系最近,美洲狮、猎豹、家猫、猞猁次之,野猪最远。通过合成改造后的东北虎IFN-γ基因,构建能表达IFN-γ蛋白的重组质粒pPIC9K-IFN-γ,将其导入高效表达系统-毕赤酵母中进行诱导表达,经SDS-PAGE分析,表达蛋白的分子量约17.8 ku,与预期大小相符,表明东北虎IFN-γ成功表达。     

东北民猪荷包猪抗性基因多态性及其与免疫指标的相关性研究

研究目的是检测荷包猪FUT 1和Mx1基因位点多态性及其与免疫指标的相关关系。采用PCR-RFLP技术分析基因多态性,采用ELISA方法检测免疫指标白介素-4(IL-4)、分泌型免疫球蛋白A(sIgA)、α-干扰素(IFN-α)的表达量。结果表明,荷包猪FUT 1基因和Mx1基因Hin6I点酶切位点上显示多态性,优势基因型分别为GG和AA型,在Mx1基因其他两位点处未发现多态性;荷包猪免疫指标IL-4、sIgA、IFN-α的表达量明显高于大白猪(P<0.05),但抗性基因型与免疫指标间的相关性表现不明显。     

Effects of the exopolysaccharide fraction (EPSF) from a cultivated Cordyceps sinensis on immunocytes of H22 tumor bearing mice

In order to explore the effects of exopolysaccharide fraction (EPSF) from one of the anamorph strains of Cordyceps sinensis on immunocyte activity of H22 tumor bearing mice, ICR mice were treated with EPSF for 7 days by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 15 mg/kg (low-dose), 30 mg/kg (mid-dose) and 60 mg/kg (high-dose) after H22 tumor cells were implanted. At the end of the experiments, the tumor weight of each mouse was measured. Phagocytosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages was tested by neutral red uptake. The TNF-alpha expression of macrophages was assayed by ELISA. Proliferation ability and cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes were determined by MTT methods. The mRNA levels of cytokine TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA of spleen lymphocytes were detected by RT-PCR. The results indicated that EPSF not only significantly inhibited the H22 tumor growth, but also significantly elevated immunocytes' activity. It significantly enhanced the phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages and proliferation ability of spleen lymphocytes at all the three doses; it significantly promoted macrophages' TNF-alpha expression and spleen lymphocytes' cytotoxicity. EPSF also significantly elevated TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA expression of splenic lymphocytes. This experimental finding suggests that EPSF could elevate the immunocytes' activity in H22 tumor bearing mice.     

妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜enJSRV及IFN-τ基因表达水平的分析

本研究旨在检测内源性绵羊肺腺瘤反转录病毒(enJSRV)与干扰素-τ(IFN-τ)在妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜组织的表达以及enJSRV的表达与外周血孕酮水平变化的关系。运用TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR技术和电化学发光法对enJSRV和IFN-τ在妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜组织相对表达及孕酮水平进行了测定。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,enJSRV和IFN-τmRNA在妊娠早期绵羊子宫内膜组织有不同程度的表达。SAS统计学软件分析得出,子宫内膜组织中enJSRV mRNA在妊娠12～14d(交配日为0d)表达较高,2～10、16～30d的表达均低于前者。IFN-τmRNA仅在妊娠12～25d表达,14d达其峰值,30d就不能检出,且差异都极显著(P<0.01)。电化学发光法结果显示,孕酮水平在妊娠2d为0.4ng·mL-1,以后升高,妊娠8～16d维持在8.3ng·mL-1左右,在妊娠19～30d孕酮水平有所下降,30d为2.5ng·mL-1。以上结果提示,子宫内膜组织中enJSRV mRNA的表达与外周血孕酮含量及IFN-τ的变化高度相关,且enJSRV在胎盘的形态发生及生殖生物学方面发挥重要作用。     

贯叶连翘提取物对流感病毒感染小鼠肺中IFN-γ·TNF-α的影响

[目的]研究贯叶连翘提取物(HPE)对流感病毒感染小鼠肺组织中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)等细胞因子的影响。[方法]以流感病毒滴鼻感染小鼠,分别灌胃给药(贯叶连翘提取物高剂量组100 mg/kg、低剂量组50 mg/kg和病毒唑组10 mg/kg),0.2ml/次,2次/d,5 d后摘眼球放血处死动物,摘出全肺,低温条件下制成肺匀浆,离心后取上清采用双抗体夹心ELISA法观察小鼠治疗前后肺组织中IFN-γ、TNF-α的变化。[结果]与模型对照组相比,贯叶连翘提取物流感病毒感染小鼠肺组织中TNF-α显著降低(P<0.05),IFN-γ极显著升高(P<0.01)。[结论]贯叶连翘提取物对机体抗感染免疫有一定调节作用。     

一株分泌抗猪γ-干扰素单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞的鉴定

[目的]应用杂交瘤技术获得稳定分泌抗猪γ-干扰素单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株。[方法]先将原核表达产物His—PoIFN一γ免疫BALB／c小鼠4次,然后进行细胞融合,再以纯化的GST—PoIFN一1作为包被抗原,用间接ELISA筛选阳性杂交瘤无性系,最终获得能稳定分泌抗猪IFN-γ单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,对其进行问接ELISA和Westernblot检测。[结果]试验获得l株能稳定分泌抗猪IFN一1单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,被命名为B3株,经间接ELISA和Westernblot检测,该株分泌的抗体能与融合蛋白His—PoIFN一γ和GST—PoIFN一γ发生特异性反应,而与其他表达鸡γ-干扰素、His和GST蛋白等的重组质粒均不发生反应。B3株分泌的抗体小鼠腹水的ELISA效价达到1：160000,抗体亚型为IgG1型,且轻链为κ链。[结论]该研究为建立猪γ-干扰素检测方法,研究机体的免疫状态及免疫机制提供了技术基础。     

Constitutive expression of interferons in swine leukocytes

Interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ positive cells were revealed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) pigs. A low prevalence of IFN-γ positive cells was also detected in PBMC of some Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus-infected pigs and uninfected, control pigs. IFN-α positive cells showed phenotypes of both monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The presence of IFN-α in PBMC was also confirmed by Western blotting. By immunoprecipitation, IFN-α was detected as 32 and 55-57 kDa bands in PBMC of healthy SPF piglets. These samples were also IFN-γ positive; the cytokine was revealed as 24, 37 and 54 kDa bands. The unusual molecular mass values of intracellular interferons were probably due to oligomerization, as previously described for human IFN-α. Swine intracellular IFN-α displayed the expected antiviral activity on bovine MDBK cells. The results indicate that interferons are constitutively expressed in swine leukocytes with peculiar molecular features.