The ligase PIAS1 restricts natural regulatory T cell differentiation by epigenetic repression

CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T (T(reg)) cells are important for maintaining immune tolerance. Understanding the molecular mechanism that regulates T(reg) differentiation will facilitate the development of effective therapeutic strategies against autoimmune diseases. We report here that the SUMO E3 ligase PIAS1 restricts the differentiation of natural T(reg) cells by maintaining a repressive chromatin state of the Foxp3 promoter. PIAS1 acts by binding to the Foxp3 promoter to recruit DNA methyltransferases and heterochromatin protein 1 for epigenetic modifications. Pias1 deletion caused promoter demethylation, reduced histone H3 methylation at Lys(9), and enhanced promoter accessibility. Consistently, Pias1(-/-) mice displayed an increased natural T(reg) cell population and were resistant to the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our studies have identified an epigenetic mechanism that negatively regulates the differentiation of natural T(reg) cells.     

The Toll-like receptor 2 pathway establishes colonization by a commensal of the human microbiota

Mucosal surfaces constantly encounter microbes. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate recognition of microbial patterns to eliminate pathogens. By contrast, we demonstrate that the prominent gut commensal Bacteroides fragilis activates the TLR pathway to establish host-microbial symbiosis. TLR2 on CD4(+) T cells is required for B. fragilis colonization of a unique mucosal niche in mice during homeostasis. A symbiosis factor (PSA, polysaccharide A) of B. fragilis signals through TLR2 directly on Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells to promote immunologic tolerance. B. fragilis lacking PSA is unable to restrain T helper 17 cell responses and is defective in niche-specific mucosal colonization. Therefore, commensal bacteria exploit the TLR pathway to actively suppress immunity. We propose that the immune system can discriminate between pathogens and the microbiota through recognition of symbiotic bacterial molecules in a process that engenders commensal colonization.     

Selective stimulation of T cell subsets with antibody-cytokine immune complexes

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), which is a growth factor for T lymphocytes, can also sometimes be inhibitory. Thus, the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in vivo is increased after the injection of a monoclonal antibody that is specific for IL-2 (IL-2 mAb), perhaps reflecting the removal of IL-2-dependent CD4+ T regulatory cells (T regs). Instead, we show here that IL-2 mAb augments the proliferation of CD8+ cells in mice simply by increasing the biological activity of preexisting IL-2 through the formation of immune complexes. When coupled with recombinant IL-2, some IL-2/IL-2 mAb complexes cause massive (>100-fold) expansion of CD8+ cells in vivo, whereas others selectively stimulate CD4+ T regs. Thus, different cytokine-antibody complexes can be used to selectively boost or inhibit the immune response.     

Stability of the regulatory T cell lineage in vivo

Tissue maintenance and homeostasis can be achieved through the replacement of dying cells by differentiating precursors or self-renewal of terminally differentiated cells or relies heavily on cellular longevity in poorly regenerating tissues. Regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) represent an actively dividing cell population with critical function in suppression of lethal immune-mediated inflammation. The plasticity of T(reg) cells has been actively debated because it could factor importantly in protective immunity or autoimmunity. By using inducible labeling and tracking of T(reg) cell fate in vivo, or transfers of highly purified T(reg) cells, we have demonstrated notable stability of this cell population under physiologic and inflammatory conditions. Our results suggest that self-renewal of mature T(reg) cells serves as a major mechanism of maintenance of the T(reg) cell lineage in adult mice.     

SLE患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞及Foxp3基因表达的研究

目的:研究系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞及Foxp3基因的表达水平,了解它们在SLE发病机制中的作用。方法:分别收集25例SLE患者(SLE组)及健康人(对照组)外周抗凝静脉血,分离纯化T淋巴细胞。PE标记抗CD 4单抗,F ITC标记的抗CD 25单抗,作双色流式细胞术,分析SLE患者外周血CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞百分率,RT-PCR检测T细胞Foxp3 mRNA表达。结果:SLE组外周血CD 4 T、CD 4 CD 25 T细胞百分率及T细胞Foxp3 mRNA水平均低于对照组(P<0.01),并且CD 4 CD 25 T细胞百分率与Foxp3mRNA水平呈依赖关系(P<0.01)。结论:SLE患者外周血存在细胞免疫功能失调,CD 4 CD 25 调节性T细胞数量减少和Foxp3mRNA表达下调可能与SLE的免疫学发病机制有关。     

CTLA-4 control over Foxp3+ regulatory T cell function

Naturally occurring Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Here, we show that a specific deficiency of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in Tregs results in spontaneous development of systemic lymphoproliferation, fatal T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, and hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E in mice, and it also produces potent tumor immunity. Treg-specific CTLA-4 deficiency impairs in vivo and in vitro suppressive function of Tregs-in particular, Treg-mediated down-regulation of CD80 and CD86 expression on dendritic cells. Thus, natural Tregs may critically require CTLA-4 to suppress immune responses by affecting the potency of antigen-presenting cells to activate other T cells.     

气肿疽梭菌菌体抗原分析

[目的]了解气肿疽梭菌的抗原特性。[方法]对气肿疽梭菌标准菌株(C54-1)的菌体抗原进行提纯过柱,通过制备小鼠免疫血清及免疫印迹技术进行了反应原性试验。[结果]气肿疽梭菌的菌体抗原有8条蛋白带,电泳图谱上分别出现了与之相对应的条带,分子质量分别为93、72、56、46、38、26、15、11 kD,其中第2(72 kD)、5(38 kD)、6(26 kD)峰的抗原表现出明显的特异性。用酶联免疫印迹技术分析气肿疽梭菌分泌蛋白的抗原组分,气肿疽梭菌感染小鼠的血清能与抗原组分蛋白发生反应,其中72、38、26 kD蛋白带显色最深。[结论]为气肿疽梭菌的深入研究提供了理论依据。     

Live attenuated malaria vaccine designed to protect through hepatic CD8⁺ T cell immunity

Our goal is to develop a vaccine that sustainably prevents Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria in ≥80% of recipients. Pf sporozoites (PfSPZ) administered by mosquito bites are the only immunogens shown to induce such protection in humans. Such protection is thought to be mediated by CD8(+) T cells in the liver that secrete interferon-γ (IFN-γ). We report that purified irradiated PfSPZ administered to 80 volunteers by needle inoculation in the skin was safe, but suboptimally immunogenic and protective. Animal studies demonstrated that intravenous immunization was critical for inducing a high frequency of PfSPZ-specific CD8(+), IFN-γ-producing T cells in the liver (nonhuman primates, mice) and conferring protection (mice). Our results suggest that intravenous administration of this vaccine will lead to the prevention of infection with Pf malaria.     

C型魏氏梭菌外毒素产生的主要影响因素研究

从不同菌株、不同培养基、不同培养温度和不同培养时间对C型魏氏梭菌在培养过程中毒素产生的影响及不同菌株的交叉保护力方面进行了研究.结果表明,在3株C型魏氏梭菌中.C_(59-2)株在相同培养条件下产生的毒素最高,肉肝胃酶消化汤更有助于该菌株产生高滴度的致死性毒素,并且在35℃培养16-20 h后可产生较高滴度的致死性毒素,1μL魏氏梭菌培养物上清液即可致8/8小鼠死亡,不同菌株之间具有较好的交叉免疫力,这些结果为研制C型魏氏梭菌高效疫苗打下了基础.     

Foxp3表达对黑色素瘤B16细胞增殖的影响

目的通过检测Foxp3在黑色素瘤B16细胞中的表达及其对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响,探讨Foxp3在黑色素瘤细胞中表达的可能作用.方法采用RT-PCR和免疫组化法检测B16细胞中Foxp3在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达;采用VigoFect转染试剂将pcDNA3.1-Foxp3真核表达载体瞬时转染B16细胞,RT-PCR和流式细胞术方法分别检测转染前后Foxp3基因和蛋白的表达;MTT方法检测Foxp3高表达后对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响.结果 B16细胞在mRNA和蛋白水平均表达Foxp3;瞬时转染后Foxp3转染组中Foxp3的表达显著高于空载体组和B16组（P〈0.01）;Foxp3转染组细胞A490 nm值在48 h和72 h与空载体组和B16组相比显著降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.结论黑色素瘤B16细胞Foxp3的表达可抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖.     

Regulation of CD8+ T cell development by thymus-specific proteasomes

Proteasomes are responsible for generating peptides presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules of the immune system. Here, we report the identification of a previously unrecognized catalytic subunit called beta5t. beta5t is expressed exclusively in cortical thymic epithelial cells, which are responsible for the positive selection of developing thymocytes. Although the chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasomes is considered to be important for the production of peptides with high affinities for MHC class I clefts, incorporation of beta5t into proteasomes in place of beta5 or beta5i selectively reduces this activity. We also found that beta5t-deficient mice displayed defective development of CD8(+) T cells in the thymus. Our results suggest a key role for beta5t in generating the MHC class I-restricted CD8(+) T cell repertoire during thymic selection.     

猪C型产气荚膜梭菌的分离与鉴定

为了摸清引起湖北某猪场3日龄内仔猪以出血性下痢、死亡率高的疾病病因,经病料涂片镜检、培养基接种、生化试验和血清型鉴定,诊断为C型产气荚膜梭菌感染,该菌厌气肉肝汤培养物上清0.001 m L可引起小鼠全部死亡,具有较强的毒力。     

无毒性产气荚膜梭菌ε毒素突变体的表达及免疫保护力评价

【目的】获得产气荚膜梭菌ε毒素（ETX）的无毒重组突变体,并评价其毒力及免疫原性。【方法】对已知的D型产气荚膜梭菌ETX编码基因按照大肠杆菌偏爱密码子进行优化设计。同时,将第106位的组氨酸和第199位的苯丙氨酸分别突变为脯氨酸和谷氨酸,经人工合成,获得基因片段GETX_m2。将GETX_m2克隆至原核表达载体pET30a-(＋)后,将pET30a-GETX_m2转化至BL21（DE3）感受态细胞中,在15℃和37℃两种条件下分别用IPTG诱导16 h和4 h,超声破碎后收集上清和沉淀,采用SDS-PAGE和Western blot方法检测重组蛋白的表达情况及其可溶性。利用Ni-IDA亲和层析方法对可溶性表达的重组蛋白进行纯化,从而获得重组蛋白rETX_m2。利用Western blot方法,检测rETX_m2与D型产气荚膜梭菌ETX抗血清的反应性。将rETX_m2用细胞维持液稀释至100及10 μg·mL^-1,检测其对犬肾细胞系（MDCK细胞）的毒力。分别用胰酶活化前和活化后的rETX_m2,以0.0625、0.625和6.25 mg·kg^-1 3个剂量尾静脉注射,检测rETX_m2对小鼠的毒力。随后,将rETX_m2与Montanide ISA 201佐剂混合乳化制备疫苗,取4只健康家兔,皮下免疫2次（间隔两周）,100 μg/只。同时,Montanide ISA 201佐剂与PBS混合液免疫组作为对照组。分别在一免后14 d以及二免后21 d,采血,分离血清,按照《中华人民共和国兽药典》（2015年版）规定的方法检测血清对D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素的中和抗体效价。同时,在二免后21 d,对家兔经耳缘静脉注射1个家兔MLD的D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素,检测rETX_m2对家兔的免疫保护效果。【结果】 在15℃和37℃条件,rETX_m2在BL21（DE3）菌体中均以可溶性和包涵体两种形式表达,综合考虑重组蛋白的表达量、可溶性及诱导时间,选择纯化在37℃条件下诱导获得的可溶性rETX_m2。灰度扫描结果显示,在37℃诱导条件下,rETX_m2可溶表达比例达30%;Western blot检测结果表明,D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素抗血清能够特异性的识别rETX_m2,出现特异性反应条带。MDCK细胞毒性实验显示,在rETX_m2浓度为100 μg·mL^-1的细胞培养基中孵育24 h后,细胞未出现细胞病变,而2 000倍稀释的D型产气荚膜梭菌天然毒素细胞培养基孵育组的细胞出现了明显的细胞病变;小鼠安全试验显示,尾静脉注射6.25 mg·kg^-1剂量的rETX_m2,对小鼠无致死性;血清中和试验结果显示,rETX_m2免疫组每毫升的一免兔抗血清可中和450-750个小鼠MLD,每毫升的二免兔抗血清可中和2 500-4 000个小鼠MLD的D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素,而对照组的兔抗血清对D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素无中和作用;用1个家兔MLD的D型产气荚膜梭菌毒素攻毒后,对照组家兔4/4死亡,免疫组家兔4/4保护。【结论】产气荚膜梭菌rETX_m2毒力基本丧失,但保留了良好的免疫原性,是D型产气荚膜梭菌病基因工程亚单位疫苗的理想候选抗原蛋白。     

Lineage relationship analysis of RORgammat+ innate lymphoid cells

Lymphoid tissue-inducer (LTi) cells initiate the development of lymphoid tissues through the activation of local stromal cells in a process similar to inflammation. LTi cells express the nuclear hormone receptor RORγt, which also directs the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 in T cells. We show here that LTi cells are part of a larger family of proinflammatory RORγt(+) innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that differentiate from distinct fetal liver RORγt(+) precursors. The fate of RORγt(+) ILCs is determined by mouse age, and after birth, favors the generation of cells involved in intestinal homeostasis and defense. Contrary to RORγt(+) T cells, however, RORγt(+) ILCs develop in the absence of microbiota. Our study indicates that RORγt(+) ILCs evolve to preempt intestinal colonization by microbial symbionts.     

Alteration of alpha 1 Na+,K(+)-ATPase 86Rb+ influx by a single amino acid substitution

The sodium- and potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K(+)-ATPase) maintains the transmembrane Na+ gradient to which is coupled all active cellular transport systems. The R and S alleles of the gene encoding the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit isoform were identified in Dahl salt-resistant (DR) and Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats, respectively. Characterization of the S allele-specific Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 complementary DNA identified a leucine substitution of glutamine at position 276. This mutation alters the hydropathy profile of a region in proximity to T3(Na), the trypsin-sensitive site that is only detected in the presence of Na+. This mutation causes a decrease in the rubidium-86 influx of S allele-specific sodium pumps, thus marking a domain in the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha subunit important for K+ transport, and supporting the hypothesis of a putative role of these pumps in hypertension.     

Immunocompetent cells among mouse thymocytes: a minor population

Suspensions prepared from thymuses of TL(+) mice contain a majority of TL(+) cells and a minority of TL(-) cells. The graft versus host reactivity of the TL(-) population is much greater than that of the whole population, as judged by the numbers of cells required to give splenic enlargements in Simonsen's assay. It is proposed that the TL(-) thymocyte represents a stage in the differentiation of TL(+) thymocytes into immunocompetent lymphocytes.     

版纳微型猪近交系性别决定基因（SRY）原核表达载体的构建及蛋白高效表达

 为了构建版纳微型猪近交系SRY的原核表达载体pET 32a(+) SRY,并通过诱导使其在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达,研究采用添加限制性内切酶位点的引物特异性扩增SRY,连入pMD19 T simple载体,转化入大肠杆菌DH5α,克隆后提取pMD19 T SRY阳性重组质粒,使用相同的内切酶同时对pMD19 T SRY质粒和原核表达pET 32a（+）载体进行酶切,连接后使SRY定向克隆到pET 32a(+)表达载体中。经PCR、酶切和测序鉴定后,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌感受态DH5α,提取质粒后再次转化大肠杆菌Rosetta（DE3）,用不同浓度的异丙基硫代半乳糖苷（IPTG）诱导表达,并通过15% SDS PAGE鉴定。结果显示,不同浓度IPTG诱导的SRY均在大肠杆菌中进行了高效特异性融合表达。     

关岭牛MyoD基因家族对MyoD1启动子活性的影响

【目的】生肌决定因子(myogenic determination gene,MyoD)家族是肌肉生成过程中参与分子调控作用的一个重要家族。该家族包括MyoD1,Myf5,MyoG和Myf6,只表达在成熟的骨骼肌细胞和其前期细胞中;在其他的非肌细胞中, MyoD基因家族会被抑制。该家族中,MyoD1负责早期胚胎成肌祖细胞的激活并参与胚后骨骼肌的生长、发育和修复等方面的调节,以维持个体骨骼肌的相对稳定,是启动和维持骨骼肌细胞分化和生长的重要因素,具有尤为重要的作用,已成为研究热点。目前MyoD1在多态性和关联性分析等方面的研究较多,表达调控方面主要是研究小鼠、鸡和猪肌细胞生成机理;在牛上对它的研究主要在转录后和翻译水平的表达情况,但对MyoD1在转录调控方面的作用机制还不明确。文章研究关岭牛MyoD基因家族对MyoD1启动子活性的影响,为探讨牛MyoD1的表达调控机制奠定基础。【方法】通过设计特异性引物克隆关岭牛 MyoD基因家族CDS区和MyoD1启动子片段P1和P2;同时利用双酶切的方法分别将CDS区和克隆的启动子序列连入pcDNA3.1（+）和pGL3-Basic基本骨架,构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf5、pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf6、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoD、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoG和含萤火虫荧光素酶报告基因的报告载体pGL3-P1、pGL3-P2。重组质粒经酶切和测序鉴定后,利用共转染的方法将真核表达载体和报告载体转染小鼠C2C12细胞,30 h后裂解细胞并检测细胞裂解液的双荧光素酶活性。最后根据荧光素酶的相对活性来分析 MyoD基因家族对MyoD1启动子活性的影响。【结果】克隆得到的关岭牛 MyoD基因家族CDS区和MyoD1启动子序列测序正确,载体pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf5、pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf6、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoD、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoG、pGL3-P1和pGL3-P2经酶切和测序鉴定,证实载体构建成功;与相应剂量的对照组相比,转染pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf5、 pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf6、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoD后,pGL3-P1的相对荧光素酶活性明显增强,其中,在转染量为200 ng时增强作用最强,差异显著(P＜0.05);转染pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoG后,虽然对pGL3-P1的相对荧光素酶活性有增强作用,但差异不显著(P＞0.05);而转染pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf5、 pcDNA3.1（+）-Myf6、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoD、pcDNA3.1（+）-MyoG后,pGL3-P2的相对荧光素酶活性变化不明显 (P＞0.05)。【结论】在小鼠C2C12细胞中外源过表达转录因子MyoD、Myf5、Myf6均能显著提高关岭牛MyoD1启动子全长P1的转录活性(P＜0.05);而外源过表达转录因子 MyoD基因家族不能显著提高关岭牛MyoD1启动子核心区P2的转录活性。说明关岭牛MyoD、Myf5和Myf6转录因子与关岭牛MyoD1启动子的作用位点不在其核心启动子区P2上。     

Thymic requirement for clonal deletion during T cell development

During T cell differentiation, self tolerance is established in part by the deletion of self-reactive T cells within the thymus (negative selection). The presence of T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha beta + T cells in older athymic (nu/nu) mice indicates that some T cells can also mature without thymic influence. Therefore, to determine whether the thymus is required for negative selection, TCR V beta expression was compared in athymic nu/nu mice and their congenic normal littermates. T cells expressing V beta 3 proteins are specific for minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mlsc) determinants and are deleted intrathymically due to self tolerance in Mlsc+ mouse strains. Here it is shown that V beta 3+ T cells are deleted in Mlsc+ BALB/c nu/+ mice, but not in their BALB/c nu/nu littermates. Thus, the thymus is required for clonal deletion during T cell development.