Molecular characterization of cDNA encoding porcine IP-10 and induction of porcine endothelial IP-10 in response to human TNF-alpha

Donor-derived chemokines may play an important role in xenograft rejection, as well as allograft rejection. We have cloned the cDNA encoding porcine IP-10 (interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10), and evaluated its induction in miniature porcine endothelial cells in response to various human cytokines. The cloned sequence is 764 nucleotides long, and the open reading frame consists of 312 nucleotides. The deduced protein sequence includes a predicted mature protein of approximately 83 residues. The comparison of porcine IP-10, and its human, mouse, rat, goat, and sheep counterparts exhibited high similarity among different mammalian species. The sequences of important regulatory elements such as the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE), and two NF-kappaB binding elements are conserved in the proximal promoter region of porcine IP-10, like other mammalian IP-10s. Human TNF-alpha induced the expression of IP-10 mRNA in porcine endothelial cells, while both human IFN-gamma and human IL-1beta failed. Together, the data of this study suggest that porcine IP-10 may interact with human leukocytes across the species barrier.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against porcine interleukin-4

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is an important regulatory cytokine produced by activated T lymphocytes and mast cells, and regulates the growth and differentiation of cells such as B and T lymphocytes. In the present study, recombinant thioredoxin (Trx)-porcine IL-4 (pIL-4) fusion protein was prepared by Escherichia coli (E. coli), and by using this protein as an immunogen, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against pIL-4 were produced to establish a basis for a research on immune responses in pigs. Six stable hybridoma cell lines were successfully established and specific binding of each mAb to recombinant pIL-4 produced by E. coli and insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus was shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or immunoblot analysis. Isotype analyses of these mAbs revealed that the subclass of 5 out of 6 mAbs was IgG1 and the rest was IgG2b. Further, assessment of their epitopes by competition binding assay indicated that the mAbs obtained in this study bound to 4 different epitopes. The recombinant proteins and mAbs produced in this study will be useful tools for the assessment of porcine immune system.     

Functional characterization of a swine CD4(+)/CD8(+) double positive lymphoblastoid T-cell line with a CD25(+)/CD45RA(-) phenotype generated in vitro with interleukin-2

A dual expressing (CD4(+)/CD8(+)) porcine lymphoblastoid T-cell line (pIL-2d) generated from peripheral blood mononuclear (MN) cells shown to be highly responsive to exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) was characterized. The swine MN cells were initially stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A), and sub-passaged using decreasing amounts of conditioned medium (CM), which was prepared from culture fluids of Con A activated porcine MN cells, until a steady growth was observed. The resulting pIL-2d cells require exogenous IL-2 from CM and are highly responsive to recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2). The pIL-2d cells exhibited a specific, dose-dependent proliferative response to stimulation with IL-2. The specificity of this proliferative response was confirmed to be IL-2 induced by its inhibition with an anti-swine IL-2 receptor (alpha-swIL-2R) monoclonal antibody (mAb). Furthermore, the pIL-2d cells are highly responsive to exogenous IL-2 contained in culture fluids derived from antigen-driven blastogenic tests performed with lymphocytes of vaccinated swine. This property makes the pIL-2d cells an ideal functional adjunct to immunochemical or molecular tests that are commonly used to measure total porcine IL-2. Interestingly, the phenotype of the pIL-2d cells after five or more passages was shown by flow cytometric analysis to be CD4(+)/CD8(+)/CD45RA(-)/CD25(+) and to remain unchanged thereafter. Although, the mechanism of selection and maintenance of the CD4(+)/CD8(+) DP cells developed here remains unclear, our data suggest that an oligoclonal or polyclonal expansion and maintenance of cells of this phenotype was mediated by exogenous IL-2.     

猪IL-15 cDNA真核表达载体的构建、表达及其免疫佐剂效应

参考GenBank发表猪IL-15mRNA序列设计引物,用RT-PCR方法扩增猪IL-15cDNA,并克隆到pMD18-T载体中,通过PCR、酶切和测序验证克隆正确,再亚克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA-3.1（＋）上,得到重组质粒pcD-NA-pIL-15。在脂质体介导下,重组质粒pcDNA-pIL-15转染AD-293细胞。以鼠抗猪IL-15为一抗,用间接免疫荧光分析表明猪IL-15基因均在AD-293细胞中成功进行了瞬时表达。小鼠免疫试验表明,pcDNA-pIL-15作为免疫佐剂,能够有效提高小鼠的脾T细胞增殖,加强pcDNA-ORF2（PCV2）质粒免疫过程中的特异性中和抗体的产生,为进一步研制猪IL-15基因佐剂疫苗及进行临床实验奠定基础。     

山羊脂肪酸合酶基因(FASN)启动子结构与功能的初步分析

本研究旨在对山羊脂肪酸合酶基因(Fatty acid synthase,FASN)启动子进行结构与功能的初步分析,进而对其转录调控机制进行探讨。采用PCR技术从西农萨能羊基因组DNA中克隆FASN基因启动子,通过缺失分析,构建7个包含不同缺失片段的荧光素酶报告基因载体,转染山羊乳腺上皮细胞和MCF-7细胞,利用双荧光素酶系统检测不同片段的启动活性。结果表明,克隆得到FASN基因的启动调控序列2 589bp,生物信息学分析发现,该启动子序列含有典型的启动转录元件TATA-box和E-box,分别位于转录起始位点(+1)上游-41和-74bp处。报告基因分析表明,启动子核心区域定位在-293～-79bp,在线软件预测发现,该区域含有Sp1、NF-Y、USF和SREBP等转录因子结合位点。结果显示,FASN基因启动子前端存在负调控元件,Sp1、NF-Y、USF和SREBP等转录因子可能参与FASN基因的转录调控。     

猪SelS基因启动子区的克隆及序列分析

本研究旨在克隆和分析猪硒蛋白S基因(Selenoprotein S,SelS)启动子序列,并初步探讨潜在转录因子结合位点对其表达的影响.通过SON-PCR技术克隆猪SelS基因启动子序列,利用PromoterScan、Promoter 2.0等在线工具预测其启动子特征,利用细菌脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides,LPS)刺激PK15细胞,研究NF-kappaB转录因子对猪SelS基因启动子活性的影响.试验获得了猪SelS基因约3kd的启动子序列,部分序列比对发现猪、人、牛和小鼠物种间相似性仅7%～51%.预测猪SelS基因转录起始位点在-398 bp,猪和人SelS基因启动子存在系列保守的转录因子结合位点,包括NF-kappaB、CCAAT box、SP1、USF等,但均未发现典型的TATA box.细胞试验表明,NF-kappaB转录因子可以上调猪SelS基因的表达.结果提示,物种间SelS基因启动子相似性较低,但猪和人SelS基因的转录因子非常保守,LPS诱导试验提示,猪SelS基因表达可能受NF-kappaB转录因子的调控.     

猪IFN-β启动子及其NF-κB结合位点萤光素酶报告载体的构建与活性检测

通过PCR的方法从猪基因组DNA中克隆IFN-β基因启动子片段,分别构建了含有猪β干扰素基因启动子萤光素酶报告质粒及其4个重复的NF-κB结合位点序列的萤光素酶报告质粒。脂质体基因转染法将萤光素酶报告质粒转染PK-15细胞,在poly(I∶C)或poly(dAT∶dAT)的刺激下,萤光素酶表达显著增加。本试验为进一步探讨猪β干扰素信号转导通路的研究奠定了基础。     

水牛HSD17B1基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因载体构建与分析

试验旨在筛选水牛HSD17B1基因启动子活性区域及影响因素，并预测其转录结合因子，为探究该基因在水牛繁殖性能中的调控机理提供理论依据。以水牛血液基因组DNA为模板，PCR扩增得到3个HSD17B1基因启动子活性区域序列，并定向克隆至pGL3-promoter载体；将重组质粒转染到水牛卵泡颗粒细胞，通过双荧光素酶检测系统测定相对荧光素酶活性，并探究其与促黄体素（luteinizing hormone，LH）和促卵泡素（follicle stimulating hormone，FSH）的关系；利用生物信息学方法对HSD17B1基因启动子区进行转录结合因子预测。结果显示，本试验成功克隆了3个不同长度的HSD17B1基因启动子片段，并成功构建了双荧光素酶报告载体。经不同长度启动子片段的活性检测发现，pGL-pro-HSD17B1-1500活性最强，证实－866/－1 500 bp为HSD17B1基因核心启动子区域，表明该区域对HSD17B1基因转录调控有重要作用。荧光素酶活性检测结果显示，添加LH可增强HSD17B1基因启动子活性。生物信息学分析发现，HSD17B1基因启动子区存在6个转录因子结合位点：Sp1（－2 327/－2 317 bp）、HOXA4（－2 162/－2 146 bp）、Sp1（－1 409/－1 395 bp）、Sp1（－1 391/－1 380 bp）、Sp1（－1 345/－1 319 bp）和GATA1（－812/－801 bp），但无CpG岛，有1个TATA-box和2个CAAT-box。本研究成功构建了HSD17B1基因启动子荧光素酶报告载体，确定了HSD17B1基因启动子核心区域，并证明LH可增强启动子活性。     

贵州地方山羊BMPR-ⅠB基因启动子区多态性及生物信息学分析

为探究骨形态发生蛋白受体ⅠB（bone morphogenetic protein receptor ⅠB，BMPR-ⅠB）基因启动子区多态性及其与繁殖性状的相关性，本试验以贵州3个地方山羊品种（黔北麻羊、贵州黑山羊及贵州白山羊）为研究对象，通过构建混合DNA池PCR产物直接测序技术筛选SNPs位点，并采用多种生物信息学软件预测SNPs位点对核心启动子区、CpG岛和转录因子结合位点的影响。结果显示，BMPR-ⅠB基因启动子区存在4个SNPs位点：g.29893005 T > C、g.29893016 C > T、g.29893729 C > G和g.29894370 C > T。生物信息学软件预测得到BMPR-ⅠB基因核心启动子区和CpG岛，SNPs位点导致转录因子结合位点发生改变，g.29893005 T > C和g.29893016 C > T突变使原来的转录因子结合位点Sp1消失；g.29893729 C > G突变使原来转录因子结合位点AP-1消失，从而产生新的转录因子结合位点USF；g.29894370 C > T突变产生新的转录因子结合位点C/EBPalp，使原来的转录因子结合位点Sp1改变为C/EBPalp和Sp1。由此推测，SNPs位点对调控启动子功能元件可能存在重要影响。     

猪SEPW1基因的转录调控分析

本研究旨在对猪SEPW1基因的潜在启动子区进行克隆及转录活性分析，获得其核心启动子区域，并进一步分析转录因子SP1对SEPW1基因转录活性的影响，为探索SEPW1基因在猪肉质性状方面的功能奠定基础。利用实时荧光定量PCR检测SEPW1基因在大白猪各组织中的表达量，构建空间表达谱；通过PCR技术克隆得到6个逐级缺失的SEPW1基因启动子片段，构建6个双荧光素酶报告载体，通过检测各载体的双荧光素酶活性获得SEPW1基因的核心启动子区域；对核心启动子区进行生物信息学分析，发现潜在的SP1转录因子结合位点；通过过表达、抑制表达、定点突变及凝胶迁移试验（EMSA）确认SP1转录因子结合位点的存在及其对SEPW1基因转录活性的影响。结果显示，SEPW1基因在所检测的4月龄大白猪12个组织中均有表达，其中在腓肠肌及心脏中的表达量较高。双荧光素酶活性显示，猪SEPW1基因5'侧翼区-443~-231 bp为其核心启动子区，且-378~-306 bp存在1个潜在的SP1结合位点。过表达和抑制表达SP1基因结果显示，转录因子SP1能够促进SEPW1基因的转录；定点突变及EMSA试验确认，转录因子SP1可直接与SEPW1基因启动子区的SP1结合位点（-348~-339 bp）相结合。综合以上结果表明，转录因子SP1可直接靶向SEPW1基因的启动子区并促进SEPW1基因的转录。     

Adjuvant effect enhancement of porcine interleukin-2 packaged into solid lipid nanoparticles

In this paper, we investigated the enhancement of adjuvant effects of porcine IL-2 (pIL-2) by packaging it into a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) delivery system. SLN–pIL-2 was prepared using hydrogenated castor oil and Polylactide-co-glycolide by double emulsion solvent evaporation methods (w/o/w). In animal trials, BALB/c mice were immunized with inactivated foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigen combined with the SLN–pIL-2 adjuvant on days 0 and 14. Antibody titer, splenocyte proliferation, and secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines were determined. Our results showed that SLN–pIL-2 could significantly enhance FMDV-specific antibody level compared with recombinant pIL-2 alone (p < 0.05). In addition, SLN–pIL-2 significantly increased the proliferative responses of antigen-specific spleen cells. Furthermore, SLN–pIL-2 induced the secretion of IFN-γ at a level higher than that induced by recombinant pIL-2 alone. Our results indicate that packaging recombinant pIL-2 in SLNs can be an effective way of boosting the effectiveness of pIL-2 as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses of vaccines.     

猪白细胞介素2基因的克隆及腺病毒表达载体的构建

根据GenBank中收录的猪白细胞介素2(pIL-2)基因序列,设计1对特异性引物.运用RT-PCR技术从刀豆素(Con A)诱导的猪外周血淋巴细胞总RNA中扩增得到pIL-2基因,并将其克隆至pGEM-T Easy栽体上.核苷酸测序结果显示,获得的基因序列全长493 bp,含465 bp的开放阅读框,编码154个氨基酸,与已知pIL-2核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列的同源性都高达100%.将克隆的pIL-2基因编码阅读框亚克隆至腺病毒穿梭栽体pShuttle-CMV,电转化含腺病毒基因组(pAdEasy-1)的大肠埃希茵细胞BJ5183-AD-1,成功获得了重组腺病毒DNA,将纯化后的重组腺病毒DNA转染AD-293细胞,经过病毒基因组的PCR鉴定和转录水平的RT-PCR鉴定,初步表明,获得了表达pIL-2的重组腺病毒.     

Cloning of porcine interleukin (IL)-12 receptor beta2 (IL-12Rbeta2) gene and its application to a rapid biological assay for human/porcine IL-12

Porcine IL-12Rbeta2 gene was cloned from mRNA preparation of mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and its complete nucleotide sequence was determined. To confirm the biological function, the entire open reading frame (ORF) was re-cloned into a mammalian expression vector, pcDNA3.1/Zeo(+), at the downstream of CMV promoter, and introduced to a Th1-like human lymphoma cell line, Jurkat E6-1. Antibiotic-resistant cells retaining the expression construct were selected then, isolated by the limiting dilution method. An established clone (10B10) constitutively expressed chimeric IL-12Rs composed of intrinsic (human) beta1 and extrinsic (porcine) beta2 subunits, and produced interferon (IFN)-gamma in response to IL-12 of both species with optimal PHA/PMA stimulation. The production of IFN-gamma was observed as early as 42 h after culture and appeared to be dose-dependent within the range between 20 and 2000 pg/ml. Thus, this clone not only reacts with IL-12 of both species but also provides a useful tool for quick and sensitive detection of IL-12 bioactivity.     

干扰素刺激基因对羊口疮病毒在OFTu细胞中增殖的抑制效应

羊口疮病毒（ORFV）是重要的人兽共患病病原,不仅严重危害养羊业,而且威胁人类健康。干扰素刺激基因（stimulator of interferon genes,STING）作为细胞的DNA感受器,在机体天然免疫中起重要作用。为探索STING在ORFV感染中的作用及其对病毒复制的影响,本研究构建了ORFV感染羊胚胎鼻甲细胞（OFTu）的模型,分析了ORFV感染细胞后对STING及其相关基因的动态表达,探索了STING基因在干扰表达和过表达状态下对ORFV在细胞上增殖的影响。结果表明,ORFV感染OFTu细胞后,STING、cGAS、TBK1、IRF3、IRF7、IL-6、IFN-β、IL-1β和TNF-α的转录明显升高。OFTu细胞过表达STING可导致RIG-1、DDX41、IFI16、IRF3、IRF7、IL-6、TNF-α、IFN-α和IFN-β等基因转录上调。OFTu细胞在STING过表达状态下感染ORFV可介导TBK-1、IRF3、IFN-β和TNF-α的转录升高,抑制ORFV的复制;在STING表达干扰的状态下,ORFV感染OFTu细胞降低了TBK-1、IRF3、IFN-β和TNF-α的转录,增加了ORFV的复制。这表明STING蛋白能够增强抗病毒细胞因子的表达,抑制ORFV在OFTu细胞中的增殖,研究结果为深入理解STING在羊口疮病毒感染和复制中的作用提供了科学的理论依据,也为深入探索ORFV感染和致病的分子机制提供了基础数据。