Effect of maternal seaweed extract supplementation on suckling piglet growth, humoral immunity, selected microflora, and immune response after an ex vivo lipopolysaccharide challenge

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation (n = 10 sows/treatment) with seaweed extract (SWE: 0 vs. 10.0 g/d) from d 107 of gestation until weaning (d 26) on neonatal piglet growth, humoral immunity, intestinal morphology, selected intestinal microflora, and VFA concentrations. Furthermore, this study examined the effect of dietary treatment on the immune response after an ex vivo Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tissue challenge at weaning in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The main factors consisted of sow dietary treatment (SWE or control) and immunological challenge (yes or no). The SWE supplement (10.0 g/d) contained laminarin (1.0 g), fucoidan (0.8 g), and ash (8.2 g) and was extracted from a Laminaria spp. The SWE-supplemented sows had greater colostrum IgA (P < 0.01) and had a trend for greater IgG (P = 0.062) concentrations compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows. Piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had greater serum IgG (P < 0.05) concentrations on d 14 of lactation compared with those suckling non-SWE-supplemented sows. Dietary SWE supplementation decreased fecal Enterobacteriaceae populations in sows at parturition (P < 0.05), and piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had a decreased colonic E. coli population at weaning (P < 0.01) compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased the mRNA abundances of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-6 (P < 0.01) in ileal tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in colonic (P < 0.01) tissue. There was a treatment × LPS challenge interaction for ileal TNF-α mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Piglets suckling SWE-supplemented sows had greater TNF-α mRNA expression after ex vivo LPS challenge compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows (P < 0.05). However, there was no effect of sow dietary treatment on TNF-α mRNA expression in the unchallenged ileal tissue. Piglet BW at birth and weaning, and small intestinal morphology were unaffected by sow dietary treatment under current experimental conditions. In summary, these results demonstrate an important immunomodulatory role of SWE supplementation characterized by enhanced colostral IgA and IgG concentrations, greater piglet circulatory IgG concentrations on d 14 of lactation, and enhanced TNF-α mRNA expression in the ileum after an ex vivo LPS challenge. These results indicate that SWE supplementation enhanced piglet immune function and colonic microflora at weaning.     

Cytokine gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Neospora caninum naturally infected dams throughout gestation

Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle but it is not known why some infected animals suffer abortion while others do not. An essential role in protective immunity against N. caninum has been proposed for Th1 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-12 although cytokine patterns in N. caninum infected pregnant cattle have been scarcely addressed. In this study, gene expression of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, IL-4 and TNF-α was analyzed by real time RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in N. caninum naturally infected dams throughout pregnancy. Blood samples were drawn from 18 cows (13 N. caninum seropositive and 5 N. caninum seronegative) on Days 45, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of pregnancy or until abortion. Four seropositive animals aborted. Compared to the seronegative animals, N. caninum infected dams showed up-regulated mRNA levels of the Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12p40, along with up-regulation of the T regulatory (Treg) cytokine IL-10. In contrast, expression levels of IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) did not differ significantly among the different groups throughout the study period. Our findings indicate clear differences in peripheral blood cytokine gene expression levels during pregnancy between animals naturally infected with N. caninum and seronegative control animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the gene expression of Th1, Th2 and regulatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of pregnant cows naturally infected with N. caninum.     

谷氨酰胺对断奶仔猪抗菌肽PR-39 mRNA的表达调控

本文旨在探讨谷氨酰胺(Gln)对断奶仔猪抗菌肽PR-39 mRNA表达的影响.选取64头胎次相同、28日龄断奶、体重(7.50±0.67)kg的三元杂交仔猪(杜×长×大),随机分为2个组,即基础日粮对照组和1.0%Gln添加组,每组设4个重复,每个重复8头猪(公母各1/2).于试验第28天,进行细胞因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)含量的分析.于第30天,采用半定量RT-PCR研究日粮中添加Gln对PR-39 mRNA的影响.试验结果表明:Gln添加显著提高仔猪血清中IL-1β含量(P<0.05),但对血清IL-6和TNF-α及空肠黏膜TNF-α、IL-2无显著影响(P>0.05);显著促使骨髓,空肠黏膜中PR-39 mRNA的表达(P<0.05),与对照组相比,骨髓和空肠黏膜中PR-39 mRNA分别提高50.5%(P<0.05)和24.0%(P<0.05).由结果可知,断奶仔猪日粮中添加Gln能显著促使骨髓及空肠黏膜PR-39 mRNA表达上调.     

Kinetics of IL-6 and TNF-α changes in a canine model of sepsis induced by endotoxin

Sepsis is a major cause of death in veterinary medicine, although a better prognosis can result from an early diagnosis. To speed the diagnosis, the biomarkers TNF-α and IL-6 can provide valuable information regarding systemic inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in cytokine levels in an experimental model of sepsis using ELISA and real-time PCR. Ten adult Beagles were studied; seven received an IV bolus of high dose lipopolysaccharide solution (1mg/kg) to induce sepsis. The remaining three beagles were the control group. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after administering LPS. Serum IL-6 level peaked at 3h (1.89 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and serum TNF-α peaked at 1h (1.11 ± 0.01 ng/ml). The expression of IL-6 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased 62-fold compared to the control group at 1h; TNF-α mRNA increased by 4.5-fold at 1h. The expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in PBMCs changed more rapidly than serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations. In addition, TNF-α mRNA levels in PBMCs remained elevated longer than serum TNF-α. Our study establishes the basis for future work aimed at a better understanding of the systemic inflammatory response to infection and sepsis in canine patients.     

Improved immune responses against avian influenza virus following oral vaccination of chickens with HA DNA vaccine using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as carrier

This study evaluates the immune responses of single avian influenza virus (AIV) HA DNA vaccine immunization using attenuated Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium as an oral vaccine carrier and intramuscular (IM) DNA injection. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks immunized once by oral gavage with 10(9) Salmonella colony-forming units containing plasmid expression vector encoding the HA gene of A/Ck/Malaysia/5858/04 (H5N1) (pcDNA3.1.H5) did not show any clinical manifestations. Serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer samples collected from the IM immunized chickens were low compared to those immunized with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5. The highest average antibody titers were detected on day 35 post immunization for both IM and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 immunized groups, at 4.0±2.8 and 51.2±7.5, respectively. S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 also elicited both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of immunized chickens as early as day 14 after immunization, at 20.5±2.0 and 22.9±1.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in chickens vaccinated intramuscularly were low at 5.9±0.9 and 8.5±1.3%, respectively. Immunization of chickens with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 enhanced IL-1β, IL-12β, IL-15 and IL-18 expressions in spleen although no significant differences were recorded in chickens vaccinated via IM and orally with S. typhimurium and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1. Hence, single oral administrations of the attenuated S. typhimurium containing pcDNA3.1.H5 showed antibody, T cell and Th1-like cytokine responses against AIV in chickens. Whether the T cell response induced by vaccination is virus-specific and whether vaccination protects against AIV infection requires further study.     

The effect of adenosine on pro-inflammatory cytokine production by porcine T cells

Adenosine is a well described anti-inflammatory modulator of immune responses. The aim of the present study was to describe the role of common adenosine agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) in cytokine production by main porcine T cell subpopulations. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 were detected by multicolor flow cytometry together with cell surface markers CD3, CD4 and CD8. It was found that NECA inhibits (in a dose-dependent manner) production of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and Th1-associated cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 in all concanavalin A-stimulated T cell subpopulations. Moreover, production of IL-10 was potentiated in all T cell subpopulations tested. These corresponded well with the fact that all T cell subsets expressed mRNA for adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes to comparable extents. Contrary to concanavalin A-stimulated cells, NECA had a moderate effect on PMA-stimulated T cells, suggesting that AR in pigs acts via signaling pathways not associated with protein-kinase C. Non-selective antagonist CGS15943 as well as allosteric modulator SCH202676 failed to reverse the effect of NECA in pigs. In conclusion, NECA has an anti-inflammatory effect on porcine T cell subpopulations.     

3种猪细胞因子mRNA实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立与应用

为建立猪细胞因子SYBR Green Ⅰ实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法,根据GenBank中3种重要的猪细胞因子即猪白细胞介素-2(interleukin-2,IL-2)、α-干扰素(interferon α,IFN-α)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α)的基因序列,设计特异引物扩增目的基因.将3种基因克隆至pMD18-T载体上,得到各自阳性克隆质粒,以3种阳性质粒为标准品建立标准曲线并进行熔解曲线分析以及灵敏性、特异性和重复性试验.结果表明,当标准品稀释度为1×10¹~1×10⁶ 拷贝/μL时,3种基因的Ct值与浓度间具有良好的线性关系,相关系数均≥0.992.熔解曲线分析表明,产物为特异性单峰且重复性较好.应用建立的方法对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)TJM-F92株免疫的30日龄猪外周血单核细胞(PBMC)中IL-12、IFN-α和TNF-α表达量进行检测,结果发现,免疫了PRRSV TJM-F92株的猪PBMC细胞内3种细胞因子表达量均极显著升高(P< 0.01).研究结果为IL-12、IFN-α和TNF-α的定量分析提供了技术平台.     

9-cis retinoic acid improves developmental competence and embryo quality during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes through the inhibition of oocyte tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression

Retinoic acid (RA; all-trans RA and 9-cis RA) enhances embryo developmental competence and quality through multiple mechanisms affecting the oocyte and preimplantation embryo. Folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation are influenced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) via inhibition of aromatase activity and estradiol secretion in granulosa cells. Retinoic acid inhibits TNF-α production in various cell lines. The aim of the present study was to determine whether oocyte TNF-α concentrations regulate developmental competence and embryo quality and if the beneficial effects of 9-cis RA are mediated through attenuation of oocyte TNF-α production. Bovine cumulus oocyte complexes collected from abattoir ovaries were matured in maturation medium in the absence (control) or presence of 5 nM 9-cis RA (RA), 100 ng/mL of recombinant bovine TNF-α (TNF), or 5 nM 9-cis RA + 100 ng/mL of recombinant bovine TNF-α (RA+TNF). Oocytes were subsequently collected for gene expression analysis or subjected to in vitro fertilization and culture. Apoptosis and gene expression were analyzed in d-8 blastocysts. Results indicated that 9-cis RA downregulated (P < 0.01) both basal and TNF-α-induced TNF-α mRNA in oocytes (1.0-fold in control, 0.4-fold in RA, 2.1-fold in TNF, and 0.7-fold in RA+TNF). The 9-cis RA increased (P < 0.001) blastocyst development rates (37.1 ± 6.9 vs. 23.6 ± 8.0%) and total cell number (138.4 ± 19.2 vs. 120.2 ± 24.5) and reduced (P < 0.001) the percentage of apoptotic cells (3.3 ± 2.0 vs. 5.6 ± 2.3%) compared with controls. Expression of caspase 3 (0.4- vs. 1.0-fold) and TNF-α (0.4- vs. 1.0-fold) mRNA was downregulated (P < 0.05) in RA-treated blastocysts compared with controls. Moreover, 9-cis RA rescued (P < 0.001) development rates (24.5 ± 11.1 vs. 15.6 ± 9.0%), increased total cell number (124.6 ± 36.5 vs. 106.9 ± 31.1), and reduced apoptosis (5.8 ± 2.0 vs. 8.1 ± 3.1%) in blastocysts exposed to TNF-α (TNF group). Caspase 3 (0.8-fold in RA+TNF vs. 2.2-fold in TNF) and TNF-α (0.3-fold in RA+TNF vs. 2.8-fold in TNF) mRNA expression was attenuated (P < 0.05) in TNF-α-treated blastocysts. In conclusion, the present study suggests that 9-cis RA exerts its beneficial roles on oocyte developmental competence and embryo quality by attenuating oocyte TNF-α mRNA expression.     

猪IL-4、IL-6和IL-10 SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为探讨PRRSV感染后机体的体液免疫应答、从分子水平深入研究PRRSV的免疫机制,本研究针对Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-6、IL-10以及看家基因β-actin的基因序列分别设计一对特异性引物,构建含有各自引物扩增序列的重组质粒作为阳性标准品,建立了检测IL-4、IL-6、IL-10及β-actin的SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time PCR方法。该方法线性关系好,各种细胞因子及β-actin标准曲线的相关系数均达到0.997以上;敏感性高,初始模板的检出下限均达到1×101copies/μL;特异性强,扩增产物形成单一的特异性熔解峰;重复性好,组内与组间的变异系数均小于3%。应用所建立的方法对猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)感染仔猪外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中IL-4、IL-6和IL-10mRNA的表达水平进行了检测。结果表明,本研究建立的real-timePCR检测方法灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好,可以用于猪Th2型细胞因子的检测及定量分析。     

Prevalence of mange among West African Dwarf sheep and goats and associated haematological and biochemical parameters

This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of mange in sheep and goats in five local government areas (LGAs) of Ogun State in South Western Nigeria. A total of 4,973 sheep and 7,902 goats of West African Dwarf breeds were sampled of which only 4 (0.08%) of sheep and 42 (0.53%) of goats were confirmed positive for mange infestation. In all the LGAs sampled, Odeda LGA had the highest concentration of sheep (39%) and goats (51%) while Abeokuta South had the least percentage of sheep (1%) and goats (1%). All the mange-infested cases in sheep were recorded in just one LGA (Ewekoro) which constituted 0.24% of the population within the location. For goats, three out of five LGAs namely: Obafemi Owode, Ewekoro and Abeokuta North had prevalence of 1.46%, 0.53% and 0.72% respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between non-infested and infested animals in terms of packed cell volume (31.79 ± 0.87% vs. 31.41 ± 1.13%), haemoglobin (10.51 ± 0.21 g/100 ml vs. 10.28 ± 0.37 g/100 ml) and red blood cells (8.71 ± 0.29 × 10(12)/l vs. 9.40 ± 0.37 × 10(12)/l). The infested group however showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher white blood cells count (7.60 ± 0.22 × 10(9)/l) than the non-infested animals (6.81 ± 0.17 × 10(9)/l). Neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil and monocyte as well as chloride were not significantly affected by the health status of the animals. There existed significant (P < 0.01) difference between non-infested and infested animals in terms of total protein (5.42 ± 0.16 vs. 4.75 ± 0.20 g/dl), sodium (137.98 ± 1.53 vs. 128.92 ± 1.92 mEq/l) and potassium (4.04 ± 0.14 vs. 3.46 ± 0.18 mEq/l). It can be concluded from this study that the prevalence of mange mite infestation varied with location and was generally low or absent in some of the LGAs considered. Goats were particularly more susceptible to mange infestation than sheep. More concerted effort is needed to control mange in order to avoid spread since it is a contagious disease.     

Intratesticular expression of mRNAs of both interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α is significantly increased in experimental autoimmune orchitis in mice

Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) is one of the models of immunological male infertility. Murine EAO is CD4+T cell-dependent and classically induced by immunization with a testicular homogenate and adjuvants. We previously established that immunization with viable syngeneic testicular germ cells (TGC) can also induce murine EAO with no use of any adjuvant. Analyses of this EAO model have already revealed that cultured spleen cells of immunized mice secreted interferon (IFN)-γ and that treatment of the immunized mice with anti-IFN-γ monoclonal antibodies significantly suppressed the EAO. It is known that both IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are representative cytokines of Th1 cells and exhibit local toxicity toward the seminiferous epithelium in vivo. However, changes in these two cytokines in EAO-affected testes have not yet been investigated. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the expression of intratesticular IFN-γ and TNF- α mRNAs in TGC-induced EAO using real-time RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the intratesticular mRNAs for both IFN-γ and TNF-α significantly increased, while other cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β did not show dramatic changes in the immunized mice. These results suggest that secretion of significant amounts of IFN-γ and TNF-α in situ contributes to the spermatogenic disturbance in EAO.     

白细胞介素-10对口蹄疫病毒感染小鼠T细胞增殖及其表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2的影响

白细胞介素-10(IL-10)增高是口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)感染过程中显著特征之一。本研究旨在探讨IL-10对FMDV感染小鼠外周血T细胞增殖及其表达效应功能相关细胞因子的影响。采用CCK-8和流式细胞术分别检测小鼠外周血T细胞增殖和T细胞表达效应功能相关细胞因子(TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2)。结果显示,与对照小鼠相比,FMDV感染小鼠(感染12、24、36和48 h)外周血T细胞对刀豆蛋白A刺激的增殖均显著下降(P<0.05或P<0.01);FMDV感染小鼠的外周血CD4⁺T细胞表达TNF-α和IL-2均显著下降(均P<0.01),CD8⁺T细胞表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2也显著下降(P<0.01或P<0.000 1)。体内阻断IL-10/IL-10R信号或者敲除IL-10均能显著恢复FMDV感染小鼠外周血T细胞的增殖(P<0.05或P<0.01),但不影响CD4⁺和CD8⁺T细胞表达TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-2。本研究首次揭示FMDV能抑...     

mRNA profile of Nellore calves after primary infection with Haemonchus placei

Haemonchus parasites are responsible for many losses in animal production. However, few studies are available, especially of zebu cattle. In this study, we investigated mRNA differences of immune response genes in na?ve Nellore calves infected with Haemonchus placei, relating these differences to patterns of cellular infiltrate. Calves were infected with 15,000 H. placei L3 larvae and after 7 days lymph node and abomasum tissues were collected. IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, MCP-1, lysozyme, pepsinogen and TNF-α genes were evaluated by qPCR. Mast cells, eosinophils and globular leukocytes were counted by abomasum histology. In the infected group, IL-4, IL-13 and TNF-α were up-regulated in the abomasal lymph node. In the abomasum, IL-13 increased and TNF-α was down-regulated (p<0.05). No differences were detected for mast cells and eosinophil counts in abomasal tissue (p>0.05). We conclude that for this infection time, there was Th2 polarization but that cellular infiltrate in abomasal tissue takes longer to develop.     

芪英汤和子甘汤中药复方促进母猪繁殖性能和断奶仔猪生长性能的临床研究

母猪产死胎、弱胎和断奶仔猪腹泻是兽医临床养猪业亟待解决的问题。为了响应国家在养殖业中执行的“减抗替抗”政策,本文基于中医辩证论治,探讨中草药复方芪英汤、子甘汤分别对母猪繁殖性能和断奶仔猪生长性能的影响。对同期发情的母猪(35头)和同期断奶仔猪(140头)进行中药方剂预混饲料的饲养方式,分别持续饲养至分娩结束、30 d,同时记录母猪分娩数据包括窝均出生仔猪数、窝均重、窝均死胎数、死胎率等,仔猪生长数据包括初重、末重、料肉比和腹泻率,通过酶联免疫吸附方法(ELISA)、荧光定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测母猪血清中IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α、IgG、IgA、IgM和断奶仔猪血清中IgA的分泌情况以及母猪圆环病毒2型、伪狂犬病病毒、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒及抗体来确定母猪免疫力情况。结果表明,芪英汤可以显著降低妊娠母猪炎性因子IL-6、TNF-α分泌水平,降低低胎次母猪生产新生仔猪死胎率、弱胎率、死亡率,分别下降1.96%、5.83%、8.25%,提高母猪的繁殖性能。子甘汤和芪英汤联用能够显著提高仔猪断奶后期IgA水平,降低腹泻率和料肉比, 提高生长性能,降低断奶仔猪血液中白细胞水平,红细胞恢复到正常水平。综上,中药复方芪英汤和子甘汤有助于提高母猪繁殖性能和恢复断奶仔猪生长性能。     

Intra-city Differences in Cardiac Expression of Inflammatory Genes and Inflammasomes in Young Urbanites: A Pilot Study

Southwest Mexico City (SWMC) air pollution is characterized by high concentrations of ozone and particulate matter < 10 μm (PM(10)) containing lipopolysaccharides while in the North PM(2.5) is high. These intra-city differences are likely accounting for higher CD14 and IL-1β in SWMC v NMC mice myocardial expression. This pilot study was designed to investigate whether similar intra-city differences exist in the levels of myocardial inflammatory genes in young people. Inflammatory mediator genes and inflammasome arrays were measured in right and left autopsy ventricles of 6 southwest/15 north (18.5 ± 2.6 years) MC residents after fatal sudden accidental deaths. There was a significant S v N right ventricle up-regulation of IL-1β (p=0.008), TNF-α (p=0.001), IL-10 (p=0.001), and CD14 (p=0.002), and a left ventricle difference in TNF-α (p=0.007), and IL-10 (p=0.02). SW right ventricles had significant up-regulation of NLRC1, NLRP3 and of 29/84 inflammasome genes, including NOD factors and caspases. There was significant degranulation of mast cells both in myocardium and epicardial nerve fibers. Differential expression of key inflammatory myocardial genes and inflammasomes are influenced by the location of residence. Myocardial inflammation and inflammasome activation in young hearts is a plausible pathway of heart injury in urbanites and adverse effects on the cardiovascular system are expected.     

基于RAGE-TLR4串扰的高糖影响牛肺泡巨噬细胞促炎细胞因子释放的分子机制

本试验旨在研究高浓度葡萄糖对牛肺泡巨噬细胞（BAMs）促炎细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6及TNF-α释放的影响及其机制是否与RAGE-TLR4相关信号通路串扰有关。将BAMs随机分为正常糖组（NG）、高糖组（HG）、高糖+RAGE抑制剂组（H+F）、高糖+TLR4抑制剂组（H+T）及DMSO组,处理12 h后收集上清及下层细胞。采用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测细胞RAGE、TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB p65的mRNA及蛋白表达情况,ELISA检测上清TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6浓度。结果表明,高糖极显著上调RAGE、TLR4、MyD88和NF-κB p65基因、蛋白表达水平以及上清液中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α浓度（P<0.01）;RAGE抑制剂与TLR4抑制剂均极显著抑制高糖引起的RAGE、TLR4、MyD88和NF-κB p65基因、蛋白表达水平上调以及IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α释放（P<0.01）,即RAGE与TLR4均在激活RAGE/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB炎症信号通路中发挥调控作用。综上所述,高糖能够通过RAGE-TLR4串扰引起牛肺泡巨噬细胞释放促炎细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6及TNF-α,进一步阐明了高糖促进牛肺泡巨噬细胞炎症反应的分子机制。     

pVAX1/SjTSP2 DNA疫苗免疫预防小鼠日本血吸虫病的效果评估

为评估SjTSP2分子作为日本血吸虫DNA疫苗候选抗原分子的潜力,本实验扩增了编码该分子的DNA片段,构建了重组真核质粒pVAX1/SjTSP2,检测其在哺乳动物细胞中表达情况后,通过基因枪轰击法免疫小鼠,应用ELISA、流式细胞术等检测重组质粒诱导的免疫反应,计算减虫减卵率,评估对小鼠日本血吸虫病的免疫保护效果。间接免疫荧光试验结果显示该质粒能在293T细胞中表达。质粒免疫小鼠诱导了显著升高的特异性IgG抗体和IFN-γ、IL-4等细胞因子。小鼠免疫保护试验结果表明,免疫组小鼠虫荷数较PBS对照组增加12.4%(P=0.368),但肝组织虫卵减少10.01%(P=0.486)。说明制备的DNA疫苗能刺激小鼠产生较强的免疫反应,但诱导的免疫保护作用并不理想,为血吸虫DNA疫苗研究提供了参考数据。     

TLRs介导的信号通路在马链球菌感染RAW264.7细胞中的作用

为探究Toll样受体(TLRs)介导的信号通路在马链球菌马亚种(S.equi)感染小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7中的作用,收集S.equi感染后不同时间点的RAW264.7细胞,提取总RNA并反转录成cDNA,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞Toll样受体1、2、6(TLR1、TLR2、TLR6)、接头蛋白骨髓分化蛋白88(MyD88)及细胞因子IL-1、IL-6、IL-10、IL-12、TNF-αmRNA的表达情况。结果显示,S.equi感染RAW264.7细胞后6h时,TLR1、TLR2、TLR6与MyD88mRNA水平均较对照组没有显著差异(P>0.05);感染后12h时,TLR1、TLR2和TLR6mRNA表达量未出现明显上升(P>0.05),而MyD88mRNA水平极显著升高(P<0.01);感染后24h时,TLR1、TLR2和TLR6mRNA表达水平出现极显著升高(P<0.01),MyD88mRNA表达没有显著变化(P>0.05),且IL-10和IL-12mRNA水平与对照组相比极显著升高(P<0.01),IL-1、IL-6和TNF-αmRNA水平均极显著下降(P<0.01)。结果表明,TLRs介导的信号通路参与S.equi感染RAW264.7细胞的免疫应答反应。