Association of polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in southern Chinese

AIM:To detect the association between the polymorphism of Fc receptor γ chain gene at position-29 in promoter and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).METHODS:The genotypes at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor γ chain gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 180 patients with SLE and 140 ethnically matched controls in southern China.RESULTS:The frequencies of TT genotype(33.3%) and T allele (54.4%) at position -29 in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in controls (17.2% and 42.9%, respectively), whereas, the frequencies of GG genotype (24.4%) and G allele (45.6%) in patients with SLE were remarkably lower than those in controls (31.4% and 57.1%, respectively) (P＜0.05). The TT genotype and T allele at position -29 were not associated with lupus nephritis in SLE patients (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the T allele at position -29 in promoter of Fc receptor gene probably contributes to the susceptibility to SLE, but does not play a role in the occurrence of lupus nephritis.     

The mechanisms of pathophysiological vasodilation or vascular hyporesponse

In some pathophysiological processes such as severe shock, the patients and animal experimental models fail to respond to pressor medicine. Vascular hyporesponse or vasodilation is one of the key problems in treatment of these patents. Although considerable progress had been made in recent years, the precise mechanisms of vascular contractile hyporeactivity have not been completely elucidated. A number of studies indicate that vascular hyporesponse or vasodilation correlate with many factors. In this review, the possible mechanisms about vascular hyporesponse or vasodilation during shock and other pathphysiolgoical processes were discussed.     

Sca-1+ cells from mouse fetal liver can differentiate into neurons in vitro

AIM: To study whether Sca-1⁺ cells from fetal liver can be induced to differentiate into neuronal cells in vitro. METHODS:Sca-1⁺cells from 14 5-days-old murine fetal liver were isolated with a magnetic cell sorting kit, and were cultured in Dulbecco s modif ied Eagle s medium(DMEM)/F12 supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum(FBS), and passaged at a rat io of 1 3 when cells reached more than 80%confluence.The 5 passage cells were induced by 10^-3mol/Lβ-mercaptoethanol(β-ME)and 5×10^-7 mol/L all-trans-retinoic acid(RA)for 24 hours, and then incubated in serum-free medium for 5 hours to 5 days.The characteristics of treated cel s were assayed by immunocytochemistry staining analysis at 5 hours, or 5 days.RESULTS: Cells treated with β-ME and RA exhibited neuronal phenotype and expressed neuron-specific protein such as neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN), neuronfilament-M, and neuron-specific tubulin-1 (TuJ-1) but not tau, MAP-2, or the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).CONCLUSION: Sca-1⁺ cells from fetal liver, of which most are regarded as hematopoietic stem cells, could differentiate into early immature neuronal cells in vitro. These findings suggest that Sca-1⁺ cells from fetal liver may be an alternative source in cell therapy and gene therapy of neural dysfunction.     

Effects of FK506 on anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis in rats

AIM:To investigate the effects of FK506 on anti-glomerular basement membrane(GBM) nephritis in rats. METHODS: Anti-GBM nephritis model was elaborated by rabbit anti-rat GBM antibody injection in SD rats in this study. The rats were divided into three groups: FK506 treated group(0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, sc), untreated nephritis control group and normal control group. FK506 was administered daily six hours after injection of anti-GBM IgG. All the rats were observed urinary protein at the 4th day, the 14th day and the 21st day. At the same time, the kidney specimens were collected, and T cell transforming function was also monitored.RESULTS:Rats injected with rabbit anti-GBM Ab developed heavy proteinuria by 4 days, and serum creatinine and serum urea appeared which kept on the rising. Glmerular hypercellularity, crescents, and protein casts were observed in nephritic rats. By electron microscopy, the thickening of GBM and loss of foot processes were seen. T cell transforming function was higher than normal. But, all pathological changes obviously turned for the better in FK506 treated group. CONCLUSION:FK506 could inhibit the progression of rat anti-GBM nephritis.     

菟丝子致死薇甘菊

薇甘菊Mikania micrantha是入侵的害草，已经由珠江三角洲扩散到粤东、粤西沿海地区，以及部分山区。在薇甘菊的天敌调查中看到菟丝子寄生于薇甘菊，严重时可以把薇甘菊致死。我们在本所的实验园中栽种薇甘菊，并让其被菟丝子Cusuta chinensis Lam.寄生，结果证实菟丝子在两个月左右，完全可以抑制薇甘菊的生长，最终把薇甘菊致死。这可能是以草治草的一种新途径，但是菟丝子也是我国农作物的一种重要昌，如何利用菟丝子控制薇甘菊的为害，而又不使菟丝子对薇甘菊的伴生植物和鞭它农作物造成为害，是下一步要解决的问题，菟丝子致死薇甘菊的机理更需要深入研究。     

中国斜纹夜蛾寄生蜂名录

根据浙江大学应用昆虫学研究所收藏的寄生蜂标本和国内外报道，对我国寄生斜纹夜蛾的原寄生蜂和重寄生蜂进行系统整理研究。我出我国斜纹夜蛾寄生蜂40种，其中包括原寄生蜂29种，重寄生蜂11种，同时还以附录的形式列出了我国已报道过但有存疑的寄生蜂7种及国外已有报道但在我国还未采集到标本的寄生蜂61种。     

组氨醇脱氢酶抑制剂的研究动态

组氨醇脱氢酶(HDH)是组氨酸生物合成过程中最后两步反应的催化酶。对组氨醇脱氢酶的结构、催化机理、组氨醇脱氢酶抑制剂等方面的研究动态进行了较为详细的综述。     

Preparation of gfp-bcl-XL-contained recombinant adenovirus vector by the homologous recombination in bacteria

AIM: To prepare gfp-bcl-X_L-contained recombinant adenovirus(rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L).METHODS: Bcl-X_L gene was amplified from pEGFP-C₃-bcl-X_L, subcloned into shuttle plasmid and formed transfer plasmid of pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L. Then pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L was linealinzed with PmeI and co-transformed into BJ5183 bacteria with adenovirus genomic plasmid of pAdEasy-1. The identified recombinant adenovirus plasmid was digested with PacI and transfected into 293 cells to package recombinant adenovirus particles. The target gene was detected by PCR.RESULTS: There were about 35% positive recombinant bacterial clones after the co-transformation of pAdTrack-CMV-bcl-X_L and pAdEasy-1 into BJ5183. Recombinant adenovirus particle were produced and further amplified after the transfection of pAdEasy-1-gfp-bcl-X_L into 293 cells. PCR test indicated that the recombinant Ad contained bcl-X_L gene. The titer of the purified rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L was 6.5×10¹² PFU/L. CONCLUSIONS: The homologous recombination in bacteria is a convenient and high efficient method to prepare rAd-gfp-bcl-X_L. This affords a good gene transfer vector for the gene therapy in human’s diseases.     

Study on integrin-mediated albumin microbubbles adherence to activated leukocytes

AIM:To investigate the mechanism responsible for albumin microbubbles adherence to activated leukocytes. METHODS: In vitro studies were performed in which activated or nonactivated leukocytes were incubated with albumin microbubbles and observed under microscopy. The suspensions of leukocytes and microbubbles which contained or absented of integrins were analyzed with flow cytometry.RESULTS: A minimum of 50cells were identified under transillumination. 5 min after microbubbles were incubated with leukocytes, the number of cells interacting with microbubbles was greater for activated cells than for nonactivated cells(20.30±2.67 vs 4.50±1.43, P <0.01).Microbubbles attached to the surface of activated leukocytes were phagocytosed and remained intact for up to 30min. Microbubble attachment was inhibited notably by blocking the leukocyte β₂-integrin Mac-1(P <0.01) and by VLA-4mAb slightly(P <0.05) CONCLUSION: The mechanism of albumin microbubbles attaching to and phagocytosed by leukocytes was due to β₂-integrin and VLA-4 mediation. Phagocytosed microbubbles can remain at the regions of inflammation for15 min, also responsible to ultrasound.