Cloning, expression and purification of feline proinsulin

Feline proinsulin was cloned and expressed using a bacterial expression system. It was then purified from inclusion bodies using size exclusion chromatography and further processed including reduction of the protein. Following refolding, proinsulin was purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). RP-HPLC and mass spectrometric analysis indicated that the proinsulin contained the correct disulfide bridging pattern. This proinsulin can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.     

Transient and stable transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with the recombinant feline erythropoietin gene and expression, purification, and biological activity of feline erythropoietin protein

OBJECTIVE: To use transient and stable transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells to clone the gene encoding feline erythropoietin (feEPO) protein, characterize the expressed protein, and assess its biological activity. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cultures of Chinese hamster ovary or TF-1 cells. PROCEDURE: The gene encoding feEPO was cloned into a eukaryotic expression plasmid. Chinese hamster ovary cells were transiently or stably transfected with the plasmid. Expressed recombinant feEPO (rfeEPO) protein was purified from transiently transfected cells. The protein was characterized by use of SDS gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis. Biological activity was assessed by measuring thymidine incorporation by TF-1 erythroleukemic cells. RESULTS: Purified rfeEPO from supernatants of transiently transfected cells was determined to be 34 to 40 kilodaltons (kd) by use of SDS gel electrophoresis, whereas the molecular weight predicted from the amino acid sequence was 21.5 kd. The banding pattern and high molecular weight suggested the protein was glycosylated. The rfeEPO proteins derived from transient or stable transfections subsequently were determined to be biologically active in vitro. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The gene encoding feEPO can be transfected into eukaryotic cells, and the expressed rfeEPO protein is biologically active in vitro. Cats with chronic renal failure often are anemic as a result of reduced expression of erythropoietin (EPO). Treatment with human-derived EPO stimulates RBCs in anemic cats; however, treatment is often limited by the development of antibodies directed against the recombinant human protein, which can then cross-react with endogenous feEPO. Recombinant feEPO may prove beneficial for use in cats with chronic renal failure.     

Cloning of full length cDNA, high-level expression and biological characterization of feline IL-12

A full length cDNA of feline interleukin(IL)-12 p35 and p40 subunits was cloned. By transferring the plasmids containing both the subunit genes to mammalian cells, we expressed biologically active feline IL-12. The expressed feline IL-12 has interferon-gamma-inducing activity against both human and feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and stimulates cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against herpes simplex virus-infected human PBMCs. There were two kinds of molecules (p75, p80) in the purified recombinant feline IL-12, and both molecules exhibited biological activity. The difference between p75 and p80 was the degree of the glycosylation of the p35 chain. Moreover, when we modified the cDNA of p35 by changing some codons and deleted the 5' and 3' non-coding regions, the expression level of IL-12 increased about 100 fold.     

The biological effects of five feline IFN-alpha subtypes

IFN-alpha has been shown to induce both antiviral and antiproliferative activities in animals. This report describes the biological activity of five recently identified feline IFN-alpha subtypes expressed in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line (rfeIFN-alpha1[CHO], rfeIFN-alpha2[CHO], rfeIFN-alpha3[CHO], rfeIFN-alpha5[CHO] and rfeIFN-alpha6[CHO]) and the feIFN-alpha6 subtype expressed in and purified from Pichia pastoris (rfeIFN-alpha6[P. pastoris]). The rfeIFN-alpha[CHO] subtypes were tested for antiviral activity against either Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or feline calicivirus (FCV) infected feline embryonic fibroblast cell line (AH927) or Crandell feline kidney cell line (CRFK). Antiviral activity was induced against both VSV and FCV infected AH927 cells and VSV infected CRFK cells by all five of the rfeIFN-alpha[CHO] subtypes and rfeIFN-alpha6[P. pastoris]. In addition, the IFN-alpha inducible Mx gene (associated with antiviral activity) was upregulated in vivo 24 h following treatment with rfeIFN-alpha6[P. pastoris], compared to baseline levels seen prior to treatment. All of the rfeIFN-alpha[CHO] subtypes and rfeIFN-alpha6[P. pastoris] exhibited antiproliferative activity in the FeT-J cell line (an IL-2 independent feline T-cell line). Both necrosis and apoptosis were observed in rfeIFN-alpha6[P. pastoris]-treated FeT-J cells. The rfeIFN-alpha3[CHO] subtype consistently exhibited lower antiviral and antiproliferative activity compared to that observed with the other four rfeIFN-alpha[CHO] subtypes. In summary, this paper demonstrates that five previously described feIFN-alpha subtypes induce both antiviral and antiproliferative activities in vitro and are capable of upregulating the feMx gene in vivo.     

Cloning,expression and biological activity of equine interleukin (IL)-5

The cytokine, interleukin (IL)-5 stimulates eosinophil differentiation, activation and survival and can prime these cells, increasing the response to other mediators. In view of its many effects on eosinophils, IL-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic disease in man. Here we report the cloning of equine IL-5 and expression of the recombinant protein by transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The cloned cDNA sequence consisted of 405 nucleotides and encoded a protein of 135 amino acids. There is >85% identity with feline, bovine, ovine, canine, and human IL-5 sequences at the nucleotide and protein level. Supernatants containing equine IL-5 were also examined for biological activity. CHO supernatant containing equine recombinant (eqr) IL-5, like the human ortholog (hrIL-5), induced concentration dependent equine eosinophil adherence to autologous serum-coated plastic (9.7+/-1.5% with a 1:100 dilution of eqrIL-5 and 9.1+/-1.6% adherence with 1 nM hrIL-5; n = 4). The eqr protein also caused concentration dependent superoxide production (11.9+/-2.4 nmol (reduced cytochrome (cyt) C)/10(6) cells at a 1:50 dilution, n = 4). In contrast, hrIL-5 only caused significant superoxide production when diluted in conditioned CHO medium, an effect that was inhibited by the anti-human mAb, TRFK5 (4.4+/-0.3 versus 0.3+/-0.4 nmol/10(6) cells for 0.5 nM hrIL-5 in the presence of the isotype matched IgG1 control (10 microM) and TRFK5 (10 microM), respectively). TRFK5 also significantly inhibited hrIL-5 induced adherence at concentrations of 0.3 microg/ml and above but had no significant inhibitory effect on either superoxide or adherence caused by eqrIL-5. These results demonstrate that equine IL-5 expressed by CHO cells stimulates equine eosinophils, suggesting that this cytokine could play a role in eosinophil recruitment and activation in equine allergic disease. The anti-human and murine moAb TRFK5 does not appear to recognise the equine protein.     

鸡β2微球蛋白基因克隆及其在大肠杆菌中的高效表达与纯化

β2微球蛋白（β2m）是组成主要组织相容性复合体（MHC）Ⅰ类分子复合体的轻链分子,对于MHCⅠ类分子在细胞表面稳定表达和有效递呈抗原肽必不可少。本试验从来航鸡全血细胞中克隆了鸡β2m（Chβ2m）全基因,利用软件预测了其信号肽序列,并构建了表达成熟Chβ2m的重组载体,在大肠杆菌表达系统中以包涵体形式高效表达。将所得包涵体溶于8 mol/L脲,并在变性条件下对包涵体中的重组Chβ2m进行纯化,获得了高纯度的Chβ2m,为制备MHCⅠ四聚体及探索禽类MHCⅠ类分子结构与功能的关系提供了条件。     

猪瘟病毒蛋白E2、N^pro基因的克隆表达及纯化

克隆了猪瘟病毒（CSFV）石门株E2和Npro基因,并分别插入pGEX-6p-1表达载体中,构建了原核重组表达质粒。经IPTG诱导后,应用SDS-PAGE电泳检测结果表明,重组质粒均得以成功表达。使用超声法破碎菌体获得蛋白,将带有GST标签的融合蛋白进行亲和层析,其中E2和Npro的表达形式分别为包涵体表达和可溶性蛋白表达。将E2变性后重折叠,应用亲和层析法纯化蛋白,Western blot检测发现CSFV蛋白E2能够被CSFV阳性血清识别,具有良好的反应原性,而Npro不能与CSFV阳性血清反应。     

鸡干扰素刺激基因12(ISG12)的克隆表达及抗病毒活性分析

干扰素刺激基因12(interferon-stimulated gene 12,ISG12)在病毒感染过程中已经被监测到,但是针对其抗病毒活性的研究却很少。本研究的主要目的是体外表达鸡的ISG12基因,以禽流感病毒(avian influenza viru,AIV)1215株为病毒模型,利用细胞培养检测其抗病毒活性。利用RT-PCR方法扩增鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)的ISG12基因,经测序分析,该基因序列与GenBank中登录的禽属ISG12基因序列相似性为100%。将该基因亚克隆至pET-32a载体构建重组原核表达质粒p32a-C12;工程菌p32a-C12/BL21经IPTG诱导表达,重组蛋白经Ni 2+琼脂糖凝胶柱层析纯化,获得相对分子质量约30 000的目的蛋白。利用ISG12蛋白预处理CEF和鸡外周血淋巴细胞(peripheral blood lymphocyte,PBL)后感染AIV 1215株,或者将该病毒与ISG12蛋白一起接种CEF细胞和PBL细胞,AIV在CEF中的复制能力与对照组无明显差异,而ISG12蛋白预处理鸡PBL细胞和同时感染AIV 1215株时的病毒含量均比对照低。体外抗病毒活性试验表明,ISG12蛋白能够抑制AIV 1215株在PBL细胞中的复制,但在CEF细胞上的作用不明显。     

粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)基因的克隆、原核表达及生物活性鉴定

为了探讨粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)在免疫中的作用,根据GenBank上发表的鸡GM-CSF基因序列设计特异引物,采用RT-PCR法对球虫免疫后的海蓝灰蛋鸡盲肠扁桃体中GM-CSF基因进行克隆和序列分析;设计GM-CSF原核表达引物,原核表达GM-CSF融合蛋白,通过菌体裂解,包涵体的洗涤、溶解、复性后,过Sepharose4B柱纯化融合蛋白,采用抗病毒试验和淋巴细胞增殖试验检测表达蛋白的生物活性。结果显示,从人工感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫的海蓝灰蛋鸡盲肠扁桃体中扩增到了435bp的DNA片段;序列分析表明其与GenBank中报道的鸡GM-CSF序列仅有1个碱基的差异,与哺乳动物的同源性在35.2%～45.4%;原核表达了海蓝灰蛋鸡GM-CSF,分离纯化的融合蛋白在抗病毒活性试验和淋巴细胞增殖试验中证明具有一定的生物学活性。     

干扰素的分子生物学研究进展

干扰素是一类多功能细胞因子，是由哺乳动物体细胞合成与分泌的潜在的生物活性蛋白质，具有抵抗病毒感染、抑制肿瘤细胞生长与调节机体免疫功能的作用，其基因表达受多种因素和调控元件的调节。干扰素基因工程和基因治疗研究引起了广泛的关注，目前已被应用于临床治疗。     

猪瘟病毒蛋白E2、Npro基因的克隆表达及纯化

克隆了猪瘟病毒(CSFV)石门株E2和Npro基因,并分别插入pGEX-6p-1表达载体中,构建了原核重组表达质粒。经IPTG诱导后,应用SDS-PAGE电泳检测结果表明,重组质粒均得以成功表达。使用超声法破碎菌体获得蛋白,将带有GST标签的融合蛋白进行亲和层析,其中E2和Npro的表达形式分别为包涵体表达和可溶性蛋白表达。将E2变性后重折叠,应用亲和层析法纯化蛋白,Western blot检测发现CSFV蛋白E2能够被CSFV阳性血清识别,具有良好的反应原性,而Npro不能与CSFV阳性血清反应。     

Differentiation of feline coronavirus type I and II infections by virus neutralization test

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is divided into two types I and II, based on their growth in vitro and antigenicity. In this study, virus neutralization (VN) test was applied for type differentiation of FCoV infections. Sera of cats which were clinically and serologically diagnosed as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) possessed significantly higher VN titers to type I FCoV, and sera from cats experimentally infected with FIPV type II had high VN titers to type II but not type I viruses. A total of 79 cat sera collected in the years between 2004 and 2005 were examined to evaluate seroprevalence by the VN test, showing the following results: (1) 50 cats (63.3%) were sero-positive to FCoV; (2) of the 50 FCoV positive cat serum samples, 49 (98%) showed significantly higher titers to type I virus and only one (2%) for type II virus. These results indicate that the VN test described here can be used for serological differentiation of FCoV infections of cats, and that FCoV type I is a dominant type in recent years of Japan.     

奶牛粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子的原核表达及其活性检测

为了表达奶牛粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)并对其活性进行检测.根据GenBank中登录的牛GM-CSF基因序列(U22385),设计一对特异性引物;采用RT-PCR方法,以LPS体外诱导的奶牛肺泡巨噬细胞为材料,从总RNA中扩增出奶牛GM-CSF cDNA基因,克隆到pGEM-T载体中,经酶切鉴定与序列测定,结果显示克隆的奶牛GM-CSF基因与GenBank中登录的牛GM-CSF基因序列的核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性分别为99.7%和99.3%.构建pET32a-GM-CSF原核表达重组质粒,经IPTG诱导表达,SDS-PAGE结果显示重组蛋白大小约为35 ku.分别运用集落形成试验与MTT比色法测定重组蛋白活性,结果显示重组奶牛GM-CSF蛋白能够诱导粒细胞前体呈集落性生长并具有较强的体外增殖淋巴细胞的活性,为下一步临床试验奠定了基础.     

Contribution of MX dynamin, oligoadenylate synthetase, and protein kinase R to anti-paramyxovirus activity of type 1 interferons in vitro

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of MX dynamin, oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), and double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase R (PKR) to the antiviral effects of type 1 interferons (IFNs) against bovine parainfluenza-3 virus (PI-3V) infection of Vero cells. SAMPLE POPULATION: Vero cell cultures. PROCEDURES: PI-3V yield was first compared between control and transfected type 1 IFNs-incompetent Vero cells expressing recombinant OAS or MX proteins. Afterwards, phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2alpha) was used to scale the degree of PKR activation upon infection of Vero cells by PI-3V. RESULTS: Overexpression of OAS did not result in significantly decreased viral replication. Phosphorylated eIF2alpha forms, the hallmark of PKR activation, were not increased in IFNalpha-primed infected Vero cells. Although human MXA contributed to partial blockade of replication of bovine PI-3V, the antiviral effect was not as strong as that of IFNalpha. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The powerful anti-Paramyxovirus activity of type 1 IFNs is mediated by noncanonic pathways.     

Basic biological characterization of feline morbillivirus

Feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) is an emerging virus that was recently discovered in domestic cats with chronic nephritis. Despite the potential role of FmoPV in chronic nephritis, little is known about its biological characteristics. In this study, we established a quantitative assay of FmoPV by using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Viral titers of FmoPV were determined in one week. Treatment with polybrene^® or trypsin which was previously used in virus isolation did not augment the virus titers. FmoPV was notably stable at 4°C, retaining high titers for at least 12 days. Heat-treatment at 60°C and 70°C effectively inactivated FmoPV in 10 and 2 min, respectively. The biological characteristics of FmoPV reported here will be beneficial for establishing an efficient virus isolation method and will provide important information to take a measure to reduce the risk of FmoPV infection.