利用小鼠模型评价含有5＇-GTCGTT-3＇特征序列的人CpG寡脱氧核苷酸的免疫刺激活性

为了寻找合适的动物模型来评价人CpG寡脱氧核苷酸（CpG-ODN）的活性,研究了CpG2006等含有5＇-GTCGTT-3＇特征序列的人CpG-ODN对小鼠的免疫刺激活性。在体外它们能够促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞转化,促进B细胞分泌IgM,但不能诱生高水平的IFN-γ。研究了CpG2006等序列在体内作为疫苗佐剂对HBsAg免疫效果的影响,发现（1）人CpG-ODN能够明显提高抗-HBs抗体水平,并逆转Al（OH）     

反向PCR法扩增花粉特异表达基因PSG076启动子

PSG076基因是从奥地利小麦品种‘Ferdinand’中分离的花粉特异性表达基因,功能未知.为获得可用于小麦基因工程的花粉特异性启动子,采用优化的反向PCR法分离PSG076启动子,获得了起始密码子上游约1.4 kb的启动子序列.生物信息学分析显示,该启动子除含有与花粉特异性表达相关的调控元件AGAAA和GTGA外,还含有花粉特异性表达相关的数量元件AGGTCA和AAATGA,推测其为活性较强的花粉特异性启动子.实验中对反向PCR方法的优化可提高扩增侧翼未知序列的效率,特别适用于启动子序列的扩增.     

转移因子研究及临床应用

转移因子研究及临床应用任丽君刘悦范红霞（开封医学科学研究所）转移因子（ｔｒａｎｓｔｅｆａｃｔｏｒ·ＴＦ）是从淋巴细胞中提取的一类低分子肽与核苷酸复合物,具有传递免疫信息、激发免疫细胞活性、调节免疫功能、增强机体非特异性细胞免疫功能等作用,被誉为Ｔ细胞...     

暗纹东方鲀线粒体COⅡ及两侧tRNA基因的克隆和序列分析

用细胞色素氧化酶第二亚基基因(COⅡ)特异性引物对暗纹东方(Takifugu fasciatus)的线粒体DNA(mtDNA)进行PCR扩增,克隆并测定了COⅡ及其侧翼tRNA基因的全序列,结果显示,COⅡ基因691 bp和5′端上游的tRNAAsn基因及3′端下游的tRNALys基因序列共890 bp。用DNA分析软件比较暗纹东方与GenBank中9个目11种鱼类的COⅡ序列,显示暗纹东方与这些鱼类的COⅡ基因具有较高的同源性;其中与同属红鳍东方(T.rubripes)的同源性最高为99.0%。暗纹东方COⅡ基因的核苷酸组成中,A T含量为56%,与其他11种鱼类的A T含量(55%~62%)相近。鱼类COⅡ序列组成对A T核苷酸的偏倚程度比较低。根据暗纹东方与其他11种鱼的COⅡ基因序列同源性所建立的分子进化树,与传统的分类地位基本吻合。推定的tRNA二级结构为典型的三叶草型结构。     

日本脑炎病毒E基因与流感病毒HA基因的串联表达及应用

根据GenBank公布的日本脑炎病毒(Japanese Encephalitis Virus,JEV)SA14-14-2株的核酸序列和人流感病毒的血凝素基因(ha)序列,设计一对特异性引物,用PCR方法扩增编码JEV囊膜蛋白主要抗原域基因,其中含ha基因主要核苷酸序列.将PCR产物定向克隆入原核表达载体pET-32a(+),构建原核表达载体pET-EHA.阳性质粒转化BL21(DE3)宿主菌,经IPTG诱导获得表达,重组蛋白以包涵体的形式存在.Western-blot分析表明表达产物具有良好的免疫学活性.利用纯化的表达产物与流感病毒血凝素单抗及乳胶建立了诊断日本脑炎病毒抗体水平的乳胶凝集试验.结果表明乳胶凝集方法具有简便快速、敏感性高、特异性强、价格低廉、可现场检测等优点,是一种适合基层兽医单位用于日本脑炎病毒抗体水平检测的新方法.     

入源中和性抗甲型肝炎病毒抗体Fab段基因的序列分析及可溶性表达

在用噬菌体表面呈现系统获得人源抗甲型肝炎(甲肝)病毒中和性基因工程Fab抗体的基础上,对所获得的4株中和性Fab抗体轻重链可变区基因进行了序列分析、可溶性表达及生物学特性鉴定.4株Fab抗体重链可变区拥有99%同源的核苷酸序列和相同的CDR区氨基酸序列,属于VHⅢ基因家族.而轻链可变区核苷酸序列同源性为95%和相似的CDR区氨基酸序列,属于VL5基因家族.这些重组抗体都能与人甲肝恢复期血清及具有中和活性的鼠抗甲肝单克隆抗体产生竞争抑制反应,表明其针对甲肝病毒结构蛋白上的主要抗原决定簇.     

大蒜A病毒CP基因的原核表达及抗血清制备

根据GenBank报道的大蒜A病毒(GarV-A)序列设计引物、扩增其外壳蛋白基因并进行序列分析.结果表明,GarV-A的CP基因与目前已报道的两种GarV-A不同分离物CP基因的核苷酸序列同源性为98％-99％;氨基酸序列同源性均为98％.将GarV-A CP基因插入表达载体pSBET,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)Plys E菌株中诱导表达.CP经12％SDS-PAGE和5％-20％SDS-PAGE两次纯化,免疫小鼠获得抗CP血清,Western blotting分析表明确定制备的抗体对CP具有高度特异性,ELISA检测表明制备的抗体能够与天然病毒离子结合,因此可以作为该病毒的检测.     

Virp5--体内新发现的活性多肽

日本学者Ishikawa N等在2004年11月的Peptides上报道了他们用抗细菌外毒素(anti-verotoxin2,VT2是一种由大肠杆菌产生的志贺样外毒素)的抗体从大鼠脊髓cDNA文库中筛选并纯化到一种新的免疫反应性活性多肽,并命名为抗VT2抗体免疫活性多肽——Virp5(anti-verotoxin 2 antibody immunoreactive polypeptide)。核苷酸序列分析发现Virp5的cDNA与VT2 cDNA核苷酸序列无同源性,     

马铃薯卷叶病毒中国株(PLRV-Ch)复制酶基因结构研究

用设计合成的两对特异性引物,以马铃薯卷叶病毒中国分离株PLRV-Ch RNA为模板,经反转录PCR扩增,将复制酶基因3′端0.6 kb和5′端1.2 kb,克隆于pUC19中,分别构建了重组质粒pLR3和pLR5,并分五段进行了序列分析.将获得的核苷酸序列及氨基酸序列与国外报导的四个PLRV分离株的相应区段的序列同源性进行了比较.结果表明具有高度同源性.文中对核苷酸序列中存在的可能移码序列和其下游的茎环结构或假节结构、以及特征性三次重复区及氨基酸序列中复制酶蛋白N端的碱性氨基酸序列以及C端区域中包括GDD在内的8个特征序列进行了讨论.作者发现移码序列上游的三次重复的核苷酸序列可以形成连续折叠的互补双链区和发夹结构,这一结构可能和转译移码有关.此外PLRV复制酶蛋白N端部分氨基酸序列易变,而C端氨基酸序列十分保守,可能和复制酶功能有更重要关系.     

佐剂CpG-ODN与重组HBsAg疫苗联合免疫乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 以CpG-ODN为佐剂与重组HBsAg(rHBsAg)疫苗合用,研究其对乙型肝炎病毒转基因(HBV Tg)小鼠模型的免疫应答效果.方法 40只HBV Tg小鼠随机分为4组,每组小鼠分别注射rHBsAg疫苗(单用rHBsAg组)、rHBsAg疫苗+CpG-ODN(试验组)、rIFNα-2b(IFN组)、生理盐水(对照组).经多次免疫HBV转基因小鼠,于免疫前、后不同时间采血,动态观察各组小鼠血清中HBsAg量、抗-HBs阳性率和HBV DNA的变化,检测肝组织中HBsAg的表达.检测免疫小鼠的外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和白细胞介素2(IL-2)、IL-12(p70)以及γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量,分别检测免疫小鼠的脾细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤功能并计算各组小鼠肝组织活性指数(HAI).结果 rHBsAg组和rHBsAg+CpG组在免疫小鼠后2周100%诱导抗-HBs;rHBsAg+CpG组能显著降低血清中的HBsAg量或使HBsAg转阴,rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中HBsAg的表达量与血清中一样降低,并降低血清中HBV DNA的拷贝数.rHBsAg组的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+细胞在T细胞中所占百分比,IL-2、IL-12(p70)和IFN-γ的含量以及淋巴细胞特异性增殖和杀伤效应均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).rHBsAg+CpG组与rHBsAg组比较,免疫小鼠产生更强的HBV特异性细胞应答(P＜0.05),且以Th1型细胞免疫应答为主.在rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中出现大量淋巴细胞,肝脏的HAI在4个组中最高.结论 CpG-ODN作为佐剂可以增强重组HBsAg疫苗诱导HBV转基因小鼠产生抗病毒免疫应答,重组HBsAg疫苗辅以CpG ODN可作为免疫治疗慢性HBV感染的可行性途经.     

CpG-ODN Class C Mediated Immunostimulation in Rabbit Model of Trypanosoma evansi Infection

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) stimulate immune cells from a wide spectrum of mammalian species. Class C CpG-ODN is relatively stable and has the combined immune effects of both A and B classes of CpG-ODN. Trypanosoma evansi produces the state of immuno-suppression in the infected hosts. The current chemotherapeutic agents against this parasite are limited in number and usually associated with severe side effects. The present work aimed to determine the immunostimulatory effects of CpG-ODN class C in T. evansi infected rabbits. Rabbits inoculated with CpG C and challenged with T. evansi resulted in delayed onset of clinical signs with reduced severity in comparison to that of T. evansi infected rabbits. The treatment also enhanced humoral immune responses. Histopathological findings in liver and spleen revealed enhancement of mononuclear cell infiltration and secondary B cell follicles. These results demonstrate that CpG-ODN class C, has immunostimulatory properties in rabbit model of trypanosomosis. The use of booster doses or sustained delivery of CpG-ODN will further elucidate the prolonged CpG-ODN generated immune responses.     

Immunostimulatory properties of CpG-oligonucleotides are enhanced by the use of protamine nanoparticles

The aim of this paper was to investigate if the immunostimulatory effects of CpG-oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) can be enhanced by the use of biodegradable protamine nanoparticles (proticles). We analyzed size, surface charge, and morphology of protamine nanoparticles containing CpG-ODN with photon correlation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Immunostimulatory effects of these nanoparticles on B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and whole blood were studied. Cytokine production, activation of the cells in terms of upregulation of surface molecules and uptake of nanoparticles were examined. We found that the use of protamine nanoparticles significantly increased (20-fold) CpG-ODN mediated interferon (IFN)-alpha production of PDC. ODN uptake in PDC was only marginally enhanced. CpG-ODN mediated IP-10 production in whole blood was strongly enhanced by the use of nanoparticles. Apart from a slight increase in CpG-ODN-induced interleukin (IL)-6 production in B cells, other parameters like the CpG-mediated activation of B cells and PDC as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production of PDC remained largely unchanged. The use of control ODN indicated that the protamine nanoparticles themselves have no immunostimulatory properties. These results strongly support the use of particulate delivery systems like biodegradable protamine nanoparticles for the development of CpG-ODN-based therapeutics.     

Vaccination with Leishmania soluble antigen and immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides induces specific immunity and protection against Leishmania donovani infection

In this report, we investigated the effect of ODN containing immunostimulatory CG motifs as adjuvant with soluble antigen (SA) from Leishmania donovani. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with the soluble antigen with or without CpG-ODN as adjuvant and then challenged with L. donovani metacyclic promastigotes. CpG-ODN alone resulted in partial protection against challenge with L. donovani. Immunization of mice with SA and CpG-ODN showed enhanced reduction in parasite load ( approximately 60%) when compared to SA ( approximately 40%) immunized mice. Immunization with SA by itself resulted in a mixed Th1/Th2 response whereas co-administration of SA with CpG-ODN resulted in a strong Th1 promoting isotype as they together promoted production of immunoglobulin G2a. Leishmania-specific Th1 cytokine response was induced by co-administering CpG-ODN and SA as they together promoted production of IFN-gamma and IL-12. In the present study, we demonstrate that immunostimulatory phosphorothioate-modified ODN are promising immune enhancers for vaccination against visceral leishmaniaisis.     

In vitro activation of chicken leukocytes and in vivo protection against Salmonella enteritidis organ invasion and peritoneal S. enteritidis infection-induced mortality in neonatal chickens by immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotide

Unmethylated CpG oligodinucleotides (CpG-ODN) flanked by specific bases found in bacterial DNA are known to stimulate innate immune responses. In this study, synthetic CpG-ODNs were evaluated for their in vitro stimulation of leukocyte and in vivo protection against Salmonella enteritidis (SE) in neonatal chickens. Our studies showed that CpG-ODN stimulated bactericidal activities, releasing granules (degranulation) and generating reactive oxygen species (oxidative burst), in chicken heterophils and up regulated nitric oxide production in chicken peripheral blood monocytes. When day-old chickens were given (i.p.) synthetic CpG-ODNs followed by oral challenge of SE, a significant reduction (p<0.05) of organ invasion by SE was observed in chickens pretreated with CpG-ODN containing the immunostimulatory GTCGTT motif. This CpG-OND also significantly reduced mortality of chickens with acute peritoneal infection of SE. Our study provides evidence that immunostimulatory CpG-ODN stimulated innate immune activities and enhanced the resistance to infectious pathogens in neonatal chickens.     

Lack of immune stimulation by immobilized CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide.

Selected phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG (CpG-ODN) activate immune responses, including B-cell proliferation and cytokine production. The mechanism by which cells detect CpG-motifs is not known. There are conflicting reports in the literature concerning the ability of CpG-ODN linked to solid supports to stimulate immunity. We prepared a fluorescent, biotinylated CpG-ODN, a reagent that will support the growth of 7TD1 cells, a murine B-cell hybridoma line that requires CpG-ODN or interleukin-6 (IL-6) for survival. Stimulation of 7TD1 cell growth was not reduced by complexing biotinylated CpG-ODN to streptavidin, but cell growth was not supported by CpG-ODN coupled to streptavidin-coated latex, magnetic, gold, or agarose beads. A fluorescent CpG-ODN was also covalently attached to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose beads via a 5'-amine group. These derivatized Sepharose beads did support 7TD1 cell growth, but incubation of the beads with 7TD1 cells resulted in the appearance of fluorescence within the cells, suggesting that growth stimulation may be due to CpG-ODN leached from the beads. Our results are consistent with the need for CpG-ODN to be internalized into cells to be immunostimulatory.     

Increase in tumor size following intratumoral injection of immunostimulatory CpG-containing oligonucleotides in a rat glioma model

The immunosuppressive environment of malignant gliomas is likely to suppress the anti-tumor activity of infiltrating microglial cells and lymphocytes. Macrophages and microglial cells may be activated by oligonucleotides containing unmethylated CpG-motifs, although their value in cancer immunotherapy has remained controversial. Following injection of CpG-containing oligonucleotides (ODN) into normal rat brain, we observed a local inflammatory response with CD8+ T cell infiltration, upregulation of MHC 2, and ED1 expression proving the immunogenic capacity of the CpG-ODN used. This was not observed with a control ODN mutated in the immunostimulatory sequence (m-CpG). To study their effect in a syngeneic tumor model, we implanted rat 9L gliosarcoma cells into the striatum of Fisher 344 rats. After 3 days, immunostimulatory CpG-ODN, control m-CpG-ODN, or saline was injected stereotactically into the tumors (day 3 group). In another group of animals (day 0 group), CpG-ODN were mixed with 9L cells prior to implantation without further treatment on day 3. After 3 weeks, the animals were killed and the brains and spleens were removed. Rather unexpectedly, the tumors in several of the animals treated with CpG-ODN (both day 0 and day 3 group) were larger than in saline or m-CpG-ODN treated control animals. The tumor size in CpG-ODN-treated animals was more variable than in both control groups. This was associated with inflammatory responses and necrosis which was observed in most tumors following CpG treatment. This, however, did not prevent excessive growth of solid tumor masses in the CpG-treated animals similar to the control-treated animals. Dense infiltration with microglial cells resembling ramified microglia was observed within the solid tumor masses of control- and CpG-treated animals. In necrotic areas (phagocytic), activation of microglial cells was suggested by ED1 expression and a more macrophage-like morphology. Dense lymphocytic infiltrates consisting predominantly of CD8+ T cells and fewer NK cells were detected in all tumors including the control-treated animals. Expression of perforin serving as a marker for T cell or NK cell activation was detected only on isolated cells in all treatment groups. Tumors of all treatment groups revealed CD25 expression indicating T cells presumed to maintain peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. Cytotoxic T cell assays with in vitro restimulated lymphocytes (⁵¹chromium release assay) as well as interferon-gamma production by fresh splenocytes (Elispot assay) revealed specific responses to 9L cells but not another syngeneic cell line (MADB 106 adenocarcinoma). Surprisingly, the lysis rates with lymphocytes from CpG-ODN-treated animals were lower compared to control-treated animals. The tumor size of individual animals did not correlate with the response in both immune assays. Taken together, our data support the immunostimulatory capacity of CpG-ODN in normal brain. However, intratumoral application proved ineffective in a rat glioma model. CpG-ODN treatment may not yield beneficial effects in glioma patients.     

G3139 and other CpG-containing immunostimulatory phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides are potent suppressors of the growth of human tumor xenografts in nude mice

Several phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) are developed to target factors potentially involved in tumor growth and apoptosis suppression. Among them, the 18-mer G3139 (Oblimersen), which targets Bcl-2, is currently being tested in phase II and phase III clinical trials for various tumors in combination with chemotherapy. On the other hand, ODNs containing CpG dinucleotides (CpG-ODN) within specific-sequence contexts (CpG motifs) have been shown to activate rodent or primate immune cells via toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and have demonstrated remarkable T cell-dependent antitumor efficacy in a series of murine tumor models. However, immune cell activation by CpG-ODN is largely diminished upon C-5 methylation at CpG cytosine. As G3139 contains CpG motifs, we questioned whether the antitumor effects seen in human tumor xenografts might be abrogated by cytosine C-5 methylation of G3139, which retained the ability of G3139 to suppress Bcl-2 expression in tissue culture, or by similar derivatization of other phosphorothioate ODNs developed for the immune activation of rodent or human cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of the immunostimulatory H1826 and H2006 ODNs was compared with that of G3139. Bcl-2 suppression achieved by G3139 purportedly sensitizes tumor cells toward cytotoxic agents, and some of the experiments employed combinations of ODN with such drugs as cisplatin or etoposide. H1826, H2006, and G3139 all produced similar, striking, growth inhibitory effects on either H69 SCLC, A2780 ovarian carcinoma, or A549 lung adenocarcinoma human tumor xenografts at doses of 0.3 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg (H1826, H2006) or 12 mg/kg (G3139) per day. In contrast, the H2006-mC (1 mg/kg) or G3139-mC (12 mg/kg) derivatives demonstrated no significant antitumor effects. The combination of G3139 (12 mg/kg) with cisplatin produced some additive antitumor efficacy, which was not seen in combinations of G3139-mC (12 mg/kg) or H1826 (1 mg/kg) with cisplatin. G3139, at a dose of 12 mg/kg, alone induced extensive enlargement of the spleen. Immunostimulation was evaluated in vitro by flow cytometric measurements of the CD80 and CD86 activation markers found on CD19+ murine splenocytes. The CpG-ODN producing strong antitumor effects in vivo also induced these activation markers in vitro, in contrast to the in vivo inactive G3139-mC. Our data indicate a significant contribution of the immunostimulatory properties of CpG-ODN (including G3139) to the antitumor effects observed in nude mouse xenograft models. This is in contrast to previous data presented by other authors indicating that the activity of G3139 in human tumor xenografts was Bcl-2 specific. Furthermore, as nude mice are devoid of T cells, a T cell-mediated immune response apparently is not required for the potent antitumor responses observed here; innate immune responses are sufficient.     

Bis-4-aminoquinolines: novel triple-helix DNA intercalators and antagonists of immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides

Six dimeric 2-(2-naphthyl)quinolin-4-amines with a linker between the amino groups and eight dimeric 2-(4-anilino)quinolin-4-amines linked between the anilino groups were synthesized and evaluated for their interaction with duplex/triplex DNA's and as antagonists of immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides with a CpG-motif (CpG-ODN). The most powerful triple-helix DNA intercalator known to date, with high affinity toward T.A.T triplets and triplex/duplex selectivity, was found. The potent antagonism of immunostimulatory CpG-ODN by several bis-4-aminoquinolines is not related to their DNA interactions.