Co-administration of Interleukin-2 Enhances Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to HIV Vaccine DNA Prime／MVA Boost Regime

Interleukine-2 (IL-2) is a growth factor for antigen-stimulated T lymphocytes and is responsible for T-cell clonal expansion after antigen recognition. It has been demonstrated that DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses in mice could be augmented substantially by using either an IL-2 protein or a plasmid expressing IL-2. Twenty mice, divided into four experimental groups, were immunized with: (1) sham plasmid; (2) HIV-1 DNA vaccine alone; (3) HIV-1 DNA vaccine and IL-2 protein; or (4) HIV-1 DNA vaccine and IL-2 plasmid, separately. All the groups were immunized 3 times at a 2-week interval. Fourteen days after the last DNA vaccine injection, recombinant MVA was injected into all the mice except those in group 1. ELISA and ELISPOT were employed to investigate the effect of IL-2 on DNA vaccine immune responses. The obtained results strongly indicate that the efficacy of HIV vaccine can be enhanced by co-administration of a plasmid encoding IL-2.     

SELECTION OF RECOMBINANT VACCINIA VIRUSES (TIAN TAN STRAIN) EXPRESSING HEPATITIS B VIRUS SURFACE ANTIGEN BY USING β-GALACTOSIDASE AS A MARKER*

We constructed a plasmid that contains a small piece of DNA with two vaccinis promoters running in opposite directions——a promoter from a late gene encoding an 11 K polypeptide (P11) and a promoter from an early gene encoding 25K(P25). These promoters were isolated from the Tian Tan strain of vaccinia virus and were flanked by the thymidine kinase (TK) sequence of the same virus. Genes encoding the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and the Rscherichia coli β-galactosidase (LacZ) were inserted downstream of the 11 K and 25 K promoters respectively so that coexpression plasmids were constructed. Recombinant vaccinis Viruses were selected directly by picking blue plaques formed under overlaying agarose medium containing X-gal. HBsAg was expressed to high level by these recombinant viruses. These recombinant viruses showed reduced virulence on rabbit skin and induced anti-HBs after intrsdermal inoculation of rabbits.     

MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE cDNA CODING FOR HEPATITIS B VIRUS SURFACE ANTIGEN

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) inRNA has been enriched from a hepatoma cell line (PLC/PRF/5) by specific polysome immunoprecipitation and used for cDNA cloning. A HBsAg cDNA clone was identified by in situ hybridization with a cloned viral probe. It was characterized by restriction endonuclease mapping and DNA sequence analysis. Molecular hybridization of PLC/PRF/5 cellular DNA and RNA to [~(32)P]-labeled HBsAg cDNA revealed the integration of at least six copies of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into the host genome and expression of three DNA species confining HBsAg-specific sequences. The possible role of HBV in the oncogenesis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma is discussed.     

Cloned s-Lap Gene Coding Area, Expression and Localization of s-Lap／GFP Fusion Protein in Mammal Cells

s-Lap is a new gene sequence from pig retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which was found and cloned in the early period of apoptosis of RPE cells damaged with visible light. We cloned the coding area sequence of the novel gene of s-Lap and constructed its recombinant eukaryotic plasmid pcDNA3.1-GFP/s-lap with the recombinant DNA technique. The expression and localization of s-lap/GFP fusion protein in CHO and B16 cell lines were studied with the instantaneously transfected pcDNA3.1-GFP/s-lap recombinant plasmid. s-Lap/GFP fusion protein can be expressed in CHO and B16 cells with a high rate expression in the nuclei.     

Translational Enhancer of Tobacco mosaic virus Enhancing Expression of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Transgenic Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer Callus

The 5＇-nontranslated leader（omega sequence） of Tobacco mosaic virus（TMV） was used as a translational enhancer sequence in the expression of the hepatitis B surface antigen（HBsAg） gene in transgenic ginseng callus cultures. The adr subtype HBsAg gene was placed under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus（CaMV） 35S promoter linking to the TMV leader sequence. The antisense omega sequence was used in a control construct. The resulting constructs cloned in the binary vector pBI121 were used to transform the ginseng callus tissue via the Agrobacterium-mediated procedure. The integration and expression of the HBsAg gene were evaluated by PCR and western blot, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunoassays（ELISA） using a monoclonal antibody directed against human serum-derived HBsAg revealed a three to four-fold enhanced expression of HBsAg in ginseng cells conferred by the TMV omega element.     

Synthesis of Peptoid Nucleic Acid with Thymine as Nucleic Base

The sequence specific bonding of oligonucleotide to RNA or double stranded DNA hasattTacted wide attention as the antisense and antigene strategies for treatment of diseasesat the level of gene expression in medicinal chemistry'. Peptide nucleic acids designedas a chemira of nucleobases and polyamidic backbone bind with high affinity andsequence specifity to both comPlementary RNA and DNA and a number of templatefunctions are inhibited on forming PNAasA and PNA/DNA complex'-'. In the …     

Cloning and Expression of Intracellular Part of Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase RPTPα and Preparation of Its Polyclonal Antibodies

A DNA fragment encoding the intracellular part of tyrosine phosphatase RPTPα designated as RPTPα-2D gene was amplified by PCR from a human prostate cDNA library and cloned into the pT7 E. coli expression vector. The resulting plasmid pT7-RPTPα-2D was used to transform Rosetta DE3 E. coli cells. RPTPα-2D was predominately expressed in the insoluble inclusion body and was effectively purified using preparative electrophoresis gels. Polyclonal antibodies were obtained after immunization of a rabbit with purified RPTPα-2D. The antibodies displayed a high titer and sensitivity. This study thus provided a valuable tool for further researches on RPTPα.     

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Liposome-encapsulated Influenza Split Vaccine in BALB/c Mice

The cellular immunity of current influenza split vaccine is relatively low. It is necessary to develop a novel vaccine to improve the cellular immunity. Thes of this study prepared liposome-encapsulated influenza split vaccine and tested it in BALB/c mice. The mice were immunized once with 4 μg of haemagglutinin of monovalent A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1) encapsulated with liposomes or the split virus vaccine only through intrastomach injection. In a comparative study, it was observed that the liposome-encapsulated vaccine elicited a higher neutralizing antibody response, more effectively stimulated spleen cell proliferation, increased cell subsets like CD4 and CD4 /CD8 , and triggered IL-4 and IFN-γ production.     

Expression and Characterization of a Recombinant Truncated Capsid Protein of Hepatitis E Virus in Pichiapastoris

Hepatitis E is an enterically transmitted viral disease caused by infection with hepatitis E virus(HEV).HEV is a nonenveloped virus that has been classified in the family of Caliciviridae.The virus appears to be a polyadenylated,positive-stranded RNA virus with three major open reading frames(ORFs).The capsid protein of HEV is encoded by the open reading frame 2(ORF2).We attempted to produce a truncated capsid protein,designed p293,in Pichia pastoris.The p293 gene encoding amino acids(aa) 382-674 of HEV ORF2 was designed based on the full length of HEV ORF2,cloned into the yeast vector pPIC9K,and expressed in P.pastoris strain GS115.SDS-PAGE and Western blotting demonstrated that the recombinant protein p293 could well be expressed in P.pastoris.Under optimized conditions (culture medium pH,6.0―6.5;methanol concentration added daily,3.0%;inoculum density,OD600=60;induction time point,72―96h),the yield of soluble p293 was approximately 80 mg/L.We also observed p293 secretory expressed in P.pastoris to be 30 nm viral like particles by using electron microscopy.These results show that the p293 may has utility in the analysis of cell specific factors in the protein processing and assembly of HEV,and serve as a useful antigen for both diagnostic and vaccine purposes.     

Cloning and Sequencing of Trichosanthin Gene and Its Expression in Escherichia coli and Tobacco Plant

A Trichosanthin gene was cloned from Trichosanthes kirilowii genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleotide sequence data indicated that we obtained the coding region of the mature Trichosanthin peptide as well as its signal peptide at the N-terminus. Comparisons of our sequence with the previously reported nucleotide sequences of this gene showed 99.25% homology, yet there were notable differences between the previously reported amino acid sequence and our deduced result. This gene was subcloned into a highlevel expression plasmid (pJLA502) of E. coli under the control of a P_RP_L promoter, and we observed the gene product after temperature induction. The gene was further cloned into plant intermediate vector pE3 under the control of a CaMV 35S promoter, and transferred into a tobacco genome using the agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer system. Western blotting analysis of the protein extracted from Escherichia coli and transgenic tobacco plants proved that the Trichosanthin gene has been     

Establishment of a Tumor-bearing Mouse Model Stably Expressing EGFP Labeled Human MUC1 VNTRs

Two eukaryotic vectors expressing 9 tandem repeats of human MUCI（VNTR）, VR1012-VNTR, and pEGFP-VNTR, were constructed by cloning VNTR gene into VR1012 and pEGFP, respectively. VNTR stably expressing murine Lewis lung carcinoma（LLC） cell line（VNTR^＋ LLC） was established by Lipofectamine-mediated transfection of pEGFP-VNTR into LLC cells. The EGFP expression was observed under a fluorescent microscope and VNTR expression in VNTR^＋ LLC cells was confirmed by means of Western blotting. A syngenic graft tumor model was generated by subcutaneous injection of VNTR^＋ LLC cells into C57/BL6 mice and tumor size increased rapidly with time and in a cell qumber dependent manner. VNTR mRNA expression in the tumor formed was confirmed by RT-PCR. After the third immunization mice were challenged subcutaneously with 5×10^5 VNTR^＋ LLC cells, a significant reduction of subcutaneous tumor growth was observed in the groups immunized with VNTR plasmid DNA compared with that in the groups immunized with the vector DNA alone. Thus, the suppression of subcutaneous tumor was antigen-specific. This model is useful for the development of tumor vaccines targeting MUCI VNTRs.     

In vivo investigation of the role of SfmO2 in saframycin A biosynthesis by structural characterization of the analogue saframycin O

Saframycin A(SFM-A),a tetrahydroisoquinoline antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces lavendulae,shows potent anti-proliferation activities against a variety of tumor cell lines,and shares the core structure with ecteinascidin 743(ET-743),the anticancer drug for soft-tissue sarcoma.Characterization of the SFM-A biosynthetic gene cluster revealed three nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes and a series of genes encoding oxygenases.To investigate the function of sfmO2 gene,encoding a FAD-dependent monooxygenase/hydroxylase,we constructed the gene replacement mutant(△sfmO2) strain S.lavendulae TL2007 and the corresponding gene complementation mutant strain S.lavendulae TL2008.A novel compound,SFM-O,was isolated from the △sfmO2 replacement mutant strain and its structure was characterized by comparison to the HRMS and NMR spectra of SFM-A.These findings indicated that SfmO2 is responsible for the oxidation of ring A in the biosynthetic pathway of SFM-A,and the new compound SFM-O could be considered as an advanced intermediate in the semisynthesis of ET-743.     

Isolation of Trichoderma reesei pyrG Negative Mutant by UV Mutagenesis and Its Application in Transformation

Two uridine auxotrophic mutants of Trichoderma reesei were isolated by resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid after UV mutagenesis. One mutant, called M23, was complemented with the Aspergillus niger pyrG gene carried by plasmid pAB4-1. A mutated pyrG gene of M23 was cloned and DNA sequencing analysis indicated that a cytosine was inserted into the 934―939 oligo dC position of the pyrG coding region, resulted in a frameshift mutation. Transformation efficiency was approximately 200―300 transformants per microgram of DNA with plasmid pAB4-1. Stable transformants were obtained by monosporic culture and showed to be prototroph after successive propagation. Vitreoscilla hemoglobin expression plasmid pUCVHb was cotransformed with plasmid pAB4-1 and attained a transformation efficiency of 71.8% or of 26.1% with pAN7-1. Southern blot analysis of the transformants demonstrated that plasmid pUCVHb was integrated into the chromosomal DNA. The experimental results demonstrated that the pyrG-based system was more efficient and timesaving than the conventional hygromycin B resistance-based transformation system.     

Synthesis of urea acetates as potential PPARα/γ dual agonists

In the quest for novel PPARα/γ dual agonists as putative drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, we designed and synthesized a series of urea acetates as potential PPARα/γ dual agonists. The structure of the target compounds, intermediates were characterized by ^1H N-MR, HRMS.     

ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON DYNAMICS AND LOCATION OF DNA SYNTHESIS OF DUCK PLAGUE VIRUS

Electron microscopic autoradiographic studies on the dynamics and location of DNAsynthesis by means of incorporation of ~8H-thymidine during the replication of duck plaguevirus (DPV) revealed that the duration of DNA synthesis of DPV was rather long. The repli-cation of viral DNA occurred simultaneously with the assembly procedure of nucleocapsids, thematuration and release of viruses. DNA synthesis of DPV occurred in the matrix with lowerelectron density in the nucleus. The replicated viral DNA accumulated in the viroplast With highelectron density where the assembly of nucleocapsids occurred. The viroplast with high electrondensity was not the region of viral DNA synthesis.     

SITE-SPECIFIC DELETION OF THE N-TERMINAL SEGMENTS FROM EcoRI ENDONUCLEASE USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

We developed a general and efficient method for directing the deletions of DNA sequences of any lengths using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method was based on in vitro amplification of target sequences with site-specific deletions, Klenow end-flushing and blunt-end cloning. As an example, it was used to delete the restriction gene encoding EcoRI endonuclease, resulting in plasmids expressing two truncated forms. Assays using SDS-PAGE and gel retardation revealed the important role of the amphipathic helix (29-43) of the EcoRI endonuclease in binding to its cognate substrate.     

RECOMBINANT BIVALENT LIVK VACCINES AGAINST NEONATAL COLIBACILLOSIS IN PIGLETS

The genes of colonization factor K88 and avirulent heat-labile enterotoxin LT A-B+ of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) have been ligated, and a vaccine strain containing recombinant plasmid that efficiently expresses two antigens has been obtained. Using the activity of β-galactosidase as a selection marker instead of drug resistance, another bivalent vaceire strain with the same expression level has also been constructed. The vaccinestrains have no toxicity and do not cause any adverse reactions. In chellenge study and field trials, a high degree of protection from colibacillosis was afforded to piglets when their dams were immunized orally or parenterally. Practice of bivalent live vaccines including colonization factor and enterotoxin antigens and without antibiotic resistance gene shows effective.     

EXPRESSION AND SECRETION OF preS CONTAINING HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN IN VACCINIA VIRUS SYSTEM

The expression and secretion of preS containing hepatitis B surface antigen in vaccinia virus system was investigated. The human TK~- 143 cells were infected with the recombinant vaccinia viruses vTMS-1 or vTLS-1. Cells infected with vTMS-1, which contains the preS2+S gene, produced preS2 containing middle HBsAg proteins. Similarly, cells produced preS1 containing large HBsAg proteins upon infection with vTLS-1, which carries the preS1+preS2+S gene. The expression products could be secreted and form 22 nm particles. They reacted specifically with anti-preS1 and/or anti-preS2 monoclonal antibodies, and exhibited pHSA-receptor (for polymerized human serum albumin) activity. In addition, the major S components of hepatitis B surface antigen were also present in the products expressed by vTMS-1 and vTLS-1.