Recombinant vaccinia virus primes and stimulates influenza haemagglutinin-specific cytotoxic T cells

The ability of vaccinia virus to accept and express cloned genes encoding immunologically important proteins of unrelated viruses and malarial parasites has suggested a novel approach to the development of live vaccines. Vaccinia virus recombinants retain infectivity and stimulate synthesis of specific antibodies to the cloned gene products in vaccinated animals. Moreover, animals inoculated with recombinants expressing the influenza virus haemagglutinin (HA), the hepatitis B virus surface antigen, and type 1 herpesvirus glycoprotein D were protected against subsequent challenge with the corresponding virus. For maximal effectiveness, vaccines should produce cellular as well as humoral immunity. We now report that a vaccinia virus recombinant, expressing the influenza HA, primes and stimulates a specific murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. Histocompatible cells infected with this recombinant also serve as targets for CTLs. These properties make vaccinia virus a unique tool for studying cell-mediated immunity and enhance the attractiveness of this vector for production of live vaccines.     

Recovery from autoimmunity of MRL/lpr mice after infection with an interleukin-2/vaccinia recombinant virus

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a T-cell derived molecule implicated in the clonal expansion of antigen-activated T cells and in T-cell development. IL-2 is also implicated in autoimmune disease, although its role is still controversial. Murine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a good model for human SLE as most of the immunological abnormalities in the human disease also seem to be operative in the mouse. Among SLE mice, the MRL/lpr strain develops early in life autoimmune diseases such as immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, arthritis and arteritis. Lymphoid abnormalities associated with those diseases in this strain are thymic atrophy and abnormal proliferation of CD3+ CD4- CD8- 'double-negative' T cells, resulting in massive generalized lymph node enlargement. We have therefore now examined the effects of IL-2 on the disease progression in MRL/lpr mice using live vaccinia recombinant viruses expressing the human IL-2 gene. Vaccinated mice showed prolonged survival, decreased autoantibody and rheumatoid factor titres, marked attenuation of kidney interstitial infiltration and intraglomerular proliferation, as well as clearance of synovial mononuclear infiltrates. Inoculation with the IL-2/vaccinia recombinant virus led, in addition, to drastic reduction of the double-negative T-cell population, improved thymic differentiation and restoration of normal values of mature cells in peripheral lymphoid organs.     

An antioxidant function for DMSP and DMS in marine algae

The algal osmolyte dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and its enzymatic cleavage product dimethylsulphide (DMS) contribute significantly to the global sulphur cycle, yet their physiological functions are uncertain. Here we report results that, together with those in the literature, show that DMSP and its breakdown products (DMS, acrylate, dimethylsulphoxide, and methane sulphinic acid) readily scavenge hydroxyl radicals and other reactive oxygen species, and thus may serve as an antioxidant system, regulated in part by enzymatic cleavage of DMSP. In support of this hypothesis, we found that oxidative stressors, solar ultraviolet radiation, CO(2) limitation, Fe limitation, high Cu(2+) (ref. 9) and H(2)O(2) substantially increased cellular DMSP and/or its lysis to DMS in marine algal cultures. Our results indicate direct links between such stressors and the dynamics of DMSP and DMS in marine phytoplankton, which probably influence the production of DMS and its release to the atmosphere. As oxidation of DMS to sulphuric acid in the atmosphere provides a major source of sulphate aerosols and cloud condensation nuclei, oxidative stressors--including solar radiation and Fe limitation--may be involved in complex ocean atmosphere feedback loops that influence global climate and hydrological cycles.     

荔枝核提取物对HepG-2细胞生长抑制及凋亡诱导机制的探讨

目的:探讨荔枝核提取物成分L2.3对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的生长抑制作用及其分子机制.方法:MTT法测定样品对HepG-2细胞的增殖抑制,荧光染色观察细胞凋亡;比色法检测样品对HepG-2中caspase-3、caspase-8和caspase-9活性的影响,流式细胞仪检测并分析Fas蛋白表达的变化.结果:L2.3对HepG-2细胞表现出时间及剂量依赖性增殖抑制活性(P<0.05),其半数抑制质量浓度为43.0 μg/mL;处理组细胞中出现致密浓染亮蓝色凋亡小体.较高质量浓度的L2.3处理细胞后,caspase-3、8、9的活性均呈时间依赖性增高(P<0.01),且Fas蛋白的表达也明显上调(P<0.05).结论:荔枝核提取物L2.3对HepG-2细胞有体外增殖抑制活性,并介导 caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9活性改变及Fas蛋白表达的上调,以此诱导细胞凋亡的发生.     

Recovery of immunodeficient mice from a vaccinia virus/IL-2 recombinant infection

Vaccinia virus recombinants that express cloned genes encoding antigens of unrelated infectious agents, such as hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), provide a new approach to the development of live vaccines. Although there is evidence that genetically engineered vaccinia viruses have reduced pathogenicity a major obstacle to their use as vaccines is that severe complications can occur after vaccination, especially in immunodeficient individuals. We describe here a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing murine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and show that athymic nude mice infected with the recombinant virus resolve the virus infection rapidly whereas mice infected with control virus develop a progressive vaccinal disease. By incorporating the gene for IL-2 in live virus vaccines it may be possible to prevent the severe complications that arise in recipients with an impaired immune system.     

葛根黄酮提取物诱导HL-60细胞凋亡调控研究

用RT-PCR技术和蛋白质免疫印迹技术,检测caspase-8和caspase-3基因转录和蛋白质翻译水平的变化,以探讨葛根黄酮提取物诱导HL-60细胞凋亡的调控途径。结果表明,50μg/mL葛根总黄酮提取物可以上调caspase-8和caspase-3基因转录和蛋白质翻译水平,且其能力分别强于葛根素和大豆甙元单体;说明葛根黄酮提取物诱导HL-60细胞凋亡可能通过经F as死亡受体和/或线粒体途径共同介导执行,葛根黄酮提取物抑制诱导凋亡能力强于葛根素和大豆甙元单体。     

T-cell responses to human AIDS virus in macaques immunized with recombinant vaccinia viruses

There is much interest in developing vaccines against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by a retrovirus termed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Isolates of this virus include human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV). Several approaches towards the development of an AIDS vaccine result in the production of antibodies in subprimates. These methods involve the use of: antigens isolated from the AIDS virus; viral antigens expressed by transfected cells or by recombinant vaccinia viruses; and particular synthetic peptides of viral antigens. Because T-cell-mediated immunity (in addition to antibodies) is involved in resistance to diseases and death caused by various enveloped viruses, we sought to determine whether potential AIDS vaccines can induce T-cell responses against the AIDS virus. Here we report that immunization of non-human primates, Macaca fascicularis (macaques), with recombinant vaccinia viruses that express LAV envelope glycoproteins gp41 and gp110 results not only in the production of antibodies against the LAV envelope antigens but also in the generation of T-cells that proliferate and produce the lymphokine interleukin-2 (IL-2), in response to stimulation with purified LAV. We believe this is the first report demonstrating T-cell-mediated immunity to the virus that causes AIDS.     

Expression of AIDS virus envelope gene in recombinant vaccinia viruses

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease characterized by severe impairment of the patient's cell-mediated immune system. Several lines of evidence have indicated that the aetiological agent of AIDS is a group of T-lymphotropic retroviruses, variously known as lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV). Serological surveys have indicated that as many as one million people in the United States may have been infected by LAV/HTLV-III, and the spread of AIDS has become a global concern. The need for a better understanding of the viral immunology and for a vaccine against AIDS is self-evident. To this end, we have constructed recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the envelope (env) gene of LAV, and demonstrate here that cells infected with these viruses express immunoreactive proteins similar to those present on LAV virions. Experimental animals infected with these recombinant viruses elicited antibodies that specifically recognized LAV envelope proteins.     

HIV-1 gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes defined with recombinant vaccinia virus and synthetic peptides

Current candidate vaccines fail to protect primates against challenge with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the presence of antibody responses; this underlines the importance of studying cell-mediated immunity to HIV and identifying specific epitopes that stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Using a recombinant vaccinia virus to express the gag protein of HIV-1 we found HLA class-I-restricted gag-specific CTL in thirteen out of fifteen healthy HIV seropositive patients. We then used short synthetic peptides in the lysis assay to screen for gag CTL epitopes. In one patient we have identified a peptide in p24 that is recognized by CTL in association with HLA-B27. This peptide, and further peptide sequences defined by these methods, could be incorporated in vaccines designed to induce cell-mediated immunity against HIV.     

大连星海湾底栖海藻及其季节性变化

2006年9月至2007年8月对大连星海湾的底栖海藻进行了调查.共鉴定底栖海藻75种,隶属于31科44属.其中红藻门36种,褐藻门20种,绿藻门19种.结果表明,星海湾海藻的种数、生物量、垂直分布、生殖及其盛衰情况等都发生了明显的季节性变化;对该海区的区系性质作了分析,确定该海区海藻区系性质为暖温带性.     

热胁对海洋红藻及绿藻叶绿素荧光的影响

目的 :研究热胁对红藻带形蜈蚣藻和绿藻孔石莼叶绿素荧光的影响 ,探讨其作用机制 .方法 :采用叶绿素荧光动力学和荧光光谱的方法 ,测定 4 0℃下海藻叶绿素荧光随处理时间的变化 .结果 :带形蜈蚣藻的叶绿素荧光动力学曲线随受热时间呈规律性的变化 ,荧光强度先下降后上升 ,并有荧光的骤升现象 ,在达到最大值后 ,荧光就逐步跌落且不可逆转 .此时藻体的荧光光谱发生了显著变化 ,藻红蛋白的发射峰升高而藻蓝蛋白的发射峰下降 ,表明激发能从前者向后者的传递受阻 .孔石莼的荧光动力学曲线没有骤升现象 ,且受热过程中 ,藻体的荧光光谱没有显著变化 .结论 :热胁对两种海藻的作用机制不全相同 .