Rudimentary study on humanization of porcine red blood cells:Enzymatic removal of galactose-α1,3-galactose antigen from porcine red blood cell

The serological and biochemical characterization of porcine red blood cells (pRBCs) are similar to human red blood cells,Porcine erythrocytes are considered as an alternative source for human blood transfusion.But there exist galactose-α1,3-galactose antigens (Galα1,3Galβ1,4galNAc-R,abbreviated αGal antigen ) on pRBCs,which can induce anti-αGai antibodies in human serum ,The αGal epitopes are the major antigen responsible for hyperacute rejection in exnotransfusion .In this study ,recombined soybean α-galactosidase (rSα-GalE) was used to remove the αGal antigens from pPRCs for humanization .The results showed that αGal antigen was eleared by rSα-GalE and the structure and function of rSα-GalE treated pRBC were normal.     

Human RBCs blood group conversion from A to O using a novel α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase of high specific activity

α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase （αNAGA） can convert group A human red blood cells （RBCs） to group O. One novel αNAGA gene was cloned by PCR from Elizabethkingia meningosepticum Isolated from a domestic clinical sample. Pure recombinant αNAGA was obtained by genetic engineering and protein purification with a calculated molecule of 49.6 kD. αNAGA was selective for terminal α-N-acetylgalacto- samine residue with a high specific activity, αNAGA could completely remove A antigens of 1 U （about 100 mL） group A1 or A2 RBCs in 1 h at pH 6.8 and 25℃ with s consumption of 1.5 or 0.4 mg recombinant enzyme. Enzyme-converted group A RBCs did not agglutinate after being mixed with monoclonal snti-A or sere of groups A, B, AB and O. Other blood group antigens except ABO had no change. FCM analysis showed that A antigens and A1 antigens disappeared while H antigens increased. It indicated that αNAGA successfully converted human blood group A RBCs to universally transfusable group O RBCs without the risk of ABO-incompaUble transfusion reactions. This αNAGA was suitable for producing universal RBCs to increase clinical transfusion safety, improve the RBCs supply, and to decrease transfusion cost and support transfusion service in case of emergency.     

SPECIAL TOPICS:Proteomic analysis of immunocamouflaged surfaces

The transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) is a critical component in the treatment of a number of acute and chronic medical problems. Indeed, approximately 75 million units of whole blood     

HLA－G inhibits xenogenetic cytotoxicity mediated by human NK cells and T lymphocytes against PECs

In order to investigate whether the non-classical HLA-G class I molecule protects the prcine endothelial cells(PECs)from the lysis mediated by human immune cells in pig to human discordant xenotransplantation,we have cloned HLA-G cDNA from a human placents by RT-PCR.Mammalian expression vector,pEFG-neo,was constructed by insertion of HLA-G cDNA in pEF-neo.We obtained efficiently expressed PECs by stable transfection.Cytotoxicity assay showed that overexpression of HLA-G on PECs was sufficient to inhibit human NK-92 cell lysis.The level of lysis was equal to or less than that of the lysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells mediated by human NK-92 cells.It also indicated that HLA-G inhibited the lysis of PECs mediated by xeno-antigen specific T lymphocytes.The reduction of lysis ranged between 59.1% and 88.9A%.These findings suggest that the transgenic approach to overexpress HLA-G is believed to be a new immunotherapy in overconing the immune rejections in xenotransplantion,including delayed xenograft rejection and cell-mediated rejection.     

Down-regulation of αGal epitopes by co-transfection of α1,3-galactosidase gene and α1,2–fucosyltransferase gene

The polycarbohydrate structure of Galα1- 3Ga1β1-4GluNAc-R （known as αGal epitopes of xenoantigen）, produced by α1-3-galactosyltransferase （α1,3-GT） in the course of animal development, is the major xenoantigen on the cell surface of porcine which causes hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Alpha-1,3-galactosidase （AGL）, a hydrolytic enzyme, can remove the terminal α1,3-galactosyi from the Galα1-3Galβ1-4GluNAc-R structure resulting in cleaning αGai epitopes from the porcine cells. Aipha-1,2-fucosyitransferase （HT） can modify the surface carbohydrate phenotype of porcine cells, bringing about reduction of αGai epitopes expression. In this study, human AGL and HT gene were co-transfected to porcine fetal fibroblast （PFFb） in equimolar concentration to reduce the xenoantigen. Gene and protein of hAGL and HT were both detected to express at high level by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. There was an 84% reduction in αGai xenoantigen and an 82% increase in H antigen as assayed by flow cytometry in the AGL and HT gene co-transfected PFFb. The number and morphology of transgenic PFFb chromosome were normal. Findings indicate that Galα1-3Gal epitopes of PFFb could be down regulated by AGL and HT co-transfection without deleterious effects on the chromosomal profile of the transgenic ceil.     

Characterization of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared by transfor- mation of α-FeOOH

γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a chemically induced transformation of α-FeOOH.In this method,the precursor(α-FeOOH)was prepared by chemical precipitation,and then treated with a mixed FeCl2/NaOH solution to produce the nanoparticles.X-ray diffraction indicated that when the precursor was treated with FeCl2(0.22 mol/L)and NaOH(0.19 mol/L),pure γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were obtained.However,when the concentration of FeCl2 was<0.22 mol/L or the concentration of NaOH was<0.19 mol/L,α-FeOOH and γ-Fe2O3 phases co-existed in the nanoparticles.Transmission electron microscopy observations showed that in the samples with co-existing phases,the nanoparticles did not have identical morphologies.The pure γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were polygonal rather than spherical.The volume ratio of α-FeOOH and γ-Fe2O3 was estimated for the two-phase samples from magnetization data obtained from a vibrating sample magnetometer.This chemically induced transformation is novel,and could provide an effective route for the synthesis of other metal oxide nanocrystallites.     

Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion in adult cocks

The effects ofpolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on reproduction of adult cocks were studied by gavaging peanut oil or PCBs (Aroclor 1254, 50 mg/kg) once a week for six consecutive weeks. Physiological parameters were recorded and gonads were removed at the end of experiment for histological examination. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the control and treatment group in body weight, respiration rate, heart rate, body temperature, and the numbers of red and white blood cells. However, there was a marked decrease in the testicular weight and serum testosterone level after PCB treatment. Morphological studies manifested severe damage of the seminiferous tubules by PCB. The number of the germ cells at the different developmental stages was decreased and condensed nuclei were observed in most of these cells. This study revealed that the reproductive function of the adult cocks is sensitive to PCBs, which inhibited mainly spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion.     

Expression of PHGPx in mammalian cells and its antiviral effect against coxsackievirus group B

To express human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in eukaryotic cells and to study its antiviral effect against Coxsackievirus B3m (CVB3m) in vitro, PHGPx cDNA was amplified from a human testis library using specific primers and cloned into expression vector pcDNA3. I/His. Expression of PHGPx was performed in COS-1 cells. The antiviral effect was studied by the treatment of HeLa cells with the recombinant PHGPx. Results showed that the activity of PHGPx expressed in COS-1 cells was 5-fold higher than that in control group, and it inhibited the cytopathic effect on HeLa cells caused by CVB3m. It can be concluded that recombinant PHGPx expressed in COS-1 cells has antiviral effect against CVB3m in vitro.     

Expression of PHGPx in mammalian cells and its antiviral effect against coxsackievirus group

To express human phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in eukaryotic cells and to study its antiviral effect against Coxsackievirus B3m (CVB3m) in vitro， PHGPx cDNA was amplified from a human testis library using specific primers and cloned into expression vector pcDNA3.1His. Expression of PHGPx was performed in COS-1 cells. The antiviral effect was studied by the treatment of HeLa cells with the recombinant PHGPx. Results showed that the activity of PHGPx expressed in COS-1 cells was 5-fold higher than that in control group, and it inhibited the cytopathic effect on HeLa cells caused by CVB3m. It can be concluded that recombinant PHGPx expressed in COS-1 cells has antiviral effect against CVB3m in vitro.     

An aqueous extract of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan alters the labeling of blood constituents with Technetium-99m

The Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is a formula of a traditional Chinese medicine that is used to treat asthma patients and has been shown to have several important properties,such as antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.The influence of an extract of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m was investigated.Anticoagulated blood(Wistar rats) was incubated with the extract,stannous chloride and technetium-99m,as sodium pertechnetate.Samples were centrifuged and aliquots of plasma and blood cells were separated and precipitated with trichloroacetic acid,to obtain soluble and insoluble fractions of the blood constituents.The percentage of radioactivity(%ATI) in all the fractions was determined.The analysis of the results shows that the extract at the highest concentration used(70 mg/mL) decreased significantly(P<0.05) the %ATI(from 96.48 ± 1.19 to 54.46 ± 7.38) on blood cells compartment,(from 81.11 ± 4.15 to 61.33 ± 4.74) on insoluble fractions of blood cells and(from 65.91 ± 2.44 to 13.15 ± 3.62) on insoluble fractions of plasma.In conclusion,the results suggest that the substances present on this extract can alter this labeling process,probably due to(i) redox properties(antioxidant and chelator activities) and/or(ii) specific actions in the binding sites where the 99mTc would be bound on the blood constituents.As a consequence,precaution is suggested on the interpretation of the nuclear medicine results from performed with blood constituents labeled with 99m Tc in patients that have undertaken LWDHW,although the current findings were obtained in experimental animal models.     

Effect of lead exposure on the immune function of lymphocytes and erythrocytes in preschool children

Objective: To investigate the influence of lead exposure on the immune function of lymphocytes and erythrocytes in preschool children. Materials and methods: A group of 217 children three to six years of age from a rural area were given a thorough physical examination and the concentration of lead in blood samples taken from each subject was determined. The indices of lymphocyte immunity (CD^ 3CD^ 4, CD^ 3CD^ 8, CD^ 4CD^ 8, CDˉ3CD^ 19) and erythrocyte immunity (RBC-C3b, RBC-IC, RFER, RFIR, CD35 and its average fluorescence intensity) of 40 children with blood lead levels above 0.483 μmol/L were measured and compared with a control group. Results: The blood lead levels of the 217 children ranged from 0.11 μmol/L to 2.11 μmol/L. The CD^ 3CD^ 4and CD^ 4CD^ 8 cells were lower (P＜0.01) and the CD^ 3CD^ 8 cells were higher in the lead-poisoned subjects than those in the control group (P＜0.05). CD^ 3 and CDˉ3CD^ 19 did not show significant differences. Although the RBC-C3b rosette forming rate was lower and the RBC-IC rosette forming rate was higher in the lead-poisoned group, this difference could not be shown to be statistically significant (P＞0.05). RFIR was found to be lower in the lead-poisoned group (P＜0.01). Compared with the control group, the positive rate of CD35 was not found to be significantly different in a group of 25 lead-poisoned children (P＞0.05), while the average fluorescence intensity was lower in the lead-poisoned group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Lead exposure can result in impaired immune function oft lymphocytes and erythrocytes in preschool children.     

Distribution of a-MSH-like immunoreactive cells in the nervous system,Hatschek's pit and other tissues of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunohistochemical localization of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone （α-MSH） in the nervous system, Hatschek＇s pit and other tissues of amphioxus （Branchiostorna belcheri） was performed using the antibody against synthetic α-MSH. The results revealed that α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells were distributed at the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, the dorsal side and the surrounding of nerve tube, and in the epithelial cells of Hatschek＇s pit, the zone 1, 3, and 6 of endostyle and gut. The immunoreactive substance was also found in the primary oocytes of the small and large growth stage of ovary and early stage spermatogenic cells in testis. These findings indicate that α-MSH is an ancient and highly conserved hormone and it is extensively distributed in amphioxus. Although Hatschek＇s pit in amphioxus does not have a structure of the intermediate lobe of vertebrate adenohypophysis, it has already hosted α-MSH-like endocrine cells, implying that the functional differentiation of α-MSH-like cells occurred earlier than the differentiation of the tissue structure. The results of the present study provided a new evidence for the endocrinology of Hatschek＇s pit and for the origin and evolution of vertebrate adenohypophysis.     

Vitamin E Processed Using Methylation of Non-α-Tocopherol

Vitamin E is a group of naturally-occurring compounds often chemically elucidated as a series of homologues mainly consisting of α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols. All of those compounds show the biological function of tocopherol while α-tocopherol exhibits the strongest. To improve its biological function, non-α-tocopherol can be successfully converted into α-tocopherol by methylation. A novel process was developed to efficiently convert non-α-tocopherol (in this case γ-tocopherol) into α-tocopherol by methylolation-reduction. The conversion was confirmed by NMR-H(nuclear magnetic resonance-H)spectroscopy on the final product and the reactants. The NMR-H analysis of the material and specific product contents shows that the non-α-tocopherol methylation of mixture of all four tocopherols proceeds as expected with no intermediate materials remaining in the product.     

Therapeutic induction of angiogenesis by direct myocardial administration of an adenovirus vector encoding human hepatocyte growth factor gene and its safety

After the study in vitro and in rats, we assessed further the effects and safety of local angiogen therapy using intramyocardial delivery of an adenovirus carrying hepatocyte growth factor gene (Ad-HGF) in a canine ischemia model. The angiogenic activity of Ad-HGF was evaluated from three aspects. First, the augmentation of collateral vessel development was assessed by angiography 30 d after surgery. The results showed that the density of collateral vessels in treated group was higher than that of control group. Secondly, infarct size was evaluated by TTC staining and image analysis. The results showed that the infarct size of treated group was smaller than that of control group. Thirdly, the myocardial regional blood flow was determined by the method of colored microspheres. The results showed that the blood flow recovered to the level before ligation in treated group, but that of the control group was lower than normal level. In addition, during the study of chronic toxicity, we tested the anti-adenovirus antibodies by neutralization method. The antibodies yielded after the fourth injection decreased slowly from peak level and disappeared 12 weeks after drug withdrawal. Overall, Ad-HGF can promote angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium and reduce infarct size. So this method may be considered as a therapeutic angiogenesis induction strategy for ischemic disease including myocardial infarction and peripheral artery disease. At the same time, Ad-HGF could induce the yield of anti-adenovirus antibodies to neutralize adenovirus, which may be the mechanism of adenovirus clearance.     

Distribution of α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells in the nervous system, Hatschek''''s pit and other tissues of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunohistochemical localization of a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and other tissues of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) was performed using the antibody against synthetic α-MSH. The results revealed that α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells were distributed at the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, the dorsal side and the surrounding of nerve tube, and in the epithelial cells of Hatschek's pit, the zone 1, 3, and 6 of endostyle and gut. The immunoreactive substance was also found in the primary oocytes of the small and large growth stage of ovary and early stage spermatogenic cells in testis. These findings indicate that α-MSH is an ancient and highly conserved hormone and it is extensively distributed in amphioxus. Although Hatschek's pit in amphioxus does not have a structure of the intermediate lobe of vertebrate adenohypophysis, it has already hosted α-MSH-like endocrine cells, implying that the functional differentiation of α-MSH-like cells occurred earlier than the differentiation of the tissue structure. The results of the present study provided a new evidence for the endocrinology of Hatschek's pit and for the origin and evolution of vertebrate adenohypophysis.     

Inhibition of free radical induced oxidative hemolysis of red blood cells by green tea polyphenols

The in vitro oxidative hemolysis of human red blood cells (RBC) was used as a model to study the free radical induced damage of biological membranes and the inhibitory effect of natural antioxidants. The hemolysis was induced by a water-soluble free radical initiator 2,2′-azo(2- asmidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH) and inhibited by the principal polyphenolic components extracted from green tea leaves, i.e. (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicat- echin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and gallic acid (GA). Addition of AAPH at 37°C caused fast hemolysis after a short period of inhibition period, while addition of the green tea polyphenols efficiently suppressed the hemolysis in the activity sequence of EGCG＞EGC＞ECG≈EC＞GA, demonstrating that these green tea polyphenols are effective antioxidants which could protect biological membranes from free radical induced oxidative damage.     

Comparative study on the effect of integrin αvβ3 on secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human normal and carcinoma trophoblasts

The invasion of cytotrophoblast cells into the maternal endometrium during embryonic implantation is very similar to the metastasis of carcinoma cells. However, the significant difference is that the former is a highly controlled process. In this report, the effects of integrin αvβ3 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) were compared between normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells by RT-PCR, gelatin zymography and immunocytochemistry. The results reveal that both normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells can express integrin αvβ3. The secretion of MMPs in normal cytotrophoblast cells is up-regulated by anti-αvβ3 antibody, whereas, decreased in choriocarcinoma cells. It was suggested that αvβ3 can modulate the expression of MMPs in trophoblasts, and this action is carried out through distinct mechanisms in normal and carcinoma cytotrophoblast cells.     

Comparative study on the effect of integrin αvβ3 on secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human normal and carcinoma trophoblasts

The invasion of cytotrophoblast cells into the maternal endometrium during embryonic implantation is very similar to the metastasis of carcinoma cells. However, the significant difference is that the former is a highly controlled process. In this report, the effects of integrin αvβ3 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) were compared between normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells by RT-PCR, gelatin zymography and immunocytochemistry. The results reveal that both normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells can express integrin αvβ3. The secretion of MMPs in normal cytotrophoblast ceils is up-regulated by anti-αvβ3 antibody, whereas, decreased in choriocarcinoma cells. It was suggested that αvβ3 can modulate the expression of MMPs in trophoblasts, and this action is carried out through distinct mechanisms in normal and carcinoma cytotrophoblast cells.     

Human nectin-like 1, a novel membrane protein interacting with protein 4.1 R

Human nectin-like 1 (NECL1) full-length cDNA was cloned by bioinformatics method when searching for candidate membrane proteins interacting with members of protein 4.1 family. The cytoplasmic and extracellular regions of NECL1 were expressed in and purified from E. coli, and the polyclonal antibody was produced. Interaction between the cytoplasmic region of NECL1 and the 30 kD membrane binding domain of protein 4.1 on red blood cell (4. 1R) was demonstrated by IAsys-biosensor system and GST pull-down experiment. Results of biotin-labeled peptide ELISA further demonstrated the key amino acids for the binding. The interaction research of NECL1's cytoplasmic domain provides basis for further study of the functions of NECL1 in nervous system.