TANK-binding kinase-1 delineates innate and adaptive immune responses to DNA vaccines

Successful vaccines contain not only protective antigen(s) but also an adjuvant component that triggers innate immune activation and is necessary for their optimal immunogenicity. In the case of DNA vaccines, this consists of plasmid DNA; however, the adjuvant element(s) as well as its intra- and inter-cellular innate immune signalling pathway(s) leading to the encoded antigen-specific T- and B-cell responses remain unclear. Here we demonstrate in vivo that TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a non-canonical IkappaB kinase, mediates the adjuvant effect of DNA vaccines and is essential for its immunogenicity in mice. Plasmid-DNA-activated, TBK1-dependent signalling and the resultant type-I interferon receptor-mediated signalling was required for induction of antigen-specific B and T cells, which occurred even in the absence of innate immune signalling through a well known CpG DNA sensor-Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) or Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1, also known as DAI, which was recently reported as a potential B-form DNA sensor). Moreover, bone-marrow-transfer experiments revealed that TBK1-mediated signalling in haematopoietic cells was critical for the induction of antigen-specific B and CD4(+) T cells, whereas in non-haematopoietic cells TBK1 was required for CD8(+) T-cell induction. These data suggest that TBK1 is a key signalling molecule for DNA-vaccine-induced immunogenicity, by differentially controlling DNA-activated innate immune signalling through haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells.     

Genetic immunization is a simple method for eliciting an immune response.

To produce an immune reaction against a foreign protein usually requires purification of that protein, which is then injected into an animal. The isolation of enough pure protein is time-consuming and sometimes difficult. Here we report that such a response can also be elicited by introducing the gene encoding a protein directly into the skin of mice. This is achieved using a hand-held form of the biolistic system which can propel DNA-coated gold microprojectiles directly into cells in the living animal. Genetic immunization may be time- and labour-saving in producing antibodies and may offer a unique method for vaccination.     

Activation of the innate immune receptor Dectin-1 upon formation of a 'phagocytic synapse'

Innate immune cells must be able to distinguish between direct binding to microbes and detection of components shed from the surface of microbes located at a distance. Dectin-1 (also known as CLEC7A) is a pattern-recognition receptor expressed by myeloid phagocytes (macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils) that detects β-glucans in fungal cell walls and triggers direct cellular antimicrobial activity, including phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast to inflammatory responses stimulated upon detection of soluble ligands by other pattern-recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), these responses are only useful when a cell comes into direct contact with a microbe and must not be spuriously activated by soluble stimuli. In this study we show that, despite its ability to bind both soluble and particulate β-glucan polymers, Dectin-1 signalling is only activated by particulate β-glucans, which cluster the receptor in synapse-like structures from which regulatory tyrosine phosphatases CD45 and CD148 (also known as PTPRC and PTPRJ, respectively) are excluded (Supplementary Fig. 1). The 'phagocytic synapse' now provides a model mechanism by which innate immune receptors can distinguish direct microbial contact from detection of microbes at a distance, thereby initiating direct cellular antimicrobial responses only when they are required.     

RICK/Rip2/CARDIAK mediates signalling for receptors of the innate and adaptive immune systems

The immune system consists of two evolutionarily different but closely related responses, innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Each of these responses has characteristic receptors-Toll-like receptors (TLRs) for innate immunity and antigen-specific receptors for adaptive immunity. Here we show that the caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing serine/threonine kinase Rip2 (also known as RICK, CARDIAK, CCK and Ripk2) transduces signals from receptors of both immune responses. Rip2 was recruited to TLR2 signalling complexes after ligand stimulation. Moreover, cytokine production in Rip2-deficient cells was reduced on stimulation of TLRs with lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and double-stranded RNA, but not with bacterial DNA, indicating that Rip2 is downstream of TLR2/3/4 but not TLR9. Rip2-deficient cells were also hyporesponsive to signalling through interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 receptors, and deficient for signalling through Nod proteins-molecules also implicated in the innate immune response. Furthermore, Rip2-deficient T cells showed severely reduced NF-kappaB activation, IL-2 production and proliferation on T-cell-receptor (TCR) engagement, and impaired differentiation to T-helper subtype 1 (TH1) cells, indicating that Rip2 is required for optimal TCR signalling and T-cell differentiation. Rip2 is therefore a signal transducer and integrator of signals for both the innate and adaptive immune systems.     

功能性反应函数为x~(1/2)的食饵-捕食者系统的定性分析

研究功能性反应函数为x的食饵-捕食者系统dx/dt=x(a-bx1/2-x)-cyx1/2,dy/dt=y(-d ecx1/2),讨论了该系统的平衡点及极限环的存在性与唯一性及不存在性.     

Optimizing the Synthetic Conditions of LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)O_2 from a Carbonate Co-precipitation Method

1 Introduction As a promising cathode material for lithium ion batteries,LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 attracted intensive attentions.Owing to high specific capacity,long circle life and excellent safety,it may be an alternative candidate for LiCoO2.As a complex composite,however,it is difficult to synthesize phase-pure LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 by a simple mixed calcination method[1].From this concern,carbonate co-precipitation method,which can prepare homogeneous LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 with typical layered structure,bec...     

表面δ力与1P_(1/2)-1P_(1/2)和2S_(1/2)-2S_(1/2)壳层原子核结合能

本文用表面δ力(SDI)作为有效相互作用,计算了壳层原子核的结合能,计算结果与实验符合的相当好。说明在这两个壳层中包括非单满壳层的原子核用表面δ力来处理仍很成功。     

MDC1 is a mediator of the mammalian DNA damage checkpoint

To counteract the continuous exposure of cells to agents that damage DNA, cells have evolved complex regulatory networks called checkpoints to sense DNA damage and coordinate DNA replication, cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair. It has recently been shown that the histone H2A variant H2AX specifically controls the recruitment of DNA repair proteins to the sites of DNA damage. Here we identify a novel BRCA1 carboxy-terminal (BRCT) and forkhead-associated (FHA) domain-containing protein, MDC1 (mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1), which works with H2AX to promote recruitment of repair proteins to the sites of DNA breaks and which, in addition, controls damage-induced cell-cycle arrest checkpoints. MDC1 forms foci that co-localize extensively with gamma-H2AX foci within minutes after exposure to ionizing radiation. H2AX is required for MDC1 foci formation, and MDC1 forms complexes with phosphorylated H2AX. Furthermore, this interaction is phosphorylation dependent as peptides containing the phosphorylated site on H2AX bind MDC1 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. We have shown by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) that cells lacking MDC1 are sensitive to ionizing radiation, and that MDC1 controls the formation of damage-induced 53BP1, BRCA1 and MRN foci, in part by promoting efficient H2AX phosphorylation. In addition, cells lacking MDC1 also fail to activate the intra-S phase and G2/M phase cell-cycle checkpoints properly after exposure to ionizing radiation, which was associated with an inability to regulate Chk1 properly. These results highlight a crucial role for MDC1 in mediating transduction of the DNA damage signal.     

重组IL-5质粒pVAX1-mIL-5增强卵透明带DNA避孕疫苗黏膜免疫效能

目的:探讨利用白细胞介素5作为DNA疫苗佐剂增强黏膜免疫反应,提高卵透明带DNA避孕疫苗抗生育效能的可行性。方法:用pVAX1-m IL-5和卵透明带避孕疫苗pVAX1-pZP3α壳聚糖纳米微粒口服免疫雌性小鼠,共设3组,每组6只。A组单独用50μg pVAX1-pZP3α免疫;B组用疫苗加等量的pVAX1-m IL-5质粒为佐剂共免疫;C组为空白对照组。每组动物接受3次免疫(第0、3、6周)。采用ELISA法检测小鼠血清及阴道冲洗液中抗pZP3 IgA抗体。第10周雌雄交配,统计雌鼠怀孕情况;第16周取双侧卵巢作石蜡连续切片,光镜观察卵巢病理学变化。结果:B组全部小鼠血清抗体呈阳性反应,A组只有3只小鼠血清抗体呈阳性反应,且B组小鼠的抗体滴度水平均高于A组小鼠;抗生育率B组小鼠为100%,A组小鼠为50%,C组小鼠为0%,2检验分析结果表明各组间的差异有统计学意义,抗生育效能与交配时抗pZP3 IgA抗体的强度有关;卵巢切片的组织病理学观察结果表明,有抗生育效能的小鼠卵巢组织可观察到各级形态正常的卵泡,无淋巴细胞浸润,与对照组及无抗生育效能的小鼠卵巢结构无差异。结论:利用重组质粒pVAX1-m IL-5与卵...     

ATM phosphorylation of Nijmegen breakage syndrome protein is required in a DNA damage response

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is characterized by extreme radiation sensitivity, chromosomal instability and cancer. The phenotypes are similar to those of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) disease, where there is a deficiency in a protein kinase that is activated by DNA damage, indicating that the Nbs and Atm proteins may participate in common pathways. Here we report that Nbs is specifically phosphorylated in response to gamma-radiation, ultraviolet light and exposure to hydroxyurea. Phosphorylation of Nbs mediated by gamma-radiation, but not that induced by hydroxyurea or ultraviolet light, was markedly reduced in ATM cells. In vivo, Nbs was phosphorylated on many serine residues, of which S343, S397 and S615 were phosphorylated by Atm in vitro. At least two of these sites were underphosphorylated in ATM cells. Inactivation of these serines by mutation partially abrogated Atm-dependent phosphorylation. Reconstituting NBS cells with a mutant form of Nbs that cannot be phosphorylated at selected, ATM-dependent serine residues led to a specific reduction in clonogenic survival after gamma-radiation. Thus, phosphorylation of Nbs by Atm is critical for certain responses of human cells to DNA damage.     

Role of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in luteolysis—a minireview

This minireview summarized our recent studies on the role of plasminogen activator (PA) and inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in luteolysis. We have demonstrated that (1) both tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA) and a plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) were present in the corpus luteum of rat and rhesus monkey; (2) decrease in progesterone production in corpus luteum was well correlated with a sharp increase in tPA (but not uPA) and PAI-1 secretion; (3) exogenous tPA decreased luteal progesterone synthesis while monoclonal antibodies increased progesterone production; (4) interferony inhibited luteal progesterone synthesis and stimulated tPA production while LH plus prolactin increased progesterone production and decreased tPA (hut not uPA) activity in cultured luteal cells; (5) increase in proteolysis in the corpus luteum was also correlated with decrease in progesterone production in mouse. These data suggest that local degradation of extracellular matrix controlled by plasminogen activator and inhibitor is involved in the processes of luteolysis.     

Role of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in luteolysis——a minireview

This minireview summarized our recent studies on the role of plasminogen activator (PA) and inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in luteolysis. We have demonstrated that (1) both tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA) and a plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) were present in the corpus luteum of rat and rhesus monkey; (2) decrease in progesterone production in corpus luteum was well correlated with a sharp increase in tPA (but not uPA) and PAI-1 secretion; (3) exogenous tPA decreased luteal progesterone synthesis while monoclonal antibodies increased progesterone production; (4) interferon y inhibited luteal progesterone synthesis and stimulated tPA production while LH plus pro-lactin increased progesterone production and decreased tPA (but not uPA) activity in cultured luteal cells; (5) increase in proteolysis in the corpus luteum was also correlated with decrease in progesterone production in mouse. These data suggest that local degradation of extracellular matrix controlled by plasminogen activator and inhibitor is involved in the processes of luteolysis.     

The horizontal transmission of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 （CHV1） is affected by virus strains

The effects of virus strains on the virus transmission in Cryphonectria parasitica were observed in this study. In laboratory assays by replicating vegetative incompatibility （vic） genotypes in independent fungal isolates, we quantified the transmission of three CHV1 viruses between isolates heteroallelic at one or two vic loci, and demonstrated that different CHV1 virus isolates determined their transmission abilities. The results suggested that using the hypoviruses with higher transmission abilities could increase the efficiencies of the biological control of chestnut blight.