Anthrax lethal toxin: a weapon of multisystem destruction

Lethal toxin (LT) is a major virulence factor secreted by anthrax bacteria. It is composed of two proteins, PA (protective antigen) and LF (lethal factor). PA transports the LF inside the cell, where LF, a zinc-dependent metalloprotease cleaves the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) enzymes of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, thereby impairing their function. This disruption of the MAPK pathway, which serves essential functions such as proliferation, survival and inflammation in all cell types, results in multisystem dysfunction in the host. The inactivation of the MAPK pathway in both macrophages and dendritic cells leads to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, downregulation of costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86, and ineffective T cell priming. The net result is an impaired innate and adaptive immune response. Endothelial cells of the vascular system undergo apoptosis upon LT exposure, also likely due to inactivation of the MAPK pathway. The activity of various hormone receptors such as glucocorticoids, progesterone and estrogen is also blocked, due to inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation, thus affecting the bodys response to stress. The present review summarizes the various disarming effects of Bacillus anthracis through the use of a single weapon, the lethal toxin.Received 12 June 2004; received after revision 13 July 2004; accepted 28 July 2004     

运动与巨噬细胞的研究进展

巨噬细胞(Mφ)是参与免疫应答的重要细胞。中、小强度的运动使巨噬细胞的吞噬能力增强,而大强度运动使巨噬细胞的吞噬能力下降;同时运动也使机体内一些神经递质、激素的分泌水平发生变化,而激素、神经递质的改变又影响神经内分泌系统对巨噬细胞的免疫调节作用。     

第三次免疫应答的研究

利用T细胞的平行分化模型研究了第三次免疫应答的性质，对传统的猜测提出了质疑，有助于疫苗的设计。     

一氧化氮的生物学作用研究

一氧化氮具有广泛的生理功能,对血管活动、胃肠运动具有调节作用,而且参与了神经信息的传递,与机体免疫也有密切关系。一氧化氮过量释放可导致神经毒性。     

薏苡仁酯对荷瘤小鼠红细胞免疫功能及Na~+,K~+-ATPase活性的影响

薏苡仁酯对荷瘤小鼠红细胞免疫功能具有显著的促进作用，对红细胞膜上的Ｎａ＋，Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ有抑制作用。其抑制作用呈量效正相关。薏苡仁酯的后一作用可能是其促进荷瘤小鼠红细胞免疫功能的机理之一。     

车站计算机联锁设备抗扰度检测的研究

考虑到铁路信号设备抗干扰的特殊性 ,在对铁路现场电气化铁道干扰及设备有关数据进行理论分析的基础上 ,提出了计算机联锁设备在电源谐波、共地阻抗耦合、输入和输出电路耦合、数据通信方面的抗扰度检测项目和等级要求 .同时提出了测试方法 ,以评估受试设备的抗干扰性能 .     

肠内免疫营养对手术创伤患者营养支持效果及对免疫功能的影响

研究肠内免疫营养和普通肠内营养对腹部手术创伤后患者的不同作用 .40例腹部中等以上手术患者随机分为肠内免疫营养组 (研究组)和普通肠内营养组 (对照组 ) ,分别于术后第2～8d予等热卡 (1 2 5 .4kJ/ (kg·d) )营养支持 .用药期间留 2 4h尿粪定氮 ,于术前 1d和术后 9d测体重、上臂周径及三头肌皮皱厚度 ,术前 1d、术后 5d、术后 9d检测血清总蛋白、白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白 ,术前 1d、术后 1d和术后 9d检测血清IgG、IgM、IgA、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8、白介素 1_α、白介素_2、白介素_6、白介素_1 0、肿瘤坏死因子_α.结果表明 ,经过一周的营养支持 ,与普通肠内营养组相比 ,免疫营养组转铁蛋白、IgA、CD4、CD4/CD8显著增加 ,IgA差值、CD4/CD8差值亦显著增加 .说明肠内免疫营养可有效改善腹部手术创伤后患者营养状况 ,同时可改善患者的免疫功能 ,促进患者的尽早恢复     

蒜氨酸增强昆明小鼠免疫调节功能的研究

以昆明小鼠为动物模型，用蒜氨酸溶液连续灌胃30d，观察蒜氨酸对昆明小鼠免疫调节功能的影响．结果显示，蒜氨酸能显著提高小鼠细胞免疫功能、体液免疫功能和巨噬细胞吞噬功能．     

Schistosome vaccines

Summary Schistosomiasis control currently relies primarily on chemotherapy which is both expensive and temporary. There is an urgent need for an effective vaccine. Studies in animal models and man have demonstrated the existence of protective immunity. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity mechanisms involving eosinophils and macrophages have been implemented in destruction of the parasites. Antigens expressed on the surface of the schistosomulum are among the targets of protective immune responses. Vaccines comprising recombinant antigens are now being tested in vivo for their capacity to evoke protective responses. Live oral vaccines based on attenuatedSalmonella expressing schistosomular surface antigens are being developed.