A phase 3 randomized, open-label study evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of concomitant and staggered administration of a live, pentavalent rotavirus vaccine and an inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine in healthy infants in China.

This open-label, randomized, phase 3 study in China (V260-074; NCT04481191) evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of concomitant and staggered administration of three doses of an oral, live, pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) and three doses of an intramuscular, inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) in 400 healthy infants. The primary objective was the non-inferiority of neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses in the concomitant- versus the staggered-use groups. Antibody responses were measured at baseline and 1-month post-dose 3 (PD3). Parents/legal guardians recorded adverse events for 30 or 15 d after study vaccinations in the concomitant-use or staggered-use groups, respectively. At PD3, >98% of participants seroconverted to all three poliovirus types, and the primary objective was met as lower bounds of the two-sided 95% CI for between-group difference in nAb seroconversion percentages ranged from - 4.3% to - 1.6%, for all poliovirus types, p < .001. At PD3, geometric mean titers (GMTs) of nAb responses to poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 in the concomitant-use group and the staggered-use group were comparable; 100% of participants had nAb titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:64 for all poliovirus types. Anti-rotavirus serotype-specific IgA GMTs and participants with ≥3-fold rise in postvaccination titers from baseline were comparable between groups. Administration of RV5 and IPV was well tolerated with comparable safety profiles in both groups. The immunogenicity of IPV in the concomitant-use group was non-inferior to the staggered-use group and RV5 was immunogenic in both groups. No safety concerns were identified. These data support the concomitant use of RV5 and IPV in healthy Chinese infants.

Immunogenicity and safety of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine in Chinese females 9-45 years of age: A phase 3 open-label study.

BACKGROUND: The 9-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV; HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine was approved for use in Chinese women aged 16-26 years in 2018. This phase 3, open-label study (NCT03903562) compared 9vHPV vaccine immunogenicity and safety in Chinese females aged 9-19 years and 27-45 years with Chinese females aged 20-26 years; we report results from day 1 through 1 month post-Dose 3. The study will continue through 54 months post-Dose 3 to assess antibody persistence in Chinese girls aged 9-19 years. METHODS: Participants aged 9-45 years received three doses of the 9vHPV vaccine. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion percentages for anti-HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 antibodies were determined by competitive Luminex immunoassay in serum samples obtained at day 1 and 1 month post-Dose 3. Adverse events (AEs) within 30 days post-vaccination and serious AEs (SAEs) occurring at any time were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 1990 participants (690 aged 9-19 years; 650 aged 20-26 years; 650 aged 27-45 years) were enrolled. At 1 month post-Dose 3, >99% of participants in the per-protocol immunogenicity population seroconverted to each vaccine HPV type. Anti-HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 antibody GMTs in the 9-19-year age group were non-inferior to those in participants aged 20-26 years. Anti-HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 seroconversion percentages in the 27-45-year age group were non-inferior to those in participants aged 20-26 years. Injection-site and systemic AEs were reported by 43.3% and 50.9%, 50.5% and 57.1%, and 43.8% and 43.4% of participants aged 9-19, 20-26, and 27-45 years, respectively. There were no vaccine-related SAEs, discontinuations due to AEs, and deaths. CONCLUSION: Antibody responses induced by 9vHPV vaccination in Chinese females aged 9-19 years and 27-45 years were non-inferior to those in Chinese females aged 20-26 years. The vaccine was generally well tolerated. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT03903562.

Immunogenicity and safety of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in Chinese females aged 9 to 26 years: A phase 3, open-label, immunobridging study.

BACKGROUND: The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV; HPV6/11/16/18) vaccine was approved for use in Chinese women aged 20-45 years in 2017. This Phase 3, open-label study (NCT03493542) aimed to assess immunogenicity and safety of the qHPV vaccine in Chinese girls aged 9-19 years versus Chinese young women aged 20-26 years; we report results from Day 1 through Month 7. The study will continue through Month 60 to assess antibody persistence in Chinese girls aged 9-19 years. METHODS: Participants aged 9-26 years received three doses of the qHPV vaccine (Day 1, Month 2, Month 6). Geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion percentages for anti-HPV6/11/16/18 antibodies were determined by competitive Luminex immunoassay (cLIA) in serum samples obtained on Day 1 and at Month 7. Injection-site adverse events (AEs) and systemic AEs within 30 days post-vaccination, and serious AEs (SAEs) occurring at any time during the study, were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 766 participants (383 aged 9-19 years; 383 aged 20-26 years) were enrolled and received ≥1 vaccine dose. All participants in the per-protocol immunogenicity population of both age groups seroconverted to each of the vaccine HPV types at Month 7. Anti-HPV6/11/16/18 antibody GMTs at Month 7 in participants aged 9-19 years were non-inferior to those in participants aged 20-26 years. Injection-site AEs and systemic AEs were reported by 36.6% and 49.3% of 9-19-year-olds, and 40.7% and 54.8% of 20-26-year-olds, respectively. There were no vaccine-related SAEs. No participants discontinued the vaccine due to an AE and no deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: Antibody responses induced by the 3-dose qHPV vaccination regimen in Chinese girls aged 9-19 years were non-inferior to those in Chinese young women aged 20-26 years. The vaccine was generally well tolerated in the study population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03493542.

Morphology Evolution and Rheological Behaviors of PP/SR Thermoplastic Vulcanizate.

The thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) of polypropylene (PP)/silicone rubber (SR) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization (DV) technology. The mixing torque, morphology, viscoelasticity, and creep response of PP/SR TPVs were investigated by torque rheometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), rotational rheometer, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). A mixing-torque study showed that torque change and dynamic-vulcanization time increased with SR content increasing in the DV process, but DV rate was independent of SR content. TEM images indicated that the phase inversion of PP/SR-60 TPV from bicontinuous to a sea⁻island structure took place in the DV process, and a hot press would break the rubber aggregates and shrink a large SR phase. Dynamic-strain measurement demonstrated that PP/SR TPVs exhibit a distinct "Payne effect", which can be attributed to the destruction and reconstruction of SR physical networks. Complex viscosity indicated that SR content did not affect the processability of PP/SR TPVs at high shear rates. Furthermore, the creep deformation and recovery of PP/SR TPVs at solid and melt states were studied, respectively.

Immunogenicity of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Chinese infants.

BACKGROUND: A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted in China to assess the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeqTM, RV5) among Chinese infants. The efficacy and safety data have been previously reported. This report presents the immunogenicity data of the study. METHODS: 4,040 infants aged 6-12 weeks were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 3 oral doses of RV5 or placebo. Trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) and diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) were administered in a staggered-use (N = 3,240) or concomitant-use (N = 800) schedule. Immunogenicity of RV5 was evaluated in 800 participants (400 participants from each staggered- and concomitant-use immunogenicity subgroup). Geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroresponse rates (≥3-fold rise from baseline to PD3) were measured for anti-rotavirus IgA in the staggered- and concomitant-use subgroups and measured for serum neutralizing antibodies (SNAs) to human rotavirus serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, P1A[8] in the staggered-use subgroup. Immune responses to tOPV and DTaP co-administered with RV5 were also evaluated in the concomitant-use immunogenicity subgroup. (ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT02062385) RESULTS: The PD3 GMT and seroresponse rate of anti-rotavirus IgA were higher in the RV5 group (82.42 units/mL, 89.4%) compared to the placebo group (0.33 units/mL, 10.1%). Rotavirus type-specific SNA responses were also higher in the RV5 group compared to the placebo group. In the concomitant-use subgroup, the seroprotection rates of anti-poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 in the participants who received RV5 were non-inferior to those who received placebo, and the antibody responses to DTaP antigens were comparable between the two vaccination groups. CONCLUSIONS: RV5 was immunogenic in Chinese infants. Immune responses induced by tOPV and DTaP were not affected by the concomitant use of RV5.

Safety of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial among Chinese women during 90 months of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: A quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine (HPV6/11/16/18) has demonstrated efficacy and acceptable safety in international studies. However, these studies did not include participants from mainland China, which has a substantial burden of HPV-related disease. This is the first safety report with a follow-up period of up to 90 months from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of qHPV vaccine in Chinese women 20-45 years of age. METHODS: Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive three doses of qHPV vaccine or placebo (Day1, Month 2, and Month 6). Efficacy outcomes are reported elsewhere. Injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) were collected using vaccination report cards (VRCs) for 15 days following each vaccination. Serious AEs (SAEs), pregnancy outcomes, new medical conditions, and fetal/infant SAEs were collected during the entire study. RESULTS: Of 3006 participants randomized, AEs were reported by 926 (61.8%) qHPV vaccine recipients and 856 (57.1%) placebo recipients over the entire study. Four participants (two in each group) discontinued the study vaccination due to AEs that were considered vaccination-related. Within 15 days following any vaccination, injection-site AEs prompted for on the VRC were more frequent among qHPV vaccine recipients (37.6% vs 27.8%), and systemic AEs prompted for on the VRC were similar in frequency between qHPV vaccine and placebo groups (46.8% vs 45.1%). Thirty-eight and 43 participants reported SAEs in qHPV vaccine and placebo groups, respectively. No SAE was considered qHPV vaccine-related. Pregnancy outcomes, fetal/infant SAEs, and new medical conditions were generally similar in frequency between the qHPV vaccine and placebo groups, and within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: The qHPV vaccine was well tolerated and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese women 20-45 years of age, consistent with findings from global trials and safety surveillance studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00834106.

Evaluation on the persistence of anti-HPV immune responses to the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in Chinese females and males: Up to 3.5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: This was an extension study of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled immunogenicity and safety study of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) (HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine conducted in Chinese female subjects aged 9-45 years and male subjects aged 9-15 years. To investigate the persistence of anti-HPV 6, -11, -16, and -18 responses among Chinese subjects, subjects enrolled in the base study were followed up at around month 42 (approximately 3.5 years after vaccination). METHODS: Among 600 subjects enrolled in the base study, a total of 468 subjects consented for participation in the extension study. Anti-HPV 6, -11, -16, and -18 antibodies were detected by the competitive Luminex immunoassay (cLIA) and total IgG Luminex immunoassay (IgG LIA). RESULTS: Among the female subjects who received the qHPV vaccine, the proportions of subjects remained seropositive were high with both the cLIA and IgG LIA for HPV type 6, 11, and 16 through approximately 42 months following the first dose vaccination. For HPV 18, the seropositivity rate remained high as 82.0% with the IgG LIA, while it decreased to 53.6% with the cLIA, which was similar to the findings observed in other studies. The seropositivity rates remained high at month 42 for all qHPV types with both the cLIA and IgG LIA among the male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of a 3-dose regimen of qHPV vaccine induces durable anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18 responses among Chinese subjects for at least 3.5 years after vaccination. ClinicalTrials.gov registry:NCT01427777.

Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract inhibits cholesterol metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma through upregulation of PCSK9.

Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract (acRoots) is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-tumor efficacy. To investigate the mechanisms responsible for this activity, we examined the effects of acRoots on cholesterol metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). mRNA chip analysis was used to identify the metabolic genes regulated by acRoots. The effects of acRoots on cholesterol synthesis and uptake were evaluated by measuring intracellular cholesterol levels and 3,3'-dioctadecylindocarbocyanine-labeled low-density lipoprotein (Dil-LDL) uptake. Expression of metabolic genes was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry. acRoots reduced the viability of LM3 and HepG2 cells at 5 mg/mL and HL-7702 cells at 30 mg/mL. Gene expression profiling revealed that treatment with acRoots altered expression of genes involved in immune responses, inflammation, proliferation, cell cycle control, and metabolism. We also confirmed that acRoots enhances expression of PCSK9, which is important for cholesterol metabolism. This resulted in decreased LDL receptor expression, inhibition of LDL uptake by LM3 cells, decreased total intracellular cholesterol, and reduced proliferation. These effects were promoted by PCSK9 overexpression and rescued by PCSK9 knockdown. Our data demonstrate that acRoots is a novel anti-tumor agent that inhibits cholesterol metabolism though a PCSK9-mediated signaling pathway.

Regulatory roles of epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators in lung cancer.

Lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths can be initiated and progressed by the interaction between dynamically genetic and epigenetic elements, although mechanisms mediating lung cancer development and progression remain unclear. Tumor progenitor genes may contribute to lung carcinogenesis and cancer progression, are epigenetically disrupted at the early stages of malignancies even before mutations, and alter cell differentiation throughout tumor evolution. The present review explores potential roles and mechanisms of epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators in the development of lung cancer. We also overviewed potential mechanisms by which epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators control and regulate 3D nuclear architectures, and discussed translational efforts to epigenetic modifications for treatment of lung cancer. Deep understanding of epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators will benefit the discovery and development of new diagnostics and therapies for lung cancer.

Actinidia chinensis Planch root extract (acRoots) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting EP3 expression.

A wide range of studies has demonstrated the potent anticancer activity of Chinese herbs. Here, we evaluated the anticancer activity and molecular mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis root extract (acRoots) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HepG2 HCC cells were treated with various concentrations of acRoots for 72 h and examined by mRNA expression profiling, revealing alterations in cellular immunity, inflammation, proliferation, cell cycle, and metabolic signaling responses. Further analysis of the altered genes in cellular immunity and inflammation gene clusters identified prostaglandin E receptor 3 (EP3) as a key regulator of gene expression in response to acRoots. Further analysis revealed inhibition of cell growth, migration, and invasion in HCC in response to acRoots, along with increased apoptosis due to downregulation of EP3 expression. Treatment with acRoots and EP3 antagonist L-798106 led to decreases in VEGF, EGFR, MMP2, and MMP9 expression in HCC cells, along with significant effects on growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis; the effects were reversed/blocked by the EP3 agonist sulprostone. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrated that acRoots inhibit HCC cell invasion and metastasis via inhibition of EP3 expression, resulting in decreased activation of VEGF, EGFR, MMP2, and MMP9.

Comparison of Chromosome 4 gene expression profile between lung telocytes and other local cell types.

Telocytes (TCs) are new cellular entities of mesenchymal origin described almost ubiquitously in human and mammalian organs (www.telocytes.com). Different subtypes of TCs were described, all forming networks in the interstitial space by homo- and heterocellular junctions. Previous studies analysed the gene expression profiles of chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18 of murine pulmonary TCs. In this study, we analysed by bioinformatics tools the gene expression profiles of chromosome 4 for murine pulmonary TCs and compared it with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fibroblasts (Fbs), alveolar type II cells (ATII), airway basal cells, proximal airway cells, CD8(+) T cells from bronchial lymph nodes (T-BL) and CD8(+) T cells from lungs (T-L). Key functional genes were identified with the aid of the reference library of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database. Seventeen genes were up-regulated and 56 genes were down-regulated in chromosome 4 of TCs compared with other cells. Four genes (Akap2, Gpr153, Sdc3 and Tbc1d2) were up-regulated between one and fourfold and one gene, Svep1, was overexpressed over fourfold. The main functional networks were identified and analysed, pointing out to a TCs involvement in cellular signalling, regulation of tissue inflammation and cell expansion and movement.

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus infections in China: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) related morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the disease burden due to RSV has not been systematically summarized in China. METHOD: A systematic search was performed in the Chinese BioMedical Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and PubMed to identify available published RSV studies in China. RESULTS: A total of 489 641 patients with ARTIs from 135 studies were included in the analysis. Among patients with ARTIs, RSV accounted for 18.7% (95% confidence interval CI 17.1-20.5%). The prevalence of RSV was highest in infants (26.5%, 95% CI 23.7-29.5%) and lowest in those aged ≥16 years (2.8%, 95% CI 1.3-6.1). A higher prevalence of RSV was seen in inpatients (22%, 95% CI 19.9-24.2%) than in outpatients (14%, 95% CI 9.6-19.9%). RSV type A accounted for 63.1% (95% CI 52.3-72.8%) of all RSV infections. RSV infections occurred mainly in winter and spring. The most common clinical manifestations were cough, production of sputum, wheezing and fever. CONCLUSION: RSV is the leading cause of viral ARTIs in China, particularly in infants and young children. Our findings are valuable for guiding the selection of appropriate therapies for ARTIs and implementation of preventive measures against RSV infections. Our data further supports the development of a successful RSV vaccine as a high priority.

Global comparison of chromosome X genes of pulmonary telocytes with mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, alveolar type II cells, airway epithelial cells, and lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Telocytes (TCs) are suggested as a new type of interstitial cells with specific telopodes. Our previous study evidenced that TCs differed from fibroblasts and stem cells at the aspect of gene expression profiles. The present study aims to search the characters and patterns of chromosome X genes of TC-specific or TC-dominated gene profiles and fingerprints, investigate the network of principle genes, and explore potential functional association. METHODS: We compared gene expression profiles in chromosome X of pulmonary TCs with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), fibroblasts (Fb), alveolar type II cells (ATII), airway basal cells (ABC), proximal airway cells (PAC), CD8(+) T cells come from bronchial lymph nodes (T-BL), or CD8(+) T cells from lungs (T-L) by global analyses, and selected the genes which were consistently up or down regulated (>1 fold) in TCs compared to other cells as TC-specific genes. The functional and characteristic networks were identified and compared by bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: We selected 31 chromosome X genes as the TC-specific or dominated genes, among which 8 up-regulated (Flna, Msn, Cfp, Col4a5, Mum1l1, Rnf128, Syn1, and Srpx2) and 23 down-regulated (Abcb7, Atf1, Ddx26b, Drp2, Fam122b, Gyk, Irak1, Lamp2, Mecp2, Ndufb11, Ogt, Pdha1, Pola1, Rab9, Rbmx2, Rhox9, Thoc2, Vbp1, Dkc1, Nkrf, Piga, Tmlhe and Tsr2), as compared with other cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that gene expressions of chromosome X in TCs are different with those in other cells in the lung tissue. According to the selected TC-specific genes, we infer that pulmonary TCs function as modulators which may enhance cellular growth and migration, resist senescence, protect cells from external stress, regulate immune responses, participate in tissue remodeling and repair, regulate neural function, and promote vessel formation.

Aquaporins as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer: how far we are?

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water channel proteins distributed in various human tissues, responsible for the transport of small solutes such as glycerol, even gas and ions. The expression of AQPs has been found in more than 20 human cancer types and is significantly correlated with the severity of histological tumors and prognosis of patients with cancer. More recent evidence showed that AQPs could also play a role in tumor-associated edema, tumor cell proliferation and migration, and tumor angiogenesis in solid and hematological tumors. Inhibitors of AQPs in tumor cells and microvessels have been suggested as new therapeutic strategies. The present review overviews AQPs structures, expression variation among normal tissues and tumors, AQPs functions and roles in the development of cancer with special focuses on lung, colorectal, liver, brain and breast cancers, and potential AQPs-target inhibitors. We call the special attention to consider AQPs important as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. It may be a novel anticancer therapy by the AQPs inhibition.

Skewed T-helper (Th)1/2- and Th17/T regulatory­cell balances in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

The characterization of CD4+ T-cell subsets reflects the immune status and is important in the maintenance of tumorigenesis and homeostasis. To identify changes in the balance of T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) in individuals with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the present study investigated a total of 131 patients with RCC and 36 healthy volunteers. The number of CD4+ T­bet+ cells, CD4+ GATA binding protein 3+ cells, CD4+ RAR-related orphan receptor γt+ cells, CD4+ CD25hi CD127lo CD45RA­ cells and CD4+ CD25hi CD127lo CD45RA+ cells, defined as Th1, Th2, Th17, activated and naïve Treg cells, respectively, were detected in the peripheral blood using flow cytometric analysis. In addition, tumor­infiltrating forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cells were examined using immunohistochemistry. Compared with healthy volunteers, a significant decrease in the peripheral percentages of Th1, activated and naïve Treg cells was observed in patients with RCC, while those of the Th2 and Th17 cells were increased. In particular, as the tumor stage and grade progressed, the levels of Th1, activated and naïve Treg cells in the peripheral blood decreased; however, the levels of Th2 and Th17 cells increased. Furthermore, the number of tumor-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells increased with increasing tumor stage. These results demonstrated that the balance of Th1 and Th2 cells was skewed towards the Th2 profile and the balance of Th17 and Treg cells was skewed towards the Th17 profile in the peripheral blood of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and Treg cells were recruited to the tumor sites. Therefore, dysfunctional host anti­tumor immunity was observed in patients with RCC, with a skewed Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance.

Variations of chromosomes 2 and 3 gene expression profiles among pulmonary telocytes, pneumocytes, airway cells, mesenchymal stem cells and lymphocytes.

Telocytes (TCs) were identified as a distinct cellular type of the interstitial tissue and defined as cells with extremely long telopodes (Tps). Our previous data demonstrated patterns of mouse TC-specific gene profiles on chromosome 1. The present study focuses on the identification of characters and patterns of TC-specific or TC-dominated gene expression profiles in chromosome 2 and 3, the network of principle genes and potential functional association. We compared gene expression profiles of pulmonary TCs, mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, alveolar type II cells, airway basal cells, proximal airway cells, CD8(+) T cells from bronchial lymph nodes (T-BL), and CD8(+) T cells from lungs (T-LL). We identified that 26 or 80 genes of TCs in chromosome 2 and 13 or 59 genes of TCs up- or down-regulated in chromosome 3, as compared with other cells respectively. Obvious overexpression of Myl9 in chromosome 2 of TCs different from other cells, indicates that biological functions of TCs are mainly associated with tissue/organ injury and ageing, while down-expression of Pltp implies that TCs may be associated with inhibition or reduction of inflammation in the lung. Dominant overexpression of Sh3glb1, Tm4sf1 or Csf1 in chromosome 3 of TCs is mainly associated with tumour promotion in lung cancer, while most down-expression of Pde5 may be involved in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and other acute and chronic interstitial lung disease.

Differences in the expression of chromosome 1 genes between lung telocytes and other cells: mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, alveolar type II cells, airway epithelial cells and lymphocytes.

Telocytes (TCs) are a unique type of interstitial cells with specific, extremely long prolongations named telopodes (Tps). Our previous study showed that TCs are distinct from fibroblasts (Fbs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as concerns gene expression and proteomics. The present study explores patterns of mouse TC-specific gene profiles on chromosome 1. We investigated the network of main genes and the potential functional correlations. We compared gene expression profiles of mouse pulmonary TCs, MSCs, Fbs, alveolar type II cells (ATII), airway basal cells (ABCs), proximal airway cells (PACs), CD8(+) T cells from bronchial lymph nodes (T-BL) and CD8(+) T cells from lungs (T-LL). The functional and feature networks were identified and compared by bioinformatics tools. Our data showed that on TC chromosome 1, there are about 25% up-regulated and 70% down-regulated genes (more than onefold) as compared with the other cells respectively. Capn2, Fhl2 and Qsox1 were over-expressed in TCs compared to the other cells, indicating that biological functions of TCs are mainly associated with morphogenesis and local tissue homoeostasis. TCs seem to have important roles in the prevention of tissue inflammation and fibrogenesis development in lung inflammatory diseases and as modulators of immune cell response. In conclusion, TCs are distinct from the other cell types.

Proteome analysis of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup strains C associated with outbreaks in China.

OBJECTIVE: During 2003-2005, an outbreak of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C occurred in China. With the aim to find strain clues result in the final epidemics, the ancestral strain 053442, a clinical isolate, and a carrier strain 053426 with different gene type were analyzed. METHODS: Clinical strain 053442 and carrier strain 053426 were cultured on GC agar plates under the same condition. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed using the pH 3-10 nonlinear IPG strips of 24 cm length, and all the protein spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight spectrometry. RESULTS: 502 and 380 protein spots were identified in 053426 and 053442 respectively, relating to 266 and 202 different genes covering a wide range of cellular functions. The express volume and number of proteins involved in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and amino acid biosynthesis in 053426 were higher than in 053442. Virulence factor Opa, Opc and a series of proteins involved in pilus assembly and retraction were identified in 053442, which appear to be of primary importance in colonization and invasion of human cells. Compared to 053442, virulence protein species were less in 053426, with lower express volumes too. No Opa and Opc were detected in 053426. CONCLUSIONS: The different protein expression profiles of the clinical strain 053442 and carrier strain 053426 in the present study provide some clues of the different pathogenicity of the two strains, which may account for result in the final epidemics.

Association study between an outbreak of Guillain-Barre syndrome in Jilin, China, and preceding Campylobacter jejuni infection.

From June to July 2007, 36 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) occurred in a township in north China. Serological study and bacteria culture were performed to investigate the association between preceding Campylobacter jejuni infection and this GBS outbreak. Anti-C. jejuni antibodies were found in significantly higher numbers of GBS patients (IgM 84%, IgG 87.5%) than in healthy inspection cases (IgM 33%, IgG 27%). IgG anti-GM1 was the dominant anti-ganglioside antibody among the GBS patients. Seven C. jejuni isolates (four from human stool and three from poultry specimens taken from the patients' houses) were obtained. Serotyping and molecular analysis were used to investigate the genetic relatedness among these C. jejuni isolates. The four human isolates, collected from residents of the same district, were indistinguishable by both pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing, suggesting these patients had a common source of infection. A new sequence type, sequence type-2993, was assigned to the human C. jejuni isolates, three of which belonged to Penner serotype heat-stable (HS):41. Both serotype and molecular subtype of the human C. jejuni isolates were different from those of isolates obtained from poultry specimens. Our results suggest that the antecedent C. jejuni infection triggered this GBS outbreak in China.