[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 B'/C strains in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristic of HIV-1 B'/C strains prevalent in Beijing. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 200 newly diagnosed HIV-1 B'/C individuals reported during 2006 to 2010 in Beijing. The gag gene fragments were amplified from RNA template extracted from plasma with reverse transcription (RT) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). And the sequences were analyzed by phylogenetic methods and Entropy analysis. RESULTS: A total of 159 sequences were successfully amplified from the gag genes of which 147 was CRF07_BC and 12 CRF08_BC. There were 3 main sub-clusters in CRF07_BC phylogenetic tree and they were named as sub-cluster IDU-Max (89 sequences), sub-cluster IDU-Min (22 sequences) and sub-cluster MSM (34 sequences) based on transmission.No international reference strain was closely related with these three sub-clusters except for one strain identified in Taiwan. All CRF07_BC recombinant strains were remarkable for their low interpatient diversity in gag genes (3.7%, 3.3% and 2.0% for isolates from IDU-Max, IDU-Min and MSM respectively).When compared with sub-cluster IDU-Max, there were 32 and 41 significantly different sites of nucleotide polymorphism compositions in sub-clusters IDU-Min and MSM. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of describing the existence of three main epidemic sub-clusters in CRF07_BC strains prevalent in Beijing. And IDU-Max sub-cluster is the dominant strain. The CRF07_BC in Beijing are less diverse than other strains and may be derived from a common ancestor.

[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains isolated from newly diagnosed MSM subjects (2006-2010) in Beijing, China].

This study aims to analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains prevailing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. The pol gene fragments from 250 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected MSM individuals during 2006-2010 in Beijing were amplified by RT-nested PCR, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. HIV-1 pol gene from 189 individuals were amplified and analyzed; 81 (42. 9%), 3 (1. 6%), 2 (1.0%), 88 (46. 6%), and 15 (7.9%) individuals were infected with HIV-1 subtypes B, B', C, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC, respectively. The subtypes B and CRF01_AE could both be grouped into two clusters, and CRFO7_BC strains shared high homology and were presumed to originate from a common ancestor. The HIV-1 circulating in MSM in Beijing had a lower genetic diversity than in heterosexuals. The HIV-1 epidemic (2006-2010) in MSM in Beijing was actually a rapid spread of HIV-1 CRF01 AE and B, or rather native strains of the two viruses.

[The high expression of HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion protein in E. coli and detection of its immunogenicity].

OBJECTIVE: To express HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion protein and detect its immunogenicity. METHODS: According to the amino acid sequences of HPV31 and 52 L2 11-200AA published in the GenBank database, weartificially synthesized the HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion gene which was optimized according to Escherichia coli codon usage and encodes 11-200 amino acid of HPV31 and HPV52 L2, then cloned it into pET-9a vector. The HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion protein was expressed in Prokaryotic expression system and the mice were immunized with the fusion protein after purification. The immunogenicity was characterized in vaccinated mice. RESULTS: HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion protein was highly expressed in E. coli, the amount of fusion protein is nearly 20% of the total bacterial protein. The purified fusion protein with aluminum adjuvant could induce specific high titer of IgG antibodies detected by ELISA, and also induce the neutralizing antibodies against pseudovirus of HPV31 and HPV52 and cross-neutralizing antibodies against pseudovirus of HPV45, 58, 16, 18. CONCLUSION: HPV31 and 52 L2 fusion protein could induce neutralizing and cross-neutralizing antibodies against HPV pseudovirus. It provides laboratory basis for development of HPV L2 protein vaccine.

[Molecular-epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 isolated from newly diagnosed female subjects in Beijing, 2006 - 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular-epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains prevailing among female people living with HIV in Beijing. METHODS: Gag gene fragments from the 100 newly diagnosed female HIV-1 infections during 2006 to 2010 in Beijing were amplified, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-two HIV-1 gag gene fragments were amplified and analyzed. 1 (1.22%), 1 (1.22%), 3 (3.66%), 23 (28.05%), 8 (9.76%), 2 (2.44%), 1 (1.22%), 18 (21.95%), 3 (3.66%), 1 (1.22%), 14 (17.07%), 4 (4.88%) and 3 (3.66%) individuals were infected with HIV-1 subtypes A1, A2, B, B', C, D, G, H, CRF01_AE, CRF02_AG, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC and B'/C recombinants respectively. CONCLUSION: The subtypes circulating in female HIV infections in Beijing were more diverse than in male and the proportions of B' and rare subtypes were relatively high. Surveillance programs on HIV-1 genetic diversity should be strengthened.