[Construction of Lentiviral Expression Vector Containing Extracellular Domain of Human Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor and Its Expression in 293T Cell].

This research aims to construct a lentiviral expression vector carrying the extracelluar domain (ED) of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor (C-Met), and to express it in transfected 293T cells. The extracellular domain of C-Met was amplified by RT-PCR, ligated with lentiviral expression vector p RRL-CMV-ED, and then expressed in 293T cell line. The expressed protein was purified and identified by RT-PCR and Western blot. The enzyme digestion and sequence analysis showed that the lentiviral expression vector p RRL-CMV-ED was constructed correctly. The size of amplified genes was about 2 700 bp. The purified protein with Ni-affinity column was about 105 kD analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The Western blot and ELISA results showed that the expressed protein which could bind to HGF specifically was the extracelluar domain of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor. This research may lay a foundation for further study of anti-C-MET monoclonal antibody and neutralizing antibody.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) prevents the neuroinflammation induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: The excessive activation of the microglia leads to the release of inflammatory factors that contribute to neuronal cell loss and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) that belongs to a newly found neurotrophic factors (NTFs) family has been reported to promote neuronal survival in the PD models. However, the effects of the MANF on neuroinflammation in PD remain unclear. METHODS: AAV8-MANF virus was constructed to determine whether the high expression of MANF can protect the neuroinflammation-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in rats with 6-OHDA-induced PD. Rotarod performance test, immunofluorescent staining and western bolt were employed to evaluate the behavioral dysfunction, dopaminergic neurodegeneration, microglia activation, and signal activation. 6-OHDA treated SH-SY5Y cells and LPS treated BV-2 cells were used as the in vitro model for MANF neuroprotective and neuroinflammation mechanisms. Cell vitality and apoptosis were evaluated with MTT, CCK-8 and flow cytometric analysis. The AKT/GSK3ß-Nrf2 signaling and the TNF-α/IL6 expression were measured by Western Blot. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that the elevated MANF expression by the AAV8-MANF administration ameliorated the motor dysfunction and protected the dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA treated rats. The upregulated CD11b in the rat SN caused by the 6-OHDA administration was significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of the AAV8-MANF. Furthermore, the levels of p-AKT, p-GSK3ß, BCL-2, and Nrf-2 were upregulated by the high expression of the MANF. Under the oxidative stress of the 6-OHDA, the MANF significantly reduced the apoptotic effect of the TNF-α on the SH-SY5Y cells. In the LPS treated BV-2 cells, the MANF reduced the production of the TNF-α and IL-6, via enhancing the Nrf-2, p-Akt, p-GSK3ß, and p-NF-κß level. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the MANF prevented the dopaminergic neurodegeneration caused by the microglia activation in PD via activation of the AKT/GSK3ß-Nrf-2 signaling axis.

Surface Defect Detection of Cabbage Based on Curvature Features of 3D Point Cloud.

The dents and cracks of cabbage caused by mechanical damage during transportation have a direct impact on both commercial value and storage time. In this study, a method for surface defect detection of cabbage is proposed based on the curvature feature of the 3D point cloud. First, the red-green-blue (RGB) images and depth images are collected using a RealSense-D455 depth camera for 3D point cloud reconstruction. Then, the region of interest (ROI) is extracted by statistical filtering and Euclidean clustering segmentation algorithm, and the 3D point cloud of cabbage is segmented from background noise. Then, the curvature features of the 3D point cloud are calculated using the estimated normal vector based on the least square plane fitting method. Finally, the curvature threshold is determined according to the curvature characteristic parameters, and the surface defect type and area can be detected. The flat-headed cabbage and round-headed cabbage are selected to test the surface damage of dents and cracks. The test results show that the average detection accuracy of this proposed method is 96.25%, in which, the average detection accuracy of dents is 93.3% and the average detection accuracy of cracks is 96.67%, suggesting high detection accuracy and good adaptability for various cabbages. This study provides important technical support for automatic and non-destructive detection of cabbage surface defects.

A Shape Reconstruction and Measurement Method for Spherical Hedges Using Binocular Vision.

The center coordinate and radius of the spherical hedges are the basic phenotypic features for automatic pruning. A binocular vision-based shape reconstruction and measurement system for front-end vision information gaining are built in this paper. Parallel binocular cameras are used as the detectors. The 2D coordinate sequence of target spherical hedges is obtained by region segmentation and object extraction process. Then, a stereo correcting algorithm is conducted to keep two cameras to be parallel. Also, an improved semi-global block matching (SGBM) algorithm is studied to get a disparity map. According to the disparity map and parallel structure of the binocular vision system, the 3D point cloud of the target is obtained. Based on this, the center coordinate and radius of the spherical hedges can be measured. Laboratory and outdoor tests on shape reconstruction and measurement are conducted. In the detection range of 2,000-2,600 mm, laboratory test shows that the average error and average relative error of standard spherical hedges radius are 1.58 mm and 0.53%, respectively; the average location deviation of the center coordinate of spherical hedges is 15.92 mm. The outdoor test shows that the average error and average relative error of spherical hedges radius by the proposed system are 4.02 mm and 0.44%, respectively; the average location deviation of the center coordinate of spherical hedges is 18.29 mm. This study provides important technical support for phenotypic feature detection in the study of automatic trimming.

A Novel Anti-B7-H3 × Anti-CD3 Bispecific Antibody with Potent Antitumor Activity.

B7-H3 plays an important role in tumor apoptosis, proliferation, adhesion, angiogenesis, invasion, migration, and evasion of immune surveillance. It is overexpressed in various human solid tumor tissues. In patients, B7-H3 overexpression correlates with advanced stages, poor clinical outcomes, and resistance to therapy. The roles of B7-H3 in tumor progression make it a potential candidate for targeted therapy. Here, we generated a mouse anti-human B7-H3 antibody and demonstrated its binding activity via Tongji University Suzhou Instituteprotein-based and cell-based assays. We then developed a novel format anti-B7-H3 × anti-CD3 bispecific antibody based on the antibody-binding fragment of the anti-B7-H3 antibody and single-chain variable fragment structure of anti-CD3 antibody (OKT3) and demonstrated that this bispecific antibody mediated potent cytotoxic activities against various B7-H3-positive tumor cell lines in vitro by improving T cell activation and proliferation. This bispecific antibody also demonstrated potent antitumor activity in humanized mice xenograft models. These results revealed that the novel anti-B7-H3 × anti-CD3 bispecific antibody has the potential to be employed in treatment of B7-H3-positive solid tumors.

Targeting CD89 on tumor-associated macrophages overcomes resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.

BACKGROUND: Despite the survival benefits observed with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment-programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1), many patients with cancer have not benefited from these agents because of impaired antigen presentation and other resistance mechanisms. To overcome resistance to checkpoint therapy, we designed bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) targeting CD89 and tumor antigens. We demonstrated their immunomodulatory efficacy as a separate treatment strategy or combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. METHODS: We have previously generated a heterodimeric one-arm IgG1 Fc-based bispecific antibody. For animal efficacy studies, murine tumors in a humanized transgenic mice model were used to determine the effects of CD89-bispecific antibodies on antigen presentation and immune cell recruitment. The efficacy of the CD89 bispecific antibody against tumors resistant to pembrolizumab was evaluated in double-transgenic mice. RESULTS: BsAbs targeting CD89 on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) increased the ratio of M1:M2 and activated the antigen presentation, leading to increased cytotoxic T cell-mediated tumor regression. CD89-BsAbs also potentiated a combinational antitumor effect with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and overcame the ICB resistance by augmenting cytotoxic T-cell infiltration and reshaping tumor immune microenvironment. In an hCD89/hPD-1 double transgenic mouse model engrafted with pembrolizumab-resistant B16-HER2 tumor cells, the HER2-CD89 bispecific antibody potently inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: CD89 BsAbs targeting tumor antigens and TAMs controlled tumor growth in animal models by improving antigen presentation and T-cell infiltration. Our results suggest a general strategy for overcoming resistance to ICB.

Determination of wheat moisture using terahertz spectroscopy combined with the tabu search algorithm.

The detection of the wheat moisture content plays a key role in grain storage and classification. Harvested wheat grains were taken as samples in the current research. A total of 240 reaped wheat samples with different moisture contents were tested by applying terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The frequency domain spectra and absorption coefficient spectra of wheat were obtained in the band of 0.1-1.2 THz, and the spectra were pretreated by mean centering, Savitzky-Golay (S-G), Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC) and Stand Normal Variate (SNV), respectively. Then a special algorithm of Tabu Search (TS) was used to find out the effective variables and remove the useless variables from the terahertz spectrum of the sample. Finally, the partial least squares (PLS) of chemometrics were used for quantitative model building and prediction. The correlation coefficient of calibration (Rc) is 0.9522. The root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) is 0.4730. The correlation coefficient of prediction (Rp) is 0.9531. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) is 0.5396. The results demonstrated that an accurate quantitative analysis of moisture in wheat samples could be achieved by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy combined with the TS algorithm. In addition, the results show that the model S-G + MSC + TS + PLS can effectively predict wheat moisture, and provide a rapid quantitative detection and analysis method for the detection of wheat moisture.

Intranasal immunization with chitosan/pCAGGS-flaA nanoparticles inhibits Campylobacter jejuni in a White Leghorn model.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common zoonotic bacterium associated with human diarrhea, and chickens are considered to be one of the most important sources for human infection, with no effective prophylactic treatment available. We describe here a prophylactic strategy using chitosan-DNA intranasal immunization to induce specific immune responses. The chitosan used for intranasal administration is a natural mucus absorption enhancer, which results in transgenic DNA expression in chicken nasopharynx. Chickens immunized with chitosan-DNA nanoparticles, which carried a gene for the major structural protein FlaA, produced significantly increased levels of serum anti-Campylobacter jejuni IgG and intestinal mucosal antibody (IgA), compared to those treated with chitosan-DNA (pCAGGS). Chitosan-pCAGGS-flaA intranasal immunization induced reductions of bacterial expellation by 2-3 log(10) and 2 log(10) in large intestine and cecum of chickens, respectively, when administered with the isolated C. jejuni strain. This study demonstrated that intranasal delivery of chitosan-DNA vaccine successfully induced effective immune response and might be a promising vaccine candidate against C. jejuni infection.

[Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for FlaA protein of Campylobacter jejuni].

OBJECTIVE: We expressed and purified Campylobacter jejuni flagellin FlaA protein to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against this protein. METHODS: The C. jejuni flaA gene was amplified and inserted into the expression plasmids, pET30a (+) and pGEX-6p-1. The purified rHis-FlaA protein was used as an immunogen in 8-week-old BALB/c mice, and injected subcutaneously. The purified rGST-FlaA protein used as a detecting antigen for screening mAbs against FlaA was prepared by using a denaturation and renaturation technique. The specificity of mAbs was characterized by Dot-ELISA and Western blot assays. RESULTS: The recombinant expression plasmids, pET30a (+)-flaA and pGEX-6p-1-flaA were obtained. The sizes of the recombinant proteins, rHis-FlaA and rGST-FlaA, were consistent with their predicted size. Specific reaction was found between FlaA positive serum and expressed protein by Western-blot assay, confirming its identification as a Campylobacter jejuni immunogen. Three hybridoma cell lines, designated 2D12, 5A12 and 6A9, secreting mAbs against FlaA were obtained. Their immunoglobulin subclasses were IgG2a, IgG1 and IgG1, respectively. The ELISA titers of the ascites fluid were 1:102 400, 1:102 400 and 1:51 200, respectively. Western blot analysis confirmed that the three mAbs reacted with the rHis-FlaA fusion protein but not the His tag. The Dot-ELISA results demonstrated that the three mAbs only with FlaA and not the tags for the expression vectors. CONCLUSION: The successful preparation of three mAbs specific for the FlaA protein lays the foundation for further study regarding the biological characteristics of FlaA and the pathogenesis of C. jejuni.

Calpastatin peptide attenuates early brain injury following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Calpain activation may have an important role in early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The present study investigated the effects of the calpastatin peptide, a cell-permeable peptide that functions as a potent inhibitor of calpain, on EBI in a rat SAH model. It was revealed that calpastatin peptide treatment significantly reduced SAH-induced body weight loss and neurological deficit at 72 h when compared with untreated SAH controls. Furthermore, the quantification of brain water content and the extravasation of Evans blue dye revealed a significant reduction in SAH-induced brain edema and blood-brain barrier permeability at 72 h due to treatment with the calpastatin peptide when compared with untreated SAH controls. Finally, calpastatin peptide treatment significantly attenuated the protein levels of Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3, and reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling-positive cells in the basal cortex at 72 h after SAH when compared with untreated SAH controls. These results indicated that the calpastatin peptide may ameliorate EBI following SAH in rat models.

Selective mGluR1 Negative Allosteric Modulator Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Cerebral Edema After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption leads to the vasogenic brain edema and contributes to the early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the mechanisms underlying the BBB damage following SAH are poorly understood. Here we reported that the neurotransmitter glutamate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was dramatically increased in SAH patients with symptoms of cerebral edema. Using the rat SAH model, we found that SAH caused the increase of CSF glutamate level and BBB permeability in EBI, intracerebroventricular injection of exogenous glutamate deteriorated BBB damage and cerebral edema, while intraperitoneally injection of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1) negative allosteric modulator JNJ16259685 significantly attenuated SAH-induced BBB damage and cerebral edema. In an in vitro BBB model, we showed that glutamate increased monolayer permeability of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), whereas JNJ16259685 preserved glutamate-damaged BBB integrity in HBMEC. Mechanically, glutamate downregulated the level and phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), decreased the tight junction protein occludin, and increased AQP4 expression at 72 h after SAH. However, JNJ16259685 significantly increased VASP, p-VASP, and occludin, and reduced AQP level at 72 h after SAH. Altogether, our results suggest an important role of glutamate in disruption of BBB function and inhibition of mGluR1 with JNJ16259685 reduced BBB damage and cerebral edema after SAH.

Preparation of a Novel One-Armed Anti-c-Met Antibody with Antitumor Activity Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Antibody-based c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) inhibition is a promising strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, but the intrinsic agonistic activity of the anti-c-Met antibody limits its application in drug development. Constructing a monovalent one-armed antibody has been reported to be an effective way to create an inhibitory anti-c-Met antibody. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, a novel monovalent one-armed anti-c-Met antibody was constructed using the knobs-into-holes technology, and its inhibitory effects against HCC and the underlying mechanisms were explored. RESULTS: The one-armed anti-c-Met antibody blocked the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met interaction and the subsequent signal transduction, including phosphorylation of c-Met, Grb2-associated binding protein 1(Gab-1), extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2(Erk1/2), and Akt, also referred to as protein kinase B (PKB) in HCC cell line HepG2. Furthermore, the autocrine stimulation of HepG2 cell proliferation and HGF-induced HCC cell migration were strongly inhibited by the one-armed anti-c-Met antibody. In addition, the antibody also reduced the HGF-induced proliferation and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treating HepG2-bearing mice with the one-armed anti-c-Met antibody significantly inhibited the tumor growth in the xenograft nude mouse model. CONCLUSION: The one-armed anti-c-Met antibody derived from the full-length bivalent anti-c-Met antibody might serve as a potential antitumor agent against HCC.

[Construction of chimeric anti-c-Met antibody random mutagenesis libraries using mammalian cell surface display].

Objective To construct a random mutagenesis library of 3E1D7, a chimerical antibody against c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met), using mammalian cell surface display. Methods Antibody genes with randomly mutated complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) part were inserted into the mammalian expression plasmid pSZI-CD to construct the random mutagenesis library using double enzyme digestion. Reconstructed plasmids were then cloned into CHO cells by transfection. The expression level of antibodies on the surface of CHO cells was checked by C6 PLUS flow cytometry. Results 3E1D7 random mutagenesis library was successfully constructed with a volume of 5.52×106 in diversity on gene level. Sequence analysis showed that all 20 clones randomly picked from the library coded for 20 different mutated amino acid sequences in open reading frames. After transfection, the expression of full-length antibodies on CHO cell surfaces could be detected by flow cytometry. Conclusion A random mutagenesis library of a certain anti-c-Met antibody has been successfully constructed with an exhibitable diversity of 5.52×106, which would be a useful platform for further screening of therapeutic antibodies.

CD89-mediated recruitment of macrophages via a bispecific antibody enhances anti-tumor efficacy.

Since tumors are often infiltrated by macrophages, it would be advantageous to turn these types of cells into cytotoxic effector cells. Here, we have designed a novel bispecific antibody (BsAb) that targets both tumor antigen (CD20) and the FcαRI receptor (CD89). This antibody could be used to lyse tumors by connecting tumor cells to CD89-expressing immune effector cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. Previously there were very limited attempts to exploit FcαRI-expressing cells as effector cells for tumor cell-killing, largely due to the lack of an appropriate in vivo model, since mice do not express a human CD89 homolog. In this study, we used a transgenic mouse strain with specific expression of CD89 on macrophages and monocytes. In this transgenic mouse model, the CD89 bispecific antibody showed significant anti-tumor activities, demonstrating that bispecific antibodies can redirect macrophages, including M2 macrophages, to mediate additional effector function in the tumor microenvironment. This approach realized the full potential of the innate immune system and could be applied to other tumor-associated antigens especially the solid tumors, thus has potential to translate into clinical benefits in human cancers.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor reduces cell apoptosis via upregulating HSP70 in SHSY-5Y cells.

BACKGROUND: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a new candidate growth factor for dopaminergic neurons against endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). HSP70 family, a chaperon like heat shock protein family, was proved to be involved in the MANF induced survival pathway in 6-OHDA treated SHSY-5Y cells. However, the ER stress relative transcriptome, in MANF signaling cascades is still investigated. The involvement of HSP70, a 70kd member of HSP70 family, need further to be verified. METHODS: The cell apoptosis was assayed by MTT, TUNEL staining and western blot of cleaved Caspase-3. The differentially expressed genes in SHSY-5Y cells under different conditions (control, 6-OHDA, 6-OHDA + MANF) were investigated by RNA-seq. Expression of HSP70 was further confirmed by real-time PCR. RNAi knockdown for HSP70 was performed to investigate the role of HSP70 in the MANF signaling pathway. RESULTS: MANF inhibits 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis in SHSY-5Y cells. Six ER stress relative genes (HSP70, GRP78, xbp-1, ATF-4, ATF-6, MAPK) were found enriched in 6-OHDA + MANF treatment group. HSP70 was the most significantly up-regulated gene under 6-OHDA + MANF treatment in SHSY-5Y cells. RNAi knockdown for HSP70 inhibits the protective effects of MANF against 6-OHDA toxicity in SHSY-5Y cells. CONCLUSION: MANF exerts a protective role against 6-OHDA induced apoptosis in SHSY-5Y cells via up-regulating some ER stress genes, including HSP70 family members. The HSP70 expression level plays a key role in MANF-mediated survival pathway.

Enhanced Therapeutic Potential of Nano-Curcumin Against Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Through Inhibition of Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress.

Curcumin and nano-curcumin both exhibit neuroprotective effects in early brain injury (EBI) after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the mechanism that whether curcumin and its nanoparticles affect the blood-brain barrier (BBB) following SAH remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of curcumin and the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) on BBB disruption and evaluated the possible mechanism underlying BBB dysfunction in EBI using the endovascular perforation rat SAH model. The results indicated that Cur-NPs showed enhanced therapeutic effects than that of curcumin in improving neurological function, reducing brain water content, and Evans blue dye extravasation after SAH. Mechanically, Cur-NPs attenuated BBB dysfunction after SAH by preventing the disruption of tight junction protein (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5). Cur-NPs also up-regulated glutamate transporter-1 and attenuated glutamate concentration of cerebrospinal fluid following SAH. Moreover, inhibition of inflammatory response and microglia activation both contributed to Cur-NPs' protective effects. Additionally, Cur-NPs markedly suppressed SAH-mediated oxidative stress and eventually reversed SAH-induced cell apoptosis in rats. Our findings revealed that the strategy of using Cur-NPs could be a promising way in improving neurological function in EBI after experimental rat SAH.

[Preparation and biological activity of anti-human c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) monovalent antibody].

Objective To construct lentiviral vectors for the expression of monovalent antibody against human c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) using anti-c-Met chimeric antibody ch3E1D7 plasmid, and test the affinity and neutralizing ability of the purified monovalent antibody in transfected HEK293T cells. Methods The anti-c-Met monovalent antibody was designed, namely mono3E1D7. Three different lentiviral expression vectors of the monovalent antibody were then constructed using genetic engineering technology. The three expression vectors were co-transfected in HEK293T cells to express the monovalent antibody, which was later purified by protein A-sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The antibody structural integrity was identified by SDS-PAGE. Ability of the monovalent antibody to bind and neutralize hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was tested by ELISA. Results Heavy, light and Knob chains of the mono3E1D7, with molecular masses of about 55, 25 and 30 kD, respectively, were observed on reduced 10% SDS-PAGE. ELISA showed that the expressed protein could bind to c-Met specifically and neutralize c-Met/HGF binding. Conclusion Monovalent antibody targeting c-Met has been successfully constructed, expressed and identified, which could help to study the important role of monovalent antibody targeting to c-Met in following experiments.

[Construction and application of a lentiviral vector of single-chain variable fragment antibody against human hepatocyte growth factor receptor].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a lentiviral expression vector carrying the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody against human hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR), express it in transfected HEK293 cells, and observe its biological function of specific binding to antigen. METHODS: The variable regions of the heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) genes were amplified directly from the cDNA of hybridoma cell line 8E8 secreting mouse anti-human HGFR antibody and assembled using the splice overlap extension-PCR (SOE-PCR). The constructed HGFR-scFv gene with the signal peptide SP-VH-linker-VL was ligated into the cloning vector pCR-Blunt. After cut off from pCR-Blunt using enzyme digestion, HGFR-scFv gene was subcloned into the lentiviral transfer vector pRRL-CMV, which was identified by the restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The lentiviral expression vector pRRL HGFR-scFv was then tansfected together with the packaging plasmids into HEK293T cells to obtain virus particles, and green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was detected under a fluorescent microscope. Then the virus particles were used to infect HEK293 cells. The scFv expression was detected by RT-PCR and its biological affinity as antibody was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The lentiviral expression vector pRRL HGFR-scFv was constructed correctly. After HEK293T cells were transfected with the pRRL HGFR-scFv plasmid, the GFP was visible. After HEK293 cells were infected with virus particles, the scFv antibody expressed could bind to HGFR specifically. CONCLUSION: The lentiviral expression vector of HGFR-scFv was constructed successfully, which would help to study the important role of HGFR in following experiments.

[Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for CjaA protein of Campylobacter jejuni].

AIM: Expression, purification of Campylobacter jejuni CjaA protein and development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against this protein. METHODS: The C. jejuni cjaA gene was amplified and inserted into the expression plasmids, pGEX-6p-1 and pET30a (+). The purified rGST-CjaA protein was used as an immunogen in 8-week-old BALB/c mice, and injected subcutaneously. The purified rHis-CjaA protein used as a detecting antigen for screening mAbs against CjaA was prepared. The specificity of mAbs was characterized by Dot-ELISA and Western blot assays. RESULTS: The recombinant expression plasmids, pGEX-6p-1-cjaA and pET30a(+)-cjaA were obtained. The sizes of the recombinant proteins, rGST-CjaA and rHis-CjaA, were consistent with their predicted size. Specific reaction was found between CjaA positive serum and expressed protein by Western blot assay, confirming its identification as a Campylobacter jejuni immunogen. Three hybridoma cell lines, designated 2B6, 3C2 and 4F11, secreting mAbs against CjaA were obtained. Their immunoglobulin subclasses were all IgG1. The ELISA titers of the ascites fluid were 1:1×10(5);, 1:2×10(5); and 1:4×10(5);, respectively. Western blot analysis confirmed that the three mAbs reacted with the rHis-CjaA fusion protein but not the His tag. The Dot-ELISA results demonstrated that the three mAbs only with CjaA and not the tags for the expression vectors. CONCLUSION: The successful preparation of three mAbs specific for the CjaA protein lays the foundation for further study regarding the biological characteristics of CjaA and the pathogenesis of C. jejuni.