Correlation between interferon-γ rs2430561 single nucleotide polymorphisms and susceptibility to herpes zoster / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation of interferon (IFN) -γ rs2430561 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and serum IFN-γ levels with susceptibility to herpes zoster.Methods:Blood samples were collected from 74 patients with herpes zoster and 40 healthy controls in General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command and the Fifth People Hospital of Hainan Province from November 2019 to November 2020. PCR and Sagner resequencing were conducted to detect the IFN-γ rs2430561 SNPs in the subjects, fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to determine the copy number of varicella-herpes zoster virus (VZV) DNA in the serum of the patients with herpes zoster, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect the serum IFN-γ level. Measurement data were compared by using t test or non-parametric test, and enumeration data by using chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:As rs2430561 genotyping showed, there were 4 patients with AA genotype, 37 with TT genotype and 33 with TA genotype in the herpes zoster group, as well as 13 subjects with TA genotype and 27 with TT genotype in the healthy control group, and the frequency of A allele of rs2430561 was significantly higher in the herpes zoster group (27.70%) than in the control group (16.25%, P=0.036) . The serum IFN-γ level ( M[ P25, P75]) was significantly lower in the herpes zoster group (33.45[0.80, 95.01]pg/ml) than in the control group (67.83[2.74, 318.35]pg/ml, U=1 822, P=0.028) . The VZV DNA copy number (expressed as a logarithm to the base of 10) per milliliter was 3.23 ± 0.71 in the serum of the patients with herpes zoster, and the serum IFN-γ level was negatively correlated with the VZV DNA copy number ( r=-0.302, P=0.009) . Conclusion:The carriage of rs2430561 A allele may affect the expression of IFN-γ, leading to higher susceptibility to herpes zoster.

Detection of autophagy in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective@#To observe changes in expression of autophagy proteins in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and the epidermis of skin lesions, as well as generation of autophagy vesicles in epidermal cells in skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster, and to explore the relationship between varicella-herpes zoster virus (VZV) infection and autophagy.@*Methods@#Totally, 35 patients with herpes zoster were enrolled from Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA between December 2017 and December 2018, including 20 males and 15 females. Their age ranged from 18 to 79 (59.23 ± 9.27) years, pain duration was 5.14 ± 2.28 days, and lesion duration (from the onset of the lesion to the clinic visit) was 3.45 ± 1.77 days. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the expression of autophagy proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) , Beclin-1 and p62 in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes of these patients. Thirty healthy adults served as control group. Lesional skin tissues were obtained from 12 patients with herpes zoster, and perilesional normal skin tissues of the same patient served as the control. Immunohistochemical study was conducted to determine the expression of autophagy proteins LC3B, Beclin-1 and p62 in epidermal tissues, and transmission electron microscopy to observe the generation of autophagy vesicles in epidermal cells. Two independent-sample t-test was carried out for intergroup comparison.@*Results@#The expression rates of autophagy proteins LC3B and Beclin-1 in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes were significantly higher in the herpes zoster group (61.23% ± 7.61%, 35.84% ± 4.22%, respectively) than in the control group (36.56% ± 4.27%, 15.34% ± 1.89%, respectively; t = 15.75, 24.56 respectively, both P < 0.01) , while the expression rate of p62 (5.75% ± 0.67%) was significantly lower in the herpes zoster group than in the control group (10.03% ± 1.15%, t = 18.65, P < 0.01) . Among the 12 patients with herpes zoster, the expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in the epidermis were significantly higher in the skin lesions than in the perilesional normal skin tissues (t = 2.86, 4.58, P < 0.05) , but the expression level of p62 was significantly lower in the skin lesions than in the perilesional normal skin tissues (t = 2.43, P < 0.05) . Transmission electron microscopy showed formation of autophagy vesicles containing virus particles in epidermal cells in the skin lesions of 12 patients with herpes zoster, and vesicle counts were significantly higher in the skin lesions than in perilesional normal skin tissues (t = 9.67, P < 0.01) .@*Conclusion@#The autophagy level was elevated in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and epidermis of skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster.

Detection of autophagy in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To observe changes in expression of autophagy proteins in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and the epidermis of skin lesions,as well as generation of autophagy vesicles in epidermal cells in skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster,and to explore the relationship between varicella-herpes zoster virus (VZV) infection and autophagy.Methods Totally,35 patients with herpes zoster were enrolled from Department of Dermatology,General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA between December 2017 and December 2018,including 20 males and 15 females.Their age ranged from 18 to 79 (59.23 ± 9.27) years,pain duration was 5.14 ± 2.28 days,and lesion duration (from the onset of the lesion to the clinic visit) was 3.45 ± 1.77 days.Flow cytometry was performed to determine the expression of autophagy proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B),Beclin-1 and p62 in peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocytes of these patients.Thirty healthy adults served as control group.Lesional skin tissues were obtained from 12 patients with herpes zoster,and perilesional normal skin tissues of the same patient served as the control.Immunohistochemical study was conducted to determine the expression of autophagy proteins LC3B,Beclin-1 and p62 in epidermal tissues,and transmission electron microscopy to observe the generation of autophagy vesicles in epidermal cells.Two independent-sample t-test was carried out for intergroup comparison.Results The expression rates of autophagy proteins LC3B and Beclin-1 in peripheral CD4 + T lymphocytes were significantly higher in the herpes zoster group (61.23％ ± 7.61％,35.84％ ± 4.22％,respectively) than in the control group (36.56％ ± 4.27％,15.34％ ± 1.89％,respectively;t =15.75,24.56 respectively,both P ＜ 0.01),while the expression rate of p62 (5.75％ ± 0.67％) was significantly lower in the herpes zoster group than in the control group (10.03％ ± 1.15％,t =18.65,P ＜ 0.01).Among the 12 patients with herpes zoster,the expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in the epidermis were significantly higher in the skin lesions than in the perilesional normal skin tissues (t =2.86,4.58,P ＜ 0.05),but the expression level of p62 was significantly lower in the skin lesions than in the perilesional normal skin tissues (t =2.43,P ＜ 0.05).Transmission electron microscopy showed formation of autophagy vesicles containing virus particles in epidermal cells in the skin lesions of 12 patients with herpes zoster,and vesicle counts were significantly higher in the skin lesions than in perilesional normal skin tissues (t =9.67,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The autophagy level was elevated in peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and epidermis of skin lesions of patients with herpes zoster.

Preparation of a dendritic cell vaccine modified by the adenovirus-mediated HSV-2 gD gene / 医学研究生学报

Objective Up to now, there has been no sure cure for genital herpes (GH), and vaccine seems a most promis-ing approach to the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus Ⅱ(HSV-2) infection.In this study, we investigated the feasibili-ty of preparing a dendritic cell ( DC) vaccine modified by the adenovirus-mediated HSV-2 gD gene. Methods We subcloned the HSV-2 gD gene into the vector Shuttle-2 and constructed the recombinant adenovirus pAdeno-HSV-2 gD following identification by en-zyme digestion and DNA sequence analysis .We isolated DCs from the mouse bone marrow , analyzed their phenotypes by flow cytome-try after transfection with the recombinant adenovirus pAdeno-HSV-2 gD, and determined the expression of HSV-2 gD by immunohisto-chemistry, RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE, and Western blot. Results Based on HSV-2 DNA, the corresponding target fragments were am-plified with the gD gene primers.Agarose gel electrophoresis showed the correct size of the PCR product (1182 bp) as predicted.The recombinant adenovirus pAdeno-HSV-2 gD was obtained by transfecting the 293 cells with pAdeno-gD DNA, which had an activity of 4 ×1010 IU/mL.The contents of CD40, CD80, and CD86 were (74.2 ±3.9), (73.9 ±4.1), and (76.1 ±5.5) % in the mature DCs and (81.3 ±3.1), (80.4 ±2.9), and (83.7 ±3.9) % in the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD DCs, significantly increased as compared with those in the immature DCs ([9.7 ±0.5], [7.5 ±1.2], and [5.2 ±1.1] %) (P0.05).RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of HSV-2 gD in DCs.SDS-PAGE and Western blot of the expressed protein showed a new band with an apparent molecular mass corresponding to the predicted size (43000). Conclusion The results of our study have paved the ground for the successful preparation and identification of a dendritic cell vaccine modified by the adenovirus-mediated HSV-2 gD gene.

An experimental study on the immune response induced by a dendritic cell-based vaccine carrying the herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D gene in mice / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the specific immune response induced by a dendritic cell-based adenovirus-mediated vaccine carrying the herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein D gene (pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC) in BALB/c mice.Methods Forty BALB/c mice were equally divided into four groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,pAdeno-DC group immunized with pAdeno-DC,pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group immunized with the previously constructed vaccine pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC,DC group immunized with DCs only.Totally,three rounds of vaccination were conducted at a 7-day interval.Ten days after the last vaccination,serum samples were collected and spleen cells were isolated from these mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the level of IgG antibody against HSV-2 gD in the serum samples.Some spleen cells were stimulated with HSV-2 gD protein (10 mg/L) for 72 hours; then,ELISA was carried out to determine the levels of interferon (IFN)-γand interleukin (IL)-4 in the supernatant,and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to estimate the proliferative activity of these cells.The cytotoxicity of spleen cells was also evaluated based on the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release.Results The serum level of IgG antibody against HSV-2 gD (given in the absorbance value at 450 nm) was 0.313 ± 0.034 in the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group,significantly higher than that in the pAdeno-DC group,DC group and blank control group (0.034 ± 0.009,0.028 ± 0.009 and 0.026 ± 0.010 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Increased proliferative activity and cytotoxicity were observed in spleen cells from the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group compared with those from the pAdeno-DC group,DC group and blank control group (cell stimulation index:1.600 ± 0.215 vs.1.063 ± 0.070,1.056 ± 0.063 and 1.020 ± 0.051,all P ＜ 0.05; percentage of cytotoxicity:37.1％ vs.16.0％,14.9％ and 15.7％,all P ＜ 0.05).The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 (both given in the absorbance value at 450 nm) were 0.568 ± 0.031 and 0.544-± 0.043 respectively in the supernatant of spleen cells from the pAdeno-HSV-2 gD-DC group,compared to 0.266 ± 0.021 and 0.278 ± 0.037 respectively in the pAdeno-DC group (bothP＜ 0.05),0.271 ± 0.023 and 0.275 ± 0.044 respectively in the DC group (bothP＜ 0.05),and 0.252 ± 0.012 and 0.245 ± 0.051 respectively in the blank control group (both P＜ 0.05).Conclusion The vaccine pAdenoHSV-2 gD-DC could induce a specific and strong immune response in BALB/c mice.

Effects of microRNA hsa-mir-634 on the proliferation and apoptosis of Vero cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the function and possible action mechanisms of microRNA hsa-mir-634 in Vero cells.Methods The binding sites for hsa-mir-634 in the 3' UTR of cyclin D1 (CCND1) were predicated by bioinformatics methods.Then,the 3'UTR sequence of CCND1 containing the binding sites for hsamir-634 was amplified by PCR.Site-directed mutagenesis was used to create mutations in the binding sites.The wild and mutant 3' UTR sequences of the CCND1 gene were ligated into the psi-CHECK2 vector separately to construct dual-luciferase reporter vectors,including CHECK2-CCND1 wild,CHECK2-CCND1 mut 1,CHECK2-CCND1 mut 2 and CHECK2-CCND1 mut 3.Then,293T cells were transfected with the four constructed plasmids,and luciferase activity was measured 48 hours after the transfection.Vero cells were transfected with hsa-mir-634 mimics and negative control separately,and harvested after additional culture for different durations; the Vero cells remaining untreated served as the blank control.Subsequently,fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of CCND1 respectively in,3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt (MTS) assay to evaluate the proliferation of,and flow cytometry to detect the apoptosis in,Vero cells.Results The binding sites for hsa-mir-634 in the 3'UTR of CCND1 were successfully predicated.Sequencing results showed the successful construction of dual-luciferase reporter vectors.As the luciferase assay revealed,the overexpression of hsa-mir-634 could significantly inhibit the CCND1 3'UTR-mediated luciferase activity.Compared with the negative control,the hsamir-634 mimics markedly decreased the protein expression of CCND1,but had no obvious effect on the mRNA expression of CCND1 in Vero cells.The proliferation of Vero cells transfected with hsa-mir-634 mimics was significantly restrained compared with those transfected with the negative control,and the strongest restraining effect was observed on day 4 after the transfection.In addition,the overexpression of hsa-mir-634 also induced the apoptosis of Vero cells,with the apoptosis rate being 8.03％,7.96％ and 17.33％ in the blank control group,negative control group and mimics group respectively.Conclusion Hsa-mir-634 may regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of Vero cells via influencing the expression of CCND1.

Expression of herpes simplex virus type 2 latency associated transcript ORF1 and its anti-apoptotic function / 生物工程学报

To study the expression of herpes simplex virus type 2 latency-associated transcript (LAT) open reading frame 1 (ORF1) and its anti-apoptosis function induced by actinomycin D in Vero cells. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-ORF1 was constructed and transfected into Vero cells, and the expression of ORF1 was identified by RT-PCR. The changes of Vero cells morphology induced by actinomycin D were observed by fluorescence microscopy, Hochest33258 fluorescence staining. Cells viability was evaluated by MTT assay and cells apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Double digestion and sequencing confirmed the pEGFP-ORF1 was constructed successfully, RT-PCR showed that the target gene was highly expressed in Vero cells. Hochest33258 staining reaveals that Vero cells transfected with pEGFP-ORF1 and induced apoptosis by actinomycin D had no changes in morphology. MTT assay showed that the viabilities of Vero cells transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-ORF1 and induced apoptosis by actinomycin D has no statistically significant difference compared with the untreated normal control group (P > 0.05), but remarkable higher than Vero cells transfected with empty plasmid pEGFP-C2 and induced apoptosis by actinomycin D, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry assay shows that the cells apoptosis rate had no significant difference between pEGFP-ORF1 group and the normal group, but the cells apoptosis rate ofpEGFP-ORF1 was lower than the pEGFP-C2 group. HSV-2 LAT ORF1 gene can be expressed in Vero cells and can protect Vero cells from apoptosis induced by actinomycin D.

Effects of herpes simplex virus 2 latency-associated transcript open reading frame 3 on the apoptosis in Vero cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the effects of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) latency-associated transcript open reading frame 3 (LAT ORF3) gene on Vero cells against cisplatin-induced apoptosis.Methods Recombinant plasmid enhanced green fluorescent protein-open reading frame 3 (named pEGFP-ORF3) was constructed and transfected into Vero cells; then,reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to detect the expression of the target gene.Cisplatin of 3 mg/L was selected to induce the apoptosis in Vero cells.Cultured Vero cells were transfected with empty plasmid and induced by cisplatin (pEGFP-C2 group),transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-ORF3 and induced by cisplatin (pEGFP-ORF3 group),only induced by cisplatin (cisplatin-induced control group),or remained untreated (normal control group).Subsequently,fluorescence microscopy was conducted to observe apoptotic bodies,Giemsa stain to observe the morphology of cell nuclei,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to evaluate cell proliferation,and flow cytometry to assess cell apoptosis.Data were assessed by using SPSS 13.0 software,and statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA and t test.Results HSV-2 333 LAT ORF3 gene was successfully cloned.The eukaryotic expression plasmid for LAT ORF3 was constructed,and the expression of LAT ORF3 gene in Vero cells was confirmed by RT-PCR.Giemsa stain showed blue-staining nuclei and pale cytoplasm in recombinant plasmid-transfected and cisplatin-induced Vero cells with a normal shape.The value of cell proliferation (absorbance at 490 nm) by MTT assay was 2.56 ± 0.21 in pEGFP-ORF3 group,similar to that in the normal control group (2.66 ± 0.13,P ＞ 0.05),but significantly higher than cisplatin-induced control group (1.65 ± 0.11,P ＜ 0.05) and pEGFP-C2 group (1.56 ± 0.18,P ＜ 0.05).As far as the apoptosis rate was concerned,no significant difference was observed between pEGFP-ORF3 group and normal control group (4.03％ ± 1.04％ vs.2.13％ ± 0.09％,P ＞ 0.05),but pEGFP-ORF3 group was statistically lower than pEGFP-C2 group (19.45％ ± 2.05％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The transfected HSV-2 LAT ORF3 gene could protect Vero cells from cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Changes of microRNA expression profiles in Vero cells induced by HSV-2 LAT overexpression / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in the microRNA expression profile of Vero cells induced by HSV-2 LAT overexpression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The full-length open reading frame of HSV-2 LAT was synthesized and cloned into pRetroQ- AcGFP1-C1 vector, and the recombinant retrovirus expressing HSV-2 LAT was packaged. Using a microRNA microarray, the microRNA expression profile changes in Vero cells were analyzed after infection with the recombinant retrovirus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Vero cells infected with the recombinant retrovirus for stable HSV-2 LAT overexpression, 5 microRNAs (hsa-miR-23a*, kshv-miR-K12-3, hsa-miR-943, hsa-miR-634, and hsa-miR-1270) were up-regulated and 5 (hsa-miR-181a-2*, hsa-miR-450b-5p, hsa-miR-31, hsa-miR-24, and kshv-miR-K12-12*) were down-regulated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of HSV-2 LAT can induce changes in microRNA expression profile in Vero cells.</p>

Combination of 308 nm excimer laser with topical pimecrolimus cream for vitiligo in childhood / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of 308 nm excimer laser plus topical pimeevaluated after 15 and 30 times of laser therapy respectively.ResultsExcept for one patient,all patients were able to be evaluated for effiicacy.After 30 times of laser therapy,the response and excellent response rates were 89.6%and 77.1%respectively,in group A，5.0%and 52.1%respectively in group B;both rates were significantly higher in group A than in group B(both P＜0.05).Also,a highler repigmentation rate was obtained in facial lesions in group A compared with group B.Conclusions The 308 nm excimer laser is safe,erective and well-tolerated for vitiligo in childhood,and the combination with topical imecrolimus cream may improve its efficacy in facial vitiligo.

Updated functions of the herpes simplex virus Us3 gene / 医学研究生学报

The herpes simplex virus(HSV) Us3 gene encodes a ser/thr protein kinase(PK).As an accessory gene,it plays an important role in the regulation of the apoptosis of infected cells and virus release.Us3-induced alterations in the host cytomorphology are associated with enhanced intercellular virus spread,suggestive of a previously undescribed aspect of alphaherpesvirus spread.

Treatment of vitiligo with the 308-nm excimer laser: a clinical study / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of the 308nm excimer laser in the treatment of vitiligo. Methods A Self-controlled study was conducted. The vitiligo lesions in stable stage of 75 patients were treated twice a week by the 308 nm excimer laser for 6 weeks. The efficacy and factors related to efficacy were evaluated 3 days later after the final treatment. Results No improvement was observed in any of the untreated vitiligo lesions. However, of the treated lesions, 6 completely disappeared, 33 obtained significant improvement, 30 moderate improvement, 6 no improvement. The effective rate was 92.0% and the markedly effective rate was 52.0%. The lesions on the face and neck had a better response to the treatment than those on the trunk or limbs, and the latter responded better than those on the joints of extremities. Conclusion The 308 nm excimer laser is safe and effective in treatment of vitiligo in stable stage and the efficacy is related to the anatomic sites.

Downregulation of K14 Genes and Protein Expression by Liposome Conjugated Antisense Oligonucleotides in Keratinocytes / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To probe into the gene therapy of psoriasis using antisense oligonucleotides to attenuate the expression of K14 gene and protein in keratinocytes and evaluate the inhibitory effects of liposome conjugated antisense oligonucleotides on the proliferation of keratinocytes. Methods The antisense, sense and mismatched oligonucleotides for K14 gene were synthesized and conjugated with lipofectin respectively. Finally they were subsequently transfected into cultured keratinocytes in vitro. The expression of K14 gene was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of K14 protein was measured by immunohistochemistry. The variation of cell growth cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Results The expression of K14 gene and protein was markedly decreased in keratinocytes treated with K14 antisense oligonucleotides. The cell growth cycle was inhibited effectively by antisense oligonucleotides with lipofection, but not by sense and mismatched oligonucleotides. Conclusions Antisense oligonucleotides conjugated with lipofectin might be a hopeful method to inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes by inhibiting the expression of K14 mRNA and protein.