CVB3 VP1 interacts with MAT1 to inhibit cell proliferation by interfering with Cdk-activating kinase complex activity in CVB3-induced acute pancreatitis.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) belongs to the genus Enterovirus of the family Picornaviridae and can cause acute acinar pancreatitis in adults. However, the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying CVB3-induced acute pancreatitis have remained unclear. In this study, we discovered that CVB3 capsid protein VP1 inhibited pancreatic cell proliferation and exerted strong cytopathic effects on HPAC cells. Through yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy, we show that Menage a trois 1 (MAT1), a subunit of the Cdk-Activating Kinase (CAK) complex involved in cell proliferation and transcription, is a novel interaction protein with CVB3 VP1. Moreover, CVB3 VP1 inhibited MAT1 accumulation and localization, thus interfering with its interaction with CDK7. Furthermore, CVB3 VP1 could suppress CAK complex enzymic phosphorylation activity towards RNA Pol II and CDK4/6, direct substrates of CAK. VP1 also suppresses phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb), an indirect CAK substrate, especially at phospho-pRb Ser780 and phospho-pRb Ser807/811 residues, which are associated with cell proliferation. Finally, we present evidence using deletion mutants that the C-terminal domain (VP1-D8, 768-859aa) is the minimal VP1 region required for its interaction with MAT1, and furthermore, VP1-D8 alone was sufficient to arrest cells in G1/S phase as observed during CVB3 infection. Taken together, we demonstrate that CVB3 VP1 can inhibit CAK complex assembly and activity through direct interaction with MAT1, to block MAT1-mediated CAK-CDK4/6-Rb signaling, and ultimately suppress cell proliferation in pancreatic cells. These findings substantially extend our basic understanding of CVB3-mediated pancreatitis, providing strong candidates for strategic therapeutic targeting.

A new cancer immunotherapy via simultaneous DC-mobilization and DC-targeted IDO gene silencing using an immune-stimulatory nanosystem.

The activity of negative immune regulatory molecules, such as indoleamine 2,3-oxygenase (IDO), significantly attenuates DC (Dendritic cells)-mediated immunotherapy. We have previously reported that knockdown of IDO using siRNA can reinstall anti-tumor immunity. However, a DC-targeted siRNA delivery system for in vivo mobilized DCs remains to be developed, while gene silencing in mobilized DCs for cancer immunotherapy has never been explored. In our study, we developed a novel DC-targeted siRNA delivery system, man-GNR-siIDO, using as a nanocarrier of siRNA specific for IDO (siIDO) and mannose (man) as a guide molecule for targeting DCs. We explored the immunostimulatory man-GNR-siIDO nano-construct in DCs mobilized by Flt3-L, a receptor-type tyrosine kinase ligand, for lung cancer immunotherapy. In vivo DC-targeted gene silencing of IDO resulted in robust anti-tumor immunity as evidenced by promoting DC maturation, up-regulating tumor antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and enhancing tumor-specific cytotoxicity. A combinatorial treatment for Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC)-bearing mice, with man-GNR-siIDO and Flt3-L, significantly attenuated tumor growth and delayed tumor formation, suggesting the treatment feasibility of the man-GNR-siIDO system in Flt3-L mobilized DCs in the immunotherapy of lung cancer. Therefore, our study highlights a clinical potential for a first-in-class anti-cancer immunotherapy through simultaneous DC-mobilization and DC-targeted gene silencing of IDO with man-GNR-siIDO and Flt3-L treatments.

Targeted-gene silencing of BRAF to interrupt BRAF/MEK/ERK pathway synergized photothermal therapeutics for melanoma using a novel FA-GNR-siBRAF nanosystem.

Melanoma is significantly associated with mutant BRAF gene, a suitable target for siRNA-based anti-melanoma therapy. However, a tumor-specific delivery system is a major hurdle for clinical applications. Here, we developed a novel nano-carrier, FA-GNR-siBRAF for safe topical application, which consists of folic acid (FA) as the tumor-targeting moiety, golden nanorods (GNR) providing photothermal capability to kill tumor cells under laser irradiation, and siRNA specifically silencing BRAF (siBRAF). The in vitro and in vivo results revealed that FA-GNR-siBRAF displayed high transfection rates, and subsequently induced remarkable gene knockdown of BRAF, resulting in suppression of melanoma growth due to the interruption of the MEK/ERK pathway. Combinatorial photothermal effects and BRAF knockdown by FA-GNR-siBRAF effectively killed tumor cells through apoptosis, with enhanced efficiency than individual treatments. Therefore, the FA-GNR-siBRAF simultaneously induced BRAF gene silencing and photothermal effects which achieved synergistic efficacy in the treatment of melanoma, paving a new path for developing clinical treatment methods for melanoma.

Resistin induces multidrug resistance in myeloma by inhibiting cell death and upregulating ABC transporter expression.

Despite advances in therapy, multiple myeloma remains incurable, with a high frequency of relapse. This suggests the need to identify additional factors that contribute to drug resistance. Our previous studies revealed that bone marrow adipocytes promote resistance to chemotherapy in myeloma through adipocyte-secreted adipokines, but the mechanism underlying this effect and the specific adipokines involved are not well understood. We proposed to determine the role of resistin, an adipokine that is secreted by adipocytes, in chemotherapy resistance in myeloma. We found that resistin abrogated chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in established myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma samples. Resistin inhibited chemotherapy-induced caspase cleavage through the NF-κB and PI3K/Akt pathways. Resistin also increased the expression and drug efflux function of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in myeloma cells through decreasing the expression of both DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a and the methylation levels of ABC gene promoters. In vivo studies further demonstrated the protective effect of resistin in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Our study thus reveals a new biological function of resistin in the pathogenesis of myeloma, with the implication that targeting resistin could be a potential strategy to prevent or overcome multidrug resistance in myeloma.

miR­519d­3p/HIF­2α axis increases the chemosensitivity of human cervical cancer cells to cisplatin via inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Cisplatin (DDP)­based chemotherapy is a standard treatment for cervical cancer, although chemotherapy resistance remains a major concern. Hypoxia­inducible factor­2 α (HIF­2α) plays an important role in chemotherapy resistance. MicroRNAs (miRs) can inhibit gene expression by binding to the 3'­untranslated region of the target gene. The authors' previous study showed that miR­519d­3p plays an important role in the regulation of HIF­2α expression under hypoxic conditions in cervical cancer. However, the function and regulatory mechanisms of the miR­519d­3p/HIF­2α axis in DDP­resistance in cervical cancer are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the miR­519d­3p/HIF­2α axis increased DDP resistance by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. It was found that the expression of miR­519d­3p was lower in DDP­resistant cervical cancer cells (CaSki/DDP and HeLa/DDP) compared with CaSki and HeLa cells under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, miR­519d­3p overexpression decreased the IC50 value in CaSki/DDP and HeLa/DDP cells, and inhibited HIF­2α protein expression and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that HIF­2α overexpression reduced the effect of miR­519d­3p overexpression on HeLa/DDP and CaSki/DDP cells. Moreover, the present results suggested that HIF­2α overexpression increased the IC50 value in CaSki/DDP and HeLa/DDP cells. It was also found that HIF­2α overexpression reduced the effect of miR­519d­3p overexpression on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, the present results indicated that the miR­519d­3p/HIF­2α axis increased DDP resistance of cervical cancer cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway under hypoxic conditions.

The Improvement of Immune Effect of Recombinant Human Beta-Defensin 2 on Hepatitis B Vaccine in Mice.

Immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is an effective measure for prevention and control of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Although lots of efforts to improve the effect of hepatitis B vaccine have been made, the function of human beta defensin 2 (hBD2) on hepatitis B vaccine keeps unclear. In this article, we report that hBD2 not only promoted the activation and maturation of immature dendritic cells (iDCs) by increasing MHC II and CD86 expression, but it also significantly upregulated the mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-12B in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. The serum concentrations of IFN-γ in mice stimulated with 300 ng hBD2 increased from 25.21 to 42.04 pg/mL, with a time extension from 4 to 12 h post-injection. During the process of three times immunization (1, 14, 28 days) with 3 µg hepatitis B vaccine combined with or without 300 ng hBD2 with a 2 week interval in BALB/c mice, the antibody against HBsAg (HBsAb) concentration in serum at every time point of observation in the combined group was statistically higher than the hepatitis B vaccine group. The serum concentration of IgG2a subclass HBsAb on the 14th day post last injection in the combined group was significantly higher than the hepatitis B vaccine group. Further, the splenic cells from the mice treated with both hBD2 and hepatitis B vaccine possessed a greater ability to produce a surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) specific IFN-γ than those treated with hepatitis B vaccine alone. The percentages of CD3+/CD4+ T cells and CD3+/CD8+ T lymphocytes in spleens from the mice treated with 300 ng hBD2 were statistically higher than the phosphate buffered saline group. These data suggest that hBD2 improves iDC maturation and the immune efficiency of hepatitis B vaccine in BALB/c mice.

Tumor-Targeted Gene Silencing IDO Synergizes PTT-Induced Apoptosis and Enhances Anti-tumor Immunity.

Background: Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been demonstrated to be a promising cancer treatment approach because it can be modulated to induce apoptosis instead of necrosis via adjusting irradiation conditions. Recently, an abscopal anti-tumor immunity has been highlighted, in which PTT on the primary tumor also induced repression of distant tumors. In PTT cancer treatments, the mechanism and the role of immune checkpoints to enhance anti-tumor immunity needs to be investigated. Methods: We prepared a multi-functional gold nanorod reagent, GMPF-siIDO, that is composed of gold nanorods (GNRs) that act as the nano-platform and photothermal sensitizer; folic acid (FA) as the tumor-targeting moiety; and IDO-specific RNA (siIDO) as an immune-stimulator functionality for inducing anti-tumor immunity. For this study, we adjusted the irradiation condition of PTT to induce apoptosis and to silence the immune checkpoint indoleamine 2,3 dioxygeonase (IDO), simultaneously. Results: Our studies provide evidence that photothermal effects kill tumor cells mainly via inducing apoptosis, which can significantly improve antitumor immunity when IDO was down-regulated in TME through significant increases of localized CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes in tumor tissue, the downregulation of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocyte apoptosis, and the upregulation of antitumor cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Conclusion: In this study, we, for the first time, validated the role of IDO as a negative regulator for both PTT-induced tumor cell apoptosis and anti-tumor immunity; IDO is a critical immune checkpoint that impedes PTT while combination of gene knockdown of IDO in TME enhances anti-tumor efficacy of PTT.

Increased TLR4 Expression Aggravates Sepsis by Promoting IFN-γ Expression in CD38-/- Mice.

Gram-negative bacterial sepsis accounts for up to 50% worldwide sepsis that causes hospital mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication of Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, is caused by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin in Gram-negative bacteria and is recognized specifically by TLR4, which initiates innate immune response. Also, TLR4 signaling pathway activation is essential in response to LPS infection. CD38 is one of the well-known regulators of innate immunity, whose dysregulation contributes to sepsis. Many studies have proven that an attenuated Gram-positive bacterium induces sepsis in a CD38-blocking model. However, the pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis in a CD38-/- mouse model remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether kidney injury is still attenuated in a LPS-induced CD38-/- sepsis model and identify the potential mechanism. We assess the severity of kidney injury related to proinflammatory cytokine expressions (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in WT and CD38-/- mice. Our results showed more aggravated kidney damage in CD38-/- mice than in WT mice, accompanied with an increase of proinflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, compared with CD38-/-TLR4mut mice, we found an increase of TLR4 expression and mRNA expression of these cytokines in the kidney of CD38-/- mice, although only increased IFN-γ level was detected in the serum. Taken together, these results demonstrated that an increased TLR4 expression in CD38-/- mice could contribute to the aggravation of AKI through boosting of the production of IFN-γ.

Curcumin attenuates collagen-induced rat arthritis via anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effects.

Curcumin is a natural herbal product that has been popularly used to treat autoimmune diseases in China; however, its effects on rheumatoid arthritis and its mechanism are not clear. The main purposes of this study are to explore the therapeutic effects of curcumin on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats and the pharmacological mechanism. In the present study, CIA rats were established by injecting bovine type II collagen. Curcumin and methotrexate were then orally administered daily, and the swelling degree of the hind limb joints was scored every two days. Histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-17 and TGF-ß) were detected by radioimmunoassay, while the expression of IκBα and COX-2 was detected by Western blot. In addition, cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and the effect of curcumin on macrophage apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. The results indicated that in vivo curcumin attenuated the degree of joint swelling of rats and the further development of joint histopathology. Moreover, it downregulated the levels of cytokines. In vitro curcumin inhibited the degradation of IκBα and reduced the production of COX-2 in LPS-induced inflammatory RAW264.7 cells. Importantly, curcumin significantly induced macrophage apoptosis. In conclusion, in this study, we have demonstrated that curcumin exerts therapeutic effects on arthritis in CIA rats and has a strong pharmacological activity on reducing the inflammatory response in macrophages. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the promotion of macrophage apoptosis.

[Construction and expression characteristics in vitro of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 suicidal DNA vaccine].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the suicidal DNA vaccine of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 gene (HPV16), and explore the DNA vaccine expression characteristics in vitro and capacity of inducing the transfected cells into apoptosis. METHODS: HPV16 E7 gene cloned by PCR from pET32/E7 was inserted into the plasmid pSCA1 to construct the recombinant plasmid pSCA/E7, followed by identification with PCR, BamH I and Sma I digestion and sequencing. pSCA/E7 was then used to transfect BHK-21 cell line. The transient expression of HPV16 E7 gene was confirmed by immuno-fluorescent staining, and the apoptosis induced by pSCA/E7 was checked with TDT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: The cloned E7 gene fragment was about 400 bp in length. PCR, restriction endonuclease digestion and sequence analysis revealed that the HPV16 E7 gene was cloned into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pSCA1 successfully. Immunofluorescent staining confirmed that the E7 gene could express in BHK-21 cell line. The BHK-21 cells transfected with pSCA/E7 could be induced into apoptosis which was confirmed by TUNEL. CONCLUSION: The results show that HPV16 E7 suicidal DNA vaccine can express in BHK-21 cell line, and induce the pSCA/E7 transfected cells into apoptosis. These findings may provide the foundation for exploring the therapeutic vaccine against HPV16-associated cervical cancer.

MicroRNA-519d-3p Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis by Targeting HIF-2α in Cervical Cancer Under Hypoxic Conditions.

HIF-2α knockdown inhibits proliferation, arrests the cell cycle, and promotes apoptosis and autophagy under hypoxic conditions in cervical cancer. However, the upstream regulatory mechanism of HIF-2α expression is unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) degrade target mRNAs by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of mRNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of miRNAs in the regulation of HIF-2α expression in cervical cancer under hypoxic conditions. miRNAs regulating HIF-2α expression were predicted using TargetScan and miRanda and were determined in cervical cancer under hypoxic conditions by qRT-PCR. Additionally, the targeted regulation of HIF-2α by miR-519d-3p was evaluated by Western blot and luciferase reporter assays. Effects of miR-519d-3p and HIF-2α on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. miR-106a-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-519d-3p, miR-526b-3p, and miR-20b-5p are potentially regulatory miRNAs that bound to the HIF-2α 3'-untranslated region as per TargetScan and miRanda predictions. Expression of the five miRNAs was inhibited in HeLa cells under hypoxic conditions compared to normoxic conditions, and the expression of miR-519d-3p was lower than that of other miRNAs. Luciferase reporter assays showed that HIF-2α was a target of miR-519d-3p. Additionally, miR-519d-3p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, arrested the cell cycle transition from the G1 stage to the S stage, and promoted cell apoptosis under hypoxic conditions in cervical cancer. HIF-2α overexpression partially reversed the effect of miR-519d-3p. In conclusion, miR-519d-3p overexpression suppressed proliferation, inhibited the cell cycle, and promoted apoptosis of HeLa cells by targeting HIF-2α under hypoxic conditions.

[Steady expression and activity determination of recombinant signal peptide of mBD2 in SiHa cell].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression pattern and effect of recombinant murine beta defensin 2 (rmBD2) on the proliferation of cell transfected with pcDNA3. 1 (+)/rmBD2. METHODS: The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3. 1 (+)/rmBD2 was transferred into SiHa cells. The transfected SiHa cells were selected by G418 with 100 microg/mL for over 20 days. The steady expressions of rmBD2 protein and rmBD2 mRNA were detected by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The effects of rmBD2 on SiHa cell growth and reproduction were measured by MTT. RESULTS: The SiHa cells which could stably express the rmBD2 protein were harvested with 100 microg/mL of G418. The rmBD2 protein expression was, by immunofluorescence, confirmed and its mRNA in SiHa with rmBD2 could be detected at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks after cell transfected. A 220 bp segment encoding rmBD2 was amplified by RT-PCR and proved by sequencing. The SiHa/K cells transfected pcDNA3. 1 (+) and SiHa had no expression of rmBD2 protein. The SiHa with rmBD2 expression grew slowly than SiHa/K and SiHa control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The screening for SiHa with rmBD2 expressing stably is successful. The cell growth curve shows that rmBD2 can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. The above results establish a solid foundation for further studying the biological properties and the anti-tumor mechanism of beta defensins.

Similarity in the functions of HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins in cervical cancer cells.

Hypoxia is a common feature of many solid tumours, including cervical cancer. Aggressive tumour progression is mostly associated with hypoxia. Furthermore, hypoxic conditions in tumours are also associated with resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, and with poor prognosis. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1, composed of a constitutively expressed ß-subunit (HIF-ß/ARNT) and one of the three known oxygen-regulated α-subunits, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, or HIF-3α, mediates the tumour cell response to hypoxia. The distinction between the roles of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in tumorigenesis is not clearly delineated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of HIF-2α on the characteristics of a cervical cancer cell line and to compare the functions of HIF-1α and HIF-2α. The present study demonstrated that the levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression increased under hypoxic exposure compared with normoxia. The major difference was the temporal expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α, with expression of the two proteins peaking at different time-points. In addition, HIF-1α and HIF-2α had similar effects on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Suppression of expression of HIF-1α or HIF-2α inhibited proliferation, induced G1-phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in the cervical cancer cell line CaSki. However, the effects of HIF-1α and HIF-2α on invasion and cell autophagy were different. The inhibitory effect of HIF-1α on cell invasion was stronger compared with HIF-2α, while the inhibitory effect of HIF-1α on cell autophagy was weaker compared with HIF-2α. Together, these results demonstrate that HIF-1α and HIF-2α have similar effects on the characteristics of a cervical cancer cell line. The major difference that the authors observed between the effects exerted by the two proteins on the cervical cancer cell line studied is the extent of their effect on invasion and autophagy.

Construction of eukaryotic expressing plasmids encoding HA and HA1 of influenza A virus and their transient expression in HEK293 cells.

In order to explore the feasibility and protective efficiency of influenza DNA vaccine, we constructed eukaryotic expressing plasmids encoding HA and HA1 of influenza A virus (A/PR/8/34) and studied their expression in HEK293 cells. HA and HA1 genes were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pcDNA3.1(+) to generate pcDNA3.1(+)/HA and pcDNA3.1(+)/HA1, respectively. After verification of the cloning fidelity by restriction endonuclease digestion, PCR, and sequencing, pcDNA3.1(+)/HA and pcDNA3.1(+)/HA1 were transfected into HEK293 cells using PolyFect Transfection Reagent. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the transient expressing cells. Fluorescence microscopy revealed strong expression of target gene in HEK293 cells transiently transfected with either pcDNA3.1(+)/HA or pcDNA3.1(+)/HA1. Therefore, the results confirm the successful construction of eukaryotic expressing plasmids capable of driving the eukaryotic expression of influenza virus antigen HA and HA1, which is likely to provide a basis for both further investigation of the mechanism of influenza viral infection and the development of influenza DNA vaccine.

[Analysis of protein expression feature and construction of procaryotic expression system for human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E4 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To clone the E4 gene (E4) from human papillomavirus type 16(HPV-16), construct the engineering bacteria of prokaryotic expression, and explore the expression conditions and the characters of expression product. METHODS: The complete E4 gene was cloned by PCR from the sample cell extract of clinical cervical disease that was the positive HPV-16 confirmed by Real-PCR. The E4 DNA fragment was inserted into the pET32a(+) to construct a prokaryotic expression plasmid, called as pET32/E4. Then the expression plasmids were transferred into competent E. coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant DNA was identified by Bgl II and Hind III digestion, and then sequencing. The recombine bacterium, BL21/E4, was induced with different IPTG concentrations at different temperatures. The expressed proteins were checked and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Gel-Pro Analyzer 4. His-tag of BL21/E4 expression protein was hybridized to McAb. RESULTS: The E4 gene cloned by PCR was about 342 bp. The blasted result showed that the E4 gene had 99% homology of HVP-16 DNA sequence, the cloned E4 gene expression frame was the same as HVP-16 East Asia strain's. Compared with other HPV-16 strains in GenBank, the homology of E4 gene was above 97%. pET32/E4 could express recombinant E4 (rE4) in BL21. The highest expression, which was 12.2% or 12.8% of total bacterial proteins respectively, was gotten when BL21/E4 was induced by 0.1 mmol/L IPTG at 28 degrees C or 37 degrees C for 18 hours. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot showed the rE4 was expressed mainly to form the inclusion body, and to fuse with his-tag (rE4/His), that was soluble and had a molecular weight as about 34 KDa. CONCLUSION: We cloned successfully the E4 gene from HPV-16 and constructed the prokaryotic expression E. coli BL21/E4, which could expression rE4 protein fused with his-tag (rE4/His), effectively. The fused protein could react to McAb recognizing His-tag, which was convenience purified by affinity chromatography. The above research results built a good foundation for preparing the high grade of purity E4 protein and developing the relative study.

[Construction of eukaryotic expressing plasmids for HA and HA1 of influenza A virus and their transient expression in HEK293 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct influenza A virus (A/PR/8/34) HA and HA1 eukaryotic expressing plasmids and study their expression in HEK293 cells. METHODS: HA and HA1 genes were cloned by RT-PCR and then inserted into pcDNA3. 1 (+). After identification of restriction enzyme digestion, PCR and sequencing analysis, HA and HA1 eukaryotic expressing plasmids were transfected into HEK293 cells with PolyFect Transfection Reagent. Immunofluorescence assay was used to observe the transient expressing result. RESULTS: It was confirmed that the construction of HA and HA1 eukaryotic expressing plasmids was made successfully. The stronger fluorescence signals were detected in transfected HEK293 cells with these two kinds of plasmids by immunofluorescence assay. CONCLUSION: The experiment is a success in the construction of eukaryotic expressing plasmids for HA and HA1, thus providing a basis for further probing into the mechanism of virus infection and exploring DNA vaccine.

[Prokaryotic expression and identification of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein encoding gene].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET32/E7 and express the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein in E. coli. METHODS: HPV16 E7 gene was amplified by PCR. The amplified E7 fragment was inserted into the plasmid pET32a (+) that was digested with BamH I and Hind III. The recombinant plasmid pET32/E7 was transformed into E. coli JM109 which was selected with ampicillin. The positive clones containing recombinant plasmid pET32/E7 were verified by BamH I and Xho I digestion, and then sequenced. HPV16 E7-TRX recombinant protein expression in the E. coli BL21(ED3) was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. RESULTS: The prokaryotic recombinant plasmid pET32/E7 was successfully constructed. The BL21(DE3) transformed recombinant plasmid pET32/E7 had expressed HPV16 E7-TRX recombinant protein effectively. Under the conditions of 1 mmol/L IPTG and 30 degrees C, the amount of HPV16 E7-TRX recombinant protein was about 30% of bacterial total proteins. CONCLUSION: The construction of the prokaryotic recombinant plasmid pET32/E7 and the successful expression of the recombinant protein HPV16 E7-TRX would strongly promote the research of the biological properties and the transformational mechanism of the HPV16 E7 protein on the specific cells.

A novel GNRs-PEI/GNRs-PEI-folate for efficiently delivering siRNA.

RNA interference (RNAi) employs double-stranded RNA or siRNA (small interfering RNA) to silence gene expression in cells. The widespread use of RNAi therapeutics requires the development of clinically suitable, safe and effective delivery vehicles. PEI (Poly(ethylene imine)) carrying the positive charges has attracted considerable attention for siRNA delivery. Gold nanorods (GNRs) exhibit specially localized surface plasmon resonance when excited by the visible and near-infrared laser, which is useful for photothermal therapy. However, the toxicity derived from a large amount of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during GNR synthesis severely limits their medical applications. Here, we report the synthesis of GNRs-PEI/GNRs-PEI-folate to improve biocompatibility, siRNA delivery and photothermal therapy of GNRs. Firstly, GNRs were synthesized according to the seed-mediated template-assisted protocol. The characterization results of GNRs showed: the size was length about 218 nm and width about 26.8 nm; the Zeta potential was +38.1 mV derived from CTAB on their surface; the dipole resonance extinction spectrum peak was 752 nm which is effective for photothermal therapy in vivo. Secondly, we synthesized PEI-MUA (Mercaptoundecanoic acid) and PEI-MUA-folate based on the chemical reaction between amino group of PEI and carboxyl group of MUA or Folate. PEI-MUA or PEI-MUA-folate to replace CTAB on GNRs obtained the GNRs-MUA-PEI system or the GNRs-MUA-PEI-folate system due to the solid conjugation between the thiol group of MUA and GNRs. The products were measured using the FTIR Spectrometer, and the spectra suggest MUA-PEI or PEI-MUA-folate has successfully replaced CTAB on the surface of GNRs. Finally, GNRs-MUA-PEI was incubated with siRNA-Cy3. The unbound siRNA-Cy3 was measured the intensity of fluorescence for calculating the uploaded amount of siRNA by GNRs-MUA-PEI, and the results indicate that the uploaded percentage of siRNA is about 70%. We conclude that the GNRs-MUA-PEI system is an effective siRNA loading vehicle.

[Cloning and eukaryotic expression of murine beta-defensin-2(mBD-2)].

AIM: To clone murine beta defensin-2 gene (mBD2) and to express the mBD2 protein eukaryotically. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from the lungs of BALB/c mice which were injected with LPS in advance. The DNA fragment encoding mBD2 was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into the plasmid pcDNA3.1(+), which was then digested with EcoR I and Xho I to construct the recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2. The pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2 was identified by endonuclease digestion, PCR, and sequencing analysis. The SiHa cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2 plasmid and screened by G418 of 100 mg/L over 20 days. Steady expression of mBD2 was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR. RESULTS: About 250 bp DNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from lung total RNA of the mice injected with LPS. The eukaryotic expression vector, pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2, was successfully constructed after inserting the mBD2 fragment into pcDNA3.1(+). Most of SiHa cells transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2 and screened by G418 could express the mBD2 protein, confirmed by immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic vector of pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD2 was successfully constructed and transfected into SiHa cells, which established a solid foundation for further study on the biological characteristics and anti-tumor mechanisms of the mBD2 protein.

[Cloning of ureI gene from Helicobacter pylori and its expression in E. coli].

OBJECTIVE: To clone the urea membrane channel gene (ureI) from Helicobacter pylori (Hp) for its expression in E. coli, and evaluate the expression conditions and immunological features of the fusion protein. METHODS: ureI gene cloned by PCR from Hp was inserted into the plasmid pET32a (+) to construct the recombinant plasmid pET32a/ureI, followed by identification by BglII and HindIII digestion and sequencing. E. coli BL-21+(DE3) was transformed with pET32a/ureI to obtain the engineered bacterium BL21+/UreI, which was cultured at different temperatures and induced with 1.0 mmol/L IPTG for expression of the recombinant protein. The expressed proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by Pro-gel analyzer 4.0. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the expressed protein. RESULTS: The cloned gene fragment was about 650 bp in length, and BglII and HindIII digestion of pET32a/ureI yielded a 650-bp band. Sequence analysis revealed that the cloned ureI gene contained 646 bp without reading frame alterations. Comparison against GenBank indicated a homology of 100% of the cloned gene with ureI gene of the corresponding Hp strains, and also one no less than 98.5% with ureI gene from other strains. The engineered E. coli BL21+/UreI could express recombinant UreI (rUreI) with His tag, and the target protein accounted for 20.2% of the total bacterial proteins after 1.0 mmol/L IPTG induction of the bacterium at 37 degrees C for 14 h. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that the recombinant UreI protein was produced mainly in the inclusion bodies and fused with his-tag (rUreI/his), which could react with human anti-Hp and mAb to his tag but not with mAb to Hp UreB. CONCLUSIONS: We have successfully cloned ureI gene and constructed the prokaryotic expression plasmid for efficient rUreI expression, and the fusion protein rUreI/his expressed in the inclusion bodies can react specifically with both Hp antibody and his-tag antibody.