Macrophage KLF15 prevents foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via transcriptional suppression of OLR-1.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage-derived foam cells are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Scavenger receptors, including lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (OLR-1), are the principal receptors responsible for the uptake and modification of LDL, facilitating macrophage lipid load and the uptake of oxidized LDL by arterial wall cells. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes by binding to the promoter during transcription. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the precise role of macrophage KLF15 in atherogenesis. METHODS: We used two murine models of atherosclerosis: mice injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding the Asp374-to-Tyr mutant version of human PCSK9, followed by 12 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD), and ApoE-/-- mice on a HFD. We subsequently injected mice with AAV-KLF15 and AAV-LacZ to assess the role of KLF15 in the development of atherosclerosis in vivo. Oil Red O, H&E, and Masson's trichome staining were used to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions. Western blots and RT-qPCR were used to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. RESULTS: We determined that KLF15 expression was downregulated during atherosclerosis formation, and KLF15 overexpression prevented atherosclerosis progression. KLF15 expression levels did not affect body weight or serum lipid levels in mice. However, KLF15 overexpression in macrophages prevented foam cell formation by reducing OLR-1-meditated lipid uptake. KLF15 directly targeted and transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 levels. Restoration of OLR-1 reversed the beneficial effects of KLF15 in atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Macrophage KLF15 transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 expression to reduce lipid uptake, thereby preventing foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. Thus, our results suggest that KLF15 is a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of seven rapid diagnostic tests for detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies in China.

Rapid diagnostic tests as an attractive alternative to enzyme immunoassay could identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected persons more expeditiously. The availability of high performing and quality-assured rapid diagnostic tests are essential to scale-up HCV screening. The study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of seven domestic HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits. The kits were evaluated by using HCV serum panels, including HCV basic panel, analytical specificity panel, mixed titre performance panel, characteristic panel, seroconversion panel, and genotype qualification panel. The results showed that clinical sensitivity, clinical specificity and analytical specificity of seven rapid diagnostic tests kits ranged from 94% (95% CI: 83.2-98.6) to 100% (95% CI: 91.5-100). Furthermore, specimens with HCV genotypes 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6 could be detected by HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits, whereas specimens with genotypes 1a and 2b could not be detected. Additionally, most HCV rapid diagnostic tests kits had great performance in diagnosing different titres and/or different bands samples, but some low S/CO value specimens may not be fully detected by few rapid diagnostic test kits. In conclusion, seven HCV rapid diagnostic tests reagents presented high sensitivity, specificity, good anti-interference and detection ability of early infection, which could meet the requirements of clinical HCV antibody screening.

Vaccination demonstration zone successfully controls rabies in Guangxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Guangxi is the province most seriously affected by rabies virus (RABV) in China. Those most affected by RABV each year are people in rural areas, where dogs are the main cause of human infection with the virus. METHODS: In this study, we established a rabies vaccination demonstration program that included eradication, core, and peripheral areas. This program was implemented for 9 years and comprised three stages: 12 counties in the first stage (2008-2010), 21 counties in the second stage (2011-2013), and then extending to all counties of Guangxi Province in the third stage (2014-2016). The program included a dog vaccination campaign, surveillance of clinically healthy dogs who may be potential RABV carriers, monitoring anti-RABV antibody titers in vaccinated dogs, and compiling and reporting statistics of human rabies cases. RESULTS: The target effectiveness was achieved in the eradication, core, and peripheral areas in all three stages. The vaccination demonstration program successfully promoted RABV vaccination of domestic dogs throughout Guangxi Province by drawing upon the experience gained at key points. Compared with a vaccination coverage rate of 39.42-46.85% in Guangxi Province overall during 2003-2007, this rate gradually increased to 48.98-52.67% in 2008-2010, 60.24-69.67% in 2011-2013, and 70.09-71.53% in 2014-2016, thereby meeting World Health Organization requirements. The total cases of human rabies in the province decreased from 602 in 2004 to 41 cases in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: The present pilot vaccination program obviously increased the rabies vaccination and seroconversion rates, and effectively reduced the spread of rabies from dogs to humans as well as the number of human rabies cases, thus successfully controlling rabies in Guangxi.

Evolutionary analysis of rabies virus isolates from Guangxi Province of southern China.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a severe epidemic in Guangxi province, China, with hundreds of deaths occurring each year. In the past six decades, rabies has emerged three times in Guangxi, and the province has reported the largest number of rabies cases in China. The domestic dog is the principal vector for rabies, and 95% of human cases are associated with transmission from dogs. RESULTS: To understand the genetic relationship between street rabies virus (RABV) from Guangxi, genetic diversity analysis was performed using RABV isolates collected between 1999 and 2012. The N gene of 42 RABV isolates, and the P and M genes, as well as fragments of the 3' terminus (L1-680) and the polymerase activity module of the L gene (Lpam) of 36 RABV isolates were sequenced. In addition, whole genome sequencing was performed for 5 RABV isolates. There was evidence of topological discrepancy in the phylogenetic trees based on different genes of the RABV isolates. Amino acid variation of the deduced N protein exhibited different patterns to those obtained from the P and M proteins reported here, and the previously reported G protein (Tang H. et al., PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 8(10): e3114, 2014), and L1-680 and Lpam. These RABV isolates were divided into three main branches against fixed strains. CONCLUSION: RABV is prevalent in Guangxi province and strains collected over the last two decades belong mainly to three groups (I, II, III). These RABV isolates reveal genetic diversity. Individual RABV genes from Guangxi exhibit different evolutionary characteristics. The results will have benefits for continuing comprehensive rabies surveillance, prevention and control in China.

Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the detection of Tahyna Virus.

A real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for the detection of Tahyna virus was developed to monitor Tahyna virus infection in field-collected vector mosquito samples. The targets selected for the assay were S segment sequences encoding the nucleocapsid protein from the Tahyna virus. Primers and probes were selected in conserved regions by aligning genetic sequences from various Tahyna virus strains available from GenBank. The sensitivity of the RT-qPCR approach was compared to that of a standard plaque assay in BHK cells. RT-qPCR assay can detect 4.8 PFU of titrated Tahyna virus. Assay specificities were determined by testing a battery of arboviruses, including representative strains of Tahyna virus and other arthropod-borne viruses from China. Seven strains of Tahyna virus were confirmed as positive; the other seven species of arboviruses could not be detected by RT-qPCR. Additionally, the assay was used to detect Tahyna viral RNA in pooled mosquito samples. The RT-qPCR assay detected Tahyna virus in a sensitive, specific, and rapid manner; these findings support the use of the assay in viral surveillance.

Characterization of the biological properties and complete genome sequence analysis of a cattle-derived rabies virus isolate from the Guangxi province of southern China.

In this study, a street rabies virus isolate, GXHXN, was obtained from the brain of one rabid cattle in Guangxi province of southern China. To characterize the biological properties of GXHXN, we first evaluated its pathogenicity using 4-week-old adult mice. GXHXN was highly pathogenic with a short incubation period and course of disease. Its LD50 of 10(-6.86)/mL is significantly higher than the LD50 of 10(-5.19)/mL of GXN119, a dog-derived rabies virus isolate. It also displayed a higher neurotropism index than the rRC-HL strain. However, the relative neurotropism index of GXHXN was slightly lower than that of GXN119. Analyzing antigenicity using anti-N and anti-G monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), all tested anti-N MAbs reacted similarly to GXHXN, CVS, and rRC-HL, but the reaction of anti-N MAbs to GXHXN was slightly different from GXN119. Moreover, 2/11 tested anti-G mAbs showed weaker reactivity to GXHXN than rRC-HL, whereas 4/11 showed stronger reactivity to GXHXN than CVS and GXN119, indicating that the structures of G might differ. In order to understand its genetic variation and evolution, the complete GXHXN genome sequence was determined and compared with the known 12 isolates from other mammals. A total of 42 nucleotide substitutions were found in the full-length genome, including 15 non-synonymous mutations. The G gene accounts for the highest nucleotide substitution rate of 0.70 % in ORF and an amino acid substitution rate of 0.95 %. Phylogenetic trees based on the complete genome sequence as well as the N and G gene sequences from 37 known rabies isolates from various mammals demonstrated that the GXHXN is closely related to the BJ2011E isolate from a horse in Beijing, the WH11 isolate from a donkey in Hubei, and isolates from dogs in the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. These findings will be helpful in exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying interspecies transmission and the genetic variation of the rabies virus in different mammal species.

Molecular epidemiology of PRRSV from China's Guangxi Province between 2007 and 2009.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is considered to be one of the most important infectious diseases affecting livestock. This study used gene sequence analysis of ORF5 and Nsp2 to determine the molecular epidemiology of PRRSV in different parts of the Guangxi province of China. These genes were selected due to their extensive variation within the genome. Out of 189 samples from animals suspected to have PRRS, 145 were PRRSV RNA positive. ORF5 and Nsp2 gene sequence analysis of 31 of these samples showed that all of the Guangxi isolates were of type 2. A phylogenetic tree analysis based on ORF5 showed that the Guangxi isolates were divided into two groups. Most of these were closely related to highly pathogenic strains, showing a 30 amino acid deletion at positions 481 and 533-561 of Nsp2, but an additional unique isolate (GXNN06) possessed a further four amino acid deletion at positions 485-488 of Nsp2.

Mechanism of Procyanidin B2 in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Based on Integrating Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacological mechanism of procyanidin B2 (PCB2) on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) by integrating network pharmacological methods systematically. METHODS: Firstly, the potential target genes of PCB2 were predicted by the pharmacological database and analysis platform (TCMSP and Pharmmapper). Meanwhile, the relevant target genes of CML were collected from GeneCards and DisGene. Pooled data were collected to screen for common target genes. Furthermore, the above intersection genes were imported into the String website to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and the Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway were further analyzed. Besides, molecular docking was performed to verify the possible binding conformation between PCB2 and candidate targets. Finally, MTT and RT-PCR experiments of K562 cells were performed to verify the above results of network pharmacology. RESULTS: A total of 229 PCB2 target genes were retrieved, among which 186 target genes had interaction with CML. The pharmacological effects of PCB2 on CML were related to some important oncogenes and signaling pathways. The top ten core targets predicted by Network Analysis were as follows: AKT1, EGFR, ESR1, CASP3, SRC, VEGFA, HIF1A, ERBB2, MTOR, and IGF1. Molecular docking studies confirmed that hydrogen bonding was the main interaction force of PCB2 binding targets. According to the molecular docking score, the following three target proteins were most likely to bind to PCB2: VEGFA (-5.5 kcal/mol), SRC (-5.1 kcal/mol), and EGFR (-4.6 kcal/mol). After treatment of PCB2 for 24h, mRNA expression levels of VEGFA and HIF1A decreased significantly in K562 cells. CONCLUSION: Through integrating network pharmacology combined with molecular docking, the study revealed the potential mechanism of PCB2 anti-chronic myeloid leukemia.

Exploration of an Efficient Simultaneous Molecular Detection Method of HIV, HCV, and Syphilis from a Single Dried Blood Spot.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA using one dried blood spot (DBS) as an alternative sample to plasma. METHOD: A total of 571 paired DBS/plasma samples were collected from men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDUs), and serological and molecular assays were performed. Using plasma results as the reference standard, the performance of DBS tests for HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA was evaluated. Pearson's correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis were performed to assess the correlation and concordance between DBS and plasma. RESULTS: Among paired plasma/DBS samples with detectable HIV-1 RNA and HCV RNA, five samples (5/32) were not detectable in DBS, while measurable HIV-1 RNA levels were present in plasma (1.44 to 3.99 log 10 copies/mL). There were two samples (2/94) with undetectable HCV RNA in DBS, while measurable HCV RNA levels were present in plasma (-5 to 5.99 log 10 copies/mL). The correlation between HIV-1 RNA light chain variable region (VL) values obtained from plasma and DBS showed that r = 0.683 ( P < 0.01), n = 27 and r = 0.612 ( P < 0.01), n = 89 in HCV RNA. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that in HIV-1 RNA, the mean (± SD) difference between HIV-1 RNA in plasma and DBS was 1.00 ± 1.01 log 10 copies/mL, and all samples were within ± 1.96 SD (-0.97 to 2.97 log 10 copies/mL) for DBS. The mean difference (± SD) in HCV RNA was 0.15 ± 1.08 log 10 copies/mL, and 94.38% (84/89) were within ± 1.96 SD (-1.96 to 2.67 log 10 copies/mL). Overall, HIV-1 RNA and HCV RNA levels obtained from a DBS were lower than those obtained from plasma. HIV-1 DNA in a DBS showed concordant results with HIV-1 RNA in plasma. HIV-1 DNA RT-PCR using a DBS showed acceptable performance. CONCLUSION: The performance of the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA using one DBS was acceptable. DBS, as an alternative sample to plasma, may be a viable option for the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA in resource-limited settings or for individuals living in areas that are difficult to access.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog exenatide ameliorates intrauterine adhesions in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the experiments in this study was to explore the effect of exenatide on intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) and to elucidate its mechanism to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of IUAs. METHODS: In this study, an animal model of IUAs was established by double stimulation using mechanical curettage and inflammation. After modeling, the treatment group was injected subcutaneously with three doses of exenatide for two weeks. The model group was injected with sterile ultrapure water, and the sham operation group was treated the same as the normal group, except for the observation of abdominal wound changes. Two weeks later, all mice were sacrificed by cervical dysfunction. The obtained mouse uterine tissue was used for subsequent experimental detection, using HE and Masson staining for histomorphological and pathological analysis; qRT-PCR for the detection of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and MMP-9 gene expression in uterine tissue; and western blotting analysis of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and collagen 1 protein expression to verify whether exenatide has a therapeutic effect on IUAs in mice. RESULTS: In the high-dose exenatide treatment group, the endometrial glands significantly increased in size, and the deposition area of collagen fibers in the endometrial tissue was significantly reduced. We observed that the mRNA expression of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA in the endometrial tissue of IUAs mice in this group was significantly reduced, while the expression of MMP-9 was significantly increased. In addition, we found that the protein expression of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and collagen 1 remarkably decreased after treatment with exenatide. CONCLUSION: Exenatide may reduce the deposition of collagen fibers in the uterus of IUAs mice and promote the proliferation of endometrial glands in mice.

[Study on the chemical constituents of the fruit handles from Schizandra chinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the fruit handles from Schizandra chinensis. METHODS: Compounds from the 85% ethanol extracts were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, recrystal, etc., and their structures were identified by the spectral analysis and chemical evidence. RESULTS: Eight compounds were isolated and identified as wuweizisu C (I), ganwuweizic acid(II), beta-sitosterol(III), gomisin A(IV), schizandrin(V), daucosterol(VI), wuweizisu A(VII), gamma-schizandrin (VIII). CONCLUSION: Compounds I - VIII are isolated from the fruit handles of Schizandra chinensis for the first time.

[Effects of liposomes formulation and preparation method on the stability of acyclovir palmitate liposomes].

AIM: To study the effects of various liposomes formulations and preparation methods on the stability of acyclovir palmitate (ACV-C16) liposomes on storage at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C over a 6 months period. METHODS: The mean particle size, Zeta potential, pH and leaking ratio of ACV-C16 liposomes were the parameters chosen to indicate the stability of liposomes. All of the parameters were compared among various lipid compositions [egg lecithin/cholesterol/hosphatidylserine (PC/CH/PS), egg lecithin/cholesterol/stearylamine (PC/CH/SA), egg lecithin/cholesterol/cholesteryl sulphate (PC/CH/CS), bovine brain ceramides/cholesterol/palmitic acid/cholesteryl sulphate (CM/CH/PA/CS)], different preparation methods (film dispersing, reverse phase evaporation, dehydration/rehydration), charges (positive, negative), as well as among multilamellar vesicles liposomes (MLV), large unilamellar vesicles liposomes (LUV) and dehydration/rehydration vesicles liposomes (DRV). RESULTS: An analysis of various parameters led to the conclusion that the stability of liposomes followed the order of PC/CH/CS > CM/CH/PA/CS > PC/CH/PS > PC/CH/SA at the same storage conditions; the positively charged system showed the most unstable delivery system of liposomes as compared to the other three systems. As far as stability was concerned, LUV liposomes proved to be superior to MLV liposomes and DRV liposomes, and the modified reverse phase evaporation method of Szoka provided the best preparation method. The stability in systems was enhanced when systems were stored at 4 degrees C as compared to storage at 25 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The stability of liposomes was significantly interrelated with lipid composition of various liposomes, preparation method and different storage conditions.

Re-emergence of rabies in the Guangxi province of Southern China.

BACKGROUND: Human rabies cases in the Guangxi province of China decreased from 839 in 1982 to 24 in 1995, but subsequently underwent a sharp increase, and has since maintained a high level. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 3,040 brain samples from normal dogs and cats were collected from 14 districts of Guangxi and assessed by RT-PCR. The brain samples showed an average rabies virus (RV) positivity rate of 3.26%, but reached 4.71% for the period Apr 2002 to Dec 2003. A total of 30 isolates were obtained from normal dogs and 28 isolates from rabid animals by the mouse inoculation test (MIT). Six representative group I and II RV isolates showed an LD50 of 10-5.35/ml to 10-6.19/ml. The reactivity of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to group I and II RV isolates from the Guangxi major epidemic showed that eight anti-G MAbs showed strong reactivity with isolates of group I and II with titers of ≥10,000; however, the MAbs 9-6, 13-3 and 12-14 showed lower reactivity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the G gene demonstrated that the Guangxi RV isolates have similar topologies with strong bootstrap values and are closely bonded. Alignment of deduced amino acids revealed that the mature G protein has four substitutions A96S, L132F, N436S, and A447I specific to group I, and 13 substitutions T90M, Y168C, S204G, T249I, P253S, S289T, V332I, Q382H, V427I, L474P, R463K Q486H, and T487N specific to group II, coinciding with the phylogenetic analysis of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Re-emergence of human rabies has mainly occurred in rural areas of Guangxi since 1996. The human rabies incidence rate increased is related with RV positive rate of normal dogs. The Guangxi isolates tested showed a similar pathogenicity and antigenicity. The results of phylogenetic analysis coincide with that of alignment of deduced amino acids.

Complete genome sequence of a rabies virus isolate from cattle in guangxi, southern china.

A street rabies virus (RV) isolate, GXHXN, was obtained from brain tissue of rabid cattle in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China in 2009. GXHXN is the first isolate from cattle in China with its entire genome sequenced and is closely related to BJ2011E from horse in Beijing, WH11 from donkey in the Hubei Province, and isolates from dogs in the Guangxi and Fujian Provinces, with homologies of 97.6% to 99.6%. It is more distantly related to isolates from domestic cat, pig, Chinese ferret badger, and vaccine strains, with homologies of 83.1% to 88.0%.

[Effects of human cytomegalovirus on the cell cycle of duct epithelial cell cultures of human salivary gland in vitro and relative mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on the cell cycle of duct epithelial cell cultures of human salivary gland (HSG) in vitro and relative mechanism. METHODS: HSG was cultured in vitro. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nest-RT-PCR were used respectively to investigate ie1/ie2 transcription in HSG infected by human cytomegalovirus(HCMV). The effects of HCMV on the cell cycle of HSG were studied by flow cytometry in vitro. The expression of cyclin D1 in HSG infected by HCMV was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: HCMV iel/ie2 transcription could be detected in HSG infected by HCMV. HCMV arrested productively infected cells in G1 stage. And cyclin D1 was down-regulated in HCMV infected HSG. CONCLUSION: HCMV inhibits proliferation of HSG by affecting G1/S check point and down-regulating cyclin D1 in vitro.

[Effects of peptidoglycan on proliferation and cell cycle of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

This study was aimed to explore the effects of peptidoglycan (PGN) on proliferation and cell cycle of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation. The purity of MSCs with the spindle fibroblastic morphology was identified by microphotography and the phenotypes were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). MSCs incubated with different doses of PGN (1, 10, 20 µg/ml) were used as test groups, and those incubated without PGN were regarded as control group. The isolated and cultured MSCs were inoculated into 96-well plates according to a certain concentration. Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry after incubated with PGN for 72 hours. The results showed that the cell proliferation index was significantly increased in dose and time dependent manners after MSCs was incubated with PGN. Its effects on the proliferation of MSCs were highest in 10 µg/ml group. Compared with the control group, PGN could significantly decrease proportion of MSCs in G0/G1 phase and increase them in S and G2/M phases (p < 0.05). It is concluded that PGN can promote more MSCs to enter the DNA synthesis phase and proliferate many much MSCs in dose and time dependent manners.

[Expression of Toll-like receptors in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of Toll-like receptor expression in mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow of healthy donor (BM-MSCs). BM-MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of healthy donor by Ficoll method. Expressions of CD34, CD45, HLA-DR, CD44 and CD71 in BM-MSCs were detected by flow cytometry. CD71 in BM-MSCs was assayed by immunocytochemistry. The adipocyte and osteoblast induction of BM-MSCs were detected by alizarin red stain and oil red stain respectively. TLR 1 - 10 mRNA levels in BM-MSCs were evaluated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that expressions of CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR in BM-MSC were negative while the expressions of CD44 and CD71 were positive. CD71 in BM-MSCs was positive. After induced by osteoblast and adipocyte inductor, BM-MSCs were positive for alizarin red staining and oil red staining respectively. All of TLR 1 - 10 mRNA were found in BM-MSCs with high expression levels of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9 and low expression levels of TLR1, TLR5, TLR6, TLR10. In conclusion, different levels of TLR 1 - 10 mRNA were expressed in BM-MSCs of healthy donor.