Mediator complex subunit 1 architects a tumorigenic Treg cell program independent of inflammation.

While immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, its safety has been hampered by immunotherapy-related adverse events. Unexpectedly, we show that Mediator complex subunit 1 (MED1) is required for T regulatory (Treg) cell function specifically in the tumor microenvironment. Treg cell-specific MED1 deletion does not predispose mice to autoimmunity or excessive inflammation. In contrast, MED1 is required for Treg cell promotion of tumor growth because MED1 is required for the terminal differentiation of effector Treg cells in the tumor. Suppression of these terminally differentiated Treg cells is sufficient for eliciting antitumor immunity. Both human and murine Treg cells experience divergent paths of differentiation in tumors and matched tissues with non-malignant inflammation. Collectively, we identify a pathway promoting the differentiation of a Treg cell effector subset specific to tumors and demonstrate that suppression of a subset of Treg cells is sufficient for promoting antitumor immunity in the absence of autoimmune consequences.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 controls integrin-dependent cancer cell stemness and metastasis.

Integrins plays critical roles in connecting the extracellular matrix and actin skeleton for cell adhesion, migration, signal transduction, and gene transcription, which upregulation is involved in cancer stemness and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying how integrins are upregulated in cancer stem cells (CSCs) remain as a biomedical mystery. Herein, we show that the death from cancer signature gene USP22 is essential to maintain the stemness of breast cancer cells through promoting the transcription of a group of integrin family members in particular integrin ß1 (ITGB1). Both genetic and pharmacological USP22 inhibition largely impaired breast cancer stem cell self-renewal and prevented their metastasis. Integrin ß1 reconstitution partially rescued USP22-null breast cancer stemness and their metastasis. At the molecular level, USP22 functions as a bona fide deubiquitinase to protect the proteasomal degradation of the forkhead box M1 (FoxM1), a transcription factor for tumoral ITGB1 gene transcription. Importantly unbiased analysis of the TCGA database revealed a strong positive correlation between the death from cancer signature gene ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) and ITGB1, both of which are critical for cancer stemness, in more than 90% of human cancer types, implying that USP22 functions as a key factor to maintain stemness for a broad spectrum of human cancer types possibly through regulating ITGB1. To support this notion, immunohistochemistry staining detected a positive correlation among USP22, FoxM1 and integrin ß1 in human breast cancers. Collectively, our study identifies the USP22-FoxM1-integrin ß1 signaling axis critical for cancer stemness and offers a potential target for antitumor therapy.

Demethylation of SOCS1 mediates its abnormally high expression in ovarian cancer.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between methylation and the high expression of the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in ovarian cancer by detecting the methylation rate and the degree of expression. The present study investigated the expression of SOCS1 mRNA and SOCS1 protein in ovarian cancer and normal ovary tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry, and the methylation status of the CpG islands of SOCS1 mRNA in ovarian cancer tissue were examined using a methylation-specific PCR. The expression levels of SOCS1 mRNA in ovarian cancer specimens were significantly increased compared with that in the normal ovary tissues (P=0.0215). Consistent with this, the expression levels of SOCS1 protein in ovarian cancer specimens were significantly increased, while the methylation rate of SOCS1 mRNA was significantly decreased compared with that in the normal ovary tissues. Therefore, it may be concluded that the low methylation rate of SOCS1 mRNA in ovarian cancer increased the expression of SOCS1 mRNA, which may serve a role in the development of ovarian cancer.

[Cloning and characterization of conservative region of tyrosine kinase 4, a novel gender-associated gene of Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the conservative region of gene encoding tyrosine kinase 4 of Schistosoma japonicum and identify the difference in gene expression between genders of S. japonicum. METHODS: The gene fragment was amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the total RNA isolated from adult S. japonicum (Chinese strain) with primers designed according to SmTK4 encoding tyrosine kinase 4. The purified PCR product was ligated with pET28a and the recombinant protein was induced to express, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and tools of bio-informatics. Subsquently, total RNA was respectively isolated from adult males, females and both worms of S. japonicum. The real-time PCR was performed with corresponding primers after reverse transcription to show the expression levels of the gene in both genders. RESULTS: A 582 bp in size of the DNA fragment was acquired by RT-PCR. Sequence analysis indicated that the fragment showed 91% in homology to that of SmTK4, and the deduced amino acid sequence showed to be 98% identical with that encoded by SmTK4. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the relative molecular weight (M(r)) of expressed protein rSjTK4 was approximately 26000. The bio-information analysis demonstrated that the protein had multiple sites of enzymatic activities. The relative number of copies of SjTK4 in male worms was 0.61 +/- 0.29, while 0.03 +/- 0.02 in female worms, showing that the mRNA level of TK4 in male worms was 18 times higher than that in females. CONCLUSION: The conservative region of gene encoding tyrosine kinase 4 of S. japonicum is successfully cloned and expressed. The mRNA level of TK4 in male worms is significantly higher than that in females.

De novo assembly and transcriptome characterization: novel insights into the natural resistance mechanisms of Microtus fortis against Schistosoma japonicum.

BACKGROUND: Microtus fortis is a non-permissive host of Schistosoma japonicum. It has natural resistance against schistosomes, although the precise resistance mechanisms remain unclear. The paucity of genetic information for M. fortis limits the use of available immunological methods. Thus, studies based on high-throughput sequencing technologies are required to obtain information about resistance mechanisms against S. japonicum. RESULTS: Using Illumina single-end technology, a de novo assembly of the M. fortis transcriptome produced 67,751 unigenes with an average length of 868 nucleotides. Comparisons were made between M. fortis before and after infection with S. japonicum using RNA-seq quantification analysis. The highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) occurred two weeks after infection, and the highest number of down-regulated DEGs occurred three weeks after infection. Simultaneously, the strongest pathological changes in the liver were observed at week two. Gene ontology terms and pathways related to the DEGs revealed that up-regulated transcripts were involved in metabolism, immunity and inflammatory responses. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that patterns of gene expression were consistent with RNA-seq results. CONCLUSIONS: After infection with S. japonicum, a defensive reaction in M. fortis commenced rapidly, increasing dramatically in the second week, and gradually decreasing three weeks after infection. The obtained M. fortis transcriptome and DEGs profile data demonstrated that natural and adaptive immune responses, play an important role in M. fortis immunity to S. japonicum. These findings provide a better understanding of the natural resistance mechanisms of M. fortis against schistosomes.

Effects of Microtus fortis lymphocytes on Schistosoma japonicum in a bone marrow transplantation model.

Microtus fortis is a non-permissive host for Schistosoma japonicum. While M. fortis lymphocytes are known to provide natural resistance against S. japonicum, the specific mechanism remains unclear. A bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model was established using immunodeficient mice, either nude (experiment 1) or V(D)J recombination activation gene deficient mice (RAG-1(-/-)) (experiment 2) as recipients and M. fortis or C57BL/6 mice as donors. The growth and development of S. japonicum were evaluated in each group to assess the role of M. fortis lymphocytes in the response to infection. Lymphocyte ratios and S. japonicum-specific antibody production in transplanted groups increased significantly compared to those in non-transplanted group. Spleen indices and density of splenic lymphocytes in transplanted RAG-1(-/-) mice were higher than those in non-transplanted RAG-1(-/-) mice. No difference in the worm burden was observed among group A (transplants derived from M. fortis), B (transplants derived from C57BL/6 mouse) and C (non-transplanted mice), although worms in group A were shorter than those in other groups, except non-transplanted RAG-1(-/-) mice. Reproductive systems of worms in mice (nude or RAG-1(-/-)) transplanted from M. fortis were not as mature as those in mice (nude or RAG-1(-/-)) transplanted from C57BL/6 mouse and non-transplanted nude mice, but they were more mature than worms in non-transplanted RAG-1(-/-) mice. Therefore, the transplantation model using nude and RAG-1(-/-) mice was successfully established. The M. fortis lymphocytes did not appear to affect the S. japonicum worm burden, but they led to schistosome shortening and a significant reduction in parasite spawning. Thus, M. fortis cellular and humoral immunity provides a defense against schistosomes by negatively impacting the parasite growth and reproductive development.

Primary analysis of the expressed sequence tags in a pentastomid nymph cDNA library.

BACKGROUND: Pentastomiasis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by pentastomids. Despite their worm-like appearance, they are commonly placed into a separate sub-class of the subphylum Crustacea, phylum Arthropoda. However, until now, the systematic classification of the pentastomids and the diagnosis of pentastomiasis are immature, and genetic information about pentastomid nylum is almost nonexistent. The objective of this study was to obtain information on pentastomid nymph genes and identify the gene homologues related to host-parasite interactions or stage-specific antigens. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Total pentastomid nymph RNA was used to construct a cDNA library and 500 colonies were sequenced. Analysis shows one hundred and ninety-seven unigenes were identified. In which, 147 genes were annotated, and 75 unigenes (53.19%) were mapped to 82 KEGG pathways, including 29 metabolism pathways, 29 genetic information processing pathways, 4 environmental information processing pathways, 7 cell motility pathways and 5 organismal systems pathways. Additionally, two host-parasite interaction-related gene homologues, a putative Kunitz inhibitor and a putative cysteine protease. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We first successfully constructed a cDNA library and gained a number of expressed sequence tags (EST) from pentastomid nymphs, which will lay the foundation for the further study on pentastomids and pentastomiasis.

Immune changes of Schistosoma japonicum infections in various rodent disease models.

Rodent models for Schistosoma japonicum infections have demonstrated that these animals possess a degree of resistance to schistosome infections that may be both T and B lymphocyte-mediated. However, their exact role is not well-defined and other immune mechanisms are likely to also play a role in protecting against infection. Immunosuppressed and immunocompetent reed voles (Microtus fortis, Mf), rats and mice (n=24/group) were infected with S. japonicum, and animals were sacrificed 42 days later under anesthesia. Neither worms nor eggs were observed in infected immunosuppressed Mf or rats, with the exception of one rat that presented with few eggs. In immunosuppressed mice, changes in the number and size of the worms were not significantly different compared to immunocompetent mice, but worm fecundity was affected. The size and number of granulomas in immunosuppressed animals was also reduced. Analysis of serum antibodies specific to schistosome adult worm antigen at 3 weeks post-infection demonstrated that the levels of antibodies in the sera of rats were significantly higher than in Mf and mice. In addition, Mf serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 were significantly higher than levels observed in rats and mice. Antibodies and cytokines in the sera of Mf peaked 3 weeks post-infection and then began to decrease, while antibody responses in rats and mice increased gradually between weeks 3-7 post-infection. It is possible that T and B cells have a dual role in both mediating protection and exacerbating disease outcomes.

[Cloning, expression and immunodiagnostic evaluation of antigen EPC1 from Echinococcus granulosus].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express EPCl gene of Echinococcus granulosus, and investigate its immunogenicity and diagnostic value. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from hydatid cyst protoscoleces and EPC1 gene of Echinococcus granulosus was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector, and then subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector PET28a(+). The positive recombinants were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and followed by expression of the protein induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and used to establish ELISA. Serum samples from patients with cystic echinococcosis (60 cases), alve-olar echinococcosis (37 cases), cysticercosis (16 cases), clonorchiasis sinensis (7 cases), schistosomiasis japonica (4 cases) and healthy persons (33 cases) were examined. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid PET28a-EgEPC1 was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. SDS-PAGE result showed that the recombinant containing recombinant plasmid PET28a-EgEPC1 expressed a soluble fission protein of EgEPC1 (about M, 11 000). The protein was recognized by pool sera of cystic echinococcosis patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis by ELISA for cystic echinococcosis were 78.3% (47/60), and 98.3% (59/60), respectively. The cross reaction with sera of alveolar echinococcosis was 40.5% (15/37). CONCLUSION: The recombinant EgEPC1 antigen has diagnostic value in cystic echinococcosis.

[Preliminary study on the immunological characteristics of permissive and non-permissive hosts infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference among immune responses of three kinds of experimental animals with different susceptibility to the infection of Schistosoma japonicum, and preliminarily explore the mechanism of the immune response in permissive and non-permissive hosts. METHODS: Twelve animals of each kind of rodents, C57BL/6 mice, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and Microtus fortis, were randomly divided into the infected group and uninfected group each with 6 animals. In infected groups of C57BL/6 mice, SD rats, and M. fortis, each animal was infected with 20, 200 and 1000 cercariae of S. japonicum, respectively. 42 d later, all rodents were sacrificed. Adult worms in portal vein and granulomas in liver were observed and the sera were collected. The levels of cytokines IL-10 and IFN-gamma as well as serum IgG, IgG2a, and IgG1 were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: At the 42th day post infection, worms in portal vein and liver granulomas were observed in C57BL/6 mice and SD rats, but not in M. fortis. The level of IL-10 in the sera of SD rats [(2.21 +/- 0.12) pg/ml] was significantly higher than that in the sera of M. fortis [(1.64 +/- 0.39) pg/ml] and C57BL/6 mice [(0.10 +/- 0.04) pg/ml] (P<0.01). IL-10 in the sera of M. fortis was also significantly higher than that in the sera of C57BL/6 mice (P<0.01). IFN-gamma in the sera of SD rats [(0.21 +/- 0.11) pg/ml] was significantly higher than that in the sera of M. fortis [(0.11 +/- 0.03) pg/ml] and C57BL/6 mice [(0.09 +/- 0.02) pg/ml] (P<0.05), but no difference between M. fortis and C57BL/6 mice (P>0.05). The levels of IgG (1.53 +/- 0.31), IgG1 (1.48 +/- 0.44) and IgG2a (0.41 +/- 0.11) in SD rats were significantly higher than that in the sera of M. fortis (0.48 +/- 0.14, 0.15 +/- 0.03 and 0.12 +/- 0.061) (P<0.01). The levels of IgG (1.21 +/- 0.16), IgG1 (0.88 +/- 0.31) in C57BL/6 mice were significantly higher than that in the sera of M. fortis (P<0.01). IgG1 antibody is the predominant subclass in the three kinds of rodents. The levels of IL-10, IFN-gamma and antibody subclass IgG, IgG1, IgG2a in all non-infected rodents were not detected. CONCLUSION: IL-10 in non-permissive hosts, which is an essential agent in the regulation of Th2 immune response, is higher than that in permissive host It may play an important role in the resistance to schistosome in the non-permissive hosts.

The identification of the Cryptosporidium ubiquitum in pre-weaned Ovines from Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture in China.

OBJECTIVE: Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent globally and sheep are an important zoonotic reservoir. Little data regarding the rates of Cryptosporidium infections in ovines in China are available. This study assessed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned ovines from Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the Sichuan province of China. METHODS: A total of 213 fecal samples were collected from pre-weaned ovines and were examined microscopically (following modified acid fast staining). In addition, 18S rRNA genetic sequences were amplified from fecal samples by nested PCR and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the collected samples was at 14.6% (31/213) and four isolates identified by PCR belonged to the Cryptosporidium cervine genotype (Cryptosporidium ubiquitum) demonstrating that this species was the primary sheep species found in sheep in China. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that the high incidence of Cryptosporidium in sheep poses a significant public health threat and that surveillance practices must be established to prevent zoonotic disease of humans.

Prevalence of the Cryptosporidium pig genotype II in pigs from the Yangtze River Delta, China.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium spp. is prevalent globally, pigs are an important Cryptosporidium reservoir. In China, little data regarding rates of Cryptosporidium infections in pigs are available. The present study was therefore aimed at characterizing the distribution of Cryptosporidium species in pigs from two different cities, Shaoxing and Shanghai, from the Yangtze River delta. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nested PCR to amplify the 18S rRNA locus on DNA extracted from fecal samples (n = 94) revealed the positive rate of Cryptosporidium in pigs from two cities was approximately 17.0%. The positive rates in Shanghai and Shaoxing were 14.3% and 25.0% respectively. Amplified sequences were verified by sequencing. The identified strain belonged to the C. pig genotype II using BLAST analysis in the NCBI database. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our finding of Cryptosporidium pig genotype II in pigs in the Yangtze River delta area suggests that pig farms in this region must be considered a public health threat and proper control measures be introduced.

[Cloning, expression and analysis of the heat shock protein of Cryptosporidium andersoni].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the partial encoding sequence of Mr 70,000 heat shock protein of Cryptosporidium andersoni (CaHSP70) in Escherichia coli and identify the recombinant protein. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from oocysts of C. andersoni isolated from Xuzhou, Jiangsu (XZ-BOV). The CaHSP70 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned and then subcloned into pET28a vector, and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) subsequently. The expressed protein induced by IPTG was purified and identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and was further analyzed by relevant bioinformatics softwares. The specific IgG antibodies in mice immunized by rCaHSP70 were detected by Western blotting and ELISA respectively. RESULTS: The deduced amino acid sequence showed to be identical with that of C. andersoni Mr 70,000 heat shock protein (HSP70). The recombinant protein expressed in the form of inclusion body was about Mr 43,000. It could be recognized by anti-His G labeled HRP antibodies and all the sera from mice infected with C. andersoni and children infected with C. parvum as well as sera from mice immunized with rCaHSP70 respectively. The rCaHSP70 possibly had multiple domains and potential antigenic determinants. Phylogenetic analysis showed that XZ-BOV and C. andersoni were in the same clade. ELISA showed that the level of specific antibodies against rCaHSP70 in immunized BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice was significantly higher than that of mice before immunization. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmid pET28a-CaHSP70 has been constructed. The purified rCaHSP70 exhibits high antigenicity and seems a potential candidate antigen for immunodiagnosis of cryptosporidiosis.

[Isolation and identification of an isolate of cow-origin Cryptosporidium sp].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify Cryptosporidium oocysts from feces of naturally infected cow. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from Cryptosporidium infected cows confirmed by modified acid-fast staining method. Oocysts were isolated and purified with Sheathed sucrose density gradient centrifugation technique. Genomic DNA was isolated with Chelex-100. Both primers were designed to amplify Cryptosporidium small subunit ribosome RNA gene (SSU rRNA) and Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene (COWP), respectively. The PCR products were cloned into pGEM-T and pGEM-T Easy vector and sequenced subsequently. Homology and phylogeny were analyzed with BLASTn and MEGA software. RESULTS: The results suggested that the size of oocysts was (7.4+/-0.32) microm by (5.4+/-0.21) microm and the ratio of length and width was 1.37+/-0.07 (n=20). BLASTn revealed that the identity of SSU rRNA and COWP gene of Cryptosporidium isolated from cow to the counterparts of andersoni was 100% and 99% respectively. Phylogenetic reconstruction placed the isolated Cryptosporidium within the C. andersoni clade based on the sequence of SSU rRNA and COWP gene. CONCLUSION: What isolated from naturally infected cow feces has been identified as C. andersoni.

[Protective immunity induced by recombinant Schistosoma japonicum thioredoxin in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective immunity of the recombinant thioredoxin of Schistosoma japonicum(reSjcTrx)in mice. METHODS: Thirty 6-week old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 each: reSjcTrx with Montanide ISA720 adjuvant, adjuvant control, and infection control. Mice were vaccinated subcutaneously at week 0, 2, 4 with reSjcTrx emulsified in Montanide ISA720 adjuvant. The mice in adjuvant group was injected three times with Montanide ISA720 and saline only. Mice in infection control group were given no injection. Three weeks after final injection, each mouse was challenged with 30 +/- 1 cercariae of S. japonicum (Chinese strain). At the week six after challenge, all mice were sacrificed and perfused. The number of recovered worms and eggs from liver tissue of mice were counted. Sera were collected from mice before immunization, before challenge and before killing. The anti-SjcTrx antibodies in sera were detected with ELISA. RESULTS: ELISA showed a high level of specific IgG antibodies in mice immunized with the reSjcTrx. The worm reduction rate and egg reduction rate of reSjcTrx immunization group were 22.8% and 29.5% respectively, significantly higher than those of the control groups (P < 0.05). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed that the molecular weight of expressed protein was around Mr 14 000 and could be recognized by sera from rabbit infected with S. japonicum and from mice immunized with reSjcTrx. CONCLUSION: The reSjcTrx induces certain protective immunity against schistosomiasis japonica in mice.

[Preparation of DNA from Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts for PCR detection].

OBJECTIVE: To establish three methods of DNA extraction from Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and test by PCR. METHODS: After three freeze-thaw cycles, three kinds of templates were extracted from the oocysts by Chelex-100, phenol/chloroform or genomic DNA purification system kit, and used for PCR detection. According to the sequence of a C. parrum gene (L.16996), a pair of primers was designed and synthesized, and used for PCR. The sensitivity of the template by Chelex 100 method was also tested by PCR. RESULTS: One 446 bp PCR product was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis for all three kinds of templates. The PCR sensitivity by Chelex-100 extracted DNA reached for detection of a specimen containing only 1/2 oocyst. CONCLUSION: The three kinds of extraction can all be served as templates for PCR detection of C. parvum oocysts, while Chelex 100 method is simpler, quicker and more reliable for DNA extraction of the parasite.