Elevated DLL3 in stomach cancer by tumor-associated macrophages enhances cancer-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion of macrophages.

Background: The notch signal pathway is important in the development of both tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and stomach cancer, but how Notch signaling affects TAMs in stomach cancer is barely understood. Methods: The expressions of Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, Notch4, hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 (Hes1), and delta-like canonical Notch ligand 3 (DLL3) were detected by Western blot and the expressions of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and IL1-ß were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after the co-culture of macrophages and stomach-cancer cells. The proliferation and migration of cancer cells were detected using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and scratch assay, respectively, and the cell cycle was detected using Annexin V/propidium iodide assay. The protein interactions with DLL3 were detected using co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Results: The co-culture of macrophages and stomach-cancer cells MKN45 and BGC823 could enhance cell proliferation accompanied by the activation of Notch1/Notch2 signaling and upregulation of DLL3. Notch signaling gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) blocked this process. The overexpression of DLL3 in stomach-cancer cells could promote the proliferation of cancer cells, enhance the activation of Notch1/Notch2 signaling, induce the expression of IL-33, lead to the degradation of galectin-3-binding protein (LG3BP) and heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (HSPA8), and result in elevated IL-1ß, IL-12, and IL-10 secretion by macrophages. Higher expression of DLL3 or IL-33 could lead to a lower survival rate based on University of California, Santa Cruz Xena Functional Genomics Explorer and The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. Conclusions: This is evidence that DLL3 regulates macrophages in stomach cancer, suggesting that DLL3 may be a novel and potential target for stomach-cancer therapy.

Production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against Helicobacter pylori Catalase and mapping the antigenic epitope by phage display library.

The Catalase of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) helps bacteria to protect themselves from oxygen toxicity and damage and have been identified an immunodominant antigen. To obtain mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Catalase and to map its antigenic epitope is potentially to develop a vaccine for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection. In our study, MAbs were produced by the hybridoma technique using recombinant Catalase--GST as the immunogen and were immunoscreened against phage-displayed random dodecapeptide library (Ph.D.-12). After three rounds of biopanning, 34 phage clones were randomly selected and their specificity to mAb was verified by sandwich and competitive inhibition ELISA. Fifteen phage clones were sequenced and their amino acids were deduced. One mimotope (SVSLPYANLATH) showed good match with Catalase protein at 394-405aa and the serum of mice induced by the phage clone clearly recognized Catalase protein. Our work suggests that the antigenic epitope could be mapped through screening the phage-displayed peptide libraries with mAb and a mimotope of Catalase would provide an alternative approach for the development of a vaccine for H. pylori.

Production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against Helicobacter pylori Lpp20 and mapping the antigenic epitope by phage display library.

Lpp20, an outer membrane protein of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), has been identified as an immunodominant antigen. To obtain mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against it and to map its antigenic epitope is potentially to develop a vaccine for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection. In our study, the Lpp20 gene was obtained from H. pylori genomic DNA by PCR (GenBank accession no. DQ106902), cloned into pGEX-4T-1 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a recombinant fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which was purified by GST-affinity chromatography. mAbs were produced by the hybridoma technique using Lpp20-GST as the immunogen. Using mAb as the target molecule and immunoscreening phage-displayed random dodecapeptide library (Ph.D.-12), the positive phage clones were sequenced and analyzed. Phage clones were chosen to immunize mice to evaluate the potential of phagotopes as effective vaccines. One mimotope (SWPLYSDASGLG) showed a good match with the Lpp20 proteins at 114-117aa (DASG) and the serum of mice induced by the phage clone clearly recognized Lpp20 protein. Our work suggests that the antigenic epitope could be mapped through screening the phage-displayed peptide libraries with mAb and a mimotope of Lpp20 providing an alternative approach for the diagnosis and development of a vaccine for H. pylori.

[Cloning, expression and identification of catalase of Helicobacter pylori].

AIM: To construct the recombinant plasmid containing catalase (KatA) of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), analyze its nucleic acid sequence, express it in E. coli and study its antigenicity. METHODS: KatA fragments were amplified from Hp chromosomal DNA by PCR. Its T-A was cloned, sequenced and compared with other HP strains on the GenBank. Then the gene cloned into pGEX-4T-1 fusion expression vector was expressed in E. coli and purified by GST-affinity chromatography. The purified product was used to identify 29 stains of mouse anti Hp monoclonal antibodies and analyze antigenicity with serum of Hp-infected patients by Western blot. RESULTS: KatA fragments were composed of 1,515 bp (GenBank No. DQ333889) and the nucleotide homology with other Hp strains on the GenBank was 96%-97%. 85 kDa of the recombinant KatA-pGEX-4T-1 was expressed in E. coli. 4 of 29 anti-Hp mouse monoclonal antibodies were against KatA. Western blot analysis proved that KatA was specifically recognized in the serum of Hp-infected patients. CONCLUSION: The recombinant KatA has original antigenicity. It is of great value to clinical sero-diagnosis and vaccine study of Hp.

[Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibodies against Helicobacter pylori].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Helicobacter pylori (Hp). METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with the supernatant and precipitation of cultured Hp after ultrasonication and mAbs were obtained by means of hybridoma technique. The resultant mAbs was evaluated for subtype, titer, affinity, and further identified with Lpp20, HspA, urease A, CagA, urease B, and catalase prepared by recombinant expression. RESULTS: Totally 34 hybridoma cell lines were established which secreted specific mAbs, including 31 against the supernatant and 3 against the precipitation of Hp, and the prepared mAbs showed specific reaction against Lpp20 (3 strains), HspA (2 strains), urease A (4 strains), CagA (1 strain), urease B (5 strains), and catalase (2 strains) antigens, respectively. The mAbs was all identified as immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and theirs titer in the culture supernatant and ascites was 1:16 to 1:32 and 1:32000 to 1:64000 respectively with affinity constants (K(aff)) ranging from 1 x 10(-10) to 5.2 x 10(-12) mol/L. CONCLUSION: The mAbs specially against Hp have been obtained, which may facilitate further study of detection and vaccine development of Hp.

[Preparation of a monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum glutamate dehydrogenase and establishment of colloidal gold-immunochromatographic assay].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) of Plasmodium falciparum (FCC1/HN strain) and establish colloidal gold-immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. METHODS: Recombinant GDH was used to immunize Balb/C mice and the mAbs against GDH were prepared using hybridoma technique followed by identification of IgG isotype and its affinity. Protein-G affinity chromatography was employed to purify the antibodies, which were labeled with colloidal gold for establishment of GICA for Plasmodium falciparum detection. RESULTS: Six mAbs were obtained and identified as IgG1(kappa) of IgG isotypes with affinity constants (Kaff) ranging from 1 x 10(-8) to 2.8 x 10(-10). GICA had a sensitivity of 86.66%; and specificity of 96.43%; for Plasmodium falciparum detection compared with routine microscopic examination. CONCLUSION: The established GICA is rapid and accurate for Plasmodium falciparum detection with such potential utility as for instant diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

[Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against multiple antigens].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against multiple antigens by single cell fusion. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized with the multiple antigens, namely alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), HBsAgiHBcAg and HBeAg, and hybridomas were employed using PEG as the fusing agent. The hybridoma cells were respectively screened with AFP, CEA, HBsAg, HBcAg and HBeAg by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and limited dilution. The mAbs were purified by protein G affinity chromatography, its subtype was identified, the affinity constants (K(a)) were determined and the specificity was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Twenty hybridoma cell lines were obtained by single cell fusion, including 5 cell lines against AFP, 6 against CEA, 3 against HBsAg, 4 against HBcAg, and 2 against HBeAg. The subtypes of some hybridoma cell lines positive for the mAbs were identified as the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), with K(a) ranging from 1x10(9) M(-1) to x10(11) M(-1). Western blot analysis showed that all the mAbs strongly and specifically bound to their respective antigens. CONCLUSION: The mAbs against multiple antigens have been obtained by single cell-fusion, which increases the production of mAbs and reduces the time of preparation.

[Role of intron and 5' untranslated region in human thrombopoietin gene expression].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of 5' untranslated region (UTR) and intron in the expression of human thrombopoietin (TPO) gene. METHODS: A number of expression vectors containing TPO mini-gene fused to the regulatory elements of cytomegalovirus (CMV) were constructed and transfected via lipofectin into cultured cos-1 cells for transient expression of TPO gene. The cell culture media were analyzed with highly sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 48 h after the transfection. RESULTS: The expression levels of the TPO gene elements followed the order of TPO intron v> TPOcDNA> TPO intron I> TPO intron I> TPO gDNA in cos-1 cells. CONCLUSION: The last intron of TPO gene obviously enhances the expression level of TPO gene, which can be inhibited by 5'UTR of TPO gene.

[Soluble expression of Plasmodium falciparum glutamate dehydrogenase in Escherichia coli, and its purification and identification].

OBJECTIVE: To make soluble expression of Plasmodium falciparum (FCC1/HN) glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in Escherichia coli, purification and immunocompetence identification of the recombinant non-fusion GDH. METHODS: The GDH gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET23 (a) to form recombinant expression vector pET23 (a)/GDH. pET23(a)/GDH was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). Induced by IPTG (isopropyl-beta D-thiogalactoside), GDH was highly expressed in the supernatant after sonication. The soluble recombinant GDH was purified by Source-Q and Source-S chromatography. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting were carried out to identify the immunocompetence of the purified product. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the soluble GDH protein accounted for approximately 15% of the total bacterial protein. By two-step ion-exchange chromatography, the purity of GDH reached more than 90% and the GDH possessed high antigenicity. CONCLUSION: The soluble expression of GDH results in an integral three-dimensional structure epitope with high biological activity.

[Refolding and purification of Plasmodium falciparum glutamate dehydrogenase fusion protein].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the method for renaturation and purification of the fusion protein of Plasmodium falfiparum (FCC1/HN ) glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) with glutathione S-transferase (GST). METHODS: The recombinant plasmid GDH/pGEX-4T-1, encoding the full-length GDH gene, was transformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3) to achieve IPTG-induced high expression of GDH/GST in the form of inclusion bodies identified by SDS-PAGE. After denaturation with 8 mol/L urea, the inclusion bodies were subjected to 3 different renaturation methods, namely Sephacryl S-200 chromatography, dialysis and dilution, for refolding of the fusion protein. The refolded GDH/GST was then purified by different chromatographic approaches. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the expression GDH/GST fusion protein mounted up to approximately 25% of the total bacterial protein. The dilution was better than the other two methods for the refolding of the fusion protein, with the optimized renaturation condition necessitating the presence of 20 mmol/L Tris-HCl and 1 mmol/L EDTA at pH8.5 with GSSG/GSH ratio of 1 10, which resulted in a recovery rate exceeding 90%. Two-step ion exchange chromotography was optimal for purification of the fusion protein. CONCLUSION: The high-purity and biologically active GDH/GST can be acquired by dilution renaturation followed by two-step ion exchange chromatography.

[Construction of the recombinant plasmid FasAD-pTYB2 capable of Fas activation domain fusion expression].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the recombinant plasmid FasAD-pTYB2 for the fusion expression of Fas activation domain (FasAD). METHODS: FasAD cDNA was cloned by semi-nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then inserted into the universal vector of pGEM-T for the identification of its DNA sequence. The target DNA fragment was inserted into the prokaryote vector pTYB2 that expressed intein to construct the plasmid recombinant FasAD-pTYB2 which was induced by isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside for the expression of the fusion protein. RESULTS: DNA sequence analysis confirmed sequence of FasAD cDNA previously cloned, and expression of the fusion protein by the recombinant plasmid was achieved, the product recognizable by rabbit anti-human Fas polyclonal antibody as demonstrated by Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmid FasAD-pTYB2 constructed in this study is capable of expressing the fusion protein of FasAD and intein, which may be significant for further study of the epitope and function of Fas antigen.

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA of human thrombopoietin gene.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of thrombopoietin (TPO) gene 5' untranslated region (UTR) and the intron in TPO expression regulation. METHODS: With the mRNA derived from Chinese human fetal liver as the template, full-length TPO cDNA (approximately 1.1 kb) and TPO genomic DNA(6.2 kb) along with all the introns of TPO gene were isolated by PCR and long-distance PCR techniques from Chinese fetal liver tissue. RESULT: Sequencing analysis indicated that all the coding sequences and the exon/intron splice sites were consistent with the results previously reported by Sohma et al except for only a DNA and all the introns in the intron of TPO gene. CONCLUSION: We have successfully cloned full-length TPO cDNA, TPO genomic DNA and all the introns of TPO gene from Chinese fetal liver tissue.