Endogenous α7 nAChR Agonist SLURP1 Facilitates K1 Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is critical for the pathogenesis of () K1 meningitis, a severe central nervous system infection of the neonates. However, little is known about how K1 manipulates α7 nAChR signaling. Here, through employing immortalized cell lines, animal models, and human transcriptional analysis, we showed that K1 infection triggers releasing of secreted Ly6/Plaur domain containing 1 (SLURP1), an endogenous α7 nAChR ligand.

[SBi4211 alleviates gp120-induced central nervous system injury inhibiting S100B/ RAGE].

Objective: To explore the protective effect of SBi4211 (heptamidine), an inhibitor of S100B, against central nervous system injury induced by HIV-1 envelope protein gp120.

Methods: In an model, U251 glioma cells were co-cultured with SH-SY5Y cells to explore the protective effect of SBi4211 against gp120-induced central nervous system injury. In a gp120 transgenic (Tg) mouse model (8 months old) mimicking HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), the effect of treatment with gp120 or both gp120 and SBi4211 on neuronal activity and apoptosis were assessed using Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry.

Oral Immunization with Recombinant Expressing espA-Tir-M Confers Protection against Enterohemorrhagic O157:H7 Challenge in Mice.

Enterohemorrhagic O157:H7 (EHEC O157:H7) causes hemorrhagic colitis and the formation of characteristic attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions in humans. Given the severe sequelae of EHEC O157:H7 infection, it is critical to develop effective vaccines for human use. However, for achieving this goal many hurdles need to be addressed, such as the type or subset of antigens, adjuvant, and the delivery route.

Intranasal immunization with novel EspA-Tir-M fusion protein induces protective immunity against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 challenge in mice.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Due to the risks associated with antibiotic treatment against EHEC O157:H7 infection, vaccines represent a promising method for prevention of EHEC O157:H7 infection. Therefore, we constructed the novel bivalent antigen EspA-Tir-M as a candidate EHEC O157:H7 subunit vaccine.

[Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ( LGG) against Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats.

Methods: The cell adhesion and invasion capacities of Cronobacter were assayed in Caco-2 cells, and the optimal time length and concentration of the bacterium for infection were determined. The suppressive effects of LGG on the adhesion and invasion of Cronobacter in caco-2 cells were tested by competitive and exclusion experiments, and its inhibitory effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis was evaluated in neonatal rats.

Oral immunization with recombinant Lactobacillus acidophilus expressing the adhesin Hp0410 of Helicobacter pylori induces mucosal and systemic immune responses.

Helicobacter pylori infection is relatively common worldwide and is closely related to gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, chronic gastritis, and stomach ulcers. Therefore, a safe and effective method for preventing H. pylori infection is urgently needed.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for sensitive and rapid detection of Cronobacter sakazakii.

Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging pathogen associated with the ingestion of contaminated reconstituted formula, which causes necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and meningitis in low-birth-weight preterm neonatal infants. Sensitive and specific detection methods are needed to better control C. sakazakii infections.

[Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detecting enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7: a comparison with PCR].

Objective: To establish a rapid method of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detecting enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7.

Methods: Six primers that specifically recognized the rfbE gene of EHEC O157:H7 were designed. Under the optimized reaction conditions, LAMP and PCR were evaluated for the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of 39 laboratory samples of EHEC O157:H7 strains, and their detection results of contaminated fresh pork samples were compared.

[Construction of SDF-1P2G54, a specific antagonist of CXCR4].

Objective: To obtain a specific antagonist of CXCR4, SDF-1P2G54 by mutating SDF-1 second proline (P) into glycin (G) and removing the α-helix of its C-terminal.

Methods: SDF-1p2g54 gene amplified by PCR was inserted into the vector pET-30a (+) and transformed into Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain BL21.

Protection against Escherichia coli O157:H7 challenge by immunization of mice with purified Tir proteins.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infections cause serious public health problems worldwide. The translocation intimin receptor (Tir) is responsible for adhesion and attaching and effacing lesions. In the current study, we used a mitomycin-treated mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous vs intranasal administration of the recombinant Tir as vaccine.

Screening test for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of traditional Chinese herbal medicines.

Aim: To evaluate the anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity of 50 traditional Chinese herbal medicines in order to provide the primary evidence for their use in clinical practice.

Methods: A susceptibility test of water extract from 50 selected traditional Chinese herbal medicines for in vitro H.

[Construction of a recombinant Lactobacillus acidophilus expressing high levels of Helicobacter pylori adhesin Hp0410].

Objective: To construct a recombinant Lactobacillus acidophilus that expresses high levels of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) adhesin Hp0410.

Methods: The gene fragment encoding Hp0410 was amplified by PCR from the DNA of H. pylori NCTC11639 strain and cloned into the shuttle plasmid pMG36e to construct pMG36e-Hp0410, which was transformed into Lactobacillus acidophilus by electroporation.

[Effects of Newcastle disease virus on the expression of survivin and cell cycle in human tongue squamous carcinoma TSCCa cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection on the expression of survivin and cell cycle in human tongue squamous carcinoma TSCCa cells.

Methods: The proliferation of TSCCa cells infected with NDV in vitro was evaluated by means of MTT assay, and survivin expression in the infected cells was detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the changes in the cell apoptosis, cell cycle and cell proliferation index (PI) of the cells.

[Clone, expression and immunoreaction of napA gene of Helicobacter pylori].

Aim: To construct a prokaryotic expression system of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) (neutrophil-activating protein) napA gene, analyze nucleic acid sequence and study its immunity and inflammation.

Methods: napA fragment was amplified from Hp NCTC11639 chromosomal DNA by PCR. Its T-A was cloned, sequenced and compared with other Hp strains on the GenBank.

Selection of SARS-coronavirus-specific B cell epitopes by phage peptide library screening and evaluation of the immunological effect of epitope-based peptides on mice.

Antibodies to SARS-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-specific B cell epitopes might recognize the pathogen and interrupt its adherence to and penetration of host cells. Hence, these epitopes could be useful for diagnosis and as vaccine constituents. Using the phage-displayed peptide library screening method and purified Fab fragments of immunoglobulin G (IgG Fab) from normal human sera and convalescent sera from SARS-CoV-infected patients as targets, 11 B cell epitopes of SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein (S protein) and membrane protein (M protein) were screened.

[Variability analysis of S2 gene of SARS-CoV].

Objective: To determine the sequence of S2 gene of SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) GD322 and analyze the phyletic evolution of S2 gene.

Method: S2 gene fragment was amplified from SARS-CoV GD322 genome with RT-PCR and ligated to pGEM-T vector for sequence analysis after transformation of the plasmid into E. coli DH5a.