Systemic neutrophils are triggered by respiratory Bacillus Calmette- Guérin and mediate pulmonary mycobacterial clearance in synergy with the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1.

Tuberculosis remains a threat to public health. The only approved vaccine, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is administered intradermally and provides limited protection, and its effect on innate immunity via the respiratory route has not been fully elucidated. A mouse model with genetically depleted TREM1 and seven-color flow cytometry staining were used to characterize the comprehensive immune response induced by respiratory BCG, through evaluating organ bacterial loads, lung histopathology, and lung immunohistochemistry.

Aristolochia mimics stink bugs to repel vertebrate herbivores via TRPA1 activation.

Mimicry is the phenomenon in which one species (the mimic) closely resembles another (the model), enhancing its own fitness by deceiving a third party into interacting with it as if it were the model. In plants, mimicry is used primarily to gain fitness by withholding rewards from mutualists or deterring herbivores cost-effectively. While extensive work has been documented on putative defence mimicry, limited investigation has been conducted in the field of chemical mimicry.

Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins in alcoholic fatty liver disease treated with recombinant human cytoglobin.

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a globin molecule that is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and has a protective role under oxidative stress. It has also been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). In order to study the molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects for the treatment of alcoholic liver, two‑dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis were performed on serum and liver tissues from an rat model of AFLD.

Impact on growth, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-related gene transcription of zebrafish after exposure to low concentration of arsenite.

Low concentrations of arsenic (As) contamination in aquatic environment is a worldwide issue, which is of great concern. To evaluate the impact of low concentrations of As on zebrafish, we measured the growth, antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), oxidative damage (malondialdehyde, MDA) and apoptosis-related genes (nrf2, p53 and c-jun) of adult zebrafish after exposing to different AsIII concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 or 150 μg L) for 28 d. Results indicated that exposure to low AsIII concentrations decreased the zebrafish weight by 14%, increased the activities of SOD and CAT by 23-41% and 31-59%, decreased the contents of MDA by 29-54%, and modulated transcription of apoptosis related genes.

The influence of ESR1 rs9340799 and ESR2 rs1256049 polymorphisms on prostate cancer risk.

Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) may play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Many studies focused on ESR1 rs9340799 and ESR2 rs1256049 polymorphisms to explore associations with prostate cancer risk. These studies showed inconsistent and conflicting results.

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.

[A novel system for producing lentiviral vectors].

The aim was to develop a cell culture system capable of producing high titer lentiviral vector stocks with recombinant vaccinia viruses as helpers. BHK21 was co-transfected by three main plasmids containing the transducing plasmid pVECRNA, the packaging plasmid pGAGPOL and the envelop plasmid pVSVG, and thereafter infected with the vaccinia vTF-3 containing bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase gene using Lipofectamine2000. After 4 days incubation, the culture supernatant of lentiviral vectors was collected and judged by RT-PCR and the Western blot, the results showed that lentiviral vectors were found in the culture supernatant; approximately (11.

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.

[Therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on hypercholestrolemia in children with nephrotic syndrome].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaf on hypercholestrolemia in children with primary nephritic syndrome (NS).

Methods: Thirty-five children with NS were randomized into 2 groups for treatment with prednisone plus Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (18 cases) or with prednisone plus dipyridamole (17 cases) for 8 weeks. After completion of the treatments, the therapeutic effects were evaluated and the changes in the blood biochemical markers assayed.

[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.

[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.

[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.

A vaccinia replication system for producing recombinant hepatitis C virus.

Aim: To develop a cell culture system capable of producing high titer hepatitis C virus (HCV) stocks with recombinant vaccinia viruses as helpers.

Methods: Two plasmids were used for the generation of recombinant HCV: one containing the full-length HCV cDNA cloned between T7 promoter and T7 terminator of pOCUS-T7 vector, and the other containing the HCV polyprotein open reading frame (ORF) directly linked to a vaccinia late promoter in PSC59. These two plasmids were co-transfected into BHK21 cells, which were then infected with vTF7-3 recombinant vaccinia helper viruses.

[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.

[Preparation and identification of phage-displayed ICAM-1-mimic peptide].

Aim: To obtain bioactive ICAM-1 mimetic peptide.

Methods: Phages displaying P1 and P2 were prepared by phage amplication and PEG precipitation. The binding between phage-displayed peptides and anti-ICAM-1 mAb 15.

[Establishment and identification of recombinant NS-1 cell strain that stably expresses chimeric HBc containing HBV multiepitope short peptides].

Objective: To establish recombinant NS-1 cell strain that is capable of stable expression of chimeric HBc particle containing HBV multi epitope short peptides.

Methods: The recombinant plasmid, pHBc-Mep, was transfected into NS-1 cells via Lipofectamine, and the recombinant cell strain was screened with G418 and subclone screening. The expression products of the cells were examined by RT-PCR, ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blotting.

[Cloning and expression of hepatitis C core protein gene].

Objective: To express hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein gene fragment in E. coli.

Methods: A fragment of HCV core gene sequence 357 bp in length was amplified by PCR, digested with EcoRI+Hind III and inserted to the plasmid vector pET-32a to construct recombinant HCVc/pET-32a plasmid, which was transformed into E.

[Cloning of hepatitis C virus open reading frame sequence and non structural protein expressions of the virus].

Objective: To induce the expressions of the constituent proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using a vaccinia virus expression system.

Methods: The open reading frame (ORF) sequence encoding HCV large polyprotein precursor was cloned into a vaccinia virus promoter to construct the recombinant plasmid pVHCV, which was subsequently used, along with a control plasmid (pSC59) in a parallel experiment, to transfect BHK21 cells via Lipofectamine 2000 reagent, followed by infection of the cells with vTF7-3 vaccinia viruses. After a 48-h culture, the expressions of HCV nonstructural proteins NS3 and NS5a in the cells were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay.

[Application of phage antibody library technology: problems and their solutions].

In spite of the wide application of phage antibody library technology in antibody engineering, problems are often present especially in the key steps, for instance, library construction, screening and expression of the antibody. The authors conducted an analysis of these problems and thereby proposes their solutions.