Role of the major histocompatibility complex class II protein presentation pathway in bone immunity imbalance in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Bone immunity regulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption and is a potential target for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The molecular network between bone metabolism and the immune system is complex. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecule protein presentation pathway in PMOP remains to be elucidated.

[Cloning, expression and stage-specific analysis of Schistosoma japonicum P7 antigen and evaluation of its value in early diagnosis].

Objective: To clone and express Schistosoma japonicum P7 antigen (GenBank accession No. EU121231), analyze stage-specific transcription and expression of the antigen, and evaluate its value in early diagnosis.

Methods: The positive clone (P7) screened from schistosomula cDNA library was amplified by PCR.

[Immunoscreening and identification of Schistosoma japonicum juvenile cDNA library].

The cDNA library of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) juveniles was immunoscreened with the anti-serum from day 14 post-infection mice. The inserts of the seven positive clones were sequenced and analyzed for their homology in GenBank database. Results showed that one was highly homologous to the SjHSP70 (score=650), two were significantly homologous to the SjFABP (score=229) and Sj CDGSH-type Zn finger-containing protein-like protein (score=246), and the other four were not homologous to genes in GenBank and thus identified as Sj novel genes.