Betulin from Hedyotis hedyotidea ameliorates concanavalin A-induced and T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis in mice.

Hedyotis hedyotidea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying for the effect remain unknown. We previously showed that, among 11 compounds extracted from H hedyotidea, betulin produced the strongest suppressive effect on T cell activation.

Serum DKK-1 level in the development of ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatic arthritis: a meta-analysis.

To explore the association of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) levels with the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatic arthritis (RA) in humans, databases including PubMed, EBSCO, Springerlink, Ovid, WANFANG and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched to identify relevant studies. On the basis of rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, case-control studies of the relationships between serum DKK-1 levels and AS and RA published before December 2014 were enrolled. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.

Hepatitis B virus protein X-induced expression of the CXC chemokine IP-10 is mediated through activation of NF-kappaB and increases migration of leukocytes.

Interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10) involves inflammatory cell recruitment and cellular immune damage during virus infection. Although an increase of the peripheral IP-10 level is known in HBV-infected patients, the molecular basis of HBV infection inducing IP-10 expression has remained elusive. In the present study, we demonstrate that hepatitis B virus protein X (HBx) increases IP-10 expression in a dose-dependent manner.

[Study on the distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients visiting one methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan].

Objective: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and characteristics on molecular biology related to HCV among patients who were enrolled in a Methadone maintenance clinic in Wuhan.

Methods: Serum samples from 332 injection drug users (IDUs) were obtained and anti-HCV IgG was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbrent assay(ELISA), together with 86 anti-HCV positive specimens genotyped. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) assay using conserved primers deduced from the core-envelopel (C-E1) region of the HCV genome was employed to amplify a 474 bp fragment.

Peptide-specific, allogeneic T cell response in vitro induced by a self-peptide binding to HLA-A2.

The role of the bound peptide in alloreactive T-cell recognition is controversial, ranging from peptide-independent to peptide-specific recognition of alloreactive T-cells. The aim of this study is to find the evidence that there exist peptide/MHC complex (pMHC)-specific CTLs among alloreactive T cells generated with long-term mixed lymphocytes culture (LTMLC). A single pMHC was manipulated by loading the TAP-defective, HLA-A2 expressing T2 cells with a viral peptide (LMP2A(426-434)) or a self-peptide (Tyr(369-377)).

Induction of the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2 antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes using human leukocyte antigen tetramer-based artificial antigen-presenting cells.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) antigen are important reagents for the treatment of some EBV-associated malignancies, such as EBV-positive Hodgkin's disease and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the therapeutic amount of CTLs is often hampered by the limited supply of antigen-presenting cells. To address this issue, an artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) was made by coating a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-pLMP2 tetrameric complex, anti-CD28 antibody and CD54 molecule to a cell-sized latex bead, which provided the dual signals required for T cell activation.

[HLA-G1 molecule expressed by ECV304 cells inhibit cytotoxic activity of allogeneic NK cells].

Aim: To study the effect of HLA-G1 molecule expressed by an endothelial cell line (ECV304) on the cytotoxic activity of allogeneic NK cells.

Methods: ECV304 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-HLA-G1 by the liposome transfection, and the expressed HLA-G1 on the cell surface was detected by indirect immunofluorescent assay and flow cytometry. The cytotoxic activity of allogeneic NK cells against ECV304 cells was analyzed by the MTT method.

[Prokaryotic expression of BirA enzyme and identification of the bioactivity of expressed product].

Aim: To construct the expression vector of biotin-protein ligase (BirA enzyme) gene and express the BirA enzyme with bioactivity in E.coli BL-21 (DE3).

Methods: The BirA gene was amplified from E.

[In vitro refolding and functional study of soluble HLA-G1-peptide complex].

Aim: To form soluble HLA-G1-peptide complex by refolding in vitro, and to study its immune function.

Methods: The heavy chain and beta(2m) of sHLA-G1 were expressed as insoluble aggregates in E. coli, and then the two subunits were refolded to form HLA-G1-peptide complex by dilution method in the presence of specific peptide.

[Improvement of refolding efficiency of HLA-A2-peptide complex in vitro by preformed disulfide bonds in heavy chain].

Aim: To improve the refolding efficiency of soluble HLA-A2-peptide complex in vitro.

Methods: The heavy chain (HC) of MHC class I was extracted from bacteria under denaturing and non-reducing conditions. Anion-exchange and (NH4)2SO4 precipitation were applied to purify the HC.

[In vitro induction and expansion of dendritic cells from rat bone marrow and their characterization].

Aim: To induce and expand dendritic cells (DC) from rat bone marrow in vitro and identify their biological characterization.

Methods: The rat bone marrow cells were collected and cultured for 48 hours and the floating cells were removed. Then IL-4 and GM-CSF were added into the fresh medium.

[In-vitro refolding and biotinylation of soluble HLA-A2-peptide complex].

Aim: To refold and biotinylate HLA-A2-peptide complex in-vitro.

Methods: The BirA substrate peptide (BSP) containing H chain of HLA-A2 and beta(2m) were expressed highly as insoluble aggregates in E.coli, and then the two subunits were refolded to form an HLA-A2-peptide complex by dilution method in the presence of an antigenic peptide (NH(2)-CLGGLLTMV-COOH of EB virus latent membrane protein 2A LMP2A).

[Immune tolerance inducing effects of soluble human leucocyte antigen G1 on natural killer cells and T cells].

Objective: To investigate the immune tolerance inducing effects of soluble human leucocyte antigen G1 (sHLA-G1) on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells.

Methods: A recombinant plasmid expressing sHLA-G1 was constructed and transfected into human lymphoblastoid cells LCL721.221.