[Preliminary research on prokaryotic expression and immune protection of triosephosphate isomerase of ].

Objective: To study the prokaryotic expression and immune protection of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) of in mice.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from toxoplasma tachyzoites, and TPI fragment was amplified by PCR and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a (+). The target protein was induced with IPTG and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography.

[Analysis of projects of schistosomiasis sponsored by National Science Foundation of China].

Objective: To summarize the present development by analysis of projects in schistosomiasis funded by National Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Methods: Based on the ISIS database of NFSC, the projects in the studies of schistosomiasis from 2005 to 2016 were analyzed. The distributions of sponsored numbers, amounts, types, agencies, disciplines and changes in research topics by means of network profiles were described.

Characterization of Schistosoma japonicum CP1412 protein as a novel member of the ribonuclease T2 molecule family with immune regulatory function.

Background: Schistosome infection typically induces a polarized Th2 type host immune response. As egg antigen molecules play key roles in this immunoregulatory process, clarifying their functions in schistosomiasis would facilitate the development of vaccine and immunotherapeutic methods. Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) CP1412 (GenBank: AY57074.

[Study on immunologic function of thioredoxin glutathione reductase from Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To study the immunogenicity and the immuno-protection of thioredoxin glutathione reductase from Schistosomajaponicum (SjTGR) against schistosome infection in mice.

Methods: Seventy-five mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely, blank group, PBS group, CpG2 immunized group, TGR immunized group and TGR + CpG2 co-immunized group. Each mouse was immunized for 3 times.

Characterization of IgG responses of rabbits to Sj14-3-3 protein after experimental infection with Schistosoma japonicum.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was developed for detection of IgG against 14-3-3 protein in sera of rabbits. Rabbits infected with 500 cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum were grouped and the characterization of the IgG responses was observed. For the treated group, the IgG could be detected as early as 2-4 weeks post-infection and then their levels rose rapidly and reached a peak at around 6 weeks.

[Epitope identification of monoclonal antibody 5C6 against 14-3-3 protein of Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To identify the epitope of monoclonal antibody (McAb) 5C6 against 14-3-3 protein of Schistosoma japonicum by phage display peptide library.

Methods: The phage display 12-peptide library was screened with purified McAb 5C6 against 14-3-3 protein of S. japonicum three rounds of bio-panning "adsorption-elution-amplification" to enrich the specific binding phages.

[Expression and characterization of recombinant Sj23HD-HSA fusion protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

Objectives: To prepare the fusion protein of large hydrophilic domain of 23 kDa membrane protein of Schistosoma japonicum and the mature peptide of human serum albumin (Sj23HD-HSA) and investigate its immunoreactivity.

Methods: A fusion protein gene encoding Sj23HD-HSA fusion protein was prepared by overlapping PCR, which was confirmed by TA cloning and DNA sequencing. The fusion gene of Sj23HD-HSA was directionally subcloned into yeast expression plasmid pWX530 to construct a recombinant plasmid Sj23HD-HSA/pWX530.

[Expression and characterization of thioredoxin glutathione reductase of Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To prepare the recombinant thioredoxin glutathione reductase of Schistosoma japonicum (SjTGR) with biological activity.

Methods: The open reading frame DNA sequence of SjTGR was fused with a bacterial-type selenosysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element by PCR to form a chimeric gene. The chimeric gene was subcloned into expression plasmid pET-41a to construct a recombinant plasmid SjTGR-pET-41a.

Monitoring specific antibody responses against the hydrophilic domain of the 23 kDa membrane protein of Schistosoma japonicum for early detection of infection in sentinel mice.

Background: Schistosomiasis remains an important public health problem throughout tropical and subtropical countries. Humans are infected through contact with water contaminated with schistosome cercariae. Therefore, issuing early warnings on the risk of infection is an important preventive measure against schistosomiasis.

Detection of the circulating antigen 14-3-3 protein of Schistosoma japonicum by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in rabbits.

Background: Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Low levels of Schistosoma infection require more sensitive diagnostic methods. In this study, a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) was developed for detecting the signal transduction protein 14-3-3, a circulating antigen of Schistosoma japonicum.

Homocysteine modulates the proteolytic potential of human arterial smooth muscle cells through a reactive oxygen species dependant mechanism.

Pathological levels of homocysteine induce a dramatic degradation of arterial elastic structures. This severe metalloproteinase-dependant elastolysis affects elastic structures all over the media suggesting that smooth muscle cells (SMC) may participate to this process induced by homocysteine. Therefore, we investigated the effect of physiological (10 microM) and pathological (50, 100, and 500 microM) concentrations of homocysteine on the metalloproteinase-dependant proteolytic potential of human arterial SMC in culture.