BACKGROUND: The development of a harmless and effi- cient nonviral gene delivery system that can facilitate the penetration of nucleic acids through the plasma membrane is a key to successful gene therapy. The aim of ...BACKGROUND: The development of a harmless and effi- cient nonviral gene delivery system that can facilitate the penetration of nucleic acids through the plasma membrane is a key to successful gene therapy. The aim of this study was to test a nonviral gene transferring vector’s function of delivering DNA into liver cells to provide an important clue for gene transfer in liver gene therapy. METHODS: The complex of DNA and DNA delivering protein was injected into mice through their tail veins. Then the mice were killed and their liver tissue was sec- tioned. The gene transferring results were detected using a confocal laser scanning microscope. RESULTS: Fluorescence analysis indicated that both DNA- membrane penetrating peptide (MPP) complex and DNA- hepatocyte specific receptor binding domain ( HSRBD) - MPP complex could go into liver cells. The fluorescence value of liver cells in the DNA-HSRBD-MPP group was higher than that in the DNA-MPP group. CONCLUSIONS; MPP can successfully deliver DNA and protein into cells, and MPP with a HSRBD can specifically deliver DNA into liver cells. These have laid a foundation for further study on the nonviral liver cell gene delivering system.展开更多
The complex physiological and pathological conditions form barriers against efficient drug delivery.Cell penetrating peptides(CPPs),a class of short peptides which translocate drugs across cell membranes with various ...The complex physiological and pathological conditions form barriers against efficient drug delivery.Cell penetrating peptides(CPPs),a class of short peptides which translocate drugs across cell membranes with various mechanisms,provide feasible solutions for efficient delivery of biologically active agents to circumvent biological barriers.After years of development,the function of CPPs is beyond cell penetrating.Multifunctional CPPs with bioactivity or active targeting capacity have been designed and successfully utilized in delivery of various cargoes against tumor,myocardial ischemia,ocular posterior segment disorders,etc.In this review,we summarize recent progress in CPP-functionalized nano-drug delivery systems to overcome the physiological and pathological barriers for the applications in cardiology,ophtalmology,mucus,neurology and cancer,etc.We also highlight the prospect of clinical translation of CPP-functionalized drug delivery systems in these areas.展开更多
Processing bioactive peptides from natural sources using electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membranes(EDUF)have gained attention since it can fractionate in terms of their charge and molecular weight.Quinoa is a pse...Processing bioactive peptides from natural sources using electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membranes(EDUF)have gained attention since it can fractionate in terms of their charge and molecular weight.Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal highlighted by its high protein content,amino acid profile and adapting growing conditions.The present work aimed at the production of quinoa peptides through fractionation using EDUF and to test the fractions according to antihypertensive and antidiabetic activity.Experimental data showed the production of peptides ranging between 0.4 and 1.5 k Da.Cationic(CQPF)(3.01%),anionic(AQPF)(1.18%)and the electrically neutral fraction quinoa protein hydrolysate(QPH)-EDUF(~95%)were obtained.In-vitro studies showed the highest glucose uptake modulation in L6 cell skeletal myoblasts in presence of QPH-EDUF and AQPF(17%and 11%)indicating potential antidiabetic activity.The antihypertensive effect studied in-vivo in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR),showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure in presence of the fractionated peptides,being 100 mg/kg a dose comparable to Captopril(positive control).These results contribute to the current knowledge of bioactive peptides from quinoa by reporting the relevance of EDUF as tool to produce selected peptide fractions.Nevertheless,further characterization is needed towards peptide sequencing,their respective role in the metabolism and scaling-up production using EDUF.展开更多
A synthetic oligonucleotide, HSD-2a, encoding a peptide segment of the extracel-lular domain of a human sperm membrane protein, YWK-II, was fused with hepatitisB surface antigen gene (HBs gene ). The fused gene was th...A synthetic oligonucleotide, HSD-2a, encoding a peptide segment of the extracel-lular domain of a human sperm membrane protein, YWK-II, was fused with hepatitisB surface antigen gene (HBs gene ). The fused gene was then cloned to pUC18plasmid. The fused gene was prepared from the recombinant pUC18 plasmid byBamH I and Eco R I digestion, and then cloned into the transfer vector pGJP- 5 underthe control of P;., promoter, designated as pGJP-HSD/HBs. CV-1 cells were co-transfected with vaccinia virus (Tian Tan strain) and pGJP-HSD/IIBs and homolo-gous re combination occurred between the vaccinia virus TK gene of the plasmid flank-ing the foreign gene and the same sequences within the virus genome. TK phen0tyPerecombinant virus, vv-HSD/HBs, were selected from trandected HuTK’ cells byplaque purthcation technique. The eopressi0n of HSD-b in spent medium and cellu-lar protein of HuTK cells infected with vv-HSD/HBs was determined by ELISAand Western-blot analysis using anti-rwK-II antiserum. The present study indicatesthat the vv-HSD/HBs seems promising as an antdertility vaccine.展开更多
Objective:Premature rupture of membranes(PROM)is a common pregnancy disorder that is closely associated with structural weakening of fetal membranes.Studies have found that formyl peptide receptor 1(FPR1)activates inf...Objective:Premature rupture of membranes(PROM)is a common pregnancy disorder that is closely associated with structural weakening of fetal membranes.Studies have found that formyl peptide receptor 1(FPR1)activates inflammatory pathways and amniotic epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),stimulates collagen degradation,and leads to membrane weakening and membrane rupture.The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and EMT inhibitory effects of FPR1 antagonist(BOC-MLF)to provide a basis for clinical prevention of PROM.Methods:The relationship between PROM,FPR1,and EMT was analyzed in human fetal membrane tissue and plasma samples using Western blotting,PCR,Masson staining,and ELISA assays.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to establish a fetal membrane inflammation model in pregnant rats,and BOC-MLF was used to treat the LPS rat model.We detected interleukin(IL)-6 in blood from the rat hearts to determine whether the inflammatory model was successful and whether the anti-inflammatory treatment was effective.We used electron microscopy to analyze the structure and collagen expression of rat fetal membrane.Results:Western blotting,PCR and Masson staining indicated that the expression of FPR1 was significantly increased,the expression of collagen was decreased,and EMT appeared in PROM.The rat model indicated that LPS caused the collapse of fetal membrane epithelial cells,increased intercellular gaps,and decreased collagen.BOC-MLF promoted an increase in fetal membrane collagen,inhibited EMT,and reduced the weakening of fetal membranes.Conclusion:The expression of FPR1 in the fetal membrane of PROM was significantly increased,and EMT of the amniotic membrane was obvious.BOC-MLF can treat inflammation and inhibit amniotic EMT.展开更多
Semiconducting conjugated polymer nanoparticles(SPNs)represent an emerging class of phototheranostic materi-als with great promise for cancer treatment.In this report,low-bandgap electron donoracceptor(DA)-conjugated ...Semiconducting conjugated polymer nanoparticles(SPNs)represent an emerging class of phototheranostic materi-als with great promise for cancer treatment.In this report,low-bandgap electron donoracceptor(DA)-conjugated SPNs with sur-face cloaked by red blood cell membrane(RBCM)are developed for highly e ective photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.The resulting RBCM-coated SPN(SPN@RBCM)displays remarkable near-infrared light absorption and good photosta-bility,as well as high photothermal conver-sion e ciency for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.Particularly,due to the small size(<5 nm),SPN@RBCM has the advantages of deep tumor penetration and rapid clearance from the body with no appreciable toxicity.The RBCM endows the SPNs with prolonged systematic circulation time,less reticuloendothelial system uptake and reduced immune-recognition,hence improving tumor accumulation after intravenous injection,which provides strong photoacoustic signals and exerts excellent photothermal therapeutic e ects.Thus,this work provides a valuable paradigm for safe and highly e cient tumor pho-toacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy for further clinical translation.展开更多
In order to construct a eukaryotic co-expression plasmid containing membrane-anchored Sjc14FABP and Sjc26GST genes and identify their expression in vitro, Sj 14 and Sj26 genes were obtained by RT-PCR with total RNA of...In order to construct a eukaryotic co-expression plasmid containing membrane-anchored Sjc14FABP and Sjc26GST genes and identify their expression in vitro, Sj 14 and Sj26 genes were obtained by RT-PCR with total RNA of Schistosoma japonicum adult worms as the template and cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmid pVAC to construct recombinant plasmids pVAC-Sj14 and pVAC-Sj26. Then a 23 amino-acid signal peptide of human interleukin-2 (IL-2) upstream Sj14 or Sj26 gene and a membrane-anchored sequence containing 32 amino-acids of carboxyl-terminal of human plaeental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) downstream were amplified by PCR as the template of plasmid pVAC-Sj14 or pVAC-Sj26 only to get two gene fragments including Sj14 gene and Sj26 gene. The two modified genes were altogether cloned into a eukaryotic co-expression plasmid pIRES, resulting in another new recombinant plasmid pIRES-Sj26-Sj 14. The expression of Sl14 and Sl26 genes was detected by RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) when the plasmid pIRES-Sj26-Sj14 was transfected into eukaryotic Hela cells. Restriction enzyme analysis, PCR and sequencing results revealed that the recombinant plasmids pVAC-Sj14, pVAC-Sj26 and pIRES-Sj26-Sj 14 were successfully constructed and the expression of modified Sj 14 and Sj26 genes could be detected by RT-PCR and IFA. A bivalent membrane-anchored DNA vaccine encoding Sj14 and Sj26 genes was acquired and expressed proteins were proved to be mostly anchored in cellular membranes.展开更多
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) were able to produce tissue damage and oxidative stress in animal models of small intestinal damage. In this study, the putative protective effect of wheat peptides was ev...Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) were able to produce tissue damage and oxidative stress in animal models of small intestinal damage. In this study, the putative protective effect of wheat peptides was evaluated in a NSAID-induced small intestinal damage model in rats, different doses of wheat peptides or distilled water were administered daily by intragastric administration for 30 d until small intestinal damage was caused. Before sacrificing, NSAIDs(aspirin and indomethacin) or physiological saline were infused into the digestive tract twice. Wheat peptides administration reduced edema and small intestinal damage, and significantly decreased the level of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in mucous membrane of small intestine. Oxidative stress was significantly increased after NSAID infusion and was reduced by wheat peptides. Wheat peptides increased glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity in mucous membrane of small intestine. μ-Opioid receptor mRNA expression decreased more significantly in wheat peptides treated rats than in the model control group. Overall, the results suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induced small intestinal damage in rats and wheat peptides administration may be an effective tool for protecting small intestinal tissue against NSAID-induced small intestinal damage and oxidative stress.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide(H2S) levels are 55% lower in brains of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients than in age-matched normal individuals,which suggests that H2S might be involved i...BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide(H2S) levels are 55% lower in brains of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients than in age-matched normal individuals,which suggests that H2S might be involved in some aspects of AD pathogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To observe the protective mechanisms of varied concentrations of H2S against β-amyloid-peptide(Aβ) induced apoptosis in pheochromoytoma(PC12) cells,and to analyze the pathway of action.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled,observational,in vitro experiment was performed at Neurophysiology Laboratory in Zhongshan Medical School,Sun Yat-sen University between July 2006 and May 2007.MATERIALS:PC12 cells were provided by the Animal Experimental Center of Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University.Glybenclamide,rhodamine123,and dihydrorhodamine123 were purchased from Sigma(USA).METHODS:PC12 cells were incubated at 37 ℃ in a 5% CO2-enriched incubator with RPMI-1640 medium,supplemented with 5% horse-serum and 10% fetal bovine serum.Cells in logarithmic growth curves received different treatment:The PC12 cells were maintains at 37 ℃ with the original medium,then incubated in Aβ25-35,sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS),glybenclamide,NaHS+ Aβ25-35,or pretreated with glybenclamide 30 minutes prior to administration of and Aβ25-35,respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:(1) The survival rate of PC12 cells was detected by MTT assay and Hoechst staining.(2) The apoptosis rate of PC12 cells was detected utilizing flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining,and morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed.(3) The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by Rhodamine123-combined flow cytometry.(4) The intracellular reactive oxygen species content was detected by dihydrorhodamine123-combined flow cytometry.RESULTS:Aβ25-35 induced significantly decreased viability and increased percentage of apoptosis in PC12 cells,as well as dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential expression and an overproduction of reactive oxygen species.When PC12 cells were co-treated with NaHS and Aβ25-35,the decreased cell viability induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 was concentration-dependently blocked by NaHS(50,100,and 200 μmol/L).NaHS(100 μmol/L) obviously reduced the percentage of apoptotic PC12 cells induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35.In addition,100 μmol/L NaHS inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and reactive oxygen species overproduction.When the ATP-sensitive K channel(KATP) inhibitor,glybenclamide,was administered 30 minutes prior to NaHS and Aβ25-35 treatment,the NaHS-dependent cellular protection was partly blocked.This resulted in reduced PC12 cell viability and increased the percentage of apoptosis,as well as significantly blocked mitochondrial membrane potential preservation and inhibited reactive oxygen species overproduction due to NaHS treatment.CONCLUSION:NaHS protected PC12 cells against Aβ25-35-induced damage.NaHS-dependent cellular protection was associated with mitochondrial membrane potential preservation and inhibition of reactive oxygen species overproduction.The KATP channel inhibitor,glybenclamide,significantly blocked the cellular protective effects of NaHS,indicating that KATP channel activation plays an important role in NaHS-induced protection of PC12 cells to Aβ25-35-induced damage.展开更多
The first combined experimental and theoretical study on the ionization and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acid(PNA)derivatives,including eleven PNA monomers and two PNA decamers,is described.The acidity con...The first combined experimental and theoretical study on the ionization and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acid(PNA)derivatives,including eleven PNA monomers and two PNA decamers,is described.The acidity constants(pKa)of individual acidic and basic centers of PNA monomers were measured by automated potentiometric pH titrations in water/methanol solution,and these values were found to be in agreement with those obtained by MoKa software.These results indicate that single nucleobases do not change their pKa values when included in PNA monomers and oligomers.In addition,immobilized artificial membrane chromatography was employed to evaluate the lipophilic properties of PNA monomers and oligomers,which showed the PNA derivatives had poor affinity towards membrane phospholipids,and confirmed their scarce cell penetrating ability.Overall,our study not only is of potential relevance to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of PNA,but also constitutes a reliable basis to properly modify PNA to obtain mimics with enhanced cell penetration properties.展开更多
The World Health Organization has declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus to be a global pandemic.The FDA is yet to approve a vaccine for human novel coronavirus.Here,we developed a peptide-based vaccine and used h...The World Health Organization has declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus to be a global pandemic.The FDA is yet to approve a vaccine for human novel coronavirus.Here,we developed a peptide-based vaccine and used high-throughput screening by molecular dynamics simulation to identify T-cell-and p-cell-recognized epitopes for producing specific antibod-ies against SARS-nCoV-2.We construct~12 P'antigenic epitope peptides to develop a more effective vaccine and identify specific antibodies.These epitope peptides selectively presented the best antigen presentation scores for both human pMHC class I and II alleles to develop a strong binding affinity.All antigens identified of SARS-nCoV-2 different proteins by each attached specific~1-7 L linker adaptor were used to construct a broad single peripheral peptide vaccine.It is expected to be highly antigenic with a minimum allergic effect.As a result of these exciting outcomes,expressing a vaccine using the intimated peptide was highly promising and positive to be highly proposed as epitope-based peptide vaccine of specific antibody against SARS-nCoV-2 by initiating T cells and β-cells.An in vitro study for the proposed peptide-based vaccine is.mostly recommended.Further clinical trials are required to check the efficacy of this vaccine.展开更多
<em>Background:</em> Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) exhibit growth inhibitory effects on bacteria by inhibiting the expression of essential genes and could be promising therapeutic agents for treat...<em>Background:</em> Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) exhibit growth inhibitory effects on bacteria by inhibiting the expression of essential genes and could be promising therapeutic agents for treating bacterial infections. A study was carried out to determine the efficacy of several antisense PNAs in inhibiting extracellular and intracellular growth of <em>Mycobacterium smegmatis</em>. <em>Methods: </em>Six PNAs obtained from a commercial supplier were tested to evaluate the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth by inhibiting the expression of the following essential genes: <em>inhA </em>(a fatty acid elongase), <em>rpsL</em> (ribosomal S12 protein), <em>gyrA</em> (DNA gyrase), <em>pncA</em> (pyrazinamidase), <em>polA</em> (DNA polymerase I) and <em>rpoC</em> (RNA polymerase <em>β</em> subunit) of <em>M. smegmatis</em>. Each PNA was tested at 20 μM, 10 μM, 5 μM and 2.5 μM concentrations to determine whether they caused a dose dependent killing of <em>M. smegmatis</em> cultured in Middlebrook 7H9 broth or in a J774A.1 murine macrophage cell line.<em> Results:</em> In Middlebrook broth, the strong growth inhibitory effect against <em>M. smegmatis</em> was observed by PNAs targeting the <em>inhA </em>and <em>rpsL</em> genes at all four concentrations. The PNAs targeting the<em> pncA</em>, <em>polA</em> and<em> rpoC</em> genes were found to exhibit strong growth inhibition against <em>M. smegmatis</em> but only at 20 μM concentration. No growth inhibition of <em>M. smegmatis </em>was seen in pure culture when treated with PNAs targeting gyrA and a mismatch PNA targeting dnaG (DNA primase). All six PNAs showed killing of <em>M. smegmatis </em>in J774A.1 macrophage cell line that were statistically significant (p < 0.05). <em>Conclusion:</em> It may be concluded from this study that PNAs could be potential therapeutics for mycobacterial infections.展开更多
基金This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China( No:30472251 )and the Shanxi Youth Science Fund ( No.020011028).
文摘BACKGROUND: The development of a harmless and effi- cient nonviral gene delivery system that can facilitate the penetration of nucleic acids through the plasma membrane is a key to successful gene therapy. The aim of this study was to test a nonviral gene transferring vector’s function of delivering DNA into liver cells to provide an important clue for gene transfer in liver gene therapy. METHODS: The complex of DNA and DNA delivering protein was injected into mice through their tail veins. Then the mice were killed and their liver tissue was sec- tioned. The gene transferring results were detected using a confocal laser scanning microscope. RESULTS: Fluorescence analysis indicated that both DNA- membrane penetrating peptide (MPP) complex and DNA- hepatocyte specific receptor binding domain ( HSRBD) - MPP complex could go into liver cells. The fluorescence value of liver cells in the DNA-HSRBD-MPP group was higher than that in the DNA-MPP group. CONCLUSIONS; MPP can successfully deliver DNA and protein into cells, and MPP with a HSRBD can specifically deliver DNA into liver cells. These have laid a foundation for further study on the nonviral liver cell gene delivering system.
基金the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation (82173771)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and 111 project (B18035)
文摘The complex physiological and pathological conditions form barriers against efficient drug delivery.Cell penetrating peptides(CPPs),a class of short peptides which translocate drugs across cell membranes with various mechanisms,provide feasible solutions for efficient delivery of biologically active agents to circumvent biological barriers.After years of development,the function of CPPs is beyond cell penetrating.Multifunctional CPPs with bioactivity or active targeting capacity have been designed and successfully utilized in delivery of various cargoes against tumor,myocardial ischemia,ocular posterior segment disorders,etc.In this review,we summarize recent progress in CPP-functionalized nano-drug delivery systems to overcome the physiological and pathological barriers for the applications in cardiology,ophtalmology,mucus,neurology and cancer,etc.We also highlight the prospect of clinical translation of CPP-functionalized drug delivery systems in these areas.
基金financially supported by the Postdoctoral Fellowship N°3190683 of Dr.Adrián González-Munoz from the Chilean Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo(ANID)the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)Discovery Grant Program(Grant SD RGPIN-2018-04128 of Prof.Laurent Bazinet)。
文摘Processing bioactive peptides from natural sources using electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membranes(EDUF)have gained attention since it can fractionate in terms of their charge and molecular weight.Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal highlighted by its high protein content,amino acid profile and adapting growing conditions.The present work aimed at the production of quinoa peptides through fractionation using EDUF and to test the fractions according to antihypertensive and antidiabetic activity.Experimental data showed the production of peptides ranging between 0.4 and 1.5 k Da.Cationic(CQPF)(3.01%),anionic(AQPF)(1.18%)and the electrically neutral fraction quinoa protein hydrolysate(QPH)-EDUF(~95%)were obtained.In-vitro studies showed the highest glucose uptake modulation in L6 cell skeletal myoblasts in presence of QPH-EDUF and AQPF(17%and 11%)indicating potential antidiabetic activity.The antihypertensive effect studied in-vivo in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR),showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure in presence of the fractionated peptides,being 100 mg/kg a dose comparable to Captopril(positive control).These results contribute to the current knowledge of bioactive peptides from quinoa by reporting the relevance of EDUF as tool to produce selected peptide fractions.Nevertheless,further characterization is needed towards peptide sequencing,their respective role in the metabolism and scaling-up production using EDUF.
文摘A synthetic oligonucleotide, HSD-2a, encoding a peptide segment of the extracel-lular domain of a human sperm membrane protein, YWK-II, was fused with hepatitisB surface antigen gene (HBs gene ). The fused gene was then cloned to pUC18plasmid. The fused gene was prepared from the recombinant pUC18 plasmid byBamH I and Eco R I digestion, and then cloned into the transfer vector pGJP- 5 underthe control of P;., promoter, designated as pGJP-HSD/HBs. CV-1 cells were co-transfected with vaccinia virus (Tian Tan strain) and pGJP-HSD/IIBs and homolo-gous re combination occurred between the vaccinia virus TK gene of the plasmid flank-ing the foreign gene and the same sequences within the virus genome. TK phen0tyPerecombinant virus, vv-HSD/HBs, were selected from trandected HuTK’ cells byplaque purthcation technique. The eopressi0n of HSD-b in spent medium and cellu-lar protein of HuTK cells infected with vv-HSD/HBs was determined by ELISAand Western-blot analysis using anti-rwK-II antiserum. The present study indicatesthat the vv-HSD/HBs seems promising as an antdertility vaccine.
文摘Objective:Premature rupture of membranes(PROM)is a common pregnancy disorder that is closely associated with structural weakening of fetal membranes.Studies have found that formyl peptide receptor 1(FPR1)activates inflammatory pathways and amniotic epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),stimulates collagen degradation,and leads to membrane weakening and membrane rupture.The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and EMT inhibitory effects of FPR1 antagonist(BOC-MLF)to provide a basis for clinical prevention of PROM.Methods:The relationship between PROM,FPR1,and EMT was analyzed in human fetal membrane tissue and plasma samples using Western blotting,PCR,Masson staining,and ELISA assays.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to establish a fetal membrane inflammation model in pregnant rats,and BOC-MLF was used to treat the LPS rat model.We detected interleukin(IL)-6 in blood from the rat hearts to determine whether the inflammatory model was successful and whether the anti-inflammatory treatment was effective.We used electron microscopy to analyze the structure and collagen expression of rat fetal membrane.Results:Western blotting,PCR and Masson staining indicated that the expression of FPR1 was significantly increased,the expression of collagen was decreased,and EMT appeared in PROM.The rat model indicated that LPS caused the collapse of fetal membrane epithelial cells,increased intercellular gaps,and decreased collagen.BOC-MLF promoted an increase in fetal membrane collagen,inhibited EMT,and reduced the weakening of fetal membranes.Conclusion:The expression of FPR1 in the fetal membrane of PROM was significantly increased,and EMT of the amniotic membrane was obvious.BOC-MLF can treat inflammation and inhibit amniotic EMT.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.61727823,51873160)the joint research project of Health and Education Commission of Fujian Province(Grant No.2019-WJ-20).
文摘Semiconducting conjugated polymer nanoparticles(SPNs)represent an emerging class of phototheranostic materi-als with great promise for cancer treatment.In this report,low-bandgap electron donoracceptor(DA)-conjugated SPNs with sur-face cloaked by red blood cell membrane(RBCM)are developed for highly e ective photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.The resulting RBCM-coated SPN(SPN@RBCM)displays remarkable near-infrared light absorption and good photosta-bility,as well as high photothermal conver-sion e ciency for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.Particularly,due to the small size(<5 nm),SPN@RBCM has the advantages of deep tumor penetration and rapid clearance from the body with no appreciable toxicity.The RBCM endows the SPNs with prolonged systematic circulation time,less reticuloendothelial system uptake and reduced immune-recognition,hence improving tumor accumulation after intravenous injection,which provides strong photoacoustic signals and exerts excellent photothermal therapeutic e ects.Thus,this work provides a valuable paradigm for safe and highly e cient tumor pho-toacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy for further clinical translation.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30471603).
文摘In order to construct a eukaryotic co-expression plasmid containing membrane-anchored Sjc14FABP and Sjc26GST genes and identify their expression in vitro, Sj 14 and Sj26 genes were obtained by RT-PCR with total RNA of Schistosoma japonicum adult worms as the template and cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmid pVAC to construct recombinant plasmids pVAC-Sj14 and pVAC-Sj26. Then a 23 amino-acid signal peptide of human interleukin-2 (IL-2) upstream Sj14 or Sj26 gene and a membrane-anchored sequence containing 32 amino-acids of carboxyl-terminal of human plaeental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) downstream were amplified by PCR as the template of plasmid pVAC-Sj14 or pVAC-Sj26 only to get two gene fragments including Sj14 gene and Sj26 gene. The two modified genes were altogether cloned into a eukaryotic co-expression plasmid pIRES, resulting in another new recombinant plasmid pIRES-Sj26-Sj 14. The expression of Sl14 and Sl26 genes was detected by RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) when the plasmid pIRES-Sj26-Sj14 was transfected into eukaryotic Hela cells. Restriction enzyme analysis, PCR and sequencing results revealed that the recombinant plasmids pVAC-Sj14, pVAC-Sj26 and pIRES-Sj26-Sj 14 were successfully constructed and the expression of modified Sj 14 and Sj26 genes could be detected by RT-PCR and IFA. A bivalent membrane-anchored DNA vaccine encoding Sj14 and Sj26 genes was acquired and expressed proteins were proved to be mostly anchored in cellular membranes.
基金sponsored by grants from Postgraduates Scientific Research and Innovation Projects in JiangsuProvince,China(CXZZ12_0124)
文摘Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) were able to produce tissue damage and oxidative stress in animal models of small intestinal damage. In this study, the putative protective effect of wheat peptides was evaluated in a NSAID-induced small intestinal damage model in rats, different doses of wheat peptides or distilled water were administered daily by intragastric administration for 30 d until small intestinal damage was caused. Before sacrificing, NSAIDs(aspirin and indomethacin) or physiological saline were infused into the digestive tract twice. Wheat peptides administration reduced edema and small intestinal damage, and significantly decreased the level of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in mucous membrane of small intestine. Oxidative stress was significantly increased after NSAID infusion and was reduced by wheat peptides. Wheat peptides increased glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity in mucous membrane of small intestine. μ-Opioid receptor mRNA expression decreased more significantly in wheat peptides treated rats than in the model control group. Overall, the results suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induced small intestinal damage in rats and wheat peptides administration may be an effective tool for protecting small intestinal tissue against NSAID-induced small intestinal damage and oxidative stress.
基金Medical Research Foundation of Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, No.Y08042
文摘BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide(H2S) levels are 55% lower in brains of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients than in age-matched normal individuals,which suggests that H2S might be involved in some aspects of AD pathogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To observe the protective mechanisms of varied concentrations of H2S against β-amyloid-peptide(Aβ) induced apoptosis in pheochromoytoma(PC12) cells,and to analyze the pathway of action.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled,observational,in vitro experiment was performed at Neurophysiology Laboratory in Zhongshan Medical School,Sun Yat-sen University between July 2006 and May 2007.MATERIALS:PC12 cells were provided by the Animal Experimental Center of Medical School of Sun Yat-sen University.Glybenclamide,rhodamine123,and dihydrorhodamine123 were purchased from Sigma(USA).METHODS:PC12 cells were incubated at 37 ℃ in a 5% CO2-enriched incubator with RPMI-1640 medium,supplemented with 5% horse-serum and 10% fetal bovine serum.Cells in logarithmic growth curves received different treatment:The PC12 cells were maintains at 37 ℃ with the original medium,then incubated in Aβ25-35,sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS),glybenclamide,NaHS+ Aβ25-35,or pretreated with glybenclamide 30 minutes prior to administration of and Aβ25-35,respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:(1) The survival rate of PC12 cells was detected by MTT assay and Hoechst staining.(2) The apoptosis rate of PC12 cells was detected utilizing flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining,and morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed.(3) The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by Rhodamine123-combined flow cytometry.(4) The intracellular reactive oxygen species content was detected by dihydrorhodamine123-combined flow cytometry.RESULTS:Aβ25-35 induced significantly decreased viability and increased percentage of apoptosis in PC12 cells,as well as dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential expression and an overproduction of reactive oxygen species.When PC12 cells were co-treated with NaHS and Aβ25-35,the decreased cell viability induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35 was concentration-dependently blocked by NaHS(50,100,and 200 μmol/L).NaHS(100 μmol/L) obviously reduced the percentage of apoptotic PC12 cells induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35.In addition,100 μmol/L NaHS inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and reactive oxygen species overproduction.When the ATP-sensitive K channel(KATP) inhibitor,glybenclamide,was administered 30 minutes prior to NaHS and Aβ25-35 treatment,the NaHS-dependent cellular protection was partly blocked.This resulted in reduced PC12 cell viability and increased the percentage of apoptosis,as well as significantly blocked mitochondrial membrane potential preservation and inhibited reactive oxygen species overproduction due to NaHS treatment.CONCLUSION:NaHS protected PC12 cells against Aβ25-35-induced damage.NaHS-dependent cellular protection was associated with mitochondrial membrane potential preservation and inhibition of reactive oxygen species overproduction.The KATP channel inhibitor,glybenclamide,significantly blocked the cellular protective effects of NaHS,indicating that KATP channel activation plays an important role in NaHS-induced protection of PC12 cells to Aβ25-35-induced damage.
基金Pramod Thakare thanks the University of Milan for the Ph.D.fellowship.Giulia Caron,Maura Vallaro and Sonja Visentin acknowledge the financial support from the University of Turin(Ricerca Locale ex-60%,Bando2019).
文摘The first combined experimental and theoretical study on the ionization and lipophilic properties of peptide nucleic acid(PNA)derivatives,including eleven PNA monomers and two PNA decamers,is described.The acidity constants(pKa)of individual acidic and basic centers of PNA monomers were measured by automated potentiometric pH titrations in water/methanol solution,and these values were found to be in agreement with those obtained by MoKa software.These results indicate that single nucleobases do not change their pKa values when included in PNA monomers and oligomers.In addition,immobilized artificial membrane chromatography was employed to evaluate the lipophilic properties of PNA monomers and oligomers,which showed the PNA derivatives had poor affinity towards membrane phospholipids,and confirmed their scarce cell penetrating ability.Overall,our study not only is of potential relevance to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of PNA,but also constitutes a reliable basis to properly modify PNA to obtain mimics with enhanced cell penetration properties.
文摘The World Health Organization has declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus to be a global pandemic.The FDA is yet to approve a vaccine for human novel coronavirus.Here,we developed a peptide-based vaccine and used high-throughput screening by molecular dynamics simulation to identify T-cell-and p-cell-recognized epitopes for producing specific antibod-ies against SARS-nCoV-2.We construct~12 P'antigenic epitope peptides to develop a more effective vaccine and identify specific antibodies.These epitope peptides selectively presented the best antigen presentation scores for both human pMHC class I and II alleles to develop a strong binding affinity.All antigens identified of SARS-nCoV-2 different proteins by each attached specific~1-7 L linker adaptor were used to construct a broad single peripheral peptide vaccine.It is expected to be highly antigenic with a minimum allergic effect.As a result of these exciting outcomes,expressing a vaccine using the intimated peptide was highly promising and positive to be highly proposed as epitope-based peptide vaccine of specific antibody against SARS-nCoV-2 by initiating T cells and β-cells.An in vitro study for the proposed peptide-based vaccine is.mostly recommended.Further clinical trials are required to check the efficacy of this vaccine.
文摘<em>Background:</em> Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) exhibit growth inhibitory effects on bacteria by inhibiting the expression of essential genes and could be promising therapeutic agents for treating bacterial infections. A study was carried out to determine the efficacy of several antisense PNAs in inhibiting extracellular and intracellular growth of <em>Mycobacterium smegmatis</em>. <em>Methods: </em>Six PNAs obtained from a commercial supplier were tested to evaluate the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth by inhibiting the expression of the following essential genes: <em>inhA </em>(a fatty acid elongase), <em>rpsL</em> (ribosomal S12 protein), <em>gyrA</em> (DNA gyrase), <em>pncA</em> (pyrazinamidase), <em>polA</em> (DNA polymerase I) and <em>rpoC</em> (RNA polymerase <em>β</em> subunit) of <em>M. smegmatis</em>. Each PNA was tested at 20 μM, 10 μM, 5 μM and 2.5 μM concentrations to determine whether they caused a dose dependent killing of <em>M. smegmatis</em> cultured in Middlebrook 7H9 broth or in a J774A.1 murine macrophage cell line.<em> Results:</em> In Middlebrook broth, the strong growth inhibitory effect against <em>M. smegmatis</em> was observed by PNAs targeting the <em>inhA </em>and <em>rpsL</em> genes at all four concentrations. The PNAs targeting the<em> pncA</em>, <em>polA</em> and<em> rpoC</em> genes were found to exhibit strong growth inhibition against <em>M. smegmatis</em> but only at 20 μM concentration. No growth inhibition of <em>M. smegmatis </em>was seen in pure culture when treated with PNAs targeting gyrA and a mismatch PNA targeting dnaG (DNA primase). All six PNAs showed killing of <em>M. smegmatis </em>in J774A.1 macrophage cell line that were statistically significant (p < 0.05). <em>Conclusion:</em> It may be concluded from this study that PNAs could be potential therapeutics for mycobacterial infections.
