Evaluation of a Novel Plasmid for Simultaneous Gene Electrotransfer-Mediated Silencing of CD105 and CD146 in Combination with Irradiation

Targeting tumor vasculature through specific endothelial cell markers represents a promising approach for cancer treatment. Here our aim was to construct an antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmid encoding shRNAs to simultaneously target two endothelial cell markers, CD105 and CD146, and to test its functionality and therapeutic potential in vitro when delivered by gene electrotransfer (GET) and combined with irradiation (IR). Functionality of the plasmid was evaluated by determining the silencing of the targeted genes using qRT-PCR. Antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects were determined by the cytotoxicity assay tube formation assay and wound healing assay in murine endothelial cells 2H-11. The functionality of the plasmid construct was also evaluated in malignant melanoma tumor cell line B16F10. Additionally, potential activation of immune response was measured by induction of DNA sensor STING and proinflammatory cytokines by qRT-PCR in endothelial cells 2H-11. We demonstrated that the plasmid construction was successful and can efficiently silence the expression of the two targeted genes. As a consequence of silencing, reduced migration rate and angiogenic potential was confirmed in 2H-11 endothelial cells. Furthermore, induction of DNA sensor STING and proinflammatory cytokines were determined, which could add to the therapeutic effectiveness when used in vivo. To conclude, we successfully constructed a novel plasmid DNA with two shRNAs, which holds a great promise for further in vivo testing.     

Hepatitis B Virus-Like Particle: Targeted Delivery of Plasmid Expressing Short Hairpin RNA for Silencing the Bcl-2 Gene in Cervical Cancer Cells

Gene therapy research has advanced to clinical trials, but it is hampered by unstable nucleic acids packaged inside carriers and there is a lack of specificity towards targeted sites in the body. This study aims to address gene therapy limitations by encapsidating a plasmid synthesizing a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that targets the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene using truncated hepatitis B core antigen (tHBcAg) virus-like particle (VLP). A shRNA sequence targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was synthesized and cloned into the pSilencer 2.0-U6 vector. The recombinant plasmid, namely PshRNA, was encapsidated inside tHBcAg VLP and conjugated with folic acid (FA) to produce FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP. Electron microscopy revealed that the FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP has an icosahedral structure that is similar to the unmodified tHBcAg VLP. Delivery of FA-tHBcAg-PshRNA VLP into HeLa cells overexpressing the folate receptor significantly downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 at 48 and 72 h post-transfection. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay demonstrated that the cells’ viability was significantly reduced from 89.46% at 24 h to 64.52% and 60.63%, respectively, at 48 and 72 h post-transfection. As a conclusion, tHBcAg VLP can be used as a carrier for a receptor-mediated targeted delivery of a therapeutic plasmid encoding shRNA for gene silencing in cancer cells.     

Anti‐Atherogenic Effect of Stem Cell Nanovesicles Targeting Disturbed Flow Sites

Atherosclerosis development leads to irreversible cascades, highlighting the unmet need for improved methods of early diagnosis and prevention. Disturbed flow formation is one of the earliest atherogenic events, resulting in increased endothelial permeability and subsequent monocyte recruitment. Here, a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐derived nanovesicle (NV) that can target disturbed flow sites with the peptide GSPREYTSYMPH (PREY) (PMSC‐NVs) is presented which is selected through phage display screening of a hundred million peptides. The PMSC‐NVs are effectively produced from human MSCs (hMSCs) using plasmid DNA designed to functionalize the cell membrane with PREY. The potent anti‐inflammatory and pro‐endothelial recovery effects are confirmed, similar to those of hMSCs, employing mouse and porcine partial carotid artery ligation models as well as a microfluidic disturbed flow model with human carotid artery‐derived endothelial cells. This nanoscale platform is expected to contribute to the development of new theragnostic strategies for preventing the progression of atherosclerosis.     

化学法和机械法从大肠杆菌释放人肿瘤坏死因子

对化学法和机械法破碎基因工程大肠杆菌以释放人肿瘤坏死因子的影响因素作了考察。在化学法破菌中研究了破碎时间、试剂浓度、溶剂ｐＨ值、加入表面活性剂等因素的影响。在机械法破碎中研究了停留时间、装珠量、搅拌转速、细胞浓度等的影响，对操作条件进行了优化。通过对二者的比较，发现机械法破碎细胞效率高，但产生细小的碎片不利后分离；化学法释放产物有选择性，但操作时间长。     

重组痘苗病毒VMS11HAV25株的毒力研究

对带有甲肝病毒抗原基因的重组痘苗病毒VMS11HAV25株与其亲本病毒天坛株和JingC－1系减毒株进行了毒力比较，结果表明，VMS11HAV25株对小鼠神经毒力和尾静脉注射后的全身症状以及家兔皮内反应都比天坛株有明显减弱。在40℃培育下鸡胚尿囊膜（CAM）上形成的痘疱数也比天坛株有明显减少。VMS11HAV25株在37℃培育下CAM上形成的痘疱较大，家兔皮内接种后出现有小面积的皮肤坏死性损伤，因此认为，VMS11HAV25株的残余毒力高于JingC－系，介于天坛株和JingC－1系减毒株之间。     

Enhancement of secreted production of glucoamylase through fed-batch bioreactor culture of recombinant yeast harboring glucose-controllable <Emphasis Type="Italic">SUC2</Emphasis> promoter

Glucoamylase that hydrolyses starch to glucose is one of the important industrial enzymes for ethanol production industry. Therefore, genetic production of recombinant glucoamylase has been widely studied. Previously, we reported secreted production of Saccharomyces diastaticus-originated glucoamylase in Saccharomyces cerevisiase expression system using its own signal sequence and the SUC2 promoter that is regulated by glucose level in culture medium. In the present work, we performed a comparative study between batch and fed-batch bioreactor cultures for secreted production of recombinant glucoamylase. Through maintaining low glucose levels in the culture broth, we obtained about 7-fold higher secreted production levels of glucoamlyase in fed-batch culture. Fed-batch culture strategy also enhanced (∼3.1-fold) secretion efficiency of recombinant glucoamylase in S. cerevisiae.     

汉坦病毒核蛋白基因截短片段在大肠杆菌中表达及其产物的初步应用

目的　获得汉坦病毒重组核蛋白 ,并将其应用于血清学诊断。方法　采用PCR方法 ,从带有HTN型Z10株病毒全长核蛋白基因的质粒上扩增读码框的前 35 4bp的核蛋白基因片段。将截短的核蛋白基因片段插入表达载体pGEX 2 0T ,得到重组质粒pGEX2 0 Z10trNP ,转化大肠杆菌BL2 1(DE3) ,经IPTG诱导表达 ,表达产物经Glu tathioneSepharose 4B柱纯化 ,并进行抗原性及抗原特异性检测。结果　pGEX2 0 Z10trBP表达产物是相对分子质量约为 4 0 0 0 0的谷光甘肽转移酶 (GST)融合蛋白GST Z10trNP。经Westernblot分析 ,GST Z10trNP具有良好的抗原性。用纯化GST Z10trNP为抗原 ,用ELISA间接法检测出血热病人血清、出血热疫苗免疫的家兔及小鼠血清 ,均能很好地区分阴性和阳性血清。结论　GST Z10trNP表达量高 ,易于纯化 ,并且具有良好的抗原性及抗原特异性 ,是一种安全、廉价的诊断抗原。     

钌(Ⅱ)配合物光谱性质及对DNA光切割作用

用紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱和荧光淬灭技术,研究钌(Ⅱ)多吡啶配合物 [Ru(bpy)2(MDBIP)]2+ (bpy为2,2′-联吡啶; MDBIP为3,5-二溴基-咪唑并[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲咯啉)与小牛胸腺DNA的作用.用琼脂糖凝胶电泳法研究配合物对pBR322质粒DNA的光切割作用.结果表明,[Ru(bpy)2(MDBIP)]2+与小牛胸腺DNA可能是以一种弱的部分插入的方式相结合,对pBR322质粒DNA有较好的光切割作用.     

重组人红细胞生成素质量控制体系研究

目的研究重组人红细胞生成素(rHuEPO)质量控制体系。方法用网织红细胞分析仪测活法测定rHuEPO体内生物学活性。比较不同的等电聚焦电泳条件、蛋白含量测定方法和牛血清白蛋白检测方法。按rHuEPO特点进行其他项目的检测。结果采用全自动网织红细胞计数仪检测rHuEPO体内生物学活性方法简便可靠;电泳时添加尿素可增加区带清晰度和条带清晰度;采用BSAELISA检测牛血清白蛋白含量可准确定量;免疫印迹试验可有效地检测rHuEPO成品质量。结论本研究建立了一套完善的rHuEPO质量控制体系。     

培养温度对基因工程菌生长密度和rhG-CSF表达的影响

观察培养温度对重组人粒细胞集落刺激因子的基因工程菌 p CG- 1/ rh G- CSF/ DH5α生长密度和 rh G-CSF表达的影响发现 ,在培养阶段采用不同的培养温度有利于提高细菌的生长密度和重组产物的表达量 ,并可缩短培养周期。通过在 NBS MPP- 40大罐中进行 3批发酵 ,每批发酵 15 h,平均菌密度 A6 0 0 为 2 5 .0 ,菌干重 2 3g/L ,rh G- CSF表达量可达 2 6 .93%。