A horsefly saliva antigen 5-like protein containing RTS motif is an angiogenesis inhibitor

The Ag5 proteins are the most abundant and immunogenic proteins in the venom secretory ducts of stinging insects. An antigen 5-like protein (named tabRTS) composed of 221 amino acid residues was purified and characterized from the salivary glands of the horsefly, Tabanus yao (Diptera, Tabanidae). Its cDNA was cloned from the cDNA library of the horsefly's salivary gland. TabRTS containing the SCP domain (Sc7 family of extracellular protein domain) was found in insect antigen 5 proteins. More interestingly, there is an Arg-Thr-Ser (RTS) disintegrin motif at the C-terminus of tabRTS. The RTS motif is positioned in a loop bracketed by cysteine residues as those found in RTS-disintegrins of Crotalidae and Viperidae snake venoms, which act as angiogenesis inhibitors. Endothelial Cell Tube formation assay in vitro and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis assay in vivo were performed as to investigate the effect of tabRTS on angiogenesis. It was found that tabRTS could significantly inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Anti-alpha(1)beta(1) monoclonal antibody could dose-dependently inhibit the anti-angiogenic activity of tabRTS. This result indicated that tabRTS possibly targets the alpha(1)beta(1) integrin to exert the anti-angiogenic activity as snake venom RTS-/KTS-disintegrins do. The current work revealed the first angiogenesis inhibitor protein containing RTS motif from invertebrates, a possible novel type of RTS-disintegrin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

树突状细胞与HIV-1 辅助蛋白相互作用的体外研究——新的实验体系的建立与应用

树突状细胞（DC）是免疫系统中具有多种免疫功能的关键细胞，但在HIV/AIDS 患者 体内，虽有大量病毒及抗原存在，却不能有效地激发特异性免疫应答。最新的研究显示， HIV/AIDS 血源和性传染的途径虽有不同，但DC 均是早于T 细胞而最先遭受感染的“第一 靶细胞”。已知辅助蛋白（Nef、Rev、Tat、Vif、Vpr 和Vpu）是HIV-1 在宿主细胞内复制 和致病的根本因素。而哪种辅助蛋白、如何影响DC 功能，至今研究结果甚少，结论杂乱 不一。 本论文作为HIV-1 影响DC 功能研究的实验体系部分，旨在为系统比较研究6 个辅助 蛋白对DC 功能的调节和机理奠定基础。采用分子生物学和免疫学技术方法，把辅助蛋白 基因从DNA 和mRNA 水平导入目的细胞DC，在DC 前体及其分化、成熟的各个时相， 连续、动态地分析辅助蛋白对DC 特征性表面标志及免疫相关基因的表达水平、摄取和处 理抗原、激发和调控免疫应答等功能的影响，以期揭示HIV/AIDS 患者DC 功能明显异常 和失调的原因。 首先，分别将6 个辅助蛋白基因克隆到pEGFP-N2 和pCS2+表达载体，得到具有绿色 荧光蛋白融合基因的表达载体，将分别用于DNA 和mRNA 水平转染DC。再以K562 细胞 为模型建立mRNA 转染细胞的基本方法；以人外周血CD14 单核细胞为前体，建立了体外 “2＋2”快速诱导DC 的方法。最后，利用Amaxa 转染系统，从DNA 水平研究辅助蛋白对 DC 前体（单核细胞）的功能影响。发现单核细胞转染辅助蛋白与GFP 融合基因5h 后，胞 内蛋白大量表达，且能维持表达48h；其中Nef、Tat、Vpu、Rev、Vif、Vpr 表达效率分别 为35.42%、34.42%、43.42%、 17.07%、13.65%、10.29%；单核细胞转染基因后，表型 CD14、HLA-DR、CD80、CD83、CD86、DC-SIGN 没有明显的表达变化；转染Nef、Vpu、 Rev 辅助蛋白后，单核细胞有10％凋亡；Vpr 能抑制单核细胞IL-10 的分泌，Nef 能促进分 泌IL-6。 总之，通过构建辅助蛋白的表达载体，优化DC 的体外培养过程以及mRNA 转染方法， 并成功将辅助蛋白导入DC 前体，鉴定其表型和功能变化。为研究辅助蛋白影响DC 的功 能和机制建立了稳定而可行的实验系统。

Anti-HIV-1 activity of trichobitacin, a novel ribosome-inactivating protein

AIM: To determine whether trichobitacin, a novel ribosome-inactivating protein purified from the root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii, possesses the anti-HIV activity. METHODS: The inhibition of syncytial cell formation induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1),was determined under microscope, reduction of HIV-1 p24 antigen expression level was measured by ELISA, and decrease in numbers of HIV-1 antigen positive cells in acutely and-chronically infected cultures were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Trichobitacin Was-found to greatly suppress syncytial cell formation induced by HIV-1 and to markedly reduce both expression of HIV-1 p24 antigen and the number of HIV antigen positive cells in acutely but not chronically HIV-1 infected culture. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) in inhibition of syncytial cell formation and HIV antigen positive cells were 5 mu g.L-1 (95 % confidence limits: 1.3 - 20 mu g.L-1) and 0.09 mg.L-1 (95 % confidence limits: 0.011 - 0.755 mg.L-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: Trichobitacin is a novel ribosome-inactivating protein with anti-HIV-l activity.

Xanthohumol, a novel anti-HIV-1 agent purified from Hops Humulus lupulus

Xanthohumol, prenylchacone flavonoid, is a natural product with multi-biofunctions purified from Hops Humulus lupulus. Its anti-HIV-1 activity was tested in the present study. Results showed that xanthohumol inhibited HIV-1 induced cytopathic effects, the production of viral p24 antigen and reverse transcriptase in C8166 lymphocytes at non-cytotoxic concentration. The EC50 values were 0.82, 1.28 and 0.50 mug/ml, respectively. The therapeutic index (TI) was about 10.8. Xanthohumol also inhibited HIV-1 replication in PBMC with EC50 value of 20.74 mug/ml. The activity of recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and the HIV-1 entry were not inhibited by xanthohumol. The results from this study suggested that xanthohumol is effective against HIV-1 and might serve as an interesting lead compound. It may represent a novel chemotherapeutic agent for HIV-1 infection. However, the mechanism of its anti-HIV-1 effect needs to be further clarified. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zinc coupling potentiates anti-HIV-1 activity of baicalin

Baicalin (BA) has been shown with anti-HIV-1 activity. Zinc is a nutrient element. The anti-HIV-1 activity of zinc complex of baicalin (BA-Zn) in vitro was studied and compared with the anti-HIV-1 activities between BA and BA-Zn in the present study. Our results suggested that BA-Zn has lower cytotoxicity and higher anti-HIV-1 activity compared with those of BA in vitro. The CC(50)s of BA-Zn and BA were 221.52 and 101.73 muM, respectively. The cytotoxicity of BA-Zn was about 1.2-fold lower than that of BA. The BA and BA-Zn inhibited HIV-1 induced syncytium formation, HIV-1 p24 antigen and HIV-1 RT production. The EC(50)s of BA-Zn on inhibiting HIV-1 induced syncytium formation (29.08 muM) and RT production (31.17 muM) were lower than those of BA (43.27 and 47.34 muM, respectively). BA-Zn was more effective than BA in inhibiting the activities of recombinant RT and HIV-1 entry into host cells. Zinc coupling enhanced the anti-HTV-1 activity of baicalin. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The anti-HIV-1 effect of scutellarin

Scutellarin was purified from the plant Erigeron breuiscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz. The activity against 3 strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was determined in vitro in this study. These were laboratory-derived virus (HIV-I-IIIB), drug-resistant virus (HIV-I-74V), and low-passage clinical isolated virus (HIV-1(KM018)). From syncytia inhibition study, the EC50 of scutellarin against HIV-I-IIB direct infection in C8166 cells was 26 mu M with a therapeutic index of 36. When the mode of infection changed from acute infection to cell-to-cell infection, this compound became even more potent and the EC50 reduced to 15 mu M. This suggested that cell fusion might be affected by this compound. By comparing the inhibitory effects on p24 antigen, scutellarin was also found to be active against HIV-1(74V) (EC50 253 mu M) and HIV-1(KM018) (EC50 136 mu M) infection with significant difference in potency. The mechanism of its action was also explored in this study. At a concentration of 433 mu M, scutellarin inhibited 48% of the cell free recombinant HIV-1 RT activity. It also caused 82% inhibition of HIV-1 particle attachment and 45% inhibition of fusion at the concentrations of 54 mu M. In summary, scutellarin was found to inhibit several strains of HIV-1 replication with different potencies. It appeared to inhibit HIV-1 RT activity, HIV-1 particle attachment and cell fusion. These are essential activities for viral transmission and replication. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sphenalactones A-D, a new class of highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids from Schisandra sphenanthera

Four novel highly oxygenated trinortriterpenoids, sphenalactones A-D (1-4), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera and their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-4 featured a C-27

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activities of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives

In order to explore the range of biological activities of the podophyllotoxin compound class, a novel series of derivatives of podophyllotoxin, which were conjugates containing stavudine and different structural podophyllotoxin analogues, were designed, s

Alpha-momorcharin inhibits HIV-1 replication in acutely but not chronically infected T-lymphocytes

AIM: To identify the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activities of alpha-momorcharin ( alpha-MMC) from Momordica charantia in acutely and chronically infected lymphocytes. METHODS: The anti-HIV activities of alpha-MMC were examined by 1) the inhibition of syncytia formation induced by HIV-1 III B; 2) reduction of p24 core antigen expression level and decrease in numbers of HIV antigen positive cells in acutely and chronically infected cultures. The cytotoxic effects of alpha-MMC was tested by trypan blue dye exclusion or colorimetric MTT assay. RESULTS: alpha-MMC was found to obviously inhibit HIV-1 III B-inducing C8166 syncytia formation and markedly reduced both expression of p24 core antigen and the numbers of HIV antigen positive cells in acutely but not chronically HTV-1-infected culture. The median effective concentration (EC50) in these assays were 0.016, 0.07, and 0.32 mg.L-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: alpha-MMC is a unique component of momorcharin with anti-HIV activity, and markedly inhibited HIV-1 replication in acutely but not chronically HIV-1-infected T-lymphocytes.

Interaction between human interleukin-16 and CD4 receptor of HIV-1

AIM: To study the interaction between human interleukin-16 (IL-16) and the receptor CD4 (T-lymphocyte differentiation antigen) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). METHODS: Two structurally con served regions (SCRs) of human IL-16 were built by the SYBYL/Biopolymer module using the corresponding transmembrane (TM) domain of human interleukin-1 (HIL-4) and HIL-2 as the templates. The coordinates for amino-terminal residue sequence, carboxyl-terminal residue sequences, and cytoplasm loops were generated using Biopolymer's LOOP SEARCH algorithm. RESULTS: HIL-16 first formed a homodimer, then contacted with CD4 dimer further forming a dimeric complex. Subsequently, the dimeric complex constructed the tetrameric complex by two disulfide bridges between the cysteines of HIL-16 (Cys31-Cys31). CONCLUSION: The interaction model is useful to propose the action mechanism of HIL-16 and is beneficial for rational designing of novel anti-HIV drugs.

HLA-DRB1等位基因多态性与食管癌遗传易感性研究

目的 :从基因水平探讨湖北地区汉族人食管癌HLA -DRB1等位基因的遗传易感性。方法 :运用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应结合基因序列分析等技术 ,检测无亲缘关系湖北汉族健康人 136例、食管癌组 4 2例患者的HLA -DRB1等位基因。SAS统计软件数据处理。结果 :湖北地区汉族人食管癌患者与正常人比较 ,HLA -DRB1 0 90 1基因频率显著增高 (0 2 5 0 0vs 0 1397,P =0 0 2 8,OR =2 0 5 3,病因分数 =0 12 82 ) ;两者间其余HLA -DRB1等

湖北汉族人大肠癌HLA-DRB1等位基因遗传易感性研究

目的　探讨湖北汉族人 HL A- DRB1等位基因与大肠癌遗传相关性。方法　针对 HL A- DRB1等位基因第 2外显子多态性 ,设计 2 3对引物的序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应 ,结合等位基因序列分析 ,检测了无亲缘关系的湖北籍汉族健康人 136名及大肠癌患者 72例的 HL A- DRB1基因。 SAS软件进行数据处理。结果　湖北地区汉族人大肠癌患者与正常人比较 ,HL A- DRB1* 0 90 1等位基因分布频率 0 .2 2 92 vs0 .1397(P<0 .0 0 5 ,OR=2 .182

HLA-DQB1*0301与胃腺癌及幽门螺杆菌感染的关系

为探讨HLA DQB1等位基因与胃腺癌临床特征及其幽门螺杆菌 (Hp)感染的关联性 ,运用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术 ,检测无亲缘关系湖北汉族健康人 136例、胃癌组 6 3例患者的HLA DQB1基因。内镜活检、Giemsa染色和 (或 )外周血ELISA检查胃粘膜Hp感染情况。SAS软件统计处理。结果表明HLA DQB1 0 30 1与湖北汉族人胃腺癌呈正关联。携带与非携带该等位基因患者 ,其临床特征包括患者平均患病年龄、性别比、肿瘤原发部位、肿瘤TNM分期、肿瘤细胞分化程度 ,以及Hp感染率等情

湖北食管癌HLA-DQB1的基因多态性

目的从基因水平探讨湖北地区汉族人食管癌 HEN-DQB1等位基因的遗传易感性.方法运用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应技术,检测无亲缘关系湖北汉族健康人136例、食管癌组42例患者的 HLA-DQB1等位基因.SAS system 统计软件数据处理.结果湖北汉族人食管癌患者与正常人比较,HEN-DQB1*0301基因频率显著增高(0.2976 vs 0.1875),P=0.046,OR=1.835,病因分数=0.1354);两组间 HLA-DQB1其余各等位基因分布频率的比较,HLA-DQB1*0201(0.0