Avian influenza virus infection induces differential expression of genes in chicken kidney

The pathogenic process of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection is poorly understood. To explore the differential expression of kidney genes as a result of HPAIV infection, two cDNA libraries were constructed from uninfected and infected kidneys by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Fifteen genes including IFN-stimulated genes (ISG12), lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus E gene (LY6E), matrix Gla protein gene (MGP), lysozyme gene, haemopoiesis related membrane protein I gene, KIAA1259, MGC68696, G6pe-prov protein gene (G6PC), MGC4504, alcohol dehydrogenase gene (ADH), glutathione S-transferase gene (GST), sodium-dependent high-affinity dicarboxylate transporter gene (SDCT), Synaptotagmin XV (SytXV) and two novel genes were found significantly up-regulated or dramatically suppressed. Differential expression of these genes was further identified by Northern blot. Functional analysis indicated that the regulation of their expression might contribute to the pathogenic process of HPAIV infection. In contrast, the increased expression of three IFN-stimulated genes named ISG12, LY6E, and haemopoiesis related membrane protein 1 gene might reflect host defense responses. Further study showed that ISG12 protein failed to directly interact with NS1 protein of HPAIV which expressed simultaneously in the organs where HPAIV replication occurred, by use of BacterioMatch two-hybrid system. Therefore, our findings may provide new insights into understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the pathophysiological process of HPAIV infection in chicken. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dietary phosphorus requirement of juvenile black seabream, Sparus macrocephalus

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of dietary available phosphorus (P) for black seabream (Sparus macrocephalus) in indoor net cages (1.5x1.0x1.0 m). Triplicate groups of black seabream (11.45 +/- 0.02 g) were fed diets containing graded levels (0.18, 0.36, 0.54, 0.72, 0.89 and 1.07%) of available P to satiation for 8 weeks. The basal diet (diet 1), containing 0.18% available P, was supplemented with graded levels of monosodium phosphate (NaH2PO4 2H(2)O) to formulate five experimental diets. The fish were fed twice daily (08:00 h and 16:00 h) and reared in seawater (salinity, 26-29 g l(-1)) at a temperature of 28 +/- 1 degrees C. Dissolved oxygen during the experiment was above 5 mg l(-1). The specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were all significantly improved by dietary phosphorus up to 0.54% (P<0.05) and then leveled off beyond this level. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) was inversely correlated with dietary phosphorus levels (P< 0.05). Efficiency of P utilization stabled in fish fed diets containing 0.18%-0.54% available P and then decreased dramatically with further supplementation of dietary phosphorus. Body composition analysis showed that the whole-body lipid, ash, calcium and phosphorus contents were all significantly affected by dietary available P concentration (P<0.05), however, no significance were found in whole-body calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios among all the treatments (P>0.05). Dietary phosphorus levels also affected the mineralization of vertebrae, skin and scale (P<0.05). Ca/P ratios in vertebrae and scale were not influenced by dietary P supplementation, while skin Ca/P ratio increased statistically with dietary available P levels (quadratic effect, P<0.001). The blood chemistry analysis showed that dietary available P had distinct effects on enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and plasma lysozyme (LSZ), as well as contents of triacyglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (T-CHO) (P<0.05). Broken-line analysis showed maximum weight gain (WG) was obtained at dietary available P concentrations of 0.55%. Quadratic analysis based on P contents in whole fish, vertebrae or scale indicated that the requirements were 0.81, 0.87 and 0.88%, respectively. Signs of phosphorus deficiency were characterized by poor growth, slightly reduced mineralization and an increase in body lipid content. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of the "all-fish" growth hormone transgene expression on non-specific immune functions of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

This study investigated non-specific immune functions of the F-2 generation of "all-fish" growth hormone transgenic carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Lysozyme activity was 145.0 (+/- 30.7) U ml(-1) in the transgenic fish serum and 105.0 (+/- 38.7) U ml(-1) in age-matched non-transgenic control fish serum, a significant difference (P < 0.01). The serum bactericidal activity in the transgenics was significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.05), with the percentage serum killing of 59.5% (6.83%) and 50.8% (8.67%), respectively. Values for leukocrit and phagocytic percent of macrophages in head kidney were higher in transgenics than controls (P < 0.05). However, the phagocytic indices in the transgenics and the controls were not different. In addition, the mean body weight of the transgenics was 63.4 (6.65) g, much higher than that of the controls [39.2 (+/- 3.30) g, P < 0.01]. The absolute weight of spleen of the transgenics [0.13 (+/- 0.03) g] was higher than that of the controls [0.08 (+/- 0.02) g, P < 0.01]. However, there was no difference in the relative weight of spleen between the transgenics and the controls, with the spleen mass index being 0.21% (+/- 0.02%) and 0.20% (+/- 0.03%), respectively. This study suggests that the "all-fish" growth hormone transgene expression could stimulate not only the growth but also the non-specific immune functions of carp. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of the interplay between protein and surface on the properties of adsorbed protein layers.

Although protein adsorption to surface is a common phenomenon, investigation of the process is challenging due to the complexity of the interplay between external factors, protein and surface properties. Therefore experimental approaches have to measure the properties of adsorbed protein layers with high accuracy in order to achieve a comprehensive description of the process. To this end, we used a combination of two biosensing techniques, dual polarization interferometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. From this, we are able to extract surface coverage values, layer structural parameters, water content and viscoelastic properties to examine the properties of protein layers formed at the liquid/solid interface. Layer parameters were examined upon adsorption of proteins of varying size and structural properties, on surfaces with opposite polarity. We show that "soft" proteins such as unfolded α-synuclein and high molecular weight albumin are highly influenced by the surface polarity, as they form a highly diffuse and hydrated layer on the hydrophilic silica surface as opposed to the denser, less hydrated layer formed on a hydrophobic methylated surface. These layer properties are a result of different orientations and packing of the proteins. By contrast, lysozyme is barely influenced by the surface polarity due to its intrinsic structural stability. Interestingly, we show that for a similar molecular weight, the unfolded α-synuclein forms a layer with the highest percentage of solvation not related to surface coverage but resulting from the highest water content trapped within the protein. Together, these data reveal a trend in layer properties highlighting the importance of the interplay between protein and surface for the design of biomaterials.

Effects of intraperitoneal injection of cortisol on nonspecific immune functions of Ctenopharyngodon idella

After grass carps Ctenopharyngodon idellus were injected with cortisol, with (CBC) and without (C) a cocoa butter carrier, the effects of both slowly and rapidly acting exogenous cortisol oil their non-specific immune functions were investigated. On the one hand, after injection with CBC, the cortisol concentration and lysozyme activity in fish serum were enhanced and were sustained at high levels for a long period (30 days). The killing activity in the serum declined with time, and phagocytosis of head kidney macrophages diminished significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The leukocrit values in the high dose group (31-8 mg cortisol fish(-1)) increased over time, however, with the maximum average being 5.6% at day 30. The spleen mass index in the high dose group was 0.93 x 10(-3) after 30 days, notably lower (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. In addition, a decrease in resistance to Aeronionas hydrophilo infection in cortisol-treated fish was shown, with the final cumulative mortalities being 54.5 and 66.7% in the low and high dose groups, respectively. On the other hand, there was a decrease in both serum cortisol concentration and lysozyme activity of the experimental fish within 2 weeks after injection with C, where plasma bactericidal activities in the high dose group (31-8 mg cortisol fish(-1)) were remarkably lower (P < 0.01) than those in the control group at each sampling, but were increased slightly over time. The results of which were different from those in the CBC trial. Phagocytic activity of head kidney macrophages and spleen mass index decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while there were increases in leukocrit value and cumulative mortality due to A. hydrophila. The results of which were similar to those in the CBC trial. This study indicated that the injection of cortisol depressed the non-specific immune functions of the grass carp and increased its susceptibility to disease. (c) 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Enhanced resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection and enhanced phagocytic activities in human lactoferrin-transgenic grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Human lactoferrin (hLF) is an iron-binding protein with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. hLF cDNA was transferred into grass carp via electroporated sperm. The production of transgenic fish was as high as 55% tinder the best parameters. 2(11) pulses and 20-min incubation. The expression of the transgene was demonstrated by the detection of hLF mRNA by RT-PCR. We also investigated the response of G(0) transgenic grass carp to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Serum lysozyme activities (P>0.05) and phagocytic activities of kidney cells (P<0.05) were measured in transgenic individuals. The transgenic fish not only cleared A. hydrophila significantly faster than the control carp (P<0.05), but also showed enhanced phagocytic activities. The result shows that hLF has immunomodulatory activities in hLF-transgenic grass carp. The transgenic grass carp exhibited enhanced immunity to A. hydrophila infection. These results reveal that the mechanisms of disease resistance are different between hLF-transgenic plants and hLF-transgenic grass carp. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of the interplay between protein and surface on the properties of adsorbed protein layers

Although protein adsorption to surface is a common phenomenon, investigation of the process is challenging due to the complexity of the interplay between external factors, protein and surface properties. Therefore experimental approaches have to measure the properties of adsorbed protein layers with high accuracy in order to achieve a comprehensive description of the process. To this end, we used a combination of two biosensing techniques, dual polarization interferometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. From this, we are able to extract surface coverage values, layer structural parameters, water content and viscoelastic properties to examine the properties of protein layers formed at the liquid/solid interface. Layer parameters were examined upon adsorption of proteins of varying size and structural properties, on surfaces with opposite polarity. We show that "soft" proteins such as unfolded α-synuclein and high molecular weight albumin are highly influenced by the surface polarity, as they form a highly diffuse and hydrated layer on the hydrophilic silica surface as opposed to the denser, less hydrated layer formed on a hydrophobic methylated surface. These layer properties are a result of different orientations and packing of the proteins. By contrast, lysozyme is barely influenced by the surface polarity due to its intrinsic structural stability. Interestingly, we show that for a similar molecular weight, the unfolded α-synuclein forms a layer with the highest percentage of solvation not related to surface coverage but resulting from the highest water content trapped within the protein. Together, these data reveal a trend in layer properties highlighting the importance of the interplay between protein and surface for the design of biomaterials. © 2014 The Authors.

生物活性有机锗及HPCPC双水相分离生物大分子的研究

本论文内容主要分为4个部分：“有机锗化合物抑制Maillard反应的研究”、“Ge-132对体外培养幼鼠胰岛细胞的作用研究”、“PEG／磷酸盐双水相体系中生物大分子分配的研究”和“HPCPC（High Performance Centrifugal Partition Chromatography，高效离心分配色谱）双水相体系对生物大分子分离的研究”。前两部分主要从有机锗化合物防治糖尿病及其并发症的代谢机理和细胞学角度进行研究，本文引入HPCPC和双水相体系分离生物大分子的技术，为进一步阐明有机锗化合物在Maillard反应过程中的作用机理：对双水相体系中生物大分子的分配及HPCPC在双水相体系中分离生物大分子也做了大量的基础性研究，为开发HPCPC的应用作出了有价值的探索工作。本论文的主要创新点归纳如下：一、有机锗化合物对Maillard反应的抑制作用：针对国际上有机锗发展的前沿课题，在国内首先开展了有机锗化合物对Maillard反应抑制作用的研究，取得了有价值的研究结果。1、在模拟体内的生理条件下，研究了不同浓度Ge-132对精氨酸、组氨酸、甘氨酸和缬氨酸对Maillard反应荧光峰强度的影响：不同类型的氨基酸Maillard反应产物结构上的差异和不同浓度有机锗对组氨酸糖化反应420nm处特征吸光度的影响。2、苯丙氨酸是侧链带有苯环的芳香族氨基酸，是一种具有弱的天然荧光的生物小分子，其荧光最大发射位置在281.6nm。由于aillard反应是葡萄糖和氨基酸的-NHR基发生的反应，其反应产物的特征荧光在440nm附近。这两类荧光的发射位置相差较远，相互之间没有影响，因此利用荧光法观察Phe在反应过程中自身的荧光变化和Ge-132对Phe的Maillard反应荧光产物的抑制情况。3、血清白蛋白是哺乳动物体内的重要蛋白质，可作为多种内源性、外源性物质的存储和转运蛋白，其Maillard反应已经被广泛重视，但较复杂的实验条件限制了它的研究。通过观测蛋白质Maillard反应产物特征荧光的变化是一有效的研究方法。BSA的内源性荧光是由肽链色氨酸和酪氨酸残基贡献的，其最大发射位置340nm左右。其Maillard反应产物的特征荧光在440nm附近，这两类荧光发射位置相差较远，基本上没有影响，因此能够通过荧光光谱研究BSA的Maillard反应荧光产物的情况。本文观测了Ge-132对BSA的Maillard反应荧光产物的抑制作用，同时还通过荧光法确定了一个文献中没有的新的反应位点。4、本文研究了具有更高水溶性的一类双有机锗化合物(HO)_2Ge(CHR_1CHR_2COOH)_2．2H_20抑制Maillard反应的特性，结果证明它比Ge-132具有更高的抑制作用，我们通过化合物的构效关系解释了上述作用的机制。5、本文研究了Tb(Ge-132)_3和Eu(Ge-132)_3两种含稀土的配合物对氨基酸、蛋白质Maillard反应的影响，观察了稀土离子对Maillard反应体系的影响，对实验现象作出了合理的解释。二、Ge-132对体外培养幼鼠胰岛细胞的作用为进一步考察有机锗对糖尿病的防治作用，我们与白求恩医大合作，首次观察了Ge-132对体外培养的幼鼠胰岛细胞结构和功能的影响，研究了不同剂量的含锗化合物对幼鼠胰岛细胞分泌胰岛素的作用，认为低浓度的Ge-132对胰岛细胞分泌胰岛素具有明显的促进作用。该部分内容为首次报导。三、PEG／磷酸盐双水相体系中生物大分子分配的研究双水相萃取TPE(Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction)具有下述优点：生物相容性好、界面张力低、能量低、易于工业规模的放大、可以进行连续操作等。本论文系统地研究了各种蛋白质在PEG／磷酸盐体系中的分离情况，如在各种pH条件下，从6.8到9.2，各种分子量的PEG，包括PEGl000，2000，5000，6000，10000，和20000和磷酸盐双水相体系的物化性质，以及对lysozyme（溶菌酶），BSA（牛血清白蛋白），HSA（人血清白蛋白），Hemoglobin（血红蛋白）在各种体系中的分配系数，探讨了各种因素对生物大分子分配的影响。四、HPCPC在双水相体系对生物大分子分离的研究由于荧光光谱法证实了Ge-132对牛血清白蛋白Maillard反应的抑制作用。但对于如何能够分离出糖化产物，达到进行定量表征的目的是我们研究的一个重要内容。九十年代初，由日本研制出一种色谱中新技术HPCPC。HPCPC与传统的液相色谱(LC)和高效液相色谱(HPLC)不同，不需要固体作为支持体。流动相和固定相分别为两种不相混溶的液体，通过离心力的作用使其中一相作为固定相保持在类似多级萃取器的微小分配槽中，另一相作为流动相流经固定相。HPCPC在双水相体系的应用是一种利用多级连续萃取从双水相中分离生物物质的方法它具有运行时间快、高效高选择性，流动相与固定相之间比例可以任意改变，并在任何pH值均可进行正向和反向操作并且实验室规模可一步直接放大到生产规模。它不仅可以作为一种分离的工具，而且也是一种研究生物萃取反应动力学机理，反映热力学与动力学之间相关性的重要方法。本论文中研究了常用的两种双水相体系，利用PEG6000／Dex20000／H_20对BSA和Maillard反应产生的糖化BSA进行了初步分离，取得了一些阶段性结论。另外，通过对各种条件的筛选，选择了具有代表性的lysozyme和BSA，BSA和血红蛋白(Hb)进行HPCPC色谱仪上的分离，研究了色谱分离条件如：转数、流速、pH等对分离效率及理论塔板数的影响，取得了一系列重要的结论。为工业上大规模的生物样品分离提供了重要的参数。

蟾蜍皮肤活性蛋白与多肽的研究

近年来，我们致力于蟾蛛（Bufo andrewski）皮肤活性组份的研究，构建了缥蛛皮肤cDNA文库，检测了蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中多种生物活性，进一步纯化得到了四个新的生物活性蛋白：溶菌酶、抗爱滋病毒蛋白以及两个丝氨酸蛋粼酶抑制剂，并，简述如下；I、第三章报导了我们从蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中分离得到的一个谊薇酚犷杰女呱BA一娜"zym"）·BA一lvs"Zym"经5DS一PAGE检测为一条带，其分子量约为巧k珍。·它是一个高效的溶菌酶，每毫克蛋白的溶菌活性为2．7xl护俪ts，还能抑制革兰氏阳性菌（金黄色葡萄球菌Slaj，匆褚ococcusaureus）和革兰氏阴性菌（大肠杆菌Esch邵ichiacoli）生长，其最小抑菌浓度（MIC）分别为1．36拼M和84并M。使用PCR筛选法，我们从蟾蛛皮肤c溯A文库中克隆得到编码BA一lyso即me的cDNA序列。BA一lysozymeN末端测序和肤质量图谱确认了蛋白和基因的网一性。它的蛋白全序列与鸡溶菌酶的相似性为5氏5％。系统发育分析显示，与其最相似的是来源于海龟的溶菌酶。11、第四章介绍了我们从蟋蛛皮肤分泌液中分离得到的一个新的抗lllV蛋白，命名为BAS一AH。BAS一AH是一个分子量为63kD。的单链蛋白，每摩尔蛋白质含有0．89摩尔血红素辅基。BAS一AH对人T淋巴细胞系CS166细胞的毒性（CCS。）为9．5尽M。BAs一AH具有较强的抗HIV活性，它对HIV感染和复制具有剂量依赖抑制效应，其选择指数（CCso／Ecs。）分别为14．4和11．4·BAS一麟J也能抑制HIV的逆转录酶，其1C5（）为L32冬以。BAs一AH的N末端氨基酸为NA以KADvIGKIsILLGQDI』slvAAM，与己知的抗Hlv蛋白没有同源性·表明它可能是一个新的抗川v蛋自。BAs一AH没有检测到抗菌活性、蛋自酶水解活性、胰蛋自酶抑制剂活性、L一氨基酸氧化酶活性和过氧化氢酶活性。班、第五伞报导了我们通过离子交换、分子筛和反向层析，从蟾赊皮肤中分离得到的一个新的胰蛋白酶抑制剂，命名为BATI。BATI是一个单链糖蛋自·其分子量为22kD。。它是吵～个热稳定的竞争性的抑制剂，能有效抑制胰蛋自酶·其抑制常数凡为14nM。B灯I对凝血酶、弹性蛋白酶以及糜蛋白酶都没有抑制作用。BATI的N末端序列为El犯ITD，不同于其它物种来源的蛋白酶抑制剂。W、第六章介绍了蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中纯化得到的另外一个蛋白酶抑制剂（命名为baserpin）。与上述BATI不同的是，basel咖n不可逆地抑制多种蛋白酶。它是一个分子量约为60kDa的单链糖蛋白，除了能抑制胰蛋白酶，还能有效抑制糜蛋白酶和弹性蛋白酶。它抑制上述三种酶的二级反应常数（编）分别为4．6x1护M一，s一l、8．9》1护M一15一I以及6．8xl护M一ls一l。BaserPin是第一个来源于两栖类皮肤的不可逆抑制剂，其N末端氨基酸序列为HTQYPDILIAKPxDK，与其它物种来源的蛋白酶抑制剂不同。本论文综述了蟾蛛皮肤中的活性组份，报导了我们近年来研究蟾蛛皮肤活性蛋白与多肤的进展，分四章详细介绍了蟾蛛皮肤中纯化得到的四个活性蛋白。BA一lysozyme是两栖类动物中第一个得到蛋白质全序列的溶菌酶，能有效抑制革兰氏阳性菌和革兰氏阴性菌生长；BA象AH是一个含血红素辅基的抗HIV蛋白，其独特的理化性质和功能证明它是一个新的抗病毒蛋白。根据所鉴定的性质判断，BATI和bos仰in分别属于竞争性抑制剂和不可逆抑制剂。其中，base印in是第一个从两栖类皮肤中分离得到的不可逆抑制剂。

Kinetic analysis of interaction between lipopolysaccharide and biomolecules

Lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) is a major component of the outer membrane of all gram-negative bacteria. It is a heat-resistant toxin which can cause toxic shock in animals. LPS interacts with some biomolecules and triggers its toxic reaction. In this study, the interaction between LPS from Salmonella Minnesota and some biomolecules using syrface okasnib resibabce ( SPR) biosensor. biomolecules were imobilized on CM5 sensor-chip suing amion coupling method and LPS was injected over the immobilized surfaces.

Synthesis of biodegradable thermo- and pH-responsive hydrogels for controlled drug release

Novel intelligent hydrogels composed of biodegradable and pH-sensitive poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and temperature sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PNH) were synthesized and characterized for controlled release of hydrophilic drug. The influence of pH on the equilibrium swelling ratios of the hydrogels was investigated. A higher PNH content resulted in lower equilibrium swelling ratios. Although temperature had little influence on the swelling behaviors of the hydrogels, the changes of optical transmittance of hydrogels as a function of temperature were marked, which showed that the PNH part of hydrogel exhibited hydrophobic property at temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The biodegradation rate of the stimuli-sensitive hydrogels in the presence of enzyme was directly proportional to the PGA content. Lysozyme was chosen as a model drug and loaded into the hydrogels.

蛋白质分子量测定过程中的酸效应

在基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱 (MALDI TOF MS)和电喷雾质谱 (ESI MS)测定蛋白质分子分子量的过程中 ,适当提高样品的酸度 ,可提高分析测试的灵敏度。在选定最佳样品分子浓度的基础上 ,通过适当加入三氟乙酸 (TFA)来调整测试样品的酸度 ,准确测定了标准蛋白质 溶菌酶 (lysozyme)的分子量 ,并且对蛋白质分子在“软电离”质谱中 ,受酸效应的影响进行了初步探讨

The effect of KSCN on the partition of proteins in polyethylene glycol/(NH4)(2)SO4 aqueous two-phase system

The effect of potassium thiocyanate on the partitioning of lysozyme and BSA in polyethylene glycol 2000/ammonium sulfate aqueous two-phase system has been investigated. As a result of the addition of potassium thiocyanate to the PEG/ammonium sulfate system, the PEG/mixed salts aqueous two-phase system was formed. It was found that the potassium thiocyanate could alter the pH difference between the two phases, and, thus, influence the partition coefficients of the differently charged proteins. The relationship between partition coefficient of the proteins and pH difference between two phases has been discussed. It was proposed that the pH difference between two phases could be employed as the measurement of electrostatic driving force for the partitioning of charged proteins in polyethylene glycol 2000/ammonium sulfate aqueous two-phase system.

Influence of several non-nutrient additives on nonspecific immunity and growth of juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L.

The effects of three non-nutrient additives on nonspecific immunity and growth of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) were studied in this feeding experiment. The five treatments are basal diet alone, basal diets containing three different additives [0.4 g kg(-1) of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), 1.3 g kg (-1) of yeast cell wall and 0.8 g kg (-1) of bile acids] individually or in combination. Two hundred and twenty-five turbots (average initial weight 151.3 +/- 11.3 g) were randomly allotted in five treatments with three replicates within each treatment in a 72-day period. Comparing with basal diet group, activities of C3, C4, phagocyte, lysozyme, specific growth rate and feed conversion rate in yeast cell wall, XOS and the combined groups was enhanced significantly (P < 0.05); however, these parameters in bile acid groups were increased slightly (P > 0.05) except for phagocyte (P < 0.05); superoxide dismutase activity in additive groups was not significantly increased (P > 0.05) except for the combined group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of yeast cell wall and XOS enhanced the nonspecific immunity of juvenile turbot. Synergistic or additive effect of the three additives was not observed.

The effects of CpG-C oligodeoxynucleotides on innate immune responses in Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853)

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) can stimulate the immune system, and therefore are widely used as a therapeutic vaccination and immune adjuvant in human. In the present study, CpG-C, a combination of A- and B-class ODN, was injected into Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis at three doses (0.1, 1 and 10 mu g crab-1), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, activities of total intracellular phenoloxidase (PO) and lysozyme-like activities, the mRNA transcripts of EsproPO, EsCrustin and EsALF were assayed to evaluate its modulating effects on the immune system of crab. The ROS levels in all treated and control groups were significantly increased from 6 to 24 h, except that ROS in 0.1 mu g CpG-C-treated crabs was comparable to that of the blank at 6 h. The PO activity was significantly enhanced and EsproPO transcripts were down-regulated (P < 0.01) at 6 h after the injection of 0.1 mu g CpG-C, with no significant changes in the other dosage treatments. The lysozyme-like activities and EsCrustin transcripts in the CpG-C-treatment groups were significantly higher than those of controls. The mRNA expression of EsALF remained almost constant in all the groups during the treatment. These results collectively suggested that CpG-C could activate the immune responses of E. sinensis, and might be used as a novel immunostimulant for disease control in crabs.