Single-chain antibody against human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase: construction, expression, purification, and activity assay

The value of transcriptomics in advancing knowledge of the immune response and diagnosis in tuberculosis

Blood transcriptomics analysis of tuberculosis has revealed an interferon-inducible gene signature that diminishes in expression after successful treatment; this promises improved diagnostics and treatment monitoring, which are essential for the eradication of tuberculosis. Sensitive radiography revealing lung abnormalities and blood transcriptomics have demonstrated heterogeneity in patients with active tuberculosis and exposed asymptomatic people with latent tuberculosis, suggestive of a continuum of infection and immune states. Here we describe the immune response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed through the use of transcriptomics, as well as differences among clinical phenotypes of infection that might provide information on temporal changes in host immunity associated with evolving infection. We also review the diverse blood transcriptional signatures, composed of small sets of genes, that have been proposed for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and the identification of at-risk asymptomatic people and suggest novel approaches for the development of such biomarkers for clinical use.

The anti-inflammatory activity of HMGB1 A box is enhanced when fused with C-terminal acidic tail

HMGB1, composed of the A box, B box, and C tail domains, is a critical proinflammatory cytokine involved in diverse inflammatory diseases. The B box mediates proinflammatory activity, while the A box alone acts as a specific antagonist of HMGB1. The C tail contributes to the spatial structure of A box and regulates HMGB1 DNA binding specificity. It is unknown whether the C tail can enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of A box. In this study, we generated fusion proteins consisting of the A box and C tail, in which the B box was deleted and the A box and C tail were linked either directly or by the flexible linker sequence (Gly₄Ser)₃. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the two fusion proteins had a higher anti-inflammatory activity compared to the A box alone. This suggests that the fused C tail enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of the A box.

In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating recombinant plasmid pCXN2-mIzumo as a potential immunocontraceptive antigen

PROBLEMS

Study on feasibility of pCXN2-mIzumo as a potential immunocontraceptive antigen.

METHOD OF STUDY

Two groups of mice received 100 microg/mouse plasmids of pCXN2-mIzumo and pCXN2 respectively. RT-PCR Immunofluorescence assay and ELISA were performed to observe pCXN2-mIzumo expression and antibody response in the inoculated mice. Sperm penetration assay and animal mating were employed to detect differences of in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate and mean litter size between the experimental and control groups.

RESULTS

Izumo cDNA positive bands were detected in sample from mice immunized with pCXN2-mIzumo. IgG response started to rise at 2 weeks after first boost and reached the highest antibody titers at 2 weeks after third boost of immunization with pCXN2-mIzumo in the experimental mice. In vitro fertilization rate in the experimental group (11.57%) was significantly lower than that in control (36.60%). Significant difference of mean litter size between female experimental and control groups was observed, and there was significant negative correlation between individual anti-serum titers and litter size (r = -0.308, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

pCXN2-mIzumo plasmid possesses appreciable anti-fertility potential.