Optimization of culture conditions for stable expression of recombinant fc-fused human extracellular CD99 in HEK293T cells

CD99 has been demonstrated to play a key role in several biological processes, including the regulation of T-cell activation, cell adhesion, and cell migration. We have also demonstrated that CD99 and its ligands regulate proinflammatory cytokines in NK cells, monocytes and activated T cells. These data suggest CD99 as a potential therapeutic target in cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CD99 and CD99 counter receptors participate in such processes are unclear. High-quality CD99 recombinant proteins produced in large amounts are essential for biological studies and clinical research. In this study, we optimized the various culture conditions for increasing amounts of recombinant protein production with good biological activity. Intracellular immunofluorescence staining was performed to identify the highly expressing CD99HIgG cells. We further investigated the culture conditions for recombinant protein production. A double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the level of secreted CD99HIgG proteins in the culture supernatant of various culture conditions. Later, affinity chromatography using protein G was used to purify CD99HIgG proteins from the culture supernatant of three proper culture conditions. According to our previous report, which utilized Western blotting, the purified CD99HIgG obtained from all tested culture conditions is composed of the CD99 extracellular part fused with the human IgG Fc part in dimer form. For biological activity, the obtained CD99HIgG proteins showed the ability to ligate with the CD99 counter receptor, resulting in the induction of cytokine production.

Hyperendemic malaria in a forested, hilly Myanmar village

A 1-year longitudinal study of hyperendemic malaria was carried out at Tha-bye-wa village, Oktwin township, situated in the forested Bago mountain range in south-central Myanmar. Mosquito infectivity was assayed using specific, sporozoite enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anopheles dirus was the predominant vector in the postmonsoon season (October); during the cool-dry season (January), both An. dirus and Anopheles minimus were vectors. Members of the Anopheles culicifacies complex were caught in the hot-dry season (April) but none was infective. The entomological inoculation rate was estimated to be at least 13.7 infective bites/person/year. Infective An. dirus were caught feeding on cattle as well as on humans. Three of the 4 positive An. dirus and both positive An. minimus were caught biting humans indoors in the second quarter of the night when most people were sleeping. This suggests that use of insecticide-impregnated bednets in this area could interrupt transmission.

Distribution and chromosomal polymorphism of the malaria vector Anopheles dirus species D

Preliminary results indicate that species D of the Anopheles dirus complex is widespread west of the Thai-Burma border in Burma and Bangladesh. A chromosomal study of An. dirus species D in these areas has revealed that this malaria vector is highly polymorphic for chromosomal rearrangements in salivary gland polytene chromosomes. The data from the limited number of wild-caught samples suggest that different geographically isolated populations may occur with respect to the frequency of inversions 2La, 3Ra and 3La. The distribution of chromosomal polymorphisms may be associated with the geography and epidemiology of human malaria in this region.

The use of dragonfly nymphs in the control of Aedes aegypti

The predatory rates of the dragonfly nymphs on Aedes aegypti were studied in the laboratory and under field conditons. Labellulid nymphs were found to predate on Ae. aegypti larvae and pupae readily. The rate of consumption was found to be 133 +/- 21 all stages of larvae per medium size nymph per 24 hours. In container habitats complete elimination of all larvae and pupae were achieved between day 4 and 9 depending on density of aquatic stages. The dragonfly nymphs as predators could be used in biological control of Aedes mosquitoes.