Mutations of beta-amyloid precursor protein alter the consequence of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Alzheimer's disease is pathologically defined by accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β(Aβ). Approximately 25 mutations in β-amyloid precursor protein(APP) are pathogenic and cause autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. To date, the mechanism underlying the effect of APP mutation on Aβ generation is unclear. Therefore, investigating the mechanism of APP mutation on Alzheimer's disease may help understanding of disease pathogenesis. Thus, APP mutations(A673T, A673 V, E682 K, E693 G, and E693Q) were transiently co-transfected into human embryonic kidney cells. Western blot assay was used to detect expression levels of APP, beta-secretase 1, and presenilin 1 in cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine Aβ_(1–40) and Aβ_(1–42) levels. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass chromatography was used to examine VVIAT, FLF, ITL, VIV, IAT, VIT, TVI, and VVIA peptide levels. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to measure APP and early endosome antigen 1 immunoreactivity. Our results show that the protective A673 T mutation decreases Aβ_(42)/Aβ_(40) rate by downregulating IAT and upregulating VVIA levels. Pathogenic A673 V, E682 K, and E693 Q mutations promote Aβ_(42)/Aβ_(40) rate by increasing levels of CTF99, Aβ_(42), Aβ_(40), and IAT, and decreasing VVIA levels. Pathogenic E693 G mutation shows no significant change in Aβ_(42)/Aβ_(40) ratio because of inhibition of γ-secretase activity. APP mutations can change location from the cell surface to early endosomes. Our findings confirm that certain APP mutations accelerate Aβ generation by affecting the long Aβ cleavage pathway and increasing Aβ_(42/40) rate, thereby resulting in Alzheimer's disease.

Key gene and protein changes in the beta-amyloid pathway following Longyanshen polysaccharides treatment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND： During onset and development of Alzheimer＇s disease, β-amyloid （Aβ） precursor protein （APP）, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme （BACE）, and β-amyloid are key genes and proteins in the Aβ pathway, and over-expression of these genes can lead to Aβ deposit/on in the brain. OBJECTIVE： To observe the influence of Longyanshen polysaccharides on expression of BACE, APP, and Aβ in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone/8 （SAMP8） brain, and to compare these effects with huperzine A treatment. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, neurobiochemical experiment was performed at the Department of Pharmacology and Scientific Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University from September 2005 to January 2008. MATERIALS： Longyanshen polysaccharfdes powder was extracted from the dried slices of the medicinal plant Longyanshen. The active component, Longyanshen polysaccharides, was provided by the Department of Pharmacology, Guangxi Medical University; huperzine A was purchased from Yuzhong Drug Manufactory, China. METHODS： Healthy SAMP8 mice were used to establish a model of Alzheimer＇s disease. A total of 50 SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups （n = 10）： SAMP8, huperzine A, low-, middle-, and high-dose polysaccharides. In addition, 10 senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 （SAMR1） mice were selected as normal controls. SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice were administered 30 mL/kg normal saline; the huperzine A group was administered 0.02 mg/kg huperzine A; the low-, middle-, and high-dose polysaccharides groups were respectively administered 45, 90, and 180 mg/kg Longyanshen polysaccharides. Each group was treated by intragastric administration, once per day, for 50 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： One hour after the final administration, immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine Aβ expression in the cortex and hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine mRNA levels of BACE and APP in SAMP8 brain tissue. RESULTS： Compared with the SAMR1 group, Aβ expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as expression of BACE, APP mRNA in the brain was significantly increased in the SAMP8 group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Compared with the SAMP8 group, Aβ expression, as well as BACE and APP mRNA expression, were significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of huperzine A and low-, middle-, and high-dose polysaccharides groups （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. In particular, the effect of high-dose polysaccharides was the most significant （P 〈 0.05-0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Longyanshen polysaccharides reduced or inhibited over-expression of BACE, APP, and Aβ in SAMP8 mice in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was not worse than huperzine A.

Beta-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 expression in adult rat retinal neurons in the early period after lead exposure

Previous studies have reported that non-human primates and rodents exposed to lead during brain development may become dependent on the deposition of pre-determined β-amyloid protein （Aβ）,and exhibit upregulation of β-site amyloid precursor protein expression in old age.However,further evidence is required to elucidate the precise relationship and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of early lead exposure on excessive Aβ production in adult mammals.The present study investigated the effects of lead exposure on expression of β-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 （BACE-1） in the rat retina and the production of Aβ in early development,using the retina as a window for studying Alzheimer＇s disease.Adult rats were intraocularly injected with different doses of lead acetate （10μmol/L,100μmol/L,1 mmol/L,10 mmol/L and 100 mmol/L）.The results revealed that retinal lead concentration,BACE-1 and its cleavage products β-C-terminal fragment and retina Aβ1-40 were all significantly increased in almost all of the lead exposure groups 48 hours later in a dose-dependent manner.The only exception was the 10μmol/L group.The distribution of BACE-1 in the retina did not exhibit obvious changes,and no distinctive increase in the activation of retinal microglia was apparent.Similarly,retinal synaptophysin expression did not exhibit any clear changes.These data suggest that lead exposure can result in the upregulation of retinal neuron BACE-1 expression in the early period of development and further increase the overproduction of Aβ1-40 in the retina.Our results provided novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally-induced Alzheimer＇s disease.

Two memory associated genes regulated by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain Novel insights into the pathogenesis of learning and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease

In this study, we employed chromatin immunoprecipitation, a useful method for studying the locations of transcription factors bound to specific DNA regions in specific cells, to investigate amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain binding sites in chromatin DNA from hippocampal neurons of rats, and to screen out five putative genes associated with the learning and memory functions. The promoter regions of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha and glutamate receptor-2 genes were amplified by PCR from DNA products immunoprecipitated by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and western blot analysis suggested that the promoter regions of these two genes associated with learning and memory were bound by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain （in complex form）. Our experimental findings indicate that the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain is involved in the transcriptional regulation of learning- and memory-associated genes in hippocampal neurons. These data may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the symptoms of progressive memory loss in Alzheimer＇s disease.

Expression of the Capsid Precursor Protein gene of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus and Green Fluorescent Protein Gene in BHK-21 Cells Mediated by Retroviral Vector

We have constructed a retroviral vector mediated mammalian cell expression system of the capsid precursor protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV).The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed by sequentially inserting capsid precursor protein gene(P1) of FMDV and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene(EGFP) into pBABEpuro.The recombinant retroviral vector and the pVSV-G plasmid were co-transfected into packaging cells(GP2-293) by liposomemediated transduction to produce the pseudovirus.The pseudovirus was used to infect BHK-21 cells and resistant cells were screened with puromycin.Green fluorescent proteins were observed by fluorescence microscopy and expression of the capsid precursor protein gene of FMDV was detected by indirect immunofluorescence.The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed successfully.The capsid precursor protein of FMDV and green fluorescent protein were expressed in BHK-21 cells.The mammalian cell expression system for the capsid precursor protein of FMDV has been constructed successfully,which lays the foundation of development of a FMDV subunit vaccine.

The Functions of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene and Its Derivative Peptides: III Pharmacological Studies

Pharmacological studies reveal APP and Aβ have interactions with glutamate and calcium, cytokines, copper/zinc chelators, secretases and presenilins, nicotinic receptors, acetycholinesterase, neurotrophins, non-steroidal anti-inflame-matory drugs, monoclonal antibodies to Aβ, protease inhibitors, oestrogen, homocysteine, immediate early genes such as c-fos or c-jun and cholesterol. These functional and pharmacological observations highlight the need for greater understanding of APP and Aβ in brain function and have implications for clinical trials.

The Functions of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene and Its Derivative Peptides: I Molecular Biology and Metabolic Processing

The amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) and its derivative peptides have important functions in the central nervous system. APP and Aβ fulfil criteria as neuractive peptides: presence, release and identity of action. Aβ is a peptide of 1 - 43 amino acids in length, derived from APP and the major component of the core of neuritic plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease. Analysis of the cDNA of Aβ revealed its origins from the larger precursor protein. There are at least four types of mRNA generated by alternative splicing of exons 7 and 8. Exon 7 encodes a 57 amino acid sequence found in the extracellular domain with major homology to the Kunitz-type of serine protease inhibitors. APP is cleaved by three secretases known as α, β, and γ secretase which act on APP at different sites producing various fragments of differing amino acid length. The γ secretase is a macromolecular enzyme complex composed of presenilin 1, 2 and other molecular constitutents essential for its function.

The Functions of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene and Its Derivative Peptides: II Experimental Evidence and Clinical Studies

In vitro studies suggest Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene (APP) is involved in interaction with the extracellular matrix, neurite growth, adhesion, development, synaptic function, platelet function, and interaction with GTP binding proteins. In vivo experiments show a role in embryonic development, response to cerebral excitotoxicity and gliosis, response to brain injury including ischaemia, hypothalamic function, locomotor function, learning and memory. In vitro observations indicate Aβ has a role in amyloid formation, excitotoxic neuronal injury, tachykinin interaction, endothelial vasoconstrictor response, calcium and oxidative stress, free radical interaction, cell membrane fluidity, apoptosis, astrocyte stimulation, and microglial interaction. Other studies suggest important roles for Aβ oligomers in synaptic function and as an antimicrobial peptide. In vivo investigations show involvement in memory function, the blood brain barrier, and tachykinin response to cerebral injury.

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on the expression of beta-amyloid protein in the cortex of the parietal lobe and hippocampus, and spatial learning and memory in a mouse model of senile dementia

BACKGROUND： The pharmacological actions of Panax notoginseng saponins （PNS） lie in removing free radicals, anti-inflammation and anti-oxygenation. It can also improve memory and behavior in rat models of Alzheimer＇s disease. OBJECTIVE： Using the Morris water maze, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and RT-PCR, this study aimed to measure improvement in spatial learning, memory, expression of amyloid precursor protein （App） and β -amyloid （A β ）, to investigate the mechanism of action of PNS in the treatment of AD in the senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 （SAMP8） and compare the effects with huperzine A. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A completely randomized grouping design, controlled animal experiment was performed in the Center for Research ＆ Development of New Drugs, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University from July 2005 to April 2007. MATERIALS： Sixty male SAMP8 mice, aged 3 months, purchased from Tianjin Chinese Traditional Medical University of China, were divided into four groups： PNS high-dosage group, PNS low-dosage group, huperzine A group and control group. PNS was provided by Weihe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. （batch No.： Z53021485, Yuxi, Yunan Province, China）. Huperzine A was provided by Zhenyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. （batch No.： 20040801, Zhejiang, China）. METHODS： The high-dosage group and low-dosage group were treated with 93.50 and 23.38 mg/kg PNS respectively per day and the huperzine A group was treated with 0.038 6 mg/kg huperzine A per day, all by intragastric administration, for 8 consecutive weeks. The same volume of double distilled water was given to the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： After drug administration, learning and memory abilities were assessed by place navigation and spatial probe tests. The recording indices consisted of escape latency （time-to-platform）, and the percentage of swimming time spent in each quadrant. The number of A β 1-40, A β 1-42 and App immunopositive neurons in the brains of SAMP8 mice was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA content ofApp, tau, acetylcholinesterase, and synaptophysin （Syp） was tested by real time PCR and RT-PCR. RESULTS： The PCR results show that PNS can downregulate the expression of the App gene and upregulate the expression of the Syp gene in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. The therapeutic effects of the PNS high-dosage group were greater than those of the PNS low-dosage group and the huperzine A group （P 〈 0.05）. The results of the Morris water maze and immunohistochemistry indicated that PNS can improve the capacity for spatial learning and memory in SAMP8 mice, and reduce the content of A β 1-40, A β 1-42 and expression of App in the brains of SAMP8 mice. The therapeutic effects of the PNS high-dosage group were greater than that of the PNS low-dosage group and the huperzine A group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： These results support the hypothesis that PNS plays a therapeutic and protective role on the pathological lesions and learning dysfunction of Alzheimer＇s disease. The therapeutic effects of PNS for Alzheimer＇s disease are possibly achieved through downregulating the expression of the App gene and upregulating the expression of the Syp gene. The therapeutic effects of PNS are dose-dependent and are greater than the effect of huperzine A.

Impact of Sub-chronic Aluminium-maltolate Exposure on Catabolism of Amyloid Precursor Protein in Rats

Objective To investigate the impact of sub-chronic Aluminium-maltolate [Al（mal）s] exposure on the catabolism of amyloid precursor protein （APP） in rats. Methods Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into five groups： the control group, the maltolate group （7.56 mg/kg BW）, and the Al（mal）s groups （0.27, 0.54, and 1.08 mg/kg BW, respectively）. Control rats were administered with 0.9% normal saline through intraperitoneal （i.p.） injection. Maltolate and Al（mal）s were administered to the rats also through i.p. injections. Administration was conducted daily for two months. Rat neural behavior was examined using open field tests （OFT）. And the protein expressions and their mRNAs transcription related with APP catabolism were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Results The expressions of APP, 13-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 （BACEI） and presenilin-1 （PSi） proteins and their mRNAs transcription increased gradually with the increase of Al（mal）3 doses （P〈0.05）. The enzyme activity of BACEI in the 0.54 and 1.08 mg/kg Al（mal）s groups increased significantly （P〈0.05）. The expression of 8-amyloid protein （AS） 1-40 gradually decreased while the protein expression of A81-42 increased gradually with the increase of Al（mal）s doses （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Result from our study suggested that one of the possible mechanisms that Al（mal）s can cause neurotoxicity is that Al（mal）s can increase the generation of A81-42 by facilitating the expressions of APP, β-, and γ-secretase.

Expression and Immunological Analysis of Capsid Protein Precursor of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus HK/70

VP1, a capsid protein of swine vesicular disease virus, was cloned from the SVDV HK/70 strain and inserted into retroviral vector pBABE puro, and expressed in PK15 cells by an retroviral expression system. The ability of the VP1 protein to induce an immune response was then evaluated in guinea pigs. Western blot and ELISA results indicated that the VP1 protein can be recognized by SVDV positive serum, Furthermore, anti-SVDV specific antibodies and lymphocyte proliferation were elicited and increased by VP1 protein after vaccination. These results encourage further work towards the development of a vaccine against SVDV infection.

黑色素前体多巴和多巴胺培养后的中华按蚊蛹体壁结构特征及其转录组分析

【目的】筛选出促黑化条件下中华按蚊Anopheles sinensis蛹体壁中表达变化最显著的基因类群,并初步探究它们与黑色素前体累积及表皮结构特征间的相关性。【方法】在Grace’s昆虫细胞培养基中添加黑色素前体多巴(dopa)和多巴胺(dopamine),对化蛹20 min内中华按蚊体壁进行体外培养,对照组(CK)中不添加黑色素前体,培养16 h时利用体视显微镜观察黑色素前体处理组与对照组蛹体壁着色和表皮截面特征;通过Illumina测序平台对黑色素前体处理组与对照组蛹体壁进行转录组测序,对差异表达基因(different expression genes,DEGs)进行GO功能分类和KEGG通路富集分析;分析被显著富集的基因注释和染色体分布;利用qRT-PCR验证转录组数据。【结果】多巴和多巴胺处理组中华按蚊蛹体壁与表皮截面相比于CK明显黑化,且多巴处理组着色程度最深;多巴和多巴胺处理组中华按蚊蛹表皮相比于CK明显增厚,且增厚程度与黑化程度相关。多巴处理组vs CK与多巴胺处理组vs CK比较组的DEGs分别为2952和697个,且下调基因居多;这两类比较组间共有上调的DEGs有223个,共有下调的DEGs有347个。DEGs的GO功能注释结果表明,在上述比较组以及两比较组间共有的上调DEGs被显著富集到表皮结构组分(GO:0042302)。KEGG通路富集分析结果显示,多巴处理组vs CK比较组上调的DEGs被显著富集到剪切体通路,下调的DEGs被显著富集到Toll-Imd和Hippo信号通路;在多巴胺处理组vs CK比较组中下调DEGs被显著富集到自噬通路;这两比较组间共享的DEGs没有被显著被富集的通路;65个被富集的上调表皮蛋白基因来自于CPR,CPF,TWDL,CPLC和CPAP 5个家族,并分布于3条染色体,其中部分成员成簇分布。qRT-PCR结果显示,两比较组中所选择的共有上调的12个表皮蛋白基因的表达量与转录组数据一致。【结论】本研究在组学水平上证实了蚊虫体壁组织中黑色素的过量累积能够诱导大量表皮蛋白基因的显著上调表达,并使得其表皮结构特征发生改变。研究结果为后续探索黑色素前体对表皮结构基因的调控机制,以及理解昆虫表皮重要组分间的互作模式,对昆虫适应性状的影响提供了新的视角。

Effects of Yishendaluo decoction on axonal degeneration,inflammatory reaction,and neurological function in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND： Yishendaluo decoction reduces production of inflammatory mediators, relieves damage due to inflammatory reactions, and improves neural functions during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of Yishendaluo decoction on a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled, neuropathological, and molecular biological animal study was performed at the Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Center for Neuroinformatics, General Hospital of Chinese PLA from 2005 to 2006. MATERIALS： Yishendaluo decoction pieces consisting of prepared rehmannia root, colla comus cervi, cape jasmine fruit, and grassleaf sweetflag rhizome were purchased from the Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Rabbit anti-mouse β-amyloid precursor protein and p38 polyclonal antibody （Zhongshan Goldenbridge Biotechnology, China）, as well interferon-y and interleukin-4 ELISA kit （Boster, China）, were used in this study. METHODS： A total of 96 healthy, female, SJL/J mice, aged 8 12 weeks, were equally and randomly assigned to normal, model, hormone, and Chinese medicine groups. A total of 0.2 mL antigen preparation, supplemented with 150 μg PLP 139-151 and 400 μg H37RA, was subcutaneously injected into the upper abdomen of mice from the model, hormone, and Chinese medicine groups. Mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis were established by intravenous injection of 0.1 mL Bordetella pertussis solution containing 0.6 × 10^6 Bordetella pertussis at days 1 and 3. Mice from the model, Chinese medicine, and hormone groups were respectively subjected to 0.2 mL saline, 2 g/kg Yishendaluo decoction, and 0.078 mg/kg prednisone acetate, once daily for 14 consecutive days. Mice from the normal group were left intact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Pathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and Luxol fast blue staining. Expression of β-amyloid precursor protein and p38 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry. Levels of interferon-y and interleukin-4 were detected by ELISA. Behavioral changes were assessed in mice according to scores of neurological function. RESULTS： A few inflammatory cell infiltration, nerve fiber breakage and slight demyelination were detected in the central nervous system of mice from the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with the model group. Expression of β-amyloid precursor protein and p38 protein was significantly diminished in the central nervous system of mice from the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）, and the decrease was greatest in the Chinese medicine group. The decrease in mouse weight was not significant, and neurological function scores were less in the Chinese medicine and hormone groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. Interferon-y levels were significantly reduced （P 〈 0.01）, and interleukin-4 levels were significantly increased （P 〈 0.01） in the brains of the Chinese medicine and hormone groups, compared with the model group. CONCLUSION： Yishendaluo decoction improved neurological function in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by downregulating β-amyloid precursor protein expression, resistingaxonal degeneration, and relieving inflammatory reaction. The anti-inflammatory mechanism was regulated by inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway.

Applying a highly specific and reproducible cDNA RDA method to clone garlic up-regulated genes in human gastric cancer cells

AIM: To develop and optimize cDNA representationaldifference analysis (cDNA RDA) method and to identify andclone garlic up-regulated genes in human gastric cancer(HGC) cells.METHODS: We performed cDNA RDA method by usingabundant double-stranded cDNA messages provided by twoself-constructed cDNA libraries (Allitridi-trested and paternalHGC cell line BGC823 cells cDNA libraries respectively).BamH Ⅰ and Xho I restriction sites harbored in the libraryvector were used to select representations. Northern andSlot blots analyses were employed to identify the obtaineddifference products.RESJLTS: Fragments released from the cDNA library vectorafter restriction endonuclease digestion acted as goodmarker indicating the appropriate digestion degree for libraryDNA. Two novel expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and arecombinant gene were obtained. Slot blots result showed a8-fold increase of gila-derived nexin/protease nexin 1 (GDN/PN1 ) gene expression level and 4-fold increase of hepatitis Bvirus x-interacting protein (XIP) mRNA level in BGC823 cellsafter Allitridi treatment for 72 h.CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of GDN/PN1 and XIP mRNAsinduced by Allitridi provide valuable molecular evidence forelucidating the garlic' s efficacies against neurodegenerativeand inflammatory diseases. Isolation of a recombinant geneand two novel ESTs further show cDNA RDA based on cDNAlibraries to be a powerful method with high specificity andreproducibility in cloning differentially expressed genes.

Ankfy1 is dispensable for neural stem/precursor cell development

There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfyl. We have found Ankfyl is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice （murine）. To further explore Ankfyl function in neural development, we developed a gene knockout mouse with a mixed Balb/C and C57/BL6 genetic background. Using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, neural defects were absent in mixed genetic Ankfyl null mice during development and in adults up to 2 months old. However, Ankfyl gene knockout mice with a pure genetic background were found to be lethal in the C57/BL6 inbred mice embryos, even after seven generations of backcrossing. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed homozygotes were unattainable as early as embryonic day 11.5. We conclude that Ankfyl protein is dispensable in neural stem/precursor ceils, but could be critical for early embryonic murine development, depending on the genetic background.

Eukaryotic Expression and Activity Analysis of Capsid Gene of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus HK/70

The capsid protein precursor （P1）, which plays a major role for the generation of polypeptides of swine vesicular disease virus （SVDV）, was cloned from SVDV HK/70 strain into the retroviral vector pBABE puro and expressed in the mammalian cell line PK15 through the retroviral expression system. The activity of recombinant protein to induce immune response was evaluated in guinea pigs. IFA and Western Blot were used to detect the recombinant protein expression. The results showed that the recombinant protein could be recognized by SVDV positive serum, and animal test showed SVDV-specific antibodies. All of those results indicate that a retroviral-based vaccine carrying the capsid protein precursor （P1） of SVD is able to be expressed in the eukaryotic cell and elicites strong SVDV-specific immune responses in guinea pigs.

The Beneficial Effect of Enriched Environment on Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, its main clinical symptoms are the progressive decline of cognitive and memory functions. Enriched Environment (EE) achieves the goal of improving brain cognitive reserve by enhancing the multi-directional stimulation on movement, sensory and cognitive systems of animals. And EE can regulate the levels of various trophic factors in the brain, promote synaptic regeneration and enhance neural plasticity to reduce the loss of neurons induced by inflammation. At present, there is still no effective treatment for AD and the clinical intervention drug is expensive. So it is essential to actively explore non-drug treatment. This review will explain the effects of EE on learning ability, memory ability and mental behavior in AD, and provide a new direction for the treatment and rehabilitation of AD.

Effect of Huannao Yicong Prescription (还脑益聪方) Extract onβ-Amyloid Precursor Protein Metabolic Signal Transduction-Related Protein in Brain Tissue of Dementia Model Transgenic Mouse

Objective： To observe the effect of Huannao Yicong Prescription （还脑益聪方, HNYC, a Chinese medical compound） extract on β-amyloid precursor protein （APP） metabolic signal transductionrelated protein kinase C （PKC）, tyrosine amyloid protein kinase （TrKA）, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 （GSK-3） in brain tissue of transgenic mouse dementia model induced by APP. Methods： Sixty dementia model transgenic 3-month-old mice induced by APP695V7171 were randomly allocated in four groups： the model group （A）, the Donepezil （0.65×10^-3 g.kg-1.d-1）-treated group （B）, and the two HNYC-treated groups （C and D） with high dosage （2.8 g.kg^-1.d^-1） and low dosage （1.4 g.kg^-1.d^-1） of HNYC extract, respectively, 15 mice in each group. Besides, a normal control group was set up with 15 C57BL/6J mice with the same age and genetic background as the model mice. The drugs for treatment were administered once a day by dissolving in equal-volume distilled water through gastric infusion, continued for 6 months, to mice in group A and to normal control group equal-volume distilled water was administered instead. Spatial learning and memory capacity of mice were observed by Morris water maze; their one-time escape response memory capacity was tested by diving platform; and changes of PKC, TrkA, and GSK-3 levels in hippocampus and cortex of brain were detected by Western blotting. Results： HNYC extract showed significant effects on increasing the time of model mice for swimming through the flat roof and the swimming time and path in the fourth quadrant （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Diving platform test showed that the latent times in Groups B and C were longer than that in Group A significantly （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01）. Compared with the normal control group, PKC and TrkA protein expression levels in hippocampus and cortex of model mice＇s brain lowered significantly （P〈0.01）, while GSK-3 protein expression increased significantly （P〈0.01）; compared with Group A （the model group）, hippocampal and cortical levels of PKC protein expression in the intervened groups （B-D） as well as those of TrkA in Group C were higher （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）, while hippocampal levels of GSK-3 in intervened groups were lower （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： HNYC extract could obviously increase the protein expressions of PKC and TrkA and decrease the expression of GSK-3 protein in brain tissue of transgenetic mice model of dementia, and regulate APP metabolic signal transduction path, and thus to suppress the production of A β, which is one of the dominant mechanisms for improving learning/memory capacity of dementia model animals.

黄连解毒汤对APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠海马区病理形态学及脑内β-APP基因mRNA的影响

目的:探讨黄连解毒汤(HLJDD)对APP/PS1双转基因阿尔茨海默病(AD)模型小鼠海马CA1区的病理形态学及脑内β-淀粉样前体蛋白(β-APP)基因mRNA的影响。方法:选用3月龄的APP/PS1双转基因AD小鼠模型50只,随机分为对照组、安理申组、HLJDD大剂量组、HLJDD中剂量组、HLJDD小剂量组各10只,分别给予安理申或不同剂量HLJDD灌胃治疗6个月,对照组不予治疗,记录并比较各组死亡率;分别于6月龄和10月龄时采用HE染色观察各组海马CA1区神经细胞形态,采用改良甲醇刚果红染色观察各组老年斑形成情况;于末次灌胃治疗后,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测各组脑内β-APPmRNA水平。结果:各组小鼠死亡率差异无统计学意义;10月龄HLJDD各剂量组海马CA1区神经损伤情况较对照组明显减轻,老年斑数量少于对照组(P<0.05);HLJDD各剂量组β-APPmRNA水平低于对照组(P<0.05),其中以中剂量组水平降低最明显(P<0.01)。结论:HLJDD能保护海马神经细胞。

广东海风藤提取物对痴呆鼠脑内β淀粉样前体蛋白基因表达的影响

目的 研究老年痴呆鼠脑内 β淀粉样前体蛋白基因 (β APP)表达的改变 ;及广东海风藤提取物 (HS2 )对老年痴呆鼠学习记忆及脑内 β APP基因表达的影响。方法 选用昆明种小鼠 ,腹腔注射D 半乳糖和灌胃三氯化铝制备老年痴呆小鼠模型 ,三个治疗组在造模的同时分别灌胃低、中、高剂量的HS2 。通过Morris水迷宫和半定量反转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)来测定HS2 对老年痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆和脑内 β APPmRNA含量的影响。结果 老年痴呆模型小鼠学习记忆成绩下降 ,脑内 β APP基因表达增强。模型小鼠口服低、中、高剂量HS2 能提高其学习记忆成绩 ,降低脑内β APPmRNA含量并呈现一定的量效关系。 结论 HS2 能改善老年痴呆鼠学习记忆能力并下调β APP基因的表达。