Virus-Encoded MicroRNAs Reveal How Ranavirus Interacts with Amphibian Immune Defense

Ranaviruses are harmful viruses that infect amphibians, fish, and reptiles, and have caused particularly devastating declines in amphibian populations. One particular type of ranavirus, called Frog Virus 3 (FV3), has been extensively studied due to its prevalence and impact on amphibians. Previous research has primarily focused on the virus’s genes, but little attention has been given to the non-coding regions of its genome. This article reviews recent studies that reveal the ability of ranaviruses, including FV3, to encode microRNA (miRNA), a type of regulatory RNA. These viral miRNAs play a crucial role in suppressing frog immune genes, modulating the virus-host interaction, and promoting viral infection. Understanding how ranaviruses use miRNAs to control disease progression is essential for addressing the health threat they pose to wildlife and ecosystems.

High-Value-Added Utilization of Turpentine:Screening of Anti-Influenza Virus Agents fromβ-Pinene Derivatives

Turpentine is a renewable and resourceful forest product.The deep processing and utilization of turpentine,particularly its primary componentβ-pinene,has garnered widespread attention.This study aimed to synthesize 40 derivatives ofβ-pinene,including nopinone,3-cyanopyridines of nopinone,myrtanyl acid,myrtanyl acylthioureas,and myrtanyl amides.We assessed the antiviral activities of theseβ-pinene derivatives against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34(H1N1)using the 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method.Theβ-pinene derivatives were used before and after cellular infection with the influenza virus to evaluate their preventive and therapeutic effects against the H1N1 virus.The results showed that only compound 10o exhibited a preventive effect against the H1N1 virus with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value of 47.6μmol/L.Among the compounds,4e,4i,and 4l demonstrated therapeutic effects against cellular infection,with compound 4e displaying the most potent therapeutic effect(IC50=17.5μmol/L),comparable to the positive control ribavirin.These findings indicated that certainβ-pinene derivatives exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against the H1N1 influenza A virus,warranting further investigation as potential anti-influenza agents.

鸭甲型肝炎病毒3型信阳株的分离鉴定及遗传演化分析

为了解信阳地区鸭甲型肝炎病毒3型的遗传变异特性,对信阳市发生疑似肝炎的金定雏鸭进行9种常见病毒PCR/RT-PCR检测,同时采集病鸭肝脏组织无菌处理后,尿囊腔接种10日龄SPF鸭胚进行病毒分离,并对分离毒株进行全基因组和VP1基因序列分析。结果:成功分离到1株鸭甲型肝炎病毒3型(DHAV3),命名为HNXY23;接种病毒的鸭胚发育不良,死亡胚体全身呈出血水肿;序列比对和系统发育树表明,分离株HNXY23属于DHAV3 GⅠ基因型,与2022年分离株HB-1、HZ-1、HZ-2和HZ-3亲缘关系较近;利用DNAMAN软件比对31株DHAV3 VP1氨基酸位点变异情况,发现在184、187、195、206和209位这5个氨基酸位点有较为明显的变化差异。本研究结果丰富了信阳地区DHAV3的分子流行病学资料,为进一步研究DHAV3的致病机制奠定了基础。

联合检测CHI3L1、AFP和GGT在乙肝相关肝癌患者中的相关性研究

目的探讨血清壳多糖酶3样蛋白1(chitinase-3-like protein 1,CHI3L1)、甲胎蛋白(alpha fetoprotein,AFP)和γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-glutamyl transferase,GGT)检测在乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染相关肝癌诊断中的临床应用价值。方法选取2021年7月—2023年7月在玉林市第一人民医院就诊HBV病毒感染相关的50例肝癌患者,50例肝硬化患者,50例慢性乙型肝炎患者以及50名同期健康体检者作为研究对象。比较4组研究对象血清中CHI3L1、AFP、GGT、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)等水平的差异,用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC)曲线评估各指标在肝癌中的诊断价值。结果肝炎组、肝硬化组、肝癌组的CHI3L1、AST、ALT水平均高于对照组,肝癌组AFP、GGT水平高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与肝炎组比较,肝硬化组及肝癌组的CHI3L1、AFP、GGT、AST、ALT水平均升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与肝硬化组比较,肝癌组的CHI3L1、AFP、GGT、AST水平均升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,CHI3L1、AFP、GGT联合时的曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)最大(AUC=0.936)。Spearman相关分析结果显示,CHI3L1与AST呈正相关(r=0.414,P=0.003),AFP与GGT呈正相关(r=0.437,P=0.002),AFP与AST呈正相关(r=0.504,P<0.001),GGT与AST呈正相关(r=0.759,P<0.001),GGT与ALT呈正相关(r=0.636,P<0.001)。结论CHI3L1、AFP及GGT联合检测可提高肝癌的诊断价值,对临床肝癌患者诊疗有重要作用。

乙型肝炎病毒感染相关肝病患者血清T淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白黏蛋白分子-3、高尔基体蛋白73变化及其临床意义的研究

目的:探讨乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染相关肝病患者血清T淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白黏蛋白分子-3(TIM-3)、高尔基体蛋白73(GP73)变化及其临床意义。方法:选取2020年9月至2022年10月于河南省郑州市第三人民医院诊治的100例HBV感染相关肝病患者为研究对象,其中47例慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)、35例肝硬化(LC)、18例肝细胞癌(HCC),分别纳入CHB组、LC组、HCC组,另选取本院同期体检的30例健康者纳入对照组。根据病情严重程度不同,CHB组又分为轻度CHB组(16例)、中度CHB组(19例)和重度CHB组(12例),LC组又分为代偿期LC组(15例)和失代偿期LC组(20例),HCC组又分为甲胎蛋白(AFP)阴性HCC组(8例)和AFP阳性HCC组(10例)。比较CHB组、LC组、HCC组和对照组TIM-3、GP73、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、白蛋白和总胆红素(TBil)水平;比较CHB亚组、LC亚组和HCC亚组患者TIM-3、GP73水平;分析HBV感染相关肝病患者TIM-3和GP73与ALT、AST、白蛋白及TBil的相关性。结果:四组TIM-3、GP73、ALT、AST、白蛋白和TBil水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);CHB组、LC组和HCC组TIM-3、GP73、ALT、AST及TBil水平均高于对照组,白蛋白水平均低于对照组(P<0.05);LC组和HCC组TIM-3、GP73、ALT、AST及TBil水平均高于CHB组,白蛋白水平均低于CHB组(P<0.05);HCC组TIM-3、GP73、ALT、AST及TBil水平均高于LC组,白蛋白水平低于LC组(P<0.05)。轻度CHB组、中度CHB组、重度CHB组TIM-3和GP73水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);中度CHB组、重度CHB组TIM-3和GP73水平均高于轻度CHB组(P<0.05);重度CHB组TIM-3和GP73水平均高于中度CHB组(P<0.05)。失代偿期LC组TIM-3、GP73水平均高于代偿期LC组(P<0.05)。AFP阳性HCC组TIM-3、GP73水平均高于AFP阴性HCC组(P<0.05)。CHB组、LC组、HCC组患者TIM-3、GP73与ALT、AST、TBil呈正相关,与白蛋白呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:HBV感染相关肝病患者血清TIM-3、GP73水平明显升高,CHB、LC、HCC不同疾病发展阶段其表达水平升高程度显著,且与病情发展及肝功能损伤密切相关。

Role of Tim-3 in hepatitis B virus infection:An overview

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection has received increasing public attention. h BV is the prototypical member of hepadnaviruses, which naturally infect only humans and great apes and induce the acute and persistent chronic infection of hepatocytes. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of the host anti-viral immune response is responsible for persistent HBV replication, unresolved inflammation and disease progression. Many regulatory factors are involved in immune dysfunction. Among these, T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3(Tim-3), one of the immune checkpoint proteins, has attracted increasing attention due to its critical role in regulating both adaptive and innate immune cells. In chronic HBV infection, Tim-3 expression is elevated in many types of immune cells, such as T helper cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages and natural killer cells. Tim-3 over-expression is often accompanied by impaired function of the abovementioned immunocytes, and Tim-3 inhibition can at least partially rescue impaired immune function and thus promote viral clearance. A better understanding of the regulatory role of Tim-3 in host immunity during HBV infection will shed new light on the mechanisms of h BV-related liver disease and suggest new therapeutic methods for intervention.

Synthesis and in vitro-Anti-hepatitis B Virus Activities of Several Ethyl 5-Hydroxy-1H-indole-3-carboxylates

A series of ethyl 5-hydroxyindole-3-earboxylates 6a-10r was designed and synthesized. The structures of all the compounds were confirmed by IR, ^1H NMR, and MS and their anti-hepatitis B virus （HBV） activities were evaluated in 2.2.15 cells. Among them, compound 7g { ethyl 5-hydroxy-2- [ （ 3-methoxyphenylsulfinyl ） methyl ] -1-methyl-4- [ （4-methylpiperazin-1-yl） methyl ]-1H-indole-3-carboxylate} displays a significant anti-HBV activity, which is more potent than the positive control lamivudine.

SOCS3 Expression Correlates with Severity of Inflammation in Mouse Hepatitis Virus Strain 3-induced Acute Liver Failure and HBV-ACLF

Summary： Recently, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 （SOCS3） has been shown to be an inducible endogenous negative regulator of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription （JAK/STAT） pathway which is relevant in inflammatory response, while its functions in acute liver failure and HBV-induced acute-on-chronic liver failure （HBV-ACLF） have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the role of SOCS3 in the development of mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 （MHV-3）-induced acute liver failure and its expression in liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） of patients with HBV-ACLF. Inflammation-related gene expression was detected by real-time PCR, immtmohistochemistry and Western blotting. The correlation between SOCS3 level and liver injury was studied. Our results showed that the SOCS3 expression was significantly elevated in both the liver tissue and PBMCs from patients with HBV-ACLF compared to mild chronic hepatitis B （CHB）. Moreover, a time course study showed that SOCS3 level was increased remarkably in the liver of BALB/cJ mice at 72 h post-infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin （IL）-1 β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α, were also increased significantly at 72 h post-infection. There was a close correlation between hepatic SOCS3 level and IL-6, and the severity of liver injury defined by alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels, respectively. These data suggested that SOCS3 may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of MHV-3-induced acute liver failure and HBV-ACLF.

Herpes simplex virus-1 infection or Simian virus 40-mediated immortalization of corneal cells causes permanent translocation of NLRP3 to the nuclei

AIM: To investigate into the potential involvement of pyrin containing 3 gene(NLRP3), a member of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors with cytosolic pattern recognition, in the host defense of corneas against viruses.METHODS: The herpes viral keratitis model was utilized in BALB/c mice with inoculation of herpes simplex virus-1(HSV-1). Corneal tissues removed during therapy of patients with viral keratitis as well as a Simian vacuolating virus 40(SV40)-immortalized human corneal epithelial cell line were also examined.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect NLRP3 in these subjects, focusing on their distribution in tissue or cells. Western blot was used to measure the level of NLRP3 and another two related molecules in NLPR3 inflammasome, namely caspase-1 and IL-1β.RESULTS: The NLRP3 activation induced by HSV-1infection in corneas was accompanied with redistribution of NLRP3 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in both murine and human corneal epithelial cells. Furthermore,in the SV40-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells,NLRP3 was exclusively located in the nucleus, and treatment of the cells with high concentration of extracellular potassium(known as an inhibitor of NLRP3activation) effectively drove NLRP3 back to the cytoplasm as reflected by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot.· CONCLUSION: It is proposed that herpes virus infection activates and causes redistribution of NLRP3 to nuclei. Whether this NLRP3 translocation occurs with other viral infections and in other cell types merit further study.

鸭3型甲肝病毒的分离鉴定与VP1基因序列分析

【目的】探明引起安徽某鸭场雏鸭肝脏出血和大量死亡的病原及其遗传进化特征。【方法】对安徽省某鸭场的病死雏鸭中采集的出血肝脏开展鸭已知病原核酸检测、病原分离鉴定和动物回归试验,在明确其病原为鸭3型甲肝病毒(Duck hepatitis A virus type 3,DHAV-3)的基础上分析其VP1基因序列分子特征。【结果】细菌分离结果显示,未分离到细菌;经病毒核酸(RT-)PCR检测结果显示,鸭3型甲肝病毒(DHAV-3)核酸阳性,未检测出其他已知引起鸭肝出血的病毒核酸。将该阳性样品经鸭胚进行病毒分离与传代,发现接种后鸭胚发生死亡,胚体全身出血,对第5代尿囊液经RT-PCR检测为DHAV-3,将其命名为AH230225。经测定,该分离株的鸭胚半数致死量(Effective lethal dose 50,ELD_(50))为10^(−4.17)/0.1 mL。动物回归试验表明,该毒株对樱桃谷雏鸭的致死率为80%,且攻毒死亡鸭肝脏和肾脏的剖检病变与临床典型病变相近。对该分离毒的VP1基因核苷酸序列进行同源性分析,显示AH230225株的VP1基因核苷酸序列与AH07株DHAV-3(安徽分离株)的同源性最高,为98.8%,与GenBank登录的10株DHAV-3分离株VP1基因核苷酸序列同源性为90.4%~98.8%,而与DHAV-1和DHAV-2的VP1基因核苷酸序列同源性分别为62.1%~63.0%、64.6%~64.9%;基于VP1蛋白氨基酸序列的遗传进化显示,该分离株与AH07株DHAV-3处于同一小进化分支上,亲缘关系最近;而与SD01株、G株和韩国株(AP-04009、AP-03337)等亲缘关系较远,即远离DHAV-1和DHAV-2进化分支。【结论】引起安徽某鸭场雏鸭肝脏出血和大量死亡的病原为鸭3型甲肝病毒DHAV-3,同时明确了该毒株VP1基因的分子特征及遗传进化规律,为深入研究DHAV-3的致病机制和制定防控措施提供科学依据。

Interleukin 28B polymorphisms as predictor of response in hepatitis C virus genotype 2 and 3 infected patients

Single nucleotide polymorphisms near the interleukin28B(IL-28B)gene have been identified as strong predictors of both spontaneous or Peg-interferon(Peg-IFN)and ribavirin(RBV)induced clearance of hepatitis C virus(HCV).Several studies have shown that,in patients with genotype 1(GT-1),rs12979860 C/C and rs8099917T/T substitutions are associated with a more than twofold increase in sustained virological response rate to Peg-IFN and RBV treatment.Although new treatment regimens based on combination of DAA with or without IFN are in the approval phase,until combination regimens with a backbone of Peg-IFN will be used,we can expect that IL28B holds its importance.The clinical relevance of IL28B genotyping in treatment of patients infected with HCV genotype 2(GT-2)and 3(GT-3)remains controversial.Therefore,after a careful examination of the available literature,we analyzed the impact of IL28B in GT-2 and-3.Simple size of the studies and GT-2 and GT-3 proportion were discussed.An algorithm for the practical use of IL28B in these patients was suggested at the aim of optimizing treatment.

Roles of the PI3K/Akt pathway in Epstein-Barr virusinduced cancers and therapeutic implications

Viruses have been shown to be responsible for 10%-15% of cancer cases. Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) is the first virus to be associated with human malignancies. EBV can cause many cancers, including Burkett's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric cancer. Evidence shows that phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) plays a key role in EBV-induced malignancies. The main EBV oncoproteins latent membrane proteins(LMP) 1 and LMP2 A can activate the PI3K/Akt pathway, which, in turn, affects cell survival, apoptosis, proliferation and genomic instability via its downstream target proteins to cause cancer. It has also been demonstrated that the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway can result in drug resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, the inhibition of this pathway can increase the therapeutic efficacy of EBV-associated cancers. For example, PI3 K inhibitor Ly294002 has been shown to increase the effect of 5-fluorouracil in an EBV-associated gastric cancer cell line. At present, dual inhibitors of PI3 K and its downstream target mammalian target of rapamycin have been used in clinical trials and may be included in treatment regimens for EBV-associated cancers.

Lentivirus vectors construction of SiRNA targeting interference GPC3 gene and its biological effects on liver cancer cell lines Huh-7

Objective:To build GPC3 gene short hairpin interference RNA(shRNA)slow virus veclor.observe expression of Huh-7 GPC3 gene in human liver cell line proliferation apoptosis and the effect of GPC3 gene influencing on liver cancer cell growth,and provide theoretical basis for genc therapy of liver cancer.Methods:Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh-7 wsa transfected by a RNA interference technique.GPC3 gene expression in a variety of liver cancer cell lines was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.Targeted GPC3 gene seqnences of small interfering RNA(siRNA)PGC-shRNA-GPC3 were restructured.Stable expression cell linse of siRNA were screened and established with the heplp of liposomes(lipofectamine^(TM2000))as carrier transfcetion of human liver cell lines.In order to validate siRNA interference efficiency.GPC3 siRNA mRNA expression was detected after transfection by using RT-PCR and Western blot.The absorbance value of the cells of blank group,untransfection group and transfection group,the cell cycle and cell apoptosis were calculated,and effects of GPC3 gene nn Huh-7 cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed.Results:In the liver cancer cell lines Huh-7 GPC3 gene showed high expression.PGC-shRNA-GPC3 recombinant plasmid was constructde successfully via sequencing validation.Stable recombinant plasmid transfected into liver cancer cell linse Huh-7can obviously inhibit GPC3 mRNA expression level.Conclusions:The targeted GPC3 siRNA can effectively inhibit the expression of GPC3.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by APOBEC3G in vitro and in vivo

AIM： To investigate the effect of APOBEC3G mediated antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus （HBV） in cell cultures and replication competent HBV vector-based mouse model. METHODS： The mammalian hepatoma cells Huh7 and HepG2 were cotransfected with various amounts of CMV-driven expression vector encoding APOBEC3G and replication competent 1.3 fold over-length HBV. Levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the media of the transfected cells were determined by ELISA. The expression of HBcAg in transfected cells was detected by western blot. HBV DNA and RNA from intracellular core particles were examined by Northern and Southern blot analyses. To assess activity of the APOBEC3G in vivo, an HBV vector-based model was used in which APOBEC3G and the HBV vector were co-delivered via high-volume tail vein injection. Levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA in the sera of mice as well as HBV core-associated RNA in the liver of mice were determined by ELISA and quantitative PCR analysis respectively. RESULTS： There was a dose dependent decrease in the levels of intracellular core-associated HBV DNA and extracellular production of HBsAg and HBeAg. The levels of intracellular core-associated viral RNA also decreased, but the expression of HBcAg in transfected cells showed almost no change. Consistent with in vitro results, levels of HBsAg in the sera of mice were dramatically decreased. More than 1.5 log10 decrease in levels of serum HBV DNA and liver HBV RNA were observed in the APOBEC3G-treated groups compared with the control groups.CONCLUSION： These findings indicate that APOBEC3G could suppress HBV replication and antigen expression both in vivo and in vitro, promising an advance in treatment of HBV infection.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate enhances poly I:C-induced interferon-λ1 production and inhibits hepatitis C virus replication in hepatocytes

AIM To investigate the effect of(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid(poly I:C)-triggered intracellular innate immunity against hepatitis C virus(HCV) in hepatocytes. METHODS A cell culture model of HCV infection was generated by infecting a hepatoma cell line, Huh7, with HCV JFH-1 strain(JFH-1-Huh7). Poly I:C with a high molecular weight and EGCG were used to stimulate the JFH-1-Huh7 cells. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular m RNAs and of intracellular and extracellular HCV RNA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the interferon(IFN)-λ1 protein level in the cell culture supernatant. Immunostaining was used to examine HCV core protein expression in Huh7 cells.RESULTS Our recent study showed that HCV replication could impair poly I:C-triggered intracellular innate immune responses in hepatocytes. In the current study, we showed that EGCG treatment significantly increased the poly I:C-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3), retinoic acid-inducible gene I, and IFN-λ1 in JFH-1-Huh7 cells. In addition, supplementation with EGCG increased the poly I:C-mediated antiviral activity in JFH-1-Huh7 cells at the intracellular and extracellular HCV RNA and protein levels. Further investigation of the mechanisms showed that EGCG treatment significantly enhanced the poly I:C-induced expression of IFN-regulatory factor 9 and several antiviral IFNstimulated genes, including ISG15, ISG56, myxovirus resistance A, and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1, which encode the key antiviral elements in the IFN signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our observations provide experimental evidence that EGCG has the ability to enhance poly I:C-induced intracellular antiviral innate immunity against HCV replication in hepatocytes.

Virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)in Chinese narcissus and its use in functional analysis of NtMYB3

Virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)is a natural defense mechanism of plants,which can cause sequence-specific degradation of viral RNA and is often used for studying the functional genome.At present,the VIGS system mediated by Tobacco rattle virus(TRV)has been successfully established in many plant species.However,the VIGS system in Chinese narcissus had not been reported yet.In this paper,the first use of the TRV-VIGS system in Chinese narcissus is described in detail.By injecting pTRV2-GFP into narcissus leaves,we confirmed that TRV could infect narcissus and move in narcissus plants.After the inoculation of pTRV2-Nt PDS by two methods,phenomena such as photo-bleaching appeared in narcissus leaves and qRT-PCR results proved that PDS gene of narcissus was successfully silenced.Besides,pTRV2-NtMYB3 was inoculated into basal plates of narcissus to study the function of NtMYB3;the results showed that NtMYB3 is an inhibitor of flavonoids biosynthesis,which can increase the content of proanthocyanidins in basal plates of narcissus by repressing the expression level of NtFLS.These results indicate that the TRV-VIGS system has been successfully established in Chinese narcissus and successfully applied to the functional study of NtMYB3.

Interleukin-12 as a Genetic Adjuvant Enhances Hepatitis C Virus NS3 DNA Vaccine Immunogenicity

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is a worldwide health problem, and numerous efforts have been invested to develop novel vaccines. An efficient vaccine requires broad immune response induction against viral proteins. To achieve this goal, we constructed a DNA vaccine expressing nonstructural 3 (NS3) gene (pcDNA3.1-HCV-NS3) and assessed the immune response in C57BL/6 mice. In this study, the NS3 gene was amplified with a nested-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using sera of HCV-infected patients with genotype 1a. The resulting NS3 gene was subcloned into a pcDNA3.1 eukaryotic expression vector, and gene expression was detected by western blot. The resultant DNA vaccine was co-administered with interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant to female C57BL/6 mice. After the final immunizations, lymphocyte proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine levels were assessed to measure immune responses. Our data suggest that co-administration of HCV NS3 DNA vaccine with IL-12 induces production of significant levels of both IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ (p<0.05). Cytotoxicity and lymphocyte proliferation responses of vaccinated mice were significantly increased compared to control (p<0.05). Collectively, our results demonstrated that co-administration of HCV NS3 and IL-12 displayed strong immunogenicity in a murine model.

Genetic Analysis and Rescue of a Triple-reassortant H3N2 Influenza A Virus Isolated From Swine in Eastern China

One influenza H3N2 virus, A/swine/Shandong/3/2005 (Sw/SD/3/2005), was isolated from pigs with respiratory disease on a farm in eastern China. Genetic analysis revealed that Sw/SD/3/2005 was a triple-reassortant virus with a PB2 gene from human-like H1N1, NS from classical swine H1N1, and the remaining genes from human-like H3N2 virus. These findings further support the concept that swine can serve as reservoir or mixing vessels of influenza virus strains and maintain genetic and antigenic stability of viruses. Furthermore, we have successfully established a reverse genetics system based on eight plasmids and rescued Sw/SD/3/2005 through cell transfection. HI tests and RT-PCR confirmed that the rescued virus maintained the biological properties of the wild type Sw/SD/3/2005. The successful establishment of the reverse genetics system of Sw/SD/3/2005 will enable us to conduct extensive studies of the molecular evolution of H3N2 influenza viruses in swine.

Heterogeneity and Secondary Structure Analysis of 3' Untranslated Region in Classical Swine Fever Viruses

The attenuated vaccine strains of CSFV have a 12-nucleotides （nt） insertion in the 3＇-UTR of genome as compared to that of CSFV virulent strains. In this study, we found a distinct heterogeneity in the 3＇-UTR of attenuated Thiverval and HCLV strains. The longest 3＇-UTR of Thiverval strain was 259 base pairs （bp） with a 32-nt insertion, the shortest 3＇-UTR had only 233 bp with a 6-nt insertion. The longest 3＇-UTR of HCLV strain was 244 bp with a 17-nt insertion and the shortest 3＇ UTR was 235 bp with a 8-nt insertion. Compared with the published sequences of 3＇-UTR of vaccine and virulent strains, the 3＇-UTR of CSFV vaccine strains have two variable regions where insertion among the different vaccine strains were frequently found. The first is located between the second conservative TALk codon and the start of T-rich region where we found the variable length insertion in the same vaccine strain Thiveral or HCLV and the second is located between the end of T-rich region and the front of GAA eodon, however, a 4-nt deletion was found in this region in the virulent Shimen strain. These two regions may represent the ＂hot spot＂ for mutation. Modeling the secondary structures of the 3＇-UTR suggests that the T-rich insertion could result in the change of structure and free energy, thus affecting the stability of the 3＇-UTR structure. These findings will help to understand the mechanism of attenuated vaccines and improve vaccine safety, stability, and efficacy.

GPC3 fused to an alpha epitope of HBsAg acts as an immune target against hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis B virus

BACKGROUND:The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)in China is closely related to the population infected with hepatitis B virus(HBV).HCC cells with HBV secrete soluble HBsAg into blood but do not express it on the cell membrane This study aimed to construct and investigate a new glycosyl phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchored protein(GPC3+α+EGFP) as a DNA vaccine against HCC associated with HBV. METHODS:A recombinant plasmid(pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+ α+EGFP)was constructed and verified by restriction endo nuclease digestion and sequencing.pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+α+ EGFP was transfected into HepG2 cells(experimental group) using lipofectamine 2000.pEGFP-N1-transfected HepG2 cells were used as a negative control,and non-transfected HepG2 cells sreved as a blank control.HepG2 cells that steadily expressed the fusion protein GPC3+α+EGFP were screened by G418,propagated,and co-cultured with lymphocytes from healthy donors.Cell proliferation was measured by the classic sulforhodamine B assay.Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL),and Fas gene transcription was determined by quantitative fluorescent PCR. RESULTS:The pcDNA3.1(+)/GPC3+α+EGFP plasmid was successfully constructed.In the experimental group,green fluorescence was observed at the cell periphery and in the cytoplasm,whereas in the negative control group,fluorescence was evenly distributed throughout the cell.Proliferation of the experimental group significantly decreased after 72 hours compared to the negative and blank control groups.Furthermore,the number of apoptotic cells was statistically different among the three groups as determined by a contingency table Chisquare test;the experimental group had the highest incidence of apoptosis.Fas gene transcription in the experimental group was higher than in the two control groups,and an increasing trend with time in the experimental group was observed. CONCLUSION:A chimeric,membrane-anchored protein, GPC3+α+EGFP,localized to the membrane of HepG2 cells and inhibited proliferation and accelerated apoptosis through a Fas-FasL pathway after co-cultivation with lymphocytes.