Beta-nerve growth factor promotes neurogenesis and angiogenesis during the repair of bone defects

We previously showed that the repair of bone defects is regulated by neural and vascular signals. In the present study, we examined the effect of topically applied β-nerve growth factor（β-NGF） on neurogenesis and angiogenesis in critical-sized bone defects filled with collagen bone substitute. We created two symmetrical defects, 2.5 mm in diameter, on either side of the parietal bone of the skull, and filled them with bone substitute. Subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps were used to infuse 10 μgβ-NGF in PBS（β-NGF ＋ PBS） into the right-hand side defect, and PBS into the left（control） defect, over the 7 days following surgery. Immunohistochemical staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining were carried out at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postoperatively. On day 7, expression of β III-tubulin was lower on the β-NGF ＋ PBS side than on the control side, and that of neurofilament 160 was greater. On day 14, β III-tubulin and protein gene product 9.5 were greater on the β-NGF ＋ PBS side than on the control side. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was greater on the experimental side than the control side at 7 days, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression was elevated on days 14 and 21, but lower than control levels on day 28. However, no difference in the number of blood vessels was observed between sides. Our results indicate that topical application of β-NGF promoted neurogenesis, and may modulate angiogenesis by promoting nerve regeneration in collagen bone substitute-filled defects.

P53 Gene Mutation and Expression of MDM2, P53,P16 Protein and their Relationship in Human Glioma

To investigate the effect of P53 protein accumulation and p53 gene mutation in the pathogenesis of glioma and to study the role of MDM2, P53 and P16 protein in glioma formation and progression and their relationship with each other, LSAB immunohistochemical staining method and non-isotopic PCR-SSCP techniques were used to detect the expression of MDM2, P53 and P16 protein and p53 gene mutation in 48 cases of gliomas. The results showed that the positive expression rate of MDM2, P53 and the negative rate of P16 was 22.9 %, 41.7 % and 60.4 %, respectively. The latter two in high grade （grade Ⅲ , Ⅳ） gliomas had a significantly higher rate than in the low grade （grade Ⅱ ） gliomas. Moreover, the co-expression of MDM2 and P53 protein was confirmed in only 1 of 48 cases. No significant difference was found in the rate of the expression of MDM2 between high grade and low grade gliomas （P〉0.1） . PCR-SSCP results showed that mutation of 5 --8 exons of p53 gene was detected in 17 out of 48 cases （35.42 %） . Mutation was detected in 16 of 20 cases of positive p53 expression, and another one was detected in 28 cases of negative expression cases. The correlation between p53 mutation and p53 immunopositivity was observed in 89.6 % of the cases. P53 gene mutation and the level of MDM2, P53 and PI6 protein were not related to age, gender of the patients, tumor location and size. It is concluded that the mutation of p53 and deletion of p16 might play important roles in the tumorigenesis of gliomas and it was significantly associated with the grade of tumor differentiation. P53 protein accumulation can indirectly reflect p53 mutation. MDM2 amplification and overexpression might be an early event in the growth of human gliomas.

Product of the Schistosoma mansoni Glutathione Peroxidase Gene is a Selenium ContainingPhospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase (PHGPx) Sharing MolecularWeight and Substrate Specificity WithIts Mammalian Counterpart

In the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni a functionally active, monomeric, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) has been purified and characterized. This enzyme contains a catalytically active selenocysteine. The protein has been shown to be the product of a cloned gene, previously referred to as a glutathione peroxidase gene. S. mansoni PHGPx has been found 5 times more abundant in female than in male worm extract. As in vertebrate PHGPx, homology alignment indicates that the residues involved in the glutathione binding by the tetrameric cellular glutathione peroxidase are mutated in the S. mansoni enzyme. Thus, this aspect appears a landmark of the PHGPx-type of glutathione peroxidases,which might be of functional relevance

Research on the Regulatory Framework of Advanced Therapies in the European Union and the United States

Objective To study the regulatory framework of advanced therapies in the European Union and the United States,and to provide reference for the regulation of cell-and gene-based therapeutic products in China.Methods The legal and regulatory documents,annual reports,work information and related literature published on the websites of the FDA and European Medicines Agency(EMA)were reviewed to analyze the regulatory models of advanced therapies in the European Union and the United States.Results and Conclusion the United States and the European Union have carried out a lot of work in the classification standards of advanced therapies,policy formulation and accelerated listing procedures.Therefore,they have established a relatively mature regulatory system.China can learn from their experience and continuously improve the regulatory system to help the sustainable development of gene and cell therapy industry.

A Researches on DLA-DRB1 Genotyping by PCR-RFLP Ⅱ.A Study of Serology and Cellularly Defined DLA Haplotypes and Their Segregation

The polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism (FCR-RFLP)method was used to study DLA class Ⅱgene n dogs.Genomic DNA from 11 DLA homozygous reference dogs representing 8 different haplotypes and 2 families with a total of 16 animals were amplified by the oligonuclectide primer pair (HLA-DRB-AMP-A/B) cross-hybriding HLA-DRB specific and fit for the amplification of DLA-DRE1 gene.The corresponding amplified DNA products were 235 base pairs[1].Amplified DNA was digested by 32 different restriction endonucleasts,whith could recognize allelic variations within DLA-DRB.After digesting only with Hae Ⅲ,HhaI,HitfI,RsaIand Sau96 high polymorphism was revealed respectively and 9 distinct RFLP pattern wert shown, which could be correate to the DLA haplotypes studied. The 8 cellular established DLA-D specificities presentin the reference panel were defined unequivocally by PCR-RFLP and correlated with DLADw5 and Dw6 two subtypes.The segregation pattern of four different DLA-DRE types could be demonstrated in two families.Based on these data we conclude that PCRRFLP typing utilizing the above mentioned priiner pair and endonuleases is a valuable tool to define DLA class Ⅱ types in the dog.

The Application of HE4 in Diagnosis of Gynecological Pelvic Malignant Tumor

OBJECTIVE To investigate the value of human epididymis geneproduct 4 (HE4) in differential diagnosis of gynecological pelvictumors.METHODS The level of serum HE4 in 132 women wasdetermined. These women were divided into three groups, i.e.,46 women with good health being classified as the normal control(NC) group, and based on clinicopathological results, the other 86with pelvic masses being classified into groups of benign (n = 56)and malignant lesions (n = 30), respectively.RESULTS The range of serum HE4 in the NC group was(23.5～46.0) pmol/L, with an average value of (34.1 ± 5.6) pmol/L;the range of serum HE4 in the benign lesion group was (30.1～58.9)pmol/L, with an average value of (39.1 ± 7.2) pmol/L; the range ofserum HE4 in the group of malignancy was (31.2～1430.0) pmol/L,and the average value was (248.7 ± 364.5) pmol/L. The level ofHE4 in the malignant lesion group was significantly higher thanthat in the other 2 groups, with a statistical difference, P < 0.001.The diagnostic index reached maximum (0.847) when the serumHE4 was at 51.6 pmol/L, and the sensitivity and specificity of HE4were 86.7% and 98.0%, respectively. The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.935 (95% CI 0.832～1.037,P = 0.000). The consistency checking Kappa value of HE4 in thediagnosis of pelvic malignant tumors was 0.867, P = 0.000.CONCLUSION The determination of serum HE4 is a goodindicator in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovariantumors.

Genes functional identification and synthetic biology of natural products

Synthetic biology is one of the rapid developing scientific fields in recent years. Through synthetic biology,we have a better understanding of the natural synthesis process of natural products, which provides a favorable method to research the diversity of natural products, and also provides new tools for us to create new approach for producing natural products, we can synthesize compounds with different structures by artificial combination of different synthesis modules.

OVER-EXPRESSION OF A TRUNCATED TYPE I TGF-P RECEPTOR IN NORMAL DERMAL FIBROBLASTS DECREASES TGF-β1 AUTOPRODUCTION

Objective To determine over-expression of a truncated type ⅡTGF-β receptor in down-regulating TGF-β1 auto production in normal dermal fibroblasts. Methods In vitro cultured dermal fibroblasts were treated with rhTGF-β1 (5ng/ml) or recombinant adenovirus containing α truncated type Ⅱ TGF-β receptor gene (50 pfu/cell). Their effects on regulating gene expression of TGF-β1 were observed with Northern Blot. Results rh TGF-β1 up-regulated the gene expression of TGF-β1, (34 %-150%) and type Ⅰ pro-collagen( 13 %- 190%). Overexpression of a truncated receptor Ⅱ decreased the gene expression of TGF-β1 (53%-66%). Conclusion Over-expression of the truncated TGF-β receptor Ⅱdown-regulated TGF-β1 autoproduction via blocking signal transduction of TGF-β. This study may provide a new strategy for scar gene therapy.

Computational modeling and inhibition of SARS-COV-2 Papain-like protease enzyme:A potential therapeutic approach for COVID-19

This study aims to investigate the potential impact of inhibitors targeting the papain-like protease(PLpro)of SARS-CoV-2 on viral replication and the host immune response.A mathematical model was developed to simulate the interaction among susceptible cells,infected cells,PLpro,and immune cells,incorporating data on PLpro inhibition.Through numerical simulations using MATLAB,the model parameters were estimated based on available statistical data.The results indicate that strategically positioned inhibitors could impede the virus’s access to host cellular machinery,thereby enhancing the immune response and gradually reducing susceptible and infected cells over time.The dynamics of the viral enzyme PLpro showed reduced activity with the introduction of the inhibitor,leading to a decline in viral replication.Moreover,the immune cell population exhibited functional recovery as the inhibitor suppressed PLpro activity.These findings suggest that inhibitors targeting PLpro may serve as therapeutic interventions against SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting viral replication and bolstering the immune response.

Product Quality Evaluation Method Based on Product Gene Theory

Traditional quality inspection based product quality evaluation method with complex process has high operating cost and requires more professional knowledge. To remove the above limitation, this paper leads product gene theory into product quality evaluation. Methods of quality influencing factors based modeling and encoding are established. Combined with similarity theory and product gene theory, a product gene similarity analysis based quality evaluation method is proposed. The proposed method is low cost, operates easily and requires less specialized knowledge. A case study is conducted to prove the correctness and feasibility of this method.

Effect of fusion protein TAT and heme oxygenase-1 on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells apoptosis during preservation injury

Background Proteins or peptides can be directly transferred into cells when covalently linked to protein transduction domains （PTDs）. TAT is one of the most widely studied PTDs. The effect of fusion protein TAT and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells （SECs） apoptosis during cold storage is unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether fusion protein TAT-HO-1 would transduce efficiently into liver during cold storage, and, if so, to determine whether TAT-HO-1 would attenuate SECs apoptosis during preservation injury in rat. Methods Livers of Sprague-Dawley rats were harvested and randomly assigned to group 1 （HTK solution） and group 2 （HTK solution containing TAT-HO-1 fusion protein） according to the type of the preservation solution. The transduction efficiency of TAT-HO-1 was examined and the impairment of SECs was assessed during the period of cold storage followed by 1 hour of reperfusion. Results TAT-HO-1 can transduce efficiently into liver during cold storage. A significantly lower apoptotic index of SECs was observed in group 2, at 6, 12 and 18 hours of cold storage after 1 hour reperfusion, when compared with group 1. TAT-HO-1 reduced HA and ET levels in liver at each time point. Both Bcl-2 and Bax protein were expressed in hepatocytes and SECs at the periphery of the sinusoidal space. Moreover, higher Bcl-2 expression and lower Bax expression were observed in group 2. Conclusions TAT-HO-1 can transduce efficiently into rat livers and shows a protective effect on SECs by attenuating apoptosis during cold ischemia/reperfusion injury. Protein transduction will be a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of preservation injury in liver transplantation.

High-throughput screening identifies established drugs as SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors

A new coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2)has been identified as the etiologic agent for the COVID-19 outbreak.Currently,effective treatment options remain very limited for this disease;therefore,there is an urgent need to identify new anti-COVID-19 agents.In this study,we screened over 6,000 compounds that included approved drugs,drug candidates in clinical trials,and pharmacologically active compounds to identify leads that target the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease(PLpro).Together with main protease(Mpro),PLpro is responsible for processing the viral replicase polyprotein into functional units.There-fore,it is an attractive target for antiviral drug develop-ment.Here we discovered four compounds,YM155,cryptotanshinone,tanshinone I and GRL0617 that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 PLpro with IC50 values ranging from 1.39 to 5.63 pmol/L.These compounds also exhibit strong antiviral activities in cell-based assays.YM155,an anti-cancer drug candidate in clinical trials,has the most potent antiviral activity with an EC50 value of 170 nmol/L.In addition,we have determined the crystal structures of this enzyme and its complex with YM155,revealing a unique binding mode.YM155 simultaneously targets three"hot"spots on PLpro,including the substrate-binding pocket,the interferon stimulating gene product 15(ISG15)binding site and zinc finger motif.Our results demonstrate the efficacy of this screening and repur-posing strategy,which has led to the discovery of new drug leads with clinical potential for COVID-19 treatments.