Activating Effect of Staphylococcal Enterotoxins

The effect of enterotoxins is to induce the production of endogenous IF. St. aureus enteropathogenic proteins (enterotoxins) possess an antitumour effect. After intraperitoneal inoculation, they decrease the size and, in some cases, prevent the development of the human hypernephroma in the cheek pouch of golden hamsters. The effect of enteropathgenic proteims may possibly consist in inducing the production of endogenous immune interferon which activates the host immune system and enhances the rejection of heterologous tumour cells.

Temperature-Induced Unfolding Pathway of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B:Insights from Circular Dichroism and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

In this study,circular dichroism(CD)and molecular dynamics(MD)simulation were used to investigate the thermal unfolding pathway of staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB)at temperatures of 298–371 and 298–500 K,and the relationship between the experimental and simulation results were explored.Our computational findings on the secondary structure of SEB showed that at room temperature,the CD spectroscopic results were highly consistent with the MD results.Moreover,under heating conditions,the changing trends of helix,sheet and random coil obtained by CD spectral fitting were highly consistent with those obtained by MD.In order to gain a deeper understanding of the thermal stability mechanism of SEB,the MD trajectories were analyzed in terms of root mean square deviation(RMSD),secondary structure assignment(SSA),radius of gyration(R_(g)),free energy surfaces(FES),solvent-accessible surface area(SASA),hydrogen bonds and salt bridges.The results showed that at low heating temperature,domain Ⅰ without loops(omitting the mobile loop region)mainly relied on hydrophobic interaction to maintain its thermal stability,whereas the thermal stability of domain Ⅱ was mainly controlled by salt bridges and hydrogen bonds.Under high heating temperature conditions,the hydrophobic interactions in domain Ⅰ without loops were destroyed and the secondary structure was almost completely lost,while domain Ⅱ could still rely on salt bridges as molecular staples to barely maintain the stability of the secondary structure.These results help us to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms that maintain the thermal stability of SEB at the molecular level,and provide a direction for establishing safer and more effective food sterilization processes.

Electrochemical and colorimetric dual-signal detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B based on AuPt bimetallic nanoparticles loaded Fe-N-C single atom nanocomposite

Sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B(SEB)is of importance for preventing food poisoning from threatening human health.In this work,an electrochemical and colorimetric dual-signal detection assay of SEB was developed.The probe(Ab2/AuPt@Fe-N-C)was bound to SEB captured by Ab1,where the Ab2/AuPt@Fe-N-C triggered methylene blue degradation and resulted in the decrease of electrochemical signal.Furthermore,the probe catalyzed the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethyl biphenyl to generate a colorimetric absorbance at 652 nm.Once the target was captured and formed a sandwich-like complex,the color changed from colorless to blue.SEB detection by colorimetric and electrochemical methods showed a linear relationship in the concentration ranges of 0.0002-10.0000 and 0.0005-10.0000 ng/mL,with limits of detection of 0.0667 and 0.1670 pg/mL,respectively.The dual-signal biosensor was successfully used to detect SEB in milk and water samples,which has great potential in toxin detection in food and the environment.

Sources for Heat-Stable Resistance to Southern Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Solanum lycopersicum

Southern root-knot nematode （Meloidogyne incognita） is a major problem in vegetable production in China due to the expansion of plastic tunnel and solar greenhouse. Using resistant cultivars is an effective approach to control the disease. Nine genes, Mi-1 to Mi-9, have been reported and only Mi-1 has been successfully used in tomato breeding. However, Mi-1 is inactive at a temperature above 28~C. In order to identify sources for heat-stable resistance to southern root-knot nematode, 53 genotypes of tomato （Solarium spp.） were inoculated with an isolate of M. incognita in the growth chamber at 28 or 32℃ for initial screening. 28 lines had less than 25 galls and were considered as resistant candidates. The top 60% （16 in total） of resistant candidates obtained from each temperature were subject to re-evaluation at 32~C using the same nematode isolate. Three lines ZN17, ZN 48, and LA0385 showed heat-stable resistance with an average of 10 galls or less per plant. LA0385 is a wild species, while ZNI7 and ZN48 are elite breeding lines. These lines were grown in a greenhouse for two seasons, and also showed high resistance with less than 10 galls per plant. Thus they were considered as good sources for breeding resistance to southern root-knot nematode in tomato.

Studies on Enterotoxins and Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Various Sources

Staphylococcus aureus represents a public health challenge all over the world. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the prevalence of five genes (sea, seb, sec, see and seg) encoding the staphylococcal enterotoxins in S. aureus isolated from different sources and to evaluate the association of these toxins in comparison to susceptibility towards 12 antimicrobials;antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted by disc diffusion method. Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins was performed by PCR and the ability to express these genes was assessed among isolates by RT-PCR. The most common enterotoxin gene was sea gene (66%), followed by seb, sec, see and seg (38%, 23%, 19% and 5%) respectively. Expression of sea, seb and seg genes was variable. However, sec and see genes were not expressed by any of the tested isolates. No statistically significant association exists between (seb, sec and see) and isolation sources, while the sea was significantly associated with clinical isolates. High significant correlation was found between elevated sea expression and multidrug-resistance. Our findings indicate that the pathogenic potential of S. aureus may be greater than previously thought. This emphasizes the utmost need to implement proactive measures and more emphasis will be placed on the application of hygiene practices in hospitals to control S. aureus infection and enterotoxins production.

Detection and Analysis on StaphylococcalEnterotoxins in Raw Cow Milk from DifferentRegions of Jinan, China

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the pollution caused by staphylococcal enterotoxins(SE) in raw milk and the safety of dairy products in Jinan, and to provide a scientific basis for food safety risk analysis. [Method] A total of 130 raw milk samples were collected from different regions of Jinan, and detected for Staphylococcus aureus by referring to GB4789.10-2010. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect whether the S.aureus strains produced enterotoxins, and the enterotoxin type was identified using colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips. [Result] Fiftyseven of the raw milk samples were polluted by S.aureus, so the detection rate of S.aureus was 43.85%; and 11 of the strains produced enterotoxins. Among the 11 enterotoxin-producing strains, seven produced SEB, only one produced SEC, and the SE type of other three strains was not identified. [Conclusion] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips can be used in combination to rapidly detect staphylococcal enterotoxins and identify enterotoxin type, although there are some limitations. SEB is the main type of staphylococcal enterotoxin causing pollution in milk of Shandong Province.

外周血指标对鼻息肉患者黏膜中IL-5和金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素特异性免疫球蛋白E阳性表达的预测价值

目的借助外周血指标预测慢性鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(CRSwNP)2型生物标志物。方法收集2020年6月~2022年5月在北京同仁医院鼻科住院的CRSwNP患者临床资料,检测外周血中嗜酸粒细胞百分比(Eos%)、Eos计数、骨膜蛋白和总IgE以及CRSwNP黏膜中白细胞介素5(IL-5)和金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素特异性免疫球蛋白E(Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxinimmunoglobulin E,SE-IgE)。应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估每个外周血指标对黏膜IL-5/SE-IgE阳性表达预测价值,利用Logistic回归筛选对黏膜IL-5/SE-IgE阳性有预测价值的外周血指标,构建诺模图模型。结果CRSwNP患者哮喘比例、血中Eos%、骨膜蛋白和总IgE在IL-5/SE-IgE阳性和阴性两组之间,均具有统计学差异。ROC曲线单因素分析显示血Eos%、Eos计数、骨膜蛋白和总IgE对黏膜IL-5和SE-IgE阳性预测的AUC分别波动在0.655~0.784和0.721~0.802,Logistic回归确认血中Eos%、总IgE和血中骨膜蛋白、总IgE可分别作为IL-5和SE-IgE阳性的独立预测因素。构建预测CRSwNP黏膜IL-5/SE-IgE阳性的诺模图模型,一致性指数(C-index)为0.804和0.81,提示具有很好的预测准确性。结论血中Eos%、总IgE和血中骨膜蛋白、总IgE分别构建的诺模图,对CRSwNP黏膜IL-5和SE-IgE阳性表达具有很好的预测价值,可以预判CRSwNP内型和表型严重性。

基于荧光生物传感技术检测牛奶中金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素B

目的利用纳米金粒子(gold nanoparticles,AuNPs)荧光猝灭性能和核酸适配体的高亲和力,构建一种简便、灵敏的纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感方法检测牛奶中金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素B(staphylococcal enterotoxins B,SEB)的方法。方法以AuNPs作为荧光体的能量受体(猝灭剂),荧光素-单链DNA(fluorescein-ssDNA,FAM-ssDNA)作为荧光能量供体,冷冻法制备AuNPs-SEB适配体复合物,基于AuNPsSEB适配体复合物/SEB/FAM-ssDNA的竞争性结合,构建纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感检测方法。对缓冲体系pH和反应时间等条件进行优化,以牛奶为代表对方法检测性能进行验证。结果在优化好的实验条件(pH 7.5、反应时间15 min和反应温度25℃)下,在10^(-1)~10^(4)ng/mL范围内,荧光强度与SEB质量浓度之间呈现良好的线性关系,其相关系数为0.995,检出限为0.062 ng/mL。应用于牛奶样品中SEB的测定,方法回收率为91.2%~108.0%,相对标准偏差在2.6%~5.2%范围之间。结论该纳米金“Turn-on”型荧光生物传感检测技术具有简便、灵敏和准确等优点,可为食品中污染物的检测提供一种可行的新方法。

新疆乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌的污染和致病力评价

为了评价新疆乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌污染和致病力,从奶牛养殖场和挤奶厅采集了414份样品,共分离鉴定出51株金黄色葡萄球菌(总分离率为12.3%),其中粪样、吸奶器拭子、体表拭子、乳样、饲料的分离率分别为8.4%、22.8%、14.8%、18.9%、9.8%。采用PCR检测毒力基因的携带情况,SEs的总检出率为60.8%,其中sec、seh和sel的检出率为51.0%、43.1%和23.5%。其他毒力基因hla和hlb、clfa的检出率为52.9%和84.3%、90.2%。菌株耐药率较高的抗生素是阿奇霉素(86.3%)、磺胺二甲嘧啶(84.3%)、万古霉素(49.0%)、环丙沙星(29.4%)、阿莫西林-克拉维酸钾(27.5%)。其中多重耐药有34株,最高可达6重耐药。乌鲁木齐市周边乳源金黄色葡萄球菌的污染较严重,且肠毒素基因携带率较高和耐药严重,需要重视金黄色葡萄球菌的污染和减少抗菌药物的使用。

鄂西北地区金黄色葡萄球菌临床分离株耐药及毒力基因分析

目的了解鄂西北地区医院临床标本中分离的金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药及毒力基因的携带情况。方法收集2019-2021年十堰市5家医院临床分离的金黄色葡萄球菌142株,采用微量肉汤稀释法检测耐药性,采用PCR法检测sea等9种肠毒素基因及mecA、杀白细胞素(PVL)毒力基因。结果142株金黄色葡萄球菌中检出44株耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA),检出率为30.99%(44/142)。MRSA对红霉素、克林霉素、左氧氟沙星、四环素、庆大霉素的耐药率均高于甲氧西林敏感金黄色葡萄球菌(MSSA),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。肠毒素基因检出率为70.42%(100/142),其中经典肠毒素基因(sea~see)和新型肠毒素基因(seg~sej)检出率分别为47.18%(67/142)、42.25%(60/142);PVL毒力基因检出率为13.38%(19/142),其中MSSA和MRSA的检出率分别为9.18%(9/98)和22.73%(10/44),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论临床分离的金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素及PVL基因检出率较高,在临床诊疗中应做好医院感染控制,及时采取有效的隔离措施并适时加强对PVL基因的监测。

鸽屠宰加工环节金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素、生物膜形成能力及其相关基因的检测

为了解鸽屠宰加工环节中金黄色葡萄球菌的肠毒素、生物被膜形成能力、肠毒素及生物被膜形成相关基因的情况。采用金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素酶联免疫分析试剂盒和结晶紫染色法检测41株金黄色葡萄球菌的肠毒素含量和生物被膜形成能力,同时通过PCR方法扩增金黄色葡萄球菌12种肠毒素基因和10种生物被膜形成相关基因。41株金黄色葡萄球菌在肠毒素酶联免疫法检测中,有30株为产肠毒素的菌株。肠毒素基因的检测中,有35株菌含肠毒素基因,检出率为85.36%,且有携带一种或多种肠毒素基因的情况。经典肠毒素基因的检出率分别为:sea(29.27%)、seb(29.27%)、sec(4.88%)、sed(65.85%)和see(2.44%);新型肠毒素基因的检出率分别为:sel(36.59%)、seg(29.27%)、sem(17.07%)、seu(17.07%)、sei(14.63%)、seh(7.32%)和sek(0.00%)。结晶紫染色法测定菌株生物被膜形成能力弱、中等和强的检出率分别为39.02%、43.90%和17.07%。生物被膜形成相关基因的检测中,clfB、luxS和clfA的检出率最高均为100.00%,其次是sarA和ccp均为97.56%,sigB、cna、icaA、agrC的检出率分别为85.37%、65.85%、41.46%、2.44%,bap未检出。此外,所有菌株均有携带多种生物被膜相关基因的情况,以携带7种基因的菌株最多(15/41,36.59%)。鸽屠宰加工环节污染中金黄色葡萄球菌存在较多的肠毒素且生物被膜形成能力较高,预测该鸽屠宰加工环节中金黄色葡萄球菌具有致病性,存在引起食物中毒的潜在风险。

山东省部分地区奶牛金黄色葡萄球菌耐药性及毒力基因检测

在全球抗生素耐药性危机下,耐药性金黄色葡萄球菌的出现,严重威胁着公众健康。为调查山东省奶牛场金黄色葡萄球菌流行情况及耐药性和毒力基因携带情况,2022—2023年采集济南、德州、泰安和临沂4个地区奶牛养殖场乳腺炎病牛奶样520份进行金黄色葡萄球菌分离鉴定,对分离得到的金黄色葡萄球菌分别采用药物敏感试验和PCR检测其耐药性及相关耐药和毒力基因。结果显示:共分离到57株金黄色葡萄球菌,分离率为11.0%(57/520),其中耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)的分离率为1.3%(7/520);分离的金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素(93.0%,53/57)和复方新诺明(80.7%,46/57)耐药率较高,对万古霉素、多西环素、利奈唑胺最敏感,而对其他抗生素均产生了不同程度的耐药性,其中多重耐药率为45.6%(26/57)。从2株MRSA分离菌中检测到mecA耐药基因,未检测到mecC基因;检测到seb、sec、sed 3种毒力基因。结果表明,山东省4个地区奶牛场中普遍存在致病性金黄色葡萄球菌流行,且产生了一定的耐药性,对公共卫生具有潜在威胁,需要加强奶牛场乳腺炎防控。

Preparation and activity of conjugate of monoclonal antibody HAb18 against hepatoma F( ab′ )_2 fragment and staphylococcal enterotoxin A

AIM To prepare the conjugate of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) protein which is a bacterial SAg and the F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAbl8 against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and identify its activity in order to use SAg in the targeting therapy of HCC.METHODS MAb HAbl8 was extracted from the abdominal dropsy of Balb/ c mice, and was purified through chromatography column SP-40HR with Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system. The F(ab')2 fragment of mAb HAb18 was prepared by papainic digestion method. The conjugate of mAb HAb18 F(ab')2fragment and SEA was prepared with chemical conjugating reagent N-succinimidyl-3-( 2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) and purified through chromatography column Superose 12with FPLC system. The molecular mass and purity of each collected peak were identified with SDS-PAGE assay. The protein content was assayed by Lowry's method. The antibody activity of HAb18 F (ab')2 against HCC in the conjugate was identified by indirect immunocytochemical ABC method, and the activity of SEA in the conjugate to activate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was identified with MTT assay.RESULTS The lgG mAb HAb18 was extracted,and purified successfully. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that it reacted with most of HHCC cells of human HCC cell line. There were two peaks in the process of purification of the prepared HAb18 F(ab)2-SEA conjugate. SDS-PAGE assay demonstrated that the molecular mass of the first peak was about 130 ku, and the second peak was the mixture of about 45 ku and a little 100 ku proteins. The immunocytochemical staining was similar in HAb18 F (ab ')2-SEAconjugate and HAb18 F (ab ')2, i.e., thecytoplasm and/or cell membranes of most HHCC cells were positively stained. The MTT assay showed that the optical absorbance (A) value at 490 nm of HAb18 F (ab')2-SEA conjugate was 0.182 ± 0.012, that of negative control was 0.033± 0.009, and there was significant difference between them ( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION SPDP is a good proteinconjugating reagent and can be used in preparing protein conjugate. The conjugate of mAb HAb18F(ab')2 fragment and SEA protein was preparedsuccessfully in present study and can be used in the experimental study of HCC targeting therapy with the conjugate of SAg and anti-HCC mAbs or their fragments.

Predictive Modeling for Growth and Enterotoxin Production of Staphylococcus aureus in Milk

Predictive microbiology was utilized to model Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） growth and staphylococcal enterotoxin A （SEA） production in milk in this study. The modifed logistic model, modifed Gompertz model and Baranyi model were applied to model growth data of S. aureus between 15℃ and 37℃. Model comparisons indicated that Baranyi model described the growth data more accurately than two others with a mean square error of 0.0129. Growth rates generated from Baranyi model matched the observed ones with a bias factor of 0.999 and an accuracy factor of 1.01, and ft a square root model with respect to temperature; other two modifed models both overestimated the observed ones. SEA amount began to be detected when the cell number reached106.4 cfu ？ mL-1, and showed the linear correlation with time. Besides, the rate of SEA production ftted an exponential relationship as a function of temperature. Predictions based on the study could be applied to indicate possible growth of S. aureus and prevent the occurrence of staphylococcal food poisoning.

Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin upregulates heme oxygenase-1 in dendritic cells via reactive oxygen species-,mitogen-activated protein kinase-,and Nrf2-dependent pathway

BACKGROUND Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis(ETBF)causes colitis and diarrhea,and is considered a candidate pathogen in inflammatory bowel diseases as well as colorectal cancers.These diseases are dependent on ETBF-secreted toxin(BFT).Dendritic cells(DCs)play an important role in directing the nature of adaptive immune responses to bacterial infection and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)is involved in the regulation of DC function.AIM To investigate the role of BFT in HO-1 expression in DCs.METHODS Murine DCs were generated from specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 and Nrf2−/−knockout mice.DCs were exposed to BFT,after which HO-1 expression and the related signaling factor activation were measured by quantitative RT-PCR,EMSA,fluorescent microscopy,immunoblot,and ELISA.RESULTS HO-1 expression was upregulated in DCs stimulated with BFT.Although BFT activated transcription factors such as NF-κB,AP-1,and Nrf2,activation of NF-κB and AP-1 was not involved in the induction of HO-1 expression in BFT-exposed DCs.Instead,upregulation of HO-1 expression was dependent on Nrf2 activation in DCs.Moreover,HO-1 expression via Nrf2 in DCs was regulated by mitogenactivated protein kinases such as ERK and p38.Furthermore,BFT enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and inhibition of ROS production resulted in a significant decrease of phospho-ERK,phospho-p38,Nrf2,and HO-1 CONCLUSION These results suggest that signaling pathways involving ROS-mediated ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases-Nrf2 activation in DCs are required for HO-1 induction during exposure to ETBF-produced BFT.

Effect of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin on gastric cancer cells SGC7901 which highly expressed claudin-4 protein

AIM To investigate the effects of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin(CPE) on gastric cancer cells which highly expressed claudin-4(CL4) protein.METHODS In this study, we detected expression of CL4 protein in different gastric cancer cell lines. Then, we investigated the effects of CPE on SGC7901 cells which highly expressed CL4 protein and the effects of CPE on sub-cutaneous tumor in nude mice models.RESULTS CL4 are highly expressed in SGC7901 cells. CPE expressedsignificant cytotoxicity in SGC7901 cells. Suppression of CL4 expression significantly decreased CPE-mediated cytotoxicity. CPE also inhibited tumor growth in subcutaneous tumor xenograft models.CONCLUSION CPE showed CL4 mediated cytotoxicity on gastric cancer cells SGC7901 and inhib-ited tumor growth in nude mice models.

Assessment of the inhibitory effects of sodium nitrite, nisin, potassium sorbate, and sodium lactate on Staphylococcus aureus growth and staphylococcal enterotoxin A production in cooked pork sausage using a predictive growth model

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of sodium nitrite,nisin,potassium sorbate,and sodium lactate against Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)growth and staphylococcal enterotoxins(SEs)production in cooked pork sausage by inoculating sausage samples containing preservative with an S.aureus strain producing staphylococcal enterotoxin A(SEA)and then storing them at 37℃ for 36 h.Samples were analyzed every 3 h to count the S.aureus colonies and to detect SEA.The modified Gompertz model was used to describe S.aureus growth in the samples under various conditions,and the preservatives with a significant antimicrobial effect were selected.In addition,the antimicrobial effects of the selected preservatives under various concentrations were tested.Results showed that sodium nitrite,nisin,and potassium sorbate had a weak effect against S.aureus growth and had no effect against SEA production,whereas sodium lactate could significantly inhibit S.aureus growth and SEA production.Moreover,the antimicrobial effect of sodium lactate was concentration-dependent,wherein sodium lactate concentration<12 g/kg showed no inhibitory effect,but when the concentration was increased to 24 g/kg,sodium lactate could effectively inhibit S.aureus growth and SEA production,and at 48 g/kg,sodium lactate had a significant inhibitory effect.

Effect and Mechanism of Superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Therapy for Mouse Gastric Tumor

The anti-tumor effect and mechanism of the staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) were studied. The mouse gastric tumor model was produced by subcutaneously inoculating gastric tumor ceils (MGC80-3). The experimental group was treated with SEA, and the control group was treated with normal saline. The percentage of tumor generation and tumor mass was measured. The results showed that the percentage of the tumor generation in the SEA-treated mice was lower than in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P>0. 05). However, the tumor mass in the experimental group was significantly lighter than in the control group, with the difference being very significant (P<0. 001). There were more CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the tumor of the mice treated with SEA than those of the control group. SEA has an obvious anti-tumor effect on mice gastric tumor. The mechanism might be that SEA induces the effect of superantigen-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity to the tumor cells.

THE EFFECT OF SUPERANTIGEN STAPHYLOCOCCALENTEROTOXIN B AND D-GALACTOSAMINE ON BALB/CMOUSE HEPATOCYTES

Objective To observe the role of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB) andD - galactosamine (D - GalN) on Balb/c mouse hepatocytes and its mechanism. Methods After Balb/c mice wereinjected intraperitoneally with SEB, D- GalN or both, blood samples were collected and livers were removed at 2,6, 12, 24h. Patterns of hepatocellular death were studied morphologically and biochemically, circulating cytokines(TNF, IFN-γ) were determined, and mice mortality within 24h was assessed. Results SEB could induce thetypical apoptotic changes of hepatocytes morphologically and biochemically. The mechanism is probably associatedwith the production and release of Cytokines (such as TNF, IFN- γ, etc).D - GalN could induce hepatocytesapoptosis and degeneration at the same time. Besides this, we confirmed hepatocytes of the mice which wereadministered SEB and D - GalN developing apoptosis at 2, 6h, but after 12h hepatocytes were characterized bysevere injury, the mice mortality within 24h is 50%. Conclusion SEB or D - GalN alone could induce the typicalapoptotic changes of hepatocytes. SEB+D-GalN developed hepatocytes apoptosis in the early stage and necrosisin the later. It suggests that there is some relationship between hepatic cell apoptosis and necrosis, and massivehepatocyte apoptosis is the probably initiating step of acute hepatic necrosis in mice.

The Akt Pathway Inhibitor Degeulin Prevents Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Induced Splenocyte Proliferation and Inflammation

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) is considered a potential biological weapon. It is toxic by both inhalation and ingestion. Effects of ingestion include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, while inhalation may additionally result in chest pain, dyspnoea, pulmonary oedema and respiratory failure. Severe exposure may be fatal and treatment relies on symptomatic support. At a cellular level, SEB up-regulates T-cell proliferation leading to a pathological inflammatory response. Deguelin, a rotenoid isolated from the African plant Mundulea sericea (Leguminosae), has been shown to reduce cellular proliferation by inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathway. Using isolated murine splenocytes, we have demonstrated that treatment with deguelin reduces SEB inducing T cell proliferation by 60%. Deguelin treatment also decreased IL-2 and CCL2 secretion by splenocytes exposed to SEB. We demonstrate that targeting cellular proliferation can significantly reduce inflammation after SEB exposure and suggest that anti-proliferatives may have a role as potential generic medical counter measures if superantigens are used as biological weapons.