Dendrimer-containing hydrophobically associating polymers (PDAM) have been synthesized by micellar copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) with a small amount of polyether dendrimer monomer(DA).The association behaviors a...Dendrimer-containing hydrophobically associating polymers (PDAM) have been synthesized by micellar copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) with a small amount of polyether dendrimer monomer(DA).The association behaviors and rheological properties of this polymer in aqueous solution were studied by viscometry and fluorescence probe.It was found that such polymers exhibit a large hydrophobic effect and easily self-association in dilute aqueous solutions.Their solution viscosities show a pronounced nonlinear dependence on dendritic hydrophobe content in the polymer and a maximum value appeared at an appropriate content.This behavior can be attributed to the balance between inter- and intraaction associations,which can be controlled with the hydrophobe content of the polymer.展开更多
AIM To assess the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV) on the expression of host α-1,2-mannosidases and determine the underlying mechanisms.METHODS We measured the expression levels of MAN1A1, MAN1A2, MAN1B1, and MAN1C1...AIM To assess the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV) on the expression of host α-1,2-mannosidases and determine the underlying mechanisms.METHODS We measured the expression levels of MAN1A1, MAN1A2, MAN1B1, and MAN1C1 in cell lines HepG 2.2.15, HepN 10, HepA D38 and Hep G2 by Western blot. Viral antigens(HBs Ag and HBe Ag) in the culture medium were measured using the chemiluminescence method. HBV DNA quantification assays were performed using a commercial real-time PCR kit. Protein levels of human liver tissue α-1,2-mannosidases were also evaluated by Western blot. Plasmids containing seven individual viral genes of HBV(PTT22-HBx, PTT22-HBs, PTT22-pre S2, PTT22-pre S1, PTT22-HBc, PTT22-HBe, and PTT22-HBp) or control plasmids(PTT22-vector) were transfected into Hep G2 cells. MK886(PPARα) and GW9662(PPARγ) inhibitors were used to explore the effects of HBV on α-1,2-mannosidase expression after the PPARα and PPARγ pathways were blocked.RESULTS We showed that the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases was higher in stably transfected HBV cells than in controls. The expression levels of α-1,2-mannosidase were higher in AD38 cells than those in ND10 cells, which were in turn greater than those in G2.2.15 cells, and positively correlated with the expression of HBsA gin all the cell lines. Levels of α-1,2-mannosidase in nontumorous liver tissues of HBV-related HCC patients were also higher than in the tissues from non-HBVrelated HCC patients. Moreover, transfecting Hep G2 cells with a component of the HBV viral envelope also increased the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases. However, this envelope protein component could not induce MAN1C1 expression in the presence of a PPARα inhibitor, MK886. We also found that MK886 did not affect the expression of MAN1C1 in AD38 cells without tetracycline in the culture medium. This phenomenon was not observed in the case of GW9662.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that HBV increases the expression of α-mannosidases both in vitro and in vivo via activation of the PPARα pathway by its envelope protein.展开更多
AIM To investigate the enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against pancreatic cancer (PC) in vitro induced by dendritic cells (DCs) engineered to secrete anti-DcR3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). METHODS DCs, T lymph...AIM To investigate the enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against pancreatic cancer (PC) in vitro induced by dendritic cells (DCs) engineered to secrete anti-DcR3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). METHODS DCs, T lymphocytes and primary PC cells were obtained from PC patients. DCs were transfected with a designed humanized anti-DcR3 monoclonal antibody heavy and light chain mRNA and/or total tumor RNA (DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA or DC-total tumor RNA) by using electroporation technology. The identification, concentration and function of anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA were determined by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After co-culturing of autologous isolated PC cells with target DCs, the effects of secreting anti-DcR3 mAb on RNA-DCs' viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Analysis of enhanced antigen-specific immune response against PC induced by anti-DcR3 mAb secreting DCs was performed using a Cr-51 releasing test. T cell responses induced by RNAloaded DCs were analyzed by measuring cytokine levels, including IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL4, TNF-alpha and IL-12. RESULTS The anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DCs reacted with recombinant human DcR3 protein and generated a band with 35 kDa molecular weight. The secreting mAb was transient, peaking at 24 h and becoming undetectable after 72 h. After co-incubation with DCtumor- anti-DcR3 RNA for designated times, the DcR3 level in the supernatant of autologous PC cells was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). DCs secreting anti-DcR3 mAb could improve cell viability and slow down the apoptosis of RNA-loaded DCs, compared with DC-total tumor RNA (P < 0.01). The anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA could enhance the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) activity toward RNA-transfected DCs, primary tumor cells, and PC cell lines, compared with CTLs stimulated by DC-total tumor RNA or control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the antigen-specific CTL responses were MHC class I-restricted. The CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells incubated with anti-DcR3 mAb secreting DCs could produce extremely higher level IFN-gamma and lower level IL4 than those incubated with DC-total tumor RNA or controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION DCs engineered to secrete anti-DcR3 antibody can augment CTL responses against PC in vitro, and the immune-enhancing effects may be partly due to their capability of down-regulating DC apoptosis and adjusting the Th1/Th2 cytokine network.展开更多
A magnetic field was used to directional solidification of dendritic Al-Cu alloys. The primary arm spacing of the dendrites is increased with increasing the external magnetic field strength. This microstructural coars...A magnetic field was used to directional solidification of dendritic Al-Cu alloys. The primary arm spacing of the dendrites is increased with increasing the external magnetic field strength. This microstructural coarsening is related to the thermoelectric current on the l/s interface, which is induced by difference of temperature on the inter- face. Within a magnetic field Lorentz force may be generated in front of the interface, causing a thermoelectric-magneto convection that makes the microstructure coarsened. This induced convection also leads to structural instability so that the secondary arms are well developed when grown in the external field.展开更多
AIM: To find a novel antigen (Ag) presentation strategy to improve the immune responses induced by dendritic cell (DC)vaccine expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) in Balb/c mice (H-2d).METH...AIM: To find a novel antigen (Ag) presentation strategy to improve the immune responses induced by dendritic cell (DC)vaccine expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) in Balb/c mice (H-2d).METHODS: pcDNA3HCV C-Fc plasmid and eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 were injected into mice sc. Immune responses to pcDNA3HCV C-Fc were studied. Meanwhile the effect of pcDNA3HCV C-Fc on anti-translated subcutaneous tumor of SP2/0 cells stably expressing HCV C Ag (SP2/0-HCV C-FC) was also studied. Anti-HCV C in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) and HCV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was measured by LDH release assay. After 3 wk of DNA immunization,the cells of SP2/0-HCV C-FC were inoculated into mice subcutaneously and tumor growth was measured every 5 d.The survival rate and living time of mice were also calculated.RESULTS: After 4 wk of DC immunization, the A450 nm values of sera in mice immunized with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-DC and pcDNA3-DC were 0.56±0.17 and 0.12±0.03 respectively. The antibody titres in mice codeliveried with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc with DC were significantly higher than those of mice injected with pcDNA3-DC. The HCV specific CTL activities in mice coinjected with DC and pcDNA3HCV C-Fc or empty expression vectors were(73.2±3.1) % and (24.4±8.8) %, which were significantly higher than those of mice injected with water.The DC vaccine could evidently inhibit tumor growth, prolong the survival time of mice and improve the survival rate of mice and these effects could be improved by HCV C-Fc (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) gene codelivered.CONCLUSION: DC vaccine has a strong antigenicity in humoral and cellular immunities, which can be promoted by transduced pcDNA3HCV C-Fc expressing HCV C or Fc.Thus, pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-transduced DCs may be a promising candidate for a CTL-based vaccine against HCV.展开更多
Dip-coating is a low-cost,high-throughput technique for the deposition of organic semiconductors over large area on various substrates.Tremendous studies have been done and many parameters such as withdrawal speed,sol...Dip-coating is a low-cost,high-throughput technique for the deposition of organic semiconductors over large area on various substrates.Tremendous studies have been done and many parameters such as withdrawal speed,solvent type and solution concentration have been investigated.However,most of the depositions were ribbons or dendritic crystals with low coverage of the substrate due to the ignorance of the critical role of dynamic solution-substrate interactions during dip-coating.In this study,meniscus angle(MA)was proposed to quantify the real-time in-situ solutionsubstrate interactions during dip-coating.By proper surface treatment of the substrate,the value of MA can be tuned and centimeter-sized,continuous and highly ordered organic semiconductor thin films were achieved.The charge transport properties of the continuous thin films were investigated by the construction of organic field-effect transistors.Maximum(average)hole mobility up to 11.9(5.1)cm2V-1s-1was obtained.The average mobility was 82%higher than that of ribbon crystals,indicating the high crystallinity of the thin films.Our work reveals the critical role of dynamic solutionsubstrate interactions during dip-coating.The ability to produce large-area,continuous and highly ordered organic semiconductor thin films by dip-coating could revival the old technique for the application in various optoelectronics.展开更多
文摘Dendrimer-containing hydrophobically associating polymers (PDAM) have been synthesized by micellar copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) with a small amount of polyether dendrimer monomer(DA).The association behaviors and rheological properties of this polymer in aqueous solution were studied by viscometry and fluorescence probe.It was found that such polymers exhibit a large hydrophobic effect and easily self-association in dilute aqueous solutions.Their solution viscosities show a pronounced nonlinear dependence on dendritic hydrophobe content in the polymer and a maximum value appeared at an appropriate content.This behavior can be attributed to the balance between inter- and intraaction associations,which can be controlled with the hydrophobe content of the polymer.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81171559
文摘AIM To assess the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV) on the expression of host α-1,2-mannosidases and determine the underlying mechanisms.METHODS We measured the expression levels of MAN1A1, MAN1A2, MAN1B1, and MAN1C1 in cell lines HepG 2.2.15, HepN 10, HepA D38 and Hep G2 by Western blot. Viral antigens(HBs Ag and HBe Ag) in the culture medium were measured using the chemiluminescence method. HBV DNA quantification assays were performed using a commercial real-time PCR kit. Protein levels of human liver tissue α-1,2-mannosidases were also evaluated by Western blot. Plasmids containing seven individual viral genes of HBV(PTT22-HBx, PTT22-HBs, PTT22-pre S2, PTT22-pre S1, PTT22-HBc, PTT22-HBe, and PTT22-HBp) or control plasmids(PTT22-vector) were transfected into Hep G2 cells. MK886(PPARα) and GW9662(PPARγ) inhibitors were used to explore the effects of HBV on α-1,2-mannosidase expression after the PPARα and PPARγ pathways were blocked.RESULTS We showed that the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases was higher in stably transfected HBV cells than in controls. The expression levels of α-1,2-mannosidase were higher in AD38 cells than those in ND10 cells, which were in turn greater than those in G2.2.15 cells, and positively correlated with the expression of HBsA gin all the cell lines. Levels of α-1,2-mannosidase in nontumorous liver tissues of HBV-related HCC patients were also higher than in the tissues from non-HBVrelated HCC patients. Moreover, transfecting Hep G2 cells with a component of the HBV viral envelope also increased the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases. However, this envelope protein component could not induce MAN1C1 expression in the presence of a PPARα inhibitor, MK886. We also found that MK886 did not affect the expression of MAN1C1 in AD38 cells without tetracycline in the culture medium. This phenomenon was not observed in the case of GW9662.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that HBV increases the expression of α-mannosidases both in vitro and in vivo via activation of the PPARα pathway by its envelope protein.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81071982
文摘AIM To investigate the enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against pancreatic cancer (PC) in vitro induced by dendritic cells (DCs) engineered to secrete anti-DcR3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). METHODS DCs, T lymphocytes and primary PC cells were obtained from PC patients. DCs were transfected with a designed humanized anti-DcR3 monoclonal antibody heavy and light chain mRNA and/or total tumor RNA (DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA or DC-total tumor RNA) by using electroporation technology. The identification, concentration and function of anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA were determined by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After co-culturing of autologous isolated PC cells with target DCs, the effects of secreting anti-DcR3 mAb on RNA-DCs' viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Analysis of enhanced antigen-specific immune response against PC induced by anti-DcR3 mAb secreting DCs was performed using a Cr-51 releasing test. T cell responses induced by RNAloaded DCs were analyzed by measuring cytokine levels, including IFN-gamma, IL-10, IL4, TNF-alpha and IL-12. RESULTS The anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DCs reacted with recombinant human DcR3 protein and generated a band with 35 kDa molecular weight. The secreting mAb was transient, peaking at 24 h and becoming undetectable after 72 h. After co-incubation with DCtumor- anti-DcR3 RNA for designated times, the DcR3 level in the supernatant of autologous PC cells was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). DCs secreting anti-DcR3 mAb could improve cell viability and slow down the apoptosis of RNA-loaded DCs, compared with DC-total tumor RNA (P < 0.01). The anti-DcR3 mAb secreted by DC-tumor-anti-DcR3 RNA could enhance the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) activity toward RNA-transfected DCs, primary tumor cells, and PC cell lines, compared with CTLs stimulated by DC-total tumor RNA or control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the antigen-specific CTL responses were MHC class I-restricted. The CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells incubated with anti-DcR3 mAb secreting DCs could produce extremely higher level IFN-gamma and lower level IL4 than those incubated with DC-total tumor RNA or controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION DCs engineered to secrete anti-DcR3 antibody can augment CTL responses against PC in vitro, and the immune-enhancing effects may be partly due to their capability of down-regulating DC apoptosis and adjusting the Th1/Th2 cytokine network.
基金Supported by LTU Foundations of Science and Technology
文摘A magnetic field was used to directional solidification of dendritic Al-Cu alloys. The primary arm spacing of the dendrites is increased with increasing the external magnetic field strength. This microstructural coarsening is related to the thermoelectric current on the l/s interface, which is induced by difference of temperature on the inter- face. Within a magnetic field Lorentz force may be generated in front of the interface, causing a thermoelectric-magneto convection that makes the microstructure coarsened. This induced convection also leads to structural instability so that the secondary arms are well developed when grown in the external field.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.30170822
文摘AIM: To find a novel antigen (Ag) presentation strategy to improve the immune responses induced by dendritic cell (DC)vaccine expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) in Balb/c mice (H-2d).METHODS: pcDNA3HCV C-Fc plasmid and eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 were injected into mice sc. Immune responses to pcDNA3HCV C-Fc were studied. Meanwhile the effect of pcDNA3HCV C-Fc on anti-translated subcutaneous tumor of SP2/0 cells stably expressing HCV C Ag (SP2/0-HCV C-FC) was also studied. Anti-HCV C in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) and HCV specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was measured by LDH release assay. After 3 wk of DNA immunization,the cells of SP2/0-HCV C-FC were inoculated into mice subcutaneously and tumor growth was measured every 5 d.The survival rate and living time of mice were also calculated.RESULTS: After 4 wk of DC immunization, the A450 nm values of sera in mice immunized with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-DC and pcDNA3-DC were 0.56±0.17 and 0.12±0.03 respectively. The antibody titres in mice codeliveried with pcDNA3HCV C-Fc with DC were significantly higher than those of mice injected with pcDNA3-DC. The HCV specific CTL activities in mice coinjected with DC and pcDNA3HCV C-Fc or empty expression vectors were(73.2±3.1) % and (24.4±8.8) %, which were significantly higher than those of mice injected with water.The DC vaccine could evidently inhibit tumor growth, prolong the survival time of mice and improve the survival rate of mice and these effects could be improved by HCV C-Fc (pcDNA3HCV C-Fc) gene codelivered.CONCLUSION: DC vaccine has a strong antigenicity in humoral and cellular immunities, which can be promoted by transduced pcDNA3HCV C-Fc expressing HCV C or Fc.Thus, pcDNA3HCV C-Fc-transduced DCs may be a promising candidate for a CTL-based vaccine against HCV.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51873148,61674116 and 51633006)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2016YFA0202302)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin(18JC-YBJC18400)。
文摘Dip-coating is a low-cost,high-throughput technique for the deposition of organic semiconductors over large area on various substrates.Tremendous studies have been done and many parameters such as withdrawal speed,solvent type and solution concentration have been investigated.However,most of the depositions were ribbons or dendritic crystals with low coverage of the substrate due to the ignorance of the critical role of dynamic solution-substrate interactions during dip-coating.In this study,meniscus angle(MA)was proposed to quantify the real-time in-situ solutionsubstrate interactions during dip-coating.By proper surface treatment of the substrate,the value of MA can be tuned and centimeter-sized,continuous and highly ordered organic semiconductor thin films were achieved.The charge transport properties of the continuous thin films were investigated by the construction of organic field-effect transistors.Maximum(average)hole mobility up to 11.9(5.1)cm2V-1s-1was obtained.The average mobility was 82%higher than that of ribbon crystals,indicating the high crystallinity of the thin films.Our work reveals the critical role of dynamic solutionsubstrate interactions during dip-coating.The ability to produce large-area,continuous and highly ordered organic semiconductor thin films by dip-coating could revival the old technique for the application in various optoelectronics.
