不同类型的HBsAg真核表达质粒在EBV永生化B淋巴母细胞中的表达

目的 探讨 3种不同类型的HBsAg真核表达质粒在EBV永生化B淋巴母细胞中的表达 .方法 用 3种不同类型的质粒载体分别构建乙型肝炎表面抗原 (HBsAg)真核表达质粒 (pCI-S、pMEP4 -S、pLXSN -S) ;然后用阳离子脂质体介导的转染法分别转染正常人EBV永生化的B淋巴母细胞 ,经G4 18或HygromycinB筛选出抗性细胞克隆 ,用RT -PCR检测抗性细胞总RNA中目的基因在转录水平的表达 ;用ELISA检测抗性细胞培养上清和细胞裂解液中HB sAg的含量 .结果 3种不同类型HBsAg重组表达质粒转染的EBV永生化B淋巴母细胞 ,在转录水平上 ,可检出HB sAgmRNA的表达 ;在蛋白水平上 ,细胞培养上清和细胞裂解液均可检出HBsAg;而以EB病毒表达质粒pMEP4 -S表达最高 ,真核表达质粒pCI-S和逆转录病毒表达质粒pLXSN -S表达HBsAg的量无明显差异 .结论 3种不同类型的HBsAg真核表达质粒均可在EBV永生化B淋巴母细胞中稳定表达 ,EB病毒表达质粒pMEP4 -S表达的HBsAg明显高于真核表达质粒pCI-S和逆转录病毒表达质粒pLXSN -S .

Effects of Duck Tembusu Virus on Serum Biochemical Indexes, Cytokines and Viral Replication of Ducklings

In order to understand the pathogenicity of duck Tembusu virus （DTMUV）, it was injected into muscle of 5-d-old Cherry Valley ducklings according to the dosage of 1×104 EID50. Then, the biochemical indexes of duckling serum samples were determined by kits, and the changes in detoxification, tissue viral load and cytokines were detected by using fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that DTMUV had serious damage to the liver, kidney, heart and muscle of ducklings; DTMUV could proliferate in the liver, spleen, lung and brain; the virus levels in the liver and brain reached the peaks on day 5 after the inoculation and those in the lung and spleen reached the peaks on day 9; the virus content was highest in the brain, liver and spleen; and DTMUV induced the overexpression of IFN-γ, IFN-α, IL-6, IFN-β, IL-1β, TLR-7,IL-2, major histocompatibility complex type I （MHC-I） andmajor histocompatibility complex type II （MHC-II） in the spleen on day 1 and the overexpression of IL-6 and IL-2 in the brain on days 1, 2 and 3.

Virological course of hepatitis A virus as determined by real time RT-PCR: Correlation with biochemical, immunological and genotypic profiles

AIM： To undertake analysis of hepatitis A viral load, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, and viral genotypes with duration of viremia, and to correlate these parameters with CD4^＋/ CD8^＋ lymphocyte populations that control cell-mediated immunity. METHODS： Cell counts were carried out using fresh whole blood collected in EDTA vials using a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Hepatitis A virus （HAV） RNA was extracted from blood serum, reverse transcribed into cDNA and quantified by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and was genotyped. RESULTS： Among 11 patients, 10 could be analyzed completely. Of these, 3 had severe acute hepatitis （s-AH） and the remainder had a self-limited acute hepatitis A （AHA）, with one patient with fulminant disease （encephalopathy Grade IV） dying on the 4^th d. The ALT level was significantly higher both in AHA （1070.9±894.3; P = 0.0014） and s-AH （1713.9±886.3; P = 0.001） compared to normal controls （23.6±7.2）. The prothrombin time in s-AH patients （21.0 ±2.0; P=0.02） was significantly higher than in AHA （14.3±1.1;P = 0.44）. The CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio in AHA patients （1.17 ＋ 0.11; P = 0.22） and s-AH （0.83 ＋ 0.12; P = 0.0002） were lower than seen in normal healthy controls （1.52）. Self-limited cases had peak viral load at the beginning of analysis while in s-AH patients this occurred at the 15TM or 30^th d. In acute and severe groups, one patient each belonged to genotype IA, with the remaining 8 cases belonging to genotype IIIA. The only fulminant hepatic failure case belonged to genotype IA. HAV viral load and AIT values collected during the entire course of the selflimited infection were directly correlated but this was not the case for s-AH patients.CONCLUSION： Based on a small-scale study, the persistently higher viral load of s-AH might be due to diminished cellular immunity and hemolysis. The duration of viremia was dependent on the host, as the viral genotype had no apparent role in clinical outcome of AVH and s-AH cases.

Expression patterns and action analysis of genes associated with hepatitis virus infection during rat liver regeneration

AIM： To study the action of hepatitis virus infectionassociated genes at transcription level during liver regeneration （LR）. METHODS： Hepatitis virus infection-associated genes were obtained by collecting the data from databases and retrieving the correlated articles, and their expression changes in the regenerating rat liver were detected with the rat genome 230 2.0 array. RESULTS： Eighty-eight genes were found to be associated with liver regeneration. The number of genes initially and totally expressed during initial LR [0.5-4 h affer partial hepatectomy （PH）], transition from （30 to G1 （4-6 h affer PH）, cell proliferation （6-66 h after PH）, cell differentiation and reorganization of structurefunction （66-168 h after PH） was 37, 8, 48, 3 and 37, 26, 80, 57, respectively, indicating that the genes were mainly triggered at the early stage of LR （0.5-4 h after PH）, and worked at different phases. These genes were classified into 5 types according to their expression similarity, namely 37 up-regulated, 9 predominantly upregulated, 34 down-regulated, 6 predominantly downregulated and 2 up/down-regulated genes. Their total up- and down-regulation frequencies were 359 and 149 during LR, indicating that the expression of most genes was enhanced, while the expression of a small number of genes was attenuated during LR. According to time relevance, they were classified into 12 groups （0.5 and 1h, 2 and 4h, 6h, 8 and 12h, 16 and 96h, 18 and 24 h, 30 and 42 h, 36 and 48 h, 54 and 60 h, 66 and 72 h, 120 and 144 h, 168 h）, demonstrating that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were fluctuated. According to expression changes of the genes, their expression patterns were classified into 23 types, suggesting that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were diverse and complicated. CONCLUSION： The anti-virus infection capacity of regenerating liver can be enhanced and 88 genes play an important role in LR.

Quantitative analysis of transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA in patients with alcoholic liver disease

AIM: To investigate the expression of the transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-beta 1) mRNA in different stages of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and its clinical value. METHODS: One hundred and seven male alcoholics were grouped by clinical findings into four groups: alcohol abusers without liver impairment (n =22), alcoholic steatosis (n =30); alcoholic hepatitis (n=31); and alcoholic cirrhosis(n=24). Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as samples the gene expression of TGF-beta 1 was examined quantitatively by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and dot blot. There are 34 healthy subjects served as control. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-beta 1 from all ALD patients was significantly greater than that in controls (1.320 +/- 1.162 vs 0.808 +/- 0.276, P【0.001). The differences of the expressions were significant between the patients from each groups (alcoholic steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis) and the controls (1.168 +/- 0.852, 1.462 +/- 1.657, 1.329 +/- 0.610 vs 0.808 +/- 0.276, P【0.050). No significant differences of TGF -beta 1 mRNA expression were observed between alcohol abusers without liver impairment and controls. The expressions in patients with alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis were significantly greater than that in alcohol abusers respectively (1.462 +/- 1.657, 1.329 +/- 0.610 vs 0.841 +/- 0.706, P【0.050). No significant differences of TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression were observed between alcoholic fatty liver men and alcohol abusers. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta 1 expression level can be a risk factor for alcoholic liver disease and might be related to the inflammatory activity and fibrosis of the liver in patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of serum biochemical fibrosis markers in children with chronic hepatitis B evaluated by receiver operating characteristics analysis

METHODS： We determined the serum level of apolipoprotein A-I （APO A-I）, haptoglobin （HPT） and a-2 macroglobulin （A2I） with an automatic nephelometer in 63 children （age range 4-17 years, mean 10 years） with biopsy-verified chronic HBeAg-positive hepatitis B. Fibrosis stage and inflammation grade were assessed in a blinded fashion according to Batts and Ludwig. We defined mild liver fibrosis as a score ≤2 and advanced fibrosis as a score equal to 3. ROC analysis was used to calculate the power of the assays to detect advanced liver fibrosis （AccuROC, Canada）. RESULTS： Serum concentrations of APO A-I, HPT and A2M were not significantly different in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared to controls. However, APO A-I level of 1.19 ng/L had a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 60.7% （AUC = 0.7117, P = 0.035） to predict advanced fibrosis. All other serum biochemical markers and their combination did not allow a useful prediction. None of these markers was a good predictor of histologic inflammation. CONCLUSION： Apolipoprotein A-I may be a suitable serum marker to predict advanced liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B.

Macrophage secretory products induce an inflammatory phenotype in hepatocytes

AIM:To investigate the influence of macrophages on hepatocyte phenotype and function.METHODS:Macrophages were differentiated from THP-1 monocytes via phorbol myristate acetate stimulation and the effects of monocyte or macrophageconditioned medium on HepG2 mRNA and protein expression determined.The in vivo relevance of these findings was confirmed using liver biopsies from 147 patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection.RESULTS:Conditioned media from macrophages,but not monocytes,induced a transient morphological change in hepatocytes associated with upregulation of vimentin(7.8±2.5-fold,P=0.045)and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1(2.6±0.2-fold,P<0.001)and downregulation of epithelial cadherin(1.7±0.02-fold,P=0.017)mRNA expression.Microarray analysis revealed significant upregulation of lipocalin-2(17-fold,P <0.001)and pathways associated with inflammation,and substantial downregulation of pathways related to hepatocyte function.In patients with chronic HCV,realtime polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry confirmed an increase in lipocalin-2 mRNA(F0 1.0 ±0.3,F1 2.2±0.2,F2 3.0±9.3,F3/4 4.0±0.8,P= 0.003)and protein expression(F1 1.0±0.5,F2 1.3± 0.4,F3/4 3.6±0.4,P=0.014)with increasing liver injury.High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 in macrophageconditioned medium,and a chemical inhibitor of MMP-9 attenuated the change in morphology and mRNA expression of TGF-β1(2.9±0.2 vs 1.04±0.1,P<0.001) in macrophage-conditioned media treated HepG2 cells.In patients with chronic HCV infection,hepatic mRNA expression of CD163(F0 1.0±0.2,F1/2 2.8±0.3,F3/4 5.3±1.0,P=0.001)and MMP-9(F0 1.0±0.4,F1/2 2.8±0.3,F3/4 4.1±0.8,P=0.011)was significantly associated with increasing stage of fibrosis.CONCLUSION:Secreted macrophage products alter the phenotype and function of hepatocytes,with increased expression of inflammatory mediators,suggesting that hepatocytes actively participate in liver injury.

Epigenetic changes in virus-associated human cancers

Epigenetics of human cancer becomes an area of emerging research direction due to a growing understanding ofspecific epigenetic pathways and rapid development of detection technologies. Aberrant promoter hypermethylation is aprevalent phenonmena in human cancers. Tumor suppressor genes are often hypermethylated due to the increasedactivity or deregulation of DNMTs. Increasing evidence also reveals that viral genes are one of the key players inregulating DNA methylation. In this review, we will focus on hypermethylation and tumor suppressor gene silencing andthe signal pathways that are involved, particularly in cancers closely associated with the hepatitis B virus, simian virus40 (SV40), and Epstein-Barr virus. In addition, we will discuss current technologies for genome-wide detection ofepigenetically regulated targets, which allow for systematic DNA hypermethylation analysis. The study of epigeneticchanges should provide a global view of gene profile in cancer, and epigenetic markers could be used for early detection,prognosis, and therapy of cancer.

Nutritional status in relation to lifestyle in patients with compensated viral cirrhosis

AIM:To assess the nourishment status and lifestyle of non-hospitalized patients with compensated cirrhosis by using noninvasive methods.METHODS:The subjects for this study consisted of 27 healthy volunteers,59 patients with chronic viral hepatitis,and 74 patients with viral cirrhosis,from urban areas.We assessed the biochemical blood tests,anthropometric parameters,diet,lifestyle and physical activity of the patients.A homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) value of ≥ 2.5 was considered to indicate insulin resistance.We measured height,weight,waist circumference,arm circumference,triceps skin-fold thickness,and handgrip strength,and calculated body mass index,arm muscle circumference(AMC),and arm muscle area(AMA).We interviewed the subjects about their dietary habits and lifestyle using health assessment computer software.We surveyed daily physical activity using a pedometer.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to identify the relevant factors for insulin resistance.RESULTS:The rate of patients with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5(which was considered to indicate insulin resistance) was 14(35.9%) in the chronic hepatitis and 17(37.8%) in the cirrhotic patients.AMC(%)(control vs chronic hepatitis,111.9% ± 10.5% vs 104.9% ± 10.7%,P = 0.021;control vs cirrhosis,111.9% ± 10.5% vs 102.7% ± 10.8%,P = 0.001) and AMA(%)(control vs chronic hepatitis,128.2% ± 25.1% vs 112.2% ± 22.9%,P = 0.013;control vs cirrhosis,128.2% ± 25.1% vs 107.5% ± 22.5%,P = 0.001) in patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were significantly lower than in the control subjects.Handgrip strength(%) in the cirrhosis group was significantly lower than in the controls(control vs cirrhosis,92.1% ± 16.2% vs 66.9% ± 17.6%,P < 0.001).The results might reflect a decrease in muscle mass.The total nutrition intake and amounts of carbohydrates,protein and fat were not significantly different amongst the groups.Physical activity levels(kcal/d)(control vs cirrhosis,210 ± 113 kcal/d vs 125 ± 74 kcal/d,P = 0.001),number of steps(step/d)(control vs cirrhosis,8070 ±3027 step/d vs 5789 ± 3368 step/d,P = 0.011),and exercise(Ex)(Ex/wk)(control vs cirrhosis,12.4 ± 9.3 Ex/wk vs 7.0 ± 7.7 Ex/wk,P = 0.013) in the cirrhosis group was significantly lower than the control group.The results indicate that the physical activity level of the chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis groups were low.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling suggested that Ex was associated with insulin resistance(odds ratio,6.809;95% CI,1.288-36.001;P = 0.024).The results seem to point towards decreased physical activity being a relevant factor for insulin resistance.CONCLUSION:Non-hospitalized cirrhotic patients may need to maintain an adequate dietary intake and receive lifestyle guidance to increase their physical activity levels.

Ribavirin monotherapy increases sustained response rate in relapsers of end treatment virologic responders

AIM: To assess the efficacy of ribavirin monotherapy in patients with biochemical relapse after combination therapy.METHODS: Twenty-four weeks of ribavirin monotherapy was given to biochemical relapsers of end treatment biochemical responders within 6 mo after combination therapy, including non-responders with HCV-RNA level ≤0.2 Meq/mL and end treatment virologic responders (ETVRs) with or without reappearance of HCV-RNA.RESULTS: Sixty-two chronic HCV-infected patients completed 24 wk of interferon-α plus ribavirin combination therapy. Fifty patients (80%) achieved end treatment biochemical response including 16 non-responders and 34 of 36 ETVRs. Twenty-six patients (41.9%) were nonresponders. Ribavirin monotherapy was given to 20biochemical relapsers including 12 non-responders with HCV-RNA levels ≤0.2 Meq/mL, four of eight HCV-RNA reappearing ETVRs, and four HCV-RNA negative ETVRs.After 24 wk of ribavirin monotherapy, one of 12 nonresponders, two of four HCV-RNA reappearing ETVRs and all four RNA-negative biochemical relapsers of ETVRs showed sustained virologic response. Two of 12monotherapy treated non-responders showed persistent normalization of liver function test. In total, 50% (31/62)of patients achieved sustained virologic response.CONCLUSION: Resumption of ribavirin monotherapy in ETVRs at signs of viral rebound and recurrent biochemical abnormalities rather than continuation of monotherapy appears to be the key to success of ribavirin monotherapy after interferon-related combination therapy.

CONSTRUCTING AAV-TGFβ_1 AND COMPARISING ITS BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON PROTEOGLYCAN SYNTHESIS OF NUCLEUS PULPOUS CELLS WITH AV-TGFβ_1

Objective To construct adeno-associated virus express system for TGFβ1 (AAV-TGFβ1) and compare its biological effects on proteoglycan synthesis of the rabbit lumbar disc nucleus pulpous (NP) cells with adenovirus (Ad) express system for TGFβ1 (AV-TGFβ1). Methods TGFβ1 gene was obtained by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The upstream of TGFβ1 contained restriction enzyme site of EcoR Ⅰ, and the restriction enzyme site of Sal Ⅰ was at the downstream of TGFβ1. Using the multiple cloning sites (MCS) in plasmid AAV and the corresponding contained restriction enzyme site in PCR product of TGFβ1, TGFβ1 gene was subcloned into AAV. The recombinant plasmid AAV-TGFβ1 was detected by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Then, AAV-TGFβ1 virus was packaged and TGFβ1 expression mediated by AAV was detected by immunofluence analysis in H293 cells. AAV transfection rate to NP cells was evaluated with AAV-PEGF. After NP cells were respectively transfected by AAV-TGFβ1 virus and AV-TGFβ1 virus, proteoglycan synthesis was detected and compared by using Antonopulos methods. Results DNA sequencing revealed that the PCR-amplified TGFβ1 gene was consistent with NCBI Gene Bank. The recombinant plasmid was proved to be constructed successfully by restriction enzyme digestion. AAV could be transfected into NP cells and mediate an efficient expression of TGFβ1 protein. AV-TGFβ1 virus could quickly enhance the proteoglycan synthesis of the NP cells, but its biological effect was transient. AAV-TGFβ1 virus could enhance stably proteoglycan synthesis. Conclusion AAV-TGFβ1 virus was successful constructed and enhanced stably proteoglycan synthesis of NP cells.

Clinical significance of connective tissue growth factor in hepatitis B virus-induced hepatic fibrosis

AIM:To determine the utility of connective tissue growth factor(CCN2/CTGF) for assessing hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced chronic liver diseases(CLD-B).METHODS:Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure CCN2 in sera from 107 patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and 39 patients with HBVinduced active liver cirrhosis and 30 healthy individuals.Liver samples from 31 patients with CHB,8 patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and 8 HBV carriers with normal liver histology were examined for transforming growth factor β-1(TGF-β1) or CCN2 mRNA levels by in situ hybridization,and computer image analysis was performed to measure integrated optimal density(IOD) of CCN2 mRNA-positive cells in liver tissues.Histological inflammation grading and fibrosis staging were evaluated by H and E staining and Van Gieson's method.RESULTS:Serum CCN2 concentrations were,respectively,4.0-or 4.9-fold higher in patients with CHB or active liver cirrhosis as compared to healthy individuals(P < 0.01).There was good consistency between the levels of CCN2 in sera and CCN2 mRNA expression in liver tissues(r = 0.87,P < 0.01).The levels of CCN2 in sera were increased with the enhancement of histological fibrosis staging in patients with CLD-B(r = 0.85,P < 0.01).Serum CCN2 was a reliable marker for the assessment of liver fibrosis,with areas under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves(AUC) of 0.94 or 0.85 for,respectively,distinguishing normal liver controls from patients with F1 stage liver fibrosis or discriminating between mild and significant fibrosis.CONCLUSION:Detection of serum CCN2 in patients with CLD-B may have clinical significance for assessment of severity of hepatic fibrosis.

The Biology of Chilo Iridescent Virus

Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) is the type species for genus Iridovirus, and belongs to the family Iridoviridae. Since the discovery of CIV in 1966, many attempts were made to elucidate the viral genome structure. The virions contain a single linear ds DNA molecule that is circularly permuted and terminally redundant. The genome of CIV has been entirely sequenced. The CIV virion consists of an unusual three-layer structure containing an outer proteinaceous capsid, an intermediate lipid membrane, and a core DNA-protein complex containing the genome. CIV has a broad host spectrum and has, in general, a limited mortality effect on its hosts. Up to now there have been several studies about CIV describing its structure, ecology, and molecular biology. In this review study we present all these studies together to describe the CIV.

GCN5 Acetyltransferase Inhibits PGC1α-induced Hepatitis B Virus Biosynthesis

Hepatitis B virus （HBV） biosynthesis is primarily restricted to hepatocytes due to the governing of liver-enriched nuclear receptors （NRs） on viral RNA synthesis. The liver-enriched NR hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α （HNF4α, the key regulator of genes implicated in hepatic glucose metabolism, is also a primary determinant of HBV pregenomic RNA synthesis and HBV replication. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-r coactivator la （PGCla） coactivates and further enhances the effect of HNF4α on HBV biosynthesis. Here, we showed that the acetyltransferase General Control Non-repressed Protein 5 （GCN5） acetylated PGC 1 α, leading to alteration of PGC 1 α from a transcriptionally active state into an inactive state. As a result, the coactivation activity of PGCla on HBV transcription and replication was suppressed. Apparently, an acetylation site mutant of PGC 1 α （PGC 1 αR13） still had coactivation activity as GCN5 could not suppress the coactivation activity of the mutant. Moreover, a catalytically inactive acetyltransferase mutant GCN5m, due to the loss of acetylation activity, failed to inhibit the coactivation function of PGClα in HBV biosynthesis. Our results demonstrate that GCN5, through its acetyltransferase activity, inhibits PGCla-induced enhancement of HBV transcription and replication both in vitro and in vivo.

Fabrication of oligonucleotide microarray for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus

A low-density oligonucleotide microarray was used for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) , combining with restriction display PCR labeling method. The hybridization targets were amplified from 6 plasmids containing several JEV gene fragments. Corresponding oligonucleotide probe spots were detected unambiguously. We claim that the oligonucleotide microarray technology is feasible and may have potential for clinical laboratory application.

The Therapeutic Ways for Chronic Liver Diseases Accompanied by Diseases of the Endocrine and Mammary Glands

It is discovered by the authors of this article thatchronic hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis (hereinafterchronic hepatopathy for short) are often accompaniedby some diseases of endocrine and mammary glands.The authors have studied the pathogenesis andtreatment of the complications as presented in thefollowing.

Adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 promotes the extracellular matrix expression in degenerative nucleus pulposus cells

Objective： To construct a recombinant adenovirus vector-carrying human growth and differentiation factor-5 （GDF-5） gene, investigate the biological effects of adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 （Ad-GDF-5） on extracellular matrix （ECM） expression in human degenerative disc nucleus pulposus （NP） cells, and explore a candidate gene therapy method for intervertebral disc degeneration （IDD）. Methods： Human NP cells of a degenerative disc were isolated, cultured, and infected with Ad-GDF-5 using the AdEasy-1 adenovirus vector system. On Days 3, 7, 14, and 21, the contents of the sulfated glycosaminoglycan （sGAG）, deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA） and hydroxyproline （Hyp）, synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen II, gene expression of collagen II and aggrecan, and NP cell proliferation were assessed. Results： The adenovirus was an effective vehicle for gene delivery with prolonged expression of GDF-5. Biochemical analysis revealed increased sGAG and Hyp contents in human NP cells infected by Ad-GDF-5 whereas there was no conspicuous change in basal medium （BM） or Ad-green fluorescent protein （GFP） groups. Only cells in the Ad-GDF-5 group promoted the production of ECM, as demonstrated by the secretion of proteoglycan and up-regulation of collagen II and aggrecan at both protein and mRNA levels. The NP cell proliferation was significantly promoted. Conclusions： The data suggest that Ad-GDF-5 gene therapy is a potential treatment for IDD, which restores the functions of degenerative intervertebral disc through enhancing the ECM production of human NP ceils.

Molecular variability and evolution of a natural population of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Shanghai,China

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus （TYLCV）, belonging to the genus Begomovirus of the family Geminiviridae, is emerging as the most destructive pathogen of tomato plants. Since the first report of TYLCV in Shanghai, China in 2006, TYLCV has spread rapidly to 13 provinces or autonomous regions of China. In this study, the molecular varia- bility and evolution of TYLCV were monitored in Shanghai from its first upsurge in 2006 until 2010. Full-length genomic sequences of 26 isolates were obtained by rolling circle amplification. Sequence analysis showed that the intergenic region was the most variable, with a mean mutation rate of 4.81×10-3 nucleotide substitutions per site per year. Ge- netic differentiation was found within isolates obtained from 2006, 2009, and 2010, though a linear increase in genetic diversity over time was not evident. Whilst significant parts of TYLCV genes were under negative selection, the C4 gene embedded entirely within the C1 gene had a tendency to undergo positive selection. Our results indicate that a mechanism of independent evolution of overlapping regions could apply to the natural population of TYLCV in Shanghai, China.

Therapeutic potential of intravenous Xuebijing on transforming growth factor β_1 and procollagen type III peptide in patients with acute paraquat poisoning

OBJECTIVE： Paraquat （PQ） poisoning-induced pul- monary fibrosis causes asphyxiation and death. The therapeutic potential of intravenous Xuebijing ther- apy in PQ poisoning patients and its underlying im- munomodulatory effects on transforming growth factor （TGF）-131 and procollagen type III peptide （PIIIP） were investigated. METHODS： Thirty-six acute PQ poisoning patients were randomly assigned to conventional therapy （Group A） and intravenous Xuebijing administra- tion plus conventional therapy （Group 13）. Twenty volunteers served as controls （Group C）. Blood sam- ples were collected upon admission （day O） and at post-treatment days 5, 10, and 14. TGF-β1 and PIIIP concentrations were determined by ELISA and ana- lyzed for intra- and inter-group differences over time. One-month follow-up was conducted for de- termining the mortality rate. RESULTS： TGF-β1 and PIIIP levels were significantly higher in PQ poisoning patients and increased over time （Groups A and B vs C, P〈0.01）. However, the TGF-β1 and PIIIP levels were consistently significant- ly lower in Group B compared with those of Group A （P〈0.01）. The 1-month mortality rate was also lower in Group B compared with that of Group A （P〈0.05）. PQ poisoning patients showed remark- ably high levels of TGF-β1 and PIIIP, which increased as PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis progressed. CONCLUSION： Treatment with intravenous Xuebi- jing plus conventional therapy significantly low- ered TGF-β1 and PIIIP levels, which indicates thera- peutic efficacy in the treatment of PQ poisoning pa- tients.