High efficient mammalian expression and secretion of a functional humanized single-chain Fv/human interleukin-2 molecules

AIM： To construct and produce a recombinant bispecific humanized single-chain Fv （sFv） /Interleukin-2 （IL-2） fusion protein by using mammalian cells. METHODS： The sFv/IL-2 protein was genetically engineered, and transfected to mammalian cells to determine whether the mammalian protein folding machinery can produce and secrete active sFv/IL-2 with high efficiency. RESULTS： The fusion protein was constructed and high efficiently expressed with yields up to 102 ±4.2 mg/L in culture supernatant of the stably transfected 293 cell line. This recombinant fusion protein consisted of humanized variable heavy （VH） and light （VL） domains of monoclonal antibody （mAb） 520C9 directed against the human HER-2/neu （c-erbB2） proto-oncogene product p185, and human IL-2 connected by polypeptide linker. The fusion protein was shown to retain the immunostimulatory activities of IL-2 as measured by IL- 2-dependent cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. In addition to its IL-2 activities, this fusion protein also possessed antigen-binding specificity against p185, as determined by indirect ELISA using p185 positive SKOV 3ip1 cells. CONCLUSION： The large-scale preparation of the recombinant humanized sFv antibody/IL-2 fusion protein is performed with 293 cells. The recombinant humanized sFv antibody/IL-2 fusion protein may provide an effective means.of targeting therapeutic doses of IL-2 to p185 positive tumors without increasing systemic toxicity or immunogenicity.

Neuronal changes in the retinal ganglion cell layer following recombinant human interleukin-2 intravitreal injection in a rat model of chronically elevated intraocular pressure

Intraperitoneal injection of recombinant human interleukin-2（rhIL-2）inhibits neuronal apoptosis in the chronic ocular hypertension retinal ganglion cell layer.Intravitreous injection was performed on retinal ganglion cells in a Wistar rat model of chronically elevated intraocular pressure to observe the effects of LY294002 and AG490 on retinal ganglion cell survival,macrophage activation,and PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT activation.The number of retinal ganglion cells in the rhIL-2 treatment group was much greater than in the normal control and phosphate-buffered saline groups.Western blot analysis revealed low Akt and STAT3 protein expression in the retina after 3-hour intravitreous injections of rhIL-2.However,protein expression was increased at 12 hours,but decreased again at 24 hours,with very low expression at 96 hours.LY294002 and AG490,which are inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT3 signal pathways,prevented upregulation of Akt and STAT3 protein expression in the retina,respectively.Intravitreous injection of rhIL-2 exhibited neuroprotective effects by decreasing retinal ganglion cell layer damage in a rat model of chronic glaucoma.These results suggest that intravitreal injection of rhIL-2 could induce the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways to protect retinal ganglion cells in chronically elevated intraocular pressure models.

RESPONSES OF HUMAN FETAL SPLENOCYTES AND THYMOCYTES TO INTERLEUKIN-2: LAK ACTIVITY AND PROLIFERATION

Using cytotoxicity and thymidine uptake assays, we investigated the effects of human recombinant in-terleukin-2 (rIL-2) on the induction of lympholine-activated killer (LAK) activity and cellular proliferation in splenocytes and thymocytes from human fetuses (18-22 weeks). We observed that fetal splenocytes and thymocytes incubated with low doses of rIL-2 (10-100 U ml) developed broad antitumor activity (LAK activity) although the kinetics and magnitudes of the responses were different. It indicated the LAK precursors are present in fetal spleen and thymus. Further, rIL-2 induced a strong proliferative response in splenocytes, but not in thymocytes. On the basis of the findings, we conclude that the responses of fetal splenocytes and thymocytes to IL-2 are different.

中空羟基磷灰石复合rhBMP-2修复骨缺损过程的再血管化研究

目的探讨和观察中空羟基磷灰石复合rhBMP-2在骨缺损修复过程的再血管化。方法将48只成年的新西兰雄性大白兔制作成桡骨骨缺损模型,随机分3组,各组分别植入以下材料:中空HA/rhBMP-2复合人工骨、单纯中空HA人工骨、单纯rhBMP-2。植入后于4、8、12、16周分别注射99mTc-MDP进行放射性核素骨显像并监测骨缺损修复过程中再血管化情况,同时进行大体、X线、组织学观察。结果术后各时间段,中空HA/rhBMP-2复合人工骨组在X线及放射性核素聚集强度明显高于单纯中空HA人工骨组(P<0.05),表现为成骨代谢活跃及早期的再血管化能力。结论中空HA/rhBMP-2复合人工骨具有良好的骨缺损修复能力,成骨活性持久,再血管化能力强,有望成为一种理想的骨缺损修复材料。

重组人白细胞介素-2的分离纯化

报道了重组人白细胞介素-2(rHuIL-2)高表达菌株的最佳培养和表达条件、表达产物的分离纯化、复性条件对rHuIl-2活力的影响及高纯度rHuIL-2的性质鉴定。利用制备性SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)进行rHuIL-2的纯化,回收率可达80%以上,纯度达95%以上,其比活为1～2×10~6 U/mg,能在体外维持CTLL和CTC细胞的增殖,其分子量、等电点、氨基酸组成、N-末端分析结果与德国Boehringer公司的同类产品基本一致。

Study on Cytokines IL-2,IL-6,IL-10 in Patients of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Acupuncture

OBJECTIVES: To observe the plasmatic concentration of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-2 in the patient of chronic allergic rhinitis before and after acupuncture therapy. METHODS: Cytokine levels were determined before and after treatment in 30 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 90 patients of chronic allergic rhinitis (Group B) with an increased plasma IL-10 level. Group B was then divided into 3 subgroups: 30 patients treated with real acupuncture (Group B1); 30 patients treated with sham acupuncture (Group B2); 30 non-treated patients (Group B3). RESULTS: The allergic subjects of group B1, compared with controls, showed a significant reduction of IL-10 after a specific treatment with acupuncture (P

mIL-2R,T cell subsets & hepatitis C

AIM: To study the levels of membrane interleukin-2 receptor (mIL-2R) and T cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with hepatitis C and their role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. METHODS: The levels of mIL-2R and T cells subsets in PBMC were detected by biotin- streptatividin (BSA) technique before and after stimulation with PHA in 203 patients with hepatitis C with HCV-RNA(+), anti-HCV(+), anti-HCV(-). RESULTS: The total expressive levels of mIL-2R before and after stimulation with PHA(0.03+/-0.01, 0.03+/-0.02, 0.04+/-0.02, 0.36+/-0.03), and T cell subsets in PBMC (0.62+/-0.06, 0.37+/-0.05, 0.35+/-0.07) were all lower in patients with hepatitis C than those in normal controls (0.66+/-0.07, 0.41+/-0.06, 0.31+/-0.05, P【0.01). Among the patients, the levels of mIL-2R were lower in silence than those in situation of PHA inducting (P【0.01). However, the levels of mIL-2R were similar in acute hepatitis C to that in chronic hepatitis C (P】0.05). The levels of CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) were lower and CD(8)(+) was higher in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C with anti-HCV(+) than those in normal controls (0.62+/-0.06, 0.37+/-0.05, 0.35+/-0.07, 1.18+/-0.30, 0.61+/-0.07, 0.37+/-0.05, 1.39+/-0.33, 0.31+/-0.05, P【0.05-P【0.01). CONCLUSION: The cellular immunity is obviously changed in patients with hepatitis C. The levels of mIL-2R and activation of T cells are closely associated with chronicity of hepatitis C.

Bcl-2 over-expression and activation of protein kinase C suppress the Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells

Trail, a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, is a novel potent endogenous activator of the cell death pathway through the activation of cell surface death receptors Trail-R1 and Trail-R2. Its role, like FasL in activation-induced cell death (AICD), has been demonstrated in immune system. However the mechanism of Trail induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this report, the recombinant Trail protein was expressed and purified. The apoptosis-inducing activity and the regulation mechanism of recombinant Trail on Jurkat T cells were explored in vitro. Trypan blue exclusion assay demonstrated that the recombinant Trail protein actively killed Jurkat T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells were remarkably reduced by Bcl-2 over expression in Bcl-2 gene transfected cells. Treatment with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), a PKC activator, suppressed Trail-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T cells. The inhibition of apoptosis by PMA was abolished by pretreatment with Bis, a PKC inhibitor. Taken together, it was suggested that Bcl-2 over-expression and PMA activated PKC actively down-regulated the Trail-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cell.

Effects of Warm Needling at Zusanli(ST 36)on NO and IL-2 Levels in the Middle-Aged and Old People

42 middle-aged and old people at the age between 55-70 years were selected and given the warm needling at Zusanli (ST 36), and their IL-2 and NO contents of peripheral blood before and after acupuncture were determined. The results showed that IL-2 and NO contents increased significantly after the warm needling (P<0.01).

Clinical Observation of rhIL-2 Combined with Zhenqi Fuzheng and BaofuKang Suppository in the Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia II with HPV Infection

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) combined with Zhenqi Fuzheng and Baofukang on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II (CINII) combined with human papilloma virus infection. Methods: There were 593 patients diagnosed with CINII with HPV infection, including 296 in the control group and 297 in the experimental group. The control group was given only Zhenqi Fuzheng oral and Baofukang suppository vaginal medicine. The experimental group was treated with rhIL-2 injection in addition to Zhenqi Fuzheng oral and Baofukang suppository vaginal medicine which is treated for 3 months. After 3 months, Thinprep cytologic test (TCT), human papilloma virus (HPV) quantitative examination and colposcopy biopsy were reviewed. Results: After 3 months of treatment, the negative conversion rate and total effective rate of HPV in the control group were 58.11% and 70.95% respectively, and the negative conversion rate and total effective rate of the experimental group were 79.46% and 90.57% respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.000). The curative rate of cervical lesions was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group, 89.56%, 68.91%, respectively. The statistical difference between the two groups is significant (p = 0.000). Conclusion: It has an essential clinical value that HPV infection patients and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II associated with HPV infection patients are treated by rhIL-2 combined with Zhenqifuzheng and Baofukang, which is safe, effective, non-invasive, reusable advantages. However, the long-term efficacy and side effects need to be further studied.

Expression levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 and certain antimicrobial peptides in concurrent with bacterial conjunctivitis

AIM:To detect the quantitative expression levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-8(IL8),antimicrobial peptides human beta defense-2(HBD2),and human beta defense-3(HBD3)genes in bacterial conjunctivitis.METHODS:The human conjunctival epithelial cells were obtained using the impression cytology technique from healthy controls and patients.The genes expression levels were determined utilizing a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-q PCR).The contribution of causative agent type,the number of isolates and severity of clinical features,in the increase of genes expression was also determined.RESULTS:The RT-q PCR showed that IL8,HBD2,and HBD3 expression increased in bacterial conjunctivitis as compared to healthy control(P<0.001).In gram-negative bacterial conjunctivitis,HBD2 was highly up-regulated(P<0.001)compared to other types of bacterial conjunctivitis.In mixed bacterial conjunctivitis,a direct correlation between HBD2 up-regulation and HBD3 up-regulation was observed(P<0.05).The severity of clinical features was related to the up-regulation of IL8 and HBD2(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:IL8,HBD2,and HBD3 are immuneeffectors in infectious conjunctivitis.HBD2 is active during different bacterial conjunctivitis but is more released with gram-negative bacteria compared to gram-positive bacteria.HBD3 is an obvious defender in different bacterial conjunctivitis.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 regulates tumor necrosis factor-induced interleukin-6 expression via human antigen R

Background Human antigen R （HuR） is a ubiquitously expressed member of the ELAV family, and has relatively high cytoplasmic abundance in lung tissue regenerating after injury. In this study, we investigated whether mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）-activated protein kinase 2 （MK2） and HuR participate in the tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-induced expression of interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Methods Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were treated with TNF following short interfering RNAmediated knockdown of MK2 or HuR. Cell supernatants were collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 at different time points, The expression and half-life of IL-6 mRNA were then determined in cells that had been treated with actinomycin D. Finally, after knockdown of MK2, the cytoplasmic expression of HuR protein was analyzed using Western blotting. Results MK2 or HuR knockdown decreased both the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 in TNF-stimulated cells. In MK2 knockdown cells, the half-life of IL-6 mRNA was reduced to 36 minutes, compared with 67 minutes in the control group. In HuR knockdown cells, the half-life of IL-6 mRNA decreased from 62 minutes to 24 minutes. Further analysis revealed that knockdown of MK2 resulted in reduced HuR protein expression in the cytoplasm. Conclusions MK2 regulates the TNF-induced expression of IL-6 by influencing the cytoplasmic levels of HuR.

Biocharacterizations of T lymphocytes infiltrating human primary brain gliomas

Glioma-infiltrating lymphocytes(GIL)were isolated from 9 surgical biopsy specimens of pri-mary brain gliomas using mechanical and enzymatic digestion and discontinuous density gradientcentfifugation.Durng culture in the presence of interleukin-2(IL-2)for a period of four weeks,GIL were expanded by 48.4-fold on the avea-age,even up to 118-fold.GIL activated by IL-2 hadspcific cytolytic activity against autologous glioma cells.Analysis of cell surface phenotypes offreshly isolated GIL showed that CD3^+ cells were 71.0±11.9％,CD4^+ cells 34.2±6.1％ and CD8^+cells 37.0±7.6％.Ability of IL-2-activated GIL to secrete γ-interferon(γ-IFN)was significantlyhigher than that of freshly isolated GIL and autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBL).Theresults suggest that GIL have many advantages as an adoptive immunotherapy for patients withgliomas and as a new type of antitumor immune effector.

白细胞介素-22、β-防御素-2与呼吸系统的免疫调节及哮喘关系的研究进展

白细胞介素（IL）-22是一种有活性的细胞因子,具有抗炎和促炎两种活性,其受体在呼吸道上皮细胞高度表达,参与呼吸道的固有免疫.人类β-防御素有6种,其中人β-防御素-2是最早被发现的具有诱导性表达的防御素,主要来源于呼吸系统,与呼吸系统疾病的发生发展密切相关.IL-22及β-防御素-2在呼吸道均具有免疫调节作用,在一定程度上参与哮喘的发生发展.

Interleukin (IL) 5 levels and eosinophilia in patients with intestinal parasitic diseases

AIM:Intestinal parasitic diseases are commonly accompanied with diarrhoeal symptoms and allergic reactions.Eosinophilia occurs as a result of IL-5 synthesized from Th2 cells during allergic reactions.IL-5 acts as a factor activating eosinophils. The aim of this study was to compare the IL-5 cytokine measurements in serum samples and cell cultures.And also to compare eosinophilia observed in helminth infections and protozoon infections accompanied with allergy. METHODS:Twenty-three patients who presented with diarrhoeal symptoms and allergic complaints were tested positive for intestinal parasites,as well as 21 controls with allergic complaints who did not have any intestinal parasites were included in this study.IL-5 production in in vitro cell cultures prepared by using phytohemaglutinin (PHA) to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the blood samples taken from these patients were compared with the IL-5 level in serum.Furthermore, the IL-5 production in protozoon and helminth infections was also compared.Absolute eosinophil values in 1 mm^3 of blood were calculated by means of peripheral smear in both groups within the scope of the study. RESULTS:Parasites such as helminth detected in 15 (65.2%) and protozoon in 8 (34.8%) of the patients were included in this study.As regards the values of the sera in both patients with parasite infection and controls,the IL-5 production was found to be higher in the cell culture supernatant (P<0.001 and P<0.05).When the IL-5 level of the patients with helminth parasites was compared with that of those with protozoon,it was determined that the IL-5 level in serum was more significant in the patients with protozoon than in those with helminth (P<0.05).In the study group,the patients were found to have parasites, the percentage of eosinophil was 7.0% compared to 6.5% in the control group.Thus,there was no significant difference between the eosinophil values (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:It was found that IL-5 cytokine levels in serum samples from the patients with helminth and protozoon displayed more measurable values as compared to the IL-5 levels after stimulation with mitogen.It is concluded that IL-5 acts as a triggering factor in the toxiallergic complaints commonly seen in helminth and protozoon infections.

Mcl-1 mediates cytokine deprivation induced apoptosis of human myeloma cell line XG-7

OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptosis in XG-7, a human myeloma cell line, induced by IL-6 deprivation and the function of three anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-kappa(L), Mcl-1) in the apoptotic process. METHODS: Apoptosis in XG-7 myeloma cells induced by IL-6 withdrawal was determined by flow cytometry with propidium iodide (PI) nuclear staining. Expressions of three Bcl-2 proteins in XG-7 cells were monitored by immunoblotting assay. RESULTS: In the absence of IL-6 for a certain time, a significant percentage of apoptiotic XG-7 cells can be observed, as well as down-regulated expression of one of the three anti-apoptotic proteins (Mcl-1) in XG-7 cells. IL-6 re-stimulation in XG-7 cells following cytokine removal up-regulated the expression of Mcl-1 and inhibited cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Mcl-1,instead of Bcl-2 and Bcl-kappa(L), plays an important role in IL-6 deprivation induced apoptosis in XG-7 human myeloma cells.

T helper cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the compositions of Th1/Th2/Th3 cells in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals by determining the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), inetrferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and transform growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in single CD4(+) T cells isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the role of polarized Th cell populations in chronic HBV-infection was discussed. METHODS: PBMCs from chronically infected HBV individuals were isolated, stimulated by PMA/Ionomycin/Monensin, and IL-4, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta production by CD4(+) T cells was determined by using fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of IFN-gamma-producing T cells, IL-4-producing T cells and TGF-beta-producing T cells ranged from 2.3% - 18.6%, 1.1% - 8.7% and 0.7% - 7.1% respectively in CD4(+) T cells from non-infected individuals. Most of CD4(+) T cells from PBMCs in chronically infected HBV individuals were Th0 cells. The proportion of Th1 cells increased significantly with hepatic inflammatory activity, and in the active period of chronic hepatitis B infection were higher than those in the non-active period (P 0.05), but were higher than that from controls (P

Mechanism of peripheral blood mononuclear cell invasion by HBV on artificial immunization in newborns

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) invasion by HBV on artificial immunization in newborns. METHODS: Fifty-two newborns of HBsAg positive mothers were immunized with HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) and HBVac (hepatitis B vaccine) and were followed up for 7 months. The newborns' HBV-DNA in serum and in the PBMCs was detected with nested-PCR; anti-HBs was tested with solid phase radioimmunoassay (SP-RIA). PBMCs isolated from newborn peripheral blood were incubated in the presence of PHA or purified HBsAg. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) level in culture supernatants of activated cells was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The failure rate of immunization was higher in infants with positive HBV-DNA in PBMCs than those with negative HBV-DNA (P

A clinical trial of active immunotherapy with anti-idiotypic vaccine in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of active immunotherapy with anti-idiotypic vaccine in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Anti-idiotypic antibodies (2H4/5D3) bearing the internal image of the NPC antigen were used in active immunotherapy in NPC patients receiving radiotherapy. Antibodies and cytokine levels in patient sera were determined using ELISA before and after active immunotherapy. IL-2 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with NPC at stage IV were treated with alum-precipitated 2H4 or 5D3. Neither hypersensitivity nor adverse side effects were observed. The levels of anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3) and anti-NPC antibodies (Ab1') were increased. Human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) were seen in 19 patients of the experimental group; the levels of Ab1' did not increase in the control group. Serum IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels were increased in most patients in the experimental group, while no differences were observed in Ab1' and cytokine levels between pre- and post-therapy in the control group. In addition, IL-2 mRNA expression in PBMCs from NPC patients was closely related to serum IL-2 (r = + 0.8829) levels by in situ hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-idiotype vaccine is safe for clinical active immunotherapy. Anti-idiotypic vaccine might be able to enhance humoral and/or cellular immunity in NPC patients receiving radiotherapy.