Small-diameter acellular porcine corneal stroma for peripheral corneal ulceration treatment

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of small-diameter acellular porcine corneal stroma(SAPS)for the treatment of peripheral corneal ulceration(PCU).METHODS:This retrospective clinical study included 18 patients(18 eyes)with PCU between April 2018 and December 2020.All patients had PCU and underwent lamellar keratoplasty with SAPS.Observation indicators included preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and transparency of SAPS.The infection control rate in the surgical eye-lesion area was also calculated.RESULTS:Eighteen patients underwent lamellar keratoplasty with SAPS to treat PCU.None of the patients experienced rejection after 6mo(18/18)and 12mo(16/16)of follow-up.The BCVA(0.47±0.30)at the 6mo followup after operation was significantly improved compared with the baseline(0.99±0.80),and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-3.415,P<0.05).The BCVA at the 12mo follow-up after operation was not statistically significant compared to the 6mo(Z=0,P=1).With time,the SAPS graft gradually became transparent.At the 6mo(18/18)and 12mo(16/16)follow-up,none of the patients had recurrent corneal infection.CONCLUSION:SAPS is clinically effective in the treatment of PCU,improving the patient’s BCVA and reducing the incidence of rejection after keratoplasty.

Intraocular pressure before and after capsulorhexis using two viscoelastic substances and two surgical approaches in enucleated porcine eyes

AIM:To investigate the influence of ophthalmic viscoelastic devices(OVDs)and different surgical approaches on the intraocular pressure(IOP)before and after creation of the curvilinear circular capsulorhexis(CCC)as a measure for anterior chamber stability during this maneuver.METHODS:Prospective experimental WetLab study carried out on enucleated porcine eyes.IOP was measured before and after CCC with the iCare Rebound tonometer(iCare ic200;iCare Finland Oy,Vantaa,Finland).The OVDs used were a cohesive one[Z-Hyalin,Carl Zeiss Meditec AG,Germany;hyaluronic acid(HA)]and a dispersive[Z-Celcoat,Carl Zeiss Meditec AG,Germany;hydroxy propylmethylcellulosis(HPMC)].The CCC was created using Utrata forceps or 23 g microforceps in different combinations with the OVDs.RESULTS:Using the Utrata forceps the IOP dropped from 63.65±6.44 to 11.25±3.63 mm Hg during the CCC.The use of different OVDs made no difference.Using the 23 g microforceps the IOP dropped from 65.35±8.15 to 36.55±6.09 mm Hg.The difference between IOP drop using either Utrata forceps or 23 g microforceps was highly significant regardless of the OVD used.CONCLUSION:Using the sideport for the creation of the capsulorhexis leads to a lesser drop in IOP during this maneuver compared to the main incision in enucleated porcine eyes.The use of different OVD has no significant influence on IOP drop.

Porcine enteric alphacoronavirus infection increases lipid droplet accumulation to facilitate the virus replication

Coronaviruses are widely transmissible between humans and animals, causing diseases of varying severity. Porcine enteric alphacoronavirus(PEAV) is a newly-discovered pathogenic porcine enteric coronavirus in recent years, which causes watery diarrhea in newborn piglets. The host inflammatory responses to PEAV and its metabolic regulation mechanisms remain unclear, and no antiviral studies have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the pathogenic mechanism and antiviral drugs of PEAV. The transcriptomic analysis of PEAV-infected host cells revealed that PEAV could upregulate lipid metabolism pathways. In lipid metabolism, steady-state energy processes, which can be mediated by lipid droplets(LDs), are the main functions of organelles. LDs are also important in viral infection and inflammation. In infected cells, PEAV increased LD accumulation, upregulated NF-κB signaling, promoted the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8, and induced cell death. Inhibiting LD accumulation with a DGAT-1 inhibitor significantly inhibited PEAV replication, downregulated the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduced the production of IL-1β and IL-8, and inhibited cell death. The NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082 significantly inhibited LD accumulation and PEAV replication. Metformin hydrochloride also exerted anti-PEAV effects and significantly inhibited LD accumulation, downregulated the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduced the production of IL-1β and IL-8, and inhibited cell death. LD accumulation in the lipid metabolism pathway therefore plays an important role in the replication and pathogenesis of PEAV, and metformin hydrochloride inhibits LD accumulation and the inflammatory response to exert anti-PEAV activity and reducing pathological injury. These findings contribute new targets for developing treatments for PEAV infections.

Enhancement of porcine in vitro embryonic development through luteolin‑mediated activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway

Background Oxidative stress,caused by an imbalance in the production and elimination of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),has been recognized for its detrimental effects on mammalian embryonic development.Luteolin(Lut)has been documented for its protective effects against oxidative stress in various studies.However,its specific role in embryonic development remains unexplored.This study aims to investigate the influence of Lut on porcine embryonic development and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.Results After undergoing parthenogenetic activation(PA)or in vitro fertilization,embryos supplemented with 0.5μmol/L Lut displayed a significant enhancement in cleavage and blastocyst formation rates,with an increase in total cell numbers and a decrease in the apoptosis rate compared to the control.Measurements on D2 and D6 revealed that embryos with Lut supplementation had lower ROS levels and higher glutathione levels compared to the control.Moreover,Lut supplementation significantly augmented mitochondrial content and membrane potential.Intriguingly,activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway was observed in embryos supplemented with Lut,leading to the upregulation of antioxidant-related gene transcription levels.To further validate the relationship between the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and effects of Lut in porcine embryonic development,we cultured PA embryos in a medium supplemented with brusatol,with or without the inclusion of Lut.The positive effects of Lut on developmental competence were negated by brusatol treatment.Conclusions Our findings indicate that Lut-mediated activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway contributes to the enhanced production of porcine embryos with high developmental competence,and offers insight into the mechanisms regulating early embryonic development.

Identification,Isolation and Genomic Characterization of Porcine Astrovirus in Shandong Province,China in 2021-2023

[Objective]The paper was to identify,isolate,and characterize porcine astrovirus in Shandong Province between 2021 and 2023.[Method]A total of 1025 samples of porcine diarrhea samples were collected from various regions of Shandong Province between January 2021 and October 2023.The samples were tested by RT-PCR,followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the polymerase.[Result]The total positive rate of PAstV was 34.6%(355/1025).The respective proportions of individuals infected with PAstV-1,PAstV-2,PAstV-4 and PAstV-5 were 25.4%(90/355),28.2%(100/355),35.2%(125/355)and 22.5%(80/355),respectively.Additionally,mixed infection was observed.Meanwhile,849 samples of healthy pigs were tested by RT-PCR,and the results demonstrated that the total positive rate of PAstV was 8.13%(69/849).Of these,the proportion of PAstV-1,PAstV-2 and PAstV-4 infection was 27.5%(19/69),37.7%(26/69)and 40.6%(28/69),and a mixed infection also existed.Further sequencing and characterization of some the selected isolates revealed low sequence identities(56.2%)with known PAstV strains,indicating the presence of novel types or genotypes of PAstVs.Furthermore,the isolation conditions of porcine astrovirus were optimized,resulting in the purification of a pure PAstV-4 strain(designated PAstV-4-GRF1).The virus was found to exhibit typical astroviral morphology,with nucleotide identity ranging from 89.9 to 95.4%with previously published PAstV-4 strains.Then,macrovirus transcriptome sequencing showed that 88.30%of the CRF1 samples were mammalian astroviruses.By species classification,PAstV 4 and PAstV 2 accounted for 21.79%and 0.32%,respectively.Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the c15050 fragment was identical to the GRF-1 sequencing fragment of the isolated strain,and exhibited the highest homology with the Hunan PAstV-4 sequence MK460231 in China.[Conclusion]As the inaugural isolated PAstV-4 strain,it furnishes pivotal materialfor the investigation ofthe biological and pathogenic properties of this virus as well as for the prospectivedevelopment of relevant biological and diagnostic reagents.

Interlayer repair with porcine small intestinal submucosa versus internal repair with tragus cartilage in endoscopic tympanoplasty

Objective Endoscopic tympanoplasty includes various surgical methods,such as internal repair,interlayer repair,and external overlay.This technique requires autologous materials,allografts,and xenografts,which are used to repair tympanic membrane(TM)perforation.To obtain good results,appropriate surgical methods and repair materials should be selected.This study aims to assess the efficacy of repairing refractory TM perforations in the porcine small intestinal submucosa(SIS)during transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty.Method A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent TM perforation repair with porcine SIS and tragus cartilage between January 2022 and September 2022 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine.Perforation size,tympanic status,pre-and postoperative symptoms,follow-up data,wound healing rates,and hearing improvement were analysed.Results Of the 115 patients included in the study,56 underwent interlayer repair with porcine SIS of the TM,and 59 patients underwent internal repair with tragus cartilage.No significant difference was found between the two groups at baseline in terms of age,sex,disease course,perforation side,tympanic status,underlying disease,or preoperative infection.The total postoperative effective rate of interlayer implantation with porcine SIS was 91.07%(51 patients),and that of internal implantation with tragus cartilage was 88.14%(52 patients).No significant difference was found in terms of the graft success rate between the two surgical methods(p=0.887).Postoperative pure tone auditory(PTA)and air-bone gap(ABG)density significantly increased in both groups compared with before surgery(p<0.05).However,the postoperative PTA and ABG density were not significantly different 3 months post-surgery between the two groups(p>0.05).Compared to those in the internal implantation group,the patients in the interlayer group had a shorter operation duration(51.36±6.76 min vs.59.71±7.45 min,t=6.298,p<0.001)and less blood loss(11.91±2.61 mL vs.15.27±2.57 mL,t=7.019,p<0.001).Conclusions Our study suggests that the porcine SIS,as well as the tragus cartilage,has a high success rate in repairing irreversible TM perforation.Endoscopic tympanoplasty via interlayer implantation with porcine SIS offers distinct advantages,including the absence of donor-site incision and scar formation,and ease of graft modification and manipulation.

Development of Multi-PCR for Differentiation of Vaccine Strain and Field Isolate of Porcine Pseudorabies Virus

Three pairs of primer were designed for amplification of porcine pseudorabies virus （PRV） gB, gE, and TK gene by multiplex PCR （multi-PCR） in order to differentiate vaccine strains from field isolates. Three specific bands were obtained respectively at the expected size, 427 bp （gB gene）, 298 bp （gEgene）, and 208 bp （TKgene）, Then four different gene-deleted vaccines of PRV were detected by multi-PCR. One ex- pected specific band was observed in one of samples, while two bands in the others. As shown by the detection results, the multi-PCR has high sensitivity and specificity and should be applied in pathogen diagnosis and epidemiological investigation in the future.

Expression of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus ORF7 Gene and Purification and Immunological Activity Analysis of the Recombinant Protein

[Objective] The aim of this study was to realize efficient expression of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV） ORF7 gene in genetic engineering bacteria and analYze the immunological activity of the recombinant protein after purification. [ Method] The constructed recombinant expression vector pET-ORF7 was transformed into Escherichia co1BL21 （DE3） and induced by IPTG under the optimal condition. After analysis of SDS-PAGE and Western Blot, the expression products were purified by Ni-NTA His · Bind Resin chrom- atographic column under denaturing condition and renatured by gradient dialysis. Subsequently, the immunological activity of the renatured recombinant protein was detected by Westem Blot and indirect ELISA. [ Result] The recombinant plasmid pET-ORF7 expressed in E. coli successfully, and the fusion protein was in the form of inclusion body. By SDS-PAGE detection, the molecular weight of the expression protein was approximate 33 kD, according with the expectation. Analysis by Bandscan software showed that the expressed fusion protein was about 50% of total bacterial protein of BL21 （DE3）. Wastem Blot and indirect ELISA detection showed that the renatured protein could react with PRRSV positive serum specifically, indicating its good immunological activity. [ Conclusion] This study lays a foundation for the preparation of PRRSV monoclonal antibody and diagnostic kit.

Location of Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Tissues of Natural Cases

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome （HP-PRRS）. [Method] Antigen location and histopathological observation in natural cases infected by highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （HP-PRRSV） were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and H. E. staining. [Result] The virus antigen mainly existed in epithelial calls, and also a few in mecrophages, lymphocytes and brain nerve cells. [ Conclusion] The cell and tissue tropism of HP-PRRSV strain in natural cases is different from that of previous strains.

Purification and Immunocompetence Analysis of GP5 Protein in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome

[Objective] The purification and immunocompetence of GPS protein in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) were analyzed in this study, which provided basis for establishing the corresponding serological method. [Method] The recombinant expression plasmid pGEX-6P-5 was transformed into BL21 and expressed after being induced with IPTG. The solubility analysis of expression products was carried out, and then the recombinant protein was purified for SDS-PAGE identification and Western-blot analysis. Finally, the recombinant antigen was used in the immune experiment of guinea pigs. [Result] The target protein content accounted for 30% of the total cells protein content according to the chromatography scanning, and the purity of target protein after purification reached 80%. The purified protein was analyzed by Western-blot and immune experiment of guinea pigs, and the results showed that the expressed protein had good reactionogenicity and immunogenicity. [Conclusion] This study provides materials for further studies on the function between PRRSV ORF5 gene and its editing protein, which also lays a foundation for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus genetic engineering products.

Study on Cloning and Polymorphism of Porcine Adiponectin Promoter

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to provide a basis for study on adiponectin as a candidate gene for fat deposition. [ Method] The promoter sequence of adiponectin was obtained by porcine BAC library screening and primer-walking method. The polymorphisms of adiponectin promoter from 290 pigs, including 5 breeds of Lantang pig, Large spotted pig, Large white pig, Landrace and Duroc, were analyzed with PCR-RFLP. [ Result] At SNP site of adiponectin 5＇-flanking region -1 010 bp （G/A）, GG genotype frequency in Chinese indigenous pigs was significantly higher than that in exotic pigs. At SNP site of adiponectin 5＇-flanking region -394 bp （T/C）, the genotype distribution of Chi- nese indigenous pigs was abundant, while no CC genotype was detected in exotic pigs, and T allele frequency was higher in exotic pigs. [ Conclusion] SNP site mutation of - 1 010 bp （G/A） may lead to changes of the gene transcription level, while SNP site of -394 bp （T/C） properly has no relationship with gene transcription level and fat deposition.

国内首株猪德尔塔冠状病毒(Porcine deltacoronavirus)的分离鉴定

猪德尔塔冠状病毒(Porcine deltacoronavirus,PDCoV)是一种新出现的猪冠状病毒,于2012年首次在香港的猪群中发现。2014年2月美国在腹泻仔猪和母猪的粪便中首次检测到PDCoV,随后,韩国和我国大陆也从腹泻猪的临床样品中检测到PDCoV。目前,只有美国成功分离到2株PDCoV。为分离鉴定PDCoV,本研究将PDCoV阳性样品无菌处理后接种猪肾细胞(LLC-PK)并连续传代培养。通过细胞病变、RT-PCR、间接免疫荧光和基因序列测定对细胞培养物进行鉴定。结果表明我们成功分离到国内首株PDCoV并将其命名为NH株。M基因的系统发育分析表明NH株与中国、美国及韩国的PDCoV亲源关系较近。本研究为进一步研究PDCoV的致病性和致病机制奠定了基础。

Analysis on Heredity and Variation of the ORF_5 Gene of Prevalence Strains Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

[ Objective] The aim was to analyze the reason and epidemic trend of PRRSV, and provide theoretical basis for preventing and controlling PRRS. [Methed]According to the sequence of ATCC VR-2332 strain porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus published by the GenBank, the primers were designed and synthesized. ORF5 gene sequences of seven prevalence strains were amplified by RT-PCR. The sequences of ORF5 genes were analyzed by DNAStar and compared with those of ATCC VR-2332, CH-1 a, B J-4, LV-M96262 and MLV vaccine strains, phylogenetic tree among isolates was analyzed. [Result] Analysis of nucleotide sequence showed that the homology was 88.1% - 98.8%, 89.9% -95.2%, 85.6% -98.7% between ORF5 genes of seven prevalence strains and VR-2332, CH-1a, BJ-4, and the homology was 54.7% -56.9% between ORF5 genes and LV. Analysis of amino acid sequence showed that the homology was 88.1% -96.8%, 88.1% - 94.5%, 86.1% -96.5% between ORF5 genes of seven prevalence strains and VR-2332, CH-1a, bBJ-4, the homology was 54.7% -56.2% between the ORF5 genes and LV.[ Conclusion] The variation of prevalence strains was great in the ORF5 gene region, the homology of ORF5 gene sequence was higher and genetic relationship was nearer during prevalence strains in the same region, or was far in different regions.

Sequencing and Analysis of Porcine Intrleukin-18 Gene

[ Objective] To clone the porcine interleukin-18（/L-18） cDNA and explore the immunological effectiveness of porcine IL-18 as an adjuvant of genetic vaccine. [ Method] The spleen lymphccytes were isolated from Henan three-way cross-breeding pigs. According to the porcine IL-18 gene in GenBank, a pair of specific primers was designed. The full length cDNA of porcine IL-18 was amplified by RT-PCR. Subsequently, porcine IL-18 cDNA was cloned into pGEM-T vector and sequenced and analyzed. [ Result] The porcine IL-18 gene demonstrated an open reading frame of 579 bp encoding an inactive precursor protein with 192 amino acids. The precursor protein had no typical hydrophobic signal peptide and cleaved by interleukin-1 beta （IL-1β） converting enzyme（ICE） in caspase-1 splice site; the porcine mature protein had biological activity： After comparing with other porcine IL-18 genes, the nucleotide sequence homology was over 96% and the deduced amino acid homology was more than 98%. [ Conclusion] A full length procine IL-18 gene was gained. It lays the foundation for porcine IL-18 as an adjuvant of genetic vaccine.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of NS1 Gene of Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) SD1 Strain

[Objective] The research aimed to provide the theoretical basis for establishing a rapid diagnosis method for porcine parvovirus（PPV）. [ Method] One pair of primers were designed according to PPV genome sequences on GenBank website and the sequences of prokaryotic expression vector pET30a （ ＋ ） with multiple cloning sites. The whole sequence of NS1 gene in PPV SD1 strain was amplified by using PCR technology and the positive recombinant plasmid was analyzed by sequencing and homology comparison. The prokaryotic expression recombinant plasmid PET30a/NS1 was constructed to make its induction expression in Escherichia coll. [ Result] The target fragment with the length of 2 208 bp was obtained from PCR amplification. The nucleotide homologies between the cloned NS1 gene and the reported relevant PPV genes were from 97.3 % to 99.4 %, which indicated that NS1 gene had high conservation. But it had a 12-basepair successive deletion near the hydroxyl end. The cloned PPV NS1 gene was successfully expressed in prokaryotic cell, and its expression products existed mostly in inclusion bodies. [ Conclusion] The results of SDS-PAGE detection showed that the molecular weight of PPV NS1 protein was 86 KD.

Differential Expression of APOEGene in Porcine Fetal Fibroblast Cells

[Objective]The aim was to study the differential expression ofAPOEgene in different generations of porcine fetal fibroblasts cells.[Method]The first,tenth,fifteenth,twentieth,twenty-fifth,fiftieth generations of porcine fetal fibroblast cells,which were normally grown and passed,were collected before total RNA was extracted respectively.The expression ofAPOEgene in different generations of porcine fetal fibro-blast cells was detected by RT-PCR technique.[Result]The expression level of porcine APOE mRNA in the first generation of porcine fetal fi-broblast cells was the highest,and then it gradually decreased with the increase of cell generations and was the lowest in the fiftieth generation.[Conclusion]The expression ofAPOEgene had the selective trend in different generations of porcine fetal fibroblast cells.

Porcine Breeding Management in a Large-scale Piggery with Microbial Fermentation Bed

[Objective] The behavior of eating, drinking, defecating and peeing of 1 500 pigs in a large-scale microbial fermentation bed-equipped piggery was observed. We hoped to find some simple indicators that could reflect the health status of swinery and to provide experience for the swinery performance management in large-scale microbial fermentation bed-equipped piggery. [Method] The body weight （BW）, daily BW gain, feed intake and other indicators of different-day-old pigs were recorded in details. Based on the recorded data, the models between BW, BW gain, average daily feed intake and feed/gain ratio and growth days （d） were established. In addition, the incidences of pox-like macula （dermatitis）, diarrhea （gastrointestinal disease）, cough （respiratory disease）, stiff pig （malnutrition）, conjunctivitis （eye disease） and foot inflection （trauma） among fattening pigs were also investigated. [Result] The BW range, average BW, daily BW gain, breeding days, daily feed intake range, average daily feed intake, staged feed intake, accumulated feed intake, feed/gain ratio and accumulated feed/gain ratio of different-day-old pigs were studied, respectively. Four dynamic models were established for the growth of pigs： （1） the BW （y）-age （x） mod- el： y=0.758 9x-19.883 （3=0.993 7）; （2） the BW gain （y）-age （x） model： y=1.039 5x05051 （F=0.885 4）; （3） the average daily feed intake （y）-age （x） model： y=0.023 5x-0.334 3 （F=0.991 7）; （4） the feed/gain ratio （y）-age （x） model： y=0.022x＋0.427 8 （P=0.988 5）. Based on these models, the corresponding theoretical growth value of pigs at different growth stage could be predicted. The main diseases occurred among the swinery in the large-scale microbial fermentation bed piggery included pox-like macula （dermatitis）, diarrhea （gastrointestinal disease）, cough （respiratory disease）, stiff pig （mal- nutrition）, conjunctivitis （eye disease） and foot inflection （trauma）. The deadly infec- tious diseases had been not found among the pigs. [Conclusion] When the actual BW, BW gain, average daily feed intake and feed/gain ratio were all lower than the theoretical values predicted by the models, the management should be enhanced. The average daily feed intake of 60 to 65-day-old pigs was lower than the theoretic value, indicating that the pigs could not adapt nicely to the fermentation bed at the very early stage. When the pigs grew up to 70 to 75 d old, the average daily feed intake was higher than the theoretical value, indicating that the pigs had adapted to the fermentation bed. In particularly, average daily feed intake of 75-day-old pigs was higher than the theoretical value by 21%. It was suggested the fermentation bed was conducive to the growth of pigs. Considering the occurrence of diseases among pigs, the overall incidence was relatively low. The incidence of each disease was all lower than 10% with little difficulty in treating. If the management of mattress was strength- ened, such as paying attention to feeding and keeping water clean, many diseases could heal by themselves.

Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Porcine Growth Hormone Gene Promoter

[Objective] This study aimed to clone the porcine growth hormone gene promoter and determine the core promoter sequences and the cis-acting elements. [Method] Sequence of the 5＇flanking region of porcine growth hormone gene was searched out and downloaded from the NCBI website. According to the targeted se- quence, primers were designed and synthesized for the PCR amplification. The 1 882 bp （-1 821 bp-＋61 bp） fragment was amplified by PCR. Nine promoter frag- ments with different lengths were obtained by genome-walking deletion method and then cloned into luciferase reporter vectors. Relative transcriptional activities of these 5＇ terminal-deleted plasmids in pituitary and non-pituitary cells were determined by transient transfection of the rat pituitary adenoma cell （GH3）, porcine lilac endotheli- um cell （PIEC） and porcrne Kidney-15 （PK15） with the constructed dual-luciferase vectors. [Result] Result of DNA sequencing showed that the 1 882 bp fragment of GH 5＇ promoter was successfully cloned. Nine luciferase reporter gene plasmids were constructed. DuaI-Luciferase reporter assay indicated that the promoter inserted into reporter gene vector had very strong cell specificity. [Conclusion] Porcine growth hormone gene specifically expresses in pituitary cells. The minimal promoter of the porcine growth hormone gene is mapped at the region -110 bp-＋61 bp. Promoter regions 218 bp--110 bp and -429 bp--218 bp contain positive regulatory elements.

Changes of the Transcriptional Levels of Molecules Associated with Endogenous Antigen Processing and Presentation in Porcine Skin-derived Dendritic Cells Infected with PCV2 in vivo

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the changes of the transcriptional levels of molecules associated with endogenous antigen processing and presenta- tion in porcine skin-derived dendritic cells infected with PCV2 in vivo. [Method] Healthy 40-day-old Landrace piglets were infected with porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2） and euthanized on the 34, 7rd, 14th, 21st and 35th d post inoculation （DPI）. The porcine skin-derived dendritic cells （DCs） were collected to analyze the transcrip- tional levels of molecules （LMP7, UBP, MHC-I, calreticulin） associated with endogenous antigen processing and presentation by using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （real-time FQ-PCR）. [Result] The results showed that the level of LMP7 mR- NAs was reduced significantly on the 3DPI （P〈0.05）; the level of UBP mRNAs was consistently up-regulated, which increased significantly on the 21DPI and 35DPI （P〈 0.05）; the level of MHC-I mRNAs was significantly down-regulated on the 7DPI （P〈 0.05）; the level of calreticulin mRNAs was up-regulated slightly without significant dif- ference. [Conclusion] PCV2 can inhibit the endogenous antigen processing and presentation ability of porcine skin-derived DCs at early stages of infection.

Acute Toxicity of Recombinant Porcine Interferon-alpha

To observe the acute toxicity of recombinant porcine interferen-alpha （IFN-alpha） in mice and thus provide a basis for the clinical safety. [Method] According to the principles of acute toxicity, all the mice were divided into two major groups （intraperitoneally injected group and intramuscularly injected group） respectively at high dose, moderate dose and low dose. And the normal control group was also set up. Within 14 d after administration, the behavior of mouse and the degree of toxicity were continuously observed. The hematological indexes and biochemical indexes of blood were detected to obtain the preliminary toxicity data of the recombinant porcine IFN-alpha. And at the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed for autopsy. [ Result] There was not significant difference in external performance, behavioral characteristics, body temperature, weight, pathological anatomy of visceral organs, hematological indexes and biochemical indexes between the experimental groups and the control group. [ Conclusion] The highest dose of porcine interferon （5.0 x 10s IU per mouse） in this experiment or the dose lower than this dosage should not have significant toxic effects on mice, and the recombinant porcine IFN-alpha is safe in clinical application.