Biomedical subjects

Zhi-qiang Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Zhi-qiang Lu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Human memory T cell responses to SARS-CoV E protein.

E protein is a membrane component of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Disruption of E protein may reduce viral infectivity. Thus, the SARS-CoV E protein is considered a potential target for the development of antiviral drugs. However, the cellular immune responses to E protein remain unclear in humans. In this study, we found that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from fully recovered SARS individuals rapidly produced IFN-gamma and IL-2 following stimulation with a pool of 9 peptides overlapping the entire E protein sequence. Analysis of the immune responses by flow cytometry showed that both CD4+ and CD8+T cells were involved in the SARS-CoV E-specific immune responses after stimulation with SARS-CoV E peptides. Moreover, the majority of IFN-gamma+CD4+T cells were central memory cells expressing CD45RO+CCR7+CD62L-; whereas IFN-gamma+CD8+ memory T cells were mostly effector memory cells expressing CD45RO-CCR7-CD62L-. The results of T-cell responses to 9 individual peptides indicated that the E protein contained at least two major T cell epitopes (E2 amino acid [aa] 9-26 and E5-6: aa 33-57) which were important in eliciting cellular immune response to SARS-CoV E protein in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Long-lived memory T lymphocyte responses against SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein in SARS-recovered patients.

The nucleocapsid (N) protein is a structural component of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and can induce antibody responses in SARS patients during infection. However, it is not known whether SARS-CoV N protein can induce a long persistence of memory T-cell response in human. In this study, we found that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from fully recovered SARS individuals rapidly produced IFN-gamma and IL-2 following stimulation with a pool of overlapping peptides that cover the entire N protein sequence. The N-specific IFN-gamma(+)CD4(+) T cells were mainly composed of CD45RA(-)CCR7(+)CD62L(-) cells, whereas IFN-gamma(+)CD8(+) memory T cells were mostly contained within CD45RA(+)CCR7(-)CD62L(-) cell population. Epitope mapping study indicated that a cluster of overlapping peptides located in the C-terminal region (amino acids [aa] 331 to 362) of N protein contained at least two different T-cell epitopes. The results indicated that human memory T-cell responses specific for SARS-CoV N protein could persist for 2 years in the absence of antigen, which would be a valuable for the design of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV and for basic studies of human T-cell memory.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed2005

[A multicenter clinic study of slow-release-gliclazide in type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 30 mg slow-release-gliclazide (Diamicron MR) on type 2 diabetes patients with the level of blood glucose poorly controlled formerly. METHODS: 154 type 2 diabetes patients with the level of blood glucose poorly controlled formerly were enrolled and treated with Diamicron MR for 16 weeks. The efficacy of slow-release-gliclazide was evaluated through HbA1c, FPG and 2 h PBG after 16 weeks of treatment period. The safety was evaluated through the adverse events including hypoglycemic episodes and the change of vital signs and clinic laboratory parameters. RESULTS: After 16 weeks of treatment period, the HbA1c, FPG and 2 h PBG were decreased by 1.89%, 2.31 mmol/L and 3.94 mmol/L respectively, cutting down 21.6%, 24.5% and 27.8% relatively in comparison with pre-treatment. Glucose metabolism could be significantly improved by taking once-daily Diamicron MR. CONCLUSION: Slow-release-gliclazide offers the significant treatment safely, which is important to optimize type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Bioconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roots of three mangrove species in Jiulong River Estuary.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) concentrations were determined in the root of three mangrove species (Kandelia candel, Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) and their growing environment (sediment) in mangrove wetlands of Jiulong River Estuary, Fujian, China. The total PAHs (16 parent PAHs) in mangrove sediments ranged from 193.44 to 270.53 ng/g dw, with a mean value of 231.76 +/- 31.78 ng/g dw. Compared with other mangrove and coastal marine sediments, the PAHs concentrations of all the sampling areas in this study were at relatively lower level. The total PAHs (13 parent PAHs) values varied from 30.83 to 62.73 ng/g dw in mangrove roots. Benzo[a]pyrene(five-ring), fluoranthene(four-ring) and pyrene(four-ring) dominated in mangrove sediments. Based on ratios of phenathrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene and fluoranthene/pyrene + fluoranthene, the main possible sources of surface sediment PAHs were identified as grass, wood or coal combustion for mangrove wetlands of Jiulong River Estuary. Naphthalene(two-ring) and phenathrene(three-ring) were the most abundant compounds in mangrove roots. Sediment-to-vegetation bioconcentration factors (BCF(SV) S) were calculated and their relationships with PAHs' physico-chemical properties were investigated. The average BCF(SV) S of PAHs for three mangrove species roots were almost all under the level of 1 except for naphthalene. Good linear relationship between BCF(SV) values for mangrove roots and PAHs water solubility, octanol-water partitioning coefficients was derived in present study. The solubility and the octanol-water partition coefficient were proved to be good predictors for the accumulation of PAHs in mangrove roots, respectively.

China↗

PubMed2003

[Melatonin in in vitro apoptosis of H22 hepatocarcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of melatonin (MLT) in in vitro apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The apoptotic cells, bcl-2 and bax were detected through immunocytochemical method (ICC) and Tolt-mediated x-duTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Computer image analysis system was used to quantify the expression of bcl-2 and bax by detecting the absorbance value of positive products. Apoptosis index (AI) was used to quantify the number of apoptotic cells. RESULTS: In vitro, AI increase was both concentration- and time-dependent through TUNEL. During the same duration, AI of medium dose group was higher than that of low dose and control group (P < 0.05); AI of high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group were higher than those of low dose and control group (P < 0.01), however, there was no significant difference between the low dose and control group (P > 0.05). At the same dose, in high dose, medium dose and 5-Fu group, the change of AI showed significant difference from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated as the MLT increased, and there was significant difference between the low dose and control group (P < 0.01). But, the expression of bax was up-regulated as the dose of MLT increased, showing significant difference between the high dose and control groups (P < 0.01). As time went on, the expression of bcl-2 was decreased and in every group, with the change in absorbance value of bcl-2 significantly different from 24 to 36 hours (P < 0.05), whereas that of bax remained almost unchanged. The ratio of bax/bcl-2 was increased with the increase in the concentration of MLT. CONCLUSION: Melatonin may induce apoptosis in the hepatocarcinoma cells which is concentration- and time-dependent, in which bcl-2 and bax are involved.

Apoptosis↗