Interactions between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors have a major role in intrathymic T-cell selection. On mature T cells, each of these two glycoproteins is associated with a class-specific bias in MHC molecule recognition by the T-cell receptor. CD4+ T cells respond to antigen in association with MHC class II molecules and CD8+ T cells respond to antigen in association with MHC class I molecules. Physical interaction between the CD4/MHC class II molecules and CD8/MHC class I molecules has been demonstrated by cell adhesion assay, and a binding site for CD8 on class I has been identified. Here we demonstrate that a region of the MHC class II beta-chain beta 2 domain, structurally analogous to the CD8-binding loop in the MHC class I alpha 3 domain, is critical for function with both mouse and human CD4.

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries all over the world. The only drug for ischemic stroke approved by FDA is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). However, only 2-5% stroke patients receive rtPAs treatment due to its strict therapeutic time window. As ischemic stroke is a complex disease involving multiple mechanisms, medications with multi-targets may be more powerful compared with single-target drugs. Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a synthetic compound based on l-3-n- Butylphthalide that is isolated from seeds of Apium graveolens. The racemic 3-n-butylphthalide (dl- NBP) was approved by Food and Drug Administration of China for the treatment of ischemic stroke in 2002. A number of clinical studies indicated that NBP not only improved the symptoms of ischemic stroke, but also contributed to the long-term recovery. The potential mechanisms of NBP for ischemic stroke treatment may target different pathophysiological processes, including anti-oxidant, antiinflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-thrombosis, and protection of mitochondria et al. Conclusion: In this review, we have summarized the research progress of NBP for the treatment of ischemic stroke during the past two decades.

A medium-chain-length (MCL) polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) producer Pseudomonas entomophila L48 was investigated for microbial production of 3-hydroxydodecanote homopolymer. Pseudomonas entomophila L48 was found to produce MCL PHA consisting of 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx), 3-hydroxyoctanoate (3HO), 3-hydroxydecanoate (3HD), and 3-hydroxydodecanoate (3HDD) from related carbon sources fatty acids. In this study, some of the genes encoding key enzymes in β-oxidation cycle of P. entomophila such as 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase were deleted to study the relationship between β-oxidation and PHA synthesis in P. entomophila. Among the mutants constructed, P. entomophila LAC26 accumulated over 90 wt % PHA consisting of 99 mol % 3HDD. A fed-batch fermentation process carried out in a 6 L automatic fermentor produced 7.3 g L(-1) PHA consisting of over 97 mol % 3HDD fraction. Properties of MCL PHA were significantly improved along with increasing 3HDD contents. P(2.1 mol % 3HD-co-97.9 mol % 3HDD) produced by P. entomophila LAC25 had the widest temperature range between T(g) and T(m), which were -49.3 and 82.4 °C, respectively, in all MCL PHA reported so far. The new type of PHA also represented high crystallinity caused by side-chain crystallization compared with short side chain PHA. For the first time, P(3HDD) homopolymers were obtained.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and has poor prognosis. To identify the oncofetal proteins involved in CRC carcinogenesis, differentially expressed proteins among fetal colorectal tissues, CRC, and the paired tumor-adjacent normal colorectal tissues were investigated by a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF-based proteomics approach. 42 protein spots were differentially expressed among these tissues, and 22 proteins were identified by MS analysis. Desmin and zinc finger protein 829 were found to be elevated in CRC tissue and fetal colorectal tissue compared with normal colorectal tissue. The elevated expression of desmin in CRC tissue and different developmental stages of fetus colon was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the elevated expression of desmin was correlated with the severity and differentiation of CRC and decreased survival rate of CRC patients. Finally by developing a highly sensitive immunoassay, desmin could be detected in human serum and was significantly elevated in CRC patients compared with healthy volunteers. We propose that desmin be considered a potential oncofetal serum tumor marker for CRC that may have significance in the detection of patients with CRC.