Piscine nodaviruses are members of genus Betanodavirus, which infect more than 30 species of fish and cause massive mortality in larvae and juveniles. The infection causes great economic losses to aquaculture and sea-ranching. To study the dissociation and reassembly of betanodavirus, virus-like particles (VLPs) of dragon grouper nervous necrosis virus (DGNNV) were used. The experiments with calcium-chelating or reducing/oxidizing reagents elicited that the DGNNV VLPs required only calcium for particle assembly. With the recombinant VLPs, site-directed mutagenesis can be employed to investigate the roles of calcium-binding ligands in particle formation. In the mutational analysis of DxxDxD that is putatively involved in the coordination of calcium ions, the results showed that the D133N mutation significantly disrupted the assembly of VLPs while D130N and D135N mutants produced heterogeneous particles with broken shapes. The thermal stability of the VLP-forming fractions demonstrated that VLPs of D135N mutant were stable at a temperature of 85¢XC, which is slightly higher than that for wild-type, whereas VLPs of D130N mutant could not tolerate the thermal effects at a temperature higher than 60¢XC. It is deduced that three aspartate residues of the motif DxxDxD are all important for the efficient formation of DGNNV VLPs and, among them, the DxxD provides a more stable coordinate of calcium-ligand than DxD.

The mortality of grouper larvae and juveniles infected by nervous necrosis virus (DGNNV) was near 100%. Vacuoles were found in photoreceptor layer, outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer of retina and optic tectum of mesencephalon for the dragon grouper that was infected by DGNNV, after stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Recombinantly expressed in E. coli, virus-like particles (VLPs) were used for antibody preparation. By indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) with the mouse anti-VLP serum, DGNNV was detected in retina inner nuclear layer and mesencephalon optic tectum. At 96 hours post infection of DGNNV with intraocular injection, vacuoles were observed, with H&E staining, in zebrafish retina photoreceptor layer and mesencephalon optic tectum. In IFAT test, DGNNV was also detected in outer nuclear layer and optic tectum of zebrafish. This study showed antibody stimulated by the recombinant VLPs was sutible for DGNNV detection in fish nervous tissues.

Dragon grouper nervous necrosis virus (DGNNV), a betanodavirus, is the causative agent of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) in dragon grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus). In our study, capsid protein of DGNNV was expressed in Escherichia coli. We mutated arginines at N-termini capsid protein to investigate the role of arginines at 29-31th position. When capsid protein lost 25 amino acids at N-termini VLPs form, mutation in any two arginines at 29-31 position to alanine could the prohibit VLPs formation. Another extending three arginines at 23-25 position wouldn¡¦t increase the RNA encapsulation into VLPs. Furthermore, N-termini mutated VLPs were all RNase resistance like wt-VLPs, but the yield was distinctly less than wt-VLPs. In the single point alanine mutations, the VLPs yield of R29A was apparently higher than others (R30A and R31A). Using circular dichroism to observe the thermal denature process and thermal stability of DGNNV VLPs, we found the Tm about 60¢J of VLPs wouldn¡¦t alter even if arginines at 23-31 position were mutated. The findings suggested the VLPs of mutated arginines at 23-31 position wouldn¡¦t affect RNase resistance and thermal stability, but the yield were lower. Another, the arginines at the 30 and 31 position is more important than at 29 position for formation of VLPs.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-114).

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been widely used in aerospace, biomedical, chemical processing, marine facilities, and sports equipment because of their low density, very high tensile strength and toughness, and high corrosion resistance. However, the poor tribological properties has been a major problem and limited their widespread applications. Deposition of wear/corrosion resistant diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on Ti alloys is promising to significantly enhance the durability and service performances of these materials. However, the adhesion between DLC coatings and Ti alloy substrates is too weak to meet the application requirements. Up to now, approaches including optimization of deposition conditions, surface treatment of the substrate, deposition of an interlayer, and incorporation of metallic or nonmetallic elements have been used for adhesion enhancement of DLC on Ti alloys. In this research, a new method, nanodiamond particles incorporation, was developed for adhesion enhancement of DLC coatings on Ti alloys. In order to achieve high diamond nucleation without damaging the Ti alloy, nucleation enhancement of diamond on Ti alloys by nanodiamond seeding, tungsten (W) interlayers, and high methane concentration were studied. Diamond, DLC and W deposition were carried out by microwave assisted chemical vapor deposition, direct ion beam deposition and hot filament assisted chemical vapor deposition, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, Atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron-based near edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy were used to characterize the microstructure and chemical bonding of the as-deposited particles and films, and indentation testing was used to evaluate the adhesion of the as-deposited coatings. By nanodiamond seeding or applying a W interlayer, significantly enhanced diamond nucleation has been obtained on Ti alloys, and consequently high quality nanocrystalline diamond thin films have been obtained on Ti alloys at decreased deposition temperature and reduced deposition time, which mitigates the deterioration of Ti alloy substrates due to hydrogen diffusion during diamond deposition and also enhances the adhesion of diamond on Ti alloys. Based on these results, nanodiamond particles (NDP) with high nucleation density and high adhesion were deposited on Ti alloys initially to enhance the adhesion of DLC films on Ti alloys. Results show that the pre-deposited NDP can significantly increase the adhesion of DLC on Ti6Al4V, probably due to the increased interfacial bonding, mechanical interlocking, and stress relief by the incorporation of NDP into DLC to form NDP/DLC composite films.

Phyllotaxis, namely the arrangement of phylla (leaves, florets, etc.) has intrigued natural scientists for over four hundred years. Statistics show that about 90\% of the spiral patterns has their numbers of spirals belonging to two consecutive members of the regular Fibonacci sequence. (Fibonacci(-like) sequences refer to any sequences constructed with the addition rule $a_{j+2}=a_{j}+a_{j+1}$, while the regular Fibonacci sequence refers to the particular sequences 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,...) Historical research on pattern formation on plants, tracing back to as early as four hundred years ago, was mostly geometry based. Current studies focus on the activities on the cellular level and study initiation of primordia (the initial undifferentiated form of phylla) as a morphogenesis process cued by some signal. The nature of the signal and the mechanisms governing the distribution of the signal are still under investigation. The two top candidates are the biochemical hormone auxin distribution and the mechanical stresses in the plant surface (tunica). We built a model which takes into consideration the interactions between these mechanisms. In addition, this dissertation explores both analytically and numerically the conditions for the Fibonacci-like patterns to continuously evolve (i.e. as the mean radius of the generative annulus changes over time, the numbers of spirals in the pattern increase or decreases along the same Fibonacci-like sequence), as well as for different types of pattern transitions to occur. The essential condition for the Fibonacci patterns to continuously evolve is that the patterns are formed annulus by annulus on a circular domain and the pattern-forming mechanism is dominated by a quadratic nonlinearity. The predominance of the regular Fibonacci pattern is determined by the pattern transitions at early stages of meristem growth. Furthermore, Fibonacci patterns have self-similar structures across different radii, and there exists a one-to-one mapping between any two Fibonacci-like patterns. The possibility of unifying the previous theory of optimal packing on phyllotaxis and the solutions of current mechanistic partial differential equations is discussed.

Receptor glycosylation is critical in receptor-ligand interactions in immune cells, but the exact role of glycosylation in receptor activation upon ligand binding has not been elucidated. In neuronal cells, we have shown that when neurotrophic factors bind their respective Trk tyrosine kinase receptors, receptor activation and subsequent neurotrophin-mediated signaling is dependent upon the induction and activity of an endogenous sialidase enzyme. In this thesis, we report that toll-like receptor (TLR) activation upon ligand binding is similarly dependent on the induction of a cellular sialidase, which we have identified as Neu1 sialidase, which specifically targets and hydrolyses alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid residues on the receptor. Blocking Neu1 sialidase activity with specific inhibitor Tamiflu detrimentally impacts ligand-induced TLR4/MyD88 interaction, NFkappaB activation and TLR-mediated effector responses like nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Diminished cytokine production is also seen in vivo in Neu1-deficient mice. We propose a mechanism for the induction of Neu1 sialidase, upon ligand binding to TLR, that involves the activation of heterotrimeric G-alpha protein-dependent G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling to activate a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzyme, likely MMP-9. It is suggested that MMP-(9) targets the cell surface elastin receptor complex of Neu1/protective protein cathepsinA/elastin binding protein (EBP), which potentially catalytically activates Neu1. In addition, we report an association between Neu1 and TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 on the plasma membrane that has not previously been described. The idea that the multiple functionality and diversity of TLRs and TLR-mediated signaling may be an immunologic paradigm capable of explaining all human disease is provocative but plausible. Certainly, the structural integrity of TLRs, their ligand interactions and activation are essential for immunological protection. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of Neu1 sialidase regulation of TLR activation will provide important opportunities for disease control through TLR manipulation. The future directions of this research will also open a new area of glycobiology research (the glycomics of innate immune responses) and will widen the scope for the development of novel therapeutic drugs to combat infections and inflammatory diseases. / Thesis (Ph.D, Microbiology & Immunology) -- Queen's University, 2009-01-26 12:33:32.743

The multi-functional FGL2 can be expressed as either a type II membrane-associated glycoprotein or a secreted tetrameric molecule. As an important effector of regulatory T cells, secreted FGL2 inhibits dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation. The mechanism of its immunomodulatory function remains unclear. The goals of this thesis are to identify receptor(s) of secreted FGL2, key biological functions and signaling pathways, and mechanism of FGL2 oligomerization. Soluble FGL2 was critical for all studies, and the production of recombinant FGL2 was compared in E. coli, insect cells and mammalian cells. Soluble and stable FGL2 was secreted only by mammalian cells, indicating the importance of post-translational modification. In flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance assays, recombinant FcFGL2 and albumin tagged FGL2 fusion proteins bound to Fc gamma RIIB and Fc gamma RIII receptors expressed by antigen presenting cells (APCs), including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated B lymphocytes, endothelial cells, thioglycollate-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). The binding of recombinant FGL2 to Fc gamma RIIB and Fc gamma RIII was specific, dependent on receptor expression and blocked by anti-Fc gamma RIIB/III antibody. FcFGL2 inhibited the maturation of BM-DC derived from fc gamma riib wild type mice but not from fc gamma riib knock out mice. It also induced apoptosis of the A20 mouse B cell line (Fc gammaRIIB+), but not the A20IIA1.6 cell line (Fc gamma RIIB-). The activation of caspases induced by FcFGL2 binding to A20 cells was confirmed by flow cytometry, Western blotting and analysis of DNA fragmentation. The role of Fc gammaRIIB in FGL2-mediated immunosuppression was confirmed in vivo. Infusion of FcFGL2 into fc gamma riib+/+, but not fc gamma riib-/- C57BL/6J mice (H-2b) inhibited the rejection of fully mismatched BALB/cJ (H-2d) skin and heart allografts. Studies on the mechanism of FGL2 oligomerization employed site-directed mutagenesis and revealed that cysteines at positions 94, 97, 184, and 187 were critical. Mutation of these cysteines resulted in secretion of monomeric FGL2. Computer modeling of FGL2 tetramers predicted an asymmetric arrangement that was similar to the structure of multimeric ficolin. The data presented in this thesis provide mechanistic insights into the immunosuppressive activity of soluble FGL2, and a foundation for the development of a novel and potentially highly effective immunosuppressive therapy.

The multi-functional FGL2 can be expressed as either a type II membrane-associated glycoprotein or a secreted tetrameric molecule. As an important effector of regulatory T cells, secreted FGL2 inhibits dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation. The mechanism of its immunomodulatory function remains unclear. The goals of this thesis are to identify receptor(s) of secreted FGL2, key biological functions and signaling pathways, and mechanism of FGL2 oligomerization. Soluble FGL2 was critical for all studies, and the production of recombinant FGL2 was compared in E. coli, insect cells and mammalian cells. Soluble and stable FGL2 was secreted only by mammalian cells, indicating the importance of post-translational modification. In flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance assays, recombinant FcFGL2 and albumin tagged FGL2 fusion proteins bound to Fc gamma RIIB and Fc gamma RIII receptors expressed by antigen presenting cells (APCs), including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated B lymphocytes, endothelial cells, thioglycollate-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). The binding of recombinant FGL2 to Fc gamma RIIB and Fc gamma RIII was specific, dependent on receptor expression and blocked by anti-Fc gamma RIIB/III antibody. FcFGL2 inhibited the maturation of BM-DC derived from fc gamma riib wild type mice but not from fc gamma riib knock out mice. It also induced apoptosis of the A20 mouse B cell line (Fc gammaRIIB+), but not the A20IIA1.6 cell line (Fc gamma RIIB-). The activation of caspases induced by FcFGL2 binding to A20 cells was confirmed by flow cytometry, Western blotting and analysis of DNA fragmentation. The role of Fc gammaRIIB in FGL2-mediated immunosuppression was confirmed in vivo. Infusion of FcFGL2 into fc gamma riib+/+, but not fc gamma riib-/- C57BL/6J mice (H-2b) inhibited the rejection of fully mismatched BALB/cJ (H-2d) skin and heart allografts. Studies on the mechanism of FGL2 oligomerization employed site-directed mutagenesis and revealed that cysteines at positions 94, 97, 184, and 187 were critical. Mutation of these cysteines resulted in secretion of monomeric FGL2. Computer modeling of FGL2 tetramers predicted an asymmetric arrangement that was similar to the structure of multimeric ficolin. The data presented in this thesis provide mechanistic insights into the immunosuppressive activity of soluble FGL2, and a foundation for the development of a novel and potentially highly effective immunosuppressive therapy.

In Canada, and more specifically in Canadian-born Aboriginals and foreign born populations, high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) causes significant morbidity and mortality. The presence or absence of specific killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes, individually or in conjunction, may be associated with tuberculosis (active, latent, or uninfected disease status) as well as ethnicity of an individual. It is hypothesized that the differences in KIR profiles, gene frequencies, and/or haplotypes in Canadian-born Aboriginal, Canadian-born non-Aboriginal, and foreign born individuals elicits a differential activation or inhibition profile, resulting in differential cytokine expression and eventually contributes to the outcome of TB infection. In this study we examined the enrichment or depletion of KIR genes in different ethnic populations in Manitoba with special focus on active, latent, and uninfected TB status. In addition, we sought to explore the statistical correlation between TB status and inhibitory/stimulatory KIR haplotypes.