• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2014

We produced the transgenic silkworm that expressed the enhanced blue fluorescent protein (EBFP) in the cocoon of silkworms. The EBFP fusion protein, each with N- and C-terminal sequences of the fibroin H-chain, was designed to be secreted into the lumen of the posterior silk glands. The expression of the EBFP/H-chain fusion gene was regulated by the fibroin H-chain promoter. The use of the $3{\times}P3$-driven DsRed2 cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworm. A mixture of the donor and helper vector was micro-injected into 300 eggs of silkworms, Baegokjam. We obtained 5 broods. The cocoon displayed blue fluorescence, proving that the fusion protein was present in the cocoon. Also, the presence of fusion proteins in cocoons was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. Accordingly, we suggest that the EBFP fluorescence silk will enable the production of the silk-based biomaterials.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.153-158
• /
• 2013

To express green fluorescent protein in the cocoon of silkworm, we constructed the fibroin H-chain expression system to produce enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in the cocoon of transgenic silkworms. The EGFP fusion protein, each with N- and C-terminal sequences of the fibroin H-chain, was designed to be secreted into the lumen of the posterior silk glands. The expression of the EGFP/H-chain fusion gene was regulated by the fibroin H-chain promoter. The use of the 3xP3-driven DsRed2 cDNA as a marker allowed us to rapidly distinguish transgenic silkworm. A mixture of the donor and helper vector was micro-injected into 1,200 eggs of bivoltin silkworms, Baegokjam. We obtained 8 broods. The cocoon displayed strong green fluorescence, proving that the fusion protein was present in the cocoon. Also, the presence of fusion proteins in cocoons was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Accordingly, we suggest that the EGFP fluorescence silk will enable the production of the novel biomaterial based on the transgenic silk.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.159-170
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Immunization with Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (PgHSP60) may have an immunoregulatory effect on atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether nasal immunization with a PgHSP60 peptide could reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice. Methods: Seven-week-old male ApoE KO mice were assigned to receive a normal diet, a Western diet, a Western diet and challenge with PgHSP60-derived peptide 14 (Pep14) or peptide 19 (Pep19), or a Western diet and immunization with Pep14 or Pep19 before challenge with Pep14 or Pep19. Results: Atherosclerotic plaques were significantly smaller in mice that received a Western diet with Pep14 nasal immunization than in mice that received a Western diet and no Pep14 immunization with or without Pep14 challenge. An immunoblot profile failed to detect serum reactivity to Pep14 in any of the study groups. Stimulation by either Pep14 or Pep19 strongly promoted the induction of CD4⁺CD25⁺ forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)⁺ human regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. However, the expression of mouse splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the Pep14-challenged or Pep19-immunized mice. Levels of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta were higher and levels of interleukin (IL) 10 were lower in the Pep14-immunized mice than in the other groups. Induction of CD25^- IL-17⁺ T helper 17 (Th17) cells was attenuated in the Pep14-immunized mice. Conclusions: Nasal immunization with Pep14 may be a mechanism for attenuating atherogenesis by promoting the secretion of IFN-γ and/or suppressing Th17-mediated immunity.