Suppression of ongoing experimental arthritis by a chinese herbal formula (huo-luo-xiao-ling dan) involves changes in antigen-induced immunological and biochemical mediators of inflammation

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the major autoimmune diseases of global prevalence. The use of the anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of RA is associated with severe adverse reactions and toxicity. This limitation has necessitated the search for novel therapeutic products. We report here a traditional Chinese medicine-based herbal formula, Huo luo xiao ling dan (HLXL), which has potent antiarthritic activity as validated in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) model. HLXL (2.3 g/Kg) was fed to Lewis (RT.1(1)) rats daily by gavage beginning at the onset of arthritis and then continued through the observation period. HLXL inhibited the severity of ongoing AA. This suppression of arthritis was associated with significant alterations in the T cell proliferative and cytokine responses as well as the antibody response against the disease-related antigen, mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (Bhsp65). There was a reduction in the level of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-1β but enhancement of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level. In addition, there was inhibition of both the anti-Bhsp65 antibody response and the serum level of nitric oxide. Thus, HLXL is a promising CAM modality for further testing in RA patients.

Structural features of the 5’ flanking region of the Yak (Bos grunniens) growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene (Brief Report)

Abstract. Yak (Bos grunniens) is a species of the Bovidae family living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent territories at altitudes from 2 000–5 000 m (LUO et al. 2005, MA et al. 2009). As a multi-purpose domestic animal, yaks are indispensable to the local animal husbandry development because it can provide life necessities such as meat, milk, fur, velour manufacturing, transportation and manure for fuel to the local herdsmen. There are twelve yak populations numbered around 13.3 million in China and the Bazhou yak is one of Chinese yak populations (WIENER et al. 2003). The Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) gene was identified as a candidate gene affecting key quantitative traits, like growth, milk yield and composition in livestock. At present, only investigations were carried out on the genetic variation in Exon-8, Intron-8 and Exon-10 of the yak GHR gene (VARVIO et al. 2008), no other information on the yak GHR gene is available. The purposes of this study were to – analyze the structural features of the 5’ flanking region of the yak GHR gene – compare the 5’ flanking region of yak GHR gene with that of other species of the Bovidae family and – construct the phylogenetic tree to indicate the evolutionary relationship among them.

Novel neoclerodane diterpene derivatives from the smoke of salvinorin A

Salvinorin A is a naturally-occurring potent and selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, and smoking salvinorin A produces the most intense hallucinogenic effects in human. Eight neoclerodane diterpene derivatives were isolated from the smoke of salvinorin A, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. The major structural changes include epimerizations, eliminations, and rearrangements.

p66(Shc) restrains Ras hyperactivation and suppresses metastatic behavior

Normal tissue cells survive and proliferate only while anchored to solid substrate. Conversely, transformed cells both survive and proliferate following detachment, having lost attachment context through unclear mechanisms. p66(Shc) is a focal adhesion-associated protein that reports cell attachment through a RhoA-dependent mechanosensory test. We find that human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), which display aggressive metastatic behavior, lack both p66(Shc) and retinoblastoma (pRB) and bypass anoikis. Re-expression of p66(Shc) in these cells restores anoikis and provides striking protection from metastasis by LLC cells in vivo. Notably, knockdown of p66(Shc) in normal epithelial cells leads to unrestrained Ras activation, preventing anoikis through downstream suppression of RhoA but blocking proliferation in a pRB-dependent manner, thus mimicking oncogenic Ras. Conversely, LLC and SCLC cells display constitutive Ras activation necessary to bypass anoikis, which is reversed by re-expression of p66(Shc). p66(Shc) therefore coordinates Ras-dependent control of proliferation and anchorage sensation, which can be defeated in the evolution of highly metastatic tumors by combined loss of both p66(Shc) and pRB.

Genotyping of the polymorphism within exon 1 of <i>Hormone Sensitive Lipase (LIPE)</i> Gene in three Chinese Yak (<i>Bos grunniens</i>) breeds by PCR-RFLP (Brief Report)

Abstract. The yak (Bos grunniens), a herbivore living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent territories, is one of world’s most remarkable domestic animals. Over the past decades, research has been done on properties of yak meat at physiological and biochemical levels. In recent years, some candidate genes associating with meat quality and lipid metabolism in yak have been studied (MA et al. 2007, ZHONG et al. 2007). The Hormone Sensitive Lipase (LIPE) gene has been regarded as a candidate gene associating with lipid metabolism and meat quality. Several studies have reported the genetic variations in the LIPE genes of human and pig (TALMUD et al. 1998, KNOLL et al. 1998, WU et al. 1998, HARBITZ et al. 1999), whereas the yak LIPE gene polymorphism has not been investigated and no information is available. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the genetic variation in Chinese yak LIPE at the DNA sequence level and genotyping of the polymorphism within LIPE in different yak breeds.

Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae that produces 1,3-propanediol from D-glucose

AIMS

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a safe micro-organism used in fermentation industry. 1,3-Propanediol is an important chemical widely used in polymer production, but its availability is being restricted owing to its expensively chemical synthesis. The aim of this study is to engineer a S. cerevisiae strain that can produce 1,3-propanediol at low cost.

METHODS AND RESULTS

By using D-glucose as a feedstock, S. cerevisiae could produce glycerol, but not 1,3-propanediol. In this study, we have cloned two genes yqhD and dhaB required for the production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol, and integrated them into the chromosome of S. cerevisiae W303-1A by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Both genes yqhD and dhaB functioned in the engineered S. cerevisiae and led to the production of 1,3-propanediol from D-glucose.

CONCLUSION

Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be engineered to produce 1,3-propanediol from low-cost feedstock D-glucose.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To our knowledge, this is the first report on developing S. cerevisiae to produce 1,3-propanediol by using A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation. This study might lead to a safe and cost-efficient method for industrial production of 1,3-propanediol.

Molecular characterization of toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates, collected from peanut fields in China

AIMS

The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic relationships between toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus collected from peanut fields in China, and to analyse deletions within the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster for the atoxigenic isolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Analysis of random-amplified polymorphic DNA and microsatellite-primed PCR data showed that the toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus were not clustered based on their regions and their ability of aflatoxin and sclerotial production. These results were further supported by DNA sequence of ITS, pksA and omtA genes. PCR assays showed that 24 of 35 isolates containing no detectable aflatoxins had the entire aflatoxin gene cluster. Eleven atoxigenic isolates had five different deletion patterns in the cluster.

CONCLUSIONS

Toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus are genetically similar, but some atoxigenic isolates having deletions within the aflatoxin gene cluster can be identified readily by PCR assays.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Because the extensive deletions within the aflatoxin gene cluster are not rare in the atoxigenic isolates, analysis of deletion within the cluster would be an effective method for the rapid screening of atoxigenic isolates for developing biocontrol agents.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and asthma: role in the pathogenesis and molecular regulation

Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is a major inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system. PAI-1 levels are markedly increased in asthmatic airways, and mast cells (MCs), a pivotal cell type in the pathogenesis of asthma, are one of the main sources of PAI-1 production. Recent studies suggest that PAI-1 may promote the development of asthma by regulating airway remodelling, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and allergic inflammation. The single guanosine nucleotide deletion/insertion polymorphism (4G/5G) at -675 bp of the PAI-1 gene is the major genetic determinant of PAI-1 expression. Plasma PAI-1 level is higher in people with the 4G/4G genotype than in those with the 5G/5G genotype. A strong association between the 4G/5G polymorphism and the risk and the severity of asthma has been suggested. Levels of plasma IgE and PAI-1 and severity of AHR are greater in asthmatic patients with the 4G/4G genotype than in those with the 5G/5G genotype. The PAI-1 promoter with the 4G allele renders higher transcription activity than the PAI-1 promoter with the 5G allele in stimulated MCs. The molecular mechanism for the 4G allele-mediated higher PAI-1 expression is associated with greater binding of upstream stimulatory factor-1 to the E-box adjacent to the 4G site (E-4G) than to the E-5G. In summary, PAI-1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Further studies evaluating the mechanisms of PAI-1 action and regulation may lead to the development of a novel prognostic factor and therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of asthma and other PAI-1-associated diseases.

Huo-Luo-Xiao-Ling Dan modulates antigen-directed immune response in adjuvant-induced inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

HLXL is a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the precise immunological mechanisms by which HLXL mediates its anti-inflammatory activity are not fully defined.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the effects of HLXL on antigen-specific immune parameters in adjuvant-induced inflammation model in the Lewis rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were fed daily with either HLXL (2.3g/kg) or vehicle (water) beginning 3 days before subcutaneous injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb), and then continued for another 6 days. After 9 days of Mtb injection, the draining lymph node cells were tested for T cell proliferative and cytokine responses against mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (Bhsp65). Moreover, sera were tested for anti-Bhsp65 antibodies and nitric oxide (NO).

RESULTS

HLXL-treated rats showed reduced T cell proliferative response to Bhsp65 compared to control rats. Furthermore, HLXL suppressed IL-17 response but enhanced IL-10 response without much effect on IFN-gamma. HLXL treatment also reduced the levels of anti-Bhsp65 antibodies but not that of NO.

CONCLUSIONS

HLXL feeding modulated both the cellular and the humoral immune response to Bhsp65 favoring an anti-inflammatory milieu for the suppression of adjuvant-induced inflammation.

Characterization of sterol demethylation inhibitor-resistant isolates of Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum collected from wheat in China

Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum are the primary causal agents of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat in China. In this study, sensitivities of 159 F. asiaticum and F. graminearum isolates to a benzimidazole fungicide carbendazim (MBC) and to sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) tebuconazole and prochloraz were determined. Among the 159 isolates, 9 were resistant to MBC and designated as MBC-R isolates. Three showed resistance to tebuconazole and prochloraz and designated as DMI-R isolates. There was no cross-resistance between MBC and DMI. Genetic analysis by microsatellite-primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that MBC-R or DMI-R isolates had different genotypes, which indicated that they originated from different wild-type parents. Analysis of two 14alpha-demethylase (cyp51) homologous genes (cyp51A and cyp51B) showed that the F. asiaticum isolates could be distinguished from F. graminearum isolates based on the sequence of cyp51A. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequence of cyp51A and cyp51B suggested that no mutations were associated with DMI resistance. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the DMI resistance was not related to the expression of cyp51A and cyp51B in F. asiaticum and F. graminearum, but expressions of both genes were induced greatly by the tebuconazole. Results of this study indicated that cyp51A would be an informative marker for analysis of population structure of F. asiaticum and F. graminearum, and the existence of homologous cyp51 genes in F. asiaticum and F. graminearum could provide new insights into DMI resistance in phytopathogenic fungi.

Simultaneous detection of Fusarium asiaticum and Fusarium graminearum in wheat seeds using a real-time PCR method

AIMS

To develop a PCR-based method for quantitative detection of Fusarium asiaticum (Fa) and Fusarium graminearum (Fg) in wheat seeds.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Based on the sequences of the cyp51A gene, two primer pairs FaF + FaR and FgF + FgR were developed for the species-specific detection of Fa and Fg, respectively. To simultaneously detect these two phylogenetic species, a pair of primers FgaF + FgaR was developed based on the first and the second introns of beta-tubulin gene. This primer pair amplified a 228-bp fragment only from Fa and Fg isolates, but not from 22 other Fusarium spp. and 13 other fungal species. A real-time PCR with this primer pair was able to quantify minute amounts of Fa and Fg DNA in wheat seeds rapidly.

CONCLUSIONS

PCR primers designed based on the sequence of cyp51A or intron region of beta-tubulin gene could allow differentiation of genetically related fungal species.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The sensitive and quantitative detection method can be readily used in epidemiological studies and in assessing risk of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination in wheat samples.

Management of delayed intrathoracic esophageal perforation with modified intraluminal esophageal stent

In this article, we reviewed our experience of treatment of the delayed intrathoracic nonmalignant esophageal perforation employing modified intraluminal esophageal stent. Between February 1990 and August 2006, eight patients were included in this study. Five patients experienced sepsis. The interval time between perforation and stent placement ranged from 36 h to 27 days (average, 8.6 days). Esophageal stenting and throracotomy for foreign body removal were performed in four patients. The remaining four patients underwent stent placement and thoracostomy. Nutrition was initiated through gastrostomy after 7 to 10 days after the stenting. The stent was removed after the patients resumed oral intake of food and the esophagogram showed that perforation was closed. There was no death in this group. Signs of sepsis remitted 1 week after stent placement. Complications included stress ulcer, stimulative cough, and pneumonia each. Stent removal ranged 32 to 120 days (average 66.7) after its placement. The stent was kept in place for 4 months to prevent formation of esophageal stricture in one patient with caustic esophageal burns. The follow-up was completed in all the patients. The mean follow-up period was 59 months (range 12-180). One patient with caustic esophageal burn underwent cicatricial esophagectomy and gastric transposition 3 years later due to the esophageal stricture. Barium swallow demonstrated that there was a diverticulum-like outpouching in one patient and slight esophageal stricture at T2 and T3 level in another. One patient developed reflux esophagitis 5 years after stent removal. All the patients finally had a normal intake of food. Modified esophageal stenting is an effective method to manage the delayed intrathoracic esophageal perforation. Prevention of stent migration and its convenient adjustment might be the major advantages of this method.

Immunization against inhibin enhances both embryo quantity and quality in Holstein heifers after superovulation and insemination with sex-sorted semen

The objective was to investigate the feasibility of improving embryo yield in superovulated cows following insemination with sex-sorted semen by prior immunization against inhibin. Twenty-eight heifers were allocated into three groups: High (n=10), Low (n=10), and Control (n=8). The High group received one primary (1mg) and two booster (0.5mg) vaccinations (28-d intervals) with a recombinant inhibin alpha-subunit in 1 mL of white oil adjuvant, whereas the Low group received half that dose, and the Control group received only adjuvant. After the last immunization, all heifers underwent a standard superovulation treatment (decreasing doses of pFSH for 4d), followed by two AI with 2 x 10(6) sex-sorted semen after the onset of estrus. Inhibin-immunized heifers had higher (P<0.01) plasma antibody titres, and an earlier onset of estrus (P<0.05) than Control heifers. The total number of embryo/ova, transferable, and grade 1 embryos in the High group (15.4+/-1.9, 5.7+/-0.7, and 3.8+/-1.0, respectively) was significantly greater than that of the Control group (9.1+/-1.2, 3.1+/-0.5, and 0.6+/-0.2), but was intermediate (P>0.05) in the Low group (13.0+/-2.3, 4.4+/-0.7, and 1.2+/-0.3). There were no significant differences among groups in number of unfertilized ova and degenerated embryos. The High group also had higher (P>0.05) plasma progesterone concentrations on the day of embryo collection. In conclusion, immunization against inhibin improved both embryo quantity and quality following superovulation and insemination with sex-sorted semen.