MAGUKs, scaffolding proteins at cell junctions, are substrates of different proteases during apoptosis

A major feature of apoptotic cell death is gross structural changes, one of which is the loss of cell–cell contacts. The caspases, executioners of apoptosis, were shown to cleave several proteins involved in the formation of cell junctions. The membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs), which are typically associated with cell junctions, have a major role in the organization of protein–protein complexes at plasma membranes and are therefore potentially important caspase targets during apoptosis. We report here that MAGUKs are cleaved and/or degraded by executioner caspases, granzyme B and several cysteine cathepsins in vitro. When apoptosis was induced by UV-irradiation and staurosporine in different epithelial cell lines, caspases were found to efficiently cleave MAGUKs in these cell models, as the cleavages could be prevented by a pan-caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)fluoromethylketone. Using a selective lysosomal disrupting agent -leucyl--leucine methyl ester, which induces apoptosis through the lysosomal pathway, it was further shown that MAGUKs are also cleaved by the cathepsins in HaCaT and CaCo-2 cells. Immunohistological data showed rapid loss of MAGUKs at the sites of cell–cell contacts, preceding actual cell detachment, suggesting that cleavage of MAGUKs is an important step in fast and efficient cell detachment.

Investigation of the spread of brucellosis among human and animal populations in southeastern Bulgaria, 2007

Three human cases of brucellosis were reported in summer 2007 in the region of Haskovo in southeastern Bulgaria. Subsequently, the regional veterinary and public health authorities carried out investigations to determine the spread of infection in domestic animals and in the human population. As a result, over 90,000 animals were tested, and 410 were found infected with brucellosis. The screening of 561 people believed to have been at risk of infection yielded 47 positive results. The majority of these persons had direct contact with domestic animals or had consumed unpasteurised dairy products. The investigations revealed evidence of disease among animals in the region and a considerable risk to humans, thus emphasising the need for effective prevention and control programmes.

Investigation of the spread of brucellosis among human and animal populations in southeastern Bulgaria, 2007

Three human cases of brucellosis were reported in summer 2007 in the region of Haskovo in southeastern Bulgaria. Subsequently, the regional veterinary and public health authorities carried out investigations to determine the spread of infection in domestic animals and in the human population. As a result, over 90,000 animals were tested, and 410 were found infected with brucellosis. The screening of 561 people believed to have been at risk of infection yielded 47 positive results. The majority of these persons had direct contact with domestic animals or had consumed unpasteurised dairy products. The investigations revealed evidence of disease among animals in the region and a considerable risk to humans, thus emphasising the need for effective prevention and control programmes.

Sings of Apoptosis of Immunocompetent Cells in Patients with Depression

Data have been obtained showing that programmed cell death - apoptosis - plays an important role in mediating the mechanisms of adaptation of the body to external influences. Studies were performed using 26 patients with depression (20 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 48,0±12,6 years. The control group consisted of 20 healthy subjects, identical in gender and age to patients in the experimental group. Measures of apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum cortisol concentrations were determined. A significant increase in lymphocyte apoptosis was found in patients with depression, resulting in an increase in the proportion of lymphocytes expressing the FAS receptor; cells with morphological signs characteristic of apoptosis (nuclear condensation, vacuolization) were also seen. The proportion of neutrophils with sings of spontaneous apoptosis in patients with depression prior to treatment was greater then that in healthy subjects, with values of 0,63±0,26% and 0,25±0,12 respectively (p< 0,05). The proportion of lymphocytes with fragmented nuclei was also greater, at 2,03±0,72% compared with 0,97±0,35 in healthy controls (p< 0,05). An increase in serum cortisol to 440,64±22,04 nM was found in patients with depression, while the mean in healthy subjects was 323,03±21,45 nM. A positive correlation between cortisol and CD95 cells was found, demonstrating the important role of corticosteroids in controlling expressing the apoptosis marker in immunocompetent cells. A high level of CD95+ lymphocytes and a high level of spontaneous apoptosis may result from the destructive influences of stress on the body of depressed patients.

Steroid and Thyreoid Hormones and Neurotic, Stress-related and Somatoform Disorders

Objective:

Study concentrations of steroid and thyreoid hormones in patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders.

Methods:

35 patients with dissociative (conversion) disorders (ISD-10, F44), 29 patients with adjustment disorders (ISD-10, F43.2) and mentally healthy persons (27 persons) were investigated. Immunofermantal analysis for definition of concentration of steroid and thyreoid hormones were carried out.

Results:

We have observed statistically significant increased level of cortizol (p< 0,05) in patients with adjustment disorders (635,04±48,69 nmol/l) in comparison with control and patients with dissociative (conversion) disorders (444,97±24,53 nmol/l and 443,13±23,00 nmol/l accordingly). The statistically significant the lowered maintenance of dehydroepiandrosteronum is characteristic for patients with adjustment disorders in comparison with control and patients of another group (3,9±0,26; 6,35±0,62 and 6,69±0,50 mkmol/l accordingly, p< 0,05). For patients with dissociative (conversion) disorders is characteristic the statistically significant increased level of triiodthyronin (1,71±0,12 nmol/l), in patients with adjustment disorders and mentally healthy persons this metric composed 1,26±0,02 nmol/l and 1,34±0,04 nmol/l accordingly. The level of thyroxin for the persons with dissociative (conversion) disorders differ from values of control and patients with adjustment disorders (23,68±2,07 pkmol/l; 17,64±1,43 pkmol/l and 14,69±0,53 pkmol/l accordingly, p< 0,05).

Conclusion:

For patients with adjustment disorders is characteristic the statistically significant increased level of cortizol and the lowered maintenance of dehydroepiandrosteronum. Dissociative (conversion) disorders are formed in conditions of the raised maintenance thyreoid hormones and the physiological maintenance of steroid hormones.The investigation supported by project of RHSF №06-06-00691а, №07-06-95673и/М and №08-06-00284а.

Essential nutrients suppress inflammation by modulating key inflammatory gene expression

We investigated the effects of a nutrient mixture (NM) consisting of ascorbic acid, quercetin, naringenin, hesperetin, tea catechins, lysine, proline, arginine and N-acetylcysteine on experimental in vivo and in vitro inflammation triggered by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BALB/c mice (n=36) were administered NM (200 mg/kg BW) or ibuprofen (20 mg/kg BW) for two weeks. Blood plasma, collected three hours after a single intraperitoneal injection with LPS (1 mg/kg BW), was analyzed with 14 cytokine microarray. LPS inflammatory effects were analyzed in human U937 macrophages by cytokine release, cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymatic activity, COX protein expression (Western blot analysis), specific mRNA levels (RT-PCR), and nuclear factor kappabeta (NFkappabeta) activation (phosphorylated p65 immunoassay). Nutrient supplementation in mice altered the LPS-induced cytokine response in a manner similar to ibuprofen (r=0.4157, p=0.139). Cytokine response to LPS in cultured macrophages was similar to the in vivo study (r=0.718, p=0.023). NM inhibited COX-2 enzymatic activity, and COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine protein expression levels were downregulated by NM at the transcription level complementing a blockade in NFkappabeta activation. NM demonstrated strong beneficial effects on the experimental inflammation by targeting multiple responsible mechanisms in the complex process involved in the inflammatory reaction to pathogens.

Naturally produced extracellular matrix inhibits growth rate and invasiveness of human osteosarcoma cancer cells

Enhanced supplementation with certain naturally occurring nutrients and vitamins has been associated with a reduction in occurrence and progression of human cancer. The exact mechanisms of this action are still under investigation. Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in the development of cancer. Therefore, we studied whether nutrients could exert anticancer effects through alteration of ECM biological properties. Confluent cultures of normal human dermal fibroblasts were allowed to produce and deposit ECM during a 7 d incubation period in the presence of tested compounds. Subsequently, fibroblasts were removed and the growth rates of freshly placed cultures of human osteosarcoma cells (lines U2-OS, MMNG, or SK.ES1) on pre-formed ECM were assayed in plain cell growth medium. In addition, ECM was deposited by fibroblasts on the upper surface of a porous plastic membrane and the subsequent migration of osteosarcoma cells to the other side was assayed in non-supplemented medium. The results demonstrated that the ECM produced by normal fibroblasts treated with a mixture of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, arginine, cysteine, and green tea polyphenols significantly reduced the growth rate and invasive activity of osteosarcoma cells in contrast to the non-supplemented control. The changes in ECM properties were accompanied by significant changes in ECM protein and glycosaminoglycan composition as assayed immunochemically. We conclude that anticancer effects of nutrients involve beneficial changes in ECM biological properties. The role of ECM components in ECM-dependent regulation of tumor cell activities is discussed.

[Parenchymal hepatic cells in bile]

The presence of particular cells, discussed in literature as disintegrated parenchymal hepatic cells makes impression during a cytological study. We examined 21 patients with chronic active hepatitis. They had the above described cells found in the bile sediment by means of light microscope. The sediments were studied with electronic microscope as well. Ultrastructural proofs of the fact that these cells originate from hepatic parenchyma were found in 3 of the cases. The most important evidences are: the structure of the granular endoplasmic riticulum and of the mitochondria, as well as the precipitation of microcorpuscles.

Mind over immunity

The central nervous system regulates the innate immune system by elaborating anti-inflammatory hormone cascades in response to bacterial products and immune mediators. We recently discovered that the central nervous system also responds via acetylcholine-mediated efferent signals carried through the vagus nerve. Nicotinic cholinergic receptors expressed on macrophages detect these signals and respond with a dampened cytokine response. Vagus nerve stimulators can mimic this response and can prevent lethal endotoxemia. This newly appreciated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway provides a neural substrate to study brain-immune interactions and might be harnessed for therapy of cytokine-mediated disease.