Differential cytokine responses in human and mouse lymphatic endothelial cells to cytokines in vitro

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory cytokines dysregulate microvascular function, yet how cytokines affect lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) are unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined effects of TNF-α, IL-1 beta, and IFN-gamma on LEC proliferation, endothelial cell adhesion molecule (ECAM) expression, capillary formation, and barrier changes in murine (SV-LEC) and human LECs (HMEC-1a).

RESULTS

All cytokines induced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MAdCAM-1, and E-selectin in SV-LECs; TNF-α, IL-1 beta; and IFN-gamma induced ECAMs (but not MAdCAM-1) in HMEC-1a. IL-1 beta increased, while IFN-gamma and TNF-α reduced SV-LEC proliferation. While TNF-α induced, IFN-gamma decreased, and IL-1 beta did not show any effect on HMEC-1a proliferation. TNF-α, IL-1 beta, and IFN-gamma each reduced capillary formation in SV-LEC and in HMEC-1a. TNF-α and IL-1 beta reduced barrier in SV-LEC and HMEC-1a; IFN-gamma did not affect SV-LEC barrier, but enhanced HMEC-1a barrier. Inflammatory cytokines alter LEC growth, activation and barrier function in vitro and may disturb lymphatic clearance increasing tissue edema in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Therapies that maintain or restore lymphatic function (including cytokines blockade), may represent important strategies for limiting inflammation.

Semiconductor-Doped Polymers. Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Semiconductor clusters with sizes of a few to hundreds of Å, covering the entire range from molecular to bulk, have been prepared within polymer films. For PbS, the band-gap shifts to higher energy as the cluster size decreases and eventually converges to the transition energy of the first excited state of PbS molecule. The observed dependence of band-gap on cluster size can be explained by a tightbinding model that takes into account the effects of band nonparabolicity. These semiconductor-doped polymers represent a new class of nonlinear optical materials. Here we present the nonlinear optical properties of polymer films doped with 50 A CdS and discuss the possible mechanisms.

Wetting Behaviors of Sn-Based Solders on Cu and Pd Surfaces

We have studied the surface morphology and wetting reaction of eutectic SnBi, eutectic SnPb, and pure Sn on Cu and Pd surfaces. In the case of Pd, the reactions were so fast that no quasi-equilibrium wetting angle could be measured. The compound formation has changed not only the interfaces but also the surfaces. Due to the formation of a reaction band outside the solder cap, the SnPb solder is no longer wetting the Cu surface but rather the Cu-Sn compound surface. In the wetting interface between eutectic SnPb and Cu, the morphology of the scallop-like Cu-Sn compound grains shows that we may not apply the classical model of layered compound growth to analyze the rate of soldering reactions.

Local delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 increases axonal regeneration and the expression of tau protein after facial nerve injury

This study explored the function and possible mechanism of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the healing of injured peripheral nerves in vivo. Rabbit facial nerves were injured by clamping and then treated with recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) or phosphate-buffered saline (control) by injecting once during surgery and twice a day post-injury for 7 days. Facial nerve fragments within 5 mm of the clamping point were examined at different times post-surgery. Axon structures visualized by Bielschowsky staining were similar in experimental and control nerves 2 and 6 weeks post-injury. At 4 weeks post-injury, cross-section images of facial nerves showed that axons treated with rhBMP-2 were denser and thicker, and levels of tau protein were increased. It is concluded from these data that rhBMP-2 may affect injured facial nerve regeneration by inducing more neurons to return to embryonic patterns of tau gene expression.

Measurement of the parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetry for W± boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating single-spin asymmetries for midrapidity decay positrons and electrons from W+ and W- boson production in longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured asymmetries, A(L)(W+) = -0.27 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.03(norm.) and A(L)(W-) = 0.14 ± 0.19(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.01(norm.), are consistent with theory predictions, which are large and of opposite sign. These predictions are based on polarized quark and antiquark distribution functions constrained by polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.

Application Of Thin Films Of Conjugated Polymers In Novel Led's And Liquid Crystal “Light Valves”

Light emitting electroluminescent devices have been studied in which the conjugated light emitting polymer is separated on both sides from the device electrodes by a film of nonconducting polyaniline. The devices operate under an AC applied potential.Aluminum, copper or gold serve as the metal electrodes. Flexible, completely organic polymer dispersed liquid crystal light valves have been fabricated from transparent plastic substrates on which a conducting film of polypyrrole has been deposited. A new concept, “microcontact printing”, is being investigated for patterning the polypyrrole.

A Multi-Anvil High Pressure System with Synchrotron X-Ray Probe: New Opportunities for In-Situ Materials Research at Simultaneously High Pressure and Temperature

We describe the multi-anvil, large-volume, high-pressure facility that is being constructed at the GeoSoilEnviroCARS (Sector 13) at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Various multi-anvil, high-pressure apparatus will be used to cover pressure and temperature conditions up to 40 GPa and 3000 °C, respectively, with milimeter to centimeter sized samples. This national facility is open to all users, providing excellent opportunities for high pressure, high temperature experiments.

Polybenzimidazoles/Phosphoric Acid Solid Polymer Electrolytes: Mechanical and Electrical Properties

Poly (2,2'-(m-phenylene) 5,5'-bibenzimidazole), PBI and poly (2,5-benzimidazole), ABPBI, were cast into films and doped with phosphoric acid. Their mechanical properties were studied as a function of inherent viscosity and phosphoric acid content. The commercial PBI with an I. V. of 0.8 to 0.9 had relatively low elongation at break. It was fractionated; the higher the inherent viscosity the higher the modulus and elongation. At low phosphoric acid doping the modulus rose because a crystalline phase developed, and then dropped as more phosphoric acid was added. A second doping method produced films with high crystallinity and higher conductivity (0.02-.03 vs. 0.06-.08 S/cm) but poorer elongation than those made by doping a cast film in phosphoric acid. In order to get higher molecular weight films that could have better mechanical properties, we decided to polymerize 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid to ABPBI, an AB polymer for which I. V.'s of∼16 have been reported. After learning how to purify and polymerize the monomer, I. V.'s of 6–8 were easily obtained. Conductivities of the doped ABPBI films were as high as those of the best PBI films. With their high viscosities, the ABPBI films were much tougher and had better elongation than the doped PBI films.

Conjugated Poly-P-Phenylene (PPP) From Poly(1,3-Cyclohexadiene) (PCHD) Homo- and Block Copolymers: Controlled Processability and Properties

Conjugated polymers have been used as solid-state materials for a variety of opto-electronic applications. Thus, their processability in a number of device fabrication protocols is an important consideration. In this report, we indicate our results on the synthesis of conjugated poly-p-phenylene (PPP) materials derived from poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) (PCHD). The precursor PCHD polymers were synthesized by living anionic polymerization to produce homo-and block copolymer configurations with polystyrene. We have used a variety of initiators, solvent, and temperature conditions to determine the right parameters for obtaining narrow MWD polymers. The conditions for polymerization determined the ratio of 1,2 and 1,4 isomers in the microstructure. We then proceeded with conversion to PPP derivatives using a dehydrogenation reaction with chloranil. Our results indicate a systematic conversion to a conjugated polymer with increased solubility and photoluminescence properties. The microstructure, MW and block copolymer composition affecting the processability and conversion properties dramatically.

Enhanced survival of dopaminergic neuronal transplants in hemiparkinsonian rats by the p53 inactivator PFT-α

A key limiting factor impacting the success of cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease is the survival of the grafted cells, which are often short lived. The focus of this study was to examine a novel strategy to optimize the survival of exogenous fetal ventromesencephalic (VM) grafts by treatment with the p53 inhibitor, pifithrin-α (PFT-α), to improve the biological outcome of parkinsonian animals. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 6-hydroxydopamine into the left medial forebrain bundle to induce a hemiparkinsonian state. At 7 weeks after lesioning, animals were grafted with fetal VM or cortical tissue into the lesioned striatum and, thereafter, received daily PFT-α or vehicle injections for 5 days. Apomorphine-induced rotational behavior was examined at 2, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after grafting. Analysis of TUNEL or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining was undertaken at 5 days or 4 months after grafting. The transplantation of fetal VM tissue into the lesioned striatum reduced rotational behavior. A further reduction in rotation was apparent in animals receiving PFT-α and VM transplants. By contrast, no significant reduction in rotation was evident in animals receiving cortical grafts or cortical grafts + PFT-α. PFT-α treatment reduced TUNEL labeling and increased TH(+) cell and fiber density in the VM transplants. In conclusion, our data indicate that early postgrafting treatment with PFT-α enhances the survival of dopamine cell transplants and augments behavioral recovery in parkinsonian animals.

Caecal transcriptome analysis of colonized and non-colonized chickens within two genetic lines that differ in caecal colonization by Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of human bacterial enteritis worldwide. The molecular mechanisms of the host responses of chickens to C. jejuni colonization are not well understood. We have previously found differences in C. jejuni colonization at 7-days post-inoculation (pi) between two genetic broiler lines. However, within each line, not all birds were colonized by C. jejuni (27.5% colonized in line A, and 70% in line B). Therefore, the objective of the present experiments was to further define the differences in host gene expression between colonized and non-colonized chickens within each genetic line. RNA isolated from ceca of colonized and non-colonized birds within each line was applied to a chicken 44K Agilent microarray for the pair comparison. There were differences in the mechanisms of host resistant to C. jejuni colonization between line A and line B. Ten times more differentially expressed genes were observed between colonized and non-colonized chickens within line B than those within line A. Our study supports the fact that the MAPK pathway is important in host response to C. jejuni colonization in line B, but not in line A. The data indicate that inhibition of small GTPase-mediated signal transduction could enhance the resistance of chickens to C. jejuni colonization and that the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily genes play important roles in determining C. jejuni non-colonization in broilers.

The CKLF1-C19 peptide attenuates allergic lung inflammation by inhibiting CCR3- and CCR4-mediated chemotaxis in a mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND

  Human chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) is a functional ligand for human CCR4, which is highly expressed on Th2 lymphocytes and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The expression and function of CKLF1 are associated with asthma. The CKLF1 C-terminal peptides C19 and C27 also interact with human CCR4. Albeit with weaker chemotactic activity, C19 can inhibit chemotaxis induced by both CKLF1 and CCL17. Here, we explore whether C19 can act as an antagonist in the development of asthma.

METHODS

  A mouse model of asthma and in vitro and in vivo chemotaxis assays were used.

RESULTS

  Using a mouse model of asthma, we demonstrate here that C19 reduces airway eosinophilia, lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness; in contrast, C27 has little effect on these parameters. The inhibitory effects of C19 on CCR4-mediated chemotaxis could be observed in human Th2 lymphocytes and in the splenocytes from ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Furthermore, we show that C19 can inhibit CCL11-induced chemotaxis of mouse eosinophils and human CCR3-transfected or mouse Ccr3-transfected HEK293 cells. In vivo chemotaxis assays revealed that C19 and C27 can reduce CCL11-mediated recruitment of eosinophils into the peritoneal cavity and that this inhibitory effect is stronger for C19 than for C27.

CONCLUSIONS

  Thus, C19 can attenuate airway eosinophilia and lung inflammation by inhibiting CCR3- and CCR4-mediated chemotaxis in a mouse model of asthma. Given its ability to inhibit human CCR3- and CCR4-meditated chemotaxis, C19 has great therapeutic potential for use in the treatment and control of allergic asthma.

Association between socioeconomic status and bone mineral density in adults: a systematic review

For most causes of mortality and morbidity, a socioeconomic gradient exists; however, this systematic review identified limited evidence for the role of education on bone mineral density (BMD). Further research is required to build upon the current paucity of data examining influences of socioeconomic status (SES) on BMD, especially in men.

INTRODUCTION

For most causes of mortality and morbidity, a socioeconomic gradient exists, although little is understood of the relationship between BMD and SES. We systematically evaluated evidence of SES as a risk factor for low BMD at the clinically relevant sites of hip and spine in adults.

METHODS

We conducted a computer-aided search of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO from January 1, 1966 until December 31, 2008. Reviewed studies investigated the relationship between SES parameters of income, education, and occupation, and the level of BMD. Studies were rated based on their methodological quality, and a best-evidence synthesis was used to summarise the results.

RESULTS

One case-control and seven cross-sectional studies were identified for inclusion, of which four cross-sectional studies were high-quality. Best-evidence analysis identified consistent, yet limited, evidence for a positive association between educational attainment and BMD in women. No evidence was available regarding an association between income or occupation and BMD in either gender, or education and BMD in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited good quality evidence exists for the role that education level may play in BMD levels. Cohort studies are required to examine the relationship between individual SES parameters and BMD in order to identify potential intervention targets.