Adipose tissue hypoxia induces inflammatory M1 polarity of macrophages in an HIF-1α-dependent and HIF-1α-independent manner in obese mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

As obesity progresses, adipose tissue exhibits a hypoxic and inflammatory phenotype characterised by the infiltration of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs). In this study, we examined how adipose tissue hypoxia is involved in the induction of the inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 polarities of ATMs.

METHODS

The hypoxic characteristics of ATMs were evaluated using flow cytometry after the injection of pimonidazole, a hypoxia probe, in normal-chow-fed or high-fat-fed mice. The expression of hypoxia-related and inflammation-related genes was then examined in M1/M2 ATMs and cultured macrophages.

RESULTS

Pimonidazole uptake was greater in M1 ATMs than in M2 ATMs. This uptake was paralleled by the levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. The expression level of hypoxia-related genes, as well as inflammation-related genes, was also higher in M1 ATMs than in M2 ATMs. The expression of Il6, Il1β and Nos2 in cultured macrophages was increased by exposure to hypoxia in vitro but was markedly decreased by the gene deletion of Hif1a. In contrast, the expression of Tnf, another inflammatory cytokine gene, was neither increased by exposure to hypoxia nor affected by Hif1a deficiency. These results suggest that hypoxia induces the inflammatory phenotypes of macrophages via Hif1a-dependent and -independent mechanisms. On the other hand, the expression of inflammatory genes in cultured M2 macrophages treated with IL-4 responded poorly to hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Adipose tissue hypoxia induces an inflammatory phenotype via Hif1a-dependent and Hif1a-independent mechanisms in M1 ATMs but not in M2 ATMs.

Genotypic variability for root/shoot parameters under water stress in some advanced lines of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Research pertaining to genetic variability parameters, heritability, and genotypic, phenotypic, simple, and environmental correlations for various seedling traits in five elite advanced cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lines (FH-113, FH-114, FH-941, FH-942, and FH-2015) and one check (CIM-496) was carried out during October and November 2010 under greenhouse conditions at the Cotton Research Institute (Faisalabad, Pakistan). Material was raised in plastic tubes with a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Three drought shocks were applied by withholding water from the tube-sown plants for 8-, 10-, and 12-day intervals. After 60 days of sowing, data on root/shoot traits like root length (cm), shoot length (cm), root weight (g), shoot fresh weight (g), lateral root number, root dry weight (g) shoot dry weight (g), and total plant weight (g) were recorded. Considerable genotypic variations existed between genotypes for all seedling characters. Higher broad-sense heritability estimates were found for all traits studied. Maximum broad-sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance in root length (0.99, 17.34), lateral root number (0.91, 2.89), and shoot length (0.90, 4.35) suggested a potential for genetic improvement through breeding and selection. The correlation coefficients among root length, shoot length, root dry weight, fresh shoot weight, and total plant weight were positively and significantly correlated; thus, they can be selected simultaneously as drought tolerance selection indexes owing to the absence of undesired relationships. Genotypes FH-942 and FH-113 had the lowest excised leaf water loss during the first 4 h and also for the next 4 h. Therefore, these two advanced lines (FH-942 and FH-113) with high initial water content and lower excised leaf water loss had better adaptation to water stress.

Quasiparticle scattering off phase boundaries in epitaxial graphene

We investigate the electronic structure of terraces of single layer graphene (SLG) by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on samples grown by thermal decomposition of 6H-SiC(0001) crystals in ultra-high vacuum. We focus on the perturbations of the local density of states (LDOS) in the vicinity of edges of SLG terraces. Armchair edges are found to favour intervalley quasiparticle scattering, leading to the (√3 x √3)R30° LDOS superstructure already reported for graphite edges and more recently for SLG on SiC(0001). Using the Fourier transform of LDOS images, we demonstrate that the intrinsic doping of SLG is responsible for a LDOS pattern at the Fermi energy which is more complex than for neutral graphene or graphite, since it combines local (√3 x √3)R30° superstructure and long range beating modulation. Although these features have already been reported by Yang et al (2010 Nano Lett. 10 943-7) we propose here an alternative interpretation based on simple arguments classically used to describe standing wave patterns in standard two-dimensional systems. Finally, we discuss the absence of intervalley scattering off other typical boundaries: zig-zag edges and SLG/bilayer graphene junctions.

Deletion of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β improves diabetic nephropathy in Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (Thr286Asp) transgenic mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) signalling is increased in the glomeruli and tubules of diabetic animals. In this study, we examined the role of PDGFR-β signalling during the development of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODS

We recently generated pancreatic beta cell-specific Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (Thr286Asp) transgenic mice (CaMKIIα mice), which show very high plasma glucose levels up to 55.5 mmol/l and exhibit the features of diabetic nephropathy. These mice were crossed with conditional knockout mice in which Pdgfr-β (also known as Pdgfrb) was deleted postnatally. The effect of the deletion of the Pdgfr-β gene on diabetic nephropathy in CaMKIIα mice was evaluated at 10 and 16 weeks of age.

RESULTS

The plasma glucose concentrations and HbA(1c) levels were elevated in the CaMKIIα mice from 4 weeks of age. Variables indicative of diabetic nephropathy, such as an increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, kidney weight/body weight ratio and mesangial area/glomerular area ratio, were observed at 16 weeks of age. The postnatal deletion of the Pdgfr-β gene significantly decreased the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and mesangial area/glomerular area ratio without affecting the plasma glucose concentration. Furthermore, the increased oxidative stress in the kidneys of the CaMKIIα mice as shown by the increased urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion and the increased expression of NAD(P)H oxidase 4 (NOX4), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was decreased by Pdgfr-β gene deletion.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The activation of PDGFR-β signalling contributes to the progress of diabetic nephropathy, with an increase in oxidative stress and mesangial expansion in CaMKIIα mice.

Introgression of cotton leaf curl virus-resistant genes from Asiatic cotton (Gossypium arboreum) into upland cotton (G. hirsutum)

Cotton is under the constant threat of leaf curl virus, which is a major constraint for successful production of cotton in the Pakistan. A total of 3338 cotton genotypes belonging to different research stations were screened, but none were found to be resistant against the Burewala strain of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV). We explored the possibility of transferring virus-resistant genes from Gossypium arboreum (2n = 26) into G. hirsutum (2n = 52) through conventional breeding techniques. Hybridization was done manually between an artificial autotetraploid of G. arboreum and an allotetraploid G. hirsutum, under field conditions. Boll shedding was controlled by application of exogenous hormones, 50 mg/L gibberellic acid and 100 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid. Percentage pollen viability in F(1) hybrids was 1.90% in 2(G. arboreum) x G. hirsutum and 2.38% in G. hirsutum x G. arboreum. Cytological studies of young buds taken from the F(1) hybrids confirmed that they all were sterile. Resistance against CLCuV in the F(1) hybrids was assessed through grafting, using the hybrid plant as the scion; the stock was a virus susceptible cotton plant, tested under field and greenhouse conditions. All F(1) cotton hybrids showed resistance against CLCuV, indicating that it is possible to transfer resistant genes from the autotetraploid of the diploid donor specie G. arboreum into allotetraploid G. hirsutum through conventional breeding, and durable resistance against CLCuV can then be deployed in the field.

Reactions of the Tridentate and Tetradentate Amine Ligands di-(2-picolyl)(N-ethyl)amine and 2,5-Bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2,5 diazohexane with Technetium Nitrosyl Complexes

The reaction of the Tc(II) nitrosyl complex (Bu(4)N)[Tc(NO)Cl(4)] with Di-(2-picolyl)(NEt)amine in methanol yields the neutral complex [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)]. The reaction of the Tc(I) nitrosyl complex [Tc(NO)Cl(2)(HOMe)(PPh(3))(2)] with this tridentate ligand yields cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-N(Et)-py)(PPh(3))]Cl. These two complexes have been structurally characterized. The reaction of [Tc(NO)Cl(2)(HOMe)(PPh(3))(2)] with the tetradentate ligand 1,4-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazobutane yields a mixture of products including cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(py-NH-NH-py)]Cl and cationic [Tc(NO)Cl(PPh(3))(py-NH-NH~py)]Cl, with a pyridyl terminus left dangling.

Valeriana jatamansi partially reverses liver cirrhosis and tissue hyperproliferative response in rat

Valeriana jatamansi (family, Valerianaceae) is a traditional medicinal herb in the Indian subcontinent. This study provides experimental evidence indicating the therapeutic effect of the extract prepared from the dried rhizome of the herb in an animal model of liver cirrhosis and on cell proliferation. Liver cirrhosis was induced in rats by thioacetamide (0.03% in drinking water for 16 weeks). After inducing liver cirrhosis, rats were administered the extract orally for 9 weeks. Treatment was found to partially reverse the elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and selected biochemical markers of hepatic injury including drug-metabolizing enzymes. Histopathology of the hepatic tissue confirmed the therapeutic effect of the extract which corroborated with the biochemical changes. The extract is also reported to ameliorate hepatic cell proliferation in rats injected with thioacetamide. The study has implications in finding a treatment for liver cirrhosis in humans.

Abstract P1-13-06: Health Resource Utilization Associated with Skeletal-Related Events in Patients with Bone Metastases: Interim Analysis Results from the US Breast Cancer Cohort of a Multinational Observational Study

Background: Bone metastases are common in women with advanced breast cancer and are frequently associated with skeletal-related events (SREs). The burden of individual SRE types on health resource utilization (HRU) indicators in breast cancer has been only minimally described. Methods: The aim of this ongoing observational, prospective, multinational study is to assess, by tumor type, the amount of HRU associated with different SRE types including pathologic fracture, surgery or radiation to bone, and spinal cord compression. Patients with breast, prostate, or lung cancer and bone metastases or multiple myeloma were enrolled after experiencing a SRE. Inpatient hospitalizations, length of stay, outpatient visits, emergency room visits, nursing home/long-term care facility stays, home health visits, procedures, and medications were collected for the period 90 days prior to enrollment and prospectively to a maximum of 18 months. Each patient could contribute multiple SREs. The investigator determined which HRU were attributed to each SRE. This abstract describes interim analysis data from the US breast cancer cohort; final analysis data will be available 9/2010.

Results: As of 12/1/2009, 67 patients contributed 119 SREs for the HRU analyses across 25 US sites. Patient mean [SD] age was 61 [12] years, all patients were female, and 27% discontinued the study (most due to death). Mean duration of follow-up was 9.9 months. HRU for each of the SRE types are shown in the table.

Table. Mean and median number of HRU per SRE during the study period by SRE type in patients with breast cancer

Conclusion: In this interim analysis of advanced breast cancer patients in the US, SREs are associated with considerable HRU, with the nature and extent of HRU varying depending on the SRE type.

Assessment of radiological hazards of clay bricks fabricated in the Punjab province of Pakistan

The Punjab is the most populous among the four provinces of Pakistan, which has around 72 million of people and 205 344 km(2) of land. The majority of the population of this province lives in houses made of clay bricks that contain variable amounts of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). The concentration level of NORM in clay bricks used to construct dwellings may pose health hazards to inhabitants if it exceeds the permissible limits. For radiological surveillance, activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides (40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th were measured in 140 brick samples collected from 35 districts of the Punjab province. A high-purity germanium gamma-ray detector coupled with a personal computer-based multichannel analyzer was employed for the measurement of activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides in the brick samples. The province-wide average activity concentrations and the range (given in parenthesis) of (40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th were found to be 624 ± 133 (299-918), 35 ± 7 (21-47) and 42 ± 8 (22-58) Bq kg(-1), respectively. The values lie within the range of activity concentration values for clay bricks of some countries of Asia. Potential radiological constraint was checked in the form of hazard indices calculated from the measured activity concentrations; the indices were found to be less than their limiting values. Indoor external dose was calculated for a standard size room made of clay bricks, and the dose rate was 159 ± 30 (83-219) nGy h(-1). The average value of the dose rate is comparable to that of Asian countries and is about twice the worldwide average value. Annual effective dose E(ff) in the bricks-made room was calculated and the average value of the dose was 0.80 mSv y(-1), which is about twice the worldwide background value of 0.41 mSv y(-1).

Relationship of Age at First Live Birth, Parity and Duration of Breast Feeding with Non Familial Breast Cancer in Pakistani Women. A Study of the Cancer Research Group Pakistan

Background and objectives; This multicenter case control study is being conducted at seven different centers in Pakistan in order to find out the association and relationship of different hormonal and reproductive factors with breast cancer. These factors have been identified either as risk factors or protective factors for breast cancer in other communities but not in Pakistani women. Preliminary results from four centers are being reported here.Method; Patients attending these cancer treatment centers were interviewed by the trained medical personals and the findings were recorded in a proforma. Age and area matched unrelated controls were randomly selected and interviewed with same questions and findings were recorded in a corresponding proforma. SPSS version 11.5 was used for statistical analysis.Results; From June, 2008 to May, 2009 six hundred eighty eight cases were compared with an equal number of controls. Median age of cases was 47 years (26-70 years) and controls 47.5 years (25-71 years). One hundred ninety eight of cases (28.78%) and 208 of controls (30.23 %) gave first full term live birth before the age of 20. Sixty two cases (09.01%) and 38 controls (5.52%) gave first full term live birth after the age of 30. Seventy one cases and 65 controls were nulliparous.Fifty cases (07.27%) and 51 controls (07.41%) had only one child whereas 104 (15.12%) cases and 118 controls (17.15%) had more then 7 children.Breast feeding duration was more then 24 months in 410 (72.31%) of all women who had more then 1 child. Duration of breast feeding in cases Vs. control in women with 2-4 children, 5-7 children and more then 7 children was similar. Statistical analysis reveals that first live birth below the age of 20 and duration of breast feeding of greater then 24 months duration are not associated as protective factors in this patient population. Odds ratio of 1.35, 95% CI; 1.01-1.70 and 1.014, 95% CI; 0.80-1.22 respectively. Age at first live birth after 30 years of age seems to be positively associated with breast cancer. Odds ratio of 1.75, 95% CI; 1.15-2.65. These results do not support the young age at first full term pregnancy and prolonged duration of breast feeding as protective factors against the breast cancer.Key Words: Breast Cancer, Breast feeding, Parity, Risk Factor

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2071.

Molecular analysis of HLA Class I and Class II genes in four indigenous Malaysian populations

This is the first report of high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing in four indigenous groups in Malaysia. A total of 99 normal, healthy participants representing the Negrito (Jehai and Kensiu), Proto-Malay (Temuan) and a native group of Borneo (Bidayuh) were typed for HLA-A, -B, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genes using sequence-based typing. Eleven HLA-A, 26 HLA-B, 16 HLA-DRB1 and 14 HLA-DQB1 alleles were detected, including a new allele, HLA-B*3589 in the Jehai. Highly frequent alleles were A*2407, B*1513, B*1801, DRB1*0901, DRB1*1202, DRB1*1502, DQB1*0303 and DQB1*0502. Principal component analysis based on high-resolution HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 allele frequencies showed close affinities among all four groups, including the Negritos, with other Southeast Asian populations. These results showed the scope of HLA diversity in these indigenous minority groups and may prove beneficial for future disease association, anthropological and forensic studies.