Mutant TNF-alpha, mTNF-K90R, is a novel candidate adjuvant for a mucosal vaccine against HIV

The development of a safe and effective mucosal vaccine adjuvant is a crucial step for the development of vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV). We have previously reported that a mutant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), mTNF-K90R, possessed strong mucosal vaccine adjuvant activities in mice. Here, we evaluated the potential of mTNF-K90R as a mucosal vaccine adjuvant for the induction of systemic and mucosal immune responses against HIV. Nasal immunization of BALB/c mice with 5 microg of an HIV gp120 env protein immunogen together with mTNF-K90R induced higher serum anti-HIV gp120 protein immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses than gp120 alone. Furthermore, mTNF-K90R induced anti-gp120 IgA responses in nasal as well as vaginal washes from immunized mice, although these were not administration sites. Again, responses with mTNF-K90R were higher than with gp120 alone. These results indicate that mTNF-K90R may be applicable as amucosal adjuvant for HIV vaccination to induce both systemic and mucosal immune responses.

Size-dependent cytotoxic effects of amorphous silica nanoparticles on Langerhans cells

Amorphous silica nanoparticles (nSPs), are widely used in medicines, cosmetics and food. However, due to their reduced particle size they are suspected to pose new risks induced by changes in biological reactivity and kinetics, which differ from those of bulk materials. In a previous study, we showed that silica particles with a diameter of 70 nm penetrated the stratum corneum (SC) of mouse skin and were taken up by living cells such as keratinocytes and Langerhans cells. To clarify the relationship between particle size, distribution and cellular response, we have evaluated size-dependent intracellular localization and cytotoxicity of silica particles, using the mouse epidermal Langerhans cell line XS52. On treatment with silica particles of diameters 70, 300, and 1000 nm, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity increased with reduction in particle size. These results suggest that smaller sized silica particles induced greater cytotoxicity against Langerhans cells, which was correlated with the quantity of particle uptake into the cells.

Making tracks: electronic excitation roles in forming swift heavy ion tracks

Swift heavy ions cause material modification along their tracks, changes primarily due to their very dense electronic excitation. The available data for threshold stopping powers indicate two main classes of materials. Group I, with threshold stopping powers above about 10 keV nm(-1), includes some metals, crystalline semiconductors and a few insulators. Group II, with lower thresholds, comprises many insulators, amorphous materials and high T(c) oxide superconductors. We show that the systematic differences in behaviour result from different coupling of the dense excited electrons, holes and excitons to atomic (ionic) motions, and the consequent lattice relaxation. The coupling strength of excitons and charge carriers with the lattice is crucial. For group II, the mechanism appears to be the self-trapped exciton model of Itoh and Stoneham (1998 Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 146 362): the local structural changes occur roughly when the exciton concentration exceeds the number of lattice sites. In materials of group I, excitons are not self-trapped and structural change requires excitation of a substantial fraction of bonding electrons, which induces spontaneous lattice expansion within a few hundred femtoseconds, as recently observed by laser-induced time-resolved x-ray diffraction of semiconductors. Our analysis addresses a number of experimental results, such as track morphology, the efficiency of track registration and the ratios of the threshold stopping power of various materials.

Characterization of Jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) gene product isolated as a TGF-beta1-inducible clone involved in regulation of mitochondrial function, cell growth and cell death

Jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) is a gene located on human chromosome 1 at q21 that suffers an unbalanced translocation in various types of cancers, and potentially encodes a transmembrane protein of unknown function. The results of cancer profiling indicated that its expression was suppressed in many cancers from different organs, implying a role in the neoplastic transformation of cells. Recently, we isolated JTB as a TGF-beta1-inducible clone by differential screening. In this study, we characterized its product and biological functions. We found that it was processed at the N-terminus and located mostly in mitochondria. When expressed in cells, JTB-induced clustering of mitochondria around the nuclear periphery and swelling of each mitochondrion. In those mitochondria, membrane potential, as monitored with a JC-1 probe, was significantly reduced. Coinciding with these changes in mitochondria, JTB retarded the growth of the cells and conferred resistance to TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. These activities were dependent on the N-terminal processing and induced by wild-type JTB but not by a mutant resistant to cleavage. These findings raised the possibility that aberration of JTB in structure or expression induced neoplastic changes in cells through dysfunction of mitochondria leading to deregulated cell growth and/or death.

A new lysozyme from the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) indicates adaptive evolution of i-type lysozymes

A new lysozyme (cv-lysozyme 2) with a MALDI molecular mass of 12 984.6 Da was purified from crystalline styles and digestive glands of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and its cDNA sequenced. Quantitative real time RT-PCR detected cv-lysozyme 2 gene expression primarily in digestive gland tissues, and in situ hybridization located cv-lysozyme 2 gene expression in basophil cells of digestive tubules. Cv-lysozyme 2 showed high amino acid sequence similarity to other bivalve mollusk lysozymes, including cv-lysozyme 1, a lysozyme recently purified from C. virginica plasma. Differences between cv-lysozyme 2 and cv-lysozyme 1 molecular characteristics, enzymatic properties, antibacterial activities, distribution in the oyster body and site of gene expression indicate that the main role of cv-lysozyme 2 is in digestion. While showing that a bivalve mollusk employs different lysozymes for different functions, findings in this study suggest adaptive evolution of i type lysozymes for nutrition.

A new method for detecting the abomasal position and characteristics of movement at the onset of the left displacement of the abomasum in cows

A new method has been developed by us to observe the movements of the abomasum by using a magnet and digital magnetometer. Four cows with left displacement of the abomasum underwent conventional correction by rolling without tacking. A doughnut-type magnet was sutured to the pyloric region in a routine operation. The same was done in three control cows. The position of the pyloric region was observed with a digital magnetometer from outside the cow's body. The magnets in the pyloric region of the control cows were located at the right side of the abdominal cavity at 10-30 cm anterior to the udder base, and moved slightly in various directions within the span of a day. On the other hand, the magnets in the pyloric region of cows with abomasal displacement moved widely in the abdominal cavity from the normal right side to the abnormal left front side. A large movement of the magnet from the normal right side to the abnormal left side of the abdominal cavity was observed within 12 h of the onset of abomasal displacement.

Mechanisms involved in the enhancement of osteoclast formation by enamel matrix derivative

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is used clinically to promote periodontal tissue regeneration, and it has been reported that EMD can induce the formation of osteoclasts in mouse marrow cultures. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of EMD-induced osteoclast formation using a mouse monocytic cell line, RAW 264.7.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Bioactive fractions were purified from EMD by reverse-phase HPLC using a C18 hydrophobic support, following which RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with EMD or its purified fractions in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) for 8 d. Following staining with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), TRAP-positive multinucleated cells were counted. The expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK), as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, in RAW 264.7 cells were detected using immunoblotting. To determine whether EMD has an effect on osteoclast function, differentiated RAW 264.7 cells were cultured on Osteologic Multitest slides with RANKL in the presence of EMD.

RESULTS

Purified EMD fractions (fraction numbers 21-25; EMD peak 2) were found to enhance the formation and function of RAW 264.7 cells induced by RANKL. Moreover, EMD peak 2 enhanced the levels of phosphorylation of ERK p38 and RANK in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with RANKL.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that EMD induces the formation of osteoclasts through interaction with RANKL, while ERK and p38 MAPK may play a critical role in the enhancement of osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Two multivalvulid myxozoans causing postmortem myoliquefaction: Kudoa megacapsula n. sp. from red barracuda (Sphyraena pinguis) and Kudoa thyrsites from splendid alfonso (Beryx splendens)

Postmortem myoliquefaction associated with multivalvulid myxozoans was found in fillets of red barracuda (Sphyraena pinguis) and splendid alfonso (Beryx splendens), which were imported to Japan from China and South Africa, respectively. Morphological examinations of the myxozoans from the somatic muscle of red barracuda revealed that spores (30.3-44.7 microm in maximum thickness) had 4 distinct winglike valves, in which 1 extremely large (12.7 x 5.8 microm), 2 small, and 1 vestigial polar capsule were present. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence analysis showed that the myxozoan cluster within a clade was composed of Kudoa thyrsites, Kudoa minithyrsites, and Kudoa lateolabracis, all having stellate spores with 1 polar capsule larger than the other 3. On the basis of these characteristics, we describe this parasite as Kudoa megacapsula n. sp. Morphological and molecular analyses of the myxozoan from splendid alfonso identified it as K. thyrsites, which has been described from many marine fishes. To our knowledge, this is the first record of K. thyrsites in splendid alfonso.

Outcome analysis of sildenafil citrate for erectile dysfunction of Japanese patients

The approved maximal dose of sildenafil is only 50 mg in Japan, but the impact of dose regulation on treatment outcomes has not been established. Moreover, the contributors to the efficacy in patients having an intact peripheral nervous system have not been fully elucidated. We assessed in Japanese patients the treatment outcomes of sildenafil for erectile dysfunction (ED) under regulation of the approved dose and identified factors contributing to its efficacy among those with various etiologies other than pelvic surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 196 ED patients treated with sildenafil. The overall efficacy was 70.9% (139/196), and patients with psychological problems and concomitant cardiovascular disease showed high response rates (82.4 and 87.0%, respectively). Of the 139 responders, 89.9% achieved efficacy with a dose of 25 or 50 mg. Logistic regression analysis revealed concomitant cardiovascular disease and a favorable nocturnal penile tumescence result to be independent contributors to the efficacy.