A regulatory role of interleukin 15 in wound healing and mucosal infection in mice

IL-15 plays a critical role in the development and maturation of gammadelta intraepithelial T lymphocytes (IEL), which are known to play important roles in wound healing and resolving inflammation in mice. In this study, we found that IL-15 transgenic (Tg) mice, under the control of a MHC Class I promoter, exhibited accelerated wound healing but were highly susceptible to genital infection with HSV-2. The IEL in the skin and reproductive organs of IL-15 Tg mice produced an aberrantly higher level of TGF-beta1 upon TCR triggering than in control mice. In vivo neutralization of TGF-beta ameliorated the susceptibility of IL-15 Tg mice to genital HSV-2 infection. Taken together, overexpression of IL-15 may stimulate IEL to produce TGF-beta1, promoting wound healing but impeding protection against genital HSV-2 infection.

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) is a second messenger that releases Ca2+ from its intracellular stores. The InsP3 receptor has been purified and its cDNA has been cloned. We have found that the InsP3 receptor is identical to P400 protein, first identified as a protein enriched in cerebellar Purkinje cells. We have generated an L-fibroblast cell transfectant that produces cDNA-derived InsP3 receptors. The protein displays high affinity and specificity for InsP3. InsP3 induces greater Ca2+ release from membrane vesicles from transfected cells than from those from control L-fibroblasts. After incorporation of the purified InsP3 receptor into lipid bilayers InsP3-induced Ca2+ currents were demonstrated. These results suggest that the InsP3 receptor is involved in physiological Ca2+ release. Immunogold labelling using monoclonal antibodies against the receptor showed that it is highly concentrated on the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and slightly on the outer nuclear membrane and rough endoplasmic reticulum; no labelling of Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and plasmalemma was seen. Cross-linking experiments showed that the receptor forms a homotetramer. The approximately 650 N-terminal amino acids are highly conserved between mouse and Drosophila, and this region contains the critical sequences for InsP3 binding. We have investigated the heterogeneity of the InsP3 receptor using the polymerase chain reaction and have found novel subtypes of the mouse InsP3 receptor that are expressed in a tissue-specific and developmentally specific manner.

In vivo tumorigenesis by Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) requires Y590 in Env TM, but not full-length orfX open reading frame

Jaagsiekte retrovirus (JSRV) causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), a transmissible lung cancer of sheep. The envelope (Env) glycoprotein protein of JSRV functions as a dominant oncoprotein in vitro and in vivo. An SH2 binding domain (YXXM) in the cytoplasmic tail of the JSRV Env is one of the main determinants of viral transformation at least in vitro. In these studies, we report the first in vivo tests of site-specific mutants of JSRV in their natural host, the sheep. We show that, in vivo, JSRV(21) with the cytoplasmic tail YXXM mutated to DXXM did not cause disease nor detectable infection, indicating that this motif is absolutely required for virus replication and possibly transformation in vivo. In contrast, mutation of the JSRV open reading frame orfX, for which no function has yet been attributed, did not alter the disease induced by JSRV(21).

Autonomous proliferation of HTLV-CD4+ T cell clones derived from human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy patients

That HTLV-I infects CD4(+) T cells and enhances their cell growth has been shown as successful long-term in vitro proliferation in the presence of IL-2. It is known that T cells isolated from HAM patients possess strong ability for cell proliferation in vitro and mRNA of various cytokines are abundantly expressed in CNS tissues of HAM patients. Hence, the cytokine-induced proliferation could have an important role in pathogenesis and immune responses of HAM. In this study, we examined the relationship between cell proliferation and ability of in vitro cytokine production of CD4(+) T cell clones isolated from HAM patients. We started a culture from a single cell to isolate cell clones immediately after drawing blood from the patients using limiting dilution method, which could allow the cell to avoid in vitro HTLV-I infection after initiation of culture. Many cell clones were obtained and the rate of proliferation efficiency from a single cell was as high as 80%, especially in the 4 weeks' culture cells from HAM patients. These cells were classified as mainly Th0 phenotype that produce both IFN-gamma and IL-4 after CD3-stimulation. However, the frequency of proviral DNA in these cloned cells was significantly low. Our results indicate that the ability of cell proliferation in HAM patients is not restricted in HTLV-I-infected T cells. HTLV-Iuninfected CD4(+) T cells, mainly Th0 cells, also have a strong ability to respond to IL-2-stimulation, showing that unusual immune activation on T cells has been observed in HAM patients.

Balloon catheter disruption of middle cerebral artery thrombus in conjunction with thrombolysis for the treatment of acute middle cerebral artery embolism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to prospectively assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon disruption of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by using a deflated balloon catheter combined with an intra-arterial thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven consecutive patients with clinical findings of acute major-vessel stroke met our criteria and underwent balloon disruption of an MCA thrombus with a deflated balloon catheter. The balloon disruption was performed with a low-profile microballoon catheter. The microballoon was inflated in the distal carotid artery and then deflated and advanced just distal to the occlusion site in the MCA. Thereafter, an intra-arterial thrombolysis of the MCA was applied. The maximum time from the onset of symptoms to the start of treatment and maximum dosage of urokinase was 6 hours and 600,000 U. The outcome was classified as good for a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 or 1, moderate for a score of 2 or 3, and poor for a score of 4 or 5.

RESULTS

Complete recanalization was achieved in 5 patients and partial recanalization in 3. Three patients recovered to an mRS score of 0 or 1; 3, to scores of 2 or 3; and 1, to a score of 4. No patients died. There was no major intracerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

The penetration of the MCA with a deflated balloon catheter combined with an intra-arterial thrombolysis may be a safe and effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

High PRL-3 expression in human gastric cancer is a marker of metastasis and grades of malignancies: an in situ hybridization study

Phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL)-3, encoding a 22-kD low molecular weight tyrosine phosphatase, has been reported to be associated with metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. We assessed the levels of PRL-3 mRNA expression to know whether its up-regulation was involved in progression and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. Levels of PRL-3 expression in 94 human gastric adenocarcinomas and 54 matched lymph node metastases were detected by in situ hybridization and compared with clinicopathological characteristics including prognosis. High PRL-3 expression was detected in 36.2% of primary gastric carcinoma (with nodal metastasis, 55.6%; without nodal metastasis, 10%; P < 0.001) and in 74.1% of lymph node metastases. The incidence of high PRL-3 expression in lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than in primary tumors (P < 0.044). Moreover, high expression of PRL-3 was closely associated with tumor size, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, extent of lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. These results suggest that high PRL-3 expression may participate in the progression and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. PRL-3 might be a novel molecular marker for aggressive gastric cancer.

Impact of glycerol gateway molecule in adipocytes

Glycerol is one of the essential nutrients in the mammalian body. Glycerol released from adipocytes is delivered to the liver and used for gluconeogenesis. The molecular mechanism of glycerol transport across the cell membrane remains unclear. AQPadipose, which we identified in human adipose cDNA project and later found to be human AQP7, is expressed in adipose tissue, and upregulated during fasting. AQP7 belongs to the aquaglyceroporin subfamily to permealize glycerol as well as water. Loss of function mutation of AQP7 in human caused disturbance of normal rise of plasma glycerol. Disruption of AQP7 gene in mice resulted in profound hypoglycemia during prolonged fasting because of impaired glycerol supply to the liver. In obesity, AQP7 is overexpressed in visceral fat,accompanied by portal hyperglycerolemia and systemic hyperglycemia. Considered together, these works indicate that AQP7 functions as a glycerol gateway molecule in adipocytes.

Earlier onset of neutrophil-mediated inflammation in the ultraviolet-exposed skin of mice deficient in myeloperoxidase and NADPH oxidase

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

This study examined the role of neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neutrophil recruitment into ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed skin of mice.

METHODS

Mouse dorsal skin was irradiated with UVB (600 mJ/cm2). Accumulation of neutrophils within the inflammatory sites was observed histochemically. Keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) were quantified, and in vivo chemotaxis of neutrophils toward KC and MIP-2 was examined.

RESULTS

UVB exposure of mice deficient in myeloperoxidase (MPO), NADPH oxidase, or both, caused skin neutrophil infiltration peaking at 60, 48, and 48 h, respectively, which was earlier than the 72-h peak in wild-type mice. MIP-2 level was higher in mutant than wild-type mice. Mutant neutrophils produced more MIP-2 in vitro. Neutrophil migration toward a localized source of KC was higher in mutant than wild type mice. NADPH oxidase deficiency had a greater effect on migration than MPO deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ROS produced by neutrophils regulate expression of MIP-2 and migration of neutrophils toward KC. This may explain the earlier infiltration of mutant neutrophils in response to UVB.

Blockade of Angiotensin II type-1 receptor reduces oxidative stress in adipose tissue and ameliorates adipocytokine dysregulation

Dysregulated production of adipocytokines may be involved in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II) type-1 receptor blocker (ARB) on the regulation of adipocytokines. Olmesartan, an ARB, significantly blunted the age- and body weight-associated falls in plasma adiponectin both in genetically and diet-induced obese mice, without affecting body weight, but had no effect on plasma adiponectin levels in lean mice. Olmesartan also ameliorated dysregulation of adipocytokines in obesity, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and serum amyloid A3. Olmesartan significantly reduced reactive oxygen species originating from accumulated fat and attenuated the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phospho hydrogenase oxidase subunits in adipose tissue. In cultured adipocytes, olmesartan acted as an antioxidant and improved adipocytokine dysregulation. Our results indicate that blockade of Ang II receptor ameliorates adipocytokine dysregulation and that such action is mediated, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress in obese adipose tissue. Ang II signaling and subsequent oxidative stress in adipose tissue may be potential targets for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in metabolic syndrome and also in metabolic syndrome-based CKD.

DNA fingerprinting of isolates of Streptococcus mutans by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Forty isolates and five standard laboratory strains, representing serotypes c, e and f of Streptococcus mutans were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after digestion of the genomic DNA with BssH II. The digestion patterns of standard laboratory strains were characteristic of serotypes c, e and f. Serotypes c and f generated diagnostic DNA fragments of approximately 145 kbp and of approximately 130-175 kbp in length, respectively. Serotype e generated a ladder of at least 14 fragments of 15-155 kbp in length. The digestion patterns of isolates were essentially similar to those of the standard laboratory strains. The patterns of almost all isolates obtained from a single individual were identical, but patterns of a few different types were also observed among isolates obtained from two individuals. Digestion with BssH II revealed differences among isolates obtained from different individuals. We used differences in banding patterns among isolates to construct a dendrogram. The dendrogram included two major clusters, one that consisted of isolates of serotypes c and f, and an other that consisted of isolates of serotype e. Our results indicate that BssH II is a useful enzyme for distinguishing among isolates of S. mutans and that digestion patterns obtained by PFGE can be used for chromosomal DNA fingerprinting.

Genome-wide survey of imprinted genes

The developmental failure of mammalian parthenogenote has been a mystery for a long time and posed a question as to why bi-parental reproduction is necessary for development to term. In the 1980s, it was proven that this failure was not due to the genetic information itself, but to epigenetic modification of genomic DNA. In the following decade, several studies successfully identified imprinted genes which were differentially expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, and it was shown that the differential expression depended on the pattern of DNA methylation. These facts prompted development of genome-wide systematic screening methods based on DNA methylation and differential gene expression to identify imprinted genes. Recently computational approaches and microarray technology have been introduced to identify imprinted genes/loci, contributing to the expansion of our knowledge. However, it has been shown that the gene silencing derived from genomic imprinting is accomplished by several mechanisms in addition to direct DNA methylation, indicating that novel approaches are further required for comprehensive understanding of genomic imprinting. To unveil the mechanism of developmental failure in mammalian parthenogenote, systematic screenings for imprinted genes/loci have been developed. In this review, we describe genomic imprinting focusing on the history of genome-wide screening.

(B1) Candida and mycotic infections

Oral candidiasis (OC) is the most common mucosal manifestation of HIV infection. This workshop examined OC and other mycoses associated with HIV infection. Historically, blood CD4 cell numbers were the primary prognosticator for the development of OC. However, a study that statistically evaluated the predictive role of HIV viral load vs. CD4 cell counts revealed viral load to be a stronger predictor for OC. The role of biofilms and antifungal resistance in recalcitrant OC is unclear at present. In general, micro-organisms including yeasts in biofilms are more resistant to antifungals than their planktonic counterparts. When the remaining organisms are eliminated, the few resistant organisms may not be problematic, because they are present in low numbers. Unusual exotic mycoses in HIV-infected patients are more common in patients from the developing than the developed world. These infections may be recurrent and recalcitrant to therapy, be present in multiple and uncommon sites, increase with the progression of HIV disease, and may play a role similar to that of the more common mycoses. Typing and subtyping of yeasts are probably not critical to the clinical management of candidiasis caused by Candida albicans and non-albicans strains, including C. dubliniensis, because it is responsive to antifungal therapy. C. glabrata is probably the only exception. The presence of oral thrush in infants younger than 6 months of age is associated with an increased post-natal transmission risk of HIV infection. Thus, perinatal retroviral therapy should be combined with the treatment of oral thrush to prevent the post-natal acquisition of HIV.

185 EMBRYONIC LOSS IN PIGS ASSOCIATED WITH OVIDUCT TRANSPLANTATION OF EARLY-STAGE EMBRYOS WITH DAMAGES IN THE ZONA PELLUCIDA

It is assumed that if porcine early-stage embryos with damages in their zonae pellucidae are transplanted to the recipient's oviduct, they may suffer from mechanical and immunological stresses by oviduct contraction and the recipient's immune response. This study aimed to examine the impact of zona pellucida damages, which might arise during nuclear transfer and intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), on the development and survival of transplanted embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from ovaries obtained at a local slaughterhouse and matured in vitro in NCSU23 to prepare MII-stage oocytes. The zonae pellucidae of these oocytes were either penetrated with 8- to 10-�m square-ended microinjection pipettes or incised with 35- to 40-�m beveled enucleation pipettes. Intact oocytes were used as controls. The oocytes were electroactivated to induce parthenogenesis and transplanted to the oviducts of estrus-synchronized recipient gilts (estrus-synchronized with 1000 IU eCG and 1500 IU hCG). After 5 to 7 days, the recipient uteri were flushed with PBS supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) to collect embryos, and their development (morula-blastocyst stage embryos/collected embryos) and survival (viable embryos/collected embryos) were determined. In total, 221 zona-penetrated, 129 zona-incised, and 57 intact embryos were transplanted to four, two and two gilts, respectively. The efficiency of embryo recovery was similar in all groups (59.0 to 81.8%). However, the zona-penetrated and zona-incised embryos showed inconsistent development and survival compared with controls; the development and survival rate were 92.6% (25/27) to 96.7% (29/30) and 77.8% (21/27) to 96.7% (29/30) in control embryos, respectively, whereas those of zona-penetrated embryos were 57.1% (28/49) to 95.7% (22/23) and 8.2% (4/49) to 78.3% (18/30), and those of zona-incised embryos were 47.6% (30/63) to 92.3% (36/39) and 23.8% (15/63) to 92.3% (22/23), respectively. Large foci of cells that appeared to be macrophage giant cells were observed at the surface or inside of the degenerated zona-damaged embryos. These results indicate that the recipient's immune response may impair development after transplantation of the embryo to the oviduct, when there is damage in the zona pellucida. This may be one of the factors attributable to the reduced efficiency of live progeny production by ICSI and nuclear transfer. This work was supported by PROBRAIN.

98 SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCIES FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF VITRIFIED PORCINE EMBRYOS DERIVED FROM IN VITRO-MATURED OOCYTES

To date only in vivo-produced embryos have successfully produced live piglets after cryopreservation. In this study, we aimed to produce piglets from vitrified embryos derived from in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes collected from ovaries obtained at a local slaughterhouse were matured for 44 to 45 h in NCSU23 MEDIUM supplemented with 0.6 mM cysteine, 10 ng/mL epidermal growth factor, 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid, 75 �g/mL potassium penicillin G, 50 �g/mL streptomycin sulfate, and 10 IU/mL eCG/ hCG. These IVM oocytes were either activated for parthenogenesis or in vitro-fertilized (IVF). For IVF, oocytes were incubated with 5 � 106/mL of cryopreserved epididymal sperm in PGM-tac medium (Yoshioka et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 69, 2092-2099) for 20 h. Embryos were treated for removal of cytoplasmic lipid droplets (delipation; Nagashima et al. 1995 Nature 374, 416) at the 4- to 8-cell stages, around 50 to 54 h after activation or insemination. After culture in NCSU23 for 15 h, they were vitrified by the minimum volume cooling (MVC) method. Embryos were equilibrated with equilibration solution containing 7.5% (v/v) ethylene glycol (EG), 7.5% (v/v) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and 20% (v/v) calf serum for 4 min, followed by exposure to vitrification solution containing 15% EG, 15% DMSO, 0.5 M sucrose, and 20% calf serum. Embryos were then loaded onto a Cryotop (Kitazato Supply Co., Tokyo, Japan) and immediately plunged into liquid nitrogen. Vitrified embryos were examined for viability in vitro and in vivo after warming. Their in vitro developmental competence was compared to that of corresponding control (nonvitrified) embryos. Vitrified 4- to 8-cell stage embryos, both parthenogenetic and IVF, showed developmental competence into blastocysts comparable to that of control embryos (parthenogenetic: 46.8%, 36/77 vs. 51.7%, 31/60; IVF: 40.0%, 30/75 vs. 44.3%, 35/79). Of four surrogate gilts that received a total of 251 vitrified parthenogenetic embryos, three became pregnant and had 20 fetuses (8.0%, 22 to 23 days old). Three surrogates gilts that received 267 vitrified IVF embryos all became pregnant. Of those, the one that received 47 embryos was confirmed to have eight fetuses (17.0%, 22 days old) by autopsy. The other two were examined by ultrasonography at 56 and 95 days of gestation and found to be pregnant. These results suggest that porcine embryos derived from IVM oocytes have a potential to develop into live offspring after delipation and MVC vitrification. This study was supported by PROBRAIN.

The transcriptional landscape of the mammalian genome

This study describes comprehensive polling of transcription start and termination sites and analysis of previously unidentified full-length complementary DNAs derived from the mouse genome. We identify the 5' and 3' boundaries of 181,047 transcripts with extensive variation in transcripts arising from alternative promoter usage, splicing, and polyadenylation. There are 16,247 new mouse protein-coding transcripts, including 5154 encoding previously unidentified proteins. Genomic mapping of the transcriptome reveals transcriptional forests, with overlapping transcription on both strands, separated by deserts in which few transcripts are observed. The data provide a comprehensive platform for the comparative analysis of mammalian transcriptional regulation in differentiation and development.

Chimpanzee chromosomes: retrotransposable compound repeat DNA organization (RCRO) and its influence on meiotic prophase and crossing-over

The terminal C-bands that are a specific feature of chimpanzee chromosomes were dissected using a molecular cytogenetic technique, PRINS, with primers for telomeric sequences, subterminal satellite, and retrotransposable elements (HERV-K and -W). These DNA elements jointly formed a large block of retrotransposable compound repeat DNA organization (RCRO) at the terminal C-band regions of 30 chromosomes, and are also located at the centromeric regions of some chromosomes. Additionally, a block consisting of all members of the RCRO has transposed to the middle (q31.1) of the long arm of chromosome 6, and three members, the subterminal satellite and the two HERVs, have integrated into the proximal region (q14.4) of the long arm of chromosome 14. Terminal RCROs seem to induce and prolong the bouquet stage in meiotic prophase, and to affect chiasma formation, together with interstitial RCROs. It is also postulated that RCROs may cause a position effect to gene expression, resulting in gene silencing and/or late replication.

Roles of the Ras-MEK-mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mTOR pathways in Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus-induced transformation of rodent fibroblast and epithelial cell lines

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), a transmissible lung cancer of sheep. The virus can induce tumors rapidly, and we previously found that the JSRV envelope protein (Env) functions as an oncogene, because it can transform mammalian and avian fibroblast cell lines. (N. Maeda, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:4449-4454, 2001). The molecular mechanisms of JSRV Env transformation are of considerable interest. Several reports suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway is important for transformation of mammalian fibroblasts but not for chicken fibroblasts. In this study, we found that Akt/mTOR is involved in JSRV transformation of mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, because treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduced transformation. We also found that H/N-Ras inhibitor FTI-277 and MEK1/2 inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 strongly inhibited JSRV transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting that the H/N-Ras-MEK-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p44/42 pathway is necessary for the transformation. In RK3E epithelial cells, the MEK1/2 inhibitors also eliminated transformation, but FTI-277 only partially inhibited transformation. It was noteworthy that p38 MAPK inhibitors enhanced JSRV transformation in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Treatment of transformed cells with p38 inhibitors both increased levels of phospho-MEK1/2 and phospho-p44/42 and induced rapid enhancement of the transformed phenotype. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissues from naturally and experimentally induced OPA and naturally occurring enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma revealed strong activation of MAPK p44/42 in all cases examined. However, p38 activation was not generally observed. These results indicate that signaling through two pathways (in particular, H/N-Ras-MEK-MAPK and, to a lesser extent, Akt-mTOR) is important for JSRV-induced transformation and that p38 MAPK has a negative regulatory effect on transformation, perhaps via MEK1/2 and p44/42.