Pre- and post-synaptic switches of GABA actions associated with Cl- homeostatic changes are induced in the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain

Although trigeminal neuropathic pain is one of the most common chronic pain syndromes, the etiology is still unknown. Here, a rat model was generated using chronic constrictive injury (CCI) with ligation of the infraorbital nerve to test the hypothesis that collapse of chloride homeostasis in trigeminal neurons causes impairment of γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) inhibition and induces trigeminal allodynia. Rats showed a reduction and increase in pain threshold and pain response scores, respectively, to mechanical stimulation, 1 and 3weeks after CCI. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis showed that inward-directed Na(+), K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1) mRNA and protein were upregulated in the small-sized and large-sized primary neurons in the injured side of the trigeminal ganglion and in the peripherin-positive terminal, respectively, for the first 2weeks, while outward-directed K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (KCC2) mRNA and protein were downregulated in secondary relay neurons on the injured side of the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C). Optical imaging of evoked synaptic responses using a voltage-sensitive dye revealed that pre- and post-synaptic GABA actions were disinhibited and excitatory in the injured side, respectively, but inhibited in the sham-operated side of the Sp5C. This downregulation of KCC2 in the Sp5C may result in an excitatory switch by impairing postsynaptic GABA inhibition. GABA-mediated presynaptic disinhibition was attenuated by bumetanide, suggesting that NKCC1 upregulation in primary neurons may facilitate pain transmission by presynaptic GABAergic depolarization. Such Cl(-) homeostatic disruption resulting in perturbation of the inhibitory system possibly increases pain transmission, which may underlie the pathophysiology of trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Roles of IL-17, Th1, and Tc1 cells in patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related sclerosing sialadenitis is a recently recognized disease entity characterized by high serum IgG4 concentration and IgG4-producing plasma cell expansion in affected organs, which show fibrotic or sclerotic changes. However, little is known about the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells or interleukin (IL)-17 in this disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and IL-17 in patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective clinical study at the Yamagata University School of Medicine.

METHODS

The patient group consisted of six males and four females with an average age of 57.9 years (range, 38 to 73 years). Subsets of T helper (Th)1, Th2, T cytotoxic type (Tc)1, and Tc2 cells from patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis were examined by using intracellular cytokine flow cytometry. Expression of IL-17 in the patients' lesions was also investigated immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

Six patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis with high ratios of IgG4/IgG and prominent infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes in the involved salivary glands had systemic complications, including pancreatitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and/or inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung after the initial swelling of the salivary glands. Populations of Th1 and Tc1 cells were significantly greater in IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis than in the controls (P < .05), but Th2 and Tc2 cell populations were not significantly increased. Expression of IL-17 was observed in the lesions of affected patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Increases in Th1 and Tc1 cell populations and IL-17 expression might be involved in the mechanism of pathogenesis of IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis.

Hindered proton collectivity in 16(28)S12: possible magic number at Z=16

The reduced transition probability B(E2;0(gs)(+)→2(1)(+)) for (28)S was obtained experimentally using Coulomb excitation at 53 MeV/nucleon. The resultant B(E2) value 181(31) e(2)fm(4) is smaller than the expectation based on empirical B(E2) systematics. The double ratio |M(n)/M(p)|/(N/Z) of the 0(gs)(+)→2(1)(+) transition in (28)S was determined to be 1.9(2) by evaluating the M(n) value from the known B(E2) value of the mirror nucleus (28)Mg, showing the hindrance of proton collectivity relative to that of neutrons. These results indicate the emergence of the magic number Z=16 in the |T(z)|=2 nucleus (28)S.

Is the 7/2(1)- isomer state of 43S spherical?

We report on the spectroscopic quadrupole moment measurement of the 7/2(1)(-) isomeric state in (16)(43)S(27) [E*=320.5(5) keV, T(1/2)=415(3) ns], using the time dependent perturbed angular distribution technique at the RIKEN RIBF facility. Our value, |Q(s)|=23(3) efm(2), is larger than that expected for a single-particle state. Shell model calculations using the modern SDPF-U interaction for this mass region reproduce remarkably well the measured |Q(s)|, and show that non-negligible correlations drive the isomeric state away from a purely spherical shape.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

A new concept of IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis characterized by high serum IgG4 levels and tissue infiltration of IgG4-expressing plasmacytes has recently been proposed. To determine appropriate serum levels of IgG4 for monitoring disease activity, a total of 36 serum samples and eight tissue samples from patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis were studied.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective clinical study at Yamagata University School of Medicine.

METHODS

The patient group consisted of six males and four females with an average age of 60 years (range, 47-74 years). Serum levels of IgG4 and the density of IgG4-positive plasmacytes in affected tissues were studied.

RESULTS

All patients had elevated serum IgG4 levels (>135 mg/dL), and IgG4-positive plasmacytes (IgG4+ plasma cells/IgG+ plasma cells >50%) were observed in the involved salivary glands. Six patients with IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis with high IgG4/IgG ratios and prominent infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes in the involved salivary glands had systemic complications, including pancreatitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and/or inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung after swelling of the salivary glands. All six of these patients were successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

In the six patients with systemic complications, treatment with systemic corticosteroids reduced the salivary gland enlargement and lowered serum IgG4 concentrations. These results suggest that IgG4 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IgG4-related sclerosing sialadenitis, and that IgG4 levels and IgG4/IgG ratios may be used as additional indicators of disease activity and as biomarkers for potential life-threatening complications.

PCSK5 and GDF11 expression in the hindgut region of mouse embryos with anorectal malformations

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Retinoid-mediated signal transduction plays a crucial role in the embryonic development of various organs. We previously reported that retinoic acid induced anorectal malformations (ARM) in mice. GDF11 is a TGFβ superfamily molecule and is cleaved and activated by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 5 (PCSK5). PCSK5 (PC5/6) mutations result in an abnormal expression of Hlxb9 and Hox genes, which include known GDF11 targets that are necessary for caudal development in vertebrate embryos. To determine a possible role of the retinoid-mediated signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of ARM, we investigated whether all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) affected the expression patterns of PCSK5 and GDF11 in ARM-treated mouse embryos.

METHODS

Pregnant ICR-Slc mice were administered 100 mg/kg ATRA by gavage on embryonic day (E) 9.0. Embryos were harvested between days E12 and E18, and mid-sagittal sections of the hindgut region were prepared for immunohistochemistry using antibodies against PCSK5 (PC5/6) and GDF11 (GDF8/11).

RESULTS

Over 95% of the embryos treated with ATRA showed ARM, with rectourethral fistula or rectocloacal fistula, and a short tail. Furthermore, most of these embryos exhibited sacral malformations, tethered spinal cords, and presacral masses resembling those malformations found in caudal regression syndrome. By E14, normal mouse embryos formed a rectum and anus, and the somites behind the hindgut were positive for PC5/6 and GDF8/11. In contrast, in ARM embryos, the somites behind the hindgut were negative for PC5/6 and GDF8/11.

CONCLUSION

ATRA treatment affected the caudal development in mouse embryos, resulting in anorectal, sacral, and spinal malformations, and inhibited PCSK5 and GDF11 expression in the hindgut region. These findings indicate that the expression of PCSK5 and GDF11, which plays a crucial role in the organogenesis of the hindgut, was disturbed in the hindgut region when retinoid-mediated signaling was disrupted. This study offers a new insight into the pathogenesis of ARM in mice as affected by the interaction between ATRA and PCSK5/GDF11.

Palmitoylation of CM2 is dispensable to influenza C virus replication

CM2 is the second membrane protein of influenza C virus. The significance of the posttranslational modifications of CM2 remains to be clarified in the context of viral replication, although the positions of the modified amino acids on CM2 have been determined. In the present study, using reverse genetics we generated rCM2-C65A, a recombinant influenza C virus lacking CM2 palmitoylation site, in which cysteine at residue 65 of CM2 was mutated to alanine, and examined viral growth and viral protein synthesis in the recombinant-infected cells. The rCM2-C65A virus grew as efficiently as did the parental virus in cultured HMV-II cells as well as in embryonated chicken eggs. The synthesis and biochemical features of HEF, NP, M1 and mutant CM2 in the rCM2-C65A-infected HMV-II cells were similar to those in the parental virus-infected cells. Furthermore, membrane flotation analysis of the infected cells revealed that equal amount of viral proteins was recovered in the plasma membrane fractions of the rCM2-C65A-infected cells to that in the parental virus-infected cells. These findings indicate that defect in palmitoylation of CM2 does not affect transport and maturation of HEF, NP and M1 as well as CM2 in virus-infected cells, and palmitoylation of CM2 is dispensable to influenza C virus replication.

Role of the CM2 protein in the influenza C virus replication cycle

CM2 is the second membrane protein of influenza C virus. Although its biochemical characteristics, coding strategy, and properties as an ion channel have been extensively studied, the role(s) of CM2 in the virus replication cycle remains to be clarified. In order to elucidate this role, in the present study we generated CM2-deficient influenza C virus-like particles (VLPs) and examined the VLP-producing 293T cells, VLPs, and VLP-infected HMV-II cells. Quantification of viral RNA (vRNA) in the VLPs by real-time PCR revealed that the CM2-deficient VLPs contain approximately one-third of the vRNA found in wild-type VLPs although no significant differences were detected in the expression levels of viral components in VLP-producing cells or in the number and morphology of the generated VLPs. This finding suggests that CM2 is involved in the genome packaging process into VLPs. Furthermore, HMV-II cells infected with CM2-deficient VLPs exhibited significantly reduced reporter gene expression. Although CM2-deficient VLPs could be internalized into HMV-II cells as efficiently as wild-type VLPs, a smaller amount of vRNA was detected in the nuclear fraction of CM2-deficient VLP-infected cells than in that of wild-type VLP-infected cells, suggesting that the uncoating process of the CM2-deficient VLPs in the infected cells did not proceed in an appropriate manner. Taken together, the data obtained in the present study indicate that CM2 has a potential role in the genome packaging and uncoating processes of the virus replication cycle.

Association between ovocalyxin-32 gene haplotypes and eggshell quality traits in an F2 intercross between two chicken lines divergently selected for eggshell strength

Broken and cracked eggshells contribute significantly to economic losses in the egg production industry. We previously identified ovocalyxin-32 as a potential gene influencing eggshell traits, by analysing an intercross between two parent lines developed from the same founder population by a two-way selection for eggshell strength with non-destructive deformation (DEF) conducted over 14 generations. We determined the nucleotide sequences of six ovocalyxin-32 exons in the parent individuals and analysed the association between ovocalyxin-32 and eggshell traits in the F2 individuals. We identified three haplotypes (W, M and S) of ovocalyxin-32 in the parent individuals. A mismatch amplification mutation assay was performed to distinguish six diplotype individuals (WW, MM, SS, WM, MS and WS) inthe F2 population. The egg weight (EW) of SS-diplotype individuals was significantly higher than that of WW-, WM- and WS-diplotypes. Short length of the egg (SLE) of SS-diplotype individuals was significantly higher than that of WW-, WM- and MS-diplotypes. Long length of the egg (LLE) of SS-diplotype individuals was significantly higher than that of WM and WS-diplotypes. DEF of WW-diplotype individuals was significantly higher than that ofSS-, WM, MS and WM-diplotypes. Haplotypic effect analyses showed significant differences between the W-haplotype and the S-haplotypes in the EW, SLE, LLE and DEF. The DEF of M-haplotype was significantly lower than that of W- and S-haplotypes. These results suggest that S- and M-haplotypes are critical for high quality of eggshells in the F2 population. In conclusion, ovocalyxin-32 is a useful marker of eggshell traits and can be used to develop strategies for improving eggshell traits in commercial layer houses.

Application of PFGE to source tracking of faecal pollution in coastal recreation area: a case study in Aoshima Beach, Japan

AIMS

The development of a microbial source tracking (MST) method is strongly desired to ensure public health and bacteriological safety in coastal recreation areas. We try to specify the source of faecal pollution by applying pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to the study of the aquatic environment on Aoshima Beach, Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Enterococcus faecium, an enterococcus, was used as a faecal indicator bacterium in this study. Enterococcus faecium strains were isolated and identified from each water sample collected from Aoshima Beach and five rivers (Oyodo, Kiyotake, Kaeda, Chifuku and Tsukunami Rivers) that might be potential sources of faecal pollution. Enterococcus faecium strains collected from water samples were analysed using PFGE. The similarities of all the PFGE types of the Ent. faecium strains were compared using dendrogram analysis. The PFGE types of the strains isolated from Aoshima Beach showed a high similarity to those of the strains isolated from the Oyodo River at a 0·9 similarity level. It was suggested that the Oyodo River is the source of faecal pollution on Aoshima Beach.

CONCLUSIONS

The PFGE analysis using enterococci is a potential tool for the MST of faecal indicator bacteria that can be applied to the study of the coastal environment.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is one of the studies that PFGE was applied to the coastal environment. The approach using PFGE could estimate the river that is source of faecal pollution in Aoshima Beach. By applying PFGE as a tool of MST method, detailed information of faecal pollution in coastal area can be provided.

Noninvasive assessment of regulable transferred-p53 gene expression and evaluation of therapeutic response with FDG-PET in tumor model

The use of tumor-suppressor gene p53 as an anticancer therapeutic has been vigorously investigated. However, progress has met with limited success to date. Some major drawbacks are the difficulty in achieving controllable and efficient gene transfer as well as in analyzing the transferred gene expression in real time and the treatment response in a timely manner. Thus, development of novel gene transfer vector with a regulative gene expression system coupled with the reporter gene, by which transgene can be monitored simultaneously, is critical. Moreover, noninvasive imaging-based assessment of the therapeutic response to exogenous wild-type p53 gene transfer is crucial for refining treatment protocols. In this study, as a simple preclinical model, we constructed a doxycycline-regulated bidirectional vector harboring a reporter gene encoding red fluorescence protein and p53. Then, we determined the controllable and simultaneously coordinated expression of both proteins and the p53-mediated anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Next, we observed that cells or tumors with induced p53 overexpression exhibited decreased uptake of [(14)C]FDG in cellular assay and [(18)F]FDG in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Thus, by coupling with bidirectional vector, controllable p53 transfer was achieved and the capability of fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET to assess the therapeutic response to p53 gene therapy was evidently confirmed, which may have an impact on the improvement of p53 gene therapy.

A shared DNA-damage-response pathway for induction of stem-cell death by UVB and by gamma irradiation

Both UVB radiation and DNA-breaking agents were previously reported to kill Arabidopsis stem cells. We demonstrate that death induced by UVB or by ionizing radiation (IR) requires Suppressor of Gamma Response 1 (SOG1), a transcription factor already found to govern many responses to these agents in Arabidopsis. DNA-damage responses (DDRs) triggered primarily by replication-blocking photoadducts or double-strand-breaks thus converge to a shared programmed-cell-death (PCD) pathway. Both UVB- and IR-induced PCD also require functional DDR protein kinases. Employment of atr atm mutants (uniquely available in Arabidopsis) shows that either ATR (which recognizes ssDNA) or ATM (which recognizes DSBs) suffices for PCD induction by either agent. Thus, DNA damage made by UVB or by IR engenders both ATM-activating and ATR-activating structures. The elevated PCD in UVB-irradiated atr and atm mutants suggests that in wt plants ATR and/or ATM may activate both pathways that avert PCD and those that elicit it. The similar PCD levels induced by roughly 30,000 unrepaired photoadducts vs. 20 IR-induced DSBs indicate that DDR damage-tolerance activities in this model stem-cell niche are remarkably efficient.

Influenza C virus NS1 protein upregulates the splicing of viral mRNAs

Pre-mRNAs of the influenza A virus M and NS genes are poorly spliced in virus-infected cells. By contrast, in influenza C virus-infected cells, the predominant transcript from the M gene is spliced mRNA. The present study was performed to investigate the mechanism by which influenza C virus M gene-specific mRNA (M mRNA) is readily spliced. The ratio of M1 encoded by a spliced M mRNA to CM2 encoded by an unspliced M mRNA in influenza C virus-infected cells was about 10 times larger than that in M gene-transfected cells, suggesting that a viral protein(s) other than M gene translational products facilitates viral mRNA splicing. RNase protection assays showed that the splicing of M mRNA in infected cells was much higher than that in M gene-transfected cells. The unspliced and spliced mRNAs of the influenza C virus NS gene encode two nonstructural (NS) proteins, NS1(C/NS1) and NS2(C/NS2), respectively. The introduction of premature translational termination into the NS gene, which blocked the synthesis of the C/NS1 and C/NS2 proteins, drastically reduced the splicing of NS mRNA, raising the possibility that C/NS1 or C/NS2 enhances viral mRNA splicing. The splicing of influenza C virus M mRNA was increased by coexpression of C/NS1, whereas it was reduced by coexpression of the influenza A virus NS1 protein (A/NS1). The splicing of influenza A virus M mRNA was also increased by coexpression of C/NS1, though it was inhibited by that of A/NS1. These results suggest that influenza C virus NS1, but not A/NS1, can upregulate viral mRNA splicing.

Visualization of in vivo electroporation-mediated transgene expression in experimental tumors by optical and magnetic resonance imaging

In vivo electroporation (EP) is an efficient method for effective gene transfer and is highly expected for application in anticancer gene therapy. Non-invasive monitoring of gene transfer/expression is critical for optimal gene therapy. Here we report in vivo optical and high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of EP-mediated transgene expression in a tumor model. Initially, we observed spatio-temporal change in in vivo EP-mediated transgene expression by optical imaging using red fluorescence protein (RFP) as a reporter gene. Next, we constructed a dual-reporter plasmid carrying a gene-encoding MRI reporter ferritin heavy chain and RFP gene to visualize the intratumoral transgene expression by dual modality. Cells transfected with this plasmid showed lower signal intensity on in vitro T(2)-weighted cellular MRI and quantitatively increased the transverse relaxation rate (1/T(2)) compared with control cells. After conducting in vivo EP in an experimental tumor, the plasmid-injected region showed both fluorescent emissions in optical imaging and detectably lowered signal on T(2)-weighted MRI. The correlative immunohistological findings confirmed that both the reporter transgenes were co-expressed in this region. Thus, our strategy provides a platform for evaluating EP-mediated cancer gene therapy easily and safely without administering contrast agent or substrate.