Phylogenetic analysis of Vietnamese isolates of feline immunodeficiency virus: genetic diversity of subtype C

Phylogenetic relationships of novel Vietnamese strains of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were analysed. One Vietnamese strain was found to cluster with subtype D, which was previously known only in Japan, while the other seven strains were placed with members of subtype C. Calculation of the relative numbers of mutations resulting in amino acid and silent changes in FIV env subtypes suggested that subtype C isolates may be less structurally constrained (potentially more pathogenic) than subtype B.

Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant SAG2 for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats

Cats are pivotal in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. To develop a sensitive and specific serodiagnostic method for feline toxoplasmosis, surface antigen 2 (SAG2) of T. gondii was expressed in Escherichia coli and its diagnostic potential evaluated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA with recombinant SAG2 (rSAG2) was able to differentiate very clearly between sera from cats experimentally infected with T. gondii and sera from normal cats. Serum samples collected from domestic cats in Japan were investigated by the ELISA, and the results were compared with those of a commercially available latex agglutination test (LAT) kit. Of the 192 samples screened, 42 (21.9%) were positive by ELISA. Among the 42 ELISA-positive samples, 39 were positive by LAT. There was a significant correlation between ELISA and LAT titers. All the 150 ELISA-negative samples were negative by LAT. These results indicate that the ELISA with rSAG2 expressed in E. coli should be a useful method for detection of T. gondii infection in cats.

Female gender as a risk factor for hypokalemia and QT prolongation after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often causes hypokalemia and QT prolongation. The sex disparities among 73 patients with SAH and 96 control subjects were examined. On the first day of SAH, the mean serum potassium level was significantly lower and the mean corrected QT interval was significantly longer in the female SAH group compared with either the female control or male SAH group. These findings suggest female susceptibility to hypokalemia and QT prolongation after SAH.

Transacylation rates of aminoacyladenosine moiety at the 3'-terminus of aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid

The rates of migration of the aminoacyl group (transacylation) between 2'-O-(aminoacyl)-tRNA and 3'-O-(aminoacyl)-tRNA were studied by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses of 3'-terminal fragment models, with regard to the significance of transacylation in the process of protein biosynthesis. 2'(3')-O-L-Alanyladenosine, -valyladenosine, -isoleucyladenosine, -phenylalanyladenosine, and -methionyladenosine, and 2'(3')-O-L-phenylalanyladenosine 5'-phosphate and methionyladenosine 5'-phosphate were chemically synthesized, and the rates of transacylation in deuterated buffer were directly measured by the NMR saturation transfer method. The dependences of transacylation rates on p2H and temperature were analyzed. The results indicate that the transacylation rates are significantly affected by the ionization states of the alpha-amino group of the amino acid moiety but not by the presence of the 5'-phosphate group of the adenylate moiety. The second-order rate constants for the base-catalyzed transacylation reactions were also determined for the ionized form (with alpha-N2H3+ group) of (aminoacyl)adenosines. The transacylation rates of (aminoacyl)adenosines in 1H2O solution at p1H 7.3 and 37 degrees C (intracellular environment) were evaluated as 3-11 s-1 for the 2' leads to 3' transacylation and 1-4 s-1 for the 3' leads to 2' transacylation, indicating that the transacylation rate of free aminoacyl-tRNA is slower than the overall rate of polypeptide chain elongation per ribosome. This suggests the presence of some enzymatic factor for enhancing the transacylation rates of aminoacyl-tRNAs in the polypeptide chain elongation process in vivo.

Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant SAG1

The gene encoding surface antigen 1 (SAG1, P30) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) was cloned into the plasmid pGEX-4T-3 and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The recombinant SAG1 (rSAG1) was refolded using 8M urea solution followed by dialysis and thereafter evaluated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The test sera were adsorbed with GST to block non-specific reactivity to the GST-SAG1 fusion protein. The ELISA with rSAG1 was able to differentiate very clearly between sera from cats or mice experimentally infected with T. gondii and sera from normal cats or mice. The ELISA detected no cross-reactivity with sera from mice experimentally infected with the closely related parasite Neospora caninum (N. caninum). Some 193 cat sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii, out of which 40 (20.7%) reacted positively by ELISA with the rSAG1 while another 79.3% cats reacted negative to the assay. Both positive and negative sera were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The results of ELISA were in agreement with those of a commercially available latex agglutination test (LAT) kit, although the former had higher titers than the latter.

Cisternal MHPG level inversely correlates with Glasgow coma scale after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

We measured the concentrations of monoamines and amino acids in the cisternal cerebrospinal fluid obtained from 15 patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the patients were divided into two conscious (GCS always 14 or better from the third post-operative day to Day 12; n = 8) and unconscious groups (n = 7). We examined the concentrations of monoamines and amino acids between the two groups and evaluated the correlation between the concentrations and the GCS at CSF sampling. The concentration of MHPG was significantly higher in the unconscious than in the conscious group from Days 4 to 12. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the MHPG concentration and the GCS (r = approximately 0.635, p < 0.0001). Measuring the cisternal MHPG concentration may be useful for estimating convalescence after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Characterisation of cross-reactivity of virus neutralising antibodies induced by feline panleukopenia virus and canine parvoviruses

It was recently reported that canine parvoviruses (CPV) had entered cat populations and induced disease in infected cats, while they had affected only dogs in the past. It is important to determine whether conventional feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) vaccines protect against recent CPV infections. In this study, the cross-reactivity of virus-neutralising (VN) and haemagglutinin-inhibition (HI) antibodies in cats induced by FPLV and CPV s were examined. Lower cross-reactivities of VN and HI antibodies against each CPV strain were observed in cats experimentally inoculated with FPLV or vaccinated with an inactivated FPLV vaccine. In addition, we revealed the existence of a novel type of FPLV, which reacted weakly with antibodies induced by the conventional FPLV vaccine.

Phospholipase Cbeta4 and protein kinase Calpha and/or protein kinase CbetaI are involved in the induction of long term depression in cerebellar Purkinje cells

Activation of the type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) signaling pathway in the cerebellum involves activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) for the induction of cerebellar long term depression (LTD). The PLC and PKC isoforms that are involved in LTD remain unclear, however. One previous study found no change in LTD in PKCgamma-deficient mice, thus, in the present study, we examined cerebellar LTD in PLCbeta4-deficient mice. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses of cerebellum from wild-type mice revealed that PLCbeta1 was expressed weakly and uniformly, PLCbeta2 was not detected, PLCbeta3 was expressed predominantly in caudal cerebellum (lobes 7-10), and PLCbeta4 was expressed uniformly throughout. In PLCbeta4-deficient mice, expression of total PLCbeta, the mGluR1-mediated Ca(2+) response, and LTD induction were greatly reduced in rostral cerebellum (lobes 1-6). Furthermore, we used immunohistochemistry to localize PKCalpha, -betaI, -betaII, and -gamma in mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells during LTD induction. Both PKCalpha and PKCbetaI were found to be translocated to the plasmamembrane under these conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that mGluR1-mediated activation of PLCbeta4 in rostral cerebellar Purkinje cells induced LTD via PKCalpha and/or PKCbetaI.

Purification, characterization, and cDNA cloning of a novel soluble saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin binding protein from plasma of the puffer fish, Fugu pardalis

Some species of puffer fish have been reported to possess both of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, which share one binding site on sodium channels. We purified a novel soluble glycoprotein that binds to these toxins from plasma of the puffer fish, Fugu pardalis, and named puffer fish saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin binding protein (PSTBP). PSTBP possessed a binding capacity of 10.6 +/- 0.97 nmol x mg(-1) protein and a K(d) of 14.6 +/- 0.33 nm for [(3)H]saxitoxin in equilibrium binding assays. [(3)H]Saxitoxin (10 nm) binding to PSTBPs was half-inhibited by the presence of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin at 12 microm and 8.5 nm, respectively. From the results of gel filtration chromatography (200 kDa) and SDS/PAGE (104 kDa), PSTBP was suggested to consist of noncovalently linked dimers of a single subunit. PSTBP was completely deglycosylated by glycopeptidase F, producing a single band at 42 kDa. Two highly homologous cDNAs to each other coding PSTBP (PSTBP1 and PSTBP2, the predicted amino-acid identity 93%), were obtained from a cDNA library of F. pardalis liver. These proteins consisted to two tandemly repeated homologous domains. The predicted amino-acid sequences of PSTBP1 and 2 were not homologous to that of saxiphilin, a reported saxitoxin binding protein, or sodium channels, but their N-terminus sequences were homologous to that of the reported tetrodotoxin binding protein from plasma of Fugu niphobles, which has not been fully characterized. The partially homologous cDNA sequences to PSTBP1 and 2 were also found in expressed sequence tag clones of nontoxic flounders liver. Presumably, PSTBP is involved in accumulation and/or excretion of toxins in puffer fish.

Dietary curcuminoids prevent high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation in rat liver and epididymal adipose tissue

Curcumin and its structurally related compounds (curcuminoids), the phenolic yellowish pigments of turmeric, display antioxidative, anticarcinogenic and hypocholesterolemic activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplemented curcuminoids [commercial grade curcumin: a mixture of curcumin (73.4%), demethoxycurcumin (16.1%) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (10.5%)] on lipid metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three diet groups (n = 6) and fed a moderately high-fat diet (15 g soybean oil/100 g diet) for 2 wk. One diet group did not receive supplements (CONT), while the others were supplemented with 0.2 g curcuminoids/100 g diet (CUR0.2) or 1.0 g curcuminoids/100 g diet (CUR1.0). Liver triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in CUR1.0 rats than in CONT rats. Plasma triacylglycerols in the VLDL fraction were also lower in CUR1.0 rats than in CONT rats (P < 0.05). Hepatic acyl-CoA oxidase activity of both the CUR0.2 and CUR1.0 rats was significantly higher than that of CONT rats. Furthermore, epididymal adipose tissue weight was significantly reduced with curcuminoid intake in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that dietary curcuminoids have lipid-lowering potency in vivo, probably due to alterations in fatty acid metabolism.

Intestinal protection by lafutidine, a histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist, against indomethacin-induced damage in rats--role of endogenous nitric oxide

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that lafutidine ((I)-2-(furfurylsulfinyl)-N-[4-[4-(piperidinomethyl)-2-pyridyl]oxy-(Z)-2-butenyl] acetamide), a novel histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist, protects the small intestine against indomethacin-induced damage, mediated by capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons (CSN).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the present study, we investigated whether or not the protective action of lafutidine against indomethacin-induced intestinal damage is mediated by endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Male SD rats were given indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c), killed 24 hr later, and the small intestinal mucosa was examined. Lafutidine (10 mg/kg) and capsaicin (10 mg/kg) was given p.o. twice 0.5 hr before and 9 hr after indomethacin. The NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME: 10 mg/kg) or the selective iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (10 mg/kg) was given s.c. 1 hr before lafutidine, while L-arginine (200 mg/kg) was given i.p. 10 min before L-NAME.

RESULTS

Indomethacin produced severe lesions in the small intestine, accompanied by increases in enterobacterial translocation in the mucosa. Both lafutidine and capsaicin significantly reduced the severity of these lesions, together with suppression of bacterial translocation. The protective action of lafutidine as well as capsaicin was almost totally abolished by L-NAME but not aminoguanidine, in a L-arginine-sensitive manner. Both lafutidine and capsaicin significantly increased intestinal mucus secretion, and these effects were also attenuated by prior administration of L-NAME. The exogenous NO donor NOR-3 prevented indomethacin-induced intestinal lesions at the dose that stimulated the mucus secretion and inhibited the bacterial translocation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that lafutidine protects the small intestine against indomethacin-induced damage, the action being dependent on CSN and mediated by endogenous NO produced by cNOS. The protective action of lafutidine may be attributable to suppression of the bacterial translocation following indomethacin, probably due to stimulation of intestinal mucus secretion.

Peduncular hallucinosis due to a pineal meningioma. Case report

The authors report the case of a 53-year-old woman who experienced visual hallucinations diagnosed as peduncular hallucinosis (PH). The cause of the PH was compression of the quadrigeminal plate and/or the splenium due to a meningioma originating from the falcotentorial junction (pineal meningioma). The nature of the visual hallucinations was depicted in drawings created by the patient herself. This is the first report of PH caused by a tumor located in the pineal region.

Enhancement of dopamine release by propylene glycol in PC12 cells

Propylene glycol (PG) is widely used as a solvent for injections. However, there are a few reports describing severe toxic effects of PG on human nervous tissues. To elucidate its mechanism, the present study has been conducted to determine whether PG enhances the release of catecholamine in PC12 cells. When the incubation time was longer than 3 min, PG significantly facilitated the dopamine release. PG (0.2-20 %v/v) concentration-dependently increased the dopamine release and the effects of PG at the concentrations above 1% were significant. High K+ (50 mM) and carbamylcholine (50 microM) increased the dopamine release. High K+ and electrical stimulation augmented the action of PG. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM) had no effect on the PG action. In conclusion, PG enhances the dopamine release. It is suggested that the facilitation of the transmitter release from the motor nerve terminals may be related to the PG-evoked skin twitch.

Genetic loci controlling susceptibility to gamma-ray-induced thymic lymphoma

BALB/c is a susceptible strain for the development of gamma-ray induced mouse thymic lymphoma whereas MSM shows resistance. Association analysis of 220 backcross mice between the two strains using 67 markers was carried out to identify loci involved in the control of susceptibility. The genotype of mice with lymphoma showed excess heterozygosity relative to MSM homozygosity at D2Mit15 and D4Mit12 and was skewed toward MSM-derived alleles at D5Mit5. The P values in Mantel-Cox test were 0.0048 (D2Mit15), 0.0034 (D4Mit12) and 0.0048 (D5Mit5), suggesting association at the three loci in the susceptibility. Cooperative effect on lymphomagenesis was also observed among the three loci. To obtain independent evidence for linkage at D4Mit12, we made partially congenic mice in which a D4Mit12 region in BALB/c was replaced by MSM-derived homolog. Examination for the lymphoma susceptibility in 78 progeny of the congenic mice confirmed the effect of the locus near D4Mit12 (P=0.0037). The result, together with the linkage analysis, shows that the locus near D4Mit12 is regarded as a confirmed linkage but the other two loci as marginally suggestive.

Real time monitoring of glutamate following fluid percussion brain injury with hypoxia in the rat

In this study, extracellular glutamate (Glu) was monitored in real time using a biosensor following traumatic brain injury (TBI) either with or without inducing hypoxia in the rat Fluid-percussion model. We also measured the cortical contusion volume at 3 days after the insult. The animals were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was subjected to TBI only, Group 2 to TBI followed by 20 min of moderate hypoxia (FiO2: 10%) and Group 3 to 20 min of moderate hypoxia without TBI. The surge increase in the extracellular Glu concentration occurred immediately after TBI in Groups 1 and 2. Group 2 showed a prolonged efflux of Glu during hypoxia. Group 3 Glu showed low continuous steady levels. The contusion volume in Group 2 was significantly larger than in Group 1. To test the possible involvement of apoptosis in Groups 1 and 2, rats were sacrificed at 1, 6, 24 and 72 h after TBI. Immunohistochemical studies showed an increased number of both CPP32 positive cells at 24 h and TUNEL cells at 72 h in Group 2. These results suggest that TBI with moderate hypoxia induced a prolonged efflux of Glu that resulted more cortical damage due to necrosis and apoptosis.

Mn-SOD and Bcl-2 expression after repeated hyperbaric oxygenation

To clarify the mechanism of ischemic tolerance induced by HBO, we investigated the effect of HBO on immunoreactivity to Bcl-2 and Bax, apoptosis-regulating protein, or Mn-SOD, a radical scavenging system, in the CA1 sector of the gerbil hippocampus. Pretreatment comprising, five sessions at 2 ATA (atmosphere absolute) every other day, but not that comprising, ten sessions at 3 ATA every day, caused significant increases in Bcl-2 and Mn-SOD immunoreactivity in the CA1 sector compared with in the sham pretreatment group. No significant differences in Bax immunoreactivity and neuronal density in the CA1 hippocampal neurons was observed between the groups. These results suggest that protection against mitochondrial alterations after ischemia through Mn-SOD and/or Bcl-2 expression is related to the ischemic tolerance induced by repeated HBO pre-treatment.

Hepatocyte growth factor reduces infarct volume after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was originally discovered as a powerful mitogen for hepatocytes. HGF functions both as a neurotrophic factor as well as an angiogenetic factor. Furthermore, HGF has an anti-apoptotic effect on vascular endothelial cells. The present study examined the neuroprotective effect of HGF after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, in which an anti-apoptotic and an angiogenetic effect of HGF was assumed to contribute to the reduction of the infarct volume. The intraventricular administration of human recombinant HGF (90 micrograms) significantly reduced the infarct volume after 120 minutes occlusion of both the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the bilateral common carotid arteries (CCAs). In a separate series of experiments, we investigated both the anti-apoptotic effect on neurons and the angiogenetic effect of HGF histopathologically. The number of survival neurons and vascular lumina in the HGF group were significantly higher than those in the vehicle group. A large number of TUNEL positive neurons were observed in the inner boundary of the infarct area in the vehicle group, whereas only a few TUNEL positive neurons were observed in a corresponding area in the HGF group. In the HGF group, Bcl-2 protein was obviously represented in survival neurons as well as in vascular endothelial cells and in glial cells subjected to ischemia. These data suggest that HGF prevents apoptotic neuronal cell death by upregulating the production of Bcl-2 protein and by an angiogenetic effect in the central nervous system which affected transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Beneficial effect of dietary wheat glycolipids on cecum short-chain fatty acid and secondary bile acid profiles in mice

In the present study, to explore the beneficial effect of dietary galactoglycerolipids on the lower digestive tract environment, male BALB/c mice were fed a 5% wheat glycolipid, fiber-free diet, or the standard AIN diet for 3 wk. The wheat glycolipid composition was digalactosyldiacylglycerol 51.6%, ceramide monohexoside 6.6%, acylated sterylglucoside 3.4%, and other lipids 22.2%, (mostly phospholipids). Cecum and colon weights and colonic crypt depth were significantly greater in the glycolipid-diet mice relative to groups fed the other two diets. Furthermore, in the cecum, propionate. butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids, concentrations were significantly greater in the glycolipid-diet mice than others were, and correlated with the observed increased lower digestive tract (cecum and colon) weights and colonic crypt depth. The cecal lithocholic acid/deoxycholic acid ratio, a risk index for colorectal cancer, was significantly lower in the glycolipid-diet mice than in the other two dietary groups. These results suggest that the dietary supplementation of plant-source galactoglycerolipids may contribute to improving the lower digestive tract environment.

Genetic analyses of feline foamy virus isolates from domestic and wild feline species in geographically distinct areas

To know the genetic diversities and phylogenetic relationship among feline foamy virus (FeFV) isolates from domestic cats (Felis catus) and FeFV-related viruses from the Iriomote cats (Felis iriomotensis) and leopard cats (Felis bengalensis) in geographically distinct areas, we sequenced a partial gag-pol region of 17 strains and a partial env region of nine strains, and the U3 region of long terminal repeat of three strains of the viruses. FeFV-related viruses from the feral cats were quite similar to the FeFV from domestic cats in the sequenced regions. In the partial gag region, the identities of nucleotide sequences among the isolates were from 94 to 99%. In the partial env gene, the isolates were divided into two distinct genotypes (F17- and FUV-types) as reported by Winkler et al. (Virology 247 (1999) 144-151). More than 94% nucleotide identities were observed in the env region within a particular env genotype and about 75% nucleotide identities were noted between the two genotypes.

Potentiation by stannous chloride of calcium entry into osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells through voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels

The present study was undertaken to confirm that L-type Ca(2+) channels are involved in Ca(2+) entry into osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and to examine the effect of SnCl2, a Ca(2+)]-channel activator, on the intracellular Ca(2+)concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). High K(+)concentration-dependently raised the [Ca(2+)]i. All of the L-type Ca(2+)channel blockers used here, such as nifedipine, nicardipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, and CdCl2 (a non-selective blocker) inhibited the high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise, but v-conotoxin GVIA (an N-type blocker) and NiCl2(a T-type blocker) had no effect. Application of SnCl2 alone did not change the [Ca(2+)]i. However, in the presence of high K(+), SnCl2 enhanced the high K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise, which was inhibited by Ca(2+)]-free medium or nifedipine. In the case where high K(+)was applied prior to SnCl2, SnCl2 alone raised the [Ca(2+)]i by itself. In conclusion, MC3T3-E1 cells possess the voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+)] channels and SnCl2 facilitates the Ca(2+) entry through the L-type ones under the condition of the membrane depolarization. There is the possibility that Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores is involved in the action of SnCl2.

Preferential conditions for and possible mechanisms of induction of ischemic tolerance by repeated hyperbaric oxygenation in gerbil hippocampus

OBJECTIVE

We reported previously that repeated hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) as pretreatment induced ischemic tolerance in the gerbil hippocampus. This study was conducted to determine the preferential conditions for induction of ischemic tolerance by HBO and the mechanism of this induction through immunohistochemical analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, and manganese superoxide dismutase expression.

METHODS

Five-minute forebrain ischemia was produced in gerbils after pretreatment with 2 atmospheres absolute (ATA) HBO once every other day for one, three, or five sessions, 2 ATA hyperbaric air once every other day for five sessions, or 3 ATA HBO once daily for 10 sessions. Histological examinations were then performed. Two days after pretreatment with 2 ATA HBO once every other day for five sessions or with 3 ATA HBO once daily for 10 sessions, sections were analyzed immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with 2 ATA HBO once every other day for three or five sessions induced ischemic tolerance; however, pretreatment with 2 ATA HBO for one session, 2 ATA hyperbaric air once every other day for five sessions, or 3 ATA HBO once daily for 10 sessions did not. Pretreatment with 2 ATA HBO once every other day for five sessions, but not with 3 ATA HBO once daily for 10 sessions, significantly increased Bcl-2 and manganese superoxide dismutase immunoreactivity in the CA1 sector.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that protection against mitochondrial alterations after ischemia through manganese superoxide dismutase and/or Bcl-2 expression may be related to induction of ischemic tolerance by repeated HBO pretreatment.

Abnormal uterus with polycysts, accumulation of uterine prostaglandins, and reduced fertility in mice heterozygous for acyl-CoA synthetase 4 deficiency

Arachidonate released by various stimuli is rapidly reesterified into membrane phospholipids initiated by acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and subsequent acyl-transfer reactions. ACS4 is an arachidonate-preferring enzyme abundant in steroidogenic tissues and postulated to modulate eicosanoid production. Female mice heterozygous for ACS4 deficiency become pregnant less frequently and produce small litters with extremely low transmission of the disrupted alleles. Striking morphological changes, including extremely enlarged uteri and lumina filled with numerous proliferative cysts of various sizes, were detected in ACS4+/- females. Furthermore, marked accumulation of prostaglandins was seen in the uterus of the heterozygous females. These results indicate that ACS4 modulates female fertility and uterine prostaglandin production.

Effect of macrolides on the expression of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules on antigen-presenting cells in nasal polyps

To clarify the basis of macrolide therapy for improvement of chronic sinusitis, we investigated the effect of macrolides on the expression of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules such as CD54 and CD80 on macrophages in nasal polyps. Nasal polyps taken from 54 patients who had or had not been treated with macrolides were immunohistochemically studied. The percentages of CD68-positive macrophages expressing HLA-DR or CD54 were not significantly different between patients treated with macrolides and those not treated with macrolides. However, among patients exhibiting no atopic predisposition, the number of CD80-positive macrophages was higher in patients treated with macrolides than in those not treated. In addition, the percentage of CD80-positive macrophages was negatively correlated with the percentage of infiltrating eosinophils in the polyps. These results demonstrate that macrophages act as antigen-presenting cells, expressing both major histocompatibility complex II and costimulators, and that the expression of CD80 may play a key role in the immune responses occurring in a nasal polyp. Macrolides may modulate the mucosal immune responses through CD80 expression.