Mechanism of the transforming growth factor-beta induction of fibronectin expression in hepatic stem-like cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the fibrogenic process in the liver. The aim of the present study was to explore the action of TGF-beta1 on fibronectin expression in rat hepatic stem-like cells and the underlying mechanisms. The level of fibronectin expression was determined in hepatic stem-like cells (WB cells) before and after TGF-beta1 stimulation by RT-PCR and Western blot methods. Using immunogold transmission electron microscopy and the Western blot method, we observed the result of the expression and the distribution of cAMP, phosphorylated Smad3 and Smad7 before and after TGF-beta1 treatment. The levels of fibronectin expression in both mRNA and protein increased 4- to 5-fold after TGF-beta1 stimulation, reaching an optimum level after 8 h and then gradually falling back. Similarly, TGF-beta1 stimulation resulted in an increase of cAMP in WB cells, peaking at 8 h. After treatment with TGF-beta1 for 24 h, the expression of cAMP gradually decreased. In addition, we found that TGF-beta1 treatment also contributed to the increased expression and to changes in cellular distribution of phosphorylated Smad3 (translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus) and Smad7 (translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm) in WB cells. The present study demonstrates that TGF-beta is involved in the fibrogenic process in hepatic stem cells through up-regulation of fibronectin expression, and the mechanisms underlying this process may be associated with the activation of cAMP and Smad pathways.

Thrombomodulin improves early outcomes after intraportal islet transplantation

Primary islet nonfunction due to an instant blood mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) leads to an increase in donor islet mass required to achieve euglycemia. In the presence of thrombin, thrombomodulin generates activated protein C (APC), which limits procoagulant and proinflammatory responses. In this study, we postulated that liposomal formulations of thrombomodulin (lipo-TM), due to its propensity for preferential uptake in the liver, would enhance intraportal engraftment of allogeneic islets by inhibiting the IBMIR. Diabetic C57BL/6J mice underwent intraportal transplantation with B10.BR murine islets. In the absence of treatment, conversion to euglycemia was observed among 29% of mice receiving 250 allo-islets. In contrast, a single infusion of lipo-TM led to euglycemia in 83% of recipients (p = 0.0019). Fibrin deposition (p < 0.0001), neutrophil infiltration (p < 0.0001), as well as expression TNF-alpha and IL-beta (p < 0.03) were significantly reduced. Significantly, thrombotic responses mediated by human islets in contact with human blood were also reduced by this approach. Lipo-TM improves the engraftment of allogeneic islets through a reduction in local thrombotic and inflammatory processes. As an enzyme-based pharmacotherapeutic, this strategy offers the potential for local generation of APC at the site of islet infusion, during the initial period of elevated thrombin production.

A low-noise differential microphone inspired by the ears of the parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea

A miniature differential microphone is described having a low-noise floor. The sensitivity of a differential microphone suffers as the distance between the two pressure sensing locations decreases, resulting in an increase in the input sound pressure-referred noise floor. In the microphone described here, both the diaphragm thermal noise and the electronic noise are minimized by a combination of novel diaphragm design and the use of low-noise optical sensing that has been integrated into the microphone package. The differential microphone diaphragm measures 1 x 2 mm(2) and is fabricated out of polycrystalline silicon. The diaphragm design is based on the coupled directionally sensitive ears of the fly Ormia ochracea. The sound pressure input-referred noise floor of this miniature differential microphone has been measured to be less than 36 dBA.

Arabidopsis casein kinase 1-like 6 contains a microtubule-binding domain and affects the organization of cortical microtubules,

Members of the casein kinase 1 (CK1) family are evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic protein kinases that are involved in various cellular, physiological, and developmental processes in yeast and metazoans, but the biological roles of CK1 members in plants are not well understood. Here, we report that an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CK1 member named casein kinase 1-like 6 (CKL6) associates with cortical microtubules in vivo and phosphorylates tubulins in vitro. The unique C-terminal domain of CKL6 was shown to contain the signal that allows localization of CKL6 to the cortical microtubules. This domain on its own was sufficient to associate with microtubules in vivo and to bind tubulins in vitro. CKL6 was able to phosphorylate soluble tubulins as well as microtubule polymers, and its endogenous activity was found to associate with a tubulin-enriched subcellular fraction. Two major in vitro phosphorylation sites were mapped to serine-413 and serine-420 of tubulin beta. Ectopic expression of wild-type CKL6 or a kinase-inactive mutant form induced alterations in cortical microtubule organization and anisotropic cell expansion. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CKL6 is a protein kinase containing a novel tubulin-binding domain and plays a role in anisotropic cell growth and shape formation in Arabidopsis through the regulation of microtubule organization, possibly through the phosphorylation of tubulins.

Visfatin expression is hormonally regulated by metabolic and sex hormones in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and adipocytes

AIM

The novel adipokine visfatin has 'insulin-mimicking' effects and is increased in models of diet-induced obesity, but factors that regulate visfatin have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

In order to determine visfatin regulation in adipocyte development and metabolism, as well as in pathophysiological conditions related to metabolic syndrome, endogenous visfatin expression was measured in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and adipocytes using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR).

RESULTS

A marked increase in visfatin expression was observed during differentiation, with a 2.2-fold increase between preconfluent and 2-day confluent cells even before differentiation was initiated. A further 4.1-fold increase was induced from day 0 to day 9 of differentiation (overall ninefold). Overnight incubation with dexamethasone (10(-8) to 10(-2) M) increased visfatin expression in both pre-adipocytes (1.5- to 3.3-fold, p < 0.05) and adipocytes (1.9-fold, p < 0.01). All other treatments decreased visfatin expression. In pre-adipocytes, visfatin expression decreased by 23% at a concentration of 1 microM insulin, 15% at 1-15 nM T3, 15% at 10 nM-1 microM progesterone, 33-44% at 10 nM-1 microM testosterone, 50% with palmitate and 30% with oleate (p < 0.05 for all). In adipocytes, insulin had a much greater effect, decreasing visfatin by 77% at 100 nM (p < 0.01), whereas oleate and sex hormones did not affect visfatin expression. However, tumor necrosis factor alpha, which had no effect on pre-adipocytes, significantly decreased visfatin in adipocytes by 26% at 10 ng/ml (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the thiazolidinedione (TZD) rosiglitizone also decreased visfatin by 28% at a concentration of 1 microM (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In summary, while the mechanism of visfatin action remains to be elucidated, the clear effects of multiple hormones on visfatin expression support a physiological role.

Treatment of autoimmune diseases in MRL/lpr mice by allogenic bone marrow transplantation plus adult thymus transplantation

MRL/lpr mice (H-2(k)) with Fas gene mutation develop severe autoimmune diseases, and their haematolymphoid cells such as bone marrow and spleen cells showed a low apoptotic activity by irradiation. Therefore, conventional bone marrow transplantation (BMT) cannot be used to treat autoimmune diseases in these mice (chimeric resistance). In the present study, we examine the effects of additional adult thymus transplantation (TT) from the same donor on successful BMT. When the MRL/lpr mice were lethally irradiated (9 x 5Gy) and reconstituted with 3 x 10(7) of C57BL/6 mouse (H-2b) bone marrow cells (BMCs) in conjunction with TT, the mice significantly survived long term and showed a high donor-derived chimerism in comparison with those treated with BMT alone. Interestingly, the numbers of not only donor-derived T cells but also B cells increased significantly in the mice treated with BMT plus TT, even at the early phase of BMT. The number of aberrant CD3+B220+ cells decreased significantly, and the numbers of lymphocyte subsets were also normalized 4 weeks after the treatment. Finally, the autoimmune diseases in MRL/lpr mice could be cured by BMT with TT. These results indicate that the combination of BMT plus TT can overcome the chimeric resistance and treat the autoimmune diseases in MRL/lpr mice.

Thymoma with extensive necrosis: a case report and review of literature

Thymoma exhibiting extensive necrosis is extremely rare and remains a diagnostic challenge for both radiologists and pathologists. We describe such a thymoma in an 18-year-old African-American female. Core needle biopsy contained only necrotic tumor tissue. A well-encapsulated 13-cm anterior mediastinal thymoma with extensive necrosis and areas of hemorrhage was resected. Microscopically, the thymus was almost completely replaced by tumor composed of plump epithelial cells with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli in a background of lymphocytes and extensive necrosis. The clinical, immunohistochemical and diagnostic pitfalls of this tumor in core needle biopsies is discussed.

Relationship of p53, Bcl-2, Ki-67 index and E-cadherin expression in early invasive breast cancers with comedonecrosis as an accelerated apoptosis

AIMS

To study the relationship between comedonecrosis formation and morphology, apoptosis, and p53, Bcl-2, Ki-67 index and E-cadherin expression in early invasive breast cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Early invasive breast cancers were first divided into two groups according to the presence (CN+ tumours) or absence (CN- tumours) of comedonecrosis. The histological grade, apoptosis, and expression of E-cadherin, Ki-67, p53 and Bcl-2 in the cancer-affected area, and in normal ducts from the specimen, were then examined.

RESULTS

Less tubule and gland formation was seen in CN+ tumours than in CN- tumours, although the histological grade between the groups was not different. During early comedonecrosis, cells undergo apoptosis and subsequent necrosis. p53 was higher in CN+ tumours than in CN- tumours and normal ducts, whereas Bcl-2 was lower in CN+ tumours than in CN- tumours and normal ducts. Both tumours had higher Ki-67 than in normal ducts, but no difference was evident between the tumours. CN+ tumours had slightly higher E-cadherin than that in CN- tumours, but lower than that in normal ducts. The level of comedonecrosis was positively correlated with p53, but inversely correlated with Bcl-2 in all tumours, and p53 and Bcl-2 were inversely correlated with each other. Furthermore, comedonecrosis and p53 were correlated with Ki-67 in CN+ tumours, and Bcl-2 was correlated with Ki-67 in CN- tumours.

CONCLUSION

Comedonecrosis may be actively regulated through an apoptotic procedure in massive cancers for their survival and progression, and the above proteins may be associated cooperatively in this process. CN+ and CN- tumours may have opposite proliferative systems under the p53-Bcl-2 pathway.

A membrane-mimetic barrier for islet encapsulation

BACKGROUND

Enhanced control of both transport properties and surface physiochemical characteristics will be important steps in the development of an effective immunoisolation barrier critical to the success of pancreatic islet cell transplantation. We hypothesize that the cell membrane establishes an important paradigm for the design of a biomimetic immunoisolation barrier with improved performance characteristics because of its capacity to control interfacial mass transport, as well as its ability to act as a template for more complex structures with other immunoregulatory macromolecules.

METHODS

Islets were isolated from Wistar rats using collagenase digestion and a discontinuous Ficoll-Histopaque gradient and subsequently encapsulated in 2% alginate. After coating with a polyelectrolyte multilayer of polylysine and alginate, a polymeric membrane-mimetic coating was applied to the capsule surface. Individual islet viability was evaluated at each stage of the encapsulation procedure by use of a two-color live/dead cell assay. Preservation of islet function was determined by transplanting 1000 encapsulated islets into the peritoneal cavity of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nonobese diabetic NOD/Scid mice.

RESULTS

At the end of the coating procedure, the proportion of viable cells within each islet was >50% in 88% of encapsulated rat islets and >75% in over half of the encapsulated cohort. Nonfasting blood glucose levels normalized within 24 hours after transplantation (n = 8). Normoglycemia has been maintained in all mice with the longest time course being 73 days thus far.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that microencapsulated islets coated with a membrane-mimetic thin film can be generated with high viability in vitro and persistent function in vivo.

Functional group characterization of indoor, outdoor, and personal PM: results from RIOPA

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of outdoor, indoor, and personal fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) samples were collected during the Relationship of Indoor, Outdoor, and Personal Air (RIOPA) study. FTIR spectroscopy provides functional group information about the entire PM(2.5) sample without any chemical preparation. It is particularly important to characterizing the poorly understood organic fraction of PM(2.5). To our knowledge this is the first time that FTIR spectroscopy has been applied to a PM(2.5) exposure study. The results were used to chemically characterize indoor air and personal exposure. Sulfate was strongest in outdoor samples, which is consistent with the generally accepted understanding that sulfate is of outdoor origin. Absorbances attributed to soil dust were also seen in many outdoor and some indoor and personal samples. Inorganic nitrate absorbances were a common feature of many California and some New Jersey samples. Carbonyl absorbances showed substantial variation in strength, number of peaks, and wave number shift between samples, indicating variability in composition and sources. Absorbances attributed to aliphatic hydrocarbon and amide functional groups were enhanced in many personal and indoor samples, which suggested the influence of indoor sources in these homes. We speculate that meat cooking is one possible source of particulate amides.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

To our knowledge this is the first time that FTIR spectroscopy has been used to characterize the composition of indoor and personal PM(2.5). The presence of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, soil dust and a number of organic functional groups are all detected in one analysis on filter samples without extraction or other sample preparation. Differences between indoor and outdoor spectra are used to identify spectral features due to indoor-generated PM(2.5). Particularly interesting are the much larger aliphatic absorbances, shifts in carbonyl absorbances, and occasional small amide absorbances found in indoor and personal spectra but rarely in outdoor spectra. These observations are important because organics make up a large portion of PM(2.5) mass and their composition and properties are poorly characterized. The properties and behavior of organic compounds in airborne particles are often predicted based on their functional group composition. This analysis begins the development of a better understanding of the functional group composition of indoor and personal PM(2.5) and how it differs from that of outdoor PM(2.5). Eventually this will lead to an improved understanding of the properties, behavior and effects of PM(2.5) of indoor and outdoor origin.

Desensitization of α7 nicotinic receptors potentiated the inhibitory effect on M-current induced by stimulation of muscarinic receptors in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording from rat superior cervical ganglion neurons in culture was used to investigate the modulatory effect of desensitized alpha7-nAChRs on mAChRs. An inward alpha-bungarotoxin and methyllycaconitine sensitive current was elicited by rapid application of choline, which consisted of a fast and a slow desensitizing component. The amplitude of choline-evoked currents recorded 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 min after the prolonged application of choline (10 mM, 30 s) decreased to 25.3 +/- 9.2%, 45.9 +/- 11.8%, 66.3 +/- 14.5%, and 73.9 +/- 13.3% of their baseline levels, respectively. The amplitudes of M-currents, recorded at the same time intervals after the similar prolonged stimulation with choline, were decreased to 52.7 +/- 17.4%, 63.9 +/- 4.2%, 70.9 +/- 2.8%, and 72.9 +/- 17.3% of initial values respectively by focal application of pilocarpine (1 mM, 5 s) onto the soma of neurons. By contrast, before the desensitization of alpha7-nAChRs, M-currents were only decreased to 79.8 +/- 13.7% of baseline levels by pilocarpine (1 mM, 5 s). Whereas the desensitization of alpha7-nAChRs had no direct effects on M-currents, and the facilitated effects on muscarinic agonists on the M-currents induced by desensitized alpha7-nAChRs, were removed in the presence of alpha-bungarotoxin and methyllycaconitine. These results indicated that desensitization of alpha7-nAChRs could potentiate the inhibitory effect on M-current by stimulation of mAChRs with their agonist.

Expression of CD59 on lymphocyte and the subsets and its potential clinical application for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria diagnosis

Lymphocyte analysis has not been accepted as an indicator for the clinical diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), because of diverse CD59 expression, even in the healthy individuals. We studied the expression of CD59 on lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets in healthy individuals and PNH patients by flow cytometry. In 50 healthy individuals, granulocytes generally showed a single-cell population that was strongly positive for CD59. Lymphocytes showed, in addition to the population of positive cells, a small population of weakly positive cells, while CD3+ T-cells showed a large population of weakly positive cells. Natural killer (NK)-cells showed a profile similar to CD3+ T-cells. CD4+ T-cells showed a larger population of strongly positive cells, as compared with CD3+ T-cells, while CD8+ T-cells showed a smaller population of strongly positive cells. CD20+ B-cells showed a similar profile to granulocytes. CD59 expression studies in all our PNH patients showed that B-cells expressed CD59 at levels similar to granulocytes, which were lower than those of T-cells and NK-cells. Therefore, the lymphocyte population with low level CD59 expression in healthy controls corresponds to T-cells (especially CD8+ T-cells) and NK-cells. CD59 expression on B-cells could thus be used as a new marker for the diagnosis of PNH.

69DOLLY: A FINAL REPORT

Dolly, the first animal to be derived by transfer of a nucleus from an adult somatic cell was euthanized on February 14, 2003, because of the presence of a virally-induced lung tumor resulting in progressive decline in respiratory function. We have carried out full gross and histopathological analysis of tissues and additionally re-examined the length of her telomeres. Dolly was derived from an oocyte recovered from a Scottish Blackface ewe and the nucleus of a cell cultured from mammary tissue of a 6-year-old Finn Dorset ewe. The culture had been through 27 population doublings. Dolly was 5 years and 7 months old at the time of her death. A detailed comparison was made between Dolly and four other ewes of similar breed and age produced by natural mating. Full post mortem examination was carried out and a range of tissues examined histologically. Major findings were the presence of extensive tumor infiltrates in both lungs and bilateral severe stifle arthritis in Dolly. Histopathology confirmed the presence of extensive sheep pulmonary adenomatosis/SPA (syn. ovine pulmonary adeoncarcinoma/OPA) lesions in the lung. This infection is caused by Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and is transmitted in respiratory droplets. Other animals in the barn had previously developed SPA. The risk of transmission of infection may have been increased by the fact that the animals were housed in close proximity in a barn. There is currently no reliable diagnostic test before the tumor develops and it is probable that Dolly was infected before we were aware of the presence of the infection in the group of sheep. There is no treatment for the disease. There is no reason to think that Dolly was more vulnerable to infection because she was a clone. The osteoarthritis was first observed during the autumn of 2001 when radiographs of the left stifle revealed osteophytes and osteophytosis associated with the patella, distal femur and proximal tibia. Radiographs of the right stifle were normal at that stage. A regime of anti-inflammatory drugs enabled the ewe to live a normal life. None of the other cloned sheep at the Institute have shown any symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis has been described in a cloned bull, but has not been described in any other cloned sheep. Telomeres in kidney tissue taken from Dolly were found to be shorter than those in kidney of the four control sheep (Dolly’s=15.6kb v. controls=17.9±0.27kb). This confirms the observation that her telomeres were shorter at 1 year of age than those of age-matched controls (Dolly 19.14kb v. controls 24kb). It is not appropriate to contrast these measurements, as they were not made in a single experiment. Dolly was fertile and delivered a total of 6 healthy lambs in three pregnancies. During routine husbandry there were no unusual findings apart from the development of the arthritis. Since the birth of Dolly, experiments in several species have revealed a range of abnormal phenotypes associated with unusual patterns of gene expression.