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Takase H, Yu CR, Mahdi RM, Douek DC, Dirusso GB, Midgley FM, Dogra R, Allende G, Rosenkranz E, Pugliese A, Egwuagu CE, Gery I. Thymic expression of peripheral tissue antigens in humans: a remarkable variability among individuals. Int Immunol 2005; 17:1131-40. [PMID: 16030131 PMCID: PMC2366090 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxh275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of maturing T lymphocytes that recognize self-antigens is eliminated in the thymus upon exposure to their target antigens. This physiological process of negative selection requires that tissue-specific antigens be expressed by thymic cells, a phenomenon that has been well studied in experimental animals. Here, we have examined the expression in human thymi of four retinal antigens, that are capable of inducing autoimmune ocular disease retinal S-antigen (S-Ag), recoverin, RPE65 and inter-photoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)], as well as four melanocyte-specific antigens, two of which are used as targets for melanoma immunotherapy [gp100, melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2]. Using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, we found that all thymic samples from the 18 donors expressed mRNA transcripts of most or all the eight tested tissue antigens. Yet, the expression of the transcripts varied remarkably among the individual thymic samples. In addition, S-Ag, RPE65 and IRBP were detected by immunostaining in rare cells in sections of human thymi by antibodies against these proteins. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the retinal antigen transcripts in the human thymus are present at trace levels, that are lower by approximately five orders of magnitude than those in the retina. Our observations thus support the notions that thymic expression is a common feature for all tissue-specific antigens and that the levels of expression play a role in determining the susceptibility to autoimmunity against these molecules.
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Domina F, Niutta PP, Naccari C, Pugliese A, Naccari F. Effects of clenbuterol on haemocoagulation process in calves. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:53-4. [PMID: 15737171 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2005.00692.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of clenbuterol treatment (1 mug/kg b.w. i.m. for 10 consecutive days) on haemocoagulation process in seven calves. From each animal, blood samples were taken before (basal sample) and 24, 72, 144, 216, 264, 336 and 360 h after the end of treatment and some parameters were evaluated: coagulation process [prothrombin (PTT) and thrombin times (PT)], a complete blood count and plasmatic levels of 3'5'-monophosphatocyclic-adenosine (c-AMP) . A comparison of the values in each time group during the whole course of the experiments shows a significant increase (P < 0.03, P < 0.01) in PT and PTT at 72, 144, 216 and 264 h. Significant increase (P < 0.01) in c-AMP plasma levels were observed at 144, 216 and 264 h. All these values returned to normal levels after 360 h.
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Klein D, Barbé-Tuana F, Pugliese A, Ichii H, Garza D, Gonzalez M, Molano RD, Ricordi C, Pastori RL. A functional CD40 receptor is expressed in pancreatic beta cells. Diabetologia 2005; 48:268-76. [PMID: 15690148 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-004-1645-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2004] [Accepted: 08/31/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Despite differences in function and embryonic origin, pancreatic islet cells and neurons express proteins belonging to the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. While neurons express the CD40 receptor, it is unknown whether islet cells also express it. We investigated CD40 expression in human and mouse pancreatic islets as well as in NIT-1 insulinoma cells. METHODS CD40 expression was studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and western blot. Responses mediated by CD40 were assessed by a luciferase gene reporter assay following stimulation with a CD40 agonist antibody. RESULTS We found that CD40 is expressed in mouse and human pancreatic islet cells. CD40 is expressed by beta cells, and its expression is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha). CD40 signalling in NIT-1 insulinoma cells activates nuclear factor kappa-B, demonstrating that CD40 is functional. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION We present evidence that, in addition to immune cell types, mouse and human pancreatic beta cells express CD40. Its expression is upregulated by proinflammatory stimuli, and signalling through this receptor activates NF-kappaB. We suggest that the effects of inflammatory stimuli that affect beta cell function and survival may be also mediated by signalling through the CD40 receptor. Thus, CD40 may have a role in processes associated with islet autoimmunity and transplantation.
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Pugliese A, Gennero L, Vidotto V, Beltramo T, Petrini S, Torre D. A review of cardiovascular complications accompanying AIDS. Cell Biochem Funct 2004; 22:137-41. [PMID: 15124176 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Manifestations of cardiovascular system involvement are not uncommon complications of HIV infection, especially in AIDS patients. However, the frequency of these manifestations is influenced by different variables including: survival prolongation in HIV-infected patients, because of advances in antiretroviral treatment; improvement of immunodepression and reduction in the occurrence of opportunistic infections; adverse effects of some drugs. At present, on the whole cardiovascular complications that are HIV correlated in the western world, including Italy, occur less frequently than in the past. However complications associated with alterations in lipometabolism prevail because they can be promoted by some protease inhibitors in predisposed subjects. The most frequently reported questions and a careful analysis of recent data in the medical literature regarding the most common HIV-correlated cardiovascular complications are discussed in this review.
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Barbagallo CM, Averna MR, Citarrella R, Rizzo M, Amato M, Noto D, Pugliese A, Cefalù AB, Galluzzo A, Giordano C. Transient chylomicronemia preceding the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes in a young girl with no humoral markers of islet autoimmunity. Eur J Endocrinol 2004; 150:831-6. [PMID: 15191354 DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1500831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the possible causes of diabetes in a young child who presented with hyperglycemia associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia (>166 mmol/l), hypercholesterolemia (>38 mmol/l) and fasting chilomicrons. RESULTS The patient did not have any of the HLA and autoantibody markers typically associated with type 1 diabetes. A glucose clamp failed to demonstrate insulin resistance (peripheral glucose utilization rate (M)=4.3 mg/kg per min) and there was no family history of type 2 diabetes or maturity onset diabetes in youth. Both fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels, including those in response to i.v. glucagon, were below the limit of detection. This is consistent with loss of beta-cell function. The family history did not reveal the existence of relatives with lipid abnormalities, coronary heart disease, and pancreatitis. We did not find any abnormality of plasma apoCII, lipoproteinlipase and hepatic lipase activities. The patients had a epsilon3/epsilon3 apoE genotype and she rapidly cleared an oral fat load after normalization of plasma lipids. CONCLUSIONS The mild hyperglycemia seems an unlikely explanation for both the severe hypertriglyceridemia and chylomicronemia. A more plausible explanation is transient lipoproteinlipase deficiency. This rare condition, occasionally associated with a high-fat diet, could have caused the rapid and dramatic hypertriglyceridemia observed in this patient, which in turn might have led to the beta-cell destruction by direct lipid toxicity.
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157
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Barbour AD, Pugliese A. Convergence of a structured metapopulation model to Levins?s model. J Math Biol 2004; 49:468-500. [PMID: 15549310 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-004-0272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2003] [Revised: 12/03/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We consider a structured metapopulation model describing the dynamics of a single species, whose members are located in separate patches that are linked through migration according to a mean field rule. Our main aim is to find conditions under which its equilibrium distribution is reasonably approximated by that of the unstructured model of Levins (1969). We do this by showing that the (positive) equilibrium distribution converges, as the carrying capacity of each population goes to infinity together with appropriate scalings on the other parameters, to a bimodal distribution, consisting of a point mass at 0, together with a positive part which is closely approximated by a shifted Poisson centred near the carrying capacity. Under this limiting regime, we also give simpler approximate formulae for the equilibrium distribution. We conclude by showing how to compute persistence regions in parameter space for the exact model, and then illustrate all our results with numerical examples. Our proofs are based on Stein's method.
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Abstract
Studies in both humans and rodent models provide new insight into key mechanisms regulating tolerance to self-molecules. There is evidence that tissue-specific molecules are expressed in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid tissues (PLTs) by specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and that such expression is critical for self-tolerance. Insulin, a key hormone exclusively produced by pancreatic beta cells and a critical autoantigen in type 1 diabetes, provides an excellent example of a molecule with tissue-restricted expression that is ectopically expressed by APCs in both thymus and PLTs. APCs may play a role in insulin presentation in both the central and peripheral immune system. Functional data from several transgenic and knockout mouse models, some specific for the expression of insulin, help dissect the significance of self-molecule presentation by APCs and its role in autoimmune diabetes.
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160
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Pugliese A. Central and peripheral autoantigen presentation in immune tolerance. Immunology 2004; 111:138-46. [PMID: 15027898 PMCID: PMC1782408 DOI: 10.1111/j.0019-2805.2003.01804.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2003] [Revised: 11/14/2003] [Accepted: 11/19/2003] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies in both humans and experimental rodent models provide new insight into key mechanisms regulating tolerance to self-molecules. These recent advances are bringing about a paradigm shift in our views about tolerance to self-molecules with tissue-restricted expression. There is, indeed, mounting evidence that selected antigen-presenting cells (APCs) have the ability to synthesize and express self-molecules, and that such expression is critical for self-tolerance. Insulin is a key hormone produced exclusively by pancreatic beta-cells and a critical autoantigen in type 1 diabetes. It provides an excellent example of a molecule with tissue-restricted expression that is expressed ectopically by APCs. The fact that APCs expressing insulin have been demonstrated in both thymus and peripheral lymphoid tissues suggests that they may play a role in insulin presentation in both the central and peripheral immune system. Experimental mice, in which insulin expression was altered, provide functional data that help to dissect the role of insulin presentation by APCs of the immune system. This review addresses recent literature and emerging concepts about the expression of self-molecules in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid tissues and its relation to self-tolerance.
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161
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Pugliese A, Eisenbarth GS. Type 1 diabetes mellitus of man: genetic susceptibility and resistance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2004; 552:170-203. [PMID: 15622964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
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162
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Pugliese A, Gennero L, Cutufia M, Enrietto M, Morra E, Pescarmona P, Ponzetto A. HCV infective virions can be carried by human platelets. Cell Biochem Funct 2004; 22:353-8. [PMID: 15386445 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
It has been previously demonstrated that platelets (PLTs) can bind and transport HIV-1 infectious virions. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HIV-1 co-infection occurs frequently among users of illicit intravenous drugs, thereby increasing the severity of HIV disease and the evolution towards chronic active hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma of HCV-related hepatitis. In the present study we investigated whether or not PLTs can carry HCV, and studied the binding mechanisms. Purified PLTs, obtained from healthy donors, HCV negative and HIV negative, were adsorbed with HCV-containing serum and then employed to infect a THP-1 monocytoid cell line. Replication of HCV was observed as shown by positivity for the E2 antigen within THP-1 cells, by indirect immunofluorescence; moreover, HCV-RNA was detected in supernatants of THP-1 cells at day 7 post-incubation with HCV-adsorbed PLTs. The binding of HCV to PLTs seems to involve fibronectin (FN), as already shown in the case of HIV-1. Indeed, treatment with RGD (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser), the key oligopeptide of FN binding, inhibits the ability of HCV to be carried by PLTs in infective forms; the same phenomenon occurs with Mabs to FN. Moreover the infection of THP-1 cells seems to increase FN surface expression, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence tests.
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Giudice E, Domina F, Britti D, Di Pietro S, Pugliese A. Clinical findings associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the dog. Vet Res Commun 2003; 27 Suppl 1:767-70. [PMID: 14535517 DOI: 10.1023/b:verc.0000014267.25428.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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164
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Britti D, Di Pietro S, Russo M, Pugliese A, De Majo M. Doppler evaluation of the ophthalmic vasculature in the beagle: normal values. Vet Res Commun 2003; 27 Suppl 1:373-6. [PMID: 14535433 DOI: 10.1023/b:verc.0000014183.45542.5a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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165
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Pugliese A. Peptide-based treatment for autoimmune diseases: learning how to handle a double-edged sword. J Clin Invest 2003; 111:1280-2. [PMID: 12727917 PMCID: PMC154453 DOI: 10.1172/jci18395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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166
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Cassano N, Foti C, Centofanti S, Del Brocco L, Donato L, Ferrari A, Bandiera A, Colella V, D'Argento V, Di Pierro G, Giglio G, Mastrolonardo M, Marzocca V, Pietrantonio V, Schiraldi G, Ottomano L, Pugliese A, Vena G. Evaluation of the Effects of a Cosmetic Cream on Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Results of a Multicentre Open Trial. EUR J INFLAMM 2003. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x0300100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) are often controlled by topical corticosteroids, which, however, are not suitable for the long-term management owing to the risk of side effects. Moisturizers can be used to prevent ICD and to treat lesions of mild to moderate severity. In this study we want to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of a cosmetic cream (Efaderm® cream), containing a mixture of substances with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects ( borago officinalis oil, soy sterol, urea, lithium glycyrrethinate, carbocysteine, tocopheryl acetate, coenzyme Q10, allantoin), in the treatment of ICD. Three hundred and twelve patients with ICD entered the study. ICD was induced by either occupational or non-occupational factors, affected various skin sites, especially the hands, and was characterized by a subacute, recurrent or chronic course in the majority of cases. The cream was applied on lesionai skin twice a day, or more frequently if needed, for approximately 4 weeks. Most patients (n. 179) did not adopt preventive measures (e.g., irritant avoidance, suspension of working activities, use of protective gloves). After treatment, there was a significant improvement (P<0.001) of symptoms and signs of ICD (erythema, scaling/dryness, oozing/crusting, excoriations/fissuring, pruritus/burning), independently on the use of prevention. Patient's assessment of overall effectiveness was positive in the majority of cases.
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Abstract
We start from a stochastic SIS model for the spread of epidemics among a population partitioned into M sites, each containing N individuals; epidemic spread occurs through within-site ('local') contacts and global contacts. We analyse the limit behaviour of the system as M and N increase to infinity. Two limit procedures are considered, according to the order in which M and N go to infinity; independently of the order, the limiting distribution of infected individuals across sites is a probability measure, whose evolution in time is governed by the weak form of a PDE. Existence and uniqueness of the solutions to this problem is shown. Finally, it is shown that the infected distribution converges, as time goes to infinity, to a Dirac measure at the value x(*), the equilibrium of a single-patch SIS model with contact rate equal to the sum of local and global contacts.
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Pugliese A, Andronico L, Gennero L, Pagliano G, Gallo G, Torre D. Cervico-vaginal dysplasia--papillomavirus-induced and HIV-1 infection: role of correlated markers for prognostic evaluation. Cell Biochem Funct 2002; 20:233-6. [PMID: 12125100 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) can facilitate the progression of HIV-1 infection. Among them, as we have previously demonstrated, cervico-vaginal dysplasia-papillomavirus (HPV)-induced, together with HSV-2 co-infection, seems to be correlated with a more evident immunodepression in HIV-positive women, compared with other sexually transmitted diseases. Here we have analysed some of the main correlated markers of HIV-1 infection progression: CD4 + T lymphocyte concentration, CD4 +/CD8 + T cells ratio, HIV-1 RNA loads and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in 30 HIV-1 positive women co-infected with HPV, and suffering from cervico-vaginal dysplasia, in different stages. In particular, we noticed a positive correlation, evaluated by Spearman's test, between the degree of progression of dysplastic stages (CIN1 --> 3) until invasive carcinoma (IC) and HIV-1 RNA loads (C(s) = +0.78; p < 0.001), and in contrast, a negative correlation between the same stages of progression and respectively CD4 + T cell concentration (C(s) = -0.54; p = 0.01), ratio (C(s) = - 0.63; p = 0.002) and Hb concentration (C(s) = -0.85; p < 0.001). In conclusion, it is important to underline that low levels of Hb generally paralleled the degree of immunodepression. In fact CD4 + T cell levels and ratio positively correlated with Hb concentrations respectively, with C(s) = + 0.83; p < 0.001 and C(s) = + 0.90; p < 0.001. Finally, the most efficacious antiretroviral combined therapy (HAART = Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) can improve the above described laboratory parameters in HIV-1/HPV co-infected women and seems to prevent the progression of CIN1 to the following stages of the dysplastic disease.
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169
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Pugliese A, Gennero L, Boffito M, Vidotto V. Seroprevalence study of tick borne encephalitis in Turin province. Panminerva Med 2002; 44:253-5. [PMID: 12094141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is diffused in some European countries and it is transmitted by tick bites. In Italy Isodex ricinus represents the main vector of the infection, that rarely produces the neurologic manifestations, characterising the secondary phase of the same. METHODS In Italy TBE has been little studied and this only in the Middle and Northern regions of the country. Seroepidemiological researches were done prevalently on subjects at high risk of tick bite, such as hunters or forest guards and especially in Trentino and Tuscany. No precise information about TBE virus diffusion was disposable in the Piedmont region and particularly in the Susa valley where, before our investigation failed the data about it. RESULTS We found that usual hunters and wild boar breeders seem to be particularly exposed to the risk of TBE virus infection, but none neurologic involvement was detected in the anamnesis of the significantly seropositive subjects and also of the borderline ones, that we have studied, despite the limited number of these subjects. CONCLUSIONS Nevertheless we hope for a following extension of our case report, also in consideration that rare cases of encephalitis of unknown etiology, are signalled in Piedmont.
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170
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Parenti P, Leonardi MG, Forcella M, Casartelli M, Pugliese A, Hanozet GM, Giordana B. Leucine methyl ester is a powerful allosteric activator of the neutral amino acid cotransport system in Bombyx mori larval midgut. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2002; 32:719-727. [PMID: 12044488 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(01)00153-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We have identified three methyl esters that have a potent stimulatory effect on the cotransport system responsible for the absorption of most essential amino acids in the silkworm Bombyx mori. L-Leucine methyl ester, the most powerful activator, determined a large dose-dependent, K(+)-independent increase of leucine uptake into midgut brush border membrane vesicles. Kinetic experiments revealed non-essential mixed-type activation, with K(a) values of 27+/-2 and 47+/-8 microM in the presence and in the absence of K(+), respectively. The activation increased K(m) twofold, and V(max) up to 18-fold depending upon the experimental conditions. Leucine uptake mediated by the amino acid uniport appears to be unaffected by the activator.
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Abstract
There is growing evidence that self-molecules with tissue-restricted expression are also expressed at low levels in the thymus, where such expression may affect the development of self-tolerance. Genetic factors may modulate such expression and, in turn, influence susceptibility to autoimmune responses against specific molecules. Contrasting reports exist regarding the phenotype of the cells that express self-molecules in the thymus. Indeed, both bone marrow derived antigen-presenting cells and thymic epithelial cells were reported to express self-molecules with tissue-restricted expression. Further studies of these cells and the mechanisms by which they exert their putative tolerogenic effects clearly are necessary.
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Pugliese A, Diez J. Lymphoid organs contain diverse cells expressing self-molecules. Nat Immunol 2002; 3:335-6; author reply 336. [PMID: 11919571 DOI: 10.1038/ni0402-335b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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173
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Pugliese A, Gennero L, Pescarmona GP, Beccattini M, Morra E, Orofino G, Torre D. Serum citrate levels, haptoglobin haplotypes and transferrin receptor (CD71) in patients with HIV-1 infection. Infection 2002; 30:86-9. [PMID: 12018475 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-002-2088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progression of HIV-1 infection towards its more advanced stages is accompanied by changes in iron metabolism and increased body iron stores. PATIENTS AND METHODS Given the ability of HIV to alter iron metabolism, we studied the principal (transferrin system) and alternative (citrate system) iron pathways in a group of 65 HIV-infected patients (symptomatic stage B1-B3) and in a group of 36 healthy seronegative individuals. We determined serum citrate levels, haptoglobin (Hp) haplotypes, expression of transferrin receptor (CD71) on cell lines infected with HIV-1 as well as iron markers including blood iron, transferrin and ferritin. RESULTS Our data showed decreased serum citrate levels in the HIV-infected patients compared to controls (92.9 +/- 22.4 microM/l vs 126.2 +/- 29.2 microM/L; p < 0.01). In particular, the serum citrate levels negatively correlated with HIV-1 RNA copy number (mean: 2.53 +/- 1.88 x 10(5)/ml, r(s) = 0.70, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with CD4+ T-lymphocyte count (mean: 241 +/- 168/ml, r(s) = 0.64, p > 0.05). Accordingly, blood iron, transferrin and red cell concentrations were lower in HIV-infected patients compared to the controls, whereas serum ferritin levels were higher in HIV-infected patients. Moreover, the Hp haplotype distribution showed significant differences only in the group of HIV-infected patients (p = 0.02; chi2 test). CONCLUSION Our results show that iron metabolism is altered in patients with HIV-1 infection. The alternative pathway (citrate system) is particularly affected, since when citrate levels are low, both aconitase activity and HIV-1 replication need iron.
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Garavito G, Klein D, Denis M, Pugliese A, Ricordi C, Pastori RL. Real-time sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction amplification of HLA class II alleles: a novel approach to analyze microchimerism. Transplantation 2002; 73:822-5. [PMID: 11907437 DOI: 10.1097/00007890-200203150-00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The careful assessment of microchimerism is essential to investigate the effects of donor bone marrow-derived cells in transplantation. We have developed a protocol to assess microchimerism based on the HLA mismatch between the recipient and the donor. Our approach combines real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence-specific primer PCR (SSP-PCR) to selectively amplify and measure the abundance of donor HLA alleles in DNA samples extracted from the recipient after transplant. To optimize and validate the reliability of this method at different levels of microchimerism, we tested serial dilutions of donor DNA into recipient DNA. We demonstrate that donor alleles can be readily detected and reliably measured at concentrations as low as 0.1%. This method is simple and rapid and could find practical application in the assessment of microchimerism in patients receiving organ or cellular transplants in conjunction with donor bone marrow cells infusion.
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175
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Abstract
Lack of insulin production or abnormalities affecting insulin secretion are key to the development of almost all forms of diabetes, including the common type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes and the more rare forms of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Because insulin has such a central role in the pathogenesis of both forms of diabetes, the insulin gene (INS) has always been considered a candidate susceptibility gene. A number of studies have shown that the allelic variation and parent-of-origin effects affect the transmission and expression of the insulin gene in pancreatic beta-cells and extra-pancreatic tissues. These observations have led to the formulation of new hypotheses to explain the biological mechanisms by which functional differences in the expression of the insulin gene may contribute to diabetes susceptibility.
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