Including the p53 ELAV-like protein-binding site in vector cassettes enhances transgene expression in rat submandibular gland

OBJECTIVE

ELAV-like proteins regulate mRNA stability and/or translation. We evaluated whether inclusion of binding sites for ELAV-like HuR proteins in vector cassettes could improve transgene expression in the salivary gland.

METHODS

Western blots and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine whether HuR protein was expressed in salivary cells and tissue. HuR binding sites were inserted into the pACEF1α-luc-BGH expression plasmid. Cell lines were transfected with plasmids in vitro and luciferase expression measured. Rat submandibular glands were transfected in vivo with plasmids containing ELAV-like HuR protein-binding sites. An adenoviral vector with p53 ELAV-like HuR protein-binding site was generated and also tested in vivo. Four unique 29mer HuR shRNA constructs were used in A5 cells to evaluate whether there was a specific interaction between HuR protein and the p53 HuR protein-binding site.

RESULTS

Salivary cells express HuR protein. Inclusion of the p53 ELAV-like HuR protein-binding site resulted in high luciferase activity in salivary cells in vitro, with similar results in vivo. In vitro shRNA data demonstrated that the high luciferase activity was mediated by the interaction between HuR protein and the p53 HuR protein-binding site. The AdEF1α-luc-p53BGH, including this binding site, mediated very high luciferase activity, ~4-fold that seen with the CMV promoter, in rat submandibular glands.

CONCLUSIONS

Including the p53 ELAV-like protein-binding site in transgene cassettes may enhance therapeutic vectors intended for use with salivary glands.

Global analysis of Arabidopsis/downy mildew interactions reveals prevalence of incomplete resistance and rapid evolution of pathogen recognition

Interactions between Arabidopsis thaliana and its native obligate oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa) represent a model system to study evolution of natural variation in a host/pathogen interaction. Both Arabidopsis and Hpa genomes are sequenced and collections of different sub-species are available. We analyzed ∼400 interactions between different Arabidopsis accessions and five strains of Hpa. We examined the pathogen's overall ability to reproduce on a given host, and performed detailed cytological staining to assay for pathogen growth and hypersensitive cell death response in the host. We demonstrate that intermediate levels of resistance are prevalent among Arabidopsis populations and correlate strongly with host developmental stage. In addition to looking at plant responses to challenge by whole pathogen inoculations, we investigated the Arabidopsis resistance attributed to recognition of the individual Hpa effectors, ATR1 and ATR13. Our results suggest that recognition of these effectors is evolutionarily dynamic and does not form a single clade in overall Arabidopsis phylogeny for either effector. Furthermore, we show that the ultimate outcome of the interactions can be modified by the pathogen, despite a defined gene-for-gene resistance in the host. These data indicate that the outcome of disease and disease resistance depends on genome-for-genome interactions between the host and its pathogen, rather than single gene pairs as thought previously.

Differential expression and adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis FimA genotypes

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a primary pathogen involved in the initiation and progression of adult chronic periodontitis. Its colonization on oral surfaces is a necessary first step leading to infection. FimA, a subunit protein of major (long) fimbriae, is a well-known virulence factor. Based on its nucleotide sequence, FimA is classified into several genotypes. We compared here the transcriptional levels of the fimA gene in several P. gingivalis strains using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, fimbrial display on the P. gingivalis surface using transmission electronic microscopy, and the adherence competencies of P. gingivalis strains carrying different types of FimAs towards saliva and Streptococcus gordonii surfaces using mutagenesis analysis. We demonstrated differential expression of each fimA gene in these P. gingivalis strains. A correlation of the transcription level of fimA and binding activity of P. gingivalis was revealed. We show that P. gingivalis strains with genotype I and II of FimA are efficient in interaction with saliva or S. gordonii. This work highlights the important role of FimA type I and II in P. gingivalis attachment to oral surfaces.

Abashian-Booth-Crowe effect in basic double-pionic fusion: a new resonance?

We report on an exclusive and kinematically complete high-statistics measurement of the basic double-pionic fusion reaction pn→dπ(0)π(0) over the full energy region of the ABC effect, a pronounced low-mass enhancement in the ππ-invariant mass spectrum. The measurements, which cover also the transition region to the conventional t-channel ΔΔ process, were performed with the upgraded WASA detector setup at COSY. The data reveal the Abashian-Booth-Crowe effect to be uniquely correlated with a Lorentzian energy dependence in the integral cross section. The observables are consistent with a narrow resonance with m=2.37  GeV, Γ≈70  MeV and I(J(P))=0(3(+)) in both pn and ΔΔ systems. Necessary further tests of the resonance interpretation are discussed.

Convenient and reproducible in vivo gene transfer to mouse parotid glands

OBJECTIVES

Published studies of gene transfer to mouse salivary glands have not employed the parotid glands. Parotid glands are the likely target tissue for most clinical applications of salivary gene transfer. The purpose of the present study was to develop a convenient and reproducible method of retroductal gene transfer to mouse parotid glands.

METHODS

The volume for vector delivery was assessed by infusion of Toluidine Blue into Stensen's ducts of Balb/c mice after direct intraoral cannulation. Recombinant, serotype 5 adenoviral vectors, encoding either firefly luciferase or human erythropoietin (hEpo), were constructed and then administered to parotid glands (10(7) vector particles/gland). Transgene expression in vivo was measured by enzyme activity (luciferase) or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (hEpo). Vector biodistribution was measured by real-time quantitative (Q) PCR.

RESULTS

The chosen volume for mouse parotid vector delivery was 20μL. Little vector was detected outside of the targeted glands, with both QPCR and luciferase assays. Transgene expression was readily detected in glands (luciferase, hEpo), and serum and saliva (hEpo). Most secreted hEpo was detected in saliva.

CONCLUSION

These studies show that mouse parotid glands can be conveniently and reproducibly targeted for gene transfer, and should be useful for pre-clinical studies with many murine disease models.

Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in a Hospice Setting

With the escalating use of pharmaceuticals in health care, there has been increasing anxiety over the potential health risks associated with pharmaceutical waste accumulating in the environment. This research provided nurses in a hospice care facility in Concord, California, with education and training to offer patients a medication disposal service through the use of mail-back envelopes. Over the 6-month study period, 160 of the 400 distributed mailers were returned for disposal. The total weight of pharmaceuticals diverted for incineration was 107 pounds, with an average weight of 0.66 pounds per mailer. This study suggests that the mailer system and proper education of medical staff have the potential to improve medical waste management, but alternative approaches may be necessary to increase the rate of envelop return.

Human parathyroid hormone is secreted primarily into the bloodstream after rat parotid gland gene transfer

Hypoparathyroidism is a hormone deficiency syndrome that leads to low blood calcium levels and for which current replacement therapy is inadequate. Gene transfer to salivary glands leads to safe and abundant secretion of therapeutic protein into either saliva or the bloodstream. We previously reported the successful transduction of rat submandibular glands with an adenoviral vector encoding human parathyroid hormone (Ad.hPTH), but unfortunately most of the hPTH was secreted into saliva. Because submandibular and parotid glands are morphologically and functionally different, we hypothesized that hPTH sorting might be different in parotid glands. After 2 days, the pattern of hPTH secretion from transduced parotid glands of intact rats was reversed from that of transduced submandibular glands, that is, most transgenic hPTH was detected in serum (5 × 10(10) viral particles per gland; the saliva-to-serum ratio of total hPTH secreted was 0.04). Vector copies were localized to the targeted parotid glands, with none detected in liver or spleen. Ad.hPTH next was administered to parotid glands of parathyroidectomized rats. Two days after delivery no hPTH was detectable in saliva, but high levels were found in serum, leading to normalization of serum calcium and a significant increase in the urinary phosphorus-to-creatinine ratio. This study demonstrates for the first time differential sorting of transgenic hPTH between submandibular and parotid glands, suggesting that hPTH may be a valuable model protein for understanding the molecular basis of transgenic secretory protein sorting in these exocrine glands. We also show the clinical potential of salivary gland hPTH gene therapy for patients with hypoparathyroidism.

Transgenic α-1-antitrypsin secreted into the bloodstream from salivary glands is biologically active

OBJECTIVES

Salivary glands are potentially a valuable target for gene therapeutics. Herein, we examined the expression and biochemical activity of human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hA1AT) produced in rodent submandibular glands after gene transfer.

METHODS

A serotype 5 adenoviral vector (Ad.hA1AT) was constructed and first characterized by dose response and time course studies using SMIE cells in vitro. hA1AT expression was analysed by ELISA and the biologic activity determined by the inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (hNE) and formation of hA1AT-hNE complexes. Ad.hA1AT was administered to submandibular glands of rats and mice. The levels and activity of hA1AT were analysed in saliva, serum and gland extracts. Treatment with endoglycosidase H and Peptide N-Glycosidase F was used to assess N-linked glycosylation.

RESULTS

Transgenic hA1AT, expressed in submandibular glands following Ad.hA1AT administration, was secreted into the bloodstream, N-glycosylated and biochemically active.

CONCLUSION

After in vivo gene transfer, rodent salivary glands can produce a non-hormonal, transgenic, secretory glycoprotein exhibiting complex and conformation-dependent biologic activity.

Intravenous administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells benefits experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis mice through an immunomodulatory action

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are potent in immunomodulation. It has been proven that MSC functioned to correct immune disorder in several immune diseases. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MSC from human bone marrow (hMSC) can provide a potential therapy for experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). EAMG mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of synthetic analogue of acetylcholine receptor (AchR), then, hMSC were intravenously delivered into these mice repeatedly. The results showed that hMSC could specifically home to spleen tissue and hMSC treatment significantly improved the functional deficits of EAMG mice. In addition, AchR antibody level was dramatically decreased in cell-treated group when compared with untreated control on 10 days after the second cell injection. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro mixed lymphocyte proliferation assays revealed that hMSC could definitely inhibit the proliferation of AchR-specific lymphocyte. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that hMSC treatment was therapeutically useful in autoimmune myasthenia gravis mice, and the underlying mechanism may relate with their immunomodulatory potential.

Evaluation of a rapamycin-regulated serotype 2 adeno-associated viral vector in macaque parotid glands

OBJECTIVES

Salivary glands are useful target organs for local and systemic gene therapeutics. For such applications, the regulation of transgene expression is important. Previous studies by us in murine submandibular glands showed that a rapamycin transcriptional regulation system in a single serotype 2, adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vector was effective for this purpose. This study evaluated if such a vector was similarly useful in rhesus macaque parotid glands.

METHODS

A recombinant AAV2 vector (AAV-TF-RhEpo-2.3w), encoding rhesus erythropoietin (RhEpo) and a rapamycin-inducible promoter, was constructed. The vector was administered to macaques at either of two doses [1.5 x 10(11) (low dose) or 1.5 x 10(12) (high dose) vector genomes] via cannulation of Stensen's duct. Animals were followed up for 12-14 weeks and treated at intervals with rapamycin (0.1 or 0.5 mg kg(-1)) to induce gene expression. Serum chemistry, hematology, and RhEpo levels were measured at interval.

RESULTS

AAV-TF-RhEpo-2.3w administration led to low levels of rapamycin-inducible RhEpo expression in the serum of most macaques. In five animals, no significant changes were seen in serum chemistry and hematology values over the study. One macaque, however, developed pneumonia, became anemic and subsequently required euthanasia. After the onset of anemia, a single administration of rapamycin led to significant RhEpo production in this animal.

CONCLUSION

Administration of AAV-TF-RhEpo-2.3w to macaque parotid glands was generally safe, but led only to low levels of serum RhEpo in healthy animals following rapamycin treatment.

Quantum simulation of nuclear rearrangement in electron transfer reactions

A quantum simulation scheme based on the path integral molecular dynamics technique has been used to calculate the effective activation energies associated with nuclear rearrangement in the electron transfer reactions Co(NH(3))(6) (2+) + Co(NH(3))(6) (3+) --> Co(NH(3))(6) (3+) + Co(NH(3))(6) (2+) and Ru(NH(3))(6) (2+) + Ru(NH(3))(6) (3+) --> Ru(NH(3))(6) (3+) + Ru(NH(3))(6) (2+). Even with a simple Hamiltonian and short time dynamic simulations, the results are in satisfactory agreement with other theoretical calculations. This simulation approach can be used in chemical and biological systems where the reactions are largely controlled by nuclear rearrangements, such as those of electron transfer reactions in some electron carrier proteins.

Increased iris thickness and association with primary angle closure glaucoma

AIMS

To investigate the relationship between quantitative iris parameters and angle closure disease. methods: Participants with angle closure were recruited prospectively from glaucoma clinics. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was performed under standardised dark conditions. Customised software was used on horizontal AS-OCT scans to measure iris thickness at 750 um (IT750) and 2000 um (IT2000) from the sclera spur, maximal iris thickness (ITM) and cross-sectional area of the iris (I-Area).

RESULTS

167 Angle closure (consisting of 50 primary angle-closure (PAC), 73 primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and 44 fellow eyes of acute PAC) and 1153 normal participants were examined. After adjusting for age, sex, pupil size and anterior chamber depth, mean IT750 (0.499 vs 0.451 mm, p<0.001), IT2000 (0.543 vs 0.479 mm, p<0.001), ITM (0.660 vs 0.602 mm, p<0.001) and I-Area (1.645 vs 1.570 mm(2), p=0.014) were significantly greater in angle closure (combined groups) versus normal eyes. Multivariate adjusted odd ratios (OR) of each parameter for the angle closure as compared with normal eyes were: IT750 OR1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7, p=0.032); IT2000 OR2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.8, p=0.006) and ITM OR2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.6, p=0.003), respectively, per 0.1 unit increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased iris thickness is associated with angle closure.

Abdominal compartment syndrome associated with capillary leak syndrome after liver transplantation

Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in a 49-year-old man with metastatic liver sarcoma. After surgery, both abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and capillary leak syndrome (CLS) developed. Exploratory laparotomy and colon exteriorization were performed. Five days later, a diagnosis of severe CLS was established, and hydroxyethyl starch was infused to prevent leakage of albumin. The patient gradually recovered over 3 weeks. Awareness of ACS and CLS is important to improve outcome because early diagnosis and immediate therapy are essential. Bladder pressure is a key factor in diagnosing ACS, and pressure of 35 mm Hg is an indication for decompressive laparotomy. During the early stage of CLS, hydroxyethyl starch but not albumin should be used to alleviate edema and hypoalbuminemia.

Intracellular trafficking of VP22 in bovine herpesvirus-1 infected cells

The intracellular trafficking of different VP22-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) fusion proteins expressed by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) recombinants was examined by live-cell imaging. Our results demonstrate that (i) the fusion of EYFP to the C terminus of VP22 does not alter the trafficking of the protein in infected cells, (ii) VP22 expressed during BHV-1 infection translocates to the nucleus through three different pathways, namely early mitosis-dependent nuclear translocation, late massive nuclear translocation that follows a prolonged cytoplasmic stage of the protein in non-mitotic cells, and accumulation of a small subset of VP22 in discrete dot-like nuclear domains during its early cytoplasmic stage, (iii) the addition of the SV40 large-T-antigen nuclear localization signal (NLS) to VP22-EYFP abrogates its early cytoplasmic stage, and (iv) the VP22 (131)PRPR(134) NLS is not required for the late massive nuclear translocation of the protein, but this motif is essential for the targeting of VP22 to discrete dot-like nuclear domains during the early cytoplasmic stage. These results show that the amount of VP22 in the nucleus is precisely regulated at different stages of BHV-1 infection and suggest that the early pathways of VP22 nuclear accumulation may be more relevant to the infection process as the late massive nuclear influx starts when most of the viral progeny has already emerged from the cell.

AAV5-mediated gene transfer to the parotid glands of non-human primates

Salivary glands are potentially useful target sites for multiple clinical applications of gene transfer. Previously, we have shown that serotype 2 adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors lead to stable gene transfer in the parotid glands of rhesus macaques. As AAV5 vectors result in considerably greater transgene expression in murine salivary glands than do AAV2 vectors, herein we have examined the use of AAV5 vectors in macaques at two different doses (n = 3 per group; 10(10) or 3 x 10(11) particles per gland). AAV5 vector delivery, as with AAV2 vectors, led to no untoward clinical, hematological or serum chemistry responses in macaques. The extent of AAV5-mediated expression of rhesus erythropoietin (RhEpo) was dose-dependent and similar to that seen with an AAV2 vector. However, unlike results with the AAV2 vector, AAV5 vector-mediated RhEpo expression was transient. Maximal expression peaked at day 56, was reduced by approximately 80% on day 84 and thereafter remained near background levels until day 182 (end of experiment). Quantitative PCR studies of high-dose vector biodistribution at this last time point showed much lower AAV5 copy numbers in the targeted parotid gland (approximately 1.7%) than found with the same AAV2 vector dose. Molecular analysis of the conformation of vector DNA indicated a markedly lower level of concatamerization for the AAV5 vector compared with that of a similar AAV2 vector. In addition, cellular immunological studies suggest that host response differences may occur with AAV2 and AAV5 vector delivery at this mucosal site. The aggregate data indicate that results with AAV5 vectors in murine salivary glands apparently do not extend to macaque glands.