Genetic variants of AICDA/CASP14 associated with childhood brain tumor

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in Korea to investigate whether apoptosis- and cell cycle control-related genes are associated with childhood brain tumor. Incident brain tumor cases (N = 70) and non-cancer controls (N = 140), frequency-matched by age and gender, were selected from 3 teaching hospitals in Seoul between 2003 and 2006. Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (N = 297) in 30 genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle control were selected using a pairwise linkage-disequilibrium-based algorithm. Five tag SNPs in 2 genes (AICDA and CASP14) remained significant after adjusted multiple tests. The most significant association with childhood brain tumor risk was for IVS1-401G>C in the AICDA gene [odds ratio (OR) = 2.8; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.25-6.46]; the polymorphism *9276A>C of CASP14 was associated with decreased brain tumor risk (OR = 0.4; 95%CI = 0.19-0.95). We concluded that genetic polymorphisms in AICDA and CASP14 are associated with risk for brain tumor in Korean children.

Therapeutic effect of a pig-derived peptide antibiotic on porcine wound infections

PURPOSE

We investigated the therapeutic potential of the pig-derived antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 (PG-1) against porcine skin wounds infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a porcine skin wound model, PG-1 was added to the wound fluid either at the time of P. aeruginosa inoculation, four hours after inoculation or 24 hours after inoculation. Wound fluids were analyzed 20-24 hours later by use of colony-forming unit (CFU) assays, semiquantitative immunoblot analysis for PG-1, and radial diffusion assays (RDA) for residual in vitro activity.

RESULTS

Results of the CFU assays indicated a 10,000-fold decrease in the number of bacteria when PG-1 was added at the time of inoculation, a 120-fold decrease when added 4 hours after inoculation and a 10-fold decrease when added 24 hours after inoculation. Results of immunoblot analysis and RDA indicated that PG-1 concentrations for each of the three conditions remained increased in wound fluid 20 to 24 hours after treatment, and correlated with increased residual in vitro antimicrobial activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results document that the endogenous antibiotic PG-1 significantly prevented the colonization of P. aeruginosa in wounds and reduced the in vivo bacterial concentration in established wound infections. Therapeutics used in the same animal species from which they were derived are a promising means for preventing and treating localized infections.

Nuclear factor-kappaB transcription factor decoy treatment inhibits graft coronary artery disease after cardiac transplantation in rodents

BACKGROUND

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor that upregulates adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ELAM-1. We hypothesized the use of ex vivo pressure-mediated delivery of transcription factor decoys (TFD) to NF-kappaB binding sites would decrease expression of adhesion molecules, and decrease reperfusion injury, acute rejection, and graft coronary artery disease (GCAD) in rat cardiac allografts.

METHODS

Heterotopic heart transplants were performed on donor hearts treated with saline, 10 mg/kg LPS, 160 micromol/L NF-kappaB TFD, or 160 micromol/L scrambled sequence (NF-SC) TFD for 45 min at 78 psi (6 atm). Transfection efficiency was determined with FITC-labeled TFD. Reverse transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry was used to analyze adhesion molecule mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Apoptosis was measured with DNA fragmentation analysis. Reperfusion injury was assessed with cardiac edema, neutrophil infiltration, and histology. Acute rejection was determined by daily palpation. Allografts were assessed at POD 90 for the development of GCAD by computer-assisted image analysis to determine intimal:medial ratio and myointimal proliferation.

RESULTS

Hyperbaric pressure was an effective method of NF-kappaB TFD delivery (P<0.001 vs. controls). NF-kappaB TFD treatment led to decreased mRNA and protein expression of adhesion molecules. Treatment with NF-kappaB TFD led to a significant decrease in all reperfusion injury parameters compared to saline and NF-SC controls (P<0.01 vs. controls). Higher levels of apoptosis were seen in allografts treated with NF-kappaB TFD compared to control allografts. NF-kappaB TFD treatment prolonged allograft survival over saline and NF-SC controls (P<0.05). Myointimal proliferation and intimal:medial ratios in NF-kappaB TFD-treated allografts were significantly decreased compared to saline and NF-SC treatment (P<0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ex vivo pressure-mediated delivery of NF-kappaB TFD is an effective method to block adhesion molcule expression and reperfusion injury in the immediate posttransplant period. Further, NF-kappaB TFD treatment prolongs allograft survival and decreases GCAD.

Optimization of ex vivo pressure mediated delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to ICAM-1 reduces reperfusion injury in rat cardiac allografts

BACKGROUND

Our purpose was to optimize hyperbaric pressure as a vector for ex vivo transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 to limit reperfusion injury (RI) in cardiac allografts. We investigated the effects of increased pressure, incubation time, and AS-ODN concentrations on transfection efficiency and toxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PVG (RT1c) donor hearts were heterotopically transplanted to ACI (RT1a) recipients. Donor hearts were harvested and the various groups were treated at: (1) different pressure (1-9 atm) for 45 min with 80 micromol/liter AS-ODN; (2) different incubation times (15 min to 6 hr) at 5 atm with 80 micromol/liter AS-ODN; 3) different AS-ODN concentrations (80-240 micromol/liter) at 5 atm for 45 min. Hearts were procured 24 or 72 hr after transplantation. Transfection efficiency was determined with fluorescein-labeled AS-ODN. The degree of RI was determined with biochemical and histological analysis. Increasing pressure from ambient (1 atm) pressure to pressures as high as 9 atm leads to a increase in transfection efficiency from 1.7+/-.5 to 62+/-3.9% and a reduction in RI. Increased incubation time up to 45 min increased transfection efficiency and reduced RI, but longer incubation times induced significant toxicity to the allograft. Increased AS-ODN concentrations improved transfection and reduced RI.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperbaric pressure is a safe and effective vector for the ex vivo delivery of AS-ICAM-1-ODN to rodent cardiac allografts and results in a reduction in reperfusion injury.

Sulfasalazine inhibits reperfusion injury and prolongs allograft survival in rat cardiac transplants

INTRODUCTION

Reperfusion injury is an inflammatory cell-mediated response that causes tissue damage immediately following transplantation, and has been implicated in the development of acute and chronic rejection. NF-kappaB is a transcription factor that upregulates adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ELAM-1 following reperfusion. We hypothesized that treatment with sulfasalazine, a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB, would decrease adhesion molecule expression, decrease reperfusion injury, and prolong allograft survival in rat cardiac transplants.

METHODS

Heterotopic rat heart transplants were performed. Donor allografts were treated with saline, sulfasalazine (SSA), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent inducer of NF-kappaB activity. Reperfusion injury was assessed with cardiac edema (percent wet weight), neutrophil infiltration (MPO activity), and histologic damage (contraction band necrosis). Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze protein expression. Acute rejection was determined by daily palpation.

RESULTS

Treatment with a single 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of sulfasalazine decreased reperfusion injury compared to saline controls (MPO activity, saline: 2.1+/-0.3, SSA: 1.2+/-0.31, P < 0.005; % wet weight, saline 77.6+/-1.1%; SSA 75.8+/-1.0%, P < 0.005; contraction band necrosis, saline: 13.1+/-2.5%, SSA: 6.1+/-3.4%, P < 0.001). LPS administration increased all parameters of reperfusion injury. Treatment with sulfasalazine prior to LPS also decreased reperfusion injury compared to LPS and saline groups. Sulfasalazine treatment decreased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 protein expression. Administration of 500 mg/kg sulfasalazine increased graft survival to 15.4+/-1.8 days compared to saline (6.8+/-1.4 days, P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with sulfasalazine is an effective method to decrease reperfusion injury and prolong allograft survival in a rat cardiac transplantation model.

Pressure delivery of AS-ICAM-1 ODN with LFA-1 mAb reduces reperfusion injury in cardiac allografts

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study is to determine the effects of ex vivo hyperbaric pressure administration of AS-ICAM-1 ODN and systemic anti-LFA-1 mAb treatment on reperfusion injury in the rat cardiac allograft model.

METHODS

A PVG to ACI functional heterotopic rat heart model was used. Donor hearts were treated with either saline or AS-ICAM-1 ODN and 5 atm of hyperbaric pressure for 45 minutes. Anti-LFA-1 mAb was administered systemically prior to reperfusion of the allograft. Allografts were procured 24 hours after transplantation for assessment of reperfusion injury or 72 hours to determine ICAM-1 protein expression.

RESULTS

Ex vivo administration of AS-ICAM-1 ODN led to decreases in percentage wet weight (77.1+/-0.83% vs 78.7+/-1.0%, p < 0.05), myeloperoxidase activity (3.14+/-0.72 vs 4.07+/-0.59, p < 0.05), contraction band necrosis (6.4+/-6.47% vs 21.1+/-7.43%, p < 0.01), and ICAM-1 protein expression determined by immunohistochemistry compared to saline controls. Treatment with anti-LFA-1 mAb resulted in decreases in wet weight ratio (76.7+/-0.63%, p < 0.05 vs saline), myeloperoxidase activity (3.58+/-0.39, p < 0.05 vs saline) and contraction band necrosis (11.8+/-3.56%, p < 0.05 vs saline). Combination of pressure administration of AS-ICAM-1 ODN and anti-LFA-1 mAb decreased wet weight ratios (77.1+/-0.93%, p < 0.05 vs saline), myeloperoxidase activity (2.88+/-0.44, p < 0.01 vs saline), and contraction band necrosis (6.75+/-5.67%, p < 0.05 vs saline).

CONCLUSIONS

Ex vivo pressure mediated delivery of AS-ICAM-1 ODN decreases ICAM-1 protein expression, reduces reperfusion injury in rodent cardiac allografts, and is more effective than anti-LFA-1 mAb treatment alone.