Potential Contribution of Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 to the Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Mouse Nasal Mucosa

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first infects the host nasal mucosa, where the viral spike protein binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the mucosal cells. This study aimed at searching host cell surface molecules that could contribute to the infection in two views; abundance on host cells and affinity to the spike protein. Since the nasal mucosa is lined by respiratory and olfactory epithelia, and both express an immunoglobulin superfamily member cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1), whether CADM1 would participate in the spike protein binding was examined. Immunohistochemistry on the mouse nasal cavity detected CADM1 strongly in the olfactory epithelium at cell-cell contacts and on the apical surface but just faintly in the respiratory epithelium. In contrast, ACE2 was detected in the respiratory, not olfactory, epithelium. When mice were administered intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein and an anti-CADM1 ectodomain antibody separately, both were detected exclusively on the olfactory, not respiratory, epithelium. Then, the antibody and S1 spike protein were administered intranasally to mice in this order with an interval of 1 hour. After 3 hours, S1 spike protein was detected as a protein aggregate floating in the nasal cavity. Next, S1 spike protein labeled with fluorescein was added to the monolayer cultures of epithelial cells exogenously expressing ACE2 or CADM1. Quantitative detection of fluorescein bound to the cells revealed that S1 spike protein bound to CADM1 with affinity half as high as to ACE2. Consistently, docking simulation analyses revealed that S1 spike protein could bind to CADM1 three quarters as strongly as to ACE2 and that the interface of ACE2 was similar in both binding modes. Collectively, intranasal S1 spike protein appeared to prefer to accumulate on the olfactory epithelium, and CADM1 was suggested to contribute to this preference of S1 spike protein based on the molecular abundance and affinity.

Prediction of visceral pleural invasion of clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma using thoracoscopic images and deep learning

PURPOSE

To develop deep learning models using thoracoscopic images to identify visceral pleural invasion (VPI) in patients with clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma, and to verify if these models can be applied clinically.

METHODS

Two deep learning models, one based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) and the other based on a vision transformer (ViT), were applied and trained via 463 images (VPI negative: 269 images, VPI positive: 194 images) captured from surgical videos of 81 patients. Model performances were validated via an independent test dataset containing 46 images (VPI negative: 28 images, VPI positive: 18 images) from 46 test patients.

RESULTS

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the CNN-based and ViT-based models were 0.77 and 0.84 (p = 0.304), respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 73.91, 83.33, 67.86, 62.50, and 86.36% for the CNN-based model and 78.26, 77.78, 78.57, 70.00, and 84.62% for the ViT-based model, respectively. These models' diagnostic abilities were comparable to those of board-certified thoracic surgeons and tended to be superior to those of non-board-certified thoracic surgeons.

CONCLUSION

The deep learning model systems can be utilized in clinical applications via data expansion.

Somatic mutations of CADM1 in aldosterone-producing adenomas and gap junction-dependent regulation of aldosterone production

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are the commonest curable cause of hypertension. Most have gain-of-function somatic mutations of ion channels or transporters. Herein we report the discovery, replication and phenotype of mutations in the neuronal cell adhesion gene CADM1. Independent whole exome sequencing of 40 and 81 APAs found intramembranous p.Val380Asp or p.Gly379Asp variants in two patients whose hypertension and periodic primary aldosteronism were cured by adrenalectomy. Replication identified two more APAs with each variant (total, n = 6). The most upregulated gene (10- to 25-fold) in human adrenocortical H295R cells transduced with the mutations (compared to wildtype) was CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase), and biological rhythms were the most differentially expressed process. CADM1 knockdown or mutation inhibited gap junction (GJ)-permeable dye transfer. GJ blockade by Gap27 increased CYP11B2 similarly to CADM1 mutation. Human adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) expression of GJA1 (the main GJ protein) was patchy, and annular GJs (sequelae of GJ communication) were less prominent in CYP11B2-positive micronodules than adjacent ZG. Somatic mutations of CADM1 cause reversible hypertension and reveal a role for GJ communication in suppressing physiological aldosterone production.

Increase in the Number and Duration of Sleep Episodes During Class After Reopening of Schools Following Closure due to COVID-19

Sleep is important for the well-being of school-aged children. Almost all schools in Hyogo prefecture in Japan were closed from April 7 to May 31, 2020, owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The pandemic restrictions resulted in the disruption of the sleep routines of children. The number of children who experienced sleepiness in class after school closure increased. The number of children who visited our hospital 1 year before and after the closure was 208 (11.73 ± 3.24 years of age) and 155 (11.45 ± 3.30 years), respectively. The number of chief complaints of sleep-related symptoms at the first visits showed no significant difference between the two time periods. The percentage of patients who slept during class increased (but not significantly) after the school closure. However, the mean number and duration of sleep episodes during class significantly increased from 0.31 ± 0.76 to 1.04 ± 1.14 episodes/day and from 15.8 ± 38.6 to 45.7 ± 46.9 min/day (each P < 0.001) before and after school closure, respectively. The total number of patients in our hospital with the primary central disorders of hypersomnolence, i.e., narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and Kleine-Levin syndrome, and the number of patients with insufficient sleep syndrome after the school closure significantly increased compared with those before closure (P = 0.034 and 0.048, respectively). School closure was associated with an increased incidence of sleeping during class; therefore, maintaining a stable daily routine for children with sleep disorders could have an alleviating effect.

Prediction of infectivity of SARS-CoV2: Mathematical model with analysis of docking simulation for spike proteins and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2

OBJECTIVES

Variants of a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have been spreading in a global pandemic. Improved understanding of the infectivity of future new variants is important so that effective countermeasures against them can be quickly undertaken. In our research reported here, we aimed to predict the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by using a mathematical model with molecular simulation analysis, and we used phylogenetic analysis to determine the evolutionary distance of the spike protein gene (S gene) of SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

We subjected the six variants and the wild type of spike protein and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to molecular docking simulation analyses to understand the binding affinity of spike protein and ACE2. We then utilized regression analysis of the correlation coefficient of the mathematical model and the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 to predict infectivity.

RESULTS

The evolutionary distance of the S gene correlated with the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The calculated biding affinity for the mathematical model obtained with results of molecular docking simulation also correlated with the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants. These results suggest that the data from the docking simulation for the receptor binding domain of variant spike proteins and human ACE2 were valuable for prediction of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

CONCLUSION

We developed a mathematical model for prediction of SARS-CoV-2 variant infectivity by using binding affinity obtained via molecular docking and the evolutionary distance of the S gene.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 Variant May Be Much More Infective than Preexisting Variants Based on In Silico Model

Previously, we developed a mathematical model via molecular simulation analysis to predict the infectivity of six SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this report, we aimed to predict the relative risk of the recent new variants of SARS-CoV-2 based on our previous research. We subjected Omicron BA.4/5 and BA.2.75 variants of SARS-CoV-2 to the analysis to determine the evolutionary distance of the spike protein gene (S gene) of the variants from the Wuhan variant so as to appreciate the changes in the spike protein. We performed molecular docking simulation analyses of the spike proteins with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to understand the docking affinities of these variants. We then compared the evolutionary distances and the docking affinities of these variants with those of the variants that we had analyzed in our previous research. As a result, BA.2.75 has both the highest docking affinity (ratio per Wuhan variant) and the longest evolutionary distance of the S gene from the Wuhan variant. These results suggest that BA.2.75 infection can spread farther than can infections of preexisting variants.

Indigo plant leaf extract inhibits the binding of SARS‑CoV‑2 spike protein to angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses its S1 spike protein to bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on human cells in the first step of cell entry. Tryptanthrin, extracted from leaves of the indigo plant, Polygonum tinctorium, using d-limonene (17.3 µg/ml), is considered to inhibit ACE2-mediated cell entry of another type of coronavirus, HCoV-NL63. The current study examined whether this extract could inhibit the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to ACE2. Binding was quantified as cell-bound fluorescence intensity in live cell cultures in which canine kidney MDCK cells overexpressing ACE2 were incubated with fluorescein-labeled S1 spike protein. When indigo extract, together with S1 protein, was added at 8,650x and 17,300x dilutions, fluorescence intensity decreased in a dose- and S1 extract-dependent manner, without affecting cell viability. When 4.0-nM tryptanthrin was added instead of the indigo extract, fluorescence intensity also decreased, but to a lesser degree than with indigo extract. Docking simulation analyses revealed that tryptanthrin readily bound to the receptor-binding domain of the S1 protein, and identified 2- and 7-amino acid sequences as the preferred binding sites. The indigo extract appeared to inhibit S1-ACE2 binding at high dilutions, and evidently contained other inhibitory elements as well as tryptanthrin. This extract may be useful for the prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Core body temperature changes in school-age children with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Core body temperature (CBT) is considered a valuable marker for circadian rhythm. This study aimed to investigate the changes in CBT that are associated with the symptoms of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder (CRSWD) post-treatment in children.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Twenty-eight school-age children [10 boys and 18 girls; mean age (±standard deviation), 13.68 ± 0.93 years] who were admitted to our hospital with CRSWD underwent treatment for 6-8 weeks according to the following protocol: lights-out for sleep at 21:00; phototherapy for waking at 6:00 or 7:00; light exercise everyday (eg, a 20- to 30-min walk). CBT was continuously measured for 24 h on the first day of admission and on the first day after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean time of sleep onset/offset (±standard deviation; in hours:minutes) 1 week before admission and 1 week after treatment were 23:53 ± 2:26/9:58 ± 2:15 and 21:17 ± 0:19/6:46 ± 0:32, respectively. The mean times of sleep onset and offset measured post-treatment were significantly earlier than those measured pre-treatment (p < 0.001). The mean CBT and mean minimum CBT during sleep were significantly lower on the first day post-treatment than on the first day of admission (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptom improvements in patients with CRSWD were associated with a decrease in CBT during sleep, suggesting that CBT may be a biomarker for improvements in CRSWD. These results help elucidate the cause of this sleep disorder.

Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in WT1 Exon 8 to 9 Missense Variants

Introduction

WT1 missense mutation in exon 8 or 9 causes infantile nephrotic syndrome with early progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), Wilms tumor, and 46,XY female. However, some patients with missense mutations in exon 8 or 9 progress to ESKD in their teens or later. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and functional analysis of WT1 transcriptional activity.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of 174 cases with WT1 exon 8 or 9 missense variants from our cohort (n=13) and previous reports (n=161). Of these cases, mild and severe genotypes were selected for further in vitro functional analysis using luciferase assay.

Results

The median age of developing ESKD was 1.17 years. A comparative study was conducted among three WT1 genotype classes: mutations of the DNA-binding site (DBS group), mutations outside the DNA-binding site but at sites important for zinc finger structure formation by 2 cysteines and 2 histidines (C2H2 group), and mutations leading to other amino acid changes (Others group). The DBS group showed the severest phenotype and the C2H2 group was intermediate, whereas the Others group showed the mildest phenotype (developing ESKD at 0.90, 2.00, and 3.92 years, respectively, with significant differences). In vitro functional analysis showed dominant-negative effects for all variants; in addition, the DBS and C2H2 mutations were associated with significantly lower WT1 transcriptional activity than the other mutations.

Conclusion

Not only the DNA-binding site but also C2H2 zinc finger structure sites are important for maintaining WT1 transcriptional activity, and their mutation causes severe clinical symptoms.

Genetic background, recent advances in molecular biology, and development of novel therapy in Alport syndrome

Alport syndrome (AS) is a progressive inherited kidney disease characterized by hearing loss and ocular abnormalities. There are three forms of AS depending on inheritance mode: X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS), autosomal recessive AS (ARAS), and autosomal dominant AS (ADAS). XLAS is caused by pathogenic variants in COL4A5, which encodes type IV collagen α5 chain, while ADAS and ARAS are caused by variants in COL4A3 or COL4A4, which encode type IV collagen α3 or α4 chain, respectively. In male XLAS or ARAS cases, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) develops around a median age of 20 to 30 years old, while female XLAS or ADAS cases develop ESKD around a median age of 60 to 70 years old. The diagnosis of AS is dependent on either genetic or pathological findings. However, determining the pathogenicity of the variants detected by gene tests can be difficult. Recently, we applied the following molecular investigation tools to determine pathogenicity: 1) in silico and in vitro trimer formation assay of α345 chains to assess triple helix formation ability, 2) kidney organoids constructed from patients’ induced pluripotent stem cells to identify α5 chain expression on the glomerular basement membrane, and 3) in vitro splicing assay to detect aberrant splicing to determine the pathogenicity of variants. In this review article, we discuss the genetic background and novel assays for determining the pathogenicity of variants. We also discuss the current treatment approaches and introduce exon skipping therapy as one potential treatment option.

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 as a biomarker of improved circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder in school-aged children

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate whether improvements in the symptoms of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder after treatment were associated with an increase in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration.

METHODS

Eighty-seven school-aged children (32 males, 55 females), aged 14.31 ± 1.50 years (mean ± standard deviation), who were admitted to our hospital with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder received treatment for 6-8 weeks consisting of the following protocol: (1) lights-out for sleep occurred at 21:00, (2) phototherapy for waking started at 06:00 or 07:00, and (3) light exercise was required every day (eg, a 20- to 30-minute walk). Blood samples were collected at 08:00 am to measure the serum concentrations of IGF-1, pre- and posttreatment.

RESULTS

The mean times of day of sleep onset and offset at the pre- and posttreatment timepoints were 23:32 ± 4.21 and 10:27 ± 2.98, and 21:26 ± 0.55 and 06:50 ± 0.70, respectively. The mean times of day of sleep onset and offset measured at the posttreatment timepoint were significantly earlier compared with the pretreatment baselines (P < .01). The mean serum levels of IGF-1 significantly increased from 315.59 ± 68.26 ng/mL at pretreatment to 335.09 ± 69.78 ng/mL at posttreatment (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in the symptoms of patients with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders were associated with increased serum concentrations of IGF-1, suggesting that serum IGF-1 may be a biomarker of improvements in school-aged children with circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.

Development of an exon skipping therapy for X-linked Alport syndrome with truncating variants in COL4A5

Currently, there are no treatments for Alport syndrome, which is the second most commonly inherited kidney disease. Here we report the development of an exon-skipping therapy using an antisense-oligonucleotide (ASO) for severe male X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS). We targeted truncating variants in exon 21 of the COL4A5 gene and conducted a type IV collagen α3/α4/α5 chain triple helix formation assay, and in vitro and in vivo treatment efficacy evaluation. We show that exon skipping enabled trimer formation, leading to remarkable clinical and pathological improvements including expression of the α5 chain on glomerular and the tubular basement membrane. In addition, the survival period was clearly prolonged in the ASO treated mice group. This data suggests that exon skipping may represent a promising therapeutic approach for treating severe male XLAS cases.

Alport syndrome is a progressive inherited nephritis accompanied by sensorineural loss of hearing and ocular abnormalities, for which there is currently no effective therapy. Here, the authors develop an exon-skipping therapy using an antisense-oligonucleotide and show it is effective in mouse models.

OR34-02 Somatic Transmembrane Domain Mutations of a Cell Adhesion Molecule, CADM1, Cause Primary Aldosteronism by Preventing Gap Junction Communication Between Adrenocortical Cells

Primary Aldosteronism (PA) is the commonest curable cause of hypertension. Whole exome sequencing (WES) in 2011 and 2013 identified common somatic mutations in genes regulating membrane polarisation in 60–80% of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA). We undertook WES on 39 consecutive APAs in search of further variants. 1 APA revealed a somatic mutation (Val380Asp) within the single transmembrane domain of Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CADM1). An adjacent mutation (Gly379Asp) was discovered on WES from a PA patient in Munich.

Both short and long isoforms (442 & 453 residues) of wild-type (WT) and both mutant CADM1 genes were cloned into lentivirus vectors and each transduced into adrenocortical (H295R) cells to assess its effect on aldosterone secretion and other parameters. Previous studies in pancreatic islet cells suggested a role of CADM1 in regulating gap junction (GJ) communication. To assess this we microinjected single WT or mutant H295R cells with the GJ permeable dye calceinAM and counted the dye-positive cells after 1 hour. The effect of inhibiting or silencing GJs in H295R cells using peptide gap27 or a Dharmacon smartpool was assessed. H295R cells were also co-transfected with WT or mutant CADM1 and the GJ protein CX43, tagged with the mApple fluorophore. These were mixed with cells transfected with CX43-Venus, allowing confocal visualisation of GJ formation. Protein modelling was undertaken to determine whether Asp in the intramembranous domain changes angulation of CADM1.

All mutant isoforms had consistently different effects, shown as a range compared to WT. Cells transduced with mutant CADM1 showed 3-6-fold increase in aldosterone secretion (p<0.01) and 10-20-fold increase in CYP11B2 expression (p<0.001) compared to WT. Dye transfer assays showed paucity of dye transfer between neighbouring mutant CADM1 cells, while calcein passed easily through GJs in WT cells. CX43 inhibition increased aldosterone secretion 2-fold (p<0.01), and CYP11B2 expression 3 to 8-fold (<0.001). Knock-down of GJ proteins increased aldosterone secretion 1.5-fold (p<0.01) and CYP11B2 expression 1.7-fold (p<0.001).

Protein modelling showed mutations to increase the angle of ectodomains to cell membrane, from 49^o in WT cells, to 62^o and 90^o in Gly379Asp and Val380Asp respectively; increasing inter-cell distance from 21.2nm to 24.7 and 27.9nm. Mixing of Venus and mApple-tagged CX43 transfected cells showed fewer intact GJ channels in cells co-transfected with mutant compared to WT CADM1 [mutant 42/291 (14.4%) VS WT 68/212 (32.1%) p<0.001].

The CADM1 mutations shows the importance of membrane proteins in aldosterone regulation to extend beyond ion channels and transporters. A key role may be to bring opposing CX43 hemichannels close enough to form GJ channels, permitting the oscillating Ca²⁺ currents which regulate aldosterone in intact adrenal slices.

Decreased Activity of the Ghrhr and Gh Promoters Causes Dominantly Inherited GH Deficiency in Humanized GH1 Mouse Models

Isolated growth hormone deficiency type II (IGHD2) is mainly caused by heterozygous splice-site mutations in intron 3 of the GH1 gene. A dominant-negative effect of the mutant GH lacking exon 3 on wild-type GH secretion has been proposed; however, the molecular mechanisms involved are elusive. To uncover the molecular systems underlying GH deficiency in IGHD2, we established IGHD2 model mice, which carry both wild-type and mutant copies of the human GH1 gene, replacing each of the endogenous mouse Gh loci. Our IGHD2 model mice exhibited growth retardation along with intact cellular architecture and mildly activated endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pituitary gland, caused by decreased GH-releasing hormone receptor (Ghrhr) and Gh gene promoter activities. Decreased Ghrhr and Gh promoter activities were likely caused by reduced levels of nuclear CREB3L2, which was demonstrated to stimulate Ghrhr and Gh promoter activity. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study to reveal a novel molecular mechanism of GH deficiency in IGHD2, representing a new paradigm that differs from widely accepted models.

In silico and in vitro analyses of the pathological relevance of the R258H mutation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α identified in maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1

Mutations of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) gene give rise to maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1. Although many such mutations have been identified in affected individuals, part of these mutations has been characterized with regard to their pathological relevance. We here identified a missense mutation (c.773G>A, p.R258H) of HNF4A in a mother and daughter with early-onset diabetes and impaired insulin secretion. In silico simulation and in vitro luciferase reporter analyses showed that the mutation impairs the stability of self-dimerization and the transactivation activity of HNF4α. Although arginine-258 does not appear to participate directly in dimerization, its mutation alters the electrostatic surface potential of the dimer interface. Our results thus suggest that this mutation impairs the function of HNF4α and thereby contributes to the pathogenesis of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1.

Susceptibility to serious skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders and skin tissue distribution of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors

Objectives: In Japan, sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been reported to be associated with serious skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. A post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study suggested that the association was specific for ipragliflozin and, to a lesser extent for dapagliflozin. These studies were performed to confirm the association of 6 SGLT2 inhibitors with serious skin disorders in a clinical setting, to elucidate the role of melanin in serious skin disorders and to understand the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The latest PMS records were retrieved from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database, and the associations were analyzed by data mining techniques. In silico 3-D docking simulation of SGLT2 inhibitors with melanin was performed using the MOE software. The skin tissue distribution of SGLT2 inhibitors was evaluated using albino rats after oral administration at clinical doses. Results: The adjusted reporting odds ratio (95% confidential limit) was 1.667 (1.415, 1.963) for ipragliflozin, 0.514 (0.317, 0.835) for dapagliflozin, 0.149 (0.048, 0.465) for tofogliflozin, 0.624 (0.331, 1.177) for luseogliflozin, 0.590 (0.277, 1.257) for canagliflozin and 0.293 (0.073, 1.187) for empagliflozin, when drugs other than the SGLT2 inhibitors were referred, and the association was detected only for ipragliflozin in clinical use. In silico 3-D docking simulation suggested the influence of melanin in ipragliflozin-specific serious skin disorders. The skin tissue-to-plasma concentration ratio of ipragliflozin was 0.45 ± 0.20 (±SD) at 1 hr after administration and increased in a time-dependent manner to 5.82 ± 3.66 at 24 hr (p<0.05), but not in case of other SGLT2 inhibitors. Conclusions: Serious skin disorders were suggested to be specific for ipragliflozin. Interaction with melanin might be implicated in ipragliflozin-specific serious skin disorders. Ipragliflozin was retained in the skin tissue, which suggested its interaction with the skin tissue in serious skin disorders.

Co-precipitation molecules hemopexin and transferrin may be key molecules for fibrillogenesis in TTR V30M amyloidogenesis

The disease model of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy—7.2-hMet30 mice—manifests amyloid deposition that consists of a human amyloidogenic mutant transthyretin (TTR) (TTR V30M). Our previous study found amyloid deposits in 14 of 27 7.2-hMet30 mice at 21–24 months of age. In addition, non-fibrillar TTR deposits were found in amyloid-negative 7.2hMet30 mice. These results suggested that TTR amyloidogenesis required not only mutant TTR but also an additional factor (or factors) as an etiologic molecule. To determine the differences in serum proteome in amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative mice in the 7.2-hMet30 model, we used proteomic analyses and studied serum samples obtained from these mice. Hemopexin (HPX) and transferrin (Tf) were detected in the serum samples from amyloid-positive mice and were also found in amyloid deposits via immunohistochemistry, but serum samples from amyloid-negative mice did not contain HPX and Tf. These two proteins were also not detected in non-fibrillar TTR deposits. In addition, in silico analyses suggested that HPX and Tf facilitate destabilization of TTR secondary structures and misfolding of TTR. These results suggest that HPX and Tf may be associated with TTR amyloidogenesis after fibrillogenesis in vivo.

CSP-1103 (CHF5074) stabilizes human transthyretin in healthy human subjects

Hereditary amyloid polyneuropathy is a type of protein misfolding disease. Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric serum protein and TTR tetramer dissociation is the limiting step in amyloid fibril formation. Thus, prevention of TTR dissociation is a promising therapeutic approach and some TTR stabilizers have been approved for the treatment of TTR amyloidosis. CSP-1103 (CHF5074) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory derivative that lacks cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity. In vitro, CSP-1103 stabilizes the TTR tetramer by binding to the thyroxine (T4) binding site. We have previously shown that serum TTR levels were increased by oral CSP-1103 administration through stabilization of TTR tetramers in humanized mice at both the Ttr locus and the Rbp4 locus. To determine whether CSP-1103 stabilizes TTR tetramers in humans, multiple CSP-1103 oral doses were administered for two weeks to 48 healthy human volunteers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. CSP-1103 treatment stabilized TTR tetramers in a dose-dependent manner under normal or denaturing stress conditions, thereby increasing serum TTR levels. Preincubation of serum with CSP-1103 or diflunisal in vitro increased the TTR tetramer stability. Computer simulation analysis revealed that the binding affinities of CSP-1103 with TTR at pH 7.0 were similar to those of tafamidis, thus confirming that CSP-1103 has potent TTR-stabilizing activity.

Efficacy of femtosecond lasers for application of acupuncture therapy

Acupuncture treatment utilizes the stimulation of metal acupuncture needles that are manually inserted into a living body. In the last decades, laser light has been used as an alternative to needles to stimulate acupuncture points. We previously reported suppression of myostatin (Mstn) gene expression in skeletal muscle by means of femtosecond laser (FL) irradiation, after electroacupuncture, in which acupuncture needles are stimulated with a low-frequency microcurrent. The purpose of the study here was to investigate the efficacy of FL irradiation in mouse skeletal muscle with regard to protein synthesis. After irradiation of the hindlimbs, we first analyzed Mstn gene expression and Mstn protein level in the skeletal muscle. We then evaluated phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream target 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K). The results showed that FL irradiation significantly reduced the amount of Mstn protein and enhanced the phosphorylation of p70S6K in of the mTOR/S6K signaling pathway. We suggest that FL irradiation activated the protein synthetic pathway in the skeletal muscle. In conclusion, we determined that FL irradiation can serve as an alternative for acupuncture needles and has the potential of being a new non-invasive acupuncture treatment of skeletal muscle.

Analysis of a single-codon E746 deletion in exon 19 of the epidermal growth factor receptor

PURPOSE

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are the most established genomic biomarkers for the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). The most frequent deletion in exon 19 is delE746_750, followed by del747_753insS and del747_750insP. Since investigations of delE746 have not been reported previously, it is unclear if delE746 conveys sensitivity to TKI effect of TKI on EGFR delE746. The objective was to characterize delE746 of the EGFR gene and to explore the effects of TKIs on the delE746.

METHODS

We assessed the ability of gefitinib to inhibit phosphorylation of clonal L929 cell lines expressing EGFR with delE746. 3-D structures of the EGFR proteins were also used to investigate the interaction with gefitinib.

RESULTS

The delE746 mutant EGFR-expressing cells exhibited gefitinib-sensitive autophosphorylation, which altered the structure of the EGFR and increased the instances of docking during docking simulations of gefitinib with the EGFR-TK. This mutant revealed that it exhibited molecular conformation alterations, and more frequent binding with gefitinib compared to wild-type EGFR. We administered EGFR-TKI, gefitinib to a Japanese woman with lung cancer that contained delE746. The patient achieved partial response after a 5 month of treatment with gefitinib.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed biological, structural, and probably clinical features of the delE746 form of EGFR.

Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (Shao-Yao-Gan-Cao-Tang) as Treatment of Painful Muscle Cramps in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Its Minimum Effective Dose

Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (Shao-Yao-Gan-Cao-Tang) is a Kampo medicine, which is known to be effective against muscle cramps as well as crampy pain in the gastrointestinal smooth muscle and skeletal muscle. However, glycyrrhizin in this medicine also causes adverse drug reactions such as hypokalemia, hypertension, and edema. We analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to for painful muscle cramps associated with lumbar spinal stenosis and clarified its minimum effective dose. 58 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and painful muscle cramps were included. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (n=16) comparing with eperisone hydrochloride (n=14). We then examined the minimum effective dose of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to in the remaining 28 patients. Shakuyaku-kanzo-to reduced the frequency of painful muscle cramps to less than 50% in 13 of 16 patients. However, eperisone hydrochloride reduced it to the same level in 4 of 14 patients. The onset of the maximum therapeutic effect of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to was less than 3 days from the start of treatment in 11 of 15 patients. Regarding the minimum effective dose for painful muscle cramps, 2.5 g of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to used as needed had a therapeutic effect that was equivalent to the regular use of 7.5 g/day (given in divided doses three times daily). Our data show that Shakuyaku-kanzo-to is effective for painful muscle cramps associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. The dosage of 2.5 g of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to as needed had a therapeutic effect that was equal to the regular use of 7.5 g/day.

CHF5074 (CSP-1103) stabilizes human transthyretin in mice humanized at the transthyretin and retinol-binding protein loci

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is one type of protein misfolding disease. Transthyretin (TTR) tetramer dissociation is the limiting step for amyloid fibril formation. CHF5074 (CSP-1103) stabilizes TTR tetramer in vitro by binding to the T4 binding site. Here, we used three strains of double humanized mice (mTtr(hTTRVal30/hTTRVal30), mTtr(hTTRVal30/hTTRMet30), and mTtr(hTTRMet30/hTTRMet30)) to assess whether CHF5074 stabilizes TTR tetramers in vivo. Treatment of mice with CHF5074 increased serum TTR levels by stabilizing TTR tetramers. Although the binding affinities of CHF5074 and diflunisal with TTRMet30 were similar, CHF5074 bound TTRVal30 more strongly than did diflunisal, suggesting the potent TTR-stabilizing activity of CHF5074.

Biphasic modulation by mGlu5 receptors of TRPV1-mediated intracellular calcium elevation in sensory neurons contributes to heat sensitivity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Elevation of glutamate, an excitatory amino acid, during inflammation and injury plays a crucial role in the reception and transmission of sensory information via ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the biphasic effects of metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor activation on responses to noxious heat.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We assessed the effects of intraplantar quisqualate, a non-selective glutamate receptor agonist, on heat and mechanical pain behaviours in mice. In addition, the effects of quisqualate on the intracellular calcium response and on membrane currents mediated by TRPV1 channels, were examined in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from mice.

KEY RESULTS

Activation of mGlu5 receptors in hind paw transiently increased, then decreased, the response to noxious heat. In sensory neurons, activation of mGlu5 receptors potentiated TRPV1-mediated intracellular calcium elevation, while terminating activation of mGlu5 receptors depressed it. TRPV1-induced currents were potentiated by activation of mGlu5 receptors under voltage clamp conditions and these disappeared after washout. However, voltage-gated calcium currents were inhibited by the mGlu5 receptor agonist, even after washout.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that, in sensory neurons, mGlu5 receptors biphasically modulate TRPV1-mediated intracellular calcium response via transient potentiation of TRPV1 channel-induced currents and persistent inhibition of voltage-gated calcium currents, contributing to heat hyper- and hypoalgesia.

Prevalence effect in haptic search

In visual search tasks, the ratio of target-present to target-absent trials has important effects on miss rates. In this study, we examined whether the target prevalence effect occurs in a haptic search task by using artificial tactile maps. The results indicated that target prevalence has effects on miss rates, sensitivity, and criterion. Moreover, an increase in miss rates in the low-prevalence condition (10%) was strongly correlated with a decrease in search termination times (target-absent reaction times). These results suggest that the prevalence effect on haptic search is caused by a decrease in the search termination time and a shift in decision criterion and a decrease in sensitivity.

Paramyotonia congenita: from clinical diagnosis to in silico protein modeling analysis

BACKGROUND

Paramyotonia congenita (PMC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by cold- or exercise-induced myotonia. PMC is caused by a mutation in SCN4A which encodes the α-subunit of the skeletal muscle sodium channel.

METHODS

The patient was an 11-year-old Japanese girl who was diagnosed as having PMC. To confirm the diagnosis, an orbital ice-pack test and blinking tests were performed. Next, to identify the mutation, genetic analysis of SCN4A was performed. Finally, to evaluate the mutation effect on the protein structure, in silico protein modeling analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Cold- and exercise-induced myotonia was reproduced in the patient with non-invasive bedside tests: ice-pack and blinking tests. In the genetic analysis, a missense mutation, c.4343G>A in SCN4A, was identified, which may result in an arginine to histidine substitution at 1448 in the protein sequence (p.Arg1448His). According to the protein modeling analysis, the mutation neutralized the positive electrostatic charge at 1448 in the DIV/S4 segment and disrupted the beginning of the helical structure in the DIV/S3-S4 linker of the SCN4A protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic physical interventions in the patient confirmed the phenotype presentation consistent with PMC, and the in silico protein modeling analysis of p.Arg1448His predicted structural changes which can affect function of the protein. All the data confirmed the diagnosis of PMC in the patient and added to existing literature emphasizing the important role of arginine residue at 1448.

Role of Intrapancreatic SPINK1/Spink3 Expression in the Development of Pancreatitis

Studies on hereditary pancreatitis have provided evidence in favor of central role for trypsin activity in the disease. Identification of genetic variants of trypsinogen linked the protease to the onset of pancreatitis, and biochemical characterization proposed an enzymatic gain of function as the initiating mechanism. Mutations of serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 gene (SPINK1) are shown to be associated with hereditary pancreatitis. We previously reported that Spink3 (a mouse homolog gene of human SPINK1) deficient mice showed excessive autophagy, followed by inappropriate trypsinogen activation in the exocrine pancreas. These data indicate that the role of SPINK1/Spink3 is not only trypsin inhibitor, but also negative regulator of autophagy. On the other hand, recent studies showed that high levels of SPINK1 protein detected in a serum or urine were associated with adverse outcome in various cancer types. It has been suggested that expression of SPINK1 and trypsin is balanced in normal tissue, but this balance could be disrupted during tumor progression. Based on the structural similarity between SPINK1 and epidermal growth factor (EGF), we showed that SPINK1 protein binds and activates EGF receptor, thus acting as a growth factor on tumor cell lines. In this review, we summarize the old and new roles of SPINK1/Spink3 in trypsin inhibition, autophagy, and cancer cell growth. These new functions of SPINK1/Spink3 may be related to the development of chronic pancreatitis.

Categorization of 77 dystrophin exons into 5 groups by a decision tree using indexes of splicing regulatory factors as decision markers

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal muscle-wasting disease, is characterized by dystrophin deficiency caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Skipping of a target dystrophin exon during splicing with antisense oligonucleotides is attracting much attention as the most plausible way to express dystrophin in DMD. Antisense oligonucleotides have been designed against splicing regulatory sequences such as splicing enhancer sequences of target exons. Recently, we reported that a chemical kinase inhibitor specifically enhances the skipping of mutated dystrophin exon 31, indicating the existence of exon-specific splicing regulatory systems. However, the basis for such individual regulatory systems is largely unknown. Here, we categorized the dystrophin exons in terms of their splicing regulatory factors.

Results

Using a computer-based machine learning system, we first constructed a decision tree separating 77 authentic from 14 known cryptic exons using 25 indexes of splicing regulatory factors as decision markers. We evaluated the classification accuracy of a novel cryptic exon (exon 11a) identified in this study. However, the tree mislabeled exon 11a as a true exon. Therefore, we re-constructed the decision tree to separate all 15 cryptic exons. The revised decision tree categorized the 77 authentic exons into five groups. Furthermore, all nine disease-associated novel exons were successfully categorized as exons, validating the decision tree. One group, consisting of 30 exons, was characterized by a high density of exonic splicing enhancer sequences. This suggests that AOs targeting splicing enhancer sequences would efficiently induce skipping of exons belonging to this group.

Conclusions

The decision tree categorized the 77 authentic exons into five groups. Our classification may help to establish the strategy for exon skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Tumor suppressor cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is cleaved by a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) and subsequently cleaved by γ-secretase complex

Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in various tissues. CADM1 is a cell adhesion molecule with many functions, including roles in tumor suppression, apoptosis, mast cell survival, synapse formation, and spermatogenesis. CADM1 undergoes membrane-proximal cleavage called shedding, but the sheddase and mechanisms of CADM1 proteolysis have not been reported. We determined the cleavage site involved in CADM1 shedding by LC/MS/MS and showed that CADM1 shedding occurred in the membrane fraction and was inhibited by tumor necrosis factor-α protease inhibitor-1 (TAPI-1). An siRNA experiment revealed that ADAM10 mediates endogenous CADM1 shedding. In addition, the membrane-bound fragment generated by shedding was further cleaved by γ-secretase and generated CADM1-intracellular domain (ICD) in a mechanism called regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). These results clarify the detailed mechanism of membrane-proximal cleavage of CADM1, suggesting the possibility of RIP-mediated CADM1 signaling.

Hsp12.6 expression is inducible by host immunity in adult worms of the parasitic nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are a family of stress-inducible molecular chaperones that play multiple roles in a wide variety of animals. However, the roles of Hsps in parasitic nematodes remain largely unknown. To elucidate the roles of Hsps in the survival and longevity of nematodes, particularly at the 2 most critical stages in their lifecycle, the infective-L3 stage and adult stage, which is subjected to host-derived immunological pressure, we examined the temporal gene transcription patterns of Hsp12.6, Hsp20, Hsp70, and Hsp90 throughout the developmental course of the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis by reverse transcriptase real-time PCR. Nb-Hsp70 and Nb-Hsp90 expression were observed throughout the nematode's lifecycle, while the expression of Nb-Hsp20 was restricted to adults. Interestingly, Nb-Hsp12.6 showed a biphasic temporal expression pattern; i.e., it was expressed in infective-L3 larvae and in adults during worm expulsion from immunocompetent rats. However, the activation of Nb-Hsp12.6 in adult worms was aborted when they infected permissive athymic-rnu/rnu rats and was only marginal when they infected mast-cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats, which exhibited a low response of rat mast cell protease (RMCP) II and resistin-like molecule (Relm)- β expression compared to those observed in immunocompetent rats. Moreover, the activation of Nb-Hsp12.6 was reversed when adult worms were transplanted into the naive rat intestine. These features of Nb-Hsp12.6, the expression of which is not only stage-specific in infective-L3, but is also inducible by mucosal immunity in adults, have implications for the survival strategies of parasitic nematodes in deleterious environmental conditions both outside and inside the host.

Herbal Medicine Containing Licorice May Be Contraindicated for a Patient with an HSD11B2 Mutation

Licorice ingestion, as well as mutations in the HSD11B2 gene, inhibits 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) enzyme activity, causing the syndrome of apparent mineral corticoid excess (AME). However, the combined effect of licorice ingestion and an HSD11B2 mutation has never been reported, until now. In this study, we demonstrated that licorice ingestion can produce overt hypertension in an individual without medical history of hypertension who is heterozygous for wild-type and mutant HSD11B2 genes. Our patient was a 51-year-old female with serious hypertension who had been taking herbal medicine containing licorice for more than one year. She was clinically diagnosed as having licorice intoxication, because she did not present with hypertension after ceasing the herbal medicine. Molecular analysis showed that she carried a missense mutation, c.40C>T, in HSD11B2. In conclusion, licorice ingestion is an environmental risk factor for hypertension or AME state in patients with a mutation in HSD11B2. Carrying a mutation in HSD11B2 is, conversely, a genetic risk factor for licorice-induced hypertension or AME state. Herbal medicine containing licorice may, therefore, be contraindicated in patients with an HSD11B2 mutation.

[The origin of pediatric acupuncture technique: beginnings and historical background of pediatric acupuncture practitioners]

Pediatric acupuncture for infants in Japan has its own special method. There is no specialized literature about it that was published before the 20th century and it has not been investigated systematically. To elucidate the history of pediatric acupuncture, we investigated fragmented information on pediatric acupuncture written in the medical literature published before the Meiji Restoration and articles on traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) and acupuncture published after the Meiji Restoration. We analyzed the history of Japanese pediatric acupuncture from the viewpoints of the acupuncture needles and the methods. As a result, we found that pediatricians used fragments of broken pottery for the treatment in the 1650's. This finding suggests that the present pediatric acupuncture needles originated from "ho-shin" which was used for the treatment of "oketsu" for infants (in ancient China) and that the present pediatric acupressure technique was derived from the pediatric acupressure by using friction with small stones. In addition, our analysis suggests that the integration of the edged pediatric acupuncture needles and the acupressure-like technique correlates with the "Regulations for Acupuncture and Moxibustion clinics" published by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Japan and enforced in 1912.

Ligand orientation governs conjugation capacity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is an endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein that catalyses glucuronidation. Mutant UGT1A1 possesses a different conjugation capacity, and the molecular mechanisms regulating these conjugation reactions are as yet unclear. To elucidate these molecular mechanisms, we simulated and analysed the glucuronidation of wild-type UGT1A1 and six UGT1A1 mutants, with bilirubin as the substrate. We found that only the orientation of the substrates correlated with the conjugation capacity in in vitro experiments. Inasmuch as glucuronidation is an intermolecular rearrangement reaction, we find that the conjugation reaction proceeds only when the hydroxyl group of the substrate is oriented towards the coenzyme, which allows the proton transfer to occur.

A polymorphic mutation, c.-3279T>G, in the UGT1A1 promoter is a risk factor for neonatal jaundice in the Malay population

The uridine diphosphoglucuronate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene encodes the enzyme responsible for bilirubin glucuronidation. To evaluate the contribution of UGT1A1 promoter mutations to neonatal jaundice, we determined the genotypes of c.-3279T>G, c.-3156G>A, and A(TA)7TAA in Malay infants with neonatal jaundice (patients) and in infants without neonatal jaundice (controls). In our population study, only c.-3279T>G was associated with neonatal jaundice. The genotype distributions between both groups were significantly different (p = 0.003): the frequency of homozygosity for c.-3279G was much higher in patients than those in controls. Allele frequency of c.-3279G was significantly higher in patients than those in controls (p = 0.006). We then investigated changes in transcriptional activity because of c.-3279T>G. Luciferase reporter assay in HepG2 cells demonstrated that transcriptional activity of the c.-3279G allele was significantly lower than that of the c.-3279T allele in both the absence and presence of bilirubin. Luciferase reporter assay in COS-7 cells elucidated that c.-3279T>G modified the synergistic effects of the nuclear factors associated with transcriptional machinery. In conclusion, the c.-3279T>G mutation in the UGT1A1 promoter is a genetic risk factor for neonatal jaundice.

Hydrolysis constants and complexation of Th(IV) with carboxylates

The hydrolysis constants of Th(IV) were determined using the solvent extraction method in a NaClO4solution atI=0.1 and 25 °C. A trace amount of thorium below the solubility limit was used in order to avoid the formation of polynuclear species and colloids in the experiment. The values were compared with the literature data. Considering the effect of competitive hydrolysis reactions under weak acid conditions, the complexation constants of Th(IV) with a series of dicarboxylic acids containing different alkyl chain lengths were determined.

Full-length sequence of mouse acupuncture-induced 1-L (aig1l) gene including its transcriptional start site

We have been investigating the molecular efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA), which is one type of acupuncture therapy. In our previous molecular biological study of acupuncture, we found an EA-induced gene, named acupuncture-induced 1-L (Aig1l), in mouse skeletal muscle. The aims of this study consisted of identification of the full-length cDNA sequence of Aig1l including the transcriptional start site, determination of the tissue distribution of Aig1l and analysis of the effect of EA on Aig1l gene expression. We determined the complete cDNA sequence including the transcriptional start site via cDNA cloning with the cap site hunting method. We then analyzed the tissue distribution of Aig1l by means of northern blot analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We used the semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to examine the effect of EA on Aig1l gene expression. Our results showed that the complete cDNA sequence of Aig1l was 6073 bp long, and the putative protein consisted of 962 amino acids. All seven tissues that we analyzed expressed the Aig1l gene. In skeletal muscle, EA induced expression of the Aig1l gene, with high expression observed after 3 hours of EA. Our findings thus suggest that the Aig1l gene may play a key role in the molecular mechanisms of EA efficacy.

Two novel mutations in the ED1 gene in Japanese families with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), which is characterized by hypodontia, hypotrichosis, and hypohidrosis, is caused by mutations in ED1, the gene encoding ectodysplasin-A (EDA). This protein belongs to the tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily. We analyzed ED1 in two Japanese patients with XLHED. In patient 1, we identified a 4-nucleotide insertion, c.119-120insTGTG, in exon 1, which led to a frameshift mutation starting from that point (p.L40fsX100). The patient's mother was heterozygous for this mutation. In patient 2, we identified a novel missense mutation, c.1141G>C, in exon 9, which led to a substitution of glycine with arginine in the TNFL domain of EDA (p.G381R). This patient's mother and siblings showed neither symptoms nor ED1 mutations, so this mutation was believed to be a de novo mutation in maternal germline cells. According to molecular simulation analysis of protein structure and electrostatic surface, p.G381R increases the distance between K375 in monomer A and K327 in monomer B, which suggests an alteration of overall structure of EDA. Thus, we identified two novel mutations, p.L40fsX100 and p.G381R, in ED1 of two XLHED patients. Simulation analysis suggested that the p.G381R mutation hampers binding of EDA to its receptor via alteration of overall EDA structure.

IgE antibodies to omega-5 gliadin associate with immediate symptoms on oral wheat challenge in Japanese children

BACKGROUND

Gliadins have been implicated in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy to ingested wheat and omega-5-gliadin is known to represent a major allergen in wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Less known is whether omega-5-gliadin is a clinically relevant allergen in children with immediate allergy to ingested wheat. This study investigates whether specific IgE antibodies to omega-5-gliadin (sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab) could be used as a marker for oral wheat challenge outcome in wheat-sensitized children. A secondary objective was to study whether the level of sIgE-omega-5-gliadin was related to symptom severity in children with a positive challenge test.

METHODS

Serum samples from 88 children sensitized to wheat, of whom 35 underwent wheat challenge, were collected consecutively. sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab was related to a physician's diagnosis of wheat allergy and challenge symptoms.

RESULTS

The mean concentration of sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab was 7.25 kU(A)/l in patients with wheat allergy and 1.08 kU(A)/l in patients with no wheat allergy (P < 0.01). sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab was only detected in 12 of the non-wheat allergic children and 11 of them had a specific IgE to wheat below 1.30 kU(A)/l. Children reacting with severe symptoms upon challenge (n = 8) had increased levels of sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab compared to children with moderate, mild or no symptoms (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab is related to the reaction level to wheat challenge outcome in wheat-sensitized children. The sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab was found to be associated with a strong convincing history of wheat allergy also in those cases when oral food challenge was avoided. The sIgE-omega-5-gliadin-ab level may serve as a marker for clinical reactivity in wheat-sensitized individuals.

Electrostatic interactions in phospholipid membranes revealed by coherent 2D IR spectroscopy

The inter- and intramolecular interactions of the carbonyl moieties at the polar interface of a phospholipid membrane are probed by using nonlinear femtosecond infrared spectroscopy. Two-dimensional IR correlation spectra separate homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadenings and show a distinct cross-peak pattern controlled by electrostatic interactions. The inter- and intramolecular electrostatic interactions determine the inhomogeneous character of the optical response. Using molecular dynamics simulation and the nonlinear exciton equations approach, we extract from the spectra short-range structural correlations between carbonyls at the interface.

Electroacupuncture suppresses myostatin gene expression: cell proliferative reaction in mouse skeletal muscle

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may provide patients with an alternative to traditional medicine, but an assessment of its efficacy is required. One CAM method, electroacupuncture (EA) treatment, is a maneuver that utilizes stimulation of acupuncture needles with a low-frequency microcurrent. To study the effect of short-term EA, we evaluated the differential expression of genes induced by EA in mouse skeletal muscle for up to 24 h. We then used RT-PCR to confirm the expression patterns of six differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatics analysis of their transcription control regions showed that EA-inducible genes have numerous common binding motifs that are related to cell differentiation, cell proliferation, muscle repair, and hyperplasia. These results suggested that EA treatment may induce cell proliferation in skeletal muscle. To verify this possibility, we used EA to stimulate mouse skeletal muscle daily for up to 1 mo and examined the long-term effects. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that nuclei of muscle cells treated with EA for 1 mo, especially nuclei of satellite cells, reacted with anti-human PCNA. Also, expression of the gene encoding myostatin, which is a growth repressor in muscle satellite cells, was suppressed by daily EA treatment for 1 wk; EA treatment for 1 mo resulted in more marked suppression of the gene. These molecular findings constitute strong evidence that EA treatment suppresses myostatin expression, which leads to a satellite cell-related proliferative reaction and repair in skeletal muscle.