Calibration of laboratory derived indices for non-target arthropod risk assessment with field data for plant protection products

The Hazard Quotient (HQ) compares field application rate to intrinsic toxicity assessed with sensitive indicator species. As a hazard indicator for risk assessment, the HQ must be calibrated against measured effects under field conditions. Because protection goals may be context specific, we analyse how choice of acceptance criteria affects setting of the HQ and calibrate HQ for various scenarios under the strict condition that no false negative conclusions may be reached. We use Non-Target Arthropod toxicity data from laboratory studies on inert (Tier 1) and on natural substrates (Tier 2) and calibrate the HQ using application rates and arthropod abundance counts from field studies in orchards, arable fields, and hay meadows in 34 locations in Western Europe. With 21 formulations (17 active substances) tested in mostly multi-rate field studies, our reference data base has 120/121 values at Tier 1/Tier 2, respectively. We use the Proportion of Affected Taxa and Duration of Effect to jointly define acceptance criteria, starting with No Observed Effects. Absence of field effects is correctly predicted with HQ < 1.3 at Tier 1 and HQ < 0.48 at Tier 2, but these settings result in a high proportion of false positive outcomes. Increasing accepted duration of effect from 0 to 4 to 8 weeks results in HQ-threshold changes from 1.3 to 6.4 to 250 for Tier 1 studies and from 0.48 to 1.1 to 5.7 for Tier 2 studies. This coincides with a clear decrease in false positive outcomes. Recovery within a year is correctly concluded for 73% of the products passing the corresponding Tier 1 HQ < 2600 and for 92% of products at Tier 2 (HQ <230). Our analysis shows that the calibration is appropriate for a broad geographical range, for in-field and off-field situations and for phytophagous and non-phytophagous species alike.

The Role of Source-Sink Dynamics in the Assessment of Risk to Nontarget Arthropods from the Use of Plant Protection Products

The concept of source-sink dynamics as a potentially important component of metapopulation dynamics was introduced in the 1980s. The objective of the present review was to review the considerable body of work that has been developed, to consider its theoretical implications as well as to understand how source-sink dynamics may manifest under field conditions in the specific case of nontarget arthropods in the agricultural environment. Our review concludes that metapopulation dynamics based on field observations are often far more complex than existing theoretical source-sink models would indicate, because they are dependent on numerous population processes and influencing factors. The difficulty in identifying and measuring these factors likely explains why empirical studies assessing source-sink dynamics are scarce. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of considering the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes when assessing the population dynamics of nontarget arthropods in the context of the risk from the use of plant protection products. A need is identified to further develop and thoroughly validate predictive population models, which can incorporate all factors relevant to a specific system. Once reliable predictive models for a number of representative nontarget arthropod species are available, they could provide a meaningful tool for refined risk evaluations (higher tier level risk assessment), addressing specific concerns identified at the initial evaluation stages (lower tier level risk assessment). Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2667-2679. © 2021 ERM, FMC, Syngenta, Bayer AG, BASF SE, Corteva agriscience. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Recalibration of the earthworm tier 1 risk assessment of plant protection products

In the first step of earthworm risk assessment for plant protection products (PPPs), the risk is assessed by comparing the no-observed effect levels (NOELs) from laboratory reproduction tests with the predicted exposure of the PPP in soil, while applying a trigger value (assessment factor [AF]) to cover uncertainties. If this step indicates a potential risk, field studies are conducted. However, the predicted environmental concentration in soil, which can be calculated, for example, for different soil layers (ranging from 0-1 cm to 0-20 cm), and the AF determine the conservatism that is applied in this first step. In this review paper, the tier 1 earthworm risk assessment for PPPs is calibrated by comparing the NOEL in earthworm reproduction tests with effect levels on earthworm populations under realistic field conditions. A data set of 54 pairs of studies conducted in the laboratory and in the field with the same PPP was compiled, allowing a direct comparison of relevant endpoints. The results indicate that a tier 1 AF of 5 combined with a regulatory relevant soil layer of 0 to 5 cm provides a conservative tier 1 risk assessment. A risk was identified by the tier 1 risk assessment in the majority of the cases at application rates that were of low risk for natural earthworm populations under field conditions. Increasing the conservatism in the tier 1 risk assessment by reducing the depth of the regulatory relevant soil layer or by increasing the tier 1 AF would increase the number of false positives and trigger a large number of additional field studies. This increased conservatism, however, would not increase the margin of safety for earthworm populations. The analysis revealed that the risk assessment is conservative if an AF of 5 and a regulatory relevant soil layer of 0 to 5 cm is used. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:643-650. © 2015 SETAC.

Spotlight on measles 2010: preliminary report of an ongoing measles outbreak in a subpopulation with low vaccination coverage in Berlin, Germany, January-March 2010

Since early January 2010, Berlin has been experiencing a measles outbreak with 62 cases as of 31 March. The index case acquired the infection in India. In recent years, measles incidence in Berlin has been lower than the German average and vaccination coverage in school children has increased since 2001. However, this outbreak involves schools and kindergartens with low vaccination coverage and parents with critical attitudes towards vaccination, which makes the implementation of public health interventions challenging.

Spotlight on measles 2010: Preliminary report of an ongoing measles outbreak in a subpopulation with low vaccination coverage in Berlin, Germany, January-March 2010

Since early January 2010, Berlin has been experiencing a measles outbreak with 62 cases as of 31 March. The index case acquired the infection in India. In recent years, measles incidence in Berlin has been lower than the German average and vaccination coverage in school children has increased since 2001. However, this outbreak involves schools and kindergartens with low vaccination coverage and parents with critical attitudes towards vaccination, which makes the implementation of public health interventions challenging.

A monitoring study to assess the acute mortality effects of indoxacarb on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in flowering apple orchards

To evaluate the effect of the indoxacarb 300 g kg(-1) WG, Steward 30WDG, on the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in apple orchards, a monitoring study was conducted in Dutch apple orchards in April/May 2004. Before apple flowering began, two honey bee colonies were placed in each orchard to investigate honey bee mortality. Each hive was provided with a Münster dead bee trap to collect dead honey bees. The numbers of dead bees found in these Münster dead traps were counted every 3-4 days for about 2 weeks before and after the period of the insecticide treatment. In nine flowering orchards no indoxacarb was applied during the flowering period, which served as control sites. In 30 flowering orchards indoxacarb was sprayed by the fruit growers according to local practice at 170-260 g formulated product ha(-1) (51-78 g AI ha(-1)). In the control orchards the average mortality was 8 honey bees colony(-1) day(-1). The average daily honey bee mortality before and after indoxacarb application was 8 and 10 honey bees colony(-1) day(-1) respectively. At one test site, indoxacarb was mixed with other plant protection products plus plant nutrients, and in this orchard a slight but biologically non-significant increase in acute honey bee mortality was recorded. It was concluded that the application of indoxacarb caused no effects on honey bee mortality, and that the number of dead honey bees counted in the Münster traps in the orchard treated with indoxacarb was comparable with those determined in control orchards.

Isolation of a porcine UDP-GalNAc transferase cDNA mapping to the region of the blood group EAA locus on pig chromosome 1

In our studies of the genes constituting the porcine A0 blood group system, we have characterized a cDNA, encoding an alpha(1,3)N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, that putatively represents the blood group A transferase gene. The cDNA has a 1095-bp open reading frame and shares 76.9% nucleotide and 66.7% amino acid identity with the human ABO gene. Using a somatic cell hybrid panel, the cDNA was assigned to the q arm of pig chromosome 1, in the region of the erythrocyte antigen A locus (EAA), which represents the porcine blood group A transferase gene. The RNA corresponding to our cDNA was expressed in the small intestinal mucosae of pigs possessing EAA activity, whereas expression was absent in animals lacking this blood group antigen. The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) transferase activity of the gene product, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, was specific for the acceptor fucosyl-alpha(1,2)galactopyranoside; the enzyme did not use phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (phenyl-beta-D-Gal) as an acceptor. Because the alpha(1,3)GalNAc transferase gene product requires an alpha(1,2)fucosylated acceptor for UDP-GalNAc transferase activity, the alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase gene product is necessary for the functioning of the alpha(1,3)GalNAc transferase gene product. This mechanism underlies the epistatic effect of the porcine S locus on expression of the blood group A antigen.

ABBREVIATIONS

CDS: coding sequence; CHO: Chinese Hamster Ovary; EAA: erythrocyte antigen A; FCS: foetal calf serum; Fucalpha(1,2)Gal: fucosyl-alpha(1,2)galactopyranoside; Gal: galactopyranoside; GGTA1: Galalpha(1,3)Gal transferase; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; phenyl-beta-D-Gal: phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside; R: Galbeta1-4Glcbeta1-1Cer; UDP-GalNAc: uridine diphosphate N-acetylgalactosamine

Colocalization of beta 1,4galactosyltransferase with mannose 6-phosphate receptor in monensin-induced TGN-derived structures

Previously, we demonstrated that beta 1,4galactosyltransferase (gal-T1) reversibly segregates from alpha 2,6sialyltransferase (ST6Gal) to swollen vesicles after monensin treatment of the cells. To further explore this phenomenon, we investigated the response to monensin of various Golgi proteins. Within 30 min of monensin treatment, gal-T1 moved from the Golgi apparatus, as defined by localization of giantin, to swollen vesicles whereas ST6Gal, alpha 2,3(N)sialyltransferase, mannosidase II, and N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 remained associated with the Golgi apparatus. Stably transfected CHO cells exhibited a similar phenomenon of monensin-induced displacement of recombinant gal-T1 to swollen vesicles while recombinant ST6Gal remained colocalized with endogenously expressed giantin. Gal-T1 and the cation-insensitive mannose 6-phosphate receptor colocalized in swollen vesicles as observed at both light and electron microscopic levels. When monensin was replaced by chloroquine, gal-T1 remained arrested in swollen vesicles. Brefeldin A treatment known to cause relocation of Golgi-associated gal-T1 to the endoplasmic reticulum had no effect on gal-T1 trapped in swollen vesicles. This evidence suggests that monensin blocks gal-T1 trafficking in post-Golgi structures and argues against swelling of gal-T1-containing trans Golgi cisternae as previously assumed.

A DNA polymorphism influencing alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase activity of the pig FUT1 enzyme determines susceptibility of small intestinal epithelium to Escherichia coli F18 adhesion

The alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferases (FUT1 and FUT2) contribute to the formation of blood group antigen structures, which are present on cell membranes and in secretions. In the present study we demonstrate that both FUT1 and FUT2 are expressed in the pig small intestine. FUT1 polymorphisms influence adhesion of F18 fimbriated Escherichia coli (ECF18) to intestinal mucosa, and FUT2 is associated with expression of erythrocyte antigen 0. The FUT1 polymorphisms result in amino acid substitutions at positions 103 (Ala-->Thr) and 286 (Arg-->Glu). Tightly controlled expression of the FUT2 gene results in either an abundance or an absence of mRNA in small intestinal mucosa. ECF18-resistant animals were shown to be homozygous for threonine at amino acid 103 of the FUT1 enzyme. Susceptibility to ECF18 adhesion appeared to be solely dependent on the activity of FUT1 in intestinal epithelia. In intestinal mucosae of ECF18-resistant pigs which expressed FUT1 but not FUT2 RNA, the levels of alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase activity were significantly lower (28- to 45-fold, P<0.001) than in susceptible pigs. Moreover, lysates of CHO cells transfected with FUT1 constructs encoding threonine at amino acid position 103 also showed significantly reduced enzyme activity compared with constructs encoding alanine at this position. Our genetic and enzymatic studies support the hypothesis that the FUT1 enzyme, and particularly the amino acid at position 103, is likely important in the synthesis of a structure that enables adhesion of ECF18 bacteria to small intestinal mucosa.

Engineering of coordinated up- and down-regulation of two glycosyltransferases of the O-glycosylation pathway in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells

Production of O-linked oligosaccharides that interact with selectins to mediate cell-cell adhesion occurs in one segment of a branched glycan biosynthesis network. Prior efforts to direct the branched pathway towards selectin-binding oligosaccharides by amplifying enzymes in this branch of the network have had limited success, suggesting that metabolic engineering to simultaneously inhibit the competing pathway may also be required. We report here the partial cloning of the CMP-sialic acid:Galbeta1,3GalNAcalpha2, 3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal I) gene from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and the simultaneous inhibition of expression of CHO cell ST3Gal I gene and overexpression of the human UDP-GlcNAc:Galbeta1, 3GalNAc-R beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) gene. A tetracycline-regulated system adjoined to tricistronic expression technology allowed "one-step" transient manipulation of multiple enzyme activities in the O-glycosylation pathway of a previously established CHO cell line already engineered to express alpha1, 3-fucosyltransferase VI (alpha1,3-Fuc-TVI). Tetracycline-regulated co-expression of a ST3Gal I fragment, cloned in the antisense orientation, and of C2GnT cDNA resulted in inhibition of the ST3Gal I enzymatic activity and increase in C2GnT activity which varied depending on the extent of tetracycline reduction in the cell culture medium. This simultaneous regulated inhibition and activation of the two key enzyme activities in the O-glycosylation pathway of mammalian cells is an important addition to the metabolic engineering field.

Complete enzymic synthesis of the mucin-type sialyl Lewis x epitope, involved in the interaction between PSGL-1 and P-selectin

Sialyl Lewis x (sLe(x)) is an established selectin ligand occurring on N- and O-linked glycans. Using a completely enzymic approach starting from p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminide (GalNAc(alpha1-pNp as core substrate, the sLe(x)-oligosaccharide Neu5Ac(alpha2-3)Gal(beta1-4)[Fuc(alpha1-3)]GlcNAc(beta1-6)[Gal(bet a1-3)]GalNAc(alpha1-pNp, representing the O-linked form, was synthesized in an overall yield of 32%. In a first step, Gal(beta1-3)GalNAc(alpha1-pNp was prepared in a yield of 52% using UDP-Gal and an enriched preparation of beta3-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.122) from rat liver. UDP-GlcNAc and a recombinant affinity-purified preparation of core 2 beta6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.102) fused to Protein A were used to branch the core 1 structure, affording GlcNAc(beta1-6)[Gal(beta1-3)]GalNAc(alpha1-pNp in a yield of >85%. The core 2 structure was galactosylated using UDP-Gal and purified human milk beta4-galactosyltransferase 1 (EC 2.4.1.38) (yield of >85%), then sialylated using CMP-Neu5Ac and purified recombinant alpha3-sialyltransferase 3 (EC 2.4.99.X) (yield of 87%), and finally fucosylated using GDP-Fuc and recombinant human alpha3-fucosyltransferase 6 (EC 2.4.1.152) produced in Pichia pastoris (yield of 100%). Overall 1.5 micromol of product was prepared. MALDI TOF mass spectra, and 1D and 2D TOCSY and ROESY 1H NMR analysis confirmed the obtained structure.

A beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase with poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthase activity is structurally related to beta-1,3-galactosyltransferases

Human and mouse cDNAs encoding a new beta-1, 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (beta3GnT) have been isolated from fetal and newborn brain libraries. The human and mouse cDNAs included ORFs coding for predicted type II transmembrane polypeptides of 329 and 325 aa, respectively. The human and mouse beta3GnT homologues shared 90% similarity. The beta3GnT gene was widely expressed in human and mouse tissues, although differences in the transcript levels were visible, thus indicating possible tissue-specific regulation mechanisms. The beta3GnT enzyme showed a marked preference for Gal(beta1-4)Glc(NAc)-based acceptors, whereas no activity was detected on type 1 Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc and O-glycan core 1 Gal(beta1-3)GalNAc acceptors. The new beta3GnT enzyme was capable of both initiating and elongating poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains, which demonstrated its identity with the poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthase enzyme (E.C. 2.4.1.149), showed no similarity with the i antigen beta3GnT enzyme described recently, and, strikingly, included several amino acid motifs in its protein that have been recently identified in beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase enzymes. The comparison between the new UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta3GnT and the three UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta-1,3-galactosyltransferases-I, -II, and -III reveals glycosyltransferases that share conserved sequence motifs though exhibiting inverted donor and acceptor specificities. This suggests that the conserved amino acid motifs likely represent residues required for the catalysis of the glycosidic (beta1-3) linkage.

Golgi-disturbing agents

Pharmacological agents have proven useful for gaining fundamental insights into the biology of the Golgi apparatus. This review summarizes pertinent and recent work on the effects on this organelle of monensin, brefeldin A, bafilomycin, ilimaquinone, okadaic acid, retinoic acid, and nocodazole. The molecular targets of monensin, brefeldin A, ilimaquinone, and retinoic acid remain to be elucidated whereas those for bafilomycin (vacuolar H+-ATPase), okadaic acid (serine/threonine phosphatases types 1, 2a, and 2b), and nocodazole (microtubules) are reasonably well understood. The molecular target of brefeldin has not been defined, but has been suggested to involve guanine nucleotide exchange proteins acting on ADP-ribosylation factor 1. Whether a defined molecular target can be found for monensin must be questioned since its main action consists in exchanging protons for Na+ which leads to osmotic swelling of post-Golgi endosomal structures and Golgi subcompartments by virtue of its membrane-associated effect as a cationophore. Brefeldin A was one of the most thoroughly investigated Golgi-disturbing agents and proved instrumental in unraveling retrograde flow mechanisms in the secretory pathways. Okadaic acid attracted interest for its properties mimicking mitotic fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus. Nocodazole was instrumental in establishing the cytoskeletal anchoring of the Golgi apparatus close to the microtubular organizing center.

Repressed beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase in the Tn syndrome

The human hematopoietic disorder named Tn syndrome has been ascribed to an acquired stem cell mutation resulting in loss of beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase activity in affected Tn+ cells of the hematopoietic lineages. Recently, we could demonstrate that this deficiency is due to a repression of a functional allele of the beta-1,3-Gal-T gene since treatment of Tn+ T-lymphocytes from a patient (R.R.) afflicted with the Tn-syndrome with 5-azacytidine or Na n-butyrate resulted in re-expression of the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen, the product of beta-1,3-Gal-T activity [M. Thurnher, S. Rusconi, E.G. Berger. Persistent repression of functional allele can be responsible for galactosyltransferase deficiency in Tn syndrome. J. Clin. Invest. 91 (1993) 2103-2110]. To reduce these observations to a common pathogenetic mechanism responsible for the Tn-syndrome, more Tn patients need to be investigated. Here, we describe similar Tn+ T-lymphocytes cultured ex vivo from patient M.Z. whose Tn+ syndrome was newly recognized. Tn+ and TF+ T-lymphocyte cultures were characterized by flow cytometry and measurement of beta-1,3-Gal-T and shown to be deficient in Tn+ cells. Furthermore, Tn+ cells were treated with 5-azacytidine and Na n-butyrate as described before. Reoccurrence of beta-1,3-Gal-T activity dependent epitopes on the cell surface of Tn+ cells was shown by flow cytometry. These support the notion of beta-1,3-Gal-T gene repression as a common pathogenetic mechanism underlying the Tn-syndrome.

Genomic cloning and expression of three murine UDP-galactose: beta-N-acetylglucosamine beta1,3-galactosyltransferase genes

Based on the detection of expressed sequence tags that are similar to known galactosyltransferase sequences, we have isolated three novel UDP-galactose:beta-N-acetylglucosamine beta1, 3-galactosyltransferase (beta3GalT) genes from a mouse genomic library. The three genes, named beta3GalT-I, -II, and -III, encode type II transmembrane proteins of 326, 422, and 331 amino acids, respectively. The three proteins constitute a distinct subfamily as they do not share any sequence identity with other eucaryotic galactosyltransferases. Also, the entire protein-coding region of the three beta3GalT genes was contained in a single exon, which contrasts with the genomic organization of the beta1,4- and alpha1, 3-galactosyltransferase genes. The three beta3GalT genes were mainly expressed in brain tissue. The expression of the full-length murine genes as recombinant baculoviruses in insect cells revealed that the beta3GalT enzymes share the same acceptor specificity for beta-linked GlcNAc, although they differ in their Km for this acceptor and the donor UDP-Gal. The identification of beta3GalT genes emphasizes the structural diversity present in the galactosyltransferase gene family.

Pilot scale expression and purification of soluble protein A tagged beta 1,6N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in CHO cells

Expression of recombinant soluble protein A tagged mouse core 2 beta 6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (E.C. 2.4.1.102) has been scaled-up in CHO cells using a continuously operating fluidized bed system yielding 0.3 U/day. A one step 213 fold purification by affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose yielded a stable enzyme preparation with a specific activity of 44 mU/mg. The enzyme was shown to belong to the L-type with a highly restricted specificity for the acceptor substrate Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc alpha 1-->R (core 1). Only little activity towards GlcNAc beta 1-->3Gal-NAc alpha 1-->R (core 3) (< 1%) and no incorporation on unsubstituted benzyl or peptide-bound GalNAc was detected. Zn2+ and to a lesser extent Mn2+ were found to be inhibitory whereas Mg2+ could activate the enzyme. The enzyme preparation proved suitable for in vitro application as a catalyst for the synthesis of core 2 structures.

Immunodetection of alpha 1-3 fucosyltransferase (FucT-V)

The fucosyltransferases constitute a family of glycosyltransferases incorporating fucose residues into glycoprotein or glycolipid glycans. They afford one of the possible termination steps of glycoconjugate biosynthesis creating the sialyl Lewisx or sialyl Lewisa determinant, which play an important role in cell-cell interaction. While cDNA, chromosomal localization and kinetic properties of a number of fucosyltransferases are known, immunocytochemical localization and trafficking studies have been delayed because of the lack of specific antibodies due to the pronounced homology of alpha 1, 3 fucolsyltransferases III, V and VI. Here we report development and characterization of monospecific polyclonal antibodies to alpha 1-3 fucosyltransferase V (FucT-V) and their application for immunodetection in transfected cells. Antisera against FucT-V were raised in two different ways: first by producing a fusion protein beta-galactosidase-FucT-V in Escherichia coli, and by synthesizing a peptide stretch specific for FucT-V. Polyclonal antisera were raised against each of both antigens and characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, neutralization of activity, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled COS cells, transiently transfected with cDNA encoding FucT-V. Both antibodies recognized only FucT-V. No cross-reactivity to FucT-III or FucT-VI was observed. FucT-V was localized mainly to the Golgi apparatus by colocalization with beta 1, 4-galactosyltransferase, and to the cell surface of COS, CHO and HeLa cells. Expression of FucT-V in COS cells revealed three enzyme forms of 58, 53 and 50 kDa, respectively. These size differences arose by post-translational modifications, as shown by pulse-chase experiments. Our results indicate that alpha 1-3 fucosyltransferase is a Golgi-associated enzyme and suggest its possible occurrence on the cell surface.

Carbohydrate receptor-mediated gene transfer to human T leukaemic cells

The mucin-type carbohydrate Tn cryptantigen (GalNAc alpha 1-O-Ser/Thr, where GalNAc is N-acetyl-D-galactosamine) is expressed in many carcinomas, in haemopoietic disorders including the Tn syndrome, and on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coat glycoproteins, but is not expressed on normal, differentiated cells because of the expression of a Tn-processing galactosyltransferase. Using Jurkat T leukaemic cells which express high levels of Tn antigen due to deficient Tn galactosylation, we have established the Tn antigen-mediated gene transfer and demonstrate the considerable efficiency of this approach. We used poly(L-lysine) conjugates of the monoclonal antibody 1E3 directed against the Tn antigen to deliver the luciferase and beta-galactosidase reporter genes to Jurkat cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Addition of unconjugated 1E3 reduced transfection efficiency in a concentration-dependent manner and incubation with free GalNAc abolished DNA transfer completely, indicating that gene delivery is indeed mediated by the Tn antigen. Pre-treatment of Jurkat cells with Vibrio cholerae sialidase, which uncovers additional Tn antigens, resulted in an improvement of gene transfection. Both human and chicken adenovirus particles attached to the DNA/polylysine complex strongly augmented transgene expression. When the beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene was delivered to Jurkat cells by Tn-mediated endocytosis, up to 60% of the cells were positive in the cytochemical stain using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) as a chromogenic substrate. The efficiency of the transferrin receptor-mediated DNA uptake into Jurkat cells was comparatively low, although these cells were shown to express considerable amounts of transferrin receptor. We show here that a mucin-type carbohydrate antigen mediates highly efficient DNA uptake by endocytosis into Jurkat T cells. This method represents a 50-fold improvement of Jurkat cell transfection efficiency over other physical gene transfer techniques. Specific gene delivery to primary cancer cells exhibiting Tn epitopes may especially be desirable in immunotherapy protocols.

[A case of Stickler's syndrome]

The authors presented a case of Stickler's syndrome diagnosed in 56-year-old woman referred to the clinic because of cataract in both eyes. After surgery typical vitreo-retinal changes mainly extensive lattice degenerations, pigmentary lesions and preretinal membranes in vitreous were found. Orofacial and musculoskeletal abnormalities confirmed diagnosis.