NFATc1 Regulation of Dexamethasone-Induced TGFB2 Expression Is Cell Cycle Dependent in Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Although elevated TGFβ2 levels appear to be a causative factor in glaucoma pathogenesis, little is known about how TGFβ2 expression is regulated in the trabecular meshwork (TM). Here, we investigated if activation of the cytokine regulator NFATc1 controlled transcription of TGFβ2 in human TM cells by using dexamethasone (DEX) to induce NFATc1 activity. The study used both proliferating and cell cycle arrested quiescent cells. Cell cycle arrest was achieved by either cell-cell contact inhibition or serum starvation. β-catenin staining and p21 and Ki-67 nuclear labeling were used to verify the formation of cell-cell contacts and activity of the cell cycle. NFATc1 inhibitors cyclosporine A (CsA) or 11R-VIVIT were used to determine the role of NFATc1. mRNA levels were determined by RT-qPCR. DEX increased TGFβ2 mRNA expression by 3.5-fold in proliferating cells but not in quiescent cells or serum-starved cells, and both CsA and 11R-VIVIT inhibited this increase. In contrast, the expression of other DEX/NFATc1-induced mRNAs (myocilin and β3 integrin) occurred regardless of the proliferative state of the cells. These studies show that NAFTc1 regulates TGFβ2 transcription in TM cells and reveals a previously unknown connection between the TM cell cycle and modulation of gene expression by NFATc1 and/or DEX in TM cells.

Thermomagnetic-Responsive Self-Folding Microgrippers for Improving Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques and Biopsies

Traditional open surgery complications are typically due to trauma caused by accessing the procedural site rather than the procedure itself. Minimally invasive surgery allows for fewer complications as microdevices operate through small incisions or natural orifices. However, current minimally invasive tools typically have restricted maneuverability, accessibility, and positional control of microdevices. Thermomagnetic-responsive microgrippers are microscopic multi-fingered devices that respond to temperature changes due to the presence of thermal-responsive polymers. Polymeric devices, made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAM-AAc) and polypropylene fumarate (PPF), self-fold due to swelling and contracting of the hydrogel layer. In comparison, soft metallic devices feature a pre-stressed metal bilayer and polymer hinges that soften with increased temperature. Both types of microdevices can self-actuate when exposed to the elevated temperature of a cancerous tumor region, allowing for direct targeting for biopsies. Microgrippers can also be doped to become magnetically responsive, allowing for direction without tethers and the retrieval of microdevices containing excised tissue. The smaller size of stimuli-responsive microgrippers allows for their movement through hard-to-reach areas within the body and the successful extraction of intact cells, RNA and DNA. This review discusses the mechanisms of thermal- and magnetic-responsive microdevices and recent advances in microgripper technology to improve minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Design and synthesis of new enzymes based on the lactate dehydrogenase framework

Analysis of the mechanism and structure of lactate dehydrogenases is summarized in a map of the catalytic pathway. Chemical probes, single tryptophan residues inserted at specific sites and a crystal structure reveal slow movements of the protein framework that discriminate between closely related small substrates. Only small and correctly charged substrates allow the protein to engulf the substrate in an internal vacuole that is isolated from solvent protons, in which water is frozen and hydride transfer is rapid. The closed vacuole is very sensitive to the size and charge of the substrate and provides discrimination between small substrates that otherwise have too few functional groups to be distinguished at a solvated protein surface. This model was tested against its ability to successfully predict the design and synthesis of new enzymes such as L-hydroxyisocaproate dehydrogenase and fully active malate dehydrogenase. Solvent friction limits the rate of forming the vacuole and thus the maximum rate of catalysis.

A specific, highly active malate dehydrogenase by redesign of a lactate dehydrogenase framework

Three variations to the structure of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent L-lactate dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus were made to try to change the substrate specificity from lactate to malate: Asp197----Asn, Thr246----Gly, and Gln102----Arg). Each modification shifts the specificity from lactate to malate, although only the last (Gln102----Arg) provides an effective and highly specific catalyst for the new substrate. This synthetic enzyme has a ratio of catalytic rate (kcat) to Michaelis constant (Km) for oxaloacetate of 4.2 x 10(6)M-1 s-1, equal to that of native lactate dehydrogenase for its natural substrate, pyruvate, and a maximum velocity (250 s-1), which is double that reported for a natural malate dehydrogenase from B. stearothermophilus.

The engineering of a more thermally stable lactate dehydrogenase by reduction of the area of a water-accessible hydrophobic surface

A site-directed mutant of Bacillus stearothermophilus lactate dehydrogenase (lactate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) has been engineered in which the conserved hydrophobic residue isoleucine-250 has been replaced by the more hydrophilic residue asparagine. This isoleucine forms a large part of a water-accessible, hydrophobic surface in the active site of the apo-enzyme which is covered by the B-face of the nicotinamide ring when coenzymes are bound. Reduction in the area of this hydrophobic surface results in the mutant tetramer being more thermally stable than the wild-type enzyme.

Vertebral North American blastomycosis

A single case of back pain due to Blastomyces dermatitidis infection limited solely to the skeleton is reported with a discussion of the differential diagnosis. This rare disease must be differentiated from other destructive bone lesions such as tuberculosis or tumors because of the availability of effective treatment.

Late onset of fatal cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation. Primary or reactivation infection?

Cytomegaloviurs (CMV) infections are a recognized problem in the first six months after renal transplantation. Studies have suggested that primary infections produce symptomatic disease, whereas reactivation infections are usually asymptomatic. Two patients are described who developed fatal CMV infections in the second year after transplantation. Both patients had typical CMV disease with fever, pneumonitis, and hepatitis. Results of serologic studies in one patient were characteristic of primary infection, with seroconversion at the time of disease and appearance of specific IgM antibodies. The other patient had a similar antibody response at the time of his illness, but serial antibody tests showed that he had had a transient seroconversion earlier, in the second month after transplanation, that was not associated with clinical symptoms. These patients indicate that CMV infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis of serious febrile illnesses even in the late posttransplantation period and may occur either as the result of primary or reactivation infection. Serologic studies at the time of illness may not allow distinction between the types of infection.

Failure to induce hypersensitivity reactions to opaque contrast media analogs in guinea pigs

In a further exploration of idiosyncratic reactions to injections of contrast media, a systematic study of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs injected with contrast media analogs was performed. No evidence of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity could be ascertained to either contrast media analogs alone, or analogs bound to protein carriers. This does not represent conclusive evidence against the notion of antibody formation as a factor in the production of some adverse reactions, but makes such a pathogenesis less likely.

R-B enteric differential system for identification of Enterobacteriaceae

The R/B Enteric Differential System for identifying enteric bacteria has been evaluated with 451 "unknown" cultures from the stock culture collection of the Center for Disease Control. An average of 89.6% of these cultures were correctly identified by the R/B system, when used as recommended by the manufacturer but without the assistance of serology. This percentage ranged, however, from 47% for Klebsiella to 100% for Serratia and Providencia. Of 11 groups or genera of Enterobacteriaceae tested, only three (Enterobacter, Serratia, and Providencia) were identified with 95% or better accuracy. Four groups (Arizona, Citrobacter, Escherichia, and Salmonella) attained 90 to 95% accuracy of identification, and three groups (Edwardsiella, Proteus, and Shigella) scored between 85 and 90% accuracy. We recommend the R/B system as a screening device which is reasonably successful in grouping bacteria but not as a substitute for more exacting conventional procedures.