Gut Microbiota Influence the Development of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Suppressing Macrophage Accumulation in Mice

BACKGROUND:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease characterized by dilated abdominal aorta. Immune cells have been shown to contribute to the development of AAA, and that the gut microbiota is associated with numerous diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, by regulating immune systems or metabolic pathways of the host. However, the interaction between the gut microbiota and AAA remains unknown.

METHODS:

Apolipoprotein E–deficient male mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet and divided into three groups: the control group was maintained under normal water (control group), the oral AVNM group was maintained under drinking water supplemented with ampicillin, vancomycin, neomycin, and metronidazole, and the i.p. AVNM group was injected AVNM intraperitoneally. After 1 week of pretreatment with antibiotics, these mice were administrated Ang II via subcutaneous osmotic pumps for 4 weeks and euthanized to evaluate AAA formation.

RESULTS:

Depletion of gut microbiota by oral AVNM ameliorated the incidence of AAAs (control group: 58.9% versus oral AVNM group: 28.6% versus i.p. AVNM group: 75.0%, P = 0.0005) and prevented death due to ruptured aneurysms (control group: 11% versus oral AVNM group: 0% versus i.p. AVNM group: 15%). Oral AVNM suppressed monocyte storage in the spleen, but not in other organs. Despite possessing a higher level of cholesterol, recruitment of monocytes into the suprarenal aorta was suppressed in the oral AVNM group. In AVNM drinking mice, NOD1 ligand, a kind of PRR ligands, increased the development of AAAs and accumulation of macrophages in the aortae.

CONCLUSIONS:

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in AAA formation. Therefore, regulation of the microbiota or the immune system can be a therapeutic approach for AAA.

Prevalence and distribution of non-pulmonary vein atrial fibrillation triggers in real-world clinical settings

Background

Epidemiology of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers of atrial fibrillation (AF) is not fully known.

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and distribution of non-PV triggers in real-world clinical settings of AF catheter ablation.

Methods

One-thousand and twenty patients undergoing AF ablations were retrospectively analyzed (mean age 65 years old, 702 males (69%), 506 paroxysmal and 514 non-paroxysmal). Induction and observation of AF triggers were attempted using intravenous isoproterenol/adenosine triphosphate and repeated direct current cardioversion during AF in each session. Documentable non-PV AF triggers were characterized in the studied population. Premature atrial contractions that did not initiate AF were excluded.

Results

A hundred and twenty-six non-PV triggers were documented in 108 patients (10.6%). Non-PV trigger was documented in 6.3% of 1st session cases, whereas 30.9% of recurrent cases undergoing multiple sessions (p<0.0001). Left atrial (LA) posterior wall was the most prevalent site (N=34), followed by 30 intra-atrial septum (IAS), 29 superior vena cava (SVC), 13 crista terminalis, 7 right atrial (RA) free wall, 6 LA anterior wall, 3 coronary sinus (CS), 3 left atrial appendage, and 1 persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC). We classified those non-PV triggers into 4 groups; 43 LA, 33 thoracic veins (SVC, CS and LSVC), 30 IAS and 20 RA. Thoracic vein/RA origins were more prevalently detected in paroxysmal AF cases (57%) compared to non-paroxysmal AF (28%) (p<0.01). Conversely, LA origin was more prevalently detected in non-paroxysmal AF cases (48%) compared to paroxysmal AF (20%) (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Prevalence of non-PV trigger in cases undergoing multiple sessions is extremely high, suggesting a particular importance of non-PV trigger targeting in patients with recurrent AF undergoing 2nd or 3rd ablation sessions. Progressive nature of AF with newly generated AF triggers should be under consideration. Distributions of non-PV triggers are largely different between paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF. These findings may help ablation strategy regarding non-PV trigger targeting in practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation with heart failure improves hemodynamic status without deteriorating renal function in the elderly

Background/Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist in the elderly people, leading to worse clinical outcomes. HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of HF in the elderly, particularly in women, associated with AF. Ablation of AF in younger patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) has become an established treatment option. However, clinical impact of ablation for persistent AF accompanying with HF in the elderly remains unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of catheter ablation of persistent AF with heart failure in the elderly.

Methods

Consecutive 70 patients who underwent catheter ablation of persistent AF accompanying with HF (NYHA class> II, mean LVEF 51.7%) in our institution were retrospectively analyzed with regards to their 1-year clinical outcomes, HF markers such as BNP, renal function and transthoracic echocardiographic findings. Patients were dichotomized by age of 75-year-old (31 elderly vs 39 younger subjects) and separately analyzed.

Results

Mean age of the studied population was 70.5 year-old; 79.6±3.8 in the elderly group and 63.2±8.5 in the younger group. The elderly patients were more frequently females (45% vs 21%). Longstanding persistent AF was observed in 32% in the elderly and 28% in the younger group. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in all patients, with additional ablations of liner lesions and/or non-PV foci as needed. PVI alone was observed in 54.8% in the elderly and 41% in the younger group. There were no serious complications associated with the procedure. During 1 year after ablation, recurrence of AF was observed in 15 patients [6/31 (19%) in the elderly, 9/39 (23%) in the younger]. Readmission due to HF was observed in only 1 patient in the elderly and 2 patients in the younger group (3% vs. 5%, respectively). Cardiovascular events were observed in 3 patients [2/31 (6%) in the elderly, 1/39 (3%) in the younger], but there was no death. The BNP level as well as the NYHA class significantly decreased at 1-year follow-up compared to baseline in the both groups (Figure A and B). There was no change in serum creatinine level in the both groups (Figure C). The left atrial dimension and the LA volume index decreased at 1-year follow-up in the both groups (Figure D and E). The LVEF improved only in the younger group (Figure F).

Conclusions

Ablation of persistent AF in the elderly with HF (mostly with preserved EF) was associated with hemodynamic and functional improvements without deteriorating renal function in a mid-term, which was mostly comparable to the results in the younger.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Aggressive combined pharmacotherapy for heart failure reduces new onset atrial fibrillation

Backgrounds

Heart failure (HF) is a risk factor for new onset atrial fibrillation (AF), and the new onset AF is associated with a worse prognosis in HF patients. It has been reported that renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi), β-blocker and mineral-corticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) prevent the new onset AF in HF patients. However, the effect of combined pharmacotherapy including angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on AF is unknown. We investigated the impact of contemporary regimen of combined pharmacotherapy for HF (RASi/ARNI+β-blocker+MRA+SGLT2i) on new onset AF.

Methods and results

We retrospectively studied rEF and mrEF patients without AF admitted to our hospital due to decompensated HF between 2015 and 2021 (n=366). Long-term (The mean follow-up was 635±421 days) incidence of new onset AF was investigated with regard to medical therapies. Patients were divided into 2 groups; patients with ≤2 HF drugs (n=181) and patients with ≥3 HF drugs (n=185). Patients with ≤2 HF drugs group were older (77.3 vs 67.0 years old, P<0.001), had a poorer renal function (Cre: 1.66 vs 1.09 mg/dl, P<0.001), and had a higher rate of ischemic heart disease (52 vs 38%, P=0.009), whereas left ventricular systolic function was better (EF: 31.9 vs 27.3%, P<0.001). There were 19 (10.5%) new onsets AF in the ≤2 HF drugs group, whereas only 7 (3.8%) had new onsets AF in the ≥3 HF drugs group (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15–0.85, P=0.01). All-cause death and hospitalization for HF were fewer in the ≥3 HF drugs group. A multivariate analysis revealed that ≥3 HF drugs use was an independent negative predictor of new onset AF (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.93, P=0.03). Even after a propensity score matching of the clinical variables, the incidence of new onset AF was consistently fewer in the ≥3 HF drugs group (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13–0.99, P=0.04). Finally, patients with new onset AF had a higher rate of hospitalization for HF in the studied population (HR 9.68, 95% CI 5.67–16.5, P<0.01).

Conclusion

Aggressive combined pharmacotherapy for HF may be associated with fewer new onset AF in patients with HF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

CDP-ribitol prodrug treatment ameliorates ISPD-deficient muscular dystrophy mouse model

Ribitol-phosphate modification is crucial for the functional maturation of α-dystroglycan. Its dysfunction is associated with muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, and central nervous system abnormalities; however, no effective treatments are currently available for diseases caused by ribitol-phosphate defects. In this study, we demonstrate that prodrug treatments can ameliorate muscular dystrophy caused by defects in isoprenoid synthase domain containing (ISPD), which encodes an enzyme that synthesizes CDP-ribitol, a donor substrate for ribitol-phosphate modification. We generated skeletal muscle-selective Ispd conditional knockout mice, leading to a pathogenic reduction in CDP-ribitol levels, abnormal glycosylation of α-dystroglycan, and severe muscular dystrophy. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene replacement experiments suggested that the recovery of CDP-ribitol levels rescues the ISPD-deficient pathology. As a prodrug treatment strategy, we developed a series of membrane-permeable CDP-ribitol derivatives, among which tetraacetylated CDP-ribitol ameliorated the dystrophic pathology. In addition, the prodrug successfully rescued abnormal α-dystroglycan glycosylation in patient fibroblasts. Consequently, our findings provide proof-of-concept for supplementation therapy with CDP-ribitol and could accelerate the development of therapeutic agents for muscular dystrophy and other diseases caused by glycosylation defects.

Case of generalized morphea complicated with systemic sclerosis

Dear Editor, Localized scleroderma (LSc; morphea) is a rare fibrosing disease of the skin and underlying tissues, which is different from systemic sclerosis (SSc). 1 LSc is classified based on clinical presentations: circumscribed, linear, generalized, pansclerotic, and mixed morphea. 1 Generalized morphea (GM) , which is characterized by widespread skin lesions with multiple indurated plaques or hyperpigmentation, is a relatively rare subtype occurring in 7-9% of patients with LSc. 1 Previous studies have shown that SSc can be complicated by GM, separately from GM-like SSc. Here, we present a rare case of coexistence of LSc and SSc in which LSc skin lesions appeared before SSc became apparent [...].

Metabolic alterations in plasma after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an important therapeutic option for morbidly obese patients. Although LSG promotes sufficient weight loss, how LSG changes plasma metabolites remains unclear. We assessed changes in plasma metabolite levels after LSG. We collected plasma samples from 15 morbidly obese Japanese patients before and 3 months after LSG. A total of 48 metabolites were quantified using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomic profiling. Branched chain amino acids, several essential amino acids, choline, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-oxoisovaleric acid and hypoxanthine were significantly decreased after LSG. Tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites, including citric acid, succinic acid and malic acid, were significantly elevated after LSG. This is the first report to show dynamic alterations in plasma metabolite concentrations, as assessed using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry, in morbidly obese patients after LSG. Our results might show how LSG helps improve obesity, in part through metabolic status changes, and propose novel therapeutic targets to ameliorate obesity.

FRI0503 VALIDATION OF THE 2019 ACR/EULAR CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA FOR IGG4-RELATED DISEASE IN A JAPANESE KIDNEY DISEASE COHORT: A MULTI-CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY BY THE IGG4-RELATED KIDNEY DISEASE (IGG4-RKD) WORKING GROUP OF THE JAPANESE SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY

Background:

The 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD have recently been published1). In the criteria, patients with an inclusion criteria score of >20 without exclusion criteria are classified as having IgG4-RD.

Objectives:

To validate the 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD in a Japanese kidney disease cohort.

Methods:

The study involved Japanese patients diagnosed as having kidney disease between April 2012 and May 2019, for whom sufficient clinical information and data on serum IgG4 values and/or immunohistological staining for IgG4 in renal biopsy samples were known. These patients were classified as having IgG4-RKD or non-IgG4-RKD (mimickers) based on the 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD, and the results were evaluated by expert opinion.

Results:

Among 105 included patients, the expert panel diagnosed 55 as having true IgG4-RKD and 50 as mimickers. The final diagnoses among the mimickers were vasculitis (n=11), idiopathic tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) (n=5), drug-induced TIN (n=5), Sjögren’s syndrome (n=4) and others. Among the 55 true IgG4-RKD patients, 4 had exclusion criteria, and 50 of the remaining 51 had an inclusion criteria score of ≥20 points (sensitivity 90.9%). On the other hand, 49 of the 50 mimickers were classified as having non-IgG4-RKD (specificity 98.0%) (Table 1).

Table 1.

General characteristics and prevalence of individual items of true IgG4-RKD and non-IgG4-RKD (mimicker)

IgG4-RKD(true IgG4-RKD)(n=55)Non-IgG4-RKD(mimicker)(n=50)PAge at diagnosis,mean ±SD (years)69.9 ± 9.456.7 ± 17.4<0.001Male (%)76.4440.001Elevated serum IgG454/55 (98.2%)18/50 (36.0%)<0.001Serum IgG4 (mg/dl), mean±SD1028 ± 796226 ± 261<0.001Dense IgG4+Plasma cells (>10/hpf) in the kidney biopsy48/51 (94.1%)13/40 (32.5%)<0.001Storiform fibrosis in the kidney biopsy28/51 (54.9%)3/50 (6%)<0.001Hypocomplementemia39/55 (70.1%)7/42 (16.7%)<0.001Renal pelvis thickening/soft tissue5/55 (9%)1/50 (2%)0.20Bilateral renal cortex low-density areas29/55 (52.7%)7/50 (14.0%)<0.001Exclusion criteria present4/55 (7.3%)22/50 (44%)<0.001Total inclusion criteria points >20 without exclusion criteria50/55 (90.9%)1/50 (2%)<0.001

Conclusion:

The 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD showed good agreement with expert classification in this Japanese kidney disease cohort.

References:

[1] Wallace ZS, et al. The 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for IgG4-related disease. Ann Rheum Dis. 79:77-87, 2020

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

P3391Cholesterol crystals in culprit coronary artery with acute myocardial infarction and their relation to myocardial salvage

Methods

This study included 53 AMI patients (90% with STEMI) who underwent primary PCI within 24h of onset. 53 STEMI patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) of 5th days and 3 months after PCI. Infarct size was measured on delayed-enhancement imaging, and area at risk was quantified on T2-weighted imaging. MSI was calculated as [area at risk − infarct size] × 100/area at risk. 3 months CMR with contrast-enhanced imaging of late gadolinium enhancement-LGE. Patients were divided 2 groups according to the existence of CCs at the site of culprit coronary artery.

Results

CCs occurs in 26 of 53 (49%). Acute 5th days risk area (13.5±4.1 vs 12.6±4.9, P=0.48) and 3months infarct size (5.3±3.5 vs 7.0±3.2, P=0.066) were not significant between CCs and no CCs group. But salvage index were significantly lower in patients with CCs group (47.7±17.5% vs 60.1±20.2%, P=0.021)

Conclusion

Salvage index in patients that CCs were found by the OCT analysis, remain low after AMI. This study demonstrates the potential correlation between the myocardial salvage and vulnerable morphological features of culprit lesion to the presence of CCs with AMI patients.

Bioconversion of 5-deoxystrigol stereoisomers to monohydroxylated strigolactones by plants

The bioconversion of 5-deoxystrigol (5DS) and 4-deoxyorobanchol (4DO), the simplest canonical strigolactones (SLs), into monohydroxylated SLs such as strigol, sorgomol and orobanchol was confirmed by administering of stable isotope-labeled substrates to hydroponically grown plants. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses established that 5DS was stereoselectively converted into strigol and sorgomol by cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus), respectively. 4DO was converted into orobanchol by rice (Oryza sativa). However, the red bell pepper (Capsicum annuum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and pea (Pisum sativum) negligibly converted 4DO into orobanchol. The red bell pepper converted ent-4DO into 2',8-bisepi-sorgomol. These results suggest that some plants generate orobanchol without passing through 4DO.

Structural basis of the redox switches in the NAD+-reducing soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase

NAD⁺ (oxidized form of NAD:nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-reducing soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase (SH) is phylogenetically related to NADH (reduced form of NAD⁺):quinone oxidoreductase (complex I), but the geometrical arrangements of the subunits and Fe-S clusters are unclear. Here, we describe the crystal structures of SH in the oxidized and reduced states. The cluster arrangement is similar to that of complex I, but the subunits orientation is not, which supports the hypothesis that subunits evolved as prebuilt modules. The oxidized active site includes a six-coordinate Ni, which is unprecedented for hydrogenases, whose coordination geometry would prevent O₂ from approaching. In the reduced state showing the normal active site structure without a physiological electron acceptor, the flavin mononucleotide cofactor is dissociated, which may be caused by the oxidation state change of nearby Fe-S clusters and may suppress production of reactive oxygen species.

Dental caries experience, rather than toothbrushing, influences the incidence of dental caries in young Japanese adults

A dose-response relationship between toothbrushing frequency and the incidence of dental caries has not been confirmed. Furthermore, no longitudinal study about this relationship has considered dental caries experience at baseline, which is an important factor influencing the frequency of future caries.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the association between the incidence of dental caries and toothbrushing frequency after adjusting for dental caries experience at baseline in a Japanese population.

BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN

The 92 recruits of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Kure, Japan, in 2011 were followed up for 3 years. They underwent oral examination at the annual checkups and answered questions about toothbrushing frequency.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the incidence of dental caries and to identify independent effects of toothbrushing frequency and dental caries experience at baseline. Furthermore, the relative importance of the incidence of dental caries was investigated among other independent variables using the partial adjusted R² score.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that toothbrushing frequency alone did not influence the increment in decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT). However, DMFT at baseline alone was associated with the increment in DMFT (crude odds ratio, OR, 1.20, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.08,1.33). In the fully adjusted model, only DMFT at baseline was associated with the increment in DMFT (adjusted OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.09,1.38).

CONCLUSION

After three years, the incidence of dental caries in young adult Japanese males was influenced by DMFT at baseline, rather than toothbrushing frequency.

Measurement of thickness of film deposited on the plasma-facing wall in the QUEST tokamak by colorimetry

After several experimental campaigns in the Kyushu University Experiment with Steady-state Spherical Tokamak (QUEST), the originally stainless steel plasma-facing wall (PFW) becomes completely covered with a deposited film composed of mixture materials, such as iron, chromium, carbon, and tungsten. In this work, an innovative colorimetry-based method was developed to measure the thickness of the deposited film on the actual QUEST wall. Because the optical constants of the deposited film on the PFW were position-dependent and the extinction coefficient k₁ was about 1.0-2.0, which made the probing light not penetrate through some thick deposited films, the colorimetry method developed can only provide a rough value range of thickness of the metal-containing film deposited on the actual PFW in QUEST. However, the use of colorimetry is of great benefit to large-area inspections and to radioactive materials in future fusion devices that will be strictly prohibited from being taken out of the limited area.

Sulfated Alkyl Oligosaccharides Inhibit Human Immunodeficiency virus in vitro and Provide Sustained Drug Levels in Mammals

This study provides an estimate of the relative anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities of synthetic sulfated alkyl oligosaccharides in vitro and of their mechanism of action, and an assessment of the levels of alkyl oligosaccharides in small mammals. The antiviral activities of the compounds against several human immunodeficiency virus type-1 and type-2 strains were determined in human CD4+ cells, including primary lymphocytes and macrophages. Laser flow cytometry and a cell-based syncytium assay were used to elucidate the anti-binding/fusion properties of the oligosaccharides. The sulfated alkyl laminarioligosaccharide DL-110 was shown to be the most potent and selective anti-HIV agent in culture with a median inhibitory concentration of 0.2 μM in primary human lymphocytes. This compound did not markedly interact with the CD4+ receptor on lymphocytes at 50 μM, but demonstrated potent anti-syncytium properties in vitro at submicromolar concentrations. DL-110 had no anti-coagulation activity at 38 μM. Mice, rabbits and beagle dogs were given an intravenous injection of test compounds and the drug levels in serum were quantified. When 32 mg kg−1 of DL-110 was administered to mice, significant antiviral concentrations in serum were achieved even 12 h after treatment. Similarly, prolonged antiviral effects were noted in rabbits and dogs 24 h after injection of DL-110. The half-life of DL-110 in mice, rabbits and dogs was estimated to be 5 h. DL-110 and some of its derivatives are promising candidates for further evaluation of the prophylaxis and therapy of HIV infections.

Modified Cyclodextrin Sulphates(mCDS11) have Potent Inhibitory Activity against HIV and High Oral Bioavailability

Modified cyclodextrin sulphate (mCDS) in which lipophilic groups were introduced to cyclodextrin sulphate (CDS) was synthesized and proved more inhibitory to the replication of HIV-1 and HIV-2 than CDS or dextran sulphate (DS). The anti-coagulant activity of mCDS was lower than that of DS. Cyclodextrin phosphate (CDP) showed anti-HIV activity similar to that of CDS, and its anti-coagulant activity was even lower than that of mCDS. Flow cytometric analysis suggested that the mechanism of the anti-HIV-1 action of CDS, mCDS, and CDP is based on inhibition of HIV-1 binding to the cells. The peak blood concentration after oral administration of mCDS11(potassium tris[6-benzylthio-6-deoxy]-β-cyclodextrin hexadecasulphate) to rabbits was about 1000 times higher than the concentration showing anti-HIV activity. The retention time in the blood was also long (blood half-life: 4 h). These results point to the potential usefulness of oral mCDS administration in the prophylaxis and/or therapy of HIV infections.

Properties and Anti-Hiv Activity of Hairpin Antisense Oligonucleotides Containing 2′-Methoxynucleosides with Base-Pairing in the Stem Region at the 3′-End

A new type of hairpin antisense oligodeoxyribo-nucleotide, containing 2′-methoxynucleosides with base-pairing in the stem region at the 3′-end, was tested for 3′-exonuclease resistance and anti-HIV activity. An increased resistance to nuclease degradation has been observed by incubation of the hairpin oligo-nucleotides with DNA polymerase and foetal bovine serum. Of particular interest is the hairpin antisense oligonucleotide containing 2′-methoxynucleosides with base-pairing in the stem region at the 3′-end, which has increased nuclease resistance and hybridizes effectively with a complementary RNA. Furthermore, these compounds were assayed for inhibition of virus replication in HIV-1 infected MT-4 cells. In the anti-HIV activity test, the hairpin oligonucleotide phosphorothioate derivatives showed higher anti-HIV activities compared to their linear counterparts.

Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Activity of the Novel Antiviral Antibiotic Quartromicins which Enhance Inhibitory Effect of 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT) in vitro

Novel antiviral antibiotic quartromicins A1 and D1, isolated from Amycolatopsis orientalis, significantly inhibited human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cytopathic effect and virus specific antigen expression at concentrations of 25–100 μg ml−1 In MT-4 cells infected with HTLV-IIIB. The reverse transcriptase activity of disrupted HTLV-IIIB particles, recombinant HIV-1 enzyme, and purified avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) enzyme were also significantly inhibited by quartromicins A1 and D1. The combined antiviral effect of quartromicin A1 and AZT on the replication of HIV in MT-4 cells was also examined. Quartromicin A1 synergistically enhanced the inhibitory effect of AZT as revealed by HIV-specific antigen expression.

Sulphated Cyclodextrins are Potent anti-HIV Agents Acting Synergistically with 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside Analogues

Sulphated cyclodextrins proved to be potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) but not other enveloped viruses (i.e. Sindbis virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Tacaribe virus, vesicular stomatitis virus or vaccinia virus). Their mechanism of action against HIV can be attributed to an inhibition of the binding of HIV-1 virions to the cells, as demonstrated by flow cytometric analysis. The sulphated cyclodextrins enhanced the anti-HIV-1 activity of pyrimidine 2′,3′-dideoxyribosides (i.e. azidothymidine, dideoxycytidine, didehydro-dideoxythymidine, fluorodide-oxychlorouridine), in a subsynergistic manner, and the anti-HIV-1 activity of purine 2′,3′-dideoxyribosides (dideoxyadenosine, dideoxyinosine, 2,6-diaminopurine dideoxyriboside) and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine in a synergistic manner. Following intravenous administration of the sulphated cyclodextrins to rabbits, drug serum concentrations were obtained that were 100- to 1000-fold above the minimum inhibitory concentration for HIV or CMV.

The molecular dynamics of crawling migration in microtubule-disrupted keratocytes

Cell-crawling migration plays an essential role in complex biological phenomena. It is now generally believed that many processes essential to such migration are regulated by microtubules in many cells, including fibroblasts and neurons. However, keratocytes treated with nocodazole, which is an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization – and even keratocyte fragments that contain no microtubules – migrate at the same velocity and with the same directionality as normal keratocytes. In this study, we discovered that not only these migration properties, but also the molecular dynamics that regulate such properties, such as the retrograde flow rate of actin filaments, distributions of vinculin and myosin II, and traction forces, are also the same in nocodazole-treated keratocytes as those in untreated keratocytes. These results suggest that microtubules are not in fact required for crawling migration of keratocytes, either in terms of migrating properties or of intracellular molecular dynamics.