Gold nanoparticle-enhanced microchip capillary electrophoresis

We describe here the use of gold nanoparticles in conjunction with chip-based capillary electrophoresis to improve the selectivities between solutes and to increase the efficiency of the separation. We coated the microchannel wall of a microfluidic device with a layer of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and then collected on it citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles. The resolutions and the plate numbers of the solutes were doubled in the presence of the gold nanoparticles. Such selectivity improvements reflect changes in the observed mobility accrued from interactions of solutes with the particle surface. The electrochemical detection and the quantitation of the solutes were not effected by the PDADMAC and the gold nanoparticles.

Metal nanoparticle-based electrochemical stripping potentiometric detection of DNA hybridization

A new nanoparticle-based electrical detection of DNA hybridization, based on electrochemical stripping detection of the colloidal gold tag, is described. In this protocol, the hybridization of a target oligonucleotide to magnetic bead-linked oligonucleotide probes is followed by binding of the streptavidin-coated metal nanoparticles to the captured DNA, dissolution of the nanometer-sized gold tag, and potentiometric stripping measurements of the dissolved metal tag at single-use thick-film carbon electrodes. An advanced magnetic processing technique is used to isolate the DNA duplex and to provide low-volume mixing. The influence of relevant experimental variables, including the amounts of the gold nanoparticles and the magnetic beads, the duration of the hybridization and gold dissolution steps, and the parameters of the potentiometric stripping operation upon the hybridization signal, is examined and optimized. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs indicate that the hybridization event leads to the bridging of the gold nanoparticles to the magnetic beads. Further signal amplification, and lowering of the detection limits to the nanomolar and picomolar domains, are achieved by precipitating gold or silver, respectively, onto the colloidal gold label. The new electrochemical stripping metallogenomagnetic protocol couples the inherent signal amplification of stripping metal analysis with discrimination against nonhybridized DNA, the use of microliter sample volumes, and disposable transducers and, hence, offers great promise for decentralized genetic testing.

Immunomodulatory effects of anti-CD4 antibody in host resistance against infections and tumors in human CD4 transgenic mice

Anti-CD4 antibodies, which cause CD4(+) T-cell depletion, have been shown to increase susceptibility to infections in mice. Thus, development of anti-CD4 antibodies for clinical use raises potential concerns about suppression of host defense mechanisms against pathogens and tumors. The anti-human CD4 antibody keliximab, which binds only human and chimpanzee CD4, has been evaluated in host defense models using murine CD4 knockout-human CD4 transgenic (HuCD4/Tg) mice. In these mice, depletion of CD4(+) T cells by keliximab was associated with inhibition of anti-Pneumocystis carinii and anti-Candida albicans antibody responses and rendered HuCD4/Tg mice susceptible to P. carinii, a CD4-dependent pathogen, but did not compromise host defense against C. albicans infection. Treatment of HuCD4/Tg mice with corticosteroids impaired host immune responses and decreased survival for both infections. Resistance to experimental B16 melanoma metastases was not affected by treatment with keliximab, in contrast to an increase in tumor colonization caused by anti-T cell Thy1.2 and anti-asialo GM-1 antibodies. These data suggest an immunomodulatory rather than an overt immunosuppressive activity of keliximab. This was further demonstrated by the differential effect of keliximab on type 1 and type 2 cytokine expression in splenocytes stimulated ex vivo. Keliximab caused an initial up-regulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon, followed by transient down-regulation of IL-4 and IL-10. Taken together, the effects of keliximab in HuCD4/Tg mice suggest that in addition to depleting circulating CD4(+) T lymphocytes, keliximab has the capability of modulating the function of the remaining cells without causing general immunosuppression. Therefore, keliximab therapy may be beneficial in controlling certain autoimmune diseases.

Microfabricated electrophoresis chips for simultaneous bioassays of glucose, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and acetaminophen

A micromachined capillary electrophoresis chip is described for simultaneous measurements of glucose, ascorbic acid, acetaminophen, and uric acid. Fluid control is used to mix the sample and enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx). The enzymatic reaction, a catalyzed aerobic oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, occurs along the separation channel. The enzymatically liberated neutral peroxide species is separated electrophoretically from the anionic uric and ascorbic acids in the separation/reaction channel. The three oxidizable species are detected at the downstream gold-coated thick-film amperometric detector at different migration times. Glucose can be detected within less than 100 s, and detection of all electroactive constituents is carried out within 4 min. Measurements of glucose in the presence of acetaminophen, a neutral compound, are accomplished by comparing the responses in the presence and absence of GOx in the running buffer. The reproducibility of the on-chip glucose measurements is improved greatly by using uric acid as an internal standard. Factors influencing the performance, including the GOx concentration, field strength, and detection potential, are optimized. Such coupling of enzymatic assays with electrophoretic separations on a microchip platform holds great promise for rapid testing of metabolites (such as glucose or lactate), as well as for the introduction of high-speed clinical microanalyzers based on multichannel chips.

Atiprimod (SK&F 106615), a novel macrophage targeting agent, enhances alveolar macrophage candidacidal activity and is not immunosuppressive in Candida-infected mice

Azaspiranes are novel macrophage-targeting agents with activity in preclinical animal models of autoimmune disease and transplantation. The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of atiprimod (SK&F 106615), an azaspirane being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, on rat pulmonary alveolar macrophage (AM) function and immunocompetance in Candida-infected mice. AM from rats treated with 20 mg/kg/day of atiprimod for 15 days demonstrated enhanced killing of Candida albicans ex vivo. Concentration-dependent increases in candidacidal activity were also observed as early as one hour after exposure in vitro in AM from untreated normal rats. Treatment of AM with atiprimod in vitro did not increase particulate-stimulated superoxide production or phagocytosis of Candida but decreased their ability to concentrate acridine orange, indicating an increase in lysosomal pH. Increased candidacidal activity was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and catalase, suggesting a role for reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Atiprimod also increased free radical-mediated killing of Candida in the presence of H2O2, iron and iodide in a cell-free system. These findings indicated that treatment with atiprimod increased the candidacidal activity of rat AM in a free radical-dependent manner. The data also suggested that atiprimod did not increase ROI production by AM, but rather increased the efficiency of radical-mediated killing. This increase may be caused by cyclization of atiprimod, facilitating electron transfer and peroxidation of lipid membranes. In vivo studies in Candida-infected CBA mice showed that atiprimod (10 mg/kg/day), did not compromise immune function in the infected mice and could be differentiated from prototypical immunosuppressive compounds used for treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Single-organism model of host defense against infection: a novel immunotoxicologic approach to evaluate immunomodulatory drugs

The immunotoxicologic effects of drugs on host defense have been studied widely using various animal models of infection. Here we describe a new approach to testing host defense by using a single organism (Candida albicans) in CBA/J mice. The model is configured to test 3 effector systems via different routes of inoculation to stimulate different effector arms of the immune response. Nonspecific immunity was evaluated by C. albicans colony-forming unit (CFU) count from the spleen at 2 hr (uptake) and > or = 22 hr (clearance) following intravenous inoculation. Cell-mediated immunity was assessed by CFU count from an intramuscular injection site 6 days postinoculation. Humoral immunity was assessed by anti-Candida antibody titer, following multiple subcutaneous immunizations with C. albicans. Finally, overall immunity was evaluated following intravenous injection using survival as the endpoint. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic evaluation of selected tissues revealed the involvement of the expected cell types in the different effector systems. Several immunomodulatory drugs--dexamethasone, cyclosporine, liposomal muramyltripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine, and SK&F 105685--were evaluated in the C. albicans model. Dexamethasone impaired host defense against C. albicans by suppressing all endpoints measured. Similarly, cyclosporine showed broad immunosuppressive activity, with the exception of yeast uptake from the spleen. In contrast, muramyl tripeptide-phosphatidylethanolamine enhanced all but cell-mediated immunity to C. albicans. SK&F 105685 displayed both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on immune responses to the infection. Our studies demonstrate that a single organism-based approach can be a useful method for evaluating the immunological hazards of drugs on host resistance to infection.

An ethological analysis of manic-depressive disorder

Hospitalized manic-depressive patients were studied using ethological techniques. Within the sample three subgroups were created: a) manic patients whose psychiatric condition improved during the course of hospitalization (N = 3); b) manic patients who showed little or no improvement (N = 3); c) depressed patients (N = 2). Time-sampling procedures were employed to monitor the occurrence of a wide variety of behaviors in various parts of the hospital. Data were analyzed in terms of behavioral diversity, frequency, constancy, and profiles of behavior. Findings included: a) distinctive patterns of behavior characteristics of manic and depressed patients: manics had higher frequencies for most behavioral categories: b) characteristic patterns of behavior for patients who improved as compared to patients who showed no improvement: manic-improved patients showed a marked decrease in diversity as hospitalization progressed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed in relation to the kinds of data typically generated from ethological investigations.

Preparation and characterization of two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase from squid head ganglia. II. Self-association, molecular weight determinations, and studies with inactivating antisera

The two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase (Acetyl-CoA:choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6) from head ganglia of Loligo pealei have been examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel chromatography, and equilibrium sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge. Inactivating antisera, prepared to both native and dithiothreitol-treated isozymes 1 and 2 of squid choline acetyltransferase, were used to demonstrate the immunologic identity of isozymes 1 and 2. Each isozyme appeared to contain two non-identical catalytically active subunits, with molecular weights of approx. 37 000 and 56 000. A staining method was developed to visualize choline acetyltransferase activity in acrylamide gels. The method is based on the formation of a precipitate of manganese ferrocyanide at sites where free coenzyme A is released. By this method, and by analysis of gel slices, it was found that each of the isozymes can form aggregates of several different sizes. The formation of immune precipitates with the aggregates showed the identity of the multiple bands of enzyme protein resolved on disc gel electrophoresis. Isozyme 1 was most active as a small aggregate, whereas isozyme 2 was most active as a large aggregate. Both chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and isoelectric focusing yielded a number of active species with molecular weights ranging from 35 000 to 300 000. In addition, we demonstrated the dissociation of enzyme protein in the presence of 1.0 - 10(-2) M dithiothreitol, the formation of multiple precipitin bands by aged enzyme, and the identity of the different isoelectric fractions of each of the isozymes.

Preparation and characterization of two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase from squid head ganglia

Two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase (Acetyl-CoA:choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6) have been isolated and purified from squid head ganglia. Each isozyme contains multiple isoelectric forms with isoelectric points ranging from pH 5.0 to 6.2. The isozymes differ in their affinities for cellulose phosphate on column chromatography, as well as in their heat stabilities and in their capacities to be activated by salt. Both isozymes are stabilized by sucrose and by sulfhydryl-protecting reagents such as mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol.