T-helper-1 and T-helper-2 responses in psychiatric disorders

The expanding field of psychoneuroimmunology has markedly increased knowledge about the interference of the central nervous system and the immune system. Immunological abnormalities in psychiatric patients have been repeatedly described in the last century. Modern concepts of immunology and the growing knowledge of psychoneuroimmunology may help in understanding the distinct immunological mechanisms in psychiatric disorders. One of these concepts regarding the adaptive immune system is the discrimination between Th1-like cell-mediated and Th2-like antibody-related immune responses. This article systematically describes alterations of Th1- or Th2-specific parameters in the major psychiatric disorders schizophrenia, major depression, and Alzheimer's disease. There are several hints of associations of these two distinct arms of immune response with subgroups of schizophrenia and major depression. The immunological research in Alzheimer's disease has already led to a preclinical model of immunotherapy. Categorization of immune parameters may also help to identify a possible immune-related pathophysiology in psychotic and affective disorders, resulting in specific treatment strategies.

First direct observation of a nearly ideal graphene band structure

Angle-resolved photoemission and x-ray diffraction experiments show that multilayer epitaxial graphene grown on the SiC(0001) surface is a new form of carbon that is composed of effectively isolated graphene sheets. The unique rotational stacking of these films causes adjacent graphene layers to electronically decouple leading to a set of nearly independent linearly dispersing bands (Dirac cones) at the graphene K point. Each cone corresponds to an individual macroscale graphene sheet in a multilayer stack where AB-stacked sheets can be considered as low density faults.

Effects of minor groove binding drugs on the interaction of TATA box binding protein and TFIIA with DNA

TBP (TATA box binding protein), a general transcription factor required for proper initiation of gene expression by RNA polymerase II, and minor groove binding drugs (MGBs) both interact with DNA within the minor groove at AT sites. This study has evaluated MGBs as inhibitors of DNA/TBP complex formation by gel mobility shift assays. Our results demonstrate that reversible MGBs (DAPI, distamycin A, Hoechst 33258, and netropsin) are effective inhibitors of the formation of DNA/TBP complex and that distamycin A is the most potent (0.16 microM inhibits TBP complex formation by 50%). CC-1065, a drug that covalently binds to DNA in the minor groove, is even more active than distamycin A (0.00085 microM inhibits TBP complex formation by 50%). Significantly more CC-1065 (0.009 microM) is required to break up preformed DNA/TBP complex compared to the drug concentration needed to prevent complex formation. In comparison, the order of drug addition has little influence on the ability of reversible MGBs to disrupt DNA/TBP complex. In the presence of TFIIA, a factor that enhances TBP association with DNA, greater drug concentrations (distamycin A and CC-1065, respectively) are needed to disrupt a preformed complex of DNA/TBP/TFIIA. In comparison to MGBs, drugs capable of binding to DNA by intercalation are generally weaker at blocking TBP complex formation except for hedamycin, which can intercalate and irreversibly bind to DNA and is as effective as reversible MGBs.

Paeonol reduced cerebral infarction involving the superoxide anion and microglia activation in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats

Both Moutan cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (MC) and the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall (PL) are important Traditional Chinese herbs used commonly to treat inflammatory and pyretic disorders. Paeonol, a common component of MC causes anti-platelet aggregation and scavenges free radicals. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Paeonol on cerebral infarct. A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were studied. An animal model of cerebral infarct was established by occluding both common carotid arteries and the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min, followed by a 24 h period of reperfusion. The percentage of cerebral infarction area to total brain area in each piece of brain tissue, and neuro-deficit score were measured. Superoxide anion was determined by the number of lucigenin-chemiluminescence (CL) counts. ED1 (mouse anti rat CD68) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) immunostaining in the cerebral infarction region were also investigated for activation of microglia. The results indicated that Paeonol 15 and 20 mg/kg pretreatment and 20 mg posttreatment reduced the cerebral infarction area; Paeonol 15 and 20 mg/kg pretreatment reduced the neuro-deficit score. In addition, Paeonol 20 mg/kg pretreatment reduced the lucigenin-CL counts at 2 h period of reperfusion. The number of ED1 and IL-1beta immunoreactive cells also reduced in the cerebral infarction region; there were no significant changes in blood sugar levels. The results show that Paeonol reduced cerebral infarct and neuro-deficit in rat, suggesting Paeonol might play a similar role in reducing cerebral infarction in humans. Paeonol suppresses and scavenges superoxide anion, and inhibit microglia activation and IL-1beta in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.

Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging actions of two herbs, Uncaria rhynchophylla (MIQ) Jack and Gastrodia elata Bl., in kainic acid-treated rats

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jack (UR) and Gastrodia elata BI. (GE) are traditional Chinese herbs that are usually used in combination to treat convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, in China. The aim of this study was to compare the anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of UR alone and UR in combination with GE in rats. For the in vitro studies, brain tissues from 6 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 120 microg/ml kainic acid (KA), with or without varied concentrations of UR or UR plus GE. For the in vivo studies, male SD rats (6 per group) received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA 12 mg/kg to induce epileptic seizures and generation of free radicals, with or without oral administration of UR 1 g/kg alone or UR 1 g/kg plus GE 1 g/kg. Epileptic seizures were verified by behavioral observations, and electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings. These results showed that UR alone decreased KA-induced lipid peroxide levels in vitro, whereas UR plus GE did not produce a greater effect than UR alone. UR significantly reduced counts of wet dog shakes (WDS), paw tremor (PT) and facial myoclonia (FM) in KA-treated rats and significantly delayed the onset time of WDS, from 27 min in the control group to 40 min in the UR group. UR plus GE did not inhibit seizures more effectively than UR alone, but did further prolong the onset time of WDS to 63 min (P < 0.05 vs. UR alone). UR alone reduced the levels of free radicals in vivo, as measured by lipid peroxidation in the brain and luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) counts and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral whole blood, but the combination of GE and UR did not reduce free radical levels more markedly than UR alone. In conclusion, our results indicate that UR has anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities, and UR combined with GE exhibit greater inhibition on the onset time of WDS than UR alone. These findings suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of UR and GE may be synergistic. However, the mechanism of interaction between UR and GE remains unknown.

Reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits by ellagic acid

Oxidative stress is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease. Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound present in fruits and nuts, and has been found to have antioxidative property. Twenty-four New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were assigned randomly into four dietary groups. The normal group was fed regular rabbit chow, and the cholesterol group was fed a high fat and cholesterol diet. The ellagic acid (E) group and probucol group were fed the same diet as the cholesterol group plus the addition of 1% (w/w diet) ellagic acid and probucol, respectively. Oxidative stress [as measured by plasma lipids, oxygen free radicals and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] increased in the cholesterol group compared with the normal group; however, it decreased in the probucol and E groups compared with the cholesterol group. Forty-five percent of the intimal surface of the thoracic aorta was covered with atherosclerotic lesions in the cholesterol group, but only 2-3% was covered in the E and probucol groups. The aortic level of 8-(OH)dG and the expression of caspase-8, caspase-9 and Fas ligand were also suppressed after ellagic acid supplement. These results indicated that ellagic acid could prevent atherosclerosis via suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits.

Quantitative analysis of 1,3-butadiene-induced DNA adducts in vivo and in vitro using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a high volume industrial chemical which is known as a multi-site rodent carcinogen and is classified as a probable human carcinogen. Covalent interactions of the reactive epoxy metabolites of BD with DNA lead to the formation of DNA adducts which may cause mutations and tumor formation. In the present work, liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was employed for analyses of BD-induced DNA adducts in vitro and in vivo. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using the fragmentation of the [M + H]+ ions of the adducts to the corresponding protonated nucleobases under collision-induced dissociation was performed. Quantitation was based on isotope dilution with 13C- and 15N-labeled internal standards. The methods were applied in vitro [calf thymus DNA and TK6 cell cultures treated with epoxy metabolites of BD, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB) and diepoxybutane (DEB)] and in vivo [DNA isolated from tissues of BD-exposed laboratory animals]. Two regioisomers of N-7-EB-guanine adducts, N-7-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)guanine (N-7-EB-Gua I) and N-7-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl)guanine (N-7-EB-Gua II) and two N-3-EB-adenine isomers, N-3-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)adenine and N-3-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl)adenine (N-3-EB-Ade I and II), were found in EB-exposed samples. N-7-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybut-1'-yl)guanine (N-7-THB-Gua), N6-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybut-1'-yl)adenine (N6-THB-Ade), and N-3-(2',3',4'-trihydroxybut-1'-yl)adenine (N-3-THB-Ade) were detected in DEB-treated DNA. DNA isolated from liver and lung of rats and mice exposed to 1250 ppm BD for 2 weeks contained both regioisomers of N-7-EB-Gua and N-3-EB-Ade, as well as N-7-THB-Gua and N6-THB-Ade. The methods developed in this work provide the means to study accumulation, repair and dose-response relationships of BD-DNA adducts in vivo. Although less sensitive than gas chromatography/electron capture negative ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-HRMS), LC/ESI(+)-MS/MS in the SRM mode is extremely useful for analysis of BD-DNA adducts, which are not amenable to GC and derivatization owing to the presence of several adjacent polar functional groups. Using LC/ESI-MS/MS and isotope dilution, multiple structurally diverse BD-DNA adducts can be analyzed simultaneously in the same sample with minimal sample preparation.

Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of vanillyl alcohol in ferric chloride-induced epileptic seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats

Vanillyl alcohol (VA) is a component of Gastrodia elata Bl. (GE), which is a traditional Chinese herb widely used to treat convulsive disorders or dizziness. This study examined the role of VA in the anticonvulsive properties of GE in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of epilepsy. The anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of VA were examined after intracortical injection of ferric chloride (100 mM, 8 microl) to induce epileptic seizures. These seizures were verified by behavioral observations and electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) recordings. Ferric chloride injection resulted in increased lipid peroxide levels in the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortex, and increased luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of VA (200 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) or phenytoin 10 mg/kg prior to ferric chloride administration significantly inhibited wet dog shakes (WDS) and lipid peroxide levels in the bilateral cerebral cortex. VA 200 mg/kg also significantly reduced luminol-CL and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood, but no significant effect was observed following administration of VA 100 mg/kg or phenytoin. These data indicate that VA has both anticonvulsive and suppressive effects on seizures and lipid peroxidation induced by ferric chloride in rats. Data from the present study also demonstrate that VA has free radical scavenging activities, which may be responsible for its anticonvulsive propertics. This finding is consistent with the results from previous studies that generation of superoxide radical evoked by injection of iron salt into rat brain plays a critical role in ferric chloride-induced seizures. In addition, the results of the present study suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of GE may be attributable, at least in part, to its VA component.

Anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities of Gastrodia elata Bl. in kainic acid-treated rats

Gastrodia elata Bl. (GE) is a traditional Chinese herb that is commonly used in Chinese communities to treat convulsive disorders such as epilepsy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the anticonvulsive and free radical activities of GE in rats. In vitro studies were conducted by using brain tissue from 6 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats treated with 120 microg/ml of kainic acid (KA), with or without the addition of various concentrations of GE. In vivo studies were conducted in a total of 30 male SD rats divided into 5 groups of 6 rats which were treated as follows: 1) the normal group received an intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of PBS (Phosphate buffer saline, 1 ml/kg); 2) the control group received KA (12 mg/kg) i.p.; 3) the GE 1.0 group received oral administration of GE 1.0 g/kg 30 min prior to KA administration; 4) the GE 0.5 group received oral administration of GE 0.5 g/kg 30 min prior to KA administration; 5) the PH group received oral administration of phenytoin 20 mg/kg 30 min prior to KA administration. Seizures were verified by behavioral observations, electroencephalograph (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). Lipid peroxide levels in the rat brain, luminol chemiluminescence (CL) and lucigenin-CL in the peripheral blood were measured simultaneously after behavioral observations. The results indicate that GE administration significantly reduced KA-induced lipid peroxide levels in vitro. Oral administration of GE 1.0 g/kg and phenytoin 20 mg/kg significantly reduced counts of wet dog shakes (WDS), paw tremor (PT) and facial myoclonia (FM) in KA-treated rats. In addition, oral administration of GE 1.0 g/kg significantly delayed the onset of WDS, from 30 min in the control group to 46 min in the 0.5 g/kg group, and 63 min in the GE 1.0 g/kg group. A significantly reduced level of lipid peroxides in the rat brain was found in the GE 1.0 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg, and phenytoin 20 mg/kg groups. The GE 1.0 g/kg group showed significant reduction of luminol-CL and lucigenin-CL counts in the peripheral blood compared to the control group. The results of the present study demonstrate that GE has anticonvulsive and free radical scavenging activities. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical effectiveness of GE as an anticonvulsant in humans.

Targeting the ets binding site of the HER2/neu promoter with pyrrole-imidazole polyamides

Three DNA binding polyamides () were synthesized that bind with high affinity (K(a) = 8.7. 10(9) m(-1) to 1.4. 10(10) m(-1)) to two 7-base pair sequences overlapping the Ets DNA binding site (EBS; GAGGAA) within the regulatory region of the HER2/neu proximal promoter. As measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, polyamides binding to flanking elements upstream () or downstream (2 and 3) of the EBS were one to two orders of magnitude more effective than the natural product distamycin at inhibiting formation of complexes between the purified EBS protein, epithelial restricted with serine box (ESX), and the HER2/neu promoter probe. One polyamide, 2, completely blocked Ets-DNA complex formation at 10 nm ligand concentration, whereas formation of activator protein-2-DNA complexes was unaffected at the activator protein-2 binding site immediately upstream of the HER2/neu EBS, even at 100 nm ligand concentration. At equilibrium, polyamide 1 was equally effective at inhibiting Ets/DNA binding when added before or after in vitro formation of protein-promoter complexes, demonstrating its utility to disrupt endogenous Ets-mediated HER2/neu preinitiation complexes. Polyamide 2, the most potent inhibitor of Ets-DNA complex formation by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, was also the most effective inhibitor of HER2/neu promoter-driven transcription measured in a cell-free system using nuclear extract from an ESX- and HER2/neu-overexpressing human breast cancer cell line, SKBR-3.

A comparison of DNA-binding drugs as inhibitors of E2F1- and Sp1-DNA complexes and associated gene expression

In this study, we examined how DNA-binding drugs prevented formation of transcription factor-DNA complexes and influenced gene transcription from the hamster dihydrofolate reductase promoter, which is regulated by E2F1 and Sp1. Gel mobility shift assay data showed that GC-binding drugs (e.g., mitoxantrone) inhibited the DNA binding of both E2F1 and Sp1. In contrast, AT-binding drugs (e.g., distamycin) interfered only with E2F1-DNA complex formation. In an in vitro transcription assay using HeLa nuclear extracts, inhibition of transcription was observed when mitoxantrone or distamycin was added either before or after assembly of the transcription complex on the DNA, although for the latter, higher drug concentrations were needed. Mitoxantrone, which was a stronger inhibitor of transcription factor-DNA complex, was more effective than distamycin at preventing transcript formation. Time course transcription in a cell-free assay with addition of various drug concentrations indicated that high drug concentrations of either mitoxantrone or distamycin completely blocked transcription, while low drug concentrations could delay the synthesis of transcripts.

A modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of avian pneumovirus antibodies

Avian pneumovirus (APV) infection of turkeys in Minnesota was first confirmed in March 1997. Serum samples (n = 5,194) from 539 submissions to Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were tested by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of these, 2,528 (48.7%) samples from 269 submissions were positive and 2,666 (51.3%) samples from 270 submissions were negative for APV antibodies. Most positive samples were from Kandiyohi, Stearns, Morrison, and Meeker counties in Minnesota. In addition, 10 samples from South Dakota were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test with anti-chicken and anti-turkey conjugates were compared by testing field and experimental sera. The ELISA test with anti-turkey conjugate was more sensitive than that with anti-chicken conjugate. The ELISA tests with antigens prepared with APV strains isolated from Colorado and Minnesota were also compared. No difference was detectable. Currently, the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uses an antigen prepared from the Colorado isolate of APV and a goat anti-turkey conjugate in the ELISA test.

Chrysophanol-induced cell death (necrosis) in human lung cancer A549 cells is mediated through increasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing the level of mitochondrial membrane potential

Chrysophanol (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone) is one of the anthraquinone compounds, and it has been shown to induce cell death in different types of cancer cells. The effects of chrysophanol on human lung cancer cell death have not been well studied. The purpose of this study is to examine chrysophanol-induced cytotoxic effects and also to investigate such influences that involved apoptosis or necrosis in A549 human lung cancer cells in vitro. Our results indicated that chrysophanol decreased the viable A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Chrysophanol also promoted the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) and decreased the levels of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm ) and adenosine triphosphate in A549 cells. Furthermore, chrysophanol triggered DNA damage by using Comet assay and DAPI staining. Importantly, chrysophanol only stimulated the cytocheome c release, but it did not activate other apoptosis-associated protein levels including caspase-3, caspase-8, Apaf-1, and AIF. In conclusion, human lung cancer A549 cells treated with chrysophanol exhibited a cellular pattern associated with necrotic cell death and not apoptosis in vitro. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 740-749, 2014.