Direct electrochemistry of horseradish peroxidase immobilized on a colloid/cysteamine-modified gold electrode

Direct electron transfer of immobilized horseradish peroxidase on gold colloid and its application as a biosensor were investigated by using electrochemical methods. The Au colloids were associated with a cysteamine monolayer on the gold electrode surface. A pair of redox peaks attributed to the direct redox reaction of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were observed at the HRP/Au colloid/cysteamine-modified electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The surface coverage of HRP immobilized on Au colloid was about 7.6 x 10(-10) mol/cm(2). The sensor displayed an excellent electrocatalytic response to the reduction of H(2)O(2) without the aid of an electron mediator. The calibration range of H(2)O(2) was 1. 4 microM to 9.2 mM with good linear relation from 1.4 microM to 2.8 mM. A detection limit of 0.58 microM was estimated at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The sensor showed good reproducibility for the determination of H(2)O(2). The variation coefficients were 3. 1 and 3.9% (n = 10) at 46 microM and 2.8 mM H(2)O(2), respectively. The response showed a Michaelis-Menten behavior at higher H(2)O(2) concentrations. The K(app)(M) value for the H(2)O(2) sensor was found to be 2.3 mM.

Non-invasive prenatal testing for trisomies 21, 18 and 13: clinical experience from 146,958 pregnancies

OBJECTIVES

To report the clinical performance of massively parallel sequencing-based non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in detecting trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in over 140,000 clinical samples and to compare its performance in low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.

METHODS

Between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2013, 147,314 NIPT requests to screen for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA were received. The results were validated by karyotyping or follow-up of clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

NIPT was performed and results obtained in 146,958 samples, for which outcome data were available in 112,669 (76.7%). Repeat blood sampling was required in 3213 cases and 145 had test failure. Aneuploidy was confirmed in 720/781 cases positive for trisomy 21, 167/218 cases positive for trisomy 18 and 22/67 cases positive for trisomy 13 on NIPT. Nine false negatives were identified, including six cases of trisomy 21 and three of trisomy 18. The overall sensitivity of NIPT was 99.17%, 98.24% and 100% for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively, and specificity was 99.95%, 99.95% and 99.96% for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively. There was no significant difference in test performance between the 72,382 high-risk and 40,287 low-risk subjects (sensitivity, 99.21% vs. 98.97% (P = 0.82); specificity, 99.95% vs. 99.95% (P = 0.98)). The major factors contributing to false-positive and false-negative NIPT results were maternal copy number variant and fetal/placental mosaicism, but fetal fraction had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a stringent protocol, the good performance of NIPT shown by early validation studies can be maintained in large clinical samples. This technique can provide equally high sensitivity and specificity in screening for trisomy 21 in a low-risk, as compared to high-risk, population.

Quantitation of telomerase components and hTERT mRNA splicing patterns in immortal human cells

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that adds telomeric repeats to chromosomal ends. In most normal human somatic cells, telomerase is repressed and telomeres progressively shorten, leading to limited proliferative life-span. Telomerase reactivation is associated with cellular immortalization and is a frequent event during tumorigenesis. The telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex consists of two essential components, a catalytic protein subunit [human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)] and a template RNA (hTR). hTR is constitutively expressed, while hTERT is almost universally absent in telomerase-negative cells. Although repression of telomerase is transcriptional in telomerase-negative cells, post-transcriptional and assembly processes are likely to play important roles in regulating telomerase activity in those that are telomerase-positive. The telomerase transcript can also be alternatively spliced into a variety of non-functional forms. To establish the quantitative relationships between telomerase activity and its various components, we determined the numbers of molecules of hTR and hTERT mRNA, and the levels of alternatively spliced hTERT mRNA variants in normal, in vitro immortalized and cancer cell lines. We report here that there is surprisingly little variation in the proportion of alternatively spliced forms of hTERT in different cell lines. The only variation observed occurred when a change in splicing to non-functional forms appeared in response to conditions that repress telomerase activity in IDH4 cells. We also found that most telomerase-positive cell lines only contain a few molecules of potentially functional hTERT mRNA, and there is a correlation between telomerase activity and the levels of both hTR and hTERT +alpha+beta mRNA.

An alternate splicing variant of the human telomerase catalytic subunit inhibits telomerase activity

Telomerase, a cellular reverse transcriptase, adds telomeric repeats to chromosome ends. In normal human somatic cells, telomerase is repressed and telomeres progressively shorten, leading to proliferative senescence. Introduction of the telomerase (hTERT) cDNA is sufficient to produce telomerase activity and immortalize normal human cells, suggesting that the repression of telomerase activity is transcriptional. The telomerase transcript has been shown to have at least six alternate splicing sites (four insertion sites and two deletion sites), and variants containing both or either of the deletion sites are present during development and in a panel of cancer cell lines we surveyed. One deletion (beta site) and all four insertions cause premature translation terminations, whereas the other deletion (alpha site) is 36 bp and lies within reverse transcriptase (RT) motif A, suggesting that this deletion variant may be a candidate as a dominant-negative inhibitor of telomerase. We have cloned three alternately spliced hTERT variants that contain the alpha, beta or both alpha and beta deletion sites. These alternate splicing variants along with empty vector and wild-type hTERT were introduced into normal human fibroblasts and several telomerase-positive immortal and tumor cell lines. Expression of the alpha site deletion variant (hTERT alpha-) construct was confirmed by Western blotting. We found that none of the three alternate splicing variants reconstitutes telomerase activity in fibroblasts. However, hTERT alpha- inhibits telomerase activities in telomerase-positive cells, causes telomere shortening and eventually cell death. This alternately spliced dominant-negative variant may be important in understanding telomerase regulation during development, differentiation and in cancer progression.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in choroidal neovascularization in rats

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization is largely unknown. We investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats.

METHODS

Intense krypton laser photocoagulation was applied to the posterior poles of the eyes of pigmented rats to induce CNV, which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography and histopathology. The eyeballs were enucleated 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after laser photocoagulation. Cryostat sections were prepared for immunofluorescence staining using anti-VEGF and macrophage marker (ED1) antibodies. The posterior segments of eyeballs pooled from photocoagulated and control rats were submitted for immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting by the anti-VEGF antibody, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of VEGF mRNA.

RESULTS

Very weak immunoreactivity for anti-VEGF antibody was found in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the normal retina. In the development of CNV, strong positive staining for anti-VEGF antibody was found in photocoagulated areas in the subretinal space and choroid. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that many cells in lasered lesions were positive both for anti-VEGF and macrophage marker ED1 antibody staining in the early stage of this model. Immunoblots showed a positive band for the VEGF molecule in treated but not control animals. RT-PCR results demonstrated upregulation of VEGF transcripts in the CNV model compared with normal animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed the upregulation of VEGF expression in experimentally induced CNV, where it may be involved in promoting choroidal angiogenesis. Macrophages may be one of the main sources of VEGF in the early stage of the disease.

Both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms regulate human telomerase template RNA levels

The human telomerase RNA component (hTR) is present in normal somatic cells at lower levels than in cancer-derived cell lines. To understand the mechanisms regulating hTR levels in different cell types, we have compared the steady-state hTR levels in three groups of cells: (i) normal telomerase-negative human diploid cells; (ii) normal cells transfected with the human telomerase catalytic subunit, hTERT; and (iii) cells immortalized in vitro and cancer cells expressing their own endogenous hTERT. To account for the differences in steady-state hTR levels observed in these cell types, we compared the transcription rate and half-life of hTR in a subset of these cells. The half-life of hTR in telomerase-negative cells is about 5 days and is increased 1.6-fold in the presence of hTERT. The transcription rate of hTR is essentially unchanged in cells expressing exogenous hTERT, and the increased steady-state hTR level appears to be due to the increased half-life. However, the transcription rate of hTR is greatly increased in cells expressing endogenous hTERT, suggesting some overlap in transcriptional regulatory control. We conclude that the higher hTR level in cells expressing an endogenous telomerase can be a result of both increased transcription and a longer half-life and that the longer half-life might be partially a result of protection or stabilization by the telomerase catalytic subunit. The 4-week half-life of hTR in H1299 tumor cells is the longest half-life yet reported for any RNA.

Two inactive fragments of the integral RNA cooperate to assemble active telomerase with the human protein catalytic subunit (hTERT) in vitro

We have mapped the 5' and 3' boundaries of the region of the human telomerase RNA (hTR) that is required to produce activity with the human protein catalytic subunit (hTERT) by using in vitro assembly systems derived from rabbit reticulocyte lysates and human cell extracts. The region spanning nucleotides +33 to +325 of the 451-base hTR is the minimal sequence required to produce levels of telomerase activity that are comparable with that made with full-length hTR. Our results suggest that the sequence approximately 270 bases downstream of the template is required for efficient assembly of active telomerase in vitro; this sequence encompasses a substantially larger portion of the 3' end of hTR than previously thought necessary. In addition, we identified two fragments of hTR (nucleotides +33 to +147 and +164 to +325) that cannot produce telomerase activity when combined separately with hTERT but can function together to assemble active telomerase. These results suggest that the minimal sequence of hTR can be divided into two sections, both of which are required for de novo assembly of active telomerase in vitro.

Replacement of the proximal heme thiolate ligand in chloroperoxidase with a histidine residue

Chloroperoxidase is a versatile heme enzyme which can cross over the catalytic boundaries of other oxidative hemoproteins and perform multiple functions. Chloroperoxidase, in addition to catalyzing classical peroxidative reactions, also acts as a P450 cytochrome and a potent catalase. The multiple functions of chloroperoxidase must be derived from its unique active site structure. Chloroperoxidase possesses a proximal cysteine thiolate heme iron ligand analogous to the P450 cytochromes; however, unlike the P450 enzymes, chloroperoxidase possesses a very polar environment distal to its heme prosthetic group and contains a glutamic acid residue in close proximity to the heme iron. The presence of a thiolate ligand in chloroperoxidase has long been thought to play an essential role in its chlorination and epoxidation activities; however, the research reported in this paper proves that hypothesis to be invalid. To explore the role of Cys-29, the amino acid residue supplying the thiolate ligand in chloroperoxidase, Cys-29 has been replaced with a histidine residue. Mutant clones of the chloroperoxidase genome have been expressed in a Caldariomyces fumago expression system by using gene replacement rather than gene insertion technology. C. fumago produces wild-type chloroperoxidase, thus requiring gene replacement of the wild type by the mutant gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that gene replacement has been reported for this type of fungus. The recombinant histidine mutants retain most of their chlorination, peroxidation, epoxidation, and catalase activities. These results downplay the importance of a thiolate ligand in chloroperoxidase and suggest that the distal environment of the heme active site plays the major role in maintaining the diverse activities of this enzyme.

Niche-specificity and the variable fraction of the Pectobacterium pan-genome

We compare genome sequences of three closely related soft-rot pathogens that vary in host range and geographical distribution to identify genetic differences that could account for lifestyle differences. The isolates compared, Pectobacterium atrosepticum SCRI1043, P. carotovorum WPP14, and P. brasiliensis 1692, represent diverse lineages of the genus. P. carotovorum and P. brasiliensis genome contigs, generated by 454 pyrosequencing ordered by reference to the previously published complete circular chromosome of P. atrosepticum genome and each other, account for 96% of the predicted genome size. Orthologous proteins encoded by P. carotovorum and P. brasiliensis are approximately 95% identical to each other and 92% identical to P. atrosepticum. Multiple alignment using Mauve identified a core genome of 3.9 Mb conserved among these Pectobacterium spp. Each core genome is interrupted at many points by species-specific insertions or deletions (indels) that account for approximately 0.9 to 1.1 Mb. We demonstrate that the presence of a hrpK-like type III secretion system-dependent effector protein in P. carotovorum and P. brasiliensis and its absence from P. atrosepticum is insufficient to explain variability in their response to infection in a plant. Additional genes that vary among these species include those encoding peptide toxin production, enzyme production, secretion proteins, and antibiotic production, as well as differences in more general aspects of gene regulation and metabolism that may be relevant to pathogenicity.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA in developing choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an angiogenic peptide that may be important in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization. We attempted to determine the transcription of the bFGF gene during the development of experimentally induced choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

Rat bFGF cDNA was inserted in the pBluescript to prepare antisense and sense riboprobes. Multiple krypton laser burns were applied to the posterior poles of the eyes of pigmented rats according to a protocol described for producing subretinal neovascularization in these animals. At intervals of up to 4 weeks after photocoagulation, the eyes were removed and cut into thin sections. The sections were subjected to histopathological analysis, cell proliferation study, or in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled single-strand riboprobes synthesized from rat bFGF cDNA.

RESULTS

In normal adult rat retinas, bFGF mRNA expression was mainly observed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. After laser photocoagulation, proliferation of RPE cells, fibroblast-like cells and cells in the choroid in the lesions were observed. Expression of bFGF mRNA was observed in the lesions 3 days to 2 weeks after laser treatment. Signals of bFGF mRNA were detected in the proliferating RPE-like cells, choroidal vascular endothelial cells and fibroblast-like cells, all of which are essential for neovascularization. However, bFGF mRNA expression was no longer detectable in these cells 4 weeks after photocoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that bFGF is normally transcribed in ganglion cells and the inner nuclear cell layer. During the neovascularization that followed laser photocoagulation, bFGF mRNA expression was detected within the laser lesions. It is thus probable that bFGF acts as a mediator in the neovascularization process.

Microwave photonic signal processing

Photonic signal processing offers the advantages of large time-bandwidth capabilities to overcome inherent electronic limitations. In-fibre signal processors are inherently compatible with fibre optic microwave systems that can integrate with wireless antennas, and can provide connectivity with in-built signal conditioning and electromagnetic interference immunity. Recent methods in wideband and adaptive signal processing, which address the challenge of realising programmable microwave photonic phase shifters and true-time delay elements for phased array beamforming; ultra-wideband Hilbert transformers; single passband, widely tunable, and switchable microwave photonic filters; and ultra-wideband microwave photonic mixers, are described. In addition, a new microwave photonic mixer structure is presented, which is based on using the inherent frequency selectivity of the stimulated Brillouin scattering loss spectrum to suppress the carrier of a dual-phase modulated optical signal. Results for the new microwave photonic mixer demonstrate an extremely wide bandwidth operation of 0.2 to 20 GHz and a large conversion efficiency improvement compared to the conventional microwave photonic mixer.

Recombinant paramyosin (rec-Sj-97) tested for immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy against Schistosoma japonicum in mice and water buffaloes

A primary vaccine candidate antigen against schistosomiasis is paramyosin (pmy), a myofibrillar protein found exclusively in invertebrates. Here we report the results of vaccine trials against the Asian schistosome undertaken on inbred and outbred mice and water buffaloes using a bacterially expressed and purified form of Schistosoma japonicum pmy (rec-Sj-97). Vaccination of the mice resulted in high levels of specific anti-pmy IgG antibodies when compared with adjuvant controls and significant reduction in worm burdens and in liver eggs. Furthermore, a significant reduction in liver eggs was recorded in two of the three water buffalo vaccine trials undertaken and, in all three trials, high levels of specific anti-pmy IgG antibodies were generated. There was no evidence of any toxic effects and the vaccine preparations and Quil A adjuvant were clearly well tolerated. The development of a vaccine intended for livestock animals such as bovines would be beneficial in two ways; directly by blocking transmission of schistosomiasis to humans and economically by contributing to healthier livestock. We are encouraged by the consistent efficacy in the mouse and the buffalo vaccine trials that resulted in a significant decrease in liver eggs. Indeed, predictions from mathematical models indicate that an egg reduction effect of 42-45% in buffaloes would be sufficient when combined with human treatment to control schistosomiasis japonica in the marshes and lakes along the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the most highly endemic areas for the disease in China.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 controls cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by sponging miR-326 to regulate c-Myc expression in acute myeloid leukemia

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play essential roles in development and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the role of lncRNA potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in AML progression and its mechanism remain largely unknown. The expressions of KCNQ1OT1, microRNA-326 (miR-326) and c-Myc were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was used for cell differentiation. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation were measured by MTT assay, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR, respectively. The interaction between miR-326 and KCNQ1OT1 or c-Myc was explored by luciferase activity, RNA immunoprecipitation or RNA pull-down assay. We found that the expression of KCNQ1OT1 was enhanced in AML samples compared with control. KCNQ1OT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis and cell differentiation. KCNQ1OT1 was a decoy of miR-326 and c-Myc was a target of miR-326. KCNQ1OT1 regulated AML cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation by sponging miR-326. Moreover, overexpression of miR-326 suppressed proliferation but promoted apoptosis and PMA-induced differentiation by targeting c-Myc in AML cells. Besides, c-Myc protein level was suppressed by KCNQ1OT1 interference and rescued by miR-326 abrogation. Our data showed that KCNQ1OT1 regulates proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in AML cells by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-326 to regulate c-Myc, providing a novel avenue for AML treatment.

Demonstration of a near-IR line-referenced electro-optical laser frequency comb for precision radial velocity measurements in astronomy

An important technique for discovering and characterizing planets beyond our solar system relies upon measurement of weak Doppler shifts in the spectra of host stars induced by the influence of orbiting planets. A recent advance has been the introduction of optical frequency combs as frequency references. Frequency combs produce a series of equally spaced reference frequencies and they offer extreme accuracy and spectral grasp that can potentially revolutionize exoplanet detection. Here we demonstrate a laser frequency comb using an alternate comb generation method based on electro-optical modulation, with the comb centre wavelength stabilized to a molecular or atomic reference. In contrast to mode-locked combs, the line spacing is readily resolvable using typical astronomical grating spectrographs. Built using commercial off-the-shelf components, the instrument is relatively simple and reliable. Proof of concept experiments operated at near-infrared wavelengths were carried out at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and the Keck-II telescope.

Laser frequency combs emit a spectrum of equally spaced peaks that can provide precise frequency references useful for astronomy. Here, the authors demonstrate a frequency comb using electro-optical modulation, which has a line spacing that is resolvable using grating spectrographs unlike the mode-locking approach.

Time-course expression of vascular endothelial growth factor as related to the development of the retinochoroidal vasculature in rats

Growth factors involved in angiogenesis are critical to both the normal and pathological vascular development in the retina and choroid. In the present experiment, the relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the retinochoroidal vasculogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. It was found that VEGF was produced mainly by astrocytes and Muller cells in the neural retina, and this was correlated temporally and spatially with the retinal vasculogenesis. In addition, it was observed that, although the VEGF expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) decreased with increasing age, it persisted from the embryonic stage to adulthood. These findings indicate that the VEGF expression in RPE may play a role in the development of the choroidal vessels as well as in the maintenance of the normal structure and permeability of the choriocapillaris in adults.

Serum amyloid A induces interleukin-1β secretion from keratinocytes via the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 inflammasome

Interleukin (IL)-1β is now emerging as a critical cytokine in the pathogenesis of T helper type 17 (Th17)-mediated skin diseases, including psoriasis. Psoriatic keratinocytes are a major source of IL-1β; however, the mechanisms triggering IL-1β processing remain unknown. Recently, an acute-phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) has been identified as a danger signal that triggers inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion. In this study, we detected increased SAA mRNA and protein expression in psoriatic epidermis. In cultured keratinocytes, SAA up-regulated the expression of pro-IL-1β and secretion of mature IL-1β. On the transcriptional level, blocking Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2), TLR-4 or nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) attenuated SAA-induced expression of IL-1β mRNA. SAA up-regulated caspase-1 and NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expression in keratinocytes. Inhibiting caspase-1 activity and silencing NLRP3 decreased IL-1β secretion, confirming NLRP3 as the SAA-responsive inflammasome on the post-transcriptional level. The mechanism of SAA-triggered NLRP3 activation and subsequent IL-1β secretion was found to involve the generation of reactive oxygen species. Finally, the expression of SAA by keratinocytes was up-regulated by IL-17A. Taken together, our results indicate that keratinocyte-derived SAA triggers a key inflammatory mediator, IL-1β, via NLRP3 inflammasome activation, providing new potential targets for the treatment of this chronic skin disease.

Genomic origin and EGFR-TKI treatments of pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the lung is a heterogeneous disease that is composed of both adenocarcinoma components (ACC) and squamous cell carcinoma components (SCCC). Their genomic profile, genetic origin, and clinical management remain controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Resected ASC and metastatic tumor in regional lymph nodes (LNs) were collected. The ACC and SCCC were separated by microdissection of primary tumor. The 1021 cancer-related genes were evaluated by next-generation sequencing independently in ACC and SCCC and LNs. Shared and private alterations in the two components were investigated. In addition, genomic profiles of independent cohorts of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were examined for comparison. We have also carried out a retrospective study of ASCs with known EGFR mutation status from 11 hospitals in China for their clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The most frequent alterations in 28 surgically resected ASCs include EGFR (79%), TP53 (68%), MAP3K1 (14%) mutations, EGFR amplifications (32%), and MDM2 amplifications (18%). Twenty-seven patients (96%) had shared variations between ACC and SCCC, and pure SCCC metastases were not found in metastatic LNs among these patients. Only one patient with geographically separated ACC and SCCC had no shared mutations. Inter-component heterogeneity was a common genetic event of ACC and SCCC. The genomic profile of ASC was similar to that of 170 adenocarcinomas, but different from that of 62 squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of EGFR mutations in the retrospective analysis of 517 ASCs was 51.8%. Among the 129 EGFR-positive patients who received EGFR-TKIs, the objective response rate was 56.6% and the median progression-free survival was 10.1 months (95% confidence interval: 9.0-11.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The ACC and SCCC share a monoclonal origin, a majority with genetically inter-component heterogeneity. ASC may represent a subtype of adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation being the most common genomic anomaly and sharing similar efficacy to EGFR TKI.

Immunogenicity and immunolocalization of the 22.6 kDa antigen of Schistosoma japonicum

The 22.6 kDa tegumental-associated antigens of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm22.6) and Schistosoma japonicum (Sj22.6) are of recognized interest in schistosomiasis vaccine development, although no direct vaccination/challenge experiments using either Sm22.6 or Sj22.6 had been previously described. We report that Escherichia coli-expressed reSj22.6 failed to protect mice or water buffaloes against subsequent challenge with S. japonicum cercariae. This was despite the fact that specific IgG (buffaloes) and IgG and IgE (CBA mice) antibodies were generated against the 22.6 kDa molecule, observations consistent with some of our earlier findings. We could find no evidence from immunolocalization studies that Sj22.6 is expressed or exposed on the surface of the adult parasite since it appears to be restricted to the apical cytoplasm of the tegument and is not associated with the apical or basal membrane or any membrane-bound structures in the apical cytoplasm. Nevertheless, Sj22.6 must be released to the immune system during the course of infection because specific anti-Sj22.6 IgG antibodies were present in the sera of nonvaccinated but challenged mice. We conclude that it may be necessary to produce reSj22.6 in a more relevant expression system, such as baculovirus, to further establish its vaccine potential and that detailed immunochemical and immunolocalization studies of early developmental stages may be necessary to determine how Sj22.6 is released or shed in S. japonicum infections.

Regulation of non-AU-rich element containing c-fms proto-oncogene expression by HuR in breast cancer

The role of RNA-binding proteins in cancer biology is recognized increasingly. The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and AU-rich RNA-binding protein HuR stabilizes several cancer-related target mRNAs. The proto-oncogene c-fms, whose 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) is not AU-rich, is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Using a large breast-cancer tissue array (N=670), we found nuclear HuR expression to be associated with nodal metastasis and independently with poor survival (P=0.03, RR 1.45), as well as to be co-expressed with c-fms in the breast tumors (P=0.0007). We described c-fms mRNA as a direct target of HuR in vivo, and that HuR bound specifically to a 69-nt region containing 'CUU' motifs in 3'UTR c-fms RNA. Overexpressing or silencing HuR significantly up- or down-regulated c-fms RNA expression, respectively. We also found that known glucocorticoid stimulation of c-fms RNA and protein is largely dependent on the presence of HuR. HuR, by binding to the 69-nt wild type, but not mutant, c-fms sequence can regulate reporter gene expression post-transcriptionally. We are the first to describe that HuR can regulate gene expression by binding non-AU-rich sequences in 3'UTR c-fms RNA. Collectively, our findings suggest that HuR plays a supportive role for c-fms in breast cancer progression by binding a 69-nt element in its 3'UTR, thus regulating its expression.

CD19+ B cell subsets in the peripheral blood and skin lesions of psoriasis patients and their correlations with disease severity

T lymphocytes are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and increasing evidence indicates that B cells also play an important role. The mechanisms of action, however, remain unclear. We evaluated the ratios of CD19+ B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 157 patients with psoriasis (65 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, 32 patients with erythrodermic psoriasis, 30 patients with arthropathic psoriasis, and 30 patients with pustular psoriasis) and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Ratios of CD19+ B cells in skin lesions were compared with non-lesions in 7 erythrodermic psoriasis patients. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was used to measure disease severity. CD19+ B cell ratios in PBMCs from psoriasis vulgaris (at both the active and stationary stage) and arthropathic psoriasis patients were higher compared with HCs (P<0.01), but ratios were lower in erythrodermic and pustular psoriasis patients (P<0.01). CD19+ B cell ratios in erythrodermic psoriasis skin lesions were higher than in non-lesion areas (P<0.001). Different subsets of CD19+CD40+, CD19+CD44+, CD19+CD80+, CD19+CD86+, CD19+CD11b+, and CD19+HLA-DR+ B cells in PBMCs were observed in different psoriasis clinical subtypes. PASI scores were positively correlated with CD19+ B cell ratios in psoriasis vulgaris and arthropathic psoriasis cases (r=0.871 and r=0.692, respectively, P<0.01), but were negatively correlated in pustular psoriasis (r=-0.569, P<0.01). The results indicated that similar to T cells, B cells activation may also play important roles in different pathological stages of psoriasis.

Principles of strategic drug delivery to the brain (SDDB): development of anorectic and orexigenic analogs of leptin

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a tremendous challenge for the delivery of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS). This includes drugs that target brain receptors for the treatment of obesity and anorexia. Strategic drug delivery to brain (SDDB) is an approach that considers in depth the relations among the BBB, the candidate therapeutic, the CNS target, and the disease state to be treated. Here, we illustrate principles of SDDB with two different approaches to developing drugs based on leptin. In normal body weight humans and in non-obese rodents, leptin is readily transported across the BBB and into the CNS where it inhibits feeding and enhances thermogenesis. However, in obesity, the transport of leptin across the BBB is impaired, resulting in a resistance to leptin. As a result, it is difficult to treat obesity with leptin or its analogs that depend on the leptin transporter for access to the CNS. To treat obesity, we developed a leptin agonist modified by the addition of pluronic block copolymers (P85-leptin). P85-leptin retains biological activity and is capable of crossing the BBB by a mechanism that is not dependent on the leptin transporter. As such, P85-leptin is able to cross the BBB of obese mice at a rate similar to that of native leptin in lean mice. To treat anorexia, we developed a leptin antagonist modified by pegylation (PEG-MLA) that acts primarily by blocking the BBB transporter for endogenous, circulating leptin. This prevents blood-borne, endogenous leptin from entering the CNS, essentially mimicking the leptin resistance seen in obesity, and resulting in a significant increase in adiposity. These examples illustrate two strategies in which an understanding of the interactions among the BBB, CNS targets, and candidate therapeutics under physiologic and diseased conditions can be used to develop drugs effective for the treatment of brain disease.

Immunolocalization of basic fibroblast growth factor during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation

BACKGROUND

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates the mitogenesis of various cells and plays a key role in wound repair. We studied the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF during wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were enucleated on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after the photocoagulation, and the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF was assessed. Two different monoclonal antibodies and one polyclonal antibody against bFGF as first antibodies were used.

RESULTS

Marked immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the ganglion cell layer, and weak immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the normal adult rat retina. On day 3 after laser photocoagulation, the nuclei and cytoplasm of proliferating RPE cells at the center of the photocoagulated lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. The nuclei of RPE cells around the lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion showed positive staining for bFGF. These immunoreactivity decreased with time. Controls (0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, normal serum, or these same antibodies preabsorbed with bFGF) did not show positive staining.

CONCLUSION

The finding of an elevated expression of bFGF immunoreactivity in the photocoagulated lesion suggests that bFGF may play a role in wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation.

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor beta during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation

BACKGROUND

Scatter photocoagulation induces regression of retinal neovascularization, but the mechanism of its therapeutic effect is incompletely understood. To elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effect of photocoagulation is the main focus of our research. We have already demonstrated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) immunolocalization during retinal wound repair following laser photocoagulation. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) reportedly inhibits endothelial cell growth and bFGF-induced cell proliferation in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 during wound repair in the rat retina following laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were then enucleated on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 or 56 following the photocoagulation and enrolled into the analysis of immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2.

RESULTS

Immunoreactivity for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 was present in the ganglion cell layer and photoreceptor outer segments of the normal adult rat retina. The cytoplasm of RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion showed intense TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 immunoreactivity on day 3 after laser photocoagulation. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion lacked positive staining for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2. TGF-beta immunoreactivity in RPE cells continued to be upregulated for more than 1 month compared with that in normal RPE cells. Controls did not exhibit any positive staining.

CONCLUSION

An elevated expression of TGF-beta immunoreactivity for a longer period of time than bFGF was observed in RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion in vivo. In the late phase of retinal wound repair, TGF-beta may inhibit cell proliferation induced by mitogens, introduce an end stage of cellular events, and induce extracellular matrix induction.

Analysis of the electrostatics in DyIII single-molecule magnets: the case study of Dy(Murex)3

A Dy^III-based single-molecule magnet is reported. Ab initio calculations highlight that molecular symmetry plays a predominant role over site symmetry in determining the shape and orientation of Dy^III magnetic anisotropy.