[Clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh flaps in repairing anterior knee joint wounds under the concept of precise flap surgery]

Objective: To introduce the methods of retrograde anterolateral thigh flaps in repairing anterior knee joint wounds under the concept of precise flap surgery and to explore the clinical effects. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2014 to March 2022, 7 patients with anterior knee joint wounds were treated with retrograde anterolateral thigh flap under the guidance of the concept of precise flap surgery in the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA. Among them, 6 were males and 1 was female, aged 36 to 66 years. The sizes of wounds were 7 cm×5 cm to 15 cm×11 cm after debridement. All the patients were performed with computed tomography angiography (CTA), the donor and recipient sites were evaluated according to the precise flap surgery method, and the optimal pedicle, perforator, and pivot of flaps were chosen. The flap sizes were 10 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×9 cm, and all the donor sites of flaps were sutured directly. The consistency of the intraoperative exploration with preoperative CTA was observed. The flap survival and occurrence of complications were observed after surgery. The color, appearance, texture, and occurrence of complications were followed up. At the last follow-up, the blood supply of flaps was evaluated using the blood circulation evaluation indicators of Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch's trial criteria for digital replantation function evaluation, and the function of knee joint was evaluated using knee joint scoring system of hospital for special surgery. Results: The flap condition of the intraoperative exploration was completely consistent with that of preoperative CTA. The flaps survived completely after surgery in 6 patients, while necrosis at the edge of the flap occurred in 1 patient, which healed after dressing change. All the flaps were hyperperfused after surgery, and the color of the flaps gradually became normal after 1 week. Follow-up of 7 to 44 months showed that the color, appearance, and texture were well in all the patients, while local osteomyelitis at the proximal tibia occurred in 1 patient. At the last follow-up, all the 7 patients had excellent blood circulation; the function score of knee joint was 69 to 91, which was evaluated as excellent in 3 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. Conclusions: The retrograde anterolateral thigh flap has large variations, and the application of precise flap surgery method can accurately understand the variations before surgery, guide the design and cutting of the flaps, thus achieving precise repair of anterior knee joint wounds, with good repair outcome.

[Current application and limitations of augmented reality in the stomatology]

Computer-assisted technology are gradually integrated into dental education and clinical treatment. As a cutting-edge technology in computer-aided medicine, augmented reality can not only be used as an aid to dental education by presenting three-dimensional scenes for teaching demonstration and experimental skills training, but also can superimpose virtual image information of patients onto real lesion areas for real-time feedback and intraoperative navigation. This review explores the current applications and limitations of augmented reality in dentistry to provide a reference for future research.

Modification of Enteromorpha prolifera with dielectric barrier discharge plasma to enhance malachite green adsorption

Dyes, a kind of visible chemical, have severe deleterious effects on human health and ecological environment. In this work, batch biosorption experiments were carried out under various experimental conditions such as pH value and agitation time to optimize the potentiality of Enteromorpha prolifera for the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution (70·7%). Then, the algal biomass was treated with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in helium for 4 and 10 min to enhance MG removal efficiency (84·7 and 96·6%). In addition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in combination with scanning electron microscopy was employed to monitor the chemical and physical changes of algal cells treated by DBD. This study illustrates that DBD may serve as an effective tool to activate the functional groups on the cell wall surface for dye binding, and it even offers an alternative new technique to improve the adsorption properties of native biosorbents for the removal of toxic dyes from wastewater.

[Preparation of a novel tri-specific T cell engager targeting CD19 antigen and its anti-leukemia effect exploration]

Objective: To prepare a novel tri-specific T cell engager (19TriTE) targeting CD19 antigen, and to investigate its immunotherapeutic effect on CD19-positive hematological malignancies. Methods: 19TriTE was constructed by molecular cloning technology and successfully expressed through the eukaryotic expressing system. The effects of 19TriTE on the proliferation and activation of T cells, as well as the specific cytotoxicity against CD19 positive tumor cell lines were verified. Results: ①19TriTE expressing plasmid was constructed and successfully expressed through the eukaryotic expressing system. ②19TriTE can specifically bind to T cells and Nalm6 cells, with equilibrium dissociation constants of 19.21 nmol/L and 11.67 nmol/L, respectively. ③The expression rates of CD69 positive T cells and CD25 positive T cells were 35.4% and 49.8% respectively, when 2 nmol/L 19TriTE were added in the co-culture system, which were significantly higher than those in the control group. ④19TriTE can significantly promote the proliferation of T cells. The absolute count of T cells expanded from the initial one million to 74 million with an 74 fold increase at the concentration of 1 nmol/L on day 12. ⑤19TriTE can significantly mediate T cells killing of CD19 positive target cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the concentration of 10 nmol/L, the target cells lysis reached 50%. ⑥Degranulation experiment verified that 19TriTE can activate T cells in the presence of CD19 positive target cells, and the activation of T cells positively correlated with the dose of 19TriTE. ⑦When 19TriTE fusion protein co-cultured with T cells and target cells overexpression RFP and luciferase genes respectively, 19TriTE can notably mediate T cells killing of CD19 positive target cells through fluorescent microscope or bioluminescence imaging technology. Conclusion: In this study, we successfully constructed and expressed 19TriTE fusion protein and verified that it can effectively activate T cells and promote their proliferation in vitro. At the same time, it can bind to CD19 positive target cells and T cells, as well as enhance T cells anti-leukemia effect in vitro, providing the foundation for further clinical research.

[CD19 antigen loss after treatment of Bispecific T-cell Engager and effective response to salvage bispecific CAR-T therapy in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report and literature review]

Objective: To analyze the influence of CD19 isoforms to the efficacy of CD19/CD3 Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE) antibody, and explore the resistance mechanism of BiTE immunotherapy. Methods: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of CD19 mRNA isoforms before and after BiTE treatment in a patient with CD19(+) B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . CD19 isoforms were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Flow cytometry and transcriptome sequencing were performed to analyze the expression of cell lineage specific molecules before and after BiTE treatment. Results: The expression of CD19 isoform with exon 2 deletion was identified at diagnosis. After relapsed and treatment of BiTE antibody, the patient did not achieve remission and CD19 antigen on leukemic cells turned negative detected by flow cytometry after BiTE treatment. However the expression ratio of CD19 isoform with exon 2 deletion was not increased. Flow cytometry phenotype and transcriptome sequencing confirmed that no linage switching developed, which suggested the expression of CD19 isoform caused by exon alternative splicing and lineage switching was not related to CD19 epitope loss in this patient. This patient achieved complete remission by sequential administration of self-developed CD22 CAR-T and CD19 CAR-T after disease progression. Conclusion: Targeting or combining an alternative antigen specific CAR-T may be a promising treatment option after losing CD19 expression in relapsed ALL.

[Comparative analysis of the clinical application of two femtosecond laser-assisted cataract operation platforms]

Objective: To evaluate the operability and clinical application effects of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery systems of LenSx and LenSAR. Methods: This was a randomized controlled study. A total of 86 patients (90 eyes) who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in Wuhan Aier Eye Hospital from April 2018 to November 2018 were enrolled and divided into two groups randomly, including 44 patients (45 eyes) in the LenSx group and 42 patients (45 eyes) in the LenSAR group. During the operation, the following observation indexes were obtained. Operational indicators included the number of docking attempts, anterior capsulotomy time, nucleus pre-treatment time, total femtosecond laser emission time, and total vacuum suction duration. Clinical outcome indicators included changes in the patient's intraocular pressure during femtosecond laser surgery, the rate of subconjunctival hemorrhage, capsulotomy integrity (yes/no), roundness and centricity of the anterior capsule opening (yes/no), the rate of anterior capsule opening tear, and the rate of posterior capsule rupture. The t-test, rank-sum test or chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in the age and the lens density (both P>0.05). The number of docking attempts in the LenSx group was 1 (1 to 4) and in the LenSAR group was 1 (1 to 2); there was statistically significant difference (Z =-2.23, P<0.05). The difference in the anterior capsulotomy time between the two groups was statistically significant [13.00 (10.00 to 22.00) s compared with 3.00 (1.00 to 3.00) s, Z=-8.71, P<0.05]. The femtosecond laser pre-nucleation time and total femtosecond laser emission time of the LenSx group were (16.67±3.36) s and (30.49±3.53) s, and those of the LenSAR group were (12.38±4.36) s and (15.36±4.29) s, respectively; the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (t=-5.23, -18.26; both P<0.05). The total vacuum suction duration in the LenSx group was (97.23±19.96) s, shorter than that in the LenSAR group [(123.76±16.81) s] (t=6.82, P<0.05). The intraocular pressure after femtosecond laser surgery in both groups was higher than that before surgery. The increase of intraocular pressure in the LenSAR group was (5.64±5.42) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), higher than that in the LenSx group [(2.99±4.66) mmHg] (t=-2.49, P<0.05). The rate of subconjunctival hemorrhage in the LenSx group was 33.3% (15/45), while it was 8.9% (4/45) in the LenSAR group; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=6.67, P<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in capsulotomy integrity, roundness and centricity of the anterior capsule opening, the rate of anterior capsule opening tear, and the rate of posterior capsule rupture (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The docking process of the LenSAR system is convenient, and there is less subconjunctival hemorrhage; the total vacuum suction duration of LenSx is short, and the increase of intraocular pressure is low. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 530-535).

[Construction of a new anti-CD123 chimeric antigen receptor T cells and effect of anti-acute myeloid leukemia]

目的

构建一种新的靶向CD123的嵌合抗原受体T细胞(CAR-T细胞)，为CD123阳性白血病的免疫治疗提供实验参考。

方法

通过单克隆筛选技术获得能稳定分泌CD123抗体的杂交瘤细胞株6E11，将杂交瘤细胞扩增后腹腔注射至Balb/c小鼠腹腔内，收集腹水并处理、纯化得到单克隆抗体，测定抗体效价并对其特异性进行验证；RT-PCR法获得轻链和重链可变区序列，并以此为基础利用分子克隆技术构建一种新的靶向CD123嵌合抗原受体，包装病毒后感染T细胞制备CD123CAR-T细胞，通过功能实验初步探讨6E11CAR-T细胞体外抗白血病的能力。

结果

①获得1株稳定分泌抗人CD123抗体的杂交瘤细胞株6E11并获得其可变区序列。②6E11单克隆抗体对CD123蛋白亲和性高，解离常数(K_d值)为2.10nmol/L，特异性识别CD123阳性细胞且与CD123阴性细胞无交叉反应。 ③成功构建了CD123CAR慢病毒载体，感染T细胞后获得了靶向CD123的CAR-T细胞(6E11CAR-T)，感染效率大于60％。 ④6E11CAR-T能明显杀伤CD123阳性靶细胞MV4-11，效靶比1∶1时6E11CAR-T细胞对MV4-11细胞的杀伤比例明显高于 Vecor-T细胞[(98.60±1.20)％对(20.28±6.74)％，P<0.001]，但对CD123阴性靶细胞K562没有明显杀伤作用。 ⑤MV4-11细胞可以显著激活6E11CAR-T，但对Vecor-T细胞无明显激活作用[(26.33±3.30)％对(1.17±0.06)％，P<0.001]。⑥6E11CAR-T与MV4-11细胞共培养上清中细胞因子水平均显著高于Vecor-T组[IL-2：(92.90±1.51)pg/ml对(6.05±3.41)pg/ml，P<0.001；TNF-α：(1 407.20±91.95)pg/ml对(7.86±0.85)pg/ml，P<0.001；IFN-γ：(5 614.60±170.17)pg/ml对(8.42±2.70)pg/ml，P<0.001]但与 K562细胞共培养后，两组各细胞因子水平差异无统计学意义。 ⑦6E11CAR-T在与CD123阳性髓系白血病(AML)原代细胞共培养过程中被显著激活，且能有效杀伤原代 AML细胞。

结论

杂交瘤细胞株6E11能稳定分泌高效特异的抗人CD123单克隆抗体，可用于检测表达人CD123的细胞，也能应用在靶向人CD123蛋白的肿瘤免疫治疗中，以 6E11Ig可变区序列为抗原识别区的CD123CAR-T细胞，具有明确的体外抗白血病活性，为进一步的临床研究奠定了基础。

[Epidemiological analysis of allergic diseases in primary and middle school students of Foshan]

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and state of allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergy of students in primary and middle schools of Foshan, and to analyze the characteristics of each disease and correlation of the five diseases, in order to provide epidemiology evidence for management of allergic diseases. Method:Ten primary schools and 10 junior middle schools were sampled from 5 districts of Foshan, then students in grade one and grade seven from sampled schools were investigated by electronic questionnaire method formulated by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Europrevall Project Commission. Students and their parents answered and uploaded electronic questionnaires with the consent of parents, and then team members collected and analyzed uploaded data. Result:Four thousand one hundred and sixty-six effective questionnaires were collected, and the response rate was 95.77％. During the five districts, 13.97%, 2.01%, 29.29%, 5.19%, and 7.28% of the respondents in grade one had previously diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergy respectively, and the correspondent rates in grade seven were 15.99%, 2.89%, 16.73%, 2.46%, and 6.97%. The prevalence rates of the five diseases in boys were higher than that in girls in both two grades. 67.27% students with asthma kept coughing and wheezing in the last 12 months, and 24.85% non-asthma students had the same respiratory symptoms. The most common allergenic food were shrimp and crabs, followed by milk and milk products, eggs, and shellfish. Cutaneous symptoms and oral allergy symptoms were predominant clinical manifestations in all students with food allergy. The prevalence of the above allergic diseases of children with atopic family history was higher than that of children without family history, and the prevalence of the 5 diseases of children living in city was higher than that of children living in rural areas. The prevalence rate of asthma of children with allergic rhinitis in both grades was higher than that of children without allergic rhinitis, and the same happened to children with eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergy. Conclusion:Prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis and asthma in primary and middle school students of Foshan increased as children grew, while the prevalence rates of eczema, allergic conjunctivitis and food allergy decreased with age. The most common allergenic food were shrimp and crabs, milk and milk products, and eggs. 67.27% students with asthma had poor respiratory control in the last 12 months. The prevalence of allergic diseases of children living in city and with atopic family history was higher than that of children living in rural areas and without family history. Students with allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis and eczema had high risk of asthma.

[Survey on the quadrivalent influenza vaccine intention and related factors of health care workers in the Pearl River Delta region from 2015 to 2017]

Objective: To analyze the quadrivalent influenza vaccine intention of 718 health care workers (HCWs) in the Pearl River Delta region from 2015 to 2017. Method: In May 2018, 718 HCWs from the department related to the diagnosis and treatment of influenza in 17 hospitals (6 tertiary hospitals, 5 secondary hospitals and 6 primary hospitals) from Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Zhuhai and Dongguan were selected by using stratified sampling method. Questionnaire survey and face-to-face interview were used to collect the information of influenza vaccination, the intention of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, the acceptance of free and required vaccination policies, and recommendations for increasing influenza vaccination intentions from 2015 to 2017. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with the vaccination intention. Results: A total of 718 HCWs were surveyed and 147 of them were interviewed face to face. Among them, the vaccination rate of primary hospitals [17.39%(40/230)] was higher than that of other hospitals (χ(2)=15.80, P<0.05). If the vaccine could be free, 84.82% (609/718) of HCWs would like to be vaccinated. The multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors, HCWs who were aged ≥50 years (OR=3.44, 95%CI:1.43-8.28), worked in department of prevention and health care (OR=2.35, 95%CI:1.16-4.75), learned about the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (OR=2.94, 95%CI:2.08-4.18), knowed that HCWs are priority (OR=2.33, 95%CI:1.56-3.48), and had a history of trivalent influenza vaccination from 2015 to 2017 (OR=4.70, 95%CI:3.08-7.15), were associated with the vaccination intention. Conclusion: HCWs in the Pearl River Delta region had weak inclination of getting quadrivalent influenza vaccine. HCWs who were age (≥50 years old), worked in department of prevention and health care, learned about the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, knowed that HCWs are priority, and had a history of trivalent influenza vaccination from 2015 to 2017 were factors positively associated with the vaccination intention.

[Comparison of the color difference between teeth underwent cold light whitening and two kinds of shade guides]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate which shade guide, Vitapan Classical or Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster, is better matched with the color of teeth in judging whitening effect, by comparing the color difference between shade tabs and corresponding teeth underwent cold light tooth whitening.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients underwent Beyond cold light tooth whitening from May 2014 to April 2016. The patients were divided into two experimental groups according to the shade guide used. Vitapan Classical shade guide was used to judge whitening effect in one group, and Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster shade guide was used in another. Shade matching was carried out before and after whitening in both the two groups, and the results were recorded by digital photographs. Shade matching procedures were carried out by two doctors independently. If they chose the same tab, it would be seen as the shade matching result; While if they chose different tabs, another doctor would be invited to make a decision. Photographs were taken in preset conditions: intraoral photos of the full dentition in the front, and the proportion of shooting was 1:3; aperture was F22; shutter speed was 1/200; intensity of flash was M/8; ISO value was 200. The photographs were analyzed by Photoshop software. Chromatic values were measured, and color difference values were calculated. Measuring of chromatic values was carried out by three doctors independently, and all the photos were measured twice by each doctor. Six measure results of each photo were recorded, and the maximum and the minimum were excluded, then the mean was seen as the final result. The color difference values were compared by independent-sample t test. Besides, changes of shade tabs after whitening in the two groups were recorded.

RESULTS

Color difference value was 5.06±1.71 in Vitapan Classical group, and 3.39±1.36 in Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=4.68,P<0.001). Change of shade tabs was 3.63±1.75 in Vitapan Classical group, and 2.23±1.01 in Vita Bleachedguide 3DMaster group.

CONCLUSION

Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master is better matched with the color of teeth, so it is preferred in judging the effect of cold light tooth whitening.

[Evaluation of the level of urinary cysteinyl leukotriene E4 in diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation of urinary cysteinyl leukotriene E4 (CysLTE4) and diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants.

METHOD

One hundred and fifty-eight newborn infants were consecutively admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2014 to October 2015.The infants were divided into 3 groups according to the diagnosis on discharge.Sixty-one term infants were classified as having no pulmonary diseases, 52 premature infants were classified as without BPD, and 45 premature infants with BPD were diagnosed at 28 d after birth.Urinary CysLTE4 levels of newborns within 3 days after birth were measured in a blinded way by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay and were compared among 3 groups, and were evaluated for the diagnostic value and the correlation of gestational age and birth weight.Statistical analysis was performed using correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance and χ(2) test etc.

RESULT

In infants with BPD, the mean urinary CysLTE4 level was (191.0±29.3) ng/L which significantly higher than the premature group without BPD ((164.1±22.7) ng/L) and term infant group ((151.6±41.9) ng/L, F=18.70, P<0.05). Urinary CysLTE4 level within 3 days of life in newborn inversely correlated with gestational age and birth weight (Pearson=-0.33, -0.38, P<0.01). The area under the curve was 0.78, 95%CI: 0.70-0.86, P<0.01, when cutoff was 187.7 ng/L, with Youden index 0.59, sensitivity 77.8% and specificity 81.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Urinary CysLTE4 level is up-regulated in BPD infants within early days of life which may be a useful biomarker of early diagnoses of BPD.

Temporal and spatial expression profiles of Frizzled 3 in the ovary during the estrous cycle

Frizzled 3 is an important receptor in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a conserved signaling pathway that regulates gene expression and controls diverse developmental processes. However, the role of this protein during follicular development in the adult ovary is not known. The present study was designed to investigate the expression and localization of Frizzled 3 mRNA and protein during the estrous cycle in the mouse ovary through in situ hybridization (ISH), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blot. ISH results showed that in proestrus, high expression of Frizzled 3 was found in the granulosa and stroma with weak levels in the corpus luteum. In estrus and diestrus, the stroma had high Frizzled 3 expression, but levels were low in granulosa cells and corpus luteum. In the metestrus, moderate expression of Frizzled 3 was found in the stroma but low to no expression was found in luteal cells and follicles. The mRNA and protein levels of Frizzled 3 were found to be the highest in proestrus and diestrus compared to estrus and metestrus (P < 0.05), confirming the ISH results. During estrus and diestrus, high Frizzled 3 expression was observed in the stroma and moderate levels in granulosa cells, and during estrus and proestrus, low expression was seen in the oocyte cell membrane. The western blot results further confirmed this change during the estrous cycle. Together, these results indicate that Frizzled 3 is involved in regulating follicular development and oocyte maturation during the estrous cycle.

Alternative splicing, promoter methylation, and functional SNPs of sperm flagella 2 gene in testis and mature spermatozoa of Holstein bulls

The sperm flagella 2 (SPEF2) gene is essential for development of normal sperm tail and male fertility. In this study, we characterized first the splice variants, promoter and its methylation, and functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of theSPEF2gene in newborn and adult Holstein bulls. Four splice variants were identified in the testes, epididymis, sperm, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and liver tissues through RT-PCR, clone sequencing, and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that theSPEF2was specifically expressed in the primary spermatocytes, elongated spermatids, and round spermatids in the testes and epididymis.SPEF2-SV1was differentially expressed in the sperms of high-performance and low-performance adult bulls;SPEF2-SV2presents the highest expression in testis and epididymis;SPEF2-SV3was only detected in testis and epididymis. An SNP (c.2851G>T) in exon 20 ofSPEF2, located within a putative exonic splice enhancer, potentially producedSPEF2-SV3and was involved in semen deformity rate and post-thaw cryopreserved sperm motility. The luciferase reporter and bisulfite sequencing analysis suggested that the methylation pattern of the core promoter did not significantly differ between the full-sib bulls that presented hypomethylation in the ejaculated semen and testis. This finding indicates that sperm quality is unrelated toSPEF2methylation pattern. Our data suggest that alternative splicing, rather than methylation, is involved in the regulation ofSPEF2expression in the testes and sperm and is one of the determinants of sperm motility during bull spermatogenesis. The exonic SNP (c.2851G>T) produces aberrant splice variants, which can be used as a candidate marker for semen traits selection breeding of Holstein bulls.

Levels of effectiveness of gene therapies targeting survivin and its splice variants in human breast cancer cells

In order to develop an effective strategy of breast cancer therapy targeting survivin and its splice variants survivin-ΔEx3 and survivin-2B, the present study constructed four expression vectors by fusing the survivin antisense gene, the survivin (T34A) gene, the survivin-ΔEx3 antisense gene, and the survivin-2B gene with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene. Each of these vectors was transiently transfected into the B-Cap-37 human breast cancer cell line. The effects of these four vectors with diverse genes on the proliferation and apoptosis of B-Cap-37 breast cancer cells were examined and compared in vitro using MTT and flow cytometry assays. Results of the MTT assay indicated that all four gene therapy plasmids were most effective at inhibiting the proliferation of B-Cap-37 cells 72 h after transfection. However, the four gene therapies had different rates of cell inhibition. pcDNA3.1(+)-egfp-anti-survivin and pcDNA3.1(+)-survivin (T34A)-egfp had almost equivalent or better effectiveness at suppressing cell growth. pcDNA3.1(+)-egfp-anti-survivin-ΔEx3 moderately inhibited the growth of B-Cap-37 cells. In contrast, pcDNA3.1(+)-survivin-2B-egfp had limited inhibition of cell growth. Similar profile of effectiveness of four gene therapies in soliciting cell apoptosis was also observed. These results suggest the relative importance of targeting survivin and its splice variant survivin-ΔEx3 in breast cancer treatment.

Adsorption of phenanthrene by quaternary ammonium surfactant modified peat and the mechanism involved

Removal of phenanthrene (PHE) from aqueous solution by adsorption onto quaternary ammonium surfactant modified peat was studied. The results show that surfactant modification enhanced the PHE adsorption capacity of peat. Low temperature and neutral pH favored PHE adsorption. Peat modified with long carbon chain surfactant performed better than peat modified with short carbon chain surfactant. The magnitude of PHE adsorption capacity followed the order of MP-HPB>MP-HTAB>MP-TBAB>RP, ranged from 924 to 1,228 μg g(-1). A negative trend between adsorption capacity (y) and (O+N)/C ratio of biosorbent (x) was observed (y = -1,369.6x + 2,176), which confirmed the negative effect of polarity on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal. The study provides a guide to modify raw materials to enhance adsorption of hydrophobic organics.

Effect of thyroxine on synaptotagmin 1 and SNAP-25 expression in dorsal hippocampus of adult-onset hypothyroid rats

Adult-onset hypothyroidism causes cognitive dysfunctions of learning and memory, in which many synaptic proteins in hippocampus are involved. In our work, we studied the effect of adult-onset hypothyroidism on the expression of synaptotagmin 1 (syt 1) and SNAP-25 in dorsal hippocampus as well as its recovery by levothyroxine (L-T(4)) replacement therapy. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control, hypothyroidism, and hypothyroid rats treated with 5 μg T(4)/100 g body weight (BW) and 20 μg L-T(4)/100 g BW, respectively. Protein levels of syt 1 and SNAP-25 in dorsal hippocampus were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The immunoblot analysis indicated that syt 1 was expressed at a significantly lower level in hypothyroid rats, while the level of SNAP-25 was much higher compared to controls. Furthermore, using immunostaining, we found that on the one hand, expression of syt 1 was significantly down-regulated in the examined layers of CA1 and CA3 subregions but not dentate gyrus (DG); however, on the other hand, expression of SNAP-25 was up-regulated in the layers of CA1, CA3, and DG. Two-week treatment with 20 μg LT(4)/ 100 g BW fully restored the levels of syt 1 and SNAP-25 to the normal level, which was more effective than 5 μg LT(4)/ 100 g BW that partially restored the levels of both proteins. These results suggest that adult-onset hypothyroidism caused down-regulation of syt 1 and up-regulation of SNAP- 25 level in dorsal hippocampus, which could be restored by L-T(4) treatment, and the recovery degree is related to the LT(4) dosage.

Evaluation of stem cell differentiation in diabetic rats transplanted with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVE

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) transplantation has generated a great deal of excitement as a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetes mellitus. However, the exact mechanisms of reversing hyperglycemia remain elusive. Our objective was to investigate whether stem cell differentiation determined therapeutic efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. BM-MSCs isolated from diabetic Wistar rats were analyzed for phenotype characteristics. Subsequently, BM-MSCs were transplanted into diabetic rats, followed by intravenous injection of recombinant lentiviruses encoding 2 different small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for specific interference with neurogenin 3 (Ngn3). We measured blood glucose levels and insulin and performed histological analysis of the pancreas.

RESULTS

BM-MSCs lowered blood glucose by increasing beta-cell mass compared with sham-operated controls, but this effect was inhibited by interference with the Ngn3 gene.

CONCLUSION

Differentiation of stem cells, including BM-MSCs and endogenous pancreatic stem cells, plays a major role in the process of reversing hyperglycemia.

Expression of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle

The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is a conserved signalling pathway that regulates gene expression and controls diverse developmental processes such as cell fate specification, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. To our knowledge, the potential role of this pathway in the adult ovary has been poorly addressed. To this end, we investigated the expression pattern of Frizzled 2 in the mouse ovary during oestrous cycle by real-time Q-PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In this study, we used uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA level as two markers for classification of mouse oestrous cycle. We found that both uterine wet weight and H3.2 mRNA are the highest in the proestrus and decrease from oestrus to diestrus. During oestrous cycle, Frizzled 2 mRNA and protein exhibited the highest level in the proestrus stage and rapidly reduced from oestrus to diestrus. In situ hybridization results showed that the positive signals for Frizzled 2 are highly detected in the oocyte and stroma in proestrus stage, while moderate or weak Frizzled 2 mRNAs are localized in the oocyte, granulosa cells, stroma and corpus luteum from oestrus to diestrus. The localization pattern of Frizzled 2 protein is mostly consistent with its mRNA, but stronger Frizzled 2 proteins are present in the granulosa cells and membrane of oocyte in oestrous cycle. Our data suggest that Frizzled 2 may be involved in regulating follicle growth, oocyte maturation and luteinization during oestrous cycle.

Differential expression of CD26 on virus-specific CD8(+) T cells during active, latent and resolved infection

The hallmark of effective establishment of immune memory is the long-term memory cell that persists in the absence of antigen. To explore its characteristics, we investigated the differences between a resolved successful immune response, such as after influenza (flu) vaccination, and the state of chronic infection with persistent antigen, such as with cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to defective T-cell memory. Immunophenotypic analyses using multi-parameter flow cytometry and tetramer technology identified a unique pattern of CD26(high) expression among influenza-specific CD8(+) T cells, but not among CD8(+) T cells specific for CMV, EBV (three different epitopes) or HIV. The median percentage of CD8(+) T cells expressing CD26 was 95.5% for influenza, but for cells specific for CMV, EBV and HIV it was 10.5%, 12%-19%, and 13.2%, respectively. These findings suggest that expression of CD26(high) may be a characteristic of a memory cell. CD26(high) expression correlates with expression of CD127, a marker of memory cells. Furthermore, CD26(high) cells can produce interleukin-2. These findings offer insight into the dynamics of T-cell differentiation, and they may offer a specific marker of a successfully developed memory CD8(+) T cell, that of CD26(high). This marker has the potential to be useful in studies of immune responses to infectious agents, and to new vaccine candidates.

Breast milk CD4+ T cells express high levels of C chemokine receptor 5 and CXC chemokine receptor 4 and are preserved in HIV-infected mothers receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to the infant through breast-feeding is a major problem worldwide; however, the biological circumstances of such transmission remain unclear. Little characterization of breast milk CD4(+) T lymphocytes has been done so far.

METHODS

We performed a detailed immunophenotypic analysis of T lymphocytes in the breast milk, compared with the blood, of HIV-uninfected (n=9) and HIV-infected (n=10) women receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, by use of multiparameter flow cytometry. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric comparisons were performed using SAS software (version 9.1; SAS Institute).

RESULTS

In uninfected women, 44%-78% of breast milk CD4(+) T cells expressed the C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), whereas 26%-73% of cells coexpressed CCR5 and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). In contrast, only 7%-20% of peripheral blood CD4(+) T cells expressed CCR5 and 1%-20% coexpressed CCR5 and CXCR4. The level of CCR5 expression in CD4(+) T cells in breast milk was higher than in blood. In HIV-infected women, the high frequency of CD4(+)CCR5(+) T cells in breast milk was preserved.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of CD4(+) T cells in breast milk express high levels of CCR5 and CXCR4. Unlike other mucosal immune sites, in which CD4(+)CCR5(+) T cells are rapidly eliminated by HIV, these cells are preserved in breast milk during HIV infection.

Characterization of two parvalbumin genes and their association with growth traits in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Parvalbumins are extremely abundant in fish muscle and play an important role in muscle relaxation. In this study, two parvalbumin genes (PVALB1 and PVALB2) were cloned from Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). The cDNAs for PVALB1 and PVALB2 were 840 and 667 bp respectively. Both genes consisted of five exons and four introns, encoded 109 amino acids, and were of beta lineage. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, expression of PVALB1 was detected in all 10 tissues tested, with expression in brain, kidney, muscle and small intestine being 15- to 322-fold higher than in the other tissues. Expression of PVALB2 was detected only in muscle, brain and intestine, and was up to 10-fold lower than PVALB1 expression. A (CT)(17) microsatellite in the 3'-untranslated region of PVALB1 and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the third intron of PVALB2 were identified. The microsatellite in PVALB1 was significantly associated with body weight and body length at 90 days post-hatch (P < 0.01), whereas the SNPs in PVALVB2 were not associated with these traits.

The AIDS resistance of naturally SIV-infected sooty mangabeys is independent of cellular immunity to the virus

In contrast to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected humans, natural hosts for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) very rarely progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). While the mechanisms underlying this disease resistance are still poorly understood, a consistent feature of natural SIV infection is the absence of the generalized immune activation associated with HIV infection. To investigate the immunologic mechanisms underlying the absence of AIDS in SIV-infected sooty mangabeys (SMs), a natural host species, we performed a detailed analysis of the SIV-specific cellular immune responses in 110 SIV-infected SMs. We found that while SIV-specific T-cell responses are detectable in the majority of animals, their magnitude and breadth are, in fact, lower than what has been described in HIV-infected humans, both in terms of cytokine production (ie, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-2) and degranulation (ie, CD107a expression). Of importance, SIV-specific T-cell responses were similarly low when either SIVmac239-derived peptides or autologous SIVsmm peptides were used as stimuli. No correlation was found between SIV-specific T-cell responses and either viral load or CD4+ T-cell count, or between these responses and markers of T-cell activation and proliferation. These findings indicate that the absence of AIDS in naturally SIV-infected sooty mangabeys is independent of a strong cellular immune response to the virus.

Expression of killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 on antigen-specific human CD8+ T lymphocytes during active, latent, and resolved infection and its relation with CD57

Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is one of several inhibitory killer cell lectin-like receptors expressed by NK cells and T lymphocytes, mainly CD8(+) effector/memory cells that can secrete cytokines but have poor proliferative capacity. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we studied KLRG1 expression on CD8(+) T cells specific for epitopes of CMV, EBV, influenza, and HIV. Over 92% of CD8(+) cells specific for CMV or EBV expressed KLRG1 during the latent stage of these chronic infections. CD8(+) T cell cells specific for HIV epitopes were mostly (72-89%) KLRG1(+), even though not quite at the level of predominance noted with CMV or EBV. Lower frequency of KLRG1 expression was observed among CD8(+) cells specific for influenza (40-73%), a resolved infection without a latent stage. We further observed that CD8(+) cells expressing CD57, a marker of replicative senescence, also expressed KLRG1; however, a population of CD57(-)KLRG1(+) cells was also identified. This population may represent a "memory" phenotype, because they also expressed CD27, CD28, CCR7, and CD127. In contrast, CD57(+)KLRG1(+) cells did not express CD27, CD28, and CCR7, and expressed CD127 at a much lower frequency, indicating that they represent effector cells that are truly terminally differentiated. The combination of KLRG1 and CD57 expression might thus aid in refining functional characterization of CD8(+) T cell subsets.

Covalent immobilization of chitosan and heparin on PLGA surface

Chitosan and heparin were covalently immobilized onto a poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) surface using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC), N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in a 2-morpholinoethane sulfonic acid (MES) buffer system. The properties of the modified PLGA surface and the control were investigated by water contact angle measurement and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The water contact angle of the modified film was greatly decreased and the element content on the surface of the films changed correspondingly. Platelet adhesion assay showed that blood compatibility of the chitosan/heparin modified film was improved while hepatocyte culture indicated that the cell compatibility of the modified film was enhanced.

Changes in expression of AVT and AVT receptor (VT1) gene in hypothalamus and shell gland in relation to egg laying in white leghorn hen

Oviposition is a complex phenomenon involving various regulatory mechanisms at the neuroendocrine levels. Present study was designed to access the changes in arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its receptor (VT1) gene expression in relation to the time of egg laying of white leghorn hen. The expression of AVT gene (Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization) in the hypothalamus and localization of ir-AVT in the magnocellular neurons of paraventricular nuclei was studied 2 h before (-2 h), immediately after (0 h) and 2 h after (+2 h) egg laying. Simultaneous changes in the AVT and VT1 receptor gene in the shell gland, which finally responds to AVT for smooth muscle contraction and expulsion of egg, were also determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The findings indicated increased hypothalamic AVT gene expression immediately after egg laying (0 h) when compared to 2 h before and 2 h after egg laying. AVT receptor gene expression in the shell gland also followed the same pattern. However, AVT gene expression in the shell gland, unlike that of hypothalamus was higher at -2 h compared to 0 and +2 h of oviposition. While highly significant increase was noted in plasma AVT concentration at the time of egg laying, other parameters such as plasma osmolality and ionic concentration (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Cl(-)) did not show any change. It is suggested that in addition to increased hypothalamic AVT transcript and peripheral release, local synthesis of AVT in the shell gland (paracrine release) may contribute to the contraction of shell gland smooth muscles during egg laying. Moreover, these findings clearly indicate temporal correlation of AVT and its receptor gene expression in different tissues during oviposition.

[A study on the recombinant 26 kDa glutathione-S-transferase as a vaccine candidate: dynamics of antibodies in immunized buffaloes and protection against Schistosoma japonicum infections]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the dynamics of antibodies and protection against Schistosoma japonicum infections in buffaloes after immunized with recombinant 26 kDa glutathione-S-transferase (reSjc26GST).

METHODS

Buffaloes in 2 villages endemic for schistosomiasis japonica were selected as test and control groups, respectively. In test group initially 96 buffaloes were vaccinated with reSjc26GST, and 90 buffaloes in the control group did not experience vaccination. The indicators included levels of antibodies to reSjc26GST in buffaloes before and after infection with S. japonicum and changes in infection rate.

RESULTS

Specific antibodies, which showed a trend of trapezoid increase, were induced in buffaloes after immunized with reSjc26GST. Twenty months after immunization, the infection rate of the test group was decreased by 62.2% when compared with that before vaccination, and by 67.7% when compared with that of the control in the corresponding period.

CONCLUSION

Specific antibodies and a certain extent of protection were induced in buffaloes after immunized with reSjc26GST, which played an significant role in ameliorating morbidity.

[Screening and cloning of genes encoding Schistosoma japonicum antigens related to the serum antibodies in Mirotus fortis]

OBJECTIVE

To understand and identify the molecules related to the natural resistance to Schistosoma japonicum infection in Mirotus fortis.

METHODS

Sera from Mirotus fortis without schistosome infection were collected. The S. japonicum adult worm cDNA library was immunologically screened with the sera. The positive recombinants were identified, cloned, sequenced and analysed with software and internet.

RESULTS

Seven genes encoding antigens relevant to sera antibodies in Mirotus fortis were cloned and sequenced. These antigens included glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), serine protease inhibitors (SERPIN), 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70), 22.6 kDa membrane-associated antigen, paramyosin (Sj97), cytochrome C and cathepsin B.

CONCLUSION

Many protein molecules might have been involved in natural resistance to S. japonicum infection in Mirotus fortis. The above 7 kinds of molecules may be identified as new candidates of vaccine against S. japonicum infection.

Field assessment of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum 26 kDa glutathione S-transferase in Chinese water buffaloes

We have shown previously that anti-fecundity immunity can be induced experimentally against recombinant 26 kDa glutathione S-transferase (reSjc26GST) in Chinese water buffaloes (Bos buffelus), important reservoir hosts for Schistosoma japonicum in China. In the field study described here, we immunized buffaloes with reSjc26GST to induce protective immunity against S. japonicum and to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling schistosomiasis japonica. We selected two villages as test and control groups in inside-embankment areas endemic for schistosomiasis japonica. The buffaloes in the test village were vaccinated with reSjc26GST, whereas those in the control village were not. The indicators of the effect of the vaccine included the generation of specific IgG antibodies in the vaccinated buffaloes, changes in the prevalence and infection intensity in buffaloes and village children, changes in the density of infected snails, and changes in the infectivity of water bodies (assessed by sentinel mice) in transmission areas adjacent to both villages. Twenty months after vaccination, the infection rate of buffaloes in the test village was decreased by 60.4% (from an initial prevalence of 13.5% to 5.4%), and 67.9% when compared with that in the control village (initial prevalence of 16.7%). However, the infection rate in village children remained unchanged. The density of infected snails decreased by 71.4%, from 0.0049/0.11 m2 to 0.0014/0.11m2 in the high transmission area outside the embankment in the test village. There was no change in the infectivity of the water body transmission areas between the test and control villages. The levels of specific antibodies to reSjc26GST showed a continuous increase after vaccination. These results indicate that protective immunity was induced and maintained in buffaloes after vaccination with reSjc26GST. The vaccine could thus play a significant role in reducing S. japonicum transmission caused by water buffaloes in the Lake region of China.

Application of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detection of diuretics in human urine

A rapid, sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the detection of 25 diuretics in human urine has been developed. Atmosphere pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) modes were evaluated. A 2-ml volume of urine was extracted under basic conditions and separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C(18) column (150 x 2.1 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase consisted of formic ammonium-formic acid buffer (pH 3.5) and acetonitrile. The effects of capillary temperature, sheath gas pressure and compositions of mobile phase on the sensitivity were studied. The recoveries of most of the diuretics were 75-95%. In the full scan mode, the limits of detection of the 25 diuretics were 0.25-25 ng/ml for APCI and 0.6-250 ng/ml for ESI. Under the optimal conditions, 14 diuretics from authentic urine samples were detected successfully by LC-APCI-MS. To obtain more fragmentation information on the chemical structure for positive confirmation, tandem mass analysis was also investigated.

Crosslinked collagen/chitosan matrix for artificial livers

Matrices composed of collagen and chitosan may create an appropriate environment for the regeneration of livers. In this study, we have prepared, characterized and evaluated a new collagen/chitosan matrix (CCM). The CCM was made by using crosslinking agent 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) in N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and a 2-morpholinoethane sulfonic acid (MES) buffer system. The chemical characteristics were evaluated by Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The mechanical strength was measured by tensile tests. The platelet deposition and hepatocyte culture experiments show that CCM has excellent blood and cell compatibility. The results suggest that the CCM is a promising candidate matrix for implantable bioartificial livers.

Human marrow stromal cell therapy for stroke in rat: neurotrophins and functional recovery

OBJECTIVE

To test the effect of i.v.-injected human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSC) on neurologic functional deficits after stroke in rats.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and IV injected with 3 x 10(6) hMSC 1 day after stroke. Functional outcome was measured before and 1, 7, and 14 days after stroke. Mixed lymphocyte reaction and the development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes measured the immune rejection of hMSC. A monoclonal antibody specific to human cellular nuclei (mAb1281) was used to identify hMSC and to measure neural phenotype. ELISA analyzed neurotrophin levels in cerebral tissue from hMSC-treated or nontreated rats. Bromodeoxyuridine injections were used to identify newly formed cells.

RESULTS

Significant recovery of function was found in rats treated with hMSC at 14 days compared with control rats with ischemia. Few (1 to 5%) hMSC expressed proteins phenotypic of brain parenchymal cells. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor significantly increased, and apoptotic cells significantly decreased in the ischemic boundary zone; significantly more bromodeoxyuridine-reactive cells were detected in the subventricular zone of the ischemic hemisphere of rats treated with hMSC. hMSC induced proliferation of lymphocytes without the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

Neurologic benefit resulting from hMSC treatment of stroke in rats may derive from the increase of growth factors in the ischemic tissue, the reduction of apoptosis in the penumbral zone of the lesion, and the proliferation of endogenous cells in the subventricular zone.

Immunomodulatory activity of resveratrol: suppression of lymphocyte proliferation, development of cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine production

trans-Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in grapes, wine, and other plant products, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. Many of these beneficial effects of resveratrol require participation of the cells of the immune system; however, the effect of resveratrol on the development of immunological responses remains unknown. We have investigated the effect of resveratrol on mitogen/antigen-induced proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, and the production of the cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-12. We found that mitogen-, IL-2-, or alloantigen-induced proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and the development of antigen-specific CTLs were suppressed significantly at 25-50 microM resveratrol. The generation of LAK cells at similar concentrations was less sensitive to the suppressive effect of resveratrol. The suppression of cell proliferation and CTL generation by resveratrol was not only reversible, but in some cases the response (mitogen/IL-2-induced proliferation and CTL generation) was actually enhanced following pretreatment of cells with resveratrol. Resveratrol also inhibited the production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 by splenic lymphocytes, and the production of TNF-alpha and IL-12 by peritoneal macrophages. The inhibition of cytokine production by resveratrol was irreversible. Further, resveratrol blocked the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB without affecting basal NF-kappaB activity. The latter result suggests that resveratrol inhibits cell proliferation, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine production, at least in part through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

IL-12 gene therapy of leukemia with hematopoietic progenitor cells without the toxicity of systemic IL-12 treatment

We have previously shown that the myeloid progenitor cell line 32Dc13 transduced with mIL-12 cDNAs (32DIL-12 cells) induces IFN-gamma and NK-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vivo. Since systemic therapy with recombinant IL-12 protein has been shown to produce moderate to severe toxic side effects we examined whether IL-12 gene therapy with hematopoietic progenitor cells also induces systemic toxicities that are commonly associated with the administration of rIL-12 protein. Injection of large doses of IL-12 secreting 32DIL-12 cells (5 to 6 x 10(7) cells) significantly reduced mortality in mice injected with a lethal dose of 32Dp210 myeloid leukemia cells. More importantly, injection of similar doses of transduced cells failed to reduce body weight significantly or produce other visible signs of toxicity, i.e., fur ruffling or lethargy. There was no evidence of hematologic or hematopoietic toxicity resulting from the injection of transduced cells. In addition, microscopic examination of liver, kidney, lung, and intestine of mice injected with transduced cells revealed the absence of tissue necrosis or inflammatory response in any of these organs. Finally, 32DIL-12 cells were not found to interfere with the engraftment of syngeneic bone marrow transplant or the hematopoietic reconstitution of irradiated mice. These results demonstrate that IL-12 gene therapy with hematopoietic progenitor cells is nontoxic and provide a rationale for exploring the feasibility of treating minimal residual leukemia with IL-12 gene therapy.

Intrastriatal transplantation of bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells improves functional recovery after stroke in adult mice

The authors transplanted adult bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells into the striatum after embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Mice (n = 23; C57BL/6J) were divided into four groups: (1) mice (n = 5) were subjected to MCAO and transplanted with bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells (prelabeled by bromodeoxyuridine, BrdU) into the ischemic striatum, (2) MCAO alone (n = 8), (3) MCAO with injection of phosphate buffered saline (n = 5), and (4) bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells injected into the normal striatum (n = 5). Mice were killed at 28 days after stroke. BrdU reactive cells survived and migrated a distance of approximately 2.2 mm from the grafting areas toward the ischemic areas. BrdU reactive cells expressed the neuronal specific protein NeuN in 1% of BrdU stained cells and the astrocytic specific protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in 8% of the BrdU stained cells. Functional recovery from a rotarod test (P < 0.05) and modified neurologic severity score tests (including motor, sensory, and reflex; P < 0.05) were significantly improved in the mice receiving bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells compared with MCAO alone. The current findings suggest that the intrastriatal transplanted bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells survived in the ischemic brain and improved functional recovery of adult mice even though infarct volumes did not change significantly. Bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells may provide a new avenue to promote recovery of injured brain.

Three new saponins from Tribulus terrestris

Three new steroidal saponins 1-3, together with five known steroidal saponins, L-mannitol and an inorganic salt were isolated from Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae). The structures of the new steroidal saponins were elucidated as hecogenin 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-galactopyr anoside (1), hecogenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)- beta-galactopyranoside (2) and 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-galactopyranos yl]- 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-(3 beta,5 alpha,25R)-furostan-3,26-diol (3). Structure elucidation was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR spectra (13C-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY), mass spectrometry (FABMS, ESIMS) and chemical methods.

TNF-alpha-mediated neutrophil apoptosis involves Ly-GDI, a Rho GTPase regulator

We investigated intracellular signaling events involved in fibronectin-accelerated TNF-alpha-mediated PMN apoptosis by means of 2-D gel electrophoresis and western blotting. Proteins were sequenced with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Apoptosis was quantitated by flow cytometry. We detected a cluster of acidic, high molecular-weight proteins that were only tyrosine phosphorylated when TNF-alpha-treated PMN interacted with fibronectin. Sequence analysis revealed that one of these proteins was Ly-GDI, a regulator of Rho GTPases. Fibronectin increased the TNF-alpha-induced Ly-GDI cleavage, yielding a 23-kD fragment. At 8 h, intact Ly-GDI was decreased to 33% on fibronectin, compared with 69% on PolyHema (P<0.05). Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation prevented phosphorylation of Ly-GDI, fibronectin-accelerated Ly-GDI cleavage, and fibronectin-accelerated apoptosis in TNF-alpha-treated PMN. We found that Ly-GDI cleavage was dependent on caspase-3 activation and that caspase-3 inhibition decreased apoptosis. We conclude that tyrosine phosphorylation of Ly-GDI, followed by increased caspase-3-mediated Ly-GDI cleavage, is a signaling event associated with accelerated TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis on fibronectin.

Novel trypanosomatid small nucleolar RNAs that guide methylation: their genome organization, expression and potential use to direct specific methylation on target RNA molecules

Trypanosomatids are the causative agent of several major parasitic diseases including African trypanosomiasis, American trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. These parasites possess unique RNA-processing mechanisms including trans-splicing of pre-mRNA and RNA editing of mitochondrial transcripts. In this study, we identified a trypanosomatid novel group of small nucleolar RNAs that belong to the box C/D snoRNA, which were shown to guide ribose methylation on rRNA. Three snoRNA genes were identified; snoRNA-2 carrying a single snoRNA and g2 and b2 coding for a single or multiple snoRNAs, respectively. Mapping of the methylation sites guided by snoRNA-2 using two different approaches suggest that snoRNA-2 has the potential to guide methylation on both 5.8S and 18S rRNAs. The trypanosomes follow the same guide-methylation rule established for yeast and for mammals. As a first attempt to change the methylation pattern of target RNAs, we generated transgenic parasites carrying the B2 and snoRNA-2, which were engineered to shift the methylation site on rRNA. Despite efficient expression of these tagged snoRNAs, the novel methylation site was not generated. However, efficient expression of tagged snoRNAs in transgenic parasites opens the possibility of engineering novel methylation sites on different target RNAs in vivo.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene therapy of leukemia: immune and anti-leukemic effects of IL-12-transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells

Recombinant interleukin-12 (rlL-12) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine that has been shown to exert strong antitumoral and antimetastatic activity against several mouse tumors grown as solid lesions. The therapeutic efficacy of rIL-12 against hematological tumors and the transfer of IL-12 genes into hematopoietic progenitor cells to deliver IL-12 to the bone marrow (BM) to treat residual leukemia has not been studied adequately. We have investigated the retroviral-mediated transduction of hematopoietic progenitor cells with IL-12 genes and the in vivo anti-leukemic activity of transduced cells against the murine myeloid leukemia cell line 32Dp210. We were able to efficiently transduce the IL-3-dependent 32Dc13 myeloid progenitor cell line and primary hematopoietic progenitor cells using an MFG-based polycistronic retroviral vector containing the cDNAs of p35 and p40 murine IL-12 genes. 32Dc13 myeloid progenitor cells expressing IL-12 genes (32DIL-12 cells) have stably secreted biologically active murine IL-12 for >9 months. Mice transplanted with 32DIL-12 cells transiently express the transgene in the BM and spleen, which is associated with a rapid elevation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the circulation and with secretion of IFN-gamma by spleen cells in vitro. In addition, spleen and BM cells of mice injected with 32DIL-12 cells readily acquire the capacity to lyse natural killer cell-sensitive YAC-1 target cells and 32Dp210 myeloid leukemia cells. Furthermore, whereas mice challenged with leukemia cells suffered 100% mortality within 14 days, approximately 40% of mice coinjected with 32Dp210 leukemia cells and 32DIL-12 progenitor cells exhibited long-term, leukemia-free survival (>60 days). This study demonstrates that IL-12 can be stably expressed in hematopoietic cells; in addition, when transplanted, transduced cells induce IFN-gamma production and activation of natural killer cells, both of which may be involved in inhibiting the progression of leukemia in vivo.

[Effects of rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF on growth of CFU-F derived from acute leukemia (AL) patient bone marrow in vitro]

By using the cultural method of CFU-F derived from bone marrow in the patient with acute leukemia in vitro, we dissected the effects of rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF on growth of CFU-F derived from AL patient bone marrow. The results showed that rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF enhanced the number of colonies of CFU-F and its proliferation activity. Both factors had a synergy on the above effects. The effects of rhGM-CSF on CFU-F were significantly greater than that of rhG-CSF. The data indicate that rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF might regulate hemopoiesis more effectively by stimulating the growth of fibroblast and improving bone marrow microenvironment.

Resveratrol selectively inhibits leukemia cells: a prospective agent for ex vivo bone marrow purging

Ex vivo purging of contaminating tumor cells may reduce the incidence of relapse in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. In this study we demonstrate that resveratrol, a phytoalexin with anti-oxidant and chemopreventive activity, exhibits anti-leukemic activity against mouse (32Dp210, L1210) and human (U937, HL-60) leukemic cell lines by inhibiting cell proliferation. Long-term exposure to resveratrol also inhibits the clonal growth of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells but at a higher IC50 of resveratrol than that for most of the leukemia cell lines tested. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol on hematopoietic progenitors is partially reversible, whereas the effect on leukemia cells is largely irreversible. The inhibition of leukemia cells by resveratrol involves nucleosomal DNA fragmentation (apoptosis). On the other hand, resveratrol does not induce or enhance spontaneously occurring apoptotic death in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. In vivo experiments performed with untreated and resveratrol-treated bone marrow showed comparable hematopoietic reconstitution in lethally irradiated mice (10 Gy) as determined by survival, hematologic recovery, and the number of hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the marrow of reconstituted animals. Taken together, these results indicate the potential use of resveratrol for ex vivo pharmacological purging of leukemia cells from bone marrow autografts without significant loss in the hematopoietic activity of progenitor cells.

Gender dimorphism in trauma-hemorrhage-induced thymocyte apoptosis

Studies indicate that immune responses after trauma-hemorrhage are significantly depressed in males compared with enhanced immune responses in females under such conditions. Although androgen depletion in male mice by castration before soft tissue trauma and hemorrhagic shock prevents the depression of cell-mediated immunity, the underlying mechanism responsible for this remains unclear. Because the thymus is the primary location of T-cell lymphopoiesis and thymocytes express a large number of androgen receptors, we investigated whether differences in thymic apoptosis might contribute to the divergent immune response in males versus females after trauma-hemorrhage. To study this, male and female C3H/HeN mice were subjected to sham operation or soft tissue trauma (laparotomy) and hemorrhagic shock followed by fluid resuscitation. Animals were killed 72 h thereafter and thymocytes were isolated. Thymocyte interleukin 3 (IL-3) release was significantly suppressed in males, but not females, after trauma-hemorrhage. A parallel increase in thymic apoptosis that was primarily in the CD8+ thymocyte subset was observed in the males. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of thymocytes with 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased the rate of apoptosis and decreased IL-3 release in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the gender-dependent dimorphic immune response after trauma-hemorrhage may be in part due to an androgen-induced increase in thymic apoptosis in males under such conditions.

TNF-alpha gene therapy with myeloid progenitor cells lacks the toxicities of systemic TNF-alpha therapy

We examined the antileukemic activity and the toxicity of HPC transduced with human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cDNA. Both clonal (32Dcl3) and BM-derived primary hematopoietic progenitors (BM-Prog) expressing hTNF-alpha gene (32DTNF-alpha and BMTNF-alpha cells, respectively) inhibited the development of leukemia in mice with a small dose of 32Dp210 cells, a myeloid leukemia cell line. Whether the trans-gene expressing 32DTNF-alpha cells produce toxicities commonly associated with systemic TNF-alpha therapy was determined by examining the effect of TNF-alpha-secreting progenitor cells on body weight, tissue histology, growth of HPC, and engraftment of BMT. Administration of a low or high dose of TNF-alpha-secreting 32DTNF-alpha cells to mice failed to produce loss in body weight, a measure of TNF-alpha-related cachexia. There was also no evidence of tissue necrosis or mononuclear cell (MNC) infiltration in lung, liver, kidney, or intestine of mice injected with transduced progenitor cells. Furthermore, 32DTNF-alpha cells showed no effect on the clonal growth of HPC in colony-forming assays or loss of cellularity in BM, spleen, or blood. Finally, TNF-alpha-secreting cells were found not to interfere with the engraftment of BM transplant and hematopoietic reconstitution thereafter. We conclude from these findings that unlike systemic administration of TNF-alpha, TNF-alpha gene therapy with transduced HPC is nontoxic and may have a role in eradicating residual leukemia after BMT.

Increased inducible apoptosis in CD4+ T lymphocytes during polymicrobial sepsis is mediated by Fas ligand and not endotoxin

Recent studies suggest that increased lymphocyte apoptosis (Ao) detected in peripheral blood T cells from burn patients appears to contribute to decreased lymphocyte immunoresponsiveness. However, while it is known that sepsis induces a marked depression in the splenocyte immune response (i.e. decreased interleukin-2, interferon-gamma production and proliferation) in response to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A), it is unknown whether this depression is associated with an increase in inducible Ao and if so, which mediators control this process. To assess this, splenocytes were harvested from mice at 24 hr (a period associated with decreased Con A response) after the onset of polymicrobial sepsis [caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)] or sham-CLP (Sham) and then stimulated with 2.5 microg Con A/ml (24 hr). Septic mouse splenocytes stimulated with Con A, while not showing a change in their phenotypic make-up, did exhibit a marked increase in the percentage of splenocyte that were Ao+ which was associated with altered cytokine release. This appears to be due to an increase in the percentage of Ao+ cells in the CD4+ CD8- population and was associated with enhanced Fas antigen expression as well as an increase in mRNA for the Fas-FasL gene family. To determine if the changes in Ao are due to either endotoxin (a product of Gram-negative bacteria seen in CLP mice) or the expression of Fas ligand (FasL; a mediator of activation-induced lymphocyte Ao), a second set of studies examining Con A-inducible Ao was performed with splenocytes harvested from septic endotoxin-tolerant C3H/HeJ and the FasL-deficient C3H/HeJ-Fasl gld mice. The results show that increased splenocyte Ao detected following CLP is due to a FasL-mediated process and not to endotoxin. Thus the inadvertent up-regulation of FasL-mediated splenocyte Ao may contribute to the depression of splenocyte immune responses seen during polymicrobial sepsis.

Does Fas ligand or endotoxin contribute to thymic apoptosis during polymicrobial sepsis?

Recent studies have shown that with the onset of sepsis there is an increase in apoptosis (Ao) in the thymus, mediated in part by steroids, which may contribute to a loss of T-cell progenitors, thereby, reducing immune functions. However, reports also suggest that these steroid effects could be mediated by Fas ligand (FasL) and/or by endotoxin (ETX). Thus, our study was to determine: 1) if polymicrobial sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture; CLP) alters thymocyte Fas antigen/receptor (Fas+) expression and 2) if the increase in Ao in septic ETX-sensitive C3H/HeN mice is seen in thymocytes from ETX-tolerant, C3H/HeJ, or the FasL-deficient/ETX-tolerant, C3H/HeJ-FasL(gld), male mouse strains subjected to CLP or sham-CLP (Sham) 12 or 24 h before they were killed. The results of flow cytometric analysis indicated that increased %Ao+ seen in thymocytes of CLP C3H/HeN mice was associated with either no change (12 h) or a decrease in %Fas+ expression at 24 h, although the %Bcl-2+ (an antiapoptotic protein) cells was depressed at both times. Additional studies examining C3H/HeJ or C3H/HeJ-FasL(gld) mice subjected to CLP show that as with the ETX-sensitive mouse, thymocyte Fas and Bcl-2 antigen expression as well as Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L/S) mRNA levels decreased although the %Ao+ increased after CLP in both ETX-tolerant and ETX-tolerant/FasL-deficient mice. Furthermore, if ETX-tolerant/FasL-deficient CLP animals were administered the steroid receptor antagonist RU-38486 (s.c., immediately after CLP) the increase in Ao was markedly attenuated, along with restoration of the percentage of cells expressing Bcl-2 and Fas antigen as well as Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L/S) mRNA levels. Thus, we concluded that increased septic thymocyte Ao is not regulated through either Fas mediated pathway or ETX, but is a result of the release of endogenous steroids possibly acting directly or indirectly on Bcl-2 expression.

Extracellular matrix regulates apoptosis in human neutrophils

BACKGROUND

During inflammation, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) migrate into the affected tissue interacting with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. We tested the hypothesis that PMN-matrix interaction affects PMN apoptosis.

METHODS

Apoptosis of human PMNs was detected by DNA-fragmentation assay and was quantitated by flow cytometry, ultraviolet and light microscopy. Cell adhesion was assessed by a toluidine blue assay, and cell spreading was detected by phase contrast microscopy. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation was studied using Western blotting and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

PMN apoptosis was not different in unstimulated cultures on either surface-adherent fibronectin or on PolyHema, a surface that prevents cell adherence. However, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) treatment significantly increased apoptosis on fibronectin (37 +/- 4%) compared with PolyHema (20 +/- 3%). Tests on other matrix substances revealed that the percentage of apoptotic PMNs in the presence of TNF alpha was 8 +/- 1% on PolyHema, 26 +/- 4% on fibronectin, 17 +/- 2% on collagen I, 16 +/- 2% on collagen IV, and 16 +/- 3% on laminin (P < 0.05 for all matrices compared with PolyHema). Preincubation with genistein (50 microM) significantly inhibited TNF alpha-mediated apoptosis on fibronectin (39 +/- 4% to 21 +/- 4%) but not on PolyHema (21 +/- 4% to 16 +/- 4%). Genistein also reduced PMN spreading on fibronectin. In contrast, inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C showed no effect on PMN apoptosis. Fibronectin strongly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of three 102, 63, and 54 kDa proteins. Five newly tyrosine-phosphorylated 185, 85, 66, 56, and 42 kDa bands were also visible. Using confocal microscopy, highest tyrosine phosphorylation was localized to sites of cell-matrix interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

ECM influences apoptosis in TNF alpha-activated, adherent, spreading PMNs. The process is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Acceleration of apoptosis may shorten the PMN lifespan and thereby locally regulate inflammation.

Deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene predicts persistent proteinuria in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

OBJECTIVE

To study the influence of deletion/insertion polymorphism in the 16th intron of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene on clinical manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross sectional study. ACE gene polymorphism was determined in patients (4-15 years old at onset) with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (n = 40) and compared with that in patients with IgA nephropathy (n = 79).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

ACE genotypes, systemic blood pressures, urine protein excretion rate, haematuria, creatinine clearance, serum ACE activities.

RESULTS

The initial clinical manifestations of both Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and IgA nephropathy were no different among homozygotes for insertion (II) and deletion (DD), and heterozygotes (ID) for the ACE gene. In patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, the incidence of moderate to heavy proteinuria at four and eight years after onset was more than five times higher in the DD genotype than in the II or ID genotypes. No such trend was seen in patients with IgA nephropathy. The number of patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in whom proteinuria resolved at four and eight years after onset was significantly lower in the DD genotype compared with the II genotype, whereas no differences were detected among the three different genotypes in patients with IgA nephropathy. Plasma ACE activities in patients with the DD genotype were significantly higher than in those with non-DD genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACE DD genotype predicts persistent proteinuria in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. The proteinuria might be related to a defective angiotensin system which is genetically determined by the D/I polymorphism.

Is Fas ligand or endotoxin responsible for mucosal lymphocyte apoptosis in sepsis?

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis (Ao) is a normal constitutive process that seems to have pathological effects in diseases of immune deficiency and autoimmune disorders, as well as in certain lymphoid tissues during sepsis. Little is known about this process in mucosal lymphoid tissue, such as intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether sepsis induces increased Ao in small intestinal IEL, whether this was associated with functional changes in cytokine gene expression in the IEL, and which mediators control this process and their impact on the survival of the mouse with sepsis.

DESIGN

Male C3H/HeN (endotoxin-sensitive), C3H/HeJ (endotoxin-tolerant), and C3H/HeJ-FasLgld (endotoxin-tolerant/Fas ligand [FasL]-deficient) mice were subjected to sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture [CLP]) and IELs were harvested at 4 (early) or 24 hours (late sepsis). Alterations in the cell phenotype and Ao (TUNEL [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labeling] assay) were determined by 3-color flow cytometry. Cytokine gene expression was assessed by multiprobe RNase protection assay.

RESULTS

At 4 hours after CLP, only the frequency of IEL which was CD8+ decreased markedly. By 24 hours after CLP, the number of CD8+ and CD4+ cells decreased while the proportion of double-negative cells showed a marked increase when compared with sham-controls. The percentage of Ao positive in CD8+ and CD4+ double-positive and double-negative cells increased markedly 24 hours after CLP concomitant with a significant (P<.05 vs sham-controls, Mann-Whitney U test) increase in expression of the IL-2, IL-10, and IL-15 gene. These data collectively suggest that sepsis causes lymphocyte activation-induced Ao that may be mediated by FasL. Additional studies were done to determine if the increased Ao was due to either endotoxin or FasL. The results of studies with endotoxin-tolerant C3H/HeJ or FasL-deficient C3H/HeJ-FasLgld mice showed an increase in A,, in CD4+ and CD8+ cells from septic C3H/HeJ but not C3H/HeJ-FasLgld mice. With regard to septic mortality, our results indicated that there was a marked reduction in mortality in C3H/HeJ-FasLgld vs C3H/HeJ mice.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the phenotypic changes associated with increased Ao may be a reflection of localized immune cell activation due to a FasL-mediated process and not endotoxin. Thus, FasL directly and/or indirectly contributes to higher septic mortality.

Development and laboratory evaluation of a polymerase chain reaction for monitoring Schistosoma mansoni infestation of water

A sensitive and specific detection of cercariae of human schistosomes is required for better definition of risk of infection. In the present study, we have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni in water. A simple DNA preparation was adapted for this purpose, and PCR primers were designed based on the 121-basepair highly repeated sequence we previously identified in the genome of S. mansoni. The PCR assay detected as little as 10(-6) ng of S. mansoni DNA, and the high sensitivity enabled the detection of a single cercaria. For trapping of cercariae we adapted a filtration apparatus previously used for separating schistosome eggs from turbid enzymatic digests of tissues. A single cercaria could be detected in repeated tests of water filtrates. Since the target DNA is tandemly arranged, a ladder pattern of the PCR products was demonstrated. A direct relationship was demonstrated between the number of ladder bands of the amplification products, and DNA concentration or number of cercariae. The feasibility of semiquantitation of schistosome larvae in natural water was thus suggested. The potential of the procedures described here for epidemiologic studies is discussed.