Efficacy of Qingpeng ointment (a Tibetan medicine) for acute gouty arthritis: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment (QPO), a Tibetan medicine for alleviating symptoms in individuals with acute gouty arthritis (AGA).

METHODS

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved individuals with AGA whose joint pain, as measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, was equal to or greater than 3. The participants were randomly assigned to either the QPO or the placebo group and received their respective treatments twice daily for seven consecutive days. In case of intolerable pain, the participants were allowed to use diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets as a rescue medicine. The primary outcomes measured were joint pain and swelling, while the secondary outcomes included joint mobility, redness, serum uric acid levels, C-reactive protein levels, and the amount of remaining rescue medicine. Any adverse events that occurred during the trial were also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 203 cases were divided into two groups, with balanced baselines: 102 in the QPO group and 101 in the placebo group. For joint pain, differences between the groups were notable in the VAS scores [1.75 (0, 3.00) versus 2.00 (1.00, 3.50); P = 0.038], changes in VAS [5.00 (3.00, 6.00) versus 4.00 (2.00, 6.00); P = 0.036], and disappearance rate [26.47% compared to 15.84%; P = 0.046] after treatment. Concerning joint swelling, significant between-group differences were observed in the VAS scores [1.00 (0, 2.30) versus 2.00 (0.70, 3.00); P = 0.032] and disappearance rate [33.33% compared to 21.78%; P = 0.046] at treatment completion. The QPO group exhibited a statistically significant mobility improvement compared to the placebo group (P = 0.004). No significant differences were found in other secondary outcomes. Five patients, four from the QPO group and one from the other, encountered mild adverse events, primarily skin irritation. All of these cases were resolved after dosage reduction or discontinuation of the medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the placebo, QPO exhibits positive effects on AGA by alleviating pain, reducing swelling, and enhancing joint mobility, without causing significant adverse effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN34355813. Registered on 25/01/2021.

[Role of alternative activation of macrophages in hookworm therapy for inflammatory diseases: a review]

As a type of highly plastic innate immune cells, macrophages may be differentiated into M1 and M2 macrophages upon different stimuli, and M2 macrophages are involved in immune regulation, tissue remodeling and regeneration, and wound healing. Previous epidemiological studies have shown a significant negative correlation between the prevalence of helminth infections and the incidence of inflammatory diseases, such as allergy and autoimmune diseases. As a common type of intestinal helminths, hookworm infection may trigger high levels of type II host immune responses, with alternative activation of macrophages, which are effective to inhibit the development and progression of inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the advances in alternative activation of macrophages in hookworm therapy for inflammatory diseases.

[Brain protection strategy and effectivity in pulmonary thromboendarterectomy]

Objective: To summarize the experience and effectivity of brain protection in 25 patients who suffered from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and received pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 25 PTE surgeries in our center from December 2016 to August 2018. All cases were completed underdeep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Standard brain protections were strictly executed, including: balanced and controlled extracorporeal circulation cooling, cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) monitoring, strictly control of circulatory arrest time, and etc. The neurological adverse events during the perioperative period were recorded and statistically analyzed, and the intelligence level and cognitive function of the patients were evaluated by MMSE scale and MoCA scale before surgery and discharge. Results: All the 25 patients successfully completed the surgery, and 1 patient (4%) died of postoperative infection. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from (52.9±16.7) mmHg before surgery to (23.6±8.1) mmHg immediately after surgery (t=10.01, P<0.01), and(20.7±7.9) mmHg at 3 months follow-up (t=10.73, P<0.01). Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 975.4 (788.6-1 292.8) dyn·s·cm(-5) to 376.1 (283.6-565.5) dyn·s·cm(-5) (Z=5.34, P<0.01). Neurological complications occurred in 3 patients during the perioperative period, including 2 patients with hypoxic encephalopathy, and 1 patient with cerebral hemorrhage. All 3 patients fully recovered before discharge. Univariate analysis showed that the duration of rSO(2)<40% and the maximum decrease rate of rSO(2) from baseline were significantly correlated with postoperative neurological damage. Multivariate analysis showed only time of rSO(2)<40% was significantly correlated with postoperative neurological damage. There was no significant difference in MMSE and MoCA score before and after surgery (P>0.05). Conclusions: Adequate brain protection measures are essential to reduce the neurological complications of PTE surgery. Real-time intraoperative monitoring of rSO(2) and strict control of circulatory arrest time can further reduce the occurrence of neurological damage.

[Analysis of risk factors for cerebrovascular complications after carotid endarterectomy]

Objective: To evaluate the related risk factors of cerebrovascular complications after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to improve the efficacy of CEA in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Methods: The clinical data of 295 patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis who underwent CEA in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2013 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: As the results of the single-factor analysis of logistics, severe lower limb artery stenosis (RR=5.667, P=0.017), systolic blood pressure before the carotid artery clamping (RR=6.659, P=0.010), diastolic blood pressure before the carotid artery clamping (RR=3.981, P=0.046), stump pressure (RR=5.359, P=0.021), diastolic blood pressure after surgery (RR=9.550, P=0.002), diastolic blood pressure of the first day after surgery (RR=7.932, P=0.005) were influencing factors of postoperative cerebrovascular complications after CEA. The results of multi-factor analysis of logistic regression indicated that diastolic blood pressure before the carotid artery clamping (RR=0.953, P=0.024) and stump pressure to basic systolic blood pressure index (SSI)>0.25 (RR=0.086, P=0.049) were independent risk factors for postoperative cerebrovascular complications after CEA. Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure before carotid artery clamping and SSI>0.25 are independent risk factors for postoperative cerebrovascular complications after CEA. Close follow-up and drug treatment for patients after CEA might be beneficial to reduce postoperative carotid artery restenosis.

[Effects of Blood-brain Barrier and Simulated metabolic system on Apoptosis of SH-SY5Y Induced by Acrylamide in Vitro]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acrylamide on the apoptosis of nerve cells by integral cell modelling in vitro which simulates the barrier effect and metabolic micro-environment. Methods: A non-contact and co-cultured in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) model was established by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and rat glioma cells (C6) . The trans-endotheilal electrical resistance (TEER) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer effects were measured to verify the tight connectivity and permeability of the established BBB model. An integrate discrete multiple organ cell co-culture (idMOC) model was established by inoculating the human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) , human normal hepatocytes (L-02) and human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) into the self-made multi-organ plate for co-culturing. Then the model was verified by observing the growth curve of various tissue cells under co-culturing or culturing individually. SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to different concentrations of acrylamide directly and indirectly (through BBB model and idMOC model) . The changes of cell apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry to explore the impact of model on Acrylamide (ACR) injury of typical neurotoxic agents. Results: HUVEC cells can form a wide range of close-connected complex and then inhibit the external electric field under the cross-endothelial movement, and the mean was lower than that of endothelial cell culture group at 4, 5 and 6 days (P<0.05) ; After 20 min, the penetration rate of HRP in the co-culture group was less than that in the individual culture group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) , indicating that the barrier function of the co-culture group was higher than that of the individual culture group. All cells can exchange substances through the exchange hole of the culture plate, the cells grow well and there was no obvious death. The growth curve in individual culture group and co-culture group were basically the same, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) . Under the condition of different concentrations of ACR (140, 270 g/ml) , compared with the direct exposure group, the apoptosis rate of the BBB model and the idMOC model were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Based on HUVEC cells and C6 cells co-culture system, a blood-brain barrier model in vitro was established and based on co-culture of HK-2, L-02 and SH-SY5Y, the idMOC model was established. The toxicity and toxic action characteristics of ACR on SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated by validation tests.

[Distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015: results from a multicenter, retrospective study]

Objective: To describe the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens at hematology department of Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015 to provide reference for empirical anti-infection treatment. Methods: Pathogens were from hematology department of 26 tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or agar dilution method. Collection of drug susceptibility results and corresponding patient data were analyzed. Results: The separated pathogens amounted to 4 306. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 64.26%, while the proportions of gram-positive bacteria and funguses were 26.99% and 8.75% respectively. Common gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli (20.48%) , Klebsiella pneumonia (15.40%) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.50%) , Acinetobacter baumannii (5.04%) and Stenotropho-monas maltophilia (3.41%) respectively. CRE amounted to 123 (6.68%) . Common gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (4.92%) , Staphylococcus hominis (4.88%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.71%) respectively. Candida albicans were the main fungus which accounted for 5.43%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were 3.5%-6.1% and 5.0%-6.3% respectively. The rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to tobramycin and amikacin were 3.2% and 3.3% respectively. The resistant rates of Acinetobacter baumannii towards tobramycin and cefoperazone/sulbactam were both 19.2%. The rates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to minocycline and sulfamethoxazole were 3.5% and 9.3% respectively. The rates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis resistant wards vancomycin were 0, 6.4% and 1.4% respectively; also, the rates of them resistant to linezolid were 1.2%, 0 and 1.6% respectively; in addition, the rates of them resistant to teicoplanin were 2.8%, 14.3% and 8.0% respectively. Furthermore, MRSA accounted for 39.15% (83/212) . Conclusions: Pathogens were mainly gram-negative bacteria. CRE accounted for 6.68%. The rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia resistant to carbapenems were lower compared with other antibacterial agents. The rates of gram-positive bacteria resistant to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin were still low. MRSA accounted for 39.15%.

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia with HYDIN gene mutations in a child and literature review]

Objective: To review children's primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment. Method: To summarize and analyze the clinical data of a patient who was admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Xiamen University with primary ciliary dyskinesia in April 2014 while referring to related literature. Result: An 11 years old boy, weighting about 22 kg, had a course of more than 10 years with repeated cough, stuffy and runny nose shortly after the birth. Examinations after admission to hospital showed that he presented with visible clubbing, bilateral paranasal sinus area tenderness, pharynx posterior wall with visible yellow pussy stuff drip and bilateral lung had scattered wet rales. Auxiliary examination revealed bilateral maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus inflammation and bronchitis with left lower lung bronchiectasis. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy discovered congestion and a lot of sputum; ciliary biopsy pathology displayed that cilia were sparse and partial cilia 9+ 2 microtubules structural abnormalities. Full sequence of exon gene sequencing revealed two mutations located at chromosome 16 chr16: 71061369 (non-coding regions) and chr16: 70993591 (coding). Two novel mutations m. 3362A>G(E20) and c. 6101G>A(E39) in exon 16 of the HYDIN gene were identified. With the" ciliary motility disorder, gene" as keywords , the CNKI, Wanfang digital knowledge service platform and PubMed were searched for relevant articles from the establishment to July 2016. The studies retrieved included 9 cases and these cases were summarized. Comprehensive analysis showed that HYDIN gene mutations related PCD patients had the typical PCD performance such as repeatedly wet cough, sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and otitis media. The majority of patients have a history of acute respiratory distress syndrome in infancy and no visceral dislocation was not found. Most of the patients had no obvious structural abnormalities in cilia electron microscopic examination. Conclusion: The PCD patients with HYDIN genes mutations have clinical manifestations such as sinusitis, otitis media, bronchiectasis but without transposition of viscera. Cilia structure can be normal under the electron microscopic examination in some of patients.

Bioequivalence of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers

We aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence of clopidogrel in healthy Chinese volunteers after administration of a single oral dose. We administered a single oral dose of 75 mg clopidogrel (test and reference) to 32 healthy Chinese volunteers according to an open, randomized, crossover design. The concentration of clopidogrel acid (carboxylic metabolite of clopidogrel) in the plasma was determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioequivalence of the test and reference preparations were calculated using analysis of variance and one-sided t-test by using the DAS 2.0 software. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the test and reference preparations were as follows: peak plasma concentration (Cmax), 1351.101 ± 654.955 ng/mL and 1184.652 ± 607.713 ng/mL; area under the curve, 2642.017 ± 1093.848 ng·h/mL and 2780.666 ± 1283.100 ng·h/mL; and time to reach Cmax (Tmax), 0.789 ± 0.318 h and 0.953 ± 0.633 h, respectively. The relative bioavailability of the formulation was 101.7 ± 35.3%, which indicated that the test preparation was bioequivalent to the reference drug.

Characterization of a New Anastomosis Group (AG-W) of Binucleate Rhizoctonia, Causal Agent for Potato Stem Canker

Two binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) isolates were recovered from potato cankered stems in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China. Their cultural appearance on potato dextrose agar remained whitish as the cultures aged. White monilioid cells formed in the fluffy aerial hyphae, whereas no sclerotia appeared during the incubation. The two isolates could anastomose with each other, but they failed to anastomose with reference strains of BNR from AG-A to AG-Q, and AG-U. Analyses of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA-ITS) regions confirmed that these two isolates differed from the reference strains. The phylogenetic tree based on the sequences of rDNA-ITS regions showed that they were located in a distinct clade from other BNR AGs. These collective results suggested that the isolates recovered from potato in this study belonged to a new BNR AG designated as AG-W. Pathogenicity tests under glasshouse conditions revealed that both isolates were able to cause brown, dry, and slightly sunken lesions on potato subterranean stems. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the AG-W causing potato disease in China as well as worldwide.

First Report of Potato Stem Canker Caused by Binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-A in Jilin Province, China

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) stem canker caused by Rhizoctonia solani occurs in potato-growing regions all over the world and can result in severe losses in crop yield and quality. In late July 2011, potato subterraneous stems with stem cankers composed of brownish, sunken lesions were observed at 15% incidence in seven sites in Jilin Province, northeast China. Samples were collected, and stem pieces (each 5 mm long) taken from the margins of the healthy and diseased tissues were surface-disinfested with 0.5% NaOCl for 2 min, rinsed with sterilized water, dried, then placed on potato dextrose agar at 25°C in the dark. Three (designated JL-3, JL-5-1, and JL-6) of seven Rhizoctonia isolates that developed from single hyphal tip transfers were identified preliminarily as binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) isolates (teleomorph Ceratobasidium Rogers). The colonies were white or light gray with fluffy aerial hyphae and no sclerotia after 14 days in culture. Hyphal cells were binucleate when stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Average hyphal diameters (mean ± standard deviation) of isolates JL-3, JL-5-1, and JL-6 were 4.8 ± 0.5 μm (range 4.1 to 5.6 μm), 4.4 ± 0.4 μm (range 3.9 to 5.2 μm), and 4.5 ± 0.3 μm (range 4.0 to 5.0 μm), respectively. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was amplified from genomic DNA with primers ITS1 and ITS4 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis indicated that the resulting sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. JX885459, JX885460, and JX885461 for JL-3, JL-5-1, and JL-6, respectively) were 100% identical to that of a Ceratobasidium sp. AG-A isolate CHR08-10 (HQ270171). So the three isolates were identified as BNR AG-A based on morphological and molecular characteristics. To determine pathogenicity of the BNR isolates, potato seed tubers (cv. Favorita), each with 3- to 5-mm-long sprouts, were inoculated with wheat seeds (sterilized by autoclaving twice at 121°C for 1 h with a 24-h interval between autoclavings) colonized with each isolate (1). One sprouted potato tuber was planted in a plastic pot with a single colonized wheat seed placed 10 mm above the uppermost sprout tip in a sand/sawdust mixture (1:2 v/v). Plants were incubated in a glasshouse at 25 to 27°C, and assessed after 21 days. The test was performed on 20 plants/isolate and the experiment was repeated. The incidence of plants inoculated with JL-3, JL-5-1, and JL-6 that developed stem canker symptoms averaged 11.1, 23.5, and 28.6%, respectively, whereas all control plants inoculated with sterilized wheat seeds remained asymptomatic. Rhizoctonia spp. were not reisolated from the control plants, whereas BNR isolates were reisolated consistently from symptomatic stems of the inoculated plants, and the identity confirmed by morphological and molecular characteristics as described above, fulfilling Koch's postulates. BNR AG-A has been reported to be pathogenic on soybean (Glycine max), pea (Pisum sativum), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and pak choi (Brassica chinensis) in China (4). Isolates of R. solani AG-3 are most often associated with potato stem canker (2), although unidentified BNR isolates were reported to cause mild symptoms on potato sprouts in Finland (1), and small lesions on potato roots and stems in the United Kingdom (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of BNR AG-A causing potato stem canker in Jilin Province, one of the main potato-producing areas of China. References: (1) M. J. Lehtonen et al. Plant Pathol. 57:141, 2008. (2) L. Tsror. J. Phytopatology 158:649, 2010. (3) J. W. Woodhall et al. New Dis. Rep. 23:31, 2011. (4) G. H. Yang et al. J. Phytopathology 153:333, 2005.

First Report of Potato Stem Canker Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG4 HGII in Gansu Province, China

Black scurf and stem canker on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is an important disease throughout the world. Isolates of R. solani AG3 are the principal cause of these diseases on potato (2). In August 2011, at the tuber bulking growth stage, symptoms typically associated stem canker, including dark brown stem lesions, were observed on 20% of potato plants collected from 23 locations (about 2,000 ha) in Gansu Province, northwest China. Stem pieces (each 5 mm long) taken from the margins of the healthy and diseased tissues were surface-disinfected with 0.5% NaOCl for 2 min, rinsed with sterilized water, dried, then placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C in the dark. Twenty-nine fungal isolates taken from single hyphal tips were identified as R. solani based on morphological traits, including mycelium branched at right angles with a septum near the branch and a slight constriction at the branch base. Hyphal cells were determined to be multinucleate (4 to 10 nuclei/cell) when stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Anastomosis groups were determined by pairing with reference strains (kindly provided by N. Kondo, Hokkaido University, Japan), and three isolates (designed GS-15, GS-24, and GS-25) anastomosed with isolates of R. solani AG4. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified from genomic DNA of each of the three isolates with primers ITS1 and ITS4. The resulting sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. JX843818, JX843819, and JX843820) were 100% identical to those of >10 R. solani AG4 HGII isolates (e.g., HQ629873.1; isolate ND13). Therefore, based on the anastomosis assay and molecular characteristics, the three isolates were identified as R. solani AG4 HGII. To determine pathogenicity of the AG4 HGII isolates, potato seed tubers (cv. Favorita) with 3 to 5 mm long sprouts were inoculated with wheat seeds (sterilized by autoclaving twice at 121°C for 1 h with a 24 h interval between autoclavings) colonized with each isolate (1). One sprouted tuber was planted in a sterilized plastic pot (1 liter) with a single colonized wheat seed placed 10 mm above the uppermost sprout tip in a sand/sawdust mixture (1:2 v/v, with dry heat sterilization at 161°C for 4 h before use). Plants were incubated in a glasshouse maintained at 25 to 27°C. The test was performed on 20 plants for each isolate, and the experiment was repeated. After 3 weeks, control plants inoculated with sterilized wheat seeds remained asymptomatic, and no Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from these plants, whereas all inoculated plants showed symptoms of stem canker. R. solani AG4 HGII was reisolated consistently from symptomatic stems, and the identity of the reisolates confirmed by the morphological and molecular characteristics mentioned above, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Potato stem canker caused by R. solani AG4 HGII was reported previously in the United States (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. solani AG4 HGII causing stem canker on potato in Gansu Province, the main potato-producing area of China. R. solani AG4 HGII can cause sheath blight on corn in China (4), which is commonly grown in rotation with potato. This rotation could increase the risk of soilborne infection to either crop by R. solani AG4 HGII. References: (1) M. J. Lehtonen et al. Plant Pathol. 57:141, 2008. (2) L. Tsror. J. Phytopathol. 158:649, 2010. (3) J. W. Woodhall et al. Plant Dis. 96:1701, 2012. (4) X. Zhou et al. J. Shenyang Agric. Univ. 43:33, 2012.

Relationship between hepatic histological alterations and hepatitis B virus basic core promoter/precore mutations of family assemble chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To study the relationship between hepatic histological alterations and hepatitis B virus gene mutations of family assemble chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS: A total of 112 chronic Hepatitis B patients with family assemble features were selected as the experimental group, and 110 chronic hepatitis B patients without family assemble features were taken as control group. Basic core promoter/precore mutations were detected using genechip technology, and liver tissue inflammation grade and liver fibrosis grade were detected by liver biopsy.

RESULTS: The double mutation rate of basal core promoter T1762/A1764 in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group (χ² = 4.5626, P = 0.0044); the liver tissue inflammation grade in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group (u = 6.3397, P = 0.0000); the liver tissue inflammation grade of family assemble chronic hepatitis B with only basal core promoter T1762/A1764 mutations was significantly higher than without such site mutation but only precore mutations(t' = 8.0111, 7.958, t'α = 2.1651, 2.059, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The higher grade of liver tissue inflammation and liver fibrosis in patients with family assemble chronic hepatitis B is associated with the higher mutation rate of basal core promoter T1762/A1764.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 plays a role in suppressing mammary tumourigenesis in mice

The DNA strand break-binding molecule, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), plays a role in DNA repair, chromosomal stability, transcription and cell death. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysfunction of PARP-1 contributes to tumorigenesis. Here, we report that PARP-1 deficiency causes mammary carcinoma formation in female mice, and that the introduction of Trp53 mutations accelerates the onset and shortens the latency of mammary tumorigenesis. We show that PARP-1 deficiency results in chromosomal aneuploidy and centrosome amplification, which are substantiated by the inactivation of Trp53 in primary mammary epithelial (PME) cells. In addition, PARP-1 deficiency compromises p53 activation and impairs BRCA1 recruitment to the sites of DNA damage in PME cells. PARP-1 complementation partly rescues the defective DNA damage response mediated by p53 and BRCA1. The present study thus identifies a role of PARP-1 in suppressing mammary tumorigenesis in vivo and suggests that dysfunction of PARP-1 may be a risk factor for breast cancer in humans.

Analysis of hepatitis B virus genotypes and gene mutation in patients with family infection

AIM: To investigate the genotypes and gene mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in family infection.

METHODS: Eighty-four members from 27 families, whose internal genotypes were completely the same, were selected, including 29 cases of asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), 23 cases of chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 21 cases of liver cirrhosis (LC) and 11 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gene chip technique was applied to detect the mutation in HBV pre-core region (nt1896), and basic core promoter (BCP, nt1762, nt1764) and DNA sequencing technique was used to detect the genotypes of HBV. The control group of corresponding genotypes was also designed.

RESULTS: The rate of ASC with genotype B family infection was significantly higher than that with genotype C infection (χ² = 5.0734, P = 0.0243, P < 0.05), but the rate of BCP1762 and 1764 double mutation was significantly lower than that with genotype C (χ² = 22.4000, P = 0.0000, P < 0.001). The clinical types of patients with genotype B and C family infection were not significantly different from those of the corresponding controls.

CONCLUSION: It is helpful to detect the genotypes and BCP1762, 1764 double mutation of HBV in family infection in the predictive analysis of the disease.

Tolerization of Gal alpha 1,3Gal-reactive B cells in pre-sensitized alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient mice by nonmyeloablative induction of mixed chimerism

Using a alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase wild-type (GalT(+/+)) to deficient (GalT(-/-)) mouse bone marrow transplantation model, we have previously demonstrated that a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen is capable of permitting induction of allogeneic and xenogeneic mixed chimerism. Chimerism is associated with the rapid and lasting tolerization of anti-Gal alpha 1,3Gal (Gal) natural antibody (Ab)-producing B cells. However, one limitation of this model is that anti-Gal natural Ab levels are lower in GalT(-/-) mice than in humans and other primates. To overcome this limitation, we have now investigated the possibility of inducing such tolerance in GalT(-/-) mice that produce much higher levels of anti-Gal Abs due to presensitization with Gal-bearing xenogeneic cells. B6 GalT(-/-) mice that were pre-sensitized with rabbit red blood cells received non-myeloablative conditioning with depleting anti-CD4 and CD8 mAbs, 3Gy whole body and 7Gy thymic irradiation, and infusion of BALB/c GalT(+/+) bone marrow cells (BMC). Although engraftment of standard marrow doses was inhibited by the presensitization, long-lasting mixed chimerism could be induced in recipients of a high dose [160 x 10(6)] of allogeneic wild-type BMC. Achievement of persistent chimerism was associated with high levels of anti-Gal IgG(1) pretransplant, suggesting an inhibitory effect of non-complement-fixing IgG(1) Ab on anti-Gal-mediated marrow rejection. Induction of mixed chimerism was associated with a rapid disappearance of serum anti-Gal and tolerization of anti-Gal Ab-producing cells. B cells with anti-Gal receptors became undetectable in mixed chimeras. Mixed chimeras accepted subsequently transplanted donor-type GalT(+/+) hearts (> 140 days), whereas rapid (within 2 days) rejection of GalT(+/+) hearts occurred in conditioned control GalT(-/-) mice. In conclusion, when a high dose of GalT(+/+) BMC was administered to pre-sensitized GalT(-/-) mice, chimerism and tolerance were achieved. The absence of B cells with receptors recognizing Gal in mixed chimeras suggests a role for clonal deletion/receptor editing in the maintenance of B cell tolerance.

[The bottleneck steps limiting maturation of penicillin G acylase in Escherichia coli]

We have identified the bottleneck steps limiting maturation of penicillin G acylase (PAC) through comparison of the maturation performance for various PAC-expression systems (Pac, Tac, T7, Vgb + T7) with different efficiencies of proteolysis, subunit folding and assembly. The maturation of PAC could be limited by various steps, such as translocation, periplasmic proteolysis, subunit folding and assembly depending on the host/vector systems. In BL21(pPA6) cells, maturation of PAC were limited by proteolysis and folding steps; the efficiency of proteolysis was 57.2%; the subunit folding and assembly capacity was 0.72. In BL21(pKKpacSP) cells, the stability and folding of alpha subunit was bottleneck steps. In T7 and dissolved-oxygen regulation expression systems, PAC proprecursor could be maturated efficiently. Results also indicate that the folding of alpha peptide plays a key role in folding of precursor for PAC in E. coli. Developing proper host/vector systems and fermentation technology with superior abilities on subunit folding and assembly of precursor for PAC could be plausible for enhancing production of PAC. In this study, pac could be expressed (transcribed, translated and maturated) efficiently under the control of T7 promoter.

T cell and B cell tolerance to GALalpha1,3GAL-expressing heart xenografts is achieved in alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient mice by nonmyeloablative induction of mixed chimerism

BACKGROUND

We have previously demonstrated that mixed xenogeneic chimerism and donor-specific T-cell tolerance can be induced in the rat-to-mouse species combination by using a relatively nontoxic, nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen. However, natural antibodies (NAbs) against Galalpha1,3Gal (Gal) pose an additional major barrier to pig-to-human vascularized xenograft acceptance.

METHODS

To determine whether the mixed chimerism approach could also overcome this humoral barrier, T cell-depleted rat (GalT+/+) bone marrow cells (BMC) were transplanted to alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase deficient (GalT-/-) mice conditioned with a nonmyeloablative regimen, consisting of transient T cell and natural killer (NK) cell depletion, 3 Gy whole body irradiation, and 7 Gy thymic irradiation.

RESULTS

By giving a high dose (180x106) of rat BMC, persistent mixed chimerism could be induced in GalT-/- mice, although the level of donor-type hematopoietic repopulation declined over time. Induction of mixed chimerism was associated with a rapid disappearance of anti-Gal and anti-rat NAb in the sera. Both anti-Gal Ab-producing cells and B cells with receptors recognizing Gal were undetectable in mixed chimeras, even when the chimerism levels declined, suggesting that a very low level of chimerism could effectively maintain B-cell tolerance to Gal, probably by clonal deletion and/or receptor editing. Mixed chimeras accepted subsequently transplanted donor-type rat hearts (>100 days) without immunosuppressive therapy, whereas delayed vascular and even hyperacute rejection of rat hearts occurred in conditioned control GalT-/- mice. Cellular rejection occurred by 5-6 days in conditioned control wild-type mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that induction of mixed chimerism with a nonmyeloablative regimen can prevent vascularized xenograft rejection by cellular and anti-Gal Ab-dependent pathways in GalT+/+-to-GalT-/- species combinations.

Mac-1-negative B-1b phenotype of natural antibody-producing cells, including those responding to Gal alpha 1,3Gal epitopes in alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient mice

Human natural Abs against Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc (Gal) epitopes are a major barrier to xenotransplantation. Studies in this report, which use combined multiparameter flow cytometric sorting and enzyme-linked immunospot assay, demonstrate that anti-Gal IgM-producing cells are found exclusively in a small B cell subpopulation (i.e., CD21(-/low) IgM(high) B220(low) CD5(-) Mac-1(-) 493(-) cells) in the spleens of alpha1, 3-galactosyltransferase-deficient mice. All IgM-producing cells were detected in a similar splenic subpopulation of alpha1, 3-galactosyltransferase-deficient and wild-type mice. A higher frequency of B cells with anti-Gal surface IgM receptors was observed in the peritoneal cavity than in the spleen, but these did not actively secrete Abs, and showed phenotypic properties of B-1b cells (CD21(-/low) IgM(high) CD5(-) CD43(+) Mac-1(+)). However, these became Mac-1(-) and developed anti-Gal Ab-producing activity after in vitro culture with LPS. The splenic B cells with anti-Gal receptors consisted of both Mac-1(+) B-1b cells and Mac-1(-) B-1b-like cells. The latter comprised most anti-Gal IgM-producing cells. Our studies indicate that anti-Gal natural IgM Abs are produced by a B1b-like, Mac-1(-) splenic B cell population and not by plasma cells or B-1a cells. They are consistent with a model whereby B-1b cells lose Mac-1 expression upon Ag exposure and that these, rather than plasma cells, become the major IgM Ab-producing cell population.

Porcine stem cell engraftment and seeding of murine thymus with class II+ cells in mice expressing porcine cytokines: toward tolerance induction across discordant xenogeneic barriers

BACKGROUND

Mixed hematopoietic chimerism is a reliable means of tolerance induction, but its utility has not been demonstrated in discordant xenogeneic combinations because of the difficulty in achieving lasting hematopoietic engraftment. Miniature swine are likely to be suitable organ donors for humans. To evaluate the ability of mixed chimerism to induce swine-specific tolerance in widely disparate xenogeneic recipients, this study aimed to achieve long-lasting chimerism in a pig to mouse combination.

METHODS

Immunodeficient transgenic mice were developed by crossing transgenic founders carrying porcine interleukin-3, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and stem cell factor genes with severe combined immunodeficient mice or non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. Swine bone marrow transplantation was performed in these mice, and porcine chimerism was followed for 20 weeks.

RESULTS

Whereas swine cells became undetectable in all non-Tg littermates by 7 weeks, high levels of porcine hematopoietic chimerism, including the presence of porcine class II+ cells in the host thymus were maintained in Tg mice for >20 weeks. Colony-forming assays revealed the presence of large numbers of swine hematopoietic progenitor cells in the marrow of these mice at 20 weeks after bone marrow transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

These transgenic mice demonstrate for the first time that spontaneous migration of marrow donor antigen-presenting cells to an intact recipient thymus can occur and that porcine stem cells can persist in this highly disparate species combination. These data therefore support the feasibility of the eventual goal of tolerance induction by mixed chimerism in discordant xenogeneic combinations.

Developmental relationship of myosin binding proteins (myomesin, connectin and C-protein) to myosin in chicken somites as studied by immunofluorescence microscopy

The developmental relationship of myosin binding proteins (myomesin, connectin and C-protein) to myosin was studied in chicken cervical somites by immunofluorescence microscopy. Muscle and non-muscle myosins initially appeared as slender rods at the same sites, and then, fused to form non-striated fibrils. As muscle myosin formed striated structures (A bands), non-muscle myosin disappeared from this structure. Myomesin (reactive with monoclonal antibodies MyB4 and MyBB78) and connectin (carboxy terminal region, reactive with monoclonal antibody T51) were seen as dots in the center of these myosin rods. These proteins then formed characteristic mature striations on non-striated fibrils of myosin. Earlier alignment of these myosin binding proteins rather than myosin indicates that the correct assembly of these proteins seems to be related to the formation of initial myosin rods as well as subsequent linear and periodic alignment of myosin molecules to form early A bands. Connectin spots reactive with 9D10 were scattered around myosin rods/myomesin dots/connectin T51 dots. These spots may represent radiating connectin filaments from these rods/dots to link myosin rods to the I-Z-I structures of myofibrils to be incorporated. Since the slow isoform of C-protein formed its characteristic bands ("doublets") prior to H zone formation within A bands by myosin, this isoform may help to precisely align myosin filaments within the A band region. The presence of the slow, then the slow and the cardiac, and finally the co-existence of the slow and the fast isoforms of C-protein may interfere with the incorporation and co-polymerization of non-adult isoforms into myofibrils.

In vivo T-cell depletion enhances production of anti-GALalpha1,3GAL natural antibodies in alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient mice

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that T-cell depletion by in vivo treatment with monoclonal antibodies results in polyclonal B-cell activation. However, its effects on B cells responding to Galalpha1,3Gal (Gal) epitopes remain unknown.

METHODS

alpha1,3-Galactosyltransferase-deficient (GalT-/-) mice were treated with depleting anti-CD4 and CD8 monoclonal antibodies. The kinetics of anti-Gal natural antibodies (NAb) and total immunoglobulin levels in their sera were evaluated. The frequencies of anti-Gal NAb-producing cells were determined in the various tissues of GalT-/- mice by enzyme-linked immunospot assay.

RESULTS

In vivo T-cell depletion led to significant increases in both anti-Gal IgM and total IgM levels in sera of GalT-/- mice, but did not influence either anti-Gal IgG or total IgG levels. An increased frequency of anti-Gal and total IgM-producing cells was observed in the spleens and bone marrow of T-cell-depleted GalT-/-mice but not in peritoneal cavity cells.

CONCLUSION

In vivo T-cell depletion facilitates anti-Gal IgM production, suggesting that T cells deliver inhibitory signals to B cells responding to Gal.

The role of interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma in GVHD and GVL

The production of interleukin (IL)-12 by antigen-presenting cells after antigen stimulation is a critical step for initiating antigen-specific cellular immune responses, and interferon (IFN)-gamma produced by natural killer cells and activated T cells is a potent mediator of IL-12 effect. However, recent studies have demonstrated that administration of exogenous IL-12 paradoxically inhibits antigen-specific immunity of T cells in vivo, including allogeneic, autoimmune, and viral antigen-initiated T-cell responses. Interestingly, these inhibitory effects are also mediated by IFN-gamma, whose production is induced by IL-12. Thus, IL-12, a potent immunostimulatory cytokine, can paradoxically lead to immunosuppression. Notably, this cytokine has been shown to preserve graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects of allogeneic CD8+ T cells while inhibiting graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation models. This article will review recent studies concerning the effect of IL-12 and IFN-gamma on the development of GVHD and the induction of GVL effects, and discuss the possible mechanisms responsible for IL-12-mediated separation of GVL effects from the GVHD-promoting activity of allogeneic T cells.

Preparation and cDNA sequence analysis of two novel monoclonal antibodies against magaininII

By using intrasplenic immunization and the conventional B lymphocyte hybridoma technique, we have established two novel hybridoma cell lines stably secreting specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to magaininII, termed as 2D1 and 3F8, respectively. The two cell lines were then subjected to RNA extraction and the VH and VL segments were obtained by reverse transcription of RNA followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and characterized by nucleotide sequence analysis. The VH segments of 2D1 and 3F8 belong to the VH5 family and the VL segments of 2D1 and 3F8 belong to VK10 and VK1 groups, respectively. The two MAbs utilize different VL segments and have disparities in their HCDR3 regions, which may contribute to the different epitope recognition of the two antibodies.

Development and analysis of transgenic mice expressing porcine hematopoietic cytokines: a model for achieving durable porcine hematopoietic chimerism across an extensive xenogeneic barrier

The capacity of mixed hematopoietic chimerism to induce tolerance has not been demonstrated in discordant xenogeneic species combinations because of the difficulty in achieving lasting hematopoietic engraftment. In an effort to create a model of long-lasting disparate xenogeneic hematopoietic chimerism, we have developed transgenic (Tg) mice carrying porcine cytokines. Three lines of Tg mice were generated: one carrying porcine IL-3 and GM-CSF genes only (termed IL/GM) and the remaining two lines carrying in addition, the soluble SCF gene (termed IL/GM/sS) or membrane-bound SCF gene (termed IL/GM/mS). Sera from mice with IL/GM and IL/GM/sS transgenes markedly stimulated the proliferation of swine marrow cells in vitro. However, proliferation of swine marrow cells was not induced in cultures containing IL/GM/mS sera. Consistent with these observations, ELISA assays revealed detectable levels of porcine cytokines in the sera of IL/ GM and IL/GM/sS, but not in sera of IL/GM/mS Tg mice. Marrow stromal cells prepared from all three kinds of Tg mice, but not those from non-Tg littermates, were capable of supporting the growth of porcine hematopoietic cells in vitro. Immunodeficient Tg mice were generated by crossing Tg founders with C.B-17 SCID mice for five generations. All Tg immunodeficient mice showed improved porcine hematopoietic engraftment compared with non-Tg controls. These Tg mice provide a useful model system for studying porcine hematopoietic stem cells, and for evaluating the feasibility of donor-specific tolerance induction by mixed chimerism across highly disparate xenogeneic barriers.

Role of antibody-independent complement activation in rejection of porcine bone marrow cells in mice

BACKGROUND

Although complement activation has been shown to be important in the rejection of solid organs in some xenogeneic species combinations, its role in the rejection of xenogeneic marrow engraftment is unknown.

METHODS

The effect of complement depletion with cobra venom factor on porcine bone marrow cell (BMC) engraftment was examined in 3 Gy-irradiated C.B-17 severe combined immunodeficiency mice receiving 10(8) pig BMC.

RESULTS

At 26 days after transplantation, the percentages of swine class I+, myeloid, and CD2+ cells in marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood, and the numbers of porcine myeloid progenitor cells in marrow, were increased in cobra venom factor-treated recipients compared with simultaneous control recipients. Consistent with the in vivo results, preheating serum (56 degrees C for 30 min) reduced the inhibitory effect of severe combined immunodeficiency mouse serum on the proliferation of pig BMC in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Murine complement is capable of resisting xenogeneic hematopoietic engraftment through an antibody-independent mechanism.

Mixed chimerism induced without lethal conditioning prevents T cell- and anti-Gal alpha 1,3Gal-mediated graft rejection

Gal alpha 1,3Gal-reactive (Gal-reactive) antibodies are a major impediment to pig-to-human xenotransplantation. We investigated the potential to induce tolerance of anti-Gal-producing cells and prevent rejection of vascularized grafts in the combination of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase wild-type (GalT(+/+)) and deficient (GalT(-/-)) mice. Allogeneic (H-2 mismatched) GalT(+/+) bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to GalT(-/-) mice conditioned with a nonmyeloablative regimen, consisting of depleting CD4 and CD8 mAb's and 3 Gy whole-body irradiation and 7 Gy thymic irradiation, led to lasting multilineage H-2(bxd) GalT(+/+) + H-2(d) GalT(-/-) mixed chimerism. Induction of mixed chimerism was associated with a rapid reduction of serum anti-Gal naturally occurring antibody levels. Anti-Gal-producing cells were undetectable by 2 weeks after BMT, suggesting that anti-Gal-producing cells preexisting at the time of BMT are rapidly tolerized. Even after immunization with Gal-bearing xenogeneic cells, mixed chimeras were devoid of anti-Gal-producing cells and permanently accepted donor-type GalT(+/+) heart grafts (>150 days), whereas non-BMT control animals rejected these hearts within 1-7 days. B cells bearing receptors for Gal were completely absent from the spleens of mixed chimeras, suggesting that clonal deletion and/or receptor editing may maintain B-cell tolerance to Gal. These findings demonstrate the principle that induction of mixed hematopoietic chimerism with a potentially relevant nonmyeloablative regimen can simultaneously lead to tolerance among both T cells and Gal-reactive B cells, thus preventing vascularized xenograft rejection.

The fate of donor T-cell receptor transgenic T cells with known host antigen specificity in a graft-versus-host disease model

BACKGROUND

The expansion of transgenic donor CD8+ T-cells with known allospecificity against a host MHC class I alloantigen was examined in a murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model.

METHODS

Lethally irradiated, Ld+ BALB/c mice received bone marrow cells and spleen cells from anti-Ld 2C T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic B6 mice, alone or with normal B6 spleen cells. Transgenic TCR-bearing T-cell expansion, apoptosis, and function were monitored at various time points and were correlated with clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Fifteen-fold clonal expansion of 2C CD8 cells occurred by day 4 after bone marrow transplantation. Between days 4 and 7, increasing proportions of 2C CD8 cells underwent apoptotic cell death, coincident with a 7-15-fold decline in their numbers. CD8 and TCR expression were down-regulated on 2C CD8 cells by day +4 after bone marrow transplantation, and they were anergic to TCR-mediated stimulation. Clinically, the BALB/c recipients of 2C spleen cells exhibited only minimal chronic GVHD. In contrast, lethally irradiated BALB/c mice receiving similar numbers of non-transgenic B6 bone marrow cells and spleen cells exhibited severe GVHD (median survival time: 28 days). The addition of a small number of 2C spleen cells to the inoculum accelerated GVHD mortality, and 2C CD8 cells showed a similar time course of expansion and decline to that observed in recipients of larger numbers of 2C cells alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial clonal expansion, down-regulation of CD8 and TCR, anergy, and later deletion of graft-versus-host-reactive CD8 cells via apoptosis occurs in lethally irradiated recipients. Expansion of a single CD8 clone produces much less severe GVHD than that induced by a polyclonal, mixed CD4 plus CD8 response. These results have implications for GVHD pathogenesis and its sometimes self-limited nature.

Lymphohematopoietic graft-vs.-host reactions can be induced without graft-vs.-host disease in murine mixed chimeras established with a cyclophosphamide-based nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen

Mixed hematopoietic chimerism can be induced in mice receiving allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after nonmyeloablative host conditioning with depletion T cells with of anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), low-dose (3 Gy) total-body irradiation (TBI), and local thymic irradiation (7 Gy). These mice are specifically tolerant to donor and host antigens. When nontolerant donor T cells are given to chimeras several months after BMT, full donor-type chimerism develops, but graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) does not occur. The induction of such lymphohematopoietic GVH reactions without GVHD could provide an approach to separating graft-vs.-leukemia (GVL) from GVHD in patients with hematologic malignancies. To make the nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen described above more cytoreductive for such malignancies, we have now modified it by replacing TBI with cyclophosphamide (CP). Treatment with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs on day -5, 200 mg/kg CP on day -1, and 7 Gy thymic irradiation on day 0 was only slightly myelosuppressive and allowed fully major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched (with or without multiple minor antigen disparities) allogeneic bone marrow to engraft and establish long-term mixed chimerism in 40 to 82% of recipients in three different strain combinations. The administration of nontolerant donor spleen cells at 5 weeks or at 5, 8, and 11 weeks posttransplant was capable of eliminating host hematopoietic cells, leading to full or nearly full donor chimerism in six of six and two of four chimeric animals in two different strain combinations. No clinical evidence of GVHD was observed in any recipients of these donor leukocyte infusions (DLI). These studies demonstrate that induction of mixed chimerism with nonmyeloablative conditioning followed at appropriate times by DLI might allow lymphohematopoietic GVH reactions, and hence GVL effects, to eliminate chronic hematologic malignancies without causing clinically significant GVHD.

The role of interleukin-12 in preserving the graft-versus-leukemia effect of allogeneic CD8 T cells independently of GVHD

Interleukin (IL)-12 is a potent immunostimulatory cytokine and inducer of Th1 cell activity and of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and natural killer cell function. This cytokine also has anti-tumor activity. Although IL-12 has been shown to be an important pathogenic cytokine in the induction of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), injection of exogenous IL-12 to murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients paradoxically leads to a significant delay in the onset of GVHD mortality in fully MHC plus multiple minor antigen-mismatched strain combinations, and to complete inhibition of GVHD in a single haplotype-mismatched murine BMT model. IL-12-induced inhibition of GVHD is associated with reduced donor T cell activation and expansion, in part through an interferon (IFN)-gamma-mediated mechanism. Fas-mediated apoptosis of donor T cells also plays a significant role in IL-12-induced GVHD protection. Importantly, IL-12 preserves the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect of allogeneic CD8 T cells against EL4, a host-type leukemia/lymphoma, while inhibiting GVHD. Like the protective effect against GVHD, the GVL effect in IL-12-treated mice is dependent on IFN-gamma. Thus, treatment with IL-12 leads to separation of GVHD-promoting and GVL effects of allogeneic BMT via an IFN-gamma-dependent mechanism.

Donor-derived interferon gamma is required for inhibition of acute graft-versus-host disease by interleukin 12

We have demonstrated that a single injection of interleukin (IL)-12 on the day of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) inhibits acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mice. This effect of IL-12 can be diminished by anti-interferon (IFN)-gamma mAb. To determine the mechanism by which IFN-gamma affects IL-12-mediated GVHD protection, we have compared the effect of IL-12 on GVHD in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) or IFN-gamma gene knockout (GKO) recipients of fully major histocompatibility complex plus minor antigen-mismatched allogeneic BMT from WT or GKO BALB/c mice. Lethal acute GVHD was readily induced in the absence of IFN-gamma. IL-12 inhibited GVHD mortality to a similar extent in WT and GKO recipients of WT allogeneic BMT. However, neither WT nor GKO recipients were protected by IL-12 from GVHD induced by GKO allogeneic BMT. Moreover, the effective inhibition of host-reactive donor T cell activation and expansion that is associated with IL-12-mediated GVHD protection was dependent on the ability of BALB/c donors to produce IFN-gamma. These results demonstrate that (a) acute GVHD can be induced in the absence of IFN-gamma, (b) host IFN-gamma does not play a critical role in IL-12-induced GVHD protection, and (c) the protective effect of IL-12 against GVHD is dependent on the ability of the donor to produce IFN-gamma.

B-cell reconstitution and xenoreactive anti-pig natural antibody production in severe combined immunodeficient mice reconstituted with immunocompetent B cells from varying sources

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the B-cell subsets that produce xenoreactive natural antibodies (NAb). This study was undertaken to investigate the potential role of varying B-cell populations in anti-pig NAb production in mice.

METHODS

Severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice were reconstituted with bone marrow or splenic or peritoneal B cells from immunocompetent mice. B-cell reconstitution and anti-pig NAb were evaluated by flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

Adult marrow failed to reconstitute normal numbers of CD5+ B1a cells, but fully reconstituted CD5- Mac1- B2 and CD5- Mac1+ B1b cell populations in scid mice. Recipients of peritoneal B cells showed poor reconstitution of B2 cells, and an overshoot of B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity. Although B2 cells predominate in the adult spleen, splenic B cells from immunocompetent mice preferentially reconstituted B cells, including B1 cells, in the peritoneal cavity, but did not reconstitute splenic B2 cells. Therefore, neither adult marrow, splenocytes nor peritoneal cells can fully reconstitute scid mice with all B-cell subpopulations. Nevertheless, serum anti-pig NAb in marrow-reconstituted mice recovered to normal levels by 3 weeks, and were maintained for at least 30 weeks. Serum NAb in scid mice receiving peritoneal B cells reached normal levels by 4-7 weeks after transfer. However, NAb in sera of scid mice receiving splenic B cells took longer (>25 weeks) to reach normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that adult marrow-derived B cells can efficiently produce anti-pig NAb, and that peritoneal B cells have greater NAb-producing ability than splenic B cells or their immediate progeny.

Morphometry of fine structural alterations of hepatocytes of Japanese monkeys under fasting stress

The fine structural alterations of hepatocytes of Japanese monkeys under 4 days of fasting stress were analyzed morphometrically. One of the conspicuous alterations was the enlargement of mitochondria. The average diameter of mitochondria in fasting group increased to approximately 1.89-fold of that in control group, though their number did not change. The number of peroxisomes was 1.36-fold of that in control, though their area did not change. In addition, many of r-ER were swollen and were vesiculated. The appearance of bundle of actin-like stress fiber also increased in the fasting animals. The glycogen area as well as liver weight decreased in fasting group.

Interleukin-12 inhibits graft-versus-host disease through an Fas-mediated mechanism associated with alterations in donor T-cell activation and expansion

We have recently made the paradoxical observation that a single injection of recombinant murine interleukin-12 (IL-12) on the day of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) inhibits graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in lethally irradiated mice receiving fully major histocompatability complex (MHC)-mismatched bone marrow and spleen cells. We have now examined the mechanism of this effect of IL-12 on acute GVHD. By day 4 post-BMT, IL-12-treated mice showed marked reductions in splenic donor CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells compared with GVHD controls. Expression of the early activation markers IL-2R alpha chain (CD25) and CD69 on splenic donor CD4(+) cells was considerably higher at early time points (36 and 72 hours post-BMT) in IL-12-treated mice compared with GVHD controls. However, the later, GVHD-associated increase in CD25 and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) expression on donor T cells was greatly depressed in IL-12-protected mice compared with GVHD controls. The marked GVHD-associated expansion of host-reactive T helper cells by day 4 was also completely inhibited in the IL-12-treated group. Expression of Fas was increased on donor CD4 cells of IL-12-treated mice compared with those of controls on days 3 through 7 post-BMT. Furthermore, the ability of IL-12 to protect against GVHD was at least partially dependent on the ability of donor cells to express functional Fas molecules. We conclude that IL-12 treatment at the time of BMT markedly perturbs the activation of alloreactive donor CD4(+) T cells that play a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute GVHD. We hypothesize that these perturbations culminate in Fas-dependent apoptosis of donor T cells, thus impeding their expansion and their GVHD-promoting activity.

Tolerization of anti-Galalpha1-3Gal natural antibody-forming B cells by induction of mixed chimerism

Xenotransplantation could overcome the severe shortage of allogeneic organs, a major factor limiting organ transplantation. Unfortunately, transplantation of organs from pigs, the most suitable potential donor species, results in hyperacute rejection in primate recipients, due to the presence of anti-Galalpha1-3Gal (Gal) natural antibodies (NAbs) in their sera. We evaluated the ability to tolerize anti-Gal NAb-producing B cells in alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) mice using bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from GalT+/+ wild-type (WT) mice. Lasting mixed chimerism was achieved in KO mice by cotransplantation of GalT KO and WT marrow after lethal irradiation. The levels of anti-Gal NAb in sera of mixed chimeras were reduced markedly 2 wk after BMT, and became undetectable at later time points. Immunization with Gal+/+ xenogeneic cells failed to stimulate anti-Gal antibody production in mixed chimeras, whereas the production of non-Gal-specific antixenoantigen antibodies was stimulated. An absence of anti-Gal-producing B cells was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunospot assays in mixed KO + WT --> KO chimeras. Thus, mixed chimerism efficiently induces anti-Gal-specific B cell tolerance in addition to T cell tolerance, providing a single approach to overcoming both the humoral and the cellular immune barriers to discordant xenotransplantation.

Interleukin-12 preserves the graft-versus-leukemia effect of allogeneic CD8 T cells while inhibiting CD4-dependent graft-versus-host disease in mice

We have recently demonstrated that a single injection of 4,900 IU of interleukin-12 (IL-12) on the day of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) markedly inhibits acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a fully major histocompatibility complex plus minor antigen-mismatched BMT model (A/J --> B10, H-2(a) --> H-2(b)), in which donor CD4(+) T cells are required for the induction of acute GVHD. We show here that donor CD8-dependent graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects against EL4 (H-2(b)) leukemia/lymphoma can be preserved while GVHD is inhibited by IL-12 in this model. In mice in which IL-12 mediated a significant protective effect against GVHD, marked GVL effects of allogeneic T cells against EL4 were observed. GVL effects against EL4 depended on CD8-mediated alloreactivity, protection was not observed in recipients of either syngeneic (B10) or CD8-depleted allogeneic spleen cells. Furthermore, we analyzed IL-12-treated recipients of EL4 and A/J spleen cells which survived for more than 100 days. No EL4 cells were detected in these mice by flow cytometry, tissue culture, adoptive transfer, necropsies, or histologic examination. Both GVL effects and the inhibitory effect of IL-12 on GVHD were diminished by neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) monoclonal antibody. This study demonstrates that IL-12-induced IFN-gamma production plays a role in the protective effect of IL-12 against GVHD. Furthermore, IFN-gamma is involved in the GVL effect against EL4 leukemia, demonstrating that protection from CD4-mediated GVHD and CD8-dependent anti-leukemic activity can be provided by a single cytokine, IFN-gamma. These observations may provide the basis for a new approach to inhibiting GVHD while preserving GVL effects of alloreactivity.

Interleukin-12 prevents severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and GVHD-associated immune dysfunction in a fully major histocompatibility complex haplotype-mismatched murine bone marrow transplantation model

BACKGROUND

We have recently reported that interleukin (IL)-12 prevents acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-induced mortality in a full major histocompatibility complex- plus multiple minor antigen-mismatched A/J-->B10 bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model. Because most patients have access to a haploidentical, one haplotype-mismatched donor, we have now investigated the protective effect of IL-12 against GVHD and GVHD-associated immune dysfunction in a haploidentical CBD2F1 (H2kxd) --> B6D2F1 (H2bxd) strain combination.

METHODS

GVHD was induced by injecting CBD2F1 marrow and spleen cells into lethally irradiated B6D2F1 mice.

RESULTS

In untreated control mice, GVHD resulted in 87% mortality by day 8 after BMT, with no survivors beyond day 17. Treatment with a single injection of IL-12 on the day of BMT led to 87% long-term survival, with no significant weight loss, diarrhea or GVHD skin changes. The majority of T cells recovering in these mice showed the CD62L+, CD44low, CD45RBhigh naive phenotype. These T cells showed specific tolerance to both host and donor histocompatibility antigens, but normal anti-third party (H2s) alloresponses in vitro. B-cell proliferative responses to lipopolysaccharide were also normal in IL-12-protected mice. Moreover, normal negative selection of thymocytes bearing T cell receptors with Vbeta that recognize endogenous superantigens was observed among CD4+CD8- thymocytes, indicating a lack of GVHD-associated thymic selection abnormalities in IL-12-protected allogeneic BMT recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-12 provides permanent protection against an otherwise severe, rapidly lethal GVHD, with no clinical manifestations of chronic GVHD, immunosuppression or autoimmune features, in a full major histocompatibilty complex haplotype-mismatched murine BMT model.

Tolerance induction for xenotransplantation

The transplantation of donor hematopoietic tissue prior to organ xenografting has the potential to induce lasting T cell tolerance and, possibly, tolerance of natural antibody-producing B cells. However, the development of specific and nontoxic methods of overcoming the immunologic and physiologic barriers to xenogeneic marrow engraftment is a major challenge that must be met before this goal can be achieved. A greater understanding of the species specificity of molecular interactions important for hematopoiesis and cell homing is a first step toward transcending these physiologic barriers. Perhaps most promising is the potential associated with the use of nonprimate xenogeneic donors genetically engineered to make donor tissues more readily capable of surviving and, in the case of hematopoietic cells, competing with host tissues for survival in a human environment.

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on influenza virus host resistance in mice

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes numerous immunotoxic effects including thymic involution and an immunosuppression of nonspecific as well as specific cell- and humoral-mediated immunity. TCDD administration to laboratory animals also results in a decreased resistance to numerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Effects on virus host resistance appear to be among the most sensitive effects of TCDD immunotoxicity. However, previous studies have not achieved a no effect level. The present studies utilized an influenza virus host resistance model in mice to quantify the sensitivity of this model to TCDD and to determine the NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) of TCDD for influenza virus. Results indicated that a single dose of TCDD at 0.10, 0.05, or 0.01 microgram/kg resulted in an increased mortality to Hong Kong influenza virus when mice were challenged 7 days after TCDD administration. Increased mortality was not correlated with increased virus titers in the lungs. TCDD at 0.005 or 0.001 micrograms/kg had no effect on influenza-induced mortality. TCDD alone did not affect thymus weight at any dose administered in this study. TCDD also did not alter the virus-enhanced increase in lung weight:body weight ratio nor the virus-induced decrease in thymus weight. Thus, low levels of TCDD exposure lead to enhanced mortality to influenza virus; however, the mechanism of this effect remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, enhanced mortality to influenza virus in mice following a single dose of 10 ng TCDD/kg represents the most sensitive adverse effect yet reported for TCDD.

Diversity of T cell receptor delta-chain cDNA in the thymus of a one-month-old pig

Pig TCR delta-chain cDNA sequences were obtained from the anchored PCR products of the reverse-transcribed RNA from the thymus of a 1-mo-old germfree pig. Among 43 sequences analyzed, 4 different J delta sequences were found, and in the cDNA sequences of rearranged V-D-J junctional regions, three putative D delta sequences were assigned. Also, the V delta region sequences were grouped into five families. One family, V delta 1, consisted of a large number of members and the other families consisted of limited members as determined by cDNA sequences as well as genomic Southern blots. Using PCR, V delta 1 gene segments were also obtained from liver genomic DNA of the same individual pig. Thirty-one distinct sequences were found for the V delta 1 family including the sequences obtained from both the thymic RNA and the PCR product of liver DNA. All the V delta 1 genes were found to be associated with almost identical leader gene sequences. The amino acid sequences of the complimentarity-determining region 3 coded by the V-D-J joints gave long and variable lengths with a high content of tryptophan and charged amino acids. The length of the complimentarity-determining region 3 in the porcine TCR delta-chain supports the idea that TCR delta-chain is designed to see Ags directly similar to the Ig heavy chain. Data presented from this study shows that the porcine TCR delta-chain has extensive V region diversity as well as junctional diversity. The combination of these two creates a level of diversity that is the highest of any lymphocyte Ag receptor studied so far.

Diversity of T cell receptor delta-chain cDNA in the thymus of a one-month-old pig

Pig TCR delta-chain cDNA sequences were obtained from the anchored PCR products of the reverse-transcribed RNA from the thymus of a 1-mo-old germfree pig. Among 43 sequences analyzed, 4 different J delta sequences were found, and in the cDNA sequences of rearranged V-D-J junctional regions, three putative D delta sequences were assigned. Also, the V delta region sequences were grouped into five families. One family, V delta 1, consisted of a large number of members and the other families consisted of limited members as determined by cDNA sequences as well as genomic Southern blots. Using PCR, V delta 1 gene segments were also obtained from liver genomic DNA of the same individual pig. Thirty-one distinct sequences were found for the V delta 1 family including the sequences obtained from both the thymic RNA and the PCR product of liver DNA. All the V delta 1 genes were found to be associated with almost identical leader gene sequences. The amino acid sequences of the complimentarity-determining region 3 coded by the V-D-J joints gave long and variable lengths with a high content of tryptophan and charged amino acids. The length of the complimentarity-determining region 3 in the porcine TCR delta-chain supports the idea that TCR delta-chain is designed to see Ags directly similar to the Ig heavy chain. Data presented from this study shows that the porcine TCR delta-chain has extensive V region diversity as well as junctional diversity. The combination of these two creates a level of diversity that is the highest of any lymphocyte Ag receptor studied so far.

Immunocytochemical localization of desmin in skeletal muscle of swine

A porcine antibody was used to clarify the localization of desmin filaments in the swine longissimus muscle by post-embedding immuno-electron microscopy. The major site of desmin localization was the bundle of filaments connecting Z-discs of adjacent myofibrils. These desmin filaments were localized not only between but also within myofibrils. This indicates that there exist more complicated networks rather than simple bundles of desmin filaments running parallel to the Z-discs. Clarification of desmin distribution within the myofibrils surrounding Z-discs provides a basic concept for consideration of the combination and transformation of vimentin to desmin in developing human embryonic muscles.

[Determination of the thickness of the wall of portal vein trunk in patients of schistosomiasis japonica with hepatic fibrosis and its clinical significance]

The thickness of the wall of the portal vein trunk (PVT) was determined with B-mode ultrasonography in 82 patients of schistosomiasis, with hepatic fibrosis, 35 cases of schistosomiasis without hepatic fibrosis, 30 cases of post-hepatitis cirrhosis and 32 healthy subjects. It was shown that the wall thickness of PVT increased in all the patients with schistosomiasis. The thickness in patients of schistosomiasis with hepatic fibrosis was markedly increased as compared with the other three groups (P < 0.01 in all). The magnitude of increase of the wall thickness correlated well with the severity of the pathological change of hepatic fibrosis. It was also noted that change of wall thickness of PVT was not only accompanied by change in hyaluronate and hydroxyproline estimation, but also closely correlated with the international criteria of ultrasound parameters for assessment of pathological changes of schistosomiasis (rs = 0.839, rs = 0.748). Measurement of the wall thickness of PVT is, therefore, a valuable clinical method for diagnosing schistosomiasis with hepatic fibrosis and determining the severity of its pathological change.

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on pulmonary influenza virus titer and natural killer (NK) activity in rats

Suppression of immune function and enhanced susceptibility to infection in mice is one of the more sensitive indicators of TCDD toxicity. Recent efforts to demonstrate similar effects in the rat have shown that there are considerable differences between the two species. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TCDD exposure on (a) an influenza virus host resistance model in rats and (b) natural killer cell activity in the lung and spleen. Fischer 344 rats were treated with 10 micrograms TCDD/kg body weight via gavage and infected intranasally with rat-adapted influenza virus (RAIV) 7 days later. Virus-augmented NK activity assessed at 48 hr postinfection in the lung was significantly suppressed in rats treated with 3, 10, or 30 micrograms TCDD/kg body weight. Spontaneous NK activity in either lung or spleen was not affected by TCDD exposure. Significantly higher virus titers were observed on Days 2, 3, and 4 postinfection in the lungs of rats treated with TCDD (10 micrograms/kg). TCDD had no effect on the amount of virus recovered from nasal lavage. Acute exposure to TCDD did not significantly affect lung and body weights in rats infected with RAIV except in the highest dose (30 micrograms/kg) treated rats. Rats exposed to repeated doses of TCDD showed a significant increase of lung weights and L/B ratios when rats were infected with RAIV after TCDD exposure. Virus-augmented pulmonary NK activity in these rats was significantly suppressed; however, the suppression was not more profound than that in rats exposed to a single dose of TCDD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of citrinin using Hydra attenuata and postimplantation rat whole embryo culture

Citrinin (a mycotoxin produced as a frequent contaminant of food and feed by numerous species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi) is embryo/fetotoxic and embryocidal in mice and rats. The present study was designed to examine whether the in vivo observed developmental toxicity of citrinin could be recapitulated using the Hydra attenuata (HA) bioassay and then be confirmed in rat whole embryo culture (WEC). Results from the HA assay indicated that the minimal affective concentrations of citrinin required to elicit a toxic response in the adult hydra (MACA) and in the regenerating hydra (MACD) were 30 mg/l and 20 mg/l, respectively. The Hydra developmental hazard index (A/D ratio) was equal to 1.5, classifying citrinin as a coaffective developmental toxin. In WEC, rat embryos were cultured in homologous (rat) serum containing citrinin at various concentrations ranging from 0.0 and 300 micrograms/ml for a period of 45 h. The results indicated a concentration-dependent reduction in yolk sac diameter, crown-rump length, somite number, protein and DNA contents. No embryonic dysmorphogenesis was observed in any treatment group. Histological examination revealed severe diffuse mesodermal and ectodermal necrosis in embryos treated with 250 micrograms/ml citrinin. At lower concentrations of citrinin, embryos were neither grossly nor histologically different from controls. Both the HA and WEC bioassays demonstrated that citrinin is not a primary developmental toxin. The use of HA and WEC bioassays in tandem may facilitate the rapid detection and ranking of the developmental hazards of food and feedborne mycotoxins.

[Effect of improving memory and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity by invigorating-qi and warming-yang recipe]

Invigorating-Qi and Warming-Yang (IQWY) had a good curative effect to some senile diseases such as senile dementia, senile hypomnesia etc. This experiment was designed for probing into the therapeutical mechanism of IQWY recipe. BALB/C pure bred mice were divided into five groups. Group I was taken per os of invigorating Qi (IQ), Group II warming Yang (WY), Group III IQWY drugs, Group IV was dysmnesia model, and Group V blank control group injected with normal saline only. All groups except Group V were injected scopolamine (5mg/kg) intraperitoneally to induce dysmnesia model after medication. IQ drug consisted of Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WY drug of Cynomorium songoricum, Epimedium brevicornum and Cuscuta chinensis, while IQWY recipe consisted of both IQ and WY drugs. The results showed that IQ, WY and IQWY had an evident antagonistic action to Scopolamine induced dysmnesia mice, and could improve their memory. The erroneous times of the animal's reaction in Group I, II and III were less than those in Group IV, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the mice could be inhibited by IQ, WY and IQWY also. The activity in Group I, II and III was less than that in Group IV and V, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. The therapeutic mechanism of IQWY was in connection with its effect to M-cholinergic transmitters of central nervous system.

Purification of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from soybean

S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19) was purified to homogeneity from the cytosol of soybean (Glycine max) axes by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sepharose and methylglyoxalbis(guanylhydrazone)-Sepharose 6B chromatographies. The enzyme was free from diamine oxidase activity. The molecular weight of the enzyme estimated by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 66,000. The Km value for S-adenosylmethionine was 0.26 mM. The optimum pH and temperature were 7.5 and 40 degrees C. Neither putrescine nor Mg2+ affected the enzyme activity, but the enzyme was inhibited by spermidine, spermine, methylglyoxalbis(guanylhydrazone), sodium borohydride and phenylhydrazine. Agmatine was a novel inhibitor which inhibited S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase, preventing the accumulation of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine and putrescine, respectively.

HLA-DR gene frequencies in the Japanese population obtained by oligonucleotide genotyping

We determined HLA-DRB types of 375 randomly chosen healthy Japanese donors using a set of 29 different sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probes directed against various DRB alleles. Except for a few cases, these SSOs enabled us to identify 33 different DRB types including those detectable only by SSO genotyping. Gene frequencies were calculated for each of the DRB types identified. The "blank" frequency calculated by our SSO typing was essentially zero, in contrast to the considerably high "blank" frequencies reported at serological HLA-DR or cellular HLA-D workshops. This indicates that almost all of the DRB types in the Japanese population are positively detectable by our SSO typing. By comparing the gene frequencies for each of the DR types obtained by our SSO typing with those obtained by immunological typing at workshops, significant differences were observed for several of the DR types.