Roflumilast inhibits tumor growth and migration in STK11/LKB1 deficient pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system. It is highly aggressive, easily metastasizes, and extremely difficult to treat. This study aimed to analyze the genes that might regulate pancreatic cancer migration to provide an essential basis for the prognostic assessment of pancreatic cancer and individualized treatment. A CRISPR knockout library directed against 915 murine genes was transfected into TB 32047 cell line to screen which gene loss promoted cell migration. Next-generation sequencing and PinAPL.py- analysis was performed to identify candidate genes. We then assessed the effect of serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) knockout on pancreatic cancer by wound-healing assay, chick agnosia (CAM) assay, and orthotopic mouse pancreatic cancer model. We performed RNA sequence and Western blotting for mechanistic studies to identify and verify the pathways. After accelerated Transwell migration screening, STK11 was identified as one of the top candidate genes. Further experiments showed that targeted knockout of STK11 promoted the cell migration and increased liver metastasis in mice. Mechanistic analyses revealed that STK11 knockout influences blood vessel morphogenesis and is closely associated with the enhanced expression of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), especially PDE4D, PDE4B, and PDE10A. PDE4 inhibitor Roflumilast inhibited STK11-KO cell migration and tumor size, further demonstrating that PDEs are essential for STK11-deficient cell migration. Our findings support the adoption of therapeutic strategies, including Roflumilast, for patients with STK11-mutated pancreatic cancer in order to improve treatment efficacy and ultimately prolong survival.

NLRP3 Inhibition Leads to Impaired Mucosal Fibroblast Function in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by mucosal inflammation and sequential fibrosis formation, but the exact role of the hyperactive NLRP3 inflammasome in these processes is unclear. Thus, we studied the expression and function of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the context of inflammation and fibrosis in IBD.

METHODS

We analysed intestinal NLRP3 expression in mucosal immune cells and fibroblasts from IBD patients and NLRP3-associated gene expression via single-cell RNA sequencing and microarray analyses. Furthermore, cytokine secretion of NLRP3 inhibitor treated blood and mucosal cells, as well as proliferation, collagen production, and cell death of NLRP3 inhibitor treated intestinal fibroblasts from IBD patients were studied.

RESULTS

We found increased NLRP3 expression in the inflamed mucosa of IBD patients and NLRP3 inhibition led to reduced IL-1β and IL-18 production in blood cells and diminished the bioactive form of mucosal IL-1β. Single cell analysis identified overlapping expression patterns of NLRP3 and IL-1β in classically activated intestinal macrophages and we also detected NLRP3 expression in CD163+ macrophages. In addition, NLRP3 expression was also found in intestinal fibroblasts from IBD patients. Inhibition of NLRP3 led to reduced proliferation of intestinal fibroblasts, which was associated with a marked decrease in production of collagen type I and type VI in IBD patients. Moreover, NLRP3 inhibition in intestinal fibroblasts induced autophagy, a cellular process involved in collagen degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the presented study, we demonstrate that inhibiting NLRP3 might pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches in IBD, especially to prevent the severe complication of intestinal fibrosis formation.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Cystathionine β-synthase as novel endogenous regulator of lymphangiogenesis via modulating VEGF receptor 2 and 3

Lymphangiogenesis is a key player in several diseases such as tumor metastasis, obesity, and graft rejection. Endogenous regulation of lymphangiogenesis is only partly understood. Here we use the normally avascular cornea as a model to identify endogenous regulators of lymphangiogenesis. Quantitative trait locus analysis of a large low-lymphangiogenic BALB/cN x high-lymphangiogenic C57BL/6 N intercross and prioritization by whole-transcriptome sequencing identify a novel gene responsible for differences in lymphatic vessel architecture on chromosome 17, the cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs). Inhibition of CBS in lymphatic endothelial cells results in reduce proliferation, migration, altered tube-formation, and decrease expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) and VEGF-R3, but not their ligands VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Also in vivo inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis is significantly reduce in C57BL/6 N mice after pharmacological inhibition of CBS. The results confirm CBS as a novel endogenous regulator of lymphangiogenesis acting via VEGF receptor 2 and 3-regulation and open new treatment avenues in diseases associated with pathologic lymphangiogenesis.

STAT3 activation through IL-6/IL-11 in cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes colorectal tumour development and correlates with poor prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) influence the tumour microenvironment and tumour growth. However, the role of CAFs in colorectal cancer (CRC) development is incompletely understood.

DESIGN

We quantified phosphorylation of STAT3 (pSTAT3) expression in CAFs of human colon cancer tissue using a tissue microarray (TMA) of 375 patients, immunofluorescence staining and digital pathology. To investigate the functional role of CAFs in CRC, we took advantage of two murine models of colorectal neoplasia and advanced imaging technologies. In loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments, using genetically modified mice with collagen type VI (COLVI)-specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) targeting, we evaluated STAT3 signalling in fibroblasts during colorectal tumour development. We performed a comparative gene expression profiling by whole genome RNA-sequencing of fibroblast subpopulations (COLVI+ vs COLVI-) on STAT3 activation (IL-6 vs IL-11).

RESULTS

The analysis of pSTAT3 expression in CAFs of human TMAs revealed a negative correlation of increased stromal pSTAT3 expression with the survival of colon cancer patients. In the loss-of-function and gain-of-function approach, we found a critical role of STAT3 activation in fibroblasts in driving colorectal tumourigenesis in vivo. With different imaging technologies, we detected an expansion of activated fibroblasts in colorectal neoplasias. Comparative gene expression profiling of fibroblast subpopulations on STAT3 activation revealed the regulation of transcriptional patterns associated with angiogenesis. Finally, the blockade of proangiogenic signalling significantly reduced colorectal tumour growth in mice with constitutive STAT3 activation in COLVI+ fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Altogether our work demonstrates a critical role of STAT3 activation in CAFs in CRC development.

Macrophage Phosphoproteome Analysis Reveals MINCLE-dependent and -independent Mycobacterial Cord Factor Signaling

Immune sensing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on recognition by macrophages. Mycobacterial cord factor, trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), is the most abundant cell wall glycolipid and binds to the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) MINCLE. To explore the kinase signaling linking the TDM-MINCLE interaction to gene expression, we employed quantitative phosphoproteome analysis. TDM caused upregulation of 6.7% and suppressed 3.8% of the 14,000 phospho-sites identified on 3727 proteins. MINCLE-dependent phosphorylation was observed for canonical players of CLR signaling (e.g. PLCγ, PKCδ), and was enriched for PKCδ and GSK3 kinase motifs. MINCLE-dependent activation of the PI3K-AKT-GSK3 pathway contributed to inflammatory gene expression and required the PI3K regulatory subunit p85α. Unexpectedly, a substantial fraction of TDM-induced phosphorylation was MINCLE-independent, a finding paralleled by transcriptome data. Bioinformatics analysis of both data sets concurred in the requirement for MINCLE for innate immune response pathways and processes. In contrast, MINCLE-independent phosphorylation and transcriptome responses were linked to cell cycle regulation. Collectively, our global analyses show substantial reprogramming of macrophages by TDM and reveal a dichotomy of MINCLE-dependent and -independent signaling linked to distinct biological responses.

Evolutionary conserved networks of human height identify multiple Mendelian causes of short stature

Height is a heritable and highly heterogeneous trait. Short stature affects 3% of the population and in most cases is genetic in origin. After excluding known causes, 67% of affected individuals remain without diagnosis. To identify novel candidate genes for short stature, we performed exome sequencing in 254 unrelated families with short stature of unknown cause and identified variants in 63 candidate genes in 92 (36%) independent families. Based on systematic characterization of variants and functional analysis including expression in chondrocytes, we classified 13 genes as strong candidates. Whereas variants in at least two families were detected for all 13 candidates, two genes had variants in 6 (UBR4) and 8 (LAMA5) families, respectively. To facilitate their characterization, we established a clustered network of 1025 known growth and short stature genes, which yielded 29 significantly enriched clusters, including skeletal system development, appendage development, metabolic processes, and ciliopathy. Eleven of the candidate genes mapped to 21 of these clusters, including CPZ, EDEM3, FBRS, IFT81, KCND1, PLXNA3, RASA3, SLC7A8, UBR4, USP45, and ZFHX3. Fifty additional growth-related candidates we identified await confirmation in other affected families. Our study identifies Mendelian forms of growth retardation as an important component of idiopathic short stature.

Tyrosinase Is a Novel Endogenous Regulator of Developmental and Inflammatory Lymphangiogenesis

Lymphangiogenesis is critically involved in tissue fluid balance, graft rejection, and tumor metastasis. Endogenous regulation of lymphangiogenesis is poorly understood. Herein, we use the lymphatic vessel architecture at the limbal border of the normally avascular cornea, a quantitative trait under strong genetic influence, as a model system to identify new candidate genes regulating lymphangiogenesis. Comparing low-lymphangiogenic BALB/cN with high-lymphangiogenic C57BL/6N mice, we performed quantitative trait loci analysis of five phenotypes in a large BALB/cN × C57BL/6N intercross (n = 795) and identified three to eight genome-wide significant loci, the strongest on chromosome 7 containing tyrosinase (Tyr). Tyrosinase-negative mice showed significantly increased limbal lymph vascularized areas, a higher number of lymphatic vessel end points, and branching points and increased inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis. These findings confirm that tyrosinase is a novel lymphangiogenesis regulator in developmental and inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. Our findings link melanin synthesis with lymphangiogenesis and open new treatment options in lymphangiogenesis-related diseases.

Prenatal androgen receptor activation determines adult alcohol and water drinking in a sex-specific way

Alcohol use disorders are major psychiatric disorders. Correlational studies in humans suggested organizational hormonal effects during embryonic development as a risk factor for adult alcohol dependence. Permanent changes can be induced by the activity of sex hormones, like testosterone. Here, we demonstrate a relationship between prenatal androgen receptor (AR)-activation and adult alcohol as well as water drinking in mice in a sex-dependent fashion. Prenatal AR inhibition using the antagonist flutamide decreased adult male alcohol consumption. In contrast, prenatal AR activation by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) led to an increase in adult alcohol consumption in females. These effects were different in adult water drinking, flutamide increased water consumption in females and DHT increased water consumption in males. Prenatal flutamide reduced locomotion and anxiety in adult males but was ineffective in females. We found that prenatal AR activation controls adult levels of monoaminergic modulatory transmitters in the brain and blood hormone levels in a sex-specific way. RNA-Seq analysis confirmed a prenatal AR mediated control of adult expression of alcohol drinking-related genes like Bdnf and Per2. These findings demonstrate that prenatal androgen activity is a risk factor for the establishment of alcohol consumption in adults by its organizational effects.

Mutations in the BAF-Complex Subunit DPF2 Are Associated with Coffin-Siris Syndrome

Variants affecting the function of different subunits of the BAF chromatin-remodelling complex lead to various neurodevelopmental syndromes, including Coffin-Siris syndrome. Furthermore, variants in proteins containing PHD fingers, motifs recognizing specific histone tail modifications, have been associated with several neurological and developmental-delay disorders. Here, we report eight heterozygous de novo variants (one frameshift, two splice site, and five missense) in the gene encoding the BAF complex subunit double plant homeodomain finger 2 (DPF2). Affected individuals share common clinical features described in individuals with Coffin-Siris syndrome, including coarse facial features, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech impairment, and hypoplasia of fingernails and toenails. All variants occur within the highly conserved PHD1 and PHD2 motifs. Moreover, missense variants are situated close to zinc binding sites and are predicted to disrupt these sites. Pull-down assays of recombinant proteins and histone peptides revealed that a subset of the identified missense variants abolish or impaire DPF2 binding to unmodified and modified H3 histone tails. These results suggest an impairment of PHD finger structural integrity and cohesion and most likely an aberrant recognition of histone modifications. Furthermore, the overexpression of these variants in HEK293 and COS7 cell lines was associated with the formation of nuclear aggregates and the recruitment of both wild-type DPF2 and BRG1 to these aggregates. Expression analysis of truncating variants found in the affected individuals indicated that the aberrant transcripts escape nonsense-mediated decay. Altogether, we provide compelling evidence that de novo variants in DPF2 cause Coffin-Siris syndrome and propose a dominant-negative mechanism of pathogenicity.

Genetic screening confirms heterozygous mutations in ACAN as a major cause of idiopathic short stature

Short stature is a common pediatric disorder affecting 3% of the population. However, the clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity prevents the identification of the underlying cause in about 80% of the patients. Recently, heterozygous mutations in the ACAN gene coding for the proteoglycan aggrecan, a main component of the cartilage matrix, were associated with idiopathic short stature. To ascertain the prevalence of ACAN mutations and broaden the phenotypic spectrum in patients with idiopathic short stature we performed sequence analyses in 428 families. We identified heterozygous nonsense mutations in four and potentially disease-causing missense variants in two families (1.4%). These patients presented with a mean of −3.2 SDS and some suggestive clinical characteristics. The results suggest heterozygous mutations in ACAN as a common cause of isolated as well as inherited idiopathic short stature.

Activation of Epithelial Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 by Interleukin 28 Controls Mucosal Healing in Mice With Colitis and Is Increased in Mucosa of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We investigated the roles of interleukin 28A (also called IL28A or interferon λ2) in intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) activation, studying its effects in mouse models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and intestinal mucosal healing.

METHODS

Colitis was induced in C57BL/6JCrl mice (controls), mice with IEC-specific disruption of Stat1 (Stat1IEC-KO), mice with disruption of the interferon λ receptor 1 gene (Il28ra-/-), and mice with disruption of the interferon regulatory factor 3 gene (Irf3-/-), with or without disruption of Irf7 (Irf7-/-). We used high-resolution mini-endoscopy and in vivo imaging methods to assess colitis progression. We used 3-dimensional small intestine and colon organoids, along with RNA-Seq and gene ontology methods, to characterize the effects of IL28 on primary IECs. We studied the effects of IL28 on the human intestinal cancer cell line Caco-2 in a wound-healing assay, and in mice colon wounds. Colonic biopsies and resected tissue from patients with IBD (n = 62) and patients without colon inflammation (controls, n = 23) were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain rection to measure expression of IL28A, IL28RA, and other related cytokines; biopsy samples were also analyzed by immunofluorescence to identify sources of IL28 production. IECs were isolated from patient tissues and incubated with IL28; signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation was measured by immunoblots and confocal imaging.

RESULTS

Lamina propria cells in colon tissues of patients with IBD, and mice with colitis, had increased expression of IL28 compared with controls; levels of IL28R were increased in the colonic epithelium of patients with IBD and mice with colitis. Administration of IL28 induced phosphorylation of STAT1 in primary human and mouse IECs, increasing with dose. Il28ra-/-, Irf3-/-, Irf3-/-Irf7-/-, as well as Stat1IEC-KO mice, developed more severe colitis after administration of dextran sulfate sodium than control mice, with reduced epithelial restitution. Il28ra-/- and Stat1IEC-KO mice also developed more severe colitis in response to oxazolone than control mice. We found IL28 to induce phosphorylation (activation) of STAT1 in epithelial cells, leading to their proliferation in organoid culture. Administration of IL28 to mice with induced colonic wounds promoted mucosal healing.

CONCLUSIONS

IL28 controls proliferation of IECs in mice with colitis and accelerates mucosal healing by activating STAT1. IL28 might be developed as a therapeutic agent for patients with IBD.

Hyperandrogenemia and high prolactin in congenital utero–vaginal aplasia patients

Patients with the Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome (MRKH) have a congenital utero–vaginal cervical aplasia, but normal or hypoplastic adnexa and develop with normal female phenotype. Some reports mostly demonstrated regular steroid hormone levels in small MRKH cohorts including single MRKH patients with hyperandrogenemia and a clinical presentationof hirsutism and acne has also been shown. Genetically a correlation of WNT4 mutations with singular MRKH patients and hyperandrogenemia was noted. This study analyzed the hormone status of 215 MRKH patients by determining the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, 17-OH progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) and prolactin to determine the incidence of hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia in MRKH patients. Additional calculations and a ratio of free androgen index and biologically active testosterone revealed a hyperandrogenemia rate of 48.3%, hyperprolactinemia of 9.8% and combined hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia of 4.2% in MRKH patients. The rates of hirsutism, acne and especially polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were in the normal range of the population and showed no correlation with hyperandrogenemia. A weekly hormone assessment over 30 days comparing 5 controls and 7 MRKH patients revealed high androgen and prolactin, but lower LH/FSH and SHBG levels with MRKH patients. The sequencing of WNT4, WNT5A, WNT7A and WNT9B demonstrated no significant mutations correlating with hyperandrogenemia. Taken together, this study shows that over 52% of MRKH patients have hyperandrogenemia without clinical presentation and 14% hyperprolactinemia, which appeals for general hormone assessment and adjustments of MRKH patients.

Leukemogenic MLL-ENL Fusions Induce Alternative Chromatin States to Drive a Functionally Dichotomous Group of Target Genes

MLL fusions are leukemogenic transcription factors that enhance transcriptional elongation through modification of chromatin and RNA Pol II. Global transcription rates and chromatin changes accompanying the transformation process induced by MLL-ENL were monitored by nascent RNA-seq and ChIP-seq, revealing 165 direct target genes separated into two distinct clades. ME5 genes bound MLL-ENL at the promoter, relied on DOT1L-mediated histone methylation, and coded preferentially for transcription factors, including many homeobox genes. A distinct ME3 group accumulated MLL-ENL beyond the termination site, was dependent on P-TEFb-mediated phosphorylation of RNA Pol II for transcription, and translated mainly into proteins involved in RNA biology and ribosome assembly. This dichotomy was reflected by a differential sensitivity toward small molecule inhibitors, suggesting the possibility of a combinatorial strategy for treatment of MLL-induced leukemia.

THE IMPACT OF SILICON ON TRANSCRIPTS RELATED TO CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS INFECTION IN CUCUMBER

The role of soluble silicon (Si) in alleviating viral plant infections is largely unknown. In order to analyse this gap in knowledge, this study provides insights into the relative gene expression data obtained from 1) control, 2) Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-infected and 3) sodium silica-treated, CMV-infected Cucumis sativus line B10 tissue cultures regenerated plants. The absence or presence of CMV was determined through RT-PCR, six days' post-inoculation. qRT-PCR was performed on five selected host genes related to CMV-defence (argonaute protein, WRKY transcription factor) and replication (chaperone, heat shock cognate protein, aquaporin). Relative gene expressions from Si-treated, CMV-infected clones were not significantly different from CMV-infected clones, but they were significantly different from the control plants. The upregulation of the chaperone, and heat shock cognate genes in Si-treated clones, is associated with enhanced virus replication, while the gene expression of the transcription factor increases and is related to defence, in contrast to decreased expression in CMV-infected clones. Aquaporin gene expression was downregulated and the argonaute expression was unaffected in both Si-treated, CMV-infected as well as CMV-infected clones. Since both alleviating and supportive gene shifts are observed in Si-treated plantlets for key genes related to the virus infection examined herein, sodium silica is suggested to have a neutral and limited impact on CMV infection in cucumber cultures.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANNOTATION SCHEME FOR STANDARDIZED DESCRIPTION OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS IN THE FIELD OF PLANT PROTECTION

Mathematical models on properties and behavior of harmful organisms in the food chain are an increas- ingly relevant approach of the agriculture and food industry. As a consequence, there are many efforts to develop biological models in science, economics and risk assessment nowadays. However, there is a lack of international harmonized standards on model annotation and model formats, which would be neces- sary to set up efficient tools supporting broad model application and information exchange. There are some established standards in the field of systems biology, but there is currently no corresponding provi- sion in the area of plant protection. This work therefore aimed at the development of an annotation scheme using domain-specific metadata. The proposed scheme has been validated in a prototype implementation of a web-database model repository. This prototypic community resource currently contains models on aflatoxin secreting fungal Aspergillus flavus in maize, as these models have a high relevance to food safety and economic impact. Specifically, models describing biological processes of the fungus (growth, Aflatoxin secreting), as well as dose-response- and carry over models were included. Furthermore, phenological models for maize were integrated as well. The developed annotation scheme is based on the well-established data exchange format SBML, which is broadly applied in the field of systems biology. The identified example models were annotated according to the developed scheme and entered into a Web-table (Google Sheets), which was transferred to a web based demonstrator available at https://sites.google.com/site/test782726372685/. By implementation of a software demonstrator it became clear that the proposed annotation scheme can be applied to models on plant pathogens and that broad adoption within the domain could promote communication and application of mathematical models.

FIRST REPORT OF 'CANDIDATUS PHYTOPLASMA ULMI' IN ULMUS LAEVIS IN GERMANY

The wall-less bacteria of the provisory taxon 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' are obligate parasites and associated to diseases in many important crops and trees worldwide. 'Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi', assigned to 16SrV-A subgroup, is a quarantine pest and described to be associated to elm phloem necrosis, leaf yellowing, stunting, witches broom and decline in various elm species. Elm yellows phytoplasmas (EY) have been reported in several European countries but not in Ulmus laevis in Germany so far. Leaf samples from European white elms (Ulmus leavis PALL.) with and without chlorotic symptoms were investigated for EYs infection in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, through performing diagnostic nested PCR targeting partial rRNA operon of phytoplasmas. Specific PCR-products were obtained from 30 out of 59 samples. Partial 16S-rDNA sequences were assigned to 'Ca. P. ulmi' through sequence analysis, while sequence variation was observed. This is the first report of U. laevis infected with 'Ca. P. ulmi' in Germany.

De novo mutations in beta-catenin (CTNNB1) appear to be a frequent cause of intellectual disability: expanding the mutational and clinical spectrum

Recently, de novo heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in beta-catenin (CTNNB1) were described for the first time in four individuals with intellectual disability (ID), microcephaly, limited speech and (progressive) spasticity, and functional consequences of CTNNB1 deficiency were characterized in a mouse model. Beta-catenin is a key downstream component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Somatic gain-of-function mutations have already been found in various tumor types, whereas germline loss-of-function mutations in animal models have been shown to influence neuronal development and maturation. We report on 16 additional individuals from 15 families in whom we newly identified de novo loss-of-function CTNNB1 mutations (six nonsense, five frameshift, one missense, two splice mutation, and one whole gene deletion). All patients have ID, motor delay and speech impairment (both mostly severe) and abnormal muscle tone (truncal hypotonia and distal hypertonia/spasticity). The craniofacial phenotype comprised microcephaly (typically -2 to -4 SD) in 12 of 16 and some overlapping facial features in all individuals (broad nasal tip, small alae nasi, long and/or flat philtrum, thin upper lip vermillion). With this detailed phenotypic characterization of 16 additional individuals, we expand and further establish the clinical and mutational spectrum of inactivating CTNNB1 mutations and thereby clinically delineate this new CTNNB1 haploinsufficiency syndrome.

First Report of European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus in Sorbus aucuparia in Norway

In July 2012, leaf mottle and intensive chlorotic ringspots were observed on urban, forest, or roadside mountain ash trees (Sorbus aucuparia L., rowan) of different ages in Norway during visual inspection of native broadleaf forest tree species. Symptoms resembled those caused by European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV), the type-member of the newly established genus Emaravirus, containing segmented ss(-)RNA and infecting woody host species (2). Leaves of nine out of 30 assessed rowan trees exhibiting characteristic symptoms were sampled in the counties of Nordland and Nord-Trøndelag (between 63.511806° and 66.304680°N latitude). Three of them were infested by the potential vector the eriophyid gall mite Phytoptus pyri. EMARaV was detected from total RNA extracts of leaves by reverse transcription-PCR using virus-specific primers amplifying 300 bp of RNA2 and 204 bp of RNA3, respectively (3). PCR fragments were directly sequenced from both ends and submitted to the EMBL database (accession nos. HG428680 to 97). Sequenced fragments comprising the partial gene encoding the glycoprotein-precursor (261 nucleotides of RNA2 omitting primer sequences) obtained from the nine sampled trees showed identities of 97 to 98% to the sequence of the reference strain of EMARaV from Hamburg, Germany (database accession AY563041). Comparison of 159 nucleotides of the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of viral RNA3 of the nine investigated rowans in Norway exhibited higher sequence diversity on nucleotide level (up to 50 nucleotide exchanges, or 31%) as previously reported from EMARaV variants from other European countries (4). When subjected to BLASTn search through GenBank, only three partial RNA3 sequences generated in this study showed sequence identities of 96% to the reference isolate (accession DQ831831). The other six sequences revealed only 68 to 73% identity to RNA3 sequences of EMARaV variants from GenBank. This led to formation of a separate cluster in phylogenetic analysis of partial RNA3 sequences of the six EMARaV variants from Norway when compared to previously characterized strains from the Czech Republic (n = 2), Finland (n = 17), Germany (n = 1), Great Britain (n = 5), Russia (n = 3), and Sweden (n = 10). From three Norwegian samples clustering separately in the tree based on the partial 3' UTR of RNA3, the partial vRNA1 was amplified by RT-PCR using a generic primer set Motif-A-sense/Motif-C-antisense (1). Sequence analyses of these PCR fragments confirmed the viruses as members of the Emaravirus genus which were most closely related to EMARaV (data not shown). This is the first report of EMARaV in Norway infecting Sorbus aucuparia, a valuable native plant of northern Europe. The data obtained suggest a higher genetic variability of the EMARaV population in mountain ash trees in Norway than in other locations in Central and Northern Europe. However, whether the EMARaV variants identified in this study represent new strains of the virus have to be investigated in the future. References: (1) T. Elbeaino et al. J. Virol. Meth. 188:37, 2013. (2) N. Mielke-Ehret. and H. P. Mühlbach. Viruses 4:1515, 2012. (3) N. Mielke et al. For. Pathol. 38:371, 2008. (4) S. von Bargen et al. For. Pathol. 43: 429, 2013.

Null mutation in PGAP1 impairing Gpi-anchor maturation in patients with intellectual disability and encephalopathy

Many eukaryotic cell-surface proteins are anchored to the membrane via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). There are at least 26 genes involved in biosynthesis and remodeling of GPI anchors. Hypomorphic coding mutations in seven of these genes have been reported to cause decreased expression of GPI anchored proteins (GPI-APs) on the cell surface and to cause autosomal-recessive forms of intellectual disability (ARID). We performed homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing in a family with encephalopathy and non-specific ARID and identified a homozygous 3 bp deletion (p.Leu197del) in the GPI remodeling gene PGAP1. PGAP1 was not described in association with a human phenotype before. PGAP1 is a deacylase that removes an acyl-chain from the inositol of GPI anchors in the endoplasmic reticulum immediately after attachment of GPI to proteins. In silico prediction and molecular modeling strongly suggested a pathogenic effect of the identified deletion. The expression levels of GPI-APs on B lymphoblastoid cells derived from an affected person were normal. However, when those cells were incubated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), GPI-APs were cleaved and released from B lymphoblastoid cells from healthy individuals whereas GPI-APs on the cells from the affected person were totally resistant. Transfection with wild type PGAP1 cDNA restored the PI-PLC sensitivity. These results indicate that GPI-APs were expressed with abnormal GPI structure due to a null mutation in the remodeling gene PGAP1. Our results add PGAP1 to the growing list of GPI abnormalities and indicate that not only the cell surface expression levels of GPI-APs but also the fine structure of GPI-anchors is important for the normal neurological development.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPI) are glycolipid anchors that anchor various proteins to the cell surface. At least 26 genes are involved in biosynthesis and modification of the GPI anchors. Recently, mutations in eight of those genes have been described. Although those mutations do not fully abolish the functions of encoded enzymes, they lead to a decreased expression of surface GPI-anchored proteins and to different forms of intellectual disability. Here we report a mutation in PGAP1 that encodes a protein that modifies the GPI anchor. We found that the mutation leads to a full loss of PGAP1 enzyme activity, but that the patient cells still express normal levels of surface GPI-anchored proteins. However, the GPI anchors have an abnormal lipid structure that is resistant to cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. Our results add PGAP1 to the growing list of GPI abnormalities that cause intellectual disability and indicate that the fine structure of GPI-anchors is also important for a normal neurological development.

Survival of Alternaria alternata during anaerobic digestion of biomass in stirred tank reactors

The survival of Alternaria alternate during anaerobic digestion was investigated in context of a joint research project. The aim of this project was to estimate the phytosanitary risk of dissemination of pathogens by returning treated biomass as organic fertilizer to arable land. The studies were carried out in lab-scale stirred tank reactors under mesophilic conditions. After insertion of infected plant material into the reactors the influence on the viability of the fungal pathogen was studied concerning exposure time, pretreatment and storage of the digestates for four weeks or six months. The results clearly showed that anaerobic digestion leads to a complete inactivation of A. alternate already after an exposure time of six hours.

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Investigation into virulence and mycotoxin formation of the dry rot causing pathogen Fusarium sambucinum on potatos 11 strains ofFusarium sambucinum were isolated from tubers with dry rot symptoms from three different depots in the Land Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. All isolates produced diacetoxyscripenol in artificially infected potato tubers. Additionally, two isolates produced T-2 and HT-2 toxins as well. The virulence and mycotoxin formation of the isolates was dependent on the potato varieties 'Sieglinde' and 'Berber' used in the experiment. The amount of diacetoxyscripenol in diseased tissue was positively correlated with the virulence of theF. sambucinum isolate and the susceptibility of the potato variety as well.

Yield loss in susceptible cultivars of spring rapeseed due to Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum

In 1999, reports of spring rapeseed plants (Brassica napus L.) exhibiting wilt symptoms were received by agricultural extension personnel from farmers near Fort Vermillion and Andrew, Alberta, Canada. Fungal colonies recovered from affected plants after surface disinfection were identified as Fusarium oxysporum by comparison of morphology on carnation leaf and potato dextrose agars with literature descriptions and reference cultures. Root-dip inoculation of young rapeseed plants with spore suspensions prepared from recovered F. oxysporum colonies resulted in rapid development of symptoms seen in the field. An initial estimate of yield loss in an affected field near Andrew was performed by removing all rapeseed plants from three 1 m2 quadrats. Each plant was evaluated according to a simple three point severity scale, and then the seed from each plant was individually threshed and weighed. Fully- and partially-wilted plants yielded 0.2 and 19.3% of asymptomatic plants, respectively. In 2000, wilt symptoms were observed at a plot research site near Ranfurly, Alberta. Disease symptoms were restricted to one B. napus cultivar, Nexera 705. A similar procedure to that used at Andrew in 1999 was applied at Ranfurly, except quadrat size was 2.5 m2, and replicated comparisons were made between Nexera 705 and an unaffected cultivar, Quantum. The average number of unaffected Quantum plants was 99.4%, while only 66.9% of Nexera 705 plants were asymptomatic. No Quantum plants were severely wilted, while 11.7% of Nexera 705 plants were wilted. Yield of Nexera 705 was 38.6% of Quantum. In 2004, the impact of fusarium wilt on yield of 6 susceptible and 9 resistant B. napus cultivars was determined at nine locations in western Canada. Cultivars were selected on the basis of survey results and agronomist's reports. Across all sites, yield of the most severely affected cultivar, 45A55, was 15.9% lower than the least severely affected cultivar 3455. At the most severely affected site, yield of the most severely affected cultivar, Bianca II, was 75.2% lower than the least severely affected cultivar, Option 501. Yield of wilt-susceptible (Canterra 1604) and resistant (Cougar CL) rapeseed was compared at a replicated large-plot (576 m2 per plot) experiment at Lavoy, Alberta in 2005. The susceptible variety was severely affected and yielded 44% of Cougar CL.

Effect of composting and pasteurisation on two important quarantine pests of potato

The effect of composting and pasteurization on the quarantine pests of potato Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (Cms) and Synchytrium endobioticum (Se) were examined on an experimental scale. Composting was performed with 2-L pots and 60-L composters for two months at temperatures below 50 degrees C and for 12 and 21 days at temperatures above 65 degrees C. Pasteurization was performed via water bath at 70 degrees C for maximum 2 hours. Pathogens were introduced directly or via carriers into the processes. After composting for two months and for 12 and 21 days it was possible to isolate vital Cms cells from bioassay plants and vital resting spores of Se could be extracted from sample material. Likewise it was possible to isolate vital Cms cells and resting spores of Se after pasteurization for up to two hours. Both pests could not be killed completely during the performed processes. Further studies concerning sanitization of potato wastes are necessary.

Pulmonary contusion causes impairment of macrophage and lymphocyte immune functions and increases mortality associated with a subsequent septic challenge*

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Pulmonary contusion is frequently followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis. However, immunologic alterations of circulating and resident immune cell populations contributing to the posttraumatic immunosuppression are poorly understood. We therefore characterized the influence of pulmonary contusion on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes, and splenic macrophages. To address the significance of the immunosuppression associated with lung contusion, we investigated how the consecutive addition of moderate or severe sepsis affected survival after blunt chest trauma.

SUBJECTS

Male C3H/HeN mice (n = 10 per group) were anesthetized and subjected to chest trauma or sham procedure.

MEASUREMENTS

The cytokine release of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells, peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes, and splenic macrophages and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 from those animals were quantified. Sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture 24 hrs after lung contusion.

MAIN RESULTS

Two hours after blunt chest trauma, plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 were markedly increased, as was peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine production, lung myeloperoxidase activity, and lung chemokine concentrations. At 24 hrs and, in part, already at 2 hrs, cytokine release from peritoneal macrophages, splenic macrophages, and splenocytes was significantly suppressed. Furthermore, pulmonary contusion when followed by moderate sepsis significantly diminished survival rate when compared with chest trauma or moderate sepsis alone.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that pulmonary contusion causes severe immunodysfunction of splenocytes, macrophages, and monocytes in different local compartments and systemically. Moreover, this immunosuppression is associated with an increased susceptibility to infectious complications, which results in a decreased survival rate if blunt chest trauma is followed by a septic insult.

Double-stranded RNA pattern and partial sequence data indicate plant virus infection associated with the ringspot disease of European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.)

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been extracted from tissue of European mountain ash trees (Sorbus aucuparia L.) showing typical ringspot and mottling symptoms on leaves and a gradual decay in general. A characteristic dsRNA pattern was found in leaf samples of symptomatic mountain ash trees from various stands in Germany. Bands of dsRNA molecules of approximately 7 kb, 2.3 kb, 1.5 kb, and 1.3 kb, respectively, were repeatedly detected. By random primed reverse transcription cDNA was synthesised from dsRNA and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR. After TA cloning, the cDNA clones obtained were screened with an enhanced-chemiluminescence-labelled dsRNA probe. Positive clones were further analysed by using them as hybridisation probes in Northern blots of total plant RNA and in Southern hybridisation with genomic DNA from Sorbus aucuparia leaves. From cDNA clones that were found to be specific for dsRNA in Northern analysis, primers were deduced for 5'-RACE analyses and further cloning. Finally, a cDNA fragment of 3,737 bp was obtained, which showed homology to viral proteins, particularly to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of members of the family Bunyaviridae, but without high similarity to a known genus. The dsRNA pattern and the sequence information strongly indicate a virus associated with the mountain ash ringspot disease. The putative virus remains still unidentified.

A sensitive noninvasive method for monitoring successful liver-directed gene transfer of the low-density lipoprotein receptor in Watanabe hyperlipidemic rabbits in vivo

Noninvasive tools to quantitate transgene expression directly are a prerequisite for clinical gene therapy. We established a method to determine location, magnitude, and duration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) transgene expression after adenoviral gene transfer into LDLR-deficient Watanabe hypercholesterolemic rabbits by following tissue uptake of intravenously injected (111)In-labeled LDL using a scintillation camera. Liver-specific tracer uptake was calculated by normalizing the counts measured over the liver to counts measured over the heart that represent the circulating blood pool of the tracer (liver/heart (L/H) ratio). Our results indicate that the optimal time point for transgene imaging is 4 h after the tracer injection. Compared with control virus-injected rabbits, animals treated with the LDLR-expressing adenovirus showed seven-fold higher L/H ratios on day 6 after gene transfer, and had still 4.5-fold higher L/H ratios on day 30. This imaging method might be a useful strategy to obtain reliable data on functional transgene expression in clinical gene therapy trials of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Effect of diatomaceous earths Fossil Shield and Silico-Sec on the egg laying behaviour of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is a destructive pest of pulses in both storage and field. It is well known that diatomaceous earth (DE) kill the insects by locally absorbing the epicuticular lipid layers leading to high rate of water loss through the cuticle. However, the effectiveness of DE depends on its ability to kill the adults before copulation and egg-laying. Newly emerged virgin males and females of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) were exposed to the DEs, Fossil-Shield and Silico-Sec on 30 treated mungbeans (Vigna radita (L)). Fecundity, number of beans used for egg-laying and beans without eggs were evaluated after four days; the number of unhatched eggs was evaluated after ten days. It was determined, that the fecundity of female insects decreased sigmoidely with increasing rate of DE content. Percentages of unhatched eggs and seeds without eggs increased with increasing DE dosages. However, the maximum egg densities (eggs per used secd) occurred at 1200 mg DE/kg for Fossil-Shield and Silico-Sec. The reason for such DE-stimulated behaviour of egg laying expressed as a number of seeds with eggs of C. maculatus is not known, but it may be related to the stress caused by the inert dusts or to the reduction of both chemical and physical (tactile) stimuli. Treatment with DEs altered the surface texture of the beans and caused less cohesion between eggs and the seed surface. Only few larvae managed to penetrate into the grains, possibly due to increased grain roughness and repellent effect of DE. A relatively high number of eggs were laid on the surface of those beans where the amount of dust had been locally reduced by adults' movement and their pick up of DE. Therefore, several larvae tried to penetrate into these treated beans, causing a high larval density per partially cleaned bean. All these reasons lead to a progeny decline.

The potential of pathogens as biological control of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in Ethiopia

P. hsyterophorus is an exotic invasive annual weed now causing severe infestation in Ethiopia. Studies on diagnosis, incidence and distribution of pathogens associated with parthenium weed in Ethiopia were carried out from 1998-2002. Several fungal isolates were obtained from seed and other parts of parthenium plants. Among them were putative pathogenic fungal species of the genus Helminthosporium, Phoma, Curvularia, Chaetomium, Alternaria, and Fusarium. However, pathogenecity test of the isolates obtained showed no or non-specific symptoms. It was concluded that these pathogens could be opportunistic with insignificant potential for biological control of parthenium. Two most important diseases associated with parthenium were a rust disease, caused by Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola, and a phyllody disease, caused by a phytoplasma of fababean phyllody (PBP) phytoplasma group. The rust was commonly found in cool mid altitude (1500-2500 m) areas while phyllody was observed in low to mid altitude regions (900-2500 m) of Ethiopia, with a disease incidence up to 100% and 75%, respectively, in some locations. Study of the individual effects of the rust and phyllody diseases under field conditions showed a reduction on weed morphological parameters (plant height, leaf area, and dry matter yield). Parthenium seed production was reduced by 42% and 85% due to rust and phyllody, respectively. Phyllody and rust diseases of parthenium showed significant potential for classical biological control of parthenium after further confirmation of insect vectors that transmit phyllody and host range of phyllody disease to the related economic plants in Ethiopia.

Monoclonal anti-interleukin-5 treatment suppresses eosinophil but not T-cell functions

Influx of eosinophils in airway mucosa and airway lumen is a hallmark of bronchial asthma. In-vitro data and animal studies indicate that the T-helper (Th) type-2 cell cytokine, interleukin (IL)-5, plays an important role in eosinophil maturation, differentiation, recruitment, and survival. The objective of this study was to determine whether intravenous treatment with monoclonal anti-IL-5 would affect the number of peripheral blood eosinophils, their activation status, T-cell activation or the pattern of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. Over a period of 6 months, 19 asthmatics were investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study with mepolizumab (SB 240563) anti-IL-5 antibody administered three times. Before each infusion and 12 weeks after the last infusion, peripheral blood leukocytes were examined, qualitative and quantitative distribution of eosinophils and lymphocyte subpopulations, frequencies of IL-2, -3, -4, -5, -10, -13, interferon-gamma-producing CD4 T-cells and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were determined. Treatment with mepolizumab resulted in a marked, rapid and sustained decrease of eosinophil numbers (median values from 300 to 45 per microL) paralleled by decreased levels of serum ECP (median values from 15 to 5 microg x L(-1)). Distribution of T-cell subsets and T-cell cytokine production were not altered during antibody treatment. In conclusion, administration of mepolizumab to asthmatic patients markedly reduces peripheral blood eosinophils without altering the distribution and activation status of lymphocytes.

Control of mechanical viroid transmission by the disinfection of tables and tools

Viroids are of practical importance as the cause of several economically significant infectious diseases. Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) causes severe yield losses in several crops, because the pathogen spreads fast within the culture. Viroids are small molecules, a few hundred nucleotides long, with a high degree of secondary structure. They do not code for any polypeptides and replicate independently of any associated plant virus. Viroids are readily transmitted by contaminated tools and tables. Furthermore PSTVd is transmitted through the pollen and true seed and can remain its infectious activity in seed for long periods. Vector transmission of PSTVd was reported to occur at low frequency. However, the mechanical transmission is the predominant factor and in this case we discuss the efficient disinfection of tools and tables as a main prophylactic trail to avoid viroid transmission. In previous studies we have tested the efficiency of several disinfectants to eliminate virus contamination. This paper demonstrates the efficient disinfection of MENNO-Florades (Menno-Chemie-GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany. A selection of different concentrations of the disinfectant and various times of incubation were applied in regard to practical use. The tests were confirmed by biological assays using suitable indicator plants, tissue print hybridization, gel electrophoresis and by nucleic acid hybridization. It was shown that PSTVd was eliminated when using the determined combination: 2% of the disinfectant while incubating for one minute or alternative 3%, 30 seconds. The possibility of viroid inactivation by a chemical method of disinfection--while plants are not affected--opens a new perspective to control viroid transmission via tools and tables.

Effectiveness of different emulsifiers for neem oil against the western flower thrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) and the warehouse moth (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

The neem tree produces highly specified acting insecticides mainly in its seeds. By pressurizing or extracting the seeds an insecticide oil can be manufactured. For successful application emulsifiers are needed to render the oil soluble in water. The heavy oil has to be stable in emulsion, but on the other hand the surfactant should not reduce the ecological property of the neem oil. The emulsifiers Lutensol TO10, Emulan ELP, Rimulgan and Tween 80 and for comparison the formulation NeemAzal-T/S were tested in their emulsion stability, as well as in their insecticidal effects towards two different insect pests: The western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis and the ware house moth Ephestia elutella. The emulsifiers were applied purely, and in different contents mixed in neem oil. Data showed significant differences of mortality and development on the tested pests. Lutensol TO10 and Emulan ELP caused spontaneous mortality on the western flower thrips and an additive efficacy when mixed with neem oil. Rimulgan led to mortality of the larvae of the warehouse moth. NeemAzal showed in both bioassays the highest efficacy of 95% mortality.

Effectiveness of predators and parasitoids for the natural control of Diuraphis noxia (Homoptera: Aphididae) on barley in central Ethiopia

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdj.), is a serious threat for the production of barley, Hordeum vulgare L., in Ethiopia. The pest can cause up to 100% yield losses in years of heavy infestation. Natural control of D. noxia by using predators and parasitoids might be the best alternative both from economical and ecological point of view. In this regard, a field investigation was conducted during the 2001 spring cropping season at Fitche, central Ethiopia to determine abundance of D. noxia and associated natural enemies and evaluate their effectiveness as natural control agents for this pest. In addition, the data collected during the 1995-1997 spring and summer cropping seasons at Chacha was analysed and presented. There was a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) on the population density of D. noxia between spring and summer and among sampling dates. The average aphid density was 23.1 and 0.7 aphids per tiller during spring and summer, respectively. The quantitative analyses based on predator units (PU) showed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) among the predator groups, coccinellids and syrphids being more important, however, the coccinellid beetle, Hippodamia variegata Goeze, was the dominant species from all predator species or groups. Moreover, syrphid fly larvae were the only predators consistently found feeding on aphids within D. noxia rolled leaves. The polyphagous predators: Chrysopids, spiders and staphylinids were found to have less effect on D. noxia populations. Only two primary parasitoid species were recorded both during spring and summer cropping seasons: Aphidius colemani Vier. and Aphidius spp. Of these, A. colemani was more abundant in both seasons. The rate of parasitism was also generally low during the season. In general, the population build up of these natural enemies is slow and maximum population size is reached after the aphid population peaks and the crop has already been damaged. Further extensive work is necessary to maximize the effectiveness of natural enemies against this pest.

Fusarium nygamai.A causal agent of root rot of Vicia faba L. in the Sudan

Wilted and rotted plants of Vicia faba were received from different localities in the Sudan. Among several Fusarium spp., Fusarium nygamai was recovered. Conspicuous symptoms were among others black root rot, associated with rot and death of the lateral root system. Severely infected plants showed black neck canker at soil level. These symptoms were usually accompanied by loss of the leaves' turgor, these then turned brown and died. Death of intact leaves also occurred. Most of the strains proved to be pathogenic to Vicia faba. Disease intensity varied between 28-100%. This is the first report of Fusarium nygamai as a pathogen of Vicia faba.

Ubiquitination precedes internalization and proteolytic cleavage of plasma membrane-bound glycine receptors

The inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR) in developing spinal neurones is internalized efficiently upon antagonist inhibition. Here we used surface labeling combined with affinity purification to show that homopentameric alpha1 GlyRs generated in Xenopus oocytes are proteolytically nicked into fragments of 35 and 13 kDa upon prolonged incubation. Nicked GlyRs do not exist at the cell surface, indicating that proteolysis occurs exclusively in the endocytotic pathway. Consistent with this interpretation, elevation of the lysosomal pH, but not the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin, prevents GlyR cleavage. Prior to internalization, alpha1 GlyRs are conjugated extensively with ubiquitin in the plasma membrane. Our results are consistent with ubiquitination regulating the endocytosis and subsequent proteolysis of GlyRs residing in the plasma membrane. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes thus may have a crucial role in synaptic plasticity by determining postsynaptic receptor numbers.

Functional evidence of distinct ATP activation sites at the human P2X(7) receptor

1. The effect of the agonist ATP on whole cell currents of Xenopus oocytes expressing either the wild-type human P2X(7) receptor (hP2X(7)), an N-terminally hexahistidyl-tagged hP2X(7) receptor (His-hP2X(7)), or a truncated His-hP2X(7) receptor (His-hP2X(7)DeltaC) lacking the C-terminal 156 amino acids was investigated using the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. 2. The activation time course of the wild-type hP2X(7) receptor can be described as the sum of an exponentially growing and an additional almost linearly activating current component. 3. The amplitude of the exponentially activating current component of the wild-type hP2X(7) receptor displayed a biphasic dependence on the agonist concentration, which could be best approximated by a model of two equal high-sensitivity and two equal low-sensitivity non-cooperative activation sites with apparent dissociation constants of about 4 and 200 microM free ATP(4-), respectively. 4. The linearly activating current was monophasically dependent on the agonist concentration with an apparent dissociation constant of about 200 microM. 5. The contribution of the low-sensitivity sites to current kinetics was reduced or almost abolished in oocytes expressing His-hP2X(7) or His-hP2X(7)DeltaC. 6. Our data indicate that the hP2X(7) receptor possesses at least two types of activation sites, which differ in ATP(4-) sensitivity by a factor of 50. The degree of occupation of these two sites influences both activation and deactivation kinetics. Both N- and C-terminal domains appear to be important determinants of the current elicited by activation of the sites with low ATP sensitivity, but not for that mediated by the highly ATP-sensitive sites.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF)-acetylhydrolase and PAF-like compounds in the lung: effects of hyperoxia

Platelet-activating factor (PAF)-acetylhydrolase is the enzyme modulating in tissues and biological fluids the concentration of the proinflammatory factors PAF and PAF-like oxidation products of phospholipids (PAF-like compounds). We investigated whether there is a relation between PAF-acetylhydrolase activity and the concentration of PAF-like compounds in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). We found that alveolar type II cells are an additional source of PAF-acetylhydrolase in BAL beside macrophages. Secretion of PAF-acetylhydrolase was stimulated by phorbol ester in alveolar type II cells but not in macrophages. Studies in BAL suggested that secreted PAF-acetylhydrolase was bound to alveolar surfactant. Exposure of rats to high oxygen concentration reduced the activity of PAF-acetylhydrolase in BAL and macrophages, but not in plasma or alveolar type II cells. In contrast, hyperoxia increased the concentration of PAF-like-compounds, lipid hydroperoxides and malonedialdehyde in plasma but not in BAL. Therefore, we conclude that neither the oxidant-induced decrease of the PAF-acetylhydrolase activity nor the direct peroxidation of surfactant lipids in the alveoli provide a likely mechanism for hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Instead, lung injury is apparently caused by lipid peroxidation in plasma rather than by high oxygen pressure in the alveoli.

Dyslipemia in familial partial lipodystrophy caused by an R482W mutation in the LMNA gene

Lipatrophic diabetes, also referred to as familial partial lipodystrophy, is a rare disease that is metabolically characterized by hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance. Affected patients typically present with regional loss of body fat and muscular hypertrophic appearance. Variable symptoms may comprise pancreatitis and/or eruptive xanthomas due to severe hypertriglyceridemia, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaria, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Mutations within the LMNA gene on chromosome 1q21.2 were recently reported to result in the phenotype of familial partial lipodystrophy. The genetic trait is autosomal dominant. We identified a family with partial lipodystrophy carrying the R482W (Arg(482)Trp) missense mutation within LMNA. Here we present the lipoprotein characteristics in this family in detail. Clinically, the loss of sc fat and muscular hypertrophy especially of the lower extremities started as early as in childhood. Acanthosis and severe hypertriglyceridemia developed later in life, followed by diabetes. The characterization of the lipoprotein subfractions revealed that affected children present with hyperlipidemia. The presence and severity of hyperlipidemia seem to be influenced by age, apolipoprotein E genotype, and the coexistence of diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, dyslipemia is an early and prominent feature in the presented lipodystrophic family carrying the R482W mutation within LMNA.

Differential expression of myosin heavy-chain mRNA in muscles of mastication during functional advancement of the mandible in pigs

Surgical and orthodontic treatment of retrognathia aims to improve orofacial function by adaptation and training of muscle capacity, which is connected with a change in muscle fibre-type proportions. The aim here was to analyse the proportion of myosin-heavy chain (MyHC) gene expression in type I (slow twitch/ST) and type IIb (fast twitch/FT) fibres during sagittal advancement of the mandible by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The experiments were carried out on 10-week-old pigs (six test animals, six controls) over a 28-day period. Six pigs were fitted with acrylic bite blocks for sagittal advancement of the mandible. Tissue was taken from seven different regions of the masseter, temporal, medial pterygoid, and geniohyoid muscles. The 84 samples were used for histological fibre differentiation with ATPase staining and for isolation of total RNA. To measure the two MyHC isoforms, RT-PCR (in a single tube reaction with MyHC I, MyHC IIb, and GAPDH primers) was used. A significant increase was registered in the percentage of ST fibres and in mRNA from MyHC I in the anterior region of the masseter and in the posterior region of the temporal muscle of the treated animals. The proportion of ST fibres to FT fibres was increased by up to 12% after functional advancement of the mandible. The histological findings corresponded with the data for fibre mRNA generated by RT-PCR.

Characteristics of P2X7 receptors from human B lymphocytes expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Human B lymphocytes express an ATP-gated ion channel (P2Z receptor), which shares similarities with the recently identified P2X7 receptor. Using gene specific primers, we have now isolated P2X7 cDNA from the total RNA of human B lymphocytes. This hP2X7 receptor subtype was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and electrophysiologically characterized. The hP2X7 receptor is similar to, but does not completely match, P2Z of human B cells. The hP2X7 receptors resemble the P2Z receptors with regard to the ATP concentration of half maximal activation, reproducibility, permeation characteristics and lack of desensitization of the ATP-evoked currents. However, in contrast to the native lymphocytic P2Z receptor, the time course of activation of hP2X7 displayed an additional linearly increasing current component. Furthermore, a second, small and slowly deactivating current component exists only in hP2X7 expressed in oocytes. The activation and deactivation kinetics as well as permeation characteristics of hP2X7 are different from rat P2X7 recently expressed in oocytes. Unlike in mammalian cells, hP2X7 expressed in Xenopus oocytes is not sufficient to induce large non-selective pores.

Antagonism by the suramin analogue NF279 on human P2X(1) and P2X(7) receptors

The effect of the suramin analogue 8,8'-(carbonylbis(imino-4, 1-phenylenecarbonylimino-4,1-phenylenecarbonylimino))bis(1,3 , 5-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid) (NF279) was analyzed on human P2X(1) and P2X(7) receptor subtypes (human P2X(1) and human P2X(7)) heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique. At activating ATP concentrations of 1 microM (human P2X(1)) and 10 microM ATP (human P2X(7)), IC(50) values of 0.05 microM and 2.8 microM were found for human P2X(1) and human P2X(7) receptors, respectively. An increase in the activating [ATP] shifted the NF279 concentration-inhibition curve rightwards for both receptors. NF279 slowed the activation of both human P2X(1) and human P2X(7) as well as the desensitization of human P2X(1). The data support a model in which desensitization of P2X(1) is dependent on preceding activation of these P2X receptors. It is concluded that NF279 acts as a competitive antagonist with much higher potency at human P2X(1) than at P2X(7) receptors. NF279 may hence be suited to discriminate between both receptors in native tissues.