Structure, genomic DNA typing, and kinetic characterization of the D allozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP/ALPP)

The D allozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) displays enzymatic properties at variance with those of the common PLAP allozymes. We have deduced the amino acid sequence of the PLAP D allele by PCR cloning of its gene, ALPP. Two coding substitutions were found in comparison with the cDNA of the common PLAP F allele, i.e., 692C>G and 1352A>G, which translate into a P209R and E429G substitution. A single nucleotide primer extension (SNuPE) assay was developed using PCR primers that enable the amplification of a 1.9 kb PLAP fragment. Extension primers were then used on this PCR fragment to detect the 692C>G and 1352A>G substitution. The SNuPE assay on these two nucleotide substitutions enabled us to distinguish the PLAP F and D alleles from the PLAP S/I alleles. Functional studies on the D allozyme were made possible by constructing and expressing a PLAP D cDNA, i.e., [Arg209, Gly429]PLAP, into wild-type Chinese hamster ovary cells. We determined the k(cat) and K(m), of the PLAP S, F, and D allozymes using the non-physiological substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate at an optimal pH (9.8) as well as two physiological substrates, i.e., pyridoxal-5-phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate at physiological pH (7.5). We found that the biochemical properties of the D allozyme of PLAP are significantly different from those of the common PLAP allozymes. These biochemical findings suggest that a suboptimal enzymatic function by the PLAP D allozyme may be the basis for the apparent negative selective pressure of the PLAP D allele. The development of the SNuPE assay will enable us to test the hypothesis that the PLAP D allele is subjected to intrauterine selection by examining genomic DNA from statistically informative population samples.     

Adenosine Deaminase and Human Reproduction: A Comparative Study of Fertile Women and Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

PROBLEM: We have investigated the possible role of adenosine deaminase (ADA) genetic polymorphism in human fertility through a comparative study of couples with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and healthy puerperae. METHOD OF STUDY: Adenosine deaminase phenotype has been determined in 209 women with repeated episodes of unexplained spontaneous abortion (RSA) and their husbands, as well as in 115 healthy pregnant women from the population of Rome. An independent sample of 286 puerperae along with their newborn infants in the population of Penne was also studied. RESULTS: The proportion of carriers of ADA*2 allele, which is associated with the lowest enzymatic activity, is lower among women with RSA than among healthy pregnant women from the same population of Rome. Preliminary observations suggest a protective effect of ADA*2 against the development of autoantibodies in RSA. Such an effect seems to be mediated by an interaction with ABO blood groups. In the population of Penne the proportion of women carrying ADA*2 allele is higher among those who have had two or more previously born children than among women with only one or no children. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that women carrying the ADA*2 allele are better protected against the spontaneous loss of embryos and have a higher fertility rate.     

TAC-101, a benzoic acid derivative, inhibits liver metastasis of human gastrointestinal cancer and prolongs the life-span

We examined the anti-tumor effect of a novel benzoic acid derivative, TAC-101 (4-[3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl) benzamide] benzoic acid) on models with liver metastasis. Oral administration of TAC-101 significantly inhibited spontaneous liver metastasis of AZ-521 (human gastric cancer ) by orthotopic implan-tation to athymic nude mice. It also inhibited both the liver metastasis of AZ-521 induced by intrasplenic injection and the secondary lung metastasis from the liver. In addition, TAC-101 inhibited the proliferation of Co-3 (human colon adenocarcinoma) that formed a single nodule in the liver of athymic nude mice by intrahepatic implantation. The growth inhibitory effect of TAC-101 on AZ-521 experimental liver metastasis was observed when treatment was started on day 7, 14, or 21 which may correspond to the progressive stage of liver metastasis in clinical settings. Multiple administration of TAC-101 (8 mg/kg/day) significantly prolonged survival time of the animals with liver met astasis by intrasplenic injection of AZ-521 (T/C = 230%) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma; T/C = 186%). These effects of TAC-101 were stronger than those of 5-FU, CDDP or ATRA. Furthermore, TAC-101 inhibited the binding of AP-1 to DNA on electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear extract of AZ-521 cells, although ATRA did not inhibit. These findings suggested that TAC-101 may be a candidate for a new class of anti-cancer agents for liver metastasis. © Rapid Science Ltd.     

Psychosocial factors regulating natural-killer cell activity in recurrent spontaneous abortions

PROBLEM: The preconceptional natural-killer cell (NK) activity predicts subsequent miscarriage among women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine network has recently been proposed as a mechanism for abortions. We therefore examined which psychosocial factors influenced the NK activity among women with RSA. METHOD OF STUDY: We measured the preconceptional NK activity of 61 women with a history two consecutive unexplained first-trimester miscarriages and no live births. We also administered semi-structured interviews and a battery of self-report questionnaires to assess their social support, personality, self-esteem and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: The preconceptional NK activity was negatively correlated with the women's neuroticism personality trait (r= -0.32, P = 0.01) and current depressive symptoms (r = -0.26, P= 0.05), and positively correlated with their self-esteem (r = 0.34, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to several substances such as transforming-growth-factor beta and granulocyte-macrophase colony-stimulating factor, we found that low neuroticism, low depression scale score and high self-esteem contributed to high NK activity among women with RSA.     

Partial duplication 16q: report of two affected siblings resulting from a maternal translocation and literature review

Two siblings with a partial duplication 16q, born to a woman with a balanced translocation (6;16), are described. The first infant died at 8 weeks of age; the second died at 4 months. Fifteen other cases of duplications involving 16q have been reported, all of them derived from a balanced parental translocation. The most frequent physical findings have included dysmorphic facies characterized by high forehead, prominent nose, antimongoloid slant, malformed ears, and micrognathia, as well as flexion contractures of the joints, deformity of the feet, and genital hypoplasia in the male. Anorectal, intestinal and cardiac malformations were less frequent findings. Most of the affected infants died at ages ranging from 8 days to 6 months. The few with longer survival (up to 6 years) had a shorter, more distal segment duplication of chromosome 16. Although intrauterine growth retardation and microcephaly were not always present at birth, most of the infants had postnatal growth failure. The phenotypic and clinical findings of the two infants in this report are compared with those of previously reported cases, from which there appears to be correlation of the length of the 16q duplication with clinical phenotype and survivals.     

不孕及反复自然流产患者血清抗精子抗体分析

目的：探讨不孕及反复自然流产与抗精子抗体（AsAb）的关系。方法：用金标法检测有反复自然流产史患者245例（流产组）、原发或继发不孕患者164例（不孕组）及正常妇女40例（对照组）血清中的AsAb。结果：不孕组AsAb总阳性率52.44%,流产组总阳性率48.57%,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：AsAb与不孕及反复自然流产有着密切关系。     

Cytotoxic effector cells against HLA antigens in strong linkage disequilibrium: identification of a strong,new, CML determinant

Three sets of cytotoxic effector cells were generated against the A1, B8, DR3 haplotype using haptoidentical individuals in three different families. The three sets of effector cells generated against this haplotype showed excellent reproducibility testing, strong cytotoxicity against their specific targets, low autologous kill, and segregation with the sensitizing haplotype within the family. When tested against a panel of cells bearing all combinations the A1, B8. DR3 antigens, a hierarchy of contribution of the individual HLA antigens as CML target determinants was seen. A new strong target cell determinant was identified by cytotoxicity with one of the effector cells not explicable in terms of the A1, B8, DR3 antigens or known HLA cross-reactivity. A family study demonstrated that this determinant clearly segregates with HLA. The success of this approach in defining new CML determinants may result from the generation of effector cells across a single haplotype in strong linkage disequilibrium or from the presentation of CML determinants in the context of self.     

自然流产患者绒毛滋养层细胞PCNA和caspase-3的表达

目的从细胞增殖与细胞凋亡的角度探讨自然流产的发生机制。方法取正常早孕流产和自然流产病例各20例的绒毛组织,光镜观察绒毛形态学变化;免疫组织化学SP法检测增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)及凋亡蛋白酶caspase-3在滋养层细胞中的表达。结果自然流产绒毛组织均出现不同程度的退行性改变,细胞滋养层的增殖指数较对照组降低,而细胞滋养层、合体滋养层的凋亡指数却明显升高。结论凋亡蛋白酶caspase-3可能参与自然流产的发生机制。     

Revival of the natural cycles in in-vitro fertilization with the use of a new gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (Cetrorelix): a pilot study with minimal stimulation

Natural cycles were abandoned in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfer, due to premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges--and subsequent high cancellation rates. In this study, we investigated the administration of a new gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (Cetrorelix) in the late follicular phase of natural cycles in patients undergoing IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A total of 44 cycles from 33 healthy women [mean age 34.1 +/- 1.4 (range 26-36) years] were monitored, starting on day 8 by daily ultrasound and measurement of serum concentrations of oestradiol, LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone. When plasma oestradiol concentrations reached 100-150 pg/ml, with a lead follicle between 12-14 mm diameter, a single injection (s.c.) of 0.5 mg (19 cycles) or 1 mg (25 cycles) Cetrorelix was administered. Human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG; 150 IU) was administered daily at the time of the first injection of Cetrorelix, and repeated thereafter until human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration. Four out of 44 cycles were cancelled (9.0%). No decline in follicular growth or oestradiol secretion was observed after Cetrorelix administration. A total of 40 oocyte retrievals leading to 22 transfers (55%) was performed. In 10 cycles (25%), no oocyte was obtained. Fertilization failure despite ICSI occurred in six cycles (15%). In two patients the embryo was arrested at the 2 pronuclear (PN) stage. The stimulation was minimal (4.7 +/- 1.4 HMG ampoules). A total of seven clinical pregnancies was obtained (32.0% per transfer, 17.5% per retrieval), of which five are ongoing. Thus, a spontaneous cycle and the GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix in single dose administration could represent a first-choice IVF treatment with none of the complications and risks of current controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols, and an acceptable success rate.