接头长度对MDC与CVB3VP1融合基因疫苗免疫效果的影响

目的构建表达不同接头（linker）长度的巨噬细胞源趋化因子（MDC）与CVB3VP1融合基因疫苗，观察接头长度对融合基因疫苗免疫效果的影响。方法构建表达接头长度分别为10、15和19个氨基酸的重组质粒pcDNA3／MDC-L-VP1；将6—8周龄雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为A-E5组，分别肌肉注射pcDNA3、pcDNA3／VP1、pcDNA3／MDC-L10-VP1、pcDNA3／MDC-L15-VP1和pcDNA3／MDC-L19-VP1，每次接种100μg/只，4周注射1次，共3次，每次免疫后第14天眼眶静脉采血，用微量中和试验滴定血清中和抗体效价。第3次免疫后3周，每组取3只小鼠，制备脾细胞，用CCK-8法检测特异性CTL杀伤活性；每组取3只小鼠以3LD50 CVB3病毒攻击，第7天取血处死，检测血中病毒滴度。结果成功构建了3种不同接头长度的质粒；第3次免疫后，E组中和抗体滴度和小鼠脾淋巴细胞特异性CTL杀伤活性显著高于其他各组，血中病毒滴度显著低于其他各组（P〈0．01）。结论融合基因疫苗pcDNA3／MDC-L19-VP1能诱导小鼠对CVB3VP1产生较强的体液和细胞免疫，有效地抑制了病毒的增殖。     

CVB3-VP1基因免疫诱导特异性抗病毒免疫应答及保护作用

目的 :构建表达柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)主要包膜蛋白VP1的基因疫苗 ,并研究该疫苗诱导CVB3特异性免疫应答及免疫保护的作用。方法 :抽提CVB3RNA ,以RT PCR扩增VP1基因 ,克隆于真核表达载体 pcDNA3中 ,构建质粒pcDNA3 VP1。将该质粒转染Hela细胞 ,观察其表达情况 ;以 5 0 μgpcDNA3 VP1质粒DNA肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠 3次 ,检测CVB3特异性体液和细胞免疫应答。间隔 4wk以 5×LD50 的CVB3攻击小鼠 ,观察攻击后小鼠的存活情况。结果 :构建了重组质粒 pcDNA3 VP1,并在体外获得有效表达。以该质粒肌肉免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,可诱生高水平的IgM和IgG ,VP1多肽特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应及CTL活性均显著高于 pcDNA3免疫的对照组。病毒攻击试验表明 ,pcDNA3 VP1免疫组33.3%小鼠可长期存活 ,其心肌组织未见明显的病理学改变 ;而对照小鼠平均仅存活 6 .7d ,心肌显示大量的局灶性坏死和炎性细胞浸润。结论 :pcDNA3 VP1免疫可诱生CVB3特异性体液及细胞免疫应答 ,保护免疫小鼠抵抗CVB3的致死性攻击     

两株登革2型病毒E基因重组质粒免疫BALB/c小鼠产生特异性抗体水平的比较

目的 用含登革2型病毒(Dengue type 2 virus,DEN2)B株和NGC株E基因部分序列pcDNA3.1重组质粒初次和加强免疫BALB/c小鼠,观察免疫小鼠体液免疫应答的差异.方法 用两株含DEN2 E基因部分序列(1～476 bp)的pcDNA3.1重组质粒与含有佐剂的重组质粒共同免疫BALB/c小鼠,初次免疫后第14天、28天分别加强免疫1次,共免疫3次.收集初次免疫后第14、28、42、70和98天外周血标本,间接ELISA法测定小鼠血浆特异性IgM/IgG类抗体水平,细胞病变抑制法检测特异性抗体水平.结果 不同DEN2毒株E基因部分序列的pcDNA3.1重组质粒初次和加强免疫BALB/c小鼠诱导特异性IgM、IgG类抗体的产生存在差异,B株重组质粒加强免疫小鼠后特异性抗体效价水平较高并持续较长时间.结论 DEN2两毒株E基因部分序列重组质粒免疫小鼠后诱生的特异性抗体类别、水平存在差异.     

柯萨奇B3病毒结构和非结构蛋白DNA 疫苗诱导小鼠产生免疫应答的研究

目的 制备4种柯萨奇B3病毒（CVB3）结构和非结构蛋白重组质粒DNA疫苗,并探讨其诱导机体产生体液和细胞免疫应答的效果。方法 用基因重组技术构建4种CVB3结构和非结构蛋白重组质粒,将各重组质粒体外转染真核细胞,用Western blot检测表达产物;于BALB／c小鼠后腿胫骨前肌注射免疫,于0、4、8周共免疫3次,100μg/次。免疫后不同时间检测体液和细胞免疫应答指标。结果 4种重组质粒酶切出相应大小的片段,经测序证实为CVB3序列,Western blot证实能够在体外真核细胞中表达。pcDNA3/vp2、pcDNA3/VP1、pcDNA3/2A和pcDNA3/3D均可诱导小鼠产生相应的特异性抗体、细胞毒性T淋巴细胞（CTL）和淋巴细胞增殖反应、迟发型超敏反应（DTH）,并对致死量的CVB3m、CVB5和CVB2攻击具有保护作用,表现为病毒攻击后第3天血中病毒滴度降低,第10天心肌病理变化比对照组明显减轻,且小鼠生存率显著提高。其中以pcDNA/VP1和pcDNA3／3D组保护作用最明显。结论 CVB3结构蛋白VP1和非结构蛋白3D质粒DNA有可能用作CVB DNA疫苗的候选基因,值得进一步深入研究。     

登革3型病毒prM-E和NS1多基因重组质粒DNA免疫原性增强效果观察

目的　观察登革 3型病毒的prM E和NS1基因重组质粒DNA混合免疫对免疫原性的增强作用 ,为登革DNA疫苗混合免疫提供实验依据。方法　将登革 3型病毒的prM E和NS1基因重组质粒DNA分别混合及单独免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,采用中和试验及MTT法检测免疫小鼠血清中和抗体及脾细胞特异性CTL(cytotoxicT lymphocytes)杀伤率。结果　混合重组质粒DNA免疫组与单一prM E基因重组质粒DNA免疫组均在末次免疫后第 14天检测到中和抗体 ,在第 33天达到高峰 ,为 1∶32。在末次免疫后第 4 1天 ,当效靶比为 4 0∶1时 ,混合重组质粒DNA免疫组的特异性CTL杀伤率为 15 % ,而 2个单质粒DNA组分别为 10 .9%和 12 .4 %。结论　重组质粒DNA混合免疫可同时诱发小鼠产生体液免疫和细胞免疫 ,而且细胞免疫应答具有一定的增强作用 ,但没有出现特异性CTL杀伤率的协同增强效果。     

HIV DNA疫苗与重组腺病毒伴随病毒联合免疫效果的研究

目的 构建含HIV-1B亚型中国株gagV3基因的DNA疫苗及重组腺病毒伴随病毒(rAAV)疫苗，并研究DNA疫苗和rAAV联合免疫的免疫效果。方法 将HIV-1B亚型中国株gagV3基因克隆入真核表达载体pCI-neo上，构建了含HIV-1 gagV3基因的DNA疫苗pCI-gagV3。采用电击法将pCI-gagV3质粒转染p815细胞，用G418压力筛选，得到转入重组质粒的细胞系p815-gagV3，用免疫酶法检测细胞系中HIV-1基因的表达。用该DNA疫苗进行小鼠免疫实验，检测免疫效果；用该DNA疫苗初次免疫，含同样gagV3基因的重组腺病毒伴随病毒rAAV-gagV3加强免疫，采用免疫酶法检测免疫小鼠血清中HIV-1特异性的抗体水平，用乳酸脱氢酶法检测免疫小鼠的HIV-1特异性CTL水平。结果 pCI-gagV3可以在p815细胞中表达HIV-1的基因，免疫BALB／c小鼠后可以在小鼠体内诱发HIV-1特异性的细胞和体液免疫反应。HIV-1特异性抗体滴度为1：20；效靶比为50：1时，CTL平均杀伤率为41．7％。pCI-gagV3与rAAV-gagV3联合免疫并不能明显提高抗体水平，但可以提高CTL反应，效靶比为50：1时，CTL平均杀伤率为61.3％，高于单独用DNA疫苗或重组AAV疫苗免疫后产生的CTL活性。结论 DNA疫苗与重组腺病毒伴随病毒联合免疫可以提高免疫小鼠产生的HIV-1特异性CTL反应。     

两株登革2型病毒NS1基因真核重组质粒免疫BALB/c小鼠产生特异性抗体水平的比较

目的 利用登革2型病毒(dengue type 2 virus,DENV2)M株和NGC株NS1基因部分扇列PcDNA3.1重组质粒初次和加强免疫BALB/c小鼠,观察免疫小鼠体液免疫应答的差异.方法 分别构建两株DENV2 NS1基因部分序列(1-413 bp)的PcDNA3.1真核重组质粒和pET28a(+)质粒,进行原核蛋白的表达、鉴定、纯化和定量;并用pcDNA3.1重组质粒免疫BALB/c小鼠,初次免疫及第7天、14天分别加强免疫1次,共免疫3次.收集初次免疫后第7、14、28和56天外周血标本,间接ELISA法测定小鼠血清特异性IgM/IgG类抗体水平,细胞病变抑制法检测特异保护性抗体水平.结果 构建了pET28a(+)-NS1m/pET28a(+)-NS1n原核表达重组质粒,SDS-PAGE分析表明,NS1基因部分序列获得表达,其相对分子质量均约22.3×103;Western blot表明该目的 蛋白可与抗His标签单克隆抗体结合;经Ni柱亲和层析法得到纯度达92%的表达蛋白,对C6/36细胞有毒性,并可用于ELASA检测.不同DENV2毒株NS1基因部分序列的pcDNA3.1重组质粒初次和加强免疫BALB/c小鼠诱导特异性IgM、IgG类和中和抗体的产生存在差异,M株重组质粒加强免疫小鼠后特异性抗体效价水平较高并持续较长时间.结论 DENV2两毒株NS1基因部分序列重组质粒免疫小鼠后诱生的特异性抗体类别、水平存在差异.

Abstract：

Objective To compare the humoral immune response of BALB/c mice immunized by recombinant plasmids PeDNA3.1-M-NS1 and pcDNA3.1-N-NS1.Methods Dengue type 2 virus(DENV2)NS1 gene were constructed two partial sequences(1-413 bp)of the pcDNA3.1 eukaryotic plasmids and pET28a(+)plasmid for prokaryotic expression,identification,purification and quantification.The BALB/c mice were immunized by pcDNA3.1-M-NS1,pcDNA3.1-N-NS1 recombinant plasmids with adjuvant.Each animal received a primary inoculation and two boosts at 1-week intervals.Then the blood samples of BALB/c mice were collected from different experiment groups at day 7,14,28 and 56,respectively after first immunization.The specific IgM/IgG antibodies for NS1 protein in serum were confirmed by indirect ELISA.And then the activities of the specific protective antibody were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition(CPEI).Results Construction of the pET28a(+)-NS1 m/pET28a(+)-NS1n prokaryotic expression plasmid,SDS-PAGE analysis showed that,NS1 gene partial sequence was expressed,both the relative molecular weight of about 22.3×103:Western blot showed that the protein can bind anti-His tag monoclonal antibody;byNi affinity chromatographywith apurity of 92% protein,on the C6/36 cell toxicity,and can be used ELASA detection.The results showed that the levels of specific IgM/IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody activities were increased in pcDNA3.1-M-NS1 booster immunization group than other groups.The result had been observed longer duration of antibody level in peDNA3.1-M-NS1 booster immunization group.Conclusion Humoral immune response were significantly different between pcDNA3.1-M-NS1 and pcDNA3.1-N-NS1 recombinant plasmid immunized mice groups.     

嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫应答及其保护力

目的:研究嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫原性以及对LP感染小鼠的保护能力。方法:用嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白基因真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ip作为DNA疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠体内抗原特异性抗体水平、脾淋巴细胞增殖活性、IFNγ-产生水平和CTL特异杀伤活性等指标,以评价疫苗的免疫原性。真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ipDNA疫苗重复免疫BALB/c小鼠2次,末次免疫2周后,用10倍LD50剂量攻击小鼠,计数小鼠的存活数及小鼠肺中的细菌数,观察感染鼠的肺部病理变化。结果:pcDNA3.1-ip免疫小鼠后诱导产生了特异的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,免疫组的免疫原性和免疫保护性均高于对照组pcDNA3.1( )组(P<0.01)。结论:免疫原蛋白基因可作为嗜肺军团菌核酸疫苗的侯选基因。     

编码TCR可变区的DNA免疫诱导BALB/C小鼠调节性免疫应答

目的：研究编码卵清白蛋白(OVA)T细胞克隆TCR Vα5．2或Vβ2.1的DNA免疫正常小鼠诱发调节性免疫应答。方法：用重组质粒pcDNA3．1-Vα5．2或pcDNA3．1-Vβ2.1免疫BALB／C小鼠,RT-PCR证实重组质粒能在体内和体外真核细胞中转录。^3H-TdR掺入法分析细胞增殖,^3H-TdR标记的靶细胞检测杀伤T细胞的杀伤效应,免疫荧光法分析血清中特异抗体水平和Vβ2^ T细胞数量。结果：pcDNA3．1-Vα．2或pcDNA3．1-Vβ2．1能在体内和体外真核细胞中转录,重组质粒免疫BALB／C小鼠能诱导产生特异性体液免疫应答、T细胞增殖反应及对靶细胞CTL反应,但pcDNA3．1-Vβ2．1免疫没有导致Vβ2^ T克隆清除,而是细胞活性部分封闭。结论：编码TcR Vα5．2或Vβ2．1的DNA免疫能诱导正常BALB/C小鼠调节性免疫应答。     

小鼠β防御素2与柯萨奇病毒B3 VP1融合基因疫苗的构建和免疫效果研究

目的:构建小鼠β-防御素2(Mouse beta-defensin-2,mBD2)与柯萨奇病毒B组3型(Coxsackievirus B3,CVB3)VP1融合基因疫苗,并观察其对小鼠的免疫效果.方法:克隆mBD2基因,构建重组质粒pcDNA3/mBD2和pcDNA3/mBD2-L-VP1.将4～6周龄BALB/c雄性小鼠随机分为5组,分别于股四头肌注射PBS(A组)、pcDNA3(B组)、pcDNA3/mBD2(C组)、pcDNA3/VP1(D组)、pcDNA3/mBD2-L-VP1(E组),每次接种剂量100 μg/只,3周免疫1次,共3次.每次免疫后第14天眼眶静脉取血,用微量中和试验滴定血清中和抗体效价.第三次免疫后第21天,每组随机取3只小鼠,制备脾淋巴细胞悬液,用CCK-8细胞计数法检测特异性CTL的杀伤活性;每组取3只小鼠以3LD50 CVB3病毒攻击,第7天取血处死,检测血清病毒滴度.结果:成功克隆了mBD2基因,构建了pcDNA3/mBD2和pcDNA3/mBD2-L-VP1两种重组质粒;D组和E组血清中和抗体滴度随免疫次数增加而提高(P＜0.01);E组血清中和抗体滴度和脾细胞特异性CTL杀伤活性显著高于其他组(P＜0.01),血中CVB3病毒滴度显著低于其他组(P＜0.01).结论:pcDNA3/mBD2-L-VP1能诱导小鼠对CVB3产生较强的体液免疫和细胞免疫,能有效抑制病毒在体内增殖.     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers “Kura” and “Ebro” or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.