Mouse Splenocyte Blast Transformation in the Presence of Plasma γ-Globulin Fraction Proteins and Their Complexes with Copper and Zinc

Plasma γ-globulin fraction proteins, copper and zinc cations, and metal complexes formed by these cations and human serum γ-globulin induce blast transformation of splenocytes from BALB/c mice at a level comparable to that induced by concanavalin A. Zinc bound to γ-globulin reduces by 25% and copper in complex with this protein stimulates by 1.6 times its capacity to induce blast transformation. Combinations with concanavalin A reproduce the effects of γ-globulin–metal complex under conditions of mitogen induction. Incorporation of ³H-thymidine in splenocytes incubated with combinations of γ-globulin–copper metalcomplex, copper cations, and control protein with concanavalin A was by 1.4, 1.3 (p<0.1), and 1.25 times higher (p<0.05), respectively, than after incubation with concanavalin A alone.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Clinical and molecular genetic analysis for 7 patients from 5 pedigrees with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 7 patients from 5 families with 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase deficiency (17OHD) and the CYP17A1 mutation in Chinese. Methods Clinical features and laboratory data were collected from 5 families with 17OHD. PCR direct sequencing was performed to screen the mutation of CYP17A1 gene of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) and sequencing were performed to screen the mutations of CYP17A1 gene in 288 healthy individuals from Shandong province. Results Seven patients (5 of them were 46, XX; 2 were 46, XY) had typical clinical presentation of sexual infantilism, hypertension and hypokalemia. Hormone profile indicated decreased plasma cotisol and sex hormones, and elevated blood adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). TAC329AA and H373L in exon 6 and D487_ F489del in exon 8 were identified from the patients. One heterozygote for D487_F489del was identified in 288 healthy controls. Conclusion The TAC329AA and D487_F489del of the CYP17A1 gene were the most frequent mutations in Chinese with 17OHD. There might be certain frequency of heterozygotes for D487_ F489del in Chinese population.     

Accumulation of Uterine CD16(−) Natural Killer (NK) Cells: Friends,Foes, or Jekyll-and-Hyde Relationship for the Conceptus?

Human cycling endometrium and early pregnant decidua are infiltrated by a unique lymphocyte subset of CD16(?) natural killer (NK) cells, which are minor cells in circulating blood and other organs. The number of uterine (u) CD16(?) NK cells rises sharply after ovulation. If pregnancy occurs, uCD16(?) NK cells increase further in number, but are shed during the menstrual period. uCD16(?) NK cells have the potential to produce cytokines and growth factors that play important roles in embryo implantation and placentation, but they are armed with cytolytic cytoplasmic granules. In the mid-secretory phase endometrium of women with recurrent miscarriages, dense accumulations of uCD16(?) NK cells also occur, like those seen in first-trimester decidua of uncomplicated pregnancies. This finding complicates understanding the exact roles of these NK cells at implantation sites. uCD16(?) NK cells are likely to be a mixture of indigenous endometrial NK cells and immigrant NK cells from the circulation. However, it is not yet known if NK cells from these two different origins display similar or unique characteristics. In this review, the potential underlying mechanisms for accumulation of uCD16(?) NK cells in uncomplicated pregnancies and in pathological pregnancies, especially recurrent miscarriages, are discussed.     

Effects of 17β-estradiol and its isomer 17α-estradiol on learning in rats with chronic cholinergic deficiency in the brain

It was shown for the first time that estrogens 17β- and 17α-estradiols compensate impaired cognitive functions in rats with partial chronic deprivation of cholinergic functions in the central nervous system induced by intracerebral administration of selective cholinergic neurotoxin AF64A. 17β-Estradiol produced strong dose-dependent changes in the weights of hormone-sensitive endocrine glands, while 17α-estradiol did not affect the weight of the gonads and slightly influenced (in high concentration) the weights of the adrenal glands and thymus. The positive effects of exogenous 17β- and 17α-estradiols on cognitive functions are due to their antioxidant properties, rather than due to specific action on hormone-sensitive endocrine glands. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 5, pp. 525–527, May, 2000     

Antinociceptive effects of the neuroactive steroid, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one and progesterone in the land snail,Cepaea nemoralis

Results of investigations with vertebrates have implicated neuroactive steroids and in particular 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone such as 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP/3A5P and originally allopregnanolone) in the rapid modulation of diverse functions including that of nociceptive sensitivity. These effects have been indicated to involve modulation of GABA receptors. Results of recent phylogenetic studies have revealed the presence of GABA receptors in invertebrates that may also be subject to modulation by steroids and neuroactive steroids. The present study examined the effects of the neuroactive steroid, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, as well as progesterone on aversive thermal (nociceptive) responses in a mollusc, the land snail, Cepaea nemoralis. 3α-Hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one had significant dose-related (0.01–1.0 μg) antinociceptive effects in Cepaea increasing the latency of response to a 40°C surface, with maximum effects being evident 15–30 min after administration. These effects of 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one were stereospecific, with the stereoisomer 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3B5P) failing to affect nociceptive responses. Progesterone also had significant dose-related (0.10–10 μg) antinociceptive effects that, however, were delayed in onset and relatively prolonged (60–120 min), suggestive of the formation of active metabolites. The presence of endogenous progesterone (12.36±0.17 ng/g tissue) was ascertained by a radioimmunoassay further supporting a functional role for steroids in Cepaea. The antinociceptive effects of 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one and progesterone were blocked by the GABA antagonists, bicuculline and picrotoxin, while being relatively insensitive to opioid and N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists.These results suggest an early evolutionary development and phylogenetic continuity of neuroactive steroid and GABA involvement in the mediation of nociception.     

Agonists of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and RXR inhibit the formation of foam cells from macrophages in mice with inflammation

We studied the effect of agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ and retinoid X receptors on the concentration and synthesis of lipids in macrophages of C57Bl/6 mice with inflammation induced by intraperitoneal injection of zymosan. We revealed a significant increase in [1-¹⁴C]oleate incorporation into cholesterol esters and triglycerides, increase in the content of free cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides, and formation of oil red-stained lipid inclusions in peritoneal macrophages 24 h after administration of zymosan in a dose of 50 mg/kg. Treatment with agonists of retinoid X receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ 30 min before and 12 h after zymosan injection decreased the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol esters, reduced the content of free cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and triglycerides in macrophages, and prevented the formation of cytoplasmic lipid inclusions in macrophage-derived foam cells during inflammation. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 11, pp. 556–559, November, 2007     

IL-17 and IFN-γ expression in lymphocytes from patients with active tuberculosis correlates with the severity of the disease

Th1 lymphocytes are crucial in the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nevertheless, IFN-γ alone is not sufficient in the complete eradication of the bacteria, suggesting that other cytokines might be required for pathogen removal. Th17 cells have been associated with M. tuberculosis infection, but the role of IL-17-producing cells in human TB remains to be understood. Therefore, we investigated the induction and regulation of IFN-γ and IL-17 during the active disease. TB patients were classified as High and Low Responder individuals according to their T cell responses against the antigen, and cytokine expression upon M. tuberculosis stimulation was investigated in peripheral blood and pleural fluid. Afterwards, the potential correlation among the proportions of cytokine-producing cells and clinical parameters was analyzed. In TB patients, M. tuberculosis induced IFN-γ and IL-17, but in comparison with BCG-vaccinated healthy donors, IFN-γ results were reduced significantly, and IL-17 was markedly augmented. Moreover, the main source of IL-17 was represented by CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) lymphocytes, a Th1/Th17 subset regulated by IFN-γ. Interestingly, the ratio of antigen-expanded CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) lymphocytes, in peripheral blood and pleural fluid from TB patients, was correlated directly with clinical parameters associated with disease severity. Indeed, the highest proportion of CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) cells was detected in Low Responder TB patients, individuals displaying severe pulmonary lesions, and longest length of disease evolution. Taken together, the present findings suggest that analysis of the expansion of CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)IL-17(+) T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of TB patients might be used as an indicator of the clinical outcome in active TB.     

Immunohistochemical localization and biological activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5α-reductase in the brain of the frog,Rana esculenta,during development

The occurrence of several enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of neurosteroids in the brain of adult frogs is now firmly established but the expression of these enzymes during ontogenesis has not yet been investigated. In the present report, we describe the immunohistochemical distribution and biological activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 5α-reductase (5α-R) in the brain of the European green frog, Rana esculenta, during larval development. The spatio-temporal distribution of 3β-HSD and 5α-R immunoreactivities in the tadpole brain was generally different, although these two enzymes were occasionally detected in the same areas such as the olfactory bulbs and cerebellum. Identification of neurons based on their morphological aspect as well as labeling of astrocytes with an antiserum against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed that, in the tadpole brain, 3β-HSD- and 5α-R-immunoreactive materials were contained in both neurons and glial cells. Incubation of tadpole brain explants with [³H]-pregnenolone resulted in the formation of several tritiated steroids including progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, 5α-dihydroprogesterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone. The present study provides the first immunocytochemical mapping of two key steroidogenic enzymes in the developing frog brain. The data also indicate that neurosteroid biosynthesis occurs in the brain of tadpoles, as previously shown for adult amphibians, birds and mammals. The transient expression of steroidogenic enzymes in several regions of the tadpole brain suggests that, in amphibians, neurosteroids may be implicated in neurotrophic activities during larval development.     

Abstracts of the 10th International Congress of the Metastasis Research Society,Genoa, Italy, 17–20 September 2004

Abstract

Abstracts of the 10th International Congress of the Metastasis Research Society, Genoa, Italy, 17–20 September 2004     

Value of cytokeratin 5/6 immunostaining using D5/16 B4 antibody in the spectrum of proliferative intraepithelial lesions of the breast. A comparative study with 34βE12 antibody

Previous studies have shown that basal-type cytokeratins (CKs) can distinguish usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) from the spectrum of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Indeed, expression of these CKs is weak or absent in ADH, DCIS and LCIS. However, the diagnostic usefulness of D5/16B4 antibody (anti-CK5/6) has never been compared with that of 34betaE12 antibody (anti-CK1/5/10/14). We performed immunostaining of CK 5/6 and CK1/5/10/14 on 100 breast lesions, including UDH ( n=31), ADH ( n=5), DCIS ( n=54) and LCIS ( n=10). Abundant immunostaining was observed in all UDH using both antibodies. Four of five of the ADH cases showed less than 5% of CK5/6 stained cells, the remaining case showed 30% of labeled cells. With 34betaE12 antibody, three of five of the ADH cases showed less than 5% labeled cells, while two cases showed more than 30% of stained cells. None of the 54 DCIS or the 10 LCIS was labeled by D5/16B4, while a lack of 34betaE12 immunostaining was observed in only 15 of 54 DCIS and 2 of 10 LCIS. We confirmed that D5/16B4 antibody directed against CK5/6 is useful in distinguishing UDH from the spectrum of ADH/DCIS/LCIS. We also demonstrated that D5/16B4 is far a more specific marker than 34betaE12 antibody.