Induced expression of c-fms in normal hematopoietic cells shows evidence for both conservation and lineage restriction of signal transduction in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer was used to obtain expression of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) receptor, c-fms, on hematopoietic lineages that normally do not express this receptor. Cultures of murine fetal liver cells infected with the c-fms retrovirus developed erythroid colonies in cultures stimulated with M-CSF. However, these colonies were fewer and less hemoglobinized than colonies in parallel cultures stimulated by erythropoietin. Culture of isolated clones demonstrated a direct action of M-CSF on erythroid clones. Culture of c-fms retrovirus-infected adult murine bone marrow cells showed megakaryocyte and novel macrophage-megakaryocyte clones when stimulated by M-CSF. Culture of isolated clones again confirmed a direct action of M-CSF on megakaryocyte clones. In contrast, M-CSF stimulation of c-fms-infected granulocytes and granulocyte progenitor cells did not elicit proliferation, enhanced survival, or functional stimulation of granulocytes. These findings provide evidence for both conservation and lineage restriction of signal transduction in normal hematopoietic cells.     

Platelets express a membrane protein complex immunologically related to the fibroblast fibronectin receptor and distinct from GPIIb/IIIa

We have previously identified and characterized a membrane glycoprotein complex (GP150/135) that functions as fibronectin receptor (FN-R) in fibroblast adhesion. Here we report that an immunologically related protein complex is expressed at the surface of human platelets. Antibodies monospecific for the smaller subunit (GP135) of the fibroblast FN-R in fact specifically stained the platelet surface, as determined by FACS analysis, and reacted with a component of molecular weight (mol wt) 138,000 as shown in western blots of platelet membranes. Moreover, the same antibodies precipitated the 138,000 component together with a 160,000 protein, suggesting that the two molecules are associated in a supramolecular complex. A comparative analysis indicated that this protein complex is distinct from the GPIIb/IIIa complex, known to function as a receptor of wide specificity for fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor. Differential extraction experiments revealed that the platelet 138,000 component is an integral membrane protein.     

缺血性脑卒中的A-S-C-O(表型)分类

背景和目的:国际5国脑血管病专家提出一种新的腩卒中亚型分类法,旨在介绍完整的"脑卒中表型"分类的新观念,该分类是包括脑卒中的病因和存在的所有病因相关的疾病,并将病因疾病按严重程度分成3级.     

A fast real-time polymerase chain reaction method for sensitive and specific detection of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae porA pseudogene

Ever since the advent of molecular methods, the diagnostics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been troubled by false negative and false positive results compared with culture. Commensal Neisseria species and Neisseria meningitidis are closely related to N. gonorrhoeae and may cross-react when using molecular tests comprising too-low specificity. We have devised a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including an internal amplification control, that targets the N. gonorrhoeae porA pseudogene. DNA was automatically isolated on a BioRobot M48. Our subsequent PCR method amplified all of the different N. gonorrhoeae international reference strains (n = 34) and N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates (n = 176) but not isolates of the 13 different nongonococcal Neisseria species (n = 68) that we tested. Furthermore, a panel of gram-negative bacterial (n = 18), gram-positive bacterial (n = 23), fungal (n = 1), and viral (n = 4) as well as human DNA did not amplify. The limit of detection was determined to be less than 7.5 genome equivalents/PCR reaction. In conclusion, the N. gonorrhoeae porA pseudogene real-time PCR developed in the present study is highly sensitive, specific, robust, rapid and reproducible, making it suitable for diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection.     

高血压治疗的现代途径(MATH)

标　　题　硝苯地平胃肠治疗系统对老年患者的抗高血压治疗作用作　　者　ＢｒａｖｏＥＬ,ＫｒａｋｏｆｆＬＲ,ＴｕｃｋＭＬ,ｅｔａｌ.　　参考文献　ＡｍＪＨｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓ,1990,3:326Ｓ目　　的　评估硝苯地平的新剂型胃肠治疗系统ＧＩＴＳ治疗高血压的疗效和安全性。研究疾病　高血压病。设　　计　多中心、开放性临床研究。病人资料　1155例ＤＢＰ在95～110ｍｍＨｇ的高血压患者。随　　访　至目标血压达到后12周。治疗方案　硝苯地平控释片30ｍｇ/ｄ,在6周内剂量逐渐增至最大量180ｍｇ/ｄ,每次增量为30ｍｇ,目标血压为舒张压降至90…     

Spectrum and origin of phenylketonuria mutations in Spain

In order to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiencies in the Spanish population, 37 PKU patients were initially screened for 16 known European mutations. For the remaining unidentified alleles, we used a combined strategy based on single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Overall, a total of 15 different mutations were found in our sample, which account for 62% of the total mutant alleles. We also investigated the association between the mutations, haplotypes and variable number of tandem repeats described on the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. In addition, we analyzed the geographical distribution in Spain of the two most prevalent mutations in our population: IVS10 and I65T.     

In vivo expansion coincident with excessive in vitro cell death within the memory subset of CD8+ T cells in HIV type 1 infection

In HIV-1-infected individuals the CD8+ T cell subset is considerably expanded. This has been shown to be caused predominantly by an increase in the number of CD8+CD28- T cells. To characterize further the subsets of CD8+ T cells, we have performed analyses of cell surface phenotype, T cell receptor Vbeta usage, and ability to survive in unstimulated cultures. CD8+CD28- T cells frequently expressed CD45RA. Nonetheless, coincident expression of CD95 (Fas) and high levels of integrins suggested that these cells were immunologically experienced. Contrary to what has been observed in CD8+CD28- T cells from uninfected individuals, a common hierarchy of Vbeta usage was found in CD8+CD28- T cells from HIV-1-infected individuals, which was adhered to by all the study participants, and which was shown to be similar to that observed within CD8+CD28+ T cells. Cells from the memory subsets of CD8+ T cells showed a high incidence of spontaneous death in unstimulated cultures, indicating that these cells have received signals for death by apoptosis in vivo. In contrast, most naive CD8+CD28+CD45RA+ cells survived. The CD8+CD28- memory subset is expanded in vivo despite evidence for coincident excessive cell death in vitro. Our results are consistent with the notion that frequent transitions occur from the memory CD8+CD28+CD45RA- T cell subset to the end-stage CD8+CD28- subset during HIV-1 infection.     

The humoral and cellular responses induced locally and systemically after parenteral influenza vaccination in man

Studies of the immune response after influenza vaccination in man, with focus on the immune activity occurring locally at mucosal surfaces and in associated lymphoid tissue, provide a valuable insight into immunity to influenza. The aim of influenza vaccination is to develop immunological memory resulting in enhanced rapid specific response upon subsequent influenza encounter. The tonsils are thought to play an important role as an activating, effector and memory site for immune responses against influenza. We have shown that normally high numbers of influenza-specific antibody secreting cells (ASC) are present in the nasal mucosa of healthy adults but upon parenteral vaccination the numbers remain stable. However, a rapid transient increase in influenza-specific ASC is observed in the tonsils and peripheral blood after vaccination. In the tonsils and blood, parenteral vaccination results in a significant decrease in CD4(+) cells upon vaccination, which are probably recruited to the draining lymph node.