Immunology: Diversity of the blocking effects of antisperm antibodies on fertilization in human and mouse

The blocking effects of complement-dependent sperm immobilizingantibodies in the sera of infertile women and monoclonal antispermantibodies against humans and mice on fertilization were investigated.The hemizona assay (HZA) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) wereused to study the inhibitory effects of sera from 22 infertilepatients positive for sperm immobilizing antibodies. Use ofthese tests allowed us to differentiate whether the antibodyblocked sperm—zona pellucida tight binding and/or spermpenetration into the ooplasm. The zona pellucida penetrationassay (ZPA) was also used to study the effects of four monoclonalantibodies (mAbs) on human sperm penetration into the zona pellucida.Seven mAbs against murine spermatozoa were tested for theirinhibitory effects on in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and HZA inmice. Of 22 patient sera with sperm immobilizing antibodies,21 (95.5%) inhibited HZA attachment and penetration, whereasthis did not occur in any of 13 patient sera without these antibodies.However, 19 of 22 (86.4%) patient sera with sperm immobilizingantibodies and eight of 13 (61.5%) patient sera without theseantibodies inhibited the SPA. Two (2C6, 1G12) of four mAbs againsthuman spermatozoa showed strong inhibitory effects in all theassays (HZA, ZPA and SPA). One mAb (3B10) did not inhibit HZAbut blocked ZPA and SPA. Another mAb (H6-3C4) seemed to haveno inhibitory effects on fertilization. Two (Vx 5 and Vx 8)of seven mAbs against murine spermatozoa inhibited IVF in micebut did not block mouse HZA. These findings suggest that antispermantibodies block fertilization at specific stages. Some of themmay inhibit sperm capacitation and thus prevent all processesof fertilization that follow. Some other antibodies may notaffect capacitation and sperm binding to zona pellucida butinhibit the acrosome reaction, followed by the blocking of spermpenetration through zona pellucida and ooplasm.     

Immunogenetic analysis of gastric MALT lymphoma-like lesions induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in neonatally thymectomized mice

Most gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. We previously reported that acquired lymphoid follicles with germinal centers were induced by H. pylori infection in neonatally thymectomized (nTx) mice. In the present study, we developed gastric MALT lymphoma-like lesions in nTx mice by long-term H. pylori infection, and performed immunogenetic analyses. BALB/c mice were thymectomized on the 3rd day after birth. At 6 weeks of age, mice were orally infected with 10(8) H. pylori and serially killed 2, 4, 6, and 12 months later. Normal BALB/c and noninfected nTx mice served as controls. Follicle formation occurred after 2 months of H. pylori infection in the nTx mice. Follicle formation and infiltration of intraepithelial lymphocytes progressed in a time-dependent manner. Lymphoepithelial lesions, a characteristic feature of MALT lymphoma, also occurred in a time-dependent manner (100% at 12 months). Serum immunoelectrophoresis revealed a monoclonal band (M-protein) in 30% (3/10) of mice 6 months after infection. M-protein-positive mice had amplification of one or two IgM and/or IgG heavy-chain genes in the gastric B lymphocytes, as determined with polymerase chain reaction, suggesting mono- or oligoclonality. Overexpression of Bcl-X(L) protein was immunohistologically observed in the infiltrating B lymphocytes and in some follicular B lymphocytes in 80% (8/10) of the cases at 12 months. Thus, H. pylori infection is involved in the development of gastric MALT lymphoma-like lesions in nTx mice. Our mouse model is useful for clarifying the pathogenetic mechanism of gastric MALT lymphoma by H. pylori infection.     

Reaction products of diphenyl sulfide with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde resins. 98

The acid-catalyzed condensation of formaldehyde and diphenyl sulfide was carried out in benzene in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid. From the products, four poly(methylene diphenyl sulfides) of the following structures were isolated.      

Whole genome association study of rheumatoid arthritis using 27 039 microsatellites

A major goal of current human genome-wide studies is to identify the genetic basis of complex disorders. However, the availability of an unbiased, reliable, cost efficient and comprehensive methodology to analyze the entire genome for complex disease association is still largely lacking or problematic. Therefore, we have developed a practical and efficient strategy for whole genome association studies of complex diseases by charting the human genome at 100 kb intervals using a collection of 27,039 microsatellites and the DNA pooling method in three successive genomic screens of independent case-control populations. The final step in our methodology consists of fine mapping of the candidate susceptible DNA regions by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis. This approach was validated upon application to rheumatoid arthritis, a destructive joint disease affecting up to 1% of the population. A total of 47 candidate regions were identified. The top seven loci, withstanding the most stringent statistical tests, were dissected down to individual genes and/or SNPs on four chromosomes, including the previously known 6p21.3-encoded Major Histocompatibility Complex gene, HLA-DRB1. Hence, microsatellite-based genome-wide association analysis complemented by end stage SNP typing provides a new tool for genetic dissection of multifactorial pathologies including common diseases.     

Polysialic acid, a unique glycan that is developmentally regulated by two polysialyltransferases, PST and STX, in the central nervous system: From biosynthesis to function

Polysialic acid is a developmentally regulated carbohydrate composed of a linear homopolymer of a-2,a-linked sialic acid residues. This unique glycan is mainly attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and implicated in many morphogenic events of the neural cells by modulating the adhesive property of N-CAM. Recently, the cDNA that encodes polysialyltransferase, which is responsible for the polysialylation of N-CAM, was successfully cloned from three mammalian species. This review focuses on the molecular cloning of human polysialyltransferase, designated PST. it then describes the number of enzymes actually required for the polysialylation of N-CAM using an in vitro polysialyltransferase assay. Comparisons between PST and another polysialyltransferase, sialyltransferase X (STX), are made and it Is demonstrated that both enzymes can independently form polysiatic acid In vitro , but that during neural development they coordinately but distinctly synthesize polysialic acid on N-CAM. The role of polysialic acid in the central nervous system is also discussed. Finally, evidence that the two polysialyltransferases, PST and STX, apparently have distinct roles in the development of neural cells is provided by using a neurite outgrowth assay.     

Effect of local blood circulation and absolute torque on muscle endurance at two different knee-joint angles in humans

The effects of the local blood circulation and absolute torque on muscle endurance at different knee-joint angles were determined. The rate of muscle deoxygenation (using near-infrared spectroscopy), and the rate of muscle fatigue (using the slope of integrated electromyography, iEMG) were evaluated concurrently. Nine healthy subjects performed submaximal (50% maximal voluntary contraction, MVC) static knee extension at 50° (extended position, EXT) and 90° (flexed position, FLEX) joint angles until the target torque could no longer be maintained: that time was measured as the endurance time. They exercised with the circulation occluded (OCCL), and without (FREE) to study the possible effects of the local circulation. Although MVC torque was independent of joint angle [mean (SD) FLEX 250.6 (51.7) N·m and EXT 246.5 (46.6) N·m], significantly shorter (P<0.01) endurance time in FLEX [FREE 71.1 (10) s and OCCL 63.1 (8.8) s] than at EXT [FREE 115.3 (30) s and OCCL 106.7 (29.1) s] were obtained in both circulatory conditions. The iEMG-time slope was significantly greater in FLEX at the proximal and distal portion (P<0.05) in both circulatory conditions. Muscle deoxygenation rate in OCCL was significantly greater (P<0.05) at FLEX [20.8 (8.0)%] than EXT [10.9 (4.0)%]. The results would suggest that different knee-joint angle affects muscle endurance even if the local circulation is controlled. Circulatory disturbance would further reduce muscle endurance in EXT, but not in FLEX. Because of the greater muscle internal force in FLEX, local blood flow might be already limited even with a free circulation. The greater muscle deoxygenation and muscle fatigability would be related to the shorter muscle endurance in FLEX. Electronic Publication