The rational design of TAP inhibitors using peptide substrate modifications and peptidomimetics

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) translocates peptides from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. This step precedes the binding of peptides to MHC class I molecules and is essential for cell surface expression of the MHC class I/peptide complex. TAP has a broad sequence specificity and a preference for peptides of around 9 amino acids. To synthesize inhibitors for TAP, we studied various alterations of the peptide substrate. The results indicate that TAP is stereospecific and that peptide bonds engineered into isosteric structures can improve translocation of the peptide. Furthermore, TAP is able to translocate peptides with large side chains that correspond to a peptide of ～ 21 amino acids in extended conformation. Peptides with longer side chains compete for the peptide binding site of TAP but fail to be translocated. Therefore, they represent the first rationally designed inhibitors of TAP.     

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in human fecal specimens by flow cytometry

A diagnosis of cyclosporiasis typically involves stool examinations for the presence of Cyclospora oocysts by means of microscopy. In recent years, flow cytometry has been gaining in popularity as a novel method of detecting pathogens in environmental and clinical samples. The present study is an evaluation of a flow cytometric method for the detection and enumeration of Cyclospora oocysts in human fecal specimens associated with food-borne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in Ontario, Canada. Flow cytometry results were generally very comparable to the original microscopy results for these specimens, in terms of both presence or absence of oocysts and relative oocyst concentrations. Of the 34 fecal specimens confirmed positive for Cyclospora by microscopy, 32 were also found positive by flow cytometry, and 2 others were considered equivocal. Of the eight fecal specimens reported to be negative by microscopy, two were found positive by flow cytometry and five others were considered equivocal. These two flow cytometry-positive samples and one of the equivocal samples were confirmed by microscopic reexamination, suggesting that flow cytometry may be more sensitive than microscopy. While the sample preparation time for flow cytometry is similar to or slightly longer than that for microscopy, the actual analysis time is much shorter. Further, because flow cytometry is largely automated, an analyst's levels of fatigue and expertise will not influence results. Flow cytometry appears to be a useful alternative to microscopy for the screening of large numbers of stool specimens for Cyclospora oocysts, such as in an outbreak situation.     

Effects of a feed additive blend on broilers challenged with heat stress

ABSTRACT

We evaluated a blend of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), organic acids, and a polyphenol antioxidant on gut integrity. Eighty Ross Broilers were exposed to 20–22°C (control – normothermic) or to 35–39.5°C (heat stress) for eight hours a day for a period of 1 or 5 days. Birds were fed a standard diet, or a diet supplemented with the test blend. Thereafter, birds were euthanized, and intestinal sections were excised for morphological, morphometric and gene expression analyses. Blood samples were collected for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) determination. Heart and liver tissues were used to quantify the expression of heat shock proteins 60 and 70 (HSP60 and HSP70, respectively) and inhibitor of kappa light chain gene enhancer in B cells alpha (IKBA). The jejunum was the most sensitive intestinal section, where heat stress modulated the expression of HSP70, of the inflammatory markers IKBA, interleukin 8 (IL-8), interferon gamma (IFNγ), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Moreover, expression of tight junctions (CLDN1, ZO1 and ZO2) and nutrient transporters (PEPT1 and EAAT3) was modulated especially in the jejunum. In conclusion, the feed additive blend protected intestines during heat stress from the decrease in villus height and crypt depth, and from the increase in villus width. Especially in the jejunum, heat stress played an important role by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, impairing gut integrity and nutrient transport, and such deleterious effects were alleviated by the feed additive blend.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Jejunum is the most sensitive intestinal segment during heat stress.

• Heat stress affects the expression of tight junctions and nutrient transporters.

• Feed management helps to alleviate the disturbances caused by heat stress.

• A blend of MCFA, organic acids and a polyphenol protects broilers under heat stress.

     

Secretin and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase from rat heart

The exact positions of microelectrodes used to measure thePO₂ in the cerebral cortex of the rat were determined by staining the tissue with Alcian Blue. The measurement sites were subsequently located under a light microscope and correlated with the capillary and cellular arrangement of the cortex. The microelectrodes used for thePO₂ measurements were made of gold glass fibers; the Alcian Blue was injected hydrostatically through a micropipette attached to thePO₂ microelectrode. The sites where dye had been deposited were seen under a light microscope as green blue spots about 100 m in diameter. The capillaries were visualized by silver nitrate perfusion. Differences between the localPO₂ values in the neo- and the archeocortex were found. In the neocortex the meanPO₂ was 31 mm Hg, capillary volume 1.6%, capillary surface area 980/mm², capillary length 13.5/mm; whereas in the archeocortex these values where 21 mm Hg, 0.9%, 820/mm² and 9.4/mm respectively. These data indicate a relationship between the microcirculatory transport system and the local oxygen tension and provide further evidence that the meanPO₂ level tends to decrease when moving from the surface into the archeocortex.Supported by the Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftReported in part at the 3rd Symposium of ISOTT, Cambridge, GB, 1977; and at the 27th International Congress of Physiological Sciences, Paris, France, 1977     

cagA-Positive Helicobacter pylori Populations in China and The Netherlands Are Distinct

The aim of this research was to study whether and to what extent Chinese cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori isolates differ from those in The Netherlands. Analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR-assessed DNA fingerprints of chromosomal DNA of 24 cagA-positive H. pylori isolates from Dutch (n = 12) and Chinese (n = 10) patients yielded the absence of clustering. Based on comparison of the sequence of a 243-nucleotide part of cagA, the Dutch (group I) and Chinese (group II) H. pylori isolates formed two separate branches with high confidence limits in the phylogenetic tree. These two clusters were not observed when the sequence of a 240-bp part of glmM was used in the comparison. The number of nonsynonymous substitutions was much higher in cagA than in glmM, indicating positive selection. The average levels of divergence of cagA at the nucleotide and protein levels between group I and II isolates were found to be high, 13.3 and 17.9%, respectively. Possibly, the pathogenicity island (PAI) that has been integrated into the chromosome of the ancestor of H. pylori now circulating in China contained a different cagA than the PAI that has been integrated into the chromosome of the ancestor of H. pylori now circulating in The Netherlands. We conclude that in China and The Netherlands, two distinct cagA-positive H. pylori populations are circulating.     

In vitro andin vivo effects of piroxicam on rat polymorphonuclear responsiveness after induction of two acute non-specific inflammatory reactions

The effect of piroxicam on rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) has been studiedin vitro andin vivo after the induction of two acute, non specific inflammatory reactions (pleurisies induced by calcium pyrophosphate crystals (CaPP) or isologous serum).An inhibition of chemotaxis by piroxicam has been demonstrated by two techniques, the filter and agarose assaysin vivo andin vitro. An inhibition of random cell migration has been observed only at the higher drug concentration using agarose assay with CaPP-elicited cells.Piroxicam also inhibited superoxide anion generation and O₂ consumption of CaPP- and serum-elicited cells.These findings suggest that piroxicam may have a direct effect on PMN responses and that this activity could, at least in part, contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties.     

Antithrombotic properties of trillium coated connectors

Trillium coating (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN) offers, in addition to the presence of heparin, endothelium-like properties of its negatively charged surface. Its thromboresistant properties on coated connectors are tested here and compared with uncoated standard connectors, as well as with the Carmeda BioActive surface (CBAS) heparin surface coating. A partial cardiopulmonary bypass bovine model (body weight 68 +/- 5 kg) was selected, and the surfaces were exposed to the blood stream (pump flow 3.5 L/min) for up to 350 minutes without systemic heparinization. Thereafter, another set of samples was exposed to stagnant blood for 20 minutes. Besides hemodynamic, hematologic, and biochemical analyses, the macroscopic appearance of 45 blood exposed surface samples were graded semiquantitatively on a scale of 0 to 10: no macroscopic deposits = grade 0, one spot (1 mm diameter) = grade 1, two spots = grade 2, five or more spots = grade 5, 10% of the surface covered with clots = grade 6, 100% covered = grade 10. When exposed to blood flow, Trillium and CBAS coatings showed a statistically significant (p = 0.03) better thromboresistance (score: 0 +/- 0 for both) than uncoated connectors (score: 0.8 +/- 1.5) in this nonheparinized model. The same holds true when the connectors were exposed to stagnant blood (score: 0 +/- 0 for both coatings vs 4.3 +/- 2.8 for controls; p = 0.03). Therefore, Trillium coating exhibits significant antithrombotic properties that outperform standards for connectors used in clinical perfusion.     

Screening 34 Peanut Introductions for Allergen Content Using ELISA

Peanut is one of the most allergenic foods and reports of accidental ingestion of peanuts in unsuspected food are increasing. No information is available on the allergen content of peanut germplasm grown commercially and used in the food and confectionery industry. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the allergen contents of 34 peanut introductions (PI); and (2) to identify naturally occurring allergen-free and/or low or hypoallergenic peanuts germplasm. A basic ELISA protocol was utilized to detect the presence of antigens in the peanut lines using a pool of human sera from patients with documented history of peanut allergy. Two naturally occurring low, or hypo-allergenic germplasm were identified as PI 261942 and PI 338386. Both are Valencia market types with total allergen content significantly lower (P ≤0.05) than that of PI 119880 (0.550), PI 119876 (0.415) and PI 118991 (0.410) three Valencia market types and PI 262111 (0.485), a Virginia market type. No allergen-free PI was found. Allergen content of peanut lines from Bolivia and Paraguay were significantly (P ≤0.05) different to those from Venezuela. No significant difference was observed in the allergen content of the four market types.