Upregulation of TGF-beta, FOXP3, and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells correlates with more rapid parasite growth in human malaria infection

Understanding the regulation of immune responses is central for control of autoimmune and infectious disease. In murine models of autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory disease, potent regulatory T lymphocytes have recently been characterized. Despite an explosion of interest in these cells, their relevance to human disease has been uncertain. In a longitudinal study of malaria sporozoite infection via the natural route, we provide evidence that regulatory T cells have modifying effects on blood-stage infection in vivo in humans. Cells with the characteristics of regulatory T cells are rapidly induced following blood-stage infection and are associated with a burst of TGF-beta production, decreased proinflammatory cytokine production, and decreased antigen-specific immune responses. Both the production of TGF-beta and the presence of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells are associated with higher rates of parasite growth in vivo. P. falciparum-mediated induction of regulatory T cells may represent a parasite-specific virulence factor.     

Molecular identification of a novel deltaproteobacterium as the etiologic agent of epizootic bovine abortion (foothill abortion)

Epizootic bovine abortion (EBA) is endemic in California's coastal range and the foothill regions of the Sierra Nevada, where it has been the primary diagnosed cause of abortion in beef cattle for >50 years. Investigation of these losses has defined a specific fetal syndrome characterized by late-term abortion or birth of weak or dead calves. Although the unusual clinical presentation and unique fetal pathology associated with EBA have been recognized since the 1950s, the identity of the etiologic agent is unknown. In this study, suppression-hybridization PCR was used to identify a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of a previously undescribed bacterium in thymus tissue derived from affected fetuses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this pathogen was a deltaproteobacterium closely related to members of the order Myxococcales. A specific PCR was subsequently developed to detect the presence of this bacterium in DNA extracted from fetal thymuses. Using histopathology as the definitive diagnosis for EBA, this PCR demonstrated 100% specificity and 88% sensitivity. The bacterium was also detected in the argasid tick Ornithodoros coriaceus, which is the recognized vector of EBA. These data imply a close association between this novel agent and the etiology of EBA.     

Inguinal abscess caused by Rhizopus rhizopodiformis: successful treatment with surgery and amphotericin B

Rhizopus rhizopodiformis has seldom been isolated from human mucormycosis. We report the first subcutaneous abscess to be caused by this fungus. It occurred in a diabetic man and presented as an inguinal mass, suggestive of a hernia, superficial to his cadaveric renal transplant. The fungus was readily isolated from pus inoculated onto blood and chocolate agars after a short incubation. The patient was cured by surgical drainage and treatment with 2.0 g of intravenous amphotericin B. Complete identification of such isolates is recommended.     

Intracranial peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the cavernous sinus: a diagnostic peculiarity

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNETs) are aggressive, poorly differentiated neoplasms that occur in children and young adults. These tumors are associated with a peak incidence in the second decade and a slight male preponderance. Recently, Ewing sarcoma and pPNET tumors have been proven to carry identical translocations, the most common being t(11;22)(q24;q12). Intracranial Ewing sarcoma/pPNETs have rarely been described in the literature. We studied a case of intracranial pPNET arising in the right cavernous sinus of a 46-year-old man. On imaging, the tumor had both sellar and suprasellar components and was centered within the right parasellar region. Histologically, the tumor was composed of intermediate to large cells with round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei with distinct nucleoli. The cells contained a moderate amount of slightly basophilic cytoplasm. The tumor was markedly fibrotic and had collagen bands surrounding both individual and groups of cells. A large immunohistochemical panel was positive only for CD99 and vimentin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization did not show translocations associated with Ewing sarcoma/pPNET. However, a small percentage of these tumors can be negative for this translocation. In these cases, histology and immunohistochemical techniques in the absence of an alternative diagnosis are the only tools available to establish the diagnosis.     

Deafness associated with bilateral facial diplegia,ptosis and hypermobile joints--A new autosomal recessive condition?

We report the combination of sensorineural deafness with facial diplegia, ptosis and hypermobile joints. Observed in a sister and brother, comparison with other reports has failed to identify an established syndrome with this clinical profile. We propose that these siblings share a unique phenotype, representing a new autosomal recessive trait.     

Presence of host-reactive T cells in lymphohaematopoietic chimeras.

The presence of autoreactive lymphocytes was investigated in murine lymphohaematopoietic chimeras. In this report we demonstrate the presence of precursors of host-reactive cytotoxic effector T lymphocytes in parent leads to F1 chimeras. Lymphocytes from these chimeras display cytotoxic activity towards the non-shared major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens of the host following activation with the polyclonal T-cell activator concanavalin A. These host-reactive cells were found despite the apparent absence of lymphocytes demonstrating autoreactivity in other experimental systems: mixed lymphocyte reaction, cell-mediated lympholysis, positive allogeneic effect and negative allogeneic effect. Animals possessing precursors of these cytotoxic effector cells also possess precursors of cytotoxic effector cells capable of generating an MHC-restricted anti-minor histocompatibility antigen response. The results are discussed in reference to the role of the thymus in effecting self non-self discrimination.     

Acute modulation of adrenal chromaffin cell BK channel gating and cell excitability by glucocorticoids

Although adrenal glucocorticoids cortisol and corticosterone (CORT) have numerous "genomic" effects on adrenomedullary chromaffin cells, acute modulatory actions remain largely unknown, despite rapid stress-related changes in secretion. We report that 1 microM glucocorticoids rapidly modulate gating of chromaffin cell BK channels and action potential firing. In general, CORT, or the analog dexamethasone (DEX), increased channel activity in inside-out bovine patches, an effect not blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist RU38486. By contrast, these steroids could profoundly inhibit BK activation in many rat patches, while facilitating activation in others. We show that BK inhibition arises from a negative shift in the voltage dependence of BK inactivation paralleling that for activation. We report that rat cells characteristically exhibit greater repetitive firing ability than bovine cells in the absence of glucocorticoids. In both species, steroid application typically increased firing responses to smaller current injections, attributable to BK-enhanced repolarization and Na+ channel deinactivation. However, in rat cells, where BK inactivation is generally faster and more complete, glucocorticoids tended to dampen responses to stronger stimuli. Thus, in the context of natural variation in BK gating, glucocorticoids can either promote or limit firing responses. We suggest that steroids exploit BK gating variety to tailor catecholamine output in a species- and context-specific fashion.     

Cytocompatibility of albuminated polyester fabrics

An alternative to the usual technique of preclotting porous textile vascular prostheses prior to surgical implantation is to render them impermeable to blood by impregnation with a cross-linked albumin filler matrix. This material subsequently becomes the foundation for cellular development. The compatibility of such impregnated fabrics with newly formed endothelial cells has been evaluated by an in vitro organotypic culture method. This technique enables the characterization and numeration of cells that develop on blood contact surfaces and enables determination of their rate of development. Woven, knitted, and velour fabrics were evaluated following coating with albumin and either storage in Tyrode solution or 40% ethanol or desiccation by critical point drying. Preclotted cardiovascular repair fabrics prepared according to conventional surgical protocol served as controls. The identification of the newly formed cells was confirmed histologically. The most extensive and rapid cellular development was observed on the woven fabric and is believed may have resulted from the smoother surface topography of this substrate. Good cellular development was noted particularly on fabrics which had been stored in Tyrode solution. Ethanol had a deleterious effect on the apparent compatibility.