Notch/Delta4 interaction in human embryonic liver CD34+ CD38- cells: positive influence on BFU-E production and LTC-IC potential maintenance

We investigated whether Notch signaling pathways have a role in human developmental hematopoiesis. In situ histochemistry analysis revealed that Notch1, 2, and 4 and Notch ligand (Delta1-4, and Jagged1) proteins were not expressed in the yolk sac blood islands, the para-aortic splanchnopleure, the hematopoietic aortic clusters, and at the early stages of embryonic liver hematopoiesis. Notch1-2, and Delta4 were eventually detected in the embryonic liver, from 34 until 38 days postconception. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis showed that first-trimester embryonic liver CD34(+)CD38(low) cells expressed both Notch1 and Notch2. When these cells were cultured on S17 stroma stably expressing Delta4, a 2.6-fold increase in BFU-E number was observed at day 7, as compared with cultures with control stroma, and this effect was maintained for 2 weeks. Importantly, exposure of these cells to Delta4 under these conditions maintained the original frequency and quality of long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs), while control cultures quickly resulted in the extinction of this LTC-IC potential. Furthermore, short-term exposure of embryonic liver adherent cells to erythropoietin resulted in a dose-dependent increase in Delta4 expression, almost doubling the expression observed with untreated stroma. This suggests that Delta4 has a role in the regulation of hematopoiesis after a hypoxic stress in the fetus.     

Rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus directly from sterile or nonsterile clinical samples by a new molecular assay

A rapid procedure was developed for detection and identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) directly from sterile sites or mixed flora samples (e.g., nose or inguinal swabs). After a rapid conditioning of samples, the method consists of two main steps: (i) immunomagnetic enrichment in S. aureus and (ii) amplification-detection profile on DNA extracts using multiplex quantitative PCR (5'-exonuclease qPCR, TaqMan). The triplex qPCR assay measures simultaneously the following targets: (i) mecA gene, conferring methicillin resistance, common to both S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; (ii) femA gene from S. aureus; and (iii) femA gene from S. epidermidis. This quantitative approach allows discrimination of the origin of the measured mecA signal. qPCR data were calibrated using two reference strains (MRSA and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis) processed in parallel to clinical samples. This 96-well format assay allowed analysis of 30 swab samples per run and detection of the presence of MRSA with exquisite sensitivity compared to optimal culture-based techniques. The complete protocol may provide results in less than 6 h (while standard procedure needs 2 to 3 days), thus allowing prompt and cost-effective implementation of contact precautions.     

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) with a mutation at codon 148 of prion protein gene: relationship with sporadic CJD

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), the most common human prion disease, includes sporadic (s) and familial (f) forms. Regardless of etiology, both forms are thought to share the pathogenic mechanism whereby the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) converts into its pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)). While PrP(C) conversion is thought to be random in sCJD, conversion in fCJD is facilitated by the congenital presence of mutated PrP. Differences in PrP genotype (PRNP) and in conversion circumstances lead to PrP(Sc) with distinct characteristics that elicit different disease phenotypes. Here, we describe a case of fCJD with a substitution of histidine (H) for arginine (R) at codon 148 (R148H) and heterozygosity of the methionine/valine (M/V) polymorphic codon 129, with the 129M allele coupled with the mutation. The disease phenotype and all major characteristics of PrP(Sc) of fCJD(R148H) were virtually indistinguishable from those of sCJDMV2, which has features different from those of any other sCJD. Therefore, despite the differences in etiology, PRNP, and conversion process, the two forms of PrP(Sc) had similar characteristics. Furthermore, comparison of fCJD(R148H) with a recently reported case carrying R148H and homozygosity at codon 129 suggests that codon 129 coupled with the mutation as well as that located on the normal allele can modify major phenotypic and PrP(Sc) features of fCJD(R148H).     

Granuloma necrosis during Mycobacterium avium infection does not require tumor necrosis factor

The infection of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-deficient mice with low doses of the virulent Mycobacterium avium strain 25291 led to the appearance of necrotic granulomas at 93 days of infection, i.e., sooner than necrotic granulomas appeared in C57BL/6 animals. Additionally, TNF-deficient mice exhibited higher mycobacterial loads in the infected organs, had extremely exacerbated gamma interferon responses as evaluated in the sera of infected animals, and showed reduced survival. Thus, TNF is not required for granuloma necrosis.