Dietary fat intake and risk for Parkinson's disease

Previous epidemiological studies have generated inconsistent results regarding the associations between dietary fat intakes and risk for Parkinson's disease (PD). We therefore prospectively examined these associations in the National Institutes of Health–American Association of Retired Persons (NIH‐AARP) Diet and Health Study. A 124‐item food frequency questionnaire was administered at baseline in1995 to 1996, and PD diagnosis was self‐reported at the follow‐up survey in 2004 to 2006. A total of 1,087 cases with a PD diagnosis between 2000 and 2006 and 299,617 controls were included in the analyses. Overall, intakes of fats and other macronutrients were not associated with PD risk. However, we found a weak positive association between n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the risk for PD. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between extreme quintiles of n‐6 PUFA intake was 1.23 (95% CI = 1.02‐1.49, P for trend = 0.02). A similar association was observed for the intake of linoleic acid. Results were similar among men and among women. Our study suggests that fat intake in general is not related to the risk for PD. The weak positive association between intake of n‐6 PUFA and PD risk needs further investigation. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society     

Are CD8+ dendritic cells (DC) veto cells? The role of CD8 on DC in DC development and in the regulation of CD4 and CD8 T cell responses

The CD8-expressing dendritic cells (DC) present in mouse spleen have been shown to have a regulatory effect on the CD4 and CD8 T cells they activate, restricting subsequent T cell proliferation by either inducing apoptotic T cell death (CD4 T cells) or by limiting endogenous cytokine production (CD8 T cells). To determine the role of the CD8 molecule itself in these regulatory phenomena, the DC from CD8 null mice were studied. The DC marker DEC-205 (NLDC 145) was used as a surrogate marker for CD8, since the expression of these two molecules on splenic DC was closely correlated. DC levels were normal, and the incidence of DEC-205+ and DEC-205- DC was normal in CD8 null mice, indicating that the absence of CD8 did not affect DC development. The proliferative response of T cells to allogeneic DEC-205+ DC from either CD8-/- or CD8+/+ mice was similar and was much less than the response to DEC-205- DC from these mice. This applied to both the CD4 and the CD8 T cell responses. Thus the lack of the CD8 molecule did not affect the stimulatory or regulatory properties of the DC. The regulatory CD8+ DEC-205+ DC therefore differ in that respect from antigen-presenting 'veto' cells, where CD8 itself is involved in transmitting negative signals to the T cells. DEC-205 may prove to be a more pertinent marker of the regulatory DC population.      

Rearrangement of T-cell delta locus in lymphoproliferative disorders

Studies of lymphoproliferative disorders using immunoglobulin and T- cell receptor genes have contributed to our understanding of clonality and lineages of these disorders. In this study, we examined the rearrangement of the recently discovered T-cell delta chain genes in a variety of lymphoproliferative diseases. We show here that six of 14 T- cell lymphomas and five of 23 B-cell lymphomas or B-cell leukemia cell lines have rearranged the delta loci, while two of two hyperimmune reactions retain germline configuration within these genes. Seven of ten cases of AILD were rearranged, and Lennert's lymphoma, which has been previously described as a T-cell malignancy, also contains rearrangements in the delta chain genes (three of five). Large cell anaplastic lymphomas positive for the activation antigen CD 30 also contain rearrangement in about one-half (five of 11) of the tumors examined. Two of seven of the Hodgkin's lymphomas studied contained a rearrangement for this gene. This study indicates that this newly identified T-cell delta gene is useful in evaluating clonality but is not lineage specific. However, with only one exception (in 28 rearrangements), this gene rearranges in tumors with gamma and beta chain gene rearrangements, indicating that when used in conjunction with the other TcR genes, delta rearrangement may also be useful in evaluating lineages.     

Chemical predictors of wheeze among farmer pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

Pesticides may contribute to respiratory symptoms among farmers. Using the Agricultural Health Study, a large cohort of certified pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina, we explored the association between wheeze and pesticide use in the past year. Self-administered questionnaires contained items on 40 currently used pesticides and pesticide application practices. A total of 20,468 applicators, ranging in age from 16 to 88 years, provided complete information; 19% reported wheezing in the past year. Logistic regression models controlling for age, state, smoking, and history of asthma or atopy were used to evaluate associations between individual pesticides and wheeze. Among pesticides suspected to contribute to wheeze, paraquat, three organophosphates (parathion, malathion, and chlorpyrifos), and one thiocarbamate (S-ethyl-dipropylthiocarbamate [EPTC] ) had elevated odds ratios (OR). Parathion had the highest OR (1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0, 2.2). Chlorpyrifos, EPTC, paraquat, and parathion demonstrated significant dose-response trends. The herbicides, atrazine and alachlor, but not 2,4-D, were associated with wheeze. Atrazine had a significant dose-response trend with participants applying atrazine more than 20 days/year having an OR of 1.5 (95% CI 1.2,1.9). Inclusion of crops and animals into these models did not significantly alter the observed OR. These associations, though small, suggest an independent role for specific pesticides in respiratory symptoms of farmers.     

FasL^＋组织工程化猪软骨细胞的同种异体移植

目的:探讨表达FasL的猪组织工程化软骨细胞在同种异体内的生长状况和免疫排斥反应。方法:实验于2002-09/2004-03在上海交通大学医学院,上海市免疫学研究所进行。①分离制备猪软骨细胞。②制备FasL 软骨细胞,构建重组pGCEN-FasL反转录病毒载体,转染PA317细胞。经G418筛选获得分泌pGCEN-FasL病毒颗粒的PA317细胞克隆,选择高滴度的病毒液,感染猪软骨细胞。再经过G418筛选获得FasL 的软骨细胞克隆,扩增培养。③FACS检测FasL的表达,应用JAM试验测定FasL 的软骨细胞诱导Fas 的Jurkat细胞及活化的T细胞的凋亡率。同时制备转染pGCEN反转录病毒空载体的软骨细胞为对照。④取FasL 的软骨细胞与可注射性生物材料PluronicF127混合,注射于同种异体猪的腹壁皮下。在第4,5周取材,通过组织病理和免疫组织化学等方法,检测软骨细胞生长和免疫排斥反应。结果:①经转染的软骨细胞表面FasL的表达率为57%。②FasL 的软骨细胞具有明显诱导Fas 细胞和活化的同种异体T细胞的凋亡,最大的凋亡率分别为53.41%,30.38%(效/靶=10∶1),对照组分别为32.27%,13.16%(效/靶=10∶1)。③组织工程化猪软骨结节的结构与正常软骨组织基本一致,可见清晰的软骨凹陷和软骨膜,仅细胞排列较正常软骨略显混乱、不均匀现象。④免疫组织化学染色显示FasL 的组织工程化猪软骨结节的Ⅱ型胶原蛋白分布均匀,形状清楚,与正常软骨比较基本一致。⑤第5周的软骨细胞表面的FasL分子表达明显,周围的炎性细胞浸润相对较少。而对照组的软骨细胞周围可见到大量浸润的炎性细胞。结论:成功构建FasL 软骨细胞并有效表达,抑制免疫排斥反应,为建立同种异体软骨细胞移植的免疫耐受提供了实验依据。     

Cytochrome P450 2B6 516G→T is associated with plasma concentrations of nevirapine at both 200 mg twice daily and 400 mg once daily in an ethnically diverse population

Objectives

The aim of the study was to characterize the impact of the cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6), CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and ATP‐binding cassette sub‐family B member 1 (ABCB1) polymorphisms on nevirapine plasma concentrations.

Methods

A total of 104 patients (82% male; 26% non‐Caucasian) were genotyped for eight single nucleotide polymorphisms at four loci (CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and MDR1). Nevirapine plasma concentrations were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Non‐Caucasian ethnicity [5609 ng/mL (n=27) for non‐Caucasians vs. 3771 ng/mL (n=77) for Caucasians; P<0.0001] and CYP2B6 516G→T [GG, 3574 ng/mL (n=50); GT, 4634 ng/mL (n=50); TT, 8170 ng/mL (n=4); P_{analysis of variance (anova)} =0.001] were significantly associated with a higher nevirapine trough concentration (C_trough). The latter association was maintained with both 200 mg twice daily (bid) and 400 mg once daily (qd) dosing [GG, 3527 ng/mL (n=30); GT, 4525 ng/mL (n=32); TT, 7020 ng/mL (n=2); P_anova =0.05 and GG, 3645 ng/mL (n=20); GT, 4861 ng/mL (n=17); TT, 9508 ng/mL (n=2); P_anova =0.01, respectively]. In a multivariable analysis, CYP2B6 516G→T and non‐Caucasian ethnicity remained significant predictors of nevirapine C_trough but CYP2B6 516G→T homozygosity had the greatest effect (108% higher, 46% higher). No associations were found between nevirapine C_trough and the remaining polymorphisms.

Conclusion

In this population, both non‐Caucasian ethnicity and carriage of the variant allele of CYP2B6 516G→T were significant predictors of nevirapine C_trough. The association between CYP2B6 516G→T and higher plasma nevirapine exposure was maintained at both bid and qd dosing.