Intrathecal synthesis of anti-myelin basic protein IgG in HIV-1+ patients

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals frequently develop a broad spectrum of neurological syndromes, classified as HIV-1-associated cognitive/motor complex. Diffuse demyelination of hemispheric white matter is a commonly observed in HIV-1 infected brain, but the events leading to myelin destruction are still obscure. Since oligodendrocyte infection by HIV-1 is not proven as yet, myelin damage in HIV-1 infection may result from indirect mechanisms such as the excessive release of myelinotoxic substances or the triggering of autoimmune responses directed to myelin constituents. To verify the latter hypothesis, we searched for elevated anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) IgG levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of 25 patients with HIV-1 infection, 12 with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 9 with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). CSF, but not serum, anti-MBP IgG levels were more frequently elevated in HIV-1⁺ (16/25, 64%) than in MS (3/12, 25%) or NIND (0/9) patients. By using the anti-MBP IgG index, the anti-MBP IgG antibody specificity index (ASI), and the search for anti-MBP oligoclonal IgG, we ascertained that anti-MBP IgG were produced within the CNS in 13 of 25 (52%) HIV-1⁺, in 6 of 12 (50%) MS, and in none of NIND patients. The incidence of increased CSF anti-MBP IgG levels was higher among HIV-1⁺ patients at stage II–III (4/4, 100%) or at stage IV B (7/9, 78%) than among those at stage IV C–IV D (5/12, 42%). Although our data indicate that intrathecal anti-MBP IgG may occur early during HIV-1 infection and that they are more common in patients with HIV-1-associated cognitive/motor complex, the possible demyelinating role of these antibodies remains to be demonstrated.     

Astrocyte RNA in relation to neuronal RNA depletion in Alzheimer's disease

Summary A new double-staining procedure, in which the techniques of immunocytochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and quantitative microdensitometry of azure B-RNA were combined, was used to study nucleic acid alterations in fibrous astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). RNA contents of GFAP-positive cells of the hippocampal endplate (Rose's H₃-H₅ fields) and the dentate gyrus molecular layer were determined in ten autopsy-proven AD patients (ages 51–88) and ten age-matched, non-demented control. In addition, RNA contents of pyramidal neurons of the endplate were examined. While there were no differences in RNA contents of astrocytes of either region between AD patients and controls, neuronal RNA was markedly depleted. These data suggest that astrocytes maintain protein synthetic capabilities in AD and that RNA loss is limited to the neuronal compartment.Supported by Grants 1P01-AG05119 and 1P50-AG05144 from the National Institutes of Health and by a Small Research Project Award from the University of Kentucky Medical Center     

Evidence for negative control in protein kinase C substrate specificity

The peptide Leu-Asp-Asp-Ser-Lys-Arg-Val-Ala-Lys-Arg-Lys-Leu-Ile-Glu, which corresponds to sequence 124 to 137 of c-erb-A protein, was synthesized and tested as substrate for protein kinase C (PKC). Although a typical recognition sequence for PKC, consisting of a cluster of basic residues, is found on the C-terminus side of serine, its phosphorylation was totally prevented by the presence of the two acidic residues on the amino-terminus side. Three analogs in which aspartyl residues were successively replaced with alanine were studied and the influence of the acidic side chain in modulating phosphorylation by PKC was thus possible to determine. The results show that the presence of a single aspartyl residue located in positions i-1 or i-2 with respect to the phosphorylable residue can almost totally abolish the positive effect of a highly favorable cluster of basic residues. These observations highlight the role of negative substrate specificity determinants in settling the protein substrate profile of protein kinase C.     

Hormone replacement therapy is associated with increased C-reactive protein in women with Type 2 diabetes in the Diabetes Heart Study.

AIMS: Increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, especially C-reactive protein (CRP), are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and sudden cardiac death. Medical interventions that increase CRP levels, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal women, are under increasing scrutiny. The effect of HRT on CRP levels in women with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is not well documented, and conflicting conclusions have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of HRT on women with diabetes in a large cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-seven post-menopausal women with T2DM from the Diabetes Heart Study participated. Current use of HRT was determined and serum CRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity ELISA kit. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to assess the relationship of multiple clinical and lifestyle (e.g. smoking) measures on CRP levels including differences between women taking HRT (HRT+) and not taking HRT (HRT-). RESULTS: Overall serum CRP levels were strongly associated with body mass index (P < 0.0001) and age (P < 0.0001). Of the women, 243 were not using HRT and 84 were using HRT. HRT+ and HRT- women did not differ significantly in measures of clinical traits, with the exception of higher mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in HRT- women (P = 0.004). In all models tested, HRT+ women had significantly higher circulating CRP levels, with P-values ranging from 0.0045 to 0.010. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of serum CRP concentration as a function of HRT in women with Type 2 diabetes, there was consistent evidence for increased circulating CRP levels in women receiving oestrogen-containing HRT. Whether HRT-induced increases in CRP can account for the adverse cardiovascular effects of HRT remains to be established; however, based on these data, there is little reason to believe that diabetic women would be spared from such an effect.     

‘Ischemic tolerance’ phenomenon detected in various brain regions

We investigated the effects of mild and non-lethal ischemic insult on neuronal death following subsequent lethal ischemic stress in various brain regions, using a gerbil model of bilateral cerebral ischemia. Single 10-min ischemia consistently caused neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4, layer III/IV of the cerebral cortex, dorsolateral part of the caudoputamen and ventrolateral part of the thalamus. On the other hand, in double ischemia groups, 2-min ischemic insult 2 days before 10-min ischemia exhibited significant protection in the CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus, the cerebral cortex, the caudoputamen and the thalamus. Five-min ischemic insult 2 days before 10-min ischemia also showed protective effect in the same areas as those of 2-min ischemia except for the CA1 region of the hippocampus, while 1-min ischemic insult exhibited no protective effect in any brain regions. In the immunoblot analysis, both 2- and 5-min ischemia caused increased synthesis of heat shock protein 72 (HSP 72) in the hippocampus, but 1-min ischemia did not. The present study demonstrated that the ‘ischemic tolerance’ phenomenon was widely found in the brain and also suggested that ischemic treatment severe enough to cause HSP 72 synthesis might be needed for induction of ‘ischemic tolerance’.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in ameloblastomas

BACKGROUND: To clarify the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) and stress proteins in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic epithelium. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as in tooth germs. METHODS: Specimens of seven tooth germs, 36 benign ameloblastomas and five malignant ameloblastomas were examined by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against iNOS and 27-, 60- and 70-kDa HSPs (HSP27, HSP60 and HSP70). RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for iNOS was detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells and was higher in malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs and benign ameloblastomas. HSP27 was expressed constitutively in all odontogenic epithelial cells in tooth germs and benign and malignant ameloblastomas. Expression of HSP60 and HSP70 was detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells and was prominent in cells neighboring the basement membrane. HSP60 reactivity showed no apparent difference between normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelium, whereas HSP70 expression was slightly higher in benign and malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of iNOS might be associated with malignant potential of epithelial odontogenic tumors. Elevated expression of HSP70 is considered to be involved in neoplastic transformation of odontogenic epithelial cells.     

A critical assessment of allergen component-based in vitro diagnosis in cherry allergy across Europe

BACKGROUND: Food allergy to cherry occurs throughout Europe, typically with restricted oral reactions in the central and northern parts but with frequent systemic reactions in the Mediterranean region. Previous studies have demonstrated insufficient sensitivity of commercially available cherry extract reagents in the diagnosis of cherry allergy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of specific IgE tests based on recombinant cherry allergens in comparison with an extract-based assay and to skin prick test (SPT). A secondary objective was to analyse the frequency of systemic reactions in cherry-allergic subjects across Europe, including the largest population of LTP-sensitized subjects from central Europe studied to date. METHODS: A total of 186 subjects from central Europe and Spain were studied. Serum IgE was analysed with ImmunoCAP tests carrying rPru av 1, 3 and 4, combined and separately, and cherry extract. RESULTS: Among the central European cherry allergics, the mix of rPru av 1, 3 and 4 had a sensitivity of 95%, compared with 65% for cherry extract, and the IgE binding capacity of the recombinant mix was considerably higher. The sensitivity of the two tests was more comparable in the Spanish population, 95% and 86%, respectively. The recombinant allergen ImmunoCAP equalled SPT in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Consistent with previous reports, major geographic differences in sensitization pattern and prevalence of systemic reactions were found. A significantly higher rate of systemic reactions was found in Spanish patients sensitized to Pru av 3 whereas German patients sensitized to LTP only had oral allergy syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant cherry allergen ImmunoCAP is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool, clearly superior to any diagnostic method based on cherry extract. Three cherry allergens are sufficient for detecting sensitization in 95% of cherry-allergic subjects. Systemic reactions are common in LTP-sensitized individuals but seem to require at least one additional causative factor.     

Neuropathology of familial tauopathy

Frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17) is a hereditary progressive neurodegenerative disorder. FTDP‐17 was originally defined in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1996. Since then, more than 100 families with FTDP‐17 have been described throughout the world, including 18 families identified in Japan. Genetic studies have identified 40 different mutations in the microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) gene. The clinical features of FTDP‐17 are characterized by behavioral, cognitive and motor disturbances that may occur in various combinations and degrees. Neuropathologic examination shows that various degrees of atrophy may be present in the frontal and temporal lobes, basal ganglia, amygdala and hippocampus. All the brains from patients with FTDP‐17 have also shown the presence of tau deposits in neurons and glial cells. Mutations in MAPT may result in the increased splicing of exon 10, leading to 4‐repeat tau depositions in both neurons and glial cells. MAPT mutations outside of exon 10 show 3‐ and 4‐repeat tau deposits, predominantly in neurons with less glial pathology. Neuronal pathology may resemble that of Alzheimer’s disease or Pick’s disease because of the presence of neurofibrillary tangles or Pick‐like bodies, whereas glial pathology may resemble that of progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration because of the presence of coiled bodies, tufted astrocytes or astrocytic plaques. Correlations between genetic mutations and the heterogeneity of clinical and neuropathologic features remain unclear.     

survivin与nmp22对诊断尿路上皮肿瘤价值的比较

目的 :评价尿脱落细胞中survivin的表达和尿nmp2 2的表达对诊断尿路上皮肿瘤的价值。 方法 :对4 8例尿路上皮肿瘤患者 ,在行膀胱镜检查或手术前留新鲜尿液分别行尿脱落细胞survivin、尿nmp2 2和尿脱落细胞检查 ,并分别比较各方法的敏感性、特异性。结果 :尿路上皮肿瘤患者尿脱落细胞涂片中survivin表达 4 8例中4 6例阳性 ,尿NMP2 2有 38例阳性 ,而尿脱落细胞学仅 15例阳性 ,survivin的敏感性高于nmp2 2及脱落细胞学 (P <0 .0 5及P <0 .0 1)。三者的特异性分别为 10 0 %、90 %和 10 0 % ,差异无统计学意义。结论 :检测尿脱落细胞中survivin的表达方法简单无创敏感性、特异性高对诊断尿路上皮肿瘤的价值优于尿nmp2 2。