Concerted type I interferon signaling in microglia and neural cells promotes memory impairment associated with amyloid β plaques

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Properties of the tobacco mosaic virus intermediate length RNA-2 and its translation

The existence of subgenomic RNAs is well established in the case of plant viruses such as tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). However, except for the subgenomic coat protein mRNA, it is not known whether the other subgenomic RNAs have a function in the life cycle of the virus. In search of more information about one of the major subgenomic RNAs-intermediate length RNA-2 or I2 RNA-of TMV, in vitro and in vivo translational studies were performed. The I2 RNA, which codes in vitro for the synthesis of a 30K (K = kilodalton) protein, appears to be uncapped as judged by the need of different in vitro translation conditions for the synthesis of this protein, compared to the conditions required for the synthesis of the 126K and 183K proteins coded by the capped genomic RNA. In vivo a protein migrating in the same position as the 30K protein synthesized in vitro can be detected in infected tobacco leaves. Since this protein occurs transiently early upon infection, whether it is virus-coded or virus-induced, it could have an early function during infection.     

Growth failure in Crohn’s disease children: may the first treatment have a role?

Introduction: Growth failure in children is a frequent feature of childhood-onset Crohn’s disease (CD), and stunting can persist into adulthood. Growth is an important outcome by which to judge the effectiveness of therapies in children; currently available studies in CD children have focused on the short-term impact of treatments on growth, and there are limited data regarding the long-term effects of treatments upon growth.

Areas covered: We designed the present article to review whether the first treatment performed in newly diagnosed CD children may have a role on the future growth course. We conducted a systematic literature search to identify relevant studies published on the PubMed database from January 2002 up to now. We found only six surveys that documented mid-term growth course in newly diagnosed CD patients.

Expert commentary: In the last years there have been relevant advances in the clinical management of CD children; however, there is a lack of knowledge about the best strategy to reverse growth failure. Children treated with enteral nutrition have appropriate height and weight gain but do not reverse the growth course. Further surveys are required to better explore not only clinical outcomes but also long-term growth course following each therapeutic strategy.     

Influence of antibody and complement components on phagocytosis and chemiluminescence of macrophages

Macrophages are known to release reactive oxygen species (O₂^?, ¹O₂, H₂O₂, OH·) in response to various membrane stimuliHowever, our studies show that phagocytic stimulation of macrophages is not necessarily accompanied by a stimulation of the oxidative burstWhereas IgG-opsonized erythrocytes were capable to induce phagocytosis and a chemiluminescence response, both being dependent on the number of IgG bound per erythrocyte, C3b-bearing erythrocytes were well ingested but failed to induce any chemiluminescence reactionFurthermore, stimulation of macrophages, via the Fc-receptors, seems to alter their functional state in regard to the activation of a receptor, which enables them to recognize membrane lesions on the target erythrocyteThe presence of IgG and membrane lesions, e.gthe C5b-9-complex of complement, induced a marked increase in chemiluminescence compared with stimulation by IgG-bearing particles aloneThe augmented response of macrophages was at least in part due to an additional release of H₂O₂, which was not liberated in response to IgG-bearing erythrocytesThis «Alesion recognizing receptor» in the macrophage membrane could not be activated by stimulation of C3b-receptors, indicating its functional linkage to the Fc-receptors.     

IL-4–BATF signaling directly modulates IL-9 producing mucosal mast cell (MMC9) function in experimental food allergy

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Glomerular matrix proteins in nodular glomerulosclerosis in association with light chain deposition disease and diabetes mellitus

The diagnosis of light chain deposition nephropathy is based on the immunohistochemical demonstration of monoclonal light chain deposits within connective tissue matrix and on the presence at the ultrastructural level of electron-dense granular deposits along glomerular and tubular basement membranes. A nodular glomerulopathy characterized by amorphous periodic acid-Schiff-positive and argyrophilic widened mesangium and nodules is described in three patients with light chain deposition nephropathy. Light microscopic examination did not allow discrimination between the glomerular changes found in these specimens and the nodular glomerulosclerosis described in four patients with well-documented diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopic examination revealed microtubular fibrils 10 to 12 nm thick in mesangial areas in both groups. Such microfibrils could be glycoproteins. Immunofluorescence localization of matrix proteins, by staining with affinity-purified antibodies to types I, III, IV, and V (A, B) collagens, fibronectin, laminin, and heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans, showed similar distributions in the two conditions. The mechanism of this abnormal accumulation of mesangial and glomerular basement membrane matrix proteins in two different conditions remains unknown.     

Quality validation of platelets obtained from the Haemonetics and Trima Accel automated blood-collection systems

BackgroundPlatelet transfusion is required to treat haemo-oncology or trauma patients. Platelet apheresis (PA) performed with apheresis equipment has increased rapidly in recent years. Leucocyte-reduced platelet apheresis (LRPA) can reduce the risk of platelet refractoriness and febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) for transfusion. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate and compare the platelet metabolic and functional responses between PA performed with Haemonetics and LRPA performed with Trima Accel cell separator.MethodsThe qualities of platelets collected through PA and LRPA were evaluated in terms of visual appearance, morphology, platelet-aggregation changes, metabolic activities, and bacterium-screening test during 5-day storage. Statistical analyses included two-sample t-test and generalised estimating equation(GEE) method.ResultsDuring 5-day storage in LRPA, residual leucocytes were all <1.0×10⁶, and the parameters of platelet function were as follows: platelet aggregated to agonists such as adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) and collagen, and the extent of shape change and pO₂ showed no statistically significant difference between PA and LRPA. The hypotonic shock reaction (HSR) on days 0, 1, and 3 were significantly higher in LRPA than in PA (71.78±6.92 vs. 64.10±7.42; P=0.002; 71.53±8.98 vs. 62.96±9.84; P=0.007; 68.05±7.28 vs. 57.76±6.80; P<0.0001, respectively). Values of mean platelet volume (MPV) were statistically larger in PA than in LRPA on days 0, 1, and 3. On day 5, the swirling score was higher in LRPA than in PA. The mean lactate levels had no statistically significant difference between PA and LRPA. Moreover, no growth was observed through bacterium-screening test conducted on 40 samples.ConclusionComparison of LRPA and PA products collected from the Trima Accel and Haemonetics automated blood-collection systems, respectively, revealed that both products possessed good platelet qualities even though additional processes are needed to reduce leucocytes. Furthermore, investigating the outcomes of other apheresis instruments with focus on the safety of donors, products, and recipients is necessary.     

The Binding of Different Lectins on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Chronic Inflammatory and Malignant Diseases

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with multiple myeloma, gastrointestinal tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease were analyzed for binding of various lectins. The results demonstrated that in most of the patients with multiple myeloma a significantly increased percentage of cells positive for Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin (LTA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and a decreased number of Agaricus bisporus agglutinin (ABA) positive cells were present as compared to a normal control group. This could not be shown in malignant or inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract where only some patients exhibited an increased PNA and LTA binding, respectively. Patients with the systemic malignant disease differed from patients with solid localized tumors by a significantly altered number of ABA, LTA and SBA-positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Double fluorescence studies using monoclonal antibodies and lectins revealed that most of the cells expressing receptors for ABA had also receptors for OKT3, whereas most of the cells with receptors for LTA, PNA SBA, and WGA were found to be positive for OKM.