ALG11‐CDG syndrome: Expanding the phenotype

ALG11‐Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (ALG11‐CDG, also known as congenital disorder of glycosylation type Ip) is an inherited inborn error of metabolism due to abnormal protein and lipid glycosylation. We describe two unrelated patients with ALG11‐CDG due to novel mutations, review the literature of previously described affected individuals, and further expand the clinical phenotype. Both affected individuals reported here had severe psychomotor disabilities and epilepsy. Their fibroblasts synthesized truncated precursor glycan structures, consistent with ALG11‐CDG, while also showing hypoglycosylation of a novel biomarker, GP130. Surprisingly, one patient presented with normal transferrin glycosylation profile, a feature that has not been reported previously in patients with ALG11‐CDG. Together, our data expand the clinical and mutational spectrum of ALG11‐CDG.     

CD28 activation promotes Th2 subset differentiation by human CD4+ cells

Ligation of CD28 provides a costimulatory signal to T cells necessary for their activation resulting in increased interleukin (IL)-2 production in vitro, but its role in IL-4 and other cytokine production and functional differentiation of T helper (Th) cells remains uncertain. We studied the pattern of cytokine production by highly purified human adult and neonatal CD4⁺ T cells activated with anti-CD3, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence or absence of anti-CD28 in repetitive stimulation-rest cycles. Initial stimulation of CD4⁺ cells with anti-CD3 (or the mitogens PHA or PMA+ionomycin) and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies induced IL-4, IL-5 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production and augmented IL-2 production (6- to 11-fold) compared to cells stimulated with anti-CD3 or mitogen alone. The anti-CD28-induced cytokine production corresponded with augmented IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA levels suggesting increased gene expression and/or mRNA stabilization. Most striking, however, was the progressively enhanced IL-4 and IL-5 production and diminished IL-2 and IFN-γ production with repetitive consecutive cycles of CD28 stimulation. The enhanced Th2-like response correlated with an increased frequency of IL-4-secreting cells; up to 70% of the cells produced IL-4 on the third round of stimulation compared to only 5% after the first stimulation as determined by ELISPOT. CD28 activation also promoted a Th2 response in naive neonatal CD4⁺ cells, indicating that Th cells are induced to express a Th2 response rather than preferential expansion of already established Th2-type cells. This CD28-mediated response was IL-4 independent, since enhanced IL-5 production with repetitive stimulation cycles was not affected in the presence of neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibodies. These results indicate that CD28 activation may play an important role in the differentiation of the Th2 subset in humans.     

Evidence for cell surface association of CD2 and LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) on T lymphocytes

Previous studies have reported an association of the cell surface adhesion molecule CD2 with the T cell receptor and with CD45 on mouse and human T lymphocytes. In this study the association of CD2 with cell surface molecules was investigated using cell surface biotinylation of T lymphocytes, coupled with immunoprecipitation using two CD2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) (RM2–5 and 12–15) and analysis by SDS-PAGE. Although both CD2 mAb immunoprecipitated CD2 from lysates of murine lymphocytes, it was found that mAb 12–15, but not RM2–5, co-precipitated two other molecules of 95 and 180 kDa. Subsequent studies revealed that the 95- and 180-kDa molecules were associated with a subspecies of CD2 (? 5%) on thymocytes, the antigen-specific T cell line D10, and splenic T cells but not B cells. Two lines of evidence were obtained consistent with the 95- and 180-kDa molecules being the β and α chains of LFA-1. Firstly, an analysis of 12–15 mAb immunoprecipitates on 4–12% gels under reducing and nonreducing conditions shows that the 95- and 180-kDa molecules have a molecular weight and migration pattern identical to LFA-1. Secondly, depletion of LFA-1 from lysates with LFA-1 mAb abolished the ability of CD2 mAb 12–15 to co-precipitate the 95- and 180-kDa molecules, thereby identifying these as the β and α chains of mouse LFA-1, respectively. These results provide evidence for the first time for an association of LFA-1 and CD2 on mouse T lymphocytes, and suggest that the association occurs with an immunologically distinct subspecies of CD2 molecules.     

In vitro models for the assessment of inflammatory and immuno-modulatory effects of the volatile organic compound chlorobenzene

An in vitro cell culture system based on an air/liquid culture technique was developed which allows a direct exposure of cells to volatile chemicals without medium coverage. For the establishment of the experimental system, chlorobenzene was used as a model compound. Chlorobenzene is a volatile organic compound which is mainly used as a solvent. Beside other adverse health effects, chlorobenzene exposure has been shown to be associated with respiratory tract irritations, Th2 differentiation, and allergic sensitizations. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to chlorobenzene via gas phase for 20 h. Additionally, PBMC were incubated with culture supernatants from exposed lung epithelial cells. High chlorobenzene concentrations (100 g/m(3)) induced IL-8 production in A549 cells, whereby lower concentrations (10 microg/m(3)-1 g/m(3)) stimulated the secretion of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). A direct effect of chlorobenzene on the cytokine secretion of PBMC was not found. However, if PBMC were incubated with culture supernatants of exposed lung cells, an enhanced production of the Th2 cytokine IL-13 was observed. This induction was prevented in the presence of an anti-MCP-1 antibody. Our data suggest that chlorobenzene induces the production of inflammatory mediators in lung cells. The primary chlorobenzene caused release of MCP-1 in lung epithelial cells may secondarily result in a Th2 differentiation in T lymphocytes. These findings may contribute to the understanding of how chlorobenzene mediates the development of inflammatory reactions in the airways and contributes to the development of an allergic reactivity.     

ERK1/2信号转导途径在低切应力上调人脐静脉内皮细胞IL-8基因表达中的作用

血管内皮细胞位于血流和血管壁之间,除受化学因素的调节外还受力学因素的影响。切应力可通过刺激相应的力学感受系统来调节内皮细胞某些基因的表达,其中包括诱导内皮细胞表达IL- 8。为了阐明MAPK信号途径中的ERK1/ 2信号通路是否参与调控低切应力上调人脐静脉内皮细胞IL- 8基因表达,采用Western blot分析了低切应力(4.2 0 dyne/ cm2 )处理不同时间内皮细胞ERK1/ 2的磷酸化水平及TPK抑制剂Genistein,MEK抑制剂PD980 5 9对其磷酸化的影响;采用定量RT- PCR检测内皮细胞经低切应力刺激或给予阻断剂后再行切应力刺激等处理后IL- 8基因的表达。结果显示:(1)低切应力处理可引起内皮细胞ERK1/ 2蛋白磷酸化水平上调,其磷酸化水平与切应力作用时间有关,具有快速、双向性的特点(在刺激10 min时达到高峰,2 h左右降至未刺激水平) ,阻断剂Genistein和PD980 5 9处理后,ERK1/ 2磷酸化水平与低切应力刺激10 min比较明显降低;(2 )阻断剂Genistein,PD980 5 9可显著抑制低切应力所致的内皮细胞IL- 8m RNA上调。结果表明低切应力可通过ERK1/ 2信号途径上调人脐静脉内皮细胞IL- 8基因的表达。     

三取代型钛钨硅酸盐体内抑瘤效应的免疫机制探讨

目的:探讨三取代型钛钨硅酸盐(WT)体内抑瘤效应的免疫机制。方法:建立荷H22肝癌小鼠模型,WT连续灌胃10d,取出肿瘤称重测定抑瘤率。用MTT比色法测定荷H22肝癌小鼠淋巴细胞转化的活性及NK细胞的杀伤活性。通过形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测WT诱导BEL-7402细胞的凋亡。结果:WT可显著抑制荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长(P<0.05),提高荷瘤小鼠淋巴细胞转化的活性及NK细胞的杀伤活性(P<0.05),并诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡。结论:WT的抑瘤作用与机体免疫功能的增强有关。     

11q trisomy detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Takano T, Yamanouchi Y, Kawashima S, Date M, Hashira S, Kida M, Abe T, Nakahori Y, Nakagome Y. 11q trisomy detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Clin Genet 1993: 44: 324–328. © Munksgaard, 1993 A patient with psychomotor developmental delay, multiple minor anomalies, congenital heart disease and left inguinal hernia is reported. His karyotype was 45,X/46,X,+mar (3 : 37 cells), and the marker chromosome was identified as t(Y;11) (q12;q14?) using fluorescence in situ hybridization and fluorescent chromosome painting. He was diagnosed as mosaic for de novo 11q trisomy.     

Expression and function of NKRP1A molecule on human monocytes and dendritic cells

In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of the lymphocyte surface lectin NKRP1A on peripheral blood monocytes (Mo) or Mo and dendritic cells (DC) derived from thymic and bone marrow precursors. De novo expression of NKRP1A and CD14 molecules was detected upon culture of CD2^? CD3^? CD14^? CD16^? CD1a^? NKRP1A^? immature thymic precursors for 7 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Under these culture conditions, by day 21, a fraction of cells had lost CD14 and acquired both CD80 (B7.1) and CD86 (B7.2) molecules. These cells displayed a DC-like morphology and were surface NKRP1A positive. CD34⁺ NKRP1A^? CD14^? precursors, isolated from bone marrow and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, also expressed both NKRP1A and CD14: these antigens were newly expressed on about one third of cells which had lost the CD34 precursor marker. In addition, NKRP1A was constitutively present on resting CD14⁺ peripheral blood Mo. When these cells were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, the resulting DC population retained the expression of NKRP1A and acquired CD80, while they lost the CD14 antigen. Functional analysis revealed that the engagement of NKRP1A molecule leads to a strong intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) increase both in resting peripheral blood Mo and in vitro-derived DC. [Ca²⁺]_i increase was mainly due to extracellular calcium influx, as it was completely abrogated by the addition of EGTA. More importantly, the engagement of the NKRP1A molecule induced interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-12 production by resting Mo and DC, respectively. Altogether these data indicate that NKRP1A lectin is present at the surface of Mo and DC and may play a relevant role in the activation and function of both cell types.     

Eosinophil traffic in the circulation following allergen challenge

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and localize to the lung after allergen exposure by uncertain mechanisms. METHODS: We used intrabronchial instillation of allergen to model the interaction between inhaled allergen and the lung. We measured the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and the expression of VLA-4 (CD49d), Mac-1 (CD11b) and PSGL-1 (CD162) up to 4 h after instillation of allergen into a bronchus of eight atopic asthmatics. For controls, we instilled normal saline into a subset of the asthmatic subjects, and allergen into nonatopic, nonasthmatic subjects. RESULTS: There were changes of total leukocyte number, number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in all three groups (atopic asthmatics instilled with allergen, atopic asthmatics instilled with saline, nonatopic nonasthmatic subjects instilled with allergen), which were likely related to bronchoscopy. However, the decrease of eosinophils was significant only in the atopic asthmatics instilled with allergen. The remaining eosinophils in the allergen challenged asthmatics were not activated as defined by cell density or change of expression of VLA-4, Mac-1 and PSGL-1. CONCLUSIONS: While eosinophils rapidly and specifically leave the circulation after allergen challenge of atopic asthmatics, the remaining circulating eosinophils are not activated.     

Mutations in the human LKB1/STK11 gene

The human LKB gene (official HUGO symbol, STK11) encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is defective in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). PJS is an autosomal dominantly inherited syndrome characterized by hamartomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract and mucocutaneous pigmentation. To date, 145 different germline LKB1 mutations have been reported. The majority of the mutations lead to a truncated protein product. One mutational hotspot has been observed. A 1-bp deletion and a 1-bp insertion at the mononucleotide repeat (C6 repeat, c.837-c.842) between the codons 279-281 have been found in six and seven unrelated PJS families, respectively. However, these mutations account only for approximately 7% of all mutations identified in the PJS families (13/193). A review of the literature provides a total of 40 different somatic LKB1 mutations in 41 sporadic tumors and seven cancer cell lines. Mutations occur particularly in lung and colorectal cancer. Most of the somatic LKB1 mutations result in truncation of the protein. A mutational hotspot seems to be a C6 repeat accounting for 12.5% of all somatic mutations (6/48). These results are concordant with the germline mutation spectrum. However, the proportion of the missense mutations seems to be higher among the somatic mutations (45%) than among the germline mutations (21%), and only seven of the mutations are exactly the same in both of the mutation types.