Postnatal development of brain alpha 1-adrenergic receptors: in vitro autoradiography with [125I]HEAT in normal rats and rats treated with alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a specific, irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase

The postnatal development of brain alpha 1-adrenergic receptors was studied in the rat brain using in vitro autoradiography. In some regions, such as the globus pallidus, receptor-binding sites were present at birth and increased during the first week but then decreased to very low levels by adulthood. In contrast, other regions such as the olfactory bulb and cerebral cortex exhibited little binding at birth, with a subsequent increase in receptors during the second week of life that persisted into the mature stage. Several regions had an intermediate pattern with significant labelling at birth, an increase in the first few weeks and a smaller decrement in binding sites as adulthood was approached. The data suggested that there were two archetypal development patterns, one of which was potentially related to the arrival of noradrenergic nerve projections (olfactory bulb) and the other of which was determined intrinsically by differentiation (globus pallidus). The two patterns could be distinguished by their sensitivity to alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a drug that inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, leading to a slowing of cellular replication, differentiation and migration. Drug treatment dramatically delayed the developmental fall-off of binding in the globus pallidus such that receptor sites remained in high concentration well past the point at which they disappeared in control animals. In the olfactory bulb, however, alpha-difluoromethylornithine had little or no effect on the ontogeny of receptor binding. These studies provide evidence that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in various brain regions develop at different rates and with at least two characteristic patterns. Autoradiographic techniques provide important insights into receptor development that cannot be garnered from biochemical methods using isolated membrane preparations.     

The COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium induced colitis in mice

Objective: We have evaluated the efficacy of the selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, for the prevention of experimental colitis.Material and methods: To induce colitis BALB/c mice received 5% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in their drinking water continuously for 7 days. Rofecoxib (2.5–10 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) was administered throughout the treatment period with DSS. Colitis was quantified by a clinical damage score, colon length, weight loss, stool consistency and rectal bleeding. Inflammatory response was assessed by neutrophil infiltration, determined by histology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Interleukin (IL)-1, prostaglandin (PG)E₂ and PGD₂ levels in colon mucosa and the immunohistochemical expression of COX-1 and –2 were also studied.Results: The COX-2 inhibitor ameliorated severe colitis, reduced the degree of inflammation through reduction of neutrophil infiltration and IL-1 levels. PGE₂, and PGD₂ synthesis were significantly reduced in DSS-treated groups. Indeed, treatment with rofecoxib diminished the lost of COX-1 caused by DSS in the crypt epithelium whereas expression of COX-2 remained unaffected.Conclusions: Rofecoxib is protective in acute DSS – induced colitis, probably by reducing neutrophil infiltration, inhibiting up-regulation of IL-1 and returning to normal COX-1 expression in the inflamed colonic mucosa.Received 19 April 2004; returned for revision 17 June 2004; accepted by I. Ahnfelt-Rønne 23 November 2004     

Lymphatic endothelial cell identity is reversible and its maintenance requires Prox1 activity

The activity of the homeobox gene Prox1 is necessary and sufficient for venous blood endothelial cells (BECs) to acquire a lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) fate. We determined that the differentiated LEC phenotype is a plastic, reprogrammable condition that depends on constant Prox1 activity for its maintenance. We show that conditional down-regulation of Prox1 during embryonic, postnatal, or adult stages is sufficient to reprogram LECs into BECs. Consequently, the identity of the mutant lymphatic vessels is also partially reprogrammed as they acquire some features typical of the blood vasculature. siRNA-mediated down-regulation of Prox1 in LECs in culture demonstrates that reprogramming of LECs into BECs is a Prox1-dependent, cell-autonomous process. We propose that Prox1 acts as a binary switch that suppresses BEC identity and promotes and maintains LEC identity; switching off Prox1 activity is sufficient to initiate a reprogramming cascade leading to the dedifferentiation of LECs into BECs. Therefore, LECs are one of the few differentiated cell types that require constant expression of a certain gene to maintain their phenotypic identity.     

新疆汉族和维吾尔族健康人群VKORC1启动子区基因多态性研究

目的了解VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性在新疆汉族和维吾尔健康人群中的分布及其与国外其他不同民族之间的差异。方法采用PCR—RFLP技术对205名汉族和204名维吾尔族乌鲁木齐地区体检健康者VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性进行检测，计算其基因型和等位基因频率，并与国外多个民族VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性分布进行比较。结果新疆汉族和维吾尔族健康人群中共检测到2种等位基因：A和G。汉族A和G等位基因频率分别为87％和13％，维吾尔族A和G等位基冈频率分别为62％和38％。新疆汉族和维吾尔族健康人群VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性共检测到3种基因型，新疆汉族健康人群以AA基因型常见，基因型频率74％。其次是AG基因型，基因型频率分别为26％。GG基因型的个体仅检测到1例，基因型频率小于1。新疆维吾尔族健康人群以AG基因型常见，基因型频率58％。其次是AA基因型，基因型频率分别为33％。GG基因型频率为9％。结论新疆汉族VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性以AA基因型为主。维吾尔族VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性以AG基因型为主，新疆汉族VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性分布与维吾尔族人群和欧美人群存在较大差异。新疆维吾尔族人群VKORC1—1639A／G基因多态性分布与欧关人群接近。     

The effects of CD40- and interleukin (IL-4)-activated CD23+ cells on the production of IL-10 by mononuclear cells in Graves' disease: the role of CD8+ cells

The possible roles of CD8+ cells in the abnormal T cell-dependent B-cell activation in Graves' disease were investigated by analysing lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their production of soluble factors and cytokines such as IL-10 in patients with Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and normal controls. The PBMC were separated into CD8+ and CD8-depleted cells by magnetic separation columns, and cultured for 7 days with or without anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies and IL-4. The culture supernatant was assayed for sCD23 and IL-10 using EIA, and the remaining cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Stimulation with anti-CD40 antibody together with IL-4 increased sCD23 levels and the number of CD23+ cells. The latter was further augmented by depletion of CD8+ cells. This combination of B cell stimulants increased production of IL-10 by PBMC from patients with Graves' disease. The CD40- and IL-4-activated production of IL-10 was decreased by CD8+ cell depletion. In contrast, constitutive production of IL-10 was increased after CD8+ cell depletion in a group of patients with low basal secretion levels (<35 ng/ml). It was, however, decreased in a group with higher basal production levels, but such a relationship was not found in the normal control group. Thus, T cell-dependent B-cell activation via a CD40 pathway activates CD23+ cells, leading to over-production of IL-10 and a shift of the Th1/Th2 balance to Th2 dominance, while CD8+ cells may suppress this activation to counteract the Th2 deviation in Graves' disease.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> Ats1p interacts with Nap1p,a cytoplasmic protein that controls bud morphogenesis

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATS1 (-tubulin suppressor 1) was originally identified as a high-copy suppressor of class two -tubulin mutations and was proposed to have a regulatory role in coordinating the microtubule state with the cell cycle. Here, we show that Ats1p interacts with Nap1p, a cytoplasmic protein that regulates the activity of the Cdc28p/Clb2p complex. Loss of Nap1p results in a delayed switch from polar to isotropic bud growth. The delayed switch results in elongated buds. Nap1p and Ats1p interact in two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Both nap1 and ats1 cells have a Clb2p-dependent elongated bud morphology. Deletion of ATS1 partially suppresses the elongated bud morphology and benomyl resistance of nap1 mutants. Our results suggest Ats1p might regulate coordination of the microtubule state with the cell cycle through an interaction with Nap1p.Communicated by S. Hohmann     

Identification and Subcellular Localization of Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1 (NCS-1) in Human Neutrophils and HL-60 Cells

Secretion in neutrophils is thought to be regulated in different ways for the different granule types. Specific granules are endowed with proteins which are related to docking and fusion events and are absent on azurophilic granules. Furthermore, even if secretion of content from all neutrophil granules is a Ca(2+)-dependent process, a higher concentration of cytosolic calcium is required for azurophilic than for specific granule secretion. In this paper we show that human neutrophils and promyelocitic cells express neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1), a calcium binding protein involved in exocytosis in various cell types. Both mRNA and protein were found in mature cells and precursors. NCS-1 is shown to be mainly associated with azurophilic granules and, therefore could play an instrumental role in the calcium-dependent secretion of azurophilic granules.     

胃肠道癌患者血清中抗癌胚抗原(CEA)抗体的检测及意义

目的：探讨循环中抗癌胚抗原（ＣＥＡ）特异性抗体的情况，评价ＣＥＡ及抗体的联合检测在胃肠道癌诊断中的作用。方法：用放免法检测血清中 ＣＥＡ含量，用酶联免疫吸附法（ＥＬＩＳＡ）检测抗 ＣＥＡ ＩｇＧ抗体，用竞争抑制法检测抗体的特异性。结果：胃肠道癌患者血清 ＣＥＡ含量升高者（≥１５ ｎｇ／ｍｌ）为 ３０．９％（２１／６８），抗 ＣＥＡ ＩｇＧ抗体阳性者为３５．３％（２４／６８），ＣＦＡ及抗 ＣＥＡ抗体的联合检测可使阳性率提高到５４．３％（３７／６８）；胃肠道良性疾病患者（多发性息肉、溃疡、胰腺炎等）血清ＣＥＡ升高者为３．３％（１／３０），抗 ＣＥＡ　ＩｇＧ抗体阳性者为 ３．３％（１／３０）；健康对照组血清 ＣＥＡ升高者为 ０，抗 ＣＥＡ ＩｇＧ抗体阳性者为 ２．５％（１／４０）。结论：胃肠道癌患者血清中抗癌胚抗原（ＣＥＡ）抗体的检出率较高，这些抗体可作为胃肠道癌的一种肿瘤标志物。     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of full-length cDNAs encoding new group of Cyn d 1 isoallergens

BACKGROUND: Cyn d 1, the major allergen of Bermuda grass pollen, contains some acidic/basic isoforms. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of some acidic Cyn d 1 isoforms were found to be different from those of Cyn d 1 cDNA clones identified previously. METHODS: A predicted 17-meric oligonucleotide probe was designed to fish the unidentified isoallergen cDNAs out of BGP cDNA library. The reactive clones were isolated and verified by sequencing. Two of them were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris to obtain recombinant Cyn d 1 proteins. RESULTS: All four cDNA clones encode the full-length Cyn d 1 with mature proteins of 244 amino acid residues. A 97-99% identity was found among the deduced amino acids of these four clones while an 86% identity was elicited between the four clones and the ones previously identified. The predicted isoelectric focusing (pI) values of the newly identified Cyn d 1s are acidic while pIs of the previously identified Cyn d 1s are basic. The two recombinant acidic Cyn d 1 proteins possess the epitopes recognized by mouse and rabbit polyclonal anti-Cyn d 1 antibodies, and have human IgE-binding capacity as revealed by immunodot assay. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified full-length cDNAs encoding new isoallergens of Cyn d 1, and separated Cyn d 1 gene into an acidic group and a basic group.