Suggestive linkage to chromosome 19 in a large Cuban family with late‐onset Parkinson's disease

The identification of disease genes using family‐based approaches has provided important insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrating the importance of genetic studies on monogenic forms of the disease. We studied a large Cuban family with typical, late‐onset PD and probable autosomal dominant inheritance. Mean age at onset was 61.2 years (±12.53, 45–76). Other phenotypes such as essential tremor and atypical parkinsonism were observed in this family. We carried out a genome‐wide scan and linkage analyses. The genetic data were analyzed using a conservative model in which only patients with clinically definite or likely PD were considered affected, other phenotypes were regarded as “unknown.” Multipoint analyses yielded a maximum LOD of 2.26 between markers D19S221 and D19S840. Haplotype analysis showed a region on chromosome 19 shared by six of seven PD patients. The essential tremor phenotype and the atypical parkinsonism do not segregate with this haplotype, suggesting a different etiology. Our findings suggest the presence of a novel locus for PD on chromosome 19p13.3–q12. We propose that an oligogenic model with moderate contribution of two or three genes rather than a “pure” monogenic model might explain better the wide range in age at onset, the reduced penetrance and the phenotypical variability observed in PD families. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society     

癌基因c-fos、c-jun蛋白在鳞状细胞癌皮损中的表达及意义

目的　探讨癌基因c fos、c jun的表达与皮肤鳞癌发生和发展的关系。　方法　采用免疫组化法对 6 0例皮肤鳞癌的c fos、c jun的表达情况进行检测 ,并与正常皮肤组织进行对照。　结果　c fos、c jun在正常皮肤组织不表达 ,在皮肤鳞癌中的表达阳性率分别为 6 1.7%和 4 8.3% ,其表达水平与癌组织的分化程度有关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,肿瘤的分化程度越高其表达水平越高。　结论　c fos、c jun的表达水平可作为判定皮肤鳞癌分化的指标。     

Polymorphism p53 codon-72 and invasive cervical cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although some studies have reported that the arginine isoform on codon 72 of p53 increases the susceptibility to invasive cervical cancer, such data remain controversial. The objective of this study was to quantitatively summarize the evidence for such a relationship. METHODS: Our data sources consisted of a MEDLINE search of the literature published before December 2002, bibliography review, and expert consultation. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Information on sample size, study design, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and method of genotype determination was abstracted by two reviewers using a standardized protocol. The overall odds ratio (OR) of the p53 gene on invasive cervical cancer was estimated using the Mantel-Haenzel method. RESULTS: The overall OR (95% confidence interval) for cervical cancer among those with the homozygous mutant (Arg/Arg) was 1.2 (1.1-1.3, P=0.001) compared with those with the heterozygous mutant (Arg/Pro). By a cellular type of cervical cancer, the overall OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in adenocarcinomas (1.7, 1.1-2.6, P=0.024), but not in squamous cell carcinomas (1.1, 0.9-1.2, P=0.960), compared with Pro/Pro. Compared with Arg/Pro, the OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in HPV types 16 (1,5, 1.2-2.0, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the p53 gene was associated with increased risk for invasive cervical cancer. However, the risk varied by country, cellular, and HPV type.     

Human T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of the major dust mite allergen Der p 1 trigger enhanced immunoglobulin E synthesis by B cells

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 selectively cleaves human CD25, the 55 kDa alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor. As a result of cleavage of surface CD25, peripheral blood T cells produce less IFN-gamma and more IL-4, thereby leading to progressive polarization of the T cells towards a Th2 cytokine profile. Therefore, these observations underline the potential role of the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 in creating a microenvironment conducive for IgE synthesis. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 on IgE synthesis by B cells. METHODS: We have examined this concept in experiments whereby T cells that have been exposed to either proteolytically active or inactive Der p 1 were cocultured with autologous B cells and IgE antibody synthesis was monitored. RESULTS: Here we demonstrate for the first time that coculturing T cells that have been in contact with proteolytically active Der p 1 with autologous B cells leads to augmentation of IgE antibody responses. CONCLUSIONS: The proteolytic activity of Der p 1 conditions human T cells, which then become empowered to trigger enhanced IgE synthesis by B cells.     

Anaplastic ganglioglioma with sarcomatous component: An immunohistochemical study and molecular analysis of p53 tumor suppressor gene

The present case report describes a case of ganglioglioma with a distinct sarcomatous component in the left temporal lobe of a 59‐year‐old Japanese man. Neoplastic neuroglial tissue contained both benign and anaplastic glial components with a MIB‐1 labeling index of 0.1% and 12.0%, respectively. Sarcomatous tissue adjacent to the anaplastic glial tissue was dominated by pleomorphic fibroblastic cells with a MIB‐1 labeling index of 10.8%. They were immunoreactive for smooth muscle actin, type IV collagen, and alpha 1 antitrypsin, but not for desmin and CD34. Interestingly, some of the sarcomatous cells were double‐positive for smooth muscle actin and GFAP. The p53 protein had accumulated in the anaplastic astrocytes and sarcomatous cells, but direct DNA sequencing of PCR products failed to detect any mutation in the p53 gene (from exon 4 to exon 10).     

Isochromosome 18q in a girl with holoprosencephaly,DiGeorge anomaly,and streak ovaries

We report on the clinical and pathologic findings in a girl with isochromosome 18q (46, XX,i(18q)) who had combined manifestations of monosomy 18p and trisomy 18q. Major congenital anomalies included premaxillary agenesis, alobar holoprosenphaly, double Outlet right ventricle, DiGeorge anomaly and streak ovaries. The clinical spectrum in i(18q) is very broad. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Diffuse type of senile plaques in the cerebellum of Alzheimer-type dementia demonstrated byβ protein immunostain

Summary We studied senile plaques (SP) in the cerebella of six autopsied subjects with Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) and ten non-ATD autopsied subjects between the ages of 78 and 90. Neither SP nor amyloid angiopathy (AA) was observed in any of the non-ATD subjects. In the four of the six ATD subjects, diffuse plaques in the molecular layer were seen as ill-defined areas of fine fibrillar materials by protein immunostaining with formic acid pretreatment, the modified Bielschowsky stain, and periodic acid-methenamine silver (PAM) stain. The plaques were not visible with Bodian, Congo red, or periodic acid-Schiff stains. Compact plaques in the Purkinje cell or in the granular cell layers were found in three of the six subjects. Their amyloid core was often surrounded by areolar amyloid deposits. AA was observed in three of the six subjects. The argyrophilia of the diffuse and compact plaques, demonstrated by the modified Bielschowsky and PAM stains, became undetectable when the sections were first treated with formic acid. Such treatment made the plaques immunoreactive with protein antiserum. The findings suggested that cerebellar diffuse plaques and compact plaques consist mainly of an amyloid component, and are characteristic of ATD.     

Differential regulation of cytokine genes in gingival epithelial cells challenged by Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis

IL-8 mRNA in human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) is up-regulated by Fusobacterium nucleatum, and up-/down-regulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis in a complex interaction in the early stages (< or = 4 h) after infection. The mechanisms involved in this regulation in response to F. nucleatum and/or P. gingivalis infection, and identification of co-regulated cytokine genes, are the focus of this investigation. Heat, formalin or protease treatment of F. nucleatum cells attenuated the IL-8 mRNA up-regulation. NF-kappaB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and MAPK kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways were involved in IL-8 mRNA induction by F. nucleatum. Pretreatment of P. gingivalis with heat, formalin or protease enhanced IL-8 mRNA induction. NF-kappaB, MARK p38, and MEK/ERK pathways were also involved in this induction. In contrast, down-regulation of IL-8 mRNA by P. gingivalis involved MEK/ERK, but not NF-kappaB or MAPK p38 pathways. cDNA arrays analysis revealed that mRNA down-regulation by P. gingivalis is a specific reaction that only a number of genes, e.g. IL-1beta, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-2alpha, and migration inhibitory factor-related protein-14, are affected based on examination of 278 cytokine/receptor genes. These data indicate that F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis trigger specific and differential gene regulation pathways in HGECs.