Changes in microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) expression during development and after status epilepticus in the immature rat hippocampus

In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal expression patterns of the high-molecular weight (MAP2a and b) and low-molecular weight (MAP2c and d) cytoskeletal microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) isoforms with Western blotting, and the cellular localization of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms with immunocytochemistry in the hippocampi of 1- to 21-day-old rats. Moreover, the temporal profile (from 30 min to 1 week) of MAP2 isoform reactivity to kainic acid-induced status epilepticus was studied in P9 rats. During development, the expression of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms significantly increased, while the low-molecular weight isoforms decreased, the most prominent changes occurring during the second postnatal week. This developmental increase in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression was also confirmed with immunocytochemistry, which showed increased immunoreactivity, particularly in the molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, and in CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum. In 9-day-old rats, status epilepticus resulted in a rapid transient increase (about 210%) in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression, without any effect on the low-molecular weight MAP2. Moreover, disturbed dendritic structure in the CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum was manifested as formation of varicosities 3h after the kainic acid treatment. The strictly developmentally regulated MAP2 isoform expression suggests different functional roles for these proteins during the postnatal development in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, high-molecular weight MAP2s may play a role in nerve cell survival during cell stress.     

Molecular epidemiology of an outbreak caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a health care ward and associated nursing home

Our point-prevalence survey followed an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a long-term care facility and identified five MRSA strains, of which two possessed an outbreak genotype not encountered previously and three had another profile. All of them possessed SCCmec type V. Six methicillin-sensitive S. aureus strains were genotypically related to the epidemic strains.     

A novel missense mutation in exon 3 of the COL4A5 gene associated with late-onset Alport syndrome

We have identified a novel missense transition (362G→A) in exon 3 of the COL4A5 gene in a male patient with late-onset Alport syndrome. We used non-isotopic single strand conformation polymorphism, heteroduplex analysis, and automated DNA sequencing. The mutation changes a conserved glycine at codon 54 for an aspartic acid (Gly54Asp), which abolishes a BstNI site. Using restriction analysis, we identified the heterozygous carrier status in the two daughters of the proband. Our findings are in keeping with the hypothesis that slower progressive forms of Alport syndrome are more often associated with missense mutations rather than large deletions or frameshifts. This is the first mutation described in the N-terminus triple helical 7S domain of the COL4A5 gene in an Alport syndrome patient.     

Characterization of [3H]brevetoxin binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels in adrenal medullary cells

We have previously reported that in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells Ptychodiscus brevis toxin-3 (PbTx-3) does not alter the veratridine-induced ²²Na influx when given alone, but increases the influx of ²²Na when co-applied with either - or -scorpion venom (Wada et al. 1992). In the present study, we characterized [³H]PbTx-3 binding in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. [³H]PbTx-3 binding was saturable, reversible and of high-affinity with an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_d) of 32.0±4.9 nmol/1 and a maximum binding capacity B_max of 6.2 ± 1.2 pmol/4 × 10⁶ cells (4.5 ± 0.9 pmol/mg cell protein). A Hill plot revealed the lack of cooperative interaction among the binding sites. Unlabelled PbTx-3 inhibited [³H]PbTx-3 binding with an IC₅₀ of 31 nmol/l. However, tetrodotoxin, veratridine, - and -scorpion venom, or veratridine in combination with either - or -scorpion venom did not alter [³H]PbTx-3 binding. All these results suggest that PbTx-3 binds to a site (site 5) distinct from the previously known four toxin binding sites, which does not gate voltage-dependent Na channels by itself, but is specifically involved in the allosteric modulation of Na channels in adrenal medullary cells. Correspondence to: A. Wada at the above address     

Effect of Liposomal and Free Bisphosphonates on the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα Secretion from RAW 264 Cells in Vitro

Purpose. In order to evaluate the possible antiinflammatory action of bisphosphonates, the effect of the drugs on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-l, IL-6 and TNF) from macrophages was studied. Liposomes or high concentration of extracellular calcium was used to enhance the intracellular delivery of bisphosphonates. Methods. RAW 264 cells were used as macrophage model, and they were induced with lipopolysaccharide to produce the cytokines. The cytokine concentrations in the culture supernatants were measured with time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. Results. As a free drug, clodronate and pamidronate, but not etidronate, inhibited LPS-stimulated secretion of the cytokines from macrophage-like RAW 264 cells. Low concentrations of pamidronate, however, induced the IL-6 secretion, and the cytokine inhibitory action at the higher concentrations of pamidronate was attributed to cytotoxicity of the compound. The cytokine induction or toxic effects were not observed with clodronate or etidronate. When the drugs were encapsulated in negatively charged unilamellar liposomes, the inhibitory potency of both clodronate and etidronate enhanced by a factor of 10-20, while that of pamidronate was not increased. The complex formation of bisphosphonates with extracellular calcium, although enhancing the uptake of the compounds by macrophages, did not considerably increase their cytokine inhibitory potency. Conclusions. Bisphosphonates have inhibitory action on cytokine secretion by macrophages. The non-cytotoxic cytokine inhibition by liposome encapsulated clodronate could be beneficial in local inflammatory diseases, where the inflammation is sustained by the excessive amounts of inflammatory cytokines produced by activated macrophages.