Myelin Basic Protein-Specific TCR/HLA-DRB5*01:01 Transgenic Mice Support the Etiologic Role of DRB5*01:01 in Multiple Sclerosis

Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) has been linked to the HLA-DR15 haplotype consisting of DRB1*15:01(DR2b) and DRB5*01:01(DR2a) alleles. Given almost complete linkage disequilibrium of the two alleles, recent studies suggested differential roles in susceptibility (DR2b) or protection from MS (DR2a). Our objective was to assess the potential contribution of DR2a to disease etiology in MS using a humanized model of autoimmunity. To assess the potential contribution of DR2a to disease etiology, we created DR2a humanized transgenic (Tg) mice and subsequently crossed them to Tg mice expressing TL3A6, an MS patient-derived myelin basic protein 83-99-specific TCR. In TL3A6/DR2a Tg mice, CD4 Tg T cells escape thymic and peripheral deletion and initiate spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) at low rates, depending on the level of DR2a expression. The ability to induce active EAE was also increased in animals expressing higher levels of DR2a. Inflammatory infiltrates and neuronal damage were present throughout the spinal cord, consistent with a classical ascending EAE phenotype with minor involvement of the cerebellum, brainstem, and peripheral nerve roots in spontaneous, as well as actively induced, disease. These studies emphasize the pathologic contribution of the DR2a allele to the development of autoimmunity when expressed as the sole MHC class II molecule, as well as strongly argue for DR2a as a contributor to the CNS autoimmunity in MS.     

Adhesion of Vibrio cholerae 01 to human buccal epithelial cells in vitro

Abstract Adhesive capacity to human buccal cells (HBC) of Vibrio cholerae 01 was expressed optimally in synthetic culture medium. Bacterial adhesion was inhibited efficiently by fetuin and weakly by D -mannose, D -glucose and thyroglobulin. Pretreatment of HBC with neuraminidase, protease or trypsin reduced the adhesion of V. cholerae 01 cells.     

Biochemical and serological characteristics of Escherichia belonging to the serological group 01]

A circulation at the territory of the country of various biochemical and serological variants of escherichia belonging to serological group O1, isolated in acute intestinal diseases of children and adults, was revealed. Nonhomogeneousness of the partial composition of the O-antigen was demonstrated; K-antigens were determined; new H-antigens were described. Of the 10 serological types of escherichia there proved to prevail O1 : K? : Hp and O1 : K1 : Hp; in group and sporadic acute intestinal diseases there were for the first time isolated O1 : K1 : H34, O1 : K1 : H20, O1 : K1 : Hp, O1 : K51 : H7, and O1 : K? : H20.     

Response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Pb01 to stressor agents and cell wall osmoregulators

In its attempt to survive, the fungal cell can change the cell wall composition and/or structure in response to environmental stress. The molecules involved in these compensatory mechanisms are a possible target for the development of effective antifungal agents. In the thermodimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Pb01, the main polymers that compose the cell wall are chitin and glucans. These polymers form a primary barrier that is responsible for the structural integrity and formation of the cell wall. In this study the behaviour of P. brasiliensis was evaluated under incubation with cell wall stressor agents such as Calcofluor White (CFW), Congo Red (CR), Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), NaCl, KCl, and Sorbitol. Use of concentrations at which the fungus is visually sensitive to those agents helped to explain some of the adaptive mechanisms used by P. brasiliensis in response to cell wall stress. Our results show that 1,3-β-D-glucan synthase (PbFKS1), glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (PbGFA1) and β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase (PbGEL3)as well as 1,3-β-D-glucan and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues in the cell wall are involved in compensatory mechanisms against cell wall damage.     

Kinetics and mechanism of a reaction catalyzed by PST-01 protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PST-01

The initial rates of carboxybenzoyl-alanyl-l-leucyl-amide (Z-L-Ala-L-Leu-NH(2)) synthesis from carboxybenzoyl-L-alanine (Z-L-Ala) and L-leucineamide (L-Leu-NH(2)) and Z-L-Ala-L-Leu-NH(2) hydrolysis in a homogeneous dimethyl sulfoxide-aqueous buffer solution [1:1 (v/v)] system catalyzed by PST-01 protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa were measured under a wide range of Z-L-Ala, L-Leu-NH(2) and Z-L-Ala-L-Leu-NH(2) concentrations. The initial rates of the synthetic reaction, in which Z-L-Ala-L-Leu-NH(2) was produced from Z-L-Ala and L-Leu-NH(2), were inhibited by the substrates. Furthermore, the initial rates of the synthetic reaction were not inhibited by the product Z-L-Ala-L-Leu-NH(2), and those of the hydrolytic reaction were inhibited by Z-L-Ala and L-Leu-NH(2). All the initial rate data of the synthetic and hydrolytic reactions were well correlated with the rate equation derived based on the proposed reaction scheme.     

Biodistribution of 111In-labelled engineered human antibody CTM01 (hCTM01) in ovarian cancer patients: influence of prior administration of unlabelled hCTM01

mAb hCTM01 binds a carcinoma-associated antigen, the MUC1 gene product. The antigen is also present in the circulation, and administration of ¹¹¹In-labelled hCTM01 results in the formation of immune complexes with enhanced accumulation in the liver. To avoid the unwanted effect of circulating radioactive immune complexes, a strategy to remove the circulating antigen was investigated using a split-dosage schedule. Eleven patients suspected of having ovarian carcinoma were injected with 1 mg/kg unlabelled hCTM01, 1 h before receiving 0.1 mg/kg ¹¹¹In-labelled hCTM01 (100 MBq). The amount of radioactivity was determined in resected tumour tissue, various normal tissues and blood samples obtained at laparotomy 6 days postinjection (p.i.). In all patients, the circulating antigen decreased to its nadir after the unlabelled antibody infusion and immune complex formation was demonstrated. Uptake in tumour deposits 6 days p.i. was 11.1 times higher than in normal tissues (P<0.0001) and 5.9 times higher than in blood (P<0.0001). ¹¹¹In activity in liver tissue was comparable to ¹¹¹In uptake in tumour tissue, and considerably lower than previously reported in patients not pretreated with unlabelled antibody. The split-dosing strategy would appear to be advantageous for use of hCTM01 as a specific carrier for the delivery of cytotoxic agents to patients with ovarian cancer. Received: 12 February 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1998     

Comparative sensitivity of Vibrio cholerae 01 E1 Tor and Escherichia coli to disinfectants

The sensitivity of two strains of Vibrio cholerae to disinfectant compounds used in food processing, kitchen and personal hygiene has been compared with the sensitivity of a 'disinfectant-test' strain of Escherichia coli. In a suspension test, both strains of V. cholerae were slightly more sensitive than E. coli to all the compounds. When used in a hard-surface disinfection test, the vibrios died rapidly during the initial drying phase. Disinfectant products which are effective to control the risks from pathogenic enterobacteriaceae should also be appropriate for V. cholerae.     

虫生真菌LL-01鉴定及对两种检疫性粉蚧的致病性

【目的】为丰富南洋臀纹粉蚧Planococcus lilacinus和石蒜绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solani的生防菌资源。【方法】本研究从感病南洋臀纹粉蚧上分离生防菌,采用基因序列分析方法进行种类鉴定,并在室内优化其培养条件,评估其对这2种检疫性粉蚧的致病性。【结果】分离得到1株编号为LL-01的虫生真菌,经r DNA-ITS、18S r DNA和Nad1序列分析确定为蜡蚧轮枝菌;该菌的生长和产孢最适的温度为26℃,光周期为6L︰18D,碳源为果糖,氮源为干酪素,此条件下培养10 d的蜡蚧轮枝菌菌落直径和产孢量分别可达4.66 cm和3.16×10⁸孢子/cm8孢子/cm²;其侵染不同虫龄南洋臀纹粉蚧和石蒜绵粉蚧10 d后的LC_(50)分别为9.80×102;其侵染不同虫龄南洋臀纹粉蚧和石蒜绵粉蚧10 d后的LC_(50)分别为9.80×10⁴-9.17×104-9.17×10⁵孢子/m L和5.00×105孢子/m L和5.00×10⁴-5.30×104-5.30×10⁵孢子/m L。浓度为1.00×105孢子/m L。浓度为1.00×10⁸孢子/m L的蜡蚧轮枝菌侵染南洋臀纹粉蚧和石蒜绵粉蚧后第10天,其累计致死率分别为84.09%-97.62%和89.89%-98.85%,LT_(50)分别为3.70-5.84 d和3.48-5.14 d;在侵染第5天时,蛋白酶和几丁质酶活性分别达峰值19.44 U/m L和15.01 U/m L,脂肪酶活性在侵染第6天时达到峰值7.68 U/m L。【结论】蜡蚧轮枝菌LL-01生长速度快、产孢量高,对这2种检疫性粉蚧的致病性强。     

Laos is Affected by HIV CRF01_AE and the Newly Identified CRF97_01B

Virologica Sinica - Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and borders Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, the three countries in this region that have been hardest hit by human...