Visualizing HIV-1 Assembly

The assembly of an HIV-1 particle is a complex, multistep process involving several viral and cellular proteins, RNAs and lipids. While many macroscopic and fixed-cell microscopic techniques have provided important insights into the structure of HIV-1 particles and the mechanisms by which they assemble, analysis of individual particles and their assembly in living cells offers the potential of surmounting many of the limitations inherent in other approaches. In this review, we discuss how the recent application of live-cell microscopic imaging techniques has increased our understanding of the process of HIV-1 particle assembly. In particular, we focus on recent studies that have employed total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and other single-virion imaging techniques in live cells. These approaches have illuminated the dynamics of Gag protein assembly, viral RNA packaging and ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) protein recruitment at the level of individual viral particles. Overall, the particular advantages of individual particle imaging in living cells have yielded findings that would have been difficult or impossible to obtain using macroscopic or fixed-cell microscopic techniques.     

High prevalence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) as presentation of cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency in childhood: Molecular and clinical findings of Turkish probands

Classical homocystinuria is the most commonly inherited disorder of sulfur metabolism, caused by the genetic alterations in human cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) gene. In this study, we present comprehensive clinical findings and the genetic basis of homocystinuria in a cohort of Turkish patients. Excluding some CBS mutations, detailed genotype–phenotype correlation for different CBS mutations has not been established in literature. We aimed to make clinical subgroups according to main clinical symptoms and discussed these data together with mutational analysis results from our patients. Totally, 16 different mutations were identified; twelve of which had already been reported, and four are novel (p.N93Y, p.L251P, p.D281V and c.829−2A>T). The probands were classified into three major groups according to the clinical symptoms caused by these mutations. A psychomotor delay was the most common diagnostic symptom (n = 12, 46.2% neurological presentation), followed by thromboembolic events (n = 6, 23.1% vascular presentation) and lens ectopia, myopia or marfanoid features (n = 5, 19.2% connective tissue presentation). Pyridoxine responsiveness was 7.7%; however, with partial responsive probands, the ratio was 53.9%.     

The Fanconi anemia ID2 complex: Dueling saxes at the crossroads

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare recessive genetic disease characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure and heightened cancer susceptibility in early adulthood. FA is caused by biallelic germ-line mutation of any one of 16 genes. While several functions for the FA proteins have been ascribed, the prevailing hypothesis is that the FA proteins function cooperatively in the FA-BRCA pathway to repair damaged DNA. A pivotal step in the activation of the FA-BRCA pathway is the monoubiquitination of the FANCD2 and FANCI proteins. Despite their importance for DNA repair, the domain structure, regulation, and function of FANCD2 and FANCI remain poorly understood. In this review, we provide an overview of our current understanding of FANCD2 and FANCI, with an emphasis on their posttranslational modification and common and unique functions.     

An in silico target identification using Boolean network attractors: Avoiding pathological phenotypes

Target identification aims at identifying biomolecules whose function should be therapeutically altered to cure the considered pathology. An algorithm for in silico target identification using Boolean network attractors is proposed. It assumes that attractors correspond to phenotypes produced by the modeled biological network. It identifies target combinations which allow disturbed networks to avoid attractors associated with pathological phenotypes. The algorithm is tested on a Boolean model of the mammalian cell cycle and its applications are illustrated on a Boolean model of Fanconi anemia. Results show that the algorithm returns target combinations able to remove attractors associated with pathological phenotypes and then succeeds in performing the proposed in silico target identification. However, as with any in silico evidence, there is a bridge to cross between theory and practice. Nevertheless, it is expected that the algorithm is of interest for target identification.     

温抗体型自身免疫性溶血性贫血的诊治进展

自身免疫性溶血性贫血(AIHI)按照自身抗体作用于红细胞时所需的温度分为温抗体型AIHI(WAIHI)和冷抗体型AIHI(CAIHI),以WAIHI居多,并且多为继发性。WAIHI的发病与温度没有显著的相关关系,其发病是由各种原因引起的免疫机制变异,主要包括基因遗传因素、自身免疫调节异常及免疫因素等,导致针对自身红细胞的抗体产生,再与红细胞膜表面抗原结合,它是一种会使自身红细胞破坏或者缩短寿命的比较难以治疗的贫血,目前治疗AIHI首选疗法为肾上腺皮质激素(激素),有效率可达80%,大剂量静脉注射丙种球蛋白(IVIG)、输血、切除脾等方法的使用也在实践中逐渐增多,并且疗效可观。近年来对温抗体型自身免疫性溶血性贫血的诊治进展的研究越来越多。     

Evaluation of Th17 related cytokines associated with clinical and laboratorial parameters in sickle cell anemia patients with leg ulcers

Leg ulcers (LUs) represent one of the main causes of morbidity in sickle cell anemia (SCA). This manifestation has been related to hemolysis, infections predisposition and inflammation that leads cytokines secretion. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate Th17 related cytokines (IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22 and IL-23) in serum and peripheral mononuclear cells culture supernatants with and without lymphoproliferative stimulation (anti-human CD3 and anti-human CD28). The cytokines levels were also correlated to clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters in SCA patients with and without LUs history (SCALU and SCAWH) as well as in healthy controls. In SCALU patients, high levels of IL-17A were associated with absence of acute chest syndrome (ACS, p = 0.0328). The other clinical parameters analyzed (osteonecrosis, stroke, priapism, splenectomy and blood transfusions history) were not significantly related with other cytokine levels. In SCALU patients was also observed that IL-17A increased levels were associated with high levels of LDH (p = 0.0130), the same association pattern was found for IL-6 (0.0160) and IL-22 (p = 0.0165) in the SCALU group. Interestingly, we did not find statistical correlations with these parameters in SCAWH group. The other hematological parameters (hemoglobin, leucocyte and reticulocyte count) and indirect bilirrubin did not show any correlation with analyzed cytokines in both groups. So, for the first time, we show that IL-17A present in SCALU patients may exert a preventive role in the ACS development. Furthermore, IL-6, IL-17A and IL-22 accompanied the LDH levels only in SCALU patients suggesting to serve as additional markers of hemolysis or to be related with immunity response against extracellular pathogens.     

马传染性贫血病毒基因非编码区LTR嵌合克隆的构建

在已有全长感染性克隆pLGFD3-8和pD70344的基础上,根据马传贫弱毒疫苗致弱过程中不同代次毒株LTR序列的分析,在LTR U3区选取特定的酶切位点对EIAV非编码区LTR基因进行了部分替换.将替换的全基因克隆转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD)并以驴白细胞(DL)传代,用逆转录酶活性检测、RT-PCR方法及Real-time RT-PCR验证其感染性.结果发现,其衍生病毒感染上述两种细胞均出现明显的细胞病变;细胞培养上清可检测到RT酶活性和RT-PCR阳性.电镜下可见大量典型的EIAV颗粒.pLGFD9-12嵌合克隆衍生病毒与其父本克隆衍生病毒pLGFD3-8具有相似的复制水平,pLGFD9-12嵌合克隆衍生病毒在DL细胞上复制水平略高于FDD细胞.此结果为进一步深入研究LTR对马传染性贫血病毒复制水平和毒力的影响奠定了基础.     

鸡β-肌动蛋白第一内含子对EIAV转移载体外源蛋白表达能力的影响

以马传染性贫血病毒（equine infectious anemia virus, EIAV）基因转移载体pcPPTWPRE为基础,用含不同长度片段的鸡β-肌动蛋白启动子替换原有的人巨细胞病毒立即早期启动子（CMVIEp）启动外源基因的表达,分别构建了2个基因转移载体,含部分第一内含子的pWCAGP0.8和含全长内含子的pWCAGP1.6。连同在其它研究中构建的不含内含子的质粒pcPPTWCAG（另文发表）,采用磷酸钙法分别转染HEK293细胞和DF-1细胞, 利用荧光显微镜观察报告基因eGFP蛋白的表达。并利用流式细胞仪定量。统计学分析结果表明,在HEK293细胞中,pcPPTWCAG、pWCAGP0.8和 pWCAGP1.6表达阳性率分别为47.9%、46.1%和23.8%,转染后48h,收获细胞,利用流式细胞仪比较转染细胞中EGFP表达阳性细胞的百分率。结果表明,在HEK293细胞中,pcPPTWCAG、pWCAGP0.8 和pWCAGP1.6的阳性细胞分别占计数细胞的47.9%、46.1%和23.8%;在DF-1细胞中,依次分别为12.4%、9.5%和4.2%,pcPPTWCAG与pWCAGP1.6差异显著。本研究表明不含内含子的EIAV载体质粒表达EGFP的能力高于含部分和全长内含子的载体。     

Na+/H+ exchange is increased in sickle cell anemia and young normal red cells

Summary Red cell volume regulation is important in sickle cell anemia because the rate and extent of HbS polymerization are strongly dependent on initial hemoglobin concentration. We have demonstrated that volume-sensitive K:Cl cotransport is highly active in SS whole blood and is capable of increasing MCHC. We now report that Na⁺/H⁺ exchange (Na/H EXC), which is capable of decreasing the MCHC of erythrocytes with pH_i<7.2, is also very active in the blood of patients homozygous for HbS. The activity of Na/H EXC (maximum rate) was determined by measuring net Na⁺ influx (mmol/liter cell·hr=FU) driven by an outward H⁺ gradient in oxygenated, acidloaded (pH_i 6.0), DIDS-treated SS cells. The Na/H EXC activity was 33±3 FU (mean±se) (n=19) in AA whites, 37±8 FU (n=8) in AA blacks, and 85±15 FU (n=14) in SS patients (P<0.005). Separation of SS cells into four density-defined fractions by density gradient revealed mean values of Na/H EXC four to five times higher in reticulocytes (SS1), discocytes (SS2) and dense discocytes (SS3), than in the fraction containing irreversibly sickled cells and dense discocytes (SS4). In contrast to K:Cl cotransport, which dramatically decreases after reticulocyte maturation, Na/H EXC persists well after reticulocyte maturation. In density-defined, normal AA red cells, Na/H EXC decreased monotonically as cell density increased. In SS and AA red cells, the magnitude of stimulation of Na/H EXC by cell shrinkage varied from individual to individual. We conclude that Na/H EXC is highly expressed in SS and AA young red cells and decays slowly after reticulocyte maturation.     

低频交变磁场刺激对缺铁性贫血大鼠贫血改善的作用研究

目的:明确低频正弦波交变电磁场对缺铁性贫血大鼠贫血改善的作用效果,为其未来的临床应用提供实验依据。方法:雄性断乳的SPF级Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠,共36只,随机的等分为空白对照组(n=12)、缺铁性贫血组(n=12)和缺铁性贫血+电磁场刺激组(n=12)。缺铁性贫血组和缺铁性贫血+电磁场刺激组的大鼠饲养以低铁饲料和去离子水,每周尾静脉放血1 m L。空白对照组大鼠饲养以常规饲料和普通蒸馏水,且不予尾静脉放血。对缺铁性贫血+电磁场刺激组的12只大鼠施加全身低频交变电磁场刺激,每天刺激2小时,连续刺激10周。实验结束后提取大鼠血液样本,使用氰化高铁血红蛋白法进行测定全血血红蛋白含量,使用专用试剂盒测定血清铁和总铁结合力;提取肝脏和脾脏组织,对肝脏铁和脾脏铁含量进行测定。结果:全身暴露低频交变电磁场刺激显著提高了缺铁性贫血大鼠体重(P0.05),提升了其血清铁含量(P0.05),显著提高全血血红蛋白含量(P0.05),并显著降低了缺铁性贫血大鼠血清总铁结合力(P0.05);同时,电磁刺激也显著提高了缺铁性贫血大鼠肝脏铁和脾脏铁含量(P0.05)。结论:交变电磁场作为一种经济、安全、无创的物理作用方式,具有较为显著的缺铁性贫血的改善效果。