Peripherin is a relevant neuroendocrine autoantigen recognized by islet-infiltrating B lymphocytes

Most of our knowledge of the antigenic repertoire of autoreactive B lymphocytes in type 1 diabetes (T1D) comes from studies on the antigenic specificity of both circulating islet-reactive autoantibodies and peripheral B lymphocyte hybridomas generated from human blood or rodent spleen. In a recent study, we generated hybridoma cell lines of infiltrating B lymphocytes from different mouse strains developing insulitis, but with different degrees of susceptibility to T1D, to characterize the antigenic specificity of islet-infiltrating B lymphocytes during progression of the disease. We found that many hybridomas produced mAbs restricted to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), thus indicating an active B lymphocyte response against PNS elements in the pancreatic islet during disease development. The aim of this study was to identify the autoantigen recognized by these anti-PNS mAbs. Our results showed that peripherin is the autoantigen recognized by all anti-PNS mAbs, and, therefore, a relevant neuroendocrine autoantigen targeted by islet-infiltrating B lymphocytes. Moreover, we discovered that the immune dominant epitope of this B lymphocyte immune response is found at the C-terminal end of Per58 and Per61 isoforms. In conclusion, our study strongly suggests that peripherin is a major autoantigen targeted during T1D development and poses a new question on why peripherin-specific B lymphocytes are mainly attracted to the islet during disease.     

Mitotic instability in wheat×Thinopyrum ponticum derivatives revealed by chromosome counting, nuclear DNA content and histone H3 phosphorylation pattern

To evaluate the mitotic stability of Triticum aestivum×Thinopyrum ponticum derivatives (BC₂F₇ and BC₂F₅ doubled haploids), chromosome counting by both conventional and immunostaining techniques, and measurement of DNA content were performed. The wheat progenitor line, PF 839197, the wheat recurrent parent CEP 19 and the control Chinese Spring were also investigated. In the hybrid derivatives, chromosome number ranged from 2n=36 to 60, with a predominance of chromosome numbers higher than 2n=42, that was confirmed by determination of nuclear DNA content. Chinese Spring and PF 839197 were stable, but CEP 19 showed chromosome number variation (20%). Analyses of non-pretreated cells revealed the presence of anaphase bridges, lagging chromatids, chromosome fragments and micronuclei. Immunostaining with an antibody recognizing histone H3 phosphorylated showed dicentric chromatids forming anaphase bridges and pericentromeric phosphorylation at centric chromosome fragments but not at lagging chromatids. The possible causes of the observed mitotic instability are discussed.     

IFN beta accelerates autoimmune type 1 diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice and breaks the tolerance to beta cells in nondiabetes-prone mice

Genetic and environmental factors are decisive in the etiology of type 1 diabetes. Viruses have been proposed as a triggering environmental event and some evidences have been reported: type I IFNs exist in the pancreata of diabetic patients and transgenic mice expressing these cytokines in beta cells develop diabetes. To determine the role of IFNbeta in diabetes, we studied transgenic mice expressing human IFNbeta in the beta cells. Autoimmune features were found: MHC class I islet hyperexpression, T and B cells infiltrating the islets and transfer of the disease by lymphocytes. Moreover, the expression of beta(2)-microglobulin, preproinsulin, and glucagon in the thymus was not altered by IFNbeta, thus suggesting that the disease is caused by a local effect of IFNbeta, strong enough to break the peripheral tolerance to beta cells. This is the first report of the generation of NOD (a model of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes) and nonobese-resistant (its homologous resistant) transgenic mice expressing a type I IFN in the islets: transgenic NOD and nonobese-resistant mice developed accelerated autoimmune diabetes with a high incidence of the disease. These results indicate that the antiviral cytokine IFNbeta breaks peripheral tolerance to beta cells, influences the insulitis progression and contributes to autoimmunity in diabetes and nondiabetes- prone mice.     

Bimeiosis induced by caffeine

A 0.1% caffeine solution has been injected into plants of rye at various stages of spike development. Cytokinesis was inhibited in the germ line, and the resulting binucleate cells underwent bimeiosis. Nuclear fusions occurred during cell divisions of the germ line, giving rise to mononucleate tetraploid PMCs which showed 14 bivalents instead of the expected up to 7 quadrivalents. A decrease in chiasma frequency was also noted.     

Engineering an efficient secretion of leech carboxypeptidase inhibitor in Escherichia coli

Background  

Despite advances in expression technologies, the efficient production of heterologous secreted proteins in Escherichia coli remains a challenge. One frequent limitation relies on their inability to be exported to the E. coli periplasm. However, recent studies have suggested that translational kinetics and signal sequences act in concert to modulate the export process.     

Chromosomes with a life of their own

B chromosomes (Bs) can be described as 'passengers in the genome', a term that has been used for the repetitive DNA which comprises the bulk of the genome in large genome species, except that Bs have a life of their own as independent chromosomes. As with retrotransposons they can accumulate in number, but in this case by various processes of mitotic or meiotic drive, based on their own autonomous ways of using spindles, especially in the gametophyte phase of the life cycle of flowering plants. This selfish property of drive ensures their survival and spread in natural populations, even against a gradient of harmful effects on the host plant phenotype. Bs are inhabitants of the nucleus and they are subject to control by 'genes' in the A chromosome (As) complement. This interaction with the As, together with the balance between drive and harmful effects makes a dynamic system in the life of a B chromosome, notwithstanding the fact that we are only now beginning to unravel the story in a few favoured species. In this review we concentrate mainly on recent developments in the Bs of rye and maize, two of the species currently receiving most attention. We focus on their population dynamics and on the molecular basis of their structural organisation and mechanisms of drive, as well as on their mode of origin and potential applications in plant biotechnology.