Metabolic Enzyme Alterations and Astrocyte Dysfunction in a Murine Model of Alexander Disease With Severe Reactive Gliosis

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In this report, a mouse model of AxD (GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H) was analyzed that contains a heterozygous R236H point mutation in murine Gfap as well as a transgene with a GFAP promoter to overexpress human GFAP. Using label-free quantitative proteomic comparisons of brain tissue from GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H versus wild-type mice confirmed upregulation of the glutathione metabolism pathway and indicated proteins were elevated in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, which had not been reported previously in AxD. Relative protein-level differences were confirmed by a targeted proteomics assay, including proteins related to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Of particular interest was the decreased level of the oligodendrocyte protein, 2-hydroxyacylsphingosine 1-beta-galactosyltransferase (Ugt8), since Ugt8-deficient mice exhibit a phenotype similar to GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice (e.g., tremors, ataxia, hind-limb paralysis). In addition, decreased levels of myelin-associated proteins were found in the GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice, consistent with the role of Ugt8 in myelin synthesis. Fabp7 upregulation in GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice was also selected for further investigation due to its uncharacterized association to AxD, critical function in astrocyte proliferation, and functional ability to inhibit the anti-inflammatory PPAR signaling pathway in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Within Gfap⁺ astrocytes, Fabp7 was markedly increased in the hippocampus, a brain region subjected to extensive pathology and chronic reactive gliosis in GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice. Last, to determine whether the findings in GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice are present in the human condition, AxD patient and control samples were analyzed by Western blot, which indicated that Type I AxD patients have a significant fourfold upregulation of FABP7. However, immunohistochemistry analysis showed that UGT8 accumulates in AxD patient subpial brain regions where abundant amounts of Rosenthal fibers are located, which was not observed in the GFAP^Tg;Gfap^+/R236H mice.     

A Comparison of Bone Mineral Density and Its Predictors in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Older Men

ObjectiveBone health in older individuals with HIV infection has not been well studied. This study aimed to compare bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone markers between HIV-infected men and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched HIV-uninfected men aged ≥60 years. We investigated the associations of risk factors related to fracture with BMD, TBS, and bone markers in HIV-infected men.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 45 HIV-infected men receiving antiretroviral therapy and 42 HIV-uninfected men. Medical history, BMD and TBS measurements, and laboratory tests related to bone health were assessed in all the participants. HIV-related factors known to be associated with bone loss were assessed in the HIV-infected men.ResultsThe mean BMD, TBS, and osteopenia or osteoporosis prevalence were similar among the cases and controls. The HIV-infected men had significantly higher mean N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen levels. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that low BMI (lumbar spine, P = .015; femoral neck, P = .018; and total hip, P = .005), high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen concentration (total hip, P = .042; and TBS, P = .010), and low vitamin D supplementation (TBS, P = .035) were independently associated with low BMD and TBS.ConclusionIn older HIV-infected men with a low fracture risk, the mean BMD and TBS were similar to those of the age- and BMI-matched controls. The mean bone marker levels were higher in the HIV group. Traditional risk factors for fracture, including low BMI, high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen level, and low vitamin D supplementation, were significant predictors of low BMD and TBS.     

Serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Platyrrhini and Catarrhini: A phylogenetic appraisal

We measured the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OH-D₃) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25-[OH]₂-D₃) in 23 different Platyrrhines from four different genera and in 21 Catarrhines from six different genera in residence at the Los Angeles Zoo. The mean (±S.E.) serum concentration of 1,25-(OH)₂-D₃ was significantly greater in Platyrrhines (810 ± 119 pg/ml) than in Catarrhines (61 ± 5 pg/ml), suggesting that high circulating concentrations of the active vitamin D hormone were a characteristic of New World primates in both the Cebidae and Callitrichidae family. This increase in the serum concentration of 1,25-(OH)₂-D₃ is probably an adaptational response on the part of Platyrrhini to offset a relative decrease in the concentration of specific receptor for 1,25-(OH)₂-D₃ in target tissues for the hormone.     

An isozyme-specific selective system for the recovery of mammalian cells deficient in hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity

A selective system toxic towards mammalian cells expressing the liver-specific isozyme of alcohol dehydrogenase (L-ADH) has been developed. A number of alpha-unsaturated primary and secondary alcohols were assayed for their ability to serve as substrates for rat liver ADH and were screened for cytotoxicity towards L-ADH+ and L-ADH- cells. 1-Propen-3-ol and 1-penten-3-ol were identified as agents showing selective cytotoxicity. Reconstruction experiments demonstrated that 1-propen-3-ol at a concentration of 15 microM could be used to recover L-ADH- clones from mixed populations of L-ADH+ and L-ADH cells. Cells expressing the non-allelic S-ADH isozyme were not killed under these conditions. The selective system defined in this report is thus isozyme-specific.     

Upregulated Op18/stathmin activity causes chromosomal instability through a mechanism that evades the spindle assembly checkpoint

Op18/stathmin (Op18) is a microtubule-destabilizing protein that is phosphorylation-inactivated during mitosis and its normal function is to govern tubulin subunit partitioning during interphase. Human tumors frequently overexpress Op18 and a tumor-associated Q18→E mutation has been identified that confers hyperactivity, destabilizes spindle microtubules, and causes mitotic aberrancies, polyploidization, and chromosome loss in K562 leukemia cells. Here we determined whether wild-type and mutant Op18 have the potential to cause chromosomal instability by some means other than interference with spindle assembly, and thereby bypassing the spindle assembly checkpoint. Our approach was based on Op18 derivatives with distinct temporal order of activity during mitosis, conferred either by differential phosphorylation inactivation or by anaphase-specific degradation through fusion with the destruction box of cyclin B1. We present evidence that excessive Op18 activity generates chromosomal instability through interference occurring subsequent to the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, which reduces the fidelity of chromosome segregation to spindle poles during anaphase. Similar to uncorrected merotelic attachment, this mechanism evades detection by the spindle assembly checkpoint and thus provides an additional route to chromosomal instability.     

重楼皂甙Ⅱ对狼疮性肾炎患者外周血CD4~＋CD25~＋T调节细胞表达的细胞因子的影响

目的：研究重楼皂甙Ⅱ对狼疮性肾炎患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋Treg分泌的细胞因子IL-10和TGF-β的影响。方法：10例健康人为正常对照组,20例LN病人随机分为四组：LN对照组（n=5）、重楼干预组1（n=5,接种细胞数为1×105/1.5ml/孔）、重楼干预组2（n=5,接种细胞数为2×105/1.5ml/孔）、重楼干预组3（n=5,接种细胞数为5×105/1.5ml/孔）。分离外周血单个核细胞,利用免疫磁珠法分离CD4＋CD25＋Treg。重楼干预组予重楼皂甙Ⅱ干预,正常对照组和LN对照组不予处理,各组培养72h。取各组上清,用ELISA分别检测IL-10和TGF-β的水平。结果：与正常组比较,其余各组TGF-β和IL-10的水平明显降低（P〈0.01）。与LN对照组比较,重楼皂甙Ⅱ干预后各组TGF-β和IL-10的水平升高（P〈0.05）。重楼干预组之间比较,重楼干预组2的TGF-β和IL-10水平较其他两组明显升高（P〈0.01）,而重楼干预组1和3的TGF-β和IL-10水平变化无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论：重楼皂甙Ⅱ可上调LN患者TGF-β和IL-10的水平,上调的幅度受接种细胞数量的影响。     

甘草酸二铵对于HCV相关性B-NHLCD25-和CD25+T细胞增殖影响研究

目的:本研究初步探究甘草酸二铵(Diammonium Glycyrrihizinate,DG)对HCV相关性B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤(B-cellnon-Hodgkin's lymphoma,B-NHL)CD25-T细胞、CD25+T细胞的免疫调控作用。方法:应用流式细胞分析仪检测HCV相关性B-NHL CD4+CD25+T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例、CD25+细胞占总PBMC比例,并与单纯HCV感染患者、健康人检测结果相对照。应用免疫磁珠分离法(MACS)分选获得CD25-和CD25+细胞,将两者和未分选的外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclearcell,PBMC)以CFSE标染孵育72小时后,应用流式细胞分析仪将APC CD3阳性细胞设定为门检测CD25-T细胞、未分选T细胞、CD25+T细胞的增殖情况,及甘草酸二铵干预后的CD25-T细胞、CD25+T细胞增殖情况。结果:应用流式细胞分析仪检测健康人、单纯HCV感染者和HCV相关性B-NHL患者在CD4+CD25+占总CD4+细胞比例和CD25+占总细胞比例上均呈现逐步递增的关系(分别为33.94%±2.18%,57.95%...     

Interactions of the cholesterol side-chain with egg lecithin a spin label study

The effect in egg lecithin liposomes of cholesterol and cholesterol analogues with side-chains of reduced length on the order parameters of two steroid spin labels has been studied. Analogoues with side-chains shorter than cholesterol by more than three carbons cause significantly less ordering than cholesterol. Liposomes containing a cholesterol analogue in which the side-chain is absent cause very little increase in the ordering of a new sterol spin label in which the nitroxide is incorporated into the side-chain. The results suggest that the sterol side-chain exerts a great influence on membrane rigidity within its immediate environment.     

5'-Nucleotidase activity of lymphocyte plasma membranes. Effect of concanavalin A]

The 5'-nucleotidase properties of isolated lymphocyte plasma membranes from young pig mesenteric nodes are described; nucleosides-5'-monophosphates are the substrates of this specific enzyme. Concanavalin A inhibits this enzyme; on the same membranes this mitogen does not affect alkaline phosphatase and activates the membrane bound (Ca2+) ATPase. The 5'-nucleotidase inhibition is due to a specific interaction of Con A with carbohydrate groups of the membrane; its high positive cooperativity suggests that the lectin promotes reorganization of the membrane bound 5'-nucleotidase. Solubilization of the 5'-nucleotidase does not prevent the effect of Con A and the solubilized enzyme is firmly bound by Con A-Sepharose 4B; these results suggest that Con A inhibits the enzyme by a direct interaction and that 5'-nucleotidase can be considered as an eventual receptor for the lectin.     

嗜血细胞综合征患儿外周血CD_4~+CD_(25)~+调节性T细胞变化及临床意义

目的观察嗜血细胞综合征(hemophagocytic syndrome,HPS)患儿外周血中调节性T细胞(RegulatoryTcells,Treg细胞)的变化,探讨其在HPS发病中的作用及临床意义。方法应用流式细胞仪检测17例初诊HPS患者(初诊组)、11例经诱导治疗后临床缓解者(缓解组)及20例健康人群(对照组)外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞。结果与对照组相比较,HPS患者初诊组及缓解组外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞均升高(P0.05)。与初诊组相比较,缓解组CD4+CD25+Treg细胞降低(P0.05),但仍高于正常对照组(P0.05)。结论CD4+CD25+Treg细胞增多可能是HPS患者免疫功能受抑的重要原因之一,其变化对于HPS的预后判断有一定的意义。