Identification of genetic associations of SP110/MYBBP1A/RELA with pulmonary tuberculosis in the Chinese Han population

Genetic factors play important roles in the development of tuberculosis (TB). SP110 is a promising candidate target for controlling TB infections. However, several studies associating SP110 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with TB have yielded conflicting results. This may be partly resolved by studying other genes associated with SP110, such as MYBBP1A and RELA. Here, we genotyped 6 SP110 SNPs, 8 MYBBP1A SNPs and 5 RELA SNPs in 702 Chinese pulmonary TB patients and 425 healthy subjects using MassARRAY and SNaPshot methods. Using SNP-based analysis with Bonferroni correction, rs3809849 in MYBBP1A [Pcorrected (cor) = 0.0038] and rs9061 in SP110 (Pcor = 0.019) were found to be significantly associated with TB. Furthermore, meta-analysis of rs9061 in East Asian populations showed that the rs9061 T allele conferred significant risk for TB [P = 0.002, pooled odds ratio (OR), 1.24, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.43]. The MYBBP1A GTCTTGGG haplotype and haplotypes CGACCG/TGATTG within SP110 were found to be markedly and significantly associated with TB (P = 2.00E?06, 5.00E?6 and 2.59E?4, respectively). Gene-based analysis also demonstrated that SP110 and MYBBP1A were each associated with TB (Pcor = 0.011 and 0.035, respectively). The logistic regression analysis results supported interactions between SP110 and MYBBP1A, indicating that subjects carrying a GC/CC genotype in MYBBP1A and CC genotype in SP110 possessed the high risk of developing TB (P = 1.74E?12). Our study suggests that a combination of SP110 and MYBBP1A gene polymorphisms may serve as a novel marker for identifying the risk of developing TB in the Chinese Han population.     

Lenalidomide overcomes suppression of human natural killer cell anti-tumor functions by neuroblastoma microenvironment-associated IL-6 and TGFβ1

Background

Treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma with anti-disialoganglioside mAb ch14.18, IL-2, and GM-CSF plus 13-cis-retinoic acid after myeloablative chemotherapy improves survival, but 40 % of patients still relapse during or after this therapy. The microenvironment of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors includes macrophages, IL-6, and TGFβ1. We hypothesized that this microenvironment suppresses anti-tumor functions of natural killer (NK) cells and that lenalidomide, an immune-modulating drug, could overcome suppression.

Methods

Purified NK cells were cultured with IL-2, neuroblastoma/monocyte-conditioned culture medium (CM), IL-6, TGFβ1, and lenalidomide in various combinations and then characterized using cytotoxicity (direct and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity), cytokine, flow cytometry, and Western blotting assays. Anti-tumor activity of NK cells with lenalidomide, ch14.18, or both was evaluated with a xenograft model of neuroblastoma.

Results

CM from neuroblastoma/monocyte co-cultures contains IL-6 and TGFβ1 that suppress IL-2 activation of NK cell cytotoxicity and IFNγ secretion. IL-6 and TGFβ1 activate the STAT3 and SMAD2/3 pathways in NK cells and suppress IL-2 induction of cytotoxicity, granzymes A and B release, perforin expression, and IFNγ secretion. Lenalidomide blocks IL-6 and TGFβ1 activation of these signaling pathways and inhibits their suppression of NK cells. Neuroblastoma cells in NOD/SCID mice exhibit activated STAT3 and SMAD2/3 pathways. Their growth is most effectively inhibited by co-injected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) containing NK cells when mice are treated with both ch14.18 and lenalidomide.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy with anti-tumor cell antibodies may be improved by lenalidomide, which enhances activation of NK cells and inhibits their suppression by IL-6 and TGFβ1.     

Time-course Changes in Immunoreactivities of Glucokinase and Glucokinase Regulatory Protein in the Gerbil Hippocampus Following Transient Cerebral Ischemia

Glucose is a main energy source for normal brain functions. Glucokinase (GK) plays an important role in glucose metabolism as a glucose sensor, and GK activity is modulated by glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP). In this study, we examined the changes of GK and GKRP immunoreactivities in the gerbil hippocampus after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. In the sham-operated-group, GK and GKRP immunoreactivities were easily detected in the pyramidal neurons of the stratum pyramidale of the hippocampus. GK and GKRP immunoreactivities in the pyramidal neurons were distinctively decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA), not CA2/3, 3 days after ischemia–reperfusion (I–R). Five days after I–R, GK and GKRP immunoreactivities were hardly detected in the CA1, not CA2/3, pyramidal neurons; however, at this point in time, GK and GKRP immunoreactivities were newly expressed in astrocytes, not microglia, in the ischemic CA1. In brief, GK and GKRP immunoreactivities are changed in pyramidal neurons and newly expressed in astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 after transient cerebral ischemia. These indicate that changes of GK and GKRP expression may be related to the ischemia-induced neuronal damage/death.     

Microsatellite markers uncover cryptic species of Odontotermes (Termitoidae: Termitidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Termites from the genus Odontotermes are known to contain numerous species complexes that are difficult to tell apart morphologically or with mitochondrial DNA sequences. We developed markers for one such cryptic species complex, that is, Odontotermes srinakarinensis sp. nov. from Maxwell Hill Forest Reserve (Perak, Malaysia), and characterised them using a sample of 41 termite workers from three voucher samples from the same area. We then genotyped 150 termite individuals from 23 voucher samples/colonies of this species complex from several sites in Peninsular Malaysia. We analysed their population by constructing dendograms from the proportion of shared-alleles between individuals and genetic distances between colonies; additionally, we examined the Bayesian clustering pattern of their genotype data. All methods of analysis indicated that there were two distinct clusters within our data set. After the morphologies of specimens from each cluster were reexamined, we were able to separate the two species morphologically and found that a single diagnostic character found on the mandibles of its soldiers could be used to separate the two species quite accurately. The additional species in the clade was identified as Odontotermes denticulatus after it was matched to type specimens at the NHM London and Cambridge Museum of Zoology.     

Comparison of Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Spinal Cord Between Young Adult and Aged Beagle Dogs

Aging is an inevitable process that occurs in the whole body system accompanying with many functional and morphological changes. Inflammation is known as one of age-related factors, and inflammatory changes could enhance mortality risk. In this study, we compared immunoreactivities of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), its receptor (IL-2R), IL-4 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine), and its receptor (IL-4R) in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord of young adult (2–3 years old) and aged (10–12 years old) beagle dogs using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. IL-2 and IL-2R-immunoreactive nerve cells were found throughout the gray matter of the cervical and lumbar spinal cord of young adult and aged dogs. In the spinal cord neurons of the aged dog, immunoreactivity and protein levels were apparently increased compared with those in the young adult dog. Change patterns of IL-4- and IL-4R-immunoreactive cells and their protein levels were also similar to those in IL-2 and IL-2R; however, IL-4 and IL-4R immunoreactivity in the periphery of the neuronal cytoplasm in the aged dog was much stronger than that in the young adult dog. These results indicate that the increase of inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the aged spinal cord might be related to maintaining a balance of inflammatory reaction in the spinal cord during normal aging.     

p38-MAPK signaling pathway is not involved in osteogenic differentiation during early response of mesenchymal stem cells to continuous mechanical strain

Quercetin has been reported to protect testicular cells from oxidative damage induced by environmental chemicals. In this study, we isolated interstitial Leydig cells (ILCs) from immature rats, set-up ILCs culture, co-treated cells with atrazine (ATZ) and quercetin (QT), evaluated toxicity, and measured the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and levels of steroidogenic enzymes. ATZ decreased ILCs viability at concentrations higher than 10 μg/mL and increased reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione levels. ATZ also increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase and decreased superoxide dismutase-1 (sod1) and superoxide dismutase-2 (sod2) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels which were prevented by QT. The changes in the MDA levels and lactate dehydrogenase leakage induced by ATZ (50 μg/mL) were also prevented on co-treatment with QT (50 μM). Furthermore, ATZ-induced 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and NF-κB-expressions at the mRNA and protein levels were also recovered to control value on co-treatment with QT. These data showed that QT protected against ATZ-induced ILCs toxicity by restoring the expression of NF-κB and steroidogenic activity and by preventing the oxidative stress.     

MicroRNA-19a targets tissue factor to inhibit colon cancer cells migration and invasion

The over-expression of tissue factor (TF) and its roles in colon cancer progression have attracted much attention. However, the mechanisms regulating TF expression have not yet been shown in detail. In this study, we over-expressed miR-19a, miR20a and miR-106b in colon cancer cells, and evaluated their impact on TF expression and cellular function. We provide evidence demonstrating that miR-19a inhibited TF expression in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TF was a direct target of miR-19a because the miR-19a mediated repression of luciferase activity was abolished by mutation of the putative binding site. Moreover, miR-19a suppressed colon cancer cell migration and invasion. This effect was due to the indirect down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. Finally, we investigated the relevance of TF and miR-19a expression in a total of 48 paired colon cancer samples and revealed that miR-19a was inversely correlated with TF expression in stages I and II cases. Therefore, our results suggested that miR-19a was capable of suppressing TF expression in vitro and inhibiting cell migration and invasion. Although it was not the unique mechanism responsible for the expression of TF in vivo, miR-19a was inversely correlated with TF expression in early stage colon cancer patients.     

C-reactive protein reduces protein S-nitrosylation in endothelial cells

Glycodelin A (GdA) is a dimeric glycoprotein synthesized by the human endometrium under progesterone regulation. Based on the high sequence similarity with β-lactoglobulin, it is placed under the lipocalin superfamily. The protein is one of the local immunomodulators present at the feto-maternal interface which affects both the innate as well as the acquired arms of the immune system, thereby bringing about successful establishment and progression of pregnancy. Our previous studies revealed that the domain responsible for the immunosuppressive activity of glycodelin lies on its protein backbone and the glycans modulate the same. This study attempts to further delineate the apoptosis inducing region of GdA. Our results demonstrate that the stretch of amino acid sequence between Met24 to Leu105 is necessary and sufficient to inhibit proliferation of T cells and induce apoptosis in them. Further, within this region the key residues involved in harboring the activity were shown to be present between Asp52 and Ser65.