Metabolic Features of Activated Memory CD4+ T-Cells Derived from HIV-Infected Immunological Non-responders to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Doklady Biological Sciences - Immunological non-responders (INR) are HIV-infected subjects that fail to restore CD4+ T-cell counts despite undetectable HIV viral load, which is controlled by highly...     

Strong coupling of plant and fungal community structure across western Amazonian rainforests

The Amazon basin harbors a diverse ecological community that has a critical role in the maintenance of the biosphere. Although plant and animal communities have received much attention, basic information is lacking for fungal or prokaryotic communities. This is despite the fact that recent ecological studies have suggested a prominent role for interactions with soil fungi in structuring the diversity and abundance of tropical rainforest trees. In this study, we characterize soil fungal communities across three major tropical forest types in the western Amazon basin (terra firme, seasonally flooded and white sand) using 454 pyrosequencing. Using these data, we examine the relationship between fungal diversity and tree species richness, and between fungal community composition and tree species composition, soil environment and spatial proximity. We find that the fungal community in these ecosystems is diverse, with high degrees of spatial variability related to forest type. We also find strong correlations between α- and β-diversity of soil fungi and trees. Both fungal and plant community β-diversity were also correlated with differences in environmental conditions. The correlation between plant and fungal richness was stronger in fungal lineages known for biotrophic strategies (for example, pathogens, mycorrhizas) compared with a lineage known primarily for saprotrophy (yeasts), suggesting that this coupling is, at least in part, due to direct plant–fungal interactions. These data provide a much-needed look at an understudied dimension of the biota in an important ecosystem and supports the hypothesis that fungal communities are involved in the regulation of tropical tree diversity.     

In vitro cytokine stimulation assay for glycolipid biosurfactant from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">ruber</Emphasis>: role of monocyte adhesion

Glycolipid biosurfactant (GLB) from Rhodococcus ruber IEGM 231 was found to stimulate tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -1β and IL-6 production when applied as an ultrasonic emulsion to the adherent human peripheral blood monocyte culture. However, a lack of cytokine-stimulating activity was registered with the GLB applied as a hydrophobic film coating in 24-well culture plates, indicating that it may have been due to its inhibitory effect on monocyte adhesion. The mode of GLB application may therefore play an important role in in vitro assay of immunostimulatory activity of this compound as well as other bacterial glycolipids. Additionally, GLB from R. ruber displayed no cytotoxicity against human lymphocytes and therefore could be proposed as a potential immunomodulating and antitumor agent.     

Features of the biology of the eelpout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoarces fedorovi</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Tauisk bay,Sea of Okhotsk

The results of long-term research on the biology of the viviparous Fedorov eelpout Zoarces fedorovi from the Tauiskaya Guba in the Sea of Okhotsk are generalized. It was determined that in winter and spring this species inhabits strongly freshened sea areas and in summer and fall it inhabits, as a rule, estuarine areas in the tide effect zone. Z. fedorovi did not leave the coastal zone, even during the ebb, and could remain in colder fresh water up to 12 h a day. Data on the age, sexual and size structure of the catches, character of linear growth, increase in body mass and fecundity, size, as well as the growth rates of the larvae and fry during prenatal development of Z. fedorovi are cited.     

Regulation of the peritoneal macrophage functional activity by the MP-5 and MP-6 myelopeptides under stress

In mice, two-hour immobilization stress inhibited zymosan-induced production by macrophages of the oxygen radicals and cytokine IL-1β. After myelopeptides MP-5 and MP-6 were administered into mice, the stress-induced inhibition of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-1β was abrogated. MP-5 peptide stimulated spontaneous ROS production by macrophages and reduced IL-10 production under stress. Thus, under in vivo conditions and under stress, the effect of MP-5 and MP-6 myelopeptides modulates the peritoneal macrophage activity.     

A Systems Immunology Approach to Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Function in Cytopathic Virus Infections

Plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-mediated protection against cytopathic virus infection involves various molecular, cellular, tissue-scale, and organism-scale events. In order to better understand such multiscale interactions, we have implemented a systems immunology approach focusing on the analysis of the structure, dynamics and operating principles of virus-host interactions which constrain the initial spread of the pathogen. Using high-resolution experimental data sets coming from the well-described mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) model, we first calibrated basic modules including MHV infection of its primary target cells, i.e. pDCs and macrophages (Mφs). These basic building blocks were used to generate and validate an integrative mathematical model for in vivo infection dynamics. Parameter estimation for the system indicated that on a per capita basis, one infected pDC secretes sufficient type I IFN to protect 10³ to 10⁴ Mφs from cytopathic viral infection. This extremely high protective capacity of pDCs secures the spleen''s capability to function as a ‘sink’ for the virus produced in peripheral organs such as the liver. Furthermore, our results suggest that the pDC population in spleen ensures a robust protection against virus variants which substantially down-modulate IFN secretion. However, the ability of pDCs to protect against severe disease caused by virus variants exhibiting an enhanced liver tropism and higher replication rates appears to be rather limited. Taken together, this systems immunology analysis suggests that antiviral therapy against cytopathic viruses should primarily limit viral replication within peripheral target organs.     

Relationships and position of wrymouths of the family cryptacanthodidae in the system of the suborder Zoarcoidei (Pisces,Perciformes)

To determine the taxonomic position of wrymouths of the family Cryptacanthodidae in the system of the suborder Zoarcoidei, a study on molecular genetics and comparative morphology of Cryptacanthodes bergi from Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) is conducted. Based on molecular genetic analysis using the genes of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, Cryptacanthodes bergi is substantially similar to the representatives of the superfamily Stichaeoidae. Thus, the opinion of Makushok on a phylogenetically distinct position of wrymouths in relation to snake blennies and related families is not supported. The anatomical features of skull structure support the data of molecular genetics. The directions and time of distribution of wrymouths in the northwest Atlantic through the channel in the area of the Isthmus of Panama in approximately the late Miocene are discussed.