Regulation of biomechanical signals by NF-kappaB transcription factors in chondrocytes

Physical therapies and exercise are beneficial not only for physiological recovery in inflamed or injured joints, but also for promoting a homeostatic equilibrium in healthy joints. Human joints provide the pivot points and physiological hinges essential for ambulation and movement to the body, and it is this mobility that in return promotes the health of the joints. But how mobilization regulates the joint microenvironment at the molecular level has remained enigmatic for many years. Recent advances in joint biomechanics and molecular approaches have facilitated an enriched understanding of how joints operate. Consequently, the mechanisms active during joint inflammation that lead to arthritic conditions, both in vivo in animal models, and in vitro at cell and tissue levels, have become increasingly detailed and defined. These efforts have produced mounting evidences supporting the premise that biomechanical signals play a fundamental role in both the etiopathogenesis of arthritic diseases and in the physiological restoration of joints. This report aims to summarize current peer-reviewed literature and available experimental data to explain how the signals generated by mechanical forces/joint mobilization generate beneficial effects on inflamed articular cartilage, and to propose the basis for using appropriate physical therapies for the optimal benefit to the patient suffering from joint associated injuries.     

Abrogation of anti-retinal autoimmunity in IL-10 transgenic mice due to reduced T cell priming and inhibition of disease effector mechanisms

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) induced by immunization of animals with retinal Ags is a model for human uveitis. The immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 regulates EAU susceptibility and may be a factor in genetic resistance to EAU. To further elucidate the regulatory role of endogenous IL-10 in the mouse model of EAU, we examined transgenic (Tg) mice expressing IL-10 either in activated T cells (inducible) or in macrophages (constitutive). These IL-10-Tg mice and non-Tg wild-type controls were immunized with a uveitogenic regimen of the retinal Ag interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Constitutive expression of IL-10 in macrophages abrogated disease and reduced Ag-specific immunological responses. These mice had detectable levels of IL-10 in sera and in ocular extracts. In contrast, expression of IL-10 in activated T cells only partially protected from EAU and marginally reduced Ag-specific responses. All IL-10-Tg lines showed suppression of Ag-specific effector cytokines. APC from Tg mice constitutively expressing IL-10 in macrophages exhibited decreased ability to prime naive T cells, however, Ag presentation to already primed T cells was not compromised. Importantly, IL-10-Tg mice that received interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein-specific uveitogenic T cells from wild-type donors were protected from EAU. We suggest that constitutively produced endogenous IL-10 ameliorates the development of EAU by suppressing de novo priming of Ag-specific T cells and inhibiting the recruitment and/or function of inflammatory leukocytes, rather than by inhibiting local Ag presentation within the eye.     

Fungi causing plant diseases at Jabalpur (M.P.) XI

Summary In this paper eight foliicolous fungi have been described from Jabalpur (M.P.) India. Out of these, two viz.Phoma jasminicola Agarwal &Sahni onJasminum sambac Ait. andPhyllostictina anthocephali Agarwal &Sahni onAnthocephalus indicus Rich. are new species and three, viz.Pestalotia algeriensis (Sacc. &Berl.)Guba onBorassus flabellifer L.,Pestalotia sorbi Pat. onCarissa spinarum A.DC. andBartalinia robillardioides Tassi onJasminum sambac Ait. andCarissa carandas L. are new fungus records for this country.Colletotrichum dematium (Pers. exFr.)Grove onJasminum sambac Ait.,Glomerella cingulata (Stonem.)Spauld. &Schr. onFicus glomerata Roxb. andIchnocarpus frutescens Br. are new host records.Stigmina phaeocarpa (Mitter)Ellis onBauhinia variegata L. is a new fungus record for the state.     

Fungi causing plant diseases at Jabalpur (Madhya pradesh)-X. Some Cercosporae-II

Summary The present paper describes tenCercosporae causing leaf spots at Jabalpur. These include one new speciesCercospora sterculiae Agarwal &Hasija sp. nov. onSterculia urens and one new fungus record for the country,C. cauescens Ell. & Mart onPhaseolus vulgaris, C. sydowiana onWoodfordia fruticosa, C. mitteriana onDodonaea viscosa, C. grandissima onDahlia sp.,C. baliospermi onBaliospermum montanum, C. citrullina onBryonopsis laciniosa, C. punicae onPunica granatum, C. lythracearum onLagerstroemia indica andC. sisso onDelbergia sisso are new records for the state.