Contrasting effects of VEGF gene disruption in embryonic stem cell-derived versus oncogene-induced tumors

Previous gene targeting studies have implicated an indispensable role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor angiogenesis, particularly in tumors of embryonal or endocrine origin. In contrast, we report here that transformation of VEGF-deficient adult fibroblasts (MDF528) with ras or neu oncogenes gives rise to highly tumorigenic and angiogenic fibrosarcomas. These aggressive VEGF-null tumors (528ras, 528neu) originated from VEGF(-/-) embryonic stem cells, which themselves were tumorigenically deficient. We also report that VEGF production by tumor stroma has a modest role in oncogene-driven tumor angiogenesis. Both ras and neu oncogenes down-regulated at least two endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis [pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) and thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1)]. This is functionally important as administration of an antiangiogenic TSP-1 peptide (ABT-526) markedly inhibited growth of VEGF(-/-) tumors, with some ingress of pericytes. These results provide the first definitive genetic demonstration of the dispensability of tumor cell-derived VEGF in certain cases of 'adult' tumor angiogenesis, and thus highlight the importance of considering VEGF-independent as well as VEGF-dependent pathways when attempting to block this process pharmacologically.     

Maternal Vitamin C Deficiency during Pregnancy Persistently Impairs Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Offspring of Guinea Pigs

While having the highest vitamin C (VitC) concentrations in the body, specific functions of VitC in the brain have only recently been acknowledged. We have shown that postnatal VitC deficiency in guinea pigs causes impairment of hippocampal memory function and leads to 30% less neurons. This study investigates how prenatal VitC deficiency affects postnatal hippocampal development and if any such effect can be reversed by postnatal VitC repletion. Eighty pregnant Dunkin Hartley guinea pig dams were randomized into weight stratified groups receiving High (900 mg) or Low (100 mg) VitC per kg diet. Newborn pups (n = 157) were randomized into a total of four postnatal feeding regimens: High/High (Control); High/Low (Depleted), Low/Low (Deficient); and Low/High (Repleted). Proliferation and migration of newborn cells in the dentate gyrus was assessed by BrdU labeling and hippocampal volumes were determined by stereology. Prenatal VitC deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in postnatal hippocampal volume (P<0.001) which was not reversed by postnatal repletion. There was no difference in postnatal cellular proliferation and survival rates in the hippocampus between dietary groups, however, migration of newborn cells into the granular layer of the hippocampus dentate gyrus was significantly reduced in prenatally deficient animals (P<0.01). We conclude that a prenatal VitC deficiency in guinea pigs leads to persistent impairment of postnatal hippocampal development which is not alleviated by postnatal repletion. Our findings place attention on a yet unrecognized consequence of marginal VitC deficiency during pregnancy.     

Thrombophilia Associated with Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies

Context

Anti-DFS70 antibodies are the most frequent antinuclear antibodies (ANA) found in healthy individuals. We assessed the clinical significance of the presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies.

Methods

We defined a group of patients (n = 421) with anti-DFS70 antibodies and a group of patients (n = 63) with a history of idiopathic arterial and/or venous thrombotic disease and/or obstetric complication (i.e. ≥3 miscarriages, fetal death or premature birth with eclampsia). Anti-DFS70 antibodies prevalence was also assessed in a cohort of 300 healthy blood donors.

Results

The prevalence of thrombotic disease and/or obstetric complication in the 421 patients with anti-DFS70 antibodies was 13.1% (n = 55) and the prevalence of connective tissue disease was 19% (n = 80). Among the 63 patients with a history of thrombosis and/or obstetric complications, 7 (11.1%) had anti-DFS70 antibodies and among the latter, 5 had no common thrombophilic factor. In contrast, the prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies was of 3.0% (9 out of 300) in healthy donors. Finally, the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) ratio of patients with a history of thrombosis and anti-DFS70 antibodies was lower than the aPTT ratio of other patients, suggesting that thrombotic patients with anti-DFS70 antibodies may have a hypercoagulable state.

Conclusion

We described here for the first time an immune procoagulant state involving anti-DFS70 antibodies.     

Exserohilum sodomii, a new species isolated from soil near the Dead Sea (Israel)

Exserohilum sodomii sp. nov., is described. This new species was isolated from a soil sample from the Dead Sea surroundings. Its main physiological properties, as well as the influence of temperature and salts concentration in the culture medium on growth and morphology of the fungus were investigated and discussed.     

Adsorption of DNA on clay minerals: protection against DNaseI and influence on gene transfer

Abstract Numerous authors have investigated DNA relationships with sandy soil. A model composed of various DNAs adsorbed on montmorillonite clay was developed to assay enzyme (DNaseI) activity on clay-adsorbed nucleic acids. The extent of DNA adsorption was affected by the concentration and valency of the cations used (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺), indicating a charge-dependent process. Calf thymus DNA was found to be highly adsorbed by smectite (up to 30 mg g⁻¹ of dry clay). Adsorbed DNA was shown to be more resistant to degradation by DNaseI than free DNA. Experimental data with plasmid and short linear amplified (through polymerase chain reaction) DNA showed that protection against nucleases was only partial. Nevertheless, clay-adsorbed DNA was found to be still able, even after a strong DNaseI treatment, to artificially transform competent Escherichia coli cells. The results show that persistance of DNA and gene transfer by genetic transformation may occur in soil.     

Effects of Fungal Bioaugmentation and Cyclodextrin Amendment on Fluorene Degradation in Soil Slurry

This study assesses the potential of fungal bioaugmentation and the effect of maltosyl-cyclodextrin amendment, as an approach to accelerate fluorene biodegradation in soil slurries. 47 fungal strains isolated from a contaminated site were tested in the biodegradation of fluorene. Results showed the greater efficiency of "adaptated" fungi isolated from contaminated soil vs. reference strains belonging to the collection of the laboratory. These assays allowed us to select the most efficient strain, Absidia cylindrospora, which was used in a bioaugmentation process. In the presence of Absidia cylindrospora, more than 90% of the fluorene was removed in 288 h while 576 h were necessary in the absence of fungal bioaugmentation. Maltosyl-cyclodextrin, a branched-cyclodextrin was chosen in order to optimize fluorene bioavailability and biodegradation in soil slurries. The results of this study indicate that Absidia cylindrospora and maltosyl-cyclodextrin could be used successfully in bioremediation systems.