Impact of Histone H1 on the Progression of Allergic Rhinitis and Its Suppression by Neutralizing Antibody in Mice

Nuclear antigens are known to trigger off innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent studies have found that the complex of nucleic acids and core histones that are derived from damaged cells may regulate allergic responses. However, no fundamental study has been performed concerning the role of linker histone H1 in mast cell-mediated type I hyperreactivity. In this study, we explored the impact of histone H1 on mast cell-mediated allergic responses both in vitro and in vivo. In the course of a bona-fide experimental allergen sensitization model upon co-injection with alum adjuvant, ovalbumin (OVA), but not PBS, induced elevated levels of circulating histone H1. Intranasal challenge with histone H1 to OVA/alum- (but not PBS/alum)-sensitized mice induced significantly severer symptoms of allergic rhinitis than those in mice sensitized and challenged with OVA. A monoclonal antibody against histone H1 not only suppressed mast cell degranulation, but also ameliorated OVA-induced nasal hyperreactivity and IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Our present data suggest that nuclear histone H1 represents an alarmin-like endogenous mediator acting on mast cells, and that its blockage has a therapeutic potential for mast cell-mediated type I hyperreactivity.     

Population structure of the Monocelis lineata (Proseriata, Monocelididae) species complex assessed by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene

Monocelis lineata consists of a complex of sibling species, widespread in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Previous genetic analysis placed in evidence at least four sibling species. Nevertheless, this research was not conclusive enough to fully resolve the complex or to infer the phylogeny/phylogeography of the group. We designed specific primers aiming at obtaining partial sequences of the mtDNA gene Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) of M. lineata, and have identified 25 different haplotypes in 32 analyzed individuals. The dendrogram generated by Neighbor-Joining analysis confirmed the differentiation between Atlantic and Mediterranean siblings, as well as the occurrence of at least two Mediterranean sibling species. Thus validated, the method here presented appears as a valuable tool in population genetics and biodiversity surveys on the Monocelis lineata complex.     

Structure and expression of mouse alpha 1-acid glycoprotein gene-3 (AGP-3).

The genome of Mus domesticus has multiple genes of the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). Two cDNA clones were identified corresponding to AGP-1 and AGP-2. Moreover, two alleles of AGP-1 exist in inbred mice. The genomic DNA of the AGP-2 gene has been cloned and studied. Here we report the genomic organization of three M. domesticus AGP genes, the sequence analysis of the AGP-3 genomic DNA, and the expression of the AGP-3 gene. The major structural differences between AGP-2 and AGP-3 genes are located in introns 1 and 5. The low level of AGP-3 mRNA can be detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The molecular basis of the low level expression of AGP-3 and the possible classification of AGP-3 as a pseudogene are discussed.     

Ligularia dalaolingensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) from central China

Ligularia dalaolingensis, a new species from Hubei and Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to L. sect. Ligularia ser. Speciosae on the basis of its palmate leaf venation, racemose synflorescence and pappus which is slightly shorter than the tube of the tubular corolla. In the series, its closest relatives are assumed to be L. fischeri and L. stenocephala. From L. fischeri, L. dalaolingensis is readily distinguished by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence, narrower involucres and fewer phyllaries and florets; from L. stenocephala, L. dalaolingensis differs by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence as well as broader bracts. A diagnostic key to Chinese species of L. ser. Speciosae with broadly ovate, ovate or ovate‐lanceolate bracts is provided.     

新疆维吾尔族HLA-Cw基因座遗传多态性调查 The Study of HLA-Cw Polymorphism in Uygur Population

采用序列特异性寡核苷酸探针杂交技术（PCR-SSOP）对146位新疆维吾尔族无关个体HLA-Cw基因座进行基因分型,研究该民族HLA-Cw基因座遗传多态性,建立新疆维吾尔族HLA-Cw基因频率数据库。检出18种等位基因,基因频率分布在0.0069~02460,其中HLA-Cw*04、07、08、14基因频率比较高,基因频率分别为02460、0.1151、0.1010、0.1202,共占新疆维吾尔族可检出等位基因的58.23%,PCR-SSOP分型技术使新疆维吾尔族HLA-Cw基因座空白基因频率降至0.0064。经χ2检验,基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律。建立民族HLA-Cw基因座基因频率数据库,为临床器官移植配型、人类学、法医学提供重要的群体遗传学资料。 Abstract:The HLA-Cw loci polymorphism in Uygur population was investigated using the PCR- sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) method,and the genetic database on the distribution of gene frequency of the HLA-Cw loci was established.From 146 individuals of Uygur population,18 HLA-Cw alleles were detected.The gene frequency was from 0.0069 to 0.2460.The four most common alleles were HLA-Cw*04(24.60%)、07(11.51%)、08(1010%)、14(12.02%),and they covered 58.23% of total alleles detected from Uygur population.We have made a survey of HLA-Cw alleles frequencies in a Uygur population,with blank frequency being lowered to 0.0064.The distribution of genotype frequencies met the law of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by hi-square test.The frequency data can be used in forensic and paternity tests to estimate the frequency of a DNA profile in the Uygur population,transplant matching and anthropology.     

Over-expression of fibroblast activation protein alpha increases tumor growth in xenografts of ovarian cancer cells

Fibroblast activation protein alpha （FAPα） is a 95-kDa serine protease of post-prolyl peptidase family on cell surface. FAPoL is widely expressed in tumor microenviron- ment. The wide spread association of FAPα expression with cancer suggests that it has important functions in the disease. However, the nature of FAPα＇s roles in cancer cell activity is not well-determined. It has been showed that FAPα silencing in SKOV3 cells induces ovarian tumors but significantly reduces tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. To further determine the role of FAPoL in epithelial ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3-FAPα and HO8910-FAPα cell lines, which over-expressed FAPα stably, were con- structed and then their biological behaviors were investi- gated. It was found that FAPoL promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation, drug resistance, invasiveness, and migra- tion in vitro. Immunochemistry assay showed that FAPα significantly facilitated tumor growth in xenograft tumor tissues. These results suggested that FAPα might directly promote tumor growth and invasiveness in ovarian cancer cells.     

贝壳的有机质及生物矿化机制分析

以腹足纲贝壳香螺壳为研究对象,用弱酸去钙法进行蛋白提取,采用280纳米(A280)光吸收法测定蛋白含量,并通过聚丙烯酰胺(SDS-PAGE)凝胶电泳法对蛋白按照分子量大小的区别进行分离.实验结果表明香螺壳中蛋白含量和种类较少,其文石层比方解石层蛋白含量高的多,总量分别为0.89%和0.0533%;文石层分离出五种分子量的可溶性蛋白和四种分子量的不可溶性蛋白;而方解石层中分离出三种分子量的可溶性蛋白和三种分子量的不可溶性蛋白,且分子量不相同.正是这少量的蛋白质对贝壳的生物矿化过程和不同晶型的形成起着决定性作用.     

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization is involved in oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death in LAMP2-deficient iPSCs-derived cerebral cortical neurons

Patients with Danon disease may suffer from severe cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle dysfunction as well as varying degrees of mental retardation, in which the primary deficiency of lysosomal membrane-associated protein-2 (LAMP2) is considerably associated. Owing to the scarcity of human neurons, the pathological role of LAMP2 deficiency in neural injury of humans remains largely elusive. However, the application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may shed light on overcoming such scarcity.In this study, we obtained iPSCs derived from a patient carrying a mutated LAMP2 gene that is associated with Danon disease. By differentiating such LAMP2-deficient iPSCs into cerebral cortical neurons and with the aid of various biochemical assays, we demonstrated that the LAMP2-deficient neurons are more susceptible to mild oxidative stress-induced injury.The data from MTT assay and apoptotic analysis demonstrated that there was no notable difference in cellular viability between the normal and LAMP2-deficient neurons under non-stressed condition. When exposed to mild oxidative stress (10 μM H₂O₂), the LAMP2-deficient neurons exhibited a significant increase in apoptosis. Surprisingly, we did not observe any aberrant accumulation of autophagic materials in the LAMP2-deficient neurons under such stress condition.Our results from cellular fractionation and inhibitor blockade experiments further revealed that oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in the LAMP2-deficient cortical neurons was caused by increased abundance of cytosolic cathepsin L. These results suggest the involvement of lysosomal membrane permeabilization in the LAMP2 deficiency associated neural injury.