Isolated Anxa5+/Sca-1+ perivascular cells from mouse meningeal vasculature retain their perivascular phenotype in vitro and in vivo

Pericytes are closely associated with endothelial cells, contribute to vascular stability and represent a potential source of mesenchymal progenitor cells. Using the specifically expressed annexin A5-LacZ fusion gene (Anxa5-LacZ), it became possible to isolate perivascular cells (PVC) from mouse tissues. These cells proliferate and can be cultured without undergoing senescence for multiple passages. PVC display phenotypic characteristics of pericytes, as they express pericyte-specific markers (NG2-proteoglycan, desmin, alphaSMA, PDGFR-beta). They also express stem cell marker Sca-1, whereas endothelial (PECAM), hematopoietic (CD45) or myeloid (F4/80, CD11b) lineage markers are not detectable. These characteristics are in common with the pericyte-like cell line 10T1/2. PVC also display a phagocytoic activity higher than 10T1/2 cells. During coculture with endothelial cells both cell types stimulate angiogenic processes indicated by an increased expression of PECAM in endothelial cells and specific deposition of basement membrane proteins. PVC show a significantly increased induction of endothelial specific PECAM expression compared to 10T1/2 cells. Accordingly, in vivo grafts of PVC aggregates onto chorioallantoic membranes of quail embryos recruit endothelial cells, get highly vascularized and deposit basement membrane components. These data demonstrate that isolated Anxa5-LacZ(+) PVC from mouse meninges retain their capacity for differentiation to pericyte-like cells and contribute to angiogenic processes.     

Leaf-level water use efficiency determined by carbon isotope discrimination in rice seedlings: genetic variation associated with population structure and QTL mapping

Increasing the water use efficiency (WUE) of our major crop species is an important target of agricultural research. Rice is a major water consumer in agriculture and it is also an attractive genetic model. We evaluated leaf-level WUE in young rice seedlings using carbon isotope discrimination (∆¹³C) as an indicator of the trait. A survey of ∆¹³C was undertaken in 116 diverse germplasm accessions representing O. sativa, O. glaberrima and four wild Oryza species. O. sativa cultivars were classified into sub-populations based on SSR markers, and significant differences in ∆¹³C were observed among the five genetically defined groups. While individual accessions explained a greater proportion of the variation than did sub-population, indica rice varieties had the lowest ∆¹³C values overall, indicating superior WUE, while temperate japonica had the highest ∆¹³C. O sativa accessions had a similar or greater range of ∆¹³C values than wild Oryza species, while domesticated O. glaberrima had a narrower range. Correlation analysis identified leaf morphological and physiological traits that were significantly associated with ∆¹³C, including longer leaves, more drooping leaves, higher tillering ability, and lower leaf nitrogen content. These trait associations were investigated by quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping using backcross inbred lines derived from a cross between Nipponbare (temperate japonica) and Kasalath (aus). Seven QTL for ∆¹³C were identified using composite interval analysis, located in five chromosomal regions. The QTL with the largest additive effect came from Kasalath and co-localized with QTL for leaf length, tiller number and nitrogen content.     

No association between GLO I and Hp in the Austrian population

In contrast to the data published by Payne and Huntsman in 1982, no association between GLO I and Hp phenotypes could be found in a sample of 973 unrelated Austrians.     

Analysis of the linkage JK-IGK, MNS-GC and of two other possible linkage groups

The possible linkage groups JK-JGK, MNS-GC, GPT-ESD and GPT-HP have been analysed in families of middle-European origin. Linkage of JK-JGK and MNS-GC could be confirmed, the group GPT-ESD needs further data and for GPT-HP no evidence of linkage was revealed.