Function of the human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 Rev proteins is dependent on their ability to interact with a structured region present in env gene mRNA.

The interaction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev protein with a structured region in env mRNA (the Rev-responsive element [RRE]) mediates the export of structural mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We demonstrated that unlike HIV-1 Rev, which functions with both the HIV-1 and HIV-2 RREs, HIV-2 Rev functions only with the HIV-2 RRE. Rev-RRE binding studies suggested that the lack of nonreciprocal complementation stems from the inability of HIV-2 Rev to interact with HIV-1 RRE RNA. Maintenance of RNA secondary structure, rather than the primary nucleotide sequence, appeared to be the major determinant for interaction of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 Rev with the HIV-2 RRE. Moreover, the binding domain of the HIV-2 RRE recognized by HIV-1 Rev was dissimilar to the binding domain of the HIV-1 RRE, in terms of both secondary structure and primary nucleotide sequence. Our results support the hypothesis that function of HIV Rev proteins and possibly the functionally similar Rex proteins encoded by the human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLVs) HTLV-I and HTLV-II is controlled by the presence of RNA secondary structure generated within the RRE RNA.     

A chimeric mouse-human antibody that retains specificity for HIV gp120 and mediates the lysis of HIV-infected cells

Murine mAb BAT123, which was made against the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HTLV-IIIB strain of HIV type 1 (HIV-1), is capable of neutralizing HTLV-IIIB in vitro. It also inhibits the fusion between uninfected CD4+ cells and HIV-1-infected cells to form syncytia. As a step to explore the potential utility of the anti-HIV antibody in vivo, we have constructed a mouse-human chimeric antibody by rDNA techniques. The chimeric antibody, which bears the variable domains of mouse antibody BAT123 and constant domains Cr1 and C kappa of human Ig retains the Ag specificity of BAT123 as determined by its reactivity with HIV-1-infected H9 cells, gp120 in Western blot analysis, and the oligopeptide recognized by BAT123. The antiviral activities of the chimeric antibody in neutralizing HIV-1 infection as well as inhibiting the syncytia formation are also found identical to those of the parent murine antibody. Moreover, in the presence of human blood mononuclear cells, the chimeric antibody but not BAT123 (mouse IgG1) induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The findings point to the potential usefulness of the chimeric antibody in treating patients infected with HIV-1.     

Intravenously injected sialidase inactivates attachment sites for lymphocytes on high endothelial venules

Blood-borne lymphocytes initiate entry into secondary lymphoid organs, such as peripheral lymph nodes (PN) and gut-associated Peyer's patches (PP), by a highly specific adhesive interaction between the lymphocytes and the endothelium of specialized blood vessels known as a high endothelial venules (HEV). The selectivity with which functional subpopulations of lymphocytes migrate into particular lymphoid organs is believed to be regulated by the expression of cell adhesion receptors and complementary ligands on lymphocytes and HEV, respectively. The entry of lymphocytes into PN and PP has clearly been shown to involve distinct receptor-ligand pairs. Employing the Stamper-Woodruff in vitro adhesion assay, which measures lymphocyte attachment to HEV in cryostat-cut sections of lymphoid organs, we have previously shown that treatment of PN sections with two different sialidases inactivates HEV-adhesive ligands, whereas treatment of PP tissue sections has no effect on HEV-adhesive function. We now report that in vivo exposure of HEV to sialidase (after i.v. injection of the enzyme) also selectively prevents subsequent in vitro attachment of lymphocytes to PN HEV but not to PP HEV. Consistent with this organ-selective impairment of HEV-adhesive function by sialidase, i.v. injection of the enzyme is shown to prevent short term lymphocyte accumulation within peripheral lymph nodes while having no significant effect on accumulation in PP, blood, or nonlymphoid organs. Histologic examination with the sialic acid-specific lectin from Limax flavus verified that i.v. injected sialidase effectively removes stainable sialic acid moieties from HEV in both PN and PP. This study confirms that sialic acid is required for the adhesive function of PN HEV-ligands. A role for sialic acid as either a recognition determinant or as a regulatory molecule can be envisioned. In view of the fact that many pathogens release sialidase and cause substantially elevated serum levels of this enzyme, the present observations may have pathophysiologic significance. One mechanism by which such pathogens may avoid destruction is to inactivate susceptible HEV-ligands and disrupt the entry of lymphocytes into lymphoid organs where immune responses against the pathogens would normally be initiated.     

The seasonal occurrence of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on sheep and in the field in the Judean area of Israel

A 2 year survey of ixodid ticks in the Judean area of Israel between 1983 and 1985 showed that sheep were parasitized by the following species:Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (30.6%),Rhipicephalus bursa (25.3%),Haemaphysalis cretica (20.5%),Haemaphysalis otophila (20.1%) andHyalomma anatolicum excavatum (3.1%). Three other species,Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Boophilus annulatus andAmblyomma lepidum were also present but in very low numbers. A total of 50 816 specimens (78.1% adult ticks) were collected from the sheep. In the field, a total of 4780 ticks (8.7% adults) were collected and 64.3% consisted ofR. bursa. Other species found wereH. cretica (14.5%),H. a. excavatum (13.7%),H. otophila (3.4%),R. sanguineus group (1.9%) and 1.7% wasIxodes eldaricus. The number of ticks collected varied from year to year and seasonal activity was observed in all species except forH. a. excavatum. In all species, males outnumbered females, with the exception ofH. cretica. The seasonal occurrence, tick ecology and disease relationship is discussed for each species.     

Recent coral facies of the Indian Ocean Coast of Somalia with an interim check list of corals

Summary From a study of two areas, Jesira and the Bajuni Archipelago, about 400 km apart, a general pattern can be established for the Recent facies, together with the morphological and taxonomic features of the corals. Present day coral development is characterized by true fringing reefs in the Bajuni Archipelago and by scattered patches and knolls in the Jesira area. The coral fauna, consisting of 27 genera and 63 species so far (including all uncertainties, but not sight records), is rather poor, though coral communities are locally well developed. These figures probably reflect incomplete study and sampling. Although comparison with other areas may therefore be premature, a preliminary biogeographical analysis suggests that this fauna is more closely related to that of the Red Sea than to East Africa and the Seychelles. This differs from other published biogeographical work on Indian Ocean coral faunas, but further study of the corals in this and neighbouring areas of the Indian Ocean is needed in order to resolve this apparent anomaly.     

Lipopolysaccharide induction of tissue factor gene expression in monocytic cells is mediated by binding of c-Rel/p65 heterodimers to a kappa B-like site.

Exposure of monocytic cells to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates the NF-kappa B/Rel family of proteins and leads to the rapid induction of inflammatory gene products, including tissue factor (TF). TF is the primary cellular initiator of the coagulation protease cascades. Here we report the characterization of a nuclear complex from human monocytic cells that bound to a kappa B-like site, 5'-CGGAGTTTCC-3', in the 5'-flanking region of the human TF gene. This nuclear complex was activated by LPS with kinetics that preceded induction of the TF gene. In vitro binding studies demonstrated that the TF site bound translated c-Rel and p65 homodimers but not p50/p65 heterodimers or p50 homodimers. Base-pair substitutions in the TF site indicated that the presence of a cytosine at position 1 precluded binding of NF-kappa B. In fact, under low-ionic-strength conditions, the TF complex did not migrate with translated p50/p65 dimers but instead comigrated with c-Rel/p65 dimers. Antibodies against the NF-kappa B and Rel proteins and UV cross-linking studies revealed the presence of c-Rel and p65 and the absence of p50 in the TF complex and further showed that c-Rel/p65 heterodimers selectively bound to the TF kappa B-like site. Functional studies indicated that the TF site conferred LPS inducibility on a heterologous promoter and was transactivated by c-Rel or p65. Taken together, our results demonstrated that binding of c-Rel/p65 heterodimers to a novel kappa B-like site mediated LPS induction of TF gene expression in monocytic cells.     

Nutrient distribution in a Swedish tree species experiment

The influence of four tree species on the distribution of nutrients between different compartments of the ecosystem was examined. In a randomized block (n=3) experiment in south-western Sweden, Ca, Mg and K were determined as exchangeable amounts in the mineral soil and as total amounts in the O+A₁ horizons (topsoil) and in the aboveground tree biomass. N contents were determined in all compartments as well as P contents of the aboveground tree biomass and the topsoil. The four tree species planted were: silver fir [Abies alba Mill.] (AA), grand fir [Abies grandis Lindl.] (AG), Norway spruce [Picea abies L. Karst.] (PA) and Japanese larch [Larix leptolepis (Sieb. och Zucc.) Endl.] (LL). At the age of 35–36 years, the total stemwood production of the most productive species, AG, was estimated at 471 m³ ha⁻¹. In relation to AG, LL had produced 80%, PA 73% and AA 37%. The system totals [aboveground tree biomass total + topsoil total + exchangeable (Ca, Mg, K) or total (N) in the mineral soil] of Ca, K and N did not differ significantly at the 5% level between the investigated species. For Mg, the system total in LL was significantly higher than for the other species. There was an indication that LL and AA contained higher amounts of Ca, Mg, K and N in the topsoil but less in the biomass than did AG and PA (partly significant). In the mineral soil, there were no significant differences in the exchangeable pools of Ca and K, nor in the total amounts of N. The biomass nutrient concentrations generally decreased in the order: AA > PA > AG > LL. At stem or whole-tree harvest, the Ca export per biomass unit would more than double in the case of PA compared to LL. LL also contained less N in the biomass than the other species. However, the N content in the biomass did not differ between the most (AG) and the least (AA) productive species, although the production of dry weight biomass (standing + harvested) of AG had been twice that of AA. It is concluded that the nutrient budget of a managed forest may vary considerably depending on the choice of tree species.