Friend retrovirus infection induces the development of memory-like natural killer cells

Traditionally, NK cells belong to the innate immune system and eliminate virus-infected cells through their germline-encoded receptors. However, NK cells were recently reported to possess memory-like functions that were predominantly provided by hepatic NK cells. Memory properties were mainly documented in contact hypersensitivity models or during cytomegalovirus infections. However, the precise role and the physiologic importance of memory-like NK cells during retroviral infections are still under investigation. Here, we show that Friend retrovirus (FV) infection of mice induced a population of phenotypically memory-like NK cells at 28 days post infection. Upon secondary antigen encounter, these NK cells showed an increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ and TNFα as well as the death ligand FasL in comparison to naïve NK cells. Furthermore, we found an augmented elimination of antigen-matched but not antigen-mismatched target cells by these memory-like NK cells. In adoptive cell transfer experiments, equal antiviral activities of splenic and hepatic memory-like NK cells during the late phase of acute FV infection were found. Our results strongly imply the existence and antiviral activity of spleen and liver memory-like NK cells in FV infection, which efficiently respond upon secondary exposure to retroviral antigens.     

Quinazoline‐Based Hydroxamic Acids: Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitory Effects and Cytotoxicity

In our search for novel histone deacetylases inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized a series of novel hydroxamic acids and N‐hydroxybenzamides incorporating quinazoline heterocycles ( 4a  –  4i , 6a  –  6i ). Bioevaluation showed that these quinazoline‐based hydroxamic acids and N‐hydroxybenzamides were potently cytotoxic against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon; PC‐3, prostate; NCI‐H23, lung). In term of cytotoxicity, several compounds, e.g., 4g , 4c , 4g  –  4i , 6c , and 6h , displayed from 5‐ up to 10‐fold higher potency than SAHA (suberoylanilidehydroxamic acid, vorinostat). The compounds were also generally comparable to SAHA in inhibiting HDACs with IC₅₀ values in sub‐micromolar range. Some compounds, e.g., 4g , 6c , 6e , and 6h , were even more potent HDAC inhibitors compared to SAHA in HeLa extract assay. Docking studies demonstrated that the compounds tightly bound to HDAC2 at the active binding site with binding affinities higher than that of SAHA. Detailed investigation on the estimation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) suggested that compounds 4g , 6c , and 6g , while showing potent HDAC2 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity, also potentially displayed ADMET characteristics desirable to be expected as promising anticancer drug candidates.     

Effect of Temperature on the Morphometrical and Physical Parameters of Erythrocytes and Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius gibelio</Emphasis> (Bloch)

Dynamics of the morphometric and physical properties of hemocytes of the Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch) under the influence of a temperature factor has been studied with atomic force microscopy in experiments in vitro. It is found that, at a low incubation temperature (5°C), as opposed to room temperature (20°C), morphometric parameters change in erythrocytes; at a high temperature (40°C) they change in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The low incubation temperature reduces the adhesion and elasticity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and erythrocytes of C. gibelio, whereas a high incubation temperature leads to a decrease in adhesion in polymorphonuclear white blood cells.     

Molecular Cloning, Expression of minD Gene from Lactobacillus acidophilus VTCC-B-871 and Analyses to Identify Lactobacillus rhamnosus PN04 from Vietnam Hottuynia cordata Thunb.

The minD gene encoding an inhibitor cell division MinD homolog from Lactobacillus acidophilus VTCC-B-871 was cloned. We showed that there were 97 % homology between minD genes of L. acidophilus VTCC-B-871 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lc705. Based on the analysis of the DNA sequence data from the L. rhamnosus genome project and sequenced minD gene of L. acidophilus VTCC-B-871, a pair of primers was designed to identified the different minD genes from L. acidophilus ATCC 4356, L. rhamnosus ATCC 11443. Besides, the polymerase chain reaction product of minD gene was also obtained in L. rhamnosus PN04, a strain was isolated from Vietnamese Hottuynia cordata Thunb. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of MinD homologs from L. acidophilus VTCC-B-871 with the other strains and compared the predicted three-dimension structure of L. acidophilus VTCC-B-871 MinD with Escherichia coli MinD, there are similarity that showed evolution of these strains. The overexpression of L. acidophilus VTCC-B-871 MinD in E. coli led to cell filamentation in IPTG and morphology changes in different sugar stresses, interestingly. The present study is the first report characterizing the Lactobacilus MinD homolog that will be useful in probiotic field.     

Association of the common FTO-rs9939609 polymorphism with type 2 diabetes,independent of obesity-related traits in a Vietnamese population

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex disorder resulting from both genetic and environmental factors in its pathogenesis. A case − control study was designed with subjects recruited from a general population to investigate whether the association between T2D and the common T > A polymorphism (rs9939609) in fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene is mediated by obesity-related measurements, considering the contribution of socio-economic status and lifestyle factors. The significant association between the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and T2D was first observed in the model unadjusted (OR per A allele = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.06–2.44, P = 0.024). It remained consistently replicated in the final model after adjustments for sex, age, systolic blood pressure, socio-economic status, lifestyle factors, and obesity-related measurements (body mass index, waist–hip ratio, body fat percentage, and body adiposity index), showing an increased T2D risk with an additive effect of the alleles (ORs per A allele = 1.80–1.92, 95% CI = 1.09–3.19, P < 0.05). The FTO-rs9939609 polymorphism, systolic blood pressure, and waist–hip ratio were the most significant independent predictors for T2D, in which the power of the adjusted prediction model was 0.769. In conclusion, the study suggested that the FTO-rs9939609 polymorphism was significantly associated with the increased risk of T2D, independent of obesity-related measurements in a Vietnamese population.     

Chronotolerance of a Nickel (II) Complex with the 5-Methyl 2-Furaldehyde Thiosemicarbazone Ligand in Male Swiss Mice

In vitro nickel (II) complex presents antimitotic effects. In this work, we have studied the in vivo seasonal effects of nickel (II), ligand and the complex [NiCl₂(M5FTSC)₂] in male Swiss mice. During spring, an intra peritoneal (i.p.) injection of NiCl₂ in aqueous NaCl up to 1.0.10^-2 mmol.kg^-1 body weight (b.w.) killed 10% of the rodents after 6 days. Lethal dose 100% (LD100) was up 1.91.10^-2 mmol.kg^-1 b.w.; ligand was less toxic than Ni (II), while the complex was 25% lethal at 1.37.10^-2 mmol.kg^-1 b.w. In autumn, mice were less sensitive to NiCl₂. The ligand and the complex, on the contrary, were more toxic. This leads us to the conclusion that, in vivo, chronotolerance of nickel (II), ligand and complex in aqueous solution, are quite different in spring and autumn seasons.     

In vivo effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on regulation of immune response and protein expression in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

Lipolysaccharide (LPS), a component of outer membrane protein of gram-negative bacteria, reportedly stimulates fish immune system. However, mechanisms driving this immunomodulatory effect are yet unknown. To determine effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on regulation of immune response and protein expression of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), juvenile fish (20–25 g) were injected with 3, 15 or 45 mg E.coli LPS/kg and challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri. Plasma cortisol and glucose were rather low and did not differ (p < 0.05) among treatments. All LPS treatments differed regarding blood cell count and immune variables such as plasma and spleen lysozyme, complement activity and antibody titer, 3 mg LPS/kg yielding best results; red blood cell count was not affected by LPS treatment. Accumulated mortalities after bacterial challenge were 23.4, 32.8, 37.7 and 52.5% for treatment 3, 15, 45 mg LPS/kg fish and control respectively. Proteomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) confirmed that LPS induced differentially over-expressed immune proteins such as complement component C3 and lysozyme C2 precursor. Regulation of other proteins such as Wap65, alpha-2 macroglobulin-3 and transferrin precursor was also demonstrated. Striped catfish injected with E.coli LPS enhanced innate immune responses.     

Combining multiple autosomal introns for studying shallow phylogeny and taxonomy of Laurasiatherian mammals: Application to the tribe Bovini (Cetartiodactyla,Bovidae)

Mitochondrial sequences are widely used for species identification and for studying phylogenetic relationships among closely related species or populations of the same species. However, many studies of mammals have shown that the maternal history of the mitochondrial genome can be discordant with the true evolutionary history of the taxa. In such cases, the analyses of multiple nuclear genes can be more powerful for deciphering interspecific relationships.Here, we designed primers for amplifying 13 new exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC) autosomal loci for studying shallow phylogeny and taxonomy of Laurasiatherian mammals. Three criteria were used for the selection of the markers: gene orthology, a PCR product length between 600 and 1200 nucleotides, and different chromosomal locations in the bovine genome. Positive PCRs were obtained from different species representing the orders Carnivora, Cetartiodactyla, Chiroptera, Perissodactyla and Pholidota.The newly developed markers were analyzed in a phylogenetic study of the tribe Bovini (the group containing domestic and wild cattle, bison, yak, African buffalo, Asian buffalo, and saola) based on 17 taxa and 18 nuclear genes, representing a total alignment of 13,095 nucleotides. The phylogenetic results were compared to those obtained from analyses of the complete mitochondrial genome and Y chromosomal genes. Our analyses support a basal divergence of the saola (Pseudoryx) and a sister-group relationship between yak and bison. These results contrast with recent molecular studies but are in better agreement with morphology. The comparison of pairwise nucleotide distances shows that our nuDNA dataset provides a good signal for identifying taxonomic levels, such as species, genera, subtribes, tribes and subfamilies, whereas the mtDNA genome fails because of mtDNA introgression and higher levels of homoplasy. Accordingly, we conclude that the genus Bison should be regarded as a synonym of Bos, with the European bison relegated to a subspecies rank within Bos bison. We compared our molecular dating estimates to the fossil record in order to propose a biogeographic scenario for the evolution of Bovini during the Neogene.     

Three new species of nematodes (Nematoda: Enoplida) from coastal waters of Vietnam

Three new species of free-living nematodes of the order Enoplida from coastal shallow waters of northern Vietnam are described and illustrated. Paramesacanthion vietnamicum sp. n. is morphologically close to P. oxycephalum (Ditlevsen, 1926), P. truncum Vitiello, 1971, and P. hirsutum Warwick, 1970; however, it differs in lacking subcephalic setae and in having articulate cephalic setae in the males. Viscosia pygmaea sp. n. is morphologically similar to V. parva Kreis, 1929 but differs in having a shorter body and a shorter and thicker tail in the females. V. pygmaea is distinguished from V. megalaima (Ditlevsen, 1928) by its shorter body, longer cephalic setae, more slender tail, and the position of the vulva. Viscosia longicaudatoides sp. n. can be distinguished from V. parva and V. timmi Gagarin, Nguyen Vu Thanh, 2007 by its thinner body, longer and more slender tail, and shorter and narrower stoma. In contrast to V. timmi, it has short spicules and lacks vesicle-like cells between the gut and the longitudinal chords.