IL-1α modulates neutrophil recruitment in chronic inflammation induced by hydrocarbon oil

Exposure to naturally occurring hydrocarbon oils is associated with the development of chronic inflammation and a wide spectrum of pathological findings in humans and animal models. The mechanism underlying the unremitting inflammatory response to hydrocarbons remains largely unclear. The medium-length alkane 2,6,10,14 tetramethylpentadecane (also known as pristane) is a hydrocarbon that potently elicits chronic peritonitis characterized by persistent infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes. In this study, we reveal the essential role of IL-1α in sustaining the chronic recruitment of neutrophils following 2,6,10,14 tetramethylpentadecane treatment. IL-1α and IL-1R signaling promote the migration of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity in a CXCR2-dependent manner. This mechanism is at least partially dependent on the production of the neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL5. Moreover, although chronic infiltration of inflammatory monocytes is dependent on a different pathway requiring TLR-7, type I IFN receptor, and CCR2, the adaptor molecules MyD88, IL-1R-associated kinase (IRAK)-4, IRAK-1, and IRAK-2 are shared in regulating the recruitment of both monocytes and neutrophils. Taken together, our findings uncover an IL-1α-dependent mechanism of neutrophil recruitment in hydrocarbon-induced peritonitis and illustrate the interactions of innate immune pathways in chronic inflammation.     

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) and copper (II) oxide (CuO) nanoparticle ameliorates DNA damage and DNA Methylation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to NaCl stress

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Wheat is the second important cereal crop worldwide due to nutritional composition and role in meeting daily energy needs. Salinity is an abiotic...     

Genetic diversity of Amsonia orientalis

Amsonia orientalis Decne. (Apocynaceae), is a rare and threatened plant species which is located only in a constricted area in northeast of Greece and northwest of Turkey in the world. Although phylogenetic analysis depending on nucleotide sequences of genes from different sources (nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplast) became a major tool for classification of plant species, there is still a big lack of information about A. orientalis in the international molecular data bases such as NCBI. In the current study, we phylogenetically analyzed three commonly used molecular markers (18S rDNA, 18S-28S rDNA-ITS region and trnL-F intergenic spacer) from A. orientalis samples collected from Turkey to determine the genetic diversity and also to question the systematic position of A. orientalis. As a result, A. orientalis samples clearly showed close relation with Alyxieae tribe rather than Vinceae. And this result brings the necessity to reconsider the morphological characters that have used to delimit the tribes of Rauvolfioideae.     

Variation in Capsidiol Sensitivity between Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora capsici Is Consistent with Their Host Range

Plants protect themselves against a variety of invading pathogenic organisms via sophisticated defence mechanisms. These responses include deployment of specialized antimicrobial compounds, such as phytoalexins, that rapidly accumulate at pathogen infection sites. However, the extent to which these compounds contribute to species-level resistance and their spectrum of action remain poorly understood. Capsidiol, a defense related phytoalexin, is produced by several solanaceous plants including pepper and tobacco during microbial attack. Interestingly, capsidiol differentially affects growth and germination of the oomycete pathogens Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora capsici, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study we revisited the differential effect of capsidiol on P. infestans and P. capsici, using highly pure capsidiol preparations obtained from yeast engineered to express the capsidiol biosynthetic pathway. Taking advantage of transgenic Phytophthora strains expressing fluorescent markers, we developed a fluorescence-based method to determine the differential effect of capsidiol on Phytophtora growth. Using these assays, we confirm major differences in capsidiol sensitivity between P. infestans and P. capsici and demonstrate that capsidiol alters the growth behaviour of both Phytophthora species. Finally, we report intraspecific variation within P. infestans isolates towards capsidiol tolerance pointing to an arms race between the plant and the pathogens in deployment of defence related phytoalexins.     

Oomycetes, effectors, and all that jazz

Plant pathogenic oomycetes secrete a diverse repertoire of effector proteins that modulate host innate immunity and enable parasitic infection. Understanding how effectors evolve, translocate and traffic inside host cells, and perturb host processes are major themes in the study of oomycete-plant interactions. The last year has seen important progress in the study of oomycete effectors with, notably, the elucidation of the 3D structures of five RXLR effectors, and novel insights into how cytoplasmic effectors subvert host cells. In this review, we discuss these and other recent advances and highlight the most important open questions in oomycete effector biology.     

Estrogen-induced upregulation and 3′-UTR shortening of CDC6

3′-Untranslated region (UTR) shortening of mRNAs via alternative polyadenylation (APA) has important ramifications for gene expression. By using proximal APA sites and switching to shorter 3′-UTRs, proliferating cells avoid miRNA-mediated repression. Such APA and 3′-UTR shortening events may explain the basis of some of the proto-oncogene activation cases observed in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether 17 β-estradiol (E2), a potent proliferation signal, induces APA and 3′-UTR shortening to activate proto-oncogenes in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancers. Our initial probe based screen of independent expression arrays suggested upregulation and 3′-UTR shortening of an essential regulator of DNA replication, CDC6 (cell division cycle 6), upon E2 treatment. We further confirmed the E2- and ER-dependent upregulation and 3′UTR shortening of CDC6, which lead to increased CDC6 protein levels and higher BrdU incorporation. Consequently, miRNA binding predictions and dual luciferase assays suggested that 3′-UTR shortening of CDC6 was a mechanism to avoid 3′-UTR-dependent negative regulations. Hence, we demonstrated CDC6 APA induction by the proliferative effect of E2 in ER+ cells and provided new insights into the complex regulation of APA. E2-induced APA is likely to be an important but previously overlooked mechanism of E2-responsive gene expression.     

Increased 5-Lipoxygenase Immunoreactivity in the Hippocampus of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

The proinflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is upregulated in Alzheimer''s disease (AD), but its localization and association with the hallmark lesions of the disease, β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), is unknown. This study examined the distribution and cellular localization of 5-LOX in the medial temporal lobe from AD and control subjects. The spatial relationship between 5-LOX immunoreactive structures and AD lesions was also examined. We report that, in AD subjects, 5-LOX immunoreactivity is elevated relative to controls, and its localization is dependent on the antibody-targeted portion of the 5-LOX amino acid sequence. Carboxy terminus–directed antibodies detected 5-LOX in glial cells and neurons, but less frequently in neurons with dystrophic (NFT) morphology. In contrast, immunoreactivity observed using 5-LOX amino terminus–directed antibodies was virtually absent in neurons and abundant in NFTs, neuritic plaques, and glia. Double-labeling studies showed a close association of 5-LOX–immunoreactive processes and glial cells with Aβ immunoreactive plaques and vasculature and also detected 5-LOX in tau immunoreactive and amyloid containing NFTs. Different immunolabeling patterns with antibodies against carboxy vs amino terminus of 5-LOX may be caused by post-translational modifications of 5-LOX protein in Aβ plaques and NFTs. The relationship between elevated intracellular 5-LOX and hallmark AD pathological lesions provides further evidence that neuroinflammatory pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. (J Histochem Cytochem 56:1065–1073, 2008)     

Seroprevalence of equine babesiosis in the Black Sea region of Turkey

The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi was determined in equid blood samples in five provinces of the Black Sea region of Turkey by using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of 153 samples, 53 (34.6%) and 33 (21.5%) were seropositive to B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. In addition, 8 (5.2%) of samples were seropositive to both T. equi and B. caballi. Anti T. equi and B. caballi antibodies were detected in all five regions. The prevalence of B. caballi was higher than T. equi in all counties. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in horses of all ages, and there were no significant differences among age groups. Out of 84 horses, 32 (38.0%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 20 (23.8%) were positive for T. equi infection. Five horses (5.6%) were found to be seropositive to both B. caballi and T. equi. Of 38 donkeys, 14 (36.8%) were found to be positive for B. caballi infection and 5 (13.1%) positive for T. equi infection. In addition, 2 (5.2%) samples were seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Out of 31 mules, 8 (25.8%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 8 (25 8%) positive for T. equi infection. One (3.2%) sample was seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Of all the animals in this study, only 3 horses were infected by Rhipicephalus turanicus and Hyalomma detritum, and no haemoparasites were detected by microscopic examination.