Full-length IL-33 promotes inflammation but not Th2 response in vivo in an ST2-independent fashion

Expression of IL-33 is elevated in patients with pulmonary diseases, and full-length (not proteolytically processed) IL-33 is the predominant form in the lungs in health and disease. To determine whether activation of IL-33 is needed for functional effects, activities of full-length mouse and mature mouse (mm) forms of IL-33 were compared in vivo. Replication-deficient adenoviral constructs were used for gene delivery. Both isoforms caused pulmonary infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils, whereas mm IL-33 also caused pulmonary eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia and increased expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, MCP-1, and KC. The different effects were not associated with differential release from IL-33-producing cells or by differences in subcellular distributions of IL-33 isoforms. Germline deficiency of the cell surface receptor chain ST2 abrogated the mm IL-33-induced Th2-associated effects (pulmonary eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and increased IL-4 and IL-5), yet the lymphocytic infiltration induced by full-length mouse IL-33 or mm IL-33 was not fully abrogated by the absence of ST2. The similar effects of IL-33 isoforms were associated with comparable regulation of gene expression, notably matrix metalloproteinases 3, 10, and 13. Thus, full-length IL-33 is functionally active in vivo in an ST2-independent fashion, and its effects are partially different from those of mature IL-33. The different effects of these isoforms, particularly the pro-Th2 effects of mature IL-33, are due to differential utilization of the IL-33R chain ST2, whereas their similar effects result from regulation of gene expression.     

PSEUDULVELLA AMERICANA BELONGS TO THE ORDER CHAETOPELTIDALES (CLASS CHLOROPHYCEAE), EVIDENCE FROM ULTRASTRUCTURE AND SSU RDNA SEQUENCE DATA1

The genus Pseudulvella Wille 1909 includes epiphytic, freshwater, or marine disk‐shaped green microalgae that form quadriflagellate zoospores. No ultrastructural or molecular studies have been conducted on the genus, and its evolutionary relationships remain unclear. The purpose of the present study is to describe the life history, ultrastructural features, and phylogenetic affiliations of Pseudulvella americana (Snow) Wille, the type species of the genus. Thalli of this microalga were prostrate and composed of radiating branched filaments that coalesced to form a disk. Vegetative cells had a pyrenoid encircled by starch plates and traversed by one or two convoluted cytoplasmic channels. They had well‐defined cell walls without plasmodesmata. Asexual reproduction was by means of tetraflagellate zoospores formed in numbers of two to eight from central cells of the thallus. The flagellar apparatus of zoospores was cruciate, with four basal bodies and four microtubular roots. The paired basal bodies lay directly opposite (DO) one another. The microtubular root system had a 5‐2‐5‐2 alternation pattern, where the “s” roots contained five microtubules in a four‐over‐one configuration. A tetralobate nonstriated distal fiber connected all four basal bodies. A wedge‐shaped proximal sheath subtended each of the basal bodies. The ultrastructural features of the zoospores were those of members of the order Chaetopeltidales. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA placed P. americana sister to Chaetopeltis orbicularis in a well‐supported Chaetopeltidales clade. Such a combination of features confirmed that this alga is a member of the order Chaetopeltidales.     

Phylogenetic reconstruction of key traits in the evolution of ivies (Hedera L.)

The Mediterranean harbours the highest number of Hedera (Araliaceae) species, lineages, ploidy levels, and trichome morphologies of any area where the genus occurs. Previous molecular and cytogenetic studies identified two main centres of diversity for Hedera (Araliaceae), the eastern and western parts of the Mediterranean region. An explicit analysis of key traits was performed to investigate geographical patterns and ancestral character states of ivy lineages. Interestingly, the greatest diversity of Hedera was found in the western Mediterranean, including the three species of Macaronesia (H. azorica in the Azores, H. maderensis in Madeira and H. canariensis in the Canary Islands). Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses of the nrITS and plastid trnT-L sequences revealed multiple connections between the Mediterranean region and Asia, and suggest recurrent colonization between these two areas. Reconstruction of three important characters long used to distinguish members of the genus (trichome types, ploidy levels, and geographical areas) suggests that a diploid species with scale-like trichomes from the Mediterranean basin was the most recent common ancestor of the extant species of Hedera.     

A regulated deficit irrigation strategy for hedgerow olive orchards with high plant density

Background & Aims

There is not a consensus on the best irrigation approach for super-high density (SHD) olive orchards. Our aim was to design and test a regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategy for a sustainable balance between water saving, tree vigour and oil production.

Methods

We tested our RDI strategy for 3 years in an ‘Arbequina’ orchard with 1,667 trees ha^?1. Two levels of irrigation reduction were applied, 60RDI and 30RDI, scaled to replacing 60 % and 30 %, respectively, of the of irrigation needs (IN). We also had a full irrigation (FI) treatment as control, with IN totalling 4,701 m³ ha^?1

Results

The 30RDI treatment showed the best balance between water saving, tree vigour and oil production. With a yearly irrigation amount (IA) of 1,366 m³ ha^?1, which meant 72 % water saving as compared to FI, the reduction in oil yield was 26 % only.

Conclusions

Our results, together with recent knowledge on the effect of water stress on fruit development, allowed us to suggest a potentially improved RDI strategy for which a total IA of ca. 2,100 m³ ha^?1 was calculated. Both some management details and the benefits of this suggested RDI strategy are still to be tested.     

Metabonomics and population studies: age-related amino acids excretion and inferring networks through the study of urine samples in two Italian isolated populations

The study of two different Italian isolated populations was combined with a metabonomic approach to better understand tubular handling of amino acids. Levels of amino acids and metabolites have been analyzed by Nucleic Magnetic Resonance and expressed as ratio vs urinary creatinine concentration (mmol/mol). For most of the amino acids there is an age-related U shape pattern of excretion, with the peaks during childhood and old age, and a significant reduction in the adult age. Hierarchical cluster analysis has clearly identified three groups clustering the same amino acids: His, Thr and Ala (group one); Gly and Phe (group two) and a third larger one. Results have been further confirmed by factor and regression analysis, and used to confirm and, in some cases, infer new amino acids networks. As a matter of facts, the identification of strong evidences for clustering of urine excretion of several neutral amino acids suggests the predominant impact of relevant and common transporters     

Environmental Drivers of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the United States

Epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are known to occur in wintertime in temperate countries including the United States, but there is a limited understanding of the importance of climatic drivers in determining the seasonality of RSV. In the United States, RSV activity is highly spatially structured, with seasonal peaks beginning in Florida in November through December and ending in the upper Midwest in February-March, and prolonged disease activity in the southeastern US. Using data on both age-specific hospitalizations and laboratory reports of RSV in the US, and employing a combination of statistical and mechanistic epidemic modeling, we examined the association between environmental variables and state-specific measures of RSV seasonality. Temperature, vapor pressure, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration (PET) were significantly associated with the timing of RSV activity across states in univariate exploratory analyses. The amplitude and timing of seasonality in the transmission rate was significantly correlated with seasonal fluctuations in PET, and negatively correlated with mean vapor pressure, minimum temperature, and precipitation. States with low mean vapor pressure and the largest seasonal variation in PET tended to experience biennial patterns of RSV activity, with alternating years of “early-big” and “late-small” epidemics. Our model for the transmission dynamics of RSV was able to replicate these biennial transitions at higher amplitudes of seasonality in the transmission rate. This successfully connects environmental drivers to the epidemic dynamics of RSV; however, it does not fully explain why RSV activity begins in Florida, one of the warmest states, when RSV is a winter-seasonal pathogen. Understanding and predicting the seasonality of RSV is essential in determining the optimal timing of immunoprophylaxis.     

Human CD34+/CD90+ ASCs Are Capable of Growing as Sphere Clusters,Producing High Levels of VEGF and Forming Capillaries

Background

Human adult adipose tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Moreover, it is an easily accessible site producing a considerable amount of stem cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we have selected and characterized stem cells within the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of human adult adipose tissue with the aim of understanding their differentiation capabilities and performance. We have found, within the SVF, different cell populations expressing MSC markers – including CD34, CD90, CD29, CD44, CD105, and CD117 – and endothelial-progenitor-cell markers – including CD34, CD90, CD44, and CD54. Interestingly, CD34⁺/CD90⁺ cells formed sphere clusters, when placed in non-adherent growth conditions. Moreover, they showed a high proliferative capability, a telomerase activity that was significantly higher than that found in differentiated cells, and contained a fraction of cells displaying the phenotype of a side population. When cultured in adipogenic medium, CD34⁺/CD90⁺ quickly differentiated into adipocytes. In addition, they differentiated into endothelial cells (CD31⁺/VEGF⁺/Flk-1⁺) and, when placed in methylcellulose, were capable of forming capillary-like structures producing a high level of VEGF, as substantiated with ELISA tests.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that CD34⁺/CD90⁺ cells of human adipose tissue are capable of forming sphere clusters, when grown in free-floating conditions, and differentiate in endothelial cells that form capillary-like structures in methylcellulose. These cells might be suitable for tissue reconstruction in regenerative medicine, especially when patients need treatments for vascular disease.     

Cell cycle-dependent regulation of yeast telomerase by Ku

The heterodimeric Ku complex affects telomere structure in diverse organisms. We report here that in the absence of Ku, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, Est2p, was not telomere-associated in G1 phase, and its association in late S phase was decreased. The telomere association of Est1p, a telomerase component that binds telomeres only in late S phase, was also reduced in the absence of Ku. The effects of Ku on telomerase binding require a 48-nucleotide (nt) stem-loop region of TLC1 telomerase RNA. Ku interacts with TLC1 RNA via this 48-nt region throughout the cell cycle, but this interaction was reduced after telomere replication. These data support a model in which Ku recruits telomerase to telomeres in G1 phase when telomerase is inactive and promotes telomerase-mediated telomere lengthening in late S phase.