An expression vector inhibits gene expression in Xenopus embryos by antisense RNA

Summary An expression vector was constructed containing the entire bovine papilloma virus (BPV-1) genome and part of the a-actin gene of Xenopus laevis cloned in the antisense orientation into the neomycin resistance gene under the control of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) promoter. When this vector is microinjected into X. laevis embryos it replicates extrachromosomally, at least up to the tadpole stage, and a fusion RNA is synthesized after the mid blastula transition (MBT). The expression of the antisense gene results in a morphological abnormality of somites demonstrating that antisense RNA generated by an episomal replicating expression vector can inhibit the expression of a selected gene during early embryogenesis of X. laevis.     

Monocytes/macrophages express chemokine receptor CCR9 in rheumatoid arthritis and CCL25 stimulates their differentiation

Introduction  

Monocytes/macrophages accumulate in the rheumatoid (RA) synovium where they play a central role in inflammation and joint destruction. Identification of molecules involved in their accumulation and differentiation is important to inform therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the expression and function of chemokine receptor CCR9 in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovium of RA, non-RA patients and healthy volunteers.     

Association of genetic variants rs641153 (CFB), rs2230199 (C3), and rs1410996 (CFH) with age-related macular degeneration in a Brazilian population

This study aimed to investigate the association among genetic variants of the complement pathway CFB R32Q (rs641153), C3 R102G (rs2230199), and CFH (rs1410996) with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a sample of the Brazilian population. In a case-control study, 484 AMD patients were classified according to the clinical age-related maculopathy grading system (CARMS) and compared to 479 unrelated controls. The genetic variants rs1410996 of complement H (CFH), rs641153 of complement factor B (CFB), and rs2230199 of complement 3 (C3) were evaluated through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. The associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and AMD, adjusted by age, were assessed by using logistic regression models. A statistically significant association was observed between AMD risk and rs2230199 variant with an OR of 2.01 (P  = 0.0002) for CG individuals compared to CC individuals. Regarding the comparison of advanced AMD versus the control group, the OR was 2.12 (P = 0.0036) for GG versus AA genotypes for rs1410996 variant. Similarly, the OR for rs2230199 polymorphism was 2.3034 (P  = 5.47^e-05) when comparing CG individuals to CC carriers. In contrast, the rs641153 variant showed a significant protective effect against advanced AMD for GA versus GG genotype (OR = 0.4406; P  = 0.0019). When comparing wet AMD versus controls, a significant association was detected for rs1410996 variant (OR = 2.16; P  = 0.0039) comparing carriers of the homozygous GG versus AA genotype, as well as in the comparisons of GG (OR = 3.0713; P  = 0.0046) and CG genotypes (OR = 2.2249; P  = 0.0002) versus CC genotype for rs2230199 variant, respectively. The rs641153 variant granted a significant protective effect against wet AMD for GA versus GG genotypes (OR = 0.4601; P  = 0.0044). Our study confirmed the risk association between rs2230199 and rs1410996 variants and AMD, and the protective role against AMD for rs641153 variant.     

Separation of enantiomers of drugs by capillary electrophoresis,part 7: Gamma-cyclodextrin as chiral solvating agent

Following an extended chiral drug screening program by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), the enantioseparation of 86 racemic drugs was tested with γ-cyclodextrin as a chiral solvating agent. Unified conditions were applied to all experiments. In total, 18 drug racemates were separated, 13 entries thereof that had not been separated at the lower CSA concentration applied in an earlier stage of the project. A comparison of the data with the results obtained for α- and β-cyclodextrin points to the significance of partial penetration (“side-on binding”) of aryl groups into the cyclodextrin cavity. Chirality 10:548–554, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Timing in the regulation of neural crest cell migration: retarded "maturation" of regional extracellular matrix inhibits pigment cell migration in embryos of the white axolotl mutant

In larvae of the white axolotl mutant (Ambystoma mexicanum), contrary to normal dark ones, trunk pigmentation is restricted because the epidermis is unable to support subepidermal migration of pigment cells from the neural crest (NC). This study examines whether the subepidermal extracellular matrix (ECM) is the defective component which prevents pigment cell migration in the white embryo. We transplanted subepidermal ECM, adsorbed in vivo on membrane microcarriers, from and to white and dark embryos in various combinations. White embryos have demonstrated normal NC cell migration along the medioventral pathway, and in order to test the effects of medial ECM on subepidermal migration, this ECM was similarly transplanted. Carriers with ECM attached were inserted subepidermally in host embryos at a premigratory NC stage. Control carriers without ECM and carriers with subepidermal ECM from white donors did not affect NC cell migration in white or dark embryos. In contrast, subepidermal ECM from dark donors triggered NC cell migration in the subepidermal space of both white and dark hosts. Remarkably, subepidermal ECM from white donors which were older than those normally used also stimulated migration in embryos of both strains. Likewise, medial ECM from white donors elicited migration in white as well as dark hosts. Pigment cells occurred among those NC cells that were stimulated to migrate in response to contact with ECM on carriers. These results indicate that the subepidermal ECM of the white embryo is transiently defective as a substrate for pigment cell migration, implying that "maturation" of the ECM is retarded beyond the times during which pigment cells are able to respond. In contrast, the medial ECM of the white embryo appears to mature normally. These findings suggest that the effect of the d gene is expressed regionally through the subepidermal ECM during a limited period of development. Hence, the action of the d gene seems to retard ECM maturation, bringing it out of phase with the migratory capability of the pigment cells. We propose that such a shift in relative timing of the developmental phenomena involved inhibits pigment cell migration in embryos of the white axolotl mutant and, accordingly, that the restricted pigmentation of the mutant larva is generated through heterochrony.     

The Ectomesenchymal-Endodermal Interaction-System (EEIS) of Triturus alpestris in Tissue Culture

A piece of head neural fold tissue from behind the prospective ear region of a Triturus alpestris neurula was cultivated, together with a piece of ventrolateral pharynx endoderm from the same neurula, in hanging drop cultures. This system, referred to as the Ectomesenchymal-Endodermal Interaction-System (EEIS), offers insight into the visible processes of attachment, migration and differentiation of neural crest cells emigrating from the piece of neural fold.
The neural crest cells were not found to move preferably in the direction of the pharynx endoderm. Therefore, instead of chemotaxis, the concept of contact inhibition¹ provides a more satisfactory explanation for the distribution pattern of emigrating neural crest cells.
During culture, the neural crest cells differentiate into neuroblasts, pigment cells, myoblasts, chondroblasts and, after about 11 days, into perichondrial cells. After 6 days, a large number of neural crest cells, now called mesenchymal cells, persist without any visible differentiation throughout the culture.
Chondroblasts only develop from neural crest cells which have been in contact with the pharynx endoderm, as opposed to all other crest cells differentiating in the EEIS.     

Formation of pigment cell patterns in Triturus alpestris embryos

The distribution of melanophores and xanthopores in developing tailbud stages of Triturus alpestris was investigated. In stage 27 embryos (curved tailbuds), melanophores are distributed evenly but sparsely over the entire dorsolateral trunk. With progressive development melanophores arrange themselves into compact dorsal and lateral bands present in stage 34 embryos (9 to 10-mm-long larvae). On the inner surface of detached pieces of skin from early tailbuds which were investigated in the scanning electron microscope xanthophores were discovered in addition to and mixed with melanophores. Unlike melanophores they are invisible from outside. Later in development they occupy the zone between the melanophore bands and also the dorsal fin. Thus, formation of pigment cell patterns in Triturus embryos is a process which seems to depend on the differential sorting out of two populations of neural crest-derived chromatophore cell types.