Biomarker profiles in serum and saliva of experimental Sj?gren's syndrome: associations with specific autoimmune manifestations

Introduction  

Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly targets the exocrine glands. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of 87 proteins measured in serum and 75 proteins analyzed in saliva in spontaneous experimental SS. In addition, we intended to compute a model of the immunological situation representing the overt disease stage of SS.     

MATER protein expression and intracellular localization throughout folliculogenesis and preimplantation embryo development in the bovine

Background  

Mater (Maternal Antigen that Embryos Require), also known as Nalp5 (NACHT, leucine rich repeat and PYD containing 5), is an oocyte-specific maternal effect gene required for early embryonic development beyond the two-cell stage in mouse. We previously characterized the bovine orthologue MATER as an oocyte marker gene in cattle, and this gene was recently assigned to a QTL region for reproductive traits.     

Cytokine gene expression--part of host defence in pulpitis

Analyses of cytokines mediating inflammatory reactions are key to understanding the etiopathology of various diseases. This study investigated differences in cytokine gene expression between pulps from healthy virgin teeth and from symptomatic vital teeth with severe caries lesions in a group of young, healthy individuals. The mRNA levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 were measured concomitantly by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. IL-1alpha and IL-1beta were not expressed at significantly higher levels in symptomatic versus clinically healthy pulps, while the difference was significant for the other cytokines (log-rank test, P<0.05). A concordance test for independence revealed significant correlation between IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, and between IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 mRNA levels (P<0.05). The cytokine-specific differences revealed a differential significance of gene expression in cytokine regulation. The hypothesis that increase of cytokine mRNA expression is part of host reaction in pulpitis was corroborated by our observation.     

Estradiol increases multiunit electrical activity in the A15 area of ewes exposed to inhibitory photoperiods

Seasonal anestrus in ewes results from an increase in response to the negative feedback action of estradiol (E(2)). This increase in the inhibitory effects of E(2) is controlled by photoperiod and appears to be mediated, in part, by dopaminergic neurons in the retrochiasmatic area of the hypothalamus (A15 group). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that E(2) increases multiunit electrical activity (MUA) in the A15 during inhibitory long days. MUA was monitored in the retrochiasmatic area of 14 ovariectomized ewes from 4 h before to 24 h after insertion of an E(2)-containing implant subcutaneously. In six of these ewes, MUA activity was also monitored before and after insertion of blank implants. Three of the 14 ewes were excluded from analysis because E(2) failed to inhibit LH. When MUA was recorded within the A15, E(2) produced a gradual increase in MUA that was sustained for 24 h. Blank implants failed to increase MUA in the A15 area, and E(2) did not alter MUA if recording electrodes were outside the A15. These data demonstrate that E(2) increases MUA in the A15 region of ewes and are consistent with the hypothesis that these neurons mediate E(2) negative feedback during long photoperiods.     

Electrical responses of frog olfactory mucosa to the administration of acetylcholine and substance P

The effects of acetylcholine and substance P were studied on the Frog's olfactory mucosa. Stimulation with these chemicals elicited low-threshold slow electrical potentials. Moreover, prior application of substance P strongly depressed the electrical response of the mucosa to acetylcholine. These results are discussed in relation to the possibility that acetylcholine and substance P could act on the functioning of the olfactory neuroreceptors.     

Sj?gren's syndrome: studying the disease in mice

Sj?gren's syndrome (SS), a systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by inflammation of exocrine tissues accompanied by a significant loss of their secretory function. Clinical symptoms develop late and there are no diagnostic tests enabling early diagnosis of SS. Thus, particularly to study these covert stages, researchers turn to studying animal models where mice provide great freedom for genetic manipulation and testing the effect of experimental intervention. The present review summarizes current literature pertaining to both spontaneous and extrinsic-factor induced SS-like diseases in mouse models, discussing advantages and disadvantages related to the use of murine models in SS research.     

Transferrin overexpression alters testicular function in aged mice

Many studies have shown a correlation between transferrin (Tf) concentration and sperm yield in several mammalian species. We have used transgenic mice expressing human Tf (hTf) to investigate if overexpression of Tf increases the efficiency of mouse spermatogenesis. We demonstrated that a 36% increase of Tf does not ameliorate the efficiency of mouse spermatogenesis but on the contrary resulted in a 36% decrease of testis sperm reserves. Tf overexpression had no effect on testicular determination and development, however testicular function of these transgenic mice was affected in an age-dependent manner. At 16 months of age, testicular and epididymal weights were significantly reduced. While spermatogenesis was qualitatively normal, testicular functions were perturbed. In fact, testosterone rate after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation was lower in Tf overexpressing mice. Intratesticular concentration of estradiol-17beta was increased and fluid accumulation after ligation of rete testis was more abundant in these transgenic mice. Surprisingly, we found that endogenous Tf levels were also increased in Tf overexpressing mice and we demonstrated for the first time that Tf may serve to upregulate its own expression in testis. Collectively, our data show that Tf overexpression has negative effects on testicular function and that Tf levels require strict regulation in the testis.     

Immunocytochemical localization of protamine in the spermatids of the ram

Pure ram protamine isolated from epididymal spermatozoa was used to raise antisera in castrated rabbits. The antibodies were visualized in the electron microscope using the method of Moriarty and Halmi [1972] with either peroxidase or coupling with colloidal gold. The gold gave better contrast but lower afinity than the peroxidase method. With the use of fixation according to Thiery and Rambourg [1976] and thick sections treated with hydrogen peroxide, it was possible to detect the protamine in the cytoplasm near the flagellum and the chromatoid body of step 12 spermatids. It was concluded that protamine enters the nucleus and concentrates at that step in the ram.