Protein kinase C (PKC) has been widely implicated in positive and negative control of cell proliferation. We have recently shown that treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) during G1 phase inhibits the progression into S phase, an effect mediated by PKC delta-induced up-regulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 Cip1. However, PMA treatment in asynchronously growing NSCLC cells leads to accumulation of cells in G2/M. Studies in post-G1 phases revealed that PMA induced an irreversible G2/M cell cycle arrest in NSCLC cells and conferred morphological and biochemical features of senescence, including elevated SA-beta-Gal activity and reduced telomerase activity. Remarkably, this effect was phase-specific, as it occurred only when PKC was activated in S, but not in G1, phase. Mechanistic analysis revealed a crucial role for the classical PKC alpha isozyme as mediator of the G2/M arrest and senescence, as well as for inducing p21(Cip1) an obligatory event for conferring the senescence phenotype. In addition to the unappreciated role of PKC isozymes, and specifically PKC alpha, in senescence, our data introduce the paradigm that discrete PKCs trigger distinctive responses when activated in different phases of the cell cycle via a common mechanism that involves p21 Cip1 up-regulation.

To determine accurately the morphological characteristics specific to patients with sleep apneas syndrome (SAS), a group of 43 adult males with SAS was compared in a cephalometric evaluation with a homologous control group. In SAS patients, the soft palate was elongated; the sagittal dimensions of upper face and anterior cranial base were reduced and correlated with reduced bony pharynx opening; and the increased lower face height was associated with a retruded position of the chin and tongue, thus contributing to lower pharynx crowding. With the four variables entering the discriminant function analysis, 93 percent of the whole population was correctly classified. If anatomical rehabilitation of the pharynx is to be envisaged, the leading factors to consider should be: soft palate length, maxillary position, chin and tongue position, in that order.

Poly(lactic/glycolic) acid nanoparticles incorporating flurbiprofen (FB) were prepared by the solvent displacement technique using poloxamer 188 as a stabilizer to improve the availability of the drug for the prevention of the inflammation caused by ocular surgery. A 2(3) + star design was applied to investigate the influence of several factors such as the pH of the aqueous phase, the initial concentration of the stabilizer, and the drug used to prepare the nanoparticles (NPs) on the physicochemical properties (particle size analysis, zeta potential, and drug loading efficiency) of the colloidal system. The best formulations were those prepared at pH 3.5 with a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL of FB and 10 or 20 mg/mL of poloxamer 188. These formulations showed an appropriate average size for ophthalmic administration (232.8 and 277.6 nm, respectively) and a good yield of entrapment efficiency (94.60% and 93.55%, respectively). The release behavior of FB from the developed NPs was complete and exhibited a biphasic pattern. Formulations did not show toxicity on ocular tissues. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed in the rabbit eye after topical instillation of sodium arachidonate (SA). A higher decrease of the SA-induced inflammation was obtained for the NP formulations.

CD163 is an acute-phase-regulated monocyte/macrophage membrane receptor expressed late in inflammation. It is involved in the haptoglobin-mediated removal of free hemoglobin from plasma, has been identified as a naturally soluble plasma glycoprotein with potential anti-inflammatory properties, and is possibly linked to an individual's haptoglobin phenotype. High levels of soluble CD163 (sCD163) in a malaria episode may therefore downregulate inflammation and curb disease severity. In order to verify this, the relationships between sCD163 levels, malaria severity, and selected inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and IL-10) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using plasma samples obtained from pediatric malaria patients with uncomplicated malaria (UM [n = 38]), cerebral malaria (CM [n = 52]), and severe malarial anemia (SA [n = 55]) during two consecutive malaria transmission seasons (2002 and 2003). Median sCD163 levels were higher in UM (11.9 microg/ml) patients than in SA (7.7 microg/ml; P = 0.010) and CM (8.0 microg/ml; P = 0.031) patients. Levels of sCD163 were also higher in all patient groups than in a group of 81 age-matched healthy controls. The higher sCD163/TNF-alpha ratio in UM patients, coupled with the fact that sCD163 levels correlated with TNF-alpha levels in UM patients but not in CM and SA patients, suggests inflammatory dysregulation in the complicated cases. The study showed that sCD163 levels are elevated during acute malaria. High sCD163 levels in UM patients may be due to the induction of higher-level anti-inflammatory responses, enabling them to avoid disease complications. It is also possible that UM patients simply lost their CD163 receptors from macrophages in inflammatory sites while complicated-malaria patients still had their receptors attached to activated macrophages, reflecting ongoing and higher-level inflammation associated with complicated malaria.

North American eastern equine encephalitis virus (NA-EEEV) strains cause high mortality in humans, whereas South American strains (SA-EEEV) are typically avirulent. To clarify mechanisms of SA-EEEV attenuation, we compared mouse-attenuated BeAr436087 SA-EEEV, considered an EEEV vaccine candidate, with mouse-virulent NA-EEEV strain, FL93-939. Although attenuated, BeAr436087 initially replicated more efficiently than FL93-939 in lymphoid and other tissues, inducing systemic IFN-alpha/beta release, whereas FL93-939 induced little. BeAr436087 was more virulent than FL93-939 in IFN-alpha/beta-deficient mice, confirming that type I IFN responses determined attenuation, but the viruses were similarly sensitive to IFN-alpha/beta priming in vitro. Infection with BeAr436087 protected against FL93-939 disease/death, even when given 8 h afterward, suggesting that the environment produced by BeAr436087 infection attenuated FL93-939. We conclude that avoidance of IFN-alpha/beta induction is a major virulence factor for FL93-939. Furthermore, BeAr436087 could be used for vaccination and therapeutic treatment in the event of exposure to NA-EEEV during a bioterrorism attack.

During the purification of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS) from Streptomyces clavuligerus, a small protein (CLA) involved in clavulanic acid production co-purified with ACVS. A 24-mer mixed-DNA probe based on the N-terminal amino-acid sequence of CLA was used to isolate the corresponding gene (cla), located near one end of the known cluster of penicillin and cephamycin biosynthetic genes, 5.7 kb downstream from the pcbC gene which encodes isopenicillin-N synthase. The sequence of cla would encode a protein of 313 aa with a high degree of similarity to amidinohydrolase enzymes. The cla gene is located immediately upstream from the previously described clavaminate synthase 2-encoding gene (cs2), and cla homologs were only present in streptomycetes which produced clavam compounds. Replacement of cla with a disrupted copy of the gene blocked the production of clavulanic acid in starch asparagine medium (SA).

BACKGROUND

We previously reported an association between tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)(-308)and interleukin (IL)-6(-174) polymorphisms and otitis susceptibility by history. Acute otitis media occurs most commonly as a complication of upper respiratory tract infection (URI); it is not clear why some children develop acute otitis media after URI and others do not. Our objective was to prospectively evaluate the association of TNFalpha(-308)and IL-6(-174) polymorphisms with URI and with acute otitis media development after URI.

METHODS

Children aged 6-35 months were prospectively followed for occurrences of URI and acute otitis media. Blood or buccal mucosa samples were collected for DNA extraction to determine cytokine genotypes. Active and passive surveillance was used to capture all URI episodes during the 1-year follow-up period in order to study the rate of acute otitis media following URI. Data were analyzed using SAS software (SAS Institute) and general estimating equations modeling.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-two children were followed over 2689 patient-months and had DNA genotyped; 1235 URI episodes occurred, and 392 (32%) were complicated by acute otitis media. Children who had IL-6(-174) polymorphism had a higher susceptibility to URI during the study period (incidence density ratio, 1.24) and were more likely to meet established otitis susceptibility criteria (P < .01). Presence of TNFalpha(-308) polymorphism was associated with increased risk for acute otitis media after an episode of URI (odds ratio, 1.43).

CONCLUSIONS

TNFalpha(-308) and IL-6(-174) genotypes are associated with increased risk for symptomatic URI and acute otitis media following URI. Future studies may be designed to carefully look at the interaction of these genetic polymorphisms with modifiable environmental risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

Sarcoidosis (SA) is a disorder of unknown aetiology. Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock proteins (Mtb-hsp) have been considered as causative agents of SA. The role of Mtb-hsp in the immune response in SA has not been investigated.

METHODS

Mtb-hsp-stimulated T-cell subsets and Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns in the supernatant from peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from 22 SA patients, 20 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 20 healthy volunteers were compared using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In unstimulated cultures, a significantly higher percentage of CD8(+)alphabeta(+)T-cells were present in SA versus controls. Similarly there was a significantly increased IL-6 and decreased IL-4 level in SA and significantly lower INF-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 production in TB versus controls. After Mtb-hsp stimulation, there was a significantly increased TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and decreased INF-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 production in SA and significantly increased TNF-alpha, IL-6 concentrations in TB versus controls. CD8(+)gammadelta(+)IL-4(+)T-cells were detected significantly less often in Mtb-hsp-induced cultures in SA versus controls. Comparing SA versus TB, CD4(+)gammadelta(+)TCR-cells were significantly increased in Mtb-hsp-induced cultures in TB versus controls and SA. Before stimulation, significantly increased IL-6, IL-10 and decreased IL-4 level in SA versus TB was revealed, whereas Mtb-hsp stimulation caused significantly increased IL-10 and decreased IL-4 concentrations in SA.

CONCLUSIONS

After Mtb-hsp stimulation, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were found in sera from SA and TB patients in comparison with healthy controls; SA patients demonstrated the lowest levels of IL-4 and the highest levels of IL-10.

Oolong tea extract (OTE) was found to inhibit the water-insoluble glucan-synthesizing enzyme, glucosyltransferase I (GTase-I), of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715. The GTase-inhibitory substance in the OTE was purified successive adsorption chromatography on Diaion HP-21 and HP-20 columns; this was followed by further purification by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. A major fraction that inhibited GTase activity (fraction OTF10) was obtained, and the chemical analysis of OTF10 indicated that it was a novel polymeric polyphenol compound that had a molecular weight of approximately 2,000 and differed from other tea polyphenols. Catechins and all other low-molecular-weight polyphenols except theaflavin derived from balck tea did not show significant GTase-inhibitory activities. It was found that OTE amd PTF10 markedly inhibit GTase-I and yeast alpha-glucosidase, but not salivary alpha-amylase. Various GTases purified from S. sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans were examined for inhibition by OTE and OTF10. It was determined that S. sobrinus GTase-I and S. mutans cell-free GTase synthesizing water-soluble glucan were most susceptible to the inhibitory action of OTF10, while S. sobrinus GTase-Sa and S. mutans cell-associated GTase were moderately inhibited; no inhibition of S. sobrinus GTase-Sb was observed. Inhibition of a specific GTase or specific GTases of mutants streptococci resulted in decreased adherence of the growing cells of these organisms. The inhibitory effect of OTF10 on cellular adherence was significantly stronger than that of OTE.

Quercetin, a principal flavanoid compound in onions, has been shown to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anticancer activities. Our earlier study showed that quercetin induced cytotoxic effects on SAS human oral cancer cells. In this study, we found that quercetin significantly reduced wound closure of SAS cells in culture plates after 12- and 24-h treatments. Results indicated that quercetin inhibited the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, as measured by western blotting and gelatin zymography. The results from western blotting also showed that quercetin reduced the protein levels of MMP-2, -7, -9 and -10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65, inductible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), phosphatidylinositide-3 kinases (PI3K), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IKBα), IKB-α/β, phosphorylated nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor kinase, alpha/beta (p-IKKα/β), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), son of sevenless homolog-1 (SOS1), growth factor receptor-bound protein-2 (GRB2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase-3 (MEKK3), MEKK7, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), p38, p-p38, Jun proto-oncogene (c-JUN) and p-c-JUN but it did not affect Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA), Protein kinase C (PKC) and rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (RAS) in SAS cells. Confocal laser microscopy also showed that quercetin promoted the expressions of RhoA and Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase-1 (ROCK1), but inhibited the expression of NF-κB p65 in SAS cells. It is concluded from these data that inhibition of migration and invasion of SAS cells by quercetin is associated with the down-regulation of PKC and RhoA by blocking MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and NF-κB and uPA, resulting in inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 signaling.

Multistep targeting can improve the therapeutic index of antibody-based targeting, particularly relevant to pediatric tumors where acute toxicity and late effects of treatment are major concerns. Neuroblastoma is uniquely suited for such investigations because of its abundance of surface ganglioside GD2.

METHODS

5F11scFv (scFv = single-chain variable fragment) was constructed from the variable regions of the heavy (V(H)) and kappa-light (V(L)) chain complementary DNA (cDNA) of anti-GD2 IgM hybridoma 5F11 and ligated to full-length streptavidin cDNA for expression in Escherichia coli. Purified 5F11-scFv-streptavidin (5F11-scFv-SA) was a homotetramer and showed comparable avidity to 5F11 IgM and a 30-fold improvement over monomeric scFv. Biodistribution of 5F11-scFv-SA was studied in nude mice xenografted with neuroblastoma LAN-1. Twenty-four hours after intravenous injection of 300-900 microg 5F11-scFv-SA, 150-450 microg of a thiogalactoside-containing clearing agent, (Gal-NAc)(16)-alpha-S-C(5)H(10)-NH-LC-N-Me-biotin (molecular weight, 8652), were administered intravenously, followed by approximately 2.5 microg (1.85-3.7 MBq) (111)In-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid-biotin ((111)In-DOTA-biotin) intravenously 4 h later and clocked as time 0.

RESULTS

Tumor uptake (percentage of injected dose per gram [%ID/g]) at 2 h was 7 %ID/g and decayed with a half-life of 72 h, whereas blood %ID/g rapidly decreased to <1/500 of that of tumor after the first 24 h. The tumor-to-nontumor (T/NT) ratio at 72 h was high (median, 106; range, 3.4 [kidney] to 1660 [blood]). When the area under the radioactivity curve was computed, the T/NT organ ratio was favorable (4.8 for kidney and 162 for blood). When human and murine tumors were surveyed, the T/NT ratio of (111)In-DOTA-biotin uptake correlated with their levels of GD2 expression as assayed by flow cytometry. Biotinylated polypeptides (bovine serum albumin and vasointestinal peptides) achieved selective tumor targeting when the multistep strategy was applied.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in the T/NT ratio using pretargeting strategy may increase the efficacy and safety of scFv-based approaches in cancer therapy. Additionally, since biotinylated polypeptides can be rendered tumor selective, a large repertoire of agents can potentially be explored.

BACKGROUND

All-ceramic crowns are being used extensively. Little data are available on their clinical performance.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the clinical performance of In-Ceram (Vita Zahnfabrik) crowns.

METHODS

Forty-one patients (16 men, 25 women; mean age 47.3 years, range 18 to 77 years) were examined with a total of 80 In-Ceram all-ceramic crowns fabricated at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry from 1994 to 1997. The percentage distribution for crowns included: 67% anterior single crowns, 26% posterior single crowns, 6% anterior implant crowns, and 1% posterior implant crowns. This study documented the integrity of the junction between crown and tooth, color match to adjacent teeth, secondary dental caries, wear of crown and opposing dentition, and visible cracks in the crown. Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie ratings were assigned with a modified USPHS criteria. The patients were also surveyed with respect to oral hygiene and satisfaction of treatment. Estimations of 4-year success rates and corresponding confidence intervals were calculated by fitting a constant hazard function model with the SAS procedure GENMOD.

RESULTS

Marginal integrity for 88% of artificial crowns was rated Alpha or Bravo. Shade match for 99% was Bravo or better. Only 1% of the crowns were carious, and 1 crown exhibited occlusal wear. One premolar crown had a small fracture of veneering porcelain. One molar crown was remade after core fracture. All patients (100%) expressed satisfaction with their crowns. The estimated 4-year success rates (Alpha or Bravo), with 95% confidence intervals in parentheses were calculated as: 83.5% (65.7%-94.6%) for marginal integrity, 95.8% (82.9%-99.8%) for shade match, and 95.5% (81.6%-99.7%) for secondary caries, 100% (88%-100%) for wear, and 100% (88%-100%) for cracks.

Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes acquire sialic acid (SA) from host glycoconjugates by means of a plasma membrane-associated trans-sialidase (TS). Here we study the substrate specificity of TS, which differs from all known sialyltransferases in that it does not require cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-SA as donor. The T. cruzi TS reversibly transfers SA to saccharides with terminal beta-Gal (but not alpha-Gal) residues. Donors are saccharides with SA linked to terminal beta-Gal residues by (alpha 2-3), but not (alpha 2-6) bonds. The type of beta-linkage of the terminal Gal residue is of minor importance (beta 1-4 and beta 1-6 are slightly better than beta 1-3), whereas chain length and the structure of additional vicinal sugar residues are not relevant. SA on the surface of living trypomastigotes of T. cruzi is transferred back and forth between the parasite surface and acceptor molecules with terminal beta-Gal, either in solution or on the surface of neighbouring mammalian cells. Addition of fucose residue on or close to the terminal galactose impairs TS activity. As a consequence, the enzyme acts poorly on the E-selectin ligand sialyl-Lewisx and its precursor Lewisx, and in vitro adhesion of TS-treated neutrophils to L-cells expressing L-selectin is not affected. Modifications in the structure of the (alpha 2-3)-linked N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) (deoxy or methoxy) of the donor molecules do not impair transfer if the changes are at C9, whereas changes at C4, C7 and C8 impair the ability to donate the modified SA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Salicylic acid (SA), a natural defensive signal chemical, and antimycin A, a cytochrome pathway inhibitor, induce resistance to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Pharmacological evidence suggested signaling during resistance induction by both chemicals involved alternative oxidase (AOX), sole component of the alternative respiratory pathway (AP). Roles of the AP include regulation of intramitochondrial reactive oxygen species and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with modified AP capacities (2- to 3-fold increased or decreased) showed no alteration in phenotype with respect to basal susceptibility to TMV or the ability to display SA-induced resistance to systemic viral disease. However, in directly inoculated tissue, antimycin A-induced TMV resistance was inhibited in plants with increased AP capacities, whereas SA and antimycin A-induced resistance was transiently enhanced in plant lines with decreased AP capacities. We conclude that SA-induced TMV resistance results from activation of multiple mechanisms, a subset of which are inducible by antimycin A and influenced by AOX. Other antiviral factors, potentially including the SA-inducible RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, are regulated by AOX-independent mechanisms.

The contribution of dietary amino acids and endogenous hyperinsulinemia to prandial protein anabolism still has not been established. To this end, leucine estimates ([1-14C]leucine infusion, plasma alpha-ketoisocaproic acid [KIC] specific activity [SA] as precursor pool SA) of whole-body protein kinetics and fractional secretory rates (FSRs) of albumin, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured in three groups of healthy volunteers during intragastric infusion of water (controls, n = 5), liquid glucose-lipid-amino acid (AA) meal (meal+AA, n = 7), or isocaloric glucose-lipid meal (meal-AA, n = 7) that induced the same insulin response as the meal+AA. The results of this study demonstrate that 1) by increasing (P < 0.01) whole-body protein synthesis and decreasing (P < 0.01) proteolysis, dietary amino acids account for the largest part (approximately 90%) of postprandial protein anabolism; 2) the ingestion of an isocaloric meal deprived of amino acids exerts a modest protein anabolic effect (10% of postprandial protein anabolism) by decreasing amino acid oxidation and increasing (P < 0.01) albumin synthesis; 3) albumin FSR is increased (approximately 20%) by postprandial hyperinsulinemia (meal-AA) and additionally increased (approximately 50%) by amino acid intake (meal+AA); 4) IgG FSR is stimulated (approximately 40%) by amino acids, not by insulin; and 5) fibrinogen and antithrombin III FSR are not regulated by amino acids or insulin.

Pigs can be infected with both human and avian influenza A virus (IAV) strains and are therefore considered to be important intermediates in the emergence of new IAV strains due to mixing of viral genes derived from human, avian, or porcine influenza viruses. These reassortant strains may have potential to cause pandemic influenza outbreaks in humans. The innate immune response against IAV plays a significant role in containment of IAV in the airways. We studied the interactions of IAV with porcine surfactant protein D (pSP-D), an important component of this first line defense system. Hemagglutination inhibition analysis shows that the distinct interactions of pSP-D with IAV mediated by the N-linked carbohydrate moiety in the carbohydrate recognition domain of pSP-D depend on the terminal sialic acids (SAs) present on this carbohydrate. Analysis by both lectin staining and by cleavage with linkage-specific sialidases shows that the carbohydrate of pSP-D is exclusively sialylated with alpha(2,6)-linked SAs, in contrast to surfactant protein A, which contains both alpha(2,3)- and alpha(2,6)-linked SAs on its N-linked carbohydrate. Enzymatic modification of the SA-linkages present on pSP-D demonstrates that the type of SA-linkage is important for its hemagglutination-inhibitory activity, and correlates with receptor-binding specificity of the IAV strains. The SAs present on pSP-D appear especially important for interactions with poorly glycosylated IAV strains. It remains to be elucidated to what extent the unique sialylation profile of pSP-D is involved in host range control of IAV in pigs, and whether it facilitates adaptation of avian or human IAV strains that can contribute to the production of reassortant strains in pigs.

The application of small interfering RNA (siRNA) for cancer treatment is a promising strategy currently being explored in early phase clinical trials. However, efficient systemic delivery limits clinical implementation. We developed and tested a novel delivery system comprised of (i) an internalizing streptavidin-conjugated monoclonal antibody (mAb-SA) directed against CD22 and (ii) a biotinylated diblock copolymer containing both a positively charged siRNA condensing block and a pH-responsive block to facilitate endosome release. The modular design of the carrier facilitates the exchange of different targeting moieties and siRNAs to permit its usage in a variety of tumor types. The polymer was synthesized using the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique and formed micelles capable of binding siRNA and mAb-SA. A hemolysis assay confirmed the predicted membrane destabilizing activity of the polymer under acidic conditions typical of the endosomal compartment. Enhanced siRNA uptake was demonstrated in DoHH2 lymphoma and transduced HeLa-R cells expressing CD22 but not in CD22 negative HeLa-R cells. Gene knockdown was significantly improved with CD22-targeted vs. nontargeted polymeric micelles. Treatment of DoHH2 cells with CD22-targeted polymeric micelles containing 15 nmol/l siRNA produced 70% reduction of gene expression. This CD22-targeted polymer carrier may be useful for siRNA delivery to lymphoma cells.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to establish whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) contributes to cytokine overproduction via upregulation of CD14 and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) expression on circulating monocytes of unstable angina (UA) patients.

RESULTS

Expression of CD14 and TLR-4 on circulating monocytes, and the concentration of plasma oxLDL, (interleukin [IL])-6, IL-1 beta, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured in 27 control (C) subjects, 29 patients with stable angina (SA), and 27 with UA. CD14 and TLR-4 expression on monocytes and circulating IL-6, IL-1 beta, and oxLDL were higher in UA than in SA and C subjects (P<0.001). In in vitro experiments, oxLDL increased CD14 and TLR-4 expression (P<0.001) in control monocytes as well as IL-6, IL-1 beta, and at a lower extent TNF-alpha and MCP-1 levels in the supernatant (P from <0.05 to <0.001). The preincubation of sera derived from UA patients but with control monocytes also induced a significant increase of CD14 and TLR-4 expression (P<0.001) and of IL-6 and IL-1 beta production (P<0.001) in the supernatant.

CONCLUSIONS

In UA patients oxLDL may contribute to monocyte overproduction of some cytokines by upregulating CD14 and TLR-4 expression.

To determine whether the clinical, immunological and serological features of patients with silica-associated systemic sclerosis are different from patients with the 'idiopathic' form of systemic sclerosis (SS) we studied 22 underground coal miners who were exposed to silica dust (SD), 30 mine workers who later developed silicosis (S) and 17 mine workers exposed to silica dust who subsequently developed a systemic sclerosis-like disease (SA-SS). The patients with SA-SS had features clinically indistinguishable from individual patients with SS. They all had Raynaud's phenomenon, 14 had cutaneous sclerosis identical to that seen in acrosclerosis and three had a generalized cutaneous sclerosis. Sixteen patients had bibasilar pulmonary fibrosis, 10 had necrosis of the fingertip pulps, nine had oesophageal involvement and only one patient had renal involvement. Antinuclear antibodies and circulating immune complexes were detected in three and eight patients with SD, 14 and five patients with S and in 16 and nine patients with SA-SS, respectively. Anti-Scl-70 antibody was detected in eight of the 17 patients with SA-SS. Evidence for in vivo endothelial cell damage, as determined by elevated levels of von Willebrand factor, was found in nine patients with SD, 14 patients with S and in 10 patients with SA-SS. Following incubation of the patient's serum with confluent cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells there was only a significant reduction in calcium ionophore-induced release of prostacyclin with the serum from SA-SS patients compared to that with control serum (NC). The mean +/- SEM release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the stable metabolite of prostacyclin expressed as ng/10(4) cells) decreased from 2.90 +/- 0.27 to 2.01 +/- 0.33 (SD), 3.34 +/- 0.42 to 1.76 +/- 0.31 (S), 1.98 +/- 0.12 to 0.64 +/- 0.07 (SA-SS) and 2.28 +/- 0.33 to 1.36 +/- 0.21 (NC) with 1 and 20% serum, respectively. This study demonstrates that immune complex and antinuclear antibody formation and in vivo endothelial cell damage occurs following occupational exposure to silica. The patients who subsequently develop a systemic sclerosis-like disease have clinical, immunological and serological features which are indistinguishable from the idiopathic form of the disease although as a group the SA-SS patients have a higher prevalence of pulmonary involvement and the anti-Scl-70 antibody.

The tobacco pathogenesis-related PR-2d gene encodes an acidic beta-1,3-glucanase. Expression of the PR-2d: uidA(GUS) chimeric gene is induced in leaves undergoing the hypersensitive resistance response to tobacco mosaic virus and after treatment with salicylic acid (SA), a chemical believed to play an important role(s) in disease resistance. We have constructed transgenic tobacco plants which carry various segments of the PR-2d promoter fused to a heterologous core 35S promoter driving the uidA(GUS) reporter gene. Their analysis indicates that sequences from -364 to -288 upstream of the PR-2d transcription start site confer a high level of activation by SA (20-fold). Mutations within this sequence, located between -339 and -333, depressed SA activation. This region is also required for the SA-inducibility of a truncated PR-2d:GUS chimeric gene. Contained within this region is a 25 bp element located between -348 and -324 which was specifically recognized by nuclear factors from tobacco leaves. No conclusive differences were observed in the ability of proteins in nuclear extracts from water-treated versus SA-treated plants to bind to this cis element in vitro.

Pathologic complete response (pCR) is linked to a better outcome, but its definition varies among working groups. We performed this study to validate different expressions of pCR as well as to determine the role of in situ and isolated tumor cell residues. A pathologic review was conducted on 710 operable patients with breast cancer to assess the residual disease in breast and in nodes according to the Chevallier (Ch) and Sataloff's (Sa) classifications. The pCR rate was 14.3% according to the Chevallier and 25.8% according to the Sataloff's classification. Overall survival and disease-free survival have been compared according to the pathologic response. There were significant differences between the pCR Ch(1+2) or Sa(A) and the non-pCR group. No significant difference was found between classes Ch(1) versus Ch(2) and between class Sa(A) without isolated cells versus class Sa(A) with isolated cells. Conversely, tumors histologically modified by chemotherapy were associated with a better prognosis than unmodified tumors. Finally, evidence of pCR in nodes was associated with a better prognosis. pCR should be defined as an absence of node invasion, and in the breast, either absence of tumor or tumor residue less than 5% of the tumor.

Human pp60c-src is a cellular nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that participates in cytosolic signal transduction and has been implicated in the development of malignant tumors in the human breast and colon. Signal transduction is mediated by highly specific interactions between the SH2 domain and receptor phosphorylated tyrosine binding motifs. To elucidate the molecular conformation and interactions in solution, a family of highly resolved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures was determined for the src SH2 domain complexed with a high-affinity phosphorylated pentapeptide, acetyl-p YEEIE-OH. The 23 structures, generated with a distance geometry (DG) and a dynamical simulated annealing (SA) procedure, satisfied 2072 experimental restraints derived from a variety of multifrequency/multidimensional and isotope-filtered NMR data. Superimposition of residues 143-245 upon the mean coordinate set yielded an atomic rmsd of 0.58 +/- 0.09 A for the N, C alpha, C' atoms and 1.04 +/- 0.08 for all the non-hydrogen atoms. Residues in the ordered secondary structure regions superimpose to 0.29 +/- 0.04 A for the N, C alpha, C' and 0.73 +/- 0.08 A for all the non-hydrogen atoms. The angular order parameter calculated for the phi, psi angles was>> 0.9 for 81 of the 106 protein residues. The main protein conformational features are three antiparallel beta-strands that traverse a compact core with an alpha-helix on each side of the core near the N- and C-termini. The observed intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE) from the pY, +1E, and +3I residues positioned the ligand in an extended conformation across the SH2 domain surface with the pY and +3I side chains inserted into the protein binding pockets. In general, the protein conformation is consistent with previously reported structures of different SH2 domain complexes determined by X-ray crystallography. However, inter- or intramolecular interactions involving the guanidinium side chains of the solvated R alpha A2 or the buried R beta B5 were not observed at pH = 5.5 or 7.0. If such interactions exist in solution, the absence of any confirming data probably arises from rapid exchange with solvent and/or undetermined dynamic components. Thus, the unrestrained R alpha A2 side chain did not show an amino-aromatic interaction or a hydrogen bond to the -1 carbonyl oxygen as observed in the crystal structures. This result is consistent with the solution structure of a different SH2 domain complex. A more detailed comparison between the crystal structure and the NMR-derived solution structures of the same src SH2 domain complex is presented.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Peptide radiopharmaceuticals are potential imaging agents for brain disorders, should these agents be enabled to undergo transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. Radiolabeled Abeta1-40 images brain amyloid in tissue sections of Alzheimer's disease autopsy brain, but this peptide radiopharmaceutical cannot be used to image brain amyloid in vivo owing to negligible transport through the BBB. In these studies, 125I-Abeta1-40 was monobiotinylated (bio) and conjugated to a BBB drug delivery and brain targeting system comprised of a complex of the 83-14 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the human insulin receptor, which is tagged with streptavidin (SA). A marked increase in rhesus monkey brain uptake of the 125I-bio-Abeta1-40 was observed after conjugation to the 8314-SA delivery system at 3 h after intravenous injection. In contrast, no measurable brain uptake of 125I-bio-Abeta1-40 was observed in the absence of a BBB drug delivery system. The peptide radiopharmaceutical was degraded in brain with export of the iodide radioactivity, and by 48 h after intravenous injection, 90% of the radioactivity was cleared from the brain. In conclusion, these studies describe a methodology for BBB drug delivery and brain targeting of peptide radiopharmaceuticals that could be used for imaging amyloid or other brain disorders.

The silent adenoma subtype 3 (SAS-3) of undetermined cellular derivation is a seemingly nonfunctioning aggressive pituitary tumor with a high recurrence rate. At the time of diagnosis SAS-3s are macro- or giant adenomas particularly aggressive in young individuals, especially women. They are usually associated with mild hyperprolactinemia and are unremarkable by histology. Immunohistochemistry, demonstrating scattered immunoreactivity mostly for GH, PRL, TSH, and alpha-subunit, is not diagnostic. Presently, only TEM permits conclusive diagnosis. Ultrastructurally, the large polar adenoma cells contain abundant RER, masses of SER, extensive multipolar Golgi apparatus, and unevenly clustered mitochondria, displaced by RER and SER, which may show close spatial relationship to RER. Cell membranes often form plexiform interdigitations. Nuclear pleomorphism and nuclear inclusions are common. The 100- to 200-nm secretory granules accumulate heavily in cell processes, which is a hallmark of glycoprotein hormone cell differentiation. The endothelial cells may contain tubuloreticular inclusions. Complete surgical removal of the large often invasive tumors is difficult necessitating postoperative treatment. SAS-3 is sensitive to conventional radiation. Some tumors express somatostatin receptors and respond well to somatostatin analogues, offering long-term control in patients with residual tumor. Possible derivation of SAS-3 from rostral thyrotrophs, a cell type presently known in rodents is contemplated.