Cyclin-B homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae function in S phase and in G2.

We have cloned four cyclin-B homologs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CLB1-CLB4, using the polymerase chain reaction and low stringency hybridization approaches. These genes form two classes based on sequence relatedness: CLB1 and CLB2 show highest homology to the Schizosaccharomyces pombe cyclin-B homolog cdc13 involved in the initiation of mitosis, whereas CLB3 and CLB4 are more highly related to the S. pombe cyclin-B homolog cig1, which appears to play a role in G1 or S phase. CLB1 and CLB2 mRNA levels peak late in the cell cycle, whereas CLB3 and CLB4 are expressed earlier in the cell cycle but peak later than the G1-specific cyclin, CLN1. Analysis of null mutations suggested that the CLB genes exhibit some degree of redundancy, but clb1,2 and clb2,3 cells were inviable. Using clb1,2,3,4 cells rescued by conditional overproduction of CLB1, we showed that the CLB genes perform an essential role at the G2/M-phase transition, and also a role in S phase. CLB genes also appear to share a role in the assembly and maintenance of the mitotic spindle. Taken together, these analyses suggest that CLB1 and CLB2 are crucial for mitotic induction, whereas CLB3 and CLB4 might participate additionally in DNA replication and spindle assembly.     

Sham-feeding of corn oil by rats: sensory and postingestive factors

Previous research indicates that rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet increase their intake and preference for oil compared with rats fed a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet. To assess whether this increased intake was due to the sensory or postingestive properties of oil, rats were adapted to either the HF or HC diet and then allowed to sham-feed pure corn oil daily for 30 min. During the first 4 trials, rats fed the HF diet sham-fed more oil than did rats fed the HC diet; however, this difference diminished with repeated testing and was absent after 8 trials. In both diet groups, 4-5 calories (approximately 25%) of sham-fed oil could not be recovered and may have escaped to the intestine. These results suggest that, compared with rats fed a HC diet, rats fed a HF diet are initially attracted to the sensory properties of oil, but that the differential oil intakes of rats fed the HF or HC diet are maintained by postingestive, rather than sensory factors.     

A genome-wide scan suggests a locus on chromosome 1q21-q23 contributes to normal variation in plasma cholesterol concentration

To identify genes that influence plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density and low-density lipoproteins concentrations we conducted a genome-wide scan using 354 polymorphic markers spaced at 10-cM intervals in 75 obese but otherwise normal human families. The results of the genome scan using sibling pair analysis of quantitative phenotypes suggested that 1q21-q23 contains a locus that influences plasma cholesterol concentration. Chromosome 12 gave evidence of linkage to plasma triglyceride concentration (D12SPAH) and chromosomes 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 17, and 20 yielded additional evidence of linkage for lipid phenotypes at lower levels of statistical significance. Allele sharing for markers near prominent candidate genes was either very weakly related or unrelated to sibling similarity for lipid concentrations. Together these results suggest that genes with important roles in regulating normal cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations do not coincide with the location of previously known candidate genes.     

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Topical Cysteamine Disulfide (Cystamine) versus Free Thiol (Cysteamine) in the Treatment of Corneal Cystine Crystals in Cystinosis

In nephropathic cystinosis, corneal cystine crystals cause severe photophobia and corneal erosions. Topical cysteamine dissolves these crystals, but cannot be marketed because it rapidly oxidizes to the disulfide form, cystamine, at room temperature. Since cystamine itself could be used commercially, we compared the efficacy of cystamine and cysteamine with respect to cystine crystal dissolution in a randomized, double-masked clinical trial. One eye each of 14 patients with cystinosis was randomized to either cystamine or cysteamine, 0.5%, with 0.01% benzalkonium chloride; the companion eye was treated with the alternate preparation. Corneal crystals were photographed and a density score was assigned to each slide based on 13 standard slides. After 8–20 months, 6 patients showed significant reduction of the corneal crystal score in only one eye. In each case, the improved eye was the cysteamine-treated eye. Theoretically, cysteamine should dissolve both intracellular and extracellular crystals, whereas cystamine should dissolve only intracellular crystals because it must first be reduced to the free thiol by the cytoplasmic-reducing environment. Hence, the lack of efficacy of the disulfide cystamine suggests that some corneal cystine crystals in cystinosis patients are extracellular, and that another form of stable, topical cysteamine must be developed for cystinosis patients.     

Granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor. A potent activation signal for mature macrophages and monocytes

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a well-characterized hematopoietic growth factor. Recently, using purified recombinant-derived material, we have found that GM-CSF is also a potent activator of mature functional macrophages. Thus, we have found that exogenous GM-CSF augments the primary plaque-forming response to sheep red blood cells and that this effect is due to upregulation of Ia antigen expression and interleukin 1 production by the macrophages. We also show that GM-CSF inhibits the replication of Trypanosoma cruzi in cultured peritoneal macrophages and causes an accelerated clearance of Salmonella typhimurium from the peritoneal cavity of mice. These data indicate that GM-CSF is a multifunctional molecule stimulating both hematopoiesis and mature macrophage function.     

Increased susceptibility to RSV infection by exposure to inhaled diesel engine emissions

Although epidemiologic data strongly suggest a role for inhaled environmental pollutants in modulating the susceptibility to respiratory infection in humans, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been well studied in experimental systems. The current study assessed the impact of inhaled diesel engine emissions (DEE) on the host response in vivo to a common pediatric respiratory pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Using a relatively resistant mouse model of RSV infection, prior exposure to either 30 microg/m3 particulate matter (PM) or 1,000 microg/m3 PM of inhaled DEE (6 h/d for seven consecutive days) increased lung inflammation to RSV infection as compared with air-exposed RSV-infected C57Bl/6 mice. Inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased in a dose-dependent manner with regard to the level of DEE exposure, concomitant with increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Lung histology analysis indicated pronounced peribronchial and peribronchiolar inflammation concordant with the level of DEE exposure during infection. Mucous cell metaplasia was markedly increased in the airway epithelium of DEE-exposed mice following RSV infection. Interestingly, both airway and alveolar host defense and immunomodulatory proteins were attenuated during RSV infection by prior DEE exposure. DEE-induced changes in inflammatory and lung epithelial responses to infection were associated with increased RSV gene expression in the lungs following DEE exposure. These findings are consistent with the concept that DEE exposure modulates the lung host defense to respiratory viral infections and may alter the susceptibility to respiratory infections leading to increased lung disease.     

A translational approach for limb vascular delivery of the micro-dystrophin gene without high volume or high pressure for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background  

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder with monogenic mutations setting the stage for successful gene therapy treatment. We have completed a study that directly deals with the following key issues that can be directly adapted to a gene therapy clinical trial using rAAV considering the following criteria: 1) A regional vascular delivery approach that will protect the patient from widespread dissemination of virus; 2) an approach to potentially facilitate safe passage of the virus for efficient skeletal muscle transduction; 3) the use of viral doses to accommodate current limitations imposed by vector production methods; 4) and at the same time, achieve a clinically meaningful outcome by transducing multiple muscles in the lower limb to prolong ambulation.     

Effects of placentation on selected type A behaviors in adult males in the national heart,lung, and blood institute (NHLBI) twin study

A dermatoglyphic index derived from monozygotic (MZ) twins of known placental type was used to estimate placentation retrospectively in a sample of adult male MZ twins. Examination of behavioral test scores with respect to placentation showed that the within-pair difference of most measures of type A behavior was smaller in presumed monochorionic than presumed dichorionic pairs. Measures of cognitive function and hostility were not related to placental type. Intraclass correlations in the monochorionic subgroup of MZ twins were greater than the correlations reported for the full sample of MZ twins. The trends were strongest for the Adjective Check List scales taken at two different exams 5 years apart and, to a lesser extent, for the Framingham type A scale. Our results are most consistent with greater intrauterine environmental covariance in monochorionic MZ twins as an explanation for inflation of the MZ twin correlation relative to dizygotic (DZ) correlation reported for some type A measures.     

Specific immunization of mice against Leishmania mexicana amazonensis using solubilized promastigotes.

Successful immunization of highly susceptible BALB/c mice against progressive infection by Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, using whole solubilized promastigotes was achieved. The best immunization schedule consisted of three weekly injections of 5 X 10(7) parasite equivalents. Intravenous was superior to intraperitoneal or subcutaneous immunization. Protection persisted for up to 2 months after immunization, and beneficial effects could be observed in long-term follow-up (24 weeks after infection). Immunized mice exhibited marked reduction in primary lesion size, as well as reduction of the number of parasites in the spleen, and developed less metastases. High titres of specific anti-L. m. amazonensis IgG antibodies resulted from immunization, but titres did not correlate with protection. Groups with widely differing pre-infection antibody titres were equally protected, and similar antibody titres resulted in different levels of protection. Immunization alone did not induce significant serum interferon-gamma levels and specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, but resulted in the persistence of positive (DTH) reactions after infection, at a time when infected control animals had suppressed responses. Resistance to leishmaniasis appears to depend on cell mediated immune mechanisms, and the possibility of immunization with a solubilized antigen without adjuvant is intriguing and opens new perspectives in this area.