Association of gene polymorphisms of MyD88 and TICAM1 and their interactions with community-acquired pneumonia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and Toll-like receptor adaptor molecule 1 (TICAM1) and their interactions with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children.@*METHODS@#Improved multiple ligase detection reaction assay was used for detecting the polymorphisms of nine tagging SNPs of the MyD88 and TICAM1 genes in 375 children with CAP who attended the Department of Pediatrics of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University Medical School from August 2015 to September 2017 and 306 healthy children who underwent physical examination. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the distribution of genotypes and their interactions with CAP in children.@*RESULTS@#The polymorphism of the TICAM1 gene at rs11466711T/C locus was closely associated with the susceptibility to CAP in children (P<0.05). The AA genotype of rs35747610G/A locus significantly reduced risk of sepsis in children with CAP (P<0.05). The AA genotype of rs6510826G/A locus was significantly associated with the increase in C-reactive protein level in children with CAP (P<0.05). The GG genotype of the MyD88 gene at rs7744A/G locus significantly increased the risk of respiratory failure and circulatory failure (P<0.05). The multiplicative interactions between MyD88 gene rs7744A/G and TICAM1 gene rs11466711T/C, rs2292151G/A, rs35299700C/T, and rs35747610G/A loci were significantly associated with the susceptibility to CAP, the severity of CAP, and the risk of sepsis in children (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The gene polymorphisms of MyD88 and TICAM1 and their interactions are closely associated with CAP in children, with a synergistic effect on the development and progression of CAP in children.

Effect of activation of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway of peripheral blood mononuclear cell in recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen immune response / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Toll-like receptor (TLR3) signaling pathway in recombinant HBsAg (rHBsAg) immune response. Methods: White blood cells were collected from peripheral blood of 13 healthy donors in the preparation of blood products. PBMC was isolated and treated with Poly I:C (Poly I:C group) and PBS (control group) respectively. 48 h later, some cells were collected and the expressions of TLR3 signaling pathway proteins were detected by flow cytometry. After activating (Poly I:C group)/inactivating (control group) TLR3 signaling pathway, rHBsAg was given to both groups for 72 h, and the proportions of DC, T, B cells and their subsets in PBMC were detected by flow cytometry. Paired t-test, paired samples wilcoxon signed-rank test and canonical correlation analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: The percentage of TLR3 protein-positive cells (19.21%) and protein expression (8 983.95), NF-κB protein expression (26 193.13), the percentage of pNF-κB protein-positive cells (13.73%) and its proportion in NF-κB (16.03%), and the percentage of pIRF3 protein-positive cells (12.64%) and its proportion in IRF3 (21.80%) in Poly I:C group were higher than those in control group (11.54%, 8 086.00, 22 340.66, 8.72%, 9.71%, 9.57%, 19.12%) (P<0.05), and the percentage of TRIF protein-positive cells (89.75%) and protein expression (304 219.54) were higher in Poly I:C group than in the control group (89.64%, 288 149.72) (P>0.05). After PBMC stimulation by rHBsAg, the proportions of mDC (2.90%), pDC (1.80%), B cell (5.31%) and plasma cell (67.71%) in Poly I:C group were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.83%, 0.81%, 4.23%, 58.82%) (P<0.05). Results of canonical correlation analysis showed that the expression of TLR3 protein was positively correlated with the proportions of plasma cells, the expression of pIRF3 protein was positively correlated with the proportions of plasma cells and mDC, and the percentage of pNF-κB protein-positive cells and the percentage of pIRF3 protein-positive cells were positively correlated with the proportion of CD4+T cells. Conclusions: Poly I:C can activate TLR3/TRIF/NF-κB and TLR3/TRIF/IRF3 signaling pathway, promote the function of downstream signaling molecules, and then promote the maturation of DC, induce the immune responses of CD4+T cell, and promote the maturation and activation of B cells and the immune response of rHBsAg.

Genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis for two families affected with Joubert syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify pathogenic variants in two families with patients suspected for Joubert syndrome(UBST) by cerebellar vermis hypoplasia.@*METHODS@#Clinical data and peripheral venous blood and skin tissue samples were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Potential variants were screened by using targeted capture and next generation sequencing. Suspected variants were validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The frequency of the variants in the population was calculated. Pathogenicity of the variants was predicted by following the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Prenatal diagnosis was provided to these families upon subsequent pregnancy.@*RESULTS@#The proband of family 1 was found to harbor homozygous c.2072delT (p.F691S*fs19) frameshift variant of the AHI1 gene, which may cause premature termination of translation of the Abelson helper integration site 1 after the 691st amino acid. The proband of family 2 was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the CPLANE1 gene, namely c.7243dupA (p.T2415Nfs*7) and c.8001delG (p.K2667Nfs*31), which can respectively lead to premature termination of translation of ciliogenesis and planar polarity effector 1 after the 2145th and 2667th amino acids. All of the three variants were previously unreported, and were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis.@*CONCLUSION@#The AHI1 c.2072delT and CPLANE1 c.7243dupA and c.8001delG variants probably underlay JBTS3 in family 1 and JBTS17 in family 2, respectively. Based on above results, prenatal diagnosis may be offered to the affected families upon their subsequent pregnancies.

Cardamine komarovii flower extract reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways / 中国天然药物

In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effect of Cardamine komarovii flower (CKF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We determined the effect of CKF methanolic extracts on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), and related protein expression levels of MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways in peritoneal macrophages (PMs). Nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 was analyzed by immunofluorescence. For the in vivo experiments, an ALI model was established to detect the number of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. The pathological damage in lung tissues was evaluated through H&E staining. Our results showed that CKF can decrease the production of inflammatory mediators, such as NO and PGE2, by inhibiting their synthesis-related enzymes iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced PMs. In addition, CKF can downregulate the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 to inhibit the production of inflammatory factors. Mechanism studies indicated that CKF possesses a fine anti-inflammatory effect by regulating MyD88/TRIF dependent signaling pathways. Immunocytochemistry staining showed that the CKF extract attenuates the LPS-induced translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit in the nucleus from the cytoplasm. In vivo experiments revealed that the number of inflammatory cells and IL-1β in BALF of mice decrease after CKF treatment. Histopathological observation of lung tissues showed that CKF can remarkably improve alveolar clearance and infiltration of interstitial and alveolar cells after LPS stimulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that CKF inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting the MyD88/TRIF signaling pathways, thereby protecting mice from LPS-induced ALI.

Hypertonia-linked protein Trak1 functions with mitofusins to promote mitochondrial tethering and fusion

Hypertonia is a neurological dysfunction associated with a number of central nervous system disorders, including cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and epilepsy. Genetic studies have identified a homozygous truncation mutation in Trak1 that causes hypertonia in mice. Moreover, elevated Trak1 protein expression is associated with several types of cancers and variants in Trak1 are linked to childhood absence epilepsy in humans. Despite the importance of Trak1 in health and disease, the mechanisms of Trak1 action remain unclear and the pathogenic effects of Trak1 mutation are unknown. Here we report that Trak1 has a crucial function in regulation of mitochondrial fusion. Depletion of Trak1 inhibits mitochondrial fusion, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation, whereas overexpression of Trak1 elongates and enlarges mitochondria. Our analyses revealed that Trak1 interacts and colocalizes with mitofusins on the outer mitochondrial membrane and functions with mitofusins to promote mitochondrial tethering and fusion. Furthermore, Trak1 is required for stress-induced mitochondrial hyperfusion and pro-survival response. We found that hypertonia-associated mutation impairs Trak1 mitochondrial localization and its ability to facilitate mitochondrial tethering and fusion. Our findings uncover a novel function of Trak1 as a regulator of mitochondrial fusion and provide evidence linking dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics to hypertonia pathogenesis.

TRIM56 Suppresses Multiple Myeloma Progression by Activating TLR3/TRIF Signaling

PURPOSE: Tripartite-motif-containing protein 56 (TRIM56) has been found to exhibit a broad antiviral activity, depending upon E3 ligase activity. Here, we attempted to evaluate the function of TRIM56 in multiple myeloma (MM) and its underlying molecular basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TRIM56 expression at the mRNA and protein level was measured by qRT PCR and western blot analysis. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry analysis was performed to investigate the effect of TRIM56 on MM cell proliferation and apoptosis. The concentrations of interferon (IFN)-β, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in MM cell culture supernatants were detected with respective commercial ELISA kits. Western blot was employed to determine the effect of TRIM56 on toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)/toll-IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF) signaling pathway. RESULTS: TRIM56 expression was prominently decreased in MM cells. Poly (dA:dT)-induced TRIM56 overexpression in U266 cells suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis, and enhanced inflammatory cytokine production, while TRIM56 knockdown improved growth, diminished apoptosis, and inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in RPMI8226 cells. Moreover, TRIM56 knockdown blocked TLR3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, poly (I:C), a TLR3 agonist, markedly abolished TRIM56 depletion-induced increase of proliferation, decrease of apoptosis, and reduction of inflammatory factor in MM cells. CONCLUSION: TRIM56 may act as a tumor suppressor in MM through activation of TLR3/TRIF signaling pathway, contributing to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of TRIM56 involvement in MM pathogenesis and providing a promising therapy strategy for patients with MM.

The relation between age and expression of Myosin VI and Disabled-2 in the cochlea of mice / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of Myosin VI and Disabled-2 (Dab2) in the cochlea of mice at different ages.@*METHOD@#Forty KM mice were divided into four groups according to age, named as postnatal 2 week (P2w), P5w, P9w, P16month. The localization of protein in the basilar membrane of mice cochlea was detected by immunofluorescence staining and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The mRNA expression level of protein in cochlear at different ages was evaluated by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS18.0 software.@*RESULT@#Myosin VI and Disabled-2 protein mainly expressed at the apical cytoplasm of hair cells. As for the inner hair cell, Dab2 labeling was abundant especially at the cuticular plate and nearby. Comparing four immunofluorescence staining images of Myosin VI, we found the fluorescence intensity of P2w and P16m were weaker than that of P5w and P9w. After setting P9w as the control group, qRT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression of MyosinVI and Dab2 in P2w was less than that in the control group (P 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Myosin VI and Dab2, two proteins which regulated the clathrin-mediated endocytosis, expressed at hair cells of mice cochlea. In the inner hair cell, this process of endocytosis may be more efficient at the cuticular plate and nearby. The expression level of protein may change in different ages, and this probably leads to a difference of CME, it also may cause a defect of inner hair cells function.

Rhamnogalacturonan II is a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist that inhibits tumor growth by activating dendritic cell-mediated CD8+ T cells

We evaluated the effectiveness of rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) vaccination on the induction of antitumor immunity in a mouse lymphoma model using EG7-lymphoma cells expressing ovalbumin (OVA). BMDCs treated with RG-II had an activated phenotype. RG-II induced interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production during dendritic cell (DC) maturation. BMDCs stimulated with RG-II facilitate the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. Using BMDCs from the mice deficient in Toll-like receptors (TLRs), we revealed that RG-II activity is dependent on TLR4. RG-II showed a preventive effect of immunization with OVA-pulsed BMDCs against EG7 lymphoma. These results suggested that RG-II expedites the DC-based immune response through the TLR4 signaling pathway.

Function of intersectin in endocytosis and exocytosis / 生理学报

Intersectin is an evolutionarily conserved multifunctional adaptor protein with multifunctional domains. These domains interact with components of the endocytic and exocytic pathways, such as the clathrin mediating synaptic vesicle recycling, the protein related to endocytosis via caveolae, the with-no-lysine kinases related to the regulation of renal outer medullar potassium, and the Cdc42 mediating exocytic pathway. Recently, the understanding of intersectin function in the pathogenesis of endocrine tumor and many neurodegenerative diseases such as Down syndrome, Alzheimer disease has been deepened. This article reviewed the structure and roles in endocytosis/exocytosis and diseases of intersectin.

Association study on the microRNA-1 target gene polymorphism and the risk of premature coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between the genetic variant of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934 C→T and the risk of premature coronary artery disease (pCAD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 226 pACD patients and 275 gender and age matched pCAD-free controls hospitalized in our hospital, diagnosis was made based on coronary angiography (CAG) results. The genotypes of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934 C→T were detected by PCR-RFLP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the wide genotype CC, subjects with the variant genotypes CT of rs9548934 C→T was associated with a 45% lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.36 - 0.82, P = 0.003), and the subjects with CT/TT genotypes were also associated with a significantly lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.44 - 0.92, P = 0.015). Using the median serum TG level (1.20 mmol/L) in control group as the cutoff value, subjects with higher serum TG levels were associated with increased risk of pACD after adjustment for age, gender and BMI (adjusted OR = 2.32, 95%CI = 1.57 - 3.41, P < 0.001). In addition, subjects with higher HDL-C levels were associated with significantly lower risk of pACD (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.31 - 0.75, P = 0.001). Stratified analyses showed that the risk reduction for pCAD in CT/TT genotypes carriers was more significant in the female subjects (adjusted OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.30 - 0.97, P = 0.040), and in subjects with lower TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels (adjusted OR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.39 - 0.98, P = 0.040; adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.35 - 0.85, P = 0.008; adjusted OR = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.22 - 0.87, P = 0.018; adjusted OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.32 - 0.75, P = 0.001, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The polymorphism of miRNA-1 target gene COG6 rs9548934C→T is associated with lower risk of pCAD, especially in female subjects and subjects with lower serum lipid levels.</p>

Effects of neonatal isolation stress on hyperlocomotion of complexin II knockout mouse / 生理学报

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neonatal isolation stress on hyperlocomotion in complexin II knockout mouse (Cplx2(-/-)). The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Cplx2(-/-) with stress, Cplx2(+/+) with stress, Cplx2(-/-) without stress and Cplx2(+/+) without stress. Isolation stress was employed on the pups of stress groups from the 2nd day after the postnatal to the 21st day. The PCR was used to determine the gene type and the hyperlocomotion test was employed to detect the change of animal behavior after methamphetamine or saline injection (i.p.). The results showed that the animals of all groups increased their movement after injection of 0.2 mg/kg methamphetamine in different levels (P < 0.01), compared with those injected with saline. The Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress revealed a significant increase in the distance of free movement after injection of 0.2 mg/kg methamphetamine compared with the knockout mouse without stress (P < 0.001). When Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress was compared with wild type with stress, Cplx2(-/-) mouse with stress had more movement (P < 0.001), indicating that Cplx2 has effect on the hyperlocomotion as well. These results suggest an involvement of stress and Cplx2 in the movement behavior of mice.

Myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 blockade upregulates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a key negative regulator of immune responses and has been implicated in tumor tolerance, autoimmune disease and asthma. IDO was detected in the joint synovial tissue in the inflammatory microenvironment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but IDO expression in joint synovial tissue is not sufficient to overcome the inflamed synovial environment. This study aimed to unravel the mechanisms involving the failure to activate tolerogenic IDO in the inflamed joint. We demonstrate that both poly (I:C) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce expression of IDO in synovial fibroblasts. However, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17, TNF-alpha, IL-12, IL-23 and IL-16 did not induce IDO expression. Poly (I:C) appeared to induce higher IDO expression than did LPS. Surprisingly, toll-like receptor (TLR)4-mediated IDO expression was upregulated after depletion of myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) in synovial fibroblasts using small interfering RNA (siRNA). IDO, TLR3 and TLR4 were highly expressed in synovial tissue of RA patients compared with that of osteoarthritis patients. In addition, RA patients with severe disease activity had higher levels of expression of IDO, TLR3 and TLR4 in the synovium than patients with mild disease activity. These data suggest that upregulation of IDO expression in synovial fibroblasts involves TLR3 and TLR4 activation by microbial constituents. We showed that the mechanisms responsible for IDO regulation primarily involve MyD88 signaling in synovial fibroblasts, as demonstrated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of MyD88.

Construction of pSG5/TRIF and its expression in Huh7 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the plasmid pSG5/TRIF and investigate its expression in Huh7 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The plasmid pCX4pur/Myc-TRIF was digested with Not I and the digestion product was blunted followed by further digestion with EcoR I to obtain the insert Myc-TRIF. pSG5 was digested sequentially with Sma I and EcoR I. All the digested products were analyzed with agarose gel electrophoresis. The products with the expected size were extracted and ligated, and the positive clones were screened by ampicillin and amplified. The recombinant pSG5/TRIF was extracted, purified, and identified by restriction endonuclease BamH I and agarose gel electrophoresis. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into Huh7 cells with FuGene 6 reagents and into Huh7 cells previously infected with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) via Lipofectin. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of the recombinant plasmids, and the transfection efficiency with different transfection reagents was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BamH I digestion resulted in a fragment with the expected size. Immunofluorescence staining showed successful expression of Myc-TRIF protein in Huh7 cells, and the transfection efficiency was enhanced in Huh7 cells previously infected with rVV. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass of the expressed product by pSG5/Myc-TRIF was about 100 ku, and prior infection of the cells with rVV obviously increased transfection efficiency, as was consistent with the results of immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>pSG5/Myc-TRIF is successfully constructed and expressed in Huh7 cells. The expression efficiency can be increased by prior infection of the cells with rVV.</p>

Ectopic expression of sortilin 1 [NTR-3] in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Gene expression profiling of ovarian carcinoma tissues has shown an increase of four-fold expression of SORTl gene. Sortilin 1 [NTR-3] is a 95-100 kDa protein normally expressed in heart, brain, placenta, skeletal muscle, spinal cord, thyroid, and testis. However, its expression has never been reported in normal ovary. Here, we report expression of sortilin 1 in ovarian carcinoma tissues both at gene and protein levels. Sortilin 1 was expressed in all ovarian carcinoma patients [n=15] as well as ovarian carcinoma cell lines [n=5] regardless of their phenotypic characteristics. Non-malignant ovaries [n=6] did not express sortilin 1. The molecular basis for this ectopic expression is not yet clear. Our results showed a major cell surface expression of sortilin 1 rather than ER-Golgi compartment where it is mainly expressed. This finding may introduce sortilin 1 as a novel tumor marker for diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma and may signify its therapeutic value in targeted therapy

Caracterización de la cadena CD3 epsilon en el primate del nuevo mundo Aotus nancymaae / Characterizing the CD3 epsilon chain from the new world primate Aotus nancymaae

Introducción. El complejo asociado al receptor de las células T (TCR), está constituido por las moléculas CD3 (δ , γ , ε ) y las cadenas ζ , todas proteínas transmembranales esenciales para la transducción de señales durante la activación del linfocito y la respuesta inmune, así como durante el desarrollo de lostimocitos. Objetivo. En este trabajo se buscaba determinar la estructura primaria de la cadena CD3 ε , en el mono del nuevo mundo Aotus nancymaae. Materiales y métodos. A partir de ARN total obtenido de células mononucleares de sangre periférica, se amplificó la molécula de CD3 ε , luego se clonó en un vector y finalmente se secuenció. Resultados. Se presenta la secuencia deducida de aminoácidos de la cadenaCD3 ε de Aotus nancymaae. Se estableció una identidad del 84 por ciento y del 76 por ciento en la secuencia nucleotídica y la de aminoácidos, respectivamente, con su contra partehumana. La molécula de Aotus, muestra bastante variabilidad en la región extracelular y bastante conservación en la intracelular. Subregiones delectodominio que son importantes para el plegamiento de la molécula, así como para la asociación con las otras cadenas del complejo están conservadas. Conclusiones. La estructura primaria determinada aquí, sugiere que la proteína de Aotus tiene una funcionalidad similar y que los pasos iniciales de activación de la célula T, se suceden como en humanos; por otra parte, la gran variabilidad encontrada en el ectodominio, permite explicar porque algunos anticuerpos monoclonales dirigidos contra el complejo CD3 de humano, no reconocen estas estructuras en el Aotus.

Signal transduction mechanism in burn wound healing / 中华烧伤杂志

After 50 years of development in science of burns care in China, we have basically solved coverage of deep wounds of burn trauma, as well as role of multiple growth factors and stem cell in wound healing, making great contribution to improving the treatment of patients with large area of deep burns. Surgeons are paying close attention to problems of wound healing, especially in the fields of scarless healing and rehabilitation. To solve these problems, we need to do further investigation on multiple growth factors as well as proliferation/differentiation of stem cells in regulation of cell growth and differentiation in wound healing. Therefore, we are facing a even more serious challenge.

Intersectin 1: a molecular linker in the central nervous system / 神经科学通报·英文版

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common cause of cognitive impairment associated with a congenital chromosomal abnormality, trisomy of chromosome 21. Mental retardation and congenital heart defects are key features of DS. All DS individuals develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease-like neuropathology. Intersectin 1 gene is localized on human chromosome 21, the critical region of DS, and it has higher expression in the brain of DS patients than in normal individuals. So fully understanding functions of intersectin 1 is critical for revealing the pathogenesis of DS. Intersectin 1 protein has two isoforms: intersectin 1-L and intersectin 1-S. This review will focus on the distribution, expression characters and functions of intersectin 1 in the central nervous system.

Effect of Shensu Yin on the expression of toll-like receptors and the downstream signaling components on RAW 264.7 cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influences of Shensu Yin to RAW 264.7 on the expression of TLR3, TLR4 and the factors of the downstream in RAW 264. 7 cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>RAW 264.7 cell line was stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide and POLY I: C, respectively, and treated with the drug serum of Shensuyin simultaneously. 24 hours later, collected the supernatant and measured the inflammatory factors TNF-alpha and IFN-beta, extracted mRNA and measured the expression of TLR3, TLR4 and other correlated indexes of the downstream, analyzed and evaluated Shensu Yin's substance basis of pharmacodynamic actions.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Shensu Yin drug serum depressed the expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF-6, TRAM and TRIF mRNA, as a result, it decreased the amount of TNF-alpha and IFN-beta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Depressing the expression of TLR3, MyD88, TRAM and TRIF mRNA may be the elementary basis of Shensu Yin to play heat-clearing and detoxicating effect.</p>

The effects of an instant haw beverage on lipid levels, antioxidant enzyme and immune function in hyperlipidemia patients / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effectiveness of an instant haw beverage in regulating lipid disturbance, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and immune function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data was collected from 60 hyperlipidemic subjects. In this crossover design, each subject randomly received either the instant haw beverage (100 ml corresponding to 3 g of haw powder or 30 g of fresh haw fruit plus the carrier-guar gum plus some starch) or placebo (guar gum 1.5 g plus some starch as the carrier of the beverage) twice daily. Each supplementation lasted 31 days with a 28-day washout period between treatments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The instant haw beverage significantly reduced total serum cholesterol (9.6%), triglyceride (12.1%), LDLC (18%) while significantly increased SOD activities (7.5%). The placebo was shown to have positive results in some of the lipid profiles, though the effects of the instant haw beverage demonstrated greater significance. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly decreased and SOD activity significantly increased only as subjects were supplemented with the instant haw beverage while no significant changes were seen with placebo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Supplementation with the instant haw beverage positively affects blood lipid profile, antioxidant status and immune function in individuals with hyperlipidemia.</p>

The calcium chelator BAPTA affects the binding of assembly protein AP-2 to membranes

Clathrin coated vesicles are involved in receptor-mediated transport. The coat of these vesicles is constituted mostly of clathrin and the assembly proteins AP-1 or AP-2. In the present study using an in vitro binding system, we found that the interaction of AP-2 but not AP-1 with membranes diminished when the calcium chelating agent BAPTA was added. The maximal inhibitory effect was observed with 10 mM of the chelating agent. Binding of AP-2 to membranes was recovered by adding calcium in a concentration-dependent fashion. Binding was also affected when the membranes were previously treated with BAPTA and then washed. However, other chelating agents such as EDTA or EGTA, as well as the zinc chelating TPEN, did not have any effect on the binding. From these results we postulate a role for calcium in regulating the assembly-disassembly cycle of adaptors in the formation of clathrin coated vesicles.