Characterization of a Novel Gene in the Extended MHC Region of Mouse, NG29/Cd320, a Homolog of the Human CD320

BACKGROUND: The MHC region of the chromosome contains a lot of genes involved in immune responses. Here we have investigated the mouse NG29/Cd320 gene in the centrometrically extended MHC region of chromosome 17. METHODS: We cloned the NG29 gene by RT-PCR and confirmed the tissue distribution of its gene expression by northern blot hybridization. We generated the NG29 gene expression constructs and polyclonal antibody against the NG29 protein to perform the immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: The murine NG29 gene and its human homologue, the CD320/8D6 gene, were similar in the gene structure and tissue expression patterns. We cloned the NG29 gene and confirmed its expression in plasma membrane and intracellular compartments by transfecting its expresssion constructs into HEK 293T cells. The immunoprecipitation studies with rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the NG29-NusA fusion protein indicated that NG29 protein was a glycoprotein of about 45 kDa size. A flow cytometric analysis also showed the NG29 expression on the surface of Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that NG29 gene in mouse extended MHC class II region was the orthologue of human CD320 gene even though human CD320/8D6 gene was located in non-MHC region, chromosome 19p13.

The Preferred Shape of Supratarsal Fold in 979 Double Eyelid Operation Candidates

The shape of supratarsal fold in double eyelid operation can be generally divided into two types: infold and outfold. Infold means that the double eyelid line commences beneath the medial epicanthus and extends wider laterally. Outfold means that the double eyelid line commences above the medial epicanthus and extends parallel to the lateral side. In the case of the young Korean generation, the infold eyelids are recognized much closer to the natural-looking eyelid type. The statistics suggested that 68% of the 20s women had the infold type naturally. To the ordinary Korean people, the preferred one has been recognized as the infold which looks more natural because most of the unartificial double eyelids belong to the infold group. In addition, the survey by the before-operation images showed the tendency to prominently prefer the infold. This research was studied based on the target of 979 women among the random consultation-patients, whose ages are from 17 to 30 years old. The average age of the target women was 22.4. The preference study of these patients was conducted through showing various shapes of double eyelid made by a pin and referring them to the before/after-operation images of other patients. The eyelid shapes were classified into the following three types. Infold, Inward fold and Outfold. In this classification, inward fold means that the double eyelid line commences above the medial epicanthus and extends wider laterally. The results of this survey suggested that inward fold accounted for the most, 421 persons(43.0 percent), followed by the Infold 296 (30.2 percent) and the outfold 262(26.8 percent). This result is opposite to the statistics that the ordinary people commonly prefer the infold type because the shape looks natural and unartificial.

3-Dimensional Model Simulation Craniomaxillofacial Surgery using Rapid Prototyping Technique

In plastic and reconstructive craniomaxillofacial surgery, careful preoperative planning is essential to get a successful outcome. Many craniomaxillofacial surgeons have used imaging modalities like conventional radiographs, computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for supporting the planning process. But, there are a lot of limitations in the comprehension of the surgical anatomy with these modalities. Medical models made with rapid prototyping (RP) technique represent a new approach for preoperative planning and simulation surgery. With rapid prototyping models, surgical procedures can be simulated and performed interactively so that surgeon can get a realistic impression of complex structures before surgical intervention. The great advantage of rapid prototyping technique is the precise reproduction of objects from a 3-dimensional reconstruction image as a physical model. Craniomaxillofacial surgeon can establish treatment strategy through preoperative simulation surgery and predict the postoperative result.

Detection of antibodies against glucose 6-phosphate isomerase in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis using surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore)

We have used a surface plasmon resonance biosensor (SPR, BIACORE 2000) to detect antibodies against glucose 6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) in synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Recombinant human GPI proteins fused with or without NusA were expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity and immobilized in flow cells of CM5 sensor chips. The flow cells immobilized with NusA protein or bovine serum albumin were used to monitor non-specific binding. Synovial fluid samples from RA patients showed a significantly higher level of binding to recombinant GPI proteins than samples from OA patients. Proteins which bound to the recombinant GPI proteins were confirmed to be immunoglobulin through the administration of anti-human immunoglobulin. NusA fusion protein was excellent for this assay because of a low background binding activity in the SPR analysis and its advantage of increased solubility in recombinant protein production. These results suggested a useful utilization of recombinant NusA-GPI fusion protein for the detection of autoantibodies against GPI in RA patients.