Human papillomavirus vaccines in Picardy, France: coverage and correlation with socioeconomic factors.

BACKGROUND: In France, the human papillomavirus vaccine is routinely recommended for 14-year-old females and a "catch-up" vaccination should be offered to female adolescents who are between 15 and 23 years of age. Currently, few studies are available on the coverage rates in France. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coverage of the human papillomavirus vaccine and compliance with the vaccination scheme in Picardy, between 2009 and 2010, and to analyze the socioeconomic factors possibly influencing this coverage. METHODS: We selected a female population that was affiliated with the national health insurance organization, living in the Picardy region of France, and aged between 14 and 23 years on 31st December 2010. RESULTS: The coverage rate in the study population with at least one dose of vaccine was 16.8%. A complete vaccination scheme (three doses) was observed in less than 38.9% of them, so only 6.5% of this population had received the complete vaccination. Higher rates of coverage and compliance were observed in girls 14 years of age (65.5%) and if the prescriber was a gynecologist or pediatrician (respectively, 44.7% and 48.1%). There is a negative correlation between coverage and compliance and the percentage of single-parent families and immigrant families by canton area of Picardy. The economic cost of an inappropriate scheme was 1.3 million euros for Picardy in 2009. CONCLUSION: Coverage and compliance rates of human papillomavirus vaccines in Picardy appear to be low. This study suggests that health authorities in Picardy should provide communication and action campaigns to improve these results.

Hydrophobins in ectomycorrhizas: heterologous transcription of the Pisolithus HydPt-1 gene in yeast and Hebeloma cylindrosporum.

Hydrophobins are fungal cell wall proteins involved in aggregation of hyphae. Upon the development of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis between tree roots and fungal hyphae, the transcripts of hydrophobin genes markedly accumulated. As the precise role of these proteins in symbiosis is not yet known, we develop heterologous expression system of the Pisolithus hydrophobin HYDPt-1. This gene has been introduced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Hebeloma cylindrosporum. Introns were required for hydPt-1 transcript accumulation in the basidiomycete H. cylindrosporum. Heterologous transcript accumulation did not alter the phenotype of either species. The lack of altered phenotype resulted from the absence of HYDPt-1 polypeptide accumulation in transformed strains.

A second exon splicing silencer within human immunodeficiency virus type 1 tat exon 2 represses splicing of Tat mRNA and binds protein hnRNP H.

An equilibrium between spliced and unspliced primary transcripts is essential for retrovirus multiplication. This equilibrium is maintained by the presence of inefficient splice sites. The A3 3'-splice site of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) is required for Tat mRNA production. The infrequent utilization of this splice site has been attributed to the presence of a suboptimal polypyrimidine tract and an exonic splicing silencer (ESS2) in tat exon 2 approximately 60 nucleotides downstream of 3'-splice site A3. Here, using site-directed mutagenesis followed by analysis of splicing in vitro and in HeLa cells, we show that the 5' extremity of tat exon 2 contains a second exonic splicing silencer (ESS2p), which acts to repress splice site A3. The inhibitory property of this exonic silencer was active when inserted downstream of another HIV-1 3'-splice site (A2). Protein hnRNP H binds to this inhibitory element, and two U-to-C substitutions within the ESS2p element cause a decreased hnRNP H affinity with a concomitant increase in splicing efficiency at 3'-splice site A3. This suggests that hnRNP H is directly involved in splicing inhibition. We propose that hnRNP H binds to the HIV-1 ESS2p element and competes with U2AF(35) for binding to the exon sequence flanking 3'-splice site A3. This binding results in the inhibition of splicing at 3'-splice site A3.

An in vivo and in vitro structure-function analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae U3A snoRNP: protein-RNA contacts and base-pair interaction with the pre-ribosomal RNA.

The structure and accessibility of the S. cerevisiae U3A snoRNA was studied in semi-purified U3A snoRNPs using both chemical and enzymatic probes and in vivo using DMS as the probe. The results obtained show that S. cerevisiae U3A snoRNA is composed of a short 5' domain with two stem-loop structures containing the phylogenetically conserved boxes A' and A and a large cruciform 3' domain containing boxes B, C, C' and D. A precise identification of RNA-protein contacts is provided. Protection by proteins in the snoRNP and in vivo are nearly identical and were exclusively found in the 3' domain. There are two distinct protein anchoring sites: (i), box C' and its surrounding region, this site probably includes box D, (ii) the boxes B and C pair and the bases of stem-loop 2 and 4. Box C' is wrapped by the proteins. RNA-protein interactions are more loose at the level of boxes C and D and a box C and D interaction is preserved in the snoRNP. In accord with this location of the protein binding sites, an in vivo mutational analysis showed that box C' is important for U3A snoRNA accumulation, whereas mutations in the 5' domain have little effect on RNA stability. Our in vivo probing experiments strongly suggest that, in exponentially growing cells, most of the U3A snoRNA molecules are involved in the 10-bp interaction with the 5'-ETS region and in two of the interactions recently proposed with 18S rRNA sequences. Our experimental study leads to a slightly revised version of the model of interaction proposed by J. Hughes. Single-stranded segments linking the heterologous helices are highly sensitive to DMS in vivo and their functional importance was tested by a mutational analysis.

Are LIF and related cytokines functionally equivalent?

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is structurally related to interleukin-6 (IL-6), oncostatin M (OSM), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Since LIF-deficient mice do not exhibit overt phenotypic effects in cell types known to be targets for LIF action in vitro, we examined the ability of IL-6, OSM, and CNTF to reproduce the effects of LIF in five different bioassays. OSM, CNTF, and LIF are able to promote embryonic stem cell growth and to maintain them in an undifferentiated state as marked by a high alkaline phosphatase activity (ED50 are, respectively, 0.5, 3 and 1 ng/ml). Whereas LIF and OSM maintain close to 100% of ES cells in an undifferentiated state, CNTF, at optimal concentrations, prevents differentiation of only 60% of the ES population. Murine 7TD1 hybridoma cell growth is induced only in the presence of IL-6 (ED50 = 0.1 ng/ml). Both LIF and OSM stimulate DA1a cell proliferation (ED50 are, respectively, 1 and 12 ng/ml). OSM appears, therefore, to act as a weak agonist of LIF-dependent processes on murine cells, however, with a 10-fold lower specific activity than that of LIF, which is in agreement with human OSM cross-reacting with the murine LIF-R. Though IL-6, LIF, and OSM all stimulate haptoglobin and fibrinogen production by human HepG2 hepatoma cells, the dose-response curves of these three factors exhibit very different characteristics. CNTF stimulates acute-phase protein production by HepG2 cells only at high concentrations (greater than 1 microgram/ml). A549 epithelial cells are subjected to growth inhibition only in the presence of OSM (ED50 = 6 ng/ml), even though they expressed LIF-R and gp130 transcripts. These data suggest that OSM and LIF act on human cells through different receptors. Altogether, these results indicate that none of the factors examined in this study are precisely interchangeable in terms of their biological actions.

Characterization of a binding protein for leukemia inhibitory factor localized in extracellular matrix.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) interacts with two classes of high affinity binding sites on rat UMR cells cultured in monolayer. One class of binding sites was found to be localized in the extracellular matrix (ECM) after removal of cells from the culture dish. The interaction of LIF with ECM-localized binding sites is not dependent upon either glycosylation of LIF or the presence of extracellular glycosyaminoglycans. Chemical cross-linking studies demonstrate that LIF interacts with a 200-kD cell-associated protein and a 140-kD ECM-localized protein. A 140-kD protein could also be specifically precipitated from solubilised metabolically radiolabeled UMR ECM by antibodies directed against LIF by virtue of its ability to form a stable complex with unlabeled LIF. In addition, soluble LIF associated with this ECM-localized protein is biologically active in terms of inhibition of ES cell differentiation. The properties of ECM-localized 140-kD species are very similar to those of the secreted form of the LIF receptor suggesting that the ECM localization of LIF and LIF signal transduction may be closely coupled.

Purification of a heparin binding FGF receptor (HB-FGFR) from adult bovine brain membranes.

A new form of high affinity fibroblast growth factor receptor has been purified from adult bovine brain membranes. Purification was performed by chromatography on DEAE-Trisacryl and wheat germ agglutinin-agarose followed by FGF-2 affinity chromatography. Affinity labeling of purified fractions with 125I-FGF-2 showed after cross-linking a 170-kDa complex, suggesting the existence of a 150-kDa FGF receptor. No cross-reactivity with anti-FGF receptor 1 (FGFR-1 or flg) or with anti-receptor 2 (FGFR-2 or bek) antibodies could be detected with this partially purified receptor. Heparitinase treatment of the partially purified FGF receptor abolished the formation of the ligand receptor complex. The complex was restored in the presence of heparin in a dose dependent fashion, supporting the idea that heparin-like molecules are needed for proper binding. Further purification of the receptor was achieved by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and yielded a purification of over 320,000-fold. The purified receptor fraction was radiolabeled and loaded on RPLC C4 column. Eluted fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE. A major 150-kDa band was detected. These data show for the first time a new form of FGF receptor isolated from bovine brain membranes. This purified receptor displays affinity for heparin and was therefore named heparin binding FGF receptor (HB-FGFR). It remains unclear whether the receptor is a proteo-heparin sulfate or whether heparans are strongly associated and therefore are copurified. Large scale preparations are in progress for core protein structure studies.

High affinity receptors to acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) are detected mainly in adult brain membrane preparations but not in liver, kidney, intestine, lung or stomach.

We have previously shown that only adult brain contained a detectable amount of high affinity receptors for basic Fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) whereas adult liver, kidney, lung, intestine or stomach showed only low affinity binding sites. We now have studied and compared the distribution of the receptors for acidic Fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) with that of bFGF receptors in the same tissues. Membrane binding of 125I-aFGF was time dependent, reversible and displaced by an excess of unlabeled aFGF. Scatchard analyses of binding data obtained with all tissue membrane preparations revealed the presence of at least one class of low affinity/high capacity interaction sites characterized by apparent Kd values ranging from 3.9 to 6.9 x 10(-8) M. Interestingly and as for bFGF, high affinity receptors for aFGF could be detected only in adult brain membranes. Cross-linking and Scatchard analyses indicate that this family of interaction was characterized by four molecular species of 175, 125, 95 and 70 kDa and by an apparent Kd value of 1.8 x 10(-10) M. Moreover, cross-competition binding assay revealed that these brain high affinity receptors were common for both acidic and basic FGF. These results suggest that these growth factors may share identical functions mediated by the same receptors highly expressed in the brain. Using a cDNA probe for the Bek form of FGF receptors, we were able to show that all the tissues studied expressed this mRNA (4.5 kb transcript) but probably not in sufficient amounts to account for the number of high affinity receptors that we detected only in the brain.

Purification of basic fibroblast growth factor receptors from bovine brain.

Fibroblast growth factors are proteins which play a major role, in vitro and in vivo, in the control of cellular growth and differentiation of a large number of cells. Biological activities of these factors are mediated by the interaction with specific membrane receptors. Previous studies indicated that the apparent molecular weight of a family of these receptors for the basic form of Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), ranges from 125 to 165 kDa according to cell species and types. We have purified this family of receptors from bovine brain. We first set up a radioreceptor assay to detect receptors throughout the purification by measuring its ability to inhibit the fixation of radiolabeled bFGF to insolubilized membranes from bovine brain. The purification was also monitored by using cross-linking reagents in order to allow the visualization of radiolabeled bFGF bound to its receptor. The first purification steps involved 2 anion-exchange chromatographic steps, DEAE Trysacryl and FPLC Mono Q, and yielded an enrichment over 500 fold. Affinity chromatography with bFGF immobilized on Sepharose 4B was then performed. Covalent fixation of bFGF to the Sepharose matrix was carried out in presence of N-acetylated heparin in order to protect the recognition site for bFGF on its receptor. These 3 chromatographic steps yielded only 2 bands of apparent molecular weight of 100 kDa and 135 kDa as detected by electrophoresis. These 2 bands are also detected after chromatography on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin hence confirming the presence of carbohydrates on bFGF receptors.

Modulation of mitogenic activity and cellular binding of basic fibroblast growth factor by basic proteins.

Polycationic molecules were studied either for their ability to displace the binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to high- and low-affinity membrane interaction sites and/or to modulate bFGF-induced proliferation of fibroblasts. Heparin-binding polypeptides, such as polylysine, protamine, histones, and thrombin-displaced [125I]bFGF bound to bovine brain membrane receptors. The most displacing polypeptides were those with the strongest affinity to heparin. Two of these polypeptides, protamine and polylysine, inhibited (at 5 microM) by more than 90% the mitogenic effect induced by bFGF on Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells (CCL39). At the same dose, no effect was observed with basic proteins that do not bind to heparin, such as cytochrome C and lysozyme. An interesting observation was that protamine at 1 microM potentiated by 1.5-fold the mitogenic activity of bFGF, while it acted as an inhibitor at higher concentration.

Distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor binding sites in various tissue membrane preparations from adult guinea pig.

In order to localize a rich source of basic FGF receptor, we examined the distribution of basic FGF binding sites in brain, stomach, lung, spleen, kidney, liver and intestine membrane preparations from adult guinea pig. Comparative binding studies using iodinated basic FGF showed that a specific binding was detected in all the membrane preparations tested. Scatchard plots from iodinated basic FGF competition experiment with native basic FGF in various membrane preparations, suggested the presence of one class of binding sites in some tissues such as liver, kidney, spleen, lung, stomach, and intestine with an apparent dissociation constant (appKD) value ranging from 4 to 7.5 nM and the existence of a second class of higher affinity sites in brain membranes with appKD value of 15 pM. Characterization of these basic FGF high affinity interaction sites was performed using a cross-linking reagent. These results show for the first time that specific interaction sites for basic FGF are widely distributed, suggesting that this growth factor might play a role in the physiological functions of a number of adult organs.

Presence of basic fibroblast growth factor receptors in bovine brain membranes.

We described a protocol for purification of bovine brain membranes suitable to study the binding of iodinated basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to bovine brain membrane preparation. The binding of 125I basic FGF to brain membranes reached equilibrium within 30 min at 20 degrees C, was reversible, and displaced by an excess of unlabeled basic FGF. Scatchard analysis of the data revealed that two classes of binding sites could be detected with an apparent Kd of 30 pM and a capacity of 0.24 pmol/mg of membrane proteins for the high affinity binding site and Kd of 3 nM with a capacity of 51 pmol/mg of membrane proteins for the low affinity binding site. Cross-linking experiments of labeled basic FGF to brain membrane receptor yield the formation of a single major complex with an apparent molecular mass of 170 kDa which is similar to the value obtained for the high affinity binding site for basic FGF on target cells in tissue culture. Hence these data present the first biochemical evidence suggesting that membrane purified from bovine brain contain two classes of specific binding sites for basic FGF and confirm results described with cells grown in vitro.