Lack of human-like extracellular sortilin neuropathology in transgenic Alzheimer's disease model mice and macaques.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder bearing multiple pathological hallmarks suggestive of complex cellular/molecular interplay during pathogenesis. Transgenic mice and nonhuman primates are used as disease models for mechanistic and translational research into AD; the extent to which these animal models recapitulate AD-type neuropathology is an issue of importance. Putative C-terminal fragments from sortilin, a member of the vacuolar protein sorting 10 protein (Vps10p) family, have recently been shown to deposit in the neuritic ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques in the human brain. METHODS: We set out to explore if extracellular sortilin neuropathology exists in AD-related transgenic mice and nonhuman primates. Brains from different transgenic strains and ages developed overt cerebral Aß deposition, including the ß-amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 double-transgenic (APP/PS1) mice at ~ 14 months of age, the five familial Alzheimer's disease mutations transgenic (5×FAD) mice at ~ 8 months, the triple-transgenic Alzheimer's disease (3×Tg-AD) mice at ~ 22 months, and aged monkeys (Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis) were examined. Brain samples from young transgenic mice, middle-aged/aged monkeys, and AD humans were used as negative and positive pathological controls. RESULTS: The C-terminal sortilin antibody, which labeled senile plaques in the AD human cerebral sections, did not display extracellular immunolabeling in the transgenic mouse or aged monkey brain sections with Aß deposition. In Western blot analysis, sortilin fragments ~ 15 kDa were not detectable in transgenic mouse cortical lysates, but they occurred in control AD lysates. CONCLUSIONS: In reference to their human brain counterparts, neuritic plaques seen in transgenic AD model mouse brains represent an incomplete form of this AD pathological hallmark. The species difference in neuritic plaque constituents also indicates more complex secondary proteopathies in the human brain relative to rodents and nonhuman primates during aging and in AD.

[Genetic diversity of germplasm resources of Lonicera japonica by AFLP analysis].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of germplasm resources of Lonicera japonica in main producing areas of China and provide reference for developing new varieties of L. japonica. METHOD: Using 6 primer combinations, 13 germplasm of L. japonica were analyzed by AFLP marker. The genetic distance was worked out by using DPS V3.01 software, and the cluster was conducted based on UPGMA. RESULT: A total of 435 bands were obtained including 191 polymorphic ones. The average polymorphic frequency was 43.9%. Cluster analysis showed that the relationship of cultivated variety from the same genuine area was near, and the classification result based on AFLP marker of germplasm of L. japonica from Shandong province was basically consistent with those on their morphological character. CONCLUSION: AFLP marker can indicate the abundant genetic diversity of L. japonica and provide theoretical evidence for reasonable utilization and breeding new cultivar of L. japonica in molecular level.

[Comparison of tanshinone IIA in Radix Salviae Miltorrhizae from Shandong].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the contents of tanshinone IIA in Radix Salviae Miltorrhizae from different species, production places and collecting time, for study its quantity from Shandong. METHODS: HPLC method was used. RESULTS: The contents of tanshinone IIA in Radix Salviae Miltorrhizae of Shandong ranged from 0.330%-0.726%. CONCLUSION: Setting the contents of tanshinone IIA as index, the quantity of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. L. is better than Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.. The genuine production place-Mengyin is the best planting area; the plantable place is mountaing district hillyland. Planting in plain region is inadvisable; the best collecting time is middle September.

[Studies on morphology and histology of Pinellia pedatisecta].

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for identification of the morphology and histology of Pinellia pedatisecta Schott. METHODS: Using microscope and scanning electron microscope, characteristics of the Pinellia pedatisecta Schott. were studied comparatively. RESULTS: The surface of leaves, fruits, testa and pollen grain of the cultivated Pinellia pedatisecta Schott. showed different characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results of the study can be used for the identification of the Pinellia pedatisecta Schott. in Shandong.

[Studies on micromorphological characters of fruit coats in cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the affinity relation among land race of Trichosanthes kirilowii and to provide evidence tor the classification and authentication. METHOD: Using scanning electron microscope, characteristics of the pericarp surface were studied comparatively. RESULT: The pericarp surface of the cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong showed the characteristics of generality and diversity. CONCLUSION: The results of the study could be used for the identification of the cultivated Fructus Trichosanthis in Shandong.