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Neuropeptide Y modulates functions of inflammatory cells in the rat: Distinct role for Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptors
No full textNeuropeptide Y (NPY) has been reported to be a potent anti-inflammatory peptide with ability to directly modulate activity of granulocytes and macrophages. The present study aimed to correlate the effects of NPY in vivo on lipopolysaccharide-induced air-pouch exudates cells and in vitro on peripheral blood leukocytes functions. The role of different Y receptors was examined using NPY-related peptides and antagonists with diverse subtype specificity and selectivity for Y receptors. Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptors were detected on air-pouch exudates cells (flow cytometry) and peripheral blood granulocytes (immunocito-chemistry). NPY in vivo reduced inflammatory cells accumulation into the air pouch, and decreased their adherence and phagocytic capacity via Y2/Y5 and Y1/Y2 receptors, respectively. Quite the opposite, NPY in vitro potentiated adhesiveness and phagocytosis of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes by activating Y1 receptor. The differences between in vivo and in vitro effects of NPY on rat inflammatory cells functions are mostly due to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 activity. In addition, suppressive effect of NPY in vivo is highly dependent on the local microenvironment, peptide truncation and specific Y receptors interplay. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Cloning and expression of a novel lactococcal aggregation factor from Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis BGKP1
Get PDFBackground: Aggregation may play a main role in the adhesion of bacteria to the gastrointestinal epithelium and their colonization ability, as well as in probiotic effects through co-aggregation with intestinal pathogens and their subsequent removal. The aggregation phenomenon in lactococci is directly associated with the sex factor and lactose plasmid co-integration event or duplication of the cell wall spanning (CWS) domain of PrtP proteinase. Results: Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis BGKP1 was isolated from artisanal semi-hard homemade cheese and selected due to its strong auto-aggregation phenotype. Subsequently, non-aggregating derivative (Agg(-)) of BGKP1, designated as BGKP1-20, was isolated, too. Comparative analysis of cell surface proteins of BGKP1 and derivative BGKP1-20 revealed a protein of approximately 200 kDa only in the parental strain BGKP1. The gene involved in aggregation (aggL) was mapped on plasmid pKP1 (16.2 kb), cloned and expressed in homologous and heterologous lactococci and enterococci. This novel lactococcal aggregation protein was shown to be sufficient for cell aggregation in all tested hosts. In addition to the aggL gene, six more ORFs involved in replication (repB and repX), restriction and modification (hsdS), transposition (tnp) and possible interaction with mucin (mbpL) were also located on plasmid pKP1. Conclusion: AggL is a new protein belonging to the collagen-binding superfamily of proteins and is sufficient for cell aggregation in lactococci
Inducible expression of choline sulfatase and its regulator BetR in Pseudomonas sp ATCC19151
No full textPseudomonas sp. strain ATCC19151 is a natural isolate from sewage with the ability to degrade detergents. Genes encoding potential choline sulfatase (betC), substrate-binding ABC transporter protein (betD), sulfate transporter (betE), and divergent putative transcriptional regulator (betR) were cloned and characterized from strain ATCC19151. In silico analysis revealed that (1) the BetC protein belongs to alkPPc superfamily and shares CXPXR sequence with the cysteine sulfatases of group I, (2) BetR belongs to the LysR family of transcriptional regulators, (3) BetD is part of the PBPb superfamily of periplasmic and membrane-associated proteins, and (4) BetE is a permease and contains STAS domain. Insertional mutagenesis and genetic complementation show that betC gene encodes a functional choline sulfatase. Analysis of the betC (P (betC) ) and betR (P (betR) ) promoters revealed that they are inducible. BetR activates betC and betR transcription in the presence of choline sulfate, whilst in the absence of choline sulfate, BetR represses its own transcription. It was further established that BetR directly binds to betC-betR intergenic region in vitro, with higher affinity in the presence of choline sulfate as cofactor. Transcription of betC and betR was not induced in the presence of high concentration of NaCl
Modulation of granulocyte functions by peptide YY in the rat: Age-related differences in Y receptors expression and plasma dipeptidyl peptidase 4 activity
No full textIt has been acknowledged that aging exerts detrimental effects on cells of the innate immune system and that neuropeptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY-related peptides fine-tune the activity of these cells through a receptor specific mechanism. The present study investigated the age-dependent potential of peptide YY (PYY) to modulate different granulocyte functions. The PYY reduced the carrageenan-elicited granulocyte accumulation into the air-pouch of aged (24 months) rats, and markedly decreased the phagocytosis of zymosan, as well as the H(2)O(2) production, when applied in vivo (20 mu g/air-pouch). The anti-inflammatory effect of PYY was less prominent in adult (8 months) and young (3 months) rats. However, the proportions of granulocytes expressing Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptor subtypes were significantly lower in both aged and young rats when compared to adult rats. Furthermore, the aging was found to be associated with the diminished dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DP4, an enzyme converting the NPY and PYY to Y2/Y5 receptor selective agonists) activity in plasma. In conclusion, the diverse age-related anti-inflammatory effect of PYY in rats originates from different expression levels of Y1, Y2, and Y5 receptor subtypes in addition to different plasma DP4 activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Glucocorticoids, master modulators of the thymic catecholaminergic system?
Get PDFThere is evidence that the major mediators of stress, i.e., catecholamines and glucocorticoids, play an important role in modulating thymopoiesis and consequently immune responses. Furthermore, there are data suggesting that glucocorticoids influence catecholamine action. Therefore, to assess the putative relevance of glucocorticoid-catecholamine interplay in the modulation of thymopoiesis we analyzed thymocyte differentiation/maturation in non-adrenalectomized and andrenalectomized rats subjected to treatment with propranolol (0.4 mg.100 g body weight(-1).day(-1)) for 4 days. The effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on thymopoiesis in non-adrenalectomized rats differed not only quantitatively but also qualitatively from those in adrenalectomized rats. In adrenalectomized rats, besides a more efficient thymopoiesis [judged by a more pronounced increase in the relative proportion of the most mature single-positive TCR alpha beta(high) thymocytes as revealed by two-way ANOVA; for CD4(+)CD8(-)F (1,20) = 10.92, P lt 0.01; for CD4(-)CD8(+)F (1,20) = 7.47, P lt 0.05], a skewed thymocyte maturation towards the CD4(-)CD8(+) phenotype, and consequently a diminished CD4(+)CD8(-)/CD4(-)CD8(+) mature TCR alpha beta(high) thymocyte ratio (3.41 +/- 0.21 in non-adrenalectomized rats vs 2.90 +/- 0.31 in adrenalectomized rats, P lt 0.05) were found. Therefore, we assumed that catecholaminergic modulation of thymopoiesis exhibits a substantial degree of glucocorticoid-dependent plasticity. Given that glucocorticoids, apart from catecholamine synthesis, influence adrenoceptor expression, we also hypothesized that the lack of adrenal glucocorticoids affected not only beta-adrenoceptor- but also alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated modulation of thymopoiesis
Importovanje i širenje pandemijskog virusa influence a(H1N1) u Autonomnoj Pokrajini Vojvodini u predsezonskom periodu
Get PDFIntroduction. Influenza is the most frequently reported communicable disease, having epidemic and pandemic potential. The first influenza pandemic in this century started in Mexico and spread quickly throughout the world. This paper analyses importation of pandemic influenza cases and local transmission among population in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Material and methods. According to the WHO guidelines and national recommendations, the influenza surveillance activities were conducted in Vojvodina in order to detect, isolate and treat affected international travelers and their close contacts. Patients whose pandemic influenza infection was laboratory confirmed were classified as confirmed cases, while those with symptoms who were epidemiologically linked with confirmed cases were classified as probable cases. Results. During the period from the 24th of June to 17th of August 2009, 123 pandemic influenza cases were recorded in Vojvodina. Infection was imported through international travelers and our citizens coming from countries affected by influenza outbreaks. Majority of cases had mild clinical picture. Most frequently reported symptoms were high fever (above 38oC) (85.6%), and cough (61.6%). Difficulty in breathing was recorded in 20 (16.0%) cases, while pneumonia developed in 4 (3.2%) cases but none of the cases required mechanical ventilation. Conclusion. The imported cases of pandemic influenza in the pre-epidemic period led to limited local transmission in general population and caused a small outbreak among visitors of International music festival called EXIT.Influenca je najčešća zarazna bolest sa pandemijskim potencijalom. Prva pandemija influence u ovom veku krenula je iz Meksika i brzo zahvatila čitav svet. Rad analizira importovanje prvih slučajeva i lokalno širenje pandemijske influence među stanovnicima Vojvodine. Nadzorom nad influencom u Pokrajini, u skladu sa smernicama Svetske zdravstvene organizacije i nacionalnim preporukama, obuhvaćeni su putnici u međunarodnom saobraćaju i njihovi kontakti. Bolesnici kod kojih je dokazana infekcija virusom influence A(H1N1) klasifikovani su kao potvrđeni slučajevi, dok su oni sa simptomima influence, epidemiološki povezani sa potvrđenim slučajevima, klasifikovani kao verovatni slučajevi. U periodu od 24. juna do 17. avgusta 2009. godine, na teritoriji Pokrajine su registrovana 123 slučaja pandemijske influence. Infekcija je importovana preko stranih i naših građana koji su dolazili iz zemalja sa lokalnom transmisijom virusa. Importovani slučajevi doveli su u predsezonskom periodu do ograničene lokalne transmisije u opštoj populaciji i epidemijskog širenja među učesnicima Egzita
Korelacija koncentracija autoantitela specifičnih za tiroidnu peroksidazu određenih korišćenjem dva radioimunološka testa
Get PDFIntroduction. Thyroid peroxidase-specific autoantibodies (TPO Abs) are mostly measured in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. The aim of this study was to compare TPO Ab concentrations measured by two radioimmunoassays. Material and methods. Our investigation included 38 patients. Sera concentrations of TPO Abs were measured by using Cis biointernational (France) and Immunotech (Czech Republic) assays. Results. Concentrations obtained by two assays were extensively different. The values measured by Cis biointernational assay were higher than ones obtained by Immunotech assay. The statistical arrangement of results showed the direct correlation between the two assays, with the coefficient of agreement R=0.6239 (p lt 0.001). The analysis of relative values (ratio of measured and upper limit values given by the manufacturer) demonstrated the statistically significant difference (p=0.003) between values measured by Cis biointernational (18.94±37.22) and by Immunotech assay (4.22±8.22) concerning the distinction between normal and raised concentrations of TPO Abs. The agreement of results (enhanced or normal TPO Ab concentrations in both tests) was shown in 30 sera samples (78.95%), but in residual 8 sera (21.05%) normal TPO Ab concentrations were obtained by Immunotech, and enchanced by Cis biointernational assay. There is no difference in capability of distinction between normal and pathological results between the two tests (χ2=3.484, p gt 0.05). The highest concentration of TPO Ab measured by Cis biointernational assay was not the highest one in Immunotech assay, which might be a reflection of different specificity of antibodies used in two diagnostic tests. Conclusion. TPO Ab concentrations obtained by Cis biointernational and Immunotech assays are very different. In several sera samples, normal concentrations of TPO autoantibodies were obtained by Immunotech assay and enhanced by Cis biointernational assay. The highest value obtained by one is not the highest value measured by another assay we used.Autontitela specifična za tiroidnu peroksidazu autoantitela specifičnih za tiroidnu peroksidazu prevashodno se određuju radi dijagnoze autoimunih bolesti štitaste žlezde. Cilj rada bio je da se uporede koncentracije autoantitela specifičnih za tiroidnu peroksidazu dobijene korišćenjem dva testa: Cis bionternational (Francuska) i Immunotech (Češka Republika). Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno 38 ispitanika. Iako su se koncentracije autoantitela specifičnih za tiroidnu peroksidazu u ispitivanim serumima znatno razlikovale i u apsolutnim i u relativnim vrednostima, statističkom obradom rezultata pokazana je direktna korelacija rezultata merenja ova dva testa, sa koeficijentom R=0,6239 (p lt 0,001). Na osnovu analize relativnih vrednosti. pokazana je statistički značajna razlika (p=0,003) između srednjih vrednosti rezultata izmerenih testovima Cis (18,94±37,22) i Immunotech (4,22±8,22). Slaganje rezultata pokazano je u 78,95% seruma, dok je u 21,05% seruma testom Immunotech dobijena normalna, a testom Cis biointernational granična ili povećana koncentracija antitela. Statistički podaci su pokazali da se testovi ne razlikuju po razdvajanju patoloških od normalnih vrednosti (χ2=3,484, p gt 0,05). Iako koncentracije autoantitela specifičnih za tiroidnu peroksidazu izmerene pomoću testova Cis biointernational i testom Immunotech pokazuju značajan stepen korelacije, njihove i apsolutne i relativne vrednosti znatno se razlikuju
Somatostatin-14 izaziva različite promene u timusima prepubertalnih i mladih odraslih pacova
Get PDFBearing in mind the role of somatostatin in thymus functions, and changes of somatostatin level and expression of its receptors during postnatal life, the aim of this study was to investigate whether centrally applied SRIH-14 induces different changes in the thymic compartments and thymocyte profile in peripubertal and young adult rats. To this end, 4- and 10-week-old male AO rats were cannulated and treated intracerebroventriculary with three doses of SRIH-14, applied every other day. In peripubertal rats, SRIH-14 decreases thymic relative weight and volume, as well as the volume of thymic compartments, especially of deep cortex, as a result of thymocytes loss by apoptosis. Also, SRIH-14 increases the percentage of immature thymocytes preceding the DPTCRαβlow cells (DNTCRαβ-/low, DPTCRαβ-, SPCD8TCRαβ-/low and SPCD4TCRαβ-/low), decreases the percentages of DPTCRαβlow and DPTCRαβhi cells, while the relative proportion of CD4+/CD8+TCRαβhi cells remained unaltered. In young adult rats, SRIH-14 does not lead to changes in relative thymus weight, although decreases the thymic cortex cellularity and volume. In addition, decreases the percentage of DPTCRαβ-/hi cells and increases the percentages of cells within DNTCRαβhi and both SP subpopulations, but much more of the CD8+TCRαβhi subset. These results suggest that the effects of SRIH-14 on the thymus and thymocytes subpopulations are age-dependent.Sa obzirom da literaturni podaci ukazuju da somatostatin ima uticaja na funkciju timusa, kao i da se tokom postnatalnog života menja nivo somatostatina i ekspresija njegovih receptora u timusu, cilj ovog rada je bio da se ispita da li SRIH- 14 davan intracerebroventrikularno u prepubertalnih i mladih odraslih pacova, dovodi do različitih promena u zonama timusa i profilu timocitnih subsetova. Mužjacima pacova AO soja, starim 4 i 10 nedelja, ugrađene su kanile u treću moždanu komoru i oni su tretirani somatostatinom, ukupno tri doze, ubrizgane svakog drugog dana. U prepubertalnih pacova tretman somatostatinom dovodi do smanjenja relativne mase i zapremine timusa, kao i zapremine timusnih zona, naročito dubokog korteksa, što je bila posledica gubitka timocita apoptozom. Takođe, SRIH-14 je doveo do povećanja procenta timocita nezrelog fenotipa (DNTCRαβ-/low, DPTCRαβ-, SPCD8TCRαβ-/low i SPCD4TCRαβ-/low) prekusora DPTCRαβlow subpopulacije, smanjenja procenta DPTCRαβlow i DPTCRαβhi subsetova, dok je relativni odnos najzrelijih CD4TCRαβhi i CD8TCRαβhi timocita ostao neizmenjen. U mladih adulta primena somatostatina, iako dovodi do smanjena zapremine i celularosti korteksa ne dovodi do promena u relativnoj masi timusa. Procenat DPTCRαβ-/hi timocita je bio smanjen, dok je procentualno učešće DNTCRαβhi timocita i obe jednostruko pozitivne subpopulacije (CD4TCRαβhi i CD8TCRαβhi, više CD8TCRαβhi) u ukupnom broju timocita bilo povećano. Navedeni rezultati ukazuju da SRIH-14 različito utiče na morfologiju timusa i na subpopulacije timocita pacova u zavisnosti od uzrasta tretiranih životinja
Schizophrenia and Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism in Serbian Population
No full textApolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants are associated with alterations in brain function and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and conflicting results have been reported in schizophrenia. Our results showed no significant differences in APOE allele or genotype frequencies between the Serbian schizophrenic patients and control individuals. However, we observed a possible association between particular subtypes of schizophrenia and APOE epsilon 3/epsilon 3 genotype (p = .01221) and epsilon 4 allele showed a tendency toward positive association with responding to typical neuroleptics. APOE genotypes have no major influence on risk of schizophrenia, treatment and response to conventional antipsychotics, and age of onset in schizophrenia
