Acute rejection is associated with antibodies to non-Gal antigens in baboons using Gal-knockout pig kidneys

We transplanted kidneys from alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT-KO) pigs into six baboons using two different immunosuppressive regimens, but most of the baboons died from severe acute humoral xenograft rejection. Circulating induced antibodies to non-Gal antigens were markedly elevated at rejection, which mediated strong complement-dependent cytotoxicity against GaIT-KO porcine target cells. These data suggest that antibodies to non-Gal antigens will present an additional barrier to transplantation of organs from GaIT-KO pigs to humans.

Co-expression of CD173 (H2) and CD174 (Lewis Y) with CD44 suggests that fucosylated histo-blood group antigens are markers of breast cancer-initiating cells

Histo-blood group antigens CD173 (H2) and CD174 (Lewis Y) are known to be developmentally regulated carbohydrate antigens which are expressed to a varying degree on many human carcinomas. We hypothesized that they might represent markers of cancer-initiating cells (or cancer stem cells, CSC). In order to test this hypothesis, we examined the co-expression of CD173 and CD174 with stem cell markers CD44 and CD133 by flow cytometry analysis, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry on cell lines and tissue sections from breast cancer. In three breast cancer cell lines, the percentage of CD173(+)/CD44(+) cells ranged from 17% to > 60% and of CD174(+)/CD44(+) from 21% to 57%. In breast cancer tissue sections from 15 patients, up to 50% of tumor cells simultaneously expressed CD173, CD174, and CD44 antigens. Co-expression of CD173 and CD174 with CD133 was also observed, but to a lesser percentage. Co-immunoprecipitation and sandwich ELISA experiments on breast cancer cell lines suggested that CD173 and CD174 are carried on the CD44 molecule. The results show that in these tissues CD173 (H2) and CD174 (LeY) are associated with CD44 expression, suggesting that these carbohydrate antigens are markers of cancer-initiating cells or of early progenitors of breast carcinomas.

A single amino acid defines cross-species reactivity of tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) CD1d to human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells

P>The non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule CD1d presents lipid antigens to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, which are an important part of the innate immune system. CD1d/iNKT systems are highly conserved in evoluti

The study of biological characteristics and heavy metal determination of Cd, Pb, Fe, V, Ni in the muscle, liver and gonad tissues of kingfish Scomberomorus commerson in the coastal waters of the Hormozagan Province (Persian Gulf)

Biological studies and heavy metal (Ni, v, Fe, Pb,Cd) determination in liver, gonad and muscle of Scomberomorus commerson were carried out from Oct 2006 to Sept 2007 in Hormozgan coastal waters. 599 Samples were gutted for reproduction and nutrition studies, fork length and weight were measured to nearest cm and g respectively. Meanwhile 40 samples were also investigated for heavy metal studies. All specimens were collected from two major landing sites (Bandar Lengeh & Bandar Abbas). Minimums & maximum fork length & weight were 29, 128 cm & 235 and 15350 g respectively.Isometric growth was shown according to our study and b was estimated 2.9 (overall), 2.91(male) & 2.89 (female). The average relative gut length was 0.52± 0.007 and it was determined that S. commerson is a carnivorous. More than 99 percent of gut content was different teleost fishes. Gastro somatic index had two peaks in Nov & Jan (before spawning) and with a decreased trend in July, the spawning period. Occurrence of empty stomach was estimated % 65.77. Maximum amount of condition factor was in Dec. Spawning season was started from June. The average of Absolute & relative fecundity (to weight unit) was 1217149±179315 and 178.2±15.58 respectively. Lm50% was estimated 75 cm for females. Sex ratio was 0.97: 1 (male: female). Chi- Square test showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Maximum amount of hepatosomatic index was estimated in March.Metal concentrations were determined using either Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (for Fe) or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (for Pb,Cd,Ni and V). The mean concentration (μg/g dry weight)of Pb,Cd,Ni,V and Fe in the liver were 0.0309, 0.0268, 0.0672, 0.0077, 2.5159 in the gonad 0.0440 ,0.0295, 0.1096, 0.0000, 1.4449 and in the muscle 0.0244, 0.0324, 0.0656, 0.0128, 1.6138 respectively. The maximum metal concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits for human consumption recommended by the USEPA, WHO and the UK. The results of Kendall's Tau-b correlation coefficient were as follows: The Liver tissue: There were significant positive linear relationships between accumulation of V, Fe, and Pb with Fork length, Pb and Fe with weight, GSI with Pb, Cd, V and 109 Fe, and a negative linear relationships between HSI with accumulation of V and Fe, Fork length, weight and GSI. The Gonad tissue: There were significant positive linear relationships between GSI with accumulation of Pb, Cd, Fe, Fork length and weight, a negative linear relationship between HSI with Fork length, weight and GSI. The Muscle tissue: There were significant positive linear relationships between accumulations of V, Fe with Fork length and weight factors and as well as GSI with Cd, V, Fe, Pb, Fork length and weight,a negative linear relationship between HSI with Fork length, weight, Cd, Fe and GSI. The results of Mann-Whitney U tests (P≤0.05) show that there were significant differences between summer and autumn from heavy metal contents in the studied tissues point of view. The only exceptions were for Ni in the liver, gonads and muscle and as well as there were significant differences between male and female from heavy metal contents in the studied tissues. The only exceptions were for Pb in muscle, Ni in liver, gonad and muscle, V in muscle, and Cd and Fe in gonads.

Trace metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd) concentrations of three subfractions of organic matter from Lake Mariut sediments, Egypt

Trace elements associated with organic subfractions (humic, fulvic, and non-humic substances) were identified for seven core sediments from Lake Mariut, Egypt. Results indicated that the amounts of trace metals in humic acid and non-humic substances decreased in the following order: Zn>Cu>Pb>Cr>Cd, while in fulvic acid the order the order was Cu>Zn>Pb>Cr>Cd. There is a higher contribution of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cr in humic acid compared to fulvic acid in most samples. Slight changes in the amounts of cadmium bounded with humic and fulvic acids was also found.

Comparative study of seasonal changes in some blood parameters and genetic polymorphisms of serum antibodies and antigens on red blood cells surface in immature Caspian salmon

Seasonal sampling from 40 immature Caspian salmon were performed in summer, autumn, winter and spring. The maximum ranges of RBC counts, Hct, Hb, WBC count and clotting times were observed in spring, summer, spring, spring and winter, respectively. The minimum amounts of these factors were counted in summer, winter, winter, winter and winter, respectively. Blood Samples were taken from healthy smolt, immature and adult Caspian salmon in spawning time. Hematological determinations and biochemical serum analysis were performed in 101 fish in the three samples. The ranges of hematological values for sample mean were counted. Red blood cell counts were 866600 mm3 and 1259400 mm3 in smolt and adult respectively. Hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in adult. Hemoglobin was 8.85 gr/dl in smolt and 10.91 gr/dl in adult. White blood cell count was 8781.58 mm3 in smolt and 5217.55 mm3 in adult and mean were differential of WBC, Lymphocyte 90.57%in smolt and73.22% in adult. Neutrophil was 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in adult, Monocyte were 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in adult, Clotting time was 282.34 Seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in adult MCV, MCH and MCHC also meagered in smolt and adult. Biochemical parameter in immature and mature Caspian salmon meagered .Glucose concentration was 2.97 mmol.l- in immature and 1.99 mmol.l- in mature .Cholesterol concentration was 4.26 mmol.l- in immature and 7.06 mmol.l- in mature. Triglyceride amount was 2.35 mmol.l- in immature and 2.47 mmol.l- in mature and Calcium was 2.47 in immature and 2.61 mmol.l- in mature. An in situ study was made on erythrocytic isoantigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies of sera by means of hemoagglutination tests on the blood sample, of 450 immature and 50 mature Caspian salmon. The absence of erythrocyte iso-antigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies were shown by the experimental. It could be indicated an intra-specific variation and differences in species for kelardasht hatchery.

Speciation of some trace metals (Fe, Cu, and Cd) in El-Mex Bay waters, Alexandria, Egypt

Surface- and bottom-water samples were collected from October 1996 to August 1997 to study levels of iron, copper, and cadmium species in their dissolved labile as well as non-labile and particulate forms in the waters of El-Mex Bay. The results showed that the non-labile concentration of the metals was generally more abundant than that of the labile form: its content reached more than 90% of the total dissolved metal for Cu and more than 80% for Fe. The particulate form was almost at the level of the labile form. The annual concentration of the trace metals of the labile form was 13 µglˉ¹ for Fe; 3µglˉ¹ for Cu, and 1.2 µglˉ¹ for Cd in the surface- and bottom-waters.

SECRETORY MONOCLONAL IGA ANTIBODY TO HUMAN SPERM PRODUCED BY GASTROINTESTINAL IMMUNIZATION INHIBITS HUMAN SPERM ACTIVITY AND MOUSE INVITRO FERTILIZATION

BALB/c mice were immunized intragastrically with human sperm. Cells from the Peyer's patches and spleens of the immunized mice were for the preparation of hybridomas secreting antisperm monoclonal IgA (mcIgA). The specific ratio of IgA-secreting cells in Peyer's patches was much higher than that in spleen. The binding site on human sperm of 9 of 19 mcIgA was in the post-acrosomal region using an immunofluorescent assay. Two of eight selected mcIgA caused strong human sperm agglutination and three of them produced significant inhibition of mouse in vitro fertilization. No mcIgA tested caused obvious human sperm immobilization or inhibited mouse in vivo fertilization. In vitro assembly of selected mcIgA in ascites with mouse secretory component (SC) caused no significant changes in effects on sperm function and in vitro fertilization. By use of Western blotting, dimer or higher polymers were demonstrated in all selected mcIgAs and corresponding protein antigens in 6 of 8 selected mcIgAs. These results suggest that human sperm function may be inhibited and fertilization rate reduced by specific secretory IgA to human sperm and that secretory immunity to protein antigens of human sperm could be induced by intragastrointestinal immunization.

Molecular modeling on human CCR5 receptors and complex with CD4 antigens and HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120

AIM: To investigate the interaction between human CCR5 receptors (CCR5) and HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 (HIV-1 gp120) and HIV-1 receptor CD4 antigens (CD4). METHODS: The structurally con served regions (SCR) of human CCR5 was built by the SYBYL/Biopolymer module using the corresponding transmembrane (TM) domain of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) as the template. The coordinates for amino-ter minal residue sequence, and carboxyl-terminal residue sequence, extracellular and cytoplasmic loops were generated using LOOP SEARCH algorithm. Subsequently the structural model was merged into the complex with HIV-1 gp120 and CD4. RESULTS: Human CCR5 interacted with both an HIV-1 gp120 and CD4. The N-terminal residues (especially Met1 and Gln4) of human CCR5, contacted with CD4 residues, mainly 7Nith one span (56 - 59) of CD4 in electrostatic interaction and hydrogen-bonds. The binding sites of human CCR5 were buried in a hydrophobic center surrounded by a highly basic periphery. On the other hand, direct interatomic contacts were made between ? CCR5 residues and 6 gp120 amino-acid residues, which included van der Waals contacts, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonds. CONCLUSION: The interaction model should be helpful for rational design of novel anti-HIV drugs.

伊乐藻对Cu Cd污染底泥修复的应用研究

在自然条件下,采用人工模拟水缸培养方法,研究了湖泊底泥不同Cu、Cd处理对沉水植物伊乐藻生长、叶绿素含量以及Cu、Cd吸收和积累的影响。结果表明,较低浓度Cu刺激伊乐藻的生长(生物量、叶绿素),高浓度抑制伊乐藻的生长;随着Cd处理浓度的增加,伊乐藻的生物量、叶绿素含量均一直降低,在底泥Cd含量为168.69mg·kg-1DW(含背景值)时,植株出现死亡。随着Cu处理浓度的增加,伊乐藻体内的Cu含量一直增加,在底泥Cu含量为414mg·kg-1DW(含背景值)时,根部、叶部的富集系数均达到最大(0.21和0

Hg~(2+)、Cd~(2+)及其复合胁迫对苦草的毒害

利用微宇宙系统研究了不同浓度的Hg2+、Cd2+单一及复合处理下,苦草对这三种胁迫的响应。三种胁迫下,3d内苦草现存量增加百分比与金属离子浓度间显著负相关,其中在[Hg2+]或[Hg2++Cd2+]([Hg2+]/[Cd2+]=1)>5μmol/L时,2～3d可致死;总生产力、净生产力、呼吸强度以及叶绿素含量均随着金属离子浓度的增加而下降,同时叶绿素含量还随着胁迫时间的延长而降低,但上述四个指标在低浓度胁迫时常略有升高;可溶性蛋白含量在[Hg2+]或[Hg2++Cd2+]≤2.5μmol/L、以及[Cd2

Cd~(2+)和Cu~(2+)对美人蕉的氧化胁迫及抗性机理研究

通过测定植物的丙二醛(MDA)含量、酸溶性SH含量以及两种抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶SOD和愈创木酚过氧化物酶GPX)的酶活,研究了重金属镉(Cd)和铜(Cu)对美人蕉(Cannaindica Linn.)的氧化胁迫。结果表明,20μmol·L~(-1)和100μmol·L~(-1)的Cd~(2+)和Cu~(2+)均使其根部MDA含量显著增加,但除了100μmol·L~(-1)的Cd~(2+),叶部MDA含量无明显变化。与Cu~(2+)相比,Cd~(2+)能引起植物根部GSH的明显提高,并能诱导PCs的产生

Cd~(2+)对绿球藻生长及生理特性的影响研究

863计划资助(2002AA601021); 973计划(2002CB412309)资助

重金属Cd~(2+)、Pb~(2+)和Zn~(2+)对泥鳅DNA损伤的研究

采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术(SCGE),研究重金属Cd2+、Pb2+、Zn2+在不同暴露时间(1—35d)、单一重金属离子不同暴露浓度(0.05mg/L、0.5mg/L、5.0mg/L)或混合重金属离子(Cd2++Pb2+、Cd2++Zn2+、Pb2++Zn2+、Cd2++Pb2++Zn2+)相同浓度(0.5mg/L)条件下对泥鳅肝胰脏细胞核DNA的损伤作用。以带彗尾核DNA百分率和彗尾长度(TL)与核直径(D)比值为指标,探讨DNA损伤级别与处理浓度间的相关性。结果显示,随着处理时间的延长,带彗尾核DNA百

Hg~(2+)、Cd~(2+)及其联合胁迫对伊乐藻的生长及POD和SOD活性的影响

利用水族箱实验研究了伊乐藻的现存量以及POD和SOD活性在Hg2+、Cd2+及其联合胁迫下的响应特点.结果表明:Hg2+和Cd2+对伊乐藻的联合毒性大于单一的毒性;在Hg2+20μmol.L-1,或Cd2+80μmol.L-1,或Hg2++Cd2+50μmol.L-1([Hg2+]/[Cd2+]=1/4)时,植物现存量增加的百分比与金属离子浓度负相关;高于上述浓度时,植物现存量减少的速率明显降低.POD和SOD活性的变化趋势相似,在6 h时,其活性在低于40μmol.L-1的Hg2+、或160μmol.L