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Cell Membrane Components (cell + membrane_component)
Selected AbstractsApolipoprotein E and apolipoprotein B genotypes and risk for spina bifidaBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002Kelly A. Volcik Background Altered cholesterol metabolism and defects in cholesterol biosynthesis may influence abnormal central nervous system (CNS) development. During early stages of embryonic development, high levels of cholesterol are needed by rapidly proliferating cells that utilize cholesterol as a key cell membrane component. Alterations in cholesterol levels are influenced by variations in the apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) genes. The purpose of our study was to explore the possible association between infant genetic variations in the apoE and apoB genes and spina bifida (SB) risk. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from newborn screening blood spots obtained from 26 infants with SB and 73 non-malformed control infants. ApoE and apoB genotypes were determined by restriction enzyme digestion of PCR amplification products. Results Genotype frequencies for the apoE and apoB polymorphisms were not statistically different between case and control infants. For each apoB polymorphism, however, the frequency of the wild-type allele was higher in SB infants as compared to controls. Additionally, the apoE genotype E2/E3 was observed more frequently in the controls than in SB infants [15% in controls compared to 4% in cases; OR = 0.2 (0,1.6)]. Conclusions Results from this study suggest that genetic variations in the apoE and apoB genes, known to regulate cholesterol metabolism, do not substantially contribute to the risk of SB in infants. Teratology 66:257,259, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Molecular determinants of UV-induced immunosuppressionEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2002Agatha Schwarz Abstract: It is almost three decades ago that it was discovered that ultraviolet radiation (UV) can compromise the immune system. UV suppresses immune responses in several ways. It inhibits the function of antigen-presenting cells, induces T cells with suppressor activity and induces the release of immunosuppressive cytokines. The latter phenomenon is mainly responsible for systemic immunosuppression. Although UV can also target cytoplasmic and cell membrane components, UV-induced DNA damage has been recognized as the most important molecular structure in mediating UV-induced immunosuppression. Recently, it was observed that interleukin-12 (IL-12), which antagonizes UV-induced immunosuppression, can accelerate the removal of UV-induced DNA lesions, probably via inducing DNA repair. Hence, it is tempting to speculate that the activity of IL-12 to reduce UV-induced immunosuppression may be due at least partially to this new biological activity of IL-12. [source] Virus-Vector Cell Interactions Regulating Transmission Specificity of Soybean Dwarf LuteovirusesJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2000F. E. Gildow Abstract Transmission of soybean dwarf viruses (SbDV) indigenous to Japan (SbDV-D) and to the eastern United States (SbDV-Va19) were compared in vector and nonvector aphid species. Absolute vector-specificity was maintained when Aulacorthum solani, Acyrthosiphon pisum, and Myzus persicae were allowed to feed on solutions of either virus (100 ,g/ml) through Parafil© membranes. SbDVD was transmitted only by A. solani, and SbDV-Va19 was transmitted only by A. pisum and M. persicae. Similar results were obtained when individual aphids were micro-injected with 2 ng virus and subsequently allowed to feed on healthy plants. Ultrastructural studies of A. solani and M. persicae indicated that both SbDV-D and SbDV-Va20 were acquired specifically through the aphid hindgut. No difference in hindgut acquisition specificity was observed, and both A. solani and M. persicae were able to transport SbDV-D and SbDV-Va20 into the haemocoel by endocytotic/exocytotic pathways. When injected, SbDV was shown to be associated with only the accessory salivary glands (ASG) in aphids, indicating a high level of tissue specificity. Two different interactions with the ASG were observed for SbDV-D and SbDV-Va20 in A. solani and M. persicae. SbDV-D penetrated the ASG basal lamina of A. solani, but was never observed in the basal lamina of M. persicae. The ASG basal lamina was a barrier to SbDV-D transmission by M. persicae. SbDV-Va19 penetrated the ASG basal lamina of both A. solani and M. persicae. However, SbDV-Va20 was not observed in the ASG cytoplasm in A. solani, indicating that the basal plasmalemma functioned as the transmission barrier. Observations indicated that capsid protein structure, aphid basal lamina composition and cell membrane components influenced virus-aphid interactions regulating SbDV transmission. Zusammenfassung Die Übertragung von Verzwergungsviren der Sojabohne (SbDV), die aus Japan (SbDV-D) bzw. dem Osten der USA (SbDV-Va20) stammten, wurde in Vektor und Nichtvektor-Blattlausarten geprüft. Eine absolute Vektorspezifität wurde stets festgestellt, wenn Aulacorthum solani, Acyrthosiphon pisum und Myzus persicae Lösungen mit einem der Viren (100 ,gml -1) durch Parafilm© Membranen aufnehmen konnten. SbDV-D wurde nur von A. solaniübertragen, SbDV-Va20 nur von A. pisum und M. persicae.Ähnliche Ergebnisse wurden erhalten, wenn einzelne Blattläuse Mikroinjektionen mit 2 ng Virus erhielten und anschließend an gesunden Pflanzen saugen konnten. Feinstrukturelle Untersuchungen von A. solani und M. persicae ergaben, daß SbDV-D und SbDV-Va20 spezifisch durch den Enddarm der Blattläuse aufgenommen wurden. Bei der Aufnahme durch den Enddarm wurde keine unterschiedliche Spezifität festgestellt; A. solani und M. persicae konnten SbDV-D und SbDV-Va20 durch Endo-/Exocytose in die Leibeshöhle aufnehmen. Nach Injektion wurde SbDV bei Blattläusen nur in Assoziation mit den akzessorischen Speicheldrüsen (ASG) beobachtet, was auf eine hohe Gewebsspezifität hindeutet. SbDV-D und SbDV-Va20 zeigten in A. solani und M. persicae zwei unterschiedliche Reaktionen mit den ASG. SbDV-D penetrierte die Basalmembran der ASG von A. solani, wurde in der Basalmembran von M. persicae jedoch in keinem Fall gefunden. Die Basalmembran der ASG fungierte bei M. persicae als Hindernis für eine Übertragung von SbDV-D. SbDV-Va20 penetrierte die Basalmembranen von A. solani und von M. persicae. SbDV-Va20 wurde im ASG-Cytoplasma von A. solani jedoch nicht festgestellt, was darauf hindeutet, daß das Basalplasmalemma als Übertragungshindernis fungierte. Unsere Beobachtungen zeigen, daß die Struktur des Hüllproteins, die Zusammensetzung der Basalmembranen der Blattläuse und die Zellwandbestandteile die Interaktionen zwischen Viren und Blattläusen beeinflussen, welche die SbDV-Übertragung regulieren. [source] An Antimicrobial Peptide Modulates Epithelial Responses to Bacterial ProductsTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2008Marcel J. Vonk BSc Abstract Introduction: Changes in the respiratory epithelium and chronic and recurrent infections are thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of otitis media and sinusitis. The airway epithelium is the primary defense system of the respiratory tract. Bacterial cell membrane components like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) can affect the mucociliary clearance function of the respiratory epithelium. P60.4-Ac is a synthetic antimicrobial peptide based on the structure of the cathelicidin LL-37 that neutralizes the pro-inflammatory activity of LPS and LTA. Materials and Methods: Normal respiratory sinus epithelium was cultured at the air liquid interface. The cells were incubated with LPS or LTA in the presence or absence of P60.4-Ac. Results: P60.4-Ac neutralized the LPS- and LTA- induced effect on air-liquid interface cultured epithelial cells. P60.4-Ac significantly inhibited the increase in the epithelial layer caused by LPS or LTA. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that P60.4-Ac might be of clinical benefit in the management of otitis media with effusion and sinusitis. [source] | |||||||||||||