The life cycle-dependent transcriptional profile of the obligate intracellular amoeba symbiont Amoebophilus asiaticus.

Free-living amoebae often harbor obligate intracellular bacterial symbionts. Amoebophilus (A.) asiaticus is a representative of a lineage of amoeba symbionts in the phylum Bacteroidota. Here, we analyse the transcriptome of A. asiaticus strain 5a2 at four time points during its infection cycle and replication within the Acanthamoeba host using RNA sequencing. Our results reveal a dynamic transcriptional landscape throughout different A. asiaticus life cycle stages. Many intracellular bacteria and pathogens utilize eukaryotic-like proteins (ELPs) for host cell interaction and the A. asiaticus 5a2 genome shows a particularly high abundance of ELPs. We show the expression of all genes encoding ELPs and found many ELPs to be differentially expressed. At the replicative stage of A. asiaticus, ankyrin repeat proteins and tetratricopeptide/Sel1-like repeat proteins were upregulated. At the later time points, high expression levels of a type 6 secretion system that likely prepares for a new infection cycle after lysing its host, were found. This study reveals comprehensive insights into the intracellular lifestyle of A. asiaticus and highlights candidate genes for host cell interaction. The results from this study have implications for other intracellular bacteria such as other amoeba-associated bacteria and the arthropod symbionts Cardinium forming the sister lineage of A. asiaticus.

Postprandial tachygastria is frequent in infants with gastroesophageal reflux.

Cutaneous electrogastrography (EGG) enables non-invasive recording of gastric electrical activity (GEA). Controversial EGG and ultrasonographic (US) results have been described in infants suffering from gastroesophageal reflux (GER). It was the aim of this study to investigate GEA using transcutaneous EGG in a group of infants free of symptoms indicative of GER and a group with GER (mean age 10 months, (range 3-36 months)) and to investigate gastric emptying in both groups using US. We also investigated possible correlations between EGG and US parameters of the gastric emptying curve. The EGG was recorded over a period of at least 120 min (60 min preprandial to 60 min postprandial). US measurements were made just after completion of the meal and then every 30 min up to 180 min. In infants with GER significantly more tachygastria occurred in the postprandial period when compared to healthy infants, in whom normogastria was predominantly observed (P < 0.05). The sonographically-measured gastric emptying curve could be defined in all infants using an exponential function. No significant differences between the groups were noted; there was no significant correlation between EGG parameters and the De Meester score or parameters of the sonographically-measured gastric emptying curve. From the results of this study, transcutaneous EGG recorded within the postprandial period can be of potential clinical value for non-invasive GER screening in infants. However, the EGG cannot be utilized to investigate gastric emptying in infants.

Effect of forskolin on the maintenance of platelet properties during storage.

During storage of platelet concentrates under routine blood banking conditions a gradual increase takes place in the degree of platelet activation. Studies were designed to determine whether the addition of forskolin, a direct activator of platelet adenylate cyclase and inhibitor of platelet activation, could reduce some of the deleterious changes occurring during a 10-day storage period at 20 degrees to 24 degrees C. Forskolin was added to the platelet-rich plasma before preparation of the platelet concentrates. Dose-effect studies in which 0.5, 5, and 50 mumol/L forskolin were compared indicated that 5 mumol/L forskolin was the optimal concentration for the reduction of platelet activation over this period as assessed by measuring the release of beta-thromboglobulin and the formation of thromboxane B2. It was determined that cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels were increased approximately fourfold by 5 mumol/L forskolin and maintained at a high level for at least the first 48 hours. These results show that the presence of forskolin inhibits the activation of platelets during storage.

The influence of irradiation on stored platelets.

Platelet concentrates intended for transfusion to immunosuppressed patients are irradiated to minimize transfusion-induced graft-versus-host disease. Because few reports describe how irradiation influences stored platelets, the authors studied whether 5000 rad of gamma irradiation, the maximum dose currently used clinically, altered platelets in vitro. Platelet concentrates were stored for either 1 day or 5 days in plastic (PL 732) containers before gamma irradiation. One unit of a pair of identical platelet concentrates was irradiated; the second unit served as a control. Irradiation did not alter platelet morphology, mean platelet volume, expression of platelet-factor-3 activity, response to hypotonic stress, extent of discharge of lactate dehydrogenase, release of beta-thromboglobulin, formation of thromboxane B2, nor the ability to undergo synergistic aggregation. The lack of any substantial change was observed whether the platelet concentrates were stored initially for either 1 day or 5 days. These results suggest that stored platelets are not altered deleteriously by irradiation with 5000 rad.

Receptor (norepinephrine), P-site (2',5'-dideoxyadenosine), and calcium-mediated inhibition of prostaglandin and forskolin-activated cyclic AMP-generating systems in human platelets.

Prostaglandin D2, 2-chloroadenosine, forskolin and combinations of these agents increase cyclic AMP-levels in intact human platelets. The inhibition of activated cyclic AMP-generating systems by 1) alpha2-adrenergic receptor-mediated hormonal input (norepinephrine), 2) a P-site agent (2',5'-dideoxyadenosine) and 3) a divalent cation (calcium) were examined: 1) Norepinephrine produces non-competitive inhibition of both forskolin and prostaglandin D2(PGD2)-stimulated cyclic AMP-accumulation in intact human platelets. The Ki values for norepinephrine versus forskolin, PGD2 and 2-chloroadenosine are similar in magnitude, while the Ki versus a forskolin-PGD2 combination is approximately 10-fold greater. Onset of inhibition by norepinephrine of the PGD2-response is several fold faster than for the forskolin-response. When platelets stimulated by the forskolin and PGD2 combination are exposed to norepinephrine, there is a transient increase in levels of cyclic AMP due to the potentiation of a minor beta-adrenergic component. This stimulation is followed by inhibition. 2) 2',5'-Dideoxyadenosine produces a non-competitive inhibition of the forskolin-response with a Ki of 110 microM. The inhibition of the PGD2-response by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine is competitive with a Ki of 6-13 microM, while inhibition of the forskolin-PGD2 response has a Ki of 30 microM. Onset of inhibition by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine is identical for forskolin or PGD2-stimulated platelets. There is a lag period for inhibition of platelets stimulated with the forskolin-PGD2 combination. The PGD2-forskolin combination appears to stabilize the cyclic AMP-generating system of platelets against inhibition by either norepinephrine or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine. 3) Calcium ions cause a similar inhibition of cyclic AMP-generation in intact platelets, regardless of the type of stimulation.

Selective binding site for [3H]prostacyclin on platelets.

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is the most potent, naturally occurring inhibitor of platelet aggregation known. To determine whether PGI(2) is bound by platelets, high specific activity [9-(3)H]PGI(2) was synthesized by iodination and subsequent base treatment of the labeled precursor [9-(3)H]prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) methyl ester. Binding experiments were performed at room temperature with normal citrated human platelet-rich plasma that contained [(14)C]sucrose or [(14)C]PGF(1alpha) as an internal marker for the extracellular space. Binding of [(3)H]PGI(2) plateaued within 2 min and this bond radioactivity could be displaced rapidly by excess nonradioactive PGI(2). Scatchard analysis of concentration-dependent binding yielded a hyperbolic plot which appeared to be caused by the existence of two classes of binding sites. The higher affinity class has a dissociation constant of 12.1+/-2.7 nM and a capacity of 93 (+/-21)sites per platelet. The lower affinity class had a dissociation constant of 0.909+/-.236 muM and a capacity of 2,700+/-700 sites per platelet. The relative ability of PGI(2), PGE(1), PGE(2), and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) to displace [(3)H]PGI(2) initially bound to the higher affinity class of sites were 100:5:<0.3: <0.3. These relative abilities parallel the relative potencies of these compounds as inhibitors of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. However PGD(2), which is more potent than PGE(1) as an inhibitor of aggregation, did not displace bound [(3)H]PGI(2). The higher affinity binding site for PGI(2) appears to be the specific receptor through which PGI(2) exerts its effect on platelets.