Effects of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil on esophageal secondary peristalsis: Studies with high-resolution manometry.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Secondary peristalsis contributes to the clearance of retained refluxate from the esophagus. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, inhibits primary esophageal peristalsis, but its effects on secondary peristalsis remain unknown. This study sought to investigate whether sildenafil could influence physiological characteristics of secondary peristalsis by applying high-resolution manometry (HRM). METHODS: Seventeen healthy volunteers (15 men and 2 women, aged 30.2 ± 6.4 years) underwent two HRM studies on separate days following the administration of either a placebo or 50 mg of sildenafil in a random order. Both studies were performed using a water-perfused HRM catheter containing one air injection channel positioned in the mid-esophagus. Secondary peristalsis was stimulated by a rapid mid-esophageal injection of 10 or 20 mL of air 1 h after the administration of either the placebo or sildenafil. The frequency and distal contractile integral of secondary peristalsis were then compared. RESULTS: Complete secondary peristalsis triggered by the 20-mL air injection was more frequent than observed with the 10-mL air injection (P < 0.001). The vigor of secondary peristalsis triggered by the injection of either volume of air was lower than that of primary peristalsis (P < 0.001). Sildenafil significantly reduced the success rate (P ≤ 0.001) and vigor (P < 0.001) of secondary peristalsis relative to the effects of the placebo at both distension volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary peristalsis can be successfully triggered by rapid air injection during HRM. Sildenafil reduces both the success rate and the vigor of secondary peristalsis, similar to that seen with primary peristalsis.

Substitution for In Vitro and In Vivo Tests: Computational Models from Cell Attachment to Tissue Regeneration.

To get an optimal product of orthopaedic implant or regenerative medicine needs to follow trial-and-error analyses to investigate suitable product's material, structure, mechanical properites etc. The whole process from in vivo tests to clinical trials is expensive and time-consuming. Computational model is seen as a useful analysis tool to make the product development. A series of models for simulating tissue engineering process from cell attachment to tissue regeneration are reviewed. The challenging is that models for simulating tissue engineering processes are developed separately. From cell to tissue regeneration, it would go through blood injection after moving out the defect; to cell disperse and attach on the scaffold; to proliferation, migration and differentiation; and to the final part-becoming mature tissues. This paper reviewed models that related to tissue engineering process, aiming to provide an opportunity for researchers to develop a mature model for whole tissue engineering process. This article focuses on the model analysis methods of cell adhesion, nutrient transport and cell proliferation, differentiation and migration in tissue engineering. In cell adhesion model, one of the most accurate method is to use discrete phase model to govern cell movement and use Stanton-Rutland model for simulating cell attachment. As for nutrient transport model, numerical model coupling with volume of fluid model and species transport model together is suitable for predicting nutrient transport process. For cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, finite element method with random-walk algorithm is one the most advanced way to simulate these processes. Most of the model analysis methods require further experiments to verify the accuracy and effectiveness. Due to the lack of technology to detect the rate of nutrient diffusion, there are especially few researches on model analysis methods in the area of blood coagulation. Therefore, there is still a lot of work to be done in the research of the whole process model method of tissue engineering. In the future, the numerical model would be seen as an optimal way to investigate tissue engineering products bioperformance and also enable to optimize the parameters and material types of the tissue engineering products.

Improving platelet function following prophylactic platelet transfusion in patients with hematological malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Platelet transfusion is a standard treatment to prevent bleeding in patients with hematological malignancies. Although transfusions can improve platelet count, their impact on platelet function remains controversial. METHODS: We conducted flow cytometry to assess platelet function before and after transfusion and performed subgroup analyses to examine differences based on blood type, corrected count increment (CCI), and platelet microparticles. RESULTS: Overall, 50 patients who received prophylactic platelet transfusion were enrolled. CD42b expression increased, whereas CD41 expression decreased after transfusion. Apheresis platelets exhibited the lowest expression of PAC-1 and P-selectin when exposed to agonist stimulations. PAC-1 expression increased under high adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulation, while P-selectin expression increased under both high ADP and thrombin receptor-activating peptide stimulation. In the subgroup analysis, patients with a CCI >4500 and those with the same blood types exhibited a more significant increase in PAC-1 and P-selectin expression under agonist stimulation. When comparing apheresis platelets collected on different days, only the percentage of platelet-derived microparticles showed a significant increase. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic transfusion improved platelet function. Platelet function significantly improved in patients with a CCI >4500, those with the same blood types as that of apheresis platelets, or those with platelet-derived microparticle levels <4.7%. No significant improvement in platelet function was noted after the transfusion of different blood types with acceptable compatibility or the transfusion of incompatible blood types. Our results suggest that transfusing platelets with the same blood type remains the optimal choice.

Platelet Activation and Cytokine Release of Interleukin-8 and Interferon-Gamma-Induced Protein 10 after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Coronavirus Vaccine Injection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are associated with serious thromboembolic or thrombocytopenic events including vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis and immune thrombocytopenia, particularly AZD1222/ChAdOx1. According to the proposed mechanism, COVID-19 vaccines stimulate inflammation and platelet activation. In this study, we analyzed the role of AZD1222/ChAdOx1 vaccines in the activation of platelets and the release of anti-PF4 antibodies and inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of healthy donors without vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Forty-eight healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from peripheral blood at three time points: before vaccination and 1 and 7 days after vaccination. Compared with the prevaccination data, a decrease in the leukocyte and platelet counts was observed 1 day after vaccination, which recovered 7 days after injection. The percentage of activated GPIIb/IIIa complex (PAC-1) under high ADP or thrombin receptor-activating peptide stimulation increased 1 day after vaccination. Furthermore, interluekin-8 (IL-8) and interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) increased significantly. Additionally, platelet activation and inflammation, with the release of cytokines, were observed; however, none of the individuals developed VITT. Mild thrombocytopenia with platelet activation and inflammation with an elevation of IL-8 and IP-10 were observed after AZ vaccination.

Correction: Shen et al. Platelet Activation and Cytokine Release of Interleukin-8 and Interferon-Gamma-Induced Protein 10 after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Coronavirus Vaccine Injection. Vaccines 2023, 11, 456.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this published paper [...].

Abnormal platelet immunophenotypes and percentage of giant platelets in myelodysplastic syndrome: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic stem cell disorder with thrombocytopenia. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of blood cells has been instrumental in diagnosis as co-criteria, but the data regarding platelets remains lacking. This study aims to determine if there is a difference in surface antigen levels on platelets by comparing surface antigen levels in MDS patients and healthy control subjects. Concurrently, as flow cytometric gating can reveal the diameter of cells, this study will investigate differences in giant platelet percentage by comparing these percentages in high- and low-risk MDS patients. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty newly diagnosed MDS patients were enrolled in this study. Platelet surface antigen levels were determined by measuring the binding capacity of antibodies with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Platelets of MDS patients were shown to have a lower level of CD61 and higher levels of CD31 and CD36 than healthy controls. Judged by forward scatter (FSC), MDS patients' platelets appeared to be larger than those of healthy control subjects, whereas the MFI adjusted by diameter (MFI/FSC ratio) of CD31, CD41a, CD42a, CD42b and CD61 on platelets were lower in MDS patients than in healthy control subjects. There was a significant quantity of giant platelets found in MDS patients, and the high-risk MDS patients tended to have a higher percentage of giant platelets than low-risk patients. Conclusions: All the results indicate that MDS patients exhibit a lower antigen presentation (MFI) adjusted by diameter on platelets than healthy controls and the giant platelets detected by flow cytometry might correlate with the condition of MDS.

Rapid Identification of Commercial Frankincense Products by MALDITOF Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Frankincense is a resin secreted by the Boswellia tree. It is used in perfumery, aromatherapy, skincare, and traditional Chinese medicine. However, all Boswellia species are under threat owing to habitat loss and overexploitation. As a result, the market is getting flooded with counterfeit frankincense products. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish a high-throughput method to screen and identify the authenticity of commercial frankincense products. We report, for the first time, a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based method for rapid and high-throughput screening of frankincense samples. METHODS: MALDI-TOF MS, HPLC, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and in vitro antiinflammatory activity assay were used to examine the frankincense samples. RESULTS: Well-resolved peaks of frankincense triterpenoids in the spectra were observed in the crude extract of commercial samples, including α-boswellic acids (αBAs), ß-boswellic acids (ßBAs), 11-keto-ß-boswellic acids (KBAs), acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acids (AKBAs), and their esters. These compounds can be used as indicators for determining the authenticity of frankincense. CONCLUSION: Unlike LC-MS, which is a time-consuming and expensive method, and TLC, which requires a reference sample, our inexpensive, rapid high-throughput identification method based on MALDI-TOF MS is ideal for large-scale screening of frankincense samples sold in the market.

Myeloid sarcoma with ulnar nerve entrapment: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is relatively rare, occurring mainly in the skin and lymph nodes, and MS invasion of the ulnar nerve is particularly unusual. The main aim of this article is to present a case of MS invading the brachial plexus, causing ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome, and to further clinical understanding of the possibility of MS invasion of peripheral nerves. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 46-year-old man with a 13-year history of well-treated acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia who was admitted to the hospital after presenting with numbness and pain in his left little finger. The initial diagnosis was considered a simple case of nerve entrapment disease, with magnetic resonance imaging showing slightly abnormal left brachial plexus nerve alignment with local thickening, entrapment, and high signal on compression lipid images. Due to the severity of the ulnar nerve compression, we surgically investigated and cleared the entrapment and nerve tissue hyperplasia; however, subsequent pathological biopsy results revealed evidence of MS. The patient had significant relief from his neurological symptoms, with no postoperative complications, and was referred to the haemato-oncology department for further consultation about the primary disease. This is the first report of safe treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment from MS. It is intended to inform hand surgeons that nerve entrapment may be associated with extramedullary MS, as a rare presenting feature of the disease. CONCLUSION: MS invasion of the brachial plexus and surrounding tissues of the upper arm, resulting in ulnar nerve entrapment and degeneration with significant neurological pain and numbness in the little finger, is uncommon. Surgical treatment significantly relieved the patient's nerve entrapment symptoms and prevented further neurological impairment. This case is reported to highlight the rare presenting features of MS.

Endogenous methyl palmitate modulates nicotinic receptor-mediated transmission in the superior cervical ganglion.

Nitric oxide (NO) is identified as the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and a neurotransmitter with a superfusion bioassay cascade technique. By using a similar technique with rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) as donor tissue and rabbit endothelium-denuded aortic ring as detector tissue, we report here that a vasodilator, which is more potent than NO, is released in the SCG upon field electrical stimulation (FES) or addition of nicotine. Release of this vasodilator was enhanced by arginine analogs, including N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (a NO synthase inhibitor), suggesting that it is not NO. Analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry identified 2 saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME) and stearic acid methyl ester (SAME), being released from the SCG upon FES in the presence of arginine analogs. Exogenous PAME but not SAME induced significant aortic dilation (EC(50) = 0.19 nM), indicating that PAME is the potent vasodilator. Release of PAME and SAME was significantly diminished in chronically decentralized SCG but not denervated SCG, suggesting the preganglionic origin. Furthermore, release of both fatty acids was calcium- and myosin light chain kinase-dependent, suggesting that both were released from axoplasmic vesicular stores. Electrophysiological studies further demonstrated that PAME but not SAME inhibited nicotine-induced inward currents in cultured SCG and the alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-expressing Xenopus oocytes. Endogenous PAME appears to play a role in modulation of the autonomic ganglionic transmission and to complement the vasodilator effect of NO.

Giant schwannoma of thoracic vertebra: A case report.

BACKGROUND: It is relatively rare for schwannomas to invade bone, but it is very rare for a large mass to form concurrently in the paravertebral region. Surgical resection is the only effective treatment. Because of the extensive tumor involvement and the many important surrounding structures, the tumor needs to be fully exposed. Most of the tumors are completely removed by posterior combined open-heart surgery to relieve spinal cord compression, restore the stability of the spine and maximize the recovery of nerve and spinal cord function. The main objective of this article is to present a schwannoma that had invaded the T5 and T6 vertebral bodies and formed a large paravertebral mass with simultaneous invasion of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old female suffered from intermittent chest and back pain for 8 years. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a paravertebral tumor of approximately 86 mm × 109 mm × 116 mm, where the adjacent T5 and T6 vertebral bodies were invaded by the tumor, the right intervertebral foramen was enlarged, and the tumor had invaded the spinal canal to compress the thoracic medulla. The preoperative puncture biopsy diagnosed a benign schwannoma. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved by a two-step operation. In the first step, the thoracic surgeon adopted a lateral approach to separate the thoracic tumor from the lung. In the second step, a spine surgeon performed a posterior midline approach to dissect the tumor from the vertebral junction through removal of the tumor from the posterior side and further resection of the entire T5 and T6 vertebral bodies. The large bone defect was reconstructed with titanium mesh, and the posterior root arch was nail-fixed. Due to the large amount of intraoperative bleeding, we performed tumor angioembolization before surgery to reduce and avoid large intraoperative bleeding. The postoperative diagnosis of benign schwannoma was confirmed by histochemical examination. There was no sign of tumor recurrence or spinal instability during the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Giant schwannoma is uncommon. In this case, a complete surgical resection of a giant thoracic nerve sheath tumor that invaded part of the vertebral body and compressed the spinal cord was safe and effective.

A new feasible method for fibrinogen purification based on the affinity of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A to fibrinogen.

Plasma fibrinogen participates in several physiological and pathological events thus becoming a useful studying material in biomedical research. Here we report a new convenient method for fibrinogen purification based on the affinity of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A to fibrinogen. Clumping factor A (ClfA) is a cell wall-anchored surface protein of S. aureus bacteria that binds with a high affinity to the fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus via a segment encompassing the residues 221-550. This activity of ClfA (ClfA(221-550)) was produced in fusion to the C-terminus of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) with recombinant technology and used as an affinity ligand to capture plasma fibrinogen. GST-ClfA(221-550) fusion protein was immobilized onto the glutathione-conjugated beads packed in a plastic column by its GST part. Then, this affinity column was loaded with citrated and heparinized human plasma. After washing out unbound proteins, column-captured fibrinogen was specifically eluted down with a citrate buffer solution (50mM, pH 5.6). Purified human fibrinogen exhibited the ability to support platelet adhesion and aggregation and formed fibrin clot by thrombin, indicating that ClfA(221-550)-purified human fibrinogen is a functionally active product. We also found that both the rat and mouse fibrinogens could be purified as well as human fibrinogen with this method. By virtue of its simplicity and feasibility, ClfA(221-550)-based method would be very useful to the investigators who need fibrinogen to perform their studies.

The Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Gene -1291C/G Single Nucleotide Polymorphism is Associated with the Efficacy of Methylphenidate in Treating Taiwanese Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic effect of methylphenidate (MPH) in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been related to the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) gene -1291C/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). We investigated the effect of MPH in treating Taiwanese children and adolescent with ADHD and its relation to the ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP. METHODS: The subjects with DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis underwent a titration period to find out the dose of MPH for maintenance treatment. After 4 weeks maintenance treatment, the effect of MPH was evaluated by the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham version IV total scores. The subjects with more than 25% score reduction were referred to responders and those with ≥50% improvement were considered as better responders. The -1291C/G variant of the ADRA2A gene was identified by DNA sequencing and what relevance it has to the MPH response was examined by binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 59 subjects, 44 (74.6%) were responsive to MPH treatment and the responsiveness was not shown to be associated with the ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP. As the responsive subjects were categorized as moderate responders and better responders and subjected to statistical analysis, the GG homozygotes showed a greater chance to have a better response to MPH treatment than CC homozygotes (p=0.02), with an odds ratio of 32.14 (95% CI=1.64-627.80). CONCLUSION: The ADRA2A gene -1291C/G SNP is associated with the efficacy of MPH for the treatment of ADHD in Taiwanese children and adolescents. The responsive subjects bearing homozygous -1291G allele are more likely to have a better response to MPH treatment.

A segment of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A with fibrinogen-binding activity (ClfA221-550) inhibits platelet-plug formation in mice.

We previously reported that the fibrinogen-binding segment (residues 221-550) of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A (ClfA), which binds to fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus, exerted inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation and fibrin clot formation in vitro. Here, we further demonstrated the effectiveness of using ClfA221-550 to inhibit platelet-rich thrombus formation in vivo. Platelet-rich thrombi were formed in the mesenteric venules of fluorescein-loaded mice by filtered light illumination. It grew rapidly and ultimately resulted in the cessation of blood flow due to vessel occlusion. Given by intravenous bolus injection, ClfA221-550 delayed occlusive thrombi formation in a dose-dependent manner: 2-, 3- and 4.5-fold prolongations of vessel occlusion time were attained with 0.69, 6.9 and 34.5 mg/kg of ClfA221-550, respectively. Reduced fibrin clot formation at the late phase with plasmas, which were prepared from ClfA221-550-treated mice, was also dose-dependent. The suppression of fibrin formation ex vivo coincided with the delay of occlusive thrombus formation in vivo, suggesting that the antithrombotic effect of ClfA221-550 may result from the blockade of fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminal functions, in mediating platelet aggregation and fibrin clot formation. Administration of ClfA221-550 also lengthened the tail bleeding of mice; however, significant effect was achieved only with a higher dosage, namely 34.5 mg/kg. These results together showed that blockade of fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus with ClfA221-550 preferentially affected platelet-rich thrombus formation rather than normal haemostasis, thus providing a rationale for selecting fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus as a new target for thrombotic intervention.

Cigarette smoking has a differential effect on the plasma level of clozapine in Taiwanese schizophrenic patients associated with the CYP1A2 gene -163A/C single nucleotide polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of clozapine clearance has been shown to be associated with smoking and genetic polymorphism of CYP1A2. This study aims to investigate the effect of smoking on the plasma level of clozapine in Taiwanese schizophrenic patients and its relevance to the CYP1A2 gene -163A/C single nucleotide polymorphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 hospitalized schizophrenic patients who had received clozapine therapy for at least 14 days were enrolled in this study. The trough plasma concentration of clozapine was measured with LC/MS/MS. The -163A/C variant in the CYP1A2 gene was identified by DNA sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The effect of smoking on the clozapine level was examined by multiple linear regression analysis and its relation to the -163A/C variant of the CYP1A2 gene was analyzed using a general linear model with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Patients with smoking habits showed a significantly lower plasma level of clozapine than those without smoking habits (P=0.022) and the difference in clozapine levels between smokers and nonsmokers appeared to be significant in the individuals carrying the homozygous -163A allele (P=0.02). It was also found that nonsmokers carrying the -163A allele tended to have higher plasma levels of clozapine. This tendency was not found in the individuals with smoking habits. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking has a significant impact on the plasma level of clozapine in Taiwanese schizophrenic patients carrying the homozygous -163A allele in the CYP1A2 gene. Cigarette smoking may increase the clearance of clozapine in these patients.

ClfA(221-550), a fibrinogen-binding segment of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A, disrupts fibrinogen function.

Clumping factor A (ClfA) is a surface protein of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria known for its ability to bind the C-terminus of plasma fibrinogen gamma chain, which participates in mediating fibrinogen-platelet interaction and fibrin cross-linking, resulting in thrombus formation. With an aim to develop agents that block fibrinogen gamma chain C-terminus, the fibrinogen-binding segment of ClfA locating at residues 221-550 was produced by recombinant technology and tested for its ability to inhibit platelet functions and fibrin clot formation. Recombinant ClfA(221-550) bound fibrinogen and blocked fibrinogen-platelet interaction, resulting in the inhibition of both ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregations. ClfA(221-550) also affected fibrin clot formation, in which factor XIIIa-mediated cross-linking of fibrinogen gamma chains was abrogated by ClfA(221-550) leaving the release of fibrinopeptides A and B from fibrinogen by thrombin unaltered, indicating that ClfA(221-550) interfered with fibrin clot formation without affecting thrombin's catalytic activity. Platelet-mediated clot retraction depends on both platelet-fibrinogen interaction and fibrin clot formation, which makes platelet thrombus less susceptible to fibrinolysis. At the concentration that reduced platelet aggregation by 40%, ClfA(221-550) prevented platelet-mediated clot retraction, whereas the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist tirofiban needed a higher concentration in inhibiting clot retraction than inhibiting platelet aggregation. By virtue of the multiple effects of ClfA(221-550) on platelet aggregation, fibrin clot formation and platelet-mediated clot retraction, the binding of ClfA(221-550) to fibrinogen merits further investigation for its potential as a new antithrombotic agent.

Blockade of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa by crotavirin, a member of disintegrins, prevents platelet from activation and aggregation by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Interaction with circulating platelets is considered an important virulent mechanism for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria to induce endocarditis, a severe infectious disease with high incidence of systemic thrombosis. It therefore represents an important target for pharmacological intervention. In this study, we found that the clinical isolate S. aureus 30326 induced activation and aggregation of washed human platelets in a fibrinogen-dependent manner and this platelet reactivity was abrogated by crotavirin, a snake venom-derived glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonist, indicating that crotavirin is able to protect platelets from activation and aggregation by S. aureus 30326. When tested at a concentration that prevented the platelet reactivity of S. aureus 30326, crotavirin also interfered with the binding of bacteria to washed human platelets supplemented with fibrinogen. The fibrinogen-binding activity of S. aureus has been shown to be essential for S. aureus to trigger platelet activation and aggregation. Crotavirin failed to affect the fibrinogen binding of S. aureus 30326 and neither did it bind to this microbe, suggesting that the inhibitory action of crotavirin on the S. aureus 30326-platelet interaction resulted from the occupation of platelet GPIIb/IIIa. Taken together, these results demonstrate an important role for GPIIb/IIIa in mediating the interaction of platelets with S. aureus in the presence of fibrinogen and platelet GPIIb/IIIa thus appears to be a new target for the intervention of S. aureus-platelet interaction.

Trimucytin, a collagen-like snake venom protein, activates platelets independent of I-domain within alpha2 subunit of alpha2beta1 integrin.

Trimucytin is a powerful platelet aggregation inducer isolated from the venom of Taiwan habu snake (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus). In this study, we found that the snake venom protein, crovidisin, which prevents collagen-platelet interaction through its high-affinity binding to collagen, inhibited competitively trimucytin-induced aggregation of washed human platelets with a pA(2) value of 6.65. The ability of trimucytin in triggering platelet aggregation was suppressed by a monoclonal antibody (A2-IIE10) raised against the alpha2 subunit of alpha2beta1 integrin (glycoprotein Ia/IIa), indicating that platelet alpha2beta1 integrin plays a central role in trimucytin's platelet reactivity. Many studies have localized the major reactive site of alpha2beta1 integrin to the I-domain of alpha2 subunit. However, Escherichia coli-produced recombinant alpha2 I-domain (GST-alpha2 fusion protein) blocking collagen-induced platelet aggregation failed to inhibit aggregation of platelets in response to trimucytin. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the platelet reactivity of trimucytin is alpha2beta1 integrin-dependent, while the I-domain present in the alpha2 subunit is not involved. This novel snake venom protein would be useful for mapping the functional domain of alpha2beta1 integrin.

Differential susceptibility of osteosarcoma cells and primary osteoblasts to cell detachment caused by snake venom metalloproteinase protein.

The interaction of extracellular matrix with cells plays a key role in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, proliferation as well as differentiation. Transformed cells express a different profile of adhesion molecules, which may mediate metastasis under specific matrix microenvironment. We here found that ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells and osteoblasts have different expression of alpha5 integrin, executing different fibronectin fibrillogenesis. As compared with ROS 17/2.8 cells, osteoblasts have higher expression of fibronectin, collagen, alpha5, beta1, alpha2 integrins and focal adhesion kinase as examined by immunostaining and flow cytometry. Crovidisin, a PIII snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) purified from venom of Crotalus viridis, exhibits collagen-binding activity and matrix metalloproteinase activity. Crovidisin selectively caused the detachment of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells but not of primary cultured osteoblasts. On the other hand, triflavin, an RGD-dependent disintegrin purified from venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, did not cause the detachment of both osteoblasts and ROS 17/2.8 cells. Although ROS 17/2.8 cells detached from substratum after crovidisin treatment for 24 h, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was not observed unless a prolonged treatment for longer than 36 h. These results suggest that cultured primary rat osteoblasts and ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells possess different expression of integrins and matrix environment, and ROS 17/2.8 is much more susceptible to be detached by crovidisin. The matrix degradation by crovidisin may be responsible for the preferential detachment of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells.

Glutathione-bound gold nanoclusters for selective-binding and detection of glutathione S-transferase-fusion proteins from cell lysates.

A straightforward method for the rapid detection of the presence of glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged proteins from sample solutions using glutathione (GSH)-bound gold nanoclusters (Au@GSH NCs) with luminescence properties as the detection probes by simple observation with the naked eye was proposed in this study.

Differential expression of platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa in Taiwan Chinese corresponds to glycoprotein ia gene polymorphisms.

Glycoprotein (GP) Ia/IIa plays a key role in platelet function by acting as a primary receptor for subendothelial collagen, thereby contributing to arterial thrombosis. In this study, we found that the expression level of platelet GPIa/IIa among Taiwan Chinese varies over sixfold and this difference relates either to the GPIa gene 807 C/T dimorphisms or the appearance of BglII restriction sequence within intron G. This is the first study to demonstrate the wide variation of platelet GPIa/IIa density in an Oriental population and its correlation to the GPIa gene polymorphisms. These results provide useful tools for predicting platelet GPIa/IIa density of Chinese.