Utility of serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody as a biomarker in membranous nephropathy: An experience from a tertiary care center of Eastern India

Background: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a pattern of glomerular injury. Exact categorization into primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) or secondary membranous nephropathy (SMN) is essential for treatment. An endogenous podocyte antigen, M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) has been discovered to be involved in the pathogenesis of PMN. Aims and Objectives: In this article, we aimed to analyze renal tissue PLA2R and serum anti-PLA2R antibodies in MN cases and determined the diagnostic utility. Materials and Methods: The study was of prospective type carried out from March 2019 to August 2020. Analysis of cases of MN was performed with PLA2R paraffin immunoflourescence and serum anti-PLA2R antibody ELISA. Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of serum anti-PLA2R ELISA for PMN was 91.3%, 80%, 75%, and 93.3%, respectively, and of tissue PLA2R staining for PMN was 91.67%, 81.08%, 75.86%, and 93.75%, respectively. There was strong concordance between two methods. In the patients that were followed up, we found baseline serum anti-PLA2R antibody was less in complete remission group than that in non-remission group and the reduction in serum anti-PLA2R antibody was more in complete remission group than that in non-remission group. Conclusion: Routine light and immunofluorescence examination are incapable of giving exact categorical opinion regarding PMN and SMN. Serum anti-PLA2R antibody detection and renal tissue PLA2R analysis are sensitive and specific in detecting PMN. Baseline serum anti-PLA2R antibody and anti-PLA2R antibody quantification trends are related to prognosis of PMN. So they can be incorporated as additional biomarker.

Pharmacogenetic testing improves treatment responses in patients with PLA2R-related membranous nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the value of pharmacogenetic testing for improving the efficacy and safety of treatment with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and cyclophosphamide (CTX) for PLA2R-related membranous nephropathy and for determing individualized and precise treatment plans for the patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 63 patients with PLA2R-related membranous nephropathy hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology at our hospital from January, 2019 to October, 2021 were enrolled in this study. Thirty-three of the patients underwent pharmacogenetic testing before taking the immunosuppressive drugs selected based on the results of genetic screening for sensitive targets, and the other 30 patients were empirically given immunosuppressive drugs according to the guidelines (control group). The clinical efficacy and adverse effects of the immunosuppressive drugs were analyzed for all the patients. The two groups of patients were compared for demographic and biochemical parameters including 24-h urine protein, serum albumin, renal function, and serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody both before and at 3 months after the beginning of the treatment.@*RESULTS@#Among the 33 patients undergoing pharmacogenetic testing, 51.5% showed a GG genotype for cyclosporine, and 61.6% had an AG genotype for tacrolimus; for CTX, 51.5% of the patients showed a homozygous deletion and 63.6% had an AA genotype. After treatment for 3 months, serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody, 24-h urine protein, and serum albumin levels were significantly improved in pharmacogenetic testing group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Individualized and precise administration of immunosuppressive drugs based on pharmacogenetic testing better controls proteinuria and serum antiphospholipase A2 receptor antibodies and increases serum albumin level in patients with PLA2R-related membranous nephropathy.

Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 Activity Contributes to the Coronary Artery Disease with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an inflammatory process characterized by atherosclerosis in coronary arteries and it is a major cause of death and disability in developed countries. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been consistently associated with CAD risk factors and predictive of CVD outcomes; additionally, it is consistently higher among type 2 diabetics than nondiabetics. However, the relationships of circulating Lp-PLA2 activity with incident CAD among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetSynd) have not been examined sufficiently. Objective: The aim is to determine contribution of Lp-PLA2 to coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with Metabolic Syndrome (MetSynd). Subjects and methods: This is a cohort prospective study based on 412 patients male and female were eligible and aged 25-75 years old patients and gave consent to participate in study. The study included socio-demographics, clinical biochemistry and the presence of co-morbid diseases. The data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate analyses. Results: There was a significant difference between MetSynd Positive and normal subjects with respect to age groups, gender, BMI, smoking, nargile use, thyroid, COPD, CAD, hypertension, diabetic and stroke. Also, there was a significant difference between MetSynd versus normal subjects with respect to BMI, Waist Circumference, hemoglobin, HbA1c, vitamin B12, fasting blood glucose, vitamin D, calcium, creatinine, triglyceride, uric acid, ferritin, systolic BP (mm Hg) and diastolic BP (mm Hg), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) (p=0.001); Lp-PLA2 activity, (p=0.001); HOMA-IR index,(p=0.004), insulin (p=0.001); C-reactive protein (p=0.004);White blood cell (WBC) (p=0.008); Platelet p= 0.018) Mean Plate Volume (p= 0.032); red cell distribution width (p=0.001); and vitamin D levels (p=0.018), respectively. The multivariate stepwise regression analysis indicated that Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001), BMI (kg/m2) (p<0.001), systolic BP (p<0.001), MetSynd (p=0.002), CK-MB (p=0.019), Calcium) (p= 0.023), Triglyceride (p= 0.029), Total-cholesterol (p= 0.046) were considered as risk predictors of the CAD patients after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion: Lp-LPA2 contributes to CAD in the presence of MetSynd, as well as Lp-PLA2 could be utilized as a useful predictor in cases of CAD with MetSynd

Predictive value of serum Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A combined with C-peptide in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus in predicting neonatal hypoglycemia / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To observe the predictive value of serum LP-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide for patients with diabetes (GDM) patients during pregnancy.Methods:From Jan.2018 to Jan. 2022, 400 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group) and 400 healthy pregnant women who underwent prenatal examinations (control group) were enrolled. The serum prenatal lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) , pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) , C-peptide and neonatal blood glucose levels were compared between the two groups. The correlation of serum Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide with neonatal hypoglycemia in GDM patients was analyzed, and the value of area under receiver operating curve (ROC) for predicting neonatal hypoglycemia was analyzed.Results:The serum levels of Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide in the GDM group were higher than those in the control group (33.57±6.52 nmol/min/ml vs 23.45±4.38 nmol/min/ml, 26.72±4.79 ng/ml vs 23.57±3.08 ng/ml, 27.32±3.97 ng/mL vs 25.15±0.71 ng/mL) ( P<0.05) . The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the GDM group was higher than that in the control group (16.0% vs 4.5%) ( P<0.05) .The serum levels of Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide in GDM patients with neonatal hypoglycemia were higher than those in neonatal normoglycemic patients (35.82±6.42 nmol/min/ml vs 32.29±6.03 nmol/min/ml, 27.72±4.21 ng/ml vs 25.35±3.98 ng/ml, 32.39±4.78 ng/mL vs 22.18±3.94 ng/mL) ( P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of serum Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide in the GDM group were independent risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia. Serum Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide of GDM patients had certain predictive value for the occurrence of neonatal hypoglycemia, among which C-peptide had the greatest predictive value. Conclusion:High levels of serum Lp-PLA2, PAPP-A and C-peptide are independent risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia in GDM patients, and have certain predictive value, which can provide a reference for clinical prediction of its occurrence.

PLA2G6 gene related early onset Parkinson syndrome with cerebellar atrophy: 3 cases report / 中华神经科杂志

To investigate the clinical features of patients with PLA2G6 gene related early onset Parkinson syndrome (EOP) with cerebellar atrophy, the clinical data of 3 hospitalized EOP patients with PLA2G6 gene mutation were collected in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and the clinical characteristics, imaging features and genetic testing results were comparatively analyzed. Related literatures were also reviewed. Cerebellar atrophy was observed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging in all 3 patients with Parkinson syndrome except for extrapyramidal symptoms. All 3 patients had heterozygous mutations of PLA2G6 gene, and the common mutation site of c.991G>T (p. D331Y) was found in 2 patients by second-generation sequencing. This report enlarges the clinical phenotypic spectrum of the disease and helps to better understand the disease.

Use of protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 inhibitors in bovine endometrial cells treated with estradiol and calcium ionophore / Uso de inibidores de proteína quinase C e fosfolipase A2 em células endometriais bovinas tratadas com estradiol e ionóforo de cálcio

The release of endometrial prostaglandin-F2α (PGF2α) in bovine females can be induced in vivo by estradiol (E2). However, its role in this mechanism has not been clarified. We hypothesized that E2 stimulates the activity and abundance of protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Our objective in this study was to analyze the effects of PKC and PLA2 inhibitors on PGF2α synthesis induced by E2 and calcium ionophore (CI) in bovine endometrial cells (BEND cells; Experiment 1). Additionally, we evaluated the abundance of PKC and PLA2 in endometrial explants of cows treated or not with E2 17 days after estrus (D17, D0 = estrus; Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, BEND cells were submitted to a PKC inhibitor (10 µM of C25H24N4O2; bisindolylmaleimide I, or BIS I), a PLA2 inhibitor (20 µM of arachydoniltrifluoromethane or AACOCF3), or none. The BEND cells were subsequently treated with E2 and CI, and PGF2α concentrations were measured in the culture medium through radioimmunoassay. For DIF-12 (PGF2α concentration 12 h after treatment subtracted from PGF2α concentration at hour 0), no PKC inhibitor effect was observed (P= 0.2709). However, DIF-12 was lower (P < 0.05) for groups treated with the PLA2 inhibitor and PLA2 inhibitor + CI + E2 groups than the control and CI + E2 groups. Thus, AACOCF3 was an efficient PLA2 inhibitor in the BEND cells culture system, and E2 did not stimulate the synthesis of PKC and PLA2. In Experiment 2, cyclic Nellore heifers received none (n = 5) or 3 mg (n = 6) of 17ß-E2 on D17 and were slaughtered 2 h after administration. The abundance of PKC and PLA2 in the endometrial tissue was evaluated using Western blotting analysis. No E2 effect was observed on PKC (P = 0.08) and PLA2 (P = 0.56). We concluded that E2 did not stimulate the activity and abundance of PKC and PLA2.(AU)

A liberação endometrial de prostaglandina-F2α (PGF2α) em fêmeas bovinas pode ser induzida in vivo pelo estradiol (E2). Entretanto o seu mecanismo de ação ainda não foi bem esclarecido. Nossa hipótese é que o E2 estimula a atividade e a abundância da proteína quinase C (PKC) e da fosfolipase A2 (PLA2). Nosso objetivo com este estudo foi analizar os efeitos de inibidores de PKC e PLA2 na síntese de PGF2α induzida por E2 e ionóforo de cálcio (CI) em células endometriais bovinas (células BEND; Experimento 1). Adicionalmente, nós avaliamos a abundância de PKC e PLA2 em explantes endometriais de vacas tratadas com ou sem E2 17 dias após o estro (D17, D0 = estro; Experimento 2). No Experimento 1, células BEND foram submetidas ao inibidor de PKC (10 µM de C25H24N4O2; bisindolylmaleimide I, ou BIS I), e ao inibidor de PLA2 (20 µM de arachydoniltrifluoromethane ou AACOCF3) ou a nenhum inibidor. As células BEND foram subsequentemente tratadas com E2 e CI e concentrações de PGF2α foram mensuradas no meio de cultura por radioimunoenssaio. Para DIF-12 (concentração de PGF2α 12 horas depois do tratamento, subtraída da concentração de PGF2α na hora 0), não foi observado efeito do inibidor de PKC (P = 0.2709). Entretanto DIF-12 foi menor (P < 0.05) nos grupos tratados com inibidor de PLA2 e inibidor de PLA2 + CI + E2 quando comparados com o grupo controle e o grupo CI + E2. O AACOCF3 foi um eficiente inibidor de PLA2 em sistema de cultura de células BEND e o E2 não estimulou a síntese de PKC e PLA2. No Experimento 2, novilhas Nelore cíclicas receberam 3 mg de 17ß-E2 (n = 6) ou nenhum tratamento (n = 5) no D17 e foram abatidas duas horas depois da administração dos tratamentos. A quantidade de PKC and PLA2 no tecido endometrial foi avaliada pela técnica de Western Blotting. Não foi observado efeito do E2 sobre a PKC (P= 0.08) e nem sobre a PLA2 (P= 0.56). Conclui-se que o E2 não estimulou a atividade e abundância de PKC e PLA2.(AU)

Effects of venoms on neutrophil respiratory burst: a major inflammatory function

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in innate immunity and in the inflammatory response. Neutrophils are very motile cells that are rapidly recruited to the inflammatory site as the body first line of defense. Their bactericidal activity is due to the release into the phagocytic vacuole, called phagosome, of several toxic molecules directed against microbes. Neutrophil stimulation induces release of this arsenal into the phagosome and induces the assembly at the membrane of subunits of the NAPDH oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the production of superoxide anion that gives rise to other reactive oxygen species (ROS), a process called respiratory burst. Altogether, they are responsible for the bactericidal activity of the neutrophils. Excessive activation of neutrophils can lead to extensive release of these toxic agents, inducing tissue injury and the inflammatory reaction. Envenomation, caused by different animal species (bees, wasps, scorpions, snakes etc.), is well known to induce a local and acute inflammatory reaction, characterized by recruitment and activation of leukocytes and the release of several inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandins and cytokines. Venoms contain several molecules such as enzymes (phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase and proteases, among others) and peptides (disintegrins, mastoporan, parabutoporin etc.). These molecules are able to stimulate or inhibit ROS production by neutrophils. The present review article gives a general overview of the main neutrophil functions focusing on ROS production and summarizes how venoms and venom molecules can affect this function.(AU)

Analysis of PLA2G6 gene variant in a family affected with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Objective@#To identify potential variant in a child diagnosed as infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy.@*Methods@#Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and his parents and subjected to next generation sequencing. Suspected variant was verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the mutation was predicted by using bioinformatic software including SIFT and PolyPhen-2.@*Results@#The child was found to carry compound heterozygous variations c. 668C>A (p.Pro223Gln) and c. 2266C>T (p.Gln756Ter) of the PLA2G6 gene, which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. c. 2266C>T has changed codon 756 (glutamine) into a stop codon, resulting premature termination of peptide chain synthesis. c. 2266C>T has not been reported previously and was predicted to be harmful.@*Conclusion@#The compound variants of c. 668C>A (p.Pro223Gln) and c. 2266C>T (p.Gln756Ter) of the PLA2G6 gene probably underlies the disease in the child. Above finding has enriched the variant spectrum of the PLA2G6 gene.

Primary Membranous Nephropathy With Extremely High Levels Of Ca-125 / Nefropatía Membranosa Primaria Con Niveles Extremadamente Altos De Ca-125

Abstract Membranous nephropathy is a glomerular disease that causes nephrotic syndrome. Absent phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies and absent staining with IgG4 may be linked to malignancy-associated MN. Here we present a case that defies that suggestion. A 42-year-old female presented with anasarca. Kidney biopsy revealed membranous nephropathy, stained positive for IgG but negative for IgG4. Absent phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies was negative. Abdominal tomography revealed a partial thrombosis of the left ovarian vein which raised suspicion for ovarian cancer. Even though her ovaries did not uptake FDG on PET scan, a carbohydrate antigen-125 was ordered. She had extremely high levels of carbohydrate antigen-125 which was unexpected in the course of benign events. Thorax CT, endoscopy, colonoscopy, mammography, and positron emission tomography were clear in terms of malignancy. Samples from both pleural effusion and ascites were consistent with transudate. Tuberculosis tests were negative. Cytology samples were negative for malign cells. Exploratory surgery was planned but rejected by the patient. She was treated as primary disease with cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. Rituximab was off-limits due to insurance rules. She had prompt and excellent response. Steroids were tapered and stopped at sixth month and cyclosporine at twelfth month. In her 36 months of drug-free follow up there has been no disease recurrence or a sign of cancer. Even when all odds are towards malignancy-associated membranous nephropathy, primary disease is still a possibility. We need better markers for malignancy-associated membranous nephropathy.A very high level of CA-125 does not necessarily mean cancer.

Resumen La nefropatía membranosa es una enfermedad glomerular que causa el síndrome nefrótico. La ausencia de anticuerpos contra el receptor de fosfolipasa A2 y de tinción para IgG4 puede deberse a una nefropatía membranosa asociada a cáncer. A continuación, se presenta un caso que desafía esta sugerencia. Una paciente de 42 años realizó una consulta por anasarca. A partir de la biopsia de riñón, se diagnosticó nefropatía membranosa con tinción positiva para IgG, pero negativa para IgG4. No se detectó la presencia de anticuerpos contra el receptor de fosfolipasa A2. La tomografía abdominal reveló una trombosis parcial en la vena ovárica izquierda, lo cual generó sospecha de cáncer de ovario. Si bien los ovarios no mostraron absorción de FDG en la tomografía por emisión de positrones, se solicitó una prueba de antígeno carbohidrato 125. Se le detectaron niveles elevados del antígeno carbohidrato 125, lo cual no es esperable en casos de eventos benignos. La tomografía computarizada de tórax, endoscopía, colonoscopía, mamografía y tomografía por emisión de positrones no mostraron tumores. Las muestras de derrame pleural y de ascitis fueron indicativas de trasudado. Las pruebas de tuberculosisarrojaron resultados negativos. El examen citológico fue negativo para células malignas. Se sugirió una cirugía exploradora, pero la paciente no aceptó. Se la trató con ciclosporina y metilprednisolona por enfermedad primaria. No se utilizó rituximab por reglas de su cobertura médica. La paciente tuvo una excelente respuesta al tratamiento de forma rápida. Los esteroides se disminuyeron de forma progresiva y se suspendieron a los seis meses, y la ciclosporina, a los doce meses. Durante los 36 meses de seguimiento sin medicación no ha habido recidiva ni signos de cáncer. Incluso cuando existen grandes probabilidades de que se trate de una nefropatía membranosa asociada a cáncer, aún es posible que se trate de una enfermedad primaria. Es necesario contar con mejores marcadores de nefropatía membranosa asociada a cáncer. Un nivel elevado de CA-125 no necesariamente es indicador de cáncer.

NFATC3–PLA2G15 Fusion Transcript Identified by RNA Sequencing Promotes Tumor Invasion and Proliferation in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify novel fusion transcripts (FTs) and their functional significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed paired-end RNA sequencing of 28 CRC cell lines. FT candidates were identified using TopHat-fusion, ChimeraScan, and FusionMap tools and further experimental validation was conducted through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. FT was depleted in human CRC line and the effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion were analyzed. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred eighty FT candidates were detected through bioinformatics filtering. We selected six candidate FTs, including four inter-chromosomal and two intrachromosomal FTs and each FT was found in at least one of the 28 cell lines. Moreover, when we tested 19 pairs of CRC tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples, NFATC3–PLA2G15 FT was found in two. Knockdown of NFATC3–PLA2G15 using siRNA reduced mRNA expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as vimentin, twist, and fibronectin and increased mesenchymal–epithelial transition markers of E-cadherin, claudin-1, and FOXC2 in colo-320 cell line harboring NFATC3–PLA2G15 FT. The NFATC3–PLA2G15 knockdown also inhibited invasion, colony formation capacity, and cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that that NFATC3–PLA2G15 FTs may contribute to tumor progression by enhancing invasion by EMT and proliferation.

PAF-AH and PLA2 activity of Leptospira interrogans LA_2144 gene product / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To analyze the enzymatic activity of Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans) LA_2144 gene product to hydrolyze platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase ( PAF-AH) and phosphatidase A2(PLA2). Methods Bioinformatic softwares were used to predict transmembrane regions, signal peptides and domains of the LA_2144 gene of L. interrogans strain Lai. A prokaryotic expression system for signal peptide-free LA_2144 gene was established. The expressed target recombinant protein rLep2144 was extrac-ted by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and then renatured. Spectrometry was used to detect the activity of rLep2144 to hydrolyze PAF-AH substrate 2-thio PAF and the Km and Kcat values as well as the activity to hy-drolyze PLA2 substrate arachidonoyl 2-thio PC. Real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the transcription, protein expression and secretion of LA_2144 gene during infection of human and mouse vascular endothelial cells ( HUVEC and EOMA) with L. interrogans. Results L. interrogans LA_2144 gene contained a signal peptide and a domain belonging to SGNH hydrolase super-family, but no transmembrane regions. The established prokaryotic expression system for signal peptide-free LA_2144 gene could efficiently express rLep2144. The extracted rLep2144 was shown as a single protein fragment in separation gel and then successfully renatured. rLep2144 had a stronger PAF-AH activity with the Km and Kcat values of 688. 235 μmol/L and 0. 976/s, but its PLA2 activity was relatively weak. Expres-sion of the LA_2144 gene at mRNA and protein levels in HUVEC and EOMA was rapidly increased after the cells were infected with L. interrogans (P<0. 05) and the secretion of LA_2144 gene product could be detec-ted. Conclusions L. interrogans LA_2144 gene product had a stronger PAF-AH and a certain PLA2 activi-ty, which might involve in the hemorrhage and inflammatory response in leptospirosis.

Biochemical characterization of a phospholipase A2 homologue from the venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis

Background: Wasp venoms constitute a molecular reservoir of new pharmacological substances such as peptides and proteins, biological property holders, many of which are yet to be identified. Exploring these sources may lead to the discovery of molecules hitherto unknown. This study describes, for the first time in hymenopteran venoms, the identification of an enzymatically inactive phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from the venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis. Methods: P. occidentalis venom was fractioned by molecular exclusion and reverse phase chromatography. For the biochemical characterization of the protein, 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE were performed, along with phospholipase activity assays on synthetic substrates, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and sequencing by Edman degradation. Results: The protein, called PocTX, was isolated using two chromatographic steps. Based on the phospholipase activity assay, electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, the protein presented a high degree of purity, with a mass of 13,896. 47 Da and a basic pI. After sequencing by the Edman degradation method, it was found that the protein showed a high identity with snake venom PLA2 homologues. Conclusion: This is the first report of an enzymatically inactive PLA2 isolated from wasp venom, similar to snake PLA2 homologues.

Biochemical characterization of a phospholipase A2 homologue from the venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis

Wasp venoms constitute a molecular reservoir of new pharmacological substances such as peptides and proteins, biological property holders, many of which are yet to be identified. Exploring these sources may lead to the discovery of molecules hitherto unknown. This study describes, for the first time in hymenopteran venoms, the identification of an enzymatically inactive phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from the venom of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis. Methods: P. occidentalis venom was fractioned by molecular exclusion and reverse phase chromatography. For the biochemical characterization of the protein, 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE were performed, along with phospholipase activity assays on synthetic substrates, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and sequencing by Edman degradation. Results: The protein, called PocTX, was isolated using two chromatographic steps. Based on the phospholipase activity assay, electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, the protein presented a high degree of purity, with a mass of 13,896. 47 Da and a basic pI. After sequencing by the Edman degradation method, it was found that the protein showed a high identity with snake venom PLA2 homologues. Conclusion: This is the first report of an enzymatically inactive PLA2 isolated from wasp venom, similar to snake PLA2 homologues.(AU)

Clinical Study on Modified Yiqi Shengjiang Decoction Combined with Western Medicine for Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Yiqi Shengjiang Decoction for chronic heart failure (CHF) and its effects on BNP and LP-PLA2. Methods Totally 100 cases of patients with CHF were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received basic treatment, and the treatment group was treated with modified Yiqi Shengjiang Decoction on the basis of control group, one dosage per day, twice a day, orally, for 4 weeks. The curative effect of heart function grading and curative effect of TCM symptoms of the two groups, the changes of plasma BNP and LP-PLA2 levels were observed. Safety indicators were monitored. Results The total effective rate of cardiac function classification was 88％ (44/50) in the treatment group and 68％ (34/50) in the control group, with the treatment group much better than the control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate of TCM symptom efficacy was 90％ (45/50) in the treatment group and 74％ (37/50) in the control group, with the treatment group much better than the control group (P<0.05). The BNP and LP-PLA2 levels in the treatment group were lower than the control group after treatment, with statistical significance (P<0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in both groups, with no abnormalities in blood, urine, liver and kidney function. Conclusion Modified Yiqi Shengjiang Decoction combined with Western medicine has obvious advantages in the treatment of CHF in improving patients' heart function, and reducing plasma BNP and LP-PLA2 levels.

Inhibitory effects of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol on asthmatic responses to ovalbumin challenge in conscious guinea pigs

This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic activities of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol (DBHP) that is a potent phenolic antioxidant in edible vegetable oil. The effects of DBHP on bronchial asthma were evaluated by determining the specific airway resistance (sRaw) and tidal volume (TV) during the immediate asthmatic response (IAR) and the late-phase asthmatic response (LAR) in guinea pigs with aerosolized ovalbumin-induced asthma. Recruitment of leukocytes and the levels of biochemical inflammatory mediators were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs), and histopathological surveys performed in lung tissues. DBHP significantly inhibited the increased sRaw and improved the decreased TV on IAR and LAR, and also inhibited recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils into the lung, and release of biochemical inflammatory mediators such as histamine and phospholipase A₂ from these infiltrated leukocytes, and improved pathological changes. However, anti-asthmatic activities of DBHP at oral doses of 12.5 to 50 mg/kg was less than those of dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and cromoglycate (10 mg/kg, p.o.), but more potent or similar to that of salbutamol (5 mg/kg, p.o.). These results in the present study suggest that anti-asthmatic effects of DBHP in the guinea pigs model of OVA-induced asthmatic responses principally are mediated by inhibiting the recruitments of the leukocytes and the release of biochemical inflammatory mediators from these infiltrated leukocytes.

Articular inflammation induced by an enzymatically-inactive Lys49 phospholipase A2: activation of endogenous phospholipases contributes to the pronociceptive effect

Abstract Background Arthritis is a set of inflammatory conditions that induce aching, stiffness, swelling, pain and may cause functional disability with severe consequences to the patients lives. These are multi-mediated pathologies that cannot be effectively protected and/or treated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a new model of acute arthritis, using a Lys49-PLA2 (Bothrops asper myotoxin II; MT-II) to induce articular inflammation. Methods The articular inflammation was induced by MT-II (10 g/joint) injection into the left tibio-tarsal or femoral-tibial-patellar joints. Cellular influx was evaluated counting total and differential cells that migrated to the joint. The plasma extravasation was determined using Evans blue dye. The edematogenic response was evaluated measuring the joint thickness using a caliper. The articular hypernociception was determined by a dorsal flexion of the tibio-tarsal joint using an electronic pressure-meter test. The mediators involved in the articular hypernociception were evaluated using receptor antagonists and enzymatic inhibitors. Results Plasma extravasation in the knee joints was observed 5 and 15 min after MT-II (10 g/joint) injection. MT-II also induced a polymorphonuclear cell influx into the femoral-tibial-patellar joints observed 8 h after its injection, a period that coincided with the peak of the hyperalgesic effect. Hyperalgesia was inhibited by the pretreatment of the animals with cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, with type-2 cyclooxygenase inhibitor celecoxib, with AACOCF3 and PACOCF3, inhibitors of cytosolic and Ca2+-independent PLA2s, respectively, with bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140, with antibodies against TNF, IL-1, IL-6 and CINC-1 and with selective ET-A (BQ-123) and ET-B (BQ-788) endothelin receptors antagonists. The MT-II-induced hyperalgesia was not altered by the lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton, by the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist Lys-(Des-Arg9,Leu8)-bradykinin, by the histamine and serotonin antagonists promethazine and methysergide, respectively, by the nitric oxide inhibitor LNMMA and by the inhibitor of matrix 1-, 2-, 3-, 8- and 9- metalloproteinases GM6001 (Ilomastat). Conclusion These results demonstrated the multi-mediated characteristic of the articular inflammation induced by MT-II, which demonstrates its relevance as a model for arthritis mechanisms and treatment evaluation.

Articular inflammation induced by an enzymatically-inactive Lys49 phospholipase A2: activation of endogenous phospholipases contributes to the pronociceptive effect

Background Arthritis is a set of inflammatory conditions that induce aching, stiffness, swelling, pain and may cause functional disability with severe consequences to the patient's lives. These are multi-mediated pathologies that cannot be effectively protected and/or treated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a new model of acute arthritis, using a Lys49-PLA2 (Bothrops asper myotoxin II; MT-II) to induce articular inflammation. Methods The articular inflammation was induced by MT-II (10 μg/joint) injection into the left tibio-tarsal or femoral-tibial-patellar joints. Cellular influx was evaluated counting total and differential cells that migrated to the joint. The plasma extravasation was determined using Evans blue dye. The edematogenic response was evaluated measuring the joint thickness using a caliper. The articular hypernociception was determined by a dorsal flexion of the tibio-tarsal joint using an electronic pressure-meter test. The mediators involved in the articular hypernociception were evaluated using receptor antagonists and enzymatic inhibitors. Results Plasma extravasation in the knee joints was observed 5 and 15 min after MT-II (10 μg/joint) injection. MT-II also induced a polymorphonuclear cell influx into the femoral-tibial-patellar joints observed 8 h after its injection, a period that coincided with the peak of the hyperalgesic effect. Hyperalgesia was inhibited by the pretreatment of the animals with cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, with type-2 cyclooxygenase inhibitor celecoxib, with AACOCF3 and PACOCF3, inhibitors of cytosolic and Ca2+-independent PLA2s, respectively, with bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140, with antibodies against TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and CINC-1 and with selective ET-A (BQ-123) and ET-B (BQ-788) endothelin receptors antagonists. The MT-II-induced hyperalgesia was not altered by the lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton, by the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist Lys-(Des-Arg9,Leu8)-bradykinin, by the histamine and serotonin antagonists promethazine and methysergide, respectively, by the nitric oxide inhibitor LNMMA and by the inhibitor of matrix 1-, 2-, 3-, 8- and 9- metalloproteinases GM6001 (Ilomastat). Conclusion These results demonstrated the multi-mediated characteristic of the articular inflammation induced by MT-II, which demonstrates its relevance as a model for arthritis mechanisms and treatment evaluation.(AU)

Detection of ApoE gene polymorphism and serum Lp-PLA2 levels in patients with AD and sleep disorders / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the association between apolipoprotein E(ApoE)gene polymorphism and serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipid(Lp-PLA2)level in patients with AD and sleep disorders. Methods Sixty-two AD patients and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.The polymorphisms of ApoE gene and lev-els of serum Lp-PLA2,IL-6 and other serological indexes were determined,respectively.The mini-mental state ex-amination(MMSE)and Pittsburgh sleep index scale(PSQI)were used to evaluate the cognition and sleep status of AD patients and healthy controls. Results(1)ApoE ε3/4 and ε2/4 genotype were significantly higher in AD patients with sleep disorders(AD-1 group)compared with the healthy controls(P<0 05),and ApoEε3/4 genotype was significantly higher in patients in AD-1 group compared with AD patients without sleep disorder(AD-2 group) (P < 0 05).(2)The ApoEε4 allele frequency in patients in AD-1 group was significantly higher than that in pa-tients in the control group(P<0 05).(3)Levels of serum Lp-PLA2 and IL-6 were significantly higher in AD pa-tients with the ApoEε4 allele compared with AD patients without the ApoEε4 allele(P < 0 05). Conclusion ApoE gene polymorphism has a certain relationship with levels of serum Lp-PLA2 and IL-6 in patients with AD and sleep disturbance,and it′s speculated that the effect of ApoE gene polymorphism on sleep disorder may be associat-ed with inflammatory reaction.

Clinical Significance of Combined Detection of Serum Lp-PLa2, Hcy and CysC for the Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy / 现代检验医学杂志

Objeetive To investigate the clinical significance of combined detection of lipoprotein associated serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLa2),homocysteine (Hcy) and cystatin C (CysC) in the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP).Methods From January 2013 to May 2016 in Changan Hospital,selected 113 cases of pregnancy induced hypertension patients as the observation group,and were divided into three group A,B and C (group A:55 cases of HDCP patients,group B:32 cases of mild preeclampsia and group C for patients with severe preeclampsia 26 cases).At the same period,selected 50 cases of normal college pregnancy as control group,serum Lp-PLa2 (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay),Hcy (cyclophorase method) and CysC (particle enhanced turbidimetric method),the test results were analyzed and compared.Results Serum Lp-PLa2,Hcy and CysC test results in the control group,the observation group A,observation group B and observation group C increased significantly,in the observation group C increased most obviously.Compared with the control group,the serum levels of Lp-PLa2,Hcy and CysC in the observation group were significantly higher,the difference was statistically significant (F=8.102,7.231 and 6.926,all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between serum Lp-PLa2,Hcy and CysC and blood pressure (r=0.71,0.69,0.63,all P＜0.05).The abnormal rate of serum Lp-PLa2,Hcy and CysC for three joint detection was higher than that of single detection,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =6.725,P＜0.001).The abnormal rate of serum Lp-PLa2,Hcy and Cys single test results increased with the exacerbation of HDCP,and the difference was statistically significant (x2=9.351,P＜0.000).Conclusion Serum Lp-PLa2,Hey,CysC and pregnancy would be closely related to the occurrence and development of hypertension syndrome,so combined detection of HDCP can improve the detection rate of abnormal results,and it has important clinical significance for early diagnosis and prognosis of HDCP.

Effect of salvianolic acid A on retinopathy and its mechanism in ZDF rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To observe the intervention effect of salvianolic acid A ( SAA) on retinopathy of Zucker diabetic fatty ( ZDF ) rats and explore the possible action mechanism of SAA to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy ( DR) . Methods Thirty-two 7-8-week old ZDF rats were taken and fed with Purina rat chow for 4 weeks. The ZDF rats were equally divided by the blood glucose into model group, 0. 5 mg/kg SAA group, 1. 0 mg/kg SAA group and metformin ( Met) group. 8 Zucker lean ( ZL) rats were taken as control group. After 12-week administration, incidence of cataracts and retinal pathology was observed, and levels of GLU, TC and HbA1c in blood, transferrin ( TRF) and retinol binding protein ( RBP) in urine and levels of interleukin-1 ( IL-1 ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , oxidized low density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipoprotein related phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity in serum were measured. Results In the model group, GLU, TC, HbA1c , diabetic cataract incidence rate, retinal basement thickening and microangiopathy appeared in most of the rats. The levels of TRF and RBP in urine and levels of IL-1, IL-6, ox-LDL, MDA in serum were significantly increased, and Lp-PLA2 activity was also significantly increased. After SAA administration, the morbidity rate of cataract was reduced, and retinal pathological changes were improved in different degrees. The levels of TRF, RBP, IL-1, IL-6, ox-LDL, MDA and Lp-PLA2 activity was decreased. Conclusions SAA can slow down the process of diabetic retinopathy in ZDF rats and reduce the incidence of cataract. The mechanisms of action may be related to inhibition of chronic inflammation, prevention of lipid peroxidation and reduction of Lp-PLA2 activity.