ABSTRACT
Overexpression studies have shown that the small heat shock proteins (sHSP) protect the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced damage. However, gene deletion studies are necessary to demonstrate whether sHSPs are required for protection. The genes for alphaB-crystallin (alphaBC) and HSPB2, two sHSPs that are expressed in high levels in the heart, are in close proximity to one another; as a result, both genes were disrupted in a recently generated knockout (KO) mouse line. The alphaBC/HSPB2 KO mouse line is currently the only model that features disruption of sHSPs normally expressed in the heart. Accordingly, we examined the cardiac morphology, function, and response to I/R-induced stress in alphaBC-HSPB2 KO mice. Initial gross, light microscopic and echocardiographic characterization showed that the morphological and functional properties of hearts from adult KO mice were indistinguishable from age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Electron microscopy showed that, compared with WT mouse hearts, KO mouse heart sarcomeres were relatively normal. Isolated perfused KO mouse hearts displayed normal contractility; however, when compared with WT, after I/R, KO mouse hearts exhibited a twofold reduction in contractile recovery, as well as increased necrosis and apoptosis. Additionally, when compared with WT, KO mouse hearts exhibited 43% less reduced glutathione, which is known to protect from I/R-induced damage. Thus, whereas neither alphaBC nor HSPB2 is essential for myocardial development and function under nonstressful conditions, one or both are required for maximal functional recovery and protection from I/R-induced necrosis and apoptosis.
Subject(s)
Heat-Shock Proteins/physiology , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/physiopathology , alpha-Crystallin B Chain/physiology , Animals , Apoptosis , Disease Models, Animal , HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Mice, Knockout , Myocardial Contraction , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/pathology , Myocardium/metabolism , Myocardium/pathology , Necrosis , Phenotype , alpha-Crystallin B Chain/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate two rapid immunoassay methods, QuickVue-Chlamydia (Quidel Corp., San Diego California) and Kodak SureCell (Kodak Corp., Rochester, NY) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigen in endocervical swabs from high- and low-risk females. METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty-four females attending three clinics were enrolled in the study. The results were compared to McCoy's or BGMK cell culture and discrepancies resolved with polymerase chain reaction and direct fluorescent antibody tests performed on left-over culture specimens. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of a positive and predictive value of a negative of the QuickVue Chlamydia assay were 92.0%, 99.1%, 92.0% and 99.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of a positive and predictive value of a negative of the SureCell assay were 90.0%, 99.8%, 98.6% and 98.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The performances of the two immunoassay methods were similar, and slight differences in sensitivity and specificity were not statistically significant. Both immunoassay methods performed well in high- and low-risk patient groups, both for symptomatic and for asymptomatic patients.