Incidence of tick-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia species in rodents in two regions in Kazakhstan.

Records on the distribution of Rickettsia spp. in their natural hosts in Central Asia are incomplete. Rodents and small mammals are potential natural reservoirs for Rickettsiae in their natural lifecycle. Studies about the maintenance of Rickettsia in wild animals are available for Western nations, but-to our knowledge-no studies and data are available in the Republic of Kazakhstan so far. The first case description of Rickettsioses in Kazakhstan was made in the 1950ies in the Almaty region and now Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan are endemic areas. The existence of murine and endemic typhus was proven in arthropod vectors in the regions Kyzylorda and Almaty. Here we show for the first time investigations on tick-borne Rickettsia species detected by a pan-rickettsial citrate synthase gene (gltA) real-time PCR in ear lobes of small mammals (n = 624) in Kazakhstan. From all analysed small mammals 2.72% were positive for Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca or R. conorii. Sequencing of the rickettsial gene OmpAIV and the 23S-5S interspacer region revealed a similar heritage of identified Rickettsia species that was observed in ticks in previous studies from the region. In summary, this study proves that rodents in Kazakhstan serve as a natural reservoir of Rickettsia spp.

IL-1ß as mucosal vaccine adjuvant: the specific induction of tissue-resident memory T cells improves the heterosubtypic immunity against influenza A viruses.

A universal influenza vaccine must provide protection against antigenically divergent influenza viruses either through broadly neutralizing antibodies or cross-reactive T cells. Here, intranasal immunizations with recombinant adenoviral vectors (rAd) encoding hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) in combination with rAd-Interleukin-(IL)-1ß or rAd-IL-18 were evaluated for their efficacy in BALB/c mice. Mucosal delivery of rAd-IL-1ß enhanced HA-specific antibody responses including strain-specific neutralizing antibodies. Nevertheless, the beneficial effects on the local T cell responses were much more impressive reflected by increased numbers of CD103+CD69+ tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM). This increased immunogenicity translated into superior protection against infections with homologous and heterologous strains including H1N1, pH1N1, H3N2, and H7N7. Inhibition of the egress of circulating T cells out of the lymph nodes during the heterologous infection had no impact on the degree of protection underscoring the unique potential of TRM for the local containment of mucosal infections. The local co-expression of IL-1ß and antigen lead to the activation of critical checkpoints in the formation of TRM including activation of epithelial cells, expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules, recruitment of lung-derived CD103+ DCs, and finally local TRM imprinting. Given the importance of TRM-mediated protection at mucosal barriers, this study has major implications for vaccine development.

Evaluation of whole cell fixation methods for the analysis of nanoscale surface features of Yersinia pestis KIM.

Manipulation of viable Yersinia pestis (etiologic agent of plague) in the laboratory usually necessitates elevated biosafety and biocontainment procedures, even with avirulent or vaccine strains. To facilitate downstream biochemical or physical analyses in a Biosafety Level 1 laboratory environment, effective inactivation without affecting its intrinsic properties is critical. Here, we report on the morphological and biochemical changes to Y. pestis surfaces following four different fixation methods that render the cells nonviable. The results, obtained at the single cell level, demonstrate that methanol inactivation is best able to preserve bacterial morphology and bioactivity, enabling subsequent analysis. This nanoscale evaluation of the effects of inactivation on cell morphology and surface bioactivity may provide a crucial preparatory approach to study virulent pathogens in the lab setting using high-resolution microscopic techniques such as atomic force microscopy.

Autonomic regulation during mild therapeutic hypothermia in cardiopulmonary resuscitated patients.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether there are differences in autonomic cardiovascular regulation in resuscitated patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in relation to the clinical outcome. METHOD: Between 2005 and 2007, 18 consecutive resuscitated patients were enrolled. ECG and blood pressure data were recorded for 48 h during hypothermia and warming up to a body core temperature of 36°C. Autonomic regulation was assessed by applying time, frequency, and non-linear dynamics domain methods from heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV/BPV) analyses. RESULTS: Nine patients survived with good neurological recovery, and nine patients died during the ICU stay. In both groups, we found a decreased HRV presented by standard deviation of R-R intervals (sdNN) below 50 ms(2) at each time of measurement. Immediately after recovery to a body core temperature of 36°C, a significant higher HRV was found in survivors compared to non-survivors by means of indices sdNN (40.2 ± 19.5 vs. 10.9 ± 4.1 ms(2), P = 0.01), R-R intervals distribution histogram [shannon] (3.7 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4, P = 0.008), very low frequency band [VLF] (152.2 ± 99.3 vs. 3.4 ± 1.9, P = 0.001) and the variance of the time series of R-R intervals [Wsdvar] (1.16 ± 0.52 vs. 0.29 ± 0.25, P = 0.02) . A decreased spontaneous BPV was found only among survivors comparing blood pressure characteristics within stable hypothermia to the initial state before hypothermia. CONCLUSION: Resuscitated patients show a significantly reduced HRV before, during and after TH. Compared to survivors, the non-survivors show a further and significantly decrease of HRV immediately after hypothermia.

Development and characterisation of soluble polymeric particles for pulmonary peptide delivery.

Pulmonary administration of protein and peptide drugs using inhaled dry powder particles is an interesting alternative to parenteral delivery. The stabilisation of these molecules is essential to the maintenance of biological activity in such inhalation formulations. Here salmon calcitonin (sCT) was co-spray dried with linear or branched PEG (L-PEG and B-PEG) and PVP in order to formulate aerosolisable particles of the bioactive peptide. Co-spray drying L-PEG and PVP resulted in porous particles, with minimal D(50) (median volume diameter) and MMAD (mass median aerodynamic diameter) values obtained for a PEG/PVP w/w ratio of 1. For particles based on both L-PEG and B-PEG, an increase in acetone, a poor solvent for the PVP, up to 70wt% of the spray dried solution led to a decrease in D(50) and MMAD. Crystallinity of PEG in the particles ranged between 90 and 97% when the PVP content varied between 15 and 70wt%, indicating a low degree of interaction between PVP and PEG. Additionally, dynamic vapour sorption analysis showed that an increase in PVP content increased the particle surface hygroscopicity. Hence, particle properties were adjusted by altering the water/acetone and PEG/PVP ratio in the spray dried solutions. PVP present at the particles surface protects them from melting during the spray drying process but also increases their hygroscopicity, adversely affecting their aerodynamic properties. Targeting a 5wt% of sCT loading resulted in a loading efficiency of 77.9 and 83.6% with L-PEG and B-PEG-based particles, respectively. Loading of sCT in L-PEG or B-PEG-based particles modified particle roughness and D(50), leading to an increase in MMAD of the L-PEG-based particles. However, particles were still considered to be suitable for aerosolisation as their FPFs (fine particle fractions) were higher than 30%. These particles formulated with PVP and PEG allowed sCT biological activity to be maintained when evaluated by measuring cAMP production by T47D cells.

TMEM25, REPS2 and Meis 1: favourable prognostic and predictive biomarkers for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A panel of prognostic and predictive biomarkers would contribute to personalized treatment of breast cancer patients. However, many such biomarkers have yet to be identified and evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of 3 such putative biomarkers. METHODS: TMEM25, REPS2 and Meis 1 expression was investigated by qRT-PCR, in triplicate, in 103 breast tumour biopsies procured in 1993-1994. Normal breast tissue specimens were also analysed for comparative purposes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify associations between expression of these transcripts as well as patients' clinicopathological and survival data. RESULTS: TMEM25, REPS2 and Meis 1 transcripts were detected in approximately 52, 78 and 40% of tumour specimens, respectively. Expression of each of the 3 genes was indicative of extended survival times from diagnosis [association between relapse-free survival (RFS) and TMEM25, p = 0.0002; REPS2, p = 0.0287; association between overall survival (OS) and TMEM25, p = 0.001; REPS2, p = 0.0131; Meis 1, p = 0.0255]. Presence of TMEM25 and Meis 1 was associated with oestrogen receptor-positive (TMEM25, p < 0.0005; Meis 1, p = 0.011), lower-grade (TMEM25, p = 0.002; Meis 1, p = 0.001) tumours. Multivariate analysis indicated TMEM25 expression to be an independent prognostic factor for extended RFS (p = 0.011) and OS (p = 0.001). Furthermore, for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly longer survival times were achieved if their tumours expressed TMEM25 (OS, p = 0.031; RFS, p = 0.0181) and REPS2 (OS, p = 0.011). While expression of these mRNAs was generally absent from triple-negative breast tumours, statistical significance was not achieved. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TMEM25, REPS2 and Meis 1 mRNAs may be useful members of a panel of favourable prognostic and predictive markers for breast cancer and an understanding of their function may provide useful information about this disease.

Liposomes as targeted drug delivery systems in the treatment of breast cancer.

Solid tumors such as breast cancer have historically provided many challenges to anti-cancer therapy. Therapeutic hurdles to drug penetration in solid tumors include heterogeneous vascular supply and high interstitial pressures within tumor tissue, particularly in necrotic zones, lower pH and presence of leaky vasculature leading to reduced therapeutic response. Liposome based drug delivery systems offer the potential to enhance the therapeutic index of anti-cancer agents, either by increasing the drug concentration in tumor cells and/or by decreasing the exposure in normal tissues exploiting enhanced permeability and retention effect phenomenon and by utilizing targeting strategies. This review discusses recent trends in liposome-based drug delivery system both for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Drug absorption by the respiratory mucosa: cell culture models and particulate drug carriers.

The inhalation route is of increasing interest for both local and systemic drug delivery, including macromolecular biopharmaceuticals, such as peptides, proteins, and gene therapeutics. In addition to appropriate aerosolization for deposition in relevant areas of the respiratory tract, therapeutic molecules may require an advanced carrier system for safe and efficient delivery to their target. Two approaches to obtain novel carrier systems for pulmonary drug delivery are large porous microparticles with a low aerodynamic diameter and lectin-functionalized liposomes. Epithelial cells of alveolar or bronchial origin, obtained either from patient material or from established cell lines, can be grown on permeable filter supports, resulting in polarized monolayers with functional intercellular junctions. With such in vitro models, transport of drugs into pulmonary epithelial cells and/or across the air-blood barrier, as well as the effect and efficacy of novel drug carrier systems can be systematically studied.

Influenza virus-induced AP-1-dependent gene expression requires activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Influenza A virus infection of cells results in the induction of a variety of antiviral cytokines, including those that are regulated by transcription factors of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) family. Here we show that influenza virus infection induces AP-1-dependent gene expression in productively infected cells but not in cells that do not support viral replication. Among the AP-1 factors identified to bind to their cognate DNA element during viral infections of Madin-Darby canine kidney and U937 cells are those that are regulated via phosphorylation by JNKs. Accordingly, we observed that induction of AP-1-dependent gene expression correlates with a strong activation of JNK in permissive cells, which appears to be caused by viral RNA accumulation during replication. Blockade of JNK signaling at several levels of the cascade by transient expression of dominant negative kinase mutants and inhibitory proteins resulted in inhibition of virus-induced JNK activation, reduced AP-1 activity, and impaired transactivation of the IFN-beta promoter. Virus yields from transfected and infected cells in which JNK signaling was inhibited were higher compared with the levels from control cells. Therefore, we conclude that virus-induced activation of JNK and AP-1 is part of the innate antiviral response of the cell.

Allochronic speciation, secondary contact, and reproductive character displacement in periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Magicicada spp.): genetic, morphological, and behavioural evidence.

Periodical cicadas have proven useful in testing a variety of ecological and evolutionary hypotheses because of their unusual life history, extraordinary abundance, and wide geographical range. Periodical cicadas provide the best examples of synchronous periodicity and predator satiation in the animal kingdom, and are excellent illustrations of habitat partitioning (by the three morphologically distinct species groups), incipient species (the year classes or broods), and cryptic species (a newly discovered 13-year species, Magicicada neotredecim). They are particularly useful for exploring questions regarding speciation via temporal isolation, or allochronic speciation. Recently, data were presented that provided strong support for an instance of allochronic speciation by life-cycle switching. This speciation event resulted in the formation of a new 13-year species from a 17-year species and led to secondary contact between two formerly separated lineages, one represented by the new 13-year cicadas (and their 17-year ancestors), and the other represented by the pre-existing 13-year cicadas. Allozyme frequency data, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and abdominal colour were shown to be correlated genetic markers supporting the life-cycle switching/allochronic speciation hypothesis. In addition, a striking pattern of reproductive character displacement in male call pitch and female pitch preference between the two 13-year species was discovered. In this paper we report a strong association between calling song pitch and mtDNA haplotype for 101 individuals from a single locality within the M. tredecim/M. neotredecim contact zone and a strong association between abdomen colour and mtDNA haplotype. We conclude by reviewing proposed mechanisms for allochronic speciation and reproductive character displacement.

Influenza virus propagation is impaired by inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK signalling cascade.

Influenza A viruses are important worldwide pathogens in humans and different animal species. The functions of most of the ten different viral proteins of this negative-strand RNA virus have been well elucidated. However, little is known about the virus-induced intracellular signalling events that support viral replication. The Raf/MEK/ERK cascade is the prototype of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades and has an important role in cell growth, differentiation and survival. Investigation of the function of this pathway has been facilitated by the identification of specific inhibitors such as U0126, which blocks the cascade at the level of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK). Here we show that infection of cells with influenza A virus leads to biphasic activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade. Inhibition of Raf signalling results in nuclear retention of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), impaired function of the nuclear-export protein (NEP/NS2) and concomitant inhibition of virus production. Thus, signalling through the mitogenic cascade seems to be essential for virus production and RNP export from the nucleus during the viral life cycle.

Influenza virus-induced AP-1-dependent gene expression requires activation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Influenza A virus infection of cells results in the induction of a variety of antiviral cytokines, including those that are regulated by transcription factors of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) family. Here we show that influenza virus infection induces AP-1-dependent gene expression in productively infected cells but not in cells that do not support viral replication. Among the AP-1 factors identified to bind to their cognate DNA element during viral infections of Madin-Darby canine kidney and U937 cells are those that are regulated via phosphorylation by JNKs. Accordingly, we observed that induction of AP-1-dependent gene expression correlates with a strong activation of JNK in permissive cells, which appears to be caused by viral RNA accumulation during replication. Blockade of JNK signaling at several levels of the cascade by transient expression of dominant negative kinase mutants and inhibitory proteins resulted in inhibition of virus-induced JNK activation, reduced AP-1 activity, and impaired transactivation of the IFN-beta promoter. Virus yields from transfected and infected cells in which JNK signaling was inhibited were higher compared with the levels from control cells. Therefore, we conclude that virus-induced activation of JNK and AP-1 is part of the innate antiviral response of the cell.

Selective boron-containing thrombin inhibitors--X-ray analysis reveals surprising binding mode.

Based on the structural comparison of the S1 pocket in different trypsin-like serine proteases, a series of Boc-D-trimethylsilylalanine-proline-boro-X pinanediol derivatives, with boro-X being different amino boronic acids, have been synthesized as inhibitors of thrombin. Among the novel compounds, a number of derivatives were synthesized which appeared to have side-chain variants too big to fit into the S1 pocket. Nevertheless, these compounds inhibited thrombin in the nM range. The X-ray structure of one of these inhibitors bound to the active side of thrombin reveals that a new binding mode is responsible for these surprising results.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of selective boron-containing thrombin inhibitors.

Based on the structural comparison of the S-1 pocket in different trypsin-like serine proteases, a series of Boc-D-trimethylsilylalanine-proline-boro-X pinanediol derivatives, with boro-X being different amino boronic acids, have been synthesised as inhibitors of thrombin. The influence of hydrogen donor/acceptor properties of different residues in the P-1 side chain of these inhibitors on the selectivity profile has been investigated. This study confirmed the structure-based working hypothesis: The hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of amino acid residues 190 and 213 in the neighbourhood of Asp 189 in the S-1 pocket of thrombin (Ala/Val), trypsin (Ser/Val) and plasmin (Ser/Thr) define the specificity for the interaction with different P-1 residues of the inhibitors. Many of the synthesised compounds demonstrate potent antithrombin activity with Boc-D-trimethylsilylalanine-proline-boro-methoxypropylglycine++ + pinanediol (9) being the most selective thrombin inhibitor of this series.

Exhaustive docking of molecular fragments with electrostatic solvation.

A new method is presented for docking molecular fragments to a rigid protein with evaluation of the binding energy. Polar fragments are docked with at least one hydrogen bond with the protein while apolar fragments are positioned in the hydrophobic pockets. The electrostatic contribution to the binding energy, which consists of screened intermolecular energy and protein and fragment desolvation terms, is evaluated efficiently by a numerical approach based on the continuum dielectric approximation. The latter is also used to predetermine the hydrophobic pockets of the protein by rolling a low dielectric sphere over the protein surface and calculating the electrostatic desolvation of the protein and van der Waals interaction energy. The method was implemented in the program SEED (solvation energy for exhaustive docking). The SEED continuum electrostatic approach has been successfully validated by a comparison with finite difference solutions of the Poisson equation for more than 2,500 complexes of small molecules with thrombin and the monomer of HIV-1 aspartic proteinase. The fragments docked by SEED in the active site of thrombin reproduce the structural features of the interaction patterns between known inhibitors and thrombin. Moreover, the combinatorial connection of these fragments yields a number of compounds that are very similar to potent inhibitors of thrombin. Proteins 1999;37:88-105.

Rational design, synthesis, and X-ray structure of selective noncovalent thrombin inhibitors.

We have designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro a novel class of noncovalent thrombin inhibitors. The main feature of these inhibitors is a 6,5-fused bicyclic core structure that fills the S2 pocket of the active site of thrombin. The bicycle introduces conformational constraint into the ligand and locks the Xaa-Pro amide bond into the desired trans configuration. Among the known ring systems, we selected by molecular modeling the 7-thiaindolizidinones (BTD) as our basic template. The influence of several structural features was analyzed: the length of the argininal side chain, the stereochemistry at C6, and the importance of making optimal use of the S3 pocket. Finally, an X-ray crystal structure of inhibitor 15 bound to thrombin was obtained at a resolution of 2.3 A. These designed thrombin inhibitors, which were prepared by an efficient synthesis, showed high selectivity over trypsin and other serine proteases. Further derivation based on the information obtained by X-ray crystallography should certainly allow to improve the potency.

Synthetic low-molecular weight thrombin inhibitors: molecular design and pharmacological profile.

Thrombin is a multifunctional protein: in addition to its role in coagulation, thrombin has important biological effects on platelets, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, leukocytes, the heart and neurones. A detailed understanding of the structure of thrombin, of related serine proteases and of enzyme-inhibitor complexes has aided in the discovery of potent and selective new inhibitor molecules. Some of these novel thrombin inhibitors are active when administered orally and have shown remarkable efficacy as antithrombotic agents in animal models, offering a greater therapeutic potential than presently available drugs. This potential extends also to non-thrombotic indications where thrombin may be involved, namely inflammation, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The recent identification of specific thrombin receptors on different cells provides an alternative strategy for inhibiting thrombin's cellular actions, without necessarily compromising its role in haemostasis. In this review, Carlo Tapparelli and colleagues present a comprehensive update of these recent developments in the field of thrombin biology and pharmacology suggesting a new era of therapeutic drugs is on the horizon.