Hacia un mayor desarrollo de la investigación para el futuro del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (IICS) de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción / Towards further development of research for the future of the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (IICS) de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción

Estas son mis opiniones respecto a lo que considero son características deseables de las ciencias naturales en países en desarrollo con la esperanza de mostrar un camino posible hacia el desarrollo de la investigación para el futuro del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (IICS) de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción en el cual me encuentro trabajando como asesor científico enviado por la Agencia de Cooperación Internacional del Japón (JICA) como voluntario senior. Considero que los requerimientos para las ciencias naturales en países en desarrollo son de alguna manera diferentes a los de los países avanzados. Los investigadores de los países en desarrollo, especialmente aquellos que se dedican a las ciencias aplicadas, pueden realizar investigación que no sea completamente nueva en el mundo pero nueva para sus países con la condición de que esas investigaciones contribuyan a una mejor calidad de vida de sus pueblos. En este sentido, los investigadores de países en desarrollo dedicados a las ciencias aplicadas siempre deberían estar conscientes de cual es el propósito real de sus investigaciones. Aunque es solo una impresión que tengo del IICS, los investigadores con los que me reuní no discuten libremente unos con otros sobre los temas científicos que están desarrollando. Pienso, sin embargo, que la libre discusión es un prerrequisito para el establecimiento de una ciencia progresiva, como se puede ver en Estados Unidos y Europa. Otro punto que deseo enfatizar es la necesidad real de fortalecer la capacidad de las instituciones de solicitar y obtener financiaciones nacionales e internacionales para el mantenimiento de las actividades científicas progresivas y para estímulo de los jóvenes que en el futuro llevarán sobre sus hombros las ciencias naturales en los países en desarrollo.

Estas son mis opiniones respecto a lo que considero son características deseables de las ciencias naturales en países en desarrollo con la esperanza de mostrar un camino posible hacia el desarrollo de la investigación para el futuro del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (IICS) de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción en el cual me encuentro trabajando como asesor científico enviado por la Agencia de Cooperación Internacional del Japón (JICA) como voluntario senior. Considero que los requerimientos para las ciencias naturales en países en desarrollo son de alguna manera diferentes a los de los países avanzados. Los investigadores de los países en desarrollo, especialmente aquellos que se dedican a las ciencias aplicadas, pueden realizar investigación que no sea completamente nueva en el mundo pero nueva para sus países con la condición de que esas investigaciones contribuyan a una mejor calidad de vida de sus pueblos. En este sentido, los investigadores de países en desarrollo dedicados a las ciencias aplicadas siempre deberían estar conscientes de cual es el propósito real de sus investigaciones. Aunque es solo una impresión que tengo del IICS, los investigadores con los que me reuní no discuten libremente unos con otros sobre los temas científicos que están desarrollando. Pienso, sin embargo, que la libre discusión es un prerrequisito para el establecimiento de una ciencia progresiva, como se puede ver en Estados Unidos y Europa. Otro punto que deseo enfatizar es la necesidad real de fortalecer la capacidad de las instituciones de solicitar y obtener financiaciones nacionales e internacionales para el mantenimiento de las actividades científicas progresivas y para estímulo de los jóvenes que en el futuro llevarán sobre sus hombros las ciencias naturales en los países en desarrollo.

A sandwich ELISA for detection of soluble GPI-80, a glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol (GPI)-anchored protein on human leukocytes involved in regulation of neutrophil adherence and migration--its release from activated neutrophils and presence in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

GPI-80, mainly distributed on human neutrophils and monocytes, is a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein regulating neutrophil adherence and migration. We prepared a polyclonal antibody specific to GPI-80 by immunizing rabbits with the purified GPI-80 and established a sandwich ELISA for detecting soluble GPI-80. We found that soluble GPI-80 was released from fMLP activated neutrophils and was present at high concentrations in synovial fluids but not sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting that GPI-80 may play a role in inflammatory diseases. The detection of soluble GPI-80 may help us to understand its physiological and pathological functions.

Cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression in neutrophils from CBA/NSlc mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA that induces experimental cerebral malaria.

To investigate the role of neutrophils in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), in a previous study we found that early neutrophil depletion prevented the development of ECM and down regulated the expression of Th1 cytokines in the brain. To further clarify the mechanisms responsible for these findings, in the present study, using RT-PCR, we examined the expression of cytokine and chemokine mRNAs in neutrophils and macrophages after PbA infection. We found that, after infection, neutrophils not only expressed cytokines IL-2, IL-12p40, IL-18, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha mRNAs, but also mRNAs for Th1 chemoattractive chemokines, monokine-induced by IFN-gamma (MIG), macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) and IFN-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10). Neutrophil depletion down regulated the expression of IL-18 and MIG mRNAs in macrophages, but did not affect the expression of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MIP-1alpha and IP-10 mRNAs. Therefore, this study confirms our hypothesis that neutrophils may play a role in the pathogenesis of ECM via their expression of cytokines or chemokines.

Neutrophil depletion exacerbates experimental Chagas' disease in BALB/c, but protects C57BL/6 mice through modulating the Th1/Th2 dichotomy in different directions.

To elucidate the roles of neutrophils in experimental Chagas' disease, we depleted the peripheral neutrophils in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice with a monoclonal antibody 1 day before Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Neutrophil depletion in BALB/ c mice resulted in exacerbation of the disease and decreased expression of mRNA for Th1 cytokines, including IL-2 and IFN-gamma, IL-12p40 and TNF-alpha in their spleens after the infection, while a Th2 cytokine, IL-10, increased especially 1 day after infection. Neutrophils from infected BALB / c mice expressed mRNA for IL-12p40, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and Th1 chemoattractive chemokines, monokine induced by IFN-gamma (MIG) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha ). In contrast, in C57BL/6 mice neutrophil depletion induced resistance to the disease and enhanced the expression of the above Th1 cytokines, although IL-10 mRNA in neutrophil-depleted C57BL/6 mice was also higher than in control mice. Neutrophils from C57BL/6 mice did not express IL-12p40, IFN-gamma and MIG but expressed TNF-alpha, MIP-1alpha and IL-10. Therefore, neutrophils may play opposite roles in these two strains of mice with respect to protection versus exacerbation of T. cruzi infection, possibly through modulating the Th1/Th2 dichotomy in different directions.

Neutrophil secretory vesicles are the intracellular reservoir for GPI-80, a protein with adhesion-regulating potential.

The subcellular localization of GPI-80, a novel, adhesion-regulating protein, was investigated in human neutrophils. Surface expression of GPI-80 was determined by FACS analysis as well as by the ability for phospholipase C to cleave the protein from the cell surface. Increasing amounts of GPI-80 were exposed on the cell surface after weak stimulation with the chemoattractant fMLF, suggesting that the protein can be translocated to the plasma membrane from intracellular stores. By subcellular fractionation of the neutrophils, GPI-80 was defined as a component of a light membrane fraction, containing secretory vesicles and plasma membranes, and it was absent from the neutrophil granule fractions. Separation of the plasma membranes from the secretory vesicles by flotation gradient fractionation confirmed that the GPI-80 was localized in the mobilizable secretory vesicles by approximately 50%, and the rest was plasma membrane-bound. Thus, we identify secretory vesicles as the reservoir of GPI-80 from which it may translocate to the plasma membrane after weak stimulation of the cells.

Identification, cloning, and initial characterization of a novel mouse testicular germ cell-specific antigen.

A monoclonal antibody, designated TES101, was raised by immunizing BALB/c mice with an allogenic mouse testicular homogenate followed by immunohistochemical selection as the initial screening method. By searching the expressed sequence tag (EST) database with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of TES101 reactive protein, we found that the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by a mouse testicular EST clone matched the TES101 protein sequence. Sequence analysis of the clone revealed no homologous molecule in the DNA/protein database. Based on data obtained from N-terminal amino acid analysis of the TES101 protein, the derived amino acid sequence contained a signal peptide region of 25 amino acids and a mature protein region of 225 amino acids, which translated into a protein with a molecular weight of 24 093. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA of the TES101 protein was found in testis but not in any other mouse tissues examined. Western blot analysis revealed that TES101 reacted with a 38-kDa band on SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions, and this reactivity was abrogated under reducing conditions. Immunoelectron microscopic studies demonstrated that the molecule was predominantly located on the plasma membrane of spermatocytes and spermatids but not in Sertoli cells or interstitial cells, including Leydig cells. Thus, the TES101 protein is a novel molecule present primarily on the surface of developing male germ cells. TES101 protein may play a role in the processes underlying male germ cell formation.

Clustering on the forward surfaces of migrating neutrophils of a novel GPI-anchored protein that may regulate neutrophil adherence and migration.

We previously reported a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein (tentatively designated GPI-80) on human leukocytes that may be involved in the regulation of neutrophil adherence and migration. In this study, we examined by immuno- and scanning electron microscopy, the distribution of GPI-80 on neutrophil surfaces. GPI-80 was diffusely distributed on the surface of resting neutrophils and on the peripheral areas of adherent cells after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. After longer stimulation (60 min), GPI-80 decreased in number and was again diffusely distributed on the surfaces of round neutrophils. Few GPI-80 were detected on the ventral surfaces of adherent neutrophils. Clusters of GPI-80 were detected on the forward surfaces of neutrophils transmigrating through pores of nitrocellulose membranes. These results may give a morphological background of possible role of GPI-80 for neutrophil extravasation.

Neutrophils play a critical role in the pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria.

The role of neutrophils in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) is not well understood. In this study we used a MoAb, RB6-8C5, to deplete the peripheral neutrophils of ECM-susceptible CBA/NSlc mice 24 h before Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection. We found that early neutrophil depletion prevented the development of ECM and dramatically decreased the sequestration of monocytes and microhaemorrhage in the brain. The depletion of neutrophils also down-regulated tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma and IL-2 mRNAs and abrogated IL-12p40 mRNA expression in the brain as examined by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Although depletion of neutrophils decreased the expression of Th1 cytokines in both spleen and brain, our results did not show the shift of a Th1 to a Th2 immune response since there was no obvious augmentation of expression of Th2 cytokine mRNAs (IL-4 and IL-10). We conclude that neutrophils play a role in the pathogenesis of ECM via enhancement of the expression of Th1 cytokines in the brain.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 34-kDa protein induced by cross-linking a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein (GPI-80) on human neutrophils that may regulate their adherence and migration.

We previously found a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein designated GPI-80 that modulates complement receptor 3 integrin-dependent adhesion and in vitro transendothelial migration of neutrophils. In this study, we show that antibody-mediated cross-linking of GPI-80 led to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation mainly of a 34-kDa protein (pp34). Chemical inhibitors, such as genistein, sodium orthovanadate, wortmannin, cytochalasin B, Ro 31-8220, and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N',-tetraacetic acid inhibited this response, whereas pertussis toxin had no effect. These findings demonstrate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp34 by cross-linking GPI-80 in human neutrophils involves tyrosine kinases, tyrosine phosphatases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, cytoskeleton reorganization, protein kinase C, and cytoplasmic calcium, but not heterotrimeric G proteins.

Possible modulation by male sex hormone of Th1/Th2 function in protection against Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS infection in mice.

Zhang, Z.-H., Chen, L., Saito, S., Kanagawa, O., and Sendo, F. 2000. Possible modulation by male sex hormone of Th1/Th2 function in protection against Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS infection in mice. Experimental Parasitology 96, 121-129. We examined the mortality, survival time, and parasitemia in interferon gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R)-deficient (IFN-gamma R(-/-)) and IL-4-deficient (IL-4(-/-)) mice infected with Plasmodium chabaudi AS and compared them with the wild type counterparts (IFN-gamma R(+/+) and IL-4(+/+), respectively). (1) Mortality was higher and survival time was shorter in males of both IFN-gamma R(-/-) and IL-4(-/-) mice infected with P. chabaudi AS, compared with their wild type counterparts, whereas such a difference was not observed in female mice. (2) These differences between males and females were not observed when male mice were castrated; however, female castration had no effect on the data. (3) The rate of parasitemia in both male and female IFN-gamma R(-/-) and IL-4(-/-) mice was higher at some points during the observation than in the wild type counterparts. (4) These results on susceptibility vs resistance to P. chabaudi AS infection can be explained partially by the levels of expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine and chemokine mRNAs in the spleen cells of the infected mice. These results suggest that male sex hormones modulate the function of Th1/Th2 cells and that these T cells counteract the activity of these hormones in protection against P. chabaudi AS infection in mice.

Regulation of leukocyte adherence and migration by glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol-anchored proteins.

Leukocyte extravasation is essential for subsequent inflammation and the immune response. Extravasation can be divided into at least three steps; rolling, firm adhesion, and transendothelial migration. Although the mechanisms involved in the first two steps have been fairly well documented, the last step is complex and largely remains to be clarified. This review focuses on the possible role of GPI-anchored proteins on leukocytes in the regulation of their transendothelial migration. In addition to regulation by urokinase and its receptor, which has been regarded as the main modulator, we draw attention to a novel GPI-anchored protein (GPI-80) on human phagocytes that may be involved in regulating leukocyte adhesion and migration. The high degree of homology of GPI-80 with vanin-1, which is expressed on vascular tissues and is involved in prethymic cell homing into the thymus, raises the possibility that there is a family of molecules, including GPI-80 and vanin-1, that may be involved in leukocyte transendothelial migration. The possible role of soluble GPI-anchored proteins in this process is also discussed.

CD4+ and/or gammadelta+ T cells in the liver spontaneously produce IL-4 in vitro during the early phase of Leishmania major infection in susceptible BALB/c mice.

Numerous studies on the cytokine production profile in Leishmania major infected susceptible and resistant mice have been carried out to elucidate the mechanisms of healing or non-healing of this infection. However, many methods may have failed to detect the actual cytokine production in the inflammatory foci. To overcome this problems, the ELISPOT assay was used to examine the spontaneous production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in vitro by mononuclear cells from the spleen, lymph nodes and liver in L. major-infected susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice. None of these mononuclear cells spontaneously produced IFN-gamma in either mouse strains in vitro in the absence of the corresponding antigen(s). However, liver mononuclear cells from infected BALB/c mice spontaneously produced IL-4 in vitro in as early as 2 weeks after the infection, but this was not observed in C57BL/6 mice. The IL-4 producing liver lymphocytes consisted of CD4+ and/or gammadelta+ T cells and uncharacterized cells. These results suggest that liver lymphocytes play some role in the establishment of Th2 prevalence in susceptible BALB/c mice, based on the importance of IL.4 production in the early phase of L. major infection in establishing Th2 dominance in this parasite susceptible mouse.

A novel glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored protein on human leukocytes: a possible role for regulation of neutrophil adherence and migration.

We report here a novel glycosylphosphatidyl-inositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein on human leukocytes. Treatment of neutrophils with a mAb (3H9) to this molecule sequentially up-regulates and down-regulates beta2 integrin-dependent adhesion of these cells as well as their transendothelial migration in vitro. In addition, this mAb simultaneously modulates the avidity of beta2 integrin for its ligand, iC3b, with kinetics similar to those observed in 3H9 modulation of neutrophil adherence. This mAb also induces beta2 integrin-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling. This novel GPI-anchored protein (GPI-80) is highly homologous with Vanin-1, a recently reported GPI-anchored protein that is expressed on perivascular thymic stromal cells and is involved in thymus homing in mice. The finding that both GPI-80 and Vanin-1 are 40% homologous with human biotinidase suggests the existence of a biotinidase superfamily of molecules that may be involved in the regulation of leukocyte trafficking.

Glucocorticoid hormone suppression of human neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytostasis.

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of glucocorticoid hormones on neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytostasis and found that hydrocortisone and a synthetic hormone, dexamethasone (Dex), inhibited cytostasis in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The effect of Dex was completely reversed by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU38486. To clarify the underlying mechanisms, we examined effects of Dex on the binding avidity of beta2 integrin on the neutrophil surface and how these might in turn affect neutrophil-to-tumor cell binding. Dex was found to inhibit these neutrophil properties, and RU38486 completely suppressed both forms of Dex inhibition. Taken together, our findings suggest that glucocorticoid hormone inhibition of neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytostasis is at least partially due to a lowering of the ligand binding avidity of beta2 integrin on the neutrophil surface.

Accelerated neutrophil apoptosis in mice lacking A1-a, a subtype of the bcl-2-related A1 gene.

To elucidate the role of A1, a new member of the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis regulators active in hematopoietic cell apoptosis, we established mice lacking A1-a, a subtype of the A1 gene in mice (A1-a-/- mice). Spontaneous apoptosis of peripheral blood neutrophils of A1-a-/- mice was enhanced compared with that of either wild-type mice or heterozygous mutants (A1-a+/- mice). Neutrophil apoptosis inhibition induced by lipopolysaccharide treatment in vitro or transendothelial migration in vivo observed in wild-type mice was abolished in both A1-a-/- and A1-a+/- animals. On the other hand, the extent of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced acceleration of neutrophil apoptosis did not differ among A1-a-/-, A1-a+/-, and wild-type mice. The descending order of A1 mRNA expression was wild-type, A1-a+/-, and A1-a-/-. Taken together, these results suggest that A1 is involved in inhibition of certain types of neutrophil apoptosis.

Modulation of leukocyte transendothelial migration by integrin-associated glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored proteins.

Leukocyte transendothelial migration is an essential process in inflammation and the immune response. The mechanisms involved in leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, forming the first step in leukocyte extravasation, have been fairly well documented. However, subsequent steps, which include de-adhesion, coupled with locomotion, remain largely unknown. As part of our efforts to study leukocyte transendothelial migration, we previously established a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that sequentially up-regulates and down-regulates beta2 integrin-dependent adhesion of human neutrophils, as well as transendothelial migration in vitro. The molecule recognized by this mAb is a glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol, (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein. This protein may prove to be a new member of the family of integrin-associated, GPI-anchored proteins, which includes urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/LPS binding protein (LBP) receptor (CD14), and Fcgamma receptor IIIB (CD16b); all of which are regulators of integrin function. The mechanisms involved in beta2 integrin regulation by this new GPI-anchored glycoprotein are discussed.

Multiple gene duplication and expression of mouse bcl-2-related genes, A1.

Here we report the genomic cloning and characterization of the murine A1 genes, which belong to the bcl-2 gene family. Southern analysis indicated the existence of at least four A1 genes in the murine genome and four different A1 genes, designated A1-a, -b, -c and -d, were cloned from the murine genomic library. The A1-a, -b and -d genes consisted of two exons, whereas the A1-c gene contained 1 bp insertion in the coding region which may result in an aberrant and truncated protein by frame-shift. With the exception of A1-c, the coding regions among A1 genes are highly conserved at >97% at the nucleotide level and at >96% at the amino acid level. A1-a, -b and -d genes appeared to be expressed specifically in organs containing many neutrophils. In neutrophils, A1-a, -b and -d transcripts were detected at a comparable level. Our data suggest that the multiple A1 genes in mice were generated by gene duplication and each of them may function as anti-apoptotic molecules in neutrophils.

Selective neutrophil depletion with monoclonal antibodies attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether depletion of circulating neutrophils, using an antineutrophil monoclonal antibody (RP3), would attenuate ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat skeletal muscle. A 3- and 5-hr period of ischemia was induced unilaterally into the hindlimbs of rats; the isolated limbs were then reperfused for 24 hr after ischemia. The gastrocnemius muscle was then removed, and blood was taken simultaneously. The hematologic parameters were measured, muscle neutrophil sequestration was assessed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, free radical production was evaluated by the tissue lipid peroxides (LPO) levels, muscle viability was assessed by tissue levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (PCr) levels, and muscle wet/dry weights were determined. Treatment with RP3 selectively and sufficiently depleted the circulating neutrophil population, markedly reduced MPO, and significantly attenuated LPO and the tissue water content after both 3- and 5-hr of ischemia. After 3 hr of ischemia, ATP and PCr levels were significantly increased by neutrophil depletion; however, after 5 hr of ischemia, the same effect was not demonstrated. These results suggest that neutrophil depletion after 3 hr of ischemia restrains free radical production and edema formation, and also attenuates skeletal muscle ischemia reperfusion injury; however, after 5 hr of ischemia, ischemic damage was so severe, that neutrophil depletion did not reduce ischemia reperfusion injury.