PKR downregulation prevents neurodegeneration and ß-amyloid production in a thiamine-deficient model.

Brain thiamine homeostasis has an important role in energy metabolism and displays reduced activity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thiamine deficiency (TD) induces regionally specific neuronal death in the animal and human brains associated with a mild chronic impairment of oxidative metabolism. These features make the TD model amenable to investigate the cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Once activated by various cellular stresses, including oxidative stress, PKR acts as a pro-apoptotic kinase and negatively controls the protein translation leading to an increase of BACE1 translation. In this study, we used a mouse TD model to assess the involvement of PKR in neuronal death and the molecular mechanisms of AD. Our results showed that the TD model activates the PKR-eIF2α pathway, increases the BACE1 expression levels of Aß in specific thalamus nuclei and induces motor deficits and neurodegeneration. These effects are reversed by PKR downregulation (using a specific inhibitor or in PKR knockout mice).

Effects of size on the dynamics of dislocations in ice single crystals.

Single crystals of ice subjected to primary creep in torsion exhibit a softening behavior: the plastic strain rate increases with time. In a cylindrical sample, the size of the radius affects this response. The smaller the radius of the sample becomes while keeping constant the average shear stress across a section, the softer the response. The size-dependent behavior is interpreted by using a field dislocation theory, in terms of the coupled dynamics of excess screw dislocations gliding in basal planes and statistical dislocations developed through cross slip occurring in prismatic planes. The differences in the results caused by sample height effects and variations in the initial dislocation microstructure are discussed.

Expression of two cell wall proteins during the intracellular development of Encephalitozoon cuniculi: an immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study with ultrathin frozen sections.

The microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular parasite that develops asynchronously inside parasitophorous vacuoles. Spore differentiation involves the construction of a cell wall commonly divided into an outer layer (exospore) and a thicker, chitin-rich inner layer (endospore). The developmental patterns of protein deposition and mRNA expression for 2 different spore wall proteins were studied using immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization procedures with ultrathin frozen sections. The onset of deposition of an exospore-destined protein (SWP1) correlated with the formation of lamellar protuberances during meront-to-sporont conversion. No evidence for a release of SWP1 towards the parasitophorous vacuole lumen was obtained. An endospore-destined protein (EnP1) was detected early on the plasma membrane of meronts prior to extensive accumulation within the chitin-rich layer of sporoblasts. swp1 mRNA was preferentially synthesized in early sporogony while enp1 mRNA was transcribed during merogony and a large part of sporogony. The level of both mRNAs was reduced in mature spores. Considering the availability of the E. cuniculi genome sequence, the application of nucleic and/or protein probes to cryosections should facilitate the screening of various genes for stage-specific expression during microsporidian development.

Genetic population structure of marine viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV).

The nucleotide sequences of a specific region of the nucleoprotein gene were compared in order to investigate the genetic population structure of marine viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV). Analysis of the sequence from 128 isolates of diverse geographic and host origin renders this the most comprehensive molecular epidemiological study of marine VHSV conducted to date. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleoprotein gene sequences confirmed the existence of the 4 major genotypes previously identified based on N- and subsequent G-gene based analyses. The range of Genotype I included subgroups of isolates associated with rainbow trout aquaculture (Genotype Ia) and those from the Baltic marine environment (Genotype Ib) to emphasise the relatively close genetic relationship between these isolates. The existence of an additional genotype circulating within the Baltic Sea (Genotype II) was also confirmed. Genotype III included marine isolates from around the British Isles in addition to those associated with turbot mariculture, highlighting a continued risk to the development of this industry. Genotype IV consisted of isolates from the marine environment in North America. Taken together, these findings suggest a marine origin of VHSV in rainbow trout aquaculture. The implications of these findings with respect to the future control of VHSV are discussed. The capacity for molecular phylogenetic analysis to resolve complex epidemiological problems is also demonstrated and its likely future importance to disease management issues highlighted.

Chronic venous disease in the male. An epidemiological survey.

AIM: Chronic venous disease affects large numbers of men but there are fewer references to them than to women in the literature. The aim of our study was to determine the time lapse between the first symptom(s) and/or clinical signs of venous disease in the male and the first consultation with an angiologist to define the status of the veins within this population, and to demonstrate any possible links between the characteristics of the disorder in accordance with the CEAP international classification. METHODS: The design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. Each physician had to include the first 3 patients examined for the first time. Each male patient had to present at least 1 sign and 1 symptom of chronic venous disease. After randomization, 192 physicians included 561 patients: 494 have been analyzed. RESULTS: The examined patients had a mean age of 49.3+/-13.7 years, mean height of 1.76+/-0.07 m, mean weight of 78.2+/-11.2 kg and a BMI of 25.3+/-3.3. The disorder had been developing for a mean 76.8+/-90.3 months prior to the specialist consultation. The longer the time span between the onset of the condition and the first consultation with a specialist, the more advanced was the condition as was also true with the increasing age of the patients. The following associations were observed: the incidence of trophic disorders increased with age (odds-ratio 1.47). The severity of the disease increased the greater the extent of obesity (odds-ratio 3.5). CONCLUSION: The risk of trophic disorders was higher in shop workers, craftsmen (odds-ratio 3.7) and workers (odds-ratio 2.68) than in executives, in those working in a standing position (odds-ratio 1.5), in those whose father had the condition (odds-ratio 1.9), in the event of a popliteal reflux (odds-ratio 3.2) rather than affecting a saphenous trunk (small saphenous vein odds-ratio 2.5, great saphenous vein odds-ratio 1.9). Thirty-two percent of patients with trophic disorders had already worn elastic compression prior to the specialist consultation. After this consultation, the numbers for whom this was prescribed rose to 87%.

In vivo neutralization of endogenous brain fractalkine increases hippocampal TNFalpha and 8-isoprostane production induced by intracerebroventricular injection of LPS.

Fractalkine is a chemokine widely and constitutively expressed in the brain and, as suggested by in vitro studies, it is involved in brain inflammatory responses. In this study, we have investigated the in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of fractalkine in a model of neuroinflammation induced by intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. LPS induces a rapid and acute production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFalpha, in hippocampus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and an increase of 8-isoprostane levels, a marker of oxidative stress, in hippocampus. Although intracerebroventricular injection of fractalkine has no effect on TNFalpha and 8-isoprostane production, neutralization of endogenous fractalkine within the brain with a specific anti-fractalkine antibody potentiates LPS effects. These data emphasize the involvement of constitutive brain fractalkine in the control of inflammatory reaction in CNS.

Fractalkine modulates TNF-alpha secretion and neurotoxicity induced by microglial activation.

Among the chemokine family, fractalkine shows unusual properties: it exists as a membrane-bound and soluble protein, and both fractalkine and its receptor CX(3)CR1 are expressed predominantly in the central nervous system. In rat cell culture models, the chemokine fractalkine was expressed in neurons and microglia, but not in astrocytes and its receptor exclusively localized to microglial cells, where its expression was downregulated by treatment with the bacterial endotoxin (LPS). In microglial cultures, LPS (10 ng/ml) induced a marked increase in the release of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The effects of LPS on TNF-alpha secretion were partially blocked (30%) by fractalkine and the effects of fractalkine were reversed by a polyclonal anti-fractalkine antibody. When microglial-associated fractalkine was neutralized by anti-fractalkine antibody, the LPS response was increased by 80%, suggesting tonic activation of microglial fractalkine receptors by endogenous fractalkine. The effects of the antibody were antagonized by the addition of fractalkine. LPS-activated microglia were neurotoxic when added to neuronal hippocampal culture, producing 20% neuronal death, as measured by NeuN-positive cell counting. An anti-fractalkine antibody produced neurotoxic effects of similar magnitude in this co-culture system and also markedly potentiated the neurotoxic effects of LPS-activated microglia (40% neuronal death). These results suggest that endogenous fractalkine might act tonically as an anti-inflammatory chemokine in cerebral tissue through its ability to control and suppress certain aspects of microglial activation. These data may have relevance to degenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, in which cerebral inflammatory processes may be activated.

Interferon-gamma in progression to chronic demyelination and neurological deficit following acute EAE.

The cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) is implicated in the induction of acute CNS inflammation, but it is less clear what role if any IFNgamma plays in progression to chronic demyelination and neurological deficit. To address this issue, we have expressed IFNgamma in myelinating oligodendrocytes of transgenic mice. MHC I immunostaining and iNOS mRNA were upregulated in their CNS, but such transgenic mice showed no spontaneous CNS inflammation or demyelination, and the incidence, severity, and histopathology of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) were similar to nontransgenic controls. In contrast to control mice, which remit from EAE with resolution of glial reactivity and leukocytic infiltration, transgenics showed chronic neurological deficits. While activated microglia/macrophages persisted in demyelinating lesions for over 100 days, CD4(+) T lymphocytes were no longer present in CNS. IFNgamma therefore may play a role in chronic demyelination and long-term disability following the induction of demyelinating disease. Because IFNgamma may have neural as well as immune-infiltrating origins, these findings generate a new perspective on its role in the CNS.

Increased severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, chronic macrophage/microglial reactivity, and demyelination in transgenic mice producing tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the central nervous system.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an inflammatory cytokine implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases. Apoptotic cell death is induced by TNF-alpha in vitro, and has been suggested as one cause of autoimmune pathology, including autoimmune demyelinating diseases where oligodendrocytes are a target of immune attack. TNF-alpha also regulates macrophage activity which could contribute to autoimmune inflammation. We have expressed TNF-alpha at disease-equivalent levels in the central nervous system of transgenic mice, using a myelin basic protein (MBP) promoter. These mice were normal and showed no spontaneous pathology, but they developed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with greater severity than nontransgenic controls when immunized with MBP in adjuvant. Unlike nontransgenic controls, EAE then progressed to a nonabating demyelinating disease. Macrophage/microglial reactivity was evident in demyelinating lesions in spinal cord, but T cells were not detected during chronic disease. The participation of TNF-alpha in the demyelinating process is thus more probably due to the perpetuation of macrophage/microglial activation than to direct cytotoxicity of myelin or oligodendroglia.

Association of insulin-degrading enzyme with a 70 kDa cytosolic protein in hepatoma cells.

We have investigated the biosynthesis, subcellular location and expression of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). a type-I peroxisomal protease, in semi-permeabilized hepatoma cells using pulse-chase experiments, non-denaturing immunoprecipitation protocols and Northern-blot analyses. In HcpG2 cell lysates prepared from cells radiolabelled with Tran[35S]-label, immunoprecipitated IDE was observed immediately after a 5 min pulse and subsequently declined during chase with t1/2 of approx. 33 h. In addition to the 110 kDa IDE protein, a protein of 70 kDa (p70) was identified in radiolabelled immunoprecipitates when using a monoclonal anti-IDE antibody 9B12 under non-denaturing conditions. This same antibody did not recognize p70 on Western blots of whole-cell lysates nor in sequential immunoprecipitates of immunocomplex-bead eluates from anti-IDE immunoprecipitations. Likewise, cross-linking studies performed on intact HepG2 and H35 hepatoma cells in vivo revealed the existence of a hetero-oligomeric complex of 180 kDa in which IDE and p70 were physically associated. Digitonin-permeabilization studies in normal and 35S-labelled HepG2 cells have defined a predominant association of IDE and its associated protein p70 with cytosol (supernatant); only a minor amount of the protein IDE was detected in peroxisomes (cellular pellet). Immunoprecipitation of IDE from 35S-labelled cell lysates of normal and stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing IDE failed to detect p70. Treatment of HepG2 cells with clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator, resulted in a dose-dependent increase of the two human IDE transcripts of 3.6 and 3.2 kb. This effect was not accompanied by a similar change at the protein level, nor by a change in the subcellular location of the proteins IDE and p70. Based on these findings we propose that in hepatoma cells: (1) IDE mainly exists in a stable cytoplasmic pool that is unchanged in cells undergoing peroxisomal proliferation; and (2) p70 binding to IDE may serve to maintain the dual cytosolic and peroxisomal pools of IDE in a stable equilibrium.

Inflammatory cytokines in the brain: does the CNS shape immune responses?

Immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS) have traditionally been regarded as representing the intrusion of an unruly, ill-behaved mob of leukocytes into the well-ordered and organized domain of thought and reason. However, results accumulated over the past few years suggest that, far from being an immunologically privileged organ, T lymphocytes may be regular and frequent visitors to the CNS, for purposes of immune surveillance. Here, Trevor Owens and colleagues propose that the brain itself can regulate or shape immune responses therein. Furthermore, given that the immune cells may be subverted to autoimmunity, they suggest that the study of inflammatory autoimmune disease in the brain may shed light on the ability of the local environment to regulate immune responses.

Increase in IL-6, IL-1 and TNF levels in rat brain following traumatic lesion. Influence of pre- and post-traumatic treatment with Ro5 4864, a peripheral-type (p site) benzodiazepine ligand.

The effects of fluid percussion trauma on brain interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels have been studied. In the cortex and hippocampus of control and sham-operated rats, the levels of these cytokines were very low (below 4 units/mg protein) and constant. IL-6 and IL-1 levels in the ipsilateral cortex increased rapidly following trauma to reach a maximum of 350 and 16 units/mg protein, respectively, 8 h after the lesion, remained elevated until 18 h and decreased thereafter to basal values. TNF-alpha levels were maximally elevated (12 units/mg protein) at 3 h and 8 h and returned to basal values by 18 h. Qualitatively similar changes, but with 25-80-fold smaller amplitude, were seen in the contralateral cortex and in the ipsi- and contralateral hippocampus. The levels of IL-6 in the plasma of sham-operated and lesioned rats were only slightly elevated, whereas IL-1 and TNF-alpha were undetectable. Histological studies of brain tissue at early stages after trauma demonstrated an acute hemorrhage associated with neutrophil invasion. The administration of Ro5 4864 (0.5 mg/kg i.p.), a specific ligand of p (peripheral-type benzodiazepine) binding sites, did not result in any significant effect on the levels of IL-6, IL-1 or TNF-alpha in the brain of control or sham-operated animals. However, when administered 24 h before or 15 min after trauma, this benzodiazepine enhanced the increase of these cytokines by 2-4-fold in the ipsilateral cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression in human monocytes by an endogenous anxiogenic benzodiazepine ligand, triakontatetraneuropeptide: evidence for a role of prostaglandins.

Triakontatetraneuropeptide (TTN) is the major processing product of the endogenous anxiogenic peptide ligand of the benzodiazepine receptor, diazepam binding inhibitor. In the present study, we demonstrated by Northern blot analysis that the mRNA levels for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly increased after 4 hr of incubation of human monocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TTN (10(-11) M), compared with cells incubated with LPS alone. Exposure of monocytes for 20 hr to LPS and TTN (10(-11) M) also stimulated TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor release by 80%, 110%, and 98%, respectively, relative to the response elicited by LPS alone. Smaller stimulatory effects were observed using the prototypic pharmacological peripheral benzodiazepine Ro5-4864 (10(-11) M) (55%, 72%, and 62%, assessed by means of specific enzyme immunoassays). In contrast, TTN and Ro5-4864 did not modulate LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. Treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin increased IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha secretion but not that of IL-6 or IL-8. The observed stimulatory effects of TTN and indomethacin were not additive. Taken together, these findings suggest a common mechanism of action for TTN and indomethacin, involving PG formation. In this respect, TTN inhibited prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by 30%. The fact that the observed modulatory effects correlated with PG levels suggests the existence of a second-messenger pathway associated with the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor. These results indicate that human TTN differentially modulates the LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and they further support the concept that this endogenous psychoactive peptide could be involved in physiological control of the inflammatory response.

Benzodiazepine anesthesia in humans modulates the interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 responses of blood monocytes.

The influence of sedative and anxiolytic benzodiazepines on human monocyte function was assessed in 11 patients undergoing anesthesia prior to control endoscopy of the urinary tract. A single i.v. injection of 0.08 mg/kg midazolam induced a marked and delayed inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 by monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Corticosteroids were not responsible for the observed immunosuppression. These studies demonstrate that, when administered in man, benzodiazepines markedly alter the capacity of monocytes to synthetize major mediators of the host inflammatory response.

Differential IL-6 mRNA expression by stimulated peripheral macrophages of Staggerer and Lurcher cerebellar mutant mice.

We have recently reported about a hyperexpression of interleukin-1 mRNA by stimulated peripheral macrophages of several cerebellar mutant mice exhibiting complex patterns of neuronal degeneration in the cerebellum. Interestingly, studying the staggerer mutant mice, our data showed a hyperexpression of IL-1 beta mRNA and a hyperproduction of the cytokine. The hyperexpression of IL-1 beta mRNA was observed whatever the conditions of stimulation and the stimulating agent used, a hyperexpression of IL-1 alpha and TNF alpha mRNAs was also detected. This set of data suggests a hyperexcitability state of (sg/sg) macrophages. In the present study, we examined the IL-6 mRNA expression by stimulated peripheral macrophages of two cerebellar mutant mice, the staggerer and the lurcher mutants. Our results show that IL-6 mRNA is hyperexpressed in stimulated macrophages of staggerer mutant mice. On the contrary, no hyperexpression is observed in stimulated macrophages of lurcher mutant mice. These results suggest that the neuronal degeneration affecting the cerebellum in the two mutant mice do not lead to the same immunological defect at the peripheral level.

Endogenous anxiogenic peptide, ODN-diazepam-binding inhibitor, and benzodiazepines enhance the production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by human monocytes.

Benzodiazepines (BZD) have been described to interact with specific peripheral-type receptors on phagocytes. The present study demonstrates that pico- to nanomolar concentrations of BZD compounds enhance the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by human monocytes, as determined by specific immunoreactive and biological assays for these cytokines. BZD remained ineffective in the absence of LPS. The activity of BZD was restricted to peripheral (Ro 5-4864) and mixed (diazepam, Valium) type ligands, while anxiogenic (beta-carbolines) or anxiolytic (clonazepam) central type ligands had no effect. Interestingly, peptide fragments of the endogenous anxiogenic ligand diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI), such as octadecaneuropeptide (ODN-DBI) and the octaneuropeptide corresponding to its COOH-terminal sequence, very efficiently modulated the LPS-induced production of both monokines. Similar results were obtained directly within whole blood samples. These results indicate that widely prescribed pharmacological compounds and endogenous anxiety modulators affect molecular mediators of human host defense mechanisms and inflammatory reactions.

In vivo treatment with benzodiazepines inhibits murine phagocyte oxidative metabolism and production of interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6.

We reported previously that benzodiazepines, widely prescribed for their anxiolytic properties, bind to specific receptors on macrophages and modulate in vitro their metabolic oxidative responsiveness. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of benzodiazepine molecules on several macrophage functions. Benzodiazepines injected i.p. exerted a long-lasting inhibition on phagocyte oxidative responsiveness, still detectable 48 hr after injection. This action was dose-dependent, optimally effective at 1 mg/kg and observed at the site of injection within peritoneal cells as well as at a distance, within splenocytes. It was restricted to peripheral and mixed-type molecules whereas the central-type compound, clonazepam, was ineffective, in good keeping with the molecular specificity of the receptor present on murine macrophages. The fact that benzodiazepines exerted similar effects in Nude mice highly suggests that their in vivo inhibitory activity was not T cell-dependent. The peripheral benzodiazepine Ro5-4864 injected i.p. inhibited the capacity of macrophages to produce interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6. Clonazepam remained ineffective. These results demonstrate an in vivo immunosuppressive property of peripheral and mixed but not central -type benzodiazepines affecting characteristic phagocyte functions involved in host-defense mechanisms as well as in inflammatory response.