Cryo scanning electron microscopy of Plasmodium falciparum ‐infected erythrocytes
Plasmodium falciparum invades erythrocytes as an essential part of their life cycle. While living inside erythrocytes, the parasite remodels the cell's intracellular organization as well as its outer surface. Late trophozoite‐stage parasites and schizonts introduce numerous small protrusions on the erythrocyte surface, called knobs. Current methods for studying these knobs include atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy. Standard electron microscopy methods rely on chemical fixation and dehydration modifying cell size. Here, a novel method is presented using rapid freezing and scanning electron microscopy under c...
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Casper Hempel Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Granulocyte ‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, a potent adjuvant for polarization to Th‐17 pattern: an experience on HIV‐1 vaccine model
This study for the first time provides the evidence of the potency of GM‐CSF in the induction of IL‐17 in response to a vaccine, which is important for control of infection such as HIV‐1. (Source: APMIS)
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Mehdi Mahdavi, Amir Hossein Tajik, Massoumeh Ebtekar, Roghieh Rahimi, Mohammad Mehdi Adibzadeh, Hamid Reza Moozarmpour, Mohammad Sadegh Beikverdi, Soophie Olfat, Zuhair Mohammad Hassan, Mohammad Choopani, Morteza Kameli, Christine Hartoonian Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
First case of bacteremia caused by Janibacter hoylei
Janibacter hoylei has previously been isolated only from an air sample in the upper atmosphere and clinical significance of J. hoylei was not yet established. Herein, we report a case of bacteremia caused by J. hoylei. An 8‐week‐old previously healthy male infant presented to the emergency room with fever. Blood culture yielded growth of Gram‐positive bacilli and this microorganism could not be identified with conventional phenotypic methods. The isolate was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the patient was successfully treated with vancomycin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the recovery of J...
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Yong Kwan Lim, Oh Joo Kweon, Hye Ryoun Kim, Tae Hyoung Kim, Mi ‐Kyung Lee Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
PKC, ERK/p38 MAP kinases and NF ‐κB targeted signalling play a role in the expression and release of IL‐1β and CXCL8 in Porphyromonas gingivalis‐infected THP1 cells
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis and is gaining importance in cardiovascular pathogenesis. Protease‐activated receptors (PARs), toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD) on monocytes recognize the structural components on P. gingivalis, inducing inflammatory intermediates. Here, we elucidate the modulation of PARs, TLRs, NODs, and the role of MAPK and NF‐κB in IL‐1β and CXCL8 release. THP1 cells were stimulated with P. gingivalis wild‐type W50 and its isogenic gingipain mutants: Rgp mutant E8 and Kgp mutant K1A. We observed modulation of PAR...
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Kartheyaene Jayaprakash, Isak Demirel, Sezin Gunaltay, Hazem Khalaf, Torbj örn Bengtsson Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
High doses of recombinant mannan ‐binding lectin inhibit the binding of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus with cells expressing DC‐SIGN
This study demonstrates that high doses of MBL can inhibit binding of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus to DC‐SIGN‐expressing cells in the presence of complement. Our results suggest that DC‐SIGN may be an alternative receptor for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. (Source: APMIS)
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Lei Yu, Shiqiang Shang, Ran Tao, Caiyun Wang, Li Zhang, Hao Peng, Yinghu Chen Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
STAT3 promotes bone fracture healing by enhancing the FOXP3 expression and the suppressive function of regulatory T cells
In this study, we examined STAT3‐mediated regulation of immunity in adult patients with closed tibia fracture. In all patients, the expression and activation of STAT3 peaked at around day 7 to day 14 after surgery, and gradually decreased during the rest of the healing period. At day 7 (peak STAT3 expression and phosphorylation), the CD4+CD25+ T cells from bone fracture patients presented the highest level of STAT3 activation among lymphocyte subsets. Therefore, we investigated the role of STAT3 in CD4+CD25+ T cells. The level of FOXP3 expression by CD4+CD25+ T cells was directly correlated with the level of STAT3 phosph...
Source: APMIS - May 11, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Guojing Sun, Zhen Wang, Yunfan Ti, Yicun Wang, Jun Wang, Jianning Zhao, Hongbo Qian Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Liposomes or traditional adjuvants: induction of bactericidal activity by the macrophage infectivity potentiator protein (Mip) of Neisseria meningitidis
In this study, we analysed the ability of recombinant macrophage infectivity potentiator (rMip) protein to induce protective bactericidal activity in mice. The rMip protein was cloned from N. meningitidis strain H44/76 and was used to immunise mice, and the sera obtained were tested against the homologous and several heterologous N. meningitidis strains. The sera were obtained using the rMip alone, with adjuvant Al(OH)3, or after inclusion into liposomes. Bactericidal activity was variable depending on the strain, although high titres were seen against strains H44/76 and NmP27. Liposomes enhanced fourfold the reactivity ...
Source: APMIS - May 1, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Liliana Costoya, Juan Marzoa, Carlos Ferreir ós, Maria Teresa Criado Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
IFI16 reduced expression is correlated with unfavorable outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults. Its clinical course is typically indolent; however, based on a series of pathobiological, clinical, genetic, and phenotypic parameters, patient survival varies from less than 5 to more than 20 years. In this paper, we show for the first time that the expression of the interferon‐inducible DNA sensor IFI16, a member of the PYHIN protein family involved in proliferation inhibition and apoptosis regulation, is associated with the clinical outcome in CLL. We studied 99 CLLs cases by immunohistochemistry and 10 CLLs cases by gene expression profiling. W...
Source: APMIS - May 1, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Pier Paolo Piccaluga, Claudio Agostinelli, Simona Righi, Maria Ciccone, Maria Carla Re, Giuseppina Musumeci, Erica Diani, Caterina Signoretto, Isabella Bon, Ottavio Piccin, Antonio Cuneo, Claudio Tripodo, Cristina Ponti, Donato Zipeto, Santo Landolfo, Dav Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
HBV ‐specific CD4+ cytotoxic T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma are less cytolytic toward tumor cells and suppress CD8+ T cell‐mediated antitumor immunity
In East Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa, chronic infection is the main cause of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, an aggressive cancer with low survival rate. Cytotoxic T cell‐based immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy. Here, we investigated the possibility of using HBV‐specific CD4+ cytotoxic T cells to eliminate tumor cells. The naturally occurring HBV‐specific cytotoxic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were identified by HBV peptide pool stimulation. We found that in HBV‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma patients, the HBV‐specific cytotoxic CD4+ T cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells were present at simila...
Source: APMIS - May 1, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Fanzhi Meng, Shoumei Zhen, Bin Song Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical spectrum of 11 cases of epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, including INI1/SMARCB1 results and BRAF V600E analysis
We report clinicopathologic features of 11 epithelioid MPNSTs, including rare forms, along with INI1 immunostaining and BRAF V600E mutation results. BRAF V600E mutation was tested by Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Eleven tumors occurred in six men and five women (M:F ratio = 0.85:1) within an age range of 5–73 years (average = 44), mostly in lower limbs (five), followed by upper limbs (four). Tumor size (n = 6), varied from 3.1 to 15 cm (average = 8.3). Histopathologically, most tumors were multilobular, characterized by epithelioid to round‐shaped, malignant cells, along with spindle cells (thr...
Source: APMIS - April 28, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Bharat Rekhi, Kemal Kosemehmetoglu, Gaye Guler Tezel, Sergulen Dervisoglu Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
In vitro effects of ambroxol on Cryptococcus adherence, planktonic cells, and biofilms
The antifungal effects of ambroxol (Amb; the metabolite VIII of bromhexine) against Cryptococcus planktonic cells and mature biofilms were investigated in this study. Amb showed antifungal activity against planktonic cells and mature biofilms. Disk diffusion test similarly showed antifungal profile for planktonic cells. Furthermore, Amb was found to be synergetic with fluconazole against planktonic cells and reduced the adherence of cells to polystyrene. Our results suggest that Amb can inhibit cryptococcal cells and biofilms, indicating its potential role in the prevention and treatment of cryptococcosis. (Source: APMIS)
Source: APMIS - April 26, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Qingtao Kong, Xue Du, Suyang Huang, Rui Yang, Chengzhen Zhang, Yongnian Shen, Weida Liu, Hong Sang Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Loss of CADM4 expression is associated with poor prognosis in small intestinal adenocarcinomas
We evaluated the association of cell adhesion molecule 4 (CADM4) expression with clinicopathologic parameters and overall survival (OS) in patients with small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SIAs) and determined its prognostic significance. CADM4 immunohistochemical staining was performed for 170 SIA samples. Loss of or low CADM4 expression was observed in 26 (15.3%) and 50 (29.4%) cases, respectively, and it was significantly associated with undifferentiated histology (p < 0.044), high‐grade tumor (p < 0.001), high pT3 or pT4 stage (p < 0.038), pancreatic invasion (p < 0.018), and lymphatic invasion (p ...
Source: APMIS - April 26, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Kyung ‐Ju Kim, Jung Yeon Kim, Seung‐Mo Hong, Mi Jin Gu Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Issue Information
(Source: APMIS)
Source: APMIS - April 26, 2017 Category: Research Tags: Issue Information Source Type: research
Evaluation of circulating zonulin as a potential marker in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver disorders ranging from simple hepatic steatosis up to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) evolving to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver biopsy is still the gold standard modality for diagnosing and staging NAFLD. The linkage between intestinal microbiota and NAFLD, might suggest a potential role of serum zonulin in NAFLD diagnosis. To appraise the role of circulating zonulin in NAFLD pathogenesis, 56 subjects with proved NAFLD by ultrasonography and liver biopsy, as well as 20 healthy controls were tested. Liver function tests, serum glucose,...
Source: APMIS - April 21, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Olfat M. Hendy, Maha M. Elsabaawy, Mona M. Aref, Fatma M. Khalaf, Abdel Moaty A. Oda, Helmy M. El Shazly Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Therapeutic protein deimmunization by T ‐cell epitope removal: antigen‐specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo
Hirudin III is an effective anti‐coagulant; however, in 40% of treated patients, a high‐titer of anti‐Hirudin III IgG antibodies is observed. Development of antibody responses requires the activation of helper T lymphocyte (HTL), which is dependent on peptide epitopes binding to HLA class II molecules. Based on computational prediction softwares, four new mutants of Hirudin III, T4K, S9G, V21G, and V21K, had been designed with the aim of reducing the binding affinity of these HTL epitopes. The constructed mutants have been purified and assayed for bioactivity. Finally in vitro and in vivo cell‐mediated responses we...
Source: APMIS - April 18, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Saeme Asgari, Azadeh Ebrahim ‐Habibi, Mehdi Mahdavi, Mohammad Choopani, Hasan Mirzahoseini Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
