Common variants at TRAF3IP2 are associated with susceptibility to psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory joint disease that is distinct from other chronic arthritides and which is frequently accompanied by psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) and seronegativity for rheumatoid factor. We conducted a genome-wide association study in 609 German individuals with PsA (cases) and 990 controls with replication in 6 European cohorts including a total of 5,488 individuals. We replicated PsA associations at HLA-C and IL12B and identified a new association at TRAF3IP2 (rs13190932, P = 8.56 × 10?1?). TRAF3IP2 was also associated with PsV in a German cohort including 2,040 individuals (rs13190932, P = 1.95 × 10?3). Sequencing of the exons of TRAF3IP2 identified a coding variant (p.Asp10Asn, rs33980500) as the most significantly associated SNP (P = 1.13 × 10?2?, odds ratio = 1.95). Functional assays showed reduced binding of this TRAF3IP2 variant to TRAF6, suggesting altered modulation of immunoregulatory signals through altered TRAF interactions as a new and shared pathway for PsA and PsV.     

In vivo matrix-guided human mesenchymal stem cells

Microfracture of subchondral bone results in intrinsic repair of cartilage defects. Stem or progenitor cells from bone marrow have been proposed to be involved in this regenerative process. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that mesenchymal stem (MS) cells can in fact be recovered from matrix material saturated with cells from bone marrow after microfracture. This also introduces a new technique for MS cell isolation during arthroscopic treatment. MS cells were phenotyped using specific cell surface antibodies. Differentiation of the MS cells into the adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic lineage could be demonstrated by cultivation of MS cells as a monolayer, as micromass bodies or mesenchymal microspheres. This study demonstrates that MS cells can be attracted to a cartilage defect by guidance of a collagenous matrix after perforating subchondral bone. Protocols for application of MS cells in restoration of cartilage tissue include an initial invasive biopsy to obtain the MS cells and time-wasting in vitro proliferation and possibly differentiation of the cells before implantation. The new technique already includes attraction of MS cells to sites of cartilage defects and therefore may overcome the necessity of in vitro proliferation and differentiation of MS cells prior to transplantation. Received 3 November 2005; received after revision 15 December 2005; accepted 4 January 2006     

Schnelles Einfrieren von Geweben und Flüssigkeiten

Summary A new unit for rapid freezing of tissues and liquids in liquid nitrogen is described.     

Zur Wahl der organischen Lösungsmittel bei der Gewinnung von Chloroplasten in nichtwässerigem Milieu

Summary For the isolation of chloroplasts in non-aqueous media the following organic solvents are suitable: pentane, hexane, heptane, petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride. These solvents cause a minimum loss of lipids.The loss of lipids and some lipid components of frozendried and ground shoots fromElodea canadensis during the isolation of chloroplasts in non-aqueous media (petroleum ether b. r. 60–80°C and petroleum ether-carbon tetrachloride mixtures) is reported.     

Signaling in the Chemosensory Systems

A vast number of structurally diverse bitter compounds need to be detected by a subfamily of only approximately 25 human bitter receptors. Failure in detecting them might be lethal, since some naturally occurring bitter compounds, such as strychnine, are very toxic. This review presents an overview about the enormous progress in the field of mammalian bitter taste research with special emphasis on humans, if data were available. It summarizes the current knowledge about the anatomical basis for bitter taste perception, intracellular signal transduction, evolution, expression and polymorphisms of hTAS2R genes, and the molecular basis for the recognition of bitter compounds.     

Ascorbic acid in brown adipose tissue: effect of cold acclimation and high intake of the vitamin

Summary The ascorbic acid content of brown adipose tissue increased 62% when rats underwent cold acclimation; however, the increase was 126% when rats living in the cold were fed a basal diet supplemented with 2% ascorbic acid. These findings suggest a role for ascorbic acid in this tissue during nonshivering thermogenesis.Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, publication No. 113.     

Eine neue Methode zum schnellen Einfrieren von Geweben

Summary A new unit for the rapid freezing of tissues in liquid nitrogen is described.