Abnormal display of PfEMP-1 on erythrocytes carrying haemoglobin C may protect against malaria

Haemoglobin C, which carries a glutamate-to-lysine mutation in the beta-globin chain, protects West African children against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Mechanisms of protection are not established for the heterozygous (haemoglobin AC) or homozygous (haemoglobin CC) states. Here we report a marked effect of haemoglobin C on the cell-surface properties of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes involved in pathogenesis. Relative to parasite-infected normal erythrocytes (haemoglobin AA), parasitized AC and CC erythrocytes show reduced adhesion to endothelial monolayers expressing CD36 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). They also show impaired rosetting interactions with non-parasitized erythrocytes, and reduced agglutination in the presence of pooled sera from malaria-immune adults. Abnormal cell-surface display of the main variable cytoadherence ligand, PfEMP-1 (P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1), correlates with these findings. The abnormalities in PfEMP-1 display are associated with markers of erythrocyte senescence, and are greater in CC than in AC erythrocytes. Haemoglobin C might protect against malaria by reducing PfEMP-1-mediated adherence of parasitized erythrocytes, thereby mitigating the effects of their sequestration in the microvasculature.     

Post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with PACAP and the PAC1 receptor

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is known to broadly regulate the cellular stress response. In contrast, it is unclear if the PACAP-PAC1 receptor pathway has a role in human psychological stress responses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here we find, in heavily traumatized subjects, a sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis and symptoms in females. We examined 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the PACAP (encoded by ADCYAP1) and PAC1 (encoded by ADCYAP1R1) genes, demonstrating a sex-specific association with PTSD. A single SNP in a putative oestrogen response element within ADCYAP1R1, rs2267735, predicts PTSD diagnosis and symptoms in females only. This SNP also associates with fear discrimination and with ADCYAP1R1 messenger RNA expression in human brain. Methylation of ADCYAP1R1 in peripheral blood is also associated with PTSD. Complementing these human data, ADCYAP1R1 mRNA is induced with fear conditioning or oestrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1 pathway are involved in abnormal stress responses underlying PTSD. These sex-specific effects may occur via oestrogen regulation of ADCYAP1R1. PACAP levels and ADCYAP1R1 SNPs may serve as useful biomarkers to further our mechanistic understanding of PTSD.     

番木瓜环斑病毒复制酶基因的克隆和序列分析

用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ技术从ＰＲＶ－ＡＬ中分离到复制酶（ＲＰ）基因，将基因克隆进载体ｐＵＣ１８，用双脱氧链终止法测定了基因序列，表明其全长为１６０２ｂｐ，与国内外报道的ＨＡ５－１、ＹＫ和Ｓｍ的ＲＰ基因相比，同源性分别达８２．８０％，９５．０７％和９１．８３％．     

甲状旁腺素(PTH)对氯化钾引起大白鼠输精管收缩的舒张作用

本研究探讨甲状旁腺素(PTH)对输精管平滑肌的舒张作用及其机制。不同剂量的氯化钾(20、40、60mM)引起大白鼠输精管的收缩,同样可被牛型—PTH(1—34)或人型—PTH(1—34)所舒张,而且均呈现剂量的依从关系。异丙肾上腺素舒张输精管的作用可被心得安所阻滞,但心得安或酚妥拉明均不抑制甲状旁腺素舒张输精管的作用,提示甲状旁腺素和异丙肾上腺素对输精管的舒张作用是通过不同的受体实现的。不同剂量的氯化钙引起输精管不同张力强度的收缩,甲状旁腺素对这种外源性钙引起的收缩呈现明显的抑制作用,说明甲状旁腺素有减少钙离子进入平滑肌组织的作用。     

Role of intracellular calcium mobilization in the regulation of protein kinase C-mediated membrane processes

Phorbol esters are potent tumour-promoting agents that exert pleiotropic effects on cells. Among these are the control of growth, stimulation of release of stored bioactive constituents and regulation of growth-factor surface receptors. Phorbol esters bind to and activate protein kinase C, leading to the phosphorylation of specific protein substrates presumed to be necessary for eliciting the full response. Strong evidence exists that specific binding of tumour promoter occurs at the membrane level in intact cells, resulting in activation of protein kinase C. Recent evidence concerning the release of bioactive constituents from platelets and neutrophils has linked agonist-induced protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization in a synergistic mechanism. Here we present a novel model of synergism between Ca2+ and phorbol esters that leads to transferrin receptor phosphorylation and down-regulation in HL-60 human leukaemic cells. Raising intracellular Ca2+, although ineffective by itself, increases the potency and rate of action of phorbol ester for activating protein kinase C and mediating transferrin receptor phosphorylation and down-regulation. We propose a molecular model in which increased intracellular Ca2+ recruits protein kinase C to the plasma membrane, thus "priming' the system for activation by phorbol ester.     

Vaccination and herd immunity to infectious diseases

An understanding of the relationship between the transmission dynamics of infectious agents and herd immunity provides a template for the design of effective control programmes based on mass immunization. Mathematical models of the spread and persistence of infection provide important insights into the problem of how best to protect the community against disease.