GMO contamination of seeds.
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Agriculture↗
Biomedical subjects
A Haslberger
Publications and source records attributed to A Haslberger.
Recombinant DNA insertion into plant retrotransposons.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Bacterial cell envelopes (ghosts) but not S-layers activate human endothelial cells (HUVECs) through sCD14 and LBP mechanism.
Bacterial cell-envelopes (called ghosts) and surface layers (S-layers) are discussed to be used as vaccines and/or adjuvants, consequently it is necessary to find out which immunomodulatory mediators are induced in human cells. The present work focuses on the effects of ghosts (Escherichia coli O26:B6), S-layers (Bacillus stearothermophilus) in comparison with LPS and antibiotic-inactivated whole bacteria (E. coli O26:B6) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with regard to the release of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the expression of surface E-selectin and the role of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), soluble CD14 (sCD14) and serum for this activation. Endothelial cells responded to ghosts, whole bacteria and LPS with IL-6 release up to 15000 pg/ml and surface E-selectin expression, while in contrast the response to S-layers with IL-6 release up to 500 pg/ml was very weak. Compared to LPS, 10-100-fold higher concentrations of bacterial ghosts and whole bacteria were required to induce the cytokine synthesis and E-selectin expression. IL-6 release and E-selectin expression of HUVECs were reduced in the absence of serum and equivalent to unstimulated samples. We have also studied the role of CD14 and LBP for the activation of endothelial cells using antiCD14 and antiLBP antibodies (Ab). AntiCD14 and antiLBP Ab both inhibited IL-6 release and E-selectin expression in a dose dependent manner after stimulation with ghosts, whole bacteria and LPS but had no effect on S-layers stimulated cells. AntiCD14 Ab inhibited more effectively than antiLBP Ab. These findings suggest that bacterial ghosts but not S-layers activate HUVECs through sCD14 and LBP dependent mechanisms.
Acute-Phase Proteins↗
Extended recombinant bacterial ghost system.
Controlled expression of cloned PhiX174 gene E in Gram-negative bacteria results in lysis of the bacteria by formation of an E-specific transmembrane tunnel structure built through the cell envelope complex. Bacterial ghosts from a variety of bacteria are used as non-living candidate vaccines. In the recombinant ghost system, foreign proteins are attached on the inside of the inner membrane as fusions with specific anchor sequences. Ghosts have a sealed periplasmic space and the export of proteins into this space vastly extends the capacity of ghosts or recombinant ghosts to function as carriers of foreign antigens. In addition, S-layer proteins forming shell-like self assembly structures can be expressed in candidate vaccine strains prior to E-mediated lysis. Such recombinant S-layer proteins carrying foreign epitopes further extend the possibilities of ghosts as carriers of foreign epitopes. As ghosts have inherent adjuvant properties, they can be used as adjuvants in combination with subunit vaccines. Subunits or other ligands can also be coupled to matrixes like dextran which are used to fill the internal lumen of ghosts. Oral, aerogenic or parenteral immunization of experimental animals with recombinant ghosts induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses against bacterial and target components including protective mucosal immunity. The most relevant advantage of recombinant bacterial ghosts as immunogens is that no inactivation procedures that denature relevant immunogenic determinants are employed in this production. This fact explains the superior quality of ghosts when compared to other inactivated vaccines. The endotoxic component of the outer membrane does not limit the use of ghosts as vaccine candidates but triggers the release of several potent immunoregulatory cytokines. As carriers, there is no limitation in the size of foreign antigens that can be inserted in the membrane and the capacity of all spaces including the membranes, peri-plasma and internal lumen of the ghosts can be fully utilized. This extended recombinant ghost system represents a new strategy for adjuvant free combination vaccines.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
New strategies for combination vaccines based on the extended recombinant bacterial ghost system.
Controlled expression of cloned PhiX174 gene E in Gram-negative bacteria results in lysis of the bacteria by formation of an E-specific transmembrane tunnel structure built through the cell envelope complex. Bacterial ghosts have been produced from a great variety of bacteria and are used as non-living candidate vaccines. In the recombinant ghost system, foreign proteins are attached on the inside of the inner membrane as fusions with specific anchor sequences. Ghosts have a sealed periplasmic space and the export of proteins into this space vastly extents the capacity of ghosts or recombinant ghosts to function as carriers of foreign antigens, immunomodulators or other substances. In addition, S-layer proteins forming shell-like self assembly structures can be expressed in bacterial candidate vaccine strains prior to E-mediated lysis. Such recombinant S-layer proteins carrying inserts of foreign epitopes of up to 600 amino acids within the flexible surface loop areas of the S-layer further extend the possibilities of ghosts as carriers of foreign epitopes. As ghosts do not need the addition of adjuvants to induce immunity in experimental animals they can also be used as carriers or targeting vehicles or as adjuvants in combination with subunit vaccines. Matrixes like dextran which can be used to fill the internal lumen of ghosts can be substituted with various ligands to bind the subunit or other materials of interest. Oral, aerogenic or parenteral immunization of experimental animals with recombinant ghosts induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses against bacterial and target components including protective mucosal immunity. The most relevant advantage of ghosts and recombinant bacterial ghosts as immunogens is that no inactivation procedures that denature relevant immunogenic determinants are employed in the production of ghosts. This fact explains the superior quality of ghosts when compared to other inactivated vaccines. As carriers of foreign antigens there is no limitation in the size of foreign antigens to be inserted and the capacity of all spaces including the membranes, periplasma and internal lumen of the ghosts can be fully utilized. Using the different building blocks and combining them into the recombinant ghost system represents a new strategy for adjuvant free combination vaccines.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Bacterial ghosts as multifunctional vaccine particles.
Expression of cloned PhiX174 gene E in Gram-negative bacteria results in lysis of the bacteria by formation of an E-specific transmembrane tunnel structure built through the cell envelope complex. Bacterial ghosts have been produced from a variety of bacteria including Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Helicobacter pylori. Such ghosts are used as non-living candidate vaccines and represent an alternative to heat or chemically inactivated bacteria. In recombinant ghosts, foreign proteins can be inserted into the inner membrane prior to E-mediated lysis via specific N-, or C-, or N- and C-terminal anchor sequences. The export of proteins into the periplasmic space or the expression of recombinant S-layer proteins vastly extents the capacity of ghosts or recombinant ghosts as carriers of foreign epitopes or proteins. Oral, aerogenic or parenteral applications of (recombinant) ghosts in experimental animals induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses against bacterial and target components including protective mucosal immunity. The most relevant advantage of ghosts and recombinant bacterial ghosts as immunogens is that no inactivation procedures that denature relevant immunogenic determinants are employed in the production of ghosts used as vaccines or as carriers of relevant antigens. The inserted target antigens into the inner membrane or into S-layer proteins are not limited in size.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Bacterial ghosts: non-living candidate vaccines.
Expression of cloned PhiX174 gene E in bacteria results in lysis of bacteria. It is unique among phage lysis systems as it introduces a transmembrane tunnel structure through the cell envelope complex of Gram-negative bacteria. The resulting bacterial ghosts have intact envelope structures devoid of cytoplasmic contents. E-mediated lysis has been achieved in a variety of Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Such ghosts, derived from human or animal pathogens, have been proposed as non-living candidate vaccines and represent an alternative to heat or chemically inactivated bacteria. In 'recombinant ghosts', foreign proteins (e.g., viral proteins) are inserted into the inner membrane via specific N-, or C-, or N- and C-terminal anchor sequences prior to lysis. Relevant advantages of (recombinant) bacterial ghosts as immunogens include: (i) inactivation procedures that denature relevant immunogenic determinants are not employed in the production of ghosts used as vaccines or as carriers of relevant antigens; (ii) the recombinant proteins are inserted into a highly immune stimulatory environment; (iii) there is no size limitation of the foreign protein moieties: multiple antigenic determinants can be presented simultaneously; (iv) bacterial ghosts can be produced inexpensively in large quantities; (v) (recombinant) ghosts are stable for long periods of time and do not require the cold chain storage system. Intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intramuscular applications of recombinant ghosts in experimental animals induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses against bacterial and viral components. Initial aerosol vaccinations of swine with ghosts from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae showed that protective immunity can be established by this route of application and that the well-preserved surface structures of ghosts obtained by E-mediated lysis are able to target the mucosal immune system.
Animals↗
B lymphocytes with latent EBV infection appearing in long-term bone marrow cultures (HLTBMCs) from haematological patients induce lysis of stromal microenvironment.
Human long-term bone marrow cultures (HLTBMCs) are a valuable in vitro model for studying the role of the haemopoietic microenvironment. Here we report the spontaneous appearance of EBV-positive B cells in 6/40 HLTBMCs from patients with various haematological diseases after 3-5 months of culture. After subcultivation of these cells, a novel type of cell line could be characterized, which displayed surface markers and morphological features typical for EBV transformed B-cell lines. As the deproteinized and ultrafiltrated culture supernatants of these cell lines were found to contain an agent with stroma toxic properties, they were termed SSB lines (stroma-toxic-agent-secreting B-cell lines). This agent also exhibited a colony-inhibitory activity on in vitro myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis. These properties are typical for the two polyamines spermine and spermidine which were detected at elevated levels in the culture supernatants of SSB lines. The hypothesis that latent presence of EBV in bone marrow may induce an increased synthesis of spermine and spermidine, which are known to be associated with malignant haematological diseases and bone marrow aplasia, is discussed.
B-Lymphocytes↗
Membrane potential modulates release of tumor necrosis factor in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated synthesis of macrophage gene products such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is controlled by different signaling pathways. We investigated intracellular free Ca2+ (Ca2+ic) and the membrane potential as early cellular responses to LPS and their role in the synthesis and release of TNF. In peritoneal macrophages and in the RAW 269 mouse macrophage cell line, LPS and its biologically active moiety lipid A stimulated TNF synthesis but exerted no significant effects on these early cellular responses using Fura-2/Indo-1 to measure Ca2+ic and bis-oxonol, as well as the patch-clamp technique to monitor membrane potential. In contrast, the platelet-activating factor transiently induced both an increase in Ca2+ic and cell membrane depolarization but no significant TNF release. Increased extracellular K+ concentrations or K(+)-channel blockers, such as quinine, tetraethylammonium, or barium chloride, inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of TNF alpha, as well as the accumulation of cell-associated TNF alpha as found by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, but did not inhibit TNF alpha mRNA accumulation. Concentrations of quinine (greater than 125 microM) or of enhanced extracellular K+ (25-85 mM) required to inhibit TNF production both significantly depolarized macrophages. These results indicate a lack of ion transport activities as early cellular responses of macrophages to LPS but suggest an important regulatory role of the membrane potential on the posttranscriptional synthesis and release of TNF in macrophages.
Animals↗
Interleukin-8 stimulates calcium transients and promotes epidermal cell proliferation.
The presence of large amounts of biologically active interleukin-8 (IL-8) in psoriatic involved skin suggests that it may contribute, in part, to the changes observed in psoriasis, including hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. To examine the effect of IL-8 on epidermal growth, we monitored cytosolic free Ca++ transients in human keratinocytes adult skin epidermis calcium reduced level, temperature elevated (HaCat) cells and normal keratinocytes loaded with the cell permeable, acetoxymethyl derivative, indo-1AM. Addition of IL-8 (0.06-47 nM) to the HaCat cells induced rapid rises in cytosolic free Ca++ from resting levels of 145 +/- 38 to peak levels of 889 +/- 10 nM. The induced rises in Ca++ were transient and concentration dependent. Half maximal effect was observed at 1.2 nM. Normal keratinocytes also responded to IL-8 (6 nM) by rises in cytosolic free Ca++ from a pre-stimulated level of 269 nM to transient peak value of 393 nM. In addition, IL-8 promoted epidermal cell proliferation. Polyclonal anti-IL-8 antibody blocked IL-8-induced calcium changes and proliferation. Under similar conditions, human neutrophils also responded to IL-8 in a similar dose range by a rapid and transient mobilization of Ca++. The findings indicate that IL-8 has a wider range of responsive target cells than hitherto thought and acts as an autocrine growth factor.
Calcium↗
Reduced release of TNF and PCA from macrophages of tolerant mice.
An early-phase tolerance to toxic doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be induced in mice by prior administration of sublethal doses of LPS or lipid A. These tolerant mice exhibit no hypothermia on subsequent administration of LPS and can survive a challenge dose of LPS that would normally be lethal. Peritoneal exudate cells of LPS-tolerant mice synthesized significantly reduced amounts of prostaglandins and of procoagulant activity (PCA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) when stimulated with LPS in vitro (compared to macrophages of control animals). Tolerance induction with lipid A was somewhat less effective. A regulatory mechanism of E-series prostaglandins (PGE) might be involved in the induction of hyporesponsiveness in macrophages of tolerant mice, as the LPS-stimulated TNF release could be inhibited in a dose dependent manner by preincubation with PGE1. Since PCA and TNF are mediators that are proposed to play a very important role in the pathophysiology of septic and endotoxic shock, a reduction in the release of these mediators may be partially responsible for early-phase tolerance to LPS.
Animals↗
Alterations of pharmacokinetic characteristics of antibiotics during sepsis: experimental and clinical data.
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Animals↗
Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of latamoxef and CPW 86-363, a novel carboxy-pyrazol-cephalosporin and formation of N-methyl-thiotetrazole.
The pharmacokinetics of latamoxef and CPW 86-363, a novel carboxy-pyrazol-cephalosporin, were evaluated in healthy volunteers after intravenous bolus injection of 1 g. Based on concentration-time courses in serum both cephalosporins showed similar distribution properties, although CPW 86-363 was eliminated significantly faster. The route of elimination of latamoxef was mainly via the urine, whereas CPW 86-363 was also excreted into the bile. N-methylthiotetrazole, which is the common side chain in position 3 of both cephalosporins, was found in the serum as well as in the urine. Its rate and extent of formation was higher for latamoxef than for CPW 86-363 and depends rather on the instability of the parent compound than on metabolic transformation. This is supported by studies on the in vitro degradation of both derivatives. The relevance of these findings are discussed in view of secondary coagulopathies, which are associated with cephalosporins having a N-methylthiotetrazole side chain.
Adult↗
Influence of endotoxin on the distribution of cephalosporins in rabbits.
The concentration: time courses of six different cephalosporins were studied in serum and interstitial fluid from issue cages after intravenous injection in normal and endotoxaemic rabbits. Circulatory and metabolic changes induced by endotoxin were similar to the altered organ function observed in patients with septicaemia. A significant shift of drug fractions, increase in the volume of distribution and prolonged mean residence times were observed in this model with ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and CPW 86-363, and were the result of specific changes in the peripheral compartment. The opposite findings were observed with cefotaxime, while latamoxef and cefoperazone resulted in no changes.
Animals↗
Pharmacokinetics of cephalosporins in normal and septicemic rabbits.
The differences in the pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime, moxalactam, and CPW 86-363, a new expanded-spectrum cephalosporin, were studied in healthy rabbits and in rabbits infected intravenously with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The pharmacokinetic analysis of concentration-time courses in the sera of infected animals according to a two compartment-model evidenced a clear decrease of drug fractions in the central compartment but enhanced drug fractions in the peripheral compartment. The shift was more pronounced in animals which received CPW 86-363 (60%; P less than 0.05) than in those which received cefotaxime (20%) or moxalactam (5%). Corresponding increases in drug concentration were observed in soft tissue interstitial fluid; therefore, the areas under the curve and mean residence times in the soft tissue interstitial fluid of infected rabbits were prolonged. The shift of drug fractions from the central compartment to other body fluid compartments during infection was thought to be due to cardiovascular changes associated with fever. No changes in serum binding of the three drugs were found during the course of the infection. The quantitative differences in the extent of altered distribution properties of the drugs might be due to variations in the physicochemical properties of the drugs.
Animals↗