Photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols employing lysosomal sensitizers induce apoptosis via a mechanism that causes cytochrome c release prior to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DC m ). The current study was designed to determine how lysosomal photodamage initiates mitochondrialmediated apoptosis in murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cells. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the photosensitizer N-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) localized to the lysosomes. Irradiation of cultures preloaded with NPe6 induced the rapid destruction of lysosomes, and subsequent cleavage/activation of Bid, pro-caspases-9 and -3. Pro-caspase-8 was not activated. Release of cytochrome c occurred at about the time of Bid cleavage and preceded the loss of DC m . Extracts of purified lysosomes catalyzed the in vitro cleavage of cytosolic Bid, but not pro-caspase-3 activation. Pharmacological inhibition of cathepsin B, L and D activities did not suppress Bid cleavage or pro-caspases-9 and -3 activation. These studies demonstrate that photodamaged lysosomes trigger the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by releasing proteases that activate Bid.

Rapid detection and accurate identification of methicillin-resistant staphylococci are critical for the effective management of infections caused by these organisms. We describe a multiplex PCR-based assay for the direct detection of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from blood culture bottles (BacT/Alert; Organon-Teknika, Durham, N.C.). A simple lysis method followed by a multiplex PCR assay designed to detect the nuc, mecA, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes was performed. A total of 306 blood culture specimens were collected over a period of 10 months from June 1998 to April 1999, consisting of 236 blood cultures growing staphylococci (including 124 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.), 50 positive blood cultures which grew organisms other than staphylococci, and 20 blood cultures that were negative for bacterial and fungal pathogens after 5 days of incubation and terminal subculture. DNA extraction, PCR, and detection could be completed in 2.5 h. Of the positive blood cultures with staphylococci, the multiplex PCR assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 99.2% and 100%, respectively. Our results show that rapid, direct detection of methicillin-resistant staphylococci is possible, allowing clinicians to make prompt and effective decisions for the management of patients with staphylococcal bacteremia.

Central nervous system (CNS) invasion by bacteria of the genus

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 1368–1385. Abstract The differentiation of neural stem cells toward a neuronal phenotype is determined by the extracellular and intracellular factors that form the neurogenic niche. In this review, we discuss the available data on the functional role of inflammation and in particular, pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, on neuronal differentiation from endogenous and transplanted neural stem/progenitor cells. In addition, we discuss the role of microglial cell activation on these processes and the fact that microglial cell activation is not univocally associated with a pro‐inflammatory milieu. We conclude that brain cytokines could be regarded as part of the endogenous neurogenic niche. In addition, we propose that accumulating evidence suggests that pro‐inflammatory cytokines have a negative effect on neuronal differentiation, while anti‐inflammatory cytokines exert an opposite effect. The clarification of the functional role of cytokines on neuronal differentiation will be relevant not only to better understand adult neurogenesis, but also to envisage complementary treatments to modulate cytokine action that could increase the therapeutic benefit of future progenitor/stem cell‐based therapies.

Studies with mouse leukemia L1210 cells revealed that selective lysosomal photodamage caused by any of three photosensitizing agents was followed by a gradual loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m), release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, increased DEVDase activity (a measure of levels of caspase-3) and a limited apoptotic response. Similar effects were observed in the murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cell line. Immunofluorescence techniques employing 1c1c7 cells demonstrated the immediate release of the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B following lysosomal photodamage. These studies suggest that the cytotoxic effects of lysosomal photodamage are initiated by released lysosomal proteases that either directly and/or indirectly activate caspases as a consequence of the induction of mitochondrial damage.