No abstract

Conventionally, nonsense mutations within a gene preclude synthesis of a full-length functional protein. Obviation of such a blockage is seen in the mdx mouse, where despite a nonsense mutation in exon 23 of the dystrophin gene, occasional so-called revertant muscle fibers are seen to contain near-normal levels of its protein product. Here, we show that reversion of dystrophin expression in mdx mice muscle involves unprecedented massive loss of up to 30 exons. We detected several alternatively processed transcripts that could account for some of the revertant dystrophins and could not detect genomic deletion from the region commonly skipped in revertant dystrophin. This, together with exon skipping in two noncontiguous regions, favors aberrant splicing as the mechanism for the restoration of dystrophin, but is hard to reconcile with the clonal idiosyncrasy of revertant dystrophins. Revertant dystrophins retain functional domains and mediate plasmalemmal assembly of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. Physiological function of revertant fibers is demonstrated by the clonal growth of revertant clusters with age, suggesting that revertant dystrophin could be used as a guide to the construction of dystrophin expression vectors for individual gene therapy. The dystrophin gene in the mdx mouse provides a favored system for study of exon skipping associated with nonsense mutations.

No abstract

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a molecule of the innate immune system that recognizes the patterns of surface carbohydrate on pathogens and targets them for phagocytosis and killing. SP-D-deficient mice show an increased number of macrophages in the alveolar space, excess surfactant phospholipid, overproduction of reactive oxygen species, and the development of emphysema. We report here that SP-D-deficient mice have a 5- to 10-fold increase in the number of apoptotic and necrotic alveolar macrophages, as defined by annexin V and propidium iodine staining, respectively. Intrapulmonary administration of a truncated 60-kDa fragment of human recombinant SP-D reduces the number of apoptotic and necrotic alveolar macrophages and partially corrects the lipid accumulation in SP-D-deficient mice. The same SP-D fragment binds preferentially to apoptotic and necrotic alveolar macrophages in vitro, suggesting that SP-D contributes to immune homeostasis in the lung by recognizing and promoting removal of necrotic and apoptotic cells.

Pulmonary surfactant in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and induced sputum from adults with stable asthma (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 12) was analyzed for phospholipid and protein compositions and function. Asthmatic subjects were graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Phospholipid compositions of BALF and sputum from control subjects were similar and characteristic of surfactant. For asthmatic subjects, the proportion of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (16:0/16:0PC), the major phospholipid in surfactant, decreased in sputum (P < 0.05) but not in BALF. In BALF, mole percent 16:0/16:0PC correlated with surfactant function measured in a capillary surfactometer, and sputum mole percent 16:0/16:0PC correlated with lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s). Neither surfactant protein A nor total protein concentration in either BALF or sputum was altered in asthma. These results suggest altered phospholipid composition and function of airway (sputum) but not alveolar (BALF) surfactant in stable asthma. Such underlying surfactant dysfunction may predispose asthmatic subjects to further surfactant inhibition by proteins or aeroallergens in acute asthma episodes and contribute to airway closure in asthma. Consequently, administration of an appropriate therapeutic surfactant could provide clinical benefit in asthma.

The need for new antimicrobial agents is becoming one of the most urgent requirements in modern medicine. The venoms of many different species are rich sources of biologically active components and various therapeutic agents have been characterized including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Due to their potent activity, low resistance rates and unique mode of action, AMPs have recently received much attention. This review focuses on AMPs from the venoms of scorpions and examines all classes of AMPs found to date. It gives details of their biological activities with reference to peptide structure. The review examines the mechanism of action of AMPs and with this information, suggests possible mechanisms of action of less well characterised peptides. Finally, the review examines current and future trends of scorpion AMP research, by discussing recent successes obtained through proteomic and transcriptomic approaches.

To determine whether the lung surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) are involved in the initial protective immunity against opportunistic pulmonary fungal infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, we performed a series of in vitro functional studies to see if SPA and SP-D enhanced binding, phagocytosis, activation, and killing of A. fumigatus conidia by human alveolar macrophages and circulating neutrophils. Both SPA and SP-D bound to carbohydrate structures on A. fumigatus conidia in a calcium-dependent manner. SPA and SP-D were also chemoattractant and significantly enhanced agglutination and binding of conidia to alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. Furthermore, in the presence of SPA and SP-D, the phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and killing of A. fumigatus conidia by neutrophils were significantly increased. These findings indicate that SPA and SP-D may have an important immunological role in the early antifungal defense responses in the lung, through inhibiting infectivity of conidia by agglutination and by enhancing uptake and killing of A. fumigatus by phagocytic cells.

The purpose of the present study was to classify adenosine receptors into A1 and A2 subtypes in a wide range of isolated tissues and cell types (rat adipocytes and atria, guinea‐pig ileum and atria (A1); guinea‐pig aorta, dog coronary artery and human platelets and neutrophils (A2)) using the R‐ and S‐diastereoisomers of N‐phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), N‐cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), the novel compound, N‐[(1S,trans)‐2‐hydroxycyclopentyl]adenosine (GR79236), N‐[(2‐methylphenyl)methyl]adenosine (metrifudil), 2‐(phenylamino)adenosine (CV1808), and 2‐[[2‐[4‐(2‐carboxyethyl)phenyl]ethyl]amino]‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680); N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) was used as a standard. Results obtained in all tissue preparations previously reported to contain A1‐receptors could be described by a single rank order of agonist potency: CPA ≥ GR79236, R‐PIA ≥ NEC A > > S‐PIA ≥ metrifudil ≥ CV1808, CGS21680. In contrast, two distinct rank orders of agonist potency were observed in preparations previously reported to contain A2‐receptors. In dog coronary artery, human neutrophils and platelets the rank order of potency was: CV1808, CGS21680 ≥ NECA > R‐PIA ≥ metrifudil ≥ CPA > GR79236, S‐PIA. However, in guinea‐pig aorta the rank order was: NECA > metrifudil > R‐PIA, CPA > CV1808, GR79236 ≥ S‐PIA, CGS21680. The results of this study are consistent with the existence of three types of adenosine receptor: A1‐and two subtypes of A2‐receptor. The receptor present in dog coronary artery, human platelets and neutrophils, probably corresponds to the A2a subtype, whilst that present in the guinea‐pig aorta may be of the A2b subtype.