Role of NF-kappaB in constitutive expression of MAIL in epidermal keratinocytes

Molecule possessing ankyrin-repeats induced by lipopolysaccharide (MAIL) is a nuclear IkappaB protein that is also known as interleukin-1-inducible nuclear ankyrin repeat protein and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaBzeta (IkappaBzeta). We previously observed that MAIL-deficient mice were affected by atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions and demonstrated the importance of MAIL in the skin. In this study, we investigated MAIL expression in mouse keratinocytes. MAIL mRNA was constitutively expressed in the skin epidermis. MAIL expression was also confirmed in primary keratinocytes and the PAM212 keratinocyte cell line. The inhibitors of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-Bay11-7082 and the IkappaBalphaM supersuppressor-considerably downregulated MAIL expression in the keratinocytes. Immunoreactivity for NF-kappaB components was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of normal unstimulated keratinocytes. The expression level of MAIL in the skin did not change following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration to mice. Interestingly, in accordance with the in vivo findings, the MAIL expression level did not change following LPS stimulation even in primary keratinocytes; however, MAIL expression was strongly increased by interleukin-1 stimulation. These results collectively suggest that the constitutive expression of MAIL in keratinocytes is controlled, at least in part, by NF-kappaB and that there may be LPS-specific repressive mechanisms that inhibit MAIL induction.     

Post-exposure treatment of cats with mouse-cat chimeric antibodies against feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline calicivirus

In order to confirm the in vivo effectiveness of anti- feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) mouse-cat chimeric antibody (FJH2), and anti-feline calicivirus (FCV) mouse-cat chimeric antibody (F1D7), cats that had been experimentally infected with FHV-1 or FCV were administered intravenously with the chimeric antibodies, and observed for clinical manifestations. The symptoms due to FHV-1 or FCV infection in the cats administered FJH2 or F1D7 were obviously decreased when compared with those of the non-administered control cats. From these results, it was confirmed that both FJH2 and F1D7 were effective at reducing the appearance of symptoms due to FHV-1 and FCV infection, respectively.     

Formation and chemical structures of acid-soluble lignin I: sulfuric acid treatment time and acid-soluble lignin content of hardwood

To elucidate the formation mechanism of acidsoluble lignin (ASL) formed in the Klason lignin determination, beech wood meals were treated with sulfuric acid (SA) under various conditions, and the ASL solution was extracted with CHC1₃. The results indicated the following: (1) wood components yielding ASL are dissolved in 72% SA during the initial stage; (2) the quantity of ASL is highest during the initial stage, then decreases with prolonged time of 72% SA treatment and finally reaches a constant value; (3) soluble lignin prepared by 72% SA treatment and subsequent standing in 3% SA again yield insoluble Klason lignin and ASL after boiling in 3% SA; and (4) about half the amount of ASL is dissolved in CHC1₃. The foregoing suggest that wood components yielding ASL are dissolved in 72% SA at the beginning and finally change to ASL after being subjected to depolymerization, hydrolysis, and other reactions. ASL may thus be composed of low-molecular-weight degradation products and hydrophilic derivatives of lignin.     

Fibronectin modified expression of Sonic hedgehog in ATRA-mediated neuronal differentiation

In this study, the effect of fibronectin on the neurite outgrowth from embryoid bodies (EBs) in neurodifferentiated embryonal carcinoma P19 cells was examined. The neurite outgrowth on fibronectin was maintained for a longer time in comparison with those on collagen or laminin. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that mRNA level corresponding to sonic hedgehog (Shh) in neurodifferentiated P19 cells was upregulated on fibronectin, whereas collagen or laminin did not affect. Further knockdown of integrin αv subunit in P19 cells demonstrated that expression of Shh was mediated through interaction between fibronectin and integrin. Additionally, exogenous Shh agonist accelerated neurite outgrowth from embryonic stem cell-derived EBs without large change of neuronal phenotype expression. Taken together, fibronectin could maintain neurite outgrowth via increased Shh expression.     

Gustatory sensitivity of the external taste buds of Oreochromis niloticus L. to amino acids

The gustatory sensitivity of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., to different amino acids was studied using an electrophysiological approach. The electrical responses were recorded from a branch of the facial nerve innervating the external taste buds of the upper lip. The relative stimulatory effectiveness (RSE) of nine amino acids and betaine were determined at a concentration of 1 mm and all of them elicited neural responses. This species responded well to the neutral, basic and acidic amino acids. The most stimulatory amino acids were L‐histidine, L‐arginine, L‐serine, L‐methionine and L‐glutamine; L‐proline and betaine were the least stimulatory. The results of this study suggest that the Nile tilapia has high external gustatory sensitivity to some amino acids as a physiological adaptation to search effectively for their sources. The effect of the pH, ranging from 4.0 to 9.0, on the RSE of three neutral amino acids and artificial pond water (APW) was also studied. The RSE increased below pH 6.0 and was relatively unaffected from 7.0 to 9.0, indicating that acidified stimulants are highly stimulatory in this species. Nile tilapia did not discriminate the pH of APW as effectively as some of the species studied earlier.