Insight into highly conserved H1 subtype-specific epitopes in influenza virus hemagglutinin

Influenza viruses continuously undergo antigenic changes with gradual accumulation of mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) that is a major determinant in subtype specificity. The identification of conserved epitopes within specific HA subtypes gives an important clue for developing new vaccines and diagnostics. We produced and characterized nine monoclonal antibodies that showed significant neutralizing activities against H1 subtype influenza viruses, and determined the complex structure of HA derived from a 2009 pandemic virus A/Korea/01/2009 (KR01) and the Fab fragment from H1-specific monoclonal antibody GC0587. The overall structure of the complex was essentially identical to the previously determined KR01 HA-Fab0757 complex structure. Both Fab0587 and Fab0757 recognize readily accessible head regions of HA, revealing broadly shared and conserved antigenic determinants among H1 subtypes. The beta-strands constituted by Ser110-Glu115 and Lys169-Lys170 form H1 epitopes with distinct conformations from those of H1 and H3 HA sites. In particular, Glu112, Glu115, Lys169, and Lys171 that are highly conserved among H1 subtype HAs have close contacts with HCDR3 and LCDR3. The differences between Fab0587 and Fab0757 complexes reside mainly in HCDR3 and LCDR3, providing distinct antigenic determinants specific for 1918 pdm influenza strain. Our results demonstrate a potential key neutralizing epitope important for H1 subtype specificity in influenza virus

Large scale and integrated platform for digital mass culture of anchorage dependent cells

Industrial applications of anchorage-dependent cells require large-scale cell culture with multifunctional monitoring of culture conditions and control of cell behaviour. Here, we introduce a large-scale, integrated, and smart cell-culture platform (LISCCP) that facilitates digital mass culture of anchorage-dependent cells. LISCCP is devised through large-scale integration of ultrathin sensors and stimulator arrays in multiple layers. LISCCP provides real-time, 3D, and multimodal monitoring and localized control of the cultured cells, which thereby allows minimizing operation labour and maximizing cell culture performance. Wireless integration of multiple LISCCPs across multiple incubators further amplifies the culture scale and enables digital monitoring and local control of numerous culture layers, making the large-scale culture more efficient. Thus, LISCCP can transform conventional labour-intensive and high-cost cell cultures into efficient digital mass cell cultures. This platform could be useful for industrial applications of cell cultures such as in vitro toxicity testing of drugs and cosmetics and clinical scale production of cells for cell therapy.

Acral Metastasis in a Patient with Ampullary Carcinoma

Although Skin Metastasis From A Malignant Tumor Of An Internal Organ Usually Occurs At An Advanced Disease Stage, There Has Been No Prior Report Of A Cutaneous Acral Metastasis From Ampullary Carcinoma To Date. We Report A 71-year Old Male Patient With Cutaneous Metastasis From An Ampullary Adenocarcinoma. The Patient Had A History Of Pylorus Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy For Carcinoma Of The Ampulla Of Vater Two Years Prior To Presentation. Physical Examination Revealed Ill-defined, Painful And Hard Erythematous Nodules At The Left Thumb And Distal Phalanx Of The Right Middle Finger. The Computed Tomography Scan Showed Low Density Masses In The Retroperitoneum; The Histological Examination Of A Nodule From The Right Middle Finger Showed A Metastatic Adenocarcinoma. This Case Illustrates That Cutaneous Metastasis From Ampullary Carcinoma Has A Poor Prognosis

Induction of transforming growth factor-beta 1 by androgen is mediated by reactive oxygen species in hair follicle dermal papilla cells

The progression of androgenetic alopecia is closely related toandrogen-inducible transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 secretionby hair follicle dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in bald scalp.Physiological levels of androgen exposure were reported toincrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In thisstudy, rat vibrissae dermal papilla cells (DP-6) transfected withandrogen receptor showed increased ROS production followingandrogen treatment. We confirmed that TGF-β1 secretion isincreased by androgen treatment in DP-6, whereas androgeninducibleTGF-β1 was significantly suppressed by the ROSscavenger,N-acetyl cysteine. Therefore, we suggest that inductionof TGF-β1 by androgen is mediated by ROS in hair follicleDPCs.This study was supported by a grant from the Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (Grant No. A103017) and partially by a research agreement with AmorePacific Corporation, Republic of Korea.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2013-01/102/0000045457/8SEQ:8PERF_CD:SNU2013-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000045457ADJUST_YN:NEMP_ID:A079130DEPT_CD:801CITE_RATE:1.634FILENAME:(460-464)bmb 12-228.pdfDEPT_NM:의학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YCONFIRM:

Transient carnitine transport defect with cholestatic jaundice: report of one case in a premature baby

Carnitine (β-hydroxy-γ-trimethylaminobutyric acid) is involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix and the removal of potentially toxic acylcarnitine esters. Transient carnitine transport defect is a rare condition in newborns reported in 1/90,000 live births. In this paper, we describe a case of transient carnitine transport defect found in a premature baby who had prolonged cholestatic jaundice and poor weight gain, and who responded dramatically to oral carnitine supplementation

Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia (Masson's Hemangioma) of the Liver: A New Hepatic Lesion

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's hemangioma) is a disease characterized by exuberant endothelial proliferation within the lumen of medium-sized veins. In 1923, Masson regarded this disease as a neoplasm inducing endothelial proliferation, however, now it is considered to be a reactive vascular proliferation following traumatic vascular stasis. The lesion has a propensity to occur in the head, neck, fingers, and trunk. Occurrence within the abdominal cavity is known to be very rare, and especially in the liver, there has been no reported case up to date. The authors have experienced intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the liver in a 69-yr-old woman, and report the case with a review of the literature

Successful Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis with HLH-94 Protocol

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, fatal disorder of children, affecting predominantly the mononuclear phagocytic system. Previous reports indicate that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) can also be fatal in many cases, although the prognosis for EBV-HLH is better than for the familial form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We treated four patients with EBV-HLH using immunochemotherapy including steroid, etoposide (VP-16), and cyclosporin, according to the HLH-94 protocol. All patients experienced persistent fever, cytopenia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Serological testing for EBV showed reactivated EBV infections in all patients. EBV DNA detected by PCR and EBV-encoded small RNA measured by in situ hybridization were confirmed in the patients' bone marrow specimens. Hemophagocytosis was shown in bone marrow aspirates and liver biopsy specimen. Complete remission was achieved in all patients after induction and continuation therapy for 4-10 months (median, 7 months) and was maintained for 15-27 months (median, 19 months) without the need for bone marrow transplantation. These results suggest that EBV-HLH can be effectively controlled by immunochemotherapy using the HLH-94 protocol