Identification of amino acids in antigen-binding site of class II HLA proteins independently associated with hepatitis B vaccine response

Background & aimsGenetic factors in class II human leukocyte antigen (HLA) have been reported to be associated with inter-individual variation in hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine response. However, the mechanism underlying the associations remains elusive. In particular, the broad linkage disequilibrium in HLA region complicates the localization of the independent effects of genetic variants. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the most probable causal variations in class II HLA loci involved in the immune response to HBV vaccine.MethodsWe performed a case-control study to assess whether HLA-DRB1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 4-digit alleles were associated with the response to primary HBV vaccination in 574 healthy Japanese students. To identify causative variants, we next assessed independently associated amino acid variants in these loci using conditional logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, to clarify the functional effects of these variants on HLA proteins, we performed computational structural studies.ResultsHLA-DRB1∗01:01, HLA-DRB1∗08:03, HLA-DQB1∗05:01, and HLA-DPB1∗04:02 were significantly associated with sufficient response, whereas HLA-DPB1∗05:01 was associated with poor response. We then identified amino acids independently associated with sufficient response, namely, leucine at position 26 of HLA-DRβ1 and glycine-glycine-proline-methionine at positions 84–87 of HLA-DPβ1. These amino acids were located in antigen-binding pocket 4 of HLA-DR and pocket 1 of HLA-DP, respectively, which are important structures for selective binding of antigenic peptides. In addition, the detected variations in HLA-DP protein were responsible for the differences in the electrostatic potentials of the pocket, which can explain in part the sufficient/poor vaccine responses.ConclusionHLA-DRβ1 position 26 and HLA-DPβ1 positions 84–87 are independently associated with anti-HBs production against HBV vaccine. Our results suggest that HBsAg presentation through these HLA pocket structures plays an important role in the inter-individual variability of HBV vaccination

Microbe-Specific C3b Deposition in the Horseshoe Crab Complement System in a C2/Factor B-Dependent or -Independent Manner

Complement C3 plays an essential role in the opsonization of pathogens in the mammalian complement system, whereas the molecular mechanism underlying C3 activation in invertebrates remains unknown. To understand the molecular mechanism of C3b deposition on microbes, we characterized two types of C2/factor B homologs (designated TtC2/Bf-1 and TtC2/Bf-2) identified from the horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. Although the domain architectures of TtC2/Bf-1 and TtC2/Bf-2 were identical to those of mammalian homologs, they contained five-repeated and seven-repeated complement control protein domains at their N-terminal regions, respectively. TtC2/Bf-1 and TtC2/Bf-2 were synthesized and glycosylated in hemocytes and secreted to hemolymph plasma, which existed in a complex with C3 (TtC3), and their activation by microbes was absolutely Mg2+-dependent. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that TtC3b deposition was Mg2+-dependent on Gram-positive bacteria or fungi, but not on Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, this analysis demonstrated that Ca2+-dependent lectins (C-reactive protein-1 and tachylectin-5A) were required for TtC3b deposition on Gram-positive bacteria, and that a Ca2+-independent lectin (Tachypleus plasma lectin-1) was definitely indispensable for TtC3b deposition on fungi. In contrast, a horseshoe crab lipopolysaccharide-sensitive protease factor C was necessary and sufficient to deposit TtC3b on Gram-negative bacteria. We conclude that plasma lectins and factor C play key roles in microbe-specific TtC3b deposition in a C2/factor B-dependent or -independent manner

Design of Hanshin Electric Railway Naruo Station with Plank Sheets

This paper reports a Japanese railway station’s design that consists of minimal architectural materials and a structural experiment with plank sheets as an element of shell structure. The station’s space is created by unifying walls and ceilings with plank sheets that do not require any support. Stairs, escalators, elevators, and signs are clearly visible as symbolic components for the passengers

Innate immunity in an in vitro murine blastocyst model using embryonic and trophoblast stem cells

The immune system has two broad components—innate and adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity becomes established only after the onset of hematopoiesis, whereas the innate immune system may be actively protecting organisms from microbial invasion much earlier in development. Here, we address the question of whether the innate immune system functions in the early-stage embryo, i.e., the blastocyst. The innate immune system was studied by using in vitro blastocyst models, e.g., embryonic stem (ES) and trophoblast stem (TS) cell cultures. The expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2, -3, and -5 could be detected in both ES and TS cells. The expression of interferon (IFN)-β was induced by the addition of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] in TS cells, but not ES cells, although TLR-3 was expressed at the same level in both cell types. In turn, ES cells responded to IFN-β exposure by expressing IFN-induced anti-viral genes, e.g., RNA-dependent protein kinase and 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS). Neither a reduction in ES cell proliferation nor cell death in these cultures was observed after IFN-β stimulation. Furthermore, OAS1a expression was induced in ES/TS co-cultures after poly(I:C) stimulation, but was not induced when either cell type was cultured alone. In conclusion, TS cells react to poly(I:C) stimulation by producing IFN-β, which induces IFN-inducible genes in ES cells. This observation suggests that the trophectoderm, the outer layer of the blastocyst, may respond to viral infection, and then induce anti-viral gene expression via IFN-β signaling to the blastocyst inner cell mass

Additional Correction Terms for Existing Ground Motion Prediction Equation Corresponding M9 Earthquake

In this study, we suggest correction terms for an existing ground motion prediction equation corresponding magnitude 9 earthquake. After the2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake, the importance of accurate prediction of seismic motion has been reconfirm. However, the existing ground motion prediction equation would overestimate seismic motion by the huge earthquake of magnitude 9 classes. Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy of it, correction terms for the existing ground motion prediction equation are obtained by regression analysis