Generation of a transgenic mouse line for conditional expression of human IL-6

IL-6 is a cytokine that is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions, and approaches using gain-of-function transgenic animals have contributed in elucidating IL-6 function. However, studies of the multiple functions of IL-6 in vivo are very time consuming because they require the generation of transgenic mice that harbor the gene encoding IL-6 under the control of specific promoters to mimic different pathologies. Here, we report the establishment of a conditional human IL-6 transgenic mouse, LGL-IL6, which conditionally expresses human IL-6 by taking advantage of the well-characterized Cre recombinase drivers

Skin Perfusion Pressure Is a Prognostic Factor in Hemodialysis Patients

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in hemodialysis patients and predicts a poor prognosis. We conducted a prospective cohort study to identify risk factors for PAD including skin perfusion pressure (SPP) in hemodialysis patients. The cohort included 373 hemodialysis patients among 548 patients who received hemodialysis at Oyokyo Kidney Research Institute, Hirosaki, Japan from August 2008 to December 2010. The endpoints were lower limb survival (peripheral angioplasty or amputation events) and overall survival of 2 years. Our results showed that <70 mmHg SPP was a poor prognosis for the lower limb survival and overall survival. We also identified age, history of cardiovascular disease, presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking history, and SPP < 70 mmHg as independent risk factors for lower limb survival and overall survival. Then, we constructed risk criteria using the significantly independent risk factors. We can clearly stratify lower limb survival and overall survival of the hemodialysis patients into 3 groups. Although the observation period is short, we conclude that SPP value has the potential to be a risk factor that predicts both lower limb survival and the prognosis of hemodialysis patients

Generation of a transgenic mouse line for conditional expression of human IL-6

IL-6 is a cytokine that is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions, and approaches using gain-of-function transgenic animals have contributed in elucidating IL-6 function. However, studies of the multiple functions of IL-6 in vivo are very time consuming because they require the generation of transgenic mice that harbor the gene encoding IL-6 under the control of specific promoters to mimic different pathologies. Here, we report the establishment of a conditional human IL-6 transgenic mouse, LGL-IL6, which conditionally expresses human IL-6 by taking advantage of the well-characterized Cre recombinase drivers

Immunohistochemical analysis of CD68 and MHC class II in samples from dogs with mild pulpitis.

<p>A. Immunostaining of pulp tissues using anti-CD68 IgG on the indicated days after treatment with MMP-3, MMP-3 plus NNGH, NNGH alone or saline alone, as indicated. Scale bar, 100 µm. B. Quantitative analysis of the CD68-positive cells on the indicated days after treatment with MMP-3, MMP-3 plus NNGH, NNGH alone or saline alone, as indicated. Error bars, ± SEM, **<i>P</i><0.01. C. Immunostaining of pulp tissues from dogs with mild pulpitis using anti-MHC class II IgG on the indicated days after treatment with MMP-3, MMP-3 plus NNGH, NNGH alone or saline alone, as indicated. Scale bar, 100 µm. D. Quantitative analysis of the MHC class II-positive cells on the indicated days after treatment with MMP-3, MMP-3 plus NNGH, NNGH alone or saline alone, as indicated. Error bars, ± SEM, **<i>P</i><0.01.</p

The pulp tissue regeneration induced by MMP-3 in the irreversible pulpitis model.

<p>A. H&E staining of pulp tissues from dogs with mild pulpitis at 14 and 28 days after MMP-3 or saline treatment, as indicated. The arrows show the imaginary amputated site, with the indicated areas magnified in C. Scale bar, 200 µm. B. H&E staining of pulp tissues from dogs with severe pulpitis at 14 days after MMP-3 or saline treatment, as indicated. The arrows indicate the imaginary amputated site. Scale bar, 200 µm. C. Immunohistochemical analysis for BS-1-lectin, TuJ1, and GAP43 and Masson’s trichrome staining of pulp tissues from dogs with mild pulpitis at 14 or 28 days after MMP-3 treatment, as indicated. The representative staining of the cells is indicated by arrowheads. Scale bar, 50 µm.</p