Peptidoglycan and Bacterial DNA Induce Inflammation and Coagulation Markers in Synergy

Bacterial compounds signal the presence of foreign pathogens in the innate immune system. These microbial components are key players in infectious diseases and implicate toll-like receptors in the activation of inflammation and coagulation. Nevertheless, the existence of a synergistic relationship between peptidoglycan and bacterial DNA on these two physiological responses has not been investigated. The present study reports new findings on the regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha and tissue factor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by peptidoglycan and bacterial DNA. These were found to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha and tissue factor simultaneously and in a synergistic manner. These findings provide a new proinflammatory and procoagulant mechanism likely to play a role in sepsis pathogenesis

Binding of mycoplasmas to solid phase adsorbents

The capture of mycoplasmas (M. hominis, M. buccale, M. fermentans, M. bovis, M. synoviae, M. gallisepticum and M. arthritidis) based on lipid structures and adhesion molecules present in the mycoplasmal membrane was tested using different chromatographic resins (ActiClean Etox, ClarEtox, Heparin-Actigel, Sulfated Hiflow and SulfEtox). All of the resins efficiently reduced mycoplasma concentrations in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) and in Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) by 3-8 logs in a few minutes. This technology could be used for removing mycoplasmas from tissue culture components such as serum, and for concentrating mycoplasmas in vaccine production