Immunoregulatory effects of AFP domains on monocyte-derived dendritic cell function

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor-associated glycoprotein that functions in regulation of both ontogenic and oncogenic growth. Recent study showed that AFP can induce apoptosis or impair monocyte-derived dendritic cell (MDDC) function. However, it is still unclear which AFP domain (D-AFP) plays major role in this function.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As expected monocytes cultured in the presence of Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) developed into MDDC. Up-regulation of HLA-DR and CD11c as well as loss of CD14 molecules could be observed. Full length AFP (FL-AFP), domain 2 AFP (D2-AFP) and D3-AFP, but not D1-AFP, significantly inhibited the expression of HLA-DR^high/CD11c^highand CD80⁺/CD86^highmolecules. In contrast, CD83 expression was substantially down-regulated in all samples. Expression of CD40 was significantly suppressed by FL-AFP but not by any D-AFPs. Finally, both FL-AFP and D-AFP impaired the MDDC ability to secrete IL-12 (p70).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>D2- and D3- but not D1-AFP extensively suppresses the MDDC function. All the recombinant AFP proteins impaired the ability of MDDC to secrete IL-12.</p

A New Approach for Controlling Agrobacterium tumefaciens Post Transformation Using Lytic Bacteriophage

Overgrowth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens has frequently been found in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. This overgrowth can reduce transformation efficiency and even lead to explant death. Therefore, this research investigates an alternative way to mitigate or eliminate Agrobacterium after transformation using a bacteriophage. To develop this alternative method, we conducted effectiveness studies of two lytic bacteriophages (&Phi;K2 and &Phi;K4) and performed an application test to control Agrobacterium growth after transformation. According to plaque morphological characterization and molecular analysis, the two bacteriophages used in this experiment were distinct. Moreover, some stability physicochemical and growth kinetics, such as adsorption time and susceptibility test, also showed that both bacteriophages differed. On the other hand, the optimum temperature and pH of both phages were the same at 28&ndash;30 &deg;C and pH 7. Further investigation showed that both &Phi;K2 and &Phi;K4 were able to reduce the overgrowth of A. tumefaciens post transformation. Moreover, applying the cocktail (mixture of &Phi;K2 and &Phi;K4) with antibiotic application eradicated A. tumefaciens (0% overgrowth percentage). This result indicates that the application of bacteriophage could be used as an alternative way to eradicate the overgrowth of A. tumefaciens subsequent to transformation

A Chromosome-level Reference Genome of African Oil Palm Provides Insights into Its Divergence and Stress Adaptation

The palm family (Arecaceae), consisting of ∼ 2600 species, is the third most economically important family of plants. The African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is one of the most important palms. However, the genome sequences of palms that are currently available are still limited and fragmented. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of an oil palm, Dura, assembled by integrating long reads with ∼ 150× genome coverage. The assembled genome was 1.7 Gb in size, covering 94.5% of the estimated genome, of which 91.6% was assigned into 16 pseudochromosomes and 73.7% was repetitive sequences. Relying on the conserved synteny with oil palm, the existing draft genome sequences of both date palm and coconut were further assembled into chromosomal level. Transposon burst, particularly long terminal repeat retrotransposons, following the last whole-genome duplication, likely explains the genome size variation across palms. Sequence analysis of the VIRESCENS gene in palms suggests that DNA variations in this gene are related to fruit colors. Recent duplications of highly tandemly repeated pathogenesis-related proteins from the same tandem arrays play an important role in defense responses to Ganoderma. Whole-genome resequencing of both ancestral African and introduced oil palms in Southeast Asia reveals that genes under putative selection are notably associated with stress responses, suggesting adaptation to stresses in the new habitat. The genomic resources and insights gained in this study could be exploited for accelerating genetic improvement and understanding the evolution of palms

Association of core promoter mutations of hepatitis B virus and viral load is different in HBeAg(+) and HBeAg(-) patients

AIM: To identify the prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and to assess the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core promoter mutations and viral load in Indonesian patients