The cytokine language of monocytes and macrophages in systemic sclerosis

Many important observations suggest monocyte/macrophage involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). A high concentration of immune mediators, such as IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13, the infiltration of mononuclear cells in affected organs and the production of autoantibodies suggest that immune system dysfunction drives SSc pathogenesis. The recently reported study by Higashi-Kuwata and colleagues, in light of other observations, provides further insight into activation of macrophages/monocytes in SSc patients, suggesting that these cells undergo distinct activation pathways. These results emphasize the need for more detailed analyses of the several markers now defined in SSc peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tissues to better define the cytokine language speaking to monocytes/macrophages in SSc that promote vascular injury and tissue fibrosis

Interlaboratory comparison of methodologies for measuring the angle of incidence dependence of solar cells

The aim of this work is to compare angle of incidence (AOI) measurement setups for solar cells between laboratories with such capability. For the first time, we compare relative light transmission measurements among eight laboratories, whose measurement techniques include indoor and outdoor methods. We present the relative transmission measurements on three 156 mm x 156 mm crystalline-Si (c-Si) samples with different surface textures. The measurements are compared using the expanded uncertainties provided by each laboratory. Five of the eight labs showed an agreement better than ±2% to the weighted mean between AOIs from -75° to 70°. At AOIs of ±80° and ±85°, the same five labs showed a worst case deviation to the weighted mean of -3% to 5% and 0% to 18%, respectively. When measurement uncertainty is considered, the results show that measurements at the highest incidence angle of ±85° are problematic, as measurements from four out of the six labs reporting uncertainty were found non-comparable within their stated uncertainties. At 85° AOI a high to low range of up to 75% was observed between all eight laboratories

Polymorphism of the Fractalkine Receptor CX3CR1 and Systemic Sclerosis-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor CX3CR1 are critical mediators in the vascular and tissue damage of several chronic diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Interestingly, the V249I and T280M genetic polymorphisms influence CX3CR1 expression and function. We investigated whether these polymorphisms are associated with PAH secondary to SSc. CX3CR1 genotypes were analyzed by PCR and sequencing in 76 patients with limited SSc and 204 healthy controls. PAH was defined by colorDoppler echocardiography. Homozygosity for 249II as well as the combined presence of 249II and 280MM were significantly more frequent in patients with SSc compared to controls (17 vs 6%, p = 0.0034 and 5 vs 1%, p = 0.0027, respectively). The 249I and 280M alleles were associated with PAH (odd ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-4.75, p = 0.028 and OR 7.37, 95%CI: 2.45-24.60, p = 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, the increased frequencies of 249I and 280M CX3CR1 alleles in a subgroup of patients with SSc-associated PAH suggest a role for the fractalkine system in the pathogenesis of this condition. Further, the 249I allele might be associated with susceptibility to SSc

The role of microRNA-5196 in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by tissue fibrosis and immune abnormalities. Recent evidence suggests that activated circulating monocytes from SSc patients play an important role in early stages of SSc pathogenesis due to enhanced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), IL-8 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. However, the exact factors that contribute to chronic inflammation and subsequently fibrosis progression are still unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression pattern of IL-8, TIMP-1, AP-1 transcription factor-Fra2 and ROS induction in peripheral blood monocytes following DZNep (histone methyltransferase inhibitor) and TLR8 agonist stimulation was investigated. Exogenous microRNA-5196, which is predicted to bind 3'UTR of Fra-2 gene, was delivered in order to reverse profibrotic phenotype in monocytes. Expression of circulating microRNA-5196 was correlated with SSc parameters. RESULTS: DZNep+TLR8 agonist stimulation enhanced profibrotic TIMP-1, IL-8 and ROS generation in HC and SSc monocytes. As opposed by the decrease of miRNA-5196 and antioxidant SOD1 expression in SSc monocytes. Exogenous delivery of microRNA-5196 reduced Fra2 and TIMP-1 expression suggesting that it may be used as a potential modulator of fibrogenesis in SSc. Circulating microRNA-5196 was significantly increased in SSc and positively correlated with CRP level but not with Rodnan skin score or ESR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that microRNA-5196 can be used as a potential biomarker characterising SSc. Overall, this study may open new possibilities for the development of microRNA-5196-based diagnostics and therapy in early phases of SSc

Lymphangiogenesis and Lymphatic Remodeling Induced by Filarial Parasites: Implications for Pathogenesis

Even in the absence of an adaptive immune system in murine models, lymphatic dilatation and dysfunction occur in filarial infections, although severe irreversible lymphedema and elephantiasis appears to require an intact adaptive immune response in human infections. To address how filarial parasites and their antigens influence the lymphatics directly, human lymphatic endothelial cells were exposed to filarial antigens, live parasites, or infected patient serum. Live filarial parasites or filarial antigens induced both significant LEC proliferation and differentiation into tube-like structures in vitro. Moreover, serum from patently infected (microfilaria positive) patients and those with longstanding chronic lymphatic obstruction induced significantly increased LEC proliferation compared to sera from uninfected individuals. Differentiation of LEC into tube-like networks was found to be associated with significantly increased levels of matrix metalloproteases and inhibition of their TIMP inhibitors (Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases). Comparison of global gene expression induced by live parasites in LEC to parasite-unexposed LEC demonstrated that filarial parasites altered the expression of those genes involved in cellular organization and development as well as those associated with junction adherence pathways that in turn decreased trans-endothelial transport as assessed by FITC-Dextran. The data suggest that filarial parasites directly induce lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic differentiation and provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the pathology seen in lymphatic filariasis

Removing the mustard oil bomb from seeds: transgenic ablation of myrosin cells in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) produces MINELESS seeds

Many plant phytochemicals constitute binary enzyme–glucoside systems and function in plant defence. In brassicas, the enzyme myrosinase is confined to specific myrosin cells that separate the enzyme from its substrate; the glucosinolates. The myrosinase-catalysed release of toxic and bioactive compounds such as isothiocyanates, upon activation or tissue damage, has been termed ‘the mustard oil bomb’ and characterized as a ‘toxic mine’ in plant defence. The removal of myrosin cells and the enzyme that triggers the release of phytochemicals have been investigated by genetically modifying Brassica napus plants to remove myrosinase-storing idioblasts. A construct with the seed myrosin cell-specific Myr1.Bn1 promoter was used to express a ribonuclease, barnase. Transgenic plants ectopically expressing barnase were embryo lethal. Co-expressing barnase under the control of the Myr1.Bn1 promoter with the barnase inhibitor, barstar, under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter enabled a selective and controlled death of myrosin cells without affecting plant viability. Ablation of myrosin cells was confirmed with light and electron microscopy, with immunohistological analysis and immunogold-electron microscopy analysis showing empty holes where myrosin cells normally are localized. Further evidence for a successful myrosin cell ablation comes from immunoblots showing absence of myrosinase and negligible myrosinase activity, and autolysis experiments showing negligible production of glucosinolate hydrolysis products. The plants where the myrosin defence cells have been ablated and named ‘MINELESS plants’. The epithiospecifier protein profile and glucosinolate levels were changed in MINELESS plants, pointing to localization of myrosinases and a 35 kDa epithiospecifier protein in myrosin cells and a reduced turnover of glucosinolates in MINELESS plants

Uncertainty in PV module measurement. Pt.I: Calibration of crystalline and thin-film modules

This paper presents recent progress in reducing the measurement uncertainty for crystalline silicon (c-Si) and thin-film PV modules. It describes the measurement procedure and the uncertainty analysis, as applied at the CalLab PV Modules, Fraunhofer ISE's laboratory for module measurements. The uncertainty analysis covers the complete calibration process in detail, including measurements, correction to standard testing conditions, and determination of electrical module parameters (ISC, PMPP, VOC, etc.) from the I-V curve. Differences between c-Si and thin-film modules are addressed, most importantly in terms of spectral mismatch factor and short timescale stability problems. The paper outlines the importance of a comprehensive quality assurance system in a calibration laboratory as a prerequisite for accurate measurements on a daily basis. Particular attention is paid to results from a series of measurements taken every three weeks over a three-year period and conducted as part of the quality assurance system. In conclusion, this paper introduces a best-case uncertainty for c-Si module calibration of 1.6% for PMPP and 1.3% for ISC. This represents the lowest reported uncertainty for full size module calibration in a laboratory so far. The presented uncertainty in PMPP of cadmium telluride and single-junction amorphous silicon modules is 2.9% and 1.8%, respectively. All mentioned uncertainties are expanded uncertainties (k = 2)

Flowering Without Vernalization in Winter Canola (Brassica napus): use of Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) to accelerate genetic gain

Ciclos de reproducción cortos y la oportunidad de incrementar la ganancia genética, junto con el estudio de las bases moleculares de la vernalización, son áreas esenciales de investigación dentro de la biología de plantas. Varios métodos se han empleado para lograr el silenciamiento génico en plantas, pero ninguno reportado a la fecha para canola (Brassica napus), y en particular para inducir la floración sin vernalización en líneas de invierno a través del uso de secuencias sentido de DNA en vectores diseñados para el silenciamiento génico inducido por virus (VIGS). La presente investigación provee los métodos para transitoriamente regular a la baja, por medio de VIGS, genes de la vernalización en plantas anuales de invierno, específicamente la familia de genes de Flowering Locus C (FLC) en canola de invierno (BnFLC1 a BnFLC5). La regulación a la baja de estos genes permite a las plantas anuales de invierno florecer sin vernalización y, consecuentemente, provee los medios para acelerar la ganancia genética. El sistema de silenciamiento propuesto puede ser utilizado para regular a la baja familias de genes, para determinar la función génica, y para inducir la floración sin la vernalización en líneas de invierno tanto del género Brassica como de muchos cultivos importantes de invierno