Peripheral Blood Erythrocytes Research Articles

Four Novel Mutations in the Ferrochelatase (FECH) Gene in Patients with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP).

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an autosomal dominant disease with incomplete penetrance, due to reduced activity of ferrochelatase (FECH), a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the insertion of iron in the protoporphyrin molecule in the final step of the heme biosynthetic pathway. The disease is biochemically characterized by increased protoporphyrins in erythrocytes, plasma and faeces and normal levels in urine. The clinical manifestations have a childhood onset, characterized by mild to moderate cutaneous photosensitivity, mild anemia and, in 5–10% of the cases, by progressive hepatic failure. Diagnosis of EPP can be supported by the simple measurement with flow citometry of fluorescent erythrocytes in peripheral blood. The phenotype of EPP results from coinheritance of a mutated allele and a wild-type low expressed allele of the FECH gene that spans about 45 kb on the long arm of chromosome 18. The FECH gene encodes for a precursor of 423 amino acid residues that is targeted to the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membrane via a 62 amino acid cleavable leader sequence. A single promoter directs both housekeeping and erythroid expression, but two polyadenylation sites produce two mRNAs of different length. The molecular analysis of FECH gene has allowed the identification of more than 100 different mutations responsible for EPP, showing a high genetic heterogeneity. Aim of this study was to search for molecular abnormalities in four patients with clinical and biochemical signs of EPP. Molecular analysis was performed by PCR and direct sequencing of the promoter, the entire coding region and the splicing junctions of the gene. In patients who remained negative for mutations, DNA analysis was completed by long-PCR and chromosome walking. In this study four different molecular defects have been identified: two missense mutations and two large deletions in the first region of gene. One A>G substitution at nucleotide 362 in exon 4 resulting in a Glu to Gly amino acid substitution at position 121; one change C>T in position 782 of exon 7 causing a Ser 261Phe substitution; the c.1-7887_67+2422del10376bp and the c.1-9628_67+2871del12566bp. Even though with different breakpoints, both deletions include a portion of upstream intergenic region, the promoter, the exon 1 and a portion of intron 1 of the FECH gene preventing the expression of the mutated allele. This deletions are probably caused by unequal intragenic recombination between ALU sequences which have been found close to the breakpoints. Recently others deletions involving ALU sequences were described suggesting that large deletions can affect the FECH gene and cause of EPP.

Characterization of Regulatory Elements in the Slc4a1 (Band 3) Locus To Create Safe and Effective Vectors for Globin Gene Therapy

Effective gene therapy for hemoglobin β-chain disorders, β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, requires efficient, safe delivery of globin genes into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Engraftment of ∼25% of HCSs expressing a globin gene at ∼20% the level of endogenous α-globin would be sufficient to improve both diseases. The β-globin promoter is inefficient, requiring sequences from the locus control region (LCR) to increase expression. LCR enhancers are included in globin gene therapy vectors, but unfortunately are prone to cryptic splicing and polyadenylation, resulting in low virus titer. In addition, the LCR enhancers are, in theory, capable of activating neighboring oncogenes. To improve safety and efficiency of globin vectors we have developed a novel strategy by fusing the γ-globin gene to LCR-independent, erythroid-specific promoters. Band 3/AE1 is an erythrocyte membrane protein expressed from the Slc4a1 gene. We have previously shown in transgenic mice that a 1750-bp Slc4a1 promoter linked to γ-globin gene (pSlc4a1/γ) and flanked by the chicken β-globin insulator 5′HS4 (ch5′HS4), which contains both barrier and enhancer-blocking elements, is capable of erythroid-specific, uniform γ-globin expression at therapeutic levels (∼19.8% α-globin/transgene copy). Without ch5′HS4, the pSlc4a1/γ gene was prone to silencing. Lentiviral vectors with two copies of ch5′HS4 either internal or in the Long Terminal Repeat cannot be produced at high titer. We hypothesized that flanking the pSlc4a1/γ-globin gene with distinct barrier elements would prevent recombination and gene silencing. Using this strategy, we developed first generation lentiviral vectors in which pSlc4a1/γ is flanked by combinations of the ch5′HS4 insulator and barrier elements we have identified in the ankyrin and α-spectrin loci. To test the effectiveness of these lentivirus vectors in mouse models, we pseudotyped each one with an ecotropic envelope. All three were produced at high titer (>1x106 infectious units/ml). We transduced primitive mouse hematopoietic progenitor cells and detected γ-globin mRNA in >20% of spleen foci at levels as high as 17% of endogenous α-globin. In mice repopulated with transduced stem and progenitor cells, 11–15% of peripheral blood erythrocytes were positive for γ-globin 8 to 21 weeks post-transplantation. To establish the safety of the Slc4a1 promoter we used a high throughput real-time PCR-based assay to identify DNaseI hypersensitive sites (HS) in a 119kb region including Slc4a1. We have identified 6 HS and tested each for enhancer and enhancer-blocking activity. One HS (−355 to −112) increases reporter gene expression in a position- and orientation-independent fashion consistent with the properties of an enhancer. A second HS (−112 to 0) is active in enhancer-blocking assays, and deletion analyses indicate that this region may also contain a transcriptional silencer. A third HS in intron 1 (+910 to +1581) displays enhancer-blocking activity. Three HS have no activity. We are testing a second generation of pSlc4a1/γ lentiviruses in which the Slc4a1 enhancer and silencer are deleted. A third generation of vectors flank pSlc4a1/γ upstream with ch5′HS4, and downstream with either the ankyrin or α-spectrin barrier elements plus the Slc4a1 intron 1 enhancer-blocker to prevent activation of neighboring genes. We hypothesize that these new vectors will allow safe expression of therapeutic levels of γ-globin.

Serum ferritin levels correlate with haemoglobin concentration: a report on 589 outpatients from a single centre.

Haemochromatosis, a disease characterised by an increase in iron storage which may cause pathological changes1, is divided into primary or secondary forms. While primary (or genetic) haemochromatosis, the most common autosomal recessive disorder, is due in the majority of cases to mutations in the HFE gene, secondary haemochromatosis can have several causes including ineffective erythropoiesis and multiple red blood cell transfusions1,2. A number of studies have documented that subjects carrying mutations in the haemochoromatosis gene have significantly increased peripheral blood erythrocyte indices (haematocrit, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations), compared with wild-type individuals, thus suggesting an evolutionary sex-related protecting role against iron deficiency3–7. By contrast, no studies have so far analysed the relationship between serum ferritin, a widely accepted measurement of iron storage, and haemoglobin concentration. We, therefore, performed a retrospective analysis on the database of the Laboratory Information System of the Clinical Chemistry Institute of the University Hospital of Verona on outpatients referred by the general practitioner to our laboratory for routine blood testing. Between May 2004 and May 2007, 1,907 consecutive subjects underwent routine blood tests including measurement of serum ferritin levels and inflammatory indices (C-reactive protein) and blood cell count. After the exclusion of women, duplicate tests from the same person and individuals with abnormal inflammatory indices or low serum ferritin levels ( 350 μg/L, mean 658.4 ± 341.8 μg/L). The mean age and haemoglobin concentration were then compared between these two groups (Table I). Table I Characteristics of the 589 patients enrolled in the study There were statistically significant differences in age (36.3 ± 26.1 years in the first group versus 51.6 ± 16.4 years in the second group, p <0.0001) and haemoglobin concentration (14.4 ± 1.7 g/dL in the first group versus 15.5 ± 1.6 g/dL in the second, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results of our study document a positive correlation between serum ferritin level and haemoglobin concentration, thus confirming the previous data from studies on patients with primary iron overload. The different mean age between the two groups is also an interesting finding of our study and testifies that iron accumulation is an age-dependent process which happens regardless of the underlying cause.

Membrane interactions of hemoglobin variants, HbA, HbE, HbF and globin subunits of HbA: Effects of aminophospholipids and cholesterol

The interaction of hemoglobin with phospholipid bilayer vesicles (liposomes) has been analyzed in several studies to better understand membrane–protein interactions. However, not much is known on hemoglobin interactions with the aminophospholipids, predominantly localized in the inner leaflet of erythrocytes, e.g., phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in membranes containing phosphatidylcholine (PC). Effects of cholesterol, largely abundant in erythrocytes, have also not been studied in great details in earlier studies. This work therefore describes the study of the interactions of different hemoglobin variants HbA, HbE and HbF and the globin subunits of HbA with the two aminophospholipids in the presence and absence of cholesterol. Absorption measurements indicate preferential oxidative interaction of HbE and alpha-globin subunit with unilamellar vesicles containing PE and PS compared to normal HbA. Cholesterol was found to stabilize such oxidative interactions in membranes containing both the aminophospholipids. HbE and alpha-globin subunits were also found to induce greater leakage of membrane entrapped carboxyfluorescein (CF) using fluorescence measurements. HbE was found to induce fusion of membrane vesicles containing cholesterol and PE when observed under electron microscope. Taken together, these findings might be helpful in understanding the oxidative stress-related mechanism(s) involved in the premature destruction of erythrocytes in peripheral blood, implicated in the hemoglobin disorder, HbE/beta-thalassemia.

In vivo genotoxicity of mercury chloride and lead acetate: Micronucleus test on acridine orange stained fish cells

The genotoxic effects of mercury chloride and lead acetate were evaluated in vivo using the micronucleus (MN) assay on acridine-orange (AO) stained peripheral blood erythrocytes, gill and fin epithelial cells of Carassius auratus auratus. Fish were exposed to three different concentrations of mercury chloride (MC) (1 μg/, 5 μg/L and 10 μg/L) and lead acetate (LA) (10 μg/L, 50 μg/L and 100 μg/L) for 2, 4 and 6 days. A single dose of 5 mg/L cyclophosphamide was used as a positive control. In addition to micronuclei, nuclear buds (NBs) were assessed in the erythrocytes. The ratio of polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE/NCE) in peripheral blood was also evaluated to assess cytotoxicity. MN frequencies in all three tissues were elevated in fish exposed to both LA and MC. However, NBs showed different sensitivity to metal treatments. MN frequencies in both control and treated fish were highest in gill cells and generally lower in erythrocytes and fin cells. PCE/NCE rations decreased in relation to MC and LA treatments. The results of this study indicate that LA and MC have genotoxic and cytotoxic damage in fish and confirmed that AO staining is a suitable technique for in vivo MN test in fish.

Novel Erythrocyte Pits in the Small Tropical Ruminant, Lesser Mouse Deer

We examined unique erythrocyte pits of the peripheral blood and bone marrow in the lesser mouse deer, Tragulus javanicus, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Under the SEM observation, the pit was observed as a hole on both mature erythrocytes of the peripheral blood and immature erythrocytes of the bone marrow. By the TEM, the mature erythrocytes had a vacuole, which showed complicated shape and occupied considerable space within the cytoplasm. The vacuole was communicated extracellularly by perforation, which corresponded to the hole on the cell surface. In the bone marrow, erythroblast and reticulocytes have a cytoplasmic vacuole. This abnormal feature of the erythrocytes is peculiar to the mouse deer, and not found in other tropical ruminants. Despite the disadvantage of volume loss from the small erythrocytes, the mouse deer were healthy and showed no signs of anaemia.

Aquatic ecotoxicology approaches in Western Mexico

A series of bioindicator organisms for aquatic ecosystems are being maintained under laboratory conditions in order to analyze effects of pollution on aquatic wildlife and potential effects on human health. Growth kinetics of algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was used to evaluate effects of the surfactant nonilphenol (NP). Brachionus calyciflorus was used to set up a model of endocrine disruption using the fungicide vinclozolin (Vc). We exposed salamanders from the genus Ambystoma sp., to different concentrations of both the aneugen colchicine (COL) and the clastogen cyclophosphamide (CP) and we determined the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in their shed skin. The presence of spontaneous micronuclei in peripheral blood erythrocytes from 10 fish species in Lake “La Alberca,” Michoacan (Mexico), was evaluated as a possible biological indicator of genotoxic agents. Results confirm the sensivity of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata to growth kinetics: the range of concentration of NP (20, 200 and 2000 μ g L− 1) shows an inverted U shape in its maximum growth rate; Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) used as a positive control and to solvate NP induced an inverse stimulatory effect on growth rate in the range of concentrations analyzed (0.0023, 0.023 and 0.23% v v− 1). In the use of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, the range of Vc from 0.185 mg L− 1 to 3 mg L− 1 clearly showed an inverted U shape characteristic of endocrine disruptions. We were able to use shed skin from Ambystoma sp., to measure MNC frequencies induced either by an aneugenic or a clastogenic compound. The MNC frequency was increased significantly by all doses of COL and CP, administered either as single or repeated exposures. The presence of MNC in the shed skin and the speed of sloughing lead us to propose that the sheds of Ambystoma sp., or other amphibians that slough their skin, as suitable alternative models for detecting genotoxic exposures relevant to aquatic environments. In the survey to determine potential biological fish indicators for genotoxic agents, the frequency of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) found in the goodeid Xenotoca melanosoma (3.7 ± 1.6 MNC) and the cichlid Oreochromis aureus (2.0 ± 1.0 MNC) suggests that these species can be considered as potential biological indicators.

Possibilities of physical-chemical regulation of stem cells' pool

Modulating influence of electric impulses, visible light, some microelements is studied in parameters which are near to physio-logic ones on life activity of progenitor and mature cells of blood system in vitro and in situ. Content of granulocyte and fibroblastoid colony-forming units, concentration of colony-stimulating and colony-inhibiting activities, their concentration were determined , myelograms and morphologic signs of myelocariocytes apoptosis and necrosis were scored, saturation by chrom ions of peripheral blood erythrocytes was studied in mice bone marrow. The results showed that cell effects of physical-chemical influ-ences are small specific. Nevertheless, one may perform both positive and negative regulating influence on life activity of stromal precursors in dependence of energy density and stimulus concentration . The effect is due not only by direct but mediated reactions regulating direction and intensity of metabolic intracellular processes. It is suggested that one of target cells capable of change in-crease program of hemopoietic and stromal cells-progenitors of bone marrow in dependence of physical stimulus strength are lym-phocytes.

Chemoprevention of smoke-induced alopecia in mice by oral administration of l-cystine and vitamin B6

We previously demonstrated that high doses of environmental cigarette smoke (ECS) induce alopecia in mice. This effect was prevented by the oral administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an analogue and precursor of L-cysteine and reduced glutathione. The present study aimed at assessing whether L-cystine, the oxidized form of L-cysteine, which is a key hair component, may behave like NAC in inhibiting ECS-induced alopecia and modulating the mechanisms responsible for this condition. C57BL/6 mice were exposed whole-body to ECS in a smoking machine. Groups of mice received in the diet, at three dose levels, a mixture of L-cystine with vitamin B6, which plays a role in L-cystine incorporation in hair cells. Occurrence of alopecia areas and apoptosis of hair bulb cells were evaluated for up to 6 months of exposure, and the time course induction of micronucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood was investigated. The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was increased by ECS, irrespective of treatment with L-cystine/vitamin B6. ECS-induced alopecia and apoptosis of hair bulb cells in all exposed mice. L-Cystine/vitamin B6 inhibited alopecia in a dose-dependent fashion. High-dose ECS induces apoptosis-related alopecia in mice, and oral administration of L-cystine/vitamin B6 is an effective preventive treatment.

Evaluation of river water genotoxicity using the piscine micronucleus test

The Berdan River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea on the east coast of Turkey, receives discharges of industrial and municipal waste. In the present study, the in vivo piscine micronucleus (MN) test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of water samples collected from different locations along the Berdan River. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed in the laboratory for 2, 4, and 6 days, and micronuclei were evaluated in peripheral blood erythrocytes, gill cells, and caudal fin epithelial cells. A single dose of 5 mg/L cyclophosphamide was used as a positive control. In addition to micronuclei, nuclear abnormalities (NAs), such as binucleated cells and blebbed, notched, and lobed nuclei, were assessed in the erythrocytes, and chemical analyses were carried out to determine the amount of heavy metals in the water samples. MN and NA frequencies were significantly elevated (up to 2- to 3-fold) in fish exposed to river water samples taken downstream of potential discharges, and the elevated responses in gill and fin cells were related to the concentration of heavy metals in the water. MN frequencies (expressed as micronucleated cells/1,000 cells), in both treated and untreated fish, were greatest in gill cells (range: 0.80-3.70), and generally lower in erythrocytes (range: 0.50-2.80), and fin cells (range: 0.45-1.70). The results of this study indicate that the Berdan River is contaminated with genotoxic pollutants and that the genotoxicity is related to the discharge of wastes into the river water.

Weekly administration of paclitaxel induces long-term aneugenicity in nude mice

We investigated the potential in vivo aneugenic effects associated with paclitaxel treatment. For this purpose, we treated female nude mice with paclitaxel using doses equivalent to those used in weekly schedules at the clinical level (three cycles of 30 mg/kg/week for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 resting week). We then evaluated the frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in peripheral blood using the acridine orange micronucleus assay. The frequency of MNE was evaluated after 24 h and 168 h of administration of the last dose of each paclitaxel cycle (STA mice group) as well as after one year of the first dose of treatment (LTA mice group). We also analyzed the cytology of peripheral blood and bone marrows obtained from these mice at each time period. In the STA mice group, 3 cycles of paclitaxel induced a 2.4-fold increase in MNE frequencies compared to the control group (P

Formation of micronuclei in erythrocytes of the fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas) after acute treatment with mitomycin C or cyclophosphamide

Despite the widespread use of the fathead minnow in ecotoxicology, there have been relatively few studies on genotoxicity biomarkers in this small, warm-water fish species. Consequently, we investigated the effect of two known genotoxins, mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide, on micronucleus induction in spleen and peripheral blood erythrocytes of this species. Initially, 96-h experiments after intra-peritoneal ( i.p.) injections of mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide were undertaken to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). From these studies, MTDs of 10 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, were obtained: doses that were higher than those reported for other fish species. Next, an assessment of micronucleus induction at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 14 days after injection was undertaken for each compound at the MTD. Mitomycin C at 10 mg/kg significantly induced micronuclei in erythrocytes from the spleen, but not from the peripheral blood, at 8 and 14 days. In addition, the overall levels of micronuclei observed were lower than most previously published data from other fish species. In contrast to mitomycin C, treatment with 400 mg/kg cyclophosphamide failed to significantly induce micronuclei in erythrocytes from any of the tissues employed, in contrast to previous reports of significant induction in other species. The reasons for the apparent relative insensitivity of the fathead minnow to these clastogens, with respect to both MTDs and micronucleus induction, are not clear. The fathead minnow, however, has previously been described as relatively insensitive compared to other fish species with respect to selected carcinogens and cytochrome P450 inducers; the latter suggesting that the lack of a significant induction following cyclophosphamide exposure may be due to low metabolic activation in vivo. Consequently, further clarifying work is required to delineate the response shown, considering the extensive use of this species in ecotoxicology research and regulatory testing.

Enhanced suicidal death of erythrocytes from gene-targeted mice lacking the Cl−/HCO3− exchanger AE1

Genetic defects of anion exchanger 1 (AE1) may lead to spherocytic erythrocyte morphology, severe hemolytic anemia, and/or cation leak. In normal erythrocytes, osmotic shock, Cl(-) removal, and energy depletion activate Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels with Ca(2+)-induced suicidal erythrocyte death, i.e., surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, cell shrinkage, and membrane blebbing, all features typical for apoptosis of nucleated cells. The present experiments explored whether AE1 deficiency favors suicidal erythrocyte death. Peripheral blood erythrocyte numbers were significantly smaller in gene-targeted mice lacking AE1 (AE1(-/-) mice) than in their wild-type littermates (AE1(+/+) mice) despite increased percentages of reticulocytes (AE1(-/-): 49%, AE1(+/+): 2%), an indicator of enhanced erythropoiesis. Annexin binding, reflecting phosphatidylserine exposure, was significantly larger in AE1(-/-)erythrocytes/reticulocytes ( approximately 10%) than in AE1(+/+) erythrocytes ( approximately 1%). Osmotic shock (addition of 400 mM sucrose), Cl(-) removal (replacement with gluconate), or energy depletion (removal of glucose) led to significantly stronger annexin binding in AE1(-/-) erythrocytes/reticulocytes than in AE1(+/+) erythrocytes. The increase of annexin binding following exposure to the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin (1 muM) was, however, similar in AE1(-/-) and in AE1(+/+) erythrocytes. Fluo3 fluorescence revealed markedly increased cytosolic Ca(2+) permeability in AE1(-/-) erythrocytes/reticulocytes. Clearance of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled erythrocytes/reticulocytes from circulating blood was more rapid in AE1(-/-) mice than in AE1(+/+) mice and was accelerated by ionomycin treatment in both genotypes. In conclusion, lack of AE1 is associated with enhanced Ca(2+) entry and subsequent scrambling of cell membrane phospholipids.

Induction of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Listeriolysin from Listeria monocytogenes

Listeriolysin, the secreted cytolysin of the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is its major virulence factor. Previously, non-lytic concentrations of listeriolysin were shown to induce Ca²⁺-permeable nonselective cation channels in human embryonic kidney cells. In erythrocytes, Ca²⁺ entry is followed by activation of K⁺ channels resulting in K⁺-exit as well as by membrane scrambling resulting in phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface. Phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes are recognized by macrophages, engulfed, degraded and thus cleared from circulating blood. Phosphatidylserine exposure is a key event of eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes. The present study utilized patch-clamp technique, Fluo3-fluorescence, and annexin V-binding in FACS analysis to determine the effect of listeriolysin on cell membrane conductance, cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration, and phosphatidylserine exposure, respectively. Within 30 minutes, exposure of human peripheral blood erythrocytes to low concentrations of listeriolysin (which were non-hemolytic for the majority of cells) induced a Ca²⁺-permeable cation conductance in the erythrocyte cell membrane, increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration, and triggered annexin V-binding. Increase of extracellular K⁺ concentration blunted, but did not prevent, listeriolysin-induced annexin V-binding. In conclusion, listeriolysin triggers suicidal death of erythrocytes, an effect at least partially due to depletion of intracellular K⁺. Listeriolysin induced suicidal erythrocyte death could well contribute to the pathophysiology of L. monocytogenes infection.

Water‐Soluble Carbosilane Dendrimers: Synthesis Biocompatibility and Complexation with Oligonucleotides; Evaluation for Medical Applications

Novel amine- or ammonium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers of type nG-[Si{OCH2(C6H3)-3,5-(OCH2CH2NMe2)2}]x, nG-[Si{O(CH2)2N(Me)(CH2)2NMe2}]x and nG-[Si{(CH2)3NH2}]x or nG-[Si{OCH2(C6H3)-3,5-(OCH2CH2NMe3 +I-)2}]x, nG-[Si{O(CH2)2N(Me)(CH2)2NMe3 +I-}]x, and nG-[Si{(CH2)3NH3 +Cl-}]x have been synthesized and characterized up to the third generation by two strategies: 1) alcoholysis of Si--Cl bonds with amino alcohols and subsequent quaternization with MeI, and 2) hydrosilylation of allylamine with Si--H bonds of the dendritic systems and subsequent quaternization with HCl. Quaternized carbosilane dendrimers are soluble in water, although degradation is apparent due to hydrolysis of Si--O bonds. However, dendrimers containing Si--C bonds are water-stable. The biocompatibility of the second-generation dendrimers in primary cell cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and erythrocytes have been analyzed, and they show good toxicity profiles over extended periods. In addition, we describe a study on the interactions between the different carbosilane dendrimers and DNA oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and plasmids along with a comparative analysis of their toxicity. They can form complexes with DNA ODNs and plasmids at biocompatible doses via electrostatic interaction. Also a preliminary transfection assay has been accomplished. These results demonstrate that the new ammonium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers are good base molecules to be considered for biomedical applications.

MOLECULAR GEOMETRY, CYP1A GENE INDUCTION AND CLASTOGENIC ACTIVITY OF CYCLOPENTA[c]PHENANTHRENE IN RAINBOW TROUT

Cyclopenta[c]phenanthrene (CP[c]Ph) is a PAH member that shows similarities to bay-and fjord region possessing PAHs. On the basis of X-ray measurements it was found that the molecule of this hydrocarbon is planar. In this case, intramolecular strains caused by repulsion between protons in the pseudo fjord-region are balanced by both the shortening of some bonds which acquire more double bond character, and by the enlargement of exocyclic angles within the pseudo fjord-region. The activity of CP[c]Ph was investigated in vivo in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The CYP1A mRNA levels following 48h-treatment with CP[c]Ph or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P; positive control) were determined and compared with incidences of clastogenic changes observed in the peripheral blood erythrocytes. We have found that the ability to induce CYP1A by these PAH compounds is positively correlated with the incidences of clastogenic changes in rainbow trout erythrocytes.

Importance of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) to marine toxicology studies

The objective of the work was to characterize the presence of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes (MNES) from peripheral blood of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to evaluate the possibility to use this species as potential bioindicator of genotoxic compounds. Forty-eight blood samples from 12 bottlenose dolphins were obtain from three Mexican dolphinariums, and from 10 dolphins was possible to obtain more than one sample at different sampling times. Smears were processed and observed with an epifluorescence microscope. The average of MNES and polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) from the 48 samples was 24.3 +/- 6.1 MNES/10,000 total erythrocytes (TE), and 9.1 +/- 5.5 PCE/1,000 TE. MNES and PCE number did not show differences between gender and age. No variations in the MNES values of the bottlenose dolphins that were sampled more than one occasion were found. Comparisons among dolphinariums revealed differences in MNES frequency, with the highest significant frequency observed in dolphins from dolphinarium "A" (26.0 +/- 5.9 MNES/10,000 TE) than dolphinarium "B" (19.5 +/- 3.1 MNES/10,000 TE) (p < 0.05) and dolphinarium "C" (18.6 +/- 3.5 MNES/10,000 TE) (p < 0.007). The presence of MNES and PCE in the bottlenose dolphin may provide a useful marine mammal model to detect DNA damage by means of micronuclei test in peripheral blood erythrocytes to evaluate genotoxicity and cytotoxicity expositions.

Evaluation of the potential genotoxicity of chromium picolinate in mammalian cells in vivo and in vitro

Chromium picolinate (CrPic) is a synthetic nutritional supplement primarily used for weight loss and muscle building. Recent studies have indicated that CrPic might be genotoxic and these findings together with the wide-spread consumer use, have increased the concern about its safety. In the present study we investigated the potential genotoxicity of CrPic in mice given a single intraperitoneal injection (up to 3 mg/kg b.wt.) by evaluating the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (fMNPCE) in peripheral blood, and DNA damage in lymphocytes and hepatocytes. The fMNPCE was evaluated after 42 h and DNA damage after 16 h. Using the Comet assay DNA damage was also monitored in extended-term cultures of human lymphocytes and in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells that had been exposed for 3 h to 500 μM CrPic under different exposure conditions. A slight, but significant CrPic-induced increase in DNA damage ( P < 0.001) was observed in the human lymphocytes, but only when these cells were exposed in the absence of serum. In all other experiments CrPic was found to be without genotoxic effects, both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that a high concentration of CrPic might be DNA damaging, but only under non-physiological conditions.

Expression of Merozoite Surface Protein Markers byPlasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes in Peripheral Blood and Tissues of Children with Fatal Malaria

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes is a pathological feature of fatal cerebral malaria. P. falciparum is genetically diverse among, and often within, patients. Preferential sequestration of certain genotypes might be important in pathogenesis. We compared circulating parasites with parasites sequestered in the brain, spleen, liver, and lung in the same Malawian children with fatal malaria, classifying serotypes using antibodies to merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 and immunofluorescence in order to differentiate parasites and to quantify the proportions of each serotype. We found (i) similar distributions of various serotypes in different tissues and (ii) concordance between parasite serotypes in peripheral blood and parasite serotypes in tissues. No serotypes predominated in the brain in cerebral malaria, and parasites belonging to a single serotype did not cluster within individual vessels or within single tissues. These findings do not support the hypothesis that cerebral malaria is caused by cerebral sequestration of certain virulent types.

Two Novel Somatic Mutations of the ATRX Gene in Female Patients with Acquired Alpha Thalassemia of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (ATMDS).

Introduction: In contrast to the classical thalassemias, two distinct thalassemias were recently described in which the molecular defect does not reside in the globin genes but in a transcriptional activator of alpha-globin genes. This protein, ATRX, is mutated in the rare inherited disease of alpha-thalassemias (AT) with mental retardation (ATR-X syndrome) whose affected individuals show a mild form of AT. In addition, and independent of the ATR-X syndrome, there have been approximately 100 case reports worldwide of the association of an acquired form of AT with hematological neoplasms, the large majority of those cases being MDS (ATMDS). The clinical characteristics of such patients encompass the typical features of the underlying hematological disorder plus microcytic anemia. The latter is due to massively reduced alpha-globin gene transcription resulting in excess hemoglobin H (HbH), as revealed by supravital staining of peripheral blood erythrocytes and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The molecular defect of ATMDS lies in a mutation of the ATRX protein and, thus, represents a form of acquired alpha-thalassemia. ATMDS shows a striking male preponderance for reasons that are as yet unclear.We systematically studied patients with MDS and low MCV and/or MCH but without iron deficiency for the possible presence of HbH cells (indicative of ATMDS). Supravital staining and sequence analysis of the ATRX gene were performed as described (Steensma et al. Blood. 2004; 103(6):2019–26).Results: Two female pts with AT-MDS were identified by this strategy. Pat 1 was a 69 year old pt who diagnosed with MDS of the subtype refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD), ringed sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPS overlap syndrome, JAK2 negative). She presented with microcytic anemia (Hb 7,5 g/dl, MCV 76,5 fl, MCH 22.4 pg). Supravital staining of a peripheral blood smear revealed massive erythrocytic HbH inclusions. Sequencing of the ATRX coding sequence revealed a novel missense mutation with an A>G transition in codon 2234. This mutation (D2234G) results in an amino acid substitution in ATRX exon 32. It represents the 14th ATRX mutation described thus far and, moreover, the first mutation detected in a female. Pat 2 (61 years old) with initially RCMD and microcytic anemia (Hb 10.4 g/ld, MCV 69 fl, MCH 15.2 pg) had increasing erythrocytosis of 6.93 Mio/μl maximum (also JAK2 negative). Molecular analysis of the ATRX gene also showed a not previously reported ATRX point mutation in exon 8 (G521A) which results in an amino acid change from cysteine to tyrosine and consequently in loss of a zinc finger.Conclusions: Though AT-MDS is mostly diagnosed in males we have identified two female patients, both showing novel ATRX somatic mutations. ATMDS might be more frequent in female than previously thought. Microcytic anemia in association with a hematological neoplasm, most commonly MDS, should alert to ATMDS which is easily diagnosed by supravital staining of peripheral blood smears. The remarkable thrombocytosis and erythrocytosis, respectively, in our 2 pts are at least suggestive of other phenotypic abnormalities possibly associated with the acquired ATRX genotypes on the MDS background.