ZIP8 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis by increasing pathogenic T cell responses

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for immune responses. Therefore, changes in cellular zinc levels in specific immune cells may influence inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the regulation of zinc mobilization in immune cells and its role in the pathogenesis of RA are not fully understood. Thus, we investigated the roles of zinc transporters in RA pathogenesis. We demonstrated that ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in CD4⁺ T cells that infiltrated the inflamed joint and that ZIP8 deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells abrogated collagen-induced arthritis. ZIP8 deficiency dramatically affected zinc influx in effector T cells and profoundly reduced T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, including NF-κB and MAPK signaling, which are pathways that are involved in T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ZIP8 depletion in CD4⁺ T cells attenuates TCR signaling due to insufficient cellular zinc, thereby reducing the function of effector CD4⁺ T cells, including Th17 cells. Our results also suggest that targeting ZIP8 may be a useful strategy to inhibit RA development and pathogenesis.Subject terms: Autoimmunity, Immunological disorders     

Redox behavior of V/MgO catalyst in H2S wet oxidation at room temperature

The room temperature wet catalytic oxidation was conducted in a batch reactor with V/MgO catalyst. The XRD study of the catalyst used indicated that V/MgO could not only oxidize H2S to sulfur selectively, but also prevent the sulfidation of metal oxide effectively at the room temperature. The XPS study indicated that the H2S oxidation with V/MgO could proceed by a redox mechanism (V⁵⁺↔ V⁴⁺) and that V³⁺ formation (V⁴⁺→ V³⁺), was responsible for the deactivation of V/MgO. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Concise syntheses of (+)-macrosphelides A and B

[reaction: see text]. Unified and highly convergent total syntheses of (+)-macrosphelides A and B are described. Key features of the syntheses include (1) concise synthesis of the optically active delta-hydroxy-gamma-keto alpha,beta-unsaturated acid fragment via the direct addition of a trans-vinylogous ester anion equivalent to the readily available Weinreb amide and (2) facile construction of the 16-membered macrolide core of the macrosphelide series via an intramolecular nitrile-oxide cycloaddition (INOC).     

Radiocatalytic H2 production with gamma-irradiation and TiO2 catalysts

The radioactive concentrations of radionuclides were measured in the soil and groundwater below the 12 GeV proton beam-line tunnel at KEK. Various long-lived radionuclides, (⁷Be, ²²Na, ⁴⁶Sc, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹⁵²Eu and ¹⁵⁴Eu) were observed in the soil samples by -ray spectra measurements, and ³H was also detected by liquid scintillation counting. On the other hand, ³H, ²²Na and ⁵⁴Mn, which were leached from the soil were measured in the groundwater below the EP2 beam line. ³H and ²²Na were also found in slight amounts in groundwater collected in a well dug beside the East Counter Hall. From a comparison with the radioactive concentration in soil and groundwater, the order of the leaching percentages were ³H>²²Na>⁵⁴Mn. This tendency was in agreement with an experimental result of the RI laboratory.     

Two-dimensional carboxylate bridged network of europium(III)-transition metal(II) glutarate compounds

Four new heterometallic glutarate coordination polymers, [Eu2M(H2O)4][O2C(CH2)3CO2]4.2H2O (M = Mn (1), Fe (2), Co (3) and Ni (4)) have been obtained under hydrothermal synthesis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses showed that they have two-dimensional frameworks based on the linear polyhedral chains consisting of two nine-coordinated Eu(III)O9 and a six-coordinated M(II)O6. These 1-D MO6-Eu2O16 chains are cross-linked by glutarate ligands as an interchain pillared architecture, whose conformations vary depending upon the transition metals. The magnetic behavior of the compounds show a weak antiferromagnetic interaction, in which shielding of the 4f electrons by the outer shell electrons effectively precludes significant coupling interactions between the Eu-4f electrons and transition metal (M)-3d electrons.     

An efficient synthesis of novel carbocyclic nucleosides with use of ring-closing metathesis from D-lactose

This paper describes an efficient synthetic route for various types of novel carbocyclic nucleosides. The required stereochemistry of the targeted nucleosides was successfully obtained with use of Grubbs cyclization and Trost allylic alkylation from the carbohydrate chiral template "D-lactose".     

13C-NMR und konformation eines membran-modifizierenden synthetischen nonadekapeptid-analogons von alamethicin und seiner zwischenstufen

The ¹³C-NMR spectra of the synthetic membrane modifying nonadecapeptide Boc-(Aib-l-Ala)₅-Gly-Ala-Aib-Pro-Ala- Aib-Aib-Glu(OBz)-Gln-OMe (Aib = α-aminoisobutyric acid), and of synthetic intermediates were used for conformational analysis in solution. The assignments of the ¹³C-NMR signals of Aib are based on the magnetic nonequivalence (MNE) of the geminal C_β-signals in asymmetric environment resulting in a shift difference of 0.2–0.5 ppm due to neighbouring chiral residues. More than 4 ppm MNE are observed due to α-helical conformation and about 2.5 ppm for Aib situated in the corners of a rigid β-turn. The Ala-C_α signal is also sensitive to different secondary structures. The C_α signal for C-terminal alanine is found at 49–50 ppm, and for alanine within unordered oligopeptides it absorbs at 50–51 ppm. α-Helical environment shifts the Ala-C_α signal to lower field down to 54 ppm. In methanolic solution the nonadecapeptide shows a α-helical N-terminal region. For the C-terminus beginning with proline-14 no periodically ordered conformation is observed, and we suggest a sequence of β-turns. Furthermore the typical E/Z isomerism of the prolyl-peptide bond can be observed on proline itself and on its neighbour alanine.     

Immobilized cobalt/rhodium heterobimetallic nanoparticle-catalyzed silylcarbocylization and carbonylative silylcarbocyclization of 1,6-enynes

Reaction of 1,6-enynes with a hydrosilane in the presence of immobilized cobalt/rhodium bimetallic nanoparticles gives 2-methyl-1-silylmethylidene-2-cyclopentanes in the absence of carbon monoxide and 2-formylmethyl-1-silylmethylidene-2-cyclopentanes under 1 atm of carbon monoxide, respectively. [reaction: see text]     

Influence of column length and pore size on high-performance ion-exchange chromatography of estrogen and progestin receptors

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure has been evaluated to establish a routine test in the clinical laboratory for measuring the profiles of estrogen and progestin receptor isoforms in human breast and endometrial tumors. This procedure will be used to determine if there is a relationship between particular isoform profiles and response to various endocrine therapies. Evaluation of various HPLC modes has shown that high-performance ion-exchange chromatography (HPIEC) with silica-based anion exchangers offers a promising approach. In this paper, we have compared HPIEC columns of different lengths (10 and 25 cm) and pore sizes (300, 500 and 1,000 A) in order to obtain an optimal separation procedure. Because of receptor lability, all investigations were performed at 4 degrees C. The mobile phase consisted of 10-500 mM phosphate buffer, supplemented with the stabilizing agent, sodium molybdate at pH 7.4. Recoveries from each of the columns were between 70-100%. The length of the column did not influence significantly the retention time and salt concentration required for elution of receptor proteins. However, pore sizes appeared to alter these parameters. With a larger pore size (1,000 A), the retention of proteins was lower (elution with 50 mM phosphate) than that observed with the 500-A pore size column (elution with 100 mM phosphate) or of the 300-A pore size column (elution with 150 mM phosphate). Based solely on recovery patterns and peak shape, we conclude that separation of receptor isoforms on a 1,000-A, 25-cm column is best suited for clinical analysis.     

Baylis-Hillman mechanism: a new interpretation in aprotic solvents

Using reaction rate data collected in aprotic solvents, we have determined that the Baylis-Hillman rate-determining step is second order in aldehyde and first order in DABCO and acrylate. On the basis of these data, we have proposed a new mechanism involving a hemiacetal intermediate. The proposed mechanism was then supported using two different kinetic isotope experiments.