Increased neuronal activity in the OVLT of Cyp1a1-Ren2 transgenic rats with inducible Ang II-dependent malignant hypertension.

The contribution of angiotensin II (Ang II) to the pathophysiology of hypertension is established based on facts that high levels of circulating Ang II increase vasoconstriction of peripheral arteries causing a rise in blood pressure (BP). In addition, circulating Ang II has various effects on the central nervous system, including the osmosensitive neurons in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT). Osmosensitive neurons in the OVLT transduce hypertonicity via the activation of the nonselective cation channel known as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), causing membrane depolarization, followed by increased action potential discharge.

Immunohistochemical localization of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 and insulin receptor substrate 2 and their co-localization with liver-related neurons in the hypothalamus and brainstem.

The central nervous system plays an important role in the regulation of energy balance and glucose homeostasis mainly via controlling the autonomic output to the visceral organs. The autonomic output is regulated by hormones and nutrients to maintain adequate energy and glucose homeostasis. Insulin action is mediated via insulin receptors (IR) resulting in phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS) inducing activation of downstream pathways.

Proteome-wide anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and anti-HIV antibody profiling for predicting and monitoring the response to HCV therapy in HIV-coinfected patients.

We quantified antibody responses to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteome that are associated with sustained virologic response (SVR) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Analysis of pre- and posttreatment samples revealed significant decreases in the combined anti-core, anti-E1, and anti-NS4 HCV antibody titers in those with SVRs but not in those who experienced relapse or who did not respond. Furthermore, anti-HIV p24 antibody titers inversely correlated with treatment response.

Distinct profiles of antibodies to Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus antigens in patients with Kaposi sarcoma, multicentric Castleman disease, and primary effusion lymphoma.

Antibody responses against lytic and latent Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus antigens were investigated in patients with KS, multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and primary effusion lymphoma. Antibodies against the lytic antigen K8.1 were 5-fold higher in patients with MCD than those with KS, whereas antibodies to the sum of latent antigens v-cyclin and LANA were 27-fold higher in patients with KS, compared with patients with MCD (P < 001).

Rapid, simple, quantitative, and highly sensitive antibody detection for lyme disease.

There is currently a need for improved serological tests for the diagnosis and monitoring of Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. In the present study, we evaluated luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPSs) for use for profiling of the antibody responses to a panel of B. burgdorferi proteins for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Comparison of radioimmunoprecipitation with luciferase immunoprecipitation for autoantibodies to GAD65 and IA-2beta.

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of luciferase immunoprecipitation (LIPS) with radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) for the measurement of autoantibodies to the type 1 diabetes autoantigens glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and insulinoma-associated protein (IA)-2beta.

Research Design And Methods: Sera from 49 type 1 diabetic patients and 100 nondiabetic control subjects from Diabetes Antibody Standardization Program 2007 were used to screen for autoantibodies to GAD65. An additional 200 type 1 diabetic patients and 200 nondiabetic control subjects were used to validate the GAD65 results and screen for autoantibodies to IA-2beta.

Rapid serological detection of autoantibodies associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a relatively common autoimmune disease characterized by oral and ocular dryness. There is an increasing need for simple, sensitive and rapid technologies for the diagnosis of SjS and other autoimmune diseases. Here we investigated whether a quick version of luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (QLIPS) could be used to produce a rapid, specific and quantitative test to detect autoantibodies associated with SjS.

Sensitive and robust luminescent profiling of anti-La and other autoantibodies in Sjogren's syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) patients often have a variety of extraglandular manifestations including neurological and gastrointestinal involvement. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic performance of luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) that employs mammalian cell-produced recombinant antigens for analyzing SjS autoantibody responses. LIPS testing of mammalian cell-produced La, Ro60 and Ro52 recombinant antigens with defined commercial antibodies demonstrated highly specific immunoprecitation of each antigen without cross-reactivity.

Highly quantitative serological detection of anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies.

Background: Human cytomegalovirus infection is associated with a variety of pathological conditions including retinitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis that may be transmitted congenitally, horizontally and parenterally and occurs both as a primary infection and as reactivation in immunocompromised individuals. Currently, there is a need for improved quantitative serological tests to document seropositivity with high sensitivity and specificity.

Methods: Here we investigated whether luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPS) would provide a more quantitative and sensitive method for detecting anti-CMV antibodies.