Immune responses and their regulation by donor bone marrow cells in clinical organ transplantation.

Infusions of donor bone marrow derived cells (DBMC) continue to be tested in clinical protocols intended to induce specific immunologic tolerance of solid organ transplants based on the observations that donor-specific tolerance is induced this way in animal models. We studied the immunological effects of human DBMC infusions in renal transplantation using modifications in lymphoproliferation (MLR) and cytotoxicity (CML) assays. The salient observations and tentative conclusions are summarized in this review.

From central to helical chirality: synthesis of P and M enantiomers of [5]helicenequinones and bisquinones from (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)- 1,4-benzoquinone.

The reaction of 1,4-divinyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene, 5,8-dimethoxy- or tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-3-vinyl-1,2-dihydrophenanthrene or 6-vinyl-7,8-dihydro-1,4-phenanthrenequinone with an excess of enantiopure (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (2) led to the direct formation of enantioenriched dihydro[5]helicenequinones or bisquinones (50-->98 % ee). A domino Diels-Alder cycloaddition/sulfoxide elimination/partial aromatization process occurs, being the absolute configuration of the final helicene defined in the aromatization step. Both M and P helimers are accessible through a stepwise enantiodivergent process if the pentacyclic dihydroaromatic intermediate resulting in the two first steps is aromatized in the presence of (+/-)-2, DDQ, CAN or DBU.

Independent levels of cell-free and cell-associated human immunodeficiency virus-1 in genital-tract secretions of clinically asymptomatic, treatment-naive African women.

Using ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction-based techniques, we assessed levels of cell-free and cell-associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in paired blood and genital samples of 30 clinically asymptomatic, treatment-naive women. Levels of HIV-1 RNA in cervicovaginal-lavage samples were positively correlated with those in plasma samples (r=.50; P=.

Stereoselective trimerization of [(S)R]-[(p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl]-p-quinols and p-quinamines.

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric synthesis of pentacyclic derivatives was achieved in a single step starting from enantiopure [(S)R]-[(p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl]-p-quinols or the nitrogen analogue, through a domino sequence involving four conjugate additions in excellent yields. Eight new stereogenic centers were created in one step and in a highly diastereoselective manner.

Continuous giggling and autistic disorder associated with hypothalamic hamartoma.

We present the case of a child affected since early infancy from recurring episodes of giggling mixed with stereotypical behaviours, mingled with head drops, and eventually with falls, in the context of an autistic disorder. Scalp video-EEG recordings revealed an epileptic encephalopathy with generalized slow spike-and-wave complexes alternating with electrodecremental periods, which generally corresponded to the onset of the aforementioned clinical sequences. A resection of a hypothalamic hamartoma was achieved at the age of two.

Influence of diene substitution on Diels-Alder reactions between vinyl dihydronaphthalenes and (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone.

The asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction between 2-(E-2-acetoxyvinyl)-8-tert-butyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (8) and enantiopure (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (1) takes place exclusively on the unsubstituted C(5)-C(6) double bond of (SS)-1 with a very high control of the chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity of the process affording tetracyclic sulfinyl derivative 13a possessing five stereogenic centers. The analogue diene 9, lacking the tert-butyl group, gave a less chemoselective reaction (C(2)-C(3)/C(5)-C(6): 60/40) in favor of reaction through the sulfoxide-substituted double bond C(2)-C(3) of 1. Steric effects of the remote tert-butyl group and electronic factors due to the OAc substituent are controlling the process.

Enhanced transcytosis of R5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus across tight monolayer of polarized human endometrial cells under pro-inflammatory conditions.

Most cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide occur following sexual contact, implying that the virus may breach the protective epithelial barrier lining the genital tract. HIV infection is known to preferentially occur when the genital epithelial integrity is altered, particularly when epithelial micro-ulcerations occur during heterosexual intercourse or ulcerations appear, due to sexually transmitted infections or else in the context of ectopy of the endocervical mucosa, which may leave the genital tissue. We report that R5-tropic infectious HIV-1 isolates are capable of in vitro transcytosis through a tight and polarized monolayer of human endometrial HEC-1 cells.

beta-Hydroxysulfoxides as chiral cyclic ketone equivalents: enantioselective synthesis of polysubstituted cyclohexanones, cyclohexenones and cyclohexenediones.

The beta-hydroxysulfoxide moiety, after oxidation to sulfone, acts as a masked carbonyl group in a cyclic system, opening an easy access to differently substituted enantiomerically pure cyclic ketones by means of aluminium-mediated conjugate additions, stereoselective reductions and elimination by retrocondensation in basic medium.

Human donor bone marrow cells induce in vitro "suppressor T cells" that functionally suppress autologous B cells.

We have reported a beneficial effect of donor vertebral body bone marrow cells (DBMC) infusions in cadaver renal allograft recipients in a 6-year follow-up, but with a transient increase in early (6 month) postoperative CMV infections and concomitant suppressed immunoglobulins (Ig) production. We also found that although there was no difference between the DBMC-infused and non-infused (control) groups in the development of donor-specific antibody, we now describe an additional difference seen in the percent reactive antibody (PRA) reactivity against a panel of HLA antigens that developed postoperatively. We hypothesize that (allogeneic) antigen presenting cells in the DBMC, systemically infused, caused the generation of recipient T suppressor (T4-suppressor) cells, thereby "inducing" a negative influence on B cell Ig production.

Regulation of alloimmune responses (GvH reactions) in vitro by autologous donor bone marrow cell preparation used in clinical organ transplantation.

Background: Cadaver donor bone marrow cells (DBMC) are capable of a low-grade response to allogeneic stimulation in vitro, indicating their potential ability to cause graft versus host disease (GvHD). However, at this center, we have observed a lack of GvHD in kidney transplant recipients who received DBMC perioperatively. Therefore, we questioned whether an intrinsic immunoregulatory function of (subpopulations of) DBMC might play a role in this observation.

[Evaluation of molecular and immunoenzymatic assays for detecting Enterohemorrhagic E coli in food borne outbreaks].

Background: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), is an emergent pathogen that causes sporadic infections and outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with consumption of contaminated food products. Because detection of EHEC in diarrhea patients is not routinely performed, infection is most probably underestimated.

Aim: To compare three techniques to detect EHEC: Colony hybridization with DNA probes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of stx1 and stx2 genes and immunoenzymatic detection by ELISA (Premier EHEC) of Stx1 and Stx2 toxins.

[Epidemiological situation of foodborne diseases in Santiago, Chile in 1999-2000].

Background: Foodborne diseases are becoming an important cause of morbidity in Chile. In the Metropolitan Region of Chile, the Environmental Health Service started a surveillance program for foodborne diseases in 1994. In 2000, this program was complemented with an etiologic study of individuals involved in outbreaks.

Intractable epilepsy in vascular congenital hemiparesis: clinical features and surgical options.

Forty-one patients with vascular congenital hemiplegia and intractable epilepsy were reviewed. Most had severe hemiparesis, mental retardation, porencephaly, and focal epilepsy. Thirty-three were considered surgical candidates and 25 underwent surgery.

Functional and phenotypic properties of peripheral T cells anergized by autologous CD3(+) depleted bone marrow cells.

We have previously demonstrated that bone marrow cells (BMC) inhibit the generation of autologous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). It was also observed that CD3(+) cells obtained after 7 days of culture in the presence of autologous BMC could be used as inhibitors of EBV-CTL generation. In the present study, we examined these BMC induced regulator CD3(+) T cells with respect to phenotype, function, and T-cell activation pathways.

First enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-Centrolobine.

[structure: see text] The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-Centrolobine is described. The key reaction is the synthesis of the cis-disubstituted tetrahydropyran framework by intramolecular cyclization of the enantiopure hydroxyketone 3 with Et3SiH and TMSOTf. The stereoselective reduction of the beta-ketosulfoxide 4 is the source of chirality.

Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-royleanone from sulfinyl quinones.

A convergent enantioselective synthesis of (+)-royleanone (1) is described starting from enantiomerically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-5-tert-butylsulfinyl-p-benzoquinone, which is readily available from 3-isopropyl-1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene and 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-vinylcyclohexene. The key step is a tandem asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction/pyrolytic sulfoxide elimination process.

Heparin-like polymers modulate proinflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes.

The search for heparin-like materials remains an intensive field of research. In this context, we studied the immunomodulatory properties of semisynthetic dextran derivatives and naturally occurring sulfated polysaccharides present in brown seaweed (fucans). In this study, we investigated the functional potencies of fucan and dextran derivatives by analyzing their effects on the release of proinflammatory cytokines by resting or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes and their interactions on monocyte surfaces.

Stereoselective synthesis of heterocyclic cage compounds by domino conjugate additions.

Heterocyclic cage compounds have been stereoselectively synthesized from enantiopure [(S)R]-[(p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl]-p-quinols or their amine analogues and 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan in the presence of Bu4NF. The method is particularly valuable not only because of the stereochemical control but also because the reactions occur in an experimentally simple one-pot procedure through a domino sequence of three consecutive conjugate additions. The intermediate 1,4-adducts could be isolated when the reaction was carried out in the presence of BF3 x OEt2.

Binding of LFA-1 (CD11a) to intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3; CD50) and ICAM-2 (CD102) triggers transmigration of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected monocytes through mucosal epithelial cells.

Transmigration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected mononuclear cells through the genital mucosa is one of the possible mechanisms of sexual transmission of HIV. Here, we investigated the transmigration of cell-associated R5-tropic HIV type 1 (HIV-1) through a tight monolayer of human epithelial cells in vitro. We show that this process is dependent on an initial interaction between alphaLbeta2 integrin CD11a/CD18 on infected monocytic cells and intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM-2; CD102) and ICAM-3 (CD50) on the apical membrane of epithelial cells.