Herpes simplex virus inoculation in murine rete testis results in irreversible testicular damage.

This study aimed to establish the influence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) on testis morphology and germ cell development using a model of ascending urogenital HSV infection in mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with 100 plaque-forming units of HSV1 in rete testis. Viral proteins and HSV DNA were detected from 3 days postinoculation (DPI), while capsids and virions could be visualized at 6 DPI.

Development of novel mouse hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies specific to human and mouse nucleolar protein SURF-6.

SURF-6 is an evolutionarily conserved nucleolar protein that is important for cell viability; however, its function in mammals still remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to generate monoclonal antibodies to human SURF-6 protein suitable for fundamental and biomedical research. The full-size human SURF-6 was expressed as a recombinant GST-fusion protein and used as an antigen to generate monoclonal antibodies, S79 and S148, specific for SURF-6.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus in motile spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells in testis organotypic culture.

Background: The presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in male genital tract suggests its vertical transmission with spermatozoa and the development of a potentially dangerous fetal infection. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of intracellular HCMV localization in male germ cells and to examine the effect of the virus on human spermatogenesis.

Methods: Semen samples from 91 infertile and 47 fertile men were analyzed.

Pdcd4 protein and mRNA level alterations do not correlate in human lung tumors.

Pdcd4 (programmed cell death 4) gene is tumor suppressor which expression is frequently down-regulated in tumors, which is considered as a diagnostic and prognostic marker as well as promising target for anti-cancer therapy. Pdcd4 protein is a target for post-translational regulation by phosphorylation marking Pdcd4 for degradation. We questioned if Pdcd4 mRNA decline in human lung tumors is accompanied by proportional depletion of Pdcd4 protein.

Up-regulation of expression and lack of 5' CpG island hypermethylation of p16 INK4a in HPV-positive cervical carcinomas.

Background: High risk type human papilloma viruses (HR-HPV) induce carcinomas of the uterine cervix by expressing viral oncogenes E6 and E7. Oncogene E7 of HR-HPV disrupts the pRb/E2F interaction, which negatively regulates the S phase entry. Expression of tumor suppressor p16ink4a drastically increases in majority of HR-HPV associated carcinomas due to removal of pRb repression.