s-SHIP associates with receptor complexes essential for pluripotent stem cell growth and survival.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that have the ability to either self-renew or differentiate into any cell type found in the mammalian body. The signaling pathways required for self-renewal of these cells are yet to be defined. Previously we identified a stem cell-specific isoform of the protein SH2 domain-containing 5'-inositol phosphatase (SHIP) that we call s-SHIP, which is expressed in both pluripotent ES cells and adult tissue-specific multipotent cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

The thrombopoietin receptor, c-Mpl, is a selective surface marker for human hematopoietic stem cells.

Background: Thrombopoietin (TPO), the primary cytokine regulating megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation, exerts significant influence on other hematopoietic lineages as well, including erythroid, granulocytic and lymphoid lineages. We previously demonstrated that the receptor for TPO, c-mpl, is expressed by a subset of human adult bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/PC) that are enriched for long-term multilineage repopulating ability in the SCID-hu Bone in vivo model of human hematopoiesis.

Methods: Here, we employ flow cytometry and an anti-c-mpl monoclonal antibody to comprehensively define the surface expression pattern of c-mpl in four differentiation stages of human CD34+ HSC/PC (I: CD34+38--, II: CD34+38dim, III: CD34+38+, IV: CD34dim38+) for the major sources of human HSC: fetal liver (FL), umbilical cord blood (UCB), adult bone marrow (ABM), and cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (mPBSC).

Expansion of myeloid suppressor cells in SHIP-deficient mice represses allogeneic T cell responses.

Previously we demonstrated that SHIP(-/-) mice accept allogeneic bone marrow transplants (BMT) without significant acute graft-vs-host disease (GvHD). In this study we show that SHIP(-/-) splenocytes and lymph node cells are poor stimulators of allogeneic T cell responses that cause GvHD. Intriguingly, SHIP(-/-) splenocytes prime naive T cell responses to peptide epitopes, but, conversely, are partially impaired for priming T cell responses to whole Ag.

Outcome of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in correlation with obesity, type of hernia, and hernia size.

Background: The morbidity and overall recovery time of ventral hernia repair can vary significantly depending on the hernia type or size and on other factors, such as the body mass index (BMI). The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of type of hernia, hernia size, and BMI on the outcome of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

Methods: Fifty patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were retrospectively reviewed and stratified according to hernia type (incisional, IVH/primary, PVH), hernia size, and BMI.

Influence of SHIP on the NK repertoire and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Natural killer cell (NK) receptors for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I influence engraftment and graft-versus-tumor effects after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. We find that SH2-containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP) influences the repertoire of NK receptors. In adult SHIP-/- mice, the NK compartment is dominated by cells that express two inhibitory receptors capable of binding either self or allogeneic MHC ligands.

Embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells express a novel SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase isoform that partners with the Grb2 adapter protein.

SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP) modulates the activation of immune cells after recruitment to the membrane by Shc and the cytoplasmic tails of receptors. A novel SHIP isoform of approximately 104 kd expressed in primitive stem cell populations (s-SHIP) is described. It was found that s-SHIP is expressed in totipotent embryonic stem cells to the exclusion of the 145-kd SHIP isoform expressed in differentiated hematopoietic cells.

Electromyographic analysis of the squat performed in self-selected lower extremity neutral rotation and 30 degrees of lower extremity turn-out from the self-selected neutral position.

Little research is available on the muscle activity patterns of the lower extremity muscles during dynamic closed chain squatting activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lower extremity position during an Olympic squat on the muscle activity patterns of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, semimembranosus/semitendinosus, and biceps femoris. Twenty-five healthy, untrained subjects, 18-35 years old, were randomly assigned initial squatting positions of either self-selected neutral or 30 degrees of lower extremity turn-out from the self-selected neutral position.

Bryozoan larvae as mosaics of multifunctional ciliary fields: Ultrastructure of the sensory organs of Bugula solonifera (Cheilostomata: Cellularioidea).

The ultrastructure of ciliated sensory and effector organs has been examined by light microscopy and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in larvae of the cellularioid cheilostome, Bugula stolonifera. The larval surface is formed by a mosaic of ciliary fields, each distinctive in organization and function. The most extensive ciliary field consists of the motile cilia of the corona, which collectively constitute the primary larval locomotory organ and form most of the larval surface.