| 1. |
- Vaziri-Sani, Fariba, et al.
(författare)
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Phenotypic expression of factor H mutations in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
- 2006
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Ingår i: Kidney International. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0085-2538 .- 1523-1755. ; 69:6, s. 981-988
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated the phenotypic expression of factor H mutations in two patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Factor H in serum was assayed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunoblotting, and double immunodiffusion and in tissue by immunohistochemistry. Functional activity was analyzed by hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes and binding to endothelial cells. A homozygous mutation in complement control protein (CCP) domain 10 of factor H was identified in an adult man who first developed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and later HUS. C3 levels were very low. The patient had undetectable factor H levels in serum and a weak factor H 150 kDa band. Double immunodiffusion showed partial antigenic identity with factor H in normal serum owing to the presence of factor H-like protein 1. Strong specific labeling for factor H was detected in glomerular endothelium, mesangium and in glomerular and tubular epithelium as well as in bone marrow cells. A heterozygous mutation in CCP 20 of factor H was found in a girl with HUS. C3 levels were moderately decreased at onset. Factor H levels were normal and a normal 150 kDa band was present. Double immunodiffusion showed antigenic identity with normal factor H. Factor H labeling was minimal in the renal cortex. Factor H dysfunction was demonstrated by increased sheep erythrocyte hemolysis and decreased binding to endothelial cells. In summary, two different factor H mutations associated with HUS were examined: in one, factor H accumulated in cells, and in the other, membrane binding was reduced.
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| 2. |
- Niklasson, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Prenatal viral exposure followed by adult stress produces glucose intolerance in a mouse model
- 2006
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Ingår i: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 49:9, s. 2192-2199
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims/hypothesis: It has been suggested that the uterine environment may influence metabolic disease occurring later in adult life, and that adult stress may promote disease outcome. Using a mouse model, we tested whether in utero exposure to Ljungan virus (LV) followed by adult exposure to stress produces diabetes. The influence of the timing of viral exposure over the course of pregnancy was also tested. Materials and methods: Pregnant CD-1 mice were exposed i.p. to LV on pregnancy days 4, 8, 12 or 17. Adult male mice from these pregnancies were stressed by being kept in shared cages. Stress only, LV exposure in utero only, and no-stress/no virus exposure groups were also followed. Outcome variables included bodyweight, epididymal fat weight, baseline glucose, glucose tolerance tests (60 and 120 min) and serum insulin. Results: We demonstrated that male mice developed a type 2-like diabetes, including obesity, as adults if infected during pregnancy with LV. Diabetes at the age of 11 weeks was more severe in mice whose mothers were infected earlier than in those whose mothers were infected later in pregnancy. Only animals infected in utero and kept under stress developed diabetes; infection or stress alone did not cause disease. Conclusions/interpretation: This work demonstrates that a type 2 diabetes-like disease can be virus-induced in a mouse model. Early in utero viral insults can set the stage for disease occurring during adult life, but the final manifestation of diabetes is dependent on the combination of early viral exposure and stress in adult life.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Bengtsson, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Fungus covered insulator materials studied with laser-induced fluorescence and principal component analysis
- 2005
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Ingår i: Applied Spectroscopy. - : SAGE Publications. - 0003-7028 .- 1943-3530. ; 59:8, s. 1037-1041
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A method combining laser-induced fluorescence and principal component analysis to detect and discriminate between algal and fungal growth on insulator materials has been studied. Eight fungal cultures and four insulator materials have been analyzed. Multivariate classifications were utilized to characterize the insulator material, and fungal growth could readily be distinguished from a clean surface. The results of the principal component analyses make it possible to distinguish between algae infected, fungi infected, and clean silicone rubber materials. The experiments were performed in the laboratory using a fiber-optic fluorosensor that consisted of a nitrogen laser and an optical multi-channel analyzer system.
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| 6. |
- Gummesson, Anders, 1973, et al.
(författare)
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Relations of Adipose Tissue Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-like Effector A Gene Expression to Basal Metabolic Rate, Energy Restriction and Obesity: Population-based and Dietary Intervention Studies.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 92:12, s. 4759-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A (CIDEA) could be a potential target for the treatment of obesity via the modulation of metabolic rate, based on the findings that CIDEA inhibits the brown adipose tissue uncoupling process in rodents. Objective: To investigate the putative link between CIDEA and basal metabolic rate in humans, and to further elucidate the role of CIDEA in human obesity. Design: We have explored CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue in two different human studies: A cross-sectional and population-based study assessing body composition and metabolic rate (Mölndal Metabolic study, n=92), and a longitudinal intervention-study of obese subjects treated with a very low calorie diet (VLCD study, n=24). Results: The CIDEA gene was predominantly expressed in adipocytes as compared to other human tissues. CIDEA gene expression in adipose tissue was inversely associated with basal metabolic rate independently of body composition, age and gender (p=0.014). VLCD induced an increase in adipose tissue CIDEA expression (p<0.0001) with a subsequent decrease in response to refeeding (p<0.0001). Reduced CIDEA gene expression was associated with a high body fat content (p<0.0001) and with high insulin levels (p<0.01). No dysregulation of CIDEA expression was observed in individuals with the metabolic syndrome when compared with BMI-matched controls. In a separate sample of VLCD-treated subjects (n=10), uncoupling protein 1 expression was reduced during diet (p=0.0026) and inversely associated with CIDEA expression (p=0.0014). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with the concept that CIDEA plays a role in adipose tissue energy expenditure.
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| 7. |
- Knol, Jeroen J, et al.
(författare)
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A study on the use of empirical models to predict the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps
- 2008
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Ingår i: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. - : Wiley. - 1613-4133 .- 1613-4125. ; 52:3, s. 313-321
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The formation of acrylamide in potato crisps was fitted by empirical mathematical models. Potato slices were fried under the same experimental conditions for different times. Besides the content of precursors in the raw potato slices, acrylamide and water content in the potato crisps were quantified after predetermined times (2-6 min). The temperature developments in the surrounding oil and outer cell layer of the potato slices were monitored, giving more insight in the frying process and making future comparisons between studies possible. The pattern found for the formation of acrylamide, which was similar to earlier studies, was fitted to three empirical models. Statistical methods were used to compare the performance of the models, with the "Logistic-Exponential" and "Empirical" model performing equally well. The obtained model parameters were in the range of earlier reported studies, although this comparison is not unequivocal as the experimental conditions differed between studies. The precision of parameter estimates was problematic; this should be improved by better experimental design. Nevertheless, the approach of this study will make it possible to truly compare acrylamide formation patterns and model parameters in the future, with the ability to develop a tool to predict acrylamide formation in potato crisps.
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| 8. |
- Nilsson, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic, molecular and functional analyses of complement factor I deficiency.
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 1521-4141 .- 0014-2980. ; 39:1, s. 310-323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Complete deficiency of complement inhibitor factor I (FI) results in secondary complement deficiency due to uncontrolled spontaneous alternative pathway activation leading to susceptibility to infections. Current genetic examination of two patients with near complete FI deficiency and three patients with no detectable serum FI and also close family members revealed homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in several domains of FI. These mutations were introduced into recombinant FI and the resulting proteins were purified for functional studies, while transient transfection was used to analyze expression and secretion. The G170V mutation resulted in a protein that was not expressed, whereas the mutations Q232K, C237Y, S250L, I339M and H400L affected secretion. Furthermore, the C237Y and the S250L mutants did not degrade C4b and C3b as efficiently as the WT. The truncated Q336x mutant could be expressed, in vitro, but was not functional because it lacks the serine protease domain. Furthermore, this truncated FI was not detected in serum of the patient. Structural investigations using molecular modeling were performed to predict the potential impact the mutations have on FI structure. This is the first study that investigates, at the functional level, the consequences of molecular defects identified in patients with full FI deficiency.
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| 9. |
- Seelen, MA, et al.
(författare)
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Functional analysis of the classical, alternative, and MBL pathways of the complement system: standardization and validation of a simple ELISA
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Immunological Methods. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-7905 .- 0022-1759. ; 296:1-2, s. 187-198
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary defence against invading microorganisms depends on a functional innate immune system and the complement system plays a major role in such immunity. Deficiencies in one of the components of the complement system can cause severe and recurrent infections, systemic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal disease. Screening for complement deficiencies in the classical or alternative complement pathways has mainly been performed by haemolytic assays. Here. we describe a simple ELISA-based format for the evaluation of three pathways of complement activation. The assays are based on specific coatings for each pathway in combination with specific buffer systems. We have standardized these assays and defined cut off values to detect complement deficiencies at the different levels of the complement system. The results demonstrate the value of these ELISA-based procedures for the functional assessment of complement deficiencies in clinical practice. The assay is now available commercially in kit form.
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| 10. |
- Vaziri-Sani, F., et al.
(författare)
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Factor H binds to washed human platelets
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 3:1, s. 154-162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Factor H regulates the alternative pathway of complement. The protein has three heparin-binding sites, is synthesized primarily in the liver and copurifies from platelets with thrombospondin-1. Factor H mutations at the C-terminus are associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition in which platelets are consumed. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate if factor H interacts with platelets. Methods: Binding of factor H, recombinant C- or N-terminus constructs and a C-terminus mutant to washed (plasma and complement-free) platelets was analyzed by flow cytometry. Binding of factor H and constructs to thrombospondin-1 was measured by surface plasmon resonance. Results: Factor H bound to platelets in a dose-dependent manner. The major binding site was localized to the C-terminus. The interaction was partially blocked by heparin. Inhibition with anti-GPIIb/IIIa, or with fibrinogen, suggested that the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor is involved in factor H binding. Factor H binds to thrombospondin-1. Addition of thrombospondin-1 increased factor H binding to platelets. Factor H mutated at the C-terminus also bound to platelets, albeit to a significantly lesser degree. Conclusions: This study reports a novel property of factor H, i.e. binding to platelets, either directly via the GPIIb/IIIa receptor or indirectly via thrombospondin-1, in the absence of complement. Binding to platelets was mostly mediated by the C-terminal region of factor H and factor H mutated at the C-terminus exhibited reduced binding.
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