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A Ghorpade

Publications and source records attributed to A Ghorpade.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

HIV-1 and IL-1 beta regulate Fas ligand expression in human astrocytes through the NF-kappa B pathway.

Reactive astrogliosis is a prominent pathological feature of HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). We hypothesized that in HAD, astrocytes activated with proinflammatory stimuli such as IL-1beta express Fas ligand (FasL), a death protein. IL-1beta and HIV-1-activated astrocytes expressed FasL mRNA and protein. Luciferase reporter constructs showed that IL-1beta and HIV-1 upregulated FasL promoter activity (p<0.001). The NF-kappaB pathway was involved as shown by inhibition with SN50 and dominant negative IkappaBalpha mutants. Brain extracts from HAD patients had significantly elevated FasL levels compared to HIV-seropositive (p<0.001) and seronegative individuals (p<0.01). We propose that astrocyte expression of FasL may participate in neuronal injury in HAD.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Lupus vulgaris over a tattoo mark--inoculation tuberculosis.

Lupus vulgaris developing after tattooing and remaining exclusively confined to it, in a 40-year-old-lady is reported. The tattooing was done one year earlier by a roadside tattoo artist. Diagnosis was suggested by the clinical features and confirmed by histopathology.

Adult↗

Inoculation (tattoo) leprosy: a report of 31 cases.

Thirty-one female patients with leprosy lesions starting over tattoo marks observed over a period of 16 years are reported. All the patients belonged to the Chhattisgarh State, which is highly endemic for leprosy. Most of the patients were in the third decade of life. All of them had ornamental tattooing done by roadside tattoo artists, who used unsterile needles for tattooing a large gathering one after another with the same needles. In all of them, the first lesion of leprosy started over a tattoo mark. Twenty-five cases had only single lesion of leprosy exclusively confined to tattoo marks. The duration between tattooing and appearance of first lesion in most of the cases varied from 10 to 20 years. Paucibacillary leprosy was the commonest type observed in 29 cases, while two had multibacillary leprosy. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in all cases. The present report supports the hypothesis of transmission of leprosy in these cases through tattooing. To the best of our knowledge, such a large collection of leprosy cases subsequent to tattooing has not been reported so far.

Adult↗

Mononuclear phagocyte differentiation, activation, and viral infection regulate matrix metalloproteinase expression: implications for human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated dementia.

The pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated dementia (HAD) is mediated mainly by mononuclear phagocyte (MP) secretory products and their interactions with neural cells. Viral infection and MP immune activation may affect leukocyte entry into the brain. One factor that influences central nervous system (CNS) monocyte migration is matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In the CNS, MMPs are synthesized by resident glial cells and affect the integrity of the neuropil extracellular matrix (ECM). To ascertain how MMPs influence HAD pathogenesis, we studied their secretion following MP differentiation, viral infection, and cellular activation. HIV-1-infected and/or immune-activated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and human fetal microglia were examined for production of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9. MMP expression increased significantly with MP differentiation. Microglia secreted high levels of MMPs de novo that were further elevated following CD40 ligand-mediated cell activation. Surprisingly, HIV-1 infection of MDM led to the down-regulation of MMP-9. In encephalitic brain tissue, MMPs were expressed within perivascular and parenchymal MP, multinucleated giant cells, and microglial nodules. These data suggest that MMP production in MP is dependent on cell type, differentiation, activation, and/or viral infection. Regulation of MMP expression by these factors may contribute to neuropil ECM degradation and leukocyte migration during HAD.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Highly productive infection with pseudotyped human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) indicates no intracellular restrictions to HIV-1 replication in primary human astrocytes.

Human astrocytes can be infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro and in vivo, but, in contrast to T lymphocytes and macrophages, virus expression is inefficient. To investigate the HIV-1 life cycle in human fetal astrocytes, we infected cells with HIV-1 pseudotyped with envelope glycoproteins of either amphotropic murine leukemia virus or vesicular stomatitis virus. Infection by both pseudotypes was productive and long lasting and reached a peak of 68% infected cells and 1.7 microg of viral p24 per ml of culture supernatant 7 days after virus inoculation and then continued with gradually declining levels of virus expression through 7 weeks of follow-up. This contrasted with less than 0.1% HIV-1 antigen-positive cells and 400 pg of extracellular p24 per ml at the peak of astrocyte infection with native HIV-1. Cell viability and growth kinetics were similar in infected and control cells. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of major HIV-1 RNA species of 9, 4, and 2 kb in astrocytes exposed to pseudotyped (but not wild-type) HIV-1 at 2, 14, and 28 days after infection. Consistent with productive infection, the 9- and 4-kb viral transcripts in astrocytes infected by pseudotyped HIV-1 were as abundant as the 2-kb mRNA during 4 weeks of follow-up, and both structural and regulatory viral proteins were detected in infected cells by immunoblotting or cell staining. The progeny virus released by these cells was infectious. These results indicate that the major barrier to HIV-1 infection of primary astrocytes is at virus entry and that astrocytes have no intrinsic intracellular restriction to efficient HIV-1 replication.

Astrocytes↗

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a patient of acute renal failure.

Mucormycosis is the name for invasive fungal infection caused by mucorales. The disease is uncommon and produces serious and rapidly fatal infection in patients with serious pre-existing illness. The classical presentation of rhinocerebral mucormycosis is involvement of nasal mucosa with invasion of paranasal sinuses and orbit. We report a case of mucormycosis in an otherwise healthy female who had developed acute renal failure following gastroenteritis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Intracellular CXCR4 signaling, neuronal apoptosis and neuropathogenic mechanisms of HIV-1-associated dementia.

The mechanism(s) by which HIV-1 affects neural injury in HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) remains unknown. To ascertain the role that cellular and viral macrophage products play in HAD neurotoxicity, we explored one potential route for neuronal demise, CXCR4. CXCR4, expressed on lymphocytes and neurons, is both a part of neural development and a co-receptor for HIV-1. Its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha), affects neuronal viability. GTP binding protein (G-protein) linked signaling after neuronal exposure to SDF-1alpha, virus-infected monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) secretory products, and virus was determined. In both human and rat neurons, CXCR4 was expressed at high levels. SDF-1alpha/beta was detected predominantly in astrocytes and at low levels in MDM. SDF-1beta/beta was expressed in HAD brain tissue and upregulated in astrocytes exposed to virus infected and/or immune activated MDM conditioned media (fluids). HIV-1-infected MDM secretions, virus and SDF-1beta induced a G inhibitory (Gi) protein-linked decrease in cyclic AMP (cAMP) and increase inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) and intracellular calcium. Such effects were partially blocked by antibodies to CXCR4 or removal of virus from MDM fluids. Changes in G-protein-coupled signaling correlated, but were not directly linked, to increased neuronal synaptic transmission, Caspase 3 activation and apoptosis. These data, taken together, suggest that CXCR4-mediated signal transduction may be a potential mechanism for neuronal dysfunction during HAD.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Microglial and astrocyte chemokines regulate monocyte migration through the blood-brain barrier in human immunodeficiency virus-1 encephalitis.

The numbers of immune-activated brain mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) affect the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated dementia (HAD). Such MPs originate, in measure, from a pool of circulating monocytes. To address the mechanism(s) for monocyte penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we performed cross-validating laboratory, animal model, and human brain tissue investigations into HAD pathogenesis. First, an artificial BBB was constructed in which human brain microvascular endothelial and glial cells-astrocytes, microglia, and/or monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM)-were placed on opposite sides of a matrix-coated porous membrane. Second, a SCID mouse model of HIV-1 encephalitis (HIVE) was used to determine in vivo monocyte blood-to-brain migration. Third, immunohistochemical analyses of human HIVE tissue defined the relationships between astrogliosis, activation of microglia, virus infection, monocyte brain infiltration, and beta-chemokine expression. The results, taken together, showed that HIV-1-infected microglia increased monocyte migration through an artificial BBB 2 to 3.5 times more than replicate numbers of MDM. In the HIVE SCID mice, a marked accumulation of murine MDM was found in areas surrounding virus-infected human microglia but not MDM. For human HIVE, microglial activation and virus infection correlated with astrogliosis, monocyte transendothelial migration, and beta-chemokine expression. Pure cultures of virus-infected and activated microglia or astrocytes exposed to microglial conditioned media produced significant quantities of beta-chemokines. We conclude that microglial activation alone and/or through its interactions with astrocytes induces beta-chemokine-mediated monocyte migration in HAD.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Lymphotropic virions affect chemokine receptor-mediated neural signaling and apoptosis: implications for human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated dementia.

Chemokine receptors pivotal for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in lymphocytes and macrophages (CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR4) are expressed on neural cells (microglia, astrocytes, and/or neurons). It is these cells which are damaged during progressive HIV-1 infection of the central nervous system. We theorize that viral coreceptors could effect neural cell damage during HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) without simultaneously affecting viral replication. To these ends, we studied the ability of diverse viral strains to affect intracellular signaling and apoptosis of neurons, astrocytes, and monocyte-derived macrophages. Inhibition of cyclic AMP, activation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and apoptosis were induced by diverse HIV-1 strains, principally in neurons. Virions from T-cell-tropic (T-tropic) strains (MN, IIIB, and Lai) produced the most significant alterations in signaling of neurons and astrocytes. The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp120, induced markedly less neural damage than purified virions. Macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) strains (ADA, JR-FL, Bal, MS-CSF, and DJV) produced the least neural damage, while 89.6, a dual-tropic HIV-1 strain, elicited intermediate neural cell damage. All T-tropic strain-mediated neuronal impairments were blocked by the CXCR4 antibody, 12G5. In contrast, the M-tropic strains were only partially blocked by 12G5. CXCR4-mediated neuronal apoptosis was confirmed in pure populations of rat cerebellar granule neurons and was blocked by HA1004, an inhibitor of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, protein kinase A, and protein kinase C. Taken together, these results suggest that progeny HIV-1 virions can influence neuronal signal transduction and apoptosis. This process occurs, in part, through CXCR4 and is independent of CD4 binding. T-tropic viruses that traffic in and out of the brain during progressive HIV-1 disease may play an important role in HAD neuropathogenesis.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of bubaline growth hormone.

The cDNA for Bubalus bubalis growth hormone (GH) has been cloned and sequence determined through RT-PCR approach. The nucleotide sequence of bubaline GH cDNA was in a single reading frame coding for a protein of 191 residues comprising a putative signal sequence of 27 amino acids. Homology comparison of the sequence with other mammalian GH cDNAs showed a very high degree of evolutionary conservation. Bubaline GH sequence shared a homology of 99.5%, 99.5%, 98.6%, 87.6% and 61.9% with that of ovine, caprine, bovine, porcine and human, respectively at amino acid level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of inflammatory neurotoxins by highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-associated dementia.

A human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV)-seropositive, antiretroviral-naive patient presented with significant cognitive dysfunction. Neuropsychologic, neuroradiologic, immunologic, and virologic studies confirmed HIV-associated dementia (HAD). After 12 weeks of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with ibuprofen, dramatic improvements were demonstrated in neurologic function and were sustained for > 1 year. HIV-1 RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) decreased from 10(5) to 10(4) copies/mL after 4 weeks. After 20 weeks of therapy, plasma viremia decreased from 10(6) copies/mL to undetectable (< 96 copies/mL). Assays of neurotoxins (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, quinolinic acid, and nitric oxide) in plasma and CSF were considerably elevated at presentation and significantly decreased after therapy. Baseline plasma and CSF demonstrated neurotoxic activities in vitro, which also reduced markedly. These data, taken together, support the notion that HAD is a reversible metabolic encephalopathy fueled by viral replication. HAART used with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents leads to the suppression of inflammatory neurotoxins and can markedly improve neurologic function in HAD.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Human immunodeficiency virus neurotropism: an analysis of viral replication and cytopathicity for divergent strains in monocytes and microglia.

Productive replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in brain macrophages and microglia is a critical component of viral neuropathogenesis. However, how virus-macrophage interactions lead to neurological disease remains incompletely understood. Possibly, a differential ability of virus to replicate in brain tissue macrophages versus macrophages in other tissues underlies HIV-1 neurovirulence. To these ends, we established systems for the isolation and propagation of pure populations of human microglia and then analyzed the viral life cycles of divergent HIV-1 strains in these cells and in cultured monocytes by using identical viral inocula and indicator systems. The HIV-1 isolates included those isolated from blood, lung tissue, cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), and brain tissues of infected subjects: HIV-1(ADA) and HIV-1(89.6) (from peripheral blood mononuclear cells), HIV-1(DJV) and HIV-1(JR-FL) (from brain tissue), HIV-1(SF162) (from CSF), and HIV-1(BAL) (from lung tissue). The synthesis of viral nucleic acids and viral mRNA, cytopathicity, and release of progeny virions were assessed. A significant heterogeneity among macrophage-tropic isolates for infection of monocytes and microglia was demonstrated. Importantly, a complete analysis of the viral life cycle revealed no preferential differences in the abilities of the HIV-1 strains tested to replicate in microglia and/or monocytes. Macrophage tropism likely dictates the abilities of HIV-1 to invade, replicate, and incite disease within its microglial target cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Role of the beta-chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of monocytes and microglia.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in mononuclear phagocyte lineage cells (monocytes, macrophages, and microglia) is a critical component in the pathogenesis of viral infection. Viral replication in macrophages serves as a reservoir, a site of dissemination, and an instigator for neurological sequelae during HIV-1 disease. Recent studies demonstrated that chemokine receptors are necessary coreceptors for HIV-1 entry which determine viral tropism for different cell types. To investigate the relative contribution of the beta-chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 to viral infection of mononuclear phagocytes we utilized a panel of macrophage-tropic HIV-1 strains (from blood and brain tissue) to infect highly purified populations of monocytes and microglia. Antibodies to CD4 (OKT4A) abrogated HIV-1 infection. The beta chemokines and antibodies to CCR3 failed to affect viral infection of both macrophage cell types. Antibodies to CCR5 (3A9) prevented monocyte infection but only slowed HIV replication in microglia. Thus, CCR5, not CCR3, is an essential receptor for HIV-1 infection of monocytes. Microglia express both CCR5 and CCR3, but antibodies to them fail to inhibit viral entry, suggesting the presence of other chemokine receptors for infection of these cells. These studies demonstrate the importance of mononuclear phagocyte heterogeneity in establishing HIV-1 infection and persistence.

Animals↗

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 production and its binding to the matrix are increased in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Degradation of the elastic media is a hallmark of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). We examined the expression of 2 elastolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, in AAA aortic tissues compared with those from atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AOD) and nondiseased control tissues. Quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and gelatin zymography showed increased MMP-9 mRNA and protein in both AAA and AOD tissues compared with those in control tissue, but there was no significant difference between AAA and AOD. In contrast, MMP-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in AAA than in AOD or control tissues. Sequential extraction of the MMPs from the aortic tissue with a physiological salt solution, 2% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and 10 mol/L urea showed that large amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were bound to the matrix. The most conspicuous finding was that the levels of MMP-2 were significantly elevated in the DMSO fraction in AAA tissues compared with AOD and control tissues. In addition, a large portion of MMP-2 found in the DMSO and urea fractions was in the active 62-kDa form, indicating that the precursor of MMP-2 in AAA is largely activated locally and binds to the tissue matrix tightly. By immunolocalization, MMP-9 was found to be primarily produced by macrophages and MMP-2 by mesenchymal cells. The production of MMP-2 was prominent when mesenchymal cells were surrounded by inflammatory cells, suggesting paracrine modulation of MMP-2 expression in AAAs. These observations emphasize that MMP-2 participates in the progression of AAAs by degrading aortic tissue matrix components.

Aged↗

Verrucoid cutaneous rhinosporidiosis.

Verruca vulgaris like lesions of cutaneous rhinosporidiosis are reported in a middle aged Indian male. He also had nasal rhinosporidiosis. Imprint smears from skin lesions showed sporangia with endospores, confirming the diagnosis.

Adult↗

Biochemistry and molecular regulation of matrix macromolecules in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Past concepts of aneurysmal dilatation as a passive process of attenuation are oversimplified and inaccurate. Aneurysm formation is a complex remodeling process that involves both synthesis and degradation of matrix proteins. Interstitial procollagen gene expression is increased in AAA compared to AOD or normal aorta, whereas tropoelastin gene expression is decreased in both AOD and AAA. The medial elastin network is disrupted and discontinuous in small AAA. Thus, the growth rate of an established AAA may well relate to the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation. Although the increased procollagen expression found in AAA may represent a compensatory response, understanding the factors that modulate matrix metabolism in AAA may allow for development of pharmacologic strategies which effectively inhibit the growth of small aneurysms.

Animals↗