Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P30536 (PBS)
 9,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The antibacterial activity and adherence-enhancing effects of nonoxynol-9 were evaluated against vaginal and uropathogenic bacteria. Nonoxynol-9 was markedly less active against the 43 uropathogenic bacterial and yeast strains tested (MIC90, greater than 32%) than against the 26 Gardnerella vaginalis strains (MIC90, less than or equal to 0.015%) and the 53 Lactobacillus strains (MIC90, 8%) tested. Hydrogen peroxide-producing strains of Lactobacillus were more susceptible to nonoxynol-9 (MIC90, 4%) than nonproducers (MIC90, 16%). Two Escherichia coli strains that expressed type 1 fimbriae and three vaginal strains of lactobacilli adhered in significantly higher numbers to vaginal epithelial cells preincubated with 5% nonoxynol-9 than to control cells preincubated with PBS. Spermicides may provide a selective advantage in colonizing the vagina with nonoxynol-9-resistant uropathogens such as E. coli, perhaps via a reduction in vaginal lactobacilli (especially hydrogen peroxide-producing strains) and through enhancement of adherence of E. coli to epithelial cells.
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PMID:Nonoxynol-9: differential antibacterial activity and enhancement of bacterial adherence to vaginal epithelial cells. 165 2

The distribution of the estrogen receptor (ER) was investigated in neonatal female genital tracts (uterus, oviduct, cervix, and vagina) from days 1-22 after birth, using immunohistochemistry employing an anti-ER monoclonal antibody. In uteri, the ER in epithelial cells began to be observed by day 4. The number of positive epithelial cells and the staining intensity gradually increased until day 22 of age. On the other hand, uterine stroma cells gave a strong ER immunostaining even on day 1. The staining intensity reached a maximum by days 4-7 and then slightly decreased with age. In the oviduct, cervix, and vagina, epithelial cells showed positive ER immunostaining on day 1, and the intensity increased gradually until day 22. ER immunostaining in stroma cells was almost constant during the development period. The ER in both epithelial and stroma cells from these younger animals showed similar biochemical properties, i.e. an increased affinity for nuclei and resistance to extraction with PBS. Thus, during neonatal development of the female reproductive tract, ER is present not only in stroma cells but also in epithelial cells. This ER protein exhibits properties and characteristics similar to those of adult mice. The presence of ER suggests that some of the estrogen actions of cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue abnormalities resulting from prenatal and postnatal estrogen administration may be mediated by receptor interactions.
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PMID:Developmental pattern of estrogen receptor expression in female mouse genital tracts. 258 44

The effect of epidermal or liver G1 and G2 chalone-containing extracts (CCE), prepared from rat skin and liver, upon DMBA-induced carcinogenesis in the vagina of BALB/c mice was studied. One per cent solutions of CCE in PBS were administered intravaginally on polyurethane sponges twice a week during the course of intravaginal applications of DMBA or after its completion up to the death of mice. When administered during te course of DMBA treatment, skin CCE prolonged the latency of cervicovaginal tumours in comparison with liver CCE (48.0 +/- 0.37 and 44.8 +/- 0.54 days, respectively; p less than 0.05). When administered after the course of DMBA application, skin CCE prolonged the lifespan of mice bearing cervicovaginal squamous cell carcinomas in comparison with liver CCE (192 +/- 12.3 and 161 +/- 9.0 days, respectively; p less than 0.05). Skin CCE did not possess any general toxic effect on mice and they were bearing CCE applications for a rather a long period without visible side effects.
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PMID:Study on antiblastomogenic action of epidermal chalones. II. Effect of epidermal chalones on carcinogenesis in the vagina. 645 49

It is established that endogenous relaxin promotes the growth and development of the cervix, mammary glands, and nipples in pregnant rats. Additionally, the observation that porcine relaxin promotes growth of the vagina in both nonpregnant and pregnant rats provides indirect evidence that endogenous relaxin may effect growth of the vagina during rat pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endogenous relaxin promotes growth of the vagina in pregnant rats. To that end, a monoclonal antibody, specific for rat relaxin, designated MCA1, was used to passively neutralize endogenous relaxin throughout the second half of pregnancy in intact rats. Five milligrams of highly purified MCA1 were injected iv to rats daily from days 12-22 of pregnancy. Controls received either a monoclonal antibody for fluorescein or PBS. The vaginal wet weight, dry weight, length, diameter, inner surface area, DNA content, and percent water content were determined. No differences were found between monoclonal antibody for fluorescein and PBS controls for any of the measured vaginal parameters. In contrast, values for all physical parameters, except percent water content, were significantly lower in MCA1-treated rats than in controls. Vaginal DNA content was also lower in MCA1-treated rats than in controls; and this observation supports the view that relaxin induces vaginal growth at least in part by promoting cell proliferation. To examine the mechanism of relaxin's apparent action on the vagina, specific relaxin-binding sites were localized immunohistochemically. Relaxin-binding sites were found in epithelial and smooth muscle cells, and the binding was specific for relaxin. We conclude that endogenous relaxin promotes growth of the vagina in pregnant rats.
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PMID:Monoclonal antibodies specific for rat relaxin. IX. Evidence that endogenous relaxin promotes growth of the vagina during the second half of pregnancy in rats. 859 85

The purpose of this study was to systematically compare 3 collection methods, Sno-strips, wicks and cervical-vaginal lavage, for analysis of immunoglobulin concentrations in female genital secretions. In each of 8 women, absorbent wicks and Sno-strips were applied at 4 locations: the lateral wall of the vagina; the posterior vaginal fornix; the surface of the exocervix; and the endocervical canal. Cervical-vaginal lavage was then performed in 4 women with 5 ml PBS. Immunoglobulin and protein concentrations in lavage samples were generally over 100 times lower than in the secretions captured directly from mucosal surfaces with either Sno-strips or wicks. Capture of undiluted secretions with either wicks or Sno-strips allowed calculation of actual immunoglobulin concentrations at specific mucosal sites: for example, median IgA levels were consistently highest in the endocervix and lowest in the vagina. Such information may be crucial in evaluating the correlates of protective immunity against micro-organisms that infect or invade discrete regions of the genital mucosa.
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PMID:Comparative analysis of methods for collection and measurement of immunoglobulins in cervical and vaginal secretions of women. 910 4

This study employed morphometric analysis to evaluate changes in the histological characteristics that accompany relaxin-induced growth and softening of the vagina during the second half of rat pregnancy. There were three treatment groups (N = 4/group). Five milligrams of a monoclonal antibody for rat relaxin, designated MCA1, were injected i.v. daily on days 12-21 of gestation to treatment group MCA1. Control groups received either 5 mg of monoclonal antibody for fluorescein (MCAF; monoclonal antibody control) or 0.5 ml PBS (vehicle control). Vaginas were removed on day 22 of pregnancy, fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin, and embedded in paraffin. Tissue sections (5 microm) were stained with Gomori's trichrome to visualize collagen, or orcein to visualize elastin. Measurements were performed with a light microscope equipped with a video camera connected to a computer. Within the vaginal stroma, the density of collagen fiber bundles was lower, the length of elastin fibers was shorter, and the cross-sectional area and wall thickness of arteries were greater in relaxin-replete control rats than in relaxin-deficient MCA1-treated rats. These relaxin-induced changes in the stroma appear to account, at least in part, for the hormone's softening effect on the vagina. Within the epithelium, there were approximately 2-fold more basal and mucus-secreting cells in relaxin-replete control rats than in MCA1-treated rats. The relaxin-induced accumulation of epithelial cells appears to contribute to vaginal growth. We conclude that relaxin plays a role in preparing the vagina as well as the cervix for rapid and safe delivery in pregnant rats.
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PMID:Monoclonal antibodies specific for rat relaxin. X. Endogenous relaxin induces changes in the histological characteristics of the rat vagina during the second half of pregnancy. 979 85

The spread of sexually transmitted infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has continued unabated despite educational efforts generated in response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Given the absence of effective vaccines, this indicates the need to develop prophylactic measures such as topical antiviral agents. Chemical modification of bovine beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG), the major protein of whey, by hydroxyphthalic anhydride (3HP) led to the generation of a potent HIV-1 inhibitor designated 3HP-beta-LG. This agent was shown to also have antiviral activity against HSV-2 and HSV-1 in vitro. Recent studies indicate that 3HP-beta-LG binds to HSV-1 virions, which, at least in part, involves the viral glycoprotein gE. Here we show that 3HP-beta-LG inhibits HSV-2 infection in the mouse model of genital HSV-2 infection. Simultaneous exposure to HSV-2 and 3HP-beta-LG caused a significant decrease in the proportion of infected animals (27% virus shedding, 5% lesion development and 0% fatality for 3HP-beta-LG as compared to 80% shedding, 60% lesion development and 53% fatality in mice treated with PBS). The proportion of animals with HSV-2 infection after treatment with beta-LG was similar to that in the PBS-treated group. Pretreatment with 3HP-beta-LG formulated in a gel, which prolongs the presence of the agent in the vagina, also significantly reduced the proportion of HSV-2-infected mice (5% virus shedding, 5% lesion development and 0% fatality for 3HP-beta-LG as compared to 70% shedding, 60% lesion development and 40% fatality in vehicle-treated mice). These differences were significant (P < or = 0.0005, 0.002 and 0.008 for shedding, lesion development and fatality, respectively). Virus titres in the minority of mice that developed infection were similar to those in untreated mice. HSV-2 infection was not inhibited by treatment of an ongoing infection, indicating that 3HP-beta-LG interferes with the initial infection. These data suggest that 3HP-beta-LG may be an efficacious agent for preventing vaginal transmission of genital herpesvirus infections.
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PMID:3-Hydroxyphthaloyl beta-lactoglobulin. IV Antiviral activity in the mouse model of genital herpesvirus infection. 987 14

To develop more potent and convenient mucosal vaccines, we investigated the effect of an in situ-gelling mucoadhesive vaginal vaccine delivery system and a genetic chemokine adjuvant on the local and systemic immune responses. The in situ-gelling mucoadhesive delivery system of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), composed of poloxamers and polycarbophil, showed the prolonged retention at the vaginal tissues. Following intravaginal administration to mice, HBsAg-specific IgA was induced in the vagina and saliva, and IgG was produced in the serum. RANTES-expressing plasmid (pRANTES) intravaginally coadministered with HBsAg showed the expression at the vaginal tissues, and more effectively induced the vaginal IgA and serum IgG immune responses than did cholera toxin (CT). The intramuscular coadministration of pRANTES with HBsAg also increased both serum IgG levels and mucosal IgA levels. Regardless of the adjuvants, the in situ-gelling mucoadhesive HBsAg delivery system enhanced the mucosal and systemic immune responses. At 42 days after the first immunization, the highest vaginal IgA levels were induced after intravaginal immunization of HBsAg plus pRANTES using the in situ-gelling mucoadhesive delivery system, showing 182- and 1035-fold higher titer compared to the groups receiving HBsAg alone in PBS by intravaginal and intramuscular routes, respectively. Our results indicate that the use of in situ-gelling mucoadhesive delivery systems with the genetic chemokine adjuvant pRANTES would be advantageous for more effective induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses to intravaginally administered vaccines.
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PMID:Enhanced mucosal and systemic immune responses to a vaginal vaccine coadministered with RANTES-expressing plasmid DNA using in situ-gelling mucoadhesive delivery system. 1270 87

The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the localization of spermatozoa in the reproductive tract of female domestic cats before (30 min and 3 h after mating) and after ovulation (48 and 96 h after mating), and to evaluate the efficiency of two techniques for studying sperm distribution. Estrus was induced in twenty-four female cats using 100 IU eCG and the females were divided into four groups with six females per group. The same male cat was used for mating with all the females. One group of six females was mated once; the others were mated four times in 1 h. Ovariohysterectomy was performed at 30 min, 3 h, 48 h, and 96 h after mating and the excised reproductive tracts were divided into seven segments on each side: infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, uterotubal junction (UTJ), cranial and caudal uterine horn, and uterine body. The vagina and the lumina of the segments from one side were flushed with 0.5 ml PBS. The flushed and the non-flushed segments from the contralateral side were then fixed in 3% neutral buffered formalin and processed for routine histology. The numbers of spermatozoa in the flushings and in 40 histological sections from each segment were counted. Before ovulation, the majority of spermatozoa was detected in the vagina and the uterine segments, whereas after ovulation, significantly higher numbers of spermatozoa were present in the uterine tubal segments. The decreasing gradient in sperm numbers at 30 min and 3 h after mating between the vagina, the uterine segments, including the UTJ, and the uterine tubal segments indicated that the cervix and the UTJ served as barriers for sperm transport in the cat. The UTJ and the uterine crypts acted as sperm reservoirs before ovulation whereas the isthmus was a sperm reservoir around the time of ovulation. There was no difference in sperm numbers in the tissue sections between flushed and non-flushed segments, implying that the flushing technique only recovered some intraluminal spermatozoa while most of the spermatozoa remained in the epithelial crypts. This was further supported by the finding that significantly higher numbers of spermatozoa were recovered in the flushings at 30 min and 3 h after mating, when more spermatozoa were free in the lumina, than at 48 and 96 h after mating, when the majority of the spermatozoa were entrapped in the uterine epithelial crypts.
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PMID:Distribution of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract of the domestic cat in relation to ovulation induced by natural mating. 1528 45

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of oviductal proteins obtained from various stages of the estrous cycle on spermatozoa characteristics in buffaloes. Oviducts were collected from apparently healthy buffalo genital tracts (nonluteal and luteal stage of estrous cycle) and separated into isthmus and ampulla. Each segment of oviduct (nonluteal and luteal) was flushed with PBS (pH 7.4). The flushing obtained was centrifuged (3000 rpm; 30 min), filtered (0.2 microm) and frozen at -20 degrees C. The proteins in pooled nonluteal isthmic and ampullary and luteal isthmic and ampullary fluids were precipitated overnight using ammonium sulphate, centrifuged (10000 rpm; 30 min) and dialyzed (>10 kDa). After protein estimation, aliquots of samples containing 10 mg proteins were lyophilized in cryovials and stored in frozen form at -20 degrees C. Six pooled good-quality ejaculates collected by artificial vagina method from two Murrah buffalo bulls were utilized for the study. After fresh semen analysis, each pooled ejaculate was splited into five parts and extended in Tris-egg yolk-citrate extender (20% egg yolk; 7% glycerol), so that final dilution yielded approximately 60 million sperm cells per ml, and cryopreserved in 0.5 ml French straws (30 million sperm cells/straw) in LN(2) (-196 degrees C). Before freezing, nonluteal isthmic and ampullary and luteal isthmic and ampullary proteins were incorporated at the rate of 1mg/ml of extended semen. The equilibrated and frozen-thawed (37 degrees C for 30 s) semen was evaluated for motility, live %, acrosomal integrity percentage, bovine cervical mucus penetration test and hypo-osmotic sperm swelling test. Besides this, spermatozoa from treatment and control groups were incubated at 37 degrees C for 6 h in sperm TALP. Among the nonluteal and luteal oviductal proteins, the former maintained higher (P < 0.05) post-thaw sperm motility, live %, and acrosomal integrity than the control group. Between the isthmic and ampullary proteins, the isthmic proteins incorporated group maintained higher (P < 0.05) post-thaw sperm motility, live %, and acrosomal integrity. Similarly, higher sperm penetration distance in cervical mucus was recorded in nonluteal isthmic proteins incorporated group. But, irrespective of the stage of an estrous cycle, isthmic proteins included group maintains higher sperm membrane integrity as revealed by higher (P < 0.05) swollen sperm percentage in response to hypo-osmotic solution than the ampullary proteins included and control groups. Similarly, at any time during incubation the sperm motility and viability was higher (P < 0.05) in isthmic proteins treated group than the ampullary and control group. But, the same trend was not observed in terms of acrosomal integrity percentages. It is inferred that inclusion of oviductal proteins in the extender prior to freezing improved post-thaw semen quality. Oviductal proteins differentially affected sperm function depending upon the region of oviduct and the stage of estrous cycle at which the proteins were obtained.
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PMID:Modulation of post-thaw sperm functions with oviductal proteins in buffaloes. 1595 Apr 8


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