DJ-1 is a novel oncogene and causative gene for familial form of the Parkinson's disease (PD). DJ-1 has been shown to play a role in anti-oxidative stress by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The onset of PD is thought to be caused by oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury, which leads to protein aggregation that results in neuronal cell death. However, the mechanism by which DJ-1 triggers the onset of PD is still not clear. In this study, we analyzed association and localization of DJ-1 and its mutants with various chaperones. The results showed that DJ-1 and its mutants were associated with Hsp70, CHIP and mtHsp70/Grp75, a mitochondria-resident Hsp70, and that L166P and M26I mutants found in PD patients were strongly associated with Hsp70 and CHIP compared to wild-type and other DJ-1 mutants. DJ-1 and its mutants were colocalized with Hsp70 and CHIP in cells. Furthermore, association and colocalization of wildtype DJ-1 with mtHsp70 in mitochondria were found to be enhanced by treatment of cells with H2O2. These results suggest that translocation of DJ-1 to mitochondria after oxidative stress is carried out in association with chaperones.

Osteopontin is critically involved in rheumatoid arthritis; however, the molecular cross-talk between osteopontin and joint cell components that leads to the inflammatory joint destruction is largely unknown. We found that not only osteopontin but also tenascin-C and their common receptor, α9 integrin, are expressed at arthritic joints. The local production of osteopontin and tenascin-C is mainly due to synovial fibroblasts and, to a lesser extent, synovial macrophages. Synovial fibroblasts and macrophages express α9 integrin, and autocrine and paracrine interactions of α9 integrin on synovial fibroblasts and macrophages and its ligands contribute differently to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. α9 integrin is also involved in the recruitment and accumulation of inflammatory cells. Inhibition of α9 integrin function with an anti-α9 integrin Ab significantly reduces the production of arthrogenic cytokines and chemokines and ameliorates ongoing arthritis. Thus, we identified α9 integrin as a critical intrinsic regulator that controls the development of autoimmune arthritis.

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BackgroundEnterobius vermicularis infection is a prevalent intestinal parasitic disease in children. In this study, we explored the epidemiological status and risk factors for E. vermicularis infection in children in southern China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gaozhou city, Guangdong province, China, in December 2011. Children aged 2–12 years from five schools participated in the study. The adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method was applied to detect E. vermicularis infection, while a questionnaire was sent to each child’s guardian(s) to collect demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as hygiene behaviors, pertaining to each child. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to capture the potential risk factors.ResultsOut of the 802 children surveyed, 440 were infected with E. vermicularis, with an average prevalence of 54.86 %, and a range from 45.96 to 68.13 %. The age variable was found to be statistically significant, whereas the sex variable was not. It was found that a mother’s education level (low) and not washing hands before dinner were major risk factors in all children (802). After stratification by age, a father’s education level (primary or below) and biting pencils (or toys) were significant risk factors in the younger children (508), while not washing hands before dinner and playing on the ground were important risk factors in the older children (294).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection in children in Gaozhou and reveals underlying risk factors. Most importantly, it reveals that risk factors differ among the different age groups, which indicates that different control measures targeted at particular age groups should be implemented.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0058-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.