Increased albumin plasma efflux contributes to hypoalbuminemia only during early phase of sepsis in rats

The mechanisms leading to hypoalbuminemia in sepsis were explored by measuring plasma volume, albumin distribution, plasma albumin transcapillary escape rate (TER), and efflux (TER x albumin intravascular pool). These parameters were quantified in infected rats, injected intravenously with live Escherichia coli, and pair-fed and well-fed rats using an injection of (35)S-albumin and measuring plasma and whole body albumin concentrations. Animals were studied on days 1, 6, and 10 after infection. In pair-fed rats, neither albumin distribution nor exchange rate between the intra- and extravascular compartments was modified. The increase of plasma volume after infection partly explained hypoalbuminemia. Infection resulted in a reduction of the total albumin pool of the body all along the experimental period, indicating a net loss of the protein. Albumin TER (%/day) was significantly increased 1 and 6 days after infection, but the absolute efflux was increased only on day 1. Normal values were observed on day 10. Therefore, an accelerated plasma efflux contributes to hypoalbuminemia only during the early period of sepsis. During this phase, the protein was retained in the extravascular space where it was probably catabolized. Later on, other factors are probably involved.     

Acquisition of viral receptor by NK cells through immunological synapse

Occasional EBV infection of human NK cells may lead to malignant diseases such as naso-pharyngeal NK lymphoma although NK cells do not express CD21, the primary receptor for EBV. Here we show that during early EBV infection in patients, NK cells attacked EBV-infected autologous B cells. In vitro, NK cells activated by conjugation to CD21(+) B-EBV cell targets transiently acquired a weak CD21(+) phenotype by synaptic transfer of few receptor molecules onto their own membrane. In the presence of viral particles, these ectopic receptors allowed EBV binding to the novel NK cell host. Hence, trans-synaptic acquisition of viral receptor from target cells might constitute an unsuspected mode of infection for otherwise unreachable lymphoid hosts.     

Direct activation of AMP-activated protein kinase stimulates nitric-oxide synthesis in human aortic endothelial cells

Recent studies have indicated that endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is regulated by reversible phosphorylation in intact endothelial cells. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has previously been demonstrated to phosphorylate and activate eNOS at Ser-1177 in vitro, yet the function of AMPK in endothelium is poorly characterized. We therefore determined whether activation of AMPK with 5'-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) stimulated NO production in human aortic endothelial cells. AICAR caused the time- and dose-dependent stimulation of AMPK activity, with a concomitant increase in eNOS Ser-1177 phosphorylation and NO production. AMPK was associated with immunoprecipitates of eNOS, yet this was unaffected by increasing concentrations of AICAR. AICAR also caused the time- and dose-dependent stimulation of protein kinase B phosphorylation. To confirm that the effects of AICAR were indeed mediated by AMPK, we utilized adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant negative AMPK mutant. Expression of dominant negative AMPK attenuated AICAR-stimulated AMPK activity, eNOS Ser-1177 phosphorylation and NO production and was without effect on AICAR-stimulated protein kinase B Ser-473 phosphorylation or NO production stimulated by insulin or A23187. These data suggest that AICAR-stimulated NO production is mediated by AMPK as a consequence of increased Ser-1177 phosphorylation of eNOS. We propose that stimuli that result in the acute activation of AMPK activity in endothelial cells stimulate NO production, at least in part due to phosphorylation and activation of eNOS. Regulation of endothelial AMPK therefore provides an additional mechanism by which local vascular tone may be controlled.     

M phase phosphoprotein 1 is a human plus-end-directed kinesin-related protein required for cytokinesis

The human M phase phosphoprotein 1 (MPP1), previously identified through a screening of a subset of proteins specifically phosphorylated at the G2/M transition (Matsumoto-Taniura, N., Pirollet, F., Monroe, R., Gerace, L., and Westendorf, J. M. (1996) Mol. Biol. Cell 7, 1455-1469), is characterized as a plus-end-directed kinesin-related protein. Recombinant MPP1 exhibits in vitro microtubule-binding and microtubule-bundling properties as well as microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity. In gliding experiments using polarity-marked microtubules, MPP1 is a slow molecular motor that moves toward the microtubule plus-end at a 0.07 microm/s speed. In cycling cells, MPP1 localizes mainly to the nuclei in interphase. During mitosis, MPP1 is diffuse throughout the cytoplasm in metaphase and subsequently localizes to the midzone to further concentrate on the midbody. MPP1 suppression by RNA interference induces failure of cell division late in cytokinesis. We conclude that MPP1 is a new mitotic molecular motor required for completion of cytokinesis.     

Oxygen consumption and expression of the adenine nucleotide translocator in cells lacking mitochondrial DNA

It has been shown previously that human rho degrees cells, deprived of mitochondrial DNA and consequently of functional oxidative phosphorylation, maintain a mitochondrial membrane potential, which is necessary for their growth. The goal of our study was to determine the precise origin of this membrane potential in three rho degrees cell lines originating from the human HepG2, 143B, and HeLa S3 cell lines. Residual cyanide-sensitive oxygen consumption suggests the persistence of residual mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, about 8% of that of the corresponding parental cells. The fluorescence emitted by the three rho degrees cell lines in the presence of a mitochondrial specific fluorochrome was partially reduced by a protonophore, suggesting the existence of a proton gradient. The mitochondrial membrane potential is maintained both by a residual proton gradient (up to 45 to 50% of the potential) and by other ion movements such as the glycolytic ATP(4-) to mitochondrial ADP(3-) exchange. The ANT2 gene, encoding isoform 2 of the adenine nucleotide translocator, is overexpressed in rho degrees HepG2 and 143B cells strongly dependent on glycolytic ATP synthesis, as compared to the corresponding parental cells, which present a more oxidative metabolism. In rho degrees HeLa S3 cells, originating from the HeLa S3 cell line, which already displays a glycolytic energy status, ANT2 gene expression was not higher as in parental cells. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ANT2 gene overexpression vary in opposite ways and this suggests that these two parameters have complementary roles in the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential in rho degrees cells.     

Membrane transport in Caenorhabditis elegans: an essential role for VPS34 at the nuclear membrane

Here we present a detailed genetic analysis of let-512/vps34 that encodes the Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of the yeast phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase Vps34p. LET-512/VPS34 has essential functions and is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and developmental stages. It accumulates at a perinuclear region, and mutations in let-512/vps34 result in an expansion of the outer nuclear membrane as well as in a mislocalization and subsequent complete lack of expression of LRP-1, a C.elegans LDL receptor normally associated with the apical surface of hypodermal cells. Using a GFP::2xFYVE fusion protein we found that the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns 3-P) product of LET-512/VPS34 is associated with a multitude of intracellular membranes and vesicles located at the periphery, including endocytic vesicles. We propose that LET-512/VPS34 is required for membrane transport from the outer nuclear membrane towards the cell periphery. Thus, LET-512/VPS34 may regulate the secretory pathway in a much broader range of compartments than was previously suggested for the yeast orthologue.     

ITS 2 sequences heterogeneity in Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus similis (Diptera,Psychodidae): possible consequences in their ability to transmit Leishmania tropica

An intraspecific study on Phlebotomus sergenti, the main and only proven vector of Leishmania tropica among the members of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus was performed. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences of 12 populations from 10 countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Syria, and Turkey) were compared. Samples also included three species closely related to P. sergenti: Phlebotomus similis (three populations from Greece and Malta), Phlebotomus jacusieli and Phlebotomus kazeruni. Our results confirm the validity of the taxa morphologically characterised, and imply the revision of their distribution areas, which are explained through biogeographical events. At the Miocene time, a migration route, north of the Paratethys sea would have been followed by P. similis to colonise the north of the Caucasus, Crimea, Balkans including Greece and its islands, and western Turkey. Phlebotomus sergenti would have followed an Asiatic dispersion as well as a western migration route south of the Tethys sea to colonise North Africa and western Europe. This hypothesis seems to be well supported by high degree of variation observed in the present study, which is not related to colonisation or to intra-populational variation. Two groups can be individualised, one oriental and one western in connection with ecology, host preferences and distribution of L. tropica. We hypothesise that they could be correlated with differences in vectorial capacities.     

Apoptotic effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate and increased sphingosine 1-phosphate hydrolysis on mesangial cells cultured at low cell density

The lipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) may alter the proliferation of mesangial cells during pathophysiological processes. Here, S1P stimulated proliferation of rat mesangial cells and phosphorylation of MAPKs at subconfluent cell density. Both effects were inhibited by pertussis toxin treatment. Mesangial cells expressed several S1P receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene family: EDG-1, -3, -5, and -8. Conversely, S1P induced apoptosis at low cell density (2 x 10(4) cells/cm(2)), which was demonstrated by flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. Apoptosis was observed also in quiescent or growing cells and was not reverted by lysophosphatidic acid or platelet-derived growth factor. S1P enhanced phosphorylation of SAPKs. Incubation with [(33)P]S1P, [(3)H]S1P, and [(3)H]sphingosine demonstrated increased S1P hydrolysis, resulting in enhanced intracellular sphingosine levels and decreased S1P levels. A rise in total ceramide levels was also observed; however, ceramide did not originate from [(3)H]sphingosine, and S1P-induced apoptosis was not inhibited by fumonisin B, precluding involvement of de novo ceramide synthesis in apoptosis. Therefore, we suggest that sphingosine accumulation and decreased S1P are primarily responsible for S1P-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, incubation of low-density mesangial cells with S1P results in apoptosis, presumably due to increased S1P hydrolysis.