Prevention of neuronal cell death by neural adhesion molecules L1 and CHL1

The effects of L1-Fc and CHL1-Fc fusion proteins on neuronal survival were investigated. Cerebellar granule neurons of mouse and hippocampal neurons of rat embryo undergo apoptosis when cultured in serum-free medium. Treatment with chimeric proteins containing the extracellular domains of the neural adhesion molecules L1 or CHL1 fused to the Fc region of human immunoglobulin significantly enhanced the survival of neurons. Compared to the control, the percentage of surviving neurons increased about 60% and 45% with L1 and CHL1 fusion proteins, respectively. A fusion protein containing the extracellular domain of NCAM had no effect on survival. The L1 and CHL1 fusion proteins were effective both in soluble form or when offered as a substrate, with the maximal effect at about 1 microg/mL. To explore the intracellular events related to the neuronal survival effects of L1-Fc fusion protein, Bcl-2 and c-Jun expression were analyzed by Western blotting. The level of Bcl-2 in cerebellar granule neurons was increased by treatment with L1-Fc at both 1 and 5 days of culture. The level of c-Jun was not significantly affected at the early time point and was reduced by L1-Fc fusion protein after long-term culture. The results demonstrate that the neural adhesion molecule L1 and its relative CHL1 are potential neuronal survival factors for neurons of the central nervous system. Bcl-2 may serve as one of the intracellular mediators of the neuronal survival effects of L1.     

Expression of a recombinant chimeric protein of hepatitis A virus VP1-Fc using a replicating vector based on Beet curly top virus in tobacco leaves and its immunogenicity in mice

We describe the expression and immunogenicity of a recombinant chimeric protein (HAV VP1-Fc) consisting of human hepatitis A virus VP1 and an Fc antibody fragment using a replicating vector based on Beet curly top virus (BCTV) in Agrobacterium-infiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Recombinant HAV VP1-Fc was expressed with a molecular mass of approximately 68?kDa. Recombinant HAV VP1-Fc, purified using Protein A Sepharose affinity chromatography, elicited production of specific IgG antibodies in the serum after intraperitoneal immunization. Following vaccination with recombinant HAV VP1-Fc protein, expressions of IFN-γ and IL-4 were increased in splenocytes at the time of sacrifice. Recombinant VP1-Fc from infiltrated tobacco plants can be used as an effective experimental immunogen for research into vaccine development.     

Micropatterning proteins on polyhydroxyalkanoate substrates by using the substrate binding domain as a fusion partner

A novel strategy for micropatterning proteins on the surface of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer by microcontact printing (microCP) is described. The substrate binding domain (SBD) of the Pseudomonas stutzeri PHA depolymerase was used as a fusion partner for specifically immobilizing proteins on PHA substrate. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) fused to the SBD could be specifically immobilized on the micropatterns of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate). Laser scanning confocal microscopic studies suggested that two fusion proteins were micropatterned in their functionally active forms. Also, antibody binding assay by surface plasmon resonance suggested that protein-protein interaction studies could be carried out using this system.     

Soluble forms of NCAM and F3 neuronal cell adhesion molecules promote Schwann cell migration: identification of protein tyrosine phosphatases zeta/beta as the putative F3 receptors on Schwann cells

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and F3 are both axonal adhesion molecules which display homophilic (NCAM) or heterophilic (NCAM, F3) binding activities and participate in bidirectional exchange of information between neurones and glial cells. Engineered Fc chimeric molecules are fusion proteins that contain the extracellular part of NCAM or F3 and the Fc region of human IgG1. Here, we investigated the effect of NCAM-Fc and F3-Fc chimeras on Schwann cell (SC) migration. Binding sites were identified at the surface of cultured SCs by chimera coated fluorospheres. The functional effect of NCAM-Fc and F3-Fc binding was studied in two different SC migration models. In the first, migration is monitored at specific time intervals inside a 1-mm gap produced in a monolayer culture of SCs. In the second, SCs from a dorsal root ganglion explant migrate on a sciatic nerve cryosection. In both systems addition of the chimeras significantly increased the extent of SC migration and this effect could be prevented by the corresponding anti-NCAM or anti-F3 blocking antibodies. Furthermore, antiproteoglycan-type protein tyrosine phosphatase zeta/beta (RPTPzeta/beta) antibodies identified the presence of RPTPzeta/beta on SCs and prevented the enhancing effect of soluble F3 on SC motility by 95%. The F3-Fc coated Sepharose beads precipitated RPTPzeta/beta from SC lysates. Altogether these data point to RPTPzeta/beta is the putative F3 receptor on SCs. These results identify F3 and NCAM receptors on SC as potential mediators of signalling occurring between axons and glial cells during peripheral nerve development and regeneration.     

Local presentation of L1 and N-cadherin in multicomponent, microscale patterns differentially direct neuron function in vitro

The ability to pattern multiple bioactive cues on a surface is valuable for understanding how neurons interact with their complex extracellular environment. In this report, we introduce a set of methods for creating such surfaces, with the goals of understanding how developing neurons integrate multiple biologically relevant signals and as a tool for studying interactions between multiple neurons. Multiple microcontact printing steps are combined on a single surface to produce an array of polylysine nodes, interconnected by lines of proteins based on the extracellular domains of L1 or N-cadherin. Surprisingly, the N-cadherin protein could also be directly printed onto surfaces while retaining its biological activity. Rat hippocampal neurons selectively attached to the polylysine nodes, differentially extending axonal and dendritic processes along the patterns of L1 and N-cadherin, thus demonstrating control over neuron attachment and outgrowth. Combining these three biomolecules on a single surface revealed a highly complex pattern of protein recognition. Dendrites extended exclusively on N-cadherin patterns, while axons exhibited a very high degree of selectivity on L1 patterns, preferentially at distances greater than 55 mum from the cell body. At shorter distances, axonal processes recognized both L1 and N-cadherin, revealing a new aspect of neuron polarity and axon specification. This onset of L1 selectivity correlated with the establishment of intracellular L1 polarity, suggesting a functional outcome of the process of neuron polarization that has implications in development of neural tissues and creation of in vitro neuron networks.     

Vsig4 和免疫球蛋白Fc段融合蛋白的真核表达纯化

目的:本项目将通过构建中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(Chinese hamster ovary,CHO)真核表达系统获取小鼠Vsig4膜外端和免疫球蛋白Ig G3a-Fc段的融合蛋白,鉴定Vsig4-Fc和Vsig4纳米抗体的相互作用。方法:采用重合延伸PCR法融合小鼠Ig G3a-Fc和Vsig4胞外段的基因序列,将该融合基因插入真核表达载体中并转染CHO细胞。Western blotting鉴定转染细胞上清中的目标蛋白,通过连续两次亚克隆筛选,获得高表达小鼠Vsig4-Fc融合蛋白的单克隆,之后大量培养增殖转染细胞并收集细胞培养上清,选择Protein A柱纯化方法纯化Vsig4-Fc蛋白,最后经ELISA法鉴定Vsig4-Fc和纳米抗体的结合能力。结果:在CHO细胞中成功构建了小鼠Vsig4-Fc真核表达稳转系,并且在真核表达体系中获得可表达15 mg/L的双分子结构Vsig4-Fc的稳定转染细胞系。经鉴定小鼠Vsig4-Fc融合蛋白能与Vsig4纳米抗体结合。结论:重合延伸PCR法使得Vsig4和Fc基因片段的融合更为高效,两次亚克隆筛选优势细胞系大幅提高了真核蛋白的表达量,为进一步研究Vsig4的生物学功能奠定重要基础。     

Expression of a functional recombinant chimeric protein of human hepatitis A virus VP1 and an Fc antibody fragment in transgenic tomato plants

Transgenic tomato plants expressing the gene of a chimeric protein (HAV VP1-Fc) consisting of human hepatitis A virus (HAV) VP1 and an Fc antibody fragment have been obtained. Recombinant VP1-Fc protein with a molecular mass of approximately 68 kDa was purified from transgenic tomato plants using Protein A Sepharose affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein elicited production of specific IgG antibodies in the serum after intraperitoneal immunization of BALB/c mice. The antibodies produced by mice against transgenic plant-derived recombinant VP1-Fc most likely recognize epitopes in the HAV viral antigen. Following vaccination with recombinant VP1-Fc protein, expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 were increased in splenocytes at the time of sacrifice. Our findings indicate that transgenic tomato plants can provide a useful system for the production of HAV antigens.     

Microcontact Printing of Proteins for Cell Biology

The ability to pattern proteins and other biomolecules onto substrates is important for capturing the spatial complexity of the extracellular environment. Development of microcontact printing by the Whitesides group (http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/) in the mid-1990s revolutionalized this field by making microelectronics/microfabrication techniques accessible to laboratories focused on the life sciences. Initial implementations of this method used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps to create patterns of functionalized chemicals on material surfaces¹. Since then, a range of innovative approaches have been developed to pattern other molecules, including proteins². This video demonstrates the basic process of creating PDMS stamps and uses them to pattern proteins, as these steps are difficult to accurately express in words. We focus on patterning the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin onto glass coverslips as a specific example of patterning. An important component of the microcontact printing process is a topological master, from which the stamps are cast; the raised and lowered regions of the master are mirrored into the stamp and define the final pattern. Typically, a master consists of a silicon wafer coated with photoresist and then patterned by photolithography, as is done here. Creation of masters containing a specific pattern requires specialized equipment, and is best approached in consultation with a fabrication center or facility. However, almost any substrate with topology can be used as a master, such as plastic diffraction gratings (see Reagents for one example), and such serendipitous masters provide readily available, simple patterns. This protocol begins at the point of having a master in hand.Open in a separate windowClick here to view.^{(56M, flv)}     

Improved-Throughput Traction Microscopy Based on Fluorescence Micropattern for Manual Microscopy

Traction force microscopy (TFM) is a quantitative technique for measuring cellular traction force, which is important in understanding cellular mechanotransduction processes. Traditional TFM has a significant limitation in that it has a low measurement throughput, commonly one per TFM dish, due to a lack of cell position information. To obtain enough cellular traction force data, an onerous workload is required including numerous TFM dish preparations and heavy cell-seeding activities, creating further difficulty in achieving identical experimental conditions among batches. In this paper, we present an improved-throughput TFM method using the well-developed microcontact printing technique and chemical modifications of linking microbeads to the gel surface to address these limitations. Chemically linking the microbeads to the gel surface has no significant influence on cell proliferation, morphology, cytoskeleton, and adhesion. Multiple pairs of force loaded and null force fluorescence images can be easily acquired by means of manual microscope with the aid of a fluorescence micropattern made by microcontact printing. Furthermore, keeping the micropattern separate from cells by using gels effectively eliminates the potential negative effect of the micropattern on the cells. This novel design greatly improves the analysis throughput of traditional TFM from one to at least twenty cells per petri dish without losing unique advantages, including a high spatial resolution of traction measurements. This newly developed method will boost the investigation of cell-matrix mechanical interactions.     

Bacterial fimbriae stimulate proinflammatory activation in the endothelium through distinct TLRs

The major and minor fimbriae proteins produced by the human pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis are required for invasion of human aortic endothelial cells and for the stimulation of potent inflammatory responses. In this study, we report that native forms of both the major and minor fimbriae proteins bind to and signal through TLR2 for this response. Major and minor fimbriae bound to a human TLR2:Fc chimeric protein with an observed K(d) of 28.9 nM and 61.7 nM, respectively. Direct binding of the major and minor fimbriae to a human chimeric CD14-Fc protein also established specific binding of the major and minor fimbriae to CD14 with classic saturation kinetics. Using a P. gingivalis major and minor fimbriae mutant, we confirmed that TLR2 binding in whole cells is dependent on the expression of the major and minor fimbriae. Although we did not observe binding with the major or minor fimbriae to the TLR4-Fc chimeric protein, signaling through TLR4 for both proteins was demonstrated in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with TLR4 and only in the presence MD-2. Transient transfection of dominant-negative forms of TLR2 or TLR4 reduced IL-8 production by human aortic endothelial cells following stimulation with major or minor fimbriae. The ability of two well-defined microbe-associated molecular patterns to select for innate immune recognition receptors based on accessory proteins may provide a novel way for a pathogen to sense and signal in appropriate host environments.     

Linker Length Matters,Fynomer-Fc Fusion with an Optimized Linker Displaying Picomolar IL-17A Inhibition Potency

Fynomers are small binding proteins derived from the human Fyn SH3 domain. Using phage display technology, Fynomers were generated inhibiting the activity of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A). One specific Fynomer called 2C1 inhibited human IL-17A in vitro with an IC₅₀ value of 2.2 nm. Interestingly, when 2C1 was genetically fused to the Fc part of a human antibody via four different amino acid linkers to yield bivalent IL-17A binding proteins (each linker differed in length), the 2C1-Fc fusion protein with the longest linker displayed the most potent inhibitory activity. It blocked homodimeric IL-17A with an IC₅₀ value of 21 pm, which corresponds to a hundredfold improved IC₅₀ value as compared to the value obtained with monovalent Fynomer 2C1. In contrast, the 2C1-Fc fusion with the shortest linker showed only an ∼8-fold improved IC₅₀ value of 260 pm. Furthermore, in a mouse model of acute inflammation, we have shown that the most potent 2C1-Fc fusion protein is able to efficiently inhibit IL-17A in vivo. With their suitable biophysical properties, Fynomer-Fc fusion proteins represent new drug candidates for the treatment of IL-17A mediated inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.     

Circadian Control of Dendrite Morphology in the Visual System of Drosophila melanogaster

Background

In the first optic neuropil (lamina) of the fly''s visual system, monopolar cells L1 and L2 and glia show circadian rhythms in morphological plasticity. They change their size and shape during the day and night. The most pronounced changes have been detected in circadian size of the L2 axons. Looking for a functional significance of the circadian plasticity observed in axons, we examined the morphological plasticity of the L2 dendrites. They extend from axons and harbor postsynaptic sites of tetrad synaptic contacts from the photoreceptor terminals.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The plasticity of L2 dendrites was evaluated by measuring an outline of the L2 dendritic trees. These were from confocal images of cross sections of L2 cells labeled with GFP. They were in wild-type and clock mutant flies held under different light conditions and sacrified at different time points. We found that the L2 dendrites are longest at the beginning of the day in both males and females. This rhythm observed under a day/night regime (LD) was maintained in constant darkness (DD) but not in continuous light (LL). This rhythm was not present in the arrhythmic per⁰¹ mutant in LD or in DD. In the clock photoreceptor cry^b mutant the rhythm was maintained but its pattern was different than that observed in wild-type flies.

Conclusions/Significance

The results obtained showed that the L2 dendrites exhibit circadian structural plasticity. Their morphology is controlled by the per gene-dependent circadian clock. The L2 dendrites are longest at the beginning of the day when the daytime tetrad presynaptic sites are most numerous and L2 axons are swollen. The presence of the rhythm, but with a different pattern in cry^b mutants in LD and DD indicates a new role of cry in the visual system. The new role is in maintaining the circadian pattern of changes of the L2 dendrite length and shape.     

Axonal cell-adhesion molecule L1 in CNS myelination

Of the axonal signals influencing myelination, adhesion molecules expressed at the axonal surface are strong candidates to mediate interactions between myelinating cells and axons. The recognition cell-adhesion molecule L1, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily has been shown to play important roles in neuronal migration and survival, and in PNS myelination. We have investigated the role of axonally expressed L1 in CNS myelination. In co-cultures of myelinating oligodendrocytes and neurons derived from murine brain, we demonstrate that, before myelination, L1 immunoreactivity is confined to neurites. After myelination commences, L1 expression is downregulated on myelinated axons and adjacent, but not yet myelinated, internodes.Interfering with L1 before the onset of myelination, by adding either anti-L1 antibody or L1-Fc fusion proteins to the culture medium, inhibits myelination. In addition, in purified cultures of oligodendrocytes, L1-Fc fusion protein prevents lysophosphatidic acid-induced activation of the mitogen-activated kinase (MAP)-kinase pathway. Together, our data indicate that L1 is involved in the initiation of CNS myelination, and that this effect might involve the dephosphorylation of oligodendroglial phosphoproteins.     

Preassociation of IL-15 with IL-15R alpha-IgG1-Fc enhances its activity on proliferation of NK and CD8+/CD44high T cells and its antitumor action

In the induction of an immune response, IL-15Ralpha on APCs transpresents IL-15 to NK and CD8(+)/CD44(high) T cells that express the IL-2/15Rbeta and gammac subunits only. In this study, we show data mimicking this transpresentation by using IL-15 preassociated with a chimeric protein that is comprised of the extracellular domain of murine IL-15Ralpha and the Fc portion of human IgG1. When tested in vitro, IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc strongly increased the IL-15-mediated proliferation of murine NK and CD8(+)/CD44(high) T cells. The effect of IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc was dependent on the presence of both IgG1-Fc and IL-15Ralpha. When injected into mice, IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc enhanced the capacity of IL-15 to expand the number of NK and CD8(+)/CD44(high) T cells. The effect on cell numbers in vivo also depended on Fc receptor binding because reduced expansion was observed in FcRgamma(-/-) mice. NK cells cultured in IL-15/IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc complex gained cytotoxic activity toward a number of NK-sensitive targets. When mice bearing the NK-sensitive syngeneic tumor B16 were treated, the presence of IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc increased the antitumor activity of IL-15. Thus, a preassociation with IL-15Ralpha-IgG1-Fc enhances the activities of IL-15 in vivo and in vitro that may be useful in the treatment of tumors.     

Differentiation of PC12 cells in three-dimensional collagen sponges with micropatterned nerve growth factor

Micropatterning of biological cues is important for the guided formation of neuronal outgrowth and neuronal differentiation. Nerve growth factor (NGF) was micropatterned in a three-dimensional collagen sponges by using micropatterned ice lines that were composed of collagen and NGF. The micropatterned ice lines were prepared by a dispersing machine. PC12 cells were cultured in the NGF-micropatterned collagen sponges and showed micropatterned neurite outgrowth. The neurite outgrowth followed the micropattern of NGF with more neurite outgrowth in the collagen/NGF lines than in the regions between the collagen/NGF lines. The micropattern of the NGF and the neurite network of the PC12 cells can be manipulated by controlling the micropattern of the NGF. The three-dimensional porous scaffolds prepared by this method will have a potential application for the regeneration and repair of the nervous system.     

The role of selective transport in neuronal protein sorting

To assess whether selective microtubule-based vesicle transport underlies the polarized distribution of neuronal proteins, we expressed green fluorescent protein- (GFP-) tagged chimeras of representative axonal and dendritic membrane proteins in cultured hippocampal neurons and visualized the transport of carrier vesicles containing these proteins in living cells. Vesicles containing a dendritic protein, transferrin receptor (TfR), were preferentially transported into dendrites and excluded from axons. In contrast, vesicles containing the axonal protein NgCAM (neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule) were transported into both dendrites and axons. These data demonstrate that neurons utilize two distinct mechanisms for the targeting of polarized membrane proteins, one (for dendritic proteins) based on selective transport, the other (for axonal proteins) based on a selectivity "filter" that occurs downstream of transport.     

Pretreatment with soluble ST2 reduces warm hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury

The interleukin-1 receptor-like protein ST2 exists in both membrane-bound (ST2L) and soluble form (sST2). ST2L has been found to play an important regulatory role in Th2-type immune response, but the function of soluble form of ST2 remains to be elucidated. In this study, we report the protective effect of soluble ST2 on warm hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. We constructed a eukaryotic expression plasmid, psST2-Fc, which expresses functional murine soluble ST2-human IgG1 Fc (sST2-Fc) fusion protein. The liver damage after ischemia/reperfusion was significantly attenuated by the expression of this plasmid in vivo. sST2-Fc remarkably inhibited the activation of Kupffer cells and the production of proinflammatory mediators TNF-alpha and IL-6. Furthermore, the levels of TLR4 mRNA and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB were also suppressed by pretreatment with sST2-Fc. These results thus identified soluble ST2 as a negative regulator in hepatic I/R injury, possibly via ST2-TLR4 pathway.     

High-level expression of recombinant Fc chimeric proteins in suspension cultures of stably transfected J558L cells

Recombinant Fc chimeric proteins are useful tools for studying protein function, including the analysis of molecular interactions by techniques such as expression cloning. Here we describe a method we have used to express the IgLON family proteins, CEPU1 and OBCAM, as recombinant Fc chimeric proteins in stably transfected mouse J558L myeloma cells. The use of this cell line provided the opportunity to maximize protein production, as it secretes antibodies in large quantities and can be grown to high density in small volumes of culture medium. Isolation of recombinant OBCAMFc from the adherent COS7 cell line suggested a minimum level of expression of 0.07 mg OBCAMFc/100 mL culture medium, while the J558L cell line expressed OBCAMFc at approximately 11.4 mg/100 mL culture medium. Purification of IgLON-Fc expressed by J558L cells was simpler than purification from COS7 cells because of the lower volume of culture medium generated. Furthermore, contamination of J558L expressed IgLONFc with bovine IgG from the culture medium was negligible. The method presented, which utilizes a commercially available small-scale bioreactor, provides the nonspecialist protein expression laboratory with the means to produce recombinant proteins quickly and easily in milligram quantities.     

TPO模拟肽与人IgG1 Fc片段的融合表达及其生物学特性研究

依据本室获得的人TPO模拟肽序列,合成了该模拟肽的DNA序列,分别连接至4种不同长度的人IgG1 Fc基因片段的5′端,并克隆至质粒表达载体pET28a( ),转化大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）,筛选获得了4种重组工程菌,其中3种分别高效表达了3种不同长度的融合蛋白,而第4种工程菌未表达,表达的3种融合蛋白的分子量分别约为28kD,12kD和12kD。表达量约占菌体蛋白总量的30％左右,纯化获得了3种TPO模拟肽融合蛋白,3种融合蛋白均有较好的体外活性,维持TPO依赖细胞Ba/F3-mp1生长的EC50分别为：13,10,10nmol/L,用血小板减少症小鼠动物模型,测定了它们的体内活性,3种融合蛋白均有升高血小板和缩短血小板恢复时间的功能,分别比TPO模拟肽活性提高了18,8,8倍,而对白细胞及红细胞无显著影响,分别用3种融合蛋白免疫BALB／c小鼠,均未刺激小鼠产生抗TPO模拟肽抗体,并显示了较好的应用潜力。     

Microcontact printing for precise control of nerve cell growth in culture

Microcontact printing, facilitated by silane linker chemistry and high-relief stamps, creates precise patterns of proteins, which in turn control growth of hippocampal neurons in culture. This additive, multi-mask technique permits several different molecules to be patterned on the same substrate. The covalent linker technology permits relatively long-term (two-week) compliance of neurons to the stamped pattern against a polyethylene glycol background. When polylysine was stamped adjacent to a laminin/polylysine mixture, neural somata and dendrites preferred the polylysine while axons prefer the mixture or the border between the two.