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1.
Increased Abundance of IncP-1β Plasmids and Mercury Resistance Genes in Mercury-Polluted River Sediments: First Discovery of IncP-1β Plasmids with a Complex mer Transposon as the Sole Accessory Element
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Kornelia Smalla Anthony S. Haines Karen Jones Ellen Krgerrecklenfort Holger Heuer Michael Schloter Christopher M. Thomas 《Applied microbiology》2006,72(11):7253-7259
Although it is generally assumed that mobile genetic elements facilitate the adaptation of microbial communities to environmental stresses, environmental data supporting this assumption are rare. In this study, river sediment samples taken from two mercury-polluted (A and B) and two nonpolluted or less-polluted (C and D) areas of the river Nura (Kazakhstan) were analyzed by PCR for the presence and abundance of mercury resistance genes and of broad-host-range plasmids. PCR-based detection revealed that mercury pollution corresponded to an increased abundance of mercury resistance genes and of IncP-1β replicon-specific sequences detected in total community DNA. The isolation of IncP-1β plasmids from contaminated sediments was attempted in order to determine whether they carry mercury resistance genes and thus contribute to an adaptation of bacterial populations to Hg pollution. We failed to detect IncP-1β plasmids in the genomic DNA of the cultured Hg-resistant bacterial isolates. However, without selection for mercury resistance, three different IncP-1β plasmids (pTP6, pTP7, and pTP8) were captured directly from contaminated sediment slurry in Cupriavidus necator JMP228 based on their ability to mobilize the IncQ plasmid pIE723. These plasmids hybridized with the merRTΔP probe and conferred Hg resistance to their host. A broad host range and high stability under conditions of nonselective growth were observed for pTP6 and pTP7. The full sequence of plasmid pTP6 was determined and revealed a backbone almost identical to that of the IncP-1β plasmids R751 and pB8. However, this is the first example of an IncP-1β plasmid which had acquired only a mercury resistance transposon but no antibiotic resistance or biodegradation genes. This transposon carries a rather complex set of mer genes and is inserted between Tra1 and Tra2. 相似文献
2.
Ferrous Iron-Dependent Volatilization of Mercury by the Plasma Membrane of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
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Kenji Iwahori Fumiaki Takeuchi Kazuo Kamimura Tsuyoshi Sugio 《Applied microbiology》2000,66(9):3823-3827
Of 100 strains of iron-oxidizing bacteria isolated, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans SUG 2-2 was the most resistant to mercury toxicity and could grow in an Fe2+ medium (pH 2.5) supplemented with 6 μM Hg2+. In contrast, T. ferrooxidans AP19-3, a mercury-sensitive T. ferrooxidans strain, could not grow with 0.7 μM Hg2+. When incubated for 3 h in a salt solution (pH 2.5) with 0.7 μM Hg2+, resting cells of resistant and sensitive strains volatilized approximately 20 and 1.7%, respectively, of the total mercury added. The amount of mercury volatilized by resistant cells, but not by sensitive cells, increased to 62% when Fe2+ was added. The optimum pH and temperature for mercury volatilization activity were 2.3 and 30°C, respectively. Sodium cyanide, sodium molybdate, sodium tungstate, and silver nitrate strongly inhibited the Fe2+-dependent mercury volatilization activity of T. ferrooxidans. When incubated in a salt solution (pH 3.8) with 0.7 μM Hg2+ and 1 mM Fe2+, plasma membranes prepared from resistant cells volatilized 48% of the total mercury added after 5 days of incubation. However, the membrane did not have mercury reductase activity with NADPH as an electron donor. Fe2+-dependent mercury volatilization activity was not observed with plasma membranes pretreated with 2 mM sodium cyanide. Rusticyanin from resistant cells activated iron oxidation activity of the plasma membrane and activated the Fe2+-dependent mercury volatilization activity of the plasma membrane. 相似文献
3.
Background
Different Cupriavidus metallidurans strains isolated from metal-contaminated and other anthropogenic environments were genotypically and phenotypically compared with C. metallidurans type strain CH34. The latter is well-studied for its resistance to a wide range of metals, which is carried for a substantial part by its two megaplasmids pMOL28 and pMOL30.Results
Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) indicated that the extensive arsenal of determinants involved in metal resistance was well conserved among the different C. metallidurans strains. Contrary, the mobile genetic elements identified in type strain CH34 were not present in all strains but clearly showed a pattern, although, not directly related to a particular biotope nor location (geographical). One group of strains carried almost all mobile genetic elements, while these were much less abundant in the second group. This occurrence was also reflected in their ability to degrade toluene and grow autotrophically on hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, which are two traits linked to separate genomic islands of the Tn4371-family. In addition, the clear pattern of genomic islands distribution allowed to identify new putative genomic islands on chromosome 1 and 2 of C. metallidurans CH34.Conclusions
Metal resistance determinants are shared by all C. metallidurans strains and their occurrence is apparently irrespective of the strain's isolation type and place. Cupriavidus metallidurans strains do display substantial differences in the diversity and size of their mobile gene pool, which may be extensive in some (including the type strain) while marginal in others. 相似文献4.
T. V. Siunova A. V. Siunov V. V. Kochetkov A. M. Boronin 《Russian Journal of Genetics》2009,45(3):292-297
Plasmid pBS501 was detected in the strain Comamonas sp. BS501. This plasmid specifies high level of induced resistance (5 mM) to cobalt/nickel both in the host strain and in related strains C. testosteroni B-1241 and C. acidovorans B-1251. Hybridization analysis revealed a homology of pBS501 restriction fragments with the only well-characterized operon cnrXYHCBAT that resides in plasmid pMOL28 from Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. Essential differences in the structural organization of the cobalt/nickel resistance determinant were found between plasmid pBS501 and the cnr operon. 相似文献
5.
Xiong W Liu T Wang Y Chen X Sun L Guo N Zheng H Zheng L Ruat M Han W Zhang CX Zhou Z 《PloS one》2011,6(10):e24573
Aim
Neurotransmitter release is elicited by an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The action potential triggers Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels which causes local changes of [Ca2+]i for vesicle release. However, any direct role of extracellular Ca2+ (besides Ca2+ influx) on Ca2+-dependent exocytosis remains elusive. Here we set out to investigate this possibility on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and chromaffin cells, widely used models for studying vesicle exocytosis.Results
Using photolysis of caged Ca2+ and caffeine-induced release of stored Ca2+, we found that extracellular Ca2+ inhibited exocytosis following moderate [Ca2+]i rises (2–3 µM). The IC50 for extracellular Ca2+ inhibition of exocytosis (ECIE) was 1.38 mM and a physiological reduction (∼30%) of extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) significantly increased the evoked exocytosis. At the single vesicle level, quantal size and release frequency were also altered by physiological [Ca2+]o. The calcimimetics Mg2+, Cd2+, G418, and neomycin all inhibited exocytosis. The extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) was not involved because specific drugs and knockdown of CaSR in DRG neurons did not affect ECIE.Conclusion/Significance
As an extension of the classic Ca2+ hypothesis of synaptic release, physiological levels of extracellular Ca2+ play dual roles in evoked exocytosis by providing a source of Ca2+ influx, and by directly regulating quantal size and release probability in neuronal cells. 相似文献6.
Sylvia Cardoso Le?o Cristianne Kayoko Matsumoto Adriana Carneiro Rommel Thiago Ramos Christiane Louren?o Nogueira James Daltro Lima Junior Karla Valéria Lima Maria Luiza Lopes Horacio Schneider Vasco Ariston Azevedo Artur da Costa da Silva 《PloS one》2013,8(4)
Background
An extended outbreak of mycobacterial surgical infections occurred in Brazil during 2004–2008. Most infections were caused by a single strain of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii, which was characterized by a specific rpoB sequevar and two highly similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns differentiated by the presence of a ∼50 kb band. The nature of this band was investigated.Methodology/Principal Findings
Genomic sequencing of the prototype outbreak isolate INCQS 00594 using the SOLiD platform demonstrated the presence of a 56,264-bp circular plasmid, designated pMAB01. Identity matrices, genetic distances and phylogeny analyses indicated that pMAB01 belongs to the broad-host-range plasmid subgroup IncP-1β and is highly related to BRA100, pJP4, pAKD33 and pB10. The presence of pMAB01-derived sequences in 41 M. abscessus subsp. bolletii isolates was evaluated using PCR, PFGE and Southern blot hybridization. Sixteen of the 41 isolates showed the presence of the plasmid. The plasmid was visualized as a ∼50-kb band using PFGE and Southern blot hybridization in 12 isolates. The remaining 25 isolates did not exhibit any evidence of this plasmid. The plasmid was successfully transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation and transformation. Lateral transfer of pMAB01 to the high efficient plasmid transformation strain Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 could not be demonstrated.Conclusions/Significance
The occurrence of a broad-host-range IncP-1β plasmid in mycobacteria is reported for the first time. Thus, genetic exchange could result in the emergence of specific strains that might be better adapted to cause human disease. 相似文献7.
Toya Terry Zhiqiang Chen Richard A. F. Dixon Peter Vanderslice Pierre Zoldhelyi James T. Willerson Qi Liu 《PloS one》2011,6(6)
Background
Cell-based therapy shows promise in treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD); however, the optimal cell type and long-term efficacy are unknown. In this study, we identified a novel subpopulation of adult progenitor cells positive for CD34 and M-cadherin (CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs) in mouse and human bone marrow. We also examined the long-lasting therapeutic efficacy of mouse CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs in restoring blood flow and promoting vascularization in an atherosclerotic mouse model of PAD.Methods and Findings
Colony-forming cell assays and flow cytometry analysis showed that CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs have hematopoietic progenitor properties. When delivered intra-arterially into the ischemic hindlimbs of ApoE−/− mice, CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs alleviated ischemia and significantly improved blood flow compared with CD34+/M-cad− BMCs, CD34−/M-cad+ BMCs, or unselected BMCs. Significantly more arterioles were seen in CD34+/M-cad+ cell-treated limbs than in any other treatment group 60 days after cell therapy. Furthermore, histologic assessment and morphometric analyses of hindlimbs treated with GFP+ CD34+/M-cad+ cells showed that injected cells incorporated into solid tissue structures at 21 days. Confocal microscopic examination of GFP+ CD34+/M-cad+ cell-treated ischemic legs followed by immunostaining indicated the vascular differentiation of CD34+/M-cad+ progenitor cells. A cytokine antibody array revealed that CD34+/M-cad+ cell-conditioned medium contained higher levels of cytokines in a unique pattern, including bFGF, CRG-2, EGF, Flt-3 ligand, IGF-1, SDF-1, and VEGFR-3, than did CD34+/M-cad− cell-conditioned medium. The proangiogenic cytokines secreted by CD34+/M-cad+ cells induced oxygen- and nutrient-depleted endothelial cell sprouting significantly better than CD34+/M-cad− cells during hypoxia.Conclusion
CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs represent a new progenitor cell type that effectively alleviates hindlimb ischemia in ApoE−/− mice by consistently improving blood flow and promoting arteriogenesis. Additionally, CD34+/M-cad+ BMCs contribute to microvascular remodeling by differentiating into vascular cells and releasing proangiogenic cytokines and growth factors. 相似文献8.
Background
High dietary fructose has structural and metabolic cardiac impact, but the potential for fructose to exert direct myocardial action is uncertain. Cardiomyocyte functional responsiveness to fructose, and capacity to transport fructose has not been previously demonstrated.Objective
The aim of the present study was to seek evidence of fructose-induced modulation of cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling in an acute, in vitro setting.Methods and Results
The functional effects of fructose on isolated adult rat cardiomyocyte contractility and Ca2+ handling were evaluated under physiological conditions (37°C, 2 mM Ca2+, HEPES buffer, 4 Hz stimulation) using video edge detection and microfluorimetry (Fura2) methods. Compared with control glucose (11 mM) superfusate, 2-deoxyglucose (2 DG, 11 mM) substitution prolonged both the contraction and relaxation phases of the twitch (by 16 and 36% respectively, p<0.05) and this effect was completely abrogated with fructose supplementation (11 mM). Similarly, fructose prevented the Ca2+ transient delay induced by exposure to 2 DG (time to peak Ca2+ transient: 2 DG: 29.0±2.1 ms vs. glucose: 23.6±1.1 ms vs. fructose +2 DG: 23.7±1.0 ms; p<0.05). The presence of the fructose transporter, GLUT5 (Slc2a5) was demonstrated in ventricular cardiomyocytes using real time RT-PCR and this was confirmed by conventional RT-PCR.Conclusion
This is the first demonstration of an acute influence of fructose on cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling. The findings indicate cardiomyocyte capacity to transport and functionally utilize exogenously supplied fructose. This study provides the impetus for future research directed towards characterizing myocardial fructose metabolism and understanding how long term high fructose intake may contribute to modulating cardiac function. 相似文献9.
Yang J Ii M Kamei N Alev C Kwon SM Kawamoto A Akimaru H Masuda H Sawa Y Asahara T 《PloS one》2011,6(5):e20219
Background
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were shown to have angiogenic potential contributing to neovascularization. However, a clear definition of mouse EPCs by cell surface markers still remains elusive. We hypothesized that CD34 could be used for identification and isolation of functional EPCs from mouse bone marrow.Methodology/Principal Findings
CD34+ cells, c-Kit+/Sca-1+/Lin− (KSL) cells, c-Kit+/Lin− (KL) cells and Sca-1+/Lin− (SL) cells were isolated from mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) using fluorescent activated cell sorting. EPC colony forming capacity and differentiation capacity into endothelial lineage were examined in the cells. Although CD34+ cells showed the lowest EPC colony forming activity, CD34+ cells exhibited under endothelial culture conditions a more adherent phenotype compared with the others, demonstrating the highest mRNA expression levels of endothelial markers vWF, VE-cadherin, and Flk-1. Furthermore, a dramatic increase in immediate recruitment of cells to the myocardium following myocardial infarction and systemic cell injection was observed for CD34+ cells comparing with others, which could be explained by the highest mRNA expression levels of key homing-related molecules Integrin β2 and CXCR4 in CD34+ cells. Cell retention and incorporation into the vasculature of the ischemic myocardium was also markedly increased in the CD34+ cell-injected group, giving a possible explanation for significant reduction in fibrosis area, significant increase in neovascularization and the best cardiac functional recovery in this group in comparison with the others.Conclusion
These findings suggest that mouse CD34+ cells may represent a functional EPC population in bone marrow, which could benefit the investigation of therapeutic EPC biology. 相似文献10.
Objective
Olfaction is impaired in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The study has two aims: (1) to determine whether changes in cation concentration occur in the olfactory mucus of mice with CRS, which may affect chemo-electrical transduction, (2) and to examine whether these alterations are physiologically significant in humans.Study Design
Animal study in mice and translational study in humans.Methods
Inflammation was induced by sensitization and chronic exposure of 16 C57BL/6 mice to Aspergillus fumigatus. The control group included 16 untreated mice. Ion-selective microelectrodes were used to measure free cation concentrations in the olfactory mucus of 8 mice from each treatment group, while the remaining mice were sacrificed for histology. To validate the findings in the animal model, olfactory threshold was measured in 11 healthy human participants using Sniffin’ Sticks before and after nasal irrigation with solutions that were composed of either of the cation concentrations.Results
In 8 mice, olfactory mucus of chronically inflamed mice had lower [Na+] (84.8±4.45 mM versus 93.73±3.06 mM, p = 0.02), and higher [K+] (7.2±0.65 mM versus 5.7±0.20 mM, p = 0.04) than controls. No difference existed in [Ca2+] (0.50±0.12 mM versus 0.54±0.06 mM, p = 0.39). In humans, rinsing with solutions replicating ion concentrations of the mouse mucosa with chronic inflammation caused a significant elevation in the median olfactory threshold (9.0 to 4.8, p = 0.003) but not with the control solution (8.3 to 7.8, p = 0.75).Conclusion
Chronic inflammation elevates potassium and lowers sodium ion concentration in mice olfactory mucus. Nasal irrigation with a corresponding solution induced olfactory threshold shift in humans. 相似文献11.
Schmidt-Lucke C Fichtlscherer S Aicher A Tschöpe C Schultheiss HP Zeiher AM Dimmeler S 《PloS one》2010,5(11):e13790
Aims
Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), involved in endothelial regeneration, neovascularisation, and determination of prognosis in cardiovascular disease can be characterised with functional assays or using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Combinations of markers, including CD34+KDR+ or CD133+KDR+, are used. This approach, however may not consider all characteristics of EPC. The lack of a standardised protocol with regards to reagents and gating strategies may account for the widespread inter-laboratory variations in quantification of EPC. We, therefore developed a novel protocol adapted from the standardised so-called ISHAGE protocol for enumeration of haematopoietic stem cells to enable comparison of clinical and laboratory data.Methods and Results
In 25 control subjects, 65 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD; 40 stable CAD, 25 acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction (ACS)), EPC were quantified using the following approach: Whole blood was incubated with CD45, KDR, and CD34. The ISHAGE sequential strategy was used, and finally, CD45dimCD34+ cells were quantified for KDR. A minimum of 100 CD34+ events were collected. For comparison, CD45+CD34+ and CD45−CD34+ were analysed simultaneously. The number of CD45dimCD34+KDR+ cells only were significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients with CAD or ACS (p = 0.005 each, p<0.001 for trend). An inverse correlation of CD45dimCD34+KDR+ with disease activity (r = −0.475, p<0.001) was confirmed. Only CD45dimCD34+KDR+ correlated inversely with the number of diseased coronaries (r = −0.344; p<0.005). In a second study, a 4-week de-novo treatment of atorvastatin in stable CAD evoked an increase only of CD45dimCD34+KDR+ EPC (p<0.05). CD45+CD34+KDR+ and CD45−CD34+KDR+ were indifferent between the three groups.Conclusion
Our newly established protocol adopted from the standardised ISHAGE protocol achieved higher accuracy in EPC enumeration confirming previous findings with respect to the correlation of EPC with disease activity and the increase of EPC during statin therapy. The data of this study show the CD45dim fraction to harbour EPC. 相似文献12.
Background
The rate-limiting step that determines the dominant time constant (τD) of mammalian rod photoresponse recovery is the deactivation of the active phosphodiesterase (PDE6). Physiologically relevant Ca2+-dependent mechanisms that would affect the PDE inactivation have not been identified. However, recently it has been shown that τD is modulated by background light in mouse rods.Methodology/Principal Findings
We used ex vivo ERG technique to record pharmacologically isolated photoreceptor responses (fast PIII component). We show a novel static effect of calcium on mouse rod phototransduction: Ca2+ shortens the dominant time constant (τD) of saturated photoresponse recovery, i.e., when extracellular free Ca2+ is decreased from 1 mM to ∼25 nM, the τD is reversibly increased ∼1.5–2-fold.Conclusions
We conclude that the increase in τD during low Ca2+ treatment is not due to increased [cGMP], increased [Na+] or decreased [ATP] in rod outer segment (ROS). Also it cannot be due to protein translocation mechanisms. We suggest that a Ca2+-dependent mechanism controls the life time of active PDE. 相似文献13.
Background
Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We hypothesized that inhaled NO (iNO) would induce EPC mobilization and therefore promote lung repair in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methodology/Principal Findings
Healthy piglets were randomized into four groups (n = 6): Control (Con; mechanical ventilation only); ARDS (established by oleic acid infusion and mechanical ventilation); ARDS plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; 10 µg/kg/d subcutaneously); ARDS plus NO inhalation (iNO; 10 ppm). EPCs and mobilizing cytokines were assayed at different time points (baseline, 0, 24, 72 and 168 h) and injury reparation was assessed at 168 h. Compared to the Con group, the levels of EPCs were increased in bone marrow but not in blood in the ARDS group at 24 h. Compared to the ARDS group, inhaled NO induced a rapid elevation in the number of CD34+KDR+, KDR+CD133+ and CD34+KDR+CD133+ EPCs in blood (2163±454 vs. 1094±416, 1302±413 vs. 429±244, 1140±494 vs. 453±273 cells/ml, respectively, P<0.05), and a reduction in the percentage of KDR+CD133+ cells in bone marrow. Lung CD34, CD133, VEGF, VEGF receptor 2, endothelial NO synthase mRNA, and VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 protein expression levels were augmented in the iNO group, but not in the G-CSF group, compared to ARDS. Furthermore, iNO treatment reduced vascular permeability, increased pulmonary vessel density, and alleviated pulmonary edema and inflammation compared to ARDS treatment. Plasma VEGF, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and bone marrow NO2 −/NO3 − were significantly higher in the iNO group compared to the ARDS group at 72 h.Conclusions
These results suggest that iNO induces mobilization of EPCs from bone marrow into circulation, contributes to vascular repair, and thereby alleviates lung damage. 相似文献14.
Background
Pluri-potent bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) provide an attractive opportunity to generate unlimited glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells for the treatment of diabetes. We explored the potential for human MSCs (hMSCs) to be differentiated into glucose-responsive cells through a non-viral genetic reprogramming approach.Methods and Findings
Two hMSC lines were transfected with three genes: PDX-1, NeuroD1 and Ngn3 without subsequent selection, followed by differentiation induction in vitro and transplantation into diabetic mice. Human MSCs expressed mRNAs of the archetypal stem cell markers: Sox2, Oct4, Nanog and CD34, and the endocrine cell markers: PDX-1, NeuroD1, Ngn3, and Nkx6.1. Following gene transfection and differentiation induction, hMSCs expressed insulin in vitro, but were not glucose regulated. After transplantation, hMSCs differentiated further and ∼12.5% of the grafted cells expressed insulin. The graft bearing kidneys contained mRNA of insulin and other key genes required for the functions of beta cells. Mice transplanted with manipulated hMSCs showed reduced blood glucose levels (from 18.9+/−0.75 to 7.63+/−1.63 mM). 13 of the 16 mice became normoglycaemic (6.9+/−0.64 mM), despite the failure to detect the expression of SUR1, a K+-ATP channel component required for regulation of insulin secretion.Conclusions
Our data confirm that hMSCs can be induced to express insulin sufficient to reduce blood glucose in a diabetic mouse model. Our triple gene approach has created cells that seem less glucose responsive in vitro but which become more efficient after transplantation. The maturation process requires further study, particularly the in vivo factors influencing the differentiation, in order to scale up for clinical purposes. 相似文献15.
Objectives
Anthrax infection is associated with devastating cardiovascular sequelae, suggesting unfavorable cardiovascular effects of toxins originated from Bacillus anthracis namely lethal and edema toxins. This study was designed to examine the direct effect of lethal toxins on cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties.Methods
Murine cardiomyocyte contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ handling were evaluated including peak shortening (PS), maximal velocity of shortening/ relengthening (± dL/dt), time-to-PS (TPS), time-to-90% relengthening (TR90), intracellular Ca2+ rise measured as fura-2 fluorescent intensity (ΔFFI), and intracellular Ca2+ decay rate. Stress signaling and Ca2+ regulatory proteins were assessed using Western blot analysis.Results
In vitro exposure to a lethal toxin (0.05 – 50 nM) elicited a concentration-dependent depression on cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties (PS, ± dL/dt, ΔFFI), along with prolonged duration of contraction and intracellular Ca2+ decay, the effects of which were nullified by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. The lethal toxin significantly enhanced superoxide production and cell death, which were reversed by apocynin. In vivo lethal toxin exposure exerted similar time-dependent cardiomyocyte mechanical and intracellular Ca2+ responses. Stress signaling cascades including MEK1/2, p38, ERK and JNK were unaffected by in vitro lethal toxins whereas they were significantly altered by in vivo lethal toxins. Ca2+ regulatory proteins SERCA2a and phospholamban were also differentially regulated by in vitro and in vivo lethal toxins. Autophagy was drastically triggered although ER stress was minimally affected following lethal toxin exposure.Conclusions
Our findings indicate that lethal toxins directly compromised murine cardiomyocyte contractile function and intracellular Ca2+ through a NADPH oxidase-dependent mechanism. 相似文献16.
17.
18.
The immune cell composition in Barrett's metaplastic tissue resembles that in normal duodenal tissue
Background and Objective
Barrett''s esophagus (BE) is characterized by the transition of squamous epithelium into columnar epithelium with intestinal metaplasia. The increased number and types of immune cells in BE have been indicated to be due to a Th2-type inflammatory process. We tested the alternative hypothesis that the abundance of T-cells in BE is caused by a homing mechanism that is found in the duodenum.Patients and Methods
Biopsies from BE and duodenal tissue from 30 BE patients and duodenal tissue from 18 controls were characterized by immmunohistochemistry for the presence of T-cells and eosinophils(eos). Ex vivo expanded T-cells were further phenotyped by multicolor analysis using flowcytometry.Results
The high percentage of CD4+-T cells (69±3% (mean±SEM/n = 17, by flowcytometry)), measured by flowcytometry and immunohistochemistry, and the presence of non-activated eosinophils found in BE by immunohistochemical staining, were not different from that found in duodenal tissue. Expanded lymphocytes from these tissues had a similar phenotype, characterized by a comparable but low percentage of αE(CD103) positive CD4+cells (44±5% in BE, 43±4% in duodenum of BE and 34±7% in duodenum of controls) and a similar percentage of granzyme-B+CD8+ cells(44±5% in BE, 33±6% in duodenum of BE and 36±7% in duodenum of controls). In addition, a similar percentage of α4β7+ T-lymphocytes (63±5% in BE, 58±5% in duodenum of BE and 62±8% in duodenum of controls) was found. Finally, mRNA expression of the ligand for α4β7, MAdCAM-1, was also similar in BE and duodenal tissue. No evidence for a Th2-response was found as almost no IL-4+-T-cells were seen.Conclusion
The immune cell composition (lymphocytes and eosinophils) and expression of intestinal adhesion molecule MAdCAM-1 is similar in BE and duodenum. This supports the hypothesis that homing of lymphocytes to BE tissue is mainly caused by intestinal homing signals rather than to an active inflammatory response. 相似文献19.
Giuliani M Giron-Michel J Negrini S Vacca P Durali D Caignard A Le Bousse-Kerdiles C Chouaib S Devocelle A Bahri R Durrbach A Taoufik Y Ferrini S Croce M Mingari MC Moretta L Azzarone B 《PloS one》2008,3(5):e2241
Background
NK cells have been long time considered as cytotoxic lymphocytes competent in killing virus-infected cells and tumors. However, NK cells may also play essential immuno-regulatory functions. In this context, the real existence of a defined NK subset with negative regulatory properties has been hypothesized but never clearly demonstrated.Methodology/Principal Findings
Herein, we show the in vitro generation from human peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitors (PB-HP), of a novel subset of non-cytolytic NK cells displaying a mature phenotype and remarkable immuno-regulatory functions (NK-ireg). The main functional hallmark of these NK-ireg cells is represented by the surface expression/release of HLA-G, a major immunosuppressive molecule. In addition, NK-ireg cells secrete two powerful immuno-regulatory factors: IL-10 and IL-21. Through these factors, NK-ireg cells act as effectors of the down-regulation of the immune response: reconverting mature myeloid DC (mDC) into immature/tolerogenic DC, blocking cytolytic functions on conventional NK cells and inducing HLA-G membrane expression on PB-derived monocytes. The generation of “NK-ireg” cells is obtained, by default, in culture conditions favouring cell-to-cell contacts, and it is strictly dependent on reciprocal trans-presentation of membrane-bound IL-15 forms constitutively and selectively expressed by human CD34+ PB-HP. Finally, a small subset of NKp46+ HLA-G+ IL-10+ is detected within freshly isolated decidual NK cells, suggesting that these cells could represent an in vivo counterpart of the NK-ireg cells.Conclusions/Significance
In conclusion, NK-ireg cells represent a novel truly differentiated non-cytolytic NK subset with a self-sustainable phenotype (CD56+ CD16+ NKp30+ NKp44+ NKp46+ CD94+ CD69+ CCR7+) generated from specific pSTAT6+ GATA3+ precursors. NK-ireg cells could be employed to develop new immuno-suppressive strategies in autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection or graft versus host diseases. In addition, NK-ireg cells can be easily derived from peripheral blood of the patients and could constitute an autologous biotherapic tool to be used combined or in alternative to other immuno-regulatory cells. 相似文献20.