Characterization of CD4(+) CTLs ex vivo

The cytotoxic potential of CD8(+) T cells and NK cells plays a crucial role in the immune response to pathogens. Although in vitro studies have reported that CD4(+) T cells are also able to mediate perforin-mediated killing, the in vivo existence and relevance of cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells have been the subject of debate. Here we show that a population of CD4(+) perforin(+) T cells is present in the circulation at low numbers in healthy donors and is markedly expanded in donors with chronic viral infections, in particular HIV infection, at all stages of the disease, including early primary infection. Ex vivo analysis shows that these cells have cytotoxic potential mediated through the release of perforin. In comparison with more classical CD4(+) T cells, this subset displays a distinct surface phenotype and functional profile most consistent with end-stage differentiated T cells and include Ag experienced CD4(+) T cells. The existence of CD4(+) cytotoxic T cells in vivo at relatively high levels in chronic viral infection suggests a role in the immune response.     

Invited review: effects of flow on vascular endothelial intracellular calcium signaling of rat aortas ex vivo.

To study the effects of flow on in situ endothelial intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) signaling, rat aortic rings were loaded with fura 2, mounted on a tissue flow chamber, and divided into control and flow-pretreated groups. The latter was perfused with buffer at a shear stress of 50 dyns/cm(2) for 1 h. Endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) responses to ACh or shear stresses were determined by ratio image analysis. Moreover, ACh-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation responses were measured in a calcium-free buffer, or in the presence of SKF-96365, to elucidate the role of calcium influx in the flow effects. Our results showed that 1) ACh increased endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) in a dose-dependent manner, and these responses were incremented by flow-pretreatment; 2) the differences in ACh-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation between control and flow-pretreated groups were abolished by SKF-96365 or by Ca(2+)-free buffer; and 3) in the presence of 10(-5) M ATP, shear stress induced dose-dependent [Ca(2+)](i) elevation responses that were not altered by flow-pretreatment. In conclusion, flow-pretreatment augments the ACh-induced endothelial calcium influx in rat aortas ex vivo.     

Mycoplasma biofilms ex vivo and in vivo

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that are encased in polymeric matrixes and grow attached to biotic or abiotic surfaces. Despite their enhanced ability to resist antimicrobials and components of the immune system in vitro , few studies have addressed the interactions of biofilms with the host at the organ level. Although mycoplasmas have been shown to form biofilms on glass and plastic surfaces, it has not been determined whether they form biofilms on the tracheal epithelium. We developed a tracheal organ-mounting system that allowed the entire surface of the tracheal lumen to be scanned using fluorescence microscopy. We observed the biofilms formed by the murine respiratory pathogen Mycoplasma pulmonis on the epithelium of trachea in tracheal organ culture and in experimentally infected mice and found similar structure and biological characteristics as biofilms formed in vitro . This tracheal organ-mounting system can be used to study interactions between biofilms formed by respiratory pathogens and the host epithelium and to identify the factors that contribute to biofilm formation in vivo .     

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications^1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, each offering its own advantages and shortcomings^5,6. Most prominently, due to the microscale device dimensions, a high modulus is required to facilitate implantation into living tissue. Conversely, the stiffness of the device should match the surrounding tissue to minimize induced local strain^7-9. Therefore, we recently developed a new class of bio-inspired materials to meet these requirements by responding to environmental stimuli with a change in mechanical properties^10-14. Specifically, our poly(vinyl acetate)-based nanocomposite (PVAc-NC) displays a reduction in stiffness when exposed to water and elevated temperatures (e.g. body temperature). Unfortunately, few methods exist to quantify the stiffness of materials in vivo¹⁵, and mechanical testing outside of the physiological environment often requires large samples inappropriate for implantation. Further, stimuli-responsive materials may quickly recover their initial stiffness after explantation. Therefore, we have developed a method by which the mechanical properties of implanted microsamples can be measured ex vivo, with simulated physiological conditions maintained using moisture and temperature control^13,16,17.To this end, a custom microtensile tester was designed to accommodate microscale samples^13,17 with widely-varying Young''s moduli (range of 10 MPa to 5 GPa). As our interests are in the application of PVAc-NC as a biologically-adaptable neural probe substrate, a tool capable of mechanical characterization of samples at the microscale was necessary. This tool was adapted to provide humidity and temperature control, which minimized sample drying and cooling¹⁷. As a result, the mechanical characteristics of the explanted sample closely reflect those of the sample just prior to explantation.The overall goal of this method is to quantitatively assess the in vivo mechanical properties, specifically the Young''s modulus, of stimuli-responsive, mechanically-adaptive polymer-based materials. This is accomplished by first establishing the environmental conditions that will minimize a change in sample mechanical properties after explantation without contributing to a reduction in stiffness independent of that resulting from implantation. Samples are then prepared for implantation, handling, and testing (Figure 1A). Each sample is implanted into the cerebral cortex of rats, which is represented here as an explanted rat brain, for a specified duration (Figure 1B). At this point, the sample is explanted and immediately loaded into the microtensile tester, and then subjected to tensile testing (Figure 1C). Subsequent data analysis provides insight into the mechanical behavior of these innovative materials in the environment of the cerebral cortex.     

Tissue protection and endothelial cell signaling by 20-HETE analogs in intact ex vivo lung slices

The capacity to follow cell type-specific signaling in intact lung remains limited. 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is an endogenous fatty acid that mediates signaling for a number of key physiologic endpoints in the pulmonary vasculature, including cell survival and altered vascular tone. We used confocal microscopy to identify enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in endothelial cell (EC)s in intact lung evoked by two stable analogs of 20-HETE, 20-5,14-HEDE (20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoic acid) and 20-5,14-HEDGE (N-[20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoyl]glycine). These analogs generated increased ROS in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells as well. 20-HETE analog treatment decreased apoptosis of pulmonary tissue exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) ex vivo. Enhanced ROS production and apoptosis were confirmed by biochemical assays. Our studies identify physiologically critical, graded ROS from ECs in live lung tissue ex vivo treated with 20-HETE analogs and protection from HR-induced apoptosis. These methodologies create exciting possibilities for studying signaling by stable 20-HETE analogs and other factors in pulmonary endothelial and other lung cell types in their native milieu.     

Peripheral disruption of the Grb10 gene enhances insulin signaling and sensitivity in vivo

Grb10 is a pleckstrin homology and Src homology 2 domain-containing protein that interacts with a number of phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinases, including the insulin receptor. In mice, Grb10 gene expression is imprinted with maternal expression in all tissues except the brain. While the interaction between Grb10 and the insulin receptor has been extensively investigated in cultured cells, whether this adaptor protein plays a positive or negative role in insulin signaling and action remains controversial. In order to investigate the in vivo role of Grb10 in insulin signaling and action in the periphery, we generated Grb10 knockout mice by the gene trap technique and analyzed mice with maternal inheritance of the knockout allele. Disruption of Grb10 gene expression in peripheral tissues had no significant effect on fasting glucose and insulin levels. On the other hand, peripheral-tissue-specific knockout of Grb10 led to significant overgrowth of the mice, consistent with a role for endogenous Grb10 as a growth suppressor. Loss of Grb10 expression in insulin target tissues, such as skeletal muscle and fat, resulted in enhanced insulin-stimulated Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies revealed that disruption of Grb10 gene expression in peripheral tissues led to increased insulin sensitivity. Taken together, our results provide strong evidence that Grb10 is a negative regulator of insulin signaling and action in vivo.     

Characterization of coding synonymous and non-synonymous variants in ADAMTS13 using ex vivo and in silico approaches

Synonymous variations, which are defined as codon substitutions that do not change the encoded amino acid, were previously thought to have no effect on the properties of the synthesized protein(s). However, mounting evidence shows that these "silent" variations can have a significant impact on protein expression and function and should no longer be considered "silent". Here, the effects of six synonymous and six non-synonymous variations, previously found in the gene of ADAMTS13, the von Willebrand Factor (VWF) cleaving hemostatic protease, have been investigated using a variety of approaches. The ADAMTS13 mRNA and protein expression levels, as well as the conformation and activity of the variants have been compared to that of wild-type ADAMTS13. Interestingly, not only the non-synonymous variants but also the synonymous variants have been found to change the protein expression levels, conformation and function. Bioinformatic analysis of ADAMTS13 mRNA structure, amino acid conservation and codon usage allowed us to establish correlations between mRNA stability, RSCU, and intracellular protein expression. This study demonstrates that variants and more specifically, synonymous variants can have a substantial and definite effect on ADAMTS13 function and that bioinformatic analysis may allow development of predictive tools to identify variants that will have significant effects on the encoded protein.     

Monosodium glutamate impairs the contraction of uterine visceral smooth muscle ex vivo of rat through augmentation of acetylcholine and nitric oxide signaling pathways

The aim of the study was to examine the toxic effects of Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an extensively used food additive, on the contraction of uterine visceral smooth muscle (UVSM) in rat and to elucidate the probable neurocrine mechanism involved in it. MSG produced significant potentiation of the force and inhibition of frequency of uterus recorded ex vivo in chronic MSG exposure and in single dose acute experiments. MSG also produced significant potentiation of force of acetylcholine induced contraction and no alterations in atropine induced contraction of uterus. Further, MSG produced significant increase in force and frequency of contraction of neostigmine incubated uterus. We have found significant potentiation of the post pause force of contraction of uterus when MSG was applied in adrenaline incubated uterus. MSG also produced significant decrease in frequency of contraction of sodium nitroprusside incubated uterus; increase in frequency of N-ω-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester incubated uterus and no significant changes in frequency of contraction of methylene blue incubated uterus. These results indicate that MSG potentiates the force of contraction of UVSM predominantly by augmenting the activity of cholinergic intrinsic efferents and inhibits the frequency of contraction probably by augmenting the activity of nitrergic efferents. In conclusion, MSG potentiates the force and inhibits the frequency of contraction of UVSM, and the MSG induced effect is probably mediated through the augmentation of acetylcholine and nitric oxide signaling pathways.     

Activation of rat heart phosphofructokinase-2 by insulin in vivo

Fifteen minutes after the intravenous injection of overnight starved, anaesthetized rats with insulin, the concentration of fructose 2,6-biphosphate was increased more than 2-fold in the hearts of these animals. Insulin injection also caused a 2-3 fold increase in the Vmax of phosphofructokinase-2 with no detectable change in Km values. The effect persisted after precipitation of the enzyme with polyethylene glycol or after gel filtration through Sephadex G-25.     

Cardiac phospholipidome is altered during ischemia and reperfusion in an ex vivo rat model

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death, morbidity, and health costs worldwide. In AMI, a sudden blockage of blood flow causes myocardial ischemia and cell death. Reperfusion after ischemia has paradoxical effects and may exacerbate the myocardial injury, a process known as ischemic reperfusion injury. In this work we evaluated the lipidome of isolated rat hearts, maintained in controlled perfusion (CT), undergoing global ischemia (ISC) or ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR). 153 polar lipid levels were significantly different between conditions. 48 features had q < 0.001 and included 8 phosphatidylcholines and 4 lysophospholipids, which were lower in ISC compared to CT, and even lower in the IR group, suggesting that IR induces more profound changes than ISC. We observed that the levels of 16 alkyl acyl phospholipids were significantly altered during ISC and IR. Overall, these data indicate that myocardial lipid remodelling and possibly damage occurs to a greater extent during reperfusion. The adaptation of cardiac lipidome during ISC and IR described is consistent with the presence of oxidative damage and may reflect the impact of AMI on the lipidome at the cellular level and provide new insights into the role of lipids in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

FGFR2b signaling regulates ex vivo submandibular gland epithelial cell proliferation and branching morphogenesis

Branching morphogenesis of mouse submandibular glands is regulated by multiple growth factors. Here, we report that ex vivo branching of intact submandibular glands decreases when either FGFR2 expression is downregulated or soluble recombinant FGFR2b competes out the endogenous growth factors. However, a combination of neutralizing antibodies to FGF1, FGF7 and FGF10 is required to inhibit branching in the intact gland, suggesting that multiple FGF isoforms are required for branching. Exogenous FGFs added to submandibular epithelial rudiments cultured without mesenchyme induce distinct morphologies. FGF7 induces epithelial budding, whereas FGF10 induces duct elongation, and both are inhibited by FGFR or ERK1/2 signaling inhibitors. However, a PI3-kinase inhibitor also decreases FGF7-mediated epithelial budding, suggesting that multiple signaling pathways exist. We immunolocalized FGF receptors and analyzed changes in FGFR, FGF and MMP gene expression to identify the mechanisms of FGF-mediated morphogenesis. FGFR1b and FGFR2b are present throughout the epithelium, although FGFR1b is more highly expressed around the periphery of the buds and the duct tips. FGF7 signaling increases FGFR1b and FGF1 expression, and MMP2 activity, when compared with FGF10, resulting in increased cell proliferation and expansion of the epithelial bud, whereas FGF10 stimulates localized proliferation at the tip of the duct. FGF7- and FGF10-mediated morphogenesis is inhibited by an MMP inhibitor and a neutralizing antibody to FGF1, suggesting that both FGF1 and MMPs are essential downstream mediators of epithelial morphogenesis. Taken together, our data suggests that FGFR2b signaling involves a regulatory network of FGFR1b/FGF1/MMP2 expression that mediates budding and duct elongation during branching morphogenesis.     

Characterization of rat skeletal muscle sarcolemmal insulin receptors and a sarcolemmal insulin binding inhibitor

When insulin receptors of rat skeletal muscle sarcolemmal vesicles were solubilized with Triton X-100, the specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin increased by more than 10-fold over that seen in the intact vesicles. Partial purification of the skeletal muscle insulin receptors on wheat germ agglutinin affinity columns increased the total insulin binding activity by 7-fold and reduced the Kd for insulin binding from 1.92 to 0.20 nM, suggesting that an inhibitor of insulin binding was removed by this purification step. This was confirmed when the unbound fractions of the affinity column were dialyzed and reconstituted with the insulin receptors. The inhibitory activity in the sarcolemmal extract could not be accounted for by the presence of Triton X-100. The skeletal muscle inhibitor was more potent in inhibiting insulin binding to skeletal muscle insulin receptors than to liver or adipose receptors. The inhibitor was very effective in inhibiting insulin binding to wheat germ agglutinin-purified IM-9 receptors, but had negligible effects on insulin binding to intact IM-9 cells. The properties of the alpha and beta subunits of the skeletal muscle insulin receptors appear to be the same as those of insulin receptors of other tissues: cross-linking of 125I-labeled insulin to the receptor revealed a band of 130,000 daltons, and insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of bands of 90,000 and 95,000 daltons in the receptor preparation. The skeletal muscle insulin binding inhibitor elutes from molecular sieves in a major 160,000-dalton peak and minor 75,000-dalton peak. The binding inhibitor is not inactivated by heat, by mercaptoethanol, or by trypsin, pepsin, or proteinase K. Collectively, these data suggest that the inhibitor may be a small molecule that aggregates with itself, with larger proteins, or with detergent micelles.     

Internalization and activation of the rat liver insulin receptor kinase in vivo

The preparation of clearly delineated plasmalemma (PM) and endosomal subcellular fractions from rat liver has allowed us to compare insulin receptor (IR) kinase activity at the cell surface and in hepatic endosomes (ENs) as a function of dose and time after injected insulin. Tyrosine kinase activity in PM and ENs was measured, after solubilization and partial purification by wheat germ agglutinin chromatography (lectin-purified), using poly(Glu:Tyr) as substrate. Following the injection of a subsaturating dose of insulin (1.5 micrograms/100 g body weight), lectin-purified receptor showed peak activation at 30 s in PM and at 2 min in ENs. As observed previously (Khan, M. N., Savoie, S., Bergeron, J. J. M., and Posner, B. I. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 8462-8472) autophosphorylation activity was also augmented following insulin injection. In a pattern virtually identical to that of exogenous kinase activity, autophosphorylation attained peak activity at 30 s in PM and at 2 min in ENs. The time course of IR autophosphorylation in intact membranes was very similar to that observed for lectin purified receptors and was seen with an injected insulin dose as low as 150 ng/100 g body weight. Phosphatase treatment of the solubilized endosomal receptor abolished its enhanced activity. Hence, insulin treatment led to in vivo receptor phosphorylation which was reflected in the enhancement of both tyrosine kinase and autophosphorylation activities. Significant differences in the phosphorylation activities of PM and ENs were observed. Phosphoamino acid analyses revealed that the activated IR of intact PM was autophosphorylated in vitro, at both serine (55%) and tyrosine (45%) residues; whereas the activated IR of intact ENs was phosphorylated in vitro exclusively on tyrosine autophosphorylation specific activity for the activated IR of ENs was 3- to 4-fold that of the IR of PM. This was observed for the lectin purified IRs as well as for IRs of intact cell fractions. The reduced level of IR autophosphorylation in PM was not due to occlusion of tyrosine acceptor sites by prior in vivo phosphorylation. The rapidity with which activated IR accumulates in ENs as well as the sensitivity of endosomal IR kinase to activation by injected insulin are consistent with the endosomal apparatus serving a physiologically significant site for the regulation of transmembrane signaling.     

Endostatin inhibits microvessel formation in the ex vivo rat aortic ring angiogenesis assay

Endostatin has demonstrated potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity in mouse models. We have investigated the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay and a human vein model to assess the biological activity of murine and human endostatin. Rat aortic rings were exposed to recombinant murine endostatin (Spodoptera frugipera; Calbiochem, San Diego, CA) or recombinant human endostatin (Pichia pastoris; EntreMed, Rockville, MD). After 5 days, murine endostatin (500 microgram/ml) demonstrated inhibition of microvessel outgrowth with dose-dependent effects (down to 16 microgram/ml). No significant inhibition was observed with human endostatin in the rat assay. Human endostatin at 250 and 500 microgram/ml inhibited outgrowths from human saphenous vein rings after a 14-day incubation. Electron microscopy assessed the formation of basal lamina, confirming that the microvessels were progenitors of patent vessels. Immunostaining for Factor VIII or CD34 demonstrated that the microvessel cells were endothelial. BrdU incorporation assays supported the presence of proliferating endothelial cells, correlating with neovascularization from the aortic wall. We conclude that the rat aortic ring assay confirms the antiangiogenic activity of murine but not human endostatin, suggesting that the model may have species specificity. However, the human form shows biological activity against human vascular tissue.     

Galpha i2 enhances in vivo activation of and insulin signaling to GLUT4.

Heterotrimeric G-proteins, including Galpha(i2), have been implicated in modulating glucose disposal and insulin signaling. This cross-talk between G-protein-coupled and tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling pathways is a focal point for the study of integration of cell signaling. Herein we study the role of Galpha(i2) in modulating glucose transport, focusing upon linkages to insulin signaling. Utilizing mice harboring a transgene that directs the expression of a constitutively activated, GTPase-deficient mutant of Galpha(i2) (Q205L) in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver, we demonstrate that Galpha(i2) regulates the translocation of the insulin-sensitive GLUT4 glucose transporter in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. The expression of Q205L Galpha(i2) increased glucose transport and translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in vivo in the absence of insulin stimulation. Adipocytes from the Q205L Galpha(i2) mice displayed enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane to levels nearly twice that of those from littermate controls. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt activities were constitutively activated in tissues expressing the Q205L Galpha(i2). Studies of adipocytes from wild-type mice displayed short term activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt, and GLUT4 translocation in response to activation of Galpha(i2) by lysophosphatidic acid, a response sensitive to pertussis toxin. These data provide an explanation for the marked glucose tolerance of the Q205L Galpha(i2) mice and demonstrate a linkage between Galpha(i2) and GLUT4 translocation.     

Involvement of integrins and Src in insulin signaling toward autophagic proteolysis in rat liver

Cell volume changes critically determine hepatic signal transduction and metabolism. Hepatocyte swelling by insulin contributes to p38(MAPK) activation leading to inhibition of autophagic proteolysis. Recently integrins were shown to sense hypoosmotic hepatocyte swelling. Here the role of integrins, Src, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in insulin signaling was investigated using the intact organ model of perfused rat liver. Insulin increases [Tyr(P)(418)]Src, [Tyr(P)(397)]FAK, and dual p38(MAPK) phosphorylation by about 2-fold. Infusion of the integrin-antagonizing hexapeptide GRGDSP or the Src inhibitor PP-2 prevented activation of Src and p38(MAPK) and, consequently, proteolysis inhibition by insulin. However, insulin-induced phosphorylation of IRbeta (Tyr(1158)) and protein kinase B (PKB, Ser(473)), as well as K(+)-uptake and cell swelling, was not reduced by the inhibitors. Both hypoosmotic swelling and insulin increase the plasma membrane levels of activated beta(1) integrin. Inhibition of insulin-induced swelling by furosemide largely abolished activation of beta(1) integrin and phosphorylation of Src, but not of PKB. Rapamycin does not affect either insulin-induced K(+)-retention and cell swelling or proteolysis inhibition, indicating that swelling-dependent proteolysis inhibition occurs independently from the mammalian target of rapamycin. The data suggest that sensing of cell swelling by integrins essentially contributes to insulin signaling, thereby defining a novel way of integrin involvement in growth factor signaling.     

Enhanced insulin action on glucose transport and insulin signaling in 7-day unweighted rat soleus muscle.

Hindlimb suspension (HS), a model of simulated weightlessness, enhances insulin action on glucose transport in unweighted rat soleus muscle. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that these changes in glucose transport in 3- and 7-day HS soleus of juvenile, female Sprague-Dawley rats were due to increased functionality of insulin signaling factors, including insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), and Akt. Insulin-stimulated (2 mU/ml) glucose transport was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced in 3- and 7-day HS soleus by 59 and 113%, respectively, compared with weight-bearing controls. Insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IR and Ser(473) phosphorylation of Akt was not altered by unweighting. Despite decreased (34 and 64%) IRS-1 protein in 3- and 7-day HS soleus, absolute insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was not diminished, indicating relative increases in IRS-1 phosphorylation of 62 and 184%, respectively. In the 7-day HS soleus, this was accompanied by increased (47%) insulin-stimulated IRS-1 associated with the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase. Interestingly, the enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose transport in the unweighted soleus was not completely inhibited (89-92%) by wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor. Finally, protein expression and activation of p38 MAPK, a stress-activated serine/threonine kinase associated with insulin resistance, was decreased by 32 and 18% in 7-day HS soleus. These results indicate that the increased insulin action on glucose transport in the 7-day unweighted soleus is associated with increased insulin signaling through IRS-1 and PI3-kinase and decreased p38 MAPK protein expression. However, PI3-kinase-independent mechanisms must also play a small role in this adaptive response to HS.