Role of T Cells in the Mitogen-Induced Proliferation and Polyclonal Antibody Response of Murine B Cells

The effect of thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) on the responsiveness of bone marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells) to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was determined in in vitro experiments. Radiation resistant splenic T cells obtained from euthymic nu/+ mice increased the number of proliferating cells in the cultures of splenic B cells from athymic nu/nu mice even in a nonstimulated state. The radiation resistant T cells augmented significantly the responsiveness of B cells to LPS, as determined by an increase in proliferating cells and polyclonally induced anti-sheep erythrocyte (SRBC) IgM hemolysin plaque-forming cells (PFC). Addition of the T cells to B cell cultures not only augmented the responsiveness of B cells to suboptimal doses of LPS but also enabled B cells to respond to supraoptimal doses of LPS. As is well documented, the radiation resistant T cells were unable to induce the generation of anti-SRBC PFC in B cell cultures, unless the cultures were simultaneously stimulated with SRBC. Colcemid, a specific inhibitor of cell mitosis, blocked almost completely the exponential generation of anti-SRBC PFC in B cell cultures responding to SRBC with the aid of radiation resistant T cells. In contrast, colcemid did not affect the exponential generation of anti-SRBC PFC of a polyclonal nature in B cell cultures responding to LPS, either in the presence or absence of radiation resistant T cells.     

Biofilm and Nanowire Production Leads to Increased Current in Geobacter sulfurreducens Fuel Cells

Geobacter sulfurreducens developed highly structured, multilayer biofilms on the anode surface of a microbial fuel cell converting acetate to electricity. Cells at a distance from the anode remained viable, and there was no decrease in the efficiency of current production as the thickness of the biofilm increased. Genetic studies demonstrated that efficient electron transfer through the biofilm required the presence of electrically conductive pili. These pili may represent an electronic network permeating the biofilm that can promote long-range electrical transfer in an energy-efficient manner, increasing electricity production more than 10-fold.     

The Role of Autophagy in Lamellar Body Formation and Surfactant Production in Type 2 Alveolar Epithelial Cells

The lamellar body (LB), a concentric structure loaded with surfactant proteins and phospholipids, is an organelle specific to type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT2). However, the origin of LBs has not been fully elucidated. We have previously reported that autophagy regulates Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) formation, and here we demonstrated that autophagy is involved in LB maturation, another lysosome-related organelle. We found that during development, LBs were transformed from autophagic vacuoles containing cytoplasmic contents such as glycogen. Fusion between LBs and autophagosomes was observed in wild-type neonate mice. Moreover, the markers of autophagic activity, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), largely co-localized on the limiting membrane of the LB. Both autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) global knockout and conditional Atg7 knockdown in AT2 cells in mice led to defects in LB maturation and surfactant protein B production. Additionally, changes in autophagic activity altered LB formation and surfactant protein B production. Taken together, these results suggest that autophagy plays a critical role in the regulation of LB formation during development and the maintenance of LB homeostasis during adulthood.     

The Loss of Gnai2 and Gnai3 in B Cells Eliminates B Lymphocyte Compartments and Leads to a Hyper-IgM Like Syndrome

B lymphocytes are compartmentalized within lymphoid organs. The organization of these compartments depends upon signaling initiated by G-protein linked chemoattractant receptors. To address the importance of the G-proteins Gα_i2 and Gα_i3 in chemoattractant signaling we created mice lacking both proteins in their B lymphocytes. While bone marrow B cell development and egress is grossly intact; mucosal sites, splenic marginal zones, and lymph nodes essentially lack B cells. There is a partial block in splenic follicular B cell development and a 50-60% reduction in splenic B cells, yet normal numbers of splenic T cells. The absence of Gα_i2 and Gα_i3 in B cells profoundly disturbs the architecture of lymphoid organs with loss of B cell compartments in the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract. This results in a severe disruption of B cell function and a hyper-IgM like syndrome. Beyond the pro-B cell stage, B cells are refractory to chemokine stimulation, and splenic B cells are poorly responsive to antigen receptor engagement. Gα_i2 and Gα_i3 are therefore critical for B cell chemoattractant receptor signaling and for normal B cell function. These mice provide a worst case scenario of the consequences of losing chemoattractant receptor signaling in B cells.     

脑血管内皮细胞敲除Prmt5导致脑血管损伤及星形胶质细胞活化*

目的: 研究蛋白质精氨酸甲基转移酶5(protein arginine methyltransferase 5,Prmt5)在小鼠脑血管发育、稳态维持中的功能,并考察脑血管内皮细胞特异性敲除Prmt5后对中枢神经系统的影响。方法: 利用脑血管内皮细胞特异性表达SP-A-Cre转基因小鼠和Prmt5条件基因打靶小鼠交配,构建脑血管内皮细胞特异性Prmt5敲除小鼠。利用H-E染色、免疫荧光染色、激光散斑成像、Sulfo-NHS-Biotin染料灌注等方法评价脑血管内皮细胞特异性Prmt5敲除小鼠脑血管结构、脑血流量、血脑屏障渗透性等;利用实时定量PCR进一步检测补体C1q(complement C1q,C1q)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin 1β,IL-1β)等细胞因子的表达水平。通过免疫荧光、Western blot等检测胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)、S100钙结合蛋白β(S100 calcium-binding protein β protein,S100β)和补体C3(complement C3,C3)的表达,检测小鼠皮层、丘脑和小脑中星形胶质细胞活化水平。结果: 脑血管内皮细胞特异性敲除Prmt5导致血管损伤, C1q、TNF-α和IL-1β等炎症因子表达水平上调,活化星形胶质细胞比例明显增加。结论: 脑血管内皮细胞中Prmt5在小鼠脑血管稳态维持中发挥了重要功能。     

Dual Role for Pilus in Adherence to Epithelial Cells and Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus agalactiae is a common human commensal and a major life-threatening pathogen in neonates. Adherence to host epithelial cells is the first critical step of the infectious process. Pili have been observed on the surface of several gram-positive bacteria including S. agalactiae. We previously characterized the pilus-encoding operon gbs1479-1474 in strain NEM316. This pilus is composed of three structural subunit proteins: Gbs1478 (PilA), Gbs1477 (PilB), and Gbs1474 (PilC), and its assembly involves two class C sortases (SrtC3 and SrtC4). PilB, the bona fide pilin, is the major component; PilA, the pilus associated adhesin, and PilC, are both accessory proteins incorporated into the pilus backbone. We first addressed the role of the housekeeping sortase A in pilus biogenesis and showed that it is essential for the covalent anchoring of the pilus fiber to the peptidoglycan. We next aimed at understanding the role of the pilus fiber in bacterial adherence and at resolving the paradox of an adhesive but dispensable pilus. Combining immunoblotting and electron microscopy analyses, we showed that the PilB fiber is essential for efficient PilA display on the surface of the capsulated strain NEM316. We then demonstrated that pilus integrity becomes critical for adherence to respiratory epithelial cells under flow-conditions mimicking an in vivo situation and revealing the limitations of the commonly used static adherence model. Interestingly, PilA exhibits a von Willebrand adhesion domain (VWA) found in many extracellular eucaryotic proteins. We show here that the VWA domain of PilA is essential for its adhesive function, demonstrating for the first time the functionality of a prokaryotic VWA homolog. Furthermore, the auto aggregative phenotype of NEM316 observed in standing liquid culture was strongly reduced in all three individual pilus mutants. S. agalactiae strain NEM316 was able to form biofilm in microtiter plate and, strikingly, the PilA and PilB mutants were strongly impaired in biofilm formation. Surprisingly, the VWA domain involved in adherence to epithelial cells was not required for biofilm formation.     

Novel Automated Tracking Analysis of Particles Subjected to Shear Flow: Kindlin-3 Role in B Cells

Shear flow assays are used to mimic the influence of physiological shear force in diverse situations such as leukocyte rolling and arrest on the vasculature, capture of nanoparticles, and bacterial adhesion. Analysis of such assays usually involves manual counting, is labor-intensive, and is subject to bias. We have developed the Leukotrack program that incorporates a novel (to our knowledge) segmentation routine capable of reliable detection of cells in phase contrast images. The program also automatically tracks rolling cells in addition to those that are more firmly attached and migrating in random directions. We demonstrate its use in the analysis of lymphocyte arrest mediated by one or more active conformations of the integrin LFA-1. Activation of LFA-1 is a multistep process that depends on several proteins including kindlin-3, the protein that is mutated in leukocyte adhesion deficiency-III patients. We find that the very first stage of LFA-1-mediated attaching is unable to proceed in the absence of kindlin-3. Our evidence indicates that kindlin-3-mediated high-affinity LFA-1 controls both the early transient integrin-dependent adhesions in addition to the final stable adhesions made under flow conditions.     

Novel Automated Tracking Analysis of Particles Subjected to Shear Flow: Kindlin-3 Role in B Cells

Shear flow assays are used to mimic the influence of physiological shear force in diverse situations such as leukocyte rolling and arrest on the vasculature, capture of nanoparticles, and bacterial adhesion. Analysis of such assays usually involves manual counting, is labor-intensive, and is subject to bias. We have developed the Leukotrack program that incorporates a novel (to our knowledge) segmentation routine capable of reliable detection of cells in phase contrast images. The program also automatically tracks rolling cells in addition to those that are more firmly attached and migrating in random directions. We demonstrate its use in the analysis of lymphocyte arrest mediated by one or more active conformations of the integrin LFA-1. Activation of LFA-1 is a multistep process that depends on several proteins including kindlin-3, the protein that is mutated in leukocyte adhesion deficiency-III patients. We find that the very first stage of LFA-1-mediated attaching is unable to proceed in the absence of kindlin-3. Our evidence indicates that kindlin-3-mediated high-affinity LFA-1 controls both the early transient integrin-dependent adhesions in addition to the final stable adhesions made under flow conditions.     

Overexpression of HTRA1 Leads to Down-Regulation of Fibronectin and Functional Changes in RF/6A Cells and HUVECs

Multiple genetic studies have suggested that high-temperature requirement serine protease (HTRA1) is associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). To date, no functional studies have investigated the biological effect of HTRA1 on vascular endothelial cells, essential vascular components involved in polypoidal vascular abnormalities and arteriosclerosis-like changes. In vitro studies were performed to investigate the effect of HTRA1 on the regulation of fibronectin, laminin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and matrix metalloparoteinases 2 (MMP-2) and the role of HTRA1 in choroid-retina endothelial (RF/6A) and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of HTRA1 was used to explore effects of the protease on RF/6A and HUVEC cells in vitro. HTRA1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, cell cycle, migration and tube formation of RF/6A and HUVEC cells, effects that might contribute to the early stage of PCV pathological lesions. Fibronectin mRNA and protein levels were significantly down-regulated following the upregulation of HTRA1, whereas the expressions of laminin, VEGF and MMP-2 were unaffected by alterations in HTRA1 expression. The decreased biological function of vascular endothelial cells and the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, may be involved in a contributory role for HTRA1 in PCV pathogenesis.     

Th17/Treg细胞及其失衡在乙型肝炎致病机制中的作用

我国是乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)高感染率国家,乙型肝炎发病机制十分复杂,宿主免疫调节紊乱是导致不能有效清除病毒、病情迁延不愈的重要原因,其中CD4+T淋巴细胞发挥主要作用。最近,新发现的CD4+T细胞的几种亚群为乙型肝炎致病机制的研究提供了新思路。这些新的T细胞亚群中,有一种被称为Th17细胞,表达转录因子ROR-γt,并分泌各种IL-17因子参与免疫反应。另一种为Treg细胞,表达转录因子Fox P3,主要分泌TGF-β因子,当TGF-β单独存在时,初始的效应T细胞分化为Treg细胞。辅助性Th17细胞(Th17)和调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell,Treg)在分化发育、增殖及功能上有着密切的联系,并参与乙型肝炎的致病过程,对乙型肝炎的发生、发展、及愈后有一定影响。最近的研究表明,Th17/Treg的失调可能参与了乙型肝炎的异常免疫反应,从而导致慢性炎症的形成和HBV的持续感染。本文就Th17细胞和Treg细胞及其失衡在乙型肝炎致病机制中的作用予以综述,为乙型肝炎的免疫学治疗提供理论基础。     

Suppressing Energy Loss due to Triplet Exciton Formation in Organic Solar Cells: The Role of Chemical Structures and Molecular Packing

In the most efficient solar cells based on blends of a conjugated polymer (electron donor) and a fullerene derivative (electron acceptor),ultrafast formation of charge‐transfer (CT) electronic states at the donor‐acceptor interfaces and efficient separation of these CT states into free charges, lead to internal quantum efficiencies near 100%. However, there occur substantial energy losses due to the non‐radiative recombinations of the charges, mediated by the loweset‐energy (singlet and triplet) CT states; for example, such recombinations can lead to the formation of triplet excited electronic states on the polymer chains, which do not generate free charges. This issue remains a major factor limiting the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of these devices. The recombination rates are, however, difficult to quantify experimentally. To shed light on these issues, here, an integrated multi‐scale theoretical approach that combines molecular dynamics simulations with quantum chemistry calculations is employed in order to establish the relationships among chemical structures, molecular packing, and non‐radiative recombination losses mediated by the lowest‐energy charge‐transfer states.     

A Highlights from MBoC Selection: Mitochondrial Fragmentation Leads to Intracellular Acidification in Caenorhabditis elegans and Mammalian Cells

Mitochondrial structural dynamics are regulated through the opposing processes of membrane fission and fusion, which are conserved from yeast to man. The chronic inhibition of mitochondrial fusion as a result of genetic mutation is the cause of human autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome type 2A (CMT-2A). Here, we demonstrate that genetic fragmentation of the mitochondrial network in Caenorhabditis elegans induces cellular acidification in a broad range of tissues from the intestine, to body wall muscles, and neurons. Genetic epistasis analyses demonstrate that fragmentation itself, and not the loss of a particular protein, leads to acidosis, and the worm''s fitness matches the extent of acidification. We suggest that fragmentation may cause acidification through two distinct processes: oxidative signaling after the loss of the ability of the mitochondrial inner membrane to undergo fusion and lactic acidosis after the loss of outer membrane fusion. Finally, experiments in cultured mammalian cells demonstrate a conserved link between mitochondrial morphology and cell pH homeostasis. Taken together these data reveal a potential role for acidosis in the differing etiology of diseases associated with mitochondrial morphology defects such as ADOA and CMT-2A.     

RNA干扰ABCE1基因后可抑制肺癌95-D/NCI-H446细胞的增殖和诱导细胞凋亡

ABCE1作为RNase L抑制剂首先是在脊椎动物中被发现的．前期研究结果显示ABCE1与肺腺癌的发生率及临床分期显著相关．为了进一步研究ABCE1的新功能,构建了ABCE1基因的siRNA表达质粒(RNAi-Ready pSIREN-DNR-DsRed-　Express vector),培养肺癌细胞(95-D和 NCI-H446),用FuGENE 6作为转染试剂转染后,使用荧光显微镜观察转染效果,RT-PCR分析ABCE1基因表达,Western blot 分析ABCE1蛋白的表达,MTT法检测细胞的活性,流式细胞仪分析细胞周期,ELISA法检测细胞凋亡．结果显示：质粒的转染效果较满意,阳性率约为42.70%;在实验组,细胞活性和生长指数明显受到抑制,细胞凋亡明显增加,与对照组比较差异显著(P < 0.05)．上述结果显示,RNA干扰ABCE1基因可显著抑制肺癌细胞(95-D/NCI-H446) RNA的转录、蛋白质的表达,并增加细胞凋亡,为进一步研究ABCE1基因提供必要的基础．     

高亲和力抗乙型肝炎病毒PreS1的人源单链抗体的获得：天然及免疫抗体库的对比研究(英)

以健康人的外周血淋巴细胞为来源,以偶联BSA的乙型肝炎病毒PreS1肽体外免疫.分别从免疫和未经免疫的淋巴细胞提取RNA,扩增抗体基因,构建大容量天然单链抗体（scFv）噬菌体展示文库和体外免疫scFv抗体库.以PreS1肽进行3轮淘选后,抗原抗体反应结果显示,从免疫库中获得了亲和力10^-7～10^-8 M的抗乙型肝炎病毒PreS1的单链抗体,高于天然库的结果（10^-6～10^-7 M）.测序结果表明两株抗体均为人抗体.为基因工程抗体用于临床治疗乙型肝炎奠定基础.同时证明淋巴细胞体外免疫方法构建的免疫抗体库优于大容量天然抗体库.     

The Dynamics of Autophagy Visualised in Live Cells: from Autophagosome Formation to Fusion with Endo/lysosomes

Autophagy has been implicated in a range of disorders and hence is of major interest. However, imaging autophagy in real time has been hampered by lack of suitable markers. We have compared the potential of monodansylcadaverine, widely used as an autophagosomal marker, and the Atg8 homologue LC3, to follow autophagy by fluorescence microscopy whilst labelling late endosomes and lysosomes simultaneously using EGFP-CD63. Monodansylcadaverine labelled only acidic CD63-positive compartments in response to a range of autophagic inducers in various live or post-fixed cells, staining being identical in atg5+/+ and atg5-/- MEFs in which autophagosome formation is disabled. Monodansylcadaverine staining was essentially indistinguishable from that of LysoTracker Red, LAMP1 or LAMP2. In contrast, 60-90% of EGFP-LC3-positive punctate organelles did not colocalise with LAMP1/LAMP2/CD63 and were monodansylcadaverine-negative while EGFP-LC3 puncta that did colocalise with LAMP1/LAMP2/CD63 were also monodansylcadaverine-positive. Hence monodansylcadaverine is no different from other markers of acidic compartments and it cannot be used to follow autophagosome formation. In contrast, fusion of mRFP-LC3-labelled autophagosomes with EGFP-CD63-positive endosomes and lysosomes and sequestration of dsRed-labelled mitochondria by EGFP-LC3- and EGFP-CD63-positive compartments could be visualised in real time. Moreover, transition of EGFP-LC3-I (45 kDa) to EGFP-LC3-II (43 kDa) - traced by immunoblotting and verified by [3H]ethanolamine labelling - revealed novel insights into the dynamics of autophagosome homeostasis, including the rapid activation of autophagy by the apoptotic inducer staurosporine prior to apoptosis proper. Use of fluorescent LC3 and a counterfluorescent endosomal/lysosomal protein clearly allows the entire autophagic process to be followed by live cell imaging with high fidelity.