Metalloproteinase-mediated Shedding of Integrin β2 promotes macrophage efflux from inflammatory sites

Macrophage exiting from inflammatory sites is critical to limit the local innate immune response. With tissue insult, resident tissue macrophages rapidly efflux to lymph nodes where they modulate the adaptive immune response, and inflammatory macrophages attracted to the site of injury then exit during the resolution phase. However, the mechanisms that regulate macrophage efflux are poorly understood. This study has investigated soluble forms of integrin β2 whose levels are elevated in experimental peritonitis at times when macrophages are exiting the peritoneum, suggesting that its proteolytic shedding may be involved in macrophage efflux. Both constitutive and inducible metalloproteinase-dependent shedding of integrin β2 from mouse macrophages are demonstrated. Soluble integrin β2 is primarily released as a heterodimeric complex with αM that retains its ability to bind its ligands intracellular adhesion molecule-1, fibrin, and collagen and thus may serve as a soluble antagonist. In a model of accelerated exiting, administration of a metalloproteinase inhibitor prevents macrophage efflux by 50% and impedes loss of macrophage integrin β2 from the cell surface. Exiting of peritoneal macrophages in mice lacking integrin β2 is accelerated, and antibody disruption of integrin β2-substrate interactions can reverse 50% of the metalloprotease inhibitor blockade of macrophage exiting. Thus, our study demonstrates the ability of metalloproteinase-mediated shedding of integrin β2 to promote macrophage efflux from inflammatory sites, and the release of soluble integrin heterodimers may also limit local inflammation.     

Molecular and physiological interactions of urea and nitrate uptake in plants

While nitrate acquisition has been extensively studied, less information is available on transport systems of urea. Furthermore, the reciprocal influence of the two sources has not been clarified, so far. In this review, we will discuss recent developments on plant response to urea and nitrate nutrition. Experimental evidence suggests that, when urea and nitrate are available in the external solution, the induction of the uptake systems of each nitrogen (N) source is limited, while plant growth and N utilization is promoted. This physiological behavior might reflect cooperation among acquisition processes, where the activation of different N assimilatory pathways (cytosolic and plastidic pathways), allow a better control on the nutrient uptake. Based on physiological and molecular evidence, plants might increase (N) metabolism promoting a more efficient assimilation of taken-up nitrogen. The beneficial effect of urea and nitrate nutrition might contribute to develop new agronomical approaches to increase the (N) use efficiency in crops.     

Apyrase and 5′-nucleotidase Activities in Synaptosomes from the Cerebral Cortex of Rats Experimentally Demyelinated with Ethidium Bromide and Treated with Interferon-β

Apyrase and 5′-nucleotidase activities were analyzed in an ethidium bromide (EB) demyelinating model associated with interferon-β (IFN-β). The animals were divided in groups: I, control (saline); II, saline and IFN-β; III, EB and IV, EB and IFN-β. After 7, 15 and 30 days the animals (n=5) were sacrificed and the cerebral cortex was removed for synaptosome preparation and enzymatic assays. Apyrase activity using ATP as substrate increased in groups II, III and IV (P<0.001) after 7 days and in groups III and IV (P<0.001) after 15 days. Using ADP as substrate, an activation of this enzyme was observed in group III (P<0.05) after seven and 15 days. The 5′-nucleotidase activity increased in group III (P<0.05) after 7 days and in groups II, III and IV (P<0.001) after 15 days. After 30 days treatment, no significant alteration was observed in enzyme activities. Results showed that apyrase and 5′-nucleotidase activities are altered in demyelination events and that IFN-β was able to regulate the adenine nucleotide hydrolysis.