Recognition and killing of human and murine pancreatic beta cells by the NK receptor NKp46

Type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease that is currently treated by insulin injections or in rare cases by islet transplantation. We have recently shown that NKp46, a major killer receptor expressed by NK cells, recognizes an unknown ligand expressed by β cells and that in the absence of NKp46, or when its activity is blocked, diabetes development is inhibited. In this study, we investigate whether NKp46 is involved in the killing of human β cells that are intended to be used for transplantation, and we also thoroughly characterize the interaction between NKp46 and its human and mouse β cell ligands. We show that human β cells express an unknown ligand for NKp46 and are killed in an NKp46-dependent manner. We further demonstrate that the expression of the NKp46 ligand is detected on human β cells already at the embryonic stage and that it appears on murine β cells only following birth. Because the NKp46 ligand is detected on healthy β cells, we wondered why type 1 diabetes does not develop in all individuals and show that NK cells are absent from the vicinity of islets of healthy mice and are detected in situ in proximity with β cells in NOD mice. We also investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling NKp46 interactions with its β cell ligand and demonstrate that the recognition is confined to the membrane proximal domain and stalk region of NKp46 and that two glycosylated residues of NKp46, Thr(125) and Asn(216), are critical for this recognition.     

Nitrite activates AMP kinase to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis independent of soluble guanylate cyclase

Nitrite, a dietary constituent and endogenous signaling molecule, mediates a number of physiological responses including modulation of ischemia/reperfusion injury, glucose tolerance, and vascular remodeling. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying nitrite's actions are unknown, the current paradigm suggests that these effects depend on the hypoxic reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide (NO). Mitochondrial biogenesis is a fundamental mechanism of cellular adaptation and repair. However, the effect of nitrite on mitochondrial number has not been explored. Herein, we report that nitrite stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through a mechanism distinct from that of NO. We demonstrate that nitrite significantly increases cellular mitochondrial number by augmenting the activity of adenylate kinase, resulting in AMP kinase phosphorylation, downstream activation of sirtuin-1, and deacetylation of PGC1α, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Unlike NO, nitrite-mediated biogenesis does not require the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and results in the synthesis of more functionally efficient mitochondria. Further, we provide evidence that nitrite mediates biogenesis in vivo. In a rat model of carotid injury, 2 weeks of continuous oral nitrite treatment postinjury prevented the hyperproliferative response of smooth muscle cells. This protection was accompanied by a nitrite-dependent upregulation of PGC1α and increased mitochondrial number in the injured artery. These data are the first to demonstrate that nitrite mediates differential signaling compared to NO. They show that nitrite is a versatile regulator of mitochondrial function and number both in vivo and in vitro and suggest that nitrite-mediated biogenesis may play a protective role in the setting of vascular injury.     

Novel Regioselective Formation of S- and N-Hydroxyl-Alkyls of 5-(3-Chlorobenzo[b]Thien-2-yl)-3-Mercapto-4H-1,2,4-Triazole and A Facile Synthesis of Triazolo-Thiazoles and Thiazolo-Triazoles. Role of Catalyst and Microwave

Regioselective alkylation of 5-(3-chlorobenzo[b]thien-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (1) with hydroxy alkylating agents 2, 3, 13, and the 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-glycerol (10) afforded the corresponding S-alkylated derivatives 6, 7, 11, and 14 under both conventional and microwave irradiation conditions; bentonite as a solid support gave better results, with no change in regioselectivity. A facile intramolecular dehydrative ring closure of 6, 7, 11, and 14 using K₂CO₃ in DMF afforded the corresponding fused triazolo-thiazines and thiazolo-triazole 17–19. The isopropylidenes and acetyl derivatives of the products were prepared.     

Coronary heart disease alters intercellular communication by modifying microparticle-mediated microRNA transport

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is characterized by abnormal intercellular communication and circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are likely involved in this process. Here, we show that CHD was associated with changes in the transport of circulating miRNA, particularly decreased miRNA enrichment in microparticles (MPs). Additionally, MPs from CHD patients were less efficient at transferring miRNA to cultured HUVECs, which correlated with their diminished capacity to bind developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1). In summary, CHD was associated with distinct changes in circulating miRNA transport and these changes may contribute to the abnormal intercellular communication that underlies CHD initiation and progression.     

The response to oestrogen deprivation of the cartilage collagen degradation marker, CTX-II, is unique compared with other markers of collagen turnover

Introduction  

The urinary level of the type II collagen degradation marker CTX-II is increased in postmenopausal women and in ovariectomised rats, suggesting that oestrogen deprivation induces cartilage breakdown. Here we investigate whether this response to oestrogen is also true for other type II collagen turnover markers known to be affected in osteoarthritis, and whether it relates to its presence in specific areas of cartilage tissue.     

Human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation is regulated by PGE2 through differential activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isoforms

The conditions used for in vitro differentiation of hMSCs contain substances that affect the activity and expression of cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX1/COX2) and thereby the synthesis of prostanoids. hMSC constitutively produce PGE2 when cultivated in vitro. In this study we have investigated effects of PGE2 on proliferation of hMSC. We here demonstrate that one of the main control molecules in the Wnt pathway, GSK-3β, is phosphorylated at the negative regulatory site ser-9 after treating the cells with PGE2. This phosphorylation is mediated by elevation of cAMP and subsequent activation of PKA. Furthermore, PGE2 treatment leads to enhanced nuclear translocation of β-catenin, thus influencing cell proliferation. The presence of two PKA isoforms, types I and II, prompted us to investigate their individual contribution in PGE2-mediated regulation of proliferation. Specific activation of PKA type II with synthetic cAMP analogues, resulted in enhancement of proliferation. On the other side, we found that treatment of hMSC with high concentrations of PGE2 inhibited cell proliferation by arresting the cells in G₀/G₁ phase, an effect we found to be mediated by PKA I. Hence, the two different PKA isoforms seem to have opposing functions in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation in these cells.