Increase in the ability of human cancer cells to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes by ultraviolet irradiation

The roles of ultraviolet-B (UV) radiation in the immunogenicity of human cancer cells have not been fully studied. We have investigated the effects of UV radiation on metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma cells with regard to MHC antigen expression and the ability to induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) against untreated autologous tumor cells. UV radiation respectively decreased or increased MHC class I expression of freshly isolated tumor cells or cultured tumor cells, and also decreased MHC class I expression of starved cultured tumor cells. It increased the ability of both freshly isolated and cultured tumor cells to induce CTL activity from PBMC against untreated autologous tumor cells. UV-irradiated subclones that were more susceptible to CTL lysis were more potent for CTL induction from TIL than either an untreated parental clone or a UV-irradiated subclone that was resistant to CTL lysis. In summary, UV radiation increased the ability of tumor cells to induce CTL activity without a corresponding effect on MHC antigen expression.This work was supported in part by a grant CA47891 from the National Cancer Institute, USA, a grant-in-aid of the comprehensive 10-years strategy for cancer control from ministry of a Health and Welfare, Japan, and the Ishibashi Research Fund, Japan     

Induction of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase by Cytokines and Lipopolysaccharide in Cultured Mouse Astrocytes

Abstract: To determine whether cytokines or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are involved in the induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the nervous system, we examined the effects of these substances on the levels of SOD in cultured mouse astrocytes. Treatment of astrocytes with 10² to 10⁴ U/ml tumor necrosis factor-α for 3 days increased the levels of Mn SOD in a dose- and time-dependent manner to as much as six times the level under nontreated conditions. Treatment with 1.0 µg/ml LPS for 3 days elicited a fourfold increase in levels of Mn SOD, and the effect of LPS was also dose dependent. Furthermore, Mn SOD in astrocytes was induced by a 3-day exposure to interleukin-1α at concentrations of 10² or 10³ U/ml. However, these stimuli had no effect on levels of copper-zinc SOD (Cu/Zn SOD) in astrocytes. By contrast, interferon-γ did not change the levels of either Mn or Cu/Zn SOD in the cells. The results indicate that the selective induction of Mn SOD by cytokines and LPS, which has been observed in nonnervous tissues, may also occur in nervous tissues. The induction of Mn SOD may represent a mechanism for protection of cells from oxidative stress.     

Linear Ubiquitination of NEMO Negatively Regulates the Interferon Antiviral Response through Disruption of the MAVS-TRAF3 Complex

The RIG-I/Mda5 sensors recognize viral intracellular RNA and trigger host antiviral responses. RIG-I signals through the adaptor protein MAVS, which engages various TRAF family members and results in type I interferon (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokine production via activation of IRFs and NF-κB, respectively. Both the IRF and NF-κB pathways also require the adaptor protein NEMO. We determined that the RIG-I pathway is differentially regulated by the linear ubiquitin assembly complex (LUBAC), which consists of the E3 ligases HOIL-1L, HOIP, and the accessory protein SHARPIN. LUBAC downregulated virus-mediated IFN induction by targeting NEMO for linear ubiquitination. Linear ubiquitinated NEMO associated with TRAF3 and disrupted the MAVS-TRAF3 complex, which inhibited IFN activation while stimulating NF-κB-dependent signaling. In SHARPIN-deficient MEFs, vesicular stomatitis virus replication was decreased due to increased IFN production. Linear ubiquitination thus switches NEMO from a positive to a negative regulator of RIG-I signaling, resulting in an attenuated IFN response.     

Magnetic nanoparticles with surface modification enhanced gene delivery of HVJ-E vector

To enter the realm of human gene therapy, a novel drug delivery system is required for efficient delivery of small molecules with high safety for clinical usage. We have developed a unique vector "HVJ-E (hemagglutinating virus of Japan-envelope)" that can rapidly transfer plasmid DNA, oligonucleotide, and protein into cells by cell-fusion. In this study, we associated HVJ-E with magnetic nanoparticles, which can potentially enhance its transfection efficiency in the presence of a magnetic force. Magnetic nanoparticles, such as maghemite, with an average size of 29 nm, can be regulated by a magnetic force and basically consist of oxidized Fe which is commonly used as a supplement for the treatment of anemia. A mixture of magnetite particles with protamine sulfate, which gives a cationic surface charge on the maghemite particles, significantly enhanced the transfection efficiency in an in vitro cell culture system based on HVJ-E technology, resulting in a reduction in the required titer of HVJ. Addition of magnetic nanoparticles would enhance the association of HVJ-E with the cell membrane with a magnetic force. However, maghemite particles surface-coated with heparin, but not protamine sulfate, enhanced the transfection efficiency in the analysis of direct injection into the mouse liver in an in vivo model. The size and surface chemistry of magnetic particles could be tailored accordingly to meet specific demands of physical and biological characteristics. Overall, magnetic nanoparticles with different surface modifications can enhance HVJ-E-based gene transfer by modification of the size or charge, which could potentially help to overcome fundamental limitations to gene therapy in vivo.     

Linear polyubiquitin chains: A new modifier involved in NFκB activation and chronic inflammation including dermatitis

The ubiquitin conjugation system regulates a wide variety of biological phenomena, including protein degradation and signal transduction, by regulating protein function via polyubiquitin conjugation in most cases. Several types of polyubiquitin chains exist in cells, and the type of polyubiquitin chain conjugated to a protein seems to determine how that protein is regulated. We identified a novel linear polyubiquitin chain and the ubiquitin-protein ligase complex that assembles it, designated LUBAC. Both were shown to have crucial roles in the canonical NFκB activation pathway. This year, three groups, including our laboratory, identified SHARPIN as a new subunit of LUBAC. Of great interest, Sharpin was identified as a causative gene of chronic proliferative dermatitis in mice (cpdm), which is characterized by numerous inflammatory symptoms including chronic dermatitis, arthritis and immune disorders. Deletion of SHARPIN drastically reduces the amount of LUBAC and attenuates signal-induced NFκB activation. The pleomorphic symptoms of cpdm mice suggest that LUBAC-mediated NFκB activation may play critical roles in mammals and be involved in various disorders. A forward look into the linear polyubiquitin research is also discussed.Key words: ubiquitin, linear ubiquitination, NFκB, LUBAC, SHARPIN, cpdm, chronic dermatitis, TNFα     

A novel induction mechanism of the rat CYP1A2 gene mediated by Ah receptor-Arnt heterodimer

We have identified an enhancer responsible for induction by 3-methylcholanthrene in the upstream region of the CYP1A2 gene. The enhancer does not contain the invariant core sequence of XREs that are binding sites for the Ah receptor (AhR) and Arnt heterodimer. The enhancer did not show any inducible expression in Hepa-1-derived cell lines, C4 and C12, deficient of Arnt and AhR, respectively. On the other hand, bacterially expressed AhR-Arnt heterodimer could not bind to the enhancer. Mutational analysis of the enhancer revealed that a repeated sequence separated by six nucleotides is important for expression. A factor binding specifically to the enhancer was found by using gel shift assays. Bacterially expressed AhR-Arnt heterodimer interacted with the factor. A dominant negative mutant of the AhR to XRE activated the enhancer. Collectively, these results demonstrate that a novel induction mechanism is present in which the AhR-Arnt heterodimer functions as a coactivator.     

Porcine brain natriuretic peptide-like immunoreactivity in rat tissues

The presence of immunoreactive porcine brain natriuretic peptide in rat tissues was studied with a specific radioimmunoassay for porcine brain natriuretic peptide-26. The cross-reactivity of the antiserum used was less than 0.001% with rat atrial natriuretic peptide, rat brain natriuretic peptide-32 and rat brain natriuretic peptide-45. Immunoreactive porcine brain natriuretic peptide was detectable in various tissues of the rat, and high concentrations of immunoreactive porcine brain natriuretic peptide were found in the brain and cardiac atrium, with the highest level in the hypothalamus (159±30 fmol/gram wet tissue, mean±SEM, n=4). Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that the immunoreactive porcine brain natriuretic peptide of the whole brain and heart extracts eluted mainly at an identical position to synthetic porcine brain natriuretic peptide-26. These findings indicate that porcine brain natriuretic peptide-like substance, distinct from rat brain natriuretic peptide, is present in high concentrations in the rat brain and cardiac atrium.     

An alternative synthetic method for 4'-C-ethynylstavudine by means of nucleophilic substitution of 4'-benzoyloxythymine nucleoside

For the synthesis of 2',3' -didehydro-3' -deoxy-4' -C-ethynylthymidine (8: 4' -Ed4T), a recently reported promising anti-HIV agent, a new approach was developed. Since treatment of 1-(2,5-dideoxy-beta-l-glycero-pent-4-enofuranosyl)thymine with Pb(OBz)4 allowed the introduction of a 4'-benzoyloxy leaving group, nucleophilic substitution at the 4' -position became feasible for the first time. Thus, reaction between the 4'-benzoyloxy derivative (11) and Me3SiC identical with CAl(Et)Cl as a nucleophile led to the isolation of the desired 4'-"down"-ethynyl derivative (15) stereoselectively in 62% yield.     

Genome-wide screening of genes required for swarming motility in Escherichia coli K-12

Escherichia coli K-12 has the ability to migrate on semisolid media by means of swarming motility. A systematic and comprehensive collection of gene-disrupted E. coli K-12 mutants (the Keio collection) was used to identify the genes involved in the swarming motility of this bacterium. Of the 3,985 nonessential gene mutants, 294 were found to exhibit a strongly repressed-swarming phenotype. Further, 216 of the 294 mutants displayed no significant defects in swimming motility; therefore, the 216 genes were considered to be specifically associated with the swarming phenotype. The swarming-associated genes were classified into various functional categories, indicating that swarming is a specialized form of motility that requires a wide variety of cellular activities. These genes include genes for tricarboxylic acid cycle and glucose metabolism, iron acquisition, chaperones and protein-folding catalysts, signal transduction, and biosynthesis of cell surface components, such as lipopolysaccharide, the enterobacterial common antigen, and type 1 fimbriae. Lipopolysaccharide and the enterobacterial common antigen may be important surface-acting components that contribute to the reduction of surface tension, thereby facilitating the swarm migration in the E. coli K-12 strain.     

HopAZ1, a type III effector of Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci,induces a hypersensitive response in tobacco wildfire-resistant Nicotiana tabacum ‘N509’

Pseudomonas amygdali pv. tabaci (formerly Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci; Pta) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes bacterial wildfire disease in Nicotiana tabacum. The pathogen establishes infections by using a type III secretion system to inject type III effector proteins (T3Es) into cells, thereby interfering with the host__s immune system. To counteract the effectors, plants have evolved disease-resistance genes and mechanisms to induce strong resistance on effector recognition. By screening a series of Pta T3E-deficient mutants, we have identified HopAZ1 as the T3E that induces disease resistance in N. tabacum ‘N509’. Inoculation with the Pta ∆hopAZ1 mutant did not induce resistance to Pta in N509. We also found that the Pta ∆hopAZ1 mutant did not induce a hypersensitive response and promoted severe disease symptoms in N509. Furthermore, a C-terminal truncated HopAZ1 abolished HopAZ1-dependent cell death in N509. These results indicate that HopAZ1 is the avirulence factor that induces resistance to Pta by N509.