Proteomics analysis of the ezrin interactome in B cells reveals a novel association with Myo18aα

The molecular regulation of recruitment and assembly of signalosomes near the B cell receptor (BCR) is poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated a role for the ERM family protein ezrin in regulating antigen-dependent lipid raft coalescence in B cells. In this study, we addressed the possibility that ezrin may collaborate with other adaptor proteins to regulate signalosome dynamics at the membrane. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis, we identified Myo18aα as a novel binding partner of ezrin. Myo18aα is an attractive candidate as it has several protein-protein interaction domains and an intrinsic motor activity. The expression of Myo18aα varied during B cell development in the bone marrow and in mature B cell subsets suggesting functional differences. Interestingly, BCR stimulation increased the association between ezrin and Myo18aα, and induced co-segregation of Myo18aα with the BCR and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Our data raise an intriguing possibility that the Myo18aα/ezrin complex may facilitate BCR-mediated signaling by recruiting signaling proteins that are in close proximity of the antigen receptor. Our study is not only significant with respect to understanding the molecular regulation of BCR signaling but also provides a broader basis for understanding the mechanism of action of ezrin in other cellular systems.     

Identification of B cell epitopes of alcohol dehydrogenase allergen of Curvularia lunata

Background/Objective

Epitope identification assists in developing molecules for clinical applications and is useful in defining molecular features of allergens for understanding structure/function relationship. The present study was aimed to identify the B cell epitopes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) allergen from Curvularia lunata using in-silico methods and immunoassay.

Method

B cell epitopes of ADH were predicted by sequence and structure based methods and protein-protein interaction tools while T cell epitopes by inhibitory concentration and binding score methods. The epitopes were superimposed on a three dimensional model of ADH generated by homology modeling and analyzed for antigenic characteristics. Peptides corresponding to predicted epitopes were synthesized and immunoreactivity assessed by ELISA using individual and pooled patients'' sera.

Result

The homology model showed GroES like catalytic domain joined to Rossmann superfamily domain by an alpha helix. Stereochemical quality was confirmed by Procheck which showed 90% residues in most favorable region of Ramachandran plot while Errat gave a quality score of 92.733%. Six B cell (P1–P6) and four T cell (P7–P10) epitopes were predicted by a combination of methods. Peptide P2 (epitope P2) showed E(X)₂GGP(X)₃KKI conserved pattern among allergens of pathogenesis related family. It was predicted as high affinity binder based on electronegativity and low hydrophobicity. The computational methods employed were validated using Bet v 1 and Der p 2 allergens where 67% and 60% of the epitope residues were predicted correctly. Among B cell epitopes, Peptide P2 showed maximum IgE binding with individual and pooled patients'' sera (mean OD 0.604±0.059 and 0.506±0.0035, respectively) followed by P1, P4 and P3 epitopes. All T cell epitopes showed lower IgE binding.

Conclusion

Four B cell epitopes of C. lunata ADH were identified. Peptide P2 can serve as a potential candidate for diagnosis of allergic diseases.     

Claudin-7 is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer and promotes invasion

Background

Claudins are tight junction proteins that are involved in tight junction formation and function. Previous studies have shown that claudin-7 is frequently upregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) along with claudin-3 and claudin-4. Here, we investigate in detail the expression patterns of claudin-7, as well as its possible functions in EOC.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 95 ovarian tissue samples (7 normal ovarian tissues, 65 serous carcinomas, 11 clear cell carcinomas, 8 endometrioid carcinomas and 4 mucinous carcinomas) were studied for claudin-7 expression. In real-time RT-PCR analysis, the gene for claudin-7, CLDN7, was found to be upregulated in all the tumor tissue samples studied. Similarly, immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting showed that claudin-7 protein was significantly overexpressed in the vast majority of EOCs. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of claudin-7 in ovarian cancer cells led to significant changes in gene expression as measured by microarrays and validated by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Analyses of the genes differentially expressed revealed that the genes altered in response to claudin-7 knockdown were associated with pathways implicated in various molecular and cellular functions such as cell cycle, cellular growth and proliferation, cell death, development, and cell movement. Through functional experiments in vitro, we found that both migration and invasion were altered in cells where CLDN7 had been knocked down or overexpressed. Interestingly, claudin-7 expression was associated with a net increase in invasion, but also with a decrease in migration.

Conclusion/Significance

Our work shows that claudin-7 is significantly upregulated in EOC and that it may be functionally involved in ovarian carcinoma invasion. CLDN7 may therefore represent potential marker for ovarian cancer detection and a target for therapy.     

The adaptor-associated kinase 1, AAK1, is a positive regulator of the Notch pathway

The Notch pathway is involved in cell-cell signaling during development and adulthood from invertebrates to higher eukaryotes. Activation of the Notch receptor by its ligands relies upon a multi-step processing. The extracellular part of the receptor is removed by a metalloprotease of the ADAM family and the remaining fragment is cleaved within its transmembrane domain by a presenilin-dependent γ-secretase activity. γ-Secretase processing of Notch has been shown to depend upon monoubiquitination as well as clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). We show here that AAK1, the adaptor-associated kinase 1, directly interacts with the membrane-tethered active form of Notch released by metalloprotease cleavage. Active AAK1 acts upstream of the γ-secretase cleavage by stabilizing both the membrane-tethered activated form of Notch and its monoubiquitinated counterpart. We propose that AAK1 acts as an adaptor for Notch interaction with components of the clathrin-mediated pathway such as Eps15b. Moreover, transfected AAK1 increases the localization of activated Notch to Rab5-positive endocytic vesicles, while AAK1 depletion or overexpression of Numb, an inhibitor of the pathway, interferes with this localization. These results suggest that after ligand-induced activation of Notch, the membrane-tethered form can be directed to different endocytic pathways leading to distinct fates.     

CD40-modulated dual-specificity phosphatases MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1 and MKP-3 reciprocally regulate Leishmania major infection

The macrophage-expressed CD40 regulates immune responses to Leishmania major infection by reciprocal signaling through p38 MAPK and ERK1/2. CD40-induced IL-10 or IL-12 plays crucial roles in the promotion or protection from L. major infection, respectively. Because p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 are dephosphorylated by dual-specificity MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), we tested the role of CD40 in the regulation of MKPs in L. major infection. MKP-1 expression and activity increased whereas MKP-3 expression and activity decreased in virulent L. major-infected macrophages. CD40 differentially regulated the expression and activity of MKP-1 and MKP-3, which, in turn, reciprocally regulated CD40-induced p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and effector functions in macrophages. Triptolide, an inhibitor of MKP-1 expression, and lentivirally expressed MKP-1 short hairpin RNA enhanced CD40-induced anti-leishmanial functions and significantly protected susceptible BALB/c mice from L. major infection. Similarly, lentivirally overexpressed MKP-3 significantly reduced disease progression and parasite burden in susceptible BALB/c mice. Thus, to our knowledge, our data show for the first time that CD40 reciprocally regulates MKP-1 and MKP-3 expression and activity while the MKPs contribute to the reciprocal CD40 signaling-regulated anti-leishmanial functions. The findings reveal a novel parasite-devised immune evasion strategy and an effective target to redirect CD40-regulated immune responses.     

Lipid rafts and B cell signaling

B cells comprise an essential component of the humoral immune system. They are equipped with the unique ability to synthesize and secrete pathogen-neutralizing antibodies, and share with professional antigen presenting cells the ability to internalize foreign antigens, and process them for presentation to helper T cells. Recent evidence indicates that specialized cholesterol- and glycosphingolipid-rich microdomains in the plasma membrane commonly referred to as lipid rafts, serve to compartmentalize key signaling molecules during the different stages of B cell activation including B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-initiated signal transduction, endocytosis of BCR-antigen complexes, loading of antigenic peptides onto MHC class II molecules, MHC-II associated antigen presentation to helper T cells, and receipt of helper signals via the CD40 receptor. Here we review the recent literature arguing for a role of lipid rafts in the spatial organization of B cell function.     

Exosomes: Mediators of Neurodegeneration,Neuroprotection and Therapeutics

Exosomes have emerged as prominent mediators of neurodegenerative diseases where they have been shown to carry disease particles such as beta amyloid and prions from their cells of origin to other cells. Their simple structure and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier allow great opportunity to design a “makeup” with drugs and genetic elements, such as siRNA or miRNA, and use them as delivery vehicles for neurotherapeutics. Their role in neuroprotection is evident by the fact that they are involved in the regeneration of peripheral nerves and repair of neuronal injuries. This review is focused on the role of exosomes in mediating neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.     

Ciglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist, ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in part through homocysteine clearance

Diabetes and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) are two independent risk factors for glomeruloslerosis and renal insufficiency. Although PPARgamma agonists such as ciglitazone (CZ) are known to modulate diabetic nephropathy, the role of CZ in diabetes-associated HHcy and renopathy is incompletely defined. We tested the hypothesis that induction of PPARgamma by CZ decreases tissue Hcy level; this provides a protective role against diabetic nephropathy. C57BL/6J mice were administered alloxan to create diabetes. Mice were grouped to 0, 1, 10, 12, and 16 wk of treatment; only 12- and 16-wk animals received CZ in drinking water after a 10-wk alloxan treatment. In diabetes, PPARgamma cDNA, mRNA, and protein expression were repressed, whereas an increase in plasma and glomerular Hcy levels was observed. CZ normalized PPARgamma mRNA and protein expression and glomerular level of Hcy, whereas plasma level of Hcy remained unchanged. GFR was dramatically increased at 1-wk diabetic induction, followed by hypofiltration at 10 wk, and was normalized by CZ treatment. This result corroborated with glomerular and preglomerular arteriole histology. A steady-state increase of RVR in diabetic mice became normal with CZ treatment. CZ ameliorated decrease bioavailability of NO in the diabetic animal. Glomerular MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities as well as TIMP-1 expression were increased robustly in diabetic mice and normalized with CZ treatment. Interestingly, TIMP-4 expression was opposite to that of TIMP-1 in diabetic and CZ-treated groups. These results suggested that diabetic nephropathy exacerbated glomerular tissue level of Hcy, and this caused further deterioration of glomerulus. CZ, however, protected diabetic nephropathy in part by activating PPARgamma and clearing glomerular tissue Hcy.     

Altered carnitine homeostasis is associated with decreased mitochondrial function and altered nitric oxide signaling in lambs with pulmonary hypertension

Utilizing aortopulmonary vascular graft placement in the fetal lamb, we have developed a model (shunt) of pulmonary hypertension that mimics congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow. Our previous studies have identified a progressive development of endothelial dysfunction in shunt lambs that is dependent, at least in part, on decreased nitric oxide (NO) signaling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible role of a disruption in carnitine metabolism in shunt lambs and to determine the effect on NO signaling. Our data indicate that at 2 wk of age, shunt lambs have significantly reduced expression (P < 0.05) of the key enzymes in carnitine metabolism: carnitine palmitoyltransferases 1 and 2 as well as carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT). In addition, we found that CrAT activity was inhibited due to increased nitration. Furthermore, free carnitine levels were significantly decreased whereas acylcarnitine levels were significantly higher in shunt lambs (P < 0.05). We also found that alterations in carnitine metabolism resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, since shunt lambs had significantly decreased pyruvate, increased lactate, and a reduced pyruvate/lactate ratio. In pulmonary arterial endothelial cells cultured from juvenile lambs, we found that mild uncoupling of the mitochondria led to a decrease in cellular ATP levels and a reduction in both endothelial NO synthase-heat shock protein 90 (eNOS-HSP90) interactions and NO signaling. Similarly, in shunt lambs we found a loss of eNOS-HSP90 interactions that correlated with a progressive decrease in NO signaling. Our data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary blood flow.