A high-throughput comparison of recombinant gene expression parameters for E. coli-mediated gene transfer to P388D1 macrophage cells

Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3) was tested as a delivery vector for gene transfer to a murine P388D1 macrophage cell line using a 96-well high-throughput assay. Five recombinant strains of E. coli were compared to identify the effect recombinant listeriolysin O (LLO) and associated gene expression parameters had on final delivery of a luciferase reporter gene. Listeriolysin O, native to Listeria monocytogenes and used here in an effort to improve final gene delivery, was expressed from plasmid and chromosomal locations under the control of constitutive Tet or inducible T7 promoters. The E. coli vectors delivered the luciferase reporter gene to the P388D1 line with success assessed by recording luciferase luminescence activity within the macrophage cells. The assay allowed rapid analysis and evaluation of each E. coli strain tested with strain BL21(DE3) harboring a chromosomal copy of the T7-driven LLO gene showing the greatest relative measure of gene delivery. Strains were separately assayed for LLO activity and exhibited a trend of maximum gene delivery between the lowest and highest recorded LLO activities.     

Fgf10 dosage is critical for the amplification of epithelial cell progenitors and for the formation of multiple mesenchymal lineages during lung development

The key role played by Fgf10 during early lung development is clearly illustrated in Fgf10 knockout mice, which exhibit lung agenesis. However, Fgf10 is continuously expressed throughout lung development suggesting extended as well as additional roles for FGF10 at later stages of lung organogenesis. We previously reported that the enhancer trap Mlcv1v-nLacZ-24 transgenic mouse strain functions as a reporter for Fgf10 expression and displays decreased endogenous Fgf10 expression. In this paper, we have generated an allelic series to determine the impact of Fgf10 dosage on lung development. We report that 80% of the newborn Fgf10 hypomorphic mice die within 24 h of birth due to respiratory failure. These mutant mouse lungs display severe hypoplasia, dilation of the distal airways and large hemorrhagic areas. Epithelial differentiation and proliferation studies indicate a specific decrease in TTF1 and SP-B expressing cells correlating with reduced epithelial cell proliferation and associated with a decrease in activation of the canonical Wnt signaling in the epithelium. Analysis of vascular development shows a reduction in PECAM expression at E14.5, which is associated with a simplification of the vascular tree at E18.5. We also show a decrease in α-SMA expression in the respiratory airway suggesting defective smooth muscle cell formation. At the molecular level, these defects are associated with decrease in Vegfa and Pdgfa expression likely resulting from the decrease of the epithelial/mesenchymal ratio in the Fgf10 hypomorphic lungs. Thus, our results indicate that FGF10 plays a pivotal role in maintaining epithelial progenitor cell proliferation as well as coordinating alveolar smooth muscle cell formation and vascular development.     

Akt/Protein kinase B modulates macrophage inflammatory response to Francisella infection and confers a survival advantage in mice

The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella novicida infects primarily monocytes/macrophages and is highly virulent in mice. Macrophages respond by producing inflammatory cytokines that confer immunity against the infection. However, the molecular details of host cell response to Francisella infection are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that F. novicida infection of murine macrophages induces the activation of Akt. Inhibition of Akt significantly decreases proinflammatory cytokine production in infected macrophages, whereas production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is enhanced. Analysis of the mechanism of Akt influence on cytokine response demonstrated that Akt promotes NF-kappaB activation. We have extended these findings to show that Akt activation may be regulated by bacterial genes associated with phagosomal escape. Infection with mglA mutants of F. novicida elicited sustained activation of Akt in comparison to cells infected with wild-type F. novicida. Concomitantly, there was significantly higher proinflammatory cytokine production and lower IL-10 production in cells infected with the mglA mutant. Finally, transgenic animals expressing constitutively active Akt displayed a survival advantage over their wild-type littermates when challenged with lethal doses of F. novicida. Together, these observations indicate that Akt promotes proinflammatory cytokine production by F. novicida-infected macrophages through its influence on NF-kappaB, thereby contributing to immunity against F. novicida infection.     

A new technique for skin grafting in avascular areas: a preliminary report.

A 3 X 3 cm, buried, split-skin graft will survive on an avascular bed if it is temporarily covered with a skin flap. Four cases of secondary ear reconstruction are presented, in which this technique was effectively used.     

The AKT1 proto-oncogene maps to human chromosome 14, band q32

The human AKT1 gene is the proto-oncogene of the viral oncogene v-akt. The AKT1 gene has been localized to human chromosome 14, band q32, proximal to the heavy-chain immunoglobulin locus (IGHM), by analysis of human-hamster somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. Chromosome rearrangements of this band which occur in T-lymphoid malignancies and Hodgkin's disease may affect the AKT1 gene.     

Overexpression of CD97 Confers an Invasive Phenotype in Glioblastoma Cells and Is Associated with Decreased Survival of Glioblastoma Patients

Mechanisms of invasion in glioblastoma (GBM) relate to differential expression of proteins conferring increased motility and penetration of the extracellular matrix. CD97 is a member of the epidermal growth factor seven-span transmembrane family of adhesion G-protein coupled receptors. These proteins facilitate mobility of leukocytes into tissue. In this study we show that CD97 is expressed in glioma, has functional effects on invasion, and is associated with poor overall survival. Glioma cell lines and low passage primary cultures were analyzed. Functional significance was assessed by transient knockdown using siRNA targeting CD97 or a non-target control sequence. Invasion was assessed 48 hours after siRNA-mediated knockdown using a Matrigel-coated invasion chamber. Migration was quantified using a scratch assay over 12 hours. Proliferation was measured 24 and 48 hours after confirmed protein knockdown. GBM cell lines and primary cultures were found to express CD97. Knockdown of CD97 decreased invasion and migration in GBM cell lines, with no difference in proliferation. Gene-expression based Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas, demonstrating an inverse relationship between CD97 expression and survival. GBMs expressing high levels of CD97 were associated with decreased survival compared to those with low CD97 (p = 0.007). CD97 promotes invasion and migration in GBM, but has no effect on tumor proliferation. This phenotype may explain the discrepancy in survival between high and low CD97-expressing tumors. This data provides impetus for further studies to determine its viability as a therapeutic target in the treatment of GBM.     

A Silent Exonic SNP in Kdm3a Affects Nucleic Acids Structure but Does Not Regulate Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Defining genetic variants that predispose for diseases is an important initiative that can improve biological understanding and focus therapeutic development. Genetic mapping in humans and animal models has defined genomic regions controlling a variety of phenotypes known as quantitative trait loci (QTL). Causative disease determinants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), lie within these regions and can often be identified through effects on gene expression. We previously identified a QTL on rat chromosome 4 regulating macrophage phenotypes and immune-mediated diseases including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Gene analysis and a literature search identified lysine-specific demethylase 3A (Kdm3a) as a potential regulator of these phenotypes. Genomic sequencing determined only two synonymous SNPs in Kdm3a. The silent synonymous SNP in exon 15 of Kdm3a caused problems with quantitative PCR detection in the susceptible strain through reduced amplification efficiency due to altered secondary cDNA structure. Shape Probability Shift analysis predicted that the SNP often affects RNA folding; thus, it may impact protein translation. Despite these differences in rats, genetic knockout of Kdm3a in mice resulted in no dramatic effect on immune system development and activation or EAE susceptibility and severity. These results provide support for tools that analyze causative SNPs that impact nucleic acid structures.     

Novel imidazophenoxazine-4-sulfonamides: Their synthesis and evaluation as potential inhibitors of PDE4

A number of novel imidazophenoxazine-4-sulfonamides have been designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4. All these compounds were readily prepared via an elegant multi-step method involving the initial construction of 1-nitro-10H-phenoxazine ring and then fused imidazole ring as key steps. Some of these compounds showed promising PDE4B and D inhibition when tested in vitro and good interactions with these proteins in silico. Three of these compounds showed dose dependent inhibition of PDE4B with IC₅₀ value of 3.31 ± 0.62, 1.23 ± 0.18 and 0.53 ± 0.18 μM.