Peripheral tolerance and the qualitative characteristics of autoreactive T cell clones in primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is characterized by autoreactive T cells specific for the mitochondrial Ag PDC-E2(163-176). We studied the ability of eight T cell clones (TCC) specific for PDC-E2(163-176) to proliferate or become anergic in the presence of costimulation signals. TCC were stimulated with either human PDC-E2(163-176), an Escherichia coli 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase mimic (OGDC-E2(34-47)), or analogs with amino acid substitutions using HLA-matched allogeneic PBMC or mouse L-DR53 fibroblasts as APC. Based on their differential responses to these peptides (human PDC-E2(163-176), E. coli OGDC-E2(34-47)) in the different APC systems, TCC were classified as costimulation dependent or independent. Only costimulation-dependent TCC could become anergic. TCC with costimulation-dependent responses to OGDC-E2 become anergic to PDC-E2 when preincubated with mimic, even if costimulation is independent for PDC-E2(163-176). Anergic TCC produced IL-10. One selected TCC could not become anergic after preincubation with PDC-E2(163-176)-pulsed L-DR53 but became anergic using L-DR53 pulsed with PDC-E2 peptide analogs with a substitution at a critical TCR binding site. TCC that only respond to peptide-pulsed PBMC, but not L-DR53, proliferate with peptide-pulsed CD80/CD86-transfected L-DR53; however, anergy was not induced with peptide-pulsed L-DR53 transfected with only CD80 or CD86. These data highlight that costimulation plays a dominant role in maintaining peripheral tolerance to PBC-specific Ags. They further suggest that, under specific circumstances, molecular mimicry of an autoantigen may restore rather than break peripheral tolerance.     

Sulfite induces adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to immobilized fibrinogen through activation of Mac-1 beta2-integrin (CD11b/CD18)

Sulfite is a major air pollutant which can cause respiratory tract inflammation characterized by an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). We have previously shown that human PMN can produce sulfite either spontaneously or in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. We now demonstrate that sulfite activates PMN to adhere to immobilized fibrinogen via the beta2-integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). Mac-1 expression is not altered by treatment with this agent. Although unaffected by pertussis toxin, sulfite-triggered PMN adhesion was abrogated by pretreating cells with the membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), a modifier of thiol groups on the cell surface. These results suggest that sulfite-induced PMN adhesion is dependent on a modification of thiols at the cell surface. Given its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, sulfite may act as an endogenous mediator in host defense and/or inflammation.     

Trim41 is required to regulate chromosome axis protein dynamics and meiosis in male mice

Meiosis is a hallmark event in germ cell development that accompanies sequential events executed by numerous molecules. Therefore, characterization of these factors is one of the best strategies to clarify the mechanism of meiosis. Here, we report tripartite motif-containing 41 (TRIM41), a ubiquitin ligase E3, as an essential factor for proper meiotic progression and fertility in male mice. Trim41 knockout (KO) spermatocytes exhibited synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3) overloading, especially on the X chromosome. Furthermore, mutant mice lacking the RING domain of TRIM41, required for the ubiquitin ligase E3 activity, phenocopied Trim41 KO mice. We then examined the behavior of mutant TRIM41 (ΔRING-TRIM41) and found that ΔRING-TRIM41 accumulated on the chromosome axes with overloaded SYCP3. This result suggested that TRIM41 exerts its function on the chromosome axes. Our study revealed that Trim41 is essential for preventing SYCP3 overloading, suggesting a TRIM41-mediated mechanism for regulating chromosome axis protein dynamics during male meiotic progression.     

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on femoral bone modeling in growing mice.

The time-dependent effects of daily dosing of IGF-I (1.21 mg/g) on the linear growth of the femur were investigated in mice. The femoral length and volume and the number of osteoclasts were significantly greater after IGF-I injection as compared to the non-injected control, suggesting that the IGF-I imbalance might cause a quick turnover cycle of the bone resulting in the altered femoral modeling.     

Functional expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and rat periodontal tissues

Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor associated with chronic periodontitis, but the mechanisms that underlie this relationship are largely unknown. Recent reports proposed that nicotine plays an important role in tobacco-related morbidity by acting through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by non-neuronal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether α7 nAChR was expressed in periodontal tissues and whether it functions by regulating IL-1β in the process of periodontitis. In vitro, human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured with 10⁻¹² M of nicotine and/or 10⁻⁹ M of alpha-bungarotoxin (α-Btx), a α7 nAChR antagonist. The expression of α7 nAChR and IL-1β in PDL cells and the effects of nicotine/α-Btx administration on their expression were explored. In vivo, an experimental periodontitis rat model was established, and the effects of nicotine/α-Btx administration on expression of α7 nAChR and development of periodontitis were evaluated. We found that α7 nAChR was present in human PDL cells and rat periodontal tissues. The expressions of α7 nAChR and IL-1β were significantly increased by nicotine administration, whereas α-Btx treatment partially suppressed these effects. This study was the first to demonstrate the functional expression of α7 nAChR in human PDL cells and rat periodontal tissues. Our results may be pertinent to a better understanding of the relationships among smoking, nicotine, and periodontitis.     

Site-specific protein dynamics in communication pathway from sensor to signaling domain of oxygen sensor protein, HemAT-Bs: Time-resolved Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Study

HemAT-Bs is a heme-based signal transducer protein responsible for aerotaxis. Time-resolved ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) studies of wild-type and Y70F mutant of the full-length HemAT-Bs and the truncated sensor domain were performed to determine the site-specific protein dynamics following carbon monoxide (CO) photodissociation. The UVRR spectra indicated two phases of intensity changes for Trp, Tyr, and Phe bands of both full-length and sensor domain proteins. The W16 and W3 Raman bands of Trp, the F8a band of Phe, and the Y8a band of Tyr increased in intensity at hundreds of nanoseconds after CO photodissociation, and this was followed by recovery in ～50 μs. These changes were assigned to Trp-132 (G-helix), Tyr-70 (B-helix), and Phe-69 (B-helix) and/or Phe-137 (G-helix), suggesting that the change in the heme structure drives the displacement of B- and G-helices. The UVRR difference spectra of the sensor domain displayed a positive peak for amide I in hundreds of nanoseconds after photolysis, which was followed by recovery in ～50 μs. This difference band was absent in the spectra of the full-length protein, suggesting that the isolated sensor domain undergoes conformational changes of the protein backbone upon CO photolysis and that the changes are restrained by the signaling domain. The time-resolved difference spectrum at 200 μs exhibited a pattern similar to that of the static (reduced - CO) difference spectrum, although the peak intensities were much weaker. Thus, the rearrangements of the protein moiety toward the equilibrium ligand-free structure occur in a time range of hundreds of microseconds.     

Production of mannosylerythritol lipids as biosurfactants by resting cells ofCandida antarctica

Summary The resting cells ofCandida antarctica strain T-34 was found to produce a large amount of mannosylerythritol lipids as biosurfactants when incubated in the medium containing only the carbon source. The resting cells prepared from different water-soluble carbon sources were able to produce the lipids abundantly from water-insoluble carbon sources. Under the optimal conditions in a shake culture, the concentration of the total lipids amounted to about 47 g/l after 6 days, and the yield of the lipids became higher than that obtained by using the growing cells of the strain.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of truncated α-galactosylceramide derivatives focusing on cytokine induction profile

A series of truncated analogs of α-galactosylceramide with altered ceramide moiety was prepared, and evaluated for Th2-biased response in the context of IL-4/IFN-γ ratio. Phytosphingosine-modified analogs including cyclic, aromatic and ethereal compounds as well as the C-glycoside analog of OCH (2) with their cytokine inducing profile are disclosed.     

Comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of three rockfishes (Scorpaeniformes,Sebastiscus) and insights into the phylogenetic relationships of Sebastidae

Mitochondrial genome is a powerful molecule marker to provide information for phylogenetic relationships and revealing molecular evolution in ichthyological studies. Sebastiscus species, a marine rockfish, are of essential economic value. However, the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of Sebastidae have been controversial so far. Here, the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three species, S. tertius, S. albofasciatus, and S. marmoratus, were systemically investigated. The lengths of the mitogenomes’ sequences of S. tertius, S. albofasciatus, and S. marmoratus were 16910, 17056, and 17580 bp, respectively. It contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and one identical control region (D-loop) among the three species. The genetic distance and K_a/K_s ratio analyses indicated 13 PCGs were suffering purifying selection and the selection pressures were different from certain deep-sea fishes, which were most likely due to the difference in their living environment. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML). Most interestingly, the results indicated that Sebastidae and Scorpaenidae were grouped into a separate branch, so the taxonomic status of Sebastidae should be classified into subfamily Sebastinae. Our results may lead to a taxonomic revision of Scorpaenoidei.