MMP-12-mediated by SARM-TRIF signaling pathway contributes to IFN-γ-independent airway inflammation and AHR post RSV infection in nude mice

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most frequently observed pathogens during infancy and childhood. However, the corresponding pathogenesis has not been determined to date. We previously demonstrated that IFN-γ plays an important role in RSV pathogenesis, and SARM-TRIF-signaling pathway could regulate the production of IFN-γ. This study is to investigate whether T cells or innate immune cells are the predominant producers of IFN-γ, and further to explore other culprits in addition to IFN-γ in the condition of RSV infection.

Methods

Normal BALB/c mice and nude mice deficient in T cells were infected intranasally with RSV. Leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted, lung histopathology was examined, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured by whole-body plethysmography. IFN-γ and MMP-12 were detected by ELISA. MMP408, a selective MMP-12 inhibitor, was given intragastrically. Resveratrol, IFN-γ neutralizing antibody and recombinant murine IFN-γ were administered intraperitoneally. SARM and TRIF protein were semi-quantified by Western blot. siRNA was used to knock-down SARM expression.

Results

RSV induced significant airway inflammation and AHR in both mice; IFN-γ was significantly increased in BALB/c mice but not in nude mice. MMP-12 was dramatically increased in both mice but earlier in nude mice. When MMP-12 was inhibited by MMP408, RSV-induced respiratory symptoms were alleviated. SARM was significantly suppressed while TRIF was significantly enhanced in both mice strains. Following resveratrol administration in nude mice, 1) SARM inhibition was prevented, 2) TRIF and MMP-12 were correspondingly down-regulated and 3) airway disorders were subsequently alleviated. Moreover, when SARM was efficiently knocked down using siRNA, TRIF and MMP-12 were markedly enhanced, and the anti-RSV effects of resveratrol were remarkably abrogated. MMP-12 was significantly increased in the IFN-γ neutralizing antibody-treated BALB/c mice but reduced in the recombinant murine IFN-γ-treated nude mice.

Conclusions

MMP-12 can result in at least part of the airway inflammation and AHR independent of IFN-γ. And SARM-TRIF- signaling pathway is involved in regulating the overproduction of MMP-12. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first that has examined the effects of SARM on MMP-12 and further highlights the potential to target SARM-TRIF-MMP-12 cascades to treat RSV infection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0176-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A 3D numerical study of the collateral capacity of the circle of Willis with anatomical variation in the posterior circulation

Background

The Circle of Willis (CoW) is the most important collateral pathway of the cerebral artery. The present study aims to investigate the collateral capacity of CoW with anatomical variation when unilateral internalcarotid artery (ICA) is occluded.

Methods

Basing on MRI data, we have reconstructed eight 3D models with variations in the posterior circulation of the CoW and set four different degrees of stenosis in the right ICA, namely 24%, 43%, 64% and 79%, respectively. Finally, a total of 40 models are performed with computational fluid dynamics simulations. All of the simulations share the same boundary condition with static pressure and the volume flow rate (VFR) are obtained to evaluate their collateral capacity.

Results

As for the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), the transitional-type model possesses the best collateral capacity. But for the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), unilateral stenosis of ICA has the weakest influence on the unilateral posterior communicating artery (PCoA) absent model. We also find that the full fetal-type posterior circle of Willis is an utmost dangerous variation which must be paid more attention.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that different models have different collateral capacities in coping stenosis of unilateral ICA and these differences can be reflected by different outlets. The study could be used as a reference for neurosurgeon in choosing the best treatment strategy.

     

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies contribute to platelet activation in rheumatoid arthritis

IntroductionAlthough the role of platelets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is relatively unexplored, recent studies point towards a contribution of platelets in arthritis. We set out to determine platelet phenotype in RA and studied whether this could be influenced by the presence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA).MethodsPlatelets from healthy controls were incubated in the presence of plasma of patients with RA or age- and sex-matched healthy controls and plasma from ACPA^neg or ACPA^pos patients or in the presence of plate-bound ACPA. Characteristics of platelets isolated from patients with RA were correlated to disease activity.ResultsPlatelets isolated from healthy controls displayed markers of platelet activation in the presence of plasma derived from RA patients, as determined by P-selectin expression, formation of aggregates and secretion of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). Furthermore, levels of P-selectin expression and sCD40L release correlated with high ACPA titres. In accordance with these findings, enhanced platelet activation was observed after incubation with ACPA^pos plasma versus ACPA^neg plasma. Pre-incubation of platelets with blocking antibodies directed against low-affinity immunoglobulin G receptor (FcγRIIa) completely inhibited the ACPA-mediated activation. In addition, expression of P-selectin measured as number of platelets correlated with Disease Activity Score in 44 joints, C-reactive protein level, ACPA status and ACPA level.ConclusionsWe show for the first time that ACPA can mediate an FcγRIIa-dependent activation of platelets. As ACPA can be detected several years before RA disease onset and activated platelets contribute to vascular permeability, these data implicate a possible role for ACPA-mediated activation of platelets in arthritis onset.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0665-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Diversity and virulence of soil-dwelling fungi Isaria spp. and Paecilomyces spp. against Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

To comprehend the diversity and potential control of soil-dwelling fungi, Isaria and Paecilomyces, against the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), an investigation was carried out between 2004 and 2008. From 258 soil samples collected from 16 central and southern provinces and cities in China, a total of 171 isolates of the genra Isaria and Paecilomyce were isolated, and the species I. javanicus, P. marquandii and I. fumosoroseus were found more abundant than I. cateniobliquus, P. carneus, P. inflatus and P. lilacinus. Geographic differences of isolating rates were observed as well. Samples from the southern areas had higher fungal isolating rates than those from the central areas. Subsequently, 47 isolates were further tested for pathogencity against the red imported fire ant. All isolates except P115 showed certain pathogenic potential (the mean is 52.3% at 4000 conidiospores/mL) to the ant. I. javanicus was the most effective species with a mean pathogenicity of 80.6%, while pathogenicities of P. marquandii, P. gunni and I. fumosoroseus were 44, 21 and 49%, respectively. Furthermore, the more effective isolates P028 of I. javanicus and P003 of I. fumosoroseus were tested in a virulence experiment. The LD₅₀ values of P028 and P003 against major and miner workers were determined as 412,280 and 854,451 conidiospores/cm², respectively. Meanwhile, the LT₅₀ values at 1000 conidiospores/cm² were 7.1 and 6.6 d in isolate P003 and 6.8 and 6.6 d in isolate P028.