Inhibitory effect of aspirin on cholera toxin-induced phospholipase and cyclo-oxygenase activity

Cholera toxin (CT) stimulated phospholipase activity and caused [3H]arachidonic acid (3H-AA) release in a murine macrophage/monocyte cell line. Pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, did not affect CT-induced 3H-AA release. In contrast, aspirin, which is an inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC), blocked CT-induced 3H-AA release and subsequent prostaglandin (PC) synthesis. The inhibitory effect of aspirin was dose dependent, with 4 mM reducing the CT response by approximately 50%. Similarly, inhibition was time dependent, occurring when the drug was added to the culture medium as late as 30 min after CT. Brief exposure (30 min) of the cells to aspirin did not alter their subsequent response to CT, but 3H-AA release from cells exposed to aspirin for 2.5 h was irreversibly inhibited. The data suggested that CT stimulation of AA metabolism may involve increased PLC activity.     

Mitochondrial phylogeography and population history of pine martens Martes martes compared with polecats Mustela putorius

The flora and fauna of Europe are linked by a common biogeographic history, most recently the Pleistocene glaciations that restricted the range of most species to southern refugial populations. Changes in population size and migration, as well as selection, have all left a signature on the genetic differentiation. Thus, three paradigms of postglacial recolonization have been described, inferred from the patterns of DNA differentiation. Yet some species, especially wide-ranging carnivores, exhibit little population structuring between the proposed refugia, although relatively few have been studied due to the difficulty of obtaining samples. Therefore, we investigated mitochondrial variation in pine martens, Martes martes, in order to understand the extent to which they were affected by glacial cycles, and compared the results with an analysis of sequences from polecats, Mustela putorius. A general lack of ancient lineages, and a mismatch distribution that is consistent with an expanding population, is evidence that the present-day M. martes and Mu. putorius in central and northern Europe colonized from a single European refugium following a recent glaciation. There has also been interspecific mitochondrial introgression between M. martes and the sable M. zibellina in Fennoscandia.     

STUDIES OF HAWAIIAN FRESHWATER AND SOIL ALGAE II. ALGAL COLONIZATION AND SUCCESSION ON A DATED VOLCANIC SUBSTRATE1,2

Spatial studies of colonization and succession of soil algae and chemical analyses of the various soils on the cinde cone of Kilauea Iki in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii are outlined. There is a positive correlation between the diversity and quantity of soil algae with nutrient levels and organic matter accumulation in each locale. Three distinct edaphic-biotic zones existing in this area are differentially revealed by the soil chemical composition, quantity and diversity of soil algae, and as evident variations in higher plant growth and colonization. Varying colonization and successional phases of higher plant growth around standing and fallen tree snags killed by volcanic activity also reflect variations in the soil algal flora. These variations appear largely as a function of differential water interception, absorption, and retention as well as differential accumulation of organic matter, and the initiation of various biogeochemical cycles.     

Bat species diversity in a lake archipelago in central Sweden

The bat fauna of 35 islands in a large lake in central Sweden were examined using ultrasound detectors. We tested the hypothesis that there is no difference in species number between the mainland and the island fauna. Eight species were found. Species numbers were analysed against island area, area of some habitats (coniferous forest, deciduous forest, semi-open habitats and open habitats), degree of isolation (distance from mainland and from stepping stones) and time spent searching for bats. Species number increased with area of deciduous forest. Presence of houses tended to increase species number. There seems to be a negative relationship between species number and degree of isolation (nearly significant). The results suggest that at least three species, Myotis brandti (Eversmann, 1845), M. mystacinus (Kuhl, 1819) and Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758), are negatively affected by forest patchiness. These species occurred mainly on large islands. Thus, the results do not support the hypothesis. The reasons why some species avoid open habitats are discussed.     

A Novel,Retromer‐Independent Role for Sorting Nexins 1 and 2 in RhoG‐Dependent Membrane Remodeling

The sorting nexins SNX1 and SNX2 are members of the retromer complex involved in protein sorting within the endocytic pathway. While retromer‐dependent functions of SNX1 and SNX2 have been well documented, potential retromer‐independent roles remain unclear. Here, we show that SNX1 and SNX2 interact with the Rac1 and RhoG guanine nucleotide exchange factor Kalirin‐7. Simultaneous overexpression of SNX1 or SNX2 and Kalirin‐7 in epithelial cells causes partial redistribution of both SNX isoforms to the plasma membrane, and results in RhoG‐dependent lamellipodia formation that requires functional Phox homology (PX) and Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domains of SNX, but is Rac1‐ and retromer‐independent. Conversely, depletion of endogenous SNX1 or SNX2 inhibits Kalirin‐7‐mediated lamellipodia formation. Finally, we demonstrate that SNX1 and SNX2 interact directly with inactive RhoG, suggesting a novel role for these SNX proteins in recruiting an inactive Rho GTPase to its exchange factor.     

Cytoskeleton stiffness regulates cellular senescence and innate immune response in Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is caused by the accumulation of mutant prelamin A (progerin) in the nuclear lamina, resulting in increased nuclear stiffness and abnormal nuclear architecture. Nuclear mechanics are tightly coupled to cytoskeletal mechanics via lamin A/C. However, the role of cytoskeletal/nuclear mechanical properties in mediating cellular senescence and the relationship between cytoskeletal stiffness, nuclear abnormalities, and senescent phenotypes remain largely unknown. Here, using muscle‐derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) from the Zmpste24^?/? (Z24^?/?) mouse (a model for HGPS) and human HGPS fibroblasts, we investigated the mechanical mechanism of progerin‐induced cellular senescence, involving the role and interaction of mechanical sensors RhoA and Sun1/2 in regulating F‐actin cytoskeleton stiffness, nuclear blebbing, micronuclei formation, and the innate immune response. We observed that increased cytoskeletal stiffness and RhoA activation in progeria cells were directly coupled with increased nuclear blebbing, Sun2 expression, and micronuclei‐induced cGAS‐Sting activation, part of the innate immune response. Expression of constitutively active RhoA promoted, while the inhibition of RhoA/ROCK reduced cytoskeletal stiffness, Sun2 expression, the innate immune response, and cellular senescence. Silencing of Sun2 expression by siRNA also repressed RhoA activation, cytoskeletal stiffness and cellular senescence. Treatment of Zmpste24^?/? mice with a RhoA inhibitor repressed cellular senescence and improved muscle regeneration. These results reveal novel mechanical roles and correlation of cytoskeletal/nuclear stiffness, RhoA, Sun2, and the innate immune response in promoting aging and cellular senescence in HGPS progeria.     

His22 of TLXI plays a critical role in the inhibition of glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases

Recently, a novel wheat thaumatin-like protein, TLXI, which inhibits microbial glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 11 xylanases has been identified. It is the first xylanase inhibitor that exerts its inhibition in a non-competitive way. In the present study we gained insight into the interaction between TLXI and xylanases via combined molecular modeling and mutagenic approaches. More specifically, site-specific mutation of His22, situated on a loop which distinguishes TLXI from other, non-inhibiting, thaumatin-like proteins, and subsequent expression of the mutant in Pichia pastoris resulted in a protein lacking inhibition capacity. The mutant protein was unable to form a complex with GH11 xylanases. Based on these findings, the interaction of TLXI with GH11 xylanases is discussed.     

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation as a Method to Maximize the Beneficial Effects of Muscle Stem Cells Transplanted into Dystrophic Skeletal Muscle

Cellular therapy is a potential approach to improve the regenerative capacity of damaged or diseased skeletal muscle. However, its clinical use has often been limited by impaired donor cell survival, proliferation and differentiation following transplantation. Additionally, functional improvements after transplantation are all-too-often negligible. Because the host microenvironment plays an important role in the fate of transplanted cells, methods to modulate the microenvironment and guide donor cell behavior are warranted. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for 1 or 4 weeks following muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) transplantation into dystrophic skeletal muscle can modulate the fate of donor cells and enhance their contribution to muscle regeneration and functional improvements. Animals submitted to 4 weeks of NMES after transplantation demonstrated a 2-fold increase in the number of dystrophin+ myofibers as compared to control transplanted muscles. These findings were concomitant with an increased vascularity in the MDSC+NMES group when compared to non-stimulated counterparts. Additionally, animals subjected to NMES (with or without MDSC transplantation) presented an increased maximal specific tetanic force when compared to controls. Although cell transplantation and/or the use of NMES resulted in no changes in fatigue resistance, the combination of both MDSC transplantation and NMES resulted in a faster recovery from fatigue, when compared to non-injected and non-stimulated counterparts. We conclude that NMES is a viable method to improve MDSC engraftment, enhance dystrophic muscle strength, and, in combination with MDSC transplantation, improve recovery from fatigue. These findings suggest that NMES may be a clinically-relevant adjunct approach for cell transplantation into skeletal muscle.     

Polydnaviral Ankyrin Proteins Aid Parasitic Wasp Survival by Coordinate and Selective Inhibition of Hematopoietic and Immune NF-kappa B Signaling in Insect Hosts

Polydnaviruses are mutualists of their parasitoid wasps and express genes in immune cells of their Lepidopteran hosts. Polydnaviral genomes carry multiple copies of viral ankyrins or vankyrins. Vankyrin proteins are homologous to IκB proteins, but lack sequences for regulated degradation. We tested if Ichnoviral Vankyrins differentially impede Toll-NF-κB-dependent hematopoietic and immune signaling in a heterologous in vivo Drosophila, system. We first show that hematopoiesis and the cellular encapsulation response against parasitoid wasps are tightly-linked via NF-κB signaling. The niche, which neighbors the larval hematopoietic progenitors, responds to parasite infection. Drosophila NF-κB proteins are expressed in the niche, and non cell-autonomously influence fate choice in basal and parasite-activated hematopoiesis. These effects are blocked by the Vankyrin I²-vank-3, but not by P-vank-1, as is the expression of a NF-κB target transgene. I²-vank-3 and P-vank-1 differentially obstruct cellular and humoral inflammation. Additionally, their maternal expression weakens ventral embryonic patterning. We propose that selective perturbation of NF-κB-IκB interactions in natural hosts of parasitic wasps negatively impacts the outcome of hematopoietic and immune signaling and this immune deficit contributes to parasite survival and species success in nature.     

Leptin modulates lymphocytes' adherence to hepatic stellate cells is associated with oxidative status alterations

We investigated leptin effects on lymphocyte interactions with hepatic-stellate-cells (HSCs). Leptin showed pro-fibrotic effects on HSCs with oxidative status imbalance.In co-cultures, leptin activates HSCs and consequently adhered HCV-lymphocytes more than healthy ones. Leptin also increased healthy and HCV lymphocyte proliferations; increased their reactive-oxygen-species; decreased antioxidants (reduced-glutathione) levels while inhibited apoptosis only of HCV-lymphocytes. The leptin-treated HCV-lymphocytes activated HSCs, increase interleukin-4 while decreased their apoptosis.Leptin-receptor-deficient (db–db)-HSCs did not adhere lymphocytes. db/db-lymphocytes however showed fewer adherences to HSCs when compared to WT-counterparts.This study presents immune and oxidative modulatory effects of leptin on lymphocytes and their consequent interaction with HSCs.