技术资料

BACKGROUND Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and other type 2 inflammation-related diseases. Increased IL-13 expression can elicit several pro-inflammatory effects,including eosinophilia,and pathology such as increased mucus secretion. Polypogenesis in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be caused by hypoxia,which can also lead to hyperpermeability of airway epithelium and epithelium-to-mesenchymal translation through the upregulation of hypoxia-associated genes,such as HIF1. Whether T-helper 2 (Th2) inflammatory cytokines,such as IL-13,can also induce sinonasal epithelial hypoxia-associated genes is currently unknown. METHODS Human air-liquid interface (ALI) sinonasal epithelial cell cultures treated with recombinant IL-13 were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry to determine the effect on epithelial cells. RESULTS Whole tissue from CRSwNP subjects showed increased HIF1A gene expression. Treatment of fully differentiated human ALI cultures with IL-13 resulted in a concurrent increase in HIF1A and ARNT messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. However,the level of EPAS1 expression was significantly reduced. IL-13 also had a dose-dependent response on the expression of HIF genes and the time course experiment showed peak expression of HIF1A and ARNT at 5 to 7 days poststimulation. Remarkably,CD73 surface expression also peaked at day 5 poststimulation. CONCLUSION Our data suggests that IL-13 can induce hypoxia signaling pathway genes leading to surface expression of CD73,which has an anti-inflammatory effect. View Publication

Recent evidence suggests that enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells and serves as a source of autoantigens in SLE. We propose that aberrant NET formation is also linked to organ damage and to the premature vascular disease characteristic of human SLE. Here,we demonstrate enhanced NET formation in the New Zealand mixed 2328 (NZM) model of murine lupus. NZM mice also developed autoantibodies to NETs as well as the ortholog of human cathelicidin/LL37 (CRAMP),a molecule externalized in the NETs. NZM mice were treated with Cl-amidine,an inhibitor of peptidylarginine deiminases (PAD),to block NET formation and were evaluated for lupus-like disease activity,endothelial function,and prothrombotic phenotype. Cl-amidine treatment inhibited NZM NET formation in vivo and significantly altered circulating autoantibody profiles and complement levels while reducing glomerular IgG deposition. Further,Cl-amidine increased the differentiation capacity of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells,improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation,and markedly delayed time to arterial thrombosis induced by photochemical injury. Overall,these findings suggest that PAD inhibition can modulate phenotypes crucial for lupus pathogenesis and disease activity and may represent an important strategy for mitigating cardiovascular risk in lupus patients. View Publication

OBJECTIVES An imbalance between neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and degradation has been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),potentially contributing to autoantigen externalisation,type I interferon synthesis and endothelial damage. We have demonstrated that peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) inhibition reduces NET formation and protects against lupus-related vascular damage in the New Zealand Mixed model of lupus. However,another strategy for inhibiting NETs--knockout of NOX2--accelerates lupus in a different murine model,MRL/lpr. Here,we test the effects of PAD inhibition on MRL/lpr mice in order to clarify whether some NET inhibitory pathways may be consistently therapeutic across models of SLE. METHODS NET formation and autoantibodies to NETs were characterised in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. MRL/lpr mice were also treated with two different PAD inhibitors,Cl-amidine and the newly described BB-Cl-amidine. NET formation,endothelial function,interferon signature,nephritis and skin disease were examined in treated mice. RESULTS Neutrophils from MRL/lpr mice demonstrate accelerated NET formation compared with controls. MRL/lpr mice also form autoantibodies to NETs and have evidence of endothelial dysfunction. PAD inhibition markedly improves endothelial function,while downregulating the expression of type I interferon-regulated genes. PAD inhibition also reduces proteinuria and immune complex deposition in the kidneys,while protecting against skin disease. CONCLUSIONS PAD inhibition reduces NET formation,while protecting against lupus-related damage to the vasculature,kidneys and skin in various lupus models. The strategy by which NETs are inhibited will have to be carefully considered if human studies are to be undertaken. View Publication

Excessive receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) signaling causes enhanced osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Thus,down-regulation of RANKL expression or its downstream signals may be a therapeutic approach to the treatment of pathological bone loss. In this study,we investigated the effects of Trolox,a water-soluble vitamin E analogue,on osteoclastogenesis and RANKL signaling. Trolox potently inhibited interleukin-1-induced osteoclast formation in bone marrow cell-osteoblast coculture by abrogating RANKL induction in osteoblasts. This RANKL reduction was attributed to the reduced production of prostaglandin E(2) via a down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 activity. We also found that Trolox inhibited osteoclast formation from bone marrow macrophages induced by macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus RANKL in a reversible manner. Trolox was effective only when present during the early stage of culture,which implies that it targets early osteoclast precursors. Pretreatment with Trolox did not affect RANKL-induced early signaling pathways,including MAPKs,NF-kappaB,and Akt. We found that Trolox down-regulated the induction by RANKL of c-Fos protein by suppressing its translation. Ectopic overexpression of c-Fos rescued the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by Trolox in bone marrow macrophages. Trolox also suppressed interleukin-1-induced osteoclast formation and bone loss in mouse calvarial bone. Taken together,our findings indicate that Trolox prevents osteoclast formation and bone loss by inhibiting both RANKL induction in osteoblasts and c-Fos expression in osteoclast precursors. View Publication

Inhibiting ADP-ribosyl transferases with PARP-inhibitors is considered a promising strategy for the treatment of many cancers and ischemia,but most of the cellular targets are poorly characterized. Here,we describe an inhibitor of ADP-ribosyltransferase-3/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-3 (ARTD3),a regulator of DNA repair and mitotic progression. In vitro profiling against 12 members of the enzyme family suggests selectivity for ARTD3,and crystal structures illustrate the molecular basis for inhibitor selectivity. The compound is active in cells,where it elicits ARTD3-specific effects at submicromolar concentration. Our results show that by targeting the nicotinamide binding site,selective inhibition can be achieved among the closest relatives of the validated clinical target,ADP-ribosyltransferase-1/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. View Publication

Extremely premature infants are prone to severe respiratory infections,and the mechanisms underlying this exceptional susceptibility are largely unknown. Nasal epithelial cells (NEC) represent the first-line of defense and adult-derived ALI cell culture models show promising results in mimicking in vivo physiology. Therefore,the aim of this study was to develop a robust and reliable protocol for generating well-differentiated cell culture models from NECs of extremely premature infants. Nasal brushing was performed in 13 extremely premature infants at term corrected age and in 11 healthy adult controls to obtain NECs for differentiation at air-liquid interface (ALI). Differentiation was verified using imaging and functional analysis. Successful isolation and differentiation was achieved for 5 (38.5{\%}) preterm and 5 (45.5{\%}) adult samples. Preterm and adult ALI-cultures both showed well-differentiated morphology and ciliary function,however,preterm cultures required significantly longer cultivation times for acquiring full differentiation (44 ± 3.92 vs. 23 ± 1.83 days; p {\textless} 0.0001). Moreover,we observed that recent respiratory support may impair successful NECs isolation. Herewithin,we describe a safe,reliable and reproducible method to generate well-differentiated ALI-models from NECs of extremely premature infants. These models provide a valuable foundation for further studies regarding immunological and inflammatory responses and respiratory disorders in extremely premature infants. View Publication

Shifts in cellular metabolic phenotypes have the potential to cause disease-driving processes in respiratory disease. The respiratory epithelium is particularly susceptible to metabolic shifts in disease,but our understanding of these processes is limited by the incompatibility of the technology required to measure metabolism in real-time with the cell culture platforms used to generate differentiated respiratory epithelial cell types. Thus,to date,our understanding of respiratory epithelial metabolism has been restricted to that of basal epithelial cells in submerged culture,or via indirect end point metabolomics readouts in lung tissue. Here we present a novel methodology using the widely available Seahorse Analyzer platform to monitor real-time changes in the cellular metabolism of fully differentiated primary human airway epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interface (ALI). We show increased glycolytic,but not mitochondrial,ATP production rates in response to physiologically relevant increases in glucose availability. We also show that pharmacological inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase is able to reduce glucose-induced shifts toward aerobic glycolysis. This method is timely given the recent advances in our understanding of new respiratory epithelial subtypes that can only be observed in vitro through culture at ALI and will open new avenues to measure real-time metabolic changes in healthy and diseased respiratory epithelium,and in turn the potential for the development of novel therapeutics targeting metabolic-driven disease phenotypes. View Publication

Ligand-activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) elicits variable glucocorticoid-modulated transcriptomes in different cell types. However,some genes,including Kr{\{u}}ppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) a putative transcriptional repressor demonstrate conserved responses. We show that glucocorticoids induce KLF9 expression in the human airways in vivo and in differentiated human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells grown at air-liquid interface (ALI). In A549 and BEAS-2B pulmonary epithelial cells glucocorticoids induce KLF9 expression with similar kinetics to primary HBE cells in submersion culture. A549 and BEAS-2B ChIP-seq data reveal four common glucocorticoid-induced GR binding sites (GBSs). Two GBSs mapped to the 5'-proximal region relative to KLF9 transcription start site (TSS) and two occurred at distal sites. These were all confirmed in primary HBE cells. Global run-on (GRO)-sequencing indicated robust enhancer RNA (eRNA) production from three of these GBSs in BEAS-2B cells. This was confirmed in A549 cells plus submersion and ALI culture of HBE cells. Cloning each GBS into luciferase reporters revealed glucocorticoid-induced activity requiring a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) within each distal GBS. While the proximal GBSs drove modest reporter induction by glucocorticoids this region exhibited basal eRNA production RNA polymerase II enrichment and looping to the TSS plausibly underlying constitutive KLF9 expression. Post-glucocorticoid treatment interactions between distal and proximal GBSs and the TSS correlated with KLF9 induction. CBP/P300 silencing reduced proximal GBS activity but negligibly effected KLF9 expression. Overall a model for glucocorticoid-mediated regulation of KLF9 involving multiple GBSs is depicted. This work unequivocally demonstrates that mechanistic insights gained from cell-lines can translate to physiologically relevant systems." View Publication

Imaging strategies to monitor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell biodistribution and proliferation harbor the potential to facilitate clinical translation for the treatment of both liquid and solid tumors. In addition,the potential adverse effects of CAR T cells highlight the need for mechanisms to modulate CAR T-cell activity. The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) gene has previously been translated as a PET reporter gene for imaging of T-cell trafficking in patients with brain tumor. The HSV1-TK enzyme can act as a suicide gene of transduced cells through treatment with the prodrug ganciclovir. Here we report the molecular engineering,imaging,and ganciclovir-mediated destruction of B7H3 CAR T cells incorporating a mutated version of the HSV1-tk gene (sr39tk) with improved enzymatic activity for ganciclovir. The sr39tk gene did not affect B7H3 CAR T-cell functionality and in vitro and in vivo studies in osteosarcoma models showed no significant effect on B7H3 CAR T-cell antitumor activity. PET/CT imaging with 9-(4-[18F]-fluoro-3-[hydroxymethyl]butyl)guanine ([18F]FHBG) of B7H3-sr39tk CAR T cells in an orthotopic model of osteosarcoma revealed tumor homing and systemic immune expansion. Bioluminescence and PET imaging of B7H3-sr39tk CAR T cells confirmed complete tumor ablation with intraperitoneal ganciclovir administration. This imaging and suicide ablation system can provide insight into CAR T-cell migration and proliferation during clinical trials while serving as a suicide switch to limit potential toxicities. SIGNIFICANCE: This study showcases the only genetically engineered system capable of serving the dual role both as an effective PET imaging reporter and as a suicide switch for CAR T cells. View Publication

In situ molecular architecture analysis of organelles and protein assemblies is essential to understanding the role of individual components and their cellular function,and to engineering new molecular functionalities. Through a super-resolution-driven approach,here we characterize the organization of the ciliary basal foot,an appendage of basal bodies whose main role is to provide a point of anchoring to the microtubule cytoskeleton. Quantitative image analysis shows that the basal foot is organized into three main regions linked by elongated coiled-coil proteins,revealing a conserved modular architecture in primary and motile cilia,but showing distinct features reflecting its specialized functions. Using domain-specific BioID proximity labeling and super-resolution imaging,we identify CEP112 as a basal foot protein and other candidate components of this assembly,aiding future investigations on the role of basal foot across different cilia systems. View Publication

Immune checkpoint blockade therapies have shown clinical promise in a variety of cancers,but how tumor-infiltrating T cells are activated remains unclear. In this study,we explore the functions of PD-L1 on dendritic cells (DCs),which highly express PD-L1. We observe that PD-L1 on DC plays a critical role in limiting T cell responses. Type 1 conventional DCs are essential for PD-L1 blockade and they upregulate PD-L1 upon antigen uptake. Upregulation of PD-L1 on DC is mediated by type II interferon. While DCs are the major antigen presenting cells for cross-presenting tumor antigens to T cells,subsequent PD-L1 upregulation protects them from killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes,yet dampens the antitumor responses. Blocking PD-L1 in established tumors promotes re-activation of tumor-infiltrating T cells for tumor control. Our study identifies a critical and dynamic role of PD-L1 on DC,which needs to be harnessed for better invigoration of antitumor immune responses. View Publication

UNLABELLED The effects of oleuropein on the processes of osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human bone marrow have been studied. We report that oleuropein,a polyphenol abundant in olive tree products,reduces the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR$\gamma$),inhibits adipocyte differentiation,and enhances differentiation into osteoblast. INTRODUCTION Age-related bone loss is associated with osteoblast insufficiency during continuous bone remodeling. It has been suggested that the formation of osteoblasts in bone marrow is closely associated with adipogenesis,and age-related changes in this relationship could be responsible for the progressive adiposity of bone marrow which occurs with osteoporosis. In addition,the consumption of oleuropein,a major polyphenol in olive leaves and olive oil,has been associated with a reduction in bone loss. METHODS We have analyzed the effects of oleuropein-at concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-4) M-on the processes of osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in MSCs from human bone marrow. RESULTS The results show an increase in osteoblast differentiation and a decrease in adipocyte differentiation when there is oleuropein in the culture media. The gene expression of osteoblastogenesis markers,RUNXII,osterix,collagen type I,osteocalcin,or alkaline phosphatase (ALP),was higher in osteoblast-induced oleuropein-treated cells. Also,the ALP activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were higher when oleuropein was present in the media. Oleuropein in MSCs induced adipocytes to produce a decrease in the expression of the genes involved in adipogenesis,the PPAR$\gamma$,lipoprotein lipase,or fatty acid-binding protein 4,and minor fat accumulation. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that oleuropein,highly abundant in olive tree products included in the traditional Mediterranean diet,could prevent age-related bone loss and osteoporosis. View Publication