技术资料

Natural killer (NK) cells form an important arm of the innate immune system and function to combat a wide range of invading pathogens,ranging from viruses to bacteria. However,the means by which NK cells accomplish recognition of pathogens with a limited repertoire of receptors remain largely unknown. In the current study,we describe the recognition of an emerging fungal pathogen,Candida glabrata,by the human NK cytotoxic receptor NKp46 and its mouse ortholog,NCR1. Using NCR1 knockout mice,we observed that this receptor-mediated recognition was crucial for controlling C. glabrata infection in vitro and in vivo. Finally,we delineated the fungal ligands to be the C. glabrata adhesins Epa1,Epa6,and Epa7 and demonstrated that clearance of systemic C. glabrata infections in vivo depends on their recognition by NCR1. As NKp46 and NCR1 have been previously shown to bind viral adhesion receptors,we speculate that NKp46/NCR1 may be a novel type of pattern recognition receptor. View Publication

CD46 is a glycoprotein with important functions in innate and adaptive immune responses. Functionally different isoforms are generated by alternative splicing at exons 7-9 (BC and C isoforms) and exon 13 (CYT-1 and CYT-2 isoforms) giving rise to BC1,BC2,C1 and C2. We developed a novel real-time PCR assay that allows quantitative comparisons between these isoforms. Their relative frequency in CD4(+) T cells from 100 donors revealed a distribution with high interpersonally variability. Importantly,the distribution between the isoforms was not random and although splicing favoured inclusion of exon 8 (BC isoforms),exclusion of exon 8 (C isoforms) was significantly linked to exclusion of exon 13 (CYT-2 isoforms). Despite inter-individual differences,CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells,B cells,NK cells and monocytes expressed similar isoform profiles intra-individually. However,memory/effector CD4(+) T cells had a significantly higher frequency of CYT-2 when compared with naïve CD4(+) T cells. Likewise,in vitro activation of naïve and total CD4(+) T cells increased the expression of CYT-2. This indicates that although splicing factors determine a certain expression profile in an individual,the profile can be modulated by external stimuli. This suggests a mechanism by which alterations in CD46 isoforms may temporarily regulate the immune response. View Publication

Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a novel tool to investigate the pathophysiology of poorly known diseases,in particular those affecting the nervous system,which has been difficult to study for its lack of accessibility. In this emerging and promising field,recent iPSCs studies are mostly used as proof-of-principle" experiments that are confirmatory of previous findings obtained from animal models and postmortem human studies; its promise as a discovery tool is just beginning to be realized. A recent number of studies point to the functional similarities between in vitro neurogenesis and in vivo neuronal development� View Publication

The mechanisms underlying human germ cell development are largely unknown,partly due to the scarcity of primordial germ cells and the inaccessibility of the human germline to genetic analysis. Human embryonic stem cells can differentiate to germ cells in vitro and can be genetically modified to study the genetic requirements for germ cell development. Here,we studied NANOS3 and DAZL,which have critical roles in germ cell development in several species,via their over expression in human embryonic stem cells using global transcriptional analysis,in vitro germ cell differentiation,and in vivo germ cell formation assay by xenotransplantation. We found that NANOS3 over expression prolonged pluripotency and delayed differentiation. In addition,we observed a possible connection of NANOS3 with inhibition of apoptosis. For DAZL,our results suggest a post-transcriptional regulation mechanism in hES cells. In addition,we found that DAZL suppressed the translation of OCT4,and affected the transcription of several genes associated with germ cells,cell cycle arrest,and cell migration. Furthermore,DAZL over expressed cells formed spermatogonia-like colonies in a rare instance upon xenotransplantation. These data can be used to further elucidate the role of NANOS3 and DAZL in germ cell development both in vitro and in vivo. View Publication

BACKGROUND Circular RNA of vimentin (circ-VIM) is a predictor for poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia,but we had little information on its function in esophageal cancer (EC). Here we examined the effects of circ-VIM together with sevoflurane on immune escape and multiple oncogenic activities of EC. METHODS Bioinformatic tools,luciferase assay,and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to examine regulations between circ-VIM,miR-124-3p (miR-124),and PD-L1. CCK-8,wound healing,and Transwell assays were used to measure cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,respectively. The impacts of EC cells on cytotoxicity,proliferation,and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells were examined using LDH assay,CFSE staining,and Annexin V/PI staining,respectively. The in vivo tumorigenesis and lung metastases were assessed using xenograft model and tail vein injection of EC cells. RESULTS Significant upregulation of circ-VIM and PD-L1 and downregulation of miR-124 were detected in EC tissues or cells. Circ-VIM sponged miR-124 and released its suppression on the downstream target PD-L1. Sevoflurane,independent of circ-VIM,also upregulated miR-124 to lower PD-L1 expression. By modulating miR-124/PD-L1 axis,silencing circ-VIM and applying sevoflurane both inhibited immune escape and multiple oncogenic activities of EC in vitro,and suppressed xenograft growth and lung metastases in vivo. The inactivation of Ras/ERK signaling pathway was involved in suppression of malignant phenotypes by silencing circ-VIM and sevoflurane treatment. CONCLUSIONS Silencing circ-VIM and applying sevoflurane,by separately regulating miR-124/PD-L1 axis,presented synergistic effects in inhibiting immune escape and multiple malignant phenotypes of EC cells. View Publication

Wortmannin at nanomolar concentrations is a potent and specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase and has been used extensively to demonstrate the role of this enzyme in diverse signal transduction processes. At higher concentrations,wortmannin inhibits the ataxia telangiectasia gene (ATM)-related DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). We report here the identification of the site of interaction of wortmannin on the catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase,p110alpha. At physiological pH (6.5 to 8) wortmannin reacted specifically with p110alpha. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate,ATP,and ATP analogs [adenine and 5'-(4-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl)adenine] competed effectively with wortmannin,while substances containing nucleophilic amino acid side chain functions had no effect at the same concentrations. This suggests that the wortmannin target site is localized in proximity to the substrate-binding site and that residues involved in wortmannin binding have an increased nucleophilicity because of their protein environment. Proteolytic fragments of wortmannin-treated,recombinant p110alpha were mapped with anti-wortmannin and anti-p110alpha peptide antibodies,thus limiting the target site within a 10-kDa fragment,colocalizing with the ATP-binding site. Site-directed mutagenesis of all candidate residues within this region showed that only the conservative Lys-802-to-Arg mutation abolished wortmannin binding. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase occurs,therefore,by the formation of an enamine following the attack of Lys-802 on the furan ring (at C-20) of wortmannin. The Lys-802-to-Arg mutant was also unable to bind FSBA and was catalytically inactive in lipid and protein kinase assays,indicating a crucial role for Lys-802 in the phosphotransfer reaction. In contrast,an Arg-916-to-Pro mutation abolished the catalytic activity whereas covalent wortmannin binding remained intact. Our results provide the basis for the design of novel and specific inhibitors of an enzyme family,including PI kinases and ATM-related genes,that play a central role in many physiological processes. View Publication

A high proportion of the CD34+CD38- cells in normal human marrow are defined as long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) because they can proliferate and differentiate when co-cultured with cytokine-producing stromal feeder layers. In contrast,very few CD34+CD38- cells will divide in cytokine-containing methylcellulose and thus are not classifiable as direct colony-forming cells (CFC),although most can proliferate in serum-free liquid cultures containing certain soluble cytokines. Analysis of the effects of 16 cytokines on CD34+CD38- cells in the latter type of culture showed that Flt3-ligand (FL),Steel factor (SF),and interleukin (IL)-3 were both necessary and sufficient to obtain an approximately 30-fold amplification of the input LTC-IC population within 10 d. As single factors,only FL and thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulated a net increase in LTC-IC within 10 d. Interestingly,a significantly increased proportion of the CFC produced from the TPO-amplified LTC-IC were erythroid. Increases in the number of directly detectable CFC of textgreater 500-fold were also obtainable within 10 d in serum-free cultures of CD34+CD38- cells. However,this required the presence of IL-6 and/or granulocyte/colony-stimulating factor and/or nerve growth factor beta in addition to FL,SF,and IL-3. Also,for this response,the most potent single-acting factor tested was IL-3,not FL. Identification of cytokine combinations that differentially stimulate primitive human hematopoietic cell self-renewal and lineage determination should facilitate analysis of the intracellular pathways that regulate these decisions as well as the development of improved ex vivo expansion and gene transfer protocols. View Publication

Three series of analogs were regioselectively prepared from a protected forskolin precursor to afford 7-carbamoyl-7-desacetylforskolins (series 1),6-carbamoyl-7-desacetylforskolins (series 2),and 6-carbamoylforskolins (series 3). The analogs were pharmacologically evaluated for binding (IC50) to and activation (EC50) of type I adenylyl cyclase in membranes from stably transfected Sf9 cell lines expressing a single adenylate cyclase subtype. The following ranges were determined for the IC50's and EC50's of each individual series: series 1,IC50 = 43-1600 nM,EC50 = 0.5-9.6 microM; series 2,IC50 = 65-680 nM,EC50 = 0.63-6.5 microM; series 3,IC50 = 21-271 nM,EC50 = 0.5-8.1 microM (forskolin IC50 = 41 nM and EC50 = 0.5 microM). Activation paralleled binding; however,some analogs exhibited poor binding and good activation whereas others demonstrated good binding but poor activation. Steric bulk tended to diminish binding and activation when at the 6- or 7-position,although bulk was accommodated at the 6-position if the 7-site was reacetylated. Acylation of the 7-position by the carbamoyl linker or acetyl was important for obtaining good binding and activation; however,the effect was more pronounced with binding. For both binding and activation,small,linear,lipophilic substituents (propyl,allyl,isopropyl) are well tolerated at the 7-position but less so in the 6-position,even when the 7-site is reacetylated. Planar aromatic moieties (phenyl and 2-pyridinyl) demonstrated moderate to good potency for binding and activation when located at either the 6- or 7-positions. There is an overall trend toward increasing potency for both binding and activation with polar substituents. View Publication

View Publication

Reaction with peroxynitrite at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C was found to increase the 8-oxodeoxyguanosine levels in calf thymus DNA 35- 38-fold. This oxidation of deoxyguanosine,as well as the peroxynitrite-mediated nitration of tyrosine to 3-nitrotyrosine,was significantly inhibited by ascorbic acid,glutathione and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate,a polyphenolic antioxidant present in tea. For 50% inhibition of the oxidation of deoxyguanosine to 8-oxodeoxyguanosine,1.1,7.6 or 0.25 mM ascorbate,glutathione or (-)-epigallocatechin gallate,respectively,was required. For 50% inhibition of tyrosine nitration,the respective concentrations were 1.4,4.6 or 0.11 mM. Thus,(-)-epigallocatechin gallate is a significantly better inhibitor of both reactions than either ascorbate or glutathione. Reaction of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate with peroxynitrite alone resulted in the formation of a number of products. Ultraviolet spectra of two of these suggest that the tea polyphenol and/or its oxidation products are nitrated by peroxynitrite. View Publication

1. The effects of the non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor theophylline and the selective PDE4 inhibitor rolipram on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and chemotaxis of complement 5a (C5a)- and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-stimulated human eosinophils obtained from normal and atopic donors were investigated. 2. Eosinophils were purified from peripheral venous blood of normal and atopic subjects by an immunomagnetic procedure to a purity textgreater 99%. Eosinophils were stimulated with PAF (0.1 microM) or C5a 0.1 microM for 15 min and LTC4 was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Eosinophil chemotaxis in response to PAF and C5a was assessed with 48-well microchambers (Boyden). 3. Under these conditions substantial amounts of LTC4 (about 300-1000 pg per 10(6) cells) were only detectable in the presence of indomethacin (0.1-10 microM). To explain this finding it was hypothesized that indomethacin reversed the inhibition of LTC4 synthesis by endogenously synthesized prostaglandins,in particular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In fact,eosinophils release 23 pg PGE2 per 10(6) cells following PAF stimulation; this PGE2 synthesis was completely inhibited by indomethacin and readdition of PGE2 inhibited eosinophil LTC4 synthesis (IC50 = 3 nM). The following experiments were performed in the presence of 10 microM indomethacin. 4. Theophylline (IC50 approximately 50 microM) and rolipram (IC50 approximately 0.03-0.2 microM) suppressed PAF- and C5a-stimulated LTC4 synthesis. This PDE inhibitor-induced suppression of LTC4 generation is mediated by activation of protein kinase A,since it was reversed by the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cyclic AMPS. In addition,exogenous arachidonic acid concentration-dependently (0.3 microM-3 microM) reversed the inhibition of LTC4 synthesis by the PDE inhibitors,indicating that theophylline and rolipram suppress the mobilization of arachidonic acid. The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol inhibited eosinophil LTC4 synthesis (IC50 = 0.08 microM). The combination of salbutamol with theophylline (10 microM) or rolipram (3 nM) appeared to be additive. 5. Theophylline (IC50 approximately 40 microM),rolipram (IC50 approximately 0.02 microM [C5a],approximately 0.6 microM [PAF]) and PGE2 (IC50 approximately 3 nM) inhibited C5a- and PAF-stimulated eosinophil chemotaxis. The combination of PGE2 with theophylline resulted in an additive effect. 6. Both C5a- and PAF-stimulated eosinophil chemotaxis and LTC4 generation were significantly elevated in eosinophils from atopic individuals compared to normal subjects. However,eosinophils from normal and atopic individuals were not different with respect to their total cyclic AMP-PDE and PDE4 isoenzyme activities as well as the potencies of theophylline and rolipram to suppress LTC4 generation and chemotaxis. View Publication

The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of anacardic acid and totarol,alone and in combination with methicillin,were investigated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The growth of two MRSA strains was inhibited by 6 x 25 microg ml-1 of anacardic acid and 0 x 78 microg ml-1 of totarol. The time-kill curve study showed that these two compounds were bactericidal against MRSA. Anacardic acid killed MRSA cells more rapidly than totarol,and no viable cells were detected after being exposed to 6 x 25 microg ml-1 of anacardic acid for 6 h. Anacardic acid showed bactericidal activity against MRSA at any stage of growth,and also even when cell division was inhibited by chloramphenicol. In the combination studies,the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of methicillin was lowered from 800 to 1 x 56 microg ml-1 for MRSA ATCC 33591,and from 800 to 6 x 25 microg ml-1 for MRSA ATCC 33592,by combining with 1/2 x MIC of anacardic acid. The time-kill curves demonstrated synergistic bactericidal activities for these combinations. View Publication