CRIg plays an essential role in intravascular clearance of bloodborne parasites by interacting with complement

Although CRIg was originally identified as a macrophage receptor for binding complement C3b/iC3b in vitro, recent studies reveal that CRIg functions as a pattern recognition receptor in vivo for Kupffer cells (KCs) to directly bind bacterial pathogens in a complement-independent manner. This raises the critical question of whether CRIg captures circulating pathogens through interactions with complement in vivo under flow conditions. Furthermore, the role of CRIg during parasitic infection is unknown. Taking advantage of intravital microscopy and using African trypanosomes as a model, we studied the role of CRIg in intravascular clearance of bloodborne parasites. Complement C3 is required for intravascular clearance of African trypanosomes by KCs, preventing the early mortality of infected mice. Moreover, antibodies are essential for complement-mediated capture of circulating parasites by KCs. Interestingly, reduced antibody production was observed in the absence of complement C3 during infection. We further demonstrate that CRIg but not CR3 is critically involved in KC-mediated capture of circulating parasites, accounting for parasitemia control and host survival. Of note, CRIg cannot directly catch circulating parasites and antibody-induced complement activation is indispensable for CRIg-mediated parasite capture. Thus, we provide evidence that CRIg, by interacting with complement in vivo, plays an essential role in intravascular clearance of bloodborne parasites. Targeting CRIg may be considered as a therapeutic strategy.

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Cellular Samurai: katanin and the severing of microtubules

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.113.16.2821 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 113 (16) ◽

pp. 2821-2827 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L. Quarmby

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Essential Role ◽

Aaa Atpase ◽

C Elegans ◽

Microtubule Severing ◽

Biochemical Studies ◽

New Evidence

Recent biochemical studies of the AAA ATPase, katanin, provide a foundation for understanding how microtubules might be severed along their length. These in vitro studies are complemented by a series of recent reports of direct in vivo observation of microtubule breakage, which indicate that the in vitro phenomenon of catalysed microtubule severing is likely to be physiological. There is also new evidence that microtubule severing by katanin is important for the production of non-centrosomal microtubules in cells such as neurons and epithelial cells. Although it has been difficult to establish the role of katanin in mitosis, new genetic evidence indicates that a katanin-like protein, MEI-1, plays an essential role in meiosis in C. elegans. Finally, new proteins involved in the severing of axonemal microtubules have been discovered in the deflagellation system of Chlamydomonas.

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Essential Role of Chromatin Assembly Factor-1–mediated Rapid Nucleosome Assembly for DNA Replication and Cell Division in Vertebrate Cells

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e06-05-0426 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 129-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Yasunari Takami ◽

Tatsuya Ono ◽

Tatsuo Fukagawa ◽

Kei-ichi Shibahara ◽

Tatsuo Nakayama

Keyword(s):

Dna Replication ◽

Essential Role ◽

Chromatin Assembly ◽

Nuclear Antigen ◽

Nucleosome Assembly ◽

Chromatin Assembly Factor ◽

Assembly Factor

Chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), a complex consisting of p150, p60, and p48 subunits, is highly conserved from yeast to humans and facilitates nucleosome assembly of newly replicated DNA in vitro. To investigate roles of CAF-1 in vertebrates, we generated two conditional DT40 mutants, respectively, devoid of CAF-1p150 and p60. Depletion of each of these CAF-1 subunits led to delayed S-phase progression concomitant with slow DNA synthesis, followed by accumulation in late S/G2 phase and aberrant mitosis associated with extra centrosomes, and then the final consequence was cell death. We demonstrated that CAF-1 is necessary for rapid nucleosome formation during DNA replication in vivo as well as in vitro. Loss of CAF-1 was not associated with the apparent induction of phosphorylations of S-checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2. To elucidate the precise role of domain(s) in CAF-1p150, functional dissection analyses including rescue assays were preformed. Results showed that the binding abilities of CAF-1p150 with CAF-1p60 and DNA polymerase sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) but not with heterochromatin protein HP1-γ are required for cell viability. These observations highlighted the essential role of CAF-1–dependent nucleosome assembly in DNA replication and cell proliferation through its interaction with PCNA.

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A Possible Role of Allatostatin C in Inhibiting Ecdysone Biosynthesis Revealed in the Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.740251 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

An Liu ◽

Wenyuan Shi ◽

Dongdong Lin ◽

Haihui Ye

Keyword(s):

Scylla Paramamosain ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Mud Crab ◽

Methyl Farnesoate ◽

Independent Manner ◽

Wide Range ◽

Negative Effect

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.

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Abstract 140: Anti-inflammatory and Anti-atherogenic Role of Bmp Receptor II In Endothelial Cells

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvb.33.suppl_1.a140 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Chanwoo Kim ◽

Hannah Song ◽

Sandeep Kumar ◽

Douglas Nam ◽

Hyuk Sang Kwon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Intracellular Signaling ◽

Independent Manner ◽

Disturbed Flow ◽

Bmp Receptors ◽

Endothelial Inflammation ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease that arises from a combination of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, occurring preferentially in arterial regions exposed to disturbed flow. Bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP4) produced by disturbed flow induces inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, suggesting the importance of BMPs in vascular biology and disease. BMPs bind to two different types of BMP receptors (BMPRI and II) to instigate intracellular signaling. Increasing evidences suggest a correlative role of BMP4 and atherosclerosis, but the role of BMP receptors especially BMPRII in atherosclerosis is still unclear and whether knockdown of BMPRII is the cause or the consequence of atherosclerosis is still not known. It is therefore, imperative to investigate the mechanisms by which BMPRII expression is modulated and its ramifications in atherosclerosis. Initially, we expected that knockdown of BMPRII will result in loss of pro-atherogenic BMP4 signaling and will thereby prevent atherosclerosis. Contrarily, we found that loss of BMPRII expression causes endothelial inflammation and atherosclerosis. Using BMPRII siRNA and BMPRII +/- mice, we found that BMPRII knockdown induces endothelial inflammation in a BMP-independent manner via mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species (ROS), NFκB, and NADPH oxidases. Further, BMPRII +/- ApoE -/- mice develop accelerated atherosclerosis compared to BMPRII +/+ ApoE -/- mice, suggesting loss of BMPRII may induce atherosclerosis. Interestingly, we found that multiple pro-atherogenic stimuli such as hypercholesterolemia, disturbed flow, pro-hypertensive angiotensin II, and pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, downregulate BMPRII expression in endothelium, while anti-atherogenic stimuli such as stable flow and statin treatment upregulate its expression, both in vivo and in vitro . Moreover, we found that BMPRII expression is significantly diminished in human coronary advanced atherosclerotic lesions. These results suggest that BMPRII is a critical, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic protein that is commonly targeted by multiple pro- and anti-atherogenic factors. BMPRII could be used as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

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Overexpression of a directed mutant of 14-3-3ω in Arabidopsis leaves affects phosphorylation and protein content of nitrate reductaseThis paper is one of a selection published in a Special Issue comprising papers presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists (CSPP) held at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, in June 2008.

Botany ◽

10.1139/b09-003 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 87 (7) ◽

pp. 691-701 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Man-Ho Oh ◽

Joan L. Huber ◽

Wei Shen ◽

Gurdeep S. Athwal ◽

Xia Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Defense Responses ◽

Cellular Proteins ◽

Signaling Proteins ◽

Glutathione S Transferase ◽

Independent Manner ◽

Client Proteins ◽

The University

The 14-3-3 family of proteins are highly conserved signaling proteins in eukaryotes that bind to their client proteins, usually through specific phosphorylated target sequences. While the 14-3-3 proteins are thought to interact with a wide array of cellular proteins, there have been few studies addressing the in-vivo role of 14-3-3. As one approach to study this in-vivo role, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants constitutively overexpressing a directed mutant of 14-3-3 isoform ω that inhibits phosphorylated nitrate reductase (pNR) in a largely divalent-cation-independent manner in vitro. The transgenic plants had increased relative phosphorylation of NR at the regulatory Ser-534 site and decreased NR activity measured in the presence of 5 mmol·L–1 MgCl2 relative to nontransgenic plants. In addition, total NR protein was increased and the protein half-life was increased about two-fold. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis analysis of proteins extracted from leaves of plants expressing the mutant 14-3-3 identified numerous cellular proteins that were altered in abundance. In particular, several β-glucosidase and glutathione S-transferase isoforms were decreased in abundance relative to wild type plants suggesting a possible alteration in stress or defense responses.

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cGAS-mediated autophagy protects the liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury independently of STING

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.00326.2017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 314 (6) ◽

pp. G655-G667 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Zhao Lei ◽

Meihong Deng ◽

Zhongjie Yi ◽

Qian Sun ◽

Richard A. Shapiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Adenosine Monophosphate ◽

Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate ◽

Protective Role ◽

Guanosine Monophosphate ◽

Independent Manner

Liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs through induction of oxidative stress and release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including cytosolic DNA released from dysfunctional mitochondria or from the nucleus. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor known to trigger stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and downstream type 1 interferon (IFN-I) pathways, which are pivotal innate immune system responses to pathogen. However, little is known about the role of cGAS/STING in liver I/R injury. We subjected C57BL/6 (WT), cGAS knockout (cGAS−/−), and STING-deficient (STINGgt/gt) mice to warm liver I/R injury and that found cGAS−/− mice had significantly increased liver injury compared with WT or STINGgt/gt mice, suggesting a protective effect of cGAS independent of STING. Liver I/R upregulated cGAS in vivo and also in vitro in hepatocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R). We confirmed a previously published finding that hepatocytes do not express STING under normoxic conditions or after A/R. Hepatocytes and liver from cGAS−/− mice had increased cell death and reduced induction of autophagy under hypoxic conditions as well as increased apoptosis. Protection could be restored in cGAS−/− hepatocytes by overexpression of cGAS or by pretreatment of mice with autophagy inducer rapamycin. Our findings indicate a novel protective role for cGAS in the regulation of autophagy during liver I/R injury that occurs independently of STING. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our studies are the first to document the important role of cGAS in the acute setting of sterile injury induced by I/R. Specifically, we provide evidence that cGAS protects liver from I/R injury in a STING-independent manner.

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NLRP3- and AIM2-autonomy in a mouse model of MSU crystal-induced acute inflammation in vivo suggests imiquimod-dependent targeting of Il-1[beta] expression as relevant therapy for gout patients.

10.1101/772756 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandre Mariotte ◽

Aurore Decauwer ◽

Chrystelle Po ◽

Cherine Abou-Faycal ◽

Angelique Pichot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Acute Inflammation ◽

Joint Inflammation ◽

Inflammatory Action ◽

Recognition Receptor ◽

Msu Crystals

The role of Monosodium Urate (MSU) crystals in gout pathophysiology is well described, as is the major impact of IL-1b in the inflammatory reaction that constitutes the hallmark of the disease. However, despite the discovery of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its role as a Pattern Recognition Receptor linking the detection of a danger signal (MSU) to IL-1b; secretion in vitro, the precise mechanisms leading to joint inflammation in gout patients are still poorly understood. Here, we provide an extensive clinical, biological and molecular characterization of the acute uratic inflammation mouse model induced by subcutaneous injection of MSU crystals, which accurately mimics human gout. Our work reveals several key features of MSU-dependent inflammation and identifies novel therapeutic opportunities, among which the use of topical application of imiquimod to promote interferon-dependent anti-inflammatory action maybe relevant.

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In vitro and in vivo effects of progesterone on Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182005007468 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 131 (2) ◽

pp. 255-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

G. G. NUÑEZ ◽

T. GENTILE ◽

S. N. COSTANTINO ◽

M. I. SARCHI ◽

S. M. VENTURIELLO

Keyword(s):

Trichinella Spiralis ◽

Parasite Load ◽

Ovariectomized Rats ◽

Independent Manner ◽

Pregnant Rats ◽

Peritoneal Cells ◽

In Vivo Effects

We have previously demonstrated that during pregnancy there exists an increased parasiticide activity against Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae (NBL) in infected rats. In this work we analysed the contribution of peritoneal cells from non-infected pregnant rats to the mortality of the NBL in cytotoxicity assays, and evaluated the role of progesterone in this effector mechanism. Our findings suggest that progesterone can induce activation of effector peritoneal cells to destroy the NBL in a rapid and antibody-independent manner. The administration of progesterone to ovariectomized rats also led to a significant decrease in the parasite load of the animals, thus demonstrating that progesterone induces the increase of the parasiticide activity of the leukocytes involved in the mechanisms of NBL death.

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Tertiary Structural and Functional Analyses of a Viroid RNA Motif by Isostericity Matrix and Mutagenesis Reveal Its Essential Role in Replication

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.00837-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 80 (17) ◽

pp. 8566-8581 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Xuehua Zhong ◽

Neocles Leontis ◽

Shuiming Qian ◽

Asuka Itaya ◽

Yijun Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Role ◽

Tertiary Structure ◽

Matrix Analysis ◽

Base Pairs ◽

Rna Motifs ◽

Viroid Infection ◽

Functional Analyses

ABSTRACT RNA-templated RNA replication is essential for viral or viroid infection, as well as for regulation of cellular gene expression. Specific RNA motifs likely regulate various aspects of this replication. Viroids of the Pospiviroidae family, as represented by the Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), replicate in the nucleus by utilizing DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II. We investigated the role of the loop E (sarcin/ricin) motif of the PSTVd genomic RNA in replication. A tertiary-structural model of this motif, inferred by comparative sequence analysis and comparison with nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystal structures of loop E motifs in other RNAs, is presented in which core non-Watson-Crick base pairs are precisely specified. Isostericity matrix analysis of these base pairs showed that the model accounts for the reported natural sequence variations and viable experimental mutations in loop E motifs of PSTVd and other viroids. Furthermore, isostericity matrix analysis allowed us to design disruptive, as well as compensatory, mutations of PSTVd loop E. Functional analyses of such mutants by in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that loop E structural integrity is crucial for replication, specifically during transcription. Our results suggest that the PSTVd loop E motif exists and functions in vivo and provide loss-of-function genetic evidence for the essential role of a viroid RNA three-dimensional motif in rolling-circle replication. The use of isostericity matrix analysis of non-Watson-Crick base pairing to rationalize mutagenesis of tertiary motifs and systematic in vitro and in vivo functional assays of mutants offers a novel, comprehensive approach to elucidate the tertiary-structure-function relationships for RNA motifs of general biological significance.

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Autoamplification of NFATc1 expression determines its essential role in bone homeostasis

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20051150 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 202 (9) ◽

pp. 1261-1269 ◽

Cited By ~ 558

Author(s):

Masataka Asagiri ◽

Kojiro Sato ◽

Takako Usami ◽

Sae Ochi ◽

Hiroshi Nishina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Role ◽

Osteoclast Differentiation ◽

Ectopic Expression ◽

Epigenetic Mechanism ◽

Bone Homeostasis ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Vitro Effect

NFATc1 and NFATc2 are functionally redundant in the immune system, but it was suggested that NFATc1 is required exclusively for differentiation of osteoclasts in the skeletal system. Here we provide genetic evidence that NFATc1 is essential for osteoclast differentiation in vivo by adoptive transfer of NFATc1−/− hematopoietic stem cells to osteoclast-deficient Fos−/− mice, and by Fos−/− blastocyst complementation, thus avoiding the embryonic lethality of NFATc1−/− mice. However, in vitro osteoclastogenesis in NFATc1-deficient cells was rescued by ectopic expression of NFATc2. The discrepancy between the in vivo essential role of NFATc1 and the in vitro effect of NFATc2 was attributed to selective autoregulation of the NFATc1 gene by NFAT through its promoter region. This suggested that an epigenetic mechanism contributes to the essential function of NFATc1 in cell lineage commitment. Thus, this study establishes that NFATc1 represents a potential therapeutic target for bone disease and reveals a mechanism that underlies the essential role of NFATc1 in bone homeostasis.

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