scholarly journals GP IIb/IIIa-Mediated Platelet Activation and Its Modulation of the Immune Response of Monocytes Against Candida albicans

Author(s):  
Lin Zheng ◽  
Zhimin Duan ◽  
Dingjie Tang ◽  
Yanzhi He ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
...  

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, causing invasive disease and even potentially life-threatening systemic infections when tissue homeostasis is disrupted. Previous studies have identified an essential role of platelets in infection and immunity, especially when they are activated. However, it is still unclear whether platelets can be activated by C. albicans, and even less is known about the role of platelets in C. albicans infection. Herein, we showed that C. albicans induced platelet activation in vitro. C. albicans elevated the levels of AKT Ser473 phosphorylation, and inhibition of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway reversed C. albicans-induced platelet activation. Surprisingly, C. albicans-induced platelet activation occurred in an integrin glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa-dependent manner but was independent of the pattern recognition receptors toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. Interestingly, platelets enhanced the phagocytosis of human monocytes challenged with C. albicans and upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which were dependent on platelet activation mediated by GP IIb/IIIa. The present work provides new insights into the role of activated platelets in the defense against C. albicans, highlighting the importance of GP IIb/IIIa in the recognition of C. albicans.

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 1671-1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravin Seepersaud ◽  
Sean B. Hanniffy ◽  
Peter Mayne ◽  
Phil Sizer ◽  
Richard Le Page ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Group B streptococci (GBS) usually behave as commensal organisms that asymptomatically colonize the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of adults. However, GBS are also pathogens and the leading bacterial cause of life-threatening invasive disease in neonates. While the events leading to transmission and disease in neonates remain unclear, GBS carriage and level of colonization in the mother have been shown to be significant risk factors associated with invasive infection. Surface antigens represent ideal vaccine targets for eliciting antibodies that can act as opsonins and/or inhibit colonization and invasion. Using a genetic screen for exported proteins in GBS, we identified a gene, designated lrrG, that encodes a novel LPXTG anchored surface antigen containing leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs found in bacterial invasins and other members of the LRR protein family. Southern blotting showed that lrrG was present in all GBS strains tested, representing the nine serotypes, and revealed the presence of an lrrG homologue in Streptococcus pyogenes. Recombinant LrrG protein was shown in vitro to adhere to epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that it may function as an adhesion factor in GBS. More importantly, immunization with recombinant LrrG elicited a strong immunoglobulin G response in CBA/ca mice and protected against lethal challenge with virulent GBS. The data presented in this report suggest that this conserved protein is a highly promising candidate antigen for use in a GBS vaccine.


Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 838-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
HK Nieuwenhuis ◽  
JJ van Oosterhout ◽  
E Rozemuller ◽  
F van Iwaarden ◽  
JJ Sixma

Abstract To define the role of activated platelets we have attempted to prepare monoclonal antibodies specific for activated platelets. The IgG2b antibody of one of the clones, designated 2.28, was studied in more detail. Native platelets from normal individuals bound 650 125I-2.28 molecules/platelet, whereas thrombin-activated platelets bound 12,600 molecules/platelet with high affinity (4.6 nmol/L). Immunoelectrophoretic analysis revealed that 2.28 reacted with a 53,000- mol wt protein. Immunocytochemistry showed that the antigen is located in a special subclass of platelet granules in unstimulated platelets and is exposed on the surface of thrombin-activated platelets. Double- labeling studies with immunogold labels disclosed simultaneous localization of 2.28 binding sites and cathepsin D in the same granules both in megakaryocytes and endothelial cells, thereby indicating that the antigen may be localized in lysosomes. By using flow cytofluorometry, in vivo platelet activation was studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Increased numbers of platelets that expressed the 2.28 antigen on their surface were observed after extracorporeal perfusion. The percentage of 2.28- positive platelets in the circulation was 3.9% +/- 2.7% (SD) in controls (n = 20), 5.5% +/- 3.0% in patients (n = 10) before cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, 24.6% +/- 13.5% after the bypass, and 8.5% in two patients with acute deep venous thrombosis. These data indicate that 2.28 may serve as a useful probe of in vitro and in vivo platelet activation.


Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (12) ◽  
pp. 3722-3733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie D. Gauthier ◽  
Melissa K. Jones ◽  
Patrick Thiaville ◽  
Jennifer L. Joseph ◽  
Rick A. Swain ◽  
...  

The GacS/GacA two-component signal transduction system regulates virulence, biofilm formation and symbiosis in Vibrio species. The present study investigated this regulatory pathway in Vibrio vulnificus, a human pathogen that causes life-threatening disease associated with the consumption of raw oysters and wound infections. Small non-coding RNAs (csrB1, csrB2, csrB3 and csrC) commonly regulated by the GacS/GacA pathway were decreased (P<0.0003) in a V. vulnificus CMCP6 ΔgacA : : aph mutant compared with the wild-type parent, and expression was restored by complementation of the gacA deletion mutation in trans. Of the 20 genes examined by RT-PCR, significant reductions in the transcript levels of the mutant in comparison with the wild-type strain were observed only for genes related to motility (flaA), stationary phase (rpoS) and protease (vvpE) (P=0.04, 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). Swimming motility, flagellation and opaque colony morphology indicative of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) were unchanged in the mutant, while cytotoxicity, protease activity, CPS phase variation and the ability to acquire iron were decreased compared with the wild-type (P<0.01). The role of gacA in virulence of V. vulnificus was also demonstrated by significant impairment in the ability of the mutant strain to cause either skin (P<0.0005) or systemic infections (P<0.02) in subcutaneously inoculated, non-iron-treated mice. However, the virulence of the mutant was equivalent to that of the wild-type in iron-treated mice, demonstrating that the GacA pathway in V. vulnificus regulates the virulence of this organism in an iron-dependent manner.


Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 838-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
HK Nieuwenhuis ◽  
JJ van Oosterhout ◽  
E Rozemuller ◽  
F van Iwaarden ◽  
JJ Sixma

To define the role of activated platelets we have attempted to prepare monoclonal antibodies specific for activated platelets. The IgG2b antibody of one of the clones, designated 2.28, was studied in more detail. Native platelets from normal individuals bound 650 125I-2.28 molecules/platelet, whereas thrombin-activated platelets bound 12,600 molecules/platelet with high affinity (4.6 nmol/L). Immunoelectrophoretic analysis revealed that 2.28 reacted with a 53,000- mol wt protein. Immunocytochemistry showed that the antigen is located in a special subclass of platelet granules in unstimulated platelets and is exposed on the surface of thrombin-activated platelets. Double- labeling studies with immunogold labels disclosed simultaneous localization of 2.28 binding sites and cathepsin D in the same granules both in megakaryocytes and endothelial cells, thereby indicating that the antigen may be localized in lysosomes. By using flow cytofluorometry, in vivo platelet activation was studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Increased numbers of platelets that expressed the 2.28 antigen on their surface were observed after extracorporeal perfusion. The percentage of 2.28- positive platelets in the circulation was 3.9% +/- 2.7% (SD) in controls (n = 20), 5.5% +/- 3.0% in patients (n = 10) before cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, 24.6% +/- 13.5% after the bypass, and 8.5% in two patients with acute deep venous thrombosis. These data indicate that 2.28 may serve as a useful probe of in vitro and in vivo platelet activation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dasol Kim ◽  
Hui-Yun Hwang ◽  
Eun Sun Ji ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
Jong Shin Yoo ◽  
...  

AbstractDisorders of autophagy, a key regulator of cellular homeostasis, cause a number of human diseases. Due to the role of autophagy in metabolic dysregulation, there is a need to identify autophagy regulators as therapeutic targets. To address this need, we conducted an autophagy phenotype-based screen and identified the natural compound kaempferide (Kaem) as an autophagy enhancer. Kaem promoted autophagy through translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) without MTOR perturbation, suggesting it is safe for administration. Moreover, Kaem accelerated lipid droplet degradation in a lysosomal activity-dependent manner in vitro and ameliorated metabolic dysregulation in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. To elucidate the mechanism underlying Kaem’s biological activity, the target protein was identified via combined drug affinity responsive target stability and LC–MS/MS analyses. Kaem directly interacted with the mitochondrial elongation factor TUFM, and TUFM absence reversed Kaem-induced autophagy and lipid degradation. Kaem also induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) to sequentially promote lysosomal Ca2+ efflux, TFEB translocation and autophagy induction, suggesting a role of TUFM in mtROS regulation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Kaem is a potential therapeutic candidate/chemical tool for treating metabolic dysregulation and reveal a role for TUFM in autophagy for metabolic regulation with lipid overload.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin N. Nelson ◽  
Savannah G. Beakley ◽  
Sierra Posey ◽  
Brittney Conn ◽  
Emma Maritz ◽  
...  

AbstractCryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening disease among immune compromised individuals that is caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Previous studies have shown that the fungus is phagocytosed by dendritic cells (DCs) and trafficked to the lysosome where it is killed by both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms. While certain molecules from the lysosome are known to kill or inhibit the growth of C. neoformans, the lysosome is an organelle containing many different proteins and enzymes that are designed to degrade phagocytosed material. We hypothesized that multiple lysosomal components, including cysteine proteases and antimicrobial peptides, could inhibit the growth of C. neoformans. Our study identified the contents of the DC lysosome and examined the anti-cryptococcal properties of different proteins found within the lysosome. Results showed several DC lysosomal proteins affected the growth of C. neoformans in vitro. The proteins that killed or inhibited the fungus did so in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the concentration of protein needed for cryptococcal inhibition was found to be non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells. These data show that many DC lysosomal proteins have antifungal activity and have potential as immune-based therapeutics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Guoyu Yin ◽  
Heping Zhao ◽  
Hanzhi Ling ◽  
Zhen Xie ◽  
...  

AbstractIn inflamed joints, enhanced hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation is closely related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). KIAA1199 has been identified as a hyaladherin that mediates the intracellular degradation of HA, but its extracellular function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum and synovial levels of secreted KIAA1199 (sKIAA1199) and low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA, MW < 100 kDa) in RA patients were significantly increased, and the positive correlation between them was shown for the first time. Of note, treatment with anti-KIAA1199 mAb effectively alleviated the severity of arthritis and reduced serum LMW-HA levels and cytokine secretion in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. In vitro, sKIAA1199 was shown to mediate exogenous HA degradation by attaching to the cell membrane of RA fibroblast-like synoviosytes (RA FLS). Furthermore, the HA-degrading activity of sKIAA1199 depended largely on its adhesion to the membrane, which was achieved by its G8 domain binding to ANXA1. In vivo, kiaa1199-KO mice exhibited greater resistance to collagen-induced arthritis. Interestingly, this resistance could be partially reversed by intra-articular injection of vectors encoding full-length KIAA1199 instead of G8-deleted KIAA119 mutant, which further confirmed the indispensable role of G8 domain in KIAA1199 involvement in RA pathological processes. Mechanically, the activation of NF-κB by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through PI3K/Akt signaling is suggested to be the main pathway to induce KIAA1199 expression in RA FLS. In conclusion, our study supported the contribution of sKIAA1199 to RA pathogenesis, providing a new therapeutic target for RA by blocking sKIAA1199-mediated HA degradation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Li ◽  
Michael J. Svarovsky ◽  
Amy J. Karlsson ◽  
Joel P. Wagner ◽  
Karen Marchillo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is the leading cause of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. The ability to form biofilms on surfaces in the host or on implanted medical devices enhances C. albicans virulence, leading to antimicrobial resistance and providing a reservoir for infection. Biofilm formation is a complex multicellular process consisting of cell adhesion, cell growth, morphogenic switching between yeast form and filamentous states, and quorum sensing. Here we describe the role of the C. albicans EAP1 gene, which encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, glucan-cross-linked cell wall protein, in adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. Deleting EAP1 reduced cell adhesion to polystyrene and epithelial cells in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAP1 expression was required for C. albicans biofilm formation in an in vitro parallel plate flow chamber model and in an in vivo rat central venous catheter model. EAP1 expression was upregulated in biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results illustrate an association between Eap1p-mediated adhesion and biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Su-Jung Hwang ◽  
Ye-Seul Song ◽  
Hyo-Jong Lee

Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentis) is used to treat ulcerative colitis, tumors, and pruritus. Recently, phaseolin, formononetin, matrine, luteolin, and quercetin, through a network pharmacology approach, were tentatively identified as five bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescentis. However, the role of phaseolin (one of the primary components of S. flavescentis) in the direct regulation of inflammation and inflammatory processes is not well known. In this study, the beneficial role of phaseolin against inflammation was explored in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation models of RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae. Phaseolin inhibited LPS-mediated production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability. In addition, phaseolin suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, phaseolin reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity as well as macrophage adhesion in vitro and the recruitment of leukocytes in vivo by downregulating Ninjurin 1 (Ninj1), an adhesion molecule. Finally, phaseolin inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In view of the above, our results suggest that phaseolin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the management of inflammation.


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