Project description:Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) is an annual plant of the Umbelliferae family native to Egypt. We previously showed that the aqueous extract of cumin seeds suppresses degranulation by downregulating the activation of antigen-induced intracellular signaling molecules in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. However, the active substances in the extract have not yet been identified. Accordingly, herein, we aimed to ascertain the water-soluble substances present in cumin seeds that inhibit degranulation, which led to the identification of umbelliferose, a characteristic trisaccharide present in plants of the Umbelliferae family. Our study is the first to reveal the degranulation-suppressing activity of umbelliferose, and quantification studies suggest that cumin seed powder contains 1.6% umbelliferose. Raffinose, an isomer of umbelliferose, was also found to significantly suppress antigen-induced degranulation, but less so than umbelliferose. Both umbelliferose and raffinose contain sucrose subunits in their structures, with galactose moieties bound at different sites. These differences in structure suggest that the binding of galactose to the sucrose subunit at the α1-2 bond contributes to its strong degranulation-inhibiting properties.
Project description:Lipid rafts are plasma-membrane microdomains that are enriched in certain lipids (sphingolipids, glycosphingolipids and cholesterol), as well as in lipid-modified proteins. Rafts appear to exist in the liquid-ordered phase, which contributes to their partitioning from the surrounding liquid-disordered glycerophospholipid environment. DRM (detergent-resistant membrane) fractions isolated from cells are believed to represent coalesced lipid rafts. We have employed extraction using two different non-ionic detergents, Brij-96 and Triton X-100, to isolate detergent-resistant lipid rafts from rat basophilic leukaemia cell line RBL-2H3, and compared their properties with each other and with plasma-membrane vesicles. DRM fractions were isolated as sealed unilamellar vesicles of similar size (135-170 nm diameter), using either sucrose-density-gradient sedimentation or gel-filtration chromatography. Lipid rafts isolated using Brij-96 and Triton X-100 differed in density, protein content and the distribution between high- and low-density fractions of the known raft constituents, Thy-1, and the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases, Yes and Lyn. Lyn was found in the raft microdomains in predominantly phosphorylated form. The level of enrichment of the protein constituents of the isolated lipid rafts seemed to depend on the ratio of cell lipid/protein to detergent. As indicated by reactivity with anti-Thy-1 antibodies, lipid rafts prepared using Brij-96 appeared to consist of vesicles with primarily right-side-out orientation. Both Brij-96 and Triton X-100 appear to isolate detergent-insoluble raft microdomains from the rat basophilic leukaemia cell line RBL-2H3, but the observed differences suggest that either the detergents themselves play a role in determining the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting DRM fractions, or different subsets of rafts are isolated by the two detergents.
Project description:Mast cells and basophils are central players in allergic reactions triggered by immunoglobulin E (IgE). They have intracellular granules containing allergic mediators (e.g., histamine, serotonin, inflammatory cytokines, proteases and β-hexosaminidase), and stimulation by IgE-allergen complex leads to the release of such allergic mediators from the granules, that is, degranulation. Mast cells are residents of mucosal surfaces, including those of nasal and oral cavities, and play an important role in the innate defense system. Members of the mitis group streptococci such as Streptococcus oralis, are primary colonizers of the human oral cavity. They produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a by-product of sugar metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of streptococcal infection on RBL-2H3 mast cell/basophil cell line. Infection by oral streptococci did not induce degranulation of the cells. Stimulation of the RBL-2H3 cells with anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) IgE and DNP-conjugated human serum albumin triggers degranulation with the release of β-hexosaminidase. We found that S. oralis and other mitis group streptococci inhibited the IgE-triggered degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. Since mitis group streptococci produce H2O2, we examined the effect of S. oralis mutant strain deficient in producing H2O2, and found that they lost the ability to suppress the degranulation. Moreover, H2O2 alone inhibited the IgE-induced degranulation. Subsequent analysis suggested that the inhibition of degranulation was related to the cytotoxicity of streptococcal H2O2. Activated RBL-2H3 cells produce interleukin-4 (IL-4); however, IL-4 production was not induced by streptococcal H2O2. Furthermore, an in vivo study using the murine pollen-induced allergic rhinitis model suggested that the streptococcal H2O2 reduces nasal allergic reaction. These findings reveal that H2O2 produced by oral mitis group streptococci inhibits IgE-stimulated degranulation by inducing cell death. Consequently, streptococcal H2O2 can be considered to modulate the allergic reaction in mucosal surfaces.
Project description:The endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist anandamide (AEA) and the related compound palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) are inactivated by transport into cells followed by metabolism by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The cellular uptake of AEA has been characterized in detail, whereas less is known about the properties of the PEA uptake, in particular in neuronal cells. In the present study, the pharmacological and functional properties of PEA and AEA uptake have been investigated in mouse Neuro-2a neuroblastoma and, for comparison, in rat RBL-2H3 basophilic leukaemia cells. Saturable uptake of PEA and AEA into both cell lines were demonstrated with apparent K(M) values of 28 microM (PEA) and 10 microM (AEA) in Neuro-2a cells, and 30 microM (PEA) and 9.3 microM (AEA) in RBL-2H3 cells. Both PEA and AEA uptake showed temperature-dependence but only the AEA uptake was sensitive to treatment with Pronase and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The AEA uptake was inhibited by AM404, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), R1- and S1-methanandamide, arachidonic acid and olvanil with similar potencies for the two cell types. PEA, up to a concentration of 100 microM, did not affect AEA uptake in either cell line. AEA, 2-AG, arachidonic acid, R1-methanandamide, (9)-THC, and cannabidiol inhibited PEA transport in both cell lines. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin inhibited the AEA uptake but had very weak effects on the uptake of PEA. From these data, it can be concluded that PEA is transported in to cells both by passive diffusion and by a facilitated transport that is pharmacologically distinguishable from AEA uptake.
Project description:Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) binds ITAM-bearing receptors in a wide variety of cell types. One such example is the activation of mast cells, basophils and eosinophils via the stimulation of the FcepsilonRI receptor by IgE/allergen complexes. The possible role of Syk in inflammatory signaling cascades has led to the development of pharmacological agents designed to block the Syk catalytic domain as potential novel therapeutics. Whilst the enzymatic activity of Syk lends towards the design of small-molecule inhibitors, other attention has focused on the possibility of targeting Syk expression using anti-sense oligonucleotides as an alternate means of anti-inflammatory therapy. In this study, we compared the ability of multiple optimized Syk siRNA sequences and small-molecule Syk inhibitors to block FcepsilonRI-mediated signal transduction, degranulation and TNFalpha secretion in the basophilic cell line RBL-2H3. We also characterized the specificity of each siRNA sequence with regards to off-target induction of the interferon-inducible gene IFIT1. We identified a single siRNA sequence, which displayed a favorable profile of efficient Syk knockdown, blockage of FcepsilonRI-mediated signal transduction, degranulation and TNFalpha secretion and a lack of IFIT1 induction. The effect of this siRNA was comparable to that of the Syk kinase domain inhibitors BAY61-3606 and R406. The identification of an active and specific Syk siRNA could be a basis for the development of therapeutic Syk siRNAs against inflammatory diseases.
Project description:This study is aimed at determining whether Sesamum indicum Linn. beneficially influences Fc?RI-mediated allergic reactions in RBL-2H3 mast cells; it is also aimed at further investigating Lyn/Fyn and Syk signaling pathways. To examine the antiallergic effect of Sesamum indicum Linn. extract (SIE), we treated antigen/immunoglobulin E- (IgE-) sensitized mast cells with extracts of various concentrations. We examined the degranulation release and concentrations of inflammatory mediators. Additionally, the expressions of genes involved in the Fc?RI and arachidonate signaling pathways were examined. SIE inhibited the degranulation and secretion of inflammatory mediators in antigen/IgE-sensitized mast cells. SIE reduced the expressions of Fc?RI signaling-related genes, such as Syk, Lyn, and Fyn, and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in antigen/IgE-sensitized mast cells. Additionally, in late allergic responses, SIE reduced PGD2 release and COX-2 and cPLA2 phosphorylation expression in Fc?RI-mediated mast cell activation. Lastly, 250-500?mg/kg SIE significantly attenuated the Ag/IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice. The potent effect of SIE on RBL-2H3 mast cell activation indicates that the extract could potentially be used as a novel inhibitor against allergic reactions.
Project description:Several laboratories have created rat basophil leukemia (RBL) cell lines stably transfected with the human high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRIH). More recently, humanized RBL cell lines saw the introduction of reporter genes such as luciferase (RS-ATL8) and DsRed (RBL NFAT-DsRed). These reporters are more sensitive than their parental non-reporter humanized RBL cell lines. However, no studies so far have addressed the levels of FcεRIH surface expression on humanized RBL cell lines. This is a critical parameter, as it determines the ability of these cells to be efficiently sensitized with human IgE, hence it should affect the sensitivity of the cell assay-a critical parameter for any diagnostic application. Our purpose was to assess and compare the levels of expression of the transfected FcεRIH chain in humanized RBL cell lines. We compared surface levels of FcεRIαH by flow cytometry, using a fluorescently labelled monoclonal antibody (CRA-1/AER-37) and determined receptor numbers using calibration microspheres. FcεRIαH copy numbers were assessed by qPCR, and the sequence verified. Transfection with FcεRIγH cDNA was assessed for its ability to increase FcεRIαH expression in the NFAT-DsRed reporter. While both SX-38 and RS-ATL8 expressed about 500.000 receptors/cell, RBL 703-21 and NFAT-DsRed had approximately 10- to 30-fold lower FcεRIαH expression, respectively. This was neither related to FcεRIH gene copy numbers, nor to differences in steady state mRNA levels, as determined by qPCR and RT-qPCR, respectively. Instead, FcεRIαH surface expression appeared to correlate with the co-expression of FcεRIγH. Stable transfection of NFAT-DsRed cells with pBJ1 neo-huFcεRI gamma, which constitutively expresses FcεRIγH, increased FcεRIαH chain expression levels. Levels of FcεRIαH surface expression vary greatly between humanized RBL reporter cell lines. This difference will affect the sensitivity of the reporter system when used for diagnostic purposes.
Project description:Objective and designTo determine whether the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) plays a role in the activation of RBL-2H3 mast cells after Fc?R? aggregation.Materials and methodsNK1R expression in RBL-2H3 cells was inhibited by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) against NK1R, and determined by western blotting. For activation, both NK1R knockdown and control RBL-2H3 cells were sensitized by dinitrophenol (DNP)-specific IgE and stimulated with the antigen DNP-bovine serum albumin (BSA). Following the activation of RBL-2H3 cells, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) production and intracellular calcium flux were monitored by ELISA and confocal microscopy assay, respectively. For investigation of the signaling mechanism, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) after RBL-2H3 cell activation was assessed by western blotting.ResultsshRNA-NK1R mediated an effective inhibition of NK1R expression in RBL-2H3 cells. Protein production of MCP-1 was reduced by more than 55 % in NK1R knockdown RBL-2H3 cells compared with control RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, both calcium mobilization and phosphorylation levels of MAPKs (Erk1/2, JNK, and p38) after DNP-BSA stimulation (via Fc?R?) were decreased due to the inhibition of NK1R expression.ConclusionNK1R is required for the activation of RBL-2H3 cells following Fc?R? engagement and involved in the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways.
Project description:The protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) Shp2 has been implicated in many immunoreceptor signaling pathways, but its role in immunoreceptor Fc?RI signaling, which leads to the activation of mast cells and blood basophils, is still largely undefined. Using Shp2 knockdown RBL-2H3 (RBL) mast cells, we here reported that Shp2 is required for the activation of RBL cells induced by Fc?RI. Fc?R?-evoked degranulation, calcium mobilization, and synthesis of cytokine transcripts (IL-1?, IL-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)) were reduced in Shp2 knockdown RBL cells. Signaling regulatory mechanism investigation using immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and GST pull-down assay reveals that the down-regulation of Shp2 expression in RBL cells leads to decreased activities of Fyn, PLC?, JNK, p38MAPK, and Ras/Erk1/2 after Fc?R? aggregation. Further studies suggest that Paxillin phosphoryaltion was also impaired, but PAG phosphorylation was normal after Fc?R? stimulation as a consequence of the inhibition of Shp2 expression in RBL cells. Collectively, our data strongly indicate that Shp2 is essential for the activation of RBL cells in response to Fc?R? aggregation. Shp2 regulates this process through Fyn and Ras with no involvement of PAG. In addition, we identify Paxillin as an indirect substrate of Shp2 in Fc?R?-initiated signaling of RBL cells.
Project description:We explored the possible role of tyrosine kinases in the IgE-dependent regulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) production in RBL 2H3 cells. When triggered via their high-affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI), there was a rapid phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on a number of proteins. The phosphorylation of these proteins and ultimately histamine release were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin. In cells labelled with [3H]myristic acid, we observed a characteristic biphasic increase in [3H]DAG production. In the presence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the initial increase in DAG was still observed, but the secondary increase, which was dependent on phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (PC-PLD) activation, was completely abolished. Tyrphostin significantly inhibited IgE-dependent activation of PC-PLD, suggesting that PC-PLD activation was regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, when proteins from RBL 2H3 cells were immunoprecipitated with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, PC-PLD activity was recovered from the immunoprecipitated fraction. These results demonstrate that the secondary, but not the initial, phase of 1,2-DAG production in response to Fc epsilon RI aggregation is regulated by the initial activation of tyrosine kinases and that PC-PLD may be regulated directly by this mechanism.