Project description:In vertebrates, non-lens bg-crystallins are widely expressed in various tissues, but their functions are unknown. The molecular mechanisms of trefoil factors, initiators of mucosal healing and being greatly involved in tumorigenesis, have remained elusive.A naturally existing 72-kDa complex of non-lens bg-crystallin (a-subunit) and trefoil factor (b-subunit), named bg-CAT, was identified from frog Bombina maxima skin secretions. Its a-subunit and b-subunit (containing three trefoil factor domains), with a non-covalently linked form of ab2, show significant sequence homology to ep37 proteins, a group of non-lens bg-crystallins identified in newt Cynops pyrrhogaster and mammalian trefoil factors, respectively. The bg-CAT showed multiple cellular effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Low dosages of bg-CAT (25-50 pM) were able to stimulate cell migration and wound healing. At high concentrations, it induced cell detachment (EC50 10 nM) and apoptosis. The bg-CAT was rapidly endocytosed via intracellular vacuole formation. Under confocal microscope, some of the vacuoles were translocated to nucleus and partially fused with nuclear membraneï®. However, what exactly target of bg-CAT act on HUVECs nuclear is still unknown. Primary cultured HUVECs treated with bg-CAT (25 nM, 2 h) were selected for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. We sought to obtain the genome wide level of significant differential gene expression induced by bg-CAT on HUVECs in order to get clues about bg-CAT action mechanisms. These findings illustrate novel cellular functions of non-lens bg-cyrstallins and action mechanism via association with trefoil factors, serving as clues for investigating the possible occurrence of similar molecules and action mechanisms in mammals. Experiment Overall Design: We used microarrays to analysis genome wide level of significant differential gene expression induced by bg-CAT on HUVECs.Four independent biological replicates of HUVECs treated with bg-CAT (25 nM, 2 h) were compared with normal control by SAM. The significant differential expression of 123 genes (fold changeâ¥3, q value =0, FDR (false discovery rate)=0). 121 genes were up-regulated, among which members of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 (NR4A) were the most prominent. Only 2 genes were down-regulated (including collagen type I) (Supporting information Fig. S1 and Table S1 in accompanying publication). Members of NR4A exhibit differential roles in determining cell growth or cell death depending on its location in the nucleus or mitochondria. NR4A1 (also called Nur77, TR3) mediates cell apoptosis through translocation from nucleus to mitochondria and induction of cytochrome c releasing . Significant activation of NR4A members suggests these orphan nuclear receptors may be involved in the mediation of bg-CAT biological functions, like proapoptotic action of the protein at high concentrations. Up-regulated expression of a number of matrix metalloproteinases by bg-CAT could facilitate cell migration and detachment. The bg-CAT also induced the expression of a number of cytokines, including interleukin 1, interleukin 8 and interleukin 6, as well as various chemokines in HUVECs. These data provide clues for study in detail of molecular pathways through which bg-CAT exerts its biological functions.
Project description:In vertebrates, non-lens bg-crystallins are widely expressed in various tissues, but their functions are unknown. The molecular mechanisms of trefoil factors, initiators of mucosal healing and being greatly involved in tumorigenesis, have remained elusive.A naturally existing 72-kDa complex of non-lens bg-crystallin (a-subunit) and trefoil factor (b-subunit), named bg-CAT, was identified from frog Bombina maxima skin secretions. Its a-subunit and b-subunit (containing three trefoil factor domains), with a non-covalently linked form of ab2, show significant sequence homology to ep37 proteins, a group of non-lens bg-crystallins identified in newt Cynops pyrrhogaster and mammalian trefoil factors, respectively. The bg-CAT showed multiple cellular effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Low dosages of bg-CAT (25-50 pM) were able to stimulate cell migration and wound healing. At high concentrations, it induced cell detachment (EC50 10 nM) and apoptosis. The bg-CAT was rapidly endocytosed via intracellular vacuole formation. Under confocal microscope, some of the vacuoles were translocated to nucleus and partially fused with nuclear membrane. However, what exactly target of bg-CAT act on HUVECs nuclear is still unknown. Primary cultured HUVECs treated with bg-CAT (25 nM, 2 h) were selected for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. We sought to obtain the genome wide level of significant differential gene expression induced by bg-CAT on HUVECs in order to get clues about bg-CAT action mechanisms. These findings illustrate novel cellular functions of non-lens bg-cyrstallins and action mechanism via association with trefoil factors, serving as clues for investigating the possible occurrence of similar molecules and action mechanisms in mammals.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of Homo sapiens inflammatory skin diseases (whole skin biospies): Psoriasis (Pso), vs Atopic Dermatitis (AD) vs Lichen planus (Li), vs Contact Eczema (KE), vs Healthy control (KO) In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation. In recent years, different genes and proteins have been highlighted as potential biomarkers for psoriasis, one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases worldwide. However, most of these markers are not psoriasis-specific but also found in other inflammatory disorders. We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of gene expression profiles in 150 psoriasis patients and other inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, contact eczema, and healthy controls). We identified a cluster of IL-17/TNFα-associated genes specifically expressed in psoriasis, among which IL-36γ was the most outstanding marker. In subsequent immunohistological analyses IL-36γ was confirmed to be expressed in psoriasis lesions only. IL-36γ peripheral blood serum levels were found to be closely associated with disease activity, and they decreased after anti-TNFα-treatment. Furthermore, IL-36γ immunohistochemistry was found to be a helpful marker in the histological differential diagnosis between psoriasis and eczema in diagnostically challenging cases. These features highlight IL-36γ as a valuable biomarker in psoriasis patients, both for diagnostic purposes and measurement of disease activity during the clinical course. Furthermore, IL-36γ might also provide a future drug target, due to its potential amplifier role in TNFα- and IL-17 pathways in psoriatic skin inflammation.
Project description:To elucidate the epithelial cell diversity within the nasal inferior turbinates, a comprehensive investigation was conducted comparing control subjects to individuals with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to delineate the differential expression profiles and phenotypic variations of epithelial cells in response to allergic rhinitis. This research elucidated distinct subpopulations and rare cell types of epithelial cells within the nasal turbinates, discerning alterations induced by allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, by interrogating transcriptomic signatures, the investigation provided novel insights into the cellular dynamics and immune responses underlying allergic rhinitis pathogenesis
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression changes in basal ganglia (BG) of chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. HIV/SIV-associated neurological disorder (HAND) represents a major comorbidity affecting HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy. Employing a systems biology approach, we report molecular changes underlying HAND and its modulation by phytocannabinoids [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC)] in uninfected and SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) treated with vehicle (VEH/SIV) or 9-THC (THC/SIV). VEH/SIV but not THC/SIV RMs showed significant enrichment of genes linked to anti-viral defense, interferon-beta, NFkB, RIG-1, and JAK-STAT signaling. We focused on the anti-endoplasmic reticulum (WFS1) and anti-oxidative stress (CRYM) proteins that were significantly downregulated in BG of VEH/SIV RMs. Both proteins localized to the BG neurons, and showed differential expression in the BG of THC/SIV and VEH/SIV RMs. Additionally, inflammation-associated miR-155 and miR-142-3p showed significantly higher expression in the BG of VEH/SIV RMs. In human primary HCN2 neuronal cells, miR-142-3p post-transcriptionally downregulated WFS1. These findings strongly support a role for differential miRNA expression associated with HIV/SIV induced neurological dysfunction.