Project description:The objective of this experiment was to test the effect, at a transcrptomic level, of lymphotoxin-beta receptor activation in HBV-infected differentiated HepaRG cells
Project description:The objective of this experiment was to test the effect, at a transcrptomic level, of lymphotoxin-beta receptor activation in HBV-infected differentiated HepaRG cells 4 biological replicates per condition were analyzed
Project description:Purpose: We aim to identify changes in the miRNA-ome upon lymphotoxin beta receptor activation Methods: miRNAs were analyzed by sequencing after 2 and 4 days of treatment Results: We could identify different clusters with distinct time-dependent expression after treatment Conclusion: The miRNA-ome is responding on lymphotoxin beta receptor activation
Project description:In human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis B cell antigen receptor signaling seems important for leukemia B cell ontogeny, whereas the microenvironment influences B cell activation, tumor cell lodging and provision of antigenic stimuli. Using the murine Eμ-Tcl1 CLL model, we demonstrate that CXCR5-controlled access to follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) confers proliferative stimuli to leukemia B cells. Intravital imaging revealed a marginal zone B cell-like leukemia cell trafficking route. Murine and human CLL cells reciprocally stimulated resident mesenchymal stromal cells through lymphotoxin-β-receptor activation, resulting in CXCL13 secretion and stromal compartment remodeling. Inhibition of lymphotoxin/lymphotoxin-β-receptor signaling or of CXCR5 signaling retards leukemia progression. Thus, CXCR5 activity links tumor cell homing, shaping a survival niche, and access to localized proliferation stimuli.
Project description:The co-infection of hepatitis B (HBV) patients with the hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis and thus drastically worsens the course of the disease. Therapy options for HBV/HDV patients are still limited. Here, we investigated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells that are crucial drivers of the innate immune response against viruses to target HDV-infected hepatocytes. We established in vitro co-culture models using HDV-infected hepatoma cell lines and human peripheral blood NK cells. We determined NK cell activation by flow cytometry, transcriptome analysis, bead-based cytokine immunoassays, and NK cell-mediated effects on T cells by flow cytometry. We validated the mechanisms using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene deletions. Moreover, we assessed the frequencies and phenotype of NK cells in peripheral blood of HBV and HDV superinfected patients. Upon co-culture with HDV-infected hepatic cell lines, NK cells upregulated activation markers, interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) including the death receptor ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), produced interferon (IFN)-gamma and eliminated HDV-infected cells via the TRAIL-TRAIL-R2 axis. We identified IFN-beta released by HDV-infected cells as an important enhancer of NK cell activity. In line with our in vitro data, we observed activation of peripheral blood NK cells from HBV/HDV co-infected, but not HBV mono-infected patients. Our data demonstrate NK cell activation in HDV infection and their potential to eliminate HDV-infected hepatoma cells via the TRAIL/TRAIL-R2 axis which implies a high relevance of NK cells for the design of novel anti-viral therapies.
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:We aimed to identify interferon (IFN)-regulated genes that are differentially expressed during chronic HEV infection in human hepatocytes, the main site of HEV replication, using HepaRG cells. We have performed a preliminary screen using whole-cell RNA extracts prepared from HepaRG mock-infected or infected cells to determine whether HEV was able to trigger an IFN response. Different multiplicities of infection (MOI) (10 and 100 genome equivalent (GE)/cell) and time points (D+7, D+14, D+26, D+40, D+72 and D+100) were analyzed using the PCR array. We have also treated HepaRG cells after overnight treatment with IFN-β to confirm the ability of HepaRG to respond to IFN-I treatment.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.