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Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting (fluorescence-activated + cell_sorting)
Selected AbstractsActivation of hepatic stellate cells after phagocytosis of lymphocytes: A novel pathway of fibrogenesis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Nidal Muhanna Increased CD8-T lymphocytes and reduced natural killer (NK) cells contribute to hepatic fibrosis. We have characterized pathways regulating the interactions of human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) with specific lymphocyte subsets in vivo and in vitro. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to characterize human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and intrahepatic lymphocytes (IHLs) obtained from healthy controls and from patients with either hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) with advanced fibrosis. Liver sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. To investigate in vitro interactions, PBLs from healthy controls or patients with HCV cirrhosis were co-cultured with an immortalized human HSC line (LX2 cells) or with primary HSCs. Significant alterations in lymphocyte distribution were identified in IHLs but not PBLs. The hepatic CD4/CD8 ratio and NK cells were significantly reduced in HBV/HCV patients. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and infiltration of CD4, CD8, and NK cells were readily apparent in liver sections from patients with cirrhosis but not in healthy controls. Lymphocytes from each subset were in proximity to HSCs primarily within the periportal regions, and some were directly attached or engulfed. In culture, HSC activation was stimulated by HCV-derived CD8-subsets but attenuated by NK cells. Confocal microscopy identified lymphocyte phagocytosis within HSCs that was completely prevented by blocking intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and integrin molecules, or by irradiation of HSCs. LX2 knockdown of either Cdc42 or Rac1 [members of the Rho-guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) family] prevented both phagocytosis and the activation of HSC by HCV-derived lymphocytes. Conclusion: The CD4/CD8 ratio and NK cells are significantly decreased in livers with advanced human fibrosis. Moreover, disease-associated but not healthy lymphocytes are engulfed by cultured HSCs, which is mediated by the Rac1 and Cdc42 pathways. Ingestion of lymphocytes by HSCs in hepatic fibrosis is a novel and potentially important pathway regulating the impact of lymphocytes on the course of hepatic fibrosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.) [source] NF-,B p50 and p52 Expression Is Not Required for RANK-Expressing Osteoclast Progenitor Formation but Is Essential for RANK- and Cytokine-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2002Lianping Xing Abstract Expression of RANKL by stromal cells and of RANK and both NF-,B p50 and p52 by osteoclast precursors is essential for osteoclast formation. To examine further the role of RANKL, RANK, and NF-,B signaling in this process, we used NF-,B p50,/,;p52,/, double knockout (dKO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Osteoclasts formed in cocultures of WT osteoblasts with splenocytes from WT mice but not from dKO mice, a finding unchanged by addition of RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). NF-,B dKO splenocytes formed more colony-forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) colonies than WT cells, but no osteoclasts were formed from dKO CFU-GM colonies. RANKL increased the number of CFU-GM colonies twofold in WT cultures but not in dKO cultures. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of splenocytes from NF-,B dKO mice revealed a two-to threefold increase in the percentage of CD11b (Mac-1) and RANK double-positive cells compared with WT controls. Treatment of NF-,B dKO splenocytes with interleukin (IL)-1, TNF-,, M-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-6 plus soluble IL-6 receptor did not rescue the osteoclast defect. No increase in apoptosis was observed in cells of the osteoclast lineage in NF-,B dKO or p50,/,;p52+/, (3/4KO) mice. Thus, NF-,B p50 and p52 expression is not required for formation of RANK-expressing osteoclast progenitors but is essential for RANK-expressing osteoclast precursors to differentiate into TRAP+ osteoclasts in response to RANKL and other osteoclastogenic cytokines. [source] Intrathecal pathogenic anti,aquaporin-4 antibodies in early neuromyelitis optica,ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2009Jeffrey L. Bennett MD Objective The serum of most neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients contains autoantibodies (NMO-IgGs) directed against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel located on astrocyte foot processes in the perivessel and subpial areas of the brain. Our objectives were to determine the source of central nervous system (CNS) NMO-IgGs and their role in disease pathogenesis. Methods Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and single-cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were used to identify overrepresented plasma cell immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of an NMO patient after a first clinical attack. Monoclonal recombinant antibodies (rAbs) were generated from the paired heavy and light chain sequences and tested for target specificity and Fc effector function. The effect of CSF rAbs on CNS immunopathology was investigated by delivering single rAbs to rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Results Repertoire analysis revealed a dynamic, clonally expanded plasma cell population with features of an antigen-targeted response. Using multiple independent assays, 6 of 11 rAbs generated from CSF plasma cell clones specifically bound to AQP4. AQP4-specific rAbs recognized conformational epitopes and mediated both AQP4-directed antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-mediated lysis. When administered to rats with EAE, an AQP4-specific NMO CSF rAb induced NMO immunopathology: perivascular astrocyte depletion, myelinolysis, and complement and Ig deposition. Interpretation Molecular characterization of the CSF plasma cell repertoire in an early NMO patient demonstrates that AQP4-specfic Ig is synthesized intrathecally at disease onset and directly contributes to CNS pathology. AQP4 is now the first confirmed antigenic target in human demyelinating disease. Ann Neurol 2009;66:617,629 [source] Bacterioplankton assemblages transforming dissolved organic compounds in coastal seawaterENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2007Xiaozhen Mou Summary To characterize bacterioplankton functional assemblages that transform specific components of the coastal seawater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label the bacterioplankton cells that were active following addition of single-DOC model compounds: two organic osmolytes [dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and glycine betaine (GlyB)] and two aromatic monomers [para -hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) and vanillic acid (VanA)]. Bacterial populations were analysed based on in situ fluorescent immunodetection of BrdU incorporation followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Sorted cells were then characterized by 16S rDNA-based analysis. Populations with high BrdU incorporation level (HI) developed within 8 h of introduction of 100 nM model compound. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) analysis indicated that the HI populations in all four amendments were composed of bacteria from the same major taxa (phylum and subphylum levels), but the relative abundance of each differed. High-resolution clone libraries (each containing ,200 clones) showed that the HI populations in the GlyB and VanA amendments consisted of both metabolic generalists and specialists within the , -Proteobacteria (mainly members of the Roseobacter clade), , -Proteobacteria and , -Proteobacteria (mainly members of Altermonadaceae, Chromatiaceae, Oceanospirillaceae and Pseudomonadaceae). The presence of members of OM60/241, OM185, SAR11, SAR86 and SAR116 in the HI populations indicated that members of these groups can assimilate the model DOC compounds, providing some of the first glimpses into heterotrophy by members of these poorly understood environmental clusters. [source] Isolation and characterization of neural precursor cells from the Sox1,GFP reporter mouseEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 7 2005Perrine Barraud Abstract We have made use of a reporter mouse line in which enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) is inserted into the Sox1 locus. We show that the GFP reporter is coexpressed with the Sox1 protein as well as with other known markers for neural stem and progenitor cells, and can be used to identify and isolate these cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) from the developing or adult brain and from neurosphere cultures. All neurosphere-forming cells with the capacity for multipotency and self-renewal reside in the Sox1,GFP-expressing population. Thus, the Sox1,GFP reporter system is highly useful for identification, isolation and characterization of neural stem and progenitor cells, as well as for the validation of alternative means for isolating neural stem and progenitor cells. Further, transplantation experiments show that Sox1,GFP cells isolated from the foetal brain give rise to neurons and glia in vivo, and that many of the neurons display phenotypic characteristics appropriate for the developing brain region from which the Sox1,GFP precursors were derived. On the other hand, Sox1,GFP cells isolated from the adult subventricular zone or expanded neurosphere cultures gave rise almost exclusively to glial cells following transplantation. Thus, not all Sox1,GFP cells possess the same capacity for neuronal differentiation in vivo. [source] Expression of psoriasis-associated fatty acid-binding protein in senescent human dermal microvascular endothelial cellsEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004Moon Kyung Ha Abstract:, Aging is associated with the progressive pathophysiologic modification of endothelial cells. In vitro endothelial cell senescence is accompanied by proliferative activity failure and by perturbations in gene and protein expressions. Moreover, this cellular senescence in culture has been proposed to reflect processes that occur in aging organisms. In order to observe the changing patterns of protein expression in senescent human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), proteins obtained from both early- and late-passaged HDMECs were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, visualized by silver staining, and quantified by image processing. Proteins of interest were extracted by in-gel digestion with trypsin and quantified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), by searching the National Center for Biotechnology Information protein-sequence database. More than 2000 spots were detected by 2D electrophoresis within a linear pH range of 3,10. Twenty-two major differentially expressed spots were observed in serially passaged HDMECs and identified with high confidence by MALDI-TOF-MS. One of these spots was found to be a 14,15 kDa psoriasis-associated fatty acid-binding protein (PA-FABP) with high affinity for long-chain fatty acids. The expression of PA-FABP was confirmed to be elevated in senescent HDMECs (passage 20) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), confocal laser microscopy, and by immunohistochemistry in aged human skin tissue. Our results suggest that the overexpression of FABP in cultured senescent HDMECs is closely related to skin aging. [source] CXC chemokine ligand 4 (Cxcl4) is a platelet-derived mediator of experimental liver fibrosis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Mirko Moreno Zaldivar Liver fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Platelets are involved in liver damage, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigate the platelet-derived chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4 (CXCL4) as a molecular mediator of fibrotic liver damage. Serum concentrations and intrahepatic messenger RNA of CXCL4 were measured in patients with chronic liver diseases and mice after toxic liver injury. Platelet aggregation in early fibrosis was determined by electron microscopy in patients and by immunohistochemistry in mice. Cxcl4,/, and wild-type mice were subjected to two models of chronic liver injury (CCl4 and thioacetamide). The fibrotic phenotype was analyzed by histological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Intrahepatic infiltration of immune cells was investigated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and stellate cells were stimulated with recombinant Cxcl4 in vitro. The results showed that patients with advanced hepatitis C virus,induced fibrosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had increased serum levels and intrahepatic CXCL4 messenger RNA concentrations. Platelets were found directly adjacent to collagen fibrils. The CCl4 and thioacetamide treatment led to an increase of hepatic Cxcl4 levels, platelet activation, and aggregation in early fibrosis in mice. Accordingly, genetic deletion of Cxcl4 in mice significantly reduced histological and biochemical liver damage in vivo, which was accompanied by changes in the expression of fibrosis-related genes (Timp-1 [tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1], Mmp9 [matrix metalloproteinase 9], Tgf -, [transforming growth factor beta], IL10 [interleukin 10]). Functionally, Cxcl4,/, mice showed a strongly decreased infiltration of neutrophils (Ly6G) and CD8+ T cells into the liver. In vitro, recombinant murine Cxcl4 stimulated the proliferation, chemotaxis, and chemokine expression of hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion: The results underscore an important role of platelets in chronic liver damage and imply a new target for antifibrotic therapies. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.) [source] Naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidants modulate IgE-mediated mast cell activationIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2000S.-S. Chen Summary Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to modulate activities of a host of kinases, phosphatases and transcription factors. Rutin and chlorogenic acid (CGA) are the major polyphenolic antioxidants present in the small molecular fraction of smokeless tobacco leaf extracts, as ascertained by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. Levels of intracellular ROS in resting versus antigen,immunoglobulin E (IgE)-challenged murine mast cells were measured at 510 nm by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using carboxy-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH-DA). Enhanced ROS production was observed in IgE-sensitized mast cells following antigenic challenge. Rutin and CGA reduced ROS levels in antigen,IgE-activated mast cells. Concomitantly, they also profoundly inhibited histamine release by these activated mast cells. In contrast, rutin and CGA augmented the inducible cytokine messages, i.e. interleukin (IL)-10, IL-13, interferon-, (IFN-,), IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) in IgE-sensitized mast cells following antigen challenge. This study indicates that tobacco polyphenolic antioxidants that quench intracellular ROS, differentially affect two effector functions of antigen,IgE-activated mast cells. This model system may be employed to determine the molecular target of polyphenols. The potential role of these polyphenolic antioxidants on IgE-mediated allergy in vivo depends on a balance of their differential effects on mast cell activation. [source] RANK Expression as a Cell Surface Marker of Human Osteoclast Precursors in Peripheral Blood, Bone Marrow, and Giant Cell Tumors of BoneJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2006Gerald J Atkins Abstract RANK expression in vivo on hematopoietic subsets including pre-osteoclasts, identified by monoclonal antibodies, has not been described. We describe the lineages that express RANK in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and GCTs. We show that CD14+RANKhigh cells constitute a circulating pre-osteoclast pool. Introduction: The expression of RANK by subsets of hematopoietic cells has not been adequately studied in humans. While attributed to the monocytoid lineage, the phenotype of the pre-osteoclast (pre-OC) with respect to RANK expression in vivo remains unclear. We tested monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against the extracellular domain of recombinant human RANK for reactivity with normal peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (PBMNCs and BMMNCs, respectively). We also tested reactivity with giant cell tumor cells (GCT), a confirmed source of pre-OC and mature OCs. Materials and Methods: Human PBMNCs, BMMNCs, and GCT cells were analyzed for reactivity with anti-RANK MAbs by flow cytometry in combination with hematopoietic lineage restricted markers. GCTs were also analyzed by immunofluorescence. CD14+ monocytoid cells were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) based on their relative RANK expression and cultured under OC-forming conditions. Results: RANK+ cells were detected similarly by three independent anti-RANK MAbs. One MAb (80736) immunoprecipitated RANK,RANKL complexes from surface-biotinylated GCT lysates. Using dual-color flow cytometry, RANK was detected on CD14+ (monocytoid), CD19+ (B-lymphoid), CD56+ (NK cell), and glycophorin A+ erythroid progenitors. Minor populations of both CD3+ T lymphocytes and BM CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors also expressed cell surface RANK. In GCTs, RANK expression was identified on mononuclear CD45+CD14+,V,3+c-Fms+ cells, likely to be committed pre-OC, and on multinucleated CD45+,V,3+TRACP+ OCs. Importantly, sorted CD14+RANKhigh PBMNCs treated with recombinant RANKL and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) gave rise to approximately twice the number of osteoclasts than RANKmid or RANKlow cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that committed monocytoid RANK+ pre-OCs are represented in the marrow and circulate in the periphery, forming a pool of cells capable of responding rapidly to RANKL. The ability to reliably detect committed pre-OC in peripheral blood could have important clinical applications in the management of diseases characterized by abnormal osteoclastic activity. [source] Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a Disorder of Ectopic Osteogenesis, Misregulates Cell Surface Expression and Trafficking of BMPRIA,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2005Lourdes Serrano de la Peña Abstract FOP is a disorder in which skeletal muscle is progressively replaced with bone. FOP lymphocytes, a model system for exploring the BMP pathway in these patients, exhibit a defect in BMPRIA internalization and increased activation of downstream signaling, suggesting that altered BMP receptor trafficking underlies ectopic bone formation in this disease. Introduction: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a severely disabling disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification of connective tissues. Whereas the genetic defect and pathophysiology of this condition remain enigmatic, BMP4 mRNA and protein are overexpressed, and mRNAs for a subset of secreted BMP antagonists are not synthesized at appropriate levels in cultured lymphocytes from FOP patients. These data suggest involvement of altered BMP signaling in the disease. In this study, we investigate whether the abnormality is associated with defective BMP receptor function in lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: Cell surface proteins were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Protein phosphorylation was assayed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Protein synthesis and degradation were examined by [35S]methionine labeling and pulse-chase assays. mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results: FOP lymphocytes expressed 6-fold higher levels of BMP receptor type IA (BMPRIA) on the cell surface compared with control cells and displayed a marked reduction in ligand-stimulated internalization and degradation of BMPRIA. Moreover, in control cells, BMP4 treatment increased BMPRIA phosphorylation, whereas BMPRIA showed ligand-insensitive constitutive phosphorylation in FOP cells. Our data additionally support that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a major BMP signaling pathway in these cell lines and that expression of inhibitor of DNA binding and differentiation 1 (ID-1), a transcriptional target of BMP signaling, is enhanced in FOP cells. Conclusions: These data extend our previous observations of misregulated BMP4 signaling in FOP lymphocytes and show that cell surface overabundance and constitutive phosphorylation of BMPRIA are associated with a defect in receptor internalization. Altered BMP receptor trafficking may play a significant role in FOP pathogenesis. [source] Bmi-1 is critical for the proliferation and invasiveness of gastric carcinoma cellsJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Wei Li Abstract Background and Aim:, Bmi-1 is a transcriptional repressor belonging to the Polycomb group and is associated with the cell proliferation and carcinogenesis of a variety of human cancers. The level of Bmi-1 expression correlates with the aggressiveness of many cancers, and is considered an important marker for cancer diagnosis. However, its role in gastric carcinoma is unknown. Methods:, We used lentiviral mediated interfering short hairpin RNA to knockdown Bmi-1 expression in gastric carcinoma human gastric cancer cell line (AGS cells), then tested the cell proliferation by MTT assay, rate of colony formation by colony formation assay, cell cycle distribution by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and cell invasiveness by cell invasion assay. To analyze the expression and localization of Bmi-1 in gastric tumor tissues, we further performed the immunohistochemistry analysis on a gastric cancer tissue array. Results:, We found that knocking down Bmi-1 led to slower cell growth, lesser cell invasiveness, decelerated colony formation, and altered cell cycle progression. In addition, a positive relationship between nuclear expression of Bmi-1 and gastric cancer was observed, suggesting that nucleus localization of Bmi-1 in the cells may be a novel marker of gastric cancer. Conclusions:, Our study highlights critical roles for Bmi-1 in gastric cancer, and suggests that Bmi-1 nuclear localization could be an important marker for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. [source] Effects of axotomy on telomere length, telomerase activity, and protein in activated microgliaJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Barry E. Flanary Abstract The adult central nervous system (CNS) is generally thought of as a postmitotic organ. However, DNA labeling studies have shown that one major population of nonneuronal cells, called microglia, retain significant mitotic potential. Microglial cell division is prominent during acute CNS injury involving neuronal damage or death. Prior work from this laboratory has shown that purified microglia maintained in vitro with continual mitogenic stimulation exhibit telomere shortening before entering senescence. In the current study, we sought to investigate whether telomere shortening occurs in dividing microglia in vivo. For this purpose, we used a nerve injury model that is known to trigger localized microglial proliferation in a well-defined CNS region, the facial motor nucleus. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent facial nerve axotomy, and facial motor nuclei were microdissected after 1, 4, 7, and 10 days. Whole tissue samples were subjected to measurements of telomere length, telomerase activity, and telomerase protein. Results revealed a tendency for all of these parameters to be increased in lesioned samples. In addition, microglial cells isolated directly from axotomized facial nuclei with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) showed increased telomerase activity relative to unoperated controls, suggesting that microglia are the primary cell type responsible for the increases observed in whole tissue samples. Overall, the results show that microglia activated by injury are capable of maintaining telomere length via telomerase during periods of high proliferation in vivo. We conclude that molecular mechanisms pertaining to telomere maintenance are active in the injured CNS. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of Ethanol on Mouse Embryonic Stem CellsALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Alla Arzumanyan Background:, Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) reflects a constellation of congenital abnormalities caused by excess maternal consumption of alcohol. It is likely that interference with embryonic development plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Ethanol-induced apoptosis has been suggested as a causal factor in the genesis of FAS. Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells are pluripotent cells that differentiate in vitro to cell aggregates termed embryoid bodies (EBs), wherein differentiation capacity and gene expression profile are similar to those of the early embryo. Methods:, To investigate the effects of ethanol during differentiation, mES cells were cultured on a gelatin surface in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor which maintains adherent undifferentiated cells or in suspension to promote formation of EBs. All cells were treated (1,6 days) with 80 mM ethanol. The pluripotency and differentiation of mES cells were evaluated by western blotting of stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1), transcription factors Oct-3/4, Sox-2, and Nanog, using alkaline phosphatase staining. Apoptosis (early to late stages) was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using TdT-mediated biotin,dUTP nick-end labelling assay and fluorescein isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Results:, Ethanol increased apoptosis during in vitro differentiation of mES cells to EBs, whereas undifferentiated cells were not affected. Ethanol exposure also interfered with pluripotency marker patterns causing an upregulation of SSEA-1 under self-renewal conditions. In EBs, ethanol delayed the downregulation of SSEA-1 and affected the regulation of transcription factors during differentiation. Conclusion:, Our findings suggest that ethanol may contribute to the pathogenesis of FAS by triggering apoptotic pathways during differentiation of embryonic stem cells and deregulating early stages of embryogenesis. [source] A novel Phe171Cys mutation in integrin ,IIb causes Glanzmann thrombasthenia by abrogating ,IIb,3 complex formationJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 7 2004N. Rosenberg Summary.,Background: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by lack of platelet aggregation induced by most agonists. The disease is caused by mutations in either ,IIb[glycoprotein (GP) IIb] or ,3 (GPIIIa) genes that lead to a lack or dysfunction of the integrin ,IIb,3 which serves as a fibrinogen receptor. Patients Mucocutaneous bleeding manifestations and platelet dysfunction consistent with GT were observed in three members of a Cypriot family: a 3-year-old proband, her father and her paternal uncle. Objective: To determine the molecular basis of GT in this family and to characterize possible biochemical and structural defects. Results: Analysis of the patients' platelets by fluorescence-activated cell sorting demonstrated trace amounts of ,3, no ,IIb and no ,IIb,3 on the membrane. Sequence analysis revealed a novel T607G transversion in exon 5 of the ,IIb gene predicting a Phe171Cys alteration that created a PstI recognition site. All three patients were homozygous for the mutation, the mother and paternal grandparents of the proband were heterozygous, whereas 110 healthy subjects lacked this transversion. Chinese hamster ovary cells cotransfected with cDNAs of mutated ,IIb and wild-type ,3 failed to express ,IIb,3 as shown by immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry experiments. Structural analysis of the ,IIb,3 model, which was based on the crystal structure of ,v,3, indicated that Phe171 plays an essential role in the interface between the ,-propeller domain of ,IIb and the ,A domain of ,3. Conclusions: A novel Phe171Cys mutation in the ,IIb gene of patients with GT is associated with abrogation of ,IIb,3 complex formation. [source] Cyclic acetal hydroxyapatite composites and endogenous osteogenic gene expression of rat marrow stromal cellsJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Minal Patel Abstract In this study, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were differentiated on cyclic acetal composites containing hydroxyapatite (HA) particles (110 or 550 nm). These composites were evaluated for their role in influencing osteogenic signalling by encapsulated BMSCs. While a number of factors exert influence on osteogenic signalling during the production of an osteogenic matrix, we hypothesize that HA particles may upregulate bone growth factor expression due to enhanced BMSC adhesion. To this end, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was performed for the evaluation of BMSC surface marker expression after culture on two-dimensional (2D) cyclic acetal/HA composites. Three-dimensional (3D) composites were then fabricated by incorporating 110 or 550 nm HA particles at 5, 10 and 50 ng/ml concentrations. Bone growth factor molecules (TGF,1, FGF-2 and PDGFa), bone biomarker molecules (ALP, OC, OPN and OCN) and extracellular matrix-related molecules (FN, MMP-13, Dmp1 and aggrecan) were selected for evaluation of osteogenic signalling mechanisms when in presence of these composites. FACS results at day 0 demonstrated that BMSCs were a heterogeneous population with a small percentage of cells staining positive for CD29, CD90 and CD51/61, while staining negative for CD34 and CD45. At day 3, a significant enrichment of cells staining strongly for CD29, CD90 and CD51/61 was achieved. Gene expression patterns for bone growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules were found to be largely dependent upon the size of HA particles. Bone marker molecules, except OCN, had unaltered expression patterns in response to the varied size of HA particles. Overall, the results indicate that larger-sized HA particles upregulate PDGF and these groups were also associated with the most significant increase in osteodifferentiation markers, particularly ALP. Our results suggest that endogenous signalling is dependent upon material properties. Furthermore, we propose that studying gene expression patterns induced by the surrounding biomaterials environment is a fundamental step in the creation of engineered tissues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Production of ,-globin and adult hemoglobin following G418 treatment of erythroid precursor cells from homozygous ,039 thalassemia patients,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2009Francesca Salvatori In several types of thalassemia (including ,039-thalassemia), stop codon mutations lead to premature translation termination and to mRNA destabilization through nonsense-mediated decay. Drugs (for instance aminoglycosides) can be designed to suppress premature termination, inducing a ribosomal readthrough. These findings have introduced new hopes for the development of a pharmacologic approach to the cure of this disease. However, the effects of aminoglycosides on globin mRNA carrying ,-thalassemia stop mutations have not yet been investigated. In this study, we have used a lentiviral construct containing the ,039-thalassemia globin gene under control of the ,-globin promoter and a LCR cassette. We demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis the production of ,-globin by K562 cell clones expressing the ,039-thalassemia globin gene and treated with G418. More importantly, after FACS and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses, erythroid precursor cells from ,039-thalassemia patients were demonstrated to be able to produce ,-globin and adult hemoglobin after treatment with G418. This study strongly suggests that ribosomal readthrough should be considered a strategy for developing experimental strategies for the treatment of ,0 -thalassemia caused by stop codon mutations. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Growth factors improve gene expression after lentiviral transduction in human adult and fetal hepatocytesTHE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Clare Selden Abstract Background Lentiviral vectors may be vectors of choice for transducing liver cells; they mediate integration in quiescent cells and offer potential for long-term expression. In adult liver, hepatocytes are generally mitotically quiescent. There has been controversy as to the necessity for lentiviral vector target cells to be in the cell cycle; currently, there is consensus that effective transduction can be achieved in quiescent hepatocytes, by using virus at high titre. However, transduction approaches which reduce the multiplicities of infection (MOIs) required provide potential benefit of cost and safety for therapeutic use. Methods We used two late-generation HIV-based lentiviral vector systems (pHR-SIN-cppT SGW and pRRLSIN.cPPT.PGK.WPRE) encoding LacZ/GFP reporter genes to transduce adult and fetal human hepatocytes in vitro + /, growth factors, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was observed microscopically, and quantified by fluorescence spectrometry for protein expression, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis to identify the proportion of cells expressing GFP, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for number of integrations. Results Gene expression following lentiviral transduction of human liver cells in vitro was markedly enhanced by the growth factors HGF and EGF. In adult cells growth factors led to a greater proportion of cells expressing more GFP per cell, from more integration events. In human fetal cells, the proportion of transduced hepatocytes remained identical, but cells expressed more GFP protein. Conclusions This has implications for the design of regimes for liver cell gene therapy, allowing marked reduction of MOIs, and reducing both cost and risk of viral-mediated toxicity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Large-scale extraction and characterization of CD271+ multipotential stromal cells from trabecular bone in health and osteoarthritis: Implications for bone regeneration strategies based on uncultured or minimally cultured multipotential stromal cells,ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010E. Jones Objective To test the hypothesis that CD45lowCD271+ bone marrow multipotential stromal cells (MSCs) are abundant in the trabecular bone niche and to explore their functional "fitness" in health and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Following enzymatic extraction, MSC release was evaluated using colony-forming unit,fibroblast (CFU-F) and colony-forming unit,osteoblast assays, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. CD45lowCD271+ cells isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting were enumerated and expanded under standard and clonal conditions. Their proliferative and osteogenic potencies were assessed in relation to donor age and compared with those of aspirated CD45lowCD271+ cells. In vitro and in vivo MSC "aging" was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction,based telomere length analysis, and standard differentiation assays were utilized to demonstrate multipotentiality. Results Cellular isolates from trabecular bone cavities contained ,65-fold more CD45lowCD271+ cells compared with aspirates (P < 0.0001) (median 1.89% [n = 39] and 0.029% [n = 46], respectively), concordant with increased CFU-F release. Aspirated and enzymatically released CD45lowCD271+ cells had identical MSC phenotypes (,100% CD73+CD105+CD13+, ,50,60% CD146+CD106+CD166+) and contained large proportions of highly clonogenic multipotential cells. In vitro osteogenic potency of freshly isolated CD45lowCD271+ cells was comparable with, and often above, that of early-passage MSCs (8,14%). Their frequency and in vivo telomere status in OA bone were similar to those in bone from age-matched controls. Conclusion Our findings show that CD45lowCD271+ MSCs are abundant in the trabecular bone cavity and indistinguishable from aspirated CD45lowCD271+ MSCs. In OA they display aging-related loss of proliferation but no gross osteogenic abnormality. These findings offer new opportunities for direct study of MSCs in musculoskeletal diseases without the requirement for culture expansion. They are also relevant for direct therapeutic exploitation of prospectively isolated, minimally cultured MSCs in trauma and OA. [source] Sex differences of chondrogenic progenitor cells in late stages of osteoarthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2010Sebastian Koelling Objective Osteoarthritis (OA), a mainly degenerative disease, is known to be multifactorial in origin. Gene expression patterns vary between populations and sexes. Sex hormone receptors have been described in the cartilage tissue of animals and humans. We undertook this study to determine whether the regenerative potential of chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) present in the arthritic tissue during the late stages of human OA might also be subject to sex-specific differences and influenced by sex steroids. Methods We analyzed sex-specific differences in the regenerative potential of CPCs and the involvement of sex hormones in vitro in cartilage samples from patients with late-stage knee OA, using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, microarray analysis, real-time reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and cell culture. Results We detected expression of estrogen and testosterone in the OA synovial fluid as well as CPCs positive for estrogen receptor , (ER,), ER,, and androgen receptor. Both hormones influenced the expression of all 3 receptor genes as well as the chondrogenic potential of CPCs by regulating gene expression of Sox9, Runx2, type II collagen, and type I collagen. We found regulatory effects on the collagens via Sox9 and Runx2 as well as regulatory effects independent of these transcription factors. These effects were sex-specific and relied on hormone concentrations. Conclusion Physiologic concentrations of testosterone in men and premenopausal concentrations of estrogen in women have a positive effect on the chondrogenic potential of CPCs in vitro. Therefore, strategies of hormone replacement in the synovial fluid of women and men might have beneficial effects on the regenerative potential of arthritic cartilage tissue in late stages of human OA. [source] 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates Th17 polarization and interleukin-22 expression by memory T cells from patients with early rheumatoid arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 1 2010E. M. Colin Objective To examine the immunologic mechanism by which 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) may prevent corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a focus on T cell biology. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory) and CD4+CD45RO, (non-memory) T cells separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) from treatment-naive patients with early RA were stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 in the absence or presence of various concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3, dexamethasone (DEX), and 1,25(OH)2D3 and DEX combined. Levels of T cell cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. Results The presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interferon-, levels and increased IL-4 levels in stimulated PBMCs from treatment-naive patients with early RA. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 had favorable effects on tumor necrosis factor , (TNF,):IL-4 and IL-17A:IL-4 ratios and prevented the unfavorable effects of DEX on these ratios. Enhanced percentages of IL-17A, and IL-22,expressing CD4+ T cells and IL-17A,expressing memory T cells were observed in PBMCs from treatment-naive patients with early RA as compared with healthy controls. Of note, we found no difference in the percentage of CD45RO+ and CD45RO, cells between these 2 groups. Interestingly, 1,25(OH)2D3, in contrast to DEX, directly modulated human Th17 polarization, accompanied by suppression of IL-17A, IL-17F, TNF,, and IL-22 production by memory T cells sorted by FACS from patients with early RA. Conclusion These data indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 may contribute its bone-sparing effects in RA patients taking corticosteroids by the modulation of Th17 polarization, inhibition of Th17 cytokines, and stimulation of IL-4. [source] Reduced CD4+,CD25, T cell sensitivity to the suppressive function of CD4+,CD25high,CD127,/low regulatory T cells in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosusARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2008Ram Kumar Chowdary Venigalla Objective CD4+,CD25high regulatory T (Treg) cells play a crucial role in the maintenance of self tolerance and prevention of organ-specific autoimmunity. The presence of many in vivo,preactivated CD4+,CD25++ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) poses a difficulty in discriminating CD25++ activated T cells from CD25high Treg cells. To overcome this problem, we analyzed the phenotype and function of CD4+,CD25high,CD127,/low natural Treg (nTreg) cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with SLE. Methods CD4+,CD25high,CD127,/low nTreg cells and CD4+,CD25, responder T (Tresp) cells from patients with SLE and normal donors were separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Cell proliferation was quantified by 3H-thymidine incorporation, and immunophenotyping of the cells was done using FACScan. Results Comparable percentages of CD4+,CD25high,FoxP3+ T cells were observed in patients with SLE and normal donors. Proliferation of SLE nTreg cells sorted into the subset CD4+,CD25high,CD127,/low was significantly decreased compared with that of SLE nTreg cells sorted into the subset CD4+,CD25high (mean ± SEM 2,223 ± 351 counts per minute versus 9,104 ± 1,720 cpm, respectively), while in normal donors, these values were 802 ± 177 cpm and 2,028 ± 548 cpm, respectively, confirming that effector cell contamination was reduced. Notably, the suppressive activity of nTreg cells was intact in all groups. However, CD4+,CD25, Tresp cells isolated from patients with active SLE were significantly less sensitive than those from patients with inactive SLE to the suppressive function of autologous or normal donor CD4+,CD25high,CD127,/low nTreg cells. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation was observed between the extent of T cell regulation in suppressor assays and the level of lupus disease activity. Conclusion This study is the first to show that, in human SLE, impaired sensitivity of Tresp cells to the suppressive effects of a comparably functional, highly purified nTreg cell population leads to a defective suppression of T cell proliferation in active SLE. Studies aiming to define the mechanisms leading to Tresp cell resistance might help in the development of highly specific, alternative immunotherapeutic tools for the control of systemic autoimmune diseases such as SLE. [source] Tissue Engineering of Urethra Using Human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene-Modified Bladder Urothelial CellsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2008Yong Guan Abstract:, Acquired or congenital abnormalities may lead to urethral damage or loss, often requiring surgical reconstruction. Urethrocutaneous fistula and strictures are common complications, due to inadequate blood supply. Thus, adequate blood supply is a key factor for successful urethral tissue reconstruction. In this study, urethral grafts were prepared by seeding rabbit bladder urothelial cells (UCs) modified with human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) gene in the decellularized artery matrix. A retroviral pMSCV-VEGF165 -GFP vector was cloned by insertion of VEGF open reading frame into the vector pMSCV-GFP (murine stem cell virus [MSCV]; green fluorescent protein [GFP]). Retrovirus was generated using package cell line 293T. Rabbit UCs were expanded ex vivo and modified with either MSCV-VEGF165 -GFP or control MSCV-GFP retrovirus. Transduction efficiency was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression of VEGF165 was examined by immunofluorescence, reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Decellularized rabbit artery matrix was seeded with genetically modified UCs and was subsequently cultured for 1 week prior to subcutaneous implantation into nude mice. Four weeks after implantation, the implants were harvested and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, and by histologic and immunohistochemical staining. Ex vivo transduction efficiency of UCs was greater than 50% when concentrated retrovirus was used. The modified cells expressed both VEGF and GFP protein. Furthermore, the VEGF-modified UCs secreted VEGF in a time-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis of cross sections of the cultured urethral grafts showed that the seeded cells were attached and proliferated on the luminal surface of the decellularized artery matrix. In the subcutaneously implanted vessels, VEGF-modified cells significantly enhanced neovascularization and the formation of a urethral layer compared to GFP-modified cells. These results indicate that VEGF gene therapy may be a suitable approach to increase the blood supply in tissue engineering for treatment of urethral damage or loss. [source] Engineering of Vascular Grafts With Genetically Modified Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Poly (Propylene Carbonate) GraftARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 12 2006Jun Zhang Abstract:, Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated their pluripotency to differentiate into different cell lineages and may be an alternative cell source for vascular tissue engineering. The objective of this study is to create small diameter vessels by seeding and culture of genetically modified MSCs onto a synthetic polymer scaffold produced by an electrospinning technique. A tubular scaffold (2 mm in diameter) with a microstructure of nonwoven fibers was produced by electrospinning of poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC). Rat MSCs obtained from bone marrow were expanded in culture and modified with vasculoprotective gene endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or marker gene green fluorescent protein (GFP). These MSCs were seeded onto the electrospun fibrous grafts (internal diameter = 2 mm), and cultured in 5% CO2 at 37°C. The growth of MSCs in the scaffold was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The gene transfer and transgenic gene expression were examined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), immunochemical staining, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot. The production of nitric oxide (NO) by the engineered vessels was measured with an NO detection kit. Our data showed that the seeded cells integrated with the microfibers of the scaffold to form a three-dimensional cellular network, indicating a favorable interaction between this synthetic PPC scaffold with MSCs. High transduction efficiency was obtained with the use of concentrated retrovirus in the gene transfection of MSCs. The eNOS gene transcripts and protein were detected in the grafts seeded with eNOS-modified MSCs by RT-PCR and immunochemical staining. The amount of NO produced by grafts seeded with eNOS-modified MSCs was comparable to that produced by native blood vessels, and it was significantly higher than that in the grafts seeded with nonmodified MSCs. In summary, the vascular graft produced by culture of eNOS gene-modified MSCs onto the electrospun tubular scaffolds shows promising results in terms of function. The use of MSCs and therapeutic genes in tissue engineering of blood vessels could be helpful in improving vessel regeneration and patency. [source] Identification of gene disruptions for increased poly-3-hydroxybutyrate accumulation in Synechocystis PCC 6803BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 5 2009Keith E. J. Tyo Abstract Inverse metabolic engineering (IME) is a combinatorial approach for identifying genotypes associated with a particular phenotype of interest. In this study, gene disruptions that increase the biosynthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in the photosynthetic bacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 were identified. A Synechocystis mutant library was constructed by homologous recombination between the Synechocystis genome and a mutagenized genomic plasmid library generated through transposon insertion. Using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based high throughput screen, high PHB accumulating mutants from the library grown in different nutrient conditions were isolated and characterized. While several mutants isolated from the screen had increased PHB accumulation, transposon insertions in only two ORFs could be linked to increased PHB production. Disruptions of sll0461, coding for gamma-glutamyl phosphate reductase (proA), and sll0565, a hypothetical protein, resulted in increased accumulation in standard growth media and acetate supplemented media. These genetic perturbations have increased PHB accumulation in Synechocystis and serve as markers for engineering increased polymer production in higher photosynthetic organisms. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] Impact of BCR/ABL gene expression on the proliferative rate of different subpopulations of haematopoietic cells in chronic myeloid leukaemiaBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Daniel Primo Summary Despite the effects of BCR ABL on cell proliferation, no study has compared the proliferative rate of different haematopoietic cell compartments from chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with those of normal bone marrow (NBM). We comparatively analysed the cell cycle distribution and BCR/ABL expression in different compartments of BM cells from 15 CML and 11 NBM. Overall, our results showed similar proliferative indices in CML patients and NBM. However, CD34+ myeloid precursors from CML patients displayed an increased proportion of S + G2/M-phase cells (P = 0·04), while no significant differences were found between CML and NBM for other BM cell subsets analysed. In BM cells separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, decreasing levels of BCR/ABL mRNA were found from CD34+/CD38+ myeloid precursors to myeloblasts; BCR/ABL expression increased afterwards with a peak at the myelocyte/metamyelocyte stage, decreasing in the more mature band/neutrophil compartment. Unexpectedly, BCR/ABL gene expression showed an inverse correlation with the proportion of S + G2/M-phase cells (R = ,0·33; P = 0·04). These results suggest that in CML, BCR/ABL expression is associated with an increased proliferation of CD34+ myeloid haematopoietic progenitor cells but not of other more mature myeloid precursors, as confirmed by the observation of an inverse correlation between the amount of BCR/ABL transcripts and the proportion of S + G2/M-phase cells. [source] Human cytomegalovirus induces a direct inhibitory effect on antigen presentation by monocyte-derived immature dendritic cellsBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Ulrich Grigoleit Summary. The hypothesis that productive infection of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (DCs) by the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is associated with decreased immunostimulatory capacity was tested in this study. DCs were infected with 60,80% efficiency by HCMV strain TB40/E. Infected versus uninfected cells were analysed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and by immunocytochemistry for surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and co-stimulatory molecules as well as cytokine secretion during the 3 d after infection. The immunostimulatory capacity of these cells was measured by mixed leucocyte reaction. In spite of the fact that HCMV infection of DCs induced an increased release of tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,) and a decreased interleukin 10 (IL-10) production, expression of MHC class I and II, as well as CD40 and CD80 molecules, were downregulated on infected DCs. The mixed leucocyte reaction showed significantly reduced immunostimulatory capacity of infected DC cultures. Simultaneous detection of MHC antigens and virus antigens by double immunofluorescence revealed that downregulation occurred only on infected cells, but not on uninfected bystander cells. These findings demonstrate on a single cell level, together with the marked downregulation of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules in the presence of high TNF-, and low IL-10 levels, a direct inhibitory effect of HCMV on antigen presentation by immature DCs independent of soluble mediators. [source] Biosynthesis and Biological Screening of a Genetically Encoded Library Based on the Cyclotide MCoTI-ICHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 16 2009Jeffrey Austin Cell-ing point: This study shows that MCoTI-cyclotides can provide an ideal scaffold for the biosynthesis of large combinatorial libraries inside living E. coli cells. Coupled to an appropriate in vivo reporter system, this library may rapidly be screened, for example, by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. [source] Allergic airway inflammation is exacerbated during acute influenza infection and correlates with increased allergen presentation and recruitment of allergen-specific T-helper type 2 cellsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 8 2004B. J. Marsland Summary Background Respiratory viral infections are a leading cause of the hospitalization of asthmatics, however, the cellular immunological interactions which underlie these two diseases remain elusive. Objective We sought to characterize the effect influenza viral infection has on allergic airway inflammation and to identify the cellular pathways involved. Methods We have used an ovalbumin (OVA) model of allergic airway inflammation, which involves sensitization of animals with OVA adsorbed in alum adjuvant followed by an intranasal challenge with OVA in phosphate-buffered saline. To study T cell recruitment into the lung, we adoptively transferred in vitro activated T cell receptor-transgenic T cells, which were subsequently identified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. In addition, to study in vivo dendritic cell (DC) migration, we administered fluorescently labelled dextran and identified DCs that had phagocytosed it by FACS analysis. Results We found that different stages of influenza infection had contrasting effects upon the outcome of OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation. The allergic response against OVA was exacerbated during the acute stage of influenza infection; however, mice were protected against the development of airway eosinophilia at late time-points following infection. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the virus-induced exacerbation and found that the response was partially independent of IL-4 and that there was increased delivery of inhaled allergens to the draining lymph node during the acute stage of the infection. In addition, virus-induced inflammation in the lung and draining lymph node resulted in the non-specific recruitment of circulating allergen-specific effector/memory cells. Conclusion In addition to virus-mediated damage to the lung and airways, influenza viral infection can also enhance unrelated local allergic responses. [source] BMP-2 and FGF-2 Synergistically Facilitate Adoption of a Cardiac Phenotype in Somatic Bone Marrow c-kit+/Sca-1+ Stem CellsCLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Brent R. DeGeorge, Jr. B.S. Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), paracrine factors implicated in both cardiac embryogenesis and cardiac repair following myocardial infarction (MI),on murine bone marrow stem cell (mBMSC) differentiation in an ex vivo cardiac microenvironment. For this purpose, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing hematopoietic lineage negative (lin-) c-kit ligand (c-kit) and stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) positive (GFP-lin-/c-kit+/sca+) mBMSC were co-cultured with neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NVCMs). GFP+ mBMSC significantly induced the expression of BMP-2 and FGF-2 in NVCMs, and approximately 4% GFP+ mBMSCs could be recovered from the co-culture at day 10. The addition of BMP-2 in concert with FGF-2 significantly enhanced the amount of integrated GFP+ mBMSCs by 5-fold (,20%), whereas the addition of anti-BMP-2 and/or anti-FGF-2 antibodies completely abolished this effect. An analysis of calcium cycling revealed robust calcium transients in GFP+ mBMSCs treated with BMP-2/FGF-2 compared to untreated co-cultures. BMP-2 and FGF-2 addition led to a significant induction of early (NK2 transcription factor related, locus 5; Nkx2.5, GATA binding protein 4; GATA-4) and late (myosin light chain kinase [MLC-2v], connexin 43 [Cx43]) cardiac marker mRNA expression in mBMSCs following co-culture. In addition, re-cultured fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-purified BMP-2/FGF-2-treated mBMSCs revealed robust calcium transients in response to electrical field stimulation which were inhibited by the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) inhibitor, nifedipine, and displayed caffeine-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. In summary, our results show that mBMSCs can adopt a functional cardiac phenotype through treatment with factors essential to embryonic cardiogenesis that are induced after cardiac ischemia. This study provides the first evidence that mBMSCs with long-term self-renewal potential possess the capability to serve as a functional cardiomyocyte precursor through the appropriate paracrine input and cross-talk within an appropriate cardiac microenvironment. [source] | |||||||||||||