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Stimulatory Activity (stimulatory + activity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%

Selected Abstracts

An unusual class of PITX2 mutations in Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome

BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006
Irfan Saadi
Abstract BACKGROUND Mutations in the PITX2 homeobox gene are known to contribute to Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS), an autosomal-dominant developmental disorder. Although most mutations are in the homeodomain and result in a loss of function, there is a growing subset in the C-terminal domain that has not yet been characterized. These mutations are of particular interest because the C-terminus has both inhibitory and stimulatory activities. METHODS In this study we used a combination of in vitro DNA binding and transfection reporter assays to investigate the fundamental issue of whether C-terminal mutations result in gain or loss of function at a cellular level. RESULTS We report a new frameshift mutation in the PITX2 allele that predicts a truncated protein lacking most of the C-terminal domain (D122FS). This newly reported mutant and another ARS C-terminal mutant (W133Stop) both have greater binding than wild-type to the bicoid element. Of interest, the mutants yielded ,5-fold greater activation of the prolactin promoter in CHO cells, even though the truncated proteins were expressed at lower levels than the wild-type protein. The truncated proteins also had greater than wild-type activity in 2 other cell lines, including the LS8 oral epithelial line that expresses the endogenous Pitx2 gene. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the PITX2 C-terminal domain has inhibitory activity and support the notion that ARS may also be caused by gain-of-function mutations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The Toll-like receptor ligand MALP-2 stimulates dendritic cell maturation and modulates proteasome composition and activity

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Claudia Link
Abstract A 2-kDa synthetic derivative of the macrophage-activating lipopeptide (MALP-2) from Mycoplasma fermentans is a potent inducer of monocytes/macrophages and improves the immunogenicity of antigens co-administered by systemic and mucosal routes. Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells, which are able to prime naive T cells in vivo. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MALP-2 adjuvanticity, we analyzed its activity on bone marrow-derived murine DC. In vitro stimulation of immature murine DC with MALP-2 resulted in the induction of maturation with up-regulated expression of MHC class II, costimulatory (CD80, CD86) and adhesion (CD40, CD54) molecules. MALP-2 also enhances the secretion of cytokines (IL-1,, IL-6 and IL-12), and increases DC stimulatory activity on naive and antigen-specific T cells. Further studies demonstrated that MALP-2 treatment of DC results in a dose-dependent shift from the protein pattern of proteasomes to immunoproteasomes (up-regulation of LMP2, LMP7 and MECL1), which correlates with an increased proteolytic activity. Thus, the adjuvanticity of MALP-2 can be mediated, at least in part, by the stimulation of DC maturation, which in turn leads to an improved antigen presentation. Therefore, MALP-2 is a promising molecule for the development of immune therapeutic or prophylactic interventions. [source]

Luteal Characteristics and Progesterone Production on Day 5 of the Bovine Oestrous Cycle

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 6 2007
MP Green
Contents In this study we have examined luteal function in non-lactating and late lactation dairy cows on day 5 of the cycle, during the period of the post-ovulatory progesterone rise. Comparison of luteal progesterone content and in vitro synthetic capacity with circulating plasma progesterone demonstrated that circulating progesterone concentration is a function of total luteal activity rather than the activity of individual units of tissue. Incubation of luteal tissue in vitro demonstrated stimulatory activity of LH and IGF-I, and to a greater degree IGF-II, on luteal progesterone synthesis. Finally the study showed no effect of double ovulation on luteal function. Occurrence of double ovulation in 35% of animals was not associated with any difference in luteal function or plasma progesterone concentrations. [source]

Functional significance of novel neurotrophin-1/B cell-stimulating factor-3 (cardiotrophin-like cytokine) for human myeloma cell growth and survival

BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2003
Renate Burger
Summary., Cytokines of the gp130 family, particularly interleukin 6 (IL-6), play a central role in the growth and survival of malignant plasma cells. Recently, novel neurotrophin-1 (NNT-1)/B cell-stimulating factor-3 (BSF-3), also reported as cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC), was identified as a cytokine belonging to the gp130 family. BSF-3, similar to IL-6, exerts regulatory effects on normal B cell functions, but its functional significance in haematological malignancies has not been defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects and signalling pathways that are induced by BSF-3 in malignant plasma cells. Recombinant human BSF-3 was found to have growth stimulatory activity on plasmacytoma cell lines and primary tumour cells. In addition, BSF-3 was able to protect from Dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis. BSF-3 stimulated cell growth could not be inhibited by neutralizing anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies, but was abrogated by anti-gp130 antibodies. In INA-6.Tu11 cells, a subline of the IL-6-dependent human plasma cell line INA-6 expressing gp130 and the receptor for leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), stimulation with BSF-3 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). AG490, an inhibitor of Janus kinases, decreased BSF-3 induced cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. This correlated with a reduction of STAT3 phosphorylation levels, while p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was not affected. In conclusion, BSF-3 is a novel myeloma growth and survival factor with a potential role in the pathophysiology of the disease. [source]

The novel use of the human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI 2650 as an in vitro model to study the influence of allergens and cytokines on transforming growth factor-, gene expression and protein release

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 6 2005
R. J. Salib
Summary Background The epithelial accumulation of mast cells is a feature of allergic rhinitis and this has been linked to the expression of the known mast cell chemoattractant transforming growth factor-, (TGF-,) at this site. Little is known concerning the regulation of TGF-, gene expression or protein release by nasal epithelial cells. To address this we have utilized the RPMI 2650 human nasal epithelial cell line, which has some features that closely resemble normal nasal epithelium and has been reported to secrete a TGF-,-like molecule. Objectives To investigate the regulation of TGF-, gene expression and protein secretion in RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cells following exposure to allergens (house dust mite (HDM) and grass pollen) and mast cell associated T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-,). Methods Light and scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the morphology of RPMI 2650 cells in culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate their TGF-, secretory capacity and the identification of the TGF-, isotype(s) involved, flow cytometry was used to demonstrate the presence of TGF-, receptors on the RPMI 2650 cells, and the quantitative real-time TaqMan PCR was used to measure TGF-, gene expression. Results TGF-,2 was identified as the main isotype secreted by the RPMI 2650 cells. HDM allergens and TNF-, increased both TGF-, gene expression and protein release from these cells, whereas grass pollen, IL-4, and IL-13 were without effect. Conclusions The RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cell line represents a valid in vitro model to evaluate the regulation of TGF-, biology. In this system HDM allergens have stimulatory activity that is fundamentally different from that of grass pollen allergens, and the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 are without effect. The ability of TNF-, to up-regulate both TGF-, gene expression and protein release indicates that mast cell,epithelial interactions concerning TGF-, are bi-directional and this may be fundamental to epithelial immunoregulation. The availability of a model system, such as the RPMI 2650 cells, will enable the early evaluation of future novel and targeted interventions directed toward the aberrant responses of upper airway structural cells. [source]