Dissecting natural killer cell activation pathways through analysis of genetic mutations in human and mouse

Summary:  Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity is mediated by multiple germ line-encoded activating receptors that recognize specific ligands expressed by tumor cells and virally infected cells. These activating receptors are opposed by NK inhibitory receptors, which recognize major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on potential targets, raising the threshold for NK cell activation. Once an abnormal cell has been detected, NK cells are the sentinel source of cytolytic mediators, such as granzymes and perforins, as well as interferon-γ, which can polarize the immune response to a T-helper 1 cell type. Activation signals are transmitted by adhesion-dependent pathways, immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-dependent pathways, DAP10 ITAM-independent pathways, and by signaling through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs. These pathways activate downstream signaling partners to trigger NK cell cytotoxicity. Some of these downstream molecules are unique to the various pathways, and some of these molecules are shared. Because of the complexity of signals involved in NK cell–target cell interaction, the generation of mice with targeted mutations in signaling molecules involved in adhesion, activation, or inhibition is essential for a precise dissection of the mechanisms regulating NK cell effector functions. Here we review recent advances in the genetic analysis of the signaling pathways that mediate NK cell killing.     

Autocrine motility factor (neuroleukin, phosphohexose isomerase) induces cell movement through 12-lipoxygenase-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and serine dephosphorylation events

Autocrine motility factor (AMF) is one of the motility cytokines regulating tumor cell migration, therefore identification of the signaling pathway coupled with it has critical importance. Previous studies revealed several elements of this pathway predominated by lipoxygenase-PKC activations but the role for tyrosine kinases remained questionable. Motility cytokines frequently have mitogenic effect as well, producing activation of overlapping signaling pathways therefore we have used B16a melanoma cells as models where AMF has exclusive motility effect. Our studies revealed that in B16a cells AMF initiated rapid (1–5 min) activation of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) cascade inducing phosphorylation of 179, 125, 95 and 40/37 kD proteins which was mediated by upstream cyclo- and lipoxygenases. The phosphorylated proteins were localized to the cortical actin-stress fiber attachment zones in situ by confocal microscopy. On the other hand, AMF receptor activation induced significant decrease in overall serine-phosphorylation level of cellular proteins accompanied by serine phosphorylation of 200, 90, 78 and 65 kd proteins. The decrease in serine phosphorylation was independent of PTKs, PKC as well as cyclo- and lipoxygenases. However, AMF induced robust translocation of PKCα to the stress fibers and cortical actin suggesting a critical role for this kinase in the generation of the motility signal. Based on the significant decrease in serine phosphorylation after AMF stimulus in B16a cells we postulated the involvement of putative serine/threonine phosphatase(s) upstream lipoxygenase and activation of the protein tyrosine kinase cascade downstream cyclo- and lipoxygenase(s) in the previously identified autocrine motility signal. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Holoprosencephaly: from Homer to Hedgehog

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a common developmental defect affecting the forebrain and face, is etiologically heterogeneous and exhibits wide phenotypic variation. Graded degrees of severity of the brain malformation are also reflected in the highly variable craniofacial malformations associated with HPE. In addition, individuals with microforms of HPE, who usually have normal cognition and normal brain imaging, are at risk for having children with HPE. Some obligate carriers for HPE may not have any phenotypic abnormalities. Recurrent chromosomal rearrangements in individuals with HPE suggest loci containing genes important for brain development, and abnormalities in these genes may result in HPE. Recently, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) was the first gene identified as causing HPE in humans. Proper function of SHH depends on cholesterol modification. Other candidate genes that may be involved in HPE include components of the SHH pathway, elements involved in cholesterol metabolism, and genes expressed in the developing forebrain.     

鹰嘴豆芽素A通过调节TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路减轻卵清蛋白诱导哮喘大鼠的气道炎症

[目的] 探讨鹰嘴豆芽素A（BCA）通过调节Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子-κB（NF-κB）/NOD样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）信号通路对卵清蛋白（OVA）诱导哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响。[方法] 将SD大鼠分为对照（CK）组、模型（Model）组、低剂量BCA组（BCA-L组,25 mg/kg）、高剂量BCA组（BCA-H组,100 mg/kg）、地塞米松阳性对照组（Dex组,1 mg/kg）、BCA-H+LPS（TLR4激活剂）组（100 mg/kg+0.1 mg/kg）,每组12只。除CK组,其他组均通过OVA诱导构建哮喘大鼠模型。建模成功24 h后,进行给药处理,给药每日1次,持续10 d。利用动物肺功能测定仪检测大鼠吸气阻力、呼气阻力、肺通气顺应性的变化;吉姆萨（Giemsa）染色检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中细胞总数、淋巴细胞数、嗜酸性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞数;酶联免疫吸附剂测定（ELISA）检测BALF中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）水平;苏木精-伊红染色法（HE）染色检测大鼠肺组织病理变化;免疫组化检测大鼠肺组织中嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（Eotaxin）表达;蛋白质印迹法（Western Blot）检测大鼠肺组织中TLR4、p-NF-κB p65、NLRP3蛋白表达。[结果] 与CK组比较,Model组大鼠吸气阻力、呼气阻力、BALF中细胞总数、淋巴细胞数、嗜酸性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞数、TNF-α、IL-1β、IFN-γ水平升高,肺组织中的支气管及血管周围炎性细胞浸润明显,肺组织中Eotaxin阳性染色面积百分数、TLR4、p-NF-κB p65、NLRP3蛋白表达升高,肺通气顺应性降低（P<0.05）;与Model组比较,BCA-L组、BCA-H组、Dex组对应指标变化趋势与上述相反（P<0.05）;LPS减弱了高剂量BCA对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的改善作用。[结论] BCA可能通过抑制TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路减轻OVA诱导哮喘大鼠的气道炎症。     

Anticancer Mechanism of Curcumin on Human Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor and accounts for most adult brain tumors. Current available treatment options for GBM are multimodal, which include surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite the significant advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, GBM remains largely resistant to treatment, with a poor median survival rate between 12 and 18 months. With increasing drug resistance, the introduction of phytochemicals into current GBM treatment has become a potential strategy to combat GBM. Phytochemicals possess multifarious bioactivities with multitarget sites and comparatively marginal toxicity. Among them, curcumin is the most studied compound described as a potential anticancer agent due to its multi-targeted signaling/molecular pathways properties. Curcumin possesses the ability to modulate the core pathways involved in GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, paraptosis, oxidative stress, and tumor cell motility. This review discusses curcumin’s anticancer mechanism through modulation of Rb, p53, MAPK, P13K/Akt, JAK/STAT, Shh, and NF-κB pathways, which are commonly involved and dysregulated in preclinical and clinical GBM models. In addition, limitation issues such as bioavailability, pharmacokinetics perspectives strategies, and clinical trials were discussed.     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术后感染病原菌及Hippo信号通路基因改变

目的探讨腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术(EVAR)后医院感染病原特点及Hippo信号通路基因、白细胞介素-17(Interleukin-17,IL-17)、IL-23改变。方法选择天津医院血管外科2017年5月-2020年3月收治腹主动脉瘤EVAR术后医院感染患者49例作为感染组,选择同期医院进行EVAR术后未发生医院感染患者60例作为非感染组。采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测Hippo通路基因yap、taz、mst1相对表达水平,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测其辅助型T细胞17(Th17)促炎细胞因子白细胞介素-17(IL-17)、IL-23水平。结果49例患者共发生肺部感染33例(67.35%),尿路感染10例(20.41%),手术切口感染4例(8.16%),移植物感染2例(4.08%);感染病原以革兰阳性菌为主,共25株,占51.02%,革兰阴性菌共22株,占44.90%,真菌2株,占4.08%;感染组yap、taz、mst1基因相对表达水平和IL-17、IL-23水平高于非感染组(P<0.05)。结论腹主动脉瘤EVAR术后医院感染以肺部感染、尿路感染为主,应及时予以针对性预防;Hippo通路参与了感染发生过程,通过Th17促炎途径诱导炎症反应,其机制仍有待研究。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血SOCS3 mRNA的表达及其与Th17的关系

 目的 研究慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者外周血辅助性T细胞17(Th17)以及细胞因子信号转导抑制因子3(SOCS3) mRNA的表达状况,探索CHB患者SOCS3 mRNA表达与Th17的关系。方法 选取2021年2—8月于某院门诊就诊的30例CHB患者为研究对象,并选取同期正常体检者15例为对照组。采用流式细胞术(FCM)检测外周血Th17细胞频数,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清细胞因子IL-17A和IL-23表达水平,实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)法测定外周血SOCS3、维甲酸相关孤儿核受体γt (RORγt) mRNA表达水平,并比较两组患者的检测结果。结果 CHB患者外周血Th17细胞频数及其效应分子IL-17A、IL-23表达水平高于对照组(均P＜0.05),Th17细胞频数、IL-17A与HBV DNA水平之间存在正相关(r值分别为0.570、0.563,均P＜0.005)。CHB患者外周血SOCS3、RORγt mRNA表达水平高于对照组(均P＜0.05),两者与HBV DNA水平正相关(r值分别为0.662、0.561,均P＜0.05)。CHB患者SOCS3 mRNA与RORγt mRNA、Th17细胞频数、IL-17A之间存在正相关(r值分别为0.552、0.626、0.826,均P＜0.05)。结论 CHB患者外周血SOCS3 mRNA的异常高表达,可能通过调节RORγt mRNA的表达来影响Th17的分化及其效应分子的分泌。     

A novel adipokine WISP1 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced cell injury in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway

BackgroundTo study the effect of WISP1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell injury in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.MethodLentivirus was transiently transfected into log phase 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which were then treated with LPS at a concentration of 10 μg/mL for 24 h. The cells were divided into the following groups: group A (control, untreated cells); group B (LPS-treated cells); group C (GFP), cells transfected with lentivirus-containing GFP; group D (GFP+LPS), group C treated with LPS;group E (WISP1OE), cells transfected with lentivirus, group F (shNC+LPS), cells transfected with lentivirus-containing nshRNA treated with LPS; group G (shWISP1 +LPS), cells transfected with lentivirus-containing shRNA treated with LPS; group H (WISP1OE+LPS), group E treated with LPS; group I (WISP1OE+LPS+LY294002), group E treated with LPS followed by LY294002 for 24 h.ResultsWISP1 overexpression notably ameliorated cell apoptosis, accompanied with the increased expression of bcl-2, the decreased expressions of bax and cleaved-caspase-3, and promoted the release of inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WISP1 knockdown exhibited the opposite results. In addition, WISP1 stimulated Akt phosphorylation and reduced nuclear translocation of Fork head box protein O3 (FoxO3a) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated by LPS. The inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway diminished the protective effect of WISP1.ConclusionWISP1 prevents 3T3-L1 adipocytes from being injured by LPS by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway.