Inhibition of Fas-mediated Apoptosis by Antigen: Implications for Lymphomagenesis

Apoptotic deletion of expanded B cell populations is essential in avoidance of autoimmune disease and immune regulation of some B cell malignancies. The role of CD4+ T cells in B cell apoptosis is evident from the high incidence of B cell tumors and autoimmunity in patients with T cell diseases such as the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have previously demonstrated that in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) negative Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), a tumor derived from proliferating centroblasts of the germinal center, the malignant lymphocytes can be induced to express Fas (CD95) by ligation of CD40 at the B cell surface. Upon CD40 engagement, BL cells are sensitized to T-cell derived death signals provided by Fas ligand (FasL, CD95L). HBL-3 is a cell line derived from an AIDS-related BL in which the tumor IgM binds the human erythrocyte "i" antigen. To determine whether Fas-mediated apoptosis of BL cells is reduced in the context of antigen to which the tumor IgM binds, we stimulated HBL-3 cells with CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154) in the presence and absence of human erythrocytes expressing the "i" antigen, and measured Fas-mediated apoptosis upon exposure to an agonistic anti-Fas antibody. We observed that HBL-3 cells were sensitized to Fas-mediated death by exposure to CD40L. When i+ RBCs were present, Fas-mediated apoptosis in HBL-3 cells was reduced by greater than 30%. In contrast, there was no reduction in Fas-mediated apoptosis in the presence of i &#109 (I+) RBCs. These findings demonstrate that Fas-mediated deletion of BL cells is inhibited upon surface IgM engagement by antigen for which the malignant clone has affinity.     

Search for novel cell surface markers of apoptotic cells

Surface markers of apoptotic cells are of great interest as potential targets for non-destructive detection and study of these cells. They are also important for apoptotic cell recognition and subsequent clearance by cells of the immune system. Recently, it was found that apoptosis is accompanied by not only the loss of plasma membrane asymmetry detected by Annexin V, but also by changes in cell surface glycoconjugates. These novel markers of apoptosis are α-d-mannose and β-d-galactose-specific plasma membrane glycoproteins whose expression is substantially increased after induction of apoptosis. The glyconeoepitopes described in this article are proposed to be useful for both, the detection of apoptotic cells and the isolation of the latter, from mixed populations.     

黄芪多糖对阿尔茨海默病大鼠神经细胞活性、认知功能及Caspase-9表达水平的影响

目的 探讨黄芪多糖(Astragalus polysacharin,APS)对阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)大鼠神经细胞活性、认知功能及天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶(Cysteinyl aspartate specific protease,Caspase)-9表达水平的影响。方法 36只无特定病原体(Specific pathogen free, SPF)级美国斯泼累格·多雷(Sprague Dawley)雌雄各半的大鼠,按照随机数字表分为6组,正常组、AD组、药物对照组、干预A组、干预B组及干预C组; 除正常组外,其余大鼠建立AD大鼠模型; 建模后药物对照组采用0.5 g/kg的吡拉西坦灌胃,干预A组、干预B组及干预C祖均采用0.2、0.4及0.8 g/kg的黄芪多糖(Astragalus polysacharin,APS)灌胃,正常组及AD组灌胃等剂量的生理盐水,均1次/d,灌胃时间连续60 d。采用Morris水迷宫实验观察认知功能; 苏木精-伊红(Hematoxy lin-Eosin,HE)染色观察海马组织病理学表现; 末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记测定法[Terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling,TUNEL]法检测神经细胞凋亡率; 免疫印迹及实时定量聚合酶链反应(Quantitatie real time polymerase chain reaction,QRT-PCR)技术分别检测细胞色素C(Cytochrome c,Cyt-c),Caspase-3及Caspase-9蛋白及信使核糖核酸(Messenger RNA,mRNA)相对表达水平。结果 与正常组比较,AD组大鼠灌胃后第1～5 d的逃避潜伏期均延长(P<0.05); 与AD组比较, 干预A组、干预B组、干预C组逃避潜伏期均缩短(P<0.05),药物对照组逃避潜伏期与干预C组比较无明显差异(P>0.05)。与正常组比较,AD组大鼠游泳距离增加(P<0.05); 与AD组比较,干预A组、干预B组及干预C组大鼠游泳距离均减少(P<0.05),干预C组与药物对照组相似(P>0.05)。正常组海马结构完成,神经元排列紧密,细胞核清晰且无空泡; AD组大鼠海马组织结构紊乱,神经元数目减少,细胞核深染,细胞膜收缩及部分消失; APS干预组及药物对照组神经元排列较AD组整齐有序,肿胀程度减轻,细胞核较清晰。各组大鼠海马组织神经细胞凋亡率比较有明显差异(F=134.900,P<0.001); 与正常组比较,AD组神经细胞凋亡率升高(P<0.05); 与AD组比较,干预A组、干预B组及干预C组神经细胞凋亡率降低(P<0.05),药物对照组与干预C组神经细胞凋亡率相似(P>0.05)。与正常组比较,AD组海马组织Cyt-C,Caspase-3及Caspase-9蛋白及mRNA 相对表达水平上调(P<0.05); 与AD组比较,不同水平干预组海马组织Cyt-C,Caspase-3及Caspase-9蛋白及mRNA 相对表达水平下调(P<0.05),药物对照组与干预C组上述蛋白及mRNA相对表达水平相似(P>0.05)。结论 黄芪多糖能够改善AD大鼠认知功能,减轻海马组织病理损伤,抑制神经元凋亡且呈现水平依赖性,其机制可能与抑制Cyt-C及caspase-3/9信号通路有关。     

水通道蛋白4对一氧化碳中毒后迟发性脑病大鼠神经损伤的影响

目的 探讨水通道蛋白4(Aquaporin 4,AQP4)对一氧化碳(Carbon monoxide,CO)中毒后迟发性脑病(Delayed encephalopathy,DEACMP)大鼠神经损伤的影响。方法 将210只雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白对照(Blank control,BC)组、CO中毒(CO)组、钠-钾-氯共转运体(Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^- cotransporter,NKCC)抑制剂处理(布美他尼)组、p38-丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(Mitogen activated protein kinase,MAPK)抑制剂处理(MAPK)组和AQP4特异性抑制剂处理(AQP4抑制剂)组,每组各42只; 根据造模后不同时间点将每组大鼠进一步分为染毒3、6、12、24、48、72 h和7 d后共7个亚组,每亚组各6只; 取大鼠脑前额叶皮质组织,计算脑皮质含水量,采用HE法观察脑皮质形态; 采用免疫组化链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶(Streptavidin-perosidase,SP)染色法测定大鼠脑皮质AQP4,p38 MAPK,NKCC1、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(Glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)和S100钙结合蛋白B(S100 calcium binding protein B,S100B)蛋白表达水平。结果 与BC组比较,CO组大鼠在染毒3、6、12、24、48、72 h后尾静脉COHB水平和脑皮质含水量显著升高,脑皮质AQP4,p38 MAPK,NKCC1,GFAP和S100B蛋白表达水平显著升高,染毒7 d后恢复正常(P<0.05); 与CO组比较,布美他尼组、MAPK组和AQP4抑制剂组大鼠脑皮质含水量显著降低,脑皮质AQP4,p38 MAPK,NKCC1,GFAP和S100B蛋白表达水平显著降低,且AQP4抑制剂组变化更明显(P<0.05)。结论 p38-MAPK/NKCC信号通路可能参与调控CO中毒DEACMP大鼠脑皮质AQP4表达,抑制AQP4表达可有效减轻大鼠脑水肿并改善预后,有望成为预防和治疗DEACMP的新靶点。     

In silico mapping of polymorphic miRNA–mRNA interactions in autoimmune thyroid diseases

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and translation. The genetic variants altering miRNA targets have been associated with many diseases. Here we systematically mapped the human genetic polymorphisms that may affect miRNA–mRNA interactions in the autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) pathway. We also mapped the polymorphic miRNA target sites in the genes that have been linked to AITDs or other thyroid-related diseases/phenotypes in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These genetic polymorphisms may potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of AITDs and other thyroid diseases. The polymorphic miRNA–mRNA interactions we mapped in the AITD pathway and the GWAS-informed thyroid disease loci may provide insights into the possible miRNA-mediated molecular mechanisms through which genetic variants assert their influences on thyroid diseases and phenotypes.     

Sjogren's Syndrome

The architectural chromosomal protein high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) acts as an alarmin when released from cells. It is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. HMGB1 can undergo post-translational modifications including oxidation. However, the mechanisms and functional relevance of HMGB1 oxidation are not yet understood. Increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been reported during apoptosis and necrosis. Hence, we investigated the oxidative status of HMGB1 in dead cells. Immunoblot analyses under reducing and non-reducing conditions revealed that HMGB1 is oxidized in dead cells. Moreover, tagging of oxidized cysteine residues by a maleimide moiety linked to polyethylene glycol showed that HMGB1 passively released from primary and secondary necrotic cells was predominantly oxidized. Also HMGB1 in plasma of patients with systemic lupus was reversibly oxidized. In conclusion, HMGB1 undergoes reversible oxidative modifications at cysteine residues during cell death, which may modulate its biological properties.     

Neonatal Lupus: Review of Proposed Pathogenesis and Clinical Data from the US-based Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus

Congenitial heart block (CHB), a life-threatening manifestation of neonatal lupus, offers a unique opportunity to study the effector arm of immunity and define the pathogenicity of an autoantibody in mediating tissue injury. This review focuses on our recent in vitro model which supports a cascade from antibody insult to unchecked fibrosis. In brief, it is proposed that the fetal cardiac myocyte undergoes apoptosis which facilitates transfer of intracellular Ro and La antigens to the surface where they are bound by circulating maternal autoantibodies (anti-SSA/Ro-SSB/La antibodies). Scavenging macrophages phagocytose these inadvertently "opsonized" cardiocytes, leading to the secretion of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines, the latter of which transdifferentiate fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and thereby promote scarring. Immunohistologic study of a heart from a neonate dying of CHB supports this model in that macrophages and myofibroblasts were demonstrated. To facilitate both basic and clinical research, a Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus was established in 1994 by the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Maternal and fetal outcomes are addressed as well as recurrence rates. Laboratory evaluation and management decisions during pregnancy are provided.     

TOLERABILITY OF NIMESULIDE AND PARACETAMOL IN PATIENTS WITH NSAID-INDUCED URTICARIA/ANGIOEDEMA

Previous studies evaluated the tolerance of nimesulide and paracetamol in subjects with cutaneous, respiratory and anaphylactoid reactions induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

In this study we investigated tolerability and reliability of nimesulide and paracetamol in a very large number of patients with an exclusive well-documented history of NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema. Furthermore, we evaluated whether some factors have the potential to increase the risk of reaction to paracetamol and nimesulide.

A single-placebo-controlled oral challenge procedure with nimesulide or paracetamol was applied to 829 patients with a history of NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema.

A total of 75/829 (9.4%) patients experienced reactions to nimesulide or paracetamol. Of the 715 patients tested with nimesulide 62 (8.6%) showed a positive test, while of 114 subjects submitted to the challenge with paracetamol, 13 (9.6%) did not tolerate this drug. Furthermore, 18.28% of patients with a history of chronic urticaria and 11.8% of subjects with an history of NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or angioedema alone (with or without chronic urticaria) resulted to be intolerant to alternative drugs.

Taken together, our results confirm the good tolerability of nimesulide and paracetamol in patients who experienced urticaria/angioedema caused by NSAIDs. However, the risk of reaction to these alternative study drugs is statistically increased by a history of chronic urticaria and, above all, by a history of NSAID-induced angioedema.     

Acute Depletion and Recovery of Peritoneal B-1 Lymphocytes in BALB/c Mice after a Single Injection of Mercury Chloride

The acute toxicity of mercury (Hg) to B cells was studied in the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice, a coelomic space where both B-1 and B-2 subsets of B lymphocytes are present. Up to 24 hr after a single in situ Hg injection, the peritoneal cavity became virtually devoid of lymphocytes, particularly of the B-1 subset. Lymphocyte depletion was more severe for B than T cells. This depletion was associated with partial lymphocyte activation (CD69⁺) at 6 hr of treatment and it was due to apoptosis rather than to necrosis. Partial recovery of both B and T cells was observed in the peritoneal cavity 48 hr after the Hg injection. The phenomenon was followed by a second decrease in peritoneal lymphocytes 72 hr after Hg. Neutrophils that entered the peritoneal cavity because of the Hg injection were resistant to apoptosis. No significant changes in lymphocyte number or subpopulation were found in the spleen and thymus of the mice up to 72 hr after the Hg treatment. We concluded that B lymphocytes were severely affected by the toxic effects of Hg. Our data suggest that Hg-induced unbalance in the repertoire of B cells, of the B-1 subset in particular, may result later in the secretion of the high titres of pathogenic autoantibodies that are found in the Hg-induced lupus disorder of BALB/c mice.