Calpain-dependent cleavage of SHP-1 and SHP-2 is involved in the dephosphorylation of Jurkat T cells induced by Entamoeba histolytica

Host cell death induced by Entamoeba histolytica is an important mechanism for both host defence and microbial immune evasion during human amoebiasis. However, the signalling pathways underlying cell death induced by E. histolytica are not fully understood. This study investigated the involvement of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) SHP-1 and SHP-2 in the dephosphorylation associated with E. histolytica-induced host cell death. Incubation with E. histolytica resulted in a marked decrease in protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels and degradation of SHP-1 or SHP-2 in Jurkat cells. Pre-treatment of cells with a calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, impeded the amoeba-induced dephosporylation and cleavage of SHP-1 or SHP-2. Additionally, inhibition of PTPs with phenylarsine oxide (PAO) attenuated Entamoeba-induced dephosphorylation and DNA fragmentation in Jurkat T cells. These results suggest that calpain-dependent cleavage of SHP-1 and SHP-2 may contribute to protein tyrosine dephosphorylation in Jurkat T cell death induced by E. histolytica.

Mitochondrial respiration is required for activation of ERK1/2 and caspase-3 in human eosinophils stimulated with hydrogen peroxide

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils are important effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. Oxidative stress in the form of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several allergic diseases. Recently, it has become evident that mitochondrial-derived ROS are important transducers of apoptosis and intracellular signaling. In this study, we investigated the role of mitochondrial ROS in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1 and 2-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-3 in human eosinophils stimulated with H2O2.

METHODS

Human eosinophils were purified using immunomagnetic negative selection and then stimulated with H2O. H2O2-induced eosinophil apoptosis was measured by staining cells with annexin V. Activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and caspases was assessed by Western blotting. Eosinophils were pretreated with rotenone, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, before H2O2 was added.

RESULTS

Treatment with 1 mM H2O2 induced externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and activation of caspases in eosinophils. H2O2-triggered PS externalization and cleavage of caspase-3 were markedly inhibited by pretreatment with the mitochondrial ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In addition, H2O2 strongly induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but not ERK5, in eosinophils. Hydrogen peroxide-triggered activation of caspase-3 and ERK1/2 was attenuated by pretreatment with rotenone.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that mitochondrial respiration is essential for activation of ERK1/2 and caspase-3 in human eosinophils stimulated with H2O2.

Association of the -2510A/G chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 polymorphism with knee osteoarthritis in a Korean population

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible association between polymorphisms [the -2510A/G promoter polymorphism (rs1024611) and the Cys35Cys coding polymorphism (rs4586) in exon 2] of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) gene and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a Korean population.

METHODS

DNA was obtained from 153 Korean primary knee OA patients and 270 healthy controls. CCL2 genomic variants (-2510A/G and Cys35Cys polymorphisms) were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In additional, the effect of -2510A/G on CCL2 transcription was examined, using a luciferase reporter gene construct transfected into HMC-1 cells.

RESULTS

The -2510A/G promoter polymorphism was associated with OA [genotype frequency, p = 0.041; allele frequency, p = 0.017, odds ratio (OR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.96]. Significant association was observed between the G carrier of the -2510A/G promoter polymorphism and primary knee OA patients (p = 0.021, OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.12-4.52). The G carrier of the -2510A/G promoter polymorphism was also associated with both clinically subtyped OA patients (OA patients with functionally poor index and radiographically severe OA patients). However, no significant difference was found in the Cys35Cys polymorphism. Haplotype frequency analysis revealed a significant difference (chi(2) = 8.98, p = 0.030). The CCL2 serum level of subjects with the G carrier (290.0+/-87.5 pg/mL) of the -2510A/G promoter polymorphism was statistically higher than that of subjects with the non-G carrier (161.5+/-48.3 pg/mL). The luciferase activity was significantly greater from interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced cells transfected with constructs containing G at position -2510.

CONCLUSIONS

The G carrier of the -2510A/G promoter polymorphism was found to be associated with primary knee OA, and could be a susceptibility factor in the development of primary knee OA in the Korean population.

First direct-formation and properties of microspherical superstructure. Morphology of diamineplatinum(ii) complexes with isonicotinate

Uniform microspheres (30 microm) of [Pt(en)(iso)(iso.HPF(6))] (en = ethylenediamine; iso = isonicotinate) has been formed without intentional addition of any template, that is, a genuine self-assembly, and their structure, physicochemical properties, and hydrogenation-catalytic activity have been characterized.

Self-assembling structures of long-chain sugar-based amphiphiles influenced by the introduction of double bonds

Nine phenyl glucoside or galactoside amphiphiles possessing a saturated or unsaturated long alkyl-chain group as the self-assembling unit of a highly organized molecular architecture were synthesized. Their self-assembly properties were investigated by using energy-filtering TEM (EF-TEM), SEM, CD, XRD, and FT-IR techniques. Compound 2, possessing one cis double bond in the lipophilic portion, exhibited twisted helical fibers, which formed a bilayered structure with a 3.59 nm period, while 3 exhibited helical ribbons and left-handed nanotubular structures with 150-200 nm inner diameters and a wall thickness of approximately 20 nm. Very interestingly, 4, possessing three cis double bonds, exhibited a nanotubular structure with an inner diameter of approximately 70 nm and a d spacing value of 4.62 nm. On the other hand, 7, possessing two trans double bonds in the lipophilic region, exhibited crystal- or plate-like structures, which formed a bilayer structure with a d spacing value of 3.93 nm. These results indicate that the self-assembly properties are strongly dependent on the type of double bond. Furthermore, 8 and 9, with the galactopyranose moiety, revealed helical ribbon and well-defined double helical fiber structures, respectively. These findings support the view that the orientation of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction between the sugar moieties plays a critical role in producing the nanotubular structures. According to CD and powder XRD experiments, the relatively strong intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction of the glucopyranoside moiety in 3 and 4 provided a highly ordered chiral packing structure. Even though these compounds formed a weak hydrophobic interaction between lipophilic groups, it led to the formation of the nanotubular structure.

Supramolecular Framework with Two Different Kinds of Channels via Self-Assembly of 1D Coordination Polymers in a Prismatic Manner

Slow diffusion of Cu(ClO4)2 with p-C6H4(SiMe2(4-Py))2 yields a supramolecular framework consisting of two kinds of channels via self-assembly of a 1D double-stranded chain in a prismatic fashion. The channel has a 11 x 11 A2 cross section (Cu...C = 11.13 A) with a 6 x 6 A2 square pore. The channels are infinitely arranged, resulting in another kind of channel with similar pores. Thus, two different kinds of channels with different solvate molecules coexist in a 1:2 ratio. Weak C-H...pi interaction may be one of the driving forces in the assembly of the prismatic channel structure.

Rising number of tuberculosis cases among Tibetans in New York City

Tuberculosis among Tibetans increased in New York City between 1995 and 1999. We examined characteristics of 68 Tibetan patients compared to 702 non-Tibetan patients from Nepal, India, or China, diagnosed between January 1995 and December 1999. The number of Tibetan patients increased each year after 1995 whereas non-Tibetans remained stable during the same period. Tibetans were younger (27 vs. 44 years), more likely to be infectious (63% vs. 46%), have multidrug resistance (7% vs. 2%) and shorter time to diagnosis after arrival (9 vs. 79 months, p < 0.01). For Tibetan patients, 68% of identified contacts were evaluated. The prevalence of tuberculosis infection was 65%. In contrast, among non-Tibetan patients 88.8% of contacts were evaluated and 45.2% were infected. Outreach efforts with community leaders and educational presentations at community events have been implemented in an effort to ensure continuity of care and completion of treatment.

Fabrication of Color-Tunable Luminescent Silica Nanotubes Loaded with Functional Dyes Using a Sol−Gel Cocondensation Method

Luminescent silica nanotubes SNT-2 (loaded with coumarion laser dye 2) and SNT-3 (loaded with anthracene laser dye 3) were prepared by sol-gel cocondensation of functional dyes and TEOS in a cholesterol-based organogel system. The emission colors of silica nanotubes were tuned by using different functional dyes. Interestingly, there is a great difference in PL spectrum of silica nanotubes loaded with functional dyes between ethanol and the solid state. In ethanol, a green light emission of SNT-2 and a bluish green light emission of SNT-3 were observed at 486 and 465 nm, respectively, because of the anchoring state between the dye and the tube, whereas in the solid state, strong blue light emissions of SNT-2 and SNT-3 were observed at 482 and 483 nm, respectively, because of the intense emission of the silica nanotube (SNT) itself rather than that of 2 and 3.

Relationship between the Ratio of Ligand to Metal and the Coordinating Ability of Anions. Synthesis and Structural Properties of AgX-Bearing Bis(4-pyridyl)dimethylsilane (X- = NO2-, NO3-, CF3SO3-, and PF6-)

Studies of the anion effects on the molecular construction of a series of AgX complexes with bis(4-pyridyl)dimethylsilane (L) (X- = NO2-, NO3-, CF3SO3-, and PF6-) have been carried out. Formation of the skeletal bonds appears to be primarily associated with a suitable combination of bidentate N-donors of L and a variety of coordination geometries of Ag(I) ions. The L:Ag(I) ratios of the products are dependent on the nature of the polyatomic anions. The 1:1 adduct Ag(I)-L for NO2-, 3:4 adduct for NO3-, 2:3 adduct for CF3SO3-, and 1:2 adduct for PF6- have been obtained. A linear relationship between the ratio of ligand to metal and the coordinating ability of anions was observed. [Ag(NO2)(L)] has a unique sheet structure consisting of double helices, and [Ag3(L)4](NO3)3 is a 2 nm thick interwoven sheet structure consisting of nanotubes. The compound [Ag2(L)3](CF3SO3)2 affords a characteristic ladder-type channel structure, and [Ag(L)2](PF6) is a simple 2D grid structure.

Intensely Luminescent Gold(I)−Silver(I) Cluster Complexes with Tunable Structural Features

A new series of isostructural, brilliantly luminescent gold-silver complexes having the formula [Au3(mu3-E)Ag(PPh2py)3](BF4)2 where E = O, S, Se and Ph2Ppy = 2-diphenylphosphinopyridine has been synthesized and characterized. The structural core of these complexes is a Au3Ag metallophilically linked tetrahedron with a group-16 atom functioning as a mu3-ligand capping the three gold atoms. In the solid state, pairs of clusters are joined by two unsupported aurophilic interactions. The emission energy changes strikingly in going from O (blue) to S (yellow) and Se (orange). The luminescence from the E = O system is the first to be reported for a gold(I) oxo system. Additionally, the luminescent 4-methylpyridyl analogue with E = S has been prepared and structurally characterized. For E = S, Se, the change in emission energy with mu3-bridging atom provides a sound basis for an LMMCT assignment of the excited state while lifetime measurements support its spin-forbidden nature. Frozen glass measurements indicate the presence of a higher-energy emitting state for these systems, and for the E = O system, either LMMCT or metal-centered cluster-based emission can be proposed.