Flaxseed oil supplementation increases plasma F1-phytoprostanes in healthy men

Supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to reduce lipid peroxidation products formed from arachidonic acid (F(2)-isoprostanes) in healthy humans, as well as in those under oxidative stress. alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a precursor to EPA and DHA; however, its conversion in humans is thought to be inefficient. ALA can also undergo free radical oxidation, forming compounds known as F(1)-phytoprostanes, which are found in all plants and are in high concentrations in plant pollens. In this study, we examined the effect of ALA supplementation on plasma and urine F(1)-phytoprostane and F(2)-isoprostane concentrations in men. Thirty-six nonsmoking men, aged 20-65 y, were recruited from the general population and randomly allocated to consume 9 g/d of either flaxseed oil (62% ALA, 5.4 g/d) or olive oil (placebo) for 4 wk in a parallel design. At baseline and after 4 wk of supplementation, blood samples and a 24-h urine sample were collected for measurement of plasma and urinary F(1)-phytoprostanes and F(2)-isoprostanes and plasma fatty acids. Compared with the olive oil group, plasma phospholipid ALA was greater (P < 0.0001), as were F(1)-phytoprostanes in plasma (P = 0.049) and urine (P = 0.06) in the flaxseed oil group after 4 wk supplementation. Flaxseed oil did not affect plasma or urinary F(2)-isoprostanes. The greater plasma F(1)-phytoprostane concentration in the flaxseed oil group most likely resulted from the increased plasma concentration of the ALA substrate and/or the F(1)-phytoprostane content of the flaxseed oil. Future studies are needed to determine the physiological importance of increased plasma and urine F(1)-phytoprostanes and their relevance to heart disease prevention.

New bioactive oxylipins formed by non-enzymatic free-radical-catalyzed pathways: the phytoprostanes

In animals and plants, fatty acids with at least three double bonds can be oxidized to prostaglandin-like compounds via enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. The most common fatty acid precursor in mammals is arachidonic acid (C20:4) (AA) which can be converted through the cyclooxygenase pathway to a series of prostaglandins (PG). Non-enzymatic cyclization of arachidonate yields a series of isoprostanes (IsoP) which comprises all PG (minor compounds) as well as PG isomers that cannot be formed enzymatically. In contrast, in plants, alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3) (ALA) is the most common substrate for the allene oxide synthase pathway leading to the jasmonate (JA) family of lipid mediators. Non-enzymatic oxidation of linolenate leads to a series of C18-IsoPs termed dinor IsoP or phytoprostanes (PP). PP structurally resemble JA but cannot be formed enzymatically. We will give an overview of the biological activity of the different classes of PP and also discuss their analytical applications and the strategies developed so far for the total synthesis of PP, depending on the synthetic approaches according to the targets and which key steps serve to access the natural products.

Reactive electrophilic oxylipins: pattern recognition and signalling

Oxidized lipids in plants comprise a variety of reactive electrophiles that contain an alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group. While some of these compounds are formed enzymatically, many of them are formed by non-enzymatic pathways. In addition to their chemical reactivity/toxicity low levels of these compounds are also biologically active. Despite their structural diversity and biosynthetic origin, common biological activities such as induction of defense genes, activation of detoxification responses and growth inhibition have been documented. However, reactive electrophilic oxylipins are poorly defined as a class of compounds but have at least two properties in common, i.e., lipophilicity and thiol-reactivity. Thiol-reactivity is a property of reactive oxylipins (RES) shared by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) and enables these agents to modify proteins in vivo. Thiol-modification is assumed to represent a key mechanism involved in signal transduction. A metaanalysis of proteomic studies reveals that RES oxylipins, ROS and RNS apparently chemically modify a similar set of highly sensitive proteins, virtually all of which are targets for thioredoxins. Moreover, most of these proteins are redox-regulated, i.e., posttranslational thiol-modification alters the activity or function of these proteins. On the transcriptome level, effects of RES oxylipins and ROS on gene induction substantially overlap but are clearly different. Besides electrophilicity other structural properties such as target affinity apparently determine target selectivity and biological activity. In this context, different signalling mechanisms and signal transduction components identified in plants and non-plant organisms as well as putative functions of RES oxylipins are discussed.

Biologically active oxidized lipids (phytoprostanes) in the plant diet and parenteral lipid nutrition

Phytoprostanes (PP) are autoxidation products of alpha-linolenate that are present in all plant tissues. Several classes of PP with a prostaglandin (PG) F1-, E1-, A1- and B1-like structure were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in vegetable oils and parenteral nutrition (intralipid). High levels of PP (0.09 up to 99 mg/l) were found even in apparently fresh vegetable oils. After oral consumption of olive or soybean oil, PPF1 were absorbed, found to circulate in plasma in conjugated form and excreted in free form into urine. Evidence is emerging that certain PP, such as the PPE1, may modulate the function of immune cells in a PG-like fashion. Here, we show that PPA1- and deoxy-PPJ1 display potent anti-inflammatory and apoptosis inducing activities similar to PGA1 and deoxy-PGJ2. Results of this study indicate that PP are novel, biologically active lipids in plant nutrition.

Pollen-derived E1-phytoprostanes signal via PPAR-gamma and NF-kappaB-dependent mechanisms

In a humid milieu such as mucosal surfaces, pollen grains do not only release allergens but also proinflammatory and immunomodulatory lipids, termed pollen-associated lipid mediators. Among these, the E(1)-phytoprostanes (PPE(1)) were identified to modulate dendritic cell (DC) function: PPE(1) inhibit the DC's capacity to produce IL-12 and enhance DC mediated T(H)2 polarization of naive T cells. The mechanism(s) by which PPE(1) act on DC remained elusive. We thus analyzed candidate signaling elements and their role in PPE(1)-mediated regulation of DC function. Aqueous birch pollen extracts induced a marked cAMP response in DC that could be blocked partially by EP2 and EP4 antagonists. In contrast, PPE(1) hardly induced cAMP and the inhibitory effect on IL-12 production was mostly independent of EP2 and EP4. Instead, PPE(1) inhibited the LPS-induced production of IL-12 p70 by a mechanism involving the nuclear receptor PPAR-gamma. Finally, PPE(1) efficiently blocked NF-kappaB signaling in DCs by inhibiting IkappaB-alpha degradation, translocation of p65 to the nucleus, and binding to its target DNA elements. We conclude that pollen-derived PPE(1) modulate DC function via PPAR-gamma dependent pathways that lead to inhibition of NFkappaB activation and result in reduced DC IL-12 production and consecutive T(H)2 polarization.

Jasmonic acid-induced volatiles of Brassica oleracea attract parasitoids: effects of time and dose, and comparison with induction by herbivores

Caterpillar feeding induces direct and indirect defences in brassicaceous plants. This study focused on the role of the octadecanoid pathway in induced indirect defence in Brassica oleracea. The effect of induction by exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) on the responses of Brussels sprouts plants and on host-location behaviour of associated parasitoid wasps was studied. Feeding by the biting-chewing herbivores Pieris rapae and Plutella xylostella resulted in significantly increased endogenous levels of JA, a central component in the octadecanoid signalling pathway that mediates induced plant defence. The levels of the intermediate 12-oxophyto-dienoic acid (OPDA) were significantly induced only after P. rapae feeding. Three species of parasitoid wasps, Cotesia glomerata, C. rubecula, and Diadegma semiclausum, differing in host range and host specificity, were tested for their behavioural responses to volatiles from herbivore-induced, JA-induced, and non-induced plants. All three species were attracted to volatiles from JA-induced plants compared with control plants; however, they preferred volatiles from herbivore-induced plants over volatiles from JA-induced plants. Attraction of C. glomerata depended on both timing and dose of JA application. JA-induced plants produced larger quantities of volatiles than herbivore-induced and control plants, indicating that not only quantity, but also quality of the volatile blend is important in the host-location behaviour of the wasps.

Genetic distortion of the balance between punishment and relief learning in Drosophila

An experience with electric shock can support two opposing kinds of behavioral effects: Stimuli that precede shock during training are subsequently avoided as predictors for punishment, whereas stimuli that follow shock during training are later on approached, as they predict relief. We show here, for the fruit fly Drosophila, that upon the loss of white-function, the balance between these two kinds of learning is distorted in favor of punishment learning: white1118 mutants show stronger punishment learning and weaker relief learning, as compared to wild type flies. Thus, white1118 mutants establish, overall, more "negative" memories for the shock experience. This only concerns the mnemonic effects of the shock; the immediate, reflexive responsiveness to shock remains unaltered. Also, learning about reward is apparently unaffected, both in adult and larval Drosophila. Prompted by the proposed function of the White protein as the transporter for biogenic amine precursors, we probed the brains of white1118 mutants for the amounts of biogenic amines (octopamine, tyramine, dopamine, and serotonin) by using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Using this method, we found, however, no difference between white1118 and wild type files for any of the probed amines. In any event, analyses of how the white1118 mutation affects the balance between punishment and relief learning should provide a study case of how heritable distortions of such balance can come about. Finally, the effects of the white1118 mutation should be considered as a source of confound when using white as the "marker gene" in behavior-genetic analyses of any sort.

Immune-related proteins induced in the hemolymph after aseptic and septic injury differ in honey bee worker larvae and adults

We have employed the proteomic approach in combination with mass spectrometry to study the immune response of honey bee workers at different developmental stages. Analysis of the hemolymph proteins of noninfected, mock-infected and immune-challenged individuals by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed differences in the protein profiles. We present evidence that in vitro reared honey bee larvae respond with a prominent humoral reaction to aseptic and septic injury as documented by the transient synthesis of the three antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hymenoptaecin, defensin1, and abaecin. In contrast, young adult worker bees react with a broader spectrum of immune reactions that include the activation of prophenoloxidase and humoral immune responses. At least seven proteins appeared consistently in the hemolymph of immune-challenged bees, three of which are identical to the AMPs induced also in larvae. The other four, i.e., phenoloxidase (PO), peptidoglycan recognition protein-S2, carboxylesterase (CE), and an Apis-specific protein not assigned to any function (HP30), are induced specifically in adult bees and, with the exception of PO, are not expressed after aseptic injury. Structural features of CE and HP30, such as classical leucine zipper motifs, together with their strong simultaneous induction upon challenge with bacteria suggest an important role of the two novel bee-specific immune proteins in response to microbial infections.

General detoxification and stress responses are mediated by oxidized lipids through TGA transcription factors in Arabidopsis

12-oxo-phytodienoic acid and several phytoprostanes are cyclopentenone oxylipins that are formed via the enzymatic jasmonate pathway and a nonenzymatic, free radical-catalyzed pathway, respectively. Both types of cyclopentenone oxylipins induce the expression of genes related to detoxification, stress responses, and secondary metabolism, a profile clearly distinct from that of the cyclopentanone jasmonic acid. Microarray analyses revealed that 60% of the induction by phytoprostanes and 30% of the induction by 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid was dependent on the TGA transcription factors TGA2, TGA5, and TGA6. Moreover, treatment with phytoprostanes and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid inhibited cell division and root growth, a property also shared by jasmonic acid. Besides being potent signals, cyclopentenones and other lipid peroxidation products are reactive electrophiles that can covalently bind to and damage proteins. To this end, we show that at least two of the induced detoxification enzymes efficiently metabolize cyclopentenones in vitro. Accumulation of two of these metabolites was detectable during Pseudomonas infection. The cyclopentenone oxylipin gene induction profile resembles the defense response induced by a variety of lipophilic xenobiotics. Hence, oxidized lipids may activate chemosensory mechanisms of a general broad-spectrum detoxification network involving TGA transcription factors.

Nutritional upgrading for omnivorous carpenter ants by the endosymbiont Blochmannia

BACKGROUND

Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) are considered to be omnivores. Nonetheless, the genome sequence of Blochmannia floridanus, the obligate intracellular endosymbiont of Camponotus floridanus, suggests a function in nutritional upgrading of host resources by the bacterium. Thus, the strongly reduced genome of the endosymbiont retains genes for all subunits of a functional urease, as well as those for biosynthetic pathways for all but one (arginine) of the amino acids essential to the host.

RESULTS

Nutritional upgrading by Blochmannia was tested in 90-day feeding experiments with brood-raising in worker-groups on chemically defined diets with and without essential amino acids and treated or not with antibiotics. Control groups were fed with cockroaches, honey water and Bhatkar agar. Worker-groups were provided with brood collected from the queenright mother-colonies (45 eggs and 45 first instar larvae each). Brood production did not differ significantly between groups of symbiotic workers on diets with and without essential amino acids. However, aposymbiotic worker groups raised significantly less brood on a diet lacking essential amino acids. Reduced brood production by aposymbiotic workers was compensated when those groups were provided with essential amino acids in their diet. Decrease of endosymbionts due to treatment with antibiotic was monitored by qRT-PCR and FISH after the 90-day experimental period. Urease function was confirmed by feeding experiments using 15N-labelled urea. GC-MS analysis of 15N-enrichment of free amino acids in workers revealed significant labelling of the non-essential amino acids alanine, glycine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid, as well as of the essential amino acids methionine and phenylalanine.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that endosymbiotic Blochmannia nutritionally upgrade the diet of C. floridanus hosts to provide essential amino acids, and that it may also play a role in nitrogen recycling via its functional urease. Blochmannia may confer a significant fitness advantage via nutritional upgrading by enhancing competitive ability of Camponotus with other ant species lacking such an endosymbiont. Domestication of the endosymbiont may have facilitated the evolutionary success of the genus Camponotus.

Oxidative degradation of lipids during mashing

Although hardly any polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are present in the endproduct, the ingredients used for the production of beer contain a high concentration of PUFAs, such as linolic and linolenic acid. These compounds are readily oxidized, resulting in the formation of lipid-derived products that reduce the taste and quality of beer enormously. During mashing relatively high amounts of PUFAs are exposed to atmospheric oxygen at a relatively high temperature. This makes mashing a critical step in the brewing process with regard to the formation of lipid-derived off-taste products. F1 phytoprostane (PPF1) changes in antioxidant capacity and monohydroxy fatty acids (OH-FAs) were used as markers for the detection of oxidative damage to fatty acids during mashing. The pattern of OH-FA formation indicates that enzymatic oxidation of PUFAs is more important than nonenzymatic oxidation during the mashing process. Nevertheless, substantial nonenzymatic radical formation is evident from the increase of specific OH-FAs and PPF1s. It was found that a low oxygen tension reduces oxidative damage and gives a high antioxidant capacity of the mashing mixture. This indicates that mashing should be done under low oxygen pressure.

Proteome analysis of Apis mellifera royal jelly

Royal jelly plays a pivotal role in the development of honey bee larvae. However, while various health promoting properties of royal jelly have been reported, most of the active substances within royal jelly that lead to these properties are still unknown. Since up to 50% (dry mass) of royal jelly is protein, royal jelly proteome analysis is a promising starting point for attempts to identify the proteins that provide health-promoting effects. However, the comprehensive analysis of royal jelly proteins is hampered by the enormous abundance of some proteins in the major royal jelly protein family, which constitutes 80-90% of the royal jelly proteome. The high heterogeneity of these proteins is an additional challenge for proteomic analysis, since it necessitates the use of analytical techniques that provide high resolution and a wide dynamic range. The application of individual methods such as 2D-PAGE or multidimensional chromatography can only yield certain subpopulations of a proteome due to the specific bias of each method. We applied different methods for the prefractionation and separation of royal jelly proteins in order to circumvent the shortcomings of the individual techniques and achieve a high coverage of the royal jelly proteome. In this way, we were able to identify 20 different proteins in total, as well as to show a very high degree of cleavage of different proteins of the major royal jelly protein family. Furthermore, we investigated the protein phosphorylation of royal jelly proteins, and identified and located two phosphorylation sites within venom protein 2.

Immunomodulatory effects of aqueous birch pollen extracts and phytoprostanes on primary immune responses in vivo

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated that pollen not only function as allergen carriers but also as rich sources of bioactive lipids, such as phytoprostanes, that modulate human dendritic cell (DC) function in a way that results in an enhanced T(H)2 polarization in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

Here we analyzed the immunomodulatory capacities of Betula alba (white birch) aqueous pollen extracts (Bet-APEs) and pollen-associated phytoprostanes in the murine system in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

DC function was analyzed in vitro by using BALB/c bone marrow-derived DCs. T-cell responses were analyzed with DO11.10 peptide 323-339 from chicken ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4 T cells as responder cells. For in vivo studies, OVA-specific CD4 T cells were adoptively transferred into BALB/c mice. Twenty-four hours later, mice were challenged by means of intranasal application of OVA in the absence or presence of Bet-APEs or phytoprostanes. Polarization of T-cell responses in vivo was analyzed in draining lymph node cells.

RESULTS

In vitro Bet-APEs and E(1)-phytoprostanes dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced IL-12p70 of DCs. In addition, Bet-APEs induced a T(H)2 polarization in vitro. Similarly, intranasal instillation of Bet-APEs in vivo, together with the antigen, lead to increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 secretion and decreased IFN-gamma secretion from antigen-specific T cells in the draining lymph nodes. In contrast, intranasal E1- and F1-phytoprostanes downregulated both T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokine production in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Pollen release water-soluble factors that display T(H)2-polarizing capacities in vivo independently of E(1)- and F(1)-phytoprostanes.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Identification of the underlying mechanisms might open new approaches for pharmacologic intervention.

Immunomodulatory mediators from pollen enhance the migratory capacity of dendritic cells and license them for Th2 attraction

The immune response of atopic individuals against allergens is characterized by increased levels of Th2 cytokines and chemokines. However, the way in which the cytokine/chemokine profile is matched to the type of invading allergen, and why these profiles sometimes derail and lead to disease, is not well understood. We recently demonstrated that pollen modulates dendritic cell (DC) function in a way that results in an enhanced capacity to initiate Th2 responses in vitro. Here, we examined the effects of aqueous birch pollen extracts (Bet.-APE) on chemokine receptor expression and chemokine production by human monocyte-derived DCs. Bet.-APE strongly induced expression and function of CXCR4 and reduced CCR1 and CCR5 expression on immature DCs. In addition, DC treatment with Bet.-APE significantly reduced LPS-induced production of CXCL10/IP-10, CCL5/RANTES; induced CCL22/macrophage-derived chemokine; and did not significantly change release of CCL17/thymus and activation-regulated chemokine. At a functional level, Bet.-APE increased the capacity of LPS-stimulated DCs to attract Th2 cells, whereas the capacity to recruit Th1 cells was reduced. Bet.-APE significantly and dose-dependently enhanced intracellular cAMP, suggesting that water-soluble factors from pollen grains bind a G(alphas)-protein-coupled receptor. E(1)-Phytoprostanes were identified to be one player in the Th2-polarizing potential of aqueous pollen extracts. In summary, our results demonstrate that pollen itself releases regulatory mediators which generate a Th2-promoting micromilieu with preferential recruitment of Th2 cells to the site of pollen exposure.

Early accumulation of non-enzymatically synthesised oxylipins in Arabidopsis thaliana after infection with Pseudomonas syringae

The formation of non-enzymatic oxylipins is catalysed by reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are produced in response to pathogen attack. In this study, the accumulation of non-enzymatically formed hydroxy fatty acids and F₁-phytoprostanes in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heyhn upon infection with Pseudomonas syringae was investigated and compared with the accumulation of the enzymatically formed oxylipins jasmonic acid and 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid. Levels of all oxylipins increased after infection with a virulent and with an avirulent strain of P. syringae. Inoculation of the avirulent strain resulted in a biphasic accumulation with a first maximum around 5 h which was missing after inoculation of the virulent strain. Levels of free and esterified hydroxy fatty acids and F₁-phytoprostanes increased after pathogen treatment; however, esterified compounds were 30 times more abundant than free oxylipins. The increase of the free compounds occurred later than the increase of the esterified compounds suggesting that non-enzymatic lipid oxidation occurs predominantly in membranes from which oxidised lipids can be released.

Response of neutron detectors to high-energy mixed radiation fields

Radiation protection around CERN's high-energy accelerators represents a major challenge due to the presence of complex, mixed radiation fields. Behind thick shielding neutrons dominate and their energy ranges from fractions of eV to about 1 GeV. In this work the response of various portable detectors sensitive to neutrons was studied at CERN's High-Energy Reference Field Facility (CERF). The measurements were carried out with conventional rem counters, which usually cover neutron energies up to 20 MeV, the Thermo WENDI-2, which is specified to measure neutrons up to several GeV, and a tissue-equivalent proportional counter. The experimentally determined neutron dose equivalent results were compared with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Based on these studies field calibration factors can be determined, which result in a more reliable estimate of H*(10) in an unknown, but presumably similar high-energy field around an accelerator than a calibration factor determined in a radiation field of a reference neutron source.

Visualization of dynamics of plant-pathogen interaction by novel combination of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and statistical analysis: differential effects of virulent and avirulent strains of P. syringae and of oxylipins on A. thaliana

Pathogen infection leads to defence induction as well as to changes in carbohydrate metabolism of plants. Salicylic acid and oxylipins are involved in the induction of defence, but it is not known if these signalling molecules also mediate changes in carbohydrate metabolism. In this study, the effect of application of salicylic acid and the oxylipins 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) and jasmonic acid on photosynthesis was investigated by kinetic chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and compared with the effects of infection by virulent and avirulent strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Both pathogen strains and OPDA caused a similar change in fluorescence parameters of leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The response to OPDA appeared faster compared with that to the pathogens and persisted only for a short time. Infiltration with jasmonic acid or salicylic acid did not lead to a localized and distinct fluorescence response of the plant. To capture the faint early symptoms of the plant response, a novel algorithm was applied identifying the unique fluorescence signature-the set of images that, when combined, yield the highest contrast between control and infected leaf segments. Unlike conventional fluorescence parameters, this non-biased approach indeed detected the infection as early as 6 h after inoculation with bacteria. It was posssible to identify distinct fluorescence signatures characterizing the early and late phases of the infection. Fluorescence signatures of both infection phases were found in leaves infiltrated with OPDA.

Nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation reprograms gene expression and activates defense markers in Arabidopsis tocopherol-deficient mutants

Tocopherols (vitamin E) are lipophilic antioxidants that are synthesized by all plants and are particularly abundant in seeds. Two tocopherol-deficient mutant loci in Arabidopsis thaliana were used to examine the functions of tocopherols in seedlings: vitamin e1 (vte1), which accumulates the pathway intermediate 2,3-dimethyl-5-phytyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMPBQ); and vte2, which lacks all tocopherols and pathway intermediates. Only vte2 displayed severe seedling growth defects, which corresponded with massively increased levels of the major classes of nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation products: hydroxy fatty acids, malondialdehyde, and phytoprostanes. In the absence of pathogens, the phytoalexin camalexin accumulated in vte2 seedlings to levels 100-fold higher than in wild-type or vte1 seedlings. Similarly, gene expression profiling in wild-type, vte1, and vte2 seedlings indicated that increased levels of nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation in vte2 corresponded to increased expression of many defense-related genes, which were not induced in vte1. Both biochemical and transcriptional analyses of vte2 seedlings indicate that nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation plays a significant role in modulating plant defense responses. Together, these results establish that tocopherols in wild-type plants or DMPBQ in vte1 plants limit nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation during germination and early seedling development, thereby preventing the inappropriate activation of transcriptional and biochemical defense responses.

An integrated view of gene expression and solute profiles of Arabidopsis tumors: a genome-wide approach

Transformation of plant cells with T-DNA of virulent agrobacteria is one of the most extreme triggers of developmental changes in higher plants. For rapid growth and development of resulting tumors, specific changes in the gene expression profile and metabolic adaptations are required. Increased transport and metabolic fluxes are critical preconditions for growth and tumor development. A functional genomics approach, using the Affymetrix whole genome microarray (approximately 22,800 genes), was applied to measure changes in gene expression. The solute pattern of Arabidopsis thaliana tumors and uninfected plant tissues was compared with the respective gene expression profile. Increased levels of anions, sugars, and amino acids were correlated with changes in the gene expression of specific enzymes and solute transporters. The expression profile of genes pivotal for energy metabolism, such as those involved in photosynthesis, mitochondrial electron transport, and fermentation, suggested that tumors produce C and N compounds heterotrophically and gain energy mainly anaerobically. Thus, understanding of gene-to-metabolite networks in plant tumors promotes the identification of mechanisms that control tumor development.

Yeast increases resistance in Arabidopsis against Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea by salicylic acid-dependent as well as -independent mechanisms

Cell-wall and glucopeptide components of yeast have been reported to exhibit elicitor activity. The mode of action of defense activation by yeast is not known so far. In this study, we used the model plant Arabidopsis to investigate the activation of defense responses by yeast, the effect on resistance against different pathogens, and the mode of action. Treatment of Arabidopsis plants with an autoclaved yeast suspension induced the expression of systemic acquired resistance-related genes and accumulation of the phytoalexin camalexin. Symptom development and bacterial growth after infection with a virulent strain of the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae was reduced in yeast-pretreated plants. No protection was detectable in mutants affected in the salicylate pathway, while mutants in the jasmonate or camalexin pathway were protected by yeast, indicating that the salicylate pathway is necessary for the yeast-induced resistance against P. syringae. Yeast also reduced symptom development after challenge with Botrytis cinerea. This protection was detectable in all mutants tested, indicating that it is independent of the salicylate, jasmonate, and camalexin pathway.

Oxylipin analysis methods

Practical guidelines for monitoring and measuring compounds such as jasmonates, ketols, ketodi(tri)enes and hydroxy-fatty acids as well as detecting the presence of novel oxylipins are presented. Additionally, a protocol for the penetrant analysis of non-enzymatic lipid oxidation is described. Each of the methods, which employ gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, can be applied without specialist knowledge or recourse to the latest analytical instrumentation. Additional information on oxylipin quantification and novel protocols for preparing oxygen isotope-labelled internal standards are provided. Four developing areas of research are identified: (i) profiling of the unbound cellular pools of oxylipins; (ii) profiling of esterified oxylipins and/or monitoring of their release from parent lipids; (iii) monitoring of non-enzymatic lipid oxidation; (iv) analysis of unstable and reactive oxylipins. The methods and protocols presented herein are designed to give technical insights into the first three areas and to provide a platform from which to enter the fourth area.

Signal signature and transcriptome changes of Arabidopsis during pathogen and insect attack

Plant defenses against pathogens and insects are regulated differentially by cross-communicating signaling pathways in which salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) play key roles. To understand how plants integrate pathogen- and insect-induced signals into specific defense responses, we monitored the dynamics of SA, JA, and ET signaling in Arabidopsis after attack by a set of microbial pathogens and herbivorous insects with different modes of attack. Arabidopsis plants were exposed to a pathogenic leaf bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato), a pathogenic leaf fungus (Alternaria brassicicola), tissue-chewing caterpillars (Pieris rapae), cell-content-feeding thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), or phloem-feeding aphids (Myzus persicae). Monitoring the signal signature in each plant-attacker combination showed that the kinetics of SA, JA, and ET production varies greatly in both quantity and timing. Analysis of global gene expression profiles demonstrated that the signal signature characteristic of each Arabidopsis-attacker combination is orchestrated into a surprisingly complex set of transcriptional alterations in which, in all cases, stress-related genes are overrepresented. Comparison of the transcript profiles revealed that consistent changes induced by pathogens and insects with very different modes of attack can show considerable overlap. Of all consistent changes induced by A. brassicicola, Pieris rapae, and E occidentalis, more than 50% also were induced consistently by P. syringae. Notably, although these four attackers all stimulated JA biosynthesis, the majority of the changes in JA-responsive gene expression were attacker specific. All together, our study shows that SA, JA, and ET play a primary role in the orchestration of the plant's defense response, but other regulatory mechanisms, such as pathway cross-talk or additional attacker-induced signals, eventually shape the highly complex attacker-specific defense response.

Pollen-associated phytoprostanes inhibit dendritic cell interleukin-12 production and augment T helper type 2 cell polarization

Pollen grains induce allergies in susceptible individuals by release of allergens upon contact with mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract. We recently demonstrated that pollen not only function as allergen carriers but also as rich sources of bioactive lipids that attract cells involved in allergic inflammation such as neutrophils and eosinophils. Here we demonstrate that soluble factors from birch (Betula alba L.) pollen activate human dendritic cells (DCs) as documented by phenotypical and functional maturation and altered cytokine production. Betula alba L. aqueous pollen extracts (Bet.-APE) selectively inhibited interleukin (IL)-12 p70 production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or CD40L-activated DC, whereas IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα remained unchanged. Presence of Bet.-APE during DC activation resulted in DC with increased T helper type 2 (Th2) cell and reduced Th1 cell polarizing capacity. Chemical analysis of Bet.-APE revealed the presence of phytoprostanes (dinor isoprostanes) with prostaglandin E₁-, F₁-, A₁-, or B₁-ring systems of which only E₁-phytoprostanes dose dependently inhibited the LPS-induced IL-12 p70 release and augmented the Th2 cell polarizing capacity of DC. These results suggest that pollen-derived E₁-phytoprostanes not only resemble endogenous prostaglandin E₂ structurally but also functionally in that they act as regulators that modulate human DC function in a fashion that favors Th2 cell polarization.