Regulation of aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2; APN; CD13) by interferon-gamma on the HL-60 cell line

Aminopeptidase N/CD13 Crosslinking Promotes the Activation and Membrane Expression of Integrin CD11b/CD18

The β2 integrin CD11b/CD18, also known as complement receptor 3 (CR3), and the moonlighting protein aminopeptidase N (CD13), are two myeloid immune receptors with overlapping activities: adhesion, migration, phagocytosis of opsonized particles, and respiratory burst induction. Given their common functions, shared physical location, and the fact that some receptors can activate a selection of integrins, we hypothesized that CD13 could induce CR3 activation through an inside-out signaling mechanism and possibly have an influence on its membrane expression. We revealed that crosslinking CD13 on the surface of human macrophages not only activates CR3 but also influences its membrane expression. Both phenomena are affected by inhibitors of Src, PLCγ, Syk, and actin polymerization. Additionally, after only 10 min at 37 °C, cells with crosslinked CD13 start secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferons type 1 and 2, IL-12p70, and IL-17a. We integrated our data with a bioinformatic analysis to confirm the connection between these receptors and to suggest the signaling cascade linking them. Our findings expand the list of features of CD13 by adding the activation of a different receptor via inside-out signaling. This opens the possibility of studying the joint contribution of CD13 and CR3 in contexts where either receptor has a recognized role, such as the progression of some leukemias.

Two Dipeptide-Bound Pyrralines with Ile or Ala: A Study on Their Synthesis, Transport across Caco-2 Cell Monolayers, and Interaction with Aminopeptidase N

In this study, pyrralylisoleucine (Pyrr-Ile) and pyrralylalanine (Pyrr-Ala), two dipeptide-bound pyrralines with different C-termini were synthesized as the representatives of dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs). The structures of Pyrr-Ile and Pyrr-Ala were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Then, the transport of Pyrr-Ile and Pyrr-Ala across intestinal epithelial cells was investigated using Caco-2 cell monolayers, and their interaction with aminopeptidase N (APN) was analyzed. The results showed that the apparent permeability coefficient (P_app) of Pyrr-Ala was (14.1 ± 2.26) × 10^-7 cm·s^-1 calculated by free pyrraline, while the P_app values of Pyrr-Ile were (32.4 ± 5.35) × 10^-7 and (19.1 ± 1.46) × 10^-7 cm·s^-1 when they were, respectively, calculated according to their dipeptide-bound or free form. Both Pyrr-Ala and Pyrr-Ile were potential substrates of APN, and their hydrolysis by APN may make the intact transmembrane transport of Pyrr-Ala and Pyrr-Ile more difficult, especially for Pyrr-Ala. Besides, the occurrence of product inhibition in hydrolysis of Pyrr-Ile was possible. Pyrr-Ile and Pyrr-Ala were different in P_app values and transport forms, which suggested that the C-terminus may play an important role in their transport across the Caco-2 cell monolayers. In addition, the results highlight the intact transmembrane transport of dipeptide-bound pyrraline.

Impaired Transmigration of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells across Human Sinusoidal Endothelium Is Associated with Decreased Expression of CD13

Human monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MO-MDSCs) within the hepatic compartment suppress inflammation and impair immune surveillance in liver cancer. It is currently not known whether recruitment of MO-MDSCs from blood via hepatic sinusoidal endothelium (HSEC) contributes to their enrichment within the hepatic compartment. We compared the transmigratory potential of MO-MDSCs and monocytes after adhesion to hepatic endothelial monolayers in flow-based assays that mimic in vivo shear stress in the sinusoids. Despite comparable binding to HSEC monolayers, proportionally fewer MO-MDSCs underwent transendothelial migration, indicating that the final steps of extravasation, where actin polymerization plays an important role, are impaired in MO-MDSCs. In this article, we found reduced levels of CD13 on MO-MDSCs, which has recently been reported to control cell motility in monocytes, alongside reduced VLA-4 expression, an integrin predominantly involved in adherence to the apical side of the endothelium. CD13 and VLA-4 blocking and activating Abs were used in flow-based adhesion assays, live-cell imaging of motility, and actin polymerization studies to confirm a role for CD13 in impaired MO-MDSC transmigration. These findings indicate that CD13 significantly contributes to tissue infiltration by MO-MDSCs and monocytes, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatic inflammation.

Analysis of gene expression in the midgut of Bombyx mori during the larval molting stage

Background

Insects can be models for understanding human intestinal infection and pathology. Molting, a special period during which the old insect cuticle is shed and a new one is produced, is crucial for insect development. Holometabolous insects may experience several larva-to-larva moltings to become larger, a pupal molt and adult eclosion to become adults. During the larval molts, they stop feeding and become quiescent. Although the molting larvae become quiescent, it is not known if changes in microbiome, physiology, development and immunity of midguts occur.

Results

Transcriptome analysis indicated that functions such as metabolism, digestion, and transport may become reduced due to the downregulated expression of many associated genes. During the molting stage, midguts harbor less microflora and DNA synthesis decreases. Both ecdysone and juvenile hormone in the larval midgut likely degrade after entering the larva-to-larva molting stage. However, at 12 h after ecdysis, the feeding larvae of 5th instars that were injected with 20-hydroxyecdysone entered a molting-like stage, during which changes in midgut morphology, DNA synthesis, gene expression, and microflora exhibited the same patterns as observed in the actual molting state.

Conclusion

This study is important for understanding insect midgut physiology, development and immunity during a special development stage when no food is ingested. Although the molting larva becomes immobile and quiescent, we demonstrate that numerous changes occur in midgut morphology, physiology, metabolism and microbiome during this period.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3162-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The pro-inflammatory cytokine 14-3-3ε is a ligand of CD13 in cartilage

Osteoarthritis is a whole-joint disease characterized by the progressive destruction of articular cartilage involving abnormal communication between subchondral bone and cartilage. Our team previously identified 14-3-3ε protein as a subchondral bone soluble mediator altering cartilage homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of CD13 (also known as aminopeptidase N, APN) in the chondrocyte response to 14-3-3ε. After identifying CD13 in chondrocytes, we knocked down CD13 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and blocking antibodies in articular chondrocytes. 14-3-3ε-induced MMP-3 and MMP-13 was significantly reduced with CD13 knockdown, which suggests that it has a crucial role in 14-3-3ε signal transduction. Aminopeptidase N activity was identified in chondrocytes, but the activity was unchanged after stimulation with 14-3-3ε. Direct interaction between CD13 and 14-3-3ε was then demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance. Using labeled 14-3-3ε, we also found that 14-3-3ε binds to the surface of chondrocytes in a manner that is dependent on CD13. Taken together, these results suggest that 14-3-3ε might directly bind to CD13, which transmits its signal in chondrocytes to induce a catabolic phenotype similar to that observed in osteoarthritis. The 14-3-3ε-CD13 interaction could be a new therapeutic target in osteoarthritis.

Proteomic analysis of urine exosomes reveals renal tubule response to leptospiral colonization in experimentally infected rats

Background

Infectious Leptospira colonize the kidneys of reservoir (e.g. rats) and accidental hosts such as humans. The renal response to persistent leptospiral colonization, as measured by urinary protein biosignatures, has not been systematically studied. Urinary exosomes--bioactive membrane-bound nanovesicles--contain cell-state specific cargo that additively reflect formation all along the nephron. We hypothesized that Leptospira-infection will alter the content of urine exosomes, and further, that these Leptospira-induced alterations will hold clues to unravel novel pathways related to bacterial-host interactions.

Methodology/Principal findings

Exosome protein content from 24 hour urine samples of Leptospira-infected rats was compared with that of uninfected rats using SDS-PAGE and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Statistical models were used to identify significantly dysregulated proteins in Leptospira-infected and uninfected rat urine exosomes. In all, 842 proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS proteomics of total rat urine and 204 proteins associated specifically with exosomes. Multivariate analysis showed that 25 proteins significantly discriminated between uninfected control and infected rats. Alanyl (membrane) aminopeptidase, also known as CD13 topped this list with the highest score, a finding we validated by Western immunoblotting. Whole urine analysis showed Tamm-Horsfall protein level reduction in the infected rat urine. Total urine and exosome proteins were significantly different in male vs. female infected rats.

Conclusions

We identified exosome-associated renal tubule-specific responses to Leptospira infection in a rat chronic colonization model. Quantitative differences in infected male and female rat urine exosome proteins vs. uninfected controls suggest that urine exosome analysis identifies important differences in kidney function that may be of clinical and pathological significance.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease commonly transmitted from animals to humans. Though this disease affects more than three quarters of a million people every year and takes a disproportionate toll on the poor in in tropical regions, few virulence factors have been identified and very little is known regarding the pathogenesis of leptospirosis. Symptoms vary from fever and fatigue to severe pulmonary hemorrhage and death. Approximately 5–10% of Leptospira infections in humans are chronic (>1 year) and asymptomatic (no overt signs of disease). Nonetheless, very little is known about the clinical significance of these infections. In this report, we show that non-invasive tools namely proteomic analysis of urinary exosomes can be used to identify differences between healthy and Leptospira-infected rat kidney and between Leptospira-infected male and female rat kidney. In future studies, these analyses will be extended to determine clinical significance and extent of renal dysfunction in the asymptomatic human.

Paracrine regulation of fibroblast aminopeptidase N/CD13 expression by keratinocyte-releasable stratifin

As wound healing proceeds into the tissue remodeling phase, cellular interactions become dominated by the interplay of keratinocytes with fibroblasts in the skin, which is largely mediated through paracrine signaling and greatly affects the molecular constitution of the extracellular matrix. We have recently identified aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 as a potential fibroblast receptor for 14-3-3 sigma (also known as stratifin), a keratinocyte-releasable protein with potent matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) stimulatory activity. The present study demonstrates that the expression of APN on dermal fibroblasts is regulated through paracrine signaling by keratinocyte-derived soluble factors. By using an in vitro keratinocyte-fibroblast co-culture system, we showed that APN expression in dermal fibroblasts is induced in the presence of keratinocytes or in response to keratinocyte-conditioned medium. Conditioned medium collected from differentiated keratinocytes further increases APN protein production, suggesting an amplified stimulatory effect by keratinocyte differentiation. Recombinant stratifin potently induces APN synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. A consistent correlation between the protein expression levels of APN and MMP1 was also observed. These results confirm paracrine regulation of APN expression in dermal fibroblasts by keratinocyte-derived stimuli, in particular stratifin, and provide evidence that APN may serve as a target in the regulation of MMP1 expression in epidermal-mesenchymal communication.

Chlamydia persistence -- a tool to dissect chlamydia--host interactions

Under stress, chlamydiae can enter a non-infectious but viable state termed persistence. In the absence of a tractable genetic system, persistence induction provides an important experimental tool with which to study these fascinating organisms. This review will discuss examples of: i) persistence studies that have illuminated critical chlamydiae/host interactions; and ii) novel persistence models that will do so in the future.

Transcriptomic approach to the study of osmoregulation in the European eel Anguilla anguilla

In euryhaline teleosts, osmoregulation is a fundamental and dynamic process that is essential for the maintenance of ion and water balance, especially when fish migrate between fresh water (FW) and sea water (SW) environments. The European eel has proved to be an excellent model species to study the molecular and physiological adaptations associated with this osmoregulatory plasticity. The life cycle of the European eel includes two migratory periods, the second being the migration of FW eels back to the Sargasso Sea for reproduction. Various anatomical and physiological changes allow the successful transition to SW. The aim of this study was to use a microarray approach to screen the osmoregulatory tissues of the eel for changes in gene expression following acclimation to SW. Tissues were sampled from fish at selected intervals over a 5-mo period following FW/SW transfer, and RNA was isolated. Suppressive subtractive hybridization was used for enrichment of differentially expressed genes. Microarrays comprising 6,144 cDNAs from brain, gill, intestine, and kidney libraries were hybridized with appropriate targets and analyzed; 229 differentially expressed clones with unique sequences were identified. These clones represented the sequences for 95 known genes, with the remaining sequences (59%) being unknown. The results of the microarray analysis were validated by quantification of 28 differentially expressed genes by Northern blotting. A number of the differentially expressed genes were already known to be involved in osmoregulation, but the functional roles of many others, not normally associated with ion or water transport, remain to be characterized.

Comparison of intestinal gene expression in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fed standard fish meal or soybean meal by means of suppression subtractive hybridization and real-time PCR

Gene expression was studied in Atlantic cod fed two different diets, fish meal (FM) and dehulled and extracted soybean meal (SBM). RNA was isolated from the distal part of the mid-intestine of Atlantic cod and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was employed to screen for genes that showed changes in expression in response to the two dietary treatments. We made a cDNA subtracted library, isolated and sequenced 192 clones. Identification of 157 clones was predicted by BLAST. Most of the clones were previously unidentified in cod. Expression of 12 selected clones was further studied by quantitative PCR. Expression of four clones showing similarity to aminopeptidase N, transcobalamin I precursor, cytochrome P450 3A40, and ras-related nuclear protein was significantly up regulated in intestine of cod fed SBM compared to cod fed FM. A trend towards up regulation of a clone with similarity to fatty acid binding protein in SBM-fed cod was also observed. No significant differences in expression were observed for: transmembrane 4 superfamily protein member, polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxiredoxin 4, SEC61, F-BOX, and 14-3-3.

Disulfide bond formation in NGR fiber-modified adenovirus is essential for retargeting to aminopeptidase N

The peptide motif NGR (asparagine-glycine-arginine) is known to bind to aminopeptidase N (APN). We have constructed five adenoviruses (Ads) bearing NGR in the HI loop of the adenoviral fiber protein. We compared the targeting properties of the NGR peptide within different amino acid environments and showed that their cellular receptor(s) were not identical. Ads containing NGR within potentially cyclic sequences flanked by cysteines retargeted viruses mainly to APN, while Ads containing NGR within linear sequences not containing cysteines retargeted Ads mainly to alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, albeit with a lower affinity. Finally, we show evidence that disulfide bond formation within an Ad bearing the CDCNGRCFC sequence is essential for retargeting to APN, suggesting that this sequence does indeed assume a cyclic structure which facilitates NGR binding to APN. Therefore, our study underscores the importance of cysteine residues flanking targeting peptides for not only affinity but also specificity of the retargeted Ad.