Translational control is required for the unfolded protein response and in vivo glucose homeostasis

The accumulation of unfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) attenuates protein synthesis initiation through phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) at Ser51. Subsequently, transcription of genes encoding adaptive functions including the glucose-regulated proteins is induced. We show that eIF2alpha phosphorylation is required for translation attenuation, transcriptional induction, and survival in response to ER stress. Mice with a homozygous mutation at the eIF2alpha phosphorylation site (Ser51Ala) died within 18 hr after birth due to hypoglycemia associated with defective gluconeogenesis. In addition, homozygous mutant embryos and neonates displayed a deficiency in pancreatic beta cells. The results demonstrate that regulation of translation through eIF2alpha phosphorylation is essential for the ER stress response and in vivo glucose homeostasis.

LDL-receptor-related proteins in Wnt signal transduction

The Wnt family of secreted signalling molecules are essential in embryo development and tumour formation. The Frizzled (Fz) family of serpentine receptors function as Wnt receptors, but how Fz proteins transduce signalling is not understood. In Drosophila, arrow phenocopies the wingless (DWnt-1) phenotype, and encodes a transmembrane protein that is homologous to two members of the mammalian low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related protein (LRP) family, LRP5 and LRP6 (refs 12-15). Here we report that LRP6 functions as a co-receptor for Wnt signal transduction. In Xenopus embryos, LRP6 activated Wnt-Fz signalling, and induced Wnt responsive genes, dorsal axis duplication and neural crest formation. An LRP6 mutant lacking the carboxyl intracellular domain blocked signalling by Wnt or Wnt-Fz, but not by Dishevelled or beta-catenin, and inhibited neural crest development. The extracellular domain of LRP6 bound Wnt-1 and associated with Fz in a Wnt-dependent manner. Our results indicate that LRP6 may be a component of the Wnt receptor complex.

Peripheral cytokine and chemokine alterations in depression: a meta-analysis of 82 studies

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that measured cytokine and chemokine levels in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to healthy controls (HCs).

METHOD

The PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched up until May 30, 2016. Effect sizes were estimated with random-effects models.

RESULT

Eighty-two studies comprising 3212 participants with MDD and 2798 HCs met inclusion criteria. Peripheral levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-10, the soluble IL-2 receptor, C-C chemokine ligand 2, IL-13, IL-18, IL-12, the IL-1 receptor antagonist, and the soluble TNF receptor 2 were elevated in patients with MDD compared to HCs, whereas interferon-gamma levels were lower in MDD (Hedge's g = -0.477, P = 0.043). Levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), IL-5, CCL-3, IL-17, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were not significantly altered in individuals with MDD compared to HCs. Heterogeneity was large (I² : 51.6-97.7%), and sources of heterogeneity were explored (e.g., age, smoking status, and body mass index).

CONCLUSION

Our results further characterize a cytokine/chemokine profile associated with MDD. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate sources of heterogeneity, as well as biosignature cytokines secreted by other immune cells.

Protection from Fas-mediated apoptosis by a soluble form of the Fas molecule

Fas is an apoptosis-signaling receptor molecule on the surface of a number of cell types. Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a human Fas messenger RNA variant capable of encoding a soluble Fas molecule lacking the transmembrane domain because of the deletion of an exon encoding this region. The expression of soluble Fas was confirmed by flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analysis. Supernatants from cells transfected with the variant messenger RNA blocked apoptosis induced by the antibody to Fas. Levels of soluble Fas were elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and mice injected with soluble Fas displayed autoimmune features.

Hydrogen storage in single-walled carbon nanotubes at room temperature

Masses of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a large mean diameter of about 1.85 nanometers, synthesized by a semicontinuous hydrogen arc discharge method, were employed for hydrogen adsorption experiments in their as-prepared and pretreated states. A hydrogen storage capacity of 4.2 weight percent, or a hydrogen to carbon atom ratio of 0.52, was achieved reproducibly at room temperature under a modestly high pressure (about 10 megapascal) for a SWNT sample of about 500 milligram weight that was soaked in hydrochloric acid and then heat-treated in vacuum. Moreover, 78.3 percent of the adsorbed hydrogen (3.3 weight percent) could be released under ambient pressure at room temperature, while the release of the residual stored hydrogen (0.9 weight percent) required some heating of the sample. Because the SWNTs can be easily produced and show reproducible and modestly high hydrogen uptake at room temperature, they show promise as an effective hydrogen storage material.

Targeted delivery of a PD-1-blocking scFv by CAR-T cells enhances anti-tumor efficacy in vivo

The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy against poorly responding tumors can be enhanced by administering the cells in combination with immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors. Alternatively, the CAR construct has been engineered to coexpress factors that boost CAR-T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. We modified CAR-T cells to secrete PD-1-blocking single-chain variable fragments (scFv). These scFv-secreting CAR-T cells acted in both a paracrine and autocrine manner to improve the anti-tumor activity of CAR-T cells and bystander tumor-specific T cells in clinically relevant syngeneic and xenogeneic mouse models of PD-L1+ hematologic and solid tumors. The efficacy was similar to or better than that achieved by combination therapy with CAR-T cells and a checkpoint inhibitor. This approach may improve safety, as the secreted scFvs remained localized to the tumor, protecting CAR-T cells from PD-1 inhibition, which could potentially avoid toxicities associated with systemic checkpoint inhibition.

Orally absorbed reactive glycation products (glycotoxins): an environmental risk factor in diabetic nephropathy

Endogenous advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) include chemically crosslinking species (glycotoxins) that contribute to the vascular and renal complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Renal excretion of the catabolic products of endogenous AGEs is impaired in patients with diabetic or nondiabetic kidney disease (KD). The aim of this study was to examine the oral absorption and renal clearance kinetics of food AGEs in DM with KD and whether circulating diet-derived AGEs contain active glycotoxins. Thirty-eight diabetics (DM) with or without KD and five healthy subjects (NL) received a single meal of egg white (56 g protein), cooked with (AGE-diet) or without fructose (100 g) (CL-diet). Serum and urine samples, collected for 48 hr, were monitored for AGE immunoreactivity by ELISA and for AGE-specific crosslinking reactivity, based on complex formation with 125I-labeled fibronectin. The AGE-diet, but not the CL-diet, produced distinct elevations in serum AGE levels in direct proportion to amount ingested (r = 0.8, P < 0.05): the area under the curve for serum ( approximately 10% of ingested AGE) correlated directly with severity of KD; renal excretion of dietary AGE, although normally incomplete (only approximately 30% of amount absorbed), in DM it correlated inversely with degree of albuminuria, and directly with creatinine clearance (r = 0.8, P < 0.05), reduced to <5% in DM with renal failure. Post-AGE-meal serum exhibited increased AGE-crosslinking activity (two times above baseline serum AGE, three times above negative control), which was inhibited by aminoguanidine. In conclusion, (i) the renal excretion of orally absorbed AGEs is markedly suppressed in diabetic nephropathy patients, (ii) daily influx of dietary AGEs includes glycotoxins that may constitute an added chronic risk for renal-vascular injury in DM, and (iii) dietary restriction of AGE food intake may greatly reduce the burden of AGEs in diabetic patients and possibly improve prognosis.

AAPM protocol for 40-300 kV x-ray beam dosimetry in radiotherapy and radiobiology

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) presents a new protocol, developed by the Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 61, for reference dosimetry of low- and medium-energy x rays for radiotherapy and radiobiology (40 kV < or = tube potential < or = 300 kV). It is based on ionization chambers calibrated in air in terms of air kerma. If the point of interest is at or close to the surface, one unified approach over the entire energy range shall be used to determine absorbed dose to water at the surface of a water phantom based on an in-air measurement (the "in-air" method). If the point of interest is at a depth, an in-water measurement at a depth of 2 cm shall be used for tube potentials > or = 100 kV (the "in-phantom" method). The in-phantom method is not recommended for tube potentials < 100 kV. Guidelines are provided to determine the dose at other points in water and the dose at the surface of other biological materials of interest. The protocol is based on an up-to-date data set of basic dosimetry parameters, which produce consistent dose values for the two methods recommended. Estimates of uncertainties on the final dose values are also presented.

Follicular CXCR5- expressing CD8(+) T cells curtail chronic viral infection

During chronic viral infection, virus-specific CD8(+) T cells become exhausted, exhibit poor effector function and lose memory potential. However, exhausted CD8(+) T cells can still contain viral replication in chronic infections, although the mechanism of this containment is largely unknown. Here we show that a subset of exhausted CD8(+) T cells expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR5 has a critical role in the control of viral replication in mice that were chronically infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). These CXCR5(+) CD8(+) T cells were able to migrate into B-cell follicles, expressed lower levels of inhibitory receptors and exhibited more potent cytotoxicity than the CXCR5(-) [corrected] subset. Furthermore, we identified the Id2-E2A signalling axis as an important regulator of the generation of this subset. In patients with HIV, we also identified a virus-specific CXCR5(+) CD8(+) T-cell subset, and its number was inversely correlated with viral load. The CXCR5(+) subset showed greater therapeutic potential than the CXCR5(-) [corrected] subset when adoptively transferred to chronically infected mice, and exhibited synergistic reduction of viral load when combined with anti-PD-L1 treatment. This study defines a unique subset of exhausted CD8(+) T cells that has a pivotal role in the control of viral replication during chronic viral infection.

Molecular dissection of two distinct actions of melatonin on the suprachiasmatic circadian clock

The pineal hormone melatonin elicits two effects on the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN): acute neuronal inhibition and phase-shifting. Melatonin evokes its biological effects through G protein-coupled receptors. Since the Mel1a melatonin receptor may transduce the major neurobiological actions of melatonin in mammals, we examined whether it mediates both melatonin effects on SCN function by using mice with targeted disruption of the Mel1a receptor. The Mel1a receptor accounts for all detectable, high affinity melatonin binding in mouse brain. Functionally, this receptor is necessary for the acute inhibitory action of melatonin on the SCN. Melatonin-induced phase shifts, however, are only modestly altered in the receptor-deficient mice; pertussis toxin still blocks melatonin-induced phase shifts in Mel1a receptor-deficient mice. The other melatonin receptor subtype, the Mel1b receptor, is expressed in mouse SCN, implicating it in the phase-shifting response. The results provide a molecular basis for two distinct, mechanistically separable effects of melatonin on SCN physiology.

A large noncoding RNA is a marker for murine hepatocellular carcinomas and a spectrum of human carcinomas

Tumor markers can facilitate understanding molecular cell biology of neoplasia and provide potential targets for the diagnosis and insight for intervention. We here identify a novel murine gene, hepcarcin (hcn), encoding a 7-kb mRNA-like transcript. The gene appears to be the murine ortholog of the human alpha gene, that is, MALAT-1. The gene and homologs lack credible open reading frames, consistent with a highly conserved large noncoding RNA (ncRNA). In all nodules of procarcinogen-induced murine hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and human HCCs, expression was markedly elevated compared to the uninvolved liver. Quantitative analyses indicated a 6-7-fold increased RNA level in HCCs versus uninvolved liver, advancing this as a molecule of interest. This ncRNA was overexpressed in all five non-hepatic human carcinomas analysed, consistent with a potential marker for neoplastic cells and potential participant in the molecular cell biology of neoplasia.

Targeting tumor-associated macrophages as a novel strategy against breast cancer

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that legumain, a member of the asparaginyl endopeptidase family functioning as a stress protein, overexpressed by TAMs, provides an ideal target molecule. In fact, a legumain-based DNA vaccine served as a tool to prove this point, as it induced a robust CD8+ T cell response against TAMs, which dramatically reduced their density in tumor tissues and resulted in a marked decrease in proangiogenic factors released by TAMs such as TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, MMP-9, and VEGF. This, in turn, led to a suppression of both tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth and metastasis. Importantly, the success of this strategy was demonstrated in murine models of metastatic breast, colon, and non-small cell lung cancers, where 75% of vaccinated mice survived lethal tumor cell challenges and 62% were completely free of metastases. In conclusion, decreasing the number of TAMs in the tumor stroma effectively altered the tumor microenvironment involved in tumor angiogenesis and progression to markedly suppress tumor growth and metastasis. Gaining better insights into the mechanisms required for an effective intervention in tumor growth and metastasis may ultimately lead to new therapeutic targets and better anticancer strategies.

gp100/pmel 17 is a murine tumor rejection antigen: induction of "self"-reactive, tumoricidal T cells using high-affinity, altered peptide ligand

Many tumor-associated antigens are nonmutated, poorly immunogenic tissue differentiation antigens. Their weak immunogenicity may be due to "self"-tolerance. To induce autoreactive T cells, we studied immune responses to gp100/pmel 17, an antigen naturally expressed by both normal melanocytes and melanoma cells. Although a recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) encoding the mouse homologue of gp100 was nonimmunogenic, immunization of normal C57BL/6 mice with the rVV encoding the human gp100 elicited a specific CD8(+) T cell response. These lymphocytes were cross-reactive with mgp100 in vitro and treated established B16 melanoma upon adoptive transfer. To understand the mechanism of the greater immunogenicity of the human version of gp100, we characterized a 9-amino acid (AA) epitope, restricted by H-2Db, that was recognized by the T cells. The ability to induce specific T cells with human but not mouse gp100 resulted from differences within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted epitope and not from differences elsewhere in the molecule, as was evidenced by experiments in which mice were immunized with rVV containing minigenes encoding these epitopes. Although the human (hgp10025-33) and mouse (mgp10025-33) epitopes were homologous, differences in the three NH2-terminal AAs resulted in a 2-log increase in the ability of the human peptide to stabilize "empty" Db on RMA-S cells and a 3-log increase in its ability to trigger interferon gamma release by T cells. Thus, the fortuitous existence of a peptide homologue with significantly greater avidity for MHC class I resulted in the generation of self-reactive T cells. High-affinity, altered peptide ligands might be useful in the rational design of recombinant and synthetic vaccines that target tissue differentiation antigens expressed by tumors.

Observation of coherent optical information storage in an atomic medium using halted light pulses

Electromagnetically induced transparency is a quantum interference effect that permits the propagation of light through an otherwise opaque atomic medium; a 'coupling' laser is used to create the interference necessary to allow the transmission of resonant pulses from a 'probe' laser. This technique has been used to slow and spatially compress light pulses by seven orders of magnitude, resulting in their complete localization and containment within an atomic cloud. Here we use electromagnetically induced transparency to bring laser pulses to a complete stop in a magnetically trapped, cold cloud of sodium atoms. Within the spatially localized pulse region, the atoms are in a superposition state determined by the amplitudes and phases of the coupling and probe laser fields. Upon sudden turn-off of the coupling laser, the compressed probe pulse is effectively stopped; coherent information initially contained in the laser fields is 'frozen' in the atomic medium for up to 1 ms. The coupling laser is turned back on at a later time and the probe pulse is regenerated: the stored coherence is read out and transferred back into the radiation field. We present a theoretical model that reveals that the system is self-adjusting to minimize dissipative loss during the 'read' and 'write' operations. We anticipate applications of this phenomenon for quantum information processing.

Identification of novel human genes evolutionarily conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans by comparative proteomics

Modern biomedical research greatly benefits from large-scale genome-sequencing projects ranging from studies of viruses, bacteria, and yeast to multicellular organisms, like Caenorhabditis elegans. Comparative genomic studies offer a vast array of prospects for identification and functional annotation of human ortholog genes. We presented a novel comparative proteomic approach for assembling human gene contigs and assisting gene discovery. The C. elegans proteome was used as an alignment template to assist in novel human gene identification from human EST nucleotide databases. Among the available 18,452 C. elegans protein sequences, our results indicate that at least 83% (15,344 sequences) of C. elegans proteome has human homologous genes, with 7,954 records of C. elegans proteins matching known human gene transcripts. Only 11% or less of C. elegans proteome contains nematode-specific genes. We found that the remaining 7,390 sequences might lead to discoveries of novel human genes, and over 150 putative full-length human gene transcripts were assembled upon further database analyses. [The sequence data described in this paper have been submitted to the

Type 1 interleukin-1 receptor in the rat brain: distribution, regulation, and relationship to sites of IL-1-induced cellular activation

Systemic interleukin-1 (IL-1) activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, an effect exerted through increased synthesis and secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) by parvicellular neurosecretory neurons. The site(s) and mechanism(s) through which circulating IL-1 may access central systems governing HPA axis output remain obscure. To identify potential cellular targets for blood-borne IL-1, we analyzed the distribution of mRNA encoding the rat type 1 IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) in rat brain. Regional ribonuclease protection assays detected a single protected fragment corresponding to the membrane-bound form of the IL-1R1 mRNA in all areas analyzed. In situ hybridization revealed labeling predominantly over barrier-related cells, including the leptomeninges, non-tanycytic portions of the ependyma, the choroid plexus, and vascular endothelium. Low to moderate levels of the IL-1R1 mRNA were detected in just a few neuronal cell groups, including the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, the trigeminal and hypoglossal motor nuclei, and the area postrema. No specific labeling for IL-1R1 mRNA was detected over neurons that respond to intravenous IL-1 beta by induction of transcription factor Fos, including hypophysiotropic CRF cells and brainstem catecholamine neurons. Injection of IL-1 beta did, however, provoke induction of mRNA encoding the immediate-early gene, NGFI-B, but not c-fos, in two major loci of IL-1R1 expression, vascular endothelial cells, and the area postrema. Intravenous injection of IL-1 beta acutely down-regulated IL-1R1 mRNA in perivascular cells, but not in neuronal cell groups. These results suggest the parenchymal sites of IL-1R1 expression in rat to be distinct from those reported previously in mouse. The common expression in both species of an IL-1R in non-neuronal elements highlights the possibility that IL-1-mediated activation of CRF neurons may result from cytokine-receptor interaction at vascular, and/or other barrier-related, sites to trigger release of secondary signalling molecules in a position to interact with components of HPA control circuitry.

Cellular construction of a circadian clock: period determination in the suprachiasmatic nuclei

The circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei is composed of multiple, single-cell circadian oscillators (clock cells). We now test the hypothesis that the circadian period in behavior is determined by the mean period that arises from the coupling of clock cells with diverse circadian periods. For these studies, we monitored firing rate rhythms of individual suprachiasmatic nuclei neurons on fixed multielectrode plates and exploited the altered circadian periods expressed by heterozygous and homozygous tau mutant hamsters. The results show that circadian period in the whole animal is determined by averaging widely dispersed periods of individual clock cells. The data also demonstrate that the tau mutation affects circadian function in a cell-autonomous manner.

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a fourth histamine receptor (H(4)) expressed in bone marrow

Histamine is a multifunctional hormone that regulates smooth muscle contraction in the airways, acid secretion in the gut, and neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system through three well characterized receptor subtypes, H(1), H(2), H(3), respectively. As part of a directed effort to discover novel G-protein-coupled receptors through homology searching of genomic databases, we identified a partial clone (GPCR105) that had significant homology to the recently identified histamine H(3) receptor cDNA. Expression of the full-length human GPCR105 in cells confers the ability to bind [(3)H]histamine with high affinity (K(D) = 5 nM). GPCR105 is pharmacologically similar to the histamine H(3) receptor in that it binds many of the known H(3) agonists and antagonists, albeit with a different rank order of affinity/potency. GPCR105 does not bind (i.e., K(D) > 10 microM) all tested H(1) and H(2) receptor antagonists such as diphenhydramine, loratadine, ranitidine, and cimetidine, but has modest affinity for the H(2) receptor agonist, dimaprit (377 nM). Whereas the H(3) receptor is expressed almost exclusively in nervous tissues, GPRC105 is expressed primarily in bone marrow and eosinophils. Together, these data demonstrate that GPCR105 is a novel histamine receptor structurally and pharmacologically related to the H(3) receptor. However, its unique expression profile and physiological role suggest that GPCR105 is a fourth histamine receptor subtype (H(4)) and may be a therapeutic target for the regulation of immune function, particularly with respect to allergy and asthma.

beta-Trcp couples beta-catenin phosphorylation-degradation and regulates Xenopus axis formation

Regulation of beta-catenin stability is essential for Wnt signal transduction during development and tumorigenesis. It is well known that serine-phosphorylation of beta-catenin by the Axin-glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta complex targets beta-catenin for ubiquitination-degradation, and mutations at critical phosphoserine residues stabilize beta-catenin and cause human cancers. How beta-catenin phosphorylation results in its degradation is undefined. Here we show that phosphorylated beta-catenin is specifically recognized by beta-Trcp, an F-box/WD40-repeat protein that also associates with Skp1, an essential component of the ubiquitination apparatus. beta-catenin harboring mutations at the critical phosphoserine residues escapes recognition by beta-Trcp, thus providing a molecular explanation for why these mutations cause beta-catenin accumulation that leads to cancer. Inhibition of endogenous beta-Trcp function by a dominant negative mutant stabilizes beta-catenin, activates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, and induces axis formation in Xenopus embryos. Therefore, beta-Trcp plays a central role in recruiting phosphorylated beta-catenin for degradation and in dorsoventral patterning of the Xenopus embryo.

NANOG promotes cancer stem cell characteristics and prostate cancer resistance to androgen deprivation

Cancer cell molecular mimicry of stem cells (SC) imbues neoplastic cells with enhanced proliferative and renewal capacities. In support, numerous mediators of SC self-renewal have been evinced to exhibit oncogenic potential. We have recently reported that shRNA-mediated knockdown of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal gene NANOG significantly reduced the clonogenic and tumorigenic capabilities of various cancer cells. In this study, we sought to test the potential pro-tumorigenic functions of NANOG, particularly, in prostate cancer (PCa). Using quantitative RT-PCR, we first confirmed that PCa cells expressed NANOG mRNA primarily from the NANOGP8 locus on chromosome 15q14. We then constructed a lentiviral promoter reporter in which the -3.8 kb NANOGP8 genomic fragment was used to drive the expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP). We observed that NANOGP8-GFP⁺ PCa cells exhibited cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics such as enhanced clonal growth and tumor regenerative capacity. To further investigate the functions and mechanisms of NANOG in tumorigenesis, we established tetracycline-inducible NANOG overexpressing cancer cell lines, including both prostate (Du145 and LNCaP) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells. NANOG induction promoted drug-resistance in MCF-7 cells, tumor regeneration in Du145 cells, and, most importantly, castration-resistant tumor development in LNCaP cells. These pro-tumorigenic effects of NANOG were associated with key molecular changes, including an upregulation of molecules such as CXCR4, IGFBP5, CD133 and ALDH1. The present gain-of-function studies, coupled with our recent loss-of-function work, establish the integral role for NANOG in neoplastic processes and shed light on its mechanisms of action.

Polysaccharide biological response modifiers

Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are substances which augment immune response. BRMs can be cytokines which are produced endogenously in our body by immune cells or derivatives of bacteria, fungi, brown algae, Aloe vera and photosynthetic plants. Such exogeneous derivatives (exogeneous BRMs) can be nucleic acid (CpG), lipid (lipotechoic acid), protein or polysaccharide in nature. The receptors for these exogeneous BRMs are pattern recognition receptors. The binding of exogeneous BRMs to pattern recognition receptors triggers immune response. Exogenous BRMs have been reported to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-tumor activities. Among different exogeneous BRMs, polysaccharide BRMs have the widest occurrence in nature. Some polysaccharide BRMs have been tested for their therapeutic properties in human clinical trials. An overview of current understandings of polysaccharide BRMs is summarized in this review.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins: a novel family of four human innate immunity pattern recognition molecules

The innate immune system recognizes microorganisms through a series of pattern recognition receptors that are highly conserved in evolution. Insects have a family of 12 peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) that recognize peptidoglycan, a ubiquitous component of bacterial cell walls. We report cloning of three novel human PGRPs (PGRP-L, PGRP-Ialpha, and PGRP-Ibeta) that together with the previously cloned PGRP-S, define a new family of human pattern recognition molecules. PGRP-L, PGRP-Ialpha, and PGRP-Ibeta have 576, 341, and 373 amino acids coded by five, seven, and eight exons on chromosomes 19 and 1, and they all have two predicted transmembrane domains. All mammalian and insect PGRPs have at least three highly conserved C-terminal PGRP domains located either in the extracellular or in the cytoplasmic (or in both) portions of the molecules. PGRP-L is expressed in liver, PGRP-Ialpha and PGRP-Ibeta in esophagus (and to a lesser extent in tonsils and thymus), and PGRP-S in bone marrow (and to a lesser extent in neutrophils and fetal liver). All four human PGRPs bind peptidoglycan and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, these PGRPs may play a role in recognition of bacteria in these organs.

New regulatory mechanisms of TGF-beta receptor function

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and TGF-beta-related proteins have key roles in development, tissue homeostasis and disease. Upon binding to their cell surface receptors, TGF-beta family proteins signal through Smads to induce changes in gene expression. TGF-beta-induced Smad signaling and additional non-Smad pathways have been studied extensively in an effort to understand the complex and versatile responses to TGF-beta family proteins. Recently, it has become increasingly apparent that the signaling responses are also extensively defined by regulatory mechanisms at the level of the receptors themselves. Here, we discuss recent insights into the effects of post-translational modifications, protein associations and mode of internalization on the functions of the TGF-beta receptors and their signaling responses.

Influenza type A virus neuraminidase does not play a role in viral entry, replication, assembly, or budding

We have used a neuraminidase-deficient influenza virus, NWS-Mvi, which was selected by supplying bacterial neuraminidase in the medium (C. Liu and G. M. Air, Virology 194:403-407, 1993), to define the role of neuraminidase in influenza virus replication. Electron microscopy showed that virions of the NWS-Mvi mutant assembled normally and formed large aggregates associated with cell surfaces. The NWS-Mvi virus grown in the absence of neuraminidase was able to carry out a second round of replication in MDCK cells without added neuraminidase, indicating that the virus particles contained in these aggregates were infectious. Aggregates of virus were also found in cytoplasmic vacuoles. When virus-infected cells were incubated in the presence of ferritin, such aggregates were found to be labeled with ferritin, indicating that they are derived from uptake at the cell surface. When the neuraminidase-deficient virus was administered intranasally to C57BL/6 mice, low titers of virus were recovered from the lungs and major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytotoxic T cells were generated: evidence that cells were infected in vivo. In C57BL/6 nu/nu mice, the low level of virus persisted for at least 28 days but never increased. These results suggest that neuraminidase is not required for influenza virus entry, replication, or assembly in cell culture or in mice.

GPRC5D is a target for the immunotherapy of multiple myeloma with rationally designed CAR T cells

Early clinical results of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for multiple myeloma (MM) appear promising, but relapses associated with residual low-to-negative BCMA-expressing MM cells have been reported, necessitating identification of additional targets. The orphan G protein-coupled receptor, class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D), normally expressed only in the hair follicle, was previously identified as expressed by mRNA in marrow aspirates from patients with MM, but confirmation of protein expression remained elusive. Using quantitative immunofluorescence, we determined that GPRC5D protein is expressed on CD138⁺ MM cells from primary marrow samples with a distribution that was similar to, but independent of, BCMA. Panning a human B cell-derived phage display library identified seven GPRC5D-specific single-chain variable fragments (scFvs). Incorporation of these into multiple CAR formats yielded 42 different constructs, which were screened for antigen-specific and antigen-independent (tonic) signaling using a Nur77-based reporter system. Nur77 reporter screen results were confirmed in vivo using a marrow-tropic MM xenograft in mice. CAR T cells incorporating GPRC5D-targeted scFv clone 109 eradicated MM and enabled long-term survival, including in a BCMA antigen escape model. GPRC5D(109) is specific for GPRC5D and resulted in MM cell line and primary MM cytotoxicity, cytokine release, and in vivo activity comparable to anti-BCMA CAR T cells. Murine and cynomolgus cross-reactive CAR T cells did not cause alopecia or other signs of GPRC5D-mediated toxicity in these species. Thus, GPRC5D(109) CAR T cell therapy shows potential for the treatment of advanced MM irrespective of previous BCMA-targeted therapy.