Mast cell derived factor XIIIA contributes to sexual dimorphic defense against group B Streptococcal infections

Invasive bacterial infections remain a major cause of human morbidity. Group B streptococcus (GBS) are Gram-positive bacteria that cause invasive infections in humans. Here, we show that factor XIIIA–deficient (FXIIIA-deficient) female mice exhibited significantly increased susceptibility to GBS infections. Additionally, female WT mice had increased levels of FXIIIA and were more resistant to GBS infection compared with isogenic male mice. We observed that administration of exogenous FXIIIA to male mice increased host resistance to GBS infection. Conversely, administration of a FXIIIA transglutaminase inhibitor to female mice decreased host resistance to GBS infection. Interestingly, male gonadectomized mice exhibited decreased sensitivity to GBS infection, suggesting a role for gonadal androgens in host susceptibility. FXIIIA promoted GBS entrapment within fibrin clots by crosslinking fibronectin with ScpB, a fibronectin-binding GBS surface protein. Thus, ScpB-deficient GBS exhibited decreased entrapment within fibrin clots in vitro and increased dissemination during systemic infections. Finally, using mice in which FXIIIA expression was depleted in mast cells, we observed that mast cell–derived FXIIIA contributes to host defense against GBS infection. Our studies provide insights into the effects of sexual dimorphism and mast cells on FXIIIA expression and its interactions with GBS adhesins that mediate bacterial dissemination and pathogenesis.

Mast cell surfaceome characterization reveals CD98 heavy chain is critical for optimal cell function

BACKGROUND

Mast cells are involved in many distinct pathologic conditions, suggesting that they recognize and respond to various stimuli and thus require a rich repertoire of cell surface proteins. However, mast cell surface proteomes have not been comprehensively characterized.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to further characterize the mast cell surface proteome to obtain a better understanding of how mast cells function in health and disease.

METHODS

We enriched for glycosylated surface proteins expressed in mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMCs) and identified them using mass spectrometry analysis. The presence of novel surface proteins in mast cells was validated by real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometry analysis in BMCMCs and peritoneal mast cells (PMCs). We developed a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing approach to disrupt genes of interest in BMCMCs.

RESULTS

The glycoprotein enrichment approach resulted in the identification of 1270 proteins in BMCMCs, 378 of which were localized to the plasma membrane. The most common protein classes among plasma membrane proteins were small GTPases, receptors, and transporters. One such cell surface protein was CD98 heavy chain (CD98hc), encoded by the Slc3a2 gene. Slc3a2 gene disruption resulted in a significant reduction in CD98hc expression, adhesion, and proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycoprotein enrichment coupled with mass spectrometry can be used to identify novel surface molecules in mast cells. Moreover, CD98hc plays an important role in mast cell function.

E3 Ubiquitin Ligase RNF125 Activates Interleukin-36 Receptor Signaling and Contributes to Its Turnover

Signaling by the interleukin-36 receptor (IL-36R) is linked to inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. However, the regulation of IL-36R signaling is poorly understood. Activation of IL-36R signaling in cultured cells results in an increased polyubiquitination of the receptor subunit, IL-1Rrp2. Treatment with deubiquitinases shows that the receptor subunit of IL-36R, IL-1Rrp2, is primarily polyubiquitinated at the K63 position, which is associated with endocytic trafficking and signal transduction. A minor amount of ubiquitination is at the K48 position that is associated with protein degradation. A focused siRNA screen identified RNF125, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, to ubiquitinate IL-1Rrp2 upon activation of IL-36R signaling while not affecting the activated IL-1 receptor. Knockdown of RNF125 decreases signal transduction by the IL-36R. Overexpression of RNF125 in HEK293T cells activates IL-36R signaling and increases the ubiquitination of IL-1Rrp2 and its subsequent turnover. RNF125 can coimmunoprecipitate with the IL-36R, and it traffics with IL-1Rrp2 from the cell surface to lysosomes. Mutations of Lys568 and Lys569 in the C-terminal tail of IL-1Rrp2 decrease ubiquitination by RNF125 and increase the steady-state levels of IL-1Rrp2. These results demonstrate that RNF125 has multiple regulatory roles in the signaling, trafficking, and turnover of the IL-36R.

Structural and Functional Attributes of the Interleukin-36 Receptor

Signal transduction by the IL-36 receptor (IL-36R) is linked to several human diseases. However, the structure and function of the IL-36R is not well understood. A molecular model of the IL-36R complex was generated and a cell-based reporter assay was established to assess the signal transduction of recombinant subunits of the IL-36R. Mutational analyses and functional assays have identified residues of the receptor subunit IL-1Rrp2 needed for cytokine recognition, stable protein expression, disulfide bond formation and glycosylation that are critical for signal transduction. We also observed that, overexpression of ectodomain (ECD) of Il-1Rrp2 or IL-1RAcP exhibited dominant-negative effect on IL-36R signaling. The presence of IL-36 cytokine significantly increased the interaction of IL-1Rrp2 ECD with the co-receptor IL-1RAcP. Finally, we found that single nucleotide polymorphism A471T in the Toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain (TIR) of the IL-1Rrp2 that is present in ∼2% of the human population, down-regulated IL-36R signaling by a decrease of interaction with IL-1RAcP.

Signal Transduction and Intracellular Trafficking by the Interleukin 36 Receptor

Improper signaling of the IL-36 receptor (IL-36R), a member of the IL-1 receptor family, has been associated with various inflammation-associated diseases. However, the requirements for IL-36R signal transduction remain poorly characterized. This work seeks to define the requirements for IL-36R signaling and intracellular trafficking. In the absence of cognate agonists, IL-36R was endocytosed and recycled to the plasma membrane. In the presence of IL-36, IL-36R increased accumulation in LAMP1+ lysosomes. Endocytosis predominantly used a clathrin-mediated pathway, and the accumulation of the IL-36R in lysosomes did not result in increased receptor turnover. The ubiquitin-binding Tollip protein contributed to IL-36R signaling and increased the accumulation of both subunits of the IL-36R.

Gaps in the knowledge about advancements in rabies vaccines among the undergraduate medical students

Enormous developments have taken place during the past few years in the field of Rabies prevention and control particularly rabies vaccines. Intra-dermal Rabies Vaccination (IDRV) has already emerged as a safe, ethical and cost-effective replacement. However appropriate dissemination of knowledge and implementation by medical fraternity is imperative for effective prevention and control of this fatal disease. Gaps were found in the knowledge of medical students regarding the newer rabies vaccines. This can be resolved to great extent by updating the undergraduate curriculum with the current control strategies used in this field.

Intracellular survival of Staphylococcus aureus: correlating production of catalase and superoxide dismutase with levels of inflammatory cytokines

BACKGROUND

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase are anti-oxidant enzymes potentially used by the bacteria to neutralize macrophage microbicidal molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate contribution of bacterial anti-oxidant enzymes in intracellular survival of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within macrophages.

MATERIALS

Murine peritoneal macrophages and S. aureus (CMC-524, ICH-629 and ICH-757).

TREATMENT

10(6) colony forming units (CFU) of the 90 minutes (min) intracellularly viable S. aureus were administered (i.v.) per mouse through 0.1 ml saline.

METHODS

Anti-oxidant enzyme assay, phagocytic activity, H2O2 release, Zymography for catalase, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) level were estimated. One-way Model I ANOVA and one tail Student's t-test were performed.

RESULTS

Survival of S. aureus was least after 90 min of reincubation within macrophages. Maximum amount of bacterial anti-oxidant enzymes were released after 90 min of re-incubation. H2O2 released after 90 min of re-incubation with S. aureus was maximum. Higher activity of catalase and SOD by S. aureus occurred in response to the gradual production of H2O2. Serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha was also elevated 1h post infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacterial catalase and SOD combat reactive oxygen species enabling S. aureus to persist within macrophages, inducing local inflammation, causing greater induction of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis in a premature neonate and its management by tumescent skin grafting

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis is a rare and often fatal disease of infants and neonates. This is a case report of successful management of potentially fatal cutaneous fungal sepsis and use of tumescent technique to harvest a large skin graft with minimal blood loss in a premature neonate.

Angiokeratoma of scrotum (fordyce)

Four cases of angiokeratoma of scrotum (Fordyce) in persons aged 30, 55, 50 and 58 years of 2, 5, 8 and 3 years duration respectively are reported. Three patients had fungal infection along with dermatitis while the other had piles and fissure. No abnormality was detected in systemic examination. Routine laboratory tests were normal. Histology confirmed the diagnosis. Each individual lesion was electrodessicated with no recurrence in 2 years of follow-up.

Gastric ascariasis

Despite the ubiquity and varied manifestations of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation in man, gastric ascariasis is rare. Herein, three patients are described all of whom presented with features of chronic intermittent gastric outlet obstruction caused by roundworms inhabiting the stomach. The ascarides were demonstrated in the stomach by radiology in two patients and by endoscopic examination in one. The possible explanations for the rarity of "gastric ascariasis" include the "housekeeping" peristaltic activity and the acid milieu of the stomach.