A single aromatic residue in sgp130Fc/olamkicept allows the discrimination between interleukin-6 and interleukin-11 trans-signaling

Blocking the activity of cytokines is an efficient strategy to combat inflammatory diseases. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) fulfills its pro-inflammatory properties via its soluble receptor (IL-6 trans-signaling). The selective trans-signaling inhibitor olamkicept (sgp130Fc) is currently in clinical development. We have previously shown that sgp130Fc can also efficiently block trans-signaling of the closely related cytokine IL-11, which elicits the question how selectivity for one of the two cytokines can be achieved. Using structural information, we show that the interfaces between IL-6R-gp130 and IL-11R-gp130, respectively, within the so-called site III are different between the two cytokines. Modification of an aromatic cluster around Q113 of gp130 within these interfaces allows the discrimination between IL-6 and IL-11 trans-signaling. Using recombinant sgp130Fc variants, we demonstrate that these differences can indeed be exploited to generate a truly selective IL-6 trans-signaling inhibitor. Our data highlight how the selectivity of a clinically relevant designer protein can be further improved.

Effects of Situational Factors on Team Planning

Abstract. Although there has long been consensus in team research that planning generally has a positive impact on performance, very little is known about how input factors (e. g., situational factors) affect the planning behavior of teams. In addition, the various dimensions of planning remain largely unexplored. In this study, we examine the effects of time pressure, task routine, and decision importance on team planning. We suggest that planning consists of four dimensions: exploration, strategic planning, detailed planning, and prognosis. In two policy-capturing studies, undergraduates and employees were presented with a series of hypothetical scenarios and asked to indicate in each case how they might plan for these if working as part of a team. Results from our Bayesian multilevel analyses revealed that teams overall used less planning when they were under acute time pressure, when tasks were very routine, and when the decisions involved were of little importance.

Interleukin-6 controls recycling and degradation, but not internalization of its receptors

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine implicated in proinflammatory as well as regenerative processes and acts via receptor complexes consisting of the ubiquitously expressed, signal-transducing receptor gp130 and the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). The IL-6R is expressed only on hepatocytes and subsets of leukocytes, where it mediates specificity of the receptor complex to IL-6 as the subunit gp130 is shared with all other members of the IL-6 cytokine family such as IL-11 or IL-27. The amount of IL-6R at the cell surface thus determines the responsiveness of the cell to the cytokine and might therefore be decisive in the development of inflammatory disorders. However, how the expression levels of IL-6R and gp130 at the cell surface are controlled is largely unknown. Here, we show that IL-6R and gp130 are constitutively internalized independent of IL-6. This process depends on dynamin and clathrin and is temporally controlled by motifs within the intracellular region of gp130 and IL-6R. IL-6 binding and internalization of the receptors is a prerequisite for activation of the Jak/STAT signaling cascade. Targeting of gp130, but not of the IL-6R, to the lysosome for degradation depends on stimulation with IL-6. Furthermore, we show that after internalization and activation of signaling, both the IL-6R and gp130 are recycled back to the cell surface, a process that is enhanced by IL-6. These data reveal an important function of IL-6 beyond the pure activation of signaling.

Tocilizumab does not block interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling in murine cells

Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is approved for the treatment of different human inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and cytokine release syndrome. Tocilizumab binds to the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) and thereby blocks signaling of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Initial studies and all authority assessment reports state that tocilizumab is effective in humans, but cannot bind to the murine or rat IL-6R and thus not block IL-6 signaling in the mouse. However, several recent studies described the use of tocilizumab in mice and reported biological effects that were attributed to IL-6 blockade. In this study, we investigate the capability of tocilizumab to block IL-6 signaling using different human and murine cell lines. Our results unequivocally confirm the original state of the art that tocilizumab blocks signaling via the human IL-6R, but does not block IL-6 signaling in murine cells.

The IL-6-neutralizing sIL-6R-sgp130 buffer system is disturbed in patients with type 2 diabetes

Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) are increased in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). IL-6 exerts its pleiotropic effects via the IL-6 α-receptor (IL-6R), which exists in membrane-bound and soluble (sIL-6R) forms and activates cells via the β-receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130). The nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2228145 (Asp358Ala) within the IL6R locus is associated with T2D. The aim of this study was to determine whether sIL-6R in combination with soluble gp130 (sgp130) is able to form an IL-6-neutralizing buffer in healthy subjects and whether this is disturbed in T2D. We found that sIL-6R-sgp130 indeed forms an IL-6-neutralizing buffer in the serum of healthy humans, whose capacity is controlled by the SNP of the IL-6R. Circulating sIL-6R-sgp130 levels were lower in T2D subjects (P < 0.001), whereas IL-6 was high and inversely correlated with sIL-6R (r = -0.57, P < 0.001), indicating a severe disturbance of the buffer. This phenomenon is also observed in sex- and age-matched patients with both T2D and atherosclerosis but not in patients with atherosclerosis alone. In conclusion, sIL-6R and sgp130 serum levels were significantly lower in T2D patients compared with healthy subjects or atherosclerosis patients, although IL-6 levels were high. These data suggest that disturbance of the protective buffer may be closely associated with T2D pathophysiology.

Beneficial, adverse, and spiraling health-promotion effects: Evidence from a longitudinal randomized controlled trial of working at sit-stand desks

In a 6-month longitudinal randomized field experiment, we examined how using height-adjustable sit-stand desks could have beneficial, adverse, and spiraling effects on people's musculoskeletal and psychovegetative complaints, and on positive (vitality and vigilance) and negative psychological symptoms, namely, stressor uncontrollability (i.e., perceived uncontrollability of workload), psychological tension, and mental tiredness. A total of 127 employees in various, mostly sedentary, occupations were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. Variables were assessed monthly for 6 months on a self-reported basis. Bayesian structural equation modeling showed that the intervention produced large inhibiting between-subjects effects for musculoskeletal problems in the neck, back, and shoulders (β ranged between -.26 and -.21). Within-subject analyses revealed that the intervention produced large inhibiting effect sizes for intensity (g = 3.06) and prevalence of musculoskeletal (g = 1.19) and psychovegetative complaints (g between 0.76 and 1.57). For negative psychological symptoms (i.e., psychological tension and mental tiredness), participants in the intervention group showed a steeper decrease than participants in the control group (g between 2.34 and 3.74). For positive indicators (i.e., vitality and vigilance), the intervention produced large promoting effects for participants in the intervention group compared with participants in the control group (g between 0.70 and 1.65). There was no change in stressor uncontrollability between the two groups. Finally, findings suggest that sit-stand desks can be effective in improving occupational health by weakening a downward-spiraling effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Two N-Linked Glycans Differentially Control Maturation, Trafficking and Proteolysis, but not Activity of the IL-11 Receptor

Background/Aims: The cytokine interleukin-11 (IL-11) has important pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. It activates its target cells through binding to the IL-11 receptor (IL-11R), and the IL-11/IL-11R complex recruits a homodimer of glycoprotein 130 (gp130). N-linked glycosylation, a post-translational modification where complex oligosaccharides are attached to the side chain of asparagine residues, is often important for stability, folding and biological function of cytokine receptors. Methods: We generated different IL-11R mutants via site-directed mutagenesis and analyzed them in different cell lines via Western blot, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and proliferation assays. Results: In this study, we identified two functional N-glycosylation sites in the D2 domain of the IL-11R at N127 and N194. While mutation of N127Q only slightly affects cell surface expression of the IL-11R, mutation of N194Q broadly prevents IL-11R appearance at the plasma membrane. Accordingly, IL-11R mutants lacking N194 are retained within the ER, whereas the N127 mutant is transported through the Golgi complex to the cell surface, uncovering a differential role of the two N-glycan sequons for IL-11R maturation. Interestingly, IL-11R mutants devoid of one or both N-glycans are still biologically active. Furthermore, the IL-11RN127Q/N194Q mutant shows no inducible shedding by ADAM10, but is rather constitutively released into the supernatant. Conclusion: Our results show that the two N-glycosylation sites differentially influence stability and proteolytic processing of the IL-11R, but that N-linked glycosylation is not a prerequisite for IL-11 signaling.

Antecedents and Consequences of Fairness Perceptions in Personnel Selection

Drawing on Gilliland’s selection fairness framework, we examined antecedents and behavioral effects of applicant procedural fairness perceptions before, during, and after a personnel selection procedure using a six-wave longitudinal research design. Results showed that both perceived post-test fairness and pre-feedback fairness perceptions are related to job offer acceptance and job performance after 18 months, but not to job performance after 36 months. Pre-test and post-test procedural fairness perceptions were mainly related to formal characteristics and interpersonal treatment, whereas pre-feedback fairness perceptions were related to formal characteristics and explanations. The impact of fairness attributes of formal characteristics and interpersonal treatment diminished over time, whereas attributes of explanation were only associated with pre-feedback fairness. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical implications for fairness research and for hiring organizations.

The Role of Job and Family Involvement for Satisfaction in Job and Family

Abstract. Job and family involvement have been shown to have important implications for job and family satisfaction. While most theoretical considerations and research imply that each type of involvement will be beneficial for participation and satisfaction in each particular domain, their joint impact is not well understood. Moreover, little is known of how overall involvement may predict changes in job and family satisfaction across time. This study empirically examines the effect of both involvement in job and family on job and family satisfaction trajectories. Self-report data were collected from 460 employees at three time points over a 12-month period. Using latent growth curve modeling, results demonstrate that people who are highly involved overall (i.e., have high levels in job and family involvement) show higher initial scores in latent job and family satisfaction trajectories, compared to people who have very little involvement. In turn, people who are highly involved overall show a decline in family satisfaction across time. Our results provide insight into the beneficial and detrimental effects that might arise when employees place high importance on both job and family involvement. The findings also suggest that research should address the joint operation of the two types of involvement in order to predict changes in job and family satisfaction over time.