90 research outputs found
Le FORUM, Vol. 37 No. 2
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1037/thumbnail.jp
Force Generation upon T Cell Receptor Engagement
T cells are major players of adaptive immune response in mammals. Recognition of
an antigenic peptide in association with the major histocompatibility complex at
the surface of an antigen presenting cell (APC) is a specific and sensitive
process whose mechanism is not fully understood. The potential contribution of
mechanical forces in the T cell activation process is increasingly debated,
although these forces are scarcely defined and hold only limited experimental
evidence. In this work, we have implemented a biomembrane force probe (BFP)
setup and a model APC to explore the nature and the characteristics of the
mechanical forces potentially generated upon engagement of the T cell receptor
(TCR) and/or lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). We show that upon
contact with a model APC coated with antibodies towards TCR-CD3, after a short
latency, the T cell developed a timed sequence of pushing and pulling forces
against its target. These processes were defined by their initial constant
growth velocity and loading rate (force increase per unit of time). LFA-1
engagement together with TCR-CD3 reduced the growing speed during the pushing
phase without triggering the same mechanical behavior when engaged alone.
Intracellular Ca2+ concentration
([Ca2+]i) was monitored simultaneously
to verify the cell commitment in the activation process.
[Ca2+]i increased a few tens of seconds
after the beginning of the pushing phase although no strong correlation appeared
between the two events. The pushing phase was driven by actin polymerization.
Tuning the BFP mechanical properties, we could show that the loading rate during
the pulling phase increased with the target stiffness. This indicated that a
mechanosensing mechanism is implemented in the early steps of the activation
process. We provide here the first quantified description of force generation
sequence upon local bidimensional engagement of TCR-CD3 and discuss its
potential role in a T cell mechanically-regulated activation process
The 12p13.33/RAD52 locus and genetic susceptibility to squamous cell cancers of upper aerodigestive tract
Acknowledgments: The authors thank all of the participants who took part in this research and the funders and support and technical staff who made this study possible. We also acknowledge and thank The Cancer Genome Atlas initiative whose data contributed heavily to this study. Funding: Funding for study coordination, genotyping of replication studies and statistical analysis was provided by the US National Institutes of Health (R01 CA092039 05/05S1) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (1R03DE020116). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Functional mechanisms underlying pleiotropic risk alleles at the 19p13.1 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility locus
A locus at 19p13 is associated with breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) risk. Here we analyse 438 SNPs in this region in 46,451 BC and 15,438 OC cases, 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 73,444 controls and identify 13 candidate causal SNPs associated with serous OC (P=9.2 × 10-20), ER-negative BC (P=1.1 × 10-13), BRCA1-associated BC (P=7.7 × 10-16) and triple negative BC (P-diff=2 × 10-5). Genotype-gene expression associations are identified for candidate target genes ANKLE1 (P=2 × 10-3) and ABHD8 (P<2 × 10-3). Chromosome conformation capture identifies interactions between four candidate SNPs and ABHD8, and luciferase assays indicate six risk alleles increased transactivation of the ADHD8 promoter. Targeted deletion of a region containing risk SNP rs56069439 in a putative enhancer induces ANKLE1 downregulation; and mRNA stability assays indicate functional effects for an ANKLE1 3′-UTR SNP. Altogether, these data suggest that multiple SNPs at 19p13 regulate ABHD8 and perhaps ANKLE1 expression, and indicate common mechanisms underlying breast and ovarian cancer risk
Multistrange baryon production in Au-Au collisions at root s(NN)=130 GeV
The transverse mass spectra and midrapidity yields for Xis and Omegas are presented. For the 10% most central collisions, the (Xi) over bar (+)/h(-) ratio increases from the Super Proton Synchrotron to the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider energies while the Xi(-)/h(-) stays approximately constant. A hydrodynamically inspired model fit to the Xi spectra, which assumes a thermalized source, seems to indicate that these multistrange particles experience a significant transverse flow effect, but are emitted when the system is hotter and the flow is smaller than values obtained from a combined fit to pi, K, p, and Lambdas
Hungry Eye; Mushroom Magic
Indoor mushroom cultivation is thriving in Maine. This article follows three companies through the process of growing Maine mushrooms that are finding a place at local restaurants and markets
Hungry Eye. It\u27s Wine O\u27Clock Somewhere Here!
Sommelier Ralph Hersom is interviewed about how he got into the restaurant and wine business and his perspective on the business today. [image
Portland After Dark. Night Galleries
Both neighborhood bistros, Local 188 (at Congress St. and Longfellow Square) and the Blue Spoon (located on Congress St. toward the top of Munjoy Hill) offer space for local artists to display their artwork as well as sell it to interested diners. [images
Maine to Go
A survey of some of the state’s top tourist attractions and how they are portrayed in guide books. The author also discusses the ratings system and how the internet has impacted how hotels and destinations are ranked
“Hungry Eye” piece on the paucity of Franco-American restaurants in Maine.
“Hungry Eye” piece on the paucity of Franco-American restaurants in Maine. Restaurants such as Two Rivers Lunch in Allagash, Crystal Lynn’s in Madawaska, Robin’s Restaurant in Van Buren, and Rolly’s Diner in Auburn serve Franco dishes, but owner and chef of the Frog & Turtle pub in Westbrook, James Tranchemontagne, and author Rhea Côté Robbins discuss why Franco cuisine has not yet seen commercial success
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