Eosinophil adhesion under flow conditions activates mechanosensitive signaling pathways in human endothelial cells

Leukocyte transmigration can be affected by shear stress; however, the mechanisms by which shear stress modulates transmigration are unknown. We found that adhesion of eosinophils or an eosinophilic cell line to intereukin 4–stimulated endothelial cells led to a shear-dependent increase in endothelial cell intracellular calcium and increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 2, but not c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Latex beads coated with antibodies were used to characterize the role of specific endothelial cell surface molecules in initiating signaling under shear conditions. We found that ligation of either vascular cell adhesion molecule–1 or E-selectin, but not major histocompatibility complex class I, induced a shear-dependent increase in ERK2 phosphorylation in cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells. Disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton with latrunculin A prevented ERK2 phosphorylation after adhesion under flow conditions, supporting a role for the cytoskeleton in mechanosensing. Rapid phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin occurred under identical conditions, suggesting that focal adhesions were also involved in mechanotransduction. Finally, we found that Rho-associated protein kinase and calpain were both critical in the subsequent transendothelial migration of eosinophils under flow conditions. These data suggest that ligation of leukocyte adhesion molecules under flow conditions leads to mechanotransduction in endothelial cells, which can regulate subsequent leukocyte trafficking

Green evolution and dynamic adaptations revealed by genomes of the marine picoeukaryotes Micromonas.

International audiencePicoeukaryotes are a taxonomically diverse group of organisms less than 2 micrometers in diameter. Photosynthetic marine picoeukaryotes in the genus Micromonas thrive in ecosystems ranging from tropical to polar and could serve as sentinel organisms for biogeochemical fluxes of modern oceans during climate change. These broadly distributed primary producers belong to an anciently diverged sister clade to land plants. Although Micromonas isolates have high 18S ribosomal RNA gene identity, we found that genomes from two isolates shared only 90% of their predicted genes. Their independent evolutionary paths were emphasized by distinct riboswitch arrangements as well as the discovery of intronic repeat elements in one isolate, and in metagenomic data, but not in other genomes. Divergence appears to have been facilitated by selection and acquisition processes that actively shape the repertoire of genes that are mutually exclusive between the two isolates differently than the core genes. Analyses of the Micromonas genomes offer valuable insights into ecological differentiation and the dynamic nature of early plant evolution

Infections in Infants with SCID: Isolation, Infection Screening, and Prophylaxis in PIDTC Centers.

PurposeThe Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium (PIDTC) enrolled children with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in a prospective natural history study of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) outcomes over the last decade. Despite newborn screening (NBS) for SCID, infections occurred prior to HSCT. This study's objectives were to define the types and timing of infection prior to HSCT in patients diagnosed via NBS or by family history (FH) and to understand the breadth of strategies employed at PIDTC centers for infection prevention.MethodsWe analyzed retrospective data on infections and pre-transplant management in patients with SCID diagnosed by NBS and/or FH and treated with HSCT between 2010 and 2014. PIDTC centers were surveyed in 2018 to understand their practices and protocols for pre-HSCT management.ResultsInfections were more common in patients diagnosed via NBS (55%) versus those diagnosed via FH (19%) (p = 0.012). Outpatient versus inpatient management did not impact infections (47% vs 35%, respectively; p = 0.423). There was no consensus among PIDTC survey respondents as to the best setting (inpatient vs outpatient) for pre-HSCT management. While isolation practices varied, immunoglobulin replacement and antimicrobial prophylaxis were more uniformly implemented.ConclusionInfants with SCID diagnosed due to FH had lower rates of infection and proceeded to HSCT more quickly than did those diagnosed via NBS. Pre-HSCT management practices were highly variable between centers, although uses of prophylaxis and immunoglobulin support were more consistent. This study demonstrates a critical need for development of evidence-based guidelines for the pre-HSCT management of infants with SCID following an abnormal NBS.Trial registrationNCT01186913