Basement Membrane Zone Collagens XV and XVIII/Proteoglycans Mediate Leukocyte Influx in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion

Collagen type XV and XVIII are proteoglycans found in the basement membrane zones of endothelial and epithelial cells, and known for their cryptic anti-angiogenic domains named restin and endostatin, respectively. Mutations or deletions of these collagens are associated with eye, muscle and microvessel phenotypes. We now describe a novel role for these collagens, namely a supportive role in leukocyte recruitment. We subjected mice deficient in collagen XV or collagen XVIII, and their compound mutant, as well as the wild-type control mice to bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion, and evaluated renal function, tubular injury, and neutrophil and macrophage influx at different time points after ischemia/reperfusion. Five days after ischemia/reperfusion, the collagen XV, collagen XVIII and the compound mutant mice showed diminished serum urea levels compared to wild-type mice (all

Kylmäaltistus, ruumisnostalgia ja tieteellisyyden spektaakkelit Wim Hof -metodin mediaesityksissä

Abstrakti Kylmäaltistus, suomalaisittain tutummin avantouinti, on noussut kausiluontoiseksi some-ilmiöksi ja kansainvälisesti näkyväksi terapeuttiseksi ruumiintekniikaksi, jota koskevalle tutkimustiedolle on populaaria kysyntää. Tarkastelemme artikkelissa, miten kylmäaltistuksen paikoin jännitteisiä merkityksiä tuotetaan ja artikuloidaan monimediaisessa aineistossamme. Analyysimme keskiössä on somealustoilla suosittu Wim Hof -metodi, jossa kylmäaltistus tuotteistetaan (hengitys- ja tietoisuusharjoitusten ohella) tieteellisesti todennetuksi hyvinvointitekniikaksi. Analysoimme, miten metodia merkityksellistetään erilaisissa visuaalisissa mediatuotteissa ja kirjallisuudessa yksilöllisenä vaihtoehtohoitona, tapana luoda autenttinen luontoyhteys ja miten tekniikasta rakennetaan ruumiin koettelemisen ja ”biohakkeroinnin” spektaakkeleja. Media-antropologiselle tutkimusotteelle ominaisesti media-aineistomme keskustelee Suomesta kerätyn empiirisen aineiston kanssa, mikä tuo esiin, miten mediaesitysten rakentamat merkitykset resonoivat Wim Hof -ohjaajien haastatteluissa ja talviuinnin harrastajien kyselyvastauksissa. Kontekstualisoimme tulkintojamme laajempiin ruumiinkulttuurisiin ilmiöihin, kuten ”uuteen työruumiiseen”, ääriurheiluun sekä niin sanottuun ruumisnostalgiaan.Abstract Cold exposure, more commonly known in Finland as winter swimming, has become a seasonal social media phenomenon and internationally recognized therapeutic technique, which has created popular demand for research on the topic. In this article, we examine how representations of cold exposure are produced and articulated in our multimedia material. Our analysis focuses on the Wim Hof Method, popular on social media platforms, in which cold exposure is marketed (alongside breathing and mindfulness exercises) as a scientifically proven wellness technique. We analyze how the method is represented in various audiovisual products and literature as an individualistic alternative treatment, a way to create an authentic nature connection, and how the technique makes use of spectacles of physical endurance and “biohacking”. In line with our media-anthropological approach, our media materials are discussed in conjunction with empirical data collected from Finland, which highlights how media representations resonate with interviews with Wim Hof instructors and written responses from winter swimming enthusiasts. We contextualize our interpretations within broader body culture phenomena, such as the “new work body”, extreme sports, and so-called body nostalgia

Generation of self-reactive, shared T-cell receptor ? chains in the human thymus

The T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is generated in a semistochastic process of gene recombination and pairing of TCR? to TCR? chains with the estimated total TCR diversity of >108. Despite this high diversity, similar or identical TCR chains are found to recur in immune responses. Here, we analyzed the thymic generation of TCR sequences previously associated with recognition of self- and nonself-antigens, represented by sequences associated with autoimmune diabetes and HIV, respectively. Unexpectedly, in the CD4+ compartment TCR? chains associated with the recognition of self-antigens were generated in significantly higher numbers than TCR? chains associated with the recognition of nonself-antigens. The analysis of the circulating repertoire further showed that these chains are not lost in negative selection nor predominantly converted to the regulatory T-cell lineage. The high abundance of self-reactive TCR? chains in multiple individuals suggests that the human thymus has a predilection to generate self-reactive TCR? chains independently of the HLA-type and that the individual risk of autoimmunity may be modulated by the TCR? repertoire associated with these chains.Peer reviewe