A comprehensive resource for induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with primary tauopathies

Primary tauopathies are characterized neuropathologically by inclusions containing abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and clinically by diverse neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor impairments. Autosomal dominant mutations in the MAPT gene cause heterogeneous forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tauopathy (FTLD-Tau). Common and rare variants in the MAPT gene increase the risk for sporadic FTLD-Tau, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). We generated a collection of fibroblasts from 140 MAPT mutation/risk variant carriers, PSP, CBD, and cognitively normal controls; 31 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from MAPT mutation carriers, non-carrier family members, and autopsy-confirmed PSP patients; 33 genome engineered iPSCs that were corrected or mutagenized; and forebrain neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we present a resource of fibroblasts, iPSCs, and NPCs with comprehensive clinical histories that can be accessed by the scientific community for disease modeling and development of novel therapeutics for tauopathies

Interleukin-18 induces angiogenic factors in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue fibroblasts via distinct signaling pathways

Objective Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to examine the role of IL-18 in up-regulating secretion of the angiogenic factors stromal cell–derived factor 1Α (SDF-1Α)/CXCL12, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)/CCL2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RA synovial tissue (ST) fibroblasts, and the underlying signaling mechanisms involved. Methods We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Western blotting, and chemical inhibitors/antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to signaling intermediates to assess the role of IL-18. Results IL-18 significantly enhanced the production of SDF-1Α/CXCL12, MCP-1/CCL2, and VEGF in RA ST fibroblasts, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. IL-18–induced SDF-1Α/CXCL12 up-regulation was dependent on JNK, p38 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and NFΚB. While IL-18–induced production of SDF-1Α/CXCL12 was also dependent on protein kinase CΔ (PKCΔ), production of MCP-1/CCL2 was dependent on PKCΑ, not PKCΔ. Additionally, RA ST fibroblast IL-18–induced MCP-1/CCL2 production was mediated by JNK, PI3K, and NFΚB. In contrast, IL-18 did not induce secretion of RA ST fibroblast MCP-1/CCL2 or VEGF via p38 MAPK. IL-18–induced RA ST fibroblast production of VEGF was mediated mainly by JNK-2, PKCΑ, and NFΚB. IL-18 induced phosphorylation of JNK, PKCΔ, p38 MAPK, and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) in RA ST fibroblasts in a time-dependent manner, with JNK-2 being upstream of PKCΔ, ATF-2, and NFΚB. Conclusion These data support the notion that IL-18 has a unique role in inducing the secretion of angiogenic SDF-1Α/CXCL12, MCP-1/CCL2, and VEGF in RA ST fibroblasts, via distinct signaling intermediates.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56041/1/22705_ftp.pd

Bacteriocin production of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus KS400

In the last years, the use of probiotics, including Lactobacillus species, has received much attention to prevent and treat vaginal disorders. These species have been described as having the ability to colonize the epithelial surface and produce antimicrobial metabolites that are able to control the remaining vaginal microflora. This study aimed to identify and characterize, for the first time, a bacteriocin natively produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus KS400 (probiotic strain from Gynoflor®-Medinova AG, Switzerland) and its antimicrobial activity against relevant urogenital pathogens. After organic acids and hydrogen peroxide neutralization in the fermented Lactobacillus acidophilus KS400 culture medium, bacteriocin activity was tested against the indicator microorganism Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC9649. The fermentation of Lactobacillus acidophilus KS400 for bacteriocin production was carried out in batch mode, and its antimicrobial activity, optical density and pH were monitored. After production and extraction, the bacteriocin molecular weight was estimated by electrophoresis and tested against vaginal pathogenic microorganisms. As described for other bacteriocins, batch fermentation profiles indicated that bacteriocin production occurs during the exponential growth phase of the lactobacilli, and declines during their stationary growth phase. The molecular weight of the bacteriocin is approximately 7.5 kDa. The bacteriocin containing protein extract was shown to inhibit the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the indicator strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC9649. We conclude that L. acidophilus KS400 produces bacteriocin with antimicrobial activity against relevant urogenital pathogens.Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007491; Medinovainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: a mediator of matrix metalloproteinase-2 production in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of bone and cartilage, which is mediated, in part, by synovial fibroblasts. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of proteolytic enzymes responsible for matrix degradation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that induces the production of a large number of proinflammatory molecules and has an important role in the pathogenesis of RA by promoting inflammation and angiogenesis. In the present study, we determined the role of MIF in RA synovial fibroblast MMP production and the underlying signaling mechanisms. We found that MIF induces RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 expression in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. To elucidate the role of MIF in MMP-2 production, we produced zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA) in MIF gene-deficient and wild-type mice. We found that MMP-2 protein levels were significantly decreased in MIF gene-deficient compared with wild-type mice joint homogenates. The expression of MMP-2 in ZIA was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC revealed that MMP-2 is highly expressed in wild-type compared with MIF gene-deficient mice ZIA joints. Interestingly, synovial lining cells, endothelial cells, and sublining nonlymphoid mononuclear cells expressed MMP-2 in the ZIA synovium. Consistent with these results, in methylated BSA (mBSA) antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), a model of RA, enhanced MMP-2 expression was also observed in wild-type compared with MIF gene-deficient mice joints. To elucidate the signaling mechanisms in MIF-induced MMP-2 upregulation, RA synovial fibroblasts were stimulated with MIF in the presence of signaling inhibitors. We found that MIF-induced RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 upregulation required the protein kinase C (PKC), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Src signaling pathways. We studied the expression of MMP-2 in the presence of PKC isoform-specific inhibitors and found that the PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin inhibits MIF-induced RA synovial fibroblast MMP-2 production. Consistent with these results, MIF induced phosphorylation of JNK, PKCδ, and c-jun. These results indicate a potential novel role for MIF in tissue destruction in RA

A Comprehensive Resource for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Primary Tauopathies.

Primary tauopathies are characterized neuropathologically by inclusions containing abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and clinically by diverse neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor impairments. Autosomal dominant mutations in the MAPT gene cause heterogeneous forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tauopathy (FTLD-Tau). Common and rare variants in the MAPT gene increase the risk for sporadic FTLD-Tau, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). We generated a collection of fibroblasts from 140 MAPT mutation/risk variant carriers, PSP, CBD, and cognitively normal controls; 31 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from MAPT mutation carriers, non-carrier family members, and autopsy-confirmed PSP patients; 33 genome engineered iPSCs that were corrected or mutagenized; and forebrain neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we present a resource of fibroblasts, iPSCs, and NPCs with comprehensive clinical histories that can be accessed by the scientific community for disease modeling and development of novel therapeutics for tauopathies

MALT1 Small Molecule Inhibitors Specifically Suppress ABC-DLBCL In Vitro and In Vivo

SummaryMALT1 cleavage activity is linked to the pathogenesis of activated B cell-like diffuse large B cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL), a chemoresistant form of DLBCL. We developed a MALT1 activity assay and identified chemically diverse MALT1 inhibitors. A selected lead compound, MI-2, featured direct binding to MALT1 and suppression of its protease function. MI-2 concentrated within human ABC-DLBCL cells and irreversibly inhibited cleavage of MALT1 substrates. This was accompanied by NF-κB reporter activity suppression, c-REL nuclear localization inhibition, and NF-κB target gene downregulation. Most notably, MI-2 was nontoxic to mice, and displayed selective activity against ABC-DLBCL cell lines in vitro and xenotransplanted ABC-DLBCL tumors in vivo. The compound was also effective against primary human non-germinal center B cell-like DLBCLs ex vivo

Targets for COVID-19 symptomatology and disease control

Funding Information: This study was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain and EU‐FEDER [Grant BIOGAL PID2020‐116761GB‐I00]. M.C. was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain, grant IJC2020‐042710‐I. RV‐R was funded by Universidad de Castilla‐La Mancha (UCLM), Spain and the European Social Fund (ESF) [grant 2022‐PRED‐20675]. Funding Information: This study was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain and EU-FEDER [Grant BIOGAL PID2020-116761GB-I00]. M.C. was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain, grant IJC2020-042710-I. RV-R was funded by Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain and the European Social Fund (ESF) [grant 2022-PRED-20675]. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. European Journal of Immunology published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) still poses a challenge for biomedicine and public health. To advance the development of effective diagnostic, prognostic, and preventive interventions, our study focused on high-throughput antibody binding epitope mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD protein by IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies in saliva and sera of different cohorts from healthy uninfected individuals to SARS-CoV-2-infected unvaccinated and vaccinated asymptomatic, recovered, nonsevere, and severe patients. Identified candidate diagnostic (455-LFRKSNLKPFERD-467), prognostic (395-VYADSFVIRGDEV-407-C-KLH, 332-ITNLCPFGEV-342-C-KLH, 352-AWNRKRI-358-C-KLH, 524-VCGPKKSTNLVKN-536-KLH), and protective (MKLLE-487-NCYFPLQSYGFQPTNGVG-504-GGGGS-446-GGNYNYLYRLFRKSNLKPFERD-467) epitopes were validated with sera from prevaccine and postvaccine cohorts. The results identified neutralizing epitopes and support that antibody recognition of linear B-cell epitopes in RBD protein is associated with antibody isotype and disease symptomatology. The findings in asymptomatic individuals suggest a role for anti-RBD antibodies in the protective response against SARS-CoV-2. The possibility of translating results into diagnostic interventions for the early diagnosis of asymptomatic individuals and prognosis of disease severity provides new tools for COVID-19 surveillance and evaluation of risks in hospitalized patients. These results, together with other approaches, may contribute to the development of new vaccines for the control of COVID-19 and other coronavirus-related diseases using a quantum vaccinomics approach through the combination of protective epitopes.publishersversionpublishe

Using Satellite Images of Environmental Changes to Predict Infectious Disease Outbreaks

A strong global satellite imaging system is essential for predicting outbreaks