On Schrodinger Maps

We study the question of well-posedness of the Cauchy problem for Schr¨odinger maps from R 1 ×R 2 to the sphere S 2 or to H2 , the hyperbolic space. The idea is to choose an appropriate gauge change so that the derivatives of the map will satisfy a certain nonlinear Schr¨odinger system of equations and then study this modified Schr¨odinger map system (MSM). We then prove local well posedness of the Cauchy problem for the MSM with minimal regularity assumptions on the data and outline a method to derive well posedness of the Schr¨odinger map itself from it. In proving well posedness of the MSM, the heart of the matter is resolved by considering truly quatrilinear forms of weighted L 2 functions

Flagellin delays spontaneous human neutrophil apoptosis

Neutrophils are short-lived cells that rapidly undergo apoptosis. However, their survival can be regulated by signals from the environment. Flagellin, the primary component of the bacterial flagella, is known to induce neutrophil activation. In this study we examined the ability of flagellin to modulate neutrophil apoptosis. Neutrophils cultured for 12 and 24 h in the presence of flagellin from Salmonella thyphimurim at concentrations found in pathological situations underwent a marked prevention of apoptosis. In contrast, Helicobacter pylori flagellin did not affect neutrophil survival, suggesting that Salmonella flagellin exerts the antiapoptotic effect by interacting with TLR5. The delaying in apoptosis mediated by Salmonella flagellin was coupled to higher expression levels of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 and lower levels of activated caspase-3. Analysis of the signaling pathways indicated that Salmonella flagellin induced the activation of the p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways as well as the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, it also stimulated IBα degradation and the phosphorylation of the p65 subunit, suggesting that Salmonella flagellin also triggers NF-B activation. Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway and NF-B activation partially prevented the antiapoptotic effects exerted by flagellin. Finally, the apoptotic delaying effect exerted by flagellin was also evidenced when neutrophils were cultured with whole heat-killed S. thyphimurim. Both a wild-type and an aflagellate mutant S. thyphimurim strain promoted neutrophil survival; however, when cultured in low bacteria/neutrophil ratios, the flagellate bacteria showed a higher capacity to inhibit neutrophil apoptosis, although both strains showed a similar ability to induce neutrophil activation. Taken together, our results indicate that flagellin delays neutrophil apoptosis by a mechanism partially dependent on the activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and NF-B. The ability of flagellin to delay neutrophil apoptosis could contribute to perpetuate the inflammation during infections with flagellated bacteria.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Angiotensin-(1-7) counteracts the transforming effects triggered by angiotensin II in breast cancer cells

Angiotensin (Ang) II, the main effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, has been implicated in multiple aspects of cancer progression such as proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Ang-(1-7), is a biologically active heptapeptide, generated predominantly from AngII by the enzymatic activity of angiotensin converting enzyme 2. Previous studies have shown that Ang-(1-7) counterbalances AngII actions in different pathophysiological settings. In this study, we have analysed the impact of Ang( 1-7) on AngII-induced pro-tumorigenic features on normal murine mammary epithelial cells NMuMG and breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. AngII stimulated the activation of the survival factor AKT in NMuMG cells mainly through the AT1 receptor. This PI3K/AKT pathway activation also promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Concomitant treatment of NMuMG cells with AngII and Ang-(1-7) completely abolished EMT features induced by AngII. Furthermore, Ang-(1-7) abrogated AngII induced migration and invasion of the MDA-MB-231 cells as well as pro-angiogenic events such as the stimulation of MMP-9 activity and VEGF expression. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that Ang-(1-7) counteracts tumor aggressive signals stimulated by AngII in breast cancer cells emerging the peptide as a potential therapy to prevent breast cancer progression

Flagellin delays spontaneous human neutrophil apoptosis

Neutrophils are short-lived cells that rapidly undergo apoptosis. However, their survival can be regulated by signals from the environment. Flagellin, the primary component of the bacterial flagella, is known to induce neutrophil activation. In this study we examined the ability of flagellin to modulate neutrophil apoptosis. Neutrophils cultured for 12 and 24 h in the presence of flagellin from Salmonella thyphimurim at concentrations found in pathological situations underwent a marked prevention of apoptosis. In contrast, Helicobacter pylori flagellin did not affect neutrophil survival, suggesting that Salmonella flagellin exerts the antiapoptotic effect by interacting with TLR5. The delaying in apoptosis mediated by Salmonella flagellin was coupled to higher expression levels of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 and lower levels of activated caspase-3. Analysis of the signaling pathways indicated that Salmonella flagellin induced the activation of the p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways as well as the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, it also stimulated IBα degradation and the phosphorylation of the p65 subunit, suggesting that Salmonella flagellin also triggers NF-B activation. Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway and NF-B activation partially prevented the antiapoptotic effects exerted by flagellin. Finally, the apoptotic delaying effect exerted by flagellin was also evidenced when neutrophils were cultured with whole heat-killed S. thyphimurim. Both a wild-type and an aflagellate mutant S. thyphimurim strain promoted neutrophil survival; however, when cultured in low bacteria/neutrophil ratios, the flagellate bacteria showed a higher capacity to inhibit neutrophil apoptosis, although both strains showed a similar ability to induce neutrophil activation. Taken together, our results indicate that flagellin delays neutrophil apoptosis by a mechanism partially dependent on the activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and NF-B. The ability of flagellin to delay neutrophil apoptosis could contribute to perpetuate the inflammation during infections with flagellated bacteria.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

On the Well-Posedness of the Wave Map Problem in High Dimensions

We construct a gauge theoretic change of variables for the wave map from R × Rn into a compact group or Riemannian symmetric space, prove a new multiplication theorem for mixed Lebesgue-Besov spaces, and show the global well-posedness of a modified wave map equation - n ≥ 4 - for small critical initial data. We obtain global existence and uniqueness for the Cauchy problem of wave maps into compact Lie groups and symmetric spaces with small critical initial data and n ≥ 4

Angiotensin II type 1a-deficient bone marrow-derived dendritic cells produce higher levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1

We read with interest the article from Crowley et al,1 who studied the role of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors (AT1aR) on immune cells in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II–induced hypertension by generating bone marrow chimeras with wild-type (WT) donors or donors lacking AT1aR. Interestingly, they found that the group of donors lacking AT1aR had more albuminuria and higher expression of a number of inflammatory mediators, including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), with persistent infiltration of macrophages in the kidney, concluding that AT1aR on bone marrow–derived cells had protective actions.Fil: Nahmod, Karen Amelia. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Geffner, Jorge Raúl. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas "Mariano R. Castex"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Walther, Thomas. University of Hull; Reino Unid

On the Well-Posedness of the Wave Map Problem in High Dimensions

We construct a gauge theoretic change of variables for the wave map from R × Rn into a compact group or Riemannian symmetric space, prove a new multiplication theorem for mixed Lebesgue-Besov spaces, and show the global well-posedness of a modified wave map equation - n ≥ 4 - for small critical initial data. We obtain global existence and uniqueness for the Cauchy problem of wave maps into compact Lie groups and symmetric spaces with small critical initial data and n ≥ 4