Pro-inflammatory endothelial cell dysfunction is associated with intersectin-1s down-regulation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The response of lung microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is central to the pathogenesis of lung injury. It is dual in nature, with one facet that is pro-inflammatory and another that is cyto-protective. In previous work, overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-X_L rescued ECs from apoptosis triggered by siRNA knockdown of intersectin-1s (ITSN-1s), a pro-survival protein crucial for ECs function. Here we further characterized the cyto-protective EC response to LPS and pro-inflammatory dysfunction.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>Electron microscopy (EM) analyses of LPS-exposed ECs revealed an activated/dysfunctional phenotype, while a biotin assay for caveolae internalization followed by biochemical quantification indicated that LPS causes a 40% inhibition in biotin uptake compared to controls. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression, respectively, for several regulatory proteins of intrinsic apoptosis, including ITSN-1s. The decrease in ITSN-1s mRNA and protein expression were countered by Bcl-X_L and survivin upregulation, as well as Bim downregulation, events thought to protect ECs from impending apoptosis. Absence of apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL and lack of cytochrome c (cyt c) efflux from mitochondria. Moreover, LPS exposure caused induction and activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and a mitochondrial variant (mtNOS), as well as augmented mitochondrial NO production as measured by an oxidation oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) assay applied on mitochondrial-enriched fractions prepared from LPS-exposed ECs. Interestingly, expression of myc-ITSN-1s rescued caveolae endocytosis and reversed induction of iNOS expression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that ITSN-1s deficiency is relevant for the pro-inflammatory ECs dysfunction induced by LPS.</p

Work and sensibilities. Commodification and processes of expropriation around digital labour

The notion of digital labour has revitalized discussions around critical communication studies, but it has also been relevant to inquiries on the metamorphosis of labour relationships, and even in studies of everyday life in the context of Society 4.0. Addressing questions emerging from those insights, this chapter explores some contributions from the sociology of the body/emotions for understanding the practices and politics of sensibilities associated with digital labour. To do this, this chapter (i) explores various theoretical debates around the definition of digital labour, in order to underline the relevance of redefining forms of exploitation regarding related practices, (ii) develops arguments from the perspective of the sociology of bodies/emotions, which allow us to understand in what sense the technological mediation linked to the expansion of ICTs constitutes a reconfiguration of ?the politics of the senses? (look, see, observe, touch etc.) and (iii) analyses cases of workers in ICT industries (based on testimonies and records of virtual ethnography) that allow us to connect their daily experience with certain mechanisms of expropriation and commodification of the vitality of bodies.Fil: Scribano, Adrián Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lisdero, Pedro Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentin

Labour, body, and social conflict: the “digital smile” and emotional work in call centres

The aim of this chapter is to look into some of the contributions of the sociology of bodies/emotions in order to understand the manifestations of social conflict linked to new labour scenarios, as a starting point from which to understand the processes of social structuration. Specifically, the purpose here is to explore a few of the meaningful dimensions of conflicts associated with the Call Centres sector in Argentina. Based on this objective, the following argumentative strategy is proposed. Firstly, several general theoretical considerations underpinning the analysis will be made. Secondly, the processes of work insecurity observed in the sector from the emergence of precarious bodies will be described. Thirdly, the ?potentiality for collective action? of the bodies-that-work will be especially problematized, emphasizing the issue of ?emotional work?, as a privileged standpoint for its interpretation. In the conclusions, we will recast the phrase ?slavery of the souls? (Colectivo Situaciones 2006) in order to problematize, from the perspective of the actors, the meaning of the social mechanisms previously linked between digital and emotional work.Fil: Lisdero, Pedro Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentin