Force Measurements of TCR/pMHC Recognition at T Cell Surface

The rupture forces and adhesion frequencies of single recognition complexes between an affinity selected peptide/MHC complex and a TCR at a murine hybridoma surface were measured using Atomic Force Microscopy. When the CD8 coreceptor is absent, the adhesion frequency depends on the nature of the peptide but the rupture force does not. When CD8 is present, no effect of the nature of the peptide is observed. CD8 is proposed to act as a time and distance lock, enabling the shorter TCR molecule to bridge the pMHC and have time to finely read the peptide. Ultimately, such experiments could help the dissection of the sequential steps by which the TCR reads the peptide/MHC complex in order to control T cell activation

Iron Behaving Badly: Inappropriate Iron Chelation as a Major Contributor to the Aetiology of Vascular and Other Progressive Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases

The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of aerobic metabolism, and while these particular "reactive oxygen species" (ROSs) can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic inflammation. We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e. iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation). The studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of multiple factors that is responsible. This explains, for instance, the decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, etc...Comment: 159 pages, including 9 Figs and 2184 reference

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

Douleurs abdominales chroniques. Diagnostic: mésothéliome péritonéal.

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Dysfunction of Anoctamin 1 (Ano1) in F508del mouse pancreatic b-cell

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is complicated by a form of diabetes (CFRD) mainly characterized by a gradual decline in insulin secretion. Although not apparent at birth, its prevalence increases with age, complicating CF in about 50% of the patients > 35 years, worsening their condition and increasing mortality. Yet little is known on the underlying mechanisms and the functional defects of CFRD within the β-cell. Interestingly, the Anoctamin 1 (Ano1) channel, a calcium-activated chloride channel, has been shown to contribute to insulin secretion and its activity appears to be linked to CFTR function. First Ano1 is expressed by mouse pancreatic b-cells as observed in rat and human b-cells. By immunohistochemistry we localized Ano1 in pancreatic islets and by patch clamp analysis we detected a Ca2+-activated anion channel. Increase in extracellular glucose is a pacemaker inducing cyclic oscillations in b-cell membrane potential. After an initial depolarization, due to closure of the KATP channels, alternating phases of depolarization (active) and repolarization (silent) phases can be observed partially explained by the gating of Ano1. During the active phases, spikes then repeated bursts of action potentials (AP) occur witnessing that the threshold for opening voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels has been reached, allowing Ca2+ entry and triggering insulin release. By patch clamp, we studied the fluctuations of the b-cell membrane potential induced by glucose, 11.1 mM. Their pattern was similar in young F508del mice (1 year) when compared to matched WT mice. In these F508del mice, the resting membrane potential was hyperpolarized (-81 vs -74 mV in WT; p=0.0002) and the number of AP/30 min was drastically reduced (811 vs 1394 in WT; p=0.01) with the bursting second phase peak amplitude partially repolarized (-29 vs -15 mV in WT; p=0.009). Moreover the duration of the silent phase separating the first spiking active phase and the second bursting continuous phase was increased (715 vs 275 sec in WT; p=0.025). The Ano1 potentiator bromophenyltetrazolbenzamide (Fact) was used to further study Ano1 contribution, first in WT mice. When Fact was added simultaneously with the increased glucose concentration, no silent phase was anymore observed and the number of AP/30 min was increased from 1394 to 3475 (p=0.0002). When Fact was added after the increase in glucose concentration, the AP events/30 min increased from 1728 to 3240 (p=0.01) while the AP peak was further depolarized (-16 vs -21 mV; p=0.007). Thus in F508del as in WT b-cell, Fact increased AP number and at least partially corrected the decreased electrical activity of F508del b-cells. Insulin secretion by isolated islets is clearly increased by Fact in WT mice. Its effect in aged F508del mice was therefore examined here. In conclusion, b-cell from F508del mice exhibit membrane hyperpolarization and as the mice aged, dysfunctional Ano1 gating appears leading to reduced number of AP/30 min. Fact appears to correct Ano1 dysfunction in F508del mice and thus is of potential interest in CFRD

Pendrin: the thyrocyte apical membrane iodide transporter?

In the thyroid, the transport of iodide from the extracellular space to the follicular lumen requires two steps: the transport in the cell at the basal side and in the lumen at the apical side. The first step is mediated by the Na(+)/I(-) symporter (NIS). In most reviews and textbooks, the second step is presented as mediated by pendrin. In this review, we analyze this assumption. There are several arguments supporting the concept that indeed pendrin plays an important role in thyroid physiology. However, biochemical, clinical and histological data on the thyroid of a patient with Pendred syndrome do not suggest an essential role in iodide transport, which is corroborated by the lack of a thyroid phenotype in pendrin knockout mice. Experiments in vivo and in vitro on polarized and unpolarized cells show that iodide is transported transport of iodide at the apex of the thyroid cell. Moreover, ectopic expression of pendrin in transfected non-thyroid cells is capable of mediating iodide efflux. It is concluded that pendrin may participate in the iodide efflux into thyroid lumen but not as the unique transporter. Moreover, another role of pendrin in mediating Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange and controlling luminal pH is suggested.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Expression and localization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in the rat endocrine pancreas.

Impaired glucose tolerance and overt diabetes mellitus are becoming increasingly common complications of cystic fibrosis (CF), most probably merely as a result of increased life expectancy. In order to understand the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), knowledge on the possible expression and cell distribution of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein within the endocrine pancreas is required. In this report, we establish the first evidence for expression of CFTR protein in rat pancreatic islets by using independent techniques. First reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification showed that CFTR mRNA is present in isolated islets of Langerhans. Furthermore, the analysis of flow cytometry-separated islet cells indicated that the level of CFTR transcripts is significantly higher in the non-beta than in beta-cell populations. The expression of CFTR protein in rat islet cells was also demonstrated by Western blotting and the level of expression was also found significantly higher in the non-beta than in beta-cell populations. Last, in situ immunocytochemistry studies with two monoclonal antibodies recognizing different CFTR epitopes indicated that CFTR expression occurs mainly in glucagon-secreting alpha-cells.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

Molecular Mechanisms Of Cell Death: Recommendations Of The Nomenclature Committee On Cell Death 2018

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field