A self-organized synthetic morphogenic liposome responds with shape changes to local light cues

Reconstituting artificial proto-cells capable of transducing extracellular signals into cytoskeletal changes can reveal fundamental principles of how non-equilibrium phenomena in cellular signal transduction affect morphogenesis. Here, we generated a Synthetic Morphogenic Membrane System (SynMMS) by encapsulating a dynamic microtubule (MT) aster and a light-inducible signaling system driven by GTP/ATP chemical potential into cell-sized liposomes. Responding to light cues in analogy to morphogens, this biomimetic design embodies basic principles of localized Rho-GTPase signal transduction that generate an intracellular MT-regulator signaling gradient. Light-induced signaling promotes membrane-deforming growth of MT-filaments by dynamically elevating the membrane-proximal tubulin concentration. The resulting membrane deformations enable recursive coupling of the MT-aster with the signaling system, which generates global self-organized morphologies that reorganize towards local external cues in dependence on prior shape. SynMMS thereby signifies a step towards bio-inspired engineering of self-organized cellular morphogenesis

Manifestation of palmoplantar pustulosis during or after infliximab therapy for plaque-type psoriasis: report on five cases

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against TNF-α. It has been approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriatic arthritis and plaque-type psoriasis. In case reports, positive effects on pustular variants of psoriasis have also been reported. However, paradoxically, manifestation of pustular psoriasis and plaque-type psoriasis has been reported in patients treated with TNF antagonists including infliximab for other indications. Here, we report on 5 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis who developed palmoplantar pustulosis during or after discontinuation of infliximab therapy. In two of the five cases, manifestation of palmoplantar pustulosis was not accompanied by worsening of plaque-type psoriasis. Possibly, site-specific factors or a differential contribution of immunological processes modulated by TNF inhibitors to palmoplantar pustulosis and plaque-type psoriasis may have played a role

Systems Imaging of the Immune Synapse

Three-dimensional live cell imaging of the interaction of T cells with antigen presenting cells (APC) visualizes the subcellular distributions of signaling intermediates during T cell activation at thousands of resolved positions within a cell. These information-rich maps of local protein concentrations are a valuable resource in understanding T cell signaling. Here, we describe a protocol for the efficient acquisition of such imaging data and their computational processing to create four-dimensional maps of local concentrations. This protocol allows quantitative analysis of T cell signaling as it occurs inside live cells with resolution in time and space across thousands of cells

Evaluating the Effects of Relational Training Procedures on Memory, Dementia Symptomology and Derived Relational Responding in Older Adults

With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation there will be an influx of older adults in the years to come that has never been witnessed before. While a longer life brings with it many opportunities, they are dependent on one thing: the individual’s health. Of the top five chronic conditions that many older adults may face in their lifetime, Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias are of most concern since they are defined by decline in cognitive functions that lead to loss of independence. As rates of dementia climb and no cure in site, interventions are needed to help aid in the wide-ranging impact dementia will have on the individual, their caregivers, and their community as a whole. One area of promise is the use of language training procedures to address areas of concern for older adults. Relational Frame Theory (RFT), a contemporary behavior-analytic account of complex human language and cognition, offers a behavior-oriented interpretation of memory and factors that may lead to a better understanding of dementia. With the basic theory provided by RFT, researchers are now provided the tools to understand more thoroughly the processes underlying memory and applying them to better understand human suffering and ways to eliminate it. This series of two studies aims to add to the understanding of human suffering by examining the relationship and effects of relational training procedures on memory, dementia symptomology, and derived relational in older adults. Study 1 examined the relationship between dementia symptomology, memory, and derived relational responding. Results of this study suggest that individuals with higher levels of dementia show lower levels of memory and derived relational responding. Study 2 evaluated the effects of relational training procedures on dementia symptomology, memory, and derived relational responding in a randomized control trial. The results suggest that participants in the relational training group had greater gains in derived relational responding as compared to the control group, while similar gains were found in memory for both groups, as well as decreases in dementia symptomology. Together, these studies add to the growing literature supporting the use of RFT-based interventions to address those areas of concern for individuals affected by dementia and cognitive decline