Regulation of Human Mast Cell and Basophil Function by Anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a

Allergic diseases such as asthma result from inappropriate immunologic responses to common environmental allergens in genetically susceptible individuals. Following allergen exposure, interaction of dendritic cells (DC) with CD4+ T cells leads to the production of Th2 cytokines, which induce B cells to synthesize IgE molecules (sensitization phase). These IgE molecules bind to their high affinity receptors (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells and basophils and their subsequent cross-linking by allergen results in the release of preformed and newly synthesized mediators, which cause bronchoconstriction, lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma (effector phase). The complement components C3a and C5a levels are increased in the lungs of patients with asthma and are likely generated via the actions of both allergen and mast cell proteases. In vivo studies with rodents have shown that while C3a facilitates allergen sensitization in some models C5a inhibits this response. Despite this difference, both anaphylatoxins promote lung inflammation and AHR in vivo indicating that cells other than DC and T cells likely mediate the functional effects of C3a and C5a in asthma. This review focuses on the contribution of C3a and C5a in the pathogenesis of asthma with a particular emphasis on mast cells and basophils. It discusses the mechanisms by which anaphylatoxins activate mast cells and basophils and the associated signaling pathways via which their receptors are regulated by priming and desensitization. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Assessment of Vanes Effectiveness in Controlling Erosion and Deposition Zones at a River Confluence using a 2D model

Controlling erosion and deposition zones that are usually forming at rivers confluences are important for improving river hydraulic efficiency. The flow in rivers confluences is highly complex, due to rapid changes associated with the river flow dynamics, sediment transport, and morphology. A two-dimensional (2D) numerical model was used to simulate the confluence between Kurau and Ara rivers, Perak, Malaysia. The numerical model has been calibrated and validated by using field data. The model was used to investigate the effectiveness of different shapes and sizes of 30o obstacles/vanes in controlling erosion and deposition zones at the confluence of Kurau and Ara rivers. The simulation results show that the best performance of 30o obstacles/vanes was found when a single obstacle/vane was introduced in the flow

Distinct Roles of Receptor Phosphorylation, G Protein Usage, and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation on Platelet Activating Factor-Induced Leukotriene C4 Generation and Chemokine Production

Platelet activating factor (PAF) interacts with cell surface G protein-coupled receptors on leukocytes to induce degranulation, leukotriene C4 (LTC4) generation, and chemokine CCL2 production. Using a basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cell line expressing wild-type PAF receptor (PAFR) and a phosphorylation-deficient mutant (mPAFR), we have previously demonstrated that receptor phosphorylation mediates desensitization of PAF-induced degranulation. Here, we sought to determine the role of receptor phosphorylation on PAF-induced LTC4 generation and CCL2 production. We found that PAF caused a significantly enhanced LTC4 generation in cells expressing mPAFR when compared with PAFR cells. In contrast, PAF-induced CCL2 production was greatly reduced in mPAFR cells. Pertussis toxin and U0126, which inhibit Gi and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK) activation, respectively, caused very little inhibition of PAF-induced CCL2 production (∼20% inhibition). In contrast, these inhibitors almost completely blocked both PAF-induced ERK phosphorylation and LTC4 generation in PAFR cells. However, in mPAFR cells pertussis toxin only partially inhibited PAF-induced ERK phosphorylation. A Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitor had no effect on PAF-induced ERK phosphorylation in PAFR cells but completely blocked the response in mPAFR cells. These data demonstrate that receptor phosphorylation, which serves to desensitize PAF-induced LTC4 generation, is required for chemokine CCL2 production. They also indicate a previously unrecognized selectivity in G protein usage and ERK activation for PAF-induced responses. Whereas PAF-induced CCL2 production is, in large part, mediated independently of Gi activation or ERK phosphorylation, LTC4 generation requires ERK phosphorylation, which is mediated by different G proteins depending on the phosphorylation status of the receptor

An overall test for multivariate normality

There are a number of methods in the statistical literature for testing whether observed data came from a multivariate normal(MVN) distribution with an unknown mean vector and covariance matrix. Let X1, ...,Xn be an iid sample of size n from a p-variate normal distribution. Denote the sample mean and sample variance-covariance matrix by X̅ and S respectively. Most of the tests of multivariate normality are based on the results that Yi=S-½(Xi-X̅), i=1,..., n, are asymptotically iid as p-variate normal than zero mean vector and identity covariance matrix. Tests developed by Andrews et al., Mardina and others are direct functions of Yi. We note that the N=np components of the Yi's put together can be considered as an asymptotically iid sample of size N from a univariate normal any well known test based on N independent observations for univariate normality. In Particular we can use univariate skewness and kurtosis tests, which are sensitive to deviations from normality

Distinct roles of Ca2+ mobilization and G protein usage on regulation of Toll-Like Receptor Function in Human and Murine Mast Cells

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed in mast cells play important roles in orchestrating host defence against bacterial pathogens. Previous studies demonstrated that TLR2 agonist tripalmitoyl-S-glycero-Cys-(Lys)4 (Pam3Cys) stimulates both degranulation and cytokine production in human mast cells but only induces cytokine production in murine mast cells. To determine the molecular basis for this difference, we utilized a human mast cell line LAD 2, murine lung and bone marrow-derived mast cells (MLMC and BMMC). We found that Pam3Cys caused a sustained Ca2+ mobilization and degranulation in LAD 2 mast cells but not in MLMC or BMMC. Despite these differences, Pam3Cys stimulated equivalent chemokine CCL2 generation in all mast cell types tested. Cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of Ca 2+/calcineurin-mediated nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation, blocked chemokine production in LAD 2 but not in MLMC or BMMC. In contrast, inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) completely blocked CCL2 production in MLMC and BMMC but not in LAD 2 mast cells. Pertussis toxin and U0126, which, respectively, inhibit Gαi, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation substantially inhibited Pam 3Cys-induced CCL2 generation in LAD 2 mast cells but had little or no effect on chemokine generation in MLMC and BMMC. These findings suggest that TLR2 activation in human LAD 2 mast cells and MLMC/BMMC promotes the release of different classes of mediators via distinct signalling pathways that depend on Ca2+ mobilization and G protein usage. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Anaphylatoxin C3a Receptors in Asthma

The complement system forms the central core of innate immunity but also mediates a variety of inflammatory responses. Anaphylatoxin C3a, which is generated as a byproduct of complement activation, has long been known to activate mast cells, basophils and eosinophils and to cause smooth muscle contraction. However, the role of C3a in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma remains unclear. In this review, we examine the role of C3a in promoting asthma. Following allergen challenge, C3a is generated in the lung of subjects with asthma but not healthy subjects. Furthermore, deficiency in C3a generation or in G protein coupled receptor for C3a abrogates allergen-induced responses in murine models of pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. In addition, inhibition of complement activation or administration of small molecule inhibitors of C3a receptor after sensitization but before allergen challenge inhibits airway responses. At a cellular level, C3a stimulates robust mast cell degranulation that is greatly enhanced following cell-cell contact with airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. Therefore, C3a likely plays an important role in asthma primarily by regulating mast cell-ASM cell interaction. © 2005 Ali and Panettieri; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Multiple Signaling Pathways of Human Interleukin-8 Receptor A: Independent Regulation by Phosphorylation

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) receptor A (CXCR1) couples to a pertussis toxin- sensitive G protein to mediate phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) activation and cellular responses. Responses to CXCR1 are attenuated by prior exposure of neutrophils to either IL-8, a cleavage product of the fifth component of complement (C5a) or n-formylated peptides (formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, fMLP). To characterize the role of receptor phosphorylation in the regulation of the CXCR1, a phosphorylation- deficient mutant, M2CXCR1, was constructed. This receptor, stably expressed in RBL-2H3 cells, coupled more efficiently to G protein and stimulated enhanced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, cAMP production, exocytosis, and phospholipase D activation, and was resistant to IL-8-induced receptor internalization. The rate and total amount of ligand stimulated actin polymerization remained unchanged, but interestingly, chemotaxis was decreased by ~30% compared with the wild type receptor. To study the role of receptor phosphorylation in cross-desensitization of chemoattractant receptors, M2CXCR1 was coexpressed with cDNAs encoding receptors for either fMLP (FR), C5a (C5aR), or platelet-activating factor (PAFR). Both C5aR and PAFR were cross-phosphorylated upon M2CXCR1 activation, resulting in attenuated guanosine 5\u27-3\u27-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) binding in membranes. In contrast, FR and M2CXCR1 were resistant to cross- phosphorylation and cross-inhibition of GTPγS binding by other receptors. Despite the resistance of M2CXCR1 to cross-phosphorylation and receptor/G protein uncoupling, its susceptibility to cross-desensitization of its Ca2+ response by fMLP and C5a, was equivalent to CXCR1. Regardless of the enhancement in certain receptor functions in M2CXCR1 compared with the wild type CXCR1, the mutated receptors mediated equivalent PLCβ3 phosphorylation and cross-desensitization of Ca2+ mobilization by FR, C5aR, and PAFR. The results herein indicate that phosphorylation of CXCR1 regulates some, but not all of the receptors functions. While receptor phosphorylation inhibits G protein turnover, PLC activation, Ca2+ mobilization and secretion, it is required for normal chemotaxis and receptor internalization. Since phosphorylation of CXCR1 had no effect on its ability to induce phosphorylation of PLCβ3 or to mediate class-desensitization, these activities may be mediated by independently regulated pathways

Cross-Desensitization Among Receptors for Platelet Activating Factor and Peptide Chemoattractants: Evidence for Independent Regulatory Pathways

Cross-desensitization among receptors for peptide chemoattractants have been shown to involve two independent processes, receptor phosphorylation and inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) activation. Receptors for lipid chemoattractants, i.e. platelet activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B4, did not inhibit the responses of peptide chemoattractant receptors, suggesting distinct signaling pathways. To examine cross-desensitization between receptors for lipid and peptide chemoattractants, cDNA encoding the PAF receptor (PAFR) was co-expressed into RBL-2H3 cells with cDNAs encoding receptors for either formylated peptides (FR), a product of the fifth component of complement (C5aR) or interleukin-8 A (IL-8RA). PAFR was homologously phosphorylated and desensitized by PAF, and cross-phosphorylated and cross-desensitized by fMet-Leu-Phe, C5a, and IL-8. In contrast, the receptors for peptide chemoattractants were neither cross-phosphorylated nor cross-desensitized by PAF. Staurosporine blocked cross-phosphorylation and cross-desensitization of the PAFR by peptide chemoattractants. Truncation of the cytoplasmic tail of PAFR (mPAFR) abolished its homologous and cross- phosphorylation. mPAFR was also resistant to cross-desensitization by peptide chemoattractants at the level of PLC activation. Interestingly, mPAFR mediated a sustained Ca2+ mobilization in response to PAF and was more active in inducing GTPase activity, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, secretion, and phospholipase D activation than the wild type PAFR. In contrast to PAFR, stimulation of the mPAFR cross-phosphorylated and cross-desensitized responses to IL-8RA. As expected, FR, which is resistant to cross- phosphorylation by C5aR and IL-8RA, was not phosphorylated by mPAFR. However, unlike C5aR and IL-8RA, mPAFR did not inhibit the ability of FR to activate PLC. Blocking Ca2+ influx inhibited mPAFR-mediated sustained Ca2+ response, phospholipase D activation and secretion, but not phosphoinositide hydrolysis and cross-phosphorylation and cross-desensitization of IL-8RA. The data herein suggest that cross-desensitization of PAFR by peptide chemoattractants is solely due to receptor phosphorylation. The PAFR and the peptide chemoattractant receptors do not cross-regulate each other at the level of PLC, suggesting distinct regulatory pathways