Deciphering the modulation of gene expression by type I and II interferons combining 4sU-tagging, translational arrest and in silico promoter analysis

Interferons (IFN) play a pivotal role in innate immunity, orchestrating a cell-intrinsic anti-pathogenic state and stimulating adaptive immune responses. The complex interplay between the primary response to IFNs and its modulation by positive and negative feedback loops is incompletely understood. Here, we implement the combination of high-resolution gene-expression profiling of nascent RNA with translational inhibition of secondary feedback by cycloheximide. Unexpectedly, this approach revealed a prominent role of negative feedback mechanisms during the immediate (≤60 min) IFNα response. In contrast, a more complex picture involving both negative and positive feedback loops was observed on IFNγ treatment. IFNγ-induced repression of genes associated with regulation of gene expression, cellular development, apoptosis and cell growth resulted from cycloheximide-resistant primary IFNγ signalling. In silico promoter analysis revealed significant overrepresentation of SP1/SP3-binding sites and/or GC-rich stretches. Although signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)-binding sites were not overrepresented, repression was lost in absence of STAT1. Interestingly, basal expression of the majority of these IFNγ-repressed genes was dependent on STAT1 in IFN-naïve fibroblasts. Finally, IFNγ-mediated repression was also found to be evident in primary murine macrophages. IFN-repressed genes include negative regulators of innate and stress response, and their decrease may thus aid the establishment of a signalling perceptive milieu.Fil: Trilling, Mirko. Universitat Duisburg - Essen; AlemaniaFil: Bellora, Nicolás. Parque de Investigación Biomédica de Barcelona; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Rutkowski, Andrzej J.. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: de Graaf, Miranda. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Dickinson, Paul. University Of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Robertson, Kevin. University Of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Da Costa, Olivia Prazeres. Universitat Technical Zu Munich; AlemaniaFil: Ghazal, Peter. University Of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Friedel, Caroline C.. Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich; AlemaniaFil: Albà, M. Mar. Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avancats; España. Parque de Investigación Biomédica de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Dölken, Lars. University of Cambridge; Reino Unid

The Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Surface Conditions during Katabatic Wind Events over the Terra Nova Bay Polynya

Off the coast of Victoria Land, Antarctica an area of open water—the Terra Nova Bay Polynya (TNBP)—persists throughout the austral winter. The development of this coastal polynya is driven by extreme katabatic winds blowing down the slopes of Transantarctic Mountains. The surface-atmosphere coupling and ABL transformation during the katabatic wind events between 18 and 25 September 2012 in Terra Nova Bay are studied, using observations from Aerosonde unmanned aircraft system (UAS), numerical modeling results and Antarctic Weather Station (AWS) measurements. First, we analyze how the persistence and strength of the katabatic winds relate to sea level pressure (SLP) changes in the region throughout the studied period. Secondly, the polynya extent variations are analysed in relation to wind speed changes. We conclude that the intensity of the flow, surface conditions in the bay and regional SLP fluctuations are all interconnected and contribute to polynya development. We also analyse the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) forecast for the studied period and find out that incorrect representation of vertical ABL properties over the TNBP might be caused by overestimated sea ice concentrations (SIC) used as model input. Altogether, this research provides a unique description of TNBP development and its interactions with the atmosphere and katabatic winds

Mercury in three species of Suillus mushroom from some sites in Poland

Oznaczono zawartość rtęci ogółem w owocnikach maślaka pstrego (Suillus variegatus), sitarza (S. bovinus) i zwyczajnego (S. luteus) oraz w wierzchniej warstwie podłoża glebowego z kilku przestrzennie odległych od siebie miejsc w Polsce. Wszystkie trzy gatunki maślaków cechowała mała zawartość rtęci w owocnikach. Wartości średniej arytmetycznej stężenia rtęci w kapeluszach i trzonach maślaków w zależności od miejsca ich pochodzenia mieściła się w granicach, odpowiednio, od 0,17±0,07 do 0,22±0,12 i od 0,047±0,015 do 0,071±0,035 µg/g masy suchej dla maślaka pstrego; od 0,28±0,11 do 0,79±0,40 i od 0,17±0,07 do 0,51±0,22 µg/g ms dla maślaka sitarza oraz od 0,095±0,082 do 0,17±0,05 i od 0,045±0,026 do 0,070±0,026 µg/g ms dla maślaka zwyczajnego. Wszystkie trzy gatunki maślaka bionagromadzały rtęć (BCF >1). Maślak sitarz względnie wydajniej nagromadzał rtęć niż pozostałe dwa gatunki, a wartość współczynnika BCF rtęci ogółem wyniosła od 18±10 do 45±20 w kapeluszach i od 9,4±7,5 do 29±11 w trzonach tego grzyba. Poziom zanieczyszczenia rtęcią wierzchniej warstwy gleby był niewielki, średnio od 0,017±0,003 do 0,029±0,020 µg/g ms.Total mercury content have been determined in fruiting bodies of Variegated Bolete (Suillus variegates), European Cow Bolete (S. bovinus) and Slippery Jack (S. luteus) and in underlying to mushroom's surface layer of soil substrate collected from several spatially distant one from another sites in Poland. All three Suillus mushroom species independent of the site characterized were by small mercury content. The arithmetic mean values of mercury concentration in caps and stipes, respectively, were: 0.17±0.07-0.22±0.12 and 0.047±0.015-0.071 ±0.035 µg/g dry weight for Variegated Bolete; 0.28±0.11- 0.79±0.40 and 0.17±0.07- 0.51±0.22 µg/g dw for European Cow Bolete, and 0.095±0.082-0.17±0,05 and 0.045±0.026- 0.070±0.026 µg/g dw for Slippery Jack. All three species of Suillus mushrooms bio- concentrated mercury (BCF > 1). European Cow Bolete bioconcentrated mercury relatively more efficiently when compared to two other species, and means of BCF value of this element in its caps ranged from 18± 10 to 45±20, and in stipes from 9.4±7.5 to 29± 11. A level of surface soil pollution with mercury was low and averaged from 0.017±0.003 do 0.029±0.020 µg/g dw

Vascular Remodeling In Response To 12 Wk Of Upper Arm Unilateral Resistance Training

Participation in regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increase arterial size and that exercise-induced vascular remodeling may be regional rather than systemic. However, these issues have been minimally investigated concerning resistance training. PURPOSES: To determine whether 1) resistance training of the nondominant arm elicits an increase in diameter of the brachial artery and 2) unilateral training induces arterial remodeling in the contralateral arm. METHODS: Twenty-four previously untrained participants, consisting of 18 females (aged 22.3 ± 5.1 yr) and 6 males (aged 21.7 ± 1.8 yr), participated in unilateral strength training of the biceps and triceps for 12 wk using their nondominant arm. Isotonic (one-repetition maximum, 1RM) and isometric (ISO) strength of the biceps were assessed before and after training on both arms. Brachial artery diameter and biceps muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of both arms were also measured before and after training using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Brachial artery diameter increased 5.47% (P \u3c 0.05) in the nondominant trained arm with no change observed in the dominant untrained arm. Biceps CSA increased 18.3% (P \u3c 0.05) in the trained arm with no change (P \u3e 0.05) in the untrained limb. Nondominant 1RM and ISO strength increased by 35.1% and 16.8%, respectively (P \u3c 0.05 for both), although there were no significant changes (P \u3e 0.05) in the contralateral arm. A modest correlation was found between the increases in CSA and in brachial artery diameter (r = 0.19, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that upper arm vascular remodeling, manifesting as increased brachial artery diameter, can result from resistance training and that these changes are localized to the trained limb and associated with increases in CSA. Copyright © 2009 by the American College of Sports Medicine