Activation of NF-kappa B via the Ikappa B kinase complex is both essential and sufficient for proinflammatory gene expression in primary endothelial cells.

Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB is necessary for full expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-inducible endothelial chemokines and adhesion molecules. However, a detailed analysis regarding contribution of the different NF-kappaB upstream components to endothelial activation has not been performed yet. We employed a retroviral infection approach to stably express transdominant (TD) mutants of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, or IkappaBepsilon and dominant negative (dn) versions of IkappaB kinases (IKK) 1 or 2 as well as a constitutively active version of IKK2 in human endothelial cells. TD IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, and IkappaBepsilon were not degraded upon TNF-alpha exposure, and each prevented NF-kappaB activation. These TD IkappaB mutants almost completely inhibited the induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-8, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin expression by TNF-alpha, whereas interferon-gamma-mediated up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and HLA-DR was not affected. Expression of dn IKK2 completely blocked TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation, whereas dn IKK1 showed a partial inhibition of expression of these molecules. Importantly, expression of constitutively active IKK2 was sufficient to drive full expression of all chemokines and adhesion molecules in the absence of cytokine. We conclude that the IKK/IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway is crucial and sufficient for proinflammatory activation of endothelium.

The NAF domain defines a novel protein-protein interaction module conserved in Ca2+-regulated kinases.

The Arabidopsis calcineurin B-like calcium sensor proteins (AtCBLs) interact with a group of serine-threonine protein kinases (AtCIPKs) in a calcium-dependent manner. Here we identify a 24 amino acid domain (NAF domain) unique to these kinases as being required and sufficient for interaction with all known AtCBLs. Mutation of conserved residues either abolished or significantly diminished the affinity of AtCIPK1 for AtCBL2. Comprehensive two-hybrid screens with various AtCBLs identified 15 CIPKs as potential targets of CBL proteins. Database analyses revealed additional kinases from Arabidopsis and other plant species harbouring the NAF interaction module. Several of these kinases have been implicated in various signalling pathways mediating responses to stress, hormones and environmental cues. Full-length CIPKs show preferential interaction with distinct CBLs in yeast and in vitro assays. Our findings suggest differential interaction affinity as one of the mechanisms generating the temporal and spatial specificity of calcium signals within plant cells and that different combinations of CBL-CIPK proteins contribute to the complex network that connects various extracellular signals to defined cellular responses.

[Head injury and pregnancy]. / Traumatisme crânien et grossesse.

Even mild, head injury during pregnancy can threaten either the maternal or the fetal life. Traffic accidents are the main causes so head injury is often associated with other lesions, frequently abdominal trauma. Among all these possible lesions, head injury and hemorrhagic shock are the main sources of fatality in pregnant women. All kinds of trauma and especially head injuries have a potentially deleterious effect on fetal viability. This risk is associated with systemic and cerebral consequences of post-traumatic arterial hypotension, anoxia or anemia. Moreover, diagnostic procedures and medications can add their noxious secondary effects, contributing more or less to poor fetal outcome. Decision making is necessarily dictated by the severity of the consciousness disorders and/or the encephalic lesions. A convergent discussion between the intensive care physician, the neurosurgeon, the obstetrician and the anesthesiologist is needed. Severe or prolonged traumatic coma is highly dramatic situation because the maternal outcome remains largely unknown for days or weeks. Technically, for these severe comas, there are no substantial differences with what is usually done in a similar case without pregnancy. Neurosurgical indications follow the usual rules, except that some non-urgent indications should be delayed for a while. Usually, this simple rule of independency in indications also applies to the obstetrician. Special care must be taken for fetal monitoring required throughout the initial critical phase.

[Pediatric anesthesia practice in France: a survey of 1,526 anesthesiologists]. / Enquête sur la pratique de l'anesthésie pédiatrique en France auprès de 1,526 anesthésistes-réanimateurs.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the individual activity of anaesthetists in paediatric anaesthesia (PA), and collect their wishes about continuing education and recommendations in PA. STUDY DESIGN: Transversal, prospective study. METHODS: A questionnaire of 33 items, sent to 4,360 anaesthetists, spread over 15 health districts, working in a public or private institution. RESULTS: We gathered 1,526 replies (35%) of which 34% university hospitals, 32% public institutions and 31% private institutions. 943 physicians (63%) had no specific structure, and 1,119 (87%) considered a specialized nurse to be essential for PA. 1,127 physicians (74%) had undertaken a specific session during their formation. The practice of PA depends upon age and context. Above 1 year old, the surgery that is performed weekly was ENT (38%), abdominal and urologic surgery (28%). Mask induction was performed by 60% of the physicians in children under 5 years. 63% of the anaesthetists dreaded a laryngospasm during induction. 625 physicians undertook regional anaesthesia in children under 5 years (87% caudal anaesthesia, 48% peripheral nerve blocks). 1,029 physicians (67%) wished for recommendations in PA in children under 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This survey showed that most of the anaesthetists wished for recommendations in their paediatric anaesthesia practice.

Novel protein kinases associated with calcineurin B-like calcium sensors in Arabidopsis.

Members of the Arabidopsis calcineurin B-like Ca(2)+ binding protein (AtCBL) family are differentially regulated by stress conditions. One AtCBL plays a role in salt stress; another is implicated in response to other stress signals, including drought, cold, and wounding. In this study, we identified a group of novel protein kinases specifically associated with AtCBL-type Ca(2)+ sensors. In addition to a typical protein kinase domain, they all contain a unique C-terminal region that is both required and sufficient for interaction with the AtCBL-type but not calmodulin-type Ca(2)+ binding proteins from plants. Interactions between the kinases and AtCBLs require micromolar concentrations of Ca(2)+, suggesting that increases in cellular Ca(2)+ concentrations may trigger the formation of AtCBL-kinase complexes in vivo. Unlike most serine/threonine kinases, the AtCBL-interacting kinase efficiently uses Mn(2)+ to Mg(2)+ as a cofactor and may function as a Mn(2)+ binding protein in the cell. These findings link a new type of Ca(2)+ sensors to a group of novel protein kinases, providing the molecular basis for a unique Ca(2)+ signaling machinery in plant cells.