DP2 receptor activity sensor suited for antagonist screening and measurement of receptor dynamics in real-time.

The DP2 receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor involved in allergic inflammation and is the target of recently developed antagonists already being tested in clinics. To get insights into DP2 receptor dynamics and to study its pharmacology on the level of the receptor, we constructed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based conformation sensor. The sensor reflects the selectivity profile of the DP2 receptor-wt and is suited for screening of agonists and antagonists due to its robust response. Furthermore, the sensor enables the direct measurement of DP2 receptor dynamics in real-time and revealed markedly distinct on- and off-rates of prostaglandin D2 between DP2 and DP1 receptors, suggesting a different mechanism of ligand receptor interaction.

EP4 Receptor Conformation Sensor Suited for Ligand Screening and Imaging of Extracellular Prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are important lipid mediators with a wide range of functions in the human body. They act mainly via plasma membrane localized prostaglandin receptors, which belong to the G-protein coupled receptor class. Due to their localized formation and short lifetime, it is important to be able to measure the distribution and abundance of prostaglandins in time and/or space. In this study, we present a Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based conformation sensor of the human prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4 receptor), which was capable of detecting prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced receptor activation in the low nanomolar range with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The sensor retained the typical selectivity for PGE2 among arachidonic acid products. Human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing the sensor did not produce detectable amounts of prostaglandins making them suitable for a coculture approach allowing us, over time, to detect prostaglandin formation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and primary mouse macrophages. Furthermore, the EP4 receptor sensor proved to be suited to detect experimentally generated PGE2 gradients by means of FRET-microscopy, indicating the potential to measure gradients of PGE2 within tissues. In addition to FRET-based imaging of prostanoid release, the sensor allowed not only for determination of PGE2 concentrations, but also proved to be capable of measuring ligand binding kinetics. The good signal-to-noise ratio at a commercial plate reader and the ability to directly determine ligand efficacy shows the obvious potential of this sensor interest for screening and characterization of novel ligands of the pharmacologically important human EP4 receptor. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The authors present a biosensor based on the prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4, which is well suited to measure extracellular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration with high temporal and spatial resolution. It can be used for the imaging of PGE2 levels and gradients by means of Foerster resonance energy transfer microscopy, and for determining PGE2 release of primary cells as well as for screening purposes in a plate reader setting.

A Gain-Of-Function Mutation in the Plcg2 Gene Protects Mice from Helicobacter felis-Induced Gastric MALT Lymphoma.

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas develop from a chronic Helicobacter infection. Phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) is important for B-cell survival and proliferation. We used BALB/c mice with a gain-of-function mutation in the Plcg2 gene (Ali5) to analyze its role in the development of gastric MALT lymphoma. Heterozygous BALB/c Plcg2Ali5/+ and wildtype (WT) mice were infected with Helicobacter felis (H. felis) and observed up to 16 months for development of gastric MALT lymphomas. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, Plcg2Ali5/+ mice developed MALT lymphomas less frequently than their WT littermates after long-term infection of 16 months. Infected Plcg2Ali5/+ mice showed downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and decreased H. felis-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses. These results suggested a blunted immune response of Plcg2Ali5/+ mice towards H. felis infection. Intriguingly, Plcg2Ali5/+ mice harboured higher numbers of CD73 expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs), possibly responsible for impaired immune response towards Helicobacter infection. We suggest that Plcg2Ali5/+ mice may be protected from developing gastric MALT lymphomas as a result of elevated Treg numbers, reduced response to H. felis and decrease of proinflammatory cytokines.

Expression and pro-survival function of phospholipase Cγ2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be cured in about 60% of cases with immuno-chemotherapy. However, a large subset of patients with DLBCL do not go into remission, or relapse after first-line therapy. Further therapy options are therefore needed. Phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) is one of the key regulators of the B cell receptor signaling pathway, which targets several pro-proliferative factors, such as nuclear factor κB (NFκB), Ras and Akt. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that PLCγ2 was strongly expressed in 63% of cases of DLBCL. The PLC inhibitor U73122 had an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Co-treatment with enzastaurin or the Src inhibitor pp2 together with U73122 had an additive effect on cell proliferation compared to U73122 alone. Unexpectedly, strong PLCγ2 expression was associated with better overall survival. In conclusion, PLCγ2 is strongly expressed in a significant number of DLBCLs and has prognostic implications. Inhibition of PLCγ2 could be a new target for lymphoma treatment.

Early MRI changes in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis are predictive of severe inflammatory tissue damage.

MRI is routinely used for in vivo detection of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Histopathological correlates of MRI signal alterations are still poorly defined. In the present study, we describe a mouse model of MS presenting with inflammatory brain lesions. During the acute disease phase, two independent lesion patterns were identified by T1- and T2-weighted high-resolution 3D MRI: lesions with reduced signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images (type A) and lesions with slightly reduced signal intensity on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images (type B). Type A lesions were characterized by significantly denser inflammatory cell infiltrates and more myelin loss than type B lesions. Lesion cellularity, myelin loss and immunoglobulin deposition correlated with MRI signal intensities in both lesion types. Gd-DTPA enhancement correlated with Ig deposition and spacially matched to areas with abundant activated microglia cells at the lesion border. Using serial MRI, type A lesions revealed a persistent hypointense pattern reflecting axon and myelin loss. Signal intensity increases on T2-weighted images of type B lesions decreased during lesion evolution, and no significant T1 signal alterations developed. Taken together, MRI of mouse EAE models with brain lesions provide new insights into lesion pathology and evolution and may prove useful for the in vivo assessment of new therapeutic strategies in MS.

Suppression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis by a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist--a putative role for substance P in CNS inflammation.

Substance P (SP) is an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. Most of its physiological functions are mediated through binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Recently, proinflammatory properties of SP have been described. In this study we utilized T cell transfer experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to investigate the role of SP in CNS autoimmune disease. Treatment with the NK-1R antagonist CP-96,345 dramatically reduced clinical and histological signs of EAE if administered before disease onset. The protective effect of CP96,345 treatment was related to a reduced expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on CNS endothelia. The cellular composition or activation status of splenocytes was not affected by CP-96,345 administration, while the secretion of proinflammatory Th1 cytokines was reduced in treated animals. Th2 cytokines remained largely unaffected by NK-1 receptor antagonist treatment. In summary, our findings suggest that the protective effect of CP96,345 treatment is mediated by stabilization of the blood-brain barrier and suppression of Th1 immunity.