Arhgef16, a novel Elmo1 binding partner, promotes clearance of apoptotic cells via RhoG-dependent Rac1 activation.

Elmo is an evolutionarily conserved mammalian ortholog of Caenorhabditis elegans CED-12 with proposed roles during the removal of apoptotic cells, cell migration, neurite outgrowth, and myoblast fusion (Katoh and Negishi (2003) [1], Park and Tosello (2007) [2], Grimsley et al. (2004) [3], Hamoud et al. (2014) [4]). Elmo mediates these cellular processes by interacting with various proteins located in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus, and by modulating their activities although it has no intrinsic catalytic activity (Park and Tosello (2007) [2], Hamoud et al. (2014) [4], Li et al. (2013) [5], Margaron, Fradet and Cote (2013) [6], and Mauldin et al. (2013)[7]). Because there are a limited number of proteins known to interact with Elmo, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using Elmo1 as bait to identify Elmo1-interacting proteins and to evaluate their mode of regulation. Arhgef16 was one of the proteins identified through the screen and subsequent analyses revealed that Arhgef16 interacted with Elmo1 in mammalian cells as well. Expression of Arhgef16 in phagocytes promoted engulfment of apoptotic cells, and engulfment mediated by Arhgef16 increased synergistically in the presence of Elmo1 but was abrogated in the absence of Elmo1. In addition, Arhgef16-mediated removal of apoptotic cells was dependent on RhoG, but independent of Dock1. Taken together, this study suggests that the newly identified Elmo1-interacting protein, Arhgef16, functions synergistically with Elmo1 to promote clearance of apoptotic cells in a RhoG-dependent and Dock1-independent manner.

Development of an in vitro antigen-detection test as an alternative method to the in vivo plaque reduction neutralization test for the quality control of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes diseases that attack the human central nervous system. Traditionally, the quality control for JEV vaccines, in which the plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) titer is measured by the national control laboratories before the vaccine batches are marketed, has required laboratory animal testing. However, classical animal tests have inherent problems, including the very fact that animals are used, ethical issues, and the possibility of error. In this study, JEV antigen was measured in an in vitro assay to assess the feasibility of replacing in vivo assays that measure the PRN titers of JEV vaccines. We constructed a double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DS-ELISA) that could detect JEV envelope (E). Initially, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the JEV E protein were generated and characterized. We isolated 18 mAbs against JEV E protein, and most were the IgG1 or IgG2a isotype. The mAbs (5F15 and 7D71) were selected as the most suitable mAb pair to detect JEV E protein. DS-ELISA with this pair detected as little as approximately 3 µg/mL JEV E protein and demonstrated a relationship between the amount of JEV E protein and the PRN titer. From these results, we surmise that this DS-ELISA may be useful, not only in terms of measuring the amount of JEV E protein, but also as a substitute for the PRN test for JEV vaccine evaluation.

Effect of long-term administration of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris on testicular function in middle-aged rats.

This study was carried out to examine the potential beneficial effect of cordycepin on the decline of testicular function induced with age. A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (twenty-four 12-month-olds and six 2-month-olds) were divided into five groups. The young control (YC) and middle-aged control (MC) groups received vehicle only. Cordycepin-treated groups were administered daily doses of oral cordycepin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 months. As a result, the MC group exhibited epididymal weight loss, decreased sperm motility, and reduced spermatogenesis compared to the young control group. Interestingly, the epididymal weights of middle-aged rats were dose-dependently increased by treatment with cordycepin. Cordycepin also improved calcium levels and decreased urea and nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine in the blood of middle-aged rats. In addition, cordycepin significantly increased sperm motility and the progressiveness of sperm movement. All cordycepin-treated groups showed well-arranged spermatogonia, densely packed cellular material, and increased numbers of mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous lumen compared to the middle-aged control group. These results indicate that long-term administration of cordycepin can counteract the decline of testicular function in middle-aged rats.

A peptide vaccine based on a B-cell epitope on the VP1 protein of enterovirus 70 induces a strong antibody response.

Enterovirus 70 (EV70) is the causative agent of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC), for which no effective vaccine is available. This study revealed a high reactivity of the N-terminal region of EV70 VP1 (VP1-1) with an anti-EV70 mouse serum. The analysis of overlapping synthetic peptides of VP1-1 identified a B-cell epitope in this region. The E-peptide (14-ANTVESEIKAELGVI-28) showing the highest reactivity with the anti-EV70 serum induced neutralizing antibodies in mice and reduced the virus titer in the eyes, suggesting that it is a candidate vaccine against AHC caused by EV70.

SRSF2 directly inhibits intron splicing to suppresses cassette exon inclusion.

SRSF2, a Serine-Arginine rich (SR) protein, is a splicing activator that mediates exon inclusion and exclusion events equally well. Here we show SRSF2 directly suppresses intron splicing to suppress cassette exon inclusion in SMN premRNA. Through a serial mutagenesis, we demonstrate that a 10 nt RNA sequence surrounding the branch-point (BP), is important for SRSF2-mediated inhibition of cassette exon inclusion through directly interacting with SRSF2. We conclude that SRSF2 inhibits intron splicing to promote exon exclusion. [BMB Reports 2017; 50(8): 423-428].

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are Controlled by Regulatory T Cells via TGF-ß during Murine Colitis.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are well known regulators of regulatory T cells (Treg cells); however, the direct regulation of MDSCs by Treg cells has not been well characterized. We find that colitis caused by functional deficiency of Treg cells leads to altered expansion and reduced function of MDSCs. During differentiation of MDSCs in vitro from bone marrow cells, Treg cells enhanced MDSC function and controlled their differentiation through a mechanism involving transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß). TGF-ß-deficient Treg cells were not able to regulate MDSC function in an experimentally induced model of colitis. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of TGF-ß-mediated in-vitro-differentiated MDSCs on colitis. Adoptive transfer of MDSCs that differentiated with TGF-ß led to better colitis prevention than the transfer of MDSCs that differentiated without TGF-ß. Our results demonstrate an interaction between Treg cells and MDSCs that contributes to the regulation of MDSC proliferation and the acquisition of immunosuppressive functions.

Anion Transport or Nucleotide Binding by Ucp2 Is Indispensable for Ucp2-Mediated Efferocytosis.

Rapid and efficient engulfment of apoptotic cells is an essential property of phagocytes for removal of the large number of apoptotic cells generated in multicellular organisms. To achieve this, phagocytes need to be able to continuously uptake apoptotic cells. It was recently reported that uncoupling protein 2 (Ucp2) promotes engulfment of apoptotic cells by increasing the phagocytic capacity, thereby allowing cells to continuously ingest apoptotic cells. However, the functions of Ucp2, beyond its possible role in dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, that contribute to elevation of the phagocytic capacity have not been determined. Here, we report that the anion transfer or nucleotide binding activity of Ucp2, as well as its dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, is necessary for Ucp2-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells. To study these properties, we generated Ucp2 mutations that affected three different functions of Ucp2, namely, dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, transfer of anions, and binding of purine nucleotides. Mutations of Ucp2 that affected the proton leak did not enhance the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Although anion transfer and nucleotide binding mutations did not affect the mitochondrial membrane potential, they exerted a dominant-negative effect on Ucp2-mediated engulfment. Furthermore, none of our Ucp2 mutations increased the phagocytic capacity. We conclude that dissipation of the proton gradient by Ucp2 is not the only determinant of the phagocytic capacity and that anion transfer or nucleotide binding by Ucp2 is also essential for Ucp2-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells.

Adenovirus 36 attenuates weight loss from exercise but improves glycemic control by increasing mitochondrial activity in the liver.

Human adenovirus type 36 (Ad36) as an obesity agent induces adiposity by increasing glucose uptake and promoting chronic inflammation in fat tissues; in contrast, exercise reduces total body fat and inflammation. Our objective was to determine the association between Ad36 and the effects of exercise on inflammation and glycemic control. In the human trials (n = 54), Korean children (aged 12-14 years) exercised for 60 min on three occasions each week for 2 months. We compared the body mass index (BMI) Z-scores before and after exercise. C57BL/6 mice were infected with Ad36 and Ad2 as a control, and these mice exercised for 12 weeks postinfection. After the exercise period, we determined the serum parameters and assessed the presence of inflammation and the mitochondrial function in the organs. Ad36-seropositive children who were subjected to a supervised exercise regimen had high BMI Z-scores whereas Ad36-seronegative children had lower scores. Similarly, Ad36-infected mice were resistant to weight loss and exhibited chronic inflammation of their adipose tissues despite frequent exercise. However, Ad36 combined with exercise reduced the levels of serum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, total cholesterol, and insulin in virus-infected mice. Interestingly, virus infection increased the mitochondrial function in the liver, as demonstrated by the numbers of mitochondria, cytochrome c oxidase activity, and transcription of key mitochondrial genes. Therefore Ad36 counteracts the weight-loss effect of exercise and maintains the chronic inflammatory state, but glycemic control is improved by exercise synergistically because of increased mitochondrial activity in the liver.

A new validated analytical method for the quality control of red ginseng products.

The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides. Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 are accepted as marker substances for quality control worldwide. The analytical methods currently used to detect these two compounds unfairly penalize steamed and dried (red) P. ginseng preparations, because it has a lower content of those ginsenosides than white ginseng. To manufacture red ginseng products from fresh ginseng, the ginseng roots are exposed to high temperatures for many hours. This heating process converts the naturally occurring ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 into artifact ginsenosides such as ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, and Rh2, among others. This study highlights the absurdity of the current analytical practice by investigating the time-dependent changes in the crude saponin and the major natural and artifact ginsenosides contents during simmering. The results lead us to recommend (20S)- and (20R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as new reference materials to complement the current P. ginseng preparation reference materials ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1. An attempt has also been made to establish validated qualitative and quantitative analytical procedures for these four compounds that meet International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quantitation limit, robustness and system suitability. Based on these results, we suggest a validated analytical procedure which conforms to ICH guidelines and equally values the contents of ginsenosides in white and red ginseng preparations.

Dietary ß-glucan regulates the levels of inflammatory factors, inflammatory cytokines, and immunoglobulins in interleukin-10 knockout mice.

ß-Glucan is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of dietary ß-glucan on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is unknown how ß-glucan mediates its protective effects on IBD. Therefore, we used a well-established mouse model for IBD, interleukin (IL)-10(-/-) mice, to explore the protective effects of ß-glucan on IBD-like symptoms caused by IL-10 deficiency. The mice were divided into two groups: IL-10(-/-) and IL-10(-/-) + ß-glucan treatment groups. IL-10(-/-) mice treated with dietary ß-glucan exhibited less inflammation within the colon. The levels of immunoglobulins A and E were lower in the serum, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches in the IL-10(-/-) mice compared with the IL-10(-/-) + ß-glucan mice. Also, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was lower in the IL-10(-/-) + ß-glucan mice compared with the IL-10(-/-) mice. Histological analysis also revealed that administration of dietary ß-glucan in IL-10(-/-) mice reduced colonic tissue damage. Finally, the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tissue necrosis factor-α was significantly lower with dietary ß-glucan treatment in IL-10(-/-) mice. In conclusion, dietary ß-glucan reduces the inflammation associated with IBD caused by IL-10 deficiency.

Dietary pectin regulates the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins in interleukin-10 knockout mice.

Pectin has protective, anti-inflammatory effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the exact mechanism is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the immunological effect of dietary pectin in IL-10(-/-) mice, a murine model for IBD. Cytokine expression, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell populations, and immunoglobulin secretion were observed in three groups of mice: normal (BALb/c), IL-10(-/-), and IL-10(-/-) treated with pectin. Pectin treatment reduced expression of TNF-α and GATA-3, an important transcription factor for the Th2 immune response. These mice also expressed lower levels of IgE in the spleen and Peyer's patches (PP) and lower IgG and IgM expression in PP. Interestingly, IL-10 deficiency resulted in lower CD4(+) and CD8(+) populations in the spleen, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), and PP; however, pectin counteracted these declines in the MLN and PP. Therefore, dietary pectin downregulates the inflammatory response in the colon by moderating the production of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins.