Influenza vaccination reveals sex dimorphic imprints of prior mild COVID-19.

Acute viral infections can have durable functional impacts on the immune system long after recovery, but how they affect homeostatic immune states and responses to future perturbations remain poorly understood1-4. Here we use systems immunology approaches, including longitudinal multimodal single-cell analysis (surface proteins, transcriptome and V(D)J sequences) to comparatively assess baseline immune statuses and responses to influenza vaccination in 33 healthy individuals after recovery from mild, non-hospitalized COVID-19 (mean, 151 days after diagnosis) and 40 age- and sex-matched control individuals who had never had COVID-19. At the baseline and independent of time after COVID-19, recoverees had elevated T cell activation signatures and lower expression of innate immune genes including Toll-like receptors in monocytes. Male individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 had coordinately higher innate, influenza-specific plasmablast, and antibody responses after vaccination compared with healthy male individuals and female individuals who had recovered from COVID-19, in part because male recoverees had monocytes with higher IL-15 responses early after vaccination coupled with elevated prevaccination frequencies of 'virtual memory'-like CD8+ T cells poised to produce more IFNγ after IL-15 stimulation. Moreover, the expression of the repressed innate immune genes in monocytes increased by day 1 to day 28 after vaccination in recoverees, therefore moving towards the prevaccination baseline of the healthy control individuals. By contrast, these genes decreased on day 1 and returned to the baseline by day 28 in the control individuals. Our study reveals sex-dimorphic effects of previous mild COVID-19 and suggests that viral infections in humans can establish new immunological set-points that affect future immune responses in an antigen-agnostic manner.

PLCG2-associated immune dysregulation (PLAID) comprises broad and distinct clinical presentations related to functional classes of genetic variants.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic variants of phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) cause 2 related forms of autosomal-dominant immune dysregulation (ID), PLCγ2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (PLAID) and autoinflammatory PLAID (APLAID). Since describing these conditions, many PLCG2 variants of uncertain significance have been identified by clinical sequencing of patients with diverse features of ID. OBJECTIVE: We sought to functionally classify PLCG2 variants and explore known and novel genotype-function-phenotype relationships. METHODS: Clinical data from patients with PLCG2 variants were obtained via standardized questionnaire. PLCG2 variants were generated by mutagenesis of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-PLCG2 plasmid, which was overexpressed in Plcg2-deficient DT-40 B cells. B-cell receptor-induced calcium flux and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation were assayed by flow cytometry. In some cases, stimulation-induced calcium flux was also measured in primary patient cells. RESULTS: Three-fourths of PLCG2 variants produced functional alteration of B-cell activation, in vitro. Thirteen variants led to gain of function (GOF); however, most functional variants defined a new class of PLCG2 mutation, monoallelic loss of function (LOF). Susceptibility to infection and autoinflammation were common with both GOF and LOF variants, whereas a new phenotypic cluster consisting of humoral immune deficiency, autoinflammation, susceptibility to herpesvirus infection, and natural killer cell dysfunction was observed in association with multiple heterozygous LOF variants detected in both familial and sporadic cases. In some cases, PLCG2 variants produced greater effects in natural killer cells than in B cells. CONCLUSIONS: This work expands the genotypic and phenotypic associations with functional variation in PLCG2, including a novel form of ID in carriers of heterozygous loss of PLCG2 function. It also demonstrates the need for more diverse assays for assessing the impact of PLCG2 variants on human disease.

A randomized double-blinded trial to assess recurrence of systemic allergic reactions following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Systemic allergic reactions (sARs) following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines were initially reported at a higher rate than after traditional vaccines. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the safety of revaccination in these individuals and to interrogate mechanisms underlying these reactions. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blinded, phase 2 trial, participants aged 16 to 69 years who previously reported a convincing sAR to their first dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine were randomly assigned to receive a second dose of BNT162b2 (Comirnaty) vaccine and placebo on consecutive days in a blinded, 1:1 crossover fashion at the National Institutes of Health. An open-label BNT162b2 booster was offered 5 months later if the second dose did not result in severe sAR. None of the participants received the mRNA-1273 (Spikevax) vaccine during the study. The primary end point was recurrence of sAR following second dose and booster vaccination; exploratory end points included biomarker measurements. RESULTS: Of 111 screened participants, 18 were randomly assigned to receive study interventions. Eight received BNT162b2 second dose followed by placebo; 8 received placebo followed by BNT162b2 second dose; 2 withdrew before receiving any study intervention. All 16 participants received the booster dose. Following second dose and booster vaccination, sARs recurred in 2 participants (12.5%; 95% CI, 1.6 to 38.3). No sAR occurred after placebo. An anaphylaxis mimic, immunization stress-related response (ISRR), occurred more commonly than sARs following both vaccine and placebo and was associated with higher predose anxiety scores, paresthesias, and distinct vital sign and biomarker changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support revaccination of individuals who report sARs to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Distinct clinical and laboratory features may distinguish sARs from ISRRs.

LIM and Cysteine-Rich Domains 1 Promotes Transforming Growth Factor ß1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Kidney 2 Cells.

Renal fibrosis is the major pathologic manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD). LIM and cysteine-rich domains 1 (LMCD1) is upregulated in the kidney tissue from patients with CKD and the transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)-treated human renal tubular epithelial cell line human kidney 2 (HK-2) (Gene Expression Omnibus: GSE66494 and GSE23338). Previously, we have demonstrated that the knockdown of LMCD1 ameliorated renal fibrosis in mice by blocking the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. In this study, we sought to further investigate whether LMCD1 affects TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney tubular epithelial cells and its potential role in the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway. First, we confirmed that LMCD1 expression was increased in the fibrotic kidneys of patients with CKD compared with that in normal kidneys and that LMCD1 was predominantly localized in the renal tubules. LMCD1 and mesenchymal markers were upregulated in obstructed kidney tissues of mice at 21 days after unilateral ureteral obstruction surgery compared with the tissues in sham mice. Next, we demonstrated that TGF-ß1 significantly increased LMCD1 expression through Smad-mediated transcription in HK-2 cells in vitro. In turn, LMCD1 acted as a transcriptional coactivator of E2F transcription factor 1 to promote the transcription of TGF-ß1. Moreover, TGF-ß1 increased the interaction between LMCD1 and Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) and accelerated Smurf2-mediated LMCD1 degradation via the ubiquitination system. The knockdown of LMCD1 inhibited TGF-ß1-induced EMT in both HK-2 cells and unilateral ureteral obstruction mice. Our results indicate a positive feedback loop between TGF-ß1 and LMCD1 for EMT induction in HK-2 cells and that Smurf2 acts as a negative regulator in this process by accelerating LMCD1 degradation.

High-Efficiency CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells with over 83% Fill Factor by Synergistic Effects of a Multifunctional Additive.

All-inorganic CsPbI2Br with outstanding thermal stability and excellent photoelectric properties is considered as a promising candidate for photovoltaic applications. However, the efficiency of CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still much lower than that of their organic-inorganic hybrid counterparts or CsPbI3-based devices. Herein, we obtained an optimized CsPbI2Br PSC (0.09 cm2) with a champion efficiency of 17.38% and a record fill factor of 83.6% by introducing potassium anthraquinone-1,8-disulfonate (DAD) in the precursor solution. The synergistic effect between the electronegative functional groups and K+ ions in the DAD structure can not only effectively regulate the crystallization growth process to improve the crystalline quality and stability of photo-active CsPbI2Br but also optimize the energy level alignment and passivate the defects to improve the carrier transport properties. The efficiency of the corresponding large-area device (5 cm × 5 cm with an active area of 19.25 cm2) reached 13.20%. Moreover, the optimized CsPbI2Br PSC exhibited negligible hysteresis and enhanced long-term storage stability as well as thermal stability. Our method produces more stable photo-active CsPbI2Br with excellent photoelectric properties for industrial applications or perovskite/silicon tandem cells.

Multifunctional anthraquinone-sulfonic potassium salts passivate the buried interface for efficient and stable planar perovskite solar cells.

SnO2-based planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered as potential photovoltaic candidates due to their simple structures and cost-effective preparation processes. However, the extensive defects accumulated at the buried interface between perovskite and SnO2 greatly hinder the further improvement of PSC efficiency and stability. Herein, the potassium salt of anthraquinone-1,8-disulfonate (ASPS) is used as a novel multifunctional interfacial modifier to improve the carrier transport performance at the buried interface and optimize the quality of the upper perovskite light absorber layer (PVK) in PSCs. Owing to the synergistic effect of sulfonic acid groups, carbonyl groups and potassium ions in ASPS, the accumulated defects at the buried interface are passivated, the energy level arrangement of the interface is optimized, and the crystalline quality and optoelectronic properties of the PVK films are improved. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) improved significantly from 21.36% for the controlled device to 23.96% for the ASPS-modified device. Furthermore, the unencapsulated ASPS-modified device also exhibited better storage stability and thermal stability than the controlled device.

A multifunctional chemical linker in a buried interface for stable and efficient planar perovskite solar cells.

The buried interface between a perovskite (PVK) light absorbing layer and an electron transport layer (ETL) plays an utmost important role in further improving the efficiency and stability of planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The interfacial properties greatly affect charge transport, perovskite crystal growth, and device stability. Herein, a variable structure broad-spectrum UV-284 absorber agent 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid (HMBS) is introduced into PSCs based on SnO2 ETLs as an efficient multifunctional chemical linker to modify the buried interface properties. HMBS used to modify SnO2 can simultaneously suppress the surface trap states of ETLs, optimize the ETL/PVK interface energy level arrangement, and improve the crystallization quality of the upper perovskite films. Meanwhile, as an efficient UV absorber, HMBS can also greatly reduce the damage caused by UV light to perovskite films and thus improve the stability of devices. Consequently, HMBS-modified PSCs exhibit champion efficiencies of 23.42% (0.09 cm2) and 20.63% (1.00 cm2) along with remarkably enhanced UV stability. This work emphasizes the importance of appropriate interface treatment strategies for buried interface modification and provides an effective method for fabricating efficient and UV resistant perovskite photovoltaic devices.

The Preparation of a Water-Soluble Phospholate-Based Macrocycle for Constructing Artificial Light-Harvesting Systems.

On the basis of cyclotrixylohydroquinoylene (CTX), a novel water-soluble phospholate-based CTX derivative (WPCTX) was prepared with facile synthetic procedure and satisfying yield. Several model guest molecules were selected to investigate WPCTX's host-guest properties. Based on the study of the host and model guest complexation, a tetraphenylethylene derivative from model guest was employed as a guest molecule (G) to form WPCTX⊃G nanoparticles (NPs) with WPCTX through further supramolecular self-assembly in water. Moreover, a hydrophobic fluorescent dye, Eosin Y(ESY) or Nile red (NiR), was encapsulated in WPCTX⊃G NPs to construct two types of artificial light-harvesting systems. Their high antenna effect demonstrated such NPs successfully mimicked light-harvesting systems in nature.

Dual Roles for Ikaros in Regulation of Macrophage Chromatin State and Inflammatory Gene Expression.

Macrophage activation by bacterial LPS leads to induction of a complex inflammatory gene program dependent on numerous transcription factor families. The transcription factor Ikaros has been shown to play a critical role in lymphoid cell development and differentiation; however, its function in myeloid cells and innate immune responses is less appreciated. Using comprehensive genomic analysis of Ikaros-dependent transcription, DNA binding, and chromatin accessibility, we describe unexpected dual repressor and activator functions for Ikaros in the LPS response of murine macrophages. Consistent with the described function of Ikaros as transcriptional repressor, Ikzf1-/- macrophages showed enhanced induction for select responses. In contrast, we observed a dramatic defect in expression of many delayed LPS response genes, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses support a key role for Ikaros in sustained NF-κB chromatin binding. Decreased Ikaros expression in Ikzf1+/- mice and human cells dampens these Ikaros-enhanced inflammatory responses, highlighting the importance of quantitative control of Ikaros protein level for its activator function. In the absence of Ikaros, a constitutively open chromatin state was coincident with dysregulation of LPS-induced chromatin remodeling, gene expression, and cytokine responses. Together, our data suggest a central role for Ikaros in coordinating the complex macrophage transcriptional program in response to pathogen challenge.

Human TH9 differentiation is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 to restrain STAT1-mediated inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Patients with loss-of-function (LOF) signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mutations have dermatitis, enhanced IgE production despite a relative lack of immediate hypersensitivity, recurrent infection, and an increased rate of lymphoma in addition to a number of skeletal and connective tissue abnormalities. Patients with STAT1 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations also have susceptibility to candidiasis and sinopulmonary infection, as well as autoimmunity and squamous cell carcinoma, in addition to even more broad phenotypes. OBJECTIVE: Because of the link between TH9 cells and allergic inflammation, autoimmunity, and antitumor surveillance and because evidence shows a role for either STAT3 or STAT1 in TH9 differentiation conflicts, we sought to determine the status on this lineage of STAT1 GOF and STAT3 LOF mutations in human subjects. METHODS: We detected IL-9 levels and TH9 differentiation in patients with STAT3 LOF and STAT1 GOF mutations, together with TH9 transcript factors, and partially rescued their deficiency in vitro by adding cytokines they lacked or transfecting key molecules. RESULTS: We found that PBMCs or sorted naive CD4+ T cells from patients with STAT3 LOF and STAT1 GOF mutations had impaired TH9 generation/differentiation. STAT3 inhibition in normal TH9 cultures diminished early IL-21 induction and late IL-9 production, whereas exogenous IL-21 enhanced TH9 differentiation, even with STAT3 inhibition, by restoring suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression and thus inhibiting excessive phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT) 1 activation. Furthermore, exogenous expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 or either T-bet or STAT1 RNA interference in STAT3 LOF cells partially rescued IL-9 differentiation. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results suggest that human TH9 differentiation depends on normal p-STAT3 and IL-21 production to suppress p-STAT1 activation and T-bet transcription.

Loss-of-function mutations in caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 14 (CARD14) are associated with a severe variant of atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease that is known to be, at least in part, genetically determined. Mutations in caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 14 (CARD14) have been shown to result in various forms of psoriasis and related disorders. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify rare DNA variants conferring a significant risk for AD through genetic and functional studies in a cohort of patients affected with severe AD. METHODS: Whole-exome and direct gene sequencing, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, ELISA, and functional assays in human keratinocytes were used. RESULTS: In a cohort of patients referred with severe AD, DNA sequencing revealed in 4 patients 2 rare heterozygous missense mutations in the gene encoding CARD14, a major regulator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). A dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that both mutations exert a dominant loss-of-function effect and result in decreased NF-κB signaling. Accordingly, immunohistochemistry staining showed decreased expression of CARD14 in patients' skin, as well as decreased levels of activated p65, a surrogate marker for NF-κB activity. CARD14-deficient or mutant-expressing keratinocytes displayed abnormal secretion of key mediators of innate immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Although dominant gain-of-function mutations in CARD14 are associated with psoriasis and related diseases, loss-of-function mutations in the same gene are associated with a severe variant of AD.

A Supramolecular Artificial Light-Harvesting System with Two-Step Sequential Energy Transfer for Photochemical Catalysis.

An artificial light-harvesting system with sequential energy-transfer process was fabricated based on a supramolecular strategy. Self-assembled from the host-guest complex formed by water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5), a bola-type tetraphenylethylene-functionalized dialkyl ammonium derivative (TPEDA), and two fluorescent dyes, Eosin Y (ESY) and Nile Red (NiR), the supramolecular vesicles achieve efficient energy transfer from the AIE guest TPEDA to ESY. ESY can function as a relay to further transfer the energy to the second acceptor NiR and realize a two-step sequential energy-transfer process with good efficiency. By tuning the donor/acceptor ratio, bright white light emission can be successfully achieved with a CIE coordinate of (0.33, 0.33). To better mimic natural photosynthesis and make full use of the harvested energy, the WP5⊃TPEDA-ESY-NiR system can be utilized as a nanoreactor: photocatalyzed dehalogenation of α-bromoacetophenone was realized with 96 % yield in aqueous medium.

Knockdown of periostin attenuates 5/6 nephrectomy-induced intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activation, fibrosis, and inflammation in rats.

To simulate clinical features in human chronic kidney disease (CKD), SD rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy in this study. We found that periostin gene was upregulated in the remnant kidneys using Agilent gene microarrays, and further explored its role via in vivo and in vitro experiments. Intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was activated in 5/6 nephrectomized rats and partly deactivated by injection of adenoviruses encoding short hairpin RNA against periostin (sh-periostin). Renal fibrosis in nephrectomized rats and profibrotic transforming growth factor-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ERK1/2 activation in NRK-52E cells were suppressed by sh-periostin. Moreover, knockdown of periostin decreased the generation of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and accelerated p62 degradation in the remnant kidneys. Both HK-2 cells treated with recombinant periostin and NRK-52E cells infected with adenoviruses expressing periostin produced more IL6 and TNF-α than control cells and displayed impaired autophagy as evidenced by inhibition of LC3II to LC3I conversion, Beclin 1 expression, and p62 degradation. By treating cells with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mamalian target of rapamycin known to activate autophagy, we noted that periostin-induced inflammation was inhibited. Additionally, HK-2 cells transfected with periostin overexpression plasmid generated more CCL2 and CXCL10, two important chemotactic factors, than untransfected cells. Conditioned medium from HK-2 cells overexpressing periostin augmented chemotaxis of THP-1 macrophages. Collectively, our work demonstrates that knockdown of periostin attenuates 5/6 nephrectomy-induced intrarenal RAS activation, fibrosis, and inflammation in rats. These findings advance our understanding of periostin's role in CKD induced by nephron loss.

Novel MALT1 Mutation Linked to Immunodeficiency, Immune Dysregulation, and an Abnormal T Cell Receptor Repertoire.

MALT1 (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma-translocation gene 1) is an intracellular signaling protein that activates NFκB and is crucial for both the adaptive and innate immune responses. Only 6 patients with immune deficiencies secondary to inherited mutations in the MALT1 gene have been described. PURPOSE: To provide clinical and immunological insights from 2 patients diagnosed with MALT1 immunodeficiency syndrome due to a novel MALT1 mutation. METHODS: Two cousins with suspected combined immunodeficiency underwent immunological and genetic work-up, including lymphocyte phenotyping, lymphocyte activation by mitogen stimulation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of T cell receptor gamma chain (TRG) repertoire. Whole exome sequencing was performed to identify the underlying genetic defect. RESULTS: Clinical findings included recurrent infections, failure to thrive, lymphadenopathy, dermatitis, and autoimmunity. Immune work-up revealed lymphocytosis, low to normal levels of immunoglobulins, absence of regulatory T cells, and low Th17 cells. A normal proliferative response was induced by phytohemagglutinin and IL-2 but was diminished with anti-CD3. TRG repertoire was diverse with a clonal expansion pattern. Genetic analysis identified a novel autosomal recessive homozygous c.1799T>A; p. I600N missense mutation in MALT1. MALT1 protein expression was markedly reduced, and in vitro IL-2 production and NFκB signaling pathway were significantly impaired. CONCLUSIONS: Two patients harboring a novel MALT1 mutation presented with signs of immune deficiency and dysregulation and were found to have an abnormal T cell receptor repertoire. These findings reinforce the link between MALT1 deficiency and combined immunodeficiency. Early diagnosis is crucial, and curative treatment by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be warranted.

Gut microbial metabolite TMAO contributes to renal dysfunction in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

Emerging evidence shows that obesity induces renal injury and is an independent risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), even without diabetes or hyperglycemia. Although multiple metabolic factors have been suggested to account for obesity-associated renal injury, the precious underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Recent study shows that increased trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-generated metabolite, directly contributes to renal interstitial fibrosis and dysfunction. Circulating TMAO is elevated in high-fat diets (HFD)-induced obese animals. Here we tested the hypothesis that elevated TMAO might play a contributory role in the development of renal dysfunction in a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity that mimics human obesity syndrome. Male C57BL/6 mice received either a low-fat diet (LFD) or a HFD, without or with 3,3-Dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB, a trimethylamine formation inhibitor) for 16 weeks. Compared with mice fed a LFD, mice fed a HFD developed obesity and metabolic disorders, and exhibited significantly elevated plasma TMAO levels at the end of the experiment. Molecular and morphological studies revealed that renal interstitial fibrosis, phosphorylation of SMAD3 (a key regulator of renal fibrosis), expression of kidney injury molecule-1 and plasma cystatin C were significantly increased in mice fed a HFD, compared with mice fed a LFD. Additionally, expression of NADPH oxidase-4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 ß was also augmented in mice fed a HFD as compared to mice fed a LFD. These molecular and morphological alterations observed in mice fed a HFD were prevented by concomitant treatment with DMB, which reduced plasma TMAO levels. Furthermore, elevated circulating TMAO levels were positively correlated with increased renal interstitial fibrosis and expression of kidney injury molecule-1. Notable, there was no difference in blood pressure among groups, and DMB treatment had no effects on body weight and metabolic parameters. These data suggest that HFD-induced obesity leads to elevations in gut microbiota-generated metabolite TMAO in the circulation, which contributes to renal interstitial fibrosis and dysfunction by promoting renal oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings may provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying obesity-associated CKD. Targeting TMAO may be a novel strategy for prevention and treatment of CKD in patients with obesity.

Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Modulates Apoptosis in NRK-52E Cells and Activates Fas/FasL Through the MLK3-MKK7-JNK3 Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) contributes to HBV-induced injury of renal tubular cells and induces apoptosis via Fas/FasL up-regulation. However, the mechanism of Fas/FasL activation is unknown. Recent studies indicated that HBx induction of apoptosis in hepatic cells depends on activating the MLK3-MKK7-JNKs signaling module, which then up-regulates FasL expression. In this study, we used NRK-52E cells transfected an HBx expression vector to examine the role of the MLK3-MKK7-JNKs signaling pathway on HBx-induced renal tubular cell injury. METHODS: NRK-52E cells were transfected with pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBx to establish an HBx over-expression model, and with pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBx and pSilencer3.1-shHBx to establish an HBx low expression model. One control group was not transfected and another control group was transfected with an empty plasmid. Cell proliferation was determined by the formazan dye method (Cell Counting Kit-8) and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of Fas, FasL, and MLK3-MKK7-JNKs signaling pathway-related proteins. The activity of caspase-8 was measured by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Transfection of NRK-52E cells with pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBx inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis and caspase-8 activity. The expression of Fas, FasL, and MLK3-MKK7-JNKs signaling pathway-related proteins were also greater in the pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBx group, but lower in RNAi group. Furthermore, the activity of MLK3-MKK7-JNKs signaling pathway, expression of Fas/FasL, and apoptosis were significantly lower in the pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBx group when treated with K252a, a known inhibitor of MLK3. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that HBx induces apoptosis in NRK-52E cells and activates Fas/FasL via the MLK3-MKK7-JNK3-c-Jun signaling pathway.

A microporous silk carbon-ionic liquid composite for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine.

Porous silk carbon (Silk C) was obtained through carbonization and KOH activation of natural silk cocoons. The as-prepared Silk C presented the good characteristics of a large surface area (SBET: 2854.53 m(2) g(-1)) and a high volume of pores (1.54 cm(3) g(-1)) with uniform micropores (2.5 nm) and multiple defects. The metal-free silk carbon-ionic liquid (Silk C-IL) composite, synthesized by modifying Silk C with ionic liquid through non-covalent (π-π) interactions under grinding conditions, was prepared for electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA). The detection limit of DA was 79 nM (S/N = 3) with a linear range from 0.6 µM to 140 µM. Meanwhile, the as-made Silk C-IL/GCE presented good selectivity for DA detection from other possible interferences, such as ascorbic acid, glucose and uric acid. Furthermore, the Silk C-IL/GCE was also successfully used for the detection of DA in fetal bovine serum and dopamine hydrochloride injection samples.

Cold urticaria, immunodeficiency, and autoimmunity related to PLCG2 deletions.

BACKGROUND: Mendelian analysis of disorders of immune regulation can provide insight into molecular pathways associated with host defense and immune tolerance. METHODS: We identified three families with a dominantly inherited complex of cold-induced urticaria, antibody deficiency, and susceptibility to infection and autoimmunity. Immunophenotyping methods included flow cytometry, analysis of serum immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, lymphocyte stimulation, and enzymatic assays. Genetic studies included linkage analysis, targeted Sanger sequencing, and next-generation whole-genome sequencing. RESULTS: Cold urticaria occurred in all affected subjects. Other, variable manifestations included atopy, granulomatous rash, autoimmune thyroiditis, the presence of antinuclear antibodies, sinopulmonary infections, and common variable immunodeficiency. Levels of serum IgM and IgA and circulating natural killer cells and class-switched memory B cells were reduced. Linkage analysis showed a 7-Mb candidate interval on chromosome 16q in one family, overlapping by 3.5 Mb a disease-associated haplotype in a smaller family. This interval includes PLCG2, encoding phospholipase Cγ(2) (PLCγ(2)), a signaling molecule expressed in B cells, natural killer cells, and mast cells. Sequencing of complementary DNA revealed heterozygous transcripts lacking exon 19 in two families and lacking exons 20 through 22 in a third family. Genomic sequencing identified three distinct in-frame deletions that cosegregated with disease. These deletions, located within a region encoding an autoinhibitory domain, result in protein products with constitutive phospholipase activity. PLCG2-expressing cells had diminished cellular signaling at 37°C but enhanced signaling at subphysiologic temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic deletions in PLCG2 cause gain of PLCγ(2) function, leading to signaling abnormalities in multiple leukocyte subsets and a phenotype encompassing both excessive and deficient immune function. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Programs and others.).

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces tubular cell apoptosis in mice with ureteral obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Tubular cell apoptosis plays a crucial role in different kinds of renal diseases. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol extracted from green tea, has been shown to inhibit renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice, but its role in preventing tubular cell apoptosis and the underlying signaling mechanisms still remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice subjected to UUO were intraperitoneally administered EGCG (5 mg/kg) for 14 d. Normal rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial cell line NRK-52E was induced by transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1). Periodic acid-schiff and Masson's trichrome staining was used for histologic study. TUNEL, Hoechst staining, and flow cytometry analysis were used to measure the apoptotic status of tubular cells. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of apoptotic-associated proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway proteins. RESULTS: EGCG significantly attenuated tubular injury and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the obstructed kidneys of UUO mice. In addition, EGCG prevented UUO and TGF-ß1-induced tubular apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In parallel, protein expression of B-clell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was upregulated and protein expressions of Bcl-2 accosiated X protein (Bax), cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were downregulated by EGCG. Furthermore, UUO and TGF-ß1-stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase was inhibited by EGCG. CONCLUSIONS: EGCG effectively reduces tubular cell apoptosis induced by UUO and may have potential as a clinical treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Carbazole-based artificial light-harvesting system for photocatalytic cross-coupling dehydrogenation reaction.

A carbazole-based artificial light-harvesting system (LHS) was successfully fabricated based on the supramolecular assembly of AIE-enhanced donor (CTD), water-soluble phosphate-pillar[5]arene (WPP5), and eosin Y (ESY) acceptor. The formed WPP5-CTD possessed remarkable AIE emission, featuring an ideal energy donor for light harvesting. After encapsulation of ESY, the energy of WPP5-CTD was efficiently transferred to ESY in WPP5-CTD-ESY, and the antenna effect was 38.5, which was much higher than that of recently reported LHSs. Notably, WPP5-CTD-ESY was successfully utilized as a photocatalyst to realize the cross-coupling dehydrogenation reaction of diphenylphosphine oxide and benzothiazole derivatives, suggesting great potential for aqueous photocatalytic applications of this LHS.