FAP expression in adipose tissue macrophages promotes obesity and metabolic inflammation.

Adipose tissue macrophages (ATM) are key players in the development of obesity and associated metabolic inflammation which contributes to systemic metabolic dysfunction. We here found that fibroblast activation protein α (FAP), a well-known marker of cancer-associated fibroblast, is selectively expressed in murine and human ATM among adipose tissue-infiltrating leukocytes. Macrophage FAP deficiency protects mice against diet-induced obesity and proinflammatory macrophage infiltration in obese adipose tissues, thereby alleviating hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Mechanistically, FAP specifically mediates monocyte chemokine protein CCL8 expression by ATM, which is further upregulated upon high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding, contributing to the recruitment of monocyte-derived proinflammatory macrophages with no effect on their classical inflammatory activation. CCL8 overexpression restores HFD-induced metabolic phenotypes in the absence of FAP. Moreover, macrophage FAP deficiency enhances energy expenditure and oxygen consumption preceding differential body weight after HFD feeding. Such enhanced energy expenditure is associated with increased levels of norepinephrine (NE) and lipolysis in white adipose tissues, likely due to decreased expression of monoamine oxidase, a NE degradation enzyme, by Fap-/- ATM. Collectively, our study identifies FAP as a previously unrecognized regulator of ATM function contributing to diet-induced obesity and metabolic inflammation and suggests FAP as a potential immunotherapeutic target against metabolic disorders.

Acyloxyacyl hydrolase promotes pulmonary defense by preventing alveolar macrophage tolerance.

Although alveolar macrophages (AMs) play important roles in preventing and eliminating pulmonary infections, little is known about their regulation in healthy animals. Since exposure to LPS often renders cells hyporesponsive to subsequent LPS exposures ("tolerant"), we tested the hypothesis that LPS produced in the intestine reaches the lungs and stimulates AMs, rendering them tolerant. We found that resting AMs were more likely to be tolerant in mice lacking acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH), the host lipase that degrades and inactivates LPS; isolated Aoah-/- AMs were less responsive to LPS stimulation and less phagocytic than were Aoah+/+ AMs. Upon innate stimulation in the airways, Aoah-/- mice had reduced epithelium- and macrophage-derived chemokine/cytokine production. Aoah-/- mice also developed greater and more prolonged loss of body weight and higher bacterial burdens after pulmonary challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa than did wildtype mice. We also found that bloodborne or intrarectally-administered LPS desensitized ("tolerized") AMs while antimicrobial drug treatment that reduced intestinal commensal Gram-negative bacterial abundance largely restored the innate responsiveness of Aoah-/- AMs. Confirming the role of LPS stimulation, the absence of TLR4 prevented Aoah-/- AM tolerance. We conclude that commensal LPSs may stimulate and desensitize (tolerize) alveolar macrophages in a TLR4-dependent manner and compromise pulmonary immunity. By inactivating LPS in the intestine, AOAH promotes antibacterial host defenses in the lung.

Extracellular Acidity Reprograms Macrophage Metabolism and Innate Responsiveness.

Although organ hypofunction and immunosuppression are life-threatening features of severe sepsis, the hypofunctioning organs and immune cells usually regain normal functionality if patients survive. Because tissue interstitial fluid can become acidic during the septic response, we tested the hypothesis that low extracellular pH (pHe) can induce reversible metabolic and functional changes in peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6J mice. When compared with macrophages cultured at normal pHe, macrophages living in an acidic medium used less glucose and exogenous fatty acid to produce ATP. Lactate, glutamine, and de novo-synthesized fatty acids supported ATP production by mitochondria that gained greater mass, maximal oxygen consumption rate, and spare respiratory capacity. The cells transitioned to an M2-like state, with altered immune responses to LPS and slightly decreased phagocytic ability, yet they regained basal energy production, normal mitochondrial function, and proinflammatory responsiveness when neutral pHe was restored. Low pHe induces changes that support macrophage survival while rendering the cells less proinflammatory (more "tolerant") and less able to phagocytose bacteria. Macrophage responses to low interstitial pH may contribute to the reversible organ hypofunction and immunoparalysis noted in many patients with sepsis.

Gualou Xiebai Decoction ameliorates increased Caco-2 monolayer permeability induced by bile acids via tight junction regulation, oxidative stress suppression and apoptosis reduction.

Gualou Xiebai Decoction (GXD), a classic prescription, is widely used to dealing with inflammatory diseases in China for thousands of years. Abnormal metabolic state of bile acids (BAs) is confirmed to cause intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. In preliminary work, we observed that GXD could decrease intestinal permeability in hyperlipidemia mice. The present study aimed to explore the protective effect of GXD on intestinal mucosa in vitro. Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability among different groups was determined by measuring the concentrations of FITC-dextran in the lower compartments and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Meanwhile, mRNA and protein expressions of tight junctions (TJs) were investigated. Generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ratio of cell apoptosis induced by BAs were assessed by fluorescence probe and flow cytometry. GXD was shown to keep the cell monolayer in low permeable status, increase TEER and mRNA and protein expressions of occludin (Ocln) and zonula occluden 2 (ZO2) remarkably in cells challenged with cholic acid (CA), deoxycholic acid (DCA) and glycocholic acid (GCA). However, no significant effects were uncovered against the pathological effects of taurocholic acid (TCA). Meanwhile, generation of ROS and increased levels of apoptotic cells caused by CA, DCA and GCA were dramatically decreased by GXD, which were not observed on TCA. GXD could significantly attenuate intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by BAs via TJs regulation, oxidative stress suppression and cell apoptosis decrease, but such effects and behind mechanisms differed among different kinds of BAs.

Biochemical transformation of bacterial lipopolysaccharides by acyloxyacyl hydrolase reduces host injury and promotes recovery.

Animals can sense the presence of microbes in their tissues and mobilize their own defenses by recognizing and responding to conserved microbial structures (often called microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs)). Successful host defenses may kill the invaders, yet the host animal may fail to restore homeostasis if the stimulatory microbial structures are not silenced. Although mice have many mechanisms for limiting their responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major Gram-negative bacterial MAMP, a highly conserved host lipase is required to extinguish LPS sensing in tissues and restore homeostasis. We review recent progress in understanding how this enzyme, acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH), transforms LPS from stimulus to inhibitor, reduces tissue injury and death from infection, prevents prolonged post-infection immunosuppression, and keeps stimulatory LPS from entering the bloodstream. We also discuss how AOAH may increase sensitivity to pulmonary allergens. Better appreciation of how host enzymes modify LPS and other MAMPs may help prevent tissue injury and hasten recovery from infection.

Temporal modulation of host aerobic glycolysis determines the outcome of Mycobacterium marinum infection.

Macrophages are the first-line host defense that the invading Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encounters. It has been recently reported that host aerobic glycolysis was elevated post the infection by a couple of virulent mycobacterial species. However, whether this metabolic transition is required for host defense against intracellular pathogens and the underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. A pathogenic mycobacterial species, M. marinum, is genetically close to Mtb and was utilized in this study. Through analyzing cellular carbon metabolism of RAW 264.7 (a murine macrophage-like cell line) post M. marinum infection, a strong elevation of glycolysis was observed. Next, three glycolysis inhibitors were examined for their ability to inhibit mycobacterial proliferation inside RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, a glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) displayed a protective role against mycobacterial infection. Treatment with 2-DG at concentrations of 0.5 or 1 mM significantly induced autophagy and decreased the phagocytosis of M. marinum by macrophages. Moreover, 2-DG pre-treatment exerted a significantly protective effect on zebrafish larvae by limiting the proliferation of M. marinum, and such effect was correlated to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as the 2-DG pre-treatment increased the expression of TNF-α in both mouse peritoneal macrophages and zebrafish. On the contrary, the 2-DG treatment post infection did not restrain proliferation of M. marinum in WT zebrafish, and even accelerated bacterial replication in TNF-α-/- zebrafish. Together, modulation of glycolysis prior to infection boosts host immunity against M. marinum infection, indicating a potential intervention strategy to control mycobacterial infection.

Acyloxyacyl hydrolase promotes the resolution of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Pulmonary infection is the most common risk factor for acute lung injury (ALI). Innate immune responses induced by Microbe-Associated Molecular Pattern (MAMP) molecules are essential for lung defense but can lead to tissue injury. Little is known about how MAMP molecules are degraded in the lung or how MAMP degradation/inactivation helps prevent or ameliorate the harmful inflammation that produces ALI. Acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) is a host lipase that inactivates Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, or LPS). We report here that alveolar macrophages increase AOAH expression upon exposure to LPS and that Aoah+/+ mice recover more rapidly than do Aoah-/- mice from ALI induced by nasally instilled LPS or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Aoah-/- mouse lungs had more prolonged leukocyte infiltration, greater pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, and longer-lasting alveolar barrier damage. We also describe evidence that the persistently bioactive LPS in Aoah-/- alveoli can stimulate alveolar macrophages directly and epithelial cells indirectly to produce chemoattractants that recruit neutrophils to the lung and may prevent their clearance. Distinct from the prolonged tolerance observed in LPS-exposed Aoah-/- peritoneal macrophages, alveolar macrophages that lacked AOAH maintained or increased their responses to bioactive LPS and sustained inflammation. Inactivation of LPS by AOAH is a previously unappreciated mechanism for promoting resolution of pulmonary inflammation/injury induced by Gram-negative bacterial infection.

Altered inactivation of commensal LPS due to acyloxyacyl hydrolase deficiency in colonic dendritic cells impairs mucosal Th17 immunity.

Interleukin (IL) 17-secreting CD4(+) helper T cells (Th17 cells) are essential for host defense at mucosal surfaces, and Th17 cell dysregulation can result in autoimmunity. Exposure to microbial products, such as bacterial LPS, can affect the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to polarize Th17 cells. Acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH) is a mammalian enzyme expressed by antigen (Ag)-presenting cells that deacylates and thereby inactivates LPS in host tissues. We hypothesized that inactivation of intestinal microbiota-derived LPS by AOAH influences the ability of DCs to polarize and generate Th17 effector cells. We found that LPS-containing Gram-negative microbiota augmented the differentiation of Ag-specific Th17 cells, and identified a colonic DC subset (CD103(+)CD11b(+)ALDH(-)) displaying a unique capacity to both express AOAH and polarize Th17 cells. Compared with WT, these Aoah(-/-) colonic DCs produce less IL-6, resulting in diminished Ag-specific Th17 polarization and increased regulatory T-cell induction in vitro. Oral administration of LPS led to reduced IL-6 production from CD103(+)CD11b(+)ALDH(-) colonic DCs in Aoah(-/-) mice compared with Aoah(+/+) mice, resulting in an abrogated Ag-specific Th17 response in the colon after mucosal immunization that could be rescued by systemic delivery of recombinant IL-6. These data identify the ability of AOAH to modulate microbiota signals that drive Th17 polarization and influence mucosal T-cell immunity, and suggest that host pathways to handle microbiota-derived products may be targeted to modulate Th17 responses in the context of inflammatory disorders or infection at mucosal surfaces.

Prolonged triglyceride storage in macrophages: pHo trumps pO2 and TLR4.

Lipid-laden macrophages contribute to pathologies as diverse as atherosclerosis and tuberculosis. Three common stimuli are known to promote macrophage lipid storage: low tissue oxygen tension (pO2), low extracellular pH (pHo), and exposure to agonists such as bacterial LPS. Noting that cells responding to low pO2 or agonistic bacterial molecules often decrease pHo by secreting lactic and other carboxylic acids, we studied how pHo influences the stimulation of triacylglycerol (TAG) storage by low pO2 and LPS. We found that TAG retention after incubation for 48-72 h was inversely related to pHo when primary macrophages were cultured in 21% oxygen, 4% oxygen, or with LPS at either oxygen concentration. Maintaining pHo at ~7.4 was sufficient to prevent the increase in prolonged TAG storage induced by either low pO2 or LPS. The strong influence of pHo on TAG retention may explain why lipid-laden macrophages are found in some tissue environments and not in others. It is also possible that other long-term cellular changes currently attributed to low pO2 or bacterial agonists may be promoted, at least in part, by the decrease in pHo that these stimuli induce.

Toll-like receptor agonists promote prolonged triglyceride storage in macrophages.

Macrophages in infected tissues may sense microbial molecules that significantly alter their metabolism. In a seeming paradox, these critical host defense cells often respond by increasing glucose catabolism while simultaneously storing fatty acids (FA) as triglycerides (TAG) in lipid droplets. We used a load-chase strategy to study the mechanisms that promote long term retention of TAG in murine and human macrophages. Toll-like receptor (TLR)1/2, TLR3, and TLR4 agonists all induced the cells to retain TAG for ≥3 days. Prolonged TAG retention was accompanied by the following: (a) enhanced FA uptake and FA incorporation into TAG, with long lasting increases in acyl-CoA synthetase long 1 (ACSL1) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2), and (b) decreases in lipolysis and FA ß-oxidation that paralleled a prolonged drop in adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). TLR agonist-induced TAG storage is a multifaceted process that persists long after most early pro-inflammatory responses have subsided and may contribute to the formation of "lipid-laden" macrophages in infected tissues.

Persistently active microbial molecules prolong innate immune tolerance in vivo.

Measures that bolster the resolution phase of infectious diseases may offer new opportunities for improving outcome. Here we show that inactivation of microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can be required for animals to recover from the innate immune tolerance that follows exposure to Gram-negative bacteria. When wildtype mice are exposed to small parenteral doses of LPS or Gram-negative bacteria, their macrophages become reprogrammed (tolerant) for a few days before they resume normal function. Mice that are unable to inactivate LPS, in contrast, remain tolerant for several months; during this time they respond sluggishly to Gram-negative bacterial challenge, with high mortality. We show here that prolonged macrophage reprogramming is maintained in vivo by the persistence of stimulatory LPS molecules within the cells' in vivo environment, where naïve cells can acquire LPS via cell-cell contact or from the extracellular fluid. The findings provide strong evidence that inactivation of a stimulatory microbial molecule can be required for animals to regain immune homeostasis following parenteral exposure to bacteria. Measures that disable microbial molecules might enhance resolution of tissue inflammation and help restore innate defenses in individuals recovering from many different infectious diseases.

[Simulation and Observation of Vertical Cast-off Bloodstain Pattern].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.

Ash1L ameliorates psoriasis via limiting neuronal activity-dependent release of miR-let-7b.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Psoriasis is a common autoimmune skin disease that significantly diminishes patients' quality of life. Interactions between primary afferents of the somatosensory system and the cutaneous immune system mediate the pathogenesis of psoriasis. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how primary sensory neurons regulate psoriasis formation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Skin and total RNA were extracted from wild-type (WT) and ASH1-like histone lysine methyltransferase (Ash1l+/- ) mice in both naive and imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis models. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) were then performed. Microfluidic chamber coculture was used to investigate the interaction between somatosensory neurons and bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) ex vivo. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were used to evaluate neuronal excitability after Ash1L haploinsufficiency in primary sensory neurons. KEY RESULTS: The haploinsufficiency of ASH1L, a histone methyltransferase, in primary sensory neurons causes both neurite hyperinnervation and increased neuronal excitability, which promote miR-let-7b release from primary afferents in the skin in a neuronal activity-dependent manner. With a 'GUUGUGU' core sequence, miR-let-7b functions as an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and stimulates the activation of dermal dendritic cells (DCs) and interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis, ultimately exacerbating the symptoms of psoriasis. Thus, by limiting miR-let-7b release from primary afferents, ASH1L prevents dermal DC activation and ameliorates psoriasis. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Somatosensory neuron ASH1L modulates the cutaneous immune system by limiting neuronal activity-dependent release of miR-let-7b, which can directly activate dermal DCs via TLR7 and ultimately lead to aggravated psoriatic lesion.

The transport and inactivation kinetics of bacterial lipopolysaccharide influence its immunological potency in vivo.

The extraordinary potency and pathological relevance of gram-negative bacterial LPSs have made them very popular experimental agonists, yet little is known about what happens to these stimulatory molecules within animal tissues. We tracked fluorescent and radiolabeled LPS from a s.c. inoculation site to its draining lymph nodes (DLN), blood, and liver. Although we found FITC-labeled LPS in DLN within minutes of injection, drainage of radiolabeled LPS continued for >6 wk. Within the DLN, most of the LPS was found in the subcapsular sinus or medulla, near or within lymphatic endothelial cells and CD169(+) macrophages. Whereas most of the LPS seemed to pass through the DLN without entering B cell follicles, by 24 h after injection a small amount of LPS was found in the paracortex. In wild-type mice, ≥70% of the injected radiolabeled LPS underwent inactivation by deacylation before it left the footpad; in animals that lacked acyloxyacyl hydrolase, the LPS-deacylating enzyme, prolonged drainage of fully acylated (active) LPS boosted polyclonal IgM and IgG3 Ab titers. LPS egress from a s.c. injection site thus occurred during many weeks and was mainly via lymphatic channels. Its immunological potency, as measured by its ability to stimulate polyclonal Ab production, was greatly influenced by the kinetics of both lymphatic drainage and enzymatic inactivation.

MSI1 Stabilizes MACF1 to Inhibit Apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 Cells Induced by High Glucose and Promote Osteogenic Differentiation Through Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects bone metabolism and causes osteoporosis. Musashi 1 (MSI1), a member of the Musashi family, regulates protein expression by targeting protein mRNA and has been reported to play an important role in osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, this paper attempts to explore the role of MSI1 in diabetic osteoporosis and discussing its specific mechanism. The glucose concentration for high glucose (HG) and control MC3T3-E1 cells were 30 and 5.5 mM. MC3T3-E1 cells induced by high glucose (HG) were used to simulate diabetic osteoporosis in vivo. The interaction between MSI1 and microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) was confirmed by RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP). The mRNA and protein expressions of MSI1 and MACF1 in MC3T3-E1 cells and HG-induced MC3T3-E1 cells after indicated transfection were tested by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay and western blot. After transfection, the proliferation, apoptosis, and osteogenic differentiation of HG-induced MC3T3-E1 cells were detected by cell counting kit (CCK)-8, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and alizarin red staining. The expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins in HG-induced MC3T3-E1 cells after transfection was detected by western blot. This work shows that MSI1 can combine with MACF1. The expression of MSI1 and MACF1 was increased in HG-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. Upregulation of MSI1 promoted the proliferative and differentiative capabilities, but inhibited the apoptosis of HG-insulted MC3T3-E1 cells, which could be reversed by MACF1 knockdown. MSI1 stabilizes MACF1 to suppress apoptosis and promote osteogenic differentiation in HG-induced MC3T3-E1 cells by inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

A highly conserved host lipase deacylates oxidized phospholipids and ameliorates acute lung injury in mice.

Oxidized phospholipids have diverse biological activities, many of which can be pathological, yet how they are inactivated in vivo is not fully understood. Here, we present evidence that a highly conserved host lipase, acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH), can play a significant role in reducing the pro-inflammatory activities of two prominent products of phospholipid oxidation, 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaryl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. AOAH removed the sn-2 and sn-1 acyl chains from both lipids and reduced their ability to induce macrophage inflammasome activation and cell death in vitro and acute lung injury in mice. In addition to transforming Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide from stimulus to inhibitor, its most studied activity, AOAH can inactivate these important danger-associated molecular pattern molecules and reduce tissue inflammation and injury.

Intestinal CD11b+ B Cells Ameliorate Colitis by Secreting Immunoglobulin A.

The intestinal mucosal immune environment requires multiple immune cells to maintain homeostasis. Although intestinal B cells are among the most important immune cells, little is known about the mechanism that they employ to regulate immune homeostasis. In this study, we found that CD11b+ B cells significantly accumulated in the gut lamina propria and Peyer's patches in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse models and patients with ulcerative colitis. Adoptive transfer of CD11b+ B cells, but not CD11b-/- B cells, effectively ameliorated colitis and exhibited therapeutic effects. Furthermore, CD11b+ B cells were found to produce higher levels of IgA than CD11b- B cells. CD11b deficiency in B cells dampened IgA production, resulting in the loss of their ability to ameliorate colitis. Mechanistically, CD11b+ B cells expressed abundant TGF-ß and TGF-ß receptor II, as well as highly activate phosphorylated Smad2/3 signaling pathway, consequently promoting the class switch to IgA. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CD11b+ B cells are essential intestinal suppressive immune cells and the primary source of intestinal IgA, which plays an indispensable role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.

A host lipase prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced foam cell formation.

Although microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules can promote cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, the existence of a host-derived MAMP inactivation mechanism that prevents foam cell formation has not been described. Here, we tested the ability of acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH), the host lipase that inactivates gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), to prevent foam cell formation in mice. Following exposure to small intraperitoneal dose(s) of LPSs, Aoah -/- macrophages produced more low-density lipoprotein receptor and less apolipoprotein E and accumulated more cholesterol than did Aoah +/+ macrophages. The Aoah -/- macrophages also maintained several pro-inflammatory features. Using a perivascular collar placement model, we found that Aoah -/- mice developed more carotid artery foam cells than did Aoah +/+ mice after they had been fed a high fat, high cholesterol diet, and received small doses of LPSs. This is the first demonstration that an enzyme that inactivates a stimulatory MAMP in vivo can reduce cholesterol accumulation and inflammation in arterial macrophages.

Stimulus-dependent deacylation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide by dendritic cells.

We describe here a previously unrecognized property of dendritic cells (DCs), the ability to deacylate the lipid A moiety of gram-negative bacterial LPSs. Both immature DCs of the XS52 cell line and bone marrow-derived DCs produce acyloxyacyl hydrolase, an enzyme that detoxifies LPS by selectively removing the secondary acyl chains from lipid A. Acyloxyacyl hydrolase expression decreased when DCs were incubated with IL-4, IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, and an agonistic CD40 antibody (maturation cocktail), and increased after treatment with LPS, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, or a gram-positive bacterium (Micococcus luteus). Maturation cocktail treatment also diminished, whereas LPS treatment enhanced or maintained the cells' ability to kill Escherichia coli, deacylate LPS, and degrade bacterial protein. Enzymatic deacylation of LPS is an intrinsic, regulated mechanism by which DCs may modulate host responses to this potent bacterial agonist.

Development and Evaluation of a Smart Contract-Enabled Blockchain System for Home Care Service Innovation: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: In the home care industry, the assignment and tracking of care services are controlled by care centers that are centralized in nature and prone to inefficient information transmission. A lack of trust among the involved parties, information opaqueness, and large manual manipulation result in lower process efficiency. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore and demonstrate the application of blockchain and smart contract technologies to innovate/renovate home care services for harvesting the desired blockchain benefits of process transparency, traceability, and interoperability. METHODS: An object-oriented analysis/design combined with a unified modeling language tool was used to construct the architecture of the proposed home care service system. System feasibility was evaluated via an implementation test, and a questionnaire survey was performed to collect opinions from home care service respondents knowledgeable about blockchain and smart contracts. RESULTS: According to the comparative analysis results, the proposed design outperformed the existing system in terms of traceability, system efficiency, and process automation. Moreover, for the questionnaire survey, the quantitative analysis results showed that the proposed blockchain-based system had significantly (P<.001) higher mean scores (when compared with the existing system) in terms of important factors, including timeliness, workflow efficiency, automatic notifications, insurance functionality, and auditable traceability. In summary, blockchain-based home care service participants will be able to enjoy improved efficiency, better transparency, and higher levels of process automation. CONCLUSIONS: Blockchain and smart contracts can provide valuable benefits to the home care service industry via distributed data management and process automation. The proposed system enhances user experiences by mitigating human intervention and improving service interoperability, transparency/traceability, and real-time response to home care service events. Efforts in exploring and integrating blockchain-based home care services with emerging technologies, such as the internet of things and artificial intelligence, are expected to provide further benefits and therefore are subject to future research.