Characterization of the interface between adsorbed fibronectin and human embryonic stem cells.

The cell-substrate interface plays a key role in the regulation of cell behaviour. Defining the properties of this interface is particularly important for human embryonic stem (hES) cell culture, because changes in this environment can regulate hES cell differentiation. It has been established that fibronectin-coated surfaces can promote the attachment, growth and maintenance of the undifferentiated phenotype of hES cells. We investigated the influence of the surface density of adsorbed fibronectin on hES cell behaviour in defined serum-free culture conditions and demonstrated that only 25 per cent surface saturation was required to maintain attachment, growth and maintenance of the undifferentiated phenotype. The influence of surface-adsorbed fibronectin fragments was compared with whole fibronectin, and it was demonstrated that the 120 kDa fragment central binding domain alone was able to sustain hES cells in an undifferentiated phenotype in a similar fashion to fibronectin. Furthermore, hES cell attachment to both fibronectin and the 120 kDa fragment was mediated by integrin α5ß1. However, although a substrate-attached synthetic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide alone was able to promote the attachment and spreading of fibroblasts, it was inactive for hES cells, indicating that stem cells have different requirements in order to attach and spread on the central fibronectin RGD-cell-binding domain. This study provides further information on the characteristics of the cell-substrate interface required to control hES cell behaviour in clearly defined serum-free conditions, which are needed for the development of therapeutic applications of hES cells.

The influence of high intensity terahertz radiation on mammalian cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.

Understanding the influence of exposure of biological systems to THz radiation is becoming increasingly important. There is some evidence to suggest that THz radiation can influence important activities within mammalian cells. This study evaluated the influence of the high peak power, low average power THz radiation produced by the ALICE (Daresbury Laboratory, UK) synchrotron source on human epithelial and embryonic stem cells. The cells were maintained under standard tissue culture conditions, during which the THz radiation was delivered directly into the incubator for various exposure times. The influence of the THz radiation on cell morphology, attachment, proliferation and differentiation was evaluated. The study demonstrated that there was no difference in any of these parameters between irradiated and control cell cultures. It is suggested that under these conditions the cells are capable of compensating for any effects caused by exposure to THz radiation with the peak powers levels employed in these studies.

Innate immune stimuli modulate bone marrow-derived dendritic cell production in vitro by toll-like receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Haematopoiesis is crucial for immunity because it results in the production of leucocytes. Bacterial and viral infections alter leucocyte production by promoting granulopoiesis or lymphopoiesis. Recent studies suggest that changes in leucocyte production may be caused by the effects of inflammatory responses on the differentiation of haematopoietic progenitors in the bone marrow. We investigated the mechanisms through which infection regulates the formation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. We mimicked infection by stimulating developing cells with molecules associated with bacteria and viruses and with inactivated influenza viruses. We showed that toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands act as modulators of haematopoiesis, and that signalling through different TLRs results in differing effects on the production of BMDCs. We demonstrated that ligands for TLR3 and influenza viruses reduce the production of BMDCs, resulting in increased neutrophil numbers, and that ligands for TLR4 and TLR9 drive the production of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Furthermore, there are distinct signalling mechanisms involved in these effects. Signalling pathways triggered by TLR4 and TLR9 involve MyD88 and are partially mediated by the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Mechanisms activated by TLR3 were Tir-domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon dependent. Haematopoietic modulation induced by inactivated influenza viruses was associated with the activation of an antiviral pathway mediated by type-1 interferons.

Polyinosinic acid is a ligand for toll-like receptor 3.

Innate immune responses are critical in controlling viral infections. Viral proteins and nucleic acids have been shown to be recognized by pattern recognition receptors of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, triggering downstream signaling cascades that lead to cellular activation and cytokine production. Viral DNA is sensed by TLR9, and TLRs 3, 7, and 8 have been implicated in innate responses to RNA viruses by virtue of their ability to sense double-stranded (ds) RNA (TLR3) or single-stranded RNA (murine TLR7 and human TLR8). Viral and synthetic dsRNAs have also been shown to be a potent adjuvant, promoting enhanced adaptive immune responses, and this property is also dependent on their recognition by TLR3. It has recently been shown that mRNA that is largely single-stranded is a ligand for TLR3. Here we have investigated the ability of single-stranded homopolymeric nucleic acids to induce innate responses by murine immune cells. We show for the first time that polyinosinic acid (poly(I)) activates B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages and that these responses are dependent on the expression of both TLR3 and the adaptor molecule, Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta (TRIF). We therefore conclude that TLR3 is able to sense both single-stranded RNA and dsRNA.

Influenza H2 haemagglutinin activates B cells via a MyD88-dependent pathway.

Influenza viruses are serious respiratory pathogens, responsible for half a million deaths each year. The viral surface haemagglutinin (HA) protein has been shown to be an important determinant of viral pathogenicity. HA is the virion attachment and fusion protein, and the major target for neutralizing antibodies; however, it is also involved in triggering innate responses that may have an important impact on the disease course. We have examined the role of the toll-like receptor (TLR) family in innate responses to influenza virus and influenza HA. TLR7 has recently been found to mediate recognition of influenza RNA. Here, we show for the first time that influenza HA of the H2 subtype induces innate responses in murine B lymphocytes via a MyD88-dependent pathway distinct from that involved in sensing viral RNA. We also show that inactivated influenza virus induces activation of human B cells. Our findings suggest that the molecule mediating these responses may be a novel member of the TLR family.