High-density lipoproteins mediate small RNA intercellular communication between dendritic cells and macrophages.

HDL are dynamic transporters of diverse molecular cargo and play critical roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation. We have previously reported that HDL transport both host and nonhost small RNAs (sRNA) based on quantitative PCR and sRNA sequencing approaches; however, these methods require RNA isolation steps which have potential biases and may not isolate certain forms of RNA molecules from samples. HDL have also been reported to accept functional sRNAs from donor macrophages and deliver them to recipient endothelial cells; however, using PCR to trace HDL-sRNA intercellular communication has major limitations. The present study aims to overcome these technical barriers and further understand the pathways involved in HDL-mediated bidirectional flux of sRNAs between immune cells. To overcome these technical limitations, SYTO RNASelect, a lipid-penetrating RNA dye, was used to quantify a) overall HDL-sRNA content, b) bidirectional flux of sRNAs between HDL and immune cells, c) HDL-mediated intercellular communication between immune cells, and d) HDL-mediated RNA export changes in disease. Live cell imaging and loss-of-function assays indicate that the endo-lysosomal system plays a critical role in macrophage storage and export of HDL-sRNAs. These results identify HDL as a substantive mediator of intercellular communication between immune cells and demonstrate the importance of endocytosis for recipient cells of HDL-sRNAs. Utilizing a lipid-penetrating RNA-specific fluorescence dye, we were able to both quantify the absolute concentration of sRNAs transported by HDL and characterize HDL-mediated intercellular RNA transport between immune cells.

Characterization of doxycycline-dependent inducible Simian Virus 40 large T antigen immortalized human conjunctival epithelial cell line.

PURPOSE: To present the properties of a newly developed immortalized human conjunctival epithelial cell (iHCjEC) line. METHODS: iHCjECs were developed to induce Simian Virus 40 large T-antigen (SV40LT) by incorporating lentivirus in a tetracycline (Tet)-regulated gene-expression system into primary cultures of human conjunctival epithelial cells. The population doubling time and morphology of the iHCjECs were analyzed. The expressions of CK13, CK19, CK12, and MUC1, MUC4, MUC16, and MUC5AC were determined by real time PCR and immunohistochemically under different culture conditions. The organotypic culture model in which iHCjECs were cultured on rabbit conjunctival fibroblast-embedded collagen gel was used to characterize the iHCjECs. RESULTS: The iHCjECs cultured with doxycycline (Dox) continued to proliferate for at least 20 passages and had a cobblestone-like appearance. The expressions of CK13 and CK19 but not CK12 were detected in the iHCjECs, and the expression of CK13 increased in culture media lacking Dox (Dox-). The expressions of MUC1, MUC4, MUC16, and MUC5AC were detected in iHCjECs, and a relatively strong immunostaining of MUC5AC was detected with Dox(-) added 5% FBS. Stratified iHCjECs were observed in organotypic culture at 5 days. CONCLUSION: The iHCjECs had high proliferation rates and abilities to control the differentiation potency to control the expression of SV40 LT-antigen with Tet-regulated gene-expression system. They are able to express the mucin gene repertoire of their native epithelia. The iHCjECs can be a useful experimental cell line to study conjunctival epithelial cell characteristics and for pathophysiological and toxicological studies.

Conformational plasticity of JRAB/MICAL-L2 provides "law and order" in collective cell migration.

In fundamental biological processes, cells often move in groups, a process termed collective cell migration. Collectively migrating cells are much better organized than a random assemblage of individual cells. Many molecules have been identified as factors involved in collective cell migration, and no one molecule is adequate to explain the whole picture. Here we show that JRAB/MICAL-L2, an effector protein of Rab13 GTPase, provides the "law and order" allowing myriad cells to behave as a single unit just by changing its conformation. First, we generated a structural model of JRAB/MICAL-L2 by a combination of bioinformatic and biochemical analyses and showed how JRAB/MICAL-L2 interacts with Rab13 and how its conformational change occurs. We combined cell biology, live imaging, computational biology, and biomechanics to show that impairment of conformational plasticity in JRAB/MICAL-L2 causes excessive rigidity and loss of directionality, leading to imbalance in cell group behavior. This multidisciplinary approach supports the concept that the conformational plasticity of a single molecule provides "law and order" in collective cell migration.

Arkadia enhances BMP signalling through ubiquitylation and degradation of Smad6.

Arkadia, a positive regulator of Smad-dependent signalling via the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) family, is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that induces ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent degradation of TGF-ß suppressors such as Smad7, c-Ski and SnoN. In this study, we examined the effects of Arkadia on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced osteoblast differentiation. Knockdown of Arkadia reduced mineralization and expression of osteoblast differentiation markers. Furthermore, we showed that Smad6, a BMP-specific inhibitory Smad, is a target of Arkadia: wild-type (WT) Arkadia, but not the C937A (CA) mutant lacking E3 ubiquitin-ligase activity, induced ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent degradation of Smad6. Accordingly, protein levels of Smad6, Smad7 and c-Ski were elevated in MEFs from Arkadia KO mice. Finally, expression of Arkadia attenuated blockade of BMP signalling by Smad6 in a transcriptional reporter assay. These results demonstrate that Smad6 is a novel target of Arkadia, and that Arkadia positively regulates BMP signalling via degradation of Smad6, Smad7 and c-Ski/SnoN.

Doxycycline-dependent inducible and reversible RNA interference mediated by a single lentivirus vector.

RNA interference has been applied to the development of a method of silencing genes of interest. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vectors are useful in driving gene-silencing. Standard shRNA vectors produce a knockdown phenotype soon after transduction. An alternative strategy for conditional gene knockdown would be useful to investigate gene functions in a time-dependent manner. In this study, we developed an inducible gene knockdown system based on lentivirus-mediated gene transfer. A single lentivirus vector capable of inducible expression of a designed microRNA-based shRNA was generated using a tetracycline-dependent transactivation system. The lentiviral vector facilitated doxycycline-dependent inducible knockdown specific to the target gene. Withdrawal of doxycycline after transient treatment resulted in complete recovery of target gene expressions to normal levels. Thus the single lentiviral vector developed in this study should be a powerful tool for doxycycline-dependent inducible and reversible RNA interference in molecular genetic studies.

Actin filament dynamics impacts keratinocyte stem cell maintenance.

Cultured human epidermal keratinocyte stem cells (holoclones) are crucial for regenerative medicine for burns and genetic disorders. In serial culture, holoclones progressively lose their proliferative capacity to become transient amplifying cells with limited growth (paraclones), a phenomenon termed clonal conversion. Although it negatively impacts the culture lifespan and the success of cell transplantation, little is known on the molecular mechanism underlying clonal conversion. Here, we show that holoclones and paraclones differ in their actin filament organization, with actin bundles distributed radially in holoclones and circumferentially in paraclones. Moreover, actin organization sets the stage for a differing response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), since EGF signalling induces a rapid expansion of colony size in holoclones and a significant reduction in paraclones. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K or Rac1 in holoclones results in the reorganization of actin filaments in a pattern that is similar to that of paraclones. Importantly, continuous Rac1 inhibition in holoclones results in clonal conversion and reduction of growth potential. Together, our data connect loss of stem cells to EGF-induced colony dynamics governed by Rac1.