Ultraconfined Plasmonic Hotspots Inside Graphene Nanobubbles.

We report on a nanoinfrared (IR) imaging study of ultraconfined plasmonic hotspots inside graphene nanobubbles formed in graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterostructures. The volume of these plasmonic hotspots is more than one-million-times smaller than what could be achieved by free-space IR photons, and their real-space distributions are controlled by the sizes and shapes of the nanobubbles. Theoretical analysis indicates that the observed plasmonic hotspots are formed due to a significant increase of the local plasmon wavelength in the nanobubble regions. Such an increase is attributed to the high sensitivity of graphene plasmons to its dielectric environment. Our work presents a novel scheme for plasmonic hotspot formation and sheds light on future applications of graphene nanobubbles for plasmon-enhanced IR spectroscopy.

Designed ultrafast optical nonlinearity in a plasmonic nanorod metamaterial enhanced by nonlocality.

All-optical signal processing enables modulation and transmission speeds not achievable using electronics alone. However, its practical applications are limited by the inherently weak nonlinear effects that govern photon-photon interactions in conventional materials, particularly at high switching rates. Here, we show that the recently discovered nonlocal optical behaviour of plasmonic nanorod metamaterials enables an enhanced, ultrafast, nonlinear optical response. We observe a large (80%) change of transmission through a subwavelength thick slab of metamaterial subjected to a low control light fluence of 7 mJ cm(-2), with switching frequencies in the terahertz range. We show that both the response time and the nonlinearity can be engineered by appropriate design of the metamaterial nanostructure. The use of nonlocality to enhance the nonlinear optical response of metamaterials, demonstrated here in plasmonic nanorod composites, could lead to ultrafast, low-power all-optical information processing in subwavelength-scale devices.

Surface plasmon interference excited by tightly focused laser beams.

We show that interfering surface plasmon polaritons can be excited with a focused laser beam at normal incidence to a plane metal film. No protrusions or holes are needed in this excitation scheme. Depending on the axial position of the focus, the intensity distribution on the metal surface is either dominated by interferences between counterpropagating plasmons or by a two-lobe pattern characteristic of localized surface plasmon excitation. Our experiments can be accurately explained by use of the angular spectrum representation and provide a simple means for locally exciting standing surface plasmon polaritons.

Surface plasmon rainbow jets.

A new method for optically exciting and visualizing surface plasmons in thin metal films is described. The technique relies on the use of a high-numerical-aperture objective lens to locally launch a broad wavelength spectrum of surface waves and to detect the leaky radiative modes associated with them. We used this approach to obtain a direct visualization of the plasmon intensity distributions, e.g., rainbow jets, and to quantify their propagation lengths throughout the visible spectrum.

Surface plasmon characteristics of tunable photoluminescence in single gold nanorods.

Light emission resulting from two-photon excited gold nanoparticles has been proposed to originate from the radiative decay of surface plasmon resonances. In this vein, we investigated luminescence from individual gold nanorods and found that their emission characteristics closely resemble surface plasmon behavior. In particular, we observed spectral similarities between the scattering spectra of individual nanorods and their photoluminescence emission. We also measured a blueshift of the photoluminescence peak wavelength with decreasing aspect ratio of the nanorods as well as an optically tunable shape-dependent spectrum of the photoluminescence. The emission yield of single nanorods strongly depends on the orientation of the incident polarization consistent with the properties of surface plasmons.

Photo-initiated energy transfer in nanostructured complexes observed by near-field optical microscopy.

We report an apertureless near-field optical study on nanostructured objects formed by J-aggregates adsorbed on silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Near-field images reveal that the enhanced near-field from the dressed particle's (DP) resonantly excited plasmon oscillation is efficiently absorbed by the J-aggregates. The sensitivity of the near-field images recorded at the harmonics of the probe vibration frequency suggests that the DP is releasing part of the absorbed energy radiatively upon interaction with the probe. The role of the probe in providing this new radiative relaxation channel is further confirmed as fluorescence from the J-aggregates on the particle is detected on the particle location only. We based the interpretation of our results on the near-field optical response from a bare Ag particle excited at the plasmon resonance as well as on far-field emission and transient absorption experiments.

Hydrogen-bond-mediated photoinduced electron-transfer: novel dimethylaniline-anthracene ensembles formed via Watson-Crick base-pairing.

The synthesis of a new, noncovalent anthracene-dimethylaniline dyad (ensemble I) held together via guanosine-cytidine Watson-Crick base-pairing interactions is reported. Upon excitation at 420 nm, photoinduced electron-transfer from the dimethylaniline donor to the singlet excited state of the anthracene acceptor occurs, as inferred from a combination of time-resolved fluorescence quenching and transient absorption measurements. In toluene at room temperature, the rate constants for photoinduced intraensemble electron-transfer and subsequent back-electron-transfer (charge recombination) are k(CS) = (3.5 +/- 0.03) x 10(10) s(-1) and k(CR) = (1.42 +/- 0.03) x 10(9) s(-1), respectively.

C32-O-phenalkyl ether derivatives of the immunosuppressant ascomycin: a tether length study.

A tether length study of C32-O-phenalkyl ether derivatives of ascomycin was conducted wherein it was determined that a 2-carbon tether provides optimum in vitro immunosuppressive activity. Oxygen-bearing substituents along the 2-carbon tether can further increase the potency of this design.

Potent immunosuppressive C32-O-arylethyl ether derivatives of ascomycin with reduced toxicity.

The synthesis of C32-O-arylethyl ether derivatives of ascomycin that possess equivalent immunosuppressant activity but reduced toxicity, compared to FK-506, is described.

32-Indolyl ether derivatives of ascomycin: three-dimensional structures of complexes with FK506-binding protein.

32-Indole ether derivatives of tacrolimus and ascomycin retain the potent immunosuppressive activity of their parent compounds but display reduced toxicity. In addition, their complexes with the 12-kDa FK506-binding protein (FKBP) form more stable complexes with the protein phosphatase calcineurin, the molecular target of these drugs. We have solved the three-dimensional structures of the FKBP complexes with two 32-indolyl derivatives of ascomycin. The structures of the protein and the macrolide are remarkably similar to those seen in the complexes with tacrolimus and ascomycin. The indole groups project away from the body of the complex, and multiple conformations are observed for the linkage to these groups as well as for a nearby peptide suggesting apparent flexibility in these parts of the structure. Comparison of these structures with that of the ternary complex of calcineurin, FKBP, and tacrolimus suggests that the indole groups interact with a binding site comprising elements of both the calcineurin alpha- and beta-chains and that this interaction is responsible for the increased stability of these complexes.

A tacrolimus-related immunosuppressant with biochemical properties distinct from those of tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (FK506) is an immunosuppressive drug 50-100 times more potent than cyclosporine (CsA), the current mainstay of organ transplant rejection therapy. Despite being chemically unrelated, CsA and tacrolimus exert their immunosuppressive effects through the inhibition of calcineurin (CaN), a critical signaling molecule during T-lymphocyte activation. Although numerous clinical studies have proven the therapeutic efficacy of drugs within this class, tacrolimus and CsA also have a strikingly similar profile of unwanted side effects. METHOD: Our objective has been to identify a less toxic immunosuppressant through the modification of ascomycin (FK520). Quantitative in vitro immunosuppression and toxicity assays have demonstrated (see the accompanying article, p. 18) that we achieved our goal with L-732,531 (indolyl-ascomycin; indolyl-ASC), a 32-O-(1-hydroxyethylindol-5-yl) ascomycin derivative with an improved therapeutic index relative to tacrolimus. RESULTS: We report that the attributes of indolyl-ASC may result from its distinctive biochemical properties. In contrast to tacrolimus, indolyl-ASC binds poorly to FK506 binding protein 12 (FKBP12), the major cytosolic receptor for tacrolimus and related compounds. However, the stability of the interaction between the FKBP12-indolyl-ASC complex and CaN is much greater than that of the FKBP12-tacrolimus complex. These distinguishing properties of indolyl-ASC result in the potent inhibition of CaN within T lymphocytes but may lower the accumulation of the drug at sites of toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Indolyl-ASC may define those properties needed to increase the therapeutic efficacy of a macrolactam immunoregulant for treating both human autoimmune disease and organ transplant rejection.

C32-O-imidazol-2-yl-methyl ether derivatives of the immunosuppressant ascomycin with improved therapeutic potential.

A series of C32-O-aralkyl ether derivatives of the FK-506 related macrolide ascomycin have been prepared based on an earlier reported C32-O-cinnamyl ether design. In the present study, the nature of the aryl tethering group was varied in an attempt to improve oral activity. An imidazol-2-yl-methyl tether was found to be superior among those investigated and has resulted in an ascomycin analog, L-733,725, with in vivo immunosuppressive activity comparable to FK-506 but with an improved therapeutic index.

Tissue distribution and abundance of human FKBP51, and FK506-binding protein that can mediate calcineurin inhibition.

We previously described the isolation of an FK506-binding protein, FKBP51, that is predominantly expressed in murine T cells and is capable of mediating drug-dependent calcineurin inhibition in vitro. In addition, the gene for FKBP51 is induced by glucocorticoids. Screening of a human thymus cDNA library resulted in the identification of the human homologue of FKBP51. Expression of the 3.7 kb mRNA corresponding to FKBP51 is induced by glucocorticoids in the human T cell line, C7TK.4. The 51.2 kDa protein encoded by this gene shares 87% identity to murine FKBP51 and demonstrates a similar IC50 value for the FK506-mediated inhibition of calcineurin phosphatase in vitro. The distribution and abundance of FKBP51 and FKBP12 in seventeen human tissues were compared by Western analysis. Unlike its murine counterpart, the human FKBP51 is abundantly expressed in numerous tissues and in many cases, is in molar excess over FKBP12.

Direct inhibition of the signaling functions of the mammalian target of rapamycin by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002.

The immunosuppressant, rapamycin, inhibits cell growth by interfering with the function of a novel kinase, termed mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The putative catalytic domain of mTOR is similar to those of mammalian and yeast phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinases. This study demonstrates that mTOR is a component of a cytokine-triggered protein kinase cascade leading to the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E) binding protein, PHAS-1, in activated T lymphocytes. This event promotes G1 phase progression by stimulating eIF-4E-dependent translation initiation. A mutant YAC-1 T lymphoma cell line, which was selected for resistance to the growth-inhibitory action of rapamycin, was correspondingly resistant to the suppressive effect of this drug on PHAS-1 phosphorylation. In contrast, the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, reduced the phosphorylation of PHAS-1 in both rapamycin-sensitive and -resistant T cells. At similar drug concentrations (0.1-1 microM), wortmannin irreversibly inhibited the serine-specific autokinase activity of mTOR. The autokinase activity of mTOR was also sensitive to the structurally distinct PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, at concentrations (1-30 microM) nearly identical to those required for inhibition of the lipid kinase activity of the mammalian p85-p110 heterodimer. These studies indicate that the signaling functions of mTOR, and potentially those of other high molecular weight PI 3-kinase homologs, are directly affected by cellular treatment with wortmannin or LY294002.

Selective binding of FKBP12.6 by the cardiac ryanodine receptor.

The calcium release channels (CRC)/ryanodine receptors of skeletal (Sk) and cardiac (C) muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are hetero-oligomeric complexes with the structural formulas (ryanodine recepter (RyR)1 protomer)4(FKBP12)4 and (RyR2 protomer)4(FKBP12.6)4, respectively, where FKBP12 and FKBP12.6 are isoforms of the 12-kDa receptor for the immunosuppressant drug FK506. The sequence similarity between the RyR protomers and FKBP12 isoforms is 63 and 85%, respectively. Using 35S-labeled FKBP12 and 35S-labeled FKBP12.6 as probes to study the interaction with CRC, we find that: 1) analogous to its action in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SkMSR), FK506 (or analog FK590) dissociates FKBP12.6 from CSR; 2) both FKBP isoforms bind to FKBP-stripped SkMSR and exchange with endogenously bound FKBP12 of SkMSR; and 3) by contrast, only FKBP12. 6 exchanges with endogenously bound FKBP12.6 or rebinds to FKBP-stripped CSR. This selective binding appears to explain why the cardiac CRC is isolated as a complex with FKBP12.6, whereas the skeletal muscle CRC is isolated as a complex with FKBP12, although only FKBP12 is detectable in the myoplasm of both muscle types. Also, in contrast to the activation of the channel by removal of FKBP from skeletal muscle, no activation is detected in CRC activity in FKBP-stripped CSR. This differential action of FKBP may reflect a fundamental difference in the modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in heart versus skeletal muscle.

Cryoelectron microscopy resolves FK506-binding protein sites on the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor.

A 12-kDa immunophilin (FKBP12) is an integral component of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR). The RyR is a hetero-oligomeric complex with structural formula (FKBP)4(Ryr1)4, where Ryr1 is the 565-kDa product of the Ryr1 gene. To aid in the detection of the immunophilin's location in the receptor, we exchanged the FKBP12 present in RyR-enriched vesicles derived from sarcoplasmic reticulum with an engineered construct of FKBP12 fused to glutathione S-transferase and then isolated the complexes. Cryoelectron microscopy and image averaging of the complexes (in an orientation displaying the RyR's fourfold symmetry) revealed four symmetrically distributed, diffuse density regions that were located just outside the boundary defining the cytoplasmic assembly of the RyR. These regions are attributed to the glutathione transferase portion of the fusion protein because they are absent from receptors lacking the fusion protein. To more precisely define the location of FKBP12, we similarly analyzed complexes of RyR containing FKBP12 itself. Apparently some FKBP is lost during the purification or storage of the RyR because, to detect the receptor-bound immunophilin, it was necessary to add FKBP12 to the purified receptor before electron microscopy. Averaged images of these complexes showed a region of density that had not been observed previously in images of isolated receptors, and its position, along the edges of the transmembrane assembly, agreed with the position of the FKBP12 deduced from the experiments with the fusion protein. The proposed locations for FKBP12 are about 10 nm from the transmembrane baseplate assembly that contains the ion channel of the RyR.

Mixed agonist/antagonist activity of an FK-506-related immunosuppressant: biological and biochemical characterization.

FK-506 blocks T cell activation by preventing lymphokine gene transcription through formation of a complex with FKBP12 that inhibits calcineurin phosphatase activity. Immunosuppressive FK-506 analogs (agonists) have been generated whose potency correlates with calcineurin inhibition. Nonimmunosuppressive antagonist analogs have also been identified, including L-685,818, which binds to FKBP12 but does not inhibit calcineurin. We describe a novel property of FK-506 analog, characterized as a mixed agonist/antagonist immunosuppressive activity. It is displayed by L-688,617, the 32 O-methoxyethoxymethyl derivative of the agonist L-683,590 (C21-ethyl). Although it binds to FKBP12 similarly to L-683,590, L-688,617 incompletely suppressed T cell proliferation induced by optimal activation and enhanced that induced by supraoptimal activation. In the latter situation, L-688,617 suppressed IL-2 production only partially but blocked activation-driven cell death. Moreover, a 1000-fold molar excess of L-688,617 antagonized the immunosuppressive activity of L-683,590. L-688,617 inhibited calcineurin phosphatase activity in cells only partially. The unique agonist/antagonist activity of L-688,617 may therefore reflect its high affinity for FKBP12, combined with a reduced ability of the drug-FKBP12 complex to inhibit calcineurin function. However, in a cell-free system, L-688,617 completely blocked this function when a large excess of FKBP12 over calcineurin was present, suggesting that the intracellular concentration of FKBP12 may be a limiting factor that prevents full agonist activity of L-688,617 in cells.

T cell responses in calcineurin A alpha-deficient mice.

We have created embryonic stem (ES) cells and mice lacking the predominant isoform (alpha) of the calcineurin A subunit (CNA alpha) to study the role of this serine/threonine phosphatase in the immune system. T and B cell maturation appeared to be normal in CNA alpha -/- mice. CNA alpha -/- T cells responded normally to mitogenic stimulation (i.e., PMA plus ionomycin, concanavalin A, and anti-CD3 epsilon antibody). However, CNA alpha -/- mice generated defective antigen-specific T cell responses in vivo. Mice produced from CNA alpha -/- ES cells injected into RAG-2-deficient blastocysts had a similar defective T cell response, indicating that CNA alpha is required for T cell function per se, rather than for an activity of other cell types involved in the immune response. CNA alpha -/- T cells remained sensitive to both cyclosporin A and FK506, suggesting that CNA beta or another CNA-like molecule can mediate the action of these immunosuppressive drugs. CNA alpha -/- mice provide an animal model for dissecting the physiologic functions of calcineurin as well as the effects of FK506 and CsA.

Immunopharmacology of rapamycin.

The potent immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and rapamycin interfere with signal transduction pathways required for T cell activation and growth. The distinct inhibitory effects of these drugs on the T cell activation program are mediated through the formation of pharmacologically active complexes with members of a family of intracellular receptors termed the FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs). The FKBP12.FK506 complex specifically binds to and inhibits calcineurin, a signaling protein required for transcriptional activation of the interleukin (IL)-2 gene in response to T cell antigen receptor engagement. The FKBP12. rapamycin complex interacts with a recently defined target protein termed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Accumulating data suggest that mTOR functions in a previously unrecognized signal transduction pathway required for the progression of IL-2-stimulated T cells from G1 into the S phase of the cell cycle. Here we review the immunopharmacology of rapamycin, with particular emphasis on the characterization of mTOR.