RESUMO
Mycobacterium ulcerans, the etiological agent of Buruli ulcer, causes extensive skin lesions, which despite their severity are not accompanied by pain. It was previously thought that this remarkable analgesia is ensured by direct nerve cell destruction. We demonstrate here that M. ulcerans-induced hypoesthesia is instead achieved through a specific neurological pathway triggered by the secreted mycobacterial polyketide mycolactone. We decipher this pathway at the molecular level, showing that mycolactone elicits signaling through type 2 angiotensin II receptors (AT2Rs), leading to potassium-dependent hyperpolarization of neurons. We further validate the physiological relevance of this mechanism with in vivo studies of pain sensitivity in mice infected with M. ulcerans, following the disruption of the identified pathway. Our findings shed new light on molecular mechanisms evolved by natural systems for the induction of very effective analgesia, opening up the prospect of new families of analgesics derived from such systems.
Assuntos
Angiotensinas/metabolismo , Úlcera de Buruli/patologia , Macrolídeos/isolamento & purificação , Mycobacterium ulcerans , Analgésicos/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Úlcera de Buruli/metabolismo , Úlcera de Buruli/microbiologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Edema/microbiologia , Humanos , Hipestesia/induzido quimicamente , Macrolídeos/química , Macrolídeos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Canais de Potássio/metabolismo , Prostaglandina-Endoperóxido Sintases/metabolismo , Receptor Tipo 2 de Angiotensina/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Toxoplasma gondii secretes protein effectors to subvert the human immune system sufficiently to establish a chronic infection. Relative to murine infections, little is known about which parasite effectors disarm human immune responses. Here, we used targeted CRISPR screening to identify secreted protein effectors required for parasite survival in IFNγ-activated human cells. Independent screens were carried out using 2 Toxoplasma strains that differ in virulence in mice, leading to the identification of effectors required for survival in IFNγ-activated human cells. We identify the secreted protein GRA57 and 2 other proteins, GRA70 and GRA71, that together form a complex which enhances the ability of parasites to persist in IFNγ-activated human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs). Components of the protein machinery required for export of Toxoplasma proteins into the host cell were also found to be important for parasite resistance to IFNγ in human cells, but these export components function independently of the identified protein complex. Host-mediated ubiquitination of the parasite vacuole has previously been associated with increased parasite clearance from human cells, but we find that vacuoles from GRA57, GRA70, and GRA71 knockout strains are surprisingly less ubiquitinated by the host cell. We hypothesise that this is likely a secondary consequence of deletion of the complex, unlinked to the IFNγ resistance mediated by these effectors.
Assuntos
Parasitos , Toxoplasma , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Toxoplasma/metabolismo , Parasitos/metabolismo , Interferon gama , Proteínas de Protozoários/genética , Proteínas de Protozoários/metabolismo , Virulência , Vacúolos/metabolismoRESUMO
Tuberculosis remains a global health threat with high morbidity. Dendritic cells (DCs) participate in the acute and chronic inflammatory responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by directing the adaptive immune response and are present in lung granulomas. In macrophages, the interaction of lipid droplets (LDs) with mycobacteria-containing phagosomes is central to host-pathogen interactions. However, the data available for DCs are still a matter of debate. Here, we reported that bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) were susceptible to Mtb infection and replication at similar rate to macrophages. Unlike macrophages, the analysis of gene expression showed that Mtb infection induced a delayed increase in lipid droplet-related genes and proinflammatory response. Hence, LD accumulation has been observed by high-content imaging in late periods. Infection of BMDCs with killed H37Rv demonstrated that LD accumulation depends on Mtb viability. Moreover, infection with the attenuated strains H37Ra and Mycobacterium bovis-BCG induced only an early transient increase in LDs, whereas virulent Mtb also induced delayed LD accumulation. In addition, infection with the BCG strain with the reintroduced virulence RD1 locus induced higher LD accumulation and bacterial replication when compared to parental BCG. Collectively, our data suggest that delayed LD accumulation in DCs is dependent on mycobacterial viability and virulence.
Assuntos
Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Gotículas Lipídicas , Virulência , Viabilidade Microbiana , Vacina BCG/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/microbiologiaRESUMO
SMAD2, an effector of the NODAL/Activin signalling pathway, regulates developmental processes by sensing distinct chromatin states and interacting with different transcriptional partners. However, the network of factors that controls SMAD2 chromatin binding and shapes its transcriptional programme over time is poorly characterised. Here, we combine ATAC-seq with computational footprinting to identify temporal changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription factor activity upon NODAL/Activin signalling. We show that SMAD2 binding induces chromatin opening genome wide. We discover footprints for FOXI3, FOXO3 and ZIC3 at the SMAD2-bound enhancers of the early response genes, Pmepa1 and Wnt3, respectively, and demonstrate their functionality. Finally, we determine a mechanism by which NODAL/Activin signalling induces delayed gene expression, by uncovering a self-enabling transcriptional cascade whereby activated SMADs, together with ZIC3, induce the expression of Wnt3. The resultant activated WNT pathway then acts together with the NODAL/Activin pathway to regulate expression of delayed target genes in prolonged NODAL/Activin signalling conditions. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Assuntos
Ativinas , Fatores de Transcrição , Ativinas/metabolismo , Cromatina/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Humanos , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteína Nodal/metabolismo , Proteína Smad2 , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that can infect many host species and is a cause of significant human morbidity worldwide. T. gondii secretes a diverse array of effector proteins into the host cell which are critical for infection. The vast majority of these secreted proteins have no predicted functional domains and remain uncharacterised. Here, we carried out a pooled CRISPR knockout screen in the T. gondii Prugniaud strain in vivo to identify secreted proteins that contribute to parasite immune evasion in the host. We demonstrate that ROP1, the first-identified rhoptry protein of T. gondii, is essential for virulence and has a previously unrecognised role in parasite resistance to interferon gamma-mediated innate immune restriction. This function is conserved in the highly virulent RH strain of T. gondii and contributes to parasite growth in both murine and human macrophages. While ROP1 affects the morphology of rhoptries, from where the protein is secreted, it does not affect rhoptry secretion. Finally, we show that ROP1 co-immunoprecipitates with the host cell protein C1QBP, an emerging regulator of innate immune signaling. In summary, we identify putative in vivo virulence factors in the T. gondii Prugniaud strain and show that ROP1 is an important and previously overlooked effector protein that counteracts both murine and human innate immunity.
Assuntos
Imunidade Inata , Proteínas de Protozoários , Toxoplasma , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Proteínas de Transporte , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Proteínas de Protozoários/metabolismo , Fatores de VirulênciaRESUMO
A series of biotin-functionalized transition metal complexes was prepared by iClick reaction from the corresponding azido complexes with a novel alkyne-functionalized biotin derivative ([Au(triazolatoR,R')(PPh3)], [Pt(dpb)(triazolatoR,R')], [Pt(triazolatoR,R')(terpy)]PF6, and [Ir(ppy)(triazolatoR,R')(terpy)]PF6 with dpb = 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene, ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, and terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and R = C6H5, R' = biotin). The complexes were compared to reference compounds lacking the biotin moiety. The binding affinity toward avidin and streptavidin was evaluated with the HABA assay as well as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). All compounds exhibit the same binding stoichiometry of complex-to-avidin of 4:1, but the ITC results show that the octahedral Ir(III) compound exhibits a higher binding affinity than the square-planar Pt(II) complex. The antibacterial activity of the compounds was evaluated on a series of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. In particular, the neutral Au(I) and Pt(II) complexes showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium at very low micromolar concentrations. The cytotoxicity against a range of eukaryotic cell lines was studied and revealed that the octahedral Ir(III) complex was non-toxic, while the square-planar Pt(II) and linear Au(I) complexes displayed non-selective micromolar activity.
RESUMO
The interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) with pulmonary epithelial cells is critical for early stages of bacillus colonization and during the progression of tuberculosis. Entry of Mtb into epithelial cells has been shown to depend on F-actin polymerization, though the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that mycobacterial uptake into epithelial cells requires rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton, which are regulated by ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1) and phospholipase D1 (PLD1), and is dependent on the M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R). We show that this pathway is controlled by Arf GTPase-activating protein 1 (ArfGAP1), as its silencing has an impact on actin cytoskeleton reorganization leading to uncontrolled uptake and replication of Mtb. Furthermore, we provide evidence that this pathway is critical for mycobacterial entry, while the cellular infection with other pathogens, such as Shigella flexneri and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, is not affected. Altogether, these results reveal how cortical actin plays the role of a barrier to prevent mycobacterial entry into epithelial cells and indicate a novel role for ArfGAP1 as a restriction factor of host-pathogen interactions.
Assuntos
Citoesqueleto de Actina/metabolismo , Actinas/genética , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/patogenicidade , Alvéolos Pulmonares/metabolismo , Células A549 , Fator 1 de Ribosilação do ADP/genética , Fator 1 de Ribosilação do ADP/metabolismo , Citoesqueleto de Actina/microbiologia , Citoesqueleto de Actina/ultraestrutura , Actinas/metabolismo , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/fisiologia , Fosfolipase D/genética , Fosfolipase D/metabolismo , Polimerização , Alvéolos Pulmonares/microbiologia , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , RNA Interferente Pequeno/metabolismo , Receptor Muscarínico M3/genética , Receptor Muscarínico M3/metabolismo , Shigella flexneri/fisiologia , Transdução de Sinais , Especificidade da Espécie , Yersinia pseudotuberculosis/fisiologiaRESUMO
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major human pathogen that is able to survive inside host cells and resist immune clearance. Most particularly, it inhibits several arms of the innate immune response, including phagosome maturation or cytokine production. To better understand the molecular mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis circumvents host immune defenses, we used a transposon mutant library generated in a virulent clinical isolate of M. tuberculosis of the W/Beijing family to infect human macrophages, utilizing a cell line derivative of THP-1 cells expressing a reporter system for activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, a key regulator of innate immunity. We identified several M. tuberculosis mutants inducing a NF-κB activation stronger than that of the wild-type strain. One of these mutants was found to be deficient for the synthesis of cell envelope glycolipids, namely sulfoglycolipids, suggesting that the latter can interfere with innate immune responses. Using natural and synthetic molecular variants, we determined that sulfoglycolipids inhibit NF-κB activation and subsequent cytokine production or costimulatory molecule expression by acting as competitive antagonists of Toll-like receptor 2, thereby inhibiting the recognition of M. tuberculosis by this receptor. Our study reveals that producing glycolipid antagonists of pattern recognition receptors is a strategy used by M. tuberculosis to undermine innate immune defense. Sulfoglycolipids are major and specific lipids of M. tuberculosis, considered for decades as virulence factors of the bacilli. Our study uncovers a mechanism by which they may contribute to M. tuberculosis virulence.
Assuntos
Glicolipídeos/metabolismo , Imunidade Inata , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/metabolismo , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/antagonistas & inibidores , Glicolipídeos/farmacologia , Humanos , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/imunologia , NF-kappa B/metabolismoRESUMO
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes 500,000 deaths annually, in association with end-stage liver diseases. Investigations of the HCV life cycle have widened the knowledge of virology, and here we discovered that two piperazinylbenzenesulfonamides inhibit HCV entry into liver cells. The entry of HCV into host cells is a complex process that is not fully understood but is characterized by multiple spatially and temporally regulated steps involving several known host factors. Through a high-content virus infection screening analysis with a library of 1,120 biologically active chemical compounds, we identified SB258585, an antagonist of serotonin receptor 6 (5-HT6), as a new inhibitor of HCV entry in liver-derived cell lines as well as primary hepatocytes. A functional characterization suggested a role for this compound and the compound SB399885, which share similar structures, as inhibitors of a late HCV entry step, modulating the localization of the coreceptor tight junction protein claudin-1 (CLDN1) in a 5-HT6-independent manner. Both chemical compounds induced an intracellular accumulation of CLDN1, reflecting export impairment. This regulation correlated with the modulation of protein kinase A (PKA) activity. The PKA inhibitor H89 fully reproduced these phenotypes. Furthermore, PKA activation resulted in increased CLDN1 accumulation at the cell surface. Interestingly, an increase of CLDN1 recycling did not correlate with an increased interaction with CD81 or HCV entry. These findings reinforce the hypothesis of a common pathway, shared by several viruses, which involves G-protein-coupled receptor-dependent signaling in late steps of viral entry.IMPORTANCE The HCV entry process is highly complex, and important details of this structured event are poorly understood. By screening a library of biologically active chemical compounds, we identified two piperazinylbenzenesulfonamides as inhibitors of HCV entry. The mechanism of inhibition was not through the previously described activity of these inhibitors as antagonists of serotonin receptor 6 but instead through modulation of PKA activity in a 5-HT6-independent manner, as proven by the lack of 5-HT6 in the liver. We thus highlighted the involvement of the PKA pathway in modulating HCV entry at a postbinding step and in the recycling of the tight junction protein claudin-1 (CLDN1) toward the cell surface. Our work underscores once more the complexity of HCV entry steps and suggests a role for the PKA pathway as a regulator of CLDN1 recycling, with impacts on both cell biology and virology.
Assuntos
Claudina-1/metabolismo , Piperazinas/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Transporte Proteico/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores de Serotonina/metabolismo , Sulfonamidas/farmacologia , Internalização do Vírus/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Hepacivirus/fisiologia , Hepatócitos/virologia , Humanos , Isoquinolinas/farmacologia , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Tetraspanina 28/metabolismo , Junções Íntimas/metabolismoRESUMO
The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and the very few drugs available for treatment are promoting the discovery and development of new molecules that could help in the control of this disease. Bacteriocin AS-48 is an antibacterial peptide produced by Enterococcus faecalis and is active against several Gram-positive bacteria. We have found that AS-48 was active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including H37Rv and other reference and clinical strains, and also against some nontuberculous clinical mycobacterial species. The combination of AS-48 with either lysozyme or ethambutol (commonly used in the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis) increased the antituberculosis action of AS-48, showing a synergic interaction. Under these conditions, AS-48 exhibits a MIC close to some MICs of the first-line antituberculosis agents. The inhibitory activity of AS-48 and its synergistic combination with ethambutol were also observed on M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. Finally, AS-48 did not show any cytotoxicity against THP-1, MHS, and J774.2 macrophage cell lines at concentrations close to its MIC. In summary, bacteriocin AS-48 has interesting antimycobacterial activity in vitro and low cytotoxicity, so further studies in vivo will contribute to its development as a potential additional drug for antituberculosis therapy.
Assuntos
Antituberculosos/farmacologia , Bacteriocinas/farmacologia , Etambutol/farmacologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efeitos dos fármacos , Tuberculose/tratamento farmacológico , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Humanos , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Camundongos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana/métodos , Muramidase/metabolismo , Células RAW 264.7 , Tuberculose/metabolismoRESUMO
Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces several bacterial effectors impacting the colonization of phagocytes. Here, we report that the putative lipoprotein LppM hinders phagocytosis by macrophages in a toll-like receptor 2-dependent manner. Moreover, recombinant LppM is able to functionally complement the phenotype of the mutant, when exogenously added during macrophage infection. LppM is also implicated in the phagosomal maturation, as a lppM deletion mutant is more easily addressed towards the acidified compartments of the macrophage than its isogenic parental strain. In addition, this mutant was affected in its ability to induce the secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokines, interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α. Thus, our results describe a new mycobacterial protein involved in the early trafficking of the tubercle bacillus and its manipulation of the host immune response.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Lipoproteínas/metabolismo , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Macrófagos/fisiologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/patogenicidade , Fagocitose , Fatores de Virulência/metabolismo , Animais , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Células Cultivadas , Deleção de Genes , Lipoproteínas/genética , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genética , Fatores de Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major global threat, killing more than one million persons each year. With the constant increase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to first- and second-line drugs, there is an urgent need for the development of new drugs to control the propagation of TB. Although screenings of small molecules on axenic M. tuberculosis cultures were successful for the identification of novel putative anti-TB drugs, new drugs in the development pipeline remains scarce. Host-directed therapy may represent an alternative for drug development against TB. Indeed, M. tuberculosis has multiple specific interactions within host phagocytes, which may be targeted by small molecules. In order to enable drug discovery strategies against microbes residing within host macrophages, we developed multiple fluorescence-based HT/CS phenotypic assays monitoring the intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis as well as its intracellular trafficking. What we propose here is a population-based, multi-parametric analysis pipeline that can be used to monitor the intracellular fate of M. tuberculosis and the dynamics of cellular events such as phagosomal maturation (acidification and permeabilization), zinc poisoning system or lipid body accumulation. Such analysis allows the quantification of biological events considering the host-pathogen interplay and may thus be derived to other intracellular pathogens. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Assuntos
Mycobacterium tuberculosis/metabolismo , Tuberculose/microbiologia , Animais , Antituberculosos/farmacologia , Bioensaio/métodos , Células Cultivadas , Descoberta de Drogas/métodos , Fluorescência , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Células RAW 264.7 , Tuberculose/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified 19 susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, understanding how these genes are involved in the pathophysiology of AD is one of the main challenges of the "post-GWAS" era. At least 123 genes are located within the 19 susceptibility loci; hence, a conventional approach (studying the genes one by one) would not be time- and cost-effective. We therefore developed a genome-wide, high-content siRNA screening approach and used it to assess the functional impact of gene under-expression on APP metabolism. We found that 832 genes modulated APP metabolism. Eight of these genes were located within AD susceptibility loci. Only FERMT2 (a ß3-integrin co-activator) was also significantly associated with a variation in cerebrospinal fluid Aß peptide levels in 2886 AD cases. Lastly, we showed that the under-expression of FERMT2 increases Aß peptide production by raising levels of mature APP at the cell surface and facilitating its recycling. Taken as a whole, our data suggest that FERMT2 modulates the AD risk by regulating APP metabolism and Aß peptide production.
Assuntos
Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Doença de Alzheimer/patologia , Animais , Biomarcadores/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Córtex Cerebral/metabolismo , Córtex Cerebral/patologia , Loci Gênicos , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Estudo de Associação Genômica Ampla , Células HEK293 , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Hipocampo/patologia , Humanos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/patologia , Interferência de RNA , RatosRESUMO
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). DS is a gene dosage disorder that results in multiple phenotypes including congenital heart defects. This clinically important cardiac pathology is the result of a third copy of one or more of the approximately 230 genes on Hsa21, but the identity of the causative dosage-sensitive genes and hence mechanisms underlying this cardiac pathology remain unclear. Here, we show that hearts from human fetuses with DS and embryonic hearts from the Dp1Tyb mouse model of DS show reduced expression of mitochondrial respiration genes and cell proliferation genes. Using systematic genetic mapping, we determined that three copies of the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1a) gene, encoding a serine/threonine protein kinase, are associated with congenital heart disease pathology. In embryos from Dp1Tyb mice, reducing Dyrk1a gene copy number from three to two reversed defects in cellular proliferation and mitochondrial respiration in cardiomyocytes and rescued heart septation defects. Increased dosage of DYRK1A protein resulted in impairment of mitochondrial function and congenital heart disease pathology in mice with DS, suggesting that DYRK1A may be a useful therapeutic target for treating this common human condition.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Down , Cardiopatias Congênitas , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Síndrome de Down/genética , Genes Mitocondriais , Cardiopatias Congênitas/genética , Miócitos Cardíacos , TrissomiaRESUMO
Perlecan (HSPG2), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan similar to agrin, is key for extracellular matrix (ECM) maturation and stabilization. Although crucial for cardiac development, its role remains elusive. We show that perlecan expression increases as cardiomyocytes mature in vivo and during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). Perlecan-haploinsuffient hPSCs (HSPG2+/-) differentiate efficiently, but late-stage CMs have structural, contractile, metabolic, and ECM gene dysregulation. In keeping with this, late-stage HSPG2+/- hPSC-CMs have immature features, including reduced âº-actinin expression and increased glycolytic metabolism and proliferation. Moreover, perlecan-haploinsuffient engineered heart tissues have reduced tissue thickness and force generation. Conversely, hPSC-CMs grown on a perlecan-peptide substrate are enlarged and display increased nucleation, typical of hypertrophic growth. Together, perlecan appears to play the opposite role of agrin, promoting cellular maturation rather than hyperplasia and proliferation. Perlecan signaling is likely mediated via its binding to the dystroglycan complex. Targeting perlecan-dependent signaling may help reverse the phenotypic switch common to heart failure.
Assuntos
Agrina , Proteoglicanas de Heparan Sulfato , Humanos , Proteoglicanas de Heparan Sulfato/genética , Proteoglicanas de Heparan Sulfato/metabolismo , Agrina/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Proteínas da Matriz Extracelular/metabolismoRESUMO
Patients with blood cancer continue to have a greater risk of inadequate immune responses following three COVID-19 vaccine doses and risk of severe COVID-19 disease. In the context of the CAPTURE study (NCT03226886), we report immune responses in 80 patients with blood cancer who received a fourth dose of BNT162b2. We measured neutralizing antibody titers (NAbTs) using a live virus microneutralization assay against wild-type (WT), Delta, and Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 and T cell responses against WT and Omicron BA.1 using an activation-induced marker (AIM) assay. The proportion of patients with detectable NAb titers and T cell responses after the fourth vaccine dose increased compared with that after the third vaccine dose. Patients who received B cell-depleting therapies within the 12 months before vaccination have the greatest risk of not having detectable NAbT. In addition, we report immune responses in 57 patients with breakthrough infections after vaccination.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Neoplasias , Humanos , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos Antivirais , Vacina BNT162 , Estudos Clínicos como Assunto , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , Imunidade , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
Rewiring of cellular programmes in malignant cells generates cancer-specific vulnerabilities. Here, using an unbiased screening strategy aimed at identifying non-essential genes required by tumour cells to sustain unlimited proliferative capacity, we identify the male-specific lethal (MSL) acetyltransferase complex as a vulnerability of genetically unstable cancers. We find that disruption of the MSL complex and consequent loss of the associated H4K16ac mark do not substantially alter transcriptional programmes but compromise chromosome integrity and promote chromosomal instability (CIN) that progressively exhausts the proliferative potential of cancer cells through a p53-independent mechanism. This effect is dependent on pre-existing genomic instability, and normal cells are insensitive to MSL disruption. Using cell- and patient-derived xenografts from multiple cancer types, we show that excessive CIN induced by MSL disruption inhibits tumour maintenance. Our findings suggest that targeting MSL may be a valuable means to increase CIN beyond the level tolerated by cancer cells without inducing severe adverse effects in normal tissues.
Assuntos
Proliferação de Células/genética , Instabilidade Cromossômica/genética , Complexos Multiproteicos/genética , Neoplasias/genética , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Reprogramação Celular/genética , Proteínas Cromossômicas não Histona/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Xenoenxertos , Histona Acetiltransferases/genética , Humanos , Camundongos , Neoplasias/patologia , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genéticaRESUMO
The ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 calls for rapid and cost-effective methods to accurately identify infected individuals. The vast majority of patient samples is assessed for viral RNA presence by RT-qPCR. Our biomedical research institute, in collaboration between partner hospitals and an accredited clinical diagnostic laboratory, established a diagnostic testing pipeline that has reported on more than 252,000 RT-qPCR results since its commencement at the beginning of April 2020. However, due to ongoing demand and competition for critical resources, alternative testing strategies were sought. In this work, we present a clinically-validated procedure for high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-LAMP in 25 minutes that is robust, reliable, repeatable, sensitive, specific, and inexpensive.
RESUMO
The study of Legionella pneumophila interactions with host mitochondria during infection has been historically limited by the techniques available to analyze and quantify mitochondrial dynamics and activity in living cells. Recently, new, powerful techniques such as high-content microscopy or mitochondrial respiration assays (Seahorse) have been developed to quantitatively analyze mitochondrial parameters. Here we present state-of-the-art methods adapted to analyze mitochondrial dynamics and activity during Legionella infection of living human primary macrophages.