IRE1 endoribonuclease signaling promotes myeloid cell infiltration in glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Intrinsic or environmental stresses trigger the accumulation of improperly folded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to ER stress. To cope with this, cells have evolved an adaptive mechanism named the unfolded protein response (UPR) which is hijacked by tumor cells to develop malignant features. Glioblastoma (GB), the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor, relies on UPR to sustain growth. We recently showed that IRE1 alpha (referred to IRE1 hereafter), 1 of the UPR transducers, promotes GB invasion, angiogenesis, and infiltration by macrophage. Hence, high tumor IRE1 activity in tumor cells predicts a worse outcome. Herein, we characterized the IRE1-dependent signaling that shapes the immune microenvironment toward monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. METHODS: We used human and mouse cellular models in which IRE1 was genetically or pharmacologically invalidated and which were tested in vivo. Publicly available datasets from GB patients were also analyzed to confirm our findings. RESULTS: We showed that IRE1 signaling, through both the transcription factor XBP1s and the regulated IRE1-dependent decay controls the expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzyme UBE2D3. In turn, UBE2D3 activates the NFκB pathway, resulting in chemokine production and myeloid infiltration in tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our work identifies a novel IRE1/UBE2D3 proinflammatory axis that plays an instrumental role in GB immune regulation.

Bacteria-Polymer Composite Material for Glycerol Valorization.

Bacterial immobilization is regarded as an enabling technology to improve the stability and reusability of biocatalysts. Natural polymers are often used as immobilization matrices but present certain drawbacks, such as biocatalyst leakage and loss of physical integrity upon utilization in bioprocesses. Herein, we prepared a hybrid polymeric matrix that included silica nanoparticles for the unprecedented immobilization of the industrially relevant Gluconobacter frateurii (Gfr). This biocatalyst can valorize glycerol, an abundant by-product of the biodiesel industry, into glyceric acid (GA) and dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Different concentrations of siliceous nanosized materials, such as biomimetic Si nanoparticles (SiNps) and montmorillonite (MT), were added to alginate. These hybrid materials were significantly more resistant by texture analysis and presented a more compact structure as seen by scanning electron microscopy. The preparation including 4% alginate with 4% SiNps proved to be the most resistant material, with a homogeneous distribution of the biocatalyst in the beads as seen by confocal microscopy using a fluorescent mutant of Gfr. It produced the highest amounts of GA and DHA and could be reused for up to eight consecutive 24 h reactions with no loss of physical integrity and negligible bacterial leakage. Overall, our results indicate a new approach to generating biocatalysts using hybrid biopolymer supports.

Local intracerebral inhibition of IRE1 by MKC8866 sensitizes glioblastoma to irradiation/chemotherapy in vivo.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most severe primary brain cancer. Despite an aggressive treatment comprising surgical resection and radio/chemotherapy, patient's survival post diagnosis remains short. A limitation for success in finding novel improved therapeutic options for such dismal disease partly lies in the lack of a relevant animal model that accurately recapitulates patient disease and standard of care. In the present study, we have developed an immunocompetent GBM model that includes tumor surgery and a radio/chemotherapy regimen resembling the Stupp protocol and we have used this model to test the impact of the pharmacological inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor IRE1, on treatment efficacy.

Complete Genome Sequence of Noninvasive Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm28 Strain STAB10015, Isolated from a Child with Perianal Dermatitis in French Brittany.

We report here the complete genome sequence of a noninvasive strain of Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm28, isolated from perianal dermatitis in a child. The genome is composed of 1,950,454 bp, with a G+C content of 38.2%, and it has 1,925 identified coding sequences and harbors two intact prophages and a new integrating conjugative element (ICE).

Full-Length Genome Sequence of Type M/emm83 Group A Streptococcus pyogenes Strain STAB1101, Isolated from Clustered Cases in Brittany.

Here, we announce the complete annotated genome sequence of a Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm83 strain, STAB1101, isolated from clustered cases in homeless persons in Brittany (France). The genome is composed of 1,709,790 bp, with a G+C content of 38.4% and 1,550 identified coding sequences (CDS), and it harbors a Tn916-like transposon.

Closed Genome Sequence of Noninvasive Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm3 Strain STAB902.

We report a closed genome sequence of group A Streptococcus genotype emm3 (GAS M/emm3) strain STAB902, isolated from a superficial pyodermatitis. The genome is composed of 1,892,124 bp, 6 integrated prophages, and has 1,858 identified coding sequences (CDSs). It has been fitted with the two available invasive GAS M/emm3 strains.

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm44 Strain STAB901, Isolated in a Clonal Outbreak in French Brittany.

We report the complete genome sequence of an invasive isolate of Streptococcus pyogenes M/emm44, belonging to a clonal outbreak that occurred in French Brittany. The genome is composed of 1,795,608 bp, with a GC content of 38.5%, has 1,358 identified coding sequences (CDSs), and harbors a novel Tn916-like transposon (Tn6253).

Transcriptome variations in human CaCo-2 cells: a model for enterocyte differentiation and its link to iron absorption.

Complete clinical expression of the HFE1 hemochromatosis is very likely modulated by genes linked to duodenal iron absorption, whose level is conditioned by unknown processes taking place during enterocyte differentiation. We carried out a transcriptomic study on CaCo-2 cells used as a model of enterocyte differentiation in vitro. Of the 720 genes on the microarrays, 80, 50, and 56 were significantly down-regulated up-regulated, and invariant during differentiation. With regard to iron metabolism, we showed that HEPH, SLC11A2, SLC11A3, and TF are significantly up-regulated, while ATP7B and SLC39A1 (and SFT) are down-regulated and ACO1, dCYTb, FECH, and FTH1 show constant expression. Ontological annotations highlight the decrease in the expression of cell cycle and DNA metabolism associated genes as well as transcription, protein metabolism, signal transduction, and nucleocytoplasmic transport associated genes, whereas there are increases in the expression of genes linked to cell adhesion, lipid and xenobiotic metabolism, iron transport and homeostasis, and immune response.