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Activation induces extensive changes in the gene expression program of naive CD4+ T cells, promoting their differentiation into helper T cells that coordinate immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in this process, and miRNA expression a

A new immunosensor for the determination of procalcitonin was developed. A sandwich assay format was implemented on a polymethylmetacrylate optical biochip, opportunely shaped in order to obtain several flow channels and potentially suitable for point of care testing applications. The sandwich format makes use of two new rat monoclonal antibodies. The capture antibody was covalently immobilised on the surface of the plastic chip, and the detection antibody was labelled with DY647 dye. Different combinations of capture and detection antibodies were investigated, and particular attention was devoted in order to avoid the non-specific adsorption. A limit of detection of 0.088 mg L−1 was achieved within the working range of 0.28–50 mg L−1 in buffer samples. The assay was also implemented in human serum, and 0.2 and 0.7–25 mg L−1 were the attained limit of detection and working range, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a normal developmental process, is known to play a crucial role in tumor progression. Molecules involved in this process, such as the E-cadherin repressor Snail, facilitate migration and invasion of carcinoma cells. A growing number of studies addressing the expression of Snail in clinical samples have been reported and are discussed in this review. A total of 2,112 cases from 9 different tumor types were evaluated. So far, a clear picture has emerged only in some cancer types analyzed with regard to overexpression of Snail and clinical-pathological parameters. Currently, it seems that Snail may play a role in hormone-dependent carcinomas but may be of minor importance in gastrointestinal cancers for tumor dedifferentiation and the maintenance of the invasive phenotype. It should be kept in mind, however, that the threshold for Snail activity does not have to be the same in every tumor type analyzed. The recent introduction of well-characterized novel monoclonal antibodies reacting with the short-lived nuclear Snail protein may help to establish a potential clinical usefulness for this master molecule of EMT, at least for certain types of cancer. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This in vitro study has been conducted to determine the optimal experimental conditions under which to produce canine neutrophils in long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC), establish functional parameters of neutrophils obtained from LTBMC and peripheral blood and to ascertain whether these cells display physiological similarities. Our aim is to provide an experimental model, enabling a correlation between hemopoietic injury and neutrophil functionality. The authors demonstrate for the first time that canine neutrophils grown in cultures are able to produce oxyradicals capable of killing bacterial products. Moreover, culture-grown neutrophils contain gelatinase granules, a marker of terminal neutrophil differentiation, and express a specific surface antigen. The results described in this article illustrate the development of a dynamic system that mimics physiological hemopoiesis. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated against a CD44 mRNA expressing (RT-PCR) macrophage/monocyte cell line (DH82) from a dog with malignant histiocytosis. The mAbs, that reacted with DH82 cells by FACS analysis were tested on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Exclusively the incubation of DH82 cell pellets with mAbs from clone 2D10 resulted in a cell membrane associated immunoreaction. Immunoelectron microscopy specified, that the antibody bound exclusively to the cell membrane and processes of DH82 cells. The mAb was tested on a variety of normal canine tissues, including lymphoid, urinary, alimentary, respiratory, and endocrine organs, nervous tissues, liver, pancreas, skin, and muscles. Furthermore, tumour and inflamed tissues were tested for immunoreaction with the mAb. Immunohistologically, the 2D10 mAb reacted with macrophages/monocytes, subsets of lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and central nervous system white matter. FACS analysis of canine peripheral blood leukocytes showed, that a high proportion of lymphocytes and granulocytes were positive with this mAb. Western blot analysis revealed, that the 2D10 mAb bound to a protein with a molecular weight of about 85 kDa. The results of FACS and Western blot analyses, RT-PCR, immunohistology and immunoelectron microscopy strongly suggest that the antigen detected by the 2D10 mAb is most likely the canine equivalent of human CD44, a cell bound hyaluronan binding proteoglycan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may be a cofactor in the development of different malignancies, including several types of carcinomas. In this study, we investigated the presence of EBV in human breast cancers.Methods: We used tissues from 100 consecutive primary invasive breast carcinomas, as well as 30 healthy tissues adjacent to a subset of the tumors. DNA was amplified by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the primers covering three different regions of the EBV genome. Southern blot analysis was performed by use of a labeled EBV BamHI W restriction fragment as the probe. Infected cells were identified by means of immunohistochemical staining, using monoclonal antibodies directed against the EBV nuclear protein EBNA-1.Results: We were able to detect the EBV genome by PCR in 51% of the tumors, whereas, in 90% of the cases studied, the virus was not detected in healthy tissue adjacent to the tumor (P<.001). The presence of the EBV genome in breast tumors was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. The observed EBNA-1 expression was restricted to a fraction (5%-30%) of tumor epithelial cells. Moreover, no immunohistochemical staining was observed in tumors that were negative for EBV by PCR. EBV was detected more frequently in breast tumors that were hormone-receptor negative (P =.01) and those of high histologic grade (P =.03). EBV detection in primary tumors varied by nodal status (P =.01), largely because of the difference between subjects with more than three lymph nodes versus less than or equal to three lymph nodes involved (72% versus 44%).Conclusions: Our results demonstrated the presence of the EBV genome in a large subset of breast cancers. The virus was restricted to tumor cells and was more frequently associated with the most aggressive tumors. EBV may be a cofactor in the development of some breast cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background ADP-ribosylation is a posttranslational modification catalyzed in cells by ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTD or PARP enzymes). The ARTD family consists of 17 members. Some ARTDs modify their substrates by adding ADP-ribose in an iterative process, thereby synthesizing ADP-ribose polymers, the best-studied example being ARTD1/PARP1. Other ARTDs appear to mono-ADP-ribosylate their substrates and are unable to form polymers. The founding member of this latter subclass is ARTD10/PARP10, which we identified as an interaction partner of the nuclear oncoprotein MYC. Biochemically ARTD10 uses substrate-assisted catalysis to modify its substrates. Our previous studies indicated that ARTD10 may shuttle between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. We have now addressed this in more detail. Results We have characterized the subcellular localization of ARTD10 using live-cell imaging techniques. ARTD10 shuttles between the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. When nuclear, ARTD10 can interact with MYC as measured by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. The shuttling is controlled by a Crm1-dependent nuclear export sequence and a central ARTD10 region that promotes nuclear localization. The latter lacks a classical nuclear localization sequence and does not promote full nuclear localization. Rather this non-conventional nuclear localization sequence results in an equal distribution of ARTD10 between the cytoplasmic and the nuclear compartments. ARTD10 forms discrete and dynamic bodies primarily in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus. These contain poly-ubiquitin and co-localize in part with structures containing the poly-ubiquitin receptor p62/SQSTM1. The co-localization depends on the ubiquitin-associated domain of p62, which mediates interaction with poly-ubiquitin. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that ARTD10 is a highly dynamic protein. It shuttles between the nuclear and cytosolic compartments dependent on a classical nuclear export sequence and a domain that mediates nuclear uptake. Moreover ARTD10 forms discrete bodies that exchange subunits rapidly. These bodies associate at least in part with the poly-ubiquitin receptor p62. Because this protein is involved in the uptake of cargo into autophagosomes, our results suggest a link between the formation of ARTD10 bodies and autophagy. Lay abstract Post-translational modifications refer to changes in the chemical appearance of proteins and occur, as the name implies, after proteins have been synthesized. These modifications frequently affect the behavior of proteins, including alterations in their activity or their subcellular localization. One of these modifications is the addition of ADP-ribose to a substrate from the cofactor NAD+. The enzymes responsible for this reaction are ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTDs or previously named PARPs). Presently we know very little about the role of mono-ADP-ribosylation of proteins that occurs in cells. We identified ARTD10, a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, as an interaction partner of the oncoprotein MYC. In this study we have analyzed how ARTD10 moves within a cell. By using different live-cell imaging technologies that allow us to follow the position of ARTD10 molecules over time, we found that ARTD10 shuttles constantly in and out of the nucleus. In the cytosol ARTD10 forms distinct structures or bodies that themselves are moving within the cell and that exchange ARTD10 subunits rapidly. We have identified the regions within ARTD10 that are required for these movements. Moreover we defined these bodies as structures that interact with p62. This protein is known to play a role in bringing other proteins to a structure referred to as the autophagosome, which is involved in eliminating debris in cells. Thus our work suggests that ARTD10 might be involved in and is regulated by ADP-riboslyation autophagosomal processes.

Abstract Background The Notch signalling pathway is conserved in pre-bilaterian animals. In the Cnidarian Hydra it is involved in interstitial stem cell differentiation and in boundary formation during budding. Experimental evidence suggests that in Hydra Notch is activated by presenilin through proteolytic cleavage at the S3 site as in all animals. However, the endogenous ligand for HvNotch has not been described yet. Results We have cloned a cDNA from Hydra, which encodes a bona-fide Notch ligand with a conserved domain structure similar to that of Jagged-like Notch ligands from other animals. Hyjagged mRNA is undetectable in adult Hydra by in situ hybridisation but is strongly upregulated and easily visible at the border between bud and parent shortly before bud detachment. In contrast, HyJagged protein is found in all cell types of an adult hydra, where it localises to membranes and endosomes. Co-localisation experiments showed that it is present in the same cells as HvNotch, however not always in the same membrane structures. Conclusions The putative Notch ligand HyJagged is conserved in Cnidarians. Together with HvNotch it may be involved in the formation of the parent-bud boundary in Hydra. Moreover, protein distribution of both, HvNotch receptor and HyJagged indicate a more widespread function for these two transmembrane proteins in the adult hydra, which may be regulated by additional factors, possibly involving endocytic pathways.

Abstract Background For optimal T cell activation it is desirable that dendritic cells (DCs) display peptides within MHC molecules as signal 1, costimulatory molecules as signal 2 and, in addition, produce IL-12p70 as signal 3. IL-12p70 polarizes T cell responses towards CD4+ T helper 1 cells, which then support the development of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We therefore developed new maturation cocktails allowing DCs to produce biologically active IL-12p70 for large-scale cancer vaccine development. Methods After elutriation of leukapheresis products in a closed bag system, enriched monocytes were cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 for six days to generate immature DCs that were then matured with cocktails, containing cytokines, interferon-gamma, prostaglandin E2, and a ligand for Toll-like receptor 8, with or without poly (I:C). Results Mature DCs expressed appropriate maturation markers and the lymph node homing chemokine receptor, CCR7. They retained full maturity after culture for two days without maturation cocktails and following cryopreservation. TLR ligand stimulation induced DCs capable of secreting IL-12p70 in primary cultures and after one day of coculture with CD40L-expressing fibroblasts, mimicking an encounter with T cells. DCs matured with our new cocktails containing TLR8 ligand, with or without poly (I:C), induced alloresponses and stimulated virus-specific T cells after peptide-pulsing. DCs matured in cocktails containing TLR8 ligand without poly (I:C) could also be loaded with RNA as a source of antigen, whereas DCs matured in cocktails containing poly (I:C) were unable to express proteins following RNA transfer by electroporation. Conclusion Our new maturation cocktails allowed easy DC harvesting, stable maturation and substantial recoveries of mature DCs after cryopreservation. Our procedure for generating DCs is easily adaptable for GMP-compliance and yields IL-12p70-secreting DCs suitable for development of cancer vaccines using peptides or RNA as sources of immunizing antigens.

Presents a correction to the omission of relevant publications regarding the transcription factor ZBP-89 published in the previous issue of the "EMBO Journal".