Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases including Parkinson disease, morbus Crohn, leprosy and cancer. LRRK2 is suggested to be involved ...in a number of cell biological processes such as vesicular trafficking, transcription, autophagy and lysosomal pathways. Recent histological studies of lungs of LRRK2 knock-out (LRRK2 -/-) mice revealed significantly enlarged lamellar bodies (LBs) in alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial cells. LBs are large, lysosome-related storage organelles for pulmonary surfactant, which is released into the alveolar lumen upon LB exocytosis. In this study we used high-resolution, subcellular live-cell imaging assays to investigate whether similar morphological changes can be observed in primary ATII cells from LRRK2 -/- rats and whether such changes result in altered LB exocytosis. Similarly to the report in mice, ATII cells from LRRK2 -/- rats contained significantly enlarged LBs resulting in a >50% increase in LB volume. Stimulation of ATII cells with ATP elicited LB exocytosis in a significantly increased proportion of cells from LRRK2 -/- animals. LRRK2 -/- cells also displayed increased intracellular Ca(2+) release upon ATP treatment and significant triggering of LB exocytosis. These findings are in line with the strong Ca(2+)-dependence of LB fusion activity and suggest that LRRK2 -/- affects exocytic response in ATII cells via modulating intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. Post-fusion regulation of surfactant secretion was unaltered. Actin coating of fused vesicles and subsequent vesicle compression to promote surfactant expulsion were comparable in cells from LRRK2 -/- and wt animals. Surprisingly, surfactant (phospholipid) release from LRRK2 -/- cells was reduced following stimulation of LB exocytosis possibly due to impaired LB maturation and surfactant loading of LBs. In summary our results suggest that LRRK2 -/- affects LB size, modulates intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and promotes LB exocytosis upon stimulation of ATII cells with ATP.
The binary C2 toxin of
(
.)
consists of two non-linked proteins, the enzyme subunit C2I and the separate binding/transport subunit C2II. To exhibit toxic effects on mammalian cells, proteolytically ...activated C2II (C2IIa) forms barrel-shaped heptamers that bind to carbohydrate receptors which are present on all mammalian cell types. C2I binds to C2IIa and the toxin complexes are internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis. In acidified endosomal vesicles, C2IIa heptamers change their conformation and insert as pores into endosomal membranes. These pores serve as translocation-channels for the subsequent transport of C2I from the endosomal lumen into the cytosol. There, C2I mono-ADP-ribosylates G-actin, which results in depolymerization of F-actin and cell rounding. Noteworthy, so far morphological changes in cells were only observed after incubation with the complete C2 toxin, i.e., C2IIa plus C2I, but not with the single subunits. Unexpectedly, we observed that the non-catalytic transport subunit C2IIa (but not C2II) alone induced morphological changes and actin alterations in primary human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs,
neutrophils) from healthy donors
, but not macrophages, epithelial and endothelial cells, as detected by phase contrast microscopy and fluorescent microscopy of the actin cytoskeleton. This suggests a PMN selective mode of action for C2IIa. The cytotoxicity of C2IIa on PMNs was prevented by C2IIa pore blockers and treatment with C2IIa (but not C2II) rapidly induced Ca
influx in PMNs, suggesting that pore-formation by C2IIa in cell membranes of PMNs is crucial for this effect. In addition, incubation of primary human PMNs with C2IIa decreased their chemotaxis
through porous culture inserts and in co-culture with human endothelial cells which is closer to the physiological extravasation process. In conclusion, the results suggest that C2IIa is a PMN-selective inhibitor of chemotaxis. This provides new knowledge for a pathophysiological role of C2 toxin as a modulator of innate immune cells and makes C2IIa an attractive candidate for the development of novel pharmacological strategies to selectively down-modulate the excessive and detrimental PMN recruitment into organs after traumatic injuries.
Throughout life, the body is subjected to various mechanical forces on the organ, tissue, and cellular level. Mechanical stimuli are essential for organ development and function. One organ whose ...function depends on the tightly connected interplay between mechanical cell properties, biochemical signaling, and external forces is the lung. However, altered mechanical properties or excessive mechanical forces can also drive the onset and progression of severe pulmonary diseases. Characterizing the mechanical properties and forces that affect cell and tissue function is therefore necessary for understanding physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. In recent years, multiple methods have been developed for cellular force measurements at multiple length scales, from subcellular forces to measuring the collective behavior of heterogeneous cellular networks. In this short review, we give a brief overview of the mechanical forces at play on the cellular level in the lung. We then focus on the technological aspects of measuring cellular forces at many length scales. We describe tools with a subcellular resolution and elaborate measurement techniques for collective multicellular units. Many of the technologies described are by no means restricted to lung research and have already been applied successfully to cells from various other tissues. However, integrating the knowledge gained from these multi-scale measurements in a unifying framework is still a major future challenge.
Pathologists have recognized the central role of airway mucus occlusion in the pathophysiology of asthma for more than a century,1,2 and in cystic fibrosis for nearly a century.3 In chronic ...obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), understanding of the role of mucus centred for many years around its expectoration from central airways as the defining feature of the chronic bronchitic endotype, though expectoration correlates only weakly with airflow limitation.4 However, more recent examination of peripheral lung tissues from surgical specimens revealed that the mucus occlusion of small airways correlates strongly with airflow limitation.5 Despite this recognition by pathologists, clinicians have largely ignored the role of mucus in these obstructive lung diseases because airway occlusion could not be evaluated non-invasively and available treatments have been limited. In recent years, biochemical reconstitution was refined by using purified proteins and synthetic liposomes together with advanced single particle optical microscopy.15 Moreover, the cytoplasmic regulatory proteins Munc18 and Munc13 were included along with the SNARE proteins and Syt1 that were reconstituted into synthetic liposomes, bringing the system to a more physiological state.16 These advanced reconstitution assays allowed the confirmation of the functional importance of critical amino acids involved in calcium-triggered membrane fusion suggested by the structural work. Deletant mice showed marked reductions in stimulated mucin secretion and lumenal mucus occlusion in a model of allergic asthma, without an impairment of homeostatic baseline mucin secretion.11 Next, a series of stapled peptides based on the region of SNAP-25 known to interact with Syt1 were screened for their ability to inhibit a fusion of reconstituted synaptic vesicles with reconstituted neuronal plasma membranes. Besides its potential therapeutic value, our work is of interest because it builds
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) promise specific correction of disease-causing gene expression. Therapeutic implementation, however, has been forestalled by poor ...delivery to the appropriate tissue, cell type, and subcellular compartment. Topical administration is considered to circumvent these issues. The availability of inhalation devices and unmet medical need in lung disease has focused efforts in this tissue. We report the development of a novel cell sorting method for quantitative, cell type-specific analysis of siRNA, and locked nucleic acid (LNA) ASO uptake and efficacy after intratracheal (i.t.) administration in mice. Through fluorescent dye labeling, we compare the utility of this approach to whole animal and whole tissue analysis, and examine the extent of tissue distribution. We detail rapid systemic access and renal clearance for both therapeutic classes and lack of efficacy at the protein level in lung macrophages, epithelia, or other cell types. We nevertheless observe efficient redirection of i.t. administered phosphorothioate (PS) LNA ASO to the liver and kidney leading to targeted gene knockdown. These data suggest delivery remains a key obstacle to topically administered, naked oligonucleotide efficacy in the lung and introduce inhalation as a potentially viable alternative to injection for antisense administration to the liver and kidneys.
Background. Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) play a crucial role in host defense. Physiologically, exposure of PMN to the complement activation product C5a results in a protective response ...against pathogens, whereas in the case of systemic inflammation, excessive C5a substantially impairs neutrophil functions. To further elucidate the inability of PMN to properly respond to C5a, this study investigates the role of the cellular membrane potential of PMN in response to C5a. Methods. Electrophysiological changes in cellular and mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular pH of PMN from human healthy volunteers were determined by flow cytometry after exposure to C5a. Furthermore, PMN from male Bretoncelles-Meishan-Willebrand cross-bred pigs before and three hours after severe hemorrhagic shock were analyzed for their electrophysiological response. Results. PMN showed a significant dose- and time-dependent depolarization in response to C5a with a strong response after one minute. The chemotactic peptide fMLP also evoked a significant shift in the membrane potential of PMN. Acidification of the cellular microenvironment significantly enhanced depolarization of PMN. In a clinically relevant model of porcine hemorrhagic shock, the C5a-induced changes in membrane potential of PMN were markedly diminished compared to healthy littermates. Overall, these membrane potential changes may contribute to PMN dysfunction in an inflammatory environment.
Background. Diagnostic confirmation of spindle-cell melanoma (SM) or desmoplastic melanoma (DM) as a melanoma can be challenging. In conventional melanoma (CM), a recently established fluorescence in ...situ hybridization (FISH) assay for RREB1, MYB, CCND1 can be helpful. Here, we determined the presence of RREB1, MYB, and CCND1 abnormalities in an SM/DM/mixed cohort. Methods. We assembled 49 cases and performed 3 separate hybridizations for RREB1/MYB/CCND1. We assessed clinical utility in diagnostically challenging cases and performed a cost and turnaround time analysis. Results. With regard to the diagnosis of melanoma, the FISH assay is 76% sensitive (n = 31/41 true positives melanomas) and 88% specific (n = 1/8 false positive desmoplastic nevi). The prevalence of abnormalities in DM is lower (12/19 cases, 63%; P = .03) than in SM (15/18 cases, 83%; P = .27), mixed (4 of 4 cases), or the reported sensitivity in CM (345/411 cases, 84%). The implied genetic differences in DM result in a higher false negative rate in DM (37%). Despite these limitations, when restricted to diagnostically challenging cases (n = 23), the FISH assay and, in particular, RREB1 was able to confirm melanoma in 70% (n = 16/23). Individual probe sensitivities (RREB1 > MYB > CCND1) and a cost and turnaround time analysis argues for a 2-step test algorithm that reduces the economic impact of FISH testing considerably (~55%; n = 69 vs 123 hybridizations). Conclusion. We propose a step-by-step genetic testing algorithm to support the diagnosis of melanoma in the setting of SM/DM and show that FISH testing is useful in diagnostically challenging cases.
LncRNAs are involved in regulatory processes in the human genome, including gene expression. The rs35705950 SNP, previously associated with IPF, overlaps with the recently annotated lncRNA ...AC061979.1, a 1712 nucleotide transcript located within the MUC5B promoter at chromosome 11p15.5. To document the expression pattern of the transcript, we processed 3.9 TBases of publicly available RNA-SEQ data across 27 independent studies involving lung airway epithelial cells. Epithelial lung cells showed expression of this putative pancRNA. The findings were independently validated in cell lines and primary cells. The rs35705950 is found within a conserved region (from fish to primates) within the expressed sequence indicating functional importance. These results implicate the rs35705950-containing AC061979.1 pancRNA as a novel component of the MUC5B expression control minicircuitry.
Ca(2+) is essential for vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane in virtually all types of regulated exocytoses. However, in contrast to the well-known effects of a high cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ...concentration (Ca(2+)(c)) in the prefusion phase, the occurrence and significance of Ca(2+) signals in the postfusion phase have not been described before.
We studied isolated rat alveolar type II cells using previously developed imaging techniques. These cells release pulmonary surfactant, a complex of lipids and proteins, from secretory vesicles (lamellar bodies) in an exceptionally slow, Ca(2+)- and actin-dependent process. Measurements of fusion pore formation by darkfield scattered light intensity decrease or FM 1-43 fluorescence intensity increase were combined with analysis of Ca(2+)(c) by ratiometric Fura-2 or Fluo-4 fluorescence measurements. We found that the majority of single lamellar body fusion events were followed by a transient (t(1/2) of decay = 3.2 s) rise of localized Ca(2+)(c) originating at the site of lamellar body fusion. Ca(2+)(c) increase followed with a delay of approximately 0.2-0.5 s (method-dependent) and in the majority of cases this signal propagated throughout the cell (at approximately 10 microm/s). Removal of Ca(2+) from, or addition of Ni(2+) to the extracellular solution, strongly inhibited these Ca(2+)(c) transients, whereas Ca(2+) store depletion with thapsigargin had no effect. Actin-GFP fluorescence around fused LBs increased several seconds after the rise of Ca(2+)(c). Both effects were reduced by the non-specific Ca(2+) channel blocker SKF96365.
Fusion-activated Ca(2+)entry (FACE) is a new mechanism that leads to Ca(2+)(c) transients at the site of vesicle fusion. Substantial evidence from this and previous studies indicates that fusion-activated Ca(2+) entry enhances localized surfactant release from type II cells, but it may also play a role for compensatory endocytosis and other cellular functions.
P2X4 and lysosome fusion Murrell-Lagnado, Ruth D; Frick, Manfred
Current opinion in pharmacology,
August 2019, 2019-08-00, 20190801, Letnik:
47
Journal Article
Recenzirano
•Activation of lysosomal P2X4 receptors is regulated by luminal pH.•In the presence of luminal ATP, alkalinization of luminal pH activates P2X4 in lysosomes and related organelles (LROs).•Lysosomal ...Ca2+ release via P2X4 promotes lysosome membrane fusion and is dependent upon calmodulin.•In LROs P2X4-dependent expansion of the exocytic fusion pore facilitates secretion of contents.
Similar to other members of the P2X receptor family, the P2X4 receptor at the plasma membrane forms a highly Ca2+ permeable, non-selective cation channel that is activated by extracellular ATP. Yet, P2X4 differs from the other subtypes, as it is predominantly localized on late endosomal, lysosomal and/or lysosome-related organelles. It is targeted there by virtue of tyrosine-based and di-leucine like trafficking motifs contained within its C-terminal and N-terminal regions respectively. The physiological role of the stable intracellular expression of P2X4 in acidic compartments has been a long-standing puzzle. Recent evidence, however, points to a dual role in the regulation of ion fluxes across lysosomal membranes to control lysosome membrane fusion and in the re-sensitization of receptors exposed to extracellular ATP.
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