Search results for "Forming."

Selective permeabilization of infected host cells with pore-forming proteins provides a novel tool to study protein synthesis and viability of the in…

2001

Protein sorting in Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells permeabilized with the pore-forming protein streptolysin O

1996

Plasmodium falciparum is an intracellular parasite of human red blood cells (RBCs). Like many other intracellular parasites, P. falciparum resides and develops within a parasitophorous vacuole which is bound by a membrane that separates the host cell cytoplasm from the parasite surface. Some parasite proteins are secreted into the vacuolar space and others are secreted, by an as yet poorly defined pathway, into the RBC cytosol. The transport of proteins from the parasite has been followed mainly using morphological methods. In search of an experimental system that would allow (i) dissection of the individual steps involved in transport from the parasite surface into the RBC cytosol, and (ii…

Purification and characterization of a pore-forming protein from the marine sponge Tethya lyncurium

1992

A pore-forming protein was detected and purified for the first time from a marine sponge (Tethya lyncurium). The purified protein has a polypeptide molecular mass of 21 kDa and a pI of 6.4. Tethya pore-forming protein (also called Tethya hemolysin) rapidly lysed erythrocytes from a variety of organisms. After binding to target membranes, the hemolysin resisted elution with EDTA, salt or solutions of low ionic strength and hence resembled an integral membrane protein. Erythrocytes could be protected from hemolysis induced by Tethya hemolysin by addition of 30 mM dextran 4 (4-6 kDa; equivalent hydrodynamic diffusion radius, 1.75-2.3 nm) to the extracellular medium, but not by addition of unch…

Streptolysin O: the C-terminal, tryptophan-rich domain carries functional sites for both membrane binding and self-interaction but not for stable oli…

2001

AbstractStreptolysin O belongs to the class of thiol-activated toxins, which are single chain, four-domain proteins that bind to membranes containing cholesterol and then assemble to form large oligomeric pores. Membrane binding involves a conserved tryptophan-rich sequence motif located within the C-terminally located domain 4. In contrast, sites involved in oligomerization and pore formation have been assigned to domains 1 and 3, respectively. We here examined the functional properties of domain 4, which was recombinantly expressed with an N-terminal histidine tag for purification and an additional cysteine residue for covalent labeling. The fluorescently labeled fragment readily bound to…

In-situ gelling xyloglucan formulations as 3D artificial niche for adipose stem cell spheroids.

2020

Abstract Three-dimensional spheroidal cell aggregates of adipose stem cells (SASCs) are a distinct upstream population of stem cells present in adipose tissue, with enhanced regeneration properties in vivo. The preservation of the 3D structure of the cells, from extraction to administration, can be a promising strategy to ensure optimal conditions for cell viability and maintenance of stemness potential. With this aim, an artificial niche was created by incorporating the spheroids into an injectable, in-situ gelling solution of partially degalactosylated xyloglucan (dXG) and an ad hoc formulated culture medium for the preservation of stem cell spheroid features. The evolution of the mechani…

A specific CD4 epitope bound by tregalizumab mediates activation of regulatory T cells by a unique signaling pathway

2014

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a specialized subpopulation of T cells, which are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. The immunomodulatory effects of Tregs depend on their activation status. Here we show that, in contrast to conventional anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the humanized CD4-specific monoclonal antibody tregalizumab (BT-061) is able to selectively activate the suppressive properties of Tregs in vitro. BT-061 activates Tregs by binding to CD4 and activation of signaling downstream pathways. The specific functionality of BT-061 may be explained by the recognition of a unique, conformational epitope on domain 2 of th…

TGF-β superfamily signaling is essential for tooth and hair morphogenesis and differentiation

2007

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of signaling molecules are involved in the regulation of many developmental processes that involve the interaction between mesenchymal and epithelial tissues. Smad7 is a potent inhibitor of many members of the TGF-beta family, notably TGF-beta and activin. In this study, we show that embryonic overexpression of Smad7 in stratified epithelia using a keratin 5 promoter, results in severe morphogenetic defects in skin and teeth and leads to embryonic and perinatal lethality. To further analyze the functions of Smad7 in epithelial tissues of adult mice, we used an expression system that allowed a controlled overexpression of …

Alternative splicing products of the tenascin gene distinguish rat liver fat storing cells from arterial smooth muscle cells and skin fibroblasts

1992

Abstract Fat storing-(Ito-)cells (FSC) transform into a myofibroblast-like cell type during liver fibrogenesis. A similar development can be observed in cell culture. At the moment, a definite marker to differentiate transformed FSC from smooth muscle cells (SMC) is not available. We recently found that FSC, SMC and skin fibroblasts (SF) synthesize tenascin, a novel matrix protein. As it is reported that various tissues express different tenascin forms by the mechanism of alternative pre-mRNA splicing, we analyzed the tenascin transcripts in these cell types. Total RNA extracted from cultured FSC, SMC and SF, analyzed by Northern blot hybridization, showed a 7.2 kb transcript in FSC, a 8.7 …

Regulation of the type II oncostatin M receptor expression in lung-derived epithelial cells

1998

AbstractOncostatin M (OSM) is a potent modulator of human lung-derived epithelial cell function. This cytokine binds two distinct receptor complexes: type I OSM receptor which is also a functional receptor for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and type II OSM-specific receptor. The role of these two distinct receptors in mediating the response of individual cell types to OSM has not been delineated. In contrast to LIF, OSM induces synthesis of α1-antichymotrypsin and α1-antiproteinase inhibitor in lung-derived epithelial cells. The differential responsiveness to LIF and OSM suggested that the response of lung epithelial cells to OSM may be mediated by the OSM-specific receptor. Therefore, w…

Th9 cells, new players in adaptive immunity.

2014

Upon antigen-specific stimulation, naive CD4⁺ T cells have the potential to differentiate into various T helper (Th) cell subsets. Earlier models of Th cell differentiation focused on IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells and IL-4-secreting Th2 cells. The discovery of additional CD4⁺ Th cell subsets has extended our understanding of Th cell differentiation beyond this dichotomy. Among these is the recently described Th9 cell subset, which preferentially produces interleukin (IL)-9. Here, we review the latest developments in Th9 cell development and differentiation, focusing on contributing environmental signals, and discuss potential physiological and pathophysiological functions of these cells. We des…