Search results for "Mutant Strains"
showing 10 items of 65 documents
A Mutually Stimulating Loop Involving Emx2 and Canonical Wnt Signalling Specifically Promotes Expansion of Occipital Cortex and Hippocampus
2005
The correct size of the different areas composing the mature cerebral cortex depends on the proper early allocation of cortical progenitors to their distinctive areal fates, as well as on appropriate subsequent tuning of their area-specific proliferation--differentiation profiles. Whereas much is known about the genetics of the former process, the molecular mechanisms regulating proliferation and differentiation rates within distinctive cortical proto-areas are still largely obscure. Here we show that a mutual stimulating loop, involving Emx2 and canonical Wnt signalling, specifically promotes expansion of the occipito-hippocampal anlage. Collapse of this loop occurring in Emx2 2/2 mutants …
Integrative genomic and proteomic analyses identify targets for Lkb1 deficient metastatic lung tumors
2010
SummaryIn mice, Lkb1 deletion and activation of KrasG12D results in lung tumors with a high penetrance of lymph node and distant metastases. We analyzed these primary and metastatic de novo lung cancers with integrated genomic and proteomic profiles, and have identified gene and phosphoprotein signatures associated with Lkb1 loss and progression to invasive and metastatic lung tumors. These studies revealed that SRC is activated in Lkb1-deficient primary and metastatic lung tumors, and that the combined inhibition of SRC, PI3K, and MEK1/2 resulted in synergistic tumor regression. These studies demonstrate that integrated genomic and proteomic analyses can be used to identify signaling pathw…
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulates T Cell Receptor Signaling at the Immunological Synapse
2006
The role of nitric oxide (NO) in T cells remains controversial, and the origin and localization of endogenous NO and whether it regulates lymphocyte activation are unclear. We show here that, within minutes of binding to antigen, T cells produce NO via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This process required increased intracellular Ca2+ and phosphoinositide3-kinase activity. By using an eNOS-green fluorescent fusion protein and fluorescent probes to detect NO, we show that eNOS translocates with the Golgi apparatus to the immune synapse of T helper cells engaged with antigen-presenting cells (APC), where it was fully activated. Overexpression of eNOS prevented the central coalescence…
A core cochlear phenotype in USH1 mouse mutants implicates fibrous links of the hair bundle in its cohesion, orientation and differential growth
2008
The planar polarity and staircase-like pattern of the hair bundle are essential to the mechanoelectrical transduction function of inner ear sensory cells. Mutations in genes encoding myosin VIIa, harmonin, cadherin 23,protocadherin 15 or sans cause Usher syndrome type I (USH1, characterized by congenital deafness, vestibular dysfunction and retinitis pigmentosa leading to blindness) in humans and hair bundle disorganization in mice. Whether the USH1 proteins are involved in common hair bundle morphogenetic processes is unknown. Here, we show that mouse models for the five USH1 genetic forms share hair bundle morphological defects. Hair bundle fragmentation and misorientation (25-52° mean ki…
UV Exposure Boosts Transcutaneous Immunization and Improves Tumor Immunity: Cytotoxic T-Cell Priming through the Skin
2010
Immunologic approaches to combat cancer aim at the induction of tumor-reactive immune responses to achieve long-term protection. In this context, we recently developed a transcutaneous immunization (TCI) method using the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 agonist imiquimod and a peptide epitope. Application onto intact skin induces potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and protection against transplanted tumors. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of UV irradiation on imiquimod-based TCI. Here we show that skin exposure to low-dose UV light before TCI with imiquimod strongly boosts specific CTL responses leading to memory formation and enhanced tumor protection. Toward the …
A miRNA181a/NFAT5 axis links impaired T cell tolerance induction with autoimmune type 1 diabetes.
2018
Molecular checkpoints that trigger the onset of islet autoimmunity or progression to human type 1 diabetes (T1D) are incompletely understood. Using T cells from children at an early stage of islet autoimmunity without clinical T1D, we find that a microRNA181a (miRNA181a)-mediated increase in signal strength of stimulation and costimulation links nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) with impaired tolerance induction and autoimmune activation. We show that enhancing miRNA181a activity increases NFAT5 expression while inhibiting FOXP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) induction in vitro. Accordingly, Treg induction is improved using T cells from NFAT5 knockout (NFAT5ko) animals, whereas alter…
Vaccination with ENO1 DNA Prolongs Survival of Genetically Engineered Mice with Pancreatic Cancer
2013
Background & Aims Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an aggressive tumor, and patients typically present with late-stage disease; rates of 5-year survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy are low. Antibodies against α-enolase (ENO1), a glycolytic enzyme, are detected in more than 60% of patients with PDA, and ENO1-specific T cells inhibit the growth of human pancreatic xenograft tumors in mice. We investigated whether an ENO1 DNA vaccine elicits antitumor immune responses and prolongs survival of mice that spontaneously develop autochthonous, lethal pancreatic carcinomas. Methods We injected and electroporated a plasmid encoding ENO1 (or a control plasmid) into Kras G12D /Cre (KC) mice …
Progressive Characterization of Visual Phenotype in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Mutant Mice
2019
Purpose Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an archetypical ciliopathy caused by defective ciliary trafficking and consequent function. Insights gained from BBS mouse models are applicable to other syndromic and nonsyndromic retinal diseases. This progressive characterization of the visual phenotype in three BBS mouse models sets a baseline for testing therapeutic interventions. Methods Longitudinal acquisition of electroretinograms, optical coherence tomography scans, and visual acuity using the optomotor reflex in Bbs6/Mkks, Bbs8/Ttc8, and Bbs5 knockout mice. Gene and protein expression analysis in vivo and in vitro. Results Complete loss of BBS5, BBS6, or BBS8 leads to different rates of reti…
Reduced In Vivo Aortic Uptake of Radiolabeled Oxidation-Specific Antibodies Reflects Changes in Plaque Composition Consistent With Plaque Stabilizati…
2004
Objective— Labeled oxidation-specific antibodies (Ox-AB) detect, quantify, and noninvasively image lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions. However, it is unknown whether Ox-AB detect plaque stabilization. Methods and Results— The aortic uptake of intravenously injected 125 I-MDA2 (Ox-AB to malondialdehyde [MDA]–low-density lipoprotein [LDL]) was quantitated in: (1) LDL receptor−/− mice with established atherosclerosis continued on Western diet (Progression) or switched to chow (Regression) or chow+vitamins E and C (Regression-VIT) for 6 months; and (2) Watanabe rabbits (3- to 57-months old) with naturally evolved atherosclerotic lesions. In mice, the Progression group had more extensive athero…
NT-3 protein levels are enhanced in the hippocampus of PRG1-deficient mice but remain unchanged in PRG1/LPA2 double mutants
2015
The plasticity-related gene 1 (PRG1) modulates bioactive lipids at the postsynaptic density and is a novel player in neuronal plasticity and regulation of glutamatergic transmission at principal neurons. PRG1, a neuronal molecule, is highly expressed during development and regeneration processes at the postsynaptic density, modulates synaptic lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels and is related to epilepsy and brain injury. In the present study, we analyzed the interaction between the synaptic molecules PRG1 and LPA2R with other plasticity-related molecules the neurotrophins. The protein levels of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 were measured using ELISA in hippocampal tissue of homozygous (PRG(-/-)) and h…