Search results for "transduction."

In silico discovery of substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and pentamidine-like compounds with biological activity in myotonic dystrophy models

2016

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare multisystemic disorder associated with an expansion of CUG repeats in mutant DMPK (dystrophia myotonica protein kinase) transcripts; the main effect of these expansions is the induction of pre-mRNA splicing defects by sequestering muscleblind-like family proteins (e.g. MBNL1). Disruption of the CUG repeats and the MBNL1 protein complex has been established as the best therapeutic approach for DM1, hence two main strategies have been proposed: targeted degradation of mutant DMPK transcripts and the development of CUG-binding molecules that prevent MBNL1 sequestration. Herein, suitable CUG-binding small molecules were selected using in silico approach…

Specific role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in elastin-derived VGVAPG peptide-dependent calcium homeostasis in mouse cortical astrocytes in…

2019

AbstractUnder physiological and pathological conditions, elastin is degraded to produce elastin-derived peptides (EDPs). EDPs are detected in the healthy human brain, and its concentration significantly increases after ischemic stroke. Both elastin and EDPs contains replications of the soluble VGVAPG hexapeptide, which has a broad range of biological activities. Effects of VGVAPG action are mainly mediated by elastin-binding protein (EBP), which is alternatively spliced, enzymatically inactive form of the GLB1 gene. This study was conducted to elucidate the activation and role of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in elastin-derived VGVAPG peptide-dependent calcium homeostasis in mou…

Antibody-mediated blockade of JMJD6 interaction with collagen I exerts antifibrotic and antimetastatic activities

2017

JMJD6 is known to localize in the nucleus, exerting histone arginine demethylase and lysyl hydroxylase activities. A novel localization of JMJD6 in the extracellular matrix, resulting from its secretion as a soluble protein, was unveiled by a new anti-JMJD6 mAb called P4E11, which was developed to identify new targets in the stroma. Recombinant JMJD6 binds with collagen type I (Coll-I), and distinct JMJD6 peptides interfere with collagen fibrillogenesis, collagen-fibronectin interaction, and adhesion of human tumor cells to the collagen substrate. P4E11 and collagen binding to JMJD6 are mutually exclusive because the amino acid sequences of JMJD6 necessary for the interaction with Coll-I ar…

Notch and TLR signaling coordinate monocyte cell fate and inflammation

2020

AbstractConventional Ly6Chi monocytes have developmental plasticity for a spectrum of differentiated phagocytes. Here we show, using conditional deletion strategies in a mouse model of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7-induced inflammation, that the spectrum of developmental cell fates of Ly6Chi monocytes, and the resultant inflammation, is coordinately regulated by TLR and Notch signaling. Cell-intrinsic Notch2 and TLR7-Myd88 pathways independently and synergistically promote Ly6Clo patrolling monocyte development from Ly6Chi monocytes under inflammatory conditions, while impairment in either signaling axis impairs Ly6Clo monocyte development. At the same time, TLR7 stimulation in the absence of …

2016

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that is associated with aberrant activity of immune cells and keratinocytes. In mice, topical application of TLR7/8 agonist IMQ leads to a skin disorder resembling human psoriasis. Recently, it was shown that the IL-23/ IL-17 axis plays a deciding role in the pathogenesis of human psoriasis, as well as in the mouse model of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin disease. A consequence of IL-17A production in the skin includes increased expression and production of IL-6, resulting in the recruitment of neutrophils and other myelomonocytic cells to the site of inflammation. To further investigate and characterize the exact role of IL-6 signaling in myelomonocy…

2016

AbstractGenetic manipulations in nutrient-sensing pathways are known to both extend lifespan and modify responses to environmental stressors (e.g., starvation, oxidative and thermal stresses), suggesting that similar mechanisms regulate lifespan and stress resistance. However, despite being a key factor reducing female lifespan and affecting female fitness, male-induced harm has rarely been considered as a stressor mediated by nutrient sensing pathways. We explored whether a lifespan-extending manipulation also modifies female resistance to male-induced harm. To do so, we used long-lived female Drosophila melanogaster that had their insulin signalling pathway downregulated by genetically ab…

The murine cytomegalovirus M35 protein antagonizes type I IFN induction downstream of pattern recognition receptors by targeting NF-κB mediated trans…

2017

The type I interferon (IFN) response is imperative for the establishment of the early antiviral immune response. Here we report the identification of the first type I IFN antagonist encoded by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) that shuts down signaling following pattern recognition receptor (PRR) sensing. Screening of an MCMV open reading frame (ORF) library identified M35 as a novel and strong negative modulator of IFNβ promoter induction following activation of both RNA and DNA cytoplasmic PRR. Additionally, M35 inhibits the proinflammatory cytokine response downstream of Toll-like receptors (TLR). Using a series of luciferase-based reporters with specific transcription factor binding sites, …

Physiological and Molecular Adaptations to Strength Training

2018

High muscle contraction forces that lead to gains in muscle function, size, and strength characterize resistance exercise training. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the adaptations in myofiber size and metabolism that occur by stimuli of hormones and local growth factors, mechanical and metabolic stress of muscle tissue, and myofibrillar disruptions induced by a resistance exercise bout. The chapter will highlight the network of intracellular pathways (including mTOR signaling) that ultimately lead to increases in gene expression and protein synthesis. Accumulation of acute exercise responses by systematic training over time modulate the muscle proteome that can be observed as chan…

Myeloid cell-synthesized coagulation Factor X dampens anti-tumor immunity

2019

Immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial barrier for effective cancer therapy, and plasticity of innate immune cells may contribute to failures of targeted immunotherapies. Here, we show that rivaroxaban, a direct inhibitor of activated coagulation factor X (FX), promotes antitumor immunity by enhancing infiltration of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells at the tumor site. Profiling FX expression in the TME identifies monocytes and macrophages as crucial sources of extravascular FX. By generating mice with immune cells lacking the ability to produce FX, we show that myeloid cell-derived FX plays a pivotal role in promoting tumor immune evasion. In mouse models of ca…

Arsenic promotes NF-Κb-mediated fibroblast dysfunction and matrix remodeling to impair muscle stem cell function

2016

Abstract Arsenic is a global health hazard that impacts over 140 million individuals worldwide. Epidemiological studies reveal prominent muscle dysfunction and mobility declines following arsenic exposure; yet, mechanisms underlying such declines are unknown. The objective of this study was to test the novel hypothesis that arsenic drives a maladaptive fibroblast phenotype to promote pathogenic myomatrix remodeling and compromise the muscle stem (satellite) cell (MuSC) niche. Mice were exposed to environmentally relevant levels of arsenic in drinking water before receiving a local muscle injury. Arsenic-exposed muscles displayed pathogenic matrix remodeling, defective myofiber regeneration …