We investigated whether protein stability controls antigen presentation using a four disulfide-containing snake toxin and three derivatives carrying one or two mutations (L1A, L1A/H4Y, and H4Y). These mutations were anticipated to increase (H4Y) or decrease (L1A) the antigen non-covalent stabilizing interactions, H4Y being naturally and frequently observed in neurotoxins. The chemically synthesized derivatives shared similar three-dimensional structure, biological activity, and T epitope pattern. However, they displayed differential thermal unfolding capacities, ranging from 65 to 98°C. Using these differentially stable derivatives, we demonstrated that antigen stability controls antigen proteolysis, antigen processing in antigen-presenting cells, T cell stimulation, and kinetics of expression of T cell determinants. Therefore, non-covalent interactions that control the unfolding capacity of an antigen are key parameters in the efficacy of antigen presentation. By affecting the stabilizing interaction network of proteins, some natural mutations may modulate the subsequent T-cell stimulation and might help microorganisms to escape the immune response.
Under CO 2 exposure at an intermediate temperature, typically 550°C, 9Cr-1Mo steel forms a duplex oxide scale made of an outer magnetite layer and an almost-as-thick inner Fe-Cr rich spinel oxide layer. It is proposed that the inner Fe-Cr spinel layer grows according to a mechanism involving void formation at the oxide/ metal interface. The driving force for pore formation is the outward magnetite growth: iron vacancies are injected at the oxide/metal interface then condense into voids. The fresh metallic surface made available is then oxidized by CO 2 , which diffuses fast through the scale. The physical aspects, the integrity and the nature of the scale are shown to be very dependent on the oxygen potential existing in the environment.
A calcium–sensing receptor (CaR) has functionally been described in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (CTAL) of rat and mouse. This G protein–coupled receptor activates phospholipase C and increases the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. We observed that in the mouse CTAL cAMP formation, induced by 10–8 mol/l AVP, was inhibited by more than 90% when the extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) was increased from 0.5 to 3 mmol/l. Measurements of transepithelial potential difference (PDte) in rat and mouse CTAL and medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) segments and of transepithelial ion net fluxes in the mouse CTAL (isotonic perfusion conditions: 150 mmol/l NaCl in the lumen and bath) showed that an increase in the [Ca2+]e had no effect on basal and arginine vasopressin (AVP, 10–10 mol/l)–stimulated transepithelial PDte, NaCl and Mg2+ transport. However, Ca2+ reabsorption was strongly inhibited by increased [Ca2+]e. Addition of AVP reversed this inhibitory effect of increased [Ca2+]e. Under hypotonic perfusion conditions (lumen 50 mmol/l NaCl; bath 150 mmol/l NaCl), a high [Ca2+]e induced a 50% decrease in Mg2+ reabsorption which was restored by AVP. Under these conditions, the effects on Ca2+ transport described above were still observed. In conclusion, activation of the CaR in the mouse TAL has no effect on basal and AVP–stimulated transepithelial NaCl reabsorption despite its large inhibitory effect on cAMP synthesis. The CaR, however, could play a role in the regulation of transepithelial Ca2+ and Mg2+ reabsorption.
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