Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) initiates both myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent and Toll/interleukin (IL)-1R domain-containing adapter, inducing interferon (IFN)-␤-dependent signaling, leading to production of proinflammatory mediators and type I interferon (IFN) to eliminate pathogens. However, uncontrolled TLR4 activation may contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. TLR4 is transported from the plasma membrane to the endosome for ubiqutination and to the lysosome for degradation, and downregulation of TLR4 expression or promotion of TLR4 degradation are important ways for negative regulation of TLR4 signaling. We previously identified a lysosome-associated small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rab7b that may be involved in lysosomal trafficking and degradation of proteins. Here we demonstrate that Rab7b can negatively regulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣, IL-6, nitric oxide, and IFN-␤, and potentiate LPS-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor B, and IFN regulatory factor 3 signaling pathways in macrophages by promoting the degradation of TLR4. Rab7b is localized in LAMP-1-positive subcellular compartments and colocalized with TLR4 after LPS treatment and can decrease the protein level of TLR4. Our findings suggest that Rab7b is a negative regulator of TLR4 signaling, potentially by promoting the translocation of TLR4 into lysosomes for degradation. IntroductionToll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in innate immunity by recognizing structurally conserved bacterial and viral components termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns. [1][2][3] TLRs activate signaling through the Toll/IL-1R (TIR) domain found in the cytoplasmic tails of these proteins, which in turn triggers the binding of the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) to the TIR domain, allowing for interaction and phosphorylation of IL-1R-associated kinases and subsequent activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF)-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6), leading to the activation of nuclear factor B (NF-B) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and the induction of proinflammatory cytokines. [1][2][3] However, recent studies have identified molecules involved in the MyD88-independent signaling for TLR3 and TLR4, including the TIR domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP/MAL), as a second adaptor instead of MyD88 for activation of 4,5 and the TIR domain-containing adapter inducing interferon (IFN)-␤ (TRIF) as a critical MyD88-independent adaptor used by TLR3 and TLR4 to regulate type I IFN production. 6,7 The signaling receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is TLR4/MD-2, which receives LPS from CD14. LPS delivered by CD14 to TLR4/MD-2 initiates a signaling cascade through the TIR domain containing adaptors MyD88, TIRAP/ MAL, TRIF, and TRAM (TRIF-related adaptor molecule), which eventually leads to activation of MAPK (including extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK], c-Jun N-terminal k...

A desirable microenvironment is essential for wound healing, in which an ideal moisture content is one of the most important factors. The fundamental function and requirement for wound dressings is to keep the wound at an optimal moisture. Here, we prepared serial polyurethane (PU) membrane dressings with graded water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs), and the optimal WVTR of the dressing for wound healing was identified by both in vitro and in vivo studies. It was found that the dressing with a WVTR of 2028.3 ± 237.8 g/m2·24 h was able to maintain an optimal moisture content for the proliferation and regular function of epidermal cells and fibroblasts in a three-dimensional culture model. Moreover, the dressing with this optimal WTVR was found to be able to promote wound healing in a mouse skin wound model. Our finds may be helpful in the design of wound dressing for wound regeneration in the future.

No abstract

Objective microRNA-155 (miR155) plays a critical role in immunity and macrophage inflammation. We aim to investigate the role of miR155 in atherogenesis. Approach and Results Quantitative real-time PCR showed that miR155 was expressed in mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions. miR155 expression in macrophages was positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine expression. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of miR155 in macrophages enhanced their inflammatory response to LPS through targeting SOCS-1, and impaired cholesterol efflux from acetylated LDL-loaded macrophages, whereas deficiency of miR155 blunted macrophage inflammatory responses, and enhanced cholesterol efflux possibly via enhancing lipid loading-induced macrophage autophagy. We next examined the atherogenesis in apoE−/− and miR155−/−/apoE−/− (DKO) mice fed a western diet. Compared with apoE−/− mice, the DKO mice developed less atherosclerosis lesion in aortic root, with reduced neutral lipid content and macrophages. Flow cytometric analysis showed that there were increased number of regulatory T cells, and reduced numbers of Th17 cells and CD11b+/Ly6Chigh cells in the spleen of DKO mice. Peritoneal macrophages from the DKO mice had significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and secretion both in the absence and presence of LPS stimulation. To determine whether miR155 in leukocytes contributes to atherosclerosis, we performed bone marrow transplantation study. Deficiency of miR155 in bone marrow-derived cells suppressed atherogenesis in apoE−/− mice, demonstrating that hematopoietic cell-derived miR155 plays a critical role. Conclusion miR155 deficiency attenuates atherogenesis in apoE−/− mice by reducing inflammatory responses of macrophages, enhancing macrophage cholesterol efflux and resulting in an anti-atherogenic leukocyte profile. Targeting miR155 may be a promising strategy to halt atherogenesis.

Chromosome segregation in mitosis is orchestrated by protein kinase signaling cascades. A biochemical cascade named spindle checkpoint ensures the spatial and temporal order of chromosome segregation during mitosis. Here we report that spindle checkpoint protein MAD1 interacts with NEK2A, a human orthologue of the Aspergillus nidulans NIMA kinase. MAD1 interacts with NEK2A in vitro and in vivo via a leucine zipper-containing domain located at the C terminus of MAD1. Like MAD1, NEK2A is localized to HeLa cell kinetochore of mitotic cells. Elimination of NEK2A by small interfering RNA does not arrest cells in mitosis but causes aberrant premature chromosome segregation. NEK2A is required for MAD2 but not MAD1, BUB1, and HEC1 to associate with kinetochores. These NEK2A-eliminated or -suppressed cells display a chromosome bridge phenotype with sister chromatid inter-connected. Moreover, loss of NEK2A impairs mitotic checkpoint signaling in response to spindle damage by nocodazole, which affected mitotic escape and led to generation of cells with multiple nuclei. Our data demonstrate that NEK2A is a kinetochore-associated protein kinase essential for faithful chromosome segregation. We hypothesize that NEK2A links MAD2 molecular dynamics to spindle checkpoint signaling.Chromosome movements during mitosis are governed by the interaction of spindle microtubules with a specialized chromosome domain located within the centromere. This specialized region, called the kinetochore (1, 2), is the site for spindle microtubule-centromere association. In addition to providing a physical link between chromosomes and spindle microtubules, the kinetochore has an active function in chromosomal segregation through microtubule motors and spindle checkpoint sensors located at or near it (3-5).Several lines of evidence have implicated the kinetochore in generation of a diffusible checkpoint signal that can block cell cycle progression into anaphase until all kinetochores have successfully attached to spindle microtubules. Delayed attachment of one or more chromosomes to the spindle is correlated with a corresponding delay in the onset of anaphase. For mutants that fail to arrest the cell cycle in mitosis after disassembly of microtubules in budding yeast, genetic screen has identified three MAD (mitotic arrest deficiency) and three BUB (budding uninhibited by benomyl) genes (7). Vertebrate homologues of MAD1 (8), MAD2 (9 -10), BUB3 (11-12), BUB1, and BUBR1 (13-15) are spindle checkpoint components transiently associated with kinetochore. Expression of the kinetochore binding domain of murine BUB1 (13) or injection of antibodies against BUBR1 (15) results in premature onset of anaphase, presumably by replacement of the endogenous proteins at kinetochores. Collectively, these data indicate that binding of these spindle checkpoint components at the kinetochores may generate a signal in response to spindle defects and/or aberrant kinetochore protein-protein interactions.Mitosis is orchestrated by signaling cascades that coordinate mitotic p...

As an RNA-guided nuclease, CRISPR-Cas9 offers facile and promising solutions to mediate genome modification with respect to versatility and high precision. However, spatiotemporal manipulation of CRISPR-Cas9 delivery remains a daunting challenge for robust effectuation of gene editing both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we designed a near-infrared (NIR) light–responsive nanocarrier of CRISPR-Cas9 for cancer therapeutics based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). The UCNPs served as “nanotransducers” that can convert NIR light (980 nm) into local ultraviolet light for the cleavage of photosensitive molecules, thereby resulting in on-demand release of CRISPR-Cas9. In addition, by preparing a single guide RNA targeting a tumor gene (polo-like kinase-1), our strategies have successfully inhibited the proliferation of tumor cell via NIR light–activated gene editing both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this exogenously controlled method presents enormous potential for targeted gene editing in deep tissues and treatment of a myriad of diseases.

No abstract

No abstract