Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; immunology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Mutation ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

This study was purposed to prepare and primarily identify the specific monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against the apoptosis related protein PNAS-2 so as to provide the essential tool for study of PNAS-2 function. The McAbs against PNAS-2 were prepared via the immunization of mice, cell fusion and cloning using synthetic peptide of PNAS-2 as immunogen; the specificity, titer and subtype of McAb were detected by Western blot, ELISA and immunofluorescence. The results showed that the stable hybridoma cell line S-31-7 producing McAbs against PNAS-2 protein was successfully obtained. The immunoglobulin of the McAb was identified to be IGg1lambda. The titer of ascetic fluid fled McAb were 1:8,000. A single specific band with 28 kD was shown in Western blot test, and the antigen recognized was present in cell cytoplasm by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, the obtained McAb against PNAS-2 displays strong specificity and high titer, which may be applied to the advanced research on PNAS-2 protein.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Specificity ; immunology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; immunology ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Inhibition of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis has emerged as an essential mechanism for tumor immune evasion. One mechanism inhibiting the innate response is the presence of the macrophage inhibitory molecule, signal regulatory protein-α (SIRPα), on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and its cognate ligand cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) on tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment. On the basis of a recently discovered programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) in TAMs, we discuss the potential inhibitory receptors that possess new functions beyond T cell exhaustion in this review. As more and more immune receptors are found to be expressed on TAMs, the corresponding therapies may also stimulate macrophages for phagocytosis and thereby provide extra anti-tumor benefits in cancer therapy. Therefore, identification of biomarkers and combinatorial therapeutic strategies, have the potential to improve the efficacy and safety profiles of current immunotherapies.
Antigens, Surface ; metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Phagocytosis ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Microenvironment ; immunology

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory disorder characterized by the deposition of excess lipids in the arterial intima. The formation of macrophage-derived foam cells in a plaque is a hallmark of the development of atherosclerosis. Lipid homeostasis, especially cholesterol homeostasis, plays a crucial role during the formation of foam cells. Recently, lipid droplet-associated proteins, including PAT and CIDE family proteins, have been shown to control the development of atherosclerosis by regulating the formation, growth, stabilization and functions of lipid droplets in macrophage-derived foam cells. This review focuses on the potential mechanisms of formation of macrophage-derived foam cells in atherosclerosis with particular emphasis on the role of lipid homeostasis and lipid droplet-associated proteins. Understanding the process of foam cell formation will aid in the future discovery of novel therapeutic interventions for atherosclerosis.
Acyltransferases ; metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; physiology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Perilipin-2 ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ; metabolism ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of mangiferin combined with bortezomib on the proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and autophagy of human Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells, as well as the expression of CXC chemokine receptors (CXCRs) family, and explore the molecular mechanism between them to provide scientific basis for basic research and clinical work of Burkitt lymphoma. METHODS: Raji cells were intervened with different concentrations of mangiferin and bortezomib alone or in combination, then cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay, cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell chamber method, cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI double-staining flow cytometry, apoptosis, autophagy and Akt/mTOR pathway protein expression were detected by Western blot, and the expression changes of CXCR family was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: Different concentrations of mangiferin intervened Raji cells for different time could inhibit cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (r =-0.682, r =-0.836). When Raji cells were intervened by combination of mangiferin and bortezomib, compared with single drug group, the proliferation and invasion abilities were significantly decreased, while the apoptosis level was significantly increased (P <0.01). Mangiferin combined with bortezomib could significantly up-regulate the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 after intervention in Raji cells. Caspase-3 was also hydrolyzed and activated, and then induced the apoptosis of Raji cells. Mangiferin combined with bortezomib could up-regulate the expression of LC3Ⅱ protein in Raji cells, and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ in cells was significantly up-regulated compared with single drug or control group (P <0.01). Mangiferin combined with bortezomib could significantly inhibit the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR, inhibit the proliferation and invasion of Raji cells by inhibiting Akt/mTOR pathway, and induce cell autophagy and apoptosis. Mangiferin and bortezomib could down-regulate the expressions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 mRNA after single-agent intervention in Raji cells, and the down-regulations of CXCR4 and CXCR7 mRNA expression were more significant when the two drugs were combined (P <0.01). Mangiferin alone or combined with bortezomib had no significant effect on CXCR5 mRNA expression in Raji cells (P >0.05), while the combination of the two drugs could down-regulate the expression of CXCR3 (P <0.05). CONCLUSION Mangiferin combined with bortezomib can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and invasion of Raji cells, and induce autophagy and apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and the inhibition of the expression of CXCR family.
Humans ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/immunology* ; Autophagy/immunology* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/immunology* ; Bortezomib/therapeutic use* ; Burkitt Lymphoma/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; Receptors, CXCR/immunology* ; RNA, Messenger ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Xanthones/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of anti-death receptor 5-10 (AD5-10) combined with epirubicin in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSWe detected the cell viability of the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients with MTT. The expression level of apoptosis signaling pathways protein, p53, and p21 were evaluated with Western blot.

RESULTSWe found that epirubicin, at different doses, could enhance the effect of AD5-10 on FLS, promoting the apoptosis of FLS. The expression levels of caspase-3, -8, -9, c-FLIP, Bcl-2, p53, and p21 in the FLS changed after epirubicin treatment.

CONCLUSIONEpirubicin may coordinate with AD5-10 in inducing FLS apoptosis through affecting the levels of p53, p21, c-FLIP, and Bcl-2.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epirubicin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

Puma (P53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) is a BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only BCL-1 family member and a critical mediator of P53-dependent and -independent apoptosis. Puma plays an essential role in the apoptosis of hematopoietic stem cells exposed to irradiation without an increased risk of malignancies. This study was purposed to develop an effective lentiviral vector to target Puma in human hematopoietic cells and to investigate the effect of Puma gene knockdown on the biological function of human cord blood CD34(+) cells. SF-LV-shPuma-EGFP and control vectors were constructed, and packaged with the pSPAX2/pMD2.G packaging plasmids via 293T cells to produce pseudo-type lentiviruses. SF-LV-shPuma-EGFP or control lentiviruses were harvested within 72 hours after transfection and then were used to transduce human cord blood CD34(+) cells. GFP(+) transduced cells were sorted by flow cytometry (FCM) for subsequent studies. Semi-quantitative real time RT PCR, Western blot, FCM with Annexin V-PE/7-AAD double staining, Ki67 staining, colony forming cell assay (CFC), CCK-8 assay and BrdU incorporation were performed to determine the expression of Puma and its effect on the cord blood CD34(+) cells. The results showed that Puma was significantly knocked down in cord blood CD34(+) cells and the low expression of Puma conferred a radio-protective effect on the cord blood CD34(+) cells. This effect was achieved through reduced apoptosis and sustained quiescence after irradiation due to Puma knockdown. It is concluded that knockdown of puma gene in CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells of human cord blood possesses the radioprotective effect, maintains the cells in silence targeting Puma in human hematopoietic cells may have a similar effect with that on mouse hematopoietic cells as previously shown, and our lentiviral targeting system for Puma provides a valuable tool for future translational studies with human cells.
Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Gamma Rays ; Genetic Vectors ; HEK293 Cells ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics

Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins are important effectors of innate immunity against viral infections. Here we identified TRIM35 as a regulator of TRAF3 activation. Deficiency in or inhibition of TRIM35 suppressed the production of type I interferon (IFN) in response to viral infection. Trim35-deficient mice were more susceptible to influenza A virus (IAV) infection than were wild-type mice. TRIM35 promoted the RIG-I-mediated signaling by catalyzing Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF3 and the subsequent formation of a signaling complex with VISA and TBK1. IAV PB2 polymerase countered the innate antiviral immune response by impeding the Lys63-linked polyubiquitination and activation of TRAF3. TRIM35 mediated Lys48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of IAV PB2, thereby antagonizing its suppression of TRAF3 activation. Our in vitro and in vivo findings thus reveal novel roles of TRIM35, through catalyzing Lys63- or Lys48-linked polyubiquitination, in RIG-I antiviral immunity and mechanism of defense against IAV infection.
A549 Cells ; Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/immunology* ; DEAD Box Protein 58/immunology* ; Dogs ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology* ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/pathology* ; Proteolysis ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Signal Transduction/immunology* ; THP-1 Cells ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3/immunology* ; Ubiquitination/immunology* ; Viral Proteins/immunology*

OBJECTIVESProgrammed death-1 (PD-1) up-regulation impairs virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses during chronic viral infection. Whether PD-1 expression influences the virus-specific CD8+ T cells in humans with acute viral infection remains largely undefined. This study aims to characterize the PD-1 expression during acute hepatitis B (AHB), and further addresses the association between the PD-1 dynamics and memory T-cell formation during acute HBV infection.

METHODSPeripheral HBV-specific CD8+ T cells from 11 HLA-A2-positive AHB patients were longitudinally quantitatively analyzed, and PD-1, memory markers CCR7, CD45RA and CD127 and activation marker CD38 on HBV-specific CD8+ T cells were measured using flow cytometric assay. Serum ALT, HBsAg, HBsAb and HBV-DNA levels were evaluated for each subject.

RESULTSAll 11 AHB patients examined had multiple pentamer-positive CD8+ T-cell responses in their early phase of HBV infection. Specifically, their PD-1 on pentamer-positive CD8+ T-cells was significantly up-regulated at the onset of their disease. Following their disease resolution, the dynamic decrease in PD-1 expression was found to correlate with the phenotypic development of memory CD8+ T cells, indicated by the increases in CCR7, CD45RA and CD127 and decrease in CD38.

CONCLUSIONPD-1-mediated negative signaling may be closely associated with memory T-cell formation during acute self-limited hepatitis B.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunologic Memory ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Autophagy plays important roles in modulating viral replication and antiviral immune response. Coronavirus infection is associated with the autophagic process, however, little is known about the mechanisms of autophagy induction and its contribution to coronavirus regulation of host innate responses. Here, we show that the membrane-associated papain-like protease PLP2 (PLP2-TM) of coronaviruses acts as a novel autophagy-inducing protein. Intriguingly, PLP2-TM induces incomplete autophagy process by increasing the accumulation of autophagosomes but blocking the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Furthermore, PLP2-TM interacts with the key autophagy regulators, LC3 and Beclin1, and promotes Beclin1 interaction with STING, the key regulator for antiviral IFN signaling. Finally, knockdown of Beclin1 partially reverses PLP2-TM's inhibitory effect on innate immunity which resulting in decreased coronavirus replication. These results suggested that coronavirus papain-like protease induces incomplete autophagy by interacting with Beclin1, which in turn modulates coronavirus replication and antiviral innate immunity.
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology ; Autophagy ; Beclin-1 ; Coronavirus NL63, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HEK293 Cells ; HeLa Cells ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Evasion ; Immunity, Innate ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; immunology ; Lysosomes ; metabolism ; virology ; MCF-7 Cells ; Membrane Fusion ; Membrane Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; immunology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Papain ; genetics ; immunology ; Phagosomes ; metabolism ; virology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Virus Replication