Neuregulin Effect on Quantal Content Dissociated From Effect on Miniature Endplate Potential Amplitude

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 671-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Anne Mann ◽  
Saumya Das ◽  
Jinghua Zhang ◽  
Meredith Wagner ◽  
Gerald D. Fischbach

Members of the neuregulin family of signaling proteins increase transcription of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunit genes in muscle fibers and the number of AChRs in the muscle membrane. In adult mice heterozygous for targeted deletion of type I neuregulins (Ig-NRG+/−), postsynaptic AChR density was decreased and transmitter release was increased. We examined the relationship between functional AChR density and ACh release in postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, and adult NRG-deficient mice. Here we report that changes in postsynaptic sensitivity and transmitter release are not temporally coupled during postnatal development in Ig-NRG–deficient mice. Although miniature endplate potential (MEPP) amplitude was decreased compared with control in P7 Ig-NRG+/− mice, quantum content was not increased. Quantum content was increased in adult heterozygotes despite normal MEPP amplitudes. Thus, during postnatal maturation, both quantal size and quantum content were influenced by decreased Ig-NRG expression, although the effects were dissociated in time.

Author(s):  
F.T. Llados ◽  
V. Krlho ◽  
G.D. Pappas

It Is known that Ca++ enters the muscle fiber at the junctional area during the action of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh). Pappas and Rose demonstrated that following Intense stimulation, calcium deposits are found In the postsynaptic muscle membrane, Indicating the existence of calcium uptake In the postsynaptic area following ACh release. In addition to this calcium uptake, when mammal Ian skeletal muscles are exposed to a sustained action of the neurotransmitter, muscle damage develops. These same effects, l.e., Increased transmitter release, calcium uptake and finally muscle damage, can be obtained by Incubating the muscle with lonophore A23178.


2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (7) ◽  
pp. 1795-1803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himanshu Kumar ◽  
Taro Kawai ◽  
Hiroki Kato ◽  
Shintaro Sato ◽  
Ken Takahashi ◽  
...  

IFN-β promoter stimulator (IPS)-1 was recently identified as an adapter for retinoic acid–inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (Mda5), which recognize distinct RNA viruses. Here we show the critical role of IPS-1 in antiviral responses in vivo. IPS-1–deficient mice showed severe defects in both RIG-I– and Mda5-mediated induction of type I interferon and inflammatory cytokines and were susceptible to RNA virus infection. RNA virus–induced interferon regulatory factor-3 and nuclear factor κB activation was also impaired in IPS-1–deficient cells. IPS-1, however, was not essential for the responses to either DNA virus or double-stranded B-DNA. Thus, IPS-1 is the sole adapter in both RIG-I and Mda5 signaling that mediates effective responses against a variety of RNA viruses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e002054
Author(s):  
Francisco J Cueto ◽  
Carlos del Fresno ◽  
Paola Brandi ◽  
Alexis J. Combes ◽  
Elena Hernández-García ◽  
...  

BackgroundConventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are central to antitumor immunity and their presence in the tumor microenvironment associates with improved outcomes in patients with cancer. DNGR-1 (CLEC9A) is a dead cell-sensing receptor highly restricted to cDC1s. DNGR-1 has been involved in both cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens and processes of disease tolerance, but its role in antitumor immunity has not been clarified yet.MethodsB16 and MC38 tumor cell lines were inoculated subcutaneously into wild-type (WT) and DNGR-1-deficient mice. To overexpress Flt3L systemically, we performed gene therapy through the hydrodynamic injection of an Flt3L-encoding plasmid. To characterize the immune response, we performed flow cytometry and RNA-Seq of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s.ResultsHere, we found that cross-presentation of tumor antigens in the steady state was DNGR-1-independent. However, on Flt3L systemic overexpression, tumor growth was delayed in DNGR-1-deficient mice compared with WT mice. Of note, this protection was recapitulated by anti-DNGR-1-blocking antibodies in mice following Flt3L gene therapy. This improved antitumor immunity was associated with Batf3-dependent enhanced accumulation of CD8+ T cells and cDC1s within tumors. Mechanistically, the deficiency in DNGR-1 boosted an Flt3L-induced specific inflammatory gene signature in cDC1s, including Ccl5 expression. Indeed, the increased infiltration of cDC1s within tumors and their protective effect rely on CCL5/CCR5 chemoattraction. Moreover, FLT3LG and CCL5 or CCR5 gene expression signatures correlate with an enhanced cDC1 signature and a favorable overall survival in patients with cancer. Notably, cyclophosphamide elevated serum Flt3L levels and, in combination with the absence of DNGR-1, synergized against tumor growth.ConclusionDNGR-1 limits the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s promoted by Flt3L. Thus, DNGR-1 blockade may improve antitumor immunity in tumor therapy settings associated to high Flt3L expression.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Oakes ◽  
Susan Hamilton

FK506 Binding Proteins (FKBPs) are a family of cis-trans prolyl isomerases that bind rapamycin and FK506. FKBP12 and 12.6 interact with ryanodine receptors (RyR), homotetrameric transmembrane ion channels that regulate Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). FKBP12 interacts with RyR1 in skeletal muscle and FKBP12.6 interacts with RyR2 in cardiac muscle to regulate the Ca2+ leak properties of these channels. Recently it has been suggested that FKBP12 also plays a role in regulating RyR2 activity. Using mice with a cardiac specific deficiency in FKBP12, we analyzed the role of FKBP12 in cardiac function. We found that both male and female mice with a α-MyHC Cre/Lox mediated deficiency in FKBP12 in the heart (FKBP12 KD) developed a mild dilated cardiomyopathy, with enlarged left ventricular diameter both during systole and diastole, decreased ejection fraction and decreased fractional shortening. To elucidate the mechanism for these effects we assessed Ca2+ sparks in isolated cardiomyocytes. We found an increase in both Ca2+ spark frequency and spark amplitude in FKBP12 cardiac deficient mice without a change in spark duration. Despite a mild phenotype in adult mice, we found that approximately 25% of all pregnancies (26/106) in the FKBP12 deficient mice resulted in the mothers dying following the birth. Autopsies show that these cardiac specific FKBP12 deficient mice had increased heart weight and significantly dilated ventricles compared to female Cre mice. Our data suggest that a cardiac specific deficiency in FKBP12 leads to the development of pregnancy induced cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography on FKBP12 deficient mice one day after giving birth found that there was no significant difference in ejection fraction or fractional shortening compared to α-MyHC Cre control mice. FKBP12 deficient females, however, had larger hearts and 50% (2/4) displayed heart failure and died. In conclusion, we show that FKBP12 does indeed alter Ca2+ handling in the heart and that a loss of FKBP12 leads to the development of pregnancy induced cardiomyopathies in females.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (6) ◽  
pp. R1545-R1554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fushun Yu ◽  
Sten Göthe ◽  
Lilian Wikström ◽  
Douglas Forrest ◽  
Björn Vennström ◽  
...  

Skeletal muscle is known to be a target for the active metabolite of thyroid hormone, i.e., 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3). T3 acts by repressing or activating genes coding for different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms via T3 receptors (TRs). The diverse function of T3 is presumed to be mediated by TR-α1 and TR-β, but the function of specific TRs in regulating MHC isoform expression has remained undefined. In this study, TR-deficient mice were used to expand our knowledge of the mechanisms by which T3 regulates the expression of specific MHC isoforms via distinct TRs. In fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, TR-α1-, TR-β-, or TR-α1β-deficient mice showed a small but statistically significant decrease ( P < 0.05) of type IIB MHC content and an increased number of type I fibers. In the slow-twitch soleus, the β/slow MHC (type I) isoform was significantly ( P < 0.001) upregulated in the TR-deficient mice, but this effect was highly dependent on the type of receptor deleted. The lack of TR-β had no significant effect on the expression of MHC isoforms. An increase ( P < 0.05) of type I MHC was observed in the TR-α1-deficient muscle. A dramatic overexpression ( P < 0.001) of the slow type I MHC and a corresponding downregulation of the fast type IIA MHC ( P < 0.001) was observed in TR-α1β-deficient mice. The muscle- and fiber-specific differences in MHC isoform expression in the TR-α1β-deficient mice resembled the MHC isoform transitions reported in hypothyroid animals, i.e., a mild MHC transition in the EDL, a dramatic but not complete upregulation of the β/slow MHC isoform in the soleus, and a variable response to TR deficiency in different soleus muscle fibers. Thus the consequences on muscle are similar in the absence of thyroid hormone or absence of thyroid hormone receptors, indicating that TR-α1 and TR-β together mediate the known actions of T3. However, it remains unknown how thyroid hormone exerts muscle- and muscle fiber-specific effects in its action. Finally, although developmental MHC transitions were not studied specifically in this study, the absence of embryonic and fetal MHC isoforms in the TR-deficient mice indicates that ultimately the transition to the adult MHC isoforms is not solely mediated by TRs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Huber ◽  
Tamara Suprunenko ◽  
Thomas Ashhurst ◽  
Felix Marbach ◽  
Hartmann Raifer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Effective CD8+ T cell responses play an important role in determining the course of a viral infection. Overwhelming antigen exposure can result in suboptimal CD8+ T cell responses, leading to chronic infection. This altered CD8+ T cell differentiation state, termed exhaustion, is characterized by reduced effector function, upregulation of inhibitory receptors, and altered expression of transcription factors. Prevention of overwhelming antigen exposure to limit CD8+ T cell exhaustion is of significant interest for the control of chronic infection. The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) is a component of type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling downstream of the IFN-I receptor (IFNAR). Using acute infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain Armstrong, we show here that IRF9 limited early LCMV replication by regulating expression of interferon-stimulated genes and IFN-I and by controlling levels of IRF7, a transcription factor essential for IFN-I production. Infection of IRF9- or IFNAR-deficient mice led to a loss of early restriction of viral replication and impaired antiviral responses in dendritic cells, resulting in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and chronic infection. Differences in the antiviral activities of IRF9- and IFNAR-deficient mice and dendritic cells provided further evidence of IRF9-independent IFN-I signaling. Thus, our findings illustrate a CD8+ T cell-extrinsic function for IRF9, as a signaling factor downstream of IFNAR, in preventing overwhelming antigen exposure resulting in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and, ultimately, chronic infection. IMPORTANCE During early viral infection, overwhelming antigen exposure can cause functional exhaustion of CD8+ T cells and lead to chronic infection. Here we show that the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) plays a decisive role in preventing CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Using acute infection of mice with LCMV strain Armstrong, we found that IRF9 limited early LCMV replication by regulating expression of interferon-stimulated genes and Irf7, encoding a transcription factor crucial for type I interferon (IFN-I) production, as well as by controlling the levels of IFN-I. Infection of IRF9-deficient mice led to a chronic infection that was accompanied by CD8+ T cell exhaustion due to defects extrinsic to T cells. Our findings illustrate an essential role for IRF9, as a mediator downstream of IFNAR, in preventing overwhelming antigen exposure causing CD8+ T cell exhaustion and leading to chronic viral infection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (6) ◽  
pp. L1016-L1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siân Lax ◽  
Julie Rayes ◽  
Surasak Wichaiyo ◽  
Elizabeth J. Haining ◽  
Kate Lowe ◽  
...  

There is no therapeutic intervention proven to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Novel mechanistic insights into the pathophysiology of ARDS are therefore required. Platelets are implicated in regulating many of the pathogenic processes that occur during ARDS; however, the mechanisms remain elusive. The platelet receptor CLEC-2 has been shown to regulate vascular integrity at sites of acute inflammation. Therefore the purpose of this study was to establish the role of CLEC-2 and its ligand podoplanin in a mouse model of ARDS. Platelet-specific CLEC-2-deficient, as well as alveolar epithelial type I cell (AECI)-specific or hematopoietic-specific podoplanin deficient, mice were established using cre-loxP strategies. Combining these with intratracheal (IT) instillations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we demonstrate that arterial oxygen saturation decline in response to IT-LPS in platelet-specific CLEC-2-deficient mice is significantly augmented. An increase in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophils and protein was also observed 48 h post-IT-LPS, with significant increases in pro-inflammatory chemokines detected in BAL of platelet-specific CLEC-2-deficient animals. Deletion of podoplanin from hematopoietic cells but not AECIs also reduces lung function and increases pro-inflammatory chemokine expression following IT-LPS. Furthermore, we demonstrate that following IT-LPS, platelets are present in BAL in aggregates with neutrophils, which allows for CLEC-2 interaction with podoplanin expressed on BAL inflammatory alveolar macrophages. Taken together, these data suggest that the platelet CLEC-2-podoplanin signaling axis regulates the severity of lung inflammation in mice and is a possible novel target for therapeutic intervention in patients at risk of developing ARDS.


1981 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Zengel ◽  
K L Magleby

Miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) were recorded from frog sartorious neuromuscular junctions under conditions of reduced quantal contents to study the effect of repetitive nerve stimulation on asynchronous (tonic) quantal transmitter release. MEPP frequency increased during repetitive stimulation and then decayed back to the control level after the conditioning trains. The decay of the increased MEPP frequency after 100-to 200-impulse conditioning trains can be described by four components that decayed exponentially with time constants of about 50 ms, 500 ms, 7 s, and 80 s. These time constants are similar to those for the decay of stimulation-induced changes in synchronous (phasic) transmitter release, as measured by endplate potential (EPP) amplitudes, corresponding, respectively, to the first and second components of facilitation, augmentation, and potentiation. The addition of small amounts of Ca2+ or Ba2+ to the Ca2+-containing bathing solution, or the replacement of Ca2+ with Sr2+, led to a greater increase in the stimulation-induced increases in MEPP frequency. The Sr-induced increase in MEPP frequency was associated with an increase in the second component of facilitation of MEPP frequency; the Ba-induced increase with an increase in augmentation. These effects of Sr2+ and Ba2+ on stimulation-induced changes in MEPP frequency are similar to the effects of these ions on stimulation-induced changes in EPP amplitude. These ionic similarities and the similar kinetics of decay suggest that stimulation induced changes in MEPP frequency and EPP amplitude have some similar underlying mechanisms. Calculations are presented which show that a fourth power residual calcium model for stimulation-induced changes in transmitter release cannot readily account for the observation that stimulation-induced changes in MEPP frequency and EPP amplitude have similar time-courses.


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