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Full-Text Articles in Cell and Developmental Biology

Constitutive Interferon Signaling Maintains Critical Threshold Of Mlkl Expression To License Necroptosis, Joseph Sarhan, Beiyun C. Liu, Hayley I. Muendlein, Chi G. Weindel, Irina Smirnova, Amy Y. Tang, Vladimir Ilyukha, Maxim Sorokin, Anton Buzdin, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Alexander Poltorak Mar 2019

Constitutive Interferon Signaling Maintains Critical Threshold Of Mlkl Expression To License Necroptosis, Joseph Sarhan, Beiyun C. Liu, Hayley I. Muendlein, Chi G. Weindel, Irina Smirnova, Amy Y. Tang, Vladimir Ilyukha, Maxim Sorokin, Anton Buzdin, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Alexander Poltorak

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

Interferons (IFNs) are critical determinants in immune-competence and autoimmunity, and are endogenously regulated by a low-level constitutive feedback loop. However, little is known about the functions and origins of constitutive IFN. Recently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IFN was implicated as a driver of necroptosis, a necrotic form of cell death downstream of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) kinase activation and executed by mixed lineage kinase like-domain (MLKL) protein. We found that the pre-established IFN status of the cell, instead of LPS-induced IFN, is critical for the early initiation of necroptosis in macrophages. This pre-established IFN signature stems from cytosolic DNA sensing via cGAS/STING, and …


Central Role Of Il-23 And Il-17 Producing Eosinophils As Immunomodulatory Effector Cells In Acute Pulmonary Aspergillosis And Allergic Asthma, Evelyn V. Santos Guerra, Chrono K. Lee, Charles A. Specht, Bhawna Yadav, Haibin Huang, Ali Akalin, Jun R. Huh, Christian Mueller, Stuart M. Levitz May 2017

Central Role Of Il-23 And Il-17 Producing Eosinophils As Immunomodulatory Effector Cells In Acute Pulmonary Aspergillosis And Allergic Asthma, Evelyn V. Santos Guerra, Chrono K. Lee, Charles A. Specht, Bhawna Yadav, Haibin Huang, Ali Akalin, Jun R. Huh, Christian Mueller, Stuart M. Levitz

Christian Mueller

Aspergillus fumigatus causes invasive pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts and allergic asthma in atopic individuals. We studied the contribution of lung eosinophils to these fungal diseases. By in vivo intracellular cytokine staining and confocal microscopy, we observed that eosinophils act as local sources of IL-23 and IL-17. Remarkably, mice lacking eosinophils had a >95% reduction in the percentage of lung IL-23p19+ cells as well as markedly reduced IL-23 heterodimer in lung lavage fluid. Eosinophils killed A. fumigatus conidia in vivo. Eosinopenic mice had higher mortality rates, decreased recruitment of inflammatory monocytes, and decreased expansion of lung macrophages after challenge with …


Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Monocyte Differentiation Into Polarized M2 Macrophages Promotes Stellate Cell Activation Via Tgf-Beta, Banishree Saha, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo May 2017

Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Monocyte Differentiation Into Polarized M2 Macrophages Promotes Stellate Cell Activation Via Tgf-Beta, Banishree Saha, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

BACKGROUND and AIMS: Monocyte and macrophage (MPhi) activation contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Disease pathogenesis is regulated by both liver-resident MPhis and monocytes recruited as precursors of MPhis into the damaged liver. Monocytes differentiate into M1 (classic/proinflammatory) or M2 (alternative/anti-inflammatory) polarized MPhis in response to tissue microenvironment. We hypothesized that HCV-infected hepatoma cells (infected with Japanese fulminant hepatitis-1 [Huh7.5/JFH-1]) induce monocyte differentiation into polarized MPhis. METHODS: Healthy human monocytes were co-cultured with Huh7.5/JFH-1 cells or cell-free virus for 7 days and analyzed for MPhi markers and cytokine levels. A similar analysis was performed on …


Caenorhabditis Elegans Micrornas Of The Let-7 Family Act In Innate Immune Response Circuits And Confer Robust Developmental Timing Against Pathogen Stress, Zhiji Ren, Victor R. Ambros Oct 2015

Caenorhabditis Elegans Micrornas Of The Let-7 Family Act In Innate Immune Response Circuits And Confer Robust Developmental Timing Against Pathogen Stress, Zhiji Ren, Victor R. Ambros

Victor R. Ambros

Animals maintain their developmental robustness against natural stresses through numerous regulatory mechanisms, including the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs). Caenorhabditis elegans miRNAs of the let-7 family (let-7-Fam) function semiredundantly to confer robust stage specificity of cell fates in the hypodermal seam cell lineages. Here, we show reciprocal regulatory interactions between let-7-Fam miRNAs and the innate immune response pathway in C. elegans. Upon infection of C. elegans larvae with the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the developmental timing defects of certain let-7-Fam miRNA mutants are enhanced. This enhancement is mediated by the p38 MAPK innate immune pathway acting …


Investigation Of Murine Spleen As A Niche For Hematopoiesis., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Investigation Of Murine Spleen As A Niche For Hematopoiesis., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

Background Spleen as a lymphoid tissue is specialized for monitoring blood and mounting immunity against blood-borne antigens. Antigen-presenting cells present in spleen commonly develop from bone marrow-derived precursors that enter blood circulation. However, a distinct splenic myeloid antigen-presenting cell subset described in this laboratory, namely “dendritic-like cells” (L-DC), has been hypothesized not to share a bone marrow origin. Methods In this study, the presence of endogenous hematopoietic progenitors in spleen was investigated by transplanting intact spleen into allotype-distinct recipients and monitoring development of progeny cells in grafted tissues. Results Successful engraftment of donor spleens was achieved for up to 4 …


Delineation Of Precursors In Murine Spleen That Develop In Contact With Splenic Endothelium To Give Novel Dendritic-Like Cells., Jonathan Tan, Pravin Periasamy, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Delineation Of Precursors In Murine Spleen That Develop In Contact With Splenic Endothelium To Give Novel Dendritic-Like Cells., Jonathan Tan, Pravin Periasamy, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

Hematopoietic cell lineages are best described in terms of distinct progenitors with limited differentiative capacity. To distinguish cell lineages, it is necessary to define progenitors and induce their differentiation in vitro. We previously reported in vitro development of immature dendritic-like cells (DCs) in long-term cultures (LTCs) of murine spleen, and in cocultures of spleen or bone marrow (BM) over splenic endothelial cell lines derived from LTCs. Cells produced are phenotypically distinct CD11b(hi)CD11c(lo)CD8(-)MHC-II(-) cells, tentatively named L-DCs. Here we delineate L-DC progenitors as different from known DC progenitors in BM and DC precursors in spleen. The progenitor is contained within the …


Haematopoietic Stem Cells In Spleen Have Distinct Differentiative Potential For Antigen Presenting Cells., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Haematopoietic Stem Cells In Spleen Have Distinct Differentiative Potential For Antigen Presenting Cells., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

Dendritic cells (DC) are known to develop from macrophage dendritic progenitors (MDP) in bone marrow (BM), which give rise to conventional (c)DC and monocytes, both dominant antigen presenting cell (APC) subsets in spleen. This laboratory has however defined a distinct dendritic-like cell subset in spleen (L-DC), which can also be derived in long-term cultures of spleen. In line with the restricted in vitro development of only L-DC in these stromal cultures, we questioned whether self-renewing HSC or progenitors exist in spleen with restricted differentiative capacity for only L-DC. Neonatal spleen and BM were compared for their ability to reconstitute mice …


Gene Signature Of Stromal Cells Which Support Dendritic Cell Development., Geneviève Despars, Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Janice Abbey, Terence O'Neill, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Gene Signature Of Stromal Cells Which Support Dendritic Cell Development., Geneviève Despars, Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Janice Abbey, Terence O'Neill, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

Spleen stromal cells are critical determinants of dendritic cell (DC) development in spleen. The spleen stromal line, namely STX3, supports DC differentiation in vitro from overlaid bone marrow cells while the lymph node stromal line, namely 2RL22, does not. Here we have characterised the hematopoietic support capacity of each stroma, and analyzed lineage origin of the stromal cell lines by gene profiling using microarrays. Stromal co-culture experiments were performed using bone marrow cells as a source of hematopoietic progenitors. A characteristic immature myeloid-like CD11c+CD11b+CD86+MHC-II−/loB220−CD8α− DC is produced after 14 days in STX3 cocultures, while 2RL22 cocultures produce only monocyte/macrophage-like cells. …


Splenic Stromal Niches Support Hematopoiesis Of Dendritic-Like Cells From Precursors In Bone Marrow And Spleen., Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Splenic Stromal Niches Support Hematopoiesis Of Dendritic-Like Cells From Precursors In Bone Marrow And Spleen., Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

Objective The aims of this study are to test the ability of stromal cells from murine spleen to support hematopoiesis, to define the tissue source of precursors that seed these hematopoietic niches, and to determine the type of cells produced. Materials and Methods Cloned isolates of murine spleen stroma have been developed that support hematopoiesis. Analysis has been investigated in terms of tissue source of progenitors. Type and number of cells produced were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Hematopoietic precursors that seed cocultures exist in spleen and bone marrow (BM), but not thymus. Cell production is highest if overlay cells …


Concise Review: Dendritic Cell Development In The Context Of The Spleen Microenvironment, Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Sep 2015

Concise Review: Dendritic Cell Development In The Context Of The Spleen Microenvironment, Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Jonathan Tan

The dendritic cell (DC) population in spleen comprises a mixture of cells including endogenous DC progenitors, DC precursors migrating in from blood and bone marrow, and DC in different states of differentiation and activation. A role for different microenvironments in supporting the dynamic development of murine DC of different types or lineages is considered here. Recent evidence for production of DC dependent on splenic stromal cells is reviewed in the light of evidence that cell production is dependent on cells comprising an endothelial niche in spleen. The possibility that self-renewing progenitors in spleen give rise to DC with tolerogenic or …


A Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Dna-Binding Protein For A Class Ii Gene In B Cells Is Distinct From Nf-Kappa B, Ellen M. Gravallese, Mark R. Boothby, Cynthia M. Smas, Laurie H. Glimcher Apr 2015

A Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Dna-Binding Protein For A Class Ii Gene In B Cells Is Distinct From Nf-Kappa B, Ellen M. Gravallese, Mark R. Boothby, Cynthia M. Smas, Laurie H. Glimcher

Ellen M. Gravallese

Class II (Ia) major histocompatibility complex molecules are cell surface proteins normally expressed by a limited subset of cells of the immune system. These molecules regulate the activation of T cells and are required for the presentation of antigens and the initiation of immune responses. The expression of Ia in B cells is determined by both the developmental stage of the B cell and by certain external stimuli. It has been demonstrated previously that treatment of B cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in increased surface expression of Ia protein. However, we have confirmed that LPS treatment results in a significant …


Development And Evaluation Of A Replicon Particle Vaccine Expressing The E2 Glycoprotein Of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (Bvdv) In Cattle, John Dustin Loy, Jill Gander, Mark Mogler, Ryan Vander Veen, Julia Ridpath, Delbert Hank Harris, Kurt Kamrud Oct 2014

Development And Evaluation Of A Replicon Particle Vaccine Expressing The E2 Glycoprotein Of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (Bvdv) In Cattle, John Dustin Loy, Jill Gander, Mark Mogler, Ryan Vander Veen, Julia Ridpath, Delbert Hank Harris, Kurt Kamrud

John Loy

Background: Bovine viral diarrhea virus is one of the most significant and costly viral pathogens of cattle worldwide. Alphavirus-derived replicon particles have been shown to be safe and highly effective vaccine vectors against a variety of human and veterinary pathogens. Replicon particles are non-propagating, DIVA compatible, and can induce both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. This is the first experiment to demonstrate that Alphavirus-based replicon particles can be utilized in a standard prime/boost vaccination strategy in calves against a commercially significant bovine pathogen. Findings: Replicon particles that express bovine viral diarrhea virus sub-genotype 1b E2 glycoprotein were generated and …


Sting-Irf3 Pathway Links Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress With Hepatocyte Apoptosis In Early Alcoholic Liver Disease, Jan Petrasek, Arvin Iracheta-Vellve, Timea Csak, Abhishek Satishchandran, Karen Kodys, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Gyongyi Szabo Sep 2014

Sting-Irf3 Pathway Links Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress With Hepatocyte Apoptosis In Early Alcoholic Liver Disease, Jan Petrasek, Arvin Iracheta-Vellve, Timea Csak, Abhishek Satishchandran, Karen Kodys, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Gyongyi Szabo

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

Emerging evidence suggests that innate immunity drives alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and that the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3),a transcription factor regulating innate immune responses, is indispensable for the development of ALD. Here we report that IRF3 mediates ALD via linking endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with apoptotic signaling in hepatocytes. We found that ethanol induced ER stress and triggered the association of IRF3 with the ER adaptor, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), as well as subsequent phosphorylation of IRF3. Activated IRF3 associated with the proapoptotic molecule Bax [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)-associated X protein] and contributed to hepatocyte apoptosis. Deficiency of …


Another Armed Cd4(+) T Cell Ready To Battle Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Roniel Cabrera, Gyongyi Szabo Sep 2014

Another Armed Cd4(+) T Cell Ready To Battle Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Roniel Cabrera, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

No abstract provided.


Exosome-Mediated Delivery Of Functionally Active Mirna-155 Inhibitor To Macrophages, Fatemeh Momen-Heravi, Shashi Bala, Terence Bukong, Gyongyi Szabo Sep 2014

Exosome-Mediated Delivery Of Functionally Active Mirna-155 Inhibitor To Macrophages, Fatemeh Momen-Heravi, Shashi Bala, Terence Bukong, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

Exosomes, membranous nanovesicles, naturally carry bio-macromolecules and play pivotal roles in both physiological intercellular crosstalk and disease pathogenesis. Here, we showed that B cell-derived exosomes can function as vehicles to deliver exogenous miRNA-155 mimic or inhibitor into hepatocytes or macrophages, respectively. Stimulation of B cells significantly increased exosome production. Unlike in parental cells, baseline level of miRNA-155 was very low in exosomes derived from stimulated B cells. Exosomes loaded with a miRNA-155 mimic significantly increased miRNA-155 levels in primary mouse hepatocytes and the liver of miRNA-155 knockout mice. Treatment of RAW macrophages with miRNA-155 inhibitor loaded exosomes resulted in statistically …


Sting-Irf3 Pathway Links Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress With Hepatocyte Apoptosis In Early Alcoholic Liver Disease, Jan Petrasek, Arvin Iracheta-Vellve, Timea Csak, Abhishek Satishchandran, Karen Kodys, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Gyongyi Szabo Sep 2014

Sting-Irf3 Pathway Links Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress With Hepatocyte Apoptosis In Early Alcoholic Liver Disease, Jan Petrasek, Arvin Iracheta-Vellve, Timea Csak, Abhishek Satishchandran, Karen Kodys, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

Emerging evidence suggests that innate immunity drives alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and that the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3),a transcription factor regulating innate immune responses, is indispensable for the development of ALD. Here we report that IRF3 mediates ALD via linking endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with apoptotic signaling in hepatocytes. We found that ethanol induced ER stress and triggered the association of IRF3 with the ER adaptor, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), as well as subsequent phosphorylation of IRF3. Activated IRF3 associated with the proapoptotic molecule Bax [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)-associated X protein] and contributed to hepatocyte apoptosis. Deficiency of …


Introduction To Genome Browsers, Rolando Garcia-Milian Dec 2013

Introduction To Genome Browsers, Rolando Garcia-Milian

Rolando Garcia-Milian

In this workshop we will learn how to navigate the genome browsers from NCBI's Genome Workbench, UCSC Genome Browser, and Ensembl. These browsers are valuable tools when identifying, localizing genes, and looking at their information in the genomic context. By using concrete examples, it will be shown how to locate a human gene, download a gene sequence and its upstream sequence, locate Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and conserved regions, and use the browsers to download results in a batch.


Welcome To The Journal Of Evolution And Health, Aaron Blaisdell, Paul Jaminet, David C. Pendergrass Oct 2013

Welcome To The Journal Of Evolution And Health, Aaron Blaisdell, Paul Jaminet, David C. Pendergrass

Aaron P Blaisdell

Welcome to the first issue of the Journal of Evolution and Health! The Journal of Evolution and Health is the peer-reviewed, open-access journal of the Ancestral Health Society, a community of scientists, healthcare professionals, and laypersons who collaborate to understand health challenges from an evolutionary perspective.


Stomatin-Like Protein 2 Deficiency In T Cells Is Associated With Altered Mitochondrial Respiration And Defective Cd4+ T Cell Responses., Darah A Christie, Panagiotis Mitsopoulos, Julianna Blagih, Stanley D Dunn, Julie St-Pierre, Russell G Jones, Grant M Hatch, Joaquín Madrenas Sep 2013

Stomatin-Like Protein 2 Deficiency In T Cells Is Associated With Altered Mitochondrial Respiration And Defective Cd4+ T Cell Responses., Darah A Christie, Panagiotis Mitsopoulos, Julianna Blagih, Stanley D Dunn, Julie St-Pierre, Russell G Jones, Grant M Hatch, Joaquín Madrenas

Stanley D Dunn

Stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2) is a mostly mitochondrial protein that regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function and modulates T cell activation. To determine the mechanism of action of SLP-2, we generated T cell-specific SLP-2-deficient mice. These mice had normal numbers of thymocytes and T cells in the periphery. However, conventional SLP-2-deficient T cells had a posttranscriptional defect in IL-2 production in response to TCR ligation, and this translated into reduced CD4(+) T cell responses. SLP-2 deficiency was associated with impaired cardiolipin compartmentalization in mitochondrial membranes, decreased levels of the NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) iron-sulfur protein 3, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1β subcomplex subunit …


7 Alpha-Hydroxy-Beta-Sitosterol From Chisocheton Tomentosus Induces Apoptosis Via Dysregulation Of Cellular Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio And Cell Cycle Arrest By Downregulating Erk1/2 Activation, Noor Hasima Nagoor Dec 2011

7 Alpha-Hydroxy-Beta-Sitosterol From Chisocheton Tomentosus Induces Apoptosis Via Dysregulation Of Cellular Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio And Cell Cycle Arrest By Downregulating Erk1/2 Activation, Noor Hasima Nagoor

Noor Hasima Nagoor

In continuation of our interest towards the elucidation of apoptotic pathways of cytotoxic phytocompounds, we have embarked upon a study on the anticancer effects of 7 alpha-hydroxy-beta-sitosterol (CT1), a rare natural phytosterol oxide isolated from Chisocheton tomentosus. CT1 was found to be cytotoxic on three different human tumor cell lines with minimal effects on normal cell controls, where cell viability levels were maintained >= 80% upon treatment. Our results showed that cell death in MCF-7 breast tumor cells was achieved through the induction of apoptosis via downregulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. CT1 was also found to increase proapoptotic Bax …


Nod2, Rip2 And Irf5 Play A Critical Role In The Type I Interferon Response To Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Amit K. Pandey, Yibin Yang, Zhaozhao Jiang, Sarah M. Fortune, Francois Coulombe, Marcel A. Behr, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Christopher M. Sassetti, Michelle A. Kelliher Jul 2011

Nod2, Rip2 And Irf5 Play A Critical Role In The Type I Interferon Response To Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Amit K. Pandey, Yibin Yang, Zhaozhao Jiang, Sarah M. Fortune, Francois Coulombe, Marcel A. Behr, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Christopher M. Sassetti, Michelle A. Kelliher

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

While the recognition of microbial infection often occurs at the cell surface via Toll-like receptors, the cytosol of the cell is also under surveillance for microbial products that breach the cell membrane. An important outcome of cytosolic recognition is the induction of IFNalpha and IFNbeta, which are critical mediators of immunity against both bacteria and viruses. Like many intracellular pathogens, a significant fraction of the transcriptional response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection depends on these type I interferons, but the recognition pathways responsible remain elusive. In this work, we demonstrate that intraphagosomal M. tuberculosis stimulates the cytosolic Nod2 pathway that responds …


Delineation Of Precursors In Murine Spleen That Develop In Contact With Splenic Endothelium To Give Novel Dendritic-Like Cells., Jonathan Tan, Pravin Periasamy, Helen O'Neill Dec 2009

Delineation Of Precursors In Murine Spleen That Develop In Contact With Splenic Endothelium To Give Novel Dendritic-Like Cells., Jonathan Tan, Pravin Periasamy, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Hematopoietic cell lineages are best described in terms of distinct progenitors with limited differentiative capacity. To distinguish cell lineages, it is necessary to define progenitors and induce their differentiation in vitro. We previously reported in vitro development of immature dendritic-like cells (DCs) in long-term cultures (LTCs) of murine spleen, and in cocultures of spleen or bone marrow (BM) over splenic endothelial cell lines derived from LTCs. Cells produced are phenotypically distinct CD11b(hi)CD11c(lo)CD8(-)MHC-II(-) cells, tentatively named L-DCs. Here we delineate L-DC progenitors as different from known DC progenitors in BM and DC precursors in spleen. The progenitor is contained within the …


Haematopoietic Stem Cells In Spleen Have Distinct Differentiative Potential For Antigen Presenting Cells., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Dec 2009

Haematopoietic Stem Cells In Spleen Have Distinct Differentiative Potential For Antigen Presenting Cells., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Dendritic cells (DC) are known to develop from macrophage dendritic progenitors (MDP) in bone marrow (BM), which give rise to conventional (c)DC and monocytes, both dominant antigen presenting cell (APC) subsets in spleen. This laboratory has however defined a distinct dendritic-like cell subset in spleen (L-DC), which can also be derived in long-term cultures of spleen. In line with the restricted in vitro development of only L-DC in these stromal cultures, we questioned whether self-renewing HSC or progenitors exist in spleen with restricted differentiative capacity for only L-DC. Neonatal spleen and BM were compared for their ability to reconstitute mice …


Investigation Of Murine Spleen As A Niche For Hematopoiesis., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Dec 2009

Investigation Of Murine Spleen As A Niche For Hematopoiesis., Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Background Spleen as a lymphoid tissue is specialized for monitoring blood and mounting immunity against blood-borne antigens. Antigen-presenting cells present in spleen commonly develop from bone marrow-derived precursors that enter blood circulation. However, a distinct splenic myeloid antigen-presenting cell subset described in this laboratory, namely “dendritic-like cells” (L-DC), has been hypothesized not to share a bone marrow origin. Methods In this study, the presence of endogenous hematopoietic progenitors in spleen was investigated by transplanting intact spleen into allotype-distinct recipients and monitoring development of progeny cells in grafted tissues. Results Successful engraftment of donor spleens was achieved for up to 4 …


Splenic Stromal Niches Support Hematopoiesis Of Dendritic-Like Cells From Precursors In Bone Marrow And Spleen., Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill Dec 2008

Splenic Stromal Niches Support Hematopoiesis Of Dendritic-Like Cells From Precursors In Bone Marrow And Spleen., Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Objective The aims of this study are to test the ability of stromal cells from murine spleen to support hematopoiesis, to define the tissue source of precursors that seed these hematopoietic niches, and to determine the type of cells produced. Materials and Methods Cloned isolates of murine spleen stroma have been developed that support hematopoiesis. Analysis has been investigated in terms of tissue source of progenitors. Type and number of cells produced were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Hematopoietic precursors that seed cocultures exist in spleen and bone marrow (BM), but not thymus. Cell production is highest if overlay cells …


Dendritic Cells As Immune Regulators: The Mouse Model, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill Dec 2007

Dendritic Cells As Immune Regulators: The Mouse Model, Kristin Griffiths, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Dendritic cells (DC) are central to the immune system because of their role in antigen presentation leading to either tolerance or immunity among cells of the adaptive immune response. It is becoming increasingly evident that DC show extensive plasticity in terms of their origin and function, giving rise to a number of subsets represented differentially in all lymphoid organs. This article considers the tolerogenic capacity of murine DC and draws a distinction between DC that induce tolerance in the immature state and immunity in an inflammatory context, and those that act as regulatory cells inducing immunosuppression in the presence of …


Gene Signature Of Stromal Cells Which Support Dendritic Cell Development., Geneviève Despars, Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Janice Abbey, Terence O'Neill, Helen O'Neill Dec 2007

Gene Signature Of Stromal Cells Which Support Dendritic Cell Development., Geneviève Despars, Pravin Periasamy, Jonathan Tan, Janice Abbey, Terence O'Neill, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Spleen stromal cells are critical determinants of dendritic cell (DC) development in spleen. The spleen stromal line, namely STX3, supports DC differentiation in vitro from overlaid bone marrow cells while the lymph node stromal line, namely 2RL22, does not. Here we have characterised the hematopoietic support capacity of each stroma, and analyzed lineage origin of the stromal cell lines by gene profiling using microarrays. Stromal co-culture experiments were performed using bone marrow cells as a source of hematopoietic progenitors. A characteristic immature myeloid-like CD11c+CD11b+CD86+MHC-II−/loB220−CD8α− DC is produced after 14 days in STX3 cocultures, while 2RL22 cocultures produce only monocyte/macrophage-like cells. …


Detection Of Spliced And Unspliced Forms Of Germline Tcr-Vβ Transcripts In Extrathymic Lymphoid Sites, Janice Abbey, Helen O'Neill Dec 2007

Detection Of Spliced And Unspliced Forms Of Germline Tcr-Vβ Transcripts In Extrathymic Lymphoid Sites, Janice Abbey, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Germline TCR-Vβ transcription is commonly considered an event coupled with rearrangement of TCR genes in T cells. The extent of germline Vβ transcription is studied here in a range of cell types and in several mouse strains. A sensitive semi-quantitative RT-PCR method was developed to specifically detect germline and not rearranged transcripts. Germline transcription of a range of different Vβ genes was detected along with rearranged transcripts in bone marrow, thymus, mesenteric lymph node and spleen. Some transcripts were also detected in low level in non-lymphoid tissues including heart, liver and brain. Expression was also studied in the C57BL/6J-β2microglobulin−/− (C57BL/6J-β2M−/−) …


Expression Of T-Cell Receptor Genes During Early T-Cell Development, Janice Abbey, Helen O'Neill Dec 2007

Expression Of T-Cell Receptor Genes During Early T-Cell Development, Janice Abbey, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

Lymphoid cell development is an ordered process that begins in the embryo in specific sites and progresses through multiple differentiative steps to production of T- and B-cells. Lymphoid cell production is marked by the rearrangement process, which gives rise to mature cells expressing antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) and immunoglobulins (Ig). While most transcripts arising from TCR or Ig loci reflect fully rearranged genes, germline transcripts have been identified, but these have always been thought to have no specific purpose. Germline transcription from either unrearranged TCR or unrearranged Ig loci was commonly associated with an open chromatin configuration during VDJ recombination. …


Concise Review: Dendritic Cell Development In The Context Of The Spleen Microenvironment, Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill Dec 2006

Concise Review: Dendritic Cell Development In The Context Of The Spleen Microenvironment, Jonathan Tan, Helen O'Neill

Helen O'Neill

The dendritic cell (DC) population in spleen comprises a mixture of cells including endogenous DC progenitors, DC precursors migrating in from blood and bone marrow, and DC in different states of differentiation and activation. A role for different microenvironments in supporting the dynamic development of murine DC of different types or lineages is considered here. Recent evidence for production of DC dependent on splenic stromal cells is reviewed in the light of evidence that cell production is dependent on cells comprising an endothelial niche in spleen. The possibility that self-renewing progenitors in spleen give rise to DC with tolerogenic or …