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P5l Mutation In Ank Results In An Increase In Extracellular Inorganic Pyrophosphate During Proliferation And Nonmineralizing Hypertrophy In Stably Transduced Atdc5 Cells, Raihana Zaka, David Stokes, Arnold S. Dion, Anna Kusnierz, Fei Han, Charlene J. Williams Dec 2017

P5l Mutation In Ank Results In An Increase In Extracellular Inorganic Pyrophosphate During Proliferation And Nonmineralizing Hypertrophy In Stably Transduced Atdc5 Cells, Raihana Zaka, David Stokes, Arnold S. Dion, Anna Kusnierz, Fei Han, Charlene J. Williams

Charlene Williams

Ank is a multipass transmembrane protein that regulates the cellular transport of inorganic pyrophosphate. In the progressive ankylosis (ank) mouse, a premature termination mutation at glutamic acid 440 results in a phenotype characterized by inappropriate deposition of basic calcium phosphate crystals in skeletal tissues. Mutations in the amino terminus of ANKH, the human homolog of Ank, result in familial calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease. It has been hypothesized that these mutations result in a gain-of-function with respect to the elaboration of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate. To explore this issue in a mineralization-competent system, we stably transduced ATDC5 cells with wild-type Ank …


An Improved Murine Femur Fracture Device For Bone Healing Studies, Joseph Marturano, Benjamin Cleveland, Melissa Bryne, Shannon O'Connell, John Wixted, Kristen Billiar Dec 2015

An Improved Murine Femur Fracture Device For Bone Healing Studies, Joseph Marturano, Benjamin Cleveland, Melissa Bryne, Shannon O'Connell, John Wixted, Kristen Billiar

Kristen L. Billiar

Murine models are commonly used to investigate bone healing and test new treatments before human trials. Our objective was to design an improved murine femur fracture device and determine optimal mass and velocity settings for maximal likelihood of transverse fracture. Fracture reproducibility was maximized using an adjustable kinetic energy level, a novel mouse positioning system and an electromagnet striker release assembly. Sixty wild-type mice of 8-12-week-old male and female with a weight of 26.4+/-6.1g were subjected to an experimental postmortem fracture in the left and right femur (n=120) using variable kinetic energy inputs. A best-fit prediction equation for transverse fracture …


Osteopontin: A Bridge Between Bone And The Immune System, Ellen M. Gravallese Apr 2015

Osteopontin: A Bridge Between Bone And The Immune System, Ellen M. Gravallese

Ellen M. Gravallese

The molecular mechanisms underlying the putative role of osteopontin in the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis are unclear. A study in a murine model of arthritis now demonstrates that a specific antibody directed against the exposed osteopontin epitope SLAYGLR is capable of preventing inflammatory cell infiltration in arthritic joints.


Critical Roles For Interleukin 1 And Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha In Antibody-Induced Arthritis, Hong Ji, Allison Pettit, Koichiro Ohmura, Adriana Ortiz-Lopez, Veronique Duchatelle, Claude Degott, Ellen M. Gravallese, Diane Mathis, Christophe Benoist Apr 2015

Critical Roles For Interleukin 1 And Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha In Antibody-Induced Arthritis, Hong Ji, Allison Pettit, Koichiro Ohmura, Adriana Ortiz-Lopez, Veronique Duchatelle, Claude Degott, Ellen M. Gravallese, Diane Mathis, Christophe Benoist

Ellen M. Gravallese

In spontaneous inflammatory arthritis of K/BxN T cell receptor transgenic mice, the effector phase of the disease is provoked by binding of immunoglobulins (Igs) to joint surfaces. Inflammatory cytokines are known to be involved in human inflammatory arthritis, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, although, overall, the pathogenetic mechanisms of the human affliction remain unclear. To explore the analogy between the K/BxN model and human patients, we assessed the role and relative importance of inflammatory cytokines in K/BxN joint inflammation by transferring arthritogenic serum into a panel of genetically deficient recipients. Interleukin (IL)-1 proved absolutely necessary. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was also …


A Mutation In The Mouse Chd2 Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme Results In A Complex Renal Phenotype, Concetta Marfella, Nils Henninger, Scott Leblanc, Namrata Krishnan, David Garlick, Lawrence Holzman, Anthony Imbalzano Apr 2015

A Mutation In The Mouse Chd2 Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme Results In A Complex Renal Phenotype, Concetta Marfella, Nils Henninger, Scott Leblanc, Namrata Krishnan, David Garlick, Lawrence Holzman, Anthony Imbalzano

Nils Henninger

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Glomerular diseases are the third leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, behind only diabetes and hypertension. The molecular mechanisms underlying the cause of glomerular diseases are still largely unknown. The identification and characterization of new molecules associated with glomerular function should provide new insights into understanding the diverse group of glomerular diseases. The Chd2 protein belongs to a family of enzymes involved in ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, suggesting that it likely functions as an epigenetic regulator of gene expression via the modification of chromatin structure. METHODS: In this study, we present a detailed histomorphologic characterization of mice containing …


Bacterial Rna:Dna Hybrids Are Activators Of The Nlrp3 Inflammasome, Sivapriya Kailasan Vanaja, Vijay A. K. Rathinam, Maninjay K. Atianand, Parisa Kalantari, Brian M. Skehan, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, John M. Leong Dec 2014

Bacterial Rna:Dna Hybrids Are Activators Of The Nlrp3 Inflammasome, Sivapriya Kailasan Vanaja, Vijay A. K. Rathinam, Maninjay K. Atianand, Parisa Kalantari, Brian M. Skehan, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, John M. Leong

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an extracellular pathogen that causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta, has been linked to hemolytic uremic syndrome. Here we identify the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine rich repeat containing family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome as an essential mediator of EHEC-induced IL-1beta. Whereas EHEC-specific virulence factors were dispensable for NLRP3 activation, bacterial nucleic acids such as RNA:DNA hybrids and RNA gained cytosolic access and mediated inflammasome-dependent responses. Consistent with a direct role for RNA:DNA hybrids in inflammasome activation, delivery of synthetic EHEC RNA:DNA hybrids into the cytosol triggered NLRP3-dependent responses, …


Dual Engagement Of The Nlrp3 And Aim2 Inflammasomes By Plasmodium-Derived Hemozoin And Dna During Malaria, Parisa Kalantari, Rosane B. Deoliveira, Jennie Chan, Yolanda Corbett, Vijay A. K. Rathinam, Andrea Stutz, Eicke Latz, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Douglas T. Golenbock, Katherine A. Fitzgerald Dec 2014

Dual Engagement Of The Nlrp3 And Aim2 Inflammasomes By Plasmodium-Derived Hemozoin And Dna During Malaria, Parisa Kalantari, Rosane B. Deoliveira, Jennie Chan, Yolanda Corbett, Vijay A. K. Rathinam, Andrea Stutz, Eicke Latz, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Douglas T. Golenbock, Katherine A. Fitzgerald

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

Hemozoin (Hz) is the crystalline detoxification product of hemoglobin in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. We previously proposed that Hz can carry plasmodial DNA into a subcellular compartment that is accessible to Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), inducing an inflammatory signal. Hz also activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in primed cells. We found that Hz appears to colocalize with DNA in infected erythrocytes, even before RBC rupture or phagolysosomal digestion. Using synthetic Hz coated in vitro with plasmodial genomic DNA (gDNA) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, we observed that DNA-complexed Hz induced TLR9 translocation, providing a priming and an activation signal for inflammasomes. After phagocytosis, Hz 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 …


Chronic Alcohol-Induced Microrna-155 Contributes To Neuroinflammation In A Tlr4-Dependent Manner In Mice, Dora Lippai, Shashi Bala, Timea Csak, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Gyongyi Szabo Sep 2014

Chronic Alcohol-Induced Microrna-155 Contributes To Neuroinflammation In A Tlr4-Dependent Manner In Mice, Dora Lippai, Shashi Bala, Timea Csak, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol-induced neuroinflammation is mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta). Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) pathway induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation is involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced neuroinflammation. Inflammation is a highly regulated process. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial role in fine tuning gene expression and miR-155 is a major regulator of inflammation in immune cells after TLR stimulation. AIM: To evaluate the role of miR-155 in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced neuroinflammation. METHODS: Wild type (WT), miR-155- and TLR4-knockout (KO) mice received 5% ethanol-containing or isocaloric …


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 …


Development And Characterization Of A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus-Neutralizing Human Monoclonal Antibody That Provides Effective Immunoprophylaxis In Mice, Thomas Greenough, Gregory Babcock, Anjeanette Roberts, Hector Hernandez, William Thomas, Jennifer Coccia, Robert Graziano, Mohan Srinivasan, Israel Lowy, Robert Finberg, Kanta Subbarao, Leatrice Vogel, Mohan Somasundaran, Katherine Luzuriaga, John Sullivan, Donna Ambrosino Aug 2013

Development And Characterization Of A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus-Neutralizing Human Monoclonal Antibody That Provides Effective Immunoprophylaxis In Mice, Thomas Greenough, Gregory Babcock, Anjeanette Roberts, Hector Hernandez, William Thomas, Jennifer Coccia, Robert Graziano, Mohan Srinivasan, Israel Lowy, Robert Finberg, Kanta Subbarao, Leatrice Vogel, Mohan Somasundaran, Katherine Luzuriaga, John Sullivan, Donna Ambrosino

William D Thomas Jr

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) remains a significant public health concern after the epidemic in 2003. Human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that neutralize SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) could provide protection for exposed individuals. METHODS: Transgenic mice with human immunoglobulin genes were immunized with the recombinant major surface (S) glycoprotein ectodomain of SARS-CoV. Epitopes of 2 neutralizing MAbs derived from these mice were mapped and evaluated in a murine model of SARS-CoV infection. RESULTS: Both MAbs bound to S glycoprotein expressed on transfected cells but differed in their ability to block binding of S glycoprotein to Vero E6 cells. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed …


Developing An Artificial Fallopian Tube: Successful In Vitro Trials In Mice., Stephen Hunter, J. Neeld, J. Scott, D. Olsen, R. Urry, T. Cichocki Jul 2013

Developing An Artificial Fallopian Tube: Successful In Vitro Trials In Mice., Stephen Hunter, J. Neeld, J. Scott, D. Olsen, R. Urry, T. Cichocki

Stephen K. Hunter

This report describes the design and testing of an artificial fallopian tube for the treatment of tubal infertility. Within the device, mouse eggs incubated with sperm were fertilized and a microinfusion pump was used to transport the fertilized ova through the tube. Normal offspring resulted from transfer of the developing embryos into pseudopregnant recipients. These results provide encouraging evidence that an artificial fallopian tube warrants further investigation as a potential alternative to in vitro fertilization.


The Gamete And Embryo Compatibility Of Various Synthetic Polymers., Stephen Hunter, J. Scott, D. Hull, R. Urry Jul 2013

The Gamete And Embryo Compatibility Of Various Synthetic Polymers., Stephen Hunter, J. Scott, D. Hull, R. Urry

Stephen K. Hunter

Several popular and well-characterized polymeric materials were evaluated for their biocompatibility toward the cells unique to reproduction. To accomplish these studies, several in vitro tests were developed that evaluated biocompatibility between the polymers and spermatozoa, ova, and embryos. The data indicated significant differences between the materials with respect to their biocompatibility toward sperm motility, the sperm's ability to penetrate zona-free hamster eggs, and the ability of two-cell mouse embryos to divide. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE-Teflon; PTFE, Chemplast Inc., Wayne, NJ), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) appear to be the most inert of the materials studied. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC; Tygon-Norton, Akron, …


Surface Modification Of Polyurethane To Promote Long-Term Patency Of Peritoneal Access Devices., Stephen Hunter, D. Gregonis, D. Coleman, B. Hanover, R. Stephen, S. Jacobsen Jul 2013

Surface Modification Of Polyurethane To Promote Long-Term Patency Of Peritoneal Access Devices., Stephen Hunter, D. Gregonis, D. Coleman, B. Hanover, R. Stephen, S. Jacobsen

Stephen K. Hunter

No abstract provided.


Cell Encapsulation As A Potential Nondietary Therapy For Maternal Phenylketonuria, Donna Santillan, Mark Santillan, Stephen Hunter Jul 2013

Cell Encapsulation As A Potential Nondietary Therapy For Maternal Phenylketonuria, Donna Santillan, Mark Santillan, Stephen Hunter

Stephen K. Hunter

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to determine whether cells overexpressing phenylalanine (Phe) hydroxylase (PAH) can significantly reduce Phe in vitro for potential use as a therapy for preventing maternal phenylketonuria. STUDY DESIGN: Human 293T and WRL68 cell lines were transiently and stably transfected to overexpress PAH. Cells were encapsulated within microspheres of sodium alginate. Timed measurements of Phe in media were performed using tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Both nonencapsulated and encapsulated transiently transfected cells overexpressing PAH significantly reduced the Phe concentration in media by approximately 50% in comparison to mock-transfected cells. Cell line clones stably expressing PAH significantly …


Gene Modification Via "Plug And Socket" Gene Targeting., J. Lewis, Baoli Yang, P. Detloff, O. Smithies Jul 2013

Gene Modification Via "Plug And Socket" Gene Targeting., J. Lewis, Baoli Yang, P. Detloff, O. Smithies

Baoli Yang

No abstract provided.


A Common Human Beta Globin Splicing Mutation Modeled In Mice., J. Lewis, Baoli Yang, R. Kim, H. Sierakowska, R. Kole, O. Smithies, N. Maeda Jul 2013

A Common Human Beta Globin Splicing Mutation Modeled In Mice., J. Lewis, Baoli Yang, R. Kim, H. Sierakowska, R. Kole, O. Smithies, N. Maeda

Baoli Yang

The betaIVS-2-654 C-->T mutation accounts for approximately 20% of beta thalassemia mutations in southern China; it causes aberrant RNA splicing and leads to beta0 thalassemia. To provide an animal model for testing therapies for correcting splicing defects, we have used the "plug and socket" method of gene targeting in murine embryonic stem cells to replace the two (cis) murine adult beta globin genes with a single copy of the human betaIVS-2-654 gene. No homozygous mice survive postnatally. Heterozygous mice carrying this mutant gene produce reduced amounts of the mouse beta globin chains and no human beta globin, and have …


Fetal Hemorrhage And Platelet Dysfunction In Slp-76-Deficient Mice., J. Clements, J. Lee, B. Gross, Baoli Yang, J. Olson, A. Sandra, S. Watson, S. Lentz, G. Koretzky Jul 2013

Fetal Hemorrhage And Platelet Dysfunction In Slp-76-Deficient Mice., J. Clements, J. Lee, B. Gross, Baoli Yang, J. Olson, A. Sandra, S. Watson, S. Lentz, G. Koretzky

Baoli Yang

The adapter protein SLP-76 is expressed in T lymphocytes and hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage, and is known to be a substrate of the protein tyrosine kinases that are activated after ligation of the T-cell antigen receptor. Transient overexpression of SLP-76 in a T-cell line potentiates transcriptional activation after T-cell receptor ligation, while loss of SLP-76 expression abrogates several T-cell receptor-dependent signaling pathways. Mutant mice that lack SLP-76 manifest a severe block at an early stage of thymocyte development, implicating SLP-76 in signaling events that promote thymocyte maturation. While it is clear that SLP-76 plays a key role in …


Syntaxin 4 Heterozygous Knockout Mice Develop Muscle Insulin Resistance., C. Yang, K. Coker, J. Kim, S. Mora, D. Thurmond, A. Davis, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, G. Shulman, J. Pessin Jul 2013

Syntaxin 4 Heterozygous Knockout Mice Develop Muscle Insulin Resistance., C. Yang, K. Coker, J. Kim, S. Mora, D. Thurmond, A. Davis, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, G. Shulman, J. Pessin

Baoli Yang

To investigate the physiological function of syntaxin 4 in the regulation of GLUT4 vesicle trafficking, we used homologous recombination to generate syntaxin 4-knockout mice. Homozygotic disruption of the syntaxin 4 gene results in early embryonic lethality, whereas heterozygous knockout mice, Syn4(+/-), had normal viability with no significant impairment in growth, development, or reproduction. However, the Syn4(+/-) mice manifested impaired glucose tolerance with a 50% reduction in whole-body glucose uptake. This defect was attributed to a 50% reduction in skeletal muscle glucose transport determined by 2-deoxyglucose uptake during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedures. In parallel, insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle was also …


The Ubiquitin Ligase Adaptor Ndfip1 Regulates T Cell-Mediated Gastrointestinal Inflammation And Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility., H. Ramon, C. Riling, J. Bradfield, Baoli Yang, H. Hakonarson, P. Oliver Jul 2013

The Ubiquitin Ligase Adaptor Ndfip1 Regulates T Cell-Mediated Gastrointestinal Inflammation And Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility., H. Ramon, C. Riling, J. Bradfield, Baoli Yang, H. Hakonarson, P. Oliver

Baoli Yang

Nedd4 family interacting protein 1 (Ndfip1) is an adaptor protein that regulates Itch, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitylates JunB, thereby preventing interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 production. Mice lacking Ndfip1 or Itch develop T helper type 2 (T(H)2)-mediated inflammation in the skin and lungs and die prematurely. In this study we show that Ndfip1-/- mice also develop inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammation is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils and T cells and is accompanied by a failure to gain weight. T cells are both necessary and sufficient for eosinophil recruitment and inflammation. This is because Ndfip1-/- T cells become …


Disruption Of The Beta Subunit Of The Epithelial Na+ Channel In Mice: Hyperkalemia And Neonatal Death Associated With A Pseudohypoaldosteronism Phenotype., F. Mcdonald, Baoli Yang, R. Hrstka, H. Drummond, D. Tarr, P. Mccray, J. Stokes, M. Welsh, R. Williamson Jul 2013

Disruption Of The Beta Subunit Of The Epithelial Na+ Channel In Mice: Hyperkalemia And Neonatal Death Associated With A Pseudohypoaldosteronism Phenotype., F. Mcdonald, Baoli Yang, R. Hrstka, H. Drummond, D. Tarr, P. Mccray, J. Stokes, M. Welsh, R. Williamson

Baoli Yang

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is composed of three homologous subunits: alpha, beta and gamma. We used gene targeting to disrupt the beta subunit gene of ENaC in mice. The betaENaC-deficient mice showed normal prenatal development but died within 2 days after birth, most likely of hyperkalemia. In the -/- mice, we found an increased urine Na+ concentration despite hyponatremia and a decreased urine K+ concentration despite hyperkalemia. Moreover, serum aldosterone levels were increased. In contrast to alphaENaC-deficient mice, which die because of defective lung liquid clearance, neonatal betaENaC deficient mice did not die of respiratory failure and showed only …


A Mouse Model For Beta 0-Thalassemia., Baoli Yang, S. Kirby, J. Lewis, P. Detloff, N. Maeda, O. Smithies Jul 2013

A Mouse Model For Beta 0-Thalassemia., Baoli Yang, S. Kirby, J. Lewis, P. Detloff, N. Maeda, O. Smithies

Baoli Yang

We have used a "plug and socket" targeting technique to generate a mouse model of beta 0-thalassemia in which both the b1 and b2 adult globin genes have been deleted. Mice homozygous for this deletion (Hbbth-3/Hbbth-3) die perinatally, similar to the most severe form of Cooley anemia in humans. Mice heterozygous for the deletion appear normal, but their hematologic indices show characteristics typical of severe thalassemia, including dramatically decreased hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, as well as dramatically increased reticulocyte counts, serum bilirubin concentrations, and red cell distribution …


Appropriate Tissue- And Cell-Specific Expression Of A Single Copy Human Angiotensinogen Transgene Specifically Targeted Upstream Of The Hprt Locus By Homologous Recombination., B. Cvetkovic, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, C. Sigmund Jul 2013

Appropriate Tissue- And Cell-Specific Expression Of A Single Copy Human Angiotensinogen Transgene Specifically Targeted Upstream Of The Hprt Locus By Homologous Recombination., B. Cvetkovic, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, C. Sigmund

Baoli Yang

Development of experimental models by genetic manipulation in mice has proven to be very useful in determining the significance of particular genes in the development of or susceptibility to hypertension. Advances in molecular genetics, transgenic mouse technology, and physiological measurements in mice provided an opportunity to go a step further and develop models to analyze the physiological significance of specific gene variants potentially causing hypertension. In this report, we describe the development of a human angiotensinogen transgenic mouse model generated by targeting the human angiotensinogen gene upstream of the mouse HPRT locus by homologous recombination. The main benefit of this …


Requirement For The Leukocyte-Specific Adapter Protein Slp-76 For Normal T Cell Development., J. Clements, Baoli Yang, S. Ross-Barta, S. Eliason, R. Hrstka, R. Williamson, G. Koretzky Jul 2013

Requirement For The Leukocyte-Specific Adapter Protein Slp-76 For Normal T Cell Development., J. Clements, Baoli Yang, S. Ross-Barta, S. Eliason, R. Hrstka, R. Williamson, G. Koretzky

Baoli Yang

The leukocyte-specific adapter molecule SLP-76 (Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kilodaltons) is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues after receptor ligation in several hematopoietically derived cell types. Mice made deficient for SLP-76 expression contained no peripheral T cells as a result of an early block in thymopoiesis. Macrophage and natural killer cell compartments were intact in SLP-76-deficient mice, despite SLP-76 expression in these lineages in wild-type mice. Thus, the SLP-76 adapter protein is required for normal thymocyte development and plays a crucial role in translating signals mediated by pre-T cell receptors into distal biochemical events.


The Mammalian Sodium Channel Bnc1 Is Required For Normal Touch Sensation., M. Price, G. Lewin, S. Mcilwrath, C. Cheng, J. Xie, P. Heppenstall, C. Stucky, A. Mannsfeldt, T. Brennan, H. Drummond, J Qiao, C. Benson, D Tarr, R Hrstka, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, M. Welsh Jul 2013

The Mammalian Sodium Channel Bnc1 Is Required For Normal Touch Sensation., M. Price, G. Lewin, S. Mcilwrath, C. Cheng, J. Xie, P. Heppenstall, C. Stucky, A. Mannsfeldt, T. Brennan, H. Drummond, J Qiao, C. Benson, D Tarr, R Hrstka, Baoli Yang, R. Williamson, M. Welsh

Baoli Yang

Of the vertebrate senses, touch is the least understood at the molecular level The ion channels that form the core of the mechanosensory complex and confer touch sensitivity remain unknown. However, the similarity of the brain sodium channel 1 (BNC1) to nematode proteins involved in mechanotransduction indicated that it might be a part of such a mechanosensor. Here we show that disrupting the mouse BNC1 gene markedly reduces the sensitivity of a specific component of mechanosensation: low-threshold rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors. In rodent hairy skin these mechanoreceptors are excited by hair movement. Consistent with this function, we found BNC1 in the …


Regulation Of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Gene Expression In Mice And Men., M. Coleman, Baoli Yang, D. Sorscher Jul 2013

Regulation Of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Gene Expression In Mice And Men., M. Coleman, Baoli Yang, D. Sorscher

Baoli Yang

A nontemplate directed DNA polymerase, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (terminal transferase) is expressed in a tissue-specific and development stage-specific manner. Its enzymatic properties and tissue localization have implicated the protein in development of normal immune function. Significant progress has been made in understanding the enzymology and important domains of this protein. More recently, studies have focused on regulation of the gene that codes for the protein in mice and humans. The murine gene has yielded to these studies more readily than the human gene. A murine basal promoter element has been identified along with several trans-acting protein factors that may regulate …


Loss Of Mll Phd Finger 3 Is Necessary For Mll-Enl-Induced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Immortalization, J. Chen, Donna Santillan, M. Koonce, W. Wei, R. Luo, M. Thirman, N. Zeleznik-Le, M. Diaz Jun 2013

Loss Of Mll Phd Finger 3 Is Necessary For Mll-Enl-Induced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Immortalization, J. Chen, Donna Santillan, M. Koonce, W. Wei, R. Luo, M. Thirman, N. Zeleznik-Le, M. Diaz

Donna A. Santillan

Reciprocal chromosomal translocations at the MLL gene locus result in expression of novel fusion proteins, such as MLL-ENL, associated with leukemia. The three PHD finger cassette, one of the highly conserved domains in MLL, is absent in all fusion proteins. This domain has been shown to interact with Cyp33, a cyclophilin which enhances the recruitment of histone deacetylases (HDAC) to the MLL repression domain and mediates HOX gene repression. Insertion of the third PHD finger of MLL into MLL-ENL allows the recruitment of Cyp33 and, subsequently, HDAC1 to the fusion protein. Furthermore, expression of the fusion protein with the PHD …


Bromodomain And Histone Acetyltransferase Domain Specificities Control Mixed Lineage Leukemia Phenotype, Donna Santillan, C. Theisler, A. Ryan, R. Popovic, T. Stuart, M. Zhou, S. Alkan, N. Zeleznik-Le Jun 2013

Bromodomain And Histone Acetyltransferase Domain Specificities Control Mixed Lineage Leukemia Phenotype, Donna Santillan, C. Theisler, A. Ryan, R. Popovic, T. Stuart, M. Zhou, S. Alkan, N. Zeleznik-Le

Donna A. Santillan

A critical unanswered question about mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) is how specific MLL fusion partners control leukemia phenotype. The MLL-cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein-binding protein (CBP) fusion requires both the CBP bromodomain and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain for transformation and causes acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), often preceded by a myelodysplastic phase. We did domain-swapping experiments to define whether unique specificities of these CBP domains drive this specific MLL phenotype. Within MLL-CBP, we replaced the CBP bromodomain or HAT domain with P300/CBP-associated factor (P/CAF) or TAF(II)250 bromodomains or the P/CAF or GCN5 HAT domains. HAT, but not bromodomain, substitutions conferred enhanced …


Cell Encapsulation As A Potential Nondietary Therapy For Maternal Phenylketonuria, Donna Santillan, Mark Santillan, Stephen Hunter Jun 2013

Cell Encapsulation As A Potential Nondietary Therapy For Maternal Phenylketonuria, Donna Santillan, Mark Santillan, Stephen Hunter

Donna A. Santillan

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to determine whether cells overexpressing phenylalanine (Phe) hydroxylase (PAH) can significantly reduce Phe in vitro for potential use as a therapy for preventing maternal phenylketonuria. STUDY DESIGN: Human 293T and WRL68 cell lines were transiently and stably transfected to overexpress PAH. Cells were encapsulated within microspheres of sodium alginate. Timed measurements of Phe in media were performed using tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Both nonencapsulated and encapsulated transiently transfected cells overexpressing PAH significantly reduced the Phe concentration in media by approximately 50% in comparison to mock-transfected cells. Cell line clones stably expressing PAH significantly …


Efficacy Of Polymeric Encapsulated C5a Peptidase-Based Group B Streptococcus Vaccines In A Murine Model, Donna Santillan, K. Rai, Mark Santillan, Y. Krishnamachari, A. Salem, S. Hunter Jun 2013

Efficacy Of Polymeric Encapsulated C5a Peptidase-Based Group B Streptococcus Vaccines In A Murine Model, Donna Santillan, K. Rai, Mark Santillan, Y. Krishnamachari, A. Salem, S. Hunter

Donna A. Santillan

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to examine in mice the efficacy of various polymeric-encapsulated C5a peptidase vaccine formulations in eliciting a long-term immune response and preventing group B streptococcus (GBS) infection. STUDY DESIGN: C5a peptidase was encapsulated in semipermeable microspheres of poly(lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA). Female ICR mice were immunized with 0, 10, or 30 mug of encapsulated C5a peptidase within 2 different formulations of PLGA polymers. Booster doses were given at weeks 4 and 8. Antibody responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at weeks 4, 8, 11, and 40. Vaginal challenges with GBS types 1a, III, and V were performed at …