Project description:Asthma is a heterogeneous disease. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a distinct syndrome that occurs in 30-50% of asthmatics and is characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. We identified genes differentially expressed in the airways of asthmatics with EIB relative to asthmatics without EIB. Genes related to epithelial repair and mast cell infiltration including beta-tryptase and carboxypeptidase A3 were upregulated by exercise challenge in the asthma group with EIB. We confirmed that two novel mediators trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) have increased expression in airways cells and secreted product in the airways. In vitro studies indicate that 1) TFF3 induces nitric oxide synthase in airway epithelial cells from asthmatics and 2) TGM2 augments the enzymatic activity of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) group X, an enzyme recently been implicated in asthma pathogenesis. Since PLA2 serves as the first rate-limiting step leading to eicosanoid generation, these results suggest that TGM2 may be a key initiator of the airway inflammatory cascade in asthma. EIB positive and EIB negative subjects sampled pre- and post-exercise
Project description:Asthma is a heterogeneous disease. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a distinct syndrome that occurs in 30-50% of asthmatics and is characterized by high levels of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. We identified genes differentially expressed in the airways of asthmatics with EIB relative to asthmatics without EIB. Genes related to epithelial repair and mast cell infiltration including beta-tryptase and carboxypeptidase A3 were upregulated by exercise challenge in the asthma group with EIB. We confirmed that two novel mediators trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) have increased expression in airways cells and secreted product in the airways. In vitro studies indicate that 1) TFF3 induces nitric oxide synthase in airway epithelial cells from asthmatics and 2) TGM2 augments the enzymatic activity of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) group X, an enzyme recently been implicated in asthma pathogenesis. Since PLA2 serves as the first rate-limiting step leading to eicosanoid generation, these results suggest that TGM2 may be a key initiator of the airway inflammatory cascade in asthma.
Project description:Gene expression profiling reveals anti-inflammatory effects of BTEE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine RAW264 cells We evaluated the pretreatment effect of BTEE on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264 cells. Pretreatment with BTEE could significantly attenuate nitric oxide (NO) production and LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators in RAW264 cells.
Project description:Gene expression profiling reveals anti-inflammatory effects of BBEE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells We evaluated the pretreatment effect of BBEE on LPS-induced inflammation in SH-SY5Y cells. Pretreatment with BBEE could significantly attenuate nitric oxide (NO) production and LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators in SH-SY5Ycells.
Project description:Cadmium treatment induces slow but long lasting nitric oxide production in plant tissues. This NO production can be suppressed using the commonly used Nitric Oxide Synthase inhibitor L-NAME. This inhibitor tends to partially alleviate Cd toxicity. This effect is correlated with a strong diminution of Cd content in roots of plants treated both with Cd and L-NAME compared to roots from plants treated with Cd only. The main goal of this study is the identification of transcriptionnal changes caused by Cd-induced nitric oxide, and that could potentially result in enhanced Cd root accumulation.
Project description:Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, are increased in lung, sputum, exhaled breath condensate and plasma samples from asthma patients. ADMA is metabolized primarily by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) and DDAH2. We determined the effect of DDAH1 overexpression on development of allergic inflammation in mouse models of asthma. Wild type and DDAH1-transgenic mice were challenged with PBS or house dust mite (HDM). Airway inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) total and differential cell counts. Gene expression in lungs was determined by RNA-Seq and RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression of DDAH1 and DDAH2 was decreased in the lungs of mice following HDM exposure. Transgenic overexpression of DDAH1 resulted in decreased BAL total cell and eosinophil numbers following HDM exposure. Total IgE levels in serum and BAL fluid were decreased in HDM-exposed DDAH1-transgenic mice compared to HDM-exposed wild type mice. RNA-Seq results showed downregulation of genes in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathway in PBS-treated DDAH1 transgenic mice versus PBS-treated wild type mice and downregulation of genes in IL-13/FOXA2 signaling pathway in HDM-treated DDAH1 transgenic mice versus HDM-treated wild type mice. Our findings suggest that decreased expression of DDAH1 in airway epithelial cells may contribute to allergic asthma and overexpression of DDAH1 attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation through modulation of Th2 responses. mRNA profiles of WT and DDAH1-transgenic mice treated with PBS or house dust mite (HDM).
Project description:Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an intracellular human pathogen with the ability to resist and adapt to many adverse conditions it encounters upon infection. Among these, overcoming the production of nitric oxide by macrophages could be key for M. tuberculosis success. We have challenged M. tuberculosis with a sub-lethal concentration of nitric oxide and followed the transcriptomic response through RNA-seq for 48 hours.
Project description:To elucidate the epithelial cell diversity within the nasal inferior turbinates, a comprehensive investigation was conducted comparing control subjects to individuals with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to delineate the differential expression profiles and phenotypic variations of epithelial cells in response to allergic rhinitis. This research elucidated distinct subpopulations and rare cell types of epithelial cells within the nasal turbinates, discerning alterations induced by allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, by interrogating transcriptomic signatures, the investigation provided novel insights into the cellular dynamics and immune responses underlying allergic rhinitis pathogenesis
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.