Project description:Our goal was to identify UTP-regulated genes in WT cADSC and P2Y₂ KO cADSC in the frame of the potential therapeutic transplantation of these cells into the mouse ischemic heart after a myocardial infarction. We identified UTP-regulated genes involved in inflammation and the immune response, UTP target genes linked to extracellular matrix organization such as matrix metallopeptidases and various collagen types, UTP-regulated genes related to macrophage chemotaxis and differentiation into pro-fibrotic foam cells and UTP target genes linked to angiogenesis regulation and the response to hypoxia.
Project description:We developed a new method to profile nascent RNA in mammalian cells. The new methodology is based on the incorporation of thio-UTP, an analog of UTP, during in vitro RNA Polymerase run-on.
Project description:Homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to the bone marrow (BM) involve a complex interplay between chemokines, cytokines, and non-peptide molecules. Extracellular nucleotides and their cognate P2 receptors are emerging as key-factors of inflammation and related chemotactic responses. In this study, we investigated the activity of extracellular adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) and uridine-triphosphate (UTP) on CXCL12-stimulated CD34+ HSC chemotaxis. In vitro, UTP significantly improved HSC migration, inhibited cell membrane CXCR4 down-regulation of migrating CD34+ cells and increased cell adhesion to fibronectin. In vivo, pre-incubation with UTP significantly enhanced the BM homing efficiency of human CD34+ cells in immunodeficient mice. Pertussis toxin blocked CXCL12- and UTP-dependent chemotactic responses, suggesting that G-protein alpha-subunits (Gαi) may provide a converging signal for CXCR4- and P2Y-activated transduction pathways. In addition, gene expression profiling of UTP-treated CD34+ cells and in vitro inhibition assays demonstrated that Rho guanosine 5’-triphosphatases (GTPase) Rac2 and downstream effectors Rho GTPase–activated kinases 1 and 2 (ROCK1/2) are involved in UTP-promoted/CXCL12-dependent HSC migration. Our data suggest that UTP may physiologically modulate the migration of HSCs and their homing to the BM, in concert with CXCL12, via the activation of converging signaling pathways between CXCR4 and P2Y receptors, involving Gαi proteins and RhoGTPases. Keywords: treatment comparison
Project description:Freshwater mussels are sensitive to habitat and water quality, revealing the fastest rates of human-mediated global extinction among aquatic animals. These animals are especially diverse in tropical Asia, the faunas of which are characterized by high levels of endemism. Here we describe four new species and four new subspecies of freshwater mussels from Myanmar. Leoparreysia whitteni sp. nov., the smallest representative of this genus, was discovered from the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers. Radiatula myitthanensis sp. nov. and R. chindwinensis sp. nov. were recorded from the Chindwin Basin, and R. mouhoti haungthayawensis ssp. nov. has been discovered from the Haungthayaw River. Indochinella pugio has been revised with a description of three subspecies: I. pugio viridissima ssp. nov. from the Sittaung, Bilin and Bago rivers, I. pugio daweiensis ssp. nov. from the Dawei River, and I. pugio paradoxa ssp. nov. from the Haungthayaw River. Yaukthwa elongatula sp. nov., a peculiar species, conchologically resembling representatives of the genus Solenaia (Gonideinae) with ultra-elongated shell was found in the Chindwin Basin. Our records highlight that tropical Asia harbors numerous, but still overlooked local endemic lineages of freshwater bivalves, which may be on the brink of extinction due to the high anthropogenic and climate change impacts.