ABSTRACT
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) is a transcription factor that influences immune cell fate and differentiation. However, the effect of C/EBPα on mast cells is not fully understood. In this study, we showed that C/EBPα suppressed granule formation in mast cells and increased macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 production from mast cells upon bacterial stimulation. These results indicate that C/EBPα regulates the balance between the allergic response and the innate immune response of mast cells. Furthermore, we showed that stimulation of mast cells with the Lactobacillus casei JCM1134(T) strain during late differentiation up-regulated C/EBPα expression in differentiated mast cells. This suggests that intestinal commensal bacteria modulate C/EBPα expression and thereby regulate mast cell function.
Subject(s)
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha/metabolism , Mast Cells/cytology , Mast Cells/metabolism , Animals , Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha/genetics , Cell Differentiation , Chemokine CXCL2/biosynthesis , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Lacticaseibacillus casei/physiology , Mast Cells/immunology , Mast Cells/microbiology , MiceABSTRACT
The intestine harbors a substantial number of commensal bacteria that provide considerable benefits to the host. Epidemiologic studies have identified associations between alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and the development of allergic disease. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be determined. Here, we show that heat-killed commensal bacteria suppressed degranulation of mast cells in vitro in a MyD88-independent manner. In particular, Enterococcus faecalis showed the strongest suppression of degranulation through partial inhibition of Ca(2+) signaling upon the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) cross-linking.
Subject(s)
Cell Degranulation , Enterococcus faecalis/physiology , Mast Cells/cytology , Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism , Animals , Female , Intracellular Space/metabolism , Mice , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
The molecular structure of mouse Mucin 21 (Muc21)/epiglycanin is proposed to have 98 tandem repeats of 15 amino acids and three exceptional repeats with 12 or 13 amino acids each, followed by a stem domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. A cDNA of Muc21 having 84 tandem repeats of 15 amino acids was constructed and transfected using a Venus vector into HEK 293T cells. The fluorescent cells, which were considered to express Muc21, were nonadherent. This antiadhesion effect was lessened when constructs with smaller numbers of tandem repeats were used, suggesting that the tandem repeat domain plays a crucial role. Cells expressing Muc21 were significantly less adherent to each other and to extracellular matrix components than control cells. Antibody binding to the cell surface integrin subunits alpha5, alpha6, and beta1 was reduced in Muc21 transfectants in a tandem repeat-dependent manner, whereas equal amounts of proteins were detected by Western blot analysis. Muc21 was expressed as a large glycoprotein that was highly glycosylated with O-glycans at the cell surface, as detected by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and lectin blotting. Although at least a portion of Muc21 was glycosylated with sialylated glycans, removal of sialic acid did not influence the prevention of adhesion.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism , Mucins/metabolism , Amino Acids/chemistry , Animals , Cell Adhesion , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Glycoproteins/chemistry , Glycosylation , Humans , Mice , Models, Biological , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Protein Structure, TertiaryABSTRACT
Knowledge and skill deficits about palliative care in medical professionals are among the most common barriers to quality palliative care. This study in a Japanese regional cancer center was conducted to clarify nurses' self-reported practices, confidence, and knowledge, and the changes in these parameters after the 1-year educational and clinical activity of a palliative care team. Questionnaires were distributed to 134 nurses before and after a palliative care team conducted 6-topic educational programs and clinical consultation activity throughout the year. The nurses were asked to report their practices, confidence, and knowledge about palliative care in 5 fields (pain, dyspnea, delirium, communication, and dying-phase). In some areas of palliative care, hospital nurses did not adhere to recommended practices, had knowledge deficits, and were not generally confident with palliative care practices. However, daily palliative care team activities, including educational programs and clinical consultation service, could improve their practice and knowledge levels.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Clinical Competence/standards , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Palliative Care/standards , Self Efficacy , Analysis of Variance , Cancer Care Facilities , Education, Nursing, Continuing/organization & administration , Female , Guideline Adherence , Health Services Needs and Demand , Hospital Planning , Humans , Japan , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Nursing Education Research , Nursing Methodology Research , Nursing Staff, Hospital/education , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Program Evaluation , Surveys and Questionnaires , Total Quality ManagementABSTRACT
We identified four Lhc-like genes (Lhl) encoding proteins that are distant relatives of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding (LHC) proteins in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Their mRNA levels after transfer from low-intensity light to high-intensity light (HL) were examined and compared with those of Lhc genes encoding LHC proteins of PSII. The transfer caused a decrease in the mRNA level of Lhl3, a homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana Lil3, within 2 h, followed by gradual restoration depending on the intensity of HL. The response was similar to that of Lhc genes. In contrast, the mRNA levels of Lhl1, Lhl2 and Lhl4 significantly increased, reached a maximum within 1 h after the transfer and then rapidly returned to a low level. The intensity of HL little influenced the response of these genes. While the Lhl1 and Lhl2 proteins were homologs of early light-inducible protein (ELIP) and high-light-inducible protein (HLIP), respectively, Lhl4 encoded a novel protein. The HL-induced expression of Lhl4 was most prominent among the genes tested. Studies using various inhibitors indicate that the HL response is not mediated by the redox state of plastoquinone pool or reactive oxygen species, but required de novo protein synthesis in the cytosol.
