Obtention of viable cell suspensions from breast cancer tumor biopsies for 3D chromatin conformation and single-cell transcriptome analysis.

Molecular and cellular characterization of tumors is essential due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of cancer. In recent decades, many bioinformatic tools and experimental techniques have been developed to achieve personalized characterization of tumors. However, sample handling continues to be a major challenge as limitations such as prior treatments before sample acquisition, the amount of tissue obtained, transportation, or the inability to process fresh samples pose a hurdle for experimental strategies that require viable cell suspensions. Here, we present an optimized protocol that allows the recovery of highly viable cell suspensions from breast cancer primary tumor biopsies. Using these cell suspensions we have successfully characterized genome architecture through Hi-C. Also, we have evaluated single-cell gene expression and the tumor cellular microenvironment through single-cell RNAseq. Both technologies are key in the detailed and personalized molecular characterization of tumor samples. The protocol described here is a cost-effective alternative to obtain viable cell suspensions from biopsies simply and efficiently.

IL-33 and the PKA Pathway Regulate ILC2 Populations Expressing IL-9 and ST2.

Type 2 Innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are tissue-resident immune cells activated by epithelial-derived alarmins upon tissue damage. They regulate immunity against helminth parasites and allergies by expressing type 2 immune response cytokines including IL-9, known to be critical for inducing and potentiating the immune response in such context. Although ILC2s are reported to be the main source of IL-9 in mice during N. brasiliensis infection, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of IL-9 in these cells are yet to be described. Recent studies have shown that in addition to cytokines, multiple molecules can differentially modulate the functions of ILC2s in various contexts both in vitro and in vivo. Among these stimuli are lipid mediators and neuropeptides, which activate the PKA pathway and have been associated with the regulation of type 2 immune cytokines. In this work we found that ILC2s in mice infected with N. brasiliensis can be classified into different groups based on the expression of IL-9 and ST2. These distinct populations were distributed in the lung and the small intestine. Through the development of an in vitro culture system, we sought to determine the stimuli that regulate the expression of these markers in ILC2s. We identified the alarmin IL-33 as being a key player for increased IL-9 expression. Additionally, we found the PKA pathway to be a dual regulator of ILC2 cells, working synergistically with IL-33 to enhance IL-9 production and capable of modulating proliferation and the expression of ILC2 markers. These data provide further evidence of a high heterogeneity between ILC2 subsets in a context dependent manner and calls for careful consideration when choosing the markers to identify these cells in vivo. Distinguishing ILC2 subsets and dissecting their mechanisms of activation is critical for a deeper understanding of the biology of these cells, allowing their manipulation for therapeutic purposes.

The SARS-CoV-2 origin dilemma: Zoonotic transfer or laboratory leak?

The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide yet its origin remains unclear. Two potential scenarios of how infection of humans initially occurred include zoonotic transfer from wild animals and a leak of the pathogen from a research laboratory. The Wuhan wet markets where wild animals are sold represent a strong scenario for zoonotic transfer. However, isolation of SARS-CoV-2 or its immediate predecessor from wild animals in their natural environment has yet to be documented. Due to incomplete evidence for a zoonotic origin, a laboratory origin is plausible. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is at the epicenter of the pandemic and their work has included manipulation of wild-type coronavirus to enable infection of human cells. Although stronger evidence supports the zoonotic transfer, inconclusive reports maintain the laboratory leak hypothesis alive. It is imperative to reach a factual conclusion to prevent future pandemics.

Tissue-Specific Molecular Markers and Heterogeneity in Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most recently described group of lymphoid subpopulations. These tissue-resident cells display a heterogeneity resembling that observed on different groups of T cells, hence their categorization as cytotoxic NK cells and helper ILCs type 1, 2 and 3. Each one of these groups is highly diverse and expresses different markers in a context-dependent manner. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are activated in response to helminth parasites and regulate the immune response. They are involved in the etiology of diseases associated with allergic responses as well as in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Markers associated with their identification differ depending on the tissue and model used, making the study and understanding of these cells a cumbersome task. This review compiles evidence for the heterogeneity of ILC2s as well as discussion and analyses of molecular markers associated with their identity, function, tissue-dependent expression, and how these markers contribute to the interaction of ILC2s with specific microenvironments to maintain homeostasis or respond to pathogenic challenges.

Green barley mitigates cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes undergoing aggressive oxidative stress, via activation of both the Lyn/PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways.

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in numerous diseases. Therefore, the pursuit of compounds with antioxidant activity remains critical. Green barley young leaves aqueous extract (GB) was tested for its capacity to ameliorate cellular oxidative stress, and its potential cytoprotective mechanism was partially elucidated. Through Folin-Ciocalteau and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) colorimetric assays, GB total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity were found to be 59.91 ± 2.17 mg/L and 110.75 µg/ml (IC50), respectively. Using a live cell-based propidium iodide dye exclusion assay and flow cytometry, GB was found to display significant cytoprotection activity on three human lymphocytic cell lines exposed to an aggressive H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The molecular mechanism for GB cytoprotection activity was assessed via bead-based xMAP technology on the Luminex platform and western blot analysis. GB treatment resulted in activation of Lyn, Akt, and ERK1/2, suggesting that GB is able to mitigate the H2O2-induced oxidative stress via activation of both the Lyn/PI3K/Akt and ERK/MAPK pathways. Our findings support the notion that GB extract has the potential to be a valuable therapeutic agent and may serve to establish a strategy to discover potential compound(s) or biological extracts/mixtures to be incorporated as a treatment to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases.

Isoproterenol-induced beta-2 adrenergic receptor activation negatively regulates interleukin-2 signaling.

Regulation of intracellular signaling pathways in lymphocytes is critical for cell homeostasis and immune response. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a key regulator of lymphocytes, signals following receptor-ligand engagement and subsequent recruitment and activation of effector proteins including JAKs and STATs. Lymphocytes can also be regulated by the central nervous system through the ß2 adrenergic receptor (ß2AR) pathway which can affect cell trafficking, proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production. The cross-talk between these two signaling pathways represents an important mechanism that has yet to be fully elucidated. The present study provides evidence for communication between the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and ß2AR. Treatment of human lymphoid cell lines with the ß2AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) alone increased cAMP levels and mediated a stimulatory response by activating AKT and ERK to promote cell viability. Interestingly, ISO activation of ß2AR also induced threonine phosphorylation of the IL-2Rß. In contrast, ISO treatment prior to IL-2 stimulation produced an inhibitory signal that disrupted IL-2 induced activation of the JAK/STAT, MEK/ERK, and PI3K pathways by inhibiting the formation of the IL-2R beta-gamma chain complex, and subsequently cell proliferation. Moreover, γc-family cytokines-mediated STAT5 activation was also inhibited by ISO. These results suggest a molecular mechanism by which ß2AR signaling can both stimulate and suppress lymphocyte responses and thus explain how certain therapeutic agents, such as vasodilators, may impact immune responsiveness.

Interleukin-2 Receptor ß Thr-450 Phosphorylation Is a Positive Regulator for Receptor Complex Stability and Activation of Signaling Molecules.

T, B, and natural killer cells are required for normal immune response and are regulated by cytokines such as IL-2. These cell signals are propagated following receptor-ligand engagement, controlling recruitment and activation of effector proteins. The IL-2 receptor ß subunit (IL-2Rß) serves in this capacity and is known to be phosphorylated. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the ß chain has been studied extensively. However, the identification and putative regulatory roles for serine and threonine phosphorylation sites have yet to be fully characterized. Using LC-MS/MS and phosphospecific antibodies, a novel IL-2/IL-15 inducible IL-2Rß phosphorylation site (Thr-450) was identified. IL-2 phosphokinetic analysis revealed that phosphorylation of IL-2Rß Thr-450 is rapid (2.5 min), transient (peaks at 15 min), and protracted compared with receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and occurs in multiple cell types, including primary human lymphocytes. Pharmacological and siRNA-mediated inhibition of various serine/threonine kinases revealed ERK1/2 as a positive regulator, whereas purified protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), dephosphorylated Thr-450 in vitro. Reconstitution assays demonstrated that Thr-450 is important for regulating IL-2R complex formation, recruitment of JAK3, and activation of AKT and ERK1/2 and a transcriptionally active STAT5. These results provide the first evidence of the identification and functional characterization for threonine phosphorylation of an interleukin receptor.