Ellipsometric characterization of doped Ge0.95Sn0.05 films in the infrared range for plasmonic applications.

GeSn as a group-IV material opens up new possibilities for realizing photonic device concepts in Si-compatible fabrication processes. Here we present results of the ellipsometric characterization of highly p- and n-type doped Ge0.95Sn0.05 alloys deposited on Si substrates investigated in the wavelength range from 1 to 16 µm. We discuss the suitability of these films for integrated plasmonic applications in the infrared region.

TNF-alpha-induced secretion of C-C chemokines modulates C-C chemokine receptor 5 expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes express CCR5, a chemokine receptor for immune cell migration and calcium signaling that serves as an important coreceptor for the HIV. After in vitro stimulation, CCR5 expression is dramatically increased on mature T lymphocytes, especially on the CD45RO+ memory subset. In this study, we report that TNF-alpha delays the surface expression of CCR5 on PBLs after activation and diminishes CCR5 irrespective of its initial level. Functional loss of CCR5 is reflected in a decreased capability of the treated cells to migrate and signal calcium after MIP-1beta stimulation. The effect is mediated via the p80 type II TNF receptor (TNFR2), which induces NF-kappaB among other factors, leading to an enhanced secretion of the chemokines macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1beta, and RANTES. Expression of these chemokines directly down-regulates CCR5. These findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism utilized by activated peripheral T cells to modulate their chemotaxis and potentially other functions mediated by CCR5, including the infection of T lymphocytes by macrophage-tropic HIV strains.

Metal vs ligand reduction in complexes of 1,3-dimethylalloxazine (DMA) with copper(I), ruthenium(II), and tungsten(VI). Crystal structures of (DMA)WO2Cl2 and (bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone)WO2Cl2.

The complexes [(DMA)Cu(PPh3)2](BF4) (1) (DMA = 1,3-dimethylalloxazine), [(DMA)Ru(bpy)2](PF6)2 (2), and (DMA)WO2Cl2 (3) were obtained as O4-N5-chelated species, as evident from an X-ray crystal structure analysis for 3 and from spectroscopy (NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry) for 1 and 2. The tungsten(VI) center in 3 has its oxide ligands in a cis/equatorial position and the chloride ligands in a trans/axial position; it also exhibits a relatively short bond to O4 (2.232(3) A) and a very long bond to N5 (2.462(3) A). Comparison with the new structurally characterized compound (BIK)WO2Cl2 (4) (BIK = bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone), which has W-N bonds of about 2.30 A, confirms the unusual length of the W-N bond in 3, probably caused by repulsion between one of the oxo ligands and the peri-hydrogen atom (H6) of DMA. One-electron reduction of the complexes occurs reversibly at room temperature in THF (1, 2) or at 198 K in CH2Cl2 (3). EPR spectroscopy reveals that this process is ligand-centered for 1 and 2 but metal-centered for 3. Density functional methods and ab initio methodology are used to illustrate the correspondence in spin distribution between the radical anion pi systems of alloxazine and isoalloxazine ("flavosemiquinone").

Inhibition of Fas-mediated apoptosis by the B cell antigen receptor through c-FLIP.

Cross-linking of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) induces resistance to Fas (APO-1 / CD95)-dependent apoptosis and thereby regulates one mechanism of B cell selection during antigen stimulation. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which BCR signaling regulates the Fas pathway, we examined the expression of constituents of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), including Fas, FADD, caspase-8 and cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). No significant changes in the cellular levels of Fas, FADD or caspase-8 were observed after BCR cross-linking. By contrast, the long isoform of c-FLIP (c-FLIP(L)) was significantly up-regulated by BCR cross-linking in primary B cells and in two B cell lines, A20 and WEHI-279. Moreover, transfection of c-FLIP(L) into A20 cells inhibited Fas-dependent apoptosis and suppressed recruitment of caspase-8 to the DISC. BCR cross-linking or FLIP overexpression also protects B cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Thus, BCR signaling up-regulates c-FLIP(L) and suppresses the Fas- and TRAIL-receptor apoptosis pathways which could be important for tolerance and selection of antigen-specific B cells.

Mature T lymphocyte apoptosis--immune regulation in a dynamic and unpredictable antigenic environment.

Apoptosis of mature T lymphocytes preserves peripheral homeostasis and tolerance by countering the profound changes in the number and types of T cells stimulated by diverse antigens. T cell apoptosis occurs in at least two major forms: antigen-driven and lymphokine withdrawal. These forms of death are controlled in response to local levels of IL-2 and antigen in a feedback mechanism termed propriocidal regulation. Active antigen-driven death is mediated by the expression of death cytokines such as FasL and TNF. These death cytokines engage specific receptors that assemble caspase-activating protein complexes. These signaling complexes tightly regulate cell death but are vulnerable to inherited defects. Passive lymphokine withdrawal death may result from the cytoplasmic activation of caspases that is regulated by mitochondria and the Bcl-2 protein. The human disease, Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) is due to dominant-interfering mutations in the Fas/APO-1/CD95 receptor and other components of the death pathway. The study of ALPS patients reveals the necessity of apoptosis for preventing autoimmunity and allows the genetic investigation of apoptosis in humans. Immunological, cellular, and molecular evidence indicates that throughout the life of a T cell, apoptosis may be evoked in excessive, harmful, or useless clonotypes to preserve a healthy and balanced immune system.

NF-kappaB regulates Fas/APO-1/CD95- and TCR- mediated apoptosis of T lymphocytes.

The maintenance of lymphocyte homeostasis by apoptosis is a critical regulatory mechanism in the normal immune system. The transcription factor NF-kappaB has been shown to play a role in protecting cells against death mediated by TNF We show here that NF-kappaB also has a role in regulating Fas/APO-1/CD95-mediated death, a major pathway of peripheral T cell death. Transfection of Jurkat cells with the NF-kappaB subunits p50 and p65 confers resistance against Fas-mediated apoptosis. Reciprocally, inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by a soluble peptide inhibitor or a dominant form of the NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaB, makes the cells more susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by a soluble peptide inhibitor rendered a T cell hybridoma more susceptible to TCR-mediated apoptosis. Correspondingly, transfection of p50 and p65 provided considerable protection from TCR-mediated apoptosis. These observations were corroborated by studies on Fas-mediated death in primary T cells. Concanavalin A-activated cycling T cell blasts from mice that are transgenic for the dominant IkappaB molecule have increased sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis, associated with a down-regulation of NF-kappaB complexes in the nucleus. In addition, blocking TNF, itself a positive regulator of NF-kappaB, with neutralizing antibodies renders the cells more susceptible to anti-Fas-mediated apoptosis. In summary, our results provide compelling evidence that NF-kappaB protects against Fas-mediated death and is likely to be an important regulator of T cell homeostasis and tolerance.

Molecular genetic studies in lymphocyte apoptosis and human autoimmunity.

Using a genetic approach, we have studied the molecular basis of human autoimmunity with special emphasis on a disease that is due to defective lymphocyte apoptosis. Recently, we and our collaborators have found that the autoimmune/lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), an inherited disease of children comprising marked lymphoid hyperplasia and autoimmune manifestations, is due to abnormalities in the CD95 gene that cause defective lymphocyte apoptosis. Our recent investigations have shown that the mutations in most families with ALPS cause either global or local changes in the structure of a cytoplasmic portion of the molecule called the 'death domain'. These death domain alterations impair binding of the adapter protein FADD/MORT1 and result in a failure to activate apoptotic caspases after CD95 (Fas/APO-1) cross-linking. Mutations in apoptotic caspases may also contribute to the pathogenesis of ALPS in individuals that have no CD95 gene mutations.

Cell death attenuation by 'Usurpin', a mammalian DED-caspase homologue that precludes caspase-8 recruitment and activation by the CD-95 (Fas, APO-1) receptor complex.

Apoptotic cell suicide initiated by ligation of CD95 (Fas/APO-1) occurs through recruitment, oligomerization and autocatalytic activation of the cysteine protease, caspase-8 (MACH, FLICE, Mch5). An endogenous mammalian regulator of this process, named Usurpin, has been identified (aliases for Usurpin include CASH, Casper, CLARP, FLAME-1, FLIP, I-FLICE and MRIT). This protein is ubiquitously expressed and exists as at least three isoforms arising by alternative mRNA splicing. The Usurpin gene is comprised of 13 exons and is clustered within approximately 200 Kb with the caspase-8 and -10 genes on human chromosome 2q33-34. The Usurpin polypeptide has features in common with pro-caspase-8 and -10, including tandem 'death effector domains' on the N-terminus of a large subunit/small subunit caspase-like domain, but it lacks key residues that are necessary for caspase proteolytic activity, including the His and Cys which form the catalytic substrates diad, and residues that stabilize the P1 aspartic acid in substrates. Retro-mutation of these residues to functional caspase counterparts failed to restore proteolytic activity, indicating that other determinants also ensure the absence of catalytic potential. Usurpin heterodimerized with pro-caspase-8 in vitro and precluded pro-caspase-8 recruitment by the FADD/MORT1 adapter protein. Cell death induced by CD95 (Fas/APO-1) ligation was attenuated in cells transfected with Usurpin. In vivo, a Usurpin deficit was found in cardiac infarcts where TUNEL-positive myocytes and active caspase-3 expression were prominent following ischemia/reperfusion injury. In contrast, abundant Usurpin expression (and a caspase-3 deficit) occurred in surrounding unaffected cardiac tissue, suggesting reciprocal regulation of these pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules in vivo. Usurpin thus appears to be an endogenous modulator of apoptosis sensitivity in mammalian cells, including the susceptibility of cardiac myocytes to apoptotic death following ischemia/ reperfusion injury.

Maintenance of clonotype specificity in CD95/Apo-1/Fas-mediated apoptosis of mature T lymphocytes.

Ag-induced mature T cell apoptosis is the result of death-inducing cytokines, including the ligand for CD95 (Apo-1/Fas). This raises the possibility that expression of this death molecule could affect bystander T cells that were not directly antigenically stimulated but that express the CD95 receptor. We show here that bystander T cells, even if they express the CD95 receptor, are not killed when exposed to T cells undergoing Ag-induced apoptosis. Rather, cell death is restricted to T cells that bear the receptor clonotype that is specifically engaged by TCR ligands. At least one mechanism of clonotype restriction is a significant enhancement of CD95-induced apoptosis by TCR ligation. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to the well-known ability of TCR to stimulate apoptosis by inducing CD95 ligand expression, TCR signals at the time of CD95 engagement can effectively increase apoptosis. Therefore, we put forward the hypothesis that strict clonotype specificity is preserved when death cytokines such as CD95 ligand induce autoregulatory mature T cell apoptosis, at least in part through a sensitization signal provided by the TCR stimulation.