5-Chloro-2-Guanidinobenzimidazole (ClGBI) Is a Non-Selective Inhibitor of the Human H1 Channel.

5-chloro-2-guanidinobenzimidazole (ClGBI), a small-molecule guanidine derivative, is a known effective inhibitor of the voltage-gated proton (H) channel (H1, ≈ 26 μM) and is widely used both in ion channel research and functional biological assays. However, a comprehensive study of its ion channel selectivity determined by electrophysiological methods has not been published yet. The lack of selectivity may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding the role of hHv1 in physiological or pathophysiological responses in vitro and in vivo.

The Voltage-Gated Hv1 H Channel Is Expressed in Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key determinants of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumors. As ion channels play key roles in the physiology/pathophysiology of immune cells, we aimed at studying the ion channel repertoire in tumor-derived polymorphonuclear (PMN-MDSC) and monocytic (Mo-MDSC) MDSCs. Subcutaneous tumors in mice were induced by the Lewis lung carcinoma cell line (LLC).

Nicotinic acid suppresses sebaceous lipogenesis of human sebocytes via activating hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA ).

Nicotinic acid (NA) activates hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA ), and it is widely used in treating dyslipidaemias. Since its side effects include skin dryness, whereas its deficiency can be accompanied by dyssebacia, characterized by sebaceous gland enlargement, we asked if HCA is expressed on human sebocytes, and if NA influences sebocyte functions. By using human immortalized SZ95 sebocytes, we found that non-cytotoxic (≤100 μmol/L; MTT-assay) concentrations of NA had no effect on the homeostatic sebaceous lipogenesis (SLG; Nile Red), but normalized excessive, acne-mimicking SLG induced by several lipogenic agents (arachidonic acid, anandamide, linoleic acid + testosterone; Nile Red; 48-hr treatments).

Measuring expression levels of small regulatory RNA molecules from body fluids and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples.

MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of various pathophysiological processes such as immune regulation and cancer. Next-generation sequencing methods enable us to monitor their presence in various types of samples but we need flexible methods for validating datasets generated by high-throughput methods. Here we describe the detailed protocols to be used with our MiRNA Primer Design Tool assay design system.

RDH10, RALDH2, and CRABP2 are required components of PPARγ-directed ATRA synthesis and signaling in human dendritic cells.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has a key role in dendritic cells (DCs) and affects T cell subtype specification and gut homing. However, the identity of the permissive cell types and the required steps of conversion of vitamin A to biologically active ATRA bringing about retinoic acid receptor-regulated signaling remains elusive. Here we present that only a subset of murine and human DCs express the necessary enzymes, including RDH10, RALDH2, and transporter cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP)2, to produce ATRA and efficient signaling.

Carboxypeptidase-M is regulated by lipids and CSFs in macrophages and dendritic cells and expressed selectively in tissue granulomas and foam cells.

Granulomatous inflammations, characterized by the presence of activated macrophages (MAs) forming epithelioid cell (EPC) clusters, are usually easy to recognize. However, in ambiguous cases the use of a MA marker that expresses selectively in EPCs may be needed. Here, we report that carboxypeptidase-M (CPM), a MA-differentiation marker, is preferentially induced in EPCs of all granuloma types studied, but not in resting MAs.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-regulated cathepsin D is required for lipid antigen presentation by dendritic cells.

It is well established that dendritic cells (DCs) take up, process, and present lipid Ags in complex with CD1d molecules to invariant NKT cells. The lipid-activated transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), has previously been shown to regulate CD1d expression in human monocyte-derived DCs, providing a link between lipid metabolism and lipid Ag presentation. We report that PPARγ regulates the expression of a lysosomal protease, cathepsin D (CatD), in human monocyte-derived DCs.

Potential Therapeutic Use of PPARgamma-Programed Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells in Cancer Vaccination Therapy.

Dendritic cells (DCs) can regulate all elements of the immune system, and therefore are an ideal target for vaccination. During the last two decades, as a result of extensive research, DCs became the primary target of antitumor vaccination as well. A critical issue of antitumor vaccination is the phenotype of the dendritic cell used.