Functional characterization and expression analysis of the proteinase-activated receptor-2 in human cutaneous mast cells.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) belongs to a new G protein-coupled receptor subfamily activated by serine proteinases. PAR2 has been demonstrated to play a role during inflammation and immune response in different tissues including the skin. We examined whether PAR2 is functionally expressed by cutaneous human primary skin mast cells (HPMC) and the human mast cell line 1 (HMC-1).

Proteinase-activated receptors: transducers of proteinase-mediated signaling in inflammation and immune response.

Serine proteinases such as thrombin, mast cell tryptase, trypsin, or cathepsin G, for example, are highly active mediators with diverse biological activities. So far, proteinases have been considered to act primarily as degradative enzymes in the extracellular space. However, their biological actions in tissues and cells suggest important roles as a part of the body's hormonal communication system during inflammation and immune response.

Agonists of proteinase-activated receptor-2 stimulate upregulation of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in primary human keratinocytes via activation of NF-kappa B.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) belongs to a new G protein-coupled receptor subfamily that is activated by various serine proteases. Recent knowledge indicates that PAR2 is involved in cutaneous inflammation and immune response. PAR2 is highly expressed by human keratinocytes (KTC).

Expression of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 in cutaneous sensory nerve fibers, mast cells, and epithelial cells of appendage structures.

The vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1)/(TRPV1), binding capsaicin, is a non-selective cation channel that recently has been shown in human keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo. However, a description of VR1 localization in other cutaneous compartments in particular cutaneous nerve fibers is still lacking. We therefore investigated VR1 immunoreactivity as well as mRNA and protein expression in a series (n = 26) of normal (n = 7), diseased (n = 13) [prurigo nodularis (PN) (n = 10), generalized pruritus (n = 1), and mastocytosis (n = 2)], and capsaicin-treated human skin (n = 6).

Functional substitution of the TibC protein of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains for the autotransporter adhesin heptosyltransferase of the AIDA system.

The plasmid-encoded AIDA (adhesin involved in diffuse adherence) autotransporter protein derived from diffuse-adhering clinical Escherichia coli isolate 2787 and the TibA (enterotoxigenic invasion locus B) protein encoded by the chromosomal tib locus of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strain H10407 are posttranslationally modified by carbohydrate substituents. Analysis of the AIDA-I adhesin showed that the modification involved heptose residues.