Tuberculosis (TB) and sarcoidosis are both granulomatous diseases. Here, we compared the immunological microenvironments of granulomas from TB and sarcoidosis patients using sequencing (ISS) transcriptomic analysis and multiplexed immunolabeling of tissue sections. TB lesions consisted of large necrotic and cellular granulomas, whereas "multifocal" granulomas with macrophages or epitheloid cell core and a T-cell rim were observed in sarcoidosis samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit p110α is the most frequently mutated kinase in human cancer, and the hot spot mutations E542K, E545K, and H1047R are the most common mutations in p110α. Very little is known about the metabolic consequences of the hot spot mutations of p110α in vivo. In this study, we used adenoviral gene transfer in mice to investigate the effects of the E545K and H1047R mutations on hepatic and whole-body glucose metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronically elevated serum levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, whether SAA is directly involved in atherosclerosis development is still not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adipose tissue-derived human SAA on atherosclerosis in mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Statins have antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic effects that have been attributed to inhibition of RHO protein geranylgeranylation in inflammatory cells. The activity of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I) is widely believed to promote membrane association and activation of RHO family proteins. However, we recently showed that knockout of GGTase-I in macrophages activates RHO proteins and proinflammatory signaling pathways, leading to increased cytokine production and rheumatoid arthritis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflammation in the vascular wall is important for development of atherosclerosis. We have shown previously that arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase type B (ALOX15B) is more highly expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions than in healthy arteries. This enzyme oxidizes fatty acids to substances that promote local inflammation and is expressed in lipid-loaded macrophages (foam cells) present in the atherosclerotic lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDirect binding of apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins to proteoglycans is the initiating event in atherosclerosis, but the processes involved at later stages of development are unclear. Here, we investigated the importance of the apoB-proteoglycan interaction in the development of atherosclerosis over time and investigated the role of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to facilitate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) retention at later stages of development. Atherosclerosis was analyzed in apoB transgenic mice expressing LDL with normal (control LDL) or reduced proteoglycan-binding (RK3359-3369SA LDL) activity after an atherogenic diet for 0 to 40 weeks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComplications of atherosclerosis are the most common cause of death in Western societies. Among the many risk factors identified by epidemiological studies, only elevated levels of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein (apo) B can drive the development of atherosclerosis in humans and experimental animals even in the absence of other risk factors. However, the mechanisms that lead to atherosclerosis are still poorly understood.
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