Membrane Cholesterol Efflux Drives Tumor-Associated Macrophage Reprogramming and Tumor Progression.

Macrophages possess intrinsic tumoricidal activity, yet tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) rapidly adopt an alternative phenotype within the tumor microenvironment that is marked by tumor-promoting immunosuppressive and trophic functions. The mechanisms that promote such TAM polarization remain poorly understood, but once identified, they may represent important therapeutic targets to block the tumor-promoting functions of TAMs and restore their anti-tumor potential. Here, we have characterized TAMs in a mouse model of metastatic ovarian cancer.

Receptor Activator of NF-κB Orchestrates Activation of Antiviral Memory CD8 T Cells in the Spleen Marginal Zone.

The spleen plays an important role in protective immunity to bloodborne pathogens. Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen marginal zone capture microbial antigens to trigger adaptive immune responses. Marginal zone macrophages (MZMs) can also act as a replicative niche for intracellular pathogens, providing a platform for mounting the immune response.

Soluble ectodomain CD163 and extracellular vesicle-associated CD163 are two differently regulated forms of 'soluble CD163' in plasma.

CD163 is the macrophage receptor for uptake of hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes. The human receptor can be shed from the macrophage surface owing to a cleavage site for the inflammation-inducible TACE/ADAM17 enzyme. Accordingly, plasma 'soluble CD163' (sCD163) has become a biomarker for macrophage activity and inflammation.

I kappa B kinase alpha (IKKα) activity is required for functional maturation of dendritic cells and acquired immunity to infection.

Dendritic cells (DC) are required for priming antigen-specific T cells and acquired immunity to many important human pathogens, including Mycobacteriuim tuberculosis (TB) and influenza. However, inappropriate priming of auto-reactive T cells is linked with autoimmune disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the priming and activation of naïve T cells is critical for development of new improved vaccines and understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

The pore-forming toxin β hemolysin/cytolysin triggers p38 MAPK-dependent IL-10 production in macrophages and inhibits innate immunity.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in human newborns and immune-compromised adults. The pore-forming toxin (PFT) β hemolysin/cytolysin (βh/c) is a major virulence factor for GBS, which is generally attributed to its cytolytic functions. Here we show βh/c has immunomodulatory properties on macrophages at sub-lytic concentrations.

An antiinflammatory role for IKKbeta through the inhibition of "classical" macrophage activation.

The nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway plays a central role in inflammation and immunity. In response to proinflammatory cytokines and pathogen-associated molecular patterns, NF-kappaB activation is controlled by IkappaB kinase (IKK)beta. Using Cre/lox-mediated gene targeting of IKKbeta, we have uncovered a tissue-specific role for IKKbeta during infection with group B streptococcus.

Sustained desensitization to bacterial Toll-like receptor ligands after resolution of respiratory influenza infection.

The World Health Organization estimates that lower respiratory tract infections (excluding tuberculosis) account for approximately 35% of all deaths caused by infectious diseases. In many cases, the cause of death may be caused by multiple pathogens, e.g.

IKKalpha limits macrophage NF-kappaB activation and contributes to the resolution of inflammation.

Inflammation and innate immunity involve signalling pathways leading to the production of inflammatory mediators. Usually such responses are self-limiting, but aberrant resolution of inflammation results in chronic diseases. Much attention has focused on pro-inflammatory signalling but little is known about the mechanisms that resolve inflammation.

Activation of IKKalpha target genes depends on recognition of specific kappaB binding sites by RelB:p52 dimers.

IkappaB Kinase (IKK)alpha is required for activation of an alternative NF-kappaB signaling pathway based on processing of the NF-kappaB2/p100 precursor protein, which associates with RelB in the cytoplasm. This pathway, which activates RelB:p52 dimers, is required for induction of several chemokine genes needed for organization of secondary lymphoid organs. We investigated the basis for the IKKalpha dependence of the induction of these genes in response to engagement of the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR).

Immediate-early gene induction by the stresses anisomycin and arsenite in human osteosarcoma cells involves MAPK cascade signaling to Elk-1, CREB and SRF.

Cellular stress activates multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and immediate-early gene (IEG) transcription. To address how these events are linked, we investigated the endogenous signaling/transcription factor network driving IEG activation by arsenite and anisomycin in the human osteosarcoma cell line HOS/TE-85. Induction of IEG transcription by both stresses corresponded temporally with the phosphorylation of the regulatory factors Elk-1 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), along with activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and p38 MAPK cascades.

Involvement of a putative molybdenum enzyme in the reduction of selenate by Escherichia coli.

Selenium oxyanions, particularly selenite, can be highly toxic to living organisms. Few bacteria reduce both selenate and selenite into the less toxic elemental selenium. Insights into the mechanisms of the transport and the reduction of selenium oxyanions in Escherichia coli were provided by a genetic analysis based on transposon mutagenesis.

Involvement of superoxide dismutases in the response of Escherichia coli to selenium oxides.

Selenium can provoke contrasting effects on living organisms. It is an essential trace element, and low concentrations have beneficial effects, such as the reduction of the incidence of cancer. However, higher concentrations of selenium salts can be toxic and mutagenic.