Regulation of BCR-dependent germinal center B-cell formation by HGAL and insight into its emerging myeloid ortholog, C1ORF150.

The specificity of cytokine and immunoreceptor signaling frequently depends upon receptor recruitment of select adaptor proteins and specifically engaged effectors. This review focuses on the orthologous adaptor proteins, HGAL and C1ORF150, and aims to provide insight into their respective modulation of lymphoid and myeloid cell signaling, formation, and function. HGAL acts predominantly within germinal center B cells as an important BCR signal transducer.

Obesity Promotes the Ceramide-Mediated NADPH Oxidase in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer of the myeloid cell lineage. Obesity is characterized by an increase in body weight that results in excessive fat accumulation. Obesity has been associated with an increased incidence of many cancers, including blood cancers.

Affi-BAMS™: A Robust Targeted Proteomics Microarray Platform to Measure Histone Post-Translational Modifications.

For targeted protein panels, the ability to specifically assay post-translational modifications (PTMs) in a quantitative, sensitive, and straightforward manner would substantially advance biological and pharmacological studies. The present study highlights the effectiveness of the Affi-BAMS™ epitope-directed affinity bead capture/MALDI MS platform for quantitatively defining complex PTM marks of H3 and H4 histones. Using H3 and H4 histone peptides and isotopically labelled derivatives, this affinity bead and MALDI MS platform achieves a range of >3 orders of magnitude with a technical precision CV of <5%.

Assessment and streamlined preparation of low-cytotoxicity lentiviral vectors for mobilized human hematopoietic stem cell transduction.

As important vectors for ectopic protein expression, gene silencing, and progenitor cell barcoding, lentiviruses continue to emerge as versatile research and clinical tools. For studies employing cell types that are relatively resistant to transduction, high-titer lentivirus preparations with low cytotoxicity are required. During lentivirus production, carryover plasmid DNA endotoxins, transfection reagents, damaged packaging cells, and virus concentration procedures are potential sources of cytotoxicity.

Affinity-Bead Assisted Mass Spectrometry (Affi-BAMS): A Multiplexed Microarray Platform for Targeted Proteomics.

The ability to quantitatively probe diverse panels of proteins and their post-translational modifications (PTMs) across multiple samples would aid a broad spectrum of biological, biochemical and pharmacological studies. We report a novel, microarray analytical technology that combines immuno-affinity capture with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS), which is capable of supporting highly multiplexed, targeted proteomic assays. Termed "Affinity-Bead Assisted Mass Spectrometry" (Affi-BAMS), this LC-free technology enables development of highly specific and customizable assay panels for simultaneous profiling of multiple proteins and PTMs.

Sphingolipid metabolism determines the therapeutic efficacy of nanoliposomal ceramide in acute myeloid leukemia.

Distinct sphingolipid metabolism of AML with MDS-related changes defines unique sensitivity to nanoliposomal C6-ceramide. Vinblastine alters sphingolipid metabolism to enhance the sensitivity of AML to nanoliposomal C6-ceramide.

Combinatorial Efficacy of Quercitin and Nanoliposomal Ceramide for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with limited treatment options. Inflammation is often a contributing factor to the development and progression of AML, and related diseases, and can potentiate therapy failure. Previously, we had identified anti-inflammatory roles and anti-AML efficacy for blueberry extracts.

Epigenetics and Sphingolipid Metabolism in Health and Disease.

Sphingolipids represent one of the major classes of bioactive lipids. Studies of sphingolipids have intensified in the past several years, revealing their roles in nearly all cell biological processes. In addition, epigenetic regulation has gained substantial interest due to its role in controlling gene expression and activity without changing the genetic code.

Therapeutic Effect of Blueberry Extracts for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with high incidence in the aging population. In addition, AML is one of the more common pediatric malignancies. Unfortunately, both of these patient groups are quite sensitive to chemotherapy toxicities.

The transferrin receptor modulates Hfe-dependent regulation of hepcidin expression.

Hemochromatosis is caused by mutations in HFE, a protein that competes with transferrin (TF) for binding to transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). We developed mutant mouse strains to gain insight into the role of the Hfe/Tfr1 complex in regulating iron homeostasis. We introduced mutations into a ubiquitously expressed Tfr1 transgene or the endogenous Tfr1 locus to promote or prevent the Hfe/Tfr1 interaction.