A proteomics workflow for quantitative and time-resolved analysis of adaptation reactions of internalized bacteria.

The development of a mass spectrometric workflow for the sensitive identification and quantitation of the kinetics of changes in metaproteomes, or in particular bacterial pathogens after internalization by host cells, is described. This procedure employs three essential stages: (i) SILAC pulse-chase labeling and infection assay; (ii) isolation of bacteria by GFP-assisted cell sorting; (iii) mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis. This approach displays greater sensitivity than techniques relying on conventional cell sorting and protein separation, due to an efficient combination of a filtration-based purification and an on-membrane digestion.

Shroom3 is required downstream of FGF signalling to mediate proneuromast assembly in zebrafish.

During development, morphogenetic processes require a precise coordination of cell differentiation, cell shape changes and, often, cell migration. Yet, how pattern information is used to orchestrate these different processes is still unclear. During lateral line (LL) morphogenesis, a group of cells simultaneously migrate and assemble radially organized cell clusters, termed rosettes, that prefigure LL sensory organs.

TRAF5 deficiency accelerates atherogenesis in mice by increasing inflammatory cell recruitment and foam cell formation.

Rationale: Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins for the TNF/interleukin-1/Toll-like receptor superfamily. Ligands of this family comprise multiple important cytokines such as TNFα, CD40L, and interleukin-1β that promote chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. We recently reported overexpression of TRAF5 in murine and human atheromata and that TRAF5 promotes inflammatory functions of cultured endothelial cells and macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) deficiency attenuates atherosclerosis in mice by impairing monocyte recruitment to the vessel wall.

Background: Members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, potently promote atherogenesis in mice and humans. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins for this group of cytokines.

Methods And Results: This study tested the hypothesis that TRAF1 modulates atherogenesis in vivo.

CD40L induces inflammation and adipogenesis in adipose cells--a potential link between metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

CD40L figures prominently in atherogenesis. Recent data demonstrate elevated levels of sCD40L in the serum of patients with the metabolic syndrome (MS). This study investigated the role of CD40L in pro-inflammatory gene expression and cellular differentiation in adipose tissue to obtain insight into mechanisms linking the MS with atherosclerosis.

Inhibition by fibrates of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 expression in human adipocytes and preadipocytes.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), an established marker and mediator of cardiovascular risk, is produced extensively in adipose tissue. Fibrates are hypolipidemic peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) agonists. Recent laboratory and clinical observations indicate that they are also anti-atherosclerotic.

CD40 ligand mediates inflammation independently of CD40 by interaction with Mac-1.

Background: Strong evidence supports a role for CD40 ligand (CD40L) as marker and mediator of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Despite extensive characterization of CD40, the classic receptor of CD40L, its role in immune defense against inflammatory diseases remains uncertain. The present study aimed to characterize the contribution of CD40 signaling to atherogenesis.

TRAF-1, -2, -3, -5, and -6 are induced in atherosclerotic plaques and differentially mediate proinflammatory functions of CD40L in endothelial cells.

Objective: Several lines of evidence implicate CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154) as a mediator and marker of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the involvement of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) in CD40 signaling in endothelial cells (ECs) and their expression in atheromata and cells involved in atherogenesis.

Methods And Results: CD40L enhanced the basal expression of TRAF-1, -2, -3, and 6, but not TRAF-5 in ECs.

Two dimensional Blue Native-/SDS-PAGE analysis of SLP family adaptor protein complexes.

SH2 domain containing leukocyte protein (SLP) adaptor proteins serve a central role in the antigen-mediated activation of lymphocytes by organizing multiprotein signaling complexes. Here, we use two dimensional native-/SDS-gel electrophoresis to study the number, size and relative abundance of protein complexes containing SLP family proteins. In non-stimulated T cells all SLP-76 proteins are in a approximately 400 kDa complex with the small adaptor protein Grb2-like adaptor protein downstream of Shc (Gads), whereas half of Gads is monomeric.

Direct attenuation of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 expression in human adipose tissue by thiazolidinediones.

Adipose tissue produces substantial amounts of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), an established cardiovascular risk factor. This study evaluated PAI-1 expression in human adipose tissue in response to thiazolidinediones, insulin sensitising drugs activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). Troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and ciglitazone significantly reduced PAI-1 protein expression in human preadipocytes under basal conditions and after stimulation of the cells with TGF-beta.