Fashion In Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5

Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that play an important role in innate immunity by primarily acting against microbes. Their antimicrobial properties have been widely studied and are well understood. Defensins contribute to regulation of host immunity also. Their effects on cells of the host however are less well understood. Here, we report on the pro-inflammatory and apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5, the major antimicrobial peptide of ileal Paneth cells. We find that HD-5 up-regulates expression of genes involved in cell survival and inflammation in a NF-kB-dependent fashion in epithelial cells. Further, we find that HD-5 has pro-apoptotic effects on intestinal epithelial cells as well as primary CD4+ T cells.

The truncated C-terminal E2 (E2-TR) protein of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) type-1 is a transactivator that modulates transcription in vivo and in vitro in a manner distinct from the E2-TA and E8^E2 gene products

The E2 open reading frame of bovine papillomavirus (BPV)-1 encodes a 410 amino acid (aa) transcriptional activator, E2-TA, and collinear polypeptides—E2-TR (243 aa) and E8^E2 (196 aa). E8^E2 and E2-TR share the DNA-binding domain of E2-TA, and both have been defined as transcriptional repressors. Although purified E2-TR and E8^E2 proteins specifically bound E2 sites with similar affinities, only the E2-TR stimulated transcription. Here we show that E2-TR trans-activates E2-dependent promoters 5 to 10-fold in cooperation with cellular factors and in a dose-dependent fashion in epithelial cells and fibroblasts of animal or human origin while E2-TA activated >100-fold and the E8^E2 had no effect. However, in contrast to E2-TA, E2-TR activated transcription from a promoter-proximal position. E2-TR also partially inhibited the BPV-1 P89 or heterologous promoters whereas E8^E2 led to complete repression. Thus, the BPV-1 E2-TR modulates viral gene expression in a manner distinct from other E2 proteins.

PDZ-domain-directed basolateral targeting of the peripheral membrane protein FRMPD2 in epithelial cells

Multi-PDZ (PSD-95/Discs large/Zonula-occludens-1) domain proteins play a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarization. The novel multi-PDZ domain protein FRMPD2 is a potential scaffolding protein consisting of an N-terminal KIND domain, a FERM domain and three PDZ domains. Here we show that FRMPD2 is localized in a polarized fashion in epithelial cells at the basolateral membrane and partially colocalizes with the tight-junction marker protein Zonula-occludens-1. Downregulation of FRMPD2 protein in Caco-2 cells is associated with an impairment of tight junction formation. We find that the FERM domain of FRMPD2 binds phosphatidylinositols and is sufficient for membrane localization. Moreover, we demonstrate that recruitment of FRMPD2 to cell-cell junctions is strictly E-cadherin-dependent, which is in line with our identification of catenin family proteins as binding partners for FRMPD2. We demonstrate that the FERM domain and binding of the PDZ2 domain to the armadillo protein p0071 are required for basolateral restriction of FRMPD2. Moreover, the PDZ2 domain of FRMPD2 is sufficient to partially redirect an apically localized protein to the basolateral membrane. Our results provide novel insights into the molecular function of FRMPD2 and into the targeting mechanism of peripheral membrane proteins in polarized epithelial cells.

Acidic Mammalian Chitinase Is Secreted via an ADAM17/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-dependent Pathway and Stimulates Chemokine Production by Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is expressed in an exaggerated fashion in epithelial cells at sites of pulmonary T helper cell type 2 inflammation and plays important roles in the pathogenesis of anti-parasite and asthma-like responses. However, the mechanisms that control epithelial cell AMCase secretion and its effector responses have not been adequately defined. To address these issues, we used in vivo and in vitro experimental systems to define the pathways of epithelial AMCase secretion and its epithelial regulatory effects. Here we demonstrate that, in murine T helper cell type 2 modeling systems, AMCase colocalizes with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ADAM17 (a membrane disintegrin and metallopeptidase 17) in lung epithelial cells. In vitro cotransfection experiments in A549 cells demonstrated that AMCase and EGFR physically interact with each other. Cotransfection of AMCase and EGFR also increased, whereas EGFR inhibition decreased AMCase secretion. Interestingly, AMCase secretion was not significantly altered by treatment with EGF but was significantly decreased when the upstream EGFR transactivator ADAM17 was inhibited. AMCase secretion was also decreased when the EGFR-downstream Ras was blocked. Transfected and recombinant AMCase induced epithelial cell production of CCL2, CCL17, and CXCL8. These studies demonstrate that lung epithelial cells secrete AMCase via an EGFR-dependent pathway that is activated by ADAM17 and mediates its effects via Ras. They also demonstrate that the AMCase that is secreted feeds back in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion to stimulate pulmonary epithelial cell chemokine production.

Apical expression of an antigen common to rabbit yolk sac endoderm and kidney proximal tubule epithelium

The tissue distribution, molecular weight, and biochemical nature of an antigen detected by a mouse monoclonal antibody designated 283D3 and raised against rabbit visceral yolk sac endodermal cells, has been investigated. The antigen is located on the luminal side of apical tubules and large sub-apical vesicles in rabbit yolk sac endoderm and proximal kidney tubule epithelial cells. It is expressed in a similar polarised fashion in epithelial cells lining the epididymis. Western blotting showed the antigen to comprise proteins of molecular weight 330–380 kDa. The antigen has been affinity purified from yolk sac and kidney and is predominantly protein in nature with a small percentage of N-linked carbohydrate. In terms of tissue distribution and molecular weight it has close similarity to Heymann nephritis antigen but differs in not being confined to coated pits. Its function is not known, but the association with endocytic elements implies a possible role in non-specific protein absorption.