Self-organized patchiness in asthma as a prelude to catastrophic shifts

Asthma is a common disease affecting an increasing number of children throughout the world. In asthma, pulmonary airways narrow in response to contraction of surrounding smooth muscle. The precise nature of functional changes during an acute asthma attack is unclear. The tree structure of the pulmonary airways has been linked to complex behaviour in sudden airway narrowing and avalanche-like reopening. Here we present experimental evidence that bronchoconstriction leads to patchiness in lung ventilation, as well as a computational model that provides interpretation of the experimental data. Using positron emission tomography, we observe that bronchoconstricted asthmatics develop regions of poorly ventilated lung. Using the computational model we show that, even for uniform smooth muscle activation of a symmetric bronchial tree, the presence of minimal heterogeneity breaks the symmetry and leads to large clusters of poorly ventilated lung units. These clusters are generated by interaction of short- and long-range feedback mechanisms, which lead to catastrophic shifts similar to those linked to self-organized patchiness in nature. This work might have implications for the treatment of asthma, and might provide a model for studying diseases of other distributed organs.     

C5L2 is critical for the biological activities of the anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a

Complement-derived anaphylatoxins regulate immune and inflammatory responses through G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signalling. C5L2 (also known as GPR77) is a relatively new GPCR thought to be a non-signalling receptor binding to C5a, on the basis of sequence information and experimental evidence. Here we show, using gene targeting, that C5L2 is required to facilitate C5a signalling in neutrophils, macrophages and fibroblasts in vitro. Deficiency of C5L2 results in reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, suggesting that C5L2 is critical for optimal C5a-mediated cell infiltration in certain in vivo settings. C5L2 is also involved in optimizing C3a-induced signals. Furthermore, like mice incapable of C3a/complement 3a receptor (C3aR) signalling, C5L2-deficient mice are hypersensitive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock, show reduced ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation, and are mildly delayed in haematopoietic cell regeneration after gamma-irradiation. Our data indicate that C5L2 can function as a positive modulator for both C5a- and C3a-anaphylatoxin-induced responses.     

Structure of C3b reveals conformational changes that underlie complement activity

Resistance to infection and clearance of cell debris in mammals depend on the activation of the complement system, which is an important component of innate and adaptive immunity. Central to the complement system is the activated form of C3, called C3b, which attaches covalently to target surfaces to amplify complement response, label cells for phagocytosis and stimulate the adaptive immune response. C3b consists of 1,560 amino-acid residues and has 12 domains. It binds various proteins and receptors to effect its functions. However, it is not known how C3 changes its conformation into C3b and thereby exposes its many binding sites. Here we present the crystal structure at 4-A resolution of the activated complement protein C3b and describe the conformational rearrangements of the 12 domains that take place upon proteolytic activation. In the activated form the thioester is fully exposed for covalent attachment to target surfaces and is more than 85 A away from the buried site in native C3 (ref. 5). Marked domain rearrangements in the alpha-chain present an altered molecular surface, exposing hidden and cryptic sites that are consistent with known putative binding sites of factor B and several complement regulators. The structural data indicate that the large conformational changes in the proteolytic activation and regulation of C3 take place mainly in the first conversion step, from C3 to C3b. These insights are important for the development of strategies to treat immune disorders that involve complement-mediated inflammation.     

Structure of C3b in complex with CRIg gives insights into regulation of complement activation

The complement system is a key part of the innate immune system, and is required for clearance of pathogens from the bloodstream. After exposure to pathogens, the third component of the complement system, C3, is cleaved to C3b which, after recruitment of factor B, initiates formation of the alternative pathway convertases. CRIg, a complement receptor expressed on macrophages, binds to C3b and iC3b mediating phagocytosis of the particles, but it is unknown how CRIg selectively recognizes proteolytic C3-fragments and whether binding of CRIg to C3b inhibits convertase activation. Here we present the crystal structure of C3b in complex with CRIg and, using CRIg mutants, provide evidence that CRIg acts as an inhibitor of the alternative pathway of complement. The structure shows that activation of C3 induces major structural rearrangements, including a dramatic movement (>80 A) of the thioester-bond-containing domain through which C3b attaches to pathogen surfaces. We show that CRIg is not only a phagocytic receptor, but also a potent inhibitor of the alternative pathway convertases. The structure provides insights into the complex macromolecular structural rearrangements that occur during complement activation and inhibition. Moreover, our structure-function studies relating the structural basis of complement activation and the means by which CRIg inhibits the convertases provide important clues to the development of therapeutics that target complement.     

1,25(OH)_2VD_3在过敏原特异性免疫治疗花粉过敏哮喘中的应用

以1,25(OH)₂VD₃为佐剂制备软叶针葵花粉变应原疫苗,以小鼠致敏哮喘模型为研究对象进行特异性免疫治疗.通过检测小鼠气道高反应性、血清中特异性抗体、细胞因子以及肺组织病理学切片等指标对治疗模型的构建进行评价,探讨1,25(OH)₂VD₃在过敏原特异性免疫治疗花粉过敏哮喘免疫机制中的作用.结果表明:以1,25(OH)₂VD₃为变应原疫苗能有效抑制花粉特异性IgE的产生和Th2细胞因子IL-4分泌,促进封闭性抗体IgG2a产生和Th1细胞因子IFN-γ的分泌,增加耐受性细胞因子IL-10生产,使Th2反应向Th1反应转变.1,25(OH)₂VD₃在花粉过敏性哮喘治疗中能大幅提高过敏原特异性免疫治疗的疗效.     

An IgG autoantibody which inactivates C1-inhibitor

Antibodies are considered to play a specific pathogenic role in certain disease states such as myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Autoantibodies which interfere with the function of enzyme cascade systems have also been described in diseases such as acquired haemophilia (anti-factor VIII antibodies) and glomerulonephritis (C3 nephritic factor). The identification of these autoantibodies is crucial to an understanding of the aetiology of such diseases and is also of importance in revealing the inter-relationships of the immune system with other biological pathways. This is the first report of an immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibody reactive with C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh), a pivotal inhibitor of the inflammatory response which is known to inactivate proteins of the complement, kinin, fibrinolytic and 'contact phase' systems. This autoantibody was isolated from a patient with a novel variant of acquired angioedema and C1-Inh dysfunction. This finding highlights the involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of disorders characterized by the presence of dysfunctional inflammatory response proteins.     

Slow-reacting substances (leukotrienes) contract human airway and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle in vitro

During a type I allergic reaction histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and other mediator substances are elaborated from specific tissue sites. In allergic asthma these sites are in the lung and the mediator substances cause airway obstruction by contracting smooth muscle and altering mucociliary function. Unlike histamine, slow-reacting substances (SRSs) have been assessed very little for their roles in obstructive airways disease. This has been partly due to the fact that their chemical nature was unknown until recently and thus pure samples were not available for pharmacological studies. However, SRSs isolated from both immunological and non-immunological reactions have been identified as a combination of two related lipid substances--leukotriene C4 (LTC) and leukotriene D4 (LTD); thus it is now possible to use pure SRSs (leukotrienes) in pharmacological studies of airway smooth muscle. LTC and LTD have been shown to contract guinea pig tracheal and lung parenchymal strips but there is no evidence that these substances produce similar effects on human lung tissue. To clarify this, in vivo pharmacological studies were done to determine the actions of LTC and LTD on smooth muscle strips of human bronchus, pulmonary vein and artery, and lung parenchymal tissue containing smooth muscle components and pleura. As indicated in a preliminary report, all four types of tissues contracted in a dose-dependent fashion to the leukotrienes, although these substances only function as partial agonists.     

Recognition of microorganisms and activation of the immune response

The mammalian immune system has innate and adaptive components, which cooperate to protect the host against microbial infections. The innate immune system consists of functionally distinct 'modules' that evolved to provide different forms of protection against pathogens. It senses pathogens through pattern-recognition receptors, which trigger the activation of antimicrobial defences and stimulate the adaptive immune response. The adaptive immune system, in turn, activates innate effector mechanisms in an antigen-specific manner. The connections between the various immune components are not fully understood, but recent progress brings us closer to an integrated view of the immune system and its function in host defence.     

Characterization of the human cysteinyl leukotriene CysLT1 receptor.

The cysteinyl leukotrienes-leukotriene C4(LTC4), leukotriene D4(LTD4) and leukotriene E4(LTE4)-are important mediators of human bronchial asthma. Pharmacological studies have determined that cysteinyl leukotrienes activate at least two receptors, designated CysLT1 and CysLT2. The CysLT1-selective antagonists, such as montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate) and pranlukast (Onon), are important in the treatment of asthma. Previous biochemical characterization of CysLT1 antagonists and the CysLT1 receptor has been in membrane preparations from tissues enriched for this receptor. Here we report the molecular and pharmacological characterization of the cloned human CysLT1 receptor. We describe the functional activation (calcium mobilization) of this receptor by LTD4 and LTC4, and competition for radiolabelled LTD4 binding to this receptor by the cysteinyl leukotrienes and three structurally distinct classes of CysLT1-receptor antagonists. We detected CysLT1-receptor messenger RNA in spleen, peripheral blood leukocytes and lung. In normal human lung, expression of the CysLT1-receptor mRNA was confined to smooth muscle cells and tissue macrophages. Finally, we mapped the human CysLT1-receptor gene to the X chromosome.     

The structure of complement C3b provides insights into complement activation and regulation

The human complement system is an important component of innate immunity. Complement-derived products mediate functions contributing to pathogen killing and elimination. However, inappropriate activation of the system contributes to the pathogenesis of immunological and inflammatory diseases. Complement component 3 (C3) occupies a central position because of the manifold biological activities of its activation fragments, including the major fragment, C3b, which anchors the assembly of convertases effecting C3 and C5 activation. C3 is converted to C3b by proteolysis of its anaphylatoxin domain, by either of two C3 convertases. This activates a stable thioester bond, leading to the covalent attachment of C3b to cell-surface or protein-surface hydroxyl groups through transesterification. The cleavage and activation of C3 exposes binding sites for factors B, H and I, properdin, decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46), complement receptor 1 (CR1, CD35) and viral molecules such as vaccinia virus complement-control protein. C3b associates with these molecules in different configurations and forms complexes mediating the activation, amplification and regulation of the complement response. Structures of C3 and C3c, a fragment derived from the proteolysis of C3b, have revealed a domain configuration, including six macroglobulin domains (MG1-MG6; nomenclature follows ref. 5) arranged in a ring, termed the beta-ring. However, because neither C3 nor C3c is active in complement activation and regulation, questions about function can be answered only through direct observations on C3b. Here we present a structure of C3b that reveals a marked loss of secondary structure in the CUB (for 'complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1') domain, which together with the resulting translocation of the thioester domain provides a molecular basis for conformational changes accompanying the conversion of C3 to C3b. The total conformational changes make many proposed ligand-binding sites more accessible and create a cavity that shields target peptide bonds from access by factor I. A covalently bound N-acetyl-l-threonine residue demonstrates the geometry of C3b attachment to surface hydroxyl groups.     

Effects of modulators of myosin light-chain kinase activity in single smooth muscle cells

Phosphorylation of myosin light chains by a calmodulin-myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) pathway is considered to be responsible for coupling increased calcium concentration with contraction in smooth muscle. This simple view has, however, recently been questioned. To test this hypothesis directly, we microinjected individual smooth muscle cells with modulators of the MLCK pathway while measuring contraction and calcium-ion concentration. Injection of a constitutively active proteolyzed form of MLCK causes contraction but no change in calcium concentration. By contrast, injection of peptide inhibitors of MLCK blocks contraction in response to K+ depolarization, despite the fact that the change in calcium concentration in response to stimulation was enhanced over controls. These results provide a direct demonstration at the level of a single cell that activation of the calmodulin-MLCK pathway is both necessary and sufficient to trigger contraction of smooth muscle.     

Kinetics of smooth and skeletal muscle activation by laser pulse photolysis of caged inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) can stimulate skinned smooth and skeletal muscle to contract by initiating Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Whether this process is an integral component of the in vivo muscle activation mechanism was tested by releasing InsP3 rapidly within skinned muscle fibers of rabbit main pulmonary artery and frog semitendinosus. InsP3 was liberated on laser pulse photolysis of a photolabile but biologically inactive precursor of InsP3 termed caged InsP3. Caged InsP3 is a mixture of compounds in which InsP3 is esterified with 1(2-nitrophenyl)diazoethane (probably at the P4- or P5-position). Photochemical release of InsP3 induced a full contraction in both muscles at physiological free Mg2+ concentrations, but only in the smooth muscle were the InsP3 concentration (0.5 microM) and the activation rate compatible with the in vivo physiological response. Endogenous InsP3-specific phosphatase activity was present in smooth muscle and had about 35-fold greater activity than that in the skeletal-muscle preparation. Caged InsP3 was not susceptible to phosphatases in either preparation.     

Properdin, the terminal complement components, thrombospondin and the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites contain similar sequence motifs

Properdin is a plasma glycoprotein which stabilizes the C3bnBb enzyme complex of the alternative pathway of the complement system. Unlike the classical pathway, which is initiated by interaction of C1q with the Fc regions of IgG or IgM antibodies in immune complexes, the alternative pathway can be directly activated via binding of C3b to surfaces of foreign organisms. The stabilized C3bnBbP complex activates components C3 and C5 resulting in opsonization of foreign material (via C3b) and assembly of the membrane attack complex (via C5b) on target cells. Therefore properdin greatly enhances complement-mediated clearance and inactivation mechanisms in both natural and acquired resistance to infection. This paper shows that the primary amino acid sequence of properdin is composed mainly of six repeating motifs, each of approximately 60 amino acids, and that similar sequences are found in thrombospondin, the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites and regions of the membrane-attack components of complement. These similarities may provide insight into the mechanisms by which parasites avoid host defences mediated by complement.     

Recognition of double-stranded RNA and activation of NF-kappaB by Toll-like receptor 3

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of innate immune-recognition receptors that recognize molecular patterns associated with microbial pathogens, and induce antimicrobial immune responses. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a molecular pattern associated with viral infection, because it is produced by most viruses at some point during their replication. Here we show that mammalian TLR3 recognizes dsRNA, and that activation of the receptor induces the activation of NF-kappaB and the production of type I interferons (IFNs). TLR3-deficient (TLR3-/-) mice showed reduced responses to polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), resistance to the lethal effect of poly(I:C) when sensitized with d-galactosamine (d-GalN), and reduced production of inflammatory cytokines. MyD88 is an adaptor protein that is shared by all the known TLRs. When activated by poly(I:C), TLR3 induces cytokine production through a signalling pathway dependent on MyD88. Moreover, poly(I:C) can induce activation of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases independently of MyD88, and cause dendritic cells to mature.     

Myosin phosphorylation, agonist concentration and contraction of tracheal smooth muscle

Myosin phosphorylation plays an important part in excitation--contraction coupling in smooth muscle. Phosphorylation by a Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent kinase stimulates the actin-activated Mg2+-ATPase activity of smooth muscle myosin, suggesting that myosin phosphorylation regulates smooth muscle contraction. This hypothesis is supported by evidence that myosin is phosphorylated during contraction and dephosphorylated during relaxation of intact smooth muscles stimulated with a single agonist concentration. However, there is little information regarding the response to stimulation with various agonist concentrations. As the dose-response relationships for phosphorylation and tension should be similar if myosin phosphorylation does, in fact, regulate smooth muscle contraction, we studied myosin phosphorylation in tracheal smooth muscle stimulated with a broad range of concentrations of the cholinergic agonist, methacholine. The results of these experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that myosin phosphorylation regulates smooth muscle contraction but they indicate a relatively complex relationship between myosin phosphorylation and the generation of isometric tension.     

Structures of complement component C3 provide insights into the function and evolution of immunity

The mammalian complement system is a phylogenetically ancient cascade system that has a major role in innate and adaptive immunity. Activation of component C3 (1,641 residues) is central to the three complement pathways and results in inflammation and elimination of self and non-self targets. Here we present crystal structures of native C3 and its final major proteolytic fragment C3c. The structures reveal thirteen domains, nine of which were unpredicted, and suggest that the proteins of the alpha2-macroglobulin family evolved from a core of eight homologous domains. A double mechanism prevents hydrolysis of the thioester group, essential for covalent attachment of activated C3 to target surfaces. Marked conformational changes in the alpha-chain, including movement of a critical interaction site through a ring formed by the domains of the beta-chain, indicate an unprecedented, conformation-dependent mechanism of activation, regulation and biological function of C3.     

高湿哮喘动物模型的建立

目的 研究高湿环境对哮喘的影响,建立高湿损伤动物模型和高湿哮喘动物模型。方法 雌性BALB/c小鼠置于人工气候箱中模拟高湿环境,分为对照组(A组)、哮喘组(B组)、高湿组(C组)和高湿哮喘组(D组)。A组置于常温常湿条件下饲养,B组在常温常湿环境下饲养,并通过卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏和激发,C组置于常温高湿环境下饲养,D组在常温高湿环境下饲养,并通过卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏和激发。结果 B、C、D组与A组相比,出现不同程度的粪便稀烂、皮毛暗淡、行为暴躁、体质量减轻、血常规指标异常(P<0.05),B、D组免疫炎症反应、肺泡灌洗液嗜酸性细胞比例、肺部病理变化等情况明显高于A、C组(P<0.05),且D组炎症反应高于B组(P<0.05);结论 高湿环境可以诱导或者加剧哮喘症状,高湿哮喘动物模型可为在高湿环境中研究哮喘的发生、发展奠定基础。     

RIP3 mediates the embryonic lethality of caspase-8-deficient mice

Apoptosis and necroptosis are complementary pathways controlled by common signalling adaptors, kinases and proteases; among these, caspase-8 (Casp8) is critical for death receptor-induced apoptosis. This caspase has also been implicated in non-apoptotic pathways that regulate Fas-associated via death domain (FADD)-dependent signalling and other less defined biological processes as diverse as innate immune signalling and myeloid or lymphoid differentiation patterns. Casp8 suppresses RIP3-RIP1 (also known as RIPK3-RIPK1) kinase complex-dependent necroptosis that follows death receptor activation as well as a RIP3-dependent, RIP1-independent necrotic pathway that has emerged as a host defence mechanism against murine cytomegalovirus. Disruption of Casp8 expression leads to embryonic lethality in mice between embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 (ref. 7). Thus, Casp8 may naturally hold alternative RIP3-dependent death pathways in check in addition to promoting apoptosis. We find that RIP3 is responsible for the mid-gestational death of Casp8-deficient embryos. Remarkably, Casp8(-/-)Rip3(-/-) double mutant mice are viable and mature into fertile adults with a full immune complement of myeloid and lymphoid cell types. These mice seem immunocompetent but develop lymphadenopathy by four months of age marked by accumulation of abnormal T cells in the periphery, a phenotype reminiscent of mice with Fas-deficiency (lpr/lpr; also known as Fas). Thus, Casp8 contributes to homeostatic control in the adult immune system; however, RIP3 and Casp8 are together completely dispensable for mammalian development.     

Innate immune recognition and regulation in liver injury: A brief report from a series of studies

The discovery of innate immune receptors and the emergence of liver immunology （high content of NK and NKT cells in liver） led to the second research summit in innate immunity since the finding of NK cells in the middle 1970s. Liver disease is one of the most dangerous threats to humans, and the progress in innate immunology and liver immunology made it possible to re-explain the cellular and mo- lecular immune mechanisms of liver disease. In the past ten years, we have found that innate recognition of hepatic NK and NKT subsets were involved in murine liver injury. We established a novel NK cell-dependent acute murine hepatitis model by activating Toll-like receptor-3 （TLR-3） with an injection of poly I：C, which may mimic mild viral hepatitis （such as Chronic Hepatitis B）. We observed that a network of innate immune cells including NK, NKT and Kupffer cells is involved in liver immune injury in our established NK cell-dependent murine,model. We noted that TLR-3 on Kupffer cells activated by pretreatment with poly I： C might protect against bacterial toxin （LPS）-induced fulminant hepatitis by down-regulating TLR-4 function, while TLR-3 pre-activation of NK cells might reduce Con A-induced NKT cell-mediated fulminant hepatitis by blocking NKT cell recruitment to the liver. We also found that the oversensitivity to injury by immune stimulation in HBV （hepatitis B virus） transgenic mice （full HBV gene-tg or HBs-tg） correlated to the over-expression of Real, an NKG2D （natural killer cell group 2D） ligand of NK cells or CDld, a ligand of TCR-V14 of NKT cells, on HBV＋ hepatocytes, which leads to an innate immune response against hepatocytes and is critical in liver immune injury and regeneration.     

阿司匹林对在体及离体气管平滑肌的影响

目的:研究阿司匹林对在体及离体气管平滑肌的影响.方法:观察不同剂量的阿司匹林对乙酰胆碱/磷酸组织胺诱发在体及离体豚鼠气管平滑肌收缩的影响.结果:阿司匹林对乙酰胆碱/磷酸组织胺诱发的体内外气管平滑肌收缩的对抗作用具有明显的剂量差异,即随着剂量增加,阿司匹林对抗气管平滑肌收缩的作用越来越弱,而沙丁胺醇且有很好的扩张气管平滑肌的作用.结论:适宜浓度的阿司匹林具有扩张气管平滑肌的作用.