Semaphorin 7A initiates T-cell-mediated inflammatory responses through alpha1beta1 integrin

Semaphorins are axon guidance factors that assist growing axons in finding appropriate targets and forming synapses. Emerging evidence suggests that semaphorins are involved not only in embryonic development but also in immune responses. Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A; also known as CD108), which is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored semaphorin, promotes axon outgrowth through beta1-integrin receptors and contributes to the formation of the lateral olfactory tract. Although Sema7A has been shown to stimulate human monocytes, its function as a negative regulator of T-cell responses has also been reported. Thus, the precise function of Sema7A in the immune system remains unclear. Here we show that Sema7A, which is expressed on activated T cells, stimulates cytokine production in monocytes and macrophages through alpha1beta1 integrin (also known as very late antigen-1) as a component of the immunological synapse, and is critical for the effector phase of the inflammatory immune response. Sema7A-deficient (Sema7a-/-) mice are defective in cell-mediated immune responses such as contact hypersensitivity and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Although antigen-specific and cytokine-producing effector T cells can develop and migrate into antigen-challenged sites in Sema7a-/- mice, Sema7a-/- T cells fail to induce contact hypersensitivity even when directly injected into the antigen-challenged sites. Thus, the interaction between Sema7A and alpha1beta1 integrin is crucial at the site of inflammation. These findings not only identify a function of Sema7A as an effector molecule in T-cell-mediated inflammation, but also reveal a mechanism of integrin-mediated immune regulation.     

Semaphorin 7A promotes axon outgrowth through integrins and MAPKs

Striking parallels exist between immune and nervous system cellular signalling mechanisms. Molecules originally shown to be critical for immune responses also serve neuronal functions, and similarly neural guidance cues can modulate immune function. We show here that semaphorin 7A (Sema7A), a membrane-anchored member of the semaphorin family of guidance proteins previously known for its immunomodulatory effects, can also mediate neuronal functions. Unlike many other semaphorins, which act as repulsive guidance cues, Sema7A enhances central and peripheral axon growth and is required for proper axon tract formation during embryonic development. Unexpectedly, Sema7A enhancement of axon outgrowth requires integrin receptors and activation of MAPK signalling pathways. These findings define a previously unknown biological function for semaphorins, identify an unexpected role for integrins and integrin-dependent intracellular signalling in mediating semaphorin responses, and provide a framework for understanding and interfering with Sema7A function in both immune and nervous systems.     

Transmembrane semaphorin signalling controls laminar stratification in the mammalian retina

In the vertebrate retina, establishment of precise synaptic connections among distinct retinal neuron cell types is critical for processing visual information and for accurate visual perception. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), amacrine cells and bipolar cells establish stereotypic neurite arborization patterns to form functional neural circuits in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), a laminar region that is conventionally divided into five major parallel sublaminae. However, the molecular mechanisms governing distinct retinal subtype targeting to specific sublaminae within the IPL remain to be elucidated. Here we show that the transmembrane semaphorin Sema6A signals through its receptor PlexinA4 (PlexA4) to control lamina-specific neuronal stratification in the mouse retina. Expression analyses demonstrate that Sema6A and PlexA4 proteins are expressed in a complementary fashion in the developing retina: Sema6A in most ON sublaminae and PlexA4 in OFF sublaminae of the IPL. Mice with null mutations in PlexA4 or Sema6A exhibit severe defects in stereotypic lamina-specific neurite arborization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing dopaminergic amacrine cells, intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs) and calbindin-positive cells in the IPL. Sema6A and PlexA4 genetically interact in vivo for the regulation of dopaminergic amacrine cell laminar targeting. Therefore, neuronal targeting to subdivisions of the IPL in the mammalian retina is directed by repulsive transmembrane guidance cues present on neuronal processes.     

上海市百岁老人的谱系及其分析

本文调查了上海市百岁老人的性别、职业和谱系,并绘制了57个完整的寿命谱系图,其中男性10名(占总数的17.5%),女性47名(占82.5%).男性中脑力劳动者4名(占男性总数的40%),体力劳动者6名(占60%);女性中脑力劳动者1人(占女性总数的2.1%),体力劳动者3人(占6.4%),操持家务者43人(占91.5%).有长寿家族史者40人(占寿命家族史清楚者的70.2%),无长寿家族史者17人(占29.8%).百岁老人配偶寿长≥70岁者,其已故子女的平均寿命高于配偶<70岁的.作者认为长寿是遗传的,并着重从遗传和环境两方面分析了女寿星数明显多于男寿星数的原因.     

协方差矩阵的MINQUE和简单估计的比较

在二次损失函数下,作者研究了多元线性模型协方差矩阵的MINQUE估计和简单估计的比较问题,其中多元线性模型的设计矩阵和离散矩阵可以不满秩,得到了一个充分和必要条件。     

心肌宁冲剂对抗垂体后叶素所致大鼠急性心肌缺血实验研究

心肌宁冲剂按1.75g/kg,0.875g/kg剂量,每天早晚分两次灌胃给药,连续7天,均能明显对抗垂体后叶素所诱发的大鼠急性心肌缺血的心电图改变。     

宇航员头部冲击的模拟创伤实验研究

该文通过３４只罗猴头颈实验研究，从中决定罗猴的颅脑损伤容限．当颅脑受到冲击时，颅壳发生局部变形瞬间，大脑亦发生变形，致使颅内压升高．利用这些结果来确定它的损伤机制，以模拟宇航员在冲击载荷下的创伤分析模型，将有助于进行临床创伤治疗和宇航弹射时的防护．