Hermann-Josef Thierse

Induction of MuRF1 Is Essential for TNF-α-Induced Loss of Muscle Function in Mice

BACKGROUNDnHumoral circulating inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) can impair skeletal muscle contractility. Furthermore, TNF-alpha expression correlates with elevated levels of atrogin-like muscle-specific ubiquitin E3 ligases, which are presumed to mediate muscle protein breakdown and atrophy. However, the casual relationships between MuRF1 and TNF-alpha and their relative contributions to muscle function impairment are not known.nnnMETHODSnTNF-alpha or saline was injected into either C57Bl6 or MuRF1(-/-) mice. After 16-24 h, the expression of MuRF1 in skeletal muscle was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analysis. Muscle function was measured in an organ bath. To obtain a broader overview on potential alterations, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed.nnnRESULTSnWild-type animals injected with TNF-alpha had higher MuRF1 mRNA expression (saline versus TNF-alpha: 56.6+/-12.1 versus 133.6+/-30.3 arbitrary units; p<0.05) and protein expression (saline versus TNF-alpha: 0.38+/-0.11 versus 1.07+/-0.25 arbitrary units; p<0.05) as compared to saline-injected littermates. Furthermore, TNF-alpha reduced force development at 150 Hz by 25% in C57Bl6 animals (saline versus TNF-alpha: 2412+/-120 versus 1799+/-114 g/cm(2); p<0.05), but not in MuRF1(-/-) mice (saline versus TNF-alpha: 2424+/-198 versus 2431+/-180 g/cm(2); p=NS). Proteome analysis revealed a significant down-regulation of fast skeletal muscle troponin T in wild-type animals treated with TNF-alpha as compared to MuRF1(-/-) mice that received TNF-alpha.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe results of this study demonstrate for the first time that TNF-alpha-induced reduction in skeletal muscle force development depends on the induction of the atrophy-related E3 ubiquitin ligase MuRF1. A link for the reduction in muscle force may be the TNF-alpha/MuRF1-mediated down-regulation of fast skeletal muscle troponin T.

Retinal pigment epithelial phenotype induced in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND AIMSnThe non-exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is characterized by a progressive decay of retinal pigment epithelium cells at the posterior pole of the eye. As mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to differentiate into various cell types from the mesodermal and ectodermal lineages, we investigated whether we can induce a phenotype displaying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) characteristics.nnnMETHODSnThe differentiation of human lipo-aspirate-derived MSC toward the RPE lineage was triggered by exposure to conditioned medium from either human or porcine RPE cells. In a second approach we tested whether adding vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is capable of further modifying differentiation processes. Resulting cell populations were assessed for expression of RPE-specific markers by immunofluorescence, quantitative real time (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The potential for pigment synthesis was assessed by the response to melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH).nnnRESULTSnFollowing culture of undifferentiated MSC with RPE-conditioned medium and/or VIP, expression of typical RPE markers bestrophin, cytokeratins 8 and 18 and RPE 65 was induced. MSH induced the formation of pigmented granula in differentiated MSC.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMSC are shown to express RPE markers upon induction with either RPE-conditioned medium and/or VIP. The gain of basic functional features of RPE cells was indicated by melanin synthesis. This alludes to a differentiation potential of MSC into the neuroectodermal lineage, yielding cells with phenotypic characteristics of RPE cells.

Tracking Human Contact Allergens: From Mass Spectrometric Identification of Peptide-Bound Reactive Small Chemicals to Chemical-Specific Naive Human T-Cell Priming

Modification of proteins by reactive small chemicals is a key step in the activation of chemical-specific T cells in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, an integrated approach to characterize both the precise nature of chemically modified proteins and the chemical-specific T cells is currently lacking. Here, we analyze the molecular conditions for adduct formation of the strong human contact sensitizer 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and its water-soluble form, 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS), with both an all amino acid-containing model peptide (± Cys) and the protein human serum albumin (HSA). Mass spectrometric detection and quantification revealed thiol-dependent peptide adduct formation at all pH values found in human skin layers. Highest modification rates were obtained with DNBS. Accordingly, DNBS- but not DNCB-modified human immature dendritic cells (iDC) induced in vitro primary human T-cell responses as did 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-modified iDC as measured by dinitrophenyl (DNP)- and trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific T-cell proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell subsets. Moreover, DNP-modified HSA protein effectively induced primary T-cell responses when processed by iDC. Thus, an integrated approach that combines efficient skin-related in chemico coupling analyses with an in vitro T-cell priming assay can be used to predict in vivo reactions of chemical contact allergens with extracellular and cellular proteins. This strategy supports the development of chemical-specific in vitro assays that are urgently required in predictive hazard identification and risk assessment of allergenic and nonallergenic chemicals.

Functional and differential proteomic analyses to identify platelet derived factors affecting ex vivo expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells

BackgroundMultilineage differentiation, immunomodulation and secretion of trophic factors render mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) highly attractive for clinical application. Human platelet derivatives such as pooled human platelet lysate (pHPL) and thrombin-activated platelet releasate in plasma (tPRP) have been introduced as alternatives to fetal bovine serum (FBS) to achieve GMP-compliance. However, whereas both pHPL and tPRP support similar proliferation kinetics of lipoaspirate-derived MSC (LA-MSC), only pHPL significantly accelerates bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC) expansion. To identify functionally bioactive factors affecting ex vivo MSC expansion, a differential proteomic approach was performed and identified candidate proteins were evaluated within a bioassay.ResultsTwo dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), MALDI-TOF analyses and complementary Western blotting revealed 20 differential protein species. 14 candidate proteins occured at higher concentrations in pHPL compared to tPRP and 6 at higher concentrations in tPRP. The candidate proteins fibrinogen and apolipoprotein A1 differentially affected LA- and BM-MSC proliferation.In a second set of experiments, reference cytokines known to foster proliferation in FBS were tested for their effects in the human supplements. Interestingly although these cytokines promoted proliferation in FBS, they failed to do so when added to the humanized system.ConclusionsThe differential proteomic approach identified novel platelet derived factors differentially acting on human MSC proliferation. Complementary testing of reference cytokines revealed a lack of stimulation in the human supplements compared to FBS. The data describe a new coherent approach to combine proteomic technologies with functional testing to develop novel, humanized, GMP-compliant conditions for MSC expansion.

Proteomic allergen–peptide/protein interaction assay for the identification of human skin sensitizers

Modification of proteins by skin sensitizers is a pivotal step in T cell mediated allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). In this process small reactive chemicals interact covalently or non-covalently with cellular or extracellular skin self-proteins or self-peptides to become recognized by the human immune system. Aiming to develop a novel non-animal in vitro test system for predicting sensitization potential of small reactive chemicals in human skin the allergen-peptide/protein interaction assay (APIA) has been developed. By applying modern proteomic technologies together with a target peptide containing all amino acids, the assay permits the profiling of all amino acid specific allergen-peptide interactions. Moreover, potentially crucial allergen-specific Cys-modifications are qualitatively monitored by mass spectrometry and confirmed by a dual peptide approach. Assay conditions chosen mimic the distinct human epidermal reactivity compartments of the skin surface (pH 5.5), stratum basale (pH 6.8), and typical physiological conditions (pH 7.4). An extreme as well as a moderate human contact sensitizer produced Cys-specific mass shifts, whereas a skin irritant did not. Our data indicate that MALDI-MS based and skin-related in vitro technology platforms - like the APIA - are promising tools in developing alternative non-animal allergen assays. This will assist in chemical classification and next generation risk assessment strategies, including REACH and experimental immunotoxicology.

Current knowledge on biomarkers for contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis

Contact sensitization is common and affects up to 20% of the general population. The clinical manifestation of contact sensitization is allergic contact dermatitis. This is a clinical expression that is sometimes difficult to distinguish from other types of dermatitis, for example irritant and atopic dermatitis. Several studies have examined the pathogenesis and severity of allergic contact dermatitis by measuring the absence or presence of various biomarkers. In this review, we provide a non‐systematic overview of biomarkers that have been studied in allergic contact dermatitis. These include genetic variations and mutations, inflammatory mediators, alarmins, proteases, immunoproteomics, lipids, natural moisturizing factors, tight junctions, and antimicrobial peptides. We conclude that, despite the enormous amount of data, convincing specific biomarkers for allergic contact dermatitis are yet to be described.

Metalloproteomics in the Molecular Study of Cell Physiology and Disease

Physical and chemical stresses as well as metal-related diseases can disrupt the normal trafficking of metal ions. Moreover, homeostatic imbalance of such metal ions may modulate essential cellular functions (including signal transduction pathways), may catalyze oxidative damage, and may affect the folding of nascent proteins. Here we describe a new qualitative subproteomic method for the detection, isolation, and identification of metal-interacting proteins. Combining both classical immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and modern proteomic techniques (e.g., two dimensional gel electrophoresis [2-DE]), metal-specific proteins have been successfully isolated and identified to define a metalloproteome. These metal-specific proteomes may give new insights into metal-related pathophysiological processes, such as the allergic reaction to nickel, which represents the most common form of human contact hypersensitivity.