Julio A. Landero Figueroa

Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor Induced Zn Sequestration Enhances Macrophage Superoxide and Limits Intracellular Pathogen Survival

Macrophages possess numerous mechanisms to combat microbial invasion, including sequestration of essential nutrients, like zinc (Zn). The pleiotropic cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhances antimicrobial defenses against intracellular pathogens such as Histoplasma capsulatum, but its mode of action remains elusive. We have found that GM-CSF-activated infected macrophages sequestered labile Zn by inducing binding to metallothioneins (MTs) in a STAT3 and STAT5 transcription-factor-dependent manner. GM-CSF upregulated expression of Zn exporters, Slc30a4 and Slc30a7; the metal was shuttled away from phagosomes and into the Golgi apparatus. This distinctive Zn sequestration strategy elevated phagosomal H⁺ channel function and triggered reactive oxygen species generation by NADPH oxidase. Consequently, H. capsulatum was selectively deprived of Zn, thereby halting replication and fostering fungal clearance. GM-CSF mediated Zn sequestration via MTs in vitro and in vivo in mice and in human macrophages. These findings illuminate a GM-CSF-induced Zn-sequestration network that drives phagocyte antimicrobial effector function.

Analytical speciation of mercury in fish tissues by reversed phase liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with Bi3+ as internal standard.

In this work, the quantification of two mercury species (Hg(2+) and CH(3)Hg(+)) in fish tissues has been revisited. The originality of our approach relies on the use of Bi(3+) as internal standard (IS) and on the modification of typical extraction conditions. The IS (125 microl, 1000 microg l(-1) Bi(3+)) was added to the aliquot of fresh fish tissue (400-500 mg). A high-speed blender and ultrasound-assisted homogenization/extraction was carried out in the presence of perchloric acid (1.5 ml, 0.6 mol l(-1)), l-cysteine (500 microl, 0.75 mol l(-1)) and 500 microl toluene:methanol (1:1). Perchloric acid was used for protein denaturation and precipitation, toluene helped to destroy lipid structures potentially sequestering CH(3)Hg(+), L-cysteine was used to form water-soluble complexes with Bi(3+), Hg(2+) and CH(3)Hg(+). The excess of perchloric acid was eliminated by addition of potassium hydroxide (pH 5 with acetic acid). The obtained extract, was diluted with the mobile phase (1:1) and introduced (20 microl) to the reversed phase HPLC-ICP-MS system. The separation was achieved by isocratic elution (2.5 mmol l(-1) cysteine, 12.5 mmol l(-1) (NH(4))(2)HPO(4), 0.05% triethylamine, pH 7.0:methanol (96:4)) at a flow rate 0.6 ml min(-1). Column effluent was on-line introduced to ICP-MS for specific detection of (202)Hg, (200)Hg and (209)Bi. Analytical signal was defined as the ratio between (202)Hg/(209)Bi peak areas. The detection limits evaluated for Hg(2+) and CH(3)Hg(+) were 0.8 and 0.7 microg l(-1). Recovery of the procedure, calculated as the sum of species concentrations found in the sample with respect to total ICP-MS-determined Hg was 91.9% for king mackerel muscle and 89.5% for red snapper liver. In the standard addition experiments, the recovery results were 98.9% for Hg(2+) and 100.6% for CH(3)Hg(+). It should be stressed that the use of Bi(3+) as IS enabled to improve analytical performance by compensating for incomplete extraction and for imprecision of sample handling during relatively non-rigorous protocol.

Analysis of phytochelatins in nopal (Opuntia ficus): a metallomics approach in the soil–plant system

This work focuses on phytochelatins (PCs) in plants chronically exposed to low or moderate metal concentrations in soil, which commonly occurs in natural environments. The original approach was to evaluate PCs in nopal (Opuntia ficus) in relation to the plant and soil levels of Cd, Pb, Cu and Ag. These four metals were selected because of their known capability to induce PCs in plants and also because of their abundance in the region of Guanajuato (Mexico), where the nopal plants were collected. ICP-MS determination of metals in nopal roots, stems and in soil fractions provided information relevant to their bioavailability in soil as well as their uptake by nopal. In search of a possible relationship between the parameters measured, correlation analysis was carried out (Cd was not considered owing to its low levels found in the plant tissues). The results obtained indicate that sequential metal leaching from soil does not always provide direct information on metal bioavailability. The uptake of metals by nopal roots correlated with metals in the organic matter and sulfides fraction. Since low levels of humic substances were found in soil collected at cactus roots and because of the low solubility of Pb, Cu and Ag sulfides, the participation of rizosphere processes was suggested in facilitating metal uptake. Metal distribution in PC molecular mass fractions were studied by SEC-ICP-MS and the results compared with the total phytochelatin pool in plants as determined by reversed phase HPLC with spectrofluorimetric detection. The two procedures provide complementary analytical information when the global effect of all metals/metalloids present in soil on PC production is to be studied. Correlation analysis revealed the strong association of Pb with PCs both in roots and in stems, which demonstrates that Pb is important in nopal PCs and suggests that Pb bound to PCs might be transported from roots to stems. For Cu, the correlation between metal-free PCs and metal bound to high molecular mass fraction of plant PC-rich extract was observed only in roots, suggesting differences in the transport of Pb and Cu. In contrast to these metals, no correlation was found for silver, suggesting no association with PCs, even though its elution with a high molecular mass fraction was observed in PC-rich plant extracts. The results obtained from this study indicate the complex role environmental conditions play in the accumulation of heavy metals and in phytochelatin production in the Opuntia genus.

Zinc Sequestration: Arming Phagocyte Defense against Fungal Attack

The innate immune system employs various defense mechanisms to combat invading microbes. From a pathogen perspective, access to adequate nutrition is one of the fundamental requirements for survival within the host. The ability to counter microbial survival by restricting basic elements of growth, extending from amino acids to sugars and metals, is referred to as nutritional immunity [1]. The mechanisms of Zn acquisition, transport, and storage have been investigated in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. In this review, the total amount of zinc regardless of its chemical form will be referred to as Zn, and the labile fraction as Zn2+. From an immunological perspective, the primary focus has been on the impact of Zn regulation on the numbers and function of lymphocytes and phagocytes and their correlation with susceptibility to infections, but a dissection of the molecular details in these processes has been lacking. More recently, understanding the Zn modulatory mechanisms and how they drive host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level has been a subject of intense scrutiny. This review will accentuate existing and novel insights into the roles of Zn in nutritional immunity and in phagocyte defenses against fungi.

Metal ion transport quantified by ICP-MS in intact cells.

The use of ICP-MS to measure metal ion content in biological tissues offers a highly sensitive means to study metal-dependent physiological processes. Here we describe the application of ICP-MS to measure membrane transport of Rb and K ions by the Na,K-ATPase in mouse skeletal muscles and human red blood cells. The ICP-MS method provides greater precision and statistical power than possible with conventional tracer flux methods. The method is widely applicable to studies of other metal ion transporters and metal-dependent processes in a range of cell types and conditions.

Comparing Gene Expression during Cadmium Uptake and Distribution: Untreated versus Oral Cd-Treated Wild-Type and ZIP14 Knockout Mice

The nonessential metal cadmium (Cd) is toxic only after entering the cell. Proteins possibly relevant to intracellular Cd accumulation include the divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) and all 14 zinc-like iron-like protein (ZIP) importers, 10 zinc transporter (ZnT) exporters, and metallothionein chaperones MT1 and MT2. Comparing oral Cd-treated ZIP14 knockout (KO) with wild-type (WT) mice, we predicted Cd uptake and distribution would be diminished in the KO-because ZIP14 is very highly expressed in GI tract and liver; this was indeed observed for Cd content in liver. However, the reverse was found in kidney and lung from 6 or 12 h through 10 days of Cd exposure; at these times, Cd accumulation was unexpectedly greater in KO than WT mice; mRNA levels of the 27 above-mentioned genes were thus examined in proximal small intestine (PSI) versus kidney to see if these paradoxical effects could be explained by substantial alterations in any of the other 26 genes. PSI genes highly expressed in untreated WT animals included seven ZIP and five ZnT transporters, DMT1, MT1, and MT2; kidney genes included 11 ZIP and 7 ZnT transporters, DMT1, MT1, and MT2. Over 10 days of oral Cd, a bimodal response was seen for Cd content in PSI and for various mRNAs; initially, acute effects caused by the toxic metal; subsequently, the up- or down-regulation of important genes presumably to combat the sustained adversity. These data underscore the complex interplay between the gastrointestinal tract and renal proteins that might be relevant to Cd uptake and distribution in animals exposed to oral Cd.

Overexpression of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase 1 Attenuates Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Asthma

Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, are increased in lung, sputum, exhaled breath condensate and plasma samples from asthma patients. ADMA is metabolized primarily by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) and DDAH2. We determined the effect of DDAH1 overexpression on development of allergic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. The expression of DDAH1 and DDAH2 in mouse lungs was determined by RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR). ADMA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples were determined by mass spectrometry. Wild type and DDAH1-transgenic mice were intratracheally challenged with PBS or house dust mite (HDM). Airway inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) total and differential cell counts. The levels of IgE and IgG1 in BALF and serum samples were determined by ELISA. Gene expression in lungs was determined by RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR. Our data showed that the expression of DDAH1 and DDAH2 was decreased in the lungs of mice following HDM exposure, which correlated with increased ADMA levels in BALF and serum. Transgenic overexpression of DDAH1 resulted in decreased BAL total cell and eosinophil numbers following HDM exposure. Total IgE levels in BALF and serum were decreased in HDM-exposed DDAH1-transgenic mice compared to HDM-exposed wild type mice. RNA-Seq results showed downregulation of genes in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathway in PBS-treated DDAH1-transgenic mice versus PBS-treated wild type mice and downregulation of genes in IL-13/FOXA2 signaling pathway in HDM-treated DDAH1-transgenic mice versus HDM-treated wild type mice. Our findings suggest that decreased expression of DDAH1 and DDAH2 in the lungs may contribute to allergic asthma and overexpression of DDAH1 attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation through modulation of Th2 responses.

Zinc Induces Dendritic Cell Tolerogenic Phenotype and Skews Regulatory T Cell-Th17 Balance.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential metal for development and maintenance of both the innate and adaptive compartments of the immune system. Zn homeostasis impacts maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) that are important in shaping T cell responses. The mechanisms by which Zn regulates the tolerogenic phenotype of DCs remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of Zn on DC phenotype and the generation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) using a model of Histoplasma capsulatum fungal infection. Exposure of bone marrow–derived DCs to Zn in vitro induced a tolerogenic phenotype by diminishing surface MHC class II (MHCII) and promoting the tolerogenic markers, programmed death–ligand (PD-L)1, PD-L2, and the tryptophan degrading enzyme, IDO. Zn triggered tryptophan degradation by IDO and kynurenine production by DCs and strongly suppressed the proinflammatory response to stimulation by TLR ligands. In vivo, Zn supplementation and subsequent H. capsulatum infection supressed MHCII on DCs, enhanced PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression on MHCIIlo DCs, and skewed the Treg–Th17 balance in favor of Foxp3+ Tregs while decreasing Th17 cells. Thus, Zn shapes the tolerogenic potential of DCs in vitro and in vivo and promotes Tregs during fungal infection.

Metal-Mediated Modulation of Streptococcal Cysteine Protease Activity and Its Biological Implications

ABSTRACT Streptococcal cysteine protease (SpeB), the major secreted protease produced by group A streptococcus (GAS), cleaves both host and bacterial proteins and contributes importantly to the pathogenesis of invasive GAS infections. Modulation of SpeB expression and/or its activity during invasive GAS infections has been shown to affect bacterial virulence and infection severity. Expression of SpeB is regulated by the GAS CovR-CovS two-component regulatory system, and we demonstrated that bacteria with mutations in the CovR-CovS two-component regulatory system are selected for during localized GAS infections and that these bacteria lack SpeB expression and exhibit a hypervirulent phenotype. Additionally, in a separate study, we showed that expression of SpeB can also be modulated by human transferrin- and/or lactoferrin-mediated iron chelation. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the possible roles of iron and other metals in modulating SpeB expression and/or activity in a manner that would potentiate bacterial virulence. Here, we report that the divalent metals zinc and copper inhibit SpeB activity at the posttranslational level. Utilizing online metal-binding site prediction servers, we identified two putative metal-binding sites in SpeB, one of which involves the catalytic-dyad residues 47Cys and 195His. Based on our findings, we propose that zinc and/or copper availability in the bacterial microenvironment can modulate the proteolytic activity of SpeB in a manner that preserves the integrity of several other virulence factors essential for bacterial survival and dissemination within the host and thereby may exacerbate the severity of invasive GAS infections.

IL-4 Induces Metallothionein 3- and SLC30A4-Dependent Increase in Intracellular Zn2+ that Promotes Pathogen Persistence in Macrophages

SUMMARY Alternative activation of macrophages promotes wound healing but weakens antimicrobial defenses against intracellular pathogens. The mechanisms that suppress macrophage function to create a favorable environment for pathogen growth remain elusive. We show that interleukin (IL)-4 triggers a metallothionein 3 (MT3)- and Zn exporter SLC30A4- dependent increase in the labile Zn2+ stores in macrophages and that intracellular pathogens can exploit this increase in Zn to survive. IL-4 regulates this pathway by shuttling extracellular Zn into macrophages and by activating cathepsins that act on MT3 to release bound Zn. We show that IL-4 can modulate Zn homeostasis in both human monocytes and mice. In vivo, MT3 can repress macrophage function in an M2-polarizing environment to promote pathogen persistence. Thus, MT3 and SLC30A4 dictate the size of the labile Zn2+ pool and promote the survival of a prototypical intracellular pathogen in M2 macrophages.