Laura Spinardi

Nkx2-5+Islet1+ mesenchymal precursors generate distinct spleen stromal cell subsets and participate in restoring stromal network integrity

Secondary lymphoid organ stromal cells comprise different subsets whose origins remain unknown. Herein, we exploit a genetic lineage-tracing approach to show that splenic fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), marginal reticular cells (MRCs), and mural cells, but not endothelial cells, originate from embryonic mesenchymal progenitors of the Nkx2-5(+)Islet1(+) lineage. This lineage include embryonic mesenchymal cells with lymphoid tissue organizer (LTo) activity capable also of supporting ectopic lymphoid-like structures and a subset of resident spleen stromal cells that proliferate and regenerate the splenic stromal microenvironment following resolution of a viral infection. These findings identify progenitor cells that generate stromal diversity in spleen development and repair and suggest the existence of multipotent stromal progenitors in the adult spleen with regenerative capacity.

RNA polymerase II subunit 3 is retained in the cytoplasm by its interaction with HCR, the psoriasis vulgaris candidate gene product

Here, we show that the subcellular localization of α-like RNA polymerase II core subunit 3 (RPB3) is regulated during muscle differentiation. We have recently demonstrated that the expression of RPB3 is regulated during muscle differentiation and that, inside RNA polymerase II (RNAP II), it is directly involved in contacting regulatory proteins such as the myogenic transcription factor Myogenin and activating transcription factor ATF4. We show for the first time, that RPB3, in addition to its presence and role inside the RNAP II core enzyme, accumulates in the cytoplasm of cycling myogenic cells and migrates to the nucleus upon induction of the differentiation program. Furthermore, using human RPB3 as bait in a yeast two-hybrid system, we have isolated a novel RPB3 cytoplasmic interacting protein, HCR. HCR, previously identified as α-helix coiled-coil rod homologue, is one of the psoriasis vulgaris (PV) candidate genes. In cycling myogenic C2C7 cells, we show that the RPB3 protein directly interacts with HCR within the cytoplasm. Finally, knocking down HCR expression by RNA interference, we demonstrate that HCR acts as cytoplasmic docking site for RPB3.

Defective erythroid maturation in gelsolin mutant mice

Background During late differentiation, erythroid cells undergo profound changes involving actin filament remodeling. One of the proteins controlling actin dynamics is gelsolin, a calcium-activated actin filament severing and capping protein. Gelsolin-null (Gsn−/−) mice generated in a C57BL/6 background are viable and fertile.1 Design and Methods We analyzed the functional roles of gelsolin in erythropoiesis by: (i) evaluating gelsolin expression in murine fetal liver cells at different stages of erythroid differentiation (using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry), and (ii) characterizing embryonic and adult erythropoiesis in Gsn−/− BALB/c mice (morphology and erythroid cultures). Results In the context of a BALB/c background, the Gsn−/− mutation causes embryonic death. Gsn−/− embryos show defective erythroid maturation with persistence of circulating nucleated cells. The few Gsn−/− mice reaching adulthood fail to recover from phenylhydrazine-induced acute anemia, revealing an impaired response to stress erythropoiesis. In in vitro differentiation assays, E13.5 fetal liver Gsn−/− cells failed to undergo terminal maturation, a defect partially rescued by Cytochalasin D, and mimicked by administration of Jasplakinolide to the wild-type control samples. Conclusions In BALB/c mice, gelsolin deficiency alters the equilibrium between erythrocyte actin polymerization and depolymerization, causing impaired terminal maturation. We suggest a non-redundant role for gelsolin in terminal erythroid differentiation, possibly contributing to the Gsn−/− mice lethality observed in mid-gestation.

A Microsphere-Based Suspension Array for Blood Group Molecular Typing: An Update

Background: In a previous publication we described a method for Jk^a/Jk^b, Fy^a/Fy^b, S/s, K/k, Kp^a/Kp^b, Js^a/Js^b, Co^a/ Co^b, and Lu^a/Lu^b genotyping based on a microsphere suspension array. Here, an improved version of the assay is presented. Methods: Two multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were developed: one for amplification of samples routinely tested and the other for those systems that are tested less frequently. Each biotinylated PCR product is hybridized in a single multiplex assay. A total of 2,020 samples were analyzed, and the genotypes were compared to the blood group phenotypes. Results: There have been no discrepancies with the serology results other than null and/or weak phenotypes. Conclusion: In its present form, the method presented here has the capacity to genotype hundreds of a samples in few hours with a high concordance rate with serology.