Journal: The Journal of Cell Biology

Article Title: The keratin-binding protein Albatross regulates polarization of epithelial cells

doi: 10.1083/jcb.200803133

Figure Lengend Snippet: Impaired AJC formation in Albatross knockdown cells. (A) Double staining for Albatross (red) and the undercoat proteins (green) for each AJC component: TJ, ZO-1; AJ, afadin; DS, desmoplakin. Top and bottom columns show projections of x-y planes and z sections, respectively. Albatross knockdown A549 (Albatross KD) cells lack accumulation of these proteins at the cell–cell borders except in regions where residual Albatross is present. (B) Cell–cell adhesive properties evaluated by a cell aggregation assay. In the differential interference contrast images, control cells show cell aggregation. With Albatross knockdown A549 (A1050 and A1160) cells, the aggregated cell population is reduced and free cells are increased. The percentages of single cells in total cells (mean ± SD) are: control, 36.1 ± 3.9; A1050, 52.4 ± 2.8; A1160 cells, 59.4 ± 10.2. n = 4 and P < 0.01. (C) Immunoelectron microscopy of A549 cells with anti-Albatross antibodies. Note that the cytoplasm in the vicinity of AJCs is labeled. TJ, AJ, and DS are indicated. Arrows indicate cell–cell contacts. (D) Quantitative data from C. (E) BC fraction and AJ fraction were immunostained for Albatross with the indicated AJC proteins, PKCζ or Par3. Note that Albatross is well colocalized with them. (F) Immunoblotting of fractions derived from mouse liver: homogenates (left), BC (middle), and AJ (right). Not only Albatross but also Par3 is enriched in line with the concentrations of the indicated AJC components. (G) Immunoprecipitation of A549 cells with anti-Albatross antibodies. Start and IP indicate starting lysates and immunoprecipitates with preimmune (Pre.) and anti-Albatross (αAlb.) antibodies, respectively. Note the Par3 precipitation with Albatross. Among AJC components, ZO-1 also coprecipitated. (H) Immunoprecipitation analysis with tagged Albatross and Par3. Start and IP indicate starting lysates and immunoprecipitates with anti-GFP antibodies, respectively. Left lanes show results for negative controls expressing GFP alone. Par3 was the most precipitated with GFP-Albatross among coexpressed myc-Par3, -Par6, and -PKCλ. Bars: (A) 10 μm; (B) 100 μm; (C) 0.1 μm; (E, BC) 13 μm; (E, AJ) 10 μm.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: monoclonal mouse anti-keratin 8 (Ks 8.7; Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti-keratin 18 (CY-90; Sigma-Aldrich), polyclonal mouse anti-pan keratin (Sigma-Aldrich), polyclonal guinea pig anti-K8/18 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), polyclonal guinea pig anti–desmoplakin 1 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–desmoplakin 1 and 2 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–ZO-1 (1; BD Biosciences), monoclonal rat anti–ZO-1 (BM173; Acris Antibodies, GmbH), monoclonal rat anti–E-cadherin (ECCD-2; EMD), monoclonal mouse anti-neurofilaments, monoclonal rat anti–platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (anti-PECAM; CD31; BD Biosciences), monoclonal mouse anti–α-tubulin (B-5-1-2; Sigma-Aldrich), monoclonal mouse anti–claudin-2 (12H12; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–desmocollin-2/3 (7G6; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–desmoglein 2 (10G11; Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–nectin-1 (CK8; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–β-catenin (14; BD Biosciences), polyclonal rabbit anti-ezrin (Millipore), rabbit anti-Par3 polyclonal antibody (provided by S. Ohno, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; Millipore), monoclonal mouse anti-occludin (OC-3F10; Invitrogen), monoclonal rat anti–nectin-2 (502–57; HyCult Biotechnology), polyclonal rabbit anti-GFP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), polyclonal rabbit anti-PKCζ (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), and polyclonal rabbit anti–glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (anti-GAPDH) conjugated to HRP (Abcam).

Techniques: Double Staining, Immuno-Electron Microscopy, Labeling, Western Blot, Derivative Assay, Immunoprecipitation, Expressing

Journal: The Journal of Cell Biology

Article Title: The keratin-binding protein Albatross regulates polarization of epithelial cells

doi: 10.1083/jcb.200803133

Figure Lengend Snippet: Functions of keratins and Albatross–Par3 complexes. (A–C) The amounts of Albatross protein and mRNA were analyzed in both keratin 8 and keratin 18 (K8/18)-introduced SW13 cells. As a control, an empty vector was transfected. As loading controls, α-tubulin and GAPDH were used. Two independent experiments were performed. (A) Immunoblotting. In transiently K8/18-introduced SW13 cells, the amount of Albatross protein is elevated, along with the amount of keratin 18. (B) With stable lines, the same results were obtained. (C) RT-PCR. In K8/18-introduced SW13 cells, the mRNA level of K18 is elevated, but not that of Albatross. β-actin is included as an internal control. (D) Double staining for K8/18 and the indicated proteins: Albatross, AJC components of ZO-1 and afadin, and Par3. (top) In control cells, K8/18 is absent and only limited amounts of Albatross are apparent at cell–cell junctions. In stably K8/18-introduced SW13 cells, Albatross is well localized in cell–cell junctions compared with control cells. (middle and bottom) ZO-1, afadin, and Par3 similarly accumulated at the cell–cell borders in stably K8/18-introduced SW13 cells. (E) Immunostaining of stably K8/18-introduced SW13 cells transfected with control or Albatross siRNA. Note that ZO-1, afadin, and Par3 are reduced at cell–cell borders with knockdown of Albatross. (F) A model for the regulation of AJC and lateral domains with the Albatross–Par3 complex and keratins. Albatross–Par3 complexes regulate the formation of AJC and maintain lateral membrane identity. However, Par3 without Albatross regulates apical structures. Keratins stabilize Albatross, promoting the formation of AJC. Knockdown effects are also indicated. Bars, 10 μm.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: monoclonal mouse anti-keratin 8 (Ks 8.7; Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti-keratin 18 (CY-90; Sigma-Aldrich), polyclonal mouse anti-pan keratin (Sigma-Aldrich), polyclonal guinea pig anti-K8/18 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), polyclonal guinea pig anti–desmoplakin 1 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–desmoplakin 1 and 2 (Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–ZO-1 (1; BD Biosciences), monoclonal rat anti–ZO-1 (BM173; Acris Antibodies, GmbH), monoclonal rat anti–E-cadherin (ECCD-2; EMD), monoclonal mouse anti-neurofilaments, monoclonal rat anti–platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (anti-PECAM; CD31; BD Biosciences), monoclonal mouse anti–α-tubulin (B-5-1-2; Sigma-Aldrich), monoclonal mouse anti–claudin-2 (12H12; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–desmocollin-2/3 (7G6; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–desmoglein 2 (10G11; Progen Pharmaceuticals), monoclonal mouse anti–nectin-1 (CK8; Invitrogen), monoclonal mouse anti–β-catenin (14; BD Biosciences), polyclonal rabbit anti-ezrin (Millipore), rabbit anti-Par3 polyclonal antibody (provided by S. Ohno, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; Millipore), monoclonal mouse anti-occludin (OC-3F10; Invitrogen), monoclonal rat anti–nectin-2 (502–57; HyCult Biotechnology), polyclonal rabbit anti-GFP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), polyclonal rabbit anti-PKCζ (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), and polyclonal rabbit anti–glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (anti-GAPDH) conjugated to HRP (Abcam).

Techniques: Plasmid Preparation, Transfection, Western Blot, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, Double Staining, Stable Transfection, Immunostaining

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet: PLY-EVs induce dendritic cell maturation and inflammatory cytokine release upon internalization (A) Confocal microscopy images showing the internalization of CFSE-labelled PLY (0.1) and naive EVs (green) by THP-1-monocyte-derived DCs at 24 h post-treatment. Scale bars, 25 μm. (B) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 3) to quantify the DC uptake of CFSE-labeled PLY(0.5)EVs and naive EVs. (C) Dose-dependent uptake of PLY (0.1, 0.5) EVs by DCs. (D) Phase-contrast microscopy images of immature day 5 DCs coincubated with PLY (0.1, 0.5) EVs and naive EVs for 24 h. Arrows indicate matured DCs (magnified in inset). Scale bars, 50 μm. Images are representative of three independent experiments. (E–G) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 3) to quantify the expression levels of (E) CD80, (F) CD86, and (G) CD83 on THP-1-monocyte-derived DCs treated with PLY(0.5) and naive EVs. (H and I) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 2) showing the expression levels of DC maturation marker CD83 at 96 h post-incubation of primary human monocytes with (H) PLY(0.5) and naive EVs and (I) naive EVs pre-treated with recombinant PLY protein (naive EVs+rPLY). (J and K) Cytokine ELISA showing the levels of secreted TNF-α from (J) DCs treated with PLY (0.1) EVs or naive EVs alone ( N = 3) for 24 h and (K) DCs pre-treated with PLY (0.1,0.5) or naive EVs for 24 h followed by subsequent infection with S. pneumoniae , T4R strain ( N = 2). Recombinant PLY (0.5 μg/mL) was used as positive control. All data are represented as mean ± SEM. ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.005, and ∗∗∗ p < 0.001 by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. n.s., not significant. See also Figures S6–S9 .

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Confocal Microscopy, Derivative Assay, Flow Cytometry, Labeling, Microscopy, Expressing, Marker, Incubation, Recombinant, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Infection, Positive Control

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet: Adoptive transfer of EVs from infected mice drives inflammation and pathology in a PLY-dependent manner (A) C57BL/6 mice were intranasally administered with 4 × 10 6 CFU of serotype 4 strain, T4 or the isogenic PLY mutant strain, T4Δply. At day 4 post-infection, EVs isolated from BALF were labeled and administered to healthy recipient mice at 35 μg/mice. The EV retention in murine respiratory tract was imaged by IVIS imaging and immune infiltration into lungs, and cytokine levels in BALF was measured. (B) Bacterial load in murine BALF ( N = 5 mice/group) upon infection with T4 and T4Δply strains was measured by CFU dilution assay. ∗∗ in (B) indicates p < 0.01 by Mann-Whitney test. (C) Quantification of relative total EV protein content from mice ( N = 3 mice/group) infected with T4 and T4Δply strains by BCA protein assay. PBS-treated mice served as control. ∗ and ∗∗ in (C) indicates p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively, by unpaired t test. (D) IVIS imaging of mice intranasally administered with Nile-red-labeled EVs isolated from mice infected with T4 (EVs-T4) or T4Δply (EVs-T4Δply). EVs from PBS-treated mice (naive EVs) served as control. ROI intensity values indicate the total flux (photons/sec) recorded from the given region showing higher intensity of EVs from T4-infected mice in the respiratory tract. The color scale (photons/sec/cm 2 ) indicates the relative intensities of individual signals. (E and F) Flow cytometry analysis of inflammatory macrophages (F4/80 + ) and neutrophils (Ly6G + ) in BALF of mice ( N = 6 mice/group) administered with EVs from infected or untreated mice at 18 h. (G) TNF-α levels in the BALF of mice ( N = 5 mice/group) treated with EVs isolated from infected or untreated mice were measured post-sacrifice at 18 h by ELISA. ∗∗ and ∗∗∗ in (G) indicates p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively, by unpaired t test. (H) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of mouse lungs ( N = 6 mice/group) at 18 h post-administration of EVs from infected or PBS-treated mice. Mice treated with EVs from T4-infected mice showed tissue microlesions (MLEs) and immune cell infiltration in the alveolar interstitium indicative of PLY-induced tissue damage (magnified in the inset). BR, bronchiole; MLE, microlesions. Scale bars, 200 μm. Blind histopathological scoring was performed based on presence or absence of cellularity in alveolar interstitium and lesions. A score of “0” was given when no lesions were found, and a score of “1” was given to tissue showing increasing cellularity and lesions. Mouse BALF flow cytometry and histology data are representative of three independent experiments. All data are represented as mean ± SEM. See also Figure S12 .

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Adoptive Transfer Assay, Infection, Mutagenesis, Isolation, Labeling, Imaging, Dilution Assay, MANN-WHITNEY, Bicinchoninic Acid Protein Assay, Control, Flow Cytometry, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Staining

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet:

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Virus, Mutagenesis, Isolation, Recombinant, Modification, Saline, Labeling, Staining, Electron Microscopy, Lysis, Western Blot, Buffer Exchange, Bicinchoninic Acid Protein Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Clone Assay, Software, Membrane