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Clinical benefits of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezolizumab–bevacizumab) are observed only in a subset of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and the development of biomarkers is needed to improve therapeutic strategies. The atezolizumab–bevacizumab response signature (ABRS), assessed by molecular biology profiling techniques, has been shown to be associated with progression-free survival after treatment initiation. The primary objective of our study was to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model able to estimate ABRS expression directly from histological slides, and to evaluate if model predictions were associated with progression-free survival. In this multicentre retrospective study, we developed a model (ABRS-prediction; ABRS-P), which was derived from the previously published clustering-constrained attention multiple instance learning (or CLAM) pipeline. We trained the model fit for regression analysis using a multicentre dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (patients treated by surgical resection, n=336). The ABRS-P model was externally validated on two independent series of samples from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (a surgical resection series, n=225; and a biopsy series, n=157). The predictive value of the model was further tested in a series of biopsy samples from a multicentre cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab–bevacizumab (n=122). All samples in the study were from adults (aged ≥18 years). The validation sets were sampled between Jan 1, 2008, to Jan 1, 2023. For the multicentre validation set, the primary objective was to assess the association of high versus low ABRS-P values, defined relative to cross-validation median split thresholds in the first biopsy series, with progression-free survival after treatment initiation. Finally, we performed spatial transcriptomics and matched prediction heatmaps with in situ expression profiles. Of the 840 patients sampled, 641 (76%) were male and 199 (24%) were female. Across the development and validation datasets, hepatocellular carcinoma risk factors included alcohol intake, hepatitis B and C virus infections, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Using cross-validation in the development series, the mean Pearson's correlation between ABRS-P values and ABRS score (mean expression of ABRS genes) was r =0·62 (SD 0·09; mean p<0·0001, SD<0·0001). The ABRS-P generalised well on the external validation series (surgical resection series, r =0·60 [95% CI 0·51–0·68], p<0·0001; biopsy series, r =0·53 [0·40–0·63], p<0·0001). In the 122 patients treated with atezolizumab–bevacizumab, those with ABRS-P-high tumours (n=74) showed significantly longer median progression-free survival than those with ABRS-P-low tumours (n=48) after treatment initiation (12 months [95% CI 7–not reached] vs 7 months [4–9]; p=0·014). Spatial transcriptomics showed significantly higher ABRS score, along with upregulation of various other immune effectors, in tumour areas with high ABRS-P values versus areas with low ABRS-P values. Our study indicates that AI applied on hepatocellular carcinoma digital slides is able to serve as a biomarker for progression-free survival in patients treated with atezolizumab–bevacizumab. This approach could be used in the development of inexpensive and fast biomarkers for targeted therapies. The combination of AI heatmaps with spatial transcriptomics provides insight on the molecular features associated with predictions. This methodology could be applied to other cancers or diseases and improve understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive responses to treatments. Institut National du Cancer, Fondation ARC, China Scholarship Council, Ligue Contre le Cancer du Val de Marne, Fondation de l'Avenir, Ipsen, and Fondation Bristol Myers Squibb Pour la Recherche en Immuno-Oncologie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are orchestrators of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment. Previously we described four CAF subtypes with specific molecular and functional features. Here, we have refined our CAF subtype signatures using RNAseq and immunostaining with the goal of defining bioinformatically the phenotypic stromal and tumor epithelial states associated with CAF diversity. We used primary CAF cultures grown from patient PDAC tumors, human data sets (in‐house and public, including single‐cell analyses), genetically engineered mouse PDAC tissues, and patient‐derived xenografts (PDX) grown in mice. We found that CAF subtype RNAseq signatures correlated with immunostaining. Tumors rich in periostin‐positive CAFs were significantly associated with shorter overall survival of patients. Periostin‐positive CAFs were characterized by high proliferation and protein synthesis rates and low α‐smooth muscle actin expression and were found in peri‐/pre‐tumoral areas. They were associated with highly cellular tumors and with macrophage infiltrates. Podoplanin‐positive CAFs were associated with immune‐related signatures and recruitment of dendritic cells. Importantly, we showed that the combination of periostin‐positive CAFs and podoplanin‐positive CAFs was associated with specific tumor microenvironment features in terms of stromal abundance and immune cell infiltrates. Podoplanin‐positive CAFs identified an inflammatory CAF (iCAF)‐like subset, whereas periostin‐positive CAFs were not correlated with the published myofibroblastic CAF (myCAF)/iCAF classification. Taken together, these results suggest that a periostin‐positive CAF is an early, activated CAF, associated with aggressive tumors, whereas a podoplanin‐positive CAF is associated with an immune‐related phenotype. These two subpopulations cooperate to define specific tumor microenvironment and patient prognosis and are of putative interest for future therapeutic stratification of patients. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) displaying overexpression of immune gene signatures are likely to be more sensitive to immunotherapy, however, the use of such signatures in clinical settings remains challenging. We thus aimed, using artificial intelligence (AI) on whole-slide digital histological images, to develop models able to predict the activation of 6 immune gene signatures. AI models were trained and validated in 2 different series of patients with HCC treated by surgical resection. Gene expression was investigated using RNA sequencing or NanoString technology. Three deep learning approaches were investigated: patch-based, classic MIL and CLAM. Pathological reviewing of the most predictive tissue areas was performed for all gene signatures. The CLAM model showed the best overall performance in the discovery series. Its best-fold areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the prediction of tumors with upregulation of the immune gene signatures ranged from 0.78 to 0.91. The different models generalized well in the validation dataset with AUCs ranging from 0.81 to 0.92. Pathological analysis of highly predictive tissue areas showed enrichment in lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. We have developed and validated AI-based pathology models able to predict the activation of several immune and inflammatory gene signatures. Our approach also provides insights into the morphological features that impact the model predictions. This proof-of-concept study shows that AI-based pathology could represent a novel type of biomarker that will ease the translation of our biological knowledge of HCC into clinical practice. Immune and inflammatory gene signatures may be associated with increased sensitivity to immunotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. In the present study, the use of artificial intelligence-based pathology enabled us to predict the activation of these signatures directly from histology. [Display omitted] • AI-based pathology can predict the activation of immune gene signatures directly from hepatocellular carcinoma histology. • Our models generalize well in an independent series of samples with different gene expression profiling technology and staining protocols. • These approaches could represent a novel type of biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour diagnosis relies on the visual examination of histological slides by pathologists through a microscope eyepiece. Digital pathology, the digitalization of histological slides at high magnification with slides scanners, has raised the opportunity to extract quantitative information due to image analysis. In the last decade, medical image analysis has made exceptional progress due to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. AI has been successfully used in the field of medical imaging and more recently in digital pathology. The feasibility and usefulness of AI assisted pathology tasks have been demonstrated in the very last years and we can expect those developments to be applied to routine histopathology in the future. In this review, we will describe and illustrate this technique and present the most recent applications in the field of tumour histopathology. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Molecular imaging - visual themed issue. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.21/issuetoc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Type A intercalated cells of the renal collecting duct participate in the maintenance of the acid/base balance through their capacity to adapt proton secretion to homeostatic requirements. We previously showed that increased proton secretion stems in part from the enlargement of the population of proton secreting cells in the outer medullary collecting duct through division of fully differentiated cells, and that this response is triggered by growth/differentiation factor 15. This study aimed at deciphering the mechanism of acid load-induced secretion of Gdf15 and its mechanism of action. Methods: We developed an original method to evaluate the proliferation of intercalated cells and applied it to genetically modified or pharmacologically treated mice under basal and acid-loaded conditions. Results: Gdf15 is secreted by principal cells of the collecting duct in response to the stimulation of vasopressin receptors. Vasopressin-induced production of cAMP triggers activation of AMP-stimulated kinases and of Na,K-ATPase, and induction of p53 and Gdf15. Gdf15 action on intercalated cells is mediated by ErbB2 receptors, the activation of which triggers the expression of cyclin d1, of p53 and anti-proliferative genes, and of Egr1. Conclusion: Acidosis-induced proliferation of intercalated cells results from a cross talk with principal cells which secrete Gdf15 in response to their stimulation by vasopressin. Thus, vasopressin is a major determinant of the collecting duct cellular homeostasis as it promotes proliferation of intercalated cells under acidosis conditions and of principal cells under normal acid-base status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a major cofactor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) sexual acquisition and transmission. In the present study, we investigated whether HIV-1 and HSV-2 may interact at the cellular level by forming HIV-1 hybrid virions pseudotyped with HSV-2 envelope glycoproteins, as was previously reported for HSV type 1. Methods We evaluated in vitro the production of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotypes in mononuclear CEM cells and epithelial HT29 and P4P cells. We analyzed the incorporation into the HIV-1 membrane of HSV-2 gB and gD, two major HSV-2 glycoproteins required for HSV-2 fusion with the cell membrane, in co-infected cells and in HIV-1-infected P4P cells transfected by plasmids coding for gB or gD. Results We show that HSV-2 and HIV-1 co-replicated in dually infected cells, and gB and gD were co-localized with gp160. However, HIV-1 particles, produced in HIV-1-infected cells expressing gB or gD after transfection or HSV-2 superinfection, did not incorporate either gB or gD in the viral membrane, and did not have the capacity to infect cells normally non-permissive for HIV-1, such as epithelial cells. Conclusion Our results do not support the hypothesis of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotype formation and involvement in the synergistic genital interactions between HIV-1 and HSV-2.

Recent mouse studies of the presymptomatic stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have suggested that proinflammatory changes, such as glial activation and cytokine induction, may occur already at this early stage through unknown mechanisms. Because TNFα contributes to increased Aβ production from the Aβ precursor protein (APP), we assessed a putative correlation between APP/Aβ and TNFα during the presymptomatic stage as well as early astrocyte activation in the hippocampus of 3-month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. While Western blots revealed significant APP expression, Aβ was not detectable by Western blot or ELISA attesting that 3-month-old, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice are at a presymptomatic stage of AD-like pathology. Western blots were also used to show increased GFAP expression in transgenic mice that positively correlated with both TNFα and APP, which were also mutually correlated. Subregional immunohistochemical quantification of phenotypic (GFAP) and functional (TSPO) markers of astrocyte activation indicated a selective and significant increase in GFAP-immunoreactive (IR) cells in the dentate gyrus of APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Our data suggest that subtle morphological and phenotypic alterations, compatible with the engagement of astrocyte along the activation pathway, occur in the hippocampus already at the presymptomatic stage of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is remarkably mobile in living cells, which reflects its ability to interact only transiently with both DNA and protein. This property is likely essential for HMGB1 nuclear activities. Nonetheless the weak interaction of HMGB1 with DNA and/or protein partners has also been a major limitation for investigating HMGB1 subnuclear localisation and for the identification of HMGB1 containing complexes by conventional biochemical approaches. In the present study, FRAP experiments demonstrated that DsRed-mediated oligomerization strongly reduces HMGB1 mobility due to an increased affinity for cellular chromatin. Moreover, oligomerized DsRed–HMGB1 exhibited a higher affinity for supercoiled DNA in vitro compared to its monomeric counterpart. These results indicate that DsRed-meditated oligomerization is prone to stabilize labile interactions involving HMGB1 both in vivo and in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: There are controversies regarding the pro-angiogenic activity of placental growth factor (PGF) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). For a better understanding of its role on the retina, we have evaluated the effect of a sustained PGF overexpression in rat ocular media, using ciliary muscle electrotransfer (ET) of a plasmid encoding rat PGF-1 (pVAX2-rPGF-1). Materials and Methods: pVAX2-rPGF-1 ET in the ciliary muscle (200 V/cm) was achieved in non diabetic and diabetic rat eyes. Control eyes received saline or naked plasmid ET. Clinical follow up was carried out over three months using slit lamp examination and fluorescein angiography. After the control of rPGF-1 expression, PGF-induced effects on retinal vasculature and on the blood-external barrier were evaluated respectively by lectin and occludin staining on flat-mounts. Ocular structures were visualized through histological analysis. Results: After fifteen days of rPGF-1 over-expression in normal eyes, tortuous and dilated capillaries were observed. At one month, microaneurysms and moderate vascular sprouts were detected in mid retinal periphery in vivo and on retinal flatmounts. At later stages, retinal pigmented epithelial cells demonstrated morphological abnormalities and junction ruptures. In diabetic retinas, PGF expression rose between 2 and 5 months, and, one month after ET, rPGF-1 over-expression induced glial activation and proliferation. Conclusion: This is the first demonstration that sustained intraocular PGF production induces vascular and retinal changes similar to those observed in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. PGF and its receptor Flt-1 may therefore be looked upon as a potential regulatory target at this stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single intravitreal (i.v.t.) injection of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) loaded in rhodamine-conjugated liposomes (VIP-Rh-Lip) on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods: An i.v.t. injection of VIP-Rh-Lip, saline, VIP, or empty-(E)-Rh-Lip was performed simultaneously, either 6 or 12 days after footpad immunization with retinal S-antigen in Lewis rats. Clinical and histologic scores were determined. Immunohistochemistry and cytokine quantification by multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed in ocular tissues. Systemic immune response was determined at day 20 postimmunization by measuring proliferation and cytokine secretion of cells from inguinal lymph nodes (ILNs) draining the immunization site, specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and the serum concentration of cytokines. Ocular and systemic biodistribution of VIP-Rh-Lip was studied in normal and EAU rats by immunofluorescence. Results: The i.v.t. injection of VIP-Rh-Lip performed during the afferent, but not the efferent, phase of the disease reduced clinical EAU and protected against retinal damage. No effect was observed after saline, E-Rh-Lip, or VIP injection. VIP-Rh-Lip and VIP were detected in intraocular macrophages and in lymphoid organs. In VIP-Rh-Lip-treated eyes, macrophages expressed transforming growth factor-beta2, low levels of major histocompatibility complex class II, and nitric oxide synthase-2. T-cells showed activated caspase-3 with the preservation of photoreceptors. Intraocular levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-17, IL-4, GRO/KC, and CCL5 were reduced with increased IL-13. At the systemic level, treatment reduced retinal soluble autoantigen lymphocyte proliferation, decreased IL-2, and increased IL-10 in ILN cells, and diminished specific DTH and serum concentration of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Conclusions: An i.v.t. injection of VIP-Rh-Lip, performed during the afferent stage of immune response, reduced EAU pathology through the immunomodulation of intraocular macrophages and deviant stimulation of T-cells in ILN. Thus, the encapsulation of VIP within liposomes appears as an effective strategy to deliver VIP into the eye and is an efficient means of the prevention of EAU severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a major cofactor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) sexual acquisition and transmission. In the present study, we investigated whether HIV-1 and HSV-2 may interact at the cellular level by forming HIV-1 hybrid virions pseudotyped with HSV-2 envelope glycoproteins, as was previously reported for HSV type 1. Methods: We evaluated in vitro the production of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotypes in mononuclear CEM cells and epithelial HT29 and P4P cells. We analyzed the incorporation into the HIV-1 membrane of HSV-2 gB and gD, two major HSV-2 glycoproteins required for HSV-2 fusion with the cell membrane, in co-infected cells and in HIV-1-infected P4P cells transfected by plasmids coding for gB or gD. Results: We show that HSV-2 and HIV-1 co-replicated in dually infected cells, and gB and gD were co-localized with gp160. However, HIV-1 particles, produced in HIV-1-infected cells expressing gB or gD after transfection or HSV-2 superinfection, did not incorporate either gB or gD in the viral membrane, and did not have the capacity to infect cells normally non-permissive for HIV-1, such as epithelial cells. Conclusion: Our results do not support the hypothesis of HSV-2/HIV-1 pseudotype formation and involvement in the synergistic genital interactions between HIV-1 and HSV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we tested the efficiency of an intravitreal injection of tamoxifen, a non-steroidal estrogen receptor modulator, in retinal soluble antigen (S-Ag)-induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). To increase the bioavailability of tamoxifen, we incorporated tamoxifen into polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated nanoparticles (NP-PEG-TAM). The localization of the nanoparticles within the eye was investigated using fluorescent-labeled PEG-coated nanoparticles after injection into the vitreous cavity of rats with EAU. Some nanoparticles were distributed extracellularly throughout the ocular tissues, others were concentrated in resident ocular cells and in infiltrating macrophages. Whereas the injection of free tamoxifen did not alter the course of EAU, injection of NP-PEG-TAM performed 1-2 days before the expected onset of the disease in controls resulted in significant inhibition of EAU. NP-PEG-TAM injection significantly reduced EAU compared to injection of NP-PEG-TAM with 17β-estradiol (E2), suggesting that tamoxifen is acting as a partial antagonist to E2. Diminished infiltration by MHC class II inflammatory cells and low expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and RANTES mRNA were noted in eyes of NP-PEG-TAM-treated rats. Intravitreal injection of NP-PEG-TAM decreased S-Ag lymphocyte proliferation, IFN-γ production by inguinal lymph node cells, and specific delayed-type hypersensitivity indicative of a reduced Th1-type response. It increased the anti-S-Ag IgG1 isotype indicating an antibody class switch to Th2 response. These data suggest that NP-PEG-TAM inhibition of EAU could result from a form of immune deviation. Tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles may represent a new option for the treatment of experimental uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane perturbing effects have been described in neurodegenerative process like Alzheimer’s disease and prion disorders. For example, non fibrillar amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) implicated in Alzheimer’s disease may exert its toxicity via membrane perturbation . Membrane organisation can be evaluated by its influence on lateral diffusion of lipids, which itself can be measured by FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching). We used this technique to study the effects of Aβ on membrane fluidity (Pillot et al., manuscript in preparation). We propose here a simple adaptation of FRAP using standard confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). As a test experiment, we analysed the lateral diffusion of a fluorescent analogue of sphingomyelin and were able to demonstrate its increase upon cholesterol depletion induced by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (cdx). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The expression of two metabolic enzymes, i.e., aldehyde dehydrogenase 7 family, member A1 (ALDH7A1) and lipase C, hepatic type (LIPC) by malignant cells, has been measured by immunohistochemical methods in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) biopsies, and has been attributed negative and positive prognostic value, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that the protein levels of ALDH7A1 and LIPC correlate with the levels of the corresponding mRNAs. Bioinformatic analyses of gene expression data from 4921 cancer patients revealed that the expression of LIPC positively correlates with abundant tumor infiltration by myeloid and lymphoid cells in NSCLC, breast carcinoma, colorectal cancer and melanoma samples. In contrast, high levels of ALDH7A1 were associated with a paucity of immune effectors within the tumor bed. These data reinforce the notion that the metabolism of cancer cells has a major impact on immune and inflammatory processes in the tumor microenvironment, pointing to hitherto unsuspected intersections between oncometabolism and immunometabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy can reinstate anticancer immunosurveillance through inducing tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD). Here, we show that anthracyclines and oxaliplatin can trigger necroptosis in murine cancer cell lines expressing receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). Necroptotic cells featured biochemical hallmarks of ICD and stimulated anticancer immune responsesin vivo. Chemotherapy normally killedRip3−/−andMlkl−/−tumor cells and normally induced caspase-3 activation in such cells, yet was unable to reduce their growthin vivo. RIP3 or MLKL deficiency abolished the capacity of dying cancer cells to elicit an immune response. This could be attributed to reduced release of ATP and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by RIP3 and MLKL-deficient cells. Measures designed to compensate for deficient ATP and HMGB1 signaling restored the chemotherapeutic response ofRip3−/−andMlkl−/−cancers. Altogether, these results suggest that RIP3 and MLKL can contribute to ICD signaling and tumor immunogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is essential for retinal function but contributes to oxidative stress-mediated degeneration. Iron retinal homeostasis is highly regulated and transferrin (Tf), a potent iron chelator, is endogenously secreted by retinal cells. In this study, therapeutic potential of a local Tf delivery was evaluated in animal models of retinal degeneration. After intravitreal injection, Tf spread rapidly within the retina and accumulated in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, before reaching the blood circulation. Tf injected in the vitreous prior and, to a lesser extent, after light-induced retinal degeneration, efficiently protected the retina histology and function. We found an association between Tf treatment and the modulation of iron homeostasis resulting in a decrease of iron content and oxidative stress marker. The immunomodulation function of Tf could be seen through a reduction in macrophage/microglial activation as well as modulated inflammation responses. In a mouse model of hemochromatosis, Tf had the capacity to clear abnormal iron accumulation from retinas. And in the slow P23H rat model of retinal degeneration, a sustained release of Tf in the vitreous via non-viral gene therapy efficently slowed-down the photoreceptors death and preserved their function. These results clearly demonstrate the synergistic neuroprotective roles of Tf against retinal degeneration and allow identify Tf as an innovative and not toxic therapy for retinal diseases associated with oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-infiltrating T cells, particularly CD45RO+CD8+ memory T cells, confer a positive prognostic value in human cancers. However, the mechanisms that promote a protective T-cell response in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. In chronic inflammatory settings such as the tumor microenvironment, lymphoid neogenesis can occur to create local lymph node-like structures known as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). These structures can exacerbate a local immune response, such that TLS formation in tumors may help promote an efficacious immune contexture. However, the role of TLS in tumors has yet to be investigated carefully. In lung tumors, mature dendritic cells (DC) present in tumor-associated TLS can provide a specificmarker of these structures. In this study, we evaluated the influence of TLS on the characteristics of the immune infiltrate in cohorts of prospective and retrospective human primary lung tumors (n=458). We found that a high density of mature DC correlated closely to a strong infiltration of T cells that are predominantly of the effector-memory phenotype. Moreover, mature DC density correlated with expression of genes related to T-cell activation, T-helper 1 (Th1) phenotype, and cytotoxic orientation. Lastly, a high density of TLS-associated DC correlated with long-term survival, which also allowed a distinction of patients with high CD8+ T-cell infiltration but a high risk of death. Taken together, our results show how tumors infiltrated by TLS-associated mature DC generate a specific immune contexture characterized by a strong Th1 and cytotoxic orientation that confers the lowest risk of death. Furthermore, our findings highlight the pivotal function of TLS in shaping the immune character of the tumor microenvironment, in promoting a protective immune response mediated by T cells against cancer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apical bumetanide-sensitive Na+-K+-2Cl- co-transporter, termed NKCC2, is the major salt transport pathway in kidney thick ascending limb. NKCC2 surface expression is subject to regulation by intracellular protein trafficking. However, the protein partners involved in the intracellular trafficking of NKCC2 remain unknown. Moreover, studies aimed at understanding the post-translational regulation of NKCC2 have been hampered by the difficulty to express NKCC2 protein in mammalian cells. Here we were able to express NKCC2 protein in renal epithelial cells by tagging its N-terminal domain. To gain insights into the regulation of NKCC2 trafficking, we screened for interaction partners of NKCC2 with the yeast two-hybrid system, using the C-terminal tail of NKCC2 as bait. Aldolase B was identified as a dominant and novel interacting protein. Real time PCR on renal microdissected tubules demonstrated the expression of aldolase B in the thick ascending limb. Co-immunoprecipitation and co-immunolocalization experiments confirmed NKCC2-aldolase interaction in renal cells. Biotinylation assays showed that aldolase co-expression reduces NKCC2 surface expression. In the presence of aldolase substrate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, aldolase binding was disrupted, and aldolase co-expression had no further effect on the cell surface level of NKCC2. Finally, functional studies demonstrated that aldolase-induced down-regulation of NKCC2 at the plasma membrane was associated with a decrease in its transport activity. In summary, we identified aldolase B as a novel NKCC2 binding partner that plays a key role in the modulation of NKCC2 surface expression, thereby revealing a new regulatory mechanism governing the co-transporter intracellular trafficking. Furthermore, NKCC2 protein expression in mammalian cells and its regulation by protein-protein interactions, described here, may open new and important avenues in studying the cell biology and post-transcriptional regulation of the co-transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that determined the nature and kinetics of the cellular events triggered by the exposure of cells to non-fibrillar amyloid-beta peptide. Caspase activation and neuronal cell death prevented by the microtubule-stabilizing drug taxol; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on protein structure and folding.

Nucleus position in cells can act as a developmental cue. Mammalian oocytes position their nucleus centrally using an F-actin-mediated pressure gradient. The biological significance of nucleus centering in mammalian oocytes being unknown, we sought to assess the F-actin pressure gradient effect on the nucleus. We addressed this using a dedicated computational 3D imaging approach, biophysical analyses, and a nucleus repositioning assay in mouse oocytes mutant for cytoplasmic F-actin. We found that the cytoplasmic activity, in charge of nucleus centering, shaped the nucleus while promoting nuclear envelope fluctuations and chromatin motion. Off-centered nuclei in F-actin mutant oocytes were misshaped with immobile chromatin and modulated gene expression. Restoration of F-actin in mutant oocytes rescued nucleus architecture fully and gene expression partially. Thus, the F-actin-mediated pressure gradient also modulates nucleus dynamics in oocytes. Moreover, this study supports a mechano-transduction model whereby cytoplasmic microfilaments could modulate oocyte transcriptome, essential for subsequent embryo development. • Formin 2-nucleated F-actin impacts both oocyte nuclear position and architecture • Cytoplasmic F-actin promotes nuclear envelope fluctuations • Nuclear envelope fluctuations impact chromatin motion inside the nucleus • Cytoskeleton-induced nuclear envelope fluctuations modulate the oocyte transcriptome Almonacid et al. show that the positioning of the nucleus in the center of the oocyte is essential for proper gene expression. Actin, which positions the nucleus centrally, also ensures proper nuclear shape, and promotes nuclear envelope and chromatin movements that fine-tune gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes a life-long latent infection in humans. In proliferating latently infected cells, EBV genomes persist as multiple episomes that undergo one DNA replication event per cell cycle and remain attached to the mitotic chromosomes. EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) binding to the episome and cellular genome is essential to ensure proper episome replication and segregation. However, the nature and regulation of EBNA-1 interaction with chromatin has not been clearly elucidated. This activity has been suggested to involve EBNA-1 binding to DNA, duplex RNA, and/or proteins. EBNA-1 binding protein 2 (EBP2), a nucleolar protein, has been proposed to act as a docking protein for EBNA-1 on mitotic chromosomes. However, there is no direct evidence thus far for EBP2 being associated with EBNA-1 during mitosis. By combining video microscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy, we demonstrate here for the first time that EBNA-1 and EBP2 interact in the nucleoplasm, as well as in the nucleoli during interphase. However, in strong contrast to the current proposed model, we were unable to observe any interaction between EBNA-1 and EBP2 on mitotic chromosomes. We also performed a yeast double-hybrid screening, followed by a FRET analysis, that led us to identify HMGB2 (high-mobility group box 2), a well-known chromatin component, as a new partner for EBNA-1 on chromatin during interphase and mitosis. Although the depletion of HMGB2 partly altered EBNA-1 association with chromatin in HeLa cells during interphase and mitosis, it did not significantly impact the maintenance of EBV episomes in Raji cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]