The rockefeller university

Sensory experience modifies behavior through both associative and non-associative learning. In Caenorhabditis elegans, pairing odor with food deprivation results in aversive olfactory learning, and pairing odor with food results in appetitive learning. Aversive learning requires nuclear translocation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase EGL-4 in AWC olfactory neurons and an insulin signal from AIA interneurons. Here we show that the activity of neurons including AIA is acutely required during aversive, but not appetitive, learning. The AIA circuit and AGE-1, an insulin-regulated PI3 kinase, signal to AWC to drive nuclear enrichment of EGL-4 during conditioning. Odor exposure shifts the AWC dynamic range to higher odor concentrations regardless of food pairing or the AIA circuit, whereas AWC coupling to motor circuits is oppositely regulated by aversive and appetitive learning. These results suggest that non-associative sensory adaptation in AWC encodes odor history, while associative behavioral preference is encoded by altered AWC synaptic activity.

Niemann-Pick C1 protein (NPC1) is a late-endosomal membrane protein involved in trafficking of LDL-derived cholesterol, Niemann-Pick disease type C, and Ebola virus infection. NPC1 contains 13 transmembrane segments (TMs), five of which are thought to represent a "sterol-sensing domain" (SSD). Although present also in other key regulatory proteins of cholesterol biosynthesis, uptake, and signaling, the structure and mechanism of action of the SSD are unknown. Here we report a crystal structure of a large fragment of human NPC1 at 3.6 angstrom resolution, which reveals internal twofold pseudosymmetry along TM 2-13 and two structurally homologous domains that protrude 60 angstrom into the endosomal lumen. Strikingly, NPC1's SSD forms a cavity that is accessible from both the luminal bilayer leaflet and the endosomal lumen; computational modeling suggests that this cavity is large enough to accommodate one cholesterol molecule. We propose a model for NPC1 function in cholesterol sensing and transport.

Background: Topical glucocorticosteroids are considered an efficient treatment option for atopic dermatitis (AD), but a global assessment of glucocorticosteroid responses on key disease circuits upon weeks to months of treatment is currently lacking. Objective: We sought to assess short (4 weeks) and long-term (16 weeks) application of topical glucocorticosteroids on AD skin and define response biomarkers. Methods: The effects of triamcinolone acetonide cream 0.025% were assessed based on gene expression and immunohistochemistry studies at baseline, 4 weeks, and 16 weeks in biopsy specimens from 15 patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Results: At 16 weeks, only 3 patients were clinical responders (by using SCORAD50 criteria), but 6 patients qualified as responders based on histologic criteria. Baseline characteristics indicated more severe disease in nonresponders. While 3 of 15 patients experienced only transient benefit after 4 weeks, others showed progressive improvements toward 16 weeks. Topical glucocorticosteroid use in patients with AD resulted in improvements of the AD genomic signature of 25.6% at 4 weeks and 71.8% at 16 weeks, respectively, and even 123.9% in the histologic responder group. Cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-22, CCL17, CCL18, peptidase inhibitor 3 [PI3]/elafin, and S100As) showed consistent decreases from baseline toward 16 weeks with corresponding improvements in epidermal disease hallmarks (keratin 16 and loricrin) in lesional skin from responders (P < .05). Nonresponders largely showed lesser/nonsignificant reductions in key inflammatory and barrier markers (keratin 16, IL-13, IL-22, CCL17, CCL18, PI3/elafin, S100As, and loricrin). The combination of IL-21 and IFN-gamma baseline expression closely predicted individual clinical glucocorticosteroid responses at 16 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Our study indicates that even low-potency glucocorticosteroids can broadly affect immune and barrier responses in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, associating higher baseline severity with increased steroid resistance in patients with AD.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a locally aggressive primary bone tumor. Its malignant counterpart is quite rare. Rarely, a conventional GCTB shows marked nuclear atypia, referred to as symplastic/pseudoanaplastic change, which can mimic sarcomatous transformation. Recently, somatic driver mutations of histone H3.3 exclusively in H3F3A have been described in GCTB. We report a series of 9 cases of GCTB with symplastic/pseudoanaplastic change, along with analysis of H3F3A variants. Nine cases of GCTB with symplastic change were identified. Clinico-radiological features, morphological features, and immunohistochemical stain for Ki-67 stain were reviewed. H3F3A variants were also analyzed using Sanger sequencing. Histologically, conventional giant cell tumor areas with scattered foci of markedly atypical cells were seen in all of the cases and all showed rare if any Ki-67 labeling. One patient had received denosumab treatment and another radiation therapy. Radiological features were characteristic of conventional GCTB. Mutation in H3F3A (p.Gly34Trp [G34W]) was found in 6 of the 7 cases. Clinical follow-up ranged from 6 to 208 months. Local recurrences were seen in 4 cases (44 %). GCTB with symplastic/pseudoanaplastic change is an uncommon variant of conventional GCTB, which can mimic primary sarcoma or sarcomatous transformation. These tumors possess the same missense mutation in histone H3.3 as conventional GCTB.

In the present study, the combined adjuvant effect of 7DW8-5, a potent alpha-GalCer-analog, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR4 agonist, on the induction of vaccine-induced CD8(+) T-cell responses and protective immunity was evaluated. Mice were immunized with peptides corresponding to the CD8+ T-cell epitopes of a malaria antigen, a circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium yoelff, and a tumor antigen, a Wilms Tumor antigen-1 (WT-1), together with 7DW8-5 and MPLA, as an adjuvant. These immunization regimens were able to induce higher levels of CD8+ T-cell responses and, ultimately, enhanced levels of protection against malaria and tumor challenges compared to the levels induced by immunization with peptides mixed with 7DW8-5 or MPLA alone. Co-administration of 7DW8-5 and MPLA induces activation of memory-like effector natural killer T (NKT) cells, i.e. CD44(+) CD62L(-) NKT cells. Our study indicates that 7DW8-5 greatly enhances important synergistic pathways associated to memory immune responses when co-administered with MPLA, thus rendering this combination of adjuvants a novel vaccine adjuvant formulation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is correlated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia. Objective This study was carried out to elucidate the specific role of elevated homocysteine (HC) levels in AD pathophysiology. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to examine -amyloid (A) deposition along blood vessels, also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), fibrin(ogen) deposition, and their correlation to each other in the brains of AD patients with and without HHC. To study AD-HHC co-morbidity in detail, an AD mouse model was administered a high methionine diet for several months. Parenchymal A plaques, CAA-positive vessels and fibrin deposits were then assessed by immunohistochemistry at different stages of AD progression. Memory deficits were evaluated with contextual fear conditioning and the Barnes maze. Additionally, the effect of HC and its metabolite, homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), on the A-fibrinogen interaction was analyzed by pull-down, ELISA and fibrin clot formation and fibrinolysis assays in vitro. Results We found increased fibrin(ogen) levels and A deposits in the blood vessels and brain parenchyma of AD patients with HHC. We demonstrate that HC and HCTL enhance the interaction between fibrinogen and A, promote the formation of tighter fibrin clots and delay clot fibrinolysis. Additionally, we show that diet-induced HHC in an AD mouse model leads to severe CAA and parenchymal A deposition, as well as significant impairments in learning and memory. Conclusions These findings suggest that elevated levels of plasma HC/HCTL contribute to AD pathology via the A-fibrin(ogen) interaction.

Objective: To assess effectiveness of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) in fresh IVF cycles. Design: Reanalysis of retrospective US national data. Setting: Not applicable. Patient(s): A total of 5,471 fresh autologous IVF cycles with PGS and 97,069 cycles without PGS, reported in 2011-2012 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intervention(s): Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cycles that reached ET, miscarriage rates, live birth rates per cycle and per transfer. Result(s): More PGS than non-PGS cycles reached ET (64.2% vs. 62.3%), suggesting favorable patient selection bias for patients using PGS. Nevertheless, live births rates per cycle start (25.2% vs. 28.8%) and per ET (39.3% vs. 46.2%) were significantly better in non-PGS cycles, whereas miscarriage rates were similar (13.7% vs. 13.9%). With a maternal age > 37 years significantly more cycles in the PGS group reached ET (53.1% vs. 41.9%), suggesting a significant selection bias for more favorable patients in the PGS population. This bias rather than the PGS procedure may partially explain the observed improved live birth rate per cycle (17.7% vs. 12.7%) and lower miscarriage rate (16.8% vs. 26.0%) in the older PGS group. Conclusion(s): Overall, PGS decreased chances of live birth in association with IVF. National improvements in live birth and miscarriage rates reported with PGS in older women are likely the consequence of favorable patient selection biases. (C) 2016 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Changes in neural circuits after experience-dependent plasticity are brought about by the formation of new circuits via axonal growth and pruning. Here, using a combination of electrophysiology, adeno-associated virus-delivered fluorescent proteins, analysis of mutant mice, and two-photon microscopy, we follow long-range horizontally projecting axons in primary somatosensory cortex before and after selective whisker plucking. Whisker plucking induces axonal growth and pruning of horizontal projecting axons from neurons located in the surrounding intact whisker representations. We report that amyloid precursor protein is crucial for axonal pruning and contributes in a cell autonomous way.

The United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET) patient registry was used to characterize the presentation, genetics, phenotypes, and treatment of patients with Hyper IgM Syndrome (HIGM). The USIDNET Registry was queried for HIGM patient data collected from October 1992 to July 2015. Data fields included demographics, criteria for diagnosis, pedigree analysis, mutations, clinical features, treatment and transplant records, laboratory findings, and mortality. Fifty-two physicians entered data from 145 patients of ages 2 months to 62 years (median 12 years); 131 were males. Using patients' age at last entry, data from 2072 patient years are included. Mutations were recorded for 85 subjects; 82 were in CD40LG. Eighteen subjects had non-X-linked HIGM. 40 % had a normal serum IgM and 15 %, normal IgA. Infections were reported for 91 %, with pulmonary, ear, and sinus infections being the most common. 42 % had Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia; 6 % had Cryptosporidium. 41 % had neutropenia. 78 % experienced non-infectious complications: chronic diarrhea (n = 22), aphthous ulcers (n = 28), and neoplasms (n = 8) including colon cancer, adrenal adenoma, liver adenocarcinoma, pancreatic carcinoid, acute myeloid leukemia, hepatoma, and, in a female with an autosomal dominant gain of function mutation in PIK3CD, an ovarian dysgerminoma. Thirteen patients had a hematopoietic marrow or stem cell transplant; three had solid organ transplants. Thirteen were known to have died (median age = 14 years). Analysis of the USIDNET Registry provides data on the common clinical features of this rare syndrome, and in contrast with previously published data, demonstrates longer survival times and reduced gastrointestinal manifestations.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) contributes to browning of white adipose stem cells to ameliorate obesity/diabetes and insulin resistance. In the current study, we show that EET altered preadipocyte function, enhanced peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma coactivator alpha (PGC-1 alpha) expression, and increased mitochondrial function in the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte subjected to adipogenesis. Cells treated with EET resulted in an increase, P < 0.05, in PGC-1 alpha and a decrease in mitochondria-derived ROS (MitoSox), P < 0.05. The EET increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels is dependent on activation of PGC-1 alpha as cells deficient in PGC-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha knockout adipocyte cell) have an impaired ability to express HO-1, P < 0.02. Additionally, adipocytes treated with EET exhibited an increase in mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) in a PGC-1 alpha-dependent manner, P < 0.05. The increase in PGC-1 alpha was associated with an increase in beta-catenin, P < 0.05, adiponectin expression, P < 0.05, and lipid accumulation, P < 0.02. EET decreased heme levels and mitochondria-derived ROS (MitoSox), P < 0.05, compared to adipocytes that were untreated. EET also decreased mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05). Adipocyte secretion of EET act in an autocrine/ paracrine manner to increase PGC-1 alpha is required for activation of HO-1 expression. This is the first study to dissect the mechanism by which the antiadipogenic and anti-inflammatory lipid, EET, induces the PGC-1 alpha signaling cascade and reprograms the adipocyte phenotype by regulating mitochondrial function and HO-1 expression, leading to an increase in healthy, that is, small, adipocytes and a decrease in adipocyte enlargement and terminal differentiation. This is manifested by an increase in mitochondrial function and an increase in the canonical Wnt signaling cascade during adipocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation.