The rockefeller university

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) comprises disease entities with distinct genetic profiles, including germinal center B cell (GCB)-like and activated B cell (ABC)-like DLBCLs. Major differences between these two subtypes include genetic aberrations leading to constitutive NF-kappa B activation and interference with terminal B cell differentiation through BLIMP1 inactivation, observed in ABC- but not GCB-DLBCL. Using conditional gain-of-function and/or loss-of-function mutagenesis in the mouse, we show that constitutive activation of the canonical NF-kappa B pathway cooperates with disruption of BLIMP1 in the development of a lymphoma that resembles human ABC-DLBCL. Our work suggests that both NE-kappa B signaling, as an oncogenic event, and BLIMP1, as a tumor suppressor, play causal roles in the pathogenesis of ABC-DLBCL.

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a genetic locus at human chromosome 8q24 as having minor alleles associated with lower levels of plasma triglyceride (TG) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), higher levels of HDL-C, as well as decreased risk for myocardial infarction. This locus contains only one annotated gene, tribbles homolog 1 (TRIB1), which has not previously been implicated in lipoprotein metabolism. Here we demonstrate a role for Trib1 as a regulator of lipoprotein metabolism in mice. Hepatic-specific overexpression of Trib1 reduced levels of plasma TG and cholesterol by reducing VLDL production; conversely, Trib1-knockout mice showed elevated levels of plasma TG and cholesterol due to increased VLDL production. Hepatic Trib1 expression was inversely associated with the expression of key lipogenic genes and measures of lipogenesis. Thus, we provide functional evidence for what we believe to be a novel gene regulating hepatic lipogenesis and VLDL production in mice that influences plasma lipids and risk for myocardial infarction in humans.

The platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) is essential for hemostasis and thrombosis through its binding of adhesive plasma proteins. We have determined crystal structures of the alpha(IIb)beta(3) headpiece in the absence of ligand and after soaking in RUC-1, a novel small molecule antagonist. In the absence of ligand, the alpha(IIb)beta(3) headpiece is in a closed conformation, distinct from the open conformation visualized in presence of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) antagonists. In contrast to RGD antagonists, RUC-1 binds only to the alpha(IIb) subunit. Molecular dynamics revealed nearly identical binding. Two species-specific residues, alpha(IIb) Y190 and alpha(IIb) D232, in the RUC-1 binding site were confirmed as important by mutagenesis. In sharp contrast to RGD-based antagonists, RUC-1 did not induce alpha(IIb)beta(3) to adopt an open conformation, as determined by gel filtration and dynamic light scattering. These studies provide insights into the factors that regulate integrin headpiece opening, and demonstrate the molecular basis for a novel mechanism of integrin antagonism. (Blood. 2010;116(23):5050-5059)

We present a measurement of the WW + WZ production cross section observed in a final state consisting of an identified electron or muon, two jets, and missing transverse energy. The measurement is carried out in a data sample corresponding to up to 4.6 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity at root s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector. Matrix element calculations are used to separate the diboson signal from the large backgrounds. The WW + WZ cross section is measured to be 17.4 +/- 3.3 pb in agreement with standard model predictions. A fit to the dijet invariant mass spectrum yields a compatible cross section measurement.

Mitotically active, growth-arrested cells and proliferatively senescent cultures of human fetal lung fibroblasts (WI-38) were exposed to six different oxygen tensions for various lengths of time and then analyzed to determine the responses of their antioxidant defense system. Glutathione (GSH) concentration increased as a function of ambient oxygen tension in early passage cultures; the effect was larger in exponentially growing cultures than in those in a state of contact-inhibited growth arrest, but was absent in senescent cells. Conversely, the activity of glutathione disulfide reductase was greater in growth-arrested cultures than in mitotically active cells irrespective of oxygen tension. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was lowest in log-phase cells exposed to different oxygen tensions for 24 h and in senescent cells. Both hypoxia and hyperoxia depressed selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in early passage cultures, while the activity of the enzyme progressively declined with increasing oxygen in senescent cells. The GSH S-transferase activity was unresponsive to changes in ambient oxygen tension in either young or senescent cultures. Manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity was unaffected by oxygen tension, but was elevated in young confluent cultures as compared with cultures in log-phase growth. MnSOD activity was significantly higher in senescent cultures than in early passage cultures and was also responsive to increased oxygen tension in senescent cultures. Copper-zinc-containing superoxide dismutases activity was not affected by oxygen tension or the passage of time, but it declined in senescent cultures.

The cell cycle oscillator, based on a core negative feedback loop and modified extensively by positive feedback, cycles with a frequency that is regulated by environmental and developmental programs to encompass a wide range of cell cycle times. We discuss how positive feedback allows frequency tuning, how size and morphogenetic checkpoints regulate oscillator frequency, and how extrinsic oscillators such as the circadian clock gate cell cycle frequency. The master cell cycle regulatory oscillator in turn controls the frequency of peripheral oscillators controlling essential events. A recently proposed phase-locking model accounts for this coupling.

Inappropriate recollections and responses in stressful conditions are hallmarks of post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety and mood disorders, but how stress contributes to the disorders is unclear. Here we show that stress itself reactivates memories even if the memory is unrelated to the stressful experience. Forced-swim stress one day after learning enhanced memory recall. One-day post-learning amnestic treatments were ineffective unless administered soon after the swim, indicating that a stressful experience itself can reactivate unrelated consolidated memories. The swim also triggered inter-hemispheric transfer of a lateralized memory, confirming stress reactivates stable memories. These novel effects of stress on memory required the hippocampus although the memories themselves did not, indicating hippocampus-dependent modulation of extrahippocampal memories. These findings that a stressful experience itself can activate memory suggest the novel hypothesis that traumatic stress reactivates pre-trauma memories, linking them to memory for the trauma and pathological facilitation of post-traumatic recall.

Infectious and inflammatory diseases have repeatedly shown strong genetic associations within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC); however, the basis for these associations remains elusive. To define host genetic effects on the outcome of a chronic viral infection, we performed genome-wide association analysis in a multiethnic cohort of HIV-1 controllers and progressors, and we analyzed the effects of individual amino acids within the classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins. We identified >300 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MHC and none elsewhere. Specific amino acids in the HLA-B peptide binding groove, as well as an independent HLA-C effect, explain the SNP associations and reconcile both protective and risk HLA alleles. These results implicate the nature of the HLA-viral peptide interaction as the major factor modulating durable control of HIV infection.