The immune system rapidly mounts an innate immune response to invading pathogens that is accompanied by antigen-presentation, to promote the development of the adaptive immune response. These responses orchestrate through signal transduction by PRRs that recognize PAMPs, which results in the expression of various cytokines and mediators to promote pathogen control. Herein, we investigated the role of the type I interferon (IFN)- and the p38MAPK- pathways in response to infection with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). We delved into the mechanisms through which IFNAR1-signaling results in host susceptibility against ST and show that while STAT2 and IRF9 promote susceptibility against ST, this is antagonized by STAT1. Our results indicate that IFNAR1-signaling induces IL-10 production through the ISGF3 complex, which indeed inhibits the production of IL-1β (via NLRP3 and caspase-1) resulting in a state of resistance against ST. Furthermore, our work elucidates that MK2, which is a p38MAPK substrate promotes host resistance, which is contradictory to type I IFNs despite the fact that MK2 regulates cytokine expression in a similar pattern to IRF9. We demonstrate that MK2 inhibits inflammasome signaling via NLRP3, caspase-1 and caspase11. We also reveal a role for MK2 in regulating IL-1β production via distinct signaling pathways including inhibition of MSK1/2 besides activation of the autophagic machinery; which also contribute to the enhanced inflammasome activation seen in Mk2- deficient cells. Thus, our observations illuminate the fact that the type I IFN pathway and the p38MAPK pathway are only dependent on each other to a certain extent in modulating the innate immune response to Salmonella infection, thereby bringing about varied outcomes in the infected host.

Understanding the genetic control of gametogenesis is a central goal of developmental biology and is important for treating infertility in humans. An approach to identifying critical genes in mammals is to search for and study homologues of genes known to play key roles in other organisms. In the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, GUS protein is a component of nuage, an electron-dense aggregation in early germ cells, and is required for oocyte development. GUS physically interacts with VASA, an RNA helicase thought to regulate mRNA metabolism. I identified two murine genes, SSB-1 and SSB-4, that are similar to and likely homologues of gus. SSB-1, SSB-4 and GUS each contain two conserved regions, termed the SPRY domain and the SOCS box, respectively. SSB-1 and SSB-4 share about 75% sequence identity and about 70% identity with GUS. Both SSB-1 and SSB-4 RNA and protein were found to be express in mouse ovarian granulosa cells of all stages of folliculogenesis. These cells support oocyte development and also produce steroids. Unexpectedly, SSB-1 and SSB-4 were only weakly or not detectable in oocytes, that contrasts with the expression of GUS in Drosophila oocytes. However, SSB-1 mRNA and protein were expressed in male germ cells; specifically in spermatocytes and spermatids. SSB-1 in spermatids was localized in a specialized structure known as the chromatoid body. Although the function of this structure is not quite clear, it has been compared to nuage, and one of its components is MVH, the murine homologue of VASA. Finally, using RNAi technology, SSB-1 was transiently depleted SSB-1 from a granulosa cell line. These cells showed a transient decrease in expression of the gene encoding P450scc, the rate-limiting enzyme in steroid synthesis. Preliminary results also indicated a decrease in progesterone synthesis. Taken together, these results establish the expression pattern of murine homologues of Drosophila GUS in mouse ovary and testis, reveal it might play function in translation regulation in male spermatogenesis, and identify a potential role in steroidogenesis by ovarian granulosa cells.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 25, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 2, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes vascular disease and hypertension, in part, by activating the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Extensive studies have demonstrated that SOCS3 plays an important role in suppressing the IL-6/STAT3 pathway in the immune system and in cancer biology. In contrast, the functional importance of SOCS3 in cardiovascular disease is largely unknown. Thus, the overall goal of these studies was to investigate the role of SOCS3 in models of Ang II-dependent vascular disease and hypertension. To examine direct effects of Ang II on the vessel wall, carotid arteries from SOCS3 haplodeficient (SOCS3+/-) mice and wild-type littermates (SOCS3+/+) were incubated with the peptide or vehicle for 22 hrs, followed by examination of endothelial function using acetylcholine. Relaxation to acetylcholine was similar in all arteries incubated with vehicle. A low concentration of Ang II (1 nmol/L) did not affect acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in SOCS3+/+ mice, but reduced responses in arteries from SOCS3+/- mice by ~50% (P<0.05). This Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction in SOCS3+/- mice was prevented by inhibitors of NF-êB or STAT3, an IL-6 neutralizing antibody, or a scavenger of superoxide. Responses to nitroprusside, an endothelium-independent vasodilator, were similar in all groups. To test the importance of SOCS3 in vivo, mice were infused systemically with a pressor dose of Ang II (1.4 mg/kg per day) or vehicle for 14 days via osmotic mini-pumps. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in carotid and resistance arteries in brain from SOCS3+/- mice was reduced by ~60% (P<0.05). Surprisingly, genetic deficiency in SOCS3 prevented the majority of Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction without affecting the pressor response to Ang II. To investigate potential mechanisms underlying divergent results when studying effects of local versus systemic effects of Ang II, we performed bone marrow transplantation followed by infusion of vehicle or Ang II for two weeks. Lethally irradiated WT (CD45.1) mice reconstituted with SOCS3+/- bone marrow were protected from Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction (P<0.05), while reconstitution of irradiated SOCS3+/- mice with WT (CD45.1) bone marrow exacerbated Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction (P<0.05). WT (CD45.1) into SOCS3+/+ and SOCS3+/- into SOCS3+/- bone marrow chimeras exhibited vascular function consistent with non-irradiated controls. In addition, the pressor response to Ang II was reduced by ~50% in WT mice reconstituted with bone marrow from SOCS3+/- mice (P<0.05). These data suggest that SOCS3 exerts divergent or context-dependent effects depending on whether vascular dysfunction was due to local versus systemic administration of Ang II. SOCS3 deficiency in the vessel wall enhanced local detrimental effects of Ang II on vascular function. In contrast, bone marrow-derived cells that are haplodeficient in SOCS3 protect against systemically administered Ang II and the resulting vascular dysfunction and hypertension. To my knowledge, these are the first experimental studies that begin to define the importance of SOCS3 in Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Results obtained from these experiments provide new insight into mechanisms which regulate oxidative stress and inflammation within the vasculature. The studies also revealed that bone marrow-derived cells that are haplodeficient in SOCS3 protect against pressor and endothelial effects of Ang II. These findings may eventually contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for hypertension and hypertension associated end-organ damage.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, January, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-106).

The JAK/STAT pathway is but one of the signal transduction cascades responsible for proper development and homeostasis. Gain-of-function mutations of pathway components are causative agents of several leukemias, highlighting the necessity for proper regulation of signal transduction. Drosophila presents an attractive model to study JAK/STAT signaling because mutations in the pathway behave in an analogous manner. Furthermore, the Drosophila cascade is much simpler as only one of each component required for activation has been characterized; whereas in mammals, there are many ligands, receptors, 4 JAKs and 7 STATs.Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) are one family of molecules which regulate JAK/STAT signaling via a negative feedback loop. All SOCS share a distinct modular domain architecture, which we exploited to locate three putative SOCS homologues within the Drosophila genome. I present the identification and initial characterization of one of these homologues, Socs44A. I show that Socs44A is not responsive to or dependent on JAK activity. However, I demonstrate that Socs44A is capable of downregulating JAK/STAT signaling in the developing wing but not inoogenesis, indicating that its ability to regulate the pathway is tissue specific, a phenomenon observed in the mammalian model.Signal transduction pathways are integrated at multiple levels. This interplay allows for combinatorial signaling, resulting in a higher order of complexity in the signals that can be received and interpreted by a cell. Well documented are the interactions between the JAK/STAT and the EGFR/MAPK pathways. In this work, I show that Socs44A can genetically interact with, and upregulate, the EGFR/MAPK pathway, analogous to a recent report involving SOCS-3.Starting with the Drosophila genome sequence, I initiated a reverse genetic approach to studying the function of the Socs44A locus. During the course of this investigation, I designed and implemented a novel post-processor of the BLAST algorithm, called Multi-BLAST, which facilitates retrieval of multiple domain sequences from public databases. In what would have been the ultimate achievement of this study, I attempted two mutagenesis screens designed to isolate Socs44A loss-of-function alleles. Progress on these screens is reported.

The duration and intensity of the JAK/stat signaling must be tightly regulated to prevent excessive transcriptional response and to reset the pathway to receive additional signals. Socs are the largest class of these regulators in mammals. Eight Socs genes have been found in mammals. CIS, and SOCS1-3, the canonical Socs, are transcriptionally activated by and down-regulate the JAK signaling. Socs4-7, the non-canonical Socs, are less studied and their relationship with the JAK/STAT pathway has not been well established. The Drosophila genome encodes three non-canonical Socs homologues, Socs16D, Socs36E, and Socs44A. Expression of Socs36E is controlled by the JAK pathway and misexpression causes phenotypes similar to that from reduction of JAK in both ovary and wing, which may make it functionally more similar to the canonical Socs. Expression of Socs44A is not controlled by the JAK pathway and misexpression causes JAK mutant phenotypes in wing but not in ovary. Imprecise excision mutants of the three Socs genes have been generated by us and have no visible phenotypes. The mutants of Socs36E and Socs44A significantly enhance the tumor formation in hopTum-l mutant, a gain-of-function mutation of the JAK/STAT pathway. The function of Drosophila Socs will be further studied with different strategies.

Orientador: Ana Paula de Souza Pardo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T12:44:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guedes_RogerAntoniaci_M.pdf: 960151 bytes, checksum: c0a68bdbdf663d427c182550b1d9fa14 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A periodontite é caracterizada pela inflamação do periodonto, o tecido de suporte dos dentes. Este processo inflamatório pode evoluir da fase aguda para a fase crônica, acarretando severa destruição dos tecidos periodontais como também grave perda de inserção dos dentes ao osso alveolar. É evidente que o acúmulo de patógenos periodontais sobre a superfície dos dentes desencadeia a doença, porém seu agravamento e severidade também são dependentes de fatores ambientais, socioeconômicos, tabagismo, condição de saúde sistêmica e carga genética dos indivíduos. Desta forma, vários pesquisadores têm se dedicado a estudar a influência dos polimorfismos genéticos sobre a suscetibilidade e/ou risco aumentado à doença periodontal, uma vez que estes podem exercer efeito sobre o prognóstico da periodontite crônica. Estudos têm relatado associação entre vários polimorfismos genéticos com a inflamação periodontal. Há ainda estudos em larga escala onde grande parte do genoma (GWA) foi investigado, relatando efeito da genética do hospedeiro sobre a resposta à doença. Desde modo, considerando a hipótese de associação entre periodontite e polimorfismos no gene SOCS1 que expressa uma proteína chave no controle da via intracelular JAK/STAT ativada por diversas citocinas pró-inflamatórias presentes na inflamação periodontal, nosso objetivo neste estudo foi estudar a frequência dos genótipos, alelos e haplótipos dos polimorfismos SOCS1-1478 (rs33989964) e SOCS1-820 (rs33977706) em grupo de indivíduos com saúde periodontal e indivíduos com periodontite crônica, na tentativa de observar associação entre variações no gene SOCS1 com a doença periodontal crônica. Para tal, DNA genômico foi purificado de células epiteliais bucais obtidas por meio de enxágue com dextrose a 3%. Após, os genótipos foram identificados com a utilização das técnicas de PCR/ RFLP/ eletroforese. Análises estatísticas possibilitaram a observação da associação do polimorfismo SOCS1 -820 (rs33977706) com os casos de periodontite crônica mais severa / Abstract: The periodontitis is characterized by the periodontium inflammation, the supporting tissue of the teeth. This inflammatory disorder might evolve from the acute to the chronic phase, causing severe periodontal tissue destruction as well as teeth insertion loss in the alveolar bones. It is evident that the accumulation of periodontal pathogens on the teeth surface origins the disease, yet its aggravation and severity also depend on socioeconomic and environmental factors, smoking, systemic health condition and the genetic background of the subjects. Thus, several researchers have focused their studies on the influence of the genetic polymorphisms in the susceptibility and/or increased risk to the periodontal disease, once they might play a role on the chronic periodontitis prognosis. Studies have shown association between several genetic polymorphisms and periodontal inflammation. Still, there are large-scale studies in which the majority of the genome (GWA) has been investigated, reporting genetic host roles as responses to the disease. Thus, considering the hypothesis of association between periodontitis and polymorphisms in the SOCS1 gene which expresses a key protein in the control of the intracellular JAK/STAT via activated by varied pro-inflammatory cytokines found in the periodontal inflammation, we aimed to study the frequency of genotypes, alleles and haplotypes of the polymorphisms SOCS1-1478 (rs33989964) and SOCS1-820 (rs33977706) in a healthy periodontal subjects group and in a chronic periodontal subjects group, attempting to observe association between variations in the SOCS1 gene and the chronic periodontal disease. To do so, genomic DNA was purified from mouth epithelial cells collected through 3% dextrose rinse. Afterwards, the genotypes were identified by the use of PCR/RFLP electrophoresis techniques. Statistical analysis allowed us to observe association of SOCS1-820 polymorphism (rs33977706) with more severe chronic periodontitis cases / Mestrado / Histologia e Embriologia / Mestre em Biologia Buco-Dental