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Biomedical subjects

M Connick

Publications and source records attributed to M Connick.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Novel cell type-specific antiviral mechanism of interferon gamma action in macrophages.

Interferon (IFN)-gamma and macrophages (Mphi) play key roles in acute, persistent, and latent murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. IFN-gamma mechanisms were compared in embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and bone marrow Mphi (BMMphi). IFN-gamma inhibited MCMV replication in a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1alpha-dependent manner much more effectively in BMMphi (approximately 100-fold) than MEF (5-10-fold). Although initial STAT-1alpha activation by IFN-gamma was equivalent in MEF and BMMphi, microarray analysis demonstrated that IFN-gamma regulates different sets of genes in BMMphi compared with MEFs. IFN-gamma inhibition of MCMV growth was independent of known mechanisms involving IFN-alpha/beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein kinase RNA activated (PKR), RNaseL, and Mx1, and did not involve IFN-gamma-induced soluble mediators. To characterize this novel mechanism, we identified the viral targets of IFN-gamma action, which differed in MEF and BMMphi. In BMMphi, IFN-gamma reduced immediate early 1 (IE1) mRNA during the first 3 h of infection, and significantly reduced IE1 protein expression for 96 h. Effects of IFN-gamma on IE1 protein expression were independent of RNaseL and PKR. In contrast, IFN-gamma had no significant effects on IE1 protein or mRNA expression in MEFs, but did decrease late gene mRNA expression. These studies in primary cells define a novel mechanism of IFN-gamma action restricted to Mphi, a cell type key for MCMV pathogenesis and latency.

Animals↗

Murine cytomegalovirus inhibits interferon gamma-induced antigen presentation to CD4 T cells by macrophages via regulation of expression of major histocompatibility complex class II-associated genes.

CD4 T cells and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) are required for clearance of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection from the salivary gland in a process taking weeks to months. To explain the inefficiency of salivary gland clearance we hypothesized that MCMV interferes with IFN-gamma induced antigen presentation to CD4 T cells. MCMV infection inhibited IFN-gamma-induced presentation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II associated peptide antigen by differentiated bone marrow macrophages (BMMphis) to a T cell hybridoma via impairment of MHC class II cell surface expression. This effect was independent of IFN-alpha/beta induction by MCMV infection, and required direct infection of the BMMphis with live virus. Inhibition of MHC class II cell surface expression was associated with a six- to eightfold reduction in IFN-gamma induced IAb mRNA levels, and comparable decreases in IFN-gamma induced expression of invariant chain (Ii), H-2Ma, and H-2Mb mRNAs. Steady state levels of several constitutive host mRNAs, including beta-actin, cyclophilin, and CD45 were not significantly decreased by MCMV infection, ruling out a general effect of MCMV infection on mRNA levels. MCMV effects were specific to certain MHC genes since IFN-gamma-induced transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP)2 mRNA levels were minimally altered in infected cells. Analysis of early upstream events in the IFN-gamma signaling pathway revealed that MCMV did not affect activation and nuclear translocation of STAT1alpha, and had minor effects on the early induction of IRF-1 mRNA and protein. We conclude that MCMV infection interferes with IFN-gamma-mediated induction of specific MHC genes and the Ii at a stage subsequent to STAT1alpha activation and nuclear translocation. This impairs antigen presentation to CD4 T cells, and may contribute to the capacity of MCMV to spread and persist within the infected host.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Femoral venous pulsations during open-chest cardiac massage.

We describe the cases of two children with easily palpated femoral pulses during open-chest cardiac massage after aortic occlusion. These pulsations must have arisen from the femoral veins, implying that during CPR in children the usual anatomic landmarks for femoral venous access may be unreliable, and femoral pulsations do not necessarily reflect arterial flow. Femoral pulses may signify to-and-fro inferior vena caval flow that compromises venous return, adversely affecting cardiac output and the effectiveness of medication administration to the lower extremity.

Aorta↗

Complete analysis of tRNA-modified nucleosides by high-performance liquid chromatography: the 29 modified nucleosides of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli tRNA.

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed to quantify the major and modified nucleoside composition of total, unfractionated transfer RNA. The method is rapid and sensitive and offers a high degree of chromatographic resolution suitable for quantifying both stable and unstable modified nucleosides. It is nondestructive and allows the recovery of nucleosides for further characterization. We apply the method in the analysis of the 29 modified nucleosides in tRNA from Salmonella typhimurium (and Escherichia coli) and show it to be useful in examining changes in the modified nucleoside content of tRNA. Such changes may be important in regulation.

Chemical Phenomena↗