@article{BurySoundararajanBhartietal.2018, author = {Bury, Susanne and Soundararajan, Manonmani and Bharti, Richa and von B{\"u}nau, Rudolf and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Oelschlaeger, Tobias A.}, title = {The probiotic escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 combats lambdoid bacteriophages stx and lambda}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.00929}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221960}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Shiga toxin (Stx) producing E. coli (STEC) such as Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are the major cause of foodborne illness in humans. In vitro studies showed the probiotic Escherichia coil strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) to efficiently inhibit the production of Stx. Life threatening EHEC strains as for example the serotype 0104:H4, responsible for the great outbreak in 2011 in Germany, evolutionary developed from certain E. coll strains which got infected by stx2-encoding lambdoid phages turning the E. coil into lysogenic and subsequently Stx producing strains. Since antibiotics induce stx genes and Stx production, EHEC infected persons are not recommended to be treated with antibiotics. Therefore, EcN might be an alternative medication. However, because even commensal E. coli strains might be converted into Stx-producers after becoming host to a stx encoding prophage, we tested EcN for stx-phage genome integration. Our experiments revealed the resistance of EcN toward not only stx-phages but also against lambda-phages. This resistance was not based on the lack of or by mutated phage receptors. Rather it involved the expression of a phage repressor (pr) gene of a defective prophage in EcN which was able to partially protect E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 against stx and lambda phage infection. Furthermore, we observed EcN to inactivate phages and thereby to protect E. coli K-12 strains against infection by stx- as well as lambda-phages. Inactivation of lambda-phages was due to binding of lambda-phages to LamB of EcN whereas inactivation of stx-phages was caused by a thermostable protein of EcN. These properties together with its ability to inhibit Stx production make EcN a good candidate for the prevention of illness caused by EHEC and probably for the treatment of already infected people.}, language = {en} } @article{BreitingerBahnassawyJanzenetal.2018, author = {Breitinger, Ulrike and Bahnassawy, Lamiaa M. and Janzen, Dieter and R{\"o}mer, Vera and Becker, Cord-Michael and Villmann, Carmen and Breitinger, Hans-Georg}, title = {PKA and PKC modulators affect ion channel function and internalization of recombinant alpha1 and alpha1-beta glycine receptors}, series = {Frontiers in Molecular Neurosience}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Molecular Neurosience}, doi = {10.3389/fnmol.2018.00154}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220401}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are important mediators of fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Their function is controlled by multiple cellular mechanisms, including intracellular regulatory processes. Modulation of GlyR function by protein kinases has been reported for many cell types, involving different techniques, and often yielding contradictory results. Here, we studied the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) on glycine induced currents in HEK293 cells expressing human homomeric \(\alpha\)1 and heteromeric \(\alpha\)1-\(\beta\) GlyRs using whole-cell patch clamp techniques as well as internalization assays. In whole-cell patch-clamp measurements, modulators were applied in the intracellular buffer at concentrations between 0.1 \(\mu\)M and 0.5 \(\mu\)M. EC50 of glycine increased upon application of the protein kinase activators Forskolin and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) but decreased in the presence of the PKC inhibitor Staurosporine aglycon and the PKA inhibitor H-89. Desensitization of recombinant \(\alpha\)1 receptors was significantly increased in the presence of Forskolin. Staurosporine aglycon, on the other hand decreased desensitization of heteromeric \(\alpha\)1-\(\beta\) GlyRs. The time course of receptor activation was determined for homomeric \(\alpha\)1 receptors and revealed two simultaneous effects: cells showed a decrease of EC50 after 3-6 min of establishing whole-cell configuration. This effect was independent of protein kinase modulators. All modulators of PKA and PKC, however, produced an additional shift of EC50, which overlay and eventually exceeded the cells intrinsic variation of EC50. The effect of kinase activators was abolished if the corresponding inhibitors were co-applied, consistent with PKA and PKC directly mediating the modulation of GlyR function. Direct effects of PKA-and PKC-modulators on receptor expression on transfected HEK cells were monitored within 15 min of drug application, showing a significant increase of receptor internalization with PKA and PKC activators, while the corresponding inhibitors had no significant effect on receptor surface expression or internalization. Our results confirm the observation that phosphorylation via PKA and PKC has a direct effect on the GlyR ion channel complex and plays an important role in the fine-tuning of glycinergic signaling.}, language = {en} } @article{BolzoniEspostiMarcheseetal.2018, author = {Bolzoni, Francesco and Esposti, Roberto and Marchese, Silvia M. and Pozzi, Nicol{\´o} G. and Ramirez-Pasos, Uri E. and Isaias, Ioannis U. and Cavallari, Paolo}, title = {Disrupt of intra-limb APA pattern in parkinsonian patients performing index-finger flexion}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2018.01745}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-369245}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Voluntary movements induce postural perturbations which are counteracted by anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). These actions are known to build up long fixation chains toward available support points (inter-limb APAs), so as to grant whole body equilibrium. Moreover, recent studies highlighted that APAs also build-up short fixation chains, within the same limb where a distal segment is moved (intra-limb APAs), aimed at stabilizing the proximal segments. The neural structures generating intra-limb APAs still need investigations; the present study aims to compare focal movement kinematics and intra-limb APA latencies and pattern between healthy subjects and parkinsonian patients, assuming the latter as a model of basal ganglia dysfunction. Intra-limb APAs that stabilize the arm when the index-finger is briskly flexed were recorded in 13 parkinsonian patients and in 10 age-matched healthy subjects. Index-finger movement was smaller in parkinsonian patients vs. healthy subjects (p = 0.01) and more delayed with respect to the onset of the prime mover flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS, p < 0.0001). In agreement with the literature, in all healthy subjects the FDS activation was preceded by an inhibitory intra-limb APA in biceps brachii (BB) and anterior deltoid (AD), and almost simultaneous to an excitatory intra-limb APA in triceps brachii (TB). In parkinsonian patients, no significant differences were found for TB and AD intra-limb APA timings, however only four patients showed an inhibitory intra-limb APA in BB, while other four did not show any BB intra-limb APAs and five actually developed a BB excitation. The frequency of occurrence of normal sign, lacking, and inverted BB APAs was different in healthy vs. parkinsonian participants (p = 0.0016). The observed alterations in index-finger kinematics and intra-limb APA pattern in parkinsonian patients suggest that basal ganglia, in addition to shaping the focal movement, may also contribute to intra-limb APA control.}, language = {en} } @article{BohmannKurkaduMesnildeRochemontetal.2019, author = {Bohmann, Ferdinand O. and Kurka, Natalia and du Mesnil de Rochemont, Richard and Gruber, Katharina and Guenther, Joachim and Rostek, Peter and Rai, Heike and Zickler, Philipp and Ertl, Michael and Berlis, Ansgar and Poli, Sven and Mengel, Annerose and Ringleb, Peter and Nagel, Simon and Pfaff, Johannes and Wollenweber, Frank A. and Kellert, Lars and Herzberg, Moriz and Koehler, Luzie and Haeusler, Karl Georg and Alegiani, Anna and Schubert, Charlotte and Brekenfeld, Caspar and Doppler, Christopher E. J. and Onur, Oezguer A. and Kabbasch, Christoph and Manser, Tanja and Pfeilschifter, Waltraud}, title = {Simulation-based training of the rapid evaluation and management of acute stroke (STREAM) — a prospective single-arm multicenter trial}, series = {Frontiers in Neurology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Neurology}, issn = {1664-2295}, doi = {10.3389/fneur.2019.00969}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-369239}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Introduction: Acute stroke care delivered by interdisciplinary teams is time-sensitive. Simulation-based team training is a promising tool to improve team performance in medical operations. It has the potential to improve process times, team communication, patient safety, and staff satisfaction. We aim to assess whether a multi-level approach consisting of a stringent workflow revision based on peer-to-peer review and 2-3 one-day in situ simulation trainings can improve acute stroke care processing times in high volume neurocenters within a 6 months period. Methods and Analysis: The trial is being carried out in a pre-test-post-test design at 7 tertiary care university hospital neurocenters in Germany. The intervention is directed at the interdisciplinary multiprofessional stroke teams. Before and after the intervention, process times of all direct-to-center stroke patients receiving IV thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT) will be recorded. The primary outcome measure will be the "door-to-needle" time of all consecutive stroke patients directly admitted to the neurocenters who receive IVT. Secondary outcome measures will be intervention-related process times of the fraction of patients undergoing EVT and effects on team communication, perceived patient safety, and staff satisfaction via a staff questionnaire. Interventions: We are applying a multi-level intervention in cooperation with three "STREAM multipliers" from each center. First step is a central meeting of the multipliers at the sponsor's institution with the purposes of algorithm review in a peer-to-peer process that is recorded in a protocol and an introduction to the principles of simulation training and debriefing as well as crew resource management and team communication. Thereafter, the multipliers cooperate with the stroke team trainers from the sponsor's institution to plan and execute 2-3 one-day simulation courses in situ in the emergency department and CT room of the trial centers whereupon they receive teaching materials to perpetuate the trainings. Clinical Trial Registration: STREAM is a registered trial at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03228251.}, language = {en} } @article{BaurOttoStegeretal.2018, author = {Baur, Johannes and Otto, Christoph and Steger, Ulrich and Klein-Hessling, Stefan and Muhammad, Khalid and Pusch, Tobias and Murti, Krisna and Wismer, Rhoda and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Klein, Ingo and M{\"u}ller, Nora and Serfling, Edgar and Avots, Andris}, title = {The transcription factor NFaTc1 supports the rejection of heterotopic heart allografts}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2018.01338}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221530}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The immune suppressants cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) are used worldwide in transplantation medicine to suppress graft rejection. Both CsA and FK506 inhibit the phosphatase calcineurin (CN) whose activity controls the immune receptor-mediated activation of lymphocytes. Downstream targets of CN in lymphocytes are the nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATs). We show here that the activity of NFATc1, the most prominent NFAT factor in activated lymphocytes supports the acute rejection of heterotopic heart allografts. While ablation of NFATc1 in T cells prevented graft rejection, ectopic expression of inducible NFATc1/αA isoform led to rejection of heart allografts in recipient mice. Acceptance of transplanted hearts in mice bearing NFATc1-deficient T cells was accompanied by a reduction in number and cytotoxicity of graft infiltrating cells. In CD8\(^+\) T cells, NFATc1 controls numerous intracellular signaling pathways that lead to the metabolic switch to aerobic glycolysis and the expression of numerous lymphokines, chemokines, and their receptors, including Cxcr3 that supports the rejection of allogeneic heart transplants. These findings favors NFATc1 as a molecular target for the development of new strategies to control the cytotoxicity of T cells upon organ transplantation.}, language = {en} } @article{BalasubramanianSkafHolzgrabeetal.2018, author = {Balasubramanian, Srikkanth and Skaf, Joseph and Holzgrabe, Ulrike and Bharti, Richa and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Ziebuhr, Wilma and Humeida, Ute H. and Abdelmohsen, Usama R. and Oelschlaeger, Tobias A.}, title = {A new bioactive compound from the marine sponge-derived Streptomyces sp. SBT348 inhibits staphylococcal growth and biofilm formation}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2018.01473}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221408}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Staphylococcus epidermidis, the common inhabitant of human skin and mucosal surfaces has emerged as an important pathogen in patients carrying surgical implants and medical devices. Entering the body via surgical sites and colonizing the medical devices through formation of multi-layered biofilms leads to refractory and persistent device-related infections (DRIs). Staphylococci organized in biofilms are more tolerant to antibiotics and immune responses, and thus are difficult-to-treat. The consequent morbidity and mortality, and economic losses in health care systems has strongly necessitated the need for development of new anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm-based therapeutics. In this study, we describe the biological activity of a marine sponge-derived Streptomyces sp. SBT348 extract in restraining staphylococcal growth and biofilm formation on polystyrene, glass, medically relevant titan metal, and silicone surfaces. A bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to isolate the active compound (SKC3) from the crude SBT348 extract. Our results demonstrated that SKC3 effectively inhibits the growth (MIC: 31.25 \(\mu\)g/ml) and biofilm formation (sub-MIC range: 1.95-<31.25 \(\mu\)g/ml) of S. epidermidis RP62A in vitro. Chemical characterization of SKC3 by heat and enzyme treatments, and mass spectrometry (HRMS) revealed its heat-stable and non-proteinaceous nature, and high molecular weight (1258.3 Da). Cytotoxicity profiling of SKC3 in vitro on mouse fibroblast (NIH/3T3) and macrophage (J774.1) cell lines, and in vivo on the greater wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella revealed its non-toxic nature at the effective dose. Transcriptome analysis of SKC3 treated S. epidermidis RP62A has further unmasked its negative effect on central metabolism such as carbon flux as well as, amino acid, lipid, and energy metabolism. Taken together, these findings suggest a potential of SKC3 as a putative drug to prevent staphylococcal DRIs.}, language = {en} } @article{KrausBrinkSiegel2019, author = {Kraus, Amelie J. and Brink, Benedikt G. and Siegel, T. Nicolai}, title = {Efficient and specific oligo-based depletion of rRNA}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48692-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224829}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In most organisms, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contributes to >85\% of total RNA. Thus, to obtain useful information from RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses at reasonable sequencing depth, typically, mature polyadenylated transcripts are enriched or rRNA molecules are depleted. Targeted depletion of rRNA is particularly useful when studying transcripts lacking a poly(A) tail, such as some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), most bacterial RNAs and partially degraded or immature transcripts. While several commercially available kits allow effective rRNA depletion, their efficiency relies on a high degree of sequence homology between oligonucleotide probes and the target RNA. This restricts the use of such kits to a limited number of organisms with conserved rRNA sequences. In this study we describe the use of biotinylated oligos and streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads for the efficient and specific depletion of trypanosomal rRNA. Our approach reduces the levels of the most abundant rRNA transcripts to less than 5\% with minimal off-target effects. By adjusting the sequence of the oligonucleotide probes, our approach can be used to deplete rRNAs or other abundant transcripts independent of species. Thus, our protocol provides a useful alternative for rRNA removal where enrichment of polyadenylated transcripts is not an option and commercial kits for rRNA are not available.}, language = {en} } @article{KotzRischArnoldetal.2019, author = {Kotz, Frederik and Risch, Patrick and Arnold, Karl and Sevim, Semih and Puigmart{\´i}-Luis, Josep and Quick, Alexander and Thiel, Michael and Hrynevich, Andrei and Dalton, Paul D. and Helmer, Dorothea and Rapp, Bastian E.}, title = {Fabrication of arbitrary three-dimensional suspended hollow microstructures in transparent fused silica glass}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {10}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-019-09497-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224787}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Fused silica glass is the preferred material for applications which require long-term chemical and mechanical stability as well as excellent optical properties. The manufacturing of complex hollow microstructures within transparent fused silica glass is of particular interest for, among others, the miniaturization of chemical synthesis towards more versatile, configurable and environmentally friendly flow-through chemistry as well as high-quality optical waveguides or capillaries. However, microstructuring of such complex three-dimensional structures in glass has proven evasive due to its high thermal and chemical stability as well as mechanical hardness. Here we present an approach for the generation of hollow microstructures in fused silica glass with high precision and freedom of three-dimensional designs. The process combines the concept of sacrificial template replication with a room-temperature molding process for fused silica glass. The fabricated glass chips are versatile tools for, among other, the advance of miniaturization in chemical synthesis on chip.}, language = {en} } @article{KnopSpilgiesRuflietal.2019, author = {Knop, Janin and Spilgies, Lisanne M. and Rufli, Stefanie and Reinhart, Ramona and Vasilikos, Lazaros and Yabal, Monica and Owsley, Erika and Jost, Philipp J. and Marsh, Rebecca A. and Wajant, Harald and Robinson, Mark D. and Kaufmann, Thomas and W. Wei-Lynn, Wong}, title = {TNFR2 induced priming of the inflammasome leads to a RIPK1-dependent cell death in the absence of XIAP}, series = {Cell Death \& Disease}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cell Death \& Disease}, doi = {10.1038/s41419-019-1938-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325946}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The pediatric immune deficiency X-linked proliferative disease-2 (XLP-2) is a unique disease, with patients presenting with either hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or intestinal bowel disease (IBD). Interestingly, XLP-2 patients display high levels of IL-18 in the serum even while in stable condition, presumably through spontaneous inflammasome activation. Recent data suggests that LPS stimulation can trigger inflammasome activation through a TNFR2/TNF/TNFR1 mediated loop in xiap-/- macrophages. Yet, the direct role TNFR2-specific activation plays in the absence of XIAP is unknown. We found TNFR2-specific activation leads to cell death in xiap-/- myeloid cells, particularly in the absence of the RING domain. RIPK1 kinase activity downstream of TNFR2 resulted in a TNF/TNFR1 cell death, independent of necroptosis. TNFR2-specific activation leads to a similar inflammatory NF-kB driven transcriptional profile as TNFR1 activation with the exception of upregulation of NLRP3 and caspase-11. Activation and upregulation of the canonical inflammasome upon loss of XIAP was mediated by RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production. While both the inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity and ROS production reduced cell death, as well as release of IL-1β, the release of IL-18 was not reduced to basal levels. This study supports targeting TNFR2 specifically to reduce IL-18 release in XLP-2 patients and to reduce priming of the inflammasome components.}, language = {en} } @article{KnoedlerKoerferKunzmannetal.2018, author = {Kn{\"o}dler, Maren and K{\"o}rfer, Justus and Kunzmann, Volker and Trojan, J{\"o}rg and Daum, Severin and Schenk, Michael and Kullmann, Frank and Schroll, Sebastian and Behringer, Dirk and Stahl, Michael and Al-Batran, Salah-Eddin and Hacker, Ulrich and Ibach, Stefan and Lindhofer, Horst and Lordick, Florian}, title = {Randomised phase II trial to investigate catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM × anti-CD3) for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with gastric cancer}, series = {British Journal of Cancer}, volume = {119}, journal = {British Journal of Cancer}, doi = {10.1038/s41416-018-0150-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-325938}, pages = {296-302}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) represents an unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Intraperitoneal treatment with the bispecific and trifunctional antibody catumaxomab (EpCAM, CD3), in addition to systemic chemotherapy, could improve elimination of PC. Methods This prospective, randomised, phase II study investigated the efficacy of catumaxomab followed by chemotherapy (arm A, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel, FLOT) or FLOT alone (arm B) in patients with GC and PC. Primary endpoint was the rate of macroscopic complete remission (mCR) of PC at the time of second diagnostic laparoscopy/laparotomy prior to optional surgery. Results Median follow-up was 52 months. Out of 35 patients screened, 15 were allocated to arm A and 16 to arm B. mCR rate was 27\% in arm A and 19\% in arm B (p = 0.69). Severe side effects associated with catumaxomab were nausea, infection, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. Median progression-free (6.7 vs. 5.4 months, p = 0.71) and overall survival (13.2 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.97) were not significantly different in both treatment arms. Conclusions Addition of catumaxomab to systemic chemotherapy was feasible and tolerable in advanced GC. Although the primary endpoint could not be demonstrated, results are promising for future investigations integrating intraperitoneal immunotherapy into a multimodal treatment strategy.}, language = {en} }