The Journal of biological chemistry
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The processing and regulated secretion of IL-1beta are critical points of control of the biological activity of this important pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-1beta is produced by both monocytes and macrophages, but the rate and mechanism of release differ according to the differentiation status and the origin of these cells. We aimed to study the control of processing and release in human blood monocytes and human monocyte-derived macrophages. ⋯ Release of IL-1beta from monocytes showed selectivity for specific TLR agonists and was accelerated by P2X7 receptor activation. Human monocytes released more IL-1beta/cell than macrophages. These data have important implications for inflammatory diseases that involve monocyte activation and IL-1 release.
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Lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes requires the G-protein-coupled sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P(1)). The activation antigen CD69 associates with and inhibits the function of S1P(1), inhibiting egress. Here we undertook biochemical characterization of the requirements for S1P(1)-CD69 complex formation. ⋯ Unexpectedly, the S1P(1)-CD69 complex exhibited a much longer half-life for binding of S1P than S1P(1) alone. In contrast to wild-type CD69, a non-S1P(1) binding mutant of CD69 failed to inhibit T cell egress from lymph nodes. These findings identify an integral membrane interaction between CD69 and S1P(1) and suggest that CD69 induces an S1P(1) conformation that shares some properties of the ligand-bound state, thereby facilitating S1P(1) internalization and degradation.
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Myofibroblasts, key effector cells in tissue fibrosis, are specialized contractile cells. Lung myofibroblast contraction induces integrin alpha(v)beta(5)-dependent latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 activation suggests that myofibroblast contractility may be a driving force for the persistent myofibroblast differentiation observed in fibrotic lungs. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate fibroblast contraction and mechanotransduction will add new insights into the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating fibrotic lung diseases. ⋯ In contrast, lack of Thy-1 expression or disruption of Thy-1-alpha(v)beta(5) interactions renders lung fibroblasts susceptible to contraction-induced latent TGF-beta1 activation and myofibroblast differentiation. These data suggest that Thy-1-integrin alpha(v)beta(5) interactions inhibit contraction-induced latent TGF-beta1 activation, presumably by blocking the binding of extracellular matrix-bound latent TGF-beta1 with integrin alpha(v)beta(5). Our studies suggest that targeting key mechanotransducers to inhibit mechanotransduction might be an effective approach to inhibit the deleterious effects of myofibroblast contraction on lung fibrogenesis.