Chemokines such as SDF-1α play a crucial role in orchestrating T lymphocyte polarity and migration via polymerization and reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton, but the role of actin-associated proteins in this process is not well characterized. In this study, we have investigated a role for L-plastin, a leukocyte-specific F-actin–bundling protein, in SDF-1α–stimulated human T lymphocyte polarization and migration. We found that L-plastin colocalized with F-actin at the leading edge of SDF-1α–stimulated T lymphocytes and was also phosphorylated at Ser5, a site that when phosphorylated regulates the ability of L-plastin to bundle F-actin. L-plastin phosphorylation was sensitive to pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), and several PKC isoforms colocalized with L-plastin at the leading edge of SDF-1α–stimulated lymphocytes. However, PKC ζ, an established regulator of cell polarity, was the only isoform that regulated L-plastin phosphorylation. Knockdown of L-plastin expression with small interfering RNAs demonstrated that this protein regulated the localization of F-actin at the leading edge of chemokine-stimulated cells and was also required for polarization, lamellipodia formation, and chemotaxis. Knockdown of L-plastin expression also impaired the Rac1 activation cycle and Akt phosphorylation in response to SDF-1α stimulation. Furthermore, L-plastin also regulated SDF-1α–mediated lymphocyte migration on the integrin ligand ICAM-1 by influencing velocity and persistence, but in a manner that was independent of LFA-1 integrin activation or adhesion. This study, therefore, demonstrates an important role for L-plastin and the signaling pathways that regulate its phosphorylation in response to chemokines and adds L-plastin to a growing list of proteins implicated in T lymphocyte polarity and migration.

Vascular endothelium is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in diverse pathological processes, including inflammation, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. By virtue of their intravascular topography, endothelial cells are exposed to dynamically changing mechanical forces that are generated by blood flow. In the present study, we investigated the interactions of negatively charged 2.7 nm and 4.7 nm CdTe quantum dots and 50 nm silica particles with cultured endothelial cells under regulated shear stress (SS) conditions. Cultured cells within the engineered microfluidic channels were exposed to nanoparticles under static condition or under low, medium, and high SS rates (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 Pa, respectively). Vascular inflammation and associated endothelial damage were simulated by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or by compromising the cell membrane with the use of low Triton X-100 concentration. Our results demonstrate that SS is critical for nanoparticle uptake by endothelial cells. Maximal uptake was registered at the SS rate of 0.05 Pa. By contrast, endothelial exposure to mild detergents or TNF-α treatment had no significant effect on nanoparticle uptake. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated the increased formation of actin-based cytoskeletal structures, including stress fibers and membrane ruffles, which have been associated with nanoparticle endocytosis. In conclusion, the combinatorial effects of SS rates, vascular endothelial conditions, and nanoparticle physical and chemical properties must be taken into account for the successful design of nanoparticle-drug conjugates intended for parenteral delivery. Keywords: endothelium, shear stress, quantum dots, membrane ruffling, stress fibers, atomic force microscopy, microfluidics Nanoparticle (NP) technologies are significantly affecting the development of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Although enormous progress in the field of nanotechnology has been achieved, basic discoveries have not yet translated into effective targeted therapies. NPs can potentially improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs; however, the complexity of in vivo systems imposes multiple barriers that severely inhibit efficiency, which must be overcome to fully exploit the theoretical potential of NPs. Endothelial cells (ECs) that line the interior of the entire vascular system represent a major barrier for therapeutic agents traveling from the bloodstream to the target tissues. Recent studies have focused on targeting the endothelium with NPs as therapeutic agents for a variety of pathological conditions in the vascular system because of the large population of ECs and their proximity to the blood flow.ECs in vivo are exposed to a variety of hemodynamic forces that are created by blood flow and by the pulse wave dictated by the cardiac cycle. Shear stress (SS) is the dragging mechanical force that acts at the interface between flowing blood and Dovepress submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com the vessel wall. ECs recognize SS a...

Summary Leucocyte recruitment is critical during many acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Chemokines are key mediators of leucocyte recruitment during the inflammatory response, by signalling through specific chemokine G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). In addition, chemokines interact with cell‐surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to generate a chemotactic gradient. The chemokine interleukin‐8/CXCL8, a prototypical neutrophil chemoattractant, is characterized by a long, highly positively charged GAG‐binding C‐terminal region, absent in most other chemokines. To examine whether the CXCL8 C‐terminal peptide has a modulatory role in GAG binding during neutrophil recruitment, we synthesized the wild‐type CXCL8 C‐terminal [CXCL8 (54–72)] (Peptide 1), a peptide with a substitution of glutamic acid (E) 70 with lysine (K) (Peptide 2) to increase positive charge; and also, a scrambled sequence peptide (Peptide 3). Surface plasmon resonance showed that Peptide 1, corresponding to the core CXCL8 GAG‐binding region, binds to GAG but Peptide 2 binding was detected at lower concentrations. In the absence of cellular GAG, the peptides did not affect CXCL8‐induced calcium signalling or neutrophil chemotaxis along a diffusion gradient, suggesting no effect on GPCR binding. All peptides equally inhibited neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions. Peptide 2, with its greater positive charge and binding to polyanionic GAG, inhibited CXCL8‐induced neutrophil transendothelial migration. Our studies suggest that the E70K CXCL8 peptide, may serve as a lead molecule for further development of therapeutic inhibitors of neutrophil‐mediated inflammation based on modulation of chemokine–GAG binding.

The microRNA (miRNA) miR-126 is highly expressed in endothelial cells and often reported as down-regulated in cancer. The present study thoroughly examines the functional relevance of miR-126 in melanoma progression and suggests a central role of this miRNA as prognostic marker and modulator of the melanoma microenvironment. Initially, the expression of miR-126 was quantified in two independent, isogenic cell line model series of melanoma progression. To further explore its functional role, two stable over-expression cell lines were generated and subjected to an extensive series of in vitro assays. Subsequently, the prognostic relevance of miR-126 was assessed via in situ hybridization on a large melanoma tissue microarray cohort. In both melanoma cell line systems, miR-126 expression was inversely correlated with the level of tumorigenicity. Over-expression of miR-126 in vitro resulted in a significant decrease in colony formation, both in the presence and absence of anchorage, while cell viability remained unaffected. Using a three-dimensional spheroid invasion assay, over-expression of miR-126 significantly reduced cell invasiveness. In addition, a substantial reduction in tumor cell adhesion to VCAM-1 coated micro-channels was observed when the adhesive capacity of miR-126 over-expressing cells was examined under shear stress using the Cellix's Microfluidic Platform. Using in situ hybridization on tissue microarrays containing melanoma tissue, miR-126 expression was evident in the tumor vasculature whereas melanoma cells did not appear to express miR-126. Analysis of the degree of vascular staining revealed a significant association between lower vascular miR-126 expression and lower T-stage. In addition, high vascular miR-126 scores were significantly associated with prolonged overall survival, in particular in high grade tumors (T-stages 3 and 4). Overall, miR-126 over-expression was shown to trigger a less aggressive phenotype in melanoma cells in vitro. Nonetheless, its clinical relevance in melanoma may primarily be mediated by the tumor vasculature. Depletion of miR-126 has previously been linked to a number of tumor relevant phenotypes, including inflammation. Vascular up-regulation of the miR-126 target protein VCAM-1 may mediate increased tumor infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages, which are known to play a crucial role in tumor development and prognosis. This renders miR-126 an exciting target for closer investigation with regard to its role in the melanoma microenvironment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4366. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4366

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