Unexpected role of surface transglutaminase type II in celiac disease

Background & Aims: In celiac disease (CD), transglutaminase type II (TG2) has 2 fundamental roles: (1) as the autoantigen recognized by highly specific autoantibodies and (2) the modifier of pathogenic gliadin T-cell epitopes. It follows that inhibition of TG2 might represent an attractive strategy to curb the toxic action of gliadin. Here we studied the validity of this strategy using the organ culture approach. Methods: Duodenal biopsy specimens from 30 treated patients with CD, 33 untreated patients with CD, and 24 controls were cultured with or without gliadin peptides p31-43, pα-9, and deamidated pα-9 for 20 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours. In 31 patients with CD and 16 controls, TG2 inhibitor R283 or anti-TG CUB 7402 or anti-surface TG2 (6B9) mAbs were used in cultures. T84 cells were also cultured with or without peptides with or without TG inhibitors. Mucosal modifications after culture were assessed by immunofluorescence, in situ detection of TG activity, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Results: The enzymatic inhibition of TG2 only controlled gliadin-specific T-cell activation. The binding of surface TG2 contained gliadin-specific T-cell activation and p31-43-induced actin rearrangement, epithelial phosphorylation, and apoptosis, both in organ cultures and T84 cells. Conclusions: These data indicate a novel and unexpected biological role for surface TG2 in the pathogenesis of CD suggesting a third role for TG2 in CD. These results have a specific impact for celiac disease, with wider implications indicating a novel biologic function of TG2 with possible repercussions in other diseases. © 2005 by the American Gastroenterological Association.

Characterization of a microbial transglutaminase cross-linked type II collagen scaffold

This study investigated the effect on the mechanical and physicochemical properties of type II collagen scaffolds after cross-linking with microbial transglutaminase (mTGase). It is intended to develop a collagen-based scaffold to be used for the treatment of degenerated intervertebral discs. By measuring the amount of ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide formed after cross-linking, it was determined that the optimal enzyme concentration was 0.005% (w/v). From the production of covalent bonds induced by mTGase cross-linking, the degradation resistance of type II collagen scaffolds can be enhanced. Rheological analysis revealed an almost sixfold increase in storage modulus (G') with 0.005% (w/v) mTGase cross-linked scaffolds (1.31 ± 0.03 kPa) compared to controls (0.21 ± 0.01 kPa). There was a significant reduction in the level of cell-mediated contraction of scaffolds with increased mTGase concentrations. Cell proliferation assays showed that mTGase cross-linked scaffolds exhibited similar cytocompatibility properties in comparison to non-cross-linked scaffolds. In summary, cross-linking type II collagen with mTGase imparted more desirable properties, making it more applicable for use as a scaffold in tissue engineering applications. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Clinical measurement in assessing obesity and the prediction of biomarkers in association to cardovascular diseases and type-II diabetes

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On the use of the type I and II scheme for classifying ultrafast laser direct-write photonics

The use of the Type I and Type II scheme, first introduced and used by fiber Bragg grating researchers, has recently been adopted by the ultrafast laser direct-write photonics community to classify the physical geometry of waveguides written into glasses and crystals. This has created confusion between the fiber Bragg grating and direct-write photonics community. Here we propose a return to the original basis of the classification based on the characteristics of the material modification rather than the physical geometry of the waveguide.

A novel multilocus sequence typing scheme for the opportunistic pathogen Propionibacterium acnes and characterisation of type 1 cell surface-associated antigens

We have developed a novel multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme and database (http://pubmlst.org/pacnes/) for Propionibacterium acnes based on the analysis of seven core housekeeping genes. The scheme, which was validated against previously described antibody, single locus and random amplification of polymorphic DNA typing methods, displayed excellent resolution and differentiated 123 isolates into 37 sequence types (STs). An overall clonal population structure was detected with six eBURST groups representing the major clades I, II and III, along with two singletons. Two highly successful and global clonal lineages, ST6 (type IA) and ST10 (type IB1), representing 64?% of this current MLST isolate collection were identified. The ST6 clone and closely related single locus variants, which comprise a large clonal complex CC6, dominated isolates from patients with acne, and were also significantly associated with ophthalmic infections. Our data therefore support an association between acne and P. acnes strains from the type IA cluster and highlight the role of a widely disseminated clonal genotype in this condition. Characterization of type I cell surface-associated antigens that are not detected in ST10 or strains of type II and III identified two dermatan-sulphate-binding proteins with putative phase/antigenic variation signatures. We propose that the expression of these proteins by type IA organisms contributes to their role in the pathophysiology of acne and helps explain the recurrent nature of the disease. The MLST scheme and database described in this study should provide a valuable platform for future epidemiological and evolutionary studies of P. acnes.