Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:Faculty modeling of desired behaviors has historically been a part of the apprenticeship model of clinical teaching, yet little is known about best practices for modeling. This study compared the educational impact of implicitly versus explicitly modeled communication skills among U.S. medical students. METHOD/UNASSIGNED:Fourth-year medical students from six U.S. academic medical centers were randomly assigned one simulated clinical encounter in which faculty provided either implicit or explicit modeling of important communication skills. Outcomes were assessed by electronic surveys immediately before and after the simulations. Students were blinded to the purpose of the study. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED: = 0.002). Participating faculty stated they would modify their teaching approach in response to their experiences in the study. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:In a multi-center randomized trial, explicit faculty role-modeling led to greater uptake of communication knowledge, greater recognition of skills, and a greater sense that faculty expected these skills to be adopted by students. These results must be considered in the context, however, of a simulated environment and a short timeframe for assessing learning with students who volunteered for a simulated experience.

Cerebral malaria is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection characterized by the loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, which is associated with brain swelling and mortality in patients. P. falciparum-infected red blood cells and inflammatory cytokines, like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), have been implicated in the development of cerebral malaria, but it is still unclear how they contribute to the loss of BBB integrity. Here, a combination of transcriptomic analysis and cellular assays detecting changes in barrier integrity and endothelial activation were used to distinguish between the effects of P. falciparum and TNF-α on a human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC) line and in primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells. We observed that while TNF-α induced high levels of endothelial activation, it only caused a small increase in HBMEC permeability. Conversely, P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) led to a strong increase in HBMEC permeability that was not mediated by cell death. Distinct transcriptomic profiles of TNF-α and P. falciparum in HBMECs confirm the differential effects of these stimuli, with the parasite preferentially inducing an endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Our results establish that there are fundamental differences in the responses induced by TNF-α and P. falciparum on brain endothelial cells and suggest that parasite-induced signaling is a major component driving the disruption of the BBB during cerebral malaria, proposing a potential target for much needed therapeutics. IMPORTANCE Cerebral malaria is a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection that causes the loss of blood-brain barrier integrity and frequently results in death. Here, we compared the effect of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells and inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α, in the loss of BBB integrity. We observed that while TNF-α induced a small increase in barrier permeability, P. falciparum-infected red blood cells led to a severe loss of barrier integrity. Our results establish that there are fundamental differences in the responses induced by TNF-α and P. falciparum on brain endothelial cells and suggest that parasite-induced signaling is a major component driving the disruption of the BBB during cerebral malaria, proposing a potential target for much needed therapeutics.

Esculetin is a coumarin compound, which belongs to the class of benzopyrone enriched in various plants such as Sonchus grandifolius, Aesculus turbinata, etc. Free radicals lead to the development of oxidative stress causing inflammation, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, fatty liver disease, etc. These further reduce the efficacy of anticancer drugs, activate inflammatory signaling pathways, degrade joints and cartilage, and disrupt the glycemic index and normal function of liver enzymes. For instance, the current treatment modalities used in arthritis such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs, and lipoxygenase inhibitors present limited efficacy and adverse effects. Thus, there is a constant need to find newer and safer alternatives. Esculetin has an immense antioxidative potential thereby alleviating arthritis, diabetes, malignancies, and hepatic disorders. Structurally, esculetin contains two hydroxyl groups, which enhance its ability to function as an antioxidant by inhibiting oxidative stress in pathological conditions. Leukotriene B4 synthesis, NF-κB and MPAK pathway activation, and inflammatory cytokine production are the main causes of bone and joint deterioration in arthritis, whereas esculetin treatment reverses these factors and relieves the disease condition. In contrast, lipid peroxidation caused by upregulation of TGF-β-mediated expression and dysfunction of antioxidant enzymes is inhibited by esculetin therapy, thus reducing liver fibrosis by acting on the PI3K/FoxO1 pathway. Therefore, targeting NF-κB, pro-inflammatory cytokines, TGF-β and oxidative stress may be a therapeutic strategy to alleviate arthritis and liver fibrosis.

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is the mechanism by which cells control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein homeostasis. ER proteostasis is essential to adapt to cell proliferation and regeneration in development and tumorigenesis, but mechanisms linking UPR, growth control, and cancer progression remain unclear. Here, we report that the Ire1/Xbp1s pathway has surprisingly oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in a context-dependent manner. Activation of Ire1/Xbp1s up-regulates their downstream target Bip, which sequesters Yorkie (Yki), a Hippo pathway transducer, in the cytoplasm to restrict Yki transcriptional output. This regulation provides an endogenous defensive mechanism in organ size control, intestinal homeostasis, and regeneration. Unexpectedly, Xbp1 ablation promotes tumor overgrowth but suppresses invasiveness in a Drosophila cancer model. Mechanistically, hyperactivated Ire1/Xbp1s signaling in turn induces JNK-dependent developmental and oncogenic cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via repression of Yki. In humans, a negative correlation between XBP1 and YAP (Yki ortholog) target gene expression specifically exists in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), and those with high XBP1 or HSPA5 (Bip ortholog) expression have better clinical outcomes. In human TNBC cell lines and xenograft models, ectopic XBP1s or HSPA5 expression alleviates tumor growth but aggravates cell migration and invasion. These findings uncover a conserved crosstalk between the Ire1/Xbp1s and Hippo signaling pathways under physiological settings, as well as a crucial role of Bip-Yki interaction in tumorigenesis that is shared from Drosophila to humans.

T cell activation and function depend on Ca²⁺ signals mediated by store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) through Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels formed by ORAI1 proteins. We here investigated how SOCE controls T cell function in pulmonary inflammation during a T helper 1 (T_H1) cell-mediated response to influenza A virus (IAV) infection and T_H2 cell-mediated allergic airway inflammation. T cell-specific deletion of Orai1 did not exacerbate pulmonary inflammation and viral burdens following IAV infection but protected mice from house dust mite-induced allergic airway inflammation. ORAI1 controlled the expression of genes including p53 and E2F transcription factors that regulate the cell cycle in T_H2 cells in response to allergen stimulation and the expression of transcription factors and cytokines that regulate T_H2 cell function. Systemic application of a CRAC channel blocker suppressed allergic airway inflammation without compromising immunity to IAV infection, suggesting that inhibition of SOCE is a potential treatment for allergic airway disease.

Mitochondria harbor an independent genome, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which contains essential metabolic genes. Although mtDNA mutations occur at high frequency, they are inherited infrequently, indicating that germline mechanisms limit their accumulation. To determine how germline mtDNA is regulated, we examined the control of mtDNA quantity and quality in C. elegans primordial germ cells (PGCs). We show that PGCs combine strategies to generate a low point in mtDNA number by segregating mitochondria into lobe-like protrusions that are cannibalized by adjacent cells, and by concurrently eliminating mitochondria through autophagy, reducing overall mtDNA content twofold. As PGCs exit quiescence and divide, mtDNAs replicate to maintain a set point of ~200 mtDNAs per germline stem cell. Whereas cannibalism and autophagy eliminate mtDNAs stochastically, we show that the kinase PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), operating independently of Parkin and autophagy, preferentially reduces the fraction of mutant mtDNAs. Thus, PGCs employ parallel mechanisms to control both the quantity and quality of the founding population of germline mtDNAs.

The movement of lipids within and between membranes in bacteria is essential for building and maintaining the bacterial cell envelope. Moving lipids to their final destination is often energetically unfavorable and does not readily occur spontaneously. Bacteria have evolved several protein-mediated transport systems that bind specific lipid substrates and catalyze the transport of lipids across membranes and from one membrane to another. Specific protein flippases act in translocating lipids across the plasma membrane, overcoming the obstacle of moving relatively large and chemically diverse lipids between leaflets of the bilayer. Active transporters found in double-membraned bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to traffic lipids between the two membranes, including assembling to form large, multiprotein complexes that resemble bridges, shuttles, and tunnels, shielding lipids from the hydrophilic environment of the periplasm during transport. In this review, we explore our current understanding of the mechanisms thought to drive bacterial lipid transport. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology Volume 38 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

OBJECTIVE:This study aims to refine Music Upper Limb Therapy - Integrated (MULT-I) to create a feasible enriched environment for stroke rehabilitation and compare its biological and behavioral effects to that of a home exercise program (HEP). DESIGN/METHODS:Randomized mixed-methods study of 30 adults with post-stroke hemiparesis. Serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxytocin levels measured biologic effects, and upper limb function, disability, quality of life and emotional well-being were assessed as behavioral outcomes. Participant experiences were explored using semi-structured interviews. RESULTS:MULT-I participants showed reduced depression from pre- to post- intervention as compared to HEP participants. BDNF levels significantly increased for MULT-I participants, but decreased for HEP participants, with a significant difference between groups after excluding those with post-stroke depression. MULT-I participants additionally improved quality of life and self-perceived physical strength, mobility, activity, participation, and recovery from pre- to post-intervention. HEP participants improved upper limb function. Qualitatively, MULT-I provided psychosocial support and enjoyment while HEP supported self-management of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS:Implementation of a music enriched environment is feasible, reduces post-stroke depression, and may enhance the neural environment for recovery via increases in BDNF levels. Self-management of rehabilitation through a home exercise program may further improve upper limb function.

The placenta plays an essential role at the beginning of life, nourishing and supporting the fetus, but its life span is limited. In late pregnancy, the placenta develops signs of aging, including inflammation and impaired function, which may complicate pregnancy. Placentas also show another sign of aging - cells with extra or missing chromosomes. Chromosomally abnormal cells could gather in the placenta if they get stranded there and/or if the cells do not separate normally. Chromosome separation goes wrong in aging cells when the DNA sequences, which protect the ends of the chromosomes, erode. When chromosomes lose their protective caps, they fuse which leads to abnormal numbers of chromosomes. In this pilot study, for the first time, we found fusions between the caps in a human placenta when it reaches full term. More studies are needed to decide whether this has an influence on how the placenta works and outcomes of pregnancy.

To characterize the dysregulation of chromatin accessibility in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we generated 636 ATAC-seq libraries from neuronal and nonneuronal nuclei isolated from the superior temporal gyrus and entorhinal cortex of 153 AD cases and 56 controls. By analyzing a total of ~20 billion read pairs, we expanded the repertoire of known open chromatin regions (OCRs) in the human brain and identified cell-type-specific enhancer-promoter interactions. We show that interindividual variability in OCRs can be leveraged to identify cis-regulatory domains (CRDs) that capture the three-dimensional structure of the genome (3D genome). We identified AD-associated effects on chromatin accessibility, the 3D genome and transcription factor (TF) regulatory networks. For one of the most AD-perturbed TFs, USF2, we validated its regulatory effect on lysosomal genes. Overall, we applied a systematic approach to understanding the role of the 3D genome in AD. We provide all data as an online resource for widespread community-based analysis.