Alexander J. Laurenson
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Alexander J. Laurenson has a total of 7 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Dillon C. Schrock
Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
1 shared publication - Elsa Ronzier
Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, 10650 Pyramid Place, Manassas, VA, 20109, United States of America
1 shared publication - Imelda M. Saintilma
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
1 shared publication - Jeremy D. Rotty
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
1 shared publication - John A. Hammer
Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
1 shared publication - Rohini Manickam
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
The Actin Cytoskeleton Responds to Inflammatory Cues and Alters Macrophage Activation
Much remains to be learned about the molecular mechanisms underlying a class of human disorders called actinopathies. These genetic disorders are characterized by loss-of-function mutations in actin-associated proteins that affect immune cells, leading to human immunopathology. However, much remains to be learned about how cytoskeletal dysregulation promotes immunological dysfunction. The current study reveals that the macrophage actin cytoskeleton responds to LPS/IFNγ stimulation in a biphasic manner that involves cellular contraction followed by cellular spreading. Myosin II inhibition by blebbistatin blocks the initial contraction phase and lowers iNOS protein levels and nitric oxide secretion. Conversely, conditional deletion of Arp2/3 complex in macrophages attenuates spreading and increases nitric oxide secretion. However, iNOS transcription is not altered by loss of myosin II or Arp2/3 function, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation of iNOS by the cytoskeleton. Consistent with this idea, proteasome inhibition reverses the effects of blebbistatin and rescues iNOS protein levels. Arp2/3-deficient macrophages demonstrate two additional phenotypes: defective MHCII surface localization, and depressed secretion of the T cell chemokine CCL22. These data suggest that interplay between myosin II and Arp2/3 influences macrophage activity, and potentially impacts adaptive-innate immune coordination. Disrupting this balance could have detrimental impacts, particularly in the context of Arp2/3-associated actinopathies.
Open AccessThe Actin Cytoskeleton Responds to Inflammatory Cues and Alters Macrophage Activation
Much remains to be learned about the molecular mechanisms underlying a class of human disorders called actinopathies. These genetic disorders are characterized by loss-of-function mutations in actin-associated proteins that affect immune cells, leading to human immunopathology. However, much remains to be learned about how cytoskeletal dysregulation promotes immunological dysfunction. The current study reveals that the macrophage actin cytoskeleton responds to LPS/IFNγ stimulation in a biphasic manner that involves cellular contraction followed by cellular spreading. Myosin II inhibition by blebbistatin blocks the initial contraction phase and lowers iNOS protein levels and nitric oxide secretion. Conversely, conditional deletion of Arp2/3 complex in macrophages attenuates spreading and increases nitric oxide secretion. However, iNOS transcription is not altered by loss of myosin II or Arp2/3 function, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation of iNOS by the cytoskeleton. Consistent with this idea, proteasome inhibition reverses the effects of blebbistatin and rescues iNOS protein levels. Arp2/3-deficient macrophages demonstrate two additional phenotypes: defective MHCII surface localization, and depressed secretion of the T cell chemokine CCL22. These data suggest that interplay between myosin II and Arp2/3 influences macrophage activity, and potentially impacts adaptive-innate immune coordination. Disrupting this balance could have detrimental impacts, particularly in the context of Arp2/3-associated actinopathies.