@article{tokarz_heffelfinger_jima_gerlach_shah_rodriguez-nunez_kortum_fletcher_nordone_law_et al._2017, title={Disruption of Trim9 function abrogates macrophage motility in vivo}, volume={102}, ISSN={0741-5400 1938-3673}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1189/jlb.1A0816-371R}, DOI={10.1189/jlb.1a0816-371r}, abstractNote={The vertebrate immune response comprises multiple molecular and cellular components that interface to provide defense against pathogens. Because of the dynamic complexity of the immune system and its interdependent innate and adaptive functionality, an understanding of the whole‐organism response to pathogen exposure remains unresolved. Zebrafish larvae provide a unique model for overcoming this obstacle, because larvae are protected against pathogens while lacking a functional adaptive immune system during the first few weeks of life. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to immune agonists for various lengths of time, and a microarray transcriptome analysis was executed. This strategy identified known immune response genes, as well as genes with unknown immune function, including the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif‐9 (Trim9). Although trim9 expression was originally described as “brain specific,” its expression has been reported in stimulated human Mϕs. In this study, we found elevated levels of trim9 transcripts in vivo in zebrafish Mϕs after immune stimulation. Trim9 has been implicated in axonal migration, and we therefore investigated the impact of Trim9 disruption on Mϕ motility and found that Mϕ chemotaxis and cellular architecture are subsequently impaired in vivo. These results demonstrate that Trim9 mediates cellular movement and migration in Mϕs as well as neurons.}, number={6}, journal={Journal of Leukocyte Biology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Tokarz, Debra A. and Heffelfinger, Amy K. and Jima, Dereje D. and Gerlach, Jamie and Shah, Radhika N. and Rodriguez-Nunez, Ivan and Kortum, Amanda N. and Fletcher, Ashley A. and Nordone, Shila K. and Law, J. McHugh and et al.}, year={2017}, month={Oct}, pages={1371–1380} } @article{rodriguez-nunez_wcisel_litman_litman_yoder_immunogenetics_2016, title={The identification of additional zebrafish DICP genes reveals haplotype variation and linkage to MHC class I genes}, volume={68}, ISSN={0093-7711 1432-1211}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00251-016-0901-6}, DOI={10.1007/s00251-016-0901-6}, abstractNote={Bony fish encode multiple multi-gene families of membrane receptors that are comprised of immunoglobulin (Ig) domains and are predicted to function in innate immunity. One of these families, the diverse immunoglobulin (Ig) domain-containing protein (DICP) genes, maps to three chromosomal loci in zebrafish. Most DICPs possess one or two Ig ectodomains and include membrane-bound and secreted forms. Membrane-bound DICPs include putative inhibitory and activating receptors. Recombinant DICP Ig domains bind lipids with varying specificity, a characteristic shared with mammalian CD300 and TREM family members. Numerous DICP transcripts amplified from different lines of zebrafish did not match the zebrafish reference genome sequence suggesting polymorphic and haplotypic variation. The expression of DICPs in three different lines of zebrafish has been characterized employing PCR-based strategies. Certain DICPs exhibit restricted expression in adult tissues whereas others are expressed ubiquitously. Transcripts of a subset of DICPs can be detected during embryonic development suggesting roles in embryonic immunity or other developmental processes. Transcripts representing 11 previously uncharacterized DICP sequences were identified. The assignment of two of these sequences to an unplaced genomic scaffold resulted in the identification of an alternative DICP haplotype that is linked to a MHC class I Z lineage haplotype on zebrafish chromosome 3. The linkage of DICP and MHC class I genes also is observable in the genomes of the related grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) suggesting that this is a shared character with the last common Cyprinidae ancestor.}, number={4}, journal={Immunogenetics}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Rodriguez-Nunez, I. and Wcisel, D.J. and Litman, R.T. and Litman, G.W. and Yoder, J.A. and Immunogenetics}, year={2016}, month={Jan}, pages={295–312} } @article{peterman_sullivan_goody_rodriguez-nunez_yoder_kim_2014, title={Neutralization of Mitochondrial Superoxide by Superoxide Dismutase 2 Promotes Bacterial Clearance and Regulates Phagocyte Numbers in Zebrafish}, volume={83}, ISSN={0019-9567 1098-5522}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/IAI.02245-14}, DOI={10.1128/iai.02245-14}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Mitochondria are known primarily as the location of the electron transport chain and energy production in cells. More recently, mitochondria have been shown to be signaling centers for apoptosis and inflammation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated as by-products of the electron transport chain within mitochondria significantly impact cellular signaling pathways. Because of the toxic nature of ROS, mitochondria possess an antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), to neutralize ROS. If mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes are overwhelmed during severe infections, mitochondrial dysfunction can occur and lead to multiorgan failure or death. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can infect immunocompromised patients. Infochemicals and exotoxins associated with P. aeruginosa are capable of causing mitochondrial dysfunction. In this work, we describe the roles of SOD2 and mitochondrial ROS regulation in the zebrafish innate immune response to P. aeruginosa infection. sod2 is upregulated in mammalian macrophages and neutrophils in response to lipopolysaccharide in vitro, and sod2 knockdown in zebrafish results in an increased bacterial burden. Further investigation revealed that phagocyte numbers are compromised in Sod2-deficient zebrafish. Addition of the mitochondrion-targeted ROS-scavenging chemical MitoTEMPO rescues neutrophil numbers and reduces the bacterial burden in Sod2-deficient zebrafish. Our work highlights the importance of mitochondrial ROS regulation by SOD2 in the context of innate immunity and supports the use of mitochondrion-targeted ROS scavengers as potential adjuvant therapies during severe infections.}, number={1}, journal={Infection and Immunity}, publisher={American Society for Microbiology}, author={Peterman, E. M. and Sullivan, C. and Goody, M. F. and Rodriguez-Nunez, I. and Yoder, J. A. and Kim, C. H.}, editor={McCormick, B. A.Editor}, year={2014}, month={Nov}, pages={430–440} }