Journal of Cellular Signaling

Original Research Open Access

MKP-1 is a Negative Regulator of Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Inflammatory Gene Expression in Macrophages

Michael P. Bechill , Justin H. Franco , Randall G. Worth , R. Mark Wooten , Yusen Liu , Zhixing K. Pan

Staphylococcus aureus is a non-motile Gram-positive bacterium that exhibits antibiotic resistant forms (i.e. MRSA, VRSA), which continue to represent a major source of nosocomial infection. Alternative therapeutics are urgently needed to control the overactive host response in S. aureus-associated sepsis. However, the therapeutic molecular targets for sepsis remain poorly understood.

Commentary Open Access

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Treating Diabetes Mellitus and Weight Loss with Potential Application to Rare Obesity-related Genetic Disorders: A Commentary

Lucas Francis , Merlin G. Butler

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and receptor (GLP1R) agonists are now in common use for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight loss as major global health burdens affecting millions worldwide with prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes approaching 15% for all U.S. adults increasing with age (www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html).

Opinion Article Open Access

CD28 is Not Required for T cell Activation

Gongyi Zhang

It has been almost four decades since CD28 was identified as a major player (co-stimulator) of T cell activation and has been recognized as one of the major milestones in the T cell field. However, the exact underlying mechanism involved in the activation of CD28 still remains poorly understood. Most importantly, the depletion of CD28 in mice did not lead to a major defect in T cell activation response, even when combined with the deletion of ICOS, a homolog of CD28.

Original Research Open Access

TGF-β Suppresses HIV-1 Reactivation in U1 Cells by Reducing NFAT, Sp1, and TF Levels while Enhancing Bcl-xL

Xue Wang , Indira Hewlett

TGF-β plays an important role in keeping HIV-1 in a hidden, inactive state by suppressing the immune system and creating conditions that prevent the virus from reactivating. However, exactly how TGF-β does this is not well understood. In this study, we used the U1 cell line to explore how TGF-β affects HIV-1 reactivation.

Opinion Article Open Access

The CD19-Coupled CD21 is an Essential Receptor for B cell Activation

Gongyi Zhang

It has been almost six decades since T cells and B cells were found to be the major players of adaptive immunity. The signal transduction cascades of T cell activation are well studied. However, it is not well appreciated or investigated how the binding of antigens to B cell receptors triggers the downstream signal transduction pathways.