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LECTURE "The Interaction between Macrophage Receptors Integrin Mac-1 and SIRPa Mediates Fusion in Heterologous Cells" and "The role of Fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO) in myocardium"


The Interaction between Macrophage Receptors Integrin Mac-1 and SIRPa Mediates Fusion in Heterologous Cells

Macrophage fusion leading to the formation of multinucleated giant cells is a hallmark of chronic inflammation. While a number of membrane proteins have been implicated in mediating cell-cell attachment during fusion, their binding partners are not yet clear. Recently, we have demonstrated that IL-4-induced fusion of mouse peritoneal macrophages depends on integrin Mac-1 (αMβ2, CD11b/CD18). Surprisingly, the genetic deficiency of ICAM-1, an established ligand of Mac-1, resulted in no decrease of macrophage fusion, suggesting the involvement of other counter-receptors. The present study identifies SIRPα as a novel counter-receptor for Mac-1 and suggests that the Mac-1-SIRPα interaction may be involved in macrophage fusion.

 

The role of Fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO) in myocardium (work in progress)

RNA-demethylase FTO, an enzyme involved in a novel epigenetic mechanism and associated with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, play an important role in energy homeostasis and metabolism. The aim of this project is to determine the role of FTO activity in the regulation of cardiac energy metabolism and ischemic tolerance.