Biology subjects

Carmody, R. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Carmody, R. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Synovial lining expressed mechanosensor PIEZO1 drives inflammation-permissive macrophage phenotypes and joint inflammation

Synovial tissue-resident macrophages regulate immune homeostasis within the joint, but can adopt an inflammation-permissive phenotype that promotes immune cell infiltration in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understanding the factors that drive this phenotypic switch may help prevent the localisation of inflammation in the joints of individuals at-risk of RA. We identified the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 as a potential regulator of lining-layer synovial tissue macrophage (STM) function. PIEZO1 was highly expressed in homeostatic, tissue resident TREM2pos lining-layer STMs and in its pathogenic chemokine producing TREM2low phenotype that characterises the hyperplastic lining-layer in active RA. Intra-articular injection of a PIEZO1 agonist in mice induced neutrophil and monocyte infiltration, whereas inhibition of PIEZO1 signalling restored the protective macrophage phenotype. Thus, mechanosensing via PIEZO1 is a defining feature of the joint lining-layer, and its aberrant activation by mechanical stress may lead to the localisation of inflammation within the joint, facilitating a transition from asymptomatic autoimmunity of at-risk RA to clinical disease.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Nanovibrational stimulation of osteogenesis engages non-canonical Wnt signalling and NF-κB regulator BCL3 as a mechanotransducer

Enhancing osteogenesis in mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells is essential for advancing cellular therapies that target and alleviate skeletal pathologies. By employing a bespoke bioreactor capable of delivering nano-amplitude vibration (30 nm, 1kHz) to human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, we observed osteo-specific differentiation. We related this to the mechanotransductive mechanism by showing that inhibition of intracellular tension results in the loss of cytoskeletal organisation and myosin activation driven by nanovibration. Further, we dissect the mechanism of osteogenesis using a panel of Wnt agonists and antagonists and highlight the role of non-canonical Wnt. Then, using Bcl3-/- cells and by stimulating with BCL3 peptide, we show that non-canonical Wnt, osteogenesis-related inflammation and osteogenesis itself are all regulated by BCL3. This is important as nanoscale direct cell-stimulation is gaining interest, and there is an emerging consensus that such signals can be osteogenic. While prior research has only broadly hinted at how nanovibrational signals convert to an osteogenic phenotype, this new work pinpoints critical mechanistic insights, thereby advancing our understanding of this promising avenue in musculoskeletal cell therapy.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2018

The IκB-Protein BCL-3 Controls MAPK Activity by Promoting TPL-2 Degradation in the Nucleus.

The ability of the innate immune system to distinguish between low level microbial presence and invasive pathogens is fundamental for immune homeostasis and immunity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying threat discrimination by innate immune cells are not clearly defined. Here we describe the integration of the NF-B and MAPK pathways in the nucleus by the IB protein BCL-3 and the MAP3K TPL-2. Our data reveals that TPL-2 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein and demonstrates that the nucleus is the primary site for TPL-2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. BCL-3 promotes TPL-2 degradation through interaction in the nucleus. As a consequence, Bcl3-/- macrophages have increased TPL-2 stability and MAPK activity following TLR stimulation. The enhanced stability of TPL-2 in Bcl3-/- macrophages lowers the MAPK activation threshold and the level of TLR ligand required to initiate an inflammatory response. This study establishes the nucleus as a key regulatory site for TLR-induced MAPK activity and identifies BCL-3 as a regulator of the cellular decision to initiate inflammation

immunology↗