Carbon nanotube recognition by human Siglec-14 provokes inflammation | Hacker News Reader

Carbon nanotube recognition by human Siglec-14 provokes inflammation

nature.com

63 pointsPaulHoule13 comments

Siglecs are SUPER important immune receptors that normally antagonise or induce tolerance in the immune system. Normally they recognise different sialic acids (e.g., the same ones recognised by hemaglutinin in influenza) and depending on the health of the cells you can induce different responses in your immune cells.

We’ve done a bit of work in our lab on these receptors, trying to figure out what their natural ligands are. Crazy that the carbon nanotubes are also recognised. I’ll need to check my notes, but I think that the loops that are recognising the nanotubes aren’t where the binding normally is for sialic acids, so it’s all very interesting!

Additional thoughts: I wonder if anyone has tried throwing viral particles or protein pathogens on a carbon nanotube to check for binding. The other Siglecs don’t interact, but hey, maybe we’re lucky and all these pathogen related sialic acid binders happen to have the right residues in place! The SRR bacterial adhesins off the top of my head might be candidates.

Excuse my ignorance, but how are there carbon nanotube recognizing immune receptors? Do the tubes just happen to fit in the receptors because of their size or shape, or is there something about the tubes that trigger the receptors?

The receptors have these floppy loops which are great for bending into the right conformation to recognise different things. It turns out that if they have a few aromatic residues they just happen to recognise carbon nanotubes. It’s unlikely this is something that evolved, and much more just some bad luck in recognising this particular shape.

Wouldn't an aromatic loop have a high affinity for anything with some relatively large / low density (amenable to moving around) electron field?

Something that tickles me about this idea is that, if you think of proteins recognizing these small molecules as lock-and-key (I know that model is outmoded), this is the equivalent of a self-impressioning attack (like the Bic pen attack on cheap tubular locks).

I remember reading a comment here on Hacker News years ago and someone mentioned: "I wonder if carbon nanotubes are going to be the asbestos of the 21st century?"

Looks like we're finding out if that is the case.

Alternately if asbestos was discovered today people would call it "nanotechnology".

I've noticed that contemporary toasters are a lot slower than toasters used to be and I guess that's because old toasters contained asbestos. I remember the first Chinese-made toaster my mother in law got from WalMart that she was amazed by until it caught on fire, then after that toasters from WalMart were all very slow models that made up for being slow by having four or more slots.

Always seemed like madness, to me, that the slot toaster allows most of the heat to waft up and be during use. Toaster ovens for the win …except USA stores have a great many uneven-heating toaster ovens …and except "denshi rehnji" (single-chamber combination microwave and toaster oven, sometimes including air fryer mode) seems to make both obsolete!

Aren't allergic reactions to nanotech detritus in the atmosphere a bit of background detail in Stephenson's 'Diamond Age' (1995)?

I recall it mentioning nanotech dust in the air and filters for it along with it being a socio-economic signifier (i.e. living in pollution), but not allergy specifically

If anyone is interested. I went to ChatGPT to ask about: what supplements or foods contain blockers or inhibitors of Siglec-14 and the Syk tyrosine kinase

""" There is limited information on supplements or foods that contain blockers or inhibitors of Siglec-14 and Syk tyrosine kinase. However, some studies suggest that certain dietary components may have anti-inflammatory effects and may modulate the activity of these molecules indirectly. Here are some examples:

Omega-3 fatty acids: These essential fatty acids are found in fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as in flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may inhibit the activation of Syk tyrosine kinase.

Curcumin: This polyphenol is found in turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine. Curcumin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and may inhibit the activation of Syk tyrosine kinase.

Green tea: This beverage is rich in polyphenols, particularly catechins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Some studies suggest that catechins may inhibit the activity of Syk tyrosine kinase.

Quercetin: This flavonoid is found in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, onions, and berries. Quercetin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may inhibit the activity of Syk tyrosine kinase.

It is important to note that the efficacy and safety of using dietary components as blockers or inhibitors of Siglec-14 and Syk tyrosine kinase have not been extensively studied, and dietary supplements should always be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. """

That read like a youtube grifter ;)

I mean if you want to go down the path of indiscriminately competitively binding Siglecs, I would read up about how NeuGc (which is found on meats) gets incorporated on our cells. Of course then you might end up in trouble with inflammation/cancer. No silver bullets here!

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