1
|
Fernandes L, Barco-Tejada A, Blázquez E, Araújo D, Ribeiro A, Silva S, Cussó L, Costa-de-Oliveira S, Rodrigues ME, Henriques M. Development and Evaluation of Microencapsulated Oregano Essential Oil as an Alternative Treatment for Candida albicans Infections. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:40628-40640. [PMID: 39067028 PMCID: PMC11311128 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is characterized as a very common fungal infection that significantly affects women's health worldwide. Essential oils (EOs) are currently being evaluated as an alternative therapy. The development of efficient techniques such as micro- or nanoencapsulation for protecting and controlling release is essential to overcome the limitations of EO applications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and characterize oregano EO-loaded keratin microparticles (OEO-KMPs) as a potential treatment for VVC. OEO-KMPs were produced using high-intensity ultrasonic cycles and characterized in terms of morphological and physicochemical parameters. In vitro evaluation included assessing the toxicity of the OEO-KMPs and their effect against Candida albicans using microdilution and agar diffusion, while the activity against biofilm was quantified using colony forming units (CFU). The efficacy of the OEO-KMPs in an in vivo VVC mouse model was also studied. Female BALB/c mice were intravaginally infected with C. albicans, 24 h postinfection animals were treated intravaginally with 15 μL of OEO-KMPs and 24 h later vaginal fluid was analyzed for C. albicans and Lactobacillus growth (CFU mL-1). The results showed the stability of the OEO-KMPs over time, with high encapsulation efficiency and controlled release. This nanoparticle size facilitated penetration and completely inhibited the planktonic growth of C. albicans. In addition, an in vitro application of 2.5% of the OEO-KMPs eradicated mature C. albicans biofilms while preserving Lactobacillus species. In in vivo, a single intravaginal application of OEO-KMPs induced a reduction in C. albicans growth, while maintaining Lactobacillus species. In conclusion, this therapeutic approach with OEO-KMPs is promising as a potential alternative or complementary therapy for VVC while preserving vaginal microflora.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Fernandes
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ainara Barco-Tejada
- Departamento
de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos
III de Madrid, 126, 28903 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad
de Medicina y Cirugía Experimenta, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Blázquez
- Departamento
de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos
III de Madrid, 126, 28903 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad
de Medicina y Cirugía Experimenta, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Araújo
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- National
Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairão, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal
- LABBELS
− Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Artur Ribeiro
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS
− Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- National
Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Vairão, 4485-655 Vila do Conde, Portugal
- LABBELS
− Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Lorena Cussó
- Departamento
de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos
III de Madrid, 126, 28903 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
- Advanced
Imaging Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares
Carlos III (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de
Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos
III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division
of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, and Center for Health Technology
and Services Research − CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - M. Elisa Rodrigues
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS
− Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Mariana Henriques
- Centre
of Biological Engineering, University of
Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS
− Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Toney NJ, Schlom J, Donahue RN. Phosphoflow cytometry to assess cytokine signaling pathways in peripheral immune cells: potential for inferring immune cell function and treatment response in patients with solid tumors. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:247. [PMID: 37741983 PMCID: PMC10517546 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02802-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor biopsy is often not available or difficult to obtain in patients with solid tumors. Investigation of the peripheral immune system allows for in-depth and dynamic profiling of patient immune response prior to and over the course of treatment and disease. Phosphoflow cytometry is a flow cytometry‒based method to detect levels of phosphorylated proteins in single cells. This method can be applied to peripheral immune cells to determine responsiveness of signaling pathways in specific immune subsets to cytokine stimulation, improving on simply defining numbers of populations of cells based on cell surface markers. Here, we review studies using phosphoflow cytometry to (a) investigate signaling pathways in cancer patients' peripheral immune cells compared with healthy donors, (b) compare immune cell function in peripheral immune cells with the tumor microenvironment, (c) determine the effects of agents on the immune system, and (d) predict cancer patient response to treatment and outcome. In addition, we explore the use and potential of phosphoflow cytometry in preclinical cancer models. We believe this review is the first to provide a comprehensive summary of how phosphoflow cytometry can be applied in the field of cancer immunology, and demonstrates that this approach holds promise in exploring the mechanisms of response or resistance to immunotherapy both prior to and during the course of treatment. Additionally, it can help identify potential therapeutic avenues that can restore normal immune cell function and improve cancer patient outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J Toney
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Renee N Donahue
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sellers SL, Gulsin GS, Zaminski D, Bing R, Latib A, Sathananthan J, Pibarot P, Bouchareb R. Platelets: Implications in Aortic Valve Stenosis and Bioprosthetic Valve Dysfunction From Pathophysiology to Clinical Care. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2021; 6:1007-1020. [PMID: 35024507 PMCID: PMC8733745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common heart valve disease requiring surgery in developed countries, with a rising global burden associated with aging populations. The predominant cause of AS is believed to be driven by calcific degeneration of the aortic valve and a growing body of evidence suggests that platelets play a major role in this disease pathophysiology. Furthermore, platelets are a player in bioprosthetic valve dysfunction caused by their role in leaflet thrombosis and thickening. This review presents the molecular function of platelets in the context of recent and rapidly evolving understanding the role of platelets in AS, both of the native aortic valve and bioprosthetic valves, where there remain concerns about the effects of subclinical leaflet thrombosis on long-term prosthesis durability. This review also presents the role of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies on modulating the impact of platelets on native and bioprosthetic aortic valves, highlighting the need for further studies to determine whether these therapies are protective and may increase the life span of surgical and transcatheter aortic valve implants. By linking molecular mechanisms through which platelets drive disease of native and bioprosthetic aortic valves with studies evaluating the clinical impact of antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapies, we aim to bridge the gaps between our basic science understanding of platelet biology and their role in patients with AS and ensuing preventive and therapeutic implications.
Collapse
Key Words
- AS, aortic stenosis
- AV, aortic valve
- AVR, aortic valve replacements
- COX, cyclooxygenase
- ECM, extracellular matrix protein
- HALT, hypoattenuating leaflet thickening
- HMW, high molecular weight
- MK, megakaryocyte
- SAVR, surgical aortic valve replacement
- TAVR
- TAVR, transcatheter aortic valve replacements
- TGF, transforming growth factor
- VEC, vascular endothelial cell
- VHD, valvular heart disease
- VIC, valve interstitial cell
- WSS, wall shear stress
- aortic stenosis
- calcified aortic valves
- platelets
- thrombosis
- vWF, Von Willebrand factor
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L. Sellers
- Department of Radiology, St Paul’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation and Cardiovascular Translational Laboratory, St Paul’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Cardiology and Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gaurav S. Gulsin
- Department of Radiology, St Paul’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation and Cardiovascular Translational Laboratory, St Paul’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Devyn Zaminski
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, and Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rong Bing
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem Latib
- Department of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Janarthanan Sathananthan
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation and Cardiovascular Translational Laboratory, St Paul’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Cardiology and Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- Institut de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Rihab Bouchareb
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, and Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qu S, Chen L, Tian H, Wang Z, Wang F, Wang L, Li J, Ji H, Xi L, Feng Z, Tian J, Feng Z. Effect of Perillaldehyde on Prophylaxis and Treatment of Vaginal Candidiasis in a Murine Model. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1466. [PMID: 31333606 PMCID: PMC6615413 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection afflicting women which is primarily caused by the yeast Candida albicans (C. albicans). It is imperative to introduce new drug classes to counter this threat due to the continuous emergence of drug-resistant cases in recent years. The purpose of this study was to clarify the in vivo antifungal activity of perillaldehyde (PAE) against C. albicans and to prove that PAE is a promising candidate for the control of vaginal candidiasis. An animal model of vaginitis was developed to demonstrate the therapeutic and preventive effects of PAE on vaginal candidiasis, and these were evaluated through fungal and histopathological examinations. In clarifying the mechanism of PAE, standard hematological test results indicated that white blood cells (WBC) were elevated abnormally in mice infected with C. albicans, whereas when the mice were treated with various concentrations of PAE, the number of WBC in the blood was reduced. Flow cytometry was used to detect the populations of neutrophils, macrophages and CD4 T cells in the vaginal tissue of the mice. PAE was found to reduce these immune cells, which all play a key role in the inflammatory response, and the related interleukin and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α. These were detected using ELISA. Finally, we detected the expression levels of E-cadherin in the PAE treatment mouse group and discovered that it had recovered to its normal levels, but in the infection mouse group, the E-cadherin expression was clearly suppressed by the presence of C. albicans. Our data demonstrated that PAE targets these cytokines and possesses the ability to fight the fungal infection while also reducing the levels of the inflammatory factors identified. Our results demonstrated that PAE has a significant preventative and therapeutic effect on vaginal candidiasis and is a potential candidate for the treatment of vaginal Candida infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Qu
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hui Tian
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Fei Wang
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Liqin Wang
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jinting Li
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hui Ji
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Liurong Xi
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhaojun Feng
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun Tian
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaozhong Feng
- College of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Varshney R, Murphy B, Woolington S, Ghafoory S, Chen S, Robison T, Ahamed J. Inactivation of platelet-derived TGF-β1 attenuates aortic stenosis progression in a robust murine model. Blood Adv 2019; 3:777-788. [PMID: 30846427 PMCID: PMC6418501 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018025817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a degenerative heart condition characterized by fibrosis and narrowing of aortic valves (AV), resulting in high wall shear stress (WSS) across valves. AS is associated with high plasma levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which can be activated by WSS to induce organ fibrosis, but the cellular source of TGF-β1 is not clear. Here, we show that platelet-derived TGF-β1 plays an important role in AS progression. We first established an aggressive and robust murine model of AS, using the existing Ldlr -/- Apob100/100 (LDLR) breed of mice, and accelerated AS progression by feeding them a high-fat diet (HFD). We then captured very high resolution images of AV movement and thickness and of blood flow velocity across the AV, using a modified ultrasound imaging technique, which revealed early evidence of AS and distinguished different stages of AS progression. More than 90% of LDLR animals developed AS within 6 months of HFD. Scanning electron microscopy and whole-mount immunostaining imaging of AV identified activated platelets physically attached to valvular endothelial cells (VEC) expressing high phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2). To test the contribution of platelet-derived TGF-β1 in AS, we derived LDLR mice lacking platelet TGF-β1 (TGF-β1platelet-KO-LDLR) and showed reduced AS progression and lower p-Smad2 and myofibroblasts in their AV compared with littermate controls fed the HFD for 6 months. Our data suggest that platelet-derived TGF-β1 triggers AS progression by inducing signaling in VEC, and their subsequent transformation into collagen-producing-myofibroblasts. Thus, inhibiting platelet-derived TGF-β1 might attenuate or prevent fibrotic diseases characterized by platelet activation and high WSS, such as AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Varshney
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| | - Brennah Murphy
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| | - Sean Woolington
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| | - Shahrouz Ghafoory
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| | - Sixia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Tyler Robison
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| | - Jasimuddin Ahamed
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK; and
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang W, Oh S, Koester M, Abramowicz S, Wang N, Tall AR, Welch CL. Enhanced Megakaryopoiesis and Platelet Activity in Hypercholesterolemic, B6-Ldlr-/-, Cdkn2a-Deficient Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 9:213-22. [PMID: 27098250 DOI: 10.1161/circgenetics.115.001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies for coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction revealed a 58 kb risk locus on 9p21.3. Refined genetic analyses revealed unique haplotype blocks conferring susceptibility to atherosclerosis per se versus risk for acute complications in the presence of underlying coronary artery disease. The cell proliferation inhibitor locus, CDKN2A, maps just upstream of the myocardial infarction risk block, is at least partly regulated by the noncoding RNA, ANRIL, overlapping the risk block, and has been associated with platelet counts in humans. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that CDKN2A deficiency predisposes to increased platelet production, leading to increased platelet activation in the setting of hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS Platelet production and activation were measured in B6-Ldlr(-/-)Cdkn2a(+/-) mice and a congenic strain carrying the region of homology with the human 9p21.3/CDKN2A locus. The strains exhibit decreased expression of CDKN2A (both p16(INK4a) and p19(ARF)) but not CDKN2B (p15(INK4b)). Compared with B6-Ldlr(-/-) controls, both Cdkn2a-deficient strains exhibited increased platelet counts and bone marrow megakaryopoiesis. The platelet overproduction phenotype was reversed by treatment with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, PD0332991/palbociclib, that mimics the endogenous effect of p16(INK4a). Western diet feeding resulted in increased platelet activation, increased thrombin/antithrombin complex, and decreased bleeding times in Cdkn2a-deficient mice compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Together, the data suggest that one or more Cdkn2a transcripts modulate platelet production and activity in the setting of hypercholesterolemia, amenable to pharmaceutical intervention. Enhanced platelet production and activation may predispose to arterial thrombosis, suggesting an explanation, at least in part, for the association of 9p21.3 and myocardial infarction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Seon Oh
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Mark Koester
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Sandra Abramowicz
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Nan Wang
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Alan R Tall
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Carrie L Welch
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY.
| |
Collapse
|