Concomitant real-time monitoring of intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential in individual living promonocytic cells

Cellular and Non-cellular Antioxidant Properties of Vitamin E-Loaded Metallic-Quercetin/Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Melanogenesis

Inhibition of melanogenesis by quercetin and vitamin E is extensively reported in the literature, independently, with limitations in antioxidant potential owing to less permeation, solubility, decreased bioavailability, and reduced stability. Thus, the aim of the present study was to synthesize a novel complex of metal ions (copper and zinc) with quercetin to enhance antioxidant properties which were confirmed by docking studies. Polycaprolactone-based nanoparticles of the synthesized complex (PCL-NPs, Q-PCL-NPs, Zn-Q-PCL-NPs, Cu-Q-PCL-NPs) were made later loaded with vitamin E which made the study more interesting in enhancing antioxidant profile. Nanoparticles were characterized for zeta size, charge, and polydispersity index, while physiochemical analysis of nanoparticles was strengthened by FTIR. Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E showed maximum in vitro release of vitamin E, i.e., 80 ± 0.54%. Non-cellular antioxidant effect by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was observed at 93 ± 0.23% in Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E which was twofold as compared to Zn-Q-PCL-NPs-E. Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cancer cell lines were used to investigate the anticancer and cellular antioxidant profile of loaded and unloaded nanoparticles. Results revealed reactive oxygen species activity of 90 ± 0.32% with the addition of 89 ± 0.64% of its anticancer behavior shown by Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E after 6 and 24h. Similarly, 80 ± 0.53% inhibition of melanocyte cells and 95 ± 0.54% increase of keratinocyte cells were also shown by Cu-Q-PCL-NPs-E that confirmed the tyrosinase enzyme inhibitory effect. Conclusively, the use of zinc and copper complex in unloaded and vitamin E-loaded nanoparticles can provide enhanced antioxidant properties with inhibition of melanin, which can be used for treating diseases of melanogenesis.

Magnetite Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Optics and Nanophotonics

Magnetite nanoparticles with different surface coverages are of great interest for many applications due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, nanometer size, and definite surface morphology. Magnetite nanoparticles are widely used for different medical-biological applications while their usage in optics is not as widespread. In recent years, nanomagnetite suspensions, so-called magnetic ferrofluids, are applied in optics due to their magneto-optical properties. This review gives an overview of nanomagnetite synthesis and its properties. In addition, the preparation and application of magnetic nanofluids in optics, nanophotonics, and magnetic imaging are described.

Methanolic Extract of Artemia salina Eggs and Various Fractions in Different Solvents Contain Potent Compounds That Decrease Cell Viability of Colon and Skin Cancer Cell Lines and Show Antibacterial Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Artemia salina, crustaceans of class Branchiopoda and order Anostraca, are living and reproducing only in highly saline natural lakes and in other reservoirs where sea water is evaporated to produce salt. Artemia salina eggs can be purchased from pet stores, where they are sold as tropical fish food and a ready source for hatching shrimp. In the current study, methanolic crude extracts and various fractions of Artemia salina eggs extracted in other solvents were tested for effects on cell viability of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) and melanoma cells (B16F10) using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. A methanolic crude extract of eggs was obtained by cold maceration, followed by fractionation to obtain hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions. The methanolic crude extract decreased cell viability of HCT-116 and B16F10 cell lines at higher concentrations. The other fractions were evaluated using a cell viability assay, and chloroform and hexane showed the highest activity at significantly lower concentrations than did the methanolic fraction. Full scan profiles of the methanolic crude extract and the chloroform and hexane fractions were obtained by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the resultant compounds were identified by comparing their spectral data to those available in spectral matching libraries. ROS generation assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis provided supporting evidence that the hexane and chloroform fractions induced cell death in HCT116 and B16-F10 cell lines. All fractions were further tested for antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among which the hexane fraction showed the highest zone of inhibition on LB nutrient agar plates. This study demonstrated promising anticancer and antibacterial effects of Artemia salina egg extracts. Our results suggest that pure bioactive compounds obtained from Artemia salina eggs can provide new insights into the mechanisms of colon and skin cancer, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhibition.

Highly efficient ablation of metastatic breast cancer using ammonium-tungsten-bronze nanocube as a novel 1064 nm-laser-driven photothermal agent

Photothermal ablation (PTA) therapy has been viewed as an invasive option for cancer therapy with minimal deconstruction of healthy tissues. In this study, a potent candidate of (NH4)xWO3 nanocube was developed for PTA treatment of metastatic breast cancer in the second near-infrared (NIR) window. It was found that the as-synthesized (NH4)xWO3 nanocube had significant photoabsorption across the whole NIR window of 780-2500 nm and exhibited considerable photo-heat conversion efficiency. Moreover, the as-prepared (NH4)xWO3 nanocube displayed good biocompatibility and high cellular uptake efficiency through endocytosis pathway without nuclei entry. The PTA study employing 1064 nm laser in the second NIR window revealed that (NH4)xWO3 nanocubes induced significant cell necrosis and apoptosis by producing obviously hyperthermia effect inside cancer cells. Using an orthotopicly implanted breast tumor model, it demonstrated that the (NH4)xWO3 nanocube was a promising photothermal agent for effective ablation of solid tumors and suppressing their distant metastasis.

Cofactor independent phosphoglycerate mutase of Brugia malayi induces a mixed Th1/Th2 type immune response and inhibits larval development in the host

Lymphatic filariasis is a major debilitating disease, endemic in 72 countries putting more than 1.39 billion people at risk and 120 million are already infected. Despite the significant progress in chemotherapeutic advancements, there is still need for other measures like development of an effective vaccine or discovery of novel drug targets. In this study, structural and immunological characterization of independent phosphoglycerate mutase of filarial parasite Brugia malayi was carried out. Protein was found to be expressed in all major parasite life stages and as an excretory secretory product of adult parasites. Bm-iPGM also reacted to all the categories of human bancroftian patient's sera including endemic normals. In vivo immunological behaviour of protein was determined in immunized BALB/c mice followed by prophylactic analysis in BALB/c mice and Mastomys coucha. Immunization with Bm-iPGM led to generation of a mixed Th1/Th2 type immune response offering 58.2% protection against larval challenge in BALB/c and 65–68% protection in M. coucha. In vitro studies confirmed participation of anti-Bm-iPGM antibodies in killing of B. malayi infective larvae and microfilariae through ADCC mechanism. The present findings reveal potential immunoprotective nature of Bm-iPGM advocating its worth as an antifilarial vaccine candidate.

Photothermal ablation cancer therapy using homogeneous CsxWO3 nanorods with broad near-infra-red absorption

Recently, photothermal ablation therapy (PTA) employing near-infrared radiation (NIR) has been extensively investigated as an emerging modality for cancer management. However, the clinical translation of this promising approach is limited by the lack of PTA agents with broad NIR absorption, low cost and high photothermal conversion efficiency. Herein, we have developed PEGylated homogeneous CsxWO3 nanorods (a mean size ∼69.3 nm × 12.8 nm) with broad photo-absorption (780-2500 nm) as a novel NIR absorbent for PTA treatment of human cancer. The prepared CsxWO3 nanocrystals displayed strong near-infrared optical absorption with a high molar extinction coefficient (e.g. 4.8 × 10(10) M(-1) cm(-1) at 980 nm), thus generated significant amounts of heat upon excitation with near-infrared light. The PTA study in two human carcinoma cell lines (i.e. A549 lung cancer cells and HeLa ovarian cancer cells) demonstrated that CsxWO3 nanorods can efficiently cause cell death via hyperthermia induced lysosome destruction, cytoskeleton protein degradation, DNA damage and thereafter cellular necrosis or apoptosis. Our study also confirmed the migration of healthy cells migrated from unirradiated areas to dead cell cycle, which is essential for tissue reconstruction and wound healing after photodestruction of tumor tissue. The prompted results reported in the current study imply the promising potential of CsxWO3 nanorods for application in PTA cancer therapy.

Immunization with a multisubunit vaccine considerably reduces establishment of infective larvae in a rodent model of Brugia malayi

Although recombinant vaccines have several advantages over conventional vaccines, protection induced by single antigen vaccines is often inadequate for a multicellular helminth parasite. Therefore, immunoprophylactic efficacy of cocktail antigen vaccines comprised of several combinations of three Brugia malayi recombinant proteins BmAF-Myo, Bm-iPGM and Bm-TPP were evaluated. Myosin+TPP and iPGM+TPP provided the best protection upon B. malayi infective larval challenge with ∼70% reduction in adult worm establishment over non-vaccinated animals that was significantly higher than the protection achieved by any single antigen vaccine. Myosin+iPGM, in contrast did not provide any enhance protection over the single recombinant protein vaccines. Specific IgG, IgM level, IgG antibody subclasses levels (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3), lymphocyte proliferation, reactive oxygen species level and cytokines level were also determined to elucidate the characteristics of the protective immune responses. Thus the study undertaken provided more insight into the cocktail vaccination approach to combat LF.

Aiding nature's organelles: artificial peroxisomes play their role

A major goal in medical research is to develop artificial organelles that can implant in cells to treat pathological conditions or to support the design of artificial cells. Several attempts have been made to encapsulate or entrap enzymes, proteins, or mimics in polymer compartments, but only few of these nanoreactors were active in cells, and none was proven to mimic a specific natural organelle. Here, we show the necessary steps for the development of an artificial organelle mimicking a natural organelle, the peroxisome. The system, based on two enzymes that work in tandem in polymer vesicles, with a membrane rendered permeable by inserted channel proteins was optimized in terms of natural peroxisome properties and function. The uptake, absence of toxicity, and in situ activity in cells exposed to oxidative stress demonstrated that the artificial peroxisomes detoxify superoxide radicals and H2O2 after endosomal escape. Our artificial peroxisome combats oxidative stress in cells, a factor in various pathologies (e.g., arthritis, Parkinson's, cancer, AIDS), and offers a versatile strategy to develop other "cell implants" for cell dysfunction.

Unresponsiveness of Mycobacterium w vaccine in managing acute and chronic Leishmania donovani infections in mouse and hamster

The role of Mycobacterium w (Mw) vaccine as an immunomodulator and immunoprophylactant in the treatment of mycobacterial diseases (leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis) is well established. The fact that it shares common antigens with leishmanial parasites prompted its assessment as an immunostimulant and as an adjunct to known anti-leishmanials that may help in stimulating the suppressed immune status of Leishmania donovani-infected individuals. The efficacy of Mw vaccine was assessed as an immunomodulator, prophylactically either alone or in combination with anti-leishmanial vaccine, as well as therapeutically as an adjunct to anti-leishmanial treatment in L. donovani-infected hamsters, representing a chronic human Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) model. Similarly, its efficacy was also evaluated in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice, representing an acute VL model. The preliminary studies revealed that Mw was ineffective as an immunostimulant and/or immunoprophylactant in hamsters infected with L. donovani, as estimated by T-cell immunological responses. However, in the BALB/c mice-VL model it appeared as an effective immunostimulant but a futile prophylactic agent. It is therefore inferred that, contrary to its role in managing tuberculosis and leprosy infections, Mw vaccine has not been successful in controlling VL infection, emphasizing the need to find detailed explanations for the failure of this vaccine against the disease.

Laser-induced cell detachment, patterning, and regrowth on gold nanoparticle functionalized surfaces

We report on the selective cell detachment from nanoengineered gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surfaces triggered by laser irradiation, which occurs in a nonthermal manner. The gold nanoparticle-based surfaces reveal good adhesion of NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. Patterning is achieved by lithographic microcontact printing, selective gold nanoparticle deposition, and by laser beam profiling. It is shown that the effectiveness of fibroblast cell detachment depends on the cell age, laser power, and AuNP patterning profile. Heat distribution and temperature rise around gold nanoparticle functionalized surfaces is modeled, revealing low heating of nanoparticles by laser illumination. The nonthermal photochemical mechanism of cell detachment due to production of reactive oxygen species under illumination of gold nanoparticles by green laser light is studied. We also demonstrate that cells migrate from unirradiated areas leading to their reattachment and surface recovery which is important for controlled spatial organization of cells in wound healing and tissue engineering. Research presented in this work is targeted at designing biointerfaces for cell cultures.

N-Methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone in Annona squamosa twigs is the major immune modifier to elicit polarized Th1 immune response in BALB/c mice

Annona squamosa (AS) has traditionally been used as ethnomedicine. We have earlier extracted and fractionated the twigs of AS based upon its bioactivity and observed its immune potentiating activity that was localized in its three fractions. Present communication deals with the phytochemical analysis and pharmacological investigation of the most active chloroform fraction that led to isolation and identification of a number of compounds whose structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Amongst the twelve pure compounds isolated, five compounds Lanuginosine (1), (+)-O-methylarmepavine (2), (+)-anomuricine (3), Isocorydine (4), and N-methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone (5) were evaluated in vivo for their immune modifier activities in BALB/c mice after oral administration at three log doses of 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Of these, three compounds (1, 2 and 5) showed dose dependent immune stimulating activity. However, the uppermost activity was noted in the compound N-methyl-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinolone at the 3.0mg/kg oral dose. The activity was assessed in the form of increased splenic T and B cellular proliferation, up-regulated CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cell population and accentuation in the peritoneal macrophage function. The compound possibly acted modifying the expression of Th1- and Th2- cytokines via stimulation of pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ. These results warrant the use of the above compounds as an efficient immune-stimulant or immune-adjuvant against diseases with immune suppression. The analogs of the compound may further be chemically synthesized to achieve desired immune modifying activity.

The individual-cell-based cryo-chip for the cryopreservation, manipulation and observation of spatially identifiable cells. II: functional activity of cryopreserved cells

Background

The cryopreservation and thawing processes are known to induce many deleterious effects in cells and might be detrimental to several cell types. There is an inherent variability in cellular responses among cell types and within individual cells of a given population with regard to their ability to endure the freezing and thawing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fate of cryopreserved cells within an optical cryo apparatus, the individual-cell-based cryo-chip (i3C), by monitoring several basic cellular functional activities at the resolution of individual cells.

Results

In the present study, U937 cells underwent the freezing and thawing cycle in the i3C device. Then a panel of vital tests was performed, including the number of dead cells (PI staining), apoptotic rate (Annexin V staining), mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRM staining), cytoplasm membrane integrity and intracellular metabolism (FDA staining), as well as post-thawing cell proliferation assays. Cells that underwent the freezing - thawing cycle in i3C devices exhibited the same functional activity as control cells. Moreover, the combination of the multi-parametric analysis at a single cell resolution and the optical and biological features of the device enable an accurate determination of the functional status of individual cells and subsequent retrieval and utilization of the most valuable cells.

Conclusions

The means and methodologies described here enable the freezing and thawing of spatially identifiable cells, as well as the efficient detection of viable, specific, highly biologically active cells for future applications.

A cell chip for sequential imaging of individual non-adherent live cells reveals transients and oscillations

Advances in molecular cell biology, medical research, and drug development are driving a growing need for technologies that enable imaging the dynamics of molecular and physiological processes simultaneously in numerous non-adherent living cells. Here we describe a platform technology and software--the CKChip system--that enables continuous, fluorescence-based imaging of thousands of individual living cells, each held at a given position ("address") on the chip. The system allows for sequential monitoring, manipulation and kinetic analyses of the effects of drugs, biological response modifiers and gene expression in both adherent and non-adherent cells held on the chip. Here we present four specific applications that demonstrate the utility of the system including monitoring kinetics of reactive oxygen species generation, assessing the intracellular enzymatic activity, measuring calcium flux and the dynamics of target cell killing induced by conjugated cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. We found large variations among individual cells in the overall amplitude of their response to stimuli, as well as in kinetic parameters such as time of onset, initial rate and decay of the response, and frequency and amplitude of oscillations. These variations probably reflect the heterogeneity of even cloned cell populations that would have gone undetected in bulk cell measurements. We demonstrate the utility of the system in providing kinetic parameters of complex cellular processes such as Ca++ influx, transients and oscillations in numerous individual cells. The CKChip opens up new opportunities in cell-based research, in particular for acquiring fluorescence-based, kinetic data from multiple, individual non-adherent cells.

The n-hexane and chloroform fractions of Piper betle L. trigger different arms of immune responses in BALB/c mice and exhibit antifilarial activity against human lymphatic filarid Brugia malayi

Modulation of immune functions by using herbal plants and their products has become fundamental regime of therapeutic approach. Piper betle Linn. (Piperaceae) is a widely distributed plant in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has been attributed as traditional herbal remedy for many diseases. We have recently reported the antifilarial and antileishmanial efficacy in the leaf extract of Bangla Mahoba landrace of P. betle which is a female plant. The present report describes the in vivo immunomodulatory efficacy of the crude methanolic extract and its n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol fractions of the female plant at various dose levels ranging between 0.3 and 500 mg/kg in BALB/c. Attempts were also made to observe antifilarial activity of the active extracts and correlate it with the antigen specific immune responses in another rodent Mastomys coucha infected with human lymphatic filarial parasite Brugia malayi. The crude methanol extract and n-hexane fraction were found to potentiate significant (p<0.001) enhancement of both humoral (plaque forming cells, hemagglutination titre) as well as cell-mediated (lymphoproliferation, macrophage activation, delayed type hypersensitivity) immune responses in mice. The flow cytometric analysis of splenocytes of treated mice indicated enhanced population of T-cells (CD4(+), CD8(+)) and B-cells (CD19(+)). The n-hexane fraction (3 mg/kg) was found to induce biased type 2 cytokine response as revealed by increased IL-4(+) and decreased IFN-gamma(+) T-cell population while the chloroform fraction (10 mg/kg) produced a predominant type 1 cytokines. Crude methanolic extract (100 mg/kg) demonstrated a mixed type 1 and type 2 cytokine responses thus suggesting a remarkable immunomodulatory property in this plant. The induction of differential T-helper cell immune response appears ideal to overcome immunosuppression as observed in case of lymphatic, filarial Brugia malayi infection which may also be extended to other infections as well.

Vaccination with 73kDa recombinant heavy chain myosin generates high level of protection against Brugia malayi challenge in jird and mastomys models

We have earlier reported identification, expression and purification of a 2.0kb cDNA clone coding for Brugia malayi heavy chain myosin which exhibited strong immuno-reactivity with bancroftian sera from endemic normal (EN) human subjects which are considered to be putatively immune. In the present study, immunoprophylactic characterization of B. malayi recombinant myosin was carried out in rodent models and the protective efficacy was evaluated by assessing the microfilarial burden and adult worm counts in vaccinated host after an infective larval challenge. Data indicates that immunization resulted in to a significant reduction in microfilarial burden (approximately 76%) and adult worm establishment (54-58%), accompanied with embryostatic effect (70-75%) in both the animal models. The findings suggest that immune-protection by recombinant myosin was conferred through both humoral and cellular arms of immunity as indicated by an increased antibody titer with predominance of IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes along with elevated level of IgG1 apart from significant proliferation of lymphocytes, increased nitric oxide production and profound adherence of splenocytes causing cytotoxicity to microfilariae and infective larvae. The present study indicates that the recombinant B. malayi myosin is a promising vaccine candidate against human lymphatic filarial infection.

Single lymphocyte analysis with a microwell array chip

Following genomics and proteomics, cytomics, a novel method of looking at life, has emerged for analyzing large populations of cells on a single-cell basis with multiple parameters in a quantitative manner. We have developed a highly integrated live-cell microarray system for analyzing the cellular responses of individual cells using a microwell array chip that has 234,000 microwells each of which is just large enough to fit a single cell. Compared with flow cytometry and microscope-based methods, our system can analyze the history of the cellular responses of a large number of cells. We have successfully applied the system to analyze human antigen-specific B-cells and produced human monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against hepatitis B virus surface antigen. We have also constructed a mouse system to assess hepatitis B virus-neutralization activity and have demonstrated the neutralization activity of our antibodies. Our technology should expand the horizons of cell analysis as well as enable generation of human MoAb for antibody-based therapeutics and diagnosis for infectious diseases such as hepatitis viruses.

Adenosine and TNF-alpha exert similar inotropic effect on heart cultures, suggesting a cardioprotective mechanism against hypoxia

When cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha; 3-50 ng/ml) or adenosine (1-100 microM), decreased hypoxic damage as was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) absorbance, ROS (reactive oxygen species) measurement or desmin immunostaining. This cardioprotection was not prevented in TNF-alpha-treated cultures by 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD). Our aim was to elucidate whether adenosine and TNF-alpha mediate a similar protective mechanism against hypoxia in primary heart cultures and in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Adenosine and TNF-alpha are known for their negative inotropic effects on the heart. We have suggested that deoxyglucose uptake reflects heart contractility in cell cultures; therefore, we assayed its accumulation under various conditions. Treatment for 20 min with adenosine, R-PIA [(-)-N(6)-phenylisopropyladenosine] (10 microM), or TNF-alpha reduced (3)H-deoxyglucose uptake in primary heart cultures and also in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by 30-50%. Isoproterenol accelerated (3)H-deoxyglucose uptake by 50%. Adenosine, R-PIA, or TNF-alpha attenuated the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol on (3)H-deoxyglucose uptake to control levels. Hypoxia reduced (3)H-deoxyglucose uptake by 50%, as in the treatment of the hypoxic cultures with TNF-alpha or adenosine. Glibenclamide (2 microM), 5-HD (300 microM), or diazoxide (50 microM) increased (3)H-deoxyglucose uptake by 50-80%. Adenosine (100 microM) and TNF-alpha (50 ng/ml) stimulated (86)Rb efflux. Glibenclamide attenuated this effect. We demonstrate that TNF-alpha, like adenosine, accelerated Ca(2+) uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by 50-100% and therefore prevented cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) overload. Our findings further suggest that TNF-alpha, as well as adenosine, may mediate an adaptive effect in the heart by preventing Ca(2+) overload via activation of SR Ca-ATPase (SERCA(2)a).