1
|
Flütsch S, Wiestner F, Butticaz L, Moor D, Stölting KN. Vibrio-Sequins - dPCR-traceable DNA standards for quantitative genomics of Vibrio spp. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:375. [PMID: 37403035 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vibrio spp. are a diverse group of ecologically important marine bacteria responsible for several foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world. Their detection and characterization are moving away from conventional culture-based methods towards next generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches. However, genomic methods are relative in nature and suffer from technical biases arising from library preparation and sequencing. Here, we introduce a quantitative NGS-based method that enables the quantitation of Vibrio spp. at the limit of quantification (LOQ) through artificial DNA standards and their absolute quantification via digital PCR (dPCR). RESULTS We developed six DNA standards, called Vibrio-Sequins, together with optimized TaqMan assays for their quantification in individually sequenced DNA libraries via dPCR. To enable Vibrio-Sequin quantification, we validated three duplex dPCR methods to quantify the six targets. LOQs were ranging from 20 to 120 cp/µl for the six standards, whereas the limit of detection (LOD) was ~ 10 cp/µl for all six assays. Subsequently, a quantitative genomics approach was applied to quantify Vibrio-DNA in a pooled DNA mixture derived from several Vibrio species in a proof-of-concept study, demonstrating the increased power of our quantitative genomic pipeline through the coupling of NGS and dPCR. CONCLUSIONS We significantly advance existing quantitative (meta)genomic methods by ensuring metrological traceability of NGS-based DNA quantification. Our method represents a useful tool for future metagenomic studies aiming at quantifying microbial DNA in an absolute manner. The inclusion of dPCR into sequencing-based methods supports the development of statistical approaches for the estimation of measurement uncertainties (MU) for NGS, which is still in its infancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Flütsch
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Lindenweg 50, Bern-Wabern, 3003, Switzerland.
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Campus Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3097, Switzerland.
| | - Fabian Wiestner
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Lindenweg 50, Bern-Wabern, 3003, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Campus Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3097, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Butticaz
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3003, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Campus Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3097, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Moor
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3003, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Campus Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3097, Switzerland
| | - Kai N Stölting
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Lindenweg 50, Bern-Wabern, 3003, Switzerland.
- Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Campus Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, Bern-Köniz, 3097, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Castañeda S, Muñoz M, Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Jones KM, Mejia R, Poveda C, Ramírez JD. Microbiome Alterations Driven by Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Two Disjunctive Murine Models. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0019923. [PMID: 37140369 PMCID: PMC10269900 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00199-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in the composition of gut microbiome may play a vital role in the host-parasite interactions that shapes physiology and immune responses against infection. Thus, a better understanding of this parasite-host-microbiome interaction may yield relevant information in the comprehension of the pathophysiology of the disease and the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives. Therefore, we implemented a murine model with two mice strains (BALB/c and C57BL/6) to evaluate the impact of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen strain) infection on the gut microbiome utilizing cytokine profiling and shotgun metagenomics. Higher parasite burdens were observed in cardiac and intestinal tissues, including changes in anti-inflammatory (interleukin-4 [IL-4] and IL-10) and proinflammatory (gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6) cytokines. Bacterial species such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Faecalibaculum rodentium, and Lactobacillus johnsonii showed a decrease in relative abundance, while Akkermansia muciniphila and Staphylococcus xylosus increased. Likewise, as infection progressed, there was a decrease in gene abundances related to metabolic processes such as lipid synthesis (including short-chain fatty acids) and amino acid synthesis (including branched-chain amino acids). High-quality metagenomic assembled genomes of L. johnsonii and A. muciniphila among other species were reconstructed, confirming, functional changes associated with metabolic pathways that are directly affected by the loss of abundance of specific bacterial taxa. IMPORTANCE Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, presenting acute and chronic phases where cardiomyopathy, megaesophagus, and/or megacolon stand out. During the course of its life cycle, the parasite has an important gastrointestinal tract transit that leads to severe forms of CD. The intestinal microbiome plays an essential role in the immunological, physiological, and metabolic homeostasis of the host. Therefore, parasite-host-intestinal microbiome interactions may provide information on certain biological and pathophysiological aspects related to CD. The present study proposes a comprehensive evaluation of the potential effects of this interaction based on metagenomic and immunological data from two mice models with different genetic, immunological, and microbiome backgrounds. Our findings suggest that there are alterations in the immune and microbiome profiles that affect several metabolic pathways that can potentially promote the infection's establishment, progression, and persistence. In addition, this information may prove essential in the research of new prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives for CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Incubadora Venezolana de la Ciencia, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rojelio Mejia
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pletzer B, Winkler-Crepaz K, Hillerer K. Progesterone and contraceptive progestin actions on the brain: A systematic review of animal studies and comparison to human neuroimaging studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101060. [PMID: 36758768 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
In this review we systematically summarize the effects of progesterone and synthetic progestins on neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, myelination and six neurotransmitter systems. Several parallels between progesterone and older generation progestin actions emerged, suggesting actions via progesterone receptors. However, existing results suggest a general lack of knowledge regarding the effects of currently used progestins in hormonal contraception regarding these cellular and molecular brain parameters. Human neuroimaging studies were reviewed with a focus on randomized placebo-controlled trials and cross-sectional studies controlling for progestin type. The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, salience network and hippocampus were identified as regions of interest for future preclinical studies. This review proposes a series of experiments to elucidate the cellular and molecular actions of contraceptive progestins in these areas and link these actions to behavioral markers of emotional and cognitive functioning. Emotional effects of contraceptive progestins appear to be related to 1) alterations in the serotonergic system, 2) direct/indirect modulations of inhibitory GABA-ergic signalling via effects on the allopregnanolone content of the brain, which differ between androgenic and anti-androgenic progestins. Cognitive effects of combined oral contraceptives appear to depend on the ethinylestradiol dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, Salzburg Austria.
| | | | - Katharina Hillerer
- Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Private Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Binmaeil H, Hanafiah A, Mohamed Rose I, Raja Ali RA. Development and Validation of Multiplex Quantitative PCR Assay for Detection of Helicobacter pylori and Mutations Conferring Resistance to Clarithromycin and Levofloxacin in Gastric Biopsy. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:4129-4145. [PMID: 34675558 PMCID: PMC8502538 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s325056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims and Objectives More than half of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, which can cause chronic gastritis. WHO has regarded clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori as a high priority pathogen. Hence, accurate diagnosis and detection of clarithromycin- and levofloxacin-resistant H. pylori strains is essential for proper management of infection. The objective of this study was to develop and optimize multiplex quantitative PCR assay for detection of mutations associated with clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance in H. pylori directly from the gastric biopsies. Materials and Methods Specific primers and probes were designed to amplify ureA and mutations in 23S rRNA and gyrA genes. Singleplex and triplex qPCR assays were optimized and the assay's sensitivities and specificities were determined. The optimized multiplex qPCR assay was performed on 571 gastric biopsies. Results In this study, 14.7% (84/571) of the gastric biopsies were positive for H. pylori by conventional methods and 23.8% (136/571) were positive by the ureA-qPCR with 96.4% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity, while the +LR and -LR were 8.72 and 0.04, respectively. The ureA-positive samples (n=136) were subjected to multiplex qPCR which detected A2142G and A2143G mutations in the 23S rRNA gene (20.6%, 28/136) conferring clarithromycin resistance and gyrA mutations N87K, N87I, D91N, and D91Y (11.8%, 16/136) leading to levofloxacin resistance. The sensitivity and specificity of qPCR of 23S rRNA gene were 100% and 98.7%, respectively, while 100% and 99.8% for qPCR of gyrA, respectively. Conclusion The effectiveness of this qPCR is that it is sensitive in detecting low bacterial load and will help in timely detection of clarithromycin- and levofloxacin-resistant strains, especially in case of mixed infections. Since it is culture independent, it can inform clinicians about antibiotics to be included in the first-line therapy, thereby improving the management of H. pylori infection at a much greater pace.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasyanee Binmaeil
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia
| | - Alfizah Hanafiah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia
| | - Isa Mohamed Rose
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia
| | - Raja Affendi Raja Ali
- GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Obaidi I, Cassidy H, Ibáñez Gaspar V, McCaul J, Higgins M, Halász M, Reynolds AL, Kennedy BN, McMorrow T. Curcumin Sensitizes Kidney Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis via ROS Mediated Activation of JNK-CHOP Pathway and Upregulation of DR4. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E92. [PMID: 32370057 PMCID: PMC7284747 DOI: 10.3390/biology9050092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), is a selective anticancer cytokine capable of exerting a targeted therapy approach. Disappointingly, recent research has highlighted the development of TRAIL resistance in cancer cells, thus minimising its usefulness in clinical settings. However, several recent studies have demonstrated that cancer cells can be sensitised to TRAIL through the employment of a combinatorial approach, utilizing TRAIL in conjunction with other natural or synthetic anticancer agents. In the present study, the chemo-sensitising effect of curcumin on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in renal carcinoma cells (RCC) was investigated. The results indicate that exposure of kidney cancer ACHN cells to curcumin sensitised the cells to TRAIL, with the combination treatment of TRAIL and curcumin synergistically targeting the cancer cells without affecting the normal renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC/TERT1) cells. Furthermore, this combination treatment was shown to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis, inhibition of the proteasome, induction of ROS, upregulation of death receptor 4 (DR4), alterations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. An in vivo zebrafish embryo study demonstrated the effectiveness of the combinatorial regime to inhibit tumour formation without affecting zebrafish embryo viability or development. Overall, the results arising from this study demonstrate that curcumin has the ability to sensitise TRAIL-resistant ACHN cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Obaidi
- NIBRT|National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock, Co., A94 X099 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
- College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Babylon 51002, Iraq
| | - Hilary Cassidy
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Verónica Ibáñez Gaspar
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
| | - Jasmin McCaul
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
| | - Michael Higgins
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
| | - Melinda Halász
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Alison L. Reynolds
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Rm 232, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Breandan N. Kennedy
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
| | - Tara McMorrow
- UCD Centre for Toxicology, School of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland; (H.C.); (V.I.G.); (J.M.); (M.H.); (A.L.R.); (B.N.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shafiei Z, Rahim ZHA, Philip K, Thurairajah N, Yaacob H. Potential effects of Psidium sp., Mangifera sp., Mentha sp. and its mixture (PEM) in reducing bacterial populations in biofilms, adherence and acid production of S. sanguinis and S. mutans. Arch Oral Biol 2019; 109:104554. [PMID: 31563709 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.104554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psidium sp., Mangifera sp. and Mentha sp. and its mixture (PEM) are known to have antimicrobial and anti-adherence effects. DESIGN Here, we have investigated these individual plant extracts and its synergistic mixture (PEM) for its anti-cariogenic effect to reduce populations of single and mixed-species of Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans in a planktonic or/and biofilm and their others reduced virulence. Bacterial populations in the biofilm after 24 h, hydrophobic cell surface activity to n-hexadecane and pH changes at 5 min' intervals until 90 min of incubation were recorded. Total phenolic content and bioactive compounds in the crude aqueous plant extracts were analysed. Regulatory gene expressions of S. mutans adhesins genes (gtfB, gtfC, gbpB and spaP) upon treatment with PEM were investigated in planktonic and biofilm conditions. RESULTS All plant extracts strongly reduced S. mutans in the biofilm compared to S. sanguinis in single and mixed-species. PEM reduced S. mutans by 84% with S. sanguinis 87% in the mixed population. Psidium sp. and PEM highly reduced cell-surface hydrophobicity of the two bacteria thus reducing adherence and biofilm formation. PEM and Mangifera sp. lowered initial pH change in the mixed populations of S. sanguinis and S. mutans. PEM downregulated the S. mutans gtfB gene expression in the single species planktonic and mixed-species biofilms. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of PEM in reducing S. mutans within the biofilm, cell-surface hydrophobicity, acid production and adhesin gene (gtfB) expression in mixed-species with S. sanguinis indicates its potential as an antibacterial agent against dental caries. This is attributed to the phenolic content in the PEM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaleha Shafiei
- Dean's office, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Craniofacial Diagnostics and Biosciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Zubaidah Haji Abdul Rahim
- Dean's office, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Koshy Philip
- Institute of Ocean & Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Lincoln University College, Wisma Lincoln, Jalan SS6/12, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Nalina Thurairajah
- Centre for Pre-U studies, UCSI University, No.1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Hashim Yaacob
- Dean's office, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhu X, Liu B, Su S, Wang B, Bai Y, Huang H, Liu X, Cheng X, Wang X, Zhu L, Yang W, Gao N, Jing G, Guo Y. A "quasi" confocal droplet reader based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) cytometry for highly-sensitive and contamination-free detection. Talanta 2019; 206:120200. [PMID: 31514845 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Highly-sensitive and contamination-free droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is an enabling technology and widely needed for accurate quantification of nucleic acid in clinical applications. In this paper, a novel droplet reader was developed by combining a "quasi" confocal laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) cytometry with a delicate microfluidic chip design. The droplets with a size of 90 μm was illuminated at an out-of-focus position by two aligned laser beams to generate maximum fluorescent signal. Additionally, the lateral offset position of the microfluidic chip should be precisely tuned so that the bandwidth of the FAM and VIC channels were configured at the matching sizes. Then, PMT gain voltages and pneumatic pressures were optimized for better droplet detection efficiencies. An aerosol adsorption experiment was performed to demonstrate that there was no aerosol contamination, and detected copy numbers of both mutants and wild types scaled linearly with the expected input copy numbers (r2>0.998) with a LoB of 0.0 copies and LoD of 3.0 copies. The results demonstrated that this droplet reader with the delicate chip is a convenient, highly-sensitive and contamination-free to detect fluorescence signals inside droplets after ddPCR, which is highly promising for broad applications of ddPCR in clinical diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiurui Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoxia Liu
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Shisheng Su
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Bai
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Xin Cheng
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | | | - Lingxiang Zhu
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China; National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Na Gao
- TargetingOne Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Gaoshan Jing
- Department of Precision Instrument, School of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yong Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Barry MA, Versteeg L, Wang Q, Pollet J, Zhan B, Gusovsky F, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Jones KM. A therapeutic vaccine prototype induces protective immunity and reduces cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007413. [PMID: 31145733 PMCID: PMC6542517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, develops into chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy in ~30% of infected individuals, characterized by conduction disorders, arrhythmias, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. Current anti-parasitic treatments are plagued by significant side effects and poor efficacy in the chronic phase of disease; thus, there is a pressing need for new treatment options. A therapeutic vaccine could bolster the protective TH1-mediated immune response, thereby slowing or halting the progression of chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy. Prior work in mice has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of a Tc24 recombinant protein vaccine in the acute phase of Chagas disease. However, it is anticipated that humans will be vaccinated therapeutically when in the chronic phase of disease. This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy of a vaccine prototype containing recombinant protein Tc24, formulated with an emulsion containing the Toll-like receptor 4 agonist E6020 as an immunomodulatory adjuvant in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Among outbred ICR mice vaccinated during chronic T. cruzi infection, there is a significant increase in the number of animals with undetectable systemic parasitemia (60% of vaccinated mice compared to 0% in the sham vaccine control group), and a two-fold reduction in cardiac fibrosis over the control group. The vaccinated mice produce a robust protective TH1-biased immune response to the vaccine, as demonstrated by a significant increase in antigen-specific IFNγ-production, the number of antigen-specific IFNγ-producing cells, and IgG2a antibody titers. Importantly, therapeutic vaccination significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis in chronically infected mice. This is a first study demonstrating therapeutic efficacy of the prototype Tc24 recombinant protein and E6020 stable emulsion vaccine against cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can cause severe heart disease. Current treatments do not work well and have significant side effects. Because of this, the authors created a new vaccine prototype with the goal that it could be given to infected people to prevent Chagas-associated heart disease. The vaccine contains a manufactured protein identical to a protein in the parasite (called Tc24) as well as a component to help the body produce a protective immune response (a vaccine adjuvant called E6020). The vaccine would boost the body’s natural immune response to the parasite infection, reducing the number of parasites in the body, and protecting the heart. Frequently, people are not diagnosed until later in the infection, because the early (or acute) stage of disease can be mistaken for a common cold. Because of this, it is important to test the vaccine when given in the later (or chronic) stage of infection. The authors tested the vaccine in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection and found that the vaccinated mice had lower levels of parasites in their body and less damage to their hearts. This research shows promising value of a therapeutic vaccine to prevent Chagas-associated heart disease in a mouse model, with the hope that the same effect could be found in humans one day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A. Barry
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (KJ)
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Qian Wang
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bin Zhan
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fabian Gusovsky
- Eisai, Inc., Eisai Inc, Andover, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (KJ)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Reddy DS, Carver CM, Clossen B, Wu X. Extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-mediated sex differences in the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids in status epilepticus and complex partial seizures. Epilepsia 2019; 60:730-743. [PMID: 30895610 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sex differences are evident in the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids; however, the potential mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether differences in target extrasynaptic δ-subunit γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptor expression and function underlie the sex differences in seizure susceptibility and the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids. METHODS Sex differences in seizure susceptibility and protective activity of three distinct neurosteroids-allopregnanolone (AP), androstanediol (AD), and ganaxolone-were evaluated in the pilocarpine model of status epilepticus (SE) and kindling seizure test in mice. Immunocytochemistry was used for δGABA-A receptor expression analysis, and patch-clamp recordings in brain slices evaluated its functional currents. RESULTS Sex differences were apparent in kindling epileptogenic seizures, with males exhibiting a faster progression to a fully kindled state. Neurosteroids AP, AD, or ganaxolone produced dose-dependent protection against SE and acute partial seizures. However, female mice exhibited strikingly enhanced sensitivity to the antiseizure activity of neurosteroids compared to males. Sex differences in neurosteroid protection were unrelated to pharmacokinetic factors, as plasma levels of neurosteroids associated with seizure protection were similar between sexes. Mice lacking extrasynaptic δGABA-A receptors did not exhibit sex differences in neurosteroid protection. Consistent with a greater abundance of extrasynaptic δGABA-A receptors, AP produced a significantly greater potentiation of tonic currents in dentate gyrus granule cells in females than males; however, such enhanced AP sensitivity was diminished in δGABA-A receptor knockout female mice. SIGNIFICANCE Neurosteroids exhibit greater antiseizure potency in females than males, likely due to a greater abundance of extrasynaptic δGABA-A receptors that mediate neurosteroid-sensitive tonic currents and seizure protection. These findings indicate the potential to develop personalized gender-specific neurosteroid treatments for SE and epilepsy in men and women, including catamenial epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Chase Matthew Carver
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bryan Clossen
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ma RR, Sun J, Fang WH, Dong YP, Ruan JM, Yang XL, Hu K. Identification of Carassius auratus gibelio liver cell proteins interacting with the GABA A receptor γ2 subunit using a yeast two-hybrid system. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2019; 45:199-208. [PMID: 30242696 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-018-0554-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor is an important pentameric inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor, and the γ2 subunit of this receptor plays a key role in potentiation of the GABAA response. We previously detected that the expression of GABAA receptor in the livers of Carassius auratus gibelio significantly increased after medication (avermectin and difloxacin treatment). In order to better understand the mechanism of action of the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit in the livers of C. auratus gibelio, we constructed a C. auratus gibelio liver cDNA library (the titer value of 1.2 × 106 cfu/mL) and identified the proteins that interact with the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit by using a yeast two-hybrid assay. The yeast two-hybrid screening yielded seven positive clones, namely, prelid3b, cdc42, sgk1, spg21, proteasome, chia.5, and AP-3 complex subunit beta-1, all of which have been annotated by the NCBI database. The functions of these proteins are complex; therefore, additional studies are required to determine the specific interactions of these proteins with the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit in the liver of C. auratus gibelio. Although the interactions identified by the yeast two-hybrid system should be considered as preliminary results, the findings of this study may provide further direction and a foundation for future research focusing on the mechanisms of the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit in C. auratus gibelio livers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Ma
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Fisheries Ecology of the Yangtze Estuary, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Sun
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Hong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Fisheries Ecology of the Yangtze Estuary, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Ping Dong
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Ming Ruan
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xian-Le Yang
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Hu
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Hucheng Huan Road, Lingang New City Shanghai, 201306, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vaccine-Linked Chemotherapy Improves Benznidazole Efficacy for Acute Chagas Disease. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00876-17. [PMID: 29311242 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00876-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide, resulting in significant disease burdens and health care costs in countries of endemicity. Chemotherapeutic treatment is restricted to two parasiticidal drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox. Both drugs are highly effective during acute disease but are only minimally effective during chronic disease and fraught with significant adverse clinical effects. In experimental models, vaccines can be used to induce parasite-specific balanced TH1/TH2 immune responses that effectively reduce parasite burdens and associated inflammation while minimizing adverse effects. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of vaccine-linked chemotherapy for reducing the amount of benznidazole required to significantly reduce blood and tissue parasite burdens. In this study, we were able to achieve a 4-fold reduction in the amount of benznidazole required to significantly reduce blood and tissue parasite burdens by combining the low-dose benznidazole with a recombinant vaccine candidate, Tc24 C4, formulated with a synthetic Toll-like 4 receptor agonist, E6020, in a squalene oil-in-water emulsion. Additionally, vaccination induced a robust parasite-specific balanced TH1/TH2 immune response. We concluded that vaccine-linked chemotherapy is a feasible option for advancement to clinical use for improving the tolerability and efficacy of benznidazole.
Collapse
|
12
|
Genetic Adjuvantation of a Cell-Based Therapeutic Vaccine for Amelioration of Chagasic Cardiomyopathy. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00127-17. [PMID: 28674032 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00127-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a leading cause of heart disease ("chagasic cardiomyopathy") in Latin America, disproportionately affecting people in resource-poor areas. The efficacy of currently approved pharmaceutical treatments is limited mainly to acute infection, and there are no effective treatments for the chronic phase of the disease. Preclinical models of Chagas disease have demonstrated that antigen-specific CD8+ gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-positive T-cell responses are essential for reducing parasite burdens, increasing survival, and decreasing cardiac pathology in both the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. In the present study, we developed a genetically adjuvanted, dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic for acute Chagas disease in an attempt to delay or prevent the cardiac complications that eventually result from chronic T. cruzi infection. Dendritic cells transduced with the adjuvant, an adenoviral vector encoding a dominant negative isoform of Src homology region 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) along with the T. cruzi Tc24 antigen and trans-sialidase antigen 1 (TSA1), induced significant numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ IFN-γ-positive cells following injection into BALB/c mice. A vaccine platform transduced with the adenoviral vector and loaded in tandem with the recombinant protein reduced parasite burdens by 76% to >99% in comparison to a variety of different controls and significantly reduced cardiac pathology in a BALB/c mouse model of live Chagas disease. Although no statistical differences in overall survival rates among cohorts were observed, the data suggest that immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute Chagas disease are feasible and that this approach may warrant further study.
Collapse
|
13
|
Reddy DS, Gangisetty O, Wu X. PR-independent neurosteroid regulation of α2-GABA-A receptors in the hippocampus subfields. Brain Res 2017; 1659:142-147. [PMID: 28137424 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone (P) binding to the intracellular progesterone receptors (PRs) plays a key role in epilepsy via modulation of GABA-A receptor plasticity in the brain. This is thought to occur via conversion of P to neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone, an allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors. In the female brain, the composition of GABA-A receptors is not static and undergoes dynamic spatial changes in response to fluctuations in P and neurosteroid levels. Synaptic α2-containing GABA-A receptors contribute to phasic neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility. However, the mechanisms underlying α2-subunit plasticity remain unclear. Here, we utilized the neurosteroid synthesis inhibitor finasteride and PR knockout mice to investigate the role of PRs in α2-subunit in the hippocampus. α2-Subunit expression was significantly upregulated during the high-P state of diestrous stage and with P treatment in wildtype and PR knockout mice. In contrast, there was no change in α2-subunit expression when metabolism of P into neurosteroids was blocked by finasteride in both genotypes. These findings suggest that ovarian cycle-related P and neurosteroids regulate α2-GABA-A receptor expression in the hippocampus via a non-PR pathway, which may be relevant to menstrual-cycle related brain conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
| | - Omkaram Gangisetty
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Seid CA, Jones KM, Pollet J, Keegan B, Hudspeth E, Hammond M, Wei J, McAtee CP, Versteeg L, Gutierrez A, Liu Z, Zhan B, Respress JL, Strych U, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Cysteine mutagenesis improves the production without abrogating antigenicity of a recombinant protein vaccine candidate for human chagas disease. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 13:621-633. [PMID: 27737611 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1242540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A therapeutic vaccine for human Chagas disease is under development by the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership. The aim of the vaccine is to significantly reduce the parasite burden of Trypanosoma cruzi in humans, either as a standalone product or in combination with conventional chemotherapy. Vaccination of mice with Tc24 formulated with monophosphoryl-lipid A (MPLA) adjuvant results in a Th1 skewed immune response with elevated IgG2a and IFNγ levels and a statistically significant decrease in parasitemia following T. cruzi challenge. Tc24 was therefore selected for scale-up and further evaluation. During scale up and downstream process development, significant protein aggregation was observed due to intermolecular disulfide bond formation. To prevent protein aggregation, cysteine codons were replaced with serine codons which resulted in the production of a non-aggregated and soluble recombinant protein, Tc24-C4. No changes to the secondary structure of the modified molecule were detected by circular dichroism. Immunization of mice with wild-type Tc24 or Tc24-C4, formulated with E6020 (TLR4 agonist analog to MPLA) emulsified in a squalene-oil-in-water emulsion, resulted in IgG2a and antigen specific IFNγ production levels from splenocytes that were not significantly different, indicating that eliminating putative intermolecular disulfide bonds had no significant impact on the immunogenicity of the molecule. In addition, vaccination with either formulated wild type Tc24 or Tc24-C4 antigen also significantly increased survival and reduced cardiac parasite burden in mice. Investigations are now underway to examine the efficacy of Tc24-C4 formulated with other adjuvants to reduce parasite burden and increase survival in pre-clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Seid
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Brian Keegan
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Elissa Hudspeth
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Molly Hammond
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Junfei Wei
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - C Patrick McAtee
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Amanda Gutierrez
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Zhuyun Liu
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Bin Zhan
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jonathan L Respress
- d Southwest Electronic Energy Medical Research Institute (SWEMRI) , Missouri City , TX , USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy , Rice University , Houston , TX , USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Optogenetic activation of septal GABAergic afferents entrains neuronal firing in the medial habenula. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34800. [PMID: 27703268 PMCID: PMC5050514 DOI: 10.1038/srep34800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The medial habenula (MHb) plays an important role in nicotine-related behaviors such as nicotine aversion and withdrawal. The MHb receives GABAergic input from the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MS/DB), yet the synaptic mechanism that regulates MHb activity is unclear. GABA (γ -aminobutyric acid) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter activating both GABAA receptors and GABAB receptors. Depending on intracellular chloride concentration, however, GABAA receptors also function in an excitatory manner. In the absence of various synaptic inputs, we found that MHb neurons displayed spontaneous tonic firing at a rate of about ~4.4 Hz. Optogenetic stimulation of MS/DB inputs to the MHb evoked GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic currents, which produced stimulus-locked neuronal firing. Subsequent delayed yet lasting activation of GABAB receptors attenuated the intrinsic tonic firing. Consequently, septal GABAergic input alone orchestrates both excitatory GABAA and inhibitory GABAB receptors, thereby entraining the firing of MHb neurons.
Collapse
|
16
|
Barry MA, Wang Q, Jones KM, Heffernan MJ, Buhaya MH, Beaumier CM, Keegan BP, Zhan B, Dumonteil E, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. A therapeutic nanoparticle vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi in a BALB/c mouse model of Chagas disease. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:976-87. [PMID: 26890466 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1119346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, results in an acute febrile illness that progresses to chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy in 30% of patients. Current treatments have significant side effects and poor efficacy during the chronic phase; therefore, there is an urgent need for new treatment modalities. A robust TH1-mediated immune response correlates with favorable clinical outcomes. A therapeutic vaccine administered to infected individuals could bolster the immune response, thereby slowing or stopping the progression of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Prior work in mice has identified an efficacious T. cruzi DNA vaccine encoding Tc24. To elicit a similar protective cell-mediated immune response to a Tc24 recombinant protein, we utilized a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle delivery system in conjunction with CpG motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotides as an immunomodulatory adjuvant. In a BALB/c mouse model, the vaccine produced a TH1-biased immune response, as demonstrated by a significant increase in antigen-specific IFNγ-producing splenocytes, IgG2a titers, and proliferative capacity of CD8(+) T cells. When tested for therapeutic efficacy, significantly reduced systemic parasitemia was seen during peak parasitemia. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in cardiac parasite burden and inflammatory cell infiltrate. This is the first study demonstrating immunogenicity and efficacy of a therapeutic Chagas vaccine using a nanoparticle delivery system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A Barry
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,b Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Qian Wang
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Michael J Heffernan
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Munir H Buhaya
- e Summer Medical and Research Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Coreen M Beaumier
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Brian P Keegan
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Bin Zhan
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- f Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.,g Department of Tropical Medicine , School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang W, Hou L, Wang T, Lu W, Tao Y, Chen W, Du X, Huang Y. The expression characteristics of mt-ND2 gene in chicken. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2015; 27:3787-92. [PMID: 26332376 DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2015.1079904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Subunit 2 of NADH dehydrogenase (ND2) is encoded by the mt-ND2 gene and plays a critical role in controlling the production of the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Our study focused on exploring the mt-ND2 tissue expression patterns and the effects of energy restriction and dietary fat (linseed oil, corn oil, sesame oil or lard) level (2.5% and 5%) on its expression in chicken. The results showed that mt-ND2 gene was expressed in the 15 tissues of hybrid chickens with the highest level in heart and lowest level in pancreas tissue; 30% energy restriction did not significantly affect mt-ND2 mRNA level in chicken liver tissue. Both the mt-ND2 mRNA levels in chicken pectoralis (p < 0.05) and hepatic tissues (p < 0.05) at 42 d-old were affected by the type of dietary fats in 5% level, while not in abdominal fat tissues. The expression of mt-ND2 in hepatic tissues was down-regulated with chicken age (p < 0.01). The interactive effect of dietary fat types with chicken age (p < 0.05) was significant on mt-ND2 mRNA level. The study demonstrated that mt-ND2 gene was extensively expressed in tissues, and the expression was affected by dietary fat types and chicken age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Zhang
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| | - Lingling Hou
- b Animal Science College, Sichuan Agricultural University , Ya'an, Sichuan China
| | - Ting Wang
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| | - Weiwei Lu
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| | - Yafei Tao
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| | - Wen Chen
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| | - Xiaohui Du
- b Animal Science College, Sichuan Agricultural University , Ya'an, Sichuan China
| | - Yanqun Huang
- a College of Livestock Husbandry and Veterinary Engineering, Henan Agricultural University , Zhengzhou, Henan , China and
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Perimenstrual-like hormonal regulation of extrasynaptic δ-containing GABAA receptors mediating tonic inhibition and neurosteroid sensitivity. J Neurosci 2015; 34:14181-97. [PMID: 25339733 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0596-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurosteroids are endogenous regulators of neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility. Neurosteroids, such as allopregnanolone (AP; 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one), exhibit enhanced anticonvulsant activity in perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy, a neuroendocrine condition in which seizures are clustered around the menstrual period associated with neurosteroid withdrawal (NSW). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying such enhanced neurosteroid sensitivity remain unclear. Neurosteroids are allosteric modulators of both synaptic (αβγ2-containing) and extrasynaptic (αβδ-containing) GABAA receptors, but they display greater sensitivity toward δ-subunit receptors in dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs). Here we report a novel plasticity of extrasynaptic δ-containing GABAA receptors in the dentate gyrus in a mouse perimenstrual-like model of NSW. In molecular and immunofluorescence studies, a significant increase occurred in δ subunits, but not α1, α2, β2, and γ2 subunits, in the dentate gyrus of NSW mice. Electrophysiological studies confirmed enhanced sensitivity to AP potentiation of GABA-gated currents in DGGCs, but not in CA1 pyramidal cells, in NSW animals. AP produced a greater potentiation of tonic currents in DGGCs of NSW animals, and such enhanced AP sensitivity was not evident in δ-subunit knock-out mice subjected to a similar withdrawal paradigm. In behavioral studies, mice undergoing NSW exhibited enhanced seizure susceptibility to hippocampus kindling. AP has enhanced anticonvulsant effects in fully kindled wild-type mice, but not δ-subunit knock-out mice, undergoing NSW-induced seizures, confirming δ-linked neurosteroid sensitivity. These results indicate that perimenstrual NSW is associated with striking upregulation of extrasynaptic, δ-containing GABAA receptors that mediate tonic inhibition and neurosteroid sensitivity in the dentate gyrus. These findings may represent a molecular rationale for neurosteroid therapy of catamenial epilepsy.
Collapse
|
19
|
Study of the virulence of serotypes 4 and 9 of African horse sickness virus in IFNAR(-/-), Balb/C and 129 Sv/Ev mice. Vet Microbiol 2014; 174:322-332. [PMID: 25458420 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a double-stranded RNA virus which belongs to the family Reoviridae, genus Orbivirus. Recent studies have focused on the interferon-α/β receptor knock-out mice (IFNAR(-/-)) as a small animal laboratory for the development of AHSV vaccines. The aim of this work was to study in vivo the virulence of two strains of AHSV and to compare the outcome of the infection of three mouse strains. To address this, AHSV serotypes 4 (AHSV-4) and 9 (AHSV-9) were inoculated subcutaneously (SC) and intranasally (IN) in two immunocompetent mouse strains (Balb/C and 129 Sv/Ev (129 WT)) as well as IFNAR(-/-) mice (on 129 Sv/Ev genetic background). In IFNAR(-/-) mice, fatality up to 50% was measured and significantly more clinical signs were observed in comparison with SC inoculated immunocompetent mice. The observed clinical signs were significantly more severe after AHSV-4 infection, in particular in immunocompetent mice inoculated by IN route. Considering RNAemia, significantly higher viral loads were measured following AHSV-4 infection. In the organs of 129 WT inoculated by IN route, significantly higher viral loads were detected after AHSV-4 infection. Together the results support a higher virulence for AHSV-4 compared to AHSV-9 and a higher clinical impact following infections in IN inoculated mice, at least in the investigated strains. The study also brought indirect evidences for type I IFN involvement in the control of AHSV infection.
Collapse
|
20
|
Carver CM, Reddy DS. Neurosteroid interactions with synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors: regulation of subunit plasticity, phasic and tonic inhibition, and neuronal network excitability. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 230:151-88. [PMID: 24071826 PMCID: PMC3832254 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3276-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neurosteroids are steroids synthesized within the brain with rapid effects on neuronal excitability. Allopregnanolone, allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, and androstanediol are three widely explored prototype endogenous neurosteroids. They have very different targets and functions compared to conventional steroid hormones. Neuronal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABA(A)) receptors are one of the prime molecular targets of neurosteroids. OBJECTIVE This review provides a critical appraisal of recent advances in the pharmacology of endogenous neurosteroids that interact with GABA(A) receptors in the brain. Neurosteroids possess distinct, characteristic effects on the membrane potential and current conductance of the neuron, mainly via potentiation of GABA(A) receptors at low concentrations and direct activation of receptor chloride channel at higher concentrations. The GABA(A) receptor mediates two types of inhibition, now characterized as synaptic (phasic) and extrasynaptic (tonic) inhibition. Synaptic release of GABA results in the activation of low-affinity γ2-containing synaptic receptors, while high-affinity δ-containing extrasynaptic receptors are persistently activated by the ambient GABA present in the extracellular fluid. Neurosteroids are potent positive allosteric modulators of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors and therefore enhance both phasic and tonic inhibition. Tonic inhibition is specifically more sensitive to neurosteroids. The resulting tonic conductance generates a form of shunting inhibition that controls neuronal network excitability, seizure susceptibility, and behavior. CONCLUSION The growing understanding of the mechanisms of neurosteroid regulation of the structure and function of the synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors provides many opportunities to create improved therapies for sleep, anxiety, stress, epilepsy, and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chase Matthew Carver
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, 2008 Medical Research and Education Building, 8447 State Highway 47, Bryan, TX, 77807-3260, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wu X, Gangisetty O, Carver CM, Reddy DS. Estrous cycle regulation of extrasynaptic δ-containing GABA(A) receptor-mediated tonic inhibition and limbic epileptogenesis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 346:146-60. [PMID: 23667248 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.203653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ovarian cycle affects susceptibility to behavioral and neurologic conditions. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are poorly understood. Deficits in cyclical fluctuations in steroid hormones and receptor plasticity play a central role in physiologic and pathophysiologic menstrual conditions. It has been suggested that synaptic GABA(A) receptors mediate phasic inhibition in the hippocampus and extrasynaptic receptors mediate tonic inhibition in the dentate gyrus. Here we report a novel role of extrasynaptic δ-containing GABA(A) receptors as crucial mediators of the estrous cycle-related changes in neuronal excitability in mice, with hippocampus subfield specificity. In molecular and immunofluorescence studies, a significant increase occurred in δ-subunit, but not α4- and γ2-subunits, in the dentate gyrus during diestrus. However, δ-subunit upregulation was not evident in the CA1 region. The δ-subunit expression was undiminished by age and ovariectomy and in mice lacking progesterone receptors, but it was significantly reduced by finasteride, a neurosteroid synthesis inhibitor. Electrophysiologic studies confirmed greater potentiation of GABA currents by progesterone-derived neurosteroid allopregnanolone in dissociated dentate gyrus granule cells in diestrus than in CA1 pyramidal cells. The baseline conductance and allopregnanolone potentiation of tonic currents in dentate granule cells from hippocampal slices were higher than in CA1 pyramidal cells. In behavioral studies, susceptibility to hippocampus kindling epileptogenesis was lower in mice during diestrus. These results demonstrate the estrous cycle-related plasticity of neurosteroid-sensitive, δ-containing GABA(A) receptors that mediate tonic inhibition and seizure susceptibility. These findings may provide novel insight on molecular cascades of menstrual disorders like catamenial epilepsy, premenstrual syndrome, and migraine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807-3260, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Li S, Chen W, Kang X, Han R, Sun G, Huang Y. Distinct tissue expression profiles of chicken Lpin1-α/β isoforms and the effect of the variation on muscle fiber traits. Gene 2013; 515:281-90. [PMID: 23266642 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.11.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Revised: 10/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suya Li
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Verrotti A, D'Egidio C, Agostinelli S, Verrotti C, Pavone P. Diagnosis and management of catamenial seizures: a review. Int J Womens Health 2012; 4:535-41. [PMID: 23071424 PMCID: PMC3469236 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s28872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Catamenial epilepsy is defined as a pattern of seizures that changes in severity during particular phases of the menstrual cycle, wherein estrogens are proconvulsant, increasing the neuronal excitability; and progesterone is anticonvulsant, enhancing GABA-mediated inhibition. Thus, changes in serum estradiol/progesterone ratio throughout a normal reproductive cycle bring about an increased or decreased risk of seizure occurrence. To date, there are no specific drug treatments for catamenial epilepsy however, non-hormonal and hormonal therapies have been proposed. The aim of this review is to report preclinical and clinical evidences about the relationship between female reproductive steroids and epileptic seizures, and to describe treatment approaches for catamenial epilepsy.
Collapse
|
24
|
Clément Y, Prut L, Saurini F, Mineur YS, Le Guisquet AM, Védrine S, Andres C, Vodjdani G, Belzung C. Gabra5-gene haplotype block associated with behavioral properties of the full agonist benzodiazepine chlordiazepoxide. Behav Brain Res 2012; 233:474-82. [PMID: 22677273 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The gabra5 gene is associated with pharmacological properties (myorelaxant, amnesic, anxiolytic) of benzodiazepines. It is tightly located (0.5 cM) close to the pink-eyed dilution (p) locus which encodes for fur color on mouse chromosome 7. We tested the putative role of the gabra5 gene in pharmacological properties of the full non specific agonist chlordiazepoxide (CDP), using behavioral and molecular approaches in mutated p/p mice and wild type F2 from crosses between two multiple markers inbred strain ABP/Le and C57BL/6By strain. From our results, using rotarod, light-dark box, elevated maze and radial arm maze tests, we demonstrate that p/p mice are more sensitive than WT to the sensory motor, anxiolytic and amnesic effect of CDP. This is associated with the presence of a haplotypic block on the murine chromosome 7 and with an up regulation of gabra5 mRNAs in hippocampi of p/p F2 mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Clément
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, 75651 Paris Cedex, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Reddy DS, Gould J, Gangisetty O. A mouse kindling model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 341:784-93. [PMID: 22434675 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.192377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Catamenial epilepsy is caused by fluctuations in progesterone-derived GABA(A) receptor-modulating anticonvulsant neurosteroids, such as allopregnanolone, that play a significant role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. However, there is no specific mouse model of catamenial epilepsy. In this study, we developed and characterized a mouse model of catamenial epilepsy by using the neurosteroid-withdrawal paradigm. It is hypothesized that seizure susceptibility decreases when neurosteroid levels are high (midluteal phase) and increases during their withdrawal (perimenstrual periods) in close association with GABA(A) receptor plasticity. A chronic seizure condition was created by using the hippocampus kindling model in female mice. Elevated neurosteroid levels were induced by sequential gonadotropin treatment, and withdrawal was induced by the neurosteroid synthesis inhibitor finasteride. Elevated neurosteroid exposure reduced seizure expression in fully kindled mice. Fully kindled mice subjected to neurosteroid withdrawal showed increased generalized seizure frequency and intensity and enhanced seizure susceptibility. They also showed reduced benzodiazepine sensitivity and enhanced neurosteroid potency, similar to the clinical catamenial seizure phenotype. The increased susceptibility to seizures and alterations in antiseizure drug responses are associated with increased abundance of the α4 and δ subunits of GABA(A) receptors in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that endogenous neurosteroids protect against seizure susceptibility and their withdrawal, such as that which occurs during menstruation, leads to exacerbation of seizure activity. This is possibly caused by specific changes in GABA(A) receptor-subunit plasticity and function, therefore providing a novel mouse model of human perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy that can be used for the investigation of disease mechanisms and new therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, 8447 State Highway 47, MREB Building Room 1005, Bryan, TX 77807-3260, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Effect of Energy Restriction on Growth, Slaughter Performance,Serum Biochemical Parameters and Lpin2/WDTC1/mRNA Expressionof Broilers in the Later Phase. J Poult Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.011001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
27
|
Identification of the transcript isoforms and expression characteristics for chicken Lpin1. Animal 2012; 6:1897-903. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731112001358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
28
|
Neasta J, Kiely PA, He DY, Adams DR, O'Connor R, Ron D. Direct interaction between scaffolding proteins RACK1 and 14-3-3ζ regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcription. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:322-336. [PMID: 22069327 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.272195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
RACK1 is a scaffolding protein that spatially and temporally regulates numerous signaling cascades. We previously found that activation of the cAMP signaling pathway induces the translocation of RACK1 to the nucleus. We further showed that nuclear RACK1 is required to promote the transcription of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here, we set out to elucidate the mechanism underlying cAMP-dependent RACK1 nuclear translocation and BDNF transcription. We identified the scaffolding protein 14-3-3ζ as a direct binding partner of RACK1. Moreover, we found that 14-3-3ζ was necessary for the cAMP-dependent translocation of RACK1 to the nucleus. We further observed that the disruption of RACK1/14-3-3ζ interaction with a peptide derived from the RACK1/14-3-3ζ binding site or shRNA-mediated 14-3-3ζ knockdown inhibited cAMP induction of BDNF transcription. Together, these data reveal that the function of nuclear RACK1 is mediated through its interaction with 14-3-3ζ. As RACK1 and 14-3-3ζ are two multifunctional scaffolding proteins that coordinate a wide variety of signaling events, their interaction is likely to regulate other essential cellular functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Neasta
- Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - Patrick A Kiely
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Dao-Yao He
- Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - David R Adams
- Department of Chemistry, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton Campus, Edinburgh EH14AS, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary O'Connor
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Dorit Ron
- Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Neurosteroid withdrawal regulates GABA-A receptor α4-subunit expression and seizure susceptibility by activation of progesterone receptor-independent early growth response factor-3 pathway. Neuroscience 2010; 170:865-80. [PMID: 20670676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2010] [Revised: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurosteroids regulate GABA-A receptor plasticity. Neurosteroid withdrawal occurs during menstruation and is associated with a marked increase in expression of GABA-A receptor α4-subunit, a key subunit linked to enhanced neuronal excitability, seizure susceptibility and benzodiazepine resistance. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the upregulation of α4-subunit expression remain unclear. Here we utilized the progesterone receptor (PR) knockout mouse to investigate molecular pathways of PR and the transcription factor early growth response factor-3 (Egr3) in regulation of the GABA-A receptor α4-subunit expression in the hippocampus in a mouse neurosteroid withdrawal paradigm. Neurosteroid withdrawal induced a threefold increase in α4-subunit expression in wild-type mice, but this upregulation was unchanged in PR knockout mice. The expression of Egr3, which controls α4-subunit transcription, was increased significantly following neurosteroid withdrawal in wild-type and PR knockout mice. Neurosteroid withdrawal-induced α4-subunit upregulation was completely suppressed by antisense Egr3 inhibition. In the hippocampus kindling model of epilepsy, there was heightened seizure activity, significant reduction in the antiseizure sensitivity of diazepam (a benzodiazepine insensitive at α4βγ-receptors) and conferral of increased seizure protection of flumazenil (a low-affinity agonist at α4βγ-receptors) in neurosteroid-withdrawn wild-type and PR knockout mice. These observations are consistent with enhanced α4-containing receptor abundance in vivo. Neurosteroid withdrawal-induced seizure exacerbation, diazepam insensitivity, and flumazenil efficacy in the kindling model were reversed by inhibition of Egr3. These results indicate that neurosteroid withdrawal-induced upregulation of GABA-A receptor α4-subunit expression is mediated by the Egr3 via a PR-independent signaling pathway. These findings help advance our understanding of the molecular basis of catamenial epilepsy, a neuroendocrine condition that occurs around the perimenstrual period and is characterized by neurosteroid withdrawal-linked seizure exacerbations in women with epilepsy.
Collapse
|
30
|
GABA-receptor agonist, propofol inhibits invasion of colon carcinoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2010; 64:583-8. [PMID: 20888181 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2010.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), one of the most commonly used intravenous anaesthetic agents during cancer resection surgery, has been reported to have the ability of influencing the invasion of human cancer cells. In the present study, using the human colon carcinoma cell line LOVO, we demonstrated that propofol stimulation significantly decreased the expression of MMP-2 and -9 and subsequently decreased the invasive activity of the cancer cells. Because MAPK signaling is one of the key regulators of MMP expression, we further evaluated MAPK signaling after stimulation with propofol. It was found that propofol stimulation inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs, including ERK1/2, JNK, and p38. Deactivation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation was sustained for up to 12h, while deactivation of phosphorylation of JNK and p38 returned to the endogenous level by 30 min. It was noteworthy that the ras/raf/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 attenuated the down-regulation of propofol-induced MMP-9 expression of LOVO cells. We also demonstrated that the propofol-induced decrease in invasive ability via ERK1/2 down-regulation was mediated mainly through the GABA-A receptor. These results indicate that propofol stimulation inhibits cancer cell invasion and that the effect is partly due to ERK1/2-dependent down-regulation of MMPs.
Collapse
|
31
|
Uusi-Oukari M, Korpi ER. Regulation of GABA(A) receptor subunit expression by pharmacological agents. Pharmacol Rev 2010; 62:97-135. [PMID: 20123953 DOI: 10.1124/pr.109.002063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor system, the main fast-acting inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain, is the pharmacological target for many drugs used clinically to treat, for example, anxiety disorders and epilepsy, and to induce and maintain sedation, sleep, and anesthesia. These drugs facilitate the function of pentameric GABA(A) receptors that exhibit widespread expression in all brain regions and large structural and pharmacological heterogeneity as a result of composition from a repertoire of 19 subunit variants. One of the main problems in clinical use of GABA(A) receptor agonists is the development of tolerance. Most drugs, in long-term use and during withdrawal, have been associated with important modulations of the receptor subunit expression in brain-region-specific manner, participating in the mechanisms of tolerance and dependence. In most cases, the molecular mechanisms of regulation of subunit expression are poorly known, partly as a result of neurobiological adaptation to altered neuronal function. More knowledge has been obtained on the mechanisms of GABA(A) receptor trafficking and cell surface expression and the processes that may contribute to tolerance, although their possible pharmacological regulation is not known. Drug development for neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, alcoholism, schizophrenia, and anxiety, has been ongoing for several years. One key step to extend drug development related to GABA(A) receptors is likely to require deeper understanding of the adaptational mechanisms of neurons, receptors themselves with interacting proteins, and finally receptor subunits during drug action and in neuropsychiatric disease processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Uusi-Oukari
- Department of Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics, University of Turku, Itainen Pitkakatu 4, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | | |
Collapse
|