Direct interaction of fibrinogen with lipid microparticles modulates clotting kinetics and clot structure

Host lipids regulate multicellular behavior of a predator of a human pathogen

As symbionts of animals, microbial eukaryotes benefit and harm their hosts in myriad ways. A model microeukaryote (Capsaspora owczarzaki) is a symbiont of Biomphalaria glabrata snails and may prevent transmission of parasitic schistosomes from snails to humans. However, it is unclear which host factors determine Capsaspora's ability to colonize snails. Here, we discovered that Capsaspora forms multicellular aggregates when exposed to snail hemolymph. We identified a molecular cue for aggregation: a hemolymph-derived phosphatidylcholine, which becomes elevated in schistosome-infected snails. Therefore, Capsaspora aggregation may be a response to the physiological state of its host, and it may determine its ability to colonize snails and exclude parasitic schistosomes. Furthermore, Capsaspora is an evolutionary model organism whose aggregation may be ancestral to animals. This discovery, that a prevalent lipid induces Capsaspora multicellularity, suggests that this aggregation phenotype may be ancient. Additionally, the specific lipid will be a useful tool for further aggregation studies.

Platelet Microvesicles, Inflammation, and Coagulation Markers: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Platelet "Microvesicles" (MVs) are studied for their role in blood coagulation and inflammation. The study aimed to establish if MVs are related to age, plasma levels of inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis markers in healthy individuals.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled volunteers aged over 18 years. MVs, plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 10 (IL-10), Interleukin 17 (IL-17), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (VWF), homocysteine, factor VII (FVII), thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and Protein S were tested.

RESULTS

A total of 246 individuals (median age 65 years ("IQR"54-72)) were evaluated. Both univariate analysis and logistic regression models showed that MVs positively correlate with age, CRP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, fibrinogen, PAI-1, VWF, FVII, and homocysteine, while inversely correlating with TAFI and Protein S. The ROC curve analysis performed to identify a cut off for MV values (700 kMP) showed a good accuracy with over-range cytokines fibrinolysis factor and coagulation markers.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to correlate MVs with an entire panel of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals. A future possible role of MVs in screening exams is suggested.

Effect of the Protein Corona Formation on Antibody Functionalized Liquid Lipid Nanocarriers

The main aim of this study is to report basic knowledge on how a protein corona (PC) could affect or modify the way in which multifunctionalized nanoparticles interact with cells. With this purpose, we have firstly optimized the development of a target-specific nanocarrier by coupling a specific fluorescent antibody on the surface of functionalized lipid liquid nanocapsules (LLNCs). Thus, an anti-HER2-FITC antibody (αHER2) has been used, HER2 being a surface receptor that is overexpressed in several tumor cells. Subsequently, the in vitro formation of a PC has been developed using fetal bovine serum supplemented with human fibrinogen. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Laser Doppler Electrophoresis (LDE), and Gel Chromatography techniques have been used to assure a complete physico-chemical characterization of the nano-complexes with (LLNCs-αHER2-PC) and without (LLNCs-αHER2) the surrounding PC. In addition, cellular assays were performed to study the cellular uptake and the specific cellular-nanocarrier interactions using the SKBR3 (high expression of HER2) breast cancer cell line and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) (healthy cell line without expression of HER2 receptors as control), showing that the SKBR3 cell line had a higher transport rate (50-fold) than HDFa at 60 min with LLNCs-αHER2. Moreover, the SKBR3 cell line incubated with LLNCs-αHER2-PC suffered a significant reduction (40%) in the uptake. These results suggest that the formation of a PC onto LLNCs does not prevent specific cell targeting, although it does have an important influence on cell uptake.

Human cerebrospinal fluid contains diverse lipoprotein subspecies enriched in proteins implicated in central nervous system health

Lipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the central nervous system (CNS) resemble plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are a compositionally and structurally diverse spectrum of nanoparticles with pleiotropic functionality. Whether CSF lipoproteins (CSF-Lps) exhibit similar heterogeneity is poorly understood because they are present at 100-fold lower concentrations than plasma HDL. To investigate the diversity of CSF-Lps, we developed a sensitive fluorescent technology to characterize lipoprotein subspecies in small volumes of human CSF. We identified 10 distinctly sized populations of CSF-Lps, most of which were larger than plasma HDL. Mass spectrometric analysis identified 303 proteins across the populations, over half of which have not been reported in plasma HDL. Computational analysis revealed that CSF-Lps are enriched in proteins important for wound healing, inflammation, immune response, and both neuron generation and development. Network analysis indicated that different subpopulations of CSF-Lps contain unique combinations of these proteins. Our study demonstrates that CSF-Lp subspecies likely exist that contain compositional signatures related to CNS health.

Protein Corona of Anionic Fluid-Phase Liposomes Compromises Their Integrity Rather than Uptake by Cells

Despite the undisputable role of the protein corona in the biointeractions of liposome drug carriers, the field suffers from a lack of knowledge regarding the patterns of protein deposition on lipid surfaces with different compositions. Here, we investigated the protein coronas formed on liposomes of basic compositions containing combinations of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC), palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (POPG), and cholesterol. Liposome-protein complexes isolated by size-exclusion chromatography were delipidated and analyzed using label-free LC-MS/MS. The addition of the anionic lipid and cholesterol both affected the relative protein abundances (and not the total bound proteins) in the coronas. Highly anionic liposomes, namely those containing 40% POPG, carried corona enriched with cationic proteins (apolipoprotein C1, beta-2-glycoprotein 1, and cathelicidins) and were the least stable in the calcein release assay. Cholesterol improved the liposome stability in the plasma. However, the differences in the corona compositions had little effect on the liposome uptake by endothelial (EA.hy926) and phagocytic cells in the culture (U937) or ex vivo (blood-derived monocytes and neutrophils). The findings emphasize that the effect of protein corona on the performance of the liposomes as drug carriers occurs through compromising particle stability rather than interfering with cellular uptake.

Fibrin-Rhamnogalacturonan I Composite Gel for Therapeutic Enzyme Delivery to Intestinal Tumors

Therapy of colorectal cancer with protein drugs, including targeted therapy using monoclonal antibodies, requires the preservation of the drug's structure and activity in the gastrointestinal tract or bloodstream. Here, we confirmed experimentally the fundamental possibility of creating composite protein-polysaccharide hydrogels based on non-degrading rhamnogalacturonan I (RG) and fibrin as a delivery vehicle for antitumor RNase binase. The method is based on enzymatic polymerization of fibrin in the presence of RG with the inclusion of liposomes, containing an encapsulated enzyme drug, into the gel network. The proposed method for fabricating a gel matrix does not require the use of cytotoxic chemical cross-linking agents and divalent cations, and contains completely biocompatible and biodegradable components. The process proceeds under physiological conditions, excluding the effect of high temperatures, organic solvents and ultrasound on protein components. Immobilization of therapeutic enzyme binase in the carrier matrix by encapsulating it in liposomes made from uncharged lipid made it possible to achieve its prolonged release with preservation of activity for a long time. The release time of binase from the composite carrier can be regulated by variation of the fibrin and RG concentration.

The Effect of Extracellular Vesicles on Thrombosis

The risk of cardiovascular events caused by acute thrombosis is high, including acute myocardial infarction, acute stroke, acute pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. In this review, we summarize the roles of extracellular vesicles of different cellular origins in various cardiovascular events associated with acute thrombosis, as described in the current literature, to facilitate the future development of a precise therapy for thrombosis caused by such vesicles. We hope that our review will indicate a new horizon in the field of cardiovascular research with regard to the treatment of acute thrombosis, especially targeting thrombosis caused by extracellular vesicles secreted by individual cells. As more emerging technologies are being developed, new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies related to EVs are expected to be identified for related diseases in the future.

Development of Vancomycin Delivery Systems Based on Autologous 3D Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrices for Bone Tissue Engineering

Autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is derived from the blood and its use in the bone tissue engineering has emerged as an effective strategy for novel drug and growth factor delivery systems. Studies have approved that combined therapy with PRF ensures higher biological outcomes, but patients still undergo additional treatment with antibiotic drugs before, during, and even after the implantation of biomaterials with PRF. These systematically used drugs spread throughout the blood and lead not only to positive effects but may also induce adverse side effects on healthy tissues. Vancomycin hydrochloride (VANKA) is used to treat severe Staphylococcal infections but its absorption in the target tissue after oral administration is low; therefore, in this study, we have developed and analyzed two kinds of VANKA carriers—liposomes and microparticles in 3D PRF matrices. The adjustment, characterization, and analysis of VANKA carriers in 3D PRF scaffolds is carried out in terms of encapsulation efficiency, drug release kinetics and antibacterial activity; furthermore, we have studied the micro- and macrostructure of the scaffolds with microtomography.

Five-year follow-up observation of interventional therapy for lower extremity vascular disease in type 2 diabetes and analysis of risk factors for restenosis

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of type 2 diabetes, the low rate of compliance, and the complex mechanism of vascular disease caused by diabetes make its complications increase year by year. Our study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of lower extremity vascular diseases in type 2 diabetes and evaluate the long-term efficacy of vascular intervention for these diseases.

METHODS

From 2007 to 2014, 362 patients who underwent vascular intervention in our hospital due to lower extremity vascular diseases in type 2 diabetes were followed up for 5 years and their clinical characteristics were analyzed in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Compared with those before treatment, the values of blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride Ester (TG), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) of patients were significantly lower 5 years after intervention (P < 0.01). We found that the levels of fibrinogen, blood glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL-C, and small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) in the vascular restenosis group were significantly higher than those in the vascular patency group (P < 0.001), whereas the level of HDL-C in the vascular restenosis group was significantly lower compared with the vascular patency group.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular intervention can significantly improve a series of biochemical indicators in patients with lower extremity vascular diseases caused by type 2 diabetes. Postoperative restenosis may be related to hypertension, duration of diabetes, rate of inferior knee disease, fibrinogen, and sdLDL. Good survival and limb salvage were achieved in the patients in this series with interventions and medical treatment provided by endocrinologists.

Membrane Microvesicles as Potential Vaccine Candidates

The prevention and control of infectious diseases is crucial to the maintenance and protection of social and public healthcare. The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated how outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infections can lead to pandemics of significant public health and socio-economic burden. Vaccination is one of the most effective approaches to protect against infectious diseases, and to date, multiple vaccines have been successfully used to protect against and eradicate both viral and bacterial pathogens. The main criterion of vaccine efficacy is the induction of specific humoral and cellular immune responses, and it is well established that immunogenicity depends on the type of vaccine as well as the route of delivery. In addition, antigen delivery to immune organs and the site of injection can potentiate efficacy of the vaccine. In light of this, microvesicles have been suggested as potential vehicles for antigen delivery as they can carry various immunogenic molecules including proteins, nucleic acids and polysaccharides directly to target cells. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms of microvesicle biogenesis and the role of microvesicles in infectious diseases. Further, we discuss the application of microvesicles as a novel and effective vaccine delivery system.