Alpha 2-macroglobulin acts as a clearance factor in the lysosomal degradation of extracellular misfolded proteins

Increased intestinal permeability and lipopolysaccharide contribute to swainsonine-induced systemic inflammation

Long-term consumption of swainsonine could be poisonous to livestock, including facilitating apoptosis by impairing lysosomal function and inhibiting autophagic degradation, leading to liver inflammation and even death in livestock. However, the mechanism by swainsonine induced systemic inflammatory responses remained unclear, especially the effects of swainsonine on intestinal permeability, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level and oxidative stress response were unknown. In this study, swainsonine increased intestinal permeability as evidenced by the significant down-regulation of colonic goblet cells, Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal tight junction protein Occludin, Claudin 1 and ZO-1, and the significant up-regulation of mRNA expression level of the intestinal permeability indicator protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type H (Ptprh) in the ileum of mice. Simultaneously, the elevated LPS biosynthetic genes in intestinal microbiota and increased intestinal permeability facilitated more bacterial endotoxin LPS to enter the blood. High concentration of free-form LPS induced high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress response, thereby causing the systemic inflammation. These findings provided a new perspective on swainsonine-induced systemic inflammation, suggesting that intestinal permeability and free-form LPS level may be the potential trigger factors.

Human platelet lysate stimulates neurotrophic properties of human adipose-derived stem cells better than Schwann cell-like cells

BACKGROUND

Trauma-associated peripheral nerve injury is a widespread clinical problem causing sensory and motor disabilities. Schwann cells (SCs) contribute to nerve regeneration, mainly by secreting nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In the last years, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) differentiated into SCs (SC-ASCs) were considered as promising cell therapy. However, the cell trans-differentiation process has not been effectively showed and presents several drawbacks, thus an alternative approach for increasing ASCs neurotrophic properties is highly demanded. In the context of human cell-based therapies, Good Manufacturing Practice directions indicate that FBS should be substituted with a xenogeneic-free supplement, such as Human Platelet Lysate (HPL). Previously, we demonstrated that neurotrophic properties of HPL-cultured ASCs were superior compared to undifferentiated FBS-cultured ASCs. Therefore, as following step, here we compared the neurotrophic properties of differentiated SC-like ASCs and HPL-cultured ASCs.

METHODS

Both cell groups were investigated for gene expression level of neurotrophic factors, their receptors and neuronal markers. Moreover, the expression of nestin was quantitatively evaluated by flow cytometry. The commitment toward the SC phenotype was assessed with immunofluorescence pictures. Proteomics analysis was performed on both cells and their conditioned media to compare the differential protein profile. Finally, neurotrophic abilities of both groups were evaluated with a functional co-culture assay, assessing dorsal root ganglia survival and neurite outgrowth.

RESULTS

HPL-cultured ASCs demonstrated higher gene expression of NGF and lower expression of S100B. Moreover, nestin was present in almost all HPL-cultured ASCs and only in one quarter of SC-ASCs. Immunofluorescence confirmed that S100B was not present in HPL-cultured ASCs. Proteomics analysis validated the higher expression of nestin and the increase in cytoskeletal and ECM proteins involved in neural regeneration processes. The co-culture assay highlighted that neurite outgrowth was higher in the presence of HPL-ASCs or their conditioned medium compared to SC-ASCs.

CONCLUSIONS

All together, our results show that HPL-ASCs were more neurotrophic than SC-ASCs. We highlighted that the HPL triggers an immature neuro-induction state of ASCs, while keeping their stem properties, paving the way for innovative therapies for nerve regeneration.

Zinc-Boron Complex-Based Dietary Supplements for Longevity and Healthy Life

The nutritional role of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in the plant-animal-human food chain is highly topical worldwide research. Our data indicated that Zn-B complex (ZBC)-based dietary supplements can be used as stable non-toxic formulations, with high intestinal absorption rate, inducing alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) expression for longevity and healthy life. ZBC is metabolized by hydrolysis, mainly at the absorption site (intestinal level), and most of it is excreted in the urine. Within seven hours from the administration in mice, almost the entire amount of orally absorbed ZBC is eliminated in a metabolized form. The highest amount of A2M protein in mouse liver was determined by immunoabsorbance assay in the chronic experiment (1000mg/kg of ZBC), followed by the subchronic experiment (at the same dose of ZBC), and by the acute experiment (5000mg/kg of ZBC).