Thrombolytic therapy based on lyophilized platelet-derived nanocarriers for ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Intravenous administration of fibrinolytic drugs, such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the standard treatment of acute thrombotic diseases. However, current fibrinolytics exhibit limited clinical efficacy because of their short plasma half-lives and risk of hemorrhagic transformations. Platelet membrane-based nanocarriers have received increasing attention for ischemic stroke therapies, as they have natural thrombus-targeting activity, can prolong half-life of the fibrinolytic therapy, and reduce side effects. In this study we have gone further in developing platelet-derived nanocarriers (defined as cellsomes) to encapsulate and protect rtPA from degradation. Following lyophilization and characterization, their formulation properties, biocompatibility, therapeutic effect, and risk of hemorrhages were later investigated in a thromboembolic model of stroke in mice.

RESULTS

Cellsomes of 200 nm size and loaded with rtPA were generated from membrane fragments of human platelets. The lyophilization process did not influence the nanocarrier size distribution, morphology, and colloidal stability conferring particle preservation and long-term storage. Encapsulated rtPA in cellsomes and administered as a single bolus showed to be as effective as a continuous clinical perfusion of free rtPA at equal concentration, without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic transformations or provoking an inflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the safe and effective use of lyophilized biomimetic platelet-derived nanomedicine for precise thrombolytic treatment of acute ischemic stroke. In addition, this new nanoformulation could simplify the clinical use of rtPA as a single bolus, being easier and less time-consuming in an emergency setting than a treatment perfusion, particularly in stroke patients. We have successfully addressed one of the main barriers to drug application and commercialization, the long-term storage of nanomedicines, overcoming the potential chemical and physical instabilities of nanomedicines when stored in an aqueous buffer.

Flavonoids Regulate Redox-Responsive Transcription Factors in Glioblastoma and Microglia

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a valuable therapeutic target in glioblastoma (GBM), as it promotes tumorigenesis via an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Immune cells such as microglia accumulate near the tumor and its hypoxic core, fostering tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Notably, flavonoids, including fisetin and quercetin, can protect non-cancerous cells while eliminating transformed cells (2D cultures and 3D tumoroids). We tested the hypothesis that fisetin and quercetin are modulators of redox-responsive transcription factors, for which subcellular location plays a critical role. To investigate the sites of interaction between natural compounds and stress-responsive transcription factors, we combined molecular docking with experimental methods employing proximity ligation assays. Our findings reveal that fisetin decreased cytosolic acetylated high mobility group box 1 (acHMGB1) and increased transcription factor EB (TFEB) abundance in microglia but not in GBM. Moreover, our results suggest that the most powerful modulator of the Nrf2-KEAP1 complex is fisetin. This finding is in line with molecular modeling and calculated binding properties between fisetin and Nrf2-KEAP1, which indicated more sites of interactions and stronger binding affinities than quercetin.

Ligand impact on reactive oxygen species generation of Au10 and Au25 nanoclusters upon one- and two-photon excitation

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), light-sensitive photosensitizers produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) after irradiation in the presence of oxygen. Atomically-precise thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters are molecule-like nanostructures with discrete energy levels presenting long lifetimes, surface biofunctionality, and strong near-infrared excitation ideal for ROS generation in PDT. We directly compare thiolate-gold macromolecular complexes (Au₁₀) and atomically-precise gold nanoclusters (Au₂₅), and investigate the influence of ligands on their photoexcitation. With the ability of atomically-precise nanochemistry, we produce Au₁₀SG₁₀, Au₁₀AcCys₁₀, Au₂₅SG₁₈, and Au₂₅AcCys₁₈ (SG: glutathione; AcCys: N-acetyl-cysteine) fully characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our theoretical investigation reveals key factors (energetics of excited states and structural influence of surface ligands) and their relative importance in singlet oxygen formation upon one- and two-photon excitation. Finally, we explore ROS generation by gold nanoclusters in living cells with one- and two-photon excitation. Our study presents in-depth analyses of events within gold nanoclusters when photo-excited both in the linear and nonlinear optical regimes, and possible biological consequences in cells.

Sulfated Hyperbranched and Linear Polyglycerols Modulate HMGB1 and Morphological Plasticity in Neural Cells

The objective of this study was to establish if polyglycerols with sulfate or sialic acid functional groups interact with high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and if so, which polyglycerol could prevent loss of morphological plasticity in excitatory neurons in the hippocampus. Considering that HMGB1 binds to heparan sulfate and that heparan sulfate has structural similarities with dendritic polyglycerol sulfates (dPGS), we performed the experiments to show if polyglycerols can mimic heparin functions by addressing the following questions: (1) do dendritic and linear polyglycerols interact with the alarmin molecule HMGB1? (2) Does dPGS interaction with HMGB1 influence the redox status of HMGB1? (3) Can dPGS prevent the loss of dendritic spines in organotypic cultures challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)? LPS plays a critical role in infections with Gram-negative bacteria and is commonly used to test candidate therapeutic agents for inflammation and endotoxemia. Pathologically high LPS concentrations and other stressful stimuli cause HMGB1 release and post-translational modifications. We hypothesized that (i) electrostatic interactions of hyperbranched and linear polysulfated polyglycerols with HMGB1 will likely involve sites similar to those of heparan sulfate. (ii) dPGS can normalize HMGB1 compartmentalization in microglia exposed to LPS and prevent dendritic spine loss in the excitatory hippocampal neurons. We performed immunocytochemistry and biochemical analyses combined with confocal microscopy to determine cellular and extracellular locations of HMGB1 and morphological plasticity. Our results suggest that dPGS interacts with HMGB1 similarly to heparan sulfate. Hyperbranched dPGS and linear sulfated polymers prevent dendritic spine loss in hippocampal excitatory neurons. MS/MS analyses reveal that dPGS-HMGB1 interactions result in fully oxidized HMGB1 at critical cysteine residues (Cys23, Cys45, and Cys106). Triply oxidized HMGB1 leads to the loss of its pro-inflammatory action and could participate in dPGS-mediated spine loss prevention. LPG-Sia exposure to HMGB1 results in the oxidation of Cys23 and Cys106 but does not normalize spine density.

Stimuli-Responsive Miktoarm Polymer-Based Formulations for Fisetin Delivery and Regulatory Effects in Hyperactive Human Microglia

Branched star polymers offer exciting opportunities in enhancing the efficacy of nanocarriers in delivering biologically active lipophilic agents. We demonstrate that the star polymeric architecture can be leveraged to yield soft nanoparticles of vesicular morphology with precisely located stimuli-sensitive chemical entities. Amphiphilic stars of AB₂ (A = PEG, B = PCL) composition with/without oxidative stress or reduction responsive units at the core junction of A and B arms, are constructed using synthetic articulation. Fisetin, a natural flavonoid with remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but of limited clinical value due to its poor aqueous solubility, was physically encapsulated into miktoarm star-derived aqueous polymersomes. We evaluated polymersomes and fisetin separately, and in combination, in human microglia (HMC3), to show if (i) polymersomes are toxic; (ii) fisetin reduces the abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS); and (iii) fisetin modulates the activation of ERK1/2. These signaling molecules and pathways are implicated in inflammatory processes and cell survival. Fisetin, both incorporated and non-incorporated into polymersomes, reduced ROS and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-treated human microglia, normalizing excessive oxidative stress and ERK-mediated signaling. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Insights into the Impact of Gold Nanoclusters Au10SG10 on Human Microglia

The purpose of the current study is to uncover the impact of small liganded gold nanoclusters with 10 gold atoms and 10 glutathione ligands (Au₁₀SG₁₀) on several biomarkers in human microglia. We established the links connecting the atomically precise structure of Au₁₀SG₁₀ with their properties and changes in several biomolecules under oxidative stress. Au₁₀SG₁₀ caused the loss of mitochondrial metabolic activity, increased lipid peroxidation and translocation of an alarmin molecule, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), from the nucleus to the cytosol. Molecular modeling provided an insight into the location of amino acid interaction sites with Au₁₀SG₁₀ and the nature of bonds participating in these interactions. We show that Au₁₀SG₁₀ can bind directly to the defined sites of reduced, oxidized, and acetylated HMGB1. Further studies with similar complementary approaches merging live-cell analyses, determination of biomarkers, and cell functions could lead to optimized gold nanoclusters best suited for diagnostic and bioimaging purposes in neuroscience.

Nanotherapeutic Modulation of Human Neural Cells and Glioblastoma in Organoids and Monocultures

Inflammatory processes in the brain are orchestrated by microglia and astrocytes in response to activators such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, danger-associated molecular patterns and some nanostructures. Microglia are the primary immune responders in the brain and initiate responses amplified by astrocytes through intercellular signaling. Intercellular communication between neural cells can be studied in cerebral organoids, co-cultures or in vivo. We used human cerebral organoids and glioblastoma co-cultures to study glia modulation by dendritic polyglycerol sulfate (dPGS). dPGS is an extensively studied nanostructure with inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Under inflammatory conditions, lipocalin-2 levels in astrocytes are markedly increased and indirectly enhanced by soluble factors released from hyperactive microglia. dPGS is an effective anti-inflammatory modulator of these markers. Our results show that dPGS can enter neural cells in cerebral organoids and glial cells in monocultures in a time-dependent manner. dPGS markedly reduces lipocalin-2 abundance in the neural cells. Glioblastoma tumoroids of astrocytic origin respond to activated microglia with enhanced invasiveness, whereas conditioned media from dPGS-treated microglia reduce tumoroid invasiveness. Considering that many nanostructures have only been tested in cancer cells and rodent models, experiments in human 3D cerebral organoids and co-cultures are complementary in vitro models to evaluate nanotherapeutics in the pre-clinical setting. Thoroughly characterized organoids and standardized procedures for their preparation are prerequisites to gain information of translational value in nanomedicine. This study provides data for a well-characterized dendrimer (dPGS) that modulates the activation state of human microglia implicated in brain tumor invasiveness.

Inhibition of glioblastoma cell proliferation, invasion, and mechanism of action of a novel hydroxamic acid hybrid molecule

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive brain tumors and current therapies with temozolomide or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat) show considerable limitations. SAHA is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that can cause undesirable side effects due to the lack of selectivity. We show here properties of a novel hybrid molecule, sahaquine, which selectively inhibits cytoplasmic HDAC6 at nanomolar concentrations without markedly suppressing class I HDACs. Inhibition of HDAC6 leads to significant α-tubulin acetylation, thereby impairing cytoskeletal organization in glioblastoma cells. The primaquine moiety of sahaquine reduced the activity of P-glycoprotein, which contributes to glioblastoma multiforme drug resistance. We propose the mechanism of action of sahaquine to implicate HDAC6 inhibition together with suppression of epidermal growth factor receptor and downstream kinase activity, which are prominent therapeutic targets in glioblastoma multiforme. Sahaquine significantly reduces the viability and invasiveness of glioblastoma tumoroids, as well as brain tumor stem cells, which are key to tumor survival and recurrence. These effects are augmented with the combination of sahaquine with temozolomide, the natural compound quercetin or buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis. Thus, a combination of agents disrupting glioblastoma and brain tumor stem cell homeostasis provides an effective anti–cancer intervention.

Dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfates in the Prevention of Synaptic Loss and Mechanism of Action on Glia

Dendritic polyglycerols (dPG), particularly dendritic polyglycerol sulfates (dPGS), have been intensively studied due to their intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity. As related to brain pathologies involving neuroinflammation, the current study examined if dPG and dPGS can (i) regulate neuroglial activation, and (ii) normalize the morphology and function of excitatory postsynaptic dendritic spines adversely affected by the neurotoxic 42 amino acid amyloid-β (Aβ₄₂) peptide of Alzheimer disease (AD). The exact role of neuroglia, such as microglia and astrocytes, remains controversial especially their positive and negative impact on inflammatory processes in AD. To test dPGS effectiveness in AD models we used primary neuroglia and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures exposed to Aβ₄₂ peptide. Overall, our data indicate that dPGS is taken up by both microglia and astrocytes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The mechanism of action of dPGS involves binding to Aβ₄₂, i.e., a direct interaction between dPGS and Aβ₄₂ species interfered with Aβ fibril formation and reduced the production of the neuroinflammagen lipocalin-2 (LCN2) mainly in astrocytes. Moreover, dPGS normalized the impairment of neuroglia and prevented the loss of dendritic spines at excitatory synapses in the hippocampus. In summary, dPGS has desirable therapeutic properties that may help reduce amyloid-induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity in AD.

Nutritional and Nanotechnological Modulators of Microglia

Microglia are the essential responders to alimentary, pharmacological, and nanotechnological immunomodulators. These neural cells play multiple roles as surveyors, sculptors, and guardians of essential parts of complex neural circuitries. Microglia can play dual roles in the central nervous system; they can be deleterious and/or protective. The immunomodulatory effects of alimentary components, gut microbiota, and nanotechnological products have been investigated in microglia at the single-cell level and in vivo using intravital imaging approaches, and different biochemical assays. This review highlights some of the emerging questions and topics from studies involving alimentation, microbiota, nanotechnological products, and associated problems in this area of research. Some of the advantages and limitations of in vitro and in vivo models used to study the neuromodulatory effects of these factors, as well as the merits and pitfalls of intravital imaging modalities employed are presented.

Remodeling of lipid bodies by docosahexaenoic acid in activated microglial cells

Background

Organelle remodeling processes are evolutionarily conserved and involved in cell functions during development, aging, and cell death. Some endogenous and exogenous molecules can modulate these processes. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has mainly been considered as a modulator of plasma membrane fluidity in brain development and aging, while DHA’s role in organelle remodeling in specific neural cell types at the ultrastructural level remains largely unexplored. DHA is notably incorporated into dynamic organelles named lipid bodies (LBs). We hypothesized that DHA could attenuate the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia by remodeling LBs and altering their functional interplay with mitochondria and other associated organelles.

Results

We used electron microscopy to analyze at high spatial resolution organelle changes in N9 microglial cells exposed to the proinflammogen LPS, with or without DHA supplementation. Our results revealed that DHA reverses several effects of LPS in organelles. In particular, a large number of very small and grouped LBs was exclusively found in microglial cells exposed to DHA. In contrast, LBs in LPS-stimulated cells in the absence of DHA were sparse and large. LBs formed in the presence of DHA were generally electron-dense, suggesting DHA incorporation into these organelles. The accumulation of LBs in microglial cells from mouse and human was confirmed in situ. In addition, DHA induced numerous contacts between LBs and mitochondria and reversed the frequent disruption of mitochondrial integrity observed upon LPS stimulation. Dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum lumen was also infrequent following DHA treatment, suggesting that DHA reduces oxidative stress and protein misfolding. Lipidomic analysis in N9 microglial cells treated with DHA revealed an increase in phosphatidylserine, indicating the role of this phospholipid in normalization and maintenance of physiological membrane functions. This finding was supported by a marked reduction of microglial filopodia and endosome number and significant reduction of LPS-induced phagocytosis.

Conclusions

DHA attenuates the inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated microglial cells by remodeling LBs and altering their interplay with mitochondria and other associated organelles. Our findings point towards a mechanism by which omega-3 DHA participates in organelle reorganization and contributes to the maintenance of neural cell homeostasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0580-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Low generation polyamine dendrimers bearing flexible tetraethylene glycol as nanocarriers for plasmids and siRNA

Low G1 generation polyamine dendrimers built around programmable, flexible, and short tetraethyleneglycol branches were readily prepared in a divergent manner using a combination of orthogonal AB3 or AB5 units and highly efficient chemical transformations based on Cu(i) catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CUAAC) and thiol-ene click reactions. The constructs showed that the G1 polyamines with only twelve and eighteen amine surface groups can successfully deliver siRNA in human cells, with transfection efficiency comparable to that of Lipofectamine 2000®. Measurements of cell viability following transfection of plasmid DNA and siRNA showed that the dendritic polyamines are less cytotoxic than Lipofectamine 2000® and are thus preferable for biological applications.

Boron nitride nanotubes as vehicles for intracellular delivery of fluorescent drugs and probes

AIM

To evaluate the response of cells to boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) carrying fluorescent probes or drugs in their inner channel by assessment of the cellular localization of the fluorescent cargo, evaluation of the in vitro release and biological activity of a drug (curcumin) loaded in BNNTs.

METHODS

Cells treated with curcumin-loaded BNNTs and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were assessed for nitric oxide release and stimulation of IL-6 and TNF-α. The cellular trafficking of two cell-permeant dyes and a non-cell-permeant dye loaded within BNNTs was imaged.

RESULTS

BNNTs loaded with up to 13 wt% fluorophores were internalized by cells and controlled release of curcumin triggered cellular pathways associated with the known anti-inflammatory effects of the drug.

CONCLUSION

The overall findings indicate that BNNTs can function as nanocarriers of biologically relevant probes/drugs allowing one to examine/control their local intracellular localization and biochemical effects, leading the way to applications as intracellular nanosensors.

Pharmacological inhibition of lipid droplet formation enhances the effectiveness of curcumin in glioblastoma

Increased lipid droplet number and fatty acid synthesis allow glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer, to withstand accelerated metabolic rates and resist therapeutic treatments. Lipid droplets are postulated to sequester hydrophobic therapeutic agents, thereby reducing drug effectiveness. We hypothesized that the inhibition of lipid droplet accumulation in glioblastoma cells using pyrrolidine-2, a cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 alpha inhibitor, can sensitize cancer cells to the killing effect of curcumin, a promising anticancer agent isolated from the turmeric spice. We observed that curcumin localized in the lipid droplets of human U251N glioblastoma cells. Reduction of lipid droplet number using pyrrolidine-2 drastically enhanced the therapeutic effect of curcumin in both 2D and 3D glioblastoma cell models. The mode of cell death involved was found to be mediated by caspase-3. Comparatively, the current clinical chemotherapeutic standard, temozolomide, was significantly less effective in inducing glioblastoma cell death. Together, our results suggest that the inhibition of lipid droplet accumulation is an effective way to enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of curcumin against glioblastoma multiforme.

Ratiometric biosensors based on dimerization-dependent fluorescent protein exchange

We have developed a versatile new class of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor based on reversible exchange of the heterodimeric partners of green and red dimerization-dependent fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate the use of this strategy to construct both intermolecular and intramolecular ratiometric biosensors for qualitative imaging of caspase activity, Ca(2+) concentration dynamics and other second-messenger signaling activities.

A fast track strategy toward highly functionalized dendrimers with different structural layers: an “onion peel approach”

A novel strategy is described for the rapid syntheses of polyhydroxylated dendrimers in which the layer by layer building blocks are different from one another. The resulting dendrimers showed no cytotoxicity.

[Reactive oxygen species are triggers and mediators of an increase in cardiac tolerance to impact of ischemia-reperfusion]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are triggers of ischemic preconditioning (IP). On the role of intracellular messengers of such cardioprotective effect of preconditioning claim: O2*, H2O2, OH*. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that other reactive oxygen metabolites also involved in the IP. Presented data suggest that IP enhances the production of ROS. The source of ROS may be mitochondrial respiratory chain and NADPH oxidase. Exogenous reactive oxygen species (O2*, H2O2) mimic the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning. Preconditioning prevents free radical damage of the heart during ischemia-reperfusion. The protective effect of IP is the consequence of reducing the production of ROS or the result of increased formation of endogenous antioxidants. Antioxidant enzymes are not involved in the protective effect of IP. Cardioprotective effect of many compounds (bradykinin, opioids, acetylcholine, phenylephrine, tumor necrosis factor-α, volatile anesthetics, protonophores, diazoxide, angiotensin II) depends on the increased production of ROS.

[Problem of end-effector of ischemic postconditioning of the heart]

Analysis of literature source indicates that main pretenders to the role of end-effectors of ischemic postconditioning of the heart are: 1) Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel of BK-type (big conductance K+ channel), 2) mitoK(ATP) channel (mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+)-channel), 3) MPT pore (mitochondrial permeability transition pore). At the same time, some investigators consider that mitoK(ATP) channel is only an intermediate link in the series of signaling events ensured an increase in cardiac tolerance to impact of ischemia-reperfusion. The most likely end-effector of the three structures is MPT pore. Alternatively, it is possible, that unique molecular complex appearing a single end-effector of postconditioning does not exist. Perhaps, that there are several effectors ensured cardioprotective effect of adaptive phenomenon of postconditioning.

[Receptor and signalling mechanisms of antiarrhythmic effects of ischemic pre-conditioning]

It has been established that ischemic preconditioning (IP) exerts significant antiarrhythmic effects, as revealed in experiments both in vivo and in vitro. Consequently, processes arising within the myocardium play a key role in adaptive tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion. Preconditioning enhances cardiac electrical stability both in animals and humans. The antiarrhythmic effect of preconditioning is transient, with enhanced tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion triggered arrhythmogenesis dissipating 2-3 after the IP stimulus. The basis of the antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective effects of IP may differ. Preconditioning improves conduction of the cardiac electrical impulse, thereby preventing occurrence of re-entrant arrhythmias. NO-synthase and peroxynitrite play an important role in evolution of the antiarrhythmic effects of IP. Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ may be a trigger of improved cardiac electrical stability after IP. It has been established that G(i/o)-protein coupled receptors are not involved in antiarrhythmic effects of IP, whereas bradykinin B2 and alpha1 adrenergic receptor activities are involved in IP-dependent improvements in cardiac electrical stability. Adenosine receptors contribute only partially to these effects. In terms of signalling mechanisms, protein kinase C appears essential to the antiarrhythmic effects of IP, whereas PI3-kinase and cyclooxygenase do not appear to be significantly involved. It has also been established that cardiac mast cells are involved in IP effects. Some data indicate that increased cardiac electrical stability with preconditioning depends upon mitoK(ATP) channel opening. Other data provide evidence that antiarrhythmic effects of preconditioning depends upon sarcK(ATP) channel opening. Some data indicate that an increase in electrical stability of heart after preconditioning depends upon mitoK(ATP) channel opening. Other data are evidence that antiarrhythmic effect of preconditioning depends upon sarCK(ATP) channel opening. Further work is needed to fully delineate the mechanistic basis of antiarrhythmic effects of IP.

[Role of heat shock proteins in the mechanism of cardioprotective effect of transient hyperthermia and delayed preconditioning]

This review article focuses on discussing the role of the heat shock proteins (HSP) in myocardial protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present time, it has also been recognized that HSP may responsible for the increase in cardiac tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion after heat shock or after delayed ischemic preconditioning. The enhancement of the HSP expression in transgenic mice promotes an elevation of cardiac resistance to ischemia-reperfusion. The same effect is induced by transfection of the HSP genes. It has been established that deletion of the HSP70.1 and HSP70.3 genes abolishes a cardioprotective effect of delayed preconditioning. The mechanism by which HSP protect the heart against ischemia-reperfusion remains obscure. It has been proposed that HSP protect the heart via refolding proteins, an increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity, an improvement of Ca(2+)-pump function in sarcoplasmic reticulum during ischemia-reperfusion.

[Intracellular mechanisms of cardioprotection during adaptation to hypoxia. Triggers and kinase cascades]

Adaptation to chronic hypoxia increases myocardial ischemic tolerance to injury caused by acute ischemia-reperfusion. In this article, we provide a brief overview of current literary data dealing with signalling mechanisms that can play a certain role in chronic hypoxia-induced cardioprotection. It has been shown that reactive oxygen species are major contributors to induction of the protective cardiac phenotype. In this context, we discuss the role of cytochromes, NADPH oxidase, heme oxygenase-1, mitochondrial monoamme oxidase, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase in triggering adaptive responses resulting in myocardial salvage. Moreover, we point to other cytoprotective proteins that can be involved in the protection from chronic hypoxia, such as protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, 5'AMP-activated protein kinase, NO-synthases, mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels, Ca(2+)-activated large-conductance K+ channels, and MPT pore. Understanding the molecular mechanism of this long-lasting form of cardioprotection may help in providing basis for development of future therapeutic strategies to protect ischemic heart.

The effect of polymorphisms of MTHER gene and vitamin B on hyperhomocysteinemia

The relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated and the influence of environmental factors (Folate, VitB12) and genetic factors [N5, N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) or MTHFR gene mutation] on plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the risk of CAD observed. Fifty-one CAD patients and 30 CAD-free subjects were recruited in the study. The polymorphisms of MTHFR gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and plasma total Hcy levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured by an automated chemiluminescence method. It was found that mean total plasma Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in CAD patients than in CAD-free subjects (P < 0.01). The differences were also apparent among the three genotypes of MTHFR gene in CAD group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies between the two groups. A strong inverse correlation was found between folate or vitamin B12 and plasma Hcy levels according to MTHFR genotype (P < 0.01). It was concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia is a new independent risk factor for CAD. However, MTHFR gene mutation alone does not relate significantly to the morbidity of CAD since hyperhomocysteinemia and its influence on the risk of CAD are decided by both environmental and genetic factors. Supplementary treatment with vitamins B can effectively lower the plasma levels of Hcy, thus maybe reducing the risk of CAD.

Hydrogels with enhanced mass transfer for transdermal drug delivery

The sonophoretic transport rates of monomeric insulin and vasopressin across human skin in vitro in the presence of a 20 kHz ultrasound field are shown to differ substantially depending on whether molecules enter the skin from a saline solution or from a viscous ultrasonic coupling medium (specifically, a methyl cellulose hydrogel or viscous sol). Theoretically, the reduction in sonophoretic transport caused by the hydrogels can be explained by boundary layers that form within the hydrogel owing to the relatively rapid rate of molecular transport across the (ultrasonically) permeated stratum corneum as well as poor diffusive mass transfer between the skin and gel. The results of in vitro experiments performed with an ac current accompanying the ultrasound show that the mass-transfer barrier posed by the hydrogel can be eliminated for both vasopressin and insulin by suppressing the diffusive boundary layers, indicating that relatively high rates of sonophoretic molecular transport across human skin are achievable when hydrogels are used as the ultrasound coupling medium as long as method is used to induce molecular mixing within the gel.

Spontaneous vesicle formation at lipid bilayer membranes

Unilamellar vesicles are observed to form spontaneously at planar lipid bilayers agitated by exothermic chemical reactions. The membrane-binding reaction between biotin and streptavidin, two strong transmembrane neutralization reactions, and a weak neutralization reaction involving an "antacid" buffer, all lead to spontaneous vesicle formation. This formation is most dramatic when a viscosity differential exists between the two phases bounding the membrane, in which case vesicles appear exclusively in the more viscous phase. A hydrodynamic analysis explains the phenomenon in terms of a membrane flow driven by liberated reaction energy, leading to vesicle formation. These results suggest that energy liberated by intra- and extracellular chemical reactions near or at cell and internal organelle membranes can play an important role in vesicle formation, membrane agitation, or enhanced transmembrane mass transfer.

The prognostic significance of histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry in giant cell tumors of bone

Eighty-two cases of giant cell tumor (GCT) were reviewed. Hematoxylin-eosin-and hematoxylin, phloxine, saffron, and alcian green-stained sections (82 cases) were examined for mitotic rate, the number of giant cells, and the pleomorphism of the stromal cells. In 29 cases, the tumor was stained for CD68, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (AIACT), S100 protein, Muramidase, and von Willebrand factor (factor VIII). The staining properties of mononuclear and multinucleated giant cells were compared. Morphometric analysis was performed on 14 cases with a LECO 2001 computer-assisted image analyzer (LECO Instruments Ltd, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) and included absolute cell count, nuclear area, perimeter, roughness, roundness, and aspect and nuclear versus cytoplasmic ratios, measured both in the stromal cells and giant cells. The cases were divided into four groups: (1) cases with metastasis, (2) cases with recurrence, (3) cases with both metastasis and recurrence, and (4) cases with neither metastasis nor recurrence. Immunohistochemistry revealed a stronger AIACT than muramidase positivity in general. The staining was stronger in stromal cells than in giant cells. Giant cells in all tumors were positive for CD68. Stromal cells showed weaker positivity for the same stain. The number of asymmetrical mitotic figures was significantly greater in group 3 than in group 4 (P < .05). Morphometric assessment has identified a statistically significant difference in the aspect ratio and the roundness of the nuclei between these two groups. The other parameters did not differ significantly. In this article, the significance of these findings in prognostication and the histogenesis of the giant cell tumor are discussed. Their clinical applicability is yet to be determined.

T cell vaccination in multiple sclerosis

T cell responses to myelin basic protein (MBP) are implicated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). These MBP autoreactive T cells are found to undergo in vivo activation and clonal expansion in patients with MS. They accumulate in the brain compartment and may reside in the brain lesions of patients with MS. As MBP-reactive T cells potentially hold a central position in initiation and perpetuation of the brain inflammation, specific immune therapies designed to deplete them may improve the clinical course of the disease. In this paper, the therapeutic potential of T cell vaccination in the treatment of MS is discussed in context of its immunological and clinical effect. The results of our phase one clinical trial indicate that T cell vaccination with inactivated MBP autoreactive T cells induces specific regulatory T cell network of the host immune system to deplete circulating MBP-reactive T cells in a clonotype-specific fashion. The immunity induced by T cell vaccination is clonotype-specific and long-lasting. Our longitudinal clinical evaluation further suggests a moderate reduction of rate of clinical exacerbation, disability score and the brain lesions (measured by magnetic resonance imaging) in vaccinated patients, as compared to matched controls. Our study should encourage further investigation on the treatment efficacy of T cell vaccination and further improvement for its clinical application.

The nucleation of receptor-mediated endocytosis

A theory of the mechanical origins of receptor-mediated endocytosis shows that a spontaneous membrane complex formation can provide the stimulus for a local membrane motion toward the cytosol. This motion is identified with a nucleation stage of receptor-mediated endocytosis. When membrane complexes cluster, membrane deformation is predicted to be most rapid. The rate of growth of membrane depressions depends upon the relative rates of approach of aqueous cytosolic and extracellular fluids toward the cell membrane. With cytosolic and extracellular media characterized by apparent viscosities, the rate of growth of membrane depressions is predicted to increase as the extracellular viscosity nears the apparent viscosity of the cytosol and then to decrease when the extracellular viscosity exceeds that of the cytosol. To determine whether these trends would be apparent in the overall endocytosis rate constant, an experimental study of transferrin-mediated endocytosis in two different cell lines was conducted. The experimental results reveal the same dependence of internalization rate on extracellular viscosity as predicted by the theory. These and other comparisons with experimental data suggest that the nucleation stage of receptor-mediated endocytosis is important in the overall endocytosis process.