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Dooley M, Luckett J, Alexander MR, Matousek P, Dehghani H, Ghaemmaghami AM, Notingher I. Optimization of diffuse Raman spectroscopy for in-vivo quantification of foreign body response in a small animal model. Biomed Opt Express 2023; 14:6592-6606. [PMID: 38420302 PMCID: PMC10898571 DOI: 10.1364/boe.512118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Diffuse Raman spectroscopy (DRS) allows subsurface molecular analysis of optically turbid samples. Numerical modeling of light propagation was used as a method for improving the design of an DRS instrument to maximize the signal to noise ratio (SNR) while ensuring safe laser exposure parameters required for in-vivo measurements. Experimental validation of the model was performed on both phantom samples and disks implanted postmortem to mimic the typical response to foreign bodies (formation of a fibrotic capsule around an implant). A reduction of laser exposure of over 1500-fold was achieved over previous studies whilst maintaining the same Raman collection rates and reaching the safe power density of 3 mW/mm2. The validation of this approach in a subcutaneous implant in a mouse cadaver showed a further improvement of 1.5-fold SNR, with a thickness limit of detection for the fibrotic layer of 23 µm, under the same acquisition times. In the animal body, a thickness limit of detection of 16 µm was achieved. These results demonstrate the feasibility of numerical model-based optimization for DRS, and that the technique can be improved sufficiently to be used for in-vivo measurement of collagenous capsule formation as a result of the foreign body response in murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Dooley
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jeni Luckett
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Morgan R. Alexander
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Pavel Matousek
- STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Central Laser Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Harwell Oxford OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Hamid Dehghani
- School of Computer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Amir M. Ghaemmaghami
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ioan Notingher
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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2
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Bardelang P, Murray EJ, Blower I, Zandomeneghi S, Goode A, Hussain R, Kumari D, Siligardi G, Inoue K, Luckett J, Doutch J, Emsley J, Chan WC, Hill P, Williams P, Bonev BB. Conformational analysis and interaction of the Staphylococcus aureus transmembrane peptidase AgrB with its AgrD propeptide substrate. Front Chem 2023; 11:1113885. [PMID: 37214482 PMCID: PMC10196373 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1113885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulence gene expression in the human pathogen, S. aureus is regulated by the agr (accessory gene regulator) quorum sensing (QS) system which is conserved in diverse Gram-positive bacteria. The agr QS signal molecule is an autoinducing peptide (AIP) generated via the initial processing of the AgrD pro-peptide by the transmembrane peptidase AgrB. Since structural information for AgrB and AgrBD interactions are lacking, we used homology modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) annealing to characterise the conformations of AgrB and AgrD in model membranes and in solution. These revealed a six helical transmembrane domain (6TMD) topology for AgrB. In solution, AgrD behaves as a disordered peptide, which binds N-terminally to membranes in the absence and in the presence of AgrB. In silico, membrane complexes of AgrD and dimeric AgrB show non-equivalent AgrB monomers responsible for initial binding and for processing, respectively. By exploiting split luciferase assays in Staphylococcus aureus, we provide experimental evidence that AgrB interacts directly with itself and with AgrD. We confirmed the in vitro formation of an AgrBD complex and AIP production after Western blotting using either membranes from Escherichia coli expressing AgrB or with purified AgrB and T7-tagged AgrD. AgrB and AgrD formed stable complexes in detergent micelles revealed using synchrotron radiation CD (SRCD) and Landau analysis consistent with the enhanced thermal stability of AgrB in the presence of AgrD. Conformational alteration of AgrB following provision of AgrD was observed by small angle X-ray scattering from proteodetergent micelles. An atomistic description of AgrB and AgrD has been obtained together with confirmation of the AgrB 6TMD membrane topology and existence of AgrBD molecular complexes in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Bardelang
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan J. Murray
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Blower
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Zandomeneghi
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Goode
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rohanah Hussain
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Divya Kumari
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Giuliano Siligardi
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Katsuaki Inoue
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Jeni Luckett
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - James Doutch
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas Emsley
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Weng C. Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Hill
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Williams
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Boyan B. Bonev
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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3
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Betts H, Luckett J, Hill P. In vitro evaluation of 18F-fluorinated D-methionine and D-tyrosine derivatives as potential radiotracers for PET imaging of bacterial infection. Nucl Med Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0969-8051(22)00160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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4
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Heravi Shargh V, Luckett J, Bouzinab K, Paisey S, Turyanska L, Singleton WGB, Lowis S, Gershkovich P, Bradshaw TD, Stevens MFG, Bienemann A, Coyle B. Chemosensitization of Temozolomide-Resistant Pediatric Diffuse Midline Glioma Using Potent Nanoencapsulated Forms of a N(3)-Propargyl Analogue. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:35266-35280. [PMID: 34310112 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c04164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The lack of clinical response to the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) in pediatric diffuse midline/intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) has been associated with O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) expression and mismatch repair deficiency. Hence, a potent N(3)-propargyl analogue (N3P) was derived, which not only evades MGMT but also remains effective in mismatch repair deficient cells. Due to the poor pharmacokinetic profile of N3P (t1/2 < 1 h) and to bypass the blood-brain barrier, we proposed convection enhanced delivery (CED) as a method of administration to decrease dose and systemic toxicity. Moreover, to enhance N3P solubility, stability, and sustained distribution in vivo, either it was incorporated into an apoferritin (AFt) nanocage or its sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin complex was loaded into nanoliposomes (Lip). The resultant AFt-N3P and Lip-N3P nanoparticles (NPs) had hydrodynamic diameters of 14 vs 93 nm, icosahedral vs spherical morphology, negative surface charge (-17 vs -34 mV), and encapsulating ∼630 vs ∼21000 N3P molecules per NP, respectively. Both NPs showed a sustained release profile and instant uptake within 1 h incubation in vitro. In comparison to the naked drug, N3P NPs demonstrated stronger anticancer efficacy against 2D TMZ-resistant DIPG cell cultures [IC50 = 14.6 (Lip-N3P) vs 32.8 μM (N3P); DIPG-IV) and (IC50 = 101.8 (AFt-N3P) vs 111.9 μM (N3P); DIPG-VI)]. Likewise, both N3P-NPs significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited 3D spheroid growth compared to the native N3P in MGMT+ DIPG-VI (100 μM) and mismatch repair deficient DIPG-XIX (50 μM) cultures. Interestingly, the potency of TMZ was remarkably enhanced when encapsulated in AFt NPs against DIPG-IV, -VI, and -XIX spheroid cultures. Dynamic PET scans of CED-administered zirconium-89 (89Zr)-labeled AFt-NPs in rats also demonstrated substantial enhancement over free 89Zr radionuclide in terms of localized distribution kinetics and retention within the brain parenchyma. Overall, both NP formulations of N3P represent promising approaches for treatment of TMZ-resistant DIPG and merit the next phase of preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stephen Paisey
- Wales Research and Diagnostic PET Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - William G B Singleton
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Alison Bienemann
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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Singh T, Hook AL, Luckett J, Maitz MF, Sperling C, Werner C, Davies MC, Irvine DJ, Williams P, Alexander MR. Discovery of hemocompatible bacterial biofilm-resistant copolymers. Biomaterials 2020; 260:120312. [PMID: 32866726 PMCID: PMC7534038 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Blood-contacting medical devices play an important role within healthcare and are required to be biocompatible, hemocompatible and resistant to microbial colonization. Here we describe a high throughput screen for copolymers with these specific properties. A series of weakly amphiphilic monomers are combinatorially polymerized with acrylate glycol monomers of varying chain lengths to create a library of 645 multi-functional candidate materials containing multiple chemical moieties that impart anti-biofilm, hemo- and immuno-compatible properties. These materials are screened in over 15,000 individual biological assays, targeting two bacterial species, one Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) commonly associated with central venous catheter infections, using 5 different measures of hemocompatibility and 6 measures of immunocompatibililty. Selected copolymers reduce platelet activation, platelet loss and leukocyte activation compared with the standard comparator PTFE as well as reducing bacterial biofilm formation in vitro by more than 82% compared with silicone. Poly(isobornyl acrylate-co-triethylene glycol methacrylate) (75:25) is identified as the optimal material across all these measures reducing P. aeruginosa biofilm formation by up to 86% in vivo in a murine foreign body infection model compared with uncoated silicone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taranjit Singh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrew L Hook
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jeni Luckett
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Manfred F Maitz
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Centre for Biomaterials Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, D-01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Sperling
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Centre for Biomaterials Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, D-01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Centre for Biomaterials Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, D-01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martyn C Davies
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Derek J Irvine
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Paul Williams
- Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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S. Laxton C, Jordana-Lluch E, Luckett J, Heeb S, Hardie K. Studying the surface-tethered AaaA as a virulence factor and anti-P. aeruginosa drug target. Access Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1099/acmi.ac2020.po0670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
P. aeruginosa is a leading cause of bacterial wound infections, and is associated with a disproportionally high level of mortality in burn patients especially. Because of its wide arsenal of virulence factors and biofilm formation ability, infections with P. aeruginosa are often chronic and extremely difficult to treat. This study uses an ex-vivo skin model to study the role of the virulence factor AaaA (PA0328) in chronic wound infections. AaaA, or the Arginine-specific aminopeptidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa A, is a surface-tethered autotransporter which cleaves N-terminal arginine from peptides. In the oxygen and nutrient-limited environments of chronic wounds, this free arginine could serve as a nutrient source for P. aeruginosa via alternative metabolic pathways. Changes in local arginine concentrations may also alter host iNOS and Arginase immune responses which influence inflammation and wound healing, in order to favour a chronic infection. Being surface-tethered and immunogenic, AaaA is also of interest as a potential antimicrobial drug or vaccine target. This study aims to probe the role of AaaA on both pathogen survival and host response in the wound context, using a combination of in situ transcriptional reporters, immunofluorescence and laser-scanning microscopy, and RT-qPCR to localise and quantify P. aeruginosa survival and aaaA expression, as well as resident immune cell invasion, and expression of immune factor genes, in wounds over time. Here, we present preliminary data examining AaaA expression and function in P. aeruginosa biofilm cultures and ex-vivo skin wound infections, as well as the results of preliminary inhibitor screens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeni Luckett
- University of Nottingham,Nottingham,United Kingdom
| | - Stephan Heeb
- University of Nottingham,Nottingham,United Kingdom
| | - Kim Hardie
- University of Nottingham,Nottingham,United Kingdom
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7
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Vassey MJ, Figueredo GP, Scurr DJ, Vasilevich AS, Vermeulen S, Carlier A, Luckett J, Beijer NRM, Williams P, Winkler DA, de Boer J, Ghaemmaghami AM, Alexander MR. Immune Modulation by Design: Using Topography to Control Human Monocyte Attachment and Macrophage Differentiation. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2020; 7:1903392. [PMID: 32537404 PMCID: PMC7284204 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201903392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages play a central role in orchestrating immune responses to foreign materials, which are often responsible for the failure of implanted medical devices. Material topography is known to influence macrophage attachment and phenotype, providing opportunities for the rational design of "immune-instructive" topographies to modulate macrophage function and thus foreign body responses to biomaterials. However, no generalizable understanding of the inter-relationship between topography and cell response exists. A high throughput screening approach is therefore utilized to investigate the relationship between topography and human monocyte-derived macrophage attachment and phenotype, using a diverse library of 2176 micropatterns generated by an algorithm. This reveals that micropillars 5-10 µm in diameter play a dominant role in driving macrophage attachment compared to the many other topographies screened, an observation that aligns with studies of the interaction of macrophages with particles. Combining the pillar size with the micropillar density is found to be key in modulation of cell phenotype from pro to anti-inflammatory states. Machine learning is used to successfully build a model that correlates cell attachment and phenotype with a selection of descriptors, illustrating that materials can potentially be designed to modulate inflammatory responses for future applications in the fight against foreign body rejection of medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David J. Scurr
- School of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Aliaksei S. Vasilevich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of Technology5600 EBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Steven Vermeulen
- Department of Cell Biology Inspired Tissue EngineeringMERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineMaastricht University6229 ETMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department of Cell Biology Inspired Tissue EngineeringMERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineMaastricht University6229 ETMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Jeni Luckett
- University of Nottingham Biosdiscovery Institute and School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2UHUK
| | - Nick R. M. Beijer
- Department of Cell Biology Inspired Tissue EngineeringMERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineMaastricht University6229 ETMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Paul Williams
- University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - David A. Winkler
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular ScienceLa Trobe UniversityBundoora3042Australia
- School of PharmacyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash UniversityParkville3052Australia
- CSIRO Data61Parkville4069Australia
| | - Jan de Boer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of Technology5600 EBEindhovenThe Netherlands
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8
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Lewis JE, Monnier C, Marshall H, Fowler M, Green R, Cooper S, Chiotellis A, Luckett J, Perkins AC, Coskun T, Adams AC, Samms RJ, Ebling FJP, Tsintzas K. Whole-body and adipose tissue-specific mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 in the Siberian hamster. Mol Metab 2019; 31:45-54. [PMID: 31918921 PMCID: PMC6889485 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been shown to rapidly lower body weight in the Siberian hamster, a preclinical model of adiposity. This induced negative energy balance mediated by FGF21 is associated with both lowered caloric intake and increased energy expenditure. Previous research demonstrated that adipose tissue (AT) is one of the primary sites of FGF21 action and may be responsible for its ability to increase the whole-body metabolic rate. The present study sought to determine the relative importance of white (subcutaneous AT [sWAT] and visceral AT [vWAT]), and brown (interscapular brown AT [iBAT]) in governing FGF21-mediated metabolic improvements using the tissue-specific uptake of glucose and lipids as a proxy for metabolic activity. Methods We used positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging in combination with both glucose (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose) and lipid (18F-4-thiapalmitate) tracers to assess the effect of FGF21 on the tissue-specific uptake of these metabolites and compared responses to a control group pair-fed to match the food intake of the FGF21-treated group. In vivo imaging was combined with ex vivo tissue-specific functional, biochemical, and molecular analyses of the nutrient uptake and signaling pathways. Results Consistent with previous findings, FGF21 reduced body weight via reduced caloric intake and increased energy expenditure in the Siberian hamster. PET-CT studies demonstrated that FGF21 increased the uptake of glucose in BAT and WAT independently of reduced food intake and body weight as demonstrated by imaging of the pair-fed group. Furthermore, FGF21 increased glucose uptake in the primary adipocytes, confirming that these in vivo effects may be due to a direct action of FGF21 at the level of the adipocytes. Mechanistically, the effects of FGF21 are associated with activation of the ERK signaling pathway and upregulation of GLUT4 protein content in all fat depots. In response to treatment with FGF21, we observed an increase in the markers of lipolysis and lipogenesis in both the subcutaneous and visceral WAT depots. In contrast, FGF21 was only able to directly increase the uptake of lipid into BAT. Conclusions These data identify brown and white fat depots as primary peripheral sites of action of FGF21 in promoting glucose uptake and also indicate that FGF21 selectively stimulates lipid uptake in brown fat, which may fuel thermogenesis. FGF21 increases glucose and lipid uptake in adipose tissue. The selective FGF21-induced increase in lipid uptake in BAT may fuel thermogenesis. Unlike BAT, glucose uptake in WAT may be used for lipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo E Lewis
- Institute of Metabolic Sciences and MRC-Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB0 0QQ, UK
| | - Chloe Monnier
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Hayley Marshall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Maxine Fowler
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rebecca Green
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Scott Cooper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Aristeidis Chiotellis
- Radiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jeni Luckett
- Radiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alan C Perkins
- Radiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Tamer Coskun
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Andrew C Adams
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Ricardo J Samms
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Francis J P Ebling
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Kostas Tsintzas
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
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9
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Liu YC, Hussain F, Negm O, Paiva AC, Halliday N, Dubern JF, Singh S, Muntaka S, Wheldon L, Luckett J, Tighe P, Bosquillon C, Williams P, Cámara M, Martínez-Pomares L. Corrigendum: Contribution of the Alkylquinolone Quorum-Sensing System to the Interaction of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa With Bronchial Epithelial Cells. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:314. [PMID: 30846980 PMCID: PMC6394133 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chia Liu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Farah Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ola Negm
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ana Carolina Paiva
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Halliday
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Frédéric Dubern
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sonali Singh
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sirina Muntaka
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Wheldon
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jeni Luckett
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paddy Tighe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia Bosquillon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Cámara
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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10
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Liu YC, Hussain F, Negm O, Paiva AC, Halliday N, Dubern JF, Singh S, Muntaka S, Wheldon L, Luckett J, Tighe P, Bosquillon C, Williams P, Cámara M, Martínez-Pomares L. Contribution of the Alkylquinolone Quorum-Sensing System to the Interaction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa With Bronchial Epithelial Cells. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3018. [PMID: 30619119 PMCID: PMC6305577 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections in patients with compromised epithelial barrier function. Multiple virulence factors produced by P. aeruginosa are controlled by quorum sensing (QS) via 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone (AQ) signal molecules. Here, we investigated the impact of AQs on P. aeruginosa PAO1 infection of differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). The pqsA-E operon is responsible for the biosynthesis of AQs including the 2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolones, 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines, and 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline N-oxides as exemplified by pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline (HHQ), and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO), respectively. PQS and HHQ both act as QS signal molecules while HQNO is a cytochrome inhibitor. PqsE contributes both to AQ biosynthesis and promotes virulence in a PQS-independent manner. Our results show that PQS, HHQ, and HQNO were produced during PAO1 infection of HBECs, but no differences in growth or cytotoxicity were apparent when PAO1 and an AQ-negative ΔpqsA mutant were compared. Both strains promoted synthesis of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-17C by HBECs, and the provision of exogenous PQS negatively impacted on this response without affecting bacterial growth. Expression of pqsE and the PQS-independent PqsE-regulated genes mexG and lecA was detected during HBEC infection. Levels were reduced in the ΔpqsA mutant, that is, in the absence of PQS, and increased by exogenous PQS. These results support an AQ-independent role for PqsE during initial infection of HBEC by P. aeruginosa and for PQS as an enhancer of PqsE and PqsE-controlled virulence determinants and as an immunomodulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chia Liu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Farah Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ola Negm
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ana Carolina Paiva
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Halliday
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Frédéric Dubern
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sonali Singh
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sirina Muntaka
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Wheldon
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jeni Luckett
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paddy Tighe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia Bosquillon
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Cámara
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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11
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Gibbins N, Luckett J, Alexander K, Conroy E, Dixon R, Lang J, Luddington T, Saunders A, Hartley P. The effect of cognitive impairment on functional recovery of elderly patients admitted to medical wards: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiotherapy 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2016.10.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Mills B, Awais RO, Luckett J, Turton D, Williams P, Perkins AC, Hill PJ. [(18)F]FDG-6-P as a novel in vivo tool for imaging staphylococcal infections. EJNMMI Res 2015; 5:13. [PMID: 25853019 PMCID: PMC4385282 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-015-0095-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of infection is a major clinical problem. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium which colonises approximately one third of the adult human population. Staphylococcal infections can be life-threatening and are frequently complicated by multi-antibiotic resistant strains including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG) imaging has been used to identify infection sites; however, it is unable to distinguish between sterile inflammation and bacterial load. We have modified [(18)F]FDG by phosphorylation, producing [(18)F]FDG-6-P to facilitate specific uptake and accumulation by S. aureus through hexose phosphate transporters, which are not present in mammalian cell membranes. This approach leads to the specific uptake of the radiopharmaceutical into the bacteria and not the sites of sterile inflammation. METHODS [(18)F]FDG-6-P was synthesised from [(18)F]FDG. Yield, purity and stability were confirmed by RP-HPLC and iTLC. The specificity of [(18)F]FDG-6-P for the bacterial universal hexose phosphate transporter (UHPT) was confirmed with S. aureus and mammalian cell assays in vitro. Whole body biodistribution and accumulation of [(18)F]FDG-6-P at the sites of bioluminescent staphylococcal infection were established in a murine foreign body infection model. RESULTS In vitro validation assays demonstrated that [(18)F]FDG-6-P was stable and specifically transported into S. aureus but not mammalian cells. [(18)F]FDG-6-P was elevated at the sites of S. aureus infection in vivo compared to uninfected controls; however, the increase in signal was not significant and unexpectedly, the whole-body biodistribution of [(18)F]FDG-6-P was similar to that of [(18)F]FDG. CONCLUSIONS Despite conclusive in vitro validation, [(18)F]FDG-6-P did not behave as predicted in vivo. However at the site of known infection, [(18)F]FDG-6-P levels were elevated compared with uninfected controls, providing a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The bacterial UHPT can transport hexose phosphates other than glucose, and therefore alternative sugars may show differential biodistribution and provide a means for specific bacterial detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Mills
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Ramla O Awais
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Jeni Luckett
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK ; School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Dave Turton
- PETNET Solutions, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1 PB UK
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Alan C Perkins
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Philip J Hill
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD UK
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13
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Hook AL, Chang CY, Yang J, Luckett J, Cockayne A, Atkinson S, Mei Y, Bayston R, Irvine DJ, Langer R, Anderson DG, Williams P, Davies MC, Alexander MR. Erratum: Corrigendum: Combinatorial discovery of polymers resistant to bacterial attachment. Nat Biotechnol 2014. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt0614-592c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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14
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John AE, Luckett J, Awas R, Habgood A, Ludbrook S, Blanchard A, Perkins A, Jenkins RG, Marshall JF. S66 Targeted in Vivo Imaging of the αvβ6 Integrin in Mice with Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis. Thorax 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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15
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Pattrick M, Luckett J, Yue L, Stover C. Dual role of complement in adipose tissue. Mol Immunol 2009; 46:755-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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16
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Hüser M, Luckett J, Chiloeches A, Mercer K, Iwobi M, Giblett S, Sun XM, Brown J, Marais R, Pritchard C. MEK kinase activity is not necessary for Raf-1 function. EMBO J 2001; 20:1940-51. [PMID: 11296227 PMCID: PMC125235 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/20.8.1940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Raf-1 protein kinase has been identified as an integral component of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway in mammals. Activation of Raf-1 is achieved by RAS:GTP binding and other events at the plasma membrane including tyrosine phosphorylation at residues 340/341. We have used gene targeting to generate a 'knockout' of the raf-1 gene in mice as well as a rafFF mutant version of endogenous Raf-1 with Y340FY341F mutations. Raf-1(-/-) mice die in embryogenesis and show vascular defects in the yolk sac and placenta as well as increased apoptosis of embryonic tissues. Cell proliferation is not affected. Raf-1 from cells derived from raf-1(FF/FF) mice has no detectable activity towards MEK in vitro, and yet raf-1(FF/FF) mice survive to adulthood, are fertile and have an apparently normal phenotype. In cells derived from both the raf-1(-/-) and raf-1(FF/FF) mice, ERK activation is normal. These results strongly argue that MEK kinase activity of Raf-1 is not essential for normal mouse development and that Raf-1 plays a key role in preventing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Chiloeches
- Department of Biochemistry,
MRC Toxicology Unit and Division of Biomedical Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH and Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
M.Hüser, J.Luckett and A.Chiloeches contributed equally to this work
| | | | | | | | - Xiao-Ming Sun
- Department of Biochemistry,
MRC Toxicology Unit and Division of Biomedical Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH and Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
M.Hüser, J.Luckett and A.Chiloeches contributed equally to this work
| | - Jane Brown
- Department of Biochemistry,
MRC Toxicology Unit and Division of Biomedical Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH and Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
M.Hüser, J.Luckett and A.Chiloeches contributed equally to this work
| | - Richard Marais
- Department of Biochemistry,
MRC Toxicology Unit and Division of Biomedical Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH and Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
M.Hüser, J.Luckett and A.Chiloeches contributed equally to this work
| | - Catrin Pritchard
- Department of Biochemistry,
MRC Toxicology Unit and Division of Biomedical Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH and Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK Corresponding author e-mail:
M.Hüser, J.Luckett and A.Chiloeches contributed equally to this work
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17
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Collick A, Drew J, Penberth J, Bois P, Luckett J, Scaerou F, Jeffreys A, Reik W. Instability of long inverted repeats within mouse transgenes. EMBO J 1996; 15:1163-71. [PMID: 8605887 PMCID: PMC450015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Various sequences in the mammalian genomes are unstable. One class of sequence arrangement is long inverted repeats, which are known to be unstable in bacteria and yeast. While in mammals some evidence suggests that short inverted repeats (<10 bp long) may show instability, nothing is known about the stability of long inverted repeats. Here we describe two unrelated multicopy transgenes in the mouse (loci 109 and OX1-5), each of which contains a long inverted repeat that shows substantial mitotic instability. This instability also occurs in the germline so that mutant transgenes appear within pedigrees at a high frequency. The mutation processes acting at these two inverted repeats are complex and can involve insertion or deletion, and can result in stabilization of the transgene. At transgene 109 mutational events range from very small rearrangements at the centre of the inverted repeat to complete transgene deletion. In addition we show that the rates of mutation at the inverted repeat of transgene OX1-5 can vary between the male and female germlines and between inbred strains of mice, suggesting the possibility of a genetic analysis to identify loci that modulate inverted repeat instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Collick
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
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18
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Collick A, Drew J, Penberth J, Bois P, Luckett J, Scaerou F, Jeffreys A, Reik W. Instability of long inverted repeats within mouse transgenes. EMBO J 1996. [DOI: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1996.tb00455.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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