1
|
Sapkota R, Munt DJ, Kincaid AE, Dash AK. Liposomes and transferosomes in the delivery of papain for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290224. [PMID: 38100466 PMCID: PMC10723692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290224] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are characterized by an excessive collagen deposition. The available treatment options are invasive and can result in recurrence of scar formation. Using liposomes and transferosomes for the topical delivery of papain, a proteolytic enzyme, can be effective treatment. The objective of the study is to formulate papain-loaded liposomes and transferosomes, characterize the formulations, and study in vitro permeation using shed snake skin and Sprague-Dawley rat skin as models for stratum corneum and full thickness skin. Papain-loaded liposomes and transferosomes were formulated using the thin-film hydration method for the delivery of papain across the stratum corneum barrier. An in vitro permeation study carried out using shed-snake skin and Sprague-Dawley rat skin models showed that transferosomes were able to deliver papain across the stratum corneum barrier, while papain solution and papain liposomes were not able to cross the barrier. However, transferosomes were not able to deliver papain across the full thickness rat skin model suggesting the deposition of papain loaded transferosomes in the epidermal or dermal layer of skin. In addition, an ex-vivo model was used to analyze the effect of papain exposure on the morphology of the epidermis taken from rat skin exposed to papain solution, papain in transferosomes and papain in liposomes. Papain in solution resulted in a noticeable degradation of the epidermis, but when embedded in either transferosomes or liposomes there was no noticeable change when compared to control animals. The cytotoxicity study performed using HeLa cells showed that the cells were viable at papain concentrations lower than 0.01 mg/ml.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachana Sapkota
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Profession, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Munt
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Profession, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Anthony E. Kincaid
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Profession, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Alekha K. Dash
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Profession, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tu S, Zuo J. Systematic single cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals unique transcriptional regulatory networks of Atoh1-mediated hair cell conversion in adult mouse cochleae. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284685. [PMID: 38079436 PMCID: PMC10712870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284685] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of mammalian cochlear hair cells (HCs) by modulating molecular pathways or transcription factors is a promising approach to hearing restoration; however, immaturity of the regenerated HCs in vivo remains a major challenge. Here, we analyzed a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset during Atoh1-induced supporting cell (SC) to hair cell (HC) conversion in adult mouse cochleae (Yamashita et al. (2018)) using multiple high-throughput sequencing analytical tools (WGCNA, SCENIC, ARACNE, and VIPER). Instead of focusing on differentially expressed genes, we established independent expression modules and confirmed the existence of multiple conversion stages. Gene regulatory network (GRN) analysis uncovered previously unidentified key regulators, including Nhlh1, Lhx3, Barhl1 and Nfia, that guide converted HC differentiation. Comparison of the late-stage converted HCs with the scRNA-seq data from neonatal mouse cochleae (Kolla et al. (2020)) revealed that they closely resemble postnatal day 1 wild-type OHCs, in contrast to other developmental stages. Using ARACNE and VIPER, we discovered multiple key regulators likely to promote conversion to a more mature OHC-like state, including Zbtb20, Nfia, Zmiz1, Gm14418, Bhlhe40, Six2, Fosb and Klf9. Our findings provide insights into the regulation of HC regeneration in adult mammalian cochleae in vivo and demonstrate an approach for analyzing GRNs in large scRNA-seq datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Tu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Jian Zuo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anderson A, Keime N, Fong C, Kraemer A, Fassbinder-Orth C. Resilin Distribution and Abundance in Apis mellifera across Biological Age Classes and Castes. Insects 2023; 14:764. [PMID: 37754732 PMCID: PMC10532044 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The presence of resilin, an elastomeric protein, in insect vein joints provides the flexible, passive deformations that are crucial to flapping flight. This study investigated the resilin gene expression and autofluorescence dynamics among Apis mellifera (honey bee) worker age classes and drone honey bees. Resilin gene expression was determined via ddPCR on whole honey bees and resilin autofluorescence was measured in the 1m-cu, 2m-cu, Cu-V, and Cu2-V joints on the forewing and the Cu-V joint of the hindwing. Resilin gene expression varied significantly with age, with resilin activity being highest in the pupae. Autofluorescence of the 1m-cu and the Cu-V joints on the ventral forewing and the Cu-V joint on the ventral hindwing varied significantly between age classes on the left and right sides of the wing, with the newly emerged honey bees having the highest level of resilin autofluorescence compared to all other groups. The results of this study suggest that resilin gene expression and deposition on the wing is age-dependent and may inform us more about the physiology of aging in honey bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Anderson
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA;
| | - Noah Keime
- Biology Department, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Chandler Fong
- Biology Department, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | | | - Carol Fassbinder-Orth
- Biology Department, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vitek G, Langenfeld R, Walters RW, Elson A, Driscoll D, Ramaswamy S. Therapeutic and Safety Outcomes of Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment-refractory Depression in a Veteran Population: A Case Series. Mil Med 2022; 188:usac395. [PMID: 36539918 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major depressive disorder is a serious, recurrent, and disabling psychiatric illness. Despite many proven treatments with multiple medications or therapies, approximately 30% of patients fail to achieve remission and are considered to have treatment-refractory depression (TRD). Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of intravenous (IV) ketamine for the treatment of TRD. There is limited yet increasing evidence to support the use of ketamine, a glutamate receptor antagonist, in the management of depression; however, the lack of data regarding the safety and tolerability of therapy has limited its clinical use. By analyzing a cohort of veterans with TRD and comorbid psychiatric conditions treated with IV ketamine infusions for a 24-month study period, we aim to provide critical information about ketamine's clinical effectiveness and safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on a retrospective chart review, we identified eight veterans with TRD receiving treatment with repeated-dose IV ketamine from 2018 to 2020. The magnitude of clinical response was based on the Beck Depression Inventory self-report scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, both measured at the initial patient consultation and before the beginning of each ketamine infusion treatment. Safety analysis included changes to pre- and post-ketamine infusion on vital signs, effects on alertness and sedation, and potential psychosis-like effects. For all outcomes, we estimated a linear mixed-effects model that allowed heterogeneous residual variances for each veteran. The effect of continuous predictor variables was estimated using restricted cubic splines with knot points specified at the 5th, 35th, 65th, and 95th percentiles. All the analyses were conducted using SAS v.9.4, with P < .05 indicating the statistical significance. This study had institutional review board approval: 1220. RESULTS During the study period, the median number of ketamine infusions was 15 across a median of 164 days of treatment follow-up with a median time between ketamine infusions of 4 days. For both Beck Depression Inventory and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores, there was a statistically significant reduction across infusions (both P < .001), but the strongest reduction occurred before day 40. The change was statistically significant for decreased heart rate (P = .019) but not for systolic blood pressure (P = .612), diastolic blood pressure (P = .942), respiratory rate (P = .822), oxygen saturation (P = .070), and temperature (P = .943). Side effects were reported in six patients (75%); however, the only side effect reported was excessive sedation or dizziness immediately after infusion. CONCLUSIONS In this study, repeated-dose IV ketamine infusions over a 24-month study period resulted in a significant reduction in depression scores in a group of veterans with TRD. The rapid onset of significant response, absence of psychosis-like effects or dissociative symptoms despite psychiatric comorbidities, and minimal effects on vital signs support the clinical efficacy and safety of this exciting new treatment option for patients with TRD. Limitations include a 2-year study period, lack of information on long-term effects, and the retrospective nature of the study. Prospective studies of longer duration are needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of IV ketamine for TRD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Vitek
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | | | - Ryan W Walters
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zallocchi M, Hati S, Xu Z, Hausman W, Liu H, He DZ, Zuo J. Characterization of quinoxaline derivatives for protection against iatrogenically induced hearing loss. JCI Insight 2021; 6:141561. [PMID: 33476306 PMCID: PMC8021103 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.141561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hair cell loss is the leading cause of hearing and balance disorders in humans. It can be caused by many factors, including noise, aging, and therapeutic agents. Previous studies have shown the therapeutic potential of quinoxaline against drug-induced ototoxicity. Here, we screened a library of 68 quinoxaline derivatives for protection against aminoglycoside-induced damage of hair cells from the zebrafish lateral line. We identified quinoxaline-5-carboxylic acid (Qx28) as the best quinoxaline derivative that provides robust protection against both aminoglycosides and cisplatin in zebrafish and mouse cochlear explants. FM1-43 and aminoglycoside uptake, as well as antibiotic efficacy studies, revealed that Qx28 is neither blocking the mechanotransduction channels nor interfering with aminoglycoside antibacterial activity, suggesting that it may be protecting the hair cells by directly counteracting the ototoxin’s mechanism of action. Only when animals were incubated with higher doses of Qx28 did we observe a partial blockage of the mechanotransduction channels. Finally, we assessed the regulation of the NF-κB pathway in vitro in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and in vivo in zebrafish larvae. Those studies showed that Qx28 protects hair cells by blocking NF-κB canonical pathway activation. Thus, Qx28 is a promising and versatile otoprotectant that can act across different species and toxins.
Collapse
|
6
|
Boyle WK, Richards CL, Dulebohn DP, Zalud AK, Shaw JA, Lovas S, Gherardini FC, Bourret TJ. DksA-dependent regulation of RpoS contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi tick-borne transmission and mammalian infectivity. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009072. [PMID: 33600418 PMCID: PMC7924775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout its enzootic cycle, the Lyme disease spirochete Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi, senses and responds to changes in its environment using a small repertoire of transcription factors that coordinate the expression of genes required for infection of Ixodes ticks and various mammalian hosts. Among these transcription factors, the DnaK suppressor protein (DksA) plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression in B. burgdorferi during periods of nutrient limitation and is required for mammalian infectivity. In many pathogenic bacteria, the gene regulatory activity of DksA, along with the alarmone guanosine penta- and tetra-phosphate ((p)ppGpp), coordinate the stringent response to various environmental stresses, including nutrient limitation. In this study, we sought to characterize the role of DksA in regulating the transcriptional activity of RNA polymerase and its role in the regulation of RpoS-dependent gene expression required for B. burgdorferi infectivity. Using in vitro transcription assays, we observed recombinant DksA inhibits RpoD-dependent transcription by B. burgdorferi RNA polymerase independent of ppGpp. Additionally, we determined the pH-inducible expression of RpoS-dependent genes relies on DksA, but this relationship is independent of (p)ppGpp produced by Relbbu. Subsequent transcriptomic and western blot assays indicate DksA regulates the expression of BBD18, a protein previously implicated in the post-transcriptional regulation of RpoS. Moreover, we observed DksA was required for infection of mice following intraperitoneal inoculation or for transmission of B. burgdorferi by Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Together, these data suggest DksA plays a central role in coordinating transcriptional responses in B. burgdorferi required for infectivity through DksA’s interactions with RNA polymerase and post-transcriptional control of RpoS. Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete bacteria Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne illness in North America. The ability of B. burgdorferi to establish infection is predicated by its ability to coordinate the expression of virulence factors in response to diverse environmental stimuli encountered within Ixodes ticks and mammalian hosts. Previous studies have shown an essential role for the alternative sigma factor RpoS in regulating the expression of genes required for the successful transmission of B. burgdorferi by Ixodes ticks and infection of mammalian hosts. The DnaK suppressor protein (DksA) is a global gene regulator in B. burgdorferi that contributes to the expression of RpoS-dependent genes. In this study, using in vitro transcription assays, we determined DksA exerts its gene regulatory function through direct interactions with the B. burgdorferi RNA polymerase and controls the expression of RpoS-dependent genes required for mammalian infection by post-transcriptionally regulating cellular levels of RpoS. Our results demonstrate the utility of in vitro transcription assays to determine how gene regulatory proteins like DksA control gene expression in B. burgdorferi and reveal a novel role for DksA in the infectious cycle of B. burgdorferi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William K. Boyle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Crystal L. Richards
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Gene Regulation Section, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Daniel P. Dulebohn
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Gene Regulation Section, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Amanda K. Zalud
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jeff A. Shaw
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Sándor Lovas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Frank C. Gherardini
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Gene Regulation Section, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Travis J. Bourret
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lorenzen K, Mathy NW, Whiteford ER, Eischeid A, Chen J, Behrens M, Chen XM, Shibata A. Microglia induce neurogenic protein expression in primary cortical cells by stimulating PI3K/AKT intracellular signaling in vitro. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:563-584. [PMID: 33387198 PMCID: PMC7884585 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-06092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that microglia can support neurogenesis. Little is known about the mechanisms by which microglia regulate the cortical environment and stimulate cortical neurogenesis. We used an in vitro co-culture model system to investigate the hypothesis that microglia respond to soluble signals from cortical cells, particularly following mechanical injury, to alter the cortical environment and promote cortical cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Analyses of cortical cell proliferation, cell death, neurogenic protein expression, and intracellular signaling were performed on uninjured and injured cortical cells in co-culture with microglial cell lines. Microglia soluble cues enhanced cortical cell viability and proliferation cortical cells. Co-culture of injured cortical cells with microglia significantly reduced cell death of cortical cells. Microglial co-culture significantly increased Nestin + and α-internexin + cortical cells. Multiplex ELISA and RT-PCR showed decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production by microglia co-cultured with injured cortical cells. Inhibition of AKT phosphorylation in cortical cells blocked microglial-enhanced cortical cell viability and expression of neurogenic markers in vitro. This in vitro model system allows for assessment of the effect of microglial-derived soluble signals on cortical cell viability, proliferation, and stages of differentiation during homeostasis or following mechanical injury. These data suggest that microglia cells can downregulate inflammatory cytokine production following activation by mechanical injury to enhance proliferation of new cells capable of neurogenesis via activation of AKT intracellular signaling. Increasing our understanding of the mechanisms that drive microglial-enhanced cortical neurogenesis during homeostasis and following injury in vitro will provide useful information for future primary cell and in vivo studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristi Lorenzen
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nicholas W Mathy
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- Pediatric Medicine, St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare, Chino Hills, CA, USA
| | - Erin R Whiteford
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- Pediatric Medicine, St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare, Chino Hills, CA, USA
| | - Alex Eischeid
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- Stanford Hospital and Clinics, 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- Pediatric Medicine, St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare, Chino Hills, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Behrens
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
- University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rai V, Wood MB, Feng H, Schabla NM, Tu S, Zuo J. The immune response after noise damage in the cochlea is characterized by a heterogeneous mix of adaptive and innate immune cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15167. [PMID: 32938973 PMCID: PMC7495466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72181-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells of the immune system are present in the adult cochlea and respond to damage caused by noise exposure. However, the types of immune cells involved and their locations within the cochlea are unclear. We used flow cytometry and immunostaining to reveal the heterogeneity of the immune cells in the cochlea and validated the presence of immune cell gene expression by analyzing existing single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) data. We demonstrate that cell types of both the innate and adaptive immune system are present in the cochlea. In response to noise damage, immune cells increase in number. B, T, NK, and myeloid cells (macrophages and neutrophils) are the predominant immune cells present. Interestingly, immune cells appear to respond to noise damage by infiltrating the organ of Corti. Our studies highlight the need to further understand the role of these immune cells within the cochlea after noise exposure.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Cochlea/immunology
- Cochlea/injuries
- Cochlea/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/immunology
- Female
- Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/immunology
- Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/pathology
- Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/physiopathology
- Immunity, Innate
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/pathology
- Leukocyte Common Antigens/metabolism
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/pathology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neutrophils/immunology
- Neutrophils/pathology
- Organ of Corti/immunology
- Organ of Corti/injuries
- Organ of Corti/pathology
- RNA-Seq
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Rai
- Department of Biomedical Science, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Megan B Wood
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Biomedical Science, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Nathan M Schabla
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Flow Cytometry Core, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Shu Tu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Jian Zuo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Taylor ML, Giffei BL, Dang CL, Wilden AE, Altrichter KM, Baker EC, Nguyen R, Oki DS. Reproductive ecology and postpollination development in the hydrophilous monocot Ruppia maritima. Am J Bot 2020; 107:689-699. [PMID: 32170723 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Water-pollination (hydrophily) is a rare but important pollination mechanism that has allowed angiosperms to colonize marine and aquatic habitats. Hydrophilous plants face unique reproductive challenges, and many have evolved characteristic pollen traits and pollination strategies that may have downstream consequences for pollen performance. However, little is known about reproductive development in the life history stage between pollination and fertilization (the progamic phase) in hydrophilous plants. The purpose of this study was to characterize reproductive ecology and postpollination development in water-pollinated Ruppia maritima L. METHODS Naturally pollinated inflorescences of R. maritima were collected from the field. Experimental pollinations using both putatively outcross and self pollen were conducted in the greenhouse and inflorescences were collected at appropriate intervals after pollination. Pollen reception, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and carpel morphology were characterized. RESULTS Ruppia maritima exhibits incomplete protogyny, allowing for delayed selfing. Pollen germinated within 15 min after pollination. The average shortest possible pollen tube pathway was 425 μm and pollen tubes first reached the ovule at 45 min after pollination. The mean adjusted pollen tube growth rate was 551 μm/h. CONCLUSIONS Ruppia pollen is adapted for rapid pollen germination, which is likely advantageous in an aquatic habitat. Small effective pollen loads suggest that pollen competition intensity is low. Selection for traits such as a long period of stigma receptivity, fast pollen germination, and carpel morphology likely played a larger role in shaping postpollination reproductive development in Ruppia than evolution in pollen tube growth rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie L Taylor
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | - Bridget L Giffei
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | - Christie L Dang
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | - Ana E Wilden
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | | | - Emma C Baker
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | - Richard Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| | - Dayton S Oki
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 68178, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Adolescent nicotine exposure has been shown to lead to further psychostimulant use in adulthood. Previous preclinical research in rats has shown that environmental enrichment may protect against drug abuse vulnerability. The current study was designed to examine whether environmental enrichment can block the ability of adolescent nicotine exposure to increase d-amphetamine self-administration in adulthood. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised in either enriched conditions (ECs) or isolated conditions (ICs) and then injected with saline or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, sc) for 7 days during adolescence. In adulthood rats were allowed to self-administer d-amphetamine under a fixed ratio (FR; 0, 0.006, 0.01, 0.02, 0.06, and 0.1 mg/kg/infusion) and progressive ratio (PR; 0, 0.006, 0.06, and 0.1 mg/kg/infusion) schedule of reinforcement. Nicotine-treated IC rats self-administered more d-amphetamine at 0.006, 0.01, and 0.02 mg/kg/infusion doses compared with their saline-treated IC counterparts regardless of the schedule maintaining behavior. This effect of nicotine was reversed in EC rats on a fixed ratio schedule. These findings indicate that environmental enrichment can limit the ability of adolescent nicotine exposure to increase vulnerability to other psychostimulant drugs, such as d-amphetamine. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
|