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Schreier S, Paulino J, Carretero GPB, Barbosa LRS, Cilli EM, Alvarez C, Ros U. Extension of sticholysins N-terminal α-helix signals membrane lipids to acquire curvature for toroidal pore formation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2025; 742:151071. [PMID: 39657352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.151071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2024] [Revised: 11/23/2024] [Accepted: 11/25/2024] [Indexed: 12/12/2024]
Abstract
Sticholysin I and II (St I/II) belong to the actinoporins family; these proteins form pores in host cell membranes by binding their N-terminal segment to the membrane, leading to protein-lipid (toroidal) pores. Peptides derived from actinoporins pore-forming domains replicate their folding properties and permeabilizing effects. Despite the advances in understanding how these proteins and peptides mediate pore formation, the role of different N-terminal segments in inducing membrane curvature is still unclear. Here we combine circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance, and small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate how synthetic peptides encompassing the N-terminal segments of St I and II (StI1-31, StII1-30, StI12-31, and StII11-30) interact with lipid bilayers and micelles as mimics of the topography of the initial membrane binding and of the subsequently formed positively curved pore. We investigate both the conformational changes and peptides' effects on membrane organization resulting from these interactions. According to the toroidal pore model, our results support that the actinoporins amphipathic α-helices rest at the membrane interface, forming pore walls with lipid head groups, while the 1-10 segment of St II penetrates the bilayer, acting as an anchor. We relate this ability to the higher hydrophobicity of this segment in St II, compared to St I. This unique feature of St II would contribute to enhanced pore formation, explaining St II's increased activity when compared to other actinoporins. Our results reinforce the notion that pore formation by actinoporins is a highly cooperative process where specific protein segments and the lipid bilayer mutually modulate their conformation and organization.
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Tinoco YO, Osman TS, Ampuero JS, Gazo M, Ocaña V, Chávez E, Ore M, Carrillo E, Santa Cruz J, Delgado C, Alvarez C, Gonzalez R, Gonzalez MS, Gómez D, Arango ME, Jaramillo J, Pascale JM, Aguayo N, Olson D, Arias K, Cabada MM, Graham WD, Moeller TD, Alhawarat M, Hossinate M, Thneibat F, Maayeh M, Hamdy BA, Nowar O, Levin SY, Said MM. Respiratory Disease Surveillance in the Middle East and Latin America during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:26-32. [PMID: 39530856 PMCID: PMC11559572 DOI: 10.3201/eid3014.240303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the epidemiology of circulating respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic could clarify the burden of acute respiratory infections and monitor outbreaks of public health and military relevance. The US Department of Defense supported 2 regions for influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections surveillance, one in the Middle East through US Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, and another in Latin America through US Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH. During 2020‒2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, we collected a total of 16,146 nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from sentinel sites in Jordan (n = 11,305) and Latin America (n = 4,841). Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other respiratory pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 was the most frequently detected pathogen during 2020; other respiratory pathogens had distinct temporal and frequency distributions according to geographic location. Our findings support the need for continued sentinel surveillance as a vital tool for assessing the burden of respiratory diseases globally.
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Alfaro R, Alvarez C, Arteaga-Velázquez JC, Avila Rojas D, Ayala Solares HA, Babu R, Belmont-Moreno E, Caballero-Mora KS, Capistrán T, Carramiñana A, Casanova S, Cotti U, Cotzomi J, Coutiño de León S, De la Fuente E, Depaoli D, Di Lalla N, Diaz Hernandez R, Dingus BL, DuVernois MA, Durocher M, Díaz-Vélez JC, Engel K, Espinoza C, Fan KL, Fang K, Fraija N, Fraija S, García-González JA, Garfias F, Gonzalez Muñoz A, González MM, Goodman JA, Groetsch S, Harding JP, Herzog I, Hinton J, Huang D, Hueyotl-Zahuantitla F, Hüntemeyer P, Iriarte A, Joshi V, Kaufmann S, Kieda D, de León C, Lee J, León Vargas H, Linnemann JT, Longinotti AL, Luis-Raya G, Malone K, Martinez O, Martínez-Castro J, Matthews JA, Miranda-Romagnoli P, Morales-Soto JA, Moreno E, Mostafá M, Nayerhoda A, Nellen L, Newbold M, Nisa MU, Noriega-Papaqui R, Olivera-Nieto L, Omodei N, Osorio M, Pérez Araujo Y, Pérez-Pérez EG, Rho CD, Rosa-González D, Ruiz-Velasco E, Salazar H, Salazar-Gallegos D, Sandoval A, Schneider M, Serna-Franco J, Smith AJ, Son Y, Springer RW, Tibolla O, Tollefson K, Torres I, Torres-Escobedo R, Turner R, Ureña-Mena F, Varela E, Villaseñor L, Wang X, Watson IJ, Willox E, Yun-Cárcamo S, Zhou H. Ultra-high-energy gamma-ray bubble around microquasar V4641 Sgr. Nature 2024; 634:557-560. [PMID: 39415065 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07995-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024]
Abstract
Microquasars are laboratories for the study of jets of relativistic particles produced by accretion onto a spinning black hole. Microquasars are near enough to allow detailed imaging of spatial features across the multiwavelength spectrum. The recent extension measurement of the spatial morphology of a microquasar, SS 433, to TeV gamma rays1 localizes the acceleration of electrons at shocks in the jet far from the black hole2. V4641 Sagittarii (V4641 Sgr) is a similar binary system with a black hole and B-type main-sequence companion star and has an orbit period of 2.8 days (refs. 3,4). It stands out for its super-Eddington accretion5 and for its radio jet, which is one of the fastest superluminal jets in the Milky Way. Previous observations of V4641 Sgr did not report gamma-ray emission6. Here we report TeV gamma-ray emission from V4641 Sgr that reveals particle acceleration at similar distances from the black hole as SS 433. Furthermore, the gamma-ray spectrum of V4641 Sgr is among the hardest TeV spectra observed from any known gamma-ray source and is detected above 200 TeV. Gamma rays are produced by particles, either electrons or protons, of higher energies. Because energetic electrons lose energy more quickly the higher their energy, such a spectrum either very strongly constrains the electron-production mechanism or points to the acceleration of high-energy protons. This suggests that large-scale jets from microquasars could be more common than previously expected and that they could be a notable source of galactic cosmic rays7-9.
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Alvarez C, Peñailillo L, Ibacache-Saavedra P, Jerez-Mayorga D, Campos-Jara C, Andrade DC, Guimarães GV, Gomes-Ciolac E, Delgado-Floody P, Izquierdo M, Gurovich AN. Six weeks of a concurrent training therapy improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness in hypertensive adults with minimum non-responders. HIPERTENSION Y RIESGO VASCULAR 2024; 41:240-250. [PMID: 39079872 DOI: 10.1016/j.hipert.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 11/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to examine the effects of a six-week of concurrent training using high-intensity interval plus resistance training on flow-mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity in hypertensive, elevated blood pressure, or normotensive. A secondary goal was to analyze the inter-individual variability. METHODS A randomized controlled clinical trial was executed with 60 adult participants distributed across six groups: three control groups of hypertensive, elevated blood pressure, or normotensive and other three experimental hypertensive, elevated blood pressure, and normotensive groups, each comprising n=10 individuals. Participants underwent a six-week intervention of concurrent exercise using high-intensity interval plus resistance training three-weekly. Flow mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity and secondary vascular assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. RESULTS The hypertensive exercise group exhibited a significant increase in flow mediated dilation (Δ+7.7%; p=0.003) and a reduction in pulse wave velocity (Δ-1.2ms-1; p<0.0001). The normotensive exercise group also showed a significant increase in flow mediated dilation (Δ+8.4%, p=0.002). CONCLUSION The six-week concurrent exercise using high-intensity interval plus resistance training protocol, characterized by its clinical time-efficiency, was effective in improving endothelial function, as demonstrated by increased flow mediated dilation, and in reducing arterial stiffness, indicated by decreased pulse wave velocity.
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Paulmann R, Stouffer R, Mathys M, Weideman R, Alvarez C, Yang H. Cardiovascular Safety of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine versus Methylphenidate in Older Adults. J Pharm Pract 2024; 37:1116-1120. [PMID: 38237603 DOI: 10.1177/08971900241229111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Background: Recent epidemiological data has shown a sharp increase in stimulant use among older adults, which is notable as older adults may be especially vulnerable to their cardiovascular effects. Results of recent studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular events among older adults using stimulants; however, little data exists comparing cardiovascular safety of these agents head-to-head. Objective: To determine if the incidence of serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), or arrhythmia, are different in patients taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with patients taking methylphenidate. Methods: Retrospective chart review of veterans 50 years and older at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) who were first prescribed a stimulant between 2015 and 2021. The primary outcome was the difference in composite cardiovascular events between amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Secondary outcomes were the composite cardiovascular endpoints compared individually (MI, stroke/TIA, or arrhythmia). Hazard ratios were calculated based off of a time-to-event analysis displayed using a Kaplan-Meier curve for primary and secondary outcomes. Results: 466 veterans were screened for inclusion, 30 were excluded, and 436 were included. There was no difference found in composite cardiovascular events between the 241 veterans in the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine group and the 195 veterans in the methylphenidate group with 12 (5%) vs 8 (4.1%) events respectively (P = .6635). There was also no difference in time-to-event analysis (P = .4966). Conclusion: In elderly veterans, there was no difference found in incidence of major cardiovascular events with the use of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with methylphenidate.
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Barbon CEA, Warneke CL, Ledger B, Rogus-Pulia N, Cunningham L, Coyle JL, Levesque-Boissonneault C, Alvarez C, Valencia D, Hutcheson KA. Reliability and Confidence of Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) Rating Among Research and Clinical Speech Pathologists Before and After Implementation of a Training Manual: A Multi-site Study. Dysphagia 2024:10.1007/s00455-024-10733-y. [PMID: 39181934 DOI: 10.1007/s00455-024-10733-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
DIGEST is a validated, open-source method to grade the severity of pharyngeal dysphagia from the modified barium swallow (MBS) study. Dissemination and implementation of DIGEST is rising, making it critical to understand reliability and facilitators of accurate implementation among users. The aim was to assess reliability of the tool among speech-language pathology (SLP) raters practicing at multiple sites before and after review of a DIGEST training manual and evaluate confidence of DIGEST use pre-and post-training. Thirty-two SLPs from 5 sites participated in a blinded longitudinal DIGEST rating study. Raters were provided a standardized training set of MBS (n = 19). Initial SLP ratings (round 1, R1) were followed by a 2-4 week break before raters rated a re-keyed MBS set (round 2, R2). A minimum 4-8 week wash-out period then preceded self-study of the DIGEST training manual which was followed by a final rating (round 3, R3) and a post-manual survey afterwards. Baseline reliability (R1) of overall DIGEST was on average k = 0.70, reflecting agreement in the substantial range. Seventy-five percent of raters (24/32) demonstrated reliability ≥ 0.61 in the substantial to almost perfect range prior to training. Inter-rater reliability significantly improved from R1 to R3 after review of the DIGEST manual, with the largest change in DIGEST-Efficiency (mean change: DIGEST k = .04, p = .009, DIGEST-Safety k = .07, p = 0.03, and DIGEST-Efficiency k = .14, p = 0.009). Although DIGEST reliability at baseline was adequate in the majority of raters, self-study of the DIGEST training manual significantly improved inter-rater reliability and rater confidence using the DIGEST method, particularly when assigning DIGEST-Efficiency grade. These early data show promise that provider training may be useful to aid in fidelity of DIGEST implementation among SLP clinical users with varying DIGEST experience.
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Basri A, Sigler MA, Kelly KC, Lopez D, Alvarez C. Effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024; 64:102063. [PMID: 38432480 PMCID: PMC11322954 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.102063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature on pregabalin use in patients with heart failure is largely limited to patient case reports and cohort studies. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pregabalin initiation on diuretic requirements in patients with heart failure. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with heart failure who were started on pregabalin between January 1, 2014, and September 1, 2021, at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System was used. The primary objective was to determine the median change in loop diuretic dose, in furosemide dose equivalents, 6 months after pregabalin initiation. RESULTS Of 58 patients analyzed, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome (P = 0.162). The secondary outcomes were found to be nonstatistically significant, and there was no correlation between pregabalin dose and outcomes. CONCLUSION This represents the largest analysis of diuretic dose requirements in patients with heart failure after initiation of pregabalin. Although there was no difference in the median change of diuretic dose prescribed, pregabalin should still be used with caution.
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De Anda-Mora KL, Tavares-Carreón F, Alvarez C, Barahona S, Becerril-García MA, Treviño-Rangel RJ, García-Contreras R, Andrade A. Increased Proteolytic Activity of Serratia marcescens Clinical Isolate HU1848 Is Associated with Higher eepR Expression. Pol J Microbiol 2024; 73:11-20. [PMID: 38437469 PMCID: PMC10911700 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2024-002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Serratia marcescens is a global opportunistic pathogen. In vitro cytotoxicity of this bacterium is mainly related to metalloprotease serralysin (PrtS) activity. Proteolytic capability varies among the different isolates. Here, we characterized protease production and transcriptional regulators at 37°C of two S. marcescens isolates from bronchial expectorations, HU1848 and SmUNAM836. As a reference strain the insect pathogen S. marcescens Db10 was included. Zymography of supernatant cultures revealed a single (SmUNAM836) or double proteolytic zones (HU1848 and Db10). Mass spectrometry confirmed the identity of PrtS and the serralysin-like protease SlpB from supernatant samples. Elevated proteolytic activity and prtS expression were evidenced in the HU1848 strain through azocasein degradation and qRT-PCR, respectively. Evaluation of transcriptional regulators revealed higher eepR expression in HU1848, whereas cpxR and hexS transcriptional levels were similar between studied strains. Higher eepR expression in HU1848 was further confirmed through an in vivo transcriptional assay. Moreover, two putative CpxR binding motifs were identified within the eepR regulatory region. EMSA validated the interaction of CpxR with both motifs. The evaluation of eepR transcription in a cpxR deletion strain indicated that CpxR negatively regulates eepR. Sequence conservation suggests that regulation of eepR by CpxR is common along S. marcescens species. Overall, our data incorporates CpxR to the complex regulatory mechanisms governing eepR expression and associates the increased proteolytic activity of the HU1848 strain with higher eepR transcription. Based on the global impact of EepR in secondary metabolites production, our work contributes to understanding virulence factors variances across S. marcescens isolates.
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Escalona-Rodriguez FA, Cruz-Leal Y, La O-Bonet J, Pérez-Erviti JA, Valdés-Tresanco ME, Rivero-Hernández AL, Sifontes-Niebla M, Manso-Vargas A, Sánchez B, Alvarez C, Barbosa LRS, Itri R, Lanio ME. Unveiling Sticholysin II and plasmid DNA interaction: Implications for developing non-viral vectors. Toxicon 2024; 238:107571. [PMID: 38141971 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Non-viral gene delivery systems offer significant potential for gene therapy due to their versatility, safety, and cost advantages over viral vectors. However, their effectiveness can be hindered by the challenge of efficiently releasing the genetic cargo from endosomes to prevent degradation in lysosomes. To overcome this obstacle, functional components can be incorporated into these systems. Sticholysin II (StII) is one of the pore-forming proteins derived from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, known for its high ability to permeabilize cellular and model membranes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction between StII, and a model plasmid (pDNA) as an initial step towards designing an improved vector with enhanced endosomal escape capability. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the formation of complexes between StII and pDNA. Computational predictions identified specific residues involved in the StII-DNA interaction interface, highlighting the importance of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds in mediating the binding. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of StII-pDNA complexes revealed the presence of nodular fiber and toroid shapes. These complexes were found to have a predominantly micrometer size, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Despite increase in the overall charge, the complexes formed at the evaluated nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N/P) ratios still maintained a negative charge. Moreover, StII retained its pore-forming capacity regardless of its binding to the complexes. These findings suggest that the potential ability of StII to permeabilize endosomal membranes could be largely maintained when combined with nucleic acid delivery systems. Additionally, the still remaining negative charge of the complexes would enable the association of another positively charged component to compact pDNA. However, to minimize non-specific cytotoxic effects, it is advisable to explore methods to regulate the protein's activity in response to the microenvironment.
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Albert A, Alfaro R, Alvarez C, Arteaga-Velázquez JC, Avila Rojas D, Ayala Solares HA, Babu R, Belmont-Moreno E, Brisbois C, Caballero-Mora KS, Capistrán T, Carramiñana A, Casanova S, Chaparro-Amaro O, Cotti U, Cotzomi J, Coutiño de León S, De la Fuente E, Diaz Hernandez R, Dingus BL, DuVernois MA, Durocher M, Díaz-Vélez JC, Ellsworth RW, Engel K, Espinoza C, Fan KL, Fang K, Fernández Alonso M, Fleischhack H, Fraija N, García-González JA, Garfias F, González MM, Goodman JA, Harding JP, Hernandez S, Hinton J, Huang D, Hueyotl-Zahuantitla F, Hüntemeyer P, Iriarte A, Joshi V, Kaufmann S, Lee J, Linnemann JT, Longinotti AL, Luis-Raya G, Malone K, Martinez O, Martínez-Castro J, Matthews JA, Miranda-Romagnoli P, Morales-Soto JA, Moreno E, Mostafá M, Nayerhoda A, Nellen L, Nisa MU, Noriega-Papaqui R, Olivera-Nieto L, Omodei N, Pérez Araujo Y, Pérez-Pérez EG, Rho CD, Rosa-González D, Ruiz-Velasco E, Salazar H, Salazar-Gallegos D, Sandoval A, Schneider M, Serna-Franco J, Smith AJ, Son Y, Springer RW, Tibolla O, Tollefson K, Torres I, Torres-Escobedo R, Turner R, Ureña-Mena F, Varela E, Villaseñor L, Wang X, Watson IJ, Willox E, Yun-Cárcamo S, Zhou H, de León C, Beacom JF, Linden T, Ng KCY, Peter AHG, Zhou B. Discovery of Gamma Rays from the Quiescent Sun with HAWC. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:051201. [PMID: 37595214 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.051201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
We report the first detection of a TeV γ-ray flux from the solar disk (6.3σ), based on 6.1 years of data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory. The 0.5-2.6 TeV spectrum is well fit by a power law, dN/dE=A(E/1 TeV)^{-γ}, with A=(1.6±0.3)×10^{-12} TeV^{-1} cm^{-2} s^{-1} and γ=3.62±0.14. The flux shows a strong indication of anticorrelation with solar activity. These results extend the bright, hard GeV emission from the disk observed with Fermi-LAT, seemingly due to hadronic Galactic cosmic rays showering on nuclei in the solar atmosphere. However, current theoretical models are unable to explain the details of how solar magnetic fields shape these interactions. HAWC's TeV detection thus deepens the mysteries of the solar-disk emission.
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Schild CO, Boabaid FM, Olivera LGS, Armendano JI, Saravia A, Custodio A, Algorta J, Alvarez C, Jaurena M, Dixon RM, Riet-Correa F. Response of cows with osteomalacia grazing sub-tropical native pastures to phosphorus supplementation with loose mineral mix or feed blocks. Vet J 2023; 298-299:106013. [PMID: 37355009 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Osteomalacia outbreaks often occur in cattle grazing native pastures in regions with endemic phosphorous (P) deficiency. This study evaluated the responses of two groups of cows, initially with clinical signs of chronic P deficiency, to P supplements (100 g P/kg) offered ad libitum for 13 weeks as a loose mineral mix (LMM group) or the same mineral mix offered as blocks (BMM group). Half of the cows in each group were categorized as 'with' or 'without' severe osteopenia according to a test that depended on the resistance to penetration of a needle through the left lateral process of the L4-L5 lumbar vertebra. The groups grazed two paddocks that were switched each 3 weeks. The liveweight, supplement intakes, and the P-concentrations in soil, forage, blood, and external cortical bone (ECB) of the ribs were measured. The bicarbonate-extractable P in soil was 3.5 mg/kg. The mean of total P in forage (0.95 g/kg/DM), inorganic P in serum (iP, 0.96 mmol/L), and total P in the ECB of the ribs (85 mg/mL) at the beginning of the experiment were all low and consistent with severe chronic P deficiency. The P supplementation allowed clinical recovery in 18/20 cows with their serum and ECB P and calcium approaching normal values and in the two remaining cows the only sign was abnormal gait. Cows consumed more of the LMM than BMM supplement (means 8.3 and 6.6 g P/day, respectively). After 13 weeks cows initially classified as 'with severe osteopenia' and supplemented with LMM had higher (P < 0.05) final liveweight (difference = 21.6 kg), iP (difference = 0.74 mmol/L), bone Ca (difference = 65.7 mg/mL) and bone P (difference = 26.5 mg/mL) concentrations and lower (P < 0.01) final serum Ca/iP ratio (difference = -0.65) than cows with severe osteopenia but supplemented with BMM. The treatment of severe P deficiency cows grazing P deficient sub-tropical grasslands by P supplementation for 13 weeks was more effective with LMM than BMM.
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Hervis YP, Valle A, Canet L, Rodríguez A, Lanio ME, Alvarez C, Steinhoff HJ, Pazos IF. Cys mutants as tools to study the oligomerization of the pore-forming toxin sticholysin I. Toxicon 2023; 222:106994. [PMID: 36529153 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.106994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Sticholysin I (StI) is a water-soluble protein with the ability to bind membranes where it oligomerizes and forms pores leading to cell death. Understanding the assembly property of this protein may be valuable for designing potential biotechnological tools, such as stable or structurally defined nanopores. In order to get insights into the stabilization of StI oligomers by disulfide bonds, we designed and characterized single and double cysteine mutants at the oligomerization interface. The oligomer formation was induced in the presence of lipid membranes and visualized by SDS-PAGE. The contribution of the oligomeric structures to the membrane binding and pore-forming capacities of StI was assessed. Single and double cysteine introduction at the protein-protein oligomerization interface does not considerably affect the conformation and function of the monomeric protein. In the presence of membranes, a cysteine double mutation at positions 15 and 59 favored formation of different size oligomers stabilized by disulfide bonds. The results of this work highlight the relevance of these positions (15 and 59) to be considered for developing biosensors based on nanopores from StI.
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Gonugunta AS, Von Itzstein MS, Hsiehchen D, Le T, Rashdan S, Yang H, Selby C, Alvarez C, Gerber DE. Antibiotic Prescriptions in Lung Cancer and Melanoma Populations: Differences With Potential Clinical Implications in the Immunotherapy Era. Clin Lung Cancer 2023; 24:11-17. [PMID: 36253271 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibiotic exposure is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We analyzed antibiotic prescription patterns in lung cancer and melanoma, two malignancies in which ICI are used broadly across stages. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults in the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) medical system diagnosed with lung cancer or melanoma from 2003 to 2016. We defined antibiotic exposure as receipt of a prescription for a systemic antibacterial agent between 6 months before and 6 months after cancer diagnosis. Demographics, clinical variables, prescriptions, and diagnostic codes were abstracted from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse. Antibiotic exposure was compared using t tests, Chi-square, and multivariate analyses. RESULTS A total of 310,321 patients (280,068 lung cancer, 30,253 melanoma) were included in the analysis. Antibiotic exposure was more common among patients with lung cancer (42% vs. 24% for melanoma; P < .001). Among antibiotic-exposed patients, those with lung cancer were more likely to receive prescriptions for multiple antibiotics (47% vs. 30% for melanoma; P < .001). In multivariate analyses, antibiotic exposure was associated with lung cancer diagnosis (HR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.46-1.55), comorbidity score (HR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.08-1.09), non-white race (HR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.17), and female gender (HR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.24-1.37). CONCLUSION Among cancer patients, antibiotics are prescribed frequently. Antibiotic exposure is more common in certain cancer types and patient populations. Given the negative effect antibiotic exposure has on immunotherapy outcomes, these observations may have clinical and healthy policy implications.
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Islam MR, Patel J, Back PI, Shmeeda H, Adamsky K, Yang H, Alvarez C, Gabizon AA, La-Beck NM. Abstract A42: Impact of liposomal drug delivery and alendronate co-encapsulation on the immune modulatory effects of doxorubicin in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.tumimm22-a42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although Doxorubicin is the standard of care in advanced soft tissue sarcomas, therapeutic efficacy is minimal. A major contributing factor appears to be an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). We have shown that liposomal alendronate, an amino-bisphosphonate, can remodel the immunosuppressive TME towards an immune-permissive milieu. We postulate that co-encapsulating alendronate with doxorubicin in pegylated liposomes (PLAD) will increase the efficacy of doxorubicin as alendronate abrogates the activity of suppressive myeloid cells and liposomes facilitate the accumulation of drugs in tumors. PLAD was formulated with hydrogenated soybean phosphatidyl-choline, methoxy-polyethylene glycol2000-distearoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol at a molar ratio of 55:5:40, with 1 mg/ml doxorubicin and 0.43 mg/ml alendronate. WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells were implanted subcutaneously in male balb/c mice. For assessing the tumor immunologic milieu, mice were randomized when tumor size reached ~300 mm3 to receive PLAD, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), or free doxorubicin (FDox) at 8 mg/kg of doxorubicin (n=9/group) or vehicle (n=5) IV. Tumors were collected 5 days post-treatment for FACS analysis. To assess antitumor efficacy, mice were randomized when tumor size reached ~150 mm3 to receive PLAD, PLD, or FDox at 5 mg/kg of doxorubicin (n=9/group) or vehicle (n=5) IV weekly and euthanized at humane endpoints. PLAD, and to a lesser extent PLD, shifted cellular drug uptake to tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and to monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (mMDSC) compared to free doxorubicin which had cellular drug uptake below detectable levels. PLAD and PLD were associated with fewer total TAMs and a decreased polarization to pro-tumoral M2-TAMs compared to free doxorubicin. Only PLAD significantly increased tumor infiltration of antigen cross-presenting dendritic cells, while both PLAD and PLD significantly increased the number and functionality of NKT and NK cells that are consistent with enhanced antitumor immune responses in the TME. All treatments significantly reduced regulatory T cell infiltration which could help promote antitumor responses in the TME. Interestingly, FDox treatment induced significant changes in the TME that could diminish antitumor immune responses by decreasing M1 TAMs and NK cells. These effects are reflected in the therapeutic study which demonstrates that PLAD and PLD inhibited tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival, while free doxorubicin showed little or no anticancer activity in this advanced fibrosarcoma model. We found that liposomal delivery is required for effective drug uptake by the TAMs and mMDSCs. Co-encapsulation of alendronate and doxorubicin led to a remodeling of the TME by abrogating pro-tumoral immune responses. This strongly suggests that the PLAD formulation is a promising liposome-based drug carrier to potentiate immunotherapy in synergy with its cytotoxic effects.
Citation Format: Md Rakibul Islam, Jalpa Patel, Patricia Ines Back, Hilary Shmeeda, Konstantin Adamsky, Hui Yang, Carlos Alvarez, Alberto A Gabizon, Ninh M La-Beck. Impact of liposomal drug delivery and alendronate co-encapsulation on the immune modulatory effects of doxorubicin in the tumor microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2022 Oct 21-24; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2022;10(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A42.
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Alvarez C, Domínguez P, Jiménez-Castellanos E, Arroyo G, Orozco A. How the geometry of the scan body affects the accuracy of digital impressions in implant supported prosthesis. In vitro study. J Clin Exp Dent 2022; 14:e1008-e1014. [PMID: 36601246 PMCID: PMC9799989 DOI: 10.4317/jced.59948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To determine and compare how three-dimensionally accurate scan bodies of different geometric shapes are placed over 6 implants (platform or crestal module). Material and Methods A master plaster model was made with 6 INHEX STD implant analogs made by Mozo-Grau S.A and 4 scan body types were compared. Several groups were made: a control group using a DS101 85G20 contact scanner (Renishaw, Gavá, Spain) and 2 experimental groups using optical scanners: Cerec Omnicam (Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) and Trios 3 (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). 3 parameters were measured on the implants: dis-tance between the axial axes, height difference and angulation difference. Two experienced op-erators scanned 10 times using each of the 2 scanners. The STL files were compared using the "Best-Fit" technique and the data was then extrapolated and processed statistically. Results The scan bodies PRMG (SB3) and TALL (SB4) lead to smaller errors in distance, projected height and angulation than ELOS (SB1) and MG (SB2). Conclusions Despite the results obtained in PRMG (SB3) and TALL (SB4), the scanning errors may still be too large to achieve a good fit in large rehabilitations over implants. Any marginal discrepancy may lead to the failure of the rehabilitation or the implant due to the associated biomechanical problems. Key words:IOS, CAD/CAM, SCAN Bodies.
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Montero C, Yomayusa N, Torres R, Cortes J, Alvarez C, Gallo J, Aldana G, Acevedo A, Rios M, Echeverri J, Yepes Z, Silva A, Gayon D, Perez J, Ibanez M. Low dose thymoglobulin versus basiliximab in cytomegalovirus positive kidney transplant recipients: Effectiveness of preemptive cytomegalovirus modified strategy. Nefrologia 2022:S2013-2514(22)00143-2. [PMID: 36437203 DOI: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We performed a retrospective trial to determine asymptomatic CMV reactivation and CMV disease in kidney allograft recipients with positive CMV serostatus. METHODS Preemptive modified strategy under low dose thymoglobulin versus basiliximab induction was evaluated. Patients were monitored by CMV-polymerase chain reaction (PCR); if the viral load was >4000copies/μl, they received valganciclovir adjusted for their renal function. RESULTS 132 recipients were included in the study, 84 and 48 receiving basiliximab and thymoglobulin induction respectively, and followed up for 12 months. Asymptomatic CMV reactivation was significantly higher for thymoglobulin (77.1% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Treatment groups had similar rates of CMV disease (3.6% vs. 2.1%, p 0.538). The significant difference in asymptomatic CMV reactivation between two treatment groups did not have any impact on 1 year graft function (71±26ml/min vs. 74±19ml/min; p=0.475) and no histological differences in protocol biopsies were observed among patients with asymptomatic CMV reactivation vs those without CMV reactivation. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high asymptomatic CMV reactivation incidence in patients who received thymoglobulin induction, our results suggest that valganciclovir prophylaxis may be advantageous in CMV seropositive renal transplant recipients after low dose thymoglobulin induction. A preemptive strategy appeared to significantly reduce the likelihood of CMV disease in both groups. Rejection risk and negative impact in renal function associated with asymptomatic CMV reactivation was not found in our series.
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Weller RS, Jones D, McClintock R, Alvarez C, Lowe D, Hearne J, Parks M, Swenson J, Lucas J, Montes G, Sciarini L. Evaluation Of Cardiovascular Stress And Mental Workload During Simulated Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) Medical Scenarios. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022. [DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000876772.36352.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mora V, Ballesteros MA, Naranjo S, Sánchez L, Suberviola B, Iturbe D, Cimadevilla B, Tello S, Alvarez C, Miñambres E. Lung transplantation from controlled donation after circulatory death using simultaneous abdominal normothermic regional perfusion: A single center experience. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:1852-1860. [PMID: 35390225 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the benefits of abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (A-NRP) for abdominal grafts in controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD), there is limited information on the effect of A-NRP on the quality of the cDCD lungs. We aimed to study the effect of A-NRP in lungs obtained from cDCD and its impact on recipients´ outcomes. This is a study comparing outcomes of lung transplants (LT) from cDCD donors (September 2014 to December 2021) obtained using A-NRP as the abdominal preservation method. As controls, all lung recipients transplanted from donors after brain death (DBD) were considered. The primary outcomes were lung recipient 3-month, 1-year, and 5-year survival. A total of 269 LT were performed (60 cDCD and 209 DBD). There was no difference in survival at 3 months (98.3% cDCD vs. 93.7% DBD), 1 year (90.9% vs. 87.2%), and 5 years (68.7% vs. 69%). LT from the cDCD group had a higher rate of primary graft dysfunction grade 3 at 72 h (10% vs. 3.4%; p < .001). This is the largest experience ever reported with the use of A-NRP combined with lung retrieval in cDCD donors. This combined method is safe for lung grafts presenting short-term survival outcomes equivalent to those transplanted through DBD.
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Yarahmadov T, Wang J, Sanchez-Taltavull D, Brodie T, Büchi I, Stroka D, Keogh A, Alvarez C, Beldi G. Primary infection by E. multilocularis induces distinct patterns of hepatic crosstalk between natural killer T and regulatory T cells in mice. Br J Surg 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac176.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
The larval stage of the helminthic cestode Echinococcus multilocularis can inflict tumor-like hepatic lesions that cause the parasitic disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans. Recently, opportunistic properties of the disease have been proposed based on the increased incidence in immunocompromised patients as well as on mouse models, indicating that an appropriate adaptive immune response is required for the control of the disease. However, little is known about how the local hepatic immune responses modulate the infection with E. multilocularis.
Methods
In a mouse model of oral infection that mimics the normal infection route in human patients, the adaptive immune response in the liver was assessed using single cell RNA sequencing of isolated hepatic CD3+ T cells at different infection stages.
Results
Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed specific temporal changes of natural killer T (NKT) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells, indicating that these two cell types expand in the early phase and are subsequently inhibited in the late phase of infection. Receptor-ligand complex analysis via CellPhoneDB, consistently revealed high number of interactions between Tregs and NKT mainly at day 10 post infection. Relevant interactions between NKT and Treg cells at early phases include regulation of cell adhesion molecules such as integrins and selectins and TNF-dependent signalling. Immune suppressing interactions that include the checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1 and PD-L1), purinergic (ENTPD1, ADORA2A) and TGF-beta signalling are down regulated at early time points. String analysis supported these findings.
Conclusion
The data indicate that early interactions between NKT and Tregs potentially promote the formation of hepatic lesions and later also contribute to immunological suppression of the resolution of parasite-induced pathology. The obtained data provide a fresh insight on the adaptive immune responses and local regulatory pathways at different infection stages of E. multilocularis in mice.
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Soto-García D, Batalla A, Gonzalez-Sixto B, Rodríguez-Jato Q, Alvarez C, Flórez Á. Atypical Vascular Lesions After Radiotherapy: A Case Series. Am J Dermatopathol 2022; 44:390-393. [PMID: 35120033 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000002069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tauma-Arrué A, Chávez-Saldivar S, Mego JC, Luis-Ybáñez O, Coronado-Quispe J, Lucena S, Alvarez C, Melgar E, Morales A, Marquez R, Wilhalme H, Bravo-Jaimes K. Trends in outpatient visits and deaths due to congenital heart defects in Peru. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2022; 7:100334. [PMID: 39712258 PMCID: PMC11658395 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcchd.2022.100334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most frequent congenital birth defects, affecting approximately 1% of newborns and constituting the main cause of death among all congenital malformations. The prevalence of CHD in Andean America is heterogeneous and in Peru the burden of CHD is unknown. Objective To describe the trends of CHD outpatient visits and mortality and their variation according to sex, age and altitude levels. Methods We performed a secondary data analysis of CHD outpatient visits and mortality using publicly available information from the Peruvian Ministry of Health national registries from 2000 to 2020. Results There was a statistically significant increase in CHD outpatient visits of 20.4 over time. Pediatric patients, those who lived at low altitude (≤2500 m above sea level) and those who lived in the capital of Peru had a higher average number of outpatient visits per 100 000 population. CHD-related mortality increased by 0.31 per million population per year. Although this trend was not statistically significant overall, pediatric patients experienced higher mortality than adults. Conclusion In Peru, the outpatient CHD volume has increased significantly over the last two decades, however CHD-related mortality has remained constant. Children in the first decade of life are the predominant group in both, outpatient CHD volume and mortality.
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Islam MR, Patel J, Back PI, Shmeeda H, Adamsky K, Yang H, Alvarez C, Gabizon AA, La-Beck NM. Comparative effects of free doxorubicin, liposome encapsulated doxorubicin and liposome co-encapsulated alendronate and doxorubicin (PLAD) on the tumor immunologic milieu in a mouse fibrosarcoma model. Nanotheranostics 2022; 6:451-464. [PMID: 36105861 PMCID: PMC9461478 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.75045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We have previously shown that alendronate, an amino-bisphosphonate, when reformulated in liposomes, can significantly enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapies and help remodel the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment towards an immune-permissive milieu resulting in increased anticancer efficacy. In addition, we have previously shown that the strong metal-chelating properties of alendronate can be exploited for nuclear imaging of liposomal biodistribution. To further improve anticancer efficacy, a pegylated liposome formulation co-encapsulating alendronate and doxorubicin (PLAD) has been developed. In this study, we examined the effects of PLAD on the tumor immunologic milieu in a mouse fibrosarcoma model in which the tumor microenvironment is heavily infiltrated with tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) that are associated with poor prognosis and treatment resistance. Methods: Doxorubicin biodistribution, characterization of the tumor immunologic milieu, cellular doxorubicin uptake, and tumor growth studies were performed in Balb/c mice bearing subcutaneously implanted WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells treated intravenously with PLAD, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), free doxorubicin, or vehicle. Results: PLAD delivery resulted in a high level of tumor doxorubicin that was 20 to 30-fold greater than in free doxorubicin treated mice, and non-significantly higher than in PLD treated mice. PLAD also resulted in increased uptake in spleen and slightly lower plasma levels as compared to PLD. Importantly, our results showed that PLAD, and to a lesser extent PLD, shifted cellular drug uptake to TAM and to monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), while there was no drug uptake in neutrophilic MDSC or lymphoid cells. Free doxorubicin cellular drug uptake was below detectable levels. PLAD, and to a lesser extent PLD, also induced significant changes in number and functionality of tumor-infiltrating TAM, MDSC, Treg, NKT, and NK cells that are consistent with enhanced antitumor immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, free doxorubicin induced moderate changes in the tumor microenvironment that could promote (decreased Treg) or be detrimental to antitumor immune responses (decreased M1 TAM and NK cells). These immune modulatory effects are reflected in the therapeutic study which showed that PLAD and PLD inhibited tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival, while free doxorubicin showed little or no anticancer activity. Conclusion: We show that liposomal delivery of doxorubicin not only alters pharmacokinetics, but also dramatically changes the immune modulatory activity of the drug cargo. In addition, our data support that the PLAD nanotheranostic platform further enhances some immune changes that may act in synergy with its cytotoxic chemotherapy effects.
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Cruz P, Alvarez C, Rocha F, Ferreira A. Tailoring the crystal size distribution of an active pharmaceutical ingredient by continuous antisolvent crystallization in a planar oscillatory flow crystallizer. Chem Eng Res Des 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Alvarez C, Soto C, Cabezas S, Alvarado-Mesén J, Laborde R, Pazos F, Ros U, Hernández AM, Lanio ME. Panorama of the Intracellular Molecular Concert Orchestrated by Actinoporins, Pore-Forming Toxins from Sea Anemones. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080567. [PMID: 34437438 PMCID: PMC8402351 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinoporins (APs) are soluble pore-forming proteins secreted by sea anemones that experience conformational changes originating in pores in the membranes that can lead to cell death. The processes involved in the binding and pore-formation of members of this protein family have been deeply examined in recent years; however, the intracellular responses to APs are only beginning to be understood. Unlike pore formers of bacterial origin, whose intracellular impact has been studied in more detail, currently, we only have knowledge of a few poorly integrated elements of the APs’ intracellular action. In this review, we present and discuss an updated landscape of the studies aimed at understanding the intracellular pathways triggered in response to APs attack with particular reference to sticholysin II, the most active isoform produced by the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. To achieve this, we first describe the major alterations these cytolysins elicit on simpler cells, such as non-nucleated mammalian erythrocytes, and then onto more complex eukaryotic cells, including tumor cells. This understanding has provided the basis for the development of novel applications of sticholysins such as the construction of immunotoxins directed against undesirable cells, such as tumor cells, and the design of a cancer vaccine platform. These are among the most interesting potential uses for the members of this toxin family that have been carried out in our laboratory.
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Acosta M, Alcantar D, Alier-Reyes I, Alvarez C, Arroyo CB, Calderon D, Cardenas D, Castro AR, Companion JK, Constante C, Diaz Telles ES, Fletes G, Gama FC, Garcia Perez C, Garcia A, Garcia B, Gutierrez BS, Guzman KL, Hernandez C, Hughey JR, Flores MI, Jacobo AI, Lopez B, Lopez-De Leon NC, Martinez JD, Mendoza N, Perez K, Perez LJ, Perez-Moreno M, Pineda CD, Pinedo E, Portillo JG, Rico A, Ruiz LV, Serrano GM, Sheldon KM, Terada H, Trujillo VA, Vazquez-Ramos C, Wang F, Flora D, Zavala FG. The complete mitochondrial genome of the strawberry aphid Chaetosiphon fragaefolii Cockerell, 1901 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from California, USA. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2021; 6:2373-2375. [PMID: 34350347 PMCID: PMC8291070 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1915206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aphid Chaetosiphon fragaefolii Cockerell, 1901 is an agricultural pest and known vector of strawberry viruses. To better understand its biology and systematics, we performed a genomic analysis on C. fragaefolii collected from Quinalt strawberry plants from Pacific Grove, Monterey county, California, USA using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing. The resulting data were used to assemble the aphids complete mitogenome. The mitogenome of C. fragaefolii is 16,108 bp in length and contains 2 rRNA, 13 protein-coding, and 22 tRNA genes (GenBank accession number LC590896). The mitogenome is similar in content and organization to other Aphididae. Phylogenetic analysis of the C. fragaefolii mitogenome resolved it in a fully supported clade in the tribe Macrosiphini. Analysis of the cox1 barcode sequence of C. fragaefolii from California found exact and nearly identical sequences to C. fragaefolii and Chaetosiphon thomasi Hille Ris Lambers, 1953, suggesting the two species are conspecific.
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