T regulatory cells mediate immunosuppresion by adenosine in peripheral blood, sentinel lymph node and TILs from melanoma patients

T regulatory cells (Tregs), involved in tumour tolerance, can generate Adenosine by CD39/CD73 surface enzymes, which identify four Tregs subsets: CD39⁺CD73^- nTregs, CD39⁺CD73⁺ iTregs, CD39^-CD73⁺ oTregs and CD39^-CD73^- xTregs. In melanoma patients, increased Tregs levels are detected in peripheral blood (PB), sentinel lymph node (SLN) and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), but Adenosine role was not investigated yet. We examined total Tregs and Adenosine subsets in PB, SLN and TILs from melanoma patients (n = 32) and PB from healthy donors (HD; n = 10) by flow cytometry. Total Tregs significantly increased in stage III-IV patients PB, in SLN and TILs, as compared to HD/stage I-II patients. Tregs subsets analyses showed that: 1) PB nTregs significantly increased in SLN and decreased in TILs; 2) iTregs significantly increased in stage III-IV patients PB and further significantly increased in SLN and TILs; 3) PB oTregs and xTregs significantly decreased in SLN and TILs. Patients clinical features did not significantly influence total Tregs, except SLN excision order. Results confirmed Tregs role in melanoma progression and indicate Adenosine generation as a novel escape mechanism, being nTregs and iTregs increased in PB/SLN/TILs.

Cellulose nanocrystals are effective in inhibiting host cell bacterial adhesion

The use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a biomaterial able to inhibit host cell bacterial adhesion is described. Pre-incubation ofE. coliwith a suspension of CNCs affords a significant reduction of bacterial adhesion to intestinal cell monolayer HT29, without exerting a bactericidal effect.

Evaluation of the probiotic properties of new Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and their in vitro effect

Probiotic ingestion is recommended as a preventive approach to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota and to enhance the human well-being. During the whole life of each individual, the gut microbiota composition could be altered by lifestyle, diet, antibiotic therapies and other stress conditions, which may lead to acute and chronic disorders. Hence, probiotics can be administered for the prevention or treatment of some disorders, including lactose malabsorption, acute diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis and mild forms of inflammatory bowel disease. The probiotic-mediated effect is an important issue that needs to be addressed in relation to strain-specific probiotic properties. In this work, the probiotic properties of new Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains were screened, and their effects in vitro were evaluated. They were screened for probiotic properties by determining their tolerance to low pH and to bile salts, antibiotic sensitivity, antimicrobial activity and vitamin B8, B9 and B12 production, and by considering their ability to increase the antioxidant potential and to modulate the inflammatory status of systemic-miming cell lines in vitro. Three out of the examined strains presenting the most performant probiotic properties, as Lactobacillus plantarum PBS067, Lactobacillus rhamnosus PBS070 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis PBSO75, were evaluated for their effects also on human intestinal HT-29 cell line. The obtained results support the possibility to move to another level of study, that is, the oral administration of these probiotical strains to patients with acute and chronic gut disorders, by in vivo experiments.

17β-estradiol protects human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes against oxidative damage

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause severe damage to extracellular matrix and to molecular structure of DNA, proteins and lipids. Accumulation of these molecular changes apparently constitutes the basis of cell ageing. 17b-estradiol (E2) has a key role in skin ageing homeostasis as evidenced by the accelerated decline in skin appearance seen in the perimenopausal years. Oestrogens improve many aspects of the skin such as skin thickness, vascularization, collagen content and quality. Despite these clinical evidences, the effects of oestrogens on skin at the cellular level need further clarification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HaCaT and human fibroblasts were cultured under various conditions with E2 and H2 O2 ; then were subjected to immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Lipoperoxidation was investigated using BODIPY.

RESULTS

In human fibroblasts oxidative stress decreases procollagen-I synthesis, while E2 significantly increases it. Fibroblasts and HaCaT cells viability in the presence of E2 demonstrates a notably increased resistance to H2 O2 effects. Furthermore E2 is able to counteract H2 O2 -mediated lipoperoxidation and DNA oxidative damage in skin cells.

DISCUSSION

In this study we highlight that the menopause-associated oestrogens decline is involved in reduced collagen production and that E2 could counteract the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on the dermal compartment during skin aging. Furthermore, our data show that physiological concentrations of oestrogens are able to interfere with ROS-mediated cell viability reduction and to protect human skin cells against oxidative damage to cellular membranes and nucleic acids structure.

CONCLUSION

Our experimental data show that the presence of 17β-estradiol may protect skin cells against oxidative damage and that the dramatic lowering of oestrogen levels during menopause, could render skin more susceptible to oxidative damage.

Development of microbial engineered whole-cell systems for environmental benzene determination

This paper reports the development of two recombinant bacterial systems that can be used to monitor environmental benzene contamination based on Escherichia coli, which carry genes coding for benzene dioxygenase and benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida MST. E. coli strains express these two enzymes under the control of the Ptac promoter or without any induction. These activities can be detected electrochemically or colorimetrically and used to monitor benzene pollution in environmental air samples collected from an oil refinery assessing benzene by different laboratory experimental procedures. The procedures involving whole-cell bioassays determine the concentration of benzene through benzene dioxygenase activity, which allows for direct correlation of oxygen consumption, and through the benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase that causes catechol accumulation and restores NADH necessary for the activity of the first enzyme. Oxygen consumption and catechol production deriving from both enzymatic activities are related to benzene concentration and their measurements determined the sensitivity of the system. The results indicated that the sensitivity was enough to detect the benzene vapor at a lower concentration level of 0.01 mM in about 30 min. The possibility for on-line monitoring of benzene concentration by our new recombinant cells results from the fact that no particular treatment of environmental samples is required. This is a major advantage over other biosensors or assays. Moreover, the development of microbial cells that did not require any addition or effectors for the transcription of the specific enzymes, allowed these systems to be more versatile in automated environmental benzene monitoring.

Slurry phase bioremediation of PAHs in industrial landfill samples at laboratory scale

The effect of Tween 80 and selected bacteria additions on the bioremediation of PAH contaminated landfill soil (70.38mgkg(-1)) was evaluated in a slurry phase bioreactor. A phenanthrene-degrading consortium was selected by enrichment cultures and used as autochthonous inoculum. The Tween 80 addition increased the aqueous concentration of both high and low molecular weight PAHs. In the experiment with Tween 80 and inoculum addition, added microorganisms improved (>90%) the biodegradation of two- and three-ring PAHs as well as of the four-ring PAHs pyrene and fluoranthene. Biodegradation of the higher molecular weight PAHs was about 30% in experiments with Tween 80 addition, with and without inoculum addition.

Dioxygenation of naphthalene byPseudomonas fluorescens N3 dioxygenase: Optimization of the process parameters

The bioconversion of naphthalene to the 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy derivative was performed in good yield using an Escherichia coli recombinant strain carrying Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 dioxygenase. However, the efficiency of such transformation is affected by many process parameters, and their optimization is essential to the scaling up of the process. The following process parameters were considered for optimization: cell concentration together with the corresponding glucose concentration (DCW/L); pH of medium; temperature; stirring speed; air flow; substrate concentration; Fe(2+) concentration; microelements concentration; reaction volume. We used a two-step multivariate experimental design to select important variables and assign them optimal values. The most significant parameters were selected by adopting a Plackett-Burman design, and were then correlated, using a full factorial design, with the experimental results. The experimental results illustrate that the optimized process of recombinant whole cell biotransformation in two-liquid phase systems enhances the naphthalene dihydrodiol yield threefold. This biotransformation opens the way to future experiments involving different substrates.

Naphthalene biodegradation kinetics in an aerobic slurry-phase bioreactor

The research was focused on the slurry-phase biodegradation of naphthalene in soil. Among ex situ techniques, the slurry phase offers the advantage of increased availability of contaminants to bacteria. From naphthalene contaminated soil, a Pseudomonas putida M8 strain capable to degrade naphthalene was selected. Experiments were performed in a stirred and oxygenated reactor. In this study, the influence of air flow rate and agitation rate on volatilisation and biodegradation of naphthalene was investigated. The hydrocarbon disappearance, the carbon dioxide production, and the ratio of total heterotrophic and naphthalene-degrading bacteria was monitored. The results obtained confirm that the selected bioremediation technology is successful in the treatment of contaminated soils.

Bioremediation of diethylhexyl phthalate contaminated soil: a feasibility study in slurry- and solid-phase reactors

The aim of the research was to verify the possibility of applying bioremediation as a treatment strategy on a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) manufacturing site in the north of Italy contaminated by diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) at a concentration of 5.51 mg/g of dry soil. Biodegradation kinetic experiments with DEHP contaminated soil samples were performed in both slurry- and solid-phase systems. The slurry-phase results showed that the cultural conditions, such as N and P concentrations and the addition of a selected DEHP degrading strain, increased the natural DEHP degradation rate. On the basis of these data, experiments to simulate bioventing on contaminated soil columns were performed. The DEHP concentration reached 0.63 mg/g of dry soil in 76 days (89% of degradation). A kinetic equation was developed to fit the experimental data and to predict the concentration of contaminant after treatment. The data obtained are encouraging for a future in situ application of the bioventing technology.

Characterization of Rhodococcus opacus R7, a strain able to degrade naphthalene and o-xylene isolated from a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

Rhodococcus opacus R7 was isolated from a soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for its ability to grow on naphthalene. The strain was also able to degrade o-xylene, the isomer of xylenes most recalcitrant to microbial degradation. The catabolic pathways for naphthalene and o-xylene were investigated by identification of metabolites in R. opacus R7 cultures performed with the two hydrocarbons and by evaluation of some enzymes involved in the metabolism of these compounds. 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene, salicylic and gentisic acids were identified as metabolites in cultures exposed to naphthalene. This suggests that the degradation occurs through the dioxygenation of the aromatic ring with the formation of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene, dehydrogenated to the corresponding 1,2-dihydroxy derivative which is further oxidized to salicylic acid, a key intermediate of naphthalene metabolism; this compound is converted to gentisic acid cleaved by a gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase. From R. opacus R7 cultures supplied with o-xylene, 2,3-dimethylphenol and 3,4-dimethylcatechol were observed. The pathway of o-xylene involves the monooxygenation of the benzene nucleus leading to dimethylphenol which is further metabolised to 3,4-dimethylcatechol, followed by a meta cleavage reaction, catalyzed by the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. R. opacus R7 is the first strain thus far described both in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria which has the ability to degrade both a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as naphthalene and a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as o-xylene.

Efficient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons dihydroxylation in direct micellar systems

Optimization of whole-cell bioconversion of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene to the enantiomerically pure corresponding cis-dihydroxydihydro derivatives by the Escherichia coli JM109 (pPS1778) recombinant strain, carrying the naphthalene dioxygenase and corresponding regulatory genes cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3, in micellar systems, is presented. We show that direct microemulsion systems, where a nonionic surfactant such as 1.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.6% to 1.0% (v/v) selected oils are able to solubilize the PAHs tested at relatively high concentrations (initial concentrations in the reaction medium > or =10 mM for naphthalene and phenanthrene and > or =2 mM for anthracene), and allow for more efficient substrate bioconversion. These media, while not affecting bacteria viability and performance, provide increased efficiency and final product yields (100% for naphthalene, >30% for anthracene, >60% for phenanthrene). The phase behavior of the direct microemulsion systems for the different substrates and oils utilized was monitored as a function of their volume fraction by light scattering experiments, and related to the bioconversion results. For anthracene and phenanthrene, the dihydroxylated products have an inhibitory effect on the conversion reactions, thus hindering complete turnover of the substrates. We ascertain that such inhibition is reversible because removal of the products formed allowed the process to start over at rates comparable to initial rates. To allow for complete conversion of the PAHs tested a stepwise or continuous separation of the product formed from the micellar reaction environment is being developed.

Distribution of catabolic pathways in some hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from a subsurface polluted soil

Enrichment cultures on naphtha solvent were used to select aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from a BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene)-contaminated subsoil obtained from beneath a paint factory located in Milan, Italy. Fifteen isolated strains were studied for their different biodegradative capacities. Among these, 13 were able to grow on naphtha solvent. Ten were identified as Pseudomonas putida and three as Pseudomonas aureofaciens. Two other degraders were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes xylosoxidans subsp. denitrificans. Further molecular characterization of the isolates was carried out by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis to ascertain that all the studied strains belonged to different haplotypes. The isolates were characterized for the presence of genes encoding for toluene dioxygenase, xylene monooxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase by polymerase chain reaction analysis and by Southern analysis. P. putida strain CM23, which showed homology with xylA,M, xylE and todC1C2BA genes, possessed multiple pathways which enabled the strain to grow on benzene, toluene and m-xylene.

Development of biocatalysts carrying naphthalene dioxygenase and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase genes inducible in aerobic and anaerobic conditions

We developed biocatalysts carrying naphthalene dioxygenase and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase genes cloned from plasmid pN3 of Pseudomonas fluoresceins N3 involved in naphthalene degradation, as an alternative approach to the production of hydroxylated compounds by chemical synthesis. Naphthalene dioxygenase is responsible for hydroxylation of the hydrocarbon into the corresponding 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy derivative and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase is involved in the subsequent transformation into the 1,2-dihydroxy derivative. The first reaction strictly requires the presence of oxygen, essential for the dioxygenation reaction, while the second one can also be performed in anaerobic conditions that are optimal to avoid the easy oxidation of bioconversion products. Consequently, we constructed biocatalysts carrying the genes responsible for the biotransformation of hydrocarbons, inducible under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. We cloned the dioxygenase gene under its promoter, inducible by salicylic acid and the dihydrodiol dehydrogenase under the Pnar promoter of Escherichia coli, inducible by nitrate, in a nitrogen atmosphere, in order to develop biological systems with the possibility of controlling the expression of the cloned genes by the shift from aerobic to anaerobic conditions. Bioconversion experiments performed in aerobic conditions showed dihydrodiol production and dehydrogenase repression; as soon as cultures were switched to nitrogen, dihydrodiol dehydrogenation with an efficient production of 1,2-dihydroxyderivatives was observed.

Direct micellar systems as a tool to improve the efficiency of aromatic substrate conversion for fine chemicals production

Whole-cell bioconversion of naphthalene to (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene by Escherichia coli JM109(pPS1778) recombinant strain, carrying naphthalene dioxygenase and regulatory genes cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3, in direct micellar systems is optimized as an example of fine chemicals bioproduction from scarcely water-soluble substrates. The oxygen insertion into the aromatic substrate, which stops at the enantiomerically pure cis dihydroxylated product, is performed in direct microemulsion systems, where a non-ionic surfactant stabilizes naphthalene containing oil droplets in an aqueous medium. These media provide an increased substrate solubility so that a homogeneous reaction can be carried out, while not affecting bacteria viability and performances. The influence of the chemical nature of the oil is investigated. The phase behavior of the direct microemulsion system was monitored for three different oils as a function their volume fraction and characterized through light scattering. The addition of isopropyl palmitate, oleic acid, or glyceryl trioleate, 0.6-1.2% v/v to the micellar systems, led to an increase of the substrate concentration in the solution and particularly its bioavailability, allowing faster catalytic conversions. All these systems resulted in being suitable for catalytic conversions of aromatic compounds. Although the nature of the oil does have a deep effect on the phase behavior of the micellar systems, in the present investigation no differences in the yields and in the rates of product formation of the enzymatic system were observed on changing the oil, thus showing that in this case the substrate concentration or bioavailability is not the rate-limiting step.

A new biocatalyst for production of optically pure aryl epoxides by styrene monooxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens ST

We developed a biocatalyst by cloning the styrene monooxygenase genes (styA and styB) from Pseudomonas fluorescens ST responsible for the oxidation of styrene to its corresponding epoxide. Recombinant Escherichia coli was able to oxidize different aryl vinyl and aryl ethenyl compounds to their corresponding optically pure epoxides. The results of bioconversions indicate the broad substrate preference of styrene monooxygenase and its potential for the production of several fine chemicals.

Specificity of substrate recognition by Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 dioxygenase. The role of the oxidation potential and molecular geometry

Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 is able to grow on naphthalene as the sole carbon and energy source. The mutant TTC1, blocked at the dihydrodiol dehydrogenase level, which can transform the hydrocarbon into the corresponding dihydrodiol, has been used to produce bioconversion products. To rationalize the different grades of conversion obtained with different substrates, a study was performed using non-naphthalene derivatives, including benzenes, conjugated benzenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The corresponding diols obtained by bioconversion have been isolated and characterized. A theoretical model that considers both energy and geometry factors has been proposed to rationalize the experimental data. Good agreement has been found between the calculated values and the experimental results.

Production of substituted naphthalene dihydrodiols by engineered Escherichia coli containing the cloned naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3

Naphthalene dioxygenase, a key enzyme in the dihydroxylation of naphthalene, is encoded by the plasmid pN3, responsible for naphthalene metabolism in Pseudomonas fluorescens N3. The naphthalene dioxygenase, including all the sequences for its expression and the regulatory region, has been localized on the 4.3-kb HindIII-ClaI fragment and on the 3.5-kb HindIII fragment of the plasmid pN3, by Southern analysis using as probes nahA and nahR genes, the homologous genes of the plasmid NAH7 from Pseudomonas putida G7. We cloned in Escherichia coli JM109 the dioxygenase gene and its regulatory region and developed an efficient bacterial system inducible by salicylic acid, able to produce dihydrodiols. E. coli containing recombinant plasmids carrying the dioxygenase gene were analysed for their potential as a biocatalytic tool to produce dihydrodiols from different naphthalenes with the substituent on the aromatic ring at the alpha or beta position. The dihydrodiols, identified by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) were produced with yields ranging from 50 to 94%. The degree of bioconversion efficiency depends on the nature and the position of the substituent and indicates the broad substrate specificity of this dioxygenase and its potential for the production of a wide variety of fine chemicals.

Analysis of a theoretical model based on similarity for studying RNA base pairings

A theoretical model for studying RNA base pairing is presented, based on similarity measures of the bases and corresponding indexes. Similarity calculations are made by evaluating atomic importance in molecules, a method that uses an original method for the calculation of electronic energy. The application of the model to both Watson-Crick and non-Watson-Crick pairings is commented on. Some theoretical considerations concerning the capability of the genetic code to repair dangerous mutations contribute to the ongoing debate.

Synthesis and characterization of a penicillin-poly(L-lysine) which recognizes human IgE anti-penicillin antibodies

Conjugates of poly(L-lysine) containing a penicillin or a penicilloyl residue were prepared and characterized by 1H NMR and by size-exclusion HPLC. These conjugates and conjugates with human serum albumin were used in radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) for the determination of allergy toward penicillins.

Purification of Phleum pratense pollen extract by immunoaffinity chromatography and high-performance ion-exchange chromatography

Basic allergens of Phleum pratense pollen extract have been purified by either sequence gel filtration-ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPIEX) and size-exclusion HPLC or sequence gel filtration-immunoaffinity chromatography and HPIEX. The second procedure seems to be suitable for preparative purposes.

Allergenic fragments in Parietaria judaica pollen extract

High-performance ion-exchange chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography suggest that Par jI, the principal allergenic component of Parietaria judaica pollen, is a very unstable molecule, which tends to fragment in solution. Several fragments were obtained from Par jI and some of them show positivity toward the anti-Par jI monoclonal antibody, suggesting that they retain the entire structure of the allergenic determinant. These fragments could be the target for sequence and conformation studies.