Polyplex-embedding in polyelectrolyte multilayers for gene delivery

In this work, incorporation of plasmid DNA, pre-complexed with PEI, into polyelectrolyte multilayers has been studied to further develop platforms for local gene delivery. Polyplex embedding in synthetic and naturally degradable architectures was efficient for transfection of human hepato-cellular carcinoma cells.     

Sib pair linkage analysis of renin gene haplotypes in human essential hypertension

Summary Although essential arterial hypertension is believed to have a strong genetic predisposition, the gene(s) responsible are unknown. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of blood pressure and experimental studies place the renin gene among the main candidate genes that need to be tested in humans. We tested the hypothesis of a linkage between the renin gene and essential hypertension using the affected sib pair method. Siblings (133 subjects, 52.1±10.9 years) from 57 families were selected for sustained hypertension (160.7 ± 22.9/99.5 ± 12.8 mmHg with 80% of patients under antihypertensive treatment), of early onset (40.7 ± 12.0 years), in the absence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and secondary hypertension. Eight renin haplotypes were generated from three diallelic renin restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) (TaqI, Hinfi, HindIII) located throughout the renin gene. The allelic concordance between the sib pairs was analyzed by identity by state relationships for 98 sib pairs (41 for 41 couples, 39 for 13 trios, 18 for 3 quartets). Allelic frequencies in the 57 hypertensive probands were similar to those observed among 102 hypertensive subjects studied previously. Six of eight possible haplotypes were observed, the informativity of the marker corresponded to 70% of heterozygosity. Allelic concordance for all sib pairs according to sibship size was not significantly different from that expected under the hypothesis of no linkage (t = 0.52, P = 0.15) reflecting only a small excess of renin alleles shared by the hypertensive sibs (1.44 ± 0.6 vs 1.36 ± 0.6). Likewise the linkage hypothesis was unsupported by weighted estimates to correct for possible bias due to large sibship size. Thus, the sib pair analysis suggests that the renin gene does not have a frequent role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension; further more powerful linkage studies or other approaches will be needed to detect contributions at the renin locus to the heritability of essential hypertension.     

Modulation of the urokinase receptor in human colon cell lines by N,N-dimethylformamide

The present study documents the effect of the planar, polar differentiation promoter N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on urokinase binding to colon carcinoma cells. Exposure of the colon carcinoma cell lines to the agent resulted in enhanced specific binding of radioactive urokinase to all cells tested. Insulin binding to the cells was, however, unaffected by DMF. A DMF exposure period of 45 h was required to observe maximum urokinase binding to two representative cell lines FET and RKO. Optimal stimulation of both cell lines occurred with 0.8% DMF. Scatchard analysis revealed the dissociation constants to be unchanged by the agent with the increased binding of radioactive plasminogen activator reflecting an up-regulation of binding sites. In this regard, the cell line RKO upon exposure to DMF, displayed approx. 700,000 receptors/cell, the highest value published, to date, for any cell line.     

Three-dimensional geometrical and mechanical modelling of the lumbar spine.

The main objective of this study is to design a three-dimensional geometrical and mechanical finite element model of the lumbar spine. The model's geometry is constructed using six parameters per vertebra. These parameters are digitized from two X-rays (anterio-posterior and lateral), thus yielding an individualized model which can be arrived at from the radiographs of a tested specimen. This procedure makes the model validation easier, as geometry is generally a factor of dispersion in experimental results. The geometrical reconstruction, in the form of a finite elements mesh, was effected for the whole lumbar spine. The global coherence of the model was verified.     

Unbiased proteomic profiling of host cell extracellular vesicle composition and dynamics upon HIV‐1 infection

Cells release diverse types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which transfer complex signals to surrounding cells. Specific markers to distinguish different EVs (e.g. exosomes, ectosomes, enveloped viruses like HIV) are still lacking. We have developed a proteomic profiling approach for characterizing EV subtype composition and applied it to human Jurkat T cells. We generated an interactive database to define groups of proteins with similar profiles, suggesting release in similar EVs. Biochemical validation confirmed the presence of preferred partners of commonly used exosome markers in EVs: CD81/ADAM10/ITGB1, and CD63/syntenin. We then compared EVs from control and HIV‐1‐infected cells. HIV infection altered EV profiles of several cellular proteins, including MOV10 and SPN, which became incorporated into HIV virions, and SERINC3, which was re‐routed to non‐viral EVs in a Nef‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that SERINC3 controls the surface composition of EVs. Our workflow provides an unbiased approach for identifying candidate markers and potential regulators of EV subtypes. It can be widely applied to in vitro experimental systems for investigating physiological or pathological modifications of EV release.     

Systemic Down-Regulation of Delta-9 Desaturase Promotes Muscle Oxidative Metabolism and Accelerates Muscle Function Recovery following Nerve Injury

The progressive deterioration of the neuromuscular axis is typically observed in degenerative conditions of the lower motor neurons, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Neurodegeneration in this disease is associated with systemic metabolic perturbations, including hypermetabolism and dyslipidemia. Our previous gene profiling studies on ALS muscle revealed down-regulation of delta-9 desaturase, or SCD1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. Interestingly, knocking out SCD1 gene is known to induce hypermetabolism and stimulate fatty acid beta-oxidation. Here we investigated whether SCD1 deficiency can affect muscle function and its restoration in response to injury. The genetic ablation of SCD1 was not detrimental per se to muscle function. On the contrary, muscles in SCD1 knockout mice shifted toward a more oxidative metabolism, and enhanced the expression of synaptic genes. Repressing SCD1 expression or reducing SCD-dependent enzymatic activity accelerated the recovery of muscle function after inducing sciatic nerve crush. Overall, these findings provide evidence for a new role of SCD1 in modulating the restorative potential of skeletal muscles.     

Relating Recombination,Density of States,and Device Performance in an Efficient Polymer:Fullerene Organic Solar Cell Blend

We explore the interrelation between density of states, recombination kinetics, and device performance in efficient poly[4,8‐bis‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐4‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy‐1‐one)thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐2,6‐diyl]:[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PBDTTT‐C:PC₇₁BM) bulk‐heterojunction organic solar cells. We modulate the active‐layer density of states by varying the polymer:fullerene composition over a small range around the ratio that leads to the maximum solar cell efficiency (50–67 wt% PC₇₁BM). Using transient and steady‐state techniques, we find that nongeminate recombination limits the device efficiency and, moreover, that increasing the PC₇₁BM content simultaneously increases the carrier lifetime and drift mobility in contrast to the behavior expected for Langevin recombination. Changes in electronic properties with fullerene content are accompanied by a significant change in the magnitude or energetic separation of the density of localized states. Our comprehensive approach to understanding device performance represents significant progress in understanding what limits these high‐efficiency polymer:fullerene systems.     

Rapid apoplastic pH measurement in Arabidopsis leaves using a fluorescent dye

In plants, the extracellular space (apoplast) is one of the main places where exchange of molecules occurs between cells. Not only is this compartment involved in the storage of multiple metabolites and ions, including calcium and protons, but it also plays a role in the transmission of signaling molecules for cell-to-cell communication. It has recently been shown multiple times that these two aspects are linked and can influence each other. In particular, apoplast pH was shown as a primary regulator of auxin (IAA) transport in Arabidopsis thaliana. To prove the role of apoplastic pH, we have developed a protocol for apoplastic fluid extraction from Arabidopsis leaves, followed by pH determination using the 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (HPTS) fluorescent dye. This technique successfully allows one to monitor apoplastic pH variations among different plant lines and to link changes in apoplastic pH to cellular responses in the plant.