Human mononuclear phagocyte activation antigens

Activation of mononuclear phagocytes causes changes in plasma membrane composition that include the expression of surface antigens and receptors. Monoclonal antibody technology has made it possible to identify and characterize newly expressed surface antigens. Among these "activation antigens" is a glycoprotein, Mo3, which (among hematopoietic cells) is selectively expressed by human mononuclear phagocytes that have been exposed to inflammatory factors in vitro and in vivo. Progress toward a functional and structural analysis of Mo3 is described.     

Site specific integration of FLP recombinase in BHK-21 cell line

A binary system for gene activation and site specific integration based on conditional recombination of transfected sequences mediated by FLP recombinase from yeast was implemented in mammalian cells. In several cell lines, FLP rapidly and precisely recombined copies of its specific target sequences to activate an otherwise silent beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Clones of marked cells were generated by excisional recombination within a chromosomally integrated copy of the silent reporters. These clones exhibited intense blue colour with X-Gal staining solution.     

A structural characterization of the Mo3 activation antigen expressed on the plasma membrane of human mononuclear phagocytes

Mo3 is an activation Ag expressed by human monocytic cells after stimulation in vitro by PMA, LPS, certain cytokines, and muramyl dipeptide. The structural characterization of Mo3 has been made possible by the development of a mAb (anti-Mo3f) that immunoprecipitates Mo3 from Nonidet P-40 lysates of radiolabeled PMA-stimulated U-937 cells and LPS-activated monocytes. On SDS-PAGE (nonreducing conditions) of anti-Mo3f immunoprecipitates, U-937 Mo3 is a single broad band of 39 to 66 kDa, whereas monocyte Mo3 is smaller with an apparent molecular mass of 32 to 56 kDa. Under reducing conditions, there is an increase in the m.w. of both species of Mo3 suggesting the existence of internal disulfide bonds. Mo3 is a glycoprotein with carbohydrate of the N-linked complex type as evidence by a reduction in m.w. by 40 to 50% after treatment with endoglycosidase F or N-glycanase; neuraminidase treatment produces a 3-kDa reduction in m.w. Deglycosylated Mo3 isolated from U-937 and monocytes have similar m.w. suggesting that the molecular heterogeneity of the native Mo3 may be due to differences in glycosylation. Mo3 is sensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C with the release of native Mo3 from the surface of PMA-stimulated U-937 cells. These results indicate that Mo3 is a member of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked family of surface glycoproteins.     

An Electrocorticographic Brain Interface in an Individual with Tetraplegia

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology aims to help individuals with disability to control assistive devices and reanimate paralyzed limbs. Our study investigated the feasibility of an electrocorticography (ECoG)-based BCI system in an individual with tetraplegia caused by C4 level spinal cord injury. ECoG signals were recorded with a high-density 32-electrode grid over the hand and arm area of the left sensorimotor cortex. The participant was able to voluntarily activate his sensorimotor cortex using attempted movements, with distinct cortical activity patterns for different segments of the upper limb. Using only brain activity, the participant achieved robust control of 3D cursor movement. The ECoG grid was explanted 28 days post-implantation with no adverse effect. This study demonstrates that ECoG signals recorded from the sensorimotor cortex can be used for real-time device control in paralyzed individuals.     

Resistoflavine, cytotoxic compound from a marine actinomycete, Streptomyces chibaensis AUBN1/7

In our systematic screening programme for marine actinomycetes, a bioactive Streptomycete was isolated from marine sediment samples of Bay of Bengal, India. The taxonomic studies indicated that the isolate belongs to Streptomyces chibaensis and it was designated as S. chibaensis AUBN₁/7. The isolate yielded a cytotoxic compound. It was obtained by solvent extraction followed by the chromatographic purification. Based on the spectral data of the pure compound, it was identified as quinone-related antibiotic, resistoflavine (1). It showed a potent cytotoxic activity against cell lines viz. HMO2 (Gastric adenocarcinoma) and HePG2 (Hepatic carcinoma) in vitro and also exhibited weak antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Inhalable Ipratropium Bromide Particle Engineering with Multicriteria Optimization

Spray-dried ipratropium bromide (IPB) microspheres for oral inhalation were engineered using Quality by Design. The interrogation of material properties, process parameters, and critical product quality attributes interplay enabled rational product design. A 2^7–3 screening design exhibited the Maillard reaction between L-leucine (LL) and lactose at studied outlet temperatures (OT) >130°C. A response surface custom design was used in conjunction with multicriteria optimization to determine the operating design space to achieve inhalable microparticles. Statistically significant predictive models were developed for volume median diameter (p?=?0.0001, adjusted R ²? =?0.9938), span (p?=?0.0278, adjusted R ²? =?0.7912), yield (p?=?0.0020, adjusted R ²? =?0.9320), and OT (p?=?0.0082, adjusted R ²? =?0.8768). An independent verification batch confirmed the model’s predictive capability. The prediction and actual values were in good agreement. Particle size and span were 3.32?±?0.09 μm and 1.71?±?0.18, which were 4.7 and 5.3% higher than the predicted values. The process yield was 50.3%, compared to the predicted value of 65.3%. The OT was 100°C versus the predicted value of 105°C. The label strength of IPB microparticles was 99.0 to 105.9% w/w suggesting that enrichment occurred during the spray-drying process. The present study can be utilized to initiate the design of the first commercial IPB dry powder inhaler.     

Production of glycolipids containing biosurfactant by Pseudomonas species

Microorganisms, that degrade hydrocarbon were isolated and screened for their biosurfactant activity. A total of 68 strains were isolated and tested for their glycolipid activity of which 4 isolates showed good glycolipid activity. Isolate K10 gave the maximum biosurfactant production in medium A (containing kerosene as a sole carbon source) as compared to medium B (containing glucose as a sole carbon source). Characterization of isolate K10 showed that it belongs to Pseudomonas species.     

Purification, biochemical composition, and biosynthesis of the Mo3 activation antigen expressed on the plasma membrane of human mononuclear phagocytes.

Mo3 is an activation Ag expressed on the surface of human mononuclear phagocytes stimulated in vitro or in vivo by various activating factors. Mo3 is obtained by immunoprecipitation with anti-Mo3 mAb from lysates of PMA-stimulated U-937 cells. The Ag is a heterogeneous glycoprotein with a molecular mass range of 42 to 66 kDa (nonreducing conditions) containing N-linked carbohydrate chains. When the cells are treated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, greater than 60% of total precipitable gp42-66 Ag is released in the supernatant. This phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-sensitive linkage to the plasma membrane has provided a means for the one-step purification of Mo3 by immunoaffinity chromatography. The eluted soluble Mo3 (sMo3) was greater than 90% pure as documented by the appearance of a single major protein peak on reverse phase HPLC and SDS-PAGE. The average yield was 12.1 micrograms/10(8) cells. Sufficient quantities of sMo3 have been purified to permit the determination of amino acid and carbohydrate composition. Complex N-linked carbohydrates make up nearly 50% of the glycoprotein content and contribute to its heterogeneity. An anti-Mo3 polyclonal antiserum generated from sMo3 was used to immunoprecipitate Mo3 and its precursor from biosynthetically labeled, PMA-stimulated U-937 cells or LPS-stimulated monocytes. These 35S-methionine "pulse-chase" experiments demonstrated the existence of a 40- to 42-kDa endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase-sensitive precursor, which over a period of 4 to 5 h gave rise to an endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase-resistant, but N-glycanase-sensitive 42- to 66-kDa mature form.