Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein Induced Caspase-1 Mediated Pyroptotic Cell Death in Macrophages: Implication in Lesion Instability?

Background

Macrophage death in advanced lesion has been confirmed to play an important role in plaque instability. However, the mechanism underlying lesion macrophage death still remains largely unknown.

Methods and Results

Immunohistochemistry showed that caspase-1 activated in advanced lesion and co-located with macrophages and TUNEL positive reaction. In in-vitro experiments showed that ox-LDL induced caspase-1 activation and this activation was required for ox-LDL induced macrophages lysis, IL-1β and IL-18 production as well as DNA fragmentation. Mechanism experiments showed that CD36 and NLRP3/caspase-1/pathway involved in ox-LDL induced macrophage pyroptosis.

Conclusion

Our study here identified a novel cell death, pyroptosis in ox-LDL induced human macrophage, which may be implicated in lesion macrophages death and play an important role in lesion instability.     

Understanding high ε-poly-l-lysine production by Streptomyces albulus using pH shock strategy in the level of transcriptomics

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology - ε-Poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) is a natural food preservative, which exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide spectra of...     

Polarization of Myosin II Refines Tissue Material Properties to Buffer Mechanical Stress

1. Download high-res image (94KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Oriented Transformation of Co‐LDH into 2D/3D ZIF‐67 to Achieve Co–N–C Hybrids for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Construction of well‐defined metal–organic framework precursor is vital to derive highly efficient transition metal–carbon‐based electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting. Herein, a novel strategy involving an in situ transformation of ultrathin cobalt layered double hydroxide into 2D cobalt zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐67) nanosheets grafted with 3D ZIF‐67 polyhedra supported on the surface of carbon cloth (2D/3D ZIF‐67@CC) precursor is proposed. After a low‐temperature pyrolysis, this precursor can be further converted into hybrid composites composed of ultrafine cobalt nanoparticles embedded within 2D N‐doped carbon nanosheets and 3D N‐doped hollow carbon polyhedra (Co@N‐CS/N‐HCP@CC). Experimental and density functional theory calculations results indicate that such composites have the advantages of a large number of accessible active sites, accelerated charge/mass transfer ability, the synergistic effect of components as well as an optimal water adsorption energy change. As a result, the obtained Co@N‐CS/N‐HCP@CC catalyst requires overpotentials of only 66 and 248 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 for HER and OER in 1.0 m KOH, respectively. Remarkably, it enables an alkali‐electrolyzer with a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 at a low cell voltage of 1.545 V, superior to that of the IrO₂@CC||Pt/C@CC couple (1.592 V).     

First-principles investigations on structural stability,elastic and electronic properties of Co7M6 (M= W,Mo, Nb) µ phases

The structural, elastic and electronic properties of Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) μ phases were investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated cohesive energy indicates that Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) μ phases are thermodynamically stable. Besides, Co₇W₆ owns a higher structural stability than that of Co₇Mo₆ and Co₇Nb₆. The obtained elastic constant demonstrates that Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) are mechanically stable. With Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approximation, the elastic bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G), Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (ν) were derived. The ductility and plasticity as well as the elastic anisotropy of the three phases were discussed in details. Finally, the density of states and charge density difference were also analysed to reveal the underlying mechanism of structural stability and the elastic properties.     

Progress and Challenges for Live-cell Imaging of Genomic Loci Using CRISPR-based Platforms

Chromatin conformation,localization,and dynamics are crucial regulators of cellular behaviors. Although fluorescence in situ hybridization-based techniques have been widely utilized for investigating chromatin architectures in healthy and diseased states,the requirement for cell fix-ation precludes the comprehensive dynamic analysis necessary to fully understand chromatin activ-ities. This has spurred the development and application of a variety of imaging methodologies for visualizing single chromosomal loci in the native cellular context. In this review,we describe currently-available approaches for imaging single genomic loci in cells,with special focus on clus-tered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based imaging approaches. In addition,we discuss some of the challenges that limit the application of CRISPR-based genomic imaging approaches,and potential solutions to address these challenges. We anticipate that,with continued refinement of CRISPR-based imaging techniques,significant understanding can be gained to help decipher chromatin activities and their relevance to cellular physiology and pathogenesis.     

In vitro regeneration of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Blackeye cowpea via shoot organogenesis

An in vitro regeneration system was developed in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Blackeye. Among several explants studied, shoot initiation response was observed from shoot apices of 3–5-day-old seedlings. The optimal medium for maximum shoot initiation comprised MS salts, B₅ vitamins, 8.88 μM N ⁶-benzylaminopurine, 1 gl^-1 casein hydrolysate, 342 μM L-glutamine, 3% sucrose, 0.3% phytagel, adjusted to pH 5.8. A shift in pH from 5.8 to 7.0 had no effect on shoot initiation and on number of shoots per explant. The highest shoot initiation frequency (77%) was obtained using this preferred medium, reaching a maximum of eight shoots per explant. For shoot elongation, 14 μM gibberellic acid was supplemented in the shoot initiation medium. Presence of indolebutyric acid in the rooting medium had no effect on root induction. The regenerated plants were fertile and developed normally.