Comparison of human-induced pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation potential to insulin producing cells in 2D and 3D culture systems in vitro

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world that is chronic, progressive, and costly, and causes many complications. Common drug therapies are not able to cure it, and pancreas transplantation is not responsive to the high number of patients. The production of the insulin producing cells (IPCs) from the stem cells in the laboratory and their transplantation to the patient's body is one of the most promising new approaches. In this study, the differentiation potential of the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into IPCs was compared to each other while cultured on poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanofibrous scaffold as a 3D substrate and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as a 2D substrate. Although the expression level of the insulin, Glut2 and pdx-1 genes in stem cells cultured on 3D substrate was significantly higher than the stem cells cultured on 2D substrate, the highest expression level of these genes was detected in the iPSCs cultured on PLGA-PEG. Insulin and C-peptide secretions from differentiated cells were also investigated and the results showed that secretions in cultured iPSCs on the PLGA-PEG were significantly higher than cultured iPSCs on the TCPS and cultured MSCs on both PLGA-PEG and TCPS. In addition, insulin protein was also expressed in the cultured iPSCs on the PLGA-PEG significantly higher than cultured MSCs on the PLGA-PEG. It can be concluded that differentiation potential of iPSCs into IPCs is significantly higher than human MSCs at both 2D and 3D culture systems.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Arylisoxazole‐Chromenone Carboxamides: Investigation of Biological Activities Associated with Alzheimer's Disease

A novel series of hybrid arylisoxazole‐chromenone carboxamides were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity based on the modified Ellman's method. Among synthesized compounds, 5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide depicted the most acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀=1.23 μm ) and 5‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide was found to be the most potent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitor (IC₅₀=9.71 μm ). 5‐(3‐Nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide was further investigated for its BACE1 inhibitory activity as well as neuroprotectivity and metal chelating ability as important factors involved in onset and progress of Alzheimer's disease. It could inhibit BACE1 by 48.46 % at 50 μm . It also showed 6.4 % protection at 25 μm and satisfactory chelating ability toward Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions. Docking studies of 5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide and 5‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐{4‐[(2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐7‐yl)oxy]phenyl}‐1,2‐oxazole‐3‐carboxamide confirmed desired interactions with those amino acid residues of the AChE and BChE, respectively.     

The Immunostimulatory Effect of Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles on the 4T1 Breast Cancer Model: an In Vivo Study

Selenium salts as well as elemental selenium nanoparticles are attracting the attention of researchers due to their excellent biological properties. The aim of the present work was to study immunomodulation by applying elemental Se NPs to stimulate the immune response of mice bearing 4?T1 breast cancer tumors. Six- to 8-week-old female inbred BALB/c mice were divided into two groups of test and control, each containing 15 mice. Every day, for 2?weeks prior to tumor induction, selenium nanoparticles were orally administered to the mice at a dose of 100?μg/day. Then, 1?×?10(6) cells from a 4?T1 cell line were injected subcutaneously to each mouse. Oral nanoparticle administration was continued daily for 3?weeks after tumor induction. Different immunological parameters were then evaluated including cytokine level, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response as well as tumor growth and the survival rates in all treated or nontreated animals. The production of Th1 cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-12, in spleen cell culture was increased in the test mice-administered selenium nanoparticles. The DTH response of test mice also showed a significant increase when compared to the control mice. The survival rate was notably higher for the selenium nanoparticle-treated mice compared to the control mice. Our results suggest that selenium nanoparticle administration can result in considerable induction of the Th1 platform of immune response through the elevation of IFN-γ and IL-12 and may be a cause for better prognosis in mice with tumors.     

Induction of differentiation and apoptosis in three human leukemia cell lines by a new compound from Dendrostellera lessertii

It has previously been shown that Dendrostellera lessertii(Thymelaeaceae)has stronganticancer activity.In this study,the antileukemic activity of another new compound from the same plantextract is reported.Promyelocytic(NB4 and HL-60)and erythroleukemia(K562)cells were cultured in thepresence of various concentrations of the new compound(0.5-3.0 μtg/ml)for 3d.The cell numbers werethen determined by trypan blue exclusion test.The new compound inhibited growth and proliferation ofNB4,HL-60 and K562 with IC_(50) values of 1.5,2.0 and 2.5μg/ml,respectively.We also found that the newcompound inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner.At low concentrations and after48h of treatment,approximately 50%-70% of NB4 and HL-60 cells were differentiated to monocyte/macrophage lineage and approximately 30%-40% of the treated K562 cells were differentiated in the mega-karyocytic lineage,as evidenced by morphological changes and nitro blue tetrazolium reduction assays.Results of Hoechst 33258 staining also indicated that the new compound induced NB4 and HL-60 cellapoptosis at their respective IC_(50) values after 72h of treatment.Based on the present data,the new com-pound seems a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent acting throughinduction of differentiation and apoptosis.     

Nanoaperture Fluorescence Enhancement in the Ultraviolet

We study fluorescence excitation and emission enhancement in the ultraviolet regime for molecules confined within sub-wavelength metal apertures. Calculations are performed across a range of excitation wavelengths for individual apertures constructed in gold, silver, and aluminum. As expected, enhancement in the ultraviolet is greatest with aluminum. Using excitation and emission wavelengths appropriate for tryptophan, we find that more than 10× net increase in fluorescence count rate should be obtainable for aluminum apertures of ~75 nm diameter. These results suggest that many applications utilizing native protein fluorescence could become practical, even to the single molecule level.     

The MUC5AC glycoprotein is the primary receptor for Helicobacter pylori in the human stomach

Background and objectives. Helicobacter pylori shows a characteristic tropism for the mucus‐producing gastric epithelium. In infected patients, H. pylori colocalizes in situ with the gastric secretory mucin MUC5AC. The carbohydrate blood‐group antigen Lewis B (LeB) was deemed responsible for the adherence of H. pylori to the gastric surface epithelium. We sought to determine if MUC5AC is the carrier of LeB, and thus if MUC5AC is the underlying gene product functioning as the main receptor for H. pylori in the stomach. Methods. We studied three types of human tissue producing MUC5AC: Barrett's esophagus (BE), normal gastric tissue, and gastric metaplasia of the duodenum (GMD). Tissue sections were immuno‐fluorescently stained for MUC5AC or LeB, and subsequently incubated with one of three strains of Texas red‐labeled H. pylori, one of which was unable to bind to LeB. We determined the colocalization of MUC5AC or LeB with adherent H. pylori. Results. The binding patterns for the two LeB‐binding strains to all tissues were similar, whereas the strain unable to bind to LeB did not bind to any of the tissues. In normal gastric tissue, the LeB‐binding strains always bound to MUC5AC‐ and LeB‐positive epithelial cells. In four nonsecretor patients, colocalization of the LeB‐binding strains was found to MUC5AC‐positive gastric epithelial cells. In BE, the LeB‐binding H. pylori strains colocalized very specifically to MUC5AC‐positive cells. MUC5AC‐producing cells in GMD contained LeB. Yet, LeB‐binding H. pylori not only colocalized to MUC5AC or LeB present in GMD, but also bound to the LeB‐positive brush border of normal duodenal epithelium. Conclusions. Mucin MUC5AC is the most important carrier of the LeB carbohydrate structure in normal gastric tissue and forms the major receptor for H. pylori.     

Identification and characterization of binding properties of Helicobacter pylori by glycoconjugate arrays

The microaerophilic bacterium Helicobacter pylori is well established for its role in development of different gastric diseases. Bacterial adhesins and corresponding binding sites on the epithelial surface allow H. pylori to colonize the gastric tissue. In this investigation, the adhesion of H. pylori to dot blot arrays of natural glycoproteins and neoglycoproteins was studied. Adhesion was detected by overlay with fluorescence-labeled bacteria on immobilized (neo)glycoproteins. The results confirmed the interaction between the adhesin BabA and the H-1-, Lewis b-, and related fucose-containing antigens. In addition, H. pylori bound to terminal alpha2-3-linked sialic acids as previously described. The use of a sabA mutant and sialidase treatment of glycoconjugate arrays showed that the adherence of H. pylori to laminin is mediated by the sialic acid-binding adhesin, SabA. The adhesion to salivary mucin MUC5B is mainly associated with the BabA adhesin and to a lesser extent with the SabA adhesin. This agrees with reports, that MUC5B carries both fucosylated blood group antigens and alpha2-3-linked sialic acids. The adhesion of H. pylori to fibronectin and lactoferrin persisted in the babA/sabA double mutant. Because binding to these molecules was abolished by denaturation rather than by deglycosylation, it was suggested to depend on the recognition of unknown receptor moieties by an additional unknown bacterial surface component. The results demonstrate that the bacterial overlay method on glycoconjugate arrays is a useful tool for exploration and the characterization of unknown adhesin specificities of H. pylori and other bacteria.     

Transport Properties of the Tomato Fruit Tonoplast : II. Citrate Transport

Citrate transport across the membrane of tomato fruit tonoplast vesicles was investigated. In the tonoplast vesicles, [¹⁴C]methylamine uptake was stimulated 10-fold by MgATP and strongly inhibited by NO₃⁻. Under identical experimental conditions, [¹⁴C]citrate uptake was inhibited by 5 millimolar free Mg²⁺, and this inhibition was reversed in the presence of ATP, presumably by ATP chelation of free Mg²⁺. No evidence was obtained in support of energy-linked ATP stimulation of citrate uptake. Citrate uptake showed saturation kinetics, and was inhibited by 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid and by other organic acids. The pH-dependence of uptake suggested that citrate³⁻ was the transported species. Our results indicate that citrate transport across the tomato fruit tonoplast occurs by facilitated diffusion of citrate³⁻. The carrier shares some features in common with anion channels in that it is relatively nonspecific for organic acids and is inhibitable by 4,4′-diisothyocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid.     

Role of non-coding variants in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute one of the significant causes of death worldwide. Different pathological states are linked to CVDs, which despite interventions and treatments, still have poor prognoses. The genetic component, as a beneficial tool in the risk stratification of CVD development, plays a role in the pathogenesis of this group of diseases. The emergence of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the identification of non-coding parts associated with cardiovascular traits and disorders. Variants located in functional non-coding regions, including promoters/enhancers, introns, miRNAs and 5′/3′ UTRs, account for 90% of all identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with CVDs. Here, for the first time, we conducted a comprehensive review on the reported non-coding variants for different CVDs, including hypercholesterolemia, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart diseases, thoracic aortic aneurysms/dissections and coronary artery diseases. Additionally, we present the most commonly reported genes involved in each CVD. In total, 1469 non-coding variants constitute most reports on familial hypercholesterolemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. The application and identification of non-coding variants are beneficial for the genetic diagnosis and better therapeutic management of CVDs.