Colon stem cell and crypt dynamics exposed by cell lineage reconstruction

Stem cell dynamics in vivo are often being studied by lineage tracing methods. Our laboratory has previously developed a retrospective method for reconstructing cell lineage trees from somatic mutations accumulated in microsatellites. This method was applied here to explore different aspects of stem cell dynamics in the mouse colon without the use of stem cell markers. We first demonstrated the reliability of our method for the study of stem cells by confirming previously established facts, and then we addressed open questions. Our findings confirmed that colon crypts are monoclonal and that, throughout adulthood, the process of monoclonal conversion plays a major role in the maintenance of crypts. The absence of immortal strand mechanism in crypts stem cells was validated by the age-dependent accumulation of microsatellite mutations. In addition, we confirmed the positive correlation between physical and lineage proximity of crypts, by showing that the colon is separated into small domains that share a common ancestor. We gained new data demonstrating that colon epithelium is clustered separately from hematopoietic and other cell types, indicating that the colon is constituted of few progenitors and ruling out significant renewal of colonic epithelium from hematopoietic cells during adulthood. Overall, our study demonstrates the reliability of cell lineage reconstruction for the study of stem cell dynamics, and it further addresses open questions in colon stem cells. In addition, this method can be applied to study stem cell dynamics in other systems.     

Molecular computing with plant cell phenotype serving as quality controlled output

The ability of autonomous biomolecular computing devices to interact directly with biological systems and even with living organisms without any interface represents their main advantage over the electronic computers. This study shows that the expression of fluorescent proteins in live plant cells can be utilized as a highly accurate visual output of DNA-based computing. Each of the two possible outputs of a 2-symbol 2-state finite automaton was represented here by either green or cyan fluorescence in eukaryotic cells. The automata were programmed by the choice of several molecules from a library of 8 transition molecules, each containing a recognition site for a type II endonuclease. Two enzymes, endonuclease and a DNA ligase, as well as ATP, represented the hardware. Each input molecule, in the form of a dsDNA, included a string of symbols, 6 bp each, and a 6 bp terminator. The two detection molecules were also dsDNA, each containing a 4-base sticky end, complementary to the appropriately restricted terminator and a gene encoding for a different fluorescent protein. Computation was carried out by mixing all components in a homogeneous solution, leading to autonomous processing of the input molecule via repetitive cycles of digestion, hybridization, and ligation. The output processing procedure involved the creation of a circular dsDNA that contained the gene of either green fluorescent protein or cyan fluorescent protein. Insertion of these plasmids into onion cells by particle bombardment resulted in either green fluorescent or cyan fluorescent live cells as phenotypical output signals. The plasmid formation was an important step because it served as a quality control gate that transformed a rather noisy output into a clean signal. This process of noise elimination allowed for clean and flawless outputs with high fidelity and zero noise.     

Microcomputed tomography-based structural analysis of various bone tissue regeneration models

Microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis is a powerful tool for the evaluation of bone tissue because it provides access to the 3D microarchitecture of the bone. It is invaluable for regenerative medicine as it provides the researcher with the opportunity to explore the skeletal system both in vivo and ex vivo. The quantitative assessment of macrostructural characteristics and microstructural features may improve our ability to estimate the quality of newly formed bone. We have developed a unique procedure for analyzing data from microCT scans to evaluate bone structure and repair. This protocol describes the procedures for microCT analysis of three main types of mouse bone regeneration models (ectopic administration of bone-forming mesenchymal stem cells, and administration of cells after both long bone defects and cranial segmental bone defects) that can be easily adapted for a variety of other models. Precise protocols are crucial because the system is extremely user sensitive and results can be easily biased if standardized methods are not applied. The suggested protocol takes 1.5-3.5 h per sample, depending on bone tissue sample size, the type of equipment used, variables of the scanning protocol and the operator's experience.     

The biological basis of a universal constraint on color naming: cone contrasts and the two-way categorization of colors

Many studies have provided evidence for the existence of universal constraints on color categorization or naming in various languages, but the biological basis of these constraints is unknown. A recent study of the pattern of color categorization across numerous languages has suggested that these patterns tend to avoid straddling a region in color space at or near the border between the English composite categories of "warm" and "cool". This fault line in color space represents a fundamental constraint on color naming. Here we report that the two-way categorization along the fault line is correlated with the sign of the L- versus M-cone contrast of a stimulus color. Moreover, we found that the sign of the L-M cone contrast also accounted for the two-way clustering of the spatially distributed neural responses in small regions of the macaque primary visual cortex, visualized with optical imaging. These small regions correspond to the hue maps, where our previous study found a spatially organized representation of stimulus hue. Altogether, these results establish a direct link between a universal constraint on color naming and the cone-specific information that is represented in the primate early visual system.     

A Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Disrupter Is Also a Potent α-Synuclein (α-syn) Aggregation Inhibitor: A NOVEL DUAL MECHANISM OF MANNITOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON DISEASE (PD)*

The development of disease-modifying therapy for Parkinson disease has been a main drug development challenge, including the need to deliver the therapeutic agents to the brain. Here, we examined the ability of mannitol to interfere with the aggregation process of α-synuclein in vitro and in vivo in addition to its blood-brain barrier-disrupting properties. Using in vitro studies, we demonstrated the effect of mannitol on α-synuclein aggregation. Although low concentration of mannitol inhibited the formation of fibrils, high concentration significantly decreased the formation of tetramers and high molecular weight oligomers and shifted the secondary structure of α-synuclein from α-helical to a different structure, suggesting alternative potential pathways for aggregation. When administered to a Parkinson Drosophila model, mannitol dramatically corrected its behavioral defects and reduced the amount of α-synuclein aggregates in the brains of treated flies. In the mThy1-human α-synuclein transgenic mouse model, a decrease in α-synuclein accumulation was detected in several brain regions following treatment, suggesting that mannitol promotes α-synuclein clearance in the cell bodies. It appears that mannitol has a general neuroprotective effect in the transgenic treated mice, which includes the dopaminergic system. We therefore suggest mannitol as a basis for a dual mechanism therapeutic agent for the treatment of Parkinson disease.     

A kinetic aggregation assay allowing selective and sensitive amyloid-β quantification in cells and tissues

The process of amyloid-β (Aβ) fibril formation is genetically and pathologically linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, a selective and sensitive method for quantifying Aβ fibrils in complex biological samples allows a variety of hypotheses to be tested. Herein, we report the basis for a quantitative in vitro kinetic aggregation assay that detects seeding-competent Aβ aggregates in mammalian cell culture media, in Caenorhabditis elegans lysate, and in mouse brain homogenate. Sonicated, proteinase K-treated Aβ fibril-containing tissue homogenates or cell culture media were added to an initially monomeric Aβ(1-40) reporter peptide to seed an in vitro nucleated aggregation reaction. The reduction in the half-time (t(50)) of the amyloid growth phase is proportional to the quantity of seeding-competent Aβ aggregates present in the biological sample. An ion-exchange resin amyloid isolation strategy from complex biological samples is demonstrated as an alternative for improving the sensitivity and linearity of the kinetic aggregation assay.     

Glucose-Reducing Effect of the ORMD-0801 Oral Insulin Preparation in Patients with Uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

The unpredictable behavior of uncontrolled type 1 diabetes often involves frequent swings in blood glucose levels that impact maintenance of a daily routine. An intensified insulin regimen is often unsuccessful, while other therapeutic options, such as amylin analog injections, use of continuous glucose sensors, and islet or pancreas transplantation are of limited clinical use. In efforts to provide patients with a more compliable treatment method, Oramed Pharmaceuticals tested the capacity of its oral insulin capsule (ORMD-0801, 8 mg insulin) in addressing this resistant clinical state. Eight Type I diabetes patients with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c: 7.5–10%) were monitored throughout the 15-day study period by means of a blind continuous glucose monitoring device. Baseline patient blood glucose behavior was monitored and recorded over a five-day pretreatment screening period. During the ensuing ten-day treatment phase, patients were asked to conduct themselves as usual and to self-administer an oral insulin capsule three times daily, just prior to meal intake. CGM data sufficient for pharmacodynamics analyses were obtained from 6 of the 8 subjects. Treatment with ORMD-0801 was associated with a significant 24.4% reduction in the frequencies of glucose readings >200 mg/dL (60.1±7.9% pretreatment vs. 45.4±4.9% during ORMD-0801 treatment; p = 0.023) and a significant mean 16.6% decrease in glucose area under the curve (AUC) (66055±5547 mg/dL/24 hours vs. 55060±3068 mg/dL/24 hours, p = 0.023), with a greater decrease during the early evening hours. In conclusion, ORMD-0801 oral insulin capsules in conjunction with subcutaneous insulin injections, well tolerated and effectively reduced glycemia throughout the day.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00867594","term_id":"NCT00867594"}}NCT00867594.     

Peptide-based hydrogel nanoparticles as effective drug delivery agents

Peptide-based hydrogel nanoparticles represent a promising alternative to current drug delivery approaches. We have previously demonstrated that the Fmoc-FF aromatic dipeptide building block can self-assemble in aqueous solutions to form nano-scaled ordered hydrogels of remarkable mechanical rigidity. Here, we present a scalable process for the assembly of this peptide into hydrogel nanoparticles (HNPs) aimed to be utilized as potential drug delivery carriers. Fmoc-FF based HNPs were formulated via modified inverse-emulsion method using vitamin E-TPGS as an emulsion stabilizer and high speed homogenization. The formed HNPs exhibited two distinguishable populations with an average size of 21.5 ± 1.3 and 225.9 ± 0.8 nm. Gold nanoparticles were encapsulated within the hydrogel nanoparticles as contrast agents to monitor the formation of the assemblies and their ultrastructural properties. Next, we demonstrated a robust experimental procedure developed and optimized for the formulation, purification, storage and handling procedures of HNPs. Encapsulation of doxorubicin (Dox) and 5-flourouracil (5-Fu) within the HNPs matrix showed release kinetics of the drugs depending on their chemical structure, molecular weight and hydrophobicity. The results clearly indicate that Fmoc-FF based hydrogel nanoparticles have the potential to be used as encapsulation and delivery system of various drugs and bioactive molecules.