RelB/p50 regulates TNF production in LPS-stimulated dendritic cells and macrophages

Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are effective antigen-presenting cells, and DCs, once matured, have the ability to potently activate naïve T cells. While the canonical p65/p50 NF-κB pathway seems to have an important role during LPS-stimulation of these cells, the specific contribution of the non-canonical RelB/p50 subunits is not clear yet. We aimed to investigate the relevance of this pathway in DCs and macrophages by using replication-deficient adenoviruses overexpressing RelB and p50 subunits to test their effect on cytokine production. In both cells, after LPS treatment, overexpression of RelB and p50 inhibited the production of some pro-inflammatory cytokines e.g., TNF, but not of others e.g. IL6. Anti-inflammatory IL10 was not affected. Moreover, when overexpressing p50 alone, IL10 was increased in LPS-activated macrophages.We thus demonstrated that the dimer RelB/p50 rather than the p50/p50 complex inhibits TNF production in LPS-stimulated DCs and macrophages. This implies that the non-canonical RelB/p50 could modulate the canonical p65/p50 pathway.     

Biocompatibility evaluation of densified bacterial nanocellulose hydrogel as an implant material for auricular cartilage regeneration

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), synthesized by the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus, is composed of highly hydrated fibrils (99 % water) with high mechanical strength. These exceptional material properties make BNC a novel biomaterial for many potential medical and tissue engineering applications. Recently, BNC with cellulose content of 15 % has been proposed as an implant material for auricular cartilage replacement, since it matches the mechanical requirements of human auricular cartilage. This study investigates the biocompatibility of BNC with increased cellulose content (17 %) to evaluate its response in vitro and in vivo. Cylindrical BNC structures (Ø48?×?20 mm) were produced, purified in a built-in house perfusion system, and compressed to increase the cellulose content in BNC hydrogels. The reduction of endotoxicity of the material was quantified by bacterial endotoxin analysis throughout the purification process. Afterward, the biocompatibility of the purified BNC hydrogels with cellulose content of 17 % was assessed in vitro and in vivo, according to standards set forth in ISO 10993. The endotoxin content in non-purified BNC (2,390 endotoxin units (EU)/ml) was reduced to 0.10 EU/ml after the purification process, level well below the endotoxin threshold set for medical devices. Furthermore, the biocompatibility tests demonstrated that densified BNC hydrogels are non-cytotoxic and cause a minimal foreign body response. In support with our previous findings, this study concludes that BNC with increased cellulose content of 17 % is a promising non-resorbable biomaterial for auricular cartilage tissue engineering, due to its similarity with auricular cartilage in terms of mechanical strength and host tissue response.     

Indolacetamid—ein Intermediat der Indolessigsäurebildung aus Indolacetonitril bei der Alge Furcellaria

Summary The red algae Furcellaria fastigiata, Nemalion multifidum, and the green alga Cladophora rupestris were able to hydrolyse IAN to IAA. The conversion of IAN to IAA by Furcellaria and probably by Cladophora included indoleacetamide as an intermediate.When the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus, Pylaiella litoralis, and Halidrys siliquosa were incubated with IAN, the only products formed were indolecarboxaldehyde and indolecarboxylic acid.     

Silicification patterns in wheat leaves related to ontogeny and soil silicon availability under field conditions

Plant and Soil - Silicon (Si) accumulation is an important strategy for plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress. Solid amorphous silica (ASi) deposits have been found to protect plants...