Role of NK cell-activating receptors and their ligands in the lysis of mononuclear phagocytes infected with an intracellular bacterium

We studied the role of NK cell-activating receptors and their ligands in the lysis of mononuclear phagocytes infected with the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Expression of the activating receptors NKp30, NKp46, and NKG2D were enhanced on NK cells by exposure to M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes, whereas expression of DNAX accessory molecule-1 and 2B4 was not. Anti-NKG2D and anti-NKp46 inhibited NK cell lysis of M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes, but Abs to NKp30, DNAX accessory molecule-1, and 2B4 had no effect. Infection of monocytes up-regulated expression of the NKG2D ligand, UL-16 binding protein (ULBP)1, but not expression of ULBP2, ULBP3, or MHC class I-related chain A or chain B. Up-regulation of ULBP1 on infected monocytes was dependent on TLR2, and anti-ULBP1 abrogated NK cell lysis of infected monocytes. The dominant roles of NKp46, NKG2D, and ULBP1 were confirmed for NK cell lysis of M. tuberculosis-infected alveolar macrophages. We conclude that NKp46 and NKG2D are the principal receptors involved in lysis of M. tuberculosis-infected mononuclear phagocytes, and that ULBP1 on infected cells is the major ligand for NKG2D. Furthermore, TLR2 contributes to up-regulation of ULBP1 expression.     

Evaluation of tocolytic efficacy of selective beta2 adrenoceptor agonists on buffalo uterus

Present study was conducted on prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), oxytocin, (OT), potassium chloride (KCI) and barium chloride (BaCl2) pre-contracted perimetrial uterine strips of dioestrus and pregnant buffaloes to evaluate the tocolytic efficacy of selective beta2 adrenoceptor agonists-albuterol (salbutamol) and terbutaline. Cumulative concentration-response curves of both the beta2 adrenoceptor agonists were constructed and the mean effective concentration (EC50) values determined and compared statistically. Based on the comparative EC50 values in relaxing the pre-contracted uterine strips with different spasmogens, the rank order potency of albuterol was found to be--PGF2alpha > BaCl2 > OT > KCl on uterine strips from dioestrus animals, while OT> BaCl2> PGF2alpha >KCl on the uterine strips of pregnant buffaloes. The rank order potency of terbutaline on uterine strips from dioestrus stage animals was- BaCl2 > OT > KCl > PGF2alpha, while BaCl2 > PGF2alpha > KCl > OT on uterine tissues of pregnant animals. Thus, irrespective of the state of uterus, whether gravid or non-gravid, KCl-depolarized uterine tissues required comparatively higher concentrations of albuterol or terbutaline to produce tocolytic effect. High concentrations of K+ in biophase may have interfered with the beta2 adrenoceptor agonists-induced outward K+ current and hyperpolarization. From the results of present study, it was evident that selective beta2 adrenergic agonists had good tocolytic efficacy on the uterus of buffaloes. Further, indirectly the possibility of existence and activation of K(Ca) channels by selective beta2 adrenoceptor agonists in mediating tocolysis of buffalo myometrium can not be ruled out, however, detailed studies using specific K(Ca) channel blockers are required for characterizing the nature of such channels in buffalo uterus.     

Experimental pathogenicity evaluation of Mycoplasma canadense from bovine mastitis in vitro and in vivo laboratory models

Mycoplasma canadense, a clinical isolate from milk of a mastitic buffalo, was experimentally tested for its pathogenic potential in hamster tracheal ring and rabbit fallopian tube explant organ cultures (in vitro) and rat and rabbit mammary gland (in vivo) models. The activity percentage reduction in M. canadense infected hamster tracheal rings was 99.1% in comparison to 16.4% in control rings. Mycoplasma canadense, also induced complete ciliostasis at 11-day post-infection in rabbit fallopian tube explants. Histopathological lesions in these infected organ cultures were loss of cilia, desquamation or denudation of epithelium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of macrophages as well as oedema in lamina propria. At the end of the experiments, M. canadense organisms were reisolated in pure colonies from the infected but not the control organ cultures. In the rat and rabbit mammary glands, M. canadense organisms persisted upto 6-day and 7-day postinfection, respectively and caused histopathological changes suggestive of subacute to chronic mastitis during the experimental period. The results indicate that the tested M. canadense clinical isolate was virulent.     

Intracellular delivery of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate causes incorporation of glucose transporter 4 into the plasma membrane of muscle and fat cells without increasing glucose uptake

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake into muscle and fat cells by translocating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the cell surface, with input from phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and its downstream effector Akt/protein kinase B. Whether PI 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P(3)) suffices to produce GLUT4 translocation is unknown. We used two strategies to deliver PI(3,4,5)P(3) intracellularly and two insulin-sensitive cell lines to examine Akt activation and GLUT4 translocation. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the acetoxymethyl ester of PI(3,4,5)P(3) caused GLUT4 migration to the cell periphery and increased the amount of plasma membrane-associated phospho-Akt and GLUT4. Intracellular delivery of PI(3,4,5)P(3) using polyamine carriers also induced translocation of myc-tagged GLUT4 to the surface of intact L6 myoblasts, demonstrating membrane insertion of the transporter. GLUT4 translocation caused by carrier-delivered PI(3,4,5)P(3) was not reproduced by carrier-PI 4,5-bisphosphate or carrier alone. Like insulin, carrier-mediated delivery of PI(3,4,5)P(3) elicited redistribution of perinuclear GLUT4 and Akt phosphorylation at the cell periphery. In contrast to its effect on GLUT4 mobilization, delivered PI(3,4,5)P(3) did not increase 2-deoxyglucose uptake in either L6GLUT4myc myoblasts or 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The ability of exogenously delivered PI(3,4,5)P(3) to augment plasma membrane GLUT4 content without increasing glucose uptake suggests that input at the level of PI 3-kinase suffices for GLUT4 translocation but is insufficient to stimulate glucose transport.     

Comparative effect of Ocimum sanctum, Commiphora mukul, folic acid and ramipril on lipid peroxidation in experimentally-induced hyperlipidemia

Treatment with C. mukul and O. sanctum, showed a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels respectively. O. sanctum also significantly increased serum HDL-cholesterol compared to control. Serum MDA levels were significantly reduced in all the treated groups compared to control suggesting that each of the drugs under study were effective in their free radical scavenging action. Erythrocyte SOD activity was increased in all the treatment groups with C. mukul showing the maximum effect followed by O. sanctum, folic acid and ramipril. The erythrocyte CAT activity was significantly increased in all the drug treated groups with maximum increase seen in O. sanctum and ramipril treated groups, whereas lesser effects were observed with C. mukul and folic acid groups. Thus, the indigenous drugs, C. mukul and O. sanctum had beneficial effect on hypercholesterolemic rabbit model, both in terms of lipid profile as well as antioxidant potential. Ocimum sanctum was found to be the most promising of all the drugs. Moreover, it could be hypothesized that these plant products along with folic acid and ramipril can be explored for synergistic effect for treatment for hypercholesterolemic conditions.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking of aryl hydrazines and hydrazides for anticancer activity

Aryl hydrazine and hydrazide analogues were synthesized based on p-tolyl hydrazine, isolated as a breakdown product of a secondary metabolite from the mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, and tested to be highly active molecule than 5-fluorouracil in in vitro anticancer studies. The synthesized analogues were tested for anticancer activity using NCI protocol. Anolgues 12 and 15 emerged as molecules with significant in vitro anticancer activity. Molecular docking study revealed the binding orientations of aryl hydrazines and hydrazides analogues in the active sites of thymidylate synthase.     

Biodegradation of mango kernel by Syncephalastrum racemosum and its biological control

Poor germination of mango seed due to fungal decay is a common problem in mango nurseries. The main causal fungus behind this problem is a black spore producing fungus, Syncephalastrum racemosum. This fungus exhibited high amylolytic activity and hence utilised the starch present in mango kernel for its own growth, thereby resulting in the death of emerging radical and plumule, which ultimately causes the death of emerging seedlings. A simple biocontrol device has been worked out by modifying the storage conditions of the mango seeds from aerobic to facultative. This change resulted in yeast growth on the pulp sticking to the mango seed, which in turn produced alcohol and prevented the growth of this fungus. The germination of such seeds has been found to be about 85–90%.     

Unique ayurvedic metallic-herbal preparations, chemical characterization

Bhasmas are unique Ayurvedic metallic preparations with herbal juices/fruits, known in the Indian subcontinent since the seventh century BC and widely recommended for treatment of a variety of chronic ailments. Twenty bhasmas based on calcium, iron, zinc, mercury, silver, potassium, arsenic, copper, tin, and gemstones were analyzed for up to 18 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis, including their C, H, N, and S contents. In addition to the major constituent element found at % level, several other essential elements such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn have also been found in μg/g amounts and ultratrace (ng/g) amounts of Au and Co. These seem to remain chelated with organic ligands derived from medicinal herbs. The bhasmas are biologically produced nanoparticles and are taken along with milk, butter, honey, or ghee (a preparation from milk), thus, this makes these elements easily assimilable, eliminating their harmful effects and enhancing their biocompatibility. Siddha Makaradhwaja, a mercury preparation is found to be stoichiometrically HgS without any traces of any other element. Similarly, Swet Parpati is stoichiometrically KNO₃ but is found to have Mn, Cu, Zn, Na, P, and Cl as well. An attempt has been made to correlate the metallic contents with their medicinal importance. Na and K, the two electrolytic elements, seem to be well correlated, although K/Na varies in a wide range from 0.06 to 95, with specifically low values for Ca-, Fe-, and Zn-based hasmas. K/P also varies in a wide range from 0.23 to 12, although for most bhasmas (n=12)., it is 2.3±1.2. Further, Fe/Mn is linearly correlated (r=0.96) with Fe in nine noniron bhasmas.     

Increase in the growth inhibition of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by an O-hexanoyl low-molecular-weight heparin derivative

Proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) appears to play a significant role in chronic pulmonary hypertension. The proliferation of PASMCs is strongly inhibited by some commercial heparin preparations. Heparin fragments were prepared by periodate treatment, followed by sodium borohydride reduction, to enhance potency. The tributylammonium salt of this fragmented heparin was O-acylated with hexanoic anhydride. Gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the major heparin fragment contained eight disaccharide units. NMR analysis showed that approximately one hexanoyl group per disaccharide residue was present. The O-hexanoyl heparin fragments were assayed for growth inhibitory effect on bovine PASMCs in culture. This derivative was found to be more effective in growth inhibition of bovine PASMCs in culture than the heparin from which it was derived. In the future, it is envisioned that this or similar derivatives may be an effective treatment for pulmonary hypertension.