Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of phthalimide-alkylamine derivatives as balanced multifunctional cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

A series of novel phthalimide-alkylamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as multi-functions inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The results showed that compound TM-9 could be regarded as a balanced multi-targets active molecule. It exhibited potent and balanced inhibitory activities against ChE and MAO-B (huAChE, huBuChE, and huMAO-B with IC₅₀ values of 1.2 μM, 3.8 μM and 2.6?μM, respectively) with low selectivity. Both kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition and molecular modeling study suggested that TM-9 binds simultaneously to the catalytic active site and peripheral anionic site of AChE. Interestingly, compound TM-9 abided by Lipinski’s rule of five. Furthermore, our investigation proved that TM-9 indicated weak cytotoxicity, and it could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. The results suggest that compound TM-9, an interesting multi-targeted active molecule, offers an attractive starting point for further lead optimization in the drug-discovery process against Alzheimer’s disease.     

鼠OAZ1基因的真核表达质粒的构建及其在COS7细胞中的表达

构建鼠OAZ1基因真核表达质粒,观察OAZ1-GFP融合蛋白在绿猴肾细胞COS7中的表达。利用RT-PCR的方法获得鼠OAZ1基因,再利用重叠延伸PCR缺失掉OAZ1序列中的205位碱基T,由此获得无需阅读框移码即可编码全长OAZ1的突变基因。将此突变基因克隆入真核表达载体pEGFP-N1获得重组质粒pEGFP-N1-OAZ1-T。将此质粒瞬时转染COS7后,采用RT-PCR,Western blotting,免疫荧光技术观察检测目的基因的表达情况。结果显示,酶切和测序证明质粒pEG-FP-N1-OAZ1-T构建正确,转染COS7细胞后,OAZ1-GFP融合蛋白能在细胞中高效表达。成功构建了pEGFP-N1-OAZ1-T真核表达质粒,在COS7细胞内,该质粒能成功指导OAZ1-GFP融合蛋白合成。     

3‐photon fluorescence imaging of sulforhodamine B‐labeled elastic fibers in the mouse skin in vivo

Elastic fibers are key constituents of the skin. The commonly adopted optical technique for visualizing elastic fibers in the animal skin in vivo is 2‐photon microscopy (2 PM) of autofluorescence, which typically suffers from low signal level. Here we demonstrate a new optical methodology to image elastic fibers in animal models in vivo: 3‐photon microscopy (3 PM) excited at the 1700‐nm window combining with preferential labeling of elastic fibers using sulforhodamine B (SRB). First, we demonstrate that intravenous injection of SRB can circumvent the skin barrier (encountered in topical application) and preferentially label elastic fibers, as verified by simultaneous 2 PM of both autofluorescence and SRB fluorescence from skin structures. Then through 3‐photon excitation property characterization, we show that 3‐photon fluorescence can be excited from SRB at the 1700‐nm window, and 1600‐nm excitation is most efficient according to our 3‐photon action cross section measurement. Based on these results and using our developed 1600‐nm femtosecond laser source, we finally demonstrate 3 PM of SRB‐labeled elastic fibers through the whole dermis in the mouse skin in vivo, with only 3.7‐mW optical power deposited on the skin surface. We expect our methodology will provide novel optical solution to elastic fiber research.     

Visualizing the “sandwich” structure of osteocytes in their native environment deep in bone in vivo

Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone and always the focus of bone research. They are embedded in the highly scattering mineralized bone matrix. Consequently, visualizing osteocytes deep in bone with subcellular resolution poses a major challenge for in vivo bone research. Here we overcome this challenge by demonstrating 3‐photon imaging of osteocytes through the intact mouse skull in vivo. Through broadband transmittance characterization, we establish that the excitation at the 1700‐nm window enables the highest optical transmittance through the skull. Using label‐free third‐harmonic generation (THG) imaging excited at this window, we visualize osteocytes through the whole 140‐μm mouse skull and 155 μm into the brain in vivo. By developing selective labeling technique for the interstitial space, we visualize the “sandwich” structure of osteocytes in their native environment. Our work provides novel imaging methodology for bone research in vivo.      

端粒-端粒酶系统与氧化还原微环境

端粒,作为染色体末端的特殊结构,可以有效保护染色体,防止其降解、末端融合和重组。端粒酶是通过逆转录维持端粒长度的蛋白核酸复合体。二者共同构成了端粒-端粒酶系统。经过近30年的研究,人们发现该系统与人类健康密切相关。氧化应激可导致端粒结构与功能的改变。本文总结了影响端粒、端粒酶结构与功能的不同途径,并分析了氧化还原微环境和氧化应激对其的影响及对人类疾病的作用。     

Incorporation of Chitosan Microspheres into Collagen-Chitosan Scaffolds for the Controlled Release of Nerve Growth Factor

Background

Artifical nerve scaffold can be used as a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts to enhance the repair of peripheral nerve defects. However, current nerve scaffolds lack efficient microstructure and neurotrophic support.

Methods

Microsphere–Scaffold composite was developed by incorporating chitosan microspheres loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF–CMSs) into collagen-chitosan scaffolds (CCH) with longitudinally oriented microchannels (NGF–CMSs/CCH). The morphological characterizations, in vitro release kinetics study, neurite outgrowth assay, and bioactivity assay were evaluated. After that, a 15-mm-long sciatic nerve gap in rats was bridged by the NGF–CMSs/CCH, CCH physically absorbed NGF (NGF/CCH), CCH or nerve autograft. 16 weeks after implantation, electrophysiology, fluoro-gold retrograde tracing, and nerve morphometry were performed.

Results

The NGF–CMSs were evenly distributed throughout the longitudinally oriented microchannels of the scaffold. The NGF–CMSs/CCH was capable of sustained release of bioactive NGF within 28 days as compared with others in vitro. In vivo animal study demonstrated that the outcomes of NGF–CMSs/CCH were better than those of NGF/CCH or CCH.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that incorporation of NGF–CMSs into the CCH may be a promising tool in the repair of peripheral nerve defects.     

Cyclooxygenase production of PGE2 promotes phagocyte control of A. fumigatus hyphal growth in larval zebrafish

Invasive aspergillosis is a common opportunistic infection, causing >50% mortality in infected immunocompromised patients. The specific molecular mechanisms of the innate immune system that prevent pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent individuals are not fully understood. Here, we used a zebrafish larva-Aspergillus infection model to identify cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme signaling as one mechanism that promotes host survival. Larvae exposed to the pan-COX inhibitor indomethacin succumb to infection at a significantly higher rate than control larvae. COX signaling is both macrophage- and neutrophil-mediated. However, indomethacin treatment has no effect on phagocyte recruitment. Instead, COX signaling promotes phagocyte-mediated inhibition of germination and invasive hyphal growth. Increased germination and invasive hyphal growth is also observed in infected F0 crispant larvae with mutations in genes encoding for COX enzymes (ptgs2a/b). Protective COX-mediated signaling requires the receptor EP2 and exogenous prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) rescues indomethacin-induced decreased immune control of fungal growth. Collectively, we find that COX signaling activates the PGE₂-EP2 pathway to increase control A. fumigatus hyphal growth by phagocytes in zebrafish larvae.     

油葵HaFAD2-2基因的克隆及表达分析

脂肪酸脱氢酶2(fatty acid desaturase,FAD2)催化油酸生成亚油酸,是植物体内生成多不饱和脂肪酸的关键酶。根据已报道的向日葵(Helianthus annuus L.)FAD2基因序列,设计引物进行RT-PCR,克隆得到油葵FAD2-2基因全长cDNA,命名为HaFAD2-2。该基因开放阅读框为1 152bp,编码383个氨基酸,相对分子质量43.96kD,等电点为8.56。对基因组进行内含子调查发现,该基因在编码区内没有内含子。多序列比对和系统进化分析发现,FAD2-2基因编码蛋白与金盏菊(Calendula officinalis)、斑鸠菊(Vernonia galamensis)等菊科植物具有较近的亲缘关系。qRT-PCR分析表明,HaFAD2-2基因在根、茎、叶、花、子叶和未成熟种子中均有表达,且以叶中的表达量最高,未成熟种子中的表达量最低;低温(5℃、15℃)胁迫处理能显著促进该基因在根中的表达,抑制其在叶中的表达;盐胁迫(300 mmol/L NaCl)处理对其表达也具有抑制作用。该研究结果可为进一步探讨HaFAD2-2基因的功能奠定基础。     

Reconfiguration of DNA nanostructures induced by enzymatic ligation treatment

Enzymatic ligation is a popular method in DNA nanotechnology for structural enforcement. When employed as stability switch for chosen components, ligation can be applied to induce DNA nanostructure reconfiguration. In this study, we investigate the reinforcement effect of ligation on addressable DNA nanostructures assembled entirely from short synthetic strands as the basis of structural reconfiguration. A careful calibration of ligation efficiency is performed on structures with programmable nicks. Systematic investigation using comparative agarose gel electrophoresis enables quantitative assessment of enhanced survivability with ligation treatment on a number of unique structures. The solid ligation performance sets up the foundation for the ligation-based structural reconfiguration. With the capability of switching base pairing status between permanent and transient (ON and OFF) by a simple round of enzymatic treatment, ligation induced reconfiguration can be engineered for DNA nanostructures accordingly.