Is Gut Dysbiosis an Epicenter of Parkinson’s Disease?

Once recognized as one of the most esoteric diseases of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is now deemed to be a chronic illness contributed by the central, autonomic and enteric nervous systems. Most likely, an accumulation of α-synuclein in the central and enteric nervous systems is the key that supports this viewpoint. Constipation, one of the non-motor hallmarks in roughly two-third of PD patients, is regulated by the composition of gut bacteria, which is assumed to set off the enteric α-synuclein accrual. Vagus nerve is suggested to direct the signal for α-synuclein over-expression and accumulation to the brain. While trillions of microorganisms reside in the intestinal tract, only one third of the proportion inhabits evenly in all individuals. Existence of an impaired gut-microbe-brain axis consonant with dysbiosis could be an epicenter of this inexplicable disorder. Any alteration in the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract owing to exposure of endogenous or exogenous chemicals or toxicants could lead to dysbiosis. However, inconsistency in the symptoms even after exposure to same chemical or toxicant in PD patients emphatically creates a conundrum. While the level of a few specific neurotransmitters and metabolites is influenced by microbes, implication of dysbiosis is still debatable. Nevertheless, the scientific literature is overflowing with the remarkable observations supporting the role of dysbiosis in PD. Lack of specificity to differentially diagnose PD with non-PD or PD-plus syndrome, to identify highly precise drug targets and to develop therapeutic stratagems to encounter the disease on the basis of this approach, causes us to be open-minded about the dysbiosis theory. The article reviews the facts supporting gut dysbiosis as the foremost trigger for PD onset along with disagreements.

     

Monoclonal antibodies to snakehead, Channa striata immunoglobulins: detection and quantification of immunoglobulin-positive cells in blood and lymphoid organs

Snakehead Channa striata is an important freshwater food fish in many Southeast Asian countries. Three monoclonal antibodies (C9, C10 and D10) were developed against purified serum immunoglobulins of Channa striata (Cs-Ig) and characterized. C9 and D10 MAbs were specific to heavy chain, while C10 MAb detected only unreduced Cs-Ig in western blotting. In competitive ELISA, C9 and C10 MAbs were specific to C. striata Ig and showed no cross reactivity with serum Ig of other fish species i.e. Channa punctatus, Channa marulius, Clarias batrachus and Labeo rohita. D10 MAb showed reactivity to serum Ig of C. striata and C. marulius. In FACS analysis of gated lymphocytes, the percentage of Ig+ cells detected by C9 MAb was 18.2%, 27.7% and 10.3% in blood, spleen and kidney, respectively (n=3, body weight 500-600 g). However, only a few cells (0.5%) were found to be Ig+ in thymus (n=5). C9 MAb was also successfully employed to demonstrate Ig+ cells in blood smears and formalin fixed sections of spleen and kidney. These findings suggest that the spleen plays an important role in humoral immunity as compared to head kidney. Further, these MAbs can be useful immunological tool in monitoring health status of cultured C. striata.     

Candida glabrata Pwp7p and Aed1p are required for adherence to human endothelial cells

Candida glabrata owes its success as a pathogen, in part, to a large repertoire of adhesins present on the cell surface. Our current knowledge of C. glabrata adhesins and their role in the interaction between host and pathogen is limited to work with only a single family of epithelial adhesins (Epa proteins). Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell wall proteins in C. glabrata. These proteins are absent in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, suggesting that C. glabrata has evolved different mechanism(s) for interaction with host cells. In the current study, we present data on the characterization of Pwp7p (PA14 domain containing Wall Protein) and Aed1p (Adherence to Endothelial cells) of this family in the interaction of C. glabrata with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The deletion of C. glabrata genes PWP7 and AED1 results in a significant reduction in adherence to endothelial cells compared with the wild-type parent. These data indicate that C. glabrata utilizes these proteins for adherence to endothelial cells in vitro.     

Critical role of VCP/p97 in the pathogenesis and progression of non-small cell lung carcinoma

Background

Valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97 is an AAA ATPase molecular chaperone that regulates vital cellular functions and protein-processing. A recent study indicated that VCP expression levels are correlated with prognosis and progression of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We not only verified these findings but also identified the specific role of VCP in NSCLC pathogenesis and progression.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Our results show that VCP is significantly overexpressed in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) as compared to normal tissues and cell lines (p<0.001). Moreover, we observed the corresponding accumulation of ubiquitinated-proteins in NSCLC cell lines and tissues as compared to the normal controls. VCP inhibition by si/shRNA or small-molecule (Eeyarestatin I, EerI) significantly (p<0.05, p<0.00007) suppressed H1299 proliferation and migration but induced (p<0.00001) apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry verified this data and shows that VCP inhibition significantly (p<0.001, p<0.003) induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phases. We also found that VCP directly regulates p53 and NFκB protein levels as a potential mechanism to control tumor cell proliferation and progression. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of VCP inhibition and observed significantly reduced NSCLC tumor growth in both in vitro and xenograft murine (athymic-nude) models after EerI treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusions/Significance

Thus, targeting VCP in NSCLC may provide a novel strategy to restore p53 and NFκB levels and ameliorate the growth and tumorigenicity, leading to improved clinical outcomes.     

Snakebite mortality in India: a nationally representative mortality survey

Background

India has long been thought to have more snakebites than any other country. However, inadequate hospital-based reporting has resulted in estimates of total annual snakebite mortality ranging widely from about 1,300 to 50,000. We calculated direct estimates of snakebite mortality from a national mortality survey.

Methods and Findings

We conducted a nationally representative study of 123,000 deaths from 6,671 randomly selected areas in 2001–03. Full-time, non-medical field workers interviewed living respondents about all deaths. The underlying causes were independently coded by two of 130 trained physicians. Discrepancies were resolved by anonymous reconciliation or, failing that, by adjudication.A total of 562 deaths (0.47% of total deaths) were assigned to snakebites. Snakebite deaths occurred mostly in rural areas (97%), were more common in males (59%) than females (41%), and peaked at ages 15–29 years (25%) and during the monsoon months of June to September. This proportion represents about 45,900 annual snakebite deaths nationally (99% CI 40,900 to 50,900) or an annual age-standardised rate of 4.1/100,000 (99% CI 3.6–4.5), with higher rates in rural areas (5.4/100,000; 99% CI 4.8–6.0), and with the highest state rate in Andhra Pradesh (6.2). Annual snakebite deaths were greatest in the states of Uttar Pradesh (8,700), Andhra Pradesh (5,200), and Bihar (4,500).

Conclusions

Snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India. Because a large proportion of global totals of snakebites arise from India, global snakebite totals might also be underestimated. Community education, appropriate training of medical staff and better distribution of antivenom, especially to the 13 states with the highest prevalence, could reduce snakebite deaths in India.     

Global Shapes of F-actin Depolymerization-competent Minimal Gelsolins: INSIGHT INTO THE ROLE OF g2-g3 LINKER IN pH/Ca2+ INSENSITIVITY OF THE FIRST HALF*

Because of its ability to rapidly depolymerize F-actin, plasma gelsolin has emerged as a therapeutic molecule in different disease conditions. High amounts of exogenous gelsolin are, however, required to treat animal models of different diseases. Knowing that the F-actin depolymerizing property of gelsolin resides in its N terminus, we made several truncated versions of plasma gelsolin. The smaller versions, particularly the one composed of the first 28–161 residues, depolymerized the F-actin much faster than the native gelsolin and other truncates at the same molar ratios. Although G1-G3 loses its dependence on Ca²⁺ or low pH for the actin depolymerization function, interestingly, G1-G2 and its smaller versions were found to regain this requirement. Small angle x-ray scattering-based shape reconstructions revealed that G1-G3 adopts an open shape in both the presence and the absence of Ca²⁺ as well as low pH, whereas G1-G2 and residues 28–161 prefer collapsed states in Ca²⁺-free conditions at pH 8. The mutations in the g2-g3 linker resulted in the calcium sensitivity of the mutant G1-G3 for F-actin depolymerization activity, although the F-actin-binding sites remained exposed in the mutant G1-G3 as well as in the smaller truncates even in the Ca²⁺-free conditions at pH 8. Furthermore, unlike wild type G1-G3, calcium-sensitive mutants of G1-G3 acquired closed shapes in the absence of free calcium, implying a role of g2-g3 linker in determining the open F-actin depolymerizing-competent shape of G1-G3 in this condition. We demonstrate that the mobility of the G1 domain, essential for F-actin depolymerization, is indirectly regulated by the gelsolin-like sequence of g2-g3 linker.     

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte elicited therapeutic vaccine candidate targeting cancer against MAGE-A11 carcinogenic protein

Immunotherapy is a breakthrough approach for cancer treatment and prevention. By exploiting the fact that cancer cells have overexpression of tumor antigens responsible for its growth and progression, which can be identified and removed by boosting the immune system. In silico techniques have provided efficient ways for developing preventive measures to ward off cancer. Herein, we have designed a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope to elicit a desirable immune response against carcinogenic melanoma-associated antigen-A11. Potent epitope was predicted using reliable algorithms and characterized by advanced computational avenue CABS molecular dynamics simulation, for full flexible binding with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor to large-scale rearrangements of the complex system. Results showed the potent immunogenic construct (KIIDLVHLL), from top epitopes using five algorithms. Molecular docking analyses showed the strong binding of epitope with HLA-A*0201 and androgen receptor with docking score of −780.6 and −641.06 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed strong binding of lead epitope with androgen receptor by involvement of 127 elements through atomic-model study. Full flexibility study showed stable binding of epitope with an average root mean square deviation (RMSD) 2.21 Å and maximum RMSD value of 6.48 Å in optimal cluster density area. The epitope also showed remarkable results with radius of gyration 23.0777 Å, world population coverage of 39.08% by immune epitope database, and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) affinity IC₅₀ value of 2039.65 nm. Moreover, in silico cloning approach confirmed the expression and translation capacity of the construct within a suitable expression vector. The present study paves way for a potential immunogenic construct for prevention of cancer.     

Role of myosin light chain kinase in cardiotrophin-1-induced cardiac myofibroblast cell migration

Chemotactic movement of myofibroblasts is recognized as a common means for their sequestration to the site of tissue injury. Following myocardial infarction (MI), recruitment of cardiac myofibroblasts to the infarct scar is a critical step in wound healing. Contractile myofibroblasts express embryonic smooth muscle myosin, α-smooth muscle actin, as well as collagens I and III. We examined the effects of cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) in the induction of primary rat ventricular myofibroblast motility. Changes in membrane potential (E(m)) and Ca(2+) entry were studied to reveal the mechanisms for induction of myofibroblast migration. CT-1-induced cardiac myofibroblast cell migration, which was attenuated through the inhibition of JAK2 (25 μM AG490), and myosin light chain kinase (20 μM ML-7). Inhibition of K(+) channels (1 mM tetraethylammonium or 100 μM 4-aminopyridine) and nonselective cation channels by 10 μM gadolinium (Gd(3+)) significantly reduced migration in the presence of CT-1. CT-1 treatment caused a significant increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation, which could be inhibited by incubation in Ca(2+)-free conditions or by application of AG490, ML-7, and W7 (100 μM; calmodulin inhibitor). Monitoring myofibroblast membrane potential with potentiometric fluorescent DiBAC(4)(3) dye revealed a biphasic response to CT-1 consisting of an initial depolarization followed by hyperpolarization. Increased intracellular Ca(2+), as assessed by fluo 3, occurred immediately after membrane depolarization and attenuated at the time of maximal hyperpolarization. CT-1 exerts chemotactic effects via multiple parallel signaling modalities in ventricular myofibroblasts, including changes in membrane potential, alterations in intracellular calcium, and activation of a number of intracellular signaling pathways. Further study is warranted to determine the precise role of K(+) currents in this process.