Intrinsically altered lung‐resident γδT cells control lung melanoma by producing interleukin‐17A in the elderly

Cancer is an age‐associated disease, potentially related to the altered immune system of elderly individuals. However, cancer has gradually decreased incidence in the eldest globally such as the most common lung cancer, the mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. In this study, it was found that the number of lung‐resident γδT cells was significantly increased with altered gene expression in aged mice (20–24 months) versus young mice (10–16 weeks). Aged lung Vγ4⁺ and Vγ6⁺ γδT cells predominantly produced interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A), resulting in increased levels in the serum and lungs. Moreover, the aged mice exhibited smaller tumors and reduced numbers of tumor foci in the lungs after challenge with intravenous injection of B16/F10 melanoma cells compared with the young mice. Aged lung Vγ4⁺ and Vγ6⁺ γδT cells were highly cytotoxic to B16/F10 melanoma cells with higher expression levels of CD103. The markedly longer survival of the challenged aged mice was dependent on γδT17 cells, since neutralization of IL‐17A or depletion of indicated γδT cells significantly shortened the survival time. Consistently, supplementation of IL‐17A significantly enhanced the survival time of young mice with lung melanoma. Furthermore, the anti‐tumor activity of aged lung γδT17 cells was not affected by alterations in the load and composition of commensal microbiota, as demonstrated through co‐housing of the aged and young mice. Intrinsically altered lung γδT17 cells underlying age‐dependent changes control lung melanoma, which will help to better understand the lung cancer progression in the elderly and the potential use of γδT17 cells in anti‐tumor immunotherapy.     

Age attenuates the T‐type CaV3.2‐RyR axis in vascular smooth muscle

Caveolae position Ca_V3.2 (T‐type Ca²⁺ channel encoded by the α‐3.2 subunit) sufficiently close to RyR (ryanodine receptors) for extracellular Ca²⁺ influx to trigger Ca²⁺ sparks and large‐conductance Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ channel feedback in vascular smooth muscle. We hypothesize that this mechanism of Ca²⁺ spark generation is affected by age. Using smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from mouse mesenteric arteries, we found that both Ca_v3.2 channel inhibition by Ni²⁺ (50 µM) and caveolae disruption by methyl‐ß‐cyclodextrin or genetic abolition of Eps15 homology domain‐containing protein (EHD2) inhibited Ca²⁺ sparks in cells from young (4 months) but not old (12 months) mice. In accordance, expression of Ca_v3.2 channel was higher in mesenteric arteries from young than old mice. Similar effects were observed for caveolae density. Using SMAKO Ca_v1.2^?/? mice, caffeine (RyR activator) and thapsigargin (Ca²⁺ transport ATPase inhibitor), we found that sufficient SR Ca²⁺ load is a prerequisite for the Ca_V3.2‐RyR axis to generate Ca²⁺ sparks. We identified a fraction of Ca²⁺ sparks in aged VSMCs, which is sensitive to the TRP channel blocker Gd³⁺ (100 µM), but insensitive to Ca_V1.2 and Ca_V3.2 channel blockade. Our data demonstrate that the VSMC Ca_V3.2‐RyR axis is down‐regulated by aging. This defective Ca_V3.2‐RyR coupling is counterbalanced by a Gd³⁺ sensitive Ca²⁺ pathway providing compensatory Ca²⁺ influx for triggering Ca²⁺ sparks in aged VSMCs.     

A colorimetric sensor array based on natural pigments for the discrimination of saccharides

A colorimetric sensor array based on natural pigments was developed to discriminate between various saccharides. Anthocyanins, pH‐sensitive natural pigments, were extracted from fruits and flowers and used as components of the sensor array. Variation in pH, due to the reaction between saccharides and boronic acids, caused obvious colour changes in the natural pigments. Only by observing the difference map with the naked eye could 11 common saccharides be divided into independent individuals. In conjunction with pattern recognition, the sensor array clearly differentiated between sugar and sugar alcohol with highly accuracy and allowed rapid quantification of different concentrations of maltitol and fructose. This sensor array for saccharides is expected to become a promising alternative tool for food monitoring. The link between anthocyanin and saccharide detection opened a new guiding direction for the application of anthocyanins in foods.     

Ultrasensitive Deep-Ultraviolet Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors Using Aluminum-Graphene Metasurface: a Theoretical Insight

Plasmonics - This study investigates a versatile deep-ultraviolet (DUV) surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor by integrating a few graphene layers into low-cost aluminum (Al) thin film. The...     

Terahertz Selective Emission Enhancement from a Metasurface-Coupled Photoconductive Emitter in Quasi-Near-Field Zone

We present a THz emission enhancement of 41 times at 0.92 THz from a metasurface made of T-shaped resonators excited in a quasi-near-field zone. Such a metasurface has an intrinsic transmission minimum with Q factor of 4 at 1.25 THz under far-field excitation. When this metasurface is coupled onto the backside of a 625-μm-thick photoconductive emitter, the metasurface is below the Fraunhofer distance to the excitation source. As such, one broad enhancement around 0.47 THz and another extremely narrow enhancement at 0.92 THz in the emission spectrum are observed owing to a quasi-near-field excitation. Theoretically, the Q factor of the latter is up to 307, which is limited by the spectral resolution in experiment. The numerical simulations indicate that the T-shaped resonators serve as an array of plasmonic antennas resulting in the aforementioned emission enhancement of THz radiation.