Transcriptome of Extracellular Vesicles Released by Hepatocytes

The discovery that the cells communicate through emission of vesicles has opened new opportunities for better understanding of physiological and pathological mechanisms. This discovery also provides a novel source for non-invasive disease biomarker research. Our group has previously reported that hepatocytes release extracellular vesicles with protein content reflecting the cell-type of origin. Here, we show that the extracellular vesicles released by hepatocytes also carry RNA. We report the messenger RNA composition of extracellular vesicles released in two non-tumoral hepatic models: primary culture of rat hepatocytes and a progenitor cell line obtained from a mouse foetal liver. We describe different subpopulations of extracellular vesicles with different densities and protein and RNA content. We also show that the RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles released by primary hepatocytes can be transferred to rat liver stellate-like cells and promote their activation. Finally, we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that liver-damaging drugs galactosamine, acetaminophen, and diclofenac modify the RNA content of these vesicles. To summarize, we show that the extracellular vesicles secreted by hepatocytes contain various RNAs. These vesicles, likely to be involved in the activation of stellate cells, might become a new source for non-invasive identification of the liver toxicity markers.     

TRPV1 modulators: structure-activity relationships using a rational combinatorial approach

A discrete library of linear and hydantoin-containing dipeptide derivatives, based on the Lys-Trp(Nps) scaffold, was prepared by solid-phase synthesis. SAR studies indicated that potency for TRPV1 blockade and selectivity towards NMDA is mainly dictated by the side-chain length and the basic nature of α, ω-groups in the N-terminal residue. The 2-Nps moiety at position 2 of Trp indole ring is preferred over the 2-pyridine one.     

Neural stem cells as biological minipumps: a faster route to cell therapy for the CNS?

One strategy for the use of neural stem cells (NSCs) in treating neurological disorders is as transplantable "biological minipumps", in which genetically engineered neural stem cells serve as sources of secreted therapeutic (neuroprotective or tumoricidal) agents. Neural stem cells are highly mobile within the brain and demonstrate a tropism for various types of central nervous system (CNS) pathology, making them promising candidates for targeted gene delivery vehicles. Although neural stem cells have also been proposed as a potential source of replacement neurons and astrocytes to repopulate injured or degenerating neural circuits, the challenges involved in rebuilding damaged brain architecture are substantial and remain an active area of investigation. In contrast, the use of NSCs as biological minipumps does not rely on neuronal differentiation, axonal targeting, or synaptogenesis. This strategy may be a faster route to cell-based therapy of the CNS and is poised to move into human clinical trials. This review considers two types of neurologic disease that may be suitable targets for this alternative approach to NSC therapy: glial brain tumors and traumatic brain injury. We examine some of the key scientific and technical issues that must be addressed for the successful use of NSCs as minipumps.     

Y‐specific microsatellites reveal an African subfamily in taurine (Bos taurus) cattle

Five cattle Y‐specific microsatellites, totalling six loci, were selected from a set of 44 markers and genotyped on 608 Bos taurus males belonging to 45 cattle populations from Europe and Africa. A total of 38 haplotypes were identified. Haplogroups (Y1 and Y2) previously defined using single nucleotide polymorphisms did not share haplotypes. Nine of the 27 Y2‐haplotypes were only present in African cattle. Network and correspondence analyses showed that this African‐specific subfamily clustered separately from the main Y2‐subfamily and the Y1 haplotypes. Within‐breed genetic variability was generally low, with most breeds (78%) showing haplotypes belonging to a single haplogroup. amova analysis showed that partitioning of genetic variation among breeds can be mainly explained by their geographical and haplogroup assignment. Between‐breed genetic variability summarized via Principal Component Analysis allowed the identification of three principal components explaining 94.2% of the available information. Projection of principal components on geographical maps illustrated that cattle populations located in mainland Europe, the three European Peninsulas and Mediterranean Africa presented similar genetic variation, whereas those breeds from Atlantic Europe and British Islands (mainly carrying Y1 haplotypes) and those from Sub‐Saharan Africa (belonging to Y2‐haplogroup) showed genetic variation of a different origin. Our study confirmed the existence of two large Y‐chromosome lineages (Y1 and Y2) in taurine cattle. However, Y‐specific microsatellites increased analytical resolution and allowed at least two different Y2‐haplotypic subfamilies to be distinguished, one of them restricted to the African continent.     

Changes in duration of developmental phases of durum wheat caused by breeding in Spain and Italy during the 20th century and its impact on yield

Background and Aims

Although the apical development of wheat has been widely described, studies analysing how genetic breeding over the 20th century influenced the developmental phases and its consequences on yield generation are lacking, especially for durum wheat under field conditions in Mediterranean environments. The aims of this study were to analyse the effects of breeding in Spain and Italy on crop development during the last century, to determine whether or not breeding significantly altered the developmental phases between sowing and maturity, and to evaluate the importance of each phase in determining the number of grains per spike of durum wheat (Triticum durum) cultivars representing the germplasm grown throughout the 20th century in Spain and Italy.

Methods

Eight field experiments were carried out during 4 years in two contrasting latitudes (Lleida and Granada, Spain). Plant material consisted of 24 durum wheat cultivars (12 Italian and 12 Spanish) grown throughout the 20th century in Spain and Italy.

Key Results

In Spanish materials, breeding reduced the duration of the period from sowing to anthesis, placing the grain-filling period in better conditions. In those cultivars, the sub-phase sowing–terminal spikelet formation was reduced while the duration of the period from booting to anthesis was increased. The number of grains per spike increased by 23 % from old to modern cultivars, by changes in the number of grains per spikelet in both Spanish and Italian cultivars. Floral abortion from booting to anthesis diminished by 24 % from old to modern cultivars, and grain setting increased by 13 %.

Conclusions

The results suggest that breeding reduced not only plant height, but also the time to anthesis. By extending the duration of the phase from booting to anthesis, which was associated with an increase in spike dry weight and grains per spike, it suggests that future increases in spike fertility could be achieved by enlarging that phase.     

Sry-negative XX true hermaphroditism in a roe deer

A two-year-old roe deer was brought down in the course of a hunt in the north of Spain (Asturias). On physical examination the individual presented well-developed bared antlers, but surprisingly a female external genitalia. Several anatomical, histological and genetic analyses were performed in order to explain the observed phenotype. Necropsy evidenced ovary-like structures with follicles on the surface; histological analyses of testes evidenced positive immunolabel against testosterone in Leydig cells; genetic analyses showed that the sex of the individual was consistent with a female individual. PCR analysis failed to detect SRY sequences; no PIS deletion, which is responsible for XX sex-reversal in goats, was detected. On the basis of its presumptive normal female sexual karyotype (XX) and the presence of two functional abdominal bilateral testes and ovaries, the roe deer was finally diagnosed as possessing an XX hermaphroditism syndrome. However, as in many other cases, the specific reason for the occurrence of this case of hermaphroditism could not be determined.     

Side Chain Anchoring of Tryptophan to Solid Supports Using a Dihydropyranyl Handle: Synthesis of Brevianamide F

The multifunctional character of tryptophan has made it a target for the development of new molecules with therapeutic applications. In this sense the design of alternative solid phase routes would allow the widening of synthetic possibilities to access these molecules through conventional or combinatorial strategies. The present work describes a new strategy for side-chain anchoring of tryptophan to dihydropyranyl-functionalized polystyrene resins and its application to the synthesis of the natural diketopiperazine Brevianamide F. For this study a new handle (4-[(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methoxy]benzoic acid) was prepared in order to functionalize aminomethyl or methylbenzhydrylamine resins. A preliminary study in solution using Fmoc-Trp-OR (R = Allyl or Me) and suitable resin models showed that the formation of an hemiaminal linkage with the indole system could be brought about by either conventional or microwave heating in 1,2-dichloroethane and in the presence of pyridine p-toluenesulfonate in yields of 70–95% practically without the formation of sub-products. On the other hand the amino acid could be liberated from the resin at room temperature in yields of up to 90% using trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane in the presence of 1,3-dimethoxybenzene as a cation scavenger. The conditions found in solution for the reversible formation of the hemiaminal were only reproducible in solid-phase work using conventional heating. These conditions were used in the synthesis of Brevianamide F, furnishing the diketopiperazine in an overall yield of 56%. These results demonstrate the potential of this strategy for the preparation of new molecules based upon tryptophan as a synthetic precursor.     

Proteostasis of tau. Tau overexpression results in its secretion via membrane vesicles

Increasing amounts of tau protein were expressed in non-neuronal cells. When intracellular amounts reached a threshold level, tau protein was released to the extracellular culture medium in association with membrane vesicles. Hence, we propose that tau might be secreted through membrane vesicles as a cellular mechanism to eliminate the excess of tau protein, thereby avoiding its toxicity.