Defining the Catalytic Activity of Nanoceria in the P23H-1 Rat,a Photoreceptor Degeneration Model

Purpose

Inorganic catalytic nanoceria or cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) are bona fide antioxidants that possess regenerative radical scavenging activities in vitro. Previously, we demonstrated that CeNPs had neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic properties in rodent retinal degeneration and neovascularization models. However, the cellular mechanisms and duration of the catalytic activity of CeNPs in preventing photoreceptor cell loss are still unknown. In this study, we sought to answer these questions using the P23H-1 rat, an autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) model.

Methods

A single dose of either saline or CeNPs was delivered intravitreally into the eyes of P23H-1 rats at 2–3 weeks of age. Retinal functions were examined at 3 to 7 weeks post injection. We quantified retinal proteins by Western blot analyses and counted the number of apoptotic (TUNEL+) profiles in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of retinal sections. We measured free 8-isoprostanes to quantify lipid peroxidation in retinal tissues.

Results

We observed increased rod and cone cell functions up to three weeks post injection. Apoptotic cells were reduced by 46%, 56%, 21%, and 24% at 3, 7, 14, 21 days, respectively, after CeNPs injection compared to saline. Additionally, reduction of lipid peroxidation in the retinas of CeNPs-treated vs saline-treated animals was detected 14 days post injection.

Conclusions

We validated that CeNPs were effective in delaying loss of photoreceptor cell function in an adRP rat model. This represents the fourth rodent retinal disease model that shows delay in disease progression after a single application of CeNPs. We further demonstrated that CeNPs slowed the rate of photoreceptor cell death. We deduced that the catalytic activity of CeNPs in vivo in this rat model to be undiminished for at least 7 days and then declined over the next 14 days after CeNPs administration.     

Effect of TIM-3 Blockade on the Immunophenotype and Cytokine Profile of Murine Uterine NK Cells

NK cells are the most abundant lymphocyte population in the feto-maternal interface during gestation. The uterine NK cells (uNK) are transient, have a unique immunophenotype and produce a number of cytokines. These cytokines play an important role in establishment and maintenance of vascular remodeling and tolerance associated with successful pregnancy. The uNK cells also express TIM-3 during gestation and blockade of TIM-3 expression results in fetal loss in mice. In this study we determined the effect of TIM-3 blockade on uNK cells. Specifically we observed surface receptor phenotype and cytokine production by uNK cells following TIM-3 blockade. Our results show that TIM-3 plays a role in regulating the uNK cells and contributes to the maintenance of tolerance at the feto-maternal interface.     

Biophysical properties of the isolated spike protein binding helix of human ACE2

The entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus in human cells is mediated by the binding of its surface spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. A 23-residue long helical segment (SBP1) at the binding interface of human ACE2 interacts with viral spike protein and therefore has generated considerable interest as a recognition element for virus detection. Unfortunately, emerging reports indicate that the affinity of SBP1 to the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein is much lower than that of the ACE2 receptor itself. Here, we examine the biophysical properties of SBP1 to reveal factors leading to its low affinity for the spike protein. Whereas SBP1 shows good solubility (solubility > 0.8 mM), circular dichroism spectroscopy shows that it is mostly disordered with some antiparallel β-sheet content and no helicity. The helicity is substantial (>20%) only upon adding high concentrations (≥20% v/v) of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, a helix promoter. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and single-molecule photobleaching studies show that the peptide oligomerizes at concentrations >50 nM. We hypothesized that mutating the hydrophobic residues (F28, F32, and F40) of SBP1, which do not directly interact with the spike protein, to alanine would reduce peptide oligomerization without affecting its spike binding affinity. Whereas the mutant peptide (SBP1^mod) shows substantially reduced oligomerization propensity, it does not show improved helicity. Our study shows that the failure of efforts, so far, to produce a short SBP1 mimic with a high affinity for the spike protein is not only due to the lack of helicity but is also due to the heretofore unrecognized problem of oligomerization.     

A structurally novel hemopexin fold protein of rice plays role in chlorophyll degradation

Proteins containing hemopexin fold domain are suggested to have diverse functions in various living organisms. In order to investigate the structure and function of this type of protein in rice plant (Oryza sativa), the gene encoding a hemopexin fold protein (OsHFP) was cloned, analyzed in silico and characterized. Molecular modeling revealed that the OsHFP is closely related to other hemopexin fold proteins, but is unique with a cylindrical central tunnel as well as extended N- and C-terminal domains. The recombinant OsHFP was found to bind hemin, the oxidized form of heme in vitro. The expression of the single copy OsHFP gene was detected in rice flower buds. Heterologous expression of OsHFP in green leaf tissues resulted in chlorophyll degradation; however, stable expression of OsHFP was observed in transgenic hairy roots, a non-green tissue. The possible role of OsHFP in regulating programmed cell death in anther green tissues of rice is proposed.     

Sulfated polysaccharides from Laminaria angustata: Structural features and in vitro antiviral activities

Sulfated polysaccharides potently inhibit the infectivity of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in cultured cells. In this study, we have analyzed sulfated xylogalactofucan and alginic acid containing fractions generated from Laminaria angustata, a marine alga. The xylogalactofucan that has apparent molecular mass of 56 ± 5 kDa and unusually low sulfate content contains, inter alia, 1,3-, 1,4- and 1,2-linked fucopyranosyl residues. The algin (molecular mass: 32 ± 5 kDa) contains gulo- (55.5%) and mannuronic (44.5%) acid residues. Introduction of sulfate groups enhanced the macromolecules capability to inhibit the infection of cells by HSV-1. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of these macromolecules against HSV-1 were in the range of 0.2-25 μg ml⁻¹ and they lacked cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 1000 μg ml⁻¹. The sulfate content appeared to be an important hallmark of anti-HSV-1 activity. Our results suggest the feasibility of inhibiting HSV attachment to cells by direct interaction of polysaccharides with viral particles.     

Influence of plant growth hormones on the growth of Mucor rouxii and chitosan production

Supplementation of molasses-salt medium with plant growth hormones, viz., indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid, kinetin and gibberellic acid, increased chitosan production by Mucor rouxii as well as its growth at different optimum concentrations. The increase in yield of chitosan was found to range from 34% to 69% and mycelial growth from 12% to 17.4%. Gibberellic acid was the most potent in this respect. Sixty-nine percent more chitosan over the control could be obtained from 1l of the medium supplemented with 3mg gibberellic acid. Degree of acetylation of chitosan ( approximately 13%) was not changed due to addition of hormone in the medium but weight average molecular weight of chitosan increased by more than 50%. Thus, the plant growth hormones add a value to chitosan by increasing its molecular weight.     

Activation of both Mos and Cdc25 is required for G2-M transition in perch oocyte

Resumption of meiosis from diplotene arrest during the first meiotic prophase in vertebrate oocytes is universally controlled by MPF, a heterodimer of Cdk1 and cyclin B. Activation of MPF depends on the withdrawal of Cdk1 inhibition by Wee1/Myt1 kinase on the one hand and the activation of Cdk1 by Cdc25 phosphatase on the other. It is relevant to know whether both these pathways are necessary to rescue diplotene arrest or if either one of them is sufficient. In MIH (17alpha, 20beta dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) incubated perch (Anabas testudineus) oocytes we have examined these possibilities. Perch oocyte extract following MIH incubation showed a significant increase in Myt1 phosphorylation from 12 to 16 hr indicating its progressive deactivation. MIH induced Mos expression markedly increased at 16 hr effecting 95% GVBD. Cycloheximide inhibited MIH induced Mos expression and its phosphorylation, which in turn reduced Myt1 phosphorylation and GVBD. Myt1 phosphorylation was blocked in Mos immunodepleted oocytes. All these suggest the involvement of Mos in Myt1 phosphorylation. Oocytes incubated in MIH for 16 hr activated Cdc25, but such activation could not rescue the inhibition of GVBD due to Myt1 in Mos immunodepleted oocytes. Blocking Cdc25 with an antisense oligo significantly inhibited GVBD even though Myt1 remained deactivated during this period. Taken together, our findings indicate that MIH requires both pathways for perch oocyte maturation: the expression and activation of Mos, which is linked to Myt1 deactivation on the one hand, and the activation of Cdc25 on the other, as blocking either pathway compromised G2-M transition in perch oocytes.     

The Tai-Phake of Assam, India--a morphometric study and population comparison with neighbouring groups

Morphometric characters of the adult males of the Tai-Phake and the nature and extent of morphometric variation among five neighboring mongoloid groups of Assam have been examined in the present study. For the sake of investigation 12 anthropometric measurements have been taken and five indices have been calculated. In order to obtain the distance values size, shape and biological distance are calculated. It revels that the Tai-Phake maintains a far distance with other five neighboring groups (Ahom, Deuri, Chutia, Mishing and Moran). The Ahom also maintain far distance with other five groups. While, the Mishing and Moran, and Deuri and Chutia maintain close distance among themselves.     

Comparison of BCG,MPL and cationic liposome adjuvant systems in leishmanial antigen vaccine formulations against murine visceral leishmaniasis

Background  

The development of an effective vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an essential aim for controlling the disease. Use of the right adjuvant is of fundamental importance in vaccine formulations for generation of effective cell-mediated immune response. Earlier we reported the protective efficacy of cationic liposome-associated L. donovani promastigote antigens (LAg) against experimental VL. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two very promising adjuvants, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) plus trehalose dicorynomycolate (TDM) with cationic liposomes, in combination with LAg, to confer protection against murine VL.