Differentiation of the binding of two ligands to a tetrameric protein with a single symmetric active site by 19F NMR

R67 dihydrofolate reductase (R67 DHFR) is a plasmid‐encoded enzyme that confers resistance to the antibacterial drug trimethoprim. R67 DHFR is a tetramer with a single active site that is unusual as both cofactor and substrate are recognized by symmetry‐related residues. Such promiscuity has limited our previous efforts to differentiate ligand binding by NMR. To address this problem, we incorporated fluorine at positions 4, 5, 6, or 7 of the indole rings of tryptophans 38 and 45 and characterized the spectra to determine which probe was optimal for studying ligand binding. Two resonances were observed for all apo proteins. Unexpectedly, the W45 resonance appeared broad, and truncation of the disordered N‐termini resulted in the appearance of one sharp W45 resonance. These results are consistent with interaction of the N‐terminus with W45. Binding of the cofactor broadened W38 for all fluorine probes, whereas substrate, dihydrofolate, binding resulted in the appearance of three new resonances for 4‐ and 5‐fluoroindole labeled protein and severe line broadening for 6‐ and 7‐fluoroindole R67 DHFR. W45 became slightly broader upon ligand binding. With only two peaks in the ¹⁹F NMR spectra, our data were able to differentiate cofactor and substrate binding to the single, symmetric active site of R67 DHFR and yield binding affinities.     

环丝氨酸联合莫西沙星治疗耐多药肺结核的疗效及对免疫功能和生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨环丝氨酸联合莫西沙星治疗耐多药肺结核（MDR-TB）的疗效及对免疫功能和生活质量的影响。方法：选取2016年7月到2018年10月期间我院收治的MDR-TB患者86例作为研究对象,根据奇偶排序法将患者分为对照组（n=43,基础治疗联合莫西沙星治疗）和研究组（n=43,对照组基础上联合环丝氨酸治疗）,均治疗20个月。对比两组疗效、痰结核菌转阴率、病灶吸收率、空洞缩小率情况、免疫功能、生活质量及不良反应。结果：研究组治疗20个月后的总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗12个月后、治疗20个月后痰结核菌转阴率、病灶吸收率、空洞缩小率均高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗20个月后心理功能、躯体功能、社会功能、物质生活评分均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗20个月后CD8⁺较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）,CD3⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺、CD4⁺较治疗前升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。对比两组不良反应发生率无差异（P>0.05）。结论：环丝氨酸联合莫西沙星治疗MDR-TB,能够有效的促进患者机体免疫功能和生活质量的改善,并能够有效的促进临床转归,且用药安全性较高。     

莫西沙星联合纤维支气管镜药物灌注对耐多药肺结核患者T细胞亚群、肺功能和肝功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨莫西沙星联合纤维支气管镜药物灌注对耐多药肺结核患者T细胞亚群、肺功能和肝功能的影响。方法：选取2017年2月~2018年12月期间我院收治的90例耐多药肺结核患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组（n=45,常规基础治疗）和研究组（n=45,莫西沙星联合纤维支气管镜药物灌注）,比较两组患者痰菌转阴率、病灶吸收率、T细胞亚群、肺功能和肝功能。结果：研究组治疗6个月后的痰菌转阴率为88.89%（40/45）,高于对照组的68.89%（31/45）（P<0.05）。研究组治疗6个月后的病灶吸收率为84.44%（38/45）,高于对照组的64.44%（29/45）（P<0.05）。两组治疗6个月后第1 s用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、每分钟最大通气量（MVV）占预计值百分比、总蛋白(TP)、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）;丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、CD8⁺均降低,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：莫西沙星联合纤维支气管镜药物灌注治疗耐多药肺结核,可有效阻止疾病进展,同时在改善患者T细胞亚群、肺功能和肝功能方面效果显著。     

Synthetic glycolipid-based TLR4 antagonists negatively regulate TRIF-dependent TLR4 signalling in human macrophages

TLRs, including TLR4, play a crucial role in inflammatory-based diseases, and TLR4 has been identified as a therapeutic target for pharmacological intervention. In previous studies, we investigated the potential of FP7, a novel synthetic glycolipid active as a TLR4 antagonist, to inhibit haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic MyD88-dependent TLR4 pro-inflammatory signalling. The main aim of this study was to investigate the action of FP7 and its derivative FP12 on MyD88-independent TLR4 signalling in THP-1 derived macrophages. Western blotting, Ab array and ELISA approaches were used to explore the effect of FP7 and FP12 on TRIF-dependent TLR4 functional activity in response to LPS and other endogenous TLR4 ligands in THP-1 macrophages. A different kinetic in the inhibition of endotoxin-driven TBK1, IRF3 and STAT1 phosphorylation was observed using different LPS chemotypes. Following activation of TLR4 by LPS, data revealed that FP7 and FP12 inhibited TBK1, IRF3 and STAT1 phosphorylation which was associated with down-regulation IFN-β and IP-10. Specific blockage of the IFN type one receptor showed that these novel molecules inhibited TRIF-dependent TLR4 signalling via IFN-β pathways. These results add novel information on the mechanism of action of monosaccharide FP derivatives. The inhibition of the TRIF-dependent pathway in human macrophages suggests potential therapeutic uses for these novel TLR4 antagonists in pharmacological interventions on inflammatory diseases.     

A Novel Wick-Like Paper-Based Microfluidic Device for 3D Cell Culture and Anti-Cancer Drugs Screening

Paper is increasingly recognized as a portable substrate for cell culture, due to its low-cost, flexible, and special porous property, which provides a native cellular 3D microenvironment. Therefore, paper-based microfluidics has been developed for cell culture and biomedical analysis. However, the inability of continuous medium supply limits the wide application of paper devices for cell culture. Herein, a paper-based microfluidic device is developed with novel folded paper strips as wick-like structure, which is used for medium self-driven perfusion. The paper with patterns of hydrophilic channel, culture areas, and hydrophobic barrier could be easily fabricated through wax-printing. After printing, the hydrophilic paper strip at the periphery of the lower layer is then folded at 90° and extended into the medium container for continuous automatic supply of medium to the cell culture area. Tumor cells cultured in the paper device are tested for anti-cancer drug screening. Visualized cell viability and chemical sensitivity testing can be achieved by colorimetry combined with simple smartphone imaging, effectively reducing precision instrument dependence. The wick paper-based microfluidic device for cell culture endows the method the advantages of lower cost, ease-of-operation, miniaturization, and shows a great potential for large-scale cell culture, antibody drug production, and efficient screening.     

Dammarane triterpenes targeting α-synuclein: biological activity and evaluation of binding sites by molecular docking

Parkinson''s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects adult people whose treatment is palliative. Thus, we decided to test three dammarane triterpenes 1, 1a, 1b, and we determined that 1 and 1a inhibit β-aggregation through thioflavine T rather than 1b. Since compound 1 was most active, we determined the interaction between α-synuclein and 1 at 50 µM (Kd) through microscale thermophoresis. Also, we observed differences in height and diameter of aggregates, and α-synuclein remains unfolded in the presence of 1. Also, aggregates treated with 1 do not provoke neurites'' retraction in N2a cells previously induced by retinoic acid. Finally, we studied the potential sites of interaction between 1 with α-synuclein fibrils using molecular modelling. Docking experiments suggest that 1 preferably interact with the site 2 of α-synuclein through hydrogen bonds with residues Y39 and T44.     

线粒体DNA靶向治疗

线粒体(mitochondrion)是真核生物细胞中的一种非常重要的细胞器,含有独立于细胞核染色体外的遗传物质,通过氧化磷酸化产生ATP,是细胞的能量工厂,与细胞分化、信号转导、代谢稳态等过程密切联系。线粒体功能的紊乱与癌症、神经退行性疾病、糖尿病等许多疾病的发生、发展及治疗息息相关。线粒体在细胞命运中扮演的关键角色,使对线粒体这一特殊细胞器的探索成为生命科学研究热点之一。人线粒体DNA(mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA)是一相对保守且仅16 kb的环状双链DNA分子,只含37个基因,但这些基因都是维持线粒体功能稳定必不可少的部分。随着对线粒体功能认识的不断深入,研究人员发现mtDNA突变,会导致活性氧自由基过量产生,从而引起细胞衰老,甚至引发诸多疾病,例如遗传性视神经病变、线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征等。但是,目前针对这些线粒体基因疾病尚无非常有效的治疗手段。为了进一步了解这一关键细胞器,研究人员开发了一些有效的方法来突破线粒体的复杂屏障。本文将重点介绍并讨论近几年靶向mtDNA的研究进展,主要从药物修饰、材料递送、基因编辑等方面进行了总结,希望能为推动线粒体的研究提供一些新的思路。     

Research Advances on Stimuli-responsive Liposomes in the Targeted Drug Delivery System

Liposome, a kind of nanoscale vesicle, is applied in the drug delivery systems (DDS) extensively because of its low toxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, defects of liposome drugs, such as low rates of drug release, insufficiency in active targeting and inefficient bioavailability still remain to be solved. Therefore, stimuli-responsive liposomes are brought to DDS to improve the efficacy of controlled drug release, assure specific release in targeted sites and alleviate side-effects as much as possible. Stimuli-responsive liposomes could maintain stability in circulation, tissues and cells under physiological conditions. Once delivered, they could be activated by relevant internal or external stimuli to release cargos accurately in target areas. This review highlights the design, functional principles and recent advances on application of pH-sensitive liposomes and thermosensitive liposomes respectively, which are two typical stimuli-responsive liposomes. Common targeting modifications of liposomes are discussed as well. We also summarize recent challenges of stimuli-responsive liposomes and their further applications.     

肝脏类器官的研究及应用进展

肝脏疾病易感性差异大且个体间的肝脏细胞存在明显的异质性,因此开发体外能够长期存活并具有代谢功能的人体类肝组织细胞模型,对治疗终末期肝病、开展肝脏致病机理研究及药物筛选具有重要意义。过去十年中,体外三维类器官模型发展迅猛,为疾病模拟、精准化治疗领域的研究提供了新的工具,显示出巨大潜力。肝脏类器官具有患者的基因表达与突变特征,在体外能够较长时间地保持肝脏细胞功能,已被应用于疾病模拟及药物有效性研究,并具有进行原位或异位移植发挥治疗作用的应用潜能。就干细胞、肝脏原代细胞等不同来源的肝脏类器官的发展及近年的研究进展作了综述,以期为肝脏类器官在疾病建模、药物发现和器官移植领域的研究和应用提供新的思路。