Month: March 2020

We also cannot exclude the effects of rare variants of large effect on relative EBV copy number in LCLs, as these were not studied here. It is also possible that structural variants which are poorly tagged by common SNPs may play a role. To identify the genetic factors that underpin EBV copy number, a significant increase in sample size is necessary that will become possible within on-going large-scale sequencing and genotyping projects. However, we do find that even in a relatively modest sample size, EBV copy number is correlated with LCL host-gene expression patterns, in a host genotype-independent manner. Studies using larger samples of LCLs to study host gene expression profiles may find EBV-associated changes in LCLs generate false-positive results, unless EBV copy number is controlled for. Radiotherapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, is a standard definitive treatment approach for patients with locally advanced NSCLC or inoperable patients with early stage disease. Over half of NSCLC patients are currently treated with RT. This rate may increase in the future with the optimal RT utilization rate being estimated to be 76%. However, local failures are a major cause for the relatively poor survival reported for patients treated with RT. A recent meta-analysis suggests that local failures still occur in up to 38% of patients. Efforts to intensify RT, however, are severely limited by the need to constrain dose to the surrounding normal lung in order to preserve function. Lung toxicity caused by RT is a real and potentially debilitating toxicity, sometimes leading to patient death. In the modern era symptomatic pneumonitis still FG-4592 808118-40-3 occurs in 29.8% of patients and fatal pneumonitis in 1.9%. Currently used RT planning constraints that were designed to limit the risk of pneumonitis are based on evidence over a decade old. These constraints apply to populations and give no indication of an individual patient’s susceptibility to lethal toxicity, beyond the fact that on average higher RT doses to larger volumes are more likely to be toxic. It is therefore imperative to establish in vivo biomarkers for prediction or early assessment of pneumonitis that will ultimately assist in avoiding RT induced lung dysfunction by individualizing treatment. The pathophysiology of radiation-induced lung toxicity is incompletely understood at present. A large body of evidence from animal models, molecular biology and clinical observations suggests that normal tissue injury is a dynamic and progressive process. A complex interaction between radiation-induced damage to parenchymal cells, supporting vasculature and associated fibrotic reactions results in acute and late radiation toxicities. In the lung, these changes can manifest themselves as reduced pulmonary function and in a chronic inflammatory cascade known as pneumonitis. There are many factors that influence the likelihood of severe respiratory toxicity including the volume of irradiated parenchyma, pre-existing lung disease and the use of radiosensitizing chemotherapy. However, the exact biological mechanisms of inflammatory cascade and eventual pulmonary fibrosis are not fully elucidated.

Furthermore, transfected NSC were used for delivery of neurotrophic factors in Alzheimer’ disease mouse model. Our earlier studies suggest cell-carriers offer distinct advantages over standard drug administration regimens by providing diseasespecific homing, sustained on site drug delivery, and improved therapeutic efficacy. Based on our previously developed cell-mediated drug delivery system, present work utilized genetically-modified autologous macrophages for active targeted delivery of GDNF to the LEE011 inflamed brain. The overall scheme of these investigations is depicted in Figure 1. Macrophages were transfected ex vivo to produce GDNF, and administered intravenously in mice with PD model. This resulted in significant increases in dopaminergic neurons survival and decreases in inflammation in SNpc. Of note, genetically-modified macrophages released exosomes with incorporated GDNF that may facilitate GDNF transport into the target cells and preserve it against degradation. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles secreted by a variety of cells, in particular, cells of the immune system: dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells, and T cells. These extracellular vesicles were initially thought to be a mechanism for removing unneeded proteins. Recent studies revealed, they are actually specialized in long-distance intercellular communications facilitating transfer of proteins, functional mRNAs and microRNAs for subsequent protein expression in target cells. To shuttle their cargo, exosomes can attach by a range of surface adhesion proteins and specific vector ligands, and fuse with target cellular membranes delivering their payload. Indeed, exosomes, comprised of cellular membranes, have an exceptional ability to interact with target cells. Thus, we demonstrated here that exosomes showed an extraordinary ability to abundantly adhere and overflow neuronal cells as was visualized by confocal microscopy. This mechanism may play a significant role in GDNF-mediated protection effects, increasing the blood circulation time, reducing immunogenicity, and facilitation of the protein transfer across the BBB and into target neurons. In addition, the membranotropic properties of GDNF-carrying exosomes may facilitate GDNF binding to GFRa-1 receptors expressed on DA neurons. The present data indicate, intrinsic properties of macrophages can overcome the limitations of current common therapies, alleviate and reverse the symptoms, and may ultimately improve the quality of life of patients with various neurodegenerative disorders. Obesity contributes to the aetiology of common associated metabolic diseases. The causes of obesity are multifactorial, with environmental and genetic components. Westernized lifestyle, with high-caloric diets and a lack of physical exercise, is an obvious factor of obesity, but obesity does not develop in all individuals exposed to an obesogenic environment.

lso known to specifically regulating Mc4r expression in the PVN, with hypothyroidism increasing endogenous Mc4r expression, which parallels the well-established rise in PVN Trh expression also induced by hypothyroidism. We further explored the importance of the thyroid status by studying the concomitant effect of T3 and GW3965 on TR/LXR dialogue. TH replacement in hypothyroid hypothalamus restored the GW3965-dependent repression of the Trh promoter by LXR but not that of Mc4r. These different responses could be explained by a difference in the mechanisms involved, in particular, regarding TR-induced regulations. Data from many in vitro studies on positively regulated genes suggest a model wherein TRs bind to pTREs with or without its ligand, T3. In vivo, the nTREs studied by Decherf et al. in the Mc4r and Trh promoters showed distinct TRb recruitment patterns as a function of T3 presence. Mc4r TRE1 recruited only low levels of TRb in the absence of T3, whereas T3 induced a large increase of TRb binding. In contrast, TRb was found on Trh TRE site 4 without hormone, as previously shown, and T3 induced the dissociation of TRb from Trh TRE site 4. These differences may contribute to the differences BMS-354825 side effects observed on LXR mediated regulations in addition to the different sensitivities to T3-dependent repression of these two genes. In the present study, the in vivo ChIP experiments showed that LXR is recruited to the Trh promoter region in the presence of T3 but not in its absence. In contrast, RXR is recruited to the same region in the absence of T3. We also note that there is no significant simultaneous recruitment of LXR and RXR to the site 4 ofTrh promoter, suggesting that the presence of a NR excludes the other. However, in periphery, LXRs generally function as permissive heterodimer with RXR. But it is worth to note that this heterodimer is observed on LXRE, which is a DR4 whereas we studied LXR binding on the most conserved nTRE identified in Trh, the site 4, a half-site, which could explain the absence of RXR. Furthermore, the Trh site 4 preferentially binds TR/RXR heterodimers. Consequently, we could propose a model where, in hypothyroid mice, TRb would be recruited to the Trh site 4 as a heterodimer with RXR to activate the ligand–independent transcription. After T3 treatment, TRb could dissociate from the site 4 where LXR would be then recruited and represses Trh transcription. It has been reported for Mc4r, that in a hypothyroid state, TRE1 recruited low levels of TRb but T3 treatment induced a large increase of TRb binding. The recruitment of LXR could consequently be inhibited and then, prevent the regulation of Mc4r transcription by LXR, observed in a euthyroid state. These data provide a basis for a model for LXR interference with Trh and Mc4r transcription. Thus, the data show that LXR represses the transcription of T3 regulated genes involved in central control of metabolism in the hypothalamic PVN.

Unlike linear electron transport, which produces both ATP and NADPH, cyclic electron transport is involved only in ATP production. In H. pluvialis cells, 90% of astaxanthin is attached with one or two fatty acids, forming astaxanthin mono- and diesters. Since NADPH is required for synthesis of astaxanthin and fatty acids, the reducing power of palmella cells may not be sufficient to produce amounts of astaxanthin esters equivalent to those produced by motile cells under the same circumstances. Therefore, our future efforts will explore how to enhance NADPH GSI-IX production in palmella cells as well as how to increase the levels of astaxanthin biosynthetic enzymes through physical or genetic manipulations. Additionally, we will investigate biotic and abiotic factors that stimulate the development of protective mechanisms in palmella cells. In most countries, the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease have been increasing over the years mainly due to the aging population and the presence of diabetic nephropathy. It is well established that acute kidney injury after ischemia/reperfusion injury is a major cause of AKI. IRI physiology involves a complex interaction among vascular, tubular and inflammatory factors followed by a repair process that can restore function and epithelial differentiation or result in CKD with progressive development of fibrosis. It has been shown that the mortality of patients with CKD is directly related to renal function associated with cardiovascular diseases and infections. However, such traditional risks explain only about half of mortality and various studies are being directed to non-traditional risk factors, such as vitamin D. Vitamin D is a circulating hormone in the body indispensable for mineral homeostasis and responsible for kidney protection and regulation of several physiological activities as well. Thus, vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency can accelerate the progression of kidney disease. The biologically active form of vitamin D is produced in the kidney by mitochondria of the renal proximal convoluted tubules, where 1a-hydroxylase converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or calcitriol. The classical 1,25 2D3 pathway requires the nuclear vitamin D receptor, which is a transcription factor for 1,25 2 D3 target genes. The renal conversion of vitamin D into biologically active form is tightly regulated by several factors, including parathormone, phosphorus levels and fibroblast growth factor 23. FGF-23 is a phosphatonin produced by osteocytes which promotes renal phosphate excretion and a close relationship between FGF-23 and Klotho is described. The lack of Klotho gene expression is associated with premature phenotypes related to aging as well as to hyperphosphatemia and low levels of vitamin D. Klotho protein forms binary complexes with fibroblast growth factor receptors, increasing Klotho affinity and selectivity for FGF-23, playing an important role in vitamin D synthesis.

Although production of ROS and cell mortality were not directly measured in this study, multiple lines of evidence suggest that the motile cells suffered more severe photo-oxidative stress than palmella cells when exposed to HL. First, more profound decreases in the quantum yields of PSII, D1 protein, and PsbO, as well as in several chloroplast membrane lipids occurred in motile cells than in palmella cells under HL. In TWS119 oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, PSII and PSI are two major sites of ROS production. ROS produced at PSII and PSI can damage proteins, lipids, and pigments, especially D1 protein at PSII and lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Second, pronounced astaxanthin accumulation in motile cells is an indication of severe photooxidative stress induced under HL. Although astaxanthin can react with ROS and astaxanthin synthesis consumes molecular oxygen—the precursor of ROS—a higher astaxanthin content in motile cells than in palmella cells reflects a greater stress on motile cells exposed to HL. Consequently, motile cells may die off more quickly than cells with lesser amounts of astaxanthin; this was confirmed by our previous study in which H. pluvialis cells exposed to higher irradiance accumulated more astaxanthin but exhibited higher cell mortality. Diacylglycerol-based polar lipids are the building blocks of the cellular membranes of living organisms. It is generally believed that glycolipids and the phospholipid PG are the major components of chloroplast thylakoid membranes, whereas phospholipids like PE, PC, PI, and the nonphosphorus betaine lipid DGTS reside in the extraplastidic membranes of photosynthetic cells. Our results indicate that the major classes of chloroplast membrane lipids exhibit different fates under HL stress in H. pluvialis. PG showed the most profound decrease among all the chloroplast membrane lipids in both motile and palmella cells; MGDG was dramatically reduced in motile cells and red cysts under HL; by contrast, DGDG and SQDG showed moderate decreases in both motile and palmella cells under the same conditions. The different responses of these lipids may result from their uneven distributions among the photosynthetic complexes and their distinct functional roles in maintaining the proper structure and function of chloroplast membranes. Palmella cells can develop a suite of protective mechanisms during encystment to bestow greater resistance to HL than motile cells, and thus, applying palmella cells instead of motile cells to the stressful red stage of cultivation may represent a promising strategy for increasing growth and astaxanthin production. During the first day under HL, astaxanthin productivity in palmella cells was less than in motile cells. From a biotechnical perspective, high astaxanthin contents are desirable, although higher yields can be achieved be extending culturing time.