THE USE OF BISMUTH AS AN ELECTRON STAIN FOR NUCLEIC ACIDS

Evidence is presented to show that bismuth combines in vitro with the phosphate of nucleic acids in a manner similar to its reaction with inorganic phosphate. When tested under similar conditions, protein exhibited no attraction for bismuth. The results of the in vitro experiments, which are of interest within themselves, may be indirectly applicable to in vivo staining. Dividing cells of onion root tips were fixed in OsO4, stained with bismuth, and examined in the electron microscope. The electron opacity of cell structures known to contain nucleic acids was enhanced by bismuth, while organelles known to lack appreciable quantities of DNA or RNA showed little, if any, change. Bismuth is particularly effective as a stain for the chromatin material during interphase and for the chromosomes during division.

Download Full-text

Interaction of Neomycin with Phosphoinositide Metabolism in Guinea Pig Inner Ear and Brain Tissues

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348947408300507 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

pp. 613-618 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Jochen Schacht

Keyword(s):

Guinea Pig ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Inorganic Phosphate ◽

Organ Of Corti ◽

Phosphoinositide Metabolism ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate ◽

Previously Treated

Phospholipids of guinea pig inner ear tissues were labeled in vivo by perfusing the perilymphatic spaces with 32P-labeled inorganic phosphate. The most highly labeled lipids obtained after a 45 min incubation time were phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol diphosphate. 32P-incorporation into the latter in the Organ of Corti was significantly decreased in guinea pigs previously treated with neomycin (100 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. In in vitro experiments with subcellular fractions of guinea pig cerebral cortex, neomycin (10−4 M) altered the labeling of the polyphosphoinositides from γ−32P-ATP and inhibited their hydrolysis. It is suggested that neomycin toxicity is mediated by an inhibition of polyphosphoinositide turnover.

Download Full-text

Exosome as a Natural Gene Delivery Vector for Cancer Treatment

Current Cancer Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1568009620666200924154149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (11) ◽

pp. 821-830

Author(s):

Prasad Pofali ◽

Adrita Mondal ◽

Vaishali Londhe

Keyword(s):

Gene Therapy ◽

Gene Delivery ◽

Nucleic Acids ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Gene Carrier ◽

Gene Delivery Vector ◽

Delivery Vector

Background: Current gene therapy vectors such as viral, non-viral, and bacterial vectors, which are used for cancer treatment, but there are certain safety concerns and stability issues of these conventional vectors. Exosomes are the vesicles of size 40-100 nm secreted from multivesicular bodies into the extracellular environment by most of the cell types in-vivo and in-vitro. As a natural nanocarrier, exosomes are immunologically inert, biocompatible, and can cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier, intestinal barrier, and placental barrier. Objective: This review focusses on the role of exosome as a carrier to efficiently deliver a gene for cancer treatment and diagnosis. The methods for loading of nucleic acids onto the exosomes, advantages of exosomes as a smart intercellular shuttle for gene delivery and therapeutic applications as a gene delivery vector for siRNA, miRNA and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and also the limitations of exosomes as a gene carrier are all reviewed in this article. Methods: Mostly, electroporation and chemical transfection are used to prepare gene loaded exosomes. Results: Exosome-mediated delivery is highly promising and advantageous in comparison to the current delivery methods for systemic gene therapy. Targeted exosomes, loaded with therapeutic nucleic acids, can efficiently promote the reduction of tumor proliferation without any adverse effects. Conclusion: In the near future, exosomes can become an efficient gene carrier for delivery and a biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Download Full-text

Lentiviral Vectors for Delivery of Gene-Editing Systems Based on CRISPR/Cas: Current State and Perspectives

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13071288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1288

Author(s):

Wendy Dong ◽

Boris Kantor

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Lentiviral Vector ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Scale Production ◽

Base Editing ◽

Epigenome Editing ◽

Vector Systems ◽

Dividing Cells

CRISPR/Cas technology has revolutionized the fields of the genome- and epigenome-editing by supplying unparalleled control over genomic sequences and expression. Lentiviral vector (LV) systems are one of the main delivery vehicles for the CRISPR/Cas systems due to (i) its ability to carry bulky and complex transgenes and (ii) sustain robust and long-term expression in a broad range of dividing and non-dividing cells in vitro and in vivo. It is thus reasonable that substantial effort has been allocated towards the development of the improved and optimized LV systems for effective and accurate gene-to-cell transfer of CRISPR/Cas tools. The main effort on that end has been put towards the improvement and optimization of the vector’s expression, development of integrase-deficient lentiviral vector (IDLV), aiming to minimize the risk of oncogenicity, toxicity, and pathogenicity, and enhancing manufacturing protocols for clinical applications required large-scale production. In this review, we will devote attention to (i) the basic biology of lentiviruses, and (ii) recent advances in the development of safer and more efficient CRISPR/Cas vector systems towards their use in preclinical and clinical applications. In addition, we will discuss in detail the recent progress in the repurposing of CRISPR/Cas systems related to base-editing and prime-editing applications.

Download Full-text

Development of a gel dedicated to gel immersion endoscopy

Endoscopy International Open ◽

10.1055/a-1396-4236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 09 (06) ◽

pp. E918-E924

Author(s):

Tomonori Yano ◽

Atsushi Ohata ◽

Yuji Hiraki ◽

Makoto Tanaka ◽

Satoshi Shinozaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Porcine Model ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Coagulative Necrosis ◽

Novel Technique ◽

In Vivo Experiments

Abstract Backgrounds and study aims Gel immersion endoscopy is a novel technique to secure the visual field during endoscopy. The aim of this study was to develop a dedicated gel for this technique. Methods To identify appropriate viscoelasticity and electrical conductivity, various gels were examined. Based on these results, the dedicated gel “OPF-203” was developed. Efficacy and safety of OPF-203 were evaluated in a porcine model. Results In vitro experiments showed that a viscosity of 230 to 1900 mPa·s, loss tangent (tanδ) ≤ 0.6, and hardness of 240 to 540 N/cm2 were suitable. Ex vivo experiments showed electrical conductivity ≤ 220 μS/cm is appropriate. In vivo experiments using gastrointestinal bleeding showed that OPF-203 provided clear visualization compared to water. After electrocoagulation of gastric mucosa in OPF-203, severe coagulative necrosis was not observed in the muscularis but limited to the mucosa. Conclusions OPF-203 is useful for gel immersion endoscopy.

Download Full-text

Study on Establishing Reference Safe Concentrations of MRI Contrast Agents for Optimized Images: Paramagnetic Gd-DTPA-BMEA and Superparamagnetic Ferucarbotran

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11031165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 1165

Author(s):

Wen-Tien Hsiao ◽

Yi-Hong Chou ◽

Jhong-Wei Tu ◽

Ai-Yih Wang ◽

Lu-Han Lai

Keyword(s):

Contrast Agent ◽

Contrast Agents ◽

Mri Contrast Agents ◽

Mri Contrast Agent ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Mri Contrast ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Contrast Agent Injection

The purpose of this study is to establish the minimal injection doses of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that can achieve optimized images while improving the safety of injectable MRI drugs. Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) and ferucarbotran, commonly used in clinical practice, were selected and evaluated with in vitro and in vivo experiments. MRI was acquired using T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) sequences, and the results were quantitatively analyzed. For in vitro experiments, results showed that T1W and T2W images were optimal when Gd-DTPA-bisamide (2-oxoethyl) (Gd-DTPA-BMEA) and ferucarbotran were diluted to a volume percentage of 0.6% and 0.05%; all comparisons were significant differences in grayscale statistics using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). For in vivo experiments, the contrast agent with optimal concentration percentages determined from in vitro experiments were injected into mice with an injection volume of 100 μL, and the images of brain, heart, liver, and mesentery before and after injection were compared. The statistical results showed that the p values of both T1W and T2W were less than 0.001, which were statistically significant. Under safety considerations for MRI contrast agent injection, optimized MRI images could still be obtained after reducing the injection concentration, which can provide a reference for the safety concentrations of MRI contrast agent injection in the future.

Download Full-text

Anticancer effect of arsenic trioxide on cholangiocarcinoma: in vitro experiments and in vivo xenograft mouse model

Clinical and Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1007/s10238-013-0233-x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 215-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eun-Young Kim ◽

Sang Soo Lee ◽

Ji Hoon Shin ◽

Soo Hyun Kim ◽

Dong-Ho Shin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Arsenic Trioxide ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Anticancer Effect ◽

Xenograft Mouse Model

Download Full-text

Novel PEGylated Liposomes Enhance Immunostimulating Activity of isRNA

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules23123101 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 3101 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tatyana Kabilova ◽

Elena Shmendel ◽

Daniil Gladkikh ◽

Nina Morozova ◽

Mikhail Maslov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acids ◽

Cationic Liposomes ◽

Circulation Time ◽

Target Cells ◽

Immunostimulating Activity ◽

Pegylated Liposomes ◽

Liposome Preparation ◽

Molecular Masses

The performance of cationic liposomes for delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids in vivo can be improved and specifically tailored to certain types of cargo and target cells by incorporation of PEG-containing lipoconjugates in the cationic liposome’s composition. Here, we report on the synthesis of novel PEG-containing lipoconjugates with molecular masses of PEG 800, 1500 and 2000 Da. PEG-containing lipoconjugates were used as one of the components in liposome preparation with the polycationic amphiphile 1,26-bis(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonylamino)-7,11,16,20-tetra-azahexacosan tetrahydrochloride (2X3) and the lipid-helper dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). We demonstrate that increasing the length of the PEG chain reduces the transfection activity of liposomes in vitro, but improves the biodistribution, increases the circulation time in the bloodstream and enhances the interferon-inducing activity of immunostimulating RNA in vivo.

Download Full-text

Reversible neutralization by congo red of the anthracidal power of serum

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s002217240003518x ◽

1937 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 471-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Gordon ◽

N. Wood

Keyword(s):

Guinea Pig ◽

Congo Red ◽

Inhibitory Action ◽

Protein Solutions ◽

Haemolytic Activity ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Serum Complement ◽

Destructive Effect

In earlier papers (Gordon, 1930) it was shown that congo red has an inactivating effect on serum complement, both haemolytic and bactericidal, and that this effect can be reversed by treating the serum and congo red mixture with charcoal, the charcoal removing the congo red and leaving the complement active again. A similar reversal of inactivation is obtained by using instead of the charcoal, heated serum (55° C. for 30 min.) or protein solutions. Later (Gordon, 1931), it was shown that congo red had an inactivating effect on the haemolysins of Streptococcus haemolyticus and B. welchii. The reversibility of this effect was not so easy to demonstrate as with complement. Charcoal had a destructive effect on the haemolysins and so could not be used. It was found, however, that when the concentration of congo red was just sufficient to neutralize the streptococcal haemolysin, the addition of cuprammonium artificial silk adsorbed the congo red and liberated the haemolysin. In the case of B. welchii this method of reversal was not suitable, as the artificial silk had a destructive effect on the haemolysin. Instead, reversibility was demonstrated by adding ox serum to the mixture of congo red and haemolysin. This brought about a redistribution of the congo red between the ox serum and the haemolysin and if the amount of congo red used had been only just sufficient to neutralize the haemolysin of B. welchii, then the haemolytic activity could again be demonstrated. Gordon and Robson (1933) showed that congo red interfered with the anaphylactic reaction tested both in vivo and in vitro, the guinea-pig uterus being used in the in vitro experiments, in which the inhibitory action of the dye was shown to be reversible. It was suggested that the congo red interfered with the entrance of antigen into the cell.

Download Full-text

Interaction of integrins alpha 3 beta 1 and alpha 2 beta 1: potential role in keratinocyte intercellular adhesion.

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.120.2.523 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 120 (2) ◽

pp. 523-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 144

Author(s):

B E Symington ◽

Y Takada ◽

W G Carter

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Intercellular Adhesion ◽

Epidermal Cells ◽

Intercellular Contact ◽

In Vitro Experiments ◽

Selective Binding ◽

Contact Sites ◽

Do So

The colocalization of integrins alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 at intercellular contact sites of keratinocytes in culture and in epidermis suggests that these integrins may mediate intercellular adhesion (ICA). P1B5, an anti-alpha 3 beta 1 mAb previously reported to inhibit keratinocyte adhesion to epiligrin, was also found to induce ICA. Evidence that P1B5-induced ICA was mediated by alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 was obtained using both ICA assays and assays with purified, mAb-immobilized integrins. Selective binding of alpha 2 beta 1-coated beads to epidermal cells or plate-bound alpha 3 beta 1 was observed. This binding was inhibited by mAbs to integrin alpha 3, alpha 2, or beta 1 subunits and could be stimulated by P1B5. We also demonstrate a selective and inhibitable interaction between affinity-purified integrins alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1. Finally, we show that expression of alpha 2 beta 1 by CHO fibroblasts results in the acquisition of collagen and alpha 3 beta 1 binding. Binding to both of these ligands is inhibited by P1H5, an anti-alpha 2 beta 1 specific mAb. Results of these in vitro experiments suggest that integrins alpha 2 beta 1 and alpha 3 beta 1 can interact and may do so to mediate ICA in vivo. Thus, alpha 3 beta 1 mediates keratinocyte adhesion to epiligrin and plays a second role in ICA via alpha 2 beta 1.

Download Full-text

Triple-Helical DNA in Drosophila Heterochromatin

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells7120227 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eduardo Gorab

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acids ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Triplex Dna ◽

Thiazole Orange ◽

Chromosomal Dna ◽

Mitotic Chromosomes ◽

Satellite Repeats

Polynucleotide chains obeying Watson-Crick pairing are apt to form non-canonical complexes such as triple-helical nucleic acids. From early characterization in vitro, their occurrence in vivo has been strengthened by increasing evidence, although most remain circumstantial particularly for triplex DNA. Here, different approaches were employed to specify triple-stranded DNA sequences in the Drosophila melanogaster chromosomes. Antibodies to triplex nucleic acids, previously characterized, bind to centromeric regions of mitotic chromosomes and also to the polytene section 59E of mutant strains carrying the brown dominant allele, indicating that AAGAG tandem satellite repeats are triplex-forming sequences. The satellite probe hybridized to AAGAG-containing regions omitting chromosomal DNA denaturation, as expected, for the intra-molecular triplex DNA formation model in which single-stranded DNA coexists with triplexes. In addition, Thiazole Orange, previously described as capable of reproducing results obtained by antibodies to triple-helical DNA, binds to AAGAG repeats in situ thus validating both detection methods. Unusual phenotype and nuclear structure exhibited by Drosophila correlate with the non-canonical conformation of tandem satellite arrays. From the approaches that lead to the identification of triple-helical DNA in chromosomes, facilities particularly provided by Thiazole Orange use may broaden the investigation on the occurrence of triplex DNA in eukaryotic genomes.

Download Full-text