scholarly journals Primary glia cells from bank vole propagate multiple rodent-adapted scrapie prions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla A. Schwenke ◽  
Joo-Hee Waelzlein ◽  
Agnieszka Bauer ◽  
Achim Thomzig ◽  
Michael Beekes

Since the beginning prion research has been largely dependent on animal models for deciphering the disease, drug development or prion detection and quantification. Thereby, ethical as well as cost and labour-saving aspects call for alternatives in vitro. Cell models can replace or at least complement animal studies, but their number is still limited and the application usually restricted to certain strains and host species due to often strong transmission barriers. Bank voles promise to be an exception as they or materials prepared from them are uniquely susceptible to prions from various species in vivo, in vitro and in cell-free applications. Here we present a mainly astrocyte-based primary glia cell assay from bank vole, which is infectible with scrapie strains from bank vole, mouse and hamster. Stable propagation of bank vole-adapted RML, murine 22L and RML, and hamster 263K scrapie is detectable from 20 or 30 days post exposure onwards. Thereby, the infected bank vole glia cells show similar or even faster prion propagation than likewise infected glia cells of the corresponding murine or hamster hosts. We propose that our bank vole glia cell assay could be a versatile tool for studying and comparing multiple prion strains with different species backgrounds in a single cell assay.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-764
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Rothrauff ◽  
Rocky S. Tuan

Bone possesses an intrinsic regenerative capacity, which can be compromised by aging, disease, trauma, and iatrogenesis (e.g. tumor resection, pharmacological). At present, autografts and allografts are the principal biological treatments available to replace large bone segments, but both entail several limitations that reduce wider use and consistent success. The use of decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM), often derived from xenogeneic sources, has been shown to favorably influence the immune response to injury and promote site-appropriate tissue regeneration. Decellularized bone ECM (dbECM), utilized in several forms — whole organ, particles, hydrogels — has shown promise in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells and enhance bone regeneration. However, dbECM has yet to be investigated in clinical studies, which are needed to determine the relative efficacy of this emerging biomaterial as compared with established treatments. This mini-review highlights the recent exploration of dbECM as a biomaterial for skeletal tissue engineering and considers modifications on its future use to more consistently promote bone regeneration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar ◽  
Nurul Iman Natasya Zulkafali ◽  
Azizah Ugusman

: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent metallo-endopeptidase that are responsible towards the degradation, repair and remodelling of extracellular matrix components. MMPs play an important role in maintaining a normal physiological function and preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Natural products derived from plants have been used as traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compounds, such as catechin, resveratrol and quercetin, are suggested to play an important role as MMPs inhibitors, thereby opening new insights into their applications in many fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This review summarises the current knowledge on plant-derived natural products with MMP-modulating activities. Most of the reviewed plant-derived products exhibit an inhibitory activity on MMPs. Amongst MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most studied. The expression of MMPs is inhibited through respective signalling pathways, such as MAPK, NF-κB and PI3 kinase pathways, which contribute to the reduction in cancer cell behaviours, such as proliferation and migration. Most studies have employed in vitro models, but a limited number of animal studies and clinical trials have been conducted. Even though plant-derived products show promising results in modulating MMPs, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to support their therapeutic applications in the future.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Enrico Bergamaschi ◽  
Giacomo Garzaro ◽  
Georgia Wilson Jones ◽  
Martina Buglisi ◽  
Michele Caniglia ◽  
...  

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are erroneously considered as singular material entities. Instead, they should be regarded as a heterogeneous class of materials bearing different properties eliciting peculiar biological outcomes both in vitro and in vivo. Given the pace at which the industrial production of CNTs/CNFs is increasing, it is becoming of utmost importance to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding their biological activity and their hazardous effects in humans. Animal studies carried out by inhalation showed that some CNTs/CNFs species can cause deleterious effects such as inflammation and lung tissue remodeling. Their physico-chemical properties, biological behavior and biopersistence make them similar to asbestos fibers. Human studies suggest some mild effects in workers handling CNT/CNF. However, owing to their cross-sectional design, researchers have been as yet unable to firmly demonstrate a causal relationship between such an exposure and the observed effects. Estimation of acceptable exposure levels should warrant a proper risk management. The aim of this review is to challenge the conception of CNTs/CNFs as a single, unified material entity and prompt the establishment of standardized hazard and exposure assessment methodologies able to properly feeding risk assessment and management frameworks.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danja J. Den Hartogh ◽  
Evangelia Tsiani

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia and is associated with personal health and global economic burdens. Current strategies/approaches of insulin resistance and T2DM prevention and treatment are lacking in efficacy resulting in the need for new preventative and targeted therapies. In recent years, epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in vegetables and fruits are associated with health benefits including protection against insulin resistance and T2DM. Naringenin, a citrus flavanone, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic properties. The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo animal studies examining the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin.


1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G Zhanel ◽  
Daryl J Hoban ◽  
Godfrey KM Harding

Antimicrobial activity is not an ‘all or none’ effect. An increase in the rate and extent of antimicrobial action is usually observed over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations. Subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations are well known to produce significant antibacterial effects, and various antimicrobials at subinhibitory concentrations have been reported to inhibit the rate of bacterial growth. Bacterial virulence may be increased or decreased by subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations by changes in the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells or by alterations in bacterial susceptibility to host immune defences. Animal studies performed in rats, hamsters and rabbits demonstrate decreased bacterial adherence, reduced infectivity and increased survival of animals treated with subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations compared to untreated controls. The major future role of investigation of subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations will be to define more fully, at a molecular level, how antimicrobials exert their antibacterial effects.


2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 1582-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna R. Hill ◽  
Marianne E. Brunner ◽  
Deborah C. Schmitz ◽  
Catherine C. Davis ◽  
Janine A. Flood ◽  
...  

Previous in vitro and in vivo animal studies showed that O2and CO2concentrations can affect virulence of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The objective of this work was to measure O2and CO2levels in the vaginal environment during tampon wear using newly available sensor technology. Measurements by two vaginal sensors showed a decrease in vaginal O2levels after tampon insertion. These decreases were independent of the type of tampons used and the time of measurement (mid-cycle or during menstruation). These results are not in agreement with a previous study that concluded that oxygenation of the vaginal environment during tampon use occurred via delivery of a bolus of O2during the insertion process. Our measurements of gas levels in menses showed the presence of both O2and CO2in menses. The tampons inserted into the vagina contained O2and CO2levels consistent with atmospheric conditions. Over time during tampon use, levels of O2in the tampon decreased and levels of CO2increased. Tampon absorbent capacity, menses loading, and wear time influenced the kinetics of these changes. Colonization with S. aureus had no effect on the gas profiles during menstruation. Taken collectively, these findings have important implications on the current understanding of gaseous changes in the vaginal environment during menstruation and the potential role(s) they may play in affecting bacterial virulence factor production.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1586
Author(s):  
Leonie R. Price ◽  
Javier Martinez

The emergence of new tobacco heating products and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is changing the way humans are exposed to nicotine. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a broad overview of published scientific literature with respect to the effects of nicotine on three key health-related areas: 1) cardiovascular risk, 2) carcinogenesis and 3) reproductive outcomes. These areas are known to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of cigarette smoke, and in addition, nicotine has been hypothesized to play a role in disease pathogenesis. Acute toxicity will also be discussed. The literature to February 2019 suggests that there is no increased cardiovascular risk of nicotine exposure in consumers who have no underlying cardiovascular pathology. There is scientific consensus that nicotine is not a direct or complete carcinogen, however, it remains to be established whether it plays some role in human cancer propagation and metastasis. These cancer progression pathways have been proposed in models in vitro and in transgenic rodent lines in vivo but have not been demonstrated in cases of human cancer. Further studies are needed to determine whether nicotine is linked to decreased fertility in humans. The results from animal studies indicate that nicotine has the potential to act across many mechanisms during fetal development. More studies are needed to address questions regarding nicotine exposure in humans, and this may lead to additional guidance concerning new ENDS entering the market.


Thorax ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 565-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winifred Broekman ◽  
Padmini P S J Khedoe ◽  
Koen Schepers ◽  
Helene Roelofs ◽  
Jan Stolk ◽  
...  

COPD is characterised by tissue destruction and inflammation. Given the lack of curative treatments and the progressive nature of the disease, new treatments for COPD are highly relevant. In vitro cell culture and animal studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have the capacity to modify immune responses and to enhance tissue repair. These properties of MSCs provided a rationale to investigate their potential for treatment of a variety of diseases, including COPD. Preclinical models support the hypothesis that MSCs may have clinical efficacy in COPD. However, although clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of MSC treatment, thus far they have not provided evidence for MSC efficacy in the treatment of COPD. In this review, we discuss the rationale for MSC-based cell therapy in COPD, the main findings from in vitro and in vivo preclinical COPD model studies, clinical trials in patients with COPD and directions for further research.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Kyun Ryu ◽  
Hye-Min Woo ◽  
Bobin Kang ◽  
Hanmi Noh ◽  
Jong-In Kim ◽  
...  

The Delta variant originally from India is rapidly spreading across the world and causes to resurge infections of SARS-CoV-2. We previously reported that CT-P59 presented its in vivo potency against Beta and Gamma variants, despite its reduced activity in cell experiments. Yet, it remains uncertain to exert the antiviral effect of CT-P59 on the Delta and its associated variants (L452R). To tackle this question, we carried out cell tests and animal study. CT-P59 showed reduced antiviral activity but enabled neutralization against Delta, Epsilon, and Kappa variants in cells. In line with in vitro results, the mouse challenge experiment with the Delta variant substantiated in vivo potency of CT-P59 showing symptom remission and virus abrogation in the respiratory tract. Collectively, cell and animal studies showed that CT-P59 is effective against the Delta variant infection, hinting that CT-P59 has therapeutic potency for patients infected with Delta and its associated variants.


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