scholarly journals Advanced late-onset retinitis pigmentosa with dominant-acting D477G RPE65 mutation is responsive to oral synthetic retinoid therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F Kenna ◽  
Marian M Humphries ◽  
Anna-Sophia Kiang ◽  
Philippe Brabet ◽  
Laurent Guillou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Retinyl Acetate ◽  
Synthetic Retinoid

ObjectivesNo therapeutic interventions are currently available for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). An RPE65 Asp477Gly transition associates with late-onset adRP, reduced RPE65 enzymatic activity being one feature associated with this dominant variant. Our objective: to assess whether in a proof-of-concept study, oral synthetic 9 cis-retinyl acetate therapy improves vision in such advanced disease.Methods and analysisA phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial was conducted involving five patients with advanced disease, aged 41–68 years. Goldmann visual fields (GVF) and visual acuities (VA) were assessed for 6–12 months after 7-day treatment, patients receiving consecutive oral doses (40 mg/m2) of 9-cis-retinyl acetate, a synthetic retinoid replacement.ResultsPathological effects of D477G variant were preliminarily assessed by electroretinography in mice expressing AAV-delivered D477G RPE65, by MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−5-(3-carboxyme- thoxyphenyl)−2-(4-sulfophenyl)−2H-tetrazolium] assays on RPE viability and enzyme activity in cultured cells. In addition to a mild dominant effect reflected in reduced electroretinographics in mice, and reduced cellular function in vitro, D477G exhibited reduced enzymatic RPE65 activity in vitro. In patients, significant improvements were observed in GVF from baseline ranging from 70% to 200% in three of five subjects aged 67–68 years, with largest improvements at 7–10 months. Of two GVF non-responders, one had significant visual acuity improvement (5–15 letters) from baseline after 6 months.ConclusionFamilies with D477G variant have been identified in Ireland, the UK, France, the USA and Canada. Effects of single 7-day oral retinoid supplementation lasted at least 6 months, possibly giving visual benefit throughout remaining life in patients with advanced disease, where gene therapy is unlikely to prove beneficial.

scholarly journals High Matrix Metalloproteinase Production Correlates with Immune Activation and Leukocyte Migration in Leprosy Reactional Lesions

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1012-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosane M. B. Teles ◽  
Rose B. Teles ◽  
Thais P. Amadeu ◽  
Danielle F. Moura ◽  
Leila Mendonça-Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Leukocyte Migration ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Membrane Breakdown ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Gelatinases A and B (matrix metalloproteinase 2 [MMP-2] and MMP-9, respectively) can induce basal membrane breakdown and leukocyte migration, but their role in leprosy skin inflammation remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed clinical specimens from leprosy patients taken from stable, untreated skin lesions and during reactional episodes (reversal reaction [RR] and erythema nodosum leprosum [ENL]). The participation of MMPs in disease was suggested by (i) increased MMP mRNA expression levels in skin biopsy specimens correlating with the expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), (ii) the detection of the MMP protein and enzymatic activity within the inflammatory infiltrate, (iii) increased MMP levels in patient sera, and (iv) the in vitro induction of MMP-9 by Mycobacterium leprae and/or TNF-α. It was observed that IFN-γ, TNF-α, MMP-2, and MMP-9 mRNA levels were higher in tuberculoid than lepromatous lesions. In contrast, interleukin-10 and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP-1) message were not differentially modulated. These data correlated with the detection of the MMP protein evidenced by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. When RR and ENL lesions were analyzed, an increase in TNF-α, MMP-2, and MMP-9, but not TIMP-1, mRNA levels was observed together with stronger MMP activity (zymography/in situ zymography). Moreover, following in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood cells, M. leprae induced the expression of MMP-9 (mRNA and protein) in cultured cells. Overall, the present data demonstrate an enhanced MMP/TIMP-1 ratio in the inflammatory states of leprosy and point to potential mechanisms for tissue damage. These results pave the way toward the application of new therapeutic interventions for leprosy reactions.

scholarly journals Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengjin Ye ◽  
Kevin Chiem ◽  
Jun-Gyu Park ◽  
Jesus Silvas ◽  
Desarey Morales Vasquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infection ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Reporter Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Nucleocapsid Gene ◽  
Recombinant Viruses

Replication-competent recombinant viruses expressing reporter genes provide valuable tools to investigate viral infection. Low levels of reporter gene expressed from previous reporter-expressing rSARS-CoV-2 have jeopardized their use to monitor the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro or in vivo. Here, we report an alternative strategy where reporter genes were placed upstream of the viral nucleocapsid gene followed by a 2A cleavage peptide. The higher levels of reporter expression using this strategy resulted in efficient visualization of rSARS-CoV-2 in infected cultured cells and K18 hACE2 transgenic mice. Importantly, real-time viral infection was readily tracked using a non-invasive in vivo imaging system and allowed us to rapidly identify antibodies which are able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. Notably, these reporter-expressing rSARS-CoV-2 retained wild-type virus like pathogenicity in vivo, supporting their use to investigate viral infection, dissemination, pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in vivo.

scholarly journals Combined Treatment with Three Natural Antioxidants Enhances Neuroprotection in a SH-SY5Y 3D Culture Model

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marrazzo ◽  
Angeloni ◽  
Hrelia
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
Epigallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions

Currently, the majority of cell-based studies on neurodegeneration are carried out on two-dimensional cultured cells that do not represent the cells residing in the complex microenvironment of the brain. Recent evidence has suggested that three-dimensional (3D) in vitro microenvironments may better model key features of brain tissues in order to study molecular mechanisms at the base of neurodegeneration. So far, no drugs have been discovered to prevent or halt the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. New therapeutic interventions can come from phytochemicals that have a broad spectrum of biological activities. On this basis, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of three phytochemicals (sulforaphane, epigallocatechin gallate, and plumbagin) alone or in combination, focusing on their ability to counteract oxidative stress. The combined treatment was found to be more effective than the single treatments. In particular, the combined treatment increased cell viability and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, upregulated antioxidant enzymes and insulin-degrading enzymes, and downregulated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 and 2 in respect to peroxide-treated cells. Our data suggest that a combination of different phytochemicals could be more effective than a single compound in counteracting neurodegeneration, probably thanks to a pleiotropic mechanism of action.

scholarly journals “Humanized” Stem Cell Culture Techniques: The Animal Serum Controversy

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandana Tekkatte ◽  
Gency Ponrose Gunasingh ◽  
K. M. Cherian ◽  
Kavitha Sankaranarayanan
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Therapy ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Post Transplantation ◽  
Cell Culture Techniques ◽  
Culture Techniques ◽  
Expansion Media

Cellular therapy is reaching a pinnacle with an understanding of the potential of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to regenerate damaged tissue in the body. The limited numbers of these hMSCs in currently identified sources, like bone marrow, adipose tissue, and so forth, bring forth the need for theirin vitroculture/expansion. However, the extensive usage of supplements containing xenogeneic components in the expansion-media might pose a risk to the post-transplantation safety of patients. This warrants the necessity to identify and develop chemically defined or “humanized” supplements which would makein vitrocultured/processed cells relatively safer for transplantation in regenerative medicine. In this paper, we outline the various caveats associated with conventionally used supplements of xenogenic origin and also portray the possible alternatives/additives which could one day herald the dawn of a new era in the translation ofin vitrocultured cells to therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa Associated with Three Novel REEP6 Variants in Chinese Population

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 537
Author(s):  
Lujia Zhang ◽  
Ya Li ◽  
Litao Qin ◽  
Yu Wu ◽  
Bo Lei
Keyword(s):  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Missense Variant ◽  
Chinese Families ◽  
Targeted Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Novel Variants ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽  
Computational Predictions

Retinitis pigmentosa 77 is caused by mutations of REEP6 (MIM: 609346), which encodes a protein for the development of photoreceptors. Our study was to identify disease-causing variants in three Chinese families using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Multiple lines of computational predictions combined with in vitro cellular experiments were applied to evaluate the pathogenicity of the newly found variants. Three novel variants in REEP6, including one missense variant, c.268G>C, one frameshift variant, c.468delC, and one splicing variant, c.598+1G>C, were found, while c.268G>C was detected in all probands. The three variants were classified as likely pathogenic by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). REEP6 variant proteins c.268G>C and c.468delC in cultured cells destabilized the REEP6 protein and induced intracellular inclusions. Our data suggested that REEP6 c.268G>C may be a recurrent causative variant in Chinese autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa patients.

scholarly journals Experimental Rat and Mouse Carotid Artery Surgery: Injury and Remodeling Studies

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Holt ◽  
David A. Tulis
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Research Translation ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Vascular Growth ◽  
Injury Model

In cardiovascular research, translation of benchtop findings to the whole body environment is often critical in order to gain a more thorough and comprehensive clinical evaluation of the data with direct extrapolation to the human condition. In particular, developmental and/or pathophysiologic vascular growth studies often employ in vitro approaches such as cultured cells or tissue explant models in order to analyze specific cellular, molecular, genetic, and/or biochemical signaling factors under pristine controlled conditions. However, validation of in vitro data in a whole body setting complete with neural, endocrine, and other systemic contributions provides an essential proof of concept from a clinical perspective. Several well-characterized experimental in vivo models exist that provide excellent proof-of-concept tools to examine vascular growth and remodeling in the whole body. This paper will examine the rat carotid artery balloon injury model, the mouse carotid artery wire denudation injury model, and rat and mouse carotid artery ligation models with particular emphasis on minimally invasive surgical access to the site of intervention. Discussion will include key scientific and technical details as well as caveats, limitations, and considerations for the practical use of each of these valuable experimental models.

scholarly journals Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamic in vivo using reporter-expressing viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (41) ◽  
pp. e2111593118
Author(s):  
Chengjin Ye ◽  
Kevin Chiem ◽  
Jun-Gyu Park ◽  
Jesus A. Silvas ◽  
Desarey Morales Vasquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infection ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Reporter Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
N Gene ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Reading Frame

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the biggest threats to public health. However, the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly understood. Replication-competent recombinant viruses expressing reporter genes provide valuable tools to investigate viral infection. Low levels of reporter gene expressed from previous reporter-expressing recombinant (r)SARS-CoV-2 in the locus of the open reading frame (ORF)7a protein have jeopardized their use to monitor the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro or in vivo. Here, we report an alternative strategy where reporter genes were placed upstream of the highly expressed viral nucleocapsid (N) gene followed by a porcine tescherovirus (PTV-1) 2A proteolytic cleavage site. The higher levels of reporter expression using this strategy resulted in efficient visualization of rSARS-CoV-2 in infected cultured cells and excised lungs or whole organism of infected K18 human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) transgenic mice. Importantly, real-time viral infection was readily tracked using a noninvasive in vivo imaging system and allowed us to rapidly identify antibodies which are able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo. Notably, these reporter-expressing rSARS-CoV-2, in which a viral gene was not deleted, not only retained wild-type (WT) virus-like pathogenicity in vivo but also exhibited high stability in vitro and in vivo, supporting their use to investigate viral infection, dissemination, pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in vivo.

Ultrastructural Correlations between Clonal Human Tumor Colonies and in Vivo Neoplasms

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
M.J. Murphy ◽  
R.R. Price ◽  
J.C. Sloman
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Tumor Mass ◽  
Initial Cell ◽  
Cloning Assay ◽  
Human Tumor Cloning ◽  
The Relationship

The in vitro human tumor cloning assay originally described by Salmon and Hamburger has been applied recently to the investigation of differential anti-tumor drug sensitivities over a broad range of human neoplasms. A major problem in the acceptance of this technique has been the question of the relationship between the cultured cells and the original patient tumor, i.e., whether the colonies that develop derive from the neoplasm or from some other cell type within the initial cell population. A study of the ultrastructural morphology of the cultured cells vs. patient tumor has therefore been undertaken to resolve this question. Direct correlation was assured by division of a common tumor mass at surgical resection, one biopsy being fixed for TEM studies, the second being rapidly transported to the laboratory for culture.

Preparation of cultured astrocytes for x-ray microanalysis

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 988-989
Author(s):  
N.K.R. Smith ◽  
K.E. Hunter ◽  
P. Mobley ◽  
L.P. Felpel
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cultured Astrocytes ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Ultimate Objective

Electron probe energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (XRMA) offers a powerful tool for the determination of intracellular elemental content of biological tissue. However, preparation of the tissue specimen , particularly excitable central nervous system (CNS) tissue , for XRMA is rather difficult, as dissection of a sample from the intact organism frequently results in artefacts in elemental distribution. To circumvent the problems inherent in the in vivo preparation, we turned to an in vitro preparation of astrocytes grown in tissue culture. However, preparations of in vitro samples offer a new and unique set of problems. Generally, cultured cells, growing in monolayer, must be harvested by either mechanical or enzymatic procedures, resulting in variable degrees of damage to the cells and compromised intracel1ular elemental distribution. The ultimate objective is to process and analyze unperturbed cells. With the objective of sparing others from some of the same efforts, we are reporting the considerable difficulties we have encountered in attempting to prepare astrocytes for XRMA.Tissue cultures of astrocytes from newborn C57 mice or Sprague Dawley rats were prepared and cultured by standard techniques, usually in T25 flasks, except as noted differently on Cytodex beads or on gelatin. After different preparative procedures, all samples were frozen on brass pins in liquid propane, stored in liquid nitrogen, cryosectioned (0.1 μm), freeze dried, and microanalyzed as previously reported.

IN VITRO METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF THE ADENOHYPOPHYSIAL FUNCTIONS TO SECRETE GONADOTROPHIN

1971 ◽  
Vol 68 (1_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S27-S40 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kobayashi ◽  
T. Kigawa ◽  
M. Mizuno ◽  
T. Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Organ Culture ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Cell Sheet ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hypothalamic Extract ◽  
Numerous Cell ◽  
Single Cell Culture ◽  
Almost All

ABSTRACT There are several in vitro methods to analyse the function of the adenohypophysis or the mechanisms of its regulation. The present paper deals with single cell culture, organ culture and short term incubation techniques by which the morphology and gonadotrophin-secreting function of the adenohypophysis were studied. In trypsin-dispersed cell culture, the adenohypophysial cells showed extensive propagation to form numerous cell colonies and finally develop into a confluent monolayer cell sheet covering completely the surface of culture vessels. Almost all of the cultured cells, however, became chromophobic, at least at the end of the first week of cultivation, when gonadotrophin was detectable neither in the culture medium nor in the cells themselves. After the addition of the hypothalamic extract, gonadotrophin became detectable again, and basophilic or PAS-positive granules also reappeared within the cells, suggesting that the gonadotrophs were stimulated by the extract to produce gonadotrophin. In organ culture and short term incubation, the incorporation of [3H] leucine into the adenohypophysial cells in relation to the addition of hypothalamic extract was examined. It was obvious that the ability to incorporate [3H] leucine into the gonadotrophs in vitro was highly dependent upon the presence of the hypothalamic extract.

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