scholarly journals A Tobacco-Derived Thymosinβ4 Concatemer Promotes Cell Proliferation and Wound Healing in Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rylosona Janarthini ◽  
Xiaolei Wang ◽  
Lulu Chen ◽  
Lei Gao ◽  
Lingxia Zhao

Thymosinβ4 (Tβ4) is a peptide that is known to play important roles in protection, regeneration, and remodeling of injured tissues in humans, and that shows great promise in a range of clinical applications. However, current strategies to Tβ4 are insufficient to meet growing demand and have a number of limitations. In this current study we investigated whether expression of recombinant Tβ4 in plants, specifically in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, represents an effective approach. To address this question, a 168 bpTβ4gene optimized for tobacco codon usage bias was constitutively expressed in tobacco as a 4-unit repeat concatemer, fused to a polyhistidine tag. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to verify4×Tβ4expression in 14 transgenic tobacco lines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis indicated 4×Tβ4 protein concentrations as high as 3 μg/g of fresh weight in the leaves. We observed that direct administration of tobacco-derived Tβ4 was more effective than Tβ4 either obtained commercially or derived from expression inEscherichia coliat promoting splenocyte proliferationin vitroand wound healing in mice through an endothelial migration assay. This study provides new insights into the development of plant-derived therapeutic proteins and their application by direct administration.

Author(s):  
Kristin E. D. Weimer ◽  
Hunter Roark ◽  
Kimberley Fisher ◽  
C. Michael Cotten ◽  
David A. Kaufman ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Very low birth weight preterm infants are at risk for life-threatening infections in the NICU. Breast milk protects against infections but carries the risk of infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) shed in mother's milk. Lactoferrin is a breast milk and saliva protein with potent neutralizing activity against CMV. Study Design VLBW, maternal breast milk fed infants in the NICU and their lactating mothers were enrolled and followed for 3 months/discharge. Breast milk and infant saliva samples were collected biweekly. Maternal CMV status was determined on breast milk. CMV was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and lactoferrin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In an in vitro neutralization assay, the IC90 of purified human lactoferrin against CMV was 2.08 ng/mL. Bovine lactoferrins were more potent, IC90s > 10-fold higher. Lactoferrin was detected in all breast milk (median: 3.3 × 106 ng/mL) and saliva (median: 84.4 ng/swab) samples. Median CMV load in breast milk was 893 copies/mL. There was no correlation between breast milk lactoferrin concentration and CMV load. Five infants acquired postnatal CMV. There was no difference in saliva or breast milk lactoferrin concentration for mother–infant pairs and postnatal CMV acquisition. Conclusion Lactoferrin neutralizes CMV in vitro, but concentrations in breast milk and saliva are likely too low for effective neutralization in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingsong Sun ◽  
Man Luo ◽  
Zhiwei Gao ◽  
Xiang Han ◽  
Weiqin Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary disorder that leads to acute respiration failure and thereby results in a high mortality worldwide. Increasing studies have indicated that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a promoter in ALI, and we aimed to explore the underlying upstream mechanism of TLR4 in ALI. Methods We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an acute inflammatory response in vitro model and a murine mouse model. A wide range of experiments including reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin–eosin staining, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase activity and caspase-3 activity detection assays were conducted to figure out the expression status, specific role and potential upstream mechanism of TLR4 in ALI. Result TLR4 expression was upregulated in ALI mice and LPS-treated primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells. Moreover, miR-26a-5p was confirmed to target TLR4 according to results of luciferase reporter assay. In addition, miR-26a-5p overexpression decreased the contents of proinflammatory factors and inhibited cell apoptosis, while upregulation of TLR4 reversed these effects of miR-26a-5p mimics, implying that miR-26a-5p alleviated ALI by regulating TLR4. Afterwards, OPA interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) was identified to bind with miR-26a-5p. Functionally, OIP5-AS1 upregulation promoted the inflammation and miR-26a-5p overexpression counteracted the influence of OIP5-AS1 upregulation on cell inflammatory response and apoptosis. Conclusion OIP5-AS1 promotes ALI by regulating the miR-26a-5p/TLR4 axis in ALI mice and LPS-treated cells, which indicates a promising insight into diagnostics and therapeutics in ALI.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Νικόλαος Αρμακόλας

Το πεπτίδιο Ec (PEc) του IGF-1Ec (IGF-1Ec) επάγει την κινητοποίηση των ανθρωπίνων μεσεγχυματικών βλαστικών κυττάρων (hMSC) και ενεργοποιεί την εξωκυτταρική κινάση 1 και 2 (ERK 1/2) διαφόρων κυττάρων. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της επιδρασης του PEc στην κινητοποίηση και τη διαφοροποίηση των hMSCs, καθώς και η δυνατότητα εφαρμογής του σε συνδυασμό με τον TGF-β1 (TGF-β1) στην επιδιόρθωση του αρθρικού χόνδρου. Τα αποτελέσματα της εξωγενούς χορήγησης του ΡΕc και του ΤGF-β1, ξεχωριστά και σε συνδυασμό, σε hMSCs εκτιμήθηκαν χρησιμοποιώντας trypan blue assay, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, Alcian blue staining, wound healing assays και migration/invasion assays. Προσδιορίστηκε ότι το PEc εμπλέκεται στη διαδικασία διαφοροποίησης των hMSCs προς υαλώδη χόνδρο. Η χορήγηση PEc ή / και TGF-β1 σε hMSCs έδειξε συγκρίσιμη εναπόθεση χονδρικής θεμέλειας ουσίας. Ακόμα, η χορήγηση του ΡΕc σε συνδυασμό με τον ΤGF-β1 συσχετίστηκε με μια σημαντική αύξηση στην κινητοποίηση των hMSC σε σύγκριση με την χορήγηση μόνο του TGF-β1 ή του ΡEc (Ρ <0,05). Επομένως, το ΡΕc φαίνεται να διευκολύνει in vitro την κινητοποίηση των hMSC και την διαφοροποίηση τους προς χονδροκύτταρα, ενισχύοντας το ρόλο του ΤGF-β1.


Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Rogan Lee ◽  
Tsung-Yu Pai ◽  
Richard Churcher ◽  
Sarah Davies ◽  
Jody Braddock ◽  
...  

Abstract The principal aim of this study was to optimize the diagnosis of canine neuroangiostrongyliasis (NA). In total, 92 cases were seen between 2010 and 2020. Dogs were aged from 7 weeks to 14 years (median 5 months), with 73/90 (81%) less than 6 months and 1.7 times as many males as females. The disease became more common over the study period. Most cases (86%) were seen between March and July. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained from the cisterna magna in 77 dogs, the lumbar cistern in f5, and both sites in 3. Nucleated cell counts for 84 specimens ranged from 1 to 146 150 cells μL−1 (median 4500). Percentage eosinophils varied from 0 to 98% (median 83%). When both cisternal and lumbar CSF were collected, inflammation was more severe caudally. Seventy-three CSF specimens were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing for antibodies against A. cantonensis; 61 (84%) tested positive, titres ranging from <100 to ⩾12 800 (median 1600). Sixty-one CSF specimens were subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing using a new protocol targeting a bioinformatically-informed repetitive genetic target; 53/61 samples (87%) tested positive, C T values ranging from 23.4 to 39.5 (median 30.0). For 57 dogs, it was possible to compare CSF ELISA serology and qPCR. ELISA and qPCR were both positive in 40 dogs, in 5 dogs the ELISA was positive while the qPCR was negative, in 9 dogs the qPCR was positive but the ELISA was negative, while in 3 dogs both the ELISA and qPCR were negative. NA is an emerging infectious disease of dogs in Sydney, Australia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Kui Zhang ◽  
Jian-Jie Yu ◽  
Yu-Min Li ◽  
Li-Na Wei ◽  
Yi Yu ◽  
...  

Background. Free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Picroliv, aPicrorhiza kurroaderivative, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of picroliv on experimental model of UC in mice.Materials and Methods. Picroliv was administrated orally by gavage to mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histology score were observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and SOD, MDA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while the expression of cytokine mRNAs was studied by real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and also ELISA. The expression of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting.Results. A significant improvement was observed in DAI and histological score in mice treated with picroliv, and incerased MPO activity, MDA concentrations, and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 in mice with DSS-induced colitis were significantly reduced while decreased SOD level increased following administration of picroliv.Conclusion. The administration of picroliv leads to an amelioration of DSS-induced colitis, suggesting administration of picroliv may provide a therapeutic approach for UC.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3508
Author(s):  
Yukiko Takahashi ◽  
Takeshi Kawasaki ◽  
Hironori Sato ◽  
Yoshinori Hasegawa ◽  
Steven M. Dudek ◽  
...  

Excessive inflammation in the lung is a primary cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a transmembrane protein that is expressed in various cell types and exerts multiple pleiotropic effects. We recently reported that pharmacological CD26/DPP4 inhibition ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in mice and exerted anti-inflammatory effects on human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs), in vitro. However, the mechanistic roles of CD26/DPP4 in lung injury and its effects on HLMVECs remain unclear. In this study, transcriptome analysis, followed by various confirmation experiments using siRNA in cultured HLMVECs, are performed to evaluate the role of CD26/DPP4 in response to the pro-inflammatory involved in inflammation, barrier function, and regenerative processes in HLMVECs after pro-inflammatory stimulation. These are all functions that are closely related to the pathophysiology and repair process of lung injury. Confirmatory experiments using flow cytometry; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; dextran permeability assay; WST-8 assay; wound healing assay; and tube formation assay, reveal that the reduction of CD26/DPP4 via siRNA is associated with altered parameters of inflammation, barrier function, and the regenerative processes in HLMVECs. Thus, CD26/DPP4 can play a pathological role in mediating injury in pulmonary endothelial cells. CD26/DPP4 inhibition can be a new therapeutic strategy for inflammatory lung diseases, involving pulmonary vascular damage.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Borgese ◽  
Ludovica Barone ◽  
Federica Rossi ◽  
Mario Raspanti ◽  
Roberto Papait ◽  
...  

This work is addressed to provide, by in vitro experiments, results on the repercussion that a nanostructured scaffold could have on viability, differentiation and secretion of bioactive factors of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) when used in association to promote angiogenesis, a crucial condition to favour tissue regeneration. To achieve this aim, we evaluated cell viability and morphology by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and microscopy analysis, respectively. We also investigated the expression of some of those genes involved in angiogenesis and differentiation processes utilizing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whereas the amounts of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Interleukin 6 and Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 secreted in the culture medium, were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results suggested that, in the presence of the scaffold, cell proliferation and the exocytosis of factors involved in the angiogenesis process are reduced; by contrast, the expression of those genes involved in hASC differentiation appeared enhanced. To guarantee cell survival, the construct dimensions are, generally, smaller than clinically required. Furthermore, being the paracrine event the primary mechanism exerting the beneficial effects on injured tissues, the use of conditioned culture medium instead of cells may be convenient.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Bai ◽  
Zhiheng Zhang ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Xiaopeng Song ◽  
Tianwen Ma ◽  
...  

The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) is multifactorial, with no effective disease-modifying-drugs. L-theanine has been reported to inhibit inflammatory responses in some diseases and this study aimed to investigate the effect of L-theanine on Interleukin-1(IL-1)β-stimulated chondrocytes, and in an injury-induced OA rat model. Primary chondrocytes were stimulated by IL-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 h and then co-cultured with L-theanine for 24 h. The effects of L-theanine on IL-1β-stimulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hydrolytic enzyme were analyzed using Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. An immunofluorescence assay was used to detect nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation. OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) surgery in rats and celecoxib was used as a positive control. OA severity was measured using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) grading system to describe histological changes. The results showed that L-theanine decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO), both in vivo and in vitro. L-theanine treatment inhibited IL-1β-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 and MMP-13, as well as inhibited NF-κB p65 activation. In vivo animal model showed that L-theanine administration (200 mg/kg) significantly alleviated OA lesions and decreased OARSI score. Our data indicated that L-theanine decreased inflammatory cytokines and protected extracellular matrix degradation through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, and L-theanine may be considered a promising therapeutic strategy in OA prevention.


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