Natural Defense Against COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Lejla Zunic
Keyword(s):  
Natural Defense

Microbial Cationic Peptides as a Natural Defense Mechanism against Insect Antimicrobial Peptides

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-451
Author(s):  
Tien Duy Vo ◽  
Christoph Spahn ◽  
Mike Heilemann ◽  
Helge B. Bode
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Cationic Peptides ◽  
Natural Defense

scholarly journals The gut microbiota metabolite urolithin A inhibits NF-κB activation in LPS stimulated BMDMs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid N. M. Abdelazeem ◽  
M. Zaher Kalo ◽  
Sandra Beer-Hammer ◽  
Florian Lang
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Murine Bone Marrow ◽  
Natural Defense ◽  
Urolithin A ◽  
Pi3k Activation ◽  
Intracellular Ca

AbstractInflammation is a natural defense process of the innate immune system, associated with the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-12 and TNFα; and enzymes including iNOS through the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 due to the phosphorylation of IκBα. Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ is considered a promising strategy for the prevention of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and accumulation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) that occurs in inflammatory-associated-diseases. Among the metabolites of ellagitannins that are produced in the gut microbiome, urolithin A (UA) has received an increasing attention as a novel candidate with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Here, we investigated the effect of UA on the suppression of pro-inflammatory molecules and NF-κB activation by targeting TLR4 signalling pathway. We also identified the influence of UA on Ca2+ entry, ROS production and DSBs availability in murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages challenged with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We found that UA inhibits IκBα phosphorylation and supresses MAPK and PI3K activation. In addition, UA was able to reduce calcium entry, ROS production and DSBs availability. In conclusion, we suggest that urolithin A is a promising therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory diseases through suppression of NF-κB and preserving DNA through maintaining intracellular calcium and ROS homeostasis.

scholarly journals Beyond Antioxidant Effects: Nature-Based Templates Unveil New Strategies for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
Andrea Bacci ◽  
Massimiliano Runfola ◽  
Simona Sestito ◽  
Simona Rapposelli
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Redox Reactions ◽  
Identification Process ◽  
Defense Systems ◽  
Natural Defense ◽  
Effective Drugs ◽  
Antioxidant Effects ◽  
Neuronal Disorders ◽  
New Strategies

The complex network of malfunctioning pathways occurring in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) represents a huge hurdle in the development of new effective drugs to be used in therapy. In this context, redox reactions act as crucial regulators in the maintenance of neuronal microenvironment homeostasis. Particularly, their imbalance results in the severe compromising of organism’s natural defense systems and subsequently, in the instauration of deleterious OS, that plays a fundamental role in the insurgence and progress of NDDs. Despite the huge efforts in drug discovery programs, the identification process of new therapeutic agents able to counteract the relentless progress of neurodegenerative processes has produced low or no effective therapies. Consequently, a paradigm-shift in the drug discovery approach for these diseases is gradually occurring, paving the way for innovative therapeutical approaches, such as polypharmacology. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the main pharmacological features of most promising nature-based scaffolds for a possible application in drug discovery, especially for NDDs, highlighting their multifaceted effects against OS and neuronal disorders.

Induction of natural defense and protection against Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea in apple fruit in response to bioelicitors isolated from green algae

2015 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Abouraïcha ◽  
Z. El Alaoui-Talibi ◽  
R. El Boutachfaiti ◽  
E. Petit ◽  
B. Courtois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Penicillium Expansum ◽  
Natural Defense

No evidence for phylogenetic constraint on natural defense evolution among wild tomatoes

Ecology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 1633-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Haak ◽  
Blake A. Ballenger ◽  
Leonie C. Moyle
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Constraint ◽  
Natural Defense

scholarly journals “Cracking the Immune Fingerprint of Metal-Organic Frameworks”

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania HIDALGO ◽  
Rosana Simón-Vázquez ◽  
africa González-Fernández ◽  
Patricia Horcajada
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Metal Organic Frameworks ◽  
The Body ◽  
Natural Defense ◽  
Chess Game ◽  
Metal Organic

Human body is continuously in a never-ending chess game against pathogens. When the immune system, our natural defense tool, is weakened, these organisms are able to escape, collapsing the body...

scholarly journals Hematological and cytochemical characteristics of peripheral blood cells in the argus snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus Cantor)

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11234
Author(s):  
Xue Wang ◽  
Zhengjie Wu ◽  
Shengmei Wu ◽  
Xianxian Chen ◽  
Misbah Hanif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Chloroacetic Acid ◽  
Peripheral Blood Cells ◽  
Cytochemical Staining ◽  
Periodic Acid Schiff ◽  
Natural Defense

Background The argus snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus Cantor) is a highly nutritious, freshwater, cultured bony fish with a high economic value. The health of the fish is closely related to its blood cells, which are critical for oxygen transport, natural defense, and immunity. We investigated the morphometry, microstructure, and cytochemical characteristics of the peripheral blood cells of O. argus. Our results may provide the basic reference values needed to monitor the health of this fish for large-scale cultivation. Methods The number of blood cells in O. argus were counted on a hemocytometer and their size was measured using a micrometer under light microscope. The morphology and classification of the blood cells were studied using Wright’s staining and the cytochemical characteristics were studied using seven chemical stains including peroxidase (POX), Sudan black B (SBB), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), chloroacetic acid AS-D naphthol esterase (AS-D), and α-naphthol acetate esterase (α-NAE). Results The peripheral blood cells in O. argus can be classified as erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes; of which, females had 2.9597 million/mm3, 88,400/mm3, and 43,600/mm3, respectively, and males had 3.0105 million/mm3, 105,500/mm3, and 34,000/mm3, respectively. Leukocytes consisted of neutrophils, monocytes, large lymphocytes, and small lymphocytes. Eosinophils and basophils were not found. Monocytes were the most numerous leukocytes identified, followed by neutrophils and small lymphocytes, while large lymphocytes were the least frequently identified. Cytochemical staining showed that erythrocytes were only positive for PAS staining. Neutrophils were strongly positive for POX, SBB, and ACP, and positive for all the other cytochemical stains. Monocytes were positive for PAS and α-NAE and were weakly positive for ACP and AS-D staining. Large lymphocytes were positive for PAS and were weakly positive for ALP, AS-D, and α-NAE staining. Small lymphocytes were positive for PAS and weakly positive for AS-D and α-NAE staining. Thrombocytes were positive for PAS and were weakly positive for ACP and AS-D, but negative for the remaining cytochemical stains. The morphology of peripheral blood cells in O. argus was generally similar to that of other fish species, while the cytochemical staining patterns showed clear species specificity.

scholarly journals Hypersensitive Responses in Plants

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Thakur ◽  
Shalini Verma ◽  
Vedukola P Reddy ◽  
Deepika Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Hypersensitive Response ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Avirulence Gene ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Dead Cell ◽  
Natural Defense ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Hypersensitivity is a natural defense for plants in response to a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and is characterized by a programmed cell death (PCD) accompanied by an accumulation of toxic compounds within the dead cell. Hypersensitive response (HR) is considered a biochemical reaction rather than a structural defense mechanism but can be seen with the naked eye or with a microscope. There are two types of hypersensitive responses: structural and induced. PCD is seen in both structural as well as in induced hypersensitive response. PCD is extreme resistance shown by the plants in which it kills its cells (suicidal death), upon a perception of the pathogen to deprive it of nutritional supply and stops its growth. Cell death plays a central role in innate immune responses in both plants and animals. Apoptosis and autophagy are physiological processes and two forms of biochemical PCD. Induced hypersensitive response comes out when the plant recognizes specific pathogen-produced signal molecules known as elicitors. Recognition of elicitors by the host plants activates an army of biochemical reactions. These reactions include an oxidative burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alterations in plant cell wall also including cell wall immunity (CWI) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), induction of phytoalexins and synthesis of PR proteins. These all, are comprised under the first line of defense of plants which come into action after recognition of conserved molecules characteristic of many microbes. These are called elicitors and are known as microbeassociated or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs or PAMPs). The second line of defense of plants is the recognition of effectors through plant resistance gene products known as R genes, which result in effector-triggered immunity (ETI). This is supported by the gene for gene hypothesis. Avirulence gene encodes a protein which is specifically recognized by genotypes of the host plant harboring the matching resistance genes.

Physiological responses of grapevines to biodynamic management

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 402-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Vasconcelos Botelho ◽  
Roberta Roberti ◽  
Paola Tessarin ◽  
José María Garcia-Mina ◽  
Adamo Domenico Rombolà
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Defense Compounds ◽  
Natural Defense ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Biodynamic Preparations

AbstractA 3-year (2011–2013) field trial was carried out in a mature vineyard (Vitis vinifera L., cv. Sangiovese), planted in 2003, to assess physiological responses of grapevines to biodynamic management. Starting in 2007, the vineyard was managed with organic production protocols in accordance with EC Regulations (834/2007). In 2008, the vineyard (2 ha) was divided in two large plots, with each plot having similar soil physico-chemical properties. One of the plots was managed with organic protocols per EC Regulations and the other with biodynamic practices, consisting of spray application of preparations 500, 500 K, fladen and 501. During the 2011–2013 season, the biodynamic preparations were used at least twice per year, with the exception of 501 that was applied only once in 2013. Concentration of hormones and mineral elements in biodynamic preparations were determined. Biodynamically managed vines showed lower stomatal conductance in all years and lower leaf water potential in 2012. Leaf photosynthetic activity was not influenced by cultivation method. Biodynamic management led to an increase in leaf enzymatic activities of endochitinase (EC 3.2.1.14), exochitinase (β-N-acetylhexosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.52 and chitin 1,4-β-chitobiosidase) and β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), which are typically correlated with plant biotic and abiotic stresses and associated with induced plant resistance. Year effects were observed with 1,3-β-glucanase, whose activity in 2012 was 4.1-fold higher than in 2013. Disease incidence and grape yields were not different between organic and biodynamic treatments. This study provided a strong indication of a stimulation of natural defense compounds in grapes grown under biodynamic cultivation, but subsequent effects on plant protection and productivity require further evaluation.

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