Microencapsulated Multi-functionalized Graphene Oxide Equipped With Chloroquine for Efficient and Sustained Sirna Delivery

A multi-functionalized graphene oxide (GO)-based carrier with conjugation of aminated-polyethylenglycole (PEG-diamine), octaarginine (R8) and folic acid (FA), which also contains chloroquine (CQ), a lysosomotropic agent, is introduced. The cellular uptake mechanisms and intracellular targeting of FA functionalized nanocarriers are examined. The localized releases of CQ and siRNA intracellular delivery are evaluated. Microencapsulation of the nanocarrier complexed with genes in layer-by-layer coating of alginate micro-beads is also investigated. The covalently co-conjugated FA with PEG and R8 provides a stable formulation with increased cellular uptake compared to FA-free carrier. The CQ-equipped nanocarrier shows a 95% release of CQ at lysosomal pH. The localized release of the drug inside the lysosomes is verified which accelerates the cargo discharge into cytoplasm.

Effect of the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine on mTORC1 activation and protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle

Background Previous work in HEK-293 cells demonstrated the importance of amino acid-induced mTORC1 translocation to the lysosomal surface for stimulating mTORC1 kinase activity and protein synthesis. This study tested the conservation of this amino acid sensing mechanism in human skeletal muscle by treating subjects with chloroquine—a lysosomotropic agent that induces in vitro and in vivo lysosome dysfunction. Methods mTORC1 signaling and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) were determined in vivo in a randomized controlled trial of 14 subjects (10 M, 4 F; 26 ± 4 year) that ingested 10 g of essential amino acids (EAA) after receiving 750 mg of chloroquine (CHQ, n = 7) or serving as controls (CON, n = 7; no chloroquine). Additionally, differentiated C2C12 cells were used to assess mTORC1 signaling and myotube protein synthesis (MyPS) in the presence and absence of leucine and the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine. Results mTORC1, S6K1, 4E-BP1 and rpS6 phosphorylation increased in both CON and CHQ 1 h post EAA ingestion (P < 0.05). MPS increased similarly in both groups (CON, P = 0.06; CHQ, P < 0.05). In contrast, in C2C12 cells, 1 mM leucine increased mTORC1 and S6K1 phosphorylation (P < 0.05), which was inhibited by 2 mg/ml chloroquine. Chloroquine (2 mg/ml) was sufficient to disrupt mTORC1 signaling, and MyPS. Conclusions Chloroquine did not inhibit amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1 signaling and skeletal MPS in humans as it does in C2C12 muscle cells. Therefore, different in vivo experimental approaches are required for confirming the precise role of the lysosome and amino acid sensing in human skeletal muscle. Trial registration NCT00891696. Registered 29 April 2009.

The lysosomotrope GPN mobilises Ca2+from acidic organelles

ABSTRACTLysosomes are acidic Ca2+stores often mobilised in conjunction with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+stores. Glycyl-L-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide (GPN) is a widely used lysosomotropic agent that evokes cytosolic Ca2+signals in many cells. However, whether these signals are the result of a primary action on lysosomes is unclear in light of recent evidence showing that GPN mediates direct ER Ca2+release through changes in cytosolic pH. Here, we show that GPN evoked rapid increases in cytosolic pH but slower Ca2+signals. NH4Cl evoked comparable changes in pH but failed to affect Ca2+. The V-type ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin A1, increased lysosomal pH over a period of hours. Acute treatment modestly affected lysosomal pH and potentiated Ca2+signals evoked by GPN. In contrast, chronic treatment led to more profound changes in luminal pH and selectively inhibited GPN action. GPN blocked Ca2+responses evoked by the novel nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate-like agonist, TPC2-A1-N. Therefore, GPN-evoked Ca2+signals were better correlated with associated pH changes in the lysosome compared to the cytosol, and were coupled to lysosomal Ca2+release. We conclude that Ca2+signals evoked by GPN most likely derive from acidic organelles.

Pharmacological Inhibition of O-GlcNAc Transferase Promotes mTOR-Dependent Autophagy in Rat Cortical Neurons

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is a ubiquitous enzyme that regulates the addition of β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues of target proteins. Autophagy is a cellular process of self-digestion, in which cytoplasmic resources, such as aggregate proteins, toxic compounds, damaged organelles, mitochondria, and lipid molecules, are degraded and recycled. Here, we examined how three different OGT inhibitors, alloxan, BXZ2, and OSMI-1, modulate O-GlcNAcylation in rat cortical neurons, and their autophagic effects were determined by immunoblot and immunofluorescence assays. We found that the treatment of cortical neurons with an OGT inhibitor decreased O-GlcNAcylation levels and increased LC3-II expression. Interestingly, the pre-treatment with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, further increased the expression levels of LC3-II induced by OGT inhibition, implicating the involvement of mTOR signaling in O-GlcNAcylation-dependent autophagy. In contrast, OGT inhibitor-mediated autophagy was significantly attenuated by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), a blocker of autophagosome formation. However, when pre-treated with chloroquine (CQ), a lysosomotropic agent and a late-stage autophagy inhibitor, OGT inhibitors significantly increased LC3-II levels along with LC3 puncta formation, indicating the stimulation of autophagic flux. Lastly, we found that OGT inhibitors significantly decreased the levels of the autophagy substrate p62/SQSTM1 while increasing the expression of lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1). Together, our study reveals that the modulation of O-GlcNAcylation by OGT inhibition regulates mTOR-dependent autophagy in rat cortical neurons.

LYSOSOMOTROPIC PROPERTIES OF SODIUM BICARBONATE AND COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 has appeared as an ongoing global public crisis, growing with geometric progression and has caused huge devastation till date majorly because of lack of targeted therapeutic agents like vaccines. SARS-Cov-2 entrance into the host cells is reliant on acidic pH. Thus, in the current clinical emergency there is a pressing need to look forward for adjunct therapies which could counter the acidic pH, so as to restrain the viral entry and its subsequent reproduction in the host cells. Therefore, the current review attempted to explore the possibility to use sodium bicarbonate as an alternative lysosomotropic agent based on the reported literature owing to its anti-flu properties and widespread use during 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. The suggestions put forward in the current review article based on the careful use of sodium bicarbonate could probably help to restrain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Eradicate Coronavirus by blocking replication, counteracting its defense system

SIRT1 inhibitors can reduce replication of many viruses with certain similar characteristics to those of Coronaviruses, while p53 protein is another important factor in down-regulation of growth. There are some molecules that inhibit Sirtuin 1 and 2, in addition to activate p53 protein, by means of regulation of the interactions used by Coronaviruses as self-defense mechanism, degradating it. Even mTOR signal will be regulate, as well as autophagy will be inhibited, being this compound like a lysosomotropic agent. By blocking virus growth and continuous replication, associating the already tested Antiviral medicines, Covid-19 could be eradicated.

Eradicate Coronavirus by blocking replication, counteracting its defense system

SIRT1 inhibitors can reduce replication of many viruses with certain similar characteristics to those of Coronaviruses, while p53 protein is another important factor in down-regulation of growth. There are some molecules that inhibit Sirtuin 1 and 2, in addition to activate p53 protein, by means of regulation of the interactions used by Coronaviruses as self-defense mechanism, degradating it. Even mTOR signal will be regulate, as well as autophagy will be inhibited, being this compound like a lysosomotropic agent. By blocking virus growth and continuous replication, associating the already tested Antiviral medicines, Covid-19 could be eradicated.