Penaeus monodon Interferon Regulatory Factor (PmIRF) Activates IFNs and Antimicrobial Peptide Expression via a STING-Dependent DNA Sensing Pathway

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are transcription factors found in both vertebrates and invertebrates that were recently identified and found to play an important role in antiviral immunity in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which P. monodon IRF (PmIRF) regulates the immune-related genes downstream of the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway. Depletion of PmIRF by double-stranded RNA-mediated gene silencing significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of the IFN-like factors PmVago1, PmVago4, and PmVago5 and antilipopolysaccharide factor 6 (ALFPm6) in shrimp. In human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells transfected with PmIRF or co-transfected with DEAD-box polypeptide (PmDDX41) and simulator of IFN genes (PmSTING) expression plasmids, the promoter activity of IFN-β, nuclear factor (NF-κB), and ALFPm6 was synergistically enhanced following stimulation with the nucleic acid mimics deoxyadenylic–deoxythymidylic acid sodium salt [poly(dA:dT)] and high molecular weight (HMW) polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]. Both nucleic acid mimics also significantly induced PmSTING, PmIRF, and ALFPm6 gene expression. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that PmIRF interacted with PmSTING in cells stimulated with poly(dA:dT). PmSTING, PmIRF, and PmDDX41 were localized in the cytoplasm of unstimulated HEK293T cells and PmIRF and PmDDX41 were translocated to the nucleus upon stimulation with the nucleic acid mimics while PmSTING remained in the cytoplasm. These results indicate that PmIRF transduces the pathogen signal via the PmDDX41–PmSTING DNA sensing pathway to induce downstream production of interferon-like molecules and antimicrobial peptides.

Synthesis and characterization of novel thermo- and salt-sensitive amphoteric terpolymers based on acrylamide derivatives

A novel linear amphoteric terpolymers based on neutral monomer — N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), ani- onic monomer — 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS), and cationic mono- mer — (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC) were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in aqueous solution and characterized by methods of 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, TGA, GPC, Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential. The thermal and salt sensitivity of amphoteric ternary polymers of various compositions, particularly, [NIPAM]:[AMPS]:[APTAC] = 90:2.5:7.5; 90:5:5; 90:7.5:2.5 mol.% were studied in aqueous and aqueous-salt solutions in the temperature range from 25 to 60 C and at the NaCl ionic strength  interval from 10–3 to 1M. It was found that due to hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, the temperature dependent conformational and phase change of macromolecular chains becomes sensitive to salt addition and allows the fine-tuning of the phase transition. In aqueous and aqueous-salt solutions, the average hydrodynamic size of amphoteric terpolymers is varied from 8 to 300 nm exhibiting bimodal distribution at room temperature. The number average (Mn) and weight average (Mw) molecular weights, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta-potentials of amphoteric terpolymers in aqueous solu- tions were determined

Synthetic Amphoteric Cryogels as an Antidote against Acute Heavy Metal Poisoning

The effectiveness of an amphoteric cryogel (AAC) as an oral sorbent (enerosorbent) for the treatment of acute poisoning of small animals (rats) with heavy metals (HMs) was studied in in vivo experiments. The morphological structure of the cryogel was examined using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and confocal microscopy. The use of the cryogel in the treatment of rats administered an LD50 dose of Cd(NO3)2, CsNO3, Sr(NO3)2, or HgCl2 in aqueous solution showed their high survival rate compared to the control group, which did not receive such treatment. The histological and chemical analysis of internal tissues and the biochemical analysis of the blood of the experimental animals showed the effectiveness of the cryogel in protecting the animals against the damaging effect of HMs on the organism comparable with unithiol, a chelating agent based on 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid sodium salt (DMPS) approved for the treatment of acute poisoning with some heavy metals.

Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight amphoteric terpolymer based on acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt and (3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride for oil recovery

High molecular weight amphoteric terpolymer based on a nonionic monomer, acrylamide (AAm), an anionic monomer, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS), and a cationic monomer, (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC), was prepared using free-radical copolymerization in an aqueous solution and characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR, GPC, DLS, zeta potential and viscometry. The polymer was shown to be viscosifying, and therefore can be utilized as a polymer flooding agent in the high salinity and temperature conditions of oil reservoirs. Injection of 0.25 wt.% of amphoteric terpolymer, dissolved in 200-300 g∙L-1 brine, into high and low permeability sand pack models demonstrated that the oil recovery factor (ORF) increases by up to 23-28% in comparison with saline water flooding. This is explained by an increase in the viscosity of brine solution due to disruption of intra- and interionic contacts between oppositely charged AMPS and APTAC moieties, demonstrating the antipolyelectrolyte effect. In high saline water, the anions and cations of salts screen the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged macroions, resulting in expansion of the macromolecule. This phenomenon leads to an increase in the viscosifying effect on the brine solution, thus decreasing the mobility factor (M), which is defined as the ratio of displacing phase mobility (water) to displaced phase mobility (oil).