Effect of a Copaiba Oil-Based Dental Biomodifier on the Inhibition of Metalloproteinase in Adhesive Restoration

Aim. This study sets out to evaluate the antiproteolytic activity of copaiba oil-based emulsion at the resin/dentin adhesive interface union formed with conventional and self-etching adhesives systems. Methods. At in situ zymography, 30 teeth were sectioned 2 mm below the enamel-dentin junction; a smear layer was standardized and subdivided into four groups. Gelatin conjugated with fluorescein was used and taken to the fluorescence microscope for evaluation. In cytotoxicity, the Trypan Blue method was used at four different time points. The tested groups were (G1) control with distilled water; (G2) 2% chlorhexidine (CLX); (G3) emulsion based on copaiba oil (EC) 10% + X; (G4) 10% EC + Y; and (G5) EC 10% alkaline. The zymographic assay used the same groups described, but in 30 seconds and 10 and 20 minutes. HT1080 cells were incubated and submitted to electrophoresis. The gel was analyzed using ImageJ software. Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used in the statistical analysis ( p < 0.05 ). Results. ECs showed higher cell viability in the cytotoxicity test and showed a significant difference in 10 and 20 minutes. In the zymographic assay, alkaline EC reduced 67% of MMP-2 activity and 44% of MMP-9 compared to 2% chlorhexidine. At in situ zymography in qualitative evaluation, all groups tested showed inhibition of activity in metalloproteinases. Conclusion. EC showed activity in the inhibition of metalloproteinases in vitro and in situ, especially the alkaline one. The survey shows the possibility of using ECs, a product from Amazonian biodiversity, as a biomodifier in dentistry.

Inhibitory action of essential oils against proteases activity of Paenibacillus larvae, the etiological agent of American Foulbrood disease

American foulbrood (AFB) is a disease affecting the larva of Apis mellifera. The etiological agent is Paenibacillus larvae, which releases metalloproteases involved in the degradation of larval tissues. Through quorum sensing (QS) mechanism, bacteria are able to activate specific genes such as virulence factors. The exoproteases regulation of P. larvae could be associated with QS. A promising mechanism of AFB control is to block QS mechanism with essential oils (EO). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential presence of QS signals in the regulation of P. larvae proteases and the effect of seven EOs on the exoproteases activity of P. larvae. From growth curves and evaluation of the presence of proteases by milk agar plates assay, it was observed protease activity during the late exponential phase of growth. Early production of protease activity (15 hours earlier than control) was observed when a low density culture was incubated with late exponential spent medium (SM) suggesting the presence of factor(s) inducing this activity. SM was obtained by the ultrafiltration of P. larvae cultures on late growth phase and was free of proteases. Proteolytic activity was quantified on P. larvae cultures in presence of sublethal concentration of EO by azocasein method. The EOs, except S. chilensis EO, reduced significantly protease activity (more than 50%). We report for the first time evidence on the possible role of QS on P. larvae and the antiproteolytic activity of EOs (except for S. chilensis) on exoproteases, an interesting therapeutic strategy to control AFB.

Inactivation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 by RNA Aptamer Molecules

Abstract 1107 Introduction: The serine protease inhibitor (serpin) plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), binds and inhibits the following plasminogen activators: tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). This decreases plasmin production and triggers the dissolution of fibrin clots. Elevated levels of PAI-1 have been correlated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, as well as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, pharmacologically suppressing PAI-1 might prevent, or successfully treat vascular disease. Several PAI-1 small molecule inhibitors have recently been studied (PAI-039 is the best characterized). Since PAI-1 is a multifunctional protein, completely inhibiting PAI-1 may hinder its other functions. Therefore, it is important to independently develop inhibitors to the various regions of PAI-1. This can be accomplished by using small RNA molecules (aptamers) that bind with high affinity and specificity to individual protein domains. We recently published a paper showing how PAI-1 specific RNA aptamers bind to the heparin/vitronectin binding site of PAI-1 (Blake et al., 2009). We demonstrated that PAI-1 specific aptamers prevent cancer cells from detaching from vitronectin (in the presence of PAI-1), resulting in increased cell adhesion. These aptamers had no effect on PAI-1's other functions, particularly its antiproteolytic activity. Objective: This study's goal was to develop RNA aptamers to the active site of PAI-1; thereby, preventing the ability of PAI-1 to interact with plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA). Methods: The aptamers were generated by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Adopting the SELEX in vitro selection technique ensures the creation of nuclease-resistant RNA molecules that will bind to target proteins. We used in vitroassays to determine the effect of the aptamers on the interaction of PAI-1 with both tPA and uPA. Results: We isolated a family of aptamers that bind to wild-type PAI-1 with affinities in the nanomolar range. From this family, two aptamer clones (10–2 and 10–4) exhibited reduced binding to elastase cleaved PAI-1 and the PAI-1/tPA complex. This suggests that they bind to, or in the vicinity of, the active site. Using a chromogenic assay, we showed that the aptamer clone 10–4, and (to a lesser extent) the aptamer clone 10–2, inhibited PAI-1's antiproteolytic activity against tPA, further suggesting that these clones bind to PAI-1 within its active site region. Interestingly, neither clone was able to prevent PAI-1 from inhibiting uPA activity. Both aptamer clones disrupted PAI-1's ability to form a stable covalent complex with tPA. Increasing aptamer concentrations positively correlated with an increase in cleaved PAI-1, suggesting that these aptamer clones convert PAI-1 from an inhibitor to a substrate. Furthermore, we showed that both aptamer clones are able to inhibit PAI-1's activity in the presence of vitronectin. Conclusions: We have shown that we are able to inhibit one of PAI-1's functions without hindering its other functions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an RNA molecule that is able to inhibit the antiproteolytic activity of PAI-1. We have generated two specific RNA aptamer molecules that hinder the ability of PAI-1 to interact with tPA, which has the potential to be used as an antithrombotic agent. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Effect of curcumin on the nitric oxide induced structural and functional modifications of high molecular mass goat brain cystatin

Cystatins are thiol proteinase inhibitors ubiquitously present in the mammalian body. In brain, they prevent unwanted proteolysis and are involved in several neurodegenerative diseases. Under physiological conditions nitric oxide can be found in almost all the tissues, but under pathological conditions NO has damaging effects. Its increased concentration, under various neural diseases leads to cell damage through formation of highly reactive peroxynitrite. Our present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against NO induced damage of HM-GBC. NO caused intensive structural and functional damage of HM-GBC, resulting in 89% loss of its antiproteolytic activity after 2 h of incubation. Structural damage occurs in the form of protein degradation. Curcumin significantly protected HM-GBC against this damage. This suggests that curcumin has a significant potential in the treatment of diseases caused by nitrogen free radicals and this potential must be further explored for the development of novel drugs.

Probing the Antiprotease Activity of λCIII, an Inhibitor of the Escherichia coli Metalloprotease HflB (FtsH)

ABSTRACT The CIII protein encoded by the temperate coliphage lambda acts as an inhibitor of the ubiquitous Escherichia coli metalloprotease HflB (FtsH). This inhibition results in the stabilization of transcription factor λCII, thereby helping the phage to lysogenize the host bacterium. λCIII, a small (54-residue) protein of unknown structure, also protects σ32, another specific substrate of HflB. In order to understand the details of the inhibitory mechanism of CIII, we cloned and expressed the protein with an N-terminal six-histidine tag. We also synthesized and studied a 28-amino-acid peptide, CIIIC, encompassing the central 14 to 41 residues of CIII that exhibited antiproteolytic activity. Our studies show that CIII exists as a dimer under native conditions, aided by an intersubunit disulfide bond, which is dispensable for dimerization. Unlike CIII, CIIIC resists digestion by HflB. While CIII binds to HflB, it does not bind to CII. On the basis of these results, we discuss various mechanisms for the antiproteolytic activity of CIII.

Inter-alpha-inhibitor, hyaluronan and inflammation.

Inter-alpha-inhibitor is an abundant plasma protein whose physiological function is only now beginning to be revealed. It consists of three polypeptides: two heavy chains and one light chain called bikunin. Bikunin, which has antiproteolytic activity, carries a chondroitin sulphate chain to which the heavy chains are covalently linked. The heavy chains can be transferred from inter-alpha-inhibitor to hyaluronan molecules and become covalently linked. This reaction seems to be mediated by TSG-6, a protein secreted by various cells upon stimulation by inflammatory cytokines. Inter-alpha-inhibitor has been shown to be required for the stabilization of the cumulus cell-oocyte complex during the expansion that occurs prior to ovulation. Hyaluronan-linked heavy chains in the extracellular matrix of this cellular complex have recently been shown to be tightly bound to TSG-6. Since TSG-6 binds to hyaluronan, its complex with heavy chains could stabilize the extracellular matrix by cross-linking hyaluronan molecules. Heavy chains linked to hyaluronan molecules have also been found in inflamed tissues. The physiological role of these complexes is not known but there are indications that they might protect hyaluronan against fragmentation by reactive oxygen species. TSG-6 also binds to bikunin thereby enhancing its antiplasmin activity. Taken together, these results suggest that inter-alpha-inhibitor is an anti-inflammatory agent which is activated by TSG-6.