Acidic Osteoid Templates the Plywood Structure of Bone Tissue

Bone is created by osteoblasts that secrete osteoid after which an ordered texture emerges, followed by mineralization. Plywood geometries are a hallmark of many trabecular and cortical bones, yet the origin of this texturing in vivo has never been shown. Nevertheless, extensive in vitro work revealed how plywood textures of fibrils can emerge from acidic molecular cholesteric collagen mesophases. This study demonstrates in sheep, which is the preferred model for skeletal orthopaedic research, that the deeper non-fibrillar osteoid is organized in a liquid-crystal cholesteric geometry. This basophilic domain, rich in acidic glycosaminoglycans, exhibits low pH which presumably fosters mesoscale collagen molecule ordering in vivo. The results suggest that the collagen fibril motif of twisted plywood matures slowly through self-assembly thermodynamically driven processes as proposed by the Bouligand theory of biological analogues of liquid crystals. Understanding the steps of collagen patterning in osteoid-maturation processes may shed new light on bone pathologies that emerge from collagen physico-chemical maturation imbalances.

The success of the bloom-forming cyanobacteria Planktothrix: Genotypes variability supports variable responses to light and temperature stress

Cyanobacterial blooms can modify the dynamic of aquatic ecosystems and have harmful consequences for human activities. Moreover, cyanobacteria can produce a variety of cyanotoxins, including microcystins, but little is known about the role of environmental factors on the prevalence of microcystin producers in the cyanobacterial bloom dynamics. This study aimed to better understand the success of Planktothrix in various environments by unveiling the variety of strategies governing cell responses to sudden changes in light intensity and temperature. The cellular responses (photosynthesis, photoprotection, heat shock response and metabolites synthesis) of four Planktothrix strains to high-light or high-temperature were studied, focusing on how distinct ecotypes (red- or green-pigmented) and microcystin production capability affect cyanobacteria's ability to cope with such abiotic stimuli. Our results showed that high-light and high-temperature impact different cellular processes and that Planktothrix responses are heterogeneous, specific to each strain and thus, to genotype. The ability of cyanobacteria to cope with sudden increase in light intensity and temperature was not related to red- or green-pigmented ecotype or microcystin production capability. According to our results, microcystin producers do not cope better to high-light or high-temperature and microcystin content does not increase in response to such stresses.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome and AKI: Beyond Crystal Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiology of AKI during tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is not well understood due to the paucity of data. We aimed to decipher crystal-dependent and crystal-independent mechanisms of TLS-induced AKI.

METHODS

Crystalluria, plasma cytokine levels, and extracellular histones levels were measured in two cohorts of patients with TLS. We developed a model of TLS in syngeneic mice with acute myeloid leukemia, and analyzed ultrastructural changes in kidneys and endothelial permeability using intravital confocal microscopy. In parallel, we studied the endothelial toxicity of extracellular histones in vitro. RESULTS: The study provides the first evidence that previously described crystal-dependent mechanisms are insufficient to explain TLS-induced AKI. Extracellular histones that are released in huge amounts during TLS caused profound endothelial alterations in the mouse model. The mechanisms of histone-mediated damage implicates endothelial cell activation mediated by Toll-like receptor 4. Heparin inhibits extracellular histones and mitigates endothelial dysfunction during TLS.

CONCLUSION

This study sheds new light on the pathophysiology of TLS-induced AKI and suggests that extracellular histones may constitute a novel target for therapeutic intervention in TLS when endothelial dysfunction occurs.

Inorganic phosphate in growing calcium carbonate abalone shell suggests a shared mineral ancestral precursor

The presence of phosphate from different origins (inorganic, bioorganic) is found more and more in calcium carbonate-based biominerals. Phosphate is often described as being responsible for the stabilization of the transient amorphous calcium carbonate phase. In order to specify the composition of the mineral phase deposited at the onset of carbonated shell formation, the present study investigates, down to the nanoscale, the growing shell from the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata, using a combination of solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning transmission electron microscope and spatially-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques. We show the co-occurrence of inorganic phosphate with calcium and carbonate throughout the early stages of abalone shell formation. One possible hypothesis is that this first-formed mixed mineral phase represents the vestige of a shared ancestral mineral precursor that appeared early during Evolution. In addition, our findings strengthen the idea that the final crystalline phase (calcium carbonate or phosphate) depends strongly on the nature of the mineral-associated proteins in vivo.

Phosphate involvement in calcium carbonate biominerals raises questions on biomineralisation pathways. Here, the authors explore the presence of phosphate in the growing shell of the European abalone and suggest a shared mixed mineral ancestral precursor with final crystal phase being selected by mineral-associated proteins.

Interaction in a dual-species biofilm of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata co-isolated from intravascular catheter

The use of catheters for vascular access may be associated with colonization by Candida species and their biofilm-forming ability. The latter can harbor two or more species of Candida yeast. In the sense, we conducted our study at the University Hospital of Tlemcen in west Algeria at the neuro-surgery unit, that aims (or which aims) to evaluate the ability to form mixed biofilm by dual-species Candida albicans/Candida glabrata co-isolated from intravascular catheters and their interaction in biofilm. That is the first report in Algeria. During this study, we took photographic images by scanning electron microscopy of 3 catheters implanted before 48 h and co-colonized by dual-species. From all taken samples, 34 catheters were altered by yeasts from which three were co-colonized by two Candida species and C. albicans established synergistic and competitive interactions with C. glabrata species in mixed biofilm tested.

Light stress in green and red Planktothrix strains: The orange carotenoid protein and its related photoprotective mechanism

Photosynthetic organisms need to sense and respond to fluctuating environmental conditions, to perform efficient photosynthesis and avoid the formation of harmful reactive oxygen species. Cyanobacteria have developed a photoprotective mechanism that decreases the energy arriving at the reaction centers by increasing thermal energy dissipation at the level of the phycobilisome, the extramembranal light-harvesting antenna. This mechanism is triggered by the photoactive orange carotenoid protein (OCP). In this study, we characterized OCP and the related photoprotective mechanism in non-stressed and light-stressed cells of three different strains of Planktothrix that can form impressive blooms. In addition to changing lake ecosystemic functions and biodiversity, Planktothrix blooms can have adverse effects on human and animal health as they produce toxins (e.g., microcystins). Three Planktothrix strains were selected: two green strains, PCC 10110 (microcystin producer) and PCC 7805 (non-microcystin producer), and one red strain, PCC 7821. The green strains colonize shallow lakes with higher light intensities while red strains proliferate in deep lakes. Our study allowed us to conclude that there is a correlation between the ecological niche in which these strains proliferate and the rates of induction and recovery of OCP-related photoprotection. However, differences in the resistance to prolonged high-light stress were correlated to a better replacement of damaged D1 protein and not to differences in OCP photoprotection. Finally, microcystins do not seem to be involved in photoprotection as was previously suggested.

Characterization of phototrophic microorganisms and description of new cyanobacteria isolated from the saline-alkaline crater-lake Dziani Dzaha (Mayotte, Indian Ocean)

The saline-alkaline crater-lake Dziani Dzaha (Mayotte, Indian Ocean) is dominated by the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Arthrospira. However, the rest of the phototrophic community remains underexplored because of their minute dimension or lower biomass. To characterize the phototrophic microorganisms living in this ecosystem considered as a modern analog of Precambrian environments, several strains were isolated from the water column and stromatolites and analyzed using the polyphasic approach. Based on morphological, ultrastructural and molecular (16S rRNA gene, 18S rRNA gene, 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and cpcBA-IGS locus) methods, seven filamentous cyanobacteria and the prasinophyte Picocystis salinarum were identified. Two new genera and four new cyanobacteria species belonging to the orders Oscillatoriales (Desertifilum dzianense sp. nov.) and Synechococcales (Sodalinema komarekii gen. nov., sp. nov., Sodaleptolyngbya stromatolitii gen. nov., sp. nov. and Haloleptolyngbya elongata sp. nov.) were described. This approach also allowed to identify Arthrospira fusiformis with exclusively straight trichomes instead of the spirally coiled form commonly observed in the genus. This study evidenced the importance of using the polyphasic approach to solve the complex taxonomy of cyanobacteria and to study algal assemblages from unexplored ecosystems.

Global Metabolomic Characterizations of Microcystis spp. Highlights Clonal Diversity in Natural Bloom-Forming Populations and Expands Metabolite Structural Diversity

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes capable of synthesizing a large variety of secondary metabolites that exhibit significant bioactivity or toxicity. Microcystis constitutes one of the most common cyanobacterial genera, forming the intensive blooms that nowadays arise in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Species in this genus can produce numerous cyanotoxins (i.e., toxic cyanobacterial metabolites), which can be harmful to human health and aquatic organisms. To better understand variations in cyanotoxin production between clones of Microcystis species, we investigated the diversity of 24 strains isolated from the same blooms or from different populations in various geographical areas. Strains were compared by genotyping with 16S-ITS fragment sequencing and metabolite chemotyping using LC ESI-qTOF mass spectrometry. While genotyping can help to discriminate among different species, the global metabolome analysis revealed clearly discriminating molecular profiles among strains. These profiles could be clustered primarily according to their global metabolite content, then according to their genotype, and finally according to their sampling location. A global molecular network of all metabolites produced by Microcystis species highlights the production of a wide set of chemically diverse metabolites, including a few microcystins, many aeruginosins, microginins, cyanopeptolins, and anabaenopeptins, together with a large set of unknown molecules. These components, which constitute the molecular biodiversity of Microcystis species, still need to be investigated in terms of their structure and potential bioactivites (e.g., toxicity).

Subcellular localization of microcystin in the liver and the gonads of medaka fish acutely exposed to microcystin-LR

Among the diverse toxic components produced by cyanobacteria, microcystins (MCs) are one of the most toxic and notorious cyanotoxin groups. Besides their potent hepatotoxicity, MCs have been revealed to induce potential reproductive toxicity in various animal studies. However, little is still known regarding the distribution of MCs in the reproductive organ, which could directly affect reproductive cells. In order to respond to this question, an acute study was conducted in adult medaka fish (model animal) gavaged with 10 μg.g^-1 body weight of pure MC-LR. The histological and immunohistochemical examinations reveal an intense distribution of MC-LR within hepatocytes along with a severe liver lesion in the toxin-treated female and male fish. Besides being accumulated in the hepatocytes, MC-LR was also found in the connective tissue of the ovary and the testis, as well as in oocytes and degenerative spermatocyte-like structures but not spermatocytes. Both liver and gonad play important roles in the reproductive process of oviparous vertebrates. This observation constitutes the first observation of the presence of MC-LR in reproductive cells (female, oocytes) of a vertebrate model with in vivo study. Our results, which provide intracellular localization of MC-LR in the gonad, advance our understanding of the potential reproductive toxicity of MC-LR in fish.

An integrated omic analysis of hepatic alteration in medaka fish chronically exposed to cyanotoxins with possible mechanisms of reproductive toxicity

Cyanobacterial blooms threaten human health as well as the population of other living organisms in the aquatic environment, particularly due to the production of natural toxic components, the cyanotoxin. So far, the most studied cyanotoxins are microcystins (MCs). In this study, the hepatic alterations at histological, proteome and transcriptome levels were evaluated in female and male medaka fish chronically exposed to 1 and 5 μg L^-1 microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and to the extract of MC-producing Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7820 (5 μg L^-1 of equivalent MC-LR) by balneation for 28 days, aiming at enhancing our understanding of the potential reproductive toxicity of cyanotoxins in aquatic vertebrate models. Indeed, both MC and Microcystis extract adversely affect reproductive parameters including fecundity and egg hatchability. The liver of toxin treated female fish present glycogen storage loss and cellular damages. The quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that the quantities of 225 hepatic proteins are dysregulated. In particular, a notable decrease in protein quantities of vitellogenin and choriogenin was observed, which could explain the decrease in reproductive output. Liver transcriptome analysis through Illumina RNA-seq reveals that over 100-400 genes are differentially expressed under 5 μg L^-1 MC-LR and Microcystis extract treatments, respectively. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the omic data attests that various metabolic pathways, such as energy production, protein biosynthesis and lipid metabolism, are disturbed by both MC-LR and the Microcystis extract, which could provoke the observed reproductive impairment. The transcriptomics analysis also constitutes the first report of the impairment of circadian rhythm-related gene induced by MCs. This study contributes to a better understanding of the potential consequences of chronic exposure of fish to environmental concentrations of cyanotoxins, suggesting that Microcystis extract could impact a wider range of biological pathways, compared with pure MC-LR, and even 1 μg L^-1 MC-LR potentially induces a health risk for aquatic organisms.

Deep sexual dimorphism in adult medaka fish liver highlighted by multi-omic approach

Sexual dimorphism describes the features that discriminate between the two sexes at various biological levels. Especially, during the reproductive phase, the liver is one of the most sexually dimorphic organs, because of different metabolic demands between the two sexes. The liver is a key organ that plays fundamental roles in various physiological processes, including digestion, energetic metabolism, xenobiotic detoxification, biosynthesis of serum proteins, and also in endocrine or immune response. The sex-dimorphism of the liver is particularly obvious in oviparous animals, as the female liver is the main organ for the synthesis of oocyte constituents. In this work, we are interested in identifying molecular sexual dimorphism in the liver of adult medaka fish and their sex-variation in response to hepatotoxic exposures. By developing an integrative approach combining histology and different high-throughput omic investigations (metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics), we were able to globally depict the strong sexual dimorphism that concerns various cellular and molecular processes of hepatocytes comprising protein synthesis, amino acid, lipid and polysaccharide metabolism, along with steroidogenesis and detoxification. The results of this work imply noticeable repercussions on the biology of oviparous organisms environmentally exposed to chemical or toxin issues.

Gender-Specific Toxicological Effects of Chronic Exposure to Pure Microcystin-LR or Complex Microcystis aeruginosa Extracts on Adult Medaka Fish

Cyanobacterial blooms often occur in freshwater lakes and constitute a potential health risk to human populations, as well as to other organisms. However, their overall and specific implications for the health of aquatic organisms that are chronically and environmentally exposed to cyanobacteria producing hepatotoxins, such as microcystins (MCs), together with other bioactive compounds have still not been clearly established and remain difficult to assess. The medaka fish was chosen as the experimental aquatic model for studying the cellular and molecular toxicological effects on the liver after chronic exposures (28 days) to environmentally relevant concentrations of pure MC-LR, complex extracts of MC producing or nonproducing cyanobacterial biomasses, and of a Microcystis aeruginosa natural bloom. Our results showed a higher susceptibility of females to the different treatments compared to males at both the cellular and the molecular levels. Although hepatocyte lysis increased with MC-containing treatments, lysis always appeared more severe in the liver of females compare to males, and the glycogen cellular reserves also appeared to decrease more in the liver of females compared to those in the males. Proteomic investigations reveal divergent responses between males and females exposed to all treatments, especially for proteins involved in metabolic and homeostasis processes. Our observations also highlighted the dysregulation of proteins involved in oogenesis in female livers. These results suggest that fish populations exposed to cyanobacteria blooms may potentially face several ecotoxicological issues.

A hemocyanin-derived antimicrobial peptide from the penaeid shrimp adopts an alpha-helical structure that specifically permeabilizes fungal membranes

BACKGROUND

Hemocyanins are respiratory proteins with multiple functions. In diverse crustaceans hemocyanins can release histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides in response to microbial challenge. In penaeid shrimp, strictly antifungal peptides are released from the C-terminus of hemocyanins.

METHODS

The three-dimensional structure of the antifungal peptide PvHCt from Litopenaeus vannamei was determined by NMR. Its mechanism of action against the shrimp pathogen Fusarium oxysporum was investigated using immunochemistry, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

PvHCt folded into an amphipathic α-helix in membrane-mimicking media and displayed a random conformation in aqueous environment. In contact with F. oxysporum, PvHCt bound massively to the surface of fungal hyphae without being imported into the cytoplasm. At minimal inhibitory concentrations, PvHCt made the fungal membrane permeable to SYTOX-green and fluorescent dextran beads of 4 kDa. Higher size beads could not enter the cytoplasm. Therefore, PvHCt likely creates local damages to the fungal membrane. While the fungal cell wall appeared preserved, gradual degeneration of the cytoplasm most often resulting in cell lysis was observed in fungal spores and hyphae. In the remaining fungal cells, PvHCt induced a protective response by the formation of daughter hyphae.

CONCLUSION

The massive accumulation of PvHCt at the surface of fungal hyphae and subsequent insertion into the plasma membrane disrupt its integrity as a permeability barrier, leading to disruption of internal homeostasis and fungal death.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The histidine-rich antimicrobial peptide PvHCt derived from shrimp hemocyanin is a strictly antifungal peptide, which adopts an amphipathic α-helical structure, and selectively binds to and permeabilizes fungal cells.

Characterization of abalone Haliotis tuberculata-Vibrio harveyi interactions in gill primary cultures

The decline of European abalone Haliotis tuberculata populations has been associated with various pathogens including bacteria of the genus Vibrio. Following the summer mortality outbreaks reported in France between 1998 and 2000, Vibrio harveyi strains were isolated from moribund abalones, allowing in vivo and in vitro studies on the interactions between abalone H. tuberculata and V. harveyi. This work reports the development of primary cell cultures from abalone gill tissue, a target tissue for bacterial colonisation, and their use for in vitro study of host cell-V. harveyi interactions. Gill cells originated from four-day-old explant primary cultures were successfully sub-cultured in multi-well plates and maintained in vitro for up to 24 days. Cytological parameters, cell morphology and viability were monitored over time using flow cytometry analysis and semi-quantitative assay (XTT). Then, gill cell cultures were used to investigate in vitro the interactions with V. harveyi. The effects of two bacterial strains were evaluated on gill cells: a pathogenic bacterial strain ORM4 which is responsible for abalone mortalities and LMG7890 which is a non-pathogenic strain. Cellular responses of gill cells exposed to increasing concentrations of bacteria were evaluated by measuring mitochondrial activity (XTT assay) and phenoloxidase activity, an enzyme which is strongly involved in immune response. The ability of gill cells to phagocyte GFP-tagged V. harveyi was evaluated by flow cytometry and gill cells-V. harveyi interactions were characterized using fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. During phagocytosis process we evidenced that V. harveyi bacteria induced significant changes in gill cells metabolism and immune response. Together, the results showed that primary cell cultures from abalone gills are suitable for in vitro study of host-pathogen interactions, providing complementary assays to in vivo experiments.

Bacterial communities associated with Microcystis colonies differ from free-living communities living in the same ecosystem

The search for a better understanding of why cyanobacteria often dominate phytoplankton communities in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems has led to a growing interest in the interactions between cyanobacteria and bacteria. Against this background, we studied the location of bacteria within Microcystis colonies, and compared the structural and phylogenetic diversity of Microcystis-attached and free-living bacterial communities living in the same French lake, the Villerest reservoir. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show that most of the bacteria inside the colonies were located close to detrital materials that probably resulted from lysis of Microcystis cells. The 16S rRNA sequencing approach revealed a clear distinction between the attached and free-living communities at the levels of both their general structure and their operational taxonomic unit (OTU) composition. In particular, Microcystis colonies appeared to be depleted of Actinobacteria, but conversely enriched in Gammaproteobacteria, in particular when the bloom was declining. At the OTU level, a clear distinction was also found between attached and free-living bacteria, and new clades were identified among our sequences. All these findings suggest that Microcystis colonies constitute a distinct habitat for bacteria living in freshwater ecosystems, and that direct and indirect interactions (cell lysis, nutrient recycling, etc.) may occur between them inside these colonies.

Scleractinian coral cell proliferation is reduced in primary culture of suspended multicellular aggregates compared to polyps

Cell cultures from reef-building scleractinian corals are being developed to study the response of these ecologically important organisms to environmental stress and diseases. Despite the importance of cell division to support propagation, cell proliferation in polyps and in vitro is under-investigated. In this study, suspended multicellular aggregates (tissue balls) were obtained after collagenase dissociation of Pocillopora damicornis coral, with varying yields between enzyme types and brands. Ultrastructure and cell type distribution were characterized in the tissue balls (TBs) compared to the polyp. Morphological evidence of cellular metabolic activity in their ciliated cortex and autophagy in their central mass suggests involvement of active tissue reorganization processes. DNA synthesis was evaluated in the forming multicellular aggregates and in the four cell layers of the polyp, using BrdU labeling of nuclei over a 24 h period. The distribution of BrdU-labeled coral cells was spatially heterogeneous and their proportion was very low in tissue balls (0.2 ± 0.1 %), indicating that suspended multicellular aggregate formation does not involve significant cell division. In polyps, DNA synthesis was significantly lower in the calicoderm (<1 %) compared to both oral and aboral gastroderm (about 10 %) and to the pseudostratified oral epithelium (15-25 % at tip of tentacle). DNA synthesis in the endosymbiotic dinoflagellates dropped in the forming tissue balls (2.7 ± 1.2 %) compared to the polyp (14 ± 3.4 %) where it was not different from the host gastroderm (10.3 ± 1.2 %). A transient (24 h) increase was observed in the cell-specific density of dinoflagellates in individually dissociated coral cell cultures. These results suggest disruption of coral cell proliferation processes upon establishment in primary culture.

Effects of a toxic cyanobacterial bloom (Planktothrix agardhii) on fish: insights from histopathological and quantitative proteomic assessments following the oral exposure of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes)

Cyanobacterial toxic blooms often occur in freshwater lakes and constitute a potential health risk to human populations, as well as to fish and other aquatic organisms. Microcystin-LR (the cyanotoxin most commonly detected in the freshwater environment) is a potent hepatotoxin, deregulating the kinase pathway by inhibiting phosphatases 1 and 2A. Although toxicological effects have been clearly linked to the in vitro exposure of fish to purified microcystins, cyanotoxins are produced by the cyanobacteria together with numerous other potentially toxic molecules, and their overall and specific implications for the health of fish have still not been clearly established and remain puzzlingly difficult to assess. The medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) was chosen as an in vitro model for studying the effects of a cyanobacterial bloom on liver protein contents using a gel free quantitative approach, iTRAQ, in addition to pathology examinations on histological preparations. Fish were gavaged with 5 μL cyanobacterial extracts (Planktothrix agardhii) from a natural bloom (La Grande Paroisse, France) containing 2.5 μg equiv. MC-LR. 2h after exposure, the fish were sacrificed and livers were collected for analysis. Histological observations indicate that hepatocytes present glycogen storage loss, and cellular damages, together with immunological localization of MCs. Using a proteomic approach, 304 proteins were identified in the fish livers, 147 of them with a high degree of identification confidence. Fifteen of these proteins were statistically significantly different from those of controls (gavaged with water only). Overall, these protein regulation discrepancies clearly indicate that oxidative stress and lipid regulation had occurred in the livers of the exposed medaka fish. In contrast to previous pure microcystin-LR gavage experiments, marked induction of vitellogenin 1 protein was observed for the first time with a cyanobacterial extract. This finding was confirmed by ELISA quantification of vitellogenin liver content, suggesting that the Planktothrix bloom extract had induced the occurrence of an endocrine-disrupting effect.

Recycling and adaptation of Klebsormidium flaccidum microalgae for the sustained production of gold nanoparticles

Targeting the development of cell-based bioreactors for the production of metal nanoparticles, the possibility to perform the sustained synthesis of colloidal gold using Klebsormidium flaccidum green algae was studied. A first strategy relying on successive growth/reduction/reseeding recycling steps demonstrated maintained biosynthesis capability of the microalgae but limitation in metal content due to toxic effects. An alternative approach consisting of progressive gold salt addition revealed to be suitable to favor cell adaptation to larger metal concentrations and supported particle release over month periods.

Oral toxicity of extracts of the microcystin-containing cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii to the medaka fish (Oryzias latipes)

As previously demonstrated the medaka fish appears to offer a good model for studies of microcystins (MCs) effects. Since cyanobacterial toxins are released with other molecules in the aquatic environment when the producers are dying, in this study, we performed additional experiments in order to compare the described effects obtained with the pure toxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR), among the most toxic MCs, to those induced by complex extracts of an MCs-producer Planktothrix agardhii, strain PMC 75.02 and a natural bloom containing the MCs-producer P. agardhii. The toxicity of these extracts containing several variants of MC was determined in adult medaka treated by gavage. Extracts of an MCs-free strain of P. agardhii (PMC 87.02) were assayed for comparison. Extracts effects were analysed on two tissues, liver and intestine by means of photon and transmission electron microscopy. MC was localized in these tissues by immunocytochemistry. No effect was detectable with extracts of the MCs-free P. agardhii strain. The two MCs-P. agardhii extracts (strain and natural bloom) were able to induce harmful effects in the liver and intestine of the medaka fish in acute intoxication by gavage. In these target organs as shown by toxin immunolocalization, reactions leading to cell disjunction and lysis were observed apparently associated with an immune reaction implying MC containing macrophages. These effects are similar to those previously described with photonic microscopy in medaka treated with pure MC-LR with additional results obtained under the electron microscope. Since no significant effect was detected with the MCs-free (PMC 87.02) extract, we then conclude that MCs, even in complex association with other cyanobacterial components, should be responsible for the toxic effects observed in treated fish.

Ecotoxicological studies of CdS nanoparticles on photosynthetic microorganisms

The potential ecotoxicity of nanosized cadmium sulfide (CdS), synthesized by the polyol process, was investigated using common Anabaena flos-aquae cyanobacteria and Euglena gracilis euglenoid microalgae. The photosynthetic activities of these microorganisms, after addition of free Cd2+ ions and CdS nanoparticles, varied with the presence of tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) used to protect surface particle to avoid toxicity and also to control particle size and shape during the synthesis. The nanoparticle concentration was varied from 10(-3) to 5 x 10(-4) M. It was observed that the cadmium concentration, the addition of TOPO protective agent and the particle dissolution process in the culture medium play an important role during the ecotoxicological tests. Viability tests were followed by PAM fluorimetry. Cd2+ ions were very toxic for Anabaena flos aquae. The same behavior was observed after contact with CdS and CdS-TOPO nanoparticles. However, for Euglena gracilis, the photosynthetic activity was stable for more than 1 month in the presence of Cd2+ ions. Moreover, it was observed that the toxicity varies with the concentration of CdS and CdS-TOPO nanoparticles, both kind of nanoparticles are toxic for this microorganism. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of microorganisms ultrathin sections showed that polysaccharides produced by Anabaena flos-aquae, after contact with CdS and CdS-TOPO nanoparticles, protect the microalgae against particle internalization. Only some particles were observed inside the cells. Moreover, the nanoparticle internalization was observed after contact with all nanoparticles in the presence of Euglena gracilis by endocytosis. All nanoparticles are inside vesicles formed by the cells.

Acute toxic effects of 8-epidiosbulbin E, a 19-norclerodane diterpene from yam Dioscorea antaly, on medaka Oryzias latipes embryos

The fractionation of an aqueous extract of yam Dioscorea antaly from Madagascar led to the isolation of terpenoids and flavonoids. Compounds were identified on the basis of modern mass spectrometry and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR). Toxicological effects of the most abundant isolated compound, 8-epidiosbulbin E were studied on medaka Oryzias latipes embryo-larval development. The lethal concentration (killing 50%; LC(50) ) to embryos treated 24 h before hatching and for 3 days after hatching was estimated to be 0·56 mg ml(-1) (P< 0·05). No mortality was observed with O. latipes larvae exposed after hatching until day 4. Anatomo-pathological studies of embryos exposed to 0·56 mg ml(-1) showed development anomalies of the central nervous system, liver, muscle and intestine. The present data thus extend the model of O. latipes embryos as a useful animal model to analyse the effects of food toxins.

Cellular localization of clathridimine, an antimicrobial 2-aminoimidazole alkaloid produced by the Mediterranean calcareous sponge Clathrina clathrus

Chemical investigation of the Mediterranean calcareous sponge Clathrina clathrus led to the isolation of large amounts of a new 2-aminoimidazole alkaloid, named clathridimine (1), along with the known clathridine (2) and its zinc complex (3). The structure of the new metabolite was assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Clathridimine (1) displayed selective anti-Escherichia coli and anti-Candida albicans activities. Clathridine (2) showed only anti-Candida albicans activity, and its zinc complex (3) exhibited selective anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity. The isolation of analogues of 2-amino-imidazole derivatives from several Leucetta species from various sites in the Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea raises the question of their biosynthetic origin. Microscopic studies revealed abundant extracellular bacteria located in the mesohyl of the sponge, with two predominant morphotypes including spiral bacteria and long, narrow bacilli. Chemical analysis with HPLC/UV/ELSD profiles of sponge cells separated from bacteria by differential centrifugation and trypsinization of the sponge cell surface revealed that clathridine (2) was localized in the sponge cells.

ZnO nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and ecotoxicological studies

The potential ecotoxicity of nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO), synthesized by the polyol process, was investigated using common Anabaena flos-aquae cyanobacteria and Euglena gracilis euglenoid microalgae. The photosynthetic activities of these microorganisms, after addition of ZnO nanoparticles, varied with the presence of protective agents such as tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and polyoxyethylene stearyl ether (Brij-76) used to control particle size and shape during the synthesis. In the case of Anabaena flos-aquae , the photosynthetic activity, after addition of ZnO, ZnO-TOPO, and ZnO-Brij-76, decreased progressively due to stress induced by the presence of the nanoparticles in the culture medium. After contact with ZnO-TOPO nanoparticles, this decrease was followed by cell death. On the other hand, after 10 days, a progressive increase of the photosynthetic activity was observed after contact with ZnO and ZnO-Brij-76 nanoparticles. In the case of Euglena gracilis , cell death was observed after contact with all nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of ultrathin sections of microorganisms showed that polysaccharides produced by Anabaena flos-aquae avoid particle internalization after contact with ZnO and ZnO-Brij-76 nanoparticles. On the other hand, nanoparticle internalization was observed after contact with all nanoparticles in the presence of Euglena gracilis and also with ZnO-TOPO nanoparticles after contact with Anabaena flos-aquae .

Localization of microcystin-LR in medaka fish tissues after cyanotoxin gavage

Microcystins (MCs) are toxic monocyclic heptapeptides produced by many cyanobacteria. Over 70 MCs have been successfully isolated and identified, of which MC-LR is the most commonly occurring toxin. Microcystins, especially MC-LR, cause toxic effects in mammals, birds and fish and are a recognized potent cause of environmental stress and pose a potential health hazard in aquatic ecosystems when heavy blooms of cyanobacteria appear. They also constitute a public health threat to people via drinking water and food chains. The concentrations of MC-LR can be very low, even in fish displaying severely disrupted tissues, which makes it essential to devise selective and sensitive histochemical methods for identifying and localizing MC-LR in target organs, such as liver and intestine. The aim of the study reported here was to analyze the presence of MC-LR in contaminated fish tissues using immunohistochemical methods. The present experiment involving subacute exposure confirmed our initial hypothesis that subacute and acute exposure to microcystin contamination can exacerbate physiological stress, induce sustained pathological damage, and affect the immune response in exposed medaka fish.

Photosynthetic microorganism-mediated synthesis of akaganeite (beta-FeOOH) nanorods

Common Anabaena and Calothrix cyanobacteria and Klebsormidium green algae are shown to form intracellularly akaganeite beta-FeOOH nanorods of well-controlled size and unusual morphology at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) analyses are used to investigate particle structure, size, and morphology. A mechanism involving iron-siderophore complex formation is proposed and compared with iron biomineralization in magnetotactic bacteria.

Spontaneous calcium oscillations and nuclear PLC-β1 in human GV oocytes

Our aim was to investigate if human oocytes, like mouse oocytes, exhibit spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations and nuclear translocation of PLC-beta1 prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), and to correlate these events with the evolution of chromatin configuration as a landmark for the meiosis resumption kinetics. Human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were either loaded with Fluo-3 probe to record Ca(2+) signals or fixed for subsequent fluorescent labeling of both chromatin and PLC-beta1, and immunogold labeling of PLC-beta1. Here for the first time, we show that human oocytes at the GV-stage exhibit spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations. Interestingly, only oocytes with a large diameter and characterized by a compact chromatin surrounding the nucleolus of the GV could reveal these kind of oscillations. We also observed a translocation of PLC-beta1 from the cytoplasm towards the nucleus during in vitro maturation of human oocytes. Spontaneous calcium oscillations and nuclear translocation of PLC-beta1 may reflect some degree of oocyte maturity. The impact of our results may be very helpful to understand and resolve many enigmatic problems usually encountered during the in vitro meiotic maturation of human GV oocytes.

Immunocytochemical localization of the GABAB2 receptor subunit in the glomeruli of the mouse main olfactory bulb

The olfactory input to the brain is carried out by olfactory nerve axons that terminate in the olfactory bulb glomeruli and make synapses onto dendrites of glutamatergic projection neurons, mitral and tufted cells, and GABAergic interneurons, periglomerular cells. The dendrites are reciprocally connected through asymmetric synapses of mitral/tufted cells with periglomerular cells and symmetric synapses of the opposite direction. Transmission at the first synapse in the olfactory pathway is regulated presynaptically, and this regulation is mediated, in part, by metabotropic GABAB receptors that, when activated, inhibit transmitter release from the olfactory nerve. Functional GABAB receptors are heterodimers composed of the GABAB1 and GABAB2 subunits. Studies using double immunofluorescence have shown colocalization of both subunits in the glomerular neuropil, and ultrastructural studies have localized GABAB1 to extrasynaptic, synaptic, and perisynaptic sites on the plasma membrane of olfactory nerve terminals. We studied the subcellular localization of GABAB2 in the mouse olfactory glomeruli using a subunit-specific antibody and preembedding immunogold labeling. Immunoreactivity for GABAB2 was associated with symmetric dendrodendritic synapses of periglomerular cells with mitral/tufted cells and was localized to the extrasynaptic plasma membrane of presynaptic dendrites, and extrasynaptic, synaptic, and perisynaptic sites on the plasma membrane of postsynaptic dendrites. The results suggest that postsynaptic, and perhaps presynaptic, GABAB receptors may be expressed at GABAergic synapses between dendrites of periglomerular interneurons and projection neurons. Immunolabeling was observed at junctions of the olfactory nerve with mitral/tufted cell dendrites, providing ultrastructural evidence for the expression of the GABAB2 subunit at the primary olfactory synapse.

Transfection of multiple pulmonary cell types following intravenous injection of PEI-DNA in normal and CFTR mutant mice

BACKGROUND

The polycationic vector polyethylenimine (PEI) has been shown to be a powerful agent for transfecting the mouse lung after injection of plasmid-based polyplexes through the tail vein. These findings raise therapeutic prospects for a number of lung conditions. For such potentials to be realised, the precise identity of the transfected cells remains to be determined; however, so far, no ultrastructural analysis has been performed on PEI-transfected lungs. The definition of which pulmonary cells are transfected is particularly critical for certain pulmonary diseases which might require transfection of defined cell types such as epithelial cells for cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS

Here, we use a combination of light and electron microscopy to determine which cells are transfected in the lung after PEI-mediated gene delivery through the intravenous route. Furthermore, we extend the same experimental setting to a mouse model of CF to provide proof of principle that this approach can be used in genetic models of the disease.

RESULTS

We show that within 18-20 h after injection through the tail vein, DNA/PEI complexes have already crossed the capillary barrier resulting in high levels of expression of reporter genes in the lungs. Transgene expression is observed in endothelial cells, in type I and type II pneumocytes, and in septal cells. Coexpression of the transgene and of the endogenous CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene is observed in some of the targeted epithelial cells. Levels and sites of expression are similar in normal and in CFTR-mutant mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that PEI-mediated gene delivery leads to transfection of epithelial cells beyond the endothelial barrier and show that this method can be used for lung gene delivery in CF fragile mutant mice.

Parasitism of Iron-siderophore Receptors of Escherichia Coli by the Siderophore-peptide Microcin E492m and its Unmodified Counterpart

Microcin E492 (MccE492) is an antibacterial peptide naturally secreted by Klebsiella pneumoniae RYC492. Initially described as an 84-residue unmodified peptide, it was also recently isolated in a posttranslationally modified form, MccE492m. The production of MccE492m is dependent on the synthesis of enterobactin and the mceABCDEFGHIJ gene cluster. The posttranslational modification was characterized as a trimer of N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-L-serine (DHBS) linked to the Ser84-carboxylate via a beta-D-glucose moiety. MccE492m was shown to bind ferric ions through the trimer of DHBS. This is the first example of a novel type of antibacterial peptide termed siderophore-peptide. Recognition of MccE492m, but also of the unmodified MccE492, was shown to be mediated by the catecholate siderophore receptors FepA, Cir and Fiu at the outer membrane of E. coli. The siderophore-type modification was shown to be responsible for a significant enhancement of the microcin antibacterial activity. Therefore, we propose that MccE492 and MccE492m use iron-siderophore receptors for uptake into the target bacteria and that improvement of MccE492 antimicrobial activity upon modification results from an increase in the microcin/receptor affinity.

Capsular polysaccharides secreted by building façade colonisers: characterisation and adsorption to surfaces

Exopolymers secreted by algal and cyanobacterial strains isolated from building façades were imaged by microscopy techniques. They were extracted and characterised to investigate their possible contribution to interactions with solid surfaces. The polymers were polysaccharides, with anionic and hydrophobic properties varying between the various strains. Capsular polysaccharides extracted from a strain of Klebsormidium flaccidum adsorbed in higher amounts on hydrophobic than on hydrophilic surfaces. These results tend to confirm the hypothesis that exopolymers are important in the colonisation process of microorganisms to surfaces.

Presence of permanently activated signal transducers and activators of transcription in nuclear interchromatin granules of unstimulated mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos

We previously described that mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos express the two subunits of interferon-gamma receptor. We now report that, despite the presence of STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) at both the mRNA and protein levels, interferon gamma (IFNgamma) as well as IFNalpha are unable to trigger massive nuclear translocation of STAT1 in these cells, even at high cytokine concentrations. Conversely, nuclear accumulation of STAT1 was readily observed in murine L929 somatic cells under the same conditions. However, in the absence of any stimulation, both tyrosine (Y701p) and serine (S727p) phosphorylated forms of STAT1 were already detected in the nuclei of oocytes and early embryos. Phosphorylated STAT1 appeared concentrated in large nuclear dots, which were identified by indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy as clusters of interchromatin granules (IGCs or speckles). A similar distribution was also observed for the serine (S727p) phosphorylated form of STAT3 as well as for tyrosine (Y689p) phosphorylated STAT2. Western blot analysis confirmed that STAT factors present in mouse oocytes are predominantly phosphorylated. In parallel, we showed that the transcription of two IFNgamma-target genes, namely interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) is indeed increased in two-cell embryos in response to IFNgamma. Altogether, our results suggest that, despite the lack of massive nuclear accumulation of STAT1 in response to exogenous IFNs and the permanent presence of phosphorylated STATs in the nucleus, JAK/ STAT pathways are functional during early development.

Formation of a large Vasa-positive germ granule and its inheritance by germ cells in the enigmatic Chaetognaths

Chaetognaths (arrow worms) are abundant hermaphrodite marine organisms whose phylogenetic position amongst protostomes and deuterostomes is still debated. Ancient histological observations dating from a century ago described the presence in eggs of a large granule, presumed to be a germ plasm, and its probable inheritance in four primary germ cells (PGCs). Using videomicroscopy, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry (labelling with anti-Vasa antibodies) we have followed the cycle of aggregation and dispersion of germ plasm and nuage material in eggs, embryos, PGCs and oocytes in several species of benthic (Spadella) and planctonic (Sagitta) chaetognaths. In these animals, germ cells and gametes can be observed in vivo throughout the 1-2 month life cycle.

After describing internal fertilization in live animals we show that the single large (15 μm diameter) germ granule forms by a spiralling aggregation movement of small germ islands situated in the vegetal cortex at the time of first mitosis. We also demonstrate that the granule forms autonomously in unfertilized activated eggs or fertilized egg fragments. Once formed, the germ granule first associates with the cleavage furrow and is segregated into one of the first two blastomeres. The germ granule is then translocated from the cortex to the mitotic spindle during 3rd cleavage and remains in the single most-vegetal blastomere until the 32-cell stage. At the 64-cell stage the germ granule is partitioned as nuage material into two founder PGCs and further partitioned into four PGCs situated at the tip of the archenteron during gastrulation. These four PGCs migrate without dividing to reach the transverse septum, then proliferate and differentiate into oocytes and spermatocytes of two ovaries and two testes. We noted that germ plasm and nuage material were associated with mitochondria, the nucleus, the spindle and the centrosome during some stages of development and differentiation of the germ line. Finally, we demonstrate that a Vasa-like protein is present in the germ granule, in PGCs and in the electron-dense material associated with the germinal vesicle of oocytes. These features stress the conservation of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in germ cell determination.

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Phases of cytoplasmic and cortical reorganizations of the ascidian zygote between fertilization and first division

Many eggs undergo reorganizations that localize determinants specifying the developmental axes and the differentiation of various cell types. In ascidians, fertilization triggers spectacular reorganizations that result in the formation and localization of distinct cytoplasmic domains that are inherited by early blastomeres that develop autonomously. By applying various imaging techniques to the transparent eggs of Phallusia mammillata, we now define 9 events and phases in the reorganization of the surface, cortex and the cytoplasm between fertilization and first cleavage. We show that two of the domains that preexist in the egg (the ER-rich cortical domain and the mitochondria-rich subcortical myoplasm) are localized successively by a microfilament-driven cortical contraction, a microtubule-driven migration and rotation of the sperm aster with respect to the cortex, and finally, a novel microfilament-dependant relaxation of the vegetal cortex. The phases of reorganization we have observed can best be explained in terms of cell cycle-regulated phases of coupling, uncoupling and recoupling of the motions of cortical and subcortical layers (ER-rich cortical domain and mitochondria-rich domain) with respect to the surface of the zygote. At the end of the meiotic cell cycle we can distinguish up to 5 cortical and cytoplasmic domains (including two novel ones; the vegetal body and a yolk-rich domain) layered against the vegetal cortex. We have also analyzed how the myoplasm is partitioned into distinct blastomeres at the 32-cell stage and the effects on development of the ablation of precisely located small fragments. On the basis of our observations and of the ablation/ transplantation experiments done in the zygotes of Phallusia and several other ascidians, we suggest that the determinants for unequal cleavage, gastrulation and for the differentiation of muscle and endoderm cells may reside in 4 distinct cortical and cytoplasmic domains localized in the egg between fertilization and cleavage.