Optical Control of Tissue Regeneration through Photostimulation of Organic Semiconducting Nanoparticles

Next generation bioengineering strives to identify crucial cues that trigger regeneration of damaged tissues, and to control the cells that execute these programs with biomaterials and devices. Molecular and biophysical mechanisms driving embryogenesis may inspire novel tools to reactivate developmental programs in situ. Here nanoparticles based on conjugated polymers are employed for optical control of regenerating tissues by using an animal with unlimited regenerative potential, the polyp Hydra, as in vivo model, and human keratinocytes as an in vitro model to investigate skin repair. By integrating animal, cellular, molecular, and biochemical approaches, nanoparticles based on poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) are shown able to enhance regeneration kinetics, stem cell proliferation, and biomolecule oxidation levels. Opposite outputs are obtained with PCPDTBT-NPs (Poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b;3,4-b'] dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)], causing a beneficial effect on Hydra regeneration but not on the migratory capability of keratinocytes. These results suggest that the artificial modulation of the redox potential in injured tissues may represent a powerful modality to control their regenerative potential. Importantly, the possibility to fine-tuning materials' photocatalytic efficiency may enable a biphasic modulation over a wide dynamic range, which can be exploited to augment the tissue regenerative capacity or inhibit the unlimited potential of cancerous cells in pathological contexts.

High Aspect Ratio and Light-Sensitive Micropillars Based on a Semiconducting Polymer Optically Regulate Neuronal Growth

Many nano- and microstructured devices capable of promoting neuronal growth and network formation have been previously investigated. In certain cases, topographical cues have been successfully complemented with external bias, by employing electrically conducting scaffolds. However, the use of optical stimulation with topographical cues was rarely addressed in this context, and the development of light-addressable platforms for modulating and guiding cellular growth and proliferation remains almost completely unexplored. Here, we develop high aspect ratio micropillars based on a prototype semiconducting polymer, regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), as an optically active, three-dimensional platform for embryonic cortical neurons. P3HT micropillars provide a mechanically compliant environment and allow a close contact with neuronal cells. The combined action of nano/microtopography and visible light excitation leads to effective optical modulation of neuronal growth and orientation. Embryonic neurons cultured on polymer pillars show a clear polarization effect and, upon exposure to optical excitation, a significant increase in both neurite and axon length. The biocompatible, microstructured, and light-sensitive platform developed here opens up the opportunity to optically regulate neuronal growth in a wireless, repeatable, and spatio-temporally controlled manner without genetic modification. This approach may be extended to other cell models, thus uncovering interesting applications of photonic devices in regenerative medicine.

Application of different laboratory techniques to monitor the behaviour of a Mycoplasma synoviae vaccine (MS-H) in broiler breeders

Background

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a major poultry pathogen which causes severe economic losses in all the productive sectors. The prevalence of MS in European countries has increased in the last few years, leading to greater attention to the available methods to prevent its spread. The main strategy currently applied for its containment is the development and maintenance of MS-free breeder flocks. A live MS vaccine (MS-H) obtained by mutagenizing an Australian field strain has recently been introduced in Italy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vaccine behaviour in broiler breeder groups at different production stages and the effectiveness of the available laboratory tests in discriminating the MS-H from a field strain.

Results

The vaccine diffused extensively through the population, shown by the wide serological response (over 80% of positive samples in RSA and 85% in ELISA), the high serological titres, the positivity of all the tracheal samples collected during the production phase by MS PCR and the positivity by cultivation from tracheal swabs at the end-point (55 weeks after vaccination). In contrast, only one swab from a sternal bursa was positive in MS PCR, while all the joint and oviduct samples were negative. There was no evidence of vertical transmission. Different genotyping techniques were used to achieve a clear classification of the MS positive samples. The vlhA and the obg gene analysis showed that most of the strains were homologous with the vaccine, but some ambiguous samples were further investigated with the multi locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme which confirmed the homology.

Conclusions

The development of a multi-technique approach to monitor vaccinated avian flocks, based both on serological and biomolecular methods, is advised as well as the use of effective genotyping techniques to analyse the MS strains circulating in high densely populated poultry areas.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1669-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy outbreak in freshwater fish farmed in Italy

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER), otherwise known as viral nervous necrosis (VNN), is a neuropathological condition affecting > 40 species of fish. Although VER affects mainly marine fish, the disease has also been detected in certain species reared in freshwater environments. There are relatively few reports concerning the disease in freshwater species, and there is not much information on clinical signs. Nevertheless, the most common clinical findings reported from affected freshwater species are consistent with the typical signs observed in marine species. In this paper we describe the main clinical signs and the laboratory results associated with the detection of a betanodavirus in hybrid striped bass x white bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops) and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, reared in a freshwater environment. We also detected the virus by real-time PCR and isolated it in cell culture from a batch of pike-perch Sander lucioperca farmed in the same system.

Investigation of ornamental fish entering the EU for the presence of ranaviruses

A survey was performed on ornamental fish imported into the EU to detect viral agents belonging to the genus Ranavirus. The objective was to gain knowledge of the potential for these systemic iridoviruses to gain entry into the EU via international trade in ornamental fish. A total of 208 pooled samples, representing 753 individual fish, were tested. The samples included 13 orders and 37 families, originating from different countries and continents. Tissues from fish that died during or just after transport were collected and examined by standard virological techniques in epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells, by transmission electron microscopy and by PCR for the detection of the major capsid protein and DNA polymerase gene sequences of ranaviruses. Virus was isolated from nine fish species but ranavirus was not identified in those samples. The results suggest that ranaviruses are not highly prevalent in ornamental fish imported into the EU.

Susceptibility of black bullhead Ameiurus melas to a panel of ranavirus isolates

Ranaviruses are considered a serious threat to lower vertebrates, including fish, amphibians and reptiles. However, epidemiological data on these agents are lacking, and further investigations are needed to understand the role of carriers and to update the list of susceptible hosts. We carried out various experimental infections under controlled conditions to contribute to the current knowledge on the susceptibility of black bullhead Ameiurus melas to European catfish virus (ECV) and other ranaviruses. A panel of 7 ranavirus isolates was used to challenge duplicate groups of A. melas juveniles maintained in aquaria supplied with running dechlorinated tap water. The experiments were performed at 15 and 25 degrees C. The results confirmed the high susceptibility of A. melas to ECV infection. Furthermore, a significant mortality associated with the typical signs of systemic viral infections was observed in groups challenged with Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) at 25 degrees C, and to a lesser extent, at 15 degrees C. No significant mortality was recorded in fish challenged with European sheatfish virus (ESV), Frog virus 3 (FV3), Rana esculenta virus-like (REV-like), Bohle iridovirus (BIV) or short-finned eel virus (SERV).