Selection of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in HMC3 cell line by quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Microglia represent the primary immune defense system within the central nervous system and play a role in the inflammatory processes occurring in numerous disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). PD onset and progression are associated with factors considered possible causes of neuroinflammation, i.e. genetic mutations. In vitro models of microglial cells were established to identify specific molecular targets in PD through the analysis of gene expression data. Recently, the Human Microglial Clone 3 cell line (HMC3) has been characterized and a new human microglia model has emerged. Here we perform RT-qPCR analyses to evaluate the expression of ten reference genes in HMC3, untreated or stimulated to a pro-inflammatory status. The comparative ∆CT method, BestKeeper, Normfinder, geNorm and RefFinder algorithms were used to assess the stability of the candidate genes. The results showed that the most suitable internal controls are HPRT1, RPS18 and B2M genes. In addition, the most stable and unstable reference genes were used to normalize the expression of a gene of interest in HMC3, resulting in a difference in the statistical significance in cells treated with Rotenone. This is the first reference gene validation study in HMC3 cell line in pro-inflammatory status and can contribute to more reliable gene expression analysis in the field of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory research.

[Microbiological characterization of solid wastes and aerosol in a municipal solid waste landfill site]

Authors report data about microbiological characterization of solid wastes and aerosol in the municipal solid waste landfill site in Poiatica (RE). In solid waste samples high values of total coliform and fecal coliform were observed (10(5)-10(6) CFU/g): total bacterial counts at 22 degrees, at 36 degrees and at 44 degrees ranged from 10(7) to 10(9) CFU/g. Aerosol samples collected during waste movement in the landfill site showed values of total and fecal bacterial ranging from 10(3)-10(4) CFU/m3. Staphylococci and fungi reported the same values while streptococci, total and fecal coliform and spore evidenced lower values. Municipal solid wastes and aerosol have to be considered as an infective substrate: it is necessary to adopt protective barriers in occupationally exposed subjects.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a second generation of pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines as potent and selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonists

New A2A adenosine receptor antagonists in the series of pyrazolo[4, 3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines, bearing oxygenated substituents on the phenylalkyl chains on the 7-position, have been synthesized. The compounds were tested in binding and functional assays to evaluate affinity, potency, and selectivity for rat A2A compared to rat A1 and human A3 receptor subtypes. The most interesting compounds (5d,e,h) were tested also in binding to human A1 and A2A adenosine receptors. They showed very good affinity (Ki = 0.94 nM for compound 5h) and interesting selectivity with respect to both rA1 and hA3 (compound 5h: rA1/rA2A = 787, hA3/rA2A > 10 000). These important findings make this new series of compounds the first really selective for A2A adenosine receptors. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated; all the tested compounds displayed an enthalpy-driven binding as expected for antagonists. Moreover, compound 5h showed a negative entropy value. The highly negative enthalpic and entropic contributions could mean that 5h fits very well in the binding site where, probably, an electrostatic interaction is present associated to a scarce solvent reorganization around the receptor binding site. These compounds deserve to be further developed to assess their potential for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Symmetry-based HIV protease inhibitors containing (S,S) or (R,R) tartaric acid core structure

Two series of symmetry-based HIV protease inhibitors containing (S,S) or (R,R) tartaric acid core structure were prepared and tested for inhibitory property against the enzyme. All compounds showed weak antiprotease activity.