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Claessen H, Palmers H, Keulemans W, Van de Poel B, De Storme N. The influence of the pollination compatibility type on the pistil S-RNase expression in European pear ( Pyrus communis). Front Genet 2024; 15:1360332. [PMID: 38655055 PMCID: PMC11035772 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1360332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The S-RNase gene plays an essential role in the gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system of Pyrus. It codes for the stylar-expressed S-RNase protein which inhibits the growth of incompatible pollen tubes through cytotoxicity and the induction of programmed cell death in the pollen tube. While research on the Pyrus GSI system has primarily focused on the S-RNase gene, there is still a lack of insight into its spatiotemporal expression profile and the factors that regulate it. Previous studies have suggested that S-RNase expression in the style is influenced by pollination and is dependent on the compatibility type. We here continue on this basic hypothesis by analyzing the spatiotemporal expression of the S-RNase alleles in Pyrus communis "Conference" styles in response to different types of pollination; namely, upon full- and semi-compatible pollination and upon incompatible selfing. The results revealed that temporal dynamics of S-RNase expression are influenced by the pollen's compatibility type, indicating the presence of a signaling mechanism between pollen and style to control S-RNase production during pollen tube growth. In our experiment, S-RNase expression continuously decreased after cross-pollination and in the unpollinated control. However, after a fully incompatible pollination, S-RNase expression remained constant. Finally, semi-compatible pollination showed a initially constant S-RNase expression for both alleles followed by a strong decrease in expression. Based on these results and previous findings, we propose a regulatory mechanism to explain the effect of pollination and the associated compatibility type on S-RNase expression in the style. This proposed mechanism could be used as a starting point for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Claessen
- Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Han Palmers
- Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wannes Keulemans
- Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Van de Poel
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Plant Hormone Physiology, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico De Storme
- Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Eerlings R, Gupta P, Lee XY, Nguyen T, El Kharraz S, Handle F, Smeets E, Moris L, Devlies W, Vandewinkel B, Thiry I, Ta DT, Gorkovskiy A, Voordeckers K, Henckaerts E, Pinheiro VB, Claessens F, Verstrepen KJ, Voet A, Helsen C. Rational evolution for altering the ligand preference of estrogen receptor alpha. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4940. [PMID: 38511482 PMCID: PMC10955623 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α is commonly used in synthetic biology to control the activity of genome editing tools. The activating ligands, estrogens, however, interfere with various cellular processes, thereby limiting the applicability of this receptor. Altering its ligand preference to chemicals of choice solves this hurdle but requires adaptation of unspecified ligand-interacting residues. Here, we provide a solution by combining rational protein design with multi-site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution of stably integrated variants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method yielded an estrogen receptor variant, named TERRA, that lost its estrogen responsiveness and became activated by tamoxifen, an anti-estrogenic drug used for breast cancer treatment. This tamoxifen preference of TERRA was maintained in mammalian cells and mice, even when fused to Cre recombinase, expanding the mammalian synthetic biology toolbox. Not only is our platform transferable to engineer ligand preference of any steroid receptor, it can also profile drug-resistance landscapes for steroid receptor-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Eerlings
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Purvi Gupta
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Xiao Yin Lee
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Tien Nguyen
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Sarah El Kharraz
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Florian Handle
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Elien Smeets
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Lisa Moris
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of UrologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Wout Devlies
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of UrologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Bram Vandewinkel
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Irina Thiry
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Duy Tien Ta
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Karin Voordeckers
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Els Henckaerts
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Vitor B. Pinheiro
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesRega Institute for Medical ResearchLeuvenBelgium
| | - Frank Claessens
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Kevin J. Verstrepen
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Arnout Voet
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Christine Helsen
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Londoño‐Ramírez H, Huang X, Cools J, Chrzanowska A, Brunner C, Ballini M, Hoffman L, Steudel S, Rolin C, Mora Lopez C, Genoe J, Haesler S. Multiplexed Surface Electrode Arrays Based on Metal Oxide Thin-Film Electronics for High-Resolution Cortical Mapping. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2308507. [PMID: 38145348 PMCID: PMC10933637 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Electrode grids are used in neuroscience research and clinical practice to record electrical activity from the surface of the brain. However, existing passive electrocorticography (ECoG) technologies are unable to offer both high spatial resolution and wide cortical coverage, while ensuring a compact acquisition system. The electrode count and density are restricted by the fact that each electrode must be individually wired. This work presents an active micro-electrocorticography (µECoG) implant that tackles this limitation by incorporating metal oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) into a flexible electrode array, allowing to address multiple electrodes through a single shared readout line. By combining the array with an incremental-ΔΣ readout integrated circuit (ROIC), the system is capable of recording from up to 256 electrodes virtually simultaneously, thanks to the implemented 16:1 time-division multiplexing scheme, offering lower noise levels than existing active µECoG arrays. In vivo validation is demonstrated acutely in mice by recording spontaneous activity and somatosensory evoked potentials over a cortical surface of ≈8×8 mm2 . The proposed neural interface overcomes the wiring bottleneck limiting ECoG arrays, holding promise as a powerful tool for improved mapping of the cerebral cortex and as an enabling technology for future brain-machine interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horacio Londoño‐Ramírez
- Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain InstituteKatholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)Gent9052Belgium
| | - Xiaohua Huang
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)Katholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
| | - Jordi Cools
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)Gent9052Belgium
- Present address:
Thermo Fisher Scientific3001LeuvenBelgium
| | - Anna Chrzanowska
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)Gent9052Belgium
- Department of BiologyKatholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
| | - Clément Brunner
- Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain InstituteKatholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)Gent9052Belgium
| | - Marco Ballini
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Present address:
Microphone Business Unit, TDK InvenSense20057MilanItaly
| | - Luis Hoffman
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Present address:
Swave Photonics3001LeuvenBelgium
| | - Soeren Steudel
- imecLeuven3001Belgium
- Present address:
MICLEDI Microdisplays3001LeuvenBelgium
| | | | | | - Jan Genoe
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)Katholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
| | - Sebastian Haesler
- Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain InstituteKatholieke Universiteit (KU) LeuvenLeuven3001Belgium
- Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF)Leuven3001Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)Gent9052Belgium
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Chai YC, To SK, Simorgh S, Zaunz S, Zhu Y, Ahuja K, Lemaitre A, Ramezankhani R, van der Veer BK, Wierda K, Verhulst S, van Grunsven LA, Pasque V, Verfaillie C. Spatially Self-Organized Three-Dimensional Neural Concentroid as a Novel Reductionist Humanized Model to Study Neurovascular Development. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2304421. [PMID: 38037510 PMCID: PMC10837345 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Although human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived brain organoids have enabled researchers to gain insight into human brain development and disease, these organoids contain solely ectodermal cells and are not vascularized as occurs during brain development. Here it is created less complex and more homogenous large neural constructs starting from PSC-derived neuroprogenitor cells (NPC), by fusing small NPC spheroids into so-called concentroids. Such concentroids consisted of a pro-angiogenic core, containing neuronal and outer radial glia cells, surrounded by an astroglia-dense outer layer. Incorporating PSC-derived endothelial cells (EC) around and/or in the concentroids promoted vascularization, accompanied by differential outgrowth and differentiation of neuronal and astroglia cells, as well as the development of ectodermal-derived pericyte-like mural cells co-localizing with EC networks. Single nucleus transcriptomic analysis revealed an enhanced neural cell subtype maturation and diversity in EC-containing concentroids, which better resemble the fetal human brain compared to classical organoids or NPC-only concentroids. This PSC-derived "vascularized" concentroid brain model will facilitate the study of neurovascular/blood-brain barrier development, neural cell migration, and the development of effective in vitro vascularization strategies of brain mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoke Chin Chai
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - San Kit To
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationLeuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO)KU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Susan Simorgh
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Samantha Zaunz
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - YingLi Zhu
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Karan Ahuja
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Alix Lemaitre
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Roya Ramezankhani
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Bernard K. van der Veer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Developmental EpigeneticsDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Keimpe Wierda
- Electrophysiology Expert UnitVIB‐KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuven3000Belgium
| | - Stefaan Verhulst
- Liver Cell Biology Research GroupVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)Brussels1090Belgium
| | - Leo A. van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology Research GroupVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)Brussels1090Belgium
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationLeuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO)KU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute LeuvenDepartment of Development and RegenerationKU Leuven, O&N4, Herestraat 49Leuven3000Belgium
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Bruggeman Y, Martens PJ, Sassi G, Viaene M, Wasserfall CH, Mathieu C, Gysemans C. Footprint of pancreas infiltrating and circulating immune cells throughout type 1 diabetes development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1275316. [PMID: 38027120 PMCID: PMC10667927 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1275316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is defined by immune cell infiltration of the pancreas, in particular the islets of Langerhans, referred to as insulitis, which is especially prominent during the early disease stages in association with decreased beta cell mass. An in-depth understanding of the dynamics and phenotype of the immune cells infiltrating the pancreas and the accompanying changes in their profiles in peripheral blood during T1D development is critical to generate novel preventive and therapeutic approaches, as well as to find biomarkers for the disease process. Methods Using multi-parameter flow cytometry, we explored the dynamic changes of immune cells infiltrating the pancreas and the pancreatic draining lymph nodes (PLN), compared to those in peripheral blood in female and male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice during T1D progression. Results The early stages of T1D development were characterized by an influx of innate dendritic cells and neutrophils in the pancreas. While dendritic cells seemed to move in and out (to the PLN), neutrophils accumulated during the pre-symptomatic phase and reached a maximum at 8 weeks of age, after which their numbers declined. During disease progression, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells appeared to continuously migrate from the PLN to the pancreas, which coincided with an increase in beta cell autoimmunity and insulitis severity, and a decline in insulin content. At 12 weeks of age, CD4+ and especially CD8+ T cells in the pancreas showed a dramatic shift from naïve to effector memory phenotype, in contrast to the PLN, where most of these cells remained naïve. A large proportion of pancreas infiltrating CD4+ T cells were naïve, indicating that antigenic stimulation was not necessary to traffic and invade the pancreas. Interestingly, a pre-effector-like T cell dominated the peripheral blood. These cells were intermediates between naïve and effector memory cells as identified by single cell RNA sequencing and might be a potential novel therapeutic target. Conclusion These time- and tissue-dependent changes in the dynamics and functional states of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are essential steps in our understanding of the disease process in NOD mice and need to be considered for the interpretation and design of disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylke Bruggeman
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Martens
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Sassi
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Viaene
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Clive H. Wasserfall
- Diabetes Institute, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Chantal Mathieu
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Mohorović P, Geldhof B, Holsteens K, Rinia M, Ceusters J, Van de Poel B. Effect of ethylene pretreatment on tomato plant responses to salt, drought, and waterlogging stress. Plant Direct 2023; 7:e548. [PMID: 38028648 PMCID: PMC10654692 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Salinity, drought, and waterlogging are common environmental stresses that negatively impact plant growth, development, and productivity. One of the responses to abiotic stresses is the production of the phytohormone ethylene, which induces different coping mechanisms that help plants resist or tolerate stress. In this study, we investigated if an ethylene pretreatment can aid plants in activating stress-coping responses prior to the onset of salt, drought, and waterlogging stress. Therefore, we measured real-time transpiration and CO2 assimilation rates and the impact on biomass during and after 3 days of abiotic stress. Our results showed that an ethylene pretreatment of 1 ppm for 4 h did not significantly influence the negative effects of waterlogging stress, while plants were more sensitive to salt stress as reflected by enhanced water losses due to a higher transpiration rate. However, when exposed to drought stress, an ethylene pretreatment resulted in reduced transpiration rates, reducing water loss during drought stress. Overall, our findings indicate that pretreating tomato plants with ethylene can potentially regulate their responses during the forthcoming stress period, but optimization of the ethylene pre-treatment duration, timing, and dose is needed. Furthermore, it remains tested if the effect is related to the stress duration and severity and whether an ethylene pretreatment has a net positive or negative effect on plant vigor during stress recovery. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mode of action of how ethylene priming impacts subsequent stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petar Mohorović
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Batist Geldhof
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Kristof Holsteens
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Marilien Rinia
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Johan Ceusters
- Research Group for sustainable plant production and protection, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenGeelBelgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI)University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Bram Van de Poel
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of BiosystemsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI)University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Messiaen J, Jacobs SA, De Smet F. The tumor micro-environment in pediatric glioma: friend or foe? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227126. [PMID: 37901250 PMCID: PMC10611473 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality related to cancer in children, where high-grade glioma harbor the worst prognosis. It has become obvious that pediatric glioma differs significantly from their adult counterparts, rendering extrapolations difficult. Curative options for several types of glioma are lacking, albeit ongoing research efforts and clinical trials. As already proven in the past, inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity plays an important role in the resistance to therapy and thus implicates morbidity and mortality for these patients. However, while less studied, the tumor micro-environment (TME) adds another level of heterogeneity. Knowledge gaps exist on how the TME interacts with the tumor cells and how the location of the various cell types in the TME influences tumor growth and the response to treatment. Some studies identified the presence of several (immune) cell types as prognostic factors, but often lack a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms, possibly leading to contradictory findings. Although the TME in pediatric glioma is regarded as "cold", several treatment options are emerging, with the TME being the primary target of treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to study the TME of pediatric glioma, so that the interactions between TME, tumoral cells and therapeutics can be better understood before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of the available insights into the composition and role of the TME across different types of pediatric glioma. Moreover, where possible, we provide a framework on how a particular TME may influence responses to conventional- and/or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Messiaen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra A. Jacobs
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Pediatric Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Clarysse M, Vanuytsel T, Canovai E, Monbaliu D, Ceulemans LJ, Pirenne J. Intestinal Donation and Utilization: Single-Center Analysis Within Eurotransplant. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11371. [PMID: 37671117 PMCID: PMC10476344 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal donor criteria are classically kept strict, thereby limiting donor supply. Indications for intestinal transplantation (ITx) are rare, but improved outcome and new emerging indications lead to increased demand and relaxing donor criteria should be considered. We sought to compare the donor criteria of intestines transplanted at our center with predefined (per protocol) criteria, and to determine how relaxing donor criteria could impact the potential donor pool. Donor criteria used in 22 consecutive ITx at our center between 2000 and 2020 were compared with predefined criteria. Next, multiorgan donors effectively offered by our Donor Network to Eurotransplant between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively screened, according to predefined and effectively used intestinal donation criteria. Finally, utilization rate of offered intestines was calculated. In our ITx series, the effectively used donor criteria were less strict than those initially predefined. With these relaxed criteria, a favorable 5-year graft/patient survival of 75% and 95%, respectively was reached. Applying these relaxed criteria would lead to a 127% increase in intestinal offers. Paradoxically, 70% of offered intestines were not used. In conclusion, a significant increase in intestinal donation could be obtained by relaxing donor criteria, while still achieving excellent outcome. Offered intestines are underutilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Clarysse
- Department of Abdominal Transplant Surgery and Coordination, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanuytsel
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emilio Canovai
- Department of Abdominal Transplant Surgery and Coordination, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diethard Monbaliu
- Department of Abdominal Transplant Surgery and Coordination, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens J. Ceulemans
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jacques Pirenne
- Department of Abdominal Transplant Surgery and Coordination, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Abdominal Transplant Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Intestinal Failure and Transplantation Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Rocchi M, Gross C, Moscato F, Schlöglhofer T, Meyns B, Fresiello L. An in vitro model to study suction events by a ventricular assist device: validation with clinical data. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1155032. [PMID: 37560156 PMCID: PMC10407082 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1155032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a valuable therapy for end-stage heart failure patients. However, some adverse events still persist, such as suction that can trigger thrombus formation and cardiac rhythm disorders. The aim of this study is to validate a suction module (SM) as a test bench for LVAD suction detection and speed control algorithms. Methods: The SM consists of a latex tube, mimicking the ventricular apex, connected to a LVAD. The SM was implemented into a hybrid in vitro-in silico cardiovascular simulator. Suction was induced simulating hypovolemia in a profile of a dilated cardiomyopathy and of a restrictive cardiomyopathy for pump speeds ranging between 2,500 and 3,200 rpm. Clinical data collected in 38 LVAD patients were used for the validation. Clinical and simulated LVAD flow waveforms were visually compared. For a more quantitative validation, a binary classifier was used to classify simulated suction and non-suction beats. The obtained classification was then compared to that generated by the simulator to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the simulator. Finally, a statistical analysis was run on specific suction features (e.g., minimum impeller speed pulsatility, minimum slope of the estimated flow, and timing of the maximum slope of the estimated flow). Results: The simulator could reproduce most of the pump waveforms observed in vivo. The simulator showed a sensitivity and specificity and of 90.0% and 97.5%, respectively. Simulated suction features were in the interquartile range of clinical ones. Conclusions: The SM can be used to investigate suction in different pathophysiological conditions and to support the development of LVAD physiological controllers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rocchi
- Unit of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christoph Gross
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Moscato
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Schlöglhofer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bart Meyns
- Unit of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Libera Fresiello
- Unit of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
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10
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Leenknegt L, Panfilov AV, Dierckx H. Impact of electrode orientation, myocardial wall thickness, and myofiber direction on intracardiac electrograms: numerical modeling and analytical solutions. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1213218. [PMID: 37492643 PMCID: PMC10364610 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracardiac electrograms (iEGMs) are time traces of the electrical potential recorded close to the heart muscle. We calculate unipolar and bipolar iEGMs analytically for a myocardial slab with parallel myofibers and validate them against numerical bidomain simulations. The analytical solution obtained via the method of mirrors is an infinite series of arctangents. It goes beyond the solid angle theory and is in good agreement with the simulations, even though bath loading effects were not accounted for in the analytical calculation. At a large distance from the myocardium, iEGMs decay as 1/R (unipolar), 1/R 2 (bipolar and parallel), and 1/R 3 (bipolar and perpendicular to the endocardium). At the endocardial surface, there is a mathematical branch cut. Here, we show how a thicker myocardium generates iEGMs with larger amplitudes and how anisotropy affects the iEGM width and amplitude. If only the leading-order term of our expansion is retained, it can be determined how the conductivities of the bath, torso, myocardium, and myofiber direction together determine the iEGM amplitude. Our results will be useful in the quantitative interpretation of iEGMs, the selection of thresholds to characterize viable tissues, and for future inferences of tissue parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore Leenknegt
- Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven Campus KULAK, KU Leuven, Kortrijk, Belgium
- iSi Health–KU Leuven Institute of Physics-based Modeling for In Silico Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Hans Dierckx
- Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven Campus KULAK, KU Leuven, Kortrijk, Belgium
- iSi Health–KU Leuven Institute of Physics-based Modeling for In Silico Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Wilberts L, Rojas-Preciado N, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Fungal strain and crop cultivar affect growth of sweet pepper plants after root inoculation with entomopathogenic fungi. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1196765. [PMID: 37342144 PMCID: PMC10277683 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1196765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
As endophytes, entomopathogenic fungi can protect plants against biotic and abiotic stresses and at the same time promote plant growth and plant health. To date, most studies have investigated whether Beauveria bassiana can enhance plant growth and plant health, while only little is known about other entomopathogenic fungi. In this study, we evaluated whether root inoculation of the entomopathogenic fungi Akanthomyces muscarius ARSEF 5128, B. bassiana ARSEF 3097 and Cordyceps fumosorosea ARSEF 3682 can promote plant growth of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and whether effects are cultivar-dependent. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, canopy area, and plant weight were assessed four weeks following inoculation in two independent experiments using two cultivars of sweet pepper (cv. 'IDS RZ F1' and cv. 'Maduro'). Results showed that the three entomopathogenic fungi were able to enhance plant growth, particularly canopy area and plant weight. Further, results showed that effects significantly depended on cultivar and fungal strain, with the strongest fungal effects obtained for cv. 'IDS RZ F1', especially when inoculated with C. fumosorosea. We conclude that inoculation of sweet pepper roots with entomopathogenic fungi can stimulate plant growth, but effects depend on fungal strain and crop cultivar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbet Wilberts
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Rojas-Preciado
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Geldhof B, Pattyn J, Van de Poel B. From a different angle: genetic diversity underlies differentiation of waterlogging-induced epinasty in tomato. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1178778. [PMID: 37324684 PMCID: PMC10264670 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1178778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In tomato, downward leaf bending is a morphological adaptation towards waterlogging, which has been shown to induce a range of metabolic and hormonal changes. This kind of functional trait is often the result of a complex interplay of regulatory processes starting at the gene level, gated through a plethora of signaling cascades and modulated by environmental cues. Through phenotypical screening of a population of 54 tomato accessions in a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS), we have identified target genes potentially involved in plant growth and survival during waterlogging and subsequent recovery. Changes in both plant growth rate and epinastic descriptors revealed several associations to genes possibly supporting metabolic activity in low oxygen conditions in the root zone. In addition to this general reprogramming, some of the targets were specifically associated to leaf angle dynamics, indicating these genes might play a role in the induction, maintenance or recovery of differential petiole elongation in tomato during waterlogging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batist Geldhof
- Molecular Plant Hormone Physiology Lab, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Pattyn
- Molecular Plant Hormone Physiology Lab, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Van de Poel
- Molecular Plant Hormone Physiology Lab, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Helsen C, Rocca MS, Nguyen TT, Eerlings R, Lee XY, De Block S, Vinanzi C, Di Millo F, Giagulli V, Voet A, Ferlin A, Claessens F. Study of novel androgen receptor V770 variant in androgen insensitivity syndrome patients reveals the transitional state of the androgen receptor ligand binding domain homodimer. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4599. [PMID: 36806291 PMCID: PMC10019450 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
We report the discovery of the androgen receptor missense mutation V770D, that was found in two sisters suffering from complete androgen insensitivity. Experimental validation of AR V770 variants demonstrated that AR V770D was transcriptionally inactive due to the inability to dimerize and a reduced ligand binding affinity. The more conservative AR V770A variant showed a dimerization defect at low levels of DHT with a partial recovery of the transcriptional activity and of the receptor's ability to dimerize when increasing the DHT levels. With V770 located outside of the proposed LBD dimerization interface of the AR LBD homodimer crystal structure, the effects of the V770A mutation on AR dimerization were unexpected. We therefore explored whether the AR LBD dimerization interface would be better described by an alternative dimerization mode based on available human homodimeric LBD crystal structures of other nuclear receptors. Superposition of the monomeric AR LBD in the homodimeric crystal structures of GR, PR, ER, CAR, TRβ, and HNF-4α showed that the GR-like LBD dimer model was energetically the most stable. Moreover, V770 was a key energy residue in the GR-like LBD dimer while it was not involved in the stabilization of the AR LBD homodimer according to the crystal structure. Additionally, the observation that 4 AIS mutations impacted the stability of the AR LBD dimer while 16 mutations affected the GR-like LBD dimer, suggested that the AR LBD dimer crystal is a snapshot of a breathing AR LBD homodimer that can transition into the GR-like LBD dimer model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive MedicineUniversity Hospital of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Tien T. Nguyen
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, the Chemistry DepartmentKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Roy Eerlings
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Xiao Yin Lee
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Sofie De Block
- Molecular Endocrinology LaboratoryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Cinzia Vinanzi
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive MedicineUniversity Hospital of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | | | - Vito Giagulli
- Santa Maria and Villa Lucia HospitalGVM Care & ResearchBariItaly
| | - Arnout Voet
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, the Chemistry DepartmentKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
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14
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Abouelasrar Salama S, Gouwy M, Van Damme J, Struyf S. Acute-serum amyloid A and A-SAA-derived peptides as formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2 ligands. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1119227. [PMID: 36817589 PMCID: PMC9935590 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1119227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally, it was thought that a single serum amyloid A (SAA) protein was involved in amyloid A amyloidosis, but in fact, SAA represents a four-membered family wherein SAA1 and SAA2 are acute phase proteins (A-SAA). SAA is highly conserved throughout evolution within a wide range of animal species suggestive of an important biological function. In fact, A-SAA has been linked to a number of divergent biological activities wherein a number of these functions are mediated via the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2. For instance, through the activation of FPR2, A-SAA has been described to regulate leukocyte activation, atherosclerosis, pathogen recognition, bone formation and cell survival. Moreover, A-SAA is subject to post-translational modification, primarily through proteolytic processing, generating a range of A-SAA-derived peptides. Although very little is known regarding the biological effect of A-SAA-derived peptides, they have been shown to promote neutrophil and monocyte migration through FPR2 activation via synergy with other GPCR ligands namely, the chemokines CXCL8 and CCL3, respectively. Within this review, we provide a detailed analysis of the FPR2-mediated functions of A-SAA. Moreover, we discuss the potential role of A-SAA-derived peptides as allosteric modulators of FPR2.
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15
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Daems S, Ceusters N, Valcke R, Ceusters J. Effects of chilling on the photosynthetic performance of the CAM orchid Phalaenopsis. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:981581. [PMID: 36507447 PMCID: PMC9732388 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.981581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is one of the three main metabolic adaptations for CO2 fixation found in plants. A striking feature for these plants is nocturnal carbon fixation and diurnal decarboxylation of malic acid to feed Rubisco with CO2 behind closed stomata, thereby saving considerable amounts of water. Compared to the effects of high temperatures, drought, and light, much less information is available about the effects of chilling temperatures on CAM plants. In addition a lot of CAM ornamentals are grown in heated greenhouses, urging for a deeper understanding about the physiological responses to chilling in order to increase sustainability in the horticultural sector. METHODS The present study focuses on the impact of chilling temperatures (10°C) for 3 weeks on the photosynthetic performance of the obligate CAM orchid Phalaenopsis 'Edessa'. Detailed assessments of the light reactions were performed by analyzing chlorophyll a fluorescence induction (OJIP) parameters and the carbon fixation reactions by measuring diel leaf gas exchange and diel metabolite patterns. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results showed that chilling already affected the light reactions after 24h. Whilst the potential efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm) was not yet influenced, a massive decrease in the performance index (PIabs) was noticed. This decrease did not depict an overall downregulation of PSII related energy fluxes since energy absorption and dissipation remained uninfluenced whilst the trapped energy and reduction flux were upregulated. This might point to the presence of short-term adaptation mechanisms to chilling stress. However, in the longer term the electron transport chain from PSII to PSI was affected, impacting both ATP and NADPH provision. To avoid over-excitation and photodamage plants showed a massive increase in thermal dissipation. These considerations are also in line with carbon fixation data showing initial signs of cold adaptation by achieving comparable Rubisco activity compared to unstressed plants but increasing daytime stomatal opening in order to capture a higher proportion of CO2 during daytime. However, in accordance with the light reactions data, Rubisco activity declined and stomatal conductance and CO2 uptake diminished to near zero levels after 3 weeks, indicating that plants were not successful in cold acclimation on the longer term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Daems
- Research Group for Sustainable Crop Production & Protection, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Geel, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Ceusters
- Research Group for Sustainable Crop Production & Protection, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Geel, Belgium
| | - Roland Valcke
- Molecular and Physical Plant Physiology, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Johan Ceusters
- Research Group for Sustainable Crop Production & Protection, Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Geel, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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16
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Bharadwaj PS, Sanchez L, Li D, Enyi D, Van de Poel B, Chang C. The plant hormone ethylene promotes abiotic stress tolerance in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:998267. [PMID: 36340412 PMCID: PMC9632724 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.998267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plants are often faced with an array of adverse environmental conditions and must respond appropriately to grow and develop. In angiosperms, the plant hormone ethylene is known to play a protective role in responses to abiotic stress. Here we investigated whether ethylene mediates resistance to abiotic stress in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, one of the most distant land plant relatives of angiosperms. Using existing M. polymorpha knockout mutants of Mpein3, and Mpctr1, two genes in the ethylene signaling pathway, we examined responses to heat, salinity, nutrient deficiency, and continuous far-red light. The Mpein3 and Mpctr1 mutants were previously shown to confer ethylene insensitivity and constitutive ethylene responses, respectively. Using mild or sub-lethal doses of each stress treatment, we found that Mpctr1 mutants displayed stress resilience similar to or greater than the wild type. In contrast, Mpein3 mutants showed less resilience than the wild type. Consistent with ethylene being a stress hormone, we demonstrated that ethylene production is enhanced by each stress treatment. These results suggest that ethylene plays a role in protecting against abiotic stress in M. polymorpha, and that ethylene has likely been conserved as a stress hormone since before the evolutionary divergence of bryophytes from the land plant lineage approximately 450 Ma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka S. Bharadwaj
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Lizbeth Sanchez
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Dongdong Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Divine Enyi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Bram Van de Poel
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caren Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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17
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Fresiello L, Muthiah K, Goetschalckx K, Hayward C, Rocchi M, Bezy M, Pauls JP, Meyns B, Donker DW, Zieliński K. Initial clinical validation of a hybrid in silico—in vitro cardiorespiratory simulator for comprehensive testing of mechanical circulatory support systems. Front Physiol 2022; 13:967449. [PMID: 36311247 PMCID: PMC9606213 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.967449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simulators are expected to assume a prominent role in the process of design—development and testing of cardiovascular medical devices. For this purpose, simulators should capture the complexity of human cardiorespiratory physiology in a realistic way. High fidelity simulations of pathophysiology do not only allow to test the medical device itself, but also to advance practically relevant monitoring and control features while the device acts under realistic conditions. We propose a physiologically controlled cardiorespiratory simulator developed in a mixed in silico-in vitro simulation environment. As inherent to this approach, most of the physiological model complexity is implemented in silico while the in vitro system acts as an interface to connect a medical device. As case scenarios, severe heart failure was modeled, at rest and at exercise and as medical device a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was connected to the simulator. As initial validation, the simulator output was compared against clinical data from chronic heart failure patients supported by an LVAD, that underwent different levels of exercise tests with concomitant increase in LVAD speed. Simulations were conducted reproducing the same protocol as applied in patients, in terms of exercise intensity and related LVAD speed titration. Results show that the simulator allows to capture the principal parameters of the main adaptative cardiovascular and respiratory processes within the human body occurring from rest to exercise. The simulated functional interaction with the LVAD is comparable to the one clinically observed concerning ventricular unloading, cardiac output, and pump flow. Overall, the proposed simulation system offers a high fidelity in silico-in vitro representation of the human cardiorespiratory pathophysiology. It can be used as a test bench to comprehensively analyze the performance of physically connected medical devices simulating clinically realistic, critical scenarios, thus aiding in the future the development of physiologically responding, patient-adjustable medical devices. Further validation studies will be conducted to assess the performance of the simulator in other pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libera Fresiello
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Libera Fresiello,
| | - Kavitha Muthiah
- Department of Cardiology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaatje Goetschalckx
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christopher Hayward
- Department of Cardiology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Rocchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maxime Bezy
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jo P. Pauls
- School of Engineering, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Bart Meyns
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk W. Donker
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
- Intensive Care Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Krzysztof Zieliński
- Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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18
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Holsteens K, De Jaegere I, Wynants A, Prinsen ELJ, Van de Poel B. Mild and severe salt stress responses are age-dependently regulated by abscisic acid in tomato. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:982622. [PMID: 36275599 PMCID: PMC9585276 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.982622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Salt stress hampers plant growth and development through both osmotic and ionic imbalances. One of the key players in modulating physiological responses towards salinity is the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). How plants cope with salinity largely depends on the magnitude of the soil salt content (stress severity), but also on age-related developmental processes (ontogeny). Here we studied how ABA directs salt stress responses in tomato plants for both mild and severe salt stress in leaves of different ages. We used the ABA-deficient mutant notabilis, which contains a null-mutation in the gene of a rate-limiting ABA biosynthesis enzyme 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED1), leading to impaired stomatal closure. We showed that both old and young leaves of notabilis plants keep a steady-state transpiration and photosynthesis rate during salt stress, probably due to their dysfunctional stomatal closure. At the whole plant level, transpiration declined similar to the wild-type, impacting final growth. Notabilis leaves were able to produce osmolytes and accumulate ions in a similar way as wild-type plants, but accumulated more proline, indicating that osmotic responses were not impaired by the NCED1 mutation. Besides NCED1, also NCED2 and NCED6 are strongly upregulated under salt stress, which could explain why the notabilis mutant did not show a lower ABA content upon salt stress, except in young leaves. This might be indicative of a salt-mediated feedback mechanism on NCED2/6 in notabilis and might explain why notabilis plants seem to perform better under salt stress compared to wild-type plants with respect to biomass and water content accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Holsteens
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel De Jaegere
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arne Wynants
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bram Van de Poel
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Plant Institute, (LPI), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Hanssen B, Peeters N, De Beukelaer N, Vannerom A, Peeters L, Molenaers G, Van Campenhout A, Deschepper E, Van den Broeck C, Desloovere K. Progressive resistance training for children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects on muscle strength and morphology. Front Physiol 2022; 13:911162. [PMID: 36267577 PMCID: PMC9577365 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.911162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with spastic cerebral palsy often present with muscle weakness, resulting from neural impairments and muscular alterations. While progressive resistance training (PRT) improves muscle weakness, the effects on muscle morphology remain inconclusive. This investigation evaluated the effects of a PRT program on lower limb muscle strength, morphology and gross motor function. Forty-nine children with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized by minimization. The intervention group (nparticipants = 26, age: 8.3 ± 2.0 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I/II/III: 17/5/4, nlegs = 41) received a 12-week PRT program, consisting of 3-4 sessions per week, with exercises performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions, aiming at 60%–80% of the 1-repetition maximum. Training sessions were performed under supervision with the physiotherapist and at home. The control group (nparticipants = 22, age: 8.5 ± 2.1 year, GMFCS level I/II/III: 14/5/3, nlegs = 36) continued usual care including regular physiotherapy and use of orthotics. We assessed pre- and post-training knee extension, knee flexion and plantar flexion isometric strength, rectus femoris, semitendinosus and medial gastrocnemius muscle morphology, as well as functional strength, gross motor function and walking capacity. Data processing was performed blinded. Linear mixed models were applied to evaluate the difference in evolution over time between the control and intervention group (interaction-effect) and within each group (time-effect). The α-level was set at p = 0.01. Knee flexion strength and unilateral heel raises showed a significant interaction-effect (p ≤ 0.008), with improvements in the intervention group (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, significant time-effects were seen for knee extension and plantar flexion isometric strength, rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius MV, sit-to-stand and lateral step-up in the intervention group (p ≤ 0.004). Echo-intensity, muscle lengths and gross motor function showed limited to no changes. PRT improved strength and MV in the intervention group, whereby strength parameters significantly or close to significantly differed from the control group. Although, relative improvements in strength were larger than improvements in MV, important effects were seen on the maintenance of muscle size relative to skeletal growth. In conclusion, this study proved the effectiveness of a home-based, physiotherapy supervised, PRT program to improve isometric and functional muscle strength in children with SCP without negative effects on muscle properties or any serious adverse events.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03863197.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Hanssen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Britta Hanssen, ; Kaat Desloovere,
| | - Nicky Peeters
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Astrid Vannerom
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Peeters
- CP Reference Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Molenaers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Pediatric Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anja Van Campenhout
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Pediatric Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Deschepper
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Kaat Desloovere
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Clinical Motion Analysis Laboratory, University Hospitals Leuven, Pellenberg, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Britta Hanssen, ; Kaat Desloovere,
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20
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Wüst R, Terrie L, Müntefering T, Ruck T, Thorrez L. Efficient co-isolation of microvascular endothelial cells and satellite cell-derived myoblasts from human skeletal muscle. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:964705. [PMID: 36213083 PMCID: PMC9534561 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.964705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascularization of tissue-engineered constructs remains a key challenge in the field of skeletal muscle tissue engineering. One strategy for vascularizing organoids is in vitro pre-vascularization, relying on de novo assembly of undifferentiated endothelial cells into capillaries, a process termed vasculogenesis. In most endothelial cell research to date, human umbilical vein endothelial cells have been used primarily because of their availability. Nevertheless, this endothelial cell type is naturally not occurring in skeletal muscle tissue. Since endothelial cells display a tissue-specific phenotype, it is of interest to use muscle-specific microvascular endothelial cells to study pre-vascularization in skeletal muscle tissue engineering research. Thus far, tissue biopsies had to be processed in two separate protocols to obtain cells from the myogenic and the endothelial compartment. Here, we describe a novel, detailed protocol for the co-isolation of human skeletal muscle microvascular endothelial cells and satellite cell-derived myoblasts. It incorporates an automated mechanical and enzymatic tissue dissociation followed by magnetically activated cell sorting based on a combination of endothelial and skeletal muscle cell markers. Qualitative, quantitative, and functional characterization of the obtained cells is described and demonstrated by representative results. The simultaneous isolation of both cell types from the same donor is advantageous in terms of time efficiency. In addition, it may be the only possible method to isolate both cell types as the amount of tissue biopsy is often limited. The isolation of the two cell types is crucial for further studies to elucidate cell crosstalk in health and disease. Furthermore, the use of muscle-specific microvascular endothelial cells allows a shift towards engineering more physiologically relevant functional tissue, with downstream applications including drug screening and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Wüst
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Lisanne Terrie
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Thomas Müntefering
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tobias Ruck
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Lieven Thorrez,
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21
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Kuzmenkov AI, Peigneur S, Nasburg JA, Mineev KS, Nikolaev MV, Pinheiro-Junior EL, Arseniev AS, Wulff H, Tytgat J, Vassilevski AA. Apamin structure and pharmacology revisited. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:977440. [PMID: 36188602 PMCID: PMC9523135 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.977440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Apamin is often cited as one of the few substances selectively acting on small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (KCa2). However, published pharmacological and structural data remain controversial. Here, we investigated the molecular pharmacology of apamin by two-electrode voltage-clamp in Xenopus laevis oocytes and patch-clamp in HEK293, COS7, and CHO cells expressing the studied ion channels, as well as in isolated rat brain neurons. The microtitre broth dilution method was used for antimicrobial activity screening. The spatial structure of apamin in aqueous solution was determined by NMR spectroscopy. We tested apamin against 42 ion channels (KCa, KV, NaV, nAChR, ASIC, and others) and confirmed its unique selectivity to KCa2 channels. No antimicrobial activity was detected for apamin against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The NMR solution structure of apamin was deposited in the Protein Data Bank. The results presented here demonstrate that apamin is a selective nanomolar or even subnanomolar-affinity KCa2 inhibitor with no significant effects on other molecular targets. The spatial structure as well as ample functional data provided here support the use of apamin as a KCa2-selective pharmacological tool and as a template for drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey I. Kuzmenkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Joshua A. Nasburg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Konstantin S. Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Maxim V. Nikolaev
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Alexander S. Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander A. Vassilevski
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow Region, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- *Correspondence: Alexander A. Vassilevski,
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22
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Opdenakker G, Vermeire S, Abu El-Asrar A. How to place the duality of specific MMP-9 inhibition for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases into clinical opportunities? Front Immunol 2022; 13:983964. [PMID: 36164340 PMCID: PMC9509204 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.983964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with the involvement of immune cells and molecules, including cytokines, chemokines and proteases. A previous extensive review about the molecular biology of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs), related to intestinal barrier destruction and restoration functions in IBD, is here complemented with the literature from the last five years. We also compare IBD as a prototypic mucosal inflammation of an epithelial barrier against microorganisms with inflammatory retinopathy as a disease with a barrier dysfunction at the level of blood vessels. Multiple reasons are at the basis of halting clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies against MMP-9 for IBD treatment. These include (i) the absence of a causative role of MMP-9 in the pathology in animal models of IBD, (ii) the fact that endotoxins, crossing the intestinal barrier, induce massive local release of both neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8) and gelatinase B (MMP-9), (iii) insufficient recognition that MMPs modify the activities of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors, (iv) ignorance that MMPs exist as mixtures of proteoforms with different posttranslational modifications and with different specific activities and (v) the fact that MMPs and TIMPs act in an interactive network, possibly having also beneficial effects on IBD evolution. Nevertheless, inhibition of MMPs may be a useful therapeutic approach during specific IBD disease phases or in specific sub-phenotypes. This temporary “window of opportunity” for MMP-9 inhibition may be complemented by a locoregional one, provided that the pharmacological agents are targeted in time to affected tissues, as is achieved in ophthalmological inflammation. Thus, in order to discover spatial and temporal windows of opportunity for MMP inhibition as treatment of IBD, more preclinical work including well controlled animal studies will be further needed. In this respect, MMP-9/NGAL complex analysis in various body compartments is helpful for better stratification of IBD patients who may benefit from anti-MMP-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghislain Opdenakker
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Ophthalmology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Ghislain Opdenakker,
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23
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Seldeslachts A, Peigneur S, Mebs D, Tytgat J. Unraveling the venom chemistry with evidence for histamine as key regulator in the envenomation by caterpillar Automeris zaruma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:972442. [PMID: 36091066 PMCID: PMC9448982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.972442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, envenomation by caterpillars of Automeris spp. became an increasing health problem in Latin America. Accidental contact with the stinging spines of these caterpillars cause acute local pain, itching, inflammation and skin rashes that persists for days. Even when the cause is obvious, the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed symptoms are yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe for the first time, an active compound in the venom and the study of the bioactivity of the venom extracted from the spines of the caterpillar Automeris zaruma. Electrophysiological screening of a library of membrane proteins important for pain and itch enabled us to investigate and reveal the mode of action of the venom of A. zaruma. Further mass spectrometric analysis (Q-TOF-MS) made it possible to establish a link between the bioactivity and the components found in the venom. We show that the spine extract of A. zaruma contains histamine that potently activates the four types of the human histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R) with a selectivity preference towards H3R and H4R. Furthermore, a modulation of the target MRGPRX2 was found. Together, these findings are the first to explain the symptomology of A. zaruma envenomation, enabling us a better understanding of caterpillar envenomation and predict that the hurdle of the scarce efficacy of the currently used antihistaminic drugs can be overcome by including H3R and H4R blockers in the clinical used medication. Such an approach might be used for other caterpillar envenomation in the world and represent a significant improvement for the well-being of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dietrich Mebs
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Jan Tytgat,
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24
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Marini V, Marino F, Aliberti F, Giarratana N, Pozzo E, Duelen R, Cortés Calabuig Á, La Rovere R, Vervliet T, Torella D, Bultynck G, Sampaolesi M, Chai YC. Long-term culture of patient-derived cardiac organoids recapitulated Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy and disease progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:878311. [PMID: 36035984 PMCID: PMC9403515 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.878311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked neuromuscular disease which to date is incurable. The major cause of death is dilated cardiomyopathy however, its pathogenesis is unclear as existing cellular and animal models do not fully recapitulate the human disease phenotypes. In this study, we generated cardiac organoids from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (DMD-COs) and isogenic-corrected controls (DMD-Iso-COs) and studied if DMD-related cardiomyopathy and disease progression occur in the organoids upon long-term culture (up to 93 days). Histological analysis showed that DMD-COs lack initial proliferative capacity, displayed a progressive loss of sarcoglycan localization and high stress in endoplasmic reticulum. Additionally, cardiomyocyte deterioration, fibrosis and aberrant adipogenesis were observed in DMD-COs over time. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed a distinct transcriptomic profile in DMD-COs which was associated with functional enrichment in hypertrophy/dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, adipogenesis and fibrosis pathways. Moreover, five miRNAs were identified to be crucial in this dysregulated gene network. In conclusion, we generated patient-derived cardiac organoid model that displayed DMD-related cardiomyopathy and disease progression phenotypes in long-term culture. We envision the feasibility to develop a more complex, realistic and reliable in vitro 3D human cardiac-mimics to study DMD-related cardiomyopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Marini
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabiola Marino
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Flaminia Aliberti
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, Transplant Research Area, Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Nefele Giarratana
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Enrico Pozzo
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Duelen
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Rita La Rovere
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vervliet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniele Torella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Histology and Medical Embryology Unit, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maurilio Sampaolesi, ; Yoke Chin Chai,
| | - Yoke Chin Chai
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Maurilio Sampaolesi, ; Yoke Chin Chai,
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25
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Yongabi D, Khorshid M, Losada‐Pérez P, Bakhshi Sichani S, Jooken S, Stilman W, Theßeling F, Martens T, Van Thillo T, Verstrepen K, Dedecker P, Vanden Berghe P, Lettinga MP, Bartic C, Lieberzeit P, Schöning MJ, Thoelen R, Fransen M, Wübbenhorst M, Wagner P. Synchronized, Spontaneous, and Oscillatory Detachment of Eukaryotic Cells: A New Tool for Cell Characterization and Identification. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022; 9:e2200459. [PMID: 35780480 PMCID: PMC9403630 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance of cell characterization and identification for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, developing fast and label-free methods without (bio)-chemical markers or surface-engineered receptors remains challenging. Here, we exploit the natural cellular response to mild thermal stimuli and propose a label- and receptor-free method for fast and facile cell characterization. Cell suspensions in a dedicated sensor are exposed to a temperature gradient, which stimulates synchronized and spontaneous cell-detachment with sharply defined time-patterns, a phenomenon unknown from literature. These patterns depend on metabolic activity (controlled through temperature, nutrients, and drugs) and provide a library of cell-type-specific indicators, allowing to distinguish several yeast strains as well as cancer cells. Under specific conditions, synchronized glycolytic-type oscillations are observed during detachment of mammalian and yeast-cell ensembles, providing additional cell-specific signatures. These findings suggest potential applications for cell viability analysis and for assessing the collective response of cancer cells to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derick Yongabi
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Mehran Khorshid
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Patricia Losada‐Pérez
- Faculté des SciencesExperimental Soft Matter and Thermal Physics (EST)Université Libre de BruxellesBoulevard du Triomphe ACC.2BrusselsB‐1050Belgium
| | - Soroush Bakhshi Sichani
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Stijn Jooken
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Wouter Stilman
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Florian Theßeling
- Laboratory for Systems BiologyVIB Center for MicrobiologyDepartment of Microbial and Molecular SystemsKU LeuvenGaston Geenslaan 1HeverleeB‐3001Belgium
| | - Tobie Martens
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS)Department of Chronic Diseases Metabolism and AgeingKU LeuvenHerestraat 49LeuvenB‐3000Belgium
| | - Toon Van Thillo
- BiochemistryMolecular and Structural BiologyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 GLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Kevin Verstrepen
- Laboratory for Systems BiologyVIB Center for MicrobiologyDepartment of Microbial and Molecular SystemsKU LeuvenGaston Geenslaan 1HeverleeB‐3001Belgium
| | - Peter Dedecker
- BiochemistryMolecular and Structural BiologyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 GLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS)Department of Chronic Diseases Metabolism and AgeingKU LeuvenHerestraat 49LeuvenB‐3000Belgium
| | - Minne Paul Lettinga
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
- Biomacromolecular Systems and Processes (IBI‐4)Research Center Jülich GmbHLeo‐Brandt‐StraßeD‐52425JülichGermany
| | - Carmen Bartic
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Peter Lieberzeit
- Faculty of ChemistryDepartment of Physical ChemistryUniversity of ViennaWähringer, Straße 38ViennaA‐1090Austria
| | - Michael J. Schöning
- Institute of Nano‐ and Biotechnologies INBAachen University of Applied SciencesHeinrich‐Mußmann‐Straße 1D‐52428JülichGermany
| | - Ronald Thoelen
- Institute for Materials ResearchHasselt UniversityWetenschapspark 1DiepenbeekB‐3590Belgium
| | - Marc Fransen
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular CommunicationDepartment of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenHerestraat 49LeuvenB‐3000Belgium
| | - Michael Wübbenhorst
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
| | - Patrick Wagner
- Laboratory for Soft Matter and BiophysicsDepartment of Physics and AstronomyKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200 DLeuvenB‐3001Belgium
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Beeckmans H, Ambrocio GPL, Bos S, Vermaut A, Geudens V, Vanstapel A, Vanaudenaerde BM, De Baets F, Malfait TLA, Emonds MP, Van Raemdonck DE, Schoemans HM, Vos R. Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation After Prior Lung Transplantation for Hereditary Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis: A Case Report. Front Immunol 2022; 13:931153. [PMID: 35928826 PMCID: PMC9344132 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare, diffuse lung disorder characterized by surfactant accumulation in the small airways due to defective clearance by alveolar macrophages, resulting in impaired gas exchange. Whole lung lavage is the current standard of care treatment for PAP. Lung transplantation is an accepted treatment option when whole lung lavage or other experimental treatment options are ineffective, or in case of extensive pulmonary fibrosis secondary to PAP. A disadvantage of lung transplantation is recurrence of PAP in the transplanted lungs, especially in hereditary PAP. The hereditary form of PAP is an ultra-rare condition caused by genetic mutations in genes encoding for the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor, and intrinsically affects bone marrow derived-monocytes, which differentiate into macrophages in the lung. Consequently, these macrophages typically display disrupted GM-CSF receptor-signaling, causing defective surfactant clearance. Bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may potentially reverse the lung disease in hereditary PAP. In patients with hereditary PAP undergoing lung transplantation, post-lung transplant recurrence of PAP may theoretically be averted by subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which results in a graft-versus-disease (PAP) effect, and thus could improve long-term outcome. We describe the successful long-term post-transplant outcome of a unique case of end-stage respiratory failure due to hereditary PAP-induced pulmonary fibrosis, successfully treated by bilateral lung transplantation and subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our report supports treatment with serial lung and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to improve quality of life and prolong survival, without PAP recurrence, in selected patients with end-stage hereditary PAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Beeckmans
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gene P. L. Ambrocio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Saskia Bos
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Astrid Vermaut
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincent Geudens
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arno Vanstapel
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart M. Vanaudenaerde
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frans De Baets
- Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Marie-Paule Emonds
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Dirk E. Van Raemdonck
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hélène M. Schoemans
- Department of Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Vos
- Department of Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Robin Vos,
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Terrie L, Burattini M, Van Vlierberghe S, Fassina L, Thorrez L. Enhancing Myoblast Fusion and Myotube Diameter in Human 3D Skeletal Muscle Constructs by Electromagnetic Stimulation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:892287. [PMID: 35814025 PMCID: PMC9256958 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.892287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle tissue engineering (SMTE) aims at the in vitro generation of 3D skeletal muscle engineered constructs which mimic the native muscle structure and function. Although native skeletal muscle is a highly dynamic tissue, most research approaches still focus on static cell culture methods, while research on stimulation protocols indicates a positive effect, especially on myogenesis. A more mature muscle construct may be needed especially for the potential applications for regenerative medicine purposes, disease or drug disposition models. Most efforts towards dynamic cell or tissue culture methods have been geared towards mechanical or electrical stimulation or a combination of those. In the context of dynamic methods, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation has been extensively used in bone tissue engineering, but the impact of PEMF on skeletal muscle development is poorly explored. Here, we evaluated the effects of PEMF stimulation on human skeletal muscle cells both in 2D and 3D experiments. First, PEMF was applied on 2D cultures of human myoblasts during differentiation. In 2D, enhanced myogenesis was observed, as evidenced by an increased myotube diameter and fusion index. Second, 2D results were translated towards 3D bioartificial muscles (BAMs). BAMs were subjected to PEMF for varying exposure times, where a 2-h daily stimulation was found to be effective in enhancing 3D myotube formation. Third, applying this protocol for the entire 16-days culture period was compared to a stimulation starting at day 8, once the myotubes were formed. The latter was found to result in significantly higher myotube diameter, fusion index, and increased myosin heavy chain 1 expression. This work shows the potential of electromagnetic stimulation for enhancing myotube formation both in 2D and 3D, warranting its further consideration in dynamic culturing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne Terrie
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Margherita Burattini
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
- Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry and Maternity, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sandra Van Vlierberghe
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Dep. of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lorenzo Fassina
- Dept. of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Dep. Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Lieven Thorrez,
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Martens PJ, Centelles-Lodeiro J, Ellis D, Cook DP, Sassi G, Verlinden L, Verstuyf A, Raes J, Mathieu C, Gysemans C. High Serum Vitamin D Concentrations, Induced via Diet, Trigger Immune and Intestinal Microbiota Alterations Leading to Type 1 Diabetes Protection in NOD Mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:902678. [PMID: 35784365 PMCID: PMC9241442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.902678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hormonally-active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, can modulate both innate and adaptive immunity, through binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor expressed in most immune cells. A high dose of regular vitamin D protected non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice against type 1 diabetes (T1D), when initiated at birth and given lifelong. However, considerable controversy exists on the level of circulating vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 25(OH)D3) needed to modulate the immune system in autoimmune-prone subjects and protect against T1D onset. Here, we evaluated the impact of two doses of dietary vitamin D supplementation (400 and 800 IU/day), given to female NOD mice from 3 until 25 weeks of age, on disease development, peripheral and gut immune system, gut epithelial barrier function, and gut bacterial taxonomy. Whereas serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were 2.6- (400 IU/day) and 3.9-fold (800 IU/day) higher with dietary vitamin D supplementation compared to normal chow (NC), only the 800 IU/day vitamin D-supplemented diet delayed and reduced T1D incidence compared to NC. Flow cytometry analyses revealed an increased frequency of FoxP3+ Treg cells in the spleen of mice receiving the 800 IU/day vitamin D-supplemented diet. This vitamin D-induced increase in FoxP3+ Treg cells, also expressing the ecto-5’-nucleotidase CD73, only persisted in the spleen of mice at 25 weeks of age. At this time point, the frequency of IL-10-secreting CD4+ T cells was also increased in all studied immune organs. High-dose vitamin D supplementation was unable to correct gut leakiness nor did it significantly modify the increased gut microbial diversity and richness over time observed in NOD mice receiving NC. Intriguingly, the rise in alpha-diversity during maturation occurred especially in mice not progressing to hyperglycaemia. Principal coordinates analysis identified that both diet and disease status significantly influenced the inter-individual microbiota variation at the genus level. The abundance of the genera Ruminoclostridium_9 and Marvinbryantia gradually increased or decreased, respectively in faecal samples of mice on the 800 IU/day vitamin D-supplemented diet compared to mice on the 400 IU/day vitamin D-supplemented diet or NC, irrespective of disease outcome. In summary, dietary vitamin D reduced T1D incidence in female NOD mice at a dose of 800, but not of 400, IU/day, and was accompanied by an expansion of Treg cells in various lymphoid organs and an altered intestinal microbiota signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter-Jan Martens
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Javier Centelles-Lodeiro
- Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Rega-Institute, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Darcy Ellis
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dana Paulina Cook
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Sassi
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Verlinden
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Verstuyf
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Raes
- Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Rega-Institute, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chantal Mathieu
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Conny Gysemans,
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Thuault S, Ghossoub R, David G, Zimmermann P. A Journey on Extracellular Vesicles for Matrix Metalloproteinases: A Mechanistic Perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:886381. [PMID: 35669514 PMCID: PMC9163832 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.886381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in matrix remodeling and their function has been particularly investigated in cancer biology. Indeed, through extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and shedding of diverse cell surface macromolecules, they are implicated in different steps of tumor development, from local expansion by growth to tissue invasion and metastasis. Interestingly, MMPs are also components of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane-limited organelles that cells release in their extracellular environment. These "secreted" vesicles are now well accepted players in cell-to-cell communication. EVs have received a lot of interest in recent years as they are also envisioned as sources of biomarkers and as potentially outperforming vehicles for the delivery of therapeutics. Molecular machineries governing EV biogenesis, cargo loading and delivery to recipient cells are complex and still under intense investigation. In this review, we will summarize the state of the art of our knowledge about the molecular mechanisms implicated in MMP trafficking and secretion. We focus on MT1-MMP, a major effector of invasive cell behavior. We will also discuss how this knowledge is of interest for a better understanding of EV-loading of MMPs. Such knowledge might be of use to engineer novel strategies for cancer treatment. A better understanding of these mechanisms could also be used to design more efficient EV-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Thuault
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Rania Ghossoub
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Guido David
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascale Zimmermann
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2018, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Goos T, Verleden SE, De Sadeleer LJ, Van Herck A, Sacreas A, Vanstapel A, Kaes J, Geudens V, Aelbrecht C, Ruttens D, Lambrechts D, Vermeer S, Ceulemans LJ, Van Raemdonck DE, Godinas L, Yserbyt J, Vanaudenaerde BM, Verleden GM, Vos R, Wuyts WA. The MUC5B Promoter Polymorphism is Not Associated With Non-ILD Chronic Respiratory Diseases or Post-transplant Outcome. Transpl Int 2022; 35:10159. [PMID: 35651878 PMCID: PMC9149783 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The MUC5B promoter polymorphism (rs35705950) has been associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and with prolonged pre-transplant survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but no information is available regarding its prevalence in other respiratory diseases and its influence on post-transplant outcome. We included the Leuven lung transplantation cohort between 1991 and 2015 (n = 801). We assessed the minor allele frequency (MAF) of the MUC5B variant in the entire study cohort and investigated the influence of recipient MUC5B promoter polymorphism on post-transplant outcome in patients who were transplanted after 2004. MUC5B was successfully genotyped in 746 patients. The MAF was significantly higher in ILD (17.6%) compared to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/emphysema (9.3%), cystic fibrosis (CF)/bronchiectasis (BRECT) (7.5%) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (7.4%) (p < 0.001). No association was observed between rs35705950 and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)/graft loss in the ILD population [CLAD: HR 1.37 95% CI (0.70-2.68); graft loss: HR 1.02 95% CI (0.55-1.89)], nor the entire study cohort [CLAD: HR 0.96 95% CI (0.69-1.34); graft loss: HR 0.97 95% CI (0.70-1.35)]. The MUC5B promoter polymorphism is a very specific predictive factor for the presence of pulmonary fibrosis as it is only associated with pulmonary fibrosis and not with other chronic respiratory diseases. While the MUC5B promoter variant is associated with better pre-transplant survival among IPF patients, recipient MUC5B promoter variant does not play a role in post-transplant outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinne Goos
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn E. Verleden
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of ASTARC, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | | | - Anke Van Herck
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelore Sacreas
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arno Vanstapel
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janne Kaes
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincent Geudens
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Aelbrecht
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Ruttens
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sascha Vermeer
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens J. Ceulemans
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk E. Van Raemdonck
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurent Godinas
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonas Yserbyt
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Geert M. Verleden
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Vos
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim A. Wuyts
- BREATHE, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Hulsmans E, Peeters G, Honnay O. Soil Microbiomes in Apple Orchards Are Influenced by the Type of Agricultural Management but Never Match the Complexity and Connectivity of a Semi-natural Benchmark. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:830668. [PMID: 35250946 PMCID: PMC8888915 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.830668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural land may strongly affect the soil microbiome and the functioning of the soil ecosystem. Alternative farming systems, such as organic farming, have therefore been advocated to reduce this impact, yet the outcomes of different agricultural management regimes often remain ambiguous and their evaluations mostly lack a proper more natural benchmark. We used high-throughput amplicon sequencing, linear models, redundancy analyses, and co-occurrence network analyses to investigate the effect of organic and integrated pest management (IPM) on soil fungal and bacterial communities in both the crop and drive rows of apple orchards in Belgium, and we included semi-natural grasslands as a benchmark. Fungi were strongly influenced by agricultural management, with lower diversity indices and distinct communities in IPM compared to organic orchards, whereas IPM orchards had a higher AMF abundance and the most complex and connected fungal communities. Bacterial diversity indices, community composition, and functional groups were less affected by management, with only a higher network connectivity and abundance of keystone taxa in organic drive rows. On the other hand, none of the agricultural soil microbiomes matched the complexity and connectedness of our semi-natural benchmark, demonstrating that even more nature-friendly agricultural management practices strongly affect the soil microbiome and highlighting the essential role of (semi-)natural systems as a harbor of robust and functionally diverse fungal and bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hulsmans
- Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Martens PJ, Ellis D, Bruggeman Y, Viaene M, Laureys J, Teyton L, Mathieu C, Gysemans C. Preventing type 1 diabetes in late-stage pre-diabetic NOD mice with insulin: A central role for alum as adjuvant. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1023264. [PMID: 36339431 PMCID: PMC9630573 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1023264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restoration of immune tolerance to disease-relevant antigens is an appealing approach to prevent or arrest an organ-specific autoimmune disease like type 1 diabetes (T1D). Numerous studies have identified insulin as a key antigen of interest to use in such strategies, but to date, the success of these interventions in humans has been inconsistent. The efficacy of antigen-specific immunotherapy may be enhanced by optimising the dose, timing, and route of administration, and perhaps by the inclusion of adjuvants like alum. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of an insulin peptide vaccine formulated with alum to prevent T1D development in female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice when administered during late-stage pre-diabetes. METHODS Starting at 10 weeks of age, female NOD mice received four weekly subcutaneous injections of an insulin B:8-24 (InsB:8-24) peptide with (Ins+alum) or without Imject® alum (Ins) as adjuvant. Diabetes incidence was assessed for up to 30 weeks of age. Insulin autoantibodies and C-peptide concentrations were measured in plasma and flow cytometric analysis was performed on pancreatic-draining lymph nodes (PLN) and pancreas using an InsB:12-20-reactive tetramer. RESULTS InsB:8-24 peptide formulated in alum reduced diabetes incidence (39%), compared to mice receiving the InsB:8-24 peptide without alum (71%, P < 0.05), mice receiving alum alone (76%, P < 0.01), or mice left untreated (70%, P < 0.01). This was accompanied by reduced insulitis severity, and preservation of C-peptide. Ins+alum was associated with reduced frequencies of pathogenic effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the pancreas and increased frequencies of insulin-reactive FoxP3+ Tregs in the PLN. Of interest, insulin-reactive Tregs were enriched amongst populations of Tregs expressing markers indicative of stable FoxP3 expression and enhanced suppressive function. CONCLUSION An InsB:8-24 peptide vaccine prevented the onset of T1D in late-stage pre-diabetic NOD mice, but only when formulated in alum. These findings support the use of alum as adjuvant to optimise the efficacy of antigen-specific immunotherapy in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter-Jan Martens
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Darcy Ellis
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ylke Bruggeman
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Viaene
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jos Laureys
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Teyton
- Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Chantal Mathieu
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology (CEE), Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Conny Gysemans,
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Loopmans S, Stockmans I, Carmeliet G, Stegen S. Isolation and in vitro characterization of murine young-adult long bone skeletal progenitors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:930358. [PMID: 35979436 PMCID: PMC9376626 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.930358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal stem and progenitor cells (SSPCs) constitute a reservoir of bone-forming cells necessary for bone development, modeling and remodeling, as well as for fracture healing. Recent advances in tools to identify and isolate SSPCs have revealed that cells with multipotent properties are present not only in neonatal bone, but also in adult bone marrow and periosteum. The long bone metaphysis and endosteum have been proposed as an additional SSPC niche, although in vitro approaches to study their cellular and molecular characteristics are still limited. Here, we describe a comprehensive procedure to isolate and culture SSPCs derived from the metaphysis and endosteum of young-adult mice. Based on flow cytometry analysis of known SSPC markers, we found the presence of putative multipotent SSPCs, similar to neonatal bone tissue. In vitro, metaphyseal/endosteal SSPCs possess self-renewing capacity, and their multipotency is underscored by the ability to differentiate into the osteogenic and adipogenic lineage, while chondrogenic potential is limited. Expansion of metaphyseal/endosteal SSPCs under low oxygen conditions increases their proliferation capacity, while progenitor properties are maintained, likely reflecting their hypoxic niche in vivo. Collectively, we propose a validated isolation and culture protocol to study metaphyseal/endosteal SSPC biology in vitro.
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Vanhunsel S, Bergmans S, Beckers A, Etienne I, Van Bergen T, De Groef L, Moons L. The age factor in optic nerve regeneration: Intrinsic and extrinsic barriers hinder successful recovery in the short-living killifish. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13537. [PMID: 34927348 PMCID: PMC8761009 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the mammalian central nervous system matures, its regenerative ability decreases, leading to incomplete or non-recovery from the neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system insults that we are increasingly facing in our aging world population. Current neuroregenerative research is largely directed toward identifying the molecular and cellular players that underlie central nervous system repair, yet it repeatedly ignores the aging context in which many of these diseases appear. Using an optic nerve crush model in a novel biogerontology model, that is, the short-living African turquoise killifish, the impact of aging on injury-induced optic nerve repair was investigated. This work reveals an age-related decline in axonal regeneration in female killifish, with different phases of the repair process being affected depending on the age. Interestingly, as in mammals, both a reduced intrinsic growth potential and a non-supportive cellular environment seem to lie at the basis of this impairment. Overall, we introduce the killifish visual system and its age-dependent regenerative ability as a model to identify new targets for neurorepair in non-regenerating individuals, thereby also considering the effects of aging on neurorepair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Vanhunsel
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research GroupAnimal Physiology and Neurobiology SectionDepartment of BiologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Steven Bergmans
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research GroupAnimal Physiology and Neurobiology SectionDepartment of BiologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - An Beckers
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research GroupAnimal Physiology and Neurobiology SectionDepartment of BiologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | | | | | - Lies De Groef
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research GroupAnimal Physiology and Neurobiology SectionDepartment of BiologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Leuven Brain InstituteLeuvenBelgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research GroupAnimal Physiology and Neurobiology SectionDepartment of BiologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Leuven Brain InstituteLeuvenBelgium
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35
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Vanhevel J, Verlinden L, Loopmans S, Doms S, Janssens I, Bevers S, Stegen S, Wildiers H, Verstuyf A. The Combination of the CDK4/6 Inhibitor, Palbociclib, With the Vitamin D 3 Analog, Inecalcitol, Has Potent In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Effects in Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer, But Has a More Limited Effect in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:886238. [PMID: 35784555 PMCID: PMC9248359 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.886238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Active vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], and its synthetically derived analogs possess potent anticancer properties. In breast cancer (BC) cells, 1,25(OH)2D3 blocks cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through different cell-type specific mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated if the combination of the potent vitamin D3 analog, inecalcitol, with a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib, enhanced the antiproliferative effects of both single compounds in hormone-sensitive (ER+) BC, for which palbociclib treatment is already approved, but also in triple-negative BC (TNBC). Inecalcitol and palbociclib combination treatment decreased cell proliferation in both ER+ (T47D-MCF7) and TNBC (BT20-HCC1143-Hs578T) cells, with a more pronounced antiproliferative effect in the former. In ER+ BC cells, the combination therapy downregulated cell cycle regulatory proteins (p)-Rb and (p)-CDK2 and blocked G1-S phase transition of the cell cycle. Combination treatment upregulated p-mTOR and p-4E-BP1 protein expression in MCF7 cells, whereas it suppressed expression of these proteins in BT20 cells. Cell survival was decreased after inecalcitol treatment either alone or combined in MCF7 cells. Interestingly, the combination therapy upregulated mitochondrial ROS and mitotracker staining in both cell lines. Furthermore, in vivo validation in a MCF7 cell line-derived xenograft mouse model decreased tumor growth and cell cycle progression after combination therapy, but not in a TNBC BT20 cell line-derived xenograft model. In conclusion, we show that addition of a potent vitamin D3 analog to selective CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment results in increased antiproliferative effects in ER+ BC both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Vanhevel
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Verlinden
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shauni Loopmans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Doms
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iris Janssens
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sien Bevers
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steve Stegen
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Wildiers
- Department of General Medical Oncology and Multidisciplinary Breast Center Leuven, University Hospitals (UV) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Verstuyf
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Annemieke Verstuyf,
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Li H, Lismont C, Revenco I, Hussein MAF, Costa CF, Fransen M. The Peroxisome-Autophagy Redox Connection: A Double-Edged Sword? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:814047. [PMID: 34977048 PMCID: PMC8717923 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.814047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes harbor numerous enzymes that can produce or degrade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Depending on its local concentration and environment, this oxidant can function as a redox signaling molecule or cause stochastic oxidative damage. Currently, it is well-accepted that dysfunctional peroxisomes are selectively removed by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This process, known as "pexophagy," may serve a protective role in curbing peroxisome-derived oxidative stress. Peroxisomes also have the intrinsic ability to mediate and modulate H2O2-driven processes, including (selective) autophagy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are multifaceted and have only recently begun to receive the attention they deserve. This review provides a comprehensive overview of what is known about the bidirectional relationship between peroxisomal H2O2 metabolism and (selective) autophagy. After introducing the general concepts of (selective) autophagy, we critically examine the emerging roles of H2O2 as one of the key modulators of the lysosome-dependent catabolic program. In addition, we explore possible relationships among peroxisome functioning, cellular H2O2 levels, and autophagic signaling in health and disease. Finally, we highlight the most important challenges that need to be tackled to understand how alterations in peroxisomal H2O2 metabolism contribute to autophagy-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Li
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celien Lismont
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iulia Revenco
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohamed A. F. Hussein
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Cláudio F. Costa
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Fransen
- Laboratory of Peroxisome Biology and Intracellular Communication, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Nijs M, Smets T, Waelkens E, De Moor B. A mathematical comparison of non-negative matrix factorization related methods with practical implications for the analysis of mass spectrometry imaging data. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2021; 35:e9181. [PMID: 34374141 PMCID: PMC9285509 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) has been used extensively for the analysis of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data, visualizing simultaneously the spatial and spectral distributions present in a slice of tissue. The statistical framework offers two related NMF methods: probabilistic latent semantic analysis (PLSA) and latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), which is a generative model. This work offers a mathematical comparison between NMF, PLSA, and LDA, and includes a detailed evaluation of Kullback-Leibler NMF (KL-NMF) for MSI for the first time. We will inspect the results for MSI data analysis as these different mathematical approaches impose different characteristics on the data and the resulting decomposition. METHODS The four methods (NMF, KL-NMF, PLSA, and LDA) are compared on seven different samples: three originated from mice pancreas and four from human-lymph-node tissues, all obtained using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). RESULTS Where matrix factorization methods are often used for the analysis of MSI data, we find that each method has different implications on the exactness and interpretability of the results. We have discovered promising results using KL-NMF, which has only rarely been used for MSI so far, improving both NMF and PLSA, and have shown that the hitherto stated equivalent KL-NMF and PLSA algorithms do differ in the case of MSI data analysis. LDA, assumed to be the better method in the field of text mining, is shown to be outperformed by PLSA in the setting of MALDI-MSI. Additionally, the molecular results of the human-lymph-node data have been thoroughly analyzed for better assessment of the methods under investigation. CONCLUSIONS We present an in-depth comparison of multiple NMF-related factorization methods for MSI. We aim to provide fellow researchers in the field of MSI a clear understanding of the mathematical implications using each of these analytical techniques, which might affect the exactness and interpretation of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Nijs
- STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing, and Data Analytics, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Tina Smets
- STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing, and Data Analytics, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Etienne Waelkens
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg O&N 2LeuvenBelgium
| | - Bart De Moor
- STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing, and Data Analytics, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Parmar BS, Peeters MKR, Boonen K, Clark EC, Baggerman G, Menschaert G, Temmerman L. Identification of Non-Canonical Translation Products in C. elegans Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Front Genet 2021; 12:728900. [PMID: 34759956 PMCID: PMC8575065 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.728900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome and ribosome sequencing have revealed the existence of many non-canonical transcripts, mainly containing splice variants, ncRNA, sORFs and altORFs. However, identification and characterization of products that may be translated out of these remains a challenge. Addressing this, we here report on 552 non-canonical proteins and splice variants in the model organism C. elegans using tandem mass spectrometry. Aided by sequencing-based prediction, we generated a custom proteome database tailored to search for non-canonical translation products of C. elegans. Using this database, we mined available mass spectrometric resources of C. elegans, from which 51 novel, non-canonical proteins could be identified. Furthermore, we utilized diverse proteomic and peptidomic strategies to detect 40 novel non-canonical proteins in C. elegans by LC-TIMS-MS/MS, of which 6 were common with our meta-analysis of existing resources. Together, this permits us to provide a resource with detailed annotation of 467 splice variants and 85 novel proteins mapped onto UTRs, non-coding regions and alternative open reading frames of the C. elegans genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavesh S. Parmar
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marlies K. R. Peeters
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics (BioBix), Department of Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kurt Boonen
- Centre for Proteomics (CFP), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ellie C. Clark
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Baggerman
- Centre for Proteomics (CFP), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gerben Menschaert
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics (BioBix), Department of Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Brans KI, Almeida RA, Fajgenblat M. Genetic differentiation in pesticide resistance between urban and rural populations of a nontarget freshwater keystone interactor, Daphnia magna. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2541-2552. [PMID: 34745342 PMCID: PMC8549624 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that urbanization drives adaptive evolution in response to thermal gradients. One such example is documented in the water flea Daphnia magna. However, organisms residing in urban lentic ecosystems are increasingly exposed to chemical pollutants such as pesticides through run-off and aerial transportation. The extent to which urbanization drives the evolution of pesticide resistance in aquatic organisms and whether this is impacted by warming and thermal adaptation remains limitedly studied. We performed a common garden rearing experiment using multiple clonal lineages originating from five replicated urban and rural D. magna populations, in which we implemented an acute toxicity test exposing neonates (<24h) to either a solvent control or the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos. Pesticide exposures were performed at two temperatures (20°C vs. 24°C) to test for temperature-associated differences in urbanization-driven evolved pesticide resistance. We identified a strong overall effect of pesticide exposure on Daphnia survival probability (-72.8 percentage points). However, urban Daphnia genotypes showed higher survival probabilities compared to rural ones in the presence of chlorpyrifos (+29.7 percentage points). Our experiment did not reveal strong temperature x pesticide or temperature x pesticide x urbanization background effects on survival probability. The here observed evolution of resistance to an organophosphate pesticide is a first indication Daphnia likely also adapts to pesticide pollution in urban areas. Increased pesticide resistance could facilitate their population persistence in urban ponds, and feed back to ecosystem functions, such as top-down control of algae. In addition, adaptive evolution of nontarget organisms to pest control strategies and occupational pesticide use may modulate how pesticide applications affect genetic and species diversity in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristien I. Brans
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and ConservationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Rafaela A. Almeida
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and ConservationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Maxime Fajgenblat
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution, and ConservationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Klingl YE, Pakravan D, Van Den Bosch L. Opportunities for histone deacetylase inhibition in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1353-1372. [PMID: 32726472 PMCID: PMC9327724 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. ALS patients suffer from a progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to respiratory failure within 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. Available therapies only slow down the disease progression moderately or extend the lifespan by a few months. Epigenetic hallmarks have been linked to the disease, creating an avenue for potential therapeutic approaches. Interference with one class of epigenetic enzymes, histone deacetylases, has been shown to affect neurodegeneration in many preclinical models. Consequently, it is crucial to improve our understanding about histone deacetylases and their inhibitors in (pre)clinical models of ALS. We conclude that selective inhibitors with high tolerability and safety and sufficient blood-brain barrier permeability will be needed to interfere with both epigenetic and non-epigenetic targets of these enzymes. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Neurochemistry in Japan. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne E. Klingl
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven‐University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
| | - Donya Pakravan
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven‐University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven‐University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
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Głowacka IE, Andrei G, Schols D, Snoeck R, Gawron K. Design, Synthesis, and the Biological Evaluation of a New Series of Acyclic 1,2,3-Triazole Nucleosides. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2017; 350:1700166. [PMID: 28763115 PMCID: PMC7161868 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201700166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A new strategy for the synthesis of N3 -benzoylated- and N3 -benzylated N1 -propargylquinazoline-2,4-diones 30a-d and 31a-d from isatoic anhydride 41 is reported. The alkynes 30a-d and 31a-d were applied in the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with azides 27 and 28 to synthesize acyclic 1,2,3-triazole nucleosides. The obtained alkynes and 1,2,3-triazole were evaluated for antiviral activity against a broad range of DNA and RNA viruses. The alkyne 30d showed activity against adenovirus-2 (EC50 = 8.3 μM), while compounds 37a and 37d were also active toward herpes simplex virus-1 wild-type and thymidine kinase deficient (HSV-1 TK- ) strains (EC50 values in the range of 4.6-13.8 μM). In addition, compounds 30a, 30b, 37b, and 37c exhibited activity toward varicella-zoster virus (VZV) TK+ and TK- strains (EC50 = 2.1-9.5 μM). The compound 30b proved to be the most selective against VZV and displayed marginal activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Although the compound 30a had improved anti-HCMV activity, the increase in anti-HCMV activity was accompanied by significant toxicity. Compounds 37a and 37d showed inhibitory effects toward the human T lymphocyte (CEM) cell line (IC50 = 21 ± 7 and 22 ± 1 μM, respectively), while compound 35 exhibited cytostatic activity toward HMEC-1 cells (IC50 = 28 ± 2 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona E. Głowacka
- Bioorganic Chemistry LaboratoryFaculty of PharmacyMedical University of ŁódźŁódźPoland
| | | | | | - Robert Snoeck
- Rega Institute for Medical ResearchKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Katarzyna Gawron
- Bioorganic Chemistry LaboratoryFaculty of PharmacyMedical University of ŁódźŁódźPoland
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