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Passardi A, Azzali I, Bittoni A, Marisi G, Rebuzzi F, Molinari C, Bartolini G, Matteucci L, Sullo FG, Debonis SA, Gallio C, Monti M, Valgiusti M, Muratore M, Rapposelli IG, Ulivi P, Frassineti GL. Inflammatory indices as prognostic markers in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy plus Bevacizumab. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231212184. [PMID: 38107830 PMCID: PMC10722949 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231212184] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Validated predictors of sensitivity or resistance to Bevacizumab (Bev) are not available, and Inflammatory Indexes (IIs) has been reported to be useful prognostic factors in various malignant solid tumours, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Objectives To explore the prognostic value of IIs in mCRC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy plus Bev. Design One hundred and eighty-two patients diagnosed with mCRC and treated with first line chemotherapy plus Bev were considered for this prospective non-pharmacological study. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests were carried out at baseline and before each treatment cycle, according to clinical practice. Methods Pre-treatment Systemic Immune-inflammation Index (SII), Colon Inflammatory Index (CII) and Aspartate aminotransferase-Lymphocyte Ratio Index (ALRI) were evaluated to assess a correlation with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results In the overall population, PFS and OS were lower in patients with high SII (HR 1.64, p = 0.006 and HR 1.75, p = 0.004, respectively) and high ALRI (HR 2.13, p = 0.001 and HR 1.76, p = 0.02, respectively), but no difference was detected according to CII value. The multivariate analysis confirmed both SII and ALRI as independent prognostic factors for PFS (HR 1.64 and 2.82, respectively) and OS (HR 1.65 and 2.12, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrate and confirm that IIs, and in particular SII and ALRI, are easy to measure prognostic markers for patient candidates to first line chemotherapy plus Bev for mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Passardi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Irene Azzali
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bittoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Giorgia Marisi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Francesca Rebuzzi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Chiara Molinari
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giulia Bartolini
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Laura Matteucci
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Francesco Giulio Sullo
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Silvia Angela Debonis
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Chiara Gallio
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Manlio Monti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Martina Valgiusti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Margherita Muratore
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Ilario Giovanni Rapposelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Paola Ulivi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Frassineti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’, Meldola, Italy
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Zhao M, Gao B, Wen A, Feng Y, Lu YQ. Structural basis of λ CII-dependent transcription activation. Structure 2023; 31:968-974.e3. [PMID: 37269829 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.05.008] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The CII protein of bacteriophage λ activates transcription from the phage promoters PRE, PI, and PAQ by binding to two direct repeats that straddle the promoter -35 element. Although genetic, biochemical, and structural studies have elucidated many aspects of λCII-mediated transcription activation, no precise structure of the transcription machinery in the process is available. Here, we report a 3.1-Å cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of an intact λCII-dependent transcription activation complex (TAC-λCII), which comprises λCII, E. coli RNAP-σ70 holoenzyme, and the phage promoter PRE. The structure reveals the interactions between λCII and the direct repeats responsible for promoter specificity and the interactions between λCII and RNAP α subunit C-terminal domain responsible for transcription activation. We also determined a 3.4-Å cryo-EM structure of an RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo-PRE) from the same dataset. Structural comparison between TAC-λCII and RPo-PRE provides new insights into λCII-dependent transcription activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minxing Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Yuan-Qiang Lu
- Department of Emergency Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
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Kumar P, Kumar A, Singh D. CORAL: Development of a hybrid descriptor based QSTR model to predict the toxicity of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds with correlation intensity index and consensus modelling. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 93:103893. [PMID: 35654373 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.103893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, ninety-five halogenated dioxins and related chemicals (dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls, and naphthalene) with endpoint pEC50 were used to develop twelve quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) models using inbuilt Monte Carlo algorithm of CORAL software. The hybrid optimal descriptor of correlation weights (DCW) using a combination of SMILES and HSG (hydrogen suppressed graph) was employed to generate QSTR models. Three target functions i.e. TF1 (WIIC=WCII=0), TF2 (WIIC= 0.3 & WCII=0) and TF3 (WIIC= 0.0 &WCII=0.3) were employed to develop robust QSTR models and the statistical outcomes of each target function were compared with each other. The correlation intensity index (CII) was found a reliable benchmark of the predictive potential for QSTR models. The numerical value of the determination coefficient of the validation set of split 1 computed by TF3 was found highest (RValid2=0.8438). The fragments responsible for the toxicity of dioxins and related chemicals were also identified in terms of the promoter of increase/decrease for pEC50. Three random splits (Split 1, Split 2 and Split 4) were selected for the extraction of the promoter of increase/decrease for pEC50. In the last, consensus modelling was performed using the intelligent consensus tool of DTC lab (https://dtclab.webs.com/software-tools). The original consensus model, which was created by combining four distinct models employing the split 4 arrangement, was more predictive for the validation set and the numerical value of the determination coefficient of the test set (validation set) was increased from 0.8133 to 0.9725. For the validation set of split 4, the mean absolute error (MAE 100%) was also lowered from 0.513 to 0.2739.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana 136119, India.
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana 125001, India.
| | - Devender Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
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Zimmerman A, Bikdash R, Rauck R. Conversion of Schedule II Opioids to Buprenorphine Buccal Film: A Retrospective Analysis. Pain Med 2021; 22:1109-1115. [PMID: 32914182 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide clinical data for the conversion of Schedule II opioids to buprenorphine buccal film and to demonstrate sustained analgesia and a reduction in morphine milligram equivalents after conversion. DESIGN Retrospective review of electronic medical records. SETTING Group clinical practice providing outpatient chronic pain management care in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. SUBJECTS Patients who received opioids for chronic pain between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019, were selected for chart review if they were converted to buprenorphine buccal film from a Schedule II opioid. METHODS Patients who met inclusion criteria were stratified into subgroups on the basis of preconversion morphine milligram equivalents, whether they remained on opioids for breakthrough pain postconversion, and pre- and postconversion numerical rating scale pain scores. Outcomes of interest included the differences between pre- and postconversion numerical rating scale pain scores and daily morphine milligram equivalents for each subgroup. RESULTS Of 157 patients reviewed, 87.9% were successfully converted to buprenorphine buccal film. Overall, numerical rating scale pain scores were stable after conversion. Statistically significant reductions were demonstrated in the <90 daily morphine milligram equivalent subgroup. Postconversion daily morphine milligram equivalents decreased by 85.4% from baseline. Change in daily morphine milligram equivalents is representative of patients who remained on breakthrough pain medication. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate continued analgesia after conversion to buprenorphine buccal film despite reductions in daily morphine milligram equivalents. Most patients were able to convert directly from their long-acting opioid to buprenorphine buccal film and stabilized without the use of concomitant opioids for breakthrough pain. Aggressive titration strategies were associated with greater success.
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Alwazzan MJ, Ismael MA, Ahmed AN. A Hybrid Algorithm to Enhance Colour Retinal Fundus Images Using a Wiener Filter and CLAHE. J Digit Imaging 2021; 34:750-9. [PMID: 33885992 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-021-00447-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital images used in the field of ophthalmology are among the most important methods for automatic detection of certain eye diseases. These processes include image enhancement as a primary step to assist optometrists in identifying diseases. Therefore, many algorithms and methods have been developed for the enhancement of retinal fundus images, which may experience challenges that typically accompany enhancement processes, such as artificial borders and dim lighting that mask image details. To eliminate these problems, a new algorithm is proposed in this paper based on separating colour images into three channels (red, green, and blue). The green channel is passed through a Wiener filter and reinforced using the CLAHE technique before merging with the original red and blue channels. Reducing the green channel noise with this approach is proven effective over the other colour channels. Results from the Contrast Improvement Index (CII) and linear index of fuzziness (r) test indicate the success of the proposed algorithm compared with alternate algorithms in the application of improving blood vessel imagery and other details within ten test fundus images selected from the DRIVER database.
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Chen Q, Zhang X, Xiong Y, Chen C, Lv S. The CD25+/CD4+ T cell ratio and levels of CII, CIX and CXI antibodies in serum may serve as biomarkers of pristane-induced arthritis in rats and Rheumatoid Arthritis in humans. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 217:25-31. [PMID: 30472493 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Collagen antibodies in serum are involved in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to identify the subtype of collagen antibodies and T cell subtype distribution in pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) and to clarify their roles in the initiation and maintenance of arthritis. METHODS Arthritis was induced in Dark Agouti (DA) rats by injection of pristane. The severity was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic score systems. The alteration of CD25+/CD4+ T cell ratio in rats was detected by flow cytometry. Collagen type II (CII), CIX, or CXI antibody in serum was determined by ELISA. The levels of Nitric oxide (NO) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were measured by kits. RESULTS The serum levels of CII, CIX, CXI antibodies were significantly increased in RA patients while slightly increased in PIA rats. The ratio of CD25+/CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in RA rats than that in the control group. The serum levels of NO and TRAP in PIA rats and RA patients were higher than that in the control groups, which suggested that the activity of osteoclast was increased in RA. CONCLUSION The ratio of CD25+/CD4+ T cells plays a pivotal role in the development of PIA. The serum levels of NO and TRAP are inflammatory and osteoclast activity indicators. The serum levels of CII, CIX and CXI antibodies may serve as the clinical diagnostic indicators. These findings are important to our understanding of the pathogenesis of RA, and may provide biomarkers of RA diagnosis and therapeutic targets for the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Chen
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, P.R. China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, P.R. China
| | - Yongmin Xiong
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, P.R. China.
| | - Chen Chen
- Endocrinology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Shemin Lv
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, P.R. China
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Tong D, Lönnblom E, Yau ACY, Nandakumar KS, Liang B, Ge C, Viljanen J, Li L, Bãlan M, Klareskog L, Chagin AS, Gjertsson I, Kihlberg J, Zhao M, Holmdahl R. A Shared Epitope of Collagen Type XI and Type II Is Recognized by Pathogenic Antibodies in Mice and Humans with Arthritis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:451. [PMID: 29706949 PMCID: PMC5906551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Collagen XI (CXI) is a heterotrimeric molecule with triple helical structure in which the α3(XI) chain is identical to the α1(II) chain of collagen II (CII), but with extensive posttranslational modifications. CXI molecules are intermingled in the cartilage collagen fibers, which are mainly composed of CII. One of the alpha chains in CXI is shared with CII and contains the immunodominant T cell epitope, but it is unclear whether there are shared B cell epitopes as the antibodies tend to recognize the triple helical structures. Methods Mice expressing the susceptible immune response gene Aq were immunized with CII or CXI. Serum antibody responses were measured, monoclonal antibodies were isolated and analyzed for specificity to CII, CXI, and triple helical collagen peptides using bead-based multiplex immunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blots. Arthritogenicity of the antibodies was investigated by passive transfer experiments. Results Immunization with CII or CXI leads to a strong T and B cell response, including a cross-reactive response to both collagen types. Immunization with CII leads to severe arthritis in mice, with a response toward CXI at the chronic stage, whereas CXI immunization induces very mild arthritis only. A series of monoclonal antibodies to CXI were isolated and of these, the L10D9 antibody bound to both CXI and CII equally strong, with a specific binding for the D3 epitope region of α3(XI) or α1(II) chain. The L10D9 antibody binds cartilage in vivo and induced severe arthritis. In contrast, the L5F3 antibody only showed weak binding and L7D8 antibody has no binding to cartilage and did not induce arthritis. The arthritogenic L10D9 antibody bound to an epitope shared with CII, the triple helical D3 epitope. Antibody levels to the shared D3 epitope were elevated in the sera from mice with arthritis as well as in rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion CXI is immunologically not exposed in healthy cartilage but contains T and B cell epitopes cross-reactive with CII, which could be activated in both mouse and human arthritis and could evoke an arthritogenic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Tong
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory for Shock and Microcirculation Research of Guangdong, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Immunopharmacology Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Erik Lönnblom
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anthony C Y Yau
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kutty Selva Nandakumar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Medical Immunopharmacology Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bibo Liang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory for Shock and Microcirculation Research of Guangdong, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changrong Ge
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Viljanen
- Department of Chemistry-Biomedical Center, Section of Organic Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mirela Bãlan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section of Vascular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Klareskog
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrei S Chagin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inger Gjertsson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry-Biomedical Center, Section of Organic Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory for Shock and Microcirculation Research of Guangdong, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rikard Holmdahl
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Medical Immunopharmacology Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Mootoosamy A, Fawzi Mahomoodally M. Ethnomedicinal application of native remedies used against diabetes and related complications in Mauritius. J Ethnopharmacol 2013; 151:413-444. [PMID: 24231070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Notoriously, the tropical island of Mauritius has one of the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide and the economic burden associated with it is alarming. The use of native remedies (NRs) is well anchored in the local culture and it continues to be the cornerstone of therapy for diabetic patients. However, there is currently a dearth of updated primary data on NRs used by Mauritians against diabetes and diabetes related complications (DRCs). This study was therefore designed to record, analyze and document orally transmitted ethnopharmacological knowledge from diabetic patients and traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) in Mauritius concerning NRs commonly used against diabetes and DRCs which might open new avenues to initiate novel antidiabetic drugs discovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data was collected following interviews from diabetic patients (n=328) and TMPs (n=20). Eleven quantitative indexes, namely informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR), cultural agreement index (CAI), quality use value (QUV), quality use agreement value (QUAV) and ethnobotanicity index (EI) were calculated. Statistical analysis such as Pearson correlation and Chi-squared test were performed to determine any association. RESULTS A total of 111 plant species distributed over 56 families, 30 polyherbal formulations and 16 animal species were documented to be traditionally used against diabetes and DRCs. For the first time 8 endemic plants have been recorded to be used against diabetes and DRCs from Mauritius. The most encountered medicinal plant family was Asteraceae. According to the EI, 16.2% of the native plants in Mauritius were used against diabetes and DRCs. As far as we know, Vangueria madagascariensis, Apium graveolens, Petroselinum crispum and Rubus alceifolius with high RFC values are recorded against diabetes and DRCs for the first time. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, income, religious belief, education and residence) were found to significantly (p<0.05) influence the use of NRs. The average FIC for all ailments for plant and animal products were 0.94 and 0.87 respectively. Bryophyllum pinnatum, a native plant to Mauritius scored a high FL value (100%) used against diabetic neuropathy, Allium sativum had the highest RI value (2.00) due to its versatility, Aloe vera had the highest RFC (0.61), the CII (0.640) and the highest CAI value (0.635), Psidium guajava had the highest QUAV (0.961) which indicates its high bioactivity and Allium cepa was reported as the most effective plant species (QUV=0.965). According to UV, the most important species was Morinda citrifolia (1.21). Panoply of animal products were reported whereby fish (39.7%) was recorded as the most utilised zootherapy and Salmo salar scored the highest FL (100%) for diabetes. Some animal species (n=14) not previously documented against diabetes and DRCs are reported in the present study. CONCLUSION Our present investigation revealed that the use of NRs constitutes the common legacy of Mauritians and despite the penetration of allopathic medicine; NRs continue to play a crucial role in the primary health care system of Mauritius. To this effect, it is of uttermost importance to record this knowledge before it disappears. In addition, further experimental investigations are required to elucidate the pharmacological properties of the reported medicinal flora and fauna of Mauritius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Mootoosamy
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit 230, Mauritius
| | - M Fawzi Mahomoodally
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit 230, Mauritius.
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Murata Y, Saito Y, Kaneko T, Kotani T, Kaneko Y, Ohnishi H, Matozaki T. Autoimmune animal models in the analysis of the CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway. Methods 2013; 65:254-9. [PMID: 24091004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), also known as SHPS-1/SIRPA, is an immunoglobulin superfamily protein that binds to the protein tyrosine phosphatases Shp1 and Shp2 through its cytoplasmic region and is predominantly expressed in dendritic cells and macrophages. CD47, a widely expressed transmembrane protein, is a ligand for SIRPα, with the two proteins constituting a cell-cell communication system. It was previously demonstrated that the CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway is important for prevention of clearance by splenic macrophages of red blood cells or platelets from the bloodstream. In addition, this signaling pathway is also implicated in homeostatic regulation of dendritic cells and development of autoimmunity. Here we describe the detailed protocols for methods that were used in our recent studies to study the role of the CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway in autoimmunity. We also demonstrate that hematopoietic SIRPα as well as nonhematopoietic CD47 are important for development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Thus, we here strengthen the importance of experimental animal models as well as other methods for the study of molecular pathogenesis of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoji Murata
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Saito
- Laboratory of Biosignal Sciences, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan; Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kaneko
- Laboratory of Biosignal Sciences, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan
| | - Takenori Kotani
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yoriaki Kaneko
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohnishi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8514, Japan
| | - Takashi Matozaki
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; Laboratory of Biosignal Sciences, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8512, Japan.
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Klementiev B, Enevoldsen MN, Li S, Carlsson R, Liu Y, Issazadeh-Navikas S, Bock E, Berezin V. Antiinflammatory properties of a peptide derived from interleukin-4. Cytokine 2013; 64:112-21. [PMID: 23972727 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a potent antiinflammatory cytokine. However its use in the clinic is hampered by side effects. We here describe the identification of a novel synthetic peptide, termed Ph8, derived from α-helix C of IL-4, which interacts with IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα). Employing various cultured genetically engineered cell lines and primary lymphocytes, surface plasmon resonance, qPCR, ELISA and immunoblotting techniques we found that Ph8 bound IL-4Rα and mimicked the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-4 by inhibiting TNF-α production by macrophages in vitro. It induced phosphorylation of STAT6 65kD but inhibited phosphorylation of STAT6 110 kD induced by IL-4 in a B-cell line that expressed the type I receptor. It also inhibited the IL-4-stimulated expression of a STAT6-inducible reporter gene in cells that expressed the type II receptor. Ph8 inhibited the proliferation of Th1/2 cells and downregulated the production of IFN-γ in stimulated Th1 cells. Moreover, Ph8 did not induce any shift in Th1/Th2 profile. This is a favorable effect and it is indicating that Ph8 could block general T cell activation and inflammatory responses without further inducing the side effects generally associated with IL-4 signaling. These data collectively show that Ph8 is only a partial agonist of IL-4 mimicking its desirable properties. In agreement, Ph8 treatment of rats with collagen-induced arthritis, a Th1- and antibody- mediated disease of joint, delayed the manifestation of chronic inflammation and reduced acute inflammation in carrageenan-induced edema. Our findings indicate that Ph8 is a promising potential drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Klementiev
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hall A, Larsen AK, Parhamifar L, Meyle KD, Wu LP, Moghimi SM. High resolution respirometry analysis of polyethylenimine-mediated mitochondrial energy crisis and cellular stress: Mitochondrial proton leak and inhibition of the electron transport system. Biochim Biophys Acta 2013; 1827:1213-25. [PMID: 23850549 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylenimines (PEIs) are highly efficient non-viral transfectants, but can induce cell death through poorly understood necrotic and apoptotic processes as well as autophagy. Through high resolution respirometry studies in H1299 cells we demonstrate that the 25kDa branched polyethylenimine (25k-PEI-B), in a concentration and time-dependent manner, facilitates mitochondrial proton leak and inhibits the electron transport system. These events were associated with gradual reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. The intracellular ATP levels further declined as a consequence of PEI-mediated plasma membrane damage and subsequent ATP leakage to the extracellular medium. Studies with freshly isolated mouse liver mitochondria corroborated with bioenergetic findings and demonstrated parallel polycation concentration- and time-dependent changes in state 2 and state 4o oxygen flux as well as lowered ADP phosphorylation (state 3) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. Polycation-mediated reduction of electron transport system activity was further demonstrated in 'broken mitochondria' (freeze-thawed mitochondrial preparations). Moreover, by using both high-resolution respirometry and spectrophotometry analysis of cytochrome c oxidase activity we were able to identify complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) as a likely specific site of PEI mediated inhibition within the electron transport system. Unraveling the mechanisms of PEI-mediated mitochondrial energy crisis is central for combinatorial design of safer polymeric non-viral gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldur Hall
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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