Temporal and structural sensitivities of major biomarkers for detecting neuropathology after traumatic brain injury in the mouse

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in teenagers to young adults. In recent decades, different biomarkers and/or staining protocols have been employed to evaluate the post-injury development of pathological structures, but they have produced many contradictory findings. Since correctly identifying the underlying neuroanatomical changes is critical to advancing TBI research, we compared three commonly used markers for their ability to detect TBI pathological structures: Fluoro-Jade C, the rabbit monoclonal antibody Y188 against amyloid precursor protein and the NeuroSilver kit were used to stain adjacent slices from naïve or injured mouse brains harvested at different time points from 30 min to 3 months after lateral fluid percussion injury. Although not all pathological structures were stained by all markers at all time points, we found damaged neurons and deformed dendrites in gray matter, punctate and perivascular structures in white matter, and axonal blebs and Wallerian degeneration in both gray and white matter. The present study demonstrates the temporal and structural sensitivities of the three biomarkers: each marker is highly effective for a set of pathological structures, each of which in turn emerges at a particular time point. Furthermore, the different biomarkers showed different abilities at detecting identical types of pathological structures. In contrast to previous studies that have used a single biomarker at a single time range, the present report strongly recommends that a combination of different biomarkers should be adopted and different time points need to be checked when assessing neuropathology after TBI.

Chlorination (but Not UV Disinfection) Generates Cell Debris that Increases Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Gene Transfer via Proximal Adsorption to Recipients and Upregulated Transformation Genes

To advance the understanding of antibiotic resistance propagation from wastewater treatment plants, it is important to elucidate how different effluent disinfection processes affect the dissemination of predominantly extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs). Here, we show that, by facilitating proximal adsorption to recipient cells, bacterial debris generated by chlorination (but not by UV irradiation) increases the natural transformation frequency of their adsorbed eARG by 2.9 to 7.2-fold relative to free eARGs. This is because chlorination increases the bacterial surface roughness by 1.1 to 6.7-fold and the affinity toward eARGs by 1.6 to 5.8-fold, and 98% of the total eARGs released after chlorination were adsorbed to cell debris. In contrast, UV irradiation released predominantly free eARGs with 18% to 56% lower transformation frequency. The collision theory indicates that the ARG donor-recipient collision frequency increased by 35.1-fold for eARGs adsorbed onto chlorination-generated bacterial debris, and the xDLVO model infers a 29% lower donor-recipient contact energy barrier for these ARGs. Exposure to chlorination-generated bacterial debris also upregulated genes associated with natural transformation in Vibrio vulnificus (e.g., tfoX encoding the major activator of natural transformation) by 2.6 to 5.2-fold, likely due to the generation of chlorinated molecules (5.1-fold higher Cl content after chlorination) and persistent reactive species (e.g., carbon-centered radicals) on bacterial debris. Increased proximal eARG adsorption to bacterial debris was also observed in the secondary effluent after chlorination; this decreased eARG decay by 64% and increased the relative abundance of ARGs by 7.2-fold. Overall, this study highlights that different disinfection approaches can result in different physical states of eARGs that affect their resulting dissemination potential via transformation.

Phagocytosis by Peripheral Glia: Importance for Nervous System Functions and Implications in Injury and Disease

The central nervous system (CNS) has very limited capacity to regenerate after traumatic injury or disease. In contrast, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) has far greater capacity for regeneration. This difference can be partly attributed to variances in glial-mediated functions, such as axon guidance, structural support, secretion of growth factors and phagocytic activity. Due to their growth-promoting characteristic, transplantation of PNS glia has been trialed for neural repair. After peripheral nerve injuries, Schwann cells (SCs, the main PNS glia) phagocytose myelin debris and attract macrophages to the injury site to aid in debris clearance. One peripheral nerve, the olfactory nerve, is unique in that it continuously regenerates throughout life. The olfactory nerve glia, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), are the primary phagocytes within this nerve, continuously clearing axonal debris arising from the normal regeneration of the nerve and after injury. In contrast to SCs, OECs do not appear to attract macrophages. SCs and OECs also respond to and phagocytose bacteria, a function likely critical for tackling microbial invasion of the CNS via peripheral nerves. However, phagocytosis is not always effective; inflammation, aging and/or genetic factors may contribute to compromised phagocytic activity. Here, we highlight the diverse roles of SCs and OECs with the focus on their phagocytic activity under physiological and pathological conditions. We also explore why understanding the contribution of peripheral glia phagocytosis may provide us with translational strategies for achieving axonal regeneration of the injured nervous system and potentially for the treatment of certain neurological diseases.

Microglial responses after phagocytosis: Escherichia coli bioparticles, but not cell debris or amyloid beta, induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion in cultured rat primary microglial cells

Upon infection or brain damage, microglia are activated to play roles in immune responses, including phagocytosis and soluble factor release. However, little is known whether the event of phagocytosis could be a trigger for releasing soluble factors from microglia. In this study, we tested if microglia secrete a neurovascular mediator matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after phagocytosis in vitro. Primary microglial cultures were prepared from neonatal rat brains. Cultured microglia phagocytosed Escherichia coli bioparticles within 2 hr after incubation and started to secrete MMP-9 at around 12 hr after the phagocytosis. A TLR4 inhibitor TAK242 suppressed the E. coli-bioparticle-induced MMP-9 secretion. However, TAK242 did not change the engulfment of E. coli bioparticles in microglial cultures. Because lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of E. coli, also induced MMP-9 secretion in a dose-response manner and because the response was inhibited by TAK242 treatment, we assumed that the LPS-TLR4 pathway, which was activated by adhering to the substance, but not through the engulfing process of phagocytosis, would play a role in releasing MMP-9 from microglia after E. coli bioparticle treatment. To support the finding that the engulfing step would not be a critical trigger for MMP-9 secretion after the event of phagocytosis in microglia, we confirmed that cell debris and amyloid beta were both captured into microglia via phagocytosis, but neither of them induced MMP-9 secretion from microglia. Taken together, these data demonstrate that microglial response in MMP-9 secretion after phagocytosis differs depending on the types of particles/substances that microglia encountered.

Phagocytosis of Necrotic Debris at Sites of Injury and Inflammation

Clearance of cellular debris is required to maintain the homeostasis of multicellular organisms. It is intrinsic to processes such as tissue growth and remodeling, regeneration and resolution of injury and inflammation. Most of the removal of effete and damaged cells is performed by macrophages and neutrophils through phagocytosis, a complex phenomenon involving ingestion and degradation of the disposable particles. The study of the clearance of cellular debris has been strongly biased toward the removal of apoptotic bodies; as a result, the mechanisms underlying the removal of necrotic cells have remained relatively unexplored. Here, we will review the incipient but growing knowledge of the phagocytosis of necrotic debris, from their recognition and engagement to their internalization and disposal. Critical insights into these events were gained recently through the development of new in vitro and in vivo models, along with advances in live-cell and intravital microscopy. This review addresses the classes of "find-me" and "eat-me" signals presented by necrotic cells and their cognate receptors in phagocytes, which in most cases differ from the extensively characterized counterparts in apoptotic cell engulfment. The roles of damage-associated molecular patterns, chemokines, lipid mediators, and complement components in recruiting and activating phagocytes are reviewed. Lastly, the physiological importance of necrotic cell removal is emphasized, highlighting the key role of impaired debris clearance in autoimmunity.

Use of Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase Immobilized in Cell Debris for the Production of Lipolyzed Milk Fat (LMF)

Lipase immobilized on Yarrowia lipolytica cell debris after sonication of yeast cells (LipImDebri) was used in hydrolysis reaction as a novel strategy to produce lipolyzed milk fat (LMF). Extracellular (4732.1 U/L), intracellular (130.0 U/g), and cell debris (181.0 U/g) lipases were obtained in a 4 L bioreactor using residual frying oil as inducer in 24 h fermentation process. LipImDebri showed a good operational stability retaining 70% of lipolytic activity after the second cycle and 40% after the fourth. The highest degree of hydrolysis (28%) was obtained with 500 mg LipImDebri for 6 h of lipolysis of anhydrous milk fat. LMF produced with LipImDebri presented high contents of oleic (35.2%), palmitic (25.0%), and stearic (15.4%) acids and considerable amounts of odor-active short and medium chain fatty acids (C:4⁻C:10) (8.13%).

Cancer Protrusions on a Tightrope: Nanofiber Curvature Contrast Quantitates Single Protrusion Dynamics

Cell migration is studied with the traditional focus on protrusion-driven cell body displacement, while less is known on morphodynamics of individual protrusions themselves, especially in fibrous environments mimicking extracellular matrix. Here, using suspended fibers, we report integrative and multiscale abilities to study protrusive behavior independent of cell body migration. By manipulating the diameter of fibers in orthogonal directions, we constrain cell migration along large diameter (2 μm) base fibers, while solely allowing cells to sense, initiate, and mature protrusions on orthogonally deposited high-curvature/low diameter (∼100, 200, and 600 nm) protrusive fibers and low-curvature (∼300 and 600 nm width) protrusive flat ribbons. In doing so, we report a set of morphodynamic metrics that precisely quantitate protrusion dynamics. Protrusion growth and maturation occur by rapid broadening at the base to achieve long lengths, a behavior dramatically influenced by curvature. While flat ribbons universally induce the formation of broad and long protrusions, we quantitatively protrutype protrusive behavior of two highly invasive cancer cell lines and find breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) to exhibit sensitivity to fiber curvature higher than that of brain glioblastoma DBTRG-05MG. Furthermore, while actin and microtubules localize within protrusions of all sizes, we quantify protrusion size-driven localization of vimentin and, contrary to current understanding, report that vimentin is not required to form protrusions. Using multiple protrusive fibers, we quantify high coordination between hierarchical branches of individual protrusions and describe how the spatial configuration of multiple protrusions regulates cell migratory state. Finally, we describe protrusion-driven shedding and collection of cytoplasmic debris.

Inflammaging and 'Garb-aging'

'Inflammaging' refers to the chronic, low-grade inflammation that characterizes aging. Inflammaging is macrophage centered, involves several tissues and organs, including the gut microbiota, and is characterized by a complex balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Based on literature data, we argue that the major source of inflammatory stimuli is represented by endogenous/self, misplaced, or altered molecules resulting from damaged and/or dead cells and organelles (cell debris), recognized by receptors of the innate immune system. While their production is physiological and increases with age, their disposal by the proteasome via autophagy and/or mitophagy progressively declines. This 'autoreactive/autoimmune' process fuels the onset or progression of chronic diseases that can accelerate and propagate the aging process locally and systemically. Consequently, inflammaging can be considered a major target for antiaging strategies.

Flow-dependent entrapment of large bioparticles in porous process media

The need for purification of biomolecules extends to larger bioparticles as well. For example, virus purification is required for production of many vaccines and gene delivery vectors, and understanding virus removal in porous media is also important in downstream processing of therapeutic proteins and in purification of water in soils. A convective entrapment mechanism for retention of large bioparticles is discussed here based on retention of such bioparticles in pore constrictions at high enough flow rates, even under non-binding conditions. A simple equation to predict whether such entrapment is expected to occur in a given system is derived based on a Péclet number that is proportional to the flow rate and to the cube of the bioparticle diameter. To test the theory, adenovirus was spiked onto chromatographic beds. As expected from the theory, under non-interacting conditions a progressively larger amount of virus becomes trapped with increasing flow rate. The entrapment is reversible upon flow rate reduction, which, within the proposed model, is based on the possibility of diffusive escape from pore constrictions. This mechanism can be exploited for virus purification or removal, and the theory is also consistent with the anecdotal evidence that monoliths and membranes are more difficult to clean than conventional chromatographic beds, especially at high flow rates.