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At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

Discovery of novel peptide/receptor interactions: identification of PHM-27 as a potent agonist of the human calcitonin receptor.

Many naturally occurring peptides exhibit a high degree of promiscuity across G-protein coupled receptor subtypes. The degree to which this phenomenon occurs, and its physiological significance is not well characterized. In addition, many 'orphan' peptides exist for which there are no known receptors. Therefore, to identify novel interactions between biologically active peptides and G-protein coupled receptors, a library of nearly 200 peptides was screened against the human calcitonin (hCTr), human Parathyroid Hormone (PTH1R), human Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF1), and the human Glucagon-like peptide (GLP1) receptors using a cell-based functional assay (Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology). Functional profiling revealed that the 'orphan peptide' PHM-27 selectively activated the hCTr; no activity was observed at the PTH1, CRF1, or GLP1 receptors. PHM-27 was a potent agonist at the hCTr, with similar efficacy as human calcitonin, and a potency of 11 nM. These results were confirmed in cyclic AMP assays. Responses to calcitonin and PHM-27 could be suppressed by the antagonist salmon calcitonin (8-32). In competition binding studies, salmon calcitonin (8-32), calcitonin, and PHM-27 were each able to inhibit (125)I-calcitonin from cell membranes containing transiently expressed hCTr. These results indicate that the orphan peptide PHM-27 is a potent agonist at the hCTr.

3T3 Cells↗

Clinical sequelae of gut microbiome development and disruption in hospitalized preterm infants.

Aberrant preterm infant gut microbiota assembly predisposes to early-life disorders and persistent health problems. Here, we characterize gut microbiome dynamics over the first 3 months of life in 236 preterm infants hospitalized in three neonatal intensive care units using shotgun metagenomics of 2,512 stools and metatranscriptomics of 1,381 stools. Strain tracking, taxonomic and functional profiling, and comprehensive clinical metadata identify Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, and staphylococci as primarily exploiting available niches to populate the gut microbiome. Clostridioides difficile lineages persist between individuals in single centers, and Staphylococcus epidermidis lineages persist within and, unexpectedly, between centers. Collectively, antibiotic and non-antibiotic medications influence gut microbiome composition to greater extents than maternal or baseline variables. Finally, we identify a persistent low-diversity gut microbiome in neonates who develop necrotizing enterocolitis after day of life 40. Overall, we comprehensively describe gut microbiome dynamics in response to medical interventions in preterm, hospitalized neonates.

Humans↗

Gestational diabetes: a condition of early diastolic abnormalities in young women.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not merely a temporary condition, but a harbinger of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atherosclerotic disease. We examined the effect of GDM on cardiac diastolic function. METHODS: Diastolic function was evaluated by serial Doppler echocardiography with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in 13 patients with GDM and 13 healthy pregnant women (control group) during the third trimester of pregnancy and after 8 weeks postpartum. Diagnostic criteria for GDM were those as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Exclusion criteria were any disease or condition that could interfere with diastolic function. Measurements at both times in each group were compared by paired t tests and changes of patients with diabetes were compared with those in control patients by unpaired t tests. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, left ventricular mass, or systolic function between groups. The Doppler parameters that showed significant difference between groups were higher atrial contraction wave (A wave) (P = .008) and lower rapid filling wave (E)/A ratio (P = .006) in diabetic group, on both occasions. Tissue Doppler parameters showed a significant decrease in Em (P = .002) and early mitral annulus velocity (Em)/late mitral annulus velocity (Am) (P = .008) in diabetic group on both occasions, and the Am wave remained increased only in the diabetic group at postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GDM showed a different diastolic function profile, suggesting a mild degree of diastolic abnormality. The persistence of some abnormalities postpartum corroborates our hypothesis of an early cardiovascular involvement in this group, enhancing the need of a close cardiovascular follow-up of these patients.

Adult↗

High clopidogrel loading dose during coronary stenting: effects on drug response and interindividual variability.

AIM: To assess platelet inhibitory effects, interindividual variability in platelet inhibition as well as response to a 600 mg, compared to a standard 300 mg, clopidogrel loading dose (LD) after coronary stenting METHODS AND RESULTS: Platelet function profiles were assessed in 50 patients undergoing coronary stenting receiving either a 300 mg (n=27) or 600 mg clopidogrel LD. ADP (6 microM) and collagen (6 microg/mL) induced platelet aggregation, as well as ADP (2 microM) induced glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa activation and P-selectin expression were assessed at baseline and 4, 24, and 48 h following clopidogrel front-loading. A more intense and rapid inhibition of platelet activation (both GP IIb/IIIa activation and P-selectin expression) were achieved using a 600 mg, compared to a 300 mg, LD throughout the entire 48 hours (p<0.001). Although there were no differences in platelet aggregation, overall a 600 mg LD increased the number of clopidogrel responders and this was also achieved earlier compared to a 300 mg LD. A 600 mg LD did not reduce interindividual variability of platelet response. CONCLUSION: The use of a 600 mg clopidogrel LD in patients undergoing coronary stenting optimises platelet inhibitory effects early after intervention and may provide a more effective protection against early thrombotic complications.

Blood Platelets↗

Synthesis and 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A) receptor activity of new beta-tetralonohydantoins.

A series of new 3-[4-(4-arylpiperazinyl)-butyl]-beta-tetralonohydantoins (8a-13a) were synthesized. The compounds exhibited high affinity for 5-HT(1A) receptors (K(i)=6 to 55 nM) combined with moderate-to-high 5-HT(2A) receptor affinities (K(i)=45 to 213 nM). The results of in vivo studies indicated that of the compounds tested, 3-[4-(4-phenylpiperazinyl)-butyl-beta-tetralonohydantoin (8a) showed features of full (pre- and postsynaptic) 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists, whereas compounds 9a-13a behaved like antagonists of postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors; additionally, compound 13a produced an effect characteristic of presynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists. Moreover, compounds 8a and 10a-13a exhibited properties of 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists. Due to the most interesting 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(2A) functional profile compounds 8a and 13a were further tested for their potential psychotropic activity. In fact, compound 8a (but not 13a) showed diazepam-like anxiolytic activity and behaved like a weak antidepressant.

Animals↗

A novel strategy to identify the regulatory DNA-organized cooperations among transcription factors.

To identify the functional contributions of cooperations among transcription factors on regulatory DNA is critical for understanding transcription activation. But so far there is a great lack of effective identifying methods. Here we describe a novel strategy, based on comprehensively perturbed experiments and a computational model, to identify the cooperations among NF-kappaB (p65), CREB, and AP-1 in transcription activation of human cytomegalovirus major IE1 promoter/enhancer (MIEP). In this strategy, functional profiles of protein-MIEP association and RNA synthesis are achieved through comprehensively perturbing the association of p65, CREB or AP-1 with MIEP and then subjected to the computational model. Consequently, the 'real' cooperations contributing to MIEP activation are found to comprise five but not seven types of potential cooperations. Thus, our research provides a facile systematic approach to identifying the DNA-organized cooperations among transcription factors and understanding transcription activation.

Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein↗

Hepatitis A viral genotypes and clinical relevance: Clinical and molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus isolates from northern India.

Viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a worldwide disease; in most cases, it causes an acute self-limited illness. The nucleotide sequence analysis of HAV has classified the virus in seven different genotypes, which include human (I-III and VII) and simian (IV-VI) groups. Most human strains belong to the genotype I, which has been divided into sub-genotypes IA and IB. The present study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of HAV genotypes from northern India and to correlate with their clinical characteristics. Peripheral venous blood collected from 546 cases of acute viral hepatitis was employed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the serological detection of hepatitis A-C and E viruses. A nested reverse transcription RT-PCR was performed to detect HAV genome, and the positive samples were sequenced to determine the HAV genotypes. Of 73 (13.4%) cases positive for IgM anti-HAV, 29 (39.7%) were positive for HAV RNA. Genotyping was done for 27 (93%) positive cases by direct nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 15 (55.6%) isolates belonged to genotype 1A, while 12 (44.4%) isolates to IIIA genotype. The results suggest that both genotypes IA and IIIA are almost equally prevalent in northern India. A significant difference was observed with respect to the mean liver-function profile between the IgM anti-HAV-positive and the IgM anti-HAV-negative (includes hepatitis B (153), hepatitis C (57), hepatitis E (153) and unclassified (136)) cases. There is a need for further research on HAV transmission and genotype distribution in Indian sub-continent.

Journal Article↗

Redirection of allergen-specific TH2 responses by a modified adenine through Toll-like receptor 7 interaction and IL-12/IFN release.

BACKGROUND: Natural or synthetic ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), such as CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides and imidazoquinolines, affect the functional phenotype of antigen-specific human T lymphocytes by inducing cytokine release by cells of the innate immunity. OBJECTIVE: In vitro investigation of the ability of substitute adenines (SAs) to affect antigen-presenting cells and shift the functional phenotype of specific human T(H)2 cells was performed. METHODS: The functional profile of hapten- and allergen-specific T-cell lines obtained in the absence or presence of modified adenines was assessed by means of quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and ELISAs. Activation of TLRs was evaluated by means of nucleofection of HEK293 cells. RESULTS: The synthetic heterocycle, chemically related to adenine with substitution in positions 2-, 8-, and 9- (SA-2), but not its related derivative lacking 2- and 8- substitutions, stimulated the production of high amounts of IL-12, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 by CD14(+) cells and IFN-alpha and CXCL10 by blood dendritic cell antigen (BDCA)-4(+) plasmacytoid dendritic cells. A nuclear factor kappaB-dependent signaling pathway mediated by SA-2 ligation of TLR7 was responsible for these effects. SA-2 also redirected the in vitro differentiation of either Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus group 1 or amoxicillin-specific T(H)2 cells toward the T(H)1/T(H)0 phenotype, with parallel downregulation of GATA-3 and upregulation of T-box expressed in T cells transcription factors. CONCLUSION: Critical substitutions of the adenine backbone confer the ability to activate TLR7, inducing the production of modulatory cytokines able to shift human allergen-specific T(H)2 cells to a T(H)1/T(H)0 phenotype. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Appropriately modified adenines might be used as effective adjuvants for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies of allergic disorders.

Adenine↗

IgG subclass-independent improvement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by fucose removal from Asn297-linked oligosaccharides.

Fucose depletion from oligosaccharides of human IgG1-type antibodies results in a great enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of fucose removal on effector functions of all human IgG subclasses. A panel of anti-CD20 chimeric antibodies having a matched set of human heavy chain subclasses with different fucose contents in their oligosaccharides was constructed using wild-type and fucosyltransferase-knockout Chinese hamster ovary cells as host cells. As found previously for IgG1, fucose-negative variant of IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 exhibited enhanced ADCC and FcgammaRIIIa binding compared with their highly fucosylated counterparts. In contrast, fucose removal did not affect complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) of any IgGs. Consequently, fucose removal from IgG2 and IgG4 resulted in a unique effector function profile; they had potent ADCC and no CDC. In conclusion fucose depletion can provide a panel of IgGs with enhanced ADCC without an impact on other inherent properties specific for each IgG subclass, such as CDC.

Animals↗

Gene stage-specific expression in the microenvironment of pediatric myelodysplastic syndromes.

Using cDNA microarray assays we have observed a clear difference in the gene expression pattern between bone marrow stromal cells obtained from healthy children (CT) and from pediatric patients with either myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with MDS (MDS-AML). The global gene function profiling analysis indicated that in the pediatric MDS microenvironment the disease stages may be characterized mainly by underexpression of genes associated with biological processes such as transport. Furthermore, a subset of downregulated genes related to endocytosis and protein secretion was able to discriminate MDS from MDS-AML.

Bone Marrow↗

Alternative roles for CD59.

CD59 was first identified as a regulator of the terminal pathway of complement, which acts by binding to the C8/C9 components of the assembling membrane attack complex (MAC), to inhibit formation of the lytic pore. Structurally, CD59 is a small, highly glycosylated, GPI-linked protein, with a wide expression profile. Functionally, the role of CD59 in complement regulation is well-defined but studies have also shown clear evidence for signalling properties, which are linked to its glycophosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchor and its location within lipid rafts. Cross-linking of CD59 using specific monoclonal antibodies drives both calcium release and activation of lipid-raft associated signalling molecules such as tyrosine kinases. These observations clearly show that CD59 exhibits roles independent of its function as a complement inhibitor. In this review, we examine the progression of research in this area and explore the alternative functions of CD59 that have recently been defined.

Animals↗

The prediction of rapid conversion to Alzheimer's disease in mild cognitive impairment using regional cerebral blood flow SPECT.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) comprises a heterogeneous group with a variety of clinical outcomes and they are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prediction of conversion from MCI to AD using the initial neuroimaging studies is an important research topic. We investigated the initial regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in individuals with 76 amnesic MCI (52 subjects converted to AD and 24 subjects did not convert to AD at 3-year follow-up) and 57 age- and gender-matched controls. We sought functional profiles associated with conversion to AD, then evaluated the predictive value of the initial rCBF SPECT. As compared with controls, AD converters demonstrated reduced blood flow in the bilateral parahippocampal gyri, precunei, posterior cingulate cortices, bilateral parietal association areas, and the right middle temporal gyrus. Non-converters also demonstrated significant reduction of rCBF in the posterior cingulated cortices and the right caudate nucleus when compared to controls. As compared with non-converters, converters showed reductions of rCBF in the bilateral temporo-parietal areas and the precunei. The logistic regression model revealed that reduced rCBF in the inferior parietal lobule, angular gyrus, and precunei has high predictive value and discriminative ability. Although a cross-validation study is needed to conclude the usefulness of rCBF SPECT for the prediction of AD conversion in individuals with MCI, our data suggest that the initial rCBF SPECT studies of individuals with MCI may be useful in predicting who will convert to AD in the near future.

Aged↗

Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with antiepileptic drug.

An 8-year-3-month-old male with right porencephaly and epilepsy was found to have skin rash 2 weeks after the beginning of treatment with lamotrigine. One month later he suffered from impaired liver function and pancytopenia in the presence of hypocellular bone marrow with hemophagocytosis. No evidence of infection was evident. Intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid were administered with discontinuation of lamotrigine; the hemogram and liver function profile improved dramatically. Hemophagocytic syndrome should be considered a possible cause of pancytopenia in patients taking new antiepileptic drugs such as lamotrigine.

Anticonvulsants↗

The high throughput screening of neuropeptide FF2 receptor ligands from Korean herbal plant extracts.

We have screened 356 libraries of Korean herbal plant extracts to find potential anti-obesity drugs. We employed the recently developed fluorescence polarization high throughput screening (FP HTS) assays of human neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors in 384-well microtiter plates. The primary hits were cherry-picked from the libraries and further analyzed by secondary displacement curve assays, in vitro GTPgammaS binding assays and cell-based CRE luciferase reporter assays. Agonists of NPFF receptors showed biphasic affinity curves while the antagonist, BIBP 3226, gave a monophasic affinity curve in competitive binding assays. We isolated and characterized two agonists of human NPFF2 receptor, PC 314 with K(i) of 1.42 microM, and PC 315 with K(i) of 2.17 microM from Schizandra chinensis. PC 314 and PC 315 have been characterized as benzoylgomisin Q (M.W. 552) and gomisin G (M.W. 536). We report that PC 314 and PC 315 are the first non-peptide, natural compounds, which bind to human NPFF2 receptors with good affinity. PC 314 and PC 315 inhibit forskolin-stimulated luciferase expression when CHO cells are co-transfected with NPFF2 receptor and CRE reporter vector. They possess the pharmacological and functional profiles of full agonists. The FP HTS system provides a specific, sensitive and reproducible methodology for studying and screening NPFF receptor ligands.

Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques↗

Matching molecules to function: neuronal Ca2+-activated K+ channels and afterhyperpolarizations.

Potassium channels regulate the membrane excitability of neurons, play a major role in shaping action potentials, determining firing patterns and regulating neurotransmitter release, and thus significantly contribute to neuronal signal encoding and integration. This review focuses on the molecular and cellular basis for the specific function of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK channels) in the nervous system. SK channels are activated by an intracellular increase of free calcium during action potentials. They mediate currents that modulate the firing frequency of neurons. Three SK channel subunits have been cloned and form channels, which are voltage-insensitive, activated by submicromolar intracellular calcium concentrations, and are blocked, with different affinities, by a number of toxins and organic compounds. Different neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system express distinct subsets of SK channel subunits. Recent progress has been made in relating cloned SK channels to their native counterparts. These findings argue in favour of regulatory mechanisms conferring to native SK channels with specific subunit compositions distinct and specific functional profiles in different neurons.

Animals↗

ICAT-based comparative proteomic analysis of non-replicating persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The non-replicating persistence (NRP) phenotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (NRP-TB) is assumed to be responsible for the maintenance of latent infection and the requirement of a long treatment duration for active tuberculosis. Isotope coded affinity tag-based proteomic analysis was used for the determination of the relative expression of large numbers of M. tuberculosis proteins during oxygen self-depletion under controlled conditions in a multi-chambered fermentor. Expression of the alpha-crystallin homolog protein, acr, was monitored and quantified to confirm entry into NRP. Relative expression of 586 and 628 proteins was determined in log phase vs. early stage NRP (NRP-1) and log phase vs. later stage NRP (NRP-2), respectively. Relative to expression in log phase and using an abundance ratio of +/-2.0 as a cutoff, 6.5% and 20.4% of proteins were found to be upregulated in NRP-1 and NRP-2, respectively while 20.3% and 13.4% were downregulated, respectively. Functional profiling revealed that 42.1%/39.8% of upregulated proteins and 41.2%/45.2% of downregulated proteins in NRP-1/NRP-2, respectively, were involved in small molecule metabolism. Among those proteins the highest proportions of 37.5% in NRP-1 were involved with degradation and of 45.1% in NRP-2 with energy metabolism. These results suggest distinct protein expression profiles in NRP-1 and NRP-2.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Interkingdom remodeling of the intestinal bacteriome and virome during Toxoplasma gondii infection in rats.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with intestinal microbiome disruption, but its effects on genome-resolved bacterial populations, the gut virome, and bacteriome-virome relationships remain poorly understood. Using previously generated shotgun metagenomic datasets from 36 intestinal samples collected from 18 Sprague-Dawley rats across control, acute, and chronic infection groups, we reconstructed 294 quality-filtered, non-redundant bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and identified 899 medium-to-high-quality viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) from assembled metagenomic contigs. Infection was associated with reduced bacterial richness in the small intestine during both acute and chronic stages and lower Shannon diversity during chronic infection. In contrast, large-intestinal &#x3b1;-diversity remained stable despite significant compositional reorganization. Taxonomic changes included increased Lactobacillus intestinalis, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Prevotella sp900547005, together with decreased Rothia sp002492045 and Akkermansia muciniphila. Functional profiling revealed region- and stage-specific changes in predicted bacterial metabolic potential, including reduced energy-related pathways and carbohydrate-active enzyme abundance. The virome also showed significant compositional changes in both intestinal regions. Quimbyviridae and Podoviridae_crAss-like viruses decreased in the small intestine during chronic infection, while Quimbyviridae, Flandersviridae, and Podoviridae_crAss-like viruses showed stage-specific decreases in the large intestine. Predicted bacterial hosts were assigned to 48.39% of vOTUs, with Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae being the most frequently linked families. Trans-kingdom networks further revealed region-specific positive and negative abundance correlations between bacterial and viral taxa. These findings extend previous microbiota-metabolome observations by integrating genome-resolved bacteriome analysis with contig-based virome profiling, providing a foundation for future mechanistic studies of toxoplasmosis-associated microbiome remodeling.

Gut virome↗

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) or CRF binding-protein ligand inhibitor administration suppresses food intake in mice and elevates body temperature in rats.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor agonist and CRF binding-protein (CRF-BP) ligand inhibitor peptides both activate CRF systems but exert very distinct functional profiles in animal models of arousal, energy balance and emotionality. The present studies were designed to extend the dissimilar efficacy profiles of central administration of a CRF agonist, r/h CRF(1-41), versus a CRF-BP ligand inhibitor, r/h CRF(6-33), into mouse and rat models of energy balance in order to further explore in vivo efficacy of these ligands in two separate animal species. In CD-1 mice, food intake was significantly attenuated 3 h after acute administration of CRF(1-41) (0.007-0.2 nmol), but not CRF(6-33). In obese Ob/Ob mice, both CRF(1-41) (0.007-0.2 nmol) and CRF(6-33) (0.02-2.3 nmol) significantly attenuated basal feeding over 3 h following acute peptide administration. In rats, CRF(1-41) (1 nmol) and CRF(6-33) (1.5-7.7 nmol) infusion significantly increased rectal temperature. In studies employing a telemetry apparatus, core temperature was also increased by CRF(1-41) (1 nmol) and CRF(6-33) (1.5 nmol), whereas only CRF(1-41) increased locomotor activity and heart rate. These results suggest that CRF receptor agonist administration is capable of producing a global profile of negative energy balance by reducing food intake in mice and increasing energy expenditure in rats. In contrast, CRF-BP ligand inhibitor administration appears to suppress food intake in a mouse strain selective manner and to elevate rectal and core temperature in rats without accompanying cardiovascular activation.

Amphetamine↗