Recent Advances in Copper-Based Organic Complexes and Nanoparticles for Tumor Theranostics.

Treatment of drug-resistant forms of cancer requires consideration of their hallmark features, such as abnormal cell death mechanisms or mutations in drug-responding molecular pathways. Malignant cells differ from their normal counterparts in numerous aspects, including copper metabolism. Intracellular copper levels are elevated in various cancer types, and this phenomenon could be employed for the development of novel oncotherapeutic approaches. Copper maintains the cell oxidation levels, regulates the protein activity and metabolism, and is involved in inflammation. Various copper-based compounds, such as nanoparticles or metal-based organic complexes, show specific activity against cancer cells according to preclinical studies. Herein, we summarize the major principles of copper metabolism in cancer cells and its potential in cancer theranostics.

How Macrophages Become Transcriptionally Dysregulated: A Hidden Impact of Antitumor Therapy.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the essential components of the tumor microenvironment. TAMs originate from blood monocytes and undergo pro- or anti-inflammatory polarization during their life span within the tumor. The balance between macrophage functional populations and the efficacy of their antitumor activities rely on the transcription factors such as STAT1, NF-κB, IRF, and others. These molecular tools are of primary importance, as they contribute to the tumor adaptations and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy and can become important biomarkers for theranostics. Herein, we describe the major transcriptional mechanisms specific for TAM, as well as how radio- and chemotherapy can impact gene transcription and functionality of macrophages, and what are the consequences of the TAM-tumor cooperation.

The Role of the PFNA Operon of Bifidobacteria in the Recognition of Host's Immune Signals: Prospects for the Use of the FN3 Protein in the Treatment of COVID-19.

Bifidobacteria are some of the major agents that shaped the immune system of many members of the animal kingdom during their evolution. Over recent years, the question of concrete mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory properties of bifidobacteria has been addressed in both animal and human studies. A possible candidate for this role has been discovered recently. The PFNA cluster, consisting of five core genes, pkb2, fn3, aaa-atp, duf58, tgm, has been found in all gut-dwelling autochthonous bifidobacterial species of humans. The sensory region of the species-specific serine-threonine protein kinase (PKB2), the transmembrane region of the microbial transglutaminase (TGM), and the type-III fibronectin domain-containing protein (FN3) encoded by the I gene imply that the PFNA cluster might be implicated in the interaction between bacteria and the host immune system. Moreover, the FN3 protein encoded by one of the genes making up the PFNA cluster, contains domains and motifs of cytokine receptors capable of selectively binding TNF-α. The PFNA cluster could play an important role for sensing signals of the immune system. Among the practical implications of this finding is the creation of anti-inflammatory drugs aimed at alleviating cytokine storms, one of the dire consequences resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Copper-Containing Nanoparticles and Organic Complexes: Metal Reduction Triggers Rapid Cell Death via Oxidative Burst.

Copper-containing agents are promising antitumor pharmaceuticals due to the ability of the metal ion to react with biomolecules. In the current study, we demonstrate that inorganic Cu2+ in the form of oxide nanoparticles (NPs) or salts, as well as Cu ions in the context of organic complexes (oxidation states +1, +1.5 and +2), acquire significant cytotoxic potency (2-3 orders of magnitude determined by IC50 values) in combinations with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), cysteine, or ascorbate. In contrast, other divalent cations (Zn, Fe, Mo, and Co) evoked no cytotoxicity with these combinations. CuO NPs (0.1-1 µg/mL) together with 1 mM NAC triggered the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within 2-6 h concomitantly with perturbation of the plasma membrane and caspase-independent cell death. Furthermore, NAC potently sensitized HCT116 colon carcinoma cells to Cu-organic complexes in which the metal ion coordinated with 5-(2-pyridylmethylene)-2-methylthio-imidazol-4-one or was present in the coordination sphere of the porphyrin macrocycle. The sensitization effect was detectable in a panel of mammalian tumor cell lines including the sublines with the determinants of chemotherapeutic drug resistance. The components of the combination were non-toxic if added separately. Electrochemical studies revealed that Cu cations underwent a stepwise reduction in the presence of NAC or ascorbate. This mechanism explains differential efficacy of individual Cu-organic compounds in cell sensitization depending on the availability of Cu ions for reduction. In the presence of oxygen, Cu+1 complexes can generate a superoxide anion in a Fenton-like reaction Cu+1L + O2 → O2-. + Cu+2L, where L is the organic ligand. Studies on artificial lipid membranes showed that NAC interacted with negatively charged phospholipids, an effect that can facilitate the penetration of CuO NPs across the membranes. Thus, electrochemical modification of Cu ions and subsequent ROS generation, as well as direct interaction with membranes, represent the mechanisms of irreversible membrane damage and cell death in response to metal reduction in inorganic and organic Cu-containing compounds.

Application of extracted ß-glucan from oat for ß-carotene encapsulation.

ABSTRACT: The cell walls of cereals are rich sources of polysaccharide ß-glucan. In this study, the ß-glucan was extracted from oat bran using the hot-water extraction method and dried in a pure powder form. The concentration of the ß-glucan in the extract was determined using the l-cysteine sulfuric acid method. The results showed that the yield of ß-glucan using the hot-water extraction method is the highest compared to its yield achieved by enzymatic, acid, and alkaline methods. In this paper, the usage of the ß-glucan as a coating material for a water-insoluble carotenoid is considered. This study demonstrates for the first time the encapsulation of ß-carotene with modified octanoic acid ß-glucan. It implements to obtain a stable encapsulated polysaccharide-carotenoid system, which has been studied by a set of physicochemical methods and a cytotoxic analysis was performed on the HCT-116 cell line. The SEM image of the resulting encapsulated system is perfectly correlated with the DLS data, which has determined the size of MG capsules at 200 nm. The cytotoxic analysis demonstrates that the cell viability was more than 70%, which indicates its potential using in the food industry.

Neuronal extracellular microRNAs miR-124 and miR-9 mediate cell-cell communication between neurons and microglia.

In contrast to peripheral macrophages, microglia in the central nervous system (CNS) exhibit a specific deactivated phenotype; however, it is not clear how this phenotype is maintained. Two alternative hypotheses were postulated recently: (a) microglia differ from peripheral macrophages being derived from the yolk sac (YS), whereas peripheral macrophages originate from bone marrow (BM); (b) microglia acquire a specific phenotype under the influence of the CNS microenvironment. We have previously shown that microglia express miR-124, which was also induced in BM-derived macrophages co-cultured with a neurons. We here investigated the possibility of horizontal transfer of the neuron-specific microRNAs miR-124 and miR-9 from primary neurons to microglia/macrophages. We found that after incubation with neuronal conditioned media (NCM), macrophages downregulated activation markers MHC class II and CD45. Neither cultured adult microglia nor YS- and BM-derived macrophages demonstrated intrinsic levels of miR-124 expression. However, after incubation with NCM, miR-124 was induced in both YS- and BM-derived macrophages. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the NCM contained miR-124 and miR-9 in complex with small proteins, large high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and exosomes. MiR-124 and miR-9 were promptly released from neurons, and this process was inhibited by tetrodotoxin, indicating an important role of neuronal electric activity in secretion of these microRNAs. Incubation of macrophages with exogenous miR-124 resulted in efficient translocation of miR-124 into the cytoplasm. This study demonstrates an important role of neuronal miRNAs in communication of neurons with microglia, which favors the hypothesis that microglia acquire a specific phenotype under the influence of the CNS microenvironment.

Platelets mediate protective neuroinflammation and promote neuronal plasticity at the site of neuronal injury.

It is generally accepted that inflammation within the CNS contributes to neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but it is not clear how inflammation is initiated in the absence of infection and whether this neuroinflammation is predominantly beneficial or detrimental. We have previously found that brain-enriched glycosphingolipids within neuronal lipid rafts (NLR) induced platelet degranulation and secretion of neurotransmitters and pro-inflammatory factors. In the present study, we compared TBI-induced inflammation and neurodegeneration in wild-type vs. St3gal5 deficient (ST3-/-) mice that lack major CNS-specific glycosphingolipids. After TBI, microglial activation and CNS macrophage infiltration were substantially reduced in ST3-/- animals. However, ST3-/- mice had a larger area of CNS damage with marked neuronal/axonal loss. The interaction of platelets with NLR stimulated neurite growth, increased the number of PSD95-positive dendritic spines, and intensified neuronal activity. Adoptive transfer and blocking experiments provide further that platelet-derived serotonin and platelet activating factor plays a key role in the regulation of sterile neuroinflammation, hemorrhage and neuronal plasticity after TBI.

Platelets Play Differential Role During the Initiation and Progression of Autoimmune Neuroinflammation.

RATIONALE: Platelets are known to participate in vascular pathologies; however, their role in neuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), is unknown. Autoimmune CD4 T cells have been the main focus of studies of MS, although the factors that regulate T-cell differentiation toward pathogenic T helper-1/T helper-17 phenotypes are not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of platelets in the modulation of CD4 T-cell functions in patients with MS and in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalitis, an animal model for MS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that early in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalitis, platelets degranulated and produced soluble factors serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), platelet factor 4, and platelet-activating factor, which specifically stimulated differentiation of T cells toward pathogenic T helper-1, T helper-17, and interferon-γ/interleukin-17-producing CD4 T cells. At the later stages of MS and experimental autoimmune encephalitis, platelets became exhausted in their ability to produce proinflammatory factors and stimulate CD4 T cells but substantially increased their ability to form aggregates with CD4 T cells. Formation of platelet-CD4 T-cell aggregates involved the interaction of CD62P on activated platelets with adhesion molecule CD166 on activated CD4 T cells, contributing to downmodulation of CD4 T-cell activation, proliferation, and production of interferon-γ. Blocking of formation of platelet-CD4 T-cell aggregates during progression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis substantially enhanced proliferation of CD4 T cells in the central nervous system and the periphery leading to exacerbation of the disease. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates differential roles for platelets in the regulation of functions of pathogenic CD4 T cells during initiation and progression of central nervous system autoimmune inflammation.

Magnetothermal spider silk-based scaffolds for cartilage regeneration.

Developing biocompatible, magnetically controlled polymers is a multifunctional solution to many surgical complications. By combining nanoparticle technology with the latest advancements in polymer materials science, we created a multicomponent hybrid system comprised of a robust native spider silk-based matrix; a Mn0.9Zn0.1Fe2O4 nanoparticles coating to provide a controlled thermal trigger for drug release; and liposomes, which act as drug carriers. Fluorescent microscope images show that the dye loaded into the liposomes is released when the system is exposed to an alternating magnetic field due to heating of ferromagnetic nanoparticles, which had a low Curie temperature (40-46°Ð¡). The silk matrix also demonstrated outstanding biocompatibility, creating a favorable environment for human postnatal fibroblast cell adhesion, and paving the way for their directed growth. This paper describes a complex approach to cartilage regeneration by developing a spider silk-based scaffold with anatomical mechanical properties for controlled drug delivery in a multifunctional autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis.

Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 8/19 Restricts Bacterial and Virus-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Monocytes.

Hyperactivation of the immune system remains a dramatic, life-threatening complication of viral and bacterial infections, particularly during pneumonia. Therapeutic approaches to counteract local and systemic outbreaks of cytokine storm and to prevent tissue damage remain limited. Cyclin-dependent kinases 8 and 19 (CDK8/19) potentiate transcriptional responses to the altered microenvironment, but CDK8/19 potential in immunoregulation is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated how a selective CDK8/19 inhibitor, Senexin B, impacts the immunogenic profiles of monocytic cells stimulated using influenza virus H1N1 or bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Senexin B was able to prevent the induction of gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in THP1 and U937 cell lines and in human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells. Moreover, Senexin B substantially reduced functional manifestations of inflammation, including clustering and chemokine-dependent migration of THP1 monocytes and human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPF).

Macrophage-derived cytokines in pneumonia: Linking cellular immunology and genetics.

Macrophages represent the first line of anti-pathogen defense - they encounter invading pathogens to perform the phagocytic activity, to deliver the plethora of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and to shape the tissue microenvironment. Throughout pneumonia course, alveolar macrophages and infiltrated blood monocytes produce increasing cytokine amounts, which activates the antiviral/antibacterial immunity but can also provoke the risk of the so-called cytokine "storm" and normal tissue damage. Subsequently, the question of how the cytokine spectrum is shaped and balanced in the pneumonia context remains a hot topic in medical immunology, particularly in the COVID19 pandemic era. The diversity in cytokine profiles, involved in pneumonia pathogenesis, is determined by the variations in cytokine-receptor interactions, which may lead to severe cytokine storm and functional decline of particular tissues and organs, for example, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Cytokines and their receptors form unique profiles in individual patients, depending on the (a) microenvironmental context (comorbidities and associated treatment), (b) lung monocyte heterogeneity, and (c) genetic variations. These multidisciplinary strategies can be proactively considered beforehand and during the pneumonia course and potentially allow the new age of personalized immunotherapy.

Native Spider Silk-Based Antimicrobial Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications.

Novel antimicrobial natural polymeric hybrid hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and spider silk (Ss) were prepared using the chemical crosslinking method. The effects of the component ratios on the hydrogel characteristics were observed parallel to the primary physicochemical characterization of the hydrogels with scanning electron microscopic imaging, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, which confirmed the successful crosslinking, regular porous structure, exact composition, and hydrophilic properties of hyaluronic acid/spider silk-based hydrogels. Further characterizations of the hydrogels were performed with the swelling degree, enzymatic degradability, viscosity, conductivity, and shrinking ability tests. The hyaluronic acid/spider silk-based hydrogels do not show drastic cytotoxicity over human postnatal fibroblasts (HPF). Hydrogels show extraordinary antimicrobial ability on both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. These hydrogels could be an excellent alternative that aids in overcoming antimicrobial drug resistance, which is considered to be one of the major global problems in the biomedical industry. Hyaluronic acid/spider silk-based hydrogels are a promising material for collaborated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug delivery systems for external use. The rheological properties of the hydrogels show shear-thinning properties, which suggest that the hydrogels could be applied in 3D printing, such as in the 3D printing of antimicrobial surgical meshes.

Bioreactivity of decellularized animal, plant, and fungal scaffolds: perspectives for medical applications.

Numerous biomedical applications imply supportive materials to improve protective, antibacterial, and regenerative abilities upon surgical interventions, oncotherapy, regenerative medicine, and others. With the increasing variability of the possible sources, the materials of natural origin are among the safest and most accessible biomedical tools. Animal, plant, and fungal tissues can further undergo decellularization to improve their biocompatibility. Decellularized scaffolds lack the most reactive cellular material, nuclear and cytoplasmic components, that predominantly trigger immune responses. At the same time, the outstanding initial three-dimensional microarchitecture, biomechanical properties, and general composition of the scaffolds are preserved. These unique features make the scaffolds perfect ready-to-use platforms for various biomedical applications, implying cell growth and functionalization. Decellularized materials can be repopulated with various cells upon request, including epithelial, endothelial, muscle and neuronal cells, and applied for structural and functional biorepair within diverse biological sites, including the skin and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind scaffold and host tissue interactions remain not fully understood, which significantly restricts their integration into clinical practice. In this review, we address the essential aspects of decellularization, scaffold preparation techniques, and its biochemical composition and properties, which determine the biocompatibility and immunogenicity of the materials. With the integrated evaluation of the scaffold profile in living systems, decellularized animal, plant, and fungal scaffolds have the potential to become essential instruments for safe and controllable biomedical applications.

Platelets promote epileptic seizures by modulating brain serotonin level, enhancing neuronal electric activity, and contributing to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

The drugs currently available for treating epilepsy are only partially effective in managing this condition. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate new pathways that induce and promote epilepsy development. Previously, we found that platelets interact with neuronal glycolipids and actively secrete pro-inflammatory mediators during central nervous system (CNS) pathological conditions such as neuroinflammation and traumatic brain injury (TBI). These factors increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which may create a predisposition to epileptic seizures. In this study, we demonstrated that platelets substantially enhanced epileptic seizures in a mouse model of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) -induced seizures. We found that platelets actively secreted serotonin, contributed to increased BBB permeability, and were present in the CNS parenchyma during epileptic seizures. Furthermore, platelets directly stimulated neuronal electric activity and induced the expression of specific genes related to early neuronal response, neuroinflammation, and oxidative phosphorylation, leading to oxidative stress in neurons. The intracranial injection of physiological numbers of platelets that mimicked TBI-associated bleeding was sufficient to induce severe seizures, which resembled conventional PTZ-induced epileptic activity. These findings highlight a conceptually new role of platelets in the development of epileptic seizures, and indicate a potential new therapeutic approach targeting platelets to prevent and treat epilepsy.

Engineered Cell-Based Therapeutics: Synthetic Biology Meets Immunology.

Synthetic Biology has enabled new approaches to several medical applications including the development of immunotherapies based on bioengineered cells, and most notably the engineering of T-cells with tumor-targeting receptors, the Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells. CAR-T-cells have successfully treated blood tumors such as large B-cell lymphoma and promise a new scenario of therapeutic interventions also for solid tumors. Learning the lesson from CAR-T cells, we can foster the reprogramming of T lymphocytes with enhanced survival and functional activity in depressing tumor microenvironment, or to challenge diseases such as infections, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders. This review will focus on the most updated bioengineering approaches to increase control, and safety of T-cell activity and to immunomodulate the extracellular microenvironment to augment immune responses. We will also discuss on applications beyond cancer treatment with implications toward the understanding and cure of a broader range of diseases by means of mammalian cells engineering.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Therapeutic Regulation of Macrophage Functions.

Macrophages are components of the innate immune system that control a plethora of biological processes. Macrophages can be activated towards pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes depending on the cue; however, polarization may be altered in bacterial and viral infections, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Metal (zinc, iron, titanium, copper, etc.) oxide nanoparticles are widely used in therapeutic applications as drugs, nanocarriers, and diagnostic tools. Macrophages can recognize and engulf nanoparticles, while the influence of macrophage-nanoparticle interaction on cell polarization remains unclear. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms that drive macrophage activation phenotypes and functions upon interaction with nanoparticles in an inflammatory microenvironment. The manifold effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on macrophages depend on the type of metal and the route of synthesis. While largely considered as drug transporters, metal oxide nanoparticles nevertheless have an immunotherapeutic potential, as they can evoke pro- or anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages and become essential for macrophage profiling in cancer, wound healing, infections, and autoimmunity.

The Role of Neuronal Factors in the Epigenetic Reprogramming of Microglia in the Normal and Diseased Central Nervous System.

Twenty years ago, the scientific community exhibited relatively little interest in the study of microglial cells. However, recent technical and conceptual advances in this field have greatly increased interest in the basic biology of these cells within various neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain/spinal cord injuries. The main functions of these cells in the normal central nervous system (CNS) remain poorly understood, despite considerable elucidation of their roles in pathological conditions. Microglia populate the brain before birth and remain in close lifelong contact with CNS-resident cells under the influence of the local microenvironment. Within the CNS parenchyma, microglia actively interact with two main cell types, astrocytes and neurons, which produce many factors that affect microglia phenotypes in the normal CNS and during neuroinflammation. These factors include interleukin (IL)-34, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-ß, and IL-4, which promote microglial expansion, survival, and differentiation to an anti-inflammatory phenotype in the normal CNS. Under inflammatory conditions, however, astrocytes produce several pro-inflammatory factors that contribute to microglial activation. The interactions of microglia with neurons in the normal and diseased CNS are especially intriguing. Microglia are known to interact actively with neurons by facilitating axonal pruning during development, while neurons provide specific factors that alter microglial phenotypes and functions. This review focuses mainly on the roles of soluble neuronal factors that affect microglial phenotypes and functions and the possible involvement of these factors in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases.

Membrane Poration Mechanisms at the Cell-Nanostructure Interface.

3D vertical nanostructures have become one of the most significant methods for interfacing cells and the nanoscale and for accessing significant intracellular functionalities such as membrane potential. As this intracellular access can be induced by means of diverse cellular membrane poration mechanisms, it is important to investigate in detail the cell condition after membrane rupture for assessing the real effects of the poration techniques on the biological environment. Indeed, differences of the membrane dynamics and reshaping have not been observed yet when the membrane-nanostructure system is locally perturbed by, for instance, diverse membrane breakage events. In this work, new insights are provided into the membrane dynamics in case of two different poration approaches, optoacoustic- and electro-poration, both mediated by the same 3D nanostructures. The experimental results offer a detailed overview on the different poration processes in terms of electrical recordings and membrane conformation.

Fresh evidence for major brain gangliosides as a target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Although it was suggested that gangliosides play an important role in the binding of amyloid fragments to neuronal cells, the exact role of gangliosides in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology remains unclear. To understand the role of gangliosides in AD pathology in vivo, we crossed st3gal5-deficient (ST3-/-) mice that lack major brain gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD3, GT1b, and GQ1b with 5XFAD transgenic mice that overexpress 3 mutant human amyloid proteins AP695 and 2 presenilin PS1 genes. We found that ST3-/- 5XFAD mice have a significantly reduced burden of amyloid depositions, low level of neuroinflammation, and did not exhibit neuronal loss or synaptic dysfunction. ST3-/- 5XFAD mice performed significantly better in a cognitive test than wild-type (WT) 5XFAD mice, which was comparable with WT nontransgenic mice. Treatment of WT 5XFAD mice with the sialic acid-specific Limax flavus agglutinin resulted in substantial improvement of AD pathology to a level of ST3-/- 5XFAD mice. Thus, our findings highlight an important role for gangliosides as a target for the treatment of AD.

Methods of Study of Neuron Structural Heterogeneity: Flow Cytometry vs. Laser Interferometry.

Neuronal cells are probably the less studied cells regarding their heterogeneity on a single cell or population levels. One of the main problems of studying of individual neurons is the presence of long processes (axons) on differentiated adult neurons that hamper their isolation without significant damage to the cells. Therefore, the most common method to study neuronal cells is immunofluorescent microscopy of sections of the brain, which remains poorly quantitative and allows analyzing a small number of fixed cells. Also, immunofluorescent microscopy has a number of staining artifacts since histology section has high level of autofluorescence and non-specific binding of fluorescent probes. Alternative methods that could overcome disadvantages of immunofluorescent histology include flow cytometry, scanning cytometry, and laser interferometry. Flow cytometry and, to some extent of degree, scanning cytometry allow performing analysis of multiple markers with a low level of non-specific background and very robust statistics. Laser interferometry allows studies intact, alive neurons without staining. Limitations and advantages of these methods are discussed in this chapter.