Antimicrobial host defence peptide, LL-37, as a potential vaginal contraceptive.

STUDY QUESTION: Does antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, inhibit sperm fertilizing ability? SUMMARY ANSWER: Our results indicate that LL-37 inhibits mouse and human sperm fertilizing ability. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: LL-37, a cationic antimicrobial peptide, exerts its microbicidal effects through the disruption of microbial cytoplasmic membranes following its interaction with microbial surface anionic phospholipids. ALL-38 (an LL-37 close analogue: LL-37 + Ala at the N-terminus) is produced in the vagina 2-6 h post-intercourse from its precursor hCAP-18, a seminal plasma component. At this time, motile sperm have already swum into the uterine cavity, thus unexposed to ALL-38. Since sperm contain a substantial amount of acidic sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG) on their surface, treatment of sperm with LL-37 may cause their membrane disruption in an analogous manner to that occurring on microbial membranes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: Mouse/human sperm treated (2-30 min) with LL-37 in a physiological concentration range (up to 10.8 µM) were assessed for SGG-dependent LL-37 binding, and parameters relevant to fertilizing ability, namely motility and intactness of the sperm acrosome and plasma membrane. Ability of mouse sperm to fertilize eggs in vitro was also evaluated. Each study was performed with greater than or equal to three different sperm samples. The efficacy of LL-37 to inhibit sperm fertilizing ability in vivo was determined in female mice (n = 26 each for LL-37 treatment and no treatment), using sperm retrieved from 26 males. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Human sperm samples were donated by fertile men. LL-37 was chemically synthesized and was biotinylated for sperm binding studies. Sperm motility was assessed by videomicroscopy and the acrosomal status by Coomassie blue staining of acrosome-intact mouse sperm or the exposure of CD46, an inner acrosomal membrane protein, of acrosome reacted human sperm. Sperm membrane permeabilization/disruption was assessed by the loss of hypo-osmotic swelling response, an incorporation of Sytox Green (a membrane impermeable fluorescent DNA dye), and electron microscopy. Mouse IVF was scored by the presence of two pronuclei in eggs 6 h post-insemination. Ability of mouse sperm to fertilize eggs in vivo was determined by the pregnancy outcome of female mice injected transcervically with sperm with or without LL-37. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Biotinylated LL-37 bound to both mouse and human sperm and the binding was partially dependent on sperm surface SGG. Mouse and human sperm became immotile and underwent a premature acrosome reaction upon treatment with LL-37 at 3.6 and 10.8 µM, respectively. The initial action of LL-37 on both mouse and human sperm appeared to be through permeabilization/disruption of sperm surface membranes evidenced by the loss of hypo-osmotic swelling response, Sytox Green staining and electron microscopy revealing ultrastructural damage. Mouse sperm treated with 3.6 µM LL-37 lost the ability to fertilize eggs both in vitro and in vivo. All 26 female mice inseminated with sperm and LL-37 did not become pregnant. No apparent damage to the reproductive tract was observed as revealed by histological characterization in LL-37-inseminated mice and these females resumed fecundity following mating with fertile males. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Direct demonstration that LL-37 treated human sperm fail to fertilize eggs was limited by legal restrictions on obtaining human eggs for such use. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results reveal selective inhibitory effects of LL-37 on sperm fertilizing ability in mice without apparent impairment to the female reproductive tract. LL-37 is therefore a promising candidate to be developed into a vaginal contraceptive with microbicidal activity. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1024509), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP119438 & CCI82413) and International Collaboration and Exchanges NSFC of China (No.30611120525). There are no competing interests to declare.

Glycoglycerolipid analogues inhibit PKC translocation to the plasma membrane and downstream signaling pathways in PMA-treated fibroblasts and human glioblastoma cells, U87MG.

Glycoglycerolipid analogues, derived from 2-O-ß-D-galactosylglycerol, have been synthesized on the base of the structure of natural glycoglycerolipids showing anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory efficacy. These compounds have been previously demonstrated to inhibit phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced tumor promotion in mouse skin, but their mechanism of action has never been elucidated. In this work, we studied the effects of glycoglycerolipid analogues on PKC activation induced by PMA and its downstream target molecules, in human fibroblasts. Our results proved that: a) the tested compounds were able to block PKC translocation to the plasma membrane, promoted by PMA, in a dose-dependent manner (IC50: 0.48 µM for the most active compound 2); b) the efficacy of these compounds was strongly connected to their acyl chain linked to galactose; in particular, the addition of hexanoyl and branched chains enhanced PKC inhibition, the presence of a cyclohexane ring and an excessive length of the acyl chain, or its lack, exerted a negative effect; c) the inhibition of PKC translocation blocked enzyme activation and downstream signaling pathways, MAPK and FAK, involved in proliferation and adhesion/migration control. In addition, the branched glycoglycerolipid (compound 2) was able to inhibit PKC translocation and activation in naturally highly PKC activating glioblastoma cells, U87MG. As consequence, U87MG cell proliferation and, especially, migration potential resulted to be markedly reduced (-30% and -84%, respectively). Thus, these results reveal the role of a PKC-dependent mechanism in glycoglycerolipid analogues mediated protective effects and highlight their possible employment in the field of prevention/treatment of cancer.

Quantification of seminolipid by LC-ESI-MS/MS-multiple reaction monitoring: compensatory levels in Cgt(+/⁻) mice.

Seminolipid, also known as sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG), plays important roles in male reproduction. Therefore, an accurate and sensitive method for SGG quantification in testes and sperm is needed. Here we compare SGG quantitation by the traditional colorimetric Azure A assay with LC-ESI-MS/MS using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Inclusion of deuterated SGG as the internal standard endowed accuracy to the MRM method. The results showed reasonable agreement between the two procedures for purified samples, but for crude lipid extracts, the colorimetric assay significantly overestimated the SGG content. Using ESI-MS/MS MRM, C16:0-alkyl/C16:0-acyl SGG of Cgt(+/⁻) mice was quantified to be 406.06 ± 23.63 µg/g testis and 0.13 ± 0.02 µg/million sperm, corresponding to 78% and 87% of the wild-type values, respectively. CGT (ceramide galactosyltransferase) is a critical enzyme in the SGG biosynthesis pathway. Cgt⁻/⁻ males depleted of SGG are infertile due to spermatogenesis arrest. However, Cgt(+/⁻) males sire offspring. The higher than 50% expression level of SGG in Cgt(+/⁻) animals, compared with the wild-type expression, might be partly due to compensatory translation of the active CGT enzyme. The results also indicated that 78% of SGG levels in Cgt(+/⁻) mice were sufficient for normal spermatogenesis.

Synthesis of the sulfonate analogue of seminolipid via Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination.

The first synthesis of the sulfonate analogue of seminolipid, the main sulfoglycolipid in mammalian sperm, is reported. Installation of the sulfonate unit was accomplished by a quite unexplored strategy based on Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination on a 3 '-keto-galactoside, followed by stereoselective double bond reduction.

2-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-sn-glycerol based analogues of sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDG) and their role in inhibiting Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation.

New sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols derived from 2-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-sn-glycerol, carrying acyl chains of various length on the glycerol moiety, were prepared through a convenient synthetic procedure in which a sulfonate is introduced at the C-6 position of glucose by oxidation of a thioacetate in the presence of the unprotected secondary hydroxyl groups, and tested for their anti-tumor-promoting activity using a short-term in vitro assay for Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation. Our study has allowed to ascertain the role of the 6'-sulfonate group and the need of a free hydroxyl group on the glycerol moiety in inhibiting the EBV activation promoted by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Anti-tumor-Promoting activity of tibolone and its metabolites.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cancer chemopreventive potential of the widely prescribed drug tibolone (17alpha-ethynyl-7alpha-methyl-5(10)-estren-3-one, CAS 5630-53-5) and its main metabolites, 17alpha-ethynyl-7alpha-methyl-4-estren-3-one (CAS 1162-60-3), 17alpha-ethynyl-7alpha-methyl-5(10)-estrene-3alpha,17beta-diol (CAS 100239-44-9) and 17alpha-ethynyl-7alpha-methyl-5(10)-estrene-3beta,17beta-diol (CAS 100239-45-0), by studying their anti-tumor-promoting activity. To this aim the test compounds were submitted to the short term in vitro assay for the inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a primary screening for anti-tumor promoters. All the compounds showed high inhibitory activity and low cytotoxicity as compared to literature data. To extend the study to an animal model, tibolone and its 3alpha-hydroxy metabolite (CAS 100239-44-9) were also assayed in the in vivo two-stage on mouse skin carcinogenesis test, exhibiting significant inhibitory effects on TPA promoted mouse skin papillomas formation. A comparison with literature data indicated them as more potent compounds than other steroids previously studied such as digitoxigenin, cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisolone.

An efficient and convenient synthesis of deuterium-labelled seminolipid isotopomers and their ESI-MS characterization.

Seminolipids 1a and 1b and galactosylalkylacylglycerols 2a and 2b, labelled with deuterium on the alkyl or acyl chain, respectively, were obtained isotopically and chemically pure through a straightforward synthesis from protected glycidyl galactoside 3 in an overall 22% yield. The identity and purity of compounds was ascertained by NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry analysis. These labelled compounds are important as internal standards for quantification of these lipids by mass spectrometry, and they could also be used in metabolic studies in in vitro and even in vivo systems. Extension of the procedure could provide a route for the preparation of isotopomers of other compounds of the same general class.

A general and stereoselective route to alpha- or beta-galactosphingolipids via a common four-carbon building block.

A general synthetic strategy toward alpha- or beta-galactosylceramides and their analogues from 3-azido-2-O-benzyl-1-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)butane-1,2,4-triol is described. The key steps for the installation of the main lipid chain are either a diasteroselective alkynylation reaction yielding the 4R stereocenter of phytosphingosine or a Wittig olefination generating the trans double bond of sphingosine. The methodology allows the preparation of different glycolipids with variations in the structure of the sphingoid base. In particular, three alpha-GalCer-related compounds have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to activate CD1d-restricted T-cells.

Synthesis and evaluation of human T cell stimulating activity of an alpha-sulfatide analogue.

A concise synthesis of alpha-sulfatide 1, an analogue of natural glycolipid antigens with potential anti-tumor activity, was performed. Two different approaches to the alpha-glycosidic bond were explored, resulting in a high yield and excellent stereoselectivity. Compound 1 combines the structural features of sulfated beta-GalCer (sulfatide) and alpha-GalCer, which activate specific T cells. alpha-Sulfatide 1 was stimulatory for CD1d-restricted semi-invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell clones, although less potent than alpha-GalCer, while it was not recognized by CD1a-restricted sulfatide-specific T cells.

Cyclic and branched acyl chain galactoglycerolipids and their effect on anti-tumor-promoting activity.

Fifteen new galactoglycerolipid analogues, in which one or two branched, alicyclic or aromatic acyl chains are linked to 2-O-beta-D-galactosylglycerol (6'-position or 1,6' positions), were prepared and tested for their anti-tumor-promoting activity using a short-term in vitro assay for Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation. All compounds were active in inhibiting the EBV activation promoted by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the branched compounds resulting in the most active glycoglycerolipid analogues of the series. The branched 2-O-[6-O-(3-methylbutanoyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-sn-glycerol (1a) and the structurally related alicyclic 2-O-[6-O-(2-cyclohexylethanoyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-sn-glycerol (1d), when tested in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test, exhibited inhibitory effects on mouse skin tumor promotion.

Stereoselective synthesis and immunogenic activity of the C-analogue of sulfatide.

[Structure: see text] The C-sulfatide 1b was synthesized through a [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement and a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination as the key steps. The C-analogue 1b is less immunogenic than natural sulfatide 1a, but induces a preferential secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma.

Anti-tumor-promoting activity of simple models of galactoglycerolipids with branched and unsaturated acyl chains.

Six new galactoglycerolipid analogs, in which one or two 4-methylpentanoyl or trans-2-butenoyl groups are linked to the 2-O-beta-D-galactosylglycerol skeleton, were tested for their anti-tumor-promoting activity using a short-term in vitro assay for Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation. All these compounds were more active than their linear or saturated reference compounds in inhibiting the EBV activation promoted by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the diester 1-O-(4-methylpentanoyl)-2-O-[6-O-(4-methylpentanoyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-sn-glycerol resulting the most active glycoglycerolipid analog till now tested. Four compounds (three butenoates and one 4-methylpentanoate), when tested in the in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test, exhibited also inhibitory effects on mouse skin tumor promotion.

Multiple actions of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 Tat protein on microglial cell functions.

The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) regulatory protein Tat is produced in the early phase of infection and is essential for virus replication. Together with other viral products, Tat has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). As HIV-1 infection in the brain is very limited and macrophage/microglial cells are the only cellular type productively infected by the virus, it has been proposed that many of the viral neurotoxic effects are mediated by microglial products. We and others have shown that Tat affects the functional state of microglial cells, supporting the hypothesis that activated microglia play a role in the neuropathology associated with HIV-1 infection. This review describes the experimental evidence indicating that Tat stimulates microglia to synthesize potentially neurotoxic molecules, including proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals, and interferes with molecular mechanisms controlling cAMP levels, intracellular [Ca2+], and ion channel expression.

Inwardly rectifying K+ channels influence Ca2+ entry due to nucleotide receptor activation in microglia.

The expression in microglia of two K+ channel populations, inwardly- and delayed outwardly rectifying channels (Kir, Kdr), is under the control of a variety of signals among which inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. This makes K+ channels good candidates for the control of cell activities and for their adaptation to the changes of the functional state of the cell. Here we investigated on the role played by Kir channels in the control of cytoplasmic Ca2+ movements. In particular, we focused on those linked to nucleotide receptors, which are known to regulate a variety of functions in microglia. By a Fura-2-based video-imaging approach we recorded Ca2+ transients induced by P2 activation. These were composed of an initial peak, mainly due to release from endoplasmic reticulum, and of a long lasting plateau linked to Ca2+ influx through cation non-selective and capacitative channels. In patch-clamp experiments, we observed that Ba2+ (1-100 microM) could inhibit Kir current, but was not effective on Kdr and ATP-induced K+ current. By using Ba2+ as a specific blocker of Kir channels, we found that their inhibition caused a decrease of the Ca2+ level, especially at the end of the 20s long agonist application period. The effect of Ba2+ was mimicked by high K(+)-induced depolarization. We conclude that Kir channels contribute to modulate the amplitude and time course of the ATP-induced Ca2+ transient through the control of membrane potential. We suggest that microglial cells adapt signal transduction mechanisms to the changes of their functional state also by varying the expression and modulating the activity of inwardly rectifying K+ channels.