Octopus-inspired deception and signaling systems from an exceptionally-stable acene variant.

Multifunctional platforms that can dynamically modulate their color and appearance have attracted attention for applications as varied as displays, signaling, camouflage, anti-counterfeiting, sensing, biomedical imaging, energy conservation, and robotics. Within this context, the development of camouflage systems with tunable spectroscopic and fluorescent properties that span the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectral regions has remained exceedingly challenging because of frequently competing materials and device design requirements. Herein, we draw inspiration from the unique blue rings of the Hapalochlaena lunulata octopus for the development of deception and signaling systems that resolve these critical challenges. As the active material, our actuator-type systems incorporate a readily-prepared and easily-processable nonacene-like molecule with an ambient-atmosphere stability that exceeds the state-of-the-art for comparable acenes by orders of magnitude. Devices from this active material feature a powerful and unique combination of advantages, including straightforward benchtop fabrication, competitive baseline performance metrics, robustness during cycling with the capacity for autonomous self-repair, and multiple dynamic multispectral operating modes. When considered together, the described exciting discoveries point to new scientific and technological opportunities in the areas of functional organic materials, reconfigurable soft actuators, and adaptive photonic systems.

Redundant cytokine requirement for intestinal microbiota-induced Th17 cell differentiation in draining lymph nodes.

Differentiation of intestinal T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which contribute to mucosal barrier protection from invasive pathogens, is dependent on colonization with distinct commensal bacteria. Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are sufficient to support Th17 cell differentiation in mouse, but the molecular and cellular requirements for this process remain incompletely characterized. Here, we show that intestine-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), not intestine proper, are the dominant site of SFB-induced intestinal Th17 cell differentiation. Subsequent migration of these cells to the intestinal lamina propria is dependent on their upregulation of integrin ß7. Stat3-dependent induction of RORγt, the Th17 cell-specifying transcription factor, largely depends on IL-6, but signaling through the receptors for IL-21 and IL-23 can compensate for absence of IL-6 to promote SFB-directed Th17 cell differentiation. These results indicate that redundant cytokine signals guide commensal microbe-dependent Th17 cell differentiation in the MLNs and accumulation of the cells in the lamina propria.

An aza-Diels-Alder approach to chlorinated quinolines, benzoquinolines, and polybenzoquinolines.

Quinolines and quinoline-containing macromolecules are renowned for their valuable biological activities and excellent materials properties. Herein, we validate a general strategy for the synthesis of chloro-containing quinoline, benzoquinoline and polybenzoquinoline variants via the aza-Diels-Alder reaction. The described findings could be ultimately implemented in other synthetic pathways and may open new opportunities for analogous quinoline-derived materials.

Relationship between T cells and microbiota in health and disease.

In the past decades, the fields of microbiology and immunology have largely advanced by using germ-free animals and next-generation sequencing. Many studies revealed the relationship among gut microbiota, activation of immune system, and various diseases. Especially, some gut commensals can generate their antigen-specific T cells. It is becoming clear that commensal bacteria have important roles in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as autism, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Recently, it was reported that commensals contribute to the cancer immune therapy. However, how commensal-specific T cells contribute to the disease development and cancer treatment are not fully understood yet. In this chapter, we will summarize the decade history of the studies associated with commensal-induced T cells and commensal-causing diseases.

Aza-Diels-Alder Approach to Diquinolineanthracene and Polydiquinolineanthracene Derivatives.

This study describes the synthesis of modular diquinolineanthracene and polydiquinolineanthracene derivatives. The reported facile and scalable aza-Diels-Alder-based approach requires mild conditions, proceeds in two steps, uses commercially available starting materials, and accommodates varying functionalities. Given the known utility of the acene and quinoline motifs, the synthesized molecules and polymers hold promise for organic electronics applications.