Massively parallel single-cell sequencing of diverse microbial populations.

Single-cell genetic heterogeneity is ubiquitous in microbial populations and an important aspect of microbial biology; however, we lack a broadly applicable and accessible method to study this heterogeneity in microbial populations. Here, we show a simple, robust and generalizable method for high-throughput single-cell sequencing of target genetic loci in diverse microbes using simple droplet microfluidics devices (droplet targeted amplicon sequencing; DoTA-seq). DoTA-seq serves as a platform to perform diverse assays for single-cell genetic analysis of microbial populations. Using DoTA-seq, we demonstrate the ability to simultaneously track the prevalence and taxonomic associations of >10 antibiotic-resistance genes and plasmids within human and mouse gut microbial communities. This workflow is a powerful and accessible platform for high-throughput single-cell sequencing of diverse microbial populations.

Efficient plasmid transfer via natural competence in a microbial co-culture.

The molecular and ecological factors shaping horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via natural transformation in microbial communities are largely unknown, which is critical for understanding the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. We investigate key factors shaping HGT in a microbial co-culture by quantifying extracellular DNA release, species growth, and HGT efficiency over time. In the co-culture, plasmid release and HGT efficiency are significantly enhanced than in the respective monocultures. The donor is a key determinant of HGT efficiency as plasmids induce the SOS response, enter a multimerized state, and are released in high concentrations, enabling efficient HGT. However, HGT is reduced in response to high donor lysis rates. HGT is independent of the donor viability state as both live and dead cells transfer the plasmid with high efficiency. In sum, plasmid HGT via natural transformation depends on the interplay of plasmid properties, donor stress responses and lysis rates, and interspecies interactions.

Control of the total orbital angular momentum of light beams propagating through a turbulent medium.

The robustness of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light beams propagating in a turbulent medium, e.g., atmosphere, is critical for many applications such as OAM-based free-space optical communications and remote sensing. However, the total OAM of a beam interacting with the turbulent medium inevitably changes. Here, we demonstrate a practical algorithm to control the total OAM of a beam transmitted through a time-evolving, turbulent medium by dynamically modulating the weights of two coherently superimposed OAM modes, which served as the input beam. A cross-OAM matrix is introduced, and applied for checking whether the desired total OAM in the output plane can be achieved. Furthermore, analytical relations between the weights of two input modes and the output total OAM, as well as its modulation range, are established. As a numerical example, we study the behavior of total OAM of the two-mode beam after passing through a thermal convection occurring in an aqueous medium and suggest a possible application of our strategy.

Differences in endothelial function between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: effects of red blood cells and arginase.

The mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T1DM and T2DM) are unresolved. The red blood cells (RBCs) with increased arginase activity induce endothelial dysfunction in T2DM, but the implications of RBCs and the role of arginase inhibition in T1DM are unexplored. We aimed to investigate the differences in endothelial function in patients with T1DM and T2DM, with focus on RBCs and arginase. Thirteen patients with T1DM and 26 patients with T2DM, matched for HbA1c and sex were included. In vivo endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation (EDV and EIDV), were assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography before and after administration of an arginase inhibitor. RBCs were co-incubated with rat aortic segments for 18h followed by evaluation of endothelium-dependent (EDR) and -independent relaxation (EIDR) in isolated organ chambers. In vivo EDV, but not EIDV, was significantly impaired in patients with T2DM compared to patients with T1DM. Arginase inhibition resulted in improved EDV only in T2DM. RBCs from patients with T2DM induced impaired EDR but not EIDR in isolated aortic segments whereas RBCs from patients with T1DM did not affect EDR nor EIDR. This study demonstrates markedly impaired EDV in patients with T2DM in comparison with T1DM. In addition, it highlights the divergent roles of RBCs and arginase in mediating endothelial dysfunction in T1DM and T2DM. While endothelial dysfunction is mediated via RBCs and arginase in T2DM, these phenomena are not prominent in T1DM thereby indicating distinct differences in underlying mechanisms.

Purinergic P2X3 receptors in the carotid body as new therapeutic targets for controlling heart failure.

Heart failure is associated with multiple mechanisms, including sympatho-excitation, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Enhanced carotid body chemoreflex function is strongly related to excessive sympathetic nerve activity and sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure. How to reduce the excitability of the carotid body is still scientifically challenging. Both clinical and experimental evidence have suggested that targeting purinergic receptors is of great potential to combat heart failure. In a recent study, Lataro et al. (Lataro et al. in Nat Commun 14:1725, 5) demonstrated that targeting purinergic P2X3 receptors in the carotid body attenuates the progression of heart failure. Using a series of molecular, biochemical, and functional assays, the authors observed that the carotid body generates spontaneous, episodic burst discharges coincident with the onset of disordered breathing in male rats with heart failure, which was generated by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Moreover, P2X3 receptor expression was found to be upregulated in the petrosal ganglion chemoreceptive neurons of rats with heart failure. Of particular note, treatment with a P2X3 antagonist rescued pathological breathing disturbances, abolished episodic discharges, reinstated autonomic balance, attenuated cardiac dysfunction, and reduced the immune cell response and plasma cytokine levels in those rats.

Erythrocyte-Derived microRNAs: Emerging Players in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease.

Recent studies have demonstrated a novel function of red blood cells (RBCs) beyond their classical role as gas transporters, that is, RBCs undergo functional alterations in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and RBC dysfunction is associated with hypertension and the development of cardiovascular injury in type 2 diabetes, heart failure, preeclampsia, familial hypercholesterolemia/dyslipidemia, and COVID-19. The underlying mechanisms include decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, increased arginase activity, and reactive oxygen species formation. Of interest, RBCs contain diverse and abundant micro (mi)RNAs. miRNA expression pattern in RBCs reflects the expression in the whole blood, serum, and plasma. miRNA levels in RBCs have been found to be altered in various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular complications. Evidence has shown that RBC-derived miRNAs interact with the cardiovascular system via extracellular vesicles and argonaute RISC catalytic component 2 as carriers. Alteration of RBC-to-vascular communication via miRNAs may serve as potential disease mechanism for vascular complications. The present review summarizes RBCs and their released miRNAs as potential mediators of cardiovascular injury. We further focus on the possible mechanisms by which RBC-derived miRNAs regulate cardiovascular function. A better understanding of the function of RBC-derived miRNAs will increase insights into the disease mechanism and potential targets for the treatment of cardiovascular complications.

Extracellular vesicles and their non-coding RNA cargos: Emerging players in cardiovascular disease.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies, have recently received attention as essential mechanisms for cell-to-cell communication in cardiovascular disease. EVs can be released from different types of cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac cells, fibroblasts, platelets, adipocytes, immune cells and stem cells. Non-coding (nc)RNAs as EV cargos have recently been investigated in the cardiovascular system. Up- or downregulated ncRNAs in EVs have been shown to play a crucial role in various cardiovascular diseases. Communication via EV-derived ncRNAs can occur between cells of the same type and between different types of cells involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. In the present review, we highlight the important aspects of diverse cell-derived EVs and their ncRNA cargos as disease mediators and potential therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, ischaemic heart disease and cardiac fibrosis. In addition, we summarize the potential of EV-derived ncRNAs in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the different methods for EV isolation and characterization. A better understanding of the specific role of EVs and their ncRNA cargos in the regulation of cardiovascular (dys)function will be of importance for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for cardiovascular disease.

The red blood cell as a mediator of endothelial dysfunction in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) display high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), endothelial dysfunction, and increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with type 2 diabetes induce endothelial dysfunction through increased arginase 1 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that RBCs from patients with FH (FH-RBCs) and elevated LDL-c induce endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: FH-RBCs and LDL-c >5.0 mM induced endothelial dysfunction following 18-h incubation with isolated aortic rings from healthy rats compared to FH-RBCs and LDL-c <2.5 mM or RBCs from healthy subjects (H-RBCs). Inhibition of vascular but not RBC arginase attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH-RBCs and LDL-c >5.0 mM. Furthermore, arginase 1 but not arginase 2 was elevated in the vasculature of aortic segments after incubation with FH-RBCs and LDL-c >5.0 mM. A superoxide scavenger, present throughout the 18-h incubation, attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH-RBCs and LDL-c >5.0 mM. ROS production was elevated in these RBCs in comparison with H-RBCs. Scavenging of vascular ROS through various antioxidants also attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH-RBCs and LDL-c >5.0 mM. This was corroborated by an increase in the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal. Lipidomic analysis of RBC lysates did not reveal any significant changes across the groups. CONCLUSION: FH-RBCs induce endothelial dysfunction dependent on LDL-c levels via arginase 1 and ROS-dependent mechanisms.

Characterization and application of a series of monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a significant global social and economic impact, and the emergence of new and more destructive mutant strains highlights the need for accurate virus detection. Here, 90 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that exclusively reacted with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein (NP) were generated. These MAbs did not cross-react with NPs of common human coronaviruses (HCoVs, i.e., 229E, OC43, HKU1, and NL63) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Subsequently, overlapped peptides in individual fragments (N1-N4) of NP were synthesized. N1-3 (25-GSNQNGERSGARSKQ-39), N3-1 (217-AALALLLLDRLNQL-230), and N4-8 (393-TLLPAADLDDFSKQL-407) were identified as major epitopes using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and recognized by 47, 1, and 18 MAbs, respectively. The 24 remaining MAbs exhibited no reactivity with all synthetic peptides. Among MAb-epitope pairs, only MAbs targeting epitope N1-3 displayed no cross-reaction with NPs of SARS-CoV-1 and other SARS-related CoVs. All Omicron variants contained a three-amino acid deletion (31ERS33) in the N1-3 region. Thus, MAbs targeting N1-3 failed to recognize these variants. Furthermore, a double-antibody sandwich ELISA for antigen detection was established using the optimal MAbs. Overall, a series of MAbs targeting SARS-CoV-2 NP was prepared, characterized with epitope mapping, and applied for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, and some novel B-cell epitopes of the viral NP were identified.

Inhibition of long noncoding RNA Gm41724 alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating lamina-associated polypeptide 2α.

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological process underlying myocardial remodeling and is characterized by excessive deposition of the myocardial extracellular matrix. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of various biological processes. In this study, we investigated the role of a novel lncRNA, Gm41724, in cardiac fibrosis induced by pressure overload. High-throughput whole transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to detect differentially expressed lncRNAs in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) with or without TGF-ß1 treatment. Differential expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis identified Gm41724 as a potential molecule targeting fibrosis. Gm41724 positively regulated the activation of CFs induced by TGF-ß1 and pressure overload. Knocking down Gm41724 could inhibit the differentiation of CFs into myofibroblasts and alleviate cardiac fibrosis induced by pressure overload. Mechanistically, comprehensive identification of RNA-binding proteins by mass spectrometry (CHIRP-MS) and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay combined with other methods of molecular biological revealed the important role of Gm41724 binding to lamina-associated polypeptide 2α (lap2α) for the activation of CFs. Further mechanistic studies indicated that the regulator of G protein signaling 4 (Rgs4), as the downstream effector of Gm41724/lap2α, regulated CFs activation. Our results implicated the involvement of Gm41724 in cardiac fibrosis induced by pressure overload and it is expected to be a promising target for anti-fibrotic therapy.

Exploring Three Decades of Progress: A Comprehensive Visual Review of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI Research (1988-2021).

BACKGROUND Despite an increasing number of published articles on intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the past decade, almost all have focused on the technique and clinical applications of IVIM, with little attention to the collective knowledge and scientific analysis of this field. The aim of the present study was to construct a knowledge framework and to explore hotspots and emerging trends concerning use of IVIM in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS The articles concerning IVIM MRI published from 1988 to 2021 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expended of the Web of Science Core Collection on 17, August 2021. The downloaded data were imported into Excel 2016 and CiteSpace V for scientometric analysis. RESULTS A total of 921 articles were included in this study and most of them were published since 2012. China (n=392) was the most productive country and the Philips Healthcare (n=46) was the most productive institution. Christian Federau had the largest number of publications (n=18). An article by Andreou A et al (2013) was the most important reference with the most co-citations (n=100) and centrality (0.06). The 5 hotspots in IVIM were perfusion, diffusion-weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion, apparent diffusion coefficient, and magnetic resonance imaging. The 2 frontier topics were "brain perfusion" and "accuracy". According to the clustering of co-citation analysis, "liver", "diffusion weighting", "pancreas", and "brain" were the main research directions. CONCLUSIONS Scientometric analysis of IVIM literature with CiteSpace software can provide researchers with valuable information about knowledge framework, hotspots, and emerging trends concerning IVIM in humans.

The Effect of Sodium Bentonite in the Thermo-Catalytic Reduction of Viscosity of Heavy Oils.

To study the synergistic catalysis of an ex situ catalyst and in situ clay in the aquathermolysis of heavy oil, in this paper, a series of bentonite-supported catechol-metal complexes were prepared, and the catalytic viscosity reduction performance in the aquathermolysis of heavy oil was investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the viscosity can be reduced by 73%, and the pour point can be lowered by 15.0 °C at most, showing the synergistic catalysis of the ex situ catalyst and in situ clay in this aquathermolytic reaction. Thermogravimetry, physical adsorption-desorption, and scanning electron microscopy were conducted to characterize the thermal stability and microstructure of the ex situ catalyst. The components of the heavy oil before and after the reaction were fully characterized. Six model compounds were used to simulate the aquathermolysis reaction process. In order to study the mechanism of viscosity reduction after the catalytic aquathermolysis reaction, the compounds were analyzed by GC-MS. It is believed that these results will be beneficial in the future for related research in this field.

Similarity measurements of B cell receptor repertoire in baseline mice showed spectrum convergence of IgM.

BACKGROUND: The B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire is highly diverse among individuals. Poor similarity of the spectrum among inbred baseline mice may limit the ability to discriminate true signals from those involving specific experimental factors. The repertoire similarity of the baseline status lacks intensive measurements. RESULTS: We measured the repertoire similarity of IgH in blood and spleen samples from untreated BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice to investigate the baseline status of the two inbred strains. The antibody pool was stratified by the isotype of IgA, IgG and IgM. Between individuals, the results showed better convergence of CDR3 and clonal lineage profiles in IgM than in IgA and IgG, and better robustness of somatic mutation networks in IgM than in IgA and IgG. It also showed that the CDR3 clonotypes and clonal lineages shared better in the spleen samples than in the blood samples. The animal batch differences were detected in CDR3 evenness, mutated clonotype proportions, and maximal network degrees. A cut-off of 95% identity in the CDR3 nucleotide sequences was suitable for clonal lineage establishment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal a natural landscape of BCR repertoire similarities between baseline mice and provide a solid reference for designing studies of mouse BCR repertoires.

Erythrocytes from patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction induce cardioprotection through the purinergic P2Y13 receptor and nitric oxide signaling.

Red blood cells (RBCs) are suggested to play a role in cardiovascular regulation by exporting nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity and ATP under hypoxia. It remains unknown whether such beneficial effects of RBCs are protective in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We investigated whether RBCs from patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and whether such effect involves NO and purinergic signaling in the RBCs. RBCs from patients with STEMI undergoing primary coronary intervention and healthy controls were administered to isolated rat hearts subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. Compared to RBCs from healthy controls, RBCs from STEMI patients reduced myocardial infarct size (30 ± 12% RBC healthy vs. 11 ± 5% RBC STEMI patients, P < 0.001), improved recovery of left-ventricular developed pressure and dP/dt and reduced left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure in hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Inhibition of RBC NO synthase with L-NAME or soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) with ODQ, and inhibition of cardiac protein kinase G (PKG) abolished the cardioprotective effect. Furthermore, the non-selective purinergic P2 receptor antagonist PPADS but not the P1 receptor antagonist 8PT attenuated the cardioprotection induced by RBCs from STEMI patients. The P2Y13 receptor was expressed in RBCs and the cardioprotection was abolished by the P2Y13 receptor antagonist MRS2211. By contrast, perfusion with PPADS, L-NAME, or ODQ prior to RBCs administration failed to block the cardioprotection induced by RBCs from STEMI patients. Administration of RBCs from healthy subjects following pre-incubation with an ATP analog reduced infarct size from 20 ± 6 to 7 ± 2% (P < 0.001), and this effect was abolished by ODQ and MRS2211. This study demonstrates a novel function of RBCs in STEMI patients providing protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through the P2Y13 receptor and the NO-sGC-PKG pathway.

Therapeutic Potential of Sunitinib in Ameliorating Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Sunitinib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor used to treat renal-cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, was recently shown to have a beneficial effect on metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor behind macro- and microvascular complications in T2D. The effect of sunitinib on endothelial function in T2D remains, however, unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that sunitinib ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in T2D. METHODS: Sunitinib (2 mg/kg/day, by gavage) was administered to T2D Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats for 6 weeks, while water was given to GK and Wistar rats as controls. Hemodynamic, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters as well as endothelial function were measured. RESULTS: Systolic, mean arterial blood pressures, plasma tumor necrosis factor α levels, kidney weight to body weight (BW) ratio, and glucose levels were higher, while BW was lower in GK rats than in Wistar rats. Six-week treatment with sunitinib in GK rats did not affect these parameters but suppressed the increase in glucose levels. Endothelium-dependent relaxations were reduced in both aortas and mesenteric arteries isolated from GK as compared to Wistar rats, which was markedly reversed in both types of arteries from GK rats treated with sunitinib. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that sunitinib has a glucose-lowering effect and ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in both conduit and resistance arteries of GK rats.

Red Cell Distribution Width Is Independently Associated with Mortality in Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in sepsis remains high. Studies on small cohorts have shown that red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with mortality. The aim of this study was to validate these findings in a large multicenter cohort. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective analysis of the multicenter eICU Collaborative Research Database in 16,423 septic patients. We split the cohort in patients with low (≤15%; n = 7,129) and high (>15%; n = 9,294) RDW. Univariable and multivariable multilevel logistic regressions were used to fit regression models for the binary primary outcome of hospital mortality and the secondary outcome intensive care unit (ICU) mortality with hospital unit as random effect. Optimal cutoffs were calculated using the Youden index. RESULTS: Patients with high RDW were more often older than 65 years (57% vs. 50%; p < 0.001) and had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV scores (69 vs. 60 pts.; p < 0.001). Both hospital (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 1.18; 95% CI: 1.16-1.20; p < 0.001) and ICU mortality (aOR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.14-1.18; p < 0.001) were associated with RDW as a continuous variable. Patients with high RDW had a higher hospital mortality (20 vs. 9%; aOR 2.63; 95% CI: 2.38-2.90; p < 0.001). This finding persisted after multivariable adjustment (aOR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.93-2.37; p < 0.001) in a multilevel logistic regression analysis. The optimal RDW cutoff for the prediction of hospital mortality was 16%. CONCLUSION: We found an association of RDW with mortality in septic patients and propose an optimal cutoff value for risk stratification. In a combined model with lactate, RDW shows equivalent diagnostic performance to Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and APACHE IV score.

Ticagrelor: a cardiometabolic drug targeting erythrocyte-mediated purinergic signaling?

Cardiometabolic diseases lead to vascular complications, which cause increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial and complex but may involve altered purinergic signaling that significantly contributes to cardiovascular dysfunction. Ticagrelor is a successful purinergic drug directly targeting ADP-mediated P2Y12R signaling for platelet aggregation and is widely used in patients with acute coronary syndrome. In addition, ticagrelor can target red blood cells (RBCs) to release ATP and inhibit adenosine uptake by RBCs, which subsequently activate purinergic signaling. This involvement in purinergic signaling may allow ticagrelor to mediate pleiotropic effects and contribute to the beneficial cardiovascular outcomes observed in clinical studies. Recent studies have established a novel function of RBCs, which is that RBCs act as disease mediators for the development of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes (T2D). RBC-released ATP is defective in T2D, which has implications for the induction of vascular dysfunction by dysregulating purinergic signaling. Ticagrelor might target RBCs and restore the bioavailability of ATP and adenosine, thereby attenuating cardiovascular complications. The present perspective discusses the pleiotropic effect of ticagrelor, with a focus on the possibility of ticagrelor for the treatment of cardiometabolic complications by targeting RBCs and initiating purinergic activation. A better understanding of the proposed cardiometabolic effects could support novel clinical indications for ticagrelor application.

Adenosine and adenosine receptor-mediated action in coronary microcirculation.

Adenosine is an ubiquitous extracellular signaling molecule and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of coronary microcirculation through activation of adenosine receptors (ARs). Adenosine is regulated by various enzymes and nucleoside transporters for its balance between intra- and extracellular compartments. Adenosine-mediated coronary microvascular tone and reactive hyperemia are through receptors mainly involving A2AR activation on both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, but also involving interaction among other ARs. Activation of ARs further stimulates downstream targets of H2O2, KATP, KV and KCa2+ channels leading to coronary vasodilation. An altered adenosine-ARs signaling in coronary microcirculation has been observed in several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Adenosine as a metabolite and its receptors have been studied for its both therapeutic and diagnostic abilities. The present review summarizes important aspects of adenosine metabolism and AR-mediated actions in the coronary microcirculation.

Purinergic interplay between erythrocytes and platelets in diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction.

Cardiovascular complications in diabetes are the leading causes for high morbidity and mortality. It has been shown that alteration of purinergic signaling contributes to diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications. Red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets play a fundamental role in regulation of oxygen transport and hemostasis, respectively. Of note, these cells undergo purinergic dysfunction in diabetes. Recent studies have established a novel function of RBCs as disease mediators for the development of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). RBC-released ATP is defective in T2D, which has implication for induction of vascular dysfunction by dysregulating purinergic signaling. Platelets are hyperactive in diabetes. ADP-mediated P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptor activation contributes to platelet aggregation and targeting P2Y receptors particularly P2Y12 receptor in platelets is effective for the treatment of cardiovascular events. In contrast to other P2Y12 receptor antagonists, platelet-targeting drug ticagrelor has potential to initiate purinergic signaling in RBCs for the beneficial cardiovascular outcomes. It is increasingly clear that altered vascular purinergic signaling mediated by various nucleotides and nucleoside contributes to diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction. However, the contribution of complex purinergic networks between RBCs and platelets to the vascular dysfunction in diabetes remains unclear. This study discusses the possible interplay of RBCs and platelets via the purinergic network for diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction.

Anti-coagulation for COVID-19 treatment: both anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been linked to a higher risk of mortality compared to influenza, which is mainly due to severe secondary diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In turn, ARDS is characterized by an acute inflammation and an excessive activity of the coagulation cascade, rising the vulnerability for venous thromboembolic events. In order to investigate the relation of inflammation and the influence of coagulation factors on their release, human peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) were treated with autologous serum, heparinized plasma and different doses of fibrin. Thereafter, the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the secretome of PBMCs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our analyses revealed autologous serum to significantly increase the secretion of cytokines and chemokines after 24 h of incubation time. Furthermore, the addition of fibrin markedly increased the secretion of cytokines and chemokines by PBMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, in accordance with previous studies, our study outlines that anti-coagulation may constitute a promising tool for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, reducing both, the cytokine storm, as well as the risk for thrombotic complications.