MHC tetramer technology: Exploring T cell biology in health and disease.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) tetramers stand as formidable tools within T cell biology, facilitating the exploration and comprehension of immune responses. These artificial molecules, comprising four bound MHC molecules, typically with a specified peptide and a fluorescent label, play a pivotal role in characterizing T cell subsets, monitoring clonal expansion, and unraveling T cell dynamics during responses to infections or immunotherapies. Beyond their applications in T cell biology, MHC tetramers prove valuable in investigating a spectrum of diseases such as infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Their instrumental role extends to vaccine research and development. Notably, when appropriately configured, tetramers transcend T cell biology research and find utility in exploring natural killer T cells and contributing to specific T cell clonal deletions.

New ring-A modified cycloartane triterpenoids from Dysoxylum malabaricum bark: Isolation, structure elucidation and their cytotoxicity.

The Genus Dysoxylum (Meliaceae) consists of approximately 80 species that are abundant in structurally diverse triterpenoids. The present study focused on isolating new triterpenoids from the bark of Dysoxylum malabaricum, one of the predominant species of Dysoxylum present in India. The methanol-dichloromethane bark extract was subjected to LCMS profiling followed by silica gel column chromatography and HPLC analysis to target new compounds. Two new ring A-modified cycloartane-type triterpenoids (1 and 2) were isolated from the bark extract. Spectroscopic methods like NMR, HRESIMS data, and electronic circular dichroism calculations elucidated the structuresandabsolute configurations of the isolated compounds. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic potential against breast cancer cells and displayed notable cytotoxicity. Compound 1 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 cells and induced apoptotic cell death. Also, it was able to inhibit glucose uptake and increase nitric oxide production in breast cancer cells.

Unveiling the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative potential of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles mediated by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Fungal endophytes are a putative source of bioactive metabolites that have found significant applications in nanomedicine due to their metabolic versatility. In the present study, an aqueous extract of the fungal endophyte, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides associated with a medicinal plant Oroxylum indicum, has been used for the fabrication of green silver nanoparticles (CgAgNPs) and further evaluated their cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity. Bioanalytical techniques including UV-Vis spectral analysis revealed a sharp band at 435 nm and functional molecules from the aqueous extract involved in the synthesis of CgAgNPs were evidenced through FTIR. Further, the crystalline nature of CgAgNPs was determined through XRD analysis and microscopy techniques including AFM, TEM and FESEM demonstrated the spherical shape of CgAgNPs exhibiting a crystalline hexagonal lattice and the size was found to be in the range of 9-29 nm. The significant cytotoxic potential of CgAgNPs was observed against breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 18.398 ± 0.376 and 38.587 ± 1.828 µg mL-1, respectively. The biochemical study revealed that the treatment of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with CgAgNPs reduces glucose uptake, suppresses cell proliferation, and enhances LDH release, indicating reduced cell viability and progression. Moreover, our research revealed differential expression of genes associated with apoptosis, cell cycle inhibition and metastasis suppression, evidencing anti-proliferative activity of CgAgNPs. The main objective of the present study is to harness anti-breast cancer activity of novel biogenic nanoparticles synthesized using the aqueous extract of O. indicum associated C. gloeosporioides and study the underlying mechanistic pathway exerted by these mycogenic nanoparticles.

Exploring the Protective Effect against 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced Breast Tumors of Palmitoylethanolamide.

Breast cancer remains a global health burden, and the need for effective therapies is of chief importance. The current study explored the in vivo chemoprotective activity of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast tumor in rats. Results of noninvasive photoacoustic imaging showed real-time progression in the tumor area and volume in DMBA-induced rats, while there was a reduction in tumor area and volume in PEA-treated tumor-bearing rats. The increase in the average oxygen saturation (sO2 %) and decrease in the average total hemoglobin (HbT %) indicated the PEA-mediated attenuation of hypoxia-induced neovascularization in DMBA-induced rats. Histopathological investigations confirmed the efficacy of PEA in mitigating breast carcinoma, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity driven by DMBA. Moreover, PEA-mediated alterations in the metabolic activity of the tumor microenvironment were evidenced by decreased glucose and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme level in the blood plasma and mammary tissue. PEA also maintained the redox balance by inhibiting nitric oxide level, reducing malondialdehyde (a product of lipid peroxidation), and increasing the level of antioxidant enzyme reduced glutathione. PEA altered the expression of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, P53,BCL-XL, CASPASE-8, and CASPASE-9) and induced the activity of Caspase-3 protein in the mammary tissue of tumor-bearing rats, indicating its apoptosis inducing ability. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that PEA may have a protective effect against DMBA-induced breast tumors.

Designer probiotics: Opening the new horizon in diagnosis and prevention of human diseases.

Probiotic microorganisms have been used for therapeutic purposes for over a century, and recent advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering have opened up new possibilities for developing therapeutic approaches using indigenous probiotic microorganisms. Diseases are often related to metabolic and immunological factors, which play a critical role in their onset. With the help of advanced genetic tools, probiotics can be modified to produce or secrete important therapeutic peptides directly into mucosal sites, increasing their effectiveness. One potential approach to enhancing human health is through the use of designer probiotics, which possess immunogenic characteristics. These genetically engineered probiotics hold promise in providing novel therapeutic options. In addition to their immunogenic properties, designer probiotics can also be equipped with sensors and genetic circuits, enabling them to detect a range of diseases with remarkable precision. Such capabilities may significantly advance disease diagnosis and management. Furthermore, designer probiotics have the potential to be used in diagnostic applications, offering a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to conventional diagnostic techniques. This review offers an overview of the different functional aspects of the designer probiotics and their effectiveness on different diseases and also, we have emphasized their limitations and future implications. A comprehensive understanding of these functional attributes may pave the way for new avenues of prevention and the development of effective therapies for a range of diseases.

Microscopy based methods for characterization, drug delivery, and understanding the dynamics of nanoparticles.

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that exploits nanotechnology for the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic modalities. Researches are been focussed in nanoimaging to develop noninvasive, highly sensitive, and reliable tools for diagnosis and visualization in nanomedical field. The application of nanomedicine in healthcare requires in-depth understanding of their structural, physical and morphological properties, internalization inside living system, biodistribution and localization, stability, mode of action and possible toxic health effects. Microscopic techniques including fluorescence-based confocal laser scanning microscopy, super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and multiphoton microscopy; optical-based Raman microscopy, photoacoustic microscopy and optical coherence tomography; photothermal microscopy; electron microscopy (transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope); atomic force microscopy; X-ray microscopy and, correlative multimodal imaging are recognized as an indispensable tool in material research and aided in numerous discoveries. Microscopy holds great promise in detecting the fundamental structures of nanoparticles (NPs) that determines their performance and applications. Moreover, the intricate details that allows assessment of chemical composition, surface topology and interfacial properties, molecular, microstructure, and micromechanical properties are also elucidated. With plethora of applications, microscopy-based techniques have been used to characterize novel NPs alongwith their proficient designing and adoption of safe strategies to be exploited in nanomedicine. Consequently, microscopic techniques have been extensively used in the characterization of fabricated NPs, and their biomedical application in diagnostics and therapeutics. The present review provides an overview of the microscopy-based techniques for in vitro and in vivo application in nanomedical investigation alongwith their challenges and advancement to meet the limitations of conventional methods.

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies in Parasitic Disease Management: From Prevention to Diagnosis and Treatment.

Parasitic infections are a major global health issue causing significant mortality and morbidity. Despite substantial advances in the diagnostics and treatment of these diseases, the currently available options fall far short of expectations. From diagnosis and treatment to prevention and control, nanotechnology-based techniques show promise as an alternative approach. Nanoparticles can be designed with specific properties to target parasites and deliver antiparasitic medications and vaccines. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, nanosuspensions, polymer-based nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles have been shown to overcome limitations such as limited bioavailability, poor cellular permeability, nonspecific distribution, and rapid drug elimination from the body. These nanoparticles also serve as nanobiosensors for the early detection and treatment of these diseases. This review aims to summarize the potential applications of nanoparticles in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these applications and their market values and highlights the need for further research in this field.

Advancements and Challenges in Developing Malaria Vaccines: Targeting Multiple Stages of the Parasite Life Cycle.

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species, remains a major global health concern, causing millions of deaths annually. While the introduction of the RTS,S vaccine has shown promise, there is a pressing need for more effective vaccines due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant vectors. However, the complex life cycle and genetic diversity of the parasite, technical obstacles, limited funding, and the impact of the 2019 pandemic have hindered progress in malaria vaccine development. This review focuses on advancements in malaria vaccine development, particularly the ongoing clinical trials targeting antigens from different stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. Additionally, we discuss the rationale, strategies, and challenges associated with vaccine design, aiming to enhance the immune response and protective efficacy of vaccine candidates. A cost-effective and multistage vaccine could hold the key to controlling and eradicating malaria.

Recent Advancements in the Formulation of Nanomaterials-Based Nanozymes, Their Catalytic Activity, and Biomedical Applications.

Nanozymes are nanoparticles with intrinsic enzyme-mimicking properties that have become more prevalent because of their ability to outperform conventional enzymes by overcoming their drawbacks related to stability, cost, and storage. Nanozymes have the potential to manipulate active sites of natural enzymes, which is why they are considered promising candidates to function as enzyme mimetics. Several microscopy- and spectroscopy-based techniques have been used for the characterization of nanozymes. To date, a wide range of nanozymes, including catalase, oxidase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, have been designed to effectively mimic natural enzymes. The activity of nanozymes can be controlled by regulating the structural and morphological aspects of the nanozymes. Nanozymes have multifaceted benefits, which is why they are exploited on a large scale for their application in the biomedical sector. The versatility of nanozymes aids in monitoring and treating cancer, other neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. Due to the compelling advantages of nanozymes, significant research advancements have been made in this area. Although a wide range of nanozymes act as potent mimetics of natural enzymes, their activity and specificities are suboptimal, and there is still room for their diversification for analytical purposes. Designing diverse nanozyme systems that are sensitive to one or more substrates through specialized techniques has been the subject of an in-depth study. Hence, we believe that stimuli-responsive nanozymes may open avenues for diagnosis and treatment by fusing the catalytic activity and intrinsic nanomaterial properties of nanozyme systems.

Correction to "Green-Based Approach to Synthesize Silver Nanoparticles Using the Fungal Endophyte Penicillium oxalicum and Their Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Anticancer Potential".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05605.].

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent: challenges and strategies for elimination.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe and often fatal form of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in the Indian sub-continent. Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a late cutaneous manifestation of VL, typically occurring after apparent cure of VL, but sometimes even without a prior history of VL in India. PKDL serves as a significant yet neglected reservoir of infection and plays a crucial role in the transmission of the disease, posing a serious threat to the VL elimination program in the Indian sub-continent. Therefore, the eradication of PKDL should be a priority within the current VL elimination program aimed at achieving a goal of less than 1 case per 10,000 in the population at the district or sub-district levels of VL endemic areas. To accomplish this, a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of PKDL is essential, as well as developing strategies for disease management. This review provides an overview of the current status of diagnosis and treatment options for PKDL, highlighting our current knowledge of the immune responses underlying disease development and progression. Additionally, the review discusses the impact of PKDL on elimination programs and propose strategies to overcome this challenge and achieve the goal of elimination. By addressing the diagnostic and therapeutic gaps, optimizing surveillance and control measures, and implementing effective intervention strategies, it is possible to mitigate the burden of PKDL and facilitate the successful elimination of VL in the Indian sub-continent.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials-Based Targeted Drug Delivery for Preclinical Cancer Diagnosis and Therapeutics.

Nano-oncology is a branch of biomedical research and engineering that focuses on using nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nanomaterials are extensively employed in the field of oncology because of their minute size and ultra-specificity. A wide range of nanocarriers, such as dendrimers, micelles, PEGylated liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles are used to facilitate the efficient transport of anti-cancer drugs at the target tumor site. Real-time labeling and monitoring of cancer cells using quantum dots is essential for determining the level of therapy needed for treatment. The drug is targeted to the tumor site either by passive or active means. Passive targeting makes use of the tumor microenvironment and enhanced permeability and retention effect, while active targeting involves the use of ligand-coated nanoparticles. Nanotechnology is being used to diagnose the early stage of cancer by detecting cancer-specific biomarkers using tumor imaging. The implication of nanotechnology in cancer therapy employs photoinduced nanosensitizers, reverse multidrug resistance, and enabling efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA molecules for therapeutic applications. However, despite recent advancements in nano-oncology, there is a need to delve deeper into the domain of designing and applying nanoparticles for improved cancer diagnostics.

Isolation of potassium salt of oxadiazole-2-thione and in vitro anticancer activities of its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes against MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells.

A potassium 4-(pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione was isolated in a basic medium, and its complexes [Cu(en)2(pot)2] (1) and [Zn(en)2(pot)2]HBr·CH3OH (2) containing ethylenediamine (en) as secondary ligand were synthesized and fully characterized. Upon changing the reaction conditions, the Cu(II) complex (1) adopts an octahedral geometry around the metal center. The cytotoxic activity of ligand (Kpot·H2O) along with complexes 1 and 2 was tested, and their anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells was demonstrated, with complex 1 exhibiting superior cytotoxicity against these cells as compared to Kpot·H2O and complex 2. According to the DNA nicking assay, the ligand (Kpot·H2O) was found to be more potent to scavenge hydroxyl radicals even at a lower concentration (50 µg mL-1) than that of both complexes. The wound healing assay revealed that ligand Kpot·H2O and its complexes 1 and 2 attenuated the migration of the above-mentioned cell line. The loss of cellular and nuclear integrity and induction in the activity of Caspase-3 suggest the anticancer potential of ligand Kpot·H2O and its complexes 1 and 2 against MDA-MB-231 cells.

Exploration of in vitro cytotoxic and in ovo antiangiogenic activity of ethyl acetate extract of Penicillium oxalicum.

Fungal endophytes have established new paradigms in the area of biomedicine due to their ability to produce metabolites of pharmacological importance. The present study reports the in vitro cytotoxic and in ovo antiangiogenic activity of the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of Penicillium oxalicum and their chemical profiling through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. Treatment of the EA extract of P. oxalicum to the selected human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) leads to the reduced glucose uptake and increased nitric oxide production suggesting the cytotoxic activity of EA extract of P. oxalicum. Our results further show that treatment of EA extract of P. oxalicum attenuates the colony number, cell migration ability and alters nuclear morphology in both the human breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the treatment of EA extract of P. oxalicum mediates apoptosis by increasing the expression of BAX, P21, FADD, and CASPASE-8 genes, with increased Caspase-3 activity. Additionally, in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay showed that the treatment of EA extract of P. oxalicum leads to antiangiogenic activity with perturbed formation of blood vessels. Overall, our findings suggest that the EA extract of P. oxalicum show in vitro cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cell lines, and in ovo antiangiogenic activity in CAM model.

Ethyl Acetate Extract of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Promotes Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Fungal endophytes are known to be a paragon for producing bioactive compounds with a variety of pharmacological importance. The current study aims to elucidate the molecular alterations induced by the bioactive compounds produced by the fungal endophyte Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the tumor microenvironment of human breast cancer cells. GC/MS analysis of the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of C. gloeosporioides revealed the presence of bioactive compounds with anticancer activity. The EA extract of C. gloeosporioides exerted potential plasmid DNA protective activity against hydroxyl radicals of Fenton's reagent. The cytotoxic activity further revealed that MDA-MB-231 cells exhibit more sensitivity toward the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides as compared to MCF-7 cells, whereas non-toxic to non-cancerous HEK293T cells. Furthermore, the anticancer activity demonstrated by the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides was studied by assessing nuclear morphometric analysis and induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The EA extract of C. gloeosporioides causes the alteration in cellular and nuclear morphologies, chromatin condensation, long-term colony inhibition, and inhibition of cell migration and proliferation ability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The study also revealed that the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides treated cells undergoes apoptosis by increased production of reactive oxygen species and significant deficit in mitochondrial membrane potential. Our study also showed that the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides causes upregulation of pro-apoptotic (BAX, PARP, CASPASE-8, and FADD), cell cycle arrest (P21), and tumor suppressor (P53) related genes. Additionally, the downregulation of antiapoptotic genes (BCL-2 and SURVIVIN) and increased Caspase-3 activity suggest the induction of apoptosis in the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides treated MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Overall, our findings suggest that the bioactive compounds present in the EA extract of C. gloeosporioides promotes apoptosis by altering the genes related to the extrinsic as well as the intrinsic pathway. Further in vivo study in breast cancer models is required to validate the in vitro observations.

Isolation and characterization of N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with apoptosis-inducing potential in breast cancer cells.

Endophytic fungi are a well-established reservoir of bioactive compounds that are pharmaceutically valuable and therefore, contribute significantly to the biomedical field. The present study aims to identify the bioactive anticancer compound from ethyl acetate extract of fungal endophyte, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides associated with the leaf of the medicinal plant Oroxylum indicum. The fatty acid amide compound N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)hexadecanamide (Palmitoylethanolamide; PEA) was identified using antioxidant activity-guided fractionation assisted with tandem liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. In-Silico molecular docking analysis showed that PEA potentially docked to the active sites of apoptosis-inducing proteins including BAX, BCL-2, P21, and P53. Further validation was done using in vitro study that showed PEA inhibitsthe proliferation, alters nuclear morphology and attenuates the wound closure ability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. PEA induces apoptosis via upregulating cell-cycle arrest (P21), tumor suppression (P53), pro-apoptotic (BAX, CASPASE-8, and FADD) genes, and downregulating anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. The upregulation of the active form of Caspase-3 was also reported. This is the first-ever report for the isolation of PEA from C. gloeosporioides with anticancer activity against human breast cancer cells and therefore holds great potential for future therapeutics.

Epinephrine facilitates the growth of T cell lymphoma by altering cell proliferation, apoptosis, and glucose metabolism.

In recent years, studies have reported the role of stress-regulatory hormones, including epinephrine, in regulating the progression of a few cancers. However, the tumor-promoting action of epinephrine is not yet investigated in T cell malignancy, a rare and complicated neoplastic disorder. More so, very little is known regarding the implication of epinephrine in the glucose metabolic rewiring in tumor cells. The present investigation showed that epinephrine enhanced the proliferation of T lymphoma cells through up- and down-regulating the expression of PCNA, cyclin D, and p53, respectively. In addition, epinephrine inhibited apoptosis in T lymphoma cells possibly by increasing the level of BCL2 (an anti-apoptotic protein) and decreasing PARP level (a pro-apoptotic protein). Intriguingly, epinephrine is reported to stimulate glycolysis in T lymphoma cells by increasing the expression of crucial glycolysis regulatory molecules, namely HKII and PKM2, in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. Moreover, augmented production of ROS has been observed in T lymphoma cells, which might be a central player in epinephrine-mediated T cell lymphoma growth. Taken together, our study demonstrates that epinephrine might have a significant role in the progression of T cell lymphoma.

Epigenetic manipulation for secondary metabolite activation in endophytic fungi: current progress and future directions.

Fungal endophytes have emerged as a promising source of secondary metabolites with significant potential for various applications in the field of biomedicine. The biosynthetic gene clusters of endophytic fungi are responsible for encoding several enzymes and transcriptional factors that are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The investigation of fungal metabolic potential at genetic level faces certain challenges, including the synthesis of appropriate amounts of chemicals, and loss of the ability of fungal endophytes to produce secondary metabolites in an artificial culture medium. Therefore, there is a need to delve deeper into the field of fungal genomics and transcriptomics to explore the potential of fungal endophytes in generating secondary metabolites governed by biosynthetic gene clusters. The silent biosynthetic gene clusters can be activated by modulating the chromatin structure using chemical compounds. Epigenetic modification plays a significant role by inducing cryptic gene responsible for the production of secondary metabolites using DNA methyl transferase and histone deacetylase. CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing emerges an effective tool to enhance the production of desired metabolites by modulating gene expression. This review primarily focuses on the significance of epigenetic elicitors and their capacity to boost the production of secondary metabolites from endophytes. This article holds the potential to rejuvenate the drug discovery pipeline by introducing new chemical compounds.