Reduced anti-Müllerian hormone action in cumulus-oocyte complexes is beneficial for oocyte maturation without affecting oocyte competence.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a key paracrine/autocrine factor regulating folliculogenesis in the postnatal ovary. As antral follicles mature to the preovulatory stage, AMH production tends to be limited to cumulus cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of cumulus cell-derived AMH in supporting maturation and competence of the enclosed oocyte. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were isolated from antral follicles of rhesus macaque ovaries for in vitro maturation with or without AMH depletion. Oocyte meiotic status and embryo cleavage after in vitro fertilization were assessed. In vitro maturation with AMH depletion was also performed using COCs from antral follicles of human ovarian tissue. Oocyte maturation and morphology were evaluated. The direct AMH action on mural granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicle was further assessed using human granulosa cells cultured with or without AMH supplementation. More macaque COCs produced metaphase II oocytes with AMH depletion than those of the control culture. However, preimplantation embryonic development after in vitro fertilization was comparable between oocytes derived from COCs cultured with AMH depletion and controls. Oocytes resumed meiosis in human COCs cultured with AMH depletion and exhibited a typical spindle structure. The confluency and cell number decreased in granulosa cells cultured with AMH supplementation relative to the control culture. AMH treatment did not induce cell death in cultured human granulosa cells. Data suggest that reduced AMH action in COCs could be beneficial for oocyte maturation. Cumulus cell-derived AMH is not essential for supporting oocyte competence or mural granulosa cell viability.

Noncompetitive Determination of Small Analytes by Sandwich-Type Lateral Flow Assay Based on an Aptamer Kissing Complex.

Here, we present the proof-of-concept of a lateral flow assay (LFA) that is capable of detecting small-molecule targets in a noncompetitive manner by deploying a sandwich-type format based on the aptamer kissing complex (AKC) strategy. A fluorescently labeled hairpin aptamer served as the signaling agent, while a specific RNA hairpin grafted onto the strip served as the capture element. The hairpin aptamer switched from an unfolded to a folded form in the presence of the target, resulting in kissing interactions between the loops of the reporter and the capture agents. This design triggered a target-dependent fluorescent signal at the test line. The AKC-based LFA was developed for the detection of adenosine, achieving a detection limit in the micromolar range. The assay revealed the presence of the same analyte in urine. The method also proved effective with another small molecule (theophylline). We believe that the AKC-based LFA approach could overcome many of the shortcomings associated with conventional signal-off methods and competitive processes.

Community-developed checklists for publishing images and image analyses.

Images document scientific discoveries and are prevalent in modern biomedical research. Microscopy imaging in particular is currently undergoing rapid technological advancements. However, for scientists wishing to publish obtained images and image-analysis results, there are currently no unified guidelines for best practices. Consequently, microscopy images and image data in publications may be unclear or difficult to interpret. Here, we present community-developed checklists for preparing light microscopy images and describing image analyses for publications. These checklists offer authors, readers and publishers key recommendations for image formatting and annotation, color selection, data availability and reporting image-analysis workflows. The goal of our guidelines is to increase the clarity and reproducibility of image figures and thereby to heighten the quality and explanatory power of microscopy data.

In Vivo Cerebral Imaging of Mutant Huntingtin Aggregates Using 11C-CHDI-180R PET in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Huntington Disease.

Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine (CAG) trinucleotide expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes the mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). Visualization and quantification of cerebral mHTT will provide a proxy for target engagement and a means to evaluate therapeutic interventions aimed at lowering mHTT in the brain. Here, we validated the novel radioligand 11C-labeled 6-(5-((5-methoxypyridin-2-yl)methoxy)benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpyridazin-3(2H)-one (11C-CHDI-180R) using PET imaging to quantify cerebral mHTT aggregates in a macaque model of HD. Methods: Rhesus macaques received MRI-guided intrastriatal delivery of a mixture of AAV2 and AAV2.retro viral vectors expressing an HTT fragment bearing 85 CAG repeats (85Q, n = 5), a control HTT fragment bearing 10 CAG repeats (10Q, n = 4), or vector diluent only (phosphate-buffered saline, n = 5). Thirty months after surgery, 90-min dynamic PET/CT imaging was used to investigate 11C-CHDI-180R brain kinetics, along with serial blood sampling to measure input function and stability of the radioligand. The total volume of distribution was calculated using a 2-tissue-compartment model as well as Logan graphical analysis for regional quantification. Immunostaining for mHTT was performed to corroborate the in vivo findings. Results: 11C-CHDI-180R displayed good metabolic stability (51.4% ± 4.0% parent in plasma at 60 min after injection). Regional time-activity curves displayed rapid uptake and reversible binding, which were described by a 2-tissue-compartment model. Logan graphical analysis was associated with the 2-tissue-compartment model (r 2 = 0.96, P < 0.0001) and used to generate parametric volume of distribution maps. Compared with controls, animals administered the 85Q fragment exhibited significantly increased 11C-CHDI-180R binding in several cortical and subcortical brain regions (group effect, P < 0.0001). No difference in 11C-CHDI-180R binding was observed between buffer and 10Q animals. The presence of mHTT aggregates in the 85Q animals was confirmed histologically. Conclusion: We validated 11C-CHDI-180R as a radioligand to visualize and quantify mHTT aggregated species in a HD macaque model. These findings corroborate our previous work in rodent HD models and show that 11C-CHDI-180R is a promising tool to assess the mHTT aggregate load and the efficacy of therapeutic strategies.

Aptamer-based colorimetric and lateral flow assay approaches for the detection of toxic metal ions, thallium(i) and lead(ii).

Thallium(i) and lead(ii) ions are heavy metals and extremely toxic. These metals are environmental pollutants, posing a severe risk to the environment and human health. In this study, two approaches were examined using aptamer and nanomaterial-based conjugates for thallium and lead detection. The first approach utilized an in-solution adsorption-desorption approach to develop colorimetric aptasensors for the detection of thallium(i) and lead(ii) using gold or silver nanoparticles. The second approach was the development of lateral flow assays, and their performance was tested with thallium (limit of detection is 7.4 µM) and lead ion (limit of detection is 6.6 nM) spiked into real samples. The approaches assessed are rapid, inexpensive, and time efficient with the potential to become the basis for future biosensor devices.

Community-developed checklists for publishing images and image analyses.

Images document scientific discoveries and are prevalent in modern biomedical research. Microscopy imaging in particular is currently undergoing rapid technological advancements. However for scientists wishing to publish the obtained images and image analyses results, there are to date no unified guidelines. Consequently, microscopy images and image data in publications may be unclear or difficult to interpret. Here we present community-developed checklists for preparing light microscopy images and image analysis for publications. These checklists offer authors, readers, and publishers key recommendations for image formatting and annotation, color selection, data availability, and for reporting image analysis workflows. The goal of our guidelines is to increase the clarity and reproducibility of image figures and thereby heighten the quality and explanatory power of microscopy data is in publications.

A novel rhesus macaque model of Huntington's disease recapitulates key neuropathological changes along with motor and cognitive decline.

We created a new nonhuman primate model of the genetic neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease (HD) by injecting a mixture of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors, serotypes AAV2 and AAV2.retro, each expressing a fragment of human mutant HTT (mHTT) into the caudate and putamen of adult rhesus macaques. This modeling strategy results in expression of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) and aggregate formation in the injected brain regions, as well as dozens of other cortical and subcortical brain regions affected in human HD patients. We queried the disruption of cortico-basal ganglia circuitry for 30 months post-surgery using a variety of behavioral and imaging readouts. Compared to controls, mHTT-treated macaques developed working memory decline and progressive motor impairment. Multimodal imaging revealed circuit-wide white and gray matter degenerative processes in several key brain regions affected in HD. Taken together, we have developed a novel macaque model of HD that may be used to develop disease biomarkers and screen promising therapeutics.

An aptamer-based colorimetric lateral flow assay for the detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

An aptamer-based colorimetric lateral flow assay was developed for the detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In this study, two approaches were examined using HER2 binding aptamers and gold nanoparticles. The first method used was a solution-based adsorption-desorption colorimetric approach wherein aptamers were adsorbed onto the gold nanoparticle surface. Upon the addition of HER2, HER2 binds specifically with its aptamer, releasing the gold nanoparticles. Addition of NaCl then induces the formation of gold nanoparticle aggregates. This leads to a color change from red to blue and a detection limit of 10 nM was achieved. The second method used an adsorption-desorption colorimetric lateral flow assay approach wherein biotin-modified aptamers were adsorbed onto the gold nanoparticle surface in the absence of HER2. In the presence of HER2, HER2 specifically binds with its aptamer leading to release of the gold nanoparticles. These solutions were applied to the lateral flow assay format and a detection limit of 20 nM was achieved. Both colorimetric and lateral flow assays are inexpensive, simple, rapid to perform and produce results visible to the naked-eye.

AAV-PHP.B Administration Results in a Differential Pattern of CNS Biodistribution in Non-human Primates Compared with Mice.

The ability of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver transgenes to the CNS has allowed for several advancements in the field of gene therapy to treat brain disorders. Although most AAVs do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier and transduce the CNS following peripheral administration, AAV-PHP.B has recently been shown to transduce brains of mice with higher efficiency compared with its parent serotype, AAV9, following injection into the retro-orbital sinus. Here, we extended this foundational work by comparing AAV-PHP.B transduction efficiency in wild-type C57BL/6J mice using four clinically applicable delivery strategies including two intravascular (intra-jugular vein and intra-carotid artery) and two intra-cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) routes (intra-cisterna magna and intra-lateral ventricle). We scaled up these comparisons in a larger-animal model and evaluated transduction efficiency of AAV-PHP.B in the rhesus macaque. We found widespread and largely equal CNS transduction in mice following all four injection strategies, whereas we observed a differential pattern of transduction in macaques with broad cortical and spinal cord transduction seen after intrathecal administration and only very low transduction following intravascular administration. Taken together, these results suggest that AAV-PHP.B may be a useful gene therapy vector for neurological disorders, particularly those stemming from broad cortical or spinal cord neuropathology.

Correction to: Comparison of turn-on and ratiometric fluorescent G-quadruplex aptasensor approaches for the detection of ATP.

Regrettably, before online publication the figure of Scheme 2 has been pasted twice as Scheme 1.

Comparison of turn-on and ratiometric fluorescent G-quadruplex aptasensor approaches for the detection of ATP.

Two fluorescent aptasensor methods were developed for the detection of ATP in biochemical systems. The first method consisted of a label-free fluorescent "turn-on" approach using a guanine-rich ATP aptamer sequence and the DNA-binding agent berberine complex. In the presence of ATP, the ATP preferentially binds with its aptamer and conformationally changes into a G-quadruplex structure. The association of berberine with the G-quadruplex results in the enhancement of the fluorescence signal of the former. The detection limit of ATP was found to be 3.5 µM. Fluorescence, circular dichroism and melting temperature (Tm) experiments were carried out to confirm the binding specificity and structural changes. The second method employs the ratiometric fluorescent approach based on the Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the detection of ATP using berberine along with a quencher (AuNRs, AgNPs) and a fluorophore (red quantum dots (RQDs), carbon dots (CDs)) labeled at 5' and 3' termini of the ATP-binding aptamer sequence. Upon addition of ATP and berberine, ATP specifically binds with its aptamer leading to the formation of G-quadruplex, and similarly, berberine also binds to the G-quadruplex. This leads to an enhancement of fluorescence of berberine while that of RQD and CDs were significantly quenched via FRET. The respective detection limits calculated were 3.6 µM and 3.8 µM, indicating these fluorescent aptasensor methods may be used for a wide variety of small molecules. Graphical abstract.

Label-free aptasensors based on fluorescent screening assays for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium.

We report two label-free fluorescent aptasensor methods for the detection of S. typhimurium. In the first method, we have used a ''turn off'' approach in which the aptamer is first intercalated with SYBR Green I (SG), leading to a greatly enhanced fluorescence signal. The addition of S. typhimurium (approximately 1530-96938 CFU/mL), which specifically binds with its aptamer and releases SG, leads to a linear decrease in fluorescence intensity. The lowest detection limit achieved with this approach was in the range of 733 CFU/mL. In the second method, a ''turn on'' approach was designed for S. typhimurium through the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between Rhodamine B (RB) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). When the aptamer and AuNPs were mixed with RB, the fluorescence of RB was significantly quenched via FRET. The aptamer adsorbs to the AuNP surface to protect them from salt-induced aggregation, which leads to the fluorescence quenching of RB in presence of AuNPs. Upon the addition of S. typhimurium, S. typhimurium specifically binds with its aptamer and loses the capability to stabilize AuNPs. Thus, the salt easily induces the aggregation of AuNPs, resulting in the fluorescence recovery of the quenched RB. S. typhimurium concentrations ranging from 1530 to 96938 CFU/mL with the detection limit of 464 CFU/mL was achieved with this methodology. Given these data, some insights into the molecular interactions between the aptamer and the bacterial target are provided. These aptasensor methods also may be adapted for the detection of a wide variety of targets.

Combined androgen excess and Western-style diet accelerates adipose tissue dysfunction in young adult, female nonhuman primates.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the separate and combined effects of mild hyperandrogenemia and consumption of a high-fat Western-style diet (WSD) on white adipose tissue (WAT) morphology and function in young adult female nonhuman primates? SUMMARY ANSWER: Combined exposure to mild hyperandrogenemia and WSD induces visceral omental (OM-WAT) but not subcutaneous (SC-WAT) adipocyte hypertrophy that is associated with increased uptake and reduced mobilization of free fatty acids. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Mild hyperandrogenemia in females, principally in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome, is often associated with adipocyte hypertrophy, but the mechanisms of associated WAT dysfunction and depot specificity remain poorly understood. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: Female rhesus macaques were randomly assigned at 2.5 years of age (near menarche) to receive either cholesterol (C; n = 20) or testosterone (T; n = 20)-containing silastic implants to elevate T levels 5-fold above baseline. Half of each of these groups was then fed either a low-fat monkey chow diet or WSD, resulting in four treatment groups (C, control diet; T alone; WSD alone; T + WSD; n = 10/group) that were maintained until the current analyses were performed at 5.5 years of age (3 years of treatment, young adults). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: OM and SC-WAT biopsies were collected and analyzed longitudinally for in vivo changes in adipocyte area and blood vessel density, and ex vivo basal and insulin-stimulated fatty acid uptake and basal and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In years 2 and 3 of treatment, the T + WSD group exhibited a significantly greater increase in OM adipocyte size compared to all other groups (P < 0.05), while the size of SC adipocytes measured at the end of the study was not significantly different between groups. In year 3, both WAT depots from the WSD and T + WSD groups displayed a significant reduction in local capillary length and vessel junction density (P < 0.05). In year 3, insulin-stimulated fatty acid uptake in OM-WAT was increased in the T + WSD group compared to year 2 (P < 0.05). In year 3, basal lipolysis was blunted in the T and T + WSD groups in both WAT depots (P < 0.01), while isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis was significantly blunted in the T and T + WSD groups only in SC-WAT (P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: At this stage of the study, subjects were still relatively young adults, so that the effects of mild hyperandrogenemia and WSD may become more apparent with increasing age. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The combination of mild hyperandrogenemia and WSD accelerates the development of WAT dysfunction through T-specific (suppression of lipolytic response by T), WSD-dependent (reduced capillary density) and combined T + WSD (increased fatty acid uptake) mechanisms. These data support the idea that combined hyperandrogenemia and WSD increases the risk of developing obesity in females. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under award number P50 HD071836 to C.T.R. and award number OD 011092 from the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, for operation of the Oregon National Primate Research Center. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Training the brain to survive stroke.

BACKGROUND: Presently, little can be done to repair brain tissue after stroke damage. We hypothesized that the mammalian brain has an intrinsic capacity to adapt to low oxygen which would improve outcome from a reversible hypoxic/ischemic episode. Acclimation to chronic hypoxia causes increased capillarity and tissue oxygen levels which may improve the capacity to survive ischemia. Identification of these adaptations will lead to protocols which high risk groups could use to improve recovery and reduce costs. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Rats were exposed to hypoxia (3 weeks living at ½ an atmosphere). After acclimation, capillary density was measured morphometrically and was increased by 30% in the cortex. Novel implantable oxygen sensors showed that partial pressure of oxygen in the brain was increased by 40% in the normal cortex. Infarcts were induced in brain with 1 h reversible middle cerebral artery occlusions. After ischemia (48 h) behavioural scores were improved and T2 weighted MRI lesion volumes were reduced by 52% in acclimated groups. There was a reduction in inflammation indicated by reduced lymphocytes (by 27-33%), and ED1 positive cells (by 35-45%). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to stimulate a natural adaptive mechanism in the brain which will reduce damage and improve outcome for a given ischemic event. Since these adaptations occur after factors such as HIF-1α have returned to baseline, protection is likely related more to morphological changes such as angiogenesis. Such pre-conditioning, perhaps with exercise or pharmaceuticals, would not necessarily reduce the incidence of stroke, but the severity of damage could be reduced by 50%.

Effects of acute hypoxia and hyperthermia on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in adult rats.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) develops within a few hours after arrival at high altitude and includes headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and malaise. This afflicts 15-25% of the general tourist population at moderate altitudes. High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is considered to be the end stage of severe AMS and has been suggested to be a vasogenic edema, raising the possibility that acute hypoxia may increase blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. At present, there are no good small-animal models to study this syndrome. We hypothesize 1) that acute hypoxia can damage the BBB and 2) that rat can be used as a model to study hypoxia-induced changes in BBB permeability, especially if hypoxia-induced hypothermia could be minimized with high ambient temperature (HAT). Male Wistar rats were exposed to 1, 2, and 7 days of hypobaric hypoxia (equivalent to 0.5 atm), and changes in the temperature and BBB permeability were studied. The extravasation of endogenous immunoglobulin G, a large molecule, did not increase during room temperature hypoxia but did increase when hypoxia was combined with HAT. Hypoxia caused a significant increase in the leakage of sodium fluorescein (mol wt 376 Da). The expression of endothelial barrier antigen (EBA), a protein associated with the BBB, was reduced to 50% between 24 and 48 h after exposure to hypoxia, and the loss was exacerbated by HAT. The values almost returned to control levels by 7 days, showing adaptation to hypoxia. Hypoxic rats exhibited sodium fluorescein leakage mainly in focal areas in the brain parenchyma. In conclusion, it is possible to have transient BBB damage through exposure to acute hypoxia, and this damage is exacerbated by increasing body temperature to more of a normothermic value.

CRYAB and HSPB2 deficiency increases myocyte mitochondrial permeability transition and mitochondrial calcium uptake.

Double knockout (DKO) of the small heat shock proteins CRYAB and HSPB2 increases necrosis and apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in vitro, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. We examined [Ca2+]i during metabolic inhibition (MI) changes in [Ca2+]m induced by exposure to elevated [Ca2+]i, and whether mitochondria in isolated DKO ventricular myocytes (VM) are more susceptible than wild type (WT) to induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The rise in [Ca2+]i in DKO myocytes during metabolic inhibition (MI) was less than in WT, and ouabain caused a greater increase in [Ca2+]m in DKO than in WT. These findings suggested that Ca2+ uptake was increased in mitochondria in DKO myocytes. Measurements of Rhod 2 fluorescence during exposure of permeabilized VM to 1000 nM [Ca2+] for 5 min confirmed that DKO myocytes have enhanced mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, and this difference between DKO and WT myocyte mitochondria was eliminated by inhibition of NO synthesis. MPT was induced more readily by ouabain, PAO, or TMRM in DKO myocytes than in WT. Thus, Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria is increased in DKO VM by a NO-dependent mechanism. This can predispose to the development of MPT, and increased VM injury during I/R. These findings indicate an important role of CRYAB and/or HSPB2 in mitochondrial function.