Millifluidic magnetophoresis-based chip for age-specific fractionation: evaluating the impact of age on metabolomics and gene expression in yeast.

A novel millifluidic process introduces age-based fractionation of S. pastorianus var. carlsbergensis yeast culture through magnetophoresis. Saccharomyces yeast is a model organism for aging research used in various industries. Traditional age-based cell separation methods were labor-intensive, but techniques like magnetic labeling have eased the process by being non-invasive and scalable. Our approach introduces an age-specific fractionation using a 3D-printed millfluidic chip in a two-step process, ensuring efficient cell deflection in the magnetic field and counteracting magnetic induced convection. Among various channel designs, the pinch-shaped channel proved most effective for age differentiation based on magnetically labeled bud scar numbers. Metabolomic analyses revealed changes in certain amino acids and increased NAD+ levels, suggesting metabolic shifts in aging cells. Gene expression studies further underlined these age-related metabolic changes. This innovative platform offers a high-throughput, non-invasive method for age-specific yeast cell fractionation, with potential applications in industries ranging from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals.

Pancreatic stellate cells promote hapto-migration of cancer cells through collagen I-mediated signalling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) promote metastasis as well as local growth of pancreatic cancer. However, the factors mediating the effect of PSCs on pancreatic cancer cells have not been clearly identified. METHODS: We used a modified Boyden chamber assay as an in vitro model to investigate the role of PSCs in migration of Panc1 and UlaPaCa cells and to identify the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: PSC supernatant (PSC-SN) dose-dependently induced the trans-migration of Panc1 and UlaPaCa cells, mainly via haptokinesis and haptotaxis, respectively. In contrast to poly-L-lysine or fibronectin, collagen I resembled PSC-SN with respect to its effect on cancer cell behaviours, including polarised morphology, facilitated adhesion, accelerated motility and stimulated trans-migration. Blocking antibodies against integrin α2/ß1 subunits significantly attenuated PSC-SN- or collagen I-promoted cell trans-migration and adhesion. Moreover, both PSC-SN and collagen I induced the formation of F-actin and focal adhesions in cells, which was consistent with the constantly enhanced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK, Tyr397). Inhibition of FAK function by an inhibitor or small interference RNAs significantly diminished the effect of PSC-SN or collagen I on haptotaxis/haptokinesis of pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Collagen I is the major mediator for PSC-SN-induced haptokinesis of Panc1 and haptotaxis of UlaPaCa by activating FAK signalling via binding to integrin α2ß1.

Altered migration and adhesion potential of pro-neurally converted human bone marrow stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidate cells for the development of neuroregenerative therapies. We have previously introduced the pro-neural conversion of human MSC to neural stem cell-like cells (m-NSC) by culturing them in suspension culture under serum-free conditions. METHODS: In the present study, we used a modified Boyden chamber assay to study the influence of various chemoattractants and extracellular matrix components on MSC and m-NSC migration in vitro. The underlying mechanisms were investigated further by applying real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The basal migration of m-NSC was significantly reduced compared with MSC (six versus 27 out of 10,000 cells migrated within 6 h). We evaluated the effects of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), platelet-derived growth factor bb (PDGFbb), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFa), and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) on the migration potential of both cell types and PDGFbb proved to be the most potent stimulant of migration (235 versus 198 m-NSC or MSC migrated). Adhesion of m-NSC to the filter membrane was delayed and not affected by IGF1 or PDGFbb: 90% of MSC, but only 20% of m-NSC, adhered within 1 h, with 90% of m-NSC adhering within 3 h. However, real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry revealed an up-regulation of the PDGF receptor B following conversion. Coating the membranes with collagen type I or hyaluronan also significantly influenced cell migration. DISCUSSION: We could identify major chemoattractive factors for m-NSC and gained partial insight into the complex processes involved in migration of neurally converted cells.

Intrathecal application of neuroectodermally converted stem cells into a mouse model of ALS: limited intraparenchymal migration and survival narrows therapeutic effects.

Stem and progenitor cells provide a promising therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To comparatively evaluate the therapeutic potentials of human bone marrow-derived mesodermal stromal cells (hMSCs) and umbilical cord blood cells (hUBCs) in ALS, we transplanted hMSCs and hUBCs and their neuroectodermal derivatives (hMSC-NSCs and hUBC-NSCs) into the ALS mouse model over-expressing the G93A mutant of the human SOD1 gene. We used a standardized protocol similar to clinical studies by performing a power calculation to estimate sample size prior to transplantation, matching the treatment groups for gender and hSOD-G93A gene content, and applying a novel method for directly injecting 100,000 cells into the CSF (the cisterna magna). Ten days after transplantation we found many cells within the subarachnoidal space ranging from frontal basal cisterns back to the cisterna magna, but only a few cells around the spinal cord. hMSCs and hMSC-NSCs were also located within the Purkinje cell layer. Intrathecal cell application did not affect survival times of mice compared to controls. Consistently, time of disease onset and first pareses, death weight, and motor neuron count in lumbar spinal cord did not vary between treatment groups. Interestingly, transplantation of hMSCs led to an increase of pre-symptomatic motor performance compared to controls in female animals. The negative outcome of the present study is most likely due to insufficient cell numbers within the affected brain regions (mainly the spinal cord). Further experiments defining the optimal cell dose, time point and route of application and particularly strategies to improve the homing of transplanted cells towards the CNS region of interest are warranted to define the therapeutic potential of mesodermal stem cells for the treatment of ALS.

A dynein mutation attenuates motor neuron degeneration in SOD1(G93A) mice.

Cu/Zn SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice develop phenotypical hallmarks of ALS and serve therefore as an established model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Recent reports demonstrate that mutations in the motor protein dynein in Legs at odd angles (Loa) and Cramping (Cra1) mice lead to similar but milder phenotypes. Surprisingly, double transgenic mice (Loa/SOD1(G93A)) have been recently shown to attenuate rather than to accelerate the phenotypical expression of motor neuron degeneration. These results raise the question whether other functional relevant mutations in dynein cause a similar effect. To address this question, we have cross-bred SOD1(G93A) with Cra1/+ mice. These double transgenic mice show an attenuated decline of both motor activity and body weight and an increase of survival time compared to SOD1(G93A) mice. Thus, this study confirms that mechanisms associated with dynein such as retrograde axonal transport may play an important role in SOD1(G93A-) toxicity on motor neurons.

Contrasting effects of N5-substituted tetrahydrobiopterin derivatives on phenylalanine hydroxylase, dihydropteridine reductase and nitric oxide synthase.

Tetrahydrobiopterin [(6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin, H(4)biopterin] is one of several cofactors of nitric oxide synthases (EC 1.14.13.39). Here we compared the action of N(5)-substituted derivatives on recombinant rat neuronal nitric oxide synthase with their effects on dihydropteridine reductase (EC 1.6.99.7) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.1),the well-studied classical H(4)biopterin-dependent reactions. H(4)biopterin substituted at N(5) with methyl, hydroxymethyl, formyl and acetyl groups were used. Substitution at N(5) occurs at a position critical to the redox cycle of the cofactor in phenylalanine hydroxylase/dihydropteridine reductase. We also included N(2)'-methyl H(4)biopterin, a derivative substituted at a position not directly involved in redox cycling, as a control. As compared with N(5)-methyl H(4)biopterin, N(5)-formyl H(4)biopterin bound with twice the capacity but stimulated nitric oxide synthase to a lesser extent. Depending on the substituent used, N(5)-substituted derivatives were redox-active: N(5)-methyl- and N(5)-hydroxyl methyl H(4)biopterin, but not N(5)-formyl- and N(5)-acetyl H(4)biopterin, reduced 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol. N(5)-Substituted H(4)biopterin derivatives were not oxidized to products serving as substrates for dihydropteridine reductase and,depending on the substituent, were competitive inhibitors of phenylalanine hydroxylase: N(5)-methyl- and N(5)-hydroxymethyl H(4)biopterin inhibited phenylalanine hydroxylase, whereas N(5)-formyl- and N(5)-acetyl H(4)biopterin had no effect. Our data demonstrate differences in the mechanism of stimulation of phenylalanine hydroxylase and nitric oxide synthase by H(4)biopterin. They are compatible with a novel, non-classical, redox-active contribution of H(4)biopterin to the catalysis of the nitric oxide synthase reaction.

Interaction of endothelial and neuronal nitric-oxide synthases with the bradykinin B2 receptor. Binding of an inhibitory peptide to the oxygenase domain blocks uncoupled NADPH oxidation.

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (type III) (eNOS) was reported to form an inhibitory complex with the bradykinin receptor B2 (B2R) from which the enzyme is released in an active form upon receptor activation (Ju, H., Venema, V. J., Marrero, M. B., and Venema, R. C. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 24025-24029). Using a synthetic peptide derived from the known inhibitory sequence of the B2R (residues 310-329) we studied the interaction of the receptor with purified eNOS and neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (type I) (nNOS). The peptide inhibited formation of L-citrulline by eNOS and nNOS with IC(50) values of 10.6 +/- 0.4 microM and 7.1 +/- 0.6 microM, respectively. Inhibition was not due to an interference of the peptide with L-arginine or tetrahydrobiopterin binding. The NADPH oxidase activity of nNOS measured in the absence of L-arginine was inhibited by the peptide with an IC(50) of 3.7 +/- 0.6 microM, but the cytochrome c reductase activity of the enzyme was much less susceptible to inhibition (IC(50) >0.1 mM). Steady-state absorbance spectra of nNOS recorded during uncoupled NADPH oxidation showed that the heme remained oxidized in the presence of the synthetic peptide consisting of amino acids 310-329 of the B2R, whereas the reduced oxyferrous heme complex was accumulated in its absence. These data suggest that binding of the B2R 310-329 peptide blocks flavin to heme electron transfer. Co-immunoprecipitation of B2R and nNOS from human embryonic kidney cells stably transfected with human nNOS suggests that the B2R may functionally interact with nNOS in vivo. This interaction of nNOS with the B2R may recruit the enzyme to allow for the effective coupling of bradykinin signaling to the nitric oxide pathway.

Activation of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase by the 5-methyl analog of tetrahydrobiopterin. Functional evidence against reductive oxygen activation by the pterin cofactor.

Tetrahydrobiopterin ((6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin (H4biopterin)) is an essential cofactor of nitric-oxide synthases (NOSs), but its role in enzyme function is not known. Binding of the pterin affects the electronic structure of the prosthetic heme group in the oxygenase domain and results in a pronounced stabilization of the active homodimeric structure of the protein. However, these allosteric effects are also produced by the potent pterin antagonist of NOS, 4-amino-H4biopterin, suggesting that the natural cofactor has an additional, as yet unknown catalytic function. Here we show that the 5-methyl analog of H4biopterin, which does not react with O2, is a functionally active pterin cofactor of neuronal NOS. Activation of the H4biopterin-free enzyme occurred in a biphasic manner with half-maximally effective concentrations of approximately 0.2 microM and 10 mM 5-methyl-H4biopterin. Thus, the affinity of the 5-methyl compound was 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of the natural cofactor, allowing the direct demonstration of the functional anticooperativity of the two pterin binding sites of dimeric NOS. In contrast to H4biopterin, which inactivates nitric oxide (NO) through nonenzymatic superoxide formation, up to 1 mM of the 5-methyl derivative did not consume O2 and had no effect on NO steady-state concentrations measured electrochemically with a Clark-type NO electrode. Therefore, reconstitution with 5-methyl-H4biopterin allowed, for the first time, the detection of enzymatic NO formation in the absence of superoxide or NO scavengers. These results unequivocally identify free NO as a NOS product and indicate that reductive O2 activation by the pterin cofactor is not essential to NO biosynthesis.