NIR-labeled nanoparticles engineered for brain targeting: in vivo optical imaging application and fluorescent microscopy evidences.

The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes extremely difficult to develop efficacious strategies for targeting contrast agents and delivering drugs inside the Central Nervous System (CNS). To overcome this drawback, several kinds of CNS-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. In particular, we proposed poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) NPs engineered with a simil-opioid glycopeptide (g7), which have already proved to be a promising tool for achieving a successful brain targeting after i.v. administration in rats. In order to obtain CNS-targeted NPs to use for in vivo imaging, we synthesized and administrated in mice PLGA NPs with double coverage: near-infrared (NIR) probe (DY-675) and g7. The optical imaging clearly showed a brain localization of these novel NPs. Thus, a novel kind of NIR-labeled NPs were obtained, providing a new, in vivo detectable nanotechnology tool. Besides, the confocal and fluorescence microscopy evidences allowed to further confirm the ability of g7 to promote not only the rat, but also the mouse BBB crossing.

2,9-Dimethyl-beta-carbolinium, a neurotoxin occurring in human brain, is a potent inducer of apoptosis as 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium.

The causes of neurodegeneration are not well understood. However, the role of environmental and endogenous toxins is receiving much attention. In this study, we compared the synthetic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium with beta-carbolines occurring in human brain. Methylation of both nitrogens is necessary to convert a beta-carboline into a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. The respective beta-carboline, 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion is neurotoxic in rats. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we incubated mouse neuroblastoma 2A cells with 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion, and compared the findings with effects of norharman, the precursor beta-carboline of methylated derivatives, and with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium. 2,9-Dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion caused a significant increase of reactive oxygen species (higher efficiency than 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium) and of mitochondrial membrane potential within the first minutes. After 60 min, the membrane potential dissipated. Concomitantly, the levels of glutathione increased in 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion but not in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium treated cells. After 24 h effector caspases 3 and 7 were activated and the number of apoptotic cells increased as revealed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting cytometry. When incubated longer (48 h), cells underwent late apoptosis/secondary necrosis as shown by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and confirmed qualitatively by an electron microscopy study. The effects of 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion on apoptotic changes were similar to those induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium(,) while norharman showed only a weak potency at the very high doses. To investigate whether 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion is neurotoxic under in vivo conditions and whether only dopaminergic neurones are affected we conducted a dose-response study. Three weeks after injection of 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion in the substantia nigra we found a dose-dependent decrease of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum of rats. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine were diminished although the decrease was less. The levels of noradrenaline increased after some doses. The findings strongly suggest an important role of endogenous beta-carbolines in neurodegeneration with apoptosis as the predominant mechanism.

Bilateral Parry-Romberg syndrome associated with retinal vasculitis.

PURPOSE: To describe an unusual case of bilateral progressive facial hemiatrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS)) associated with retinal vasculitis. METHODS: In a 37-year-old man with bilateral PRS, retinal vasculitis of the right eye was evident on fundus examination and fluorescein angiography. Right temporalis muscle biopsy and needle electromyography of the masseter muscles were performed. The patient underwent immunosuppressive therapy and retinal laser photocoagulation. RESULTS: Biopsy specimens showed large fibrosis with focal lymphohistiocytic infiltration of the muscle fibers. Electromyographic findings are consistent with a primary muscle disease. Visual acuity improved from 20/25 to 20/20 in the right eye with a follow-up of one year. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of retinal vasculitis and the histologic findings of facial changes observed in this PRS case could support the pathogenetic model of a chronic inflammatory process as a plausible explanation for progressive facial hemiatrophy.

Sialic acid and glycopeptides conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for central nervous system targeting: In vivo pharmacological evidence and biodistribution.

Polymeric nanoparticles (Np) have been considered as strategic carriers for brain targeting. Specific ligands on the surface allowed the Np to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) carrying model drugs within the brain district after their i.v. administration in experimental animals. It is known that sialic acid receptors are present in several organs, including in the brain parenchyma. Thus, in this paper, we prepared PLGA Np surface modified with a BBB-penetrating peptide (similopioid peptide) for BBB crossing and with a sialic acid residue (SA) for the interaction with brain receptors. This double coverage could allow to obtain novel targeted Np with a prolonged residence within the brain parenchyma, thus letting to reach a long-lasting brain delivery of drugs. The central analgesic activity of Loperamide (opioid drug, unable to cross the BBB) loaded in these novel Np was evaluated in order to point out the capability of the Np to reach and to remain in the brain. The results showed that the pharmacological effect induced by loaded Np administration remained significant over 24h. Using confocal and fluorescent microscopies, the novel Np were localized within the tissue parenchyma (brain, kidney, liver, spleen and lung). Finally, the biodistribution studies showed a localization of the 6% of the injected dose into the CNS over a prolonged time (24h). Notwithstanding an increased accumulation of SA-covered Np in those organs showing SA-receptors (liver, kidney, and lung), the pharmacological and biodistribution results are proofs of the ability of double targeted Np to enter the brain allowing the drug to be released over a prolonged time.

Structural components of human cytomegalovirus: in situ localization of the major glycoprotein.

The localization of the major cytomegalovirus glycoprotein, both in the viral particle and in the cell membrane, was studied by means of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy using a guinea pig anti-glycoprotein hyperimmune serum recently obtained by Gonczol et al. [1986]. By indirect immunofluorescence a slight and uneven positivity was observed on the plasma membrane of unfixed cells starting from 72 h postinfection (p.i.) until the end of our observation time (7 days p.i.). At immunoelectron microscopy the plasma membrane proved positive only where the virus and dense bodies budded through the membrane to form their own envelope. Extracellular viral particles (both viruses and dense bodies) appeared very strongly labeled on the external surface.

Congenital myopathy with mosaic fibers and interlacing sarcomeres: a new structural myopathy.

A 44-year-old man presenting with dyspnoic attacks was found to be affected with congenital myopathy, rigid spine, restrictive respiratory insufficiency and cardiomyopathy. Muscle biopsy showed type 1 fiber predominance (65.7%) and hypotrophy, and characteristic changes in 43.9% of the type 1 fibers, consisting in alternating pale and dark staining on alkaline ATPase reacted sections in a mosaic pattern. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated bands of myofibrils at right angles or skew to the remaining myofibrils transversing the fibers. Myofibrillar disarray was always associated with loss of the Z-discs and actin filaments, and often with aggregation of mitochondria. The muscle biopsy findings in this patient suggest a new entity of congenital myopathy with clinical features of rigid spine, cardiomyopathy and restrictive respiratory insufficiency, characterized by peculiar abnormalities of ATPase staining in a mosaic pattern and, ultrastructurally, by zones of disorientation of the sarcomeres.

Congenital encephalomyopathy with epilepsy, chorioretinitis, basal ganglia involvement, and muscle minicores.

A woman had severe psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, rigidity, and chorioretinitis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebellar and cerebral atrophy and hypointensities in T2-weighted images of the thalami and basal ganglia. Muscle biopsy documented size variations in rounded muscle fibers, fibrosis, and minicores on electron microscopy. Merosin staining was normal. These hitherto unreported features do not permit classification of our patient within the current types of encephalomyopathy and congenital muscular dystrophies.

Expression analysis and characterization of alternatively spliced transcripts of human IL-7Ralpha chain encoding two truncated receptor proteins in relapsed childhood all.

In the family of cytokines and cytokine receptors, alternative splicing of pre-mRNA is a frequently observed process that generates different protein isoforms from a single genetic locus. The splicing-derived cytokine receptor protein isoforms are mostly soluble receptors or show alterations in their cytoplasmic domain. It is possible that receptor abnormalities or a pathological ratio of different isoforms may contribute to leukaemia by circumventing normal growth factor control or altering the balance of proliferation and differentiation. IL-7 plays a critical role in early stages of both B and T cell maturation. Moreover, it stimulates the expansion of mature T cells including anti-tumour reactive cells as well as a number of T and B cell malignancies underlining its potential importance for deregulated lymphoid proliferation and leukaemogenesis. Here, we present detailed data on the expression of the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7Ralpha) in leukaemic cells from 210 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and describe two novel alternatively spliced transcripts of human IL-7Ralpha coding for truncated receptor proteins which are still capable of binding IL-7. IL-7Ralpha mRNA expression was more frequent in more mature pre-B ALL [91% (30/33)] than in common [81% (81/100)] or pro-B ALL [64% (18/28)], or even in T ALL [64% (29/45)]. These results are in concordance with flow cytometric analyses on the proportion of IL-7Ralpha bearing cells among total blast cell population. Our results lead us to assume that splicing derived IL-7Ralpha isoforms play a potential role in modulating IL-7 signal transduction and might be important for the pathogenesis of leukaemia.

Characterization of cytokine, growth factor receptor, costimulatory and adhesion molecule expression patterns of bone marrow blasts in relapsed childhood B cell precursor all.

Relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) comprises a leading challenge of investigation. Characterization of leukaemic cells regarding their potency to express growth factors and surface molecules can provide insight into their aberrant biology. Thus, we analyzed bone marrow blasts from 10 children with relapsed B cell precursor ALL. The gene and protein expression of essential haematopoietic growth factors (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-10, IL-15, IFN-gamma, G-CSFR), their corresponding receptors as well as the expression pattern of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, CD58) and costimulatory proteins (CD40, CD40L, B7.1, B7.2, CD28, MHC-I and II) was analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Constitutive gene expression was found for IL-7, IL-10, IL-15 and IFN-gamma and their corresponding receptors. Flow-cytometric analysis showed that IL-10R, IL-7Ralpha, IL-4Ralpha and the gamma(c)chain are constitutively expressed, and that some cells bear the G-CSFR. IL-10 and IL-15 protein-producing leukaemic cells were easily detectable. The neoplastic cells mainly lack B7.1, and ICAM-1 is mostly decreased. Furthermore, high CD40, and, surprisingly, CD40L expression could be found. These studies show that ALL cells are likely to be sensitive to many growth factors and some factors are produced by the neoplastic cell itself. The secretion of IL-10 by leukaemic cells, and the absence or downregulation of conventional adhesion and costimulatory molecules might represent an effective mechanism of escape of immune surveillance in relapsed ALL.