Search results for "Western"
showing 10 items of 1138 documents
Progressive Characterization of Visual Phenotype in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Mutant Mice
2019
Purpose Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an archetypical ciliopathy caused by defective ciliary trafficking and consequent function. Insights gained from BBS mouse models are applicable to other syndromic and nonsyndromic retinal diseases. This progressive characterization of the visual phenotype in three BBS mouse models sets a baseline for testing therapeutic interventions. Methods Longitudinal acquisition of electroretinograms, optical coherence tomography scans, and visual acuity using the optomotor reflex in Bbs6/Mkks, Bbs8/Ttc8, and Bbs5 knockout mice. Gene and protein expression analysis in vivo and in vitro. Results Complete loss of BBS5, BBS6, or BBS8 leads to different rates of reti…
Induction of skeletal abnormalities and autophagy in Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos exposed to gadolinium.
2017
Abstract Gadolinium (Gd) concentration is constantly increasing in the aquatic environment, becoming an emergent environmental pollutant. We investigated the effects of Gd on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryos, focusing on skeletogenesis and autophagy. We observed a delay of biomineral deposition at 24 hours post fertilization (hpf), and a strong impairment of skeleton growth at 48 hpf, frequently displayed by an asymmetrical pattern. Skeleton growth was found partially resumed in recovery experiments. The mesodermal cells designated to biomineralization were found correctly migrated at 24 hpf, but not at 48 hpf. Western blot analysis showed an increase of the LC3-II autophagic marker…
Rett Syndrome Mutant Neural Cells Lacks MeCP2 Immunoreactive Bands.
2016
Dysfunctions of MeCP2 protein lead to various neurological disorders such as Rett syndrome and Autism. The exact functions of MeCP2 protein is still far from clear. At a molecular level, there exist contradictory data. MeCP2 protein is considered a single immunoreactive band around 75 kDa by western-blot analysis but several reports have revealed the existence of multiple MeCP2 immunoreactive bands above and below the level where MeCP2 is expected. MeCP2 immunoreactive bands have been interpreted in different ways. Some researchers suggest that multiple MeCP2 immunoreactive bands are unidentified proteins that cross-react with the MeCP2 antibody or degradation product of MeCP2, while others…
Iron-loaded transferrin (Tf) is detrimental whereas iron-free Tf confers protection against brain ischemia by modifying blood Tf saturation and subse…
2018
Despite transferrin being the main circulating carrier of iron in body fluids, and iron overload conditions being known to worsen stroke outcome through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage, the contribution of blood transferrin saturation (TSAT) to stroke brain damage is unknown. The objective of this study was to obtain evidence on whether TSAT determines the impact of experimental ischemic stroke on brain damage and whether iron-free transferrin (apotransferrin, ATf)-induced reduction of TSAT is neuroprotective. We found that experimental ischemic stroke promoted an early extravasation of circulating iron-loaded transferrin (holotransferrin, HTf) to the ischemic brain parenchyma.…
Biological Effect of a Hybrid Anticancer Agent Based on Kinase and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors on Triple-Negative (MDA-MB231) Breast Cancer Cells
2016
We examined the effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) suberoylanilide\ud hydroxamic acid (SAHA) combined with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/2 inhibitor\ud (3Z)-5-hydroxy-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-one on MDA-MB-231 breast\ud cancer cells (triple-negative) in the form of both a cocktail of the separate compounds and a chemically\ud synthesized hybrid (N-hydroxy-N'-[(3Z)-2-oxo-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-\ud 5-yl]octanediamide). Comparative flow cytometric and Western blot analyses were performed on\ud cocktail- and hybrid-treated cells to evaluate cell cycle distribution, autophagy/apoptosis modulation,\ud an…
Alterations in Tight- and Adherens-Junction Proteins Related to Glaucoma Mimicked in the Organotypically Cultivated Mouse Retina Under Elevated Press…
2020
Purpose To scrutinize alterations in cellular interactions and cell signaling in the glaucomatous retina, mouse retinal explants were exposed to elevated pressure. Methods Retinal explants were prepared from C57bl6 mice and cultivated in a pressure chamber under normotensive (atmospheric pressure + 0 mm Hg), moderately elevated (30 mm Hg), and highly elevated (60 mm Hg) pressure conditions. The expression levels of proteins involved in the formation of tight junctions (zonula occludens 1 [ZO-1], occludin, and claudin-5) and adherens junctions (VE-cadherin and β-catenin) and in cell-signaling cascades (Cdc42 and activated Cdc42 kinase 1 [ACK1]), as well as the expression levels of the growth…
Cohen Syndrome-Associated Cataract Is Explained by VPS13B Functions in Lens Homeostasis and Is Modified by Additional Genetic Factors
2020
International audience; Purpose: Cohen syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by variants of the VPS13B gene. CS patients are affected with a severe form of retinal dystrophy, and in several cases cataracts also develop. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms and risk factors for cataract in CS, as well as to report on cataract surgeries in CS patients.Methods: To understand how VPS13B is associated with visual impairments in CS, we generated the Vps13b∆Ex3/∆Ex3 mouse model. Mice from 1 to 3 months of age were followed by ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp examinations. Phenotypes were investigated by histology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Literature anal…
The diversity of healthy diets for older persons across the world.
2018
Purpose of review To examine eating patterns, and with a particular focus on the different healthy diets followed by older persons across the world and the factors that can limit accessibility to healthy foods. Recent findings Recent evidence has demonstrated that older people are, generally speaking, following less healthy diets with respect to the past. The only exception seems to be China, but the quality of the food there appears to be less than optimal. Socioeconomic status and, in particular, the price of food seems to be the most important factors linked to diet quality. Summary Although healthy diets are associated with lower risk of several chronic disabling diseases, elderly peopl…
Decreased Fibrogenesis After Treatment with Pirfenidone in a Newly Developed Mouse Model of Intestinal Fibrosis
2016
BACKGROUND Fibrosis as a common problem in patients with Crohn's disease is a result of an imbalance toward excessive tissue repair. At present, there is no specific treatment option. Pirfenidone is approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with both antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. We subsequently investigated the impact of pirfenidone treatment on development of fibrosis in a new mouse model of intestinal fibrosis. METHODS Small bowel resections from donor mice were transplanted subcutaneously into the neck of recipients. Animals received either pirfenidone (100 mg/kg, three times daily, orally) or vehicle. RESULTS After administration of pirfenidone, a signif…
Role of MUC1 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: mechanistic insights
2017
Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and irreversible form of fibrotic interstitial lung disease. MUC1, a membrane-bound O-glycoprotein, is considered as oncogenic molecule by altering signaling pathways involved in cellular processes related to IPF. In previous studies we have observed an up-regulation of MUC1 and its phosphorylated forms in IPF lung tissue. However the exact participation of MUC1 in IPF is currently unknown. Objective: To analyze the mechanism of MUC1-induced lung fibrosis in different cellular and animal models of IPF. Methods: The intracellular mechanism of MUC1 was evaluated by western blot, immunoprecipation and immunofluorescence …