INTRODUCTION: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a clinically variable disease characterized by autoimmune arthritis, affects children, and its immunopathology remains elusive. Alterations in neutrophil biology play an important role in this disease. In the present study, we aimed to explore the features of low-density neutrophils (LDNs) in patients with JIA. METHODS: Gene expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from children with distinct subtypes of JIA was analyzed by NanoString Immunology panel. Presence of LDNs was ascertained by flow cytometry and the release of neutrophil-associated products were analyzed by LUMINEX. RESULTS: LDNs were detected in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after density gradient centrifugation. Transcriptomic analysis of JIA PBMCs revealed that genes related to neutrophil degranulation were markedly upregulated. The number of LDNs and level of their degranulation products increased in patients' PBMCs and correlated with serum calprotectin, but not with disease activity, sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The phenotypes of LDNs varied from those of normal-density neutrophils and healthy donor LDNs. Phenotypical analysis revealed LDNs are immature and primed population with decreased suppressive capacity. A negative correlation between surface proteins CD62L, CD66b, and CD11b and the number of inflamed joints/JADAS was established. CONCLUSION: Our results describe LDNs as primed, degranulated, immature cells with impaired suppressive activities. This work thus contributes to the increasing body of evidence that LDNs in JIA are altered and their role in the disease immunopathogenesis and possible clinical associations should be investigated further.
- MeSH
- Neutrophil Activation MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Arthritis, Juvenile * MeSH
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neutrophils * MeSH
- Flow Cytometry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Multiple non-aggregatory functions of human platelets (PLT) are widely acknowledged, yet their functional examination is limited mainly due to a lack of standardized isolation and analytic methods. Platelet apheresis (PA) is an established clinical method for PLT isolation aiming at the treatment of bleeding diathesis in severe thrombocytopenia. On the other hand, density gradient centrifugation (DC) is an isolation method applied in research for the analysis of the mitochondrial metabolic profile of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in PLT obtained from small samples of human blood. We studied PLT obtained from 29 healthy donors by high-resolution respirometry for comparison of PA and DC isolates. ROUTINE respiration and electron transfer capacity of living PLT isolated by PA were significantly higher than in the DC group, whereas plasma membrane permeabilization resulted in a 57% decrease of succinate oxidation in PA compared to DC. These differences were eliminated after washing the PA platelets with phosphate buffer containing 10 mmol·L-1 ethylene glycol-bis (2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid, suggesting that several components, particularly Ca2+ and fuel substrates, were carried over into the respiratory assay from the serum in PA. A simple washing step was sufficient to enable functional mitochondrial analysis in subsamples obtained from PA. The combination of the standard clinical PA isolation procedure with PLT quality control and routine mitochondrial OXPHOS diagnostics meets an acute clinical demand in biomedical research of patients suffering from thrombocytopenia and metabolic diseases.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Nitrogen fixation and assimilation processes are vital to the functioning of any ecosystem. Nevertheless, studying these processes using 15N-based stable isotope probing was so far limited because of technical challenges related to the relative rarity of nitrogen in nucleic acids and proteins compared to carbon, and because of its absence in lipids. However, the recent adoption of high-throughput sequencing and statistical modelling methods to SIP studies increased the sensitivity of the method and enabled overcoming some of the challenges. This chapter describes in detail how to perform DNA- and RNA-SIP using 15N.
- MeSH
- RNA, Bacterial chemistry genetics isolation & purification metabolism MeSH
- Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria genetics metabolism MeSH
- Centrifugation, Density Gradient MeSH
- DNA, Bacterial chemistry genetics isolation & purification metabolism MeSH
- Nitrogen Fixation genetics physiology MeSH
- Isotope Labeling methods MeSH
- Nitrogen Isotopes metabolism MeSH
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapeutic drugs induce senescence in cancer cells but, unlike replicative senescence or oncogene-induced senescence, do so rather inefficiently and depending on DNA damage. A thorough understanding of the biology of chemotherapy-induced senescent cells requires their isolation from a mixed population of adjacent senescent and non-senescent cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have developed and optimized a rapid iodixanol (OptiPrep)-based gradient centrifugation system to identify, isolate and characterize doxorubicin (DXR)-induced senescent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (HepG2 and Huh-7) in vitro. RESULTS: After cellular exposure to DXR, we used iodixanol gradient-based centrifugation to isolate and re-plate cells on collagen-coated flasks, despite their low or null proliferative capacity. The isolated cell populations were enriched for DXR-induced senescent HCC cells, as confirmed by proliferation arrest assay, and β-galactosidase and DNA damage-dependent γH2A.X staining. CONCLUSIONS: Analysing pure cultures of chemotherapy-induced senescent versus non-responsive cancer cells will increase our knowledge on chemotherapeutic mechanisms of action, and help refine current therapeutic strategies.
- MeSH
- Doxorubicin pharmacology MeSH
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular pathology MeSH
- Triiodobenzoic Acids pharmacology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Liver Neoplasms pathology MeSH
- DNA Damage drug effects MeSH
- Cell Separation * methods MeSH
- Cellular Senescence drug effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
MAIN CONCLUSION: We present an easy and effective procedure to purify plastids and mitochondria from Chromera velia. Our method enables downstream analyses of protein and metabolite content of the organelles. Chromerids are alveolate algae that are the closest known phototrophic relatives to apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium or Toxoplasma. While genomic and transcriptomic resources for chromerids are in place, tools and experimental conditions for proteomic studies have not been developed yet. Here we describe a rapid and efficient protocol for simultaneous isolation of plastids and mitochondria from the chromerid alga Chromera velia. This procedure involves enzymatic treatment and breakage of cells, followed by differential centrifugation. While plastids sediment in the first centrifugation step, mitochondria remain in the supernatant. Subsequently, plastids can be purified from the crude pellet by centrifugation on a discontinuous 60%/70% sucrose density gradient, while mitochondria can be obtained by centrifugation on a discontinuous 33%/80% Percoll density gradient. Isolated plastids are autofluorescent, and their multi-membrane structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Fluorescent optical microscopy was used to identify isolated mitochondria stained with MitoTrackerTM green, while their intactness and membrane potential were confirmed by staining with MitoTrackerTM orange CMTMRos. Total proteins were extracted from isolated organellar fractions, and the purity of isolated organelles was confirmed using immunoblotting. Antibodies against the beta subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase and the plastid protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase did not cross-react on immunoblots, suggesting that each organellar fraction is free of the residues of the other. The presented protocol represents an essential step for further proteomic, organellar, and cell biological studies of C. velia and can be employed, with minor optimizations, in other thick-walled unicellular algae.
- MeSH
- Alveolata ultrastructure MeSH
- Microalgae ultrastructure MeSH
- Mitochondria ultrastructure MeSH
- Plastids ultrastructure MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Keywords
- FOLANDROL,
- MeSH
- Centrifugation, Density Gradient methods MeSH
- Fertilization in Vitro methods MeSH
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetics MeSH
- Infertility, Male complications MeSH
- Oligospermia drug therapy MeSH
- Dietary Supplements MeSH
- Cell Separation methods MeSH
- Spermatozoa cytology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
In many fish species, sperm cryopreservation has deleterious effects and leads to a significant decrease in spermatozoa viability. However, the effect of cryopreservation on sperm cells that survive this process and are still viable is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to compare the viability and proteomes of fresh and cryopreserved sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) sperm samples before and after live-dead cell separation using Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Both fresh and cryopreserved sperm samples were divided into two groups (with or without application of Percoll separation). At each step of the experiment, sperm quality was evaluated by video microscopy combined with integrated computer-assisted sperm analysis software and flow cytometry for live-dead sperm viability analysis. Sperm motility and the percentage of live cells were reduced in the cryopreserved group compared to the fresh group from 89% to 33% for percentage of motility and from 96% to 70% for live cells. Straight line velocity and linearity of track were significantly lower in cryopreserved samples than in those separated by Percoll before and after cryopreservation. However, the percentages of motile and live spermatozoa were higher than 90% in samples subjected to Percoll separation. Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa by two-dimensional differences in-gel electrophoresis coupled with matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed that 20 protein spot abundances underwent significant changes in cryopreserved samples compared to fresh ones. However, only one protein spot was significantly altered when samples before and after cryopreservation followed by Percoll separation were compared. Thus, the results of this study show that cryopreservation leads to minimal proteomic changes in the spermatozoa population, retaining high motility and viability parameters. The results also suggest that global differences in protein profiles between unselected fresh and cryopreserved samples are mainly due to protein loss or changes in the lethal and sublethal damaged cell subpopulations.
- MeSH
- Centrifugation, Density Gradient methods MeSH
- Cryopreservation methods MeSH
- Sperm Motility physiology MeSH
- Silicon Dioxide chemistry MeSH
- Povidone chemistry MeSH
- Proteomics MeSH
- Fishes physiology MeSH
- Spermatozoa physiology MeSH
- Semen Preservation methods MeSH
- Cell Survival physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Blastocystis is a common inhabitant of the human gut, colonizing at least one billion people at a prevalence ranging from <10% to 100% in healthy human populations globally. The majority of carriers remain asymptomatic, suggesting that Blastocystis is largely a commensal, though Blastocystis has also been implicated in disease in some people. However, there are no in vivo model systems in which to experimentally test the impact of Blastocystis on mammalian hosts and the gut ecosystem and determine which factors underlie these variable clinical outcomes. We evaluated a rat model for sustaining of a human-derived Blastocystis ST1 and assess colonization success and longevity. Because of the broad host range of Blastocystis, we compared the rat with three other rodent species to establish the reproducibility of our method. Blastocystis was introduced by esophageal gavage and colonization success evaluated by Blastocystis culture. Culture was also used to determine that all animals were negative prior to colonization and negative controls remain Blastocystis-free. In this study, Blastocystis ST1 established in 100% of the outbred rats (Rattus norvegicus) and gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) challenged. Rats were colonized asymptomatically for more than one year, but Blastocystis ST1 was not transmitted between rats. Mus musculus strain CD1 and Mastomys coucha were not susceptible to Blastocystis ST1. Thus, rats appear to be a suitable in vivo model for studies of Blastocystis ST1, as do gerbils though testing was less extensive. This work lays the foundation for experimental work on the role of Blastocystis in health and disease.
- MeSH
- Blastocystis growth & development pathogenicity MeSH
- Blastocystis Infections diagnosis parasitology MeSH
- Centrifugation, Density Gradient MeSH
- Feces parasitology MeSH
- Gerbillinae MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
- Murinae MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Disease Susceptibility MeSH
- Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Health Status MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Evaluation Study MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
Staphylococcus aureus is a major causative agent of infections associated with hospital environments, where antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged as a significant threat. Phage therapy could offer a safe and effective alternative to antibiotics. Phage preparations should comply with quality and safety requirements; therefore, it is important to develop efficient production control technologies. This study was conducted to develop and evaluate a rapid and reliable method for identifying staphylococcal bacteriophages, based on detecting their specific proteins using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling that is among the suggested methods for meeting the regulations of pharmaceutical authorities. Five different phage purification techniques were tested in combination with two MALDI-TOF MS matrices. Phages, either purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation or as resuspended phage pellets, yielded mass spectra with the highest information value if ferulic acid was used as the MALDI matrix. Phage tail and capsid proteins yielded the strongest signals whereas the culture conditions had no effect on mass spectral quality. Thirty-seven phages from Myoviridae, Siphoviridae or Podoviridae families were analysed, including 23 siphophages belonging to the International Typing Set for human strains of S. aureus, as well as phages in preparations produced by Microgen, Bohemia Pharmaceuticals and MB Pharma. The data obtained demonstrate that MALDI-TOF MS can be used to effectively distinguish between Staphylococcus-specific bacteriophages.
- MeSH
- Biological Products isolation & purification MeSH
- Chemical Fractionation methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Virus Replication MeSH
- Cluster Analysis MeSH
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization * methods MeSH
- Staphylococcus Phages classification metabolism MeSH
- Staphylococcus aureus virology MeSH
- Viral Proteins analysis chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Research investigating the dynamics of male gametophyte (MG) development has proven to be challenging for the plant science community. Here we describe our protocol for separating Arabidopsis MG developmental stages, which is based on the centrifugation of pollen through a discontinuous Percoll concentration gradient. This Percoll gradient can be formed using a pipette, and it does not require a gradient maker. The purity of the isolated developing spores is as high as 70%, and in most separations it is well above 80%. Using this protocol, we can separate four different stages of pollen development-uninucleate microspore (UNM), bicellular pollen (BCP), tricellular immature pollen (TCP) and mature pollen grain (MPG). The duration of the separation procedure, excluding the cutting of flower inflorescences, is 6 h. This is reduced to 4 h when using a vacuum cleaning method to remove the MPGs before the Percoll density separation.
