Expression of fluorescent tagged recombinant erythroferrone protein

Objective: To produce fluorescent tagged recombinant erythroferrone protein (ERFE-eGFP) for laboratory investigations. Methods: Erythroferrone (ERFE) gene was fused to green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene and cloned in a pSecTag2Hygro plasmid. The constructed plasmid was amplified in Escherichia coli DH5 α and the eGFP-fused ERFE (ERFE-eGFP) protein was expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cell line. Results: The plasmid constructed from colony C6 contained ERFE-eGFP with the correct restriction sizes of 4.2 kb and expressed secretory ERFE-eGFP fusion protein (approximately size of 75 kDa) in HEK293T cell line. Conclusions: ERFE-eGFP recombinant protein is successfully expressed as a secretory functional protein and could be sensitively detected using fluorometry. This fusion protein might benefit future applications for localization of cellular ERFE receptors and competitive immunoassay of ERFE concentration.

Anti-malarial effect of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one and green tea extract on erythrocyte-stage Plasmodium berghei in mice

Objective: To examine the efficacy of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) iron chelator and green tea extract (GTE) as anti-malarial activity in Plasmodium berghei ( P. berghei) infected mice. Methods: The CM1 (0-100 mg/kg/day) and GTE (0-100 mg (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent/kg/day) were orally administered to P. berghei infected mice for consecutive 4 days. Parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) were enumerated by using Giemsa staining microscopic method. Results: CM1 lowered percentage of PRBC in dose-dependent manner with an ED

Combined treatment of 3-hydroxypyridine-4-one derivatives and green tea extract to induce hepcidin expression in iron-overloaded β-thalassemic mice

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of deferiprone (DFP), 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) or green tea extract (GTE) in enhancing expression of hepatic hepcidin1 (Hamp1) mRNA and relieving iron overload in β-globin knockout thalassemic mice. Methods: The β-globin knockout thalassemic mice were fed with a ferrocene-supplemented diet for 2 months and oral administration of deionized water, DFP (50 mg/kg), CM1 (50 mg/kg), GTE (50 mg epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent/kg), GTE along with DFP (50 mg/kg), and GTE along with CM1 (50 mg/kg) every day for 3 months. Levels of hepatic Hamp1 mRNA, plasma non-transferrin bound iron, plasma alanine aminotransferase activity and tissue iron content were determined. Results: All chelation treatments could reduce plasma non-transferrin bound iron concentrations. Additionally, hepatic Hamp1 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in the mice in a GTE + DFP combined treatment, correlating with a decrease in the plasma alanine aminotransferase activity and tissue iron deposition. Conclusions: The GTE + DFP treatment could ameliorate iron overload and liver oxidative damage in non-transfusion dependent β-thalassemic mice, by chelating toxic iron in plasma and tissues, and increasing hepcidin expression to inhibit duodenal iron absorption and iron release from hepatocytes and macrophages in the spleen. There is probably an advantage in giving GTE with DFP when treating patients with iron overload.

Anti-malarial effect of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one and green tea extract on erythrocyte-stage Plasmodium berghei in mice

Objective:To examine the efficacy of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one (CM1) iron chelator and green tea extract (GTE) as anti-malarial activity in Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei ) infected mice. Methods:The CM1 (0–100 mg/kg/day) and GTE (0–100 mg (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent/kg/day) were orally administered to P. berghei infected mice for consecutive 4 days. Parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) were enumerated by using Giemsa staining microscopic method. Results: CM1 lowered percentage of PRBC in dose-dependent manner with an ED50 value of 56.91 mg/kg, when compared with pyrimethamine (PYR) (ED50=0.76 mg/kg). GTE treatment did not show any inhibition of the malaria parasite growth. In combined treatment, CM1 along with 0.6 mg/kg PYR significantly inhibited the growth of P. berghei in mice while GTE did not enhance the PYR anti-malarial activity. Conclusions: CM1 would be effective per se and synergize with PYR in inhibiting growth of murine malaria parasites, possibly by limiting iron supply from plasma transferrin and host PRBC cytoplasm, and chelating catalytic iron constitutive in parasites’ mitochondrial cytochromes and cytoplasmic ribonucleotide reductase. CM1 would be a promising adjuvant to enhance PYR anti-malarial activity and minimize the drug resistance.