The polysaccharide chitosan facilitates the isolation of small extracellular vesicles from multiple biofluids.

Several studies have demonstrated the potential uses of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for liquid biopsy-based diagnostic tests and therapeutic applications; however, clinical use of EVs presents a challenge as many currently-available EV isolation methods have limitations related to efficiency, purity, and complexity of the methods. Moreover, many EV isolation methods do not perform efficiently in all biofluids due to their differential physicochemical properties. Thus, there continues to be a need for novel EV isolation methods that are simple, robust, non-toxic, and/or clinically-amenable. Here we demonstrate a rapid and efficient method for small extracellular vesicle (sEV) isolation that uses chitosan, a linear cationic polyelectrolyte polysaccharide that exhibits biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Chitosan-precipitated material was characterized using Western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and relevant proteomic-based gene ontology analyses. We find that chitosan facilitates the isolation of sEVs from multiple biofluids, including cell culture-conditioned media, human urine, plasma and saliva. Overall, our data support the potential for chitosan to isolate a population of sEVs from a variety of biofluids and may have the potential to be a clinically amenable sEV isolation method.

Human hyaluronic acid synthase-1 promotes malignant transformation via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, micronucleation and centrosome abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Human hyaluronic acid (HA) molecules are synthesized by three membrane spanning Hyaluronic Acid Synthases (HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3). Of the three, HAS1 is found to be localized more into the cytoplasmic space where it synthesizes intracellular HA. HA is a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan, mainly present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and on the cell surface, but are also detected intracellularly. Accumulation of HA in cancer cells, the cancer-surrounding stroma, and ECM is generally considered an independent prognostic factors for patients. Higher HA production also correlates with higher tumor grade and more genetic heterogeneity in multiple cancer types which is known to contribute to drug resistance and results in treatment failure. Tumor heterogeneity and intra-tumor clonal diversity are major challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Identification of the driver pathway(s) that initiate genomic instability, tumor heterogeneity and subsequent phenotypic/clinical manifestations, are fundamental for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Thus far, no evidence was shown to correlate intracellular HA status (produced by HAS1) and the generation of genetic diversity in tumors. METHODS: We tested different cell lines engineered to induce HAS1 expression. We measured the epithelial traits, centrosomal abnormalities, micronucleation and polynucleation of those HAS1-expressing cells. We performed real-time PCR, 3D cell culture assay, confocal microscopy, immunoblots and HA-capture methods. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that overexpression of HAS1 induces loss of epithelial traits, increases centrosomal abnormalities, micronucleation and polynucleation, which together indicate manifestation of malignant transformation, intratumoral genetic heterogeneity, and possibly create suitable niche for cancer stem cells generation. CONCLUSIONS: The intracellular HA produced by HAS1 can aggravate genomic instability and intratumor heterogeneity, pointing to a fundamental role of intracellular HA in cancer initiation and progression.

A monoclonal antibody against glycoproteins of Aspergillus fumigatus shows anti-adhesive potential.

There has been an increase in the cases of fungal resistance against many antifungal drugs and an effective alternative mode in the form of immunotherapy is being considered as new hope. The adhesion of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia to the host components is one of the prime factors to cause aspergillosis. Carbohydrate components or glycoproteins present on the cell surface play an important role in interaction of the organism to the host and leads to adhesion. Any substance which is capable of disrupting this interaction may be a vital tool for the fungal clearance and hence may protect the host from infections caused by the fungus. In this study, a murine monoclonal antibody IgM generated against the secretory antigens of A. fumigatus, was found to be specific to a common epitope containing glyco-moieties of the various proteins and exhibited anti-adhesive potential in vitro.

Identification of virulence factors and diagnostic markers using immunosecretome of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a prime causative agent for various allergic and invasive aspergillosis. There has been a dramatic increase of such cases in last three decades yet the early diagnosis and virulence factor identification remains the challenge. In the present study secretome analysis of proteins isolated from the culture filtrate was done by 2D gel electrophoresis coupled with MS/MS and the immunosecretome analysis was carried out using immunoblotting of 2D transfer blots and probed with the sera of patients, immunized rabbit and mice. The identified proteins were analyzed further for homology with human proteins by BLAST search and for secretory signal by SignalP. A total of 65 protein spots from 2D gel resulted in identification of 24 different proteins along with their isoforms and out of which 15 proteins were identified as immunogenic in human. These findings may be helpful in the identification of virulence factors involved in aspergillosis and also useful as diagnostic markers.

Design, synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel 2-aryl-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives.

Novel 2-arylthiazolidin-4-one derivatives (8a-q and 11) have been synthesized in good-to-excellent yields (70-96%) by one-pot three-component condensation-cyclization reaction of aromatic or aliphatic primary amines, aromatic aldehydes, and thioglycolic acid in polypropylene glycol at 110°C temperature. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized 2-arylthiazolidin-4-ones was investigated against a panel of six pathogenic fungal strains, a Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Results revealed that the compounds (8a-d) bearing 3-(4-(1H-imidazolylmethyl)phenyl)-substituent displayed significant antibacterial efficacy specifically against Klebsiella pneumoniae (minimum inhibitory concentration 12.5 µg/mL). In addition, some of the synthesized compounds have also shown antimicotic activity against Sporothrix schenckii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Aspergillus fumigatus at the concentration of 50 µg/mL.

An eco-friendly synthesis and antimicrobial activities of dihydro-2H-benzo- and naphtho-1,3-oxazine derivatives.

A series of 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[e]-, 2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-e]-, 3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho[2,1-e][1,3]oxazine and 1,2-bis(3,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,3]oxazin-3(4H)-yl)ethane derivatives was obtained through an eco-friendly Mannich type condensation-cyclization reaction of phenols or naphthols with formaldehyde and primary amines in water at ambient temperature. Preliminary in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was assessed against six pathogenic fungi, two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacteria. Some of the screened compounds have shown significant in vitro antimicrobial effect. Cytotoxic activities of the lead compounds (2m, 2n, 3c and 3d) against mouse fibroblast cell line (L929) were determined by MTT method. The assay results revealed that these molecules offered remarkable viability (>90%) of L929 cells at concentration of 25 microg/mL.

Imidazole derivatives as possible microbicides with dual protection.

Twenty seven derivatives (2-28) of 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol were synthesized and evaluated for anti-trichomonas, spermicidal and antifungal activities. Twenty six compounds were active against Trichomonas vaginalis at MIC ranging from 1-42 microM and seven compounds (9,18,19,22,24,26,28) immobilized 100% human spermatozoa at 1% concentration (w/v). Twenty three compounds (2,3,5,8-26,28) exhibited antifungal activity at 25-50 microg/mL concentration. Seven compounds (9,18,19,22,24,26,28) showed significant anti-trichomonas and spermicidal activities and also exhibited mild antifungal activity. All the compounds were highly safe towards human cervical cell line (HeLa) as shown by the cell-viability assay of HeLa cells at 200 microg/mL concentration, whereas nonoxynol-9 (N-9, the marketed spermicidal microbicide) was highly cytotoxic. Therefore, it may be concluded that introduction of the pharmacophore responsible for spermicidal activity into a proven anti-trichomonas structure may lead to a potent dual function microbicide better and safer than N-9.

Discriminatory protein binding by a library of 96 new affinity resins: a novel dye-affinity chromatography tool-kit.

Initial acceptance of Cibacron Blue 3G-A based matrices has made dye-ligand affinity chromatography an attractive proposition. This prompted the synthesis and search for new dye structures. A systematic library of 96 affinity resins was generated using novel analogs of Cibacron Blue 3G-A and also by varying spacer lengths for immobilization. The library was tested in a batch binding and elution mode using seven different proteins--four Aspergillus enzymes namely, NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase, laccase, glutamine synthetase and arginase, bovine pancreatic trypsin and the two serum proteins human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G. Unique binding patterns were observed for each of them indicating that the library displayed discriminatory interactions. The significance of spacer length in the interaction with proteins was discernable. Trypsin interacted best with affinity resins that had no spacer. It was possible to resolve IgG and HSA from a mixture using a combination of resins. There was a good spread of HSA binding capacity in the 96 affinity resins. While some showed better HSA binding capacity than the commercial CB3GA-based matrix, a few with lower capacity were also observed. Subsequent to an initial screen, one affinity resin (CR-017) could be used to enrich Aspergillus terreus NADP-GDH from crude cell extracts. The efficacy of this dye-affinity resin was rationalized by characterizing NADP-GDH inhibition kinetics with the corresponding free dye ligand. In the sum, the library provides a set of dye-ligand affinity matrices with a potential for use in high throughput screening for protein purification.

A monoclonal IgM directed against immunodominant catalase B of cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus exerts anti-A. fumigatus activities.

Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous fungus, has been reported to cause human diseases like allergic pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma and invasive infection. Limited spectrum and emergence of resistance has become a serious problem with available antifungals. Therefore, an alternative approach is required for successful treatment of mycoses. In the present study, immunogenic protein profile of A. fumigatus cell wall was generated using two-dimensional-gel electrophoresis and three hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs; IgM) were selected after fusion experiments. Of these three MAbs, MAb-7 exhibited potent in vitro inhibitory activity, which was confirmed by MTT assay, fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and immuno-fluorescence studies, and the protein was identified as catalase B using MALDI-TOF-MS.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of 1,2,3-triazole containing fluconazole analogues.

Fluconazole based novel mimics containing 1,2,3-triazole were designed and synthesized as antifungal agents. Their antifungal activities were evaluated in vitro by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Compounds 12, 15, and 16 were found to be more potent against Candida fungal pathogens than control drugs fluconazole and amphotericin B. The studies presented here provide structural modification of fluconazole to give 1,2,3-trazole containing molecules. Furthermore, these molecules were evaluated in vivo against Candida albicans intravenous challenge in Swiss mice and antiproliferative activities were tested against human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B and human epithelial carcinoma A431. It was found that compound 12 resulted in 97.4% reduction in fungal load in mice and did not show any profound proliferative effect at lower dose (0.001 mg/ml).