Aryl hydrocarbon receptor engagement during redox alteration determines the fate of CD4+ T cells in C57BL/6 mice.

The preservation of the redox homeostasis is critical for cell survival and functionality. Redox imbalance is an essential inducer of several pathological states. CD4+ /helper T cells are highly dependent on the redox state of their surrounding milieu. The potential of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) engagement in controlling CD4+ T-cell fate during redox alteration is still challenging. C57BL/6 mice were treated with AhR agonist 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), AhR antagonist CH223191, an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone or in combination. Six days later, splenocytes were evaluated for the expression of the redox-related genes and the possible changes in T-cell subsets. FICZ like BSO significantly elevated the expression of HMOX1, GCLC, and GCLM genes but it failed to increase the expression of the Nrf2 gene. Moreover, FICZ + BSO increased while FICZ + CH223191 or NAC decreased the expression of these genes. FICZ also significantly increased Th1 cell numbers but decreased Tregs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a high dose of FICZ + CH223191 + NAC significantly enhanced Th1, Th17, and Treg cells but its low dose in such a situation increased Th2 and Th17 while decreased Treg cells. AhR engagement during redox alteration can determine the fate of CD4 + T cells, so, AhR agonists or antagonists might be useful in assessing immune responses. However, these results need further verifications in vitro and in animal models of various diseases.

Arsenic mitigation in rice grain loading via alternative irrigation by proposed water management practices.

Over the past three decades, the occurrence of high concentrations of arsenic (As) in drinking-water and its subsequent poisoning in rice has been recognized as a major public-health concern globally, especially in Ganga Delta Plain with more than 80 million peoples in serious As exposure far beyond than its allowable limit. An extensive field study was conducted for consecutive four years viz. 2013 to 2016, introducing a process of intermittent irrigation pattern comparing to the conventional practice of rice cultivation in India. The practice provides a combination of aerobic and anaerobic irrigation resulting better rice productivity with lesser arsenic mobility and accumulation in rice grains. This present research finding clearly points out to the marked reduction of arsenic load from average 1.6 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/kg in rice grain, much closer to FAO/WHO prescribed safe limit and in the continuous practice of proposed agricultural strategy resulting in a gradual decrease of 15% bioavailable arsenic in each year. Total productivity (in kg/hectare) also increased by 540 kg/year in boro and 340 kg/year in amon subsequently achieving the prescribed safe limit of As in grain.