Prenatal alcohol exposure alters expression of neurogenesis-related genes in an ex vivo cell culture model

Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to long-lasting changes in functional and genetic programs of the brain, which may underlie behavioral alterations seen in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Aberrant fetal programming during gestational alcohol exposure is a possible mechanism by which alcohol imparts teratogenic effects on the brain; however, current methods used to investigate the effects of alcohol on development often rely on either direct application of alcohol in vitro or acute high doses in vivo. In this study, we used our established moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) model, resulting in maternal blood alcohol content of approximately 20 mM, and subsequent ex vivo cell culture to assess expression of genes related to neurogenesis. Proliferating and differentiating neural progenitor cell culture conditions were established from telencephalic tissue derived from embryonic day (E) 15–17 tissue exposed to alcohol via maternal drinking throughout pregnancy. Gene expression analysis on mRNA derived in vitro was performed using a microarray, and quantitative PCR was conducted for genes to validate the microarray. Student's t tests were performed for statistical comparison of each exposure under each culture condition using a 95% confidence interval. Eleven percent of genes on the array had significantly altered mRNA expression in the prenatal alcohol-exposed neural progenitor culture under proliferating conditions. These include reduced expression of Adora2a, Cxcl1, Dlg4, Hes1, Nptx1, and Vegfa and increased expression of Fgf13, Ndn, and Sox3; bioinformatics analysis indicated that these genes are involved in cell growth and proliferation. Decreased levels of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a were also found under proliferating conditions. Under differentiating conditions, 7.3% of genes had decreased mRNA expression; these include Cdk5rap3, Gdnf, Hey2, Heyl, Pard6b, and Ptn, which are associated with survival and differentiation as indicated by bioinformatics analysis. This study is the first to use chronic low to moderate PAE, to more accurately reflect maternal alcohol consumption, and subsequent neural progenitor cell culture to demonstrate that PAE throughout gestation alters expression of genes involved in neural development and embryonic neurogenesis.     

Quantitative PCR analysis of genes expressed during biofilm development of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus biofilm associated infections remains a major clinical concern in patients with indwelling devices. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) can be used to investigate the pathogenic role of such biofilms. We describe qPCRs for 12 adhesion and biofilm-related genes of four S. aureus isolates which were applied during in vitro biofilm development. An endogenous control (16S rRNA) was used for signal normalization. We compared the qPCR results with structural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM studies showed different cellular products surrounding the aggregated cells at different times of biofilm formation. Using qPCR, we found that expression levels of the gene encoding fibronectin binding protein A and B and clumping factor B (fnbA/B and clfB), which involves in primary adherence of S. aureus, were significantly increased at 24 h and decreased slightly and variably at 48 h when all 4 isolates were considered. The elastin binding protein (ebps) RNA expression level was significantly enhanced more than 6-fold at 24 and 48 h compared to 12 h. Similar results were obtained for the intercellular adhesion biofilm required genes type C (icaC). In addition, qPCR revealed a fluctuation in expression levels at different time points of biofilm growth of other genes, indicating that different parameter modes of growth processes are operating at different times.     

Comparison of a quantitative Real-Time PCR assay and droplet digital PCR for copy number analysis of the CCL4L genes

The controversy surrounding the findings that copy number variation, of the CCL3 encoding genes, influences HIV-1 infection and disease progression has been in part attributed to the variable results obtained from methods used for copy number evaluation. Like CCL3, the genes encoding the CC chemokine CCL4, also a natural ligand of the CCR5 receptor, are found to occur in population-specific multiple copy number and have been shown to play a protective role against HIV-1. This study evaluated the standard method of quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for CCL4L gene copy number determination. The CCL4 encoding genes are CCL4, occurring in two copies per diploid genome (pdg), and the non-allelic CCL4L genes, comprised of CCL4L1 and CCL4L2, which are both found in multiple copies pdg. Copy number of CCL4L, CCL4L1 and CCL4L2 was determined in a cohort of HIV-1-uninfected individuals from the South African Black (n = 23) and Caucasian (n = 32) population groups using qPCR and ddPCR. A stronger correlation between the number of CCL4L copies and the sum of CCL4L1 and CCL4L2 copies generated by ddPCR (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001) compared to qPCR (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001) was observed. Real-Time qPCR exhibited greater inaccuracy at higher copy numbers which is particularly relevant to our cohort of Black individuals who have a higher range of CCL4L copies (3–6) compared to Caucasians (0–4) and a higher population median (4 and 2, respectively). Medians and ranges of CCL4L1 (Black: 2, 0–4, Caucasian: 0, 0–2) and CCL4L2 (Black: 2, 1–5, Caucasian: 2, 0–3) were also higher in the Black population. Droplet digital PCR was shown to be a far superior method to qPCR for assessment of CCL4 gene copy number variation, the accuracy of which is essential for studies of the contribution of variable gene copy number to phenotypic outcomes of host infection and disease course.     

Evaluation of endogenous control gene(s) for gene expression studies in human blood exposed to 60Co γ-rays ex vivo

In gene expression studies, it is critical to normalize data using a stably expressed endogenous control gene in order to obtain accurate and reliable results. However, we currently do not have a universally applied endogenous control gene for normalization of data for gene expression studies, particularly those involving ⁶⁰Co γ-ray-exposed human blood samples. In this study, a comparative assessment of the gene expression of six widely used housekeeping endogenous control genes, namely 18S, ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, MT-ATP6 and CDKN1A, was undertaken for a range of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray doses (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 Gy) at 8.4 Gy min⁻¹ at 0 and 24 h post-irradiation time intervals. Using the NormFinder algorithm, real-time PCR data obtained from six individuals (three males and three females) were analyzed with respect to the threshold cycle (Ct) value and abundance, ΔCt pair-wise comparison, intra- and inter-group variability assessments, etc. GAPDH, either alone or in combination with 18S, was found to be the most suitable endogenous control gene and should be used in gene expression studies, especially those involving qPCR of γ-ray-exposed human blood samples.     

Quantitative trait locus for body weight identified on rat chromosome 4 in inbred alcohol-preferring and -nonpreferring rats: Potential implications for neuropeptide Y and corticotrophin releasing hormone 2

The alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rat lines were developed using bidirectional selective breeding for alcohol consumption (g/kg/day) and alcohol preference (water:ethanol ratio). During a preliminary study, we detected a difference in body weight between inbred P (iP) and inbred NP (iNP) rats that appeared to be associated with the transfer of the Chromosome 4 quantitative trait locus (QTL) seen in the P.NP and NP.P congenic strains. After the initial confirmation that iP rats displayed lower body weight when compared to iNP rats (data not shown), body weight and growth rates of each chromosome 4 reciprocal congenic rat strain (P.NP and NP.P) were measured, and their body weight was consistent with their respective donor strain phenotype, confirming that a quantitative trait locus for body weight mapped to the chromosome 4 interval. Utilizing the newly developed interval-specific congenic strains (ISCS-A and ISCS-B), the QTL interval was further narrowed identifying the following candidate genes of interest: neuropeptide Y (Npy), juxtaposed with another zinc finger gene 1 (Jazf1), corticotrophin releasing factor receptor 2 (Crfr2) and LanC lantibiotic synthetase component C-like 2 (Lancl2). These findings indicate that a biologically active variant(s) regulates body weight on rat chromosome 4 in iP and iNP rats. This QTL for body weight was successfully captured in the P.NP and NP.P congenic strains, and interval-specific congenic strains (ISCSs) were subsequently employed to fine-map the QTL interval identifying the following candidate genes of interest: Npy, Jazf1, Crfr2 and Lancl2. Both Npy and Crfr2 have been previously identified as candidate genes of interest underlying the chromosome 4 QTL for alcohol consumption in iP and iNP rats.     

Improved safety of a replication-competent poxvirus-based HIV vaccine with the introduction of the HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene system

IntroductionReplication-competent vaccinia viruses (VACVs) show prolonged antigen expression time and greater stimulation of immune responses than their replication-incompetent counterparts. However, there is the potential risk of serious post-vaccination complications, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals, leading to safety concerns about the reintroduction of VACV as a vaccine vector. In this study, we improved the safety of the vaccinia virus TianTan (VACV-TT) based HIV vaccine by introducing the HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene system, which is composed of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk) and the antiviral drug ganciclovir (GCV).Materials and methodsBy inserting the HSV-tk gene into the replication-competent VACV-TT genome, a new vector, TT-TK (VACV-TT expressing the HSV-tk gene), and a candidate vaccine, TT-EnvTK (TT-TK expressing the HIV-1 env gene), were constructed.ResultsThe new vector TT-TK exhibited reduced replication capacity both in vitro and in vivo in the presence of GCV. GCV inhibited the replication of TT-TK in the brains of mice and skin of rabbits, and provided 100% protection in mice against lethal challenge with TT-TK at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Furthermore, the candidate vaccine TT-EnvTK induced cellular and humoral immunity against HIV-1 antigen that was comparable to the immunity induced by VTKgpe (VACV-TT expressing HIV-1 env, gag, and pol genes).DiscussionThese promising results suggest a new strategy to mitigate the potential risk of post-vaccination complications from replication-competent VACV-based HIV vaccines.     

Design, synthesis and in vitro drug release investigation of new potential 5-FU prodrugs

In order to identify new efficient prodrugs of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and to develop an original targeting approach using 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) as a potential drug carrier, eight original 5-FU derivatives were synthesized: 5-FU was attached by the N1 position of the pyrimidinic ring to the C1 position of the FDG structure either by direct coupling (2a) or via various spacers (3, 6a-c, 10b and 19). A new sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to simultaneously quantify 5-FU and its derivatives in human plasma and other relevant media at physiological temperatures. Half-lives were determined from the degradation profiles of these conjugates. Slow degradation of compounds 2a, 3, 10b and 19 was observed in vitro at 37 °C, but no 5-FU release was noticed. By contrast, the in vitro drug release profiles of compounds 6a-c followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and 5-FU was found in all the media. The antiproliferative activity of the eight compounds was assessed in vitro by a fluorometric assay against two human solid cancer cell lines and one healthy cell line. A correlation was found between the activities of the compounds and their ability to release 5-FU efficiently.     

Novel C-4' modified azithromycin analogs with remarkably enhanced activity against erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: the synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation

Three novel structural series of C-4″ modified azithromycin analogs with two amide groups, which were connected by different alkyl linkage, were designed, prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against seven phenotypes of respiratory pathogens. Among them, 7d, 8j and 9j, as representatives of corresponding series, exhibited remarkably improved activity against erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae expressing the erm gene, the mef gene, and the erm and mef genes. In addition, 7a-c, 7f-h, 7j, 8d, 8g, 8i, 9a-b and 9i displayed favorable efficacy against erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniaeA22072 expressing the mef gene.     

Anti-cancer activity of a novel palladium(II) complex on human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Anti-cancer effects of a newly-synthesized palladium(II) complex, [Pd(sac)(terpy)](sac)·4H₂O (sac = saccharinate, and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine), were tested against human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The Pd complex had a strong anti-growth effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. This effect was also confirmed by the experiment performed on Balb/c mice in vivo. The IC₅₀ values were 0.09 μM for MDA-MB-231 and 3.05 μM for MCF-7. It was also very effective in disrupting the formation of MDA-MB-231 tubules on matrigel, indicative of a putative anti-invasive activity. It induced apoptosis via the cell death genes of DR4 and DR5. In conclusion, this newly-synthesized Pd (II) complex represents a potentially active novel drug for the breast cancer treatment.     

Metabolism evaluation of the anticancer candidate AC04 by biomimetic oxidative model and rat liver microsomes

Jacobsen reagents, in the presence of monooxygen donors, appear as an alternative to produce metabolites from biological active compounds. This reaction may mimic the oxidation and oxygenation reactions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes upon various drugs and biologically active compounds. Acridines represent a well-known group of polyaromatic compounds capable of acting as DNA intercalating agents. Viewing to search for new anticancer agents, one promising new acridine, the 5-acridin-9-ylmethylene-3-(4-methyl-benzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (AC04) (2), has been studied by our group and the in vitro metabolism was investigated in this work, aiming to advance in the pre-clinical pharmacokinetic investigation. A systematic investigation of the gas-phase reaction, supported by computational chemistry, of the AC04 (2) was studied to help the structure elucidation of possible in vivo metabolites. To confirm the methodology, the oxidized product was obtained in large scale for NMR analysis and the data confirmed the structure. In addition, AC04 (2) was submitted to an in vitro metabolism assay employing rat liver microsomes and also, a pilot study was conducted in rats after AC04 intravenous (i.v.) dosing of 1.5 mg/kg. A single oxidized product was obtained from microsomal metabolism and detected in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis corresponding to the same product formed by Jacobsen-catalyzed reaction. These results indicate that Jacobsen oxidation reactions, combined with in vitro metabolism assays employing isolated microsomes, might replace some in vivo metabolism studies, thus reducing the use of animals in new chemical entities pre-clinical investigation.     

Anticancer and radio-sensitizing evaluation of some new thiazolopyrane and thiazolopyranopyrimidine derivatives bearing a sulfonamide moiety

Recently, it has been reported that compounds bearing a sulfonamide moiety posses many types of biological activities, including anticancer activity. There are a variety of mechanisms for their anticancer activity, and the most prominent mechanism is the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes. The present work reports the synthesis of some new thiazolo[4,5-b]pyrane, thiazolo[4,5-b]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives bearing a sulfonamide moiety. The design of the structures of these compounds complies with the general pharmacophoric requirements for CA inhibiting anticancer drugs. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Most of the screened compounds showed interesting cytotoxic activities compared to doxorubicin as a reference drug. Compounds 5, 6, 10 and 12 (IC₅₀ values 39.4 μM, 41.6 μM, 35.72 μM and 34.64 μM, respectively) exhibited higher cytotoxic activities than the reference drug doxorubicin (IC₅₀ = 71.8 μM). Additionally, the previously mentioned compounds were evaluated again for their ability to enhance the cell killing effect of γ-radiation.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of potential 5-HT(7) receptor PET radiotracers

Brain serotonin 7 receptor (5-HT₇) is involved in several mood disorders and drug candidates targeting this subtype are currently in development. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging modality offering great promise for accelerating the process from preclinical discovery to clinical phases. As no PET radiopharmaceutical has yet been used successfully to study the 5-HT₇ receptor in vivo, our objective is to develop the first 5-HT₇ fluorine-18 labeled radiotracer.Four structural analogs of SB269970, a specific 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist, divided in FP3 series and FPMP series were synthesized. Their antagonist effects were investigated by cellular functional assay. Nitro-precursors of these analogs were radiolabeled via a [¹⁸F⁻]nucleophilic substitution and in vitro autoradiographies were performed in rat brain.Chemical and radiochemical purities of fluorine radiotracers were >99% with specific activities in 40-129 GBq/μmole range. The four derivates presented antagonism potencies toward 5-HT₇ receptors (pK_B) between 7.8 and 8.8. The four PET radiotracers had suitable characteristic for 5-HT₇ receptor probing in vitro even if the FP3 series seemed to be more specific for this receptor. These results encourage us to pursue in vivo studies.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new sulfonamide derivatives of thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines

New series of sulfonamide derivatives of [1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine were synthesized and investigated as antitumor agents. Some of the newly prepared compounds were tested for their in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities. Preliminary biological studies revealed that compounds 4c, 4f, and 4j exhibited the highest affinity to DNA, while compounds 4h,i, 6a-c, 8 and 12-14 exhibited moderate activity. Also, compounds 4j, 4f and 4c showed the highest percentage increase in lifespan of mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites cells over 5-flurouracil (positive control). The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic and biological data are reported.     

3-(1,3,4-Thiadiazole-2-yl)quinoline derivatives: synthesis, characterization and anti-microbial activity

A new series of thiadiazoles and intermediate thiosemicarbazones were synthesized from the chloroquinone molecule, with an aim to explore their effect on in vitro growth of microorganisms causing microbial infection. The chemical structures of the compound were elucidated by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR and ESI-MS spectral data. In vitro anti-microbial activity was performed against Staphylococcusaureus, Streptococcuspyogenes, Salmonellatyphimurium, and Escherichiacoli. The MIC was detected using the double dilution method. The results were compared by calculating percent inhibit area/μg of the compounds and the standard “amoxicillin”. The selected compounds were tested for cytotoxic results using MTT assay H9c2 cardiac myoblasts cell line and the results showed that all the compounds offered remarkable >80% viability to a concentration of 200 μg/mL.     

Assessment of eugenol inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and biofilm gene expression in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates in Egypt

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm infection is a major threat in Healthcare facilities. The search for biofilm inhibitors is essential to overcome the antibiotic resistance. Eugenol is a phyto-compound that possesses many biological properties. In this study, the aim was to estimate the effect of eugenol on biofilms of MRSA through quantifying the level of gene expression of three genes (IcaA, IcaD and SarA) involved in biofilm development.. Fifty MRSA biofilm producers collected from the microbiology lab at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute were incubated with different concentrations of eugenol for 24 h. The minimum inhibitory concentration of eugenol (MIC) that eradicates the biofilms growth was detected. mRNA was extracted from all isolates before and after the application of eugenol at 0.5 x MIC, and then subjected to quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results showed that fourteen isolates out of 50 (28%) exhibited intermediate biofilm formation ability, and 36 out of 50 (72%) were strong biofilm producers. The MIC values of eugenol for MRSA ranged from 3.125% to 0.01%. The mean values of MIC in both strong and intermediate biofilm forming MRSA isolates were statistically comparable (p = 0.202). qPCR results revealed that the levels of expression of the studied genes IcaA, IcaD, and SarA were decreased after eugenol treatment when compared with their corresponding values before treatment (p = 0.001). Eugenol inhibited the formation of biofilm of MRSA isolates, indicating it could be used to control infections associated with MRSA biofilms.     

Synthesis of 3-heteroarylthioquinoline derivatives and their in vitro antituberculosis and cytotoxicity studies

A series of 3-heteroarylthioquinoline derivatives has been synthesized by the Friedlander annulation of 2-[(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]-1-aryl-1-ethanone/2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-1-aryl-1-ethanone/1-aryl-2-[(2-phenyl-2H-1,2,3,4-tetraazol-5-yl)sulfanyl]-1-ethanone with 2-aminobenzophenone in good yields using YbCl₃ as the catalyst. These compounds have been screened for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) and among the 21 compounds screened, 2-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-4-phenyl-3-quinolyl]sulfanyl-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (5d) and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-phenyl-3-quinolyl]sulfanyl-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (5c) were found to be the most active compounds with MIC of 3.2 and 3.5 μM respectively against MTB. The cytotoxic effects against mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) in vitro were evaluated for 5c and 5d, which displayed no toxic effects (IC₅₀ > 1000 μM) against the mouse fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of dihydroindeno and indeno [1,2-e] [1,2,4]triazolo [3,4-b] [1,3,4]thiadiazines as antimicrobial agents

Two series of compounds namely, dihydroindeno and indeno [1,2-e] [1,2,4]triazolo [3,4-b] [1,3,4]thiadizines (9a-l & 11a-l) were synthesized by cyclocondensation between α-bromoindanones (7a-b) or/and α,α-dibromoindanones (8a-b) and various 3-alkyl/aryl-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-s-triazoles (3a-f) in methanol with an aim to explore their effect on in vitro growth of microorganism causing microbial infection. In vitro antibacterial activity was performed against four strains namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against three fungal strains namely, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium species. Of all the compounds screened for activity some of the compounds were associated with considerably higher antibacterial and antifungal activity than commercial antibiotics.