Search

In the emerging context of gut-brain control of multiple sclerosis (MS), developing therapeutics targeting proinflammatory proteins controlling the gut-brain immunomodulation is welcoming. One such immunomodulator is glia maturation factor-β (GMF-β). GMF-β activation following GMF-β-ser-83 phosphorylation upregulates proinflammatory responses and exacerbates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Notably, GMF-β

The transdifferentiation potential of human oogonial stem cells (hOSCs) isolated using the antibody against extracellular DEAD-Box Helicase 4 (ecDDX4) remains undetermined. Hence, this study isolated OSCs from ovarian cortical pieces of premenopausal women using ecDDX4 antibody by magnetic activated cell sorting and expanded these cells under embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like culture conditions to inves­tigate their transdifferentiation potential. The number of ecDDX4+ cells obtained was variable in each isolation. When cultured on inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder layer with human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in Minimum Essential Medium, the hOSCs aggregated, forming ESC-like colonies. The average size of these cells was around 10 μm. hOSCs in culture were positive for alkaline phosphatase and further formed embryoid bodies (EBs) when grown on low attachment plates containing Essential 6 Medium without hLIF and bFGF. Subsequently, EBs differentiated into 3 germ layers, which were confirmed by staining with beta-III tubulin (TUJ1) for ectoderm, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for endoderm, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) for mesoderm. Further, using appropriate induction media, the EBs derived from ecDDX4+ hOSCs were differentiated into somatic lineages such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, cardiomyocytes, and neuronal precursor-like cells, which were confirmed by immunofluorescence using antibodies against specific markers for each cell type. This study corroborated the previous findings that ovaries of adult women possess germ cell progenitors that can be isolated using ecDDX4, and these cells can be manipulated as pluripotent stem cells by culturing them under ESC-like culture conditions akin to their male counterparts, the spermatogonial stem cells. Further, these cells could differentiate into somatic lineages under specific signalling environments.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged as promising biolabeling agents owing to their stable innate fluorescence, photostability, and biocompatibility as opposed to semiconductor quantum dots. While several studies reported GQDs to be cytocompatible, their potential for reproductive toxicity, particularly to germ cells that can cause transgenerational toxicity, remains unexplored. Here we report the intrinsic toxicity of 2–3 nm sized GQDs synthesized from glucose by a novel bottom-up green chemistry technique on germ cell proliferation and meiosis during early embryonic development. In vitro cell viability studies with a normal ovarian cell line, Chinese Hamster Ovarian cells (CHO), and a primary cell type, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC), portrayed good cytocompatibility even up to a high concentration of 800 μg/mL. When embryos of Japanese medaka were exposed to GQDs, no developmental toxicity was observed up to 250 μg/mL, beyond which hatchability and survival were affected adversely....

Dihydropyrimidinones are extremely advantageous small sized molecules owning adaptable pharmaceutical properties. With a molecular formula C4H6N2O, they hold a wide range of biological activities. It is a heterocyclic moiety having two N-atoms at positions 1 and 3. They are derivatives of pyrimidine containing an additional ketone group. They have inspired development of a wide range of synthetic methods for preparation and chemical transformations. Taking into consideration their structural similarity and involvement with DNA and RNA, they have become very imperative in the world of synthetic organic chemistry. Aryl substituted moieties and their derivatives are significant class of substances in medicinal and organic chemistry. Many alkaloids from natural marine sources comprising dihydropyrimidinones core have been isolated which possess fascinating biological properties. Intensive explorations have been carried out on these compounds because they possess close similitude to clinically used nifedipine, nicardipine etc. which are also Biginelli product analogues. Due to the interesting pharmacological properties associated with the privileged DHPM structures, the Biginelli reaction and related procedures have received increasing attention in recent years.