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Fetal exposures to many drugs of abuse, e.g., opioids and alcohol (EtOH), are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental problems in early childhood, including abnormalities in activity of the serotonin (5HT) transporter (SERT), which transports 5HT across the placenta. Little is known about the effects of these drugs on SERT expression. Pregnant women who used EtOH or opioids were compared to gestational age-matched controls using a structured questionnaire to determine prenatal substance exposure. Following elective pregnancy termination, placental membranous vesicles and exosomes were prepared from first and second trimester human placentas. Changes in EtOH- or opioid-exposed placental SERT expression and modifications were assessed by quantitative western blot. Novel SERT isoforms were sequenced and analyzed. Opioid-exposed but not EtOH-exposed maternal placentas showed SERT cleavage and formation of new SERT fragments (isoforms). Alcohol-exposed cases showed reduced SERT levels. Antibodies to the N-terminal SERT region did not recognize either of the two cleavage products, while antibodies to the central and C-terminal regions recognized both bands. The secondary band seen in the opioid group may represent a hypophosphorylated SERT fragment. These changes in SERT modifications and expression may result in altered fetal brain serotonergic neurotransmission, which could have neurodevelopmental implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of softeners is essential for enhancing laundered fabrics and hair textures after washing. For these, products based on double‐tailed cationic surfactants are used to reduce friction and static electricity, resulting in softer and smoother fibers. These surfactants form lamellar phases in water, which can be turned into vesicles and other bilayer aggregates upon shearing, greatly impacting on the rheological properties of these formulations. This study aims at elucidating how some parameters of the formulation process impact bilayer structures formation and the product rheology, using di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethylammonium chloride (DHTDMAC) aqueous dispersions as model system. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) analyses revealed lamellar phases starting from 3% DHTDMAC, with a bilayer thickness of 1.90 ± 0.03 nm, indicating significant carbon chain interdigitation. At this concentration (3%), bilayers exhibited a repetition distance of 69 nm, unveiling a behavior close to the one predicted for infinite swelling, in which lamellar structures persisted even at high dilution. Temperature plays a significant role in the rheological behavior, with elevated temperatures favoring vesicle formation, resulting in reduced apparent viscosity due to lower resistance of vesicles to flow. Upon heating, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed a transition from Lβ (gel) to Lα (fluid) structures between 28 and 41°C, which was further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Both structural and thermotropic features observed were discussed and compared to information reported for a high‐purity grade homologue of DHTDMAC, dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC) mixed with water. These findings deepen the understanding of fabric softener formulation and the impact of bilayer structures formation on their properties, and should be used to optimize new formulations, enhancing their overall performance and sensorial quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new method was introduced to induce micellar transitions by using vesicles formed from mixed surfactants, which offer enhanced stability. Different physicochemical analysis methods were used to study the transition mechanism and the aggregation behavior of the mixed aqueous system composed of the double‐chain cationic didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and a single‐chain nonionic fluorinated surfactant undecafluoro n‐pentyl decaoxyethylene ether (C5F11(EO)10), by varying the fraction of DDAB, then the total surfactant concentration of DDAB/C5F11(EO)10 mixed system at XDDAB = 0.9. The obtained results indicated that the addition of the fluorinated surfactant C5F11(EO)10 to the mixed system resulted in a reduction of the surface tension (γ) and a decrease in the Electrical conductivity (K). Furthermore, even at high total concentrations of the mixed system, the conductivity and charge density at the surface remained stable. As XDDAB values increased, a higher degree of dissociation (α) was observed, along with negative values in the thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔGCMC°$$ {G}_{\mathrm{CMC}}^{{}^{\circ}} $$, ΔGCVC°$$ {G}_{\mathrm{CVC}}^{{}^{\circ}} $$, and ΔGads°$$ {G}_{\mathrm{ads}}^{{}^{\circ}} $$), confirming the transition from micelles to vesicles. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis revealed the formation of two stable types of aggregates at both low and high concentrations, as supported by the zeta potential (ζ). Upon increasing the concentration of surfactants, UV–Vis absorption measurements indicated that small spherical micelles grow into large multilamellar vesicles, as evidenced by an increase in turbidity and confirmed transmission electron microscopy images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint blockade targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis represents an alluring avenue for cancer immunotherapy. However, the compromised efficacy and safety concerns in vivo of conventional anti‐CD47 antibodies impede their wide clinical applications. Here we introduced a single type of high‐mannose glycans into the nanobody against CD47 (HM‐nCD47) and subsequently displayed HM‐nCD47 on cellular vesicles (CVs) for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. In this platform, the CVs significantly improved the circulation time of HM‐nCD47‐CVs, the nCD47 enabled the blockade of the CD47/SIRPα axis, and the HM enhanced recognition of mannose‐binding lectin, all synergistically activating the macrophage‐mediated antitumor immunity. In both subcutaneous and metastatic murine tumor models, the HM‐nCD47‐CVs possessed significantly extended half‐lives and increased accumulation at the tumor site, resulting in a remarkable macrophage‐dependent inhibition of tumor growth, a transcriptomic remodeling of the immune response, and an increase in survival time. By integrating the chemical biology toolbox with cell membrane nanotechnology, the HM‐nCD47‐CVs represent a new immunotherapeutic platform for cancer and other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strategy for the screening and optimization of an artificial esterase is presented that utilizes the self‐assembly of amphiphilic molecules. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on the attachment of key functional groups onto molecular scaffolds or surfaces, the modular assembly of amphiphiles allows a large number of catalytic combinations to be investigated with minimal synthetic effort. In this study, iterative combinatorial screens led to an optimized esterase comprising amphiphiles that act as a nucleophilic catalyst, an oxyanion hole and a metal ion chelator. Cooperativity is observed between the functional headgroups of the amphiphiles, an effect that is diminished when co‐assembled with non‐functionalized surfactants. Assessment of the catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) of our optimized catalysts against recently reported artificial esterases shows comparable efficiency, indicating that efficient catalysis is possible with dynamic self‐assembled systems despite the absence of pre‐defined rigid binding pockets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycan‐protein interactions play a key role in various biological processes from fertilization to infections. Many of these interactions take place at the glycocalyx—a heavily glycosylated layer at the cell surface. Despite its significance, studying the glycocalyx remains challenging due to its complex, dynamic, and heterogeneous nature. This study introduces a glycocalyx model allowing for the first time to control spatial organization and heterogeneity of the glycan moieties. Glycan‐mimetics with lipid‐moieties that partition into either liquid‐ordered (Lo, lipid rafts) or liquid‐disordered (Ld) phases of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), which serve as simplified cell membrane models mimicking lipid rafts, are developed. This phase‐specific allocation allows controlled placement of glycan motifs in distinct membrane environments, creating heteromultivalent systems that replicate the natural glycocalyx's complexity. We show that phase localization of glycan mimetics significantly influences recruitment of protein receptors to the membrane. Glycan‐conjugates in the ordered phase demonstrate enhanced lectin binding, supporting the idea that raft‐like domains facilitate stronger receptor interactions. This study provides a platform for systematically investigating spatial and dynamic presentation of glycans in biological systems and presents the first experimental evidence that glycan accumulation in lipid rafts enhances receptor binding affinity, offering deeper insights into the glycocalyx‘s functional mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bixin 1 is the major constituent of the reddish carotenoids present in the seed‐coat of Bixa orellana. The use of the extract of the seed‐coat of Bixa orellana in food, cosmetics and garments is well known. The nano‐sized long 24 C chain molecule has nine conjugated double bonds having extended conjugation with the ‘‐COOH’ and ‘‐COOMe’ groups present at the two ends of the molecule. Herein, we report the first self‐assembly of bixin in several aqueous liquids. The molecule undergoes spontaneous self‐assembly in several liquids yielding vesicular self‐assembly. Characterizations of the self‐assemblies of bixin were carried out by various microscopic techniques, X‐ray diffraction and FTIR studies. The critical vesicular concentrations (CVCs) of the compound carried out in DMSO‐water in three different solvent ratios as 2: 1 (v/v), 1: 1 (v/v) and 1: 4 (v/v) were determined to be 100 μM, 90 μM and 60 μM respectively indicating lower CVC values at higher proportion of water. Utilization of the vesicular self‐assemblies of bixin have been demonstrated in the entrapment and release of fluorophores including the anticancer drugs doxorubicin and curcumin. Self‐assembled bixin and curcumin loaded self‐assembled bixin showed significant antibacterial activity with both Gram positive as well as Gram negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microtubule‐associated protein tau participates in neurotransmission regulation via its interaction with synaptic vesicles (SVs). The precise nature and mechanics of tau's engagement with SVs, especially regarding alterations in vesicle dynamics, remain a matter of discussion. We report an electrochemical method using a synapse‐mimicking nanopipette to monitor vesicle dynamics induced by tau. A model vesicle of ~30 nm is confined within a lipid‐modified nanopipette orifice with a comparable diameter to mimic the synaptic lipid environment. Both tau and phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) present two‐state dynamic behavior in this biomimetic system, showing typical ionic current oscillation, induced by lipid‐tau interaction. The results indicate that p‐tau has a stronger affinity to the lipid vesicles in the confined environment, blocking the vesicle movement to a higher degree. Taken together, this method bridges a gap for sensing synaptic vesicle dynamics in a confined lipid environment, mimicking vesicle movement near the synaptic membrane. These findings contribute to understanding how different types of tau protein regulate synaptic vesicle motility and to underlying its functional and pathological behaviours in disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monkeypox virus was declared endemic in several nations when COVID-19 cases began to decline and people were readjusting to normal life. Monkeypox was identified in 1958, with the first human case occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. It has primarily impacted the poor Central and West African countries. Over the years, the monkeypox virus has evolved to a contagious disease due to which the situation is becoming grave and disturbing. In this paper, the genesis of the monkeypox virus, its history, and its re-emergence are discussed. Also, a quantitative analysis of cases that occurred in affected countries is performed based on several factors. This paper also discusses the role of Internet of Things (IoT) in controlling the current spread of the Monkeypox virus. An ensemble deep learning architecture is proposed to envisage the monkeypox virus through IoT devices. The convolutional neural network is incorporated to improve the performance of the proposed architecture. The proposed architecture is tested over two well-known datasets and attained better performance than the existing techniques. The impact of infected people's travel history, gender, and hospitalization requirements is also investigated. This work motivates young researchers to work on the development of vaccines and other precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of the monkeypox virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic cells are characterized by multiple chemically distinct compartments, one of the most notable being the nucleus. Within these compartments, there is a continuous exchange of information, chemicals, and signaling molecules, essential for coordinating and regulating cellular activities. One of the main goals of bottom-up synthetic biology is to enhance the complexity of synthetic cells by establishing functional compartmentalization. There is a need to mimic autonomous signaling between compartments, which in living cells, is often regulated at the genetic level within the nucleus. This advancement is key to unlocking the potential of synthetic cells as cell models and as microdevices in biotechnology. However, a technological bottleneck exists preventing the creation of synthetic cells with a defined nucleus-like compartment capable of genetically programmed intercompartment signaling events. Here, we present an approach for creating synthetic cells with distinct nucleus-like compartments that can encapsulate different biochemical mixtures in discrete compartments. Our system enables in situ protein expression of membrane proteins, enabling autonomous chemical communication between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, leading to downstream activation of enzymatic pathways within the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-inflammatory properties of Bacteroides fragilis vesicles were studied in a rat model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. According to the histology results, addition of B. fragilis vesicles to the therapy promoted colon repair. Evaluation of the disease activity index confirms the high rate of colon recovery: against the background of vesicle administration, the absence of blood in stool, normal stool consistency, and body weight normalization were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 E protein is an enigmatic viral structural protein with reported viroporin activity associated with the acute respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, as well as the ability to deform cell membranes for viral budding. Like many viroporins, the E protein is thought to oligomerize with a well-defined stoichiometry. However, attempts to determine the structure of the protein complex have yielded inconclusive results, suggesting several possible oligomers, ranging from dimers to pentamers. Here, we combined patch-clamp, confocal fluorescence microscopy on giant unilamellar vesicles, and atomic force microscopy to show that E protein can exhibit two modes of membrane activity depending on membrane lipid composition. In the absence or the presence of a low content of cholesterol, the protein forms short-living transient pores, which are seen as semi-transmembrane defects in a membrane by atomic force microscopy. Approximately 30 mol% cholesterol is a threshold for the transition to the second mode of conductance, which could be a stable pentameric channel penetrating the entire lipid bilayer. Therefore, the E-protein has at least two different types of activity on membrane permeabilization, which are regulated by the amount of cholesterol in the membrane lipid composition and could be associated with different types of protein oligomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methoxypolyethylene glycol 1900 and α-bromoisobutanoyl bromide were utilized for alcoholysis reaction to obtain a macromolecular initiator. Then, a simple amphiphilic diblockpolymer (mPEG-PDMAEMA) based on the initiator and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate was synthesized through the atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The structures of the initiator and diblock polymer were accurately characterized using infrared spectrum and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed the self-assembly of mPEG-PDMAEMA into vesicle-like structures in water. Upon injection of CO2 into the solution, the tertiary amine structure within PDMAEMA underwent protonation, resulting in the mPEG-PDMAEMA adopting a hydrophilic structure. Consequently, the vesicles dissociated and dispersed, forming a network-like structure in water. The protonation phenomenon was confirmed by 1H NMR, as evidenced by the shifting of alkyl hydrogen atoms near nitrogen atoms toward downfield positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed and performed this meta-analysis to investigate the impact of the application of extracellular small vesicle therapies on regeneration of skin and wound healing. The findings of this study were computed using fixed or random effect models. The mean differences (MDs), and odds ratio (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. In this study, 43 publications were included, encompassing 530 animals with artificial wounds. Small extracellular vesicle therapy had a significant greater rate of wound closure (MD, 24.0; 95% CI, 19.98–28.02, P < 0.001), lower scar width (MD, −191.33; 95%CI, −292.26–−90.4, P < 0.001), and higher blood vessel density (MD,36.11; 95%CI, 19.02–53.20, P < 0.001) compared to placebo. Our data revealed that small extracellular vesicle therapy had a significantly higher regeneration of skin and healing of wounds based on the results of wound closure rate, lower scar width, and higher blood vessel density compared to placebo. Future studies with larger sample size are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Infectious diseases, particularly those associated with biofilms, are challenging to treat due to an increased tolerance to commonly used antibiotics. This underscores the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Here, we present an alternative simple-by-design approach focusing on the development of biocompatible and antibiotic-free nanocarriers from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that has the potential to combat microbial infections and phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), which is attractive for use as a biocompatible prominent amphiphilic component of Gram-positive bacterial cell membranes. We assessed the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of these nanoformulations (hexosomes and vesicles) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis , which are the most common causes of infections on catheters and medical devices by different methods (including resazurin assay, time-kill assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy on an in vitro catheter biofilm model). In a DHA-concentration-dependent manner, these nano-self-assemblies demonstrated strong anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities, particularly against S. aureus. A five-fold reduction of the planktonic and a four-fold reduction of biofilm populations of S. aureus were observed after treatment with hexosomes. The nanoparticles had a bacteriostatic effect against S. epidermidis planktonic cells but no anti-biofilm activity was detected. We discuss the findings in terms of nanoparticle-bacterial cell interactions, plausible alterations in the phospholipid membrane composition, and potential penetration of DHA into these membranes, leading to changes in their structural and biophysical properties. The implications for the future development of biocompatible nanocarriers for the delivery of DHA alone or in combination with other anti-bacterial agents are discussed, as novel treatment strategies of Gram-positive infections, including biofilm-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent emphasis on nanocarrier development for drug delivery stems from the need to target specific diseased areas while sparing healthy tissues. Effective and safe drug administration has long posed challenges in medicine. Over the past decade, the emergence of vesicles as a means to enhance drug delivery has captivated researchers in the field of drug delivery systems. Among vesicular systems, niosomes have gained attention due to their nonionic features. Unlike liposomes, niosomes offer superior stability, making them a preferred choice. Non-ionic in nature niosomes offer unique advantages in drug delivery providing a versatile platform for encapsulating various drugs to enhance bioavailability and ensure controlled release. Understanding preparation techniques enables tailored applications from oral to transdermal delivery. Characterization methods such as morphology and particles size are pivotal in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of niosomes. Applications span cancer therapy, diagnostic imaging, and vaccination adjuvants, showcasing niosomes versatility. Ongoing research reflects dynamic efforts to enhance capabilities, emphasizing their pivotal role in evolving drug delivery systems. In this comprehensive review, we aim to encapsulate fundamental aspects of niosomes, encompassing diverse preparation methods, various niosomal types, methods for characterization and the advancements witnessed in niosomal research over the past decade, drawing insights from a literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methoxypolyethylene glycol 1900 and α-bromoisobutanoyl bromide were utilized for alcoholysis reaction to obtain a macromolecular initiator. Then, a simple amphiphilic diblockpolymer (mPEG-PDMAEMA) based on the initiator and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate was synthesized through the atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The structures of the initiator and diblock polymer were accurately characterized using infrared spectrum and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Cryo-transmission electron microscopy revealed the self-assembly of mPEG-PDMAEMA into vesicle-like structures in water. Upon injection of CO2 into the solution, the tertiary amine structure within PDMAEMA underwent protonation, resulting in the mPEG-PDMAEMA adopting a hydrophilic structure. Consequently, the vesicles dissociated and dispersed, forming a network-like structure in water. The protonation phenomenon was confirmed by 1H NMR, as evidenced by the shifting of alkyl hydrogen atoms near nitrogen atoms toward downfield positions.

Background: Transferosomes provide delivery of the drug into systemic circulation via the skin as a topical delivery system. So, this study started with the objective of formulating Etodolac transfersomal gel to enhance its skin permeation. Methodology: A total of nine transferosomes (ET-1 to ET-9) containing lecithin, different grades of span and tween, were successfully prepared using a rotary film evaporator. Results and Discussion: After primary evaluation, results were as particle sizes ranged from 222 to 421 nm, zeta potential shows results from –18.50 to –62.53 mV with PDI values 0.254 to 0.303, and the entrapment efficiency (EE%) of Etodolac in the transferosomes ranged from 54.15% to 80.25%. Additionally, the transfersomes formulations were included in carbopol 940 gels (ETC-1 to ETC-9 and EC-0 without transferosomes) and assessed for various characteristics like color, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, and in vitro drug release study. Optimized formulation (ET4 and ETC4) underwent further analysis using SEM, TEM, DSC, FTIR, XRD, ex vivo skin permeation, skin irritation and in vivo studies. The in vivo results were compared. % edema inhibition maximum was observed with optimized transfersomal gel formulation (ETC4) as compared to the marketed formulation and plain Carbopol gel when the study was completed after 8 hrs. Conclusion: After this research, it is suggested that Etodolac Transfersomal gel (ETC4) can be considered as an alternate drug carriers system for topical delivery and it could be used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Churan Wang,1 Shun Xu,2 Xiao Yang2 1Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiao Yang, Email 13889200420@163.comAbstract: Hypoxia, as a prominent feature of the tumor microenvironment, has a profound impact on the multicomponent changes within this environment. Under hypoxic conditions, the malignant phenotype of tumor cells, the variety of cell types within the tumor microenvironment, as well as intercellular communication and material exchange, undergo complex alterations. These changes provide significant prospects for exploring the mechanisms of tumor development under different microenvironmental conditions and for devising therapeutic strategies. Exosomes secreted by tumor cells and stromal cells are integral components of the tumor microenvironment, serving as crucial mediators of intercellular communication and material exchange, and have consequently garnered increasing attention from researchers. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which hypoxic conditions promote the release of exosomes by tumor cells and alter their encapsulated contents. It also examines the effects of exosomes derived from tumor cells, immune cells, and other cell types under hypoxic conditions on the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we summarize current research progress on the potential clinical applications of exosomes under hypoxic conditions and propose future research directions in this field.Keywords: hypoxia, exosomes, tumor microenvironment, vesicles

The aim was to assess the level of toxin production in Vibrio cholerae El Tor genovariants and to determine the localization of cholera toxin in vesicles.Materials and methods. The work is performed on typical strains and genovariants of V. cholerae El Tor, which were grown in AKI liquid nutrient medium and the one prepared according to J. Hyan recipe, providing for high toxin production under aeration conditions. The decontaminated supernatants of the studied strains served as a source for extraction of toxin preparations and membrane vesicles. The localization of cholera toxin inside or on the outer surface of vesicles was determined through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), immunoblotting, GM1-ELISA, indirect uncompetitive ELISA, cell culture models CHO-K1, HuTu 80.Results and discussion. Vesicle preparations containing cholera toxin have been isolated from the supernatants of genovariants and typical V. cholerae El Tor with a high level of toxin production. After separation of the vesicles using PAGE, followed by immunoblot with a specific antitoxic serum, it has been found that cholera toxin retains the complete structure, including both subunits. Unlike CT secreted into the culture medium, vesicle-associated one does not bind to both the GM1 receptor of gangliosides sensitized on plates and on the surface of cell cultures, which indicates its absence on the outer surface of vesicles. The location of CT in the cavity of vesicles is also evidenced by their positive reaction with specific antitoxic antibodies after degradation of EDTA. The absence of the toxin on the outer surface of vesicles in typical strains and strains of V. cholerae El Tor genovariants excludes its binding with the GM1 receptor and suggests the possibility of their penetration into target cells via GM-independent pathways. The choice of the pathways by which the vesicle-associated toxin is transferred to host cells is probably determined by the location of the toxin, i.e. it is associated with the internal structures of vesicles or placement on their surface.

The functionality and efficiency of proteins within a biological membrane are highly dependent on both the membrane lipid composition and the physiochemical properties of the solution. Lipid mesophases are directly influenced by changes in temperature, pH, water content or due to individual properties of single lipids such as photoswitchability. In this work, we were able to induce light- and temperature-driven mesophase transitions in a model membrane system containing a mixture of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine phospholipids and azobenzene amphiphiles. We observed reversible and reproducible transitions between the lamellar and Pn3m cubic phase after illuminating the sample for 5 min with light of 365 and 455 nm wavelengths, respectively, to switch between the cis and trans states of the azobenzene N=N double bond. These light-controlled mesophase transitions were found for mixed complexes with up to 20% content of the photosensitive molecule and at temperatures below the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of 33°C. Our results demonstrate the potential to design bespoke model systems to study the response of membrane lipids and proteins upon changes in mesophase without altering the environment and thus provide a possible basis for drug delivery systems.

Skin aging is the result of two types of aging, "intrinsic aging" an inevitable consequence of physiologic and genetically determined changes and "extrinsic aging," which is dependent on external factors such as exposure to sunlight, smoking, and dietary habits. UVB causes skin injury through the generation of free radicals and other oxidative byproducts, also contributing to DNA damage. Appearance and accumulation of senescent cells in the skin are considered one of the hallmarks of aging in this tissue. Mitochondria play an important role for the development of cellular senescence, in particular stress‐induced senescence of human cells. However, many aspects of mitochondrial physiology relevant to cellular senescence and extrinsic skin aging remain to be unraveled. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondria damaged by UVB irradiation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) are eliminated by NIX‐dependent mitophagy and that this process is important for cell survival under these conditions. Additionally, UVB‐irradiation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) induces the shedding of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and this process is significantly enhanced in UVB‐irradiated NIX‐depleted cells. Our findings establish NIX as the main mitophagy receptor in the process of UVB‐induced senescence and suggest the release of EVs as an alternative mechanism of mitochondrial quality control in HDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of molecular self‐assembly, the core of an assembly is always made up of hydrophobic moiety like a long alkyl chain, whereas the outer part has always been a hydrophilic moiety such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), or charged species. Hence, reversing the trend to manifest self‐assembled structures with a PEG core and a surface consisting of alkyl chains in aqueous system is incredibly challenging. Herein, we architected a unique class of cationic bolaamphiphiles containing low molecular weight PEG and alkyl chains of different lengths. The bolaamphiphiles spontaneously form vesicles without external stimuli. These vesicles are unprecedented because PEG makes up the vesicle core, while the alkyl chains appear on the vesicles′ exterior. Hence, this particular design reverses the usual trend of self‐assembly formation. The vesicle size increases with the increase in alkyl chain‐length. To our great surprise, we obtained large micelles for longest alkyl‐chain amphiphile, which in turn act as a gemini amphiphile. The shift from a particular bolaamphiphile to gemini amphiphile with the variation of alkyl chain is also unexplored. Therefore, this specific class of self‐assembled structure would compound a new paradigm in molecular self‐assembly and supramolecular chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycorrhizal association is one of the earliest and diversely distributed symbiotic associations on the Earth. This association helped early terrestrial plants to colonize the land by improved supply of nutrients like phosphate, nitrogen and zinc. It also helped plants to tolerate unfavorable soil conditions with increased water retention capacity, resistance to drought and pathogens. In return, fungi benefitted with carbon as their food source from the plants. More than 80% of terrestrial plants including pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms are reported to form arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association. Plants with root systems appeared on land during the Devonian period and many of them like pteridophytes still exist today. Various molecular and fossil studies confirm that the plants belonging to Ordovician-Devonian are associated with fungi, which are very similar to genus Glomus. AM association is very common in pteridophytes and the growth of its sporophyte and gametophyte is directly affected in the presence of AM association. Pteridophytes as early land plants with root systems have a very significant place in the plant kingdom. They have evolved and adapted to fill various habitats and facilitated early terrestrialization of other land plants by providing suitable niche with the help of AM fungi. In spite of pteridophytes being a very important plant group in the land system, very few reports are available on fungal-pteridophyte association. The present review is an effort to gather information about AM association in pteridophytes that might help in unraveling the evolution and significance of plant and fungi association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animals, pigments but also nanostructures determine skin coloration, and many shades are produced by combining both mechanisms. Recently, we discovered a new mechanism for blue coloration in the ribbontail stingray Taeniura lymma, a species with electric blue spots on its yellow-brown skin. Here, we characterize finescale differences in cell composition and architecture distinguishing blue from non-blue regions, the first description of elasmobranch chromatophores and the nanostructures responsible for the stingray's novel structural blue, contrasting with other known mechanisms for making nature's rarest color. In blue regions, the upper dermis comprised a layer of chromatophore units --iridophores and melanophores entwined in compact clusters framed by collagen bundles-- this structural stability perhaps the root of the skin color's robustness. Stingray iridophores were notably different from other vertebrate light-reflecting cells in having numerous fingerlike processes, which surrounded nearby melanophores like fists clenching a black stone. Iridophores contained spherical iridosomes enclosing guanine nanocrystals, suspended in a 3D quasi-order, linked by a cytoskeleton of intermediate filaments. We argue that intermediate filaments form a structural scaffold with a distinct optical role, providing the iridosome spacing critical to produce the blue color. In contrast, black-pigmented melanosomes within melanophores showed space-efficient packing, consistent with their hypothesized role as broadbandabsorbers for enhancing blue color saturation. The chromatophore layer's ultrastructure was similar in juvenile and adult animals, indicating that skin color and perhaps its ecological role are likely consistent through ontogeny. In non-blue areas, iridophores were replaced by pale cells, resembling iridophores in some morphological and nanoscale features, but lacking guanine crystals, suggesting that the cell types arise from a common progenitor cell. The particular cellular associations and structural interactions we demonstrate in stingray skin suggest that pigment cells induce differentiation in the progenitor cells of iridophores, and that some features driving color production may be shared with bony fishes, although the lineages diverged hundreds of millions of years ago and the iridophores themselves differ drastically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perhalogenated closo‐borates represent a new class of membrane carriers. They owe this activity to their chaotropicity, which enables the transport of hydrophilic molecules across model membranes and into living cells. The transport efficiency of this new class of cluster carriers depends on a careful balance between their affinity to membranes and cargo, which varies with chaotropicity. However, the structure–activity parameters that define chaotropic transport remain to be elucidated. Here, we have studied the modulation of chaotropic transport by decoupling the halogen composition from the boron core size. The binding affinity between perhalogenated decaborate and dodecaborate clusters carriers was quantified with different hydrophilic model cargos, namely a neutral and a cationic peptide, phalloidin and (KLAKLAK)2. The transport efficiency, membrane‐lytic properties, and cellular toxicity, as obtained from different vesicle and cell assays, increased with the size and polarizability of the clusters. These results validate the chaotropic effect as the driving force behind the membrane transport propensity of boron clusters. This work advances our understanding of the structural features of boron cluster carriers and establishes the first set of rational design principles for chaotropic membrane transporters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lava flows have presented the greatest hazard to human property during the most recent eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes, and lava fountains are a source of these lava flows. The height of Hawaiian lava fountains reflects the exsolved gas content of the magma that controls eruption intensity. However, fountain height is not always observed, so we sought a proxy to estimate fountain heights of eruptions that were older or otherwise unobserved. Here, methods are described to empirically derive a relationship between the modal diameter of vesicles within Pele's tears and spheres and lava fountain height, using samples of Pele's tears produced during the last eruptions of Kīlauea Iki (1959) and Mauna Ulu (1969). The tears used to develop these relationships were approximately 1 to 4 mm in diameter. Additionally, since lava fountains 50-580 m high were used, the relationships we describe may only describe lava fountains in this height range. The strongest empirical relation follows the trendline Hmax = -2575d + 820, where Hmax is maximum lava fountain height and d is modal vesicle diameter. This empirical relationship may be applied to sub-Strombolian eruptions of tholeiite basalt that were not directly measured or observed to assess long-term shifts in lava fountain heights and thus the exsolved gas contents of a volcanic system. While the same conceptual framework can be applied beyond Hawai'i, the quantitative empirical relation may be slightly different in different systems, depending on total dissolved volatiles, magma chemistry and other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical excipient PEG400 is a common component of traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations. Studies have demonstrated that pharmaceutical excipients can directly or indirectly influence the disposition process of active drugs in vivo, thereby affecting the bioavailability of drugs. In order to reveal the pharmacokinetic effect of PEG400 on baicalin in hepatocytes and its mechanism, the present study first started with the effect of PEG400 on the metabolic disposition of baicalin at the hepatocyte level, and then the effect of PEG400 on the protein expression of baicalin-related transporters (BCRP, MRP2, and MRP3) was investigated by using western blot; the effect of MDCKII-BCRP, MDCKII-BCRP, MRP2, and MRP3 was investigated by using MDCKII-BCRP, MDCKII-MRP2, and MDCKII-MRP3 cell monolayer models, and membrane vesicles overexpressing specific transporter proteins (BCRP, MRP2, and MRP3), combined with the exocytosis of transporter-specific inhibitors, were used to study the effects of PEG400 on the transporters in order to explore the possible mechanisms of its action. The results demonstrated that PEG400 significantly influenced the concentration of baicalin in hepatocytes, and the AUC0–t of baicalin increased from 75.96 ± 2.57 μg·h/mL to 106.94 ± 2.22 μg·h/mL, 111.97 ± 3.98 μg·h/mL, and 130.42 ± 5.26 μg·h/mL (p ˂ 0.05). Furthermore, the efflux rate of baicalin was significantly reduced in the vesicular transport assay and the MDCKII cell model transport assay, which indicated that PEG400 had a significant inhibitory effect on the corresponding transporters. In conclusion, PEG400 can improve the bioavailability of baicalin to some extent by affecting the efflux transporters and thus the metabolic disposition of baicalin in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An oleyl alcohol-based extended surfactant, sodium oleyl polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide sulfate (OE3P3S), was synthesized and identified using FT-IR and 1H NMR. The adsorption and aggregation behaviors of OE3P3S and its mixture with cationic surfactant alkyltrimethylammoniumbromide (ATAB) were investigated under different molar ratios. The static surface tension analysis indicated that the critical micellization concentration (cmc) and the critical surface tension (γcmc) of OE3P3S were 0.72 mmol/L, and 36.16 mN/m, respectively. The cmc and γcmc values of the binary system were much lower than that of the individual component. And the cmc values of OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 mixtures decreased with an increase in the chain length of the cationic surfactant in the binary system. It was found from the dynamic surface tension that there was a slower diffusion rate in the binary system compared to the pure surfactant, and the adsorption processes for OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 were mixed diffusion-kinetic adsorption mechanisms. With a combination of DLS data and TEM measurements, formations of vesicles in OE3P3S/ATAB = 6:4 solutions appeared to occur at a concentration of 0.05 mmol/L. By studying the formation of liquid crystal structures in an emulsion prepared with OE3P3S as the surfactant, it was found that the oil-in-water emulsion is birefringent with a Maltese cross texture, and the rheological properties revealed its predominant viscoelastic behavior and shear thinning properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mimicking of natural lipid bilayers with synthetic amphiphilic systems is of great interest to researchers, as insights could lead to better understanding of the complexities of cell membranes, as well as new materials and healthcare technologies. Recapitulating natural lipid asymmetry across bilayer membranes has important implications for curvature in cell, vesicle, and organelle morphologies, but has been challenging to achieve with synthetic lipid combinations or standard amphiphilic block copolymers. In a recent article, Elizebath et al. report the synthesis of a new type of synthetic amphiphile able to induce asymmetry in an artificial bilayer membrane dynamically. The molecules were designed around an extended π‐conjugated hydrophobic core with tertiary amine‐terminated oxyalkylene side chains. Protonation of the tertiary amines on the bilayer exterior leads to curvature induction, bilayer fission, and vesicle formation as monitored by time‐resolved spectroscopy techniques and microscopy. The results were further validated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The delicate balance between different molecular scale interactions in the supramolecular structures led to the dynamic transformation of the bilayer membranes. Insights described could be used to advance the assembly of hierarchical life‐like materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas vaginalis, the etiologic agent of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. With an estimated annual prevalence of 276 million new cases, mixed infections with different parasite strains are expected. Although it is known that parasites interact with their host to enhance their own survival and transmission, evidence of mixed infections call into question the extent to which unicellular parasites communicate with each other. Here, we demonstrated that different T. vaginalis strains can communicate through the formation of cytoneme-like membranous cell connections. We showed that cytonemes formation of an adherent parasite strain (CDC1132) is affected in the presence of a different strain (G3 or B7RC2). Our findings provide evidence that this effect is contact-independent and that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are responsible, at least in part, of the communication among strains. We found that EVs isolated from G3, B7RC2, and CDC1132 strains contain a highly distinct repertoire of proteins, some of them involved in signaling and communication, among other functions. Finally, we showed that parasite adherence to host cells is affected by communication between strains as binding of adherent T. vaginalis CDC1132 strain to prostate cells is significantly higher in the presence of G3 or B7RC2 strains. We also observed that a poorly adherent parasite strain (G3) adheres more strongly to prostate cells in the presence of an adherent strain. The study of signaling, sensing, and cell communication in parasitic organisms will enhance our understanding of the basic biological characteristics of parasites, which may have important consequences in pathogenesis.

Self-assembled non-covalent nanoparticle-polymer hybrids, that can combine a variety of desired properties in a single material with highly dynamic structure, have great potential in the field of functional nanosystems. In this study, we present a method for preparing such hybrids from silica nanoparticles and polymer structures of polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid (PS-b-PAA). We show that the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles has a major influence on the encapsulation efficiency and the localization of the particles in the vesicles. Furthermore, an increase in vesicle size was observed with higher vesicle loading. A particular highlight of this work is that the morphology of the hybrids could be subsequently modified by adjusting the solvent composition. It was also found that the presence of the particles led to faster transitions due to the increased free energy of the system. This type of morphological change therefore offers promising potential applications, such as self-healing materials.

A hallmark of the last decades is an extensive development of genome editing systems and technologies propelling genetic engineering to the next level. Specific and efficient delivery of genome editing tools to target cells is one of the key elements of such technologies. Conventional vectors are not always suitable for this purpose due to a limited cargo volume, risks related to cancer and immune reactions, toxicity, a need for high-purity viral material and quality control, as well as a possibility of integration of the virus into the host genome leading to overexpression of the vector components and safety problems. Therefore, the search for novel approaches to delivering proteins and nucleic acids into cells is a relevant priority. This work reviews abiotic vectors and systems for delivering genome editing tools into target cells, including liposomes and solid lipid particles, other membrane-based vesicles, cell-penetrating peptides, micelles, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, inorganic, polymer, metal and other nanoparticles. It considers advantages, drawbacks and preferred applications of such systems as well as suitability thereof for the delivery of genome editing systems. A particular emphasis is placed on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their potential in the targeted intracellular delivery of proteins and polynucleotides. It has been concluded that further development of MOF-based vectors and technologies, as well as combining MOFs with other carriers can result in safe and efficient delivery systems, which would be able to circulate in the body for a long time while recognizing target cells and ensuring cell-specific delivery and release of intact cargoes and, thereby, improving the genome editing outcome.

Chengxu Hua, Liyan Qiu Ministry of Educational (MOE) Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Liyan Qiu, Tel/Fax +86 571 87952306, Email lyqiu@zju.edu.cnAbstract: Therapeutics based on proteins and peptides have profoundly transformed the landscape of treatment for diseases, from diabetes mellitus to cancers, yet the short half-life and low bioavailability of therapeutic proteins and peptides hinder their wide applications. To break through this bottleneck, biomolecules-loaded polymersomes with strong adjustability and versatility have attracted more and more attentions recently. Loading proteins or peptides into polymersomes is the first but extremely important step towards developing high-quality formulation products. However, increasing protein and peptide loading content is quite challenging due to the inherent nature of self-assembled vesicle formation mechanism and physiochemical characteristics of biomacromolecules. This review highlights the potential of polymersomes as the next-generation therapeutic proteins and peptides carrier and emphatically introduces novel approaches and recent progress to achieve satisfactory encapsulation capability of polymersomes for proteins and peptides. On the one hand, with the help of intermolecular interactions, such as electrostatic, lipid–protein, and hydrophobic interactions, the drug loading could be significantly improved. On the other hand, loading improvement could be attained through innovation of preparation methods, ranging from modified traditional film hydration techniques to the novel phase-guided assembly method. Keywords: protein, peptide, polymersomes, vesicles, drug loading

Maintaining lipid asymmetry across membrane leaflets is critical for functions like vesicular traffic and organelle homeostasis. However, a lack of molecular‐level understanding of the mechanisms underlying membrane fission and fusion processes in synthetic systems precludes their development as artificial analogs. Here, we report asymmetry induction of a bilayer membrane formed by an extended π‐conjugated molecule with oxyalkylene side chains bearing terminal tertiary amine moieties (BA1) in water. Autogenous protonation of the tertiary amines in the periphery of the bilayer by water induces anisotropic curvature, resulting in membrane fission to form vesicles and can be monitored using time‐dependent spectroscopy and microscopy. Interestingly, upon loss of the induced asymmetry by extensive protonation using an organic acid restored bilayer membrane. The mechanism leading to the compositional asymmetry in the leaflet and curvature induction in the membrane is validated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Studies extended to control molecules having changes in hydrophilic (BA2) and hydrophobic (BA3) segments provide insight into the delicate nature of molecular scale interactions in the dynamic transformation of supramolecular structures. The synergic effect of hydrophobic interaction and the hydrated state of BA1 aggregates provide dynamicity and unusual stability. Our study unveils mechanistic insight into the dynamic transformation of bilayer membranes into vesicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTransdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) have received significant attention in recent years. TDDS are flexible systems that transport active components to the skin for either localized or systemic delivery of drugs through the skin. Among the three main layers of skin, the outermost layer, called the stratum corneum (SC), prevents the entry of water-loving bacteria and drugs with a high molecular weight. The challenge lies in successfully delivering drugs through the skin, which crosses the stratum corneum. The popularity of lipid-based vesicular delivery systems has increased in recent years due to their ability to deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Ethosomes are specialized vesicles made of phospholipids that can store large amounts of ethanol. Ethosome structure and substance promote skin permeability and bioavailability. This article covers ethosome compositions, types, medication delivery techniques, stability, and safety. In addition to this, an in-depth analysis of the employment of ethosomes in drug delivery applications for a wide range of diseases has also been discussed. This review article highlights different aspects of ethosomes, such as their synthesis, characterization, marketed formulation, recent advancements in TDDS, and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are characterized by a heterogeneous and aggressive population of tissue-infiltrating cells that promote both destructive tissue remodeling and aberrant vascularization of the brain. The formation of defective and permeable blood vessels and microchannels and destructive tissue remodeling prevent efficient vascular delivery of pharmacological agents to tumor cells and are the significant reason why therapeutic chemotherapy and immunotherapy intervention are primarily ineffective. Vessel-forming endothelial cells and microchannel-forming glial cells that recapitulate vascular mimicry have both infiltration and destructive remodeling tissue capacities. The transmembrane protein TMEM230 (C20orf30) is a master regulator of infiltration, sprouting of endothelial cells, and microchannel formation of glial and phagocytic cells. A high level of TMEM230 expression was identified in patients with HGG, GBM, and U87-MG cells. In this study, we identified candidate genes and molecular pathways that support that aberrantly elevated levels of TMEM230 play an important role in regulating genes associated with the initial stages of cell infiltration and blood vessel and microchannel (also referred to as tumor microtubule) formation in the progression from low-grade to high-grade gliomas. As TMEM230 regulates infiltration, vascularization, and tissue destruction capacities of diverse cell types in the brain, TMEM230 is a promising cancer target for heterogeneous HGG tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Cisplatin is used for treatment, but the development of resistance in cancer cells is a significant concern. This study aimed to investigate changes in the transcriptomes of cisplatin-resistant MCF7 cells. We conducted RNA sequencing of cisplatin-resistant MCF7 cells, followed by differential expression analysis and bioinformatic investigations to identify changes in gene expression and modified signal transduction pathways. We examined the size and quantity of extracellular vesicles. A total of 724 genes exhibited differential expression, predominantly consisting of protein-coding RNAs. Notably, two long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), NEAT1 and MALAT, were found to be dysregulated. Bioinformatic analysis unveiled dysregulation in processes related to DNA synthesis and repair, cell cycle regulation, immune response, and cellular communication. Additionally, modifications were observed in events associated with extracellular vesicles. Conditioned media from resistant cells conferred resistance to wild-type cells in vitro. Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of vesicles in cisplatin-resistant cells. Cisplatin-resistant MCF7 cells displayed differential RNA expression, including the dysregulation of NEAT1 and MALAT long non-coding RNAs. Key processes related to DNA and extracellular vesicles were found to be altered. The increased number of extracellular vesicles in resistant cells may contribute to acquired resistance in wild-type cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance is critical for the development of new therapeutics. Traditional methods for testing bacteria are often limited in their efficiency and reusability. Single bacterial cells can be studied at high throughput using double emulsions, although the lack of control over the oil shell permeability and limited access to the droplet interior present serious drawbacks. Here, a straightforward strategy for studying bacteria‐encapsulating double emulsion‐templated giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is introduced. This microfluidic approach serves to simultaneously load bacteria inside synthetic GUVs and to permeabilize their membrane with the pore‐forming peptide melittin. This enables antibiotic delivery or the influx of fresh medium into the GUV lumen for highly parallel cultivation and antimicrobial efficacy testing. Polymer‐based GUVs proved to be efficient culture and analysis microvessels, as microfluidics allow easy selection and encapsulation of bacteria and rapid modification of culture conditions for antibiotic development. Further, a method for in situ profiling of biofilms within GUVs for high‐throughput screening is demonstrated. Conceivably, synthetic GUVs equipped with biopores can serve as a foundation for the high‐throughput screening of bacterial colony interactions during biofilm formation and for investigating the effect of antibiotics on biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteroidota are abundant members of the human gut microbiota that shape the enteric landscape by modulating host immunity and degrading dietary- and host-derived glycans. These processes are mediated in part by Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs). Here, we developed a high-throughput screen to identify genes required for OMV biogenesis and its regulation in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt). We identified a family of Dual membrane-spanning anti-sigma factors (Dma) that control OMV biogenesis. We conducted molecular and multiomic analyses to demonstrate that deletion of Dma1, the founding member of the Dma family, modulates OMV production by controlling the activity of the ECF21 family sigma factor, Das1, and its downstream regulon. Dma1 has a previously uncharacterized domain organization that enables Dma1 to span both the inner and outer membrane of Bt. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that this common feature of the Dma family is restricted to the phylum Bacteroidota. This study provides mechanistic insights into the regulation of OMV biogenesis in human gut bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bottom‐up fabrication of compartmentalized cell‐like entities represents a promising avenue for reconstituting hierarchical organization within cells and emulating life‐like behaviors. Integrating the creation of semipermeable membranes and membraneless artificial organelles has recently garnered significant attention, aiming to achieve cytomimetic properties. We briefly describe the concept of liquid‐liquid phase separation and review approaches for the fabrication of cell‐sized membranous protocells (e. g. giant unilamellar vesicles, polymersomes and proteinosomes). Three strategies are emphasized for the construction of advanced cell‐like structures consisting of liquid‐like subcompartments enclosed by a membrane: (i) adsorption and assembly of organic or inorganic species onto the surface of preformed coacervate microdroplets; (ii) interfacial assembly of a lipid or polymer bilayer on the surface of an aqueous pool containing preformed microdroplets; and (ii) triggering phase separation within a preformed semipermeable membrane with chemical or physical stimuli. This review underscores the significance of the hierarchical organization of these synthetic cellular structures in mimicking cytomimetic functions, including transmembrane signaling, protocell communication, prototissue formation, and their compelling biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vesicles of short chain amphiphiles have been demonstrated to grow and divide. Here, we explored whether vesicle populations show evidence of heritability. We prepared 1:1 decanoic acid:decylamine vesicles with or without a detergent and in either water or prebiotic soup, a mixture of compounds that might have been present on early Earth. The mixtures were subjected to transfer with dilution, where, after 24 h of incubation (one generation), we transferred 10% of the mix into a 90% volume of a fresh vesicle-containing solution. This was continued for 30 generations. Samples with a history of transfers were compared to no-transfer controls (NTCs), initiated each generation using the same solutions but without 10% of the prior generation. We compared the vesicle size distribution and chemical composition of the transfer samples and NTCs and compared their fluorescence signals in the presence of Nile Red dye. We observe changes in the vesicle size but did not detect differences in the chemical composition. In the samples with detergent and soup, we observed irregular changes in the Nile Red fluorescence, with a tendency for parent and offspring samples to have correlated values, suggestive of heritability. This last result, combined with evidence of temporal autocorrelation across generations, suggests the possibility that vesicles could respond to selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several alum-adjuvanted vaccines have been licensed in the past 40 years. Despite its extensive and continuous use, the immune mechanism of action of alum adjuvants is not yet completely understood. Many different variables during the formulation process have been assessed as critical for alum-adjuvanted vaccines, although most of them are still not yet fully understood. The absence of a clear understanding of all the possible variables regulating the mechanism of action and the behavior that alum adjuvant imposes on the protein antigen may also be related to analytical challenges. For this reason, there is an urgent need for a fast and simple tool that is possible without a preliminary sample manipulation and is able to control the amount and the degree of antigen adsorption levels and their consistency across different production processes. This work attempts to develop new analytical tools with the aim of directly quantifying and assessing both the content and/or the purity of formulated alum-adsorbed antigens, without any preliminary sample manipulation (e.g., antigen desorption) being reported. In addition, the different confirmation/behavior in terms of the response to specific monoclonal antibodies in the presence of different ratios of alum-OH adsorbent antigens have been investigated. As a proxy to develop new analytical tools, three recombinant protein adsorbed models were used as follows: Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA), and factor H binding protein (fHbp) as antigens, as well as aluminum hydroxide (AH) as an adjuvant system. The selection of the adjuvanted system model was dictated due to the substantial quantity of the literature regarding the protein structure and immunological activities, meaning that they are well characterized, including their adhesion rate to alum. In conclusion, three different analytical tools were explored to quantify, detect, and study the behavior of antigens in the presence of the alum adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animals, pigments but also nanostructures determine skin coloration, and many shades are produced by combining both mechanisms. Recently, we discovered a new mechanism for blue coloration in the ribbontail stingray Taeniura lymma, a species with electric blue spots on its yellow-brown skin. Here, we characterize finescale differences in cell composition and architecture distinguishing blue from non-blue regions, the first description of elasmobranch chromatophores and the nanostructures responsible for the stingray’s novel structural blue, contrasting with other known mechanisms for making nature’s rarest color. In blue regions, the upper dermis comprised a layer of chromatophore units —iridophores and melanophores entwined in compact clusters framed by collagen bundles— this structural stability perhaps the root of the skin color’s robustness. Stingray iridophores were notably different from other vertebrate light-reflecting cells in having numerous fingerlike processes, which surrounded nearby melanophores like fists clenching a black stone. Iridophores contained spherical iridosomes enclosing guanine nanocrystals, suspended in a 3D quasi-order, linked by a cytoskeleton of intermediate filaments. We argue that intermediate filaments form a structural scaffold with a distinct optical role, providing the iridosome spacing critical to produce the blue color. In contrast, black-pigmented melanosomes within melanophores showed space-efficient packing, consistent with their hypothesized role as broadband-absorbers for enhancing blue color saturation. The chromatophore layer’s ultrastructure was similar in juvenile and adult animals, indicating that skin color and perhaps its ecological role are likely consistent through ontogeny. In non-blue areas, iridophores were replaced by pale cells, resembling iridophores in some morphological and nanoscale features, but lacking guanine crystals, suggesting that the cell types arise from a common progenitor cell. The particular cellular associations and structural interactions we demonstrate in stingray skin suggest that pigment cells induce differentiation in the progenitor cells of iridophores, and that some features driving color production may be shared with bony fishes, although the lineages diverged hundreds of millions of years ago and the iridophores themselves differ drastically.

Mycorrhizal association is one of the earliest and diversely distributed symbiotic associations on the Earth. This association helped early terrestrial plants to colonize the land by improved supply of nutrients like phosphate, nitrogen and zinc. It also helped plants to tolerate unfavorable soil conditions with increased water retention capacity, resistance to drought and pathogens. In return, fungi benefitted with carbon as their food source from the plants. More than 80% of terrestrial plants including pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms are reported to form arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association. Plants with root systems appeared on land during the Devonian period and many of them like pteridophytes still exist today. Various molecular and fossil studies confirm that the plants belonging to Ordovician-Devonian are associated with fungi, which are very similar to genus Glomus. AM association is very common in pteridophytes and the growth of its sporophyte and gametophyte is directly affected in the presence of AM association. Pteridophytes as early land plants with root systems have a very significant place in the plant kingdom. They have evolved and adapted to fill various habitats and facilitated early terrestrialization of other land plants by providing suitable niche with the help of AM fungi. In spite of pteridophytes being a very important plant group in the land system, very few reports are available on fungal-pteridophyte association. The present review is an effort to gather information about AM association in pteridophytes that might help in unraveling the evolution and significance of plant and fungi association.