Extracellular Vesicles and Asthma—More Than Just a Co-Existence

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures, which are secreted by almost every cell type analyzed so far. In addition to their importance for cell-cell communication under physiological conditions, EVs are also released during pathogenesis and mechanistically contribute to this process. Here we summarize their functional relevance in asthma, one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases. Asthma is a complex persistent inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and, from a long-term perspective, airway remodeling. Overall, mechanistic studies summarized here indicate the importance of different subtypes of EVs and their variable cargoes in the functioning of the pathways underlying asthma, and show some interesting potential for the development of future therapeutic interventions. Association studies in turn demonstrate a good diagnostic potential of EVs in asthma.     

稀土混合物水溶液中囊泡的形成

依据柠檬酸的螯合作用和乙二醇的空间位阻效应，获得了稀土混合物囊泡。并利用ＩＣＰ、ＴＥＭ、ＦＳ等仪器对囊泡的性能进行了研究，最后对囊泡的形成机理进行了讨论。     

Vitrification of aqueous suspensions from a controlled environment for electron microscopy: An improved plunge-cooling device

In the process of vitrifying aqueous suspensions for cryotransmission electron microscopy, water is solidified without crystallization. Vitrification can be achieved by rapidly plunging an aqueous thin film into a liquid cryogen. The preparation of aqueous thin films prior to vitrification must be performed in an environmental cabinet at controlled temperature and humidity in order to prevent evaporation and temperature-induced phase changes in the thin film. The device described here incorporates several important features which make the apparatus simpler and more convenient to use than similar devices described in the literature. One of these features includes the use of a totally enclosed environmental cabinet in which the grid, sample, micropipette and absorbent paper are equilibrated before thin-film preparation. Other features include a cryogen dewar on a swing arm for easy refilling, a guillotine shutter which is used to trigger the plunger electrically and a semiautomatic system which facilitates rapid transfer of the vitrified specimen from liquid propane to liquid nitrogen for storage and reduces handling of the specimen. To demonstrate the utility of the device, results showing the influence of temperature on the morphology of phospholipid vesicles are presented. A commercial cryotransfer apparatus (which is used for transportation of the vitrified specimen to the electron microscope cold-stage) has been modified to reduce the possibility of reversion of the vitreous phase to the crystalline ice phases.     

表面活性剂聚集体的流变性质

以流变学基础知识为出发点，系统综述了胶束、微乳液，溶致液晶（层状、六角状、立方状），囊泡、虫状胶束等表面活性剂聚集体的流变性质及其剪切诱导结构转变现象的研究现状，总结了自流变性质的特点和理论模型，对具有黏弹性的表面活性剂活性剂聚集体进行了较为详细的论述，胶束稀溶液和微乳液多为牛顿流体；溶致液晶为非牛顿流体，有应力服价值和较高的黏弹性，囊泡的弹性性质比较突出，；虫状胶束体系具有非线性黏弹性，易形成网络结构；层状液晶、囊泡和虫状胶束等结构在剪切作用下能发生变化。这些结论对指导表面活性剂的研究和应用有重要意义。     

Adaptation of a Biomineralization Strategy for Remineralization of Enamel and Dentin

The bio- inspired strategy of triggered release of Ca^2＋ , Pi, F from prosomal compartments was used to induce rapid formation of FHA for potential dental use ： Calcium and inorganic phosphate salts were separately loaded into temperature-sensitive liposome composed of 90% DPPC and 10% DMPC. When heated from the room temperature to 35- 37 ℃ , the entrapped calcium, inorganic phosphate and fl~rin released from the liposome,A mixture of Ca- Pi and F-loaded liposome formed apatite. The mineral was indicated by a rapid drop in suspension PH from 7.4 approximately 6. This was illustrated by applying a liposome suspension warmed human dentin and enamel surface which resulted in deposition of apatite onto the tissue substrates.     

Discovery of Heterocyclic Nonacetamide Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2A (SV2A) Ligands with Single‐Digit Nanomolar Potency: Opening Avenues towards the First SV2A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Ligands

The role of the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) protein, target of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, is still mostly unknown. Considering its potential to provide in vivo functional insights into the role of SV2A in epileptic patients, the development of an SV2A positron emission tomography (PET) tracer has been undertaken. Using a 3D pharmacophore model based on close analogues of levetiracetam, we report the rationale design of three heterocyclic non‐acetamide lead compounds, UCB‐A, UCB‐H and UCB‐J, the first single‐digit nanomolar SV2A ligands with suitable properties for development as PET tracers.     

New Insights on Plant Cell Elongation: A Role for Acetylcholine

We investigated the effect of auxin and acetylcholine on the expression of the tomato expansin gene LeEXPA2, a specific expansin gene expressed in elongating tomato hypocotyl segments. Since auxin interferes with clathrin-mediated endocytosis, in order to regulate cellular and developmental responses we produced protoplasts from tomato elongating hypocotyls and followed the endocytotic marker, FM4-64, internalization in response to treatments. Tomato protoplasts were observed during auxin and acetylcholine treatments after transient expression of chimerical markers of volume-control related compartments such as vacuoles. Here we describe the contribution of auxin and acetylcholine to LeEXPA2 expression regulation and we support the hypothesis that a possible subcellular target of acetylcholine signal is the vesicular transport, shedding some light on the characterization of this small molecule as local mediator in the plant physiological response.     

Polybutadiene/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanohybrid: investigation of various reactants in polyesterification reaction

Nano‐sized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) diol or ethylene glycol (EG) as diol monomer was incorporated into hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPBD) chain in the presence of fumaryl or thionyl chloride as extenders. Using these polyesterification reactions, two fumarate‐based polyesters and two polyester sulfites were synthesized. Each couple of polyesters and polyester sulfites includes a linear (diol:EG) and a nanohybrid macromer (diol:POSS). Full structural characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography was undertaken to study polyesterification mechanisms by deconvolution of the obtained traces. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and cell culture were performed to evaluate the structure–property relationship for the synthesized macromers in comparison with unreacted HTPBD. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

热聚合法自交联共轭亚油酸囊泡的制备与释药性能

为考察以热聚合法取代紫外辐照法在较高浓度下制备稳定的脂肪酸囊泡的可行性,以可聚合单体共轭亚油酸(CLA)及其钠盐混合物为原料,在水溶液中经p H响应自组装得到共轭亚油酸囊泡(CLA-Ufasome),再通过热聚合法对高浓度CLA-Ufasome自交联进行化学绑定,制备稳定的自交联共轭亚油酸囊泡(CLA-FAV),并采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)和动态激光光散射(DLS)对其进行表征。结果表明,在p H=8.6的条件下,在3~100mmol/L〔cvc(CLA)的500倍〕的浓度范围内均得到粒径为10~20 nm的CLA-FAV。说明经简单的热聚合法制备的CLA-FAV形貌与紫外法基本一致;该热聚合法CLA-FAV对5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)具有良好的包载缓释效果。     

Focus on Extracellular Vesicles: Development of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapeutic Systems

Many types of cells release phospholipid membrane vesicles thought to play key roles in cell-cell communication, antigen presentation, and the spread of infectious agents. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry various proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs), like a “message in a bottle” to cells in remote locations. The encapsulated molecules are protected from multiple types of degradative enzymes in body fluids, making EVs ideal for delivering drugs. This review presents an overview of the potential roles of EVs as natural drugs and novel drug-delivery systems.