Article
Cell Biology
Daiana Vota, Maria Torti, Daniel Paparini, Federico Giovannoni, Fatima Merech, Vanesa Hauk, Guillermina Calo, Rosanna Ramhorst, Cybele Garcia, Claudia Perez Leiros
Summary: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection affects first trimester trophoblast cell function and metabolism, as well as the interaction with decidual immune populations. The study found that ZIKV infection triggers antiviral responses in cells, impairs cell migration, alters glucose uptake, and influences immune cell recruitment. The inhibitory effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on ZIKV infection highlights its potential as a candidate molecule for interference during early pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Andreanna Burman, Rolando Garcia-Milian, Madeleine Wood, Natalie A. DeWitt, Vasilis Vasiliou, Seth Guller, Vikki M. Abrahams, Shannon Whirledge
Summary: The use of acetaminophen may interfere with critical trophoblast functions, potentially impacting fetal development.
Article
Cell Biology
Diego Kafer, Agostina Marquez, Fatima Merech, Vanesa Hauk, Daniel Paparini, Rosanna Ramhorst, Claudia Perez Leiros, Cybele Garcia, Daiana Vota
Summary: In the last 15 years, Zika virus has caused multiple outbreaks in various regions, with increasing severity of clinical presentation in neonates. This study focused on investigating the metabolic changes in trophoblast cells and the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in limiting ZIKV infection during early pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jones Lamptey, Fangfang Li, Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi, Xue-Mei Chen, Armin Czika, Antonia Otoo, Tai-Hang Liu, Ying-Xiong Wang, Yu-Bin Ding
Summary: Research indicates that the downregulation of fascin is associated with the pathogenesis of early recurrent miscarriage, making it a potential therapeutic target against the disease.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fulin Liu, Christelle Simasotchi, Francoise Vibert, Wencan Zhu, Sophie Gil, Severine A. Degrelle, Thierry Fournier
Summary: This study investigated changes in gene expression in the placenta due to the rise in physiological oxygen tension, utilizing RNA sequencing to identify key genes and analyze enrichment patterns. The results provide insights into potential drug-targeted genes or pathways in the human placenta.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pengzheng Chen, Mengqi Gu, Shuting Wan, Xiaotong Jiang, Fengyuan Zhang, Yuchen Li, Qian Zhou, Yuan Lu, Lei Li, Xietong Wang
Summary: Background: Fetal lung underdevelopment (FLUD) is associated with severe respiratory diseases, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) plays a crucial role in this. However, the mechanism underlying GDM-induced FLUD, especially the role of trophoblasts, is not fully understood. Methods: This study used trophoblast-derived exosomes to investigate their effects on fetal lung development and biological functions. Results: The concentration and content of exosomes in the GDM group were different from the normal group, and dysregulated miRNAs were also observed. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that GDM exosomes suppressed fetal lung development. Conclusion: GDM can adversely affect trophoblasts and alter exosome contents, leading to crosstalk disorder between trophoblasts and fetal lung epithelial cells and ultimately causing FLUD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Ngan Thi Kim Pham, Quang Duy Trinh, Kazuhide Takada, Shihoko Komine-Aizawa, Satoshi Hayakawa
Summary: This study confirmed the susceptibility of first-trimester trophoblast cell lines to rubella virus (RuV) infection and observed signs of infection and virus progeny production.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ibrahim Fathi, Toshio Miki
Summary: This article reviews the different components and constituents of hAEC-secretome and their influence as demonstrated through experimental studies. The challenges facing the application of this cell-free approach are also discussed based on the current evidence.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aisha Rasool, Taysir Mahmoud, Begum Mathyk, Tomoko Kaneko-Tarui, Danielle Roncari, Katharine O. White, Perrie O'Tierney-Ginn
Summary: Placentas of obese women show impaired fatty acid metabolism and lipid accumulation from early pregnancy. The expression of genes associated with fatty acid oxidation, uptake, synthesis, and storage is reduced in these placentas, particularly in placentas of male fetuses. The PPAR alpha pathway is impacted by obesity and PPAR alpha antagonism reduces fatty acid oxidation in 1st trimester placental explants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shaohua Wang, Min Shi, Jiao Li, Yuanyuan Zhang, Wenjing Wang, Peixin Xu, Yongjun Li
Summary: The study revealed that exosomes secreted by endothelial cells play a crucial role in promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis under high-glucose conditions. Exosomal circHIPK3 transferred from endothelial cells to VSMCs facilitated VSMC proliferation through the miR-106a-5p/Foxo1/Vcam1 signaling pathway.
Article
Cell Biology
Quentin Roux, Robin Boiy, Felix De Vuyst, Mercedes Tkach, Claudio Pinheiro, Sofie de Geyter, Ilkka Miinalainen, Clotilde Thery, Olivier De Wever, An Hendrix
Summary: In this study, different methods for extracellular vesicle (EV) preparation were compared, and it was found that density gradient ultracentrifugation combined with size-exclusion chromatography (DG-SEC) can remove soluble immune suppressive factors and promote dendritic cell maturation, while differential ultracentrifugation (dUC) and stand-alone SEC (sSEC) cannot remove these factors and cannot promote dendritic cell maturation. Therefore, the EV preparation method has an important impact on the study of its immunomodulatory bioactivity.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alejandro Majali-Martinez, Ursula Weiss-Fuchs, Heidi Miedl, Desiree Forstner, Julia Bandres-Meriz, Denise Hoch, Josip Djelmis, Marina Ivanisevic, Ursula Hiden, Martin Gauster, Gernot Desoye
Summary: This study investigated the impact of T1DM on placental development in the first trimester, finding that T1DM is associated with reduced trophoblast proliferation and decreased placental growth. Hyperglycemia was shown to decrease trophoblast viability, while increasing trophoblast invasion, potentially contributing to the observed placental growth restriction in T1DM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca L. Wilson, Victor Yuan, Jennifer A. Courtney, Alyssa Tipler, James F. Cnota, Helen N. Jones
Summary: This study identified commonly expressed genes between first trimester fetal heart and placenta cells using single cell sequencing data, and found enrichment in pathways related to vasculature development and angiogenesis. Additionally, common genes and biological processes were discovered between specific types of placenta cells and cardiomyocytes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mikayla Ross, Heba Atalla, Niel Karrow, Bonnie A. Mallard
Summary: This study evaluated the functional role of bovine milk exosomes compared with colostrum exosomes from high, average, and low immune responders using Caco-2 cells. The results showed that milk exosomes maintain cell metabolic activity and are not cytotoxic, with significantly greater metabolic activity observed with exosomes from high responder cows. Additionally, milk exosomes were found to have lower caspase 3 activity compared to colostrum exosomes, particularly those from low responders.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jake R. Thomas, Anna Appios, Xiaohui Zhao, Roksana Dutkiewicz, Maria Donde, Colin Y. C. Lee, Praveena Naidu, Christopher Lee, Joana Cerveira, Bing Liu, Florent Ginhoux, Graham Burton, Russell S. Hamilton, Ashley Moffett, Andrew Sharkey, Naomi McGovern
Summary: Hofbauer cells are an important immune cell population found in the placenta, involved in placental angiogenesis and remodeling. Additionally, there is another population of maternal macrophages in the placenta that aid in surface repair.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Natalie Turner, Pevindu Abeysinghe, Hassendrini Peiris, Kanchan Vaswani, Pawel Sadowski, Nick Cameron, Nathanael McGhee, Jayden Logan, Murray D. Mitchell
Summary: Cattle ticks pose a significant threat to cattle herds globally. This study successfully used mass spectrometry to profile the systemic effects of tick burden in cattle and identified differential proteins in the blood plasma of cattle with different tick resistance.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Barne Willie, Emma L. Sweeney, Steven G. Badman, Mark Chatfield, Andrew J. Vallely, Angela Kelly-Hanku, David M. Whiley
Summary: NG AMR has become a global concern, with a lack of surveillance data in resource-limited settings like Papua New Guinea. There is a need to improve resistance-testing methods and enhance NG AMR surveillance, particularly in regions where traditional culture-based testing is unreliable.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Kekoolani S. Visan, Richard J. Lobb, Shu Wen Wen, Justin Bedo, Luize G. Lima, Sophie Krumeich, Carlos Palma, Kaltin Ferguson, Ben Green, Colleen Niland, Nicole Cloonan, Peter T. Simpson, Amy E. McCart Reed, Sarah J. Everitt, Michael P. MacManus, Gunter Hartel, Carlos Salomon, Sunil R. Lakhani, David Fielding, Andreas Moeller
Summary: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and has low survival rates due to lack of early detection. A study on a lung cancer biomarker based on a simple blood test shows promising advantages for diagnostic assessment. The study identifies a specific micro-RNA, miR-3182, as a potential biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis that can be detected in the blood.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Palma, H. David McIntyre, Carlos Salomon
Summary: Research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has provided insights into physiological and pathophysiological conditions, particularly during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common and influential complication that affects the miRNAs and proteins within EVs, leading to metabolic changes.
Article
Microbiology
Gerald L. Murray, Kaveesha Bodiyabadu, Lenka A. Vodstrcil, Dorothy A. Machalek, Jennifer Danielewski, Erica L. Plummer, Suzanne M. Garland, David M. Whiley, Emma L. Sweeney, Catriona S. Bradshaw
Summary: Prevalence and trends of parC variants in macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium were investigated, and the most common variant was found to be 5831. The absence of this variant had a high predictive value for successful moxifloxacin treatment.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Carlos Salomon, Saumya Das, Uta Erdbrugger, Raghu Kalluri, Sai Kiang Lim, Jerrold M. Olefsky, Gregory E. Rice, Susmita Sahoo, W. Andy Tao, Pieter Vader, Qun Wang, Alissa M. Weaver
Summary: The hormone-like role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cell-to-cell communication has gained significant interest in the past decade. EVs, as a heterogeneous population of membrane-bound vesicles, carry endocrine signals and play a role in various biological activities. They can also serve as indicators of diseases. This article aims to highlight the importance of EV research and its potential role in the field of endocrinology.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jacob A. Tickner, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Gerald L. Murray, David M. Whiley, Emma L. Sweeney
Summary: This study developed two molecular tests to detect Mycoplasma genitalium and determine its susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. The tests showed promising results and have the potential to enhance individualized treatment and antimicrobial stewardship for M. genitalium infection.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. L. Juengel, E. M. O. Mosaad, M. D. Mitchell, C. V. C. Phyn, M. C. French, E. D. Meenken, C. R. Burke, S. Meier
Summary: This study investigated the associations among prostaglandin concentrations, a gene mutation in HSD17B12, and fertility traits in first-lactation dairy cows. The results showed that the gene mutation was associated with submission rate by day 21 of the breeding season, and prostaglandin concentrations were associated with fertility traits. However, the gene mutation did not consistently correlate with changes in prostaglandin concentrations.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Emma L. Sweeney, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Gerald L. Murray, David M. Whiley
Summary: Mycoplasma genitalium poses an emerging global health threat with increasing antimicrobial resistance. The use of individualised treatment approaches has been successful for macrolides, but the rise of fluoroquinolone resistance and lack of alternative treatment options complicate treatment. This article discusses the available literature data and highlights issues surrounding individualised treatment using fluoroquinolones, including the hesitance to consider ParC fluoroquinolone resistance mutations in guiding antimicrobial treatments. The authors propose the use of diagnostics that focus on the absence of resistance mutations to inform microbial cure following fluoroquinolone antimicrobials, with Australian data supporting this approach. Development of molecular tests detecting both wild-type and the most common ParC mutation could greatly improve antimicrobial selection, individualise tests of cure, and aid in the care of patients with M genitalium infection.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keith A. Kwan Cheung, Pevindu Abeysinghe, Kanchan Vaswani, Katherine Tucker, James Bassett, Paula A. Mitchell, Eman M. O. Mosaad, Jayden Logan, Murray D. Mitchell
Summary: Abnormal and dysregulated neuroinflammation is associated with various neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the mechanisms and impact of neuroinflammation on neurodevelopment, as well as modulation strategies, is crucial for improving neurological treatment. This study investigated the inflammation response of human immortalized neural stem cell lines (ReNcell CX and VM) and found that undifferentiated ReNcell CX and VM produce significant amounts of IL-6 in response to IL-1β treatment, but not to LPS treatment. The expression of TNFR1 and NF-KB was also different between the two cell lines. Further investigation into the relationship between IL-1β and IL-6 in these cells, as well as the potential effects of TNF-α and NF-kappa B pathway on neuroinflammation, is warranted.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Natalie Turner, Pevindu Abeysinghe, Holly Flay, Susanne Meier, Pawel Sadowski, Murray D. Mitchell
Summary: The development of biomarkers of fertility in dairy cows was studied by surveying plasma and plasma sEV proteomes in different cohorts. Predictive models with high accuracy were established, and unique biomarker candidates associated with high or low fertility were identified.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Natalie P. Turner, Pevindu Abeysinghe, Pawel Sadowski, Murray D. Mitchell
Summary: This study develops a pipeline using advanced proteomics and transcriptomics to enable cross-species comparison of milk and infant formula (IF) extracellular vesicles (EVs). The molecular cargo difference between EVs in milk and IF can be used to optimize IF recipes and enhance infant nutrition.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalie P. Turner, Pevindu Abeysinghe, Keith A. Kwan Cheung, Kanchan Vaswani, Jayden Logan, Pawel Sadowski, Murray D. Mitchell
Summary: This study evaluated different methods for proteomic analysis of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). The UC + SEC method was found to be the best method for sEV enrichment, resulting in the highest number of protein identifications, improved purity, and particle yield.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Emma L. Sweeney, Kym Lowry, Mandy Seel, Frashta Rahimi, Julian Langton-Lockton, Cheryl Bletchly, Graeme R. Nimmo, David M. Whiley
Summary: An ongoing syphilis outbreak in Queensland, Australia has resulted in increasing cases of congenital syphilis, including deaths. A study found that the most common strains of Treponema pallidum were ST 1 and ST 100, accounting for the majority of infections in both males and females. These strains were mainly observed among men who have sex with men (MSM), with potential transmission to heterosexual networks. Further investigation and targeted public health interventions are needed to control the spread of syphilis in Queensland.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTELLIGENCE
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emma L. Sweeney, David M. Whiley, Gerald L. Murray, Catriona S. Bradshaw
Summary: This article discusses the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium and its implications for treatment practices. It emphasizes the recommendations for testing rather than screening for M. genitalium and the expansion of individualized treatment strategies to curb the emergence of resistance and improve patient outcomes.