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- ItemSymmetries and Selection Rules of the Spectra of Photoelectrons and High-Order Harmonics Generated by Field-Driven Atoms and Molecules(Basel : MDPI, 2021) Habibović, Dino; Becker, Wilhelm; Milošević, Dejan B.Using the strong-field approximation we systematically investigate the selection rules for high-order harmonic generation and the symmetry properties of the angle-resolved photoelectron spectra for various atomic and molecular targets exposed to one-component and two-component laser fields. These include bicircular fields and orthogonally polarized two-color fields. The selection rules are derived directly from the dynamical symmetries of the driving field. Alternatively, we demonstrate that they can be obtained using the conservation of the projection of the total angular momentum on the quantization axis. We discuss how the harmonic spectra of atomic targets depend on the type of the ground state or, for molecular targets, on the pertinent molecular orbital. In addition, we briefly discuss some properties of the high-order harmonic spectra generated by a few-cycle laser field. The symmetry properties of the angle-resolved photoelectron momentum distribution are also determined by the dynamical symmetry of the driving field. We consider the first two terms in a Born series expansion of the T matrix, which describe the direct and the rescattered electrons. Dynamical symmetries involving time translation generate rotational symmetries obeyed by both terms. However, those that involve time reversal generate reflection symmetries that are only observed by the direct electrons. Finally, we explain how the symmetry properties, imposed by the dynamical symmetry of the driving field, are altered for molecular targets.
- ItemIntestinal flow rates, absorption of felodipine from the small intestine and attributes of chyme collected at midgut from Labradors(Tübingen : Universitätsbibliothek Tübingen, 2023) Diebold, Steffen M.The objectives of the present study were (1) to investigate gastrointestinal hydrodynamics of Labradors as a model for human midgut (2) to examine various attributes of intestinal fluids in vivo and (3) to study the influence of hydrodynamics on the dissolution and absorption of a poorly soluble drug from various suspensions. Gastrointestinal flow rates were determined volumetrically using an aspiration method. Isotonic saline and 20 % glucose solutions were used to alter gastrointestinal hydrodynamics. Felodipine, a BCS class II substance, was suspended in these fluids. Osmolality, pH, bile acid concentration and drug solubility in various chyme samples were determined. Blood plasma levels of felodipine were recorded while gastrointestinal dissolution was ongoing. Fluid recovery at midgut fistula was significantly higher (>100 %) for glucose 20 % than for isotonic saline solutions (70 %). After administration of 200 ml glucose 20 % the (overall) grand median of differential gastrointestinal flow rates (DFR) was 8.3 ml/min.. Individual spike flow ranged from 20 up to 60 ml/min. Corresponding flow rates after administration of 200 ml isotonic saline were 35.0 ml/min. for the grand median including individual spike flows beyond 100 ml/min.. Within and between-dog variability in flow rate data was similar. In general, glucose solutions released more evenly. Following oral administration of glucose solution 20 % osmolality of intestinal fluids decreased within 40 min. from about 1000 mOsm. towards more physiological values of about 350 mOsm.. Saturation solubility of felodipine (Cs) in jejunal chyme after administration of either solution (saline or glucose) was determined to be about 10 (µg/ml) on average (median), exposing high variability with time! The intestinal solubility varied greatly within the course of an experiment. However, a strong correlation was observed between the aspirated fluid volume and the dissolved amount of felodipine confirming the well known relationship of Noyes, Whitney, Nernst and Brunner in-vivo. Grand median of pH in jejunal chyme of labradors was determined to be 6.68. Median values range from 4.38-7.62. The pharmacokinetic data showed a slight trend to differences based on particle size and on fluid administered.
- ItemSurface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Characterize Different Fractions of Extracellular Vesicles from Control and Prostate Cancer Patients(Basel : MDPI, 2021) Osei, Eric Boateng; Paniushkina, Liliia; Wilhelm, Konrad; Popp, Jürgen; Nazarenko, Irina; Krafft, ChristophExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed structures ranging in size from about 60 to 800 nm that are released by the cells into the extracellular space; they have attracted interest as easily available biomarkers for cancer diagnostics. In this study, EVs from plasma of control and prostate cancer patients were fractionated by differential centrifugation at 5000× g, 12,000× g and 120,000× g. The remaining supernatants were purified by ultrafiltration to produce EV-depleted free-circulating (fc) fractions. Spontaneous Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) at 785 nm excitation using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were employed as label-free techniques to collect fingerprint spectra and identify the fractions that best discriminate between control and cancer patients. SERS spectra from 10 µL droplets showed an enhanced Raman signature of EV-enriched fractions that were much more intense for cancer patients than controls. The Raman spectra of dehydrated pellets of EV-enriched fractions without AgNPs were dominated by spectral contributions of proteins and showed variations in S-S stretch, tryptophan and protein secondary structure bands between control and cancer fractions. We conclude that the AgNPs-mediated SERS effect strongly enhances Raman bands in EV-enriched fractions, and the fractions, EV12 and EV120 provide the best separation of cancer and control patients by Raman and SERS spectra.
- ItemCombined In Vitro Toxicity and Immunogenicity of Cold Plasma and Pulsed Electric Fields(Basel : MDPI, 2022) Wolff, Christina M.; Kolb, Juergen F.; Bekeschus, SanderIn modern oncology, therapies are based on combining monotherapies to overcome treatment resistance and increase therapy precision. The application of microsecond-pulsed electric fields (PEF) is approved to enhance local chemotherapeutic drug uptake within combination electrochemotherapy regimens. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in anticancer effects, and cold physical plasma produces vast amounts of ROS, which have recently been shown to benefit head and neck cancer patients. PEF and cold plasma technology have been linked to immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction, a regulated cell death accompanied by sterile inflammation that promotes antitumor immunity. To this end, we investigated the combined effect of both treatments regarding their intracellular ROS accumulation, toxicity, ICD-related marker expression, and optimal exposure sequence in a leukemia model cell line. The combination treatment substantially increased ROS and intracellular glutathione levels, leading to additive cytotoxic effects accompanied by a significantly increased expression of ICD markers, such as the eat-me signal calreticulin (CRT). Preconditioned treatment with cold plasma followed by PEF exposure was the most potent treatment sequence. The results indicate additive effects of cold plasma and PEF, motivating further studies in skin and breast tumor models for the future improvement of ECT in such patients.
- ItemSupramolecular organization as a factor of ribonuclease cytotoxicity(Moscow : Park Media, 2020) Dudkina, Elena V.; Ulyanova, Vera V.; Ilinskaya, Olga N.One of the approaches used to eliminate tumor cells is directed destruction/modification of their RNA molecules. In this regard, ribonucleases (RNases) possess a therapeutic potential that remains largely unexplored. It is believed that the biological effects of secreted RNases, namely their antitumor and antiviral properties, derive from their catalytic activity. However, a number of recent studies have challenged the notion that the activity of RNases in the manifestation of selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells is exclusively an enzymatic one. In this review, we have analyzed available data on the cytotoxic effects of secreted RNases, which are not associated with their catalytic activity, and we have provided evidence that the most important factor in the selective apoptosis-inducing action of RNases is the structural organization of these enzymes, which determines how they interact with cell components. The new idea on the preponderant role of non-catalytic interactions between RNases and cancer cells in the manifestation of selective cytotoxicity will contribute to the development of antitumor RNase-based drugs.
- ItemSelf-Adhesive Silicone Microstructures for the Treatment of Tympanic Membrane Perforations(Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2021) Lana, Gabriela Moreira; Sorg, Katharina; Wenzel, Gentiana Ioana; Hecker, Dietmar; Hensel, René; Schick, Bernhard; Kruttwig, Klaus; Arzt, EduardInspired by the gecko foot, polymeric microstructures have demonstrated reliable dry adhesion to both stiff objects and sensitive surfaces such as skin. Microstructured silicone patches are proposed, herein, for the treatment of tympanic membrane perforations with the aim of serving as an alternative for current surgical procedures that require anesthesia and ear canal packing. Sylgard 184 PDMS micropillars of 20 μm in diameter and 60 μm in length are topped by a Soft Skin Adhesive (SSA) MG7-1010 terminal layer, of about 25 μm thickness. The adhesion is evaluated by specially designed tack tests against explanted murine eardrums and, for comparison, against a rigid substrate. Functional effects are evaluated using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). The adhesion strength of the microstructure and unstructured controls to explanted murine tympanic membranes is comparable (typically 12 kPa), but the microstructured patches are easier to handle by the surgeon. For the first time, partial recovery of hearing performance is measured immediately after patch application. The novel patches adhere without the need for further fixation, removing the need for ear canal packing. The proposed material design holds great promise for improving clinical treatments of tympanic membrane perforations.
- ItemAffinity for the Interface Underpins Potency of Antibodies Operating In Membrane Environments(Maryland Heights, MO : Cell Press, 2020) Rujas, Edurne; Insausti, Sara; Leaman, Daniel P.; Carravilla, Pablo; González-Resines, Saul; Monceaux, Valérie; Sánchez-Eugenia, Rubén; Garcıá-Porras, Miguel; Iloro, Ibon; Zhang, Lei; Elortza, Félix; Julien, Jean-Philippe; Saéz-Cirión, Asier; Zwick, Michael B.; Eggeling, Christian; Ojida, Akio; Domene, Carmen; Caaveiro, Jose M.M.; Nieva, José L.The contribution of membrane interfacial interactions to recognition of membrane-embedded antigens by antibodies is currently unclear. This report demonstrates the optimization of this type of antibodies via chemical modification of regions near the membrane but not directly involved in the recognition of the epitope. Using the HIV-1 antibody 10E8 as a model, linear and polycyclic synthetic aromatic compounds are introduced at selected sites. Molecular dynamics simulations predict the favorable interactions of these synthetic compounds with the viral lipid membrane, where the epitope of the HIV-1 glycoprotein Env is located. Chemical modification of 10E8 with aromatic acetamides facilitates the productive and specific recognition of the native antigen, partially buried in the crowded environment of the viral membrane, resulting in a dramatic increase of its capacity to block viral infection. These observations support the harnessing of interfacial affinity through site-selective chemical modification to optimize the function of antibodies that target membrane-proximal epitopes. © 2020 The Author(s)Rujas et al. describe the site-selective chemical modification of antibodies to improve the molecular recognition of epitopes at membrane surfaces. The modification using aromatic compounds dramatically enhanced the virus neutralization potency and native antigen binding efficiency of HIV-1 antibodies directed against the membrane-embedded MPER epitope. © 2020 The Author(s)
- ItemContact-dependent signaling triggers tumor-like proliferation of CCM3 knockout endothelial cells in co-culture with wild-type cells(Cham (ZG) : Springer International Publishing AG, 2022) Rath, Matthias; Schwefel, Konrad; Malinverno, Matteo; Skowronek, Dariush; Leopoldi, Alexandra; Pilz, Robin A.; Biedenweg, Doreen; Bekeschus, Sander; Penninger, Josef M.; Dejana, Elisabetta; Felbor, UteCerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are low-flow vascular lesions prone to cause severe hemorrhage-associated neurological complications. Pathogenic germline variants in CCM1, CCM2, or CCM3 can be identified in nearly 100% of CCM patients with a positive family history. In line with the concept that tumor-like mechanisms are involved in CCM formation and growth, we here demonstrate an abnormally increased proliferation rate of CCM3-deficient endothelial cells in co-culture with wild-type cells and in mosaic human iPSC-derived vascular organoids. The observation that NSC59984, an anticancer drug, blocked the abnormal proliferation of mutant endothelial cells further supports this intriguing concept. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and RNA sequencing revealed that co-culture induces upregulation of proangiogenic chemokine genes in wild-type endothelial cells. Furthermore, genes known to be significantly downregulated in CCM3−/− endothelial cell mono-cultures were upregulated back to normal levels in co-culture with wild-type cells. These results support the hypothesis that wild-type ECs facilitate the formation of a niche that promotes abnormal proliferation of mutant ECs. Thus, targeting the cancer-like features of CCMs is a promising new direction for drug development.
- ItemFlotillin-Dependent Membrane Microdomains Are Required for Functional Phagolysosomes against Fungal Infections(Maryland Heights, MO : Cell Press, 2020) Schmidt, Franziska; Thywißen, Andreas; Goldmann, Marie; Cunha, Cristina; Cseresnyés, Zoltán; Schmidt, Hella; Rafiq, Muhammad; Galiani, Silvia; Gräler, Markus H.; Chamilos, Georgios; Lacerda, João; Campos, António, Jr.; Eggeling, Christian; Figge, Marc Thilo; Heinekamp, Thorsten; Filler, Scott G.; Carvalho, Agostinho; Brakhage, Axel A.Schmidt el al. show that lipid rafts in phagolysosomal membranes of macrophages depend on flotillins. Lipid rafts are required for assembly of vATPase and NADPH oxidase. Conidia of the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus dysregulate assembly of flotillin-dependent lipid rafts in the phagolysosomal membrane and can thereby escape phagolysosomal digestion. © 2020 The Author(s)Lipid rafts form signaling platforms on biological membranes with incompletely characterized role in immune response to infection. Here we report that lipid-raft microdomains are essential components of phagolysosomal membranes of macrophages and depend on flotillins. Genetic deletion of flotillins demonstrates that the assembly of both major defense complexes vATPase and NADPH oxidase requires membrane microdomains. Furthermore, we describe a virulence mechanism leading to dysregulation of membrane microdomains by melanized wild-type conidia of the important human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus resulting in reduced phagolysosomal acidification. We show that phagolysosomes with ingested melanized conidia contain a reduced amount of free Ca2+ ions and that inhibition of Ca2+-dependent calmodulin activity led to reduced lipid-raft formation. We identify a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human FLOT1 gene resulting in heightened susceptibility for invasive aspergillosis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Collectively, flotillin-dependent microdomains on the phagolysosomal membrane play an essential role in protective antifungal immunity. © 2020 The Author(s)
- ItemDuring early stages of cancer, neutrophils initiate anti-tumor immune responses in tumor-draining lymph nodes(Maryland Heights, MO : Cell Press, 2022) Pylaeva, Ekaterina; Korschunow, Georg; Spyra, Ilona; Bordbari, Sharareh; Siakaeva, Elena; Ozel, Irem; Domnich, Maksim; Squire, Anthony; Hasenberg, Anja; Thangavelu, Kruthika; Hussain, Timon; Goetz, Moritz; Lang, Karl S; Gunzer, Matthias; Hansen, Wiebke; Buer, Jan; Bankfalvi, Agnes; Lang, Stephan; Jablonska, JadwigaTumor-draining lymph nodes (LNs) play a crucial role during cancer spread and in initiation of anti-cancer adaptive immunity. Neutrophils form a substantial population of cells in LNs with poorly understood functions. Here, we demonstrate that, during head and neck cancer (HNC) progression, tumor-associated neutrophils transmigrate to LNs and shape anti-tumor responses in a stage-dependent manner. In metastasis-free stages (N0), neutrophils develop an antigen-presenting phenotype (HLA-DR+CD80+CD86+ICAM1+PD-L1-) and stimulate T cells (CD27+Ki67highPD-1-). LN metastases release GM-CSF and via STAT3 trigger development of PD-L1+ immunosuppressive neutrophils, which repress T cell responses. The accumulation of neutrophils in T cell-rich zones of LNs in N0 constitutes a positive predictor for 5-year survival, while increased numbers of neutrophils in LNs of N1-3 stages predict poor prognosis in HNC. These results suggest a dual role of neutrophils as essential regulators of anti-cancer immunity in LNs and argue for approaches fostering immunostimulatory activity of these cells during cancer therapy.