Theoretical Interpretation of Polarized Light-Induced Supramolecular Orientation on the Basis of Normal Mode Analysis of Azobenzene as Hybrid Materials in PMMA with Chiral Schiff Base Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) Complexes

We have prepared hybrid materials of azobenzene and chiral Schiff base Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes and investigated their linearly or circularly polarized UV (ultraviolet) light-induced supramolecular orientation with polarized electronic and IR spectra or CD (circular dichroism) spectra. The experimental FT-IR (Fourier transfer-infrared) spectra of azobenzene molecules were recorded at room temperature, and the results were compared with quantum chemical theoretical values using B3LYP, M052X, and M062X DFT (density functional theory) methods. The interaction of azobenzene with PMMA was simulated. Molecular geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, and thermodynamic parameters were calculated in all these systems. With the help of specific scaling procedures for the computed wavenumbers, the experimentally observed FT-IR bands were analyzed and assigned to different normal modes of the molecule. Most modes had wavenumbers in the expected range, and the error obtained was in general very low. Several general conclusions were deduced

Delivery of CRISPR-Cas tools for in vivo genome editing therapy: Trends and challenges

The discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genome editing technology opened the door to provide a versatile approach for treating multiple diseases. Promising results have been shown in numerous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. However, a safe and effective method to deliver genome-editing components is still a key challenge for in vivo genome editing therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most commonly used vector systems to date, but immunogenicity against capsid, liver toxicity at high dose, and potential genotoxicity caused by off-target mutagenesis and genomic integration remain unsolved. Recently developed transient delivery systems, such as virus-like particle (VLP) and lipid nanoparticle (LNP), may solve some of the issues. This review summarizes existing in vivo delivery systems and possible solutions to overcome their limitations. Also, we highlight the ongoing clinical trials for in vivo genome editing therapy and recently developed genome editing tools for their potential applications

Low immunogenicity of LNP allows repeated administrations of CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA into skeletal muscle in mice

筋ジストロフィーのゲノム編集治療を目指したLNP-mRNA輸送システムの開発. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-12-08.Nanotechnology for genome editing in multiple muscles simultaneously. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-12-08.Genome editing therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) holds great promise, however, one major obstacle is delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9/sgRNA system to skeletal muscle tissues. In general, AAV vectors are used for in vivo delivery, but AAV injections cannot be repeated because of neutralization antibodies. Here we report a chemically defined lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system which is able to deliver Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA into skeletal muscle by repeated intramuscular injections. Although the expressions of Cas9 protein and sgRNA were transient, our LNP system could induce stable genomic exon skipping and restore dystrophin protein in a DMD mouse model that harbors a humanized exon sequence. Furthermore, administration of our LNP via limb perfusion method enables to target multiple muscle groups. The repeated administration and low immunogenicity of our LNP system are promising features for a delivery vehicle of CRISPR-Cas9 to treat skeletal muscle disorders

Optical emission spectroscopy analysis of atmospheric plasma jet plume on bacteria inactivation

Link to publisher’s homepage at http://www.jurnalteknologi.utm.myIn this paper, an atmospheric plasma jet plasma plume generated using Helium gas was investigated for reactive plasma species. The method of investigation is by using Optical Emission Spectroscopy analysis. Observation of the emission spectrum enables understanding of the influence of reactive species inside plasma plume to microbial inactivation process. The reactive species in plasma plume were detected using spectrometer without presence of bacteria. Escherichia coli and Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus were used as inactivation targets. Bacteria were cultured in 10 Colony Forming Unit per milliliter in single colony and exposed to plasma at different time. It is found that, both bacteria were inactivated at 180 seconds. The result of emission line spectrum showed the presence of nitrogen and oxygen between line 300 nm until 700 nm. Nitrogen and oxygen are involved in oxidation process which is known as Reactive Nitrogen Species and Reactive Oxygen Species. These species are main key in bacteria inactivation

Co-crystallization of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid with two antipsychotic agents : a simple 1:1 salt with trihexyphenidyl and a 1:2 acid salt containing a very short O-H···O hydrogen bond with chlorprothixene

HSY is grateful to the UGC, New Delhi, for the award of a BSR Faculty Fellowship for three years.Co-crystallization of racemic 1-cyclo­hexyl-1-phenyl-3-(piperidin-1-yl)propan-1-ol (trihexyphenid­yl) with 3,5-di­nitro­benzoic acid gives a simple 1:1 salt, namely 1-(3-cyclo­hexyl-3-hy­droxy-3-phenyl­prop­yl)piperidin-1-ium 3,5-di­nitro­benzoate, C20H 32NO +·C 7H 3N 2O 6 −, (I), whereas a similar co-crystallization using (Z)-3-(2-chloro-9 H-thioxanthen-9-yl)- N, N-di­methyl­propan-1-amine (chlorprothixene) gives a 1:2 acid salt, namely (Z)-3-(2-chloro-9 H-thioxanthen-9-yl)- N, N-di­methyl­propan-1-aminium hydrogen bis­(3,5-di­nitro­benzoate), C18H 19ClNS +·[H(C 7H 3N 2O 6) 2] −, (II), the anion of which contains a very short O—H⋯O hydrogen bond, with dimensions O—H = 1.04 (3) Å, H⋯O = 1.41 (3) Å, O⋯O = 2.4197 (15) Å and O—H⋯O = 161 (3)°. In the cation of (I), the cyclo­hexyl and piperidyl rings both adopt chair conformations, whereas in the cation of (II), the central heterocyclic ring adopts a boat conformation, so that the dihedral angle between the two aryl rings is 41.56 (4)°. A combination of O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds links the ions of (I) into a complex chain of rings, and these chains are linked into sheets by π– π stacking inter­actions between inversion-related pairs of anions. In compound (II), a different combination of O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds links the ions into sheets. Comparisons are made with some related structures.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Extracellular nanovesicles for packaging of CRISPR-Cas9 protein and sgRNA to induce therapeutic exon skipping

Prolonged expression of the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease and gRNA from viral vectors may cause off-target mutagenesis and immunogenicity. Thus, a transient delivery system is needed for therapeutic genome editing applications. Here, we develop an extracellular nanovesicle-based ribonucleoprotein delivery system named NanoMEDIC by utilizing two distinct homing mechanisms. Chemical induced dimerization recruits Cas9 protein into extracellular nanovesicles, and then a viral RNA packaging signal and two self-cleaving riboswitches tether and release sgRNA into nanovesicles. We demonstrate efficient genome editing in various hard-to-transfect cell types, including human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, neurons, and myoblasts. NanoMEDIC also achieves over 90% exon skipping efficiencies in skeletal muscle cells derived from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient iPS cells. Finally, single intramuscular injection of NanoMEDIC induces permanent genomic exon skipping in a luciferase reporter mouse and in mdx mice, indicating its utility for in vivo genome editing therapy of DMD and beyond

Molecular design of the γδT cell receptor ectodomain encodes biologically fit ligand recognition in the absence of mechanosensing

High-acuity αβT cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs) requires mechanosensing, a process whereby piconewton (pN) bioforces exert physical load on αβTCR–pMHC bonds to dynamically alter their lifetimes and foster digital sensitivity cellular signaling. While mechanotransduction is operative for both αβTCRs and pre-TCRs within the αβT lineage, its role in γδT cells is unknown. Here, we show that the human DP10.7 γδTCR specific for the sulfoglycolipid sulfatide bound to CD1d only sustains a significant load and undergoes force-induced structural transitions when the binding interface-distal γδ constant domain (C) module is replaced with that of αβ. The chimeric γδ–αβTCR also signals more robustly than does the wild-type (WT) γδTCR, as revealed by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of TCR-transduced Rag2−/− thymocytes, consistent with structural, single-molecule, and molecular dynamics studies reflective of γδTCRs as mediating recognition via a more canonical immunoglobulin-like receptor interaction. Absence of robust, force-related catch bonds, as well as γδTCR structural transitions, implies that γδT cells do not use mechanosensing for ligand recognition. This distinction is consonant with the fact that their innate-type ligands, including markers of cellular stress, are expressed at a high copy number relative to the sparse pMHC ligands of αβT cells arrayed on activating target cells. We posit that mechanosensing emerged over ∼200 million years of vertebrate evolution to fulfill indispensable adaptive immune recognition requirements for pMHC in the αβT cell lineage that are unnecessary for the γδT cell lineage mechanism of non-pMHC ligand detection

Determination of fungal activity in modified wood by means of micro-calorimetry and determination of total esterase activity

Beech and pine wood blocks were treated with 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethylen urea (DMDHEU) to increasing weight percent gains (WPG). The resistance of the treated specimens against Trametes versicolor and Coniophora puteana, determined as mass loss, increased with increasing WPG of DMDHEU. Metabolic activity of the fungi in the wood blocks was assessed as total esterase activity (TEA) based on the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate and as heat or energy production determined by isothermal micro-calorimetry. Both methods revealed that the fungal activity was related with the WPG and the mass loss caused by the fungi. Still, fungal activity was detected even in wood blocks of the highest WPG and showed that the treatment was not toxic to the fungi. Energy production showed a higher consistency with the mass loss after decay than TEA; higher mass loss was more stringently reflected by higher heat production rate. Heat production did not proceed linearly, possibly due to the inhibition of fungal activity by an excess of carbon dioxide

MECP2 Isoform-Specific Vectors with Regulated Expression for Rett Syndrome Gene Therapy

BACKGROUND:Rett Syndrome (RTT) is an Autism Spectrum Disorder and the leading cause of mental retardation in females. RTT is caused by mutations in the Methyl CpG-Binding Protein-2 (MECP2) gene and has no treatment. Our objective is to develop viral vectors for MECP2 gene transfer into Neural Stem Cells (NSC) and neurons suitable for gene therapy of Rett Syndrome. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We generated self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors with the ubiquitous EF1alpha promoter avoiding known silencer elements to escape stem-cell-specific viral silencing. High efficiency NSC infection resulted in long-term EGFP expression in transduced NSC and after differentiation into neurons. Infection with Myc-tagged MECP2-isoform-specific (E1 and E2) vectors directed MeCP2 to heterochromatin of transduced NSC and neurons. In contrast, vectors with an internal mouse Mecp2 promoter (MeP) directed restricted expression only in neurons and glia and not NSC, recapitulating the endogenous expression pattern required to avoid detrimental consequences of MECP2 ectopic expression. In differentiated NSC from adult heterozygous Mecp2(tm1.1Bird)+/- female mice, 48% of neurons expressed endogenous MeCP2 due to random inactivation of the X-linked Mecp2 gene. Retroviral MECP2 transduction with EF1alpha and MeP vectors rescued expression in 95-100% of neurons resulting in increased dendrite branching function in vitro. Insulated MECP2 isoform-specific lentiviral vectors show long-term expression in NSC and their differentiated neuronal progeny, and directly infect dissociated murine cortical neurons with high efficiency. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:MeP vectors recapitulate the endogenous expression pattern of MeCP2 in neurons and glia. They have utility to study MeCP2 isoform-specific functions in vitro, and are effective gene therapy vectors for rescuing dendritic maturation of neurons in an ex vivo model of RTT