Comparative Characteristics of Integrin αDβ2 Binding to Native Fibrinogen and Fibrinogen Modified by DHA Oxidation During Inflammation

2-ω-carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) is a product of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oxidation, which forms covalent adducts with different proteins. CEP-modified proteins can interact with macrophage receptor, integrin αDβ2. This study aims to compare αDβ2 binding to its physiological ligand, fibrinogen, and CEP-modified fibrinogen, which is formed during inflammation. We hypothesize that modification of fibrinogen changes its ligand-binding properties to integrin αDβ2 which can affect macrophage migration and retention. Recombinant αD I-domain and αDβ2-transfected HEK293 cells were used for the experiments. Using biolayer interferometry, we found that the affinity of αD I-domain binding to fibrinogen-CEP was higher than fibrinogen and inhibited by the anti-CEP antibody. In agreement, αDβ2-transfected cells demonstrated stronger adhesion to fibrinogen-CEP and this adhesion was significantly inhibited by polyglutamic acid that mimics CEP-mediated binding. These findings suggest that αDβ2\u27s interaction with DHA-modified extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins significantly increases macrophage adhesion and may serve for macrophage retention during chronic inflammation

A Theological Analysis of Confessional-Centric Curriculum of Christian Religious Education: Towards an Inclusive Religious Pluralistic Centered Curriculum for Nigeria Colleges of Education

Desire to live in peace and unity despite the multi ethnic and multi religious composition of Nigeria, remain ideals that are constant in the nation’s Constitution. However, accruable benefits of a culturally and religiously pluralistic society have continued to elude Nigeria due to incessant religious violence arising from the mutual suspicion of Christians and Muslims in the country. Nevertheless, the nation’s National Policy on Education proposes the education sector as one of the platforms to inculcate a sense of unity and religious tolerance in the country. The policy considers the nation’s learning centers and religious courses offered in such institutions as media to attain the goals of peaceful co-existence and unity of all citizens. Unfortunately, this goal has remained unrealized. It is from this background that this dissertation conducts a theological analysis of the curriculum of Christian Religious Studies operative in Nigeria Colleges of Education and finds it defective by default for the purpose of facilitating religious harmony in the country. For one, the curriculum is mostly catechetical in content, and transmits a confessional orientation of religious studies across board from the training of CRS teachers, to their engagement in teaching at primary and secondary school levels. The project deploys Jacque Dupuis’ ‘inclusive religious pluralism’ in drafting a Christian religious studies curriculum for Nigeria Colleges of Education. The submission is made on the assumption that a robust community of religiously pluralistic society operates on respect for each other’s’ religious views, and avoidance of attempt at relegating adherents of other religions and their religious views to an inferior status

Joseph Ratzinger’s theological hermeneutics for Christians’ faith enhancement: An appraisal

The question of who Jesus is often arouses cognitive as well as affective responses that have far reaching influences on people‟s faith. The category of those who subscribe to the affective mode with foot in systematized cognitive investigation of the question often experience what Ratzinger refers to as “a clutching of the air”1 in an attempt to form a relationship with Jesus. In other words, the role of modern biblical critical method of studying the Gospels, with its characteristic scientific approach to the question of who Jesus is, is said to often create a gap between belief and practice. Among scholars who have attempted to bridge such a gap are Rudolf Schnackenburg and Joseph Ratzinger. The latter has attempted a theological and spiritual hermeneutics in approaching the question. The general intent of this paper is an appraisal of his method for reading the gospels as highlighted in two of his writings: Jesus of Nazareth and "Biblical Interpretation in Crisis”. While the central effort of the paper is to evaluate the adequacy or otherwise of Ratzinger‟s model for Christians‟ faith enhancement, the guiding question shall be what possibility such method has in ameliorating the “danger of clutching the air” and in establishing an “intimate friendship with Jesus” through the gospels.Keywords: Historical Jesus, Modern Biblical Critical Methods, Joseph Ratzinger, Theological Hermeneutics, Faith Enhancemen

Comparative characteristics of integrin αDβ2 binding to native fibrinogen and fibrinogen modified by DHA oxidation during inflammation

2-ω-carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) is a product of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oxidation, which forms covalent adducts with different proteins. CEP-modified proteins can interact with macrophage receptor, integrin αDβ2. This study aims to compare αDβ2 binding to its physiological ligand, fibrinogen, and CEP-modified fibrinogen, which is formed during inflammation. We hypothesize that modification of fibrinogen changes its ligand-binding properties to integrin αDβ2 which can affect macrophage migration and retention. Recombinant αD I-domain and αDβ2-transfected HEK293 cells were used for the experiments. In biolayer interferometry (BLI) assays, fibrinogen was immobilized at pH 5.0 and fibrinogen-CEP at pH 3.5. Our results showed that the affinity of αD I-domain binding to fibrinogen-CEP was higher than fibrinogen, and the binding was inhibited by the anti-CEP antibody. The optimal expression of αD I-domain was found at 25°C. In cell adhesion assays, optimal concentrations were used for the inhibition assay; fibrinogen at 2µg/ml and fibrinogen-CEP at 8µg/ml. αDβ2-transfected cells demonstrated stronger adhesion to fibrinogen-CEP, and this adhesion was significantly inhibited by polyglutamic acid, which mimics CEP-mediated binding. These findings suggest that αDβ2\u27s interaction with DHA-modified extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins significantly increases macrophage adhesion and may serve for macrophage retention during chronic inflammation. Developing small molecules that can inhibit αDβ2-CEP interaction could be a breakthrough in treating inflammatory diseases. The main conclusions drawn from the study are that CEP-modified fibrinogen has a higher affinity for αD I-domain binding than native fibrinogen, and this interaction can be inhibited by targeting CEP. The study provides insights into the potential therapeutic applications of inhibiting αDβ2-CEP interactions in inflammatory diseases

A Deconstruction of the Cross and the Crescent for Inclusive Religious Pluralism between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria

The Crescent and the Cross as religious symbols are beyond the mere signification of religious affiliations. They are symbols on which over two hundred years of wars were sustained and are indicative of the religious dichotomy between modern Christianity and Islam across the globe. However, the tangential relationship between the usage of the symbols and the Jihad or the Crusade reeks of memories of fierce competition and unhealed historical memories. The collective memory of the wars fought under the symbols has remained a moniker for conquests and forceful submission. The exclusive propensities of the experiences are evident in the interreligious relation of the adherents of both religions in Nigeria. This article attempts to answer the question of how the exclusive religious disposition underlining most instances of religious crises in the country may be addressed. This article uses deconstructive analysis to strip the symbols and their exclusive religious dispositions for an inclusive religious pluralism model. It argues for the need for a critical rethinking of the exclusive interreligious model operative in the country to facilitate social development and the peaceful co-existence of the adherents of both religions

A Detailed Review on the Phytochemical Profiles and Anti-Diabetic Mechanisms of Momordica Charantia

Diabetes mellitus is the most well-known endocrine dilemma suffered by hundreds of million people globally, with an annual mortality of more than one million people. This high mortality rate highlights the need for in-depth study of anti-diabetic agents. This review explores the phytochemical contents and anti-diabetic mechanisms of (cucurbitaceae). Studies show that contains several phytochemicals that have hypoglycemic effects, thus, the plant may be effective in the treatment/management of diabetes mellitus. Also, the biochemical and physiological basis of anti-diabetic actions is explained. exhibits its anti-diabetic effects via the suppression of MAPKs and NF-κβin pancreatic cells, promoting glucose and fatty acids catabolism, stimulating fatty acids absorption, inducing insulin production, ameliorating insulin resistance, activating AMPK pathway, and inhibiting glucose metabolism enzymes (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and glucose-6-phosphatase). Reviewed literature was obtained from credible sources such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science