Glu2.53(90) of the GnRH receptor is part of the conserved G protein-coupled receptor structure and does not form a salt-bridge with Lys3.32(121)

Please read abstract in the article.The South African National Research Foundation and an award from the Harry Oppenheimer Trust.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/mcehj2020Physiolog

In vitro changes in mitochondrial potential, aggresome formation and caspase activity by a novel 17-beta-estradiol analog in mcf-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells

After a 24 hour exposure time, cells both apoptosis and autophagy were induced.This abstract was initially presented at the annual Biological Sciences Symposium, presented under the protection of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns. The symposium was held at the University of Johannesburg on 01 October 2011.http://www.satnt.ac.z

An in vitro and in vivo study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles

The field of dermal fillers is evolving rapidly and numerous products are currently on the market. Biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) have been found to be compatible with several body tissues, and this makes them an ideal material for dermal filling purposes. Hollow PCL spheres were developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to serve both as an anchor point and a ªtissue harbourº for cells. Particles were tested for cytotoxicity and cell adherence using mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). MEFs adhered to the particles and no significant toxic effects were observed based on morphology, cell growth, cell viability and cell cycle analysis, suggesting that the particles are suitable candidates for cell delivery systems in an in vivo setting. The objective of providing a ªtissue harbourº was however not realized, as cells did not preferentially migrate into the ported particles. In vivo studies were conducted in BALB/c mice into whom particles were introduced at the level of the hypodermis. Mice injected with PCL particles (ported and nonported; with or without MEFs) showed evidence of local inflammation and increased adipogenesis at the site of injection, as well as a systemic inflammatory response. These effects were also observed in mice that received apparently inert (polystyrene) particles. Ported PCL particles can therefore act as a cell delivery system and through their ability to induce adipogenesis, may also serve as a dermal bulking agent.S1 File. Figure A: Chronic inflammation in the test animals over the trial period. Figure B: Acute inflammation in the test animals over the trial period. Figure C: Tissue necrosis in the test animals over the trial period. Figure D: Fibrosis in the test animals over the trial period. Figure E: Granulomatous/foreign body response in the test animals over the trial period. Figure F: Representative TEMs of skin biopsies of particles group (A) and particles+MEFs group (B) in the in vivo experiment injecting particles+MEFs. Particles could be identified in skin biopsies of both the particles and particles+MEFs groups. The aim of the TEM investigation was to determine if any cells could be detected inside the particles. No cells were present inside the particles in either group. These results reflect the conclusion that was made after the light microscopy study, indicating that cells did not migrate into the ported PCL particles. Bar in A = 5μm and in B = 10μm.S2 File. In vitro and in vivo data. Table A: Groups of rats used in the biotoxicity trial. Table B: Observations on mice in the in vivo experiment assessing the effect of ported PCL particles and cells. Table C: Statistical comparisons preformed between the various white blood cell types assessed from blood smears of experimental mice injected with ported PCL particles with or without MEFs. Table D: Schedule of the in vivo experiment assessing the effect of ported and non-ported PCL as well as polystyrene (PS) particles. Table E: Overview of the animals, tests and procedures performed in the in vivo experiment assessing the effect of ported and non-ported PCL as well as polystyrene (PS) particles in BALB/c mice.S3 File. All data underlying the findings of the study.The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa, by the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine of the University of Pretoria and by the South African Medical Research Council (Flagship Award SAMRC-RFA-UFSP-01-2013/ STEM CELLS and the SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy).http://www.plosone.orgam2019ImmunologyPhysiolog

Effects of non-thermal mobile phone radiation on breast adenocarcinoma cells

Mobile phone usage currently exceeds landline communication in Africa. The extent of this usage has raised concerns about the long-term health effects of the ongoing use of mobile phones. To assess the physiological effects of radiation from mobile phones in vitro, MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to 2W/kg non-thermal 900-MHz mobile phone radiation. The effects investigated were those on metabolic activity, cell morphology, cell cycle progression, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation and the generation of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species. Statistically insignificant increases in mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity were observed in irradiated cells when compared to controls. Fluorescent detection of F-actin demonstrated an increase in F-actin stress fibre formation in irradiated MCF-7 cells. Cell cycle progression revealed no statistically significant variation. A small increase in early and late apoptotic events in irradiated MCF-7 cells was observed. No statistically significant changes were observed in reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species generation. In addition, quantitative and qualitative analyses of cell cycle activity and nuclear and cytosolic changes, respectively, revealed no significant changes. In conclusion, exposure to 1 h of 900-MHz irradiation induced an increase in PS externalisation and an increase in the formation of F-actin stress fibres in MCF-7 cells. Data obtained from this study, and their correlation with other studies, provides intriguing links between radio frequency radiation and cellular events and warrant further investigation

<i>In vitro</i> veranderinge in mitochondriale membraan potensiaal, aggresoom formasie en kaspase aktiwiteit deur `n nuwe 17-β-estradiol analoog in bors adenokarsinoomselle

<div style="font-size: 12px; font-family: serif; left: 543.465px; top: 340.284px; transform: scale(1.04355, 1); transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px;" dir="ltr">Die natuurlike metaboliet van estradiol, naamlik 2-metoksieëstradiol (2ME2) oefen antiproliferatiewe en anti-tumor effekte in vitro en <em>in vivo</em> uit met minimale of geen toksisiteit nie.</div

An <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles - Fig 8

<p><b>Light microscopy images (A-D), scanning electron micrographs of fibrin networks (E-H) and red blood cells (I-L) for controls, non-ported PCL particles, ported PCL particles and PS particles in BALB/c mice after three weeks exposure.</b> Fibrous thickening, leukocyte infiltration and adipocyte formation occurred in the hypodermis in all animals that received particles when compared to controls (A-D). By SEM, a fine fibrin fibre network (E) and healthy red blood cells (I) were observed in controls. However, a thickened and matted fibrin network and changes in red blood cell morphology indicative of inflammation were observed in mice injected with non-ported PCL particles (F and J), ported PCL particles (G and K) and PS particles (H and L). Scale bar in A-D = 50 μm, and in E, J and L = 2 μm, F-H = 200 μm; and in I and K = 1 μm.</p

An <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles - Fig 3

<p><b>Viability of MEFs cultured in Kimble glass tubes in growth medium (A) and growth medium together with ported PCL particles (B), 24 h after seeding.</b> No statistically significant difference was observed (<i>P</i>-value > 0.05).</p

An <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles - Fig 1

<p><b>A) Optical image of ported PCL ported particles; B) SEM image of a ported PCL particle.</b> A: scale bar = 100 μm and B: scale bar = 10 μm.</p

An <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study on the properties of hollow polycaprolactone cell-delivery particles - Fig 6

<p><b>Scanning electron micrographs of MEFs attached to ported PCL particles 24 h after seeding (A and B).</b> MEFs grew between particles causing the particles to clump together (A). A: scale bar = 100 μm and B: scale bar = 10 μm.</p

Acridine orange-stained MEFs attached to ported PCL particles.

<p>Cells were propagated in glass Kimble tubes together with particles (A and B) and stained 24 h after seeding. MEFs attached to particles as clumps.</p