Biological Seed Coating Innovations for Sustainable Healthy Crop Growth in Tomato

Biological seed coating (BSC) is the fastest-growing segment under the seed treatment approaches in the global seed market. It refers to the application of certain beneficial microbes to the seed prior to sowing in order to suppress, control, or repel pathogens, insects, and other pests that attack seeds, seedlings, or plants. Beneficial bioagents along with the compatible adjuvants can safely be delivered through coatings onto the seed surface. The polymer acts as a protective cover for bioagents and helps in improving the shelf life and dust-free seed. It is an efficient mechanism for placement of microbial inoculum into soil where they colonize the seedling roots and protect against soil-borne pathogens. It is also used to increase the speed and uniformity of germination, along with protection against soil-borne pathogens in nursery and improves final stand. Some induces systemic resistance in plants against biotic agents. It is a low-cost, alternative viable technology to chemical-based plant protection and nutrition. Thus, the demand for biological seed treatment solutions is increasing in view of consumer acceptance for chemical-free food. They give protection to seedlings in the nursery against damping-off fungi like Fusarium spp. or Rhizoctonia spp. and improve crop growth and yield in the main field

Human CD56(dim)CD16(dim) Cells As an Individualized Natural Killer Cell Subset

ABSTARCT: Human natural killer (NK) cells can be subdivided in several subpopulations on the basis of the relative expression of the adhesion molecule CD56 and the activating receptor CD16. Whereas blood CD56brightCD16dim/- NK cells are classically viewed as immature precursors and cytokine producers, the larger CD56dimCD16bright subset is considered as the most cytotoxic one. In peripheral blood of healthy donors, we noticed the existence of a population of CD56dimCD16dim NK cells that was frequently higher in number than the CD56bright subsets and even expanded in occasional control donors but also in transporter associated with antigen processing-deficient patients, two familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type II patients, and several common variable immunodeficiency patients. This population was detected but globally reduced in a longitudinal cohort of 18 HIV-1-infected individuals. Phenotypically, the new subset contained a high percentage of relatively immature cells, as reflected by a significantly stronger representation of NKG2A+ and CD57- cells compared to their CD56dimCD16bright counterparts. The phenotype of the CD56dimCD16dim population was differentially affected by HIV-1 infection as compared to the other NK cell subsets and only partly restored to normal by antiretroviral therapy. From the functional point of view, sorted CD56dimCD16dim cells degranulated more than CD56dimCD16bright cells but less than CD56dimCD16- NK cells. The population was also identified in various organs of immunodeficient mice with a human immune system ("humanized" mice) reconstituted from human cord blood stem cells. In conclusion, the CD56dimCD16dim NK cell subpopulation displays distinct phenotypic and functional features. It remains to be clarified if these cells are the immediate precursors of the CD56dimCD16bright subset or placed somewhere else in the NK cell differentiation and maturation pathway

Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity of a polyherbal formulation against Freund’s complete adjuvant induced arthritis in Wistar rats

482-489Piper longum L. (Piperaceae), Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), Acorus calamus L. (Acoraceae) are traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in the traditional medicine of India. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of a polyherbal formulation (PHF) and its underlying mechanism in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA). Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (0.1 ml) into the left hind paw of the Wistar albino rats. PHF (100 & 200 mg/kg b.wt) and prednisolone (PDL) (5 mg/kg b.wt) were administered orally from 1st day to 28th day after adjuvant induction. Induction of arthritis significantly increased hind paw volume (HPV), levels of reactive oxygen species (LPO and NO), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) with subsequent decrease in the anti-oxidant status (GSH, SOD and CAT) in arthritic rats compared to controls. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes (iNOS and COX-2), and transcription factor (NF-κB) was found upregulated in the joint tissues of arthritic rats in RT-PCR analysis. On the other hand, the above said imbalances were reverted back effectively to near normal following supplementation with PHF which was supported by the histopathological examination with decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and synovial hyperplasia eventually protecting further damage of the affected joints. In conclusion, these findings showed that PHF exerted beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Natural Killer Cells for Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Natural killer (NK) cells can provide effective immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. Here, we evaluated the ability of NK cells isolated from peripheral blood (PB-) and NK cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC-) to mediate killing of ovarian cancer cells in a mouse xenograft model. A mouse xenograft model was used to evaluate the intraperitoneal delivery of three different NK cell populations: iPSC-derived NK cells, PB-NK cells that had been activated and expanded in long-term culture, and overnight activated PB-NK cells that were isolated through CD3/CD19 depletion of peripheral blood B and T cells. Bioluminescent imaging was used to monitor tumor burden of luciferase expressing tumor lines. Tumors were allowed to establish prior to administering NK cells via intraperitoneal injection. These studies demonstrate a single dose of any of the three NK cell populations significantly reduced tumor burden. When mice were given 3 doses of either iPSC-NK cells or expanded PB-NK cells, the median survival improved from 73 days in mice untreated to 98 and 97 days for treated mice, respectively. From these studies, we conclude iPSC-derived NK cells mediate anti-ovarian cancer killing at least as well as PB-NK cells, making these cells a viable resource for immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. Due to their ability to be easily differentiated into NK cells and their long-term expansion potential, iPSCs can be used to produce large numbers of well-defined NK cells that can be banked and used to treat a large number of patients including treatment with multiple doses if necessary