Field Survey of Cucumber mosaic virus Subgroups I and II in Crop Plants in Costa Rica

copyright 2001 American Phytopathology Society Journals. Datos y artículo incluido por Lisela Moreira Carmona, responsable de depósitos de publicaciones del área de Patógenos y Plagas del CIBCMLeaf samples were collected from cucurbit and solanaceous crop plants and Musa spp. in 28 locations in five provinces of Costa Rica during the period from January to October 1996. Sampling sites were selected in dry, humid, and moist tropical regions ranging in altitude from 50 to 2,100 m above sea level. RNA-enriched total nucleic acid solutions were spotted onto nylon membranes and hybridized to RNA probes specific for Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) subgroups I or II. The presence of CMV was confirmed in 13 crops in 23 of the 28 sampling sites. CMV subgroup I was found to predominate in Costa Rica. CMV subgroup II was detected in the Atlantic region only, and in only 1 out of 113 CMV-positive samples.Universidad de Costa Rica/[801-94-905]/UCR/Costa RicaUnited States Agency for International Development/[HRN-5600-G-00-2013-00]/USAD/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[801-95-583]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM

The Bacterial Product Violacein Exerts an Immunostimulatory Effect Via TLR8

Violacein, an indole-derived, purple-colored natural pigment isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum has shown multiple biological activities. In this work, we studied the effect of violacein in different immune cell lines, namely THP-1, MonoMac 6, ANA-1, Raw 264.7 cells, as well as in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A stimulation of TNF-α production was observed in murine macrophages (ANA-1 and Raw 264.7), and in PBMCs, IL-6 and IL-1β secretion was detected. We obtained evidence of the molecular mechanism of activation by determining the mRNA expression pattern upon treatment with violacein in Raw 264.7 cells. Incubation with violacein caused activation of pathways related with an immune and inflammatory response. Our data utilizing TLR-transfected HEK-293 cells indicate that violacein activates the human TLR8 (hTLR8) receptor signaling pathway and not human TLR7 (hTLR7). Furthermore, we found that the immunostimulatory effect of violacein in PBMCs could be suppressed by the specific hTLR8 antagonist, CU-CPT9a. Finally, we studied the interaction of hTLR8 with violacein in silico and obtained evidence that violacein could bind to hTLR8 in a similar fashion to imidazoquinoline compounds. Therefore, our results indicate that violacein may have some potential in contributing to future immune therapy strategies.Universidad de Costa Rica/[801-B2-519]/UCR/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[FI-497-11]/MICITT/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[DFG-TR84]/MICITT/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones/[DFG-KFO325]/MICITT/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de QuímicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacéuticas (INIFAR

Cellular immune responses to HPV-18, -31, and -53 in healthy volunteers immunized with recombinant HPV-16 L1 virus-like particles. Virology 2006

Abstract Human papillomavirus-like particles (HPV VLP) are candidate vaccines that have shown to be efficacious in reducing infection and inducing robust antiviral immunity. Neutralizing antibodies generated by vaccination are largely type-specific, but little is known about the type-specificity of cellular immune responses to VLP vaccination. To determine whether vaccination with HPV-16 L1VLP induces cellular immunity to heterologous HPV types (HPV-18, HPV-31, and HPV-53), we examined proliferative and cytokine responses in vaccine (n = 11) and placebo (n = 5) recipients. Increased proliferative and cytokine responses to heterologous types were observed postvaccination in some individuals. The proportion of women responding to heterologous types postvaccination (36%-55%) was lower than that observed in response to HPV-16 (73%). Response to HPV-16 VLP predicted response to other types. The strongest correlations in response were observed between HPV-16 and HPV-31, consistent with their phylogenetic relatedness. In summary, PBMC from HPV-16 VLP vaccine recipients can respond to L1VLP from heterologous HPV types, suggesting the presence of conserved T cell epitopes

Bioactivity of prenylated hydroxybenzoic acids from Piper garagaranum C. DC

A bio-assay guided fractionation of Piper garagaranum C. DC. led to the isolation of two prenylated hydroxybenzoic acids (1-2) with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. The anti-inflammatory action was determined in an LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage assay with IC50 values for inhibition of NO production of (18 ± 3) and (26 ± 5) μM, for 1 and 2, respectively. These compounds do not inhibit NO production by a competitive inhibition of the iNOS enzyme and show anti-inflammatory properties by lowering the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-1β, CXCL2 and CCL2), as determined by qRT-PCR. Electrochemical measurements using cyclic voltammetry (CV) show that compound 1 exhibits anti-oxidant properties. This is the first phytochemical study of this plant, and we report a preliminary study of the biological activity of the isolated compounds.Universidad de Costa Rica/[809-C0-073]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Electroquímica y Energía Química (CELEQ)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Químic

Tolerance and sorption of Bromacil and Paraquat by thermophilic cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya 7M from Costa Rican thermal springs

We studied the adsorption ability and tolerance of the thermophilic filamentous cyanobacteria Letolyngbya 7M towards Paraquat and Bromacil. Adsorption isotherms at pH = 7.0 showed an adsorption capacity of 24.4 mg/g and 66.8 mg/g, respectively, and a good fit to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.97 and 0.99, respectively). To evaluate the effect of both herbicides on photosynthetic pigments and viability of cyanobacteria, cell autoflorescence and esterase activity was determined using flow cytometry. Autofluorescence was less sensitive to changes in cell viability, as it was only slightly reduced at high Paraquat and Bromacil concentrations. Herbicide effect on esterase activity is dose-dependent. Bromacil did not cause a significant effect on either chlorophyll a content or cell viability. This study demonstrates the potential of Leptolyngbya 7M to remove Paraquat and Bromacil herbicides from aqueous solution under laboratory conditions.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM

Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory O-sulfated withanolides from Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae) organic extract afforded two anti-inflammatory withanolides: 2,3-Dihydro-3β-O-sulfate withacnistin (1) and 2,3-Dihydro-3β-O-sulfate withaferin A (2) showing IC50 values of 1.0 ± 0.1 and 14 ± 1 μM respectively in a LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage assay. These compounds were also evaluated against two selected cancer cell lines showing significant cytotoxicity. Although there are several reports dealing with the chemistry of this species, we report for the first time the isolation of O-sulfated withanolides.Universidad de Costa Rica/[ 801-B8-511]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí

Simple route for nano-hydroxyapatite properties expansion

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-6041/10/5/055015/metaSimple surface modification of nano-hydroxyapatite, through acid-basic reactions, allows expanding the properties of this material. Introduction of organic groups such as hydrophobic alkyl chains, carboxylic acid, and amide or amine basic groups on the hydroxyapatite surface systematically change the polarity, surface area, and reactivity of hydroxyapatite without modifying its phase. Physical and chemical properties of the new derivative particles were analyzed. The biocompatibility of modified Nano-Hap on Raw 264.7 cells was also assessed.Consejo Nacional para Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas/[]/CONICIT/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Comunicaciones/[]/MICITT/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Electroquímica y Energía Química (CELEQ)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Químic

Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles following Vaccination with Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L1 Virus-Like Particles▿

To determine the systemic cytokine pattern induced by vaccination with human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 virus-like particles (VLP), we analyzed 22 different cytokines in culture supernatants of L1 VLP-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from vaccine (n = 19) and placebo (n = 7) recipients at months 0 and 2 after vaccination, using a multiplex cytokine bead array. In vaccine recipients, incubation with L1 VLP in vitro led to a statistically significant increase in production of Th1 (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-2 [IL-2], gamma interferon; P < 0.0007) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13; P < 0.0017) cytokines and the chemokine IP-10 (P = 0.0021) at month 2 after immunization, compared to levels seen prior to vaccination. These responses were not seen in placebo recipients. Cytokine and neutralizing antibody responses to vaccination followed the same pattern, with the highest antibody responses seen for subjects with higher cytokine responses. Cytokine profiling studies using samples from efficacy trials may provide important information about discriminators of long-term protection against HPV