Differences of Clonogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Immunomodulation of Lymphocyte Subsets

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a widely used population in cell therapy for their ability to differentiate into distinct tissues and more lately, for their immunomodulatory properties. However, the use of heterogeneous populations could be responsible for the nondesired outcomes reflected in the literature. Here, we analyse the different capacities of five one-cell-derived MSC clones to exert their immunomodulation ex vivo. We assessed proliferation assays in cocultures of MSC clones and purified cluster of differentiation (CD)3+, CD4+, or CD8+ lymphocytes; analysed the regulatory T (Treg) cells fold change rate; determined the effects on viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); and also measured the coculture cytokine profiles (Th1/Th2). Conditioned media (CM) of different clones were also used to perform both proliferation assays and to analyse Treg fold change. The five clones analysed in this work were able to generate heterogeneous environments. Different clones inhibited proliferation of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, with different intensities. Surprisingly, all clones promoted proliferation of CD8+ lymphocytes. Different MSC clones and their CM were able to increase the number of Treg with different intensities. Finally, different clones also promoted different effects on the viability of PBMC treated with ultraviolet light. Considering all these data together, it seems that different clones, even from the same donor, can promote a wide spectrum of responses from anti-inflammatory to proinflammatory character. This fact may be important to standardise the design of personalized cell therapy protocols, thus diminishing the aforementioned undesired outcomes existing nowadays in this type of therapies

Cambios en parámetros metabólicos e inflamatorios en un paciente diabético tipo 1 realizando actividades extremas

Background: physical activity in type 1 diabetic patients allows a better control of glycaemia and glycosylated hemoglobin, helps to maintain a residual endocrine pancreatic mass and optimizes subsequent insulin requirements. These improvements might be due in part to increases in anti-inflammatory cytokines that could help to minimize β-cell destruction. However, type, intensity and frequency of exercise for type 1 diabetic patients remain to be established. Case report: we present the case of a 48-year-old man diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 23. He is a professional alpinist and recently was recruited in a program of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (Russia) to be the first diabetic astronaut. Metabolic and inflammatory responses were assessed after performing two extreme activities. Discussion: well programmed extreme activities accompanied by a correct dietetic intervention can reduce the adverse metabolic and inflammatory processes that appear due to exercise and diabetes.Introducción: la actividad física en pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 permite un mejor control de la glucemia y hemoglobina glucosilada, ayuda a mantener una masa residual de páncreas endocrino y optimiza las necesidades de insulina. Estas mejoras podrían ser debidas en parte al incremento en citocinas antiinflamatorias que ayudarían a minimizar la destrucción de células β. Sin embargo, el tipo, la intensidad y la frecuencia de ejercicio para pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 no han sido establecidos. Caso clínico: presentamos el caso de un varón de 48 años de edad diagnosticado de diabetes tipo 1 a los 23. Es alpinista profesional y recientemente ha sido reclutado por el Centro de Entrenamiento para Cosmonautas Yuri Gagarin (Rusia) para ser el primer astronauta diabético. Hemos comparado respuestas metabólicas e inflamatorias tras realizar dos actividades extremas. Discusión: actividades extremas bien programadas y con una correcta intervención dietética pueden reducir la descompensación metabólica e inflamatoria causada por la combinación actividad-enfermedad.This work was supported by Generalitat Valenciana under the PROMETEO grant 2016/006 to ER and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and CIBERobn CB12/03/30038

Effects of pomegranate juice in circulating parameters, cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in endurance-based athletes: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of pomegranate juice on the level of oxidative stress in the blood of endurance-based athletes. Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, conferring it a higher antioxidant capacity than other beverages with polyphenolic antioxidants. Methods: A randomized double-blind, multicenter trial was performed in athletes from three different sport clubs located in southeastern of Spain. Plasma oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde [MDA]) as well as C-reactive protein and sE-selectin were measured. Thirty-one athletes participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group was supplemented with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice (PJ; n = 10) over a 21-d period, the second with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice diluted 1:1 with water (PJD; n = 11), and a control group that did not consume pomegranate juice (C; n = 10). Nine athletes were excluded due to protocol violations (n = 4 in the PJ group and n = 5 in the PJD group) because they did not observe the 24 h of rest before the last blood test. Results: The control group increased levels of carbonyls (+0.7 ± 0.3 nmols/mg protein) and MDA (+3.2 ± 1.0 nmols/g protein), whereas the PJ and PJD groups maintained or decreased their levels, respectively. On the other hand, lactate levels increased in the PJ group (from 10.3 at day 0 to 21.2 mg/dL at day 22). A nonsignificant decrease was detected in sE-selectin and C-reactive protein in the groups consuming pomegranate juice. Conclusion: Consumption of pomegranate juice over a 21-d period improved MDA levels and carbonyls, and thus decreased the oxidative damage caused by exercise.This research received specific grant and provision of supplements from Vitalgrana SL. The following institutions are acknowledged PROMETEO/2012/007 from Generalitat Valenciana and CIBEROBN (Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición CB12/03/30038) Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain to E Roche

Dificultades en el aprendizaje de la Biología Celular según la opinión del alumnado

Relacionar la implicación de los constituyentes celulares con la función celular y la comprensión del organismo como resultado del funcionamiento coordinado de todas sus células, es uno de los objetivos más importantes que determinarán la actuación docente y la calidad del aprendizaje en la asignatura de Biología Celular. Sin embargo, son muchos los obstáculos asociados a este proceso, entre otros, la naturaleza abstracta de los conceptos, la terminología utilizada para explicarlos, la interpretación de imágenes, la representación mental del concepto célula así como de los procesos bioquímicos que en ella tienen lugar. Reflexionar sobre las dificultades, tanto del profesorado como del alumnado, sin duda servirá para orientar el curriculum en el desarrollo de competencias, mejorar la percepción de la utilidad de los contenidos por parte del estudiante, así como la capacidad de transferirlos y aplicarlos a diferentes contextos y situaciones relevantes. Para ello, en el presente trabajo recogemos, desde la opinión de los estudiantes, las dificultades a las que se enfrenta el alumnado de la asignatura de Biología Celular en el primer curso del Grado en Ciencias del Mar, así como los conceptos que les resultan más difíciles de aprender

The Health Hazards of Volcanoes: First Evidence of Neuroinflammation in the Hippocampus of Mice Exposed to Active Volcanic Surroundings

Neuroinflammation is a process related to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases; one of the hallmarks of this process is microglial reactivation and the secretion by these cells of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα. Numerous studies report the relationship between neuroinflammatory processes and exposure to anthropogenic air pollutants, but few refer to natural pollutants. Volcanoes are highly inhabited natural sources of environmental pollution that induce changes in the nervous system, such as reactive astrogliosis or the blood-brain barrier breakdown in exposed individuals; however, no neuroinflammatory event has been yet defined. To this purpose, we studied resting microglia, reactive microglia, and TNFα production in the brains of mice chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment on the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). For the first time, we demonstrate a proliferation of microglial cells and an increase in reactive microglia, as well an increase in TNFα secretion, in the central nervous system of individuals exposed to volcanogenic pollutants.This research was supported by the Universidad de Alicante VIGROB-186

Antioxidant Supplementation Modulates Neutrophil Inflammatory Response to Exercise-Induced Stress

The aim of the present report was to evaluate the inflammatory response to a 2000-m running test considering neutrophil myeloperoxidase as an inflammatory marker, and to verify if supplements rich in antioxidants could modulate Post-test antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. To this end, a 21-day homogenization period was carried out with three groups: a control group, a supplemented group taking an almond beverage enriched with vitamins C and E and a third group consuming the same beverage but enriched with Lippia citriodora extract. At the end of this period, participants performed a 2000-m run, and blood samples were obtained the day before and immediately after the running test. Plasma and neutrophils were isolated. As a result, plasma creatine kinase and myoglobin increased, indicating Post-test muscle damage. Plasma oxidative markers were increased in all groups, except in the group supplemented with the almond beverage. Neutrophil antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased only in the control group, suggesting an antioxidant effect of the supplements provided in the other groups. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased after the test in the control group, while increased enzyme levels were detected in plasma of the supplement groups. Therefore, antioxidant consumption seems to favour myeloperoxidase release. The connection of this observation with post-exercise recovery will require further investigation.This study was supported by the Official Funding Agency for Biomedical Research of the Spanish Government, Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) through CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038), which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund

Evaluation of different competitive immunoassays for aflatoxin M1 determination in milk samples by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Haptens (i.e. biomolecules which molecular weight is lower than 10 kDa) determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is usually performed by means of competitive immunoassays. In these immunoassays, analyte quantification is indirectly carried out using two different tracer species (i.e. antibodies or antigen-protein conjugates). However, the benefits (and drawbacks) derived from using a given tracer species have not been systematically investigated so far. The goal of this work is to evaluate the influence of the tracer species employed in competitive immunoassays on the analytical figures of merit for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) determination in milk samples. To this end, three different strategies have been developed and evaluated, namely: (i) antibody binding inhibition assay (ABIA); (ii) capture inhibition assay (CIA); and (iii) capture bridge inhibition assay (CBIA). Experimental results show that the use of the antibody as tracer species (as in the ABIA approach) affords better analytical figures of merit for AFM1 determination than using the antigen-protein conjugate as the tracer one (as in the CIA and CBIA strategies). The limit of detection afforded by ABIA strategy (i.e. 0.1 ng kg-1) for AFM1 determination was 1000-fold and 50-fold lower regarding the CIA and CBIA strategies, respectively. In the case of the ABIA approach, the characteristics of the metal nanoparticle label employed to detect the tracer species is critical on the analytical figures of merit. However, when the hapten-protein conjugates are used as tracer species, immunocomplex formation is severely hampered by steric effects caused by the protein moiety and, consequently, the characteristics of the metal nanoparticle label is not critical in the immunoassay performance. The different immunoassay strategies were successfully validated for AFM1 determination in milk samples using a certified reference material of whole milk powder (ERM-BD283) according to European Conformity guidelines for analytical methods of food contaminants and mycotoxins. Compared to ELISA, the immunoassay developed for AFM1 determination in milk samples improve limits of detection up to 10-fold.The authors would like to thank the Generalitat Valenciana (Project GV/2014/138) and the Vice-Presidency for Research and Knowledge Transfer of the University of Alicante – Spain for the financial support of this work (Project GRE12-19). E. Pérez also thanks the University of Alicante – Spain for the fellowship (UAFPU2011)

Red de coordinación de las asignaturas del área de conocimiento de Inmunología (Grado en Biología)

El rápido desarrollo de la Inmunología durante el pasado y presente siglo, ha hecho que la Inmunología sea actualmente la ciencia que más interrelación tiene con otras disciplinas del campo de la Biología y de la Biomedicina en general. Su carácter multidisciplinar hace que se integre y se complemente a la perfección con multitud de disciplinas biomédicas. Por otro lado, cada día aumenta el número de enfermedades en las que se reconoce que la participación del sistema inmunitario, es la causa, o contribuye de forma importante al proceso patológico. Precisamente, durante el curso 2013-2014, ha empezado a impartirse por vez primera la asignatura de Inmunología Aplicada e Inmunopatología, del Area de Inmunología del cuarto curso de Grado en Biología, que a la vez que analiza las múltiples aplicaciones de la Inmunología en distintos campos de la Biotecnología y la Biomedicina, estudia con detalle aspectos diagnósticos, pronósticos y terapéuticos de las principales enfermedades de base inmunológica. Con esta red, pretendemos aprovechar la experiencia acumulada durante el pasado año con la asignatura de Inmunología General, impartida en tercer curso del Grado en Biología, para asegurar la adecuada coordinación entre el profesorado de las dos asignaturas actuales y fomentar el trabajo en equipo, buscando con ello cumplir con las competencias previstas descritas en las guías docentes de ambas asignaturas

Antioxidant supplementation modulates neutrophil inflammatory response to exercise-induced stress

Producción CientíficaThe aim of the present report was to evaluate the inflammatory response to a 2000-m running test considering neutrophil myeloperoxidase as an inflammatory marker, and to verify if supplements rich in antioxidants could modulate Post-test antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. To this end, a 21-day homogenization period was carried out with three groups: a control group, a supplemented group taking an almond beverage enriched with vitamins C and E and a third group consuming the same beverage but enriched with Lippia citriodora extract. At the end of this period, participants performed a 2000-m run, and blood samples were obtained the day before and immediately after the running test. Plasma and neutrophils were isolated. As a result, plasma creatine kinase and myoglobin increased, indicating Post-test muscle damage. Plasma oxidative markers were increased in all groups, except in the group supplemented with the almond beverage. Neutrophil antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased only in the control group, suggesting an antioxidant effect of the supplements provided in the other groups. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly increased after the test in the control group, while increased enzyme levels were detected in plasma of the supplement groups. Therefore, antioxidant consumption seems to favour myeloperoxidase release. The connection of this observation with post-exercise recovery will require further investigation.Instituto de Salud Carlos III - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (CB12/03/30038)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Proyecto RTI2018-096724-B-C21)Generalitat Valenciana (proyecto PROMETEO/2016/006

La utilización de rúbricas para la evaluación de las competencias del TFG en el Grado en Biología

El nuevo paradigma educativo introducido con el proceso de Bolonia difiere del tradicional, sobre todo, en la importancia de los resultados del proceso de aprendizaje, el desarrollo de competencias o capacidades del alumnado para gestionar los conocimientos con el fin de realizar tareas en un contexto real. Ello implica modificar profundamente nuestra concepción del proceso enseñanza/aprendizaje desde los objetivos hasta la evaluación. La evaluación tradicional destinada a evidenciar habilidades como comprensión, recuerdo, capacidad de síntesis, etc., debe dejar paso a la comprobación de un abanico más amplio y variado de habilidades para la ejecución de acciones. Pero además, la evaluación del Trabajo Fin de Grado es compartida entre el profesor tutor del trabajo y una comisión y debe realizarse en diferentes fases. En este contexto, el uso de las rúbricas es de gran utilidad tanto para profesores como para estudiantes, dado que permite al profesorado realizar un seguimiento de las competencias adquiridas de una manera sistematizada y a los estudiantes conocer el nivel de competencias que deben adquirir