New approaches in the development of a vaccine for mucosal candidiasis: progress and challenges

The commensal fungus Candida albicans causes mucosal candidiasis in the rapidly expanding number of immunocompromised patients. Mucosal candidiasis includes oropharyngeal, esophageal, gastrointestinal, and vaginal infections. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and antimycotic-refractory recurrent VVC is a frequent problem in healthy childbearing women. Both these mucosal infections can affect the quality of life and finding new therapeutical and preventive approaches is a challenge. A vaccine against candidal infections would be a new important tool to prevent and/or cure mucosal candidiasis and would be of benefit to many patients. Several Candida antigens have been proposed as vaccine candidates including cell wall components and virulence factors. Here we discuss the recent progress and problems associated with vaccination against mucosal candidiasis

A Purified Capsular Polysaccharide Markedly Inhibits Inflammatory Response during Endotoxic Shock

Capsular material of the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is mainly composed of a polysaccharide named glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). In this study, the effects of GXM were analyzed in an in vivo experimental system of LPS-induced shock. Endotoxic shock was induced in mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS from Escherichia coli. GXM treatment reduced the mortality of mice at early stages. Mice treated with LPS alone showed markedly increased plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas mice treated with GXM too showed significantly lower plasma levels of these cytokines. This effect was related to a marked suppression of Akt and IkBα activation. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of GXM on pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion was reproduced by treatment with Wortmannin, an inhibitor of the Akt transcription pathway. Our results indicate that GXM has a beneficial effect on endotoxic shock, resulting in a significant increase in rate of survival by dampening the hyper-inflammatory response

Fine mapping of the peach pollen sterility gene (Ps/ps) and detection of markers for marker-assisted selection

In peach, pollen sterility, expressed as absence of pollen in the anthers, segregates as an undesired trait in breeding programs. Pollen fertility screening in progenies is not a common practice mainly because it does not affect fruit set since cross-pollination is frequent. It is also a time-consuming activity that coincides with the busy pollination season. Segregation for this trait could be avoided by using molecular markers to identify appropriate parents or male sterile plants for early culling in progenies expected to segregate, thus increasing breeding efficiency. In peach, pollen sterility is determined by a recessive allele in homozygosis of the major gene, Ps/ps, located on chromosome 6. In this work, using a conventional mapping approach combined with bulked segregant analysis using resequencing data, we fine mapped Ps to a region of almost 160 kb and developed molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding. These markers were validated in plant materials from three peach breeding programs, including progenies, advanced selections, and cultivars, allowing us to determine that the frequency of the ps allele is high (0.23) and also to infer the genotypes of a large collection of cultivars and advanced breeding lines.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Beneficial effect of Mentha suaveolens essential oil in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis assessed by real-time monitoring of infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vaginal candidiasis is a frequent and common distressing disease affecting up to 75% of the women of fertile age; most of these women have recurrent episodes. Essential oils from aromatic plants have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal activities. This study was aimed at assessing the anti-fungal activity of essential oil from <it>Mentha suaveolens </it>(EOMS) in an experimental infection of vaginal candidiasis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>activity of EOMS was assessed. The <it>in vitro </it>activity was evaluated under standard CLSI methods, and the <it>in vivo </it>analysis was carried out by exploiting a novel, non-invasive model of vaginal candidiasis in mice based on an <it>in vivo </it>imaging technique.</p> <p>Differences between essential oil treated and saline treated mice were evaluated by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Viable count data from a time kill assay and yeast and hyphae survival test were compared using the Student's t-test (two-tailed).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our main findings were: i) EOMS shows potent candidastatic and candidacidal activity in an <it>in vitro </it>experimental system; ii) EOMS gives a degree of protection against vaginal candidiasis in an <it>in vivo </it>experimental system.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study shows for the first time that the essential oil of a Moroccan plant <it>Mentha suaveolens </it>is candidastatic and candidacidal <it>in vitro</it>, and has a degree of anticandidal activity in a model of vaginal infection, as demonstrated in an <it>in vivo </it>monitoring imaging system. We conclude that our findings lay the ground for further, more extensive investigations to identify the active EOMS component(s), promising in the therapeutically problematic setting of chronic vaginal candidiasis in humans.</p

Near-Earth space plasma modelling and forecasting

In the frame of the European COST 296 project (Mitigation of Ionospheric Effects on Radio Systems, MIERS)in the Working Package 1.3, new ionospheric models, prediction and forecasting methods and programs as well as ionospheric imaging techniques have been developed. They include (i) topside ionosphere and meso-scale irregularity models, (ii) improved forecasting methods for real time forecasting and for prediction of foF2, M(3000)F2, MUF and TECs, including the use of new techniques such as Neurofuzzy, Nearest Neighbour, Cascade Modelling and Genetic Programming and (iii) improved dynamic high latitude ionosphere models through tomographic imaging and model validation. The success of the prediction algorithms and their improvement over existing methods has been demonstrated by comparing predictions with later real data. The collaboration between different European partners (including interchange of data) has played a significant part in the development and validation of these new prediction and forecasting methods, programs and algorithms which can be applied to a variety of practical applications leading to improved mitigation of ionosphereic and space weather effects.Published255-2713.9. Fisica della magnetosfera, ionosfera e meteorologia spazialeJCR Journalope

Near-Earth space plasma modelling and forecasting

In the frame of the European COST 296 project (Mitigation of Ionospheric Effects on Radio Systems, MIERS)in the Working Package 1.3, new ionospheric models, prediction and forecasting methods and programs as well as ionospheric imaging techniques have been developed. They include (i) topside ionosphere and meso-scale irregularity models, (ii) improved forecasting methods for real time forecasting and for prediction of foF2, M(3000)F2, MUF and TECs, including the use of new techniques such as Neurofuzzy, Nearest Neighbour, Cascade Modelling and Genetic Programming and (iii) improved dynamic high latitude ionosphere models through tomographic imaging and model validation. The success of the prediction algorithms and their improvement over existing methods has been demonstrated by comparing predictions with later real data. The collaboration between different European partners (including interchange of data) has played a significant part in the development and validation of these new prediction and forecasting methods, programs and algorithms which can be applied to a variety of practical applications leading to improved mitigation of ionosphereic and space weather effects

Dihaploid Coffea arabica genome sequencing and assembly.

Coffea arabica which accounts for 70% of world coffee production is an allotetraploid with a genome size of approximately 1.3 Gb and is derived from the hybridization of C. canephora (710 Mb) and C. eugenioides (670 Mb). To elucidate the evolutionary history of C. arabica, and generate critical information for breeding programs, a sequencing project is underway to finalize a reference genome using a dihaploid line and a set of Menu Abstract: Dihaploid Coffea arabica Genome Sequencing and Assembly (Plant and Animal Genome XXIII Conference) https://pag.confex.com/pag/xxiii/webprogram/Paper16983.html [25/02/2015 15:00:12] 30 C. arabica accessions

A chromosome-anchored eggplant genome sequence reveals key events in Solanaceae evolution

With approximately 450 species, spiny Solanum species constitute the largest monophyletic group in the Solanaceae family, but a high-quality genome assembly from this group is presently missing. We obtained a chromosome-anchored genome assembly of eggplant (Solanum melongena), containing 34,916 genes, confirming that the diploid gene number in the Solanaceae is around 35,000. Comparative genomic studies with tomato (S. lycopersicum), potato (S. tuberosum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) highlighted the rapid evolution of miRNA:mRNA regulatory pairs and R-type defense genes in the Solanaceae, and provided a genomic basis for the lack of steroidal glycoalkaloid compounds in the Capsicum genus. Using parsimony methods, we reconstructed the putative chromosomal complements of the key founders of the main Solanaceae clades and the rearrangements that led to the karyotypes of extant species and their ancestors. From 10% to 15% of the genes present in the four genomes were syntenic paralogs (ohnologs) generated by the pre-γ, γ and T paleopolyploidy events, and were enriched in transcription factors. Our data suggest that the basic gene network controlling fruit ripening is conserved in different Solanaceae clades, and that climacteric fruit ripening involves a differential regulation of relatively few components of this network, including CNR and ethylene biosynthetic genes

Th17 Cells and IL-17 in Protective Immunity to Vaginal Candidiasis

Background: Th17 cells play a major role in coordinating the host defence in oropharyngeal candidiasis. In this study we investigated the involvement of the Th17 response in an animal model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods: To monitor the course of infection we exploited a new in vivo imaging technique. Results: i) The progression of VVC leads to a strong influx of neutrophils in the vagina soon after the challenge which persisted despite the resolution of infection; ii) IL-17, produced by vaginal cells, particularly CD4 T cells, was detected in the vaginal wash during the infection, reaching a maximum 14 days after the challenge; iii) The amount and kinetics of IL-23 in vaginal fluids were comparable to those in vaginal cells; iv) The inhibition of Th17 differentiation led to significant inhibition of IL-17 production with consequent exacerbation of infection; v) An increased production of bdefensin 2 was manifested in cells of infected mice. This production was strongly reduced when Th17 differentiation was inhibited and was increased by rIL-17 treatment. Conclusions: These results imply that IL-17 and Th17, along with innate antimicrobial factors, have a role in the immune response to vaginal candidiasis

Phagocytosis of Enterovirus-Infected Pancreatic β-Cells Triggers Innate Immune Responses in Human Dendritic Cells

Contains fulltext : 89763.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVE: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic endocrine disorder in which enteroviruses, such as coxsackie B viruses and echoviruses, are possible environmental factors that can trigger or accelerate disease. The development or acceleration of type 1 diabetes depends on the balance between autoreactive effector T-cells and regulatory T-cells. This balance is particularly influenced by dendritic cells (DCs). The goal of this study was to investigate the interaction between enterovirus-infected human pancreatic islets and human DCs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In vitro phagocytosis of human or porcine primary islets or Min6 mouse insuloma cells by DCs was investigated by flow cytometry and confocal analysis. Subsequent innate DC responses were monitored by quantitative PCR and Western blotting of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). RESULTS: In this study, we show that both mock- and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-infected human and porcine pancreatic islets were efficiently phagocytosed by human monocyte-derived DCs. Phagocytosis of CVB3-infected, but not mock-infected, human and porcine islets resulted in induction of ISGs in DCs, including the retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like helicases (RLHs), RIG-I, and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (Mda5). Studies with murine Min6 insuloma cells, which were also efficiently phagocytosed, revealed that increased ISG expression in DCs upon encountering CVB-infected cells resulted in an antiviral state that protected DCs from subsequent enterovirus infection. The observed innate antiviral responses depended on RNA within the phagocytosed cells, required endosomal acidification, and were type I interferon dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Human DCs can phagocytose enterovirus-infected pancreatic cells and subsequently induce innate antiviral responses, such as induction of RLHs. These responses may have important consequences for immune homeostasis in vivo and may play a role in the etiology of type 1 diabetes.1 mei 201