Study on the inflammatory response of PMMA/polystyrene/silica nanocomposite membranes for drug delivery and dental applications.

BackgroundThe application of polymeric materials in medical industry has grown drastically in the last two decades due to their various advantages compared to existing materials. The present research work emphases on the sol-gel technique to formulate the polymethyl methyl acrylate/polystyrene/silica composite membrane.MethodsThe characteristic of the composite was investigated through modern state art of instrumentation.ResultsThe functional groups attached to the polymer was absorbed by FTIR. The FTIR spectrum confirm that the blend was mixed thoroughly and the formation of unite intimately between the polymers. The membranes were observed by SEM for its surface homogeneity which depends upon the composition of the two blending polymers. The captured SEM images showed the formation of microcracks on the surface, which was evidently controlled by varying the constituent polymer ratios. The prepared blend membranes with 2:1 ratio of PMMA/PS/Si displayed higher water uptake compared to other blended membranes. The composite membranes had good hydroxyl apatite growth in SBF solution. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity studies carried out by MTT method, using RAW macrophage cells showed that all the samples exhibited excellent cell viability.ConclusionThe inflammatory response of composite with equal concentration of PMMA-PS were performed and observed no inflammation in comparison with control and other tested concentrations

Correction: Study on the inflammatory response of PMMA/polystyrene/silica nanocomposite membranes for drug delivery and dental applications.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209948.]

Autophagy Protects Monocytes from Wolbachia Heat Shock Protein 60–Induced Apoptosis and Senescence

Monocyte dysfunction by filarial antigens has been a major mechanism underlying immune evasion following hyporesponsiveness during patent lymphatic filariasis. Recent studies have initiated a paradigm shift to comprehend the immunological interactions of Wolbachia and its antigens in inflammation, apoptosis, lymphocyte anergy, etc. Here we showed that recombinant Wolbachia heat shock protein 60 (rWmhsp60) interacts with TLR-4 and induces apoptosis in monocytes of endemic normal but not in chronic patients. Higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced after TLR-4 stimulation resulted in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase cascade activation, which are the plausible reason for apoptosis. Furthermore, release in ROS owing to TLR-4 signaling resulted in the activation of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation which leads to inflammation and apoptosis via TNF receptor pathway following the increase in IL-6 and TNF-α level. Here for the first time, we report that in addition to apoptosis, rWmhsp60 antigen in filarial pathogenesis also induces molecular senescence in monocytes. Targeting TLR-4, therefore, presents a promising candidate for treating rWmhsp60-induced apoptosis and senescence. Strikingly, induction of autophagy by rapamycin detains TLR-4 in late endosomes and subverts TLR-4-rWmhsp60 interaction, thus protecting TLR-4-mediated apoptosis and senescence. Furthermore, rapamycin-induced monocytes were unresponsive to rWmhsp60, and activated lymphocytes following PHA stimulation. This study demonstrates that autophagy mediates the degradation of TLR-4 signaling and protects monocytes from rWmhsp60 induced apoptosis and senescence