Experimental and theoretical studies of the photophysics of 7-amino-3-phenyl-2H-benzo[b] [1,4]oxazin-2-one in homogeneous solvents and b-cyclodextrin aqueous solutions

The photophysical behavior of 7-amino-3-phenyl-2Hbenzo[b][1,4]oxazin-2-one was studied in organic solvents and in aqueous solutions of b-cyclodextrin using steady-state fluorescence and computational chemistry methods. In homogeneous media, fluorescence spectra show a noteworthy solvatochromic effect leading to large Stokes shifts. Linear solvation energy relationship and Lippert-Mataga equation analysis of the Stokes shifts indicate an increase of the dipolar moment in the singlet excited state and the participation of a partial chargetransfer state in the deactivation process. Incorporation of 7-amino-3-phenyl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-2-one into the b-cyclodextrin inner cavity was monitored by observing the increase of fluorescence as a function of the cyclodextrin concentration. Analysis of fluorescence data in terms of Job plots and the Benesi-Hildebrand equation are indicate the formation of a 1:1 complex. The binding constantobtained from Benesi-Hildebrand plots was 597 M-1 at 298K. Also, the values of thermodynamics parameters determinedfrom the dependence of the binding constant on thetemperature show that inclusion is an enthalpy-driven process.Docking studies suggest that the complex stability is due to favorable van der Waals interactions within the cavity and a hydrogen bond interaction between the amino substituent and hydroxyl groups located in the narrow rim of the cavity. The same conclusion was achieved employing the Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area methodology to determine the energy contributions to the total free energy for the inclusion process

Solvent and compartmentalization effects on the photophysics of 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniline

The photophysical properties of 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniline, were studied in a series of solvents. UV–Vis absorption spectra are insensitive to solvent polarity whereas the fluorescence spectra in the same solvent set show an important solvatochromic effect leading tolarge Stokes shifts. Linear solvation energy relationships were employed to correlate the position of fluorescencespectra maxima with microscopic empirical solvent parameters. This study indicates that important intramolecular charge transfer takes place during the excitation process. In addition, an analysis of the solvatochromic behavior ofthe UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra in terms of the Lippert-Mataga equation, shows a large increase of the excited-state dipole moment, which is also compatible with the formation of an intramolecular charge-transfer excited state. Given the above properties, we explored the potential of this fluorescent probe for the determination of thermodynamic parameters of micellar systems. We found that 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniline can be advantageously employed to determine CMC values of ionic (sodium dodecyl sufate) and non-ionic (Triton X-100 andsucrose monocaprate) surfactants and the partition constantof n-alcanols in SDS micelles

The hypoxia-regulated ectonucleotidase CD73 is a host determinant of HIV latency

Deciphering the mechanisms underlying viral persistence is critical to achieving a cure for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Here, we implement a systems approach to discover molecular signatures of HIV latently infected CD4+ T cells, identifying the immunosuppressive, adenosine-producing ectonucleotidase CD73 as a key surface marker of latent cells. Hypoxic conditioning, reflecting the lymphoid tissue microenvironment, increases the frequency of CD73+ CD4+ T cells and promotes HIV latency. Transcriptomic profiles of CD73+ CD4+ T cells favor viral quiescence, immune evasion, and cell survival. CD73+ CD4+ T cells are capable of harboring a functional HIV reservoir and reinitiating productive infection ex vivo. CD73 or adenosine receptor blockade facilitates latent HIV reactivation in vitro, mechanistically linking adenosine signaling to viral quiescence. Finally, tissue imaging of lymph nodes from HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy reveals spatial association between CD73 expression and HIV persistence in vivo. Our findings warrant development of HIV-cure strategies targeting the hypoxia-CD73-adenosine axis

New Insights into Alleviating Diabetes Mellitus: Role of Gut Microbiota and a Nutrigenomic Approach

The scientific literature has shown that diet is able to modify the gut microbiota and contribute to obesity and diabetes development. This process—characterized by inflammation and gut barrier disruption—can affect the immune system and alter the adipogenesis and insulin resistance. This chapter describes the advances in nutrigenomics and Human Intestinal Microbiota (HIM) modification, and its relation with diabetes mellitus type two (DM2). In context where health and feeding are the main concerns of the human being, food innovation takes a special interest to people that look for a healthy diet or demand a functional aliments, such as nutraceutical. Some products derived from diet and interaction with HIM module the expression of many genes on the host, the so-called epigenome, with favorable effects. Novel functional fiber like low-glycemic oligosaccharides and sweeteners shows a potential prebiotic activity giving a new focus of nutritional guidelines for control and prevention of DM2. The use of prebiotics derived from functional fiber sources, such as fructo-oligosaccharides and beta-glucans as well as lignin and keffir, can contribute to the development of a healthy HIM by promoting the growth of specific bacteria, some of them associated with the prevention of obesity and diabetes

The Microbiome and the Epigenetics of Diabetes Mellitus

Gut microbiota (GM) in the epigenetic mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and the reprogramming of the cells is a novel and emerging concept. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the modification of the GM and its relation with DM2. The increased risk of this disease is associated with changes in the amount of Bacteroides/Clostridium in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio of people having DM. A dysbiosis state associated generates low-grade inflammation with similar characteristics that occur under metabolic syndrome, whose pattern is recognized by Toll-like receptor that recognizes important patterns of immunity. The synthesis of butyrate generated by intestinal microorganisms inhibits the metabolic pathway of histone deacetylase, promoting cellular differentiation, proliferation, and insulin resistance. On the other hand, the direct relationship between the neuroendocrine system and the GM has been demonstrated through the production of serotonin by enterochromaffin cells, whose action could influence the etiopathogenic factors of DM2

Estudio termodinámico de la formación de complejos de inclusión de ariloxazinonas y ariloxazoles con ciclodextrinas y evaluación de aplicaciones fotofísicas

Tesis para optar al Grado de Doctor en QuímicaEn esta tesis se estudiaron tanto las características fisicoquímicas de los complejos de inclusión de derivados de ariloxazinonas y arilnaftoxazoles en ciclodextrinas y se determinaron los parámetros termodinámicos que controlan el proceso de inclusión. Para ello se emplearon técnicas y metodologías que involucran medición de fluorescencia estacionaria y resuelta en el tiempo. Las constantes de inclusión (K) fueron obtenidas empleando dos metodologías: Benesi-Hildebrand y de solubilidad de fases. Los experimentos demostraron que ambas familias de moléculas forman complejos de inclusión con ciclodextrinas con una estequiometría 1:1 y tienen constantes de inclusión K>100 M-1. Se encontró que las oxazinonas que tienen sustituyentes dadores de electrones como amino y N,N-dimetilamino, son las que presentan mayor constante de inclusión (K= 486 ± 0,5 M-1 (6-amino-2-fenil-3H-nafto[2,1-b][1,4]oxazin-3-ona) y K=604 ± 0,4 M-1 (6-(dimetilamino)-2-fenil-3H-nafto[2,1-b][1,4]oxazin-3-ona)). También se determinó que los arilnaftoxazoles que presentan puentes vinílicos en su estructura, tienen constantes de inclusión mayores que los unidos directamente al anillo oxazol, por ejemplo el 2-(quinolin-2-il)nafto[2,1-d]oxazol, tiene una K = 326 ± 6 M-1 y el 2-(2-(quinolin-2-il)vinil)nafto[2,1-d]oxazol, tiene una K = 515 ± 6 M-1. Los parámetros termodinámicos que controlan el proceso de inclusión, se obtuvieron utilizando ecuaciones termodinámicas conocidas como la ecuación de van´t Hoff. Además los valores de ΔG° son negativos y se encuentran entre -1 y -5 kcal/mol, indicando que el proceso de inclusión es favorecido termodinámicamente, siendo más afines los arilnaftoxazoles que las ariloxazinonas por la cavidad de la β-ciclodextrina. También, se analizó la dependencia de la energía libre, la entalpía y la entropía de inclusión con la estructura del huésped. A partir de los valores de entalpía y entropía se estableció si las interacciones ciclodextrina/molécula huésped son aquellas que predominantemente controlan la inclusión o bien si es el efecto hidrofóbico, encontrándose que para las ariloxazinonas el control es principalmente entálpico, mientras que en los ariloxazoles en general es la entropía la que controla la inclusión. Además, se realizaron estudios de modelamiento molecular empleando metodologías de docking y de dinámica molecular, junto con un análisis de orbitales naturales de enlace (NBO), con el propósito de optimizar la geometría del complejo heterociclo-ciclodextrina y estimar las contribuciones de las interacciones más importantes para la formación del complejo de asociación entre la molécula anfitrión y la molécula huésped. Los resultados obtenidos fueron comparados con los datos experimentales, encontrándose una buena correlación entre ellos. Se desarrolló un sistema para producir luz blanca en fase sólida, empleando una β-ciclodextrina modificada por un grupo ácido sulfónico. Para esto se seleccionó el compuesto 2-(2-(quinolin-2-il)vinil)nafto[1,2-d]oxazol. Adicionalmente se evaluó si el naftoxazol (E)-2-(2-(furan-2-il)vinil)nafto[1,2-d]oxazol cambia su comportamiento fotofísico/fotoquímico relativo al observarlo para la molécula no incluida, con el propósito de desarrollar una sonda fluorescente que permita la detección de oxígeno excitado en medio acuoso que opere como un sensor de tipo apagado-encendidoIn this thesis, the physicochemical characteristics of the inclusion complexes of aryloxazinones and arylnaphthoxazoles derivatives in cyclodextrins were studied. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters that control the inclusion process were determined. To accomplish these purposes, techniques and methodologies that involve measurement of steady-state and time resolved fluorescence were used. The inclusion constants (K) were obtained using both, the Benesi-Hildebrand and the phase solubility methodologies. The experiments showed that both families of molecules form inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins with a 1:1 stoichiometry, and they present a great affinity for the β-cyclodextrin cavity (K>100 M-1). The oxazinones who have electrodonating substituents, like amine or N,N-dimethylamine, have the largest inclusion constants (K= 486 ± 0,5 M-1 (6-amino-2-phenyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b][1,4]oxazin-3-one) and K= 604 ± 0,4 M-1 (6-(dimethylamino)-2-phenyl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b][1,4]oxazin-3-one)). Also, the arylnaphthoxazoles who have a vynilic bridge have higher inclusion constants than those which are directly linked to the oxazole ring, for example 2-(quinolin-2-yl)naphtho[2,1-d]oxazole, K = 326 ± 6 M-1 and 2-(2-(quinolin-2-yl)vynil)naphtho[2,1-d]oxazole, K = 515 ± 6 M-1. Thermodynamic parameters that control the inclusion process were determined using classic thermodynamic equations such as the van't Hoff equation. Furthermore, the ΔG° are negative and they are in the range of -1 to -5 kcal/mol, indicating that the inclusion process is thermodynamically favored. Values of ΔG° shows that arylnaphthoxazoles are more compatible with the β-cyclodextrin cavity than the aryloxazinones. Using the analysis of the dependence of the free energy, enthalpy and entropy of inclusion process with the guest structure, it was possible to determinate if the cyclodextrin/guest interactions are the ones that control the inclusion or if the predominant driven force is the hydrophobic effect. It was found that for aryloxazinones the thermodynamic control is primarily enthalpic, whereas for aryloxazoles the entropy controls the inclusion process. In addition, studies of molecular modeling were performed using both, docking and molecular dynamics methodologies, in addition to analysis of natural bond orbitals (NBO) in order to optimize the geometry of the guest-cyclodextrin complex and estimate the more important interactions contributing to the formation of the association complex. The results obtained were compared with the experimental data, finding a good fit between them. Furthermore, a system to produce white light in solid phase using a β-cyclodextrin modified with a sulfonic acid group was developed. The compound (E)-2-(2-(quinolin-2-yl)vinyl)naphtho[1,2-d]oxazole, included in the modified cyclodextrin cavity, shows an emission spectra comprising with the visible range with characteristic similar to white light. Additionally, the (E)-2-(2-(furan-2-yl)vinyl)naphtho[1,2-d]oxazole included in the β-cyclodextrin cavity, change its photophysical/phochemical behavior relative to that the observed for the uncomplexed molecule. This behavior allows to propose this system as a new fluorescent probe capable to detect excited singlet oxygen in aqueous media operating as an "switch" on-offConicyt; Fondecy

The Novel Roles of Connexin Channels and Tunneling Nanotubes in Cancer Pathogenesis

Neoplastic growth and cellular differentiation are critical hallmarks of tumor development. It is well established that cell-to-cell communication between tumor cells and “normal” surrounding cells regulates tumor differentiation and proliferation, aggressiveness, and resistance to treatment. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that result in tumor growth and spread as well as the adaptation of healthy surrounding cells to the tumor environment are poorly understood. A major component of these communication systems is composed of connexin (Cx)-containing channels including gap junctions (GJs), tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), and hemichannels (HCs). There are hundreds of reports about the role of Cx-containing channels in the pathogenesis of cancer, and most of them demonstrate a downregulation of these proteins. Nonetheless, new data demonstrate that a localized communication via Cx-containing GJs, HCs, and TNTs plays a key role in tumor growth, differentiation, and resistance to therapies. Moreover, the type and downstream effects of signals communicated between the different populations of tumor cells are still unknown. However, new approaches such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) could provide new insights into these signals communicated between connected cells. We propose that the identification and characterization of these new communication systems and their associated signaling could provide new targets to prevent or reduce the devastating consequences of cancer

Solvent and compartmentalization effects on the photophysics of 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N, N-diphenylaniline

The photophysical properties of 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniline, were studied in a series of solvents. UV-Vis absorption spectra are insensitive to solvent polarity whereas the fluorescence spectra in the same solvent set show an important solvatochromic effect leading to large Stokes shifts. Linear solvation energy relationships were employed to correlate the position of fluorescence spectra maxima with microscopic empirical solvent parameters. This study indicates that important intramolecular charge transfer takes place during the excitation process. In addition, an analysis of the solvatochromic behavior of the UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra in terms of the Lippert-Mataga equation, shows a large increase of the excited-state dipole moment, which is also compatible with the formation of an intramolecular charge-transfer excited state. Given the above properties, we explored the potential of this fluorescent probe for the determination of thermodynamic paramete

The Crucial Role of Biofilms in Cryptococcus neoformans Survival within Macrophages and Colonization of the Central Nervous System

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus capable of causing life threatening meningoencephalitis in patients with impaired immunity. This microbe primarily infects the host via inhalation but has the ability to disseminate to the central nervous system (CNS) either as a single cell or inside of macrophages. Upon traversing the blood brain barrier, C. neoformans has the capacity to form biofilm-like structures known as cryptococcomas. Hence, we will discuss the C. neoformans elements contributing to biofilm formation including the fungus’ ability to survive in the acidic environment of a macrophage phagosome and inside of the CNS. The purpose of this mini-review is to instill fresh interest in understanding the importance of biofilms on fungal pathogenesis