The kiwifruit allergen act d 1 activates NF-κB signaling and affects mRNA expression of TJ proteins and innate pro-allergenic cytokines

Impairment of the intestinal barrier is one of the key events in the initiation of the sensitization process in food allergy. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of kiwifruit allergen Act d 1 on intestinal permeability and tight junction protein (TJP) gene expression in vivo and to explore its potential to activate the NF-ĸB signaling pathway and to regulate expression of epithelial pro-allergenic cytokines. Influences of Act d 1 on TJP gene expression and pro-allergenic cytokines in the mouse intestine was analyzed by qPCR upon allergen administration by oral gavage. The effect on the in vivo intestinal permeability was assessed in ELISA by measuring the translocation of β-lactoglobulin (BLG) into circulation. The capacity of Act d 1 to activate the NF-ĸB pathway was tested in HEK293 cells by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Administration of Actinidin (Act d 1) increased intestinal permeability to the BLG. This was accompanied by changes in gene expression of TJP mRNA and pro-allergenic cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) compared to the control. Act d 1 reduced TEER of the HEK293 monolayer, was positive in an NF-ĸB-reporter HEK293 cell assay, and induced secretion of TSLP. These findings shed more light on the molecular events in the sensitization process of kiwifruit but possibly also of other protease food allergens

La(OH)3 Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Carbon Paste-Based Sensing Approach for the Detection of Uric Acid—A Product of Environmentally Stressed Cells

This paper aims to develop an amperometric, non-enzymatic sensor for detecting and quantifying UA as an alert signal induced by allergens with protease activity in human cell lines (HEK293 and HeLa). Uric acid (UA) has been classified as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that serves a physiological purpose inside the cell, while outside the cell it can be an indicator of cell damage. Cell damage or stress can be caused by different health problems or by environmental irritants, such as allergens. We can act and prevent the events that generate stress by determining the extent to which cells are under stress. Amperometric calibration measurements were performed with a carbon paste electrode modified with La(OH)3@MWCNT, at the potential of 0.3 V. The calibration curve was constructed in a linear operating range from 0.67 μM to 121 μM UA. The proposed sensor displayed good reproducibility with an RSD of 3.65% calculated for five subsequent measurements, and a low detection limit of 64.28 nM, determined using the 3 S/m method. Interference studies and the real sample analysis of allergen-treated cell lines proved that the proposed sensing platform possesses excellent sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability. Therefore, it can potentially be used to evaluate stress factors in medical research and clinical practice

Bone mineral density and its determinants in long-term childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors - a pilot study

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and its determinants in long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin`s lymphoma (HL), treated and followed up in a single center.Methods: We compared 18 long-term survivors between 18 and 34 years of age (mean age 26.2 ± 3.9 yrs), to 25 age- and sex-matched controls and assessed their anthropometric features and biochemical and hormonal parameters. The participants` BMD, BMD Z-scores and young-adult T-scores, bone mineral content (BMC), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM) and appendicular lean mass (ALM) were measured by whole body Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Their physical activity (PA) was assessed through the means of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.Results: An average of 12.3 ± 3.2 yrs after treatment completion, HL survivors had lower BMD Z-scores and BMD young-adult T-scores (-0.03 ± 1.07 vs 0.69 ± 1.19, р = 0.04 and -0.20 ± 0.92 vs 0.48 ± 1.27, р = 0.07, respectively). Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism was found in 54.5% of male survivors, and 3 out of 7 female survivors presented with thyroid dysfunction. No participant had SDSBMD lower than -2. The frequency rate of BMD Z-scores < -1 among survivors was 16.7% (3/18). All HL survivors with a BMD Z-score < -1 were males. They were treated with more intensive therapy (n=3) and 2 of them presented with treatment-induced hypogonadism. Compared to controls, survivors, especially women, exhibited lower physical sports activity frequency and duration (1.6 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 3.4/week, p = 0.02 and 90 ± 127 vs 279 ± 419 min/week, p = 0.06). BMD positively correlated with LM, ALM and physical activity parameters. Lean mass, older age at diagnosis and the dose of the radiotherapy delivered during treatment were all independent predictors of BMD in HL survivors.Conclusion: Compared to controls, long-term childhood HL survivors have lower BMD Z-scores and BMD T-scores at an age close to their individual bone mass peak. Males treated with intensive therapy present with deteriorated bone health in the context of therapy-induced hypogonadism and low physical activity. The timely detection of low BMD, treating hormonal dysfunctions and increasing PA are effective means to preventing and delaying late morbidity

Aktivacija NF-kB signalnog puta u alergijskom odgovoru na glavni alergen kivija Act d 1

Alergijske reakcije na hranu predstavljaju reakciju imunog sistema posredovanu IgE antitelima na proteine poreklom iz hrane. Epitelne ćelije gastrointestinalnog trakta predstavljaju prvu barijeru koja dolazi u kontakt sa alergenima hrane i ima važnu ulogu u alergijskoj reakciji. Ranije se smatralo da epitelni sloj predstavlja samo fižičku barijeru koja sprečava prodor stranih supstanci u organizam. Danas je poznato da epitelna braijera ima centralnu ulogu u kontroli imunog odgovora, zahvaljujući sintezi citokina koji promovišu Th2 ćelijski odgovor i aktivaciju lokalnih dendritskih ćelija. Aktivacija NF-κB transkripcionog faktora i njegova uloga u inflamatornom odgovoru su već prethodno proučavane. On igra ključnu ulogu u ćelijskom odgovoru na razne tipove stresnih situacija, kao što su bakterijske i virusne infekcije, inflamatorne stimuluse, slobodne radikale, dim od cigareta, karcinogene, endotoksine, citokine i mnogi drugi. Pri aktivaciji, NF-κB reguliše ekspresiju od skoro 400 gena, uključujući enzime (COX-2, iNOS), citokine (TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, hemokine), adhezione molekule, viralne proteine i angiogenetske faktore

The Kiwifruit Allergen Act d 1 Activates NF-κB Signaling and Affects mRNA Expression of TJ Proteins and Innate Pro-Allergenic Cytokines

Impairment of the intestinal barrier is one of the key events in the initiation of the sensitization process in food allergy. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of kiwifruit allergen Act d 1 on intestinal permeability and tight junction protein (TJP) gene expression in vivo and to explore its potential to activate the NF-ĸB signaling pathway and to regulate expression of epithelial pro-allergenic cytokines. Influences of Act d 1 on TJP gene expression and pro-allergenic cytokines in the mouse intestine was analyzed by qPCR upon allergen administration by oral gavage. The effect on the in vivo intestinal permeability was assessed in ELISA by measuring the translocation of β-lactoglobulin (BLG) into circulation. The capacity of Act d 1 to activate the NF-ĸB pathway was tested in HEK293 cells by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Administration of Actinidin (Act d 1) increased intestinal permeability to the BLG. This was accompanied by changes in gene expression of TJP mRNA and pro-allergenic cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) compared to the control. Act d 1 reduced TEER of the HEK293 monolayer, was positive in an NF-ĸB-reporter HEK293 cell assay, and induced secretion of TSLP. These findings shed more light on the molecular events in the sensitization process of kiwifruit but possibly also of other protease food allergens

Targeting NF-κB Signaling: Selected Small Molecules Downregulate Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Both Food Allergen and LPS-Induced Inflammation

Although inflammation is primarily a protective response guarding the human body, it can result in a variety of chronic diseases such as allergies, auto-immune, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. In NF-κB-mediated inflammation, many small molecules and food compounds characterized as nutraceuticals have shown positive effects associated with immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the effects of selected bioactive small molecules, commonly found in food components, vanillyl alcohol (VA) and lauric acid (LA), on different cell lines exposed to pro-inflammatory stimuli, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the food allergen actinidin (Act d 1). Pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated in response to both VA and LA, and this downregulation was caused by a decrease in the activation of the NF-κB pathway and the translocation of p65, the pathway’s major component. Small nutraceutical molecules, VA and LA, showed not only inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, but also inhibition of the NF-κB activation, and reduced translocation of the p65 component. The present study may contribute to the therapeutic use of these molecules for various inflammatory diseases, which have in common an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB-mediated inflammation

Ovalbumin - Two Sides of the Same Coin

Ovalbumin (OVA) is the most abundant egg white protein. It is a globular, acidic phosphorylated glycoprotein of the serpin family with a molecular weight of 45 kDa. OVA is rich in essential amino acids and upon proteolytic digestion yields bioactive peptides (BAPs), recognized nutraceuticals with hypotensive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties that contribute to the overall nutritional and health benefits of eggs. OVA is a common choice in the food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries due to its useful properties during food processing, capacity to form biocompatible gels, and special properties as an effective transporter for a variety of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Cellular agriculture is an innovative interdisciplinary approach that bypasses conventional animal husbandry in the production of animal proteins. OVA expressed in Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) most closely mimics the structural and functional properties of its natural homolog and is therefore considered a sustainable alternative to chicken egg white protein powder. Egg allergy poses serious concerns for food safety and an important socioeconomic burden to the food sector and public health. OVA has been extensively studied as an important egg allergen in mice and in vitro experimental models, providing fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of allergy and identifying new therapeutic targets. This chapter focuses on providing a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art of OVA in human nutrition and the food industry. After presenting the structure underlying the functional properties of OVA, we provide a critical perspective on cellular agriculture as a non-poultry production of OVA. Additionally, the detailed nutritional and biotechnological significance of OVA is elaborated. The final part of this chapter provides a comprehensive insight into OVA as a model antigen and food allergen from a food safety perspective

Big Data analytics in the Geo-Spatial Domain

Digital 3D city models play a crucial role in research of urban phenomena; they form the basis for flow simulations, urban planning, and analysis of underground formations. Urban scenes consist of large collections of semantically rich objects which have a large number of properties such as material and colour. Modelling and storing these properties indicating the relationships between them is best handled in a relational databases. Our goal is to have a spatial DBMS which iteratively loads data from different sources and converts it into a common format to enable 3D operations and analyses, such as 3D intersections, and semantic properties management