Digestive Enzymes in the Crayfish Cherax albidus: Polymorphism and Partial Characterization

We will deal with the partial characterization and the activity of the following digestive enzymes: amylase, pectinase, alginase, lipase, and protease present in the digestive tract of juvenile freshwater crayfishCherax albidus. Gastric juices, the hepatopancreas, and the intestine were sampled for enzyme analysis. Among carbohydratases, amylase activity was the highest. It was significantly higher in the intestine than in the gastric juice and hepatopancreas. Lipase activity was significantly higher in the hepatopancreas and the intestine compared to the gastric juice. Both alkaline and acid proteases were found. Alkaline proteases were characterized by employing specific protease inhibitors. Both trypsin and chymotrypsin activity was detected. The majority of alkaline protease activity was ascribable to trypsin. Several isoforms of digestive enzymes were identified by gel electrophoresis. This work provides basic information to study the digestive abilities of crayfish

FAIM-L - SIVA-1: Two Modulators of XIAP in Non-Apoptotic Caspase Function

Alzheimer's disease; Axon remodeling; Synaptic plasticityMalaltia d'Alzheimer; Remodelació axònica; Plasticitat sinàpticaEnfermedad de Alzheimer; Remodelación axónica; Plasticidad sinápticaApoptosis is crucial for the correct development of the nervous system. In adulthood, the same protein machinery involved in programmed cell death can control neuronal adaptiveness through modulation of synaptic pruning and synaptic plasticity processes. Caspases are the main executioners in these molecular pathways, and their strict regulation is essential to perform neuronal remodeling preserving cell survival. FAIM-L and SIVA-1 are regulators of caspase activation. In this review we will focus on FAIM-L and SIVA-1 as two functional antagonists that modulate non-apoptotic caspase activity in neurons. Their participation in long-term depression and neurite pruning will be described in base of the latest studies performed. In addition, the association of FAIM-L non-apoptotic functions with the neurodegeneration process will be reviewed

Dual effect of Thymosin α 1 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cellin vitrostimulated with viral and bacterial toll-like receptor agonists

OBJECTIVES: Thymosin α 1 (Tα1) recently gained interest as immune adjuvant for vaccines because of its ability to modulate the T-cell/dendritic cell (DC) axis and to improve antibody production. The objective of this study was to determine whether Tα1 would address in vitro the response of human primary monocyte-derived DC, crucial regulators of vaccine-induced immunity, upon exposure to different toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists or infection with viruses or bacteria. METHODS: DC maturation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: Our data revealed a dual effect of Tα1 on DC biology upon viral or bacterial stimulation. Interestingly, Tα1 enhanced human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I and II surface expression and secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 when DCs were treated with viral TLR3 and TLR7/8 agonists. Similarly, in pandemic H1N1 influenza A-infected DCs, Tα1 raised the expression of maturation markers and type I and III Interferon (IFN). In contrast, following bacterial TLR2 and 4 stimulation, as well as upon Bacillus Calmette-Guerin infection, the presence of Tα1 in DC cultures drastically lowered the analyzed cellular parameters. CONCLUSION: The knowledge that Tα1 pleiotropic effect might ameliorate anti-viral immune responses and, at the same time, dampen inflammation caused by bacterial infections could lay the groundwork for a more appropriate therapeutic application of this molecule

FAIM-L - SIVA-1 : Two Modulators of XIAP in Non-Apoptotic Caspase Function

Apoptosis is crucial for the correct development of the nervous system. In adulthood, the same protein machinery involved in programmed cell death can control neuronal adaptiveness through modulation of synaptic pruning and synaptic plasticity processes. Caspases are the main executioners in these molecular pathways, and their strict regulation is essential to perform neuronal remodeling preserving cell survival. FAIM-L and SIVA-1 are regulators of caspase activation. In this review we will focus on FAIM-L and SIVA-1 as two functional antagonists that modulate non-apoptotic caspase activity in neurons. Their participation in long-term depression and neurite pruning will be described in base of the latest studies performed. In addition, the association of FAIM-L non-apoptotic functions with the neurodegeneration process will be reviewed

Development of Biopolymers as Binders for Feed for Farmed Aquatic Organisms

Feed for farmed aquatic organisms should guarantee reasonable degree of stability in aquatic medium, long enough for organisms to consume it. Indeed, there is a general complaint about the loss of nutritional and attractive properties upon exposure of a diet to water. Natural substances able to generate firm pellet feed are therefore highly sought. Such binders should improve the stability of feed, be low cost, and hopefully make and extra source of energy. Biopolymers, have properties that make them suitable for use as aquatic feed binders. Some biopolymers are derived from biomass, biodegradable and renewable. The purpose of this chapter is therefore to review recent reports and progress surrounding the possible employment of sustainable biopolymers as binders for feed for farmed aquatic organisms

Influence of polyphenols from olive mill wastewater on the gastrointestinal tract, alveolar macrophages and blood leukocytes of pigs

In the last years, great importance has been given to the beneficial effects of polyphenols. Among the most relevant health promoting effects, there is the capacity to reduce the amount of free radicals and stimulate the immune response. In this study, polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW), were fed to adult 'Casertana' pigs during the finishing period. No significant differences in the length of the jejunum-ileum villi and the depth of the colon crypts were detected between control and polyphenols fed pigs. Instead, intra-epithelial and lamina propria leukocytes were more abundant in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract, employed as marker of inflammation, was more intense in the control group. Superoxide anion production in primary cell cultures of both blood leukocytes and alveolar macrophages was lower in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Taken together these data indicate that, according to our in vitro studies, OMWW polyphenols seem to be potent antioxidants, while the interpretation of the in vivo experiments is more problematic and further studies are necessary on the interactions between bioactive feed compounds and intestinal status. Such studies can contribute to a better understanding of both positive and negative interactions in vivo and to the identification of new functional feeds.HIGHLIGHTS The effects of polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) have been studied in pigs. Gut morphology, inflammation and immune response were investigated. OMWW polyphenols act as potent antioxidants

Host defense responses to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Induction of IRF-1 and a serine protease inhibitor.

Alveolar macrophages and newly recruited monocytes are targets of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, we examined the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), which plays an important role in host defense against M. tuberculosis, in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Infection induced IRF-1 in both. IRF-1 from undifferentiated, uninfected monocytic cell lines was modified during extraction to produce specific species that were apparently smaller than intact IRF-1. After infection by M. tuberculosis or differentiation, intact IRF-1 was recovered. Subcellular fractions were assayed for the ability to modify IRF-1 or inhibit its modification. A serine protease on the cytoplasmic surface of an organelle or vesicle in the "lysosomal/mitochondrial" fraction from undifferentiated cells was responsible for the modification of IRF-1. Thus, the simplest explanation of the modification is cleavage of IRF-1 by the serine protease. Recovery of intact IRF-1 correlated with induction of a serine protease inhibitor that was able to significantly reduce the modification of IRF-1. The inhibitor was present in the cytoplasm of M. tuberculosis-infected or -differentiated cells. It is likely that induction of both IRF-1 and the serine protease inhibitor in response to infection by M. tuberculosis represent host defense mechanisms

Gonad quality of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus cultured in an offshore pilot‐scale trial on the south‐east Italian coast

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Paracentrotus lividus roe enhancement by a short-time rearing in offshore cages using two agar-based experimental feed

In this study, we tested the effect of two agar-based biocomposites (differing for the fish meal source), on the Paracentrotus lividus gonad cycle progression and biochemical composition, in an offshore pilot scale trial. The purpose of this study was to identify a feeding regime for P. lividus that would allow adequate gonadal growth without accelerating the gamete maturation, in order to extend the market period. The purpose was pursued through the use of agar as a binding agent in the manufacturing of biocomposites to be used as feed for P. lividus and the realization of special offshore cages. The gonad index, histology, biochemical composition of fatty acids (FA) and free amino acids (FAA) and volatile molecule fingerprint were evaluated. Both the gonad index and the histological analysis showed a slower gametogenesis progression in the gonads of caged sea urchins with respect to the field collected ones, consistent with our previous results obtained testing a similar feed composition in a recirculating system. The amount and the relative proportions of FA and FAA in the gonads of wild and cultured gonads were similar, while the analysis of the volatile substances of the gonads of the sea urchin conducted using the electronic nose, shows that they vary as a result of the different feeding treatments. These results show that P. lividus sea urchins can be housed, under this feeding regime during the recovery phase of the gonads, without acceleration of the maturation of the gametes and thus in conditions to allow the extension of the market period. Moreover, the here tested agar-based biocomposites make it possible to reduce the management costs of the rearing system as they need to be replaced only once a week, and its environmental impact as they guarantee a limited nutrient dispersion in the water

Impact of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD1-locus on human primary dendritic cell immune functions

Modern strategies to develop vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) aim to improve the current Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine or to attenuate the virulence of Mtb vaccine candidates. In the present study, the impact of wild type or mutated region of difference 1 (RD1) variants on the immunogenicity of Mtb and BCG recombinants was investigated in human primary dendritic cells (DC). A comparative analysis of transcriptome, signalling pathway activation, maturation, apoptosis, cytokine production and capacity to promote Th1 responses demonstrated that DC sense quantitative and qualitative differences in the expression of RD1-encoded factors - ESAT6 and CFP10 - within BCG or Mtb backgrounds. Expansion of IFN-γ producing T cells was promoted by BCG::RD1-challenged DC, as compared to their BCG-infected counterparts. Although Mtb recombinants acted as a strong Th-1 promoting stimulus, even with RD1 deletion, the attenuated Mtb strain carrying a C-terminus truncated ESAT-6 elicited a robust Th1 promoting phenotype in DC. Collectively, these studies indicate a necessary but not sufficient role for the RD1 locus in promoting DC immune-regulatory functions. Additional mycobacterial factors are likely required to endow DC with a high Th1 polarizing capacity, a desirable attribute for a successful control of Mtb infection