Publications by authors named "Irshad Ali Sheikh"

Although the role of the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is beyond debate, attempts to verify the causative role of IBD-associated dysbiosis have been limited to reports of promoting the disease in genetically susceptible mice or in chemically induced colitis. We aimed to further test the host response to fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) from Crohn's disease patients on mucosal homeostasis in ex-germ-free (xGF) mice. We characterized and transferred fecal microbiota from healthy patients and patients with defined Crohn's ileocolitis (CD_L3) to germ-free mice and analyzed the resulting microbial and mucosal homeostasis by 16S profiling, shotgun metagenomics, histology, immunofluorescence (IF) and RNAseq analysis.

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The Na/H exchanger transporters (NHE) play an important role in various biologic processes including Na absorption, intracellular pH homeostasis, cell volume regulation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The wide expression pattern and cellular localization of NHEs make these proteins pivotal players in virtually all human tissues and organs. In addition, recent studies suggest that NHEs may be one of the primeval transport protein forms in the history of life.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how zinc (Zn) can restore barrier functions in epithelial cells when infected with the pathogen Shigella, which disrupts tight junction (TJ) proteins.* -
  • Findings show that Shigella infection reduces tight junction resistance and alters protein distribution, but Zn supplementation helps relocate claudin-2 and claudin-4 back to the plasma membrane, improving barrier integrity.* -
  • Results suggest that Zn may be a valuable therapy to combat inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction in conditions like shigellosis by modulating specific signaling pathways.*
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Accessory cholera enterotoxin (Ace) of Vibrio cholerae has been shown to contribute to diarrhea. However, the signaling mechanism and specific type of Cl channel activated by Ace are still unknown. We have shown here that the recombinant Ace protein induced I of apical plasma membrane, which was inhibited by classical CaCC blockers.

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The potency of zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs), with a core size of ~7-10nm, to inhibit cholera disease was investigated by demonstrating the effect on two biotypes (classical and El Tor) of O1 serogroup of Vibrio cholerae-El Tor was more susceptible both in planktonic and in biofilm forms. Interaction with ZnO NP results in deformed cellular architecture. Increased fluidity and depolarization of membrane, and protein leakage further confirmed the damages inflicted on Vibrio by NP.

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Cholera pathogenesis occurs due to synergistic pro-secretory effects of several toxins, such as cholera toxin (CTX) and Accessory cholera enterotoxin (Ace) secreted by Vibrio cholerae strains. Ace activates chloride channels stimulating chloride/bicarbonate transport that augments fluid secretion resulting in diarrhea. These channels have been targeted for drug development.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apelin in the cell proliferation and autophagy of lung adenocarcinoma. The over-expression of APJ in lung adenocarcinoma was detected by immunohistochemistry, while plasma apelin level in lung cancer patients was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our findings revealed that apelin-13 significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, the expression of cyclin D1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3A/B (LC3A/B), and beclin1, and confirmed that apelin-13 promoted A549 cell proliferation and induced A549 cell autophagy via ERK1/2 signaling.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the role of the KCNN4 potassium channel in chloride secretion in intestinal cells and its interaction with the signaling protein Epac1, which is involved in diarrhea regulation.
  • - Researchers found that Epac1 enhances KCNN4 channel expression on the cell surface through a specific signaling pathway involving Rap1A and RhoA, crucial for maintaining chloride secretion.
  • - Experiments demonstrated that inhibiting either Epac1 or the KCNN4 channel drastically reduced chloride secretion and fluid accumulation in intestinal models, indicating their vital roles in intestinal fluid transport regulation.
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Diarrhea remains a continuous threat to human health worldwide. Scaling up the best practices for diarrhea prevention requires improved therapies. Diarrhea results from dysregulation of normal intestinal ion transport functions.

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