Distinct mouse models of Stargardt disease display differences in pharmacological targeting of ceramides and inflammatory responses.

Mutations in many visual cycle enzymes in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can lead to the chronic accumulation of toxic retinoid byproducts, which poison photoreceptors and the underlying RPE if left unchecked. Without a functional ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (ABCA4), there is an elevation of all--retinal and prolonged buildup of all--retinal adducts, resulting in a retinal degenerative disease known as Stargardt-1 disease. Even in this monogenic disorder, there is significant heterogeneity in the time to onset of symptoms among patients.

Availability of iron ions impacts physicochemical properties and proteome of outer membrane vesicles released by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are bilayer structures released by bacteria for various purposes, e.g., response to environmental factors, bacterial communication, and interactions with host cells.

The Structural Changes in the Membranes of Caused by Hydrolysable Tannins Witness Their Antibacterial Activity.

Polyphenols, including tannins, are phytochemicals with pronounced antimicrobial properties. We studied the activity of two hydrolysable tannins, (i) gallotannin-1,2,3,4,5-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) and (ii) ellagitannin-1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-valoneoyl-β-D-glucose (dGVG), applied alone and in combination with antibiotics against strain 8324-4. We also evaluated the effect of these tannins on bacterial membrane integrity and fluidity and studied their interaction with membrane proteins and lipids.

Both and Induce Cytokine Secretion by Infected Human Cells, but Only Upregulates the Expression of Long Non-Coding RNAs.

Bacteria of the genus are Gram-negative diplococci including both pathogenic and commensal species. We focused on pathogenic and commensal . We have demonstrated that not only , but also induce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and chemokines CXCL8 and CCL20 by infected epithelial cells.

Lactobacillus crispatus and its enolase and glutamine synthetase influence interactions between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human epithelial cells.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, an obligatory human pathogen causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, which remains a global health problem. N. gonorrhoeae primarily infects the mucosa of the genitourinary tract, which in women, is colonized by natural microbiota, dominated by Lactobacillus spp.

C8J_1298, a bifunctional thiol oxidoreductase of Campylobacter jejuni, affects Dsb (disulfide bond) network functioning.

Posttranslational generation of disulfide bonds catalyzed by bacterial Dsb (disulfide bond) enzymes is essential for the oxidative folding of many proteins. Although we now have a good understanding of the Escherichia coli disulfide bond formation system, there are significant gaps in our knowledge concerning the Dsb systems of other bacteria, including Campylobacter jejuni, a food-borne, zoonotic pathogen. We attempted to gain a more complete understanding of the process by thorough analysis of C8J_1298 functioning in vitro and in vivo.

Inactivation of Genes Encoding MutL and MutS Proteins Influences Adhesion and Biofilm Formation by .

is an etiological agent of gonorrhea, which remains a global health problem. This bacterium possesses MutL and MutS DNA repair proteins encoded by and genes, whose inactivation causes a mutator phenotype. We have demonstrated the differential gene expression in and mutants using DNA microarrays.

Stem cells migration during skeletal muscle regeneration - the role of Sdf-1/Cxcr4 and Sdf-1/Cxcr7 axis.

The skeletal muscle regeneration occurs due to the presence of tissue specific stem cells - satellite cells. These cells, localized between sarcolemma and basal lamina, are bound to muscle fibers and remain quiescent until their activation upon muscle injury. Due to pathological conditions, such as extensive injury or dystrophy, skeletal muscle regeneration is diminished.