In vitro cytotoxicity of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human immune cell lines.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent long-lived chemicals with global environmental contamination. The published literature is rife with confusing and sometimes contradictory effects of PFAS on animal and cell models, as well as epidemiological studies. Cytotoxicity studies are often used as an early indicator to guide safety requirements, regulation, and further studies and thus can be useful to understand important toxicity differences by various PFAS.

Extract Induces Cellular Entry through Distinct Mechanisms in Phagocytic RAW 264.7 Macrophages versus Non-Phagocytic Vero Cells.

Marine algae extracts are an important area of potential drug discovery; however, nearly all studies to date have used non-fluorescent-based methods to determine changes in target cell activity. Many of the most robust immunological and cellular analyses rely on fluorescent probes and readouts, which can be problematic when the algae extract is fluorescent itself. In this study, we identified the fluorescent spectrum of an isolated extract from the marine dinoflagellate , which included two fluorescing components: chlorophyll α and pheophytin α.

Comparative Study on the Performance of Three Detection Methods for the Quantification of Pacific Ciguatoxins in French Polynesian Strains of .

and dinoflagellates produce a suite of secondary metabolites, including ciguatoxins (CTXs), which bioaccumulate and are further biotransformed in fish and marine invertebrates, causing ciguatera poisoning when consumed by humans. This study is the first to compare the performance of the fluorescent receptor binding assay (fRBA), neuroblastoma cell-based assay (CBA-N2a), and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the quantitative estimation of CTX contents in 30 samples, obtained from four French Polynesian strains of . fRBA was applied to matrix for the first time, and several parameters of the fRBA protocol were refined.

Systematic approach in macrophage polarization experiments: Maintaining integrity and reproducibility using flow cytometry and sample preparation.

Resolution of inflammation is an important physiological process following infection or injury. When inflammation fails to resolve, it can cause chronic inflammation, which exacerbates a myriad of diseases. Current anti-inflammatory treatment options are often inadequate to resolve inflammation, and as such, a key goal for drug discovery is to find natural products and novel compounds that can target immune resolution processes.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Glycolipids and a Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Isolated from the Marine Dinoflagellate .

A new monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), a known monogalactosylmonoacylglycerol (MGMG) and a known polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester (PUFAME) were isolated from the marine dinoflagellate . The planar structure of the glycolipids was elucidated using mass spectroscopy (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses and comparisons to the known glycolipid to confirm its structure. The MGDG was characterized as 3---D-galactopyranosyl-1--3,6,9,12,15-octadecapentaenoyl-2--tetradecanoylglycerol .

Improved Accuracy of Saxitoxin Measurement Using an Optimized Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is precipitated by a family of toxins produced by harmful algae, which are consumed by filter-feeding and commercially popular shellfish. The toxins, including saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, and gonyautoxins, accumulate in shellfish and cause intoxication when consumed by humans and animals. Symptoms can range from minor neurological dysfunction to respiratory distress and death.

Brevenal, a Marine Natural Product, is Anti-Inflammatory and an Immunomodulator of Macrophage and Lung Epithelial Cells.

Chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and asthma, are some of the leading causes of illness and fatalities worldwide. The search for novel treatments led to the exploration of marine natural products as drug candidates to combat the debilitating effects of mucus accumulation and chronic inflammation. Previous research showed that an alga-derived compound, brevenal, could attenuate the effects of inflammatory agents, but the mechanisms by which it exerted its effects remained unclear.

Fluorescent Receptor Binding Assay for Detecting Ciguatoxins in Fish.

Ciguatera fish poisoning is an illness suffered by > 50,000 people yearly after consumption of fish containing ciguatoxins (CTXs). One of the current methodologies to detect ciguatoxins in fish is a radiolabeled receptor binding assay (RBA(R)). However, the license requirements and regulations pertaining to radioisotope utilization can limit the applicability of the RBA(R) in certain labs.

A new cytotoxicity assay for brevetoxins using fluorescence microscopy.

Brevetoxins are a family of ladder-framed polyether toxins produced during blooms of the marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Consumption of shellfish or finfish exposed to brevetoxins can lead to the development of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. The toxic effects of brevetoxins are believed to be due to the activation of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in cell membranes.

Development of a fluorescence assay for the characterization of brevenal binding to rat brain synaptosomes.

The marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis produces a family of neurotoxins known as brevetoxins. Brevetoxins elicit their effects by binding to and activating voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs) in cell membranes. K.

Development and utilization of a fluorescence-based receptor-binding assay for the site 5 voltage-sensitive sodium channel ligands brevetoxin and ciguatoxin.

Brevetoxins are a family of ladder-frame polyether toxins produced during blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Consumption of fish exposed to K. brevis blooms can lead to the development of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Structure activity relationship of brevenal hydrazide derivatives.

Brevenal is a ladder frame polyether produced by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. This organism is also responsible for the production of the neurotoxic compounds known as brevetoxins. Ingestion or inhalation of the brevetoxins leads to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal maladies and bronchoconstriction.

Effects of Supraphysiological Doses of Sex Steroids on Wheel Running Activity in Mice.

The regulatory mechanisms of physical activity are postulated to include environmental and biological/genetic factors. In particular, the sex steroids appear to have profound effects on wheel running in rodents. The purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol and testosterone on wheel running distance, duration, and speed in male and female C57BL/6J mice.

Development of a competitive fluorescence-based synaptosome binding assay for brevetoxins.

Brevetoxins are a family of ladder-frame polyether toxins produced during blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Inhalation of brevetoxins aerosolized by wind and wave action can lead to asthma-like symptoms in beach goers. Consumption of either shellfish or finfish exposed to K.