Surface engineering of Solid Lipid Nanoparticle assemblies by methyl α-d-mannopyranoside for the active targeting to macrophages in anti-tuberculosis inhalation therapy.

This study describes the development of new mannosylated Solid Lipid Nanoparticle assemblies (SLNas) delivering rifampicin for an inhaled treatment of tuberculosis. SLNas were surface engineered with mannose residues to recognize mannose receptors located on infected alveolar macrophages and facilitate cell internalization. Two sets of SLNas were produced by the melt emulsifying technique using biocompatible lipid components, i.

Inhaled Solid Lipid Microparticles to target alveolar macrophages for tuberculosis.

The goal of the work was to evaluate an anti-tubercular strategy based on breathable Solid Lipid Microparticles (SLM) to target alveolar macrophages and to increase the effectiveness of the conventional tuberculosis (TB) therapy. Rifampicin loaded SLM composed of stearic acid and sodium taurocholate were characterized for aerodynamic diameter, surface charge, physical state of the components, drug loading and release as well as drug biological activity on Bacillus subtilis strain. Moreover, SLM cytotoxicity and cell internalization ability were evaluated on murine macrophages J774 cell lines by MTT test, cytofluorimetry and confocal laser microscopy.

Unravelling genomic diversity of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii complex with a link to its life cycle.

Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and the related species Zygosaccharomyces sapae (hereafter referred to as Z. rouxii complex) are protoploid hemiascomycete yeasts relevant in the elaboration and spoilage of foodstuff. Divergence of Z.

Collagen-based modified membranes for tissue engineering: influence of type and molecular weight of GAGs on cell proliferation.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the two most widely used glycosaminoglycans (dermatan sulphate and heparin) on both the structural and biological properties of collagen-based modified membranes (COL/GAGs membranes) designed for tissue engineering. The molecular weight of dermatan sulphate and heparins was correlated with the membrane feasibility and the cell (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) ability to adhere and proliferate on the COL/GAG membranes. Microstructure and physico-chemical properties of COL/GAGs membranes were examined using scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry; the free amino group content and the swelling properties were also detected.

Genome size and ploidy level: new insights for elucidating relationships in Zygosaccharomyces species.

Ploidy is a fundamental genetic trait with important physiological and genomic implications. We applied complementary molecular tools to highlight differences in genome size and ploidy between Zygosaccharomyces rouxii strain CBS 732T and other related wild strains (ATCC 42981, ABT 301, and ABT 601). The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed a genome size of 12.

17 Beta-estradiol prevents cytotoxicity from hydrophobic bile acids in HepG2 and WRL-68 cell cultures.

Background: Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest the possibility that estrogens might have a cytoprotective effect on the liver. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that 17beta-estradiol (E2) prevents hepatocellular damage induced by deoxycholic acid (DCA), a hydrophobic bile acid.

Methods: HepG2 cells were exposed for 24 h to DCA (350 micromol/L).

Adhesion and proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts on collagen matrix.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate adhesion and growth of human dermal fibroblasts on a 0.150 mm-thick matrix of reconstituted collagen isolated from horse tendon. Collagen was extracted and polymerized according to the standard procedures (Opocrin, Corlo, Modena, Italy).

Cell-matrix interactions of in vitro human skin fibroblasts upon addition of hyaluronan.

Normal human skin fibroblasts were grown in a three-dimensional collagen gel or in monolayer in the presence or absence of high molecular weight hyaluronan (HA) to assess the influence of extracellular HA on cell-matrix interactions. HA incorporated into the collagen gel or added to the culture medium did not modify lattice retraction with time. The effect was independent from HA molecular weight (from 7.

Functional analysis of the promoter of human sterol 27-hydroxylase gene in HepG2 cells.

Human sterol 27-hydroxylase catalyses the first step in the alternative pathway of bile acids biosynthesis in hepatocytes. However the gene encoding this enzyme (CYP27 gene) is expressed in every tissue and some evidence suggests that this enzyme plays a role in cholesterol homeostasis. Although modulation of CYP27 expression has been reported, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of this gene in human tissues is still poorly understood.