The P2X7 Receptor is a Master Regulator of Microparticle and Mitochondria Exchange in Mouse Microglia.

Microparticles (MPs) are secreted by all cells, where they play a key role in intercellular communication, differentiation, inflammation, and cell energy transfer. P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) activation by extracellular ATP (eATP) causes a large MP release and affects their contents in a cell-specific fashion. We investigated MP release and functional impact in microglial cells from P2X7R-WT or P2X7R-KO mice, as well as mouse microglial cell lines characterized for high (N13-P2X7RHigh) or low (N13-P2X7RLow) P2X7R expression.

Ethosomes for Curcumin and Piperine Cutaneous Delivery to Prevent Environmental-Stressor-Induced Skin Damage.

Diesel particulate matter is one of the most dangerous environmental stressors affecting human health. Many plant-derived compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been proposed to protect the skin from pollution damage. Curcumin (CUR) has a plethora of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Ultrastructural organization of the thylakoid system during the afternoon relocation of the giant chloroplast in Selaginella martensii Spring (Lycopodiophyta).

Within the ancient vascular plant lineage known as lycophytes, many Selaginella species contain only one giant chloroplast in the upper epidermal cells of the leaf. In deep-shade species, such as S. martensii, the chloroplast is cup-shaped and the thylakoid system differentiates into an upper lamellar region and a lower granal region (bizonoplast).

Thylakoid membrane appression in the giant chloroplast of Selaginella martensii Spring: A lycophyte challenges grana paradigms in shade-adapted species.

In vascular plants, the thylakoid architecture is dominated by the highly structured multiple membrane layers known as grana. The structural diversity of the thylakoid system among plant species is mainly determined by the adaptation to the growth light regime, according to a paradigm stating that shade-tolerant species are featured by a high membrane extension with an enhanced number of thylakoid layers per granum. In this study, the thylakoid system was analysed in Selaginella martensii Spring, a shade-adapted rainforest species belonging to lycophytes, a diminutive plant lineage, sister clade of all other vascular plants (euphyllophytes, including ferns and seed plants).

Extracellular ATP is increased by release of ATP-loaded microparticles triggered by nutrient deprivation.

: Caloric restriction improves the efficacy of anti-cancer therapy. This effect is largely dependent on the increase of the extracellular ATP concentration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Pathways for ATP release triggered by nutrient deprivation are largely unknown.

"Plurethosome" as Vesicular System for Cutaneous Administration of Mangiferin: Formulative Study and 3D Skin Tissue Evaluation.

Human skin is dramatically exposed to toxic pollutants such as ozone. To counteract the skin disorders induced by the air pollution, natural antioxidants such as mangiferin could be employed. A formulative study for the development of vesicular systems for mangiferin based on phosphatidylcholine and the block copolymer pluronic is described.

Mitochondrial P2X7 Receptor Localization Modulates Energy Metabolism Enhancing Physical Performance.

Basal expression of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) improves mitochondrial metabolism, Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, and overall fitness of immune and non-immune cells. We investigated P2X7R contribution to energy metabolism and subcellular localization in fibroblasts (mouse embryo fibroblasts and HEK293 human fibroblasts), mouse microglia (primary brain microglia, and the N13 microglia cell line), and heart tissue. The P2X7R localizes to mitochondria, and its lack (1) decreases basal respiratory rate, ATP-coupled respiration, maximal uncoupled respiration, resting mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial matrix Ca level, (2) modifies expression pattern of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, and (3) severely affects cardiac performance.

Gallic acid loaded poloxamer gel as new adjuvant strategy for melanoma: A preliminary study.

The present study describes the production and characterization of poloxamer gels containing the antioxidant molecule gallic acid. The gels were particularly designed in order to obtain a formulation suitable for administration on the skin to treat melanoma. The polymer concentration was selected after rheological characterization and determination of gel transition temperature.

Effect of nanostructured lipid vehicles on percutaneous absorption of curcumin.

The present study describes the production and characterization of monoolein aqueous dispersions (MAD) and lecithin organogels (ORG) as percutaneous delivery systems for curcumin (CUR). In particular, MAD stabilized by sodium cholate/poloxamer and w0 3 ORG lipid carriers, both in the presence and absence of CUR, have been considered: MAD morphology and dimensional distribution have been investigated by Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM) and Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS), while the inner structure of MAD and ORG has been studied by X-ray scattering techniques. As a general result, CUR chemical stability has been found to be better controlled by MAD, probably because CUR is more protected in the case of CUR-MAD with respect to CUR-ORG.

Morphology of segmented filamentous bacteria and their patterns of contact with the follicle-associated epithelium of the mouse terminal ileum: implications for the relationship with the immune system.

Recent evidence indicates that segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), "Candidatus Arthromitus", play a unique role in different aspects of the maturation of the immune system, including T cell responses. Thus, it seems particularly relevant in this moment to shortly review the information on these bacteria and their relationship with the immune system, and to actively investigate their morphological aspects. We distinguished a developmental form from a vegetative form of these organisms.

Ultrastructural study on the body surface of the acanthocephalan parasite Dentitruncus truttae in brown trout.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations on the holdfast elements, proboscis hooks, and trunk spines of Dentitruncus truttae (Acanthocephala, Palaeacanthocephala), an endoparasite of Salmo trutta (brown trout), provide more data about the surface of these taxonomic relevant structures. In both acanthocephalan sexes, the fully everted cylindrical proboscis possessed 18 longitudinal rows of hooks with 18 hooks per row (rarely 19-20). Hook length varied according to position on the proboscis; apical hooks were 40-52 microm long, middle hooks were 31.