Publications by authors named "Wondwossen Abate"

Article Synopsis
  • () is a gram-negative bacterium causing over 100 million nosocomial infections globally and interacts with the LPS receptor complex involving TLR4, CD14, and MD2.* -
  • LPCAT2 is involved in lipid-raft assembly and modulates the macrophage inflammatory response, but its effect on the LPS receptor complex gene expression had not been studied before, particularly regarding different bacterial serotypes.* -
  • In experiments with RAW264.7 macrophages, silencing the LPCAT2 gene showed that it significantly impacts gene expression of the LPS receptor complex only during smooth LPS infection, highlighting the role of LPS serotype in LPCAT2's regulatory function.*
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Inflammation is central to several diseases. TLR4 mediates inflammation by recognising and binding to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and interacting with other proteins in the TLR4 signalling pathway. Although there is extensive research on TLR4-mediated inflammation, there are gaps in understanding its mechanisms.

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Contaminated marine bathing water has been reported to adversely affect human health. Our data demonstrated a correlation between total endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) levels and degree of contamination of marine bathing waters. To assess the potential health implications of LPS present in marine bathing waters, the inflammation-inducing potency of water samples collected at different time points at multiple sampling sites were assessed using a cell culture-based assay.

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Purpose: The Limulus amebocytelysate (LAL) assay is widely used for the screening of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in parenteral pharmaceuticals. However, correlation of LPS in Gram-negative bacterial infections by LAL assay has been problematic, partly due to the variable reactivity of different LPS structures. Recombinant factor C (rFC) has allowed the development of a new simple, specific and sensitive LPS detection system (PyroGene).

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Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of concurrent LPS and cytokine priming, reflective of the in vivo milieu, on macrophage production of key periodontitis associated cytokines TNF, IL-1β and IL-6.

Design: THP-1 cells were pre-treated with combinations of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concurrently with polarising cytokines IFNγ and IL-4, or PMA as a non-polarised control. Production of key periodontitis associated cytokines in response to subsequent LPS challenge were measured by enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay.

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Herein, we report a highly sensitive electrocatalytic sensor-cell construct that can electrochemically communicate with the internal environment of immune cells (e.g., macrophages) via the selective monitoring of a particular reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide.

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Because of the lack of effective methodology, the biological effects of environmental endotoxin have not been assessed. Here we have collected and measured airborne endotoxin at different locations around composting sites. Increased endotoxin concentrations were observed close to composting activities and also at nearby boundary areas.

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Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent modulator of pathogen-induced host inflammatory responses. Lipopolysaccharide signaling to host cells is correlated with the expression of well-characterized LPS receptors. We have developed three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures (spheroids) that are more representative of in vivo conditions than traditional monolayer cultures and may provide novel in vitro models to study the inflammatory response.

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In addition to providing mechanical stability, growing evidence suggests that surfactant lipid components can modulate inflammatory responses in the lung. However, little is known of the molecular mechanisms involved in the immunomodulatory action of surfactant lipids. This study investigates the effect of the lipid-rich surfactant preparations Survanta, Curosurf, and the major surfactant phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) on interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene and protein expression in human A549 lung epithelial cells using immunoassay and PCR techniques.

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Molecular and biochemical analyses of membrane phospholipids have revealed that, in addition to their physico-chemical properties, the metabolites of phospholipids play a crucial role in the recognition, signalling and responses of cells to a variety of stimuli. Such responses are mediated in large part by the removal and/or addition of different acyl chains to provide different phospholipid molecular species. The reacylation reactions, catalysed by specific acyltransferases control phospholipid composition and the availability of the important mediators free arachidonic acid and lysophospholipids.

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Sepsis, an overwhelming inflammatory response to infection, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has no specific therapy. Phospholipid metabolites, such as lysophospholipids, have been shown to regulate inflammatory responses in sepsis, although their mechanism of action is not well understood. The phospholipid-metabolizing enzymes, lysophospholipid acyltransferases, control membrane phospholipid composition, function, and the inflammatory responses of innate immune cells.

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