New Aspects Regarding the Fluorescence Spectra of Melanin and Neuromelanin in Pigmented Human Tissue Concerning Hypoxia.

Melanin is a crucial pigment in melanomagenesis. Its fluorescence in human tissue is exceedingly weak but can be detected through advanced laser spectroscopy techniques. The spectral profile of melanin fluorescence distinctively varies among melanocytes, nevomelanocytes, and melanoma cells, with melanoma cells exhibiting a notably "red" fluorescence spectrum.

A distinct topology of BTN3A IgV and B30.2 domains controlled by juxtamembrane regions favors optimal human γδ T cell phosphoantigen sensing.

Butyrophilin (BTN)-3A and BTN2A1 molecules control the activation of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells during T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated sensing of phosphoantigens (PAg) derived from microbes and tumors. However, the molecular rules governing PAg sensing remain largely unknown. Here, we establish three mechanistic principles of PAg-mediated γδ T cell activation.

Division of labor and cooperation between different butyrophilin proteins controls phosphoantigen-mediated activation of human γδ T cells.

Butyrophilin (BTN)-3A and BTN2A1 molecules control TCR-mediated activation of human Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells triggered by phosphoantigens (PAg) from microbes and tumors, but the molecular rules governing antigen sensing are unknown. Here we establish three mechanistic principles of PAg-action. Firstly, in humans, following PAg binding to the BTN3A1-B30.

Melanin and Neuromelanin Fluorescence Studies Focusing on Parkinson's Disease and Its Inherent Risk for Melanoma.

Parkinson's disease is associated with an increased risk of melanoma (and vice versa). Several hypotheses underline this link, such as pathways affecting both melanin and neuromelanin. For the first time, the fluorescence of melanin and neuromelanin is selectively accessible using a new method of nonlinear spectroscopy, based on a stepwise two-photon excitation.

Astrocyte- and Microglia-Specific Mitochondrial DNA Deletions Levels in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions are markers of oxidative damage with an age-dependent accumulation. In a previous study, we analyzed mtDNA levels in diverse neuronal cell types in order to unravel the impact of oxidative stress in brains of AD patients.