O'Gorman, D. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

Aquamin a marine derived multi mineral attenuates toll like receptor mediated inflammatory responses in macrophages.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a central role in innate immune responses through recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Activation of TLRs leads to the induction of inflammatory cytokines via MyD88- and TRIF-dependent signaling pathways. Aquamin, a multi-mineral supplement derived from the marine red algae Lithothamnion, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we demonstrate that Aquamin dose-dependently inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-, IL-6, IL-1{beta}) and chemokines in both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (mBMDMs), without causing cytotoxicity. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that Aquamin specifically suppressed TRIF dependent IRF3 activation downstream of TLR3 and TLR4. These findings support Aquamin as a promising agent for use as an intervention in counteracting inflammatory diseases states where TLR signalling is implicated.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Human research islet cell culture outcomes at the Alberta Diabetes Institute IsletCore

Human islets from deceased organ donors have made important contributions to our understanding of pancreatic endocrine function and continue to be an important resource for research studies aimed at understanding, treating, and preventing diabetes. Understanding the impacts of isolation and culture upon the yield of human islets for research is important for planning research studies and islet distribution to distant laboratories. Here we examine islet isolation and cell culture outcomes at the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) IsletCore (n=197). Research-focused isolations typically have a lower yield of islet equivalents (IEQ), with a median of 252,876 IEQ, but a higher purity (median 85%) than clinically-focused isolations before culture. The median recovery of IEQs after culture was 75%, suggesting some loss. This was associated with a shift towards smaller islet particles, indicating possible islet fragmentation, and occurred within 24 hours with no further loss after longer periods of culture (up to 136 hours). No overall change in stimulation index as a measure of islet function was seen with culture time. These findings were replicated in a representative cohort of clinical islet preparations from the Clinical Islet Transplant Program at the University of Alberta. Thus, loss of islets occurs within 24 hours of isolation and there is no further impact of extended culture prior to islet distribution for research.

cell biology↗