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Biology subjects

Saiyed, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Saiyed, T..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Protection against Poly Microbial Sepsis by Chitin oligomersis fine tuned by N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine residues

Chitin, poly-N Acetyl D-glucosamine, is an abundant polysaccharide produced by fungal cell walls, insect epicuticle and nematodes cuticles. Its immunomodulatory function has curious attributes - paradoxically opposing host responses using different host receptors resulting in immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive propertis depending on the size/length of the oligomers as well as aceytylation levels have been reported in literature. Here we demonstrate that Hepta-N-Acetyl Chitoheptaose (7 mer) is a TLR2 ligand, 8 mer activates immune cells through TLR4 while, 6 mer is a relatively poor ligand for both TLR2 and TLR4 in generating inflammatory host cytokines. Significantly enhanced inflammatory response characterized by increased TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-10 was a feature of only 8 mer while, 6 and 7 mers induced modest activation in both HEK cells (transfected with specific TLRs) and in human THP2 cells in vitro. The translational significance of these features were addressed in an experimental model of Sepsis using Cecal Ligation Puncture (CLP) protocol, a murine model, considered a gold standard for human Sepsis. More significantly, therapeutic rather than prophylactic administration, that simulates real life scenerio of human and animal sepsis, of 7 mer rather than 6 or 8 residues of Chitin oligomer, significantly protected mice against sepsis as shown by decreased mortality and decreased induction of inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that modulation of immune response by chitopolysaccarides in-vivo is precisely caliberated.

immunology↗

Multiplexed fluorescence and scatter detection with single cell resolution using on-chip fiber optics for droplet microfluidic applications

Droplet microfluidics has emerged as a critical component of several high-throughput single cell analysis techniques in biomedical research and diagnostics. However, while there has been significant progress in the individual assays being developed, multi-parametric optical sensing of droplets and their encapsulated contents remains challenging. The current common approach of microscopy based high-speed imaging of droplets is technically complex and requires expensive instrumentation limiting their large-scale adoption. Here we have adapted the principles of the widely established technique of flow cytometry to a novel optofluidic setup - the OptiDrop platform, with on-chip detection of scatter and multiple fluorescence signals from microfluidic droplets and their contents using optical fibers. The highly customizable on-chip optical fiber-based signal detection system enables simplified, miniaturized, low-cost, multi-parametric sensing of optical signals with high sensitivity and single cell resolution within each droplet. Our work on differential expression analysis of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) protein in response to IFN{gamma} stimulation further demonstrates the OptiDrop platforms capabilities in sensitively detecting cell surface biomarkers using fluorescently labeled antibodies. The OptiDrop platform thus combines the versatility of flow cytometry with the power of droplet microfluidics to provide wide-ranging optical sensing solutions for research and diagnostics.

bioengineering↗

Therapeutic role of Filarial HSP70 in murine models of polymicrobial sepsis and H1N1 Influenza

Nematodes characteristically modulate effector immune responses by synthesizing and releasing both anti-inflammatory as well as proinflammatory molecules in infected hosts. Pre-clinical studies suggest that immuno-modulatory molecules and synthetic small molecules that mimic parasite products could have therapeutic value to ameliorate tissue damage found in inflammatory diseases. We report here identification of a glycoprotein from filarial parasite, a homologue of mammalian Heat Shock Protein 70 with immunostimulatory attributes. The purified native glycoprotein designated as FHSP70 and its recombinant protein moiety, WFL were found to be TLR2 and TLR4 agonists in vitro in human myeloid cells and induce systemic inflammatory cytokines in vivo. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) performed in mice which leads to onset of poly microbial sepsis and mortality could be treated by therapeutic administration of a single dose of FHSP70, along with antibiotics, suggesting its potential as a immunotherapeutic adjuvant for clinical management of Sepsis. Intra-nasal administration of WFL to mice followed by challenge with virulent human Influenza-A virus resulted in decreased viral growth as well as improved survival. The protective effect was demonstrable by both prophylactic as well as therapeutic intranasal administration of WFL. Further, therapeutic administration of WFL by intraperitoneal route 5 days post viral challenge also resulted in significant decrease in viral load in the respiratory tract. One sentence SummarySystemic administration of a Filarial HSP70 acts as an adjuvant therapy, through immuno-modulation, for improved survival against murine Polymicrobial Sepsis and Viral Infection while its intra nasal administration protects mice prophylactically as well as therapeutically against H1N1 Influenza viral challenge.

immunology↗

Inhibition of HIV-1 immune modulation by small molecules targeting viral Nef-host CD80 interface

HIV-1 causes diverse immunomodulatory responses in the host, including the down-regulation of co-stimulatory proteins CD80/86, mediated by HIV-1 protein Nef, blunting T-cell activation. Using a screening cascade of biochemical and cell-based assays, we identified potent small molecules representing three chemical scaffolds namely amino pyrimidine, phenoxy acetamide and bi-aryl heteroaryl carbamate which target the protein-protein interaction interface of CD80/86 and Nef with sub-micromolar potency. These molecules restore CD80/86 surface levels in HIV-1-Nef infected antigen presenting cells and T-cell activation. Nef-CD80 interface and small molecule binding sites were mapped by using computational docking and structural studies, followed by validation by mutational analysis. This analysis resulted in the identification of two key residues, K99 and R111, which were associated with down-modulation of CD80 surface levels by Nef and important for small molecule binding. Targeting these interacting residues disabled Nef-mediated down-modulation of CD80 surface levels, consequently restoring T-cell activation. Thus, we validate a new target, the Nef-CD80/86 protein-protein interaction interface, with a potential to develop new inhibitors to counteract the immunomodulatory consequences of HIV-1.

microbiology↗

PDIP38 is a novel adaptor-like modulator of the mitochondrial AAA+ protease CLPXP

Polymerase {delta} interacting protein of 38 kDa (PDIP38) was originally identified in a yeast two hybrid screen as an interacting protein of DNA polymerase delta, more than a decade ago. Since this time several subcellular locations have been reported and hence its function remains controversial. Our current understanding of PDIP38 function has also been hampered by a lack of detailed biochemical or structural analysis of this protein. Here we show, that human PDIP38 is directed to the mitochondrion, where it resides in the matrix compartment, together with its partner protein CLPX. PDIP38 is a bifunctional protein, composed of two conserved domains separated by an -helical hinge region (or middle domain). The N-terminal (YccV-like) domain of PDIP38 forms an SH3-like {beta}-barrel, which interacts specifically with CLPX, via the adaptor docking loop within the N-terminal Zinc binding domain (ZBD) of CLPX. In contrast, the C-terminal (DUF525) domain forms an Immunoglobin-like {beta}-sandwich fold, which contains a highly conserved hydrophobic groove. Based on the physicochemical properties of this groove, we propose that PDIP38 is required for the recognition (and delivery to CLPXP) of proteins bearing specific hydrophobic degrons, potentially located at the termini of the target protein. Significantly, interaction with PDIP38 stabilizes the steady state levels of CLPX in vivo. Consistent with these data, PDIP38 inhibits the LONM-mediated turnover of CLPX in vitro. Collectively, our findings shed new light on the mechanistic and functional significance of PDIP38, indicating that in contrast to its initial identification as a nuclear protein, PIDP38 is a bona fide mitochondrial adaptor protein for the CLPXP protease.

biochemistry↗