Biology subjects

chen, f.

Publications and source records attributed to chen, f..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Adenosine metabolized from extracellular ATP promotes type 2 immunity through triggering A2BAR signaling on intestinal epithelial cells

Multicellular intestinal nematode parasites can cross the epithelial barrier potentially causing tissue damage and release of danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that may promote type 2 responses and host protective immunity. We investigated whether adenosine specifically binding the A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) on epithelial cells played an important role in driving intestinal immunity. Specific blockade of epithelial cell A2BAR inhibited the host protective memory response to the enteric helminth, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, including disruption of granuloma development at the host:parasite interface during the transient tissue dwelling larval stage. Memory T cell development was blocked during the primary response and transcriptional analyses revealed profound impairment of A2BAR signaling in epithelial cells and reduced type 2 markers by 24 hours after inoculation. Extracellular ATP was visualized by 24 hours after inoculation and shown in CD39 deficient mice to be critical for the adenosine production mediating initiation of type 2 immunity.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

A potent antibiofilm agent inhibits and eradicates mono- and multi-species biofilms

Biofilms are surface-attached multicellular communities that create many problems in human health and various industries. Given the prominence of biofilms in biofouling and infectious diseases, antibiofilm control approaches are highly sought after. In the present study, we identified elasnin as a potent antibiofilm agent through a bioassay-guided approach. Elasnin specifically inhibited the biofilm formation of bacterial mono-species and eradicated the mature biofilm of Gram-positive bacteria at concentrations below 2.5 g/mL with a low toxic effect on cells and a low resistance risk. Confocal observations illustrated that elasnin decreased cell aggregations and destroyed the biofilm matrix. Furthermore, elasnin-based antibiofilm coatings were prepared and inhibited the formation of multi-species biofilms and the attachment of large biofouling organisms in the field test. These findings suggest that elasnin is a promising antibiofilm agent for future applications in biofilm control. ImportanceDue to the increased diversity of biofilm-associated infections and the failure of conventional antimicrobial treatment, new and effective biofilm-specific pharmacologic strategies are urgently needed. Elasnin is a new antibiofilm natural product produced by Streptomyces with high efficiency and low toxicity. Elasnin effectively destroyed the biofilm matrix of Gram-positive bacteria, thus making them more susceptible to antibiotics. Unlike currently deployed antibiotic vancomycin, which exclusively targets essential life processes and kills the pathogen, elasnin did not exhibit bactericidal effect and thus held great potential in delaying resistance. With high yield, elasnin-based coatings were easily prepared with low expenditures and exhibited favorable performance in field test. Collectively, the antibiofilm properties of elasnin, combined with the low cost of supply and the low risk of resistance, could provide the basis for the development of a novel antibiofilm agent that could help fight to antibiotics resistance.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Compensatory replacement of the BigH1 variant histone by canonical H1 supports normal embryonic development in Drosophila

Histone variants carry specific functions in addition to those fulfilled by their canonical counterparts. Variants of the linker Histone H1 are prevalent in vertebrates and based on the pattern of their expression, many are presumed to function during germline and the earliest zygotic stages of development. While the existence of multiple H1 variants has hampered their study in vertebrates, a single variant, BigH1, was identified in Drosophila, promising to accelerate our understanding of the biological functions of H1 and H1 variants. Here we uncovered evidence for a compensatory activity that loads maternal H1 onto BigH1-devoid chromatin. Remarkably, this H1-based chromatin state is fully functional in supporting normal embryonic development, suggesting that H1 carries the essential function of the BigH1 molecule under the same developmental context. In addition, we discovered that this compensatory replacement of BigH1 with H1 might be limited to rapidly cycling cells in early embryos.

developmental biology↗