Background: Some nanoparticles are known to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lead to cell death. Results: Silver nanoparticles induce ATF-6 degradation, leading to activation of the NLRP-3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. Conclusion: ATF-6 is an important target to silver nanoparticles. Significance: Our results provide a new link between ER stress and activation of the NLRP-3 inflammasome.

BackgroundResolvin D1 (RvD1), an important member of resolvins, exerts a wide spectrum of biological effects, including resolution of inflammation, tissue repair, and preservation of cell viability. The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-arthritic potential and clarify the bone protective actions of RvD1 in vitro and in vivo.MethodsRAW264.7 cells were treated with 50 ng/ml LPS for 72 h in the presence or absence of RvD1 (0–500 nM). Primary human monocytes were treated with M-CSF + RANKL for 14 days ± RvD1 (0–500 nM) with or without siRNA against RvD1 receptor FPR2. Expressions of inflammatory mediators, degrading enzymes, osteoclasts (OC) formation, and bone resorption were analyzed. The therapeutic effect of RvD1 (0–1000 ng) was carried out in murine collagen antibody-induced arthritis. Arthritis scoring, joint histology, and inflammatory and bone turnover markers were measured.ResultsRvD1 is not toxic and inhibits OC differentiation and activation. It decreases bone resorption, as assessed by the inhibition of TRAP and cathepsin K expression, hydroxyapatite matrix resorption, and bone loss. In addition, RvD1 reduces TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, PGE2, and RANK and concurrently enhances IL-10 in OC. Moreover, in arthritic mice, RvD1 alleviates clinical score, paw inflammation, and bone and joint destructions. Besides, RvD1 reduces inflammatory mediators and markedly decreases serum markers of bone and cartilage turnover.ConclusionOur results provide additional evidence that RvD1 plays a key role in preventing bone resorption and other pathophysiological changes associated with arthritis. The study highlights the clinical relevance of RvD1 as a potential compound for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and related bone disorders.

The biological significance of the IL-21/IL-21R system in human monocytes/macrophages is not well documented, and the expression of IL-21R is unclear and has been disputed. In this study, we showed for the first time, to our knowledge, that human monocyte–like THP-1 cells expressed the two IL-21R components, CD132 (γc) and IL-21Rα, on their cell surface, as assessed by flow cytometry. Moreover, IL-21 was found to enhance FcR-mediated phagocytosis, but not endocytosis. The ability of IL-21 to enhance phagocytosis was not associated with an increased expression of both IL-21R components at the cell surface, and IL-21 did not act in synergy with IL-15. IL-21 activated spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), as evidenced by its ability to increase Syk phosphorylation. Using a pharmacological approach to inhibit Syk activity, and an antisense technique to downregulate Syk protein expression, we demonstrated the importance of Syk in IL-21–induced phagocytosis. In addition, both CD132 and IL-21Rα were expressed on the cell surface of naive monocytes, as well as in GM-CSF–monocyte-derived macrophages. Moreover, IL-21 also induced phagocytosis in these cells. We conclude that IL-21 possesses important biological effects in mononuclear phagocyte cells and that Syk is a novel molecular target of IL-21 that was previously unknown. Therefore, future development of therapeutic strategies targeting the IL-21/IL-21R system should consider that monocyte and macrophage cell physiology may be affected by this system.

Epigenetic processes are important mechanisms for phenotypic changes that occur in response to the environment. As such, it is expected that the alteration of cytoplasmic composition (the immediate environment of nuclei) results in the modification of the methylome and the expression of the nuclear genome. Cytoplasmic hybrids (or cybrids) are an ideal model to study the influence of mitochondria on gene expression. In this study, we take advantage of the natural co-occurrence of two biotypes that have a similar nuclear genome type Chrosomus eos, but harbor mitochondria from different species (C. eos in wild type or C. neogaeus in cybrids) to assess the effects of mitochondria on DNA methylation profiles and protein expression of the nuclear genome. Comparison between these biotypes is particularly relevant given their recent divergence and their low level of genetic differentiation. Variations of DNA methylation assessed on tissues from different embryonic origins revealed the distinct profiles of cybrid and wild type populations. Differences are more pronounced between wild type and cybrids than between populations of a given biotype. The proteome is also more different between biotypes than within a given biotype. These results indicate a strong influence of mitochondria on the nuclear genome, which remains detectable in different genetic and environmental contexts. These changes in the methylome and proteome of cybrids are expected to reflect the adjustments imposed by the coexistence of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes from different species.

SummaryThe interleukin (IL)-21/IL-21 receptor (R) is a promising system to be exploited for the development of therapeutic strategies. Although the biological activities of IL-21 and its cell signalling events have been largely studied in immunocytes, its interaction with human monocytes and macrophages have been neglected. Previously, we reported that IL-21 enhances Fc gamma receptor (FcRg)-mediated phagocytosis in human monocytes and in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) and identified Syk as a novel molecular target of IL-21. Here, we elucidate further how IL-21 promotes phagocytosis in these cells. Unlike its ability to enhance phagocytosis of opsonized sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), IL-21 did not promote phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and zymosan by monocytes and did not alter the cell surface expression of CD16, CD32 and CD64. In HMDM, IL-21 was found to enhance phagocytosis of zymosan. In addition, we found that IL-21 activates p38, protein kinase B (Akt), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 and STAT-3 in monocytes and HMDM. Using a pharmacological approach, we demonstrate that IL-21 enhances phagocytosis by activating some mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt and Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathways. These results obtained in human monocytes and macrophages have to be considered for a better exploitation of the IL-21/IL-21R system for therapeutic purposes.

Purpose: Diethylaminoethyl-chitosan (DEAE-CH) is a derivative with excellent potential as a delivery vector for gene therapy applications. The aim of this study is to evaluate its toxicological profile for potential future clinical applications. Methods: An endotoxin-free chitosan (CH) modified with DEAE, folic acid (FA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to complex small interfering RNA (siRNA) and form nanoparticles (DEAE 12-CH-PEG-FA 2 /siRNA). Based on the guidelines from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), we evaluated the effects of the interaction between these nanoparticles and blood components. In vitro screening assays such as hemolysis, hemagglutination, complement activation, platelet aggregation, coagulation times, cytokine production, and reactive species, such as nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were performed on erythrocytes, plasma, platelets, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and Raw 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, MTS and LDH assays on Raw 264.7 macrophages, PBMC and MG-63 cells were performed. Results: Our results show that a targeted theoretical plasma concentration (TPC) of DEAE 12-CH-PEG-FA 2 /siRNA nanoparticles falls within the guidelines' thresholds: <1% hemolysis, 2.9% platelet aggregation, no complement activation, and no effect on coagulation times. ROS and NO production levels were comparable to controls. Cytokine secretion (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10) was not affected by nanoparticles except for IL-1β and IL-8. Nanoparticles showed a slight agglutination. Cell viability was >70% for TPC in all cell types, although LDH levels were statistically significant in Raw 264.7 macrophages and PBMC after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Conclusion: These DEAE 12-CH-PEG-FA 2 /siRNA nanoparticles fulfill the existing ISO, ASTM and NCL guidelines' threshold criteria, and their low toxicity and blood biocompatibility warrant further investigation for potential clinical applications.

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Eosinophilic inflammation is frequently observed in response to nanoparticle (NP) exposure in airway rodent models of allergies where the number of eosinophils is increased in lungs. Despite this, it is surprising that the potential cytotoxic effect of NP, as well as their direct role on eosinophils is poorly documented. The present study investigated how different NP can alter the biology of the human eosinophilic cell line AML14.3D10. It was found that among NP forms of CeO, ZnO, TiO, and nanosilver of 20 nm (AgNP) or 70 nm (AgNP) diameters, only ZnO and AgNP induced apoptosis. Caspases-7 and -9 were not activated by the tested NP while caspase-3 was activated by AgNP only. However, both ZnO and AgNP induced cytoskeletal breakdown as evidenced by the cleavage of lamin B. Using an ELISArray approach for the simultaneous detection of several analytes (cytokines/chemokines), it was found that only ZnO and AgNP increased the production of different analytes including the potent pro-inflammatory CXCL8 (IL-8) chemokine. From the data here, we conclude that toxic effects of some NP could be observed in human eosinophil-like cells and that this could be related, at least partially, by induction of apoptosis and production of cytokines and chemokines involved in inflammation. The results of this study also indicate that distinct NP do not activate similarly human eosinophils, since ZnO and AgNP induce apoptosis and cytokine production while others such as TiO, CeO, and AgNP do not.