scholarly journals Organoids as host models for infection biology – a review of methods

Author(s):  
Carmen Aguilar ◽  
Marta Alves da Silva ◽  
Margarida Saraiva ◽  
Mastura Neyazi ◽  
I. Anna S. Olsson ◽  
...  

AbstractInfectious diseases are a major threat worldwide. With the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance and emergence of new potential pathogens, a better understanding of the infection process is urgently needed. Over the last century, the development of in vitro and in vivo models has led to remarkable contributions to the current knowledge in the field of infection biology. However, applying recent advances in organoid culture technology to research infectious diseases is now taking the field to a higher level of complexity. Here, we describe the current methods available for the study of infectious diseases using organoid cultures.

Author(s):  
Vaibhavi Peshattiwar ◽  
Aakruti Kaikini ◽  
Prajakta Dandekar ◽  
Padma V. Devarajan ◽  
Sadhana Sathaye

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Filipi ◽  
Zuzana Hermanova ◽  
Jana Tureckova ◽  
Ondrej Vanatko ◽  
Miroslava Anderova

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (5) ◽  
pp. F915-F920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Z. Ferdaus ◽  
James A. McCormick

Autosomal dominant mutations in cullin-3 ( Cul3) cause the most severe form of familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt). Cul3 mutations cause skipping of exon 9, which results in an internal deletion of 57 amino acids from the CUL3 protein (CUL3-∆9). The precise mechanism by which this altered form of CUL3 causes FHHt is controversial. CUL3 is a member of the cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase family that mediates ubiquitination and thus degradation of cellular proteins, including with-no-lysine [K] kinases (WNKs). In CUL3-∆9-mediated FHHt, proteasomal degradation of WNKs is abrogated, leading to overactivation of the WNK targets sterile 20/SPS-1 related proline/alanine-rich kinase and oxidative stress-response kinase-1, which directly phosphorylate and activate the thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl− cotransporter. Several groups have suggested different mechanisms by which CUL3-∆9 causes FHHt. The majority of these are derived from in vitro data, but recently the Kurz group (Schumacher FR, Siew K, Zhang J, Johnson C, Wood N, Cleary SE, Al Maskari RS, Ferryman JT, Hardege I, Figg NL, Enchev R, Knebel A, O’Shaughnessy KM, Kurz T. EMBO Mol Med 7: 1285–1306, 2015) described the first mouse model of CUL3-∆9-mediated FHHt. Analysis of this model suggested that CUL3-∆9 is degraded in vivo, and thus Cul3 mutations cause FHHt by inducing haploinsufficiency. We recently directly tested this model but found that other dominant effects of CUL3-∆9 must contribute to the development of FHHt. In this review, we focus on our current knowledge of CUL3-∆9 action gained from in vitro and in vivo models that may help unravel this complex problem.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Lee ◽  
Ok Shin

Emerging mosquito-transmitted RNA viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV) and Chikungunya represent human pathogens of an immense global health problem. In particular, ZIKV has emerged explosively since 2007 to cause a series of epidemics in the South Pacific and most recently in the Americas. Although typical ZIKV infections are asymptomatic, ZIKV infection during pregnancy is increasingly associated with microcephaly and other fetal developmental abnormalities. In the last few years, genomic and molecular investigations have established a remarkable progress on the pathogenic mechanisms of ZIKV infection using in vitro and in vivo models. Here, we highlight recent advances in ZIKV-host cell interaction studies, including cellular targets of ZIKV, ZIKV-mediated cell death mechanisms, host cell restriction factors that limit ZIKV replication, and immune evasion mechanisms utilized by ZIKV. Understanding of the mechanisms of ZIKV–host interaction at the cellular level will contribute crucial insights into the development of ZIKV therapeutics and vaccines.


Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (2 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S14-S20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Brosseau ◽  
Dominique C. Pichard ◽  
Eric H. Legius ◽  
Pierre Wolkenstein ◽  
Robert M. Lavker ◽  
...  

ObjectiveA group of experts in dermatology, genetics, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine collaborated to summarize current knowledge on the defined factors contributing to cutaneous neurofibroma (cNF) development and to provide consensus recommendations for future research priorities to gain an improved understanding of the biology of cNF.MethodsThe group members reviewed published and unpublished data on cNF and related diseases via literature search, defined a set of key topic areas deemed critical in cNF pathogenesis, and developed recommendations in a series of consensus meetings.ResultsFive specific topic areas were identified as being relevant to providing an enhanced understanding of the biology of cNF: (1) defining the human cells of origin; (2) understanding the role of the microenvironment, focusing on neurons, mast cells, and fibroblasts; (3) defining the genetic and molecular differences between the cNFs, focusing on size and number; (4) understanding if sex hormones are critical for cNF development or progression; and (5) identifying challenges in establishing in vitro and in vivo models representing human cNF.ConclusionsThe complexity of cNF biology stems from its heterogeneity at multiple levels including genetic, spatial involvement, temporal development, and cellular composition. We propose a unified working model for cNF that builds a framework to address the key questions about cNF that, when answered, will provide the necessary understanding of cNF biology to allow meaningful development of therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
D. T. Abeysinghe ◽  
D. D. D. H. Alwis ◽  
K. A. H. Kumara ◽  
U. G. Chandrika

Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii), Micromelum minutum (M. minutum), and Clausena indica (C. indica) are three varieties of curry leaves in the family Rutaceae. They have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine worldwide in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Earlier findings provide strong evidence to support the three curry leaf species’ potent pharmaceutical and biological effects, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. Various parts of these plants, such as leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruit, contain constituents responsible for the modulation of numerous biological processes. Leading constituents of curry leaves play a crucial role in diabetic and anticancer management by regulating various molecular pathways, including Bcl-2, Bax, NF-κB, and TNFα, according to in vitro and in vivo models established. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on research achievements made in terms of phytoconstituents, their structures, biological activities, and pharmacological actions with clinical studies of curry leaves up to date. The review also emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive research studies on the pharmacological actions and the mechanisms of selected phytochemicals of M. koenigii, M. minutum, and C. indica to validate their efficacy as potent herbal remedies for many ailments.


Foods ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Mayra Aguirre Garcia ◽  
Killian Hillion ◽  
Jean-Michel Cappelier ◽  
Michel Neunlist ◽  
Maxime M. Mahe ◽  
...  

Foodborne diseases cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the relationships between bacteria and epithelial cells throughout the infection process is essential to setting up preventive and therapeutic solutions. The extensive study of their pathophysiology has mostly been performed on transformed cell cultures that do not fully mirror the complex cell populations, the in vivo architectures, and the genetic profiles of native tissues. Following advances in primary cell culture techniques, organoids have been developed. Such technological breakthroughs have opened a new path in the study of microbial infectious diseases, and thus opened onto new strategies to control foodborne hazards. This review sheds new light on cellular messages from the host–foodborne pathogen crosstalk during in vitro organoid infection by the foodborne pathogenic bacteria with the highest health burden. Finally, future perspectives and current challenges are discussed to provide a better understanding of the potential applications of organoids in the investigation of foodborne infectious diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Lima Mota ◽  
Bruna Vitorasso Jardim-Perassi ◽  
Tialfi Bergamin De Castro ◽  
Jucimara Colombo ◽  
Nathália Martins Sonehara ◽  
...  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and has a high mortality rate. Adverse conditions in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis, may exert selective pressure on the tumor, selecting subpopulations of tumor cells with advantages for survival in this environment. In this context, therapeutic agents that can modify these conditions, and consequently the intratumoral heterogeneity need to be explored. Melatonin, in addition to its physiological effects, exhibits important anti-tumor actions which may associate with modification of hypoxia and Warburg effect. In this study, we have evaluated the action of melatonin on tumor growth and tumor metabolism by different markers of hypoxia and glucose metabolism (HIF-1α, glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 and carbonic anhydrases CA-IX and CA-XII) in triple negative breast cancer model. In an in vitro study, gene and protein expressions of these markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The effects of melatonin were also tested in a MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model. Results showed that melatonin treatment reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice (p <0.05). The treatment significantly decreased HIF-1α gene and protein expression concomitantly with the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, CA-IX and CA-XII (p <0.05). These results strongly suggest that melatonin down-regulates HIF-1α expression and regulates glucose metabolism in breast tumor cells, therefore, controlling hypoxia and tumor progression. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 2974-2986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-sun Kim

Vectors are living organisms that transmit infectious diseases from an infected animal to humans or another animal. Biological vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies carry pathogens that multiply within their bodies prior to delivery to a new host. The increased prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as Aedes-borne dengue, Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), malaria, Tick-Borne Disease (TBD), and scrub typhus has a huge impact on the health of both humans and livestock worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks place a considerable burden on public health. Vaccines, drugs, and vector control methods have been developed to prevent and treat VBDs and have prevented millions of deaths. However, development of such strategies is falling behind the rapid emergence of VBDs. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to fighting VBDs must be considered immediately. In this review, I focus on the challenges posed by emerging outbreaks of VBDs and discuss available drugs and vaccines designed to overcome this burden. Research into promising drugs needs to be upgraded and fast-tracked, and novel drugs or vaccines being tested in in vitro and in vivo models need to be moved into human clinical trials. Active preventive tactics, as well as new and upgraded diagnostics, surveillance, treatments, and vaccination strategies, need to be monitored constantly if we are to manage VBDs of medical importance.


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