Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology •
In this work, we have discovered that the Gal-α-(1→3)-Gal-β-(1→3)-GlcNAc trisaccharide, a fragment of the B antigen Type-1, is a new ligand of two C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) i. e. DCAR and Mincle which are key players in different types of autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, we report here on a straightforward methodology to access pure Gal-α-(1→3)-Gal-β-(1→3)-GlcNAc trisaccharide. A spacer with a terminal primary amine group was included at the reducing end of the GlcNAc residue thus ensuring the further functionalization of the trisaccharide Gal-α-(1→3)-Gal-β-(1→3)-GlcNAc.
Quinteira R, Gimondi S, Monteiro NO, Sobreiro-Almeida R, Lasagni L, et al.
Acta biomaterialia •
Kidney regeneration is hindered by the limited pool of intrinsic reparative cells. Advanced therapies targeting renal regeneration have the potential to alleviate the clinical and financial burdens associated with kidney disease. Delivery systems for cells, extracellular vesicles, or growth factors aimed at enhancing regeneration can benefit from vehicles enabling targeted delivery and controlled release. Hydrogels, optimized to carry biological cargo while promoting regeneration, have emerged as promising candidates for this purpose. This study aims to develop a hydrogel from decellularized kidney extracellular matrix (DKECM) and explore its biocompatibility as a biomaterial for renal regeneration. The resulting hydrogel crosslinks with temperature and exhibits a high concentration of extracellular matrix. The decellularization process efficiently removes detergent residues, yielding a pathogen-free biomaterial that is non-hemolytic and devoid of α-gal epitope. Upon interaction with macrophages, the hydrogel induces differentiation into both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, suggesting an adequate balance to promote biomaterial functionality in vivo. Renal progenitor cells encapsulated in the DKECM hydrogel demonstrate higher viability and proliferation than in commercial collagen-I hydrogels, while also expressing tubular cells and podocyte markers in long-term culture. Overall, the injectable biomaterial derived from porcine DKECM is anticipated to elicit minimal host reaction while fostering progenitor cell bioactivity, offering a potential avenue for enhancing renal regeneration in clinical settings. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The quest to improve treatments for kidney disease is crucial, given the challenges faced by patients on dialysis or waiting for transplants. Exciting new therapies combining biomaterials with cells can revolutionize kidney repair. In this study, researchers created a hydrogel from pig kidney. This gel could be used to deliver cells and other substances that help in kidney regeneration. Despite coming from pigs, it's safe for use in humans, with no harmful substances and reduced risk of immune reactions. Importantly, it promotes a balanced healing response in the body. This research not only advances our knowledge of kidney repair but also offers hope for more effective treatments for kidney diseases.
Milanesi F, Burrini N, Corti G, Roelens S, Francesconi O
Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) •
The Gal(α1-3)Gal is the terminal disaccharide unit of the α-Gal epitope [Gal(α1-3)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc], an exogenous antigenic determinant with several clinical implications, found in all non-primate mammals and in several dangerous pathogens, including certain protozoa and mycobacteria. Its absence in humans makes the α-Gal epitope an interesting target for several infectious diseases. Here we present the development of a macrocyclic tweezers-shaped receptor, resulting from the combination of the structural features of two predecessors belonging to the family of diaminocarbazole receptors, which exhibits binding properties in the low millimolar range toward the Gal(α1-3)Gal disaccharide of the α-Gal antigen.
Clinical cases in mineral and bone metabolism : the official journal of the Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, and Skeletal Diseases •
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics have been widely recognized as fundamental steps toward personalized medicine. They deal with genetically determined variants in how individuals respond to drugs, and hold the promise to revolutionize drug therapy by tailoring it according to individual genotypes.The clinical need for novel approaches to improve drug therapy derives from the high rate of adverse reactions to drugs and their lack of efficacy in many individuals that may be predicted by pharmacogenetic testing.Significant advances in pharmacogenetic research have been made since inherited differences in response to drugs such as isoniazid and succinylcholine were explored in the 1950s. The clinical utility and applications of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are at present particularly evident in some therapeutic areas (anticancer, psycotrophic, and anticoagulant drugs).Recent evidence derived from several studies includes screening for thiopurine methyl transferase or uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronosyl-transferase 1A1 gene polymorphisms to prevent mercaptopurine and azathioprine or irinotecan induced myelosuppression, respectively. Also there is a large body of information concerning cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms and their relationship to drug toxicity and response. Further examples include screening the presence of the HLA-B*5701 allele to prevent the hypersensitivity reactions to abacavir and the assessment of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2) expression for trastuzumab therapy of breast cancer or that of KRAS mutation status for cetuximab or panitumumab therapy in colorectal cancer.Moreover, the application of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics to therapies used in the treatment of osteoarticular diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis) holds great promise for tailoring therapy with clinically relevant drugs (e.g. disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, vitamin D, and estrogens). Although the classical candidate gene approach has helped unravel genetic variants that influence clinical drug responsiveness, gene-wide association studies have recently gained attention as they enable to associate specific genetic variants or quantitative differences in gene expression with drug response.Although research findings are accumulating, most of the potential of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics remains to be explored and must be validated in prospective randomized clinical trials.The genetic and molecular foundations of personalized medicine appear solid and evidence indicates its growing importance in healthcare.
