A Role for Neuropeptides in UVB-Induced Systemic Immunosuppression

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of sensory nerves in UV light-induced systemic immunomodulation. Contact hypersensitivity to the low molecular weight compound picrylchloride was used as a model for cellular immunity that can be suppressed by low (i.e. suberythemal) doses of UV light even after exposure at a distant locus (i.e. systemic immunosuppression). In sensory nerve-depleted mice, achieved by two subcutaneous injections with the neurotoxin capsaicin before the age of 4 weeks, UV light exposure failed to inhibit contact hypersensitivity responses to picrylchloride. This indicates that sensory nerves are at least partially involved in the induction of systemic immunosuppression by UV light. In order to analyze whether sensory neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and tachykinins, are involved in UV light-induced systemic immunosuppression, mice were pretreated with selective antagonists prior to each UV light exposure. These experiments indicated that CGRP but not the tachykinins plays a crucial role in the UV light-induced systemic immunosuppression.     

Solution-phase, triangular ag nanotriangles fabricated by nanosphere lithography

A novel method to produce solution-phase triangular silver nanoparticles is presented. Ag nanoparticles are prepared by nanosphere lithography and are subsequently released into solution. The resulting nanoparticles are asymmetrically functionalized to produce either single isolated nanoparticles or dimer pairs. The structural and optical properties of Ag nanoparticles have been characterized. Mie theory and the Discrete Dipole Approximation method (DDA) have been used to model and interpret the optical properties of the released Ag nanoparticles.     

Stoichiometry-dependent formation of quantum dot-antibody bioconjugates: a complementary atomic force microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis study

The unique advantages of quantum dot (QD) bioconjugates have motivated their application in biological assays. However, physical characterization of bioconjugated QDs after surface modification has often been overlooked. Here, biotinylated antibodies (biotin-IgG) were attached to commercial streptavidin-conjugated quantum dots (strep-QDs) at different stoichiometric ratios, and these QD bioconjugates were characterized with atomic force microscopy and discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE). The results from these complementary analytical techniques showed that the molar ratio determined the relative sizes, molecular weights and morphologies of the QD bioconjugates. Additionally, the novel discontinuous SDS-AGE analysis confirmed specific binding between biotin-IgG and strep-QDs. Researchers who design QD bioconjugates for cell-based assays should consider stoichiometry-dependent differences in the physical properties of their QD bioconjugates.     

Application of solid phase peptide synthesis to engineering PEO–peptide block copolymers for drug delivery

This work describes a simple, versatile solid-phase peptide-synthesis (SPPS) method for preparing micelle-forming poly(ethylene oxide)-block-peptide block copolymers for drug delivery. To demonstrate its utility, this SPPS method was used to construct two series of micelle-forming block copolymers (one of constant core-composition and variable length; the other of constant core length and variable composition). The block copolymers were then used to study in detail the effect of size and composition on micellization. The various block copolymers were prepared by a combination of SPPS for the peptide block, followed by solution–phase conjugation of the peptide block with a proprionic acid derivative of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) to form the PEO-b-peptide block copolymer. The composition of each block component was characterized by mass spectrometry (MALDI and ES-MS). Block copolymer compositions were characterized by ¹H NMR. All the block copolymers were found to form micelles as judged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light scattering analysis. To demonstrate their potential as drug delivery systems, micelles prepared from one member of the PEO-b-peptide block copolymer series were physically loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Micelle static and dynamic stability were found to correlate strongly with micelle core length. In contrast, these same micellization properties appear to be a complex function of core composition, and no clear trends could be identified from among the set of compositionally varying, fixed length block copolymer micelles. We conclude that SPPS can be used to construct biocompatible block copolymers with well-defined core lengths and compositions, which in turn can be used to study and to tailor the behavior of block copolymer micelles.     

High-speed microwave-promoted hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of 2(1H)-pyrazinones in ionic liquid doped solvents

Inter- and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reactions in a series of functionalized 2(1H)-pyrazinones were investigated under controlled microwave irradiation. The cycloaddition reactions were efficiently performed in sealed tubes, utilizing either a combination of 1,2-dichloroethane and a thermally stable ionic liquid, or 1,2-dichlorobenzene as reaction medium. In all cases, a significant rate-enhancement using microwave flash heating as compared to thermal heating was observed.     

Ab initio study of the binding of Trichostatin A (TSA) in the active site of histone deacetylase like protein (HDLP)

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have recently attracted considerable interest because of their therapeutic potential for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases. An X-ray structure of a very potent inhibitor, Trichostatin A (TSA), bound to HDLP (an HDAC analogue isolated from Aquifex aeolicus), is available. From this structure, an active site model (322 atoms), relevant for the binding of TSA and structural analogues, has been derived, and TSA has been minimized in this active site at HF 3-21G* level. The resulting conformation is in excellent accordance with the X-ray structure, and indicates a deprotonation of the hydroxamic acid in TSA by His 131. Also, a water molecule was minimized in the active site. In addition to a similar deprotonation, in accordance with a possible catalytic mechanism of HDAC as proposed by Finnin et al. (M. S. Finnin, J. R. Donigian, A. Cohen, V. M. Richon, R. A. Rifkind and P. A. Marks, Nature, 1999, 401, 188-193), a displacement of the resulting OH- ion in the active site was observed. Based on these results, the difference in energy of binding between TSA and water was calculated. The resulting value is realistic in respect to experimental binding affinities. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of the His 131-Asp 166 charge relay system was investigated. Although the Asp residue in this motif is known to substantially increase the basicity of the His residue, no proton transfer from His 131 to Asp 166 was observed on binding of TSA or water. However, in the empty protonated active site, this proton transfer does occur.     

Allyl complexes of dicyclopentadienyl-niobium(III) and -tantalum(III)

The synthesis and the properties of the complexes Cp₂TaCl₂, Cp₂M(allyl), Cp₂M(1-methylallyl) and Cp₂M(2-methylallyl) with M  Nb, Ta are described. The complex Cp₂TaCl₂ has one unpaired electron per tantalum atom, while the allyl complexes are diamagnetic. The IR and PMR spectra indicate that the allyl group is π-bonded to the metal. The mass spectra of the complexes are discussed; the thermal stability of the Cp₂Nb- and Cp₂Ta-(allyl) complexes was investigated by differential thermal analysis. The properties of the niobium and tantalum complexes are compared with those of the corresponding titanium complexes.     

Dipole moments of compounds containing a cobalttin bond

The molecular electric dipole moments are reported for the series of tin-substituted tetracarbonyl cobalt compounds R_nY_m?nSn{Co(CO)₄}_4?m (m = 1–3; n ? m; R = alkyl, phenyl; Y = halogen). The effect of the substituents at the tin atom on the nature of the CoSn bond is established on calculating the (CO)₄CoSn group dipole moments. It is shown that the charge transfer in the CoSn bond is mainly determined by the inductive properties of the ligands attached to tin.     

Effect of electric field strength and exposure time on epoxy and high density polyethylene measured by positron annihilation lifetime

Using the positron annihilation lifetime technique, the annihilation parameters have been measured for epoxy and high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a function of AC electric field strength and the exposure time. The lifetime spectra have been resolved into three components, the longest component (I₃₃) is attributed to the pick-off annihilation of o-Ps in the amorphous regions. The intermediate one (I₂₂) is due to the annihilation of free positrons, while the shorter component (I₁₁) stems from self annihilation of p-Ps. In HDPE, the o-Ps parameters ₃ andI ₃ are measured as a function of electric field strengths in the range from 10 to 100 kV/cm exposed for 24 hours. A decrease inI ₃ of 8% is observed from zero to 50 kV/cm followed by an increase of the same order from 50 to 100 kV/cm. By investigating the effect of the exposure time from 2 to 24 hours at 16 and 50 kV/cm, the effect is confirmed and is attributed to the inhibition of o-Ps formation at lower field strength. In epoxy, the effect or exposure time onI ₃ at 166 and 133 kV/cm shows a similar behavior as in HDPE. At 133 kV/cmI ₃ decreases by only 2.5%. On the other hand, the changes in ₃ occur at short exposure times. Again at large times the saturation is obtained. These effects are attributed to the expansion of free volume (increase of ₃) competing at longer exposure times with other phenomena, such as liberation of free radicals, which reduce the o-Ps intensityI ₃ through the conversion to p-Ps. The reactions between o-Ps and free radicals might also lead to free positrons, which could explain the increase ofI ₂ and the decrease of ₃ at longer exposure times.