61. |
- Eriksson, Therese, 1979-
(författare)
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Organelle movement in melanophores: Effects of Panax ginseng, ginsenosides and quercetin
- 2009
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Panax ginseng is a traditional herb that has been used for over 2000 years to promote health and longevity. Active components of ginseng include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, peptides, vitamins, phenols and enzymes, of which the ginsenosides are considered to be the major bioactive constituents. Although widely used, the exact mechanisms of ginseng and its compounds remain unclear. In this thesis we use melanophores from Xenopus laevis to investigate the effects of Panax ginseng extract G115 and its constituents on organelle transport and signalling. Due to coordinated bidirectional movement of their pigmented granules (melanosomes), in response to defined chemical signals, melanophores are capable of fast colour changes and provide a great model for the study of intracellular transport. The movement is regulated by alterations in cyclic adenosine 3’:5’-monophosphate (cAMP) concentration, where a high or low level induce anterograde (dispersion) or retrograde (aggregation) transport respectively, resulting in a dark or light cell. Here we demonstrate that Panax ginseng and its constituents ginsenoside Rc and Rd and flavonoid quercetin induce a concentration-dependent anterograde transport of melanosomes. The effect of ginseng is shown to be independent of cAMP changes and protein kinase A activation. Upon incubation of melanophores with a combination of Rc or Rd and quercetin, a synergistic increase in anterograde movement was seen, indicating cooperation between the ginsenoside and flavonoid parts of ginseng. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Myristoylated EGF-R Fragment 651-658 decreased the anterograde movement stimulated by ginseng and ginsenoside Rc and Rd. Moreover, ginseng, but not ginsenosides or quercetin, stimulated an activation of 44/42-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), previously shown to be involved in both aggregation and dispersion of melanosomes. PKC-inhibition did not affect the MAPK-activation, suggesting a role for PKC in the ginseng- and ginsenoside-induced dispersion but not as an upstream activator of MAPK.
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62. |
- Frantz, S.E.A., et al.
(författare)
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Quantum efficiency and two-photon absorption cross-section of conjugated polyelectrolytes used for protein conformation measurements with applications on amyloid structures
- 2007
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Ingår i: Chemical Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-0104 .- 1873-4421. ; 336:2-3, s. 121-126
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's and spongiform encephalopathies evolve from aggregation of proteins due to misfolding of the protein structure. Early disease handling require sophisticated but yet simple techniques to follow the complex properties of the aggregation process. Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) have shown promising capabilities acting as optical biological sensors, since they can specifically bind to polypeptides both in solution and in solid phase. The structural changes in biomolecules can be monitored by changes of the optical spectra of the CPEs, both in absorption and emission modes. Notably, the studied CPEs possess multi-photon excitation capability, making them potential for in vivo imaging using laser scanning microscopy. Aggregation of proteins depends on concentration, temperature and pH. The optical effect on the molecular probe in various environments must also be investigated if applied in these environments. Here we present the results of quantum efficiency and two-photon absorption cross-section of three CPEs: POMT, POWT and PTAA in three different pH buffer systems. The extinction coefficient and quantum efficiency were measured. POMT was found to have the highest quantum efficiency being approximately 0.10 at pH 2.0. The two-photon absorption cross-section was measured for POMT and POWT and was found to be more than 18-25 times and 7-11 times that of Fluorescein, respectively. We also show how POMT fluorescence can be used to distinguish conformational differences between amyloid fibrils formed from reduced and non-reduced insulin in spectrally resolved images recorded with a laser scanning microscope using both one- and two-photon excitation. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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63. |
- Fritschi, Sarah K., et al.
(författare)
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A beta seeds resist inactivation by formaldehyde
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Neuropathologica. - : Springer Verlag (Germany). - 0001-6322 .- 1432-0533. ; 128:4, s. 477-484
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cerebral beta-amyloidosis can be exogenously induced by the intracerebral injection of brain extracts containing aggregated beta-amyloid (A beta) into young, pre-depositing A beta precursor protein- (APP) transgenic mice. Previous work has shown that the induction involves a prion-like seeding mechanism in which the seeding agent is aggregated A beta itself. Here we report that the beta-amyloid-inducing activity of Alzheimers disease (AD) brain tissue or aged APP-transgenic mouse brain tissue is preserved, albeit with reduced efficacy, after formaldehyde fixation. Moreover, spectral analysis with amyloid conformation-sensitive luminescent conjugated oligothiophene dyes reveals that the strain-like properties of aggregated A beta are maintained in fixed tissues. The resistance of A beta seeds to inactivation and structural modification by formaldehyde underscores their remarkable durability, which in turn may contribute to their persistence and spread within the body. The present findings can be exploited to establish the relationship between the molecular structure of A beta aggregates and the variable clinical features and disease progression of AD even in archived, formalin-fixed autopsy material.
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64. |
- Fyrner, Timmy, et al.
(författare)
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Derivatization of a bioorthogonal protected trisaccharide linker : towards multimodal tools for chemical biology
- 2012
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Ingår i: Bioconjugate chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1043-1802 .- 1520-4812. ; 23:6, s. 1333-1340
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- When cross-linking biomolecules to surfaces or to other biomolecules, the use of appropriate spacer molecules is of great importance. Mimicking the naturally occurring spacer molecules will give further insight into their role and function, possibly unveil important issues regarding the importance of the specificity of carbohydrate-based anchor moieties, in e.g., glycoproteins and glycosylphosphatidylinositols. Herein, we present the synthesis of a lactoside-based trisaccharide, potentially suitable as a heterobifunctional bioorthogonal linker molecule whereon valuable chemical handles have been conjugated. An amino-derivative having thiol functionality shows promise as novel SPR-surfaces. Furthermore, the trisaccharide has been conjugated to a cholesterol moiety in combination with a fluorophore which successfully assemble on the cell surface in lipid microdomains, possibly lipid-rafts. Finally, a CuI-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) confirms the potential use of oligosaccharides as bioorthogonal linkers in chemical biology.
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65. |
- Fändrich, M., et al.
(författare)
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Amyloid fibril polymorphism: a challenge for molecular imaging and therapy
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : WILEY. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 283:3, s. 218-237
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The accumulation of misfolded proteins (MPs), both unique and common, for different diseases is central for many chronic degenerative diseases. In certain patients, MP accumulation is systemic (e.g. TTR amyloid), and in others, this is localized to a specific cell type (e.g. Alzheimers disease). In neurodegenerative diseases, NDs, it is noticeable that the accumulation of MP progressively spreads throughout the nervous system. Our main hypothesis of this article is that MPs are not only markers but also active carriers of pathogenicity. Here, we discuss studies from comprehensive molecular approaches aimed at understanding MP conformational variations (polymorphism) and their bearing on spreading of MPs, MP toxicity, as well as MP targeting in imaging and therapy. Neurodegenerative disease (ND) represents a major and growing societal challenge, with millions of people worldwide suffering from Alzheimers or Parkinsons diseases alone. For all NDs, current treatment is palliative without addressing the primary cause and is not curative. Over recent years, particularly the shape-shifting properties of misfolded proteins and their spreading pathways have been intensively researched. The difficulty in addressing ND has prompted most major pharma companies to severely downsize their nervous system disorder research. Increased academic research is pivotal for filling this void and to translate basic research into tools for medical professionals. Recent discoveries of targeting drug design against MPs and improved model systems to study structure, pathology spreading and toxicity strongly encourage future studies along these lines to provide an opportunity for selective imaging, prognostic diagnosis and therapy.
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66. |
- Gabrielson, Marike, et al.
(författare)
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Baseline breast tissue characteristics determine the effect of tamoxifen on mammographic density change
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tamoxifen prevents recurrence of breast cancer and is also approved for preventive, risk-reducing, therapy. Tamoxifen alters the breast tissue composition and decreases the mammographic density. We aimed to test if baseline breast tissue composition influences tamoxifen-associated density change. This biopsy-based study included 83 participants randomised to 6 months daily intake of placebo, 20, 10, 5, 2.5, or 1 mg tamoxifen. The study is nested within the double-blinded tamoxifen dose-determination trial Karolinska Mammography Project for Risk Prediction of Breast Cancer Intervention (KARISMA) Study. Ultrasound-guided core-needle breast biopsies were collected at baseline before starting treatment. Biopsies were quantified for epithelial, stromal, and adipose distributions, and epithelial and stromal expression of proliferation marker Ki67, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Mammographic density was measured using STRATUS. We found that greater mammographic density at baseline was positively associated with stromal area and inversely associated with adipose area and stromal expression of ER. Premenopausal women had greater mammographic density and epithelial tissue, and expressed more epithelial Ki67, PR, and stromal PR, compared to postmenopausal women. In women treated with tamoxifen (1–20 mg), greater density decrease was associated with higher baseline density, epithelial Ki67, and stromal PR. Women who responded to tamoxifen with a density decrease had on average 17% higher baseline density and a 2.2-fold higher PR expression compared to non-responders. Our results indicate that features in the normal breast tissue before tamoxifen exposure influences the tamoxifen-associated density decrease, and that the age-associated difference in density change may be related to age-dependant differences in expression of Ki67 and PR.
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67. |
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68. |
- Gabrielson, Marike, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of tamoxifen on normal breast tissue histological composition : Results from a randomised six-arm placebo-controlled trial in healthy women
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 152:11, s. 2362-2372
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tamoxifen prevents recurrence of breast cancer and is suggested for preventive risk-reducing therapy. Tamoxifen reduces mammographic density, a proxy for therapy response, but little is known about its effects in remodelling normal breast tissue. Our study, a substudy within the double-blinded dose-determination trial KARISMA, investigated tamoxifen-specific changes in breast tissue composition and histological markers in healthy women. We included 83 healthy women randomised to 6 months daily intake of 20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1 mg of tamoxifen or placebo. The groups were combined to “no dose” (0-1 mg), “low-dose” (2.5-5 mg) or “high-dose” (10-20 mg) of tamoxifen. Ultrasound-guided biopsies were collected before and after tamoxifen exposure. In each biopsy, epithelial, stromal and adipose tissues was quantified, and expression of epithelial and stromal Ki67, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) analysed. Mammographic density using STRATUS was measured at baseline and end-of-tamoxifen-exposure. We found that different doses of tamoxifen reduced mammographic density and glandular-epithelial area in premenopausal women and associated with reduced epithelium and increased adipose tissue. High-dose tamoxifen also decreased epithelial ER and PR expressions in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women with the greatest reduction in proliferation also had the greatest epithelial reduction. In postmenopausal women, high-dose tamoxifen decreased the epithelial area with no measurable density decrease. Tamoxifen at both low and high doses influences breast tissue composition and expression of histological markers in the normal breast. Our findings connect epithelial proliferation with tissue remodelling in premenopausal women and provide novel insights to understanding biological mechanisms of primary prevention with tamoxifen.
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69. |
- Gabrielsson, Erik O., 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Controlled Microscopic Formation of Amyloid-Like Aβ Aggregates Using an Organic Electronic Device
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD), primarily associated with formation of fibrillar amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) aggregates in the brain, is one of the most common old-age diseases. It is therefore crucial with an elevated scientific interest in Aβ, and its fundamental properties in a wide sense, to develop efficient methods for early detection and to combat AD. For the development of new techniques, both for AD detection and prevention, researchers are dependent on either tissue samples from deceased patients, animal models or in vitro systems. In vitro systems, such as producing protein aggregates of the Aβ-peptide in a test tube by incubation under denaturing conditions, offers us a simple but rather blunt tool for evaluating aggregation inhibition caused by compounds or to investigate new detection methods. We recently introduced the organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) as a method for creating amyloid-like aggregates at high spatiotemporal control as compared to the resulting aggregates manufactured using regular test tube-conditions. Combined with a fluorescent probe that is specific for the fibrillar aggregated form of misfolded peptides commonly seen in AD, this allowed us to control and to monitor the aggregation of a model peptide system in a highly confined space.To further elaborate the functionality of the OEIP together with amyloid-specific probes, we here present experiments demonstrating electronically controlled micron sized formation of Aβ-aggregates with morphologies ranging from fine fibers, to bundles of fibers, and thick mesh-like fiber structures. We foresee that the methodology can be implemented in multi array systems that can be utilized for studies of protein aggregation in confined spaces or together with cultured cells, as well as for the development of screening platforms for assessment of molecules influencing the Aβ-aggregation process.
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70. |
- Gabrielsson, Erik O, et al.
(författare)
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Spatially Controlled Amyloid Reactions Using Organic Electronics
- 2010
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Ingår i: SMALL. - : John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. - 1613-6810. ; 6:19, s. 2153-2161
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abnormal protein aggregates, so called amyloid fibrils, are mainly known as pathological hallmarks of a wide range of diseases, but in addition these robust well-ordered self-assembled natural nanostructures can also be utilized for creating distinct nanomaterials for bioelectronic devices. However, current methods for producing amyloid fibrils in vitro offer no spatial control. Herein, we demonstrate a new way to produce and spatially control the assembly of amyloid-like structures using an organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) to pump distinct cations to a reservoir containing a negatively charged polypeptide. The morphology and kinetics of the created proteinaceous nanomaterials depends on the ion and current used, which we leveraged to create layers incorporating different conjugated thiophene derivatives, one fluorescent (p-FTAA) and one conducting (PEDOT-S). We anticipate that this new application for the OEIP will be useful for both biological studies of amyloid assembly and fibrillogenesis as well as for creating new bioelectronic nanomaterials and devices.
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