Batia Zaks

An approach to remove alpha amylase for proteomic analysis of low abundance biomarkers in human saliva

Proteomic characterization of human whole saliva for the identification of disease‐specific biomarkers is guaranteed to be an easy‐to‐use and powerful diagnostic tool for defining the onset, progression and prognosis of human systemic diseases and, in particular, oral diseases. The high abundance of proteins, mainly alpha amylase, hampers the detection of low abundant proteins appearing in the disease state and therefore should be removed. In the present study a 2‐DE was used to analyze human whole saliva following the removal of alpha amylase by affinity adsorption to potato starch. After alpha amylase removal whole saliva was analyzed by SDS‐PAGE showing at least sixfold removal efficiency and by an alpha amylase activity assay showing 97% reduced activity. MS identification of the captured alpha amylase after elution demonstrated specific removal; 2‐DE analysis showed the selective removal of alpha amylase and consequently increased gel resolution. MS identification of protein spots in the 60 kDa area revealed 15 proteins, which were masked before alpha amylase removal. In conclusion, treatment of human whole saliva with an alpha amylase removal device increases gel resolution and enables a higher protein sample for analysis.

Regulation of fructosyltransferase activity by carbohydrates, in solution and immobilized on hydroxyapatite surfaces.

We tested the effect of several carbohydrates on the activity of cell-free fructosyltransferases (FTF) in solution and immobilized onto hydroxyapatite (HA) and found an inhibitory dose-dependent effect of glucose on FTF activity, both on the surface and in solution. Glucose at 160 mM inhibits FTF activity by 75% both on HA and in solution. Fructose at 160 mM inhibited FTF activity by 25% in solution and by 15% on HA. Levan inhibited FTF activity by 30% in solution, while dextrans and inulin had a limited effect on FTF activity. Circular dichroism and infrared analysis demonstrated no major changes in the chemical structure of fructans synthesized by cell-free FTF on HA and in solution, in the presence or absence of glucose. However, as verified by size-exclusion chromatography, glucose inhibited the synthesis of high molecular-weight fructans. The results indicate that glucose, a byproduct of the FTF enzymatic reaction, is the main carbohydrate affecting FTF activity. Selective inhibition of high molecular-weight fructan production by glucose, may indicate that two mechanisms are involved in the synthesis of fructans, both in solution and on the surface.

Reduced Expression of Gamma Interferon in Serum and Marked Lymphoid Depletion Induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis Increase Murine Morbidity and Mortality due to Cytomegalovirus Infection

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobe, is a major etiological agent of severe forms of periodontal disease. Although periodontal disease is considered a localized disease, accumulating evidence indicates that it may lead to a predisposition to a decline in immunocompetence. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) commonly infects all human populations without producing significant clinical symptoms. Immunocompromised patients usually develop a primary or reactivated CMV infection, which is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether P. gingivalis increases animal susceptibility to CMV infection. Mice were inoculated with CMV and infected locally with P. gingivalis 3 days after the virus inoculation. Mortality rates were monitored, and traces of viral DNA and bacterial infection were detected systemically by using real-time PCR. Local and systemic cytokine secretion was measured, and histological sections were used to assess the pathological state of infected organs. P. gingivalis- and CMV-coinfected mice showed dramatically higher mortality rates than mice infected with P. gingivalis or CMV only. Although the organs of coinfected mice exhibited decreased viral titers, distinct necrosis and tissue damage were more evident in the livers and spleens of these mice than in those of mice infected with CMV only. Furthermore, systemic gamma interferon levels were decreased in coinfected mice, and marked lymphoid depletion was observed in their necrotic organs. In parallel control Escherichia coli-CMV coinfection experiments, the mortality and pathological results were the same as those found in mice infected with CMV only. Our results suggest a specific influence of P. gingivalis on the mouse immune response, causing increased susceptibility to CMV infection.

Pharmacologically active boranes

Novel methods are described for the preparation of alkyldimethylamine cyanoboranes and β-hydroxylalkyldimethylamine cyanoboranes by C-lithiation of trimethylamine cyanoboranes followed by reaction with alkyl halides, aldehydes, and ketones. Lithiation of the monobromo derivatives of amine cyanoboranes led to the synthesis of the first examples of diborane derivatives of amine cyanoboranes. Bromo derivatives of amine cyanoboranes and amine carboxyboranes have been synthesized by new simple and efficient methods. Amine fluorocyanoboranes and amine fluorocarboxyboranes, new classes of compounds, have been prepared from the bromo precursors by fluorine/bromine exchange using fluorinating reagents such as AgF and Et3N.3HF. Eight different derivatives of oxazaborolidines were synthesized and evaluated for their affect on Streptococcus mutans viability, adhesion, and biofilm formation using 3[H]-thymidine labeled bacteria, and fluorescent stained bacteria. This is the first reported antibacterial activity of this class of compounds. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 0.26 to 10 mM. Structure-activity relationship was observed. The B-butyl moiety of the oxazaborolidines contributed an anti-adhesion effect for all derivatives, while its effect diminished when the boron atom was incorporated in a fused heterocyclic ring. The B-phenyl group induced bacterial adhesion in all tested compounds. In a separate study for boronated saccahrides and enzymatic inhibition, the complex formation between N-butylboronic acid and a series of monosaccharides was investigated by 1H, 13C, and 11B NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then, a series of boronic acid compounds with protease inhibition properties were prepared. The effect of added mono-, di-, and polysaccharides on the inhibitory activity of these compounds was studied. Potassium organotrifluoroborates were found to be reversible competitive inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin and trypsin. Based on 19F NMR, it was speculated that they inactivate the enzymes as a result of the formation of hydrogen bonds between fluorine atoms of the inhibitors and the serine protease.

Comparison of diverse affinity based high-abundance protein depletion strategies for improved bio-marker discovery in oral fluids.

Oral fluids (OF) have been suggested as a source of biomarkers for oral and systemic health, but as with other bio-fluids, the presence of high-abundance proteins interferes with the detection of lower-abundance biomarkers. Here, we compared the performance of four depletion treatments: triple depletion (TD) of amylases, albumins and immunoglobulin G; multiple depletion (MD) of amylases and a panel of 20 proteins, a combination of the two (EMD) and combinatorial peptide ligand library based depletion termed CPLL. TD, MD, EMD and CPLL removed 76%, 83%, 85% and 94% of total proteins, respectively, coupled with increased low abundance protein detection and narrowed dynamic range. 2-DE revealed that all depletion pretreatments successfully clarified areas hampered by high-abundance proteins; however, EMD and CPLL exposed the highest number of proteins. Quantitative MS of EMD samples relative to none treated samples indicated that most of downregulated proteins (>90%) were EMD target proteins. In conclusion, a multiple step EMD and CPLL depletion approaches bring about the highest number of protein detection ability and the best hampered-area clearance. As CPLL requires at least 10 fold more protein starting material, we suggest EMD pretreatment as a new detection tool in instances of low protein starting material.

Prevention of Initial Biofilm Formation on Ureteral Stents Using a Sustained Releasing Varnish Containing Chlorhexidine: In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ureteral stents are being used exceedingly in the field of urology, and with advancements in endourology, this trend is increasing. Bacterial colonization and proliferation on the stent surface may result in urinary tract infections (UTIs) necessitating the administration of antibiotics that, in turn, may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Several studies have shown that sustained release varnish (SRV) combined with antibiotics or antiseptics can prevent the proliferation of bacteria on urethral catheters. This is the first study that evaluates this technique implemented on ureteral stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated growth inhibition on ureteral stent segments coated with chlorhexidine (CHX) 1% SRV. The tests were conducted using common urinary pathogens: Enterococci, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia coli. Coated stent segments were inserted into bacterial suspensions. Controls included uncoated stent segments and stents coated with placebo SRV (without CHX). RESULTS Bacterial growth measured as turbidity and as colony-forming units showed a significant inhibition effect of initial bacteria adhesion to the CHX-SRV coated stent segments compared with the controls (P<0.001). This inhibitory effect was apparent in each of the bacteria tested and was confirmed by inspection of the stent segments under an electron microscope. In a kinetic experiment using CHX 2% SRV, we were able to prolong the growth inhibition effect from 1 week to nearly 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS We believe this technique may play a significant role in reducing ureteral stent-associated UTIs. Further studies are needed before this approach can be implemented in clinical practice.

Effect of chlorhexidine on molecular weight distribution of fructans produced by fructosyltransferase in solution and immobilized on surface

The effect of chlorhexidine (CHX), a potent antibacterial agent, was tested on the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of fructans synthesized by cell-free fructosyltransferase (FTF) in solution in comparison to FTF immobilized onto hydroxyapatite (HA). Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis has shown that cell-free FTF, both in solution and immobilized on HA, produces both low MW (1.9-2.2 kDa) and high MW (913-1047 kDa) fructans. CHX at a concentration of 0.02% altered the MWD of the fructans by reducing the polydispersity ratio and changing the MWD of the fructans synthesized both by immobilized FTF and by FTF in solution. These changes of the fructans in the presence of CHX adds a new prospective to the anticaries effect of CHX in addition to its antibacterial properties.

Identification of salivary protein biomarkers for orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption

Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is one of the most prevalent and unavoidable consequence of orthodontic tooth movement. The aim of this study was to discover potential diagnostic protein biomarkers for detection of OIIRR in whole saliva (WS).