The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω3-PUFA) supplementation in a mouse model of OPA1-associated autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). The blood level of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) served to adjust the treatment dosage (AA/EPA = 1.0-1.5). Eight-month-old mice were allocated to four groups (n = 20/group): the ω3-PUFA-treated Opa1^enu/+, untreated Opa1^enu/+, ω3-PUFA-treated wild-type and untreated wild-type groups. Treated mice received the ω3-PUFAs, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 5:1 ratio) by daily gavage for 4 months based on the measured AA/EPA ratio. Blood, retina and optic nerve (ON) fatty acid levels were determined by gas chromatography, and the retina and ON were histologically examined. Western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry was performed to analyse retinal mediators involved in Opa1-mutation-mediated apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Increased EPA and reduced AA levels were primarily observed predominantly in the blood and retinal tissues, and a similarly high EPA level tended to be observed in the ONs of ω3-PUFA-treated mice. Retinal ganglion cell and ON axonal densities were higher in both mouse strains upon ω3-PUFA treatment than in the corresponding untreated groups. Caspase-3 expression analysis showed fewer apoptotic retinal cells in both groups of treated mice. Decreases in inflammatory microglia and astrocytes activation and proapoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) expression were noted in the treated groups, with no difference in the antioxidant superoxide dismutase-2 expression. ω3-PUFA supplementation had neuroprotective effects on the retinas of Opa1^enu/+ and wild-type mice via blockade of microglia and astrocytes activation and suppression of Bax and caspase-3. Our findings indicated that inhibition of oxidative stress may not be involved in ω3-PUFA-mediated neuroprotection. These novel findings support the use of ω3-PUFAs as a beneficial therapy in the occurrence of ADOA, posing the basis for future clinical trials to confirm these observations.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A) is the most common hereditary axonal neuropathy caused by mutations in MFN2 encoding Mitofusin-2, a multifunctional protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. In order to study the effects of a novel MFN2^K357T mutation associated with early onset, autosomal dominant severe CMT2A, we generated a knock-in mouse model. While Mfn2^K357T/K357T mouse pups were postnatally lethal, Mfn2^+/K357T heterozygous mice were asymptomatic and had no histopathological changes in their sciatic nerves up to 10 months of age. However, immunofluorescence analysis of Mfn2^+/K357T mice revealed aberrant mitochondrial clustering in the sciatic nerves from 6 months of age, in optic nerves from 8 months, and in lumbar spinal cord white matter at 10 months, along with microglia activation. Ultrastructural analyses confirmed dysmorphic mitochondrial aggregates in sciatic and optic nerves. After exposure of 6-month-old mice to lipopolysaccharide, Mfn2^+/K357T mice displayed a higher immune response, a more severe motor impairment, and increased CNS inflammation, microglia activation, and macrophage infiltrates. Overall, ubiquitous Mfn2^K357T expression renders the CNS and peripheral nerves of Mfn2^+/K357T mice more susceptible to mitochondrial clustering, and augments their response to inflammation, modeling some cellular mechanisms that may be relevant for the development of neuropathy in patients with CMT2A.

The aim of the current study was to (i) extract isolated fractions of watercress flowers enriched in polyphenols, phenethyl isothiocyanate and glucosinolates and (ii) characterize the anticancer mode of action of non-lethal, sub-lethal and lethal concentrations of the most potent extract fraction in primary (A375) and metastatic (COLO-679) melanoma cells as well as non-tumorigenic immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed via the Alamar Blue assay, whereas ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum were determined via transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization was determined using Mito-MP dye, whereas apoptosis was evaluated through the activation of caspases-3, -8 and -9. Among all extract fractions, the phenethyl isothiocyanate-enriched one (PhEF) possessed significant cytotoxicity against A375 and COLO-679 cells, while HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant at sub-lethal and lethal concentrations. Additionally, ultrastructural subcellular alterations associated with apoptosis were observed by means of increased mitochondrial area and perimeter, decreased cristae density and a shorter distance of the endoplasmic reticulum to the mitochondria, all taking place during “early” time points (2–4 h) of exposure. Moreover, PhEF induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization associated with “late” time points (24 h) of exposure, thereby leading to the activation of intrinsic apoptosis. Finally, the inhibition of cytosolic Ca²⁺ efflux reduced levels of caspases-9 and -3 activity, suggesting the involvement of Ca²⁺ efflux in modulating the activation of intrinsic apoptosis. To conclude, our data demonstrate an association of “early” ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum with the “late” induction of intrinsic apoptosis via the modulation of Ca²⁺ efflux.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is becoming an attractive analytical technique for the next generation of breath diagnostics. However, current SERS substrates present challenges related to fabrication cost, complexity, signal uniformity, and reproducibility. Here, a low‐cost, label‐free SERS sensor based on fully solution‐processed decoration of TiO₂ nanowires is demonstrated (NW) with plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NP) followed by the dielectrophoretic self‐assembly into a 3D mesh with high signal to noise ratio. The sensor performance is tested using 4‐aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) as a model analyte in gas phase, at concentrations down to 10 ppb_v, and in solution, with limit of detection ≈2.4 pM. Finally, to explore the sensor capability for breath‐based diagnostics, a proof‐of‐concept experiment is performed with exhaled breath condensates (EBCs). The possibility to discriminate EBCs of individuals with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) from healthy ones is demonstrated. Multiple SERS spectra (n≈50) from each sample are analyzed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA), which identifies spectral features representative of URTI in up to 80% of the infection‐related spectra. These results demonstrate the applicability and potential of 1D nanomaterials together with state‐of‐the‐art solution‐processed techniques for the development of low‐cost and compact SERS breath‐based diagnostic platforms for clinical point‐of‐care applications.

Antibiotics resistance is expanding amongst pathogenic bacteria. Phage therapy is a revived concept for targeting bacteria with multiple antibiotics resistances. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a novel phage from hospital treatment plant input, using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as host bacterium. Phage lytic activity was detected by using soft agar assay. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage was performed by using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Host range was determined using other species of bacteria and representative genogroups of E. coli. Whole-genome sequencing of the phage revealed that Escherichia phage Ioannina is a novel phage within the Dhillonvirus genus, but significantly diverged from other Dhillonviruses. Its genome is a 45,270 bp linear double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 61 coding sequences (CDSs). The coding sequence of CDS28, a putative tail fiber protein, presented higher similarity to representatives of other phage families, signifying a possible recombination event. Escherichia phage Ioannina lytic activity was broad amongst the E. coli genogroups of clinical and environmental origin with multiple resistances. This phage may present in the future an important therapeutic tool against bacterial strains with multiple antibiotic resistances.