Search

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in regulating the immune response. In vitro induced Treg (iTreg) cells have significant potential in clinical medicine. However, applying iTreg cells as therapeutics is complicated by the poor stability of human iTreg cells and their variable suppressive activity. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of human iTreg cell specification. We identified hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) as a transcription factor upregulated early during the differentiation of human iTreg cells. Although FOXP3 expression was unaffected, HIC1 deficiency led to a considerable loss of suppression by iTreg cells with a concomitant increase in the expression of effector T cell associated genes. SNPs linked to several immune-mediated disorders were enriched around HIC1 binding sites, and in vitro binding assays indicated that these SNPs may alter the binding of HIC1. Our results suggest that HIC1 is an important contributor to iTreg cell development and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized piezomagnetic–piezoelectric composites thin films MnFe 2 O 4 /(Pb 1−x Sr x )TiO 3 , where x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3, using the metalorganic deposition (MOD) reaction method. The structural and microstructural analysis using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), AFM, and SEM reveals the presence of homogenous growth of both pervoskite and spinel phases in the composite films. Our results show that all the composites films exhibit good multiferroic as well as considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance ( Z ′ and Z ″) and electrical modulus ( M ′ and M ″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. Our analyses suggest that this electrical response arises due to the coexistence of the high resistive phase and the comparatively conductive phase in the MFO/PST composite films. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be 4.29 V Oe −1 cm −1 and 2.82 V Oe −1 cm −1 for compositions x=0.1 and 0.2. These values are substantially larger than those reported for bilayer composites thin films in literature and make them interesting for room temperature device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiferroic nanostructured composite thin films consisting of CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) and Pb 1−x Sr x TiO3 (PST; x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) layers have been deposited on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si and quartz substrates by using metallo-organic decomposition process and spin coating. The effect of Sr content on the multiferroic and optical properties have been investigated. The phase purity such as spinel structure of CFO and perovskite structure of PST has been verified by X-ray diffraction. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images revealed clear interface between CFO and PST layers without any noticeable diffusion. The multiferroic properties of CFO/PST composite films have been confirmed by magnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis loops with low leakage current density. The residual strain sensitivity of multiferroic and optical properties has been observed in the composite films. The decrease in saturation magnetization and saturation polarization with increase in Sr content has been observed which could be attributed to the decrease in residual strain of CFO/PST composite films. The magnetic phase transition temperature of the CFO/PST composite films is also reduced. The optical refractive index decreases with increase of amount of Sr content. The photoluminescence spectra of the CFO/PST composite films possess a blue shift which can be attributed to the Pb and oxygen vacancies as localized sensitizing centers. We show that the multiferroic and optical properties of the CFO/PST composite films are highly sensitive to the heterostructure strains which can be controlled by Sr content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in two different media, viz. the commonly used M199 containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and endothelial cell growth factor and a defined media EGM-2 containing 2% FBS along with growth supplements in known concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different media on the growth potential and cell morphology in subsequent passages. We have established that a dual coating of gelatin and human fibronectin extracellular matrix provides optimal cell attachment. Growth rate for primary culture was almost double in defined media. For secondary culture a two fold higher proliferation rate was observed in defined EGM-2 media. Histological studies were done using phase contrast, confocal and scanning electron microscopy which showed that cells cultured in M199 started losing their morphological characteristic from 3rd passage and after 6th passage appeared to come in senescent stage, while in case of defined media there was no change observed in the cells up to 10th passage. A significant difference was found in the expression of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) which is an endothelial cell marker on cells cultured in different media. Additionally it was observed that exposure duration to trypsin–EDTA during cell detachment also plays an important role in maintaining cell morphological characteristics. These results show that significant morphological changes appear in higher order passages if cells are grown in routine medium for a long time and therefore may not be suitable for cell signaling experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]