Project description:The title compound, nona-sodium chromium(III) hexa-kis[molybdate(VI)], Na9Cr(MoO4)6 was prepared by solid-state reactions. The basic structure units are isolated polyhedral clusters composed of a central CrO6 octa-hedron sharing vertices with six MoO4 tetrahedra to form an open framework in which the Na(+) cations are bound to the free vertices of the MoO4 tetra-hedra. The Cr(3+) cation has site symmetry of 32 (6a), one Na atom sits on a twofold axis (18e), and all other atoms are at general positions. The bond-valance-sum model confirms the expected values of ion charges. The title compound is isotypic with Na9Sc(MoO4)6 and Na9Fe(MoO4)6. It is compared and discussed with similar structures.
Project description:BackgroundPlatelets play a key role in hemostasis through plug formation and secretion of their granule contents at sites of endothelial injury. Defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF), a platelet α-granule protein, are implicated in von Willebrand disease (VWD), and may lead to defective platelet adhesion and/or aggregation. Studying VWF quantity and subcellular localization may help us better understand the pathophysiology of VWD.ObjectiveQuantitative analysis of the platelet α-granule compartment and VWF storage in healthy individuals and VWD patients.Patients/methodsStructured illumination microscopy (SIM) was used to study VWF content and organization in platelets of healthy individuals and patients with VWD in combination with established techniques.ResultsSIM capably quantified clear morphological and granular changes in platelets stimulated with proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) activating peptide and revealed a large intra- and interdonor variability in VWF-positive object numbers within healthy resting platelets, similar to variation in secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC). We subsequently characterized VWD platelets to identify changes in the α-granule compartment of patients with different VWF defects, and were able to stratify two patients with type 3 VWD rising from different pathological mechanisms. We further analyzed VWF storage in α-granules of a patient with homozygous p.C1190R using electron microscopy and found discrepant VWF levels and different degrees of multimerization in platelets of patients with heterozygous p.C1190 in comparison to VWF in plasma.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the utility of quantitative imaging approaches in assessing platelet granule content, which may help to better understand VWF storage in α-granules and to gain new insights in the etiology of VWD.
Project description:The new compound (Na0.4,Li0.6)(Fe,Li2)(MoO4)3 was synthesized by cooling from the melt. Its anionic framework is built up from two distinct MO6 octa-hedra, each containing disordered Li(+) and Fe(3+) ions in 0.6:0.4 and 0.7:0.3 ratios, and two MoO4 tetra-hedra, which link by vertex-sharing of their O atoms. These tetra-meric units are further linked by sharing edges between octa-hedra and by formation of M-O-Mo (M = Fe/Li) bridges, forming ribbons propagating in the [100] direction. The ribbons are cross-linked in both the b- and c-axis directions, giving rise to a three-dimensional framework having [100] tunnels in which the monovalent Na(+)/Li(+) cations (0.4:0.6 ratio) lie. Bond-valence calculations are consistent with the disorder model for the cations. The structure of the title compound, which is isotypic with Li3Fe(MoO4)3 and Li3Ga(MoO4)3, is compared briefly with those of LiFeMo2O8 and Li1.6Mn2.2(MoO4)3.
Project description:Fabry disease results from loss of activity of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (GLA), leading to the accumulation of globoseries glycosphingolipids in vascular endothelial cells. Thrombosis and stroke are life-threatening complications of Fabry disease; however, the mechanism of the vasculopathy remains unclear. We explored the relationship between GLA deficiency and endothelial cell von Willebrand factor (VWF) secretion in in vivo and in vitro models of Fabry disease. Plasma VWF was significantly higher at two months and increased with age in Gla-null compared to wild-type mice. Disruption of GLA in a human endothelial cell line by siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in a 3-fold and 5-fold increase in VWF secretion, respectively. The increase in VWF levels was associated with decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in both in vitro models. Pharmacological approaches that increase nitric oxide bioavailability or decrease reactive oxygen species completely normalized the elevated VWF secretion in GLA deficient cells. In contrast, the abnormality was not readily reversed by recombinant human GLA or by inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis with eliglustat. These results suggest that GLA deficiency promotes VWF secretion through eNOS dysregulation, which may contribute to the vasculopathy of Fabry disease.
Project description:Progress in both basic and translational research into the molecular mechanisms of VWD can be seen in multiple fields.Genetics of vwdIn the past several decades, knowledge of the underlying pathogenesis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) has increased tremendously, thanks in no small part to detailed genetic mapping of the von Willebrand Factor (VWF) gene and advances in genetic and bioinformatic technology. However, these advances do not always easily translate into improved management for patients with VWD and low-VWF levels.Vwd and pregnancyFor example, the treatment of pregnant women with VWD both pre- and postpartum can be complicated. While knowledge of the VWF genotype at some amino acid positions can aid in knowledge of who may be at increased risk of thrombocytopenia or insufficient increase in VWF levels during pregnancy, in many cases, VWF levels and bleeding severity is highly heterogeneous, making monitoring recommended during pregnancy to optimize treatment strategies. VWF AND COVID-19: New challenges related to the consequences of dysregulation of hemostasis continue to be discovered. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that VWF has additional biological roles in the regulation of inflammatory disorders and angiogenesis, disruption of which may contribute to COVID-19 induced vasculopathy. Increased endothelial cell activation and Weibel-Palade body exocytosis in severe COVID-19 lead to markedly increased plasma VWF levels. Coupled with impairment of normal ADAMTS13 multimer regulation, these data suggest a role for VWF in the pathogenesis underlying pulmonary microvascular angiopathy in severe COVID-19.ConclusionWith the increased affordability and availability of next-generation sequencing techniques, as well as a push towards a multi-omic approach and personalized medicine in human genetics, there is hope that translational research will improve VWD patient outcomes.
Project description:A new silver aluminium trimangan-ese penta-molybdate {silver(I) trimanganese(II) aluminium penta-kis-[tetra-oxidomolybdate(VI)]}, AgMn(II) 3(Mn(III) 0,26Al0,74)(MoO4)5, has been synthesized using solid-state methods. The structure is composed of M 2O10 dimers, M 3O14 (M = Mn, Al) trimers and MoO4 tetra-hedra sharing corners and forming three types of layers A, B and B'. The sequence of the constituting layers is A-BB'-A-BB', with B' obtained from B by inversion symmetry, forming a three-dimensional structure with large channels in which the positionally disordered and partially occupied Ag(+) ions reside. The Mn(III) and Al(III) atoms share the same site, M. AgMn(II) 3(Mn(III) 0,26Al0,74)(MoO4)5 is isotypic with the NaMg3 X(MoO4)5 (X = Al, In) family and with NaFe4(MoO4)5. A comparative structural description is provided between the structure of the title compound and those of related phases containing dimers, trimers and tetra-mers.