Browsing by Author "Lopes, Diana"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Comparative analysis of isoprostanoid profiles in Chlorella sorokiniana grown under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditionsPublication . Conde, Tiago; Lopes, Diana; Gros, Valérie; Reversat, Guillaume; Oger, Camille; Galano, Jean-Marie; Vigor, Claire; Rodrigues, Alexandre M. C.; Coelho, Natacha; Cardoso, Helena; Domingues, M. Rosário; Durand, ThierryOxylipins are bioactive lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with roles in oxidative stress responses, immunomodulation, and inflammation. While microalgae are recognized as valuable sources of oxylipins, their profiles remain less studied across different species and cultivation conditions. In this study, we characterized the non-enzymatic oxylipin profile of Chlorella sorokiniana grown under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions to assess the influence of cultivation strategies on their production. A total of 22 isoprostanoids, mainly Phytoprostanes (PhytoP), Phytofurans (PhytoF), Isoprostanes (IsoP), and Neuroprostanes (NeuroP). Autotrophic cultivation resulted in a higher accumulation of isoprostanoids, particularly the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) derivatives, PhytoP and PhytoF species, likely due to oxidative stress induced by fluctuating light and temperature conditions. In contrast, heterotrophic growth, performed under controlled conditions, yielded lower overall oxylipin levels highlighting the presence of 10(R)-10-F4t-NeuroP which was only present in heterotrophic Chlorella. We observed a correlation between the PUFA composition of Chlorella and its non-enzymatic oxylipin profile. Notably, several oxylipins identified in Chlorella have been associated with antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties, emphasizing the potential of this micro-alga as a source of high-value bioactive oxylipins. This study paves the way to the utilization of Chlorella as a source of bioactive oxylipins, as well as to develop cultivation strategies to enhance the production of these lipid mediators.
- Gelidium corneum and its solid by-product from agar extraction are sources of high-value and sustainable lipidsPublication . Batista, Joana; Lopes, Diana; Neves, Bruna B.; Pais, Ana Rita; Pinho, Marisa; Moreira, Ana S. P.; Conde, Tiago; Bonciarelli, Stefano; Goracci, Laura; Dias, João; Aguiar, André; Domingues, Pedro; Pereira, Hugo; Domingues, Maria Rosário; Melo, TâniaThe red alga Gelidium corneum is commonly harvested for agar extraction, producing significant biomass residue that remains underutilized. Gelidium corneum and its residue represent promising sources of high-value compounds, including lipid ingredients, encompassing omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with potential applications in foods and cosmetics. Algae lipids are quite diverse and complex, however the lipidome of G. corneum and its residue, along with their bioactive potential, remain largely unexplored. This study characterized the lipid signatures of G. corneum and its residue after agar extraction using reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (C18-RP-HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for esterified fatty acids (FAs) profiling. Despite low lipid content (<1% dry weight), G. corneum exhibited a higher glycolipid content, while the residue was richer in phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Nine FAs were identified, with FA 20:4 n-6 and FA 20:5 n-3 more abundant in G. corneum, and FA 18:1 n-9 and FA 18:2 n-6 in the residue, highlighting their nutritional and functional values. Their lipid profile comprised more than 400 lipid molecular species, following the trend of more glycolipids in G. corneum and phospholipids in the residue. Complex lipids with bioactive properties were identified in both matrices, expanding our knowledge of the lipid signature of this seaweed. Gelidium corneum lipids showed higher antioxidant scavenging activity and great anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 activity. Although neither matrix inhibited α-amylase, residue lipids effectively inhibited α-glucosidase activity. These findings emphasize G. corneum and its residue as sources of high-value lipids for sustainable biotechnological applications, including foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics.
- Multi-Omic profiling of macrophages treated with phospholipids containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids reveals complex immunomodulatory adaptations at protein, lipid and metabolic levelsPublication . Maurício, Tatiana; Aveiro, Susana; Guedes, Sofia; Lopes, Diana; Melo, Tânia; Neves, Bruno M.; Domingues, Rosário; Domingues, PedroIn recent years, several studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids have strong immunomodulatory properties, altering several functions of macrophages. In the present work, we sought to provide a multi-omic approach combining the analysis of the lipidome, the proteome, and the metabolome of RAW 264.7 macrophages supplemented with phospholipids containing omega-3 (PC 18:0/22:6; omega 3-PC) or omega-6 (PC 18:0/20:4; omega 6-PC) fatty acids, alone and in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Supplementation of macrophages with omega 3 and omega 6 phospholipids plus LPS produced a significant reprogramming of the proteome of macrophages and amplified the immune response; it also promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., pleckstrin). Supplementation with the omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced significant changes in the lipidome, with a marked increase in lipid species linked to the inflammatory response, attributed to several pro-inflammatory signalling pathways (e.g., LPCs) but also to the pro-resolving effect of inflammation (e.g., PIs). Finally, the metabolomic analysis demonstrated that supplementation with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced the expression of several metabolites with a pronounced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., succinate). Overall, our data show that supplementation of macrophages with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC effectively modulates the lipidome, proteome, and metabolome of these immune cells, affecting several metabolic pathways involved in the immune response that are triggered by inflammation.
- Polar lipids of commercial Ulva spp. of different origins: profiling and relevance for seaweed valorizationPublication . Moreira, Ana S. P.; da Costa, Elisabete; Melo, Tânia; Lopes, Diana; Pais, Adriana C. S.; Santos, Sónia A. O.; Pitarma, Bárbara; Mendes, Madalena; Abreu, Maria H.; Collén, Pi Nyvall; Domingues, Pedro; Domingues, M. RosárioMacroalgae of the genus Ulva have long been used as human food. Local environmental conditions, among other factors, can have an impact on their nutrient and phytochemical composition, as well as on the value of the seaweed for food and non-food applications. This study is the first to initiate a comparison between commercial Ulva spp. from different European origins, France (FR, wild-harvested Ulva spp.), and Portugal (PT, farm-raised Ulva rigida), in terms of proximate composition, esterified fatty acids (FA), and polar lipids. The ash content was higher in PT samples, while FR samples had higher levels of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates and other compounds. The profile of esterified FA, as well as FA-containing polar lipids at the class and species levels were also significantly different. The FR samples showed about three-fold higher amount of n-3 polyunsaturated FA, while PT samples showed two-fold higher content of monounsaturated FA. Quantification of glycolipids and phospholipids revealed, respectively, two-fold and three-fold higher levels in PT samples. Despite the differences found, the polar lipids identified in both batches included some lipid species with recognized bioactivity, valuing Ulva biomass with functional properties, increasing their added value, and promoting new applications, namely in nutraceutical and food markets.
- Proteomic analysis of the mucus of the photosynthetic sea slug Elysia crispataPublication . Lopes, Diana; Aveiro, Susana; Cruz, Sónia; Cartaxana, Paulo; Domingues, PedroElysia crispata is a tropical sea slug that can retain intracellular functional chloroplasts from its algae prey, a mechanism termed kleptoplasty. This sea slug, like other gastropods, secretes mucus, a viscous secretion with multiple functions, including lubrication, protection, and locomotion. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the mucus proteome of the sea slug E. crispata using gel electrophoresis and HPLC-MS/MS. We identified 306 proteins in the mucus secretions of this animal, despite the limited entries for E. crispata in the Uniprot database. The functional annotation of the mucus proteome using Gene Ontology identified proteins involved in different functions such as hydrolase activity (molecular function), carbohydrate-derived metabolic processes (biological processes) and cytoskeletal organization (cell component). Moreover, a high proportion of proteins with enzymatic activity in the mucus of E. crispata suggests potential biotechnological applications including antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Putative antimicrobial properties are reinforced by the high abundance of hydrolases. This study also identified proteins common in mucus samples from various species, supporting a common mechanism of mucus in protecting cells and tissues while facilitating animal movement. Significance: Marine species are increasingly drawing the interest of researchers for their role in discovering new bioactive compounds. The study "Proteomic Analysis of the Mucus of the Photosynthetic Sea Slug Elysia crispata" is a pioneering effort that uncovers the complex protein content in this fascinating sea slug's mucus. This detailed proteomic study has revealed proteins with potential use in biotechnology, particularly for antimicrobial and antitumor purposes. This research is a first step in exploring the possibilities within the mucus of Elysia crispata, suggesting the potential for new drug discoveries. These findings could be crucial in developing treatments for severe diseases, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, and may lead to significant advances in medical research.