Lilla Czuni - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Lilla Czuni

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of mir-9 Expression Pattern in Rat Retina during Postnatal Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

It is well established that miR-9 contributes to retinal neurogenesis. However, little is known a... more It is well established that miR-9 contributes to retinal neurogenesis. However, little is known about its presence and effects in the postnatal period. To expand our knowledge, miRNA-small RNA sequencing and in situ hybridization supported by RT-qPCR measurement were carried out. Mir-9 expression showed two peaks in the first three postnatal weeks in Wistar rats. The first peak was detected at postnatal Day 3 (P3) and the second at P10, then the expression gradually decreased until P21. Furthermore, we performed in silico prediction and established that miR-9 targets OneCut2 or synaptotagmin-17. Another two microRNAs (mir-135, mir-218) were found from databases which also target these proteins. They showed a similar tendency to mir-9; their lowest expression was at P7 and afterwards, they showed increase. We revealed that miR-9 is localized mainly in the inner retina. Labeling was observed in ganglion and amacrine cells. Additionally, horizontal cells were also marked. By dual miRNA...

Research paper thumbnail of miRNA profiling of developing rat retina in the first three postnatal weeks

The morphogenesis of the mammalian retina depends on the precise control of gene expression durin... more The morphogenesis of the mammalian retina depends on the precise control of gene expression during development. Small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs play profound roles in various physiological and pathological processes via their regulation of gene expression. A systematic analysis of the expression profile of small non-coding RNAs in developing Wistar rat retinal tissues was executed using IonTorrent PGM next-generation sequencing technique in order to reveal the crucial players in the early postnatal retinogenesis. Our analysis reveals extensive regulatory potential of microRNAs during retinal development. We found a group of microRNAs that show constant high abundance (rno-mir-19, rno-mir-101; rno-mir-181, rno-mir-183, rno-mir-124 and let-7) during the development process. Others are present only in the early stages (such as rno-mir-20a, rno-mir-206, rno-mir-133, rno-mir-466, rno-mir-1247, rno-mir-3582), or at later stages (rno-mir-29, rno-mir-96, rno-mir-125, rno-mir-344 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Profile of miR-23 Expression and Possible Role in Regulation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase during Postnatal Retinal Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

As neurotransmitter, GABA is fundamental for physiological processes in the developing retina. It... more As neurotransmitter, GABA is fundamental for physiological processes in the developing retina. Its synthesis enzymes are present during retinal development, although the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind the changes in expression are not entirely understood. In this study, we revealed the expression patterns of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67(GAD67) and its coding gene (GAD1) and its potential miRNA-dependent regulation during the first three postnatal weeks in rat retina. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms, miRNA-sequencing supported by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization were carried out. GAD1 expression shows an increasing tendency, peaking at P15. From the in silico-predicted GAD1 targeting miRNAs, only miR-23 showed similar expression patterns, which is a known regulator of GAD1 expression. For further investigation, we made an in situ hybridization investigation where both GAD67 and miR-23 also showed lower expression before P7, with the intensity of expression gr...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Hungarian Propolis Ethanolic Extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Molecules

Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evalu... more Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Propolis samples were collected from six regions in Hungary. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values and the interaction of EEP-antibiotics were evaluated by the broth microdilution and the chequerboard broth microdilution methods, respectively. The effect of EEP on biofilm formation and eradication was estimated by crystal violet assay. Resazurin/propidium iodide dyes were applied for simultaneous quantification of cellular metabolic activities and dead cells in mature biofilms. The EEP1 sample showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EEP1 successfully prevented the growth of planktonic cells of S. aureus (MIC value = 50 µg/mL). Synergistic interactions were shown after the co-exposition to EEP1 an...

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Action of Artemisinin and Scopoletin on Planktonic Forms and on Biofilms of Candida Species

Molecules, Jan 22, 2020

We investigated the antifungal activities of purified plant metabolites artemisinin (Ar) and scop... more We investigated the antifungal activities of purified plant metabolites artemisinin (Ar) and scopoletin (Sc) including inhibition, effects on metabolic activities, viability, and oxidative stress on planktonic forms and on preformed biofilms of seven Candida species. The characteristic minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of Ar and Sc against Candida species ranged from 21.83–142.1 µg/mL and 67.22–119.4 µg/mL, respectively. Drug concentrations causing ≈10% CFU decrease within 60 min of treatments were also determined (minimum effective concentration, MEC10) using 100-fold higher CFUs than in the case of MIC90 studies. Cytotoxic effects on planktonic and on mature biofilms of Candida species at MEC10 concentrations were further evaluated with fluorescent live/dead discrimination techniques. Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida parapsilosis were the species most sensitive to Ar and Sc. Ar and Sc were also found to promote the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing oxidative stress at their respective MEC10 concentrations against the tested planktonic Candida species. Ar and Sc possess dose-dependent antifungal action but the underlying mechanism type (fungistatic and fungicidal) is not clear yet. Our data suggest that Ar and Sc found in herbal plants might have potential usage in the fight against Candida biofilms.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of mir-9 Expression Pattern in Rat Retina during Postnatal Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

It is well established that miR-9 contributes to retinal neurogenesis. However, little is known a... more It is well established that miR-9 contributes to retinal neurogenesis. However, little is known about its presence and effects in the postnatal period. To expand our knowledge, miRNA-small RNA sequencing and in situ hybridization supported by RT-qPCR measurement were carried out. Mir-9 expression showed two peaks in the first three postnatal weeks in Wistar rats. The first peak was detected at postnatal Day 3 (P3) and the second at P10, then the expression gradually decreased until P21. Furthermore, we performed in silico prediction and established that miR-9 targets OneCut2 or synaptotagmin-17. Another two microRNAs (mir-135, mir-218) were found from databases which also target these proteins. They showed a similar tendency to mir-9; their lowest expression was at P7 and afterwards, they showed increase. We revealed that miR-9 is localized mainly in the inner retina. Labeling was observed in ganglion and amacrine cells. Additionally, horizontal cells were also marked. By dual miRNA...

Research paper thumbnail of miRNA profiling of developing rat retina in the first three postnatal weeks

The morphogenesis of the mammalian retina depends on the precise control of gene expression durin... more The morphogenesis of the mammalian retina depends on the precise control of gene expression during development. Small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs play profound roles in various physiological and pathological processes via their regulation of gene expression. A systematic analysis of the expression profile of small non-coding RNAs in developing Wistar rat retinal tissues was executed using IonTorrent PGM next-generation sequencing technique in order to reveal the crucial players in the early postnatal retinogenesis. Our analysis reveals extensive regulatory potential of microRNAs during retinal development. We found a group of microRNAs that show constant high abundance (rno-mir-19, rno-mir-101; rno-mir-181, rno-mir-183, rno-mir-124 and let-7) during the development process. Others are present only in the early stages (such as rno-mir-20a, rno-mir-206, rno-mir-133, rno-mir-466, rno-mir-1247, rno-mir-3582), or at later stages (rno-mir-29, rno-mir-96, rno-mir-125, rno-mir-344 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Profile of miR-23 Expression and Possible Role in Regulation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase during Postnatal Retinal Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

As neurotransmitter, GABA is fundamental for physiological processes in the developing retina. It... more As neurotransmitter, GABA is fundamental for physiological processes in the developing retina. Its synthesis enzymes are present during retinal development, although the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind the changes in expression are not entirely understood. In this study, we revealed the expression patterns of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67(GAD67) and its coding gene (GAD1) and its potential miRNA-dependent regulation during the first three postnatal weeks in rat retina. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms, miRNA-sequencing supported by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization were carried out. GAD1 expression shows an increasing tendency, peaking at P15. From the in silico-predicted GAD1 targeting miRNAs, only miR-23 showed similar expression patterns, which is a known regulator of GAD1 expression. For further investigation, we made an in situ hybridization investigation where both GAD67 and miR-23 also showed lower expression before P7, with the intensity of expression gr...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Hungarian Propolis Ethanolic Extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Molecules

Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evalu... more Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Propolis samples were collected from six regions in Hungary. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values and the interaction of EEP-antibiotics were evaluated by the broth microdilution and the chequerboard broth microdilution methods, respectively. The effect of EEP on biofilm formation and eradication was estimated by crystal violet assay. Resazurin/propidium iodide dyes were applied for simultaneous quantification of cellular metabolic activities and dead cells in mature biofilms. The EEP1 sample showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EEP1 successfully prevented the growth of planktonic cells of S. aureus (MIC value = 50 µg/mL). Synergistic interactions were shown after the co-exposition to EEP1 an...

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Action of Artemisinin and Scopoletin on Planktonic Forms and on Biofilms of Candida Species

Molecules, Jan 22, 2020

We investigated the antifungal activities of purified plant metabolites artemisinin (Ar) and scop... more We investigated the antifungal activities of purified plant metabolites artemisinin (Ar) and scopoletin (Sc) including inhibition, effects on metabolic activities, viability, and oxidative stress on planktonic forms and on preformed biofilms of seven Candida species. The characteristic minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of Ar and Sc against Candida species ranged from 21.83–142.1 µg/mL and 67.22–119.4 µg/mL, respectively. Drug concentrations causing ≈10% CFU decrease within 60 min of treatments were also determined (minimum effective concentration, MEC10) using 100-fold higher CFUs than in the case of MIC90 studies. Cytotoxic effects on planktonic and on mature biofilms of Candida species at MEC10 concentrations were further evaluated with fluorescent live/dead discrimination techniques. Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida parapsilosis were the species most sensitive to Ar and Sc. Ar and Sc were also found to promote the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing oxidative stress at their respective MEC10 concentrations against the tested planktonic Candida species. Ar and Sc possess dose-dependent antifungal action but the underlying mechanism type (fungistatic and fungicidal) is not clear yet. Our data suggest that Ar and Sc found in herbal plants might have potential usage in the fight against Candida biofilms.