Biology subjects

Ruiz, O.

Publications and source records attributed to Ruiz, O..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sequential intra-articular HCAd-NFκB-IL-1Ra delivery improves therapeutic efficacy in post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease for which disease-modifying therapies remain unavailable. Intra-articular gene delivery of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) using high-capacity adenovirus (HCAd) has shown therapeutic promise; however, the duration of therapeutic benefit and the feasibility of repeat dosing under anti-adenoviral immunity remain unresolved. Using the murine anterior cruciate ligament transection model of osteoarthritis, we show that a single intraarticular injection of HCAd5-NF{kappa}B-IL-1Ra provides structural preservation and functional improvement in early-stage osteoarthritis but fails to sustain cartilage protection as disease progresses. However, HCAd5 transduction following repeated treatment is limited due to pre-existing immunity against this serotype. Notably, exchanging serotypes for repeated treatments effectively restores vector transduction and transgene expression in both healthy and osteoarthritic joints. Leveraging this strategy, we demonstrate that sequential intra-articular HCAd-NF{kappa}B-IL-1Ra administration does not further improve pain or motor function compared to the initial treatment, but preserves cartilage as assessed by histopathology and phase-contrast CT, irrespective of serotype. These findings establish HCAd serotype switching as a feasible approach to overcome immune barriers to repeat intra-articular gene therapy. Importantly, sequential HCAd-NF{kappa}B-IL-1Ra administration enhances therapeutic durability in post-traumatic osteoarthritis, providing a translational framework for repeat intra-articular gene delivery strategies aimed at long-term disease modification in osteoarthritis.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Cross-Species Efficacy of Combinatorial Gene Therapy for Osteoarthritis and Correction of Neuro-Inflammatory Pain Mechanisms

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability, which lacks disease-modifying treatment. Given the complex multi-tissue and multifactorial drivers behind disease progression, effective treatments will require simultaneously targeting several mechanisms underlying joint degeneration and pain. Here, we developed and evaluated a combinatorial gene therapy, consisting of a high-capacity adenoviral vector carrying two therapeutic genes to target distinct pathological mechanisms: inflammation (IL-1Ra) and chondrocyte health (PRG4). Intra-articular delivery of this treatment improved functional, structural, and pain outcomes in murine and equine osteoarthritis models. In addition, treatment normalized inflammatory environments in joint tissues, as well as in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) known to harbor joint-innervating sensory neurons. Moreover, gene therapy reversed OA-induced molecular signatures of neural hyperexcitability, suggesting amelioration of peripheral sensitization. Collectively, these findings support combinatorial gene therapy as a promising treatment for osteoarthritis, while identifying neuroinflammatory signatures for correction of disease progression and pain. One Sentence SummaryA single intra-articular injection of a combinatorial gene therapy slows OA progression and reduces pain in small and large animal models.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Endophytic bacteria Bacillus velezensis NKG50 as a potential biocontrol agent of Ascochyta blight on chickpea

One of chickpea crops most devastating and economically relevant fungal diseases is Ascochyta rabiei, the causal agent of Ascochyta blight. The traditional agricultural management of the disease requires a complex combination of cultural, chemical, and genetic strategies. To develop a more effective management strategy, with low economic and environmental costs, we isolated 43 endophytic bacteria from asymptomatic chickpea plants native to our soils region. We tested their antifungal effect with mycelial growth and conidia germination inhibition tests. Our best candidate was NKG50 isolate, which inhibited A. rabiei growth by more than 85% in the dual test, more than 65% by cell-free supernatants, and inhibited conidia germination by 90%. This antagonistic ability was confirmed in leaflet and greenhouse assays, with a significant reduction in disease severity in both scales. The isolated NKG50 genome was completely sequenced and identified as Bacillus velezensis NKG50. We found 13 gene clusters associated with secondary metabolites, and five of them with an unknown function and or nature previously reported for B. velezensis. This study demonstrated for the first time that B. velezensis NKG50 is a strong candidate for the biocontrol of Ascochyta blight in Argentina.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

FishNET: An automated relational database for zebrafish colony management.

The zebrafish Danio rerio is a powerful model system to study the genetics of development and disease. However, maintenance of zebrafish husbandry records is both time intensive and laborious, and a standardized way to manage and track the large amount of unique lines in a given laboratory or centralized facility has not been embraced by the field. Here we present FishNet, an intuitive, open source, relational database for managing data and information related to zebrafish husbandry and maintenance. By creating a \"virtual facility\", FishNET enables users to remotely inspect the rooms, racks, tanks and lines within a given facility. Importantly, FishNET scales from one laboratory, to an entire facility with several laboratories, to multiple facilities, generating a cohesive laboratory and community-based platform. Automated data entry eliminates confusion regarding line nomenclature and streamlines maintenance of individual lines, while flexible query forms allow researchers to retrieve database records based on user-defined criteria. FishNet also links associated embryonic and adult biological samples with data, such as genotyping results or confocal images, to enable robust and efficient colony management and storage of laboratory information. A shared calendar function with email notifications and automated reminders for line turnover, automated tank counts and census reports promote communication with both end-users and administrators. The expected benefits of FishNET are improved vivaria efficiency, increased quality control for experimental numbers, and flexible data reporting and retrieval. FishNets easy, intuitive record management and open source, end user-modifiable architecture provides an efficient solution to real-time zebrafish colony management for users throughout a facility and institution, and in some cases across entire research hubs.

genetics↗