Over-expression of extracellular superoxide dismutase in mouse synovial tissue attenuates the inflammatory arthritis

Oxidative stress such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the inflamed joint have been indicated as being involved as inflammatory mediators in the induction of arthritis. Correlations between extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) and inflammatory arthritis have been shown in several animal models of RA. However, there is a question whether the over-expression of EC-SOD on arthritic joint also could suppress the progression of disease or not. In the present study, the effect on the synovial tissue of experimental arthritis was investigated using EC-SOD over-expressing transgenic mice. The over-expression of EC-SOD in joint tissue was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The degree of the inflammation in EC-SOD transgenic mice was suppressed in the collagen-induced arthritis model. In a cytokine assay, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as, IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was decreased in fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) but not in peripheral blood. Histological examination also showed repressed cartilage destruction and bone in EC-SOD transgenic mice. In conclusion, these data suggest that the over-expression of EC-SOD in FLS contributes to the activation of FLS and protection from joint destruction by depressing the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and MMPs. These results provide EC-SOD transgenic mice with a useful animal model for inflammatory arthritis research.

Development of a therapeutic method in the HPV-related cervical lesion using pH/temperature sensitive polymer spray formulation / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The causal link between oncogenic HPV(Human Papilloma Viruses) and the development of CIN (rvical intraepithelial neoplasia) and cervical cancer are now well established. Several medical therapeutic candidates aimd at the treatment of precancerous lesions and invasive carcinoma of the cervix. The objective of this study was to develop the pH-sensitive chitosan/alginate gels (pH=3.8-4.5) and temperature sensitive multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA (poly (L-lactic acid)/polyethylene glycol) gels (temperature=37 degrees C) for controlled delivery of the paclitaxel (PTX). We had also evaluated whether PTX entrapped in chitosan/alginate gels or multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA 1 could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. METHODS: PTX entrapped as microsphere in Chitosan/Alginate Microspheres were obtained using a spray-drying method. PTX-entrapped PEG/PLA gels were prepared by the solvent displacement method. We had prepared the multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA which has the sol-gel-sol transition temperature at body temperature. The in-vivo efficacy of PTX in chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer micelle were conducted in HeLa-tumor bearing Balb/c Nu/Nu athymic mice at an equivalent paclitaxel dose of 10 mg/kg with 48 hr interval. The inhibition of tumor growth was evaluated after 8 days of treatment. RESULTS: On 8 days after the transcutaneous treatment of PTX-containing chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer micelle. significant inhibition in tumor growth was observed in balb/c nu/nu nude mouse carrying xenograft tumors (HeLa cells; HPV-18 positive state). Among these formulations, PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer have shown improved therapeutic efficacy as compared to PTX-ivgroup. CONCLUSION: PTX-containing chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer nanoparticles are a unique pH-sensitive and temperature sensitive drug delivery system. These formulations elicits enhanced efficacy as an effective and minimally invasive treatment in mice bearing human cervical cancer (HeLa Cells) xenograft.

Characterization of a brain tumor cell line established from transgenic mice expressing the vasopressin SV-40 T antigen

We previously reported that transgenic mice produced with a transgene consisting of the SV40 T antigen and vasopressin without the 3'-flanking region exhibit brain tumors and lymphoma. In this study, transgenic mice were produced with the fusion gene containing the SV40 T antigen and the whole vasopressin gene with the 3'-flanking region. Six transgenic mice were generated, five which died after 2-6 weeks. The remaining founder mouse was investigated for fusion gene expression and tumor progression at the age of 6 weeks. Brain tumor cells were characterized for phenotypes and transgene expression. During in vitro cell cultures, the phenotypic appearances at 10, 20, and 30 passages were as a uniform monolayer with similar growth rates. The site of SV40 T antigen integration was in the A2 region of chromosome 11, and SV40 T antigen was expressed at the same level in cells of both earlier and later passages. Thirty passages were probably insufficient to reach crisis and immortalization. These cells enriched brain tumor cell compositions with astrocytes and neuronal cells.