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1.
Nature ; 626(7999): 626-634, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38326614

ABSTRACT

Adoptive T cell therapies have produced exceptional responses in a subset of patients with cancer. However, therapeutic efficacy can be hindered by poor T cell persistence and function1. In human T cell cancers, evolution of the disease positively selects for mutations that improve fitness of T cells in challenging situations analogous to those faced by therapeutic T cells. Therefore, we reasoned that these mutations could be co-opted to improve T cell therapies. Here we systematically screened the effects of 71 mutations from T cell neoplasms on T cell signalling, cytokine production and in vivo persistence in tumours. We identify a gene fusion, CARD11-PIK3R3, found in a CD4+ cutaneous T cell lymphoma2, that augments CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 complex signalling and anti-tumour efficacy of therapeutic T cells in several immunotherapy-refractory models in an antigen-dependent manner. Underscoring its potential to be deployed safely, CARD11-PIK3R3-expressing cells were followed up to 418 days after T cell transfer in vivo without evidence of malignant transformation. Collectively, our results indicate that exploiting naturally occurring mutations represents a promising approach to explore the extremes of T cell biology and discover how solutions derived from evolution of malignant T cells can improve a broad range of T cell therapies.


Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous , Mutation , T-Lymphocytes , Humans , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Guanylate Cyclase/genetics , Guanylate Cyclase/metabolism , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/genetics , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/immunology , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/pathology , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/therapy , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Signal Transduction/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
2.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 6895, 2023 10 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37898613

ABSTRACT

Genomic profiling of hematologic malignancies has augmented our understanding of variants that contribute to disease pathogenesis and supported development of prognostic models that inform disease management in the clinic. Tumor only sequencing assays are limited in their ability to identify definitive somatic variants, which can lead to ambiguity in clinical reporting and patient management. Here, we describe the MSK-IMPACT Heme cohort, a comprehensive data set of somatic alterations from paired tumor and normal DNA using a hybridization capture-based next generation sequencing platform. We highlight patterns of mutations, copy number alterations, and mutation signatures in a broad set of myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms. We also demonstrate the power of appropriate matching to make definitive somatic calls, including in patients who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplant. We expect that this resource will further spur research into the pathobiology and clinical utility of clinical sequencing for patients with hematologic neoplasms.


Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms , Neoplasms , Humans , Neoplasms/genetics , Hematologic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics , Hematologic Neoplasms/therapy , Mutation , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , DNA
3.
Immunol Rev ; 320(1): 83-99, 2023 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37491719

ABSTRACT

Synthetic biology (synbio) tools, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), have been designed to target, activate, and improve immune cell responses to tumors. These therapies have demonstrated an ability to cure patients with blood cancers. However, there are significant challenges to designing, testing, and efficiently translating these complex cell therapies for patients who do not respond or have immune refractory solid tumors. The rapid progress of synbio tools for cell therapy, particularly for cancer immunotherapy, is encouraging but our development process should be tailored to increase translational success. Particularly, next-generation cell therapies should be rooted in basic immunology, tested in more predictive preclinical models, engineered for potency with the right balance of safety, educated by clinical findings, and multi-faceted to combat a range of suppressive mechanisms. Here, we lay out five principles for engineering future cell therapies to increase the probability of clinical impact, and in the context of these principles, we provide an overview of the current state of synbio cell therapy design for cancer. Although these principles are anchored in engineering immune cells for cancer therapy, we posit that they can help guide translational synbio research for broad impact in other disease indications with high unmet need.


Subject(s)
Hematologic Neoplasms , Neoplasms , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Neoplasms/therapy , Immunotherapy
4.
iScience ; 26(6): 106899, 2023 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37305702

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the human cancers with the poorest prognosis. Interestingly, we found that mitochondrial respiration in primary human PDAC cells depends mainly on the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to meet basic energy requirements. Therefore, we treated PDAC cells with perhexiline, a well-recognized FAO inhibitor used in cardiac diseases. Some PDAC cells respond efficiently to perhexiline, which acts synergistically with chemotherapy (gemcitabine) in vitro and in two xenografts in vivo. Importantly, perhexiline in combination with gemcitabine induces complete tumor regression in one PDAC xenograft. Mechanistically, this co-treatment causes energy and oxidative stress promoting apoptosis but does not exert inhibition of FAO. Yet, our molecular analysis indicates that the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) isoform is a key player in the response to perhexiline and that patients with high CPT1C expression have better prognosis. Our study reveals that repurposing perhexiline in combination with chemotherapy is a promising approach to treat PDAC.

5.
Microbiol Resour Announc ; 11(12): e0097322, 2022 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36326520

ABSTRACT

We report on two actinobacteriophages, Genamy16 and NovaSharks, that were isolated from soil in Florida using Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540. The genomes of both phages are ~65,000 bp, with similar GC contents, and, based on gene content similarity to phages in the Actinobacteriophage Database, were assigned to phage cluster DV.

6.
Sci Transl Med ; 14(670): eabm1463, 2022 11 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36350984

ABSTRACT

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) repurpose natural signaling components to retarget T cells to refractory cancers but have shown limited efficacy in persistent, recurrent malignancies. Here, we introduce "CAR Pooling," a multiplexed approach to rapidly identify CAR designs with clinical potential. Forty CARs with signaling domains derived from a range of immune cell lineages were evaluated in pooled assays for their ability to stimulate critical T cell effector functions during repetitive stimulation that mimics long-term tumor antigen exposure. Several domains were identified from the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family that have been primarily associated with B cells. CD40 enhanced proliferation, whereas B cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) promoted cytotoxicity. These functions were enhanced relative to clinical benchmarks after prolonged antigen stimulation, and CAR T cell signaling through these domains fell into distinct states of memory, cytotoxicity, and metabolism. BAFF-R CAR T cells were enriched for a highly cytotoxic transcriptional signature previously associated with positive clinical outcomes. We also observed that replacing the 4-1BB intracellular signaling domain with the BAFF-R signaling domain in a clinically validated B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-specific CAR resulted in enhanced activity in a xenotransplant model of multiple myeloma. Together, these results show that CAR Pooling is a general approach for rapid exploration of CAR architecture and activity to improve the efficacy of CAR T cell therapies.


Subject(s)
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism , B-Cell Maturation Antigen , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , T-Lymphocytes , Immunotherapy , Signal Transduction
7.
J Microbiol Biol Educ ; 23(1)2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35496705

ABSTRACT

Evidence-based studies on the benefits of integrating STEM into the arts are limited; however, some suggest that it can lead to improved scientific literacy and new approaches for artistic scholarship. Unfortunately, undergraduate education often creates disciplinary silos where the two are not integrated. Here, we discuss a unique collaboration between professors in the art and biology departments. Our goal was to integrate science into art courses using an agar art activity. We hypothesized that art students could effectively learn microbiology laboratory techniques and use them as novel tools for artistic practice. The activity was integrated into two to four sessions of introductory and advanced art courses over four semesters. After learning aseptic technique to culture bacteria, the students were supplied with a variety of media and bacterial strains and tasked with recreating a famous artist's drawing or using their own artistic concept. Student learning was assessed using a rubric to evaluate their art and demonstrate that the learning outcomes were met. Improvement in aesthetic, conception, and technical proficiency in handling the bacteria were demonstrated when comparing their first attempt at creating agar art to their second. Advanced art students earned higher scores than introductory students; however, the average scores for all students were "proficient" or above suggesting that the learning outcomes were met. The art was externally evaluated through American Society for Microbiology's (ASM's) Agar Art Contest and each time, at least one of our student artworks was chosen as a finalist for the People's Choice Award, providing validation of the success of our collaboration.

8.
Cell ; 185(8): 1431-1443.e16, 2022 04 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35427499

ABSTRACT

Synthetic biology has established powerful tools to precisely control cell function. Engineering these systems to meet clinical requirements has enormous medical implications. Here, we adopted a clinically driven design process to build receptors for the autonomous control of therapeutic cells. We examined the function of key domains involved in regulated intramembrane proteolysis and showed that systematic modular engineering can generate a class of receptors that we call synthetic intramembrane proteolysis receptors (SNIPRs) that have tunable sensing and transcriptional response abilities. We demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the receptor platform by engineering human primary T cells for multi-antigen recognition and production of dosed, bioactive payloads relevant to the treatment of disease. Our design framework enables the development of fully humanized and customizable transcriptional receptors for the programming of therapeutic cells suitable for clinical translation.


Subject(s)
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Receptors, Artificial , Humans , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Receptors, Artificial/genetics , Synthetic Biology , T-Lymphocytes
9.
Aesthet Surg J ; 42(2): NP115-NP124, 2022 01 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33751048

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A global approach to facial rejuvenation involves multiple treatment modalities. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of multimodal facial aesthetic treatment on self-reported psychological and social outcomes. METHODS: HARMONY, a prospective, multicenter, 4-month study, enrolled patients aged 35 to 65 years to receive on-label treatment with a combination of hyaluronic fillers (VYC-20L, HYC-24L, and/or HYC-24L+), onabotulinumtoxinA, and bimatoprost. Fillers were injected on Day 1, with touch-ups performed on Day 14. OnabotulinumtoxinA was injected at Month 3 into glabellar lines and/or crow's feet lines. Patients applied bimatoprost to eyelashes once daily for 17 weeks. Mean change from baseline on FACE-Q Psychological Well-being and Social Confidence Scales, FACE-Q Aging Appearance Appraisal Scale, and FACE-Q Age Appraisal Visual Analog Scale were assessed. RESULTS: Of 100 patients treated, 93 were evaluated at 4 months posttreatment. Significant improvement vs baseline was observed on the FACE-Q Scales for Psychological Well-being (mean change, -19.9; P < 0.00001), Social Confidence (mean change, -18.2; P < 0.00001), and Aging Appearance (mean change, -28.5; P < 0.0001). On average, patients' self-assessed age was 0.1 years older than actual age at baseline and 4.5 years younger at Month 4 (P < 0.001 vs baseline). Forty-two patients experienced adverse events, all mild to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal, full facial aesthetic treatment improves patients' self-reported psychological well-being, social confidence, aging appearance, and perceptions of chronologic age.


Subject(s)
Cosmetic Techniques , Skin Aging , Aging , Esthetics , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid , Infant , Patient Satisfaction , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
10.
Cell Death Dis ; 12(7): 649, 2021 06 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34172716

ABSTRACT

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an important source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which facilitates tumour progression. PDAC is characterised by abundant CAFs and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Here, we show that TNF-α strongly induces human endothelial cells to undergo EndMT. Interestingly, TNF-α strongly downregulates the expression of the endothelial receptor TIE1, and reciprocally TIE1 overexpression partially prevents TNF-α-induced EndMT, suggesting that TNF-α acts, at least partially, through TIE1 regulation in this process. We also show that TNF-α-induced EndMT is reversible. Furthermore, TNF-α treatment of orthotopic mice resulted in an important increase in the stroma, including CAFs. Finally, secretome analysis identified TNFSF12, as a regulator that is also present in PDAC patients. With the aim of restoring normal angiogenesis and better access to drugs, our results support the development of therapies targeting CAFs or inducing the EndMT reversion process in PDAC.


Subject(s)
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/drug effects , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology , Animals , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Cytokine TWEAK/genetics , Cytokine TWEAK/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Humans , Male , Mice, Transgenic , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Receptor, TIE-1/genetics , Receptor, TIE-1/metabolism , Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism , Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2/genetics , Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2/metabolism
11.
Microbiol Spectr ; 9(1): e0000521, 2021 09 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34132578

ABSTRACT

Current methods for screening small molecules that inhibit the plasmid pCD1-encoded Yersinia pestis type III secretion system (T3SS) include lengthy growth curves followed by multistep luminescence assays or Western blot assays to detect secretion, or lack thereof, of effector proteins. The goal of this research was to develop a novel disk diffusion assay on magnesium oxalate (MOX) agar as a simple way to evaluate the susceptibility of Y. pestis to type III secretion system inhibitors. MOX agar produces distinct Y. pestis growth characteristics based on the bacteria's ability or inability to secrete effector proteins; small, barely visible colonies are observed when secretion is activated versus larger, readily visible colonies when secretion is inhibited. Wild-type Y. pestis was diluted and spread onto a MOX agar plate. Disks containing 20 µl of various concentrations of imidocarb dipropionate, a known Y. pestis T3SS inhibitor, or distilled water (dH2O) were placed on the plate. After incubation at 37°C for 48 h, visible colonies of Y. pestis were observed surrounding the disks with imidocarb dipropionate, suggesting that T3S was inhibited. The diameter of the growth of colonies surrounding the disks increased as the concentration of the T3SS inhibitor increased. Imidocarb dipropionate was also able to inhibit Y. pestis strains lacking effector Yops and Yop chaperones, suggesting that they are not necessary for T3S inhibition. This disk diffusion assay is a feasible and useful method for testing the susceptibility of Y. pestis to type III secretion system inhibitors and has the potential to be used in a clinical setting. IMPORTANCE Disk diffusion assays have traditionally been used as a simple and effective way to screen compounds for antibacterial activity and to determine the susceptibility of pathogens to antibiotics; however, they are limited to detecting growth inhibition only. Consequently, antimicrobial agents that inhibit virulence factors, but not growth, would not be detected. Therefore, we developed a disk diffusion assay that could detect inhibition of bacterial virulence factors, specifically, type III secretion systems (T3SSs), needle-like structures used by several pathogenic bacteria to inject host cells with effector proteins and cause disease. We demonstrate that magnesium oxalate (MOX) agar can be used in a disk diffusion assay to detect inhibition of the T3SS of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague, by small-molecule inhibitors. This assay may be useful for screening additional small molecules that target bacterial T3SSs or testing the susceptibility of patient-derived samples to drugs that target T3SSs.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacterial Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests/methods , Oxalic Acid/pharmacology , Type III Secretion Systems/antagonists & inhibitors , Yersinia pestis/drug effects , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests/instrumentation , Humans , Plague/microbiology , Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism , Yersinia pestis/growth & development , Yersinia pestis/metabolism
12.
Sci Transl Med ; 13(591)2021 04 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33910981

ABSTRACT

The first clinically approved engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies are remarkably effective in a subset of hematological malignancies with few therapeutic options. Although these clinical successes have been exciting, CAR T cells have hit roadblocks in solid tumors that include the lack of highly tumor-specific antigens to target, opening up the possibility of life-threatening "on-target/off-tumor" toxicities, and problems with T cell entry into solid tumor and persistent activity in suppressive tumor microenvironments. Here, we improve the specificity and persistent antitumor activity of therapeutic T cells with synthetic Notch (synNotch) CAR circuits. We identify alkaline phosphatase placental-like 2 (ALPPL2) as a tumor-specific antigen expressed in a spectrum of solid tumors, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. ALPPL2 can act as a sole target for CAR therapy or be combined with tumor-associated antigens such as melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), mesothelin, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in synNotch CAR combinatorial antigen circuits. SynNotch CAR T cells display superior control of tumor burden when compared to T cells constitutively expressing a CAR targeting the same antigens in mouse models of human mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. This was achieved by preventing CAR-mediated tonic signaling through synNotch-controlled expression, allowing T cells to maintain a long-lived memory and non-exhausted phenotype. Collectively, we establish ALPPL2 as a clinically viable cell therapy target for multiple solid tumors and demonstrate the multifaceted therapeutic benefits of synNotch CAR T cells.


Subject(s)
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Humans , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Mesothelin , Mice , Placenta , Pregnancy , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
13.
Aesthet Surg J ; 41(10): 1107-1119, 2021 09 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33325497

ABSTRACT

The normal course of aging alters the harmonious, symmetrical, and balanced facial features found in youth, not only impacting physical attractiveness but also influencing self-esteem and causing miscommunication of affect based on facial miscues. With this evidence-based paper, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research on the etiology and progression of facial aging by explaining the aging process from the "inside out," that is, from the bony platform to the skin envelope. A general overview of the changes occurring within each of the main layers of the facial anatomy is presented, including facial skeleton remodeling, fat pad atrophy or repositioning, changes in muscle tone and thickness, and weakening and thinning of the skin. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of specific aging regions by facial thirds (upper, middle, and lower thirds). This review may help aesthetic physicians in the interpretation of the aging process and in prioritizing and rationalizing treatment decisions to establish harmonious facial balance in younger patients or to restore balance lost with age in older patients.


Subject(s)
Face , Skin Aging , Adipose Tissue , Adolescent , Aged , Aging , Esthetics , Humans
14.
Cell Rep Med ; 1(8): 100143, 2020 11 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33294863

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial respiration (oxidative phosphorylation, OXPHOS) is an emerging target in currently refractory cancers such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the variability of energetic metabolic adaptations between PDAC patients has not been assessed in functional investigations. In this work, we demonstrate that OXPHOS rates are highly heterogeneous between patient tumors, and that high OXPHOS tumors are enriched in mitochondrial respiratory complex I at protein and mRNA levels. Therefore, we treated PDAC cells with phenformin (complex I inhibitor) in combination with standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine), showing that this treatment is synergistic specifically in high OXPHOS cells. Furthermore, phenformin cooperates with gemcitabine in high OXPHOS tumors in two orthotopic mouse models (xenografts and syngeneic allografts). In conclusion, this work proposes a strategy to identify PDAC patients likely to respond to the targeting of mitochondrial energetic metabolism in combination with chemotherapy, and that phenformin should be clinically tested in appropriate PDAC patient subpopulations.


Subject(s)
Cell Respiration/genetics , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , Animals , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Cell Respiration/drug effects , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Deoxycytidine/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Nude , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/genetics , Oxidative Phosphorylation/drug effects , PC-3 Cells , Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Phenformin/pharmacology , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays/methods , Gemcitabine , Pancreatic Neoplasms
15.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(39): 24154-24164, 2020 09 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32929006

ABSTRACT

Science is undergoing rapid change with the movement to improve science focused largely on reproducibility/replicability and open science practices. This moment of change-in which science turns inward to examine its methods and practices-provides an opportunity to address its historic lack of diversity and noninclusive culture. Through network modeling and semantic analysis, we provide an initial exploration of the structure, cultural frames, and women's participation in the open science and reproducibility literatures (n = 2,926 articles and conference proceedings). Network analyses suggest that the open science and reproducibility literatures are emerging relatively independently of each other, sharing few common papers or authors. We next examine whether the literatures differentially incorporate collaborative, prosocial ideals that are known to engage members of underrepresented groups more than independent, winner-takes-all approaches. We find that open science has a more connected, collaborative structure than does reproducibility. Semantic analyses of paper abstracts reveal that these literatures have adopted different cultural frames: open science includes more explicitly communal and prosocial language than does reproducibility. Finally, consistent with literature suggesting the diversity benefits of communal and prosocial purposes, we find that women publish more frequently in high-status author positions (first or last) within open science (vs. reproducibility). Furthermore, this finding is further patterned by team size and time. Women are more represented in larger teams within reproducibility, and women's participation is increasing in open science over time and decreasing in reproducibility. We conclude with actionable suggestions for cultivating a more prosocial and diverse culture of science.


Subject(s)
Reproducibility of Results , Science/trends , Women , Authorship , Humans , Information Dissemination , Open Access Publishing
16.
J Exp Psychol Gen ; 149(11): 2119-2144, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32378957

ABSTRACT

Two experiments and 2 field studies examine how college students' perceptions of their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professors' mindset beliefs about the fixedness or malleability of intelligence predict students' anticipated and actual psychological experiences and performance in their STEM classes, as well as their engagement and interest in STEM more broadly. In Studies 1 (N = 252) and 2 (N = 224), faculty mindset beliefs were experimentally manipulated and students were exposed to STEM professors who endorsed either fixed or growth mindset beliefs. In Studies 3 (N = 291) and 4 (N = 902), we examined students' perceptions of their actual STEM professors' mindset beliefs and used experience sampling methodology (ESM) to capture their in-the-moment psychological experiences in those professors' classes. Across all studies, we find that students who perceive that their professor endorses more fixed mindset beliefs anticipate (Studies 1 and 2) and actually experience (Studies 3 and 4) more psychological vulnerability in those professors' classes-specifically, they report less belonging in class, greater evaluative concerns, greater imposter feelings, and greater negative affect. We also find that in-the-moment experiences of psychological vulnerability have downstream consequences. Students who perceive that their STEM professors endorse more fixed mindset beliefs experience greater psychological vulnerability in those professors' classes, which in turn predict greater dropout intentions, lower class attendance, less class engagement, less end-of-semester interest in STEM, and lower grades. These findings contribute to our understanding of how students' perceptions of professors' mindsets can serve as a situational cue that affects students' motivation, engagement, and performance in STEM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Academic Performance , Faculty , Mathematics , Motivation , Perception , Students/psychology , Adult , Female , Humans , Intelligence , Male , Technology , Young Adult
17.
Viruses ; 12(4)2020 04 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32295140

ABSTRACT

Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is the key transcription factor for the induction of IFN and antiviral genes. The absence of antiviral genes in IRF3 deficiency leads to susceptibility to a wide range of viral infections. Previously, we uncovered a function for nontranscriptional IRF3 (nt-IRF3), RLR (RIG-I-like receptor)-induced IRF3-mediated pathway of apoptosis (RIPA), which triggers apoptotic killing of virus-infected cells. Using knock-in mice expressing a transcriptionally inactive, but RIPA-active, IRF3 mutant, we demonstrated the relative contribution of RIPA to host antiviral defense. Given that RIPA is a cellular antiviral pathway, we hypothesized that small molecules that promote RIPA in virus-infected cells would act as antiviral agents. To test this, we conducted a high throughput screen of a library of FDA-approved drugs to identify novel RIPA activators. Our screen identified doxorubicin as a potent RIPA-activating agent. In support of our hypothesis, doxorubicin inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus, a model rhabdovirus, and its antiviral activity depended on its ability to activate IRF3 in RIPA. Surprisingly, doxorubicin inhibited the transcriptional activity of IRF3. The antiviral activity of doxorubicin was expanded to flavivirus and herpesvirus that also activate IRF3. Mechanistically, doxorubicin promoted RIPA by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Finally, we validated these results using another RIPA-activating compound, pyrvinium pamoate, which showed a similar antiviral effect without affecting the transcriptional activity of IRF3. Therefore, we demonstrate that the RIPA branch of IRF3 can be targeted therapeutically to prevent virus infection.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , High-Throughput Screening Assays , Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Virus Replication/drug effects , Doxorubicin/pharmacology , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods , Host-Pathogen Interactions/drug effects , Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology , Humans , Immunity, Innate/drug effects , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , Models, Biological , Small Molecule Libraries , Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus/drug effects
18.
Dermatol Surg ; 46(2): 229-239, 2020 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31343446

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Men represent a growing segment of the facial aesthetic market. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate investigator-assessed efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, and safety after onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of forehead lines (FHL) in men. METHODS: Subjects with moderate to severe FHL received onabotulinumtoxinA (frontalis: 20 U; glabellar complex: 20 U, with/without 24 U in crow's feet regions) or placebo in 6-month, double-blind periods of 2 pivotal trials. Results for men were pooled. RESULTS: Men comprised 12% (140/1,178) of subjects. Day 30 male responder rates for achieving at least 1-grade Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) improvement at maximum eyebrow elevation and at rest were 98.2% and 93.3%, respectively; a significant difference in responder rates was maintained versus placebo (p < .05) through Day 150. Despite men having proportionately more severe FHL at baseline, 81.8% and 79.8% achieved Day 30 FWS ratings of none or mild at maximum eyebrow elevation and at rest, respectively (p < .05); significance versus placebo was maintained through Day 120. Men reported high satisfaction rates and improved psychological impacts. No new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Standard dosing and administration of onabotulinumtoxinA significantly improved static and dynamic FHL appearance, despite men having proportionately more severe FHL at baseline. Men reported high satisfaction and appearance-related psychological impact improvements.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Cosmetic Techniques/adverse effects , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosage , Patient Satisfaction , Skin Aging/drug effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Esthetics , Female , Forehead , Humans , Intention to Treat Analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Neuromuscular Agents/adverse effects , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Rejuvenation , Sex Factors , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
19.
Dermatol Surg ; 46(1): 50-60, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30829771

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly recognized as important measures of treatment benefit. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate subject-reported satisfaction and impact outcomes with onabotulinumtoxinA treatment in neurotoxin-naive adults with forehead lines (FHL), glabellar lines (GL), and crow's feet lines (CFL). METHODS: This Phase 3 study randomized 787 subjects to onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U (FHL 20 U, GL 20 U, and CFL 24 U), 40 U (FHL 20 U, GL 20 U, and CFL placebo), or placebo in double-blind Period 1. Subjects could receive up to 2 additional 64 U treatments in open-label Period 2. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the validated Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLSQ) and 11-item Facial Line Outcomes (FLO-11) Questionnaire. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects mostly or very satisfied was significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U and 40 U versus placebo (87.9% and 81.4% vs 3.2%; p < .0001). Responder rates on FLSQ Impact Domain, FLO-11 Items 1, 4, 5, and total score were significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo on Day 30 (p < .0001). Responder rates favoring onabotulinumtoxinA in Period 1 were maintained with repeated onabotulinumtoxinA 64 U treatment in Period 2. CONCLUSION: OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment was associated with high subject satisfaction and significant improvements in appearance-related psychological and emotional impacts.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use , Cosmetic Techniques , Forehead , Neuromuscular Agents/therapeutic use , Skin Aging , Adult , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Patient Satisfaction , Young Adult
20.
Dermatol Surg ; 46(5): 653-661, 2020 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31625954

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Millennials (aged 18-34 years) represent a growing segment of the facial aesthetic market. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate investigator-assessed efficacy, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety for millennials versus subjects aged at least 35 years after onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of forehead lines (FHL) across 2 phase 3 studies. METHODS: Eligible subjects with moderate to severe FHL received onabotulinumtoxinA (FHL: 20 U; glabellar lines: 20 U, with/without 24 U in crow's feet line regions) or placebo. All findings were pooled by the age group. RESULTS: Millennials composed 15% of subjects (176/1,178). Day 30 responder rates of at least 1-grade Facial Wrinkle Scale improvement in FHL severity for millennials versus subjects aged 35 years and older were 100% versus 97.8% at maximum eyebrow elevation and 78.4% versus 83.5% at rest, respectively. Responder rates were significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA than placebo (p ≤ .015) for both groups through Day 180. Similar trends were observed for achieving none/mild severity. Both age groups reported high satisfaction rates and improved psychological impacts with onabotulinumtoxinA treatment. No new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment was well tolerated, and both age groups experienced significant improvements in FHL severity, high satisfaction, and improved psychological impacts after treatment. Millennials reported numerically greater improvements.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Cosmetic Techniques , Forehead , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosage , Skin Aging/drug effects , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Patient Satisfaction , Surveys and Questionnaires
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