Gut microbiome modulates response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma patients.

Preclinical mouse models suggest that the gut microbiome modulates tumor response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy; however, this has not been well-characterized in human cancer patients. Here we examined the oral and gut microbiome of melanoma patients undergoing anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) immunotherapy (n = 112). Significant differences were observed in the diversity and composition of the patient gut microbiome of responders versus nonresponders. Analysis of patient fecal microbiome samples (n = 43, 30 responders, 13 nonresponders) showed significantly higher alpha diversity (P < 0.01) and relative abundance of bacteria of the Ruminococcaceae family (P < 0.01) in responding patients. Metagenomic studies revealed functional differences in gut bacteria in responders, including enrichment of anabolic pathways. Immune profiling suggested enhanced systemic and antitumor immunity in responding patients with a favorable gut microbiome as well as in germ-free mice receiving fecal transplants from responding patients. Together, these data have important implications for the treatment of melanoma patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Intestinal toxicity induced by 5-fluorouracil in pigs: a new preclinical model.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to develop an animal model of intestinal injury induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in pigs. METHODS: Six domestic pigs were used as control (healthy group) and another 6 malnourished pigs orally received 5-FU (treated group). After 4 weeks of treatment, pigs were sacrificed and jejunum, ileum and colon were isolated for histological, immunological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: 5-FU caused a decrease in the intestinal mass. Disaccharidase, and phosphate alkaline activities, and glutathione redox cycle were disrupted by 5-FU. Histopathological alterations in the crypts and villous were greater in the small intestine than in the colon. 5-FU decreased the number of peripheral and intestinal leukocytes, promoting an increase in T-cytotoxic cells and a decrease in T-helper and B cells. CONCLUSION: This pig model of intestinal dysfunction closely mimics the common side effects of cancer chemotherapy in humans, and provides a useful tool for evaluating novel antimucotoxic agents.

Incorporating 3D body motions into large-sized freeform surface conceptual design.

Large-sized free-form surface design presents some challenges in practice. Especially at the conceptual design stage, sculpting physical models is still essential for surface development, because CAD models are less intuitive for designers to design and modify them. These sculpted physical models can be then scanned and converted into CAD models. However, if the physical models are too big, designers may have problems in finding a suitable position to conduct their operations or simply the models are difficult to be scanned in. We investigated a novel surface modelling approach by utilising a 3D motion capture system. For designing a large-sized surface, a network of splines is initially set up. Artists or designers wearing motion marks on their hands can then change shapes of the splines with their hands. Literarily they can move their body freely to any positions to perform their tasks. They can also move their hands in 3D free space to detail surface characteristics by their gestures. All their design motions are recorded in the motion capturing system and transferred into 3D curves and surfaces correspondingly. This paper reports this novel surface design method associated with some case studies.

Special considerations for glycolipids and their purification.

This unit describes the antigenic stimulation of in vitro antibody production by B cells and the subsequent measurement of secreted antibodies. A generalized system for inducing in vitro antibody production is presented along with a procedure for quantifying the number of antibody-producing cells by plaque-forming cell (PFC) assays: the Cunningham-Szenberg technique and the Jerne-Nordin technique. The assay can be modified as described to measure all classes of antibodies or to enumerate total immunoglobulin-secreting B cells. A protocol for preparing the resting B cells by Percoll gradient centrifugation is also described.

Variability of human milk neutral oligosaccharides in a diverse population.

BACKGROUND: A complex array of free oligosaccharides is a distinctive compositional feature of human milk. Although these oligosaccharides have been studied for several years, their variability and distribution have not been systematically studied, and their nutritional and functional roles have not been elucidated. This report describes a study in which a large number of human milk samples were analyzed for the presence and content of nine neutral oligosaccharides. The resultant data were used to probe for distribution trends by donor groups and stage of lactation. METHODS: Milk samples from 435 women residing in 10 countries were analyzed using a simple preparation procedure, gel filtration, and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. RESULTS: All samples contained structures based on lacto-N-neotetraose and lacto-N-tetraose. This contrasts with the fucosyloligosaccharides tested, none of which was detected in 100% of the samples. Unexpected distribution trends were observed. For example, 100% of the samples from Mexico (n = 156) contained 2'-fucosyllactose, whereas only 46% of the samples from the Philippines (n = 22) contained this structure. Concentration ranges for the analyzed oligosaccharides revealed quantitative and qualitative distribution trends. CONCLUSIONS: The oligosaccharide composition of human milk varied among samples. The geographical origin of the donors was one of the factors that accounted for this variability. This can be explained by genetically determined traits that are not uniformly distributed. Results indicated that further systematic studies are needed to ascertain the effect of other factors, such as lactation stage or diet.

Transgenic animals and nutrition research.

Transgenic animals are useful tools for the study of biological functions of proteins and secondary gene products synthesized by the action of protein catalysts. Research in nutrition and allied fields is benefiting from their use as models to contrast normal and altered metabolism. Although food, nutritional products, and ingredients from transgenic animals have not yet reached consumers, the technologies for their production are maturing and yielding exciting results in experimental and farm animals. Regulatory governmental bodies are already issuing guidelines and legislation in anticipation of the advent of these products and ingredients. This review summarizes available technology for the production of transgenic animals, discusses their scientific and commercial potential, and examines ancillary issues relevant to the field of nutrition.

Expression of human H-type alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase encoding for blood group H(O) antigen in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Evidence for preferential fucosylation and truncation of polylactosamine sequences.

The human H(O) blood group is specified by the structure Fucalpha1-2Galbeta1-R, but the factors regulating expression of this determinant on cell surface glycoconjugates are not well understood. To learn more about the regulation of H blood group expression, cDNA encoding the human H-type GDPFuc:beta-D-galactoside alpha1, 2-fucosyltransferase (alpha1,2FT) was stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The new cell line, designated CHO(alpha1,2)FT, expressed surface neoglycans containing the H antigen. The structures of the fucosylated neoglycans in CHO(alpha1, 2)FT cells and the distribution of these glycans on glycoproteins were characterized. Seventeen percent of the [3H]Gal-labeled glycopeptides from CHO(alpha1,2)FT cells bound to the immobilized H blood group-specific lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I), whereas none from parental CHO cells bound to the lectin. The glycopeptides from CHO(alpha1,2)FT cells binding to UEA-I contained polylactosamine [3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-]n with the terminal sequence Fucalpha1-2Galbeta1- 4GlcNAc-R. Fucosylation of the polylactosamine sequences on complex-type N-glycans in CHO(alpha1, 2)FT cells caused a decrease in both sialylation and length of polylactosamine. Unexpectedly, only small amounts of terminal fucosylation was found in diantennary complex-type N-glycans. The O-glycans and glycolipids were not fucosylated by the H-type alpha1, 2FT. Two major high molecular weight glycoproteins, one of which was shown to be the lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein LAMP-1, preferentially contained the H-type structure and were bound by immobilized UEA-I. These results demonstrate that in CHO cells the expressed H-type alpha1,2FT does not indiscriminately fucosylate terminal galactosyl residues in complex-type N-glycans, but it favors glycans containing polylactosamine and dramatically alters their length and sialylation.

Remodeling of mouse milk glycoconjugates by transgenic expression of a human glycosyltransferase.

The mammary gland is a unique biosynthetic tissue that produces a variety of species-specific glycoconjugates, but the factors regulating the production of specific glycoconjugates are not well understood. To explore the underlying regulation, a fusion gene containing a cDNA encoding the human alpha 1,2-fucosyltransferase (alpha 1,2FT), which generates the H-blood group antigen, flanked by the murine whey acidic protein promoter and a polyadenylation signal, was introduced into mice. Milk samples from transgenic animals contained soluble forms of the alpha 1,2FT, as revealed by Western blots of milk samples using an anti-alpha 1,2FT antiserum and by the demonstration of alpha 1,2FT enzyme activity. Milk from transgenic animals also contained large quantities of 2'-fucosyllactose (Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-4Glc) and modified glycoproteins containing the H-antigen, whereas milk from control animals lacked these glycoconjugates. Expression levels of 2'-fucosyllactose were high in most animals and represented 1/3 to nearly 1/2 of the total milk oligosaccharides. These results demonstrate that heterologous transgenic expression of a glycosyltransferase can result in the expression of both the transgene and its secondary gene products and that the structures of milk oligosaccharides can be remodeled depending on expression of the appropriate enzyme. Furthermore, these results suggest that the lactating mammary gland may be a unique biosynthetic reactor for the production of biologically active oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates.

A solid-phase assay for beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase activity in human serum using recombinant aequorin.

We have developed a sensitive and rapid solid-phase assay for the serum enzyme UDPGal:beta-D-GlcNAc beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta 1,4-GT) (EC 2.4.1.38) that employs the recombinant bioluminescent protein aequorin as the enzyme label for product detection. The substrate for beta 1,4-GT is a neoglycoprotein, bovine serum albumin containing covalently attached GlcNAc residues (GlcNAc-BSA), and it was immobilized by adsorption in microtiter plate wells. Serum samples were added to each well along with saturating levels of UDPGal and Mn2+. Galactosylation of the neoglycoprotein acceptor by the serum beta 1,4-GT produces the N-acetyllactosamine derivative Gal beta 1, 4GlcNAc-BSA. The product formed is quantified by adding the biotinylated plant lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, which binds specifically to N-acetyllactosamine, followed by the addition of streptavidin and the biotinylated aequorin. Aequorin produces a flash of light in response to Ca2+ and is detectable to 10(-19) mol in a luminometer. Using this assay, the beta 1,4-GT activity in human serum and the activity of a semipurified beta 1,4-GT are linear with time and serum concentration over a wide range. The reaction is dependent on UDPGal and Mn2+, is highly reproducible with a low background, and can be performed in a few hours. Assays employing aequorin have a wider range of linearity than those employing horseradish peroxidase as an enzyme label. These results demonstrate that the assay for beta 1,4-GT is useful for determining activity in heterogeneous samples and also demonstrate the utility of the recombinant protein aequorin for solid-phase assay methods.

A novel sialylfucopentaose in human milk. Presence of this oligosaccharide is not dependent on expression of the secretor or Lewis fucosyltransferases.

We have identified a novel oligosaccharide in human milk that is a fucosyl derivative of sialyltetrasaccharide c (NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc). This oligosaccharide was purified by affinity chromatography on a column of immobilized Ricinus communis I lectin. Structural analyses of radiolabeled oligosaccharides by exoglycosidase digestions, binding by specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies, and analysis of the 3H-labeled glucitol derivative obtained after permethylation and hydrolysis are consistent with the following proposed structure. (formula; see text) The analyses of human milk sialylpentasaccharides from donors typed as Le(a-,b+), Le(a+,b-), and Le(a-,b-) secretor confirmed the secretor gene-dependent expression of the sialylated lacto-N-fucopentaose I (Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-3[NeuAc alpha 2-6]GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) and the Lewis gene-dependent expression of the sialylated lacto-N-fucopentaose II (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3[Fuc alpha 1-4]GlcNAc beta 1-4Glc). However, the presence of this novel oligosaccharide in human milk is not dependent on the expression of either the secretor gene or the Lewis gene-specified fucosyltransferases.

A new ganglioside in human meconium detected with antiserum against human milk sialyltetrasaccharide a.

Antiserum directed against the alditol derivative of the human milk monosialyloligosaccharide sialyltetrasaccharide a [D. F. Smith, P. A. Prieto, and B. V. Torres (1985) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 241, 298-303] is used to detect a new ganglioside in human meconium by direct binding on nitrocellulose filters of the sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide alditol obtained from gangliosides after ozonolysis and alkali fragmentation. The sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide is purified by affinity chromatography on a column containing anti-sialyltetrasaccharide a antibodies. The affinity-purified sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide cochromatographs with the 3H-labeled alditol derivative of authentic sialyltetrasaccharide a from human milk. Results of sequential enzyme degradation of the pure sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide and cochromatography of the digestion products with standards are consistent with the presence in meconium of a monosialylganglioside with the structure NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc-ceramide. This ganglioside is presumably the biosynthetic precursor of the sialyl-Lea ganglioside [G. C. Hansson and D. Zopf (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 9388-9392], which is also a component of human meconium.

A new ganglioside in human meconium detected by antiserum against the human milk sialyloligosaccharide, LS-tetrasaccharide b.

Antibodies directed against human milk sialyloligosaccharides [D. F. Smith and V. Ginsburg (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 55-59] are used to identify human meconium gangliosides by radioimmuneoverlay-thin-layer chromatography or by direct binding on nitrocellulose filters of sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide alditols obtained from gangliosides after ozonolysis and alkali-fragmentation. Thin-layer chromatograms of meconium monosialylgangliosides immunostained with rabbit antisera specific for LS-tetrasaccharide c (NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) or LS-tetrasaccharide b (Gal beta 1-3[NeuAc alpha 2-6]GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) reveal their corresponding gangliosides, 6'-LM1 and a previously undescribed ceramide derivative of LS-tetrasaccharide b, respectively. The sialyl[3H]oligosaccharides derived from the monosialylganglioside fraction of meconium are separated by paper chromatography and assayed for binding to specific anti-sialyloligosaccharide sera. Antisera specific for LS-tetrasaccharide c and 3'-sialyllactose (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) identify their corresponding 3H-labeled haptens released from the major meconium gangliosides 6'-LM1 and GM3, respectively. Binding of a ganglioside-derived sialyl[3H]oligosaccharide by anti-LS-tetrasaccharide b serum is consistent with the presence in meconium of a monosialylganglioside with the following proposed structure: (formula; see text)

Rabbit antibodies against the human milk sialyloligosaccharide alditol of LS-tetrasaccharide a (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcOH).

The sialyloligosaccharide, NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc (LS-tetrasaccharide a), a minor component of human milk, is obtained in relatively large quantities from autohydrolysates of the major milk disialyloligosaccharide, NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3[NeuAc alpha 2-6]GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc (disialyllacto-N-tetraose). Rabbits immunized with an oligosaccharide-protein conjugate prepared from keyhole limpet hemocyanin and LS-tetrasaccharide a produce antibodies directed against the corresponding oligosaccharide alditol. The anti-LS-tetrasaccharide a sera bind 3H-labeled LS-tetrasaccharide a in a direct-binding radioimmunoassay on nitrocellulose filters. The specificities of these antibodies are determined by comparing inhibitory activities of structurally related oligosaccharides. Strong hapten-antibody binding (Ka greater than 10(6) M-1) requires sialic acid linked alpha 2-3 to the nonreducing terminal galactose residue of reduced lacto-N-tetraose (Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcOH). Specificities of antibodies prepared against keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates of LS-tetrasaccharide b (Gal beta 1-3[NeuAc alpha 2-6]GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) and LS-tetrasaccharide c (NeuAc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) differ only slightly from rabbit antibodies prepared against the corresponding bovine serum albumin conjugates described previously [D. F. Smith and V. Ginsburg (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 55-59].

A new sialyloligosaccharide from human milk: isolation and characterization using anti-oligosaccharide antibodies.

A previously undescribed sialyloligosaccharide has been isolated from human milk using a specific anti-sialyloligosaccharide antibody. Structural studies of the radiolabeled oligosaccharide by enzyme degradation and binding by specific anti-oligosaccharide sera are consistent with the following structure: (sequence in text) The oligosaccharide is present only in milk from donors who secrete A, B, or H blood group substances; this is consistent with the requirement of at least one copy of the Se (Secretor) gene necessary for the synthesis of oligosaccharides with Fuc alpha 1-2Gal . . . linkages.