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1.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37934639

ABSTRACT

Subtask decomposition offers a promising approach for achieving and comprehending complex cooperative behaviors in multiagent systems. Nonetheless, existing methods often depend on intricate high-level strategies, which can hinder interpretability and learning efficiency. To tackle these challenges, we propose a novel approach that specializes subtasks for subgroups by employing diverse observation representation encoders within information bottlenecks. Moreover, to enhance the efficiency of subtask specialization while promoting sophisticated cooperation, we introduce diversity in both optimization and neural network architectures. These advancements enable our method to achieve state-of-the-art performance and offer interpretable subtask factorization across various scenarios in Google Research Football (GRF).

2.
Acad Radiol ; 27(8): 1085-1092, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31677903

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rate of patients with unilateral hearing impairments (UHI) increase with age and are characterized by asymmetric auditory afferents in which auditory information is asymmetrically transmitted to the brain. Long-term bilateral hearing imbalance can cause abnormal functional changes in the cerebral cortex. However, the relationship between functional alterations in the brain and the severity of the hearing impairment remains unclear. METHODS: This study included 33 patients with UHI (left-sided impairment in 17 and right-sided impairment in 16) and 32 healthy patients. All participants underwent resting-state, blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging. Fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) values were calculated after data preprocessing and compared among the left-sided and right-sided impairment groups and the control group. Pure tone audiometry was used to evaluate patients' hearing impairment level. The correlation between fALFF values of abnormal brain regions and the duration and severity of hearing impairment was analyzed. RESULTS: Results provide evidence for altered resting-state functional activities in the brain of patients with left or right long-term UHI, with significantly increased fALFF values in the Heschl's gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and insula were observed. Moreover, complicated networks reorganization involved in the visual, cognitive, sensorimotor and information transmission functions except for the auditory function and some brain regions exhibited functional changes only in the one-sided impairment group. In addition, the severity of hearing impairment is related with the functional activities in the bilateral Heschl's gyrus, bilateral insula, right superior temporal gyrus, and left middle frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, alterations in functional activity are observed in the brains of patients with long-term hearing impairments and multiple brain regions within different functional networks are involved in the brain functional remodeling. The brain reintegration mechanism appears to be asymmetrical and the lateralization pattern in the contralateral brain hemisphere for auditory information processing related with the severity of hearing impairment.


Subject(s)
Auditory Cortex , Hearing Loss , Auditory Cortex/diagnostic imaging , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain Mapping , Hearing Loss/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging
3.
J Cell Biochem ; 120(11): 18650-18658, 2019 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31338877

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mucin 1 (MUC1) modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) targeting human pancreatic cancer (PC). The MUC1 target-directed probe was prepared through MUC1 conjugated to SPION using the chemical method to assess its physiochemical characteristics, including hydration diameter, surface charge, and magnetic resonance signal. The cytotoxicity of MUC1-USPION was verified by MTS assay. BxPC-3 was cultured with MUC1-USPION and SPION in different concentrations. The combined condition of the targeted probes and cells were observed through Prussian blue staining. The nude mice model of pancreatic cancer was established to investigate the application of the probe. MRI was performed to determine the intensity of the signal of the transplanted tumor, while immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of MUC1 after taking the transplanted tumor specimen. The particle size of the prepared molecular probe was 63.5 ± 3.2 nm, and the surface charge was 10.2 mV. Furthermore, the probe solution could significantly reduce the MRI at T2 , and the magnetic resonance transverse relaxation rate (ΔR2 ) has a linear relationship with the concentration of iron in the solution. The cell viability of MUC1-USPION in different concentrations revealed no statistical difference, according to the MTS assay. In vitro, the MRI demonstrated decreased T2WI signal intensity in both groups, especially the targeting group. In vivo, MUC1 could selectively accumulate in the nude mice model, and significantly reduce the T2 signal strength. In subsequent experiments, the expression of MUC1 was high in pancreatic cancer tissues, but low in normal pancreatic tissues, as determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The prepared samples can be combined with pancreatic cancer tissue specificity by in vivo imaging, providing reliable early in vivo imaging data for disease diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry , Mucin-1/chemistry , Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Antibodies, Monoclonal/metabolism , Aptamers, Nucleotide/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Contrast Media/chemistry , Contrast Media/metabolism , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Magnetite Nanoparticles/administration & dosage , Mice, Nude , Mucin-1/genetics , Mucin-1/metabolism , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy , Particle Size , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays/methods
4.
Cell Physiol Biochem ; 41(5): 1851-1864, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28376477

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (OPN) is highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and is associated with disease progression in vivo. High levels of OPN have been demonstrated to predict low survival rates in CRC. Autophagy is a process of self-digestion, which is thought to play a significant role in carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms of OPN's effects on CRC cell autophagy have not been elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate possible mechanisms of OPN's effects on CRC autophagy. METHODS: HCT116 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration and invasion ability were identified by cell counting k¡t-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and transwell chamber invasion assay, respectively. The ratios of proteins LC3-II/LC3-I, P62, and Atg7 were analyzed by Western-blot. Expressions of Beclin-1, Atg4b, Bnip3, and Vps34, both in transcriptional and translational levels, were analyzed and compared by RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunofluorescence and co-focusing experiments were used to investigate the formation of autophagosomes. RESULTS: The results showed that OPN can promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as inhibit cell apoptosis. It was also demonstrated that OPN could inhibit cell autophagy. Further experiments revealed that the inhibitory effect of OPN on autophagy could be reversed by blocking the p38 MAPK pathway in HCT116 cells. CONCLUSION: OPN is involved in HCT116 cell progression and is capable of inhibiting cell autophagy possibly by activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, implying that OPN could be a potential novel molecular therapeutic biomarker in patients with CRC.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Autophagy , Cell Movement , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , MAP Kinase Signaling System , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Osteopontin/metabolism , p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Humans , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Osteopontin/genetics , p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics
5.
Int J Oncol ; 49(5): 2127-2134, 2016 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27600372

ABSTRACT

Benzothiazole derivatives are known for various biological activities, and their potency in cancer therapy have received considerable attention in recent years. However, the poor water solubility of most benzothiazole derivatives has limited their clinical application. We developed BD926, a novel water-soluble benzothiazole derivative and showed here that it could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human Ramos B-lymphoma cells. We further showed that BD926 triggered apoptosis through both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum pathways. Moreover, BD926 caused cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 stage. Furthermore, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed after BD926 treatment and ROS inhibitor was able to attenuate BD926-induced apoptosis, which suggested that BD926-induced apoptosis may be due to over-producing ROS. These results demonstrate the anticancer effects of BD926 in cell models and raise the possibility for the application of BD926 in cancer therapy.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , B-Lymphocytes/pathology , Benzothiazoles/pharmacology , Endoplasmic Reticulum/drug effects , Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , B-Lymphocytes/drug effects , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Benzothiazoles/chemistry , Blotting, Western , Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Lymphoma, B-Cell/drug therapy , Lymphoma, B-Cell/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tumor Cells, Cultured
6.
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol ; 12(1): 13-21, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26663873

ABSTRACT

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION)-based magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful, noninvasive tool in biomedical imaging. The recent embedding of SPIO in nanoencapsulations that had different controllable surface properties has now made it possible to use SPIO in the imaging of metabolic processes. The two major issues to realize maximized and selective SPIO cancer targeting are the minimization of macrophage uptake and the preferential binding to cancerous cells over healthy neighbor cells. The utility of SPIO has been shown in clinical applications using a series of marketed SPION-based contrast agents. Applications have ranged from detecting inflammatory diseases to the specific identification of cell surface markers expressed on tumors. This review focuses on iron-oxide-based nanoparticles, to include the physiochemical properties of SPION surface engineering and its synthetic methods as well as SPIO imaging applications and specifically targeted SPIO conjugates (e.g. targeted probes) for labeling cancerous, cell-surface molecules. As a specific application of this technology, we discuss its use in the imaging of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma in addition to its potential for use in early diagnosis through targeted strategies.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnosis , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Metal Nanoparticles , Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Contrast Media , Dextrans , Ferric Compounds , Humans , Magnetite Nanoparticles
7.
Drug Deliv ; 23(1): 95-100, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24786488

ABSTRACT

Alpha-Momorcharin (α-MMC) is a ribosome inactivating protein from Momordica charantia with anti-tumor activity. Previously, we had observed that modification of α-MMC with polyethylene glycol (PEG) could reduce toxicity, but it also reduces its anti-tumor activity in vitro. This study aims to investigate whether the metabolism-extended properties of α-MMC resulting from PEGylation could preserve its anti-tumor efficacy in vivo through pharmacokinetics and antitumor experiments. The pharmacokinetics experiments were conducted in rats using the TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) method. Antitumor activity in vivo was investigated in murine mammary carcinoma (EMT-6) and human mammary carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) transplanted tumor mouse models. The results showed that PEGylation increased the plasma half-life of α-MMC in rats from 6.2-7.5 h to 52-87 h. When administered at 1 mg/kg, α-MMC-PEG and α-MMC showed similar anti-tumor activities in vivo, with a T/C% of 38.56% for α-MMC versus 35.43% for α-MMC-PEG in the EMT-6 tumor model and 36.30% for α-MMC versus 39.88% for α-MMC-PEG in the MDA-MB-231 tumor model (p > 0.05). Importantly, at the dose of 3 mg/kg, all the animals treated with α-MMC died while the animals treated with α-MMC-PEG exhibited only moderate toxic reactions, and α-MMC-PEG exhibited improved anti-tumor efficacy with a T/C% (relative tumor growth rate) of 25.18% and 21.07% in the EMT-6 and MDA-MB-231 tumor models, respectively. The present study demonstrates that PEGylation extends the half-life of α-MMC and alleviates non-specific toxicity, thereby preserving its antitumor efficacy in vivo, and a higher lever of dosage can be used to achieve better therapeutic efficacy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/toxicity , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/pharmacology , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/toxicity , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacokinetics , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Half-Life , Humans , Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/pharmacokinetics
8.
Curr Pharm Biotechnol ; 15(6): 549-57, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25213364

ABSTRACT

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disorder characterized by collagen overproduction that leads to cutaneous and internal organs sclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. SSc has high morbidity and mortality. SSc pathogenesis is uncertain. At present most therapies of SSc are symptomatic. Effective therapeutic approaches are lacking. Accompanying a growing understanding of SSc pathogenesis, various key mediators are being evaluated as the therapeutic targets. This review described the effects of these key mediators in SSc.


Subject(s)
Biological Products/therapeutic use , Scleroderma, Systemic/drug therapy , Animals , Cytokines/immunology , Humans , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism , Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism , Scleroderma, Systemic/immunology
9.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 450(4): 1492-7, 2014 Aug 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25019988

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem by affecting 350 million people worldwide. The mechanisms that regulate HBV gene expression and viral replication remain poorly understood. HBx is known as the central regulator for HBV replication and is associated with the CUL4-DDB1 ubiquitin ligase through H-box motif. Here, we show that blocking the activity of DDB1 by RNA interfering inhibited viral production and gene expression of HBV, and direct association of HBx with DDB1 promoted viral activities, indicating that DDB1 function is required for viral production. On the other hand, HBx interfered with DDB1-dependent polyubiquitination of PRMT1, arginine methyltransferase 1, suggesting that HBx can also block the function of a subset of CUL4-DDB1 E3 ligases. Thus, we conclude that HBx regulates the function of DDB1 in both positive and negative manners in the context of distinct CUL4-DDB1 complexes and plays different roles in HBV replication cycle.


Subject(s)
Cullin Proteins/physiology , DNA-Binding Proteins/physiology , Trans-Activators/physiology , Base Sequence , Cell Line , DNA Primers , Hepatitis B virus/physiology , Humans , Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/physiology , Repressor Proteins/physiology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Ubiquitination , Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins , Virus Replication
10.
Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother ; 32(5): 349-53, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24111867

ABSTRACT

Cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7), which is conservatively expressed in the eukaryotic cells, is being intensely studied because of its significant function in DNA replication. In order to get further information on human CDC7, we generated a novel antibody against human CDC7. The steady strain of hybridoma (2G12) that can secrete specific monoclonal antibodies against human CDC7 was obtained by hybridoma technique. It is poised to contribute novel ways to study the cell cycle. The isotope of the monoclonal antibody was tested to be IgG2a/κ, and its characterizations were shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. The affinity constant (Kaff) of the monoclonal antibody was measured by non-competitive ELISA. By Western blot analysis, we found that CDC7 was largely expressed on the HCCLM3 cell line. Further identifications were adopted by the HRP-labeled MAbs. Thus, the antibody might boost studies on tumor cell lines.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Cell Cycle Proteins/immunology , Hybridomas/immunology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Antibody Specificity/immunology , Blotting, Western , Cell Line , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C
11.
DNA Cell Biol ; 32(5): 268-73, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23570557

ABSTRACT

Growing evidence suggests that the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes are associated with risk in a wide range of cancers. The objective of this study was to examine whether two DNA polymorphisms at the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) and the variable number of tandem repeats in NOS intron 4 (4a/4b) were linked to the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a Chinese population. The polymorphisms at ACE I/D and eNOS 4a/4b were genotyped in 293 HCC patients and 384 healthy control subjects using polymerase chain reaction. The frequencies of the D allele (p=0.003, OR=0.72, 95% CI=0.58-0.90) in the ACE gene of HCC patients were significantly different from the healthy controls, and a significantly decreased HCC risk was associated with the DD genotype in both the recessive (p<0.001, OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.11-0.34) and codominant models (p<0.001, OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.14-0.48). This study provided evidence that the ACE I/D polymorphism is associated with HCC, indicating that the ACE I/D polymorphism contributes to HCC progression in the Chinese population.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/ethnology , China/epidemiology , Disease Progression , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Humans , INDEL Mutation/physiology , Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology , Liver Neoplasms/ethnology , Male , Middle Aged , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic/physiology , Risk Factors
12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23607343

ABSTRACT

CD300LG is a novel O-glycosylated member of the CD300 antigen-like family. Besides a classical mucin-like domain, it contains a V-type Ig domain. CD300LG binds lymphocyte L-selectin via its Ig domain and supports lymphocyte rolling via its mucin-like domain. The unique structure and function of CD300LG suggest it may play an important role in inflammation. For preparation of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against human CD300LG, prokaryotic and eukaryotic expressing human CD300LG proteins were used as immunogen and detection antigen, respectively. One stable strain of hybridomas (3C7C5A6) was successfully established using the hybridoma technique. The Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses demonstrated that the MAb was directed against human CD300LG with high specificity. This antibody could possibly facilitate studies on the pathomechanism of inflammation and may have the potential to be a means of effective anti-inflammation.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/chemistry , Antigens, CD/immunology , Receptors, Immunologic/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/biosynthesis , Antibody Specificity , Antigens, CD/biosynthesis , Blotting, Western , CHO Cells , Cricetulus , Escherichia coli , Female , Humans , Hybridomas , Immunization , Immunohistochemistry , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Receptors, Immunologic/biosynthesis , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
13.
J Surg Res ; 181(1): 49-59, 2013 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22664133

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are considered to play a prominent role in cardiac development, function, and pathogenesis. The different types of mitral valvular disease (MVD), including mitral regurgitation (MR) and mitral stenosis (MS), have different underlying pathophysiologic changes, but the precise intracellular signal transduction mechanisms are not clear. Thus, we investigated the differential regulation of MAPK signaling pathways in humans with different types of MVD. METHODS: Left atrial appendage tissue samples from 32 patients with MVD who were undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery were studied. Serum angiotensin II concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of MAPK pathway-related genes and proteins was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Echocardiography showed that patients with MS had a greater left atrial pressure overload than those with MR. The relative amounts of angiotensin II, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, p38α, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2, c-Fos, activating transcription factor 2, and c-Jun mRNA were significantly upregulated in those with MS compared with those with MR (P < 0.05). The serum angiotensin II concentrations were significantly increased in those with MS compared with those with MR (P = 0.017). Substantial changes in the phosphorylated forms of the MAPK proteins were detected. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and phosphorylated p38 were significantly increased in those with MS compared with those with MR (P < 0.001), and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the MR group was significantly greater than that in the MS group (P < 0.001). Histologically, more serious myocardial cells losses, myolysis, and interstitial fibrosis were detected in the MS group. CONCLUSIONS: The different types of MVD have different hemodynamic characteristics, and different MAPK pathways were activated in the MR and MS groups, which could lead to diverse left atrial histologic changes.


Subject(s)
Heart Valve Diseases/metabolism , MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology , Mitral Valve/metabolism , Adult , Angiotensin II/blood , Caspase 3/analysis , Collagen Type I/analysis , Echocardiography , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Heart Valve Diseases/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phosphorylation
14.
Hybridoma (Larchmt) ; 31(2): 131-6, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22509918

ABSTRACT

The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) is being widely investigated because of its specific structure and functions compared with other cannabinoid receptors. In this study, we immunized BALB/c mice with synthesized human CBR1 polypeptide and obtained a novel monoclonal antibody (MAb) against human CBR1. Analysis through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), spot-ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry revealed that the MAb was specifically against recombinant human CBR1 protein, and its subtype and affinity constant (Kaff) were IgG2b/k and 7.85 × 10(8) M/L, respectively. Using this MAb we found that CBR1 is expressed on HL-7702 cells and lipid tissue, raising the possibility that the CBR1 may take a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. Thus, this antibody might facilitate studies for pathophysiology of diseases associated with glucose and lipid metabolism abnormality.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Receptors, Cannabinoid/immunology , Recombinant Proteins/immunology , Alcohol Oxidoreductases/biosynthesis , Alcohol Oxidoreductases/genetics , Alcohol Oxidoreductases/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Antibody Affinity , Antibody Specificity , Female , Humans , Hybridomas/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Molecular Sequence Data , Receptors, Cannabinoid/biosynthesis , Receptors, Cannabinoid/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Proteins/genetics
15.
Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol ; 34(5): 866-73, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22439816

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: α-momorcharin (α-MMC), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) from Momordica charantia, is well known for its antitumor and antivirus activities. However, the immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity hampers its potential therapeutic usage. In order to reduce its toxicity, we had modified the α-MMC with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and detected the toxicity of the PEGylated α-MMC conjugates (α-MMC-PEG) in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After α-MMC purified from bitter melon seeds, α-MMC-PEG was constructed with a branched 20 kDa (mPEG) 2-Lys-NHS, the tests of immunogenicity, immunotoxicity, and general toxicity of α-MMC-PEG were conducted in guinea pig and rat. RESULTS: The titer of specific IgG in rats, immunized by α-MMC-PEG, were approximately one-third of those that by α-MMC, all the guinea pigs treated with α-MMC died of anaphylaxis shock within 5 min, while no animals treated with α-MMC-PEG died in the active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) test. The passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction of α-MMC-PEG challenge in rats was significantly smaller than that of the α-MMC. The liver damage was greatly released, such as the change of globulin (GLB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL) cholesterol (CHOL), albumin (ALB), and the degree of hepatocyte necrosis in repeated toxicity study. CONCLUSIONS: PEGylation is effective in reducing the immunogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity of α-MMC in vivo.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacology , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/chemistry , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/pharmacology , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/adverse effects , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/immunology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Guinea Pigs , Hepatocytes/immunology , Hepatocytes/pathology , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Necrosis , Polyethylene Glycols/adverse effects , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/adverse effects
16.
Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 27(12): 1315-8, 2011 Dec.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22152814

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the localization and recycling between nepmucin and CD31 molecules on transfected endothelial cells, and attempted to clarify the recycling mechanisms of nepmucin in endothelial cells. METHODS: Recycling assay and internalization assay were employed to compare the localization and recycling pathway of nepmucin and CD31. The internalized and recycling nepmucin and CD31 molecules on transfected endothelial cells were double or single stained with specific fluorchrome-labeled monoclonal antibodies against nepmucin (Alexa Fluor 488-ZAQ5) and/or CD31 (Alexa Fluor 488-anti-CD31 or Alexa Fluor 594-anti-CD31), then observed under confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Mouse nepmucin underwent intracellular recycling like CD31, but which recycling rate was significantly lower. The CD31 and nepmucin molecules showed largely distinct localization in endothelial cells. CD31 was found mainly on the cell surface, while nepmucin was found predominantly in the deep area of cytoplasm and partly on the cell membrane. CONCLUSION: The distribution of mouse nepmucin in endothelial cells are different from CD31. Nepmucin underwent intracellular recycling like CD31 but employed different mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Cells/chemistry , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/analysis , Sialomucins/analysis , Animals , Mice , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism , Sialomucins/metabolism , Transfection
17.
Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban ; 42(5): 721-4, 2011 Sep.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22007507

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and identify the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against hMOF. METHODS: BALB/C mice were immunized with protein from the spleen cells isolated and fused with SP2/0 cells. After several rounds of screening and cloning, the hybridoma cell strain secreting anti-hMOF mAb was obtained. Its specificity was evaluated with ELISA and Western blot, and the titer, immunoglobulin subtype and affinity of the mAb were measured. RESULTS: One cell strains of hybridoma were obtained and named as 4C1C8. The anti-hMOF mAb secreted by the hybridoma cell strain was identified as IgG1 subtype. The mAb titers in ascitic fluid were 1 409600, as determined with ELISA with an affinity reaching to 7.65 x 10(6) L/mol. Western blot demonstrated that the antibodies could specifically recognize the immunogen. The cell immunohistochemistry proved that the antibody could recognize the hMOF antigens expressed on the normal cells HL7702. CONCLUSION: The success in anti-hMOF mAb preparation provides the basis for further study of hMOF.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Histone Acetyltransferases/immunology , Hybridomas/metabolism , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Female , Histone Acetyltransferases/biosynthesis , Histone Acetyltransferases/genetics , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Recombinant Fusion Proteins
18.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 407(1): 202-6, 2011 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21376705

ABSTRACT

The c-Myb protein is a vital transcription factor that regulates the differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Previous works have noticed that c-Myb is involved in an epigenetic control mechanism, in which the c-Myb DNA-binding domain (DBD) binds to the N-terminal histone tail of H3 to facilitate it acetylation and activate endogenous differentiation genes, while the leukemogenic mutant of c-Myb does not have these functions. However, whether c-Myb has corresponding biologic functions on the differentiation of other cells except for hematopoietic cells has not been explored. In our studies, we constructed the c-Myb wild type and its leukemogenic mutant DBD recombinant adenovirus with replication-defective adenoviral vectors carrying the GFP gene. We compared their roles on adipogenic differentiation efficiency in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Our results demonstrated that the overexpression of c-Myb could enhance adipogenic differentiation in hMSCs, while the overexpression of its leukemogenic mutant blocked the adipogenic differentiation to a certain extent. These suggest that c-Myb play an important role in the hMSCs differentiation too, which is consistent with the epigenetic control mechanism of c-Myb.


Subject(s)
Adipogenesis , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/biosynthesis , Adolescent , Cells, Cultured , Epigenesis, Genetic , Female , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Mutation , Protein Structure, Tertiary/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/genetics
19.
J Immunol ; 185(10): 6355-63, 2010 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20952683

ABSTRACT

The etiology of salivary gland injury in primary Sjögren's disease is not well understood. We have previously described a mouse model of Sjögren's disease, IL-14α transgenic (IL14αTG) mice, which reproduces many of the features of the human disease. We now demonstrate a critical role for lymphotoxin α (LTA) in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease in IL14αTG mice. IL14αTG mice express LTA mRNA in their salivary glands and spleen and produce soluble LTA protein in their salivary secretions. When IL14αTG mice were crossed with LTA(-/-) mice, the IL14αTG.LTA(-/-) mice retained normal salivary gland secretions and did not develop either lymphocytic infiltration of their salivary glands or secondary lymphomas. However, both IL14αTG and IL14αTG.LTA(-/-) mice produced similar amounts of IFN-α and had similar deposition of autoantibodies in their salivary glands. Both IL14α and IL14α/LTA(-/-) mice had similar B cell responses to T-dependent and T-independent Ags, L-selectin expression, and expression of RelA, RelB, and NF-κB2 in their spleens. These studies suggest that LTA plays a critical role in the local rather than systemic inflammatory process of Sjögren's disease. Furthermore, local production of soluble LTA in the salivary glands of IL14αTG mice is necessary for the development of overt Sjögren's disease. Autoantibody deposition alone is not sufficient to produce salivary gland dysfunction. We also demonstrate that LTA is increased in the salivary gland secretions and sera of patients with Sjögren's disease, further strengthening the biological relevance of the IL14αTG model to understanding the pathogenesis of human disease.


Subject(s)
Lymphotoxin-alpha/metabolism , Sjogren's Syndrome/metabolism , Animals , Autoantibodies/analysis , Autoantibodies/immunology , Blotting, Western , Cell Separation , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Flow Cytometry , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Interleukins/genetics , Interleukins/metabolism , Lymphotoxin-alpha/immunology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Saliva/immunology , Saliva/metabolism , Salivary Glands/metabolism , Salivary Glands/pathology , Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Sjogren's Syndrome/pathology , Spleen/metabolism , Spleen/pathology , Vesicular Transport Proteins
20.
Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban ; 41(4): 571-4, 2010 Jul.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20848771

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and identify the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against pyruvate kinase N terminal (PK-N). METHODS: BALB/C mice were immunized with immunogen PK-N-GST-tag. Then the spleen cells were isolated and fused with SP2/0 cells. After several rounds of detecting and cloning, the hybridoma cell strains secreting anti-PK-N mAb were obtained. Its specificity was evaluated with ELISA and Western blot, and the titer, immunoglobulin subtype and affinity of the mAb were measured. RESULTS: Two cell strains of hybridoma, 2B2E4G and 2C6F5, were obtained. The hybridoma cell strains secreting anti-PK-N mAb belonged to IgG2b subtype, with a mAb titer in ascetic fluid of 1 : 409600 and 1 : 102400, respectively. Their affinity reached 3.54 x 10(8) L/mol and 2.72 x 10(8) L/mol, respectively, as determined by ELISA. Western blot demonstrated that the mAb could specifically recognize the immunogen and the natural cell lysis protein. The cell immunohistochemistry proved that the antibody could recognize human L type pyruvate kinase expressed in the plasma of HL-7702 cell strain and paraffin slice of hepatoma. CONCLUSION: The success in anti-PK-N mAb preparation provides a foundation for further studies into glycolysis in normal condition and metabolic diseases.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Pyruvate Kinase/immunology , Recombinant Proteins/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Female , Humans , Hybridomas/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Pyruvate Kinase/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/genetics
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