Melatonin and verteporfin synergistically suppress the growth and stemness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics

The prevalence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has continued to rise for decades. However, drug resistance to chemotherapeutics and relapse, mediated by cancer stem cells (CSCs), remains a significant impediment in clinical oncology to achieve successful treatment. Therefore, we focused on analyzing CSCs in HNSCC and demonstrated the effect of melatonin (Mel) and verteporfin (VP) on SCC-25 cells. HNSCC CSCs were enriched in the reactive oxygen species-low state and in sphere-forming cultures. Combination treatment with Mel and VP decreased HNSCC viability and increased apoptosis without causing significant damage to normal cells. Sphere-forming ability and stem cell population were reduced by co-treatment with Mel and VP, while mitochondrial ROS level was increased by the treatment. Furthermore, the expression of mitophagy markers, parkin and PINK1, was significantly decreased in the co-treated cells. Mel and VP induced mitochondrial depolarization and inhibited mitochondrial function. Parkin/TOM20 was localized near the nucleus and formed clusters of mitochondria in the cells after treatment. Moreover, Mel and VP downregulated the expression of markers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. The migration capacity of cells was significantly decreased by co-treatment with Mel and VP, accompanied by the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these results indicate that co-treatment with Mel and VP induces mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in the apoptosis of CSCs. Mel and VP could thus be further investigated as potential therapies for HNSCC through their action on CSCs.     

Induction of tumor cell autosis by myxoma virus-infected CAR-T and TCR-T cells to overcome primary and acquired resistance

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Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

Are we missing reverse TRALI? – A real world experience from a tertiary care oncology centre in India

Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a rare but potentially fatal pulmonary complication of transfusion that presents as acute hypoxemia and non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, developing during or within six hours of transfusion. Majority of the cases reported are due to transfusion of plasma rich blood components containing antibodies to human leukocyte antigen (anti-HLA) or human neutrophil antigen (anti-HNA). Rarely, anti-HLA or anti-HNA in recipients against transfused donor leukocyte antigens, cause TRALI by a reverse mechanism. Herein, we report three cases of suspected TRALI following transfusions of buffy coat derived granulocytes and peripheral blood stem cells. Three patients with hematological malignancies developed pulmonary symptoms after transfusions of leukocyte rich blood components. All cases showed findings of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates at chest radiography and patients were managed accordingly; however, all three expired within seven days of transfusion due to progressive respiratory deterioration. The patients were transfusion dependent for a long time and had received multiple non-leukoreduced blood components in the past. Clinical findings in all three cases indicate the possibility of reverse TRALI. Although, patients’ anti-HLA or anti-HNA antibodies concordance with donors’ cognate antigens (HLA and HNA) was not confirmed; yet these three cases suggest that reverse pathogenesis of TRALI is not as infrequent as reported in the literature. However, reverse TRALI has not been confirmed as the presence and nature of antibodies in the transfused recipient were not investigated due to the non availability of immunodiagnostic tests in India.     

Newly recruited intraepithelial Ly6A+CCR9+CD4+ T cells protect against enteric viral infection

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Review of clinical characteristics,immune responses and regulatory mechanisms of hepatitis E-associated liver failure

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute liver failure (LF) and one of the most common factors causing acute injury in acute-on-chronic LF (ACLF). When HEV-related LF occurs, a series of changes take place in both the intrahepatic environment and extrahepatic microenvironment. The changed types and distribution of immune cells (infiltrating macrophages and increased lymphocytes) in liver tissue, as well the increased proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the blood, indicate that the occurrence and progression of HEV-related LF are closely related to immune imbalance. The clinical features and immune reaction in the body during HEV-related acute LF (ALF) and ACLF are complicated. This review highlights recent progress in elucidating the clinical manifestations of HEV-associated ALF and ACLF and discusses the corresponding systemic immune changes and possible regulatory mechanisms.     

The Viral Load of Epstein-Barr Virus in Blood of Children after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

ObjectiveTo detect the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral load of children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using chip digital PCR (cdPCR).MethodsThe sensitivity of cdPCR was determined using EBV plasmids and the EBV B95-8 strain. The specificity of EBV cdPCR was evaluated using the EBV B95-8 strain and other herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6, and human herpesvirus 7). From May 2019 to September 2020, 64 serum samples of children following HSCT were collected. EBV infection and the viral load of serum samples were detected by cdPCR. The epidemiological characteristics of EBV infections were analyzed in HSCT patients.ResultsThe limit of detection of EBV cdPCR was 110 copies/mL, and the limit of detection of EBV quantitative PCR was 327 copies/mL for the pUC57-BALF5 plasmid. The result of EBV cdPCR was up to 121 copies/mL in the EBV B95-8 strain, and both were more sensitive than that of quantitative PCR. Using cdPCR, the incidence of EBV infection was 18.75% in 64 children after HSCT. The minimum EBV viral load was 140 copies/mL, and the maximum viral load was 3,209 copies/mL using cdPCR. The average hospital stay of children with EBV infection (184 ± 91 days) was longer than that of children without EBV infection (125 ± 79 days), P = 0.026.ConclusionEBV cdPCR had good sensitivity and specificity. The incidence of EBV infection was 18.75% in 64 children after HSCT from May 2019 to September 2020. EBV cdPCR could therefore be a novel method to detect EBV viral load in children after HSCT.     

A guide to oral vaccination: Highlighting electrospraying as a promising manufacturing technique toward a successful oral vaccine development

Most vaccines approved by regulatory bodies are administered via intramuscular or subcutaneous injections and have shortcomings, such as the risk of needle-associated blood infections, pain and swelling at the injection site. Orally administered vaccines are of interest, as they elicit both systemic and mucosal immunities, in which mucosal immunity would neutralize the mucosa invading pathogen before the onset of an infection. Hence, oral vaccination can eliminate the injection associated adverse effects and enhance the person's compliance. Conventional approaches to manufacturing oral vaccines, such as coacervation, spray drying, and membrane emulsification, tend to alter the structural proteins in vaccines that result from high temperature, organic and toxic solvents during production. Electrohydrodynamic processes, specifically electrospraying, could solve these challenges, as it also modulates antigen release and has a high loading efficiency. This review will highlight the mucosal immunity and biological basis of the gastrointestinal immune system, different oral vaccine delivery approaches, and the application of electrospraying in vaccines development.