Vaccination inhibits the human adenoviral transduction in a mouse keratoconjunctivitis model

Adenovirus infections are a major cause of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which can lead to corneal subepithelial infiltrates and multifocal corneal opacity. In the current study, we investigated the use of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector as a vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) against subsequent challenges with a luciferase-expressing Ad5 (Ad5-Luci) vector via eyedrop. We evaluated the adaptive immune response to Ad5 vector vaccination and confirmed a robust polyfunctional CD8 T cell response in splenic cells. Neutralizing Ad5 antibodies were also measured in the sera of vaccinated mice as well as Ad5 antibody in the eye wash solutions. Upon challenge with Ad5-Luci vector 8 weeks post the primary immunization, transduction was significantly reduced by > 70% in the vaccinated mice, which was slightly better in IM- vs. that in IN-vaccinated animals. Resistance to subsequent challenge was observed 10 months post primary IM vaccination, with sustained reduction up to 60% in the Ad5-Luci vector transduction. Passive immunization of naive mice with antisera from IM to vaccinated mice subsequently challenged with the Ad5-Luci vector resulted in approximately 40% loss in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, the mice that received IM immunization with or without CD8 T cell depletion showed > 40% and 70% reductions, respectively, in Ad8 genomic copies after Ad8 topical challenge. We conclude that Ad-vector vaccination successfully induced an adaptive immune response that prevented subsequent Ad transduction in the cornea and conjunctiva-associated tissues in a mouse model of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis, and that both cellular and humoral immunity play an important role in preventing Ad transduction.     

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging improves the nodal yield in neck dissection in oral cavity cancer – A randomized study

IntroductionLymph node yield (LNY) in neck dissection has been identified as a prognostic factor in oral cavity cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of additional use of optical imaging on LNY in therapeutic ND in oral cancer.MethodsConsecutive patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma with clinical neck metastasis planned for primary tumor resection were randomized to conventional neck dissection or near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)-guided neck dissection, respectively. In the intervention group, patients were injected with ICG-Nanocoll prior to surgery. Intraoperatively, an optical hand-held camera system was used for lymph node identification. Also, NIRF imaging of the neck specimen was performed, and optical signals were pinned with needle markings to guide the pathological examination. The endpoint of the study was LNY per neck side in levels Ib-III.Results31 patients were included with 18 neck sides in the control group and 18 neck sides in the intervention group for evaluation. During NIRF-guided ND, individual lymph nodes could be identified by a bright fluorescent signal and individual tumor-related drainage patterns could be observed in the neck. The LNY in the intervention group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p = 0.032) with a mean of 24 LN (range: 12–33 LN in levels Ib-III compared to 18 LN (range: 10–36 LN) in the control group, respectively.ConclusionsNIRF-guided ND significantly improved the nodal yield compared to the control group. Intraoperative real-time optical imaging enabled direct visualization of tumor-related drainage patterns within the neck lymphatics.     

近红外荧光成像技术在外科手术中的研究进展

作为术中导航的新兴领域,近红外荧光(near-infrared fluorescence,NIRF)成像技术能借助荧光探针对特定的生物组织进行显像,从而在外科手术中实时获取血管、淋巴管和特定组织的视觉信息,从而发现传统方法无法识别的微小灶,正确显示肿瘤切缘,帮助外科医生进行术中决策。该技术由于其操作简单,快速实时,安全无害,具有良好的应用前景。本文将就NIRF成像技术的基本原理,在实时引导肿瘤切除,前哨淋巴结定位,保护正常解剖结构等方面的临床进展进行综述,并且讨论了该技术的局限性和优势并展望其应用前景。     

Light absorbing properties of indocyanine green (ICG) in solution and after adsorption to the retinal surface — an ex-vivo approach

BACKGROUND: To evaluate potential differences in light absorbing properties and stability of indocyanine green (ICG) adsorbed to the retinal surface and of ICG dissolved in water and balanced salt solution. METHODS: The retina of four human donor eyes was prepared by removing the vitreous from the retinal surface. The inner surface of the specimen was covered with two to three drops of a 0.05% or 0.15% ICG solution respectively. After 1 min, the dye was removed by careful irrigation using BSS plus. The retinal specimens were then investigated by diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV/VIS/NIR Spectrometer Lambda 900/Perkin Elmer equipped with a PELA-1020 integrating sphere accessory) and their absorption evaluated by the Kubelka-Munk function. To control the sensitivity of the setting, diffuse reflectance spectra of ICG adsorbed to a cellulose membrane and Al(2)O(3) were measured. For comparison, absorption spectra of ICG dissolved in water and BSS plus solution were measured in relation to ICG concentration and time using an UV/VIS/NIR Spectrometer Lambda 900/Perkin Elmer. RESULTS: On the retinal surface, absorption spectra exhibited a steep increase of absorption beginning at 620 nm, with a maximum at 736 nm (0.05%) and a shoulder at 745 (0.15%) and a second maximum at approximately 800 nm for both concentrations. Repeated measurement of the retinal surface 13 days after the ICG exposure revealed no changes in the position of the maxima as compared to the initial measurements. Light absorbing properties of ICG on cellulose or Al(2)O(3) are similar to those seen on the retinal surface with respect to the pattern and location of absorption maxima. In contrast, ICG dissolved in water or BSS plus disclosed variations in absorption characteristics depending on dye concentration, solute and time of measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Absorption characteristics and stability of ICG bound to the retinal surface could be of relevance when investigating potential pathomechanisms of ICG related toxicity, which might be related not only to intraoperative but also to postoperative light exposure of patients after intravitreal use of ICG.     

In vitro anti‐adhesive activity of green tea extract against pathogen adhesion

Camellia sinensis polysaccharide has been reported to possess anti‐adhesive activity against pathogens. The present study was designed to investigate whether hot water extracts obtained from green tea leaves might inhibit pathogen adhesion to human or mouse cell lines. Green tea extract‐4 (CSI‐4) with the maximum yield of 4% (w/v) is composed of a major proportion of carbohydrates containing 40% uronic acids, but lack of catechins. It showed strong inhibitory activities against hemagglutination mediated by pathogens Helicobacter pylori, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.01‐0.5 mg/mL. CSI‐4 further demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the adhesion of these pathogens to host cell lines with the IC₅₀ values (50% inhibition of adhesion) of 0.14–2.3 mg/mL. It exhibited the highest activity against P. acnes, but no inhibitory effects were observed against Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus epidermidis. Our results suggest that CSI‐4 may exert a selective anti‐adhesive effect against certain pathogenic bacteria with no adverse effects against beneficial or commensal bacteria. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.     

Therapeutic effect of 5-FC on YCD modified murine P388 leukemia in vivo

Cytosine deaminases (CDs) in bacteria andfungi are found to deaminate prodrug 5 - FC intocytotoxic agent 5 - FU .Yeast CD (YCD) is clonedfrom Saccharomyces cerevisiae.It has been shownpreviously that YCD was more efficient inconversing5 - FC than bacterial CD(b CD) [1-3 ] .As anovel suicide gene therapy system,YCD/ 5 - Fcsystem may be promising in cancer therapy andprevention of graft versus host disease.In thepresent study,we established a P388/ DBA murineleukemia model by infusin…