In silico repurposing the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 for treating PTTG1-high expressing clear cell renal carcinoma

The pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1), also known as Securin, is considered an oncogene. This study aimed to investigate the role of PTTG1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) using in silico bioinformatics approaches. A pan-cancer analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data indicated that among all cancer types copy number amplification of PTTG1 gene was most frequently found in ccRCC. However, amplification of PTTG1 gene copy number did not correlate with the increase of mRNA level in ccRCC, and did not predict the patients' overall survival. Instead, ccRCC was correlated with overexpression of PTTG1 mRNA, and its expression level was stage-dependent increased in cancer patients. An outlier analysis using the Oncomine database suggested that PTTG1 mRNA expression served as a good biomarker for ccRCC. Pathway analysis for upregulated genes enriched in PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC patients found that PTTG1 overexpression was associated with mitotic defects. Mining drug sensitivity data using the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (CTRP) discovered that PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC cell lines were susceptible to a Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) inhibitor NSC23766. Therefore, this study provides an in silico insight into the role of PTTG1 in ccRCC, and repurposes the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 for treating PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC.     

A DNA vaccine expressing an optimized secreted FAPα induces enhanced anti-tumor activity by altering the tumor microenvironment in a murine model of breast cancer

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), major components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), promote tumor growth and metastasis and inhibit the anti-tumor immune response. We previously constructed a DNA vaccine expressing human FAPα, which is highly expressed by CAFs, to target these cells in the TME, and observed limited anti-tumor effects in the 4T1 breast cancer model. When the treatment time was delayed until tumor nodes formed, the anti-tumor effect of the vaccine completely disappeared. In this study, to improve the safety and efficacy, we constructed a new FAPα-targeted vaccine containing only the extracellular domain of human FAPα with a tissue plasminogen activator signal sequence for enhanced antigen secretion and immunogenicity. The number of CAFs was more effectively reduced by CD8⁺ T cells induced by the new vaccine. This resulted in decreases in CCL2 and CXCL12 expression, leading to a significant decrease in the ratio of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the TME. Moreover, when mice were treated after the establishment of tumors, the vaccine could still delay tumor growth. To facilitate the future application of the vaccine in clinical trials, we further optimized the gene codons and reduced the homology between the vaccine and the original sequence, which may be convenient for evaluating the vaccine distribution in the human body. These results indicated that the new FAPα-targeted vaccine expressing an optimized secreted human FAPα induced enhanced anti-tumor activity by reducing the number of FAPα⁺ CAFs and enhancing the recruitment of effector T cells in the 4T1 tumor model mice.     

疏肝化瘀益气法对肝纤维化大鼠HIF-1α、VEGF表达的影响

目的研究疏肝化瘀益气法干预肝纤维化大鼠模型过程中,对大鼠肝脏组织HIF-1α、VEGF表达的影响。方法采用无菌猪血清诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型。随机分为3组。空白组、模型组给予生理盐水灌胃;软肝散干预组自造模开始即给予软肝散生药水煎剂灌胃。采用HE染色和Masson染色观察肝组织纤维化程度,RT-PCR、Western bolt检测肝组织中HIF-1α、VEGF蛋白的表达情况。结果与模型组相比,软肝散干预组肝组织中HIF-1α、VEGF表达显著下调(P<0.05或P<0.01)。且随着干预给药时间的延长,其表达量逐渐降低。结论以疏肝化瘀益气法为指导的软肝散可以改善肝纤维化的病理改变,通过下调HIF-1α、VEGF表达,抑制HIF-1α、VEGF的过表达,调控HIF-1α/VEGF信号通路抑制肝组织纤维化进程,从而发挥抗纤维化的作用。     

沉默HMGB1 基因对裸鼠人上皮性卵巢癌移植瘤生长的抑制作用

目的：探讨高迁移率族蛋白B1（high mobility group box 1，HMGB1）基因对裸鼠人上皮性卵巢癌移植瘤生长的影响。方法：选取对数生长期的人上皮性卵巢癌细胞株SKOV3 细胞建立裸鼠人上皮性卵巢癌移植瘤模型，将造模成功的裸鼠随机分成对照组和HMGB1-siRNA 组，分别在接种细胞后第7、9、11、14、16 天于荷瘤鼠腋下注射等量的生理盐水和HMGB1-siRNA。3 周后颈椎脱臼法处死裸鼠、分离肿瘤组织，测量肿瘤的体积并绘制肿瘤生长曲线，以Tunel 染色法检测移植瘤细胞的凋亡情况，Western blotting 检测移植瘤组织中HMGB1、STAT3、p-STAT3 的表达水平，免疫组化染色技术检测移植瘤组织中VEGF-A的表达和微血管形成情况。结果：与对照组相比，HMGB1-siRNA组的肿瘤体积增长速度减缓，第21 天起HMGB1-siRNA组的肿瘤体积显著小于对照组（P<0.05）；HMGB1-siRNA 成功敲降了移植瘤组织细胞中HMGB1 mRNA的表达，移植瘤组织中HMGB1-siRNA组的细胞凋亡率较对照组显著升高[ （34±8）% vs（6±2）%，P=0.04]，HMGB1 和p-STAT3 表达显著降低（P<0.05），VEGF-A表达和微血管数均显著低于对照组（均P<0.05）。结论：敲降HMGB1 基因可能通过抑制HMGB1/STAT3 信号通路降低VEGF-A的表达和微血管形成，从而促进肿瘤组织细胞凋亡和减缓移植瘤生长。     

Analysis of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin,vascular endothelial growth factor,and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products in bone marrow supernatant in hematologic malignancies

BackgroundInflammation is a known risk factor of cancer development, including inflammation-driven leukemogenesis. Evaluation of inflammation-related cytokines in early diagnosis stages is crucial to understand the development of hematologic malignancy. Our aim was to measure three cytokines- neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) in bone marrow (BM) samples from patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancy and compare these measurements with the control. Additionally, we evaluated whether NGAL was significantly associated with sRAGE, VEGF, and several hematological parameters.MethodsBM samples were collected from 73 patients, who were classified into myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), plasma cell neoplasm (PCN) and control groups according to the BM smear and pathology review. An immunoassay, a Luminex assay, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantitate NGAL, VEGF, and sRAGE, respectively, while all measurements of NGAL, VEGF and sRAGE were performed on BM supernatants. Data on hematological parameters were collected from medical records. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Pearson Chi-Square test. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationships among the parameters.ResultsThe independent factors associated with NGAL were neutrophil counts and VEGF. As for both NGAL and VEGF, the MPN (n = 23) group showed the highest level, while the MDS (n = 12) group showed low levels. NGAL levels in the AML (n = 13) and MDS groups were lower than in the control group (n = 14). The MPN group demonstrated higher VEGF levels than the AML and MDS groups. The MDS group showed lower VEGF levels than the PCN (n = 11) group. No statistical difference between the hematologic malignancy and control groups or among the hematologic malignancy groups was observed for sRAGE levels.ConclusionNGAL was related to neutrophil count and VEGF. NGAL and VEGF showed similar intergroup patterns, reflecting that NGAL was associated with VEGF.     

Radiofrequency irradiation attenuates angiogenesis and inflammation in UVB-induced rosacea in mouse skin

Rosacea is a skin inflammatory condition accompanied by cutaneous signs such as oedema, flushing, erythema, telangiectasia and pustules. Generally, rosacea is triggered by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. When exposed to UVB, skin epidermis thickens and produces elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially keratinocyte-related VEGF, a potent angiogenic factor. The upregulations of VEGF expression and its secretion promote the formation of new blood vessels and exacerbates rosacea. In this study, radiofrequency (RF) irradiation reduced keratinocyte proliferation in the epidermal layer, the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis-related inflammatory factors and VEGF in our UVB-induced model of rosacea in vitro and in vivo. RF irradiation attenuated VEGF-induced angiogenesis-associated processes such as tube formation, cell migration and endothelial cell proliferation. Notably, blood vessel densities in the skins of UVB-treated mice and rosacea patients were significantly decreased by RF irradiation. These results provide experimental and molecular evidence regarding the effectiveness of RF irradiation for the treatment of rosacea.     

Differential effects of high and low strength magnetic fields on mouse embryonic development and vasculogenesis of embryonic stem cells

Man-made magnetic fields (MFs) may exert adverse effects on mammalian embryonic development. Herein, we analysed the effect of 10 mT 50 Hz sinusoidal (AC) or static (DC) MFs versus 1 mT MFs on embryonic development of mice. Exposure for 20 days during gestation to 10 mT MFs increased resorptions and dead fetuses, decreased crown-rump length and fresh weight, reduced blood vessel differentiation and caused histological changes, accompanied with diminished vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in several organs. In embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived embryoid bodies exposure towards 10 mT MFs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased vascular marker as well as VEGF expression and enhanced apoptosis. In conclusion, our combined data from in vivo and in vitro experiments identified VEGF as an important mediator during embryonic development that can be influenced by high strength MFs, which in consequence leads to severe abnormalities in fetus organs and blood vessel formation.     

Triamcinolone acetonide nanoparticles incorporated in thermoreversible gels for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US affecting millions yearly. It is characterized by intraocular neovascularization, inflammation and retinal damage which can be ameliorated through intraocular injections of glucocorticoids. However, the complications that arise from repetitive injections as well as the difficulty posed by targeting the posterior segment of the eye make this interesting territory for the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDS). In the present study, we described the development of a DDS composed of triamcinolone acetonide-encapsulated PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles (NP) incorporated into PLGA–PEG–PLGA thermoreversible gel and its use against VEGF expression characteristic of AMD. We found that the NP with mean size of 208?±?1.0?nm showed uniform size distribution and exhibited sustained release of the drug. We also demonstrated that the polymer can be injected as a solution and transition to a gel phase based on the biological temperature of the eye. Additionally, the proposed DDS was non-cytotoxic to ARPE-19 cells and significantly reduced VEGF expression by 43.5?±?3.9% as compared to a 1.53?±?11.1% reduction with triamcinolone. These results suggest the proposed DDS will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AMD.     

NRP-1单克隆抗体对乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响

 目的 探讨NRP-1单克隆抗体（NRP-1 MAb）的特异性，以及不同剂量的NRP-1 MAb治疗乳腺癌裸鼠移植瘤的疗效。方法 Western blot和共聚焦免疫荧光法检测NRP-1 MAb是否识别MCF7细胞上NRP-1蛋白。将MCF7细胞接种于BALB/c裸鼠皮下建立乳腺癌细胞移植瘤模型，并进行瘤组织传代。传代的肿瘤体积生长至300~500 mm3时，随机分为对照组、NRP-1 MAb低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组，每组6只，给药7次。观察荷瘤裸鼠一般状况，测量瘤体大小及裸鼠体重。实验结束时剥离瘤体称重，提取组织蛋白，Western blot检测组织中VEGF蛋白和NRP-1蛋白的表达量。结果 NRP-1MAb成功识别MCF7细胞上的NRP-1蛋白；NRP-1 MAb能够有效抑制MCF7细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长，低剂量组（1 mg/kg）抑瘤率为47.01%，中剂量组（5 mg/kg）抑瘤率为65.70%，高剂量组（10 mg/kg）抑瘤率为69.19%。。结论 NRP-1 MAb能够识别并有效结合MCF7细胞膜上的NRP-1蛋白，且可抑制MCF7细胞移植瘤的生长，NRP-1 MAb抑制移植瘤的增长可能与下调NRP-1和VEGF表达有关。