Designed polyanionic coiled-coil proteins: acceleration of heparin cofactor II inhibition of thrombin

Novel polyanionic proteins were designed to increase the rate of heparin cofactor II (HC) inhibition of α-thrombin, an essential protease in the coagulation cascade. Two α-helical coiled-coil proteins, a 62-residue dimer containing 8 Glu residues (E8C) and a 104-residue dimer containing 14 Glu residues (E14C), plus two 31-residue control peptides containing 8 Glu residues each (E8A and E8B), were chemically synthesized, structurally characterized and enzymatically assayed. Circular dichroic spectrophotometry indicated that both E8C and E14C formed stable two-chain α-helical coiled coils at pH 7 and 25 °C. The control peptides were only partially α-helical. E14C remained folded at 90 °C but E8C was half unfolded at 49 °C. Coiled-coil proteins E8C and E14C maximally accelerated by 35- and 33-fold, respectively, the rate of HC inhibition of α-thrombin. None of these compounds accelerated antithrombin inhibition of α-thrombin, and neither control peptide accelerated HC inhibition of α-thrombin. Acceleration of the HC inhibition of α-thrombin showed bimodal dependence on the concentration of the polyanionic protein, which is consistent with formation of a HC-coiled-coil-thrombin ternary complex. The results suggest that antithrombotic polyanionic α-helical coiled-coil proteins can be designed and synthesized and that the occurrence of secondary structure can be correlated with biologcal activity. © Munksgaard 1995.     

Mucosal bromodomain-containing protein 4 mediates aeroallergen-induced inflammation and remodeling

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High-dose concurrent chemo–proton therapy for Stage III NSCLC: preliminary results of a Phase II study

The aim of this report is to present the preliminary results of a Phase II study of high-dose (74 Gy RBE) proton beam therapy (PBT) with concurrent chemotherapy for unresectable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients were treated with PBT and chemotherapy with monthly cisplatin (on Day 1) and vinorelbine (on Days 1 and 8). The treatment doses were 74 Gy RBE for the primary site and 66 Gy RBE for the lymph nodes without elective lymph nodes. Adapted planning was made during the treatment. A total of 15 patients with Stage III NSCLC (IIIA: 4, IIIB: 11) were evaluated in this study. The median follow-up period was 21.7 months. None of the patients experienced Grade 4 or 5 non-hematologic toxicities. Acute pneumonitis was observed in three patients (Grade 1 in one, and Grade 3 in two), but Grade 3 pneumonitis was considered to be non-proton-related. Grade 3 acute esophagitis and dermatitis were observed in one and two patients, respectively. Severe ( ≥ Grade 3) leukocytopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 10 patients, seven patients and one patient, respectively. Late radiation Grades 2 and 3 pneumonitis was observed in one patient each. Six patients (40%) experienced local recurrence at the primary site and were treated with 74 Gy RBE. Disease progression was observed in 11 patients. The mean survival time was 26.7 months. We concluded that high-dose PBT with concurrent chemotherapy is safe to use in the treatment of unresectable Stage III NSCLC.     

海南哥纳香醇甲GHM-10对L1210细胞DNA分子结构及拓扑异构酶II活性的影响

目的： 研究海南哥纳香醇甲（GHM-10）抑癌细胞DNA合成的作用机制。 方法： 用单细胞凝胶电泳法检测GHM-10对L1210细胞DNA分子的损伤,碱洗脱法测定GHM-10对L1210细胞DNA单链长度的影响,用GHM-10对超螺旋pUC18 DNA的解旋能力测定它对DNA拓扑异构酶II活性的影响。 结果： L1210细胞用GHM-10 (4～10) μg.ml^-1处理4.5 h后,DNA分子受损,表现为电泳后在荧光显微镜下可见彗星状拖尾。GHM-10 (4～25) μg.ml^-1处理L1210细胞5 h, 可引起DNA单链断裂。 L1210细胞或从L1210细胞分离的蛋白质在用GHM-10处理后,DNA拓扑异构酶II的活性均被抑制。结论： GHM-10可引起L1210细胞DNA分子损伤; 无论在细胞内还是细胞外,GHM-10可抑制拓扑异构酶II的活性。     

Src/NF-κB-targeted inhibition of LPS-induced macrophage activation and dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis by Archidendron clypearia methanol extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Raw and processed Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) are used in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia or related diseases. However, few researches compared the activities of raw and processed PMR on lipid metabolism regulation. Moreover, the active substances of Polygonum multiflorum are still not clearly elucidated.

Materials and methods

In this research, a sensitive, accurate and rapid in vitro model, steatosis hepatic L02 cell, was applied to compare the relative activities of raw and processed PMR on lipid metabolism regulation. Furthermore, the lipid regulation activities of emodin, physcion and 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (TSG) were evaluated. The steatosis L02 cells were obtained after cultured with 1% fat emulsion-10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-RPMI 1640 medium for 48 h. Contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in L02 cells are evaluated after exposure.

Results

The intracellular TG contents were increased from 16.50 ± 1.29 mmol/L to 34.40 ± 1.36 mmol/L in steatosis L02 cells, while the intracellular contents of TC were increased from 5.07 ± 1.80 mmol/L to 11.79 ± 0.54 mmol/L. Water extract of raw PMR showed much remarkable TG-regulation and TC-regulation effects than its processed products. Emodin displayed the best TG regulation activity while TSG showed the best TC regulation activity. At the same time, the exposure of emodin and physcion could reduce the LDL-C contents in steatosis L02 cells.

Conclusions

On account of these in vitro results, raw PMR might have more satisfactory effects in clinic treatment of NAFLD or hyperlipidemia characterized by the elevation of cholesterol than processed PMR.     

蜕皮甾酮对HepG2细胞葡萄糖消耗的影响

目的探讨蜕皮甾酮体外降糖的作用特点或机制,即能否通过刺激胰岛素分泌而产生降糖作用。方法检测HepG2细胞24 h培养液中葡萄糖的消耗量;另外测定βTC3细胞胰岛素的释放量。结果蜕皮甾酮在1×10-6~10-4mol.L-1浓度范围内可使HepG2细胞的葡萄糖消耗量增加(44%~77%);蜕皮甾酮的降糖效能随着培养液中葡萄糖浓度的升高而降低;胰岛素对蜕皮甾酮的降糖作用没有明显的影响。蜕皮甾酮没有刺激βTC3细胞胰岛素分泌的作用。结论蜕皮甾酮可通过肝细胞发挥非胰岛素依赖的降糖作用,但不能刺激胰岛素的分泌。     

Treatment with docetaxel and cisplatin in advanced adrenocortical carcinoma,a phase II study

Background:

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with a poor response to chemotherapy. Cisplatin is the most widely investigated drug in the treatment of ACC and in vitro studies have indicated activity of taxanes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin combined with docetaxel as first-line treatment of advanced ACC.

Methods:

Patients with advanced ACC were included in this phase II trial investigating the response to a combination of cisplatin (50 mg m⁻²) and docetaxel (60 mg m⁻²) administered with a 3-week interval.

Results:

Nineteen patients were included in this study. The response rate was 21% (95% CI: 3–39%). No patients obtained a complete response, 32% had stable disease, and 37% progressed while on treatment. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3 months (95% CI: 0.7–5.3 months) and 1 year PFS was 21% (95% CI: 3–39%). Median survival was 12.5 months (95% CI: 6–19 months). The predominant grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (35%); febrile neutropenia occurred in 5% of cycles.

Conclusion:

This study could not demonstrate that the combination of cisplatin and docetaxel has higher efficacy than other regimens reported in previous studies.     

Role of double-stranded RNA and Npro of classical swine fever virus in the activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a noncytopathogenic (ncp) positive-sense RNA virus that replicates in myeloid cells including macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). The virus does not induce type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta), which in macrophages has been related to the presence of the viral Npro gene. In the present work, the role of viral double-stranded (ds)RNA and Npro in the virus-host cell interaction has been analyzed. Higher levels of detectable dsRNA were produced by a genetically engineered cytopathogenic (cp) CSFV compared with ncp CSFV, and cp CSFV induced IFN-alpha/beta in PK-15 cells. With DC, there was only a small difference in the levels of dsRNA between the cp and ncp viruses, and no IFN-alpha/beta was produced. However, the cp virus induced a higher degree of DC maturation, in terms of CD80/86 and MHC II expression. Npro deletion mutants induced an increase in DC maturation and IFN-alpha/beta production-for both ncp and cp viruses-despite reduced replication efficiency in the DC. Deletion of Npro did not influence dsRNA levels, indicating that the interference was downstream of dsRNA turnover regulation. In conclusion, the capacity of CSFV to replicate in myeloid DC, and prevent IFN-alpha/beta induction and DC maturation, requires both regulated dsRNA levels and the presence of viral Npro.     

基于Box-Behnken设计-响应面法与质量综合评价优化葛根芩连汤煎煮工艺

目的 优化和科学评价葛根芩连汤(Gegen Qinlian Decoction,GQD)的煎煮工艺,为其经典方剂中药复方制剂的研究与开发奠定基础以及提供参考。方法 以指纹图谱概貌结合多指标定量为综合评价,采用Box-Behnken设计-响应面法对加水量、浸泡时间、煎煮时间、煎煮次数进行优化。指纹图谱研究采用Waters Acquity UPLCBEHC₁₈色谱柱(100mm×2.1mm,1.7μm),流动相为乙腈-0.1%甲酸水溶液(梯度洗脱),体积流量为0.3mL/min,柱温为35℃,进样量为1μL;采用电喷雾离子源,以正、负离子模式检测,在质荷比(m/z)50~1200进行扫描,建立29批GQD指纹图谱并对共有峰进行指认。对图谱信息进行主成分分析,建立UPLC多波长检测方法测定木兰花碱、葛根素、药根碱、巴马汀、黄芩苷、大豆苷元、黄芩素、甘草苷8个成分含量,计算各样品综合得分,优化煎煮工艺。结果 建立了29个试验号GQD样品的UPLC-Q-TOF-MS正、负离子模式下指纹图谱。正、负离子模式下分别有共有峰23、19个,并对其进行指认,指认出葛根素、大豆苷元、黄芩素、黄芩苷、巴马汀、药根碱、木兰花碱、甘草苷、甘草次酸、大豆苷、异甘草苷、汉黄芩苷、汉黄芩素、甘草酸、glyasperinsD、甘草醇、绿原酸、韧黄芩素II。对共有峰中8个指标成分进行含量测定,以计算综合得分,综合得分结果显示,26号工艺为最佳工艺。最终确定GQD最佳煎煮工艺为加10倍量水,浸泡0.5h,煎煮3次,每次0.5h。结论 所得出的GQD最佳煎煮工艺主要成分溶出率高,稳定可行,可为经典方剂GQD复方制剂的进一步研究和开发提供一定的依据。