Frequent overexpression of CADM1/IGSF4 in lung adenocarcinoma

We reported comprehensive screening for antigens (Ags) overexpressed on various carcinomas via isolation of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that may be therapeutic in a previous paper (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105, 7287-7292, 2008). Twenty-one distinct Ags highly expressed on several carcinomas were identified and 356 mAbs with unique sequences turned out to bind to one of the 21 Ags. Among them CADM1/IGSF4 which had been originally referred to as tumor suppressor lung cancer 1 (TSLC1) was included. Therefore we examined the expression of CADM1 in lung cancers in this study. Eight different anti CADM1 mAbs were used for immunohistochemical analysis of 29 fresh lung cancer specimens. Staining patterns were categorized to six groups based on the extent of positive staining and the localization of stained portions. While overexpression of CADM1 was observed on the cell surface of adenocarcinomas at a high frequency, around 60%, positive stainings were rarely observed on that of other lung carcinomas including squamous cell carcinomas. Moreover, some clones among the eight mAbs gave different staining patterns from those by the other clones against the same fresh specimen, suggesting presence of variant forms of CADM1 differentiated by mAbs.     

Toll-like Receptors as a Target of Food-derived Anti-inflammatory Compounds

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in linking pathogen recognition with the induction of innate immunity. They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, representing potential targets for prevention/treatment. Vegetable-rich diets are associated with the reduced risk of several inflammatory disorders. In the present study, based on an extensive screening of vegetable extracts for TLR-inhibiting activity in HEK293 cells co-expressing TLR with the NF-κB reporter gene, we found cabbage and onion extracts to be the richest sources of a TLR signaling inhibitor. To identify the active substances, we performed activity-guiding separation of the principal inhibitors and identified 3-methylsulfinylpropyl isothiocyanate (iberin) from the cabbage and quercetin and quercetin 4′-O-β-glucoside from the onion, among which iberin showed the most potent inhibitory effect. It was revealed that iberin specifically acted on the dimerization step of TLRs in the TLR signaling pathway. To gain insight into the inhibitory mechanism of TLR dimerization, we developed a novel probe combining an isothiocyanate-reactive group and an alkyne functionality for click chemistry and detected the probe bound to the TLRs in living cells, suggesting that iberin disrupts dimerization of the TLRs via covalent binding. Furthermore, we designed a variety of iberin analogues and found that the inhibition potency was influenced by the oxidation state of the sulfur. Modeling studies of the iberin analogues showed that the oxidation state of sulfur might influence the global shape of the isothiocyanates. These findings establish the TLR dimerization step as a target of food-derived anti-inflammatory compounds.     

New Strategies for the Chemical Synthesis of Biologically Important Nucleic Acid Derivatives

Abstract

This paper describes general methods for the synthesis of N-phosphorylated ribonucleosides and oligonucleotides containing a 2′-O-phosphorylated or 2′-O-thiophosphorylated ribonucleoside. The NMR-based conformational analysis and computational molecular dynamics simulation of the 2′-O-phosphorylated ribonucleoside residue in such modified oligonucleotides suggested that the ribose residue existed preferentially in a C2′-endo conformation. It was also found that simple heating of 2′-O-phosphorylated oligonucleotides resulted in rapid dethiophosphorylation.     

Neurite Outgrowth of PC12 Cells by 4′-O-β-d-Glucopyranosyl-3′,4-Dimethoxychalcone from Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ was Enhanced by Pretreatment with p38MAPK Inhibitor

The cellular effects of eleven compounds including chalcone glycosides isolated from Brassica rapa L. ‘hidabeni’ and their synthetic derivatives were studied in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Of the compounds tested, 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3′,4-dimethoxychalcone (A2) significantly increased the levels of the phosphorylated forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK 1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and stress-activated protein kinases/Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK/SAPK), but it did not affect Akt. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a well-known neurotrophic factor, increased the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, JNK/SAPK, and Akt but not p38MAPK, which may mediate marked neurite outgrowth. Signals evoked by A2 shared common characteristics with those induced by NGF; therefore, we evaluated the neuritogenic activity of A2 and found it induced only weak neurite outgrowth. However, this effect was enhanced by pre-treatment with a p38MAPK inhibitor, suggesting that the phosphorylation of p38MAPK down-regulated neurite outgrowth. From the results of this study, it was found that A2 in combination with a p38MAPK inhibitor can induce NGF-like effects. Hence, a combination of chalcone glycosides containing A2 and a p38MAPK inhibitor increases the likelihood that chalcone glycosides could be put to practical use in the form of drugs or alternative medicines to maintain neural health.     

A CD4 mimic as an HIV entry inhibitor: Pharmacokinetics

To date, several small molecules of CD4 mimics, which can suppress competitively the interaction between an HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and a cellular surface protein CD4, have been reported as viral entry inhibitors. A lead compound 2 (YYA-021) with relatively high potency and low cytotoxicity has been identified previously by SAR studies. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of the intravenous administration of compound 2 in rats and rhesus macaques is reported. The half-lives of compound 2 in blood in rats and rhesus macaques suggest that compound 2 shows wide tissue distribution and relatively high distribution volumes. A few hours after the injection, both plasma concentrations of compound 2 maintained micromolar levels, indicating it might have promise for intravenous administration when used combinatorially with anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies.