Biofilm formation of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis cocultured with Acanthamoeba castellanii responds to nutrient availability

International Microbiology - Acanthamoeba spp. and Salmonella share common habitats, and their interaction may influence the biofilm-forming ability of Salmonella. In this study, biofilm formation...     

Circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells: An independent prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer

Evading immune destruction is a hallmark of cancer. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a heterogeneous population of myeloid immune cells, are thought to foster the establishment of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, but it remains unclear how. This study aims to determine the levels of circulating MDSCs and their subpopulations and test their immunosuppressive functions in patients with breast cancer (BC). We analyzed the fractions of MDSCs in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with BC and healthy donors using flow cytometry. Circulating MDSCs were further phenotyped using fluorescently labeled antihuman monoclonal antibodies. Coculture experiments revealed the effects of MDSCs on CD3⁺ T cell response. Moreover, we correlated circulating MDSC levels with clinicopathological features of patients with BC. We show that the fraction of HLA-DR ^– CD33 ⁺ MDSCs in peripheral blood is about 10-fold higher in patients with BC than in healthy control individuals. The levels of all MDSC subpopulations, including monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs, are significantly elevated. Coculture experiments of purified HLA-DR ^– CD33 ⁺ MDSCs and CD3 ⁺ T cells demonstrate that T cell proliferation is more effectively inhibited by BC patient-derived MDSCs than by healthy control MDSCs. Moreover, increased circulating MDSC levels robustly associate with advanced BC stage and positive lymph node status. By being more abundant and more effective T cell suppressors, BC patient-derived circulating MDSCs exert a dual immunosuppressive effect. Our findings pave the way to develop novel diagnostic and immunotherapeutic strategies, aimed at detecting and inhibiting MDSCs in patients with BC.     

Ovarian cancer stem cell: A potential therapeutic target for overcoming multidrug resistance

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model encompasses an advantageous paradigm that in recent decades provides a better elucidation for many important biological aspects of cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and, more important, development of multidrug resistance (MDR). Such several other hematological malignancies and solid tumors and the identification and isolation of ovarian cancer stem cells (OV-CSCs) show that ovarian cancer also follows this hierarchical model. Gaining a better insight into CSC-mediated resistance holds promise for improving current ovarian cancer therapies and prolonging the survival of recurrent ovarian cancer patients in the future. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss some important mechanisms by which CSCs can escape chemotherapy, and then review the recent and growing body of evidence that supports the contribution of CSCs to MDR in ovarian cancer.     

Novel trastuzumab-DM1 conjugate: Synthesis and bio-evaluation

Antibody-drug conjugates are now of considerable interest and are recommended for the treatment of cancers. Linkers are having a crucial role in potency and efficacy of these drugs. Herein, for the first time, we have used a water-soluble poly-ethylene glycol based linker (succinimidyl-[(N-maleimido propionamido)-diethyleneglycol] [SM(PEG)2]) for lysine amide coupling of DM1 drug to trastuzumab considering evaluation of the effect of using a hydrophilic linker on physicochemical and biological properties of the resulting conjugate in comparison to the conjugate containing succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC) linker, which has a relative hydrophobic nature. The physicochemical properties of synthesized conjugates were investigated in terms of drug to antibody ratio, size variants and free drug quantities. In vitro biological activity of trastuzumab-DM1 conjugates was assessed on breast cancer cell lines expressing different levels of HER2 using binding affinity, antiproliferative, apoptosis, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. Synthesized conjugate containing hydrophilic linker, showed higher drug to antibody ratio, no aggregated form and higher cellular toxicity in comparison to SMCC bearing conjugate. Binding affinity and ADCC potential of conjugates was not affected upon the usage of hydrophilic linker. In conclusion, application of SM(PEG)2 for coupling of DM1 to trastuzumab enhance desirable characteristics of the resulting conjugate.     

Toll-like receptors signaling network in pre-eclampsia: An updated review

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune cells receptors. They are expressed on leukocytes, epithelial cells, and more particularly on placental immune cells and chorion trophoblast. Upregulation of innate immune response occurs during normal pregnancy, but its excessive activity is involved in the pathology of pregnancy complications including pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia (PE). The recent studies about the overmuch inflammatory responses and aberrant placentation are associated with increased expression of TLRs in PE patients. This review has tried to focus on the relationship between some activities of TLRs and the risk of preeclampsia development.