Intracellular adaptor molecules and AR signalling in the tumour microenvironment

Androgen deprivation therapy is the mainstay for treating advanced prostate cancer. A better understanding in the complexity of the androgen receptor (AR) signalling pathway has highlighted that this form of treatment is not sufficient. Since Huggins and Hodges made their crucial observations on the benefits of castration for prostate cancer, significant progress has been achieved in understanding the importance of the cross-talk between the hormone signalling pathway and the kinase signalling network. We now know that preventing androgen production or ligand binding to the AR does not necessarily mark the end of the road for prostate tumour growth. Emerging evidence suggests that there exists a complex set of compensatory mechanisms which allows growth factors to push the transformed cells into a ‘survival adaptation mode’ within the tumour microenvironment. An increase in autocrine and paracrine cascades of growth factor are the most commonly reported events to correlate with progression of androgen-dependent disease to a disseminated androgen independent state. The mechanism of how growth factors can sustain AR activation when cells are deprived of androgens is unknown. This is due to the lack of information about the critical factors linking the intracellular signalling molecules associated with the downstream AR signalling events triggered by growth factors. The aim of this mini review is to highlight a potentially new insight into how intracellular adaptor molecules activated by growth factors may influence and act as a molecular switch to allow the continuation of AR activity in the presence of therapeutic anti-androgens following chemical or surgical castration.     

The evolving biology of small molecules: controlling cell fate and identity

Small molecules have been playing important roles in elucidating basic biology and treatment of a vast number of diseases for nearly a century, making their use in the field of stem cell biology a comparatively recent phenomenon. Nonetheless, the power of biology-oriented chemical design and synthesis, coupled with significant advances in screening technology, has enabled the discovery of a growing number of small molecules that have improved our understanding of stem cell biology and allowed us to manipulate stem cells in unprecedented ways. This review focuses on recent small molecule studies of (i) the key pathways governing stem cell homeostasis, (ii) the pluripotent stem cell niche, (iii) the directed differentiation of stem cells, (iv) the biology of adult stem cells, and (v) somatic cell reprogramming. In a very short period of time, small molecules have defined a perhaps universally attainable naive ground state of pluripotency, and are facilitating the precise, rapid and efficient differentiation of stem cells into somatic cell populations relevant to the clinic. Finally, following the publication of numerous groundbreaking studies at a pace and consistency unusual for a young field, we are closer than ever to completely eliminating the need for genetic modification in reprogramming.     

长效和短效NO发生剂体内干预疟原虫红内期重要侵袭分子转录水平的观察

为探讨NO对疟原虫红内期侵袭相关分子MSP-1、AMA-1和RhopH complex转录水平的影响。通过雌性BALB／c小鼠腹腔感染1×10^6致死型约氏疟原虫P．yoelii 17XL,体内给予NO长效（NOC18）和短效（NOC5）发生剂进行干预后,纯化疟原虫成熟裂殖体,提取总RNA,通过Real—time PCR相对定量方法检测MSP-1、AMA—1和RhopH complex的转录水平。结果显示和正常感染组相比,NOC5处理后疟原虫侵入的关键分子MSP—1、AMA-1和RhopH complex的转录水平明显下降;而NOC18处理则未见这一现象。本研究结果提示NO抑制疟原虫侵袭关键分子的转录水平,进而可能下调疟原虫相应蛋白的表达,从而影响疟原虫的侵入过程。     

Probiotic (symbiotic) bacterial languages

Symbiotic gut microorganisms release of various soluble low molecular weight (LMW)molecules of different chemical nature (surface and exogenous proteins, nucleases, serpins, sirtuines, other enzymes, lectins, peptides, amines, bacteriocines, fatty and amino acids, lactones, furanons, miRNA, NO, etc). These LMW molecules are able to sense environment, interact with corresponding cell surface, membrane, cytoplasm and nucleic acid receptors, to reply quickly and coordinately by induction of special sets of genes, to support stability of host genome and microbiome, to modulate epigenomic regulation of gene phenotypic expression, to ensure the information exchange in numerous bacterial and bacteria-host systems playing an important role in the control for many genetic and physiological functions, biochemical and behaviour reactions, in supporting host health in general. Various symbiotic (probiotic) strains produce different spectrum of such LMW molecules. There is chemical and functional similarity between LMW molecules synthesized by host eukaryotic cells, indigenous and probiotic microorganisms and some micronutrients. It means many LMW compounds of different origin may be the universal regulators contributing to the transmission of information, quorum sensing effects, metagenome stability and epigenomic control for cell growth and development as well as phenotypic expression of different genes. Knowledge accumulated concerning molecular languages of symbiotic microorganisms allows us to better understand the mode of action of known probiotics and to design in principle novel probiotics (metabiotics) with increased health effectiveness. Now we are only at the beginning of a new era of molecular personal biotherapy and nutrition. Soon we can successfully manipulate both the host and its microbiota through interfering in their cross talk, stability and epigenomic regulation of expression of genes using various types of eukaryotic, prokaryotic and nutrition origin LMW molecules are capable to modulate genetic, metabolic and physiological activities.     

生物基分子介导纳米金属材料的制备及其应用

纳米金属材料具有纳米晶强化效应、光吸收率大、较高的表面能和单磁畴性能等优点,因其在医药、化学催化、抗菌抑毒等方面发挥着越来越重要的作用而受到人们广泛关注.近年来,随着全球石化资源消耗与曰俱增,环境污染加剧,基于可再生资源的生物基分子介导纳米材料的制备研究方兴未艾.生物基分子是指直接或间接来源于生物质的小分子或大分子物质...     

Enhanced expression of Hab18g/CD147 and activation of integrin pathway in HCC cells under 3-D co-culture conditions

CD147 is reported to be correlated with the malignancy of some cancers, and its overexpression affects the progression of tumor. In the present study, we investigated the function of HAb18G/CD147, a member of CD147 family, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adhesion, invasion and metastasis in 3-dimensional (3-D) cell co-culture model. The results showed that the extracellular microenvironment could determine the cellular phenotypes and then affected the cellular functions. The expressions of HAb18G/CD147 in HCC cells and fibroblasts were both obviously elevated in 3-D co-culture model. The overexpression of HAb18G/CD147 increased MMPs' (MMP-2 and MMP-9) production (P < 0.01), and was obviously accompanied with enhanced expressions of paxillin, FAK and p-FAK in 3-D cell co-culture model. All the results suggest that HAb18G/CD147 plays an important role in HCC adhesion, invasion and metastasis mainly via modulating synthesis of MMPs and activating integrin signal pathways in fibroblasts and tumor cells themselves under the 3-D co-culture conditions.     

高产信号分子AI-2乳酸菌的筛选及其Pfs基因的克隆和表达

【目的】从锡盟地区酸马奶酒分离的乳酸菌中筛选出高产信号分子自体诱导物2(Autoinducer-2,AI-2)的乳酸菌,通过优化其重组蛋白Pfs的诱导条件体外合成信号分子AI-2。【方法】利用生物学发光法对不同乳酸菌产信号分子AI-2的产量进行比较,以高产信号分子AI-2乳酸菌基因组DNA为模板,扩增其S-腺苷高半胱氨酸核苷酶(S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase,Pfs)基因,构建原核表达载体。利用异丙基-β-D-硫代吡喃半乳糖苷(IPTG)进行重组蛋白的诱导表达,通过优化培养基、诱导温度、诱导前菌体密度、IPTG浓度以及诱导时间得到高表达的Pfs蛋白,使其与底物作用最终体外合成信号分子AI-2。【结果】10株乳酸菌均可产信号分子AI-2,其中屎肠球菌8-3分泌信号分子AI-2的产量明显高于其他菌株;重组蛋白的最佳诱导条件为:选取SOC(Super optimal broth with catabolite repression)作为诱导表达培养基,菌液OD600为0.5–0.7时加入终浓度为0.1 mmol/L的IPTG,37°C诱导12 h;利用最优诱导条件获得了浓度为4.08 g/L的纯化Pfs蛋白,体外合成了信号分子AI-2。【结论】酸马奶酒中分离出的10株乳酸菌均可产生信号分子AI-2,且屎肠球菌8-3可通过Pfs基因的作用生成信号分子AI-2。     

黄芪对急性白血病患者血清黏附分子水平影响的临床研究

目的:探讨黄芪对急性白血病病人可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1和可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1水平的影响。方法:64例初治急性白血病患者随机分为化疗组32例和化疗加黄芪组32例,采用酶联免疫吸附测定方法(EuSA法),对治疗前后的血清可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1和可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1水平进行检测。结果:①与正常组比较,急性白血病病人治疗前后可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1和可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1水平升高(P<0 05)。②治疗后,化疗加黄芪组与化疗组血清可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1和可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1水平均下降(P<0 05),化疗加黄芪组下降尤为明显(P<0 05)。结论黄芪可通过降低白血病血清sICAM-1和sVCAM-1水平的而发挥抗肿瘤作用。     

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy of B-cell lymphoma using calicheamicin conjugated to murine or humanized antibody against CD22

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy with immunoconjugates of calicheamicin is a clinically validated strategy in cancer therapy. This study describes the selection of a murine anti-CD22 mAb, m5/44, as a targeting agent, its conjugation to a derivative of calicheamicin (CalichDM) via either acid-labile or acid-stable linkers, the antitumor activity of CalichDM conjugated to m5/44, and its subsequent humanization by CDR grafting. Murine IgG1 mAb m5/44 was selected based on its subnanomolar affinity for CD22 and ability to be internalized into B cells. CalichDM conjugated to m5/44 caused potent growth inhibition of CD22⁺ human B-cell lymphomas (BCLs) in vitro. The conjugate of m5/44 with an acid-labile linker was more potent than an acid-stable conjugate, a nonbinding conjugate with a similar acid-labile linker, or unconjugated CalichDMH in inhibiting BCL growth. CalichDM conjugated to m5/44 caused regression of established BCL xenografts in nude mice. In contrast, both unconjugated m5/44 and a nonbinding conjugate were ineffective against these xenografts. Based on the potent antitumor activity of m5/44-CalichDM conjugates, m5/44 was humanized by CDR grafting to create g5/44, an IgG4 anti-CD22 antibody. Both m5/44 and g5/44 bound CD22 with subnanomolar affinity. Competitive blocking with previously characterized murine anti-CD22 mAbs suggested that g5/44 recognizes epitope A located within the first N-terminal Ig-like domain of human CD22. Antitumor efficacy of CalichDM conjugated to g5/44 against BCL xenografts was more potent than its murine counterpart. Based on these results, a calicheamicin conjugate of g5/44, CMC-544, was selected for further development as a targeted chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.Abbreviations AcBut 4-(4-Acetylphenoxy) butanoic acid - AcPAc (3-Acetylphenyl) acetic acid - ATC Antibody-targeted chemotherapy - BCL B-cell lymphoma - CalichDM N-Acetyl--calicheamicin dimethyl disulfide derivative(s) - CalichDMA CalichDM acid - CalichDMH CalichDM hydrazide - CDR Complementarity determining region - NHL Non-Hodgkins lymphoma - PBMC Peripheral blood mononuclear cell - TAA Tumor-associated antigen     

The development of an innervated epithelial barrier model using a human corneal cell line and ND7/23 sensory neurons

The corneal epithelium is a highly innervated tissue and hence in vitro models that mimic the effects of chemicals or radiation (e.g. ultra violet) on this important barrier should include consideration of the potential role of innervation. A sensory neural cell line, ND7/23, was incorporated into a 2D and 3D model of a corneal epithelium, using a human corneal cell line, and effects on barrier integrity were neither adverse nor stimulatory. In the 3D model the nerve cell bodies were separated from the corneal epithelium, via a porous polycarbonate insert membrane. The ND7/23 cells were induced to form neurites and cease division when cultured in the keratinocyte medium employed for the corneal cells. In the absence of calcium, the epithelial barrier function was lost, shown by enhanced fluorescein leakage and relocation of ZO-1 and E-cadherin from the cell membrane. At 60 microM calcium, and above, the corneal cells formed tight junctions, with peripheral membrane location of ZO-1 and E-cadherin. The presence of the ND7/23 cells did not compromise or enhance the time taken to form these junctions, when monitored at 24-h intervals over 72 h. Both male- and female-derived human corneal cell lines showed a similar tight junction functional response to different medium calcium concentrations in the presence or absence of the ND7/23 cells. Once differentiated in keratinocyte medium, patch-clamped ND7/23 cells were capable of producing a whole-cell current when exposed to low pH (5.4), indicative of the presence of active pH-gated ion channels.