Prediction of human serum concentration-time profiles of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies using common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): initial assessment with canakinumab, adalimumab, and bevacizumab.

Cynomolgus monkeys and human FcRn transgenic mice are generally used for pharmacokinetic predictions of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In the present study, the application of the common marmoset, a small nonhuman primate, as a potential animal model for prediction was evaluated for the first time.Canakinumab, adalimumab, and bevacizumab, which exhibited linear pharmacokinetics in humans, were selected as the model compounds. Marmoset pharmacokinetic data were reportedly available only for canakinumab, and those for adalimumab and bevacizumab were acquired in-house.Four pharmacokinetic parameters for a two-compartment model (i.e. clearance and volume of distribution in the central and peripheral compartments) in marmosets were extrapolated to the values in humans with allometric scaling using the average exponents of the three mAbs. As a result, the observed human serum concentration-time curves of the three mAbs following intravenous administration and those of canakinumab and adalimumab following subcutaneous injections (with an assumed absorption rate constant and bioavailability) were reasonably predicted.Although further prediction studies using a sufficient number of other mAbs are necessary to evaluate the versatility of this model, the findings indicate that marmosets can be an alternative to preceding animals for human pharmacokinetic predictions of therapeutic mAbs.

Quantitative diagnostic algorithm using endocytoscopy for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Optical biopsy using endocytoscopy for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) is practical; however, a diagnostic algorithm has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine correlations of endocytoscopic findings of SNADETs with histology using computer analysis and to establish an algorithm. METHODS: Endocytoscopic images and histological images of duodenal lesions from 70 patients were retrospectively collected. The numbers of glands and densely stained areas with methylene blue (DSMs) per 1 mm2 and the percentage of DSMs per screen in endocytoscopy were determined. Moreover, correlations in DSMs and glands between endocytoscopy and histological images were analyzed. Histopathological diagnoses were assessed according to the revised Vienna classification. The primary outcome was correlation between the number of glands in endocytoscopy and that in histology. Finally, a diagnostic algorithm for endoscopic intervention of SNADETs with a statistical program command was established. RESULTS: The number of glands in endocytoscopic images was correlated with that in histopathological images (ρ 0.64, P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the mean number of glands between category 4/5 and category 3 (P = 0.03) and the mean percentage of DSMs between category 4/5 and category 1 (P < 0.001). When the cutoffs for the number of glands and percentage of DSMs were set at 47 per 1 mm2 and 20.8% in one screen, respectively, the area under the ROC curve was 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: Endocytoscopic images of SNADETs reflect histopathological atypia, and computer analysis provides a practical diagnostic algorithm for endoscopic intervention.

Improvement of detection sensitivity of upper gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasia in linked color imaging based on data of eye tracking.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Linked color imaging (LCI) is useful for screening in the gastrointestinal tract; however, its true clinical benefit has not been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the objective advantage of LCI for detection of upper gastrointestinal neoplasms. METHODS: Nine endoscopists, including three novices, three trainees, and three experts, prospectively performed eye tracking. From 30 cases of esophageal or gastric neoplasm and 30 normal cases without neoplasms, a total of 120 images, including 60 pair images of white light imaging (WLI) and LCI taken at the same positions and angles, were randomly shown for 10 s. The sensitivity of tumor detection as a primary endpoint was evaluated and sensitivities by organ, size, and visual gaze pattern were also assessed. Color differences (ΔE using CIE1976 [L*a*b*]) between lesions and surrounding mucosa were measured and compared with detectability. RESULTS: A total of 1080 experiments were completed. The sensitivities of tumor detection in WLI and LCI were 53.7% (50.1-56.8%) and 68.1% (64.8-70.8%), respectively (P = 0.002). LCI provided higher sensitivity than WLI for the novice and trainee groups (novice: 42.2% [WLI] vs 65.6% [LCI], P = 0.003; trainee: 54.4% vs 70.0%, P = 0.045). No significant correlations were found between sensitivity and visual gaze patterns. LCI significantly increased ΔE, and the diagnostic accuracy with WLI depended on ΔE. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, LCI significantly improved sensitivity in the detection of epithelial neoplasia and enabled epithelial neoplasia detection that is not possible with the small color difference in WLI. (UMIN000047944).

Genome editing of SlMYB3R3, a cell cycle transcription factor gene of tomato, induces elongated fruit shape.

Fruit shape is an important trait that attracts consumers, and the regulation of genes related to cell division is crucial for shaping multicellular organs. In Arabidopsis, MYB3R transcription factors, which harbor three imperfect repeats in the N-terminus, control organ growth by regulating cell division. However, the function of MYB3Rs in tomato remains unknown. Here, we characterized tomato SlMYB3R3, which was preferentially expressed in flowers and placed in a subclade with two Arabidopsis cell cycle suppressors (MYB3R3/5). slmyb3r3 knockout mutants were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Morphological observation of the slmyb3r3 mutants showed that fruits that were elongated and occasionally peanut-like in shape were formed, which was caused by significantly increased cell numbers in the longitudinal direction. Transcriptome and yeast one-hybrid assay results suggested that SlMYB3R3 acted as a suppressor of cell-cycle-related genes by binding to the mitosis-specific activator (MSA) motifs in their promoters. Taken together, knock out of the suppressor SlMYB3R3 leads to elongated fruit, which results from the altered cell division pattern at the ovary stage, by regulating cell-cycle-related genes in an MSA-dependent manner. Our results suggest that SlMYB3R3 and its orthologs have the potential to change fruit shape as part of the molecular breeding of fruit crops.

Long-term changes in aberrant DNA methylation and gastritis after Helicobacter pylori eradication focused on metachronous gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: A persistently high methylation level in gastric mucosa after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is presumed to be a risk for metachronous gastric cancer (MGC); however, long-term changes in aberrant DNA methylation and histological gastritis have been unclear. Our aim was to examine changes in DNA methylation and histological gastritis according to the occurrence of MGC. METHODS: Subjects were classified into three groups: 25 patients in whom MGCs occurred after the initial endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer and H. pylori eradication (MGC group), 17 patients in whom MGC did not occur for more than 5 years after the initial ER and H. pylori eradication (non-MGC group) and 29 patients without a history of gastric cancer who succeeded in eradication more than 5 years ago (HP group). Aberrance of DNA methylation in three genes (miR-124a-3, EMX1, NKX6-1) and histological score of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) were evaluated using biopsy samples before and more than a mean of 5 years after H. pylori eradication. Also, the mean Z-score was calculated using Z-score values of the three genes. RESULTS: The methylation level of miR-124a-3 in the HP group and non-MGC group and that of EMX1 in the HP group significantly decreased in the long term after eradication. In the MGC group, H. pylori eradication did not improve aberrant methylation, and the mean Z-score significantly increased. There were significant positive correlations between methylation levels in miR-124a-3 and EMX1 and histological findings after eradication. CONCLUSIONS: A persistently high methylation level after H. pylori eradication reflected precancerous mucosal conditions and led to long-term MGC.

Selection of the candidate compound at an early stage of new drug development: retrospective pharmacokinetic and metabolic evaluations of valsartan using common marmosets.

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug that was developed using common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in pivotal toxicity studies as a non-rodent species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of marmosets in the candidate selection of this drug from a pharmacokinetic and metabolic viewpoint.Valsartan, as well as three other angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers, assumed as competitive candidates, were administered to common marmosets. Human pharmacokinetic parameters predicted by single-species allometric scaling and Wajima superposition suggested that valsartan may exhibit promising pharmacokinetic properties in humans.In vitro metabolic studies of valsartan using isolated rat, dog, marmoset, cynomolgus monkey, and human hepatocytes revealed that the marmoset was the most relevant animal species to humans presenting with the most abundant human metabolite, 4-hydroxyvalsartan. Oral administration of an elevated dose of valsartan to a common marmoset demonstrated that the level of 4-hydroxyvalsartan in the plasma was comparable to that in clinical practice and suggested that safety of the human metabolite might have been confirmed in the toxicity studies using common marmosets.These results suggest that common marmosets, the small, non-human primates, had been a suitable species for the development of valsartan.

Empirical and theoretical approaches for the prediction of human hepatic clearance using chimeric mice with humanised liver: the use of physiologically based scaling, a novel solution for potential overprediction due to coexisting mouse metabolism.

Chimeric mice are immunodeficient mice in which the majority of the hepatic parenchymal cells are replaced with human hepatocytes.Following intravenous administration of 24 model compounds to control and chimeric mice, human hepatic clearance (CLh) was predicted using the single-species allometric scaling (SSS) method. Predictability of the chimeric mice was better than that of the control mice.Human CLh was predicted by the physiologically based scaling (PBS) method, wherein observed CLh in chimeric mice was first converted to intrinsic CLh (CLh,int). As the liver of chimeric mice contains remaining mouse hepatocytes, CLh,int was corrected by in vitro CLh ratios of the mouse to human hepatocytes according to their hepatocyte replacement index. Further, predicted human CLh was calculated based on an assumption that CLh,int in chimeric mice normalised for their liver weight was equal to CLh,int per liver weight in humans. Consequently, better prediction performance was observed with the use of the PBS method than the SSS method.SSS method is an empirical method, and the effects of coexisting mouse metabolism cannot be avoided. However, the PBS method with in vitro CLh correction might be a potential solution and may expand the application of chimeric mice in new drug development.

Human total clearance values and volumes of distribution of typical human cytochrome P450 2C9/19 substrates predicted by single-species allometric scaling using pharmacokinetic data sets from common marmosets genotyped for P450 2C19.

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are small non-human primates that genetically lack cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9). Polymorphic marmoset CYP2C19 compensates by mediating oxidations of typical human CYP2C9/19 substrates.Twenty-four probe substrates were intravenously administered in combinations to marmosets assigned to extensive or poor metaboliser (PM) groups by CYP2C19 genotyping. Eliminations from plasma of cilomilast, phenytoin, repaglinide, tolbutamide, and S-warfarin in the CYP2C19 PM group were significantly slow; these drugs are known substrates of human CYP2C8/9/19.Human total clearance values and volumes of distribution of the 24 test compounds were extrapolated using single-species allometric scaling with experimental data from marmosets and found to be mostly comparable with the reported values.Human total clearance values and volumes of distribution of 15 of the 24 test compounds similarly extrapolated using reported data sets from cynomolgus or rhesus monkeys were comparable to the present predicted results, especially to those based on data from PM marmosets.These results suggest that single-species allometric scaling using marmosets, being small, has advantages over multiple-species-based allometry and could be applicable for pharmacokinetic predictions at the discovery stage of drug development.

A class-A GPCR solubilized under high hydrostatic pressure retains its ligand binding ability.

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the solubilization of a class-A G protein-coupled receptor, the silkmoth pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor (PBANR), was investigated. PBANR was expressed in expresSF+ insect cells as a C-terminal fusion protein with EGFP. The membrane fraction was subjected to HHP treatment (200MPa) at room temperature for 1-16h in the presence of 0-2.0% (w/v) n-dodecyl-ß-D-maltopyranoside (DDM). The solubilization yield of PBANR-EGFP in the presence of 0.6% (w/v) DDM increased to ~1.5-fold after 1h HHP treatment. Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the PBANR-EGFP ligand binding ability was retained after HHP-mediated solubilization. The PBANR-EGFP solubilized with 1.0% DDM under HHP at room temperature for 6h retained ligand binding ability, whereas solubilization in the absence of HHP treatment resulted in denaturation.

Characterization of glycoproteins expressing the blood group H type 1 epitope on human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells.

Recently, we established two mouse monoclonal antibodies (R-10G and R-17F). The R-17F antibody (IgG1 subtype) exhibited a strong cytotoxic effect on hiPS/ES cells. The R-17F antigen isolated from a total lipid extract of hiPS (Tic) cells was identified as LNFP I (Fucα1-2Galß1-3GlcNAcß1-3Galß1-4Glc). In the present study, R-17F binding proteins were isolated from hiPS (Tic) cell lysates with an affinity column of R-17F. They gave one major R-17F positive band around 250 kDa, and several minor bands between 150 kDa and 25 kDa. The former band was identified as podocalyxin by LC/MS/MS after SDS-PAGE. Hapten inhibition studies on R-17F binding to R-17F column-purified proteins with various synthetic oligosaccharides revealed that the blood group H type 1 triaose structure (Fucα1-2Galß1-3GlcNAc) was the predominant epitope on all the R-17F binding proteins. These bands disappeared completely on digestion with α1-2 fucosidase, but not with α1-3/4 fucosidase. Upon PNGase F digestion, the R-17F positive band around and above 250 kDa did not show any change, while the minor bands between 150 kDa and 25 kDa disappeared completely, suggesting that the epitope is expressed on N-glycans in the latter and probably on O-glycans in the former. These results, together with those obtained in our previous studies on R-10G (Kawabe et al. Glycobiology, 23, 322-336 (2013)), indicated that both R-10G and R-17F epitopes are carried on the same podocalyxin molecule. The R-17F epitopes on these glycoproteins expressed on hiPS cells could be associated with the molecular mechanism underlying the carbohydrate-mediated cytotoxic activity of R-17F.

A Cytotoxic Antibody Recognizing Lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I) on Human Induced Pluripotent Stem (hiPS) Cells.

We have generated a mouse monoclonal antibody (R-17F, IgG1 subtype) specific to human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS)/embryonic stem (ES) cells by using a hiPS cell line as an antigen. Triple-color confocal immunostaining images of hiPS cells with R-17F indicated that the R-17F epitope was expressed exclusively and intensively on the cell membranes of hiPS cells and co-localized partially with those of SSEA-4 and SSEA-3. Lines of evidence suggested that the predominant part of the R-17F epitope was a glycolipid. Upon TLC blot of total lipid extracts from hiPS cells with R-17F, one major R-17F-positive band was observed at a slow migration position close to that of anti-blood group H1(O) antigen. MALDI-TOF-MS and MS(n) analyses of the purified antigen indicated that the presumptive structure of the R-17F antigen was Fuc-Hex-HexNAc-Hex-Hex-Cer. Glycan microarray analysis involving 13 different synthetic oligosaccharides indicated that R-17F bound selectively to LNFP I (Fucα1-2Galß1-3GlcNAcß1-3Galß1-4Glc). A critical role of the terminal Fucα1-2 residue was confirmed by the selective disappearance of R-17F binding to the purified antigen upon α1-2 fucosidase digestion. Most interestingly, R-17F, when added to hiPS/ES cell suspensions, exhibited potent dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effect was augmented markedly upon the addition of the secondary antibody (goat anti-mouse IgG1 antibody). R-17F may be beneficial for safer regenerative medicine by eliminating residual undifferentiated hiPS cells in hiPS-derived regenerative tissues, which are considered to be a strong risk factor for carcinogenesis.

The Petal-Specific InMYB1 Promoter Functions by Recognizing Petaloid Cells.

The InMYB1 gene in Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil) is a member of the MYB transcription factor family. The promoter of InMYB1 has been reported to induce petal-specific gene expression in Arabidopsis and Eustoma, and has the same function in several other dicotyledonous plants. Most flowers consist of sepals, petals, stamens and a carpel, whose identity establishment is explained by the ABC model. The establishment of the identity of petals is determined by the expression of class A and B genes in whorl 2. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the InMYB1 promoter functions by recognizing whorl position or petal identity by examining its activity in various mutant and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants in which genes related to the ABC model have been modified. In plants defective in class C gene function, the InMYB1 promoter functioned not only in petals generated in whorl 2 but also in petaloid organs generated in whorl 3; while in the plants defective in class B gene function, the InMYB1 promoter did not function in the sepaloid organs generated in whorl 2. Plants overexpressing class A, B and E genes set flowers with petaloid sepals in whorl 1, i.e. the lateral parts were white and looked like petals, while the central parts were green and looked like sepals. The InMYB1 promoter functioned in the lateral white parts but not in the central green parts. These results show that the InMYB1 promoter functions by recognizing petal identity at the cellular level rather than the whorl position. The petal-specific function of the InMYB1 promoter could be used as a marker to identify petaloid cells.

Multiomics in grape berry skin revealed specific induction of the stilbene synthetic pathway by ultraviolet-C irradiation.

Grape (Vitis vinifera) accumulates various polyphenolic compounds, which protect against environmental stresses, including ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light and pathogens. In this study, we looked at the transcriptome and metabolome in grape berry skin after UV-C irradiation, which demonstrated the effectiveness of omics approaches to clarify important traits of grape. We performed transcriptome analysis using a genome-wide microarray, which revealed 238 genes up-regulated more than 5-fold by UV-C light. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology terms showed that genes encoding stilbene synthase, a key enzyme for resveratrol synthesis, were enriched in the up-regulated genes. We performed metabolome analysis using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and 2,012 metabolite peaks, including unidentified peaks, were detected. Principal component analysis using the peaks showed that only one metabolite peak, identified as resveratrol, was highly induced by UV-C light. We updated the metabolic pathway map of grape in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and in the KaPPA-View 4 KEGG system, then projected the transcriptome and metabolome data on a metabolic pathway map. The map showed specific induction of the resveratrol synthetic pathway by UV-C light. Our results showed that multiomics is a powerful tool to elucidate the accumulation mechanisms of secondary metabolites, and updated systems, such as KEGG and KaPPA-View 4 KEGG for grape, can support such studies.

Mannan-binding protein, a C-type serum lectin, recognizes primary colorectal carcinomas through tumor-associated Lewis glycans.

Mannan (mannose)-binding protein (MBP) is a C-type serum lectin that plays a key role in innate immunity. MBP forms large multimers (200-600 kDa) and exhibits broad specificity for mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and fucose. MBP exhibits high affinity for unique oligosaccharides that have been isolated from human colorectal carcinoma (SW1116) cells and characterized as highly fucosylated high m.w. type 1 Lewis glycans. In this study, we first demonstrated that MBP recognizes human primary colorectal carcinoma tissues through tumor-associated MBP ligands. We performed fluorescence-based histochemistry of MBP in human colorectal carcinoma tissues and showed that MBP clearly stained cancer mucosae in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Coincubation with plant (Aleuria aurantia) lectin, but not Con A, blocked MBP staining, indicating that fucose, rather than mannose, is involved in this interaction. The expression of MBP ligands was detected in 127 of 330 patients (38.5%), whereas, most significantly, there was no expression in 69 nonmalignant tissues. The MBP-staining pattern in cancer mucosae significantly overlapped with that of Lewis b [Fucα1-2Galß1-3(Fucα1-4)GlcNAc] staining, but the Lewis b staining in normal tissues was not associated with MBP staining. In addition, the MBP staining correlated inversely with the expression of CA19-9 Ag, and MBP stained 11 of 25 (44%) CA19-9 (sialyl Lewis a [NeuAc(α2-3)Galß1-3(Fucα1-4)GlcNAc])(-) colorectal carcinoma tissues. We found a favorable prognosis in patients with MBP ligand(+) tumors. These results suggest that selective recognition of cancer cells by endogenous MBP seems to be associated with an antitumor effect and that tissue staining with MBP in combination with CA19-9 may serve as a novel indicator of colorectal carcinoma tissues.

Identification of functionally important residues of the silkmoth pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor, an insect ortholog of the vertebrate neuromedin U receptor.

The biosynthesis of sex pheromone components in many lepidopteran insects is regulated by the interaction between pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and the PBAN receptor (PBANR), a class A G-protein-coupled receptor. To identify functionally important amino acid residues in the silkmoth PBANR, a series of 27 alanine substitutions was generated using a PBANR chimera C-terminally fused with enhanced GFP. The PBANR mutants were expressed in Sf9 insect cells, and their ability to bind and be activated by a core PBAN fragment (C10PBAN(R2K)) was monitored. Among the 27 mutants, 23 localized to the cell surface of transfected Sf9 cells, whereas the other four remained intracellular. Reduced binding relative to wild type was observed with 17 mutants, and decreased Ca(2+) mobilization responses were observed with 12 mutants. Ala substitution of Glu-95, Glu-120, Asn-124, Val-195, Phe-276, Trp-280, Phe-283, Arg-287, Tyr-307, Thr-311, and Phe-319 affected both binding and Ca(2+) mobilization. The most pronounced effects were observed with the E120A mutation. A molecular model of PBANR indicated that the functionally important PBANR residues map to the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th transmembrane helices, implying that the same general region of class A G-protein-coupled receptors recognizes both peptidic and nonpeptidic ligands. Docking simulations suggest similar ligand-receptor recognition interactions for PBAN-PBANR and the orthologous vertebrate pair, neuromedin U (NMU) and NMU receptor (NMUR). The simulations highlight the importance of two glutamate residues, Glu-95 and Glu-120, in silkmoth PBANR and Glu-117 and Glu-142 in human NMUR1, in the recognition of the most functionally critical region of the ligands, the C-terminal residue and amide.

The soybean mycorrhiza-inducible phosphate transporter gene, GmPT7, also shows localized expression at the tips of vein endings of senescent leaves.

GmPT7 was originally identified as an arbuscular mycorrhiza-inducible gene of soybean that encodes a member of subfamily I in the PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 family. In the present study, we established conditions under which a number of dwarf soybean plants complete their life cycles in a growth chamber. Using this system, we grew transgenic soybean with a GmPT7 promoter-ß-glucuronidase fusion gene and evaluated GmPT7 expression in detail. GmPT7 was highly expressed in mature, but not in collapsed, arbuscule-containing cortical cells, suggesting its importance in the absorption of fungus-derived phosphate and/or arbuscule development. GmPT7 was also expressed in the columella cells of root caps and in the lateral root primordia of non-mycorrhizal roots. The expression of GmPT7 occurred only in the late stage of phosphorus translocation from leaves to seeds, after water evaporation from the leaves ceased, and later than the expression of GmUPS1-2, GmNRT1.7a and GmNRT1.7b, which are possibly involved in nitrogen export. GmPT7 expression was localized in a pair of tracheid elements at the tips of vein endings of senescent leaves. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the tip tracheid elements in yellow leaves were still viable and had intact plasma membranes. Thus, we think that GmPT7 on the plasma membranes transports phosphate from the apoplast into the tip elements. GmPT7 knockdown resulted in no significant effects, the function of GmPT7 remaining to be clarified. We propose a working model in which phosphate incorporated in vein endings moves to seeds via xylem to phloem transfer.

Different interaction profiles of direct-acting anti-hepatitis C virus agents with human organic anion transporting polypeptides.

Simeprevir (SMV), asunaprevir (ASV), daclatasvir (DCV), and sofosbuvir (SFV), which are newly developed direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, are among the key components of anti-HCV regimens. Preclinical studies have identified inhibitory properties for some of these DAAs against organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B (OATP1B) functions. However, their details remain mostly uncharacterized. Because OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 play determinant roles in the pharmacokinetics of various drugs via their uptake into human hepatocytes, it is plausible that the inhibition of these OATP1Bs by a DAA would create a potential risk of drug-drug interaction, which has been an emerging concern in anti-HCV therapy. Accordingly, in the present study, we intended to clarify the inhibitory characteristics of newly developed DAAs toward OATP1B1 and -1B3 functions. The results of our coincubation inhibition assays have shown that all tested DAAs could inhibit OATP1B1 functions and that SMV, ASV, and DCV (to a lesser extent), but not SFV, exhibited long-lasting preincubation inhibitory effects on OATP1B1 functions. It was also found that the preincubation inhibitory effects of SMV and ASV could augment their coincubation inhibition potency. Furthermore, significant, but differential, inhibitory effects of the DAAs on the OATP1B3 function were identified. To summarize, our results clearly show that the newly developed DAAs are newly identified OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 inhibitors with distinctive interaction properties. It is believed that these inhibition profiles will provide essential information to all concerned parties with respect to the clinical significance of DAA-mediated inhibition of OATP1Bs in anti-HCV therapy.

ME3183, a novel phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects and is well tolerated in a non-clinical study.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are expected to exhibit efficacy against inflammatory diseases due to their broad pharmacological activity. The launched PDE4 inhibitors apremilast, crisaborole, and roflumilast have not exhibited sufficient inhibitory potential due to poor margins of effectiveness and tolerability. In this report, we describe the non-clinical efficacy, brain translocation, and vomit-inducing effects of ME3183 compared with apremilast. ME3183 showed extensive cytokine suppression in vitro studies using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T cells. ME3183 also significantly suppressed skin inflammation in a chronic oxazolone-induced dermatitis model and showed antipruritic effects in a substance P-induced mouse pruritus model. In these in vitro and in vivo studies, ME3183 also significantly suppressed cytokines, and focusing on tumor necrosis factor-α as a psoriasis-related cytokine and interleukin-4 as an atopic dermatitis-related cytokine, ME3183 potently inhibited both cytokines. ME3183 showed in vivo efficacy at lower doses than apremilast. The brain distribution of ME3183 was sufficiently low in mice and rats. The effective dose of ME3183 for emesis was similar to that of apremilast in ferrets. Given its high-potency inhibitory effects, ME3183 would have a wide margin of efficacy and tolerability. These wide margins demonstrate the effectiveness of ME3183 in treating many inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. An on-going phase 2 trial is expected to further demonstrate the efficacy and safety of ME3183.

Plant hormone profiling of scion and rootstock incision sites and intra- and inter-family graft junctions in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Many previous studies have suggested that various plant hormones play essential roles in the grafting process. In this study, to understand the plant hormones that accumulate in the graft junctions, whether these are supplied from the scion or rootstock, and how these hormones play a role in the grafting process, we performed a hormonome analysis that accumulated in the incision site of the upper plants from the incision as "ungrafted scion" and lower plants from the incision as "ungrafted rootstock" in Nicotiana benthamiana. The results revealed that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA), which regulate cell division; abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA), which regulate xylem formation; cytokinin (CK), which regulates callus formation, show different accumulation patterns in the incision sites of the ungrafted scion and rootstock. In addition, to try discussing the differences in the degree and speed of each event during the grafting process between intra- and inter-family grafting by determining the concentration and accumulation timing of plant hormones in the graft junctions, we performed hormonome analysis of graft junctions of intra-family grafted plants with N. benthamiana as scion and Solanum lycopersicum as rootstock (Nb/Sl) and inter-family grafted plants with N. benthamiana as scion and Arabidopsis thaliana as rootstock (Nb/At), using the ability of Nicotiana species to graft with many plant species. The results revealed that ABA and CK showed different accumulation timings; IAA, JA, and salicylic acid (SA) showed similar accumulation timings, while different accumulated concentrations in the graft junctions of Nb/Sl and Nb/At. This information is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones in the grafting process and the differences in molecular mechanisms between intra- and inter-family grafting.