A novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate targeting HER2 and HER3 with potent therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer.

Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has become one of the most promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Bispecific targeting could enhance the efficacy and safety of ADC by improving its specificity, affinity and internalization. In this study we constructed a HER2/HER3-targeting bispecific ADC (BsADC) and characterized its physiochemical properties, target specificity and internalization in vitro, and assessed its anti-tumor activities in breast cancer cell lines and in animal models. The HER2/HER3-targeting BsADC had a drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of 2.89, displayed a high selectivity against the target JIMT-1 breast cancer cells in vitro, as well as a slightly higher level of internalization than HER2- or HER3-monospecific ADCs. More importantly, the bispecific ADC potently inhibited the viability of MCF7, JIMT-1, BT474, BxPC-3 and SKOV-3 cancer cells in vitro. In JIMT-1 breast cancer xenograft mice, a single injection of bispecific ADC (3 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly inhibited the tumor growth with an efficacy comparable to that caused by combined injection of HER2 and HER3-monospecific ADCs (3 mg/kg for each). Our study demonstrates that the bispecific ADC concept can be applied to development of more potent new cancer therapeutics than the monospecific ADCs.

T cell-redirecting antibody for treatment of solid tumors via targeting mesothelin.

T cell engaging bispecific antibodies (TCBs) have recently become significant in cancer treatment. In this study we developed MSLN490, a novel TCB designed to target mesothelin (MSLN), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked glycoprotein highly expressed in various cancers, and evaluated its efficacy against solid tumors. CDR walking and phage display techniques were used to improve affinity of the parental antibody M912, resulting in a pool of antibodies with different affinities to MSLN. From this pool, various bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) were assembled. Notably, MSLN490 with its IgG-[L]-scFv structure displayed remarkable anti-tumor activity against MSLN-expressing tumors (EC50: 0.16 pM in HT-29-hMSLN cells). Furthermore, MSLN490 remained effective even in the presence of non-membrane-anchored MSLN (soluble MSLN). Moreover, the anti-tumor activity of MSLN490 was enhanced when combined with either Atezolizumab or TAA × CD28 BsAbs. Notably, a synergistic effect was observed between MSLN490 and paclitaxel, as paclitaxel disrupted the immunosuppressive microenvironment within solid tumors, enhancing immune cells infiltration and improved anti-tumor efficacy. Overall, MSLN490 exhibits robust anti-tumor activity, resilience to soluble MSLN interference, and enhanced anti-tumor effects when combined with other therapies, offering a promising future for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. This study provides a strong foundation for further exploration of MSLN490's clinical potential.

Long-term passaging of pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 reveals the breadth of monoclonal and bispecific antibody cocktails.

The continuous emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants poses challenges to the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies. Rational design of antibody cocktails is a realizable approach addressing viral immune evasion. However, evaluating the breadth of antibody cocktails is essential for understanding the development potential. Here, based on a replication competent vesicular stomatitis virus model that incorporates the spike of SARS-CoV-2 (VSV-SARS-CoV-2), we evaluated the breadth of a number of antibody cocktails consisting of monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies by long-term passaging the virus in the presence of the cocktails. Results from over two-month passaging of the virus showed that 9E12 + 10D4 + 2G1 and 7B9-9D11 + 2G1 from these cocktails were highly resistant to random mutation, and there was no breakthrough after 30 rounds of passaging. As a control, antibody REGN10933 was broken through in the third passage. Next generation sequencing was performed and several critical mutations related to viral evasion were identified. These mutations caused a decrease in neutralization efficiency, but the reduced replication rate and ACE2 susceptibility of the mutant virus suggested that they might not have the potential to become epidemic strains. The 9E12 + 10D4 + 2G1 and 7B9-9D11 + 2G1 cocktails that picked from the VSV-SARS-CoV-2 system efficiently neutralized all current variants of concern and variants of interest including the most recent variants Delta and Omicron, as well as SARS-CoV-1. Our results highlight the feasibility of using the VSV-SARS-CoV-2 system to develop SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails and provide a reference for the clinical selection of therapeutic strategies to address the mutational escape of SARS-CoV-2.

Thyroid hormone attenuates vascular calcification induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine in rats.

Thyroid hormones (THs) including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) play critical roles in bone remodeling. However, the role and mechanism of THs in vascular calcification (VC) have been unclear. To explore the pathophysiological roles of T3 on VC, we investigated the changes in plasma and aortas of THs concentrations and the effect of T3 on rat VC induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine (VDN). VDN-treated rat showed decreased plasma T3 content, increased vascular calcium deposition, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Administration of T3 (0.2 mg/kg body weight IP) for 10 days greatly reduced vascular calcium deposition and ALP activity in calcified rat aortas when compared with controls. Concurrently, the loss of smooth muscle lineage markers α-actin and SM22a was restored, and the increased bone-associated molecules, such as runt-related transcription factor2 (Runx2), Osterix, and osteopontin (OPN) levels in calcified aorta, were reduced by administration of T3. The suppression of klotho in calcified rat aorta was restored by T3. Methimazole (400 mg/L) blocked the beneficial effect of T3 on VC. These results suggested that T3 can inhibit VC development.

Cinchona alkaloids from Cinchona succirubra and Cinchona ledgeriana.

Seven new cinchona alkaloids, cinchonanines A-G (1-7), and 29 known alkaloids were isolated from the barks of Cinchona surrirubra and C. ledgeriana collected from Yunnan Province in China. The new structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines. Compounds 2, 13, 14, and 15 showed moderate cytotoxicity.

Activating transcription factor 4 is involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis contributing to vascular calcification.

Our previous work reported that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-mediated apoptosis was activated during vascular calcification (VC). Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a critical transcription factor in osteoblastogenesis and ERS-induced apoptosis. However, whether ATF4 is involved in ERS-mediated apoptosis contributing to VC remains unclear. In the present study, in vivo VC was induced in rats by administering vitamin D3 plus nicotine. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification in vitro was induced by incubation in calcifying media containing ß-glycerophosphate and CaCl2. ERS inhibitors taurine or 4-phenylbutyric acid attenuated ERS and VSMC apoptosis in calcified rat arteries, reduced calcification and retarded the VSMC contractile phenotype transforming into an osteoblast-like phenotype in vivo. Inhibition of ERS retarded the VSMC phenotypic transition into an osteoblast-like cell phenotype and reduced VSMC calcification and apoptosis in vitro. Interestingly, ATF4 was activated in calcified aortas and calcified VSMCs in vitro. ATF4 knockdown attenuated ERS-induced apoptosis in calcified VSMCs. ATF4 deficiency blocked VSMC calcification and negatively regulated the osteoblast phenotypic transition of VSMCs in vitro. Our results demonstrate that ATF4 was involved at least in part in the process of ERS-mediated apoptosis contributing to VC.

Gardovatine, a novel Strychnos-Strychnos bisindole alkaloid with cytotoxicity from Gardneria oveta.

Gardovatine (1), the first Strychnos-Strychnos alkaloid with a C3/C7 cleaved backbone, was isolated from twigs and leaves of Gardneria ovate, together with an analogue divarine (2). The structure was established by extensive spectroscopic methods. Both compounds showed potential cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines.

Melosuavines A-H, cytotoxic bisindole alkaloid derivatives from Melodinus suaveolens.

Eight new bisindole alkaloids, melosuavines A-C (1-3), having an aspidosperma-scandine linkage, melosuavines D-F (4-6), possessing an aspidosperma-aspidosperma skeleton, and melosuavines G and H (7 and 8) of the aspidosperma-venalatonine type, tenuicausine (9), and melodinine J (10) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Melodinus suaveolens. The structures of 1-8 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, and compounds 9 and 10 were identified by comparison with data in the literature. The relative configuration 9 was determined from the ROESY spectrum, and some NMR signals were reassigned. Compounds 1, 2, 4-6, 8, and 10 exhibited low micromolar cytotoxicity against one or more of five human cancer cell lines.

[The relationship between hyperuricaemia and clinic pathology of IgA nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the level of serum uric acid and the clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Totally 148 patients diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2010 were divided into hyperuricaemic group (41 cases) and non-hyperuricaemic group (107 cases) according to the level of serum uric acid. The clinical parameters and renal pathology grade were compared. RESULTS: There were significant differences between hyperuricaemic group and non-hyperuricaemic group in the incidences of hypertension (63.4% vs 38.3%), disease duration [(18.90 ± 10.12) months vs (9.46 ± 3.91) months] and body mass index [(22.81 ± 3.60) kg/m(2) vs (15.32 ± 2.54) kg/m(2)] (all P < 0.05), while no differences in age and sex (both P > 0.05). The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) [(8.93 ± 4.28) mmol/L vs (5.21 ± 2.18) mmol/L], creatinine (Cr) [(155.96 ± 107.72) µmol/L vs (79.52 ± 40.01) µmol/L], serum triglycerides [(2.11 ± 1.06) mmol/L vs (1.86 ± 1.20) mmol/L] and 24-hour urine protein amount [(4328.16 ± 1434.25) mg/24 h vs (2885.10 ± 1388.15) mg/24 h] were significantly different between the two groups (all P < 0.05). The percentage of Lee's grade I + II in hyperuricaemic group was 12.2%, and IV + V grade was 39.0%, while percentage of Lee's grade I + II in non-hyperuricaemic group was 25.2%, and IV + V grade was 16.9% (P < 0.05). Tubulointerstitial lesions (TIL) grade III + IV was more in hyperuricaemic group, which was 68.3%, while TIL grade II was more in non-hyperuricaemic group, which was 76.6%. Renal artery damage grade II + III was more in hyperuricaemic group, which was 73.2%, while renal artery damage grade 0 + I was more in non-hyperuricaemic group, which was 69.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The level of serum uric acid was related with 24-hour urine protein amount, blood pressure and kidney function in IgA nephropathy, and Lee's grade, TIL grade and renal artery damage grade were severe in hyperuricaemic group.

Deep sequencing identifies novel and conserved microRNAs in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.).

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of small, endogenous RNAs that play a regulatory role in the cell by negatively affecting gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNAs have been shown to control numerous genes involved in various biological and metabolic processes. There have been extensive studies on discovering miRNAs and analyzing their functions in model species, such as Arabidopsis and rice. Increasing investigations have been performed on important agricultural crops including soybean, conifers, and Phaselous vulgaris but no studies have been reported on discovering peanut miRNAs using a cloning strategy. RESULTS: In this study, we employed the next generation high through-put Solexa sequencing technology to clone and identify both conserved and species-specific miRNAs in peanuts. Next generation high through-put Solexa sequencing showed that peanuts have a complex small RNA population and the length of small RNAs varied, 24-nt being the predominant length for a majority of the small RNAs. Combining the deep sequencing and bioinformatics, we discovered 14 novel miRNA families as well as 75 conserved miRNAs in peanuts. All 14 novel peanut miRNAs are considered to be species-specific because no homologs have been found in other plant species except ahy-miRn1, which has a homolog in soybean. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that both conserved and peanut-specific miRNAs are expressed in peanuts. CONCLUSIONS: This study led to the discovery of 14 novel and 22 conserved miRNA families from peanut. These results show that regulatory miRNAs exist in agronomically important peanuts and may play an important role in peanut growth, development, and response to environmental stress.

Preclinical pharmacokinetics of a HepDirect prodrug of a novel phosphonate-containing thyroid hormone receptor agonist.

The prodrug [(2R,4S)-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-hydroxy-3'-isopropylbenzyl)phenoxy)methyl]-2-oxido-[1,3,2]-dioxaphosphonane (MB07811)] of a novel phosphonate-containing thyroid hormone receptor agonist [3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-hydroxy-3'-isopropylbenzyl)phenoxylmethylphosphonic acid (MB07344)] is the first application of the HepDirect liver-targeting approach to a non-nucleotide agent. The disposition of MB07811 was characterized in rat, dog, and monkey to assess its liver specificity, which is essential in limiting the extrahepatic side effects associated with this class of lipid-lowering agents. MB07811 was converted to MB07344 in liver microsomes from all species tested (CL(int) 1.23-145.4 microl/min/mg). The plasma clearance and volume of distribution of MB07811 matched or exceeded 1 l/h/kg and 3 l/kg, respectively. Although absorption of prodrug was good, its absolute oral bioavailability as measured systemically was low (3-10%), an indication of an extensive hepatic first-pass effect. This effect was confirmed by comparison of systemic exposure levels of MB07811 after portal and jugular vein administration to rats, which demonstrated a hepatic extraction ratio of >0.6 with liver CYP3A-mediated conversion to MB07344 being a major component. The main route of elimination of MB07811 and MB07344 was biliary, with no evidence for enterohepatic recirculation of MB07344. Similar metabolic profiles of MB07811 were obtained in liver microsomes across the species tested. Tissue distribution and whole body autoradiography confirmed that the liver is the major target organ of MB07811 and that conversion to MB07344 was high in the liver relative to that in other tissues. Hepatic first-pass extraction and metabolism of MB07811, coupled with possible selective distribution of MB07811-derived MB07344, led to a high degree of liver targeting of MB07344.

Effect and mechanism of nociceptin/orphanin FQ reversing multi-drug resistance in K562/ADM cell.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (OFQ) reversing multi-drug resistance of K562/ADM cells in vitro. METHODS: MTT assay, Wright staining, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope and gel electrophoresis were used to evaluate the effect and mechanism of OFQ in reversing multi-drug resistance of K562/ADM cells. RESULTS: OFQ could time-dependently reverse the ADM resistance of K562/ADM cell. After treatment with OFQ (1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)), K562/ADM cells were cultured for 24, 48 and 72 h. The reversal index (RI) was 1.33, 1.42 and 1.53, respectively. Furthermore, OFQ significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of ADM in K562/ADM cells and percentage apoptosis in K562/ADM cells. OFQ down-regulated the level of P-gp time-dependently, while the level of Fas and FasL were up-regulated. There were evidently significant differences compared with the control (P < 0.01). After treating K562/ADM cells with OFQ (1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1)) and ADM (20 microg x ml(-1)) for 48 hours, the cells showed apoptotic nuclear fragmentation, which was characterized by the appearance of a DNA ladder pattern in genomic DNA gel electrophoresis. CONCLUSION: OFQ can reverse the ADM resistance of K562/ADM cells. The mechanism involves OFQ up-regulating the expression of Fas/FasL, down-regulating the level of P-gp, and decreasing the intracellular level of calcium in K562/ADM cells.

Measuring gene flow in the cultivation of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Transgenic Bt cotton NewCott 33B and transgenic tfd A cotton TFD were chosen to evaluate pollen dispersal frequency and distance of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the Huanghe Valley Cotton-producing Zone, China. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of biosafety procedures used to reduce pollen movement. A field test plot of transgenic cotton (6 x 6 m) was planted in the middle of a nontransgenic field measuring 210 x 210 m. The results indicated that the pollen of Bt cotton or tfd A cotton could be dispersed into the environment. Out-crossing was highest within the central test plot where progeny from nontransgenic plants, immediately adjacent to transgenic plants, had resistant plant progeny at frequencies up to 10.48%. Dispersal frequency decreased significantly and exponentially as dispersal distance increased. The flow frequency and distance of tfd A and Bt genes were similar, but the pollen-mediated gene flow of tfd A cotton was higher and further to the transgenic block than that of Bt cotton (chi2 = 11.712, 1 degree of freedom, p < 0.001). For the tfd A gene, out-crossing ranged from 10.13% at 1 m to 0.04% at 50 m from the transgenic plants. For the Bt gene, out-crossing ranged from 8.16% at 1 m to 0.08% at 20 m from the transgenic plants. These data were fit to a power curve model: y = 10.1321x-1.4133 with a correlation coefficient of 0.999, and y = 8.0031x-1.483 with a correlation coefficient of 0.998, respectively. In this experiment, the farthest distance of pollen dispersal from transgenic cotton was 50 m. These results indicate that a 60-m buffer zone would serve to limit dispersal of transgenic pollen from small-scale field tests.

Interaction of Wnt pathway related variants with type 2 diabetes in a Chinese Han population.

Aims. Epistasis from gene set based on the function-related genes may confer to the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The Wnt pathway has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of T2D. Here we applied tag SNPs to explore the association between epistasis among genes from Wnt and T2D in the Han Chinese population. Methods. Variants of fourteen genes selected from Wnt pathways were performed to analyze epistasis. Gene-gene interactions in case-control samples were identified by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method. We performed a case-controlled association analysis on a total of 1,026 individual with T2D and 1,157 controls via tag SNPs in Wnt pathway. Results. In single-locus analysis, SNPs in four genes were significantly associated with T2D adjusted for multiple testing (rs7903146(C) in TCF7L2, p = 3.21∗10(-3), OR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.31-1.47], rs12904944(G) in SMAD3, p = 2.51∗10(-3), OR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.31-1.47], rs2273368(C) in WNT2B, p = 4.46∗10(-3), OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.11-1.32], rs6902123(C) in PPARD, p = 1.14∗10(-2), OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.32-1.48]). The haplotype TGC constructed by TCF7L2 (rs7903146), DKK1 (rs2241529) and BTRC (rs4436485) showed a significant association with T2D (OR = 0.750, 95% CI [0.579-0.972], P = 0.03). For epistasis analysis, the optimized combination was the two locus model of WNT2B rs2273368 and TCF7L2rs7903146, which had the maximum cross-validation consistency. This was 9 out of 10 for the sign test at 0.0107 level. The best combination increased the risk of T2D by 1.47 times (95% CI [1.13-1.91], p = 0.0039). Conclusions. Epistasis between TCF7L2 and WNT2B is associated with the susceptibility of T2D in a Han Chinese population. Our results were compatible with the idea of the complex nature of T2D that would have been missed using conventional tools.

Expression profiles of miRNAs in Gossypium raimondii.

miRNAs are a class of conserved, small, endogenous, and non-protein-coding RNA molecules with 20-24 nucleotides (nt) in length that function as post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Functional studies have demonstrated that plant miRNAs are involved in the regulation of a wide range of plant developmental processes. To date, however, no research has been carried out to study the expression profiles of miRNAs in Gossypium raimondii, a model cotton species. We selected 16 miRNAs to profile their tissue-specific expression patterns in G. raimondii four different tissues, and these miRNAs are reported to play important roles in plant growth and development. Our results showed that the expression levels of these miRNAs varied significantly from one to another in a tissue-dependent manner. Eight miRNAs, including miR-159, miR-162, miR-164, miR-172, miR-390, miR-395, miR-397, and miR-398, exhibited exclusively high expression levels in flower buds, suggesting that these miRNAs may play significant roles in floral development. The expression level of miR-164 was relatively high in shoots beside flower buds, implying that the function of miR-164 is not only limited to floral development but it may also play an important role in shoot development. Certain miRNAs such as miR-166 and miR-160 were extremely highly expressed in all of the four tissues tested compared with other miRNAs investigated, suggesting that they may play regulatory roles at multiple development stages. This study will contribute to future studies on the functional characterization of miRNAs in cotton.

Inhibition of taurine transport by high concentration of glucose in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

Cultured rat cardiomyocytes were treated with 10, 20, and 30 mmol/L glucose and 30 mmol/L glucose plus protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, Chelerythrine. In the 20 and 30 mmol/L glucose-treated cells, taurine contents reduced by 15% and 27% (P<.05), respectively, taurine transporter (TAUT) mRNA levels reduced by 47% and 64% (P<.05), respectively, and cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD) mRNA reduced slightly, but not significantly. Time-dependent taurine uptakes reduced in the 10, 20, and 30 mmol/L glucose-treated cells, and time-dependent taurine release reduced in the 30 mmol/L glucose-treated cells. The Vmax of taurine transport decreased by 18%, 30%, and 35% (P<.05) in the 10, 20, and 30 mmol/L glucose-treated cells, respectively, while Km of taurine transport remained unchanged. When PKC inhibitor, Chelerythrine, combined with 30 mmol/L glucose was treated with the cells, the lowered taurine content, taurine uptake, taurine release, and Vmax of taurine transport caused by 30 mmol/L glucose were eliminated. These results demonstrate that high glucose considerably and specifically decreases intracellular taurine content, taurine transport activity, and TAUT mRNA, possibly through PKC-mediated transcriptional and posttranslational pathways.

Changes in amount of ADM mRNA and RAMP2 mRNA in calcified vascular smooth muscle cells.

This work was aimed to explore the changes and significance of adrenomedullin (ADM) mRNA and receptor activity modifying protein 2 (RAMP2) mRNA in calcified vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Calcification of cultured rat VSMCs was produced by incubation with beta-glycerophosphate. Content of ADM released by VSMCs was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The amount of ADM mRNA and RAMP2 mRNA was determined by competitive quantitative RT-PCR. The intracellular calcium content, alkaline phosphatases activity and cellular (45)Ca(2+)-uptake were determined. The results showed that the content of calcium, (45)Ca(2+)-uptake and alkaline phosphatases activity in calcified VSMCs were increased by 118%, 174% and seven-fold (all P<0.01), respectively, compared with control VSMCs. Content of ADM in medium was increased by 99% (P<0.01). Furthermore, it was found that the amount of ADM mRNA and RAMP2 mRNA in calcified cells was elevated by 78 and 56% (all P<0.05), respectively, compared with control. The elevated levels of RAMP2 mRNA were in positive correlation with ADM mRNA (r=0.76, P<0.05) in calcified VSMCs. In conclusion, calcified VSMCs generated an increased amount of ADM, and up-regulated gene expressions of ADM and RAMP2.

Endothelin-1 is a potent regulator in vivo in vascular calcification and in vitro in calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells.

We observed changes of endothelin content and endothelin mRNA in vivo in vascular calcification and in vitro in calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells to explore the role of endothelin in vascular calcification. Calcification model in vivo was induced by administration of Vitamin D(3) plus nicotine. Calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was induced by beta-glycerophosphate. Endothelin content was measured by using radioimmunoassay. Endothelin mRNA amount was determined by using competitive quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that calcium content, 45Ca(2+) uptake and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were increased in calcified VSMCs, compared with controls, but were decreased, compared with calcified VSMCs plus BQ123 group. The endothelin content in the medium and endothelin mRNA in VSMCs were elevated by 35 and 120% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with those normal VSMCs. Calcium content, 45Ca(2+) accumulation and ALP activity in calcified arteries increased by 5.0-, 1.4-, and 1.4-fold. The endothelin levels in plasma and aorta as well as the amount of endothelin mRNA in calcified aorta were increased by 102, 103, and 22%, respectively, compared with control group. However, calcium content, 45Ca(2+) uptake and ALP activity in VDN plus bosentan group was 33, 36.7, and 40.4% lower than those in VDN group. These results indicated an upregulated endothelin gene expression as well as an increased production of endothelin in calcified aorta and VSMCs with BQ123 and bosentan significantly reducing vascular calcification. This suggested that endothelin might be involved in pathogenesis of vascular calcification.

A Konowledge-based Protein Modeling System and Its Evaluation III. A Sensitive Method for Evaluation Protein Model.

A new scoring table of compatibilities of residues with environments in a protein has been derived from environment-dependent amino acid substitution tables. The environments of the residues in the 3D structure are described by: (1) the secondary structure; (2) the solvent accessibility; (3) the hydrogen bonding. On the basis of the scoring table, an assessment method of protein models is proposed. Compared with the famous software Profile-3D, The method not only shows a more effective test of the accuracy of a 3D protein model, but also exhibits a higher sensitivity to the local misfolding. It is an important module in our protein modeling system PMODELING.