Immunotherapeutic allogeneic dendritic cell and autologous tumor cell fusion vaccine alone or combined with radiotherapy in canine oral malignant melanoma is safe and potentially effective.

Introduction: Immunotherapy represents a promising breakthrough in cancer management and is being explored in canine melanomas. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in priming T-cell-mediated immune reactions through the antigen-presenting function. Combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy may generate more substantial anti-cancer efficacy through immunomodulation. Objectives: Our research reported a preliminary result of the safety and outcome of a kind of immunotherapy, the allogeneic dendritic cell and autologous tumor cell fusion vaccine, alone or in combination with hypofractionated radiation therapy, in canine oral malignant melanoma. Methods: Two groups of dogs with histopathological diagnoses of oral malignant melanoma were recruited. In group 1 (DCRT), dogs received a combination of DC fusion vaccine and radiotherapy. In group 2 (DC), dogs received DC fusion vaccine alone. DC vaccination was given once every 2 weeks for four doses. Radiotherapy was performed weekly for five fractions. Dogs that received carboplatin were retrospectively collected as a control group (group 3). Results: Five dogs were included in group 1 (two stage II, three stage III), 11 in group 2 (three stage I/II, eight stage III/IV), and eight (two stage I/II, six stage III/IV) in the control group. Both DC and DCRT were well-tolerated, with only mild adverse events reported, including mucositis, gastrointestinal discomfort, and injection site reactions. The median progression-free intervals in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 214 (95% CI, NA, due to insufficient data), 100 (95% CI, 27-237), and 42 days (95% CI, NA-170), respectively, which were not significantly different. The 1-year survival rates were 20, 54.5, and 12.5% in groups 1, 2, and 3. Dogs in the DCRT group exhibited significantly higher TGF-ß signals than the DC group throughout the treatment course, indicating a possible higher degree of immunosuppression. Conclusion: The manuscript demonstrated the safety of dendritic cell/tumor cell fusion vaccine immunotherapy, alone or in combination with radiotherapy. The results support further expansion of this immunotherapy, modification of combination treatment and protocols, and investigation of combining DC vaccine with other treatment modalities. Clinical trial registration: Preclinical Trials, PCTE0000475.

Induction of Thymus Atrophy and Disruption of Thymocyte Development by Fipronil through Dysregulation of IL-7-Associated Genes.

The susceptibility of the immune system to immunotoxic chemicals is evident, particularly in the thymus, a vital primary immune organ prone to atrophy due to exposure to toxicants. Fipronil (FPN), a widely used insecticide, is of concern due to its potential neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Our previous study showed that FPN disturbed the antigen-specific T-cell functionality in vivo. As T-cell lineage commitment and thymopoiesis are closely interconnected with the normal function of the T-cell-mediated immune responses, this study aims to further examine the toxic effects of FPN on thymocyte development. In this study, 4-week-old BALB/c mice received seven doses of FPN (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) by gavage. Thymus size, medulla/cortex ratio, total thymocyte counts, double-positive thymocyte population, and IL-7-positive cells decreased dose-dependently. IL-7 aids the differentiation of early T-cell precursors into mature T cells, and several essential genes contribute to the maturation of T cells in the thymus. Foxn1 ensures that the thymic microenvironment is suitable for the maturation of T-cell precursors. Lyl1 is involved in specifying lymphoid cells and maintaining T-cell development in the thymus. The c-Kit/SCF collaboration fosters a supportive thymic milieu to promote the formation of functional T cells. The expression of IL-7, IL-7R, c-Kit, SCF, Foxn1, and Lyl1 genes in the thymus was significantly diminished in FPN-treated groups with the concordance with the reduction of IL-7 signaling proteins (IL-7, IL-7R, c-KIT, SCF, LYL1, FOXO3A, and GABPA), suggesting that the dysregulation of T-cell lineage-related genes may contribute to the thymic atrophy induced by FPN. In addition, FPN disturbed the functionality of thymocytes with an increase of IL-4 and IFN-γ production and a decrease of IL-2 secretion after T-cell mitogen stimulation ex vivo. Collectively, FPN significantly deregulated genes related to T-cell progenitor differentiation, survival, and expansion, potentially leading to impaired thymopoiesis.

DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms.

Fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (DR-70) are derived from tumor cells or metastases. Our previous study reported the diagnostic values in dogs with tumors, but no research has yet to be conducted to establish DR-70 as a prognostic marker. Herein, we investigated changes in DR-70 concentrations and disease courses in dogs with tumors. Overall survival time (OST) analysis was performed in 195 dogs with tumors, stratified with a recommended cut-off (1.514 µg/mL). Continual DR-70 measurements were performed during the medical interventions of 27 dogs with neoplasms. Clinical conditions and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. According to a cut-off value, dogs with plasma DR-70 concentrations above 1.514 µg/mL had shorter survival rates than those with concentrations below this threshold. In cases with complete or partial remission in response to treatment, the DR-70 concentration was decreased compared with that at the first visit, whereas it was increased in patients with disease progression. Our study suggested that changes in DR-70 concentration can be used as a prognostic biomarker for canine neoplasms. Furthermore, increased plasma DR-70 levels might be associated with shorter survival, and DR-70 concentrations may reflect responses to medical intervention.

Tumors Established in a Defective Immune Environment Reprogram the Oncogenic Signaling Pathways to Escalate Tumor Antigenicity.

Tumors developed in immunocompromised hosts are more immunogenic. However, few studies have addressed the potential mechanisms underlying the high immunogenicity of tumors found in a suppressed immune system. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the impacts of the immune system on tumor behaviors and immunogenicity sculpting. A murine colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, CT26wt, was administrated into immunocompetent (BALB/c) and immunocompromised (NOD.SCID) mice, respectively. On day 11, the CT26 cells slowly progressed in the NOD.SCID mice compared to the BALB/c mice. We then performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and analyzed the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The DEPs participated in numerous oncogenic pathways, PI3K/AKT/mTOR cell signaling, and the silencing of several tumor suppressors, such as PTEN and RBL1, during tumorigenesis. On day 34, the CT26/SCID tumors inversely became malignant counterparts; then the CT26/SCID tumors were harvested and re-inoculated into immunocompetent mice (CT26/SCID-Re tumors) to determine the immunogenicity. The CT26/SCID-Re tumor growth rate significantly decreased. Furthermore, increased infiltrations of dendritic cells and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes were found in the CT26/SCID-Re tumors. These findings suggest that immunogenic tumors might express multiple tumor rejection antigens, unlike wild-type tumors, and attract more immune cells, therefore decreasing the growth rate. Collectively, our study first revealed that in immunodeficient hosts, tumor suppressors were silenced and oncogenic signaling pathways were changed during the initial phase of tumor development. With tumor progression, the tumor antigens were overexpressed, exhibiting elevated immunogenicity. This study offers a hint on the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and provides a niche for investigating the interaction between host immunity and cancer development.

Hormone, Targeted, and Combinational Therapies for Breast Cancers: From Humans to Dogs.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in women. In female dogs, canine mammary gland tumor (CMT) is also the leading neoplasm. Comparative oncology indicates similar tumor behaviors between human BCs (HBCs) and CMTs. Therefore, this review summarizes the current research in hormone and targeted therapies and describes the future prospects for HBCs and CMTs. For hormone receptor-expressing BCs, the first medical intervention is hormone therapy. Monoclonal antibodies against Her2 are proposed for the treatment of Her2+ BCs. However, the major obstacle in hormone therapy or monoclonal antibodies is drug resistance. Therefore, increasing alternatives have been developed to overcome these difficulties. We systemically reviewed publications that reported inhibitors targeting certain molecules in BC cells. The various treatment choices for humans decrease mortality in females with BC. However, the development of hormone or targeted therapies in veterinary medicine is still limited. Even though some clinical trials have been proposed, severe side effects and insufficient case numbers might restrict further explorations. This difficulty highlights the urgent need to develop updated hormone/targeted therapy or novel immunotherapies. Therefore, exploring new therapies to provide more precise use in dogs with CMTs will be the focus of future research. Furthermore, due to the similarities shared by humans and dogs, well-planned prospective clinical trials on the use of combinational or novel immunotherapies in dogs with CMTs to obtain solid results for both humans and dogs can be reasonably anticipated in the future.

Differential cytokine profiling and microbial species involved in cecal microbiota modulations in SPF chicks immunized with a dual vaccine against Salmonella Typhimurium infection.

Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) infection in laying hens is a significant threat to public health and food safety. Host resistance against enteric pathogen invasion primarily relies on immunity and gut barrier integrity. This study applied the ST infection model and a dual live vaccine containing Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) strain Sm24/Rif12/Ssq and ST strain Nal2/Rif9/Rtt to investigate the cellular cytokine expression profiles and the differential community structure in the cecal microbiota of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks and field-raised layers. The results showed that ST challenge significantly upregulated expressions of IL-1ß in SPF chicks. Vaccination, on the other hand, led to an elevation in IFNγ expression and restrained IL-1ß levels. In the group where vaccination preceded the ST challenge (S.STvc), heightened expressions of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12ß were observed, indicating active involvement of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity in the defense against ST. Regarding the cecal microbiota, the vaccine did not affect alpha diversity nor induce a significant shift in the microbial community. Conversely, ST infection significantly affected the alpha and beta diversity in the cecal microbiota, reducing beneficial commensal genera, such as Blautia and Subdoligranulum. MetagenomeSeq analysis reveals a significant increase in the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the groups (S.STvc and STvc) exhibiting protection against ST infection. LEfSe further demonstrated Faecalibacterium prausnitzii as the prominent biomarker within the cecal microbiota of SPF chicks and field layers demonstrating protection. Another biomarker identified in the S.STvc group, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, displayed an antagonistic relationship with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, suggesting the limited biological significance of the former in reducing cloacal shedding and tissue invasion. In conclusion, the application of AviPro Salmonella DUO vaccine stimulates host immunity and modulates cecal microbiota to defend against ST infection. Among the microbial modulations observed in SPF chicks and field layers with protection, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii emerges as a significant species in the ceca. Further research is warranted to elucidate its role in protecting layers against ST infection.

The Synergistic Effects of Corbicula fluminea and Sarcodia montagneana on Alleviating Systemic Inflammation and Osteoarthritis Progression.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected joints. Currently, there are no effective treatments for preventing the worst outcomes, such as synovitis or cartilage degradation. Sarcodia montagneana and Corbicula fluminea are common species found in the ocean or in freshwater areas. Their extracts are demonstrated to possess both antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of the extracts of Sarcodia montagneana (SME) and Corbicula fluminea (FCE) on reducing local and systemic inflammation, as well as their efficacy in OA symptom relief. An in vitro monocytic LPS-treated THP-1 cell model and in vivo MIA-induced mouse OA model were applied, and the results showed that the combinatory usage of SME and FCE effectively suppressed IFN-γ and TNF-α production when THP-1 cells were treated with LPS. SME and FCE also significantly decreased the systemic TNF-α level and joint swelling and prevented the loss of proteoglycan in the cartilage within the joints of OA mice. The data shown here provide a potential solution for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

An Epidemiological Assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. Infection in Pet Animals from Taiwan.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are enteric protozoan pathogens in humans. and animals. Companion animals infected with zoonotic species/assemblages are a matter of major public concern around the world. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalences of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections and their co-infection statuses in dogs and cats living in Taiwan and to identify the species and assemblages. Fecal samples were collected from local animal shelters (n = 285) and a veterinary hospital (n = 108). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the SSU-rRNA, ß-giardin, and glutamate dehydrogenase genes for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Results showed that the overall prevalences of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were 7.38% (29/393) and 10.69% (42/393). In addition, co-infection was detected in 1.02% (4/393) of all samples. Sample source, clinical sign, and breed may be risk factors that influence the infection rate. In Cryptosporidium-positive samples, C. canis and C. felis were detected most frequently. Although the canine-specific assemblages C and D (37/42) were dominant, the zoonotic human-specific assemblage A (1/42) was also found in Giardia-positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most positive samples belonged to host-specific subtypes/assemblages, while some Cryptosporidium or Giardia-positive samples could be zoonotic. The findings suggested that pet animals could be a cause of zoonotic transmission, causing human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Taiwan.

Canine diffuse large b-cell lymphoma downregulates the activity of CD8 + T-cells through tumor-derived extracellular vesicles.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proposed as the essential mediator between host immunity and cancer development. These EVs conduct cellular communication to facilitate tumor growth, enable invasion and metastasis, and shape the favorable tumor microenvironment. Lymphoma is one of the most common hematological malignancies in humans and dogs. Effective T-cell responses are required for the control of these malignancies. However, the immune crosstalk between CD8 + T-cells, which dominates anti-tumor responses, and canine lymphoma has rarely been described. METHODS: This study investigates the immune manipulating effects of EVs, produced from the clinical cases and cell line of canine B cell lymphoma, on CD8 + T-cells isolated from canine donors. RESULTS: Lymphoma-derived EVs lead to the apoptosis of CD8 + T-cells. Furthermore, EVs trigger the overexpression of CTLA-4 on CD8 + T-cells, which indicates that EV blockade could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for lymphoma patients. Notably, EVs transform the CD8 + T-cells into regulatory phenotypes by upregulating their PD-1, PD-L1, and FoxP3 mRNA expression. The regulatory CD8 + T-cells secret the panel of inhibitory cytokines and angiogenic factors and thus create a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. CONCLUSION: In summary, the current study demonstrated that the EVs derived from canine B cell lymphoma impaired the anti-tumor activity of CD8 + T-cells and manipulated the possible induction of regulatory CD8 + T-cells to fail the activation of host cellular immunity.

Increased plasma DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) concentrations as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Tumor biomarkers have used widely in clinical oncology in human medicine. Only a few studies have evaluated the clinical utility of tumor biomarkers for veterinary medicine. A test for fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (DR-70) has been proposed as an ideal biomarker for tumors in humans. The clinical value of DR-70 for veterinary medicine however has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the diagnostic value of DR-70 concentrations by comparing them between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors. ANIMALS: Two hundred sixty-three dogs with different types of tumors were included. Sixty healthy dogs also were recruited for comparison. METHODS: The DR-70 concentrations were measured in all recruited individuals by ELISA. Clinical conditions were categorized based on histopathology, cytology, ultrasound examination, radiology, clinical findings, and a combination of these tests. RESULTS: The median concentration of DR-70 was 2.130 ± 0.868 µg/mL in dogs with tumors, which was significantly higher than in healthy dogs (1.202 ± 0.610 µg/mL; P < .0001). With a cut-off of 1.514 µg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of DR-70 were 84.03% and 78.33%, respectively. The area under curve was 0.883. The DR-70 concentration can be an effective tumor biomarker in veterinary medicine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Increased DR-70 concentrations were not affected by tumor type, sex, age, or body weight. However, in dogs with metastatic mast cell tumors and oral malignant melanoma, DR-70 concentrations were significantly increased. Additional studies, including more dogs with nonneoplastic diseases, are needed to further evaluate the usefulness of DR-70 as a tumor biomarker.

Discovery of HDAC6, HDAC8, and 6/8 Inhibitors and Development of Cell-Based Drug Screening Models for the Treatment of TGF-ß-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is incurable, and its progression is difficult to control and thus can lead to pulmonary deterioration. Pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors such as SAHA have shown potential for modulating pulmonary fibrosis yet with off-target effects. Therefore, selective HDAC inhibitors would be beneficial for reducing side effects. Toward this goal, we designed and synthesized 24 novel HDAC6, HDAC8, or dual HDAC6/8 inhibitors and established a two-stage screening platform to rapidly screen for HDAC inhibitors that effectively mitigate TGF-ß-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The first stage consisted of a mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblast prescreen and yielded five hits. In the second stage, human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPFs) were used, and four out of the five hits were tested for caco-2 permeability and liver microsome stability to give two potential leads: J27644 (15) and 20. This novel two-stage screen platform will accelerate the discovery and reduce the cost of developing HDAC inhibitors to mitigate TGF-ß-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Effects of a 12-week walking intervention on circulating lipid profiles and adipokines in normal weight and abdominal obese female college students.

Background/objectives: Regular exercise such as aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of some diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, only few studies have investigated the impact of regular aerobic exercise on non-obese and overweight/obese persons. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the effect of a 12-week 10,000 steps a day walking intervention on the body composition, serum lipids, adipose tissue function, and obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk between normal weight and overweight/obese female college students. Methods: Ten normal weight (NWCG) and 10 overweight/obese (AOG) individuals were recruited in this study. Both groups performed a regular 10,000 steps a day walk for 12 weeks. Their blood pressure, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood lipid profiles were evaluated. Moreover, serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Our results revealed that triglyceride (TG), TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and leptin were significantly reduced in the AOG group after the 12-week walking intervention. However, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and adiponectin/leptin ratio were significantly increased in the AOG group. There was little or no change in these variables in the NWCG group after the 12-week walking intervention. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that a 12-week walking intervention may help improve cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk by decrease resting heart rate, modulating blood lipid profiles, and inducing adipokine alterations in obese individuals. Therefore, our research encourages obese young adults to improve their physical health by participating in a 12-week walking program of 10,000 steps a day.

Paired Analysis of D-Dimer and Its Correlated Hemostatic Parameters in 30 Dogs with Neoplasms after Tumorectomy.

Previous studies have reported that dogs with neoplasms had elevated D-dimer levels. However, few studies have addressed whether D-dimer could be an indicator of tumor burden. The clinical significance of paired analysis of pre- and post-operation of D-dimer levels in dogs has rarely been described. The present study investigated the values of D-dimer levels and their correlated hemostatic alterations in dogs with surgically removable benign and malignant tumors. This study analyzed 30 clinically healthy and 30 tumor-bearing dogs and evaluated the hemostatic functions including D-dimer, thromboelastography G (TEG G), fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time, and platelet count. The median level of pre-treatment D-dimer was 0.8 µg/mL (range: 0.1-6.3 µg/mL), whereas the control dogs exhibited a median value of 0.1 µg/mL (range: 0.1-0.1 µg/mL, p < 0.0001). After tumorectomy, the median levels of D-dimer (p < 0.0001), fibrinogen (p < 0.0001), TEG G value (p < 0.01), and aPTT (p < 0.05) were significantly lower than those of the pre-treatment samples. However, further studies are needed to clarify the values of other hemostatic evaluations. The study revealed the clinical significance of D-dimer and its correlated hemostatic parameters by paired analysis in dogs with tumors. Though more cases are needed for solid confirmation, these values could be potential tumor biomarkers for dogs.

Cytokines and cecal microbiome modulations conferred by a dual vaccine in Salmonella-infected layers.

Zoonotic Salmonella infection is a critical and challenging issue for public health. Since human infections are mainly associated with consuming contaminated chicken products, strategies to reduce Salmonella carriage and shedding are essential. Here we investigate the mechanisms of the live attenuated Salmonella vaccine (AviPro Salmonella Duo) against Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection. We focused on inflammatory-related cytokine expressions and cecal microbiota modulations in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) and field layers. Forty-eight 2-day-old SPF layers were randomly allotted into S.SEvc, S.SEc, S.Vc, and S.Ct groups in trial 1. The equal number of filed layers at 25 wk were allocated into SEvc, SEc, Vc, and Ct groups in trial 2. Each group contained 12 layers. Groups were further assigned for vaccination (S.Vc and Vc groups), SE challenge (S.SEc and SEc groups), vaccination and the following SE challenge (S.SEvc and SEvc groups), or the placebo treatment (S.Ct and Ct groups). Cecal tissues and contents of layers on day 14 post-SE-challenges were collected for cytokine mRNA expression and 16S rRNA metagenomic analyses. We found that SE challenges significantly upregulated expressions of IFNγ, IL-1ß, IL-12ß, and NFκB1A in SPF layers. The vaccine notably counteracted the levels of IFNα, IFNγ, and NFκB1A activated by SE attacks. The vaccination, SE challenge, and their combination did not significantly affect alpha diversities but promoted dissimilarities in microbial communities between groups. Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes and Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii were identified as contributory taxa in the cecal microbiota of SE-challenged and vaccinated SPF layers. A significantly higher abundance of Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii in the ceca further correlated with the vaccination conferred protection against SE infection. In contrast, Oscillibacter_valericigenes and Mediterraneibacter_glycyrrhizinilyticus were featured taxa in Salmonella-infected field layers. Megamonas_hypermegale and Megamonas_rupellensis were identified as featured taxa in vaccinated field layers compared to SE-infected layers. To conclude, applying a dual Salmonella vaccine in this study modulated expressions of inflammatory-related cytokines and the cecal microbiome in layers, contributing to protection against SE infection. The feature microbes are promising for developing predictive indices and as antibiotic alternatives added to feed to reduce the risk of Salmonella shedding and contamination.

Safety of bivalent live attenuated Salmonella vaccine and its protection against bacterial shedding and tissue invasion in layers challenged with Salmonella.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella infection was one of the predominant foodborne illnesses in humans. The medical burden and antimicrobial resistance of salmonellosis gained importance in public health and requested the poultry industry to seek effective measures to control the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a commercial bivalent live attenuated vaccine (AviPro Salmonella DUO) in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens and field layers. It explored its safety and efficacy against medically important strains, Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and S. Typhimurium (ST). The results demonstrated that ten vaccine doses in SPF chickens and regular doses in commercial layers showed desirable safety without affecting chicken health. Vaccinated layers demonstrated lower flock mortality and higher egg production performance than the unvaccinated layers during the raising and egg production periods. Additionally, no visceral colonization and egg contaminations were detected. Cloacal shedding of vaccine strains was noted, but the colonization of Salmonella disappeared within four weeks of the last vaccination. Regarding vaccine efficacy, one dose significantly reduced Salmonella cloacal shedding (P = 0.037 for SE and P = 0.027 for ST) and viable cell counts (P = 0.003 for SE and ST) on day 7 post the challenges. Significantly low Salmonella loads of cloacal samples on day 14 after the challenges were also determined in the vaccinated group (P = 0.006 for SE; P = 0.041 for ST). Triple immunizations effectively prevented layers from the cloacal shedding on either day 7 or day 14 post Salmonella challenges. Total viable counts of SE and ST in tissues of vaccinated layers were also reduced on day 14 after the challenges (P = 0.026 for SE; P = 0.002 for ST). To conclude, one dose of vaccine exhibited inhibitory effects on Salmonella shedding and tissue invasions in young layers. Following the regimen of triple vaccinations, Salmonella shedding was completely inhibited, and tissue invasions were significantly reduced. Incorporating this vaccine into a comprehensive Salmonella control program is promising to protect layers from the risks of contaminating the flocks and egg products.

The Lysosome in Malignant Melanoma: Biology, Function and Therapeutic Applications.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles that play roles in the degradation and recycling of cellular waste and homeostasis maintenance within cells. False alterations of lysosomal functions can lead to broad detrimental effects and cause various diseases, including cancers. Cancer cells that are rapidly proliferative and invasive are highly dependent on effective lysosomal function. Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with high metastasis characteristics, drug resistance, and aggressiveness. It is critical to understand the role of lysosomes in melanoma pathogenesis in order to improve the outcomes of melanoma patients. In this mini-review, we compile our current knowledge of lysosomes' role in tumorigenesis, progression, therapy resistance, and the current treatment strategies related to lysosomes in melanoma.

The Effects of Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) Extract on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) in Prediabetic Patients in Taiwan.

Freshwater clam extract (FCE) is a functional food that regulates the immune system and has been demonstrated in numerous studies to display desirable anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) responses. In addition, excess TNF-α production is positively associated with type 2 diabetes. However, few longitudinal clinical studies evaluating the efficiency and toxicity of FCE are available. This article reports that patients with prediabetes who received FCE had a desirable outcome of a reduction in serum TNF-α for a long period. This was a double-blind, randomized, parallel clinical trial conducted using FCE intervention and placebo groups, and 36 patients with prediabetes were enrolled. Two grams of FCE or placebo was consumed daily for 180 consecutive days. The serum of the participants was collected at four time points (0M: before the intervention; 3M: after 3 months of intervention; 6M: after 6 months of intervention; 12M: 6 months after cessation of intervention at 6M). A serum TNF-α concentration higher than 4.05 pg/mL was defined as a cut-off value. FCE reduced serum TNF-α in all participants at 6M and 12M. Moreover, FCE significantly suppressed serum TNF-α concentrations at 6M and 12M and inhibited TNF-α release with time series in subjects with elevated TNF-α values. FCE intervention effectively reduced serum TNF-α and persistently sustained the effects for half a year in patients with prediabetes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GS-MS) analysis revealed that the major components of FCE were phytosterols and fatty acids, which exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-TNF-α abilities. Hence, FCE has the potential to be developed as a natural treatment for prediabetic patients in Taiwan.

Changes in gene expression profiles and cytokine secretions in peripheral monocytes by treatment with small extracellular vesicles derived from a canine lymphoma cell line.

Interactions between tumor and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment play an important role in tumor progression, and small extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from these tumor cells have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects on various immune cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes. Although the immunomodulatory effects of small EVs derived from human cancer cells have been intensively investigated, few studies have investigated the effects of lymphoma-derived small EVs on macrophages in both human and veterinary medicine. Here, we evaluated the effects of canine lymphoma-derived small EVs on canine primary monocytes, which are the major source of macrophages in neoplastic tissues. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of these treated monocytes revealed their distinct activation via the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and NF-κß signaling pathways. In addition, treatment with lymphoma small EVs increased the secretion of MCP-1, which induces the infiltration and migration of monocytes and lymphocytes in neoplastic and cancer tissues. The results of this study indicate that canine lymphoma small EVs activate monocytes, possibly through the activation of TLR and NF-κß signaling pathways, and induce monocytes to secrete of MCP-1, which might contribute to immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment.

The High Expression of Legumain in Canine Neoplasms: A Retrospective Analysis of 100 Cases.

Legumain, a novel asparaginyl endopeptidase, has been observed to be overexpressed in several types of human solid tumors. Elevated levels of legumain are found in human cancers, and this oncoprotein may facilitate tumor invasion and metastasis when overexpressed. These findings suggest that legumain plays a malignant role in cancer biology. However, currently, no publications have identified the role of legumain in the development of canine cancers. The present study first compared the expression patterns of legumain in paraffin-embedded canine tumor tissues, with those of normal tissues, by immunohistochemistry. A total of 100 canine tumor samples, including mast cell tumors, soft tissue sarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mammary gland carcinoma, hepatoid gland tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, trichoblastoma, and melanoma were evaluated. Compared with the normal tissues, all tumor samples displayed high intensities of legumain expression. Mesenchymal-type tumors displayed immunoreactivity for legumain, with an average expression of 40.07% ± 1.70%, which was significantly lower than those of epithelial tumors and other types of tumors, which had median expressions of 49.12% ± 1.75% and 47.35% ± 2.71%, respectively (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that legumain has a high potential to be a candidate for distinguishing tumors from normal tissues. Although further studies on a larger number of cases are necessary to clarify the clinical application of legumain, the overexpression patterns of legumain in canine tumor tissues are reported, for the first time, in this study.

Canine transmissible venereal tumour established in immunodeficient mice reprograms the gene expression profiles associated with a favourable tumour microenvironment to enable cancer malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Canine transmissible venereal tumours (CTVTs) can cross the major histocompatibility complex barrier to spread among dogs. In addition to the transmissibility within canids, CTVTs are also known as a suitable model for investigating the tumour-host immunity interaction because dogs live with humans and experience the same environmental risk factors for tumourigenesis. Moreover, outbred dogs are more appropriate than inbred mice models for simulating the diversity of human cancer development. This study built a new model of CTVTs, known as MCTVTs, to further probe the shaping effects of immune stress on tumour development. For xenotransplantation, CTVTs were first injected and developed in immunodeficient mice (NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/NcrCrl), defined as XCTVTs. The XCTVTs harvested from NOD/SCID mice were then inoculated and grown in beagles and named mouse xenotransplantation of CTVTs (MCTVTs). RESULTS: After the inoculation of CTVTs and MCTVTs into immune-competent beagle dogs separately, MCTVTs grew faster and metastasized more frequently than CTVTs did. Gene expression profiles in CTVTs and MCTVTs were analysed by cDNA microarray to reveal that MCTVTs expressed many tumour-promoting genes involved in chronic inflammation, chemotaxis, extracellular space modification, NF-kappa B pathways, and focal adhesion. Furthermore, several well-known tumour-associated biomarkers which could predict tumour progression were overexpressed in MCTVTs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that defective host immunity can result in gene instability and enable transcriptome reprogramming within tumour cells. Fast tumour growth in beagle dogs and overexpression of tumour-associated biomarkers were found in a CTVT strain previously established in immunodeficient mice. In addition, dysregulated interaction of chronic inflammation, chemotaxis, and extracellular space modification were revealed to imply the possibly exacerbating mechanisms in the microenvironments of these tumours. In summary, this study offers a potential method to facilitate tumour progression and provide a niche for discovering tumour-associated biomarkers in cancer research.