Canine Somatic Mutations from Whole-Exome Sequencing of B-Cell Lymphomas in Six Canine Breeds-A Preliminary Study.

Canine lymphoma (CL) is one of the most common malignant tumors in dogs. The cause of CL remains unclear. Genetic mutations that have been suggested as possible causes of CL are not fully understood. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is a time- and cost-effective method for detecting genetic variants targeting only the protein-coding regions (exons) that are part of the entire genome region. A total of eight patients with B-cell lymphomas were recruited, and WES analysis was performed on whole blood and lymph node aspirate samples from each patient. A total of 17 somatic variants (GOLIM4, ITM2B, STN1, UNC79, PLEKHG4, BRF1, ENSCAFG00845007156, SEMA6B, DSC1, TNFAIP1, MYLK3, WAPL, ADORA2B, LOXHD1, GP6, AZIN1, and NCSTN) with moderate to high impact were identified by WES analysis. Through a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of 17 genes with somatic mutations, a total of 16 pathways were identified. Overall, the somatic mutations identified in this study suggest novel candidate mutations for CL, and further studies are needed to confirm the role of these mutations.

Identification of a novel bromoindazole synthetic cannabinoid analogue in seized e-cigarette liquid: ADB-BRINACA.

A wide variety of new synthetic cannabinoids have emerged around the world in recent years, and because of this rapid emergence, the detection and monitoring of this class of abused drugs remain a challenge. In this study, a new cannabimimetic indazole-3-carboxamide derivative, N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)- 5-bromo-1 H-indazole-3-carboxamide, was identified from seized e-cigarette liquid samples and newly named as ADB-BRINACA by referring to the names of other known indazole-class synthetic cannabinoids. Structure identification was accomplished based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). The concentration range of ADB-BRINACA in six e-cigarette liquid samples was found to be 2228-4203 mg/L using ERETIC 2, a quantitative NMR method, which is advantageous in the absence of a reference material. As there have been no chemical or pharmaceutical reports on ADB-BRINACA until now, this is the first report presenting a comprehensive analytical characterization of ADB-BRINACA.

Development of an ultrasound triggered nanomedicine-microbubble complex for chemo-photodynamic-gene therapy.

Recently, combination therapy has received much attention because of its highly therapeutic effect in various types of cancers. In particular, chemo-photodynamic combination therapy has been considered as an outstanding strategy. However, an abnormal increase in tumor angiogenesis caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been reported. In this study, the complex of doxorubicin (DOX)-encapsulating anti-angiogenic small interfering RNA (siRNA) nanoparticle and chlorin e6 (Ce6)-encapsulating microbubble has been developed to suppress tumor angiogenesis. The first compartment, doxorubicin-encapsulating siRNA nanoparticle, was electrostatically coated using two biocompatible polymers to prevent the damage of genetic materials. The other part, Ce6-encapsulating microbubble, serves as an ultrasound-triggered local delivery system as well as a drug carrier. Both the in vitro and in vivo experimental results demonstrate successful inhibition of angiogenesis with a minimized damage of siRNAs caused by ROS as well as improved therapeutic effect by chemo-photodynamic-gene triple combination therapy using ultrasound-triggered local delivery.

Oxidative stress-mediated TXNIP loss causes RPE dysfunction.

The disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), for example, through oxidative damage, is a common factor underlying age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aberrant autophagy also contributes to AMD pathology, as autophagy maintains RPE homeostasis to ensure blood-retinal barrier (BRB) integrity and protect photoreceptors. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) promotes cellular oxidative stress by inhibiting thioredoxin reducing capacity and is in turn inversely regulated by reactive oxygen species levels; however, its role in oxidative stress-induced RPE cell dysfunction and the mechanistic link between TXNIP and autophagy are largely unknown. Here, we observed that TXNIP expression was rapidly downregulated in RPE cells under oxidative stress and that RPE cell proliferation was decreased. TXNIP knockdown demonstrated that the suppression of proliferation resulted from TXNIP depletion-induced autophagic flux, causing increased p53 activation via nuclear localization, which in turn enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and activation. Moreover, TXNIP downregulation further negatively impacted BRB integrity by disrupting RPE cell tight junctions and enhancing cell motility by phosphorylating, and thereby activating, Src kinase. Finally, we also revealed that TXNIP knockdown upregulated HIF-1α, leading to the enhanced secretion of VEGF from RPE cells and the stimulation of angiogenesis in cocultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. This suggests that the exposure of RPE cells to sustained oxidative stress may promote choroidal neovascularization, another AMD pathology. Together, these findings reveal three distinct mechanisms by which TXNIP downregulation disrupts RPE cell function and thereby exacerbates AMD pathogenesis. Accordingly, reinforcing or restoring BRB integrity by targeting TXNIP may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for preventing or attenuating photoreceptor damage in AMD.

Development and evaluation of a CEACAM6-targeting theranostic nanomedicine for photoacoustic-based diagnosis and chemotherapy of metastatic cancer.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. A number of chemotherapeutic and early diagnosis strategies, including nanomedicine, have been developed to target metastatic tumor cells. However, simultaneous inhibition and imaging of metastasis is yet to be fully achieved. Methods: To overcome this limitation, we have developed human serum albumin-based nanoparticles (tHSA-NPs) with photoacoustic imaging capability, which target carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6). CEACAM6 is highly expressed in metastatic anoikis-resistant tumor cells. Results:In vitro, the CEACAM6-targeting tHSA-NPs efficiently targeted CEACAM6-overexpressing metastatic anoikis-resistant tumor cells. In vivo, CEACAM6-targeting tHSA-NPs administered intravenously to BALB/c nude mice efficiently inhibited lung metastasis in circulating anoikis-resistant tumor cells compared to the controls. In addition, anoikis-resistant tumor cells can be successfully detected by photoacoustic imaging, both in vitro and in vivo, using the intrinsic indocyanine green-binding affinity of albumin. Conclusion: In summary, the CEACAM6-targeting albumin-based nanoparticles allowed the delivery of drugs and photoacoustic imaging to metastatic anoikis-resistant tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Based on the expression of CEACAM6 in a variety of tumors, CEACAM6-targeting nanomedicine might be used to target various types of metastatic tumor cells.

Pedobacter aquicola sp. nov., isolated from freshwater.

A non-motile, pink-pigmented bacterial strain designated IMCC25679T, was isolated from freshwater Lake Chungju of Korea. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain IMCC25679T formed a lineage within the genus Pedobacter. The strain IMCC25679T was closely related to Pedobacter daechungensis Dae 13T (96.4% sequence similarity), Pedobacter rivuli HME8457T (95.3%) and Pedobacter lentus DS-40T (94.3%). The major fatty acids of IMCC- 25679T were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an unidentified sphingolipid (SL), an unidentified aminolipid (AL) and three unidentified polar lipids (PL). The DNA G + C content of IMCC25679T was 32.2 mol%. Based on the evidence presented in this study, the strain IMCC25679T represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, with the proposed name Pedobacter aquicola, sp. nov. The type strain is IMCC25679T (= KACC 19486T = NBRC113131T).

Suppression of the ERK-SRF axis facilitates somatic cell reprogramming.

The molecular mechanism underlying the initiation of somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has not been well described. Thus, we generated single-cell-derived clones by using a combination of drug-inducible vectors encoding transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc) and a single-cell expansion strategy. This system achieved a high reprogramming efficiency after metabolic and epigenetic remodeling. Functional analyses of the cloned cells revealed that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling was downregulated at an early stage of reprogramming and that its inhibition was a driving force for iPSC formation. Among the reprogramming factors, Myc predominantly induced ERK suppression. ERK inhibition upregulated the conversion of somatic cells into iPSCs through concomitant suppression of serum response factor (SRF). Conversely, SRF activation suppressed the reprogramming induced by ERK inhibition and negatively regulated embryonic pluripotency by inducing differentiation via upregulation of immediate early genes, such as c-Jun, c-Fos and EGR1. These data reveal that suppression of the ERK-SRF axis is an initial molecular event that facilitates iPSC formation and may be a useful surrogate marker for cellular reprogramming.

Promotion of oral surgical wound healing using autologous mucosal cell sheets.

OBJECTIVES: Severe oral mucosal and tissue defects can lead to pain, infection, and later undesirable healing of scarring and adhesion, resulting in a poor quality of life. In vitro-engineered oral mucosal equivalents for covering such defects are an alternative to avoiding the donor site morbidity of conventional skin or tissue grafts. We examined the efficacy of our newly developed three-dimensional mucosal cell sheets in an in vivo tongue wound model mimicking the surgical extirpation of tongue cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Small oral mucosal and autologous fibrin samples were obtained from surgical patients and Sprague-Dawley rats. The fibrin was mixed with fibroblasts and seeded with keratinocytes that had been primarily cultured for in vitro cell expansion. The three-dimensional autologous cell sheets, cultured in air-lift interface inserts, were transplanted into deep wounds of the rat ventral tongue. Gross and microscopic findings of the postsurgical wounds were compared between wound control and cell sheet groups. RESULTS: The cell sheets were flexible, expandable, and easy to transfer, and had histological characteristics similar to that of the normal oral mucosa, with high p63 positivity. They promoted oral wound healing with earlier re-epithelialization and less fibrosis than that in the wound control. The cell sheet-healed tongue had similar histology to that of a normal tongue. CONCLUSIONS: Our engineered cell sheets have potential applicability for the rapid healing of oral mucosal and soft tissue defects, without scarring, adhesion, and functional deficits. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: The efficacy of in vitro-engineered mucosal equivalents, using completely autologous mucosa and plasma, was examined. Transplantation of the autologous cell sheets into deep wounds of the rat ventral tongue promoted oral wound healing with earlier re-epithelialization and less fibrosis than that in controls. Healed and normal tongues showed similar histology.

Aspirin plus sorafenib potentiates cisplatin cytotoxicity in resistant head and neck cancer cells through xCT inhibition.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin and the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib have both shown experimental and clinical anticancer activities. The present study investigated whether aspirin and sorafenib synergize to potentiate cisplatin treatment in resistant head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. The effects of aspirin, sorafenib and cisplatin, and combinations thereof were assessed by measuring cell viability, death, glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, protein and mRNA expression, genetic inhibition and overexpression of cystine-glutamate antiporter (xCT) and tumor xenograft mouse models. Even at low concentrations, aspirin plus sorafenib synergized to induce cell death of cisplatin-resistant HNC cells. The combination of aspirin and sorafenib induced xCT inhibition, GSH depletion, and ROS accumulation in cancer cells. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of xCT potentiated the cytotoxic effects of aspirin plus sorafenib; this effect was diminished by xCT overexpression. Low-dose aspirin plus sorafenib enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in resistant HNC cells through xCT inhibition and oxidant and DNA damage. The in vivo effects of aspirin plus sorafenib on cisplatin therapy were also confirmed in resistant HNC xenograft models, in terms of growth inhibition, GSH depletion, and increased γH2AX formation and apoptosis in tumors. Aspirin and sorafenib synergize to potentiate the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in resistant HNC cells. This therapeutic strategy may help to eliminate resistant HNC.

Nrf2 inhibition reverses the resistance of cisplatin-resistant head and neck cancer cells to artesunate-induced ferroptosis.

Artesunate, an anti-malarial drug, has been repurposed as an anticancer drug due to its induction of cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cancer cell death and the resistance of cells to artesunate remain unclear. We investigated the molecular mechanisms behind the antitumor effects of artesunate and an approach to overcome artesunate resistance in head and neck cancer (HNC). The effects of artesunate and trigonelline were tested in different HNC cell lines, including three cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines. The effects of these drugs as well as the inhibition of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 were assessed by cell viability, cell death, glutathione (GSH) and ROS production, protein expression, and mouse tumor xenograft models. Artesunate selectively killed HNC cells but not normal cells. The artesunate sensitivity was relatively low in cisplatin-resistant HNC cells. Artesunate induced ferroptosis in HNC cells by decreasing cellular GSH levels and increasing lipid ROS levels. This effect was blocked by co-incubation with ferrostatin-1 and a trolox pretreatment. Artesunate activated the Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway in HNC cells, which contributed to ferroptosis resistance. The silencing of Keap1, a negative regulator of Nrf2, decreased artesunate sensitivity in HNC cells. Nrf2 genetic silencing or trigonelline reversed the ferroptosis resistance of Keap1-silenced and cisplatin-resistant HNC cells to artesunate in vitro and in vivo. Nrf2-ARE pathway activation contributes to the artesunate resistance of HNC cells, and inhibition of this pathway abolishes ferroptosis-resistant HNC. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Our results show the effectiveness and molecular mechanism of artesunate treatment on head and neck cancer (HNC). Artesunate selectively killed HNC cells but not normal cells by inducing an iron-dependent, ROS-accumulated ferroptosis. However, this effect may be suboptimal in some cisplatin-resistant HNCs because of Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway activation. Inhibition of the Nrf2-ARE pathway increased artesunate sensitivity and reversed the ferroptosis resistance in resistant HNC cells.

Targeting of the Glutathione, Thioredoxin, and Nrf2 Antioxidant Systems in Head and Neck Cancer.

AIMS: The glutathione (GSH), thioredoxin (Trx), and Nrf2 systems represent a major defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS), the cellular imbalance of which in cancer promotes growth and therapeutic resistance. This study investigated whether targeting the GSH, Trx, and Nrf2 antioxidant systems effectively eliminated head and neck cancer (HNC). RESULTS: At high concentrations, auranofin, but not buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) alone, decreased the viability of HNC, whereas even at low concentrations, auranofin plus BSO synergized to kill HNC cells. Dual silencing of the genes for GCLM and TrxR1 induced GSH depletion, Trx activity inhibition, and ROS accumulation, synergistically killing HNC cells. Inhibition of the GSH and Trx systems resulted in activation of the Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, which may result in suboptimal GSH and Trx inhibition where HNC is resistant. Genetic inhibition of Nrf2 and/or HO-1 or trigonelline enhanced growth suppression, ROS accumulation, and cell death from GSH and Trx inhibition. The in vivo effects of GSH, Trx, and Nrf2 system inhibition were confirmed in a mouse HNC xenograft model by achieving growth inhibition >60% compared with those of control. Innovations: This study is the first to show that triple inhibition of GSH, Trx, and Nrf2 pathways could be an effective method to overcome the resistance of HNC. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the Nrf2-ARE pathway in addition to dual inhibition of the GSH and Trx antioxidant systems can effectively eliminate resistant HNC. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 106-114.

Efficacy of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib against head and neck cancer cells: Predictions of drug sensitivity based on PAR-p53-NF-κB interactions.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a key molecule in the DNA damage response (DDR), which is a major target of both chemotherapies and radiotherapies. PARP inhibitors therefore comprise a promising class of anticancer therapeutics. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the PARP inhibitor olaparib, and also sought to identify the mechanism and predictive marker associated with olaparib sensitivity in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. A total of 15 HNC cell lines, including AMC HNC cells, were tested. AMC-HN3 and HN4 exhibited stronger responses to olaparib. Among cisplatin-resistant cell lines, only AMC HN9-cisR cells were significantly suppressed by olaparib. We found that basal poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) levels, but not PARP-1 levels, correlated with olaparib sensitivity. AMC-HN3 and HN4 cells exhibited higher basal levels of NF-κB that decreased significantly after olaparib treatment. In contrast, apoptotic proteins were intrinsically expressed in AMC-HN9-cisR cells. As interference with p53 expression led to NF-κB reactivation, we concluded that elevated basal PAR and NF-κB levels are predictive of olaparib responsiveness in HNC cells; in addition, olaparib inhibits HNC cells via PAR-p53-NF-κB interactions.

A Novel Polyphenol Conjugate Sensitizes Cisplatin-Resistant Head and Neck Cancer Cells to Cisplatin via Nrf2 Inhibition.

Many cancer cells show acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin. This is a major cause of cancer treatment failure, and novel agents to overcome resistance are thus urgently required. A novel synthetic polyphenol conjugate, (E)-3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (DPP-23), selectively kills tumor cells via the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated unfolded protein response. We investigated the ability of DPP-23 to overcome cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and further clarified its molecular mechanisms of action. Cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines and their parental and other HNC cell lines were used. The effects of cisplatin and DPP-23 were assessed alone and in combination in HNC and normal cells using cell viability, cell cycle, and cell death assays, by measuring glutathione (GSH), ROS, and protein levels, and via preclinical mouse studies. DPP-23 induced selective cell death in HNC cells, including cisplatin-resistant HNC cells, but spared normal cells, via cellular GSH depletion and ROS accumulation. The effect was blocked by the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. DPP-23 activated p53 and its related cell death pathways via a robust accumulation of cellular ROS that involved inhibition of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 antioxidant defense mechanisms. Thus, DPP-23 significantly overcame cisplatin resistance in HNC cells in vitro and in vivo As a promising anticancer strategy, ROS generation and subsequent selective cancer cell killing by DPP-23 might help to overcome cisplatin resistance in HNC. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(11); 2620-9. ©2016 AACR.

Targeting Nrf2 with wogonin overcomes cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer.

A principal limitation to the clinical use of cisplatin is the high incidence of chemoresistance to this drug. Combination treatments with other drugs may help to circumvent this problem. Wogonin, one of the major natural flavonoids, is known to reverse multidrug resistance in several types of cancers. We investigated the ability of wogonin to overcome cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and further clarified its molecular mechanisms of action. Two cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines (AMC-HN4R and -HN9R) and their parental and other human HNC cell lines were used. The effects of wogonin, either alone or in combination with cisplatin, were assessed in HNC cells and normal cells using cell cycle and death assays and by measuring cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and protein expression, and in tumor xenograft mouse models. Wogonin selectively killed HNC cells but spared normal cells. It inhibited nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and glutathione S-transferase P in cisplatin-resistant HNC cells, resulting in increased ROS accumulation in HNC cells, an effect that could be blocked by the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Wogonin also induced selective cell death by targeting the antioxidant defense mechanisms enhanced in the resistant HNC cells and activating cell death pathways involving PUMA and PARP. Hence, wogonin significantly sensitized resistant HNC cells to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. Wogonin is a promising anticancer candidate that induces ROS accumulation and selective cytotoxicity in HNC cells and can help to overcome cisplatin-resistance in this cancer.

Determination of E,E-farnesol in Makgeolli (rice wine) using dynamic headspace sampling and stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

In this paper, we analysed the volatile and semi-volatile compounds, including E,E-farnesol in Makgeolli which is a traditional type of Korean fermented rice wines. Forty-one compounds including alcohols, 1-butanol-3-methyl acetate, E,E-farnesol, stearol, and phytane, were separated and quantified by dynamic headspace sampling (DHS) and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. SBSE has been found to be an effective method for analysing E,E-farnesol levels in Makgeolli. The experimental parameters related to the extraction efficiency of the SBSE method, such as ethanol concentration and filtration, were studied and optimised. The linear dynamic range of the SBSE method for E,E-farnesol ranged from 0.02 to 200ngml(-1) with R(2)=0.9974. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the SBSE method were 0.02 and 0.05ngml(-1), respectively. The relative standard deviation of intra- and inter-day reproducibility was less than 6.2% and 9.9%, respectively.

Catalpol suppresses advanced glycation end-products-induced inflammatory responses through inhibition of reactive oxygen species in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) play a pivotal role in the development of diabetic complications by inducing inflammation. We previously reported that the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch., which have been used for the treatment of diabetes in traditional Korean medicine, also have the potential to suppress AGE-mediated inflammatory response in THP-1 cells. In the present study, we isolated catalpol from R. glutinosa, and examined whether it has anti-inflammatory effects on AGE-stimulated THP-1 cells. Catalpol reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediates, such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and receptor for AGE (RAGE). Promoter and electromobility shift assays showed that transcriptional activation of NF-κB was significantly reduced by catalpol treatment, while AP-1 was not. Catalpol also suppressed AGE-induced phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, degradation of IκBα and the nuclear localization of NF-κB. Moreover, the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elicited by AGE was also suppressed by catalpol treatment, through dual action of reducing ROS itself and inhibiting NADPH oxidase activity. Our findings indicate that catalpol suppresses AGE-mediated inflammation by inhibiting ROS production and NF-κB activity. We suggest that catalpol, a major constituent of the fresh roots of R. glutinosa, contributes to the prevention of AGE-mediated diabetic complications.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of resveratrol in activated HMC-1 cells: pivotal roles of NF-kappaB and MAPK.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin polyphenolic compound found in various plants, including grapes, berries, and peanuts. Recently, studies have documented various health benefits of resveratrol including cardiovascular and cancer-chemopreventive properties. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of resveratrol on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as to elucidate its mechanism of action in the human mast cell line (HMC-1). Cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187 in the presence or absence of resveratrol. To study the possible effects of resveratrol, ELISA, RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, fluorescence, and luciferase activity assays were used in this study. Resveratrol significantly inhibited the PMA plus A23187-induction of inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Moreover, resveratrol attenuated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and intracellular Ca2+ levels. In activated HMC-1 cells, phosphorylation of extra-signal response kinase (ERK) 1/2 decreased after treatment with resveratrol. Resveratrol inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation, IkappaB degradation, and luciferase activity. Resveratrol suppressed the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 through a decrease in the intracellular levels of Ca2+ and ERK 1/2, as well as activation of NF-kappaB. These results indicated that resveratrol exerted a regulatory effect on inflammatory reactions mediated by mast cells.

5-hydroxytryptophan acts on the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase pathway to modulate cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in RAW 264.7 cells. Cells were treated with different concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptophan for either 1 h or for 24 h. The anti-inflammatory effect was then analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the analgesic activity was evaluated by measuring the acetic acid-induced writhing response. We found that 5-hydroxytryptophan significantly reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing response. Moreover we evaluated the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on the release of several inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Our results demonstrated that 5-hydroxytryptophan inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of NO and IL-6. Furthermore, we found that 5-hydroxytryptophan played a role in LPS induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclo oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation. Taken together, these results indicate that 5-hydroxytryptophan has the potential for use in the treatment of inflammatory disease and as an analgesic.

What is your diagnosis? Ascites fluid from an 11-year-old dog with epigastric bulging.

An 11-year-old, intact female, Yorkshire Terrier dog was presented with epigastric bulging. Results of a CBC included mild neutrophilia and thrombocytopenia. Radiographic examination and abdominal ultrasonography revealed abundant ascites and a well-circumscribed mass in the caudal region of the spleen. Abdominocentesis revealed bloody fluid. Cytologic analysis of the fluid revealed numerous clustered and individual large cells with moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. The spleen was surgically resected. An imprint smear of a white nodular tumor on the caudal pole of the spleen contained a bimorphic population of small and large lymphocytes. The cytologic diagnosis was lymphoma. Histologically, large lymphocytes with distinct borders and single nucleoli formed multiple neoplastic follicles. The final diagnosis was primary splenic lymphoma. Immunocytochemical staining results on buffy coat smears prepared from the ascites fluid showed the lymphocytes were negative for CD3 and positive for CD79a, indicating B-cell origin. Further investigation of the cell clusters using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that ICAM-1, a cell-cell adhesion molecule, was overexpressed in the tumor cells, likely contributing to the clustering of neoplastic lymphocytes in the ascites fluid. Usually, round cells are not adherent; however, spontaneously detached round cells may form clusters, as in this case, and must be differentiated from epithelial tumors.