Correction: Silver complexes with substituted terpyridines as promising anticancer metallodrugs and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, and DNA interactions.

Correction for 'Silver complexes with substituted terpyridines as promising anticancer metallodrugs and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, and DNA interactions' by Jiahe Li et al., Dalton Trans., 2023, 52, 9607-9621, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2DT03463H.

Silver complexes with substituted terpyridines as promising anticancer metallodrugs and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, and DNA interactions.

Six silver hexafluoroantimonate complexes (1-6) with 4'-(4'-substituted-phenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine compounds bearing hydrogen (L1), methyl (L2), methylsulfonyl (L3), chloro (L4), bromo (L5) and iodo (L6) were prepared and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the compounds exhibit interesting photoluminescence properties in the solid state and solution. In vitro data demonstrate that all of them show higher antiproliferative activities than cisplatin against three human carcinoma cell lines, A549, Eca-109 and MCF-7. Compound 3 exhibits the lowest IC50 value (2.298 µM) against A549 cell lines, which is 2.963 µM for 4 against Eca-109 and 1.830 µM for 1 against MCF-7. For silver halogen-substituted terpyridine compounds, their anticancer activities decrease following the sequence of -Cl, -Br, and -I substituents. The comparison results show that their anticancer activity is significantly higher than that of their free ligands. The DNA interaction was studied by fluorescence titration, circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods. Spectrophotometric results reveal that the compounds have strong affinity binding with DNA as intercalators and molecular docking studies indicate that the binding is contributed by the π-π stacking and hydrogen bonds. The DNA binding ability of the complexes has been correlated with their anticancer activities, which could potentially provide a new rationale for the future design of terpyridine-based metal complexes with antitumor potential.

The extensin protein SAE1 plays a role in leaf senescence and is targeted by the ubiquitin ligase SINA4 in tomato.

Extensins are hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins and generally play a structural role in cell wall integrity. In this study, we determined a novel role of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED EXTENSIN1 (SAE1) in leaf senescence. Both gain- and loss-of-function analyses suggest that SAE1 plays a positive role in leaf senescence in tomato. Transgenic plants overexpressing SAE1 (SAE1-OX) exhibited premature leaf senescence and enhanced dark-induced senescence, whereas SAE1 knockout (SAE1-KO) plants displayed delayed development-dependent and dark-induced leaf senescence. Heterologous overexpression of SlSAE1 in Arabidopsis also led to premature leaf senescence and enhanced dark-induced senescence. In addition, the SAE1 protein was found to interact with the tomato ubiquitin ligase SlSINA4, and SlSINA4 promoted SAE1 degradation in a ligase-dependent manner when co-expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, suggesting that SlSINA4 controls SAE1 protein levels via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Introduction of an SlSINA4-overexpression construct into the SAE1-OX tomato plants consistently completely eliminated accumulation of the SAE1 protein and suppressed the phenotypes conferred by overexpression of SAE1. Taken together, our results suggest that the tomato extensin SAE1 plays a positive role in leaf senescence and is regulated by the ubiquitin ligase SINA4.

The Ratio of Monocyte to Apolipoprotein A1 is an Independent Predictor of Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: To explore the predictive value of the ratio of monocyte to apolipoprotein A1 (MAR) (a new index related to inflammation and lipid in breast cancer (BC)) and its relationship with clinicopathological staging. Methods: The hematological test results of 394 patients with breast diseases, including 276 cases of BC, 118 cases of benign breast disease (BBD), and 219 healthy volunteers (HV), were retrospectively collected. The clinical value of MAR was analyzed with binary logistic regression. Results: Using statistical software analysis, the results showed that MAR level (P<0.001) was the largest in the BC group, followed by BBD, and the lowest in the HV group, and it was found to be an indicator to distinguish BC from BBD, also an independent risk factor for BC. The increase in MAR level showed that the risk of BC was 3.733 times higher than that of HV (P<0.001). In addition, there was a notable difference in MAR between early, middle and late stages of BC patients (P=0.047), with the highest MAR level in late stage (0.510±0.078) and the lowest MAR level in early stage (0.392±0.011); the MAR level of those with tumor invasion depth of Phase 4 was the highest (0.484±0.072), and that of Phase 1/2 was the lowest (0.379±0.010), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). MAR was positively correlated with tumor invasion depth (P<0.001, r=0.210), that's, the size of MAR increased when there was more deeper tumor invasion. Conclusion: MAR is a new indicator for the auxiliary differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast diseases, and is also an independent risk factor for BC. High-level MAR is closely related to late staging and tumor invasion depth of BC. It can be seen that MAR is a potentially valuable predictor of BC, and this is the first study to explore the clinical value of MAR in BC.

Peripheral changes in T cells predict efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

The application of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies has brought great benefits to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Nevertheless, not all patients respond to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. This study aimed to find response markers to predict efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. 80 patients with NSCLC who would accept anti-PD-1 immunotherapy were recruited, and peripheral blood was obtained before and after treatment. Flow cytometry was used to detect proportions of circulating cell subsets and expression of co-stimulatory molecules, co-inhibitory molecules and cytokines in T cells from pre- and post-treatment patients. Results showed that proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, NK, γδT and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells were higher and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were lower in responders (n = 50) after treatment but no obvious difference was found in non-responders (n = 30). After treatment, responders showed an increase in the frequency of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules, as well as the production of cytokines in T cells. This study indicates that monitoring the alterations of immune markers in circulating cells from NSCLC patients may be helpful to discriminate responders and non-responders, which provides a potential novel way to assess efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.

FBXO30 functions as a tumor suppressor and an E3 ubiquitin ligase for hZIP1­mediated HIF­1α degradation in renal cell carcinoma.

Studies on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are gaining momentum due to its high malignancy and potential to metastasize. F­box protein 30 (FBXO30) is a member of the F­box protein family; however, its role and mechanism in cancer remains to be fully elucidated. Western blotting, reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and immunohistochemsitry were performed to detect the expression levels of FBXO30 in ccRCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Tumor biological function assays and animal experiments were conducted to clarify the inhibitory effect of FBXO30 on the progression and metastasis of ccRCC. Protein half­life assay, MG132 inhibition assay, immunofluorescence assay and co­immunoprecipitation assay were performed to explore the ubiquitination mechanism of FBXO30 and HIF­1α. Zinc supplementation assay was used to verify the regulatory relationship between human ZRT, IRT­like protein 1 (hZIP1), FBXO30 and HIF­1α. The present study revealed that the expression levels of FBXO30 were lower in ccRCC tissues compared with those in normal adjacent tissues. In addition, FBXO30 inhibited the tumorigenesis and metastatic capacity of ccRCC cells in vivo and in vitro. FBXO30 mediated the ubiquitination and degradation of hypoxia­inducible factor­1α (HIF­1α) in ccRCC cells under normoxia, thereby inhibiting the oncogenic effect of HIF­1α. Notably, hZIP1 served as an upstream regulator of FBXO30, regulating the expression of FBXO30 and HIF­1α by recruiting Zn2+. In conclusion, the present data suggested that FBXO30 is a novel E3 ubiquitination ligase that can function as a tumor suppressor in ccRCC, and the hZIP1/Zn2+/FBXO30/HIF­1α axis may provide potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for ccRCC.

Integrated analysis of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics data reveals the role of SLC39A1 in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Accumulating evidence suggests that solute carrier family 39 member 1 (SLC39A1) conceivably function as a tumor suppressor, but the underlying mechanism in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is poorly understood. Methods: OSRC-2 renal cancer cells were first transfected with SLC39A1 overexpressed vectors and empty vectors and then used in transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics integrated analyses. Results: SLC39A1 significantly altered several metabolisms at transcriptional, protein and metabolic levels, including purine and pyrimidine metabolism, amino acids and derivatives metabolism, lactose metabolism, and free fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, SLC39A1 could promote ferroptosis, and triggered significant crosstalk in PI3K-AKT signal pathway, cAMP signal pathway, and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) signal pathway. Conclusion: We found SLC39A1 transfection impaired tumor metabolism and perturbed tumor metabolism-related pathways, which was a likely cause of the alteration in cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression in RCC cells. These multi-omics analyses results provided both a macroscopic picture of molecular perturbation by SLC39A1 and novel insights into RCC tumorigenesis and development.

Curcumin nicotinate decreases serum LDL cholesterol through LDL receptor-mediated mechanism.

Curcumin nicotinate (Curtn) is a synthesized ester derivative of curcumin and niacin. Our previous study has shown that Curtn lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in apoE-/- mice and promotes LDL-C uptake into HepG2 cells in vitro. The present study was to test the hypothesis that Curtn decreases serum LDL-C levels through decreased expression of pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and subsequent increase in LDL receptor expression. Male Wistar rats on high-fat diet (HFD) were treated with Curtn or rosuvastatin. Curtn or rosuvastatin treatment significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C in rats on HFD with increased liver LDL receptor expression. LDL-C-lowering effect of Curtn was not observed in LDL receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mice on HFD, while rosuvastatin still decreased serum lipid levels in LDLR-/- mice, indicating that the reduction of serum LDL-C levels by Curtn treatment was LDL receptor-dependent. Curtn treatment also significantly decreased the protein expression of PCSK9 in Wistar rats and LDLR-/- mice. In HepG2 cells with overexpression of human PCSK9, Curtn treatment significantly increased LDL-C uptakes into hepatocytes, and increased LDL receptor distribution on cell surface in association with decreased PCSK9 protein expression. RNAi-LDLR significantly attenuated the effect of Curtn on LDLR distribution on cell surface. These data indicates that Curtn would decrease serum LDL-C level at least partially through inhibition of PCSK9 expression, and subsequent increase in LDL receptor expression and distribution in hepatocytes, serving as a potential novel compound to treat hyperlipidemia.

OX40 enhances T cell immune response to PD-1 blockade therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Immune-checkpoint blockade is widely studied for cancer therapy. Although the co-inhibitory receptor Programmed death-1(PD-1) blockade benefits some non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, a large portion of NSCLC patients still fail to respond to this immunotherapy, and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Thus, a synergistic therapy to enhance the effect of PD-1 is urgently needed to improve the poor outcome of NSCLC patients. Here, we demonstrated that effector memory T cells were increased and T cell response became stronger in PD-1 immunotherapy responders (n = 20) but not in non-responders (n = 10). The expression of co-stimulatory receptor OX40 was upregulated on T cells following PD-1 immunotherapy and was positively associated with the percentage of PD-1+T cells and the responsiveness of T cells. Combination treatment of antagonistic anti-PD-1 and agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies (Abs) promoted the proliferation and cytokines production of T cells from PBMCs of non-responders ex vivo. Consistently, anti-PD-1 and anti-OX40 therapy synergistically augmented T cell response in an in vivo mouse lung cancer model. Our study confirmed the antitumor effects of anti-PD-1/OX40 combination in lung cancer patients as well as in the murine lung cancer model, and the results provide a rationale for clinical trials evaluating the therapeutic effect of this combination of antibodies for NSCLC immunotherapy.

A comparison of clinical pathologic characteristics between alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive hepatocellular carcinoma patients from Eastern and Southern China.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a biomarker used in clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, approximately 40% of HCC patients do not present with elevated serum AFP levels. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics between AFP positive and negative HCC patients to allow for improved clinical management and prognostication of the disease. METHODS: This study observed a cohort of HCC patients from Eastern and Southern China with comparisons of the clinical and pathologic features between serum AFP positive and negative patient groups; patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis, those with chronic hepatitis B, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) asymptomatic carrier patients were used as controls. Data included the laboratory results, pathology diagnosis, clinical staging and scores were obtained from routine clinical diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Patients with HCC, larger tumor sizes, liver cancer with hepatic cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis, metastasis, high Child-Pugh score, high Barcelona-Clínic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, and advanced clinical stage had significantly higher serum AFP levels. Also, patients with HBsAg and HBeAg positive, high HBV DNA levels had significantly higher serum AFP levels. Patients with high serum AFP levels had higher protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), γ-GT /ALT, direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IDBIL), fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels. Patients with AFP positive had higher white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, monocyte, and platelet count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). CONCLUSIONS: The are significant differences in clinical pathologic characteristics between AFP positive and negative HCC patients which may be helpful for the management and prognostication of the disease.

hZIP1 Inhibits Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Suppressing NF-kB/HIF-1α Pathway.

PURPOSE: Accumulating literature has suggested that hZIP1 and HIF-1α play vital roles in the tumor process of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the functional roles of hZIP1 and HIF-1α in ccRCC remain largely unknown. METHODS: HIF-1α protein level was evaluated by a western blot in ccRCC tissues and cell lines. ccRCC cell lines were transfected with HIF-1α-siRNA to downregulate the expression level of HIF-1α. Then the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of ccRCC cells in vitro were detected by real-time cell analysis (RTCA) assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. The role of HIF-1α in vivo was explored by tumor implantation in nude mice. Then the effect on glycolysis-related proteins was performed by western blot after hZIP1 knockdown (overexpression) or HIF-1α knockdown. The effect on NF-kB pathway was detected after hZIP1 overexpression. RESULTS: HIF-1α was markedly downregulated in ccRCC tissues compared with normal areas. But HIF-1α presented almost no expression in HK-2 and ACHN cells. Immunofluorescence indicated HIF-1α and PDK1 expression in both the cytoplasm and nucleus in ccRCC cells. Downregulation of HIF-1α suppressed ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and resulted in smaller implanted tumors in nude mice. Furthermore, hZIP1 knockdown elevated HIF-1α protein levels and PDK1 protein levels in ccRCC cells. Interestingly, a sharp downregulated expression of HIF-1α was observed after hZIP1 overexpression in OSRC-2 and 786-O cells, which resulted from a downtrend of NF-kB1 moving into the cell nucleus. CONCLUSION: Our work has vital implications that hZIP1 suppresses ccRCC progression by inhibiting NF-kB/HIF-1α pathway.

The value of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (Hb/RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer.

ABSTRACT: The clinical significance of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width (Hb/RDW) for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) has not been reported yet. This study aimed to evaluate the value of preoperative Hb/RDW, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for the diagnosis of NPC.A total of 180 NPC patients (NPC group) and 149 healthy subjects (control group) were recruited to assess the value of Hb/RDW, NLR, and PLR for the diagnosis of NPC.It was noted that NLR and PLR were significantly higher in the NPC group than those in the control group (P < .001); however, Hb/RDW was lower in the NPC group compared with that in the control group (P < .001). NLR was also remarkably different between patients of stage I+II and those of stage III+IV (P = .043), and that was different in patients with lymph node metastases or not (P = .030). Besides, PLR was significantly different in patients with serosal invasion or not (P = .031). In receiver operating characteristic curve, compared with Hb/RDW alone (sensitivity, 66.67%; specificity, 85.23%), the sensitivity (67.78%, 72.78%) and specificity (89.62%, 90.6%) of Hb/RDW with NLR and PLR were both increased. Furthermore, Hb/RDW combined with NLR area under the ROC (AUC), 0.824; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.779-0.864, P = .0080) or PLR (AUC: 0.851, 95% CI: 0.808-0.888, P = .0002) had a greater AUC value for the diagnosis of NPC compared with Hb/RDW alone (AUC: 0.781, 95% CI: 0.732-0.824).Hb/RDW can be used as a valuable indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of NPC. Preoperative Hb/RDW combined with NLR or PLR is of great significance in the auxiliary diagnosis and pathological staging of NPC.

Human endoglin-CD3 bispecific T cell engager antibody induces anti-tumor effect in vivo.

Rationale: Endoglin, also known as CD105, is a homo-dimeric membrane glycoprotein required for angiogenesis and serves as a marker for cancer vasculature. In this study, we constructed a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody that targets human endoglin and CD3 (hEND-CD3/BiTE). We examined BiTE binding to endoglin-expressing cells and its effects on the cytolytic activity of T cells and cancer development. Methods: The in vitro effects of hEND-CD3/BiTE, including binding to target cells, T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity, were examined in endoglin-expressing 293T cells, human umbilical vascular endothelial cells, tumor-derived endothelial cells, and CD3+ T cells. An in vivo xenograft tumor model was established using A549 human lung cancer cells. The therapeutic efficacy of hEND-CD3/BiTE was assessed by monitoring tumor growth, angiogenesis, and mouse survival. Results: hEND-CD3/BiTE specifically bound to endoglin-expressing cells and CD3+ T cells in vitro and stimulated T-cell activation, proliferation, and Th1 cytokine secretion, and promoted T-cell-mediated cytolysis of endoglin-expressing cells. The hEND-CD3/BiTE in vivo caused minimal toxicity to major organs, reduced tumor neoangiogenesis, inhibited tumor growth, and significantly improved mouse survival. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of hEND-CD3/BiTE and provided a novel approach to clinical cancer treatment.

Analysis of serum gastrin-17 and Helicobacter pylori antibody in healthy Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Gastrin-17 (G-17) and Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) antibody are widely used in the screening of gastric diseases, especially in gastric cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the value of G-17 and H pylori antibody in gastric disease screening. METHODS: Healthy males and females (1368 and 1212, respectively) aged between 21-80 years were recruited for the study. Serum G-17 value was measured using ELISA, and H pylori antibodies were measured using Western blotting. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. RESULTS: Serum G-17 level was higher in the H pylori-positive group than in the negative group. Serum G-17 level was higher in the type 1 H pylori-positive group than in the type 2 H pylori-positive group. Further, serum G-17 level was higher in females than in males and showed significant differences among different age-groups, with changes in trend proportional to the age. The positive rate of H pylori infection in all the subjects was 58.29% and did not show a significant difference between males and females. However, it showed significant differences among different age-groups, with the changing trend proportional to the age. CONCLUSION: Analysis of serum G-17 level and H pylori antibody typing is valuable in gastric disease screening. Every laboratory should establish its own reference interval for G-17 level.

The effector GpRbp-1 of Globodera pallida targets a nuclear HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase to modulate gene expression in the host.

Plant-parasitic nematodes secrete effectors that manipulate plant cell morphology and physiology to achieve host invasion and establish permanent feeding sites. Effectors from the highly expanded SPRYSEC (SPRY domain with a signal peptide for secretion) family in potato cyst nematodes have been implicated in activation and suppression of plant immunity, but the mechanisms underlying these activities remain largely unexplored. To study the host mechanisms used by SPRYSEC effectors, we identified plant targets of GpRbp-1 from the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida. Here, we show that GpRbp-1 interacts in yeast and in planta with a functional potato homologue of the Homology to E6-AP C-Terminus (HECT)-type ubiquitin E3 ligase UPL3, which is located in the nucleus. Potato lines lacking StUPL3 are not available, but the Arabidopsis mutant upl3-5 displaying a reduced UPL3 expression showed a consistently small but not significant decrease in susceptibility to cyst nematodes. We observed a major impact on the root transcriptome by the lower levels of AtUPL3 in the upl3-5 mutant, but surprisingly only in association with infections by cyst nematodes. To our knowledge, this is the first example that a HECT-type ubiquitin E3 ligase is targeted by a pathogen effector and that a member of this class of proteins specifically regulates gene expression under biotic stress conditions. Together, our data suggest that GpRbp-1 targets a specific component of the plant ubiquitination machinery to manipulate the stress response in host cells.

The potato cyst nematode effector RHA1B is a ubiquitin ligase and uses two distinct mechanisms to suppress plant immune signaling.

Plant pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and nematodes, rely on wide range of virulent effectors delivered into host cells to suppress plant immunity. Although phytobacterial effectors have been intensively investigated, little is known about the function of effectors of plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Globodera pallida, a cyst nematode responsible for vast losses in the potato and tomato industries. Here, we demonstrate using in vivo and in vitro ubiquitination assays the potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) effector RHA1B is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that employs multiple host plant E2 ubiquitin conjugation enzymes to catalyze ubiquitination. RHA1B was able to suppress effector-triggered immunity (ETI), as manifested by suppression of hypersensitive response (HR) mediated by a broad range of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) immune receptors, presumably via E3-dependent degradation of the NB-LRR receptors. RHA1B also blocked the flg22-triggered expression of Acre31 and WRKY22, marker genes of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI), but this did not require the E3 activity of RHA1B. Moreover, transgenic potato overexpressing the RHA1B transgene exhibited enhanced susceptibility to G. pallida. Thus, our data suggest RHA1B facilitates nematode parasitism not only by triggering degradation of NB-LRR immune receptors to block ETI signaling but also by suppressing PTI signaling via an as yet unknown E3-independent mechanism.

Identification of Novel Autoantibodies Associated With Psoriatic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The autoimmune etiology in psoriasis remains to be clarified. We therefore undertook this study to identify novel pathogenic autoantigens and autoantibodies in patients with psoriasis, with the aim of shedding light on the molecular and cellular basis of the pathogenesis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: In this study, we developed an autoantigen array system that harbors a variety of antigens, including typical autoantigens in rheumatic diseases as well as skin antigens, inflammatory mediators, and putative autoantigens in psoriasis. Serum samples from patients with psoriasis (n = 73) were used to interrogate the antigens on the array. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of individual autoantibodies were used in validation studies. RESULTS: Levels of several autoantibodies were found to be elevated in the serum of patients with psoriasis compared to healthy controls; in particular, IgG autoantibodies against 2 novel antigens, LL-37 and ADAMTS-L5, were significantly increased in patients with psoriasis. Importantly, serum levels of IgG autoantibodies against LL-37 and ADAMTS-L5 were correlated with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and reflected disease progression in longitudinally collected serum samples from patients with psoriasis. Importantly, both anti-ADAMTS-L5 and anti-LL-37 autoantibody levels were also significantly elevated in psoriasis patients with PsA compared to those without PsA, suggesting that these molecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of PsA. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that these identified autoantibodies may be useful biomarkers and may serve as therapeutic targets in psoriasis and PsA.

Age and Gender-Specific Reference Intervals for ProGRP in Healthy Chinese Han Ethnic Adults using the Roche Cobas Immunoassay.

BACKGROUND: Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) is a kind of tumor marker applied more and more commonly in recent years. This study was aimed at determining the age and gender-specific reference intervals (RIs) for ProGRP in healthy Han ethnic adults from Guangxi, China. METHODS: A total of 2,045 apparently healthy males and 1,740 apparently healthy females aged from 21 to 90 years were included in this study. The serum ProGRP values were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The one-sided upper 95th percentile of ProGRP concentrations were used to define the RIs. RESULTS: The reference limits in different age groups (21 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 60, 61 - 70, and > 70 years) were 37.3, 39.7, 45.7, 47.3, and 61.3 pg/mL for males, and 36.3, 38.1, 42.7, 53.5, and 60.1 pg/mL for females, respectively. There was no significant difference in the levels of ProGRP between males and females. The serum ProGRP levels were positively correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: We established the age and gender-specific RIs for ProGRP in the adults from Guangxi, China. It will be valuable for future clinical and laboratory studies.

Protein Arrays II: Antigen Arrays.

Antigen arrays are fabricated using various antigens such as DNA, histones, synthetic peptides, recombinant proteins, or cell extracts to detect autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases, alloantibodies in transplantation, drug-induced antibodies or cancer-induced antibodies in blood or cell culture supernatant. In this protocol, we will provide a step-by-step executable procedure to perform antigen arrays, including antigen preparation and printing, blocking, sample loading, array detection, imaging, and data analysis.

A Fe3O4@Au-basedpseudo-homogeneous electrochemical immunosensor for AFP measurement using AFP antibody-GNPs-HRP as detection probe.

In this study, a Fe3O4@Au-based pseudo-homogeneous electrochemical immunosensor was prepared for detection of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), a well-known hepatocellular carcinoma biomarker. The primary antibody (Ab1) was immobilized on Fe3O4@Au NPs as the capture probe. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and secondary antibody (Ab2) were conjugated on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) through electrostatic adsorption to form signal-amplifying labels. In the presence of AFP, a sandwich immunocomplex was formed via specific recognition of antigen-antibody in a Fe3O4@Au-basedpseudo-homogeneousreaction system. After the immunocomplex was captured to the surface of magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE), the labeling HRP catalyzed the decomposition of H2O2, resulting in a substantial current for the quantitative detection of AFP. The amperometric (i-t) method was employed to record the response signal of the immunosensor based on the catalysis of the immobilized HRP toward the reduction of H2O2 with hydroquinone (HQ) as the redox mediator. Under the optimal conditions, the amperometric current response presented a linear relationship with AFP concentration over the range of 20 ng/mL-100 ng/mLwith a correlation coefficient of 0.9940, and the detection limit was 0.64 ng/mL at signal/noise [S/N] = 3. Moreover, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited higher anti-interference ability, acceptable reproducibility and long-term stability for AFP detection.