Testicular immune cell populations and macrophage polarisation in adult male mice and the influence of altered activin A levels.

Detailed morphological characterization of testicular leukocytes in the adult CX3CR1 gfp/+ transgenic mouse identified two distinct CX3CR1 + mononuclear phagocyte (macrophage and dendritic cell) populations: stellate/dendriform cells opposed to the seminiferous tubules (peritubular), and polygonal cells associated with Leydig cells (interstitial). Using confocal microscopy combined with stereological enumeration of CX3CR1gfp/+ cells established that there were twice as many interstitial cells (68%) as peritubular cells (32%). Flow cytometric analyses of interstitial cells from mechanically-dissociated testes identified multiple mononuclear phagocyte subsets based on surface marker expression (CX3CR1, F4/80, CD11c). These cells comprised 80% of total intratesticular leukocytes, as identified by CD45 expression. The remaining leukocytes were CD3+ (T lymphocytes) and NK1.1+ (natural killer cells). Functional phenotype assessment using CD206 (an anti-inflammatory/M2 marker) and MHC class II (an activation marker) identified a potentially tolerogenic CD206+MHCII+ sub-population (12% of total CD45+ cells). Rare testicular subsets of CX3CR1 +CD11c+F4/80+ (4.3%) mononuclear phagocytes and CD3+NK1.1+ (3.1%) lymphocytes were also identified for the first time. In order to examine the potential for the immunoregulatory cytokine, activin A to modulate testicular immune cell populations, testes from adult mice with reduced activin A (Inhba+/-) or elevated activin A (Inha+/-) were assessed using flow cytometry. Although the proportion of F4/80+CD11b+ leukocytes (macrophages) was not affected, the frequency of CD206+MHCII+cells was significantly lower and CD206+MHCII- correspondingly higher in Inha+/- testes. This shift in expression of MHCII in CD206+ macrophages indicates that changes in circulating and/or local activin A influence resident macrophage activation and phenotype and, therefore, the immunological environment of the testis.

P-glycoprotein expression as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Chemoresistance is an important factor determining the response of tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression-mediated drug efflux is one of the mechanisms responsible for multi-drug resistance. Our study was aimed to determine the role of P-gp expression as a predictor of response to NACT in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: P-gp expression was performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR] in 76 patients with LABC. Response to adriamycin-based regimen was assessed both clinically and with contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan before and after NACT. The significance of correlation between tumor and P-gp levels was determined with Chi-square test. RESULTS: Twenty-one had high and 55 had low P-gp expression. On analyzing P-gp expression with response by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, statistical significance was obtained (P = 0.038). Similarly, assessment of P-gp expression with response by Response Evaluation in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria in 48 patients showed statistical significance (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: This study proves that P-gp expression is a determinant factor in predicting response to NACT. Finally, detection of P-gp expression status before initiation of chemotherapy can be used as a predictive marker for NACT response and will also aid in avoiding the toxic side effects of NACT in non-responders.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of a new series of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives.

A series of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives (1a-g) were prepared from three compounds condensation of Hantzsch synthesis. A new series of 2,2'-{[4-(aryl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-diyl]dicarbonyl}dihydrazinecarbothioamide (2a-g) were prepared from compounds diethyl 4-(aryl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (1a-g) reacted with thiosemicarbazide to give the corresponding compounds (2a-g) by hydrazinolysis method. The synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, (1)HNMR, (13)CNMR, mass spectral and elemental analyses. The newly synthesized compounds (2a-g) were screened for anticonvulsant activity against in swiss albino rat. The test was evaluated by maximal electrode induced convulsion method. Synthesized compounds were used two (50 and 100 mg/kg) concentrations. Compounds (1a-g) were inactive while compounds (2a-g) have moderate anti-convulsant activity compared with standard phenytoin drug. The compound 2,2'-{[4-(furan-2-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-diyl]dicarbonyl} dihydrazinecarbothioamide (2a) has highly active compared with other compound (2b-2g).