Quantitative proteomics analysis of human vitreous in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.

The prognosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) is often poor and complicated. This study focused on the identification of the characteristic proteins and signal pathways associated with the etiology of RRDCD and to provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment of RRDCD. In this study, vitreous humor samples were obtained from 16 RRDCD patients, 14 with RRD, 12 with idiopathic epiretinal macular membrane (IEMM), and 5 healthy controls from donated corpse eyes. Data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis were employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). In the vitreous humor, 14,842 peptides were identified. Patients with RRDCD had 249 DEPs (93 upregulated and 156 downregulated), with 89 in patients with RRD and 61 in patients with IEMM. Enrichment analysis of the GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes DEP databases indicated functional clusters related to inflammation and immunity, protein degradation and absorption, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), the hedgehog signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that DEPs with positive co-expression of RRDCD participated in immune-related pathways led by the complement and coagulation cascade, whereas DEPs with negative co-expression of RRDCD participated in protein degradation and absorption, CAMs, and the hedgehog signaling pathway. In summary, our study provides important clues and the theoretical basis for exploring the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of ocular fundus disease.

Drug Sensitivity Screening and Targeted Pathway Analysis Reveal a Multi-Driver Proliferative Mechanism and Suggest a Strategy of Combination Targeted Therapy for Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Treatment of colorectal cancer mostly relies on traditional therapeutic approaches, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Limited options of targeted therapy for colorectal cancer narrowly focus on blocking cancer-generic targets VEGFR and EGFR. Identifying the oncogenic drivers, understanding their contribution to proliferation, and finding inhibitors to block such drivers are the keys to developing targeted therapy for colorectal cancer. In this study, ten colorectal cancer cell lines were screened against a panel of protein kinase inhibitors blocking key oncogenic signaling pathways. The results show that four of the 10 cell lines did not respond to any kinase inhibitors significantly, the other six were mildly inhibited by AZD-6244, BMS-754807, and/or dasatinib. Mechanistic analyses demonstrate that these inhibitors independently block the MAP kinase pathway, IR/IGF-1R/AKT pathway, and Src kinases, suggesting a multi-driver nature of proliferative signaling in these cells. Most of these cell lines were potently and synergistically inhibited by pair-wise combinations of these drugs. Furthermore, seven of the 10 cell lines were inhibited by the triple combination of AZD-6244/BMS-754807/dasatinib with IC50's between 10 and 84 nM. These results suggest that combination targeted therapy may be an effective strategy against colorectal cancer.

TMPyP4-regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in SW480 cells.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of the 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (1-methylpyridinium-4-yl) porphyrin (TMPyP4) on the proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells and the underlying mechanisms by which TMPyP4 exerted its actions. METHODS: After treated with different doses of TMPyP4, cell viability was determined by MTT method, the apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry (FCM) and the expression of Wnt, GSK-3ß, ß-catenin and cyclinD1 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that TMPyP4 potently suppressed cell viability and induced the apoptosis of SW480 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the downregulation of Wnt, ß-catenin and cyclinD1 expression levels was detected in TMPyP4-treated SW480 cells. However, followed by the block of Wnt signaling pathway using siRNA methods, the effects of TMPyP4 on proliferation and apoptosis of SW480 cells were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: It indicates that the TMPyP4-inhibited proliferation and -induced apoptosis in SW480 cells was accompanied by the suppression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, TMPyP4 may represent a potential therapeutic method for the treatment of colon carcinoma.

Evolution and biological characteristics of H11 avian influenza viruses isolated from migratory birds and pigeons.

The emergence of novel avian influenza reassortants in wild birds in recent years is a public health concern. However, the viruses that circulate in migratory birds are not fully understood. In this study, we summarized and categorized global H11 avian influenza viruses and reported that waterfowl and shorebirds are the major reservoirs of the identified H11 viruses. The surveillance data of the 35,749 faecal samples collected from wild bird habitats in eastern China over the past seven years revealed a low prevalence of H11 viruses in birds, with a positive rate of 0.067% (24 isolates). The phylogenetic analysis of the twenty viruses indicated that H11 viruses have undergone complex reassortment with viruses circulating in waterfowl and shorebirds. These tested viruses do not acquire mammalian adaptive mutations in their genomes and preferentially bind to avian-type receptors. Experimental infection studies demonstrated that the two tested H11N9 viruses of wild bird origin replicated and transmitted more efficiently in ducks than in chickens, whereas the pigeon H11N2 virus isolated from a live poultry market was more adapted to replicate in chickens than in ducks. In addition, some H11 isolates replicated efficiently in mice and caused body weight loss but were not lethal. Our study revealed the role of waterfowl and shorebirds in the ecology and evolution of H11 viruses and the potential risk of introducing circulating H11 viruses into ducks or chickens, further emphasizing the importance of avian influenza surveillance at the interface of migratory birds and poultry.

[Cloning and expression of actin gene of Toxoplasma gondii].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the actin gene of Toxoplasma gondii, and analyze the immunoreactivity of the recombinant protein. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii. The open reading frame of TgACT gene was amplified with a pair of specific primers which were designed according to the coding sequence of TgACT gene (Accession No. XM_002369622.1). The RT-PCR product was cloned into the prokaryotic expression pET-30a (+) vector. The recombinant pET30a-TgACT plasmid was transformed into E. coli DH5alpha. The positive clones were selected through the colony-PCR and confirmed by the double restrict enzyme digestion and sequencing. The correct pET30a-TgACT plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) and induced by IPTG. The expressed proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Western blotting assay was performed with anti-poly-histidine tag (anti-His) antibody or rabbit anti-T. gondii serum. RESULTS: The product of RT-PCR was with 1 100 bp. The recombinant plasmid pET30a-TgACT was confirmed by colony-PCR, double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. SDS-PAGE results showed that the target protein was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) in the form of inclusion bodies with a rough molecular weight of 49 000. The purified soluble protein was obtained by using denaturation, renaturation and purification. Western blotting revealed that rTgACT can be recognized by anti-His antibody and rabbit anti-T. gondii serum. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmid pET30a-TgACT has been successfully constructed, and the recombinant protein TgACT is produced in E. coli and maintains specific immunoreactivity.

Research Progress of Bioinspired Nanostructured Systems for the Treatment of Ocular Disorders.

How to enhance the bioavailability and prolong the residence time of drugs in the eye present the major barriers to traditional eye delivery. Nanotechnology has been widely used in ocular drug delivery systems because of its advantages of minimizing adverse reactions, decreasing the frequency of administration, prolonging the release time, and improving the bioavailability of the drug in the eye. As natural product-based nanostructured systems, bioinspired nanostructured systems have presented as less toxic, easy to prepare, and cost-effective and have potential application value in the field of nanotechnology. A systematic classification of bioinspired nanostructured systems based on their inspiration source and formulation and their brief applications in disease are presented here. A review of recent research progress of the bioinspired nanostructured systems for the treatment of the anterior and posterior segment of ocular disorders is then presented in detail. Finally, current challenges and future directions with regard to manufacturing bioinspired nanomaterials are provided.

Prevalence, evolution, replication and transmission of H3N8 avian influenza viruses isolated from migratory birds in eastern China from 2017 to 2021.

The continued evolution and emergence of novel influenza viruses in wild and domestic animals poses an increasing public health risk. Two human cases of H3N8 avian influenza virus infection in China in 2022 have caused public concern regarding the risk of transmission between birds and humans. However, the prevalence of H3N8 avian influenza viruses in their natural reservoirs and their biological characteristics are largely unknown. To elucidate the potential threat of H3N8 viruses, we analyzed five years of surveillance data obtained from an important wetland region in eastern China and evaluated the evolutionary and biological characteristics of 21 H3N8 viruses isolated from 15,899 migratory bird samples between 2017 and 2021. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that the H3N8 viruses circulating in migratory birds and ducks have evolved into different branches and have undergone complicated reassortment with viruses in waterfowl. The 21 viruses belonged to 12 genotypes, and some strains induced body weight loss and pneumonia in mice. All the tested H3N8 viruses preferentially bind to avian-type receptors, although they have acquired the ability to bind human-type receptors. Infection studies in ducks, chickens and pigeons demonstrated that the currently circulating H3N8 viruses in migratory birds have a high possibility of infecting domestic waterfowl and a low possibility of infecting chickens and pigeons. Our findings imply that circulating H3N8 viruses in migratory birds continue to evolve and pose a high infection risk in domestic ducks. These results further emphasize the importance of avian influenza surveillance at the wild bird and poultry interface.

[Cloning, expression and antigenicity analysis of phosphoglycerate mutase 2 gene of Toxoplasma gondii].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2) gene of Toxoplasma gondii, and analyze the antigenicity of the recombinant protein. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from T. gondii tachyzoites of RH strain and reversely transcribed into cDNA. TgPGAM2 gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into pET30a(+) vector. The constructed pET30a(+)-TgPGAM2 was transformed into E. coli DH5alpha first and selected through the colony-PCR and confirmed by the double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The correct plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 for expression induced by IPTG and the recombinant protein was further analyzed through SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie brilliant blue staining. Western blotting assay with rabbit anti-T. gondii serum was used to analyze its antigenicity. RESULTS: The length of PCR product was about 750 bp and the recombinant plasmid pET30a(+)-TgPGAM2 was successfully constructed. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed that the relative molecular weight (Mr) of the soluble recombinant protein was approximately 30 000 and could be recognized by rabbit anti-T. gondii serum. CONCLUSION: The soluble TgPGAM2 protein has been expressed in the prokaryotic expression system and maintains its antigenicity.

Gene-cloning, expression and antigenicity analysis of rhoptry protein 17 of Toxoplasma gondii.

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express the rhoptry protein 17 (ROP17) gene of RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii, analyze the antigenicity of recombinant protein. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii. The open reading frame of TgROP17 gene was amplified with a pair of specific primers which was designed according to the coding sequence of TgROP17 gene (GenBank accession No. AM075203.1), the product of RT-PCR was digested with double restriction enzyme and ligated into a pGEX-6P-1 vector. The recombinant pGEX-6P-1-TgROP17 plasmid was transferred into E. coli DH5alpha and the positive clones were selected through the colony-PCR and confirmed by the double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The constructed pGEX-6P-1-TgROP17 was transformed into E. coli Rosetta (DE3) and induced with IPTG for expression. The expression products were analyzed through SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie blue staining. Western blotting assay with GST primary antibody and rabbit anti-T. gondii serum was used to confirm the expression of GST-ROP17 and analyze its antigenic properties. RESULTS: The product of RT-PCR was with 1 850 bp. The recombinant plasmid pGEX-6P-1-TgROP17 was confirmed by colony-PCR, double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. A soluble recombinant protein with relative molecular weight of 96,000 was analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie blue staining. The GST tag in GST-ROP17 and the antigenicity of ROP17 were detected efficiently by Western blotting with the GST primary antibody and with the prepared antiserum against T. gondii, respectively. CONCLUSION: The recombinant GST-ROP17 protein has been produced in E. coli and shows specific antigenicity.

Internal limiting membrane packing for treatment of morning glory syndrome with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the ocular features, surgical methods, and surgical outcomes of a patient with morning glory syndrome(MGS) complicated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD). Observations: The patient was a 38-year-old Chinese woman with congenital cataract in her left eye and an artificial eye in her right eye. Ocular examination confirmed MGS complicated with RD in the left eye and revealed a retinal hole in the temporal margin of the optic disc. The retina successfully reattached after pars plana vitrectomy(PPV), silicone oil tamponade and laser photocoagulation, but the hole did not close and occurred obvious contractile movement. The retina did not detach again during the follow-up period. One and a half years later, silicone oil removal combined with internal limiting membrane and hyaloid or glial remnant plugging, autologous blood covering and C3F8 filling were performed, and the retinal hole was finally closed. Conclusions and importance: This case is the first to report contractile movement of the retinal hole in a patient with MGS complicated with RD, and the hole was closed by internal limiting membrane tamponade combined with autologous blood coverage.

The complement C3a-C3aR and C5a-C5aR pathways promote viability and inflammation of human retinal pigment epithelium cells by targeting NF-κB signaling.

Retinal detachment (RD) and its special form of rhegmatogenous RD associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) feature similar pathological alterations, including enhanced retinal cell inflammation. Although the importance of the complement components C3a and C5a and their corresponding receptors in retinal maintenance has been demonstrated, the relevance of these molecules to the pathogenesis of RD or RRDCD remains to be investigated. The contents of C3a, C5a and inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and prostaglandin (PG)E2, in related clinical samples were examined by ELISA. Subsequently, human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cells were subjected to challenge with the C3a and C5a recombinant proteins with or without C3a and C5a antagonists and NF-κB inhibitor, and the cell viability and inflammatory cytokines were then determined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and ELISA, respectively. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were utilized to examine the mRNA or/and protein levels of C3a and its receptor C3aR, as well as C5a and its receptor C5aR, and NF-κB. In addition, the correlation of C3a and C5a with the aforementioned inflammatory factors was analyzed. The inflammatory factor levels of C3a and C5a were considerably elevated in patients with RRDCD compared to those in the controls. Consistently, C3a and C5a treatment led to increased cell viability and aggravated inflammation in HRPE cells. Accordingly, C3a and C5a induced upregulation of their corresponding receptors C3aR and C5aR, which was in turn observed to be linked to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation of the complements C3a and C5a with individual TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and PGE2. Taken together, the C3a-C3aR and C5a-C5aR pathways were indicated to promote cell viability and inflammation of HRPE cells by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Genetic Analysis of a Novel H16N3 Virus Isolated from a Migratory Gull in China in 2021 and Animal Studies of Infection.

H16 avian influenza viruses mainly circulate in wild migratory gulls worldwide, and the infection risks in poultry and mammals remain largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a novel H16N3 virus from migratory gulls in eastern China in 2021. Genetic analysis indicated that the H16N3 virus originated from the H16 and H13 viruses that circulated in wild birds. This H16N3 virus has not adapted to replicate in chickens, ducks, or mice, although it can be transmitted between inoculated and contacted birds. The circulation of H16Nx viruses in the Northern Hemisphere indicates that we should strengthen active surveillance to monitor their prevalence and evolution in migratory gulls and their introduction into other migratory and domestic waterfowl. IMPORTANCE Migratory wild birds are natural reservoirs of H16 viruses and play a key role in the global prevalence of these viruses. Here, we found that H16 viruses predominantly circulate in migratory gulls and that the gull H16N3 virus cannot replicate efficiently in chickens, ducks, or mice without prior adaptation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the ecology, evolution, and biological properties of H16 viruses and will guide avian influenza surveillance in birds.

Emergence, Evolution, and Biological Characteristics of H10N4 and H10N8 Avian Influenza Viruses in Migratory Wild Birds Detected in Eastern China in 2020.

H10Nx influenza viruses have caused increasing public concern due to their occasional infection of humans. However, the genesis and biological characteristics of H10 viruses in migratory wild birds are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted active surveillance to monitor circulation of avian influenza viruses in eastern China and isolated five H10N4 and two H10N8 viruses from migratory birds in 2020. Genetic analysis indicated that the hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the seven H10 viruses were clustered into the North American lineage and established as a novel Eurasian branch in wild birds in South Korea, Bangladesh, and China. The neuraminidase (NA) genes of the H10N4 and H10N8 viruses originated from the circulating HxN4 and H5N8 viruses in migratory birds in Eurasia. We further revealed that some of the novel H10N4 and H10N8 viruses acquired the ability to bind human-like receptors. Animal studies indicated that these H10 viruses can replicate in mice, chickens, and ducks. Importantly, we found that the H10N4 and H10N8 viruses can transmit efficiently among chickens and ducks but induce lower HA inhibition (HI) antibody titers in ducks. These findings emphasized that annual surveillance in migratory waterfowl should be strengthened to monitor the introduction of wild-bird H10N4 and H10N8 reassortants into poultry. IMPORTANCE The emerging avian influenza reassortants and mutants in birds pose an increasing threat to poultry and public health. H10 avian influenza viruses are widely prevalent in wild birds, poultry, seals, and minks and pose an increasing threat to human health. The occasional human infections with H10N8 and H10N3 viruses in China have significantly increased public concern about the potential pandemic risk posed by H10 viruses. In this study, we found that the North American H10 viruses have been successfully introduced to Asia by migratory birds and further reassorted with other subtypes to generate novel H10N4 and H10N8 viruses in eastern China. These emerging H10 reassortants have a high potential to threaten the poultry industry and human health due to their efficient replication and transmission in chickens, ducks, and mice.

[Effect of oral administration of tribendimidine at different dosages against Trichinella spiralis encapsulated larvae in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of oral administration of tribendimidine (TBD) at different dosages against Trichinella spiralis encapsulated larvae in murine striated muscle. METHODS: A total of 88 BALB/c mice were divided equally into 11 groups. Each mouse was infected orally with 50 T spiralis encapsulated larvae. At day 29 after infection, TBD was each orally administered to mice of the 11 groups with doses of 0 (control group), 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 mg/(kg x d), respectively. All mice were administered once a day and lasted for 6d, and untoward drug reactions for mice were observed. Mice were sacrificed at the 7th day after administration of TBD, the encapsulated larvae in diaphragmatic muscle, jugomaxillary muscle, pectoral muscle and gastrocnemius muscle were examined by pellet method, and the total, survival and dead worms were counted. The therapeutic effect was estimated on the basis of average quantity of encapsulated larvae per gram muscle. RESULTS: During the administration period, no untoward reaction were observed in mice of 50-300 mg/(kg x d) groups. Mice in 350 and 400 mg/(kg x d) groups showed body hair dishevelment, emaciation and food-intake decrease, death rates were 25% and 50%, respectively. All mice in 450 and 500 mg/(kg x d) groups died on day 4 and 5 after TBD administration, respectively. In control group, the highest total burden (per gram) was found in diaphragmatic muscle, followed by jugomaxillary muscle, gastrocnemius muscles and pectoral muscles. TBD at dose of 50 mg/(kg x d) was unable to kill encapsulated larvae. In the rest groups, with the increase of drug dose, the total worm burden and the number of survival worms showed a decreasing trend in four kinds of muscles, and were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In 300 mg/(kg x d) group the number of survival worms in diaphragmatic muscle, jugomaxillary muscle, pectoral muscle and gastrocnemius muscle [8.6 +/- 1.7, 2.8 +/- 0.7, 3.9 +/- 0.8, and 0, respectively] were significantly lower than that of the control group [3648.1 +/- 989.2, 1266.4 +/- 812.3, 701.9 +/- 196.4, and 711.6 +/- 34.6] (P < 0.01). All encapsulated larvae in the four kinds of muscle died in 350 and 400 mg/(kg x d) groups. With the increase of TBD dosage, the mortality of encapsulated larvae increased in the muscles, reached up to 98.6%--100% in 300 m (kg x d) group (P < 0.01), and 100% in 350 and 400 mg/(kg x d) groups (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Oral tribendimidine administered at 50 mg/(kg x d) to mice for 6 d is unable to reduce worm burden in muscle. Tribendimidine 300 mg/(kg x d) effectively kill encapsulated larvae and is a suitable dose against encapsulated larva stage. However, tribendimidine at doses of 350 mg/(kg x d) and above for 6d is toxic to mice and even causing death.

Molecular characterization, receptor binding property, and replication in chickens and mice of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from chickens, peafowls, and wild birds in eastern China.

H9N2 avian influenza viruses are widely prevalent in birds and pose an increasing threat to humans because of their enhanced virulence and transmissibility in mammals. Active surveillance on the prevalence and evolution of H9N2 viruses in different avian hosts will help develop eradication measures. We isolated 16 H9N2 viruses from chickens, green peafowls, and wild birds in eastern China from 2017 to 2019 and characterized their comparative genetic evolution, receptor-binding specificity, antigenic diversity, replication, and transmission in chickens and mice. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the green peafowl viruses and swan reassortant shared the same ancestor with the poultry H9N2 viruses prevalent in eastern China, while the seven wild bird viruses belonged to wild bird lineage. The chicken, peafowl, and swan H9N2 viruses that belonged to the poultry lineage preferentially recognized α-2, 6-linked sialic acids (human-like receptor), but the wild bird lineage viruses can bind both α-2, 3 (avian-like receptor) and human-like receptor similarly. Interestingly, the H9N2 viruses of poultry lineage replicated well and transmitted efficiently, but the viruses of wild bird lineage replicated and transmitted with low efficiency. Importantly, the H9N2 viruses of poultry lineage replicated in higher titer in mammal cells and mice than the viruses of wild birds lineage. Altogether, our study indicates that co-circulation of the H9N2 viruses in poultry, wild birds, and ornamental birds increased their cross-transmission risk in different birds because of their widespread dissemination.

[Kinetics of IgA secreting cells and sIgA in small intestine of mice induced by intranasal immunization with Toxoplasma gondii STAg].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the kinetics of IgA secreting cells (IgASCs) and secretory IgA (sIgA) level in small intestine induced by intranasal immunization with Toxoplasma gondii soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAg) in mice. METHODS: Ninety-six 5 to 6-week old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into immunity and control groups. Mice of the immunity group were each intranasally immunized with STAg 20 microg in 20 microl PBS, twice at an interval of 2 weeks, while the control mice were each given 20 microl PBS. All mice were challenged intragastrically with 1 x 10(4) tachyzoites in 0.5 ml per mouse in 1 week after the last immunization. The body weight and infection incidence of mice were recorded. Eight mice of each group were sacrificed on the day 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 post infection, respectively. The quantity of IgASCs in mucosa of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was detected by immunohistochemistry. The sIgA in intestinal washes were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: All mice fell ill post infection, but the symptom of mice in the immunity group was milder, the increasing level of body weight of mice in the immunity group was higher considerably than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Two mice died in control group on the 7th day after infection. sIgA level in intestinal washes increased continually in two groups, but the increasing level in the immunity group was higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). The number of IgASCs in duodenum increased slightly in the control group, but increased continuously and maintained a high level after 9 d in the immunity group, for instance, 20.65 +/- 1.67 in the immunity group and 12.30 +/- 2.67 in the control. The correlation of the sIgA level in intestinal washes and the quantitative change of IgASCs in duodenum was positive in the immunity group (r = 0.566, P < 0.05) and the control (r = 0.378, P < 0.05). The number of IgASCs in jejunum decreased in the control group but increased then slightly decreased after 9 d in the immunity group. Positive correlation between the sIgA level in intestinal washes and the quantitative change of IgASCs in jejunum was found in the immunity group (r = 0.218, P > 0.05) but negative in the control (r = -0.557, P < 0.05). The number of IgASCs in ileum declined in the control group but maintained a high level in the immunity group. The correlation between the sIgA level in intestinal washes and the quantitative change of IgASCs in ileum was r = -0.053 (P > 0.05) in the immunity group and r = -0.685 (P < 0.05) in the control. CONCLUSION: Intranasal immunization with STAg in mice orally infected with Toxoplasma gondii can increase the number of IgASCs in jejunum and ileum, and enhance the immune barrier function of mucosa in small intestine of mice.

[Early kinetics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice infected intragastrically with tachyzoites by chromogenic in situ hybridization targeting SAG2 mRNA].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the early kinetics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice inoculated with tachyzoites of RH strain. METHODS: Twenty BALB/c mice were administered intragastrically with tachyzoites of RH strain (2 x 10(4)/mice). Parasite burdens in mesenteric lymph node (MLN), liver, spleen, lung and brain were determined by chromogenic in situ hybridization targeting SAG2 mRNA at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days postinfection. Five mice were inoculated with PBS as blank control. RESULTS: The MLN, liver and spleen were the first organs where tachyzoites were found on the first day after infection, followed by the lungs on the 4th day and the brain on the 6th day. On days 6 to 8 after infection, there was a significant difference on parasite load among the tissues (P < 0.05), and the parasite load in MLN was highest, followed by that of liver, spleen, lungs and brain. The number of tachyzoites in various tissues was time-dependent. CONCLUSION: T. gondii tachyzoites were first detected in MLN, liver and spleen, then in the lungs, and finally in the brain. The number of tachyzoites in the MLNs increased more rapidly.

[Kinetics of IgA secreting cells and IgA in small intestine of mice induced by Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the kinetics of IgA secreting cells (IgASCs) in small intestine and the specific antibody level induced by Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite infection in mice. METHODS: Ninety-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, 12 were intragastrically given 0.5 ml PBS as control, the rest were each intragastrically infected with 1 x 10(4) tachyzoites of the virulent RH strain Toxoplasma gondii. On the day 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 post infection, 12 mice were sacrificed respectively. The quantity of IgASCs in mucosa of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was detected by immunohistochemistry analysis. IgA in sera and in intestinal washes was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The IgASCs were found in lamina propria of the small intestine mucosa. The amount of IgASCs in duodenal mucosa increased gradually with the time after infection, while in jejunal mucous membrane it increased from the day 2 to 8, and then decreased to the level of before infection on day 14. The amount of IgASCs in ileal mucous membrane also increased from day 2 to 6, then descended gradually and on the day 12 to a level lower than that of before infection. IgA level in the intestinal washes increased continually but there was no significant change in serum samples. The correlation between IgA level in intestinal washes and the quantitative change of IgASCs in mucosa of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was r=0.732 (P<0.01), r=0.116 (P>0.05) and r=-0.429 (P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Toxoplasma gondii infection induces a high level expression of IgASCs in duodenum and an increase of IgA antibody in the intestinal washes, showing a positive correlation. The high level IgA in the intestinal washes is mainly from IgASCs of the duodenal mucosa.

Application of a Biphasic Mathematical Model of Cancer Cell Drug Response for Formulating Potent and Synergistic Targeted Drug Combinations to Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple negative breast cancer is a collection of heterogeneous breast cancers that are immunohistochemically negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and ErbB2 (due to deletion or lack of amplification). No dominant proliferative driver has been identified for this type of cancer, and effective targeted therapy is lacking. In this study, we hypothesized that triple negative breast cancer cells are multi-driver cancer cells, and evaluated a biphasic mathematical model for identifying potent and synergistic drug combinations for multi-driver cancer cells. The responses of two triple negative breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, to a panel of targeted therapy drugs were determined over a broad range of concentrations. The analyses of the drug responses by the biphasic mathematical model revealed that both cell lines were indeed dependent on multiple drivers, and inhibitors of individual drivers caused a biphasic response: a target-specific partial inhibition at low nM concentrations, and an off-target toxicity at µM concentrations. We further demonstrated that combinations of drugs, targeting each driver, cause potent, synergistic, and cell-specific cell killing. Immunoblotting analysis of the effects of the individual drugs and drug combinations on the signaling pathways supports the above conclusion. These results support a multi-driver proliferation hypothesis for these triple negative breast cancer cells, and demonstrate the applicability of the biphasic mathematical model for identifying effective and synergistic targeted drug combinations for triple negative breast cancer cells.

Biphasic Mathematical Model of Cell-Drug Interaction That Separates Target-Specific and Off-Target Inhibition and Suggests Potent Targeted Drug Combinations for Multi-Driver Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Quantifying the response of cancer cells to a drug, and understanding the mechanistic basis of the response, are the cornerstones for anti-cancer drug discovery. Classical single target-based IC50 measurements are inadequate at describing cancer cell responses to targeted drugs. In this study, based on an analysis of targeted inhibition of colorectal cancer cell lines, we develop a new biphasic mathematical model that accurately describes the cell-drug response. The model describes the drug response using three kinetic parameters: ratio of target-specific inhibition, F1, potency of target-specific inhibition, Kd1, and potency of off-target toxicity, Kd2. Determination of these kinetic parameters also provides a mechanistic basis for predicting effective combination targeted therapy for multi-driver cancer cells. The experiments confirmed that a combination of inhibitors, each blocking a driver pathway and having a distinct target-specific effect, resulted in a potent and synergistic blockade of cell viability, improving potency over mono-agent treatment by one to two orders of magnitude. We further demonstrate that mono-driver cancer cells represent a special scenario in which F1 becomes nearly 100%, and the drug response becomes monophasic. Application of this model to the responses of >400 cell lines to kinase inhibitor dasatinib revealed that the ratio of biphasic versus monophasic responses is about 4:1. This study develops a new mathematical model of quantifying cancer cell response to targeted therapy, and suggests a new framework for developing rational combination targeted therapy for colorectal and other multi-driver cancers.