GK-1 effectively reduces angiogenesis and prevents T cell exhaustion in a breast cancer murine experimental model.

Breast cancer is the leading malignancy in women worldwide, both in terms of incidence and mortality. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the type with the worst clinical outcomes and with fewer therapeutic options than other types of breast cancer. GK-1 is a peptide that in the experimental model of the metastatic 4T1 breast cancer has demonstrated anti-tumor and anti-metastatic properties. Herein, GK-1 (5 mg/kg, i.v.) weekly administrated not only decreases tumor growth and the number of lung macro-metastases but also lung and lymph nodes micro-metastases. Histological analysis reveals that GK-1 reduced 57% of the intra-tumor vascular areas, diminished the leukemoid reaction's progression, and the spleens' weight and length. A significant reduction in VEGF-C, SDF-1, angiopoietin-2, and endothelin-1 angiogenic factors was induced. Moreover, GK-1 prevents T cell exhaustion in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) decreasing PD-1 expression. It also increased IFN-γ and granzyme-B expression and the cytotoxic activity of CD8+ TILs cells against tumor cells. All these features were found to be associated with a better antitumor response and prognosis. Altogether, these results reinforce the potential of GK-1 to improve the clinical outcome of triple-negative breast cancer immunotherapy. Translation research is ongoing towards its evaluation in humans.

Spontaneous Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Release Are Inflammatory Markers Associated with Hyperglycemia and Renal Failure on Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major microvascular complication of diabetes and causes vitreous traction and intraretinal hemorrhages leading to retinal detachment and total blindness. The evolution of diabetes is related to exacerbating inflammation caused by hyperglycemia and activation of inflammatory cells. Neutrophils are cells able to release structures of extracellular DNA and proteolytic enzymes called extracellular traps (NETs), which are associated with the persistence of inflammation in chronic pathologies. The purpose of the study was to determine the usefulness of neutrophil traps as indicators of DR progression in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We performed a case-control study of seventy-four cases classified into five groups (non-proliferative DR, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative) and fifteen healthy controls. We found correlations between NETs and a diagnostic time of T2DM (r = 0.42; p < 0.0001), fasting glucose (r = 0.29; p < 0.01), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = 0.31; p < 0.01), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.29; p < 0.01), and plasma osmolarity (r = 0.25; p < 0.01). These results suggest that due to NETs being associated with clinical indicators, such as HbA1c and eGFR, and that NETs are also associated with DR, clinical indicators might be explained in part through an NET-mediated inflammation process.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexican Health Care Workers after Two Years of the Pandemic: The Picture of an Ophthalmic Medical Centre.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) at an ophthalmic medical center. METHODS: IgG antibodies against the N, S1, and S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 as well as their serum neutralizing activity were determined. RESULTS: In the present study, we observed that 98.4% of HCW were seropositive for S1/S2 proteins of SARS-CoV-2 due to the national vaccination program. Interestingly, 78.4% of the participants had anti-N protein antibodies, suggesting previous COVID-19 infection. We also evaluated the neutralizing antibodies and found that the mean value was high (90.7%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that our HCWs cohort presented a robust hybrid humoral response owing to the massive national vaccination program and natural infections.

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among the Health Care Staff of an Ophthalmological Reference Centre, a Cross Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a considerable risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2; among them, HCWs from ophthalmology departments are more prone to develop severe symptoms. In Mexico City, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs is 30%. The present work aims to describe the seroprevalence among HCWs at an Ophthalmological Reference Centre in Mexico City. METHODS: A self-report questionnaire, RT-PCR test and detection of serum IgG/IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were performed among HCWs at the Institute of Ophthalmology "Conde de Valenciana". RESULTS: A total of 169 HCWs participated in the study. None of the participants declared severe symptoms, and only 15% showed three or more symptoms. The results showed that 32% of the participants were RT-PCR+ (54/169), and 20% (35/169) presented IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Thirteen percent of the RT-PCR+ subjects were IgG positive, and 7.6% of the RT-PCR- participants were IgG positive. The presence of three or more symptoms correlated with the presence of IgG antibodies, as well as Ct values of < 32 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: Most of the HCW cohort showed mild symptoms, and 69% of the RT-PCR+ participants did not show IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence was significantly associated with the presentation of COVID-19-associated symptoms.

AS1411 Nucleolin-Specific Binding Aptamers Reduce Pathological Angiogenesis through Inhibition of Nucleolin Phosphorylation.

Proliferative retinopathies produces an irreversible type of blindness affecting working age and pediatric population of industrialized countries. Despite the good results of anti-VEGF therapy, intraocular and systemic complications are often associated after its intravitreal use, hence novel therapeutic approaches are needed. The aim of the present study is to test the effect of the AS1411, an antiangiogenic nucleolin-binding aptamer, using in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro models of angiogenesis and propose a mechanistic insight. Our results showed that AS1411 significantly inhibited retinal neovascularization in the oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) in vivo model, as well as inhibited branch formation in the rat aortic ex vivo assay, and, significantly reduced proliferation, cell migration and tube formation in the HUVEC in vitro model. Importantly, phosphorylated NCL protein was significantly abolished in HUVEC in the presence of AS1411 without affecting NFκB phosphorylation and -21 and 221-angiomiRs, suggesting that the antiangiogenic properties of this molecule are partially mediated by a down regulation in NCL phosphorylation. In sum, this new research further supports the NCL role in the molecular etiology of pathological angiogenesis and identifies AS1411 as a novel anti-angiogenic treatment.