Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
: 20 | 50 | 100
1 - 20 de 31
1.
ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci ; 7(5): 1474-1484, 2024 May 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38751645

Granzymes (Gzms), a family of serine proteases, expressed by immune and nonimmune cells, present perforin-dependent and independent intracellular and extracellular functions. When released in the extracellular space, GzmA, with trypsin-like activity, is involved in the pathophysiology of different inflammatory diseases. However, there are no validated specific systems to detect active forms of extracellular GzmA, making it difficult to assess its biological relevance and potential use as a biomarker. Here, we have developed fluorescence-energy resonance-transfer (FRET)-based peptide probes (FAM-peptide-DABCYL) to specifically detect GzmA activity in tissue samples and biological fluids in both mouse and human samples during inflammatory diseases. An initial probe was developed and incubated with GzmA and different proteases like GzmB and others with similar cleavage specificity as GzmA like GzmK, thrombin, trypsin, kallikrein, or plasmin. After measuring fluorescence, the probe showed very good specificity and sensitivity for human and mouse GzmA when compared to GzmB, its closest homologue GzmK, and with thrombin. The specificity of this probe was further refined by incubating the samples in a coated plate with a GzmA-specific antibody before adding the probe. The results show a high specific detection of soluble GzmA even when compared with other soluble proteases with very similar cleavage specificity like thrombin, GzmK, trypsin, kallikrein, or plasmin, which shows nearly no fluorescence signal. The high specific detection of GzmA was validated, showing that using pure proteins and serum and tissue samples from GzmA-deficient mice presented a significant reduction in the signal compared with WT mice. The utility of this system in humans was confirmed, showing that GzmA activity was significantly higher in serum samples from septic patients in comparison with healthy donors. Our results present a new immunoprobe with utility to detect extracellular GzmA activity in different biological fluids, confirming the presence of active forms of the soluble protease in vivo during inflammatory and infectious diseases.

2.
Cancers (Basel) ; 16(6)2024 Mar 13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38539479

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been proposed as the standard treatment for different stages of non-small-cell lung cancer in multiple indications. Not all patients benefit from these treatments, however, and certain patients develop immune-related adverse events. Although the search for predictors of response to these drugs is a major field of research, these issues have yet to be resolved. It has been postulated that microbiota could play a relevant role in conditioning the response to cancer treatments; however, the human factor of intestinal permeability also needs to be considered as it is closely related to the regulation of host-microbiota interaction. In this article, we analyzed the possible relationship between the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and the onset of immune-related adverse events, gut microbiota status, and intestinal membrane permeability. In a pioneering step, we also measured short-chain fatty acid content in feces. Although the correlation analyses failed to identify predictive biomarkers, even when all variables were integrated, our patients' microbial gut ecosystems were rich and diverse, and the intestinal barrier's integrity was preserved. These results add new knowledge on the composition of microbiota and its correlation with barrier permeability and short-chain fatty acids and suggest that more studies are required before these potential biomarkers can be incorporated into the clinical management of patients via immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

3.
Eur J Pharm Sci ; 191: 106618, 2023 Dec 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37866674

This work proposes the development of a thermosensitive local drug release system based on Polaxamer 407, also known as Pluronic® F-127 (PF-127), Gellan Gum (GG) and the inclusion complex Sulfobutylated-ß-cyclodextrin (CD) with Farnesol (FOH). Rheological properties of the hydrogels and their degradation were studied. According to the rheological results, a solution of 20% w/v of PF-127 forms a strong gel with a gelling temperature of about 25 °C (storage modulus of 15,000 Pa). The addition of the GG increased the storage modulus (optimal concentration of 0.5 % w/v) twofold without modifying the gelling temperature. Moreover, including 0.5% w/v of GG also increased 6 times the degradation time of the hydrogel. Regarding the inclusion complex, the addition of free CD decreased the viscosity and the gel strength since polymer chains were included in CD cavity without affecting the gelling temperature. Contrarily, the inclusion complex CD-FOH did not significantly modify any property of the formulation because the FOH was hosted in the CD. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to adjust the degradation time. This model highlights that the addition of the GG decreases the number of released chains from the polymeric network (which coincides with an increase in the storage modulus) and that the free CD reduces the degradation rate, protecting the polymeric chains. Finally, FOH release was quantified with a specific device, that was designed and printed for this type of system, observing a sustainable drug release (similar to FOH aqueous solubility, 8 µM) dependent on polymer degradation.


Hydrogels , beta-Cyclodextrins , Farnesol , Drug Delivery Systems , Polysaccharides, Bacterial , Poloxamer
4.
Cancers (Basel) ; 15(2)2023 Jan 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36672279

(1) Despite the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in lung cancer, there is a lack of knowledge about predictive biomarkers. The objective of our study is to analyze different subsets of T-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells as predictive biomarkers in a cohort of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with ICI. (2) This is an observational, prospective study with 55 NSCLC patients treated with ICI. A total of 43 T and NK cell subsets are analyzed in peripheral blood, including the main markers of exhaustion, differentiation, memory, activation, and inhibition. (3) Regarding the descriptive data, Granzyme B+CD4+ Treg lymphocytes stand out (median 17.4%), and within the NK populations, most patients presented cytotoxic NK cells (CD56+CD3-CD16+GranzymeB+; median 94.8%), and about half of them have highly differentiated adaptive-like NK cells (CD56+CD3-CD16+CD57+ (mean 59.8%). A statistically significant difference was observed between the expression of PD1 within the CD56bright NK cell subpopulation (CD56+CD3-CD16-PD-1+) (p = 0.047) and a better OS. (4) Circulating immune cell subpopulations are promising prognostic biomarkers for ICI. Pending on validation with a larger sample, here we provide an analysis of the major circulating T and NK cell subsets involved in cancer immunity, with promising results despite a small sample size.

5.
Carbohydr Polym ; 294: 119732, 2022 Oct 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35868800

Hydrogels loaded with chemotherapeutics are promising tools for local tumor treatment. In this work, redox-responsive implantable hydrogels based on gellan gum were prepared as paclitaxel carriers for HER2-positive breast cancer therapy. To achieve different degrees of chemical crosslinking, hydrogels were synthesized in both acetate buffer and phosphate buffer and crosslinked with different concentrations of l-cysteine. It was shown that both, the type of buffer and the l-cysteine concentration used, conditioned the dynamic modulus, equilibrium swelling rate, porosity, and thermal stability of the hydrogels. Then, the biocompatibility of the hydrogels with the most suitable porosity for drug delivery applications was assessed. Once confirmed, these hydrogels were loaded with paclitaxel:ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes, and they showed a glutathione-responsive controlled release of the taxane. Moreover, when tested in vitro, paclitaxel-loaded hydrogels exhibited great antitumor activity. Thus, they could act as excellent local tailored carriers of paclitaxel for future, post-surgical treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast tumors.


Breast Neoplasms , Hydrogels , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cysteine , Female , Humans , Hydrogels/chemistry , Paclitaxel/pharmacology , Paclitaxel/therapeutic use , Polysaccharides, Bacterial/chemistry
6.
J Fungi (Basel) ; 8(4)2022 Mar 31.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35448592

Gliotoxin is a fungal secondary metabolite with impact on health and agriculture since it might act as virulence factor and contaminate human and animal food. Homologous gliotoxin (GT) gene clusters are spread across a number of fungal species although if they produce GT or other related epipolythiodioxopiperazines (ETPs) remains obscure. Using bioinformatic tools, we have identified homologous gli gene clusters similar to the A. fumigatus GT gene cluster in several fungal species. In silico study led to in vitro confirmation of GT and Bisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin (bmGT) production in fungal strain cultures by HPLC detection. Despite we selected most similar homologous gli gene cluster in 20 different species, GT and bmGT were only detected in section Fumigati species and in a Trichoderma virens Q strain. Our results suggest that in silico gli homology analyses in different fungal strains to predict GT production might be only informative when accompanied by analysis about mycotoxin production in cell cultures.

7.
Theranostics ; 11(20): 9873-9883, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34815792

Aims: Recent in vitro findings suggest that the serine protease Granzyme K (GzmK) may act as a proinflammatory mediator. However, its role in sepsis is unknown. Here we aim to understand the role of GzmK in a mouse model of bacterial sepsis and compare it to the biological relevance of Granzyme A (GzmA). Methods: Sepsis was induced in WT, GzmA-/- and GzmK-/- mice by an intraperitoneal injection of 2x108 CFU from E. coli. Mouse survival was monitored during 5 days. Levels of IL-1α, IL-1ß, TNFα and IL-6 in plasma were measured and bacterial load in blood, liver and spleen was analyzed. Finally, profile of cellular expression of GzmA and GzmK was analyzed by FACS. Results: GzmA and GzmK are not involved in the control of bacterial infection. However, GzmA and GzmK deficient mice showed a lower sepsis score in comparison with WT mice, although only GzmA deficient mice exhibited increased survival. GzmA deficient mice also showed reduced expression of some proinflammatory cytokines like IL1-α, IL-ß and IL-6. A similar result was found when extracellular GzmA was therapeutically inhibited in WT mice using serpinb6b, which improved survival and reduced IL-6 expression. Mechanistically, active extracellular GzmA induces the production of IL-6 in macrophages by a mechanism dependent on TLR4 and MyD88. Conclusions: These results suggest that although both proteases contribute to the clinical signs of E. coli-induced sepsis, inhibition of GzmA is sufficient to reduce inflammation and improve survival irrespectively of the presence of other inflammatory granzymes, like GzmK.


Granzymes/metabolism , Sepsis/metabolism , Animals , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Escherichia coli/pathogenicity , Escherichia coli Infections/metabolism , Inflammation/metabolism , Macrophages/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Sepsis/physiopathology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
8.
Emerg Top Life Sci ; 5(4): 507-517, 2021 10 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34524411

With the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, improved models of the central nervous system (CNS) will improve our understanding of neurophysiology and pathogenesis, whilst enabling exploration of novel therapeutics. Studies of brain physiology have largely been carried out using in vivo models, ex vivo brain slices or primary cell culture from rodents. Whilst these models have provided great insight into complex interactions between brain cell types, key differences remain between human and rodent brains, such as degree of cortical complexity. Unfortunately, comparative models of human brain tissue are lacking. The development of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has accelerated advancement within the field of in vitro tissue modelling. However, despite generating accurate cellular representations of cortical development and disease, two-dimensional (2D) iPSC-derived cultures lack an entire dimension of environmental information on structure, migration, polarity, neuronal circuitry and spatiotemporal organisation of cells. As such, researchers look to tissue engineering in order to develop advanced biomaterials and culture systems capable of providing necessary cues for guiding cell fates, to construct in vitro model systems with increased biological relevance. This review highlights experimental methods for engineering of in vitro culture systems to recapitulate the complexity of the CNS with consideration given to previously unexploited biophysical cues within the cellular microenvironment.


Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Tissue Engineering , Cell Differentiation , Cellular Microenvironment , Central Nervous System/pathology , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology
9.
Biotechnol Prog ; 37(4): e3143, 2021 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33683823

The utilization of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in cell therapy has a tremendous potential but faces many practical challenges, including costs associated with cell culture media and growth factors. There is an immediate need to establish an optimized culture platform to direct the differentiation of hiPSCs into germ layers in a defined nutritional microenvironment to generate cost-effective and robust therapeutics. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal nutritional environment by mimicking the in vivo concentrations of three key factors (glucose, pyruvate, and oxygen) during the spontaneous differentiation of hiPSCs derived from cord blood, which greatly differ from the in vitro expansion and differentiation scenarios. Moreover, we hypothesized that the high glucose, pyruvate, and oxygen concentrations found in typical growth media could inhibit the differentiation of certain lineages. A design of experiments was used to investigate the interaction between these three variables during the spontaneous differentiation of hiPSCs. We found that lower oxygen and glucose concentrations enhance the expression of mesodermal (Brachyury, KIF1A) and ectodermal (Nestin, ß-Tubulin) markers. Our findings present a novel approach for efficient directed differentiation of hiPSCs through the manipulation of media components while simultaneously avoiding the usage of growth factors thus reducing costs.


Cell Differentiation , Culture Media , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Cells, Cultured , Glucose , Humans , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Oxygen , Pyruvic Acid
10.
Toxins (Basel) ; 13(2)2021 01 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33498622

Multidrug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major causes of hospital-acquired and community infections and pose a challenge to the human health care system. Therefore, it is important to find new drugs that show activity against these bacteria, both in monotherapy and in combination with other antimicrobial drugs. Gliotoxin (GT) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi of the Aspergillus genus. Some evidence suggests that GT shows antimicrobial activity against S. aureus in vitro, albeit its efficacy against multidrug-resistant strains such asMRSA or vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) strainsis not known. This work aimedto evaluate the antibiotic efficacy of GT as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutics against MRSA in vitro and in vivo using a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model.


Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Gliotoxin/pharmacology , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Vancomycin/pharmacology , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans , Disease Models, Animal , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Drug Therapy, Combination , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology
11.
Gac Med Mex ; 157(M1): 1-11, 2021 12 20.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34979533

Ovarian cancer is the third most frequent gynaecological malignancy worldwide and in Mexico, with a high mortality rate, due to that in many cases its diagnosis is made in advanced stages. Prognosis is important for determining the subtype and the degree of evolution. During lasts years, the management of ovarian cancer has undergone an important evolution with the incorporation of new therapeutic options, which in turn represent an increase in the survival of these patients. We present recommendations for the management of ovarian cancer developed by an expert panel Mexican based on available evidence so far and the characteristics of health care in the country.


El cáncer de ovario es la tercera neoplasia maligna ginecológica más frecuente globalmente y también en México, con una elevada tasa de mortalidad debido a que en muchos casos su diagnóstico se realiza en etapas avanzadas. Para establecer su pronóstico es importante la determinación del subtipo y del grado de evolución. En los últimos años, el manejo del cáncer de ovario ha sufrido una importante evolución con la incorporación de nuevas opciones terapéuticas, que a su vez representan un incremento en la supervivencia de estas pacientes. Se presentan las recomendaciones para el manejo del cáncer de ovario elaboradas por un panel de expertos mexicanos basadas en la evidencia disponible hasta el momento y en las características de la atención sanitaria del país.


Ovarian Neoplasms , Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/drug therapy , Humans , Mexico/epidemiology , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/epidemiology
12.
Gac. méd. Méx ; 157(spe1): 1-11, feb. 2021.
Article Es | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1375488

Resumen El cáncer de ovario es la tercera neoplasia maligna ginecológica más frecuente globalmente y también en México, con una elevada tasa de mortalidad debido a que en muchos casos su diagnóstico se realiza en etapas avanzadas. Para establecer su pronóstico es importante la determinación del subtipo y del grado de evolución. En los últimos años, el manejo del cáncer de ovario ha sufrido una importante evolución con la incorporación de nuevas opciones terapéuticas, que a su vez representan un incremento en la supervivencia de estas pacientes. Se presentan las recomendaciones para el manejo del cáncer de ovario elaboradas por un panel de expertos mexicanos basadas en la evidencia disponible hasta el momento y en las características de la atención sanitaria del país.


Abstract Ovarian cancer is the third most frequent gynaecological malignancy worldwide and in Mexico, with a high mortality rate, due to that in many cases its diagnosis is made in advanced stages. Prognosis is important for determining the subtype and the degree of evolution. During lasts years, the management of ovarian cancer has undergone an important evolution with the incorporation of new therapeutic options, which in turn represent an increase in the survival of these patients. We present recommendations for the management of ovarian cancer developed by an expert panel Mexican based on available evidence so far and the characteristics of health care in the country.

13.
Rev. iberoam. fertil. reprod. hum ; 37(3/4): 0-0, jul.-dic. 2020. tab
Article Es | IBECS | ID: ibc-199279

La preservación de la fertilidad es la aplicación de estrategias médicas y de laboratorio para preservar la descendencia genética parental en adultos o niños en riesgo de esterilidad. El cáncer es la principal indicación de preservación de fertilidad en pacientes en edad reproductiva. En las últimas décadas ha incrementado la incidencia de cáncer en adolescentes. Los tratamientos oncológicos también han mejorado significativamente, por lo que hoy es posible la curación en un amplio porcentaje de pacientes. La mayoría de los niños y adolescentes con cáncer se convierten en sobrevivientes a largo plazo, lo que aumenta el interés en los efectos del tratamiento del cáncer sobre la fertilidad. Las condiciones sociales, económicas y culturales también son determinantes para decidir el momento que una pareja busque promover su fertilidad. Además, otras patologías o incluso fármacos para prevención del rechazo de órganos trasplantados pueden afectar la fertilidad y, por tanto, tales pacientes son susceptibles de orientación sobre preservación de la fertilidad. El éxito en los programas de reproducción asistida y en los tratamientos oncológicos brindan alternativas para preservar la fertilidad. En esta primera Opinión de Grupo de Expertos Mexicanos en Preservación de la Fertilidad hemos evaluado pacientes oncológicas que son candidatas a preservación de fertilidad: jóvenes con riesgo de compromiso de su fertilidad por el tratamiento oncológico, pero con reserva ovárica suficiente y pronóstico vital aceptable. También se consideraron casos especiales como la preservación social, en casos de conceptualización sexual diferente, así como los aspectos legales y éticos básicos


Fertility preservation is the application of medical and laboratory strategies to preserve parental genetic offspring in adults or children at risk of sterility. Cancer is the main indication of fertility preservation in patients of reproductive age. In recent decades, the incidence of cancer in adolescents has increased. Cancer treatments have also improved significantly, making cure possible today in a large percentage of patients. Most children and adolescents with cancer become long-term survivors, increasing interest in the effects of cancer treatment on fertility. Social, economic and cultural conditions are also decisive in deciding when a couple seeks to promote their fertility. Furthermore, other pathologies or even drugs for the prevention of rejection of transplanted organs can affect fertility and, therefore, such patients are susceptible to guidance on fertility preservation. Success in assisted reproduction programs and cancer treatments provide alternatives to preserve fertility. In this first Opinion of the Group of Mexican Experts on Fertility Preservation, we have evaluated oncological patients who are candidates for fertility preservation: young people at risk of compromising their fertility due to oncological treatment, but with sufficient ovarian reserve and acceptable vital prognosis. Special cases such as social preservation were also considered, in cases of different sexual conceptualization, as well as the basic legal and ethical aspects


Humans , Male , Female , Infertility/prevention & control , Fertility Preservation/methods , Organ Sparing Treatments/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Risk Factors , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Fertility Preservation/standards , Mexico
14.
Rev Invest Clin ; 72(4): 213-218, 2020.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33064702

Metastatic, recurrent, or persistent disease in cervical cancer has a poor prognosis. Historically, this group of patients has had limited treatment options, even with the best cytotoxic treatments (platinum-based chemotherapy [CT] doublets). Therefore, investigating new medications that help improve the patient's quality of life and survival has been essential. Angiogenesis has been shown to play a critical role in tumor cell growth and survival. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal G1 immunoglobulin targeted against vascular endothelial growth factor. The combination of CT and bevacizumab is associated with an increase in overall survival as well as in progression-free survival and response rates.


Bevacizumab/therapeutic use , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Quality of Life , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors
15.
Chin Clin Oncol ; 9(4): 53, 2020 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32787340

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy with an estimated 295,414 new cases and 184,799 deaths around the world. Cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy have remained a standard therapy for decades. The majority of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will receive systemic chemotherapy for recurrent or advanced diseased. In recent years, therapies such as anti-angiogenics, PARP inhibitors, and dose-dense chemotherapy have emerged as novel strategies against ovarian cancer. Dose-dense chemotherapy, usually with a carboplatin and paclitaxel regimen, has been proposed as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy for these patients. However, the results for different trails are inconsistent and dose-dense chemotherapy remains controversial. Results from the JGOG 3016 study showed a progression free survival and overall survival benefit, with increased neurotoxicity and anaemia. While the GOG 262, MITO-7, GOG 252 and ICON8 studies found no benefit on progression free survival, with a recent meta-analysis concluding that three weekly chemotherapy remains the standard of care. Ovarian cancer molecular subtypes and differences in pharmacogenetics between populations may explain the differences in response to dose dense chemotherapy, however our understanding of this factors is still lacking. Here, we reviewed the evidence for and against dose-dense chemotherapy and the possible factors for the different results among trials.


Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Female , Humans
16.
Rev. invest. clín ; 72(4): 213-218, Jul.-Aug. 2020.
Article En | LILACS | ID: biblio-1251858

ABSTRACT Metastatic, recurrent, or persistent disease in cervical cancer has a poor prognosis. Historically, this group of patients has had limited treatment options, even with the best cytotoxic treatments (platinum-based chemotherapy [CT] doublets). Therefore, investigating new medications that help improve the patient's quality of life and survival has been essential. Angiogenesis has been shown to play a critical role in tumor cell growth and survival. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal G1 immunoglobulin targeted against vascular endothelial growth factor. The combination of CT and bevacizumab is associated with an increase in overall survival as well as in progression-free survival and response rates.


Humans , Female , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Bevacizumab/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
17.
Rev Invest Clin ; 73(3)2020 May 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32488224

Metastatic, recurrent, or persistent disease in cervical cancer has a poor prognosis. Historically, this group of patients has had limited treatment options, even with the best cytotoxic treatments (platinum-based chemotherapy [CT] doublets). Therefore, investigating new medications that help improve the patient's quality of life and survival has been essential. Angiogenesis has been shown to play a critical role in tumor cell growth and survival. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal G1 immunoglobulin targeted against vascular endothelial growth factor. The combination of CT and bevacizumab is associated with an increase in overall survival as well as in progression-free survival and response rates.

18.
Materials (Basel) ; 12(7)2019 04 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30987007

Gliotoxin (GT), a secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus molds, has been proposed as a potential anti-tumor agent. Here we have developed a nanoparticle approach to enhance delivery of GT in tumor cells and establish a basis for its potential use as therapeutical drug. GT bound to magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) retained a high anti-tumor activity, correlating with efficient intracellular delivery, which was increased in the presence of glucose. Our results show that the attachment of GT to MNPs by covalent bonding enhances intracellular GT delivery without affecting its biological activity. This finding represents the first step to use this potent anti-tumor agent in the treatment of cancer.

19.
Sci Rep ; 8(1): 14440, 2018 09 27.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30262897

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a promising potential cell therapy to aid regeneration. However, there are significant challenges in isolating and characterizing them. In the current study, we have explored methods to enhance the recovery of cells expressing OEC marker p75NTR from rat mucosa. With the addition of a 24-hour differential adhesion step, the expression of p75NTR was significantly increased to 73 ± 5% and 46 ± 18% on PDL and laminin matrices respectively. Additionally, the introduction of neurotrophic factor NT-3 and the decrease in serum concentration to 2% FBS resulted in enrichment of OECs, with p75NTR at nearly 100% (100 ± 0% and 98 ± 2% on PDL and laminin respectively), and candidate fibroblast marker Thy1.1 decreased to zero. Culturing OECs at physiologically relevant oxygen tension (2-8%) had a negative impact on p75NTR expression and overall cell survival. Regarding cell potency, co-culture of OECs with NG108-15 neurons resulted in more neuronal growth and potential migration at atmospheric oxygen. Moreover, OECs behaved similarly to a Schwann cell line positive control. In conclusion, this work identified key bioprocessing fundamentals that will underpin future development of OEC-based cell therapies for potential use in spinal cord injury repair. However, there is still much work to do to create optimized isolation methods.


Cell Culture Techniques/methods , Cell Separation/methods , Neurons/cytology , Olfactory Mucosa/cytology , Animals , Cell Line , Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology , Nerve Tissue Proteins , Neurons/metabolism , Olfactory Mucosa/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Growth Factor , Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism
20.
Medicines (Basel) ; 5(2)2018 Mar 30.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29601485

Background: Recent research has evaluated psychological and biological characteristics associated with pain in survivors of breast cancer (BC). Few studies consider their relationship with inflammatory activity. Voluntary facial expressions modify the autonomic activity and this may be useful in the hospital environment for clinical biopsychosocial assessment of pain. Methods: This research compared a BC survivors group under integral treatment (Oncology, Psychology, Nutrition) with a control group to assess the intensity of pain, behavioral interference, anxiety, depression, temperament-expression, anger control, social isolation, emotional regulation, and alexithymia and inflammatory activity, with salivary interleukin 6 (IL-6). Then, a psychophysiological evaluation through repeated measures of facial infrared thermal imaging (IRT) and hands in baseline-positive facial expression (joy)-negative facial expression (pain)-relaxation (diaphragmatic breathing). Results: The results showed changes in the IRT (p < 0.05) during the execution of facial expressions in the chin, perinasal, periorbital, frontal, nose, and fingers areas in both groups. No differences were found in the IL-6 level among the aforementioned groups, but an association with baseline nasal temperature (p < 0.001) was observable. The BC group had higher alexithymia score (p < 0.01) but lower social isolation (p < 0.05), in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: In the low- and medium-concentration groups of IL-6, the psychophysiological intervention proposed in this study has a greater effect than on the high concentration group of IL-6. This will be considered in the design of psychological and psychosocial interventions for the treatment of pain.

...