[Formula: see text] Tele-assessment of cognitive functions in children: a systematic review.

Cognitive Tele-Assessment approach (CTA) has been widely used in adults for clinical, research, and screening purposes. In the last decades, it has been considered a useful tool for evaluating child development in both clinical and educational settings and new instruments for CTA in children have been developed. In comparison to In Person Assessment (IPA), CTA can have several advantages, such as increasing accessibility, cutting waiting lists, reducing time and travel costs, and assisting with infection control by minimizing face-to-face contact in times of pandemic. Nevertheless, several issues related to the feasibility and reliability of using CTA to evaluate cognitive development are still open. The present systematic review has a twofold aim: 1. to describe the cognitive functions that are most frequently measured by CTA in children, the procedures used, and the characteristics of the samples investigated; 2. to investigate the agreement between CTA and IPA scores in children.In the present systematic review, 23 studies using CTA in children, with typical or atypical development, have been selected and analyzed. Results support the similarities in performance scores between IPA and CTA and good compliance by children and their families in participating in CTA. Nonetheless, most studies suggest that several methodological precautions must be taken to manage technical and procedural characteristics that may represent challenges for CTA of children. Suggestions for a correct use of CTA, factors affecting the validity of the results and directions for future research are discussed.

Increased Arginase1 expression in tumor microenvironment promotes mammary carcinogenesis via multiple mechanisms.

Arginine metabolism plays a significant role in regulating cell function, affecting tumor growth and metastatization. To study the effect of the arginine-catabolizing enzyme Arginase1 (ARG1) on tumor microenvironment, we generated a mouse model of mammary carcinogenesis by crossbreeding a transgenic mouse line overexpressing ARG1 in macrophages (FVBArg+/+) with the MMTV-Neu mouse line (FVBNeu+/+). This double transgenic line (FVBArg+/-;Neu+/+) showed a significant shortening in mammary tumor latency, and an increase in the number of mammary nodules. Transfer of tumor cells from FVBNeu+/+ into either FVB wild type or FVBArg+/+ mice resulted in increase regulatory T cells in the tumor infiltrate, suggestive of an impaired antitumor immune response. However, we also found increased frequency of tumor stem cells in tumors from FVBArg+/-;Neu+/+ transgenic compared with FVBNeu+/+ mice, suggesting that increased arginine metabolism in mammary tumor microenvironment may supports the cancer stem cells niche. We provide in vivo evidence of a novel, yet unexploited, mechanism through which ARG1 may contribute to tumor development.

The Knockout of Synapsin II in Mice Impairs Social Behavior and Functional Connectivity Generating an ASD-like Phenotype.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsy are neurodevelopmental conditions that appear with high rate of co-occurrence, suggesting the possibility of a common genetic basis. Mutations in Synapsin (SYN) genes, particularly SYN1 and SYN2, have been recently associated with ASD and epilepsy in humans. Accordingly, mice lacking Syn1 or Syn2, but not Syn3, experience epileptic seizures and display autistic-like traits that precede the onset of seizures. Here, we analyzed social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations emitted in 2 social contexts by SynI, SynII, or SynIII mutants and show that SynII mutants display the most severe ASD-like phenotype. We also show that the behavioral SynII phenotype correlates with a significant decrease in auditory and hippocampal functional connectivity as measured with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Taken together, our results reveal a permissive contribution of Syn2 to the expression of normal socio-communicative behavior, and suggest that Syn2-mediated synaptic dysfunction can lead to ASD-like behavior through dysregulation of cortical connectivity.

Transgenic mice overexpressing arginase 1 in monocytic cell lineage are affected by lympho-myeloproliferative disorders and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Arginase (ARG) is a metabolic enzyme present in two isoforms that hydrolyze l-arginine to urea and ornithine. In humans, ARG isoform 1 is also expressed in cells of the myeloid lineage. ARG activity promotes tumour growth and inhibits T lymphocyte activation. However, the two ARG transgenic mouse lines produced so far failed to show such effects. We have generated, in two different genetic backgrounds, transgenic mice constitutively expressing ARG1 under the control of the CD68 promoter in macrophages and monocytes. Both heterozygous and homozygous transgenic mice showed a relevant increase in mortality at early age, compared with wild-type siblings (67/267 and 48/181 versus 8/149, respectively, both P < 0.005). This increase was due to high incidence of haematologic malignancies, in particular myeloid leukaemia, myeloid dysplasia, lymphomas and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), diseases that were absent in wild-type mice. Atrophy of lymphoid organs due to reduction in T-cell compartment was also detected. Our results indicate that ARG activity may participate in the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders, suggest the involvement of alterations of L-arginine metabolism in the onset of DIC and confirm a role for the enzyme in regulating T-cell homeostasis.

Mutually exclusive expression of DLX2 and DLX5/6 is associated with the metastatic potential of the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

BACKGROUND: The DLX gene family encodes for homeobox transcription factors involved in the control of morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Their expression can be regulated by Endothelin1 (ET1), a peptide associated with breast cancer invasive phenotype. Deregulation of DLX gene expression was found in human solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. In particular, DLX4 overexpression represents a possible prognostic marker in ovarian cancer. We have investigated the role of DLX genes in human breast cancer progression. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells were grown in vitro or injected in nude mice, either subcutaneously, to mimic primary tumor growth, or intravenously, to mimic metastatic spreading. Expression of DLX2, DLX5 and DLX6 was assessed in cultured cells, either treated or not with ET1, tumors and metastases by RT-PCR. In situ hybridization was used to confirm DLX gene expression in primary tumors and in lung and bone metastases. The expression of DLX2 and DLX5 was evaluated in 408 primary human breast cancers examining the GSE1456 and GSE3494 microarray datasets. Kaplan-Meier estimates for disease-free survival were calculated for the patients grouped on the basis of DLX2/DLX5 expression. RESULTS: Before injection, or after subcutaneous growth, MDA-MB-231 cells expressed DLX2 but neither DLX5 nor DLX6. Instead, in bone and lung metastases resulting from intravenous injection we detected expression of DLX5/6 but not of DLX2, suggesting that DLX5/6 are activated during metastasis formation, and that their expression is alternative to that of DLX2. The in vitro treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with ET1, resulted in switch from DLX2 to DLX5 expression. By data mining in microarray datasets we found that expression of DLX2 occurred in 21.6% of patients, and was significantly correlated with prolonged disease-free survival and reduced incidence of relapse. Instead, DLX5 was expressed in a small subset of cases, 2.2% of total, displaying reduced disease-free survival and high incidence of relapse which was, however, non-significantly different from the other groups due to the small size of the DLX+ cohort. In all cases, we found mutually exclusive expression of DLX2 and DLX5. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies indicate that DLX genes are involved in human breast cancer progression, and that DLX2 and DLX5 genes might serve as prognostic markers.

Angiostatin anti-angiogenesis requires IL-12: the innate immune system as a key target.

BACKGROUND: Angiostatin, an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, is a fragment of plasminogen. Its anti-angiogenic activity was discovered with functional assays in vivo, however, its direct action on endothelial cells is moderate and identification of definitive mechanisms of action has been elusive to date. We had previously demonstrated that innate immune cells are key targets of angiostatin, however the pathway involved in this immune-related angiogenesis inhibition was not known. Here we present evidence that IL-12, a principal TH1 cytokine with potent anti-angiogenic activity, is the mediator of angiostatin's activity. METHODS: Function blocking antibodies and gene-targeted animals were employed or in vivo studies using the subcutaneous matrigel model of angiogenesis. Quantitative real-time PCR were used to assess modulation of cytokine production in vitro. RESULTS: Angiostatin inhibts angiogenesis induced by VEGF-TNFalpha or supernatants of Kaposi's Sarcoma cells (a highly angiogenic and inflammation-associated tumor). We found that function-blocking antibodies to IL-12 reverted angiostatin induced angiogenesis inhibition. The use of KO animal models revealed that angiostatin is unable to exert angiogenesis inhibition in mice with gene-targeted deletions of either the IL-12 specific receptor subunit IL-12Rbeta2 or the IL-12 p40 subunit. Angiostatin induces IL-12 mRNA synthesis by human macrophages in vitro, suggesting that these innate immunity cells produce IL-12 upon angiostatin stimulation and could be a major cellular mediator. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor such as angiostatin act on innate immune cells as key targets in inflammatory angiogenesis. Angiostatin proves to be anti-angiogenic as an immune modulator rather than a direct anti-vascular agent. This article is dedicated to the memory of Prof Judah Folkman for his leadership and for encouragement of these studies.

Positive regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression through the interaction between Dlx and GATA-4 for testicular steroidogenesis.

Split hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is syndromic ectrodactyly often associated with mental retardation and/or craniofacial defects. Several clinical reports previously described urogenital dysplasia such as micropenis, hypospadias, and small testis in SHFM patients. Genetic lesions in the Dlx5 and Dlx6 (Dlx5/6) locus are associated with the human genetic disorder SHFM type 1. Although Dlx5/6 are expressed in the testis, their possible function of Dlx5/6 during testis differentiation has not been described. In this study, we show that Dlx5/6 are expressed in the fetal Leydig cells during testis development. We examined the effect of Dlx5 expression on the promoter activation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene, which is essential for gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis, in a Leydig cell line. Dlx5 efficiently activates the StAR promoter when GATA-4, another transcription factor essential for testicular steroidogenesis, was coexpressed. The transcriptional activation required the GATA-4-recognition element in the StAR promoter region and Dlx5 can physically interact with GATA-4. Furthermore, we herein show that the double inactivation of Dlx5 and Dlx6 in the mouse leads to decreased testosterone level and abnormal masculinization phenotype. These results suggest that Dlx5 and Dlx6 participate in the control of steroidogenesis during testis development. The findings of this study may open the way to analyze human congenital birth defects.

Biological assays and genomic analysis reveal lipoic acid modulation of endothelial cell behavior and gene expression.

Lipoic acid (LA) is a sulfated antioxidant produced physiologically as a coenzyme of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex; it is currently used for treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes to favor the cellular uptake of glucose. We have previously described the angiopreventive potential of molecules sharing common features with LA: N-acetyl cysteine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and xanthohumol. To expand these studies, we have tested the capacity of LA to modulate angiogenesis in tumor growth using a Kaposi's sarcoma model. Endothelial cells exposed to LA displayed a dose-dependent reduction of cell migration and a time-dependent modulation of the phosphorylation of key signaling molecules. In vivo, LA efficiently repressed angiogenesis in matrigel plugs and KS-Imm tumor growth. We analyzed modulation of gene expression in endothelial cells treated with LA for 5 h (early response), finding a mild anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response. A group of LA-targeted genes was selected to perform real-time polymerase chain reaction time-lapse experiments. The long-term gene regulation (48 h and 4 days) shows higher rates of modulation as compared with the array data, confirming that LA is able to switch the regulation of several genes linked to cell survival, inflammation and oxidative stress. LA induced the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in KS-Imm and activin-A in KS-Imm and endothelial cells; these factors show anti-angiogenic activity in vivo contributing to explain the inhibitory effect of LA on neovascularization. According to our data, LA has promising anti-angiogenic properties, though its influence on central metabolic pathways should suggest more caution about its widespread and not prescribed use at pharmacological doses.

Molecular mechanisms of action of angiopreventive anti-oxidants on endothelial cells: microarray gene expression analyses.

The anti-oxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibit tumor vascularization by reducing endothelial cell migration and invasion in a similar, non additive and non synergistic manner but do not alter the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Here we address the effects of the two chemopreventive drugs on endothelial cell signaling by means of expression profiling and real-time PCR validation. We identify a series of angiogenesis related genes that are similarly regulated by the two drugs. Anti-oxidant treated endothelial cells show gene expression profiles compatible with a less activated, less apoptosis prone and less migratory phenotype. The anti-oxidants affect expression of several components of the TNFalpha response pathway including downstream genes that are regulated in the opposite direction in the absence of the inflammatory cytokine. The interference with the TNFalpha pathway is reflected by reduced NFkappaB activation in anti-oxidants treated cells but the compounds are not able to contrast TNFalpha mediated activation of NFkappaB. The chemopreventive action of these compounds thus relies on a reduction of basal levels of endothelial cell activation. Down-regulation of the TNFalpha responsive pro-metastatic, pro-inflammatory genes, urokinase plasminogen activator and selectin E, further implies anti-metastatic effects for these drugs.

In vitro and in vivo tumor growth inhibition by a p16-mimicking peptide in p16INK4A-defective, pRb-positive human melanoma cells.

The cell cycle regulatory pathway responsible for the control of the late-G1 checkpoint is found recurrently altered in human malignant melanoma, often due to lack of functional p16 or pRb (pRb-1) proteins. Here we examined the ability of p16-derived peptides to mimic p16 function in two exemplary human melanoma cell lines: the p16-defective, pRb-positive A375M cells and p16-positive, pRb-defective A2058 cells. The synthetic p16-mimicking peptides strongly induced apoptosis in p16-, pRb+ A375M cells in vitro, while they had significantly less activity on p16+, pRb- A2058 cells. The most active p16-mimicking peptide, p16-AP9, also potently inhibited in vivo growth of the A375M melanoma. Treated tumors showed a threefold smaller volume (P < 0.025) and a significant reduction of the mitotic index and of PCNA expression. Growth of A2058 cells in vivo was not affected by treatment with the p16-mimicking peptide. Our results demonstrate that p16-mimicking peptides can induce apoptosis in vitro and that can inhibit tumor growth in vivo in p16-defective, pRb-expressing human melanoma cells, suggesting that p16-mimicking peptides can represent a promising tool for targeted therapy in selected cancer phenotypes.

Prostate carcinoma and green tea: (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits inflammation-triggered MMP-2 activation and invasion in murine TRAMP model.

Green tea infusion has been shown to inhibit metastatic spreading of the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP). Investigation on the molecular mechanisms triggered by the main green tea flavonoid, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), shows that EGCG restrains TRAMP-C1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, at concentrations (IC(50) < 0.2 microM) equivalent to those measured in the plasma of moderate green-tea drinkers. Up to 10 microM, EGCG does not modify the cell-surface immuno-localization of MMP-2, one of the invasion-instrumental proteinases; but while in default culture conditions these cells secrete mainly pro-MMP-2, in the presence of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) they release almost exclusively pro-MMP-9. In contrast, when stimulated to traverse Matrigel toward a chemo-attractant, in addition to pro-MMP-9, they secrete pro-MMP-2. In the presence of 0.2 microM EGCG, only the level of the latter is markedly lowered in the conditioned medium, in parallel with the invasive behavior (>50%). In vivo, s.c. injection of TRAMP-C1 cells dispersed in Matrigel gives origin to a tumor mass, whose growth is not inhibited by green-tea regimen. This growth is contained greater than two-thirds by LPS-triggered polymorpho-nuclear phagocyte (PMN) recruitment but this effect is abolished by green tea. Nevertheless, while tumor-released pro-MMP-2 is activated by co-incubation of TRAMP-C1 cells with PMNs, in the presence of 10 microM EGCG the activation is almost abolished. These results suggest that inflammatory involvement of prostate carcinoma could be efficaciously prevented by green tea with a concomitant lowering of the invasive potential.

Mechanisms of inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and vascular tumor growth by epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

PURPOSE: Green tea consumption has been linked to a reduced occurrence of some tumor types. Current data indicate that the principal mediator of this chemopreventive effect is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol found in dried tea leaves. Here, we examined the effects of this compound on the two key cell populations typically involved in tumor growth: tumor cells and endothelial cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The effects of green tea and EGCG were tested in a highly vascular Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumor model and on endothelial cells in a panel of in vivo and in vitro assays. RESULTS: EGCG inhibited KS-IMM cell growth and endothelial cell growth, chemotaxis, and invasion over a range of doses; high concentrations also induced tumor cell apoptosis. EGCG inhibited the metalloprotease-mediated gelatinolytic activity produced by endothelial cell supernatants and the formation of new capillary-like structures in vitro. Green tea or purified EGCG when administered to mice in the drinking water inhibited angiogenesis in vivo in the Matrigel sponge model and restrained KS tumor growth. Histological analysis of the tumors were consistent with an anti-angiogenic activity of EGCG and green tea. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the green tea gallate or its derivatives may find use in the prevention and treatment of vascular tumors in a chemoprevention or adjuvant setting.

CXCL1/macrophage inflammatory protein-2-induced angiogenesis in vivo is mediated by neutrophil-derived vascular endothelial growth factor-A.

The angiogenic activity of CXC-ELR(+) chemokines, including CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL1/macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and CXCL1/growth-related oncogene-alpha in the Matrigel sponge angiogenesis assay in vivo, is strictly neutrophil dependent, as neutrophil depletion of the animals completely abrogates the angiogenic response. In this study, we demonstrate that mice deficient in the src family kinases, Hck and Fgr (hck(-/-)fgr(-/-)), are unable to develop an angiogenic response to CXCL1/MIP-2, although they respond normally to vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Histological examination of the CXCL1/MIP-2-containing Matrigel implants isolated from wild-type or hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) mice showed the presence of an extensive neutrophil infiltrate, excluding a defective neutrophil recruitment into the Matrigel sponges. Accordingly, neutrophils from hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) mice normally migrated and released gelatinase B in response to CXCL1/MIP-2 in vitro, similarly to wild-type neutrophils. However, unlike wild-type neutrophils, those from hck(-/-)fgr(-/-) mice were completely unable to release VEGF-A upon stimulation with CXCL1/MIP-2. Furthermore, neutralizing anti-VEGF-A Abs abrogated the angiogenic response to CXCL1/MIP-2 in wild-type mice and CXCL1/MIP-2 induced angiogenesis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay, indicating that neutrophil-derived VEGF-A is a major mediator of CXCL1/MIP-2-induced angiogenesis. Finally, in vitro kinase assays confirmed that CXCL1/MIP-2 activates Hck and Fgr in murine neutrophils. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CXCL1/MIP-2 leads to recruitment of neutrophils that, in turn, release biologically active VEGF-A, resulting in angiogenesis in vivo. Our observations delineate a novel mechanism by which CXCL1/MIP-2 induces neutrophil-dependent angiogenesis in vivo.

Alpha-lipoic acid is effective in prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) is a neuroprotective metabolic antioxidant that has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier. We tested whether alpha-LA is capable to prevent MOG35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an established model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Daily oral administration of alpha-LA, starting at the time of immunization, significantly prevented EAE progression as compared to control mice. This was associated with a reduction of CNS infiltrating T cells and macrophages as well as decreased demyelination. We then tested alpha-LA in a therapeutic protocol aimed at suppressing EAE after its onset. Intraperitoneal (i.p.), but not oral, administration of alpha-LA significantly prevented disease progression when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Similarly, we observed significant reduction of demyelination and inflammatory infiltration. This clinical effect was not due to an impairment of MOG35-55 recognition by encephalitogenic T cells. In contrast, MOG-specific T cells showed a decreased production of IFNgamma and IL-4, suggesting an immunosuppressive activity on both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. In addition, alpha-LA inhibited the proteolytic activity of MMP2 and MMP9 only at very high doses. Our data indicate that alpha-LA can effectively interfere with the autoimmune reaction associated with EAE through mechanisms other than its antioxidant activity and supports further studies on the use of alpha-LA as a potential therapy for MS.

AAV-mediated gene transfer of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 inhibits vascular tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo.

The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a universal feature of cellular invasion, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, which is counterbalanced and regulated by the natural tissue inhibitors of MMPs (Timps). Here we show that Timp1 gene transfer delivered by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector inhibits tumor growth in a murine xenotransplant model. A human Kaposi's sarcoma cell line, forming highly vascularized tumors in vivo and having a high natural permissivity to AAV gene transfer, was transduced to express the Timp1 cDNA. AAV-Timp1-transduced cells secreted high levels of Timp1 that inhibited MMP2 and MMP9 gelatinolytic activity. Following subcutaneous inoculation in nude mice, the AAV-Timp1-transduced cells showed significantly reduced tumor growth when compared to control AAV-LacZ-transduced cells. In addition, direct intratumoral injection of AAV-Timp1 into pre-existing tumors significantly impaired the further expansion of the tumor mass. Histological analyses showed that the AAV-Timp1-transduced tumors had limited development of vascular structures and extensive areas of cell death, suggesting that Timp1 overexpression had an antiangiogenic effect. To further support this conclusion, we demonstrated that AAV-Timp1 transduction significantly reduced endothelial cell migration and the invasion of a Matrigel barrier and strongly inhibited angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. These results indicate that transfer and overexpression of the Timp1 gene is a promising therapeutic strategy to target tumor-associated angiogenesis in cancer gene therapy.

Inhibition of Kaposi's sarcoma in vivo by fenretinide.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of fenretinide [N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide; (4HPR)] on highly angiogenic Kaposi's sarcoma tumors in vivo and investigated the mechanisms involved for potential clinical applications. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: (CD-1)BR nude mice bearing KS-Imm cell tumors were randomized to receive 4HPR or vehicle until sacrifice. In vitro, KS-Imm and endothelial cells were treated with 4HPR to study the effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion; in vivo angiogenesis was evaluated in the Matrigel model. Angiogenesis-related and retinoid receptor molecules were examined at the mRNA and protein expression levels. RESULTS: In vivo, 4HPR significantly (P<0.001) reduced growth of detectable Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) xenografts and inhibited angiogenesis in the Matrigel plug assay (P<0.04). In vitro, 4HPR affected KS-Imm and endothelial cell growth and KS-Imm migration and invasion. 4HPR invasion inhibition was associated with decreased release of matrix metalloprotease-2 and rapid reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by KS cells and of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) by KS and endothelial cells. Finally, 4HPR repression of angiogenesis was associated with a 4HPR-induced increase in retinoic acid receptor beta expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that 4HPR inhibits KS tumor growth in vivo through a mechanism involving the modulation of angiogenesis-associated growth factors and their receptors on both tumor and endothelial cells. In addition, 4HPR inhibited invasion by decreasing of matrix metalloprotease-2 activity. Our results justify further studies to evaluate the utility of 4HPR as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent in KS, a malignancy associated with immune suppression that has a high risk of recurrence with highly active antiretroviral therapy failure.

Depletion of cartilage collagen fibrils in mice carrying a dominant negative Col2a1 transgene affects chondrocyte differentiation.

We have generated transgenic mice harboring the deletion of exon 48 in the mouse alpha1(II) procollagen gene (Col2a1). This was the first dominant negative mutation identified in the human alpha1(II) procollagen gene (COL2A1). Patients carrying a single allele with this mutation suffer from a severe skeletal disorder called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED). Transgenic mice phenotype was neonatally lethal with severe respiratory failure, short bones, and cleft palate. Transgene mRNA was expressed at high levels. Growth plate cartilage of transgenic mice presented morphological abnormalities and reduced number of collagen type II fibrils. Chondrocytes carrying the mutation showed altered expression of several differentiation markers, like fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), runx2, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P21CIP/WAF (Cdkn1a), and collagen type X (Col10a1), suggesting that a defective extracellular matrix (ECM) depleted of collagen fibrils affects chondrocytes differentiation and that this defect participates in the reduced endochondral bone growth observed in chondrodysplasias caused by mutations in COL2A1.

Neutrophil restraint by green tea: inhibition of inflammation, associated angiogenesis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Neutrophils play an essential role in host defense and inflammation, but the latter may trigger and sustain the pathogenesis of a range of acute and chronic diseases. Green tea has been claimed to exert anti-inflammatory properties through unknown molecular mechanisms. We have previously shown that the most abundant catechin of green tea, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), strongly inhibits neutrophil elastase. Here we show that 1) micromolar EGCG represses reactive oxygen species activity and inhibits apoptosis of activated neutrophils, and 2) dramatically inhibits chemokine-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro; 3) both oral EGCG and green tea extract block neutrophil-mediated angiogenesis in vivo in an inflammatory angiogenesis model, and 4) oral administration of green tea extract enhances resolution in a pulmonary inflammation model, significantly reducing consequent fibrosis. These results provide molecular and cellular insights into the claimed beneficial properties of green tea and indicate that EGCG is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with therapeutic potential.

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide inhibits retinoblastoma growth through reactive oxygen species-mediated cell death.

Retinoblastoma arises from a subset of developing retinal cells lacking the RB-1 gene product pRB, which have lost the ability to respond to apoptotic signals. A better understanding of retinoblastoma biological response to therapeutic agents with low toxicity could improve the development of novel approaches for treatment and prevention of the disease. Naturally occurring retinoids inhibit growth and induce differentiation of Y79 human retinoblastoma cells in vitro. The synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR) has been shown to induce apoptosis and/or necrosis of tumor cells of neuroectodermal origin. We examined the sensitivity of Y79 retinoblastoma cells to 4HPR in vitro, and in a xenograft model of tumor growth in nude mice in vivo. 4HPR treatment in the range 2.5 to 10 microM induced a loss of Y79 cell viability, as determined by crystal violet, trypan blue exclusion, and long-term clonogenic assays, and impairment of mitochondrial function detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species were elevated in 4HPR-treated cells and antioxidants rescued cell viability, indicating that 4HPR-induced cell death was mediated by oxidative stress. 4HPR inhibited growth of Y79 xenografts in vivo in both chemoprevention and intervention settings. Tumor growth inhibition by 4HPR was also associated with significant inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo. These findings could have an important translational value for chemoprevention or early intervention in the treatment of retinoblastoma.

Angiostatin inhibits extracellular HIV-Tat-induced inflammatory angiogenesis.

The HIV-Tat protein can be released extracellularly where it is able to recruit leukocytes and induce angiogenesis. These activities are mediated by the direct interaction of Tat with VEGFR2 on endothelial cells and chemokine receptors on leukocytes. We have recently shown that angiostatin, an anti-angiogenic peptide fragment of plasminogen, is able to inhibit the recruitment of neutrophils induced by bacterial fMLP and alpha chemokines both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo this was associated with an inhibition of the angiogenic response by angiostatin. These observations suggested that angiostatin could be a suitable inhibitor of Tat-induced angiogenesis, as it acts on both endothelial and neutrophil at the same time. In vitro, chemotaxis assays demonstrated that angiostatin inhibited Tat-induced chemotaxis of neutrophils with an inverse bell shaped profile. In vivo the injection of matrigel plugs containing Tat or its chemokine-like peptide (CysL24-51) caused the infiltration of neutrophils and a strong angiogenic response. Angiostatin completely blocked this inflammatory response, inhibiting the recruitment of inflammatory and endothelial cells inside the implant. Taken together, these results indicate that angiostatin can act as an inhibitor of both endothelial and neutrophil recruitment. As these cell types are also the targets of extracellularly released Tat, angiostatin could be used to contrast Tat-associated vasculopathies.