Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 174
Filter
1.
Clin Transl Med ; 14(3): e1614, 2024 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38456209

ABSTRACT

Heightened lactate production in cancer cells has been linked to various cellular mechanisms such as angiogenesis, hypoxia, macrophage polarisation and T-cell dysfunction. The lactate-induced lactylation of histone lysine residues is noteworthy, as it functions as an epigenetic modification that directly augments gene transcription from chromatin. This epigenetic modification originating from lactate effectively fosters a reliance on transcription, thereby expediting tumour progression and development. Herein, this review explores the correlation between histone lactylation and cancer characteristics, revealing histone lactylation as an innovative epigenetic process that enhances the vulnerability of cells to malignancy. Moreover, it is imperative to acknowledge the paramount importance of acknowledging innovative therapeutic methodologies for proficiently managing cancer by precisely targeting lactate signalling. This comprehensive review illuminates a crucial yet inadequately investigated aspect of histone lactylation, providing valuable insights into its clinical ramifications and prospective therapeutic interventions centred on lactylation.


Subject(s)
Histones , Metabolic Reprogramming , Humans , Histones/genetics , Carcinogenesis/genetics , Lactic Acid , Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics
2.
J Cell Mol Med ; 28(6): e18223, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38451046

ABSTRACT

Hepatoblastoma (HB), a primary liver tumour, is notorious for its high metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Ganoderma lucidum, an edible mushroom species utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for addressing various tumour types, presents an intriguing avenue for HB treatment. However, the effectiveness of G. lucidum in managing HB and its underlying molecular mechanism necessitates further exploration. Standard in vitro assays were conducted to evaluate the impact of sporoderm-broken spores of G. lucidum (SBSGL) on the malignant characteristics of HB cells. The mechanism of SBSGL in treating HB and its tumour immunomodulatory effects were explored and validated by various experiments, including immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection and co-localization analysis, as well as verified with in vivo experiments in this regard. The results showed that SBSGL effectively inhibited the malignant traits of HB cells and suppressed the O-GlcNAcylation of RACK1, thereby reducing its expression. In addition, SBSGL inhibited immune checkpoints and regulated cytokines. In conclusion, SBSGL had immunomodulatory effects and regulated the malignancy and autophagy of HB by regulating the O-GlcNAcylation of RACK1. These findings suggest that SBSGL holds promise as a potential anticancer drug for HB treatment.


Subject(s)
Hepatoblastoma , Liver Neoplasms , Reishi , Hepatoblastoma/drug therapy , Hepatoblastoma/genetics , Spores, Fungal , Autophagy , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/genetics
3.
Am J Ophthalmol ; 262: 25-33, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38369223

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To develop a more tailored immunomodulatory treatment (IMT) strategy based on a novel 2-arm risk stratification system in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) patients. DESIGN: A retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: Seventy-nine VKH patients in the acute stage were stratified into low- (n = 58) and high-risk (n = 21) groups based on their exposure to risk factors. They were treated with oral glucocorticoids (GCs) plus as-needed (PRN) or first-line IMT. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), sunset glow fundus (SGF) occurrence, relapse rate, and systemic adverse events were evaluated during follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with the low-risk group, the high-risk group showed poorer BCVA at baseline (estimated difference 0.51, 95% CI 0.30-0.78; P < .001) and 6-month follow-up (estimated difference 0.08, 95% CI 0.00-0.08; P = .006), higher incidence of SGF at 12 months (52% vs 28%; RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4; P = .040), and higher relapse rate at 6 months (24% vs 5%; RR 4.6, 95% CI 1.2-17.5; P = .028) and 12 months (52% vs 12%; RR 4.4, 95% CI 1.9-9.7; P < .001). In the low-risk cohort, no significant difference between the 2 IMT strategies was observed in primary outcomes. In the high-risk cohort, patients with the immediate IMT showed better BCVA (estimated difference -0.20, 95% CI -0.3 to -0.08; P = .007), lower incidence of SGF (27% vs 80%; RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9; P = .030), and lower relapse rate (27% vs 80%; RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9; P = .030) compared with the PRN regimen. Moreover, the immediate IMT regimen had a higher frequency of systemic adverse events than the PRN regimen (47% vs 7%; RR 7.1, 95% CI 2.5-20.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk stratification at baseline was associated with poor prognosis. The immediate IMT regimen was only beneficial for high-risk VKH patients regarding visual outcome, SGF, and relapse rate. This study suggests a potential need for a customized IMT strategy for VKH patients.


Subject(s)
Glucocorticoids , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome , Visual Acuity , Humans , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/drug therapy , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/diagnosis , Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome/physiopathology , Retrospective Studies , Male , Female , Visual Acuity/physiology , Adult , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment , Follow-Up Studies , Risk Factors , Administration, Oral , Recurrence , Young Adult , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Fluorescein Angiography/methods , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use
4.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 262(Pt 2): 130191, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38360245

ABSTRACT

Congenital cataract is a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide, with crystallin mutations accounting for over 40 % of gene-mutation-related cases. Our research focused on a novel R114C mutation in a Chinese family, resulting in bilateral coronary cataract with blue punctate opacity. Spectroscopic experiments revealed that ßA3-R114C significantly altered the senior structure, exhibiting aggregation, and reduced solubility at physiological temperature. The mutant also displayed decreased resistance and stability under environmental stresses such as UV irradiation, oxidative stress, and heat. Further, cellular models confirmed its heightened sensitivity to environmental stresses. These data suggest that the R114C mutation impairs the hydrogen bond network and structural stability of ßA3-crystallin, particularly at the boundary of the second Greek-key motif. This study revealed the pathological mechanism of ßA3-R114C and may help in the development of potential treatment strategies for related cataracts.


Subject(s)
Cataract , Crystallins , Humans , Crystallins/genetics , Crystallins/metabolism , Cataract/genetics , Cataract/metabolism , Mutation
5.
IEEE Trans Biomed Eng ; 71(5): 1705-1716, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38163303

ABSTRACT

OBJECT: The purpose of this study is to develop an image artifact removal method for radar-based microwave breast imaging and demonstrates the detectability on excised breast tissues of total mastectomy. METHODS: A cross-correlation method was proposed and measurements were conducted. A hand-held radar-based breast cancer detector was utilized to measure a breast at different orientations. Images were generated by multiplying the confocal image data from two scans after cross-correlation. The optimum reconstruction permittivity values were extracted by the local maxima of the confocal image intensity as a function of reconstruction permittivity. RESULTS: With the proposed cross-correlation method, the contrast of the imaging result was enhanced and the clutters were removed. The proposed method was applied to 50 cases of excised breast tissues and the detection sensitivity of 72% was achieved. With the limited number of samples, the dependency of detection sensitivity on the breast size, breast density, and tumor size were examined. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The detection sensitivity was strongly influenced by the breast density. The sensitivity was high for fatty breasts, whereas the sensitivity was low for heterogeneously dense breasts. In addition, it was observed that the sensitivity was high for extremely dense breast. This is the first detailed report on the excised breast tissues.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Mastectomy , Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mastectomy/methods , Breast/diagnostic imaging , Breast/surgery , Microwave Imaging , Microscopy, Confocal/methods , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and Specificity , Adult , Artifacts , Algorithms , Aged
6.
Clin Chem Lab Med ; 62(3): 472-483, 2024 Feb 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37843302

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To develop a sensitive point-of-care testing (POCT) aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) detection system, and assess its role for predicting the response to anti-VEGF treatment in macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO-ME) patients. METHODS: An automatic point-of-care aqueous humor Magnetic Particle Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immuno-Assay (MPCLEIA) VEGF detection system was developed. The predictive values of aqueous cytokine levels, in combination with imaging parameters, on anatomical treatment response (ATR, the relative central macular thickness change [ΔCMT/bl-CMT]) were analyzed. RESULTS: The automatic MPCLEIA system was able to provide results in 45 min with only 20 µL sample. Among the 57 eyes with available pre- and post-treatment evaluation, ATR significantly correlated with levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and VEGF measured by Luminex xMAP platform, and VEGF measured by MPCLEIA. Optimal cut-off values for these biomarkers were 13.26 ng/L, 23.57 ng/L, 1,110.12 ng/L, 105.52 ng/L, and 85.39 ng/L, respectively. Univariate analysis showed significant associations between ATR category (good response if ATR≤-25 % or poor response otherwise) and IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, VEGF-xMAP, and VEGF-MPCLEIA (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that ATR category was significantly associated with aqueous VEGF-MPCLEIA (p=0.006) and baseline(bl)-CMT (p=0.008). Receiver operating characteristics analysis yielded an AUC of 0.959 for the regression model combining VEGF-MPCLEIA and bl-CMT, for predicting ATR category. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel MPCLEIA-based automatic VEGF detection system enables accurate POCT of aqueous VEGF, which shows promise in predicting the treatment response of RVO-ME to anti-VEGF agents when combined with bl-CMT.


Subject(s)
Macular Edema , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Humans , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism , Point-of-Care Systems , Interleukin-8 , Macular Edema/diagnosis , Macular Edema/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors/metabolism , Interleukin-6 , Aqueous Humor/metabolism
7.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38082927

ABSTRACT

Low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (LIUS) is an emerging neuro- and vascular-modulation technique. Studies on humans and animals have shown that LIUS could induce changes in neuronal oscillations or blood flow. However, it is still inconclusive whether the hemodynamic response to LIUS is due to neurovascular coupling (NVC), direct ultrasound-vessel interactions, or both. This study aims to detect the direct effect of LIUS on vessels using optical imaging. Fluorescence images with indocyanine green (ICG) were used to identify and quantify the morphological change in the auricle vessels of rats. Diameters of vessels were measured before, during, and post LIUS. The results indicated that LIUS could significantly increase the vessel diameters (p = 0.031). Further exploratory analysis showed that vessel dilation occurred among the majority of randomly selected vessels (i.e., 21/30 animals (70%), dilation: 6.84±1.95µm, 95% CI: [3.02,10.66]), with a significant confounding effect of the vessel size. The results provided indirect evidence for two distinct pathways in LIUS-based neurovascular modulation, i.e., the NVC and the direct ultrasound-vessel interactions.


Subject(s)
Neurons , Humans , Rats , Animals , Ultrasonography
8.
Sci Adv ; 9(51): eadj8608, 2023 Dec 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38117881

ABSTRACT

Single-shot optical imaging based on ultrashort lasers has revealed nonrepetitive processes in subnanosecond timescales beyond the recording range of conventional high-speed cameras. However, nanosecond photography without sacrificing short exposure time and image quality is still missing because of the gap in recordable timescales between ultrafast optical imaging and high-speed electronic cameras. Here, we demonstrate nanosecond photography and ultrawide time-range high-speed photography using a spectrum circuit that produces interval-tunable pulse trains while keeping short pulse durations. We capture a shock wave propagating through a biological cell with a 1.5-ns frame interval and 44-ps exposure time while suppressing image blur. Furthermore, we observe femtosecond laser processing over multiple timescales (25-ps, 2.0-ns, and 1-ms frame intervals), showing that the plasma generated at the picosecond timescale affects subsequent shock wave formation at the nanosecond timescale. Our technique contributes to accumulating data of various fast processes for analysis and to analyzing multi-timescale phenomena as a series of physical processes.

9.
Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol ; 49(5): e12934, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37705167

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperphosphorylation of Tau is one of the important pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, studying the mechanisms behind Tau hyperphosphorylation is crucial in exploring the pathogenesis of neurological damage in AD. METHODS: In this study, after the establishment of rat models of AD, quantitative phosphoproteomics and proteomics were performed to identify proteins, showing that phosphorylation of microtubule associated protein 1A (MAP 1A) was lower in the model group. Western blot confirmed the changes of MAP 1A in the SD rats, APP/PS1 transgenic mice and cell AD models. To further study the molecular mechanism of recombinant MAP 1A phosphorylation affecting Tau phosphorylation, interfering siRNA-MAP 1A and protein immunoprecipitation reaction analysis were performed in AD cell models. RESULTS: Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) showed reduced binding to MAP 1A and increased binding to Tau, resulting in a decrease in phosphorylated MAP 1A (p-MAP 1A) and an increase in phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau), and MAP 1A silencing promoted binding of CDK5-Tau and increased Tau phosphorylation, thereby reducing the cell survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that p-MAP 1A downregulation associated with p-Tau upregulation was due to their altered binding forces to CDK5, and MAP 1A could enhance autophosphorylation by competitive binding to CDK5 and antagonise Tau phosphorylation. This leads to neuronal protection and reducing tissue damage levels in AD, which can help better understand the mechanisms of AD pathogenesis.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Animals , Mice , Rats , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Mice, Transgenic , Phosphorylation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , tau Proteins/metabolism , Up-Regulation
11.
Genes Dis ; 10(6): 2470-2478, 2023 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37554179

ABSTRACT

Lysine succinylation is a naturally occurring post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates the stability and function of proteins. It can be regulated by enzymes such as SIRT5 and SIRT7. Recently, the effect and significance of lysine succinylation in cancer and its implication in immunity have been extensively explored. Lysine succinylation is involved in the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Abnormal regulation of lysine succinylation occurs in different cancers, and inhibitors targeting lysine succinylation regulatory enzymes can be used as potential anti-cancer strategies. Therefore, this review focused on the target protein lysine succinylation and its functions in cancer and immunity, in order to provide a reference for finding more potential clinical cancer targets in the future.

12.
Chin Med ; 18(1): 107, 2023 Aug 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37641070

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the most common cancer in the world and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. Clinically, surgical excision and chemotherapy are the main treatment methods for GI cancer, which is unfortunately accompanied with serious adverse reactions and drug toxicity, bringing irreversible damage to patients and seriously affecting the quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. Its bioactive compounds mainly include polysaccharides, triterpenes, and proteins, which have potential anti-tumor activities by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and regulating autophagy. Currently, there is no in-depth review on the anti-tumor effect of G. lucidum in GI cancer. Therefore, this review is an attempt to compile the basic characteristics, anti-GI caner mechanisms, and clinical application of G. lucidum, aiming to provide a reference for further research on the role of G. lucidum in the prevention and treatment of GI cancer from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine.

13.
Front Immunol ; 14: 1096383, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37483621

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus that often causes mucosal and systemic infections. Several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), have been implicated in the host recognition of C. albicans. These PRRs recognize the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of C. albicans to activate innate immune cells, thereby rapidly inducing various inflammatory responses by activating intracellular signaling cascades. Herbal medicine and its active components deserve priority development due to their low toxicity and high antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. This review discussed the activities of herbal compounds against C. albicans and their related mechanisms, especially their regulatory role on innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs) implicated in C. albicans infections. Our work aims to find new therapeutic drugs and targets to prevent and treat diseases caused by C. albicans infection with the mechanisms by which this fungus interacts with the innate immune response.


Subject(s)
Candidiasis , Plants, Medicinal , Candida albicans , Immunity, Innate , Macrophages , Receptors, Pattern Recognition , Plant Extracts
14.
Int J Med Sci ; 20(7): 870-887, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37324188

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a rapidly advancing malignancy with a poor prognosis. Therefore, further research is needed on its potential pathogenesis and therapeutic targets. Methods: In this study, the relevant datasets were downloaded from the TCGA database and the key modules were identified using WGCNA in the necroptosis-related gene set, while single-cell datasets were scored using the necroptosis gene set. Differential genes in the high- and low-expression groups were determined using the WGCNA module genes as intersection sets to identify key genes involved in necroptosis in liver cancer. Then, prognostic models were constructed using LASSO COX regression followed by multi-faceted validation. Finally, model genes were found to be correlated with key proteins of the necroptosis pathway and used to identify the most relevant genes, followed by their experimental validation. Subsequently, on the basis of the analysis results, the most relevant SFPQ was selected for cell-level verification. Results: We constructed a prognosis model that included five necroptosis-related genes (EHD1, RAC1, SFPQ, DAB2 and PABPC4) to predict the prognosis and survival of HCC patients. The results showed that the prognosis was more unfavorable in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group, which was corroborated using ROC curves and risk factor plots. In addition, we further checked the differential genes using GO and KEGG analyses and found that they were predominantly enriched in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. The results of the GSVA analysis demonstrated that the high-risk group was mainly enriched in DNA replication, regulation of the mitotic cycle, and regulation of various cancer pathways, while the low-risk group was predominantly enriched in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics using cytochrome P450. SFPQ was found to be the main gene that affects the prognosis and SFPQ expression was positively correlated with the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL. Furthermore, the suppression of SFPQ could inhibit hyper-malignant phenotype HCC cells, while the WB results showed that inhibition of SFPQ expression also resulted in lower expression of necroptosis proteins, compared to the sh-NC group. Conclusions: Our prognostic model could accurately predict the prognosis of patients with HCC to further identify novel molecular candidates and interventions that can be used as alternative methods of treatment for HCC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Prognosis , Databases, Factual , Necroptosis , Vesicular Transport Proteins
15.
Biomarkers ; 28(6): 531-537, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37352111

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Contact lens discomfort (CLD) acts as a challenging problem, and the associated conjunctival microbiome changes were unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Conjunctival sac swab samples were collected from 12 eyes of nonwearers (NW), 12 eyes of asymptomatic contact lens (ACL) wearers, and 11 eyes of CLD. The V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to investigate differences among three groups. RESULTS: No differences in alpha diversity were observed among the three groups. The beta diversity showed a distinct microbiome composition between ACL and CLD group (P = 0.018) with principal coordinate analysis. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly higher in CLD (48.18%) than in ACL (13.21%) group (P = 0.018). The abundance of Bacillus in patients with ACL (0.05%) or with CLD (0.02%) were significantly lower than that in the NW (1.27%) group (P = 0.024, 0.028, respectively). Moreover, the abundance of Firmicutes was positively correlated with the OSDI scores in CLD patients (r = 0.817, P < 0. 01, Spearman). DISCUSSIONS: Patients with CLD have various degrees of bacterial microbiota imbalance in the conjunctival sac, compared with NW and ACL groups. CONCLUSION: Firmicutes may serve as a potential biomarker for the CLD patients.


In the current study, we investigated the conjunctival microbiome changes among nonwearers (NW), asymptomatic contact lens (ACL) wearers, and contact lens discomfort (CLD) patients using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and correlated relative abundances of the microbiota with clinical parameters.The relative abundance of Firmicutes was higher in CLD than that in ACL group. The abundance of Bacillus was lower in ACL or CLD group than that in NW group. The abundance of Firmicutes was positively correlated with the OSDI scores in CLD patients.Firmicutes may serve as a potential biomarker for the CLD patients.


Subject(s)
Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic , Microbiota , Humans , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Conjunctiva/microbiology , Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic/adverse effects , Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic/microbiology , Bacteria/genetics , Microbiota/genetics
16.
Front Immunol ; 14: 1114041, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37153619

ABSTRACT

Lung cancer is one of the most severe forms of malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most primary type observed in the clinic. NSCLC is mainly treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Additionally, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have also shown promising results. Several immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been developed for clinical use and have benefited patients with NSCLC. However, immunotherapy faces several challenges like poor response and unknown effective population. It is essential to identify novel predictive markers to further advance precision immunotherapy for NSCLC. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present an important research direction. In this review, we focus on the role of EVs as a biomarker in NSCLC immunotherapy considering various perspectives, including the definition and properties of EVs, their role as biomarkers in current NSCLC immunotherapy, and different EV components as biomarkers in NSCLC immunotherapy research. We describe the cross-talk between the role of EVs as biomarkers and novel technical approaches or research concepts in NSCLC immunotherapy, such as neoadjuvants, multi-omics analysis, and the tumour microenvironment. This review will provide a reference for future research to improve the benefits of immunotherapy for patients with NSCLC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Extracellular Vesicles , Lung Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Biomarkers , Immunotherapy/methods , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Tumor Microenvironment
17.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 8452, 2023 05 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37231180

ABSTRACT

Identifying epitopes that T cells respond to is critical for understanding T cell-mediated immunity. Traditional multimer and other single cell assays often require large blood volumes and/or expensive HLA-specific reagents and provide limited phenotypic and functional information. Here, we present the Rapid TCR:Epitope Ranker (RAPTER) assay, a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-SEQ) method that uses primary human T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) to assess functional T cell reactivity. Using hash-tag oligonucleotide (HTO) coding and T cell activation-induced markers (AIM), RAPTER defines paired epitope specificity and TCR sequence and can include RNA- and protein-level T cell phenotype information. We demonstrate that RAPTER identified specific reactivities to viral and tumor antigens at sensitivities as low as 0.15% of total CD8+ T cells, and deconvoluted low-frequency circulating HPV16-specific T cell clones from a cervical cancer patient. The specificities of TCRs identified by RAPTER for MART1, EBV, and influenza epitopes were functionally confirmed in vitro. In summary, RAPTER identifies low-frequency T cell reactivities using primary cells from low blood volumes, and the resulting paired TCR:ligand information can directly enable immunogenic antigen selection from limited patient samples for vaccine epitope inclusion, antigen-specific TCR tracking, and TCR cloning for further therapeutic development.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte , Humans , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Cell Membrane
18.
Adv Healthc Mater ; 12(21): e2300154, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37031162

ABSTRACT

Ketamine (KA), commonly used as an anesthetic, is now widely studied as an antidepressant for the treatment of depression. However, due to its side effects, such as addiction and cognitive impairment, the dosage and frequency of (S)-ketamine approved by the FDA for the treatment of refractory depression is very low, which limits its efficacy. Here, a new multifunctional nanocarrier system (AC-RM@HA-MS) with specific targeting capabilities is developed to improve the efficacy of KA treatment. KA-loaded NPs (AC-RM@HA-MS-KA) are constructed with a multilayer core-shell structure. KA-loaded mesoporous silica NPs are prepared, conjugated with hyaluronic acid (HA) as pore gatekeepers, and sheathed with an RBC-membrane (RM) for camouflage. Finally, the surface is tagged with bifunctional peptides (Ang-2-Con-G, AC) to achieve specific targeting. One peptide (Ang-2) is acted as a guide to facilitate the crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), while the other (Con-G) is functioned as a ligand for the targeted delivery of KA to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor sites. Animal experiments reveal that AC-RM@HA-MS-KA NPs effectively cross the BBB and directionally accumulate in the curing areas, thereby alleviating the depressive symptoms and improving the cognitive functions of depressed mice. After treatment, the depressed mice almost completely return to normal without obvious symptoms of addiction.


Subject(s)
Ketamine , Nanoparticles , Mice , Animals , Ketamine/pharmacology , Ketamine/therapeutic use , Depression/drug therapy , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Drug Delivery Systems , Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry
19.
Polymers (Basel) ; 15(7)2023 Apr 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37050389

ABSTRACT

Incorporating biopolymers in packaging foams can contribute to a more circular packaging system, utilizing renewable and compostable materials. Gelatin, with its favorable physicochemical properties, allows for producing gelatin foams via mechanical foaming, a well-established and low-investment process. To improve foam properties, starch can be added to the gelatin formulation. However, the variability in the properties of starch powders can impact the polymer blend and, consequently, the properties of the dry foam. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different starch powders from different botanical origins (tapioca and corn) and treatments (native or pregelatinized) on the properties of gelatin-starch foams produced by mechanical foaming. The study successfully produced foams with densities of approximately 45-50 kg/m3 and compression properties comparable to EPS (expanded polystyrene) foams. The starch type and pre-treatment significantly influenced the properties of the foam. Pregelatinized starches exhibited slightly higher densities due to lower foamability caused by higher viscosity. Using starch exhibiting total loss of birefringence led to denser foams with greater compression properties than those with starch with a certain degree of crystallinity remaining. Therefore, selecting the appropriate starch type is crucial when developing starch-based materials to ensure optimal material and processing properties align with application requirements.

20.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 478(12): 2657-2669, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36899139

ABSTRACT

Epitranscriptomics, also known as "RNA epigenetics", is a type of chemical modification that regulates RNA. RNA methylation is a significant discovery after DNA and histone methylation. The dynamic reversible process of m6A involves methyltransferases (writers), m6A binding proteins (readers), as well as demethylases (erasers). We summarized the current research status of m6A RNA methylation in the neural stem cells' growth, synaptic and axonal function, brain development, learning and memory, neurodegenerative diseases, and glioblastoma. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism of m6A methylation and finding its potential therapeutic targets in nervous system diseases.


Subject(s)
Methyltransferases , RNA , Methylation , RNA/metabolism , Methyltransferases/metabolism , Nervous System/metabolism
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...