Expression of pannexin1 in lung cancer brain metastasis and immune microenvironment.

Brain metastases are the most common central nervous system malignancy, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) comprise the most common cell of origin. Immunotherapy, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, has emerged as the standard of care for many patients with advanced lung cancer. Pannexin1 (PANX1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that forms large-pore channels and has been reported to promote cancer metastasis. However, the roles of PANX1 in lung cancer brain metastases and tumor immune microenvironment have not been characterized. 42 patient-matched formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from lung carcinomas and the subsequent brain metastases were constructed into three tissue microarrays (TMAs). PANX1 and markers of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, and TMEM119) were assessed using immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis. The expression of PANX1 was significantly higher in brain metastases than in their paired primary lung carcinoma. The high levels of PANX1 in lung carcinoma cells in the brain inversely correlated with infiltration of peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Our findings highlight the role of PANX1 in the progression of metastatic NSCLC, and the potential therapeutic approach of targeting PANX1 enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in brain metastasis.

Tilianin alleviates lipid deposition and fibrosis in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by activating the PPARα/Nnat axis.

The understanding and treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are still very limited. This study reports the therapeutic effect of tilianin on mice with NASH and further explores its possible molecular mechanisms. A mice model of NASH was established using low-dose streptozotocin combined with a high-fat diet and tilianin treatment. Liver function was assessed by determining serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum. Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in serum were determined. Hepatocyte apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling staining. Oil Red O staining and boron dipyrrin staining were used to determine lipid deposition in liver tissues. Masson staining was used to evaluate liver fibrosis, and immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of target proteins. Tilianin treatment significantly ameliorated liver function, inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis, and reduced lipid deposition and liver fibrosis in mice with NASH. The expression of neuronatin (Nnat) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α was upregulated, whereas that of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), TGF-ß1, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, and phosphorylated p65 was downregulated in the liver tissues of mice with NASH after tilianin treatment. The above effects of tilianin were significantly reversed after Nnat knock-down, but its effect on PPARα expression was unaffected. Thus, the natural drug tilianin shows potential in treatig NASH. Its mechanism of action may be related to the targeted activation of PPARα/Nnat, thereby inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Identification of fusions with potential clinical significance in melanoma.

Though uncommon in melanoma, gene fusions may have therapeutic implications. Next generation sequencing-based clinical assays, designed to detect relevant gene fusions, mutations, and copy number changes, were performed on 750 melanomas (375 primary and 375 metastases) at our institution from 2014-2021. These included 599 (80%) cutaneous, 38 (5%) acral, 11 (1.5%) anorectal, 23 (3%) sinonasal, 27 (3.6%) eye (uveal/ conjunctiva), 11 (1.5%) genital (vulva/penile), and 41 (5.5%) melanomas of unknown primary. Sixteen fusions (2%) were detected in samples from 16 patients: 12/599 (2%) cutaneous, 2/38 (5%) acral, 1/9 (11%) vulva, 1/23(4.3%) sinonasal; and 12/16 (75%) fusions were potentially targetable. We identified two novel rearrangements: NAGS::MAST2 and NOTCH1::GNB1; and two fusions that have been reported in other malignancies but not in melanoma: CANT1::ETV4 (prostate cancer) and CCDC6::RET (thyroid cancer). Additional fusions, previously reported in melanoma, included: EML4::ALK, MLPH::ALK, AGAP3::BRAF, AGK::BRAF, CDH3::BRAF, CCT8::BRAF, DIP2B::BRAF, EFNB1::RAF1, LRCH3::RAF1, MAP4::RAF1, RUFY1::RAF1, and ADCY2::TERT. Fusion positive melanomas harbored recurrent alterations in TERT and CDKN2A, among others. Gene fusions were exceedingly rare (0.2%) in BRAF/RAS/NF1-mutant tumors and were detected in 5.6% of triple wild-type melanomas. Interestingly, gene rearrangements were significantly enriched within the subset of triple wild-type melanomas that harbor TERT promoter mutations (18% versus 2%, p < 0.0001). Thirteen (81%) patients were treated with immunotherapy for metastatic disease or in the adjuvant setting. Six of 12 (50%) patients with potentially actionable fusions progressed on immunotherapy, and 3/6 (50%) were treated with targeted agents (ALK and MEK inhibitors), 2 off-label and 1 as part of a clinical trial. One patient with an AGAP3::BRAF fusion positive melanoma experienced a 30-month long response to trametinib. We show that, detecting fusions, especially in triple wild-type melanomas with TERT promoter mutations, may have a clinically significant impact in patients with advanced disease who have failed front-line immunotherapy.

The Clinical Effect of a Combination of Mouse Nerve Growth Factor and Methylcobalamin to Treat Lumbar Disc Herniation with Foot Drop: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl) for the treatment of lumbar disk herniation (LDH) with foot drop. METHODS: A total of 46 patients suffering from LDH with foot drop who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery in our department from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. We divided these patients into two groups according to the different postoperative treatment which independently selected by patients after signing informed consent form: one group of 25 patients was treated with MeCbl alone (Group MeCbl), the other group of 21 patients was treated with a combination of mNGF and MeCbl (Group MeCbl+mNGF). Patient demographics, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, sensory and muscular strength improvement statistics at 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 12 months postoperatively were recorded. Motor/sensory deficits, sciatica and overall neurological outcome after treatment of MeCbl alone and combination of mNGF and MeCbl were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The follow-up ranged between 12 and 42 months (mean 20.8 months). There were no significant differences between these two groups of patients with respect to sex ratio, age, smoking, diabetes, disease course, section of protruding disc(s), muscular strength of foot dorsiflexion or preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score (P > 0.05). The VAS scores of Group MeCbl+mNGF were significantly lower than Group MeCbl at 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 12 months postoperatively (4.32 ± 0.75 vs 5.25 ± 0.79,2.65 ± 0.48 vs 3.42 ± 0.52, 1.72 ± 0.36 vs 2.45 ± 0.39, 1.12 ± 0.22 vs 1.52 ± 0.24, P < 0.05). The effective rates of sensory improvement were significantly higher in Group MeCbl+mNGF compared with Group MeCbl at 12-week/12-month follow-up time point (90.48% vs 52.00%,95.24% vs 68.00%, P < 0.05). The effective rate of muscular strength improvement of the two groups did not differ significantly at 1 week after surgery but exhibited statistically significant differences at subsequent time points (61.90% vs 32.00%, 76.19% vs 44.00%, 80.95% vs 48.00%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of mNGF had clinical effects on promoting the recovery of neurological function in patients suffering from LDH with foot drop.

Nell-1 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells.

Nel-like molecule type 1 (Nell-1) is a secreted protein that plays an important role in osteoinduction in multiple animal models. A previous study has suggested the anti-inflammatory effect of Nell-1 on bone inflammation inhibition. However, its role in pulpitis has not been investigated. The present study aims to explore the effect of human recombinant Nell-1 (Nell-1) on rat pulp inflammation response, and its effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells and its related intracellular signaling pathways. 30 Wistar rats with healthy non-carious maxillary first molars were chosen, Nell-1 was absorbed onto a sterile collagen sponge and capped onto exposed pulps. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) were isolated from healthy extracted premolars and third molars. hDPCs were co-cultured with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Nell-1 protein, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8, was examined via quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that Nell-1 inhibited the inflammatory response of rat pulp. LPS treatment contributed to the expression of inflammatory factors in hDPCs, whereas Nell-1 obviously suppressed the LPS-induced inflammation. p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK inhibitors attenuated the anti-inflammatory effect of hrNell-1, whereas the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) MAPK inhibitor exerted minimal effect. Therefore Nell-1 could inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells, and this effect may be mediated by p38 and ERK MAPK signaling pathways, but not JNK MAPK signaling pathway.

Iodination of CART(61-102) peptide: Preserved binding and anorexigenic activity in mice.

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptides are involved in food intake regulation, stress, and other physiological functions. Although CART peptides have been known for over 25 years, their receptor(s) have not yet been characterized. In this short review, we will summarize our previous studies, where we reported specific binding of 125 I-CART(61-102) to PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. Competitive binding experiments performed with mono- and di-iodinated peptides and their isoforms with oxidized Met67 resulted in nanomolar binding affinity. Moreover, in our previous study, CART(61-102), as well as di-iodinated CART(61-102), have shown a strong anorexigenic effect in fasted lean mice after intracerebroventricular administration. In conclusion, from our previous studies, iodination of CART(61-102) resulted in mono- and di-iodinated analogs with or without oxidized Met67 . All analogs revealed a high affinity to binding sites at PC12 cells and preserved biological activity.

A synthetic synaptic organizer protein restores glutamatergic neuronal circuits.

Neuronal synapses undergo structural and functional changes throughout life, which are essential for nervous system physiology. However, these changes may also perturb the excitatory-inhibitory neurotransmission balance and trigger neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Molecular tools to restore this balance are highly desirable. Here, we designed and characterized CPTX, a synthetic synaptic organizer combining structural elements from cerebellin-1 and neuronal pentraxin-1. CPTX can interact with presynaptic neurexins and postsynaptic AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors and induced the formation of excitatory synapses both in vitro and in vivo. CPTX restored synaptic functions, motor coordination, spatial and contextual memories, and locomotion in mouse models for cerebellar ataxia, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord injury, respectively. Thus, CPTX represents a prototype for structure-guided biologics that can efficiently repair or remodel neuronal circuits.

Presynaptic Caytaxin prevents apoptosis via deactivating DAPK1 in the acute phase of cerebral ischemic stroke.

Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a key protein that mediates neuronal death in ischemic stroke. Although the substrates of DAPK1 and molecular signal in stroke have been gradually discovered, the modulation of DAPK1 itself is still unclear. Here we first reveal that Caytaxin, a brain-specific member of BCL2/adenovirus E1B -interacting protein (BNIP-2), increases and interacts with DAPK1 as early as 2 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the penumbra area of mouse brain. Furthermore, Caytaxin binds to DAPK1 at the presynaptic site and inhibits DAPK1 catalytic activity. Silencing Caytaxin by Caytaxin shRNA (Sh-Caytaxin) enhances DAPK1 activity, deteriorates neuronal apoptosis and brain injuries both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, elevating presynaptic Caytaxin could prevent neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting DAPK1 activation in the acute stage of ischemic stroke. Caytaxin may physiologically protect neuronal cells and represent a potential prevention and therapeutic target in the early phase of cerebral ischemic stroke.

Peptides from Natural or Rationally Designed Sources Can Be Used in Overweight, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes Therapies.

Overweight and obesity are among the most prominent health problems in the modern world, mostly because they are either associated with or increase the risk of other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and/or cancer. Most professional organizations define overweight and obesity according to individual body-mass index (BMI, weight in kilograms divided by height squared in meters). Overweight is defined as individuals with BMI from 25 to 29, and obesity as individuals with BMI ≥30. Obesity is the result of genetic, behavioral, environmental, physiological, social, and cultural factors that result in energy imbalance and promote excessive fat deposition. Despite all the knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of obesity, which is considered a disease, none of the existing treatments alone or in combination can normalize blood glucose concentration and prevent debilitating complications from obesity. This review discusses some new perspectives for overweight and obesity treatments, including the use of the new orally active cannabinoid peptide Pep19, the advantage of which is the absence of undesired central nervous system effects usually experienced with other cannabinoids.

Intravitreal application of AAV-BDNF or mutant AAV-CRMP2 protects retinal ganglion cells and stabilizes axons and myelin after partial optic nerve injury.

Secondary degeneration following an initial injury to the central nervous system (CNS) results in increased tissue loss and is associated with increasing functional impairment. Unilateral partial dorsal transection of the adult rat optic nerve (ON) has proved to be a useful experimental model in which to study factors that contribute to secondary degenerative events. Using this injury model, we here quantified the protective effects of intravitreally administered bi-cistronic adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors encoding either brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or a mutant, phospho-resistant, version of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2T555A) on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), their axons, and associated myelin. To test for potential synergistic interactions, some animals received combined injections of both vectors. Three months post-injury, all treatments maintained RGC numbers in central retina, but only AAV2-BDNF significantly protected ventrally located RGCs exclusively vulnerable to secondary degeneration. Behaviourally, treatments that involved AAV2-BDNF significantly restored the number of smooth-pursuit phases of optokinetic nystagmus. While all therapeutic regimens preserved axonal density and proportions of typical complexes, including heminodes and single nodes, BDNF treatments were generally more effective in maintaining the length of the node of Ranvier in myelin surrounding ventral ON axons after injury. Both AAV2-BDNF and AAV2-CRMP2T555A prevented injury-induced changes in G-ratio and overall myelin thickness, but only AAV2-BDNF administration protected against large-scale myelin decompaction in ventral ON. In summary, in a model of secondary CNS degeneration, both BDNF and CRMP2T555A vectors were neuroprotective, however different efficacies were observed for these overexpressed proteins in the retina and ON, suggesting disparate cellular and molecular targets driving responses for neural repair. The potential use of these vectors to treat other CNS injuries and pathologies is discussed.

Antihyperalgesic effects of Meteorin in the rat chronic constriction injury model: a replication study.

Data from preclinical research have been suggested to suffer from a lack of inherent reproducibility across laboratories. The goal of our study was to replicate findings from a previous report that demonstrated positive effects of Meteorin, a novel neurotrophic factor, in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI). Notably, 5 to 6 intermittent subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of Meteorin had been reported to produce reversal of mechanical allodynia/thermal hyperalgesia after injury, wherein maximum efficacy of Meteorin was reached slowly and outlasted the elimination of the compound from the blood by several weeks. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of Meteorin in reversing hindpaw mechanical hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in male, Sprague-Dawley rats with CCI. Nociceptive behavior was monitored before and after CCI, and after drug treatment until day 42 after injury. Systemic administration of recombinant mouse Meteorin (0.5 and 1.8 mg/kg, s.c.) at days 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19 after CCI produced a prolonged reversal of neuropathic hypersensitivity with efficacy comparable with that obtained with gabapentin (100 mg/kg, orally). Despite some protocol deviations (eg, nociceptive endpoint, animal vendor, testing laboratory, investigator, etc.) being incurred, these did not affect study outcome. By paying careful attention to key facets of study design, using bioactive material, and confirming drug exposure, the current data have replicated the salient findings of the previous study, promoting confidence in further advancement of this novel molecule as a potential therapy for neuropathic pain.

Inhibitory Effect of Slit2-N on VEGF165-induced proliferation of vascular endothelia via Slit2-N-Robo4-Akt pathway in choroidal neovascularization.

Researches have been focusing on the role of Slit2 in angiogenesis, specifically in cell migration and vessel permeability. Nevertheless, the role of Slit2-N, the bioactive fragment of Slit2, in the proliferation of vascular endothelia in choroidal neovascularization and some related mechanisms have not been studied yet. Thus, our study aimed to explore the role of Slit2-N in proliferation of vascular endothelia and the related mechanisms in choroidal neovascularization. Fluorescein isothiocyanate perfusion and HE staining were performed to evaluate volumes of choroidal neovascularization lesions. The effect of Slit2-N on VEGF165-induced cell proliferation and some related mechanisms were detected by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, siRNA transfection, and western blotting. We found that Slit2-N reduced volumes of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization networks in vivo. Results of the in vitro study showed Slit2-N reduced VEGF165-induced cell proliferation of both human umbilical vascular endothelial cells and human microvascular endothelial cells possibly via activation of AKT rather than that of ERK1/2. Additionally, Robo4, one of the receptors binding to Slit2-N, was involved in the inhibitory effect of Slit2-N. Generally, our findings revealed the inhibitory role of Slit2-N in proliferation of vascular endothelia and some related mechanisms, and presented some potential targets, molecules along Slit2-N-Robo4-AKT axis, to choroidal neovascularization therapy.

Mode of seizure inhibition by sodium channel blockers, an SV2A ligand, and an AMPA receptor antagonist in a rat amygdala kindling model.

PURPOSE: A number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with a variety of modes of action, are effective in treating focal seizures. Several AEDs, such as perampanel (PER), levetiracetam (LEV), lacosamide (LCM), lamotrigine (LTG), and carbamazepine (CBZ), have been shown to elevate the seizure threshold in kindling models. These AEDs are clinically effective, but differences exist in the anti-seizure profiles of drugs with similar modes of action. Therefore, we hypothesized that there are differences in how these AEDs affect seizures. Here, we evaluated the effects of AEDs on various seizure parameters in a rat amygdala kindling model upon stimulation at the after-discharge threshold (ADT) and at three-times the ADT (3xADT) to characterize the differences in the effects of these AEDs. METHODS: PER, LEV, LCM, LTG, CBZ, or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally to fully kindled rats. Changes in Racine seizure score, after-discharge duration (ADD), and latency to Racine score 4 generalized seizure (S4L) were measured to assess differences in the modes of seizure inhibition among the AEDs. Stimulation at 3xADT was used to eliminate the influence of any AED-induced elevation of the seizure threshold on these parameters. RESULTS: PER, LEV, LCM, LTG, and CBZ significantly reduced the seizure score from Racine score 5 after stimulation at the ADT; this effect was lost with LEV and LTG after stimulation at 3xADT. PER and LEV significantly shortened the ADD when the seizure focus was stimulated at the ADT, whereas LCM, LTG, and CBZ did not. LEV, LCM, LTG, and CBZ failed to shorten the ADD upon stimulation at 3xADT. PER dose-dependently and significantly increased S4L, even at doses that were ineffective for seizure score reduction, after stimulation at both the ADT and 3xADT. LEV and LTG significantly increased S4L after stimulation at the ADT, whereas LCM and CBZ did not significantly increase S4L at any of the doses tested. CONCLUSIONS: The sodium channel blockers (LCM, LTG, and CBZ) appeared to act by elevation of the seizure threshold via reduction of neuronal excitability, whereas the AMPA receptor antagonist (PER) and the SV2A ligand (LEV), as well as LTG, exerted their effects through the weakening of synaptic transmission in neuronal networks at the seizure focus. Maintenance of the effect of PER even at 3xADT suggests direct and strong modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by PER, both at the focus and along the seizure propagation route. These findings may provide further rationale for usage of AEDs beyond their respective modes of action.

Protective effects of Nesfatin-1 peptide on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury via inhibition of neuronal cell death and enhancement of antioxidant defenses.

Nesfatin-1 is a novel peptide with anorexigenic and anti-hyperglycemic properties. According to previous studies, this multi-functional peptide protects dopaminergic cells against neurotoxicity via anti-apoptotic effects. In addition, Nesfatin-1 protects myocardial tissue after myocardial infarction via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of nesfatin-1 against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in the CA1 area of hippocampus in rats. 56 male Wistar rats (240-270 g) were randomly selected and allocated into four groups: (1) sham, (2) nesfatin-1, (3) ischemia/reperfusion, (4) ischemia/reperfusion+nesfatin-1. Cerebral ischemia induced by the occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 20 min was followed by reperfusion. Saline as a vehicle and nesfatin-1 (20 µg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally (IP) at the start of cerebral reperfusion. Apoptotic and necrotic cell death was detected by TUNEL and Nissl staining. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes (GSH and SOD) levels were measured by the ELISA method. The results showed that cerebral ischemia increased the apoptotic and necrotic cell death in the CA1 area of hippocampus, while, treatment with nesfatin-1significantly reduced apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Moreover, the MDA levels of the hippocampus in ischemic rats were higher, whereas in nesfatin-1-treated rats the MDA levels were decreased. Furthermore, the SOD and GSH levels in the ischemic rats were decreased, whilst in ischemic rats treated with nesfatin-1, the SOD and GSH levels were increased. This study for the first time found that nesfatin-1 treatment improves CA1 hippocampus injuries after cerebral ischemia through preventing neuronal cell death and enhancement of antioxidant defenses.

Nesfatin-1 Improve Spatial Memory Impairment Following Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion via Inhibiting Microglial and Caspase-3 Activation.

Nesfatin-1, a recently discovered peptide, is involved in important functions such as food intake regulation and energy homeostasis. Previous studies have demonstrated that it has protective effects following myocardial injury and also protects dopaminergic cells against neurotoxicity with the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to assay the neuroprotective effects of Nesfatin-1 after brain ischemia/reperfusion. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly selected and allocated in the form of four groups (sham, Nesfatin-1, ischemia, ischemia+Nesfatin-1). Ischemia was created by obstruction couple common carotid arteries in 20-min period. Saline as a vehicle and Nesfatin-1 (20 µg/kg, intraperitoneally) were injected at the time of reperfusion. Spatial memory performances were evaluated by the Morris water maze. The level of protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Nesfatin-1 significantly reduced caspase-3 (P < 0.01) and microglial activation (P < 0.01) and improved spatial memory impairments (P < 0.05) induced by brain ischemia. Nesfatin-1 has significant neuroprotective effects and can be introduced as a therapeutic agent against cerebral ischemia-induced injuries.

Engineered CAR T cells targeting mesothelin by piggyBac transposon system for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Patients with pancreatic cancer have a poor prognosis largely due to the poor efficacy of the available treatment modalities. In this study, we engineered mesothelin-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells (mesoCAR T) using the piggyBac transposon based plasmid electroporation technique for specific targeting of pancreatic cancer cells expressing mesothelin. In vitro, mesoCAR T cells exhibited rapid and robust killing effect against ASPC1 cells with high expression levels of mesothelin with high production of IFN-γ; the cytotoxic effect on PANC1 cells with low expressions of mesothelin was relatively attenuated. In the ASPC1 xenograft mice model, mesoCAR T cells significantly suppressed the tumor growth accompanied with higher-level IFN-γ secretion as compared to control T cells. Besides, more mesoCAR T cells differentiated into memory T cells after tumor remission, whilst causing minimal lesions in major organs. Our study suggests promising efficacy of piggyBac transposon-based mesoCAR T cell therapy for pancreatic cancer, which is a potential candidate for clinical translation.

The Severity of Spinal Cord Injury Determines the Inflammatory Gene Expression Pattern after Immunization with Neural-Derived Peptides.

Previous studies revealed that the intensity of spinal cord injury (SCI) plays a key role in the therapeutic effects induced by immunizing with neural-derived peptides (INDP), as severe injuries abolish the beneficial effects induced by INDP. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of some inflammation-related genes (IL6, IL12, IL-1ß, IFNÉ£, TNFα, IL-10, IL-4, and IGF-1) by quantitative PCR in rats subjected to SCI and INDP. We investigated the expression of these genes after a moderate or severe contusion. In addition, we evaluated the effect of INDP by utilizing two different peptides: A91 and Cop-1. After moderate injury, both A91 and Cop-1 elicited a pattern of genes characterized by a significant reduction of IL6, IL1ß, and TNFα but an increase in IL10, IL4, and IGF-1 expression. There was no effect on IL-12 and INFÉ£. In contrast, the opposite pattern was observed when rats were subjected to a severe spinal cord contusion. Immunization with either peptide caused a significant increase in the expression of IL-12, IL-1ß, IFNÉ£ (pro-inflammatory genes), and IGF-1. There was no effect on IL-4 and IL-10 compared to controls. After a moderate SCI, INDP reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression and generated a microenvironment prone to neuroprotection. Nevertheless, severe injury elicits the expression of pro-inflammatory genes that could be aggravated by INDP. These findings correlate with our previous results demonstrating that severe injury inhibits the beneficial effects of protective autoimmunity.

CART peptide activates the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and protects hippocampal neurons in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) and oxidative stress damage in the brain are recognized as early features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide may possibly play an antioxidative role in neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antioxidant mechanism of CART peptide in a rat model of AD. We microinjected of Aß1-42 (2µl/4µg/hemisphere) into rat hippocampus to set a rat model of AD. A pre-microinjection of CART peptide (1µl/0.02µg/hemisphere) into rat hippocampus was administered for five consecutive days before Aß1-42 treatment. We found that Aß1-42 microinjection led to reduction of endogenous CART level in rat hippocampus. CART pretreatment improved the spatial memory and locomotor ability of AD rats. CART peptide decreased the Aß1-42 and Aß production-associated enzyme BACE1 levels. Moreover, CART peptide attenuated the oxidative stress damage with a concrete manifestation of increased MDA as well as decreased T-SOD, GSH and ATP levels in the hippocampus of Aß1-42-treated rat, which may be causatively implicated the activating of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, CART peptide attenuated neuronal apoptosis with decreased Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3 levels and increased Bcl-2 level in rat hippocampus. Our results therefore indicate that CART peptide could serve as an antioxidant in early therapy for AD.

Neuralized1a regulates asymmetric division in mouse Lewis lung carcinoma cells.

Asymmetric division (ASD), the unique characteristic of normal stem cells, is regarded as a stemness marker when applied to the study of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the role of ASD in the self-renewal of CSCs and its regulation remain largely unknown. Here, we first established a mouse Lewis lung carcinoma CSC cell line that could undergo asymmetric division (LLC-ASD cells) derived from the parental mouse Lewis lung carcinoma cancer cells (LLC-Parental cells). In vitro assessment of stemness by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis of stem cell markers, clonogenic assay (p < 0.001), single cell spheroid formation assay (p < 0.05) and 96-well-plate single-cell cloning assay (p < 0.01) indicated that the LLC-ASD cells exhibited stronger stemness features in comparison to the LLC-Parental cells. In vivo, tumorigenicity of LLC-ASD cells, transplanted subcutaneously to the nude mice, was increased compared to that of LLC-parental cells (p < 0.05). Further, Neuralized1a, a regulator of ASD in normal stem cells, was highly expressed in the LLC-ASD cells. Silencing Neuralized1a expression in LLC-ASD cells by siRNA weakened the stemness features measured by the in vitro assays listed above (p < 0.05). The tumorigenic ability was also decreased in the nude mice upon Neuralized1a silencing (p < 0.05). Collectively, the present study suggests that Neuralized1a regulates the stemness of LLC-ASD cells which could be the new marker and therapeutic target of CSCs.

Neuroprotective effect of olfactory ensheathing cells co-transfected with Nurr1 and Ngn2 in both in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease.

AIMS: The aim of the study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) with the overexpression of nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1) and neurogenin 2 (Ngn2) in experimental models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and to elucidate the potential mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro study, OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 conditioned medium (CM) was added to MPP+-treated PC12 cells for 24h, and then the viability of PC12 cells, oxidative stress and apoptosis were detected. In vivo study, 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups. OECs/VMCs and OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2/VMCs groups were transplanted with 2×105 cells each of OECs or OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 and VMCs into the right striatum one week after a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion. Control and PD groups were injected with 0.9% NaCl and 0.2% ascorbic acid into the same region. Rotational behavior was determined at 2, 4, 6 and 8weeks after injection or implantation in all groups. Neuronal differentiation markers, oxidative stress- and apoptosis-related indicators were detected at 8weeks post-grafting. KEY FINDINGS: OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 increased the viability of PC12 cells, inhibited oxidative stress and apoptosis, and these effects could be reversed by pre-treatment of k252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor. The behavioral deficits of PD rat were ameliorated by the transplantation of OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2/VMCs. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that OECs-Nurr1-Ngn2 exhibits substantial neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects against PD via the up-regulation of the neurotrophic factor-TrkB pathway.