PKM2 promotes lymphatic metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition: an experimental research.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC) have a poor prognosis mainly because of lymphatic metastasis. This research aimed to determine the PKM2 role in lymphatic metastasis in HPC and the underlying molecular mechanism contributing to this phenomenon. METHODS: PKM2 in HPC was studied for its expression and its likelihood of overall survival using TCGA dataset. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and IHC were employed to confirm PKM2 expression. Methods including gain- and loss-of-function were used to examine the PKM2 role in HPC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro and in vivo studies also confirmed lymphatic metastasis's mechanism. RESULTS: Prominent PKM2 overexpression was seen in patients with lymphatic metastasis of HPC, and there was an inherent relationship between a high PKM2 level and poor prognosis. In vitro research showed that knocking down PKM2 decreased tumor cell invasion, migration, and proliferation while promoting apoptosis and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, but overexpressing PKM2 had the reverse effect. Animal studies suggested that PKM2 may facilitate tumor development and lymphatic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PKM2 may be a tumor's promoter gene of lymphatic metastasis, which may promote lymphatic metastasis of HPC by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. PKM2 may be a biomarker of metastatic potential, ultimately providing a basis for exploring new therapeutic targets.

HSP90AA1 promotes lymphatic metastasis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Background: Lymphatic metastasis (LM) emerges as an independent prognostic marker for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSPSCC), chiefly contributing to treatment inefficacy. This study aimed to scrutinize the prognostic relevance of HSP90AA1 and its potential regulatory mechanism of concerning LM in HPSCC. Methods: In a preceding investigation, HSP90AA1, a differential gene, was discovered through transcriptome sequencing of HPSCC tissues, considering both the presence and absence of LM. Validation of HSP90AA1 expression was accomplished via qRT-PCR, western-blotting(WB), and immunohistochemistry(IHC), while its prognostic significance was assessed employing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis(KMSA), log-rank test(LR), and Cox's regression analysis(CRA). Bioinformatics techniques facilitated the prediction and analysis of its plausible mechanisms in LM, further substantiated by in vitro and in vivo experiments utilizing FaDu cell lines. Results: HSP90AA1 is substantially up-regulated in HPSCC with LM and is identified as an independent prognostic risk determinant. The down-regulation of HSP90AA1 can achieve inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Both in vivo experiments and Bioinformatics exploration hint at promoting LM by Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), regulated by HSP90AA1. Conclusions: HSP90AA1, by controlling EMT, can foster LM in HPSCC.This finding sets the foundation for delving into new therapeutic targets for HPSCC.

In situ photoinitiated fabrication of phosphorylcholine-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid monolithic column for mixed-mode capillary electrochromatography.

A monolithic-based mixed-mode stationary phase was prepared for capillary electrochromatography via the fast photoinitiated polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane methacrylate (POSS-MA) monomers in the presence of crosslinker pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA). Several copolymerization parameters, including the composition of monomers or porogens, ratio of crosslinkers to monomers, and polymerization time, were systematically optimized to tune the permeability and efficiency of monolithic columns. The morphologies and structures of the as-prepared monoliths were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, indicating a typical POSS skeleton morphology with numerous mesopores on the monolith. Owing to the incorporation of zwitterionic functional groups and rigid POSS skeleton on the hybrid monolith, the resulting stationary phase exhibited both hydrophilic and electrostatic interactions, as well as good mechanical stability. Pressurized CEC separation of various kinds of polar compounds such as amides, nucleobases, nucleosides and benzoic acids, and polypeptide antibiotics was achieved by mixed-mode retention mechanisms including hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and weak cation exchange chromatography (WCX) with a high column efficiency up to 93 500 plates per m (thiourea).

Alginate-zinc (II) phthalocyanine conjugates: Synthesis, characterization and tumor-associated macrophages-targeted photodynamic therapy.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) has dual-selectivity and hence is promising in cancer treatment. Since the scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) on TAMs can recognize polyanions, two molecular-weight sodium alginates (SA1, 41.2 kDa; SA2, 1231.5 kDa) were herein respectively conjugated with 1-[4-(2-aminoethyl) phenoxy] zinc (II) phthalocyanine (1) and two novel conjugates were obtained, characterized and evaluated for their TAMs-targeted PDT efficacy. The SA introduction makes 1 water-soluble, less aggregated and capable of emitting considerable fluorescence in water. Compared with 1, both conjugates, especially 1-SA1, can give higher selectivity and photocytotoxicity to SR-A-positive macrophages J774A.1 than SR-A-negative HepG2 cells. The in vivo biodistribution evaluation shows both conjugates can selectively accumulate at the tumor site and 1-SA1 owns higher tumor accumulation. 1-SA1 can achieve an 87 % tumor inhibition rate without observable systemic toxicity. These results reveal the great potential of SA as a carrier for conjugating anti-tumor drugs and 1-SA1 for TAMs-targeted PDT.

Carboxymethyl chitosan-zinc(II) phthalocyanine conjugates: Synthesis, characterization and photodynamic antifungal therapy.

Photodynamic antifungal therapy is a promising treatment for increasing drug-resistant fungi. However, low physiological solubility and low fungi-affinity of most potential photosensitizers limits their therapeutic efficacy. To improve the water-solubility and photodynamic antifungal activity of zinc(II) phthalocyanine, two molecular-weight carboxymethyl chitosans (CMC1,50 kDa; CMC2,170 kDa) were herein respectively conjugated with 1-[4-(2-aminoethyl)phenoxy] zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPcN) and further quaternized, and eight novel conjugates were obtained and characterized. Their photophysical and photochemical properties, cellular uptakes and in vitro photodynamic antifungal activities against Candida albicans have also been investigated. All the conjugates are less aggregated in water than ZnPcN. The low-molecular-weight CMC1-conjugated ZnPcN is more readily ingested and highly photoactive. Mainly due to its highest uptake by Candida cells, a conjugate of CMC1 and ZnPcN shows the highest photocytotoxicity with an IC90 value down to 0.72 µM. Further quaternization decreases the photocytotoxicity. Additionally, the conjugates show special affinity to the mitochondria of C. albicans.

Ternary thiol-ene photopolymerization for facile preparation of ionic liquid-functionalized hybrid monolithic columns based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes.

A simple thiol-ene photopolymerization approach was developed for the rapid preparation of ionic liquid-functionalized hybrid monolithic column based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). "One-pot" polymerization was realized in the UV-transparent fused-silica capillary by using octanethiol, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as functional monomers and methacryl-substituted POSS as a crosslinker. The thiol-vinyl-methacrylate ternary system uniquely exhibits a mixed step-chain growth polymerization regime that combining the thiol-ene reaction and free-radical reaction mechanisms, which provides a simple route to prepare novel POSS-based functionalized hybrid monoliths. The pore property, permeability, and electroosmotic flow (EOF) of the hybrid monoliths can be tailored by proper adjustment of the feeding composition and initiation condition. Morphologic and spectroscopic characterizations of monolithic columns clearly indicate that utilization of the photo-initiated approach in thiol-vinyl polymerization can generate a more homogeneous porous structure, smaller domain size and higher column efficiency (53,800-60,300 plates/m for alkylbenzenes) than the thermally-initiated one (32,800-49,300 plates/m). Significant improvements in mechanical stability, anti-swelling property and tailorability of hybrid polymer were achieved in a simple manner, owing to the photopolymerization of rigid nanoscale POSS units and imidazolium-based ionic liquids in ternary thiol-vinyl system for the first time. The resulting hybrid monolith possessed controllable EOFs at pH values from 2 to 10, and showed a multimode separation mechanism in capillary electrochromatography, including π-π interaction, ion exchange, electrophoretic migration, electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction. Satisfactory separation ability was achieved for the analysis of different types of small molecules.

Enhanced sensitivity and resolution for the analysis of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in water using capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection and field-amplified sample injection.

The profiling of the most lethal paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSTs) in freshwater has increased the need to establish an alternative analytical method with high sensitivity and resolution. In this paper, a coupling technique of field-amplified sample injection (FASI) and CE with end-column amperometric detection (CE-AD) was developed to improve the detection sensitivity and separation of PSTs by electrokinetically injecting a water plug of analytes to the capillary filled with a high-conductivity BGE. Parameters affecting FASI and CE process were carefully adjusted to achieve the highest response and resolution. Separation selectivity for PSTs, especially for the analogues and epimers, was greatly enhanced by using 40 mM Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 9.5) as BGE, which altered the EOF and mobility of the analytes that interacted with polyborate ions. Satisfactory linear relationship between peak current and concentration of toxins were gained over a wide range of 1.95-254 µg/L. The detection limits (S/N = 3) for five PSTs ranged from 0.63 to 3.11 µg/L, which are below the health alert level in drinking water. In comparison with the up-to-date reporting chromatographic methods, the FASI-CE-AD method was simple, low-cost, selective, and sensitive enough for direct quantification of PSTs at very low levels, implying a potential for screening and monitoring of PSTs in surface waters.

Field-amplified sample injection in capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection for the ultratrace analysis of diastereomeric ephedrine alkaloids.

A coupling method of field-amplified sample injection (FASI) CE with amperometric detection is developed for ultratrace analysis of ephedrine alkaloids stereoisomers. FASI was introduced by injecting electrokinetically the sample solution for 10 s into the capillary filled with highly conductive background electrolyte (BGE). The diastereomeric selectivity and the detection sensitivity were improved by using borate buffer of high ionic strength as BGE. Parameters affecting FASI and CE separation were investigated to achieve the optimal conditions. Four analytes were separated within 15 min using 200 mmol/L borate buffer (pH 9.5) and separation voltage of +18 kV, with detection potential at +1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and carbon disc electrode as working electrode. Excellent linearity was observed between peak current and concentration of analytes in the range of 0.1-100 ng/mL. The LODs (S/N = 3) for (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, (-)-N-methylephedrine and (+)-N-methylpseudoephedrine were 39.3, 54.9, 30.8, and 44.1 pg/mL, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of alkaloids in Ephedra sinica, with results agreed well with HPLC method. Mean recoveries of 102.1-109.7% and RSDs less than 6% were found. And the merits of high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as a simple and stable operation, have been demonstrated.

Recent progress in development of new sonosensitizers for sonodynamic cancer therapy.

Developing an effective treatment for cancer is still a challenge. Despite great success with traditional cancer therapies, there are numerous disadvantages for conventional treatments such as systemic toxicity, low selectivity, drug resistance and potential long-term side effects. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely applied in clinical settings. However, this approach suffers from the major shortcoming derived from the limited penetrability of visible light. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) utilizing ultrasound combined with a sonosensitizer represents a novel noninvasive approach for cancer therapy, which is deemed to overcome the disadvantage of PDT. In this review, we extensively summarize the recent progress in the discovery of new sonosensitizers for SDT and discuss the future directions for the development of novel sonosensitizers.

Pressurized CEC with amperometric detection using mixed-mode monolithic column for rapid analysis of chlorophenols and phenol.

A simple analysis of chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol) and phenol was accomplished by coupling a pressurized CEC with amperometric detection (AD). Efficient and reproducible separation of these compounds was achieved within 9 min on a capillary monolithic stationary phase bonded with octadecyl ligands and sulfonate groups, where the selectivity and the retention of analytes can be functionally controlled by optimizing experimental variables, including organic modifier content, mobile phase pH, ionic strength, working electrode potential, separation voltage, and supplementary pressure. A mixed-mode retention mechanism consisting of reverse-phase chromatographic partition, electrostatic repulsion, and electrophoresis is considered to play roles in the separation. The use of ACN-based media seems effectual in preventing the unfavorable irreversible adsorption on both wall and electrode, and offer higher sensitivity and less electrode fouling in AD of phenols. The LODs were in the range from 0.02 to 0.2 µg/mL with a wide linear dynamic range of 5000-fold, while the peak area precision ranged from 3.2 to 7.5%. The feasibility of using this method in real analysis was evaluated by recovery estimates and comparative experiment on spiked tap water samples. Good recoveries of 80-110% were achieved. Additionally, a paired t-test was used to correlate the two methods.

[Preparation and identification of OmpW monoclonal antibodies].

AIM: To prepare and characterize the mouse monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio parahaemolyticus OmpW. METHODS: The OmpW amino acid sequence from three diseased Vibrio was analyzed by Bioinformatics. Mice were immunized with r-OmpW which was highly expressed and purified in E.coli. Five Vibrio(Va, Vp, Vh, Vv, Van) were chosen as antigen for mAb selection.The characters of the anti-OmpW monoclonal antibodies were studied by Western blot, Flow Cytometry, indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: OmpW was testified a highly conservative membrane protein.Three clones of anti-OmpW mAb was obtained. The Ig subclass of the mAb secreted from fused cell S5C10 was IgG3, which of the titer was 4.6×10(4);. The mAb could specifically recognize Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio vulnificus, which could not react with Pseudomonas flurosecens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli. CONCLUSION: The mAb could specially recognize five diseased Vibrio, which is a useful tool for the further study of the diagnosis of Vibrio.

Simultaneous analysis of acetaminophen, p-aminophenol and aspirin metabolites by hydrophilic interaction and strong anion exchange capillary liquid chromatography coupled to amperometric detection.

A simple and sensitive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of polar nonsteroidal pharmaceuticals and metabolites, including acetaminophen, p-aminophenol and several aspirin metabolites (salicylic acid, gentisic acid, salicyluric acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid), by capillary liquid chromatography with amperometric detection. Using a capillary monolithic column with mixed mode stationary phases and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and Tris buffer, rapid separation of six polar analytes was achieved within 8 min, and a hydrophilic interaction and strong anion exchange separation mechanism were exhibited. Method detection limits of six analytes ranged from 10 to 50 ng/mL. In terms of precision, the intra- and interday relative standard deviation values in all analytes never exceeded 3.1% for migration time and 8.9% for peak areas, respectively. This method provided a simple, rapid and cost-effective approach for the analysis of polar pharmaceuticals. The applicability of the method in pharmacokinetics was verified by spiking human serum samples with the compounds and analyzing the recoveries.