Streptoglycerides E-H, Unsaturated Polyketides from the Marine-Derived Bacterium Streptomyces specialis and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Four new streptoglycerides E-H (1-4), with a rare 6/5/5/-membered ring system, were isolated from a marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces specialis. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated by detailed analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data and ECD spectra as well as comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in literature. Compounds 1-4 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in Raw 264.7 cells with IC50 values ranging from 3.5 to 10.9 µM. Especially, 2 suppressed mRNA expression levels of iNOS and IL-6 without cytotoxicity.

Nitrogen-Containing Secondary Metabolites from a Deep-Sea Fungus Aspergillus unguis and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Aspergillus is well-known as the second-largest contributor of fungal natural products. Based on NMR guided isolation, three nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, including two new compounds, variotin B (1) and coniosulfide E (2), together with a known compound, unguisin A (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the deep-sea fungus Aspergillus unguis IV17-109. The planar structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by an extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). The absolute configuration of 2 was determined by comparison of its optical rotation value with those of the synthesized analogs. Compound 2 is a rare, naturally occurring substance with an unusual cysteinol moiety. Furthermore, 1 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 20.0 µM. These results revealed that Aspergillus unguis could produce structurally diverse nitrogenous secondary metabolites, which can be used for further studies to find anti-inflammatory leads.

Targeted Induction of Endogenous VDUP1 by Small Activating RNA Inhibits the Growth of Lung Cancer Cells.

Recent studies have reported that small double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism termed RNA activation (RNAa). In the present study, we showed that dsVDUP1-834, a novel small activating RNA (saRNA) targeting promoter of vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) gene, up-regulated expression of VDUP1 at both mRNA and protein levels in A549 lung cancer cells. We also demonstrated that dsVDUP1-834 inhibited cell proliferation in A549 lung cancer cells. Further studies showed that dsVDUP1-834 induced cell-cycle arrest by increasing p27 and p53 and decreasing cyclin A and cyclin B1. In addition, knockdown of VDUP1 abrogated dsVDUP1-834-induced up-regulation of VDUP1 gene expression and related effects. The activation of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 was accompanied by an increase in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) and acetylation of histone 3 (H3ac) and a decrease in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) at the target site of VDUP1 promoter. Moreover, the enrichment of Ago2 was detected at the dsVDUP1-834 target site, and Ago2 knockdown significantly suppressed dsVDUP1-834-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and modulation of cell-cycle regulators. Taken together, the results presented in this report demonstrate that dsVDUP1-834 induces VDUP1 gene expression by epigenetic changes, resulting in cell growth inhibition and cell-cycle arrest. Our results suggest that targeted induction of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.

Inhibition of Skin Inflammation by Scytonemin, an Ultraviolet Sunscreen Pigment.

Scytonemin is a yellow-green ultraviolet sunscreen pigment present in different genera of aquatic and terrestrial blue-green algae, including marine cyanobacteria. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activities of scytonemin were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Topical application of scytonemin inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear swelling in BALB/c mice. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also suppressed by scytonemin treatment in the TPA-treated ear of BALB/c mice. In addition, scytonemin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of TNF-a and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, and the mRNA expressions of TNF-a and iNOS were also suppressed by scytonemin in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that LPS-induced NF-kB activity was significantly suppressed by scytonemin treatment in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results also showed that the degradation of IkBa and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit were blocked by scytonemin in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that scytonemin inhibits skin inflammation by blocking the expression of inflammatory mediators, and the anti-inflammatory effect of scytonemin is mediated, at least in part, by down-regulation of NF-kB activity. Our results also suggest that scytonemin might be used as a multi-function skin care ingredient for UV protection and anti-inflammation.

Lanostane Triterpenes Isolated from Antrodia heteromorpha and Their Inhibitory Effects on RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis.

Two new spiro-lanostane triterpenoids, antrolactones A and B (1 and 2), along with polyporenic acid C (3), were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of Antrodia heteromorpha culture medium, and the chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated by application of NMR, MS, and ECD spectroscopic techniques. All isolated compounds exhibited inhibitory effects on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Agelasine D suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via down-regulation of c-Fos, NFATc1 and NF-κB.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of agelasine D (AD) on osteoclastogenesis. Treatment of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) with receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) resulted in a differentiation of BMMs into osteoclasts as evidenced by generation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive, multinucleated cells and formation of pits in calcium phosphate-coated plates. However, RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis was significantly suppressed by AD treatment. We also confirmed the increased mRNA and protein expression of osteoclastic markers, such as TRAP, cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase-9, during RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and this was down-regulated by AD treatment. Moreover, AD treatment significantly suppressed RANKL-induced mRNA expression of DC-STAMP and OC-STAMP and cell fusion of TRAP-positive mononuclear osteoclast precursors. In addition, AD suppressed RANKL-induced expression of transcription factors, c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), which are important transcription factors involved in differentiation of BMMs into osteoclasts. Furthermore, RANKL-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and activation of NF-κB were also inhibited by AD treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that AD inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by down-regulation of multiple signaling pathways involving c-Fos, NFATc1, NF-κB and ERK. Our results also suggest that AD might be a potential therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D3 upregulated protein 1 deficiency promotes N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D(3) upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a potent tumour suppressor whose expression is dramatically reduced in various types of human cancers, including gastric cancer. However, the precise mechanisms underlying tumour development remain unclear. In the present study, the authors examined the effect of VDUP1 on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis in mice. DESIGN: Gastric cancer was generated in VDUP1 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice using a combination of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea treatment and H pylori infection. Fifty weeks after treatment, gastric tissues from both types of mice were examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. In vitro tests on the human gastric cancer cell line, AGS, were also performed to identify the underlying mechanisms of cancer development. RESULTS: The overall incidence of gastric cancer was significantly higher in VDUP1 KO mice than in wild-type mice. Similarly, VDUP1 KO mice showed more severe chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy, foveolar hyperplasia, metaplasia and dysplasia. Although no differences in the apoptotic index were apparent, lack of VDUP1 increased the rate of gastric epithelial cell proliferation in non-cancerous stomachs, with corresponding increases in tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) level, nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. An in vitro study showed that H pylori-associated cell proliferation and induction of TNFα, NF-κB and COX-2 were inhibited in cells transfected with VDUP1. In addition, overexpression of VDUP1 in AGS cells suppressed TNFα-induced NF-κB activation and COX-2 expression. CONCLUSION: Our data show that VDUP1 negatively regulates H pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis, in part by disrupting cell growth and inhibiting the induction of TNFα, NF-κB and COX-2. These findings provide important insights into the role of VDUP1 in H pylori-associated tumourigenesis.

Protein kinase C stimulates human B cell activating factor gene expression through reactive oxygen species-dependent c-Fos in THP-1 pro-monocytic cells.

BAFF is associated with various immunological diseases. Previously, we have reported that mouse B cell activating factor (mBAFF) expression was dependent on nuclear localization of co-activator, p300 and the activation of transcription factors including NF-κB and CREB. Here, we investigated whether transcription factor, c-Fos, regulates human (h) BAFF expression through promoter activation by PMA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We cloned hBAFF promoter into luciferase-expressing pGL3-basic vector. The activity of 1.0 kb hBAFF promoter was higher than that in 0.75, 0.5 or 0.25 kb hBAFF promoter. The existence of three AP-1 binding motifs was computer-analyzed in hBAFF promoter. The stimulation with PMA and ionomycin (IOM) increased 1.0 kb hBAFF promoter activity, time-dependently. PMA/IOM-stimulation rapidly enhanced c-Fos expression in THP-1 human pro-monocytic cells. Binding of c-Fos to hBAFF promoter was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. hBAFF expression and its promoter activity were decreased by the transfection with small interference (si) RNA of c-Fos. ROS production in THP-1 cells was increased by PMA/IOM-stimulation. In addition, hBAFF activity stimulated by PMA/IOM was reduced by N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a well-known ROS scavenger. Serum starvation (0.5% FBS) producing ROS and the exogenous H(2)O(2) treatment also enhanced hBAFF promoter activity. c-Fos expression and AP-1 binding to oligonucleotide were reduced by the treatment with NAC. H(2)O(2) was not able to induce hBAFF expression in the presence of staurosporine, PKC inhibitor. Data suggest that hBAFF expression could be regulated by promoter activation through c-Fos association, which might be dependent on PMA-induced ROS production.

Protection against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxemia by Terrein Is Mediated by Blocking Interleukin-1ß and Interleukin-6 Production.

Terrein is a fungal metabolite and has been known to exert anti-melanogenesis, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial activities. However, its role in endotoxemia has never been investigated until now. In the present study, we examined the effect of terrein on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia in mice and characterized the potential mechanisms of action. Treatment with terrein increased the survival of mice and decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in an LPS-induced endotoxemia model. In addition, terrein suppressed the LPS-induced production of IL-1ß and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, and the mRNA expression of IL-1ß and IL-6 was also inhibited by terrein in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that terrein blocked LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor (NF)/κB and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was also suppressed by terrein treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that terrein exerts a protective effect again LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice by blocking the production of inflammatory cytokines. Our results also suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of terrein might be mediated, at least in part, by blocking the activation of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

Vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 deficiency accelerates liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver regeneration is a complicated process involving a variety of interacting factors. Vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a potent growth suppressor that, upon over-expression, inhibits tumor cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression. Here, we investigated the function of VDUP1 in liver regeneration following hepatectomy in mice. METHODS: Liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) was compared in VDUP1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice, and the activities of proliferative- and cell-cycle-related signaling pathways were measured. RESULTS: Compared with WT mice, liver recovery was significantly accelerated in VDUP1 KO mice during the first day after PH, in association with increased DNA synthesis. Consistent with this observation, the expression levels of key cell-cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), p21, and p27, were markedly altered in the livers of VDUP1 KO mice. Induction of growth factors and activation of proliferative signaling pathway components including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p70S6 kinase (p70(S6K)), occurred much earlier and to a greater extent in VDUP1 KO mouse livers. In addition, primary hepatocytes isolated from VDUP1 KO mice displayed increased activation of ERK1/2 and Akt in response to HGF and TGF-α. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal an important role for VDUP1 in the regulation of proliferative signaling during liver regeneration. Altered activation of genes involved in ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways may explain the accelerated growth responses seen in VDUP1 KO mice.

DBM1285 suppresses tumor necrosis factor alpha production by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 signaling pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a major inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the development of various inflammatory diseases. TNF-alpha has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we report that cyclopropyl-{4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-piperidin-4-yl-thiazol-5-yl]pyrimidin-2-yl}amine (DBM1285) is a novel inhibitor of TNF-alpha production. DBM1285 concentration-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha secretion in various cells of macrophage/monocyte lineage, including mouse bone marrow macrophages, THP-1 cells, and RAW 264.7 cells. However, LPS-induced mRNA expression of TNF-alpha was not affected by DBM1285 in these cells. Further studies demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of DBM1285 on TNF-alpha production might be mediated by post-transcriptional regulation through the modulation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) signaling pathway. We also confirmed that DBM1285 directly inhibits p38 MAPK enzymatic activity. In vivo administration of DBM1285 inhibited LPS-induced increase in the plasma level of TNF-alpha in mice. Whole-blood in vivo target inhibition assay also revealed that DBM1285 attenuates p38 MAPK activity after oral administration in mice. Moreover, DBM1285 suppressed zymosan-induced inflammation and adjuvant-induced arthritis in murine models. Collectively, these results suggest that DBM1285 inhibits TNF-alpha production, at least in part, by blocking the p38 MAPK/MK2 pathway. Furthermore, in vivo results suggest that DBM1285 might be a possible therapeutic candidate for the treatment of TNF-alpha-related chronic inflammatory diseases.

Glabridin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of a microglial cell line, BV-2, by blocking NF-kappaB and AP-1.

Glabridin, a flavonoid present in licorice root, is known to have antiinflammatory and cardiovascular protective activities. The present study reports an inhibitory effect of glabridin on microglial activation. Glabridin dose-dependently attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta, in BV-2 cells, a murine microglia cell line. Moreover, mRNA expression of these inflammatory mediators was also suppressed by glabridin in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Further study demonstrated that glabridin inhibited LPS-induced DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in BV-2 cells. Collectively, the results presented in this report demonstrate that glabridin inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 cells and this is mediated, at least in part, by blocking NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation. The results suggest that glabridin might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Bisphenol A and its substitutes regulate human B cell survival via Nrf2 expression.

B cells contribute to produce inflammatory cytokines and antibodies, to present autoantigens, and to interact with T cells, which lead to body defense and disease control. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2(Nrf2) is responsible for gene expression of antioxidant enzymes to protect cells from oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species(ROS) production. Bisphenol A(BPA) may not be safe due to the effect on body's physiological functions. The chemicals that substitute for BPA may still have similar effects in the body. Tritan™ copolyester is a novel plastic form using BPA substitutes, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol(CHDM), dimethyl terephthalate(DMT), and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol(TMCD). Isosorbide(ISO) was also used as a substitute for TMCD and DMT. Here, we investigated whether B cell viability is influenced by BPA and its substitutes via Nrf2 induction using WiL2-NS human B lymphoblast cells. When cytotoxicity was measured by using assays with MTT, CellTiter-Glo, trypan blue and propidium iodide, cytotoxicity by BPA was higher than that by substitutes. BPA and its substitutes showed significant cytotoxicity and ROS production, which were attenuated by the treatment with N-acetylcysteine(NAC), a ROS scavenger. In addition, BPA treatment enhanced gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase(HO)-1, catalase, superoxide dismutase(SOD) 1 and 2. As H2O2 treatment induced cell death and Nrf2 amount in WiL2-NS cells, BPA treatment increased Nrf2. Cell death by H2O2 was increased in doxycycline-inducible Nrf2-knockdown(KD) cells. In Cytotoxicity by the treatment with BPA or its substitutes was also enhanced in Nrf2-KD cells but that was reduced by Nrf2 overexpression compared to control cells. Taken together, these results implicate that B cell cytotoxicity by substitutes should be lower than BPA and Nrf2 can prevent B cells from BPA- or BPA substitutes-induced cytotoxicity via ROS production. Data suggest that the comprehensive studies or evaluation could be necessary to replace BPA in manufacture by other substitutes.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor KBH-A42 inhibits cytokine production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and in vivo endotoxemia model.

In light of the anti-inflammatory properties of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and trichostatin A (TSA), we examined a new HDAC inhibitor KBH-A42 for its anti-inflammatory activities. KBH-A42 showed noteworthy anti-inflammatory properties in vitro via suppression of the production of TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine, and nitric oxide (NO), a proinflammatory effector molecule, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. It also inhibited TNF-alpha production in vivo as demonstrated in a LPS-induced mouse endotoxemia model. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and iNOS mRNAs determined by RT-PCR propose that the inhibition of these pro-inflammatory mediators by KBH-A42 resulted from inhibiting expression of these genes. However, the EMSA study to see the effect of KBH-A42 on the binding of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor, to a specific DNA sequence showed that the binding of NF-kappaB to DNA was not changed regardless of increasing the concentration of KBH-A42 in the presence and absence of LPS stimulation. Interestingly, DNA binding of another transcription factor AP-1 dose-dependently increased by KBH-A42. KBH-A42 differentially regulated the phosphorylation of MAP kinases. While the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK was not affected by KBH-A42, the phosphorylation of p38 decreased by KBH-A42. These results showed that KBH-A42 inhibits production of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages by decreasing their mRNA levels, and p38 kinase is involved in the KBH-A42-mediated inhibition.

Testing Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer.

Cell-based immunotherapy for cancer is emerging as an attractive alternative to conventional small-molecule or antibody-based treatment. Due to the characteristics of cell-based therapy, validation of test materials before in vivo administration is required. Here we describe general validation steps for preclinical evaluation of cell-based immunotherapy. We also describe a xenograft model of human colorectal cancer. This model can be used for applied to preclinical evaluation of various cell-based therapy regimens for colorectal cancer treatment.

Equol inhibits nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression through down-regulating the activation of Akt.

In the present study, we report the inhibitory effect of equol on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in murine macrophages. In vivo administration of equol (i.p.) attenuated NO production by peritoneal adherent cells isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice. Equol dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced production of NO in isolated peritoneal adherent cells and RAW 264.7 cells. The mRNA expression of iNOS was also blocked by equol in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that the LPS-induced activation of Akt was suppressed by equol in RAW 264.7 cells while the activation of ERK, SAPK/JNK and p38 MAP kinase was not affected. Equol also blocked LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation. Moreover, the LPS-induced NO production and NF-kappaB activation was inhibited by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that equol might inhibit NO production and iNOS gene expression, at least in part, by blocking Akt activation and subsequent down-regulation of NF-kappaB activity.

Angelan isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai induces dendritic cell maturation through toll-like receptor 4.

During the evolution of neoplastic diseases, dendritic cell (DC) functions are usually attenuated, and this presents a problem to DC-based immunotherapies against cancer. Here, we investigated the effects of angelan, an acidic polysaccharide isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai, on DC maturation. Angelan efficiently increased the maturation of tlr4(+/+) DCs from C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN mice, but not tlr4(-/-) DCs from C3H/HeJ mice. Phenotypic maturation was confirmed by the elevated expressions of CD80, CD86, and MHC-class II molecules, and functional maturation by increased IL-12 production, enhanced allogenic T cell stimulation, and decreased endocytosis. Angelan was found to activate ERK and NF-kappaB, which are signaling molecules down-stream of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) receptors. Angelan-treated mature DC more effectively inhibited B16F10 tumor growth than immature DCs in syngenic murine tumor model. These results indicate that angelan induces DC maturation via TLR4 signaling pathways and suggest the possible use of angelan in DC-based immunotherapies.

Anti-tumor activity of ex vivo expanded cytokine-induced killer cells against human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are ex vivo expanded T cells with natural killer cell phenotypes and functions. In this study, the anti-tumor activity of CIK cells against hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In the presence of anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2 for 14 days, human peripheral blood mononuclear cell population changed to heterogeneous CIK cell population, which comprised 96% CD3(+), 3% CD3( inverted exclamation mark(c))CD56(+), 32% CD3(+)CD56(+), 11% CD4(+), 75% CD8(+), and 30% CD8(+)CD56(+). CIK cells produced significant amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha; however, produced only slight amounts of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5. At an effector-target cell ratio of 30:1, CIK cells destroyed 33% of SNU-354 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was determined by the (51)Cr-release assay. In addition, a dose of 1x10(6) CIK cells per mouse inhibited 60% of SNU-354 tumor growth in irradiated nude mice. This study suggests that CIK cells may be used as an adoptive immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Inhibition of human ovarian tumor growth by cytokine-induced killer cells.

Despite the recent improvement in the treatment of ovarian cancer, this disease is still leading cause of cancer death in women. In this study, the anti-tumor activity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells against human ovarian cancer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Although CD3+CD56+ cells were rare in fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, they could expand more than 1,000-fold on day 14 in the presence of anti-CD3 antibody plus IL-2. At an effector-target cell ratio of 30:1, CIK cells destroyed 45% of SK-OV-3 human ovarian cancer cells, which was determined by the 51Cr-release assay. In addition, CIK cells at a dose of 23 million cells per mouse inhibited 73% of SK-OV-3 tumor growth in nude mouse xenograft assay. This study suggests that CIK cells may be used as an adoptive immunotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer.

Blue light effect on retinal pigment epithelial cells by display devices.

Blue light has high photochemical energy and induces cell apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Due to its phototoxicity, retinal hazard by blue light stimulation has been well demonstrated using high intensity light sources. However, it has not been studied whether blue light in the displays, emitting low intensity light, such as those used in today's smartphones, monitors, and TVs, also causes apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells. We attempted to examine the blue light effect on human adult retinal epithelial cells using display devices with different blue light wavelength ranges, the peaks of which specifically appear at 449 nm, 458 nm, and 470 nm. When blue light was illuminated on A2E-loaded ARPE-19 cells using these displays, the display with a blue light peak at a shorter wavelength resulted in an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the reduction of cell viability and induction of caspase-3/7 activity were more evident in A2E-loaded ARPE-19 cells after illumination by the display with a blue light peak at a shorter wavelength, especially at 449 nm. Additionally, white light was tested to examine the effect of blue light in a mixed color illumination with red and green lights. Consistent with the results obtained using only blue light, white light illuminated by display devices with a blue light peak at a shorter wavelength also triggered increased cell death and apoptosis compared to that illuminated by display devices with a blue light peak at longer wavelength. These results show that even at the low intensity utilized in the display devices, blue light can induce ROS production and apoptosis in retinal cells. Our results also suggest that the blue light hazard of display devices might be highly reduced if the display devices contain less short wavelength blue light.