Rh(III)-Catalyzed Dual C-H Functionalization and C-O/C-N Annulations of Monoamide Fumarates.

Pyrano[4,3-c]pyridine-diones, which are the key skeleton of bioactive compounds and functional materials, are usually prepared via a multistep synthesis using expensive substrates. This work demonstrates that Rh(III)-catalyzed dual C(sp2)-H functionalization and C-O/C-N annulation of monoamide fumarates can produce pyrano[4,3-c]pyridine-1,5(6H)-diones in high yield (up to 82%) in a single step. The substrates of monoamide fumarates and acetylenes are structurally simple, readily available, and inexpensive. The additive AgSbF6 effectively raised the yields. On account of easier dehydrogenation of OH in the COOH group than NH in the amide group in the reaction, the process first undergoes C-O annulation and then is succeeded by C-N annulation.

Screening and Characterization of Shark-Derived VNARs against SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD Protein.

The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is the major target for antibody therapeutics. Shark-derived variable domains of new antigen receptors (VNARs) are the smallest antibody fragments with flexible paratopes that can recognize protein motifs inaccessible to classical antibodies. This study reported four VNARs binders (JM-2, JM-5, JM-17, and JM-18) isolated from Chiloscyllium plagiosum immunized with SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Biolayer interferometry showed that the VNARs bound to the RBD with an affinity KD ranging from 38.5 to 2720 nM, and their Fc fusions had over ten times improved affinity. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that JM-2-Fc, JM-5-Fc, and JM-18-Fc could form stable complexes with RBD in solution. In addition, five bi-paratopic VNARs, named JM-2-5, JM-2-17, JM-2-18, JM-5-18, and JM-17-18, were constructed by fusing two VNARs targeting distinct RBD epitopes based on epitope grouping results. All these bi-paratopic VNARs except for JM-5-18 showed higher RBD binding affinities than its component VNARs, and their Fc fusions exhibited further enhanced binding affinities, with JM-2-5-Fc, JM-2-17-Fc, JM-2-18-Fc, and JM-5-18-Fc having KD values lower than 1 pM. Among these Fc fusions of bi-paratopic VNARs, JM-2-5-Fc, JM-2-17-Fc, and JM-2-18-Fc could block the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 wildtype, Delta, Omicron, and SARS-CoV, with inhibition rates of 48.9~84.3%. Therefore, these high-affinity VNAR binders showed promise as detectors and therapeutics of COVID-19.

Malignant phyllodes tumors display mesenchymal stem cell features and aldehyde dehydrogenase/disialoganglioside identify their tumor stem cells.

INTRODUCTION: Although breast phyllodes tumors are rare, there is no effective therapy other than surgery. Little is known about their tumor biology. A malignant phyllodes tumor contains heterologous stromal elements, and can transform into rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and osteosarcoma. These versatile properties prompted us to explore their possible relationship to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and to search for the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in phyllodes tumors. METHODS: Paraffin sections of malignant phyllodes tumors were examined for various markers by immunohistochemical staining. Xenografts of human primary phyllodes tumors were established by injecting freshly isolated tumor cells into the mammary fat pad of non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice. To search for CSCs, xenografted tumor cells were sorted into various subpopulations by flow cytometry and examined for their in vitro mammosphere forming capacity, in vivo tumorigenicity in NOD-SCID mice and their ability to undergo differentiation. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of the following 10 markers: CD44, CD29, CD106, CD166, CD105, CD90, disialoganglioside (GD2), CD117, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH), and Oct-4, and 7 clinically relevant markers (CD10, CD34, p53, p63, Ki-67, Bcl-2, vimentin, and Globo H) in all 51 malignant phyllodes tumors examined, albeit to different extents. Four xenografts were successfully established from human primary phyllodes tumors. In vitro, ALDH+ cells sorted from xenografts displayed approximately 10-fold greater mammosphere-forming capacity than ALDH- cells. GD2+ cells showed a 3.9-fold greater capacity than GD2- cells. ALDH+/GD2+cells displayed 12.8-fold greater mammosphere forming ability than ALDH-/GD2- cells. In vivo, the tumor-initiating frequency of ALDH+/GD2+ cells were up to 33-fold higher than that of ALDH+ cells, with as few as 50 ALDH+/GD2+ cells being sufficient for engraftment. Moreover, we provided the first evidence for the induction of ALDH+/GD2+ cells to differentiate into neural cells of various lineages, along with the observation of neural differentiation in clinical specimens and xenografts of malignant phyllodes tumors. ALDH+ or ALDH+/GD2+ cells could also be induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes or chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that malignant phyllodes tumors possessed many characteristics of MSC, and their CSCs were enriched in ALDH+ and ALDH+/GD2+ subpopulations.

Expression of Globo H and SSEA3 in breast cancer stem cells and the involvement of fucosyl transferases 1 and 2 in Globo H synthesis.

We examined the expression in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) of Globo H, a potential tumor-associated antigen for immunotherapy of epithelial cancers including breast cancer. Flow cytometry revealed Globo H expression in 25/41 breast cancer specimens (61.0%). Non-BCSCs from 25/25 and BCSCs from 8/40 (20%) expressed Globo H. We showed the expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 (SSEA3), the pentasaccharide precursor of Globo H, in 31/40 (77.5%) tumors. Non-BCSCs from 29/40 [corrected] and BCSCs from 25/40 (62.5%) expressed SSEA3. Like Globo H, SSEA3 expression in normal tissues was predominately at the secretory borders of epithelium, where access to the immune system is restricted. Immunization of mice with Globo H-KLH and alpha-GalCer induced antibodies reactive with Globo H and SSEA3, suggesting that a Globo H-based vaccine will target tumor cells expressing Globo H or SSEA3. We next sought to reduce Globo H expression by siRNA targeting fucosyltransferase (FUT) 1 and 2, which mediate alpha-1,2 linkage of fucose to SSEA3 to generate Globo H. We showed both genes to be involved in the biosynthesis of Globo H. Moreover, FUT2 expression in BCSCs was significantly lower than in non-BCSCs harvested from a primary human breast cancer in NOD/SCID mouse, whereas FUT1 was slightly lower in BCSCs. Thus, the lower expression of Globo H in BCSCs may be attributed to less FUT2/FUT1, and to reduced SSEA3 in BCSCs compared with non-BCSCs. Our findings provide insight into further development of a Globo H-based vaccine and FUT1/FUT2-targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Hepatoprotective effects of Solanum nigrum Linn extract against CCl(4)-induced oxidative damage in rats.

Solanum nigrum L. (SN) is an herbal plant that has been used as hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation agent in Chinese medicine. In this study, the protective effects of water extract of SN (SNE) against liver damage were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally fed with SNE (0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g kg(-1) bw) along with administration of CCl4 (20% CCl4/corn oil; 0.5 mL kg(-1) bw) for 6 weeks. The results showed that the treatment of SNE significantly lowered the CCl4-induced serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (GOT, GPT, ALP, and total bilirubin), superoxide and hydroxyl radical. The hepatic content of GSH, and activities and expressions of SOD, GST Al, and GST Mu that were reduced by CCl4 were brought back to control levels by the supplement of SNE. Liver histopathology showed that SNE reduced the incidence of liver lesions including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, lymphocytes infiltration, hepatic necrosis, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by CCl4 in rats. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that SNE could protect liver against the CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.

The establishment of a mechanobiology model of bone and functional adaptation in response to mechanical loading.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical stimuli affected bone adaptation, however, the mechanism on a dose-response relationship between mechanical stimuli and bone response is unclear. Therefore, we established a mechanobiology model to evaluated the adaptive response of bone to strain deformation at high-frequencies (5-15 Hz) of externally applied strain. METHODS: The ulnae of adult female rats were subjected to dynamic axial loading in vivo using Instron materials-testing machine. The applied loading at frequencies of 5 Hz, 10 Hz, and 15 Hz for 10 min with a haversine, low-magnitude waveform for a 2 weeks period, the peak strains is 2000 muepsilon and 3000 muepsilon. Strain was recorded using strain gauge conditioner and compared to physiological values obtained after testing. FINDINGS: At frequencies of 10 Hz, 15 Hz groups, loading promoted obviously secreted of osteocalcin and collagen; a relative benefit in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was found compare to the control (P < 0.05) followed the decline of material mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, ultimate stress) (P < 0.01). INTERPRETATION: These data show that a mechanobiology model of the axial ulna loading technique had been established successfully in rat. A short daily period of low-magnitude, high-frequency mechanical stimuli results in an osteogenic response related to peak strain magnitude, which do not result in significant differences in mechanical properties between the groups.

Short and long-term impact of lipectomy on expression profile of hepatic anabolic genes in rats: a high fat and high cholesterol diet-induced obese model.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the molecular basis of the short and long-term effects of an immediate shortage of energy storage caused by lipectomy on expression profile of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in high fat and high cholesterol diet-induced obese rats. METHODS: The hepatic mRNA levels of enzymes, regulator and transcription factors involved in glucose and lipid metabolism were analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) ten days and eight weeks after lipectomy in obese rats. Body and liver weights and serum biochemical parameters, adiponectin, leptin and insulin were determined. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed on the food intake between the lipectomized and sham-operated groups during the experimental period. Ten days after the operation, the lipectomized animals showed significant higher triacylglycerol, glucose and insulin levels, a lower adiponectin concentration than the sham-operated rats, along with significant higher hepatic mRNA levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and the enzymes involved in lipogenesis, sterol biosynthesis and gluconeogenesis. The results of immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis also confirmed increased levels of lipogenic enzymes in the liver of lipectomized versus sham-operated animals. The lipectomized group had a significantly lower adiponectin/leptin ratio that was positively correlated to the level of LDL (r = 0.823, P<0.05) and negatively to glucose and insulin (r = -0.821 and -0.892 respectively, P<0.05). Eight weeks after the operation, the lipectomized animals revealed significant higher body and liver weights, weight gain, liver to body weight ratio, hepatic triacylglycerol and serum insulin level. CONCLUSIONS: In response to lipectomy a short term enhancement of the expression of hepatic anabolic genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism was triggered that might eventually lead to the final extra weight gain. These metabolic changes could be the results of reduced circulating adiponectin that further influences the functions of insulin and hepatic HNF4α.

Globo-H ceramide shed from cancer cells triggers translin-associated factor X-dependent angiogenesis.

Tumor angiogenesis is a critical element of cancer progression, and strategies for its selective blockade are still sought. Here, we examine the angiogenic effects of Globo-H ceramide (GHCer), the most prevalent glycolipid in a majority of epithelial cancers and one that acts as an immune checkpoint. Here, we report that GHCer becomes incorporated into endothelial cells through the absorption of microvesicles shed from tumor cells. In endothelial cells, GHCer addition induces migration, tube formation, and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Breast cancer cells expressing high levels of GHCer displayed relatively greater tumorigenicity and angiogenesis compared with cells expressing low levels of Globo-H. Clincally, GHCer(+) breast cancer specimens contained higher vessel density than GHCer(-) breast cancer specimens. Mechanistic investigations linked the angiogenic effects of GHCer to its endocytosis and binding to TRAX, with consequent release of PLCß1 from TRAX to trigger Ca(2+) mobilization. Together, our findings highlight the importance of GHC as a target for cancer therapy by providing new information on its key role in tumor angiogenesis.