In vivo NADH fluorescence monitoring as an assay for cellular damage in photodynamic therapy.

In this study the endogenous fluorescence signal attributed to reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) has been measured in response to photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced damage. Measurements on cells in vitro have shown that NADH fluorescence decreased relative to that of controls after treatment with a toxic dose of PDT, as measured within 30 min after treatment. Similarly, assays of cell viability indicated that mitochondrial function was reduced immediately after treatment in proportion to the dose delivered, and the proportion of this dose response did not degrade further over 24 h. Measurements in vivo were used to monitor the fluorescence emission spectrum and the excited state lifetime of NADH in PDT-treated tissue. The NADH signal was defined as the ratio of the integrated fluorescence intensity of the 450 +/- 25 nm emission band relative to the fluorescence intensity integrated over the entire 400-600 nm range of collection. Measurements in murine muscle tissue indicated a 22% reduction in the fluorescence signal immediately after treatment with verteporfin-based PDT, using a dose of 2 mg/kg injected 15 min before a 48 J/cm2 light dose at 690 nm. Control animals without photosensitizer injection had no significant change in the fluorescence signal from laser irradiation at the same doses. This signal was monotonically correlated to the deposited dose used here and could provide a direct dosimetric measure of PDT-induced cellular death in the tissue being treated.     

In vivo ligation of glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor enhances the T-cell immunity to herpes simplex virus type 1

GITR (glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor) is a recently identified member of the TNF receptor superfamily. The receptor is preferentially expressed on CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells and GITR signals break the suppressive activity of the subset. In this study, we wanted to reveal the in vivo function of GITR in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. A single injection of anti-GITR mAb (DTA-1) immediately after viral infection significantly increased the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells expressing CD25, an activation surface marker, and secreting IFN-gamma. We confirmed these in vivo observations by showing ex vivo that re-stimulation of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells with a CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell-specific HSV-1 peptide, respectively, induced a significant elevation in cell proliferation and in IFN-gamma secretion. Our results indicate that GITR signals play a critical role in the T-cell immunity to HSV-1.     

In silico models for the human alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The neuronal alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is one of the most widely expressed nAChR subtypes in the brain. Its subunits have high sequence identity (54 and 46% for alpha4 and beta2, respectively) with alpha and beta subunits in Torpedo nAChR. Using the known structure of the Torpedo nAChR as a template, the closed-channel structure of the alpha4beta2 nAChR was constructed through homology modeling. Normal-mode analysis was performed on this closed structure and the resulting lowest frequency mode was applied to it for a "twist-to-open" motion, which increased the minimum pore radius from 2.7 to 3.4 A and generated an open-channel model. Nicotine could bind to the predicted agonist binding sites in the open-channel model but not in the closed one. Both models were subsequently equilibrated in a ternary lipid mixture via extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Over the course of 11 ns MD simulations, the open channel remained open with filled water, but the closed channel showed a much lower water density at its hydrophobic gate comprised of residues alpha4-V259 and alpha4-L263 and their homologous residues in the beta2 subunits. Brownian dynamics simulations of Na+ permeation through the open channel demonstrated a current-voltage relationship that was consistent with experimental data on the conducting state of alpha4beta2 nAChR. Besides establishment of the well-equilibrated closed- and open-channel alpha4beta2 structural models, the MD simulations on these models provided valuable insights into critical factors that potentially modulate channel gating. Rotation and tilting of TM2 helices led to changes in orientations of pore-lining residue side chains. Without concerted movement, the reorientation of one or two hydrophobic side chains could be enough for channel opening. The closed- and open-channel structures exhibited distinct patterns of electrostatic interactions at the interface of extracellular and transmembrane domains that might regulate the signal propagation of agonist binding to channel opening. A potential prominent role of the beta2 subunit in channel gating was also elucidated in the study.     

Design, synthesis, and characterization of a single-chain peptide antagonist for the relaxin-3 receptor RXFP3

Relaxin-3 is a two-chain disulfide-rich peptide that is the ancestral member of the relaxin peptide family and, together with its G protein-coupled receptor RXFP3, is highly expressed in the brain. Strong evolutionary conservation of relaxin-3 suggests a critical biological function and recent studies have demonstrated modulation of sensory, neuroendocrine, metabolic, and cognitive systems. However, detailed studies of central relaxin-3-RXFP3 signaling have until now been severely hampered by the lack of a readily available high-affinity antagonist for RXFP3. Previous studies have utilized a complex two-chain chimeric relaxin peptide, R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5, in which a truncated relaxin-3 B-chain carrying an additional C-terminal Arg residue was combined with the insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) A-chain. In this study we demonstrate that, by replacing the native Cys in this truncated relaxin-3 B-chain with Ser, a single-chain linear peptide of 23 amino acids that retains high-affinity antagonism for RXFP3 can be achieved. In vivo studies demonstrate that this peptide, R3 B1-22R, antagonized relaxin-3/RXFP3 induced increases in feeding in rats after intracerebroventricular injection. Thus, R3 B1-22R represents an excellent tool for biological studies probing relaxin pharmacology and a lead molecule for the development of synthetically tractable, single-chain RXFP3 modulators for clinical use.     

Synthesis and characterization of bisphenol-A imprinted polymer as a selective recognition receptor

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are currently used to provide selectivity in chemical sensors. In this context, a non-covalent bisphenol-A (BPA)-imprinted polymer using 4-vinylpyridine (4-Vpy) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinker and a low volatile solvent, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TRIGLYME), in combination with a non-reactive linear polymer, poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc), as porogen, was synthesized with a simple polymerization procedure. Batch rebinding experiments were carried out to evaluate the binding and selectivity properties of the BPA-MIP. The experimental adsorption isotherms were fitted and a heterogeneous distribution of the binding sites was found. The selectivity of MIP demonstrated higher affinity for target BPA and BPA-analogues over other common water pollutants. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model so that the specific adsorption in the imprinted cavities by two strong hydrogen bonds could be described as a chemisorption process. The diffusion mechanism was determined by the intra-particle diffusion and Boyd models, both of them revealing that the adsorption was mainly governed by intra-particle diffusion. MIP was shown to be promising for regeneration without significant loss in adsorption capacity.     

A human single-chain antibody specific for integrin alpha3beta1 capable of cell internalization and delivery of antitumor agents

Selective antitumor chemotherapy can be achieved by using antibody-drug conjugates that recognize surface proteins upregulated in cancer cells. One such receptor is integrin alpha3beta1, which is overexpressed on malignant melanoma, prostate carcinoma, and glioma cells. We previously identified a human single-chain Fv antibody (scFv), denoted Pan10, specific for integrin alpha3beta1 that is internalized by human pancreatic cancer cells. Herein, we describe the chemical introduction of reactive thiol groups onto Pan10, the specific conjugation of the modified scFv to maleimide-derivatized analogs of the potent cytotoxic agent duocarmycin SA, and the properties of the resultant conjugates. Our findings provide evidence that Pan10-drug conjugates maintain the internalizing capacity of the parent scFv and are cytotoxic at nanomolar concentrations. Our Pan10-drug conjugates may be promising candidates for targeted chemotherapy of malignant diseases associated with overexpression of integrin alpha3beta1.     

还原氧化石墨烯包覆MOF衍生In2Se3用于钠离子电池负极(英文)

MOF衍生金属硒化物由于其有序的碳骨架结构和高导电性,被认为是钠离子电池极具前景的负极材料。它们具有快速的电子/离子输运通道,有利于钠离子的嵌入和脱出。然而,循环过程中的大量体积膨胀会导致结构坍塌。为了解决这个问题,通过表面改性在MOF衍生金属硒化物表面引入了一个二维的还原氧化石墨烯网络,既可以缓解体积变化,又能加速电子转移。实验证实这种策略是有效的,在1 A·g^-1下500次循环后,包覆了还原氧化石墨烯的复合材料电极容量保持率提高到了95.2%。相比之下,不含还原氧化石墨烯的容量保留率仅为74.2%。此外,由于还原氧化石墨烯网络和MOF衍生In₂Se₃协同作用,在0.1 A·g^-1下显示出了468 m Ah·g^-1的优越容量。而在相同的电流密度下,未包覆还原氧化石墨烯的只产生393 m Ah·g^-1的比容量。采用循环伏安法(CV)研究了In₂Se₃@C/rGO电极的电化学过程,结果表明其具有良好的电化学反应活性...     

In vivo analysis for nitrogen using a252Cf source

A set up forin vivo determination of nitrogen has been built. Phantoms containing different amounts of nitrogen have been measured as well as a volunteer in a pilot study. A total body protein content of 18.8 kg was calculated, to be compared with 17.0 kg estimated from potassium measurements.     

Protein structure prediction and biomolecular recognition: from protein sequence to peptidomimetic design with the human beta3 integrin

Computational tools can bridge the gap between sequence and protein 3D structure based on the notion that information is to be retrieved from the databases and that knowledge-based methods can help in approaching a solution of the protein-folding problem. To this aim our group has implemented neural network-based predictors capable of performing with some success in different tasks, including predictions of the secondary structure of globular and membrane proteins, the topology of membrane proteins and porins and stable alpha-helical segments suited for protein design. Moreover we have developed methods for predicting contact maps in proteins and the probability of finding a cysteine in a disulfide bridge, tools which can contribute to the goal of predicting the 3D structure starting from the sequence (the so called ab initio prediction). All our predictors take advantage of evolution information derived from the structural alignments of homologous (evolutionary related) proteins and taken from the sequence and structure databases. When it is necessary to build models for proteins of unknown spatial structure, which have very little homology with other proteins of known structure, non-standard techniques need to be developed and the tools for protein structure predictions may help in protein modeling. The results of a recent simulation performed in our lab highlights the role of high performing computing technology and of tools of computational biology in protein modeling and peptidomimetic design.     

In vivo characterization of 99mTc-spermine in mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts

The usability of ^99mTc-spermine for human breast tumor imaging was evaluated. Mice bearing MDA-MB-231 breast tumor were used for SPECT imaging and biodistribution study. Tumor was imaged clearly after injection with ^99mTc-spermine. The accumulation of ^99mTc-spermine was much lower in chest region than that of general breast tumor imaging agent ^99mTc-MIBI. It suggests that ^99mTc-spermine is promising for breast cancer imaging.     

Beta ig-h3 promotes renal proximal tubular epithelial cell adhesion, migration and proliferation through the interaction with alpha3beta1 integrin

Betaig-h3 (betaig-h3) is a secretory protein composed of fasciclin I-like repeats containing sequences that allows binding of integrins and glycosaminoglycans in vivo. Expression of betaig-h3 is responsive to TGF-Beta and the protein is found to be associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, implicating betaig-h3 as an ECM adhesive protein of developmental processes. We previously observed predominant expression of betaig-h3 expression in the basement membrane of proximal tubules of kidney. In this study, the physiological relevance of such localized expression of betaig-h3 was examined in the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC). RPTEC constitutively expressed betaig-h3 and the expression was dramatically induced by exogenous TGF-Beta1 treatment. betaig-h3 and its second and fourth FAS1 domain were able to mediate RPTEC adhesion, spreading and migration. Two known alpha3beta1 integrin-interaction motifs including aspartatic acid and isoleucine residues, NKDIL and EPDIM in betaig-h3 were responsible to mediate RPTEC adhesion, spreading, and migration. By using specific antibodies against integrins, we confirmed that alpha3beta1 integrin mediates the adhesion and migration of RPTECs on betaig-h3. In addition, it also enhanced proliferation of RPTECs through NKDIL and EPDIM. These results indicate that betaig-h3 mediates adhesion, spreading, migration and proliferation of RPTECs through the interaction with alpha3beta1 integrin and is intimately involved in the maintenance and the regeneration of renal proximal tubular epithelium.     

In vivo characterization of nonribosomal peptide synthetases NocA and NocB in the biosynthesis of nocardicin A

Two nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), NocA and NocB, together comprising five modules, are essential for the biosynthesis of the D,L,D configured tripeptide backbone of the monocyclic β-lactam nocardicin A. We report a double replacement gene strategy in which point mutations were engineered in the two encoding NRPS genes without disruption of the nocABC operon by placing selective markers in adjacent genes. A series of mutants was constructed to inactivate the thiolation (T) domain of each module and to evaluate an HHxxxDR catalytic motif in NocA and an atypical extended histidine motif in NocB. The loss of nocardicin A production in each of the T domain mutants indicates that all five modules are essential for its biosynthesis. Conversely, production of nocardicin A was not affected by mutation of the NocB histidine motif or the R828G mutation in NocA.     

吴茱萸碱的合成及其结构表征和体内抗肿瘤作用

以色胺和N-甲基靛红酸酐作为起始原料合成了吴茱萸碱;利用元素分析仪、红外光谱仪、核磁共振谱仪、质谱仪等对合成产物进行了结构表征,并研究了其对小鼠移植性肉瘤S180和小鼠肝癌H22的体内抗肿瘤作用.结果表明,所合成的吴茱萸碱在高、中、低剂量(20 mg·kg-1、10 mg·kg-1、5 mg·kg-1)下均对S180和...     

In vivo monitoring of the distribution of a monoclonal antibody fragment

This study demonstrates the potential of in vivo, whole body fluorescence imaging for pharmacokinetic studies. The distribution of a novel human anti-tumour antibody fragment, NovoMab-G2-scFv, labelled with a fluorescent dye (Cy5.5.18) was monitored in vivo. The NovoMab-G2-scFv–Cy5 complex was injected via the tail vein into nude mice bearing subcutaneous human melanoma tumour cells. The distribution of fluorescence NovoMab-G2-scFv–Cy5 was imaged non-invasively using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Whole body fluorescence images were acquired 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-injection. Fluorescence was detected at the tumour site following injection of NovoMab-G2-scFv–Cy5 but not following injection of a labelled irrelevant antibody fragment, demonstrating specific binding of the antibody–dye complex to the tumour. Fluorescence from the tumour site peaked 2 h post-injection and gradually declined, reaching a minimum 72 h post-injection. Fitting an exponential decay to fluorescence data extracted from images allowed the half-time of the antibody at the tumour site to be calculated, and a value of 7.7 h was obtained.Fluorescence was also apparent in the kidneys, indicating clearance of the NovoMab-G2-scFv through the kidneys. Again, fluorescence intensity decreased with time, reaching a minimum 72 h post-injection. Imaging of isolated organs (ex vivo) confirmed the presence of the antibody–dye complex in the tumours, kidneys and liver. No fluorescence was observed in the brain, heart, lungs or spleen, suggesting that these organs do not accumulate the NovoMab-G2-scFv–dye complex.     

Evaluation of N-alkyl derivatives of radioiodinated spiperone as radioligands for in vivo dopamine D2 receptor studies: effects of lipophilicity and receptor affinity on the in vivo biodistribution.

A series of radioiodinated spiperone (2'-ISP) derivatives bearing amide N-alkyl substituents (N-methyl-2'-ISP, N-ethyl-2'-ISP, and N-propyl-2'-ISP) were synthesized and evaluated as potential singlet photon emission computed tomographic radiopharmaceuticals for visualizing dopaminergic receptors. The lipophilicity of these ligands (i.e., the partition coefficient for octanol-phosphate buffer) increased as the chain length increased. Investigation of blood-brain barrier permeability in rats showed a parabolic relationship between the brain uptake index and the partition coefficient. In vitro competitive binding studies showed that the relative affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor was in the order of N-propyl-2'-ISP greater than 2'-ISP greater than N-methyl-2'-ISP approximately N-ethyl-2'-ISP. In vivo biodistribution studies showed that the initial brain uptake correlated fairly well with the brain uptake index and that the kinetics of the radioactivity specifically bound to the striatum were strongly influenced by the dopamine receptor binding affinity of the compounds. Thus, the in vivo behavior of these N-alkylated 2'-ISP derivatives involved a complex interplay between receptor affinity, lipophilicity, and blood-brain barrier permeability.     

Design and characterization of 3-azidothalidomide as a selective hydrogen sulfide probe

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been recently recognized as an important signaling molecule in biological systems. Herein, we report the development of a fluorescence turn-on probe based on the structure of pomalidomide, a FDA approved drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Various characterizations demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity of this probe toward H₂S. Furthermore, the application of this probe to detect H₂S in living cells was confirmed by flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclic P3HT as a donor polymer for organic solar cells

In this study, cyclic poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (c‐P3HT) with a controlled M_n was synthesized by the intramolecular cyclization of α‐bromo‐ω‐ethynyl‐functionalized P3HT via the Sonogashira coupling reaction. The effect of the cyclic structure, which does not have terminal groups of polymers, on the photoelectric conversion characteristics was investigated in comparison to linear P3HT (l‐P3HT). c‐P3HT was successfully synthesized with M_n ≈ 17,000, dispersity ≈ 1.2, and regioregularity ≈ 99%. The hole mobility was determined to be 5.1 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 by time‐of‐flight (TOF) experiment. This was comparable to that of l‐P3HT of 5.6 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Organic solar cell systems were fabricated with each polymer by blending them with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM). The l‐P3HT:PC₇₁BM system showed a dispersive TOF photocurrent profile for electron transport, whereas a nondispersive profile was observed for c‐P3HT:PC₇₁BM. In addition, an amount of collected electrons in c‐P3HT:PC₇₁BM was greater than that in l‐P3HT:PC₇₁BM for TOF experiments. The photoelectric conversion characteristics were improved by using c‐P3HT rather than l‐P3HT (power conversion efficiency [PCE] = 4.05% vs 3.23%), reflecting the nondispersive transport and the improvement of electron collection. PCEs will be much improved by applying this cyclic concept to highly‐efficient OSC polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 266–271