Introduction of the CIITA gene into tumor cells produces exosomes with enhanced anti-tumor effects

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted from various types of cells. Tumor-derived exosomes contain MHC class I molecules and tumor-specific antigens, receiving attention as a potential cancer vaccine. For induction of efficient anti-tumor immunity, CD4+ helper T cells are required, which recognize appropriate MHC class II-peptide complexes. In this study, we have established an MHC class II molecule-expressing B16F1 murine melanoma cell line (B16F1- CIITA) by transduction of the CIITA (Class II transactivator) gene. Exosomes from B16-CII cells (CIITA- Exo) contained a high amount of MHC class II as well as a tumor antigen TRP2. When loaded on dendritic cells (DCs), CIITA-Exo induced the increased expression of MHC class II molecules and CD86 than the exosomes from the parental cells (Exo). In vitro assays using co-culture of immunized splenocytes and exosome-loaded DCs demonstrated that CIITA-Exo enhanced the splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion. Consistently, compared to B16-Exo, CIITA-Exo induced the increased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, chemokine receptor CCR7 and the production of Th1-polarizing cytokine IL-12. A tumor preventive model showed that CIITA-Exo significantly inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Ex vivo assays using immunized mice demonstrated that CIITA-Exo induced a higher amount of Th1-polarized immune responses such as Th1-type IgG2a antibodies and IFN-γ cytokine as well as TRP2-specific CD8+ T cells. A tumor therapeutic model delayed effects of tumor growth by CIITA-Exo. These findings indicate that CIITA-Exo are more efficient as compared to parental Exo to induce anti-tumor immune responses, suggesting a potential role of MHC class II-containing tumor exosomes as an efficient cancer vaccine.     

Immunological properties of <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co gamma-rays irradiated bothropstoxin-I

We investigated the immunological behavior of BTHX-1, before and after irradiation. SDS-PAGE showed that BTHX-1 irradiated in the presence of NaNO₃, had its structure preserved. Animals’ plasma immunized with native BTHX-1 had high IgG1 titers. The irradiated protein induced high titers of IgG2b. When the toxin was irradiated with t-butanol, there was a slight decrease in the production of IgG2b. Real-time PCR showed that both the IL-2 as for IL4 was more expression from the cells of the animals immunized with BTHX-1 irradiated. These results indicate that irradiation of proteins leads to significant structural modifications.     

Comparison of bacteriolytic activity of human interleukin-2 and chicken egg lysozyme on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> cells

The article continues studies of the recently discovered bacteriolytic activity of interleukin-2. It was detected earlier that interleukin (IL-2) possesses greater substrate specificity in comparison with chicken egg lysozyme. IL-2 disrupted the cell wall of Escherichia coli but did not lyse lysozyme substrates such as the cell walls of Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis. In the present study it is demonstrated for the first time that both IL-2 and chicken egg lysozyme are capable of lysing Lactobacillus plantarum. The effects of IL-2 and chicken egg lysozyme on Lactobacillus plantarum are compared with those on Escherichia coli. The dependences of the rate of lysis on the concentration of bacteriolytic factors and pH are studied.     

Study of variation in thermophysical properties of RE<Subscript>6</Subscript>UO<Subscript>12</Subscript>(s) along the lanthanide series

The novel ligand N,N,N′′′′,N′′′′-tetrabutyl-N′′′,N′′′-(N″,N″-diethyl)-ethidene bisdiglycolamide (TBEE-BisDGA) and other eight analogous extractants have been synthesized and characterized by NMR and HRMS. The solvent extraction of Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and Eu³⁺ from nitric acid solution using the above BisDGA extractants was investigated in 1-dodecanol at 30 ± 1 °C. The extractants exhibited higher affinity toward Th⁴⁺ than UO₂ ²⁺ and Eu³⁺ in the present system. The maximum value of separation factor SF _Th(IV)/U(VI) and SF _{Th(IV)/Eu(III)} is 78.5 and 53.3 respectively for TBEE-BisDGA, 88.1 and 69.5 respectively in the case of TB ^i-PE-BisDGA at 3 M HNO₃ solution.     

Obesity aggravates the joint inflammation in a collagen-induced arthritis model through deviation to Th17 differentiation

White fat cells secrete adipokines that induce inflammation and obesity has been reported to be characterized by high serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototype of inflammatory arthritis, but the relationship between RA and obesity is controversial. We made an obese inflammatory arthritis model: obese collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). C57BL/6 mice were fed a 60-kcal high fat diet (HFD) from the age of 4 weeks and they were immunized twice with type II collagen (CII). After immunization, the obese CIA mice showed higher arthritis index scores and histology scores and a more increased incidence of developing arthritis than did the lean CIA mice. After treatment with CII, mixed lymphocyte reaction also showed CII-specific response more intensely in the obese CIA mice than lean CIA. The anti-CII IgG and anti-CII IgG2a levels in the sera of the obese CIA mice were higher than those of the lean CIA mice. The number of Th17 cells was higher and the IL-17 mRNA expression of the splenocytes in the obese CIA mice was higher than that of the lean CIA mice. Obese CIA mice also showed high IL-17 expression on synovium in immunohistochemistry. Although obesity may not play a pathogenic role in initiating arthritis, it could play an important role in amplifying the inflammation of arthritis through the Th1/Th17 response. The obese CIA murine model will be an important tool when we investigate the effect of several therapeutic target molecules to treat RA.     

IL-12-STAT4-IFN-�� axis is a key downstream pathway in the development of IL-13-mediated asthma phenotypes in a Th2 type asthma model

IL-4 and IL-13 are closely related cytokines that are produced by Th2 cells. However, IL-4 and IL-13 have different effects on the development of asthma phenotypes. Here, we evaluated downstream molecular mechanisms involved in the development of Th2 type asthma phenotypes. A murine model of Th2 asthma was used that involved intraperitoneal sensitization with an allergen (ovalbumin) plus alum and then challenge with ovalbumin alone. Asthma phenotypes, including airway-hyperresponsiveness (AHR), lung inflammation, and immunologic parameters were evaluated after allergen challenge in mice deficient in candidate genes. The present study showed that methacholine AHR and lung inflammation developed in allergen-challenged IL-4-deficient mice but not in allergen-challenged IL-13-deficient mice. In addition, the production of OVA-specific IgG2a and IFN-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 was also impaired in the absence of IL-13, but not of IL-4. Lung-targeted IFN-γ over-expression in the airways enhanced methacholine AHR and non-eosinophilic inflammation; in addition, these asthma phenotypes were impaired in allergen-challenged IFN-γ-deficient mice. Moreover, AHR, non-eosinophilic inflammation, and IFN-γ expression were impaired in allergen-challenged IL-12Rβ2- and STAT4-deficient mice; however, AHR and non-eosinophilic inflammation were not impaired in allergen-challenged IL-4Rα-deficient mice, and these phenomena were accompanied by the enhanced expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ. The present data suggest that IL-13-mediated asthma phenotypes, such as AHR and non-eosinophilic inflammation, in the Th2 type asthma are dependent on the IL-12-STAT4-IFN-γ axis, and that these asthma phenotypes are independent of IL-4Ralpha-mediated signaling.     

Radiolabeling of gemifloxacin with technetium-99m and biological evaluation in artificially <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus pneumoniae</Emphasis> infected rats

In the current investigation complexation of the gemifloxacin (GIN) with technetium-99 m (^99mTc) and its biological evaluation in artificially Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) infected rats was assessed as potential S. pneumoniae infection radiotracer. Radiochemically the ^99mTc-GIN complex was further analyzed in terms of stability in saline, in vitro stability in serum at 37 °C, in vitro binding with S. pneumoniae and biodistribution in artificially S. pneumoniae (living and heat killed) infected rats. The complex was found 97.25 ± 0.25% radiochemically stable in saline at 30 min after reconstitution. The stability of the ^99mTc-GIN complex was decreased to 90.50 ± 0.20% within 240 min after reconstitution. In serum the ^99mTc-GIN complex showed stable profile with the appearance of 18.85% free tracer within 16 h of incubation. The ^99mTc-GIN complex showed saturated in vitro binding with S. pneumoniae after different intervals. Almost five fold uptake was observed in living S. pneumoniae infected muscle of the rats as compared to the inflamed and normal muscle. No significant difference in the uptake of heat killed S. pneumoniae infected, inflamed and normal muscles of the rats. The high RCP yield in saline, in vitro permanence in serum, in vitro binding with living S. pneumoniae and biodistribution in artificially S. pneumoniae infected rats we recommend the ^99mTc-GIN as potential S. pneumoniae infection radiotracer.     

Comparative study of the lanthanide (Ln) and actinide (An) triflate complexes M(OTf)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

Theoretical studies on the lanthanide and actinide triflate complexes M(OTf) _n where M = La, Ce, Gd, Yb, Lu, Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Bk, and No; n = 3 and 4, are carried out using functional density theory (DFT). The study of An(OTf)₃ complexes showed that the three OTf groups are bidentate, generating a trigonal prism (TP). Two limiting structures of TP are observed; the most distorted is the thorium triflate Th(OTf)₃ and the ideal one is U(OTf)₃. The highest population contribution of 5d orbital compared to 5f orbital in Th–O bond of Th(OTf)₃ explains the distortion. The intramolecular rearrangement of the OTf ligands in Ln(OTf)₃ generates two conformers. In Yb(OTf)₃, the pseudo-eclipsed and the staggered conformations are stable and can be isolated.     

Immune response against antigens irradiated with 60Co gamma-rays

Summary In the present work, we investigated the immunological behavior of bothropstoxin-1, a K49 phospholipase from Bothrops jararacussu, and of ovalbumin before and after irradiation with ⁶⁰Co g-rays. Isogenic mice were immunized with either native or irradiated proteins. The circulating antibodies were isotyped and titrated by ELISA. Results indicate that irradiated proteins were immunogenic and the antibodies elicited by them were able to recognize the native proteins in ELISA. Data also indicate that the irradiated protein induced higher titers of IgG2a and IgG2b, suggesting that Th1 cells were predominantly involved in the immune response. Structural modifications of the proteins were investigated by SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography. According to our data, irradiation promoted structural modifications on both proteins, characterized by higher molecular weight forms (aggregates and oligomers). When analyzed by mass spectrometry, the irradiated bothropstoxin appeared in several oxidized forms. These results indicate that irradiation of toxic proteins can promote significant modifications in their structures, but still retain many of the original antigenic and immunological properties of native form.     

Enhancement of immune response and protection in BALB/c mice immunized with liposomal recombinant major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania (rgp63): The role of bilayer composition

Development of new generation vaccines requires adjuvants to elicit the type and intensity of immune response needed for protection. Liposomes have been shown to be an effective adjuvant formulation. In this study, the role of liposome bilayer composition with different phase transition temperature (T_c) to induce a T helper 1 (Th1) type of immune response and protection against leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice was assessed. Liposome formulations with different bilayer compositions consisting of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC, T_c < 0 °C), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC, T_c 41 °C), or distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC, T_c 54 °C) were prepared. All liposomes were contained rgp63 as a recombinant antigen and used to immunize mice subcutaneously 3 times in 3-week intervals. Evaluation of lesion development and splenic parasite burden after challenge with L. major, evaluation of Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4), and titration of IgG isotypes were carried out to assess the type of generated immune response and extent of protection. The results indicated the generated immune response in mice was influenced by the bilayer composition of liposomes, so that mice immunized with liposomes consisting of EPC induced a Th2 type of immune response while liposome consisting of DPPC or DSPC induced Th1 type of immune response. It seems that liposomes prepared with higher Tm phospholipids are suitable formulation to induce Th1 type of immune response and protection, and so might be used for further investigations to develop an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis.     

Cytotoxicity of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine)

Although poly(p-phenylenediamine) is an electric non-conductor, it exhibits, analogously to conducting polymers, redox activity and could, therefore, find applications in biomedicine. In the current work, the cytotoxicity of poly(p-phenylenediamine) polymer powder produced by the chemical oxidation of p-phenylenediamine with ammonium peroxydisulfate in acidic aqueous media has been studied. Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts were used for this purpose. Interestingly, the standard methods for the determination of polymer cytotoxicity based on international standard EN ISO 10993-5 could not be applied. The reason was the interaction of polymer extracts with MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. On the basis of the evaluation of flow cytometry and micrographs taken by fluorescence microscopy on cells treated with extracts of poly(p-phenylenediamine), it can be concluded that the powder polymer possesses severe cytotoxicity. The results suggest that practical application of the polymer within biomedicine is, at the current state of knowledge, difficult, and modification of the preparation techniques and/or subsequent purification of poly(p-phenylenediamine) is needed.     

Regioselectivity in the reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(polychloroethylidene)-sulfonamides with 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrole and 1-methyl-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrole

N-(2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene)arenesulfonamides react with 1H-pyrrole and 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole to give the corresponding N-[2,2,2-trichloro-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethyl]arenesulfonamides. The reaction of N-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide with pyrrole leads to a mixture of 2-mono-and 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles, whereas in the reaction with 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole only the 2-substituted compound is formed. N-(2,2-Dichloro-2-phenylethylidene)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide reacts with 1H-pyrrole to form N-[2,2-dichloro-2-phenyl-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide, and its reaction with 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole gives a mixture of 2-and 3-monosubstituted derivatives. The results of quantum-chemical calculations of the initial reactants and products indicate that the process is orbital-controlled. A good agreement is observed between the experimental data and theoretical conclusions concerning the dependence of the reaction regioselectivity on the nature of substituents in the electrophile molecule.     

Nitrosative Stress Response in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae</Emphasis>: Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, poses serious threats to humans worldwide. V. cholerae faces host inflammatory response and encounters nitrosative stress before establishing successful colonization. It is not clear how V. cholerae combats nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen species. In the present study, we used three clinical strains of V. cholerae and tested their nitrosative stress response pattern towards sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Among them, V. cholerae, belonging to both O1 and O139 serotypes, showed moderate resistance to SNP and GSNO. However, a V. cholerae strain belonging to non O1 and non O139 showed sensitivity to SNP but resistance towards GSNO. Reduced glutathione and glutathione reductase play a significant role to combat nitrosative stress in V. cholerae. This is the first report where we show the presence of GSNO reductase activity in V. cholerae and that it plays an important role to detoxify S-Nitrosoglutathione. GSNO reductase activity of V. cholerae was regulated by posttranslational modification through S-nitrosylation under in vitro conditions which could be reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, we show that biofilm formation remained unaffected under nitrosative stress in V. cholerae.     

Synthesis of oxo derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolysulfonyl)hexahydrocycloalka[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indoles

Hydroxymercuration-demercuration of N-p-tolysulfonyl-4,4a,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-carbazoles and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles leads to the formation of the corresponding N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-2-ols and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indol-2-ols. The latter are oxidized to 2-oxo derivatives with potassium dichromate. The oxidation of 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-ol under analogous conditions gives 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolysulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-one.     

Synergistic effect of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl phosphate (TBP) or tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) with didodecylphosphoric acid (HDDPA) on extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions

Importance of removal of radioactive elements from wastewater was the motivation behind this work. Synergistic solvent extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions from perchlorate solution using didodecylphosphoric acid (HDDPA) incorporated with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) or tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as a synergists have been studied for the first time. The effects of HDDPA concentration, synergist’s concentration, pH values and temperature on the extraction process have been studied. The thermodynamic parameters of the extraction process for these ions were calculated. It was found that the synergistic contribution of TOPO is higher than TBP in the extraction of Th(IV) and U(VI).     

Reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(Polychloroethylidene)arene-and - trifluoromethanesulfonamides with indoles

N-(Polychloroethylidene)arene-and -trifluoromethanesulfonamides reacted with indole and N-substituted indoles to give the corresponding N-[2,2-dichloro(or 2,2,2-trichloro)-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-substituted sulfonamides. Unlike N-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide, less electrophilic N-(poly-chloroethylidene)arenesulfonamides failed to react with 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-indole. Previously unknown N,N’-bis(2,2-dichloroethylidene)biphenyl-4,4’-disulfonamide reacted with 1-benzyl-1H-indole at both azomethine fragments. Likewise, reactions of 1,6-bis(1H-indol-1-yl)hexane and 1,4-bis(1H-indol-1-ylmethyl)-benzene with N-sulfonyl trichloroacetaldehyde imines involved both indole rings in the former.     

Crystal structure of KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>5</Subscript> and KPb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Br<Subscript>5</Subscript>

The KPb₂Cl₅ and KPb₂Br₅ crystals are monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a microtwinned structure. X-ray analysis of chloride resulted in the parameters a = 8.854(2) Å, b = 7.927(2) Å, c = 12.485(3) Å; β = 90.05(3)°, d_calc = 4.78(1) g/cm³ (STOE STADI4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 80°), R₁ = 0.0702 for 4094 F ≥ 4 σ(F) reflections. For bromide, a = 9.256(2) Å, b = 8.365(2) Å, c = 13.025(3) Å; β = 90.00(3)°, d_calc = 5.62(1) g/cm³ (Bruker P4, MoK_α, 2θ_max = 70°), R₁ = 0.0692 for 3076 F ≥ 4 (F) reflections.     

Synthesis of 2-(halomethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrido[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>][1,3]oxazinium halides

Alkylation of pyridin-2(1H)-one and 5-nitropyridin-2(1H)-one with 4-bromobut-1-ene afforded a mixture of N- and O-butenyl derivatives. 1-(But-3-en-1yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one and 1-(but-3-en-1-yl)-5-nitropyridin- 2(1H)-one reacted with bromine and iodine to give 2-(halomethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]-oxazinium halides.     

Cyclization of trifluoro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)methanesulfonamides to <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazoles

Three-component heterocyclizations of trifluoro-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)methanesulfonamide, trifluoro-N-pheny-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)methanesulfonamide, and trifluoro-N,N-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)methanesulfonamide with formaldehyde and sodium azide afforded N-{[2-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl}-, N-{[2-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl}-N-phenyl-, and N,N-bis{[2-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl}trifluoromethanesulfonamides as the major products together with minor 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole isomers.     

Polarization of protective immunity induced by replication-incompetent adenovirus expressing glycoproteins of pseudorabies virus

Replication-incompetent adenoviruses expressing three major glycoproteins (gB, gC, and gD) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) were constructed and used to examine the ability of these glycoproteins to induce protective immunity against a lethal challenge. Among three constructs, recombinant adenovirus expressing gB (rAd-gB) was found to induce the most potent immunity biased to Th1-type, as determined by the IgG isotype ratio and the profile of the Th1/Th2 cytokine production. Conversely, the gC-expressing adenovirus (rAd-gC) revealed Th2-type immunity and the gD-expressing adenovirus (rAd-gD) induced lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 production than other constructs, except IL-2 production. Mucosal delivery of rAd-gB induced mucosal IgA and serum IgG responses and biased toward Th2-type immune responses. However, these effects were not observed in response to systemic delivery of rAd-gB. In addition, rAd-gB appeared to induce effective protective immunity against a virulent viral infection, regardless of whether it was administered via the muscular or systemic route. These results suggest that administration of replication-incompetent adenoviruses can induce different types of immunity depending on the expressed antigen and that recombinant adenoviruses expressing gB induced the most potent Th1-biased humoral and cellular immunity and provided effective protection against PrV infection.