A triple suicide gene strategy that improves therapeutic effects and incorporates multimodality molecular imaging for monitoring gene functions

Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT), or suicide gene therapy, has shown promise in clinical trials. In this preclinical study using stable cell lines and xenograft tumor models, we show that a triple-suicide-gene GDEPT approach produce enhanced therapeutic efficacy over previous methods. Importantly, all the three genes (thymidine kinase, cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase) function simultaneously as effectors for GDEPT and markers for multimodality molecular imaging (MMI), using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical (fluorescent and bioluminescent) techniques. It was demonstrated that MMI can evaluate the distribution and function/activity of the triple suicide gene. The concomitant expression of these genes significantly enhances prodrug cytotoxicity and radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo.

Identification of NF-κB Inhibitors in Xuebijing injection for sepsis treatment based on bioactivity-integrated UPLC-Q/TOF

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Inflammation plays an important role in sepsis, and NF-κB is a key mediator of inflammation. Xuebijing (XBJ) injection is a traditional Chinese medicine injection that was widely used in the treatment of sepsis in China. However, the active constituents and mechanism responsible for its actions have not been investigated experimentally.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To screen the anti-inflammatory components in XBJ injection and investigate the modulation of NF-κB in the treatment of sepsis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the effect of XBJ was assessed in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) -induced sepsis model. Subsequently, a bioactivity-integrated ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF) assay system was established for screening potential anti-inflammatory ingredients in XBJ. Ultimately, six active ingredients were confirmed through an in vitro test.

RESULTS

XBJ significantly reduced the mortality rate, anal temperature and expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by CLP. Nine potential anti-inflammatory ingredients, including gallic acid, danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, hydroxysafflor yellow A, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, safflor yellow A, senkyunolide I and benzoylpaeoniflorin, were found based on the bioactivity-integrated UPLC-Q/TOF assay system. Among these compounds, the NF-κB inhibitor activity of senkyunolide I, safflor yellow A, oxypaeoniflorin, and benzoylpaeoniflorin are first reported here.

CONCLUSIONS

XBJ showed significant efficacy in the treatment of sepsis induced by CLP. Multiple targets of the different components were related to these anti-inflammatory effects, which contributed to the treatment of sepsis by XBJ in a clinical setting.

Effect of Prepolymerization Time on Morphology and Properties of Epoxy-modified Bismaleimide Foams

Epoxy-modified bismaleimide (BMI) foams were prepared through prepolymerization and foaming. Density-adjustable BMI foams with closed-cell structures were produced. The influence of prepolymerization time on bubble growth and morphology, as well as the compressive and heat resistant properties of the foams, were thoroughly investigated. BMI prepolymerization was an effective method for controlling the bubble growth rate, the bubble size and its distribution, and the foam density. As the prepolymerization time increased, the matrix viscosity, the number of cells per unit volume and the foam density increased, whereas, the bubble growth rate and cell size decreased, and the cell size distribution became narrower. The compressive strength and modulus increased with increasing prepolymerization time. The dimensional stability temperatures of the BMI foams were all above 200°C, as determined by their base materials, and were unaffected by prepolymerization time.

Use of a whole-slide imaging system to assess the presence and alteration of lymphatic vessels in joint sections of arthritic mice

We investigated the presence and alteration of lymphatic vessels in joints of arthritic mice using a whole-slide imaging system. Joints and long bone sections were cut from paraffin blocks of two mouse models of arthritis: meniscal-ligamentous injury (MLI)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) and TNF transgene (TNF-Tg)-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MLI-OA mice were fed a high fat diet to accelerate OA development. TNF-Tg mice were treated with lymphatic growth factor VEGF-C virus to stimulate lymphangiogenesis. Sections were double immunofluorescence stained with anti-podoplanin and alpha-smooth muscle actin antibodies. The area and number of lymphatic capillaries and mature lymphatic vessels were determined using a whole-slide imaging system and its associated software. Lymphatic vessels in joints were distributed in soft tissues mainly around the joint capsule, ligaments, fat pads and muscles. In long bones, enriched lymphatic vessels were present in the periosteal areas adjacent to the blood vessels. Occasionally, lymphatic vessels were observed in the cortical bone. Increased lymphatic capillaries, but decreased mature lymphatic vessels, were detected in both OA and RA joints. VEGF-C treatment increased lymphatic capillary and mature vessel formation in RA joints. Our findings suggest that the lymphatic system may play an important role in arthritis pathogenesis and treatment.

Decrease of renal aquaporins 1-4 is associated with renal function impairment in pediatric congenital hydronephrosis

BACKGROUND

Renal aquaporins (AQP1-4) concentration is downregulated and is in proportion to the degree of hydronephrosis graded by ultrasound in pediatric congenital hydronephrosis (CH). However, the relationship between the expression of AQP1-4 with the changes of renal function impairment (RFI) evaluated by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AQP1-4 expression and degree of RFI in children with CH.

METHODS

The expression of AQP1-4 was evaluated in 45 children with unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (28 boys and 17 girls, average age: 28±10 months) and 15 children undergoing nephrectomy for nephroblastoma (8 boys and 7 girls, average age: 26±8 months) by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Renal function was graded into mild and severe RFI by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging.

RESULTS

One-way analysis of variance with Bonferonni's correction showed a significantly reduced protein expression of AQP1-4 in the severe RFI group compared with those in both mild RFI group and controls (AQP1: 0.52±0.09 vs. 0.91±0.06 vs. 1.23±0.033; AQP2: 0.68±0.12 vs. 1.09±0.06 vs. 1.52±0.08; AQP3: 0.59±0.16 vs. 0.94±0.08 vs. 1.31±0.07; AQP4: 0.64±0.06 vs. 1.14±0.07 vs. 1.61±0.07; P<0.001, respectively). In kidneys with severe RFI, there was a reduction in the protein concentration of all four AQP isoforms which was more pronounced compared with those seen in kidneys with mild RFI and in the controls.

CONCLUSION

AQP1-4 expression is reduced in proportion with the impairment degree of renal function graded by (99m)Tc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging in human CH.