Sandwich ELISA Using a Mouse/Human Chimeric CSLEX-1 Antibody

BACKGROUND

An assay using a mouse antisialyl Lewis X (sLeX) antibody (CSLEX-1) is used clinically for screening and monitoring patients with breast cancer in Japan. However, the IgM isoform of CSLEX-1 is not preferred for the assay because the bulkiness of IgM generally causes poor accessibility to the antigen. To solve this problem, we developed an antisLeX mouse/human chimeric IgG antibody, CH-CSLEX-1, using transgenic silkworms. The performance of a homologous sandwich ELISA of CH-CSLEX1 was then evaluated.

METHODS

To generate CH-CSLEX-1, we used a GAL4/UAS binary gene expression system in transgenic silkworms. The reactivities of CSLEX-1 and CH-CSLEX-1 were determined in a Biacore analysis. To confirm antigen specificity, 3 antigens [sLeX, sLeA, and Lewis Y (LeY)] were used.

RESULTS

CH-CSLEX-1 formed correctly as an IgG class of immunoglobulin molecule with an isoelectric point close to the predicted value. The best combination for capturing and probing in a sandwich ELISA was determined as a homologous combination of CH-CSLEX-1. The CH-CSLEX-1 assay specifically detected sLeX, but not sLeA and LeY. A correlation analysis with 107 human samples showed good concordance between the conventional CSLEX-1 assay (homologous sandwich ELISA using CSLEX-1) and the CH-CSLEX-1 assay (r = 0.98). Moreover, the CH-CSLEX-1 assay was not affected by either human antimouse IgG antibodies (HAMA IgG) or HAMA IgM.

CONCLUSIONS

The mouse/human chimeric antibody CH-CSLEX-1 allowed the establishment of a highly specific sandwich ELISA for sLeX that was not affected by HAMA.

A singly charged ion source for radioactive ¹¹C ion acceleration

A new singly charged ion source using electron impact ionization has been developed to realize an isotope separation on-line system for simultaneous positron emission tomography imaging and heavy-ion cancer therapy using radioactive (11)C ion beams. Low-energy electron beams are used in the electron impact ion source to produce singly charged ions. Ionization efficiency was calculated in order to decide the geometric parameters of the ion source and to determine the required electron emission current for obtaining high ionization efficiency. Based on these considerations, the singly charged ion source was designed and fabricated. In testing, the fabricated ion source was found to have favorable performance as a singly charged ion source.

Early tissue reaction in the tension zone of PDL during orthodontic tooth movement

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to examine the early tissue reaction in the tension zone of periodontal ligament (PDL) during orthodontic tooth movement.

DESIGN

Upper first molars of rats were moved buccally with fixed appliances. The PDL in the tension zone was examined histologically, immunohistochemically and at a molecular level after 24h, 3 days and 7 days.

RESULTS

After 24h of orthodontic force loading, the periodontal space appeared considerably expanded. The periodontal fibers were stretched between the bone and the root. Three days after loading, the expanded periodontal space had slightly narrowed, the periodontal fiber arrangement was relaxed, and the blood vessels did not appear elongated. A considerable layer of osteoid was formed on the bone surface. The total cross-sectional areas of the PDL in experimental groups were significantly larger than control group. The total cross-sectional areas of the blood vessels were not significantly different among the groups. Significantly high expressions of IL-1β and PTX3 were characteristically observed not only in the endothelial cells and cells around the blood vessel, but also in fibroblasts throughout the PDL of the tension zone 24h after orthodontic force loading. Three and 7 days after loading, these showed tendencies to return to control levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that the early reaction in the tension zone of the PDL during tooth movement consists of two phases: first, inflammation and second, rapid recovery and renovation of the PDL with bone formation.

Cryogenic molecular separation system for radioactive (11)C ion acceleration

A (11)C molecular production/separation system (CMPS) has been developed as part of an isotope separation on line system for simultaneous positron emission tomography imaging and heavy-ion cancer therapy using radioactive (11)C ion beams. In the ISOL system, (11)CH4 molecules will be produced by proton irradiation and separated from residual air impurities and impurities produced during the irradiation. The CMPS includes two cryogenic traps to separate specific molecules selectively from impurities by using vapor pressure differences among the molecular species. To investigate the fundamental performance of the CMPS, we performed separation experiments with non-radioactive (12)CH4 gases, which can simulate the chemical characteristics of (11)CH4 gases. We investigated the separation of CH4 molecules from impurities, which will be present as residual gases and are expected to be difficult to separate because the vapor pressure of air molecules is close to that of CH4. We determined the collection/separation efficiencies of the CMPS for various amounts of air impurities and found desirable operating conditions for the CMPS to be used as a molecular separation device in our ISOL system.

Electron string ion sources for carbon ion cancer therapy accelerators

The type of the Electron String Ion Sources (ESIS) is considered to be the appropriate one to produce pulsed C(4+) and C(6+) ion beams for cancer therapy accelerators. In fact, the new test ESIS Krion-6T already now provides more than 10(10) C(4+) ions per pulse and about 5 × 10(9) C(6+) ions per pulse. Such ion sources could be suitable to apply at synchrotrons. It has also been found that Krion-6T can provide more than 10(11) C(6+) ions per second at the 100 Hz repetition rate, and the repetition rate can be increased at the same or larger ion output per second. This makes ESIS applicable at cyclotrons as well. ESIS can be also a suitable type of ion source to produce the (11)C radioactive ion beams. A specialized cryogenic cell was experimentally tested at the Krion-2M ESIS for pulse injection of gaseous species into the electron string. It has been shown in experiments with stable methane that the total conversion efficiency of methane molecules to C(4+) ions reached 5%÷10%. For cancer therapy with simultaneous irradiation and precise dose control (positron emission tomography) by means of (11)C, transporting to the tumor with the primary accelerated (11)C(4+) beam, this efficiency is preliminarily considered to be large enough to produce the (11)C(4+) beam from radioactive methane and to inject this beam into synchrotrons.

A novel dual ex vivo lung perfusion technique improves immediate outcomes in an experimental model of lung transplantation

The lungs are dually perfused by the pulmonary artery and the bronchial arteries. This study aimed to test the feasibility of dual-perfusion techniques with the bronchial artery circulation and pulmonary artery circulation synchronously perfused using ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and evaluate the effects of dual-perfusion on posttransplant lung graft function. Using rat heart-lung blocks, we developed a dual-perfusion EVLP circuit (dual-EVLP), and compared cellular metabolism, expression of inflammatory mediators, and posttransplant graft function in lung allografts maintained with dual-EVLP, standard-EVLP, or cold static preservation. The microvasculature in lung grafts after transplant was objectively evaluated using microcomputed tomography angiography. Lung grafts subjected to dual-EVLP exhibited significantly better lung graft function with reduced proinflammatory profiles and more mitochondrial biogenesis, leading to better posttransplant function and compliance, as compared with standard-EVLP or static cold preservation. Interestingly, lung grafts maintained on dual-EVLP exhibited remarkably increased microvasculature and perfusion as compared with lungs maintained on standard-EVLP. Our results suggest that lung grafts can be perfused and preserved using dual-perfusion EVLP techniques that contribute to better graft function by reducing proinflammatory profiles and activating mitochondrial respiration. Dual-EVLP also yields better posttransplant graft function through increased microvasculature and better perfusion of the lung grafts after transplantation.

Effect of secondary particles on image quality of dynamic flat panels in carbon ion scanning beam treatment

OBJECTIVE

Real-time markerless tumour tracking using radiographic fluoroscopic imaging is one of the better solutions to improving respiratory-gated radiotherapy. However, particle beams cause secondary particles from patients, which could affect radiographs. Here, we evaluated the quality of radiographs during carbon ion pencil beam scanning (CPBS) irradiation for respiratory gating.

METHODS

A water phantom and chest phantom were used. The phantoms were irradiated with CPBS at 290 MeV n(-1) from orthogonal directions. Dose rates were 3.4 × 10(8), 1.14 × 10(8) and 3.79 × 10(7) particles per second. A dynamic flat panel detector (DFPD) was installed on the upstream (DFPD1) or downstream (DFPD2) side of the vertical irradiation port. DFPD images were acquired during CPBS at 15.00, 7.50 and 3.75 frames per second (fps). Charge on the DFPD was cleaned using fast readout technique every 30 fps. DFPD images were acquired during CPBS with radiographic exposure, and results with and without fast readout technique were compared.

RESULTS

Secondary particles were visualized as spots or streak-like shapes. Capture of secondary particles from the horizontal beam direction was lower with fast readout technique than without it. With regard to beam irradiation direction dependency, CPBS from the horizontal direction resulted in a greater magnitude of secondary particles reaching DFPD2 than reaching DFPD1. When CPBS was delivered from the vertical direction, however, the magnitude of secondary particles on both DFPDs was very similar.

CONCLUSION

Fast readout technique minimized the effect of secondary particles on DFPD images during CPBS.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This technique may be useful for markerless tumour tracking for respiratory gating.

Implementation of a target volume design function for intrafractional range variation in a particle beam treatment planning system

OBJECTIVE

Treatment planning for charged particle therapy in the thoracic and abdominal regions should take account of range uncertainty due to intrafractional motion. Here, we developed a design tool (4Dtool) for the target volume [field-specific target volume (FTV)], which accounts for this uncertainty using four-dimensional CT (4DCT).

METHODS

Target and normal tissue contours were input manually into a treatment planning system (TPS). These data were transferred to the 4Dtool via the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Contours at the reference phase were propagated to other phases by deformable image registration. FTV was calculated using 4DCT on the 4Dtool. The TPS displays FTV contours using digital imaging and communications in medicine files imported from the PACS. These treatment parameters on the CT image at the reference phase were then used for dose calculation on the TPS. The tool was tested in single clinical case randomly selected from patients treated at our centre for lung cancer.

RESULTS

In this clinical case, calculation of dose distribution with the 4Dtool resulted in the successful delivery of carbon-ion beam at the reference phase of 95% of the prescribed dose to the clinical target volume (CTV). Application to the other phases also provided sufficient dose to the CTV.

CONCLUSION

The 4Dtool software allows the design of the target volume with consideration to intrafractional range variation and is now in routine clinical use at our institution.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Our alternative technique represents a practical approach to four-dimensional treatment planning within the current state of charged particle therapy.