Small molecule inhibitors of the neuropilin-1 vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) interaction

We report the molecular design and synthesis of EG00229, 2, the first small molecule ligand for the VEGF-A receptor neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and the structural characterization of NRP1-ligand complexes by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Mutagenesis studies localized VEGF-A binding in the NRP1 b1 domain and a peptide fragment of VEGF-A was shown to bind at the same site by NMR, providing the basis for small molecule design. Compound 2 demonstrated inhibition of VEGF-A binding to NRP1 and attenuated VEGFR2 phosphorylation in endothelial cells. Inhibition of migration of endothelial cells was also observed. The viability of A549 lung carcinoma cells was reduced by 2, and it increased the potency of the cytotoxic agents paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil when given in combination. These studies provide the basis for design of specific small molecule inhibitors of ligand binding to NRP1.

Signal Interpretation from Low-dosage Acquisition

Objectives: This paper focuses on how we could analyze and interpret filtered back-projection reconstructed signals from low-dose computed tomographic (CT) imaging systems. There exists a growing imbalance between dosage reduction and effective signal interpretation. At the same time, low-dose applications are undergoing alarming growth.

Methods: This paper interprets filtered back-projection images in low-dose CT systems and details the possible properties of the artifacts. The interpretation leads to design of a new multi-image filtered back-projection approach that allows artifacts to be effectively identified across multiple images. We use this approach as a building block to propose a new reconstruction method that enables effective artifacts reduction and efficient implementation.

Results: Experiments with both clinical and simulated low-dose images demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Conclusions: This study discusses a new FBP-based reconstruction approach based on signal interpretation from low-dosage acquisition. This method uses multiple filtered back-projection images from projection subsets to provide clues for distinguishing underlying clinical structure from artifacts. A framework is derived for effective signal interpretation and artifacts reduction. It requires no hardware change and a minimum amount of extra software support compared with current CT systems. Clinical and simulated low-dose CT scans demonstrated effectiveness of the proposed method.

Multiplexed Tumor Marker Profiling at Single-Cell Resolution: Quantifying Breast Cancer Molecular Signatures

Excluding skin cancers, about 1.5 million new cases of cancer and about 450,000 cancer related deaths occur each year in the United States. The validation and molecular profiling of tumor markers are contributing to new paradigms in cancer research. In this presentation, we will discuss the information that can be obtained by using an Intelligent Single-Cell Optical Profiling Engine (I-SCOPE), consisting of hyperspectral imaging, multiplexed biomarker kits, and bioinformatics tools, to markedly expand the molecular profiling of tumor markers on individual carcinoma cells.Using biomarker antibodies conjugated to particular fluorochromes, we developed a multiplex of 10 different fluorochrome conjugates, one for each different tumor marker plus a nuclear dye. Staining and scanning using the I-SCOPE system showed that it can presently distinguish 10 different fluorochromes in a single pass, resulting in the identification of spatial location and relative intensity of each biomarker being interrogated. By using this system, we analyzed thousands of tumor cells from touch preparations of tumor tissue, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in pleural fluid and blood, and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) from bone marrow with 2 multiplex kits for a total of 17 different tumor markers. We have utilized clinically-accepted markers such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 in addition to biomarkers undergoing investigation such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and urokinase-type plasminogen receptor (uPAR). Furthermore, with the ability to simultaneously image 10 markers, each panel can also contain desired positive and negative controls such as CD45 (positive for white blood cells, negative for CTCs) and cytokeratin (positive for epithelial cells).The results of immunophenotyping of individual tumor cells with 17 different tumor markers indicated that the average expression of each tumor marker in 25 tumor cells was a reproducible representation of the tumor. However, comparison of individual CTCs' expression levels revealed remarkable heterogeneity in primary breast cancer cases.We conclude that hyperspectral microscope imaging together with individual tumor cell analysis represents a major step forward in developing a far more detailed and precise molecular signature of a patient's cancer. Further studies might demonstrate how it can facilitate treatment tailored to the individual patient's tumor, an important objective as new oncology drugs with specific molecular targets become more prevalent.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6002.

Postnatal tissue-specific disruption of transcription factor FoxN1 triggers acute thymic atrophy

The transcription factor FoxN1 is essential for differentiation of thymic epithelial cell (TEC) progenitors during thymic organogenesis. However, limited information is available on the postnatal contribution of FoxN1 to thymic maintenance. To address this question, we generated a loxP-floxed FoxN1 (fx) mouse with three different promoter-driven inducible CreER(T) transgenes. Postnatal ubiquitous deletion of FoxN1 caused dramatic thymic atrophy in 5 days and more severe deterioration in medullary TECs (mTECs) than in cortical TECs (cTECs). Induction of FoxN1 deletion selectively in K5 promoter-driven somatic epithelial cells (mostly mTECs and possibly some adult epithelial stem cells) was sufficient to cause significant thymic atrophy, whereas FoxN1 deletion in K18 promoter-driven somatic epithelial cells (mostly cTECs) was not. Thymic atrophy resulted from increased apoptosis and was associated with activation of the p53 gene in mature mTECs. Although FoxN1 is required for the development of both mTECs and cTECs in thymic organogenesis, it is most important for the maintenance of mTECs in the postnatal thymus, which are in turn necessary to prevent thymic atrophy.

A linkage map of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on AFLP and microsatellite markers

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an important fish for aquaculture, but genomics of this species is still in its infancy. In this study, a linkage map of common carp based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite (SSR) markers has been generated using gynogenetic haploids. Of 926 markers genotyped, 151 (149 AFLPs, two SSRs) were distorted and eliminated from the linkage analyses. A total of 699 AFLP and 20 microsatellite (SSR) markers were assigned to the map, which comprised 64 linkage groups and covered 5506.9 cM Kosambi, with an average interval distance of 7.66 cM Kosambi. The normality tests on interval map distances showed a non-normal marker distribution. Visual inspection of the map distance distribution histogram showed a cluster of interval map distances on the left side of the chart, which suggested the occurrence of AFLP marker clusters. On the other hand, the lack of an obvious cluster on the right side showed that there were a few big gaps which need more markers to bridge. The correlation analysis showed a highly significant relatedness between the length of linkage group and the number of markers, indicating that the AFLP markers in this map were randomly distributed among different linkage groups. This study is helpful for research into the common carp genome and for further studies of genetics and marker-assisted breeding in this species.

First molecular detection of group A rotaviruses in drinking water sources in Beijing, China

The most prevalent group A rotavirus found in the diarrheic children was also determined in drinking water sources including raw water, treated water and tap water in Beijing, and then the possible contamination contributions to tap water for human consumption were discussed in this study. A total of 26 raw water samples, 77 treated water samples and 143 tap water samples in Beijing were collected for analysis of group A rotavirus from April 2006 to August 2007. According to the results, it was shown that group A rotaviruses occurred in 9 raw water samples (34.6%), 9 treated water samples (11.7%) and 32 tap water samples (22.4%) during the sampling period, and low disinfectant residuals or a vulnerability of the distribution system to pressure transients, in addition to raw water, may account for the group A rotaviruses contamination to tap water. The rotavirus contamination observed in this study may highlight a potential public health risk and illustrate the importance of including routine virological analysis of drinking water supplies during winter time in Beijing.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Prostate Stem Cell Antigen in Cystoprostatectomies with Incidental Prostate Cancer

High expression of Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA) has been shown to be associated with adverse prognostic features in clinically-diagnosed prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to analyze PSCA expression in cystoprostatectomies with incidental prostate carcinoma (PCa). PSCA expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in normal-looking epithelium (NEp), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and pT2a Gleason score 6 acinar adenocarcinoma. The evaluation was carried out on 20 cystoprostatectomies (CyPs) with incidental PCa from men with bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC), and 20 radical prostatectomies (RPs) with hormonally untreated PCa from men with clinically detected PCa. Ki-67 was also investigated. The percentages of PSCA positive cells in HGPIN were significantly higher than in NEp (NEp: CyP, mean 2.92% ± standard deviation 6.26%; RP, 3.5% ± 6.46%. HGPIN: CyP, 13.67% ± 12.78%; RP, 14.67% ± 11.34%) (p<0.001). The proportions of positive cells in PCa were greater than in HGPIN (CyP, 20.25% ± 15.96%; RP, 22.58% ± 13.67%) (p0.001). For Ki-67 labeling, the proportions of positive nuclei in the CyPs significantly increased from NEp through HGPIN to PCa. A similar trend was seen in the RPs. In the CyPs the percentages of PSCA and Ki67 positive cells were lower than in the RPs, the differences between the CyP and RP compartments being not statistically significant. Our findings suggest that PSCA is a marker associated with neoplastic transformation of prostate cells, both in CyPs and RPs. However, there are no significant differences between CyPs with incidental prostate carcinoma and RPs with clinically diagnosed cancer.

Asynchronous control of vortex-induced acoustic cavity resonance using imbedded piezo-electric actuators

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the control of a vortex-induced acoustic cavity resonance from flow over a bluff body using embedded piezo-ceramic actuators in order to alter the resonant flow-acoustic interactions. The action of the actuators was asynchronous. Experiments were mainly conducted at the flow velocity of acoustic resonance, where the vortex shedding frequency from the upstream bluff body approached the frequency of the first acoustic mode of two downstream cavities. The fluctuating acoustic pressure was measured using a microphone. The perturbed flow field around the bluff body was monitored using two single hot wire anemometers and one X-wire. It was found that the induced transverse vibrations were effective to reduce the acoustic resonance. The cavity sound pressure level at resonance was reduced by 8.2 dB in presence of actuation. The physics behind the control mechanism is discussed.

Malignant transformation of teratoma to primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET): Outcome analysis with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and PNET specific chemotherapy

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Background: Malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET is a rare entity. Surgical resection has been the mainstay of therapy because these tumors are not curable with cisplatin based chemotherapy. We report long-term survival and potential cure with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) and PNET specific chemotherapy. Methods: Retrospective review of 75 patients (pts) with PNET in the testis or at distant metastasis treated from Jan 1988 to Dec 2007. 74 had RPLND as part of initial treatment or at relapse. PNET specific chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide. Available PNET specimens were tested for the Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) translocation using a FISH-based method. Results: The median follow-up was 40 months (range 2 to 235). 27 pts presented with clinical stage I disease. 18 underwent primary RPLND with PNET in the retroperitoneum in 5. 4 are dead of disease (DOD). 9 elected surveillance or adjuvant chemotherapy. 8 relapsed with PNET. 4 are DOD. 48 pts presented with metastatic disease. 20 are DOD, 24 have no evidence of disease (NED) and 4 are alive with disease. 50 of 75 pts had PNET documented metastasis with an estimated 5 years disease specific survival of 47%. 10 of these were treated with PNET specific chemotherapy for unresectable disease. 8 of the 10 achieved objective response with the duration of response ranging from 4 to 73 months. 2 pts are NED. 2 additional pts were treated with PNET specific chemotherapy as adjuvant to RPLND. Both are continuously NED. Specimens from 14 pts were tested for the EWS translocation, 2 were positive. Conclusions: Malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET carries an adverse prognosis. RPLND is an integral part of the therapeutic strategy. PNET specific chemotherapy, adjuvant to RPLND or for treatment of unresectable disease followed by surgery, may result in long-term survival and potential cure.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Precise measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor G(M)n in the few-GeV2 region

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor was extracted from quasielastic electron scattering on deuterium over the range Q;{2}=1.0-4.8 GeV2 with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. High precision was achieved with a ratio technique and a simultaneous in situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency. Neutrons were detected with electromagnetic calorimeters and time-of-flight scintillators at two beam energies. The dipole parametrization gives a good description of the data.

Age-related thymic involution is associated with loss of medullary epithelial subsets and regulated by Foxn1 (86.1)

Age-related thymic involution results from deterioration of the interaction between hematopoietic progenitors and non-hematopoietic thymic epithelial cells (TECs). The involution may be primarily triggered by deterioration of TECs. Therefore we focus on the role of TEC-autonomous gene Foxn1, which is largely undefined in postnatal thymic function and aging. We generated a conditional Foxn1 knockout mouse (fx). Through a tamoxifen-inducible ubiquitous Cre (uCreERT), a postnatal deletion of Foxn1 caused dramatically acute thymic involution within 5 days. The involution was associated with more impairment in medullary TECs (mTECs) than in cortical TECs, especially MHC-IIhiUEA-1hi and K5+ mTECs. The phenotypes were very similar to the naturally aged murine thymus, in which the MHC-IIhiUEA-1hi mTEC subset had a decrease correlated with age, and coincided with reported results showing that the K5+ mTECs were reduced in the naturally aged thymus (Gui. J. Int. Immuno. 07). A more physiologically relevant progressive loss of Foxn1 via a low level of spontaneous activation of the uCreERT transgene in CreERT-fx/fx and CreERT-fx/+ mice caused the similar effects, including acceleration of thymic involution, reduced K5+ mTECs and MHC-IIhiUEA-1hi mature mTECs with age, beginning at 3 months of age, which is much earlier than that in fx/fx and wild type mice. Combining with previous report that naturally aged mice have gradually reduced Foxn1 mRNA expression, we believe that Foxn1 is involved in age-related thymic involution through impairment of specific epithelial cell subpopulations. It causes deterioration of the postnatal thymic microenvironment, thereby triggers the thymic involution. (Partially supported by grants from NIAID/NIH to DMS).

LOX-1 is a novel mediator of acute lung inflammation (94.10)

Up-regulation of Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) has been known to mediate oxidized LDL-induced vascular inflammation and atherogenesis. Even though there has been increasing evidence suggesting that LOX-1 may play an important role in chronic inflammation, the role of LOX-1 in acute inflammation and tissue injury remains largely unknown. In our present study, we assessed the role of LOX-1 in a mouse model of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. We demonstrated that LOX-1 could act directly as a neutrophil adhesion molecule. Importantly, blockade of LOX-1 was able to inhibit neutrophil infiltration into the lung. Furthermore, LOX-1 appears to play an important role in mediating pro-inflammatory signaling. NF-κB activation, ICAM-1 expression and apoptotic signaling induced by endotoxin challenge in the lung were all significantly inhibited by LOX-1 blockade. Collectively, our results indicate that LOX-1 could be a multi-functional pro-inflammatory mediator that may play important role in both the induction and development of acute lung inflammation and injury. Our studies also suggest that LOX-1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target against septic shock.

Search for the photoexcitation of exotic mesons in the pi+pi+pi- system

A search for exotic mesons in the pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-} system photoproduced by the charge exchange reaction gammap-->pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-}(n) was carried out by the CLAS Collaboration at Jefferson Lab. A tagged-photon beam with energies in the 4.8 to 5.4 GeV range, produced through bremsstrahlung from a 5.744 GeV electron beam, was incident on a liquid-hydrogen target. A partial wave analysis was performed on a sample of 83 000 events, the highest such statistics to date in this reaction at these energies. The main objective of this study was to look for the photoproduction of an exotic J;{PC}=1;{-+} resonant state in the 1 to 2 GeV mass range. Our partial wave analysis shows production of the a_{2}(1320) and the pi_{2}(1670) mesons, but no evidence for the a_{1}(1260), nor the pi_{1}(1600) exotic state at the expected levels. An upper limit of 13.5 nb is determined for the exotic pi_{1}(1600) cross section, less than 2% of the a_{2}(1320) production.

Measurement of direct f0(980) photoproduction on the proton

We report on the results of the first measurement of exclusive f_{0}(980) meson photoproduction on protons for E_{gamma}=3.0-3.8 GeV and -t=0.4-1.0 GeV2. Data were collected with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The resonance was detected via its decay in the pi;{+}pi;{-} channel by performing a partial wave analysis of the reaction gammap-->ppi;{+}pi;{-}. Clear evidence of the f_{0}(980) meson was found in the interference between P and S waves at M_{pi;{+}pi;{-}} approximately 1 GeV. The S-wave differential cross section integrated in the mass range of the f_{0}(980) was found to be a factor of about 50 smaller than the cross section for the rho meson. This is the first time the f_{0}(980) meson has been measured in a photoproduction experiment.

Colour versus grey-scale display of images on high-resolution spectral OCT

AIM

To determine whether colour or grey-scale images from high-resolution spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT) are superior in visualising clinically important details of retinal structures.

METHODS

Patients with macular pathologies were imaged using spectral OCT (OTI, Toronto, Canada). Two reviewers independently analysed the retinal structures and pathologies and graded them on a four-point scale on the basis of the visibility. A third reviewer masked to the results then reviewed images where there was a different score for colour versus grey scale.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed the grey-scale image to be significantly better in visualising the details of epiretinal membrane, photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium layer morphology than the colour scale image (p = 0.00088-0.0006). In 16.17% of eyes, the colour image led to the false impression of photoreceptor disruption.

CONCLUSION

Grey-scale images are qualitatively superior to the colour-scale images on high-resolution spectral OCT. Colour images can be misleading, as the displayed colours are false colours, and the observer may see a dramatic change in colour and interpret that as a large change in the OCT reflectivity.

Characterizing T-cell phenotypes in nasal polyposis in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Nasal polyposis has different etiologies in Western and Eastern countries. Furthermore, its pathogenesis is still poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the T-cell phenotypes involved in nasal polyposis in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Twenty-four Chinese patients with nasal polyps were studied. CD4, CD8, Foxp3, and interleukin (IL) 17 were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Expression of T-bet, GATA-3, Foxp3, and RORgammat mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The levels of T-cell cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, interferon [IFN] gamma, IL-10, IL-17, and transforming growth factor [TGF] beta) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels were measured using the UNICAP system.

RESULTS

Increased expression of CD4+ and CD8+ and decreased expression of Foxp3 and IL-17 were detected in nasal polyps compared with control tissue. Furthermore, expression of T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA was upregulated, whereas Foxp3 mRNA expression was markedly downregulated. Furthermore, increased levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5 and decreased levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta were found in nasal polyps. There was no association between Staphylococcus aureus exotoxin (SAE)-specific IgE and T regulatory cell (Treg) insufficiency in nasal polyps.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that excessive infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in nasal polyps may be associated with expression of Foxp3+ by Tregs but not with SAEs in Chinese patients.