MiR-616-3p modulates cell proliferation and migration through targeting tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES

Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, preeclampsia (PE) continues to pose a significant risk of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality if not addressed promptly. An increasing number of studies have suggested that tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) acts as a suppressor gene, possibly inhibiting multiple serine proteases affecting cell proliferation and migration. It plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of PE, but the pathogenesis remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In our research, we performed western blotting, immunohistochemistry and qPCR assays to investigate TFPI2 and miR-616-3p expression in preeclamptic placental tissues. Cell assays were performed in HTR-8/SVneo and JEG3 cell lines. Cell proliferation and migration events were investigated by MTT, EdU and transwell assays. In conjunction with bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays were performed to elucidate the mechanism by which miR-616-3p binds to TFPI2 mRNA.

RESULTS

We established that TFPI2 protein levels were significantly upregulated in PE placental tissues. In addition, we found that miR-616-3p binds specifically to the 3'-UTR region of TFPI2 mRNA. Furthermore, miR-616-3p knockdown or TFPI2 overexpression substantially impaired cell growth and migration, whereas miR-616-3p upregulation or TFPI2 knockdown stimulated cell proliferation and migration. This miR-616-3p/TFPI2 axis was also found to affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in PE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that TFPI2 plays a vital role in the progression of PE and might provide a prospective therapeutic strategy to mitigate the severity of the disorder.

Redox State Detection of Fruits and Vegetables by a Simple Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Method

In order to detect the redox states of fruits and vegetables simply, a SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) method was developed based on a redox-sensitive probe and a pH-sensitive probe. The two probes were dropped onto the flesh of the fresh incision of fruits and vegetables, respectively. The SERS spectra of redox-sensitive probes were used to indicate their redox states, and the SERS spectra of pH-sensitive probes were used to indicate their pH values to discount the influence of pH on the redox states. The order of redox states (redox potential) of the detected fruits and vegetables is as follows: carrot < Green delicious apple < Xinjiang kuerle fragrant pear < Chinese royal pear < Fuji apple < crystal pear < Golden marshall apple < potato. Compared with traditional methods based on the detection of extracts, the developed method is simple without any pretreatments and consumption of additional chemicals, which would become a popular evaluation methodology of the redox states of fruits and vegetables during their growth and storage stages.

Detection of Redox State Evolution during Wound Healing Process Based on a Redox-Sensitive Wound Dressing

To detect the redox state evolution during wound healing process, a redox-sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe was constructed by attaching anthraquinone as a redox-sensitive molecule onto gold nanoshells, and the redox-sensitive SERS probes were loaded on one surface of a chitosan membrane as a redox-sensitive wound dressing. The redox-sensitive wound dressing covered an acute wound as both a wound dressing and a redox state sensor. The spatiotemporal evolution of the redox states of the healing wound was obtained by collecting the SERS spectra of the SERS probes in situ and noninvasively. The domains with the lowest redox potential moved from the edge to the center of a wound during normal wound healing process, and high concentration of glucose blocked the movement of the domains and the healing process. The redox-sensitive wound dressing and the method of detecting redox states of the wound provide a new path for detection in vivo, which would benefit the understanding and therapy of wound healing and other pathophysiological processes.

Ni-introduced CuAu nanocages: facile co-reduction synthesis of a novel magnetic multi-metallic nanostructure with high peroxidase mimetic activity

We design a simple route for the synthesis of novel octahedral Ni-introduced CuAu nanocages via a mild co-reduction process. Experiments showed that the as-prepared magnetic multi-metallic nanocages could be used as an efficient recyclable peroxidase-like catalyst.

Dual-targeting Wnt and uPA receptors using peptide conjugated ultra-small nanoparticle drug carriers inhibited cancer stem-cell phenotype in chemo-resistant breast cancer

Heterogeneous tumor cells, high incidence of tumor recurrence, and decrease in overall survival are the major challenges for the treatment of chemo-resistant breast cancer. Results of our study showed differential chemotherapeutic responses among breast cancer patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumors established from the same patients. All doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant tumors expressed higher levels of cancer stem-like cell biomarkers, including CD44, Wnt and its receptor LRP5/6, relative to Dox-sensitive tumors. To effectively treat resistant tumors, we developed an ultra-small magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) drug carrier conjugated with peptides that are dually targeted to Wnt/LRP5/6 and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Our results showed that simultaneous binding to LRP5/6 and uPAR by the dual receptor targeted IONPs was required to inhibit breast cancer cell invasion. Molecular analysis revealed that the dual receptor targeted IONPs significantly inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cancer stem-like phenotype of tumor cells, with marked reduction of Wnt ligand, CD44 and uPAR. Systemic administration of the dual targeted IONPs led to nanoparticle-drug delivery into PDX tumors, resulting in stronger tumor growth inhibition compared to non-targeted or single-targeted IONP-Dox in a human breast cancer PDX model. Therefore, co-targeting Wnt/LRP and uPAR using IONP drug carriers is a promising therapeutic approach for effective drug delivery to chemo-resistant breast cancer.

Comparisons of GnRH antagonist protocol versus GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed (1992-2016), Cochrane Library (1999-2016), Web of Science (1950-2016), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM, 1979-2016), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1994-2016). Any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared GnRH-ant protocol and GnRH-a long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve were included, and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The meta-analysis was performed by Revman 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine RCTs (6399 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Stimulation days (mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = -0.8 [-1.36, -0.23], P = 0.006), gonadotrophin (Gn) dosage (MD [95% CI] = -3.52 [-5.56, -1.48], P = 0.0007), estradiol (E2) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration (MD [95% CI] = -365.49 [-532.93, -198.05], P<0.0001), the number of oocytes retrieved (MD [95% CI] = -1.41 [-1.84, -0.99], P<0.00001), the embryos obtained (MD [95% CI] = -0.99 [-1.38, -0.59], P<0.00001), incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (OR [95% CI] = 0.69 [0.57, 0.83], P<0.0001) were statistically significantly lower in GnRH-ant protocol than GnRH-a long protocol. However, the clinical pregnancy rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.90 [0.80, 1.01], P = 0.08), ongoing pregnancy rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.88 [0.77, 1.00], P = 0.05), live birth rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.95 [0.74, 1.09], P = 0.27), miscarriage rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.98 [0.69, 1.40], P = 0.93), and cycle cancellation rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.86 [0.52, 1.44], P = 0.57) showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

GnRH-ant protocol substantially decreased the incidence of OHSS without influencing the pregnancy rate and live birth rate compared to GnRH-a long protocol among patients with normal ovarian reserve.

Tumor Penetrating Theranostic Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Targeted and Image-guided Drug Delivery into Peritoneal Tumors following Intraperitoneal Delivery

The major obstacles in intraperitoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy of peritoneal tumors are fast absorption of drugs into the blood circulation, local and systemic toxicities, inadequate drug penetration into large tumors, and drug resistance. Targeted theranostic nanoparticles offer an opportunity to enhance the efficacy of i.p. therapy by increasing intratumoral drug delivery to overcome resistance, mediating image-guided drug delivery, and reducing systemic toxicity. Herein we report that i.p. delivery of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) led to intratumoral accumulation of 17% of total injected nanoparticles in an orthotopic mouse pancreatic cancer model, which was three-fold higher compared with intravenous delivery. Targeted delivery of near infrared dye labeled IONPs into orthotopic tumors could be detected by non-invasive optical and magnetic resonance imaging. Histological analysis revealed that a high level of uPAR targeted, PEGylated IONPs efficiently penetrated into both the peripheral and central tumor areas in the primary tumor as well as peritoneal metastatic tumor. Improved theranostic IONP delivery into the tumor center was not mediated by nonspecific macrophage uptake and was independent from tumor blood vessel locations. Importantly, i.p. delivery of uPAR targeted theranostic IONPs carrying chemotherapeutics, cisplatin or doxorubicin, significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic tumors without apparent systemic toxicity. The levels of proliferating tumor cells and tumor vessels in tumors treated with the above theranostic IONPs were also markedly decreased. The detection of strong optical signals in residual tumors following i.p. therapy suggested the feasibility of image-guided surgery to remove drug-resistant tumors. Therefore, our results support the translational development of i.p. delivery of uPAR-targeted theranostic IONPs for image-guided treatment of peritoneal tumors.

Fabrication of SERS substrates containing dense “hot spots” by assembling star-shaped nanoparticles on superhydrophobic surfaces

In this work, efficient SERS substrates containing dense hot spots were fabricated by assembling AuNS@Ag on SMCSL superhydrophobic platforms, based on an evaporation assembly technique.

Abstract B67: Stroma breaking dual targeted theranostic nanoparticles for image-guided and targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer

Low efficiency in drug delivery into pancreatic cancer cells due to the presence of a dense fibrotic tumor stromal barrier has been the major unmet clinical challenge for pancreatic cancer treatment. Drug delivery stromal barriers include irregular and insufficient tumor blood vessels, extensive fibroblasts, massive infiltration of tumor associated macrophages, and enriched fibrous stromal matrix. Building upon our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and expertise in developing theranostic nanoparticles, we have developed a stroma breaking drug delivery nanoparticle platform with dual receptor targeting ability and protease activity for overcoming the above stromal barriers. Targeting urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) that is expressed in angiogenic tumor endothelial cells, tumor stromal fibroblasts and macrophages, and invasive tumor cells facilitates nanoparticle extravasation, retention, intratumoral distribution and internalization into tumor stromal and pancreatic cancer cells. Co-targeting IGF-IR that is uniformly expressed at a very high level in all tumor cells as well as an intermediate level in tumor stromal cells enhances nanoparticle-drug delivery into drug resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Interactions of dual receptor targeted IONPs with uPAR and IGF-1R expressing tumor fibroblasts and macrophages ensure retention of the nanoparticles in the tumor stroma while MMP14 catalytic activity of the uPAR-targeting ATFMMP14 ligand breaks down the extracellular matrix and facilitates the migration of IONPs through the tumor stroma to reach cancer cells. Additionally, internalization of theranostic IONPs into tumor stromal cells leads to the stromal collapse and further enhances nanoparticle delivery into tumor cells. This dual targeted and protease activate IONP was produced by conjugation of the recombinant amino terminal fragment (ATF) of uPA and catalytic domain of MMP14 fusion ligand and human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to the polymer coating of the same IONP. We found that systemic delivery of the targeted and protease active theranostic IONPs led to the accumulation of significant higher levels of the theranostic IONPs into pancreatic tumors, and marked improvement of intratumoral distribution and tumor cell uptake of the nanoparticle-drug carriers in orthotopic human pancreatic cancer tissue derived xenografts (PDX) models in nude mice. Enhanced intratumoral delivery of theranostic nanoparticles could be detected by non-invasive MRI and optical imaging. Multiphoton microscopy showed the ability of the targeted and MMP14 active theranostic nanoparticles penetrating through the stromal barrier that enriched in collagen fibers and entering into the tumor center following intravenous delivery in mice bearing PDX tumors. As the result of improved nanoparticle-drug delivery, systemic administrations of the dual receptor targeted and MMP14 active theranostic IONPs carrying chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin, produced the strongest anti-tumor growth effect compared to single receptor targeted, uPAR-targeted without MMP14 or non-targeted theranostic IONPs in orthotopic pancreatic cancer PDX models in nude mice. Histological analysis revealed that PDX tumors obtained from the mice that received repeated administrations of the dual receptor targeted MMP14-IONPs-Dox had higher levels of tumor cell death and inhibition of cell proliferation compared to those treated with other targeted and non-targeted theranostic IONPs. Therefore, uPAR and IGF-1R dual targeted and MMP14 active theranostic IONPs provide promising nanoparticle-drug delivery carriers for the development of novel targeted and image-guided therapy for applications of precision oncology for effective treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Citation Format: Hongyu Zhou, Xiangxue Guo, Weiping Qian, Fatih M. Uckun, Liya Wang, Y Andrew Wang, Hongyu Chen, David A. Kooby, Malgorzata Lipowska, Charles A. Staley, Lily Yang.{Authors}. Stroma breaking dual targeted theranostic nanoparticles for image-guided and targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care; 2016 May 12-15; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(24 Suppl):Abstract nr B67.

Functionalized milk-protein-coated magnetic nanoparticles for MRI-monitored targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer

Engineered nanocarriers have emerged as a promising platform for cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic efficacy is limited by low drug loading efficiency, poor passive targeting to tumors, and severe systemic side effects. Herein, we report a new class of nanoconstructs based on milk protein (casein)-coated magnetic iron oxide (CNIO) nanoparticles for targeted and image-guided pancreatic cancer treatment. The tumor-targeting amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase plasminogen activator and the antitumor drug cisplatin (CDDP) were engineered on this nanoplatform. High drug loading (~25 wt%) and sustained release at physiological conditions were achieved through the exchange and encapsulation strategy. These ATF-CNIO-CDDP nanoparticles demonstrated actively targeted delivery of CDDP to orthotopic pancreatic tumors in mice. The effective accumulation and distribution of ATF-CNIO-CDDP was evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging, based on the T₂-weighted contrast resulting from the specific accumulation of ATF-CNIO-CDDP in the tumor. Actively targeted delivery of ATF-CNIO-CDDP led to improved therapeutic efficacy in comparison with free CDDP and nontargeted CNIO-CDDP treatment. Meanwhile, less systemic side effects were observed in the nanocarrier-treated groups than that in the group treated with free CDDP. Hematoxylin and Eosin and Sirius Red staining of tumor sections revealed the possible disruption of stroma during the treatment with ATF-CNIO-CDDP. Overall, our results suggest that ATF-CNIO-CDDP can be an effective theranostic platform for active targeting-enhanced and image-guided cancer treatment while simultaneously reducing the systemic toxicity.

IGF-1 receptor targeted nanoparticles for image-guided therapy of stroma-rich and drug resistant human cancer

Low drug delivery efficiency and drug resistance from highly heterogeneous cancer cells and tumor microenvironment represent major challenges in clinical oncology. Growth factor receptor, IGF-1R, is overexpressed in both human tumor cells and tumor associated stromal cells. The level of IGF-1R expression is further up-regulated in drug resistant tumor cells. We have developed IGF-1R targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) carrying multiple anticancer drugs into human tumors. This IGF-1R targeted theranostic nanoparticle delivery system has an iron core for non-invasive MR imaging, amphiphilic polymer coating to ensure the biocompatibility as well as for drug loading and conjugation of recombinant human IGF-1 as targeting molecules. Chemotherapy drugs, Doxorubicin (Dox), was encapsulated into the polymer coating and/or conjugated to the IONP surface by coupling with the carboxyl groups. The ability of IGF1R targeted theranostic nanoparticles to penetrate tumor stromal barrier and enhance tumor cell killing has been demonstrated in human pancreatic cancer patient tissue derived xenograft (PDX) models. Repeated systemic administrations of those IGF-1R targeted theranostic IONP carrying Dox led to breaking the tumor stromal barrier and improved therapeutic effect. Near infrared (NIR) optical and MR imaging enabled noninvasive monitoring of nanoparticle-drug delivery and therapeutic responses. Our results demonstrated that IGF-1R targeted nanoparticles carrying multiple drugs are promising combination therapy approaches for image-guided therapy of stroma-rich and drug resistant human cancer, such as pancreatic cancer.

Obstacle Avoidance for Redundant Manipulators Utilizing a Backward Quadratic Search Algorithm

Obstacle avoidance can be achieved as a secondary task by appropriate inverse kinematics (IK) resolution of redundant manipulators. Most prior literature requires the time-consuming determination of the closest point to the obstacle for every calculation step. Aiming at the relief of computational burden, this paper develops what is termed a backward quadratic search algorithm (BQSA) as another option for solving IK problems in obstacle avoidance. The BQSA detects possible collisions based on the root property of a category of quadratic functions, which are derived from ellipse-enveloped obstacles and the positions of each link's end-points. The algorithm executes a backward search for possible obstacle collisions, from the end-effector to the base, and avoids obstacles by utilizing a hybrid IK scheme, incorporating the damped least-squares method, the weighted least-norm method and the gradient projection method. Some details of the hybrid IK scheme, such as values of the damped factor, weights and the clamping velocity, are discussed, along with a comparison of computational load between previous methods and BQSA. Simulations of a planar seven-link manipulator and a PUMA 560 robot verify the effectiveness of BQSA.

Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Epithelial Differentiation of Lung Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that stem cells have the ability to repair the lung tissue injuries following either injection of cultured cells or bone marrow transplantation. As a result, increasing attention has focused on the lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) for repairing damaged lung tissues. Meanwhile, some studies have revealed that Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in the epithelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In the current study, our aim was to explore the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling on cell proliferation and epithelial differentiation of LR-MSCs. We have successfully isolated the stem cell antigen (Sca)-1(+) CD45(-) CD31(-) cells which were proposed to be LR-MSCs by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). Furthermore, we demonstrated the expression of epithelial markers on LR-MSCs following indirect co-culture of these cells with alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells, confirming the epithelial phenotype of LR-MSCs following co-culture. In order to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in epithelial differentiation of LR-MSCs, we measured the protein levels of several important members involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the presence or absence of some canonical activators and inhibitors of the β-catenin pathways. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling may be an essential mechanism underlying the regulation of epithelial differentiation of LR-MSCs.

The strategy of two-scale interface enrichment for constructing ultrasensitive SERS substrates based on the coffee ring effect of AgNP@β-CD

Herein we introduced a Raman technique for the detection of aromatic compounds. The combination of the pre-concentration of β-CD and the SERS effect of the coffee-ring enhanced the detection ability of SERS to aromatic compounds.

Process characterization of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial type II cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

Here we present a sensitive, non-invasive, and label-free detection method for successful identification and discrimination of the BLM-induced EMT in ATII cells, which is based on the TAT-functionalized AuNSs as intracellular SERS probes.

Gold nanoflowers modified ITO glass as SERS substrate for carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in vitro detection

For the sensitive and convenient detection of acute liver injury, several methods and materials have been developed.

Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging of receptor targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in mouse tumor models

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging approach for improving the detection of receptor targeted magnetic nanoparticles in cancer xenograft models using positive contrast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) conjugated with tumor targeting ligands were prepared. A 3D UTE gradient echo sequence with the shortest TE of 0.07 msec was evaluated on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner using IONP solution, cancer cells bound with targeted IONPs and orthotopic human pancreatic, and breast cancer mouse models administered tumor targeting IONPs. A simulation was performed to analyze contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of UTE images and subtraction of the images obtained UTE and longer TE (SubUTE). T2-weighted imaging and T2 relaxometry mapping were applied for comparison and validation.

RESULTS

UTE and SubUTE images showed positive contrast in pancreatic tumors accumulated with EGFR targeted ScFvEGFR-IONPs and mammary tumors accumulated with uPAR targeted ATF-IONPs. The positive contrast observed in UTE images was consistent with the negative contrast observed in the T2-weighted images. A flip angle of 10° and a maximal possible TE for the second echo are suitable for SubUTE imaging.

CONCLUSION

UTE imaging is capable of detecting tumor targeted IONPs in vivo with positive contrast in molecular MRI applications.

Abstract A60: Synergistic effect of targeted chemotherapy delivery using theranostic nanoparticles and PD-L1 blockade in an orthotopic mouse pancreatic cancer model

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest form of cancer with a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. As a result there is an urgent need for the development of more efficacious therapies for pancreatic cancer. In order to overcome the immune suppression that is prevalent in this disease, the use of immune checkpoint blockades, CTLA-4 and PD-L1, have been investigated. However, published reports have indicated that pancreatic cancer is generally non-responsive to these immunotherapies. Because it has been shown that combinatorial therapies consisting of immunotherapy and chemotherapy can act synergistically, we sought to investigate the efficacy of targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutic cisplatin using nanoparticle carriers along with PD-L1 blockade in a highly aggressive orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer derived from the PANC02 mouse cell line. Our lab has developed a receptor targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) platform for targeted tumor imaging and drug delivery and demonstrated its effect on tumor growth inhibition in breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer mouse models. Active targeting of IONPs requires conjugation of the recombinant amino terminal fragment (ATF) of the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) that will bind specifically to tumor cells and tumor associated stromal cells that express a high level of its receptor (uPAR). uPAR expression is associated with increased invasiveness and a poorer prognosis, which further makes this protein an ideal target. In the orthotopic PANC02 model, we found that intraperitoneal delivery of 100µg of PD-L1 blockade alone (clone 10F.9G2) twice per week for four injections reduced orthotopic tumor burden by ~30% relative to untreated mice. Whereas, the combination therapy with uPAR-targeted IONP-cisplatin (10mg/kg drug equivalent) decreased tumor burden by ~65%. Enhanced inhibition of ascites fluid accumulation was also observed following combinatorial therapy, 81% versus 55.6%, respectively. We observed that a high level of uPAR-targeted IONP-cisplatin accumulated in the orthotopic pancreatic tumor following intraperitoneal delivery by Prussian blue staining indicating the effective delivery of the chemotherapeutic drug to the tumor site which could mediate tumor growth inhibition. Additionally, this therapeutic synergy is likely due, in part, to the enhanced intratumoral infiltration of T cells following targeted IONP-drug treatment. Taken together, these findings indicate that the minimal therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades such as PD-L1 in pancreatic cancer can be enhanced by the tumor-targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs using theranostic nanoparticles and this combinatorial therapeutic regime warrants further investigation.

Citation Format: Erica N. Bozeman, Ning Gao, Weiping Qian, Andrew Wang, Lily Yang. Synergistic effect of targeted chemotherapy delivery using theranostic nanoparticles and PD-L1 blockade in an orthotopic mouse pancreatic cancer model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A60.

IGF1 Receptor Targeted Theranostic Nanoparticles for Targeted and Image-Guided Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer

Overcoming resistance to chemotherapy is a major and unmet medical challenge in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Poor drug delivery due to stromal barriers in the tumor microenvironment and aggressive tumor biology are additional impediments toward a more successful treatment of pancreatic cancer. In attempts to address these challenges, we developed IGF1 receptor (IGF1R)-directed, multifunctional theranostic nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents into IGF1R-expressing drug-resistant tumor cells and tumor-associated stromal cells. These nanoparticles were prepared by conjugating recombinant human IGF1 to magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) carrying the anthracycline doxorubicin (Dox) as the chemotherapeutic payload. Intravenously administered IGF1-IONPs exhibited excellent tumor targeting and penetration in an orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of pancreatic cancer featuring enriched tumor stroma and heterogeneous cancer cells. IGF1R-targeted therapy using the theranostic IGF1-IONP-Dox significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic PDX tumors. The effects of the intratumoral nanoparticle delivery and therapeutic responses in the orthotopic pancreatic PDX tumors could be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with IONP-induced contrasts. Histological analysis showed that IGF1R-targeted delivery of Dox significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death of pancreatic cancer cells. Therefore, further development of IGF1R-targeted theranostic IONPs and MRI-guided cancer therapy as a precision nanomedicine may provide the basis for more effective treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract POSTER-THER-1436: Image-guided and targeted therapy of advanced ovarian cancer using theranostic nanoparticles

About 80% of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage due to lack of a specific symptom for early detection. The major clinical challenges in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer are inability of complete removal of peritoneal tumor metastases by debulking surgery, and drug resistant recurrent tumors developed in the majority of the patients. To address those clinical challenges, we have developed HER2/neu targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) that efficiently deliver therapeutic and imaging agents into HER2 expressing ovarian cancer cells. Amphiphilic polymer coated 10 nm core size IONPs, without or with PEG modification, were conjugated with near infrared dye (NIR-830) labeled HER2 affibody or HER2 affitoxin, which is a fusing protein containing a HER2 affibody for targeting and a modified PE38 toxin as a therapeutic agent. A chemotherapy drug cisplatin, commonly used for ovarian cancer therapy, was further conjugated to carboxyl groups on the polymer coating of IONP via a coordinate bond. First, we demonstrated targeted drug delivery, and specificity and sensitivity of non-invasive tumor imaging by optical and MR imaging following intravenous (i.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) delivery of the targeted theranostic IONPs in an orthotopic SKOV3 human ovarian cancer xenograft model with a high level of HER2/neu expression. Significant inhibition of the growth of primary ovarian tumor, and peritoneal and lung metastases was found after i.v. or i.p. delivery of cisplatin using 0.5 to 5 mg/Kg of cisplatin equivalent doses of HER2 affibody- or HER2 affitoxin-IONP in the tumor bearing mice once every 5 days for five injections. Furthermore, i.p. delivery of HER2 targeted theranostic IONP-cisplatin showed significantly better responses compared with i.v. delivery of the same nanoparticles. HER2 affitoxin-IONP-cisplatin treated mouse group showed enhanced anti-tumor effect compared to HER affibody-IONP-cisplatin treated mouse group. For both delivery approaches, we detected stronger tumor growth inhibitory effect on peritoneal metastatic tumors compared to the response in the primary ovarian tumors. Interestingly, we observed marked differences in the response to HER2 targeted therapy in different tumor bearing mice in the same group, and in different tumors in the same mouse. We also found that non-invasive optical imaging and MRI can be used to monitor IONP-drug delivery into tumors and to detect good responder or poor responder tumors during the treatment. Therefore, the HER2 targeted and image-guided treatment approach using theranostic IONPs has the potential for further development of a new biomarker targeted therapy for significantly improving survival of the ovarian cancer patients

Citation Format: Lily Yang, Minati Satpathy, Liya Wang, Rafal Zielinski, Weiping Qian, Malgorzata Lipowska, Jacek Capala, Andrew Wang, Hui Mao. Image-guided and targeted therapy of advanced ovarian cancer using theranostic nanoparticles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr POSTER-THER-1436.

[Association of MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphism with semen quality]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphism with semen quality in China.

METHODS

The experimental group included 75 males with oligospermia, asthenospermia or teratospermia. The control group included 72 fertile males with normal fertility and sperm quality. The differences in the frequency of genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G in the 2 groups were analyzed, and the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level in both groups was detected.

RESULTS

The frequency of MTHFR C677T genotypes (CT, TT and CT+TT) in the abnormal sperm group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and it was the same case for T allele between the 2 groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in the frequency of MS A2756G genotypes between the two groups (P>0.05). The Hcy level in abnormal sperm group was higher than that in the control group. In all subjects, the Hcy level of the MTHFR genotypes (CT, TT and CT+TT) was higher than that of the CC genotype, with no difference among the three MS A2756G genotypes.

CONCLUSION

CT and TT genotypes of MTHFR C677T are associated with abnormal sperm, which might be part of the pathogenesis of abnormal sperms. T allele may be the risk factor in China. The one mechanism of the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and semen quality could be higher Hcy level. MS A2756G polymorphism may not associate with semen quality in China.

Synthesis of Au Nanostars and Their Application as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering-Activity Tags Inside Living Cells

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of Au nanostars (AuNSs) and demonstrates their application as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-activity tags for cellular imaging and sensing. Nile blue A (NBA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as Raman reporter molecules and capping materials, respectively. The SERS-activity tags were tested on human lung adenocarcinoma cell (A549) and alveolar type II cell (AT II) and found to present a low level of cytotoxicity and high chemical stability. These SERS-activity tags not only can be applied in multiplexed cellular imaging, including dark field imaging, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SERS imaging, but also can be used for cellular sensing. The SERS spectra clearly identified cellular important components such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. This study also shows that endocytosis is the main channel of tags internalized in cells. The AuNSs exhibiting strong surface enhanced Raman effects are utilized in the design of an efficient, stable SERS-activity tag for intracellular applications.