Nanobodies as efficient drug-carriers: Progress and trends in chemotherapy

Nanobodies (Nb) have a promising future as a part of next generation chemodrug delivery systems. Nb, or VHH, are small (15 kDa) monomeric antibody fragments consisting of the antigen binding region of heavy chain antibodies. Heavy chain antibodies are naturally produced by camelids, however the structure of their VHH regions can be readily reproduced in industrial expression systems, such as bacteria or yeast. Due to their small size, high solubility, remarkable stability, manipulatable characteristics, excellent in vivo tissue penetration, conjugation advantages, and ease of production, Nb have many advantages when compared against their antibody precursors. In this review, we discuss the generation and selection of Nbs via phage display libraries for easy screening, and the conjugation techniques involved in creating target-specific nanocarriers. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments and perspectives in the field of Nb drug conjugates (NDCs) and Nb-based drug vehicles (NDv) with respect to antitumor therapeutics.

Immune profiling of lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei and successful management with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown aetiology, most often seen in young adults. Although many treatments for LMDF exist, treatment guidelines have not been developed, and response to therapy is generally unpredictable. We present the results of transcriptomic analysis of LMDF lesional skin, which revealed a variety of differentially expressed genes linking LMDF to alterations in innate and adaptive T helper 1 immunity. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed, identifying similar changes in T-cell immune responses. Given evidence for increased tumour necrosis factor (TNF) pathway activity, our patient, who had previously been refractory to multiple treatments, was initiated on TNF inhibitor therapy with excellent response. This characterization of the LMDF immune response may lead to improved treatment of this condition.

Protective role of ACE2 and its downregulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to Macrophage Activation Syndrome: Therapeutic implications

In light of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the international scientific community has joined forces to develop effective treatment strategies. The Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) 2, is an essential receptor for cell fusion and engulfs the SARS coronavirus infections. ACE2 plays an important physiological role, practically in all the organs and systems. Also, ACE2 exerts protective functions in various models of pathologies with acute and chronic inflammation. While ACE2 downregulation by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein leads to an overactivation of Angiotensin (Ang) II/AT1R axis and the deleterious effects of Ang II may explain the multiorgan dysfunction seen in patients. Specifically, the role of Ang II leading to the appearance of Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) and the cytokine storm in COVID-19 is discussed below. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress in the strategies of treatments that mainly focus on reducing the Ang II-induced deleterious effects rather than attenuating the virus replication.

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Protective role of ACE2 in the organs and system

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Downregulation of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV-2 leads to Ang II-induced organ damage.

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The appearance of MAS in COVID-19 patient

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Suggested treatment to diminish the deleterious effect of Ang II or appearance of MAS

17β‑estradiol‑induced mitochondrial dysfunction and Warburg effect in cervical cancer cells allow cell survival under metabolic stress

Mitochondria from different types of cancer show bioenergetics and dysfunction that favor cell proliferation. The mechanistic understanding of estrogen in cervical cancer is poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how 17β-estradiol (E2) affects mitochondrial function and the Warburg effect in SiHa, HeLa and C33A cervical cancer cells. Mitochondrial compromise was evaluated measuring changes in the membrane permeability by immunofluorescence, calcium concentration, redox status, iron and ferritin reserves. Glucose consumption and lactic acid assays were used to detect the metabolic activity. Results were confirmed at molecular level by analysis of the differential gene expression using RNA sequencing. E2 modified the mitochondrial permeability and produced an alteration in the calcium signaling pathway. In HeLa and SiHa, there was a significant decrease in nitric oxide levels and lipid peroxidation, and an increase in glucose consumption and lactic acid levels when stimulated with E2. Intracellular iron or ferritin reserves were not affected by the E2 treatment. Genes differentially modulated by E2 were involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation system, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and the regulation of metabolic signaling pathways. Herein, we provide evidence for a primary effect of estrogen on mitochondrial function and the Warburg effect, favoring the metabolic adaptation of the cervical cancer cell lines and their survival.

A 60 kDa prolactin variant secreted by cervical cancer cells modulates apoptosis and cytokine production

Prolactin (PRL) is associated with different types of cancer, such as cervical cancer. Recombinant PRL has antiapoptotic effect on cervical cancer cells, and it can also induce cytokine production on macrophages. A 60 kDa variant of PRL is produced by cervical cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate this variant's bioactivity, to test its effect on cervical cancer cell apoptosis, and to assess its ability to induce cytokine production on THP-1 macrophages. First, 60 kDa PRL was isolated and used to stimulate Nb2 cells. Later, apoptosis was measured after exposure to 60 kDa PRL. Finally, cytokines were measured on THP-1 stimulated supernatants. Our results show that 60 kDa PRL increased Nb2 cell proliferation. Apoptosis was decreased after stimuli with 60 kDa PRL in cervical cancer cells. IL-1β and TNF-α are produced by THP-1 macrophages after stimuli. These results suggest that 60 kDa PRL produced by cervical cancer cells is able to reduce apoptosis in HeLa, SiHa and C-33A cells and induce IL-1β and TNF-α production by THP-1 macrophages.

Determination of malonaldehyde in human plasma: elimination of spectral interferences in the 2-thiobarbituric acid reaction

A selective, derivative spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of malonaldehyde (MLD), based on a reaction with 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA). The proposed method has been applied to the determination of MLD in human plasma. A study to eliminate several spectral interferences is described. A comparative study of the results obtained using the proposed derivative method and a conventional TBA method applied to human plasma is presented and the advantages of the proposed method over the conventional method for the determination of MLD in human plasma are evaluated.