Targeting CCL2 with systemic delivery of neutralizing antibodies induces prostate cancer tumor regression in vivo

The identification of novel tumor-interactive chemokines and the associated insights into the molecular and cellular basis of tumor-microenvironment interactions have continued to stimulate the development of targeted cancer therapeutics. Recently, we have identified monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1; CCL2) as a prominent regulator of prostate cancer growth and metastasis. Using neutralizing antibodies to human CCL2 (CNTO888) and the mouse homologue CCL2/JE (C1142), we show that treatment with anti-CCL2/JE antibody (2 mg/kg, twice weekly i.p.) attenuated PC-3Luc-mediated overall tumor burden in our in vivo model of prostate cancer metastasis by 96% at 5 weeks postintracardiac injection. Anti-CCL2 inhibition was not as effective as docetaxel (40 mg/kg, every week for 3 weeks) as a single agent, but inhibition of CCL2 in combination with docetaxel significantly reduced overall tumor burden compared with docetaxel alone, and induced tumor regression relative to initial tumor burden. These data suggest an interaction between tumor-derived chemokines and host-derived chemokines acting in cooperation to promote tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis.

PAR1-mediated NFkappaB activation promotes survival of prostate cancer cells through a Bcl-xL-dependent mechanism

We have previously reported that protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1 or thrombin receptor) is over-expressed in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines compared to prostate epithelial cells. In this study, we examined 1,074 prostate biopsies by tissue microarray analysis and demonstrated that PAR1 expression is significantly increased in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate epithelial cells and benign prostatic hyperplasia. We hypothesized that PAR1 activation contributed to prostate cancer cell progression. We demonstrated that stimulation of PAR1 by thrombin or thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP6), in androgen-independent DU145 and PC-3 cells resulted in increased DNA binding activity of the NFkappaB p65 subunit. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were also elevated in conditioned media by at least two-fold within 4-6 h of PAR1 activation. This induction of cytokine production was abrogated by pretreatment of cells with the NFkappaB inhibitor caffeic acid phorbol ester. The p38 and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling cascades were also activated by PAR1 stimulation, whereas the SAPK/JNK pathway was unaffected. Inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 by SB-203589 and PD-098059, respectively, did not abrogate NFkappaB activity, suggesting an independent induction of NFkappaB by PAR1 stimulation. Furthermore, TUNEL assay showed that activation of PAR1 attenuated docetaxel induced apoptosis through the upregulation of the Bcl-2 family protein Bcl-xL. Akt activation was not observed, suggesting that drug resistance induced by PAR1 was independent of PI3K signaling pathway. Because thrombin and PAR1 are over-expressed in prostate cancer patients, targeting the inhibition of their interaction may attenuate NFkappaB signaling transduction resulting in decreased drug resistance and subsequent survival of prostate cancer cells.

Evaluation of a 1% iodophor postmilking teat sanitizer

A natural exposure field trial a with positive control was conducted to evaluate bacteriological efficacy and teat conditioning qualities of an experimental postmilking teat dip. An experimental 1% iodine postmilking teat sanitizer with a 10% emollient system was compared with a 1% iodine plus 10% glycerin teat sanitizer. Efficacy of the two sanitizers was equivalent for all new IMI, major pathogens, and environmental pathogens. The products were not equivalent for efficacy against coliforms and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Fewer coliform IMI were diagnosed in the control group than in the treatment group. Differences were determined for efficacy against coagulase-negative staphylococci in favor of the treatment product. The products were equivalent for all clinical mastitis, including previously existing IMI that became clinical. The products were not equivalent for all or new clinical IMI with major pathogens, all environmental pathogens, or coliforms. Fewer infections were diagnosed in the control group than in the treatment group. Teat end and teat skin conditions improved with the use of the triple emollient, postmilking teat sanitizer under the winter conditions experienced during this field trial.

Winter evaluation of a postmilking powdered teat dip

A powdered teat dip designed for winter usage was evaluated for bacteriological efficacy and teat conditioning qualities. A positive control, natural exposure field trial was conducted for 3 mo on 509 lactating cows. Two sets of cows, primiparous and multiparous, were used. The trial compared efficacy of a powdered teat dip with a teat dip of 1% iodine plus 10% glycerin. Bacteriological efficacy among primiparous cows was equivalent for all major mastitis pathogens, environmental pathogens, and streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae. Efficacy was not equivalent against coagulase-negative staphylococci and all mastitis pathogens. Results suggested that the positive control product was more efficacious. Among multiparous cows, efficacy was equivalent against environmental mastitis pathogens and bacteriologically negative, clinical mastitis. The products were not equivalent against Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, or all major mastitis pathogens, once again suggesting that the positive control product was more efficacious. Data indicated that germicidal activity of the powdered dip was not sufficient to reduce the incidence of new IMI caused by contagious or minor pathogens normally associated with teat skin. Application of a powdered postmilking teat dip during 3 winter mo in Idaho resulted in improved teat end condition among primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Teat skin condition improved among primiparous but not among multiparous cows.

Hemorrhagic panniculitis caused by atheromatous embolization. A case report and brief review

This brief review of the phenomenon of atheromatous emboli to the skin was prompted by the observation of a specimen in which a sizable mass of hemorrhagic panniculitis clinically simulated a "cyst" or "tumor" in a woman aged 90 years. While atheromatous embolization in other organs is well known and has been described in detail, the phenomenon in the skin has infrequently been reported, and therefore the attention of dermatopathologists is once more drawn to this occurrence.

The Control of Karyogamy in Somatic Cells of Ustilago Violacea

The rate of nuclear fusion (karyogamy) in the haploid smut fungus, Ustilago violacea, designated D, can be determined accurately from the frequency of diploid formation. The spontaneous value of D depends mainly on the age of the cells and the temperature, varying from 10-5 to 10-2. Ultraviolet light (u.v., 254 nm) induces high rates of fusion, up to 100 % of the survivors being diploid after very high doses. That this increase is caused by induction and not by selection is shown by the absolute increase in the number of diploids obtained under some conditions. The high value of D after a u.v. treatment is reduced by conditions which favour photoreactivation or dark repair. Acriflavine, an inhibitor of dark repair, maintains high values of D, while caffeine which also inhibits dark repair abolishes the u.v. induction entirely.

Ultraviolet-sensitive mutants located at 4 loci were tested for their effect on spontaneous and u.v.-induced karyogamy. One mutant (uvs4) showed complete absence of somatic karyogamy even after high doses of ultraviolet. Mutant uvs2 had no effect on the value of D, while mutants uvs1 and uvs3 showed low spontaneous karyogamy, but could be induced by low doses of u.v. to yield large numbers of diploids.

It is suggested that an inhibitor of karyogamy is formed in somatic cells and destroyed prior to premeiotic karyogamy. The accuracy of the transcription of this inhibitor seems to be impaired by ultraviolet, but can be restored following DNA repair. The absence of somatic karyogamy in uvs4 mutants may indicate that these strains contain an altered organelle involved in the control of karyogamy, e.g. the spindle pole body situated on the nuclear membrane, and known to contain DNA. Alteration of such an organelle could produce pleiotropic effects including u.v. sensitivity and inhibitor production or action.

Ultraviolet light sensitive mutants of Ustilago violacea

Nine UV-sensitive mutants of U. violacea have been isolated and shown by analysis of complementation and recombination to represent four to five genes. Genes uvs-1 and uvs-3, unlike the other genes and the wild type, are incapable of postirradiation recovery on water agar and are therefore assumed to be deficient in dark repair. Gene uvs-2 does not affect dark repair but may affect photoreactivation. Mutants u7 and u9 which may represent one to two genes are defective in photoreactivation but not in dark repair. The dark recovery process on water agar is inhibited by caffeine.The survival of UV-sensitive mutants during intergenic complementation in a dicaryon was close to that of the wild type. This efficient complementation establishes that the repair enzymes are freely diffusible in the cytoplasm. None of the mutants are linked closely to each other or to the other marker genes used.