The Role of Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 Complex in "Switching" between Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Glioma Cells upon LY294002 and Sorafenib Treatment

BACKGROUND

Gliomas are the most malignant tumors of the central nervous system. One of the factors in their high drug resistance is avoiding programmed death (PCD) induction. This is related to the overexpression of intracellular survival pathways: PI3K-Akt/PKB-mTOR and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK. Apoptosis and autophagy are co-existing processes due to the interactions between Bcl-2 and beclin-1 proteins. Their complex may be a molecular "toggle-switch" between PCD types. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of Bcl-2:beclin-1 complex in glioma cell elimination through the combined action of LY294002 and sorafenib.

METHODS

Drug cytotoxicity was estimated with an MTT test. The type of cell death was evaluated using variant microscopy techniques (fluorochrome staining, immunocytochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy), as well as the Bcl-2:beclin-1 complex formation and protein localization. Molecular analysis of PCD indicators was conducted through immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and ELISA testing. SiRNA was used to block Bcl-2 and beclin-1 expression.

RESULTS

The results showed the inhibitors used in simultaneous application resulted in Bcl-2:beclin-1 complex formation and apoptosis becoming dominant. This was accompanied by changes in the location of the tested proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

"Switching" between apoptosis and autophagy using PI3K and Raf inhibitors with Bcl-2:beclin-1 complex formation opens new therapeutic perspectives against gliomas.

The Effect of Pegbovigrastim Injection on Phagocytic and Oxidative Burst Activities of Peripheral Blood Granulocytes and Monocytes in Calves Challenged with Mycoplasma bovis

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is an important pathogen affecting cattle, causing various diseases including pneumonia which mainly occurring in calves. Control of M. bovis infections is difficult due to the lack of commercial vaccines in most parts of the world and increasing trends of antimicrobial resistance in field isolates of the pathogen; therefore, it seems reasonable to look for new solutions for the prevention of the infection. Pegbovigrastim is a pegylated form of naturally occurring circulating cytokine in cattle that affects bovine leukocytes and some cell functions. Most studies on pegbovigrastim have focused on reducing the occurrence of mastitis and other diseases occurring during the periparturient period in cows, while this study attempts to use pegbovigrastim in the prevention of respiratory diseases in calves, which are largely caused by M. bovis. Based on previous observations on the immunostimulatory properties of pegbovigrastim in cattle, for the first time, the effect of its injection on the number and phagocytic and oxidative burst activities of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes in calves experimentally infected with M. bovis was investigated. Pegbovigrastim administration in the calves significantly stimulated an increase in peripheral blood granulocyte and monocyte counts and phagocytic activity of the cells, especially granulocytes, which was also generally expressed in the course of M. bovis infection. In response to pegbovigrastim administration, a general increase in the oxygen burst activity of the cells was observed. This effect was also shown despite ongoing infection with M. bovis which, taken together, may indicate a beneficial effect of pegbovigrastim injection on the immunity of the affected animals.

Effect of Supplementation with the Combination of Se-Enriched Lentinula edodes Mycelium, Exogenous Enzymes, Acidifiers, Sodium Butyrate and Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticle Feed Additives on Selected Parameters in Calves

During the initial months of calves’ lives, the young animals are exposed to bacterial and viral infections, and during this period, crucial physiological changes take place in their organisms. Offering calves feed additives that will have a beneficial influence on their organisms and improve their growth while reducing the morbidity rate is the optimal task of feeding. This is the first study to investigate the effect of experimental supplementation for calves with the combination of two feed additives—one containing Lentinula edodes enriched with selenium (Se), and the second containing pancreatic-like enzymes, fat-coated organic acids, sodium butyrate, and silicon dioxide nanoparticles—on the serum Se concentration, selected immune parameters, and the average daily gains in the calves. During the study, the serum Se concentration was examined by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the immunoglobulin and cytokine concentrations with ELISA assays. The white blood cell (WBC) count with leukocyte differentiation was examined with the use of a hematological analyzer, and the percentages of subpopulations of T lymphocytes and monocytes, phagocytic activity, and oxidative burst of monocytes and granulocytes with the use of a flow cytometer. The average daily gains of the calves were also evaluated. In summary, the supplementation of the experimental calves with the combination of two feed additives resulted in significantly higher serum Se concentrations, and the immune systems of the calves were not suppressed while the examined feed additives were being delivered. Although not statistically significant, some positive effects on the calves were seen: a tendency towards the improvement of some of the immune parameters evaluated, and a tendency for higher average daily gains in the calves.

Comparison of Selected Immune Parameters in a Single Infection and Co-Infection with Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus with Other Viruses in Rainbow Trout

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) often occurs in an aquatic environment in co-infection with other viruses. In this study, we wanted to investigate the effect of this virus on the course of co-infection with other viruses in rainbow trout. For co-infection we used viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and salmonid alphavirus (SAV) field strains and infected rainbow trout divided into eight groups; I; IPNV, II; IHNV, III; VHSV, I; SAV, V; IPNV+IHNV, VI; IPNV+VHSV, VII; IPNV+SAV, and the control group. We assessed apoptosis in white blood cells and used a real time RT-PCR to analyze RNA obtained from the internal organs of the fish. During single infection and co-infection the level of expression of immune genes such as interferon and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) was assessed. The highest mortality during the experiment was observed in group III infected by VHSV. The average percentage of apoptotic cells was higher in groups without co-infection, especially in groups II and III. Interferon expression was higher in singly infected groups, the highest being in the heart in group III, while expression of the TLR-3 gene was generally raised in all tested organs in all groups. We found that co-infection with IPNV had a positive impact on the course of infection with the viruses listed because it lowered mortality, reduced apoptosis in co-infected cells, and positively affected fish health.

Involvement of PI3K Pathway in Glioma Cell Resistance to Temozolomide Treatment

The aim of the study was to investigate the anticancer potential of LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and temozolomide using glioblastoma multiforme (T98G) and anaplastic astrocytoma (MOGGCCM) cells. Apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, and granules in the cytoplasm were identified microscopically (fluorescence and electron microscopes). The mitochondrial membrane potential was studied by flow cytometry. The activity of caspases 3, 8, and 9 and Akt was evaluated fluorometrically, while the expression of Beclin 1, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, caspase 12, and Hsp27 was determined by immunoblotting. SiRNA was used to block Hsp27 and PI3K expression. Cell migration and localization of Hsp27 were tested with the wound healing assay and immunocytochemistry, respectively. LY294002 effectively diminished the migratory potential and increased programmed death of T98G and MOGGCCM. Autophagy was dominant in MOGGCCM, while apoptosis was dominant in T98G. LY294002 with temozolomide did not potentiate cell death but redirected autophagy toward apoptosis, which was correlated with ER stress. A similar effect was observed after blocking PI3K expression with siRNA. Transfection with Hsp27 siRNA significantly increased apoptosis related to ER stress. Our results indicate that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway sensitizes glioma cells to apoptosis upon temozolomide treatment, which was correlated with ER stress. Hsp27 increases the resistance of glioma cells to cell death upon temozolomide treatment.

Blood Counts, Biochemical Parameters, Inflammatory, and Immune Responses in Pigs Infected Experimentally with the African Swine Fever Virus Isolate Pol18_28298_O111

This study aimed to indicate the influence of infection caused by genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV)–isolate Pol18_28298_O111, currently circulating in Poland, on blood counts, biochemical parameters, as well as inflammatory and immune responses. Blood and sera collected from 21 domestic pigs infected intranasally with different doses of virulent ASFV were analysed. The infection led to variable changes in blood counts depending on the stage of the disease with a tendency towards leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. The elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and microscopic lesions in organs confirmed the development of the inflammation process, which also resulted in an increased level of biochemical markers such as: Aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, and urea. Antibodies could be detected from 9 to 18 days post infection (dpi). Two survivors presented the highest titer of antibodies (>5 log₁₀/mL) with a simultaneous increase in the lymphocyte T (CD3+) percentage–revealed by flow cytometry. Results confirmed a progressive inflammatory process occurring during the ASFV infection, which may lead to multiple organs failure and death of the majority of affected animals.

Stability of an ophthalmic micellar formulation of cyclosporine A in unopened multidose eyedroppers and in simulated use conditions

Cyclosporine A eye drops are used at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20mg/mL to treat a variety of ophthalmic diseases. Cyclosporine A formulations at high concentrations are difficult to manufacture because of cyclosporine's lipophilicity, and generally require an oil based vector. In this study, we investigated the physicochemical and microbiological stability of two high concentrations (10mg/mL and 20mg/mL) of an ophthalmic cyclosporine A micellar solution in a low density polyethylene multidose eyedropper, at two conservation conditions (5°C and 25°C), before and with simulated use. Analyses used were the following: visual inspection, cyclosporine quantification by a stability-indicating liquid chromatography method, osmolality and pH measurements and turbidity. A complementary analysis by dynamic light scattering was implemented to evaluate potential particle formation or micelle size change. In the in-use study, cyclosporine quantification was also performed on the drops emitted from the multidose eyedroppers. Our results show that the cyclosporine micellar formulation retains good physicochemical and microbiological stability, as all parameters stayed within acceptable range limits, however a higher variability in cyclosporine concentrations was observed for 20mg/mL units stored at 25°C. The in-use study showed that cyclosporine concentrations in the emitted drops were also within acceptable range limits. The micellar formulation presented in this study can therefore be stored at 5°C or at ≤25°C for up to 6months.

The percentage of iNKT cells among other immune cells at various clinical stages of laryngeal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells constitute a small population of immune cells that share functional and phenotypic characteristics of T lymphocytes and NK cells. Due to their involvement in specific and non-specific immune responses, iNKT cells may represent an important component of antitumor and anti-infectious immunity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using flow cytometry, we analyzed the percentages of iNKT cells as well as T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of 50 laryngeal cancer patients at various clinical stages in comparison to healthy controls (n=15). Moreover, we determined the expression of CD25, CD69 and CD95 antigens on T lymphocytes.

RESULTS

The percentage of CD4+/CD3+ T lymphocytes in the controls was higher than in laryngeal cancer patients, both with early and late stages of the disease. The percentage of CD8+/CD3+ T lymphocytes in healthy controls was lower than in patients with early and late clinical stages of laryngeal cancer. Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer showed a lower percentage of iNKT cells and higher frequencies of T regulatory cells (Tregs) than the controls. Advanced clinical stages of laryngeal cancer are associated with impaired activation of lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed that laryngeal cancer cells exert a strong suppressor effect on the immune system of the host. This is reflected by a decrease in the percentage of iNKT cells that are capable of cancer cell elimination, and a concomitant increase in the percentage of Tregs. However, further studies are needed in order to explain the underlying mechanisms of immunosuppression and understand interactions between immune and cancer cells.

Curative effect of TFX-Jelfa supplementation on the skin of ovariectomised rats – morphological study

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of thymus factor X (TFX-Jelfa) treatment in hypoestrogenic female rats for the purpose of decreasing skin impairments. Ovariectomised rats were used as a model. The histopathological analysis of the skin after TFX-Jelfa treatment demonstrated that the epidermis was thicker and more desquamated, without deep wrinkles or hypersecretion in comparison to the skin of animals only castrated and not treated with TFX-Jelfa. Collagen and elastic fibres were arranged more uniformly in the dermis and there were numerous fibroblasts, hair follicles, and small vessels. Ultrastructural analysis showed keratinocytes without degenerative changes and the proliferation of lymphatic and dendritic cells in the skin. The results indicate that thymus extracts can have beneficial effects on skin aging, which is often accompanied by hormonal perturbances.

Monolithic high-index contrast grating: a material independent high-reflectance VCSEL mirror

In this paper we present an extensive theoretical and numerical analysis of monolithic high-index contrast grating, facilitating simple manufacture of compact mirrors for very broad spectrum of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting from ultraviolet to mid-infrared. We provide the theoretical background explaining the phenomenon of high reflectance in monolithic subwavelength gratings. In addition, by using a three-dimensional, fully vectorial optical model, verified by comparison with the experiment, we investigate the optimal parameters of high-index contrast grating enabling more than 99.99% reflectance in the diversity of photonic materials and in the broad range of wavelengths.

Expression of selected regulatory molecules on the CD83+ monocyte-derived dendritic cells generated from patients with laryngeal cancer and their clinical significance

B7H1 and B7H4 overexpression is associated with inhibition of the immune system in many solid tumors, and altogether with CD200 molecule plays an important role in tumor invasion by promoting malignant transformation. However, there is no report about impact of these molecules on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The objective of the present study was to assess by means of flow cytometry the expression of B7H1, B7H4, CD200, and CD200R on CD83+ monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DC), pulsed with autologous tumor cell lysates (aTCL) in patients who suffer from G1, G2, or G3 laryngeal carcinoma (LC, n = 60) in comparison to healthy donors (HD, n = 15). It has been demonstrated that median value of the percentages of CD83+ B7H1+, CD83+ B7H4+, and CD83+ CD200+ cells were higher in LC patients than HD (p = 0.041, p ≤ 0.0001, and p = 0.02, respectively). Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD200, CD200R, B7H1, and B7H4 on the Mo-DC pulsed with aTCL of the patients was also higher than on the Mo-DC of HD (p ≤ 0.0001, p ≤ 0.0001, p = 0.002, and p ≤ 0.0001, respectively). The highest MFI levels of all molecules were noted in grade 3 LC. The aforementioned results prove that there is a relation between the presence of laryngeal cancer and the expression of B7H1, B7H4, CD200, and CD200R regulatory molecules on the CD83+ Mo-DC pulsed with autologous cancer cell lysates. Strong association of LC grade and the tested antigens expression suggests a critical role for these proteins in LC biology.

[The evaluation of apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes in laryngeal cancer patients]

The laryngeal cancer is the most often cancer among others in head and neck region. It occurs mostly among 55 and 69. Its development depends on immunological state of the body. Vitality of the immunological system cells was considered due to growth, treatment sensitivity and prognosis of some neoplasms. The aim of this work were estimation and comparison the phenomenon of lymphocytes T and B apoptosis in laryngeal cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material were 30 patients hospitalized in The Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of Lublin. They all were treated with surgery or surgery and radiotherapy. Apoptosis was estimated on different stages of the treatment process. All samples were examined with the flow cytometry method. The control group were 21 patients hospitalized because of the suspicion of the apnea syndrome, which wasn't confirmed with polysomnographic examination.

RESULTS

Results of this study show significantly increasing percentage of peripheral blood apoptotic B (CD19+) cells caused by surgical treatment. The results considering radiotherapy showed different influence on the phenomenon of immunological cells apoptosis, still those results weren't significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical treatment causes increased amount of apoptotic peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Evaluation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells, T regulatory and Th17 cells in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Immunotherapy with dendritic cells (DC) may constitute a new and advantageous option for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who respond to therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), but do not reach complete cytogenetic or molecular remission. In this study, we evaluated the immunophenotype of DC generated from monocytes (Mo-DC) of patients with CML and the influence of TKI therapy on the results of CML-DC generation. We also measured the percentages of T regulatory cells (Tregs) as well as Th17 cells in 19 untreated patients suffering from CML, and in 28 CML patients treated with TKI. We found that DC can be reliably generated from the peripheral blood CD14+ cells of untreated CML patients. But we observed a persistent expression of CD14 monocyte marker on DC from CML patients, together with lower percentages of Mo-DC with expression of CD1a (p = 0.002), CD80 (p = 0.0005), CD83 (p = 0.0004), and CD209 (p = 0.02) compared to healthy donors. There was an adverse correlation between WBC count and the percentage of Mo-DC with co-expression of CD80 and CD86 (R = -0.63; p = 0.03). In patients treated with TKI, we observed higher efficacy of DC generation in seven-day cultures, compared to untreated patients. Expression of CD209 on DC was higher in patients treated with TKI (0.02). The duration of TKI therapy correlated adversely with MFI for CD1a (R = -0.49; p = 0.006) and positively with MFI for CD83 (R = 0.63; p = 0.01). Percentages of CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ cells (p = 0.0002) and Th17 cells (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in untreated CML patients compared to healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between the percentage of Treg cells and the percentage of peripheral blood basophiles (R = 0.821; p = 0.02). There were no changes in Tregs or Th17 cell percentages in CML patients after six months of TKI therapy. However, the expression of intracellular IL-17 in Th17 cells correlated negatively with the time of TKI therapy in the whole group of treated patients (R = -0.516; p = 0.04). We noted a correlation between IL-6 serum level and peripheral blood WBC count (R = 0.492; p = 0.04). There was also an inverse correlation between the serum level of IL-6 and the duration of TKI therapy (R = -0.66; p = 0.03). Taken together, our data shows that mature DC can be generated from CML patients treated with TKI, and that the yield of Mo-DC is higher in patients treated with TKI than in patients with active disease. This should encourage further trials with DC immunotherapy in patients with cytogenetic response after TKI therapy. We also found increased frequencies of T regulatory and Th17 cells in CML patients, which might suggest their potential role in immunity against this disease. Further studies are needed to determine if manipulation of these cell populations might improve the results of DC immunotherapy.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in ulcerative colitis]

This article discusses two specific atypical cases of ulcerative colitis encountered in the Inpatient Internal Diseases Department at Czerniakowski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland. Ulcerative colitis usually manifests itself primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, what made these cases exceptional was the involvement of multiple organs which complicated the diagnosis. The first of this cases presented a rare combination of symptoms of ulcerative colitis, cytomegalovirus infection, and polychondritis. The second case involved a patient initially diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia, however subsequent investigation revealed a sever case of ulcerative colitis and not leukemia as originally suspected.

The participation of pharyngo-oesophageal thermoreception in the formation of water-reinforced instrumental conditioned reflex

In 79 rats with chronically implanted gastric tubes or thermodes the participation of pharyngo-oesophageal thermoreception was investigated in the process of development of a water-reinforced conditioned instrumental reflex. It was found that only cooling of the pharynx and oesophagus was an effective stimulus reinforcing instrumental conditioning. The conditioned reflex could not be developed when the reinforcing stimulus was the sensation of warmth in the throat and oesophagus, and gastrointestinal interoception. It is suggested in the discussion that cold thermoreception in the area of the throat and oesophagus has acquired its reinforcing character through conditioning.