scholarly journals Genetic or Enzymatic Disruption of Aromatase Inhibits the Growth of Ectopic Uterine Tissue

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (7) ◽  
pp. 3460-3466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongjuan Fang ◽  
Sijun Yang ◽  
Bilgin Gurates ◽  
Mitsutoshi Tamura ◽  
Evan Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Uterine Tissue ◽  
Abdominal Organs ◽  
Letrozole Treatment ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Dose Dependent

Aromatase P450 (P450arom) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of estrogen that is essential for the growth of human endometriosis, a pathology characterized by endometrium-like tissue on the peritoneal surfaces of abdominal organs manifest by pelvic pain and infertility. Surgically transplanted autologous uterine tissue to ectopic sites on the peritoneum in mice has been used as an animal model to study endometriosis. Using this mouse model, we evaluated the roles of the P450arom gene and aromatase enzyme activity in the growth of endometriosis represented by ectopic uterine tissues in mice. Endometriosis was induced surgically in the following groups of mice: 1) untreated transgenic mice with disrupted P450arom gene (ArKO); 2) ArKO mice treated with systemic estrogen; 3) untreated wild-type (WT) mice; 4) WT mice treated with estrogen; 5) WT mice treated with the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole; and 6) WT mice treated with letrozole and estrogen. Each group contained eight mice; +/+ littermates of ArKO mice were used as WT controls. Treatment with estrogen increased the size of ectopic uterine tissues in ArKO and WT mice significantly. The ectopic uterine lesions in untreated and estrogen-treated ArKO mice were strikingly smaller than those in untreated and estrogen-treated WT controls, respectively. Systemic treatment of WT mice with letrozole significantly decreased the lesion size in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of estrogen to letrozole treatment increased the ectopic lesion size, although these lesions were significantly smaller than those in mice treated with estrogen only. As tissue controls, the effects of these conditions on normally located (eutopic) uterine tissue were evaluated. The effects of disruption of the P450arom gene and treatments with letrozole and estrogen seemed to be more profound on ectopic tissues, suggesting that ectopic tissues might be more sensitive to estrogen for growth. We conclude that both an intact P450arom gene and the presence of aromatase enzyme activity are essential for the growth of ectopic uterine tissue in a mouse model of endometriosis.

scholarly journals Gene therapy via canalostomy approach preserves auditory and vestibular functions in a mouse model of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewen Wu ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yihui Li ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Jianjun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Syndrome Type ◽  
Dose Dependent

AbstractMutations in voltage-gated potassium channel KCNE1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2 (JLNS2), resulting in congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction. We conducted gene therapy by injecting viral vectors using the canalostomy approach in Kcne1−/− mice to treat both the hearing and vestibular symptoms. Results showed early treatment prevented collapse of the Reissner’s membrane and vestibular wall, retained the normal size of the semicircular canals, and prevented the degeneration of inner ear cells. In a dose-dependent manner, the treatment preserved auditory (16 out of 20 mice) and vestibular (20/20) functions in mice treated with the high-dosage for at least five months. In the low-dosage group, a subgroup of mice (13/20) showed improvements only in the vestibular functions. Results supported that highly efficient transduction is one of the key factors for achieving the efficacy and maintaining the long-term therapeutic effect. Secondary outcomes of treatment included improved birth and litter survival rates. Our results demonstrated that gene therapy via the canalostomy approach, which has been considered to be one of the more feasible delivery methods for human inner ear gene therapy, preserved auditory and vestibular functions in a dose-dependent manner in a mouse model of JLNS2.

Royal Jelly Reduces Melanin Synthesis Through Down-Regulation of Tyrosinase Expression

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (06) ◽  
pp. 1253-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Mi Han ◽  
Joo Hong Yeo ◽  
Yoon Hee Cho ◽  
Sok Cheon Pak
Keyword(s):  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Melanin Synthesis ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Melanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Skin Whitening ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Dose Dependent

For cosmetic reasons, the demand for effective and safe skin-whitening agents is high. Since the key enzyme in the melanin synthetic pathway is tyrosinase, many depigmenting agents in the treatment of hyperpigmentation act as tyrosinase inhibitors. In this study, we have investigated the hypo-pigmentary mechanism of royal jelly in a mouse melanocyte cell line, B16F1. Treatment of B16F1 cells with royal jelly markedly inhibited melanin biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased melanin content occurred through the decrease of tyrosinase activity. The mRNA levels of tyrosinase were also reduced by royal jelly. These results suggest that royal jelly reduces melanin synthesis by down-regulation of tyrosinase mRNA transcription and serves as a new candidate in the design of new skin-whitening or therapeutic agents.

scholarly journals Murine monoclonal antibodies against RBD of SARS-CoV-2 neutralize authentic wild type SARS-CoV-2 as well as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 viruses and protect in vivo in a mouse model in a neutralization dependent manner

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Amanat ◽  
Shirin Strohmeier ◽  
Wen-Hsin Lee ◽  
Sandhya Bangaru ◽  
Andrew B Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Murine Monoclonal Antibodies

After first emerging in December 2019 in China, severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has since caused a pandemic leading to millions of infections and deaths worldwide. Vaccines have been developed and authorized but supply of these vaccines is currently limited. With new variants of the virus now emerging and spreading globally, it is essential to develop therapeutics that are broadly protective and bind conserved epitopes in the receptor binding domain (RBD) or the whole spike of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we have generated mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different epitopes on the RBD and assessed binding and neutralization against authentic SARS-CoV-2. We have demonstrated that antibodies with neutralizing activity, but not non-neutralizing antibodies, lower viral titers in the lungs when administered in a prophylactic setting in vivo in a mouse challenge model. In addition, most of the mAbs cross-neutralize the B.1.351 as well as the B.1.1.7 variants in vitro.

scholarly journals Extracellular ASC exacerbated the recurrent ischemic stroke in an NLRP3-dependent manner

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1048-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-fei He ◽  
Yi-xuan Zeng ◽  
Ge Li ◽  
Yu-kun Feng ◽  
Cheng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Infarct Area ◽  
Recurrent Strokes

Using a photothrombotic mouse model of single stroke, we show that a single stroke onset increases the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NLR family CARD domain containing protein 4 (NLRC4), and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasomes, as well as the mRNA levels of NLRP3. Next, using a photothrombotic mouse model of recurrent stroke, we found that recurrent strokes increased the activation of NLRP3, exacerbated the brain damage and the pro-inflammatory response in wild type (WT) mice, but not in NLRP3 knockout ( NLRP3 KO) mice. Additionally, we found that apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) protein level surrounding the infarct area was comparatively increased, but that ASC specks outside of microglia in both the ipsilateral and contralateral of stroke site were decreased in NLRP3 KO mice relative to wild-type (WT) controls, and the number of ASC specks surrounding the second infarct area was positively correlated to the damage scores. Mechanistically, we found that recombinant ASC (RecASC) activated NLRP3 and induced pro-inflammatory responses, exacerbating the outcome of ischemic stroke, in WT mice, but not in NLRP3 KO mice. We therefore conclude that the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by two attacks of stroke, which act together with ASC to exacerbate recurrent strokes.

scholarly journals P062 Dose-dependent differential effects of vedolizumab therapy on adhesion of regulatory and effector T cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S165-S166
Author(s):  
E Becker ◽  
M Wiendl ◽  
A Schulz-Kuhnt ◽  
I Atreya ◽  
R Atreya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Preferential Binding ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Differential Binding ◽  
Dose Dependent

Abstract Background Vedolizumab has emerged as an important pillar of treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, for unknown reasons, not all patients respond to therapy. Earlier clinical studies suggested decreased response rates in the highest compared with medium dosage groups. Interestingly, vedolizumab has been shown to inhibit the homing of both regulatory (Treg) and effector T (Teff) cells and previous data from our group suggested different effect sizes in both populations. Thus, we hypothesised that the non-linear exposure–efficacy correlation might be explained by dose-dependent differential effects of vedolizumab on Treg and Teff homing. Therefore, we studied functional effects of different vedolizumab exposure levels on Treg and Teff cell trafficking. Methods The α4β7 expression on different human T-cell subsets as well as the binding characteristics of vedolizumab to these cells at different exposure levels was analysed via flow cytometry. Functional effects of different vedolizumab concentrations on the adhesion of Tregs and Teffs to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) were analysed using dynamic in vitro adhesion assays, transmigration assays and in vivo homing assays in a humanised mouse model. The in vivo binding of vedolizumab to Tregs and Teffs in patients receiving therapy was quantified and correlated with the corresponding serum levels. Results We found a preferential binding of vedolizumab to Tregs at an exposure with 0.4 µg/ml vedolizumab that shifted to a preferential binding to Teffs at an exposure with 10 µg/ml. Further increase of vedolizumab to 50 µg/ml led to equal binding to Tregs and Teffs (Figure 1). Consistently, at 10 µg/ml, dynamic adhesion of Tregs to MAdCAM-1 was increased compared with Teffs, but no difference was noted at 50 µg/ml. Additionally, a higher number of Treg compared with Teff cells were able to transmigrate in a MAdCAM-1-dependent manner at a concentration of 10 µg/ml vedolizumab. Preliminary data from homing experiments in a humanised mouse model and from IBD patients treated with vedolizumab support the notion that differential binding preferences depending on the exposure level can also be observed in vivo. Conclusion Our findings support a dose-dependent differential binding of vedolizumab to different T-cell subpopulations and suggest that an optimal ‘window’ of exposure exists, in which effects on Teffs predominate over Tregs. While offering a potential explanation for earlier findings in dose-ranging studies, our data might lay the basis for the establishment of individualised dose optimisation in IBD patients.

scholarly journals Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes are required for colony pigmentation of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1282-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Sato ◽  
Nobuo Kido ◽  
Yukitaka Murakami ◽  
Charles I. Hoover ◽  
Koji Nakayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis ◽  
Ladder Pattern ◽  
Surface Polysaccharides ◽  
Culture Supernatants ◽  
Dose Dependent

The periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis forms pigmented colonies when incubated on blood agar plates as a result of accumulation of μ-oxo haem dimer on the cell surface. Gingipain–adhesin complexes are responsible for production of μ-oxo haem dimer from haemoglobin. Non-pigmented mutants (Tn6-5, Tn7-1, Tn7-3 and Tn10-4) were isolated from P. gingivalis by Tn4351 transposon mutagenesis [Hoover & Yoshimura (1994), FEMS Microbiol Lett 124, 43–48]. In this study, we found that the Tn6-5, Tn7-1 and Tn7-3 mutants carried Tn4351 DNA in a gene homologous to the ugdA gene encoding UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase, a gene encoding a putative group 1 family glycosyltransferase and a gene homologous to the rfa gene encoding ADP heptose-LPS heptosyltransferase, respectively. The Tn10-4 mutant carried Tn4351 DNA at the same position as that for Tn7-1. Gingipain activities associated with cells of the Tn7-3 mutant (rfa) were very weak, whereas gingipain activities were detected in the culture supernatants. Immunoblot and mass spectrometry analyses also revealed that gingipains, including their precursor forms, were present in the culture supernatants. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction of the rfa deletion mutant did not show the ladder pattern that was usually seen for the LPS of the wild-type P. gingivalis. A recombinant chimera gingipain was able to bind to an LPS fraction of the wild-type P. gingivalis in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the rfa gene product is associated with biosynthesis of LPS and/or cell-surface polysaccharides that can function as an anchorage for gingipain–adhesin complexes.

AV-65, a Novel Inhibitor of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway, Inhibits the Proliferation of Myeloma Cells.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2866-2866
Author(s):  
Hisayuki Yao ◽  
Eishi Ashihara ◽  
Rina Nagao ◽  
Shinya Kimura ◽  
Hideyo Hirai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dose Dependent

Abstract Abstract 2866 Poster Board II-842 Although new molecular targeting agents against multiple myeloma (MM) have been developed, MM still remains an incurable disease. It is important to continue to investigate new therapeutic agents based on the biology of MM cells. β-catenin is the downstream effector of Wnt signaling and it regulates genes implicated in malignant progression. We have demonstrated that blockade of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits the progression of MM by using RNA interference methods with an in vivo mouse model (Ashihara E, et al. Clin Cancer Res 15:2731, 2009.). In this study, we investigated the effects of AV-65, a novel inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, on MM cells. The system to identify a series of small molecule compounds using a biomarker driven approach has been established. A gene expression biomarker signature reporting on the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was generated upon treatment of a colon cancer cell line with β-catenin siRNA. This gene expression signatiure was used to screen a small molecule compound library to identify compounds which mimic knockdown of β-catenin and thus potentially inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. One compound series, LC-363, was discovered from this screen and validated as novel Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitors (Strovel JW, et al. ASH meeting, 2007.). We investigated the inhibitory effects of AV-65, one of LC-363 compounds, on MM cell proliferation. AV-65 inhibited the proliferation of MM cells in a time- and a dose-dependent manner and the values of IC50 at 72 hrs were ranging from 11.7 to 82.1 nM. AV-65 also showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of RPMI8226/LR-5 melphalan-resistant MM cells (provided from Dr. William S. Dalton). In flow cytometric analysis, apoptotic cells were increased by AV-65 treatment in a time- and a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis showed that β-catenin was ubiquitinated and that the expression of nuclear β-catenin diminished (Figure 1). Moreover, AV-65 suppressed T-cell factor transcriptional activities, resulting in the decrease of c-myc expression. Taken together, AV-65 promotes the degradation of β-catenin, resulting in the induction of apoptosis of MM cells. We next investigated the in vivo effects of AV-65 using an orthotopic MM-bearing mouse model. AV-65 inhibits the growth of MM cells and significantly prolongs the survival rates (Figure 2). In conclusion, AV-65 inhibited the proliferation of MM cells via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. AV-65 is a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of MM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Choline Induces Transcriptional Repression and Proteasomal Degradation of the Malarial Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferase

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1618-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Harold Witola ◽  
Choukri Ben Mamoun
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Active Synthesis ◽  
Rapid Multiplication ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression ◽  
Transgenic Parasites ◽  
Dose Dependent

ABSTRACT During its intraerythrocytic life cycle, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes dramatic metabolic and morphological changes and multiplies to produce up to 36 new daughter parasites. This rapid multiplication of the parasite requires an active synthesis of new membranes. The major component of these membranes, phosphatidylcholine, is synthesized via two metabolic routes, the CDP-choline pathway, which uses host choline as a precursor, and the plant-like serine decarboxylase-phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (SDPM) pathway, which uses host serine as a precursor. Here we provide evidence indicating that the activity of the SDPM pathway is regulated by the CDP-choline precursor, choline. We show that the phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase, Pfpmt, a critical enzyme in the SDPM pathway, is down-regulated at the transcriptional level as well as targeted for degradation by the proteasome in the presence of choline. Transcript analysis revealed that PfPMT transcription is repressed by choline in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblotting, pulse-chase experiments, and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that Pfpmt degradation occurs not only in wild-type but also in transgenic parasites constitutively expressing Pfpmt. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib inhibited choline-mediated Pfpmt degradation. These data provide the first evidence for metabolite-mediated transcriptional and proteasomal regulation in Plasmodium and will set the stage for the use of this system for conditional gene and protein expression in this organism.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 is a negative regulator of platelet-collagen interactions

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1456-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Jones ◽  
Sascha C. Hughan ◽  
Sacha M. Dopheide ◽  
Richard W. Farndale ◽  
Shaun P. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Collagen Matrix ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Endothelial Cell Adhesion

The functional importance of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) in platelets is unclear. Because PECAM-1 represents a newly assigned immunoglobulin–ITIM superfamily member expressed on the surface of platelets, it was hypothesized that it may play an important regulatory role in modulating ITAM-bearing receptors such as collagen (GP)VI receptor and FcγRIIA. To examine the functional role of PECAM-1 in regulating platelet-collagen interactions, 2 different approaches were applied using recombinant human PECAM-1–immunoglobulin chimeras and platelets derived from PECAM-1–deficient mice. Stimulation of platelets by collagen-, (GP)VI-selective agonist, collagen-related peptide (CRP)–, and PECAM-1–immunoglobulin chimera induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Activation of PECAM-1 directly through the addition of soluble wild-type PECAM-1–immunoglobulin chimera, but not mutant K89A PECAM-1–immunoglobulin chimera that prevents homophilic binding, was found to inhibit collagen- and CRP-induced platelet aggregation. PECAM-1–deficient platelets displayed enhanced platelet aggregation and secretion responses on stimulation with collagen and CRP, though the response to thrombin was unaffected. Under conditions of flow, human platelet thrombus formation on a collagen matrix was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by human PECAM-1–immunoglobulin chimera. Platelets derived from PECAM-1–deficient mice form larger thrombi when perfused over a collagen matrix under flow at a shear rate of 1800 seconds−1 compared to wild-type mice. Collectively, these results indicate that PECAM-1 serves as a physiological negative regulator of platelet-collagen interactions that may function to negatively limit growth of platelet thrombi on collagen surfaces.

Characterization of adenosine receptor(s) involved in adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction in an allergic mouse model

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (6) ◽  
pp. L1012-L1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Fan ◽  
Weixi Qin ◽  
S. Jamal Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Adenosine Receptor ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Allergen Sensitization ◽  
Selective Agonist ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Allergic Mouse

We recently reported that adenosine caused bronchoconstriction and enhanced airway inflammation in an allergic mouse model. In this study, we further report the characterization of the subtype of adenosine receptor(s) involved in bronchoconstriction. 5′-( N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA), a nonselective adenosine agonist, elicited bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner. Little effects of N 6-cyclopentyladenosine (A1-selective agonist) and 2- p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5′- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (A2A-selective agonist) compared with NECA were observed in this model. 2-Chloro- N 6-(3-iodobenzyl)-9-[5-(methylcarbamoyl)-β-d-ribofuranosyl]adenosine, an A3-selective receptor agonist, produced a dose-dependent bronchoconstrictor response, which was blocked by selective A3 antagonist 2,3-diethyl-4,5-dipropyl-6-phenylpyridine-3-thiocarboxylate-5-carboxylate (MRS1523). However, MRS1523 only partially inhibited NECA-induced bronchoconstriction. Neither selective A1 nor A2A antagonists affected NECA-induced bronchoconstriction. Enprofylline, a relatively selective A2B receptor antagonist, blocked partly NECA-induced bronchoconstriction. Furthermore, a combination of enprofylline and MRS1523 completely abolished NECA-induced bronchoconstrictor response. Using RT-PCR, we found that all four adenosine receptor subtypes are expressed in control lungs. Allergen sensitization and challenge significantly increased transcript levels of the A2B and A3receptors, whereas the A1 receptor message decreased. No change in transcript levels of A2A receptors was observed after allergen sensitization and challenge. These findings suggest that A2B and A3 adenosine receptors play an important role in adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction in our allergic mouse model. Finally, whether the airway effects of the receptor agonists/antagonists are direct or indirect needs further investigations.

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