SHR1032, a novel STING agonist, stimulates anti-tumor immunity and directly induces AML apoptosis

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation induces type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines which stimulate tumor antigen cross presentation and the adaptive immune responses against tumor. The first-generation of STING agonists, cyclic di-nucleotide (CDN), mimicked the endogenous STING ligand cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate, and displayed limited clinical efficacy. Here we report the discovery of SHR1032, a novel small molecule non-CDN STING agonist. Compared to the clinical CDN STING agonist ADU-S100, SHR1032 has much higher activity in human cells with different STING haplotypes and robustly induces interferon β (IFNβ) production. When dosed intratumorally, SHR1032 induced strong anti-tumor effects in the MC38 murine syngeneic tumor model. Pharmacodynamic studies showed induction of IFNβ, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the tumors and, to a lower extent, in the plasma. More importantly, we found SHR1032 directly causes cell death in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that in addition to their established ability to boost anti-tumor immune responses, STING agonists can directly eradicate AML cells, and SHR1032 may present a new and promising therapeutic agent for cancer patients.

Novel Small Molecule Tyrosine Kinase 2 Pseudokinase Ligands Block Cytokine-Induced TYK2-Mediated Signaling Pathways

A member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family, Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2), is crucial in mediating various cytokine-signaling pathways such as interleukin-23 (IL23), interleukin-12 (IL12) and type I Interferons (IFN) which contribute to autoimmune disorders (e.g., psoriasis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease). Thus, TYK2 represents an attractive target to develop small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cytokine-driven inflammatory diseases. Selective inhibition of TYK2 over other JAK isoforms is critical to achieve a favorable therapeutic index in the development of TYK2 inhibitors. However, designing small molecule inhibitors to target the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site of TYK2 kinase has been challenging due to the substantial structural homology of the JAK family catalytic domains. Here, we employed an approach to target the JAK homology 2 (JH2) pseudokinase regulatory domain of the TYK2 protein. We developed a series of small-molecule TYK2 pseudokinase ligands, which suppress the TYK2 catalytic activity through allosteric regulation. The TYK2 pseudokinase-binding small molecules in this study simultaneously achieve high affinity-binding for the TYK2 JH2 domain while also affording significantly reduced affinity for the TYK2 JAK homology 1 (JH1) kinase domain. These TYK2 JH2 selective molecules, although possessing little effect on suppressing the catalytic activity of the isolated TYK2 JH1 catalytic domain in the kinase assays, can still significantly block the TYK2-mediated receptor-stimulated pathways by binding to the TYK2 JH2 domain and allosterically regulating the TYK2 JH1 kinase. These compounds are potent towards human T-cell lines and primary immune cells as well as in human whole-blood specimens. Moreover, TYK2 JH2-binding ligands exhibit remarkable selectivity of TYK2 over JAK isoforms not only biochemically but also in a panel of receptor-stimulated JAK1/JAK2/JAK3-driven cellular functional assays. In addition, the TYK2 JH2-targeting ligands also demonstrate high selectivity in a multi-kinase screening panel. The data in the current study underscores that the TYK2 JH2 pseudokinase is a promising therapeutic target for achieving a high degree of biological selectivity. Meanwhile, targeting the JH2 domain represents an appealing strategy for the development of clinically well-tolerated TYK2 inhibitors that would have superior efficacy and a favorable safety profile compared to the existing Janus kinase inhibitors against autoimmune diseases.

Discovery of novel spiro compound as RAF kinase inhibitor with in vitro potency against KRAS mutant cancer

The development of RAF inhibitors targeting cancers with wild type RAF kinase and/or RAS mutation has been challenging due to the paradoxical activation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK cascade following RAF inhibitor treatment. Herein is the discovery and optimization of a series of RAF inhibitors with a novel spiro structure. The most potent spiro molecule 9 showed excellent in vitro potency against b/c RAF enzymes and RAS mutant H358 cancer cells with minimal paradoxical RAF signaling activation. Compound 9 also exhibited good drug-like properties as demonstrated by in vitro cytochrome P450 (CYP), liver microsome stability (LMS) data and moderate oral pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles in rat and mouse.

A Novel CD73 Inhibitor SHR170008 Suppresses Adenosine in Tumor and Enhances Anti-Tumor Activity with PD-1 Blockade in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

Introduction

CD73 and adenosine support growth-promoting neovascularization, metastasis, and survival in cells, and promote anti-PD-1 mAb therapy-induced immune escape. Consequently, developing a CD73 inhibitor as monotherapy and a potential beneficial combination partner with immune-checkpoint inhibitors needs investigation.

Methods

CD73 inhibitors were evaluated in vitro with soluble and membrane-bound CD73 enzymes, as well as its PD biomarker responses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by flow cytometry and ELISA. The binding modes of the molecules were analyzed via molecular modeling. The anti-tumor activity and synergistic effect of SHR170008 in combination with anti-PD-1 mAb were evaluated in a syngeneic mouse breast cancer model.

Results

SHR170008 was discovered during the initial structural modifications on the link between the ribose and the α-phosphate of AMPCP, which significantly improved the stability of the compound confirmed by the metabolite identification study. Further modifications on the adenine base of AMPCP improved the potency due to forming stronger interactions with CD73 protein. It exhibited potent inhibitory activities on soluble and endogenous membrane-bound CD73 enzymes, and induced IFNγ production, reversed AMP-suppressed CD25⁺ and CD8⁺/CD25⁺ expression, and enhanced granzyme B production on CD8⁺ T cells in human PBMC. SHR170008 showed dose-dependent anti-tumor efficacy with suppression of adenosine in the tumors in EMT6 mouse breast tumor model. The increase of adenosine in tumor tissue by anti-PD-1 mAb alone was suppressed by SHR170008 in the combination groups. Simultaneous inhibition of CD73 and PD-1 neutralization synergistically enhanced antitumor immunity and biomarkers in response, and exposures of SHR170008 were correlated with the efficacy readouts.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that CD73 may serve as an immune checkpoint by generating adenosine, which suppresses the antitumor activity of anti-PD-1 mAb, and inhibition of CD73 may be a potential beneficial combination partner with immune-checkpoint inhibitors to improve their therapeutic outcomes in general.

Phosphatidic acid and hydrogen peroxide coordinately enhance heat tolerance in tall fescue

Phosphatidic acid (PA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) play roles in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. The objective of this study was to determine effects of H₂ O₂ or PA, individually and interactively, with a H₂ O₂ scavenging molecule, N,N'-dimethylthoiurea (DMTU), on plant tolerance to heat stress in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Plants were treated with PA (25 µm), H₂ O₂ (5 mm) and PA (25 µm) + DMTU (5 mm) by foliar application and then exposed to heat stress (38/33 °C) or optimal temperature (23/18 °C, day/night) for 28 days. Foliar application of PA and H₂ O₂ alone resulted in increases in leaf fresh weight, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency and cellular membrane stability in plants exposed to heat stress, whereas addition of DMTU suppressed the positive effects of PA. Expression levels of genes encoding the PA synthesizing enzyme, FaPLDδ, were significantly up-regulated by H₂ O₂ . Phosphatidic acid- or H₂ O₂ -enhanced heat tolerance was associated with the activation of stress signalling components (FaCDPK3, FaMPK6, FaMPK3), transcription factors (FaMBF1 and FaHsfA2c) and heat shock proteins (FaHSP18, FaHSP70 and FaHSP90). Phosphatidic acid and H₂ O₂ may work in coordination to further improve heat tolerance, involving up-regulation of transcription factors in stress signalling cascades and heat protection systems.

[Genetic characteristic of hemagglutinin of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Guizhou Province in 2017]

The number of H7N9 bird flu cases was high and the situation was grim in guizhou province in 2017. To understand the molecular characteristics of the hemagglutinin gene (HA) and the risk of human infection with avian influenza virus A(H7N9) in Guizhou Province, 2017. Homology, genetic evolution and pivotal sites related to receptor binding regions, pathogenicity and potential glycosylation of 14 avian influenza viruses A(H7N9) were analyzed by a series of bioinformation softwares. It was cleared that there was 95.9%-100% similarity among 14 strains in nucleotide of the HA gene, and there were 96.8%-97.8% and 96.8%-97.9% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 14 HA genes were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they could be derived from five diffenrent strains. Then 13 of 14 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein revealed they were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, while A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017 was high pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutation G186V at the receptor binding sites in the HA was found in all 14 strains, and mutation Q226L in 13 strains besides A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017. All five potential glycosylation motifs in the HA were conservative.

A model-based analysis of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices of avibactam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present work was to use a semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model developed from in vitro time-kill measurements with P. aeruginosa to compare different pharmacodynamic indices derived from simulated human avibactam exposures, with respect to their degree of correlation with the modelled bacterial responses.

METHODS

A mathematical model of the effect of ceftazidime-avibactam on the growth dynamics of P. aeruginosa was used to simulate bacterial responses to modelled human exposures from fractionated avibactam dosing regimens with a fixed ceftazidime dosing regimen (2 or 8 g q8h as a 2-h infusion). The relatedness of the 24-h change in bacterial density and avibactam exposure parameters was evaluated to determine exposure parameter that closely correlated with bacterial growth/killing responses.

RESULTS

Frequent dosing was associated with higher efficacy, resulting in a reduction of avibactam daily dose. The best-fit PD index of avibactam determined from the simulation was fT > C_T of 1 mg/L avibactam and q8h was the longest dosing interval able to achieve 2-log kill: 41-87% (3.3 h to 7.0 h out of 8-h interval, respectively). The avibactam exposure magnitude required to achieve a 2-log kill in the simulations was dependent on the susceptibility of the bacterial isolate to ceftazidime.

CONCLUSIONS

Avibactam activity in combination with ceftazidime against multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa correlated with fT > C_T. Setting a threshold avibactam concentration to 1 mg/L, superimposed over a simulated human-like exposure of ceftazidime, achieved at least 2-log kill for the clinical dose of 500 mg q8h avibactam as a 2-h infusion, depending on the minimum inhibitory concentration of ceftazidime alone.

Author Correction: Magnetism and high magnetic-field-induced stability of alloy carbides in Fe-based materials

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.

Magnetism and high magnetic-field-induced stability of alloy carbides in Fe-based materials

Understanding the nature of the magnetic-field-induced precipitation behaviors represents a major step forward towards unravelling the real nature of interesting phenomena in Fe-based alloys and especially towards solving the key materials problem for the development of fusion energy. Experimental results indicate that the applied high magnetic field effectively promotes the precipitation of M₂₃C₆ carbides. We build an integrated method, which breaks through the limitations of zero temperature and zero external field, to concentrate on the dependence of the stability induced by the magnetic effect, excluding the thermal effect. We investigate the intimate relationship between the external field and the origins of various magnetics structural characteristics, which are derived from the interactions among the various Wyckoff sites of iron atoms, antiparallel spin of chromium and Fe-C bond distances. The high-magnetic-field-induced exchange coupling increases with the strength of the external field, which then causes an increase in the parallel magnetic moment. The stability of the alloy carbide M₂₃C₆ is more dependent on external field effects than thermal effects, whereas that of M₂C, M₃C and M₇C₃ is mainly determined by thermal effects.

Revisiting the horizontal redistribution of water in soils: Experiments and numerical modeling

A series of experiments and related numerical simulations were carried out to study one-dimensional water redistribution processes in an unsaturated soil. A long horizontal Plexiglas box was packed as homogenously as possible with sand. The sandbox was divided into two sections using a very thin metal plate, with one section initially fully saturated and the other section only partially saturated. Initial saturation in the dry section was set to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 in three different experiments. Redistribution between the wet and dry sections started as soon as the metal plate was removed. Changes in water saturation at various locations along the sandbox were measured as a function of time using a dual-energy gamma system. Also, air and water pressures were measured using two different kinds of tensiometers at various locations as a function of time. The saturation discontinuity was found to persist during the entire experiments, while observed water pressures were found to become continuous immediately after the experiments started. Two models, the standard Richards equation and an interfacial area model, were used to simulate the experiments. Both models showed some deviations between the simulated water pressures and the measured data at early times during redistribution. The standard model could only simulate the observed saturation distributions reasonably well for the experiment with the lowest initial water saturation in the dry section. The interfacial area model could reproduce observed saturation distributions of all three experiments, albeit by fitting one of the parameters in the surface area production term.

Prediction of in vivo and in vitro infection model results using a semimechanistic model of avibactam and aztreonam combination against multidrug resistant organisms

The combination of aztreonam‐avibactam is active against multidrug‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae that express metallo‐β‐lactamases. A complex synergistic interaction exists between aztreonam and avibactam bactericidal activities that have not been quantitatively explored. A two‐state semimechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) logistic growth model was developed to account for antimicrobial activities in the combination of bacteria‐mediated degradation of aztreonam and the inhibition of aztreonam degradation by avibactam. The model predicted that changing regimens of 2 g aztreonam plus 0.375 and 0.6 g avibactam as a 1‐hour infusion were qualitatively similar to that observed from in vivo murine thigh infection and hollow‐fiber infection models previously reported in the literature with 24‐hour log kill ≥1. The current approach to characterize the effect of avibactam in enhancing aztreonam activity from time‐kill study was accomplished by shifting the half‐maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of aztreonam in increasing avibactam concentration using a nonlinear equation as a function of avibactam concentration, providing a framework for translational predictions.

Efficacy and safety of basiliximab in liver transplantation for patients with hepatitis B virus-related diseases: a single centre study

AIMS

We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of basiliximab in liver transplantation (LT) for patients with hepatitis B virus-related diseases.

METHODS

A total of 268 patients with hepatitis B virus-related diseases undergoing LT were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the usage of basiliximab. Total survival, the survival of high-risk patients defined by the posttransplant model for predicting mortality, acute rejection rate, biochemical parameters and other follow-up data were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Group Bas was composed of 131 patients who received basiliximab, and Group Triple enrolled the other 137 patients who did not. Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival of patients without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or in the cumulative survival of patients with HCC. For patients with benign end-stage liver diseases, Group Bas had more patients with a high risk of short- and medium-term mortality than Group Triple (22.81% vs. 8.85%, p = 0.017), but the survival curves of the two groups were not significantly different. The 1-year incidence of acute rejection was lower in Group Bas, although the difference was not significant (8.75% vs. 15.33%, p > 0.05). In both Group Bas and Group Triple, the level of serum creatinine (Scr) at 1 week posttransplantation was significantly lower than pretransplantation (61.00 vs. 88.50 μmol/l, p < 0.001; 61.50 vs. 74.00 μmol/l, p < 0.001; respectively). There was a significant difference in the pretransplantation Scr between the two groups (88.50 vs. 74.00 μmol/l, p = 0.005), but the values of Scr decreased to the same level 1 week (61.00 vs. 61.50 μmol/l, p > 0.05) and 4 weeks (61.00 vs. 59.00 μmol/l, p > 0.05) after transplantation. Significantly fewer recipients in Group Bas experienced hepatitis B relapse than in Group Triple (2/131 vs. 13/137, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

A basiliximab-induced immunosuppressive protocol is a safe regimen that achieves similar survival without increasing the acute rejection rate for LT recipients with hepatitis B virus-related diseases. For patients with benign end-stage liver diseases, this regimen reduces medium-term mortality in high-risk patients. This regimen remarkably improves renal function in the first month after LT and is correlated with a decreased hepatitis B recurrence rate in adult patients after LT.

Modulation of the Contact Hypersensitivity Response by Æ-941 (Neovastat), a Novel Antiangiogenic Agent

Background:

Æ-941 (Neovastat) is an angiogenesis inhibitor noted to have antiinflammatory properties.

Objective:

We tested Neovastat in a contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model to determine the mechanism of action of its antiinflammatory effects.

Methods:

Neovastat was orally administered (200 mg/kg/day) during the sensitization and challenge phases of a murine CHS assay and inflammatory responses were measured. Subsequent assays were performed on mice treated with Neovastat or Cortisone (120 mg/kg/day, IP) and differential mRNA expression of several pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines was quantified using RT-PCR.

Results:

Neovastat decreased inflammation by 39% when administered during sensitization but did not alter the CHS response when given during the challenge phase. Neovastat significantly induced IL-10 expression in skin and skin-draining lymph nodes (49% and 45%, respectively) and decreased IFNγ expression in the lymph nodes (35%).

Conclusion:

Antiinflammatory effects of Neovastat observed in CHS could be linked to modulation of cytokines early in the sensitization phase.

DCD liver transplant infection: experience from a single centre in China

AIM

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence, timing, location and risk factors for bacterial and fungal infections after donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplant and clearly delineate any relationship between infection and survival in DCD liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 257 consecutive patients undergoing DCD liver transplant between October 2010 and May 2015 at our centre.

RESULTS

A total of 133 patients (51.8%) developed at least one bacterial or fungal infection episode. The predominant infection site was the respiratory tract, followed by the blood stream. Most of the infections occurred within the first week after liver transplant (61.9%). A recipient respiratory support time greater than 7 days (p = 0.041), post-transplant hospital time greater than 24 days (p = 0.002) and renal failure after DCD liver transplant (p = 0.039) were independent predictors of bacterial and fungal infection. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the transplant infection risk assessment model was 0.788. The 1- and 3-year survival rates for recipients without infection were significantly increased compared with recipients with infection (96.1% and 89.0% vs. 81.5% and 75.9%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that offers detailed data revealing the timing and incidence of bacterial and fungal infection among adult DCD liver transplant recipients. Bacterial and fungal infection occurs at a high rate during the first week after DCD liver transplant, especially in patients with prolonged respiratory support time and renal failure, and infection is related to increased hospital stay.

Peripheral blood CD4(+) cell ATP activity measurement to predict HCC recurrence post-DCD liver transplant

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) continues to confound transplant surgeons and physicians. There are no effective methods to predict the patients at risk for recurrence so far although many studies have sought meaningful biomarkers. The ImmuKnow (IMK) assay is an immune cell function assay that detects cell-mediated immunity in an immunosuppressed population, mainly measuring peripheral blood CD4(+) adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cellular immune function measured by the ImmuKnow assay and HCC recurrence post-OLT.

METHODS

A total of 76 HCC cases underwent Donation after Cardiac Death (DCD) liver transplant, which confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma by histology postoperatively. The ImmuKnow assay was prospectively performed in these cases at a range of 6-36 months post-OLT. Every test was repeated 1 week later, obtaining the average value for every patient. In addition, every case had liver imaging findings at approximately the exam time.

RESULTS

Fifteen cases with liver imaging findings showed HCC recurrence (19.7%) post-OLT, and the average ImmuKnow assay in these patients was 190 ± 48 ng/ml, which was less (p < 0.05) than in patients without HCC recurrence, whose average ATP level was 313 ± 90 ng/ml. ATP levels post-OLT were found to be significantly associated with the risk of tumour recurrence. The ratio of T reg cells and the levels of TGFβ and IL-10 were higher in recurrence patients than in recurrence-free patients.

CONCLUSION

Greater suppression of cellular immunity, as measured by the ImmuKnow assay, was associated with progression of HCC recurrence post-OLT. ImmuKnow assay was helpful in determining the risk of early recurrence of HCC postliver transplant. A pathway consisting of T reg cells, TGFβ and IL-10 might be the HCC recurrence-predominant pathway.

Prevalence, resistance patterns, and characterization of integrons of Shigella flexneri isolated from Jiangsu Province in China, 2001-2011

OBJECTIVE

To provide the epidemiology, resistance pattern, and characterization of integrons in Shigella flexneri isolated between 2001 and 2011 in Jiangsu Province.

METHOD

A total of 624 strains of S. flexneri were collected from both outpatients and inpatients in hospitals in Jiangsu Province from January 2001 to December 2011. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to perform the antimicrobial susceptibility test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in the detection of integrons. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was applied in the homology studies.

RESULT

Serotype 2a accounted for the largest proportion in S. flexneri, namely 26.4 %. Notably, an increasing trend was detected in the resistance to common antimicrobial agents during the period 2001-2011. In recent years, more than 80.0 % isolates of S. flexneri have proved to be resistant to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline. The positive rates of class 1, class 2, and the atypical class 1 integrons in S. flexneri are 69.3 %, 87.8 %, and 89.2 % respectively. Most integrons detected in our research carry genes encoding resistance to trimethoprim and streptomycin.

CONCLUSION

Antimicrobial resistance in S. flexneri has demonstrated a continuous rising trend in Jiangsu Province. A high prevalence of integrons and gene cassettes play an important role in the transmission of drug resistance in S. flexneri. Effective measures are urgently needed to control the spread of multi-drug-resistant S. flexneri, and more continuing active surveillance of antimicrobial resistance should be established worldwide, especially in developing countries.

Discovery of a Novel, Orally Efficacious Liver X Receptor (LXR) β Agonist

This article describes the application of Contour to the design and discovery of a novel, potent, orally efficacious liver X receptor β (LXRβ) agonist (17). Contour technology is a structure-based drug design platform that generates molecules using a context perceptive growth algorithm guided by a contact sensitive scoring function. The growth engine uses binding site perception and programmable growth capability to create drug-like molecules by assembling fragments that naturally complement hydrophilic and hydrophobic features of the protein binding site. Starting with a crystal structure of LXRβ and a docked 2-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl alcohol fragment (6), Contour was used to design agonists containing a piperazine core. Compound 17 binds to LXRβ with high affinity and to LXRα to a lesser extent, and induces the expression of LXR target genes in vitro and in vivo. This molecule served as a starting point for further optimization and generation of a candidate which is currently in human clinical trials for treating atopic dermatitis.

HoxB7 PROMOTES GROWTH AND METASTASIS OF LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS THROUGH REGULATION OF THE TGF-β/SMAD3 SIGNALING

HoxB7 is involved in cell migration and metastasis in many malignant tumors. But, the role of HoxB7 in lung adenocarcinoma has not been elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the function of HoxB7 in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. The protein expression of HoxB7 was examined by immunohistochemical assay in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and lentivirus-mediated HoxB7 shRNA (Lv-shHoxB7) was transfected into lung adenocarcinoma cells to evaluate cell proliferation and invasive potential indicated by MTT and Transwell assays. As a result, the protein expression level of HoxB7 was increased in lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared with the adjacent non-tumor tissues (56.25% vs 31.25%, P=0.014), and was positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (P=0.036). Moreover, knockdown of HoxB7 decreased the proliferation and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells followed by decreased expression of TGF-β/SMAD3, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Taken together, our findings demonstrate that increased expression of HoxB7 is associated with tumor metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and HoxB7 may be implicated in promoting the development of lung adenocarcinoma through activation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling.

Abstract 334: The LXRβ Selective Agonist, VTP-38443, Significantly Decreases Plaque Cholesterol Ester Content and Inflammation in a Murine Model of Accelerated Atherosclerosis

The ligand-activated transcription factors LXRα and LXRβ are important regulators of cholesterol metabolism and inflammation. Activation of LXR was previously shown to inhibit atherosclerosis in animal models through activation of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and suppression of vascular inflammation. VTP-38443 is a potent selective and orally bioavailable modulator of LXRβ that is being pursued for the prevention of subsequent vascular events following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) episode. VTP-38443 is a potent binder (Ki=12 nM) and activator (EC50=17 nM) of LXRβ. It is ~20x selective for LXRβ versus LXRβ in both binding and activation. In primary human cells, it induces the expression of the cholesterol efflux pumps ABCA1 and ABCG1, markers of RCT, and promotes cholesterol efflux from human fibroblasts at low concentrations (EC50 = 14 nM). Orally dosed VTP-38443 demonstrates robust induction of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in mice (ED50 < 0.3 mg/kg) and primates (ED50 < 0.1 mg/kg). Based on this robust activity, VTP-38443 was tested in the apoE -/- carotid artery ligated mouse model, an accelerated atherosclerosis model. ApoE-/- mice (9 week) were fed a Western diet for 2 weeks at which point the left common carotid artery was ligated. Mice remained on the Western diet for 2 weeks post-surgery and were dosed BID with VTP-38443 (0.05, 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/dose) or a non-selective LXR agonist, TO90137 (20 mg/kg/day) during this time. Plasma cholesterol and TGs were measured as were cholesterol esters and FDG-6-phosphate, a biomarker of plaque inflammation, in the carotid plaques. VTP-38443 gave a dose-dependent reduction in plasma cholesterol (35% at 1 mg/kg) and a modest dose-dependent increase in plasma TGs ranging from 5% to 45% of the TG increase seen with TO90137. Plaque analysis showed a highly significant decrease in carotid cholesterol ester content at all doses, achieving >90% reduction at the highest dose. In addition, there was a significant reduction (~40-50%) in FDG-6 phosphate at all doses of VTP-38443, indicating a decrease in vascular inflammation. These data indicate that LXRβ activation may decrease plaque cholesterol content and reduce plaque inflammation in ACS.

VTP-43742 is a potent and selective RORγt blocker that demonstrates oral efficacy in a mouse model of autoimmunity through suppression of IL-17A production (THER7P.945)

Increased production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-17A by Th17 cells is a driver of multiple autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The nuclear receptor RORγt, IL-23 and TGFb are required for the differentiation of Th17 cells. RORγt stabilizes the Th17 phenotype by increasing the expression of IL-23R and inducing the synthesis of IL-17A in Th17 cells. Antibodies targeting IL-23 or IL-17A are highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis, AS and PsA, validating the RORγt /Th17 pathway in human disease. VTP-43742 is an orally active inhibitor of RORgt that is being pursued for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. VTP-43742 binds to RORγt with high affinity (Ki=3.5 nM) and exhibits &gt;1000-fold selectivity versus the RORa and RORβ isotypes. VTP-43742 inhibits Th17 differentiation and IL-17A secretion from mouse splenocytes (IC50=57 nM) without affecting Th1, Th2, or Treg cell differentiation. In the MOG35-55/CFA immunized mouse EAE model, orally dosed VTP-43742 significantly suppressed clinical symptoms, demyelination and mRNA expression of multiple inflammatory markers in the spinal cord. Importantly, VTP-43742 inhibits the secretion of IL-17A from activated hPBMCs (IC50=18 nM) and human whole blood (IC50=192 nM) from healthy and psoriatic donors. Further, VTP-43742 is well absorbed after oral administration in multiple animal species and has pharmacokinetics consistent with once-a-day dosing in humans.

The potent, selective RORγt blocker, VTP-43742, suppresses Th17 production in vivo and provides greater benefit than IL-17 blockade in the EAE model of autoimmunity (THER3P.968)

Antibodies targeting IL-23 or IL-17 are highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, validating the RORγt /Th17 pathway in human disease. VTP-43742 is a potent, selective and orally active inhibitor of RORgt that is being pursued as a treatment of autoimmune disorders. Herein, we present data showing the effects of VTP-43742 in two separate mouse studies using the MOG35-55/CFA immunized EAE model. In a subchronic study, prophylactic dosing of VTP-43742 for 11 days gave a dose-dependent suppression of both CD4+IL-17+IFNγ- and CD4+IL-17+IFNγ+ T cells in spleen and in draining lymph nodes. Splenocytes from these mice restimulated in vitro with the MOG35-55 peptide showed specific suppression of Th17 derived cytokines. In a chronic disease study, the maximal pharmacological effect of VTP-43742 was compared to maximal IL-17 blockade by mouse monoclonal antibody MM17F3 (eBioscience) in a prophylactic setting. High dose VTP-43742 completely suppressed the EAE clinical score, significantly beyond the reduction seen with MM17F3 (p&lt;0.001). Analysis of spinal cord RNA showed significant suppression of Th17-associated markers by VTP-43742 with no significant reduction by MM17F3. Additionally, spinal cord histology showed qualitatively greater suppression of demyelination and inflammatory cell infiltration with VTP-43742 treatment versus MM17F3, suggesting that RORγt blockade may provide treatment benefit beyond anti-IL-17 targeted strategies in autoimmunity.

[TM13@Bi20]− clusters in three-shell icosahedral matryoshka structure: being as superatoms

Using the density functional theory (DFT) method, three-shell icosahedral matryoshka [TM₁₃@Bi₂₀]⁻ clusters (TM = 3d, 4d) have been systematically examined to explore the possibility of clusters being as superatoms.

Detection of Salmonella spp. by a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method targeting bcfD gene

In this study, we developed and validated a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for Salmonella detection targeting bcfD gene, a conserved fimbrial operon gene existing in Salmonella. The Salmonella LAMP assay we developed successfully amplified 44 Salmonella strains (14 standard strains and 30 clinical isolates), but none of 9 non-Salmonella standard strains (Proteus mirabilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Campylobacter jejuni and Vibrio parahemolyticus). The detection limit was 5 CFU of Salmonella pure culture or 200 CFU of artificially spiked faeces per reaction system (equivalent to 5000 CFU g(-1) of faeces), and this method could directly detect Salmonella in chicken faeces free of pre-enrichment in a reaction time of 25 min. Our experiments show that the LAMP method we developed is a rapid, sensitive, specific and practical method for Salmonella detection. The Salmonella LAMP assay can potentially serve as new on-site diagnostics in the food and agricultural industries.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was established to detect Salmonella targeting bcfD gene, a conserved fimbrial operon gene. The detection limit was 5 CFU of Salmonella pure culture or 200 CFU of artificially spiked faeces per reaction system (equivalent to 5000 CFU g(-1) of faeces), and this method could directly detect Salmonella in chicken faeces free of pre-enrichment in a reaction time of 25 min. The Salmonella LAMP assay is a rapid, sensitive, specific and practical method for Salmonella detection and can potentially serve as new on-site diagnostics in the food and agricultural industries.

Pharmacokinetic and myocardial enzyme profiles of two administration routes of epirubicin in breast cancer patients

To evaluate the changes in myocardial enzymes and plasma epirubicin concentration following administration by micro-pump (MP) and intravenous drip (ID) in breast cancer patients.11 self-controlled breast cancer patients were recruited for a trial with epirubicin administration by MP for 48 h and by ID for 1 h during 2 cycles of treatment. Plasma concentration of epirubicin at different time points was determined using LC-MS/MS. The levels of myocardial enzymes before and after chemotherapy were compared. Another group of patients receiving epirubicin by ID (n=4) or MP (n=9) were monitored for 4 months.8 patients completed the self-controlled study. The peak concentration of epirubicin in the MP group and the ID group were 21.84±18.85 ng/mL and 294.80±225.54 ng/mL, respectively. The MP group had a longer duration (54~60 h) of plasma concentration of epirubicin not less than 10 ng/mL than that of the ID group (8~14 h). There was significant difference for the alteration of myocardial enzymes before and after chemotherapy (p<0.05) in the ID group, whereas the MP group showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The increased range of myocardial enzymes after chemotherapy in the ID group was larger than that of the MP group and the difference was significant (p<0.05). There is an increased cardiotoxicity in patients receiving epirubicin by ID during the 4-month trial.Administration of epirubicin by MP maintained an effective drug concentration for a longer period of time than by ID. The higher peak plasma concentration observed following epirubicin administration by ID may lead to cardiac toxicity.

Inverse Correlation between Caveolin-1 Expression and Clinical Severity in Psoriasis Vulgaris

Objective:

This study investigated the clinical significance of expression of caveolin-1 - a plasma membrane protein involved in caveola formation, endocytosis, signal transduction and angiogenesis - inthe pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods:

A total of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. The expressions of caveolin-1, Ki-67 (marker of cell proliferation) and CD34 (marker of angiogenesis) in skin biopsies were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the level of caveolin-1 protein was quantified by Western blotting. Clinical severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Correlations between caveolin-1 expression and psoriasis severity, cell proliferation and angiogenesis were analysed using the Spearman rank correlation test.

Results:

Expression of caveolin-1 was significantly lower in psoriasis samples than in healthy skin samples. In psoriasis lesions, the level of caveolin-1 expression was inversely correlated with the severity of psoriasis, cell proliferation and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

The level of caveolin-1 expression seems to be related to the clinical severity of psoriasis, and may play a role in the abnormal keratinocyte hyperplasia and angiogenesis seen in this condition.