PEPITEM Treatment Ameliorates EAE in Mice by Reducing CNS Inflammation, Leukocyte Infiltration, Demyelination, and Proinflammatory Cytokine Production

To investigate the effect of the therapeutic treatment of the immunopeptide, peptide inhibitor of trans-endothelial migration (PEPITEM) on the severity of disease in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model for human multiple sclerosis (MS), a series of experiments were conducted. Using C57BL/6 female mice, we dosed the PEPITEM in the EAE model via IP after observing the first sign of inflammation. The disease was induced using MOG35-55 and complete Freund's adjuvants augmented with pertussis toxin. The EAE score was recorded daily until the end of the experiment (21 days). The histological and immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted on the spinal cord sections. A Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein concentration of MBP, MAP-2, and N-Cadherin, and ELISA kits were used to measure IL-17 and FOXP3 in the serum and spinal cord lysate. The therapeutic treatment with PEPITEM reduced the CNS infiltration of T cells, and decreased levels of the protein concertations of MBP, MAP-2, and N-Cadherin were observed, in addition to reduced concertations of IL-17 and FOXP3. Using PEPITEM alleviated the severity of the symptoms in the EAE model. Our study revealed the potential of PEPITEM to control inflammation in MS patients and to reduce the harmful effects of synthetic drugs.

Mechanisms and consequences of constitutive activation of integrin-linked kinase in acute myeloid leukemia

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has emerged as a critical adaptor and mediator protein in cell signaling pathways that is commonly deregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This has led to the expectation that therapeutic targeting of ILK may be a useful option in treating leukemia. Although ILK can regulate many cellular processes, including cell differentiation, survival, migration, apoptosis and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, its role in promoting AML is still unclear. However, its ability to mediate phosphorylation and regulate the important hematopoietic stem cell regulators protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β supports ILK as an attractive target for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge of ILK signaling and its impact on cytokines, paying particular attention to the relevance of ILK signaling in AML. We also discuss the rationale for targeting ILK in the treatment of AML and conclude with perspectives on the future of ILK-targeted therapy in AML.

Tempol protects human lymphocytes from genotoxicity induced by cisplatin

The use of cisplatin in treatments of human malignancies is limited by its side effects that include DNA damage and the subsequent risk of developing secondary cancer. In this study, we examined the possible protective effect of Tempol against DNA damage induced by cisplatin in human lymphocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) assays. Cisplatin induced significant elevation in the frequencies of CAs and SCEs in cultured human lymphocytes (P < 0.01). Treatment of lymphocytes with Tempol significantly lowered CAs and SCEs induced by cisplatin. Tempol alone did not affect spontaneous levels of SCEs and CAs observed in the control group (P > 0.05). In conclusion, Tempol protects human lymphocytes against genotoxicity induced by the anticancer drug cisplatin.