Tumor microenvironment pathways: Cross regulation in breast cancer metastasis

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is heterogeneous and contains a multiple cell population with surrounded immune cells, which plays a major role in regulating metastasis. The multifunctional pathways, Hedgehog (Hh), Wnt, Notch, and NF-kB, cross-regulates metastasis in breast cancer. This review presents substantial evidence for cross-regulation of TME components and signaling pathways, which makes breast TME more heterogeneous and complex, promoting breast cancer progression and metastasis as a highly aggressive form. We discoursed the importance of stromal and immune cells as well as their crosstalk in bridging the metastasis. We also discussed the role of Hh and Notch pathways in the intervention between breast cancer cells and macrophages to support TME; Notch signaling in the bidirectional communication between cancer cells and components of TME; Wnt signal pathway in controlling the factors responsible for EMT and NF-κB pathway in the regulation of genes controlling the inflammatory response. We also present the role of exosomes and their miRNAs in the cross-regulation of TME cells as well as pathways in the reprogramming of breast TME to support metastasis. Finally, we examined and discussed the targeted small molecule inhibitors and natural compounds targeting developmental pathways and proposed small molecule natural compounds as potential therapeutics of TME based on the multitargeting ability. In conclusion, the understanding of the molecular basis of the cross-regulation of TME pathways and their inhibitors helps identify molecular targets for rational drug discovery to treat breast cancers.

Effective role of CaO/P2O5 ratio on SiO2-CaO-P2O5 glass system

In the present work, the effect of the CaO/P2O5 ratio on the composition of sol-gel synthesized 58SiO2-(19 - x)P2O5-(23 + x)CaO (x = 0, 5, 10 and 15 mol%) glass samples was studied. Further, the effect of NBO/BO ratio on hydroxy carbonated apatite layer (HCA) forming ability based on dissolution behavior in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution was also investigated. CaO/P2O5 ratios of synthesized glass samples were 1.2, 2, 3.6, and 9.5, respectively. NBO/BO ratios were obtained using Raman spectroscopic analysis as 0.58, 1.20, 1.46, and 1.78, respectively. All samples were soaked in the SBF solution for 7 days. The calculated weight losses of these samples were 58%, 64%, 83%, and 89% for corresponding NBO/BO ratios. The increase in CaO/P2O5 ratio increases the NBO/BO ratios. However, the increase in NBO/BO ratio increases HCA forming ability of SBF treated samples. The HCA crystalline layer formation was confirmed through X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman and Infrared spectroscopic analysis. Higher CaO/P2O5 ratio favors the increase in HCA formation for SBF treated calcium phospho silicate glasses.

Bacterial lipid modification enhances immunoprophylaxis of filarial abundant larval transcript-2 protein in Mastomys model

As in many other parasitic diseases, efficacious vaccine for lymphatic filariasis has been elusive for want of new approaches leaving billions of people either debilitated or at risk. With multiple B- and T-cell epitopes, the abundant larval transcript-2 (ALT-2) of the filarial worm, Brugia malayi, has been shown to be a promising immunoprophylactic target. To enhance its efficacy, it was lipid modified using our recently developed protein engineering tool, which then offered 30% more immunoprotection (49 vs. 79%) in Mastomys coucha model. Sustained high levels of IFN-γ (about 100 times) and high antibody titres (10-fold) elicited by lipid-modified ALT-2, as compared to the native form, indicated the maintenance of Th1/Th2 balance that is impaired in filariasis. Thus, this study provides the basis for developing efficacious vaccines for filariasis and other parasitic diseases by exploiting bacterial lipid modification.

Repeatability of the Pedar-X in-shoe pressure measuring system

BACKGROUND

The Pedar-X is one of the newer versions of in-shoe pressure measuring devices and the current study aimed to assess the repeatability of this device.

METHODS

Twenty-seven healthy male volunteers were recruited and requested to walk on a 26-feet walkway wearing appropriate sized standardised off-the-shelf neutral running shoes (Donnay International). The Pedar-X insole was sandwiched between the foot and the shoe. Data were collected on two occasions, one week apart. Clinically relevant parameters studied were contact area, contact time in percentage roll over process, maximum force, pressure-time integral, force-time integral, peak pressure, mean force and mean area.

RESULTS

Repeatability was analysed using the coefficient of variation. Of the 160 parameters considered, 93.1% revealed a coefficient of variation value of less than 25. Heel and the metatarsal head areas were the most repeatable.

CONCLUSION

The Pedar-X in-shoe pressure measuring system is repeatable and as such can be used as a valuable tool in the assessment of in-shoe plantar pressure distribution.