Recent advances in endocrine organoids for therapeutic application

The endocrine system, consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary, endocrine glands, and hormones, plays a critical role in hormone metabolic interactions. The complexity of the endocrine system is a significant obstacle to understanding and treating endocrine disorders. Notably, advances in endocrine organoid generation allow a deeper understanding of the endocrine system by providing better comprehension of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis. Here, we highlight recent advances in endocrine organoids for a wide range of therapeutic applications, from cell transplantation therapy to drug toxicity screening, combined with development in stem cell differentiation and gene editing technologies. In particular, we provide insights into the transplantation of endocrine organoids to reverse endocrine dysfunctions and progress in developing strategies for better engraftments. We also discuss the gap between preclinical and clinical research. Finally, we provide future perspectives for research on endocrine organoids for the development of more effective treatments for endocrine disorders.

Inhibitory effect of chlorine and ultraviolet radiation on growth of Listeria monocytogenes in chicken breast and development of predictive growth models

The inhibitory effect of chlorine (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was investigated with and without UV radiation (300 mW·s/cm(2)) for the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in chicken breast meat. Using a polynomial model, predictive growth models were also developed as a function of chlorine concentration, UV exposure, and storage temperature (4, 10, and 15°C). A maximum L. monocytogenes reduction (0.8 log cfu, cfu/g) was obtained when combining chlorine at 200 mg/kg and UV at 300 mW·s/cm(2), and a maximum synergistic effect (0.4 log cfu/g) was observed when using chlorine at 100 mg/kg and UV at 300 mW·s/cm(2). Primary models developed for specific growth rate and lag time showed a good fitness (R(2) > 0.91), as determined by the reparameterized Gompertz equation. Secondary polynomial models were obtained using nonlinear regression analysis. The developed models were validated with mean square error, bias factor, and accuracy factor, which were 0.0003, 0.96, and 1.11, respectively, for specific growth rate and 7.69, 0.99, and 1.04, respectively, for lag time. The treatment of chlorine and UV did not change the color and texture of chicken breast after 7 d of storage at 4°C. As a result, the combination of chlorine at 100 mg/kg and UV at 300 mW·s/cm(2) appears to an effective method into inhibit L. monocytogenes growth in broiler carcasses with no negative effects on color and textural quality. Based on the validation results, the predictive models can be used to accurately predict L. monocytogenes growth in chicken breast.

Autotransplantation of mesiodens for missing maxillary lateral incisor with cone-beam CT-fabricated model and orthodontics

AIM

Autotransplantation is a viable treatment option for a missing tooth when there is a suitable donor, especially in adolescents with remaining facial growth. This report presents the aesthetic restoration of a missing maxillary lateral incisor through orthodontic treatment and autotransplantation of a mesiodens using a CBCT-fabricated rapid-prototyping model.

SUMMARY

A 14-year-old male patient with a congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor was referred from the Department of Orthodontics. The teeth were moved orthodontically to regain space for the missing lateral incisor and to close the space of the mesiodens after transplantation. A replica of the donor tooth was fabricated from a cone-beam computed tomography scan through a rapid-prototyping machine before autotransplantation surgery. The model was used to create a socket for the graft tooth, thereby shortening the extra-oral time and minimizing the damage to the root surface. After transplantation and orthodontic tooth movement, the mesiodens was finally restored with an aesthetic laminate restoration. Over 3 years, the aesthetics remained excellent, and the transplant functioned normally without any signs or symptoms of root resorption.

KEY LEARNING POINT

Missing anterior teeth may be replaced through a combination of orthodontics, autotransplantation with a rapid-prototyping model and prosthodontic restoration, in growing patients.

Anticomplementary activity of ergosterol peroxide fromNaematoloma fasciculare and reassignment of NMR data

A very high content (at least 0.23%) of ergosterol peroxide was isolated fromNaematoloma fasciculare Karst. Not only ergosterol peroxide but also ergosterol showed very strong anticomplementary activity on the classical pathway, the IC(50) values being 5.0 muM and 1.0 muM, respectively. The(1)H and(13)C NMR data of ergosterol peroxide were revised and completely assigned by DEPT,(1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC correlations.

4-1BB and 4-1BB ligand interaction increases IL-10 during acute inflammation of mice (B162)

The cell influx in the peritoneal cavity after the inflammatory stimulus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was analyzed from wild-type and 4-1BB-deficient mice. The peritoneal injection of LPS resulted in an increase of influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages in the peritoneal cavity with significantly higher number of macrophages in 4-1BB-deficient mice. Anti-4-1BBL Ab, which blocks the interaction between 4-1BB and 4-1BBL, resulted in higher number of cell influx, suggesting that blocking of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL interaction can increase PMN and macrophages influx after acute inflammation. The level of IL-10 production in wild type mice was significantly higher than that of 4-1BB-deficient mice. The peritoneal macrophages of 4-1BB-deficient mice expressed lower level of IL-10 at the mRNA and protein levels than did those of wild-type ones after LPS treatment, suggesting that peritoneal macrophages are main source of IL-10 in response to LPS. Significantly lower numbers of macrophages and PMN were recruited in PEC of 4-1BB-deficient mice after IL-10 injection, comparing with after PBS injection.

This work was supported by SRC fund to IRC, University of Ulsan from KOSEF and Ministry of Korea Sciences and Technology.

Dietary hematein ameliorates fatty streak lesions in the rabbit by the possible mechanism of reducing VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expression

Hematein is a compound isolated from Caesalpinia sappan that has been used in oriental medicine as both an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we examined the anti-atherogenic potential of hematein using cholesterol-fed New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. NZW rabbits were divided into a hematein-supplemented (0.05% in diet) group (n=6), a probucol-supplemented (0.25% in diet) group (n=6), and a control group (n=6). After 8 weeks of treatments, the extent of the atherosclerotic lesions was significantly reduced in the hematein-supplemented group and the probucol-supplemented group without changing plasma lipoprotein levels. Hematein and probucol prevented the up-regulation of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression on the descending aorta induced by cholesterol diet. In culture, hematein also significantly inhibited the secretion of soluble VCAM-1 and of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) respectively induced by tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and mildly oxidized low density lipoprotein in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) culture. Also, hematein inhibited monocyte adhesion to endothelial cell and the activation of NF-kappaB in HUVECs stimulated with TNF-alpha. The results of the present study suggest that the anti-atherogenic effect of hematein is not related to control of the plasma lipid profile but probably related to the inhibition of VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expression resulting in an amelioration of lesion development in the rabbit.

Inhibitory activity of lignan components from the flower buds of Magnoliae fargesii on the expression of cell adhesion molecules

Inhibitory activity of lignans isolated from Magnoliae fargesii Cheng on cell adhesion molecules on the surface of THP-1 human monocytic cell lines were investigated. Among 16 lignan components tested, six displayed relatively potent inhibitory activity on the expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).

Semialactone, isofouquierone peroxide and fouquierone, three new dammarane triterpenes from Rhus javanica

Three new dammarane triterpenes and semialactic acid were isolated from the stem bark of Rhus javanica. The structures of these triterpenes, named semialactone, isofouquierone peroxide and fouquierone, were elucidated by 2D-NMR analysis (HMQC, 1H-1H COSY and HMBC), and the 13C-NMR data of semialatic acid is revised.

Inhibition of cytokine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression; possible mechanism for anti-atherogenic effect of Agastache rugosa

Adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) play an important role during the early stages of atherogenesis. Agastache rugosa has an anti-atherogenic effect in low density lipoprotein receptor -/- mice. Moreover, A. rugosa reduced macrophage infiltration and VCAM-1 expression has been localized in aortic endothelium that overlies early foam cell lesions. This study ascertained that tilianin (100 microM), a major component of A. rugosa, inhibits the tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced expression of VCAM-1 by 74% in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Also, tilianin (100 microM) reduced TNF-alpha-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in HUVECs.

Effect of genistein analogs on oxygen radical production in leukocytes stimulated by unopsonized zymosan

Effects of genistein analogs on oxygen radical production have been analyzed in human neutrophils, human monocytes or murine macrophages Raw264.7 stimulated with unopsonized zymosan by lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assays. Genistein exhibited IC50 values of 10.7-11.5 microM on the oxygen radical production in human neutrophils, 10.9-11.0 microM in human monocytes, and 14.8-27.3 microM in Raw264.7 cells. Orobol, a genistein analog with an additional hydroxy group at the 3' position, exhibited IC50 values of 3.0-3.3 microM on the oxygen radical production in human neutrophils, 2.8-3.1 microM in human monocytes, and 1.5-3.9 microM in Raw264.7 cells. Genistin and sophoricoside are genistein glycosides with a glucose moiety at 7 or 4' position, respectively. The genistein glycosides exhibited 23-37% inhibitory effects at 100 microM on the oxygen radical production.

Hematein inhibits tumor necrotic factor-alpha-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells

Monocyte adhesion to the endothelium via adhesion molecules is one of the earliest events in atherogenesis. It has been suggested that vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) plays a very important role in the recruitment of monocytes in atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether hematein can influence the expression of VCAM-1 and the transcription of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent genes. Immunohistochemistry revealed that mouse aortic artery endothelial cells express VCAM-1 after feeding a high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Hematein dose dependently suppressed TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 in both surface (30.8%) and soluble protein (65%) production in HUVECs. The transcription level of VCAM-1 was measured by Northern blot analysis, and decreased VCAM-1 protein expression was associated with a reduction of VCAM-1 mRNA expression. Transient transfection study of NF-kappaB promoter construct and electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that hematein inhibited both NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression and NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha. Our results suggest that the down-regulation of VCAM-1 expression by hematein may in part be due to the inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression.

Inhibitory activity of stilbenes from medicinal plants on the expression of cell adhesion molecules on THP1 cells

The inhibitory activity of stilbenes isolated from medicinal plants on cell adhesion molecules on the surface of THP-1 human monocytic cell lines was investigated. Among ten stilbenes tested, four stilbenes displayed a significant inhibitory activity on the expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). A cell-to-cell adhesion assay showed that 3,5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene and 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside as well as resveratrol blocked significantly TNF-alpha-inducing cell-cell adhesion between human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and THP-1 cells.

Effects of triterpenoids from Pueraria lobata on immunohemolysis: beta-D-glucuronic acid plays an active role in anticomplementary activity in vitro

The anticomplementary properties of kaikasaponin III (4) and soyasaponin I (8) from Pueraria lobata and their hydrolytic analogs were investigated in vitro. Diglycosidic saponins [kaikasaponin I (3), soyasaponin III (7)] showed most potent anticomplementary activities, followed by monoglycosidic saponins [soyasapogenol B monoglucuronide (6), sophoradiol monoglucuronide (2)] and triglycosidic saponins [soyasaponin I (8), kaikasaponin III (4)], whereas sophoradiol (1) and soyasapogenol B (5) showed enhancement of hemolysis under the presence of serum on the classical pathway of complement system. But all of them showed very weak or no anticomplementary activities on the alternative pathway of complement system. The anticomplementary activity of the saponins was influenced by the nature of glucuronic acid, where the free acid forms (-COOH) showed much more potent activity than the sodium salt forms (-COO-Na+) or methyl ester forms (-COOCH3), and the reduced forms (-CH2OH) decreased the activity significantly.

Nuclear Notch1 signaling and the regulation of dendritic development

To understand the function of Notch in the mammalian brain, we examined Notch1 signaling and its cellular consequences in developing cortical neurons. We found that the cytoplasmic domain of endogenous Notch1 translocated to the nucleus during neuronal differentiation. Notch1 cytoplasmic-domain constructs transfected into cortical neurons were present in multiple phosphorylated forms, localized to the nucleus and could induce CBF1-mediated transactivation. Molecular perturbation experiments suggested that Notch1 signaling in cortical neurons promoted dendritic branching and inhibited dendritic growth. These observations show that Notch1 signaling to the nucleus exerts an important regulatory influence on the specification of dendritic morphology in neurons.

Acylated flavonol glycosides with anti-complement activity from Persicaria lapathifolia

During a search for biologically active compounds from traditional medicines, a crude extract of Persicaria lapathifolia was found to have anti-complement activity. Bioassay-guided chromatographic separation of the active constituents led to the isolation of a new acylated kaempferol glycoside (1) and three known acylated quercetin glycosides (2-4). The structures of compounds 1-4 were characterized as kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-(6"-p-hydroxybenzoyl)-galactopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-(6"-feruloyl)-galactopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-(2"-galloyl)-rhamnopyranoside and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-(2"-galloyl)-glucopyranoside, respectively. Compounds 1-4 showed strong anti-complement activity (IC50 values of 4.3, 9.7, 3.9 and 7.6 x 10(-5) M, respectively) on the classical pathway of the complement. On the other hand, six isolated flavonol glycosides (5-10) did not show any activity on this system.

Anticomplement activities of oleanolic acid monodesmosides and bisdesmosides isolated from Tiarella polyphylla

Seven known oleanolic acid glycosides (1-7) were isolated from the MeOH extract of Tiarella polyphylla. The structures were identified to be 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) oleanolic acid (1), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (2), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (3), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), 3-O-[a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (6), and 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7) on the basis of physicochemical and spectral data. These triterpene glycosides were tested for the anticomplement activity and hemolytic activity. Bisdesmosidic saponins, 4, 5, and 7, showed anticomplement activity; in contrast, monodesmosidic saponins, 1-3, and 6, showed direct hemolytic activity. Methyl esterified monodesmosidic saponins showed anticomplement activity at a low concentration and hemolytic activity at a high concentration.

In vitro anticomplementary activity of hederagenin saponins isolated from roots of Dipsacus asper

Anticomplementary activity of hederagenin and related saponins isolated from Dipsacus asper was investigated in vitro. HN saponin F (3) was most potent with IC50 value of 3.7x10(-5) M followed by 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-beta-L-+ ++arabi nopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyrano side (8), 3-O-beta-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), dipsacus saponin A (4), and hederagenin (1) on the classical pathway (CP) of complement system, while the saponins 3-5 did not show the inhibition of hemolysis and rather increase the hemolysis on the alternative pathway (AP). However, all of C-3 monodesmosides [prosapogenin CP (2), dipsacus saponin B (6), and dipsacus saponin C (7)] evoked hemolysis directly on the erythrocytes.

Sophoricoside analogs as the IL-5 inhibitors from Sophora japonica

Fruits of Sophora japonica L. (Leguminosae) exhibited an inhibitory effect in the IL-5 bioassay of mIL-5-dependent Y16 proliferation. The isoflavonoids of sophoricoside, genistein, orobol, and genistin were isolated as the IL-5 inhibitors from fresh fruits of the plant by activity-guided fractionation. Among the IL-5 inhibitors, sophoricoside exhibited the highest inhibitory effect with 89% inhibition at 12.5 microM, 82% at 6.3 microM, 72% at 3.1 microM, 59% at 1.6 microM, and 24% at 0.8 microM where the 50% inhibition (IC50) was shown at the concentration of 1.5 microM. Oxyphenylbutazone as the positive control exhibited the IC50 value at the concentration of 31.7 microM. In the order of IC50 values the inhibitory potency in the IL-5 bioassay was sophoricoside > orobol (9.8 microM) approximately equal to genistin (10.6 microM) > genistein (51.9 microM). The position of O-glycosylation and number of hydroxy groups in the isoflavonoids seem to play an important role in the inhibitory effect in the IL-5 bioassay.

Structure-activity relationships of lignans from Schisandra chinensis as platelet activating factor antagonists

We studied the structure-activity relationships of lignans from Schisandra chinensis and their derivatives as platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists. Strong activity was shown in lignans without an ester group at C-6, a hydroxyl group at C-7 or a methylene dioxy moiety and with an R-biphenyl configuration. 6(7)-Dehydroschisandrol A, a derivative of schisandrol A, showed the highest activity (IC50, 2.1x10(-6) M) in this study.

Anticomplementary activity of stilbenes from medicinal plants

The anticomplementary activity of stilbenes from medicinal plants in Korea was investigated in vitro. 3,5-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene (3) was most potent with IC50 value of 1.5 x 10(-4) M followed by rhapontigenin (4), oxyresverastrol (2), 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-glucoside (9), rhaponticin (8), resverastrol (1), and piceid (7). The activity was found to be increased by a methylation on a hydroxy group of C-4' of 1, but decreased by further methylation on hydroxy groups of C-3 and C-5 and glucosylation on any hydroxy group of 1. Addition of hydroxy group on C-2' of 1 or C-3' of 3 was little affected on the anticomplementary activity but the activity was increased by O-glucosylation on C-2 of 1.

Anti-complement activity of tiliroside from the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii

As part of the search for anticomplementary active components from natural products, the anticomplementary properties of methanolic extracts from the flower buds of Magnoliafargesii have been investigated. Bioassay-guided chromatographic separation of the active constituents led to the isolation of compound 1, whose structure was identified by spectroscopic methods to be kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-(6"-O-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside (tiliroside). Tiliroside showed very potent anti-complement activity (IC50=5.4 x 10(-5) M) on the classical pathway of the complement system, even higher than rosmarinic acid, which is a well-known inhibitor against the complement system. On the other hand, the hydrolysates of tiliroside, kaempferol, astragalin and p-coumaric acid showed very weak activity on this system.

Magnone A and B, novel anti-PAF tetrahydrofuran lignans from the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii

In a search for platelet-activating-factor (PAF) antagonists, two new lignan compounds were isolated from the Chinese crude drug shin-i, the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii. Their structures were elucidated as (2S,3R,4R)-tetrahydro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)furan (magnone A, 1) and (2S,3R, 4R)-tetrahydro-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)furan (magnone B, 2). Magnones A and B showed antagonistic activity against PAF in the [3H]PAF receptor binding assay with the IC50 values of 3.8 x 10(-5) M and 2.7 x 10(-5) M, respectively.

Anticomplementary activity of constituents from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan

The anticomplementary activity of compounds isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) was investigated. The sterol mixture (campesterol 11.2%, stigmasterol 18.9% and beta-sitosterol 69.9%) was most potent and brazilin, brazilein, and protosappanin E showed a new anticomplementary activity on the complement system in vitro.

Anticomplementary activity of ginseng saponins and their degradation products

The anticomplementary activity of ginseng saponins and their degradation products obtained by chemical treatment of Korean red ginseng saponins was investigated. The total saponin and its major components showed strong anticomplementary activity and their structure-activity relationship was evaluated.

Platelet activating factor antagonist activity of ginsenosides

Ginseng saponins and their degradation products have been screened for antagonist activity towards [3H]PAF (platelet activating factor) in washed rabbit platelet receptor binding studies. 20(S)- and delta20-ginsenosides Rg3, protopanaxadiol-type saponins, were found to be relatively potent PAF antagonists (IC50 = 4.9 x 10(-5) M and 9.2 x 10(-5) M, respectively).

Agastaquinone, a new cytotoxic diterpenoid quinone from Agastache rugosa

A new diterpenoid quinone, agastaquinone [1], was isolated from the roots of Agastache rugosa. An oxime derivative [2] of agastaquinone was prepared with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The structure of agastaquinone [1] was established as 7-hydroxy-12-methoxy-20-norabieta-1,5(10),6,8,12-pentaene-3,11,14- trione by spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 showed nonspecific cytotoxic activities against several human cancer cell lines in vitro (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, XF498, and HCT15).