Oncogenic activation of JAK3-STAT signaling confers clinical sensitivity to PRN371, a novel selective and potent JAK3 inhibitor, in natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

Aberrant activation of the JAK3-STAT signaling pathway is a characteristic feature of many hematological malignancies. In particular, hyperactivity of this cascade has been observed in natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) cases. Although the first-in-class JAK3 inhibitor tofacitinib blocks JAK3 activity in NKTL both in vitro and in vivo, its clinical utilization in cancer therapy has been limited by the pan-JAK inhibition activity. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of JAK3 inhibition in NKTL, we have developed a highly selective and durable JAK3 inhibitor PRN371 that potently inhibits JAK3 activity over the other JAK family members JAK1, JAK2, and TYK2. PRN371 effectively suppresses NKTL cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through abrogation of the JAK3-STAT signaling. Moreover, the activity of PRN371 has a more durable inhibition on JAK3 compared to tofacitinib in vitro, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition in a NKTL xenograft model harboring JAK3 activating mutation. These findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of NKTL.

cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of the lectin genes of the Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum)

We previously isolated a lectin of the Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum). The cDNA clones that encode the A- or the B-chain of the Korean mistletoe lectin were cloned by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mRNAs that were extracted from the Korean mistletoe were amplified, ligated into the pGEM-T easy vector, and screened with a Korean mistletoe lectin-specific probe. The probe was prepared by PCR amplification of the Korean mistletoe DNA using a primer set designed on the basis of amino acid sequences of the Korean mistletoe lectin that we had purified and reported. Unlike a recent report, which states that the European mistletoe lectin gene has no isoforms, several different clones of the A- and B-chains of the Korean mistletoe lectin were cloned from the same primer set. Three clones of each were selected for sequencing. The sizes of the A-chains were 762, 762, and 768 bp, respectively. The B-chain sizes were 798, 789, and 789 bp, respectively. Each of the clones showed significant variation in the amino acids sequence, including the N-linked glycosylation sites of the lectin. The sequence analysis of each of the Korean lectin clones, in comparison with the European mistletoe lectin and the other type II ribosome binding proteins, is discussed in the text. In addition, Southern blot analysis of the Korean mistletoe genomic DNA, restricted by different enzymes and hybridized with the lectin DNA, showed multi-bands, supporting the existence of multicopy genes or a gene family. These data suggest that heterogeneity of the mistletoe lectin is not only introduced by post-translational modifications, but also by expression of isotypes of the lectin genes.

Cellular and humoral adjuvant activity of lectins isolated from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album colaratum)

The adjuvant effect of lectins (KML-C) isolated from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) on induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH) was examined. When mice were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with KLH (20 micrograms/mouse) admixed with or without 50 ng/mouse of KML-C (KLH + KML-C), mice immunized with KLH + KML-C showed significantly higher antibody titers against KLH than those immunized with KLH alone, showing the highest titer 5 weeks after immunization. Furthermore, boost immunization with KLH + KML-C at 2-week interval elicited much higher activity than single immunization to enhance antibody responses against KLH. The assay for determining isotypes of antibodies revealed that KML-C augmented KLH-specific antibody titers of IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b. The culture supernatants obtained from the splenocytes of mice treated with KLH + KML-C also showed a higher level of both KLH-specific Th-1 (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) and Th-2 type cytokine (IL-4). In an in vitro analysis of T lymphocyte proliferation to KLH on week 4, the splenocytes of mice treated with KLH + KML-C showed a significantly higher proliferating activity than those treated with KLH alone. In addition, mice immunized twice with KLH + KML-C and followed by intrafootpad (i.f.) injection of KLH (50 micrograms/site) 14 weeks after the primary immunization induced a higher delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction than mice treated with KLH alone. These results suggest that KML-C is a potent immunoadjuvant to enhance cellular and humoral immune responses.

Lectins isolated from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) induce apoptosis in tumor cells

Cytotoxic lectins (KML-C) were isolated from an extract of Korean mistletoe [Viscum album C. (coloratum)] by affinity chromatography on a hydrolysed Sepharose 4B column, and the chemical and biological properties of KML-C were examined, partly by comparing them with a lectin (EML-1) from European mistletoe[Viscum album L. (loranthaceae)]. The hemagglutinating activity of KML-C was inhibited by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-galactose at the minimum concentrations of 6.3 and 12.5 microM/ml, respectively. Further biochemical analyses indicated that KML-C consists of four chains (Mr = 27.5, 30, 31 and 32.5 kDa) which, in some of the molecules, are disulfide-linked, and that the chains of KML-C are distributed over a broad range of isoelectric points (pI), 8.0 to 9.0, whereas the range for EML-1 is 6.6-7.0. A difference was also observed between the N-terminal sequences of KML-C and EML-1. The isolated lectins showed strong cytotoxicity against various human and murine tumor cells, and the cytotoxic activity of KML-C was higher than that of EML-1. Tumor cells treated with KML-C exhibited typical patterns of apoptotic cell death, such as apparent morphological changes and DNA fragmentation, and its apoptosis-inducing activity was blocked by addition of Zn2+, an inhibitor of Ca2+/Mg2+ -dependent endonucleases, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that KML-C is a novel lectin related to the cytotoxicity of Korean mistletoe, and that its cytotoxic activity against tumor cells is due to apoptosis mediated by Ca2+/Mg2+ -dependent endonucleases.

Prophylactic effect of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) extract on tumor metastasis is mediated by enhancement of NK cell activity

We here demonstrated the prophylactic effect of an extract (KM-110) from Viscum album coloratum, a Korean mistletoe, on tumor metastasis produced by highly metastatic tumor cells, colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, B16-BL6 melanoma and L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells, using experimental models in mice. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of KM-110 (100 microg/mouse) 2 days before tumor inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastasis of B16-BL6 and colon 26-M3.1 cells, and liver and spleen metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 cells. The prophylactic effect of KM-110 on tumor metastasis was evident with various administration routes, i.e. subcutaneous, oral, intranasal as well as i.v., and was dependent upon the dose of KM-110 administered. Furthermore, mice given KM-110 (100 microg) 2 days before tumor inoculation showed significantly prolonged survival rates compared with the untreated mice. In a time course analysis of NK activity, i.v. administration of KM-110 (100 microg) significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity to Yac-a tumor cells from 1 to 3 days after KM-110 treatment. Furthermore, depletion NK cells by injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 serum completely abolished the inhibitory effect of KM-110 on lung metastasis of colon 26-M3.1 cells. These results suggest that KM-110 possesses immunopotentiating activity which enhances the host defense system against tumors, and that its prophylactic effect on tumor metastasis is mediated by NK cell activation.

Studies on the inhibitory effects of quercetin on the growth of HL-60 leukemia cells

Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been shown to exert multiple pharmacological effects and to be an anticancer agent or a supplementary anticancer agent. In this report, the human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line was used to study the effects of quercetin on the growth, cell cycle, activities of cytosolic and membrane protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK), and phosphoinositide production of the tumor cells. The results showed that quercetin inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of about 7.7 microM after 96 hr of treatment; when the concentration of quercetin was 10 microM, the percent inhibition on the growth of HL-60 cells was 17.1, 27.3, 40.1, and 52.7% after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr of treatment, respectively. Flow cytometric analyses showed that quercetin caused an increase in cells in the G2/M phase and a decrease in cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle in a concentration-dependent manner; these effects were reversed when quercetin was removed from the culture medium. Quercetin strongly inhibited the activities of cytosolic PKC and membrane TPK from HL-60 cells in vitro, with IC50 values of about 30.9 and 20.1 microM, respectively, but did not affect membrane PKC or cytosolic TPK activity from HL-60 cells in vitro. Quercetin markedly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the production of phosphoinositides in intact HL-60 cells. The results provide evidence that the inhibitory effect of quercetin on the growth of HL-60 cells may be related to its inhibitory effects on PKC and/or TPK in vitro and/or on the production of phosphoinositides.

Effect of quercetin on activities of protein kinase C and tyrosine protein kinase from HL-60 cells

AIM

To study the effect of quercetin (Que) on the activities of cytosol and membrane protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) from HL-60 cells in vitro.

METHODS

The number of viable cells was counted by a trypan blue dye exclusion test. PKC activity was assayed by incubating PKC with histone III S and [gamma-32P]ATP. TPK activity was assayed by incubating TPK with poly glutamate.tyrosine (4:1).

RESULTS

Que inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, its IC50 was 29 (22-37) mumol.L-1 after 48-h treatment; Que strongly inhibited the activity of cytosol PKC and membrane TPK with IC50 31 (20-48) mumol.L-1, 24 (13-45) mumol.L-1, respectively, but did not affect membrane PKC and cytosol TPK from HL-60 cells in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of Que on the growth of tumor cells is related to its inhibitory effects on PKC and/or TPK.

Action of 3 tyrphostin derivatives on casein kinase II from rat liver

AIM

To study the action of tyrphostin on casein kinase (CK) II.

METHODS

CK II was partially purified from rat livers by sequential DE52 and heparin-Sepharose chromatography. CK II activity was assayed by incubating CK II with dephosphorylated casein and [gamma-32P]ATP.

RESULTS

AG34 inhibited the activity of CK II with IC50 33 (27-41) mumol.L-1. Both AG372 (121 mumol.L-1) and AG1112 (150 mumol.L-1) displayed inhibitory effects on the activity of CK II. Kinetic studies of AG34 on CK II showed that it was noncompetitive with casein and ATP.

CONCLUSION

AG34, AG372, and AG1112 were potent inhibitors of CK II, and the inhibitory action of AG34 was noncompetitive with casein and ATP.

Effects of tyrphostins on activity of casein kinase II from rat liver

AIM

To investigate the effects of tyrphostins, (AG213, AG1394, AG114, AG1109, AG555) on the activity of casein kinase (CK) II.

METHODS

CK II was partially purified from rat livers by sequential DE52 and heparin-Sepharose chromatography. CK II activity was assayed by incubating CK II with dephosphorylated casein and [gamma-32 P]ATP.

RESULTS

AG213 inhibited the activity of CK II with IC50 44.7 mumol.L-1 (41.5-47.9 mumol.L-1), and AG1394 (144 mumol.L-1) strongly inhibited the activity of CK II with an inhibitory ratio of 89%. AG114 (174 mumol.L-1) and AG1109 (126 mumol.L-1) had inhibitory effects on the activity of CK II (p < 0.01). AG555 (136 mumol.L-1) had little effect on CK II activity.

CONCLUSION

Some tyrphostins are potent inhibitors of CK II.

Inhibitory effect of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) extract on tumour angiogenesis and metastasis of haematogenous and non-haematogenous tumour cells in mice

We examined the inhibitory effect of an aqueous extract (referred to as KM-110) from Viscum album coloratum, a Korean mistletoe, on tumour metastasis produced by highly metastatic murine tumour cells, B16-BL6 melanoma, colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma and L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells, using experimental and spontaneous metastasis models in syngeneic mice. In experimental metastasis of B16-BL6 and colon 26-M3.1 cells, intravenous (i.v.) administration of KM-110 (100 micrograms/mouse) 1 day after tumour inoculation significantly inhibited lung metastasis of both tumour cells. The administration of KM-110 also exhibited a therapeutic effect on liver and spleen metastasis of L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cells. Furthermore, in spontaneous metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma cells, multiple administration of KM-110 into tumour-bearing mice resulted in significant inhibition of lung metastasis by tumour cells, as well as the suppressive activity to the growth of primary tumour. In in vivo analysis for tumour-induced angiogenesis, the i.v. administration of KM-110 suppressed tumour growth and inhibited the number of blood vessels oriented towards the tumour mass. In a bioassay, the culture supernatant (KM-110-treated medium) of murine peritoneal macrophages that had been stimulated with KM-110 (1-10 micrograms/ml) for 30 min followed by 24 h incubation in fresh medium showed a strong tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) activity. In addition, KM-110-treated medium significantly inhibited the growth of in vitro cultures of rat lung endothelial (RLE) cells. These results suggested that the extract of Korean mistletoe inhibits tumour metastasis caused by haematogenous as well as non-haematogenous tumour cells, and that its antimetastatic effect results from the suppression of tumour growth and the inhibition of tumour-induced angiogenesis by inducing TNF-alpha.

Activities of aldose reductase, ATPases, and nucleotide concentrations of erythrocytes in patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

Aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21) is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. In this paper we determined the activities of aldose reductase and ATPases of the erythrocytes in 17 patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In the aldose reductase assay we used fluorometric method to avoid the disturbance of hemoglobin. With dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), we verified it was aldose reductase but not aldehyde reductase II that was activated in the erythrocytes of the patients with NIDDM. The aldose reductase activity of the erythrocytes in the patients was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that in the controls. The activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPase of the patients was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that of the controls. The activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase on the erythrocyte membranes of the patients were similar to those of the controls. At the same time we measured the seven nucleotide concentrations in the erythrocytes of the patients. In this experiment we used ultrafiltration method, instead of acid precipitation to make it possible to determine dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and NADH. The concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP were similar to those of the controls. The concentrations of NADPH, NAD+ and NADH in the erythrocytes of the patients were significantly lower (P less than 0.01, 0.05 and 0.05 respectively) than those of controls. The concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) in the patients was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that of controls.

Vaginal leiomyoma in a dog

The surgical treatment of vaginal leiomyoma in a seven year old Blue Heeler bitch is described. A smooth, 12 cm diameter submucosal, intraluminal, firm mass was found on vaginal examination. It appeared to arise from the left ventral vaginal wall, cranial to the clitoris but caudal to the cervix. There was no history of urinary problems and the dog was normal in all other aspects. The treatment was surgical excision of the mass via an episiotomy. Histological examination indicated a leiomyoma. The differential diagnoses, possible etiologies and control or prevention of the condition by ovariohysterectomy are also discussed.