bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PEGylation Confers Greatly Extended Half-Life and Attenuated Immunogenicity to Recombinant Methioninase in Primates
Authors: Yang Zhijian , Wang Junhua , Lu Quan , Xu Jinbao , Kobayashi Yoshinao , Takakura Tomoaki , Takimoto Akio , Yoshioka Takayuji , Lian Changgen , Chen Chunmei , Zhang Dongdong , Zhang Ying , Li Shukuan , Sun Xinghua , Tan Yuying , Yagi Shigeo , Frenkel Eugene P. , Hoffman Robert M. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Methionine depletion by recombinant methioninase (rMETase) has been demonstrated previously to be highly effective in tumor-bearing mouse models. However, the therapeutic potential of rMETase has been limited by its short plasma half-life and immunologic effects, including high antibody production in mice and monkeys and anaphylactic reactions in monkeys. To overcome these limits of rMETase, the enzyme has been coupled to methoxypolyethylene glycol succinimidyl glutarate (MEGC-PEG-5000). In this study, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics, antigenicity and toxicity of MEGC-PEG-rMETase in Macaca fascicularis monkeys using an escalating-dose strategy. Dose ranging studies at 1,000, 4,000, and 8,000 units/kg i.v. determined that a single dose of 4,000 units/kg was sufficient to reduce plasma methionine to &lt;5 μmol/L for 12 hours. Pharmacokinetic analysis with the single 4,000 units/kg dose showed that MEGC-PEG-rMETase holoenzyme activity was eliminated with a biological half-life of 1.3 hours, and the MEGC-PEG-rMETase apoenzyme was eliminated with a biological half-life of 90 hours, an ∼36-fold increase compared with non-PEGylated rMETase. A single dose at 2,000 units/kg of MEGC-PEG-rMETase resulted in an apoenzyme half-life of 143 hours. A seven-day i.v. administration of 4,000 units/kg every 12 hours resulted in a steady-state depletion of plasma methionine to &lt;5 μmol/L. The only manifest toxicity was decreased food intake and slight weight loss. Red cell values and hemoglobin declined transiently during treatment but recovered after cessation of treatment. Subsequent challenges on days 29, 50 and, 71 did not result in any immunologic reactions. This result is in contrast to non-PEGylated rMETase, which elicited anaphylactic reactions in monkeys. Anti-MEGC-PEG-rMETase antibodies (at 10−2) were found on day 29, and these increased to 10−3 to 104 on day 71, 100 to 1,000-fold less than antibodies elicited by naked rMETase. Although anti-MEGC-PEG-rMETase antibodies were produced, no neutralizing antibody was identified, and each challenge dose was effective in depleting plasma methionine levels. The results of the present study demonstrate that PEGylation greatly prolongs serum half-life of the rMETase apoenzyme and eliminated anaphylactic reactions. The results indicate a profile with respect to serum half-life, toxicity, and antigenicity that suggest clinical potential of MEGC-PEG-rMETase.
Protein Kinase C ε Is an Endogenous Photosensitizer That Enhances Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Cutaneous Damage and Development of Squamous Cell Carcinomas1
Authors: Wheeler Deric L. , Martin Kaitlin E. , Ness Kristin J. , Li Yafan , Dreckschmidt Nancy E. , Wartman Marybeth , Ananthaswamy Honnavara N. , Mitchell David L. , Verma Ajit K. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractChronic exposure to UV radiation (UVR), especially in the UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm) spectrum of sunlight, is the major risk factor for the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer. UVR is a complete carcinogen, which both initiates and promotes carcinogenesis. We found that protein kinase C ε (PKCε), a member of the phospholipid-dependent threonine/serine kinase family, is an endogenous photosensitizer, the overexpression of which in the epidermis increases the susceptibility of mice to UVR-induced cutaneous damage and development of squamous cell carcinoma. The PKCε transgenic mouse (FVB/N) lines 224 and 215 overexpressed 8- and 18-fold PKCε protein, respectively, over endogenous levels in basal epidermal cells. UVR exposure (1 kJ/m2 three times weekly) induced irreparable skin damage in high PKCε-overexpressing mouse line 215. However, the PKCε transgenic mouse line 224, when exposed to UVR (2 kJ/m2 three times weekly), exhibited minimum cutaneous damage but increased squamous cell carcinoma multiplicity by 3-fold and decreased tumor latency by 12 weeks. UVR exposure of PKCε transgenic mice compared with wild-type littermates (1) elevated the levels of neither cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer nor pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone dimer, (2) reduced the appearance of sunburn cells, (3) induced extensive hyperplasia and increased the levels of mouse skin tumor promoter marker ornithine decarboxylase, and (4) elevated the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and other growth stimulatory cytokines, granulocyte colony–stimulating factor, and granulocyte macrophage colony–stimulating factor. The role of TNFα in UVR-induced cutaneous damage was evaluated using PKCε transgenic mice deficient in TNFα. UVR treatment three times weekly for 13 weeks at 2 kJ/m2 induced severe cutaneous damage in PKCε transgenic mice (line 215), which was partially prevented in PKCε-transgenic TNFα-knockout mice. Taken together, the results indicate that PKCε signals UVR-induced TNFα release that is linked, at least in part, to the photosensitivity of PKCε transgenic mice.
Human
In vivo
Radiation-Induced Biomarkers
Authors: Amundson Sally A. , Grace Marcy B. , McLeland Christopher B. , Epperly Michael W. , Yeager Andrew , Zhan Qimin , Greenberger Joel S. , Fornace Albert J. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
After initially identifying potential biomarkers of radiation exposure through microarray studies of ex vivo irradiated human peripheral white blood cells, we have now measured the in vivo responses of several of these biomarker genes in patients undergoing total body irradiation. Microarray analysis has identified additional in vivo radiation-responsive genes, although the general in vivo patterns of stress-gene induction appear similar to those obtained from ex vivo white blood cell experiments. Additional studies may reveal correlations between responses and either diagnosis or prognosis, and such in vivo validation marks an important step in the development of potentially informative radiation exposure biomarkers.
Selective Activation of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 and -2 in Pleural Mesothelioma Cells
Authors: Hoang Chuong D. , Zhang Xihong , Scott Paul D. , Guillaume Tenner J. , Maddaus Michael A. , Yee Douglas , Kratzke Robert A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Molecular mechanisms active in transforming human pleural cells remain incompletely understood. Our previous microarray analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma revealed alterations in components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, implicating this signaling axis in tumorigenesis. Therefore, in this current study, we characterized the molecular phenotype and investigated the key signaling pathways of the IGF system in malignant pleural mesothelioma specimens. For the major IGF components, we assessed mRNA abundance and total protein levels. We measured IGF-I ligand-dependent activation of signaling pathways downstream of the type I IGF receptor in a subset of malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines and determined the corresponding biological consequences. At the transcriptional level, we observed consistent changes in IGF components that may contribute to a malignant phenotype. IGF-I stimulation of cells resulted in enhanced activation of type I IGF receptor and IRS adaptor proteins. Differential activation of IRS-1 signaling was associated with cell growth, whereas IRS-2 signaling was associated with cell motility. Thus, these data suggest that multiple mechanisms likely contribute to malignant pleural mesothelioma tumorigenesis. Therefore, IGF system components represent novel malignant pleural mesothelioma therapeutic targets for investigation.
Gefitinib Induces Apoptosis in the EGFRL858R Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line H3255
Authors: Tracy Sean , Mukohara Toru , Hansen Mark , Meyerson Matthew , Johnson Bruce E. , Jänne Pasi A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Somatic mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have recently been described in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who achieve radiographic regressions to the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. One of these mutations, L858R (Leu→Arg), is also found in NSCLC cell line H3255, which is very sensitive to gefitinib treatment. We characterized nine NSCLC cell lines (three isolated from patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and six isolated from patients with adenocarcinoma) for their in vitro sensitivity to gefitinib. Of these, only H3255 (EGFRL858R) and H1666 (EGFRWT) are sensitive to gefitinib with IC50 values of 40 nmol/L and 2 μmol/L, respectively. We examined the effects of gefitinib on H3255 and cell lines containing wild-type EGFR that are either sensitive (H1666) or resistant (A549 and H441) to gefitinib exposure in vitro. Gefitinib treatment (1 μmol/L) leads to significant apoptosis accompanied by increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage only in the H3255 cell line, leads to G1-S arrest in H1666, and has no effects in the A549 and H441 cell lines. Although EGFR and AKT are constitutively phosphorylated in H3255, H1666, and H441 cell lines, AKT is completely inhibited by gefitinib treatment only in the H3255 cell line. These findings further characterize a mechanism by which gefitinib treatment of NSCLC harboring EGFRL858R leads to a dramatic response to gefitinib.
A Functional Polymorphism in
RGS6
Modulates the Risk of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Berman David M. , Wang Yunfei , Liu Zhengyu , Dong Qiong , Burke Lorri-Anne , Liotta Lance A. , Fisher Rory , Wu Xifeng 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
RGS proteins negatively regulate heterotrimeric G protein signaling. Recent reports have shown that RGS proteins modulate neuronal, cardiovascular, and lymphocytic activity, yet their role in carcinogenesis has not been explored. In an epidemiologic study of 477 bladder cancer patients and 446 matched controls, three noncoding single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RGS2 and RGS6 were each associated with a statistically significant reduction in bladder cancer risk. The risk of bladder cancer was reduced by 74% in those individuals with the variant genotype at all three SNPs (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.71). When the SNPs were analyzed separately, the RGS6-rs2074647 (C→T) polymorphism conferred the greatest overall reduction in risk of bladder cancer (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.46–0.95). These reductions in risk were more pronounced in ever smokers, suggesting a gene-environment interaction. In transfection assays, the RGS6-rs2074647 (C→T) polymorphism increased the activity of a luciferase-RGS fusion protein by 2.9-fold, suggesting that this SNP is functionally significant. Finally, we demonstrate that RGS2 transcripts and several splice variants of RGS6 are expressed in bladder cancer cells. These data provide the first evidence that RGS proteins may be important modulators of cancer risk and validate RGS6 as a target for further study.
c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Activation Contributes to Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α–Dependent P-Glycoprotein Expression in Hypoxia
Authors: Comerford Katrina M. , Cummins Eoin P. , Taylor Cormac T. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
We previously have shown that hypoxia increases the expression of P-glycoprotein, which in turn increases tumor cell capacity to actively extrude chemotherapeutic agents and may contribute to tumor drug resistance. This event is mediated through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1). Here, we investigated the role of the stress-activated protein kinase c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in the signaling mechanisms underlying these events. Hypoxia activates JNK activity in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase (MEKK-1), which preferentially activates JNK, mimics, in a nonadditive way, hypoxia-induced activity of the MDR1 promoter and expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein. Furthermore, the JNK inhibitor SP600125 selectively and specifically inhibits hypoxia- and MEKK-1–induced MDR1 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. JNK inhibition also reversed hypoxia- and MEKK-1–induced activity of an HIF-1–dependent reporter gene. MEKK-1–induced MDR1 expression depends on a functional HIF-1 binding site (hypoxia-responsive element). Hypoxia- but not cobalt chloride–dependent HIF-1–DNA binding and transcriptional activation was inhibited by SP600125, indicating that hypoxia-induced signaling to HIF-1 depends on JNK activation. Because it has been reported that reactive oxygen species are increased in hypoxia and related to JNK activation, we investigated their role in signaling this response. Whereas exogenous addition of H2O2 was sufficient to activate JNK, reactive oxygen species scavengers were without effect on hypoxia-induced JNK or HIF-1 activation. Thus, hypoxia-elicited MDR1 expression, which depends on HIF-1 activation, depends at least in part on signaling via activation of JNK. Furthermore, these events are independent of the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates. Thus, JNK may represent a therapeutic target in the prevention of tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment.
Using Sindbis Viral Vectors for Specific Detection and Suppression of Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Animal Models
Authors: Tseng Jen-Chieh , Hurtado Alicia , Yee Herman , Levin Brandi , Boivin Christopher , Benet Marta , Blank Stephanie V. , Pellicer Angel , Meruelo Daniel 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
We studied the therapeutic value of Sindbis vectors for advanced metastatic ovarian cancer by using two highly reproducible and clinically accurate mouse models: a SCID xenograft model, established by i.p. inoculation of human ES-2 ovarian cancer cells, and a syngenic C57BL/6 model, established by i.p. inoculation of mouse MOSEC ovarian cancer cells. We demonstrate through imaging, histologic, and molecular data that Sindbis vectors systemically and specifically infect/detect and kill metastasized tumors in the peritoneal cavity, leading to significant suppression of the carcinomatosis in both animal models. Use of two different bioluminescent genetic markers for the IVIS Imaging System permitted demonstration, for the first time, of an excellent correlation between vector delivery and metastatic locations in vivo. Sindbis vector infection and growth suppression of murine MOSEC tumor cells indicate that Sindbis tumor specificity is not attributable to a species difference between human tumor and mouse normal cells. Sindbis virus is known to infect mammalian cells using the Mr 67,000 laminin receptor. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor cells indicates that laminin receptor is elevated in tumor versus normal cells. Down-regulated expression of laminin receptor with small interfering RNA significantly reduces the infectivity of Sindbis vectors. Tumor overexpression of the laminin receptor may explain the specificity and efficacy that Sindbis vectors demonstrate for tumor cells in vivo. We show that incorporation of antitumor cytokine genes such as interleukin-12 and interleukin-15 genes enhances the efficacy of the vector. These results suggest that Sindbis viral vectors may be promising agents for both specific detection and growth suppression of metastatic ovarian cancer.
Cyclin G2 Dysregulation in Human Oral Cancer
Authors: Kim Yong , Shintani Satoru , Kohno Yohko , Zhang Rong , Wong David T. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractUsing expression microarray, we have previously shown that human cyclin G2 (hCG2) is significantly down-regulated in laser capture microdissected oral cancer epithelia. Western analysis showed detectable hCG2 protein in normal (2 of 2) but not in malignant (4 of 4) oral keratinocyte cell lines. Immunohistochemistry analysis done on oral cancers showed that normal oral mucosa (100%, 12 of 12) and 69.1% (47 of 68) of dysplastic oral epithelia expressed readily detectable hCG2 in the nuclei. However, only 11.1% of oral cancer epithelia (14 of 126) showed mild hCG2 nuclear staining. Interestingly, of the oral cancers devoid of nuclear hCG2 (112 cases), 58 cases (52%) showed cytoplasmic hCG2 immunostaining, whereas the other 54 cases (48%) exhibited neither nuclear nor cytoplasmic hCG2 staining. In vitro functional study by ectopic restoration of hCG2 expression in the human malignant squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) line SCC15 resulted in a significant inhibition of cellular proliferation (P &lt; 0.001) and colony formation (P &lt; 2 × 10−5) with increased population of G1 phase and decreased in S phase (P &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, stable down-regulation of hCG2 by short interference RNA-based gene silencing in immortalized normal oral keratinocytes resulted in enhanced cell growth with increase in S and prominently in G2 phase. Because hCG2 has been implicated as a negative regulator in cell cycle progression, our results support that hCG2 dysregulation may play an important role in epithelial transformation and the early stages of human oral cancer development.
In vivo
Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Integrin αvβ3 in Brain Tumor Xenografts
Authors: Chen Xiaoyuan , Conti Peter S. , Moats Rex A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Noninvasive visualization of cell adhesion molecule αvβ3 integrin expression in vivo has been well studied by using the radionuclide imaging modalities in various preclinical tumor models. A literature survey indicated no previous use of cyanine dyes as contrast agents for in vivo optical detection of tumor integrin. Herein, we report the integrin receptor specificity of novel peptide-dye conjugate arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-Cy5.5 as a contrast agent in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. The RGD-Cy5.5 exhibited intermediate affinity for αvβ3 integrin (IC50 = 58.1 ± 5.6 nmol/L). The conjugate led to elevated cell-associated fluorescence on integrin-expressing tumor cells and endothelial cells and produced minimal cell fluorescence when coincubated with c(RGDyK). In vivo imaging with a prototype three-dimensional small-animal imaging system visualized subcutaneous U87MG glioblastoma xenograft with a broad range of concentrations of fluorescent probe administered via the tail vein. The intermediate dose (0.5 nmol) produces better tumor contrast than high dose (3 nmol) and low dose (0.1 nmol) during 30 minutes to 24 hours postinjection, because of partial self-inhibition of receptor-specific tumor uptake at high dose and the presence of significant amount of background fluorescence at low dose, respectively. The tumor contrast was also dependent on the mouse viewing angles. Tumor uptake of RGD-Cy5.5 was blocked by unlabeled c(RGDyK). This study suggests that the combination of the specificity of RGD peptide/integrin interaction with near-infrared fluorescence detection may be applied to noninvasive imaging of integrin expression and monitoring anti-integrin treatment efficacy providing near real-time measurements.
Recombinant
Listeria
Vaccines Containing PEST Sequences Are Potent Immune Adjuvants for the Tumor-Associated Antigen Human Papillomavirus-16 E7
Authors: Sewell Duane A. , Shahabi Vafa , Gunn George R. , Pan Zhen-Kun , Dominiecki Mary E. , Paterson Yvonne 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Previous work in our laboratory has established that the fusion of tumor-associated antigens to a truncated form of the Listeria monocytogenes virulence factor listeriolysin O (LLO) enhances the immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of the tumor antigen when delivered by Listeria or by vaccinia. LLO contains a PEST sequence at the NH2 terminus. These sequences, which are found in eukaryotic proteins with a short cellular half-life, target proteins for degradation in the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. To investigate whether the enhanced immunogenicity conferred by LLO is due to the PEST sequence, we constructed new Listeria recombinants that expressed the HPV-16 E7 antigen fused to LLO, which either contained or had been deleted of this sequence. We then compared the antitumor efficacy of this set of vectors and found that Listeria expressing the fusion protein LLO-E7 or PEST-E7 were effective at regressing established macroscopic HPV-16 immortalized tumors in syngeneic mice. In contrast, Listeria recombinants expressing E7 alone or E7 fused to LLO from which the PEST sequence had been genetically removed could only slow tumor growth. Because CD8+ T cell epitopes are generated in the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway, we also investigated the ability of the vaccines to induce E7-specific CD8+ T cells in the spleen and to generate E7-specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. A strong correlation was observed between CD8+ T-cell induction and tumor homing and the antitumor efficacy of the Listeria-E7 vaccines. These findings suggest a strategy for the augmentation of tumor antigen-based immunotherapeutic strategies that may be broadly applicable.
Alterations in Vascular Gene Expression in Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Parker Belinda S. , Argani Pedram , Cook Brian P. , Liangfeng Han , Chartrand Scott D. , Zhang Mindy , Saha Saurabh , Bardelli Alberto , Jiang Yide , St. Martin Thia B. , Nacht Mariana , Teicher Beverly A. , Klinger Katherine W. , Sukumar Saraswati , Madden Stephen L. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The molecular signature that defines tumor microvasculature will likely provide clues as to how vascular-dependent tumor proliferation is regulated. Using purified endothelial cells, we generated a database of gene expression changes accompanying vascular proliferation in invasive breast cancer. In contrast to normal mammary vasculature, invasive breast cancer vasculature expresses extracellular matrix and surface proteins characteristic of proliferating and migrating endothelial cells. We define and validate the up-regulated expression of VE-cadherin and osteonectin in breast tumor vasculature. In contrast to other tumor types, invasive breast cancer vasculature induced a high expression level of specific transcription factors, including SNAIL1 and HEYL, that may drive gene expression changes necessary for breast tumor neovascularization. We demonstrate the expression of HEYL in tumor endothelial cells and additionally establish the ability of HEYL to both induce proliferation and attenuate programmed cell death of primary endothelial cells in vitro. We also establish that an additional intracellular protein and previously defined metastasis-associated gene, PRL3, appears to be expressed predominately in the vasculature of invasive breast cancers and is able to enhance the migration of endothelial cells in vitro. Together, our results provide unique insights into vascular regulation in breast tumors and suggest specific roles for genes in driving tumor angiogenesis.
Bone Marrow Is a Reservoir for CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells that Traffic through CXCL12/CXCR4 Signals
Authors: Zou Linhua , Barnett Brian , Safah Hana , LaRussa Vincent F. , Evdemon-Hogan Melina , Mottram Peter , Wei Shuang , David Odile , Curiel Tyler J. , Zou Weiping 
Published: September 2005

AbstractCD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate peripheral T-cell homeostasis and contribute to self-tolerance. Their homeostatic and pathologic trafficking is poorly understood. Under homeostatic conditions, we show a relatively high prevalence of functional Tregs in human bone marrow. Bone marrow strongly expresses functional stromal-derived factor (CXCL12), the ligand for CXCR4. Human Tregs traffic to and are retained in bone marrow through CXCR4/CXCL12 signals as shown in chimeric nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces human bone marrow CXCL12 expression in vivo, associated with mobilization of marrow Tregs to peripheral blood in human volunteers. These findings show a mechanism for homeostatic Treg trafficking and indicate that bone marrow is a significant reservoir for Tregs. These data also suggest a novel mechanism explaining reduced acute graft-versus-host disease and improvement in autoimmune diseases following G-CSF treatment.