Targeting treatment of bladder cancer using PTK7 aptamer-gemcitabine conjugate

Xiang Wei,Peng Yongbo,Zeng Hongliang,Yu Chunping,Zhang Qun,Liu Biao,Liu Jiahao,Hu Xing,Wei Wensu,Deng Minhua,Wang Ning,Liu Xuewen,Xie Jianfei,Hou Weibin,Tang Jin,Long Zhi,Wang Long,Liu Jianye 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Gemcitabine (GEM) is one of the first-line chemotherapies for bladder cancer (BC), but the GEMs cannot recognize cancer cells and have a low long-term response rate and high recurrence rate with side effects during the treatment of BC. Targeted transport of GEMs to mediate cytotoxicity to tumor and avoid the systemic side effects remains a challenge in the treatment of BC.Based on a firstly confirmed biomarker in BC-protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), which is overexpressed on the cell membrane surface in BC cells, a novel targeting system protein tyrosine kinase 7 aptamer-Gemcitabine conjugate (PTK7-GEMs) was designed and synthesized using a specific PTK7 aptamer and GEM through auto-synthesis method to deliver GEM against BC. In addition, the antitumor effects and safety evaluation of PTK7-GEMs was assessed with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays.PTK7-GEMs can specifically bind and enter to BC cells dependent on the expression levels of PTK7 and via the macropinocytosis pathway, which induced cytotoxicity after GEM cleavage from PTK7-GEMs respond to the intracellular phosphatase. Moreover, PTK7-GEMs showed stronger anti-tumor efficacy and excellent biosafety in three types of tumor xenograft mice models.These results demonstrated that PTK7-GEMs is a successful targeted aptamer-drug conjugates strategy (APDCs) to treat BC, which will provide new directions for the precision treatment of BC in the field of biomarker-oriented tumor targeted therapy.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of a New CRT Binding Factor Gene from Capsella bursa-pastoris

( Xing Long Wang ),( Li Liu ),( Si Xiu Liu ),( Xiao Qing Sun ),( Zhong Xiang Deng ),( Yan Pi ),( Xiao Fen Sun ),( Ke Xuan Tang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2004 BMB Reports Vol.37 No.5

A new CRT binding factor (CBF) gene designated Cbcbf25 was cloned from Capsella bursa pastoris, a wild grass, by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of Cbcbf25 was 898 bp with a 669 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative DRE/CRT (LTRE)-binding protein of 223 amino acids. The predicted CbCBF25 protein contained a potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) in its N-terminal region followed by an AP2 DNA-binding motif and a possible acidic activation domain in the C-terminal region. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that Cbcbf25 has a high level of similarity with other CBF genes like cbfl, cbf2, and cbf3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, and Bncbf5, Bncbf7, Bncbfl6, and Bncbfl7 from Brassica napus. A cold acclimation assay showed that Cbcbf25 was expressed immediately after cold triggering, but this expression was transient, suggesting that it concerns cold acclimation. Our study implies that Cbcbf25 is an analogue of other CBF genes and may participate in cold-response, by for example, controlling the expression of cold-regulated genes or increasing the freezing tolerance of plants.

Characterization and Electrical Conductivity of Carbon-Coated Metallic (Ni, Cu, Sn) Nanocapsules

Wang, Dong Xing,Shah, Asif,Zhou, Lei,Zhang, Xue Feng,Liu, Chun Jing,Huang, Hao,Dong, Xing Long Korean Society of Microscopy 2015 Applied microscopy Vol.45 No.4

Carbon-coated Ni, Cu and Sn nanocapsules were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a four-point probe device. All of these nanocapsules were prepared by an arc-discharge method, in which the bulk metals were evaporated under methane ($CH_4$) atmosphere. Three pure metals (Ni, Cu, Sn) were typically diverse in formation of the carbon encapsulated nanoparticles and their different mechanisms were investigated. It was indicated that a thick carbon layers formed on the surface of Ni(C) nanocapsules, whereas a thin shell of carbon with 1~2 layers covered on Cu(C) nanocapsules, and the Sn(C) nanocapsules was, in fact, a longger multi-walled carbon nanotubes partially-filled with metal Sn. As one typical magnetic/dielectric nanocomposite particles, Ni(C) nanocapsules and its counterpart of oxide-coated Ni(O) nanocapsules were compared in the electrically conductive behaviors for further applications as the electromagnetic materials.

Ce3+ triggers fenton-like processes in neutral solutions for effective catechol degradation

Xing Chen,Xu Liu,Hai-Bo Wang,Kang-Ping Cui,Rohan Weerasooriya,Shi-Long He,Guang-Hong Li,Jun Pan,Kai Zhou 대한환경공학회 2022 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.27 No.1

Classical Fenton and Fenton-like processes destruct organic pollutants in water non-selectively to complete mineralization. However, the usage of classical Fenton or Fenton-like processes is often limited due to the narrow operational pH window, sludge accumulation, inefficient H₂O₂ and efficiency decline. To overcome these constraints, in this study, we used a homogeneous Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>-Ce<SUP>3+</SUP>-H₂O₂ Fenton-like process to degrade catechol at different experimental conditions. At pH 7, almost 97% of 10 mM catechol can be destructed within 60 min while the degradation by Classical Fenton or Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>-H₂O₂ Fenton-like process only 36.2% and 23.7%. The resultant solution after the degradation contains only traces of cerium ions. The sludge created by the process was extensively characterized by FTIR and XPS spectroscopy to elucidate the fate of cerium ions. Electron spin resonance (ESR) data confirmed •OH as the major free radical in Fe<SUP>3+</SUP>-Ce<SUP>3+</SUP>-H₂O₂ process. Our Fenton-like process widens the optimal pH values to neutral condition.

Diversity and Active Mechanism of Fengycin-Type Cyclopeptides from Bacillus subtilis XF-1 Against Plasmodiophora brassicae

( Xing Yu Li ),( Zi Chao Mao ),( Yue Hu Wang ),( Yi Xing Wu ),( Yue Qiu He ),( Chun Lin Long ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.3

Bacillus subtilis XF-1, a strain with demonstrated ability to control clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, was studied to elucidate its mechanism of antifungal activity against P. brassicae. Fengycin-type cyclopeptides (FTCPs), a well-known class of compounds with strong fungitoxic activity, were purified by acid precipitation, methanol extraction, and chromatographic separation. Eight homologs of fengycin, seven homologs of dehydroxyfengycin, and six unknown FTCPs were characterized with LC/ESI-MS, LC/ESI-MS/MS, and NMR. FTCPs (250μg/ml) were used to treat the resting spores of P. brassicae (107/ml) by detecting leakage of the cytoplasm components and cell destruction. After 12 h treatment, the absorbencies at 260 nm (A260) and at 280 nm (A280) increased gradually to approaching the maximum of absorbance, accompanying the collapse of P. brassicae resting spores, and nearly no complete cells were observed at 24 h treatment. The results suggested that the cells could be cleaved by the FTCPs of B. subtilis XF-1, and the diversity of FTCPs was mainly attributed to a mechanism of clubroot disease biocontrol.

Identification of novel rheumatoid arthritis-associated MiRNA-204-5p from plasma exosomes

Wu Long-Fei,Zhang Qin,Mo Xing-Bo,Lin Jun,Wu Yang-Lin,Lu Xin,He Pei,Wu Jian,Guo Yu-Fan,Wang Ming-Jun,Ren Wen-Yan,Deng Hong-Wen,Lei Shu-Feng,Deng Fei-Yan 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of immune cells in the synovium. However, the crosstalk of immune cells and synovial fibroblasts is still largely unknown. Here, global miRNA screening in plasma exosomes was carried out with a custom microarray (RA patients vs. healthy controls = 9:9). A total of 14 exosomal miRNAs were abnormally expressed in the RA patients. Then, downregulated expression of exosomal miR-204-5p was confirmed in both the replication (RA patients vs. healthy controls = 30:30) and validation groups (RA patients vs. healthy controls = 56:60). Similar to the findings obtained in humans, a decreased abundance of exosomal miR-204-5p was observed in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis indicated that plasma exosomal miR-204-5p expression was inversely correlated with disease parameters of RA patients, such as rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. In vitro, our data showed that human T lymphocytes released exosomes containing large amounts of miR-204-5p, which can be transferred into synovial fibroblasts, inhibiting cell proliferation. Overexpression of miR-204-5p in synovial fibroblasts suppressed synovial fibroblast activation by targeting genes related to cell proliferation and invasion. In vivo assays found that administration of lentiviruses expressing miR-204-5p markedly alleviated the disease progression of the mice with CIA. Collectively, this study identified a novel RA-associated plasma exosomal miRNA-204-5p that mediates the communication between immune cells and synovial fibroblasts and can be used as a potential biomarker for RA diagnosis and treatment.

Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of the ectomycorrhizal Floccularia luteovirens on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Rui Xing,Qing-bo Gao,Fa-qi Zhang,Peng-cheng Fu,Jiu-li Wang,Hui-ying Yan,Shi-long-Chen 한국미생물학회 2017 The journal of microbiology Vol.55 No.8

Floccularia luteovirens, as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, is widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As an edible fungus, it is famous for its unique flavor. Former studies mainly focus on the chemical composition and genetic structure of this species. However, the phylogenetic relationship between genotypes remains unknown. In this study, the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship between the genotypes of F. luteovirens in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was estimated through the analysis on two protein-coding genes (rpb1 and ef-1α) from 398 individuals collected from 24 wild populations. The sample covered the entire range of this species during all the growth seasons from 2011 to 2015. 13 genotypes were detected and moderate genetic diversity was revealed. Based on the results of network analysis, the maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, the genotypes H-1, H-4, H-6, H-8, H-10, and H-11 were grouped into one clade. Additionally, a relatively higher genotype diversity (average h value is 0.722) and unique genotypes in the northeast edge of Qinghai- Tibet plateau have been found, combined with the results of mismatch analysis and neutrality tests indicated that Southeast Qinghai-Tibet plateau was a refuge for F. luteovirens during the historical geological or climatic events (uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau or Last Glacial Maximum). Furthermore, the present distribution of the species on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau has resulted from the recent population expansion. Our findings provide a foundation for the future study of the evolutionary history and the speciation of this species.

Overlapping Stents-Assisted Coiling for Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm : LVIS Stent within Neuroform EZ Stent

Liu, Xing-Long,Wang, Bin,Zhao, Lin-Bo,Jia, Zhen-Yu,Shi, Hai-Bin,Liu, Sheng The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2022 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.65 No.4

Objective : To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an overlapped stenting-assisted coiling technique in treating vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) via Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent. Methods : From January 2017 to June 2019, 18 consecutive patients with VADAs (ruptured : unruptured=5 : 13) were treated with the overlapping stents assisted-coiling technique in our center. The overlapping manner was a Neuroform EZ stent being deployed first, followed by LVIS stents placement using the 'shelf' technique. The patients' clinical characteristics, technical feasibility and safety, and immediate and follow-up angiographic results were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Seventeen (94.4%) procedures were technically successful with an exact deployment of the stents and patent parent or perforator arteries. The immediate angiographies after procedure confirmed Raymond class I, II, and III occlusion of VADAs were in 12 (66.7%), two (11.1%), and four cases (22.2%), respectively. Post-procedural complications developed in one patient (5.6%) with minor brainstem infarctions, which resulted from an in-stent thrombosis during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up at 5.7 months (range 3 to 9 months) demonstrated Raymond class I and II occlusion were in all cases (100%). The modified Rankin Scale scores at 21.3 months (range 15 to 42 months) 0-2 in 17 cases (94.4%) and three in one case (5.6%). Conclusion : Overlapping stents via LVIS stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent combined with coiling is safe and effective for patients with VADA in the midterm results.

Identification of putative carboxylesterase and aldehyde oxidase genes from the antennae of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Yu-Xing Zhang,Wen-Long Wang,Mao-Ye Li,Shi-Guang Li,Su Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.20 No.3

In insects, odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) play essential roles in the degradation of volatile odorants and maintenance of olfactory sensitivity. ODEs include several enzyme families with detoxification functions, such as carboxylesterases (CXEs) and aldehyde oxidases (AOXs). The rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious rice insect pest in Asia. In this study, 18 putative CXE genes and four AOX genes were identified from the antennae of C. medinalis by retrieving a previously released transcriptome dataset. BLASTX searching and phylogenetic analyses showed that these genes are closely related to their respective orthologs in other lepidopteran species. Expression patterns of these genes were determined by reverse transcription- quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Four candidate genes, including three CmedCXEs (CmedCXE17, CmedCXE20 and CmedCXE24) and one CmedAOX (CmedAOX2) were antenna-enriched and considered potentially involved in odorant degradation. Our findings provide a comprehensive sequence resource and expression profiles of CXE and AOX genes in C. medinalis antennae, which may facilitate further studies of the odorant degradation mechanisms in this insect species.

Synthesis and Electro-Optical Propertiesof a Polyacetylene Derivative: Poly(Ethynylestradiol3-Methyl Ether)

Gui, Tai-Long,Yin, Jing-Hua,Wang, Dong-Xing,Jin, Sung-Ho,Lim, Kwon Taek,Kim, Bong-Shik,Lee, Won-Chul,Gal, Yeong-Soon TaylorFrancis 2007 Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Vol.463 No.1

<P> A new conjugated polymer with bulky substituents was synthesized by the polymerization of ethynylestradiol 3-methyl ether (EEDME) by such transition metal catalysts as PdCl2, RuCl3, and (NBD)PdCl2. The polymerization proceeded well in homogeneous manner to give a moderate yield of polymer. The chemical structure of poly(EEDME) was characterized to have the conjugated polymer backbone with the designed substituents. From the CV measurements, the HOMO energy level of the polymer was calculated to be 5.02 eV. The photoluminescence spectra of poly(EEDME) showed that the two photoluminescence peaks are located at 434 and 406 nm corresponding to the photon energy of 2.86 and 3.06 eV, respectively.</P>