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The article presents a variety of technologies for winter wheat and winter barley cultivation using different methods of primary tillage, different standards of organic fertilizers, a modernized plant protection system. The experiment was carried out in a stationary experiment on winter crops (winter wheat and winter barley). It was found that a gradual increase in the degree of the soil fertility and mineral fertilizers led to an increase in the productivity. When developing methods for cultivating these crops, it is necessary not only to contribute to a change in the grain yield, but also to focus on the costs of the resulting products. The authors established parameters that allow to realize the biological potential of winter crops, namely varietal features, rational doses of fertilizers and soil fertility in this zone. In the authors’ opinion, increasing doses of fertilizers, modernization of agricultural methods helped to improve the crop productivity, but led to a growth in costs. Today, the solution of these tasks is very important for the sub-sector of deep grain processing, that is why the authors conducted this research to identify a rational combination of different techniques for ensuring growth, development and productivity, with an economic assessment of the data.

Suicide transgenes encode proteins that are either capable of activating specific prodrugs into cytotoxic antimetabolites that can trigger cancer cell apoptosis or are capable of directly inducing apoptosis. Suicide gene therapy of cancer (SGTC) involves the targeted or localized delivery of suicide transgene sequences into tumor cells by means of various gene delivery vehicles. SGTC that operates via the potentiation of small-molecule pharmacologic agents can elicit the elimination of cancer cells within a tumor beyond only those cells successfully transduced. Such "bystander effects ", typically mediated by the spread of activated cytotoxic antimetabolites from the transduced cells expressing the suicide transgene to adjacent cells in the tumor, can lead to a significant reduction of the tumor mass without the requirement of transduction of a high percentage of cells within the tumor. The spread of activated cytotoxic molecules to adjacent cells is mediated primarily by diffusion and normally involves gap junctional intercellular communications (GJIC). We have developed a novel SGTC system based on viral vector-mediated delivery of an engineered variant of human deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), which is capable of phosphorylating uridine- and thymidine-based nucleoside analogues that are not substrates for wild-type dCK, such as bromovinyl deoxyuridine (BVdU) and L-deoxythymidine (LdT). Since our dCK-based SGTC system is capable of mediating strong bystander cell killing, it holds promise for clinical translation. In this chapter, we detail the key procedures for the preparation of recombinant lentivectors for the delivery of engineered dCK, transduction of tumor cells, and evaluation of bystander cell killing effects in vitro and in vivo.

Suicide transgenes encode proteins that are either capable of activating specific prodrugs into cytotoxic antimetabolites that can trigger cancer cell apoptosis or are capable of directly inducing apoptosis. Suicide gene therapy of cancer (SGTC) involves the targeted or localized delivery of suicide transgene sequences into tumor cells by means of various gene delivery vehicles. SGTC that operates via the potentiation of small-molecule pharmacologic agents can elicit the elimination of cancer cells within a tumor beyond only those cells successfully transduced. Such "bystander effects ", typically mediated by the spread of activated cytotoxic antimetabolites from the transduced cells expressing the suicide transgene to adjacent cells in the tumor, can lead to a significant reduction of the tumor mass without the requirement of transduction of a high percentage of cells within the tumor. The spread of activated cytotoxic molecules to adjacent cells is mediated primarily by diffusion and normally involves gap junctional intercellular communications (GJIC). We have developed a novel SGTC system based on viral vector-mediated delivery of an engineered variant of human deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), which is capable of phosphorylating uridine- and thymidine-based nucleoside analogues that are not substrates for wild-type dCK, such as bromovinyl deoxyuridine (BVdU) and L-deoxythymidine (LdT). Since our dCK-based SGTC system is capable of mediating strong bystander cell killing, it holds promise for clinical translation. In this chapter, we detail the key procedures for the preparation of recombinant lentivectors for the delivery of engineered dCK, transduction of tumor cells, and evaluation of bystander cell killing effects in vitro and in vivo.

Advances in cancer immunotherapies utilizing engineered hematopoietic cells have recently generated significant clinical successes. Of great promise are immunotherapies based on chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T (CAR-T) cells that are targeted toward malignant cells expressing defined tumor-associated antigens. CAR-T cells harness the effector function of the adaptive arm of the immune system and redirect it against cancer cells, overcoming the major challenges of immunotherapy, such as breaking tolerance to self-antigens and beating cancer immune system-evasion mechanisms. In early clinical trials, CAR-T cell-based therapies achieved complete and durable responses in a significant proportion of patients. Despite clinical successes and given the side effect profiles of immunotherapies based on engineered cells, potential concerns with the safety and toxicity of various therapeutic modalities remain. We discuss the concerns associated with the safety and stability of the gene delivery vehicles for cell engineering and with toxicities due to off-target and on-target, off-tumor effector functions of the engineered cells. We then overview the various strategies aimed at improving the safety of and resolving toxicities associated with cell-based immunotherapies. Integrating failsafe switches based on different suicide gene therapy systems into engineered cells engenders promising strategies toward ensuring the safety of cancer immunotherapies in the clinic.

Objective It has been reported that crocodile blood contains potent antibacterial and antiviral properties. However, its effects on HIV-1 infection remain unknown. Design We obtained blood from saltwater crocodiles to examine whether serum or plasma could inhibit HIV-1 infection. We purified plasma fractions then used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the inhibitory protein factor(s). We then analyzed the ability of recombinant proteins to recapitulate HIV-1 inhibition and determine their mechanism of action. Methods Crocodylus porosus plasma was tested for inhibition of Jurkat T-cell HIV-1 infection. Inhibitor(s) were purified by reverse-phase chromatography then identified by protein liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anti-HIV-1 activity of purified plasma or recombinant proteins were measured by p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and luciferase readouts, and mechanism of action was determined by measuring HIV-1 RNA, cDNA and transcription (using 1G5 cells). Results Crocodile plasma contains potent inhibitors of HIV-1IIIB infection, which were identified as histones. Recombinant human histones H1 and H2A significantly reduced HIV-1JR-FL infection (IC50 of 0.79 and 0.45 μmol/l, respectively), whereas H4 enhanced JR-FL luciferase activity. The inhibitory effects of crocodile plasma, recombinant H1 or recombinant H2A on HIV-1 infection were during or post-viral transcription. Conclusion Circulating histones in crocodile blood, possibly released by neutrophil extracellular traps, are significant inhibitors of HIV-1 infection in-vitro. Extracellular recombinant histones have different effects on HIV-1 transcription and protein expression and are downregulated in HIV-1 patients. Circulating histones may be a novel resistance factor during HIV-1 infection, and peptide versions should be explored as future HIV-1 therapeutics that modulate viral transcription.

Summary Previously, we have reported that interleukin (IL)-4, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-11, but not IL-33, are up-regulated in two strains of mice with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) that are responsive to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment. Previously, IL-4 was ruled out in the mechanism of IVIg; however, other publications have suggested this cytokine as a major player in the mechanism of IVIg action. Thus, we sought to further investigate a role for IL-4 and, in addition, GM-CSF and IL-11 in the mechanism of action of IVIg using a murine model of ITP. A passive platelet antibody model was used to generate ITP in IL-4 receptor knock-out (IL-4R–/–), IL-11 receptor knock-out (IL-11Rα–/–) and GM-CSF knock-out (Csf2–/–) mice. We also used a neutralizing antibody to IL-11 and recombinant human IL-11 (rhIL-11) in addition to depleting basophils in vivo to study the effect of IVIg to ameliorate ITP. Our results showed that basophils, IL-4 and GM-CSF were unimportant in both ITP induction and its amelioration by IVIg. The role of IL-11 in these processes was less clear. Even though IL-11Rα–/– mice with ITP responded to IVIg similarly to wild-type (WT) mice, treatment of ITP WT mice with rhIL-11 instead of IVIg showed an increase in platelet numbers and WT mice administered anti-IL-11 showed a significant reduction in the ability of IVIg to ameliorate the ITP. Our findings indicate that neither IL-4, basophils or GM-CSF have roles in IVIg amelioration of ITP; however, a role for IL-11 requires further study.

WOS: 000396610300030, We prove that some integrals of Bessel functions are transcendence over ring of Bessel functions with coefficients from the field of rational fractions of one variable. (C)2017 All rights reserved.

Targeting the androgen signalling pathway has long been the hallmark of anti-hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. However, development of androgen-independent prostate cancer is an inevitable outcome to therapies targeting this pathway, in part, owing to the shift from cancer dependence on androgen signalling for growth in favor of augmentation of other cellular pathways that provide proliferation-, survival- and angiogenesis-promoting signals. This review focuses on the role of the hormone relaxin in the development and progression of prostate cancer, prior to and after the onset of androgen independence, as well as its role in cancers of other reproductive tissues. As the body of literature expands, examining relaxin expression in cancerous tissues and its role in a growing number of in vitro and in vivo cancer models, our understanding of the important involvement of this hormone in cancer biology is becoming clearer. Specifically, the pleiotropic functions of relaxin affecting cell growth, angiogenesis, blood flow, cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling are examined in the context of cancer progression. The interactions and intercepts of the intracellular signalling pathways of relaxin with the androgen pathway are explored in the context of progression of castration-resistant and androgen-independent prostate cancers. We provide an overview of current anti-hormonal therapeutic treatment options for prostate cancer and delve into therapeutic approaches and development of agents aimed at specifically antagonizing relaxin signalling to curb tumor growth. We also discuss the rationale and challenges utilizing such agents as novel anti-hormonals in the clinic, and their potential to supplement current therapeutic modalities.

Androgen hormones and the androgen receptor (AR) pathway are the main targets of anti-hormonal therapies for prostate cancer. However, resistance inevitably develops to treatments aimed at the AR pathway resulting in androgen-independent or hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Therefore, there is a significant unmet need for new, non-androgen anti-hormonal strategies for the management of prostate cancer. We demonstrate that a relaxin hormone receptor antagonist, AT-001, an analog of human H2 relaxin, represents a first-in-class anti-hormonal candidate treatment designed to significantly curtail the growth of androgen-independent human prostate tumor xenografts. Chemically synthesized AT-001, administered subcutaneously, suppressed PC3 xenograft growth by up to 60%. AT-001 also synergized with docetaxel, standard first-line chemotherapy for HRPC, to suppress tumor growth by more than 98% in PC3 xenografts via a mechanism involving the downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and the hypoxia-induced response. Our data support developing AT-001 for clinical use as an anti-relaxin hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer.

Background Mouse models of human immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been used for years to investigate the mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to ameliorate ITP; however, how closely these experimental mouse models mirror the human autoimmune inflammatory disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the cytokine profiles in experimental ITP with and without IVIG treatment. Study Design and Methods We examined the production of 23 cytokines that included pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, in two different mouse strain models of ITP, BALB/c and C57BL/6J, with and without IVIG treatment. Results In contrast to human ITP, in mouse models of ITP generated by passive transfer of an alloantibody we find no evidence of inflammatory disease even when ITP is robust, suggesting that while these models capture the innate response phase of the disease, they may not be capturing the adaptive mechanisms of autoimmune initiation of the disorder. Regardless of the mouse strain examined, interleukin (IL)-1α, -2, -6, -17, and -23; granulocyte-macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1; macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β; RANTES; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; and interferon-γ remain at negligible levels after ITP induction. IVIG treatment in the absence of ITP induced significant levels of IL-4, -10, -11, -17, and -23; GM-CSF; MCP-1; and TNF-α in BALB/c mice, but only IL-11 was elevated in C57BL/6J mice. In response to IVIG treatment of ITP, both strains produced IL-4, -10, -11, and -23; GM-CSF; MCP-1; MIP-1β; and TNF-α; however, only BALB/c exhibited increased MCP-3 and RANTES. IL-11 levels were the highest of any cytokine after IVIG administration, given either alone or as treatment of ITP. Conclusions We conclude that mouse models for human ITP do not capture the full range of autoimmune inflammatory mechanisms of this disease. Furthermore, cytokine profiles differ in response to IVIG depending on the mouse strain used.

Idiopathic or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a serious clinical disorder involving the destruction of platelets by macrophages. Small molecule therapeutics are highly sought after to ease the burden on current therapies derived from human sources. Earlier, we discovered that dimers of five-membered heterocycles exhibited potential to inhibit phagocytosis of human RBCs by macrophages. Here, we reveal a structure–activity relationship of the bis-pyrazole class of molecules with –C–C–, –C–N– and –C–O– linkers, and their evaluation as inhibitors of phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized human RBCs as potential therapeutics for ITP. We have uncovered three potential candidates, 37 , 47 and 50 , all carrying a different linker connecting the two pyrazole moieties. Among these compounds, hydroxypyrazole derivative 50 is the most potent compound with an IC 50 of 14 ± 9 μM for inhibiting the phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized human RBCs by macrophages. None of the compounds exhibited significant potential to induce apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Current study has revealed specific functional features, such as up to 2-atom spacer arm and alkyl substitution at one of the N 1 positions of the bivalent pyrazole core to be important for the inhibitory activity.

Immune cytopenias are conditions characterized by low blood cell counts, such as platelets in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and red blood cells in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Chronic ITP affects approximately 4 in 100,000 adults annually while AIHA is much less common. Extravascular phagocytosis and massive destruction of autoantibody-opsonized blood cells by macrophages in the spleen and liver are the hallmark of these conditions. Current treatment modalities for ITP and AIHA include the first-line use of corticosteroids; whereas, IVIg shows efficacy in ITP but not AIHA. One main mechanism of action by which IVIg treatment leads to the reduction in platelet destruction rates in ITP is thought to involve Fcγ receptor (FcγR) blockade, ultimately leading to the inhibition of extravascular platelet phagocytosis. IVIg, which is manufactured from the human plasma of thousands of donors, is a limited resource, and alternative treatments, particularly those based on bioavailable small molecules, are needed. In this review, we overview the pathophysiology of ITP, the role of Fcγ receptors, and the mechanisms of action of IVIg in treating ITP, and outline the efforts and progress towards developing novel, first-in-class inhibitors of phagocytosis as synthetic, small molecule substitutes for IVIg in ITP and other conditions where the pathobiology of the disease involves phagocytosis.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a debilitating, life-threatening autoimmune disorder affecting more than 4 in every 100,000 adults annually, stemming from the production of antiplatelet antibody resulting in accelerated platelet destruction and thrombocytopenia. Numerous animal models of ITP have been developed that contributed to the basic understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ITP onset, progression, and maintenance. Rodent models that develop ITP spontaneously, or by passive transfer of an antiplatelet sera or antibody, play an instrumental role in the investigation of ITP mechanisms responsible for the breakdown of tolerance in human ITP, in studies of the immunopathology underlying the progression of platelet destruction, and in elucidation of the mechanisms of therapeutic amelioration of ITP by existing and new therapeutic modalities. This unit captures the protocols for the implementation and readout of passive antibody transfer mouse models of ITP, established by the infusion of a commercially-available monoclonal rat anti-mouse CD41 platelet antibody.

Objective: We investigated whether HIV-1 inhibition by SRC-family kinase inhibitors is through the non-receptor tyrosine kinase pp60c-SRC (c-SRC) and its binding partner, protein tyrosine kinase 2 beta (PTK2B). Design: CD4+ T-lymphocytes were infected with R5 (JR-FL) or X4 (HXB2) HIV-1. We used SRC-family kinase inhibitors or targeted siRNA knockdown of c-SRC and PTK2B, then monitored effects on the early HIV-1 lifecycle. Methods: Four SRC-family kinase inhibitors or targeted siRNA knockdown were used to reduce c-SRC or PTK2B protein expression. Activated CD4+ T-lymphocytes were infected with recombinant, nef-deficient, or replication-competent infectious viruses. Knockdown experiments examined early infection by monitoring: luciferase activity, expression of host surface receptors, reverse transcriptase activity, p24 levels and qPCR of reverse transcripts, integrated HIV-1, and two-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles. Results: All SRC-family kinase inhibitors inhibited R5 and X4 HIV-1 infection. Neither c-SRC nor PTK2B siRNA knockdown had an effect on cell surface receptors (CD4, CXCR4, and CCR5) nor on reverse transcriptase activity. However, using JR-FL both decreased luciferase activity while increasing late reverse transcripts (16-fold) and 2-LTR circles (eight-fold) while also decreasing viral integration (four-fold). With HXB2, c-SRC but not PTK2B siRNA knockdown produced similar results. Conclusions: Our results suggest c-SRC tyrosine kinase is a major regulator of HIV-1 infection, participating in multiple stages of infection post-entry: Reduced proviral integration with increased 2-LTR circles is reminiscent of integrase inhibitors used in combination antiretroviral therapy. Decreasing c-SRC expression and/or activity provides a new target for antiviral intervention and the potential for repurposing existing FDA-approved kinase inhibitors.

Cell-fate control gene therapy (CFCGT)-based strategies can augment existing gene therapy and cell transplantation approaches by providing a safety element in the event of deleterious outcomes. Previously, we described a novel enzyme/prodrug combination for CFCGT. Here, we present results employing novel lentiviral constructs harboring sequences for truncated surface molecules (CD19 or low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor) directly fused to that CFCGT cDNA (TmpkF105Y). This confers an enforced one-to-one correlation between cell marking and eradication functions. In-vitro analysis demonstrated the full functionality of the fusion product. Next, low-dose 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) administration to non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice injected with transduced clonal K562 cells suppressed tumor growth; furthermore, one integrated vector on average was sufficient to mediate cytotoxicity. Further, in a murine xenogeneic leukemia-lymphoma model we also demonstrated in-vivo control over transduced Raji cells. Finally, in a proof-of-principle study to examine the utility of this cassette in combination with a therapeutic cDNA, we integrated this novel CFCGT fusion construct into a lentivector designed for treatment of Fabry disease. Transduction with this vector restored enzyme activity in Fabry cells and retained AZT sensitivity. In addition, human Fabry patient CD34(+) cells showed high transduction efficiencies and retained normal colony-generating capacity when compared with the non-transduced controls. These collective results demonstrated that this novel and broadly applicable fusion system may enhance general safety in gene- and cell-based therapies. Fil: Scaife, Matthew. University of Toronto; Canadá Fil: Pacienza, Natalia Alejandra. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Au, B. C. Y.. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá Fil: Wang, J. C. M.. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá Fil: Devine, S.. University of Toronto; Canadá Fil: Scheid, E.. Mc Master University; Canadá Fil: Lee, C. J.. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá Fil: Lopez Perez, O.. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá Fil: Neschadim, A.. University of Toronto; Canadá Fil: Fowler, D. H.. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos Fil: Foley, R.. Mc Master University; Canadá Fil: Medin, J. A.. University of Toronto; Canadá. University Health Network. Ontario Cancer Institute; Canadá

Evidence suggests that relaxin-3 may have biological functions in the reproductive and central nervous systems. To date, however, relaxin-3 biodistribution has only been investigated in the mouse, rat, pig and teleost fish. Characterizing relaxin-3 gene structure, expression patterns, and function in non-human primates and humans is critical to delineating its biological significance. Experiments were performed to clone the rhesus macaque orthologues of the relaxin-3 peptide hormone and its cognitive receptors (RXFP1 and RXFP4). An investigation of rhesus relaxin-3 bioactivity and RXFP1 binding properties was also performed. Next we sought to investigate relaxin-3 immunoreactivity in human and rhesus macaque tissues. Immunohistofluorescence staining for relaxin-3 in the brain, testis, and prostate indicated predominant immunostaining in the ventral and dorsal tegmental nuclei, interstitial space surrounding the seminiferous tubules, and prostatic stromal cells, respectively. Further, in studies designed towards exploring biological functions, we observed neuroprotective actions of rhesus relaxin-3 on human neuronal cell cultures. Taken together, this study broadens the significance of relaxin-3 as a peptide involved in both neuronal cell function and reproductive tissues in primates.

Hematopoietic stem cells comprise a prominent target for gene therapy aimed at treating various genetic and acquired disorders. A number of limitations associated with hematopoietic cell transplantation can be circumvented by the use of cells stably modified by retroviral gene transfer. Oncoretroviral and lentiviral vectors offer means for generating efficient and stable transgene expression. This review summarizes the state of the field today in terms of vector development and clinical experimentation. In particular, concerns with the safety of retroviral vectors intended for clinical gene transfer, applicability of preclinical data in directing clinical trial design, and recent research aimed at resolving some of these issues are addressed. Finally, this review underlines the specific advantages offered by lentiviral gene-transfer vectors for gene therapy in stem cells.

Gene therapy and stem cell transplantation safety could be enhanced by control over the fate of therapeutic cells. Suicide gene therapy uses enzymes that convert prodrugs to cytotoxic entities; however, heterologous moieties with poor kinetics are employed. We describe a novel enzyme/prodrug combination for selectively inducing apoptosis in lentiviral vector-transduced cells. Rationally designed variants of human thymidylate kinase (tmpk) that effectively phosphorylate 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) were efficiently delivered. Transduced Jurkat cell lines were eliminated by AZT. We demonstrate that this schema targeted both dividing and non-dividing cells, with a novel killing mechanism involving apoptosis induction via disruption of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential and activation of caspase-3. Primary murine and human T cells were also transduced and responded to AZT. Furthermore, low-dose AZT administration to non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice injected with transduced K562 cells suppressed tumor growth. This novel suicide gene therapy approach can thus be integrated as a safety switch into therapeutic vectors.

Suicide gene therapy of cancer (SGTC) entails the introduction of a cDNA sequence into tumor cells whose polypeptide product is capable of either directly activating apoptotic pathways itself or facilitating the activation of pharmacologic agents that do so. The latter class of SGTC approaches is of the greater utility in cancer therapy owing to the ability of some small, activated cytotoxic compounds to diffuse from their site of activation into neighboring malignant cells, where they can also mediate destruction. This phenomenon, termed "bystander killing", can be highly advantageous in driving significant tumor regression in vivo without the requirement of transduction of each and every tumor cell with the suicide gene. We have developed a robust suicide gene therapy enzyme/prodrug system based on an engineered variant of the human thymidylate kinase (TMPK), which has been endowed with the ability to drive azidothymidine (AZT) activation. Delivery of this suicide gene sequence into tumors by means of recombinant lentivirus-mediated transduction embodies an SGTC strategy that successfully employs bystander cell killing as a mechanism to achieve significant ablation of solid tumors in vivo. Thus, this engineered TMPK/AZT suicide gene therapy axis holds great promise for clinical application in the treatment of inoperable solid tumors in the neoadjuvant setting. Here we present detailed procedures for the preparation of recombinant TMPK-based lentivirus, transduction of target cells, and various approaches for the evaluation of bystander cell killing effects in SGCT in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Immune thrombocytopenia or ITP is a debilitating and life-threatening disorder affecting more than 4 in every 10, 000 adults annually. Following a basic understanding of the immunopathology underlying ITP, namely that production of anti-platelet antibodies results in accelerated platelet clearance and thrombocytopenia, animal models of ITP were quickly developed. Rodent models that develop ITP spontaneously or by passive transfer of anti-platelet sera or antibodies have become instrumental in investigating the mechanisms responsible for the breakdown of tolerance in human ITP, understanding the immunopathology that underlies the progression of platelet destruction, elucidating the mechanism(s) of therapeutic amelioration of the ITP, and driving the development of new therapeutic modalities. This review aims to capture the development history and methodology of currently available ITP disease models, and review their advantages and limitations in the study of various aspects of ITP. We also review how closely the various ITP models reflect the pathobiology of human ITP and their usefulness in advancing the development of new therapeutics, which are particularly needed to address the unmet need of patients who are refractory to the currently available repertoire of interventions.

Suicide gene therapy of cancer (SGTC) entails the introduction of a cDNA sequence into tumor cells whose polypeptide product is capable of either directly activating apoptotic pathways itself or facilitating the activation of pharmacologic agents that do so. The latter class of SGTC approaches is of the greater utility in cancer therapy owing to the ability of some small, activated cytotoxic compounds to diffuse from their site of activation into neighboring malignant cells, where they can also mediate destruction. This phenomenon, termed "bystander killing", can be highly advantageous in driving significant tumor regression in vivo without the requirement of transduction of each and every tumor cell with the suicide gene. We have developed a robust suicide gene therapy enzyme/prodrug system based on an engineered variant of the human thymidylate kinase (TMPK), which has been endowed with the ability to drive azidothymidine (AZT) activation. Delivery of this suicide gene sequence into tumors by means of recombinant lentivirus-mediated transduction embodies an SGTC strategy that successfully employs bystander cell killing as a mechanism to achieve significant ablation of solid tumors in vivo. Thus, this engineered TMPK/AZT suicide gene therapy axis holds great promise for clinical application in the treatment of inoperable solid tumors in the neoadjuvant setting. Here we present detailed procedures for the preparation of recombinant TMPK-based lentivirus, transduction of target cells, and various approaches for the evaluation of bystander cell killing effects in SGCT in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Hormone antagonists can be effective tools to delineate receptor signaling pathways and their resulting downstream physiological actions. Mutation of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of human H2 relaxin (deltaH2) impaired its biological function as measured by cAMP signaling. In a competition assay, deltaH2 exhibited antagonistic activity by blocking recombinant H2 relaxin from binding to receptors on THP-1 cells. In a flow cytometry-based binding assay, deltaH2 demonstrated weak binding to 293T cells expressing the LGR7 receptor in the presence of biotinylated H2 relaxin. When human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and LNCaP) were engineered to overexpress eGFP, wild-type (WT) H2, or deltaH2, and subsequently implanted into NOD/SCID mice, tumor xenografts overexpressing deltaH2 displayed smaller volumes compared to H2 and eGFP controls. Plasma osmolality readings and microvessel density and area assessment suggest that deltaH2 modulates physiological parameters in vivo. In a second murine model, intratumoral injections of lentivectors engineered to express deltaH2/eGFP led to suppressed tumor growth compared to controls. This study provides further evidence supporting a role for H2 relaxin in prostate tumor growth. More importantly, we report how mutation of the H2 relaxin RBD confers the hormone derivative with antagonistic properties, offering a novel reagent for relaxin research.

High-dose i.v. Ig (IVIG) is used to treat various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. Based on the K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model in mice, IVIG suppression of inflammation has been attributed to a mechanism involving basophils and the binding of highly sialylated IgG Fc to DC-SIGN–expressing myeloid cells. The requirement for sialylation was examined in the collagen Ab-induced arthritis (CAbIA) and K/BxN serum transfer arthritis models in mice. High-dose IVIG (1–2 g/kg body weight) suppressed inflammatory arthritis when given prophylactically. The same doses were also effective in the CAbIA model when given subsequent to disease induction. In this therapeutic CAbIA model, the anti-inflammatory effect of IVIG was dependent on IgG Fc but not F(ab′)2 fragments. Removal of sialic acid residues by neuraminidase had no impact on the anti-inflammatory activity of IVIG or Fc fragments. Treatment of mice with basophil-depleting mAbs did not abrogate the suppression of either CAbIA or K/BxN arthritis by IVIG. Our data confirm the therapeutic benefit of IVIG and IgG Fc in Ab-induced arthritis but fail to support the significance of sialylation and basophil involvement in the mechanism of action of IVIG therapy.

Targeting the androgen signalling pathway has long been the hallmark of anti-hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. However, development of androgen-independent prostate cancer is an inevitable outcome to therapies targeting this pathway, in part, owing to the shift from cancer dependence on androgen signalling for growth in favor of augmentation of other cellular pathways that provide proliferation-, survival- and angiogenesis-promoting signals. This review focuses on the role of the hormone relaxin in the development and progression of prostate cancer, prior to and after the onset of androgen independence, as well as its role in cancers of other reproductive tissues. As the body of literature expands, examining relaxin expression in cancerous tissues and its role in a growing number of in vitro and in vivo cancer models, our understanding of the important involvement of this hormone in cancer biology is becoming clearer. Specifically, the pleiotropic functions of relaxin affecting cell growth, angiogenesis, blood flow, cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling are examined in the context of cancer progression. The interactions and intercepts of the intracellular signalling pathways of relaxin with the androgen pathway are explored in the context of progression of castration-resistant and androgen-independent prostate cancers. We provide an overview of current anti-hormonal therapeutic treatment options for prostate cancer and delve into therapeutic approaches and development of agents aimed at specifically antagonizing relaxin signalling to curb tumor growth. We also discuss the rationale and challenges utilizing such agents as novel anti-hormonals in the clinic, and their potential to supplement current therapeutic modalities.

Експериментально досліджено процеси згрудкування і випалення залізорудних котунів з різним розподілом твердого палива в пошаровій системі. З’ясовано вплив функціонального розподілення твердого палива на міцність при стисканні і ступінь металізації випалених котунів. Міцність на стискання випалених котунів основністю 1,4, що містять підвищену кількість дисперсного палива, змінюється в межах 1,6—2,35 кН/котун і не характеризується високими показниками, хоча і перевищує вимоги держстандарту на 0,2—0,95 кН/котун. Перерозподіл твердого палива характеризується тим, що переважна кількість його мітиться всередині гранул (12 %)і лише 3,3 % — у міжгранульному просторі. В результаті цього істотно підвищується ступінь металізації спеченого матеріалу, зменшується теплове навантаження на реакційний вузол електропечі опору і дещо знижується міцність на стискання випалених котунів. Максимальний ріст ступеня металізації (38,2 %) спостерігається за наявності на їх поверхні захисного шару із суміші негашеного вапна і залізорудного концентрату. Захисна оболонка слугує додатковим бар’єром, який у процесі спікання й охолодження котунів перешкоджає вільному доступу кисню до вуглецю, що міститься всередині гранул, значно зменшуючи інтенсивність реакції окиснення твердого палива. В результаті підвищується ступінь металізації шихтового матеріалу, зменшується витікання розплаву із гранул, що не призводить до сплавлення їх у вигляді шматків великого розміру. Підвищення ступеня металізації випалених котунів супроводжується збільшенням концентрації металевого заліза у вигляді “глобульних частинок” усередині гранул і монооксиду заліза у поверхневому шарі. In this article processes of pelletizing and sintering iron ore pellets with different distribution of solid fuel in multilayer system were experimentally investigated. The influence of the functional distribution of solid fuels on the compressive strength and the degree of metallization fired pellets was studied. Compressive strength of burnt pellets with basicity of 1.4, which contain increased amounts of particulate fuel in range of 1,6—2,35 kN/pellet and not characterized by high indices, although GOST has indices on level 0,2—0,95 kN/pellet. Reallocation of a solid fuel is characterized by concentration of fuel in granules themselves (12 %) and only 3,3 % in space between the pellets. As a result, this significantly increases the degree of metallization of the calcined material, reducing the thermal load on the electric unit of the reaction site of electric furnace and slightly reduces compressive strength of burnt pellets. Maximum increase in the degree of metallization (38,2 %) of burnt pellets is observed in the presence of the protective layer of a quick lime and iron ore mixture on the surface. The protective shell serves as an additional barrier which, during passing the firing and cooling the pellets, prevents the free access of oxygen to the carbon particles located within the granules, substantially reducing the intensity of the oxidation reaction of the solid fuel. As result this increases the degree of metallization of the charge material and decreases outflow of melt from the pellets burning in this moment, and it does not lead to fusing them into large lumps. Increasing degree of metallization of burnt pellets is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of metallic iron in the form of “globular particles” in the nucleus, and granules of iron monoxide in the surface layer. Экспериментально исследованы процессы окомкования и обжига железорудных окатышей с различным распределением твердого топлива в послойной системе. Изучено влияние функционального распределения твердого топлива на прочность при сжатии и степень металлизации обожженных окатышей. Прочность на сжатие обожженных окатышей основностью 1,4, которые содержат повышенное количество дисперсного топлива, изменяется в пределах 1,6—2,35 кН/окатыш и не характеризуется высокими показателями, хотя и превышает требования гостстандарта на 0,2—0,95 кН/окатыш. Перераспределение твердого дисперсного топлива характеризуется тем, что большая часть топлива сосредоточена в самих гранулах (12 %) и лишь 3,3 % — в межгранульном пространстве. В результате этого существенно повышается степень металлизации обожженного материала, уменьшается тепловая нагрузка на реакционный узел электропечи сопротивления и несколько понижается прочность на сжатие обожженных окатышей. Максимальный рост степени металлизации (38,2 %) обожженных окатышей наблюдается при наличии на их поверхности защитного слоя из смеси негашеной извести и железорудного концентрата. Защитная оболочка служит дополнительным барьером, который в процессе обжига и охлаждения окатышей препятствует свободному доступу кислорода к углеродным частицам, которые расположены внутри гранул, существенно уменьшая интенсивность реакции окисления твердого топлива. В результате повышается степень металлизации шихтового материала, уменьшается вытекание расплава из гранул, что не приводит к сплавлению их в виде кусков большого размера. Повышение степени металлизации обожженных окатышей сопровождается увеличением концентрации металлического железа в виде “глобульных частиц” в ядре гранул и монооксида железа в поверхностном слое.

Mouse models of human immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been used for years to investigate the mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to ameliorate ITP; however, how closely these experimental mouse models mirror the human autoimmune inflammatory disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the cytokine profiles in experimental ITP with and without IVIG treatment.We examined the production of 23 cytokines that included pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, in two different mouse strain models of ITP, BALB/c and C57BL/6J, with and without IVIG treatment.In contrast to human ITP, in mouse models of ITP generated by passive transfer of an alloantibody we find no evidence of inflammatory disease even when ITP is robust, suggesting that while these models capture the innate response phase of the disease, they may not be capturing the adaptive mechanisms of autoimmune initiation of the disorder. Regardless of the mouse strain examined, interleukin (IL)-1α, -2, -6, -17, and -23; granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1; macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β; RANTES; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; and interferon-γ remain at negligible levels after ITP induction. IVIG treatment in the absence of ITP induced significant levels of IL-4, -10, -11, -17, and -23; GM-CSF; MCP-1; and TNF-α in BALB/c mice, but only IL-11 was elevated in C57BL/6J mice. In response to IVIG treatment of ITP, both strains produced IL-4, -10, -11, and -23; GM-CSF; MCP-1; MIP-1β; and TNF-α; however, only BALB/c exhibited increased MCP-3 and RANTES. IL-11 levels were the highest of any cytokine after IVIG administration, given either alone or as treatment of ITP.We conclude that mouse models for human ITP do not capture the full range of autoimmune inflammatory mechanisms of this disease. Furthermore, cytokine profiles differ in response to IVIG depending on the mouse strain used.