Alternative Extraction Method of Guanidine Metabolites from Marine Sponge, Ptilocaulis spiculifer

Marine sponges are known for their use of biologically active allelopathic compounds. With almost every species of sponge having been shown to produce some chemical with medicinal properties, their survival is becoming increasingly important. Current extraction methods used by research teams require a large sample relative to the size of the sponge, which threatens the survival of the organism. 1 Ptilocaulis sp., or the orange tree sponge, is known to produce guanidine metabolites. This derivative has demonstrated biological activity against cell lines of leukemia, uterine, and cervical cancer.2 3 In this study we have developed a method for the chemical extraction of active metabolites from the ambient water containing a sponge. Preliminary data suggests the metabolite was found both using the traditional methods and using the water extraction. The organic extracts were used to test against L1210 leukemia cells for biological activity

BIOL 404- The Effects of Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on the Development of Myeloid Suppressor Cells

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a man-made organic compound consisting of two phenyl rings connected by a single bond, with any number of chlorine molecules occupying positions around the rings. They are most commonly used as a dielectric and coolant fluid in electrical generators and transformers. Manufacture has declined drastically since the 1970s in America due to their exertion of estrogen-mimicking effects in the body, although they continue to persist in harmful concentrations in the environment. PCBs are endocrine-disrupting, and through estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects have been shown to increase breast cancer risk by changing gene expression in several genes common to the formation of breast tissue cancer cells, including IGF-1, which fuels all stages of cancer growth. We intend to test cells in vitro for additional sensitivities to the estrogen mimicking effects of PCB 138 and PCB 153. This will hopefully elucidate the mechanistic effects of PCBs on the endocrine system

BIOL 404- Effects of estrogen-mimicking compounds, progesterone and estriol, on myeloid-derived suppressor cell development

Estrogen is primarily known for being a female sex hormone. It has three major subcategories estrone, estradiol, and estriol. They are known to have a role within regulation of the reproductive system and menopause. Progesterone is also a well-known steroid sex hormone that is usually associated with menstruation. These sex hormones are commonly used in oral contraceptive pills. The purpose of this study is to see if progesterone and estriol will have the same effects that estrogen has on MHC II and B7 expression. With the use of flow cytometry, T cell isolation, T cell proliferation, and ELISAs we are able to determine quantitatively the expression of MHC II and B7. We predict both progesterone and estriol will have a decreased production of MHC and B7

BIOL 404- Can a Soy Diet Mimic the Effects of Estrogen?

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-mimicking substances that can be found in many of the vegetables, beans, and grains we consume. One of the main phytoestrogens consumed by millions of people can be found in soybeans and tofu and are called isoflavones. We will be examining the first category of isoflavones, the aglycones. The aglycones are made up of daidzein, genistein, and glycitein which are found in soy products. We will determine the function of aglycones using flow cytometry by comparing the effect of these three compounds, estradiol, and the media given. As aglycones are estrogen mimicking compounds, we believe these three phytoestrogens will produce the same flow cytometry results as estradiol

BIOL 404- Dual nature of phytoestrogens as both procancer and anticancer agents

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived, xenoestrogenic dietary compounds found in various fruits, vegetables, soy products, teas, grains, beans, and more. There are different classes of phytoestrogens, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, lignans, and coumestans, all of which can affect estrogen-mediated responses in different ways (Bilal et al, 2014). The aim of this project is to investigate the potential duality of phytoestrogens as both estrogen receptor antagonists in cancer cells, but also as potential activators of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Understanding the complex role phytoestrogens play in cancer progression will prove valuable in the potential development of novel phytoestrogen-base cancer drug therapies

BIOL 404- Effects of Phytoestrogens - Lycopene and Trans-Resveratrol - on the development of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)

Trans-Resveratrol and Lycopene are chemical compounds found in the skin of red grapes and tomatoes respectively. This study investigates the effects of these two phytoestrogens on MDSCs.We hypothesized that these phytoestrogens will bind to estrogen receptors and block estrogenic activity, effectively decreasing the production of MDSCs in murine cells

Chimeric NKG2D receptor-bearing T cells as immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. Cancer Res

Abstract Despite advancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer, this disease continues to be a leading cause of cancer death in women. Adoptive transfer of tumor-reactive T cells is a promising antitumor therapy for many cancers. We designed a chimeric receptor linking NKG2D, a natural killer (NK) cellactivating receptor, to the CD3Z chain of the T-cell receptor to target ovarian tumor cells. Engagement of chimeric NKG2D receptors (chNKG2D) with ligands for NKG2D, which are commonly expressed on tumor cells, leads to T-cell secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and tumor cytotoxicity. In this study, we show that >80% of primary human ovarian cancer samples expressed ligands for NKG2D on the cell surface. The tumor samples expressed MHC class I-related protein A, MICB, and UL-16 binding proteins 1 and 3. ChNKG2D-expressing T cells lysed ovarian cancer cell lines. We show that T cells from ovarian cancer patients that express chNKG2D secreted proinflammatory cytokines when cultured with autologous tumor cells. In addition, we show that chNKG2D T cells can be used therapeutically in a murine model of ovarian cancer. These data indicate that treatment with chNKG2D-expressing T cells is a potential immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(10):5003-8