Thyroid Cancer Imaging In Vivo by Targeting the Anti-Apoptotic Molecule Galectin-3

Background The prevalence of thyroid nodules increases with age, average 4-7% for the U.S.A. adult population, but it is much higher (19-67%) when sub-clinical nodules are considered. About 90% of these lesions are benign and a reliable approach to their preoperative characterization is necessary. Unfortunately conventional thyroid scintigraphy does not allow the distinction among benign and malignant thyroid proliferations but it provides only functional information (cold or hot nodules). The expression of the anti-apoptotic molecule galectin-3 is restricted to cancer cells and this feature has potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. We show here the possibility to obtain thyroid cancer imaging in vivo by targeting galectin-3. Methods The galectin-3 based thyroid immuno-scintigraphy uses as radiotracer a specific 99mTc-radiolabeled mAb. A position-sensitive high-resolution mini-gamma camera was used as imaging capture device. Human galectin-3 positive thyroid cancer xenografts (ARO) and galectin-3 knockout tumors were used as targets in different experiments in vivo. 38 mice with tumor mass of about 1 gm were injected in the tail vein with 100 ?Ci of 99mTc-labeled mAb to galectin-3 (30 ?g protein/in 100 ?l saline solution). Tumor images were acquired at 1 hr, 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 9 hrs and 24 hrs post injection by using the mini-gamma camera. Findings Results from different consecutive experiments show an optimal visualization of thyroid cancer xenografts between 6 and 9 hours from injection of the radiotracer. Galectin-3 negative tumors were not detected at all. At 6 hrs post-injection galectin-3 expressing tumors were correctly visualized, while the whole-body activity had essentially cleared. Conclusions These results demonstrate the possibility to distinguish preoperatively benign from malignant thyroid nodules by using a specific galectin-3 radio-immunotargeting. In vivo imaging of thyroid cancer may allow a better selection of patients referred to surgery. The possibility to apply this method for imaging and treatment of other galectin-3 expressing tumors is also discussed

A co-simulation modelling approach for the assessment of a ventilated double-skin complex fenestration system coupled with a compact fan-coil unit

Facade integrated ventilation systems have the potential to improve local air quality and occupant comfort, reduce building energy consumption and provide economic retrofit opportunities. However, existing modelling and evaluation methods are not able to sufficiently address the technology's potential capabilities. In this paper, a new model is developed specifically adapted to facade-integrated air handling units interacting with ventilated fenestration systems. The new modelling approach is based on the co-simulation of two different models through a Functional Mock-Up Unit (FMU) Interface. An airflow network model of the air handling unit is developed in Modelica and exported as an FMU based on this specification. The FMU is then simulated within an updated version of the building simulation program Fener that includes a physical model that calculates the window heat fluxes and temperatures, as well as the window gap air outlet temperature in case of ventilated facad es. The different sub-models are first validated versus experimental data from a test chamber in Villafranca di Verona, Italy. Then, the full co-simulation approach is applied to a case study in which different control strategies for the fenestration system are investigated

The human T cell antigen gp39, a member of the TNF gene family, is a ligand for the CD40 receptor: expression of a soluble form of gp39 with B cell co-stimulatory activity.

Signals delivered to B cells via CD40 can synergize with those provided by other B cell surface receptors to induce B cell proliferation and antibody class switching as well as modulate cytokine production and cell adhesion. Recently, it has been shown that the ligand for CD40 is a cell surface protein of approximately 39 kDa expressed by activated T cells, gp39. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding human gp39, a type II membrane protein with homology to TNF, and the construction and characterization of a soluble recombinant form of gp39. COS cell transfectants expressing gp39 synergized with either anti-CD20 mAb or PMA to drive strong B cell proliferation and alone were able to drive B cells to proliferate weakly. In all cases the B cell proliferation induced by gp39-expressing COS cells was reduced to background levels by the addition of soluble CD40. Unlike gp39-expressing COS cells, recombinant soluble gp39 was not mitogenic alone and required co-stimulation to drive B cell proliferation. These results suggest that B cells require a second signal besides gp39-CD40 to drive proliferation and that soluble gp39 alone in a non-membrane bound form is able to provide co-stimulatory signals to B cells

Ex Vivo Generation of Donor Antigen-Specific Immunomodulatory Cells A Comparison Study of Anti-CD80/86 mAbs and CTLA4-lg Costimulatory Blockade

Adoptive transfer of alloantigen-specific immunomodulatory cells generated ex vivo with anti-CD80/CD86 mAbs (2D10.4/IT2.2) holds promise for operational tolerance after transplantation. However, good manufacturing practice is required to allow widespread clinical application. Belatacept, a clinically approved cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin that also binds CD80/CD86, could be an alternative agent for 2D10.4/IT2.2. With the goal of generating an optimal cell treatment with clinically approved reagents, we evaluated the donor-specific immunomodulatory effects of belatacept- and 2D10.4/IT2.2-generated immunomodulatory cells. Immunomodulatory cells were generated by coculturing responder human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (50 x 10(6) cells) with irradiated donor PBMCs (20 x 10(6) cells) from eight human leukocyte antigen-mismatched responder-donor pairs in the presence of either 2D10.4/IT2.2 (3 mu g/10(6) cells) or belatacept (40 mu g/10(6) cells). After 14 days of coculture, the frequencies of CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and natural killer cells as well as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production in the 2D10.4/IT2.2- and belatacept-treated groups were lower than those in the control group. The percentage of CD19(+) B cells was higher in the 2D10.4/IT2.2- and belatacept-treated groups than in the control group. The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low)FOXP3(+) T cells increased from 4.1 +/- 1.0% (preculture) to 7.1 +/- 2.6% and 7.3 +/- 2.6% (day 14) in the 2D10.4/IT2.2- and belatacept-treated groups, respectively (p<0.05). Concurrently, delta-2 FOXP3 mRNA expression increased significantly. Compared with cells derived from the no-antibody treated control group, cells generated from both the 2D10.4/IT2.2- and belatacept-treated groups produced lower IFN-gamma and higher interleukin-10 levels in response to donor-antigens, as detected by enzyme-linked immunospot. Most importantly, 2D10.4/IT2.2- and belatacept-generated cells effectively impeded the proliferative responses of freshly isolated responder PBMCs against donor-antigens. Our results indicate that belatacept-generated donor-specific immunomodulatory cells possess comparable phenotypes and immunomodulatory efficacies to those generated with 2D10.4/IT2.2. We suggest that belatacept could be used for ex vivo generation of clinical grade alloantigen-specific immunomodulatory cells for tolerance induction after transplantation

Hyperprolactinemia in Primary Sjogrens-Syndrome

Prolactin (PRL) is a neuroendocrine hormone that has important immunoregulatory properties. It is a potent mitogen in Nb2 T lymphoma cell line and stimulates both T-cell mediated and humoral immunity.' Recently an association between hyperprolactinaemia and certain rheumatic diseases has been described suggesting that PRL may play a role in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases.94 In addition, PRL seems to be an autocrine factor required for viability and proliferation of B lymphoma cells.5 Furthermore, it was recently proposed that hyperprolactinaemia observed in oestrogentreated mice may predispose to development of lymphoma in these animals.6 Primary Sj6gren's syndrome (P-SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by exocrine glandular insufficiency secondary to lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration. The spectrum of the disease extends from an organ specific autoimmune disease to a systemic involvement.7 Characteristically, patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) have an increased risk of developing lymphoma.