Patterns of Immunotoxicity Associated with Chronic as Compared with Acute Exposure to Chemical or Physical Stressors and their Relevance with Regard to the Role of Stress and with Regard to Immunotoxicity Testing

Previous studies have demonstrated that the stress response induced by some drugs and chemicals contributes in a predictable way to alteration of particular immunological parameters in mice. It has not been determined if mice can become tolerant or habituated with regard to the stress response and consequent immunological effects. Addressing this issue was the purpose of the present study. Mice were dosed daily for 28 days with atrazine, ethanol, propanil, or subjected to restraint, which are known to induce neuroendocrine stress responses and thereby to alter several immunological parameters. On day 29, a blood sample was taken and the spleen was removed for analysis of cellular phenotypes, differential cell counts (for blood), and natural killer (NK) cell activity. Corticosterone concentration at various times after dosing (or restraint) was also measured. Comparison of these results with results from previous studies with a single acute exposure revealed that the corticosterone response was almost completely absent in mice treated with ethanol, reduced in mice treated with restraint and propanil, and for atrazine the response was the same as noted for acute exposure. In most cases, the changes in immunological parameters were consistent with expectations based on these corticosterone responses. However, in a few cases (e.g., NK cell activity), it was clear that there were effects not mediated by stress. These results indicate that the nature of the stressor determines whether mice become tolerant with regard to the stress response and consequent immunological effects. This finding has practical implications for safety testing in mice

Evolution of the tapetum.

PurposeTo review, contrast, and compare current known tapetal mechanisms and review the implications for the evolution of the tapetum.MethodsOcular specimens of representative fish in key piscine families, including Acipenseridae, Cyprinidae, Chacidae; the reptilian family Crocodylidae; the mammalian family Felidae; and the Lepidopteran family Sphingidae were reviewed and compared histologically. All known varieties of tapeta were examined and classified and compared to the known cladogram representing the evolution of each specific family.ResultsTypes of tapeta include tapetum cellulosum, tapetum fibrosum, retinal tapetum, invertebrate pigmented tapetum, and invertebrate thin-film tapetum. All but the invertebrate pigmented tapetum were examined histologically. Review of the evolutionary cladogram and comparison with known tapeta suggest that the tapetum evolved in the Devonian period 345 to 395 million years ago. Tapeta developed independently in at least three separate orders in invertebrates and vertebrates, and yet all have surprisingly similar mechanisms of light reflection, including thin-film interference, diffusely reflecting tapeta, Mie scattering, Rayleigh scattering, and perhaps orthogonal retroreflection.ConclusionTapeta are found in invertebrates and vertebrates and display different physical mechanisms of reflection. Each tapetum reflects the wavelengths most relevant to the species' ecological niche. With this work, we have hypothesized that the tapetum evolved independently in both invertebrates and vertebrates as early as the Devonian period and coincided with an explosion of life forms

Evolution of the tapetum.

PURPOSE: To review, contrast, and compare current known tapetal mechanisms and review the implications for the evolution of the tapetum. METHODS: Ocular specimens of representative fish in key piscine families, including Acipenseridae, Cyprinidae, Chacidae; the reptilian family Crocodylidae; the mammalian family Felidae; and the Lepidopteran family Sphingidae were reviewed and compared histologically. All known varieties of tapeta were examined and classified and compared to the known cladogram representing the evolution of each specific family. RESULTS: Types of tapeta include tapetum cellulosum, tapetum fibrosum, retinal tapetum, invertebrate pigmented tapetum, and invertebrate thin-film tapetum. All but the invertebrate pigmented tapetum were examined histologically. Review of the evolutionary cladogram and comparison with known tapeta suggest that the tapetum evolved in the Devonian period 345 to 395 million years ago. Tapeta developed independently in at least three separate orders in invertebrates and vertebrates, and yet all have surprisingly similar mechanisms of light reflection, including thin-film interference, diffusely reflecting tapeta, Mie scattering, Rayleigh scattering, and perhaps orthogonal retroreflection. CONCLUSION: Tapeta are found in invertebrates and vertebrates and display different physical mechanisms of reflection. Each tapetum reflects the wavelengths most relevant to the species' ecological niche. With this work, we have hypothesized that the tapetum evolved independently in both invertebrates and vertebrates as early as the Devonian period and coincided with an explosion of life forms

Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin (CPE) and CPE-Binding Domain (c-CPE) for the Detection and Treatment of Gynecologic Cancers

Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) is a three-domain polypeptide, which binds to Claudin-3 and Claudin-4 with high affinity. Because these receptors are highly differentially expressed in many human tumors, claudin-3 and claudin-4 may provide an efficient molecular tool to specifically identify and target biologically aggressive human cancer cells for CPE-specific binding and cytolysis. In this review we will discuss these surface proteins as targets for the detection and treatment of chemotherapy-resistant gynecologic malignancies overexpressing claudin-3 and -4 using CPE-based theranostic agents. We will also discuss the use of fluorescent c-CPE peptide in the operative setting for real time detection of micro-metastatic tumors during surgery and review the potential role of CPE in other medical applications

Abstract 4498: Afatinib, an irreversible ErbB family inhibitor, demonstrates activity against HER2 mutated cervical cancer in vitro

Abstract Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide and results in 275,000 deaths annually. Functional characterization of cancer-associated genetic alterations may lead to new therapeutic approaches using molecularly targeted therapies which have the potential to improve patient outcomes. Consistent with this view, whole exome sequencing studies in a variety of human tumors including cervical cancer have recently identified somatic mutations in genes that encode for the ErbB family receptors. Importantly, some of these mutations have been shown to be “drivers” and to correlate with tumor sensitivity to the exposure to ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitors in vitro as well as in vivo. In this study we have evaluated whether genetic alterations in the c-erbB2 gene determine the sensitivity of UCC primary cell lines to Afatinib, an EGFR, HER2, and HER4 irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Ten primary UCC cell lines, (two harboring c-erbB2 gene mutations in the extracellular HER2/neu domain [i.e., the S280F and E375D mutations-ref genome hg18] and eight harboring wild type c-erbB2), established as long term cultures in vitro, were analyzed in our study. The effect of Afatinib on cell growth, cell-cycle distribution and signaling were assessed using flow cytometry and western blot analysis following incubation of primary UCC cell lines with scalar concentrations of Afatinib for 72 hours in vitro. We found that despite similar ErbB2 mRNA expression levels by qRT-PCR in the mutated versus the wild type c-erbB2 groups, IC50 values in response to Afatinib were significantly lower in the group of mutated cell lines than in the non-mutated control UCC (MEAN±SEM = 0.55±0.11 vs. 1.64±0.09 μM, P<0.05). Furthermore, Afatinib growth-inhibition was associated with a significant and dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells blocked in the G1 cell cycle phase as well as a dose-dependent dephosphorylation of HER2, S6, AKT and ERK in both c-erbB2 mutated and wild type UCC cell lines. Our data suggests that Afatinib, a recently FDA approved drug, is highly effective against c-erbB2 mutated UCC in vitro and could represent a valid therapeutic option for patients harboring c-erbB2 mutated advanced/recurrent cervical cancers unresponsive to radiation and/or chemotherapy. Citation Format: Salvatore Lopez, Emiliano Cocco, Bellone Stefania, Ileana Bortolomai, Elena Bonazzoli, Roberta Nicoletti, Carlton Schwab, Diana P. English, Corrado Terranova, Roberto Angioli, Alessandro D. Santin. Afatinib, an irreversible ErbB family inhibitor, demonstrates activity against HER2 mutated cervical cancer in vitro. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4498. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-449

Neratinib shows efficacy in the treatment of HER2/neu amplified uterine serous carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) represents an aggressive variant of endometrial cancer and accounts for a large proportion of deaths annually. HER2/neu amplification is associated with USC in approximately 30–35% of cases. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of a panel of primary USC cell lines to the small tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib, an ErbB1 and HER2 inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo. HER2/neu amplification was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 24 USC cell lines. Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of neratinib on cell viability, cell cycle distribution and signaling in vitro. Mice harboring HER2/neu amplified xenografts were treated with neratinib to assess the efficacy of the drug in vivo. HER2/neu amplification was noted in 8/24 primary cell lines. Data regarding the efficacy of neratinib was determined using 4 HER2 amplified cell lines and 4 non-amplified cell lines with similar growth rates. Data revealed that cell lines with HER2/neu amplification were exquisitely more sensitive to neratinib compared to non-amplified cell lines (mean±SEM IC50: 0.011μM±0.0008 vs. 0.312μM±0.0456 p<0.0001). Neratinib caused arrest in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and resulted in decreased autophosphorylation of HER2 and activation of S6. Neratinib treated mice harboring xenografts of HER2/neu amplified USC showed delayed tumor growth and improved overall survival compared to vehicle (p=0.0019). Neratinib may be a potential treatment option for patients harboring HER2/neu amplified USC. Clinical trials for this subset of endometrial cancer patients are warranted. •Neratinib, an irreversible small tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits HER2/neu amplified USC proliferation, cell cycle progression and signaling in vitro.•Neratinib inhibits HER2/neu amplified USC xenograft growth and improves overall survival in vivo.•Clinical trials in carefully selected patients are warranted

Equilibrium of Housing and Real Estate Brokerage Markets Under Uncertainty

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model of the real estate brokerage and housing markets with imperfect information. The paper considers general equilibrium in these markets with and without a multiple listing service. Input prices are found to affect the equilibrium housing price, brokerage commission, and split factor. The introduction of a multiple listing service is found to have several important effects. The MLS causes housing value to increase, but its effect on the commission rate is indeterminate. Contrary to the results of another paper, MLS brokers, on average, will likely undertake more search for both buyers and listings than will a non-MLS broker. The primary reasons are related to the greater efficiency of search in the MLS context. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.