Chimeric Rat/Human HER2 Efficiently Circumvents HER2 Tolerance in Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Despite the great success of HER2 vaccine strategies in animal models, effective clinical results have not yet been obtained. We studied the feasibility of using DNA coding for chimeric rat/human HER2 as a tool to break the unresponsiveness of T cells from patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors (HER2-CP). Experimental Design: Dendritic cells (DCs) generated from patients with HER2-overexpressing breast (n = 28) and pancreatic (n = 16) cancer were transfected with DNA plasmids that express human HER2 or heterologous rat sequences in separate plasmids or as chimeric constructs encoding rat/human HER2 fusion proteins and used to activate autologous T cells. Activation was evaluated by IFN-γ ELISPOT assay, perforin expression, and ability to halt HER2+ tumor growth in vivo. Results: Specific sustained proliferation and IFN-γ production by CD4 and CD8 T cells from HER2-CP was observed after stimulation with autologous DCs transfected with chimeric rat/human HER2 plasmids. Instead, T cells from healthy donors ( n = 22) could be easily stimulated with autologous DCs transfected with any human, rat, or chimeric rat/human HER2 plasmid. Chimeric HER2-transfected DCs from HER2-CP were also able to induce a sustained T-cell response that significantly hindered the in vivo growth of HER2+ tumors. The efficacy of chimeric plasmids in overcoming tumor-induced T-cell dysfunction relies on their ability to circumvent suppressor effects exerted by regulatory T cells (Treg) and/or interleukin (IL)-10 and TGF-β1. Conclusions: These results provide the proof of concept that chimeric rat/human HER2 plasmids can be used as effective vaccines for any HER2-CP with the advantage of being not limited to specific MHC

Evaluation of ovalbumin nanocarriers to promote the vehiculization and antifungal properties of cinnamaldehyde in aqueous media

This paper is aimed to evaluate the vehiculization of trans-cinnamaldehyde (CIN) through the formation of complexes with ovalbumin (OVA) and heat-induced OVA nanoparticles (OVAn) to promote its application in aqueous media. OVAn production variables (pH and protein concentration) and some physicochemical features (size, surface hydrophobicity, and molecular weight) were explored. Complex formation was examined in terms of stoichiometric and thermodynamic (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) parameters by applying fluorescence spectroscopy. Results revealed the strong influence of the OVA conformational state (native or aggregated) on CIN vehiculization. However, all systems showed similar encapsulation efficiencies (~62%). Besides, nanosized complexes were colloidally stable at pH 3.0 and 7.0. Finally, their antifungal properties against the Aspergillus niger species (as a microbial model) were determined, being the OVA-CIN complex the most efficient. The preservation of the conformational structure of OVA as a nanocarrier was relevant to promote the CIN antifungal properties in aqueous media.Fil: Finos, Marianela B.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia. Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: Deseta, Maria Laura Griselda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Sponton, Osvaldo Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Frisón, Laura Noemí. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Musumeci, Matias Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios. - Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios.; ArgentinaFil: Santiago, Liliana Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Adrián Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentin

Nanocomplexes based on egg white protein nanoparticles and bioactive compounds as antifungal edible coatings to extend bread shelf life

This work is aimed to obtain nanocomplexes based on egg white protein nanoparticles (EWPn) and bioactive compounds (BC), carvacrol (CAR), thymol (THY) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (CIN), and evaluate their application as antifungal edible coatings on preservative-free breads. The nanocomplex formation was studied through stoichiometry, affinity, colloidal behavior, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency (EE, %). Rounded-shape nanocomplexes with particle sizes 83%). Furthermore, the in vitro antifungal activity of the nanocomplexes was verified using the Aspergillus niger species. The nanocomplexes were applied as coatings onto the crust of preservative-free breads, which were stored for 7 days (at 25 °C). The coatings had no impact on the physicochemical properties of the bread loaves (moisture, aw, texture, and color). Finally, the coatings based on EWPn-THY and EWPn-CAR nanocomplexes showed higher antifungal efficacy, extending the bread shelf life after 7 days.Fil: Deseta, Maria Laura Griselda. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Sponton, Osvaldo Ernesto. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Erben, Melina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Osella, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Frisón, Laura Noemí. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Fenoglio, Cecilia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Piagentini, Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Santiago, Liliana G.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Adrián Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Development of Antifungal Films from Nanocomplexes Based on Egg White Protein Nanogels and Phenolic Compounds

This work is aimed to develop antifungal films from nanocomplexes based on egg white protein nanogels (EWPn) and phenolic compounds (PC), carvacrol (CAR) and thymol (THY). EWPn-PC nanocomplexes were characterized by intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, particle size (DLS), ζ potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and antifungal properties. Nanocomplexes with proper encapsulation efficiency (> 80%) and antifungal activity against A. niger were obtained. Films were obtained by a casting process (40 °C, 48 h) using glycerol as a plasticizing agent. EWPn-PC films were transparent and slightly yellow. SEM images revealed a porous, compact, and homogeneous microstructure. Tensile tests indicated less flexibility, breakability, and rigidity regarding the EWPn control film. Thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) highlighted an amorphous nature and resistance to high temperatures (~ 150 °C). Moreover, they were permeable to water vapor and able to adsorb variable water amounts. Finally, their antifungal properties were verified using a sample of preservative-free bread. EWPn-PC films were able to prevent fungal spoilage for 30 days of storage at 25 °C. Sensory analysis for bread stored with EWPn-PC films indicated acceptability above the indifference threshold (> 5).Fil: Deseta, Maria Laura Griselda. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sponton, Osvaldo Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Finos, Marianela Belén. Ministerio de Ciencia. Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cuffia, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Torres Nicolini, Andrés. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Vera Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Santiago, Liliana G.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Adrián Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin