Induced tagging: promoting resource discovery and recommendation in digital libraries

ABSTRACT We introduce the notion of "induced tagging" in the context of learning communities that are supported by digital libraries. We also describe an environment aimed to foster discovery and recommendation of digital library resources based on induced tagging

Impact of small molecules immunosuppressants on P-glycoprotein activity and T-cell function

Purpose. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a member of the ABC-transporter family that transports substances across cellular membranes acting as an efflux pump extruding drugs out of the cells. Pgp plays a key role on the pharmacokinetics of several dr ugs. Herein, we have studied the effects of immunosuppressants on Pgp function, assessing rhodamine-123 (Rho123) uptake and efflux in different T- cell subsets. Methods. Different immunosuppressants such as Cyclosporine (CsA), Rapamycin (Rapa) and Tacrolimus (Tac) were used to assess the in vitro effect on Pgp function of main T-cell subsets among healthy volunteers. We measured Rho123 upta ke, efflux and kinetic of extrusion in CD4 + and CD8 + subsets by flow cytometry. Antigen-specific memory T-ce ll responses were assessed by measuring T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion using an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Results. Rho123 uptake in groups treated with CsA and CsA+Rapa was signif icantly decreased compared to non-treated group and the other immunosupressants in both T cells subsets. Pgp activity was also reduced in CsA and CsA+Rapa compared to the other immunosupressants but it was only significant in the CsA group for CD8 + subset. Kinetic extrusion of Rho123 by Pgp in all groups was faster in CD8 + T cells. All immunosuppressants and the specific Pgp inhibitor PSC833 diminished antigen-primed T-cell proliferation, especially CD8 + T-cell subset. Conclusions. Our data indicate that small molecules immunosuppressants, especially CsA, inhibit Pgp activity and T-cell function being the CD8 + T cells more susceptible to this effect. These findings support the importance of Pgp when designing combined immunosuppressive regimens

Impact of small molecules immunosuppressants on P-glycoprotein activity and T-cell function

Purpose. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a member of the ABC-transporter family that transports substances across cellular membranes acting as an efflux pump extruding drugs out of the cells. Pgp plays a key role on the pharmacokinetics of several dr ugs. Herein, we have studied the effects of immunosuppressants on Pgp function, assessing rhodamine-123 (Rho123) uptake and efflux in different T- cell subsets. Methods. Different immunosuppressants such as Cyclosporine (CsA), Rapamycin (Rapa) and Tacrolimus (Tac) were used to assess the in vitro effect on Pgp function of main T-cell subsets among healthy volunteers. We measured Rho123 upta ke, efflux and kinetic of extrusion in CD4 + and CD8 + subsets by flow cytometry. Antigen-specific memory T-ce ll responses were assessed by measuring T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion using an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Results. Rho123 uptake in groups treated with CsA and CsA+Rapa was signif icantly decreased compared to non-treated group and the other immunosupressants in both T cells subsets. Pgp activity was also reduced in CsA and CsA+Rapa compared to the other immunosupressants but it was only significant in the CsA group for CD8 + subset. Kinetic extrusion of Rho123 by Pgp in all groups was faster in CD8 + T cells. All immunosuppressants and the specific Pgp inhibitor PSC833 diminished antigen-primed T-cell proliferation, especially CD8 + T-cell subset. Conclusions. Our data indicate that small molecules immunosuppressants, especially CsA, inhibit Pgp activity and T-cell function being the CD8 + T cells more susceptible to this effect. These findings support the importance of Pgp when designing combined immunosuppressive regimens

Multidrug resistance in tumour cells: characterisation of the multidrug resistant cell line K562-Lucena 1

Multidrug resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in the treatment of cancer patients. The best characterised mechanism responsible for multidrug resistance involves the expression of the MDR-1 gene product, P-glycoprotein. However, the resistance process is multifactorial. Studies of multidrug resistance mechanisms have relied on the analysis of cancer cell lines that have been selected and present cross-reactivity to a broad range of anticancer agents. This work characterises a multidrug resistant cell line, originally selected for resistance to the Vinca alkaloid vincristine and derived from the human erythroleukaemia cell K562. This cell line, named Lucena 1, overexpresses P-glycoprotein and have its resistance reversed by the chemosensitisers verapamil, trifluoperazine and cyclosporins A, D and G. Furthermore, we demonstrated that methylene blue was capable of partially reversing the resistance in this cell line. On the contrary, the use of 5-fluorouracil increased the resistance of Lucena 1. In addition to chemotherapics, Lucena 1 cells were resistant to ultraviolet A radiation and hydrogen peroxide and failed to mobilise intracellular calcium when thapsigargin was used. Changes in the cytoskeleton of this cell line were also observed.<br>A resistência a múltiplos fármacos é o principal obstáculo no tratamento de pacientes com câncer. O mecanismo responsável pela resistência múltipla mais bem caracterizado envolve a expressão do produto do gene MDR-1, a glicoproteína P. Entretanto, o processo de resistência tem fatores múltiplos. Estudos de mecanismos de resistência m��ltipla a fármacos têm dependido da análise de linhagens celulares tumorais que foram selecionadas e apresentam reatividade cruzada a uma ampla faixa de agentes anti-tumorais. Este trabalho caracteriza uma linhagem celular com múltipla resistência a fármacos, selecionada originalmente pela resistência ao alcalóide de Vinca vincristina e derivado da linhagem eritro-leucêmica K562. Esta linhagem celular, denominada Lucena 1, super-expressa a glicoproteína P e tem sua resistência revertida pelos quimio-sensibilizantes verapamil, trifluoperazina e ciclosporinas A, D e G. Ademais, demonstramos que o azul de metileno era capaz de reverter parcialmente a resistência nesta linhagem celular. Em contraste, o uso de 5-flúor-uracil aumentava a resistência de Lucena 1. Adicionalmente aos quimioterápicos, células Lucena 1 eram resistentes radiação ultra-violeta A e peróxido de hidrogênio e deixavam de mobilizar o cálcio intra-celular quando se usava tapsigargina. Mudanças no cito-esqueleto desta linhagem foram também observadas