Stromal and Tumor Glioma-Derived Cells with Similar Characteristics have Differences in α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression and Localization

Gliomas are solid brain tumors composed of tumor cells and recruited heterogenic stromal components. The study of the interactions between the perivascular niche and its surrounding cells is of great value in unraveling mechanisms of drug resistance in malignant gliomas. In this study, we isolated the stromal diploid cell population from oligodendroglioma and a mixed population of tumor aneuploid and stromal diploid cells from astrocytoma specimens. The stromal cells expressed neural stem/progenitor and mesenchymal markers showing the same discordant phenotype that is typical for glioma cells. Moreover, some of the stromal cells expressed CD133. For the first time, we demonstrated that this type of stromal cells had the typical myofibroblastic phenotype as the α-SMA+ cells formed α-SMA fibers and exhibited the specific function to deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins at least in vitro. Immunofluorescent analysis showed diffuse or focal α-SMA staining in the cytoplasm of the astrocytoma-derived, A172, T98G, and U251MG glioma cells. We could suggest that α-SMA may be one of the main molecules, bearing protective functions. Possible mechanisms and consequences of α-SMA disruptions in gliomas are discussed

Correlation between human ether-a-go-go-related gene channel inhibition and action potential prolongation

Background and Purpose: Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG; Kv11.1) channel inhibition is a widely accepted predictor of cardiac arrhythmia. hERG channel inhibition alone is often insufficient to predict pro-arrhythmic drug effects. This study used a library of dofetilide derivatives to investigate the relationship between standard measures of hERG current block in an expression system and changes in action potential duration (APD) in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The interference from accompanying block of Cav1.2 and Nav1.5 channels was investigated along with an in silico AP model. Experimental Approach: Drug-induced changes in APD were assessed in hiPSC-CMs using voltage-sensitive dyes. The IC50 values for dofetilide and 13 derivatives on hERG current were estimated in an HEK293 expression system. The relative potency of each drug on APD was estimated by calculating the dose (D150) required to prolong the APD at 90% (APD90) repolarization by 50%. Key Results: The D150 in hiPSC-CMs was linearly correlated with IC50 of hERG current. In silico simulations supported this finding. Three derivatives inhibited hERG without prolonging APD, and these compounds also inhibited Cav1.2 and/or Nav1.5 in a channel state-dependent manner. Adding Cav1.2 and Nav1.2 block to the in silico model recapitulated the direction but not the extent of the APD change. Conclusions and Implications: Potency of hERG current inhibition correlates linearly with an index of APD in hiPSC-CMs. The compounds that do not correlate have additional effects including concomitant block of Cav1.2 and/or Nav1.5 channels. In silico simulations of hiPSC-CMs APs confirm the principle of the multiple ion channel effects

Cell-Based Drug Delivery and Use of Nano-and Microcarriers for Cell Functionalization

© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Cell functionalization with recently developed various nano- and microcarriers for therapeutics has significantly expanded the application of cell therapy and targeted drug delivery for the effective treatment of a number of diseases. The aim of this progress report is to review the most recent advances in cell-based drug vehicles designed as biological transporter platforms for the targeted delivery of different drugs. For the design of cell-based drug vehicles, different pathways of cell functionalization, such as covalent and noncovalent surface modifications, internalization of carriers are considered in greater detail together with approaches for cell visualization in vivo. In addition, several animal models for the study of cell-assisted drug delivery are discussed. Finally, possible future developments and applications of cell-assisted drug vehicles toward targeted transport of drugs to a designated location with no or minimal immune response and toxicity are addressed in light of new pathways in the field of nanomedicine

Hybrid inorganic-organic capsules for efficient intracellular delivery of novel siRNAs against influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

This work was supported by ARUK project grant 21210 ‘Sustained and Controllable Local Delivery of Anti-inflammatory Therapeutics with Nanoengineered Microcapsules’. The work was also supported in part by Russian Foundation of Basic Research grants No. 16-33-50153 mol_nr, No. 16-33-00966 mol_a, Russian Science Foundation grant No. 15-15-00170 and Russian Governmental Program ‘‘Nauka’’, No. 1.1658.2016, 4002

DDAO Controlled Synthesis of Organo-Modified Silica Nanoparticles with Encapsulated Fluorescent Boron Dipyrrins and Study of Their Uptake by Cancerous Cells

The design of cargo carriers with high biocompatibility, unique morphological characteristics, and capability of strong bonding of fluorescent dye is highly important for the development of a platform for smart imaging and diagnostics. In this paper, BODIPY-doped silica nanoparticles were prepared through a "one-pot" soft-template method using a sol-gel process. Several sol-gel precursors have been used in sol-gel synthesis in the presence of soft-template to obtain the silica-based materials with the most appropriate morphological features for the immobilization of BODIPY molecules. Obtained silica particles have been shown to be non-cytotoxic and can be effectively internalized into the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The described method of synthesis allows us to obtain silica-based carriers with an immobilized fluorescent dye that provide the possibility for real-time imaging and detection of these carriers

Physicochemical properties of pore residues predict activation gating of CaV1.2: A correlation mutation analysis

Single point mutations in pore-forming S6 segments of calcium channels may transform a high-voltage-activated into a low-voltage-activated channel, and resulting disturbances in calcium entry may cause channelopathies (Hemara-Wahanui et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102(21):7553–7558, 16). Here we ask the question how physicochemical properties of amino acid residues in gating-sensitive positions on S6 segments determine the threshold of channel activation of CaV1.2. Leucine in segment IS6 (L434) and a newly identified activation determinant in segment IIIS6 (G1193) were mutated to a variety of amino acids. The induced leftward shifts of the activation curves and decelerated current activation and deactivation suggest a destabilization of the closed and a stabilisation of the open channel state by most mutations. A selection of 17 physicochemical parameters (descriptors) was calculated for these residues and examined for correlation with the shifts of the midpoints of the activation curve (ΔVact). ΔVact correlated with local side-chain flexibility in position L434 (IS6), with the polar accessible surface area of the side chain in position G1193 (IIIS6) and with hydrophobicity in position I781 (IIS6). Combined descriptor analysis for positions I781 and G1193 revealed that additional amino acid properties may contribute to conformational changes during the gating process. The identified physicochemical properties in the analysed gating-sensitive positions (accessible surface area, side-chain flexibility, and hydrophobicity) predict the shifts of the activation curves of CaV1.2

Диагностика и лечение рака ротоглотки в реальной клинической практике в Республике Башкортостан: анализ за 2020 год

Introduction. Th e growing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is driven by an increase in frequency of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Th e morbidity pattern of oropharyngeal cancer is area-specific.Aim. To analyze the oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis and treatment in the Republic of Bashkortostan for 2020.Materials and methods. Th e authors carried out a 2020 retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment results of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. 79 patients were identified with this diagnosis. 84.8% (67/79) among them were males and 15.2% females (12/79). Th e mean age of the patients was 59.1 years. Th e site of primary tumor was on the oropharynx lateral wall in 37.8% cases (30/79), in the tongue root area — 24.1% (19/79), in the tonsils area — 17.7% (14/79), on the soft palate — 16.5% (13/79), on the oropharynx posterior wall — 3.8% (3/79).Results. Examination of tumor morphological types revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with various degrees of differentiation in 92.4% cases (73/79), adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland — in 6.3% (5/79) and sarcoma in 1.2% (1/79). 57.5% of 73 patients with SCC (42/73) underwent protein (p16) immunohistochemistry, while 42.5% of the patients (31/73) did not. According to a surrogate marker for HPV, the following results were obtained for 42 patients: p16-positive in 23.8% cases (10/42), p16-negative in 76.2% (32/42). Stage distribution according to TNM-7: stage I — 11.4% (9/79), stage II — 17.7% (14/79), stage III — 36.7% (29/79), stage IV — 46.8% (37/79). Stage distribution according to TNM-8 (patients who underwent p16 immunohistochemistry): stage I — 11.9% (5/42), stage II — 23.8% (10/42), stage III — 19% (8/42), stage IV — 45.2% (19/42). In 2020, 72% of patients (57/79) received definitive treatment, 10.1% (8/79) — palliative care, 15.2% (12/79) — supportive care, and 2.5% (2/79) refused medical treatment.Discussion. Th e various types of radiation therapy were used as the main defi nitive treatment for patients with oropharyngeal cancer in 69.2% cases (45/65). Only 18.5% of patients (12/65) underwent surgery, 58.3% of which (7/12) received post-surgery radiation therapy.Conclusion. 57.5% of patients (42/73) were detected with HPV status, 23.8% (10/42) revealed surrogate markers for HPV association. 69.2% of patients (45/65) received radiation therapy as the definitive treatment. 18.5% of patients (12/65) underwent surgery, 58.3% of which (7/12) received postsurgery radiation therapy.Введение. Современная тенденция роста заболеваемости раком ротоглотки обусловлена ростом ВПЧ-ассоциированной формы рака ротоглотки. Структура данной заболеваемости имеет территориальные особенности.Цель исследования. Провести анализ диагностики и лечения рака ротоглотки в Республике Башкортостан за 2020 год.Материалы и методы. Выполнен ретроспективный анализ результатов диагностики и лечения пациентов с диагнозом «рак ротоглотки» за 2020 год. Данный диагноз был установлен 79 пациентам. Доля пациентов мужского пола составила 84,8 % (67/79), женского пола — 15,2 % (12/79). Средний возраст пациентов — 59,1 года. Первичная опухоль локализовалась на боковой стенке ротоглотки в 37,8 % (30/79), в области корня языка — 24,1 % (19/79), в области миндалин — 17,7 % (14/79), мягкого неба — 16,5 % (13/79), на задней стенке ротоглотки — 3,8 % (3/79) случаев. Результаты. При анализе морфологических форм опухоли в 92,4 % (73/79) случаев это плоскоклеточный рак (ПКР) различной степени дифференцировки, в 6,3 % (5/79) — аденокарциномы из малых слюнных желез, в 1,2 % (1/79) — саркома. Из 73 пациентов с ПКР ротоглотки иммуногистохимическое исследование на белок р16 было выполнено 57,5 % (42/73) пациентов, 42,5 % (31/73) пациентов не проведено. У 42 пациентов по данным суррогатного маркера ВПЧ-ассоциации получены следующие результаты: р16-положительный результат у 23,8 % (10/42), р16-отрицательный результат у 76,2 % (32/42). Распределение по стадиям в соответствии TNM- 7: 1-я стадия — 11,4 % (9/79), 2-я стадия — 17,7 % (14/79), 3-я стадия — 36,7 % (29/79), 4-я стадия — 46,8 % (37/79). Распределение по стадиям в соответствии TNM-8 (пациентам, которым выполнено исследование ИГХ на р16): 1-я стадия — 11,9 % (5/42), 2-я стадия — 23,8 % (10/42), 3-я стадия — 19 % (8/42), 4-я стадия — 45,2 % (19/42). За 2020 год радикальное лечение проведено 72 % (57/79), паллиативное лечение — 10,1 % (8/79), симптоматическая терапия — 15,2 % (12/79), от лечения отказались 2,5 % (2/79) пациентов.Обсуждение. Основным радикальным методом лечения пациентов с раком ротоглотки была лучевая терапия в различных вариантах — 69,2 % (45/65) случаев. Хирургическое лечение проведено только 18,5 % (12/65) пациентов, из них 58,3 % (7/12) проведена послеоперационная лучевая терапия.Заключение. Определение ВПЧ-статуса было выполнено у 57,5 % (42/73), и у 23,8 % (10/42) пациентов выявлены суррогатные маркеры ВПЧ-ассоциации. 69,2 % (45/65) пациентов в качестве основного радикального лечения была проведена лучевая терапия в различных вариантах. 18,5 % (12/65) пациентов было проведено хирургическое лечение, из них 58,3 % (7/12) проведена послеоперационная лучевая терапия

A method for estimation of drug affinity constants to the open conformational state of calcium channels.

The affinity of D600 to calcium channels in the open state has been examined in isolated smooth muscle cells of the rabbit ear artery. Calcium channel currents were measured in high external barium solution by means of the patch-clamp technique. The current inhibition in various D600 concentrations (3-100 microM) on application of trains of short test pulses (20-80 ms) has been studied in nonmodified calcium channels and in cells where the calcium channels were modified by the agonist dihydropyridine (+) 202,791 (100 nM). The kinetics of the peak current decay has been analyzed with a mathematical model which is based on the experimental finding that D600 interacts primarily with calcium channels in the open conformational state. The model approach allows the estimation of drug affinity constants of D600 to the calcium channel in the open conformation. An association rate constant to the open conformational state of D600 of 6.16 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 was estimated. The association rate of the drug was not significantly changed after the calcium channels have been modified with 100 nM (+) 202,791. A method for correction of rate constants for possible drug trapping is discussed