Simple PEG Modification of DNA Aptamer Based on Copper Ion Coordination for Tumor Targeting.

A simple modification of a DNA aptamer with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based on metal coordination was developed. N, N-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-lysine (NTA) of a metal chelate residue was chemically introduced to one terminus of PEG. The NTA-introduced PEG (PEG-NTA) chelated Cu(2+) ions form a Cu(2+)-chelated PEG (PEG-Cu). When PEG-Cu was mixed with a DNA aptamer of anti-tumor activity (AS1411) in aqueous solution, a complex of PEG-Cu and AS1411 based on metal coordination was formed. The complex inhibited in vitro tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. A body distribution study with tumor-bearing mice revealed that PEG-Cu-AS1411 complexes injected intravenously had a significant longer lifetime in the blood circulation and 1.5-2.0-fold higher accumulation in the tumor tissue than free AS1411. Intravenous injection of complexes suppressed the in vivo growth of tumor mass to a significantly greater extent compared with that of free AS1411. The Cu(2+)-coordinated PEG modification is a simple and promising method to enhance accumulation of the aptamer in the tumor, resulting in the augmented anti-tumor effect

Effects of fluid flow shear stress to mouse muscle cells on the bone actions of muscle cell-derived extracellular vesicless.

The interactions between skeletal muscle and bone have been recently noted, and muscle-derived humoral factors related to bone metabolism play crucial roles in the muscle/bone relationships. We previously reported that extracellular vesicles from mouse muscle C2C12 cells (Myo-EVs) suppress osteoclast formation in mice. Although mechanical stress is included in extrinsic factors which are important for both muscle and bone, the detailed roles of mechanical stress in the muscle/bone interactions have still remained unknown. In present study, we examined the effects of fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) to C2C12 cells on the physiological actions of muscle cell-derived EV. Applying FFSS to C2C12 cells significantly enhanced muscle cell-derived EV-suppressed osteoclast formation and several osteoclast-related gene levels in mouse bone marrow cells in the presence of receptor activator nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). Moreover, FFSS to C2C12 cells significantly enhanced muscle cell-derived EV-suppressed mitochondria biogenesis genes during osteoclast formation with RANKL treatment. In addition, FFSS to C2C12 cells significantly enhanced muscle cell-derived EV-suppressed osteoclast formation and several osteoclast-related gene levels in Raw264.7 cells in the presence of RANKL. Small RNA-seq-analysis showed that FFSS elevated the expression of miR196a-5p and miR155-5p with the suppressive actions of osteoclast formation and low expression in mouse bone cells. On the other hand, muscle cell-derived EVs with or without FFSS to C2C12 cells did not affect the expression of osteogenic genes, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization in mouse osteoblasts. In conclusion, we first showed that FFSS to C2C12 cells enhances the suppressive effects of muscle cell-derived EVs on osteoclast formation in mouse cells. Muscle cell-derived EVs might be partly involved in the effects of mechanical stress on the muscle/bone relationships

Roles of the vestibular system in obesity and impaired glucose metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice.

The vestibular system controls balance, posture, blood pressure, and gaze. However, the roles of the vestibular system in energy and glucose metabolism remain unknown. We herein examined the roles of the vestibular system in obesity and impaired glucose metabolism using mice with vestibular lesions (VL) fed a high-sucrose/high-fat diet (HSHFD). VL was induced by surgery or arsenic. VL significantly suppressed body fat enhanced by HSHFD in mice. Glucose intolerance was improved by VL in mice fed HSHFD. VL blunted the levels of adipogenic factors and pro-inflammatory adipokines elevated by HSHFD in the epididymal white adipose tissue of mice. A β-blocker antagonized body fat and glucose intolerance enhanced by HSHFD in mice. The results of an RNA sequencing analysis showed that HSHFD induced alterations in genes, such as insulin-like growth factor-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the vestibular nuclei of mice through the vestibular system. In conclusion, we herein demonstrated that the dysregulation of the vestibular system influences an obese state and impaired glucose metabolism induced by HSHFD in mice. The vestibular system may contribute to the regulation of set points under excess energy conditions

Factors Influencing the Surface Modification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Fluorescein-Pegylated Lipids

Artificial introduction of functional molecules on the cell surface may be a promising way to improve the therapeutic effects of cell therapy. Pegylated lipids are conventionally used in drug carriers. The lipid part of pegylated lipids noncovalently interacts with the cell surface. However, little information is available regarding conditions for cell-surface modification by using pegylated lipids. In this study, we synthesized fluorescein-labeled pegylated lipids and evaluated the factors that affect modification efficiency by using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). As the concentration of the pegylated lipid as well as the exposure time increased, the modification efficiency increased. The modification efficiency at 37°C was 20- and 3-fold higher than that at 4°C and 25°C, respectively. In addition, with an increase in the molecular weight of polyethylene glycol (PEG), more pegylated lipids were extracellularly distributed than those intracellularly distributed. At the optimal condition, pegylated lipids were observed mainly on the cell membrane by confocal microscopy. In contrast, the cell condition (adherent or nonadherent) had little or no effect on the cell-surface modification efficiency. The results of this study will be useful for constructing an optimal modification method for introducing functional molecules on the cell surface

Role of Macrophages and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Delayed Bone Repair Induced by Glucocorticoids in Mice

Glucocorticoids delay fracture healing and induce osteoporosis. However, the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids delay bone repair have yet to be clarified. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the principal inhibitor of plasminogen activators and an adipocytokine that regulates metabolism. We herein investigated the roles of macrophages in glucocorticoid-induced delays in bone repair after femoral bone injury using PAI-1-deficient female mice intraperitoneally administered with dexamethasone (Dex). Dex significantly decreased the number of F4/80-positive macrophages at the damaged site two days after femoral bone injury. It also attenuated bone injury-induced decreases in the number of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow in wild-type and PAI-1-deficient mice. PAI-1 deficiency significantly weakened Dex-induced decreases in macrophage number and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNA levels at the damaged site two days after bone injury. It also significantly ameliorated the Dex-induced inhibition of macrophage phagocytosis at the damaged site. In conclusion, we herein demonstrated that Dex decreased the number of macrophages at the damaged site during early bone repair after femoral bone injury partly through PAI-1 and M-CSF in mice