Cancer stem cells: A review from origin to therapeutic implications

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are elucidated as cells that can perpetuate themselves via autorestoration. These cells are highly resistant to current therapeutic approaches and are the main reason for cancer recurrence. Radiotherapy has made a lot of contributions to cancer treatment. However, despite continuous achievements, therapy resistance and tumor recurrence are still prevalent in most patients. This resistance might be partly related to the existence of CSCs. In the present study, recent advances in the investigation of different biological properties of CSCs, such as their origin, markers, characteristics, and targeting have been reviewed. We have also focused our discussion on radioresistance and adaptive responses of CSCs and their related extrinsic and intrinsic influential factors. In summary, we suggest CSCs as the prime therapeutic target for cancer treatment. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Fe3O4/Bioactive glass nanostructure: A promising therapeutic platform for osteosarcoma treatment

An effective strategy of hyperthermia-chemotherapy-regeneration for bone-related cancer treatments is presented. For this purpose, a new approach of magnetic particles (MPs) encapsulated in bioactive glass (BG) structure, with anti-cancer activity, is evaluated. MPs are initially synthesized using co-precipitation method and then embedded into BG structure through sol-gel synthesis process. Results confirmed the formation of a crystalline and pure MP structure. MP-BG particles were found to be bioactive by forming a hydroxyapatite layer on their surface. The hyperthermia application of MP-BG system was also studied. It was found that the particles reach a temperature of 42 °C in an alternating magnetic field. Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used anticancer drug, was loaded in MP-BG. To enhance loading efficiency, BG was surface modified to create NH2 groups on the surface. The encapsulation and release of DOX was studied over 48 h. In vitro tests were performed using human osteosarcoma cell line (MG63). The results demonstrated the non-cytotoxic nature of MP and MP-BG tested at various concentrations. DOX release from MP-BG resulted in decreased MG63 viability. Also, fluorescence microscopy visualization confirmed the intracellular uptake of MP-BG particles and the release of DOX. These results indicate that our suggested strategy of combined hyperthermia-chemotherapy-regeneration using MP-BG structure represents a powerful approach in cancer treatment and tissue regeneration

Generation and characterization of an anti-delta like ligand-4 Nanobody to induce non-productive angiogenesis

Antibody-based targeting of angiogenesis is a key approach for cancer treatment. Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) plays a pivotal role in tumor neovascular development and angiogenesis during tumor progression. It forecasts the prognosis of human malignancies and blocking its signaling can help to inhibit neovascularization and tumor metastasis. Nanobodies are the smallest antigen-binding domains of heavy chain antibodies in camelidae. The aim of this study was to develop a Nanobody against DLL4 and apply binding and functional approaches to target it. In this work, a Nanobody library against human recombinant DLL4 was developed. After panning, the periplasmic-extract (PE) of individual colonies were screened through ELISA. The interactions between Nanobody and DLL4 were assessed using immunohistochemistry and FACS. The functional assessment was carried out via tube formation assay. We selected a Nanobody (3Nb3) with a high binding signal to DLL4, associated with a binding affinity of 3.6 nM. It was demonstrated that 3Nb3 binds to native DLL4 on the surface of MKN cells and gastric carcinoma tissue, and also inhibits the maturation of capillary-like structures in HUVECs. The results were indicative of the potential of Nanobody for DLL4 identification and can broaden the scope for development of cancer diagnosis and treatment techniques. © 2017 Elsevier Inc

Generation and characterization of an anti-delta like ligand-4 Nanobody to induce non-productive angiogenesis

Antibody-based targeting of angiogenesis is a key approach for cancer treatment. Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) plays a pivotal role in tumor neovascular development and angiogenesis during tumor progression. It forecasts the prognosis of human malignancies and blocking its signaling can help to inhibit neovascularization and tumor metastasis. Nanobodies are the smallest antigen-binding domains of heavy chain antibodies in camelidae. The aim of this study was to develop a Nanobody against DLL4 and apply binding and functional approaches to target it. In this work, a Nanobody library against human recombinant DLL4 was developed. After panning, the periplasmic-extract (PE) of individual colonies were screened through ELISA. The interactions between Nanobody and DLL4 were assessed using immunohistochemistry and FACS. The functional assessment was carried out via tube formation assay. We selected a Nanobody (3Nb3) with a high binding signal to DLL4, associated with a binding affinity of 3.6 nM. It was demonstrated that 3Nb3 binds to native DLL4 on the surface of MKN cells and gastric carcinoma tissue, and also inhibits the maturation of capillary-like structures in HUVECs. The results were indicative of the potential of Nanobody for DLL4 identification and can broaden the scope for development of cancer diagnosis and treatment techniques. © 2017 Elsevier Inc

Genotype-related variations in proinflammatory and regulatory cytokine levels in treated and treatment-naive HCV-infected patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) modulates immune-related inflammatory responses to induce milder reactions leading to virus persistence. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the link between the HCV genotypes and the proinflammatory and regulatory cytokine levels. Ninety patients with hepatitis C infection (68 treatment-naive and 22 treated patients) and 76 healthy blood donors were studied. The serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-21 were measured by ELISA in the patients and healthy controls. IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-21 levels were significantly higher in HCV patients than in the healthy controls. The same cytokines were also higher in genotype 3a-infected patients compared with genotype 1a-infected patients. Interestingly, in treated patients, lower serum levels of IL-17A and IL-21 were detected in G3a-infected individuals, but not in those infected with G1a. G3a viral load displayed a significant correlation with IL-21 and IL-17A levels. In addition, G1a viral load correlated with IL-10 levels. In G3a-infected patients, a significant association was found between IL-17A serum levels and ALT. We found differences in IL-21 and IL-17A serum levels among HCV-infected patients which were genotype dependent. Since Th17-associated cytokines are associated with the progression of liver disease in HCV patients, IL-17A and IL-21 can be used as important biological markers for evaluating the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis. Our results suggest that HCV G3a along with immune responses such as cytokines in HCV patients should be taken into account when interpreting clinical data and IFN-based therapeutic response. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Genotype-related variations in proinflammatory and regulatory cytokine levels in treated and treatment-naive HCV-infected patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) modulates immune-related inflammatory responses to induce milder reactions leading to virus persistence. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the link between the HCV genotypes and the proinflammatory and regulatory cytokine levels. Ninety patients with hepatitis C infection (68 treatment-naive and 22 treated patients) and 76 healthy blood donors were studied. The serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-21 were measured by ELISA in the patients and healthy controls. IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-21 levels were significantly higher in HCV patients than in the healthy controls. The same cytokines were also higher in genotype 3a-infected patients compared with genotype 1a-infected patients. Interestingly, in treated patients, lower serum levels of IL-17A and IL-21 were detected in G3a-infected individuals, but not in those infected with G1a. G3a viral load displayed a significant correlation with IL-21 and IL-17A levels. In addition, G1a viral load correlated with IL-10 levels. In G3a-infected patients, a significant association was found between IL-17A serum levels and ALT. We found differences in IL-21 and IL-17A serum levels among HCV-infected patients which were genotype dependent. Since Th17-associated cytokines are associated with the progression of liver disease in HCV patients, IL-17A and IL-21 can be used as important biological markers for evaluating the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis. Our results suggest that HCV G3a along with immune responses such as cytokines in HCV patients should be taken into account when interpreting clinical data and IFN-based therapeutic response. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Identification of HIV transmitting CD11c+ human epidermal dendritic cells.

Langerhans cells (LC) are thought to be the only mononuclear phagocyte population in the epidermis where they detect pathogens. Here, we show that CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) are also present. These cells are transcriptionally similar to dermal cDC2 but are more efficient antigen-presenting cells. Compared to LCs, epidermal CD11c+ DCs are enriched in anogenital tissues where they preferentially interact with HIV, express the higher levels of HIV entry receptor CCR5, support the higher levels of HIV uptake and replication and are more efficient at transmitting the virus to CD4 T cells. Importantly, these findings are observed using both a lab-adapted and transmitted/founder strain of HIV. We also describe a CD33low cell population, which is transcriptionally similar to LCs but does not appear to function as antigen-presenting cells or acts as HIV target cells. Our findings reveal that epidermal DCs in anogenital tissues potentially play a key role in sexual transmission of HIV