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Molecular Cancer Feb 2022Dendritic cells (DCs) are central for the initiation and regulation of innate and adaptive immunity in the tumor microenvironment. As such, many kinds of DC-targeted...
BACKGROUND
Dendritic cells (DCs) are central for the initiation and regulation of innate and adaptive immunity in the tumor microenvironment. As such, many kinds of DC-targeted vaccines have been developed to improve cancer immunotherapy in numerous clinical trials. Targeted delivery of antigens and adjuvants to DCs in vivo represents an important approach for the development of DC vaccines. However, nonspecific activation of systemic DCs and the preparation of optimal immunodominant tumor antigens still represent major challenges.
METHODS
We loaded the immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers human neutrophil elastase (ELANE) and Hiltonol (TLR3 agonist) into α-lactalbumin (α-LA)-engineered breast cancer-derived exosomes to form an in situ DC vaccine (HELA-Exos). HELA-Exos were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoscale flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. The targeting, killing, and immune activation effects of HELA-Exos were evaluated in vitro. The tumor suppressor and immune-activating effects of HELA-Exos were explored in immunocompetent mice and patient-derived organoids.
RESULTS
HELA-Exos possessed a profound ability to specifically induce ICD in breast cancer cells. Adequate exposure to tumor antigens and Hiltonol following HELA-Exo-induced ICD of cancer cells activated type one conventional DCs (cDC1s) in situ and cross-primed tumor-reactive CD8 T cell responses, leading to potent tumor inhibition in a poorly immunogenic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) mouse xenograft model and patient-derived tumor organoids.
CONCLUSIONS
HELA-Exos exhibit potent antitumor activity in both a mouse model and human breast cancer organoids by promoting the activation of cDC1s in situ and thus improving the subsequent tumor-reactive CD8 T cell responses. The strategy proposed here is promising for generating an in situ DC-primed vaccine and can be extended to various types of cancers. Scheme 1. Schematic illustration of HELA-Exos as an in situ DC-primed vaccine for breast cancer. (A) Allogenic breast cancer-derived exosomes isolated from MDA-MB-231 cells were genetically engineered to overexpress α-LA and simultaneously loaded with the ICD inducers ELANE and Hiltonol (TLR3 agonist) to generate HELA-Exos. (B) Mechanism by which HELA-Exos activate DCs in situ in a mouse xenograft model ofTNBC. HELA-Exos specifically homed to the TME and induced ICD in cancer cells, which resulted in the increased release of tumor antigens, Hiltonol, and DAMPs, as well as the uptake of dying tumor cells by cDC1s. The activated cDC1s then cross-primed tumor-reactive CD8+ T cell responses. (C) HELA-Exos activated DCs in situ in the breast cancer patient PBMC-autologous tumor organoid coculture system.
ABBREVIATIONS
DCs: dendritic cells; α-LA: α-lactalbumin; HELA-Exos: Hiltonol-ELANE-α-LA-engineered exosomes; ICD: immunogenic cell death; ELANE: human neutrophil elastase; TLR3: Toll-like receptor 3; TNBC: triple-negative breast cancer; TME: tumor microenvironment; DAMPs: damage-associated molecular patterns; cDC1s: type 1 conventional dendritic cells; PBMCs: peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Vaccines; Cell Line, Tumor; Dendritic Cells; Exosomes; Female; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Mice; Tumor Microenvironment; Vaccines
PubMed: 35148751
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01515-x -
Nutrients Jul 2023The number of individuals experiencing mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression) has significantly risen in recent years. Therefore, it is essential to seek... (Review)
Review
The number of individuals experiencing mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression) has significantly risen in recent years. Therefore, it is essential to seek prevention and treatment strategies for mental disorders. Several gut microbiota, especially Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are demonstrated to affect mental health through microbiota-gut-brain axis, and the gut microbiota dysbiosis can be related to mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. On the other hand, dietary components, including probiotics (e.g., and ), prebiotics (e.g., dietary fiber and alpha-lactalbumin), synbiotics, postbiotics (e.g., short-chain fatty acids), dairy products, spices (e.g., , curcumin, and capsaicin), fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, and so on, could exert protective effects against mental disorders by enhancing beneficial gut microbiota while suppressing harmful ones. In this paper, the mental disorder-associated gut microbiota are summarized. In addition, the protective effects of dietary components on mental health through targeting the gut microbiota are discussed. This paper can be helpful to develop some dietary natural products into pharmaceuticals and functional foods to prevent and treat mental disorders.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Anxiety; Depression; Mental Disorders; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Synbiotics; Biological Products
PubMed: 37513676
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143258 -
Gastroenterology Jun 2019Levels of microRNA 31 (MIR31) are increased in intestinal tissues from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and colitis-associated neoplasias. We investigated the...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Levels of microRNA 31 (MIR31) are increased in intestinal tissues from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and colitis-associated neoplasias. We investigated the effects of this microRNA on intestinal inflammation by studying mice with colitis.
METHODS
We obtained colon biopsy samples from 82 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 79 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 34 healthy individuals (controls) at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital. MIR31- knockout mice and mice with conditional disruption of Mir31 specifically in the intestinal epithelium (MIR31 conditional knockouts) were given dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce colitis. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays to study proteins that regulate expression of MIR31, including STAT3 and p65, in LOVO colorectal cancer cells and organoids derived from mouse colon cells. Partially hydrolyzed alpha-lactalbumin was used to generate peptosome nanoparticles, and MIR31 mimics were loaded onto their surface using electrostatic adsorption. Peptosome-MIR31 mimic particles were encapsulated into oxidized konjac glucomannan (OKGM) microspheres, which were administered by enema into the large intestines of mice with DSS-induced colitis. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
Levels of MIR31 were increased in inflamed mucosa from patients with CD or UC, and from mice with colitis, compared with controls. STAT3 and nuclear factor-κB activated transcription of MIR31 in colorectal cancer cells and organoids in response to tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)6. MIR31-knockout and conditional-knockout mice developed more severe colitis in response to DSS and TNBS, with increased immune responses, compared with control mice. MIR31 bound to 3' untranslated regions of Il17ra and Il7r messenger RNAs (RNAs) (which encode receptors for the inflammatory cytokines IL17 and IL7) and Il6st mRNA (which encodes GP130, a cytokine signaling protein). These mRNAs and proteins were greater in MIR31-knockout mice with colitis, compared with control mice; MIR31 and MIR31 mimics inhibited their expression. MIR31 also promoted epithelial regeneration by regulating the WNT and Hippo signaling pathways. OKGM peptosome-MIR31 mimic microspheres localized to colonic epithelial cells in mice with colitis; they reduced the inflammatory response, increased body weight and colon length, and promoted epithelial cell proliferation.
CONCLUSIONS
MIR31, increased in colon tissues from patients with CD or UC, reduces the inflammatory response in colon epithelium of mice by preventing expression of inflammatory cytokine receptors (Il7R and Il17RA) and signaling proteins (GP130). MIR31 also regulates the WNT and Hippo signaling pathways to promote epithelial regeneration following injury. OKGM peptosome-MIR31 microspheres localize to the colon epithelium of mice to reduce features of colitis. Transcript Profiling: GSE123556.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Biopsy, Needle; Case-Control Studies; China; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intestinal Mucosa; Mice; Mice, Knockout; MicroRNAs; Microspheres; RNA, Messenger; Random Allocation; Regeneration; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 30779922
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.023 -
Biomolecules Aug 2020α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) is a small (Mr 14,200), acidic (pI 4-5), Ca-binding protein. α-LA is a regulatory component of lactose synthase enzyme system functioning in the... (Review)
Review
α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) is a small (Mr 14,200), acidic (pI 4-5), Ca-binding protein. α-LA is a regulatory component of lactose synthase enzyme system functioning in the lactating mammary gland. The protein possesses a single strong Ca-binding site, which can also bind Mg, Mn, Na, K, and some other metal cations. It contains several distinct Zn-binding sites. Physical properties of α-LA strongly depend on the occupation of its metal binding sites by metal ions. In the absence of bound metal ions, α-LA is in the molten globule-like state. The binding of metal ions, and especially of Ca, increases stability of α-LA against the action of heat, various denaturing agents and proteases, while the binding of Zn to the Ca-loaded protein decreases its stability and causes its aggregation. At pH 2, the protein is in the classical molten globule state. α-LA can associate with membranes at neutral or slightly acidic pH at physiological temperatures. Depending on external conditions, α-LA can form amyloid fibrils, amorphous aggregates, nanoparticles, and nanotubes. Some of these aggregated states of α-LA can be used in practical applications such as drug delivery to tissues and organs. α-LA and some of its fragments possess bactericidal and antiviral activities. Complexes of partially unfolded α-LA with oleic acid are cytotoxic to various tumor and bacterial cells. α-LA in the cytotoxic complexes plays a role of a delivery carrier of cytotoxic fatty acid molecules into tumor and bacterial cells across the cell membrane. Perhaps in the future the complexes of α-LA with oleic acid will be used for development of new anti-cancer drugs.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactalbumin; Neoplasms; Oleic Acid
PubMed: 32825311
DOI: 10.3390/biom10091210 -
Nutrients Aug 2020Disturbed sleep may negatively influence physical health, cognitive performance, metabolism, and general wellbeing. Nutritional interventions represent a potential... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Disturbed sleep may negatively influence physical health, cognitive performance, metabolism, and general wellbeing. Nutritional interventions represent a potential non-pharmacological means to increase sleep quality and quantity.
OBJECTIVE
(1) Identify an optimal suite of nutritional ingredients and (2) validate the effects of this suite utilising polysomnography, and cognitive and balance tests.
METHODS
The optimal and least optimal combinations of six ingredients were identified utilising 55 male participants and a Box-Behnken predictive model. To validate the model, 18 healthy, male, normal sleepers underwent three trials in a randomised, counterbalanced design: (1) optimal drink, (2) least optimal drink, or (3) placebo were provided before bed in a double-blinded manner. Polysomnography was utilised to measure sleep architecture. Cognitive performance, postural sway, and subjective sleep quality, were assessed 30 min after waking.
RESULTS
The optimal drink resulted in a significantly shorter sleep onset latency (9.9 ± 12.3 min) when compared to both the least optimal drink (26.1 ± 37.4 min) and the placebo drink (19.6 ± 32.0 min). No other measures of sleep, cognitive performance, postural sway, and subjective sleep quality were different between trials.
CONCLUSION
A combination of ingredients, optimised to enhance sleep, significantly reduced sleep onset latency. No detrimental effects on sleep architecture, subjective sleep quality or next day performance were observed.
Topics: Adenosine Monophosphate; Adult; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Glutamates; Humans; Lactalbumin; Male; Polysomnography; Prunus avium; Sleep; Tryptophan; Valerian
PubMed: 32854375
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092579 -
ACS Omega Nov 2022Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) and binding of zinc cations to protein were studied. Molecular characteristics of protein was determined by MALDI-TOF/MS and electrophoresis...
Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) and binding of zinc cations to protein were studied. Molecular characteristics of protein was determined by MALDI-TOF/MS and electrophoresis SDS-PAGE, and also, for complexes, it was determined by spectroscopic techniques (ATR-FT-IR and Raman) and microscopic techniques (SEM along with an EDX detector and also TEM). The pH dependence of zeta potential of α-LA was determined in saline solution. The zinc binding to the protein mechanism was investigated; zinc binding to protein kinetics, the molecular modeling by the DFT method, and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) for microstructure observation were performed. The experiments performed indicate a quick binding process (equilibrium takes place after 2 min of incubation) which occurs onto the surface of α-LA. Zinc cations change the conformation of the protein and create spherical particles from the morphological point of view. DFT studies indicate the participation of acidic functional groups of the protein (aspartic acid and glutamic acid residues), and these have a decisive influence on the interaction with zinc cations. Application studies of general toxicity and cytotoxicity and bioavailability were conducted.
PubMed: 36340177
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03674 -
Nutrition Reviews Jun 2018α-Lactalbumin is a whey protein that constitutes approximately 22% of the proteins in human milk and approximately 3.5% of those in bovine milk. Within the mammary... (Review)
Review
α-Lactalbumin is a whey protein that constitutes approximately 22% of the proteins in human milk and approximately 3.5% of those in bovine milk. Within the mammary gland, α-lactalbumin plays a central role in milk production as part of the lactose synthase complex required for lactose formation, which drives milk volume. It is an important source of bioactive peptides and essential amino acids, including tryptophan, lysine, branched-chain amino acids, and sulfur-containing amino acids, all of which are crucial for infant nutrition. α-Lactalbumin contributes to infant development, and the commercial availability of α-lactalbumin allows infant formulas to be reformulated to have a reduced protein content. Likewise, because of its physical characteristics, which include water solubility and heat stability, α-lactalbumin has the potential to be added to food products as a supplemental protein. It also has potential as a nutritional supplement to support neurological function and sleep in adults, owing to its unique tryptophan content. Other components of α-lactalbumin that may have usefulness in nutritional supplements include the branched-chain amino acid leucine, which promotes protein accretion in skeletal muscle, and bioactive peptides, which possess prebiotic and antibacterial properties. This review describes the characteristics of α-lactalbumin and examines the potential applications of α-lactalbumin for human health.
Topics: Adult; Amino Acids; Amino Acids, Essential; Animals; Cattle; Child Development; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Lactalbumin; Male; Milk, Human; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 29617841
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuy004 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Sep 2015Milk contains an array of proteins with useful bioactivities. Many milk proteins encompassing native or chemically modified casein, lactoferrin, alpha-lactalbumin, and... (Review)
Review
Milk contains an array of proteins with useful bioactivities. Many milk proteins encompassing native or chemically modified casein, lactoferrin, alpha-lactalbumin, and beta-lactoglobulin demonstrated antiviral activities. Casein and alpha-lactalbumin gained anti-HIV activity after modification with 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride. Many milk proteins inhibited HIV reverse transcriptase. Bovine glycolactin, angiogenin-1, lactogenin, casein, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, bovine lactoferrampin, and human lactoferrampin inhibited HIV-1 protease and integrase. Several mammalian lactoferrins prevented hepatitis C infection. Lactoferrin, methylated alpha-lactalbumin and methylated beta-lactoglobulin inhibited human cytomegalovirus. Chemically modified alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin and lysozyme, lactoferrin and lactoferricin, methylated alpha-lactalbumin, methylated and ethylated beta-lactoglobulins inhibited HSV. Chemically modified bovine beta-lactoglobulin had antihuman papillomavirus activity. Beta-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, esterified beta-lactoglobulin, and esterified lactoferrindisplayed anti-avian influenza A (H5N1) activity. Lactoferrin inhibited respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis B virus, adenovirus, poliovirus, hantavirus, sindbis virus, semliki forest virus, echovirus, and enterovirus. Milk mucin, apolactoferrin, Fe(3+)-lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin, human lactadherin, bovine IgG, and bovine kappa-casein demonstrated antihuman rotavirus activity.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Humans; Mammals; Virus Replication; Viruses; Whey Proteins
PubMed: 26198883
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6818-4 -
Journal of Dairy Science Mar 2021α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) were isolated from yak milk and identified by mass spectrometry. The variant of α-LA (L8IIC8) in yak milk had 123...
α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) were isolated from yak milk and identified by mass spectrometry. The variant of α-LA (L8IIC8) in yak milk had 123 amino acids, and the sequence differed from α-LA from bovine milk. The amino acid at site 71 was Asn (N) in domestic yak milk, but Asp (D) in bovine and wild yak milk sequences. Yak β-LG had 2 variants, β-LG A (P02754) and β-LG E (L8J1Z0). Both domestic yak and wild yak milk contained β-LG E, but it was absent in bovine milk. The amino acid at site 158 of β-Lg E was Gly (G) in yak but Glu (E) in bovine. The yak α-LA and β-LG secondary structures were slightly different from those in bovine milk. The denaturation temperatures of yak α-LA and β-LG were 52.1°C and 80.9°C, respectively. This study provides insights relevant to food functionality, food safety control, and the biological properties of yak milk products.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Lactalbumin; Lactoglobulins; Milk; Milk Proteins; Whey Proteins
PubMed: 33358811
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18546 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease characterized by abnormalities in immune response. Due to the inherent complexity of the disease and the presence of... (Review)
Review
Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease characterized by abnormalities in immune response. Due to the inherent complexity of the disease and the presence of comorbidities, asthma control is often difficult to obtain. In asthmatic patients, an increased prevalence of irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, obesity, and insulin resistance has been reported. Given that these conditions are also common in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we propose the definition of "asthma-PCOS overlap syndrome" to indicate a medical condition which shares characteristics of both diseases. The aim of this review is to analyze the links between asthma and PCOS and evaluate the therapeutic role of myo-inositol, a natural compound currently utilized in patients with PCOS, in the management of asthma patients.
Topics: Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Inositol; Insulin Resistance; Asthma
PubMed: 37108123
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086959