Phenotypic Drug Screening for Dysferlinopathy Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Dysferlinopathy is a progressive muscle disorder that includes limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy (MM). It is caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene, whose function is to reseal the muscular membrane. Treatment with proteasome inhibitor MG-132 has been shown to increase misfolded dysferlin in fibroblasts, allowing them to recover their membrane resealing function.

Exploring high-affinity binding properties of octamer peptides by principal component analysis of tetramer peptides.

To investigate the binding properties of a peptide sequence, we conducted principal component analysis (PCA) of the physicochemical features of a tetramer peptide library comprised of 512 peptides, and the variables were reduced to two principal components. We selected IL-2 and IgG as model proteins and the binding affinity to these proteins was assayed using the 512 peptides mentioned above. PCA of binding affinity data showed that 16 and 18 variables were suitable for localizing IL-2 and IgG high-affinity binding peptides, respectively, into a restricted region of the PCA plot.

Effect of STAT3 inhibition on the metabolic switch in a highly STAT3-activated lymphoma cell line.

Background: Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 is involved in a metabolic shift in cancer cells, the Warburg effect through its pro-oncogenic activity. To develop efficient STAT3 inhibitors against cancer cells, novel proteomic and metabolic target molecules need to be explored using multi-omics approaches in the context of STAT3 gene inhibition-mediated tumor growth suppression.

Materials And Methods: We found that short hairpin (sh)RNA-mediated STAT3 inhibition suppressed tumor growth in a highly STAT3-activated lymphoma cell line, SCC-3 cells, and we investigated the effect of STAT3 inhibition on metabolic switching using 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis-time of flight-mass spectrometry.

Immunologically augmented skin flap as a novel dendritic cell vaccine against head and neck cancer in a rat model.

Local recurrence is a major clinical issue following surgical resection in head and neck cancer, and the dissemination and lymph node metastasis of minimal residual disease is relatively difficult to treat due to the lack of suitable therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we developed and evaluated a novel immunotherapy using a skin flap transfer treated with sensitized dendritic cells (DC), termed the "immuno-flap," in a rat tumor model. After the local round area of skin was resected, SCC-158 cells (a rat head and neck cancer cell line) were inoculated into the muscle surface; lastly, the groin skin flap injected with mature DC was overlaid.

YKL-40 downregulation is a key factor to overcome temozolomide resistance in a glioblastoma cell line.

The frequent recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after standard treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) is a crucial issue to be solved in the clinical field. O6‑methylguanine‑DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is considered one of the major mechanisms involved in TMZ resistance. However, some important mechanisms for TMZ resistance other than MGMT have recently been identified.

Effect of the STAT3 inhibitor STX-0119 on the proliferation of a temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma cell line.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant and aggressive tumors and has a very poor prognosis, with a median survival time of less than 2 years. Once recurrence develops, there are few therapeutic approaches to control the growth of glioblastoma. In particular, temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant (TMZ-R) GBM is very difficult to treat, and a novel approach to overcome resistance is eagerly awaited.

The identification of affinity peptide ligands specific to the variable region of human antibodies.

Of all potential biological therapeutics, monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies are becoming the dominant focus of clinical research. In particular, smaller recombinant antibody fragments such as single-chain variable fragments (scFv) have become the subject of intense focus. However, an efficient affinity ligand for antibody fragment purification has not been developed.

Novel cancer-testis antigen expression on glioma cell lines derived from high-grade glioma patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant and aggressive tumors, and has a very poor prognosis with a mean survival time of <2 years, despite intensive treatment using chemo-radiation. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy have been developed against GBM. For the purpose of identifying novel target antigens contributing to GBM treatment, we developed 17 primary glioma cell lines derived from high-grade glioma patients, and analyzed the expression of various tumor antigens and glioma-associated markers using a quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 autoantibody identification in glioblastoma patient using single B cell-based antibody gene cloning.

Antibody direct cloning from single B cells is simple and efficient and has been successful in antibody identification of infectious diseases. However, although a recent whole-exome sequencing revealed abundant heterogeneic mutation accumulation in cancers, identification and synthesis of autoantibodies against specific cancer-associated antigens is still difficult in cancer patients owing to the very small number of B cells producing autoantibodies. In the present study, to identify autoantibodies targeting tumor antigens, we measured the titer of autoantibodies in high-grade glioma patients' plasma and identified two patients with elevated autoantibodies to a few transmembrane proteins.

Effect of the STAT3 inhibitor STX-0119 on the proliferation of cancer stem-like cells derived from recurrent glioblastoma.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, a member of a family of DNA-binding molecules, is a potential target in the treatment of cancer. The highly phosphorylated STAT3 in cancer cells contributes to numerous physiological and oncogenic signaling pathways. Furthermore, a significant association between STAT3 signaling and glioblastoma multiforme stem-like cell (GBM-SC) development and maintenance has been demonstrated in recent studies.

α-type-1 polarized dendritic cell-based vaccination in recurrent high-grade glioma: a phase I clinical trial.

Background: High-grade gliomas including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are among the most malignant and aggressive of tumors, and have a very poor prognosis despite a temozolomide-based intensive treatment. Therefore, a novel therapeutic approach to controlling recurrence is needed. In the present study, we investigated the effect of activated dendritic cell (DC) (α-type-1 polarized DC)-based immunotherapy on high-grade glioma patients with the HLA-A2 or A24 genotype.

Dendritic cell-based vaccination in metastatic melanoma patients: phase II clinical trial.

Metastatic and chemoresistant melanoma can be a good target of immunotherapy because it is an intractable cancer with a very poor prognosis. Previously, we tested a dendritic cell (DC)-based phase I vaccine, and confirmed that it was safe. In the present study, we performed a phase II trial of a DC vaccine for metastatic melanoma patients with mainly the HLA-A24 genotype, and investigated the efficacy of the vaccine.

Identification of novel MAGE-A6- and MAGE-A12-derived HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes using an in silico peptide-docking assay.

Many cancer-testis antigen genes have been identified; however, few human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24-restricted cytotoxic T cell (CTL) epitope peptides are available for clinical immunotherapy. To solve this problem, novel tools increasing the efficacy and accuracy of CTL epitope detection are needed. In the present study, we utilized a highly active dendritic cell (DC)-culture method and an in silico HLA-A24 peptide-docking simulation assay to identify novel CTL epitopes from MAGE-A6 and MAGE-A12 antigens.

Identification of cytomegalovirus (CMV)pp65 antigen-specific human monoclonal antibodies using single B cell-based antibody gene cloning from melanoma patients.

Recently, because of highly advanced protein engineering technology, beyond the chimeric antibody, highly humanized and fully human antibody development is becoming crucial in the medical field. In the last decade, investigational approaches using clinical samples for fully human antibody production have been performed, but there are still problems with efficiency and accuracy, which should be solved. In the present study, based on novel IgG antibody-measuring ELISA and antibody gene copy number-quantitative PCR, a human single B cell RT-PCR-mediated IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb) gene cloning method was established, and CMVpp65-specific human mAbs were successfully identified.

Identification of melanoma antigens using a Serological Proteome Approach (SERPA).

Background: Melanoma is an intractable cancer with a poor prognosis and increasing prevalence worldwide. Specific biomarkers for early diagnosis have yet to be found.

Materials And Methods: Serum samples from melanoma patients and healthy volunteers were utilized for identifying melanoma marker proteins using a serological proteome approach.

Preparation of human immune effector T cells containing iron-oxide nanoparticles.

Preparation of human immune T cells containing iron-oxide nanoparticles was carried out for the development of magnetically mediated immunotherapy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) after the incubation with magnetite nanoparticles were found to contain measurable ferric ions, which suggested the incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study indicated that the incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles was mediated by endocytosis of PBLs.