Direct addition of EDTA to LABScreen single antigen bead suspension: A simple way to prevent complement mediated interference and streamline HLA antibody testing.

Compromised detection of HLA specific antibodies due to complement mediated interference (CMI) is a well-recognized limitation of the single antigen bead (SAB) assay. Serum treatment with EDTA prior to SAB assay testing is a common strategy used to prevent CMI, however, treatment of individual sera, especially in large clinical runs, can extend assay turnaround time and increase the risk of a sample mix-up. In this study, we describe a simplified EDTA treatment strategy that can be applied simultaneously to all sera in a testing run.

Cutting through the weeds: Evaluation of a novel adsorption with crossmatch cells and elution protocol to sharpen HLA antibody identification by the single antigen bead assay.

The single antigen bead (SAB) assay is the most used test for the identification of HLA specific antibodies pre- and post-transplant. Nevertheless, detection of spurious reactivities remains a recognized assay limitation. In addition, the presence of weak reactivity patterns can complicate unacceptable antigen assignment.

DIBI, a novel 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one chelator iron-binding polymer, inhibits breast cancer cell growth and functions as a chemosensitizer by promoting S-phase DNA damage.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women; however, chemotherapy of breast cancer is often hindered by dose-limiting toxicities, demonstrating the need for less toxic approaches to treatment. Since the rapid growth and metabolism of breast cancer cells results in an increased requirement for iron, withdrawal of bioavailable iron using highly selective iron chelators has been suggested to represent a new approach to breast cancer treatment. Here we show that the recently developed iron-binding polymer DIBI inhibited the growth of five different breast cancer cell lines (SK-BR3, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and T47D).

The ABCs (DRDQDPs) of the prozone effect in single antigen bead HLA antibody testing: Lessons from our highly sensitized patients.

Accurate identification of HLA antibodies using the single antigen bead (SAB) assay is critical for assessment of pre/post-transplant immunological risk and successful virtual crossmatching. Unfortunately, high titer HLA antibodies can be missed or underestimated in the SAB assay as a result of interference with the detection of IgG. This so called prozone effect has been attributed to both complement- and IgM-dependent mechanisms and can be minimized with serum dilution or treatment with heat, EDTA, or DTT.

The anti-malarial drug artesunate causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of triple-negative MDA-MB-468 and HER2-enriched SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer diagnosis in women, with triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-enriched advanced breast cancers having the poorest prognoses. The morbidity and mortality associated with advanced disease, as well as the emergence of multi-drug resistant variants, highlights the urgency to develop novel therapeutic agents. Artesunate (ART) is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin from the Chinese herb sweet wormwood.

Myricetin-induced apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells is mediated by the iron-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species from hydrogen peroxide.

Myricetin is a dietary phytochemical with anticancer activity; however, the effect of myricetin on breast cancer cells remains unclear. Here, we show that myricetin inhibited the growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells but was less inhibitory for normal cells. The effect of myricetin was comparable to epigallocatechin gallate and doxorubicin, and greater than resveratrol and cisplatin.

Rapid optimized flow cytometric crossmatch (FCXM) assays: The Halifax and Halifaster protocols.

The flow cytometric crossmatch (FCXM) assay, which detects the presence of donor specific HLA antibodies in patient sera, is a cornerstone of HLA compatibility testing. Since relatively long FCXM assay turnaround times may contribute to transplant delays and increased graft ischemia time, we developed and validated two modified crossmatch procedures, namely the Halifax and Halifaster FCXM protocols. These protocols reduce FCXM assay time >60% and simplify their set-up without compromising quality or sensitivity.

Reovirus FAST Protein Enhances Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Oncolytic Virotherapy in Primary and Metastatic Tumor Models.

The reovirus fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins are the smallest known viral fusogens (∼100-150 amino acids) and efficiently induce cell-cell fusion and syncytium formation in multiple cell types. Syncytium formation enhances cell-cell virus transmission and may also induce immunogenic cell death, a form of apoptosis that stimulates immune recognition of tumor cells. These properties suggest that FAST proteins might serve to enhance oncolytic virotherapy.

Becoming a chef in the human leukocyte antigen kitchen: interpretation and modification of human leukocyte antigen-antibody assays.

Purpose Of Review: Fluorescence-based human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody detection methods, including flow cytometric crossmatch and single antigen bead assays revolutionized HLA antibody identification and assessment of immunological risk in transplant candidates and patients. Nevertheless, these assays are not flawless and their interpretation can be complex. This review highlights the limitations of the single antigen bead and flow cytometric crossmatch assays and discusses protocol modifications and interpretive approaches to address these issues.

It's about time: The development and validation of a rapid optimized single antigen bead (ROB) assay protocol for LABScreen.

The LABScreen single antigen bead assay (SAB) is a method widely used for the identification and monitoring of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in patients pre-and post-transplant. While accurate testing of patient samples is key for optimal patient care, time can also be important, especially during deceased donor workups or post-transplant assessments. Here we describe the development and validation of the Rapid Optimized SAB (ROB) protocol, a modified version of the One Lambda LABScreen SAB (OLSAB) procedure, which reduces assay time from 85 to 25min (>70% reduction) without impacting assay quality or sensitivity.

Resveratrol, piperine and apigenin differ in their NADPH-oxidase inhibitory and reactive oxygen species-scavenging properties.

Background: Many plant-derived chemicals have been studied for their potential benefits in ailments including inflammation, cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. The health benefits of phytochemicals are often attributed to the targeting of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it is not always clear whether these agents act directly as antioxidants to remove ROS, or whether they act indirectly by blocking ROS production by enzymes such as NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzymes, or by influencing the expression of cellular pro- and anti- oxidants.

Contribution of reactive oxygen species to ovarian cancer cell growth arrest and killing by the anti-malarial drug artesunate.

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women and the most lethal gynecological malignancy in the developed world. The morbidity and mortality of ovarian cancer underscore the need for novel treatment options. Artesunate (ART) is a well-tolerated anti-malarial drug that also has anti-cancer activity.

The Dietary Flavonoid Fisetin Causes Cell Cycle Arrest, Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis, and Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Fisetin (3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid found in a number of fruits and vegetables, has diverse biological activities, including cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of fisetin on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. TNBC has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer and treatment options for this disease are limited.

Inhibitory effect of iron withdrawal by chelation on the growth of human and murine mammary carcinoma and fibrosarcoma cells.

Since iron uptake is essential for cell growth, rapidly dividing cancer cells are sensitive to iron depletion. To explore the effect of iron withdrawal on cancer cell growth, mouse and human mammary carcinoma cells (4T1 and MDA-MB-468, respectively) and mouse and human fibrosarcoma cells (L929 and HT1080, respectively) were cultured in the absence or presence of DIBI, a novel iron-chelating polymer containing hydroxypyridinone iron-ligand functionality. Cell growth was measured by a colorimetric assay for cell metabolic activity.

Piperine blocks interleukin-2-driven cell cycle progression in CTLL-2 T lymphocytes by inhibiting multiple signal transduction pathways.

Piperine, a pungent alkaloid found in the fruits of black pepper plants, has diverse physiological effects, including the ability to inhibit immune cell-mediated inflammation. Since the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) is essential for the clonal expansion and differentiation of T lymphocytes, we investigated the effect of piperine on IL-2 signaling in IL-2-dependent mouse CTLL-2 T lymphocytes. Tritiated-thymidine incorporation assays and flow cytometric analysis of Oregon Green 488-stained cells showed that piperine inhibited IL-2-driven T lymphocyte proliferation; however, piperine did not cause T lymphocytes to die or decrease their expression of the high affinity IL-2 receptor, as determined by flow cytometry.

Piperine inhibits the growth and motility of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Piperine, an alkaloid from black pepper, is reported to have anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of piperine on the growth and motility of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Piperine inhibited the in vitro growth of TNBC cells, as well as hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, without affecting normal mammary epithelial cell growth.

Thymoquinone, a bioactive component of black caraway seeds, causes G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells with mutant p53.

Thymoquinone (TQ) from black caraway seeds has several anticancer activities; however, its effect on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that lack functional tumor suppressor p53 is not known. Here, we explored the growth inhibitory effect of TQ on 2 TNBC cell lines with mutant p53. Cell metabolism assays showed that TQ inhibited TNBC cell growth without affecting normal cell growth.