Mn-labelled Beta-cyclodextrin for Melanoma Imaging: A Proof-of-concept Preclinical Study.

Background/aim: As prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its receptors (EP2) are over-expressed on tumor cells and microenvironment, radiolabeled cyclodextrins targeting such biomolecules are valuable vector candidates in molecular cancer diagnostics. Using experimental melanoma models, we evaluated the in vivo imaging behavior of novel Manganese-52-labeled (Mn) randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin ([Mn]Mn-DOTAGA-RAMEB) and compared it with the following well-established tumor-specific probes: melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1-R)-affine [Ga]Ga-DOTA-NAPamide and PGE2 selective [Ga]Ga-DOTAGA-RAMEB cyclodextrin.

Materials And Methods: Post-injection of [Ga]Ga-DOTA-NAPamide, [Ga]Ga-DOTAGA-RAMEB, and [Mn]Mn-DOTAGA-RAMEB into MC1-R positive B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice, tumor radio-pharmaceutical uptake was quantified in vivo and ex vivo using preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) and high-performance gamma counter.

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Is Not Responsible for Over-Activation of Complement Lectin Pathway.

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a viral structural protein that is abundant in the circulation of infected individuals. Previous published studies reported controversial data about the role of the N protein in the activation of the complement system. It was suggested that the N protein directly interacts with mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) and stimulates lectin pathway overactivation/activity.

Dominant suppressor genes of p53-induced apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

One of the major functions of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is the removal of cells that suffered oncogenic mutations, thereby preventing cancerous transformation. By making use of a Double-Headed-EP (DEP) transposon, a P element derivative made in our laboratory, we made an insertional mutagenesis screen in Drosophila melanogaster to identify genes that, when overexpressed, suppress the p53-activated apoptosis. The DEP element has Gal4-activatable, outward-directed UAS promoters at both ends, which can be deleted separately in vivo.

Acute Myelomonoblastic Leukemia (My1/De): A Preclinical Rat Model.

Background/aim: Since acute myeloid leukemias still represent the most aggressive type of adult acute leukemias, the profound understanding of disease pathology is of paramount importance for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Hence, this study aimed to explore the real-time disease fate with the establishment of an experimental myelomonoblastic leukemia (My1/De) rat model using preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) and whole-body autoradiography.

Materials And Methods: In vitro [F]F-FDG uptake studies were performed to compare the tracer accumulation in the newly cultured My1/De tumor cell line (blasts) with that in healthy control and My1/De bone marrow suspensions.

Concomitant [F]F-FAZA and [F]F-FDG Imaging of Gynecological Cancer Xenografts: Insight into Tumor Hypoxia.

Background/aim: Herein we assessed the feasibility of imaging protocols using both hypoxia-specific [F]F-FAZA and [F]F-FDG in bypassing the limitations derived from the non-specific findings of [F]F-FDG PET imaging of tumor-related hypoxia.

Materials And Methods: CoCl-generated hypoxia was induced in multidrug resistant (Pgp+) or sensitive (Pgp-) human ovarian (Pgp- A2780, Pgp+ A2780AD), and cervix carcinoma (Pgp- KB-3-1, Pgp+ KB-V-1) cell lines to establish corresponding tumor-bearing mouse models. Prior to [F]F-FDG/[F]F-FAZA-based MiniPET imaging, in vitro [F]F-FDG uptake measurements and western blotting were used to verify the presence of hypoxia.