[Alpha-momordicin Regulates Hepatocyte Cytokine Expression].

Objective: To investigate the regulation effect of α-momordicin (α-MMC) on the synthesis and secretion of cytokines in hepatocytes cells.

Methods: Hepatocytes L02 were treated with 189 μg/mL α-MMC with culture supernatant and lysate samples were harvested in different timepoint. Expressions of T-helper 17 (TH17) cytokine profile in samples were detected by the Bio-Plex 200 suspension chip assay system.

LRP1 receptor-mediated immunosuppression of α-MMC on monocytes.

Alpha-MMC is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein purified from bitter gourd that has strong anti-tumour and antiviral activity. Alpha-MMC also has immunosuppressive effects, but the mechanism of these immunosuppressive effects remains unclear. It is reported that the binding of α-MMC to its specific cell membrane LRP1 receptor is key to its biological effects.

Cytotoxicity mechanism of α-MMC in normal liver cells through LRP1 mediated endocytosis and JNK activation.

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein isolated from Momordica charantia, is a potential drug candidate with strong anti-tumor activity. However, α-MMC has a severe hepatotoxicity when applied in vivo, which may greatly hinders its use in clinic in the future. The biological mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by α-MMC is largely unknown, especially the mechanism by which α-MMC enters the hepatocytes.

TOA02, a recombinant adenovirus with tumor-specific granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression, has limited biodistribution and low toxicity in rhesus monkeys.

TOA02 is a genetically modified oncolytic adenovirus that contains human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF). It has been verified in vitro that TOA02 can specifically replicate in tumor cells that possess high telomerase reverse transcriptase activity and Rb pathway deficiency. However, the replication specificity, hGM-CSF expression, and toxicity of TOA02 in vivo are still unknown.

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC) exerts effective anti-human breast tumor activities but has a narrow therapeutic window in vivo.

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC), a ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) extracted from the seeds of Momordica charantia, exerts anti-tumor, antiviral, and anti-fungal activities. However, α-MMC has an obvious toxicity that limits its clinical application. We examined the effect of α-MMC on the inhibition of human breast cancer and assessed its general toxicity to find the therapeutic window in vivo for its potential clinical use.

PEGylation alleviates the non-specific toxicities of Alpha-Momorcharin and preserves its antitumor efficacy in vivo.

Alpha-Momorcharin (α-MMC) is a ribosome inactivating protein from Momordica charantia with anti-tumor activity. Previously, we had observed that modification of α-MMC with polyethylene glycol (PEG) could reduce toxicity, but it also reduces its anti-tumor activity in vitro. This study aims to investigate whether the metabolism-extended properties of α-MMC resulting from PEGylation could preserve its anti-tumor efficacy in vivo through pharmacokinetics and antitumor experiments.

[Decreased FcγRIIb1 translocation to lipid raft signaling domains in activated B lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To observe the changes in FcγRIIb1 translocation to lipid raft signaling domains in activated B lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The peripheral blood of SLE patients and healthy subjects were collected, and B lymphocytes were isolated. The cells were stimulated with F(ab')2; fragments of anti-μ chain antibodies [F(ab')2; anti-μ, for B cell receptor (BCR) crosslinking] or with whole immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-μ chain antibodies (IgG anti-μ, for BCR and FcγRIIb1 co-crosslinking).

[Effect of PEGylation of alpha-Momorcharin against its hepatotoxicity in rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of PEGylation of alpha-Momorcharin (alpha-MMC), one of ribosome-inactivating proteins from bitter melon seed, against its hepatotoxicity in rats.

Methods: SD rats were randomized into NS group, alpha-MMC treated groups, and alpha-MMC-PEG treated groups. The doses of alpha-MMC and alpha-MMC-PEG were high, middle, and low dose (6.

PEGylation is effective in reducing immunogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity of α-momorcharin in vivo.

Background And Aim: α-momorcharin (α-MMC), a type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) from Momordica charantia, is well known for its antitumor and antivirus activities. However, the immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity hampers its potential therapeutic usage. In order to reduce its toxicity, we had modified the α-MMC with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and detected the toxicity of the PEGylated α-MMC conjugates (α-MMC-PEG) in vivo.

Alpha-momorcharin possessing high immunogenicity, immunotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in SD rats.

Unlabelled: Momordica charantia L., a genus of Momordica Linn. of the family Cucurbitaceae, commonly known as bitter melon, has been widely planted in China, Southeast Asia, Turkey and other areas, and has been used as a medicine for a long time.

[Study on the immunotoxicity of ribosome inhibiting protein of Momordica charantia].

Objective: To separate and purify ribosome inhibiting protein (RIP) from Momordica charantia (bitter melon) seeds and to evaluate its acute toxicity and immunotoxicity in animal.

Methods: Ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography were applied in the separating and purifying of RIP from Momordica charantia seeds. Then the acute toxicity testing of RIP in mice was conducted to obtain its half lethal dose (LD50).