Role of phosphodiesterase 2 in growth and invasion of human malignant melanoma cells.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) regulate the intracellular concentrations and effects of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). The role of PDEs in malignant tumor cells is still uncertain. The role of PDEs, especially PDE2, in human malignant melanoma PMP cell line was examined in this study.

Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3): structure, localization and function.

Cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) are critical intracellular messengers involved in transduction of signals generated by a wide variety of extracellular stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, peptide hormones, light and neurotransmitters. These messengers modulate many fundamental biological processes, including myocardial contractility, platelet aggregation, vascular smooth muscle relaxation, proliferation and apoptosis, etc. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) catalyze the hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP, and are important in regulating intracellular concentrations and biological actions of these signal-transducing molecules.

A case of submandibular gland mucocele.

Submandibular Gland Mucocele:The mucocele occuring in the submandibular region is rare, most cases originate in the sublingual gland. Here, we report a rare case of mucocele originating in the submandibular gland. In this report, we present such a case in a 7-year-old boy, who was treated by an extirpation of cyst with submandibular and sublingual gland

mHFE7A, a newly identified monoclonal antibody to Fas, induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells in vitro and delays the growth of melanoma xenotransplants.

The Fas receptor is a potentially valuable therapeutic target in cancer treatment. However, the clinical application of antibodies directed to this target is hindered by their serious side effects in vivo, including liver toxicity. One murine monoclonal antibody, mHFE7A, binds both to human Fas and murine Fas, without inducing any obvious side effects.

Experimental therapy using interferon-gamma and anti-Fas antibody against oral malignant melanoma cells.

The Fas/FasL signalling system plays an important role in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in several different cell types. After interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) treatment, we have previously reported a significant increase in Fas expression in oral malignant melanoma cell lines (MMN9, PMP, MAA, HMG) in vitro, and combination therapy using IFN-gamma and anti-Fas antibody (CH-11) has shown a synergistic anti-proliferative effect in MMN9 cells. There have been several in-vitro studies using CH-11, but there are few reports of its anti-tumour effect in vivo.

Expression of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3A in isolated rat submandibular acini.

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 has been characterized in isolated rat submandibular acini. PDE3 activity was detected in homogenates of isolated rat submandibular acini; little or no PDE3 activity was found in ducts. About 62% of PDE3 activity in the acini was recovered in the supernatant fractions; 38% in particulate fractions.

Antitumor activity of cationic liposome-mediated Bax gene transfer in osteosarcoma cells: induction of apoptosis and caspase-independent cell death.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of osteosarcoma (HOSM-1) cells via transfer of the Bax gene using a cationic liposome. We evaluated the levels of Bax, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 and cytochrome c expression by Western blot analysis, and caspase-9 and -3 activities were determined in a colorimetric assay. Apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay, and cell growth inhibition was determined in an MTT assay.