Cyclic Imine Pinnatoxin G is Cytotoxic to Cancer Cell Lines via Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Driven Classical Apoptosis.

Pinnatoxin G is a cyclic imine neurotoxin produced by dinoflagellates that has been reported in shellfish. Like other members of the pinnatoxin family, it has been shown to have its effects via antagonism of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, with preferential binding to the α7 subunit often upregulated in cancer. Because increased activity of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors contributes to increased growth and resistance to apoptosis, the effect of pinnatoxin G on cancer cell viability was tested.

Tunable NIR-II emitting silver chalcogenide quantum dots using thio/selenourea precursors: preparation of an MRI/NIR-II multimodal imaging agent.

Aqueous-stable, Cd- and Pb-free colloidal quantum dots with fluorescence properties in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1400) are highly desirable for non-invasive deep-tissue optical imaging and biosensing. The low band-gap semiconductor, silver chalcogenide, offers a non-toxic and stable alternative to existing Pd, As, Hg and Cd-based NIR-II colloidal quantum dots (QDs). We report facile access to NIR-II emission windows with Ag2X (X = S, Se) QDs using easy-to-prepare thio/selenourea precursors and their analogues.

How to Study Basement Membrane Stiffness as a Biophysical Trigger in Prostate Cancer and Other Age-related Pathologies or Metabolic Diseases.

Here we describe a protocol that can be used to study the biophysical microenvironment related to increased thickness and stiffness of the basement membrane (BM) during age-related pathologies and metabolic disorders (e.g. cancer, diabetes, microvascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy).

Mesenchymal stem cells inhibit breast cancer cell migration and invasion through secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) form part of tumor stroma, and are typically considered to be pro-tumorigenic, promoting continuing tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we describe a mechanism by which MSCs may be anti-tumorigenic, through inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and invasion, an important part of metastasis. MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells were co-cultured in a Transwell insert above MSCs or MSC conditioned media and their migration or invasion through Matrigel measured.