MR1 presents vitamin B6-related compounds for recognition by MR1-reactive T cells.

The major histocompatibility complex class I related protein (MR1) presents microbially derived vitamin B2 precursors to mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. MR1 can also present other metabolites to activate MR1-restricted T cells expressing more diverse T cell receptors (TCRs), some with anti-tumor reactivity. However, knowledge of the range of the antigen(s) that can activate diverse MR1-reactive T cells remains incomplete.

Augmented Therapeutic Potential of EC-Synthetic Retinoids in Caco-2 Cancer Cells Using an In Vitro Approach.

Colorectal cancer therapies have produced promising clinical responses, but tumor cells rapidly develop resistance to these drugs. It has been previously shown that EC19 and EC23, two EC-synthetic retinoids, have single-agent preclinical anticancer activity in colorectal carcinoma. Here, isobologram analysis revealed that they have synergistic cytotoxicity with retinoic acid receptor (RAR) isoform-selective agonistic retinoids such as AC261066 (RARβ2-selective agonist) and CD437 (RARγ-selective agonist) in Caco-2 cells.

The potential roles of retinoids in combating drug resistance in cancer: implications of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) means that tumour cells become unresponsive during or after the course of treatment to one or more of chemotherapeutic drugs. Chemotherapeutic resistance critically limits the treatment outcomes and remains a key challenge for clinicians. The alternation in intracellular drug concentration through the modulation of its transport across the plasma membrane is the major cause for MDR and is adopted by various mediators, including ATP-requiring enzymes (ATPases).

Revealing the Potential Application of EC-Synthetic Retinoid Analogues in Anticancer Therapy.

(1) Background and Aim: All- retinoic acid (ATRA) induces differentiation and inhibits growth of many cancer cells. However, resistance develops rapidly prompting the urgent need for new synthetic and potent derivatives. EC19 and EC23 are two synthetic retinoids with potent stem cell neuro-differentiation activity.