Probing conformational and functional states of human hepatocyte growth factor by a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

HGF-Met signaling contributes to various biological events by controlling cell migration. Since the abnormal activation of Met receptor causes cancer progression, inhibitors such as neutralizing antibodies are regarded as promising therapeutics. HGF is secreted as a single-chain (sc) precursor and is processed by extracellular proteases to generate disulfide-bonded two-chain (tc) HGF.

LpMab-19 Recognizes Sialylated O-Glycan on Thr76 of Human Podoplanin.

Human podoplanin (hPDPN) is expressed in lymphatic vessels, pulmonary type-I alveolar cells, and renal glomerulus. The hPDPN/C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) interaction is involved in platelet aggregation and cancer metastasis. High expression of hPDPN in cancer cells or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) leads to a poor prognosis for cancer patients.

Structural basis for multi-specific peptide recognition by the anti-IDH1/2 monoclonal antibody, MsMab-1.

A point mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 is directly linked to the pathogenesis of certain types of tumors. To detect this mutation, several antibodies that can distinguish between mutant and wild-type enzymes have been established. One of which, MsMab-1, has a unique multi-specific character against several types of mutated IDH1/2.

Analysis of Sorafenib Outcome: Focusing on the Clinical Course in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Treatment outcomes of sorafenib therapy may greatly vary depending not only on tumor spread but also on past clinical processes prior to sorafenib therapy and timing of sorafenib administration in the past clinical course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the efficacy of sorafenib in patients with HCC, taking into account of their past clinical courses.

Methods: Patients with HCC treated with sorafenib as a first-line systemic therapy, whose courses documented from the time of the initial diagnosis, were retrospectively analyzed.

Specific Detection of Dog Podoplanin Expressed in Renal Glomerulus by a Novel Monoclonal Antibody PMab-38 in Immunohistochemistry.

Podoplanin (PDPN) is expressed in several normal tissues including podocytes of renal glomerulus, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), and type I alveolar cells of lung. PDPN activates platelet aggregation by binding to C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) on platelets. Many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human PDPN, mouse PDPN, rat PDPN, rabbit PDPN, and bovine PDPN have been established; antidog PDPN (dPDPN) mAbs have not been developed.

Time Economical Total Synthesis of (-)-Oseltamivir.

A time economical 60 min total synthesis of (-)-oseltamivir was accomplished in a single reaction vessel over five steps. One of the key issues is reduction in the number of steps by eliminating lengthy reaction steps with substitution of a rapid epimerization step. A catalytic system consisting of three reagents, namely, diphenylprolinol silyl ether, thiourea, and acid, was developed for a rapid asymmetric Michael reaction with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of WT1 Antigen Expression in Various Solid Cancer Cells.

For a peptide-pulsed dendritic cell (DC) vaccine to work effectively in cancer treatment, it is significant that the target protein is expressed in cancer cells. Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) has been identified as a molecular target for immune cell therapy of cancer. We evaluated the protein expression levels of WT1 in various solid tumors, as well as mucin 1 (MUC1) or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class l molecules.

Establishment of Mouse Monoclonal Antibody LpMab-13 Against Human Podoplanin.

Podoplanin (PDPN)/Aggrus is a type-I transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, which possesses a platelet aggregation-stimulating (PLAG) domain. The O-glycosylation on Thr52 of human PDPN (hPDPN) is critical for the interaction of hPDPN with C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2), resulting in platelet aggregation. Many anti-hPDPN monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against PLAG domains and non-PLAG domains have been established; however, mouse anti-PLAG2/3 MAb, the epitope of which is consistent with rat anti-PLAG2/3 MAb NZ-1, has not been established.

Antitumor effect of novel anti-podoplanin antibody NZ-12 against malignant pleural mesothelioma in an orthotopic xenograft model.

Podoplanin (aggrus) is highly expressed in several types of cancers, including malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Previously, we developed a rat anti-human podoplanin mAb, NZ-1, and a rat-human chimeric anti-human podoplanin antibody, NZ-8, derived from NZ-1, which induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity against podoplanin-positive MPM cell lines. In this study, we showed the antitumor effect of NZ-1, NZ-8, and NZ-12, a novel rat-human chimeric anti-human podoplanin antibody derived from NZ-1, in an MPM orthotopic xenograft SCID mouse model.

PMab-44 Detects Bovine Podoplanin in Immunohistochemistry.

Podoplanin (PDPN)/Aggrus is a type I transmembrane O-glycoprotein, which is expressed in several normal tissues including podocytes of kidney and lymphatic endothelial cells. PDPN activates platelet aggregation by binding to C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) on platelet; however, only bovine PDPN (bovPDPN) does not possess the platelet-aggregating activity. Although many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human PDPN, mouse PDPN, rat PDPN, and rabbit PDPN have been established, anti-bovPDPN mAbs have not been developed.

Nanotubes of Biomimetic Supramolecules Constructed by Synthetic Metal Chlorophyll Derivatives.

Various supramolecular nanotubes have recently been built up by lipids, peptides, and other organic molecules. Major light-harvesting (LH) antenna systems in a filamentous anoxygenic phototroph, Chloroflexus (Cfl.) aurantiacus, are called chlorosomes and contain photofunctional single-wall supramolecular nanotubes with approximately 5 nm in their diameter.

Establishment of Mouse Monoclonal Antibody LpMab-13 Against Human Podoplanin.

Podoplanin (PDPN)/Aggrus is a type-I transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, which possesses a platelet aggregation-stimulating (PLAG) domain. The O-glycosylation on Thr52 of human PDPN (hPDPN) is critical for the interaction of hPDPN with C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2), resulting in platelet aggregation. Many anti-hPDPN monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against PLAG domains and non-PLAG domains have been established; however, mouse anti-PLAG2/3 MAb, the epitope of which is consistent with rat anti-PLAG2/3 MAb NZ-1, has not been established.

ARHGEF15 overexpression worsens the prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through enhancing the motility and proliferative activity of the cancer cells.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive neoplastic diseases, associated with a remarkably poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of PDAC remain elusive. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose expressions are correlated with a poor prognosis in PDAC patients, and to unravel the mechanisms underlying the involvement of these genes in the development of the cancer.

Sustained Virologic Response at 24 Weeks after the End of Treatment Is a Better Predictor for Treatment Outcome in Real-World HCV-Infected Patients Treated by HCV NS3/4A Protease Inhibitors with Peginterferon plus Ribavirin.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral agents against HCV with or without peginterferon plus ribavirin result in higher eradication rates of HCV and shorter treatment duration. We examined which is better for predicting persistent virologic response, the assessment of serum HCV RNA at 12 or 24 weeks after the end of treatment for predicting sustained virologic response (SVR12 or SVR24, respectively) in patients treated by HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors with peginterferon plus ribavirin.

Methods: In all, 149 Japanese patients infected with HCV genotype 1b treated by peginterferon plus ribavirin with telaprevir or simeprevir were retrospectively analyzed: 59 and 90 patients were treated with telaprevir- and simeprevir-including regimens, respectively.

LpMab-12 Established by CasMab Technology Specifically Detects Sialylated O-Glycan on Thr52 of Platelet Aggregation-Stimulating Domain of Human Podoplanin.

Podoplanin (PDPN), also known as Aggrus, possesses three tandem repeat of platelet aggregation-stimulating (PLAG) domains in its N-terminus. Among the PLAG domains, sialylated O-glycan on Thr52 of PLAG3 is essential for the binding to C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) and the platelet-aggregating activity of human PDPN (hPDPN). Although various anti-hPDPN monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been generated, no specific mAb has been reported to target the epitope containing glycosylated Thr52.

Critical Epitope of Anti-Rabbit Podoplanin Monoclonal Antibodies for Immunohistochemical Analysis.

Podoplanin (PDPN) is a type I transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, which is expressed in several normal cells, including lymphatic endothelial cells throughout the body, podocytes of the kidney, and lung type I alveolar cells of the lung. We have established many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human PDPN, mouse PDPN, and rat PDPN. In addition, we recently produced an anti-rabbit PDPN mAb, PMab-32, which was established by immunizing mice with recombinant proteins of rabbit PDPN.

Neuropathy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat: An electrophysiological and histological study.

Introduction: Hypertension is identified as a risk factor for development of polyneuropathy. In this study we examined nerve conduction and morphological alteration of peripheral nerves in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in the sciatic-tibial nerve and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) in the sural nerve were measured.

The expression of arginase-1, keratin (K) 8 and K18 in combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma, subtypes with stem-cell features, intermediate-cell type.

Aims: The WHO classification describes that combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma, subtypes with stem-cell features, intermediate-cell subtype (CHC-INT) is composed of tumour cells with features intermediate between hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. However, we previously reported that CHC-INT showed a high positive rate of biliary markers, but the expression of hepatocyte paraffin (HepPar)-1 was low. In this study, we examined the expression of other hepatocyte markers, such as arginase-1 (Arg-1), keratin (K) 8 and K18 in CHC-INT in order to examine the utility of pathological diagnosis in CHC-INT.

Reversible Photoregulation of Gene Expression and Translation.

Several methods for controlling gene expression by light illumination have been reported. Most of these methods control transcription by regulating the interaction between DNA and transcription factors. The use of a photolabile protecting compound (cage compound) is another promising approach for controlling gene expression, although typically in an irreversible manner.

Novel Monoclonal Antibody LpMab-17 Developed by CasMab Technology Distinguishes Human Podoplanin from Monkey Podoplanin.

Podoplanin (PDPN) is a type-I transmembrane sialoglycoprotein, which possesses a platelet aggregation-stimulating (PLAG) domain in its N-terminus. Among the three PLAG domains, O-glycan on Thr52 of PLAG3 is critical for the binding with C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) and is essential for platelet-aggregating activity of PDPN. Although many anti-PDPN monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been established, almost all mAbs bind to PLAG domains.

Utility of Prediction Scores for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Treated with Nucleos(t)ide Analogues.

Objective: The utility of risk scores to predict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) remains to be elucidated.

Methods: CU-HCC (The Chinese University of Hong Kong-HCC) and GAG-HCC (Guide with Age, Gender, HBV DNA, Core promoter mutations and Cirrhosis) scores of 225 Japanese patients treated with NAs for at least 2 years were calculated before and 2 years after the NA treatment. According to the cutoff values, the patients were categorized into high-score or low-score groups.

Tailored placement of a turn-forming PA tag into the structured domain of a protein to probe its conformational state.

Placement of a tag sequence is usually limited to either terminal end of the target protein, reducing the potential of epitope tags for various labeling applications. The PA tag is a dodecapeptide (GVAMPGAEDDVV) that is recognized by a high-affinity antibody NZ-1. We determined the crystal structure of the PA-tag-NZ-1 complex and found that NZ-1 recognizes a central segment of the PA tag peptide in a tight β-turn configuration, suggesting that it is compatible with the insertion into a loop.

Histopathological analysis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cases with long-term survival: A report from the Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Research Consortium of Japan.

The aim of this study was to clarify the histopathological features of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in patients who achieved long-term survival. We reviewed 88 anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cases in which the patient survived less than 3 months (short-term survival), and 68 anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cases in which the patient survived more than one year (long-term survival) from the database of the Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Research Consortium of Japan. We examined these cases both histologically and immunohistochemically.

Establishment of Novel Monoclonal Antibody PMab-32 Against Rabbit Podoplanin.

Podoplanin (PDPN) is a type I transmembrane O-glycoprotein, which is known as a specific lymphatic marker. PDPN activates platelet aggregation by binding to C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) on platelet. PDPN is also expressed in several normal tissues, including podocytes and type I alveolar cells.

Post-progression survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma resistant to sorafenib.

Background: Since the approval of sorafenib, no other agent has been proven to show survival benefits in clinical trials involving patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resistant to sorafenib. Prognostic factors for survival after tumor progression in sorafenib-treated patients are critical for designing second-line trials.

Methods: To determine the factors affecting the post-progression survival (PPS) after sorafenib treatment, additional analyses were conducted using fixed data obtained from our previous prospective study.