Adeno-associated virus vector system controlling capsid expression improves viral quantity and quality.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are promising tools for gene therapy. The current AAV vector system produces an abundance of empty capsids that are eliminated before clinical use, leading to increased costs for gene therapy. In the present study, we established an AAV production system that regulates the timing of capsid expression using a tetracycline-dependent promoter.

Highly efficient genome editing for single-base substitutions using optimized ssODNs with Cas9-RNPs.

Target-specific genome editing using engineered nucleases has become widespread in various fields. Long gene knock-in and single-base substitutions can be performed by homologous recombination (HR), but the efficiency is usually very low. To improve the efficiency of knock-in with single-stranded oligo DNA nucleotides (ssODNs), we have investigated optimal design of ssODNs in terms of the blocking mutation, orientation, size, and length of homology arms to explore the optimal parameters of ssODN design using reporter systems for the detection of single-base substitutions.

Phase I clinical trial of adoptive transfer of expanded natural killer cells in combination with IgG1 antibody in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer.

Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit strong cytotoxic activity against tumor cells without prior sensitization, and have the potential to exert antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In this clinical trial, we examined the safety and efficacy of the use of NK cells, generated using a novel expansion system, in combination with IgG1 antibodies for the treatment of advanced gastric or colorectal cancers. Treatment consisted of trastuzumab- or cetuximab-based chemotherapy, plus adoptive NK cell therapy.

Stimulation through very late antigen-4 and -5 improves the multifunctionality and memory formation of CD8⁺ T cells.

T cells express multiple integrin molecules. The significance of signaling through these molecules on acquisition of T-cell effector functions and memory formation capacity remains largely unknown. Moreover, the impact of stimulation through these signals on the generation of T cells for adoptive immunotherapy has not been elucidated.

Phase I clinical trial of fibronectin CH296-stimulated T cell therapy in patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that less-differentiated T cells are ideal for adoptive T cell transfer therapy (ACT) and that fibronectin CH296 (FN-CH296) together with anti-CD3 resulted in cultured cells that contain higher amounts of less-differentiated T cells. In this phase I clinical trial, we build on these prior results by assessing the safety and efficacy of FN-CH296 stimulated T cell therapy in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: Patients underwent fibronectin CH296-stimulated T cell therapy up to six times every two weeks and the safety and antitumor activity of the ACT were assessed.

Drawing a high-resolution functional map of adeno-associated virus capsid by massively parallel sequencing.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid engineering is an emerging approach to advance gene therapy. However, a systematic analysis on how each capsid amino acid contributes to multiple functions remains challenging. Here we show proof-of-principle and successful application of a novel approach, termed AAV Barcode-Seq, that allows us to characterize phenotypes of hundreds of different AAV strains in a high-throughput manner and therefore overcomes technical difficulties in the systematic analysis.

Anti-tumor-promoting activities of agaro-oligosaccharides on two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis.

We have previously reported that agaro-oligosaccharides (AGOs) suppressed the elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), and pro-inflammatory cytokines in activated monocytes/macrophages, via heme oxygenase-1 induction. In this report, we initially demonstrated that AGOs intake inhibited NO production in activated peritoneal macrophages. Then, we tested for the ability of AGOs to prevent tumor promotion on the two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model.

Six new chalcones from Angelica keiskei inducing adiponectin production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba in Japanese), a traditional herb in Japan, contains abundant prenylated chalcones. It has been reported that the chalcones from A. keiskei showed such bioactivities as anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic effects.

Angelica keiskei extract improves insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in rats fed a high-fructose drink.

Angelica keiskei is a traditional herb peculiar to Japan and abundantly contains vitamins, dietary fiber and such polyphenols as chalcone. We investigated in the present study the effect of A. keiskei on insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia in fructose-drinking rats as a model for the metabolic syndrome.

Synergistic effect of CH-296 and interferon gamma on cytokine-induced killer cells expansion for patients with advanced-stage malignant solid tumors.

Background: Cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs) are heterogenous antitumor effectors including interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-amplified CD3(+)CD56(+) cells. CH-296 has been shown to stimulate T-cell proliferation in the presence of T cell receptor (TCR)-stimulating signals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of CH-296 and IFN-γ on expansion of CIKs for treating patients with advanced-stage malignant solid tumors.

Oligosaccharides from agar inhibit pro-inflammatory mediator release by inducing heme oxygenase 1.

We investigated whether agaro-oligosaccharides have any immunological effects on RAW264.7 mouse macrophages and human monocytes in vitro. We demonstrate that agaro-oligosaccharides suppressed the elevated levels of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E(2), and such pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes and macrophages.

Highly efficient isothermal DNA amplification system using three elements of 5'-DNA-RNA-3' chimeric primers, RNaseH and strand-displacing DNA polymerase.

We developed an efficient method of isothermally amplifying DNA termed ICAN, Isothermal and Chimeric primer-initiated Amplification of Nucleic acids. This method allows the amplification of target DNA under isothermal conditions at around 55 degrees C using only a pair of 5'-DNA-RNA-3' chimeric primers, a thermostable RNaseH and a DNA polymerase with strong strand-displacing activity. ICAN is capable of amplifying DNA at least several times greater than the amount produced with PCR by increasing primer concentration.

Antidiabetic activities of chalcones isolated from a Japanese Herb, Angelica keiskei.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is characterized by hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin action. We have explored the edible ingredients from folk medicines in Japan that contain substances complementing insulin action, such as the induction of adipocyte differentiation and the enhancement of glucose uptake. We eventually found that the ethanol extract from a Japanese herb "Ashitaba", Angelica keiskei, contained two major chalcones of 4-hydroxyderricin (4-HD) and xanthoangelol that showed strong insulin-like activities via a pathway independent of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma activation.