PGE2 induced miR365/IL-6/STAT3 signaling mediates dendritic cell dysfunction in cancer.

Aim: To understand the mechanism of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-mediated immunosuppression in dendritic cells (DCs).

Main Methods: In vivo experiments were conducted on 4T1 tumor bearing mice (TBM). In vitro experiments were performed in bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs), or spleen cells.

Effects of prolonged treatment of TGF-βR inhibitor SB431542 on radiation-induced signaling in breast cancer cells.

Purpose: We have earlier characterized increased TGF-β signaling in radioresistant breast cancer cells. In this study, we wanted to determine the effect of prolonged treatment of TGF-βR inhibitor SB431542 on radiation-induced signaling, viz., genes regulating apoptosis, EMT, anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Design of highly sensitive refractive index sensors in the visible region utilizing metal layer assisted guided modes.

We present a systematic comparison of the metal layer assisted guided mode resonance-based sensing structures with the traditional guided mode resonance-based sensing structures sharing identical design parameters for various two-dimensional square hole and pillar grating type lattice configurations. The surface and volume integrals of the electromagnetic field intensity profiles at resonance have been computed for all the considered structures to show that the waveguide-pillar-based structures offer the strongest interaction between the resonant modes and the sensing region, resulting in a superior sensitivity. Further insights into the nature of metal assisted guided mode resonance-based sensors and the ways to generate a strong resonant response are reported for the visible range of operation.

Proteomic analysis of radio-resistant breast cancer xenografts: Increased TGF-β signaling and metabolism.

Our previous studies have shown that MCF-7 breast cancer cell line exposed to 6 Gy and allowed to recover for 7 days (D7-6G) developed radio-resistance. In this study, we have tested the ability of these cells to form tumors in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice and characterized these tumors by proteomic analyses. Untreated (MCF-C) and D7-6G cells (MCF-R) were injected s.

Spray drying as an efficient route for synthesis of silica nanoparticles-sodium alginate biohybrid drug carrier of doxorubicin.

Biohybrids (a combination of biological material and inorganic nanoparticles) offer a number of advantages like improved functionality over conventional materials.Thus, to understand the practical application of biohybrids as drug carriers, a biohybrid drug carrier of colloidal silica nanoparticles (NP)-sodium alginate loaded with doxorubicin (Dox-biohybrid) was synthesized by evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) using spray drying technique. Further, the morphology, size and interactions between various components of the biohybrid were studied through SEM, DLS and FTIR techniques.

Radiation-induced augmentation in dendritic cell function is mediated by apoptotic bodies/STAT5/Zbtb46 signaling.

To evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure on differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells (DC). Bone marrow progenitor cells irradiated in vitro or isolated from mice exposed to whole body or localized tumor irradiation were differentiated into DC. Phenotypic maturation of DC was characterized by labeling with specific antibodies and flow cytometry analysis.

COX-2 inhibitor prevents tumor induced down regulation of classical DC lineage specific transcription factor Zbtb46 resulting in immunocompetent DC and decreased tumor burden.

The interaction between the immune and tumor cells in the microenvironment is an important factor deciding the progression of cancer. Though many of the soluble mediators in the microenvironment that mediate immunosuppression are known, the mechanism by which the tumor affects the distal progenitors is not known. We report that the tumor derived prostanoids down regulated classical dendritic cells DC (cDC) lineage specific transcription factor Zbtb46 in the progenitor cells which affects its differentiation.

G1-4A, a polysaccharide from Tinospora cordifolia induces peroxynitrite dependent killer dendritic cell (KDC) activity against tumor cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in the development of an adaptive immune response against tumor. In addition to its role in antigen presentation, DC also possesses cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. We have earlier shown phenotypic and functional maturation of bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) by G1-4A, an arabinogalactan derived from Tinospora cordifolia.

G1-4 A, an arabinogalactan polysaccharide from Tinospora cordifolia increases dendritic cell immunogenicity in a murine lymphoma model.

The immunogenicity of dendritic cells (DC) is known to increase with their maturation state and both are induced by microbial products like LPS. In this study, we have investigated the effect of G1-4A, a polysaccharide isolated from Indian medicinal plant, Tinospora cordifolia on phenotypic and functional maturation of murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and its ability to be used as an adjuvant in immunotherapy. G1-4A, enhanced surface expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, MHCII by BMDC in vitro and splenic DC in vivo.