Lipoplex-based targeted gene therapy for the suppression of tumours with VEGFR expression by producing anti-angiogenic molecules.

Background: The anti-angiogenic fusion protein RBDV-IgG1 Fc (RBDV), which comprises the receptor-binding domain of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), has shown antitumour effects by reducing angiogenesis in vivo. This study used the cationic lipoplex lipo-PEG-PEI-complex (LPPC) to simultaneously encapsulate both the RBDV targeting protein and the RBDV plasmid (pRBDV) without covalent bonds to assess VEGFR targeting gene therapy in mice with melanoma in vivo.

Results: LPPC protected the therapeutic transgene from degradation by DNase, and the LPPC/RBDV complexes could specifically target VEGFR-positive B16-F10 cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Lipo-PEG-PEI complex as an intracellular transporter for protein therapeutics.

Background: Protein or peptide drugs are emerging therapeutics for treating human diseases. However, current protein drugs are typically limited to acting on extracellular/cell membrane components associated with the diseases, while intracellular delivery of recombinant proteins replaces or replenishes faulty/missing proteins and remains inadequate. In this study, we developed a convenient and efficient intracellular protein delivery vehicle.

Specific drug delivery efficiently induced human breast tumor regression using a lipoplex by non-covalent association with anti-tumor antibodies.

Background: A cationic liposome-PEG-PEI complex (LPPC) was employed as a carrier for achieving targeted delivery of drug to human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu)-expressing breast cancer cells. LPPC can be easily loaded with an anti-tumor drug and non-covalently associated with an anti-tumor antibody such as Herceptin that is clinically used to rapidly form immunoparticles within 1 h.

Results: Drug-loaded LPPC have an average size about 250 nm and a zeta potential of about 40 mV.

Development of a computational promoter with highly efficient expression in tumors.

Background: Gene therapy is a potent method to increase the therapeutic efficacy against cancer. However, a gene that is specifically expressed in the tumor area has not been identified. In addition, nonspecific expression of therapeutic genes in normal tissues may cause side effects that can harm the patients' health.

A rapid and convenient method to enhance transgenic expression in target cells.

Gene therapy provides a novel strategy and a new hope for patients with cancer. Unfortunately, the specifics of the delivery systems or the promoters have not achieved the specified efficacy so far, and the perfection of either system will be extremely difficult. In this study, we introduce a simple concept that a combination of a partially specific delivery system and a partially specific promoter activity may achieve a more specific effect on transgenic expression in target cells.

Inhibitory effects of chloroform extracts derived from Corbicula fluminea on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Corbicula fluminea, the primary freshwater bivalve cultivated in Taiwan, was formerly used as a remedy for hepatitis. Recent reports indicate that C. fluminea has many bioactivities, but it remains unknown whether C.

Liposome-based polymer complex as a novel adjuvant: enhancement of specific antibody production and isotype switch.

The aim of vaccination is to induce appropriate immunity against pathogens. Antibody-mediated immunity is critical for protection against many virus diseases, although it is becoming more evident that coordinated, multifunctional immune responses lead to the most effective defense. Specific antibody (Ab) isotypes are more efficient at protecting against pathogen invasion in different locations in the body.

7,7''-Dimethoxyagastisflavone-induced apoptotic or autophagic cell death in different cancer cells.

7,7''-Dimethoxyagastisflavone (DMGF), a biflavonoid isolated from the needles of Taxus × media cv. Hicksii, was evaluated for its antiproliferative and antineoplastic effects in three human cancer cell lines. Interestingly, DMGF caused cell death via different pathways in different cancer cells.

A Lipo-PEG-PEI complex for encapsulating curcumin that enhances its antitumor effects on curcumin-sensitive and curcumin-resistance cells.

A cationic liposome-PEG-PEI complex (LPPC) was used as a carrier for the encapsulation of hydrophobic curcumin to give curcumin/LPPC. Curcumin/LPPC had an average size less than 270 nm and a zeta potential of approximately 40 mV. The LPPC encapsulation efficiency for curcumin was about 45%.

A fusion protein composed of receptor binding domain of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and constant region fragment of antibody: angiogenesis antagonistic activity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes the growth of solid tumor mainly via VEGF receptor-1 and receptor-2, which are expressed preferentially in proliferating endothelial cells. Therefore, a strategy for simultaneous blockage of both VEGF receptors may have a useful therapeutic effect in tumor growth. In this study, we utilized a fusion protein which is composed of receptor binding domain of VEGF-A (RBDV) and the constant region fragment (Fc) of a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), to interfere with the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via VEGF receptors.

A unique and potent protein binding nature of liposome containing polyethylenimine and polyethylene glycol: a nondisplaceable property.

Most of the currently available targeting vectors are produced via the linkage of targeting molecules. However, the coupling process is complicated, and the covalent linkage may attenuate the activity of certain targeting molecules. In this study, we have developed a cationic liposome complexed with polyethylenimine and polyethylene glycol polymers (LPPC) that can capture various proteins without covalent conjugation.

A fusion protein with the receptor-binding domain of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is an antagonist of angiogenesis in cancer treatment: Simultaneous blocking of VEGF receptor-1 and 2.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that signals through VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, which are expressed preferentially in proliferating endothelial cells. Thus, simultaneous blockage of both VEGF receptors may provide a more efficient therapeutic response in cancer treatment. We created a recombinant fusion protein (RBDV-IgG1 Fc), which is composed of the receptor binding domain of human VEGF-A (residues 8-109) and the Fc region of human IgG1 immunoglobulin.

A new microsphere-based immunoassay for measuring the activity of transcription factors.

There are several traditional and well-developed methods for analyzing the activity of transcription factors, such as EMSA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reporter gene activity assays. All of these methods have their own distinct disadvantages, but none can analyze the changes in transcription factors in the few cells that are cultured in the wells of 96-well titer plates. Thus, a new microsphere-based immunoassay to measure the activity of transcription factors (MIA-TF) was developed.