Off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells targeting immunogenic cell death marker ERp57 execute robust antitumor activity and have a synergistic effect with ICD inducer oxaliplatin.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) therapy holds great promise for treating hematologic tumors, but its efficacy in solid tumors is limited owing to the lack of suitable targets and poor infiltration of engineered NK cells. Here, we explore whether immunogenic cell death (ICD) marker ERp57 translocated from endoplasmic reticulum to cell surface after drug treatment could be used as a target for CAR-NK therapy.

Methods: To target ERp57, a VHH phage display library was used for screening ERp57-targeted nanobodies (Nbs).

Irreversible repolarization of tumour-associated macrophages by low-Pi stress inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Numerous studies have shown the positive correlation between high levels of Pi and tumour progression. A critical goal of macrophage-based cancer therapeutics is to reduce anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) and increase proinflammatory antitumour macrophages (M1). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between macrophage polarization and low-Pi stress.

Establishment of an orthotopic model of lung cancer by transthoracic lung puncture using tumor fragments.

Background: Orthotopic models of lung cancer have been widely utilized, and the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the viability of our proposed modified modeling approach.

Methods: A total of 50 female BALB/c mice were implanted with 1×1×1 mm fragments of a tumor sample into the left lung lobe. After 2 months of observation, the mice were humanely euthanized through CO inhalation.

Development and characterization of mammary intraductal (MIND) spontaneous metastasis models for triple-negative breast cancer in syngeneic mice.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a more aggressive phenotype and higher metastasis and recurrence rates than other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC currently lacks a transplantation model that is suitable for clinical simulations of the tumor microenvironment. Intraductal injection of tumor cells into the mammary duct could mimic the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

Diethylstilbestrol activates CatSper and disturbs progesterone actions in human spermatozoa.

Study Question: Is diethylstilbestrol (DES), a prototypical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), able to induce physiological changes in human spermatozoa and affect progesterone actions?

Summary Answer: DES promoted Ca flux into human spermatozoa by activating the cation channel of sperm (CatSper) and suppressed progesterone-induced Ca signaling, tyrosine phosphorylation and sperm functions.

What Is Known Already: DES significantly impairs the male reproductive system both in fetal and postnatal exposure. Although various EDCs affect human spermatozoa in a non-genomic manner, the effect of DES on human spermatozoa remains unknown.

Matrine compromises mouse sperm functions by a [Ca(2+)]i-related mechanism.

Matrine, a bioactive alkaloid widely used in Chinese medicine, inhibits mouse sperm functions in vitro. In this study, we investigated the reproductive toxicity of matrine to male mice in vivo. C57BL/6J mice were administered with daily doses of 0, 1, 10 and 50mg/kg matrine by intraperitoneal injection for 30 days.

Matrine inhibits mouse sperm function by reducing sperm [Ca2+]i and phospho-ERK1/2.

Background: Matrine is a bioactive alkaloid that has a variety of pharmacological effects and is widely used in Chinese medicine. However, its effects on male reproduction are not well known. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vitro toxicity of matrine on mature mouse sperm.

Emodin inhibits human sperm functions by reducing sperm [Ca(2+)]i and tyrosine phosphorylation.

Emodin, a bioactive anthraquinone widely used in Chinese traditional medicine, disrupts mouse testicular gene expression in vivo. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of emodin to human sperm in vitro. Different doses of emodin (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400μM) were applied to ejaculated human sperm.

Lipoxin A4 suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced hela cell proliferation and migration via NF-κB pathway.

Uterine cervical carcinoma (UCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in females, and UCC has a close relationship with chronic cervicitis. As the endogenous "braking signal," lipoxins can regulate anti-inflammation and the resolution of inflammation. We investigated the effect of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Hela cells.

Plumbagin induces the apoptosis of human tongue carcinoma cells through the mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Background: Plumbagin, a quinonoid constituent isolated from the root of Plumbago zeylanica L., has been proven to possess anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, its anti-tumor properties for human tongue carcinoma have not been reported.

Plumbagin inhibits cell growth and potentiates apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells in vitro through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aim: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of plumbagin, a naphthoquinone derived from medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica, on human gastric cancer (GC) cells.

Methods: Human gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901, MKN-28, and AGS were used. The cell viability was examined using CCK-8 viability assay.