Celastrol inhibits inflammatory stimuli-induced neutrophil extracellular trap formation.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures released by activated neutrophils. Recent studies suggest that NETs play an active role in driving autoimmunity and tissue injury in diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate if celastrol, a triterpenoid compound, can inhibit NET formation induced by inflammatory stimuli associated with RA and SLE.

Mammary tumor heterogeneity in the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

The tumor microenvironment is heterogeneous for the expansion and infiltration by myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) which has been hypothesized to be dependent on tumor burden. We report a relationships between tumor size, MDSCs and T-cells; using four murine mammary tumors to assess tumor growth, infiltration and gene expression. Our analysis of cellular infiltration into tumors and gene expression used collagenase dissociated tumors and density gradient isolation of non-parenchymal cells (NPCs).

Inflammatory cell infiltration of tumors: Jekyll or Hyde.

Inflammatory cell infiltration of tumors contributes either positively or negatively to tumor invasion, growth, metastasis, and patient outcomes, creating a Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde conundrum when examining mechanisms of action.

Murine models to evaluate novel and conventional therapeutic strategies for cancer.

Animal models, by definition, are an approximation of reality, and their use in developing anti-cancer drugs is controversial. Positive retrospective clinical correlations have been identified with several animal models, in addition to limitations and a need for improvement. Model inadequacies include experimental designs that do not incorporate biological concepts, drug pharmacology, or toxicity.

Fractionation of Aloe vera L. inner gel, purification and molecular profiling of activity.

Products derived from the inner gel of the Aloe vera L. plant have demonstrated multiple clinical activities, and are used routinely to accelerate wound healing. However, typical of natural products, the complex nature of Aloe vera gels may contribute to diverse pharmacologic activities.

IL-8 directly enhanced endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and matrix metalloproteinases production and regulated angiogenesis.

IL-8, a member of the chemokine family, has been shown to play an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of IL-8-mediated angiogenesis. We examined the direct role of IL-8 in angiogenesis by examining IL-8 receptor expression on endothelial cells and their proliferation, survival, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production.

Monocyte/macrophage recruitment, activation and differentiation modulate interleukin-8 production: a paracrine role of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor angiogenesis.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have been shown to play an important role in tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether monocyte recruitment, activation and differentiation mediated by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) modulate the expression of the angiogenic factor, Interleukin (IL)-8. Isolated human peripheral blood monocytes secreted low basal levels of IL-8.

Capsaicin regulates vascular endothelial cell growth factor expression by modulation of hypoxia inducing factor-1alpha in human malignant melanoma cells.

Purpose: Capsaicin (8-Methyl-N-Vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a known natural dietary chemopreventive agent, inhibits malignant melanoma cell proliferation. In the present study, we examined the effect of capsaicin on constitutive and induced vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression in malignant melanoma cells.

Results: Capsaicin treatment resulted in enhanced VEGF protein secretion in malignant melanoma cells independent of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.

Expression of interleukin 8 and its receptors in human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potentials.

Purpose: In the present study, we examined the expression of a multifunctional cytokine, interleukin 8 (IL-8), and its receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, in human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potentials and determined their role in modulating phenotypes associated with metastasis.

Experimental Design: IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 protein and mRNA expression were examined using ELISA, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription-PCR in human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potentials. IL-8-mediated proliferation, migration, and tumor-endothelial cell interaction were analyzed.

Mechanisms of immune dysfunction in stem cell transplantation.

High dose therapy (HDT) and stem cell transplantation (SCT) results in alterations in the immunologic network, thymic re-education and the induction of peripheral tolerance. The changes to the immunoregulatory cascade and tolerance induction associated with autotransplants have been investigated in a series of studies focused on leukocyte reconstitution and function following HDT and autologous SCT. In these studies, we observed a significant decrease in the CD4:CD8 T cell ratio post-transplantation compared to normal peripheral blood (PB) donors due to a decrease in CD4+ cells.