Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons^™

Therapeutic Electromagnetic Field (Temf) And Gamma Irradiation On Human Breast Cancer Xenograft Growth, Angiogenesis And Metastasis, Ivan L. Cameron, Luzhe Sun, Nicholas Short, W. Elaine Hardman, C. Douglas Williams

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background

The effects of a rectified semi-sinewave signal (15 mT amplitude, 120 pulses per second, EMF Therapeutics, Inc.) (TEMF) alone and in combination with gamma irradiation (IR) therapy in nude mice bearing a human MDA MB231 breast cancer xenograft were tested. Green fluorescence protein transfected cancer cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of young female mice. Six weeks later, mice were randomly divided into four treatment groups: untreated controls; 10 minute daily TEMF; 200 cGy of IR every other day (total 800 cGy); IR plus daily TEMF. Some mice in each group were euthanized 24 hours after the …

Endothelial Cell Pseudopods And Angiogenesis Of Breast Cancer Tumors, Ivan L. Cameron, Nicholas Short, Luzhe Sun, W. Elaine Hardman

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background

A neoplastic tumor cannot grow beyond a millimeter or so in diameter without recruitment of endothelial cells and new blood vessels to supply nutrition and oxygen for tumor cell survival. This study was designed to investigate formation of new blood vessels within a human growing breast cancer tumor model (MDA MB231 in mammary fat pad of nude female mouse). Once the tumor grew to 35 mm³, it developed a well-vascularized capsule. Histological sections of tumors greater than 35 mm³were stained with PAS, with CD-31 antibody (an endothelial cell maker), or with hypoxia inducible factor 1α …

Modeling Of Immunoglobulin Uptake By N,N,N′,N′-Ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic Acid-Modified Zirconia Particles Under Static And Dynamic Conditions, Sabyasachi Sarkar, Anuradha Subramanian

Papers in Biotechnology

A matrix developed from N,N,N′,N′-ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid-modified zirconia beads (further referred to as r_PEZ); 25–38 μm in diameter and with a pore size of 22 ± 3 nm, was utilized for the separation of immunoglobulins (Igs). r_PEZ has been shown to bind to various Igs originating from a wide variety of species. To understand the mechanisms controlling the uptake of Igs by r_PEZ, static protein uptake experiments were carried out. The protein uptake profiles were further modeled with a kinetic rate constant model. Individual studies were undertaken for human immunoglobulin A, G and M (HIgA, HIgG and HIgM). The kinetic rate …

Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Ionizing Irradiation On Human Breast Cancer Xenograft Growth And Angiogenesis, W. Elaine Hardman, Luzhe Sun, Nicholas Short, Ivan L. Cameron

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background

The effects of an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid enriched diet alone and in combination with gamma irradiation (IR) therapy in nude mice bearing a human MDA-MB231 breast cancer xenograft were tested. The cancer cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of young female mice. Six weeks later, mice were randomly divided into two diet groups: 1) mice with 10% corn oil (rich in omega 6 fatty acids) in their food, 2) mice consuming a 10% fat diet that was enriched in n-3 fatty acids. After two weeks on the diet, treatment with 200 cGy of IR every second …

Peptide 15-Mers Of Defined Sequence That Substitute For Random Amino Acid Copolymers In Amelioration Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Joel N.H. Stern, Zsolt Illés, Jay Reddy, Derin B. Keskin, Masha Fridkis-Hareli, Vijay K. Kuchroo, Jack L. Strominger

Jay Reddy Publications

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a major candidate autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS). Its immunodominant epitope, MBP 85–99, forms a complex with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 with which multiple sclerosis is genetically associated. Copolymer 1 (Copaxone), a random amino acid copolymer [poly (Y,E,A,K)n] as well as two modified synthetic copolymers [poly (F,Y,A,K)n and poly (V,W,A,K)n] also form complexes with HLA-DR2 (DRA DRB1*1501) and compete with MBP 85–99 for binding. Moreover, two high-affinity synthetic peptide 15-mers that could inhibit binding even more effectively were previously designed. Here, we show that further-modified peptide 15-mers inhibited even more strongly (in order J5 > J3 …

Mechanisms Of Growth Hormone Enhancement Of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission In Hippocampus, Ghada Saad Zaglool Ahmed Mahmoud

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is associated with impaired learning and memory. One possible target for GH effects on memory is the hippocampus, a brain region containing GH receptors (GHRs). To determine if GH acutely alters hippocampal function, recombinant human GH (rhGH) was applied to in vitro rat hippocampal brain slices. Extracellular recordings were used to assess effects of GH on the field EPSP (fEPSP) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of the fEPSP. GHR expression was measured in GH-treated and control rat hippocampal slices using RT-PCR. The GH signaling pathway was investigated by studying the effect of GH on the fEPSP after …

Setting Fires To Stem Cell Research, Roxanne Greitz Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The goal of this lesson is to present the basic scientific knowledge about stem cells, the promise of stem cell research to medicine, and the ethical considerations and arguments involved. One of the challenges of discussing stem cell research is that the field is constantly evolving and the most current information changes almost daily. Few science texts contain stem cell information, and those that do are generally written at a reading level above that of a typical middle grade student. In the lesson, students are introduced to the FIRES strategy and given an opportunity to evaluate stem cell information from …

Effect Of Dna Base Modification On Polymerase Chain Reaction Efficiency And Fidelity, Jan A. Sikorsky

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Polymerase stop assays, used to quantify DNA damage, assume single lesions are sufficient to block thermostable DNA polymerase progression. To explore this assumption, 90 base oligonucleotides containing normal or modified DNA bases were amplified using real-time PCR. Data implied that the PCR efficiency was influenced to differing degrees depending on which base lesion was present on the input oligonucleotide; specifically, while reactions with templates containing a single 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2í-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) were not noticeably altered, the presence of a single 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2í-deoxyadenosine, an abasic site, or a cis-syn thymidine dimer (TT dimer) dramatically delayed amplification. In addition, the presence of two tandem 8-oxodGs …

Synthesis Of Intermediates Of Receptor-Subtype Selective Lpa Antagonists, Danielle Zafrane

Theses & Honors Papers

It has been shown that 1-oleoyl lysophosphatid ic acid (LPA; 1-acyl-2-glycerol-3-phosphate) plays a vital role in the progression and proliferation of ovarian cancer. The design and synthesis of LPA receptor selective agonists and antagonists has been the focus of intense research within the last ten years .¹ During the Research Experience for Undergraduate s (REU) internship at the University of Virginia 4-bromo-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (intermediate 43) was designed and synthesized based on earlier results. Intermediate 43 was used to modify a current LPA analogue. Modification of current LPA analogues may result in the discovery of potent and metabolically stable LPA antagonists …

The Use Of Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging In The Study Of Protein Kinase C Localisation In Cells., Christopher D Stubbs, Stanley W Botchway, Simon J Slater, Anthony W Parker

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Two-photon-excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) was used to investigate the association of protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) with caveolin in CHO cells. PKCalpha is found widely in the cytoplasm and nucleus in most cells. Upon activation, as a result of increased intracellular Ca2+ and production of DAG, through G-protein coupled-phospholipase C signalling, PKC translocates to a variety of regions in the cell where it phosphorylates and interacts with many signalling pathways. Due to its wide distribution, discerning a particular interaction from others within the cell is extremely difficult. RESULTS: Fluorescence energy transfer (FRET), between GFP-PKCalpha and DsRed-caveolin, was used …

Replication And Encapsidation Of Papillomaviruses In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Peter C. Angeletti

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Improvements in methodologies to recapitulate and study particular biological functions of the

papillomavirus life cycle have led to great advances in our knowledge of these viruses. Described in

this chapter are techniques that allow low-copy and high-copy replication of full-length human

papillomavirus (HPV) genomes, as well as assembly of virus-like particles, in Saccharomyces

cerevisiae (yeast). This system has several distinct advantages that make it an attractive complement

to the well-established raft-culturing system. First, yeast are inexpensive, rapid, and simple to culture

in the lab. Second, they provide an ever-widening array of genetic tools to analyze HPV functions

—most recently notable, …

Antigenicity And Immunogenicity Of A Synthetic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Group M Consensus Envelope Glycoprotein, Feng Gao, Eric A. Weaver, Zhongjing Lu, Yingying Li, Hua-Xin Liao, Benjiang Ma, S. Munir Alam, Richard M. Scearce, Laura L. Sutherland, Jae-Sung Yu, Julie M. Decker, George M. Shaw, David C. Montefiori, Bette T. Korber, Beatrice H. Hahn, Barton F. Haynes

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Genetic variation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) represents a major obstacle for AIDS vaccine development. To decrease the genetic distances between candidate immunogens and field virus strains, we have designed and synthesized an artificial group M consensus env gene (CON6 gene) to be equidistant from contemporary HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants. This novel envelope gene expresses a glycoprotein that binds soluble CD4, utilizes CCR5 but not CXCR4 as a coreceptor, and mediates HIV-1 entry. Key linear, conformational, and glycan-dependent monoclonal antibody epitopes are preserved in CON6, and the glycoprotein is recognized equally well by sera from individuals infected with different HIV-1 …

Antigenicity And Immunogenicity Of A Synthetic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Group M Consensus Envelope Glycoprotein, Feng Gao, Eric A. Weaver, Zhongjing Lu, Yingying Li, Hua-Xin Liao, Benjiang Ma, S. Munir Alam, Richard M. Scearce, Laura L. Sutherland, Jae-Sung Yu, Julie M. Decker, George M. Shaw, David C. Montefiori, Bette T. Korber, Beatrice H. Hahn, Barton F. Haynes

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Genetic variation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) represents a major obstacle for AIDS vaccine development. To decrease the genetic distances between candidate immunogens and field virus strains, we have designed and synthesized an artificial group M consensus env gene (CON6 gene) to be equidistant from contemporary HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants. This novel envelope gene expresses a glycoprotein that binds soluble CD4, utilizes CCR5 but not CXCR4 as a coreceptor, and mediates HIV-1 entry. Key linear, conformational, and glycan-dependent monoclonal antibody epitopes are preserved in CON6, and the glycoprotein is recognized equally well by sera from individuals infected with different HIV-1 …

Combining Cytotoxic And Immune-Mediated Gene Therapy To Treat Brain Tumors, James Curtin, Gwendalyn King, Marianela Candolfi, Remy Greeno, Kurt Kroeger, Pedro Lowenstein, Maria Castro

Articles

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of intracranial brain tumor, for which there is no cure. In spite of advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients die within a year of diagnosis. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop novel therapeutic approaches for this disease. Gene therapy, which is the use of genes or other nucleic acids as drugs, is a powerful new treatment strategy which can be developed to treat GBM. Several treatment modalities are amenable for gene therapy implementation, e.g. conditional cytotoxic approaches, targeted delivery of toxins into the tumor mass, immune stimulatory strategies, and these will all …

Hinderin, A Five-Domains Protein Including Coiled-Coil Motifs That Binds To Smc3., Chirag A Patel, Giancarlo Ghiselli

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The structural maintenance of chromosome proteins SMC1 and SMC3 play an important role in the maintenance of chromosomal integrity by preventing the premature separation of the sister chromatids at the onset of anaphase. The two proteins are constitutive components of the multimeric complex cohesin and form dimers by interacting at their central globular regions. RESULTS: In order to identify proteins that by binding to SMC3 may interfere with the protein dimerization process, a human cDNA library was screened by the yeast two-hybrid system by using the hinge region of SMC3 as bait. This has lead to the identification of …