[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10255.].

Supplementary Figures 1-4 from Basal c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase activity is essential for survival and proliferation of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells

BACKGROUND:Glycolysis and tumor immunity were interrelated. In present study, we aimed to construct a prognostic model based on glycolysis-immune-related genes (GIGs) of osteosarcoma (OS) patients.METHODS:The mRNA expression data of OS patients were downloaded from GEO and TARGET databases. The hub genes were screened from 305 differentially expressed genes by univariate cox regression analysis and used to further establish a prognostic Risk Score. The independence of the Risk Score prognostic prediction model based on five genes was tested by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Finally, CIBERSORT and LM22 feature matrix were used to estimate the differences in immune infiltration of OS patients.RESULTS:A total of 141 OS patients' mRNA expression data and 296 glycolysis-associated genes were analyzed. Based on these 296 genes, all patients could be divided into two clusters: high glycolysis state and low glycolysis state. In the group with high glycolysis status, patients had low immune scores, indicating that glycolysis status was negatively correlated with immune function. The OS patients with high glycolysis and low immunity had the worst prognosis. Next, the Risk Score was constructed by 5 GIGs, including RAI14, MAF, CLEC5A, TIAL1 and CENPJ. Moreover, the Risk Score was shown to be an independent prognostic model, and high Risk Score patients had a greater risk of death.CONCLUSIONS:The Risk Score based on GIG could predict the prognosis of OS patients.

The receptor tyrosine kinase, anexelekto (Axl) is involved in tumor cell growth, migration and invasion, and has been associated with chemotherapy resistance, which makes it an attractive target for cancer therapy. In total, six Axl-targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and two antibody-drug conjugates have been reported in the last 10 years, which have been shown to have bioactivity in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration. The Axl external cell domain (Axl-ECD), consisting of 426 amino acids, has always been used as an antigen in the screening process for all six of these Axl-targeted mAbs. However, the Axl functional domain, which interacts with its natural ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), is only a small part of the Axl-ECD. Antibodies targeting the Axl functional domain may efficiently block Gas6-Axl binding and attenuate its downstream signals and activities. To the best of our knowledge, no mAbs targeting the Axl functional domain have been reported. In the present study, a major Axl functional domain interacting with Gas6 was determined using bioinformatics and structural biology methods. In MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell assays, anti-Axl mAbs targeting this relatively specific Axl functional domain almost completely neutralized the stimulation of Gas6 in both Axl phosphorylation and cell migration assays, and showed similar activity to the positive control drug R428 (a small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor of Axl currently in phase II clinical trials) in the cell migration assay. Given the important role of Axl in tumor development and chemotherapy resistance, Axl-targeted mAbs could be used to inhibit tumor cells directly, as well as reduce the development of chemotherapy resistance by blocking Axl activity. The application of Axl-targeted mAbs combined with chemotherapy provides a promising treatment strategy for patients with tumors, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer, for whom no targeted therapy is currently available.

Fully human antibodies have minimal immunogenicity and safety profiles. At present, most potential antibody drugs in clinical trials are humanized or fully human. Human antibodies are mostly generated using the phage display method (in vitro) or by transgenic mice (in vivo); other methods include B lymphocyte immortalization, human–human hybridoma, and single-cell polymerase chain reaction. Here, we describe a structure-based computer-aided de novo design technology for human antibody generation. Based on the complex structure of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/Herceptin, we first designed six short peptides targeting the potential epitope of HER2 recognized by Herceptin. Next, these peptides were set as complementarity determining regions in a suitable immunoglobulin frame, giving birth to a novel anti-HER2 antibody named “HF,” which possessed higher affinity and more effective anti-tumor activity than Herceptin. Our work offers a useful tool for the quick design and selection of novel human antibodies for basic mechanical research as well as for imaging and clinical applications in immune-related diseases, such as cancer and infectious diseases.

Background: Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy of bone with inferior survival outcome. Autophagy can exert multifactorial influence on tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the specific function of genes related to autophagy in the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the association of genes related to autophagy with the survival outcome of osteosarcoma patients. Methods: The autophagy-associated genes that were related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma were optimized by LASSO Cox regression analysis. The survival of osteosarcoma patients was forecasted by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The immune infiltration status of 22 immune cell types in osteosarcoma patients with high and low risk scores was compared by using the CIBERSORT tool. Results: The risk score model constructed according to 14 autophagy-related genes (ATG4A, BAK1, BNIP3, CALCOCO2, CCL2, DAPK1, EGFR, FAS, GRID2, ITGA3, MYC, RAB33B, USP10, and WIPI1) could effectively predict the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. A nomogram model was established based on risk score and metastasis. Conclusion: Autophagy-related genes were identified as pivotal prognostic signatures, which could guide the clinical decision making in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

TAM family members (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) play essential roles in the resolution of inflammation and in infectious diseases and cancer. AXL, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is commonly overexpressed in several solid tumours and numerous hematopoietic malignancies including acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and multiple myeloma. AXL significantly promotes tumour cell migration, invasion and metastasis, as well as angiogenesis. AXL also plays an important role in inflammation and macrophage ontogeny. Recent studies have revealed that AXL contributes to leukaemic phenotypes through activation of oncogenic signalling pathways that lead to increased cell migration and proliferation. To evaluate the mechanisms underlying the role of AXL signalling in tumour metastasis, we screened a phage display library to generate a novel human monoclonal antibody, named DAXL-88, that recognizes both human and murine AXL. The concentrations of DAXL-88 required for 50% maximal binding to human and murine AXL were 0.118 and 0.164 mu g/mL, respectively. Furthermore, DAXL-88 bound to human AXL with high affinity (K-D similar to 370 pM). DAXL-88 blocked the interaction between AXL and its ligand, growth arrest-specific gene 6 (GAS6), with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 2.16 mu g/mL. Moreover, DAXL-88 inhibited AXL/GAS6-dependent cell signalling, which is implicated in cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, the novel anti-AXL DAXL-88 high-affinity antibody blocks the interaction between AXL and GAS6 and inhibits tumour cell migration and invasion induced by GAS6. Thus, DAXL-88 offers promise for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies in solid tumours, leukaemias and other lymphoid neoplasms.

AXL receptor tyrosine kinase ligand (AXL), a tyrosine kinase receptor that is commonly overexpressed in numerous types of cancer, significantly promotes drug resistance and metastasis in tumor cells. Inhibition of the AXL/growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) signaling pathway is emerging as a potential anticancer therapeutic strategy. In the present study, on the basis of the three-dimensional complex structure of AXL/Gas6, the critical residues (E56, E59 and T77) in AXL binding to Gas6 were determined using computer graphics analysis and the distance geometry method. Subsequently, four-variant AXL-ECD-Fc-M1 (G32S, D87G, V92A and G127R) and AXL-ECD-Fc-M2 (G32A, D87A, V92A and G127A) were predicted as high-affinity mutants; AXL-ECD-Fc-M3 (E56R and T77R) and AXL-ECD-Fc-M4 (E59R and T77R) were predicted as low-affinity mutants. The results of the present study revealed that the half-maximal effect concentrations of AXL-ECD-Fc-M1 and AXL-ECD-Fc-M2 were ~0.141 and 0.375 µg/ml, respectively, whereas that of the wild-type protein (AXL-ECD-Fc-WT) was 0.514 µg/ml. Furthermore, adding the high-affinity mutants into culture medium to capture free Gas6 significantly inhibited AXL/Gas6 binding and thus blocked the downstream signaling pathway. In addition, the high-affinity mutants effectively suppressed the migration and metastasis of SKOV3 and A549 cells. Conversely, compared with AXL-ECD-Fc-WT, the low-affinity AXL mutants AXL-ECD-Fc-M3 and AXL-ECD-Fc-M4 lost all inhibitory activities. These findings highlight AXL as a potential therapeutic target and demonstrated that the key residues E56, E59 and T77 may be crucial sites for abolishing the activity of the AXL/Gas6 pathway in cancer therapy.

Background: In vivo use of monoclonal antibodies has become routine clinical practice in the treatment of human cancer. CD38 is an attractive target, because it has double roles, as a receptor and an ectoenzyme. Daratumumab, an anti-CD38 antibody, is currently in the clinical trials for multiple myeloma. Results: Here we obtained a humanized anti-CD38 antibody, SG003, using SDR-grafting method. SG003 possessed stronger antigen binding activity than Daratumumab, and its epitope was far from that of Daratumumab, an anti-CD38 antibody currently in the clinical trials for multiple myeloma; besides, SG003 showed enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity function and in vivo inhibitory efficacy of tumor growth in xenograft mice model. Conclusion: SG003 seemed to be a good option to improve the curative effect of CD38-related cancers.

Identifying targets for chimeric antigen receptor-modulated T lymphocyte (CAR-T) therapy against solid tumors is an urgent problem to solve. In this study, we showed for the first time that the receptor tyrosine kinase, AXL, is overexpressed in various tumor cell lines and patient tumor tissues including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines and patient samples, making AXL a potent novel target for cancer therapy, specifically for TNBC treatment. We also engineered T cells with a CAR consisting of a novel single-chain variable fragment against AXL and revealed its antigen-specific cytotoxicity and ability to release cytokines in a TNBC cell line and other AXL-positive tumors in vitro. Furthermore, AXL-CAR-T cells displayed a significant anti-tumor effect and in vivo persistence in a TNBC xenograft model. Taken together, our findings indicate that AXL-CAR-T cells can represent a promising therapeutic strategy against TNBC.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of arthritis, which may cause pain and disability. Alterations in gene expression and DNA methylation have been proven to be associated with the development of OA. The aim of the present study was to identify potential therapeutic targets and associated processes for OA via the combined analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation datasets. The gene expression and DNA methylation profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated sites (DMSs) were identified in the present study, using R programming software. The enriched functions of DEGs and DMSs were obtained via the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. Finally, cross analysis of DEGs and DMSs was performed to identify genes that exhibited differential expression and methylation simultaneously. The protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network of overlaps between DEGs and DMSs was obtained using the Human Protein Reference Database; the topological properties of PPI network overlaps were additionally obtained. Hub genes in the PPI network were further confirmed via reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). The results of the present study revealed that the majority of DEGs and DMSs were upregulated and hypomethylated in patients with OA, respectively. DEGs and DMSs were primarily involved in inflammatory, immune and gene expression regulation‑associated processes and pathways. Cross analysis revealed 30 genes that exhibited differential expression and methylation in OA simultaneously. Topological analysis of the PPI network revealed that numerous genes, including G protein subunit α1 (GNAI1), runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and integrin subunit β2 (ITGB2), may be involved in the development of OA. Additionally, RT‑qPCR analysis of GNAI1, RUNX2 and ITGB2 provided further confirmation. Numerous known and novel therapeutic targets were obtained via network analysis. The results of the present study may be beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of OA.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers and the leading cause of mortality in women worldwide. HER2/neu is overexpressed in various types of cancers and is most commonly associated with decreased survival. Trastuzumab is a humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancers. However, primary and/or acquired resistance occurs in up to 62% patients during the first year of treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenesis factor involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Its significance has been implicated in promoting tumor growth and metastasis via angiogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that the upregulation of SP1 enhanced expression of VEGF promoting the angiogenesis and migration of trastuzumab-resistant ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3-T. Our in vitro and in vivo results both gave evidence that the SP1-VEGF axis was responsible for the enhanced malignancy, angiogenesis and migration in the acquired trastuzumab-resistant ovarian cancer cell model.

AIM:To verify the safety application of MIL60 in the treatment of corneal neovascularization both in vivo and in vitro.METHODS:We observed the biological characteristics of human corneal epithelial cells.The cell proliferation was analyzed using CCK-8 assay,which also used to test the toxicity of MIL60 and the solvent on cultured human corneal epithelial (HCE).FACs was used to analyze the apoptosis of HCE after treated with MIL60.Also we evaluated the effect of subconjunctival injection of MIL60 on corneal epithelial healing model in normal rat and rats with epithelium defect through slit lamp-microscopy,Draize scores and histopathology way.RESULTS:The proliferation speed of HCE in three groups was the same.MIL60 did no harm on the proliferation of HCE and the apoptosis of HCE,and has no effect on corneal epithelial healing and other parts of the ocular in rats without inflammation cells infiltration.CONCLUSION:When given subconjunctival injection,Mil60 does no harm to the proliferation and apoptosis of HCE,and is safe with ocular application.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody,MIL60,in inhibiting corneal neovascularization (CoNV) formation in a rat model of alkali cauterization and its involved mechanisms.Methods Rat CoNV model induced by alkali burn was founded in the right eyes,and then 72 cases were randomly divided into four groups according to the subconjunctival administration of medicine next day after the successful establishment of this model:25mg· mL-1 MIL60 group,dexamethasone group,MIL60 solvent group and NaCl group.Then CoNV was observed for recording the its length and the involved area using digital photograph.Next the rats were sacrificed on day 7,14,21 and 28,followed by the collection of rats' cornea for HE and immunohistochemical staining to analyze the protein expression of VEGF,VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1),VEGFR-2 and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9).Results At each time point,the area and length of CoNV in the 25 mg· mL-1 MIL60 and dexamethasone group were significantly less than those in the MIL60 solvent and NaC1 group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜0.01),and 25 mg· mL-1 MIL60 group had the similar CoNV area and length with the dexamethasone group (all P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,HE and immunohistochemical staining showed that MIL60 could inhibit the protein expression of VEGF,VEGFR-1,VEGFR-2 and MMP-9,which could explain its effective anti-angiogenic activity.Conclusion Subconjunctival administration of MIL60 can significantly inhibit corneal neovascularization formation and alleviate the inflammation in rats suffered from alkali burn.

Osteosarcoma is a common bone tumor which is affected by E2, the most representative estrogen. Gene regulation function of E2 is highly dependent on estrogen receptor. The purpose of this study was to explore the gene regulation patterns of E2 through estrogen receptor α (ESR1) in osteosarcoma based on the combined analysis of ChIP-seq and gene microarray. All of the datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differential expression genes (DEGs) in E2 treated U2OS cells expressing ESR1 (U2OS-ERα) compared with those treated with vehicle were obtained based on R programming software. ESR1-specific binding sites (peaks) in E2 treated U2OS cells were identified through MACS. Overlaps between DEGs and ESR1 target genes which contained peaks in promoters were considered as reliable E2-mediated genes through ESR1 in osteosarcoma. Moreover, we conducted miRNA-Gene regulation analysis for those genes through miRWalk database to identify potential therapeutic targets for the genes. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs indicated their potential involvement in cancer, and cell activity-related processes. Fifteen overlaps were identified between DEGs and target genes of ESR1, of which 12 were found to be regulated by miRNA. Several known estrogen response genes and novel genes were obtained in this study and they might provide potential therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma.

GATA1 is a transcription factor containing two zinc finger structures and is expressed in red blood cells, megakaryocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils, and it is important to the normal biological func?tion. It was found that GATA1 transcription factor plays an important role in megakaryocyte differentia?tion, and abnormal expressions may cause blood diseases, such as thrombocytopenia, leukemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis. This article aimed to review research progress in the mechanism of GATA1 regu?lating megakaryocytes differentiation, the relationship between GATA1 abnormal expression and blood system diseases, and possible drugs targeting GATA1 transcription factor.

To find a “me-better” antibody by epitope-specific antibody optimization and multi-parametric analysis.

The 2014-2015 Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak in West Africa highlighted the urgent need for specific therapeutic interventions for infected patients. The human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktail ZMapp, previously shown to be efficacious in EBOV (variant Kikwit) lethally infected nonhuman primates (NHPs) when administration was initiated up to 5 days, was used in some patients during the outbreak. We show that a two-antibody cocktail, MIL77E, is fully protective in NHPs when administered at 50 mg/kg 3 days after challenge with a lethal dose of EBOV variant Makona, the virus responsible for the ongoing 2014-2015 outbreak, whereas a similar formulation of ZMapp protected two of three NHPs. The chimeric MIL77E mAb cocktail is produced in engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells and is based on mAbs c13C6 and c2G4 from ZMapp. The use of only two antibodies in MIL77E opens the door to a pan-ebolavirus cocktail.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of amifostine(Amf)on the differentiation of human megakaryocyte cell line-Dami. METHODS Dami cells were treated with Amf 0.01-5.0 mmol · L-1 for 12 d. Dami cells were counted every day for the growth curve:only cells with a diameter>20μm. The platelet demarcation membrane system was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of CD33,CD34,CD41a and DNA ploidy was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Amf 0.1-1.0 mmol · L-1 promoted the differentiation of Dami cells ,but inhibited their proliferation at a concentration>1.0 mmol · L-1. When these cells were treated with Amf 1.0 mmol · L-1 for 12 d,the platelet demarcation membrane system was observed,the percentage of cells with a diameter >20 μm was increased by 24.6%(P<0.01),the expression of CD41a was increased by 11.9%,while the expression of CD33 was decreased by 13.6%(P<0.05). Polyploidy cells(16N)were observed,and 4N,8N and 16N cells were increased to 31.56%,8.83% and 3.43%,respectively(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Amf 0.1-1.0 mmol · L-1 can promote the differentiation of Dami cells,but inhibit their proliferation at a high concentration(>1.0 mmol·L-1).

Amifostine is a cytoprotective drug that was initially used to control and treat nuclear radiation injury and is currently used to provide organ protection in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Clinical studies have also found that amifostine has some efficacy in the treatment of cytopenia caused by conditions such as myelodysplastic syndrome and immune thrombocytopenia, both of which involve megakaryocyte maturation defects. We hypothesized that amifostine induced the differentiation of megakaryocytes and investigated this by exposing the human Dami megakaryocyte leukemia cell line to amifostine (1 mmol/L). After 12 days of amifostine exposure, optical microscopy showed that the proportion of Dami cells with diameters >20 μ m had increased to 24.63%. Transmission electron microscopy identified the development of a platelet demarcation membrane system, while flow cytometry detected increased CD 41a expression and decreased CD 33 expression on the Dami cell surface. Ploidy analysis found that the number of polyploid cells with >4N DNA content increased to 27.96%. We did not detect any elevation in the mRNA or protein levels of megakaryocytic differentiation‐associated transcription factors GATA ‐binding factor 1 ( GATA ‐1) and nuclear factor, erythroid 2 ( NF ‐E2), but nuclear import assay revealed an increased nuclear translocation of these proteins. These findings indicate that amifostine induced the differentiation of Dami cells into mature megakaryocytes via a mechanism involving increased nuclear translocation of the transcription factors, NF ‐E2 and GATA ‐1.