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Biomedical subjects

Jian Ding

Publications and source records attributed to Jian Ding.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The p53 pathway is synergized by p38 MAPK signaling to mediate 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-induced G2/M arrest.

The phytochemical 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin, derived from the fungus Shiraia bambusicola, has been shown to possess potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated the effect of 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin on cell cycle progression, and explored the potential mechanisms for this effect. A concentration- and time-dependent cell cycle blockade at G2/M phase was observed in human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) following 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin treatment and was associated with marked increases in levels of p53, phospho-p53(ser20) and phospho-Chk2(Thr 68). When wild type p53 expression was specifically inhibited by RNA interference, HCT-116 cells treated with 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin failed to arrest in G2/M and did not show increased phospho-Chk2(Thr 68). On the other hand, 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin treatment also elicited p38 MAP kinase activity and expression of phospho-p38 MAPK. Treatment with a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) successfully inhibited p38 MAPK and delayed the onset of G2/M arrest induced by 0.5 microM 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin after approximately 6 h, but did not abolish the induction of G2/M arrest. Additionally, SB203580 did not alter the levels of p53, phospho-p53 (ser20), or phospho-Chk2 (Thr68) proteins in 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-treated cells. Together, these findings indicate that p53-mediated phosphorylation of Chk2 maybe plays a vital role in 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-induced G2/M arrest, and that p38 MAPK might accelerate this progression. Our work suggests a new possibility of interactions among p53, Chk2 and p38 MAPK signaling in G2/M arrest.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Synthesis and antitumor activity of the hexacyclic camptothecin derivatives.

A series of hexacyclic camptothecin derivatives were synthesized to test for antitumor activity as topoisomerase I inhibitor. The strategy of synthesis was used for the formation of additional furan and dihydrofuran rings fused with 9- and 10-positions of camptothecin. All of the hexacyclic camptothecins were assayed for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines, HL60, BEL-7402, HCT-116, and HeLa, and showed very impressive cytotoxicity activity in vitro. Enzyme activity of the hexacyclic camptothecins was evaluated, being equal or superior to that of SN-38. The stability of four compounds was assessed in human plasma. Two of these compounds were chosen to test for antitumor activity in vivo against Sarcoma-180. The results suggested that additional furan and dihydrofuran rings could improve the antitumor activity in vitro and vivo, though the stability of the lactone ring did not increase.

Animals↗

Anti-proliferative effects, cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and blocking of chromosome segregation by probimane and MST-16 in human tumor cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Anticancer bisdioxopiperazines, including ICRF-154, razoxane (Raz, ICRF-159) and ICRF-193, are a family of anticancer agents developed in the UK, especially targeting metastases of neoplasms. Two other bisdioxopiperazine derivatives, probimane (Pro) and MST-16, were synthesized at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. Cytotoxic activities and mechanisms of Raz (+)-steroisomer (ICRF-187, dexrazoxane), Pro and MST-16 against tumor cells were evaluated by MTT colorimetry, flow cytometry and karyotyping. RESULTS: Pro was cytotoxic to human tumor cell lines in vitro (IC50<50 microM for 48 h). Four human tumor cell lines (SCG-7901, K562, A549 and HL60) were susceptible to Pro at low inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values < 10 microM for 48 h). Although the IC50 against HeLa cell line of vincristine (VCR, 4.56 microM), doxorubicin (Dox, 1.12 microM) and 5-fluoruouracil (5-Fu, 0.232 microM) are lower than Pro (5.12 microM), ICRF-187 (129 microM) and MST-16 (26.4 microM), VCR, Dox and 5-Fu shows a low dose-related - high cytotoxic activity. Time-response studies showed that the cytotoxic effects of Pro are increased for 3 days in human tumor cells, whereas VCR, Dox and 5-Fu showed decreased cytotoxic action after 24 h. Cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and chromosome segregation blocking by Pro and MST-16 were noted. Although there was similar effects of Pro and MST-16 on chromosome segregation blocking action and cell cycle G2/M phase arrest at 1- 4 microM, cytotoxicity of Pro against tumor cells was higher than that of MST-16 in vitro by a factor of 3- 10 folds. Our data show that Pro may be more effective against lung cancer and leukemia while ICRF-187 and MST-16 shows similar IC50 values only against leukemia. CONCLUSION: It suggests that Pro has a wider spectrum of cytotoxic effects against human tumor cells than other bisdioxopiperazines, especially against solid tumors, and with a single cytotoxic pathway of Pro and MST-16 affecting chromosome segregation and leading also to cell G2/ M phase arrests, which finally reduces cell division rates. Pro may be more potent than MST-16 in cytotoxicity. High dose- and time- responses of Pro, when compared with VCR, 5-Fu and Dox, were seen that suggest a selectivity of Pro against tumor growth. Compounds of bisdioxopiperazines family may keep up their cytotoxic effects longer than many other anticancer drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Philinopside A, a novel marine-derived compound possessing dual anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects.

Philinopside A is a novel sulfated saponin isolated from the sea cucumber, Pentacta quadrangulari. The effects of philinopside A on angiogenesis and tumor growth were assessed in a series of models in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that philinopside A significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) in a dose-dependent manner, with average IC(50) values of 1.4 +/- 0.17, 0.89 +/- 0.23 and 0.98 +/- 0.19 microM, respectively. Rat aortas culture assay provides a close imitation of in vivo angiogenesis process and 2-10 microM philinopside A suppressed the formation of new microvessels in cultured rat aortas. Philinopside A 2-10 nmol/egg obviously inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. In addition, philinopside A manifested strong anti-tumor activities both in vitro and in vivo. Through immunofluorescent analysis, we found the compound reduced mouse sarcoma 180 tumor volume by inducing apoptosis of tumor and tumor-associated endothelial cells. An examination of the effects of philinopside A on the angiogenesis-related receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) showed that philinopside A broadly inhibited all tested RTKs, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-beta and epithelial growth factor (EGF) receptor, with IC(50) values ranging from 2.6-4.9 microM. These results suggest that philinopside A is a promising anti-cancer agent that possesses dual cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects that were at least partly due to its inhibitory effects on RTKs.

Animals↗

Antimetastatic effect of salvicine on human breast cancer MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft is closely related to Rho-dependent pathway.

PURPOSE: Salvicine is a novel DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor with potent anticancer activity. In present study, the effect of salvicine against metastasis is evaluated using human breast carcinoma orthotopic metastasis model and its mechanism is further investigated both in animal and cellular levels. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft model was applied to detect the antimetastatic effect of salvicine. Potential target candidates were detected and analyzed by microarray technology. Candidates were verified and explored by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot. Salvicine activities on stress fiber formation, invasion, and membrane translocation were further investigated by immunofluorescence, invasion, and ultracentrifugal assays. RESULTS: Salvicine significantly reduced the lung metastatic foci of MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft, without affecting primary tumor growth obviously. A comparison of gene expression profiles of primary tumors and lung metastatic focus between salvicine-treated and untreated groups using the CLOTECH Atlas human Cancer 1.2 cDNA microarray revealed that genes involved in tumor metastasis, particularly those closely related to cell adhesion and motility, were obviously down-regulated, including fibronectin, integrin alpha3, integrin beta3, integrin beta5, FAK, paxillin, and RhoC. Furthermore, salvicine significantly down-regulated RhoC at both mRNA and protein levels, greatly inhibited stress fiber formation and invasiveness of MDA-MB-435 cells, and markedly blocked translocation of both RhoA and RhoC from cytosol to membrane. CONCLUSION: The unique antimetastatic action of salvicine, particularly its specific modulation of cell motility in vivo and in vitro, is closely related to Rho-dependent signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Antiangiogenic activity of 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin, a natural product isolated from the fungus Shiraia bambusicola.

The fungus Shiraia bambusicola yields the phytochemical 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin, which has been shown to possess potent anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we reveal that 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin has anti-angiogenic activities and explore the potential mechanisms for this effect. Treatment with 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with IC(50) values of 0.17+/-0.05muM for VEGF-stimulated cells and 0.39+/-0.08muM for serum-stimulated cells. 11,11'-Dideoxyverticillin also antagonized the antiapoptotic effects of VEGF on serum-deprived HUVECs, inhibited VEGF-induced HUVEC migration in vitro, and blocked serum-induced HUVEC tube formation. Moreover, 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin completely blocked VEGF-induced microvessel sprouting from Matrigel-embedded rat aortic rings and vessel growth in Matrigel plugs in mice. In addition, 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin decreased VEGF secretion by MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells, and significantly suppressed VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1. This inhibition of receptor phosphorylation was correlated with a marked decrease in VEGF-triggered pERK activation and a dramatic increase in pP38 MAPK, but no apparent change in pAkt. Together, these findings strongly suggest that 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin is a structurally novel angiogenesis inhibitor.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 7-ethyl-9-alkyl derivatives of camptothecin.

A series of new camptothecin derivatives, as topoisomerase I inhibitor, were synthesized to identify potent antitumor agents. The synthesis method was based on the Claisen rearrangement of 10-allyloxy-7-ethylcamptothecin. All of the compounds were assayed for cytotoxicity against two human tumor cell lines, Bel7402, HCT116, and showed good potency in vitro. Compounds 2, 4, 9, were assessed for the stability of lactone in human plasma. And then compound 2 was tested for antitumor activity in vitro against mouse tumor sarcoma-180. The results suggested that the small alkyl groups in the both 7- and 9-positions of camptothecin could promote liposolubility, antitumor activity in vitro and vivo, though did not bring much increase of the stability of lactone.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 is involved in sulfated polymannuroguluronate (SPMG)-induced T lymphocyte activation.

Sulfated polymannuroguluronate (SPMG) has entered the Phase II clinical trial as the first anti-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) drug candidate in China. Proliferation assays showed that SPMG was effective at enhancing the proliferative response of T lymphocytes either with or without concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation. Flow cytometry (FCM) and fluorescence microscope examination revealed the significant binding of SPMG to T lymphocytes. The significant engagement of SPMG with TCR/CD3 complex was verified by competitive inhibition assay and one of the SPMG binding proteins purified by affinity chromatography from thymocyte membrane preparations was further confirmed to be CD3 component of TCR/CD3 complex via Western blotting analysis. In addition, SPMG was demonstrated to dramatically interact with ConA in a multivalent manner by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. Notably, the concomitant presence of ConA and SPMG facilitated each other's binding to T cells. Together, the simultaneous interactions of SPMG with TCR/CD3 and with ConA can be highly proposed to facilitate the cross-linking of these molecules, and thus favoring costimulatory signaling, which serves to well explain the immunopotentiation and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities of SPMG.

Animals↗

Novel diterpenoids with potent inhibitory activity against endothelium cell HMEC and cytotoxic activities from a well-known TCM plant Daphne genkwa.

Twelve highly oxygenated novel daphnane-type diterpenoids genkwanines A-L (1-12), together with four known diterpenes (13-16), were isolated from the bud of Daphne genkwa, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The new structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral methods, especially 2D NMR spectra (HMQC, HMBC, NOESY). Inhibitory activity against endothelium cell HMEC proliferation and cytotoxic activities against two tumor cell lines were assessed for all the compounds 1-16, and found to be significant and structure related. A number of compounds showed very potent cytotoxic activities against two tumor cell lines at the IC50 levels of 0.15-8.40 microM, and most interestingly, five of the compounds 4, 8, 10, 13, and 14 exhibited strong activity to inhibit the endothelium cell HMEC at the IC50 levels of 2.90-15.0 microM.

Cell Line↗

Expression and purification of the catalytic domain of human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 for inhibitor screening.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, can act in tumor-induced angiogenesis by binding to specific receptors on the surface of endothelial cells. One such receptor, VEGFR-2/KDR, plays a key role in VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Here, we expressed the catalytic domain of VEGFR-2 as a soluble active kinase using Bac-to-Bac expression system, and investigated correlations between VEGFR-2 activity and enzyme concentration, ATP concentration, substrate concentration and divalent cation type. We used these data to establish a convenient, effective and non-radioactive ELISA screening technique for the identification and evaluation of potential inhibitors for VEGFR-2 kinase. We screened 200 RTK target-based compounds and identified one (TKI-31) that potently inhibited VEGFR-2 kinase activity (IC50=0.596 microM). Treatment of NIH3T3/KDR cells with TKI-31 blocked VEGF-induced phosphorylation of KDR in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, TKI-31 dose-dependently suppressed HUVEC tube formation. Thus, we herein report a novel, efficient method for identifying VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors and introduce one, TKI-31, that may prove to be a useful new angiogenesis inhibitor.

Animals↗

Inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase induces immunosuppression.

Lymphocytes depend on transmethylation reactions for efficient activation and function. These reactions are primarily catalyzed by S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases, which convert S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine is then hydrolyzed by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase to prevent feedback inhibition of transmethylation reactions. By impeding S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, a build-up of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine occurs, and most intracellular transmethylation reactions cease. Thus, a nontoxic inhibitor of this enzyme might be a useful immunosuppressive therapeutic agent. We identified a potent reversible type III inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, DZ2002 [methyl 4-(adenin-9-yl)-2-hydroxybutanoate], and determined its cytotoxic and immunologic effects. We demonstrated that DZ2002 blocked S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase more effectively than a type I inhibitor, but cytotoxicity from DZ2002 was greatly reduced. Although DZ2002 did not prevent concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation or interleukin (IL)-2 production, it significantly reduced both a mixed lymphocyte reaction and IL-12 production from in vitro-stimulated splenocytes. In addition, levels of CD80 and CD86 on human monocytic THP-1 cells were decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of 0.1 to 10 microM DZ2002, and decreases were also seen in IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from both mouse thioglycollate-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells. In vivo, DZ2002 significantly suppressed a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction as well as antibody secretion. We conclude that DZ2002's immunosuppressive effects are likely not solely attributed to T cell inhibition but also to the obstruction of macrophage activation and function through reductions in cytokine output and/or T cell costimulation. These data suggest an important dual role for the S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase in both macrophage and T cell function.

Adenosylhomocysteinase↗

NACA as a potential cellular target of hepatitis B virus preS1 protein.

The mechanisms of the attachment and penetration of hepatitis B virus remain obscure. It has been demonstrated that the preS1 region is essential for viral assembly and infectivity, however, as its cellular receptor has still not been identified unequivocally, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen the cellular proteins that can interact with preS1 protein. The protein recovered from a human liver cDNA library was nascent polypeptide-associated complex alpha polypeptide. The interaction between preS1 and nascent polypeptide-associated complex alpha polypeptide was verified by mating experiment and coimmunoprecipitation of COS7 cell lysates expressing both proteins. Based on these results, we speculate that nascent polypeptide-associated complex alpha polypeptide is a functional target of hepatitis B virus preS1 protein in cells.

Gene Library↗

Characterization of conformational epitope of alginate-derived polymannuronates by surface plasmon resonance.

In the present study, we developed a mAb to alginate-derived polymannuronates (ADPM) and examined the antigenic epitopes using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in conjunction with a large panel of oligomannuronate probes. We found that tetrasaccharide is the minimum-binding unit, and that increases in chain length from the tetrasaccharide to the heptsaccharide further enhance monovalent binding. A sharp increase in affinity was observed when increasing from the octasaccharide to the cosasaccharide, which is due to a further enhancement of the individual antigenic epitope combined with multivalency. Kinetic binding studies further suggested that the conformational epitope is discontinuous and infrequent and that a C6-carboxyl group is important in maintaining the conformational epitope. Moreover, CD analysis revealed there were conformational structures in epitopes. The data support our hypothesis that the conformational epitope for the mAb may be an extended helical segment of ADPM. ADPM exists mainly in linear form, but it can infrequently and spontaneously form extended helices. Although helices are not prevalent in ADPM, the immune system preferentially selects these conformational epitopes because they are unique. Together, our results indicate that the antigenic epitopes in beta-d-mannuronates are conformational and require C6-carboxyl groups.

Alginates↗

Sesquiterpene lactones with potent cytotoxic activities from Vernonia chinensis.

Five new sesquiterpene lactones, namely vernchinilides A-E (1-5), along with five known compounds, 8 beta-(2-methylacryloyloxy)hirsutinolide 13-O-acetate (6), 8 alpha-(2-methylacryloyloxy)-1beta,4beta-epoxy-1alpha-methoxy-13-O-acetate-10 betaH-germacra-5 E,7(11)-dien-12,6-olide (7), 8 beta-(2-hydroxymethylacryloyloxy)hirsutinolide 13-O-acetate (8), 8 alpha-tigloyloxyhirsutinolide 13-O-acetate ( 9) and vernolide-B (10) were isolated from Vernonia chinensis. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data, especially 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2, 5 and 6 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against P-388 and A-549 tumor cell lines.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Novel cytotoxic seco-abietane rearranged diterpenoids from Salvia prionitis.

Six novel 4,5-seco-rearranged abietane diterpenoids, including one tetracyclic diterpenoid, prionoid A (1), two tricyclic diterpenoids, prionoids B (2) and C (3), and three dicyclic diterpenoids, prionoids D (4), E (5), and F (6), were isolated from the roots of Salvia prionitis Hance (Labiatae). Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis. The structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction determination. Moreover, it was found that 4 (IC50 = 0.41 microM) and 5 (IC50 = 0.72 microM) showed significant cytotoxic activity against P-388 and A-549 cell lines, respectively.

Abietanes↗

11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin: a natural compound possessing growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase-inhibitory effect with anti-tumor activity.

11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin, a compound of the novel epidithiodioxopiprazine structural class, is isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Shiraia bambusicola. The present study demonstrated for the first time that 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin has potent tyrosine kinase-inhibitory and anti-tumor activities. In the cell-free ELISA tyrosine kinase assay, 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin significantly inhibited the activities of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (VEGFR-1/Flt-1) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/ErbB-2), with relative specificity on EGFR and VEGFR-1 with IC50s of 0.136+/-0.109 and 1.645+/-0.885 nM, respectively. Exposure of 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin for 1 h to EGFR-overexpressed MDA-MB-468 human breast carcinoma cells and HER2-overexpressed SK-OV-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells resulted in obvious inhibition of EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and HER2. In addition, 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin also inhibited the EGF-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2, but had no effect on the phosphorylation of AKT in both tumor cell lines. Moreover, 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin has potent anti-tumor activity. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin potently inhibited the proliferation of four human breast tumor cell lines with an average IC50 value of 0.2 microM. In vivo, 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin exhibited remarkable efficacy against mice sarcoma 180 and hepatoma 22 after daily i.p. administration of 0.5 or 0.75 mg/kg with inhibition rates ranging from 45.0 to 72.4%. Treated with 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin at 0.5-2.0 microM for 36 h, MB-MB-468 cells exhibited significant apoptotic morphological changes. At low concentrations (0.0625-0.5 microM) for 24 h, 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin induced a dose-dependent accumulation of MDA-MB-468 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. These results indicate that 11,11'-dideoxy-verticillin is a naturally derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potent anti-tumor activity.

Animals↗

Ginkgo biloba extract alleviates liver fibrosis induced by CCl in rats.

AIMS: To investigate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats and expressions of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen I during this period. METHODS: The effect of GbE on liver fibrogenesis was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E staining), Masson's trichrome staining, and electron microscope study. Blood samples were collected for measurement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue was detected by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Immunohistochemistry assay and RT-PCR were used to examine the protein expressions and mRNA levels of TGF-beta1 and collagen I, respectively. RESULTS: H&E, Masson's trichrome stainings and electron microscope study showed liver fibrosis in rats was greatly alleviated when treated with GbE. Additionally, there was a remarkable improvement of serum ALT, AST, albumin and MDA in the GbE-treated group. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR results showed GbE intervention significantly inhibited TGF-beta1 and collagen I expressions in rat liver. No side effects of GbE were found during these experiments. But GbE could not reverse the pathological changes of liver fibrosis completely when compared with normal control. CONCLUSION: GbE can partially protect rat liver from the fibrogenesis induced by CCl4. The mechanism may lie in its effect of inhibiting oxidative stress caused by liver injury and expressions of signal molecules such as TGF-beta1. GbE may thus be of potential help as a medicament or food additive for alleviation of liver fibrogenesis.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Potentiation of T cell function by a marine algae-derived sulfated polymannuroguluronate: in vitro analysis of novel mechanisms.

Marine algae-derived sulfated polymannuroguluronate (SPMG), a candidate drug for AIDS treatment, was intraperitoneally injected into normal mice for 6 weeks, and the in vivo and in vitro mechanisms of SPMG for immunomodulation were investigated in isolated lymphocytes by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and surface plasmon resonance assay. SPMG treatment at 5 and 10 mg/kg enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T cell proliferation, cellular levels of CD69, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), as well as CD4/CD8 ratio, while decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level in T cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, 1 molecule of SPMG bound to 2/3 molecules of IL-2 with a K(D) of 9.53 x 10(-7) M. Heparin prevented SPMG binding to IL-2 by 72.2%; thus, to a large extent, SPMG and heparin share common binding sites on IL-2. In contrast, other glycosaminoglycans (e.g., chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate) had little effect on SPMG and IL-2 interaction, suggesting the requirement of a defined sequence within the sugar chain for specific recognition of IL-2. Concomitant treatment of IL-2 and SPMG augmented lymphocyte proliferation, compared with IL-2 alone; in contrast, SPMG alone had no proliferative effect. Taken together, our findings demonstrated for the first time that SPMG exerted its immunomodulation by direct activation of T cell function, accompanied by simultaneous modulation of cytokine function, which suggests that SPMG would show great promise for use in anti-AIDS therapy.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗