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Biomedical subjects

Meng Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Meng Yang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Biomimetic amplification of nanoparticle homing to tumors.

Nanoparticle-based diagnostics and therapeutics hold great promise because multiple functions can be built into the particles. One such function is an ability to home to specific sites in the body. We describe here biomimetic particles that not only home to tumors, but also amplify their own homing. The system is based on a peptide that recognizes clotted plasma proteins and selectively homes to tumors, where it binds to vessel walls and tumor stroma. Iron oxide nanoparticles and liposomes coated with this tumor-homing peptide accumulate in tumor vessels, where they induce additional local clotting, thereby producing new binding sites for more particles. The system mimics platelets, which also circulate freely but accumulate at a diseased site and amplify their own accumulation at that site. The self-amplifying homing is a novel function for nanoparticles. The clotting-based amplification greatly enhances tumor imaging, and the addition of a drug carrier function to the particles is envisioned.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo color-coded imaging of the interaction of colon cancer cells and splenocytes in the formation of liver metastases.

The role of host cells in tumor progression and metastasis is critical. Intrasplenic injection of tumor cells has long been known as an effective method of developing liver metastases in nude mice, whereas portal vein (PV) injection of tumor cells can result in rapid death of the tumor cells. Host cells were thought to play a role in these phenomena. We report here that after splenic injection of tumor cells, splenocytes cotraffic with the tumor cells to the liver and facilitate metastatic colony formation. Human colon cancer cells that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to histone H2B in the nucleus and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm (HCT-116-GFP-RFP) were injected in either the PV or spleen of nude mice and imaged at the subcellular level in vivo. Extensive clasmocytosis (destruction of the cytoplasm) of the cancer cells occurred within 6 hours after PV injection and essentially all the cancer cells died. In contrast, splenic injection of these tumor cells resulted in the aggressive formation of liver and distant metastasis. GFP spleen cells were found in the liver metastases that resulted from intrasplenic injection of the tumor cells in transgenic nude mice ubiquitously expressing GFP. When GFP spleen cells and the RFP cancer cells were coinjected in the PV, liver metastasis resulted that contained GFP spleen cells. These results suggest a novel tumor-host interaction that enables efficient formation of liver metastasis via intrasplenic injection.

Animals↗

Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated adjuvanted whole-virion influenza A (H5N1) vaccine: a phase I randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza A virus H5N1 has caused widespread infections that have resulted in severe disease or death in poultry and wild birds as well as human beings. This virus has the potential to emerge as a pandemic threat and H5N1 vaccines are being developed in many countries. Our aim was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated adjuvanted whole-virion H5N1 vaccine. METHODS: A stratified randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase I clinical trial was done in 120 volunteers aged 18-60 years. Volunteers were assigned to receive two doses of placebo (n=24) or an inactivated whole-virion influenza A (H5N1) vaccine with 1.25 microg (24), 2.5 microg (24), 5 microg (24), or 10 microg (24) haemagglutinin per dose with aluminium hydroxide adjuvant on day 0 and 28. Serum samples were obtained on day 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56 for haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralisation assays. This trial is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov registry with the number NCT00356798. FINDINGS: All four formulations of vaccines were well tolerated. No serious adverse event was reported and most local and systemic reactions were mild and transient. All formulations induced antibody responses after the first dose; the highest immune response of 78% seropositivity was seen in the 10 mug group after two vaccine doses. Two individuals dropped out: one in the 1.25 microg group (withdrew consent) and one in the 10 microg group (discontinued); one individual was also excluded from the final analysis. INTERPRETATION: A two-dose regimen of an adjuvanted 10 microg inactivated whole-virion H5N1 vaccine met all European regulatory requirements for annual licensing of seasonal influenza vaccine. Lower doses of this vaccine could achieve immune responses equivalent to those elicited by adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted split-virion vaccines. The use of a whole virion vaccine could be more adaptable to the antigen-sparing strategy recommended by WHO for protection against an influenza pandemic.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Targeted therapy with a Salmonella typhimurium leucine-arginine auxotroph cures orthotopic human breast tumors in nude mice.

We report here a modified auxotrophic strain of Salmonella typhimurium that can target and cure breast tumors in orthotopic mouse models. We have previously reported development of a genetically modified strain of S. typhimurium, selected for prostate tumor targeting and therapy in vivo. The strain, termed S. typhimurium A1, selectively grew in prostate tumors in xenograft models causing tumor regression. In contrast, normal tissue was cleared of these bacteria even in immunodeficient athymic mice with no apparent side effects. A1 is auxotrophic (leucine-arginine dependent) but apparently receives sufficient nutritional support only from tumor tissue. The ability to grow in viable tumor tissue may account, in part, for the unique antitumor efficacy of the strain. In the present report, to increase tumor-targeting capability of A1, the strain was reisolated after infection of a human colon tumor growing in nude mice. The tumor-isolated strain, termed A1-R, had increased targeting for tumor cells in vivo as well as in vitro compared with A1. Treatment with A1-R resulted in highly effective tumor targeting, including viable tumor tissue and significant tumor shrinkage in mice with s.c. or orthotopic human breast cancer xerographs. Survival of the treated animals was significantly prolonged. Forty percent of treated mice were cured completely and survived as long as non-tumor-bearing mice. These results suggest that amino acid auxotrophic virulent bacteria, which selectively infect and attack viable tumor tissue, are a promising approach to cancer therapy.

Animals↗

Determination of daunomycin at a novel COOH/indium tin oxide ion implantation-modified electrode.

A novel COOH+ ion implantation-modified indium tin oxide (COOH/ITO) electrode was prepared for the first time and applied for determination of daunomycin (or daunorubicin [DNR]). The electrode showed higher catalytic activity than bare ITO electrode with good reproducibility and stability. The determination condition of linear voltammetry was optimized. A calibration curve was obtained over the range 2.0 x 10(-7) to 5.0 x 10(-6)mol/L, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9909 and a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10(-7)mol/L. The selectivity of the electrode was illustrated by determination of DNR in samples prepared of urine. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis results showed that the implanted COOH+ maintained characteristics of organic group -COOH. A field emission-scanning electron microscope (FSEM) result showed that the implanted surface caused defects and partial dislocations and formed many active centers.

Daunorubicin↗

Tumor cells genetically labeled with GFP in the nucleus and RFP in the cytoplasm for imaging cellular dynamics.

Dual-color fluorescent cells with one color fluorescent protein in the nucleus and another color fluorescent protein in the cytoplasm were genetically engineered. The dual-color cancer cells enable real-time nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics to be visualized in living cells in vivo as well as in vitro. To obtain the dual-color cells, red fluorescent protein (RFP) was expressed in the cytoplasm of a series of human and rodent cancer cells, and green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to histone H2B was expressed in the nucleus. Nuclear GFP expression enabled visualization of nuclear dynamics, whereas simultaneous cytoplasmic RFP expression enabled visualization of nuclear-cytoplasmic ratios as well as simultaneous cell and nuclear shape changes. Using the Olympus OV100 Whole-Mouse Imaging System, total sub-cellular dynamics can be visualized in the living dual-color cells in real time in the live mouse after cell injection. Highly elongated cancer cells and nuclei in narrow capillaries were visualized where both the nuclei and cytoplasm deform. Both cytoplasm and nuclei were visualized to undergo extreme deformation during extravasation with cytoplasmic processing exiting vessels first and nuclei following along these processes. The dual-color cells described here thus enable the sub-cellular dynamics of cancer cell trafficking to be imaged in the living animal.

Animals↗

Development of real-time subcellular dynamic multicolor imaging of cancer-cell trafficking in live mice with a variable-magnification whole-mouse imaging system.

With the use of dual-color fluorescent cells and a highly sensitive whole-mouse imaging system with both macro-optics and micro-optics, we report here the development of subcellular real-time imaging of cancer cell trafficking in live mice. To observe cytoplasmic and nuclear dynamics in the living mouse, tumor cells were labeled in the nucleus with green fluorescent protein and with red fluorescent protein in the cytoplasm. Dual-color cancer cells were injected by a vascular route in an abdominal skin flap in nude mice. The mice were imaged with an Olympus OV100 whole-mouse imaging system with a sensitive CCD camera and five objective lenses, parcentered and parfocal, enabling imaging from macrocellular to subcellular. We observed the nuclear and cytoplasmic behavior of cancer cells in real time in blood vessels as they moved by various means or adhered to the vessel surface in the abdominal skin flap. During extravasation, real-time dual-color imaging showed that cytoplasmic processes of the cancer cells exited the vessels first, with nuclei following along the cytoplasmic projections. Both cytoplasm and nuclei underwent deformation during extravasation. Different cancer cell lines seemed to strongly vary in their ability to extravasate. With the dual-color cancer cells and the highly sensitive whole-mouse imaging system described here, the subcellular dynamics of cancer metastasis can now be observed in live mice in real time. This imaging technology will enable further understanding of the critical steps of metastasis and provide visible targets for antimetastasis drug development.

Animals↗

The bisphosphonate olpadronate inhibits skeletal prostate cancer progression in a green fluorescent protein nude mouse model.

PURPOSE: Metastatic bone disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in prostate cancer patients. Bisphosphonates are currently used to inhibit bone resorption and reduce tumor-induced skeletal complications. More effective bisphosphonates would enhance their clinical value. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We tested several bisphosphonates in a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing human prostate cancer nude mouse model. The in vivo effects of four bisphosphonates, including pamidronate, etidronic acid, and olpadronate, on bone tumor burden in mice intratibially inoculated with PC-3-GFP human prostate cancer cells were visualized by whole-body fluorescence imaging and X-ray. RESULTS: The PC-3-GFP cells produced extensive bone lesions when injected into the tibia of immunocompromised mice. The skeletal progression of the PC-3-GFP cell growth was monitored by GFP fluorescence and the bone destruction was evaluated by X-ray. We showed that 3,3-dimethylaminopropane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid (olpadronate) was the most effective bisphosphonate treatment in reducing tumor burden as assessed by GFP imaging and radiography. The GFP tumor area and X-ray score significantly correlated. Reduced tumor growth in the bone was accompanied by reduced serum calcium, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and osteoprotegerin. CONCLUSIONS: The serum calcium, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and osteoprotegerin levels were significantly correlated with GFP area and X-ray scores. Treatment with olpadronate reduced tumor growth in the bone measured by GFP and X-ray imaging procedures. Imaging of GFP expression enables monitoring of tumor growth in the bone and the GFP results complement the X-ray assessment of bone disease. The data in this report suggest that olpadronate has potential as an effective inhibitor of the skeletal progression of clinical prostate cancer.

Animals↗

Common bile duct injection as a novel method for establishing red fluorescent protein (RFP)-expressing human pancreatic cancer in nude mice.

CONTEXT: In our previous pancreatic cancer mouse models, we have used surgical orthotopic implantation of human pancreatic tumors to establish clinically relevant fluorescent mouse models of pancreatic cancer. OBJECTIVE: Since exocrine pancreatic cancer is thought to arise from the cells lining the ducts of the pancreas, we hypothesized that direct injection of tumor cells into the common bile duct would also result in pancreatic tumor formation and metastasis. INTERVENTION: In this study we injected a suspension of the low passage human pancreatic cancer cell line xPA-1 transfected with red fluorescent protein into the common bile duct of nude mice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis formation was monitored by intravital and whole body fluorescent imaging. Single fluorescent pancreatic cancer cells were imaged in the pancreatic duct shortly after injection using the Olympus OV100 Whole Mouse Imaging System. RESULTS: Five days after tumor cell injection in the common bile duct, tumor colonies could be imaged forming within the pancreatic duct. Metastases in the liver were imaged 14 days post common bile duct injection. By day 28, massive tumors were imaged encompassing the entire pancreas. By day 42, RFP-expressing metastases were imaged in the omentum and liver. CONCLUSION: Common bile duct injection is a novel technique for the development of fluorescent mouse models of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Animals↗

Peptides selected for binding to clotted plasma accumulate in tumor stroma and wounds.

Screening of a phage library for peptides that bind to clotted plasma in the presence of liquid plasma yielded two cyclic decapeptides, CGLIIQKNEC (CLT1) and CNAGESSKNC (CLT2). When injected intravenously into mice bearing various types of tumors, fluorescein-conjugated CLT peptides accumulated in a fibrillar meshwork in the extracellular compartment of the tumors, but were not detectable in other tissues of the tumor-bearing mice. The tumor homing of both peptides was strongly reduced after coinjection with unlabeled CLT2, indicating that the two peptides recognize the same binding site. The CLT peptide fluorescence colocalized with staining for fibrin(ogen) present in the extravascular compartment of tumors, but not in other tissues. The CLT peptides did not home to tumors grown in fibrinogen-null mice or in mice that lack plasma fibronectin. The CLT peptides also accumulated at the sites of injury in arteries, skeletal muscle, and skin. We conclude that the CLT peptides recognize fibrin-fibronectin complexes formed by clotting of plasma proteins that have leaked into the extravascular space in tumors and other lesions. These peptides may be useful in targeting diagnostic and therapeutic materials into tumors and injured tissues.

Animals↗

Dual-color-coded imaging of viable circulating prostate carcinoma cells reveals genetic exchange between tumor cells in vivo, contributing to highly metastatic phenotypes.

Color-coded imaging analysis revealed yellow fluorescent metastasis precursor cells that were readily recognized in the blood of tumor-bearing mice after mixtures of red fluorescent protein (RFP)- and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing PC-3 human prostate carcinoma cells were implanted in the nude mouse prostate and metastasized. The yellow fluorescent cells were purified from the blood of nude mice to 99% homogeneity by FACS, expanded in culture, and reimplanted in the prostate of nude mice. The yellow fluorescent phenotype was heritable and stably maintained by tumor cells for many generations in vitro and in vivo. In the animals implanted with the yellow-fluorescing cells, 100% developed aggressive metastatic cancer. Lung metastases were demonstrated in 100% of the animals as early as four weeks after injection of the yellow-fluorescing cells in the mouse prostate. In contrast, when the GFP- and RFP-expressing parental cells were inoculated into the mouse prostate separately, none of the animals developed lung metastasis. All animals had almost exclusively yellow fluorescent cells in the blood and bone marrow. These results are consistent with the idea that spontaneous genetic exchange between tumor cells in vivo contributes to genomic instability and creation of highly metastatic cells.

Animals↗

Dual-color imaging of nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics, viability, and proliferation of cancer cells in the portal vein area.

We used dual-color in vivo cellular imaging to visualize trafficking, nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics, and the viability of cancer cells after their injection into the portal vein of mice. For these studies, we used dual-color fluorescent cancer cells that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to histone H2B in the nucleus and retroviral red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm. Human HCT-116-GFP-RFP colon cancer and mouse mammary tumor (MMT) cells were HCT-116-GFP-RFP in the portal vein of nude mice. The cells were observed intravitally in the liver at the single-cell level using the Olympus OV100 whole-mouse imaging system. Most HCT-116-GFP-RFP cells remained in sinusoids near peripheral portal veins. Only a small fraction of the cancer cells invaded the lobular area. Extensive clasmocytosis (destruction of the cytoplasm) of the HCT-116-GFP-RFP cells occurred within 6 hours. The number of apoptotic cells rapidly increased within the portal vein within 12 hours of injection. Apoptosis was readily visualized in the dual-color cells by their altered nuclear morphology. The data suggest rapid death of HCT-116-GFP-RFP cells in the portal vein. In contrast, dual-color MMT-GFP-RFP cells injected into the portal vein mostly survived in the liver of nude mice 24 hours after injection. Many surviving MMT-GFP-RFP cells showed invasive figures with cytoplasmic protrusions. The cells grew aggressively and formed colonies in the liver. However, when the host mice were pretreated with cyclophosphamide, the HCT-116-GFP-RFP cells also survived and formed colonies in the liver after portal vein injection. These results suggest that a cyclophosphamide-sensitive host cellular system attacked the HCT-116-GFP-RFP cells but could not effectively kill the MMT-GFP-RFP cells.

Animals↗

Nestin-linked green fluorescent protein transgenic nude mouse for imaging human tumor angiogenesis.

We report here a novel transgenic nude mouse for the visualization of human tumor angiogenesis. We have recently shown that the neural stem cell marker nestin is expressed in hair follicle stem cells and blood vessel networks in the skin of C57/B6 transgenic mice with nestin regulatory element-driven green fluorescent protein (ND-GFP). Others have shown ND-GFP is expressed in the brain, pancreas, and testes in these mice. In the present study, the nestin ND-GFP gene was crossed into nude mice on the C57/B6 background to obtain ND-GFP nude mice. ND-GFP was expressed in the brain, spinal cord, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, heart, lung, blood vessels of glomeruli, blood vessels of skeletal muscle, testes, hair follicles, and blood vessel network in the skin of ND-GFP nude mice. Human lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer cell lines as well as a murine melanoma cell line and breast cancer tumor cell line expressing red fluorescent protein were implanted orthotopically, and a red fluorescent protein-expressing human fibrosarcoma was implanted s.c. in the ND-GFP nude mice. These tumors grew extensively in the ND-GFP mice. ND-GFP was highly expressed in proliferating endothelial cells and nascent blood vessels in the growing tumors, visualized by dual-color fluorescence imaging. Results of immunohistochemical staining showed that CD31 was expressed in the ND-GFP-expressing nascent blood vessels. The ND-GFP transgenic nude mouse model enables the visualization of nascent angiogenesis in human and mouse tumor progression. These results suggest that this model is useful for the imaging of the angiogenesis of human as well as rodent tumors and visualization of the efficacy of angiogenetic inhibitors.

Animals↗

Selective PPARgamma modulators with improved pharmacological profiles.

A series of metabolically robust N-benzyl-indole selective PPARgamma modulators with either a 3-benzoyl or 3-benzisoxazoyl moiety have been identified. In vitro, these compounds are partial agonists and exhibit reduced adipogenesis in human adipocytes. In vivo, these SPPARgammaMs result in potent glucose lowering in db/db mice and attenuate increases in heart weight and brown adipose tissue that is typically observed in rats upon treatment with PPARgamma full agonists.

Animals↗

Real-time in vivo dual-color imaging of intracapillary cancer cell and nucleus deformation and migration.

The mechanism of cancer cell deformation and migration in narrow vessels is incompletely understood. In order to visualize the cytoplasmic and nuclear dynamics of cells migrating in capillaries, red fluorescent protein was expressed in the cytoplasm, and green fluorescent protein, linked to histone H2B, was expressed in the nucleus of cancer cells. Immediately after the cells were injected in the heart of nude mice, a skin flap on the abdomen was made. With a color CCD camera, we could observe highly elongated cancer cells and nuclei in capillaries in the skin flap in living mice. The migration velocities of the cancer cells in the capillaries were measured by capturing images of the dual-color fluorescent cells over time. The cells and nuclei in the capillaries elongated to fit the width of these vessels. The average length of the major axis of the cancer cells in the capillaries increased to approximately four times their normal length. The nuclei increased their length 1.6 times in the capillaries. Cancer cells in capillaries over 8 microm in diameter could migrate up to 48.3 microm/hour. The data suggests that the minimum diameter of capillaries where cancer cells are able to migrate is approximately 8 microm. The use of the dual-color cancer cells differentially labeled in the cytoplasm and nucleus and associated fluorescent imaging provide a powerful tool to understand the mechanism of cancer cell migration and deformation in small vessels.

Animals↗

Hair follicle-derived blood vessels vascularize tumors in skin and are inhibited by Doxorubicin.

We have recently shown that the neural-stem cell marker nestin is expressed in hair follicle stem cells and the blood vessel network interconnecting hair follicles in the skin of transgenic mice with nestin regulatory element-driven green fluorescent protein (ND-GFP). The hair follicles were shown to give rise to the nestin-expressing blood vessels in the skin. In the present study, we visualized tumor angiogenesis by dual-color fluorescence imaging in ND-GFP transgenic mice after transplantation of the murine melanoma cell line B16F10 expressing red fluorescent protein. ND-GFP was highly expressed in proliferating endothelial cells and nascent blood vessels in the growing tumor. Results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the blood vessel-specific antigen CD31 was expressed in ND-GFP-expressing nascent blood vessels. ND-GFP expression was diminished in the vessels with increased blood flow. Progressive angiogenesis during tumor growth was readily visualized during tumor growth by GFP expression. Doxorubicin inhibited the nascent tumor angiogenesis as well as tumor growth in the ND-GFP mice transplanted with B16F10-RFP. This model is useful for direct visualization of tumor angiogenesis and evaluation of angiogenic inhibitors.

Animals↗

Real-time whole-body imaging of an orthotopic metastatic prostate cancer model expressing red fluorescent protein.

BACKGROUND: We describe here, a whole-body imageable spontaneous metastatic model of human prostate cancer developed by surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) and visualized by red fluorescent protein (RFP) expression. METHODS: Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were transduced with the pLNCX2-DsRed-2-RFP retroviral vector containing the RFP and neomycin-resistance genes. A stable RFP-expressing PC-3 clone was selected in 800 microg/ml G418 in vitro and injected subcutaneously in nude mice. Stable high-level expression of RFP was maintained in the subcutaneously-growing tumors. To utilize RFP expression for metastasis studies, fragments of the subcutaneously-growing tumor, which were comprised of RFP-expressing cells, were implanted by SOI in the prostate of nude mice. RESULTS: Primary tumor growth, progression, and subsequent lymphatic metastases were visualized in live, intact animals in real time by whole-body RFP fluorescence imaging. In total, 100% of the experimental animals developed lymphatic metastasis, the growth of which was monitored in real time by whole-body imaging. The aggressive lymphatic metastasis in this model reflects one of the major metastatic routes of prostate cancer in human patients. Intravital RFP imaging visualized single cancer cells in the lung and bladder. Open RFP imaging at autopsy visualized extensive primary growth and highly disseminated lymph-node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The long-wavelength emission of RFP enabled high sensitivity and resolution of microscopic tumor growth using appropriate imaging techniques. The model should be useful for the real-time evaluation of novel therapeutics for metastatic prostate cancer.

Animals↗

Tumor-targeting bacterial therapy with amino acid auxotrophs of GFP-expressing Salmonella typhimurium.

Here we report a genetically modified bacteria strain, Salmonella typhimurium A1, selected for anticancer activity in vivo. The strain grows in tumor xenografts. In sharp contrast, normal tissue is cleared of these bacteria even in immunodeficient athymic mice. S. typhimurium A1 is auxotrophic (Leu/Arg-dependent) but apparently receives sufficient support from the neoplastic tissue to grow locally. Whether additional genetic lesions are present is not known. In in vitro infection, the GFP-expressing bacteria grew in the cytoplasm of PC-3 human prostate cancer cells and caused nuclear destruction. These effects were visualized in cells labeled with GFP in the nucleus and red fluorescent protein in the cytoplasm. In vivo, the bacteria caused tumor inhibition and regression of xenografts visualized by whole-body imaging. The bacteria, introduced i.v. or intratumorally, invaded and replicated intracellularly in PC-3 prostate cancer cells labeled with red fluorescent protein grafted into nude mice. By day 15, S. typhimurium A1 was undetectable in the liver, lung, spleen, and kidney, but it continued to proliferate in the PC-3 tumor, which stopped growing. When the bacteria were injected intratumorally, the tumor completely regressed by day 20. There were no obvious adverse effects on the host when the bacteria were injected by either route. The S. typhimurium A1 strain grew throughout the tumor, including viable malignant tissue. This result is in marked contrast to bacteria previously tried for cancer therapy that were confined to necrotic areas of the tumor, which may account, in part, for the strain's unique antitumor efficacy.

Amino Acids↗