Karin Jöhrer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Karin Jöhrer

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 3 of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Additional file 2. Array data mono vs co-cultures.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 2 of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Additional file 1. Array data 3D vs 2D culture.

Research paper thumbnail of SHORT COMMUNICATION A new trisaccharide derivative from Prenanthes purpurea

A new trisaccharide derivative from Prenanthes purpurea

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic constituents and a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative from Leontodon saxatilis (Asteraceae, Cichorieae)

RSC Advances, 2021

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leontodon saxatilis yielded six compounds with... more Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leontodon saxatilis yielded six compounds with antimyeloma activity as well as crepidiaside A as a chemophenetic marker and 5-feruloyl-2α-hydroxyquinic acid as a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) produced by Bacillus velezensis strain RP137 isolated from Persian Gulf

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2021

Phthalates are widely used in polymer science and have potential toxicity related to their chemic... more Phthalates are widely used in polymer science and have potential toxicity related to their chemical structures. However, lots of evidence indicate that phthalate derivatives are undoubtedly produced as secondary metabolites by organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. In the present study, Bacillus velezensis strain RP137 was cultured under optimized conditions. Its biomass was extracted with ethyl acetate with one fraction showing cytotoxic properties. A pure compound was isolated from the active fraction using combined silica gel and LH20 size exclusion column chromatography. Structural evaluation including FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HR-MS and CHN analysis identified the purified compound as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) with the formula C24H38O4 and the molecular weight of 389.29 Da. The microorganism-derived (stereospecific) DEHP was strongly reduced the proliferation and induced cytotoxic effects on various eukaryotic cell lines in compare to the synthetic racem...

Research paper thumbnail of Structure-Guided Identification of Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Triterpenoids with In Vitro Activity against Multiple Myeloma

Molecules

Black cohosh is a well-established medicinal plant and preparations of its rootstock are used for... more Black cohosh is a well-established medicinal plant and preparations of its rootstock are used for the treatment of mild climacteric complaints. The compounds considered responsible for the therapeutic effect are triterpene glycosides, characterized by a cycloartane scaffold and a pentose moiety. Because some of these triterpenoids were found to exhibit relevant cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer cells, we decided to investigate their activity on multiple myeloma cell lines NCI-H929, OPM-2, and U266. In a systematic approach, we initially tested three known cytotoxic compounds of three different triterpenoid types, revealing the cimigenol-type triterpenoid as the most active constituent. In a second round, seven naturally occurring cimigenol derivatives were compared with respect to their sugar moiety and their substitution pattern at position C-25, leading to 25-O-methylcimigenol-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside as the most potent candidate. Interestingly, not only the methyl gr...

Research paper thumbnail of Myeloma-derived CCL27 induces stroma-dependent resistance against bortezomib via upregulation of IL-10

Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Multiple Myeloma Inhibitory Activity of Plant Natural Products

Cancers, 2021

Simple Summary Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer and is still incur... more Simple Summary Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer and is still incurable. Although enhanced understanding of the disease background and the development of novel therapeutics during the last decade resulted in a significant increase of overall survival time, almost all patients relapse and finally succumb to their disease. Therefore, novel medications are urgently needed. Nature-derived compounds still account for the majority of new therapeutics and especially for the treatment of cancer often serve as lead compounds in drug development. The present review summarizes the data on plant natural products with in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple myeloma until the end of 2020, focusing on their structure–activity relationship as well as the investigated pathways and involved molecules. Abstract A literature search on plant natural products with antimyeloma activity until the end of 2020 resulted in 92 compounds with effects on at least one human my...

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Compounds of Two Demosponges (Aplysina aerophoba and Spongia sp.) from the Aegean Sea

Biomolecules

The class of demosponges is the biggest and most diverse of all described sponge species and it i... more The class of demosponges is the biggest and most diverse of all described sponge species and it is reported to produce a plethora of chemically different metabolites with interesting biological activities. The focus of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of two Mediterranean demosponges, targeting their brominated compounds and prenylated hydroquinones, compounds with interesting cytotoxic and anti-microbial properties. In order to gain a deeper insight into the chemical diversity of their metabolites and their activities, 20 pure secondary metabolites including new natural products were isolated from two different species (Aplysina aerophoba and Spongia sp.) using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were confirmed by NMR and HRMS, revealing molecules with various chemical scaffolds, mainly prenylated hydroquinones from Spongia sp. and halogenated compounds from Aplysina aerophoba, including 5 novel natural products. The isolated compounds ...

Research paper thumbnail of The FMS like Tyrosine Kinase 3 (FLT3) Is Overexpressed in a Subgroup of Multiple Myeloma Patients with Inferior Prognosis

Cancers

Therapy resistance remains a major challenge in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). We evalu... more Therapy resistance remains a major challenge in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the expression of FLT3 tyrosine kinase receptor (FLT3, CD135) in myeloma cells as a possible clonal driver. FLT3 expression was analyzed in bone marrow biopsies of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or smoldering myeloma (MGUS, SMM), newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). FLT3 gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and real-time PCR (rt-PCR). Anti-myeloma activity of FLT3 inhibitors (midostaurin, gilteritinib) was tested in vitro on MM cell lines and primary MM cells by 3H-tymidine incorporation assays or flow cytometry. Semi-quantitative expression analysis applying a staining score (FLT3 expression IHC-score, FES, range 1–6) revealed that a high FES (>3) was associated with a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in NDMM and RRMM patients (p = 0.04). RNAseq and re...

Research paper thumbnail of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Cell Communication and Signaling

Background: Androgen receptor targeted therapies have emerged as an effective tool to manage adva... more Background: Androgen receptor targeted therapies have emerged as an effective tool to manage advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Nevertheless, frequent occurrence of therapy resistance represents a major challenge in the clinical management of patients, also because the molecular mechanisms behind therapy resistance are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we therefore aimed to identify novel targets to intervene with therapy resistance using gene expression analysis of PCa co-culture spheroids where PCa cells are grown in the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and which have been previously shown to be a reliable model for antiandrogen resistance. Methods: Gene expression changes of co-culture spheroids (LNCaP and DuCaP seeded together with CAFs) were identified by Illumina microarray profiling. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and cell viability assays in 2D and 3D culture were performed to validate the expression of selected targets in vitro and in vivo. Cytokine profiling was conducted to analyze CAF-conditioned medium.

Research paper thumbnail of Pixantrone demonstrates significant in vitro activity against multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia

Annals of Hematology

Treatment results for multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia have considerably improved, but c... more Treatment results for multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia have considerably improved, but cure remains elusive and establishing new therapeutic approaches constitutes a major unmet clinical need. We analyzed the anti-myeloma properties of the aza-anthracenedione pixantrone which has been successfully used in a phase III study for the treatment of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as monotherapy as well as in combination regimes in vitro and in an adapted in vivo model (ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay). Pixantrone significantly inhibited proliferation and metabolic activity of all investigated myeloma cell lines. Importantly, anti-myeloma effects were more pronounced in tumor cell lines than in stromal cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy controls. Apoptosis of myeloma cell lines was observed only after a 7-day incubation period, indicating a fast cytostatic and a slower cytotoxic effect of this drug....

Research paper thumbnail of Lignans and sesquiterpene lactones from Hypochaeris radicata subsp. neapolitana (Asteraceae, Cichorieae)

Research paper thumbnail of The metabolomic plasma profile of myeloma patients is considerably different from healthy subjects and reveals potential new therapeutic targets

PLOS ONE

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disorder, is still an incurable disease. Thus, the... more Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disorder, is still an incurable disease. Thus, the identification of novel therapeutic targets is of utmost importance. Here, we evaluated the peripheral blood-based metabolic profile of patients with MM.

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Properties of Damiana (Turnera diffusa) Extracts and Constituents and A Validated Quantitative UHPLC-DAD Assay

Molecules

In our continuing search for new cytotoxic agents, we assayed extracts, fractions, and pure compo... more In our continuing search for new cytotoxic agents, we assayed extracts, fractions, and pure compounds from damiana (Turnera diffusa) against multiple myeloma (NCI-H929, U266, and MM1S) cell lines. After a first liquid-liquid solvent extraction, the ethyl acetate layer of an acetone (70%) crude extract was identified as the most active fraction. Further separation of the active fraction led to the isolation of naringenin (1), three apigenin coumaroyl glucosides 2–4, and five flavone aglycones 5–9. Naringenin (1) and apigenin 7-O-(4″-O-p-E-coumaroyl)-glucoside (4) showed significant cytotoxic effects against the tested myeloma cell lines. Additionally, we established a validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method for the quantification of the isolated components in the herb and in traditional preparations of T. diffusa.

Research paper thumbnail of High levels of FLT3-ligand in bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with advanced multiple myeloma

PLOS ONE

Multiple myeloma (MM) is still incurable due to resistance against various therapies. Thus, the i... more Multiple myeloma (MM) is still incurable due to resistance against various therapies. Thus, the identification of biomarkers predicting progression is urgently needed. Here, we evaluated four biomarkers in bone marrow and peripheral blood of MM patients for their prognostic significance.

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological Challenges in Protein Microarray and Immunohistochemistry for the Discovery of Novel Autoantibodies in Paediatric Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease a... more Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease affecting mainly children and young adults. Differentiation to multiple sclerosis is not always possible, due to overlapping clinical symptoms and recurrent and multiphasic forms. Until now, immunoglobulins reactive to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG antibodies) have been found in a subset of patients with ADEM. However, there are still patients lacking autoantibodies, necessitating the identification of new autoantibodies as biomarkers in those patients. Therefore, we aimed to identify novel autoantibody targets in ADEM patients. Sixteen ADEM patients (11 seronegative, 5 seropositive for MOG antibodies) were analysed for potential new biomarkers, using a protein microarray and immunohistochemistry on rat brain tissue to identify antibodies against intracellular and surface neuronal and glial antigens. Nine candidate antigens were identified in the protein microarray analysis in at least two patients per group. Immunohistochemistry on rat brain tissue did not reveal new target antigens. Although no new autoantibody targets could be found here, future studies should aim to identify new biomarkers for therapeutic and prognostic purposes. The microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry methods used here have several limitations, which should be considered in future searches for biomarkers.

Research paper thumbnail of Expression and release of glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78) in multiple myeloma

Oncotarget

incurable due to acquired resistance during the treatment course. Thus, we evaluated expression a... more incurable due to acquired resistance during the treatment course. Thus, we evaluated expression and release of glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78/BiP), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) based pro-survival chaperone involved in immunoglobulin folding and unfolded protein responses.

Research paper thumbnail of T cells in multiple myeloma display features of exhaustion and senescence at the tumor site

Journal of hematology & oncology, Nov 3, 2016

Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that is mostly restricted to the bone mar... more Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that is mostly restricted to the bone marrow. Cancer-induced dysfunction of cytotoxic T cells at the tumor site may be responsible for immune evasion and therapeutical failure of immunotherapies. Therefore, enhanced knowledge about the actual status of T cells in myeloma bone marrow is urgently needed. Here, we assessed the expression of inhibitory molecules PD-1, CTLA-4, 2B4, CD160, senescence marker CD57, and CD28 on T cells of naive and treated myeloma patients in the bone marrow and peripheral blood and collected data on T cell subset distribution in both compartments. In addition, T cell function concerning proliferation and expression of T-bet, IL-2, IFNγ, and CD107a was investigated after in vitro stimulation by CD3/CD28. Finally, data was compared to healthy, age-matched donor T cells from both compartments. Multicolor flow cytometry was utilized for the analyses of surface molecules, intracellular staining of cytokines...

Research paper thumbnail of CCR10/CCL27 crosstalk contributes to failure of proteasome-inhibitors in multiple myeloma

Oncotarget, Jan 8, 2016

The bone marrow microenvironment plays a decisive role in multiple myeloma progression and drug r... more The bone marrow microenvironment plays a decisive role in multiple myeloma progression and drug resistance. Chemokines are soluble mediators of cell migration, proliferation and survival and essentially modulate tumor progression and drug resistance. Here we investigated bone marrow-derived chemokines of naive and therapy-refractory myeloma patients and discovered that high levels of the chemokine CCL27, known so far for its role in skin inflammatory processes, correlated with worse overall survival of the patients. In addition, chemokine levels were significantly higher in samples from patients who became refractory to bortezomib at first line treatment compared to resistance at later treatment lines.In vitro as well as in an in vivo model we could show that CCL27 triggers bortezomib-resistance of myeloma cells. This effect was strictly dependent on the expression of the respective receptor, CCR10, on stroma cells and involved the modulation of IL-10 expression, activation of myelo...

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 3 of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Additional file 2. Array data mono vs co-cultures.

Research paper thumbnail of Additional file 2 of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Additional file 1. Array data 3D vs 2D culture.

Research paper thumbnail of SHORT COMMUNICATION A new trisaccharide derivative from Prenanthes purpurea

A new trisaccharide derivative from Prenanthes purpurea

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic constituents and a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative from Leontodon saxatilis (Asteraceae, Cichorieae)

RSC Advances, 2021

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leontodon saxatilis yielded six compounds with... more Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Leontodon saxatilis yielded six compounds with antimyeloma activity as well as crepidiaside A as a chemophenetic marker and 5-feruloyl-2α-hydroxyquinic acid as a new hydroxycinnamic acid derivative.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) produced by Bacillus velezensis strain RP137 isolated from Persian Gulf

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2021

Phthalates are widely used in polymer science and have potential toxicity related to their chemic... more Phthalates are widely used in polymer science and have potential toxicity related to their chemical structures. However, lots of evidence indicate that phthalate derivatives are undoubtedly produced as secondary metabolites by organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. In the present study, Bacillus velezensis strain RP137 was cultured under optimized conditions. Its biomass was extracted with ethyl acetate with one fraction showing cytotoxic properties. A pure compound was isolated from the active fraction using combined silica gel and LH20 size exclusion column chromatography. Structural evaluation including FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HR-MS and CHN analysis identified the purified compound as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) with the formula C24H38O4 and the molecular weight of 389.29 Da. The microorganism-derived (stereospecific) DEHP was strongly reduced the proliferation and induced cytotoxic effects on various eukaryotic cell lines in compare to the synthetic racem...

Research paper thumbnail of Structure-Guided Identification of Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Triterpenoids with In Vitro Activity against Multiple Myeloma

Molecules

Black cohosh is a well-established medicinal plant and preparations of its rootstock are used for... more Black cohosh is a well-established medicinal plant and preparations of its rootstock are used for the treatment of mild climacteric complaints. The compounds considered responsible for the therapeutic effect are triterpene glycosides, characterized by a cycloartane scaffold and a pentose moiety. Because some of these triterpenoids were found to exhibit relevant cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer cells, we decided to investigate their activity on multiple myeloma cell lines NCI-H929, OPM-2, and U266. In a systematic approach, we initially tested three known cytotoxic compounds of three different triterpenoid types, revealing the cimigenol-type triterpenoid as the most active constituent. In a second round, seven naturally occurring cimigenol derivatives were compared with respect to their sugar moiety and their substitution pattern at position C-25, leading to 25-O-methylcimigenol-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside as the most potent candidate. Interestingly, not only the methyl gr...

Research paper thumbnail of Myeloma-derived CCL27 induces stroma-dependent resistance against bortezomib via upregulation of IL-10

Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Multiple Myeloma Inhibitory Activity of Plant Natural Products

Cancers, 2021

Simple Summary Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer and is still incur... more Simple Summary Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer and is still incurable. Although enhanced understanding of the disease background and the development of novel therapeutics during the last decade resulted in a significant increase of overall survival time, almost all patients relapse and finally succumb to their disease. Therefore, novel medications are urgently needed. Nature-derived compounds still account for the majority of new therapeutics and especially for the treatment of cancer often serve as lead compounds in drug development. The present review summarizes the data on plant natural products with in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple myeloma until the end of 2020, focusing on their structure–activity relationship as well as the investigated pathways and involved molecules. Abstract A literature search on plant natural products with antimyeloma activity until the end of 2020 resulted in 92 compounds with effects on at least one human my...

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Compounds of Two Demosponges (Aplysina aerophoba and Spongia sp.) from the Aegean Sea

Biomolecules

The class of demosponges is the biggest and most diverse of all described sponge species and it i... more The class of demosponges is the biggest and most diverse of all described sponge species and it is reported to produce a plethora of chemically different metabolites with interesting biological activities. The focus of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of two Mediterranean demosponges, targeting their brominated compounds and prenylated hydroquinones, compounds with interesting cytotoxic and anti-microbial properties. In order to gain a deeper insight into the chemical diversity of their metabolites and their activities, 20 pure secondary metabolites including new natural products were isolated from two different species (Aplysina aerophoba and Spongia sp.) using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were confirmed by NMR and HRMS, revealing molecules with various chemical scaffolds, mainly prenylated hydroquinones from Spongia sp. and halogenated compounds from Aplysina aerophoba, including 5 novel natural products. The isolated compounds ...

Research paper thumbnail of The FMS like Tyrosine Kinase 3 (FLT3) Is Overexpressed in a Subgroup of Multiple Myeloma Patients with Inferior Prognosis

Cancers

Therapy resistance remains a major challenge in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). We evalu... more Therapy resistance remains a major challenge in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the expression of FLT3 tyrosine kinase receptor (FLT3, CD135) in myeloma cells as a possible clonal driver. FLT3 expression was analyzed in bone marrow biopsies of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or smoldering myeloma (MGUS, SMM), newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). FLT3 gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and real-time PCR (rt-PCR). Anti-myeloma activity of FLT3 inhibitors (midostaurin, gilteritinib) was tested in vitro on MM cell lines and primary MM cells by 3H-tymidine incorporation assays or flow cytometry. Semi-quantitative expression analysis applying a staining score (FLT3 expression IHC-score, FES, range 1–6) revealed that a high FES (>3) was associated with a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in NDMM and RRMM patients (p = 0.04). RNAseq and re...

Research paper thumbnail of Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote prostate tumor growth and progression through upregulation of cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis

Cell Communication and Signaling

Background: Androgen receptor targeted therapies have emerged as an effective tool to manage adva... more Background: Androgen receptor targeted therapies have emerged as an effective tool to manage advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Nevertheless, frequent occurrence of therapy resistance represents a major challenge in the clinical management of patients, also because the molecular mechanisms behind therapy resistance are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we therefore aimed to identify novel targets to intervene with therapy resistance using gene expression analysis of PCa co-culture spheroids where PCa cells are grown in the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and which have been previously shown to be a reliable model for antiandrogen resistance. Methods: Gene expression changes of co-culture spheroids (LNCaP and DuCaP seeded together with CAFs) were identified by Illumina microarray profiling. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and cell viability assays in 2D and 3D culture were performed to validate the expression of selected targets in vitro and in vivo. Cytokine profiling was conducted to analyze CAF-conditioned medium.

Research paper thumbnail of Pixantrone demonstrates significant in vitro activity against multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia

Annals of Hematology

Treatment results for multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia have considerably improved, but c... more Treatment results for multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia have considerably improved, but cure remains elusive and establishing new therapeutic approaches constitutes a major unmet clinical need. We analyzed the anti-myeloma properties of the aza-anthracenedione pixantrone which has been successfully used in a phase III study for the treatment of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as monotherapy as well as in combination regimes in vitro and in an adapted in vivo model (ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay). Pixantrone significantly inhibited proliferation and metabolic activity of all investigated myeloma cell lines. Importantly, anti-myeloma effects were more pronounced in tumor cell lines than in stromal cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy controls. Apoptosis of myeloma cell lines was observed only after a 7-day incubation period, indicating a fast cytostatic and a slower cytotoxic effect of this drug....

Research paper thumbnail of Lignans and sesquiterpene lactones from Hypochaeris radicata subsp. neapolitana (Asteraceae, Cichorieae)

Research paper thumbnail of The metabolomic plasma profile of myeloma patients is considerably different from healthy subjects and reveals potential new therapeutic targets

PLOS ONE

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disorder, is still an incurable disease. Thus, the... more Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disorder, is still an incurable disease. Thus, the identification of novel therapeutic targets is of utmost importance. Here, we evaluated the peripheral blood-based metabolic profile of patients with MM.

Research paper thumbnail of Cytotoxic Properties of Damiana (Turnera diffusa) Extracts and Constituents and A Validated Quantitative UHPLC-DAD Assay

Molecules

In our continuing search for new cytotoxic agents, we assayed extracts, fractions, and pure compo... more In our continuing search for new cytotoxic agents, we assayed extracts, fractions, and pure compounds from damiana (Turnera diffusa) against multiple myeloma (NCI-H929, U266, and MM1S) cell lines. After a first liquid-liquid solvent extraction, the ethyl acetate layer of an acetone (70%) crude extract was identified as the most active fraction. Further separation of the active fraction led to the isolation of naringenin (1), three apigenin coumaroyl glucosides 2–4, and five flavone aglycones 5–9. Naringenin (1) and apigenin 7-O-(4″-O-p-E-coumaroyl)-glucoside (4) showed significant cytotoxic effects against the tested myeloma cell lines. Additionally, we established a validated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method for the quantification of the isolated components in the herb and in traditional preparations of T. diffusa.

Research paper thumbnail of High levels of FLT3-ligand in bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with advanced multiple myeloma

PLOS ONE

Multiple myeloma (MM) is still incurable due to resistance against various therapies. Thus, the i... more Multiple myeloma (MM) is still incurable due to resistance against various therapies. Thus, the identification of biomarkers predicting progression is urgently needed. Here, we evaluated four biomarkers in bone marrow and peripheral blood of MM patients for their prognostic significance.

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological Challenges in Protein Microarray and Immunohistochemistry for the Discovery of Novel Autoantibodies in Paediatric Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease a... more Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease affecting mainly children and young adults. Differentiation to multiple sclerosis is not always possible, due to overlapping clinical symptoms and recurrent and multiphasic forms. Until now, immunoglobulins reactive to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG antibodies) have been found in a subset of patients with ADEM. However, there are still patients lacking autoantibodies, necessitating the identification of new autoantibodies as biomarkers in those patients. Therefore, we aimed to identify novel autoantibody targets in ADEM patients. Sixteen ADEM patients (11 seronegative, 5 seropositive for MOG antibodies) were analysed for potential new biomarkers, using a protein microarray and immunohistochemistry on rat brain tissue to identify antibodies against intracellular and surface neuronal and glial antigens. Nine candidate antigens were identified in the protein microarray analysis in at least two patients per group. Immunohistochemistry on rat brain tissue did not reveal new target antigens. Although no new autoantibody targets could be found here, future studies should aim to identify new biomarkers for therapeutic and prognostic purposes. The microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry methods used here have several limitations, which should be considered in future searches for biomarkers.

Research paper thumbnail of Expression and release of glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78) in multiple myeloma

Oncotarget

incurable due to acquired resistance during the treatment course. Thus, we evaluated expression a... more incurable due to acquired resistance during the treatment course. Thus, we evaluated expression and release of glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78/BiP), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) based pro-survival chaperone involved in immunoglobulin folding and unfolded protein responses.

Research paper thumbnail of T cells in multiple myeloma display features of exhaustion and senescence at the tumor site

Journal of hematology & oncology, Nov 3, 2016

Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that is mostly restricted to the bone mar... more Multiple myeloma is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that is mostly restricted to the bone marrow. Cancer-induced dysfunction of cytotoxic T cells at the tumor site may be responsible for immune evasion and therapeutical failure of immunotherapies. Therefore, enhanced knowledge about the actual status of T cells in myeloma bone marrow is urgently needed. Here, we assessed the expression of inhibitory molecules PD-1, CTLA-4, 2B4, CD160, senescence marker CD57, and CD28 on T cells of naive and treated myeloma patients in the bone marrow and peripheral blood and collected data on T cell subset distribution in both compartments. In addition, T cell function concerning proliferation and expression of T-bet, IL-2, IFNγ, and CD107a was investigated after in vitro stimulation by CD3/CD28. Finally, data was compared to healthy, age-matched donor T cells from both compartments. Multicolor flow cytometry was utilized for the analyses of surface molecules, intracellular staining of cytokines...

Research paper thumbnail of CCR10/CCL27 crosstalk contributes to failure of proteasome-inhibitors in multiple myeloma

Oncotarget, Jan 8, 2016

The bone marrow microenvironment plays a decisive role in multiple myeloma progression and drug r... more The bone marrow microenvironment plays a decisive role in multiple myeloma progression and drug resistance. Chemokines are soluble mediators of cell migration, proliferation and survival and essentially modulate tumor progression and drug resistance. Here we investigated bone marrow-derived chemokines of naive and therapy-refractory myeloma patients and discovered that high levels of the chemokine CCL27, known so far for its role in skin inflammatory processes, correlated with worse overall survival of the patients. In addition, chemokine levels were significantly higher in samples from patients who became refractory to bortezomib at first line treatment compared to resistance at later treatment lines.In vitro as well as in an in vivo model we could show that CCL27 triggers bortezomib-resistance of myeloma cells. This effect was strictly dependent on the expression of the respective receptor, CCR10, on stroma cells and involved the modulation of IL-10 expression, activation of myelo...