Growth Factors Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
There is conflicting evidence on the protective role of breastfeeding in relation to allergic sensitization and disease. The factors in breast milk which influence these processes are still unclear and under investigation. We know that... more
There is conflicting evidence on the protective role of breastfeeding in relation to allergic sensitization and disease. The factors in breast milk which influence these processes are still unclear and under investigation. We know that colostrum and breast milk contain a variety of molecules which can influence immune responses in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of a neonate. This review summarizes the evidence that variations in colostrum and breast milk composition can influence allergic outcomes in the infant, and the evidence that maternal and environmental factors can modify milk composition. Taken together, the data presented support the possibility that maternal dietary interventions may be an effective way to promote infant health through modification of breast milk composition.
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- Immunology, Cytokines, Breastfeeding, Allergy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains at least seven growth factors including epidermal, platelet-derived, transforming, vascular endothelial, fibroblast, insulin-like and keratinocyte growth factor. The therapeutic effect of PRP occurs... more
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains at least seven growth factors including epidermal, platelet-derived, transforming, vascular endothelial, fibroblast, insulin-like and keratinocyte growth factor. The therapeutic effect of PRP occurs because of the high concentration of these growth factors compared with those found in normal plasma. In recent years, PRP is widely used across many clinical fields, especially in regenerative medicine. This review aimed at presenting an overview of the applications of PRP in regenerative medicine. The mechanisms of PRP effects on healing are also stated in this review.
- by Farshid Bastami
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- Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and systematic review (Health Sciences), Bone Regeneration, Tissue Engineering: Hard Tissue Engineering (Bone Substitutes and Implants),Bioceramics such as Calcium Phosphate Especially Hydroxyapatite and Beta Tricalcium Phosphate, Porous Bioceramics for Bone Implants
- by RANI VASANTH
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- Marketing, Indian studies, India, Indology
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes destruction of tooth supporting tissues, characterized by multifactorial etiology with pathogenic bacteria being the primary etiologic agents that dwells the subgingival area. Local... more
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes destruction of tooth supporting tissues, characterized by multifactorial etiology with pathogenic bacteria being the primary etiologic agents that dwells the subgingival area. Local drug delivery system consists of antimicrobial dosages that produces more constant and prolonged concentration profiles within the subgingival tissue and provides better access into the periodontal pockets. It addresses the critical distress of exposing the patient to adverse effects of systemic administration. This article reviews the literature and presents novel trends such as osteoblast activators, growth factors, and herbal products in the local drug delivery system.
Abstract Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has a controlled release of growth factors due to the fibrin matrix structure. Different centrifugation protocols were suggested for PRF preparation. Since the derivation method of PRF can alter its... more
Abstract
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has a controlled release of growth factors due to the fibrin matrix structure. Different centrifugation protocols were suggested for PRF preparation. Since the derivation method of PRF can alter its contents, in the present study it is aimed to investigate the cell contents and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and-8 release from experimental PRF-type membranes obtained with different centrifugation times at 400 gravity. Three blood samples were collected from 20 healthy non-smoker volunteers. One tube was used for whole blood analyses. The other two tubes were centrifuged at 400 g for 10 minutes (group A) or 12 minutes (group B). Each experimental PRF-type membrane was placed in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM)and at 1, 24 and 72 hours, TGF-β1, PDGF-AB, VEGF, MMP-1 and -8 release amounts were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The blood cell count of membranes was determined by subtracting plasma supernatant and red blood cell (RBC) mixture from the whole blood cell counts. At 72 hours, the VEGF level of group B was statistically higher than that of group A (p = 0.040). The centrifugation time was not found to influence the release of other growth factors, enzymes and cell counts. Within the limits of the present study, it might be suggested that centrifugation time at a constant gravity has a significant effect on the VEGF levels released from experimental PRF-type membrane. It can be concluded that due to the importance of VEGF in the tissue healing process, membranes obtained at 12-minute centrifugation time may show a superior potential in wound healing.
En este articulo se plantea que la responsabilidad social empresarial actua como un agente clave que impulsa el crecimiento de la empresa. El crecimiento empresarial es una variable que depende de numerosos factores; la responsabilidad... more
En este articulo se plantea que la responsabilidad social empresarial actua como un agente clave que impulsa el crecimiento de la empresa. El crecimiento empresarial es una variable que depende de numerosos factores; la responsabilidad social empresarial es uno de ellos, ya que favorece toda iniciativa que se origina en la empresa, facilitando el posicionamiento de su marca, renovando la imagen corporativa, capturando la preferencia y la lealtad de los clientes y promoviendo la perfecta armonia entre la empresa y la comunidad en la que opera. En este contexto, la responsabilidad social empresarial activa el crecimiento de la empresa, debido a que mejora ostensiblemente la reputacion y la credibilidad, y con ello logra el reconocimiento ante sus grupos de interes (stakeholder), especialmente cuando el compromiso con el desarrollo de la estrategia de responsabilidad social es percibido como reflexivo, etico y espontaneo
In skin tissue engineering, surface feature of the scaffolds plays an important role in cell adhesion and proliferation. In this study, non-woven fibrous substrate based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (75/25) were hy-drolyzed in... more
In skin tissue engineering, surface feature of the scaffolds plays an important role in cell adhesion and proliferation. In this study, non-woven fibrous substrate based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (75/25) were hy-drolyzed in various concentrations of NaOH (0.05 N, 0.1 N, 0.3 N) to increase carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on the fiber surfaces. These functional groups were activated by EDC/NHS to create chemical bonding with collagen. To improve bioactivity, the activated substrates were coated with a collagen solution (2 mg/ml) and cross-linking was carried out using the EDC/NHS in MES buffer. The effectiveness of the method was evaluated by contact angle measurements, porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile and degradation tests as well as in vitro cell attachment and cytotoxicity assays. Cell culture results of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and keratinocytes cell line (HaCat) revealed that the cells could attach to the scaffold. Further investigation with MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation of HaCat significantly increases with collagen coating. It seems that sufficient stability of collagen on the surface due to proper chemical bonding and cross-linking has increased the bioactivity of surface remarkably which can be promising for bioengineered skin applications.
Neural stem cell transplantation has demonstrated its therapeutic potential in many neurological disorders. The long-thought prime mechanism of action was the replacement of cells lost to injury or neuro degeneration. Now, more and more... more
Neural stem cell transplantation has demonstrated its therapeutic potential in many neurological disorders. The long-thought prime mechanism of action was the replacement of cells lost to injury or neuro degeneration. Now, more and more evidence has provided insight into other bystander mechanisms through which these cell grafts could bring about a functional and structural restorative benefit. Their role in immunomodulation, neurogenesis and brain plasticity, as well as their capacity to secrete constitutively neuroprotective factors, open interesting doors to new frontiers in therapeutics that go beyond cell substitution. The purpose of this review is to outline the factors, both host and graft dependent, shown to mediate these new mechanisms of therapeutic action posterior to NSCs introduction into a pathological host environment.
Silk fibroin is a protein that has been shown to be a biomaterial with great potential in regenerative medicine, due to its biocompati-bility characteristics and its wide possibility of structural modification can be used as scaffold,... more
Silk fibroin is a protein that has been shown to be a biomaterial with great potential in regenerative medicine, due to its biocompati-bility characteristics and its wide possibility of structural modification can be used as scaffold, favoring growth processes, cell differ-entiation and the regeneration of affected tissue. Bombix moriL. silkworm cocoons were used to make fibroin films, the silk fibroin were degummed using 0.02M Na2CO3, the obtained fibroin was dissolved with 9.3M LiBr, which was eliminated by dialysis and finally the fibroin solution was concentrated to 17% by counterdialysis. The fibroin was served in polystyrene boxes, dried at 90°C/24 hours and sterilized with 70% ethanol. The mesenchymal stem cells were seeded on fibroin films and induced differentiation using a specific chondrogenic medium. Differentiation was assessed in triplicate at 14 and 21 days by total RNA extraction, DNA synthesis copy and PCR amplification of a group of cartilage-specific genes using specific primers. Stable and resistant fibroinfilms that allowed cell growth and multiplication were fabricated, as well as the chondrogenic differentiation evidenced by the expression of chondrogenic genes, the viability and the cell count were not affected, the cells interacted with the scaffolding evidenced by the area of upholstery formed on the surface of the fibroin film. Finally, it is concluded that silk fibroin is a biomaterial that can serve as a potential scaffold for the regeneration of joint injuries.
Growth factors (GFs) are major biochemical cues for tissue regeneration. Herein, a novel dual GF delivery system is designed composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and alginate microcapsules (MCs) via an... more
Growth factors (GFs) are major biochemical cues for tissue regeneration. Herein, a novel dual GF delivery system is designed composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and alginate microcapsules (MCs) via an electrodropping method. While bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 is encapsulated in the PLGA NPs, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is included in the alginate MCs, where BMP-2-loaded PLGA NPs are entrapped together in the fabrication process. The initial loading efficiencies of BMP-2 and VEGF are 78% ± 3.6% and 43% ± 1.7%, respectively. When our dual GF-loaded MCs are assessed for in vitro osteogenesis of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) on 2D and 3D environment, MCs contribute to much better UCB-MSCs osteogenesis as confirmed by von Kossa staining, immunofluorescence (osteocalcin, collagen 1), calcium content measurement, and osteogenic markers expression. In addition, when dual GF-encapsulated MCs are combined with collagen and then applied to 8 mm diameter rat calvarial defect model, the positive effects on vascularized bone regeneration are much more pronounced; micro computed tomography (CT) and histology analyses exhibit 82.3% bone healing coupled with 12.6% vessel occupied area. Put together, current study indicates a synergistic effect of BMP-2/VEGF and highlights the great potential of dual GF delivery modality (PLGA NPs-in-MC) for regeneration of vascularized bone.
Objective. Evaluate mRNA expression of GDF9, BMP15, FGF2 and their main receptors, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβ-R1), bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB (BMPR-IB) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2... more
Objective. Evaluate mRNA expression of GDF9, BMP15, FGF2 and their main receptors, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβ-R1), bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB (BMPR-IB) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in bovine follicular cells. Materials and methods. Total RNA was isolated from pooled samples of oocytes (OOs), cumulus cells (CCs) of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and follicular cell pellets (PCs) of 70 ovaries obtained from 96 beef heifers, collected at a local abattoir. The expression pattern of growth factors and their receptors in follicular bovine cells was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The mRNA transcripts encoding GDF9, BMP15, FGF2, TGFβ-R1, BMPR-IB and FGFR2 genes were detected, by RT-PCR, in all studied cells. This is the first time that the expression of TGFβ-R1 and BMPR-IB receptors is reported in bovine oocytes.
Conclusions. The presence of growth factors and receptor transcripts in the studied cells indicate that these factors could act as paracrine and autocrine regulators of folliculogenesis.
- by Revista MVZ Córdoba and +1
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- PCR, Growth Factors, Bovine, Oocytes
During the development of the vertebrate feeding apparatus, a variety of complicated cellular and molecular processes participate in the formation and integration of individual skeletal elements. The molecular mechanisms regulating the... more
During the development of the vertebrate feeding apparatus, a variety of complicated cellular and molecular processes participate in the formation and integration of individual skeletal elements. The molecular mechanisms regulating the formation of skeletal primordia and their development into specific morphological structures are tightly controlled by a set of interconnected signalling pathways. Some of these pathways, such as Bmp, Hedgehog, Notch and Wnt, are long known for their pivotal roles in craniofacial skeletogenesis. Studies addressing the functional details of their components and downstream targets, the mechanisms of their interactions with other signals as well as their potential roles in adaptive morphological divergence, are currently attracting considerable attention. An increasing number of signalling pathways that had previously been described in different biological contexts have been shown to be important in the regulation of jaw skeletal development and morphogenesis. In this review, I provide an overview of signalling pathways involved in trophic skeletogenesis emphasizing studies of the most species-rich group of vertebrates, the teleost fish, which through their evolutionary history have undergone repeated episodes of spectacular trophic diversification.
Purpose. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1) and human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2) assessement in pituitary adenomas related to hormone profile. Design and methods. For 60 retrospective cases of pituitary adenomas, we... more
Purpose. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1) and human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2) assessement in pituitary adenomas
related to hormone profile. Design and methods. For 60 retrospective cases of pituitary adenomas, we established the histopathologic
diagnosis by using morphological stains, followed by case selection for immunoprofile and EGFR and HER 2 assessement. Results.
More than one third of the studied pituitary adenomas (33,33%) were positive for HER2, with membranar pattern in basophilic cells
and with predominantly cytoplasmic, granular pattern for acidophils cells. HER2 immuno-expression characterized PRL secreting
adenomas (p=0.005) and associations between FSH-LH (p< 0.001) TSH-FSH (p=0,024) and TSH-LH (p=0.028). In situ hybridization
confirmed HER2 gene amplification in 33,34% out of all positive cases for HER2 by immunohistochemistry. EGFR positivity was found
significantly for GH-prolactin (p=0.000) and prolactin-ACTH (p=0.045) co-expressing pituitary adenomas, peritumoral macrophages
and folliculostellate cells. Conclusions. Differential HER2 and EGFR expression related to hormone profile heterogeneity can define
different subclasses of pituitary adenomas and could explain clinical, prognostic and therapeutic heterogeneity which are observed
in clinical practice. Our results support re-classification of pituitary adenomas based on molecular approach which should include
markers with well certified prognostic and therapeutic impact.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4(+) T cells plays a pivotal role in regulating the immune system. An increase in Treg numbers enables cancer progression by dampening the immune system and allowing tumor cells to evade immune... more
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4(+) T cells plays a pivotal role in regulating the immune system. An increase in Treg numbers enables cancer progression by dampening the immune system and allowing tumor cells to evade immune detection and destruction. An increase in Treg numbers and expression of inhibitory cytokines including TGF-beta and IL-10 are mechanisms by which Tregs exert their immune suppressive function. However, the presence of Tregs and inhibitory cytokines in oral cancer patients is still unclear. In this study, the presence of circulating Tregs in 39 oral cancer patients and 24 healthy donors was examined by studying the presence of the CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(low) cell population in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry. Serum levels of TGF-beta and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. T cell subsets of OSCC patients were found to differ significantly from healthy donors where a decrease in CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells and an increase in Tregs (CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(low\)) were observed. Further, the ratio of CD8(+) T cells/Tregs was also decreased in patients compared to healthy donors. The presence of Tregs was accompanied by a decrease in IL-10 but not TGF-beta secretion in OSCC patients when compared to donors; in addition, the analysis also revealed that an increased presence of Tregs was accompanied by better patient survival. Amongst OSCC patients, smokers had significantly higher levels of TGF-beta. It is apparent that the immune system is compromised in OSCC patients and the characterization of the Treg subpopulation could form a basis for improving our understanding of the perturbations in the immune system that occur during OSCC tumorigenesis.
Diabetic foot ulcer is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. It occurred in about 15% of all diabetic patients. To date, the outcome of management of diabetic foot ulcer is poor and low sufficient. Some new therapies were suggested... more
Diabetic foot ulcer is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. It occurred in about 15% of all diabetic patients. To date, the outcome of management of diabetic foot ulcer is poor and low sufficient. Some new therapies were suggested to manage and treat this disease. In almost therapies, management of diabetic foot ulcer relates to debridement of the wound, revascularization, off-loading of the ulcer, antibacterial actions, stimulating granulation, epidermization and angiogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of activated platelet rich plasma (aPRP) on diabetic foot ulcer healing on volunteer patients. There were 6 patients enrolled in this study. All patients have non-healing foot ulcers. aPRP was isolated from peripheral blood and activated with calcium chloride. Patients were injected with aPRP two times with 14-day interval. All patients were monitored during 12 weeks. The results showed that 100% (6/6) ulcers completely closed after about 7 weeks. This result initially suggests that aPRP injection is efficient method to treat the non-healing foot ulcers. Level of evidence: IV
Cell surface hemichannels (HCs) composed of different connexin (Cx) types are present in diverse cells and their possible role on FGF-1–induced cellular responses remains unknown. Here, we show that FGF-1 transiently (4–14 h, maximal at 7... more
Cell surface hemichannels (HCs) composed of different connexin (Cx) types are present in diverse cells and their possible role on FGF-1–induced cellular responses remains unknown. Here, we show that FGF-1 transiently (4–14 h, maximal at 7 h) increases the membrane permeability through HCs in HeLa cells expressing Cx43 or Cx45 under physiological extracellular Ca2+/Mg2+ concentrations. The effect does not occur in HeLa cells expressing HCs constituted of Cx26 or Cx43 with its C-terminus truncated at aa 257, or in parental nontransfected HeLa cells. The increase in membrane permeability is associated with a rise in HC levels at the cell surface and a proportional increase in HC unitary events. The response requires an early intracellular free Ca2+ concentration increase, activation of a p38 MAP kinase-dependent pathway, and a regulatory site of Cx subunit C-terminus. The FGF-1–induced rise in membrane permeability is also associated with a late increase in intracellular free Ca2+ conc...
Notwithstanding major advances in psychotherapeutics, their efficacy and specificity remain limited. The slow onset of beneficial outcomes and numerous adverse effects of widely used medications remain of chief concern, warranting... more
Notwithstanding major advances in psychotherapeutics, their efficacy and specificity remain limited. The slow onset of beneficial outcomes and numerous adverse effects of widely used medications remain of chief concern, warranting in-depth studies. The majority of frontline therapies are thought to enhance the endogenous monoaminergic drive, to initiate a cascade of events leading to lasting functional and structural plasticity. The latter also involves alterations in trophic factor signalling, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NGF (nerve growth factors), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and others. In several major mental disorders, emerging data suggest protective and restorative effects of trophic factors in preclinical models, when applied on their own. Antidepressant outcomes of VGF and FGF2, for instance, were shown in experimental animals, while BDNF and GDNF prove useful in the treatment of addiction, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. The main challenge with the effective translation of these and other findings in the clinic is the knowledge gap in action mechanisms with potential risks, as well as the lack of effective platforms for validation under clinical settings. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art and advances in the therapeutic use of trophic factors in several major neuropsychiatric disorders.
- by Wilfried Wagner
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- Cell separation, Growth, Humans, Female
- by George Sándor
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- Glass, Adult Stem Cells, Humans, Plastics
Binding of polyclonal antibodies specific for bFGF was examined in tissue sections of myopathic and normal muscles from humans, dogs and mice. The proposal tested was that differences in the amount or distribution of bFGF in muscles of... more
Binding of polyclonal antibodies specific for bFGF was examined in tissue sections of myopathic and normal muscles from humans, dogs and mice. The proposal tested was that differences in the amount or distribution of bFGF in muscles of the 3 species, might correlate with the limited muscle regeneration seen in humans and dogs afflicted with x-linked muscular dystrophy, in contrast with the sustained new muscle formation in mdx mice with the homologous myopathy. There was a striking difference between the species in the binding of bFGF antibodies to extracellular matrix, particularly at the periphery of myofibres; binding was pronounced in mouse but weak or absent in human and dog muscle. Binding to muscle nuclei and sarcoplasm was also stronger in mice than in humans and dogs, and in all species was more pronounced in foetal than adult muscle. Increased binding of bFGF antibodies was seen in damaged and regenerating muscle cells in all myopathic specimens where these were present. T...
VEGF-C and VEGF-D are the two central signaling molecules that govern the development and growth of the lymphatic system. The presence or absence of lymphangiogenesis plays a central and sometimes causative role in a variety of diseases.... more
VEGF-C and VEGF-D are the two central signaling molecules that govern the development and growth of the lymphatic system. The presence or absence of lymphangiogenesis plays a central and sometimes causative role in a variety of diseases. Therefore, the molecules that govern lymphangiogenesis – especially VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 – offer the possibility of therapeutic intervention.
Although lymphangiogenesis blockade doesn’t exisit as an independent therapeutical concept, several anti-lymphangiogenic drugs are tested at the moment in clinical trials. The rational is that by targeting VEGF-C and VEGF-D, the present antiangiogenic treatment would be improved since tumors may deploy the angiogenic forms of VEGF-C and VEGF-D when VEGF-A-mediated angiogenesis is blocked.
Despite many attempts there has been no breakthough in the pro-angiogenic therapies. Furthermore, pro-lymphangiogenic, VEGF-C- or VEGF-D-based therapies have practically never made it to the clinical trial phase. At least one clinical study with VEGF-C is now in preparation, namely in combination with lymph node transplantation to treat postmasectomy edema.
Here, we review the roles that VEGF-C, VEGF-D and their receptors play in diseases that involve the lymphatic system and we present opportunities to utilize these molecules to stimulate lymphatic vessel growth to fight lymphedema or to block their growth in order to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and tumor lymphangiogenesis.
- by Rainer Krebs and +1
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- Cancer, Cell Biology, Vascular biology, Lymphatic and Venous Disorders
Both osteogenesis and angiogenesis are integrated parts of bone growth and regeneration. Combined delivery of osteogenic and angiogenic factors is a novel approach in bone regenerative engineering. Exogenous addition of mesenchymal stem... more
Both osteogenesis and angiogenesis are integrated parts of bone growth and regeneration. Combined delivery of osteogenic and angiogenic factors is a novel approach in bone regenerative engineering. Exogenous addition of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) together with an osteoconductive scaffold is a very promising method to enhance bone repair. This concept has been incorporated into the development of new strategies for bone tissue engineering and significant advancements have been made in last 10 years. In contrary to previous belief that VEGF modulates bone repair only by enhancing angiogenesis in the proximity of bone injury, recent evidence also suggests that cross-talk between VEGF and BMP signaling pathways in MSCs promotes osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs which aids in fracture repair. Future studies should focus on cross-talk between angiogenesis and osteogenesis, optimization of VEGF/BMP ratios, selection of the most potent BMPs, and optimization of delivery methods for VEGF and BMP. Recent discoveries from basic research including effective delivery of growth factors and cells to the area of interest will help bring VEGF plus BMP for bone healing from the bench to the patient's bedside.
In preclinical studies, antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) have demonstrated inhibitory effects on the growth of various types of cancers expressing the pituitary type of GHRH receptors (pGHRH-R) and/or its active... more
In preclinical studies, antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) have demonstrated inhibitory effects on the growth of various types of cancers expressing the pituitary type of GHRH receptors (pGHRH-R) and/or its active splice variant 1 (SV1). In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of the treatment of MDA-MB-231 human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with GHRH antagonist JMR-132 alone or in combination with docetaxel. Receptor expression in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell viability assays were performed on MDA-MB-231 cells treated with JMR-132, docetaxel or in combination. For studies in vivo, a subcutaneous nude mouse xenograft model was used. JMR-132 was administered s.c. at a dose of 10 μg/day and docetaxel at a dose of 10 mg/kg i.p. given on day 1 and 5. Similar regimens were used for the combination of both substances. At the end of the experiment, an mRNA-based human cancer pathway array including 84 major genes was performed on the tumor tissue of mice treated with JMR-132 to elucidate the mechanism of action of GHRH antagonists in vivo. The in vitro proliferation studies revealed that JMR-132 and docetaxel decreased the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of both treatments produced a significantly greater inhibition of cell viability compared to the single agents. Treatment of nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenografts with JMR-132 and docetaxel significantly (p<0.05) inhibited tumor growth by 46 and 50%, respectively. Treatment with the combination of JMR-132 and docetaxel led to an inhibition of tumor volume by 71.6% (p<0.001). Polymerase chain reaction array analysis revealed that JMR-132 interacts with signal transduction pathways involved in proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Our results suggest that GHRH antagonists in combination with taxanes may enhance the efficacy of treatment for patients with TNBC expressing the SV1 and/or the pGHRH receptor.