References

Lewis RD, Keilholz AN, Smith CL, Burd EA, Nichols NL (2024) Spinal TNF-α receptor 1 is differentially required for phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) over the course of motor neuron death in adult rats. Front Physiol 15 doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1488951 PMID: 39703667

Objective: To study the impact motor neuron death has on the output of surviving phrenic motor neurons as well as the compensatory mechanisms that are recruited.

Summary: Results revealed that TNFR1 expression was increased on phrenic motor neurons of 28d CTB-SAP rats, and that astrocytes were increased and exhibited reactive morphology in the phrenic motor nucleus of CTB-SAP rats. This work suggests that TNFR1 could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in CTB-SAP rats and patients with respiratory motor neuron disease.

Usage: Intrapleural injection of CTB-SAP (25μg dissolved in PBS) to target respiratory motor neurons.

Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)

Morishata Y, Fuentes I, Gonzalez-Salinas S, Favate J, Mejaes J, Zushida K, Nishi A, Hevi C, Goldsmith N, Buyske S, Sillivan SE, Miller CA, Kandel ER, Uchida S, Shah P, Alarcon JM, Barker DJ, Shumyatsky GP (2024) Dopamine release and dopamine-related gene expression in the amygdala are modulated by the gastrin-releasing peptide in opposite directions during stress-enhanced fear learning and extinction. Molexular Psychiatry doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02843-8 PMID: 39580604

Objective: To investigate neural circuits serving the dopamine function for fear extinction and PTSD.

Summary: Results demonstrate that gastrin-releasing peptide regulates dopamine function in stress-enhanced fear processing and identifies Grp as the first gene known to regulate dopaminergic control of fear extinction.

Usage: Bombesin-SAP (IT-40) or Blank-SAP (IT-21) (80 ng/µl) dissolved in saline were injected bilaterally into the basolateral amygdala (AP: -2.0 mm, ML: ±3.25 mm, DV: -4.3 mm) in 0.3 µl volume.

Related Products: Bombesin-SAP (Cat. #IT-40), Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21)

Park HB, Kim KH, Kim JH, Kim SI, Oh YM, Kang M, Lee S, Hwang S, Lee H, Lee T, Park S, Lee JE, Jeong GR, Lee DH, Youn H, Choi EY, Son WC, Chung SJ, Chung J, Choi K (2024) Improved safety of chimeric antigen receptor T cells indirectly targeting antigens via switchable adapters. Nat Commun 15(1):9917. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53996-7 PMID: 39557825

Objective: To show that switchable CAR-T cells with a tumor targeting adaptor can mitigate on-target off-tumor toxicity against a low selectivity tumor antigen that cannot be targeted by conventional CAR-T cells, such as CD40.

Summary: The system is composed of anti-cotinine murine CAR-T cells and cotinine-labeled anti-CD40 single chain variable fragments (scFv), with which the authors show selective tumor killing while sparing CD40-expressing normal cells including macrophages in a mouse model of lymphoma. The authors evaluated whether Cot CAR-T cells could be depleted by Cot-saporin in vivo in an allogeneic CAR-T cell transfer model. When Balb/C mice transplanted with B6 bone marrow cells were injected with B6 Cot CAR-T cells, the transferred Cot CAR-T cells expanded in the peripheral blood in response to Balb/C alloantigen. However, when Cot-saporin was administered during this expansion phase, the Cot CAR-T cells failed to expand and were subsequently eliminated in the blood. Thus, Cot-saporin-mediated CotCAR-T cell suicide was confirmed in vitro and in vivo.

Usage: in vitro Cot CAR-T cell depletion by cotinine-drug conjugates: Peptides were incubated with saporin-labeled streptavidin (IT-27) at a molar ratio of 4:1 to generate cotinine-saporin conjugate (Cot-saporin). For Cot-saporin-dependent cytotoxicity assays on Cot CAR-T cells, a 1:1 mixed population (50,000 cells each) of Cot CAR-T cells (target cells) and control T cells (bystander non-CAR-T cells) were incubated with various doses of Cot-saporin for 48 h in medium containing human IL-2. Seven days after CAR-T cell transfer, Cot-saporin was administered intraperitoneally three times at 3-day intervals.

Related Products: Streptavidin-ZAP (Cat. #IT-27)

Ammar AO (2024) Involvement of peptidergic Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the neurobiology of migraine and acute alcohol exposure. Univ Pecs Thesis.

Objective: To confirm the role of Edinger-Westphal nucleus/urocortin1 (EWcp/UCN1) neurons in migraine. They hypothesized that selective ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons will influence the migraine-related behaviors induced by CGRP.

Summary: Upon selective ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons, authors examined the migraine-related behaviors in response to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) treatment. Leptin-SAP treatment significantly reduced the number of UCN1 immunoreactive neurons in the EWcp compared to naïve mice. Before ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons, CGRP treatment significantly reduced the periorbital withdrawal threshold compared to saline.

Usage: For selective UCN1 neuron ablation, 50 nl of Leptin-SAP was microinjected into the rostral and caudal parts of the EWcp area.

Related Products: Leptin-SAP (Cat. #IT-47)

Moreno-Rodríguez M, Martínez-Gardeazabal J, Bengoetxea de Tena I, Llorente-Ovejero A, Lombardero L, González de San Román E, Giménez-Llort L, Manuel I, Rodríguez-Puertas R (2024) Cognitive improvement via cortical cannabinoid receptors and choline-containing lipids. Br J Pharmacol doi: 10.1111/bph.17381 PMID: 39489624

Objective: Authors hypothesized that activation of the endocannabinoid system may confer neuroprotection against cholinergic degeneration.

Summary: Degeneration, induced by 192-IgG-saporin, of baso-cortical cholinergic pathways resulted in memory deficits and decreased cortical levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC). The cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 restored cortical cholinergic transmission and LPC levels via activation of cannabinoid receptors. This activation altered cortical lipid homeostasis mainly by reducing sphingomyelins in lesioned animals. These modifications were crucial for memory recovery.

Usage: Basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration was induced following bilateral stereotaxic injection of 192IgG-saporin (130 ng/μl, IT-01) into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM).

Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01)

Mohammadi F, Zahraee H, Zibadi F, Khoshbin Z, Ramezani M, Alibolandi M, Abnous K, Taghdisi SM (2024) Progressive cancer targeting by programmable aptamer-tethered nanostructures. MedComm (2020) 5(11):e775. doi: 10.1002/mco2.775 PMID: 39434968

Objective: This review focuses on the significance of different aptamer-assembled nanoconstructs as multifunctional nucleic acid oligomeric nanoskeletons in efficient drug delivery.

Summary: Saporin was attached to a βCD-conjugated aptamer. After treating HeLa cells with the circular bivalent aptamer (Cb-Apt)‒saporin complex, cell viability decreased by 20%, whereas mono-apt‒saporin showed no significant toxicity. The Cb-Apt‒βCD complex effectively improved the intracellular delivery of saporin.

Usage: 1:50 molar ratio (nanostructure:saporin).

Related Products: Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)

Limonta P, Chiaramonte R, Casati L (2024) Unveiling the dynamic interplay between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment in melanoma: Implications for novel therapeutic strategies. Cancers (Basel) 16(16):2861. doi: 10.3390/cancers16162861 PMID: 39199632

Objective: To review the bidirectional communication between melanoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the tumor microenvironment, highlighting its role in drug resistance and tumor relapse.

Summary: Melanoma CSCs evade immune surveillance and recruit immune cells with immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting properties, establishing a supportive microenvironment. They also transfer stemness and aggressive traits to neighboring non-CSCs, driving tumor progression and metastasis. Targeting these interactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies for combating melanoma.

Usage: This review publication highlights the usage of Anti-CD271-SAP and CD133-SAP in previous publications.

Related Products: ME20.4-SAP (Cat. #IT-15), Anti-CD133-SAP (Cat. #IT-82), Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)

See Also:

• Ngo M et al. Antibody therapy targeting CD47 and CD271 effectively suppresses melanoma metastasis in patient-derived xenografts. Cell Rep 16:1701-1716, 2016.
• Bostad M et al. Light-controlled endosomal escape of the novel CD133-targeting immunotoxin AC133-saporin by photochemical internalization – A minimally invasive cancer stem cell-targeting strategy. J Control Release 206:37-48, 2015.

Lusk S, Moushey AM, Li A, Ray R (2024) Exaggerated postnatal surge of orexin neurons and the effects of elimination of excess orexin on blood pressure and exaggerated chemoreflex in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Front Physiol 15:1341649. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1341649 PMID: 39469444

Objective: To investigate whether an increase in postnatal neurogenesis of orexin (OX) neurons in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) precedes and contributes to elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heightened responses to elevated CO2 (hypercapnia) during development.

Summary: Postnatal increase in OX neurons may be essential for the development of higher MAP and an exaggerated chemoreflex (the body’s response to CO2) in SHRs. Targeting the overactive OX system could provide a potential therapeutic strategy during the early stages of hypertension development.

Usage: Orexin-SAP (0.5 μL, 90 ng/μL) was injected into the hypothalamus to eliminate excess OX neurons and study their effect on elevated MAP and exaggerated chemoreflex responses in adult SHRs.

Related Products: Orexin-B-SAP (Cat. #IT-20)

Keilhoz A, Pathak I, Smith CL, Osman KL, Smith L, Oti G, Golzy M, Mz L, Lever TE, Nichols NL (2024) Tongue exercise ameliorates structural and functional upper airway deficits in a rodent model of hypoglossal motor neuron loss. Front Neurol 15:1441529. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1441529 PMID: 39296960

Objective: To investigate the effects of a strength endurance tongue exercise program on upper airway structure and function.

Summary: Results showed that sham exercise-treated CTB-SAP rats have evidence of upper airway restriction (i.e., reduced airflow) and structural changes present in the upper airway (i.e., airway compression) when compared to rats treated with CTB-SAP and exercise and control rats with/without tongue exercise, which were ameliorated with tongue exercise. Additionally, CTB-SAP treated, sham exercise rats have evidence of increased lipid expression in the tongue consistent with previously observed tongue hypertrophy when compared to CTB-SAP treated exercise rats or control rats with/without tongue exercise.

Usage: Intralingual injection of either unconjugated CTB+SAP (20 μg CTB+25 μg SAP) or conjugated CTB-SAP (25 μg of CTB conjugated to SAP).

Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14), Recombinant Cholera Toxin B (Cat. #PR-14), Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)

Gunasekaran M, L S, Premarathna AD, (2024) Enhancing monoclonal antibodies with natural products: Mechanisms and applications. Intelligent Pharmacy doi: 10.1016/j.ipha.2024.09.002

Objective: To investigate the novel application of beta-glucan analogs engineered for enhanced immunomodulatory effects, targeting not only malignant cells but also the tumor microenvironment to optimize mAb penetration.

Summary: By combining plant-based expression systems with synthetic biology tools, creating a hybrid platform that surpasses traditional plant or mammalian systems in both yield and safety. This approach not only reduces production costs but also introduces a scalable method for the rapid adaptation of mAbs in response to emerging pathogens or tumor mutations.

Usage: Combining trastuzumab and cetuximab with the plant-derived toxin saporin (PR-01) resulted in a significant increase in cytotoxicity against tumor cells. This approach, especially when paired with plant glycosides, promotes the release of toxins into the cytoplasm, resulting in total cell death in select cancer cell types.

Related Products: Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)