Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (hPBMCs) are essential for designing cellular models to be used in cell therapy and drug discovery research programs [1-7, 12]. Being able to access reliable and ethical sources of well-characterized hPBMCs is now becoming fundamental for running physiologically relevant cell-based assays. A good opportunity to discuss the expanding applications for hPBMCs in drug development, that Patricia Bresnahan, PhD (Global Marketing Director at HemaCare Corporation) has observed over the last years.
cAMP signals visualized in live human pancreatic primary cells
In a recent publication, researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (USA) describe that Serotonin released by human beta cell inhibits glucagon secretion by alpha cells. They demonstrated that this paracrine loop was mediated via the cAMP pathway. To do so, they captured in live human pancreatic islet cells cAMP signals using a specific fluorescent biosensor.
3 novel PD-L1 post-translational modifications identified
In a recent paper, Horita H. et al. identified a set of novel Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) of the protein Programmed Cell Death Ligand (PD-L1).
Profile of PD-L1 post-translational modifications and their roles in regulating PD-L1 protein levels. Source: Horita H. et al. (2017) – http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neo.2017.02.006 (Cytoskleton Inc).
For this, a novel series of PTM enrichment assays  enabling the highly specific profiling of 4 key PTM profiles (Tyrosine phosphorylation (pY), Acetylation (Ac), Unbiquitination (Ub) and SUMOylation 2/3), have been used on EGF-stimulated A431 cell line. They revealed that EGF induced pY, Ac, mono- and poly-Ub Of PD-L1 in these EGF treated epidermoid carcinoma cells. The authors also suggested that the balance between mono- / poly-Ub of PD-L1 might regulate PD-L1 stability, as already described with LDB-1 protein.
These novel PD-L1 PTMs and their related regulatory actions might be valuable information in the future for the design of drug strategies targeting PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibition. [Read more…]
Stauprimide inhibits c-myc transcription in cancer cells
Stauprimide is known to prime Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) by targeting the c-Myc-activating transcription factor NME2. Its mechanism of action is linked to the inhibition of the nuclear localization of NME2 leading to the downregulation of the transcription of the c-myc oncogene.
In a recent study, Bouvard C. et al. evidenced that Stauprimide’s mechanism of action could also be used to pharmacologically targetc-myc transcription in cancers. [Read more…]
New validated monoclonal antibody for Galectin-3 expression studies
Galectin-3 (Mac-2) is a β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in a variety of tissues and cell types (incl. activated macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, kidney cells, and sensory neurons).
Galectin-3 is a promiscuous protein modulating a diverse set of cellular functions such as cell adhesion, cell-matrix interactions, cell migration, macrophage activation, and apoptosis. [Read more…]
New HYDROP fluorescent dye for intracellular ROS measurement
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play key roles in various intracellular processes and have been shown to be involved in many diseases (eg. carcinogenesis, inflammation…). Each of the ROS species is likely to have a specific role in living cells. Therefore, there is an emerging need for selectively detecting each species of ROS through conventional biochemical assays, but also in live cell imaging (see a previous post “Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and related assay kits“).
3 fluorescent probes that will count in 2017
The detection of molecular events in living cells is booming. In this post, we look at 3 fluorescent probes that will undoubtedly count in the live-cell imaging landscape in 2017.
KP-1 dye distinguishes stem cells from differentiated cells by LCI and FCM
Live cell imaging and cell sorting by flow cytometry are possible experimental approaches for researchers working in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. In this post, we take a look at the Kyoto Probe 1 (KP-1)  from (GORYO Chemicals).
Ppc-1 small molecule: a new mitochondria uncoupling agent
Ppc-1 is a novel small molecule derived from cellular slime mould. In this post, I’d like to introduce the characteristics of this compound for your in vitro mitochondrial research.
5 popular RayBio® ELISA kits for studying inflammation
With more than 170,000 publications in 2016, inflammation remains a “hot” topic in today’s Life Science research (source: Google Scholar). Interestingly, the ELISA test is still one of the most popular tools for the accurate quantification of human cytokines involved in this biological process. Here, we review the 5 protein targets most studied by our clients, together with their favourite ELISA kits by RayBiotech in the field of inflammation.