In conclusion, our data collectively demonstrated that Cdc20 overexpression facilitates the docetaxel resistant of the CRPC cell lines in a Bim-dependent manner. Furthermore, additionally targeting Cdc20 might be a promising solution for the treatment of the CRPC with docetaxel resistance.

Abstract. The heterologous DNA prime-protein boost vaccination approach has been widely applied as an immune treatment for carcinoma. However, inefficient delivery of DNA remains a major issue. In the present study, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used as a DNA vector carrier to improve the transfection efficiency of the DNA vaccine and stimulate the humoral and cellular immunity against the renal carcinoma-associated antigen G250. A protein vaccine was included in the immunization strategy in order to produce a prime-boost effect. A DNA plasmid encoding an antigen G250 fragment was constructed and complexed with PEI. A protein vaccine against G250 was expressed in BL21 (DE3) Escherichia coli cells, by transformation with a pET28a(+)/C-G250 plasmid. The protein was purified using a nickel-nitriloacetic acid purification system. The in vitro transfection efficiency of the DNA vaccine was analyzed in HEK293 human endothelial kidney cells. The in vitro transfection efficiency in HEK293 cells was highest 48 h after transfection. Furthermore, mice were primed with 200 µg pVAX1/C-250 plasmid complexed with PEI, and boosted using 50 µg of purified C-G250 protein.In order to evaluate the immune response the antibody titer, splenocyte response, and interferon-γ levels from CD8+ T-cell splenocytes were analyzed using ELISA, lymphocyte proliferation or enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays. Firstly, the pVAX1/C-G250 plasmid was shown to be constructed successfully. As compared with the DNA group, the antibody titer, lymphocyte proliferation percentage, and cytokine production level induced by the DNA-PEI and DNA-PEI+C-G250 groups were significantly higher. Furthermore, the DNA-PEI+C-G250 group exhibited the strongest humoral and cellular response. Owing to the adjuvant effect of PEI, the pVAX1/C-G250-PEI prime plus C-G250 protein boost regimen could induce a strong immune response, and has been proved to be a potent vaccine candidate against renal cell carcinoma.

BackgroundThe FK506-binding protein (FKBP) is a family of intracellular receptors that can bind specifically to the immunosuppressant FK506 and rapamycin. Although FKBPs play crucial roles in biological processes and carcinogenesis, their prognostic value and molecular mechanism in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain unclear.MethodsUsing pan-cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and public databases, we analyzed the expression and correlation of FKBPs in 33 tumor types. Survival and Cox regression analyses were employed to explore the prognostic value of FKBPs. The relationship with tumor microenvironment and stemness indices was taken into account to evaluate the function of FKBPs. We constructed a risk score model to predict the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to further test the prognostic ability of our model. Nomogram, joint effects analysis, and clinical relevance were performed to assist the clinician. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and cell line experiments were performed to investigate the function and molecular mechanisms of FKBPs in patients with ccRCC. Paired clinical specimens and multi-omics analysis were used to further validate and explore the factors affecting gene expression in ccRCC patients.ResultsThe expression levels of FKBP10 and FKBP11 were higher in ccRCC tissues than in normal tissues. The alteration in expression may be because of the degree of DNA methylation. Increased expression levels of FKBP10 and FKBP11 were associated with worse overall survival (OS). More importantly, GSEA revealed that FKBP10 is mainly involved in cell metabolism and autophagy, whereas FKBP11 is mainly associated with immune-related biological processes and autophagy. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays revealed that knockdown of FKBP10 and FKBP11 inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of the ccRCC cell line.ConclusionFKBP10 and FKBP11 play important roles in ccRCC phenotypes and are potential prognostic markers as well as new therapeutic targets for patients with ccRCC.