Helicase DHX36 plays essential roles in cell development and differentiation at least partially by resolving G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Here we report crystal structures of the Drosophila homolog o Show more
Helicase DHX36 plays essential roles in cell development and differentiation at least partially by resolving G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Here we report crystal structures of the Drosophila homolog of DHX36 (DmDHX36) in complex with RNA and a series of DNAs. By combining structural, small-angle X-ray scattering, molecular dynamics simulation, and single-molecule fluorescence studies, we revealed that positively charged amino acids in RecA2 and OB-like domains constitute an elaborate structural pocket at the nucleic acid entrance, in which negatively charged G4 DNA is tightly bound and partially destabilized. The G4 DNA is then completely unfolded through the 3'-5' translocation activity of the helicase. Furthermore, crystal structures and DNA binding assays show that G-rich DNA is preferentially recognized and in the presence of ATP, specifically bound by DmDHX36, which may cooperatively enhance the G-rich DNA translocation and G4 unfolding. On the basis of these results, a conceptual G4 DNA-resolving mechanism is proposed. Show less
The development of acquired EGFR-TKI therapeutic resistance is still a serious clinical problem in the management of lung adenocarcinoma. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agoni Show more
The development of acquired EGFR-TKI therapeutic resistance is still a serious clinical problem in the management of lung adenocarcinoma. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists may exhibit anti-tumor activity by transactivating genes which are closely associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. However, it remains not clear whether efatutazone has similar roles in lung adenocarcinoma cells of gefitinib resistant such as HCC827-GR and PC9-GR. It has been demonstrated by us that efatutazone prominently increased the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, liver X receptor alpha (LXRα),as well as ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1). In the presence of GW9662 (a specific antagonist of PPARγ) or GGPP (a specific antagonist of LXRα), efatutazone (40 μmol/L) restored the proliferation of both HCC827-GR and PC9-GR cells and obviously inhibited the increased protein and mRNA expression of PPAR-gamma, LXR-alpha, and ABCA1 induced by efatutazone. LXRα knockdown by siRNA (si-LXRα) significantly promoted the HCC827-GR and PC9-GR cells proliferation, whereas incubation efatutazone with si-LXRα restored the proliferation ability compared with the control group. In addition, combination of efatutazone and LXRα agonist T0901317 showed a synergistic therapeutic effect on lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and PPAR gamma, LXR A and ABCA1 protein expression. These results indicate that efatutazone could inhibit the cells proliferation of HCC827-GR and PC9-GR through PPARγ/LXRα/ABCA1 pathway, and synergistic therapeutic effect is achieved when combined with T0901317. Show less
Jia Wang, Jianhua Gong, Li Li+7 more · 2018 · Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research · Wiley · added 2026-04-24
Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal synaptic function leads to neuronal developmental disorders and is an important component of the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurexins are pr Show more
Preeclampsia is one of the three primary causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study evaluated ApoC3 in placenta cells of mice with preeclampsia to explore its therapeutic role in Show more
Preeclampsia is one of the three primary causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study evaluated ApoC3 in placenta cells of mice with preeclampsia to explore its therapeutic role in preeclampsia and assess its function on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses involving the NF-κB signaling pathway. A mouse model of preeclampsia was successfully established. APOC3-siRNA with the best silencing effect was screened out. The expression levels of ApoC3, p65, and IkBα were evaluated. The effect of ApoC3 silencing on metabolic activity and apoptosis was measured. The level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CPR), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, and the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-isoprostane and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were determined. ApoC3-siRNA-3 was the most effective siRNA. The mRNA expression of ApoC3 was scarcely observed, while the expression of p65 decreased and the expression of p-IkBα increased in the ApoC3-siRNA group. Compared with those in the model and empty vector groups, the cell apoptosis rate and the activities of invasion-related factors MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased, while the levels of hs-CPR, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, 8-isoprostane, and ox-LDL decreased in the ApoC3-siRNA group. Silencing ApoC3 could suppress the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby exercising a protective effect on cell injury induced by oxidative stress and reducing inflammatory responses. Show less
Platelet αIIbβ3 integrin and its ligands are essential for thrombosis and hemostasis, and play key roles in myocardial infarction and stroke. Here we show that apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) can be iso Show more
Platelet αIIbβ3 integrin and its ligands are essential for thrombosis and hemostasis, and play key roles in myocardial infarction and stroke. Here we show that apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) can be isolated from human blood plasma using platelet β3 integrin-coated beads. Binding of apoA-IV to platelets requires activation of αIIbβ3 integrin, and the direct apoA-IV-αIIbβ3 interaction can be detected using a single-molecule Biomembrane Force Probe. We identify that aspartic acids 5 and 13 at the N-terminus of apoA-IV are required for binding to αIIbβ3 integrin, which is additionally modulated by apoA-IV C-terminus via intra-molecular interactions. ApoA-IV inhibits platelet aggregation and postprandial platelet hyperactivity. Human apoA-IV plasma levels show a circadian rhythm that negatively correlates with platelet aggregation and cardiovascular events. Thus, we identify apoA-IV as a novel ligand of αIIbβ3 integrin and an endogenous inhibitor of thrombosis, establishing a link between lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. Show less
In the human body, 50-70 billion cells die every day, resulting in the generation of a large number of apoptotic bodies. However, the detailed biological role of apoptotic bodies in regulating tissue Show more
In the human body, 50-70 billion cells die every day, resulting in the generation of a large number of apoptotic bodies. However, the detailed biological role of apoptotic bodies in regulating tissue homeostasis remains unclear. In this study, we used Fas-deficient MRL/lpr and Caspase 3 Show less
Epilepsy is one of the most common complex neurological diseases. It is frequently associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). In recent years, copy number variation (CNV), es Show more
Epilepsy is one of the most common complex neurological diseases. It is frequently associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). In recent years, copy number variation (CNV), especially microdeletion, was proven to be a potential key factor of genetic epilepsy. In this paper, the authors tested the hypothesis that the large de novo rare CNV is an important cause of epilepsy with ID/DD. We performed a custom array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to detect the CNVs of 96 Chinese epileptic patients with ID/DD. The aCGH was designed with a higher density probe coverage of 320 genes known to be involved in epilepsy and ID/DD with lower density whole-genome backbone coverage. We detected 9 large de novo rare microdeletions from 8 patients. These CNVs are located on 2q24.1, 2q33.1-q34, 5q13.2 (2 similar CNVs), 5q33.1-q34, 17p13.2, 22q11.21-q11.22 (2 identical CNVs) and Xp22.31. We also found that only a few genes in the CNVs are known epilepsy related genes. By analysis with systems biology, we found most of the genes are interacting genes known to be epilepsy related genes. We also found a gene motif "BGNADP", constructed by BTD, GALNT10, NMUR2, AUTS2, DLG2 and PTPRD, would be a key motif in epilepsy and ID/DD. These findings strongly indicate that some large de novo rare microdeletion is an important pathological cause of epilepsy with ID/DD. Our study also found a gene motif "BGNADP" should be a key small network in epilepsy with ID/DD. Show less
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and RNA regions that include at least four closely spaced runs of three or more consecutive guanosines strongly tend to fold into stable G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s play key Show more
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and RNA regions that include at least four closely spaced runs of three or more consecutive guanosines strongly tend to fold into stable G-quadruplexes (G4s). G4s play key roles as DNA regulatory sites and as kinetic traps that can inhibit biological processes, but how G4s are regulated in cells remains largely unknown. Here, we developed a kinetic framework for G4 disruption by DEAH-box helicase 36 (DHX36), the dominant G4 resolvase in human cells. Using tetramolecular DNA and RNA G4s with four to six G-quartets, we found that DHX36-mediated disruption is highly efficient, with rates that depend on G4 length under saturating conditions ( Show less
The aim of this work was to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying the fatty degeneration of livers infected with Muscovy duck reovirus (MDRV), which produces obvious white necrotic foci in the li Show more
The aim of this work was to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying the fatty degeneration of livers infected with Muscovy duck reovirus (MDRV), which produces obvious white necrotic foci in the liver. Transcriptome data for MDRV-infected Muscovy duck livers and control livers were sequenced, assembled, and annotated with Illumina ABC: ATP binding cassette transport; ACADVL: acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, very long chain; ACAT: mitochondrial-like acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase A; ACAT2: acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2; ACNAT2: acyl-coenzyme A amino acid N-acyltransferase 2-like; ACOT1: acyl-CoA thioesterase 1; ACOT7: acyl-CoA thioesterase 7; ACOX1: acyl-CoA oxidase 1, palmitoyl; ACSBG2: acyl-CoA synthetase bubblegum family member 2; ACSL1: acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1; ADH1: alcohol dehydrogenase 1; APOA4: apolipoprotein A-IV; ARV: avian reovirus; cDNA: complementary deoxyribonucleic acid; COG: Clusters of Orthologous Groups; DEG: differentially expressed gene; DGAT: diacylgycerol acyltransferase; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; ECI2: enoyl-CoA delta isomerase 2; EHHADH: enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase; FDR: false discovery rate; GCDH: Pseudopodoces humilis glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase; GO: Gene Ontology; HADHA: hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase/3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase/enoyl-CoA hydratase (trifunctional protein), alpha subunit; I-FABP: intestinal fatty acid binding protein; KEGG: Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes; L-FABP: liver fatty acid binding protein; MDRV: Muscovy duck reovirus; MOI: multiplicity of infection; NPC1L1: Niemann-Pick C1-like 1; qPCR: real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; RNA: ribonucleic acid; RNase: ribonuclease; RNA-seq: RNA sequencing technology; RPKM: reads per kilobase per million mapped reads; SR-B1: scavenger receptor class b type 1. Show less
During peripartum period, dairy cows are highly susceptible to energy metabolism disorders such as fatty liver and ketosis. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21 Show more
During peripartum period, dairy cows are highly susceptible to energy metabolism disorders such as fatty liver and ketosis. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), known as hepatokines, play important roles in lipid metabolism. The purposes of our study were to evaluate variations of serum ANGPTL4 and FGF21 concentrations in periparturient dairy cows and changes in these serum analyte concentrations of energy-related metabolic disorders in early lactation dairy cows. This study was divided into two experiments. Experiment I: Blood parameters were measured in healthy periparturient Holstein cows from 4 wk antepartum to 4 wk postpartum (n = 219). In this experiment, weekly blood samples were obtained from 4 wk before the expected calving date through 4 wk after calving. Experiment II: Blood parameters were measured in healthy cows (n = 30) and cows with clinical ketosis (n = 29) and fatty liver (n = 25) within the first 4 wk of lactation. In the present study, all blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein in the early morning before feeding. Serum ANGPTL4 and FGF21 concentrations peaked at parturition, and declined rapidly over the following 2 wk Serum ANGPTL4 and FGF21 concentrations were positively correlated with serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration (r = 0.856, P = 003; r = 0.848, P = 0.004, respectively). Cows with clinical ketosis and fatty liver had significantly higher serum ANGPTL4 and FGF21 concentrations than healthy cows (P < 0.01). Serum ANGPTL4 and FGF21 concentrations were elevated during peripartum period, suggesting that energy balance changes that were associated with parturition contributed significantly to these effects. Although FGF21 and ANGPTL4 could play important roles in the adaptation of energy metabolism, they may be involved in the pathological processes of energy metabolism disorders of dairy cows in the peripartum period. Show less
Chun-Han Chen, Chun A Changou, Tsung-Han Hsieh+9 more · 2018 · Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · added 2026-04-24
Ammonia is a toxic by-product of protein catabolism and is involved in changes in glutamate metabolism. Therefore, ammonia metabolism genes may link a range of diseases involving glutamate signaling s Show more
Ammonia is a toxic by-product of protein catabolism and is involved in changes in glutamate metabolism. Therefore, ammonia metabolism genes may link a range of diseases involving glutamate signaling such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We analyzed data from a National Institute on Aging study with a family-based design to determine if 45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in glutaminase (GLS), carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), or glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL) genes were associated with AD, MDD, or T2D using PLINK software. HAPLOVIEW software was used to calculate linkage disequilibrium measures for the SNPs. Next, we analyzed the associated variations for potential effects on transcriptional control sites to identify possible functional effects of the SNPs. Of the SNPs that passed the quality control tests, four SNPs in the GLS gene were significantly associated with AD, two SNPs in the GLS gene were associated with T2D, and one SNP in the GLUL gene and three SNPs in the CPS1 gene were associated with MDD before Bonferroni correction. The in silico bioinformatic analysis suggested probable functional roles for six associated SNPs. Glutamate signaling pathways have been implicated in all these diseases, and other studies have detected similar brain pathologies such as cortical thinning in AD, MDD, and T2D. Taken together, these data potentially link GLS with AD, GLS with T2D, and CPS1 and GLUL with MDD and stimulate the generation of testable hypotheses that may help explain the molecular basis of pathologies shared by these disorders. Show less
Cardiomyopathies are the most common clinical and genetic heterogeneity cardiac diseases, and genetic contribution in particular plays a major role in patients with primary cardiomyopathies. The aim o Show more
Cardiomyopathies are the most common clinical and genetic heterogeneity cardiac diseases, and genetic contribution in particular plays a major role in patients with primary cardiomyopathies. The aim of this study is to investigate cases of inherited cardiomyopathy (IC) for potential disease-causing mutations in 64 genes reported to be associated with IC. A total of 110 independent cases or families diagnosed with various primary cardiomyopathies, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, left ventricular non-compaction, and undefined cardiomyopathy, were collected after informed consent. A custom designed panel, including 64 genes, was screened using next generation sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. The best candidate disease-causing variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. A total of 78 variants in 73 patients were identified. After excluding the variants predicted to be benign and VUS, 26 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were verified in 26 probands (23.6%), including a homozygous variant in the SLC25A4 gene. Of these variants, 15 have been reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database or ClinVar database, while 11 are novel. The majority of variants were observed in the MYH7 (8/26) and MYBPC3 (6/26) gene. Titin (TTN) truncating mutations account for 13% in our dilated cardiomyopathy cases (3/23). This study provides an overview of the genetic aberrations in this cohort of Chinese IC patients and demonstrates the power of next generation sequencing in IC. Genetic results can provide precise clinical diagnosis and guidance regarding medical care for some individuals. Show less
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary tumor of the liver, has a poor prognosis and shows rapid progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progre Show more
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary tumor of the liver, has a poor prognosis and shows rapid progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) are critical for defining G-protein-dependent signal fidelity. RGS17 plays an important role in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Here, we showed that miR-199 was downregulated in a hepatocarcinoma cell line. Overexpression of miR-199 significantly suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. RGS17 overexpression promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and reversed the miR-199 mediated inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion. Dual-fluorescence reporter experiments confirmed that miR-199 downregulated RGS17 by direct interaction with the 3'-UTR of RGS17 mRNA. In vivo studies showed that miR-199 overexpression significantly inhibited the growth of tumors. Taken together, the results suggested that miR-199 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by targeting RGS17. Show less
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. However, a clear causative etiology of MDD remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to ide Show more
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. However, a clear causative etiology of MDD remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify critical protein alterations in plasma from patients with MDD and integrate our proteomics and previous metabolomics data to reveal significantly perturbed pathways in MDD. An isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomics approach was conducted to compare plasma protein expression between patients with depression and healthy controls (CON). For integrative analysis, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software was used to analyze proteomics and metabolomics data and identify potential relationships among the differential proteins and metabolites. A total of 74 proteins were significantly changed in patients with depression compared with those in healthy CON. Bioinformatics analysis of differential proteins revealed significant alterations in lipid transport and metabolic function, including apolipoproteins (APOE, APOC4 and APOA5), and the serine protease inhibitor. According to canonical pathway analysis, the top five statistically significant pathways were related to lipid transport, inflammation and immunity. Causal network analysis by integrating differential proteins and metabolites suggested that the disturbance of phospholipid metabolism might promote the inflammation in the central nervous system. Show less
The ability of liver to respond to changes in nutrient availability is essential for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Autophagy encompasses mechanisms of cell survival, including capturing, d Show more
The ability of liver to respond to changes in nutrient availability is essential for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Autophagy encompasses mechanisms of cell survival, including capturing, degrading, and recycling of intracellular proteins and organelles in lysosomes. During negative nutrient status, autophagy provides substrates to sustain cellular metabolism and hence, tissue function. Severe negative energy balance in dairy cows is associated with fatty liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatic autophagy status in dairy cows with severe fatty liver and to determine associations with biomarkers of liver function and inflammation. Liver and blood samples were collected from multiparous cows diagnosed as clinically healthy (n = 15) or with severe fatty liver (n = 15) at 3 to 9 d in milk. Liver tissue was biopsied by needle puncture, and serum samples were collected on 3 consecutive days via jugular venipuncture. Concentrations of free fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate were greater in cows with severe fatty liver. Milk production, dry matter intake, and concentration of glucose were all lower in cows with severe fatty liver. Activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and γ-glutamyl transferase were all greater in cows with severe fatty liver. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A were also markedly greater in cows with severe fatty liver. The mRNA expression of autophagosome formation-related gene ULK1 was lower in the liver of dairy cows with severe fatty liver. However, the expression of other autophagosome formation-related genes, beclin 1 (BECN1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3 (PIK3C3), autophagy-related gene (ATG) 3, ATG5, and ATG12, did not differ. More important, ubiquitinated proteins, protein expression of sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1, also called p62), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAP1LC3, also called LC3)-II was greater in cows with severe fatty liver. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagosomes in the liver of dairy cows with severe fatty liver. Taken together, these results indicate that excessive lipid infiltration of the liver impairs autophagic activity that may lead to cellular damage and inflammation. Show less
The postsynaptic density proteins 95 (PSD95) and 93 (PSD93) belong to a family of scaffolding proteins, the membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs), which are highly enriched in synapses and re Show more
The postsynaptic density proteins 95 (PSD95) and 93 (PSD93) belong to a family of scaffolding proteins, the membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs), which are highly enriched in synapses and responsible for organizing the numerous protein complexes required for synaptic development and plasticity. Genetic studies have associated MAGUKs with diseases like autism and schizophrenia, but knockout mice show severe, complex defects with difficult-to-interpret behavioral abnormalities due to major motor dysfunction which is atypical for psychiatric phenotypes. Therefore, rather than studying loss-of-function mutants, we comprehensively investigated the behavioral consequences of reduced PSD95 expression, using heterozygous PSD95 knockout mice (PSD95 Show less
Notch pathways have important roles in carcinogenesis including pathways involving the Notch1 and Notch2 oncogenes. Pan-Notch inhibitors, such as gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs), have been used in t Show more
Notch pathways have important roles in carcinogenesis including pathways involving the Notch1 and Notch2 oncogenes. Pan-Notch inhibitors, such as gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs), have been used in the clinical trials, but the outcomes of these trials have been insufficient and have yielded unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that GSIs, such as MK-0752 and RO4929097, inhibit breast tumor growth, but increase the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) population in Notch3-expressing breast cancer cells, in a process that is coupled with IL6 induction and is blocked by the IL6R antagonist Tocilizumab (TCZ). IL6 induction results from inhibition of Notch3-Hey2 signaling through MK-0752. Furthermore, HIF1α upregulates Notch3 expression via direct binding to the Notch3 promoter and subsequently downregulates BCSCs by decreasing the IL6 levels in Notch3-expressing breast cancer cells. Utilizing both breast cancer cell line xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDX), we showed that the combination of MK-0752 and Tocilizumab significantly decreases BCSCs and inhibits tumor growth and thus might serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating women with Notch3-expressing breast cancers. Show less
Effects of shear stress on endotheliaxl differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) were investigated. SHEDs were treated with shear stress, then reverse transcription- Show more
Effects of shear stress on endotheliaxl differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) were investigated. SHEDs were treated with shear stress, then reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to analyse the mRNA expression of arterial markers and western blot analysis was performed to analyse protein expression of angiogenic markers. Additionally, in vitro matrigel angiogenesis assay was performed to evaluate vascular-like structure formation. The secreted protein expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of SHEDs after shear stress was also quantified using corresponding ELISA kits. Untreated SHEDs seeded on Matrigel cannot form vessel-like structures at any time points, whereas groups treated with shear stress formed a few vessel-like structures at 4, 8 and 12 h. When SHEDs were treated with EphrinB2-siRNA for 24, the capability of vessel-like structure formation was suppressed. After being treated with shear stress, the expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, DLL4, Notch1, EphrinB2, Hey1 and Hey2 (arterial markers) gene expression was significantly upregulated, moreover, the protein levels of VEGFR2, EphrinB2, CD31, Notch1, DLL4, Hey1, and Hey2 were also significantly up-regulated. Both the mRNA and protein expression levels of EphB4 (venous marker) were downregulated. The average VEGF protein concentration in supernatants secreted by shear stress treated SHEDs groups increased significantly. In conclusion, shear stress was able to induce arterial endothelial differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, and VEGF-DLL4/Notch‑EphrinB2 signaling was involved in this process. Show less
The Million Veteran Program (MVP) was established in 2011 as a national research initiative to determine how genetic variation influences the health of US military veterans. Here we genotyped 312,571 Show more
The Million Veteran Program (MVP) was established in 2011 as a national research initiative to determine how genetic variation influences the health of US military veterans. Here we genotyped 312,571 MVP participants using a custom biobank array and linked the genetic data to laboratory and clinical phenotypes extracted from electronic health records covering a median of 10.0 years of follow-up. Among 297,626 veterans with at least one blood lipid measurement, including 57,332 black and 24,743 Hispanic participants, we tested up to around 32 million variants for association with lipid levels and identified 118 novel genome-wide significant loci after meta-analysis with data from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (total n > 600,000). Through a focus on mutations predicted to result in a loss of gene function and a phenome-wide association study, we propose novel indications for pharmaceutical inhibitors targeting PCSK9 (abdominal aortic aneurysm), ANGPTL4 (type 2 diabetes) and PDE3B (triglycerides and coronary disease). Show less
Blood lipids are well-known risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to explore the association between 17 lipid-related gene polymorphisms and CHD. The current study e Show more
Blood lipids are well-known risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to explore the association between 17 lipid-related gene polymorphisms and CHD. The current study examined with 784 CHD cases and 739 non-CHD controls. Genotyping was performed on the MassARRAY iPLEX® assay platform. Our analyses revealed a significant association of APOE rs7259620 with CHD (genotype: χ2=6.353, df=2, p=0.042; allele: χ2=5.05, df=1, p=0.025; recessive model: χ2=5.57, df=1, p=0.018). A further gender-based subgroup analysis revealed significant associations of APOE rs7259620 and PPAP2B rs72664392 with CHD in males (genotype: χ2=8.379, df=2, p=0.015; allele: χ2=5.190, df=1, p=0.023; recessive model: χ2=19.3, df=1, p<0.0001) and females (genotype: χ2=9.878, df=2, p=0.007), respectively. Subsequent breakdown analysis by age showed that CETP rs4783961, MLXIPL rs35493868, and PON2 rs12704796 were significantly associated with CHD among individuals younger than 55 years of age (CETP rs4783961: χ2=8.966, df=1, p=0.011 by genotype; MLXIPL rs35493868: χ2=4.87, df=1, p=0.027 by allele; χ2=4.88, df=1, p=0.027 by dominant model; PON2 rs12704796: χ2=6.511, df=2, p=0.039 by genotype; χ2=6.210, df=1, p=0.013 by allele; χ2=5.03, df=1, p=0.025 by dominant model). Significant allelic association was observed between LEPR rs656451 and CHD among individuals older than 65 years of age (χ2=4.410, df=1, p=0.036). Our study revealed significant associations of APOE, PPAP2B, CETP, MLXIPL, PON2, and LEPR gene polymorphisms with CHD among the Han Chinese. Show less
Zijie Su, Jiaxing Song, Zhongyuan Wang+10 more · 2018 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · National Academy of Sciences · added 2026-04-24
Anacetrapib is a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, Show more
Anacetrapib is a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor being developed for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety characteristics of anacetrapib following single doses in healthy, young Japanese men. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 3-panel, single-rising-dose study, 6 healthy young Japanese male or white male subjects (aged 19 to 44 years) received single oral doses of 5 to 500 mg anacetrapib, and 2 received placebo. Plasma and urine drug concentrations were measured 0-168 hours postdose, and plasma CETP inhibition was measured 0-24 hours postdose. Urinary anacetrapib levels were all below quantitation limits. Plasma concentrations of anacetrapib increased approximately less than dose-proportionally. Consumption of a traditional Japanese breakfast prior to dosing increased the plasma pharmacokinetics of anacetrapib in Japanese subjects compared with fasted conditions, to a similar extent as in white subjects. CETP activity measured over 0-24 hours postdose resulted in significant inhibition. Anacetrapib was generally well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse experiences. No clinically meaningful differences in PK and CETP inhibition parameters were found between Japanese and white subjects. Show less
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with distinct pathological features, with aging considered the greatest risk factor. We explored how aging contributes to increased AD ris Show more
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with distinct pathological features, with aging considered the greatest risk factor. We explored how aging contributes to increased AD risk, and determined concurrent and coordinate changes (including genetic and phenotypic modifications) commonly exhibited in both normal aging and AD. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we collected 1 healthy aging-related and 3 AD-related datasets of the hippocampal region. The normal aging dataset was divided into 3 age groups: young (20-40 years old), middle-aged (40-60 years old), and elderly (>60 years old). These datasets were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The Gene Ontology (GO) terms, pathways, and function network analysis of these DEGs were analyzed. One thousand two hundred ninety-one DEGs were found to be shared in the natural aging groups and AD patients. Among the shared DEGs, ATP6V1E1, GNG3, NDUFV2, GOT1, USP14, and NAV2 have been previously found in both normal aging individuals and AD patients. Furthermore, using Java Enrichment of Pathways Extended to Topology (JEPETTO) analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, we determined that changes in aging-related KEGG annotations may contribute to the aging-dependence of AD risk. Interestingly, NRXN3, the second most commonly deregulated gene identified in the present study, is known to carry a mutation in AD patients. According to functional network analysis, NRXN3 plays a critical role in synaptic functions involved in the cognitive decline associated with normal aging and AD. Our results indicate that the low expression of aging-related NRXN3 may increase AD risk, though the potential mechanism requires further clarification. Show less
Haiyan Zhang, Yujie Lang, Kaihui Zhang+3 more · 2018 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To explore the genetic basis for a neonate featuring hyperammonemia. The patient was examined and tested by tandem mass spectrometry and next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected mutations were conf Show more
To explore the genetic basis for a neonate featuring hyperammonemia. The patient was examined and tested by tandem mass spectrometry and next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the proband and her parents. Potential impact of the mutation was predicted with SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and MutationTaste software. Plasma ammonia and alanine were significantly increased in the proband, while serum citrulline was decreased. The neonate was found to harbor compound heterozygous mutations of the CPS1 gene [c.1631C>T(p.T544M) and c.1981G>T(p.G661C)], which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. The carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency of the proband can probably be attributed to the mutations of the CPS1 gene. Above finding has expanded the spectrum of CPS1 mutations in association with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency. Show less
no PDFDOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1003-9406.2018.06.017
Obesity is causally associated with atherosclerosis, and adipose tissue (AT)-derived exosomes may be implicated in the metabolic complications of obesity. However, the precise role of AT-exosomes in a Show more
Obesity is causally associated with atherosclerosis, and adipose tissue (AT)-derived exosomes may be implicated in the metabolic complications of obesity. However, the precise role of AT-exosomes in atherogenesis remains unclear. We herein aimed to assess the effect of AT-exosomes on macrophage foam cell formation and polarization and subsequent atherosclerosis development. Four types of exosomes isolated from the supernatants of ex vivo subcutaneous AT and visceral AT (VAT) explants that were derived from wild-type mice and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice were effectively taken up by RAW264.7 macrophages. Both treatment with wild-type VAT exosomes and HFD-VAT exosomes, but not subcutaneous AT exosomes, markedly facilitated macrophage foam cell generation through the downregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCA1 and ABCG1)-mediated cholesterol efflux. Decreased expression of liver X receptor-α was also observed. Among the 4 types of exosomes, only HFD-VAT exosomes significantly induced M1 phenotype transition and proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6) secretion in RAW264.7 macrophages, which was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65 but not the cellular expression of NF-κB-p65 or IκB-α. Furthermore, systematic intravenous injection of HFD-VAT exosomes profoundly exacerbated atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, as indicated by the M1 marker (CD16/32 and inducible nitric oxide synthase)-positive areas and the Oil Red O/Sudan IV-stained area, without affecting the plasma lipid profile and body weight. This study demonstrated a proatherosclerotic role for HFD-VAT exosomes, which is exerted by regulating macrophage foam cell formation and polarization, indicating a novel link between AT and atherosclerosis in the context of obesity. Show less
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common biliary tract malignancy, with a low survival rate and limited treatment options. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been verified to have signifi Show more
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common biliary tract malignancy, with a low survival rate and limited treatment options. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been verified to have significant regulatory functions in many kinds of human cancers. It was discovered in this study that the lncRNA PVT1, whose expression is significantly elevated in CCA, could be a molecular marker of CCA. Experiments indicated that PVT1 knockdown greatly inhibited cell migration and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. According to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, PVT1 knockdown dramatically influenced target genes associated with cell angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and the apoptotic process. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis demonstrated that, by binding to epigenetic modification complexes (PRC2), PVT1 could adjust the histone methylation of the promoter of ANGPTL4 (angiopoietin-like 4) and, thus, promote cell growth, migration, and apoptosis progression. The data verified the significant functions of PVT1 in CCA oncogenesis, and they suggested that PVT1 could be a target for CCA intervention. Show less
Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG, TG ≥5·65 mmol/L), a disease, usually resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, pr Show more
Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG, TG ≥5·65 mmol/L), a disease, usually resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, previous genetic analysis has been limited by lacking of related observation of gene to AP. The expanding genetic sequencing including 15 TG-related genes (LPL, LMF1, APOC2, GPIHBP1, GCKR, ANGPTL3, APOB, APOA1-A4-C3-A5, TRIB1, CETP, APOE, and LIPI) was performed within 103 patients who were diagnosed with primary SHTG and 46 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Rare variants were found in 46 patients and 12 controls. The detection rate of rare variants in SHTG group increased by 19·5% via intensive genetic analysis. Presence of rare variants in LPL, APOA5, five LPL molecular regulating genes and all the sequenced genes were found to be associated with SHTG (p < 0·05). Of noted, patients with history of AP presented higher frequency of rare variants in LPL gene and all the LPL molecular regulating genes (27·8% vs.4·7% and 50·0% vs. 20·0%). The risk scores for SHTG determined by common TG-associated variants were increased in subgroups according to the extent of SHTG when they were compared with that of controls. Finally, patients without rare variants within SHTG group also presented higher risk scores than control group (p < 0·05). Expanding genetic analysis had a higher detection rate of rare variants in patients with SHTG. Rare variants in LPL and its molecular regulating genes could increase the risk of AP among Chinese patients with SHTG. FUND: This work was partially supported by the Capital Health Development Fund (201614035) and CAMS. Major Collaborative Innovation Project (2016-I2M-1-011) awarded to Dr. Jian-Jun Li, MD, PhD. Show less