Recent methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) in humans have solidified the concept that aberrant DNA methylation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We summarize these findings to improve Show more
Recent methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) in humans have solidified the concept that aberrant DNA methylation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We summarize these findings to improve the understanding of mechanisms governing DNA methylation pertinent to transcriptional regulation, with an emphasis of AD-associated promoter DNA hypermethylation, which establishes an epigenetic barrier for transcriptional activation. By considering brain cell type specific expression profiles that have been published only for non-demented individuals, we detail functional activities of selected neuron, microglia, and astrocyte-enriched genes (AGAP2, DUSP6 and GPR37L1, respectively), which are DNA hypermethylated at promoters in AD. We highlight future directions in MWAS including experimental confirmation, functional relevance to AD, cell type-specific temporal characterization, and mechanism investigation. Show less
Ovariectomy results in improved meat quality (growth rate, tenderness, and flavor) of broilers. However, some negative effects increased (abdominal fat (AF) deposition, low feed conversion, etc.) have Show more
Ovariectomy results in improved meat quality (growth rate, tenderness, and flavor) of broilers. However, some negative effects increased (abdominal fat (AF) deposition, low feed conversion, etc.) have also been reported. In this study, the gene expression profiles of AF tissue in ovariectomized and sham-operated chickens were determined to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying AF accumulation. Comparing the ovariectomized group and the sham-operated group, the abdominal fat weight (AFW) and abdominal fat percentage (AFP) were increased significantly ( Show less
We sought to identify susceptibility genes for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) by performing a transcriptome-wide association study of gene expression and splice junction usage in HGSOC-relev Show more
We sought to identify susceptibility genes for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) by performing a transcriptome-wide association study of gene expression and splice junction usage in HGSOC-relevant tissue types (N = 2,169) and the largest genome-wide association study available for HGSOC (N = 13,037 cases and 40,941 controls). We identified 25 transcriptome-wide association study significant genes, 7 at the junction level only, including LRRC46 at 19q21.32, (P = 1 × 10 Show less
Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) play important roles in host antimicrobial defense. In the present study, we identified one isoform of B Show more
Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) play important roles in host antimicrobial defense. In the present study, we identified one isoform of BPI/LBP gene from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), designated as SmBPI/LBP1. The full-length cDNA sequence of SmBPI/LBP1 was 1826 bp, which encoding one secreted protein with 480 amino acid residues. Structurally, the SmBPI/LBP1 showed high similarity to its homologs from other vertebrates or invertebrates, which all contained a signal peptide, a BPI/LBP/CETP N-terminal with a LPS-binding domain, and a BPI/LBP/CETP C-terminal domain. The deduced amino acid sequences of SmBPI/LBP1 shared significant similarity to BPI/LBP of Seriola lalandi dorsalis (71%) and Paralichthys olivaceus (69%). Phylogentic analysis further supported that SmBPI/LBP1 act as a new member of vertebrate BPI/LBP family. SmBPI/LBP1 was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues, with the highest expression level in spleen tissue. The mRNA expression of SmBPI/LBP1 in spleen and kidney were significantly up-regulated after Vibrio vulnificus challenge. Finally, the recombinant SmBPI/LBP1 showed high affinity to lipopolysaccharide, followed by peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid, which is the ubiquitous component of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. These results indicated that SmBPI/LBP1 probably played important roles in immune response against bacteria infection. Show less
Lean body mass (LM) plays an important role in mobility and metabolic function. We previously identified five loci associated with LM adjusted for fat mass in kilograms. Such an adjustment may reduce Show more
Lean body mass (LM) plays an important role in mobility and metabolic function. We previously identified five loci associated with LM adjusted for fat mass in kilograms. Such an adjustment may reduce the power to identify genetic signals having an association with both lean mass and fat mass. To determine the impact of different fat mass adjustments on genetic architecture of LM and identify additional LM loci. We performed genome-wide association analyses for whole-body LM (20 cohorts of European ancestry with n = 38,292) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) or bioelectrical impedance analysis, adjusted for sex, age, age2, and height with or without fat mass adjustments (Model 1 no fat adjustment; Model 2 adjustment for fat mass as a percentage of body mass; Model 3 adjustment for fat mass in kilograms). Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in separate loci, including one novel LM locus (TNRC6B), were successfully replicated in an additional 47,227 individuals from 29 cohorts. Based on the strengths of the associations in Model 1 vs Model 3, we divided the LM loci into those with an effect on both lean mass and fat mass in the same direction and refer to those as "sumo wrestler" loci (FTO and MC4R). In contrast, loci with an impact specifically on LM were termed "body builder" loci (VCAN and ADAMTSL3). Using existing available genome-wide association study databases, LM increasing alleles of SNPs in sumo wrestler loci were associated with an adverse metabolic profile, whereas LM increasing alleles of SNPs in "body builder" loci were associated with metabolic protection. In conclusion, we identified one novel LM locus (TNRC6B). Our results suggest that a genetically determined increase in lean mass might exert either harmful or protective effects on metabolic traits, depending on its relation to fat mass. Show less
In the present study, we investigated the potential effects of Isorhamnetin on the growth and metastasis of A549 human lung cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanism. Treatment with Isorhamnet Show more
In the present study, we investigated the potential effects of Isorhamnetin on the growth and metastasis of A549 human lung cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanism. Treatment with Isorhamnetin exhibited a dose- and time-dependent inhibition on A549 cell proliferation. Furthermore, the cell adhesion and Transwell assay showed that treatment with Isorhamnetin (2.5, 5, and 10 μM) for 48 h resulted in a significant inhibition effect on cell adhesion, invasion and migration of A549 cells, depending on concentration, which was associated with the suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity and protein expression. Moreover, Isorhamnetin effectively suppressed the expressions of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, as evidenced by the down-regulation of N-cadherin, vimentin and snail, as well as up-regulation of E-cadherin protein expression. Additionally, these inhibitions were mediated by interrupting AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Taken together, the results of the current study demonstrated that Isorhamnetin may become a good anti-metastastic agent against lung cancer A549 cell line by the suppression of EMT via interrupting Akt/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Show less
The three nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) family members synthesize the electron carrier nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogenic bacterium. Once infected, it is difficult for the host to clear this organism using the innate immune system. Increased antibiotic resistan Show more
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogenic bacterium. Once infected, it is difficult for the host to clear this organism using the innate immune system. Increased antibiotic resistance further makes it challenging for effective eradication. However, the mechanisms of immune evasion still remain obscure, and novel strategies should be developed to efficiently eliminate H. pylori infection in stomachs. Here we uncovered desirable anti-H. pylori effect of vitamin D3 both in vitro and in vivo, even against antibiotic-resistant strains. We showed that H. pylori can invade into the gastric epithelium where they became sequestered and survived in autophagosomes with impaired lysosomal acidification. Vitamin D3 treatment caused a restored lysosomal degradation function by activating the PDIA3 receptor, thereby promoting the nuclear translocation of PDIA3-STAT3 protein complex and the subsequent upregulation of MCOLN3 channels, resulting in an enhanced Ca Show less
Natural and synthetic progestins in receiving streams can disrupt the normal endocrine systems of fish. Norethindrone (NET) is a widely used synthetic progestin that often appears in wastewater efflue Show more
Natural and synthetic progestins in receiving streams can disrupt the normal endocrine systems of fish. Norethindrone (NET) is a widely used synthetic progestin that often appears in wastewater effluents. For this research, adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to NET at three concentrations. The effects of NET on the following biological factors were evaluated: the histology of the ovaries and livers, the anal fin morphology, and transcription of genes related to steroidogenesis signaling pathways in the livers. After 42 d exposure to NET at 33.0 ng L Show less
HDL-bound ApoM and albumin are protein chaperones for the circulating bioactive lipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P); in this role, they support essential extracellular S1P signaling functions in the Show more
HDL-bound ApoM and albumin are protein chaperones for the circulating bioactive lipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P); in this role, they support essential extracellular S1P signaling functions in the vascular and immune systems. We previously showed that ApoM- and albumin-bound S1P exhibit differences in receptor activation and biological functions. Whether the physiological functions of S1P require chaperones is not clear. We examined ApoM-deficient, albumin-deficient, and double-KO (DKO) mice for circulatory S1P and its biological functions. In albumin-deficient mice, ApoM was upregulated, thus enabling S1P functions in embryonic development and postnatal adult life. The Show less
Caveolin-1 has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was designed to identify Caveolin-1-interacting proteins to reveal Show more
Caveolin-1 has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was designed to identify Caveolin-1-interacting proteins to reveal the molecular mechanisms of ARDS. Yeast two-hybrid screening was performed using Caveolin-1 as the bait, and Axin-1 was identified as a binding partner for Caveolin-1. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the binding domains were located in the N-terminal region (1-100 aa) of Caveolin-1 and the C-terminal region (710-797 aa) of Axin-1. Caveolin-1 gene knockout or Axin-1 knockdown significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatants of alveolar type I (AT-I) epithelial cells treated with LPS. Disrupting the interaction between Caveolin-1 and Axin-1 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology led to a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-6 from AT-I cells, along with a significant reduction in β-catenin expression. In conclusion, Axin-1 functions as an adaptor of Caveolin-1 and affects the production of inflammatory cytokines in AT-I cells challenged with LPS via β-catenin-mediated negative regulation. Show less
To investigate the role of Gremlin-1, which is an endogenous antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, in inducing epithelium-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fetal RPE cell Show more
To investigate the role of Gremlin-1, which is an endogenous antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, in inducing epithelium-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fetal RPE cells after repeated wounds. Subconfluent repetitive passages in fetal RPE cells were regarded as a model of repeated wounds. A phase contrast microscope was used to observe the morphology and pigment formation in cells. The expression of In fetal RPE cells, the expression of In fetal RPE cells, Gremlin-1 induces EMT and inhibits redifferentiation by promoting the TGF-β pathway and inhibiting the BMP pathway. Show less
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in lipid metabolism. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study Show more
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in lipid metabolism. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study investigated CETP gene variants to assess the risk of T2D and specific complications of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and diabetic retinopathy. Towards this, a total of 3023 Taiwanese individuals (1383 without T2D, 1640 with T2D) were enrolled in this study. T2D mice (+Lepr Show less
Exosomes, vehicles for intercellular communication, are formed intracellularly within multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and are released upon fusion with the plasma membrane. For their biogenesis, proper c Show more
Exosomes, vehicles for intercellular communication, are formed intracellularly within multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and are released upon fusion with the plasma membrane. For their biogenesis, proper cargo loading to exosomes and vesicle traffic for extracellular release are required. Previously we showed that the L-type lectin, LMAN2, limits trans-Golgi Network (TGN)-to-endosomes traffic of GPRC5B, an exosome cargo protein, for exosome release. Here, we identified that the protein deacetylase sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) as a novel interactor of LMAN2. Loss of SIRT2 expression resulted in exosomal release of LMAN2, a Golgi resident protein, along with increased exosomal release of GPRC5B. Furthermore, knockout of SIRT2 increased total number of extracellular vesicles (EVs), indicating increased MVB-to-EV flux. While knockout of SIRT1 increased EV release with enlarged late endolysosome, knockout of SIRT2 did not exhibit endolysosome enlargement for increased EV release. Taken together, our study suggests that SIRT2 regulates cargo loading to MVBs and MVB-to-EV flux through a mechanism distinct from that of SIRT1. Show less
Micro-RNAs regulate multiple biological behaviors of cancers, making them potential targets of new cancer therapies. MiR-1181 has been demonstrated to perform oncogenic or tumor-suppressing function i Show more
Micro-RNAs regulate multiple biological behaviors of cancers, making them potential targets of new cancer therapies. MiR-1181 has been demonstrated to perform oncogenic or tumor-suppressing function in a tissue-dependent way, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was unclear. Here, we showed that miR-1181 was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues when compared with tumor-adjacent normal ones or normal liver tissues from donated organ, and that inhibition of miR-1181 could repress the growth of HCC cells. Through bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays, we found that axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1) was a direct target of miR-1181, and the expression of AXIN1 showed a negative correlation with that of miR-1181 in HCC. Therefore, these data indicated an oncogenic function of miRNA-1181 in the development of HCC and a potential target for the clinical treatment of HCC. Show less
EMT allows a polarized epithelium to lose epithelial integrity and acquire mesenchymal characteristics. Previously, we found that overexpression of the intracellular domain of Notch3 (N3ICD) can inhib Show more
EMT allows a polarized epithelium to lose epithelial integrity and acquire mesenchymal characteristics. Previously, we found that overexpression of the intracellular domain of Notch3 (N3ICD) can inhibit EMT in breast cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the influence of N3ICD or N3ICD combined with the transmembrane domain (TD+N3ICD) on the expression and distribution of TJs/AJs and polar molecules. We found that although N3ICD can upregulate the expression levels of the above-mentioned molecules, TD+N3ICD can inhibit EMT more effectively than N3ICD alone. TD+N3ICD overexpression upregulated the expression of endogenous full-length Notch3 and contributed to correcting the position of TJs/AJs molecules and better acinar structures formation. Co-immunoprecipitation results showed that the upregulated endogenous full-length Notch3 could physically interact with E-ca in MDA-MB-231/pCMV-(TD+N3ICD) cells. Collectively, our data indicate that overexpression of TD+N3ICD can effectively inhibit EMT, resulting in better positioning of TJs/AJs molecules and cell-cell adhesion in breast cancer cells. Show less
To improve the accuracy and genetic progress of blue fox breeding, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms and growth and reproductive traits of the blue fox were investigated. MC4R, MC3R, INH Show more
To improve the accuracy and genetic progress of blue fox breeding, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms and growth and reproductive traits of the blue fox were investigated. MC4R, MC3R, INHA and INHBA were selected as candidate genes for molecular evolution and statistical analyses. Single-factor variance analyses showed that the MC4R (g.267C > T, g.423C > T, and g.731C > A) and MC3R (g.677C > T) genotypes had significant impacts on body weight, chest circumference, abdominal perimeter and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05) in blue fox. The MC4R and MC3R combined genotypes had significant effects on the body weight and abdominal circumference. The different genotypes of INHA g.75G > A had significant effects on female fecundity, whereas the different genotypes of INHBA g.404G > T and g.467G > T and the INHA and INHBA combined genotypes had significant effects on male fecundity. The proteins encoded by the open reading frames (ORFs) of different polymorphic loci were predicted and analysed. The aims of this study were to identify genetic markers related to growth and reproduction in the blue fox and to provide an efficient, economical and accurate theoretical approach for auxiliary fox breeding. Show less
The correlations between genotype and phenotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have not been established. Mutation of α-actin gene (ACTC1) is a rare cause of HCM. This study aimed to explore nov Show more
The correlations between genotype and phenotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have not been established. Mutation of α-actin gene (ACTC1) is a rare cause of HCM. This study aimed to explore novel genotype-phenotype correlations in HCM patients with the variants in ACTC1 and myosin-binding protein (MYBPC3) genes in three unrelated Chinese families. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were performed in three Han pedigrees. Exon and boarding intron analysis of 96 cardio-disease-related genes was performed using second-generation sequencing on three probands. The candidate variants were validated in 14 available family members and 300 unrelated healthy controls by bi-directional Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity and conservation were calculated using MutationTaster, PolyPhen-2, SIFT, and Clustal X. Pathogenicity classification of the variants was based on American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Nine members fulfilled diagnostic criteria for HCM with clinical characteristics, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic findings. Two candidate variants in ACTC1 p.Asp26Asn (ACTC1-D26N) and MYBPC3 p.Arg215Cys (MYBPC3-R215C) were identified in patients. Only ACTC1-D26N strongly co-segregated with the HCM phenotype. Seven patients who harbored variant ACTC-D26N only were diagnosed with non-obstructive HCM, and four of these patients exhibited a triphasic left ventricular (LV) filling pattern. Two patients carrying both ACTC1-D26N and MYBPC3-R215C variants showed a higher LV outflow tract pressure gradient. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the two variants were deleterious and highly conserved across species. According to ACMG guidelines, ACTC1-D26N is classified as a likely pathogenic mutation. The second variation MYBPC3-R215C may function as a genetic modifier, which remains uncertain here. Novel p.(Asp26Asn) mutation of ACTC1 was associated with HCM phenotype, and the penetrance is extremely high (∼81.8%) in adults. The second variation, MYBPC3-R215C may function as a genetic modifier, which remains uncertain here. Show less
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can be induced by fasting, hypoxia and glucocorticoids. ANGPTL4 has been associated with a variety of diseases; however Show more
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can be induced by fasting, hypoxia and glucocorticoids. ANGPTL4 has been associated with a variety of diseases; however, the role of ANGPTL4 in cardiac hypertrophy remains poorly understood. In our study, we aimed to explore the effect of ANGPTL4 on phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our results showed that knockdown of ANGPTL4 expression significantly exacerbated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as demonstrated by increased hypertrophic marker expression, including ANP and cell surface area. Moreover, significantly reduced fatty acid oxidation, as featured by decreased CPT-1 levels, was observed in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes following ANGPTL4 down-regulation. Furthermore, knockdown of ANGPLT4 led to down-regulated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which is the key regulator of cardiac fatty acid oxidation. In addition, ANGPTL4 silencing promoted the activation of JNK1/2, and JNK1/2 signaling blockade could restore the level of PPARα and significantly ameliorate the ANGPTL4 knockdown-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Therefore, our study demonstrated that ANGPTL4 regulates PPARα through JNK1/2 signaling and is required for the inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Show less
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine deficiency or excess on growth and the expression of lipid metabolism genes in slow-growing birds. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks wer Show more
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine deficiency or excess on growth and the expression of lipid metabolism genes in slow-growing birds. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 6 replicates of 20 birds each. The birds fed the basal diet with a total lysine 0.60% (LL), 1.00% (ML), or 1.40% (HL). The amount of lysine (ML) as the control group, LL and HL as the experimental group, the trial period last 3 wk. The results showed that compared with ML, LL significantly decreased average daily gain and average daily feed intake and remarkably increased feed conversion ratio of birds at 21 day old (P < 0.01), while the above indices in HL had no significant effects (P > 0.05). Besides, LL reduced the pectoral muscle rate (P < 0.01) and decreased the percentage of abdominal fat significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with ML, the expression of fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), malic enzyme (ME), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1c) mRNA of liver in LL was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mRNA was significantly increased (P < 0.01), whereas LL had no significant effects on the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) mRNA (P > 0.05). Moreover, compared with ML, HL significantly reduced the expression of FABP1, ACC, ME, SREBP-1c, and PPARα mRNA in the liver (P < 0.05), and had no significant effects on the expression of CETP mRNA (P > 0.05). The results of current research suggest that dietary lysine deficiency could reduce the growth and fat deposition of slow-growing broilers mainly by downregulating the expression of lipid synthesis genes. Show less
Family with sequence similarity 83, member A (FAM83A), as a potential tumor promoter, was reported to contribute to the progression of several malignant tumors. However, the significance of FAM83A in Show more
Family with sequence similarity 83, member A (FAM83A), as a potential tumor promoter, was reported to contribute to the progression of several malignant tumors. However, the significance of FAM83A in invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that FAM83A expression was significantly increased in NSCLC tissues. High expression of FAM83A was positively associated with tumor metastasis and poor survival of NSCLC patients. Functional experiments revealed that FAM83A knockdown could suppress NSCLC cell migration and invasion both Show less
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency (CPS1D), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we presented the detailed clinical Show more
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency (CPS1D), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we presented the detailed clinical features and genetic analysis of two patients with neonatal-onset CPS1D carrying two compound heterozygous variants of c.1631C > T (p.T544M)/c.1981G > T (p.G661C), and c.2896G > T (p.E966X)/c622-3C > G in Show less
Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It is unclear why some trauma victims follow a complicated clinical course and die, while others, with apparently similar injury characteristics, Show more
Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It is unclear why some trauma victims follow a complicated clinical course and die, while others, with apparently similar injury characteristics, do not. Interpatient genomic differences, in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been associated previously with adverse outcomes after trauma. Recently, we identified seven novel SNPs associated with mortality following trauma. The aim of the present study was to determine if one or more of these SNPs was also associated with worse clinical outcomes and altered inflammatory trajectories in trauma survivors. Accordingly, of 413 trauma survivors, DNA samples, full blood samples, and clinical data were collected at multiple time points in the first 24 h and then daily over 7 days following hospital admission. Subsequently, single-SNP groups were created and outcomes, such as hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and requirement for mechanical ventilation, were compared. Across a broad range of Injury Severity Scores (ISS), patients carrying the rs2065418 TT SNP in the metallophosphoesterase domain-containing 2 ( Show less
Early diagnosis is crucial to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients (PC). The present study is designed to identify differently expressed peptides involved in PC as potential biomarkers. The Show more
Early diagnosis is crucial to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients (PC). The present study is designed to identify differently expressed peptides involved in PC as potential biomarkers. The serum proteome of 22 PC patients, 12 pancreatitis patients (PP), and 45 healthy controls (HC) are analyzed using magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange (MB-WCX) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Next, a supervised neural network (SNN) algorithm model is established by ClinProTools and the candidate biomarker identified using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Finally, the candidate biomarker is validated in tissue samples. The SNN algorithm model discriminates PC from HC with 92.97% sensitivity and 94.55% specificity. Seventy-six differentially expressed peptides are identified, seven of which are significantly different among PC, PP, and HC (p < 0.05). Only one peak (m/z: 1466.99) tends to be upregulated in samples from HC, PP, and PC, which is identified as region of RNA-binding motif protein 6 (RBM6). In subsequent tissue analysis, it is verified that RBM6 expression is significantly higher in PC tissues than paracancerous tissue. The results indicate that RBM6 might serve as a candidate diagnostic biomarker for PC. Methods used in this study could generate serum peptidome profiles of PC, PP, and HC, and present an approach to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis of this malignancy. Show less
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of excess cholesterol in plaques. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) plays a key role in the removal of cholesterol. In the present study, we exam Show more
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of excess cholesterol in plaques. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) plays a key role in the removal of cholesterol. In the present study, we examined the effect of thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) on RCT and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that Trx-1 promoted RCT in vivo, as did T0901317, a known liver X receptor (LXR) ligand. T0901317 also inhibited the development of atherosclerotic plaques but promoted liver steatosis. Furthermore, Trx-1 promoted macrophage cholesterol efflux to apoAI in vitro. Mechanistically, Trx-1 promoted nuclear translocation of LXRα and induced the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). Apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-/-) mice fed an atherogenic diet were daily injected intraperitoneally with saline or Trx-1 (0.33 mg/kg). Trx-1 treatment significantly inhibited the development of atherosclerosis and induced the expression of ABCA1 in macrophages retrieved from apoE-/- mice. Moreover, the liver steatosis was attenuated by Trx-1. Overall, we demonstrated that Trx-1 promotes RCT by upregulating ABCA1 expression through induction of nuclear translocation of LXRα, and protects liver from steatosis. Show less
Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) is frequently overexpressed in malignant tumours and involved in the differentiation process of hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of CDC20 in prostate cancer s Show more
Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) is frequently overexpressed in malignant tumours and involved in the differentiation process of hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of CDC20 in prostate cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) remains poorly understood. The expression of CDC20, CD44, β-catenin were examined in prostate cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry assay, the role of CDC20 on the stem-like properties of prostate CSCs was accessed by real-time quantitive PCR, spheroid formation, in vitro and in vivo limiting dilution assay. CDC20 was associated with malignant progression of prostate cancer, the patients with both high expression CDC20 and CD44 or β-catenin were associated with more aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. CDC20 was usually enriched in CD44 Our results indicated that CDC20 maintains the self-renewal ability of CD44 Show less
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are sight-threatening maculopathies with both environmental and genetic risk factors. We have previously Show more
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are sight-threatening maculopathies with both environmental and genetic risk factors. We have previously shown relative risks posed by genes of the complement pathways to neovascular AMD and PCV. In this study, we investigated the haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the The results revealed none of the six tagging SNPs of the This study showed no statistical significance in the genetic association of Show less