To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular interaction in unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Gene expression datasets GSE41571, GSE118481, and E-MTAB-2055 were analy Show more
To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular interaction in unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Gene expression datasets GSE41571, GSE118481, and E-MTAB-2055 were analyzed. Co-regulated DEGs in at least two datasets were analyzed with the enrichment of Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO-BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, interrelationships between miRNAs/transcriptional factors, and their target genes and drug-gene interactions. The expression of notable DEGs in human carotid artery plaques and plasma was further identified. The GO-BP enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix organization were altered. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs were enriched in the tuberculous, lysosomal, and chemokine signaling pathways, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in the focal adhesion and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2), adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP) might play crucial roles in the PPI networks. In drug-gene interactions, colonystimulating factor-1 receptor had the most drug interactions. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP6) was markedly downregulated in unstable human carotid plaques and plasma. Under a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, plasma IGFBP6 had a significant discriminatory power (AUC, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.810-0.977), with a cutoff value of 142.08 ng/mL. The genes COL1A2, ADCY3, CXCR4, and TYROBP are promising targets for the prevention of unstable carotid plaque formation. IGFBP6 may be an important biomarker for predicting vulnerable plaques. Show less
Nephron loss stimulates residual functioning nephrons to undergo compensatory growth. Excessive nephron growth may be a maladaptive response that sets the stage for progressive nephron damage, leading Show more
Nephron loss stimulates residual functioning nephrons to undergo compensatory growth. Excessive nephron growth may be a maladaptive response that sets the stage for progressive nephron damage, leading to kidney failure. To date, however, the mechanism of nephron growth remains incompletely understood. Our previous study revealed that class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (Pik3c3) is activated in the remaining kidney after unilateral nephrectomy (UNX)-induced nephron loss, but previous studies failed to generate a Pik3c3 gene knockout animal model. Global Pik3c3 deletion results in embryonic lethality. Given that renal proximal tubule cells make up the bulk of the kidney and undergo the most prominent hypertrophic growth after UNX, in this study we used Cre-loxP-based approaches to demonstrate for the first time that tamoxifen-inducible SLC34a1 promoter-driven CreER Show less
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. A common and disabling disease of the elderly, the standard dopamine replacement therapies do not arrest the ongoing neurodegenera Show more
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. A common and disabling disease of the elderly, the standard dopamine replacement therapies do not arrest the ongoing neurodegeneration, thus calling for new treatment strategies. The present study aimed to clarify the functional relevance of the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) axis in hippocampal neurodegeneration in a PD mouse model obtained by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP. Targeting relationship between miR-128-3p and Show less
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has been reported to inhibit type 2 T helper cell (Th2) response in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, its effects on group II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in AR are not fully und Show more
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has been reported to inhibit type 2 T helper cell (Th2) response in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, its effects on group II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in AR are not fully understood. Nineteen patients with AR and nineteen controls were enrolled in this study. The effects of IL-27 on ILC2 differentiation and function as well as the regulation of the IL-27 receptor (IL-27R) were analyzed by tritiated thymidine incorporation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. AR mice were used to confirm the role of IL-27 The serum IL-27 protein expression in AR patients was significantly lower compared with controls. IL-27 decreased the ILC2 proliferation and type II cytokine secretion through the interaction with IL-27R. IL-27 also inhibited systemic and nasal ILC2 response of AR mice. IL-27 inhibited the proliferation and function of ILC2 in AR, implying that IL-27 may be used as new treatment target in AR. Show less
Aim of this study was to identify biomarkers between different grades of bladder cancer (BLCA) and its prognostic value. mRNA expression data from GSE32549 and GSE71576 were extracted for further anal Show more
Aim of this study was to identify biomarkers between different grades of bladder cancer (BLCA) and its prognostic value. mRNA expression data from GSE32549 and GSE71576 were extracted for further analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using GEO2R web tool. Gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were conducted to explore the function and relationship of DEGs. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used for external validation and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis was used to further identify FADS1 pathways. Bladder cancer cells and patient specimens were used to further demonstrate the function of FADS1. Datasets from GEO identified a panel of DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted that DEGs were associated with nuclear division, spindle, cell cycle and p53 signaling pathway. External validation from TCGA demonstrated that FADS1 was an independent prognostic marker in BLCA patients. In cell lines and tumor specimen analysis, FADS1 was overexpressed in the tumor specimen, compared with adjacent tissues, and positively correlated with tumor grade of BLCA. Moreover, FADS1 could enhance the proliferation ability and influence cell cycle of bladder cancer cells. FADS1 was an independent prognostic biomarker for BLCA and could confer the bladder cancer cells increased proliferation ability. Show less
Cytokines are one of the first immunotherapeutics utilized in trials of human cancers with significant success. However, due to their significant toxicity and often lack of efficacy, cytokines have gi Show more
Cytokines are one of the first immunotherapeutics utilized in trials of human cancers with significant success. However, due to their significant toxicity and often lack of efficacy, cytokines have given their spotlight to other cancer immunotherapeutics such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Nevertheless, only a subset of cancer patients respond to checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, developing a novel cytokine-based immunotherapy is still necessary. Among an array of cytokine candidates, IL-27 is a unique one that exhibits clear anti-tumor activity with low toxicity. Systemically delivered IL-27 by adeno-associated virus (AAV-IL-27) is very well tolerized by mice and exhibits potent anti-tumor activity in a variety of tumor models. AAV-IL-27 exerts its anti-tumor activity through directly stimulation of immune effector cells and systemic depletion of Tregs, and is particularly suitable for delivery in combination with checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines. Additionally, AAV-IL-27 can also be delivered locally to tumors to exert its unique actions. In this review, we summarize the evidence that support these points and propose AAV-delivered IL-27 as a potential immunotherapeutic for cancer. Show less
Ping Li, Yu Liu, Qiang He · 2020 · Drug design, development and therapy · added 2026-04-24
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with a 5-year incidence of over 70%. Anisodamine (ANI), an alkaloid extracted from HepG2 cells were subcutaneously injected into BALB/C nude mi Show more
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with a 5-year incidence of over 70%. Anisodamine (ANI), an alkaloid extracted from HepG2 cells were subcutaneously injected into BALB/C nude mice and the tumor tissue was subcutaneously inoculated to construct the transplanted tumor. Mice were randomly divided into 10 groups (n = 5): control group, ANI-10 group, ANI-50 group, ANI-200 group, ANI-200+pcDNA-NLRP3 group, ANI-200+EV group, sh-NLRP3 group, ANI-200 + sh-NLRP3 group, normal group and normal+ANI-200 group. Studies indicated that ANI inhibited the growth of HCC xenografts and reduced liver damage in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, ANI increased the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice and suppressed the expression of NLRP3 in a dose-dependent manner. It is worth noting that NLRP3 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of ANI on HCC xenografts. In addition, TUNEL analysis showed that ANI-induced apoptosis of tumor cells, and NLRP3 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of ANI on HCC. Moreover, ANI further regulated the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-27. Notably, low expression of NLRP3 enhanced the inhibitory effect of ANI on the development of HCC xenografts in mice. These findings indicate that ANI suppressed the growth of HCC cells, induced apoptosis and regulated the levels of inflammatory factors by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Show less
Proper development of taste organs including the tongue and taste papillae requires interactions with the underlying mesenchyme through multiple molecular signaling pathways. The effects of bone morph Show more
Proper development of taste organs including the tongue and taste papillae requires interactions with the underlying mesenchyme through multiple molecular signaling pathways. The effects of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and antagonists are profound, however, the tissue-specific roles of distinct receptors are largely unknown. Here, we report that constitutive activation (ca) of ALK2-BMP signaling in the tongue mesenchyme (marked by Wnt1-Cre) caused microglossia-a dramatically smaller and misshapen tongue with a progressively severe reduction in size along the anteroposterior axis and absence of a pharyngeal region. At E10.5, the tongue primordia (branchial arches 1-4) formed in Wnt1-Cre/caAlk2 mutants while each branchial arch responded to elevated BMP signaling distinctly in gene expression of BMP targets (Id1, Snai1, Snai2, and Runx2), proliferation (Cyclin-D1) and apoptosis (p53). Moreover, elevated ALK2-BMP signaling in the mesenchyme resulted in apparent defects of lingual epithelium, muscles, and nerves. In Wnt1-Cre/caAlk2 mutants, a circumvallate papilla was missing and further development of formed fungiform papillae was arrested in late embryos. Our data collectively demonstrate that ALK2-BMP signaling in the mesenchyme plays essential roles in orchestrating various tissues for proper development of the tongue and its appendages in a region-specific manner. Show less
Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a leading cause of acute pancreatitis. HTG can be caused by either primary (genetic) or secondary etiological factors, and there is increasing appreciation of the interpl Show more
Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a leading cause of acute pancreatitis. HTG can be caused by either primary (genetic) or secondary etiological factors, and there is increasing appreciation of the interplay between the two kinds of factors in causing severe HTG. The main aim of this study was to identify the genetic basis of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) in a Chinese family with three affected members (the proband, his mother and older sister). The entire coding and flanking sequences of LPL, APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1 and LMF1 genes were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. The newly identified LPL nonsense variant was subjected to functional analysis by means of transfection into HEK-293 T cells followed by Western blot and activity assays. Previously reported pathogenic LPL nonsense variants were collated and compared with respect to genotype and phenotype relationship. We identified a novel nonsense variant, p.Gln118* (c.351C > T), in the LPL gene, which co-segregated with HTG-AP in the Chinese family. We provided in vitro evidence that this variant resulted in a complete functional loss of the affected LPL allele. We highlighted a role of alcohol abuse in modifying the clinical expression of the disease in the proband. Additionally, our survey of 12 previously reported pathogenic LPL nonsense variants (in 20 carriers) revealed that neither serum triglyceride levels nor occurrence of HTG-AP was distinguishable among the three carrier groups, namely, simple homozygotes, compound heterozygotes and simple heterozygotes. Our findings, taken together, generated new insights into the complex etiology and expression of HTG-AP. Show less
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) was considered as an essential modifiers in feelings intake, the regulation of metabolism and body weight. This study aimed at identifying polymorphisms in MC4R gene tha Show more
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) was considered as an essential modifiers in feelings intake, the regulation of metabolism and body weight. This study aimed at identifying polymorphisms in MC4R gene that might associate with carcass quality traits in Chinese indigenous beef cattle breed. qPCR analysis showed that the MC4R gene was widely expressed in various tissues, with predominantly expression levels in heart. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, including a mutation (g.85A > G) in 5'untranslated regions (UTR) and two mutations (g.927C > T and g.1069C > G) in exon 1. Based on the χ Show less
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which comprise multiple copies of nucleoporins (Nups), are large protein assemblies embedded in the nuclear envelope connecting the nucleus and cytoplasm. Although it ha Show more
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which comprise multiple copies of nucleoporins (Nups), are large protein assemblies embedded in the nuclear envelope connecting the nucleus and cytoplasm. Although it has been known that Nups affect flowering in Show less
The Jianchang duck is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has the characteristics of fast growth rate and strong abilities in lipid deposition in the liver. In order to investigate the effects Show more
The Jianchang duck is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has the characteristics of fast growth rate and strong abilities in lipid deposition in the liver. In order to investigate the effects of domestication process on formation of the unique characteristics of Jianchang duck, the whole genome of sixteen individuals and three pooling of Jianchang duck were re-sequenced, and genome data of 70 mallards and 83 domestic ducks from thirteen different places in China were obtained from NCBI. The population stratification and evolution analysis showed gene exchanges existed between the Jianchang and other domestic duck populations, as well as Jianchang ducks and mallards. Genomic comparison between mallards and Jianchang ducks showed genes, including Show less
Recent studies have demonstrated that commercially available lipid-lowering drugs cause various side effects; therefore, searching for anti-hyperlipidaemic compounds with lower toxicity is a research Show more
Recent studies have demonstrated that commercially available lipid-lowering drugs cause various side effects; therefore, searching for anti-hyperlipidaemic compounds with lower toxicity is a research hotspot. This study was designed to investigate whether the marine-derived compound, 5-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methyl-4-butylfuran-2(5H)-one, has an anti-hyperlipidaemic activity, and the potential underlying mechanism in vitro. Results showed that the furanone had weaker cytotoxicity compared to positive control drugs. In RAW 264.7 cells, the furanone significantly lowered ox-LDL-induced lipid accumulation (~50%), and its triglyceride (TG)-lowering effect was greater than that of liver X receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317. In addition, it significantly elevated the protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which could be partially inhibited by LXR antagonists, GSK2033 and SR9243. In HepG2 cells, it significantly decreased oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation, enhanced the protein levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), ABCG5, ABCG8 and PPARα, and reduced the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (~32%). PPARα antagonists, GW6471 and MK886, could significantly inhibit the furanone-induced lipid-lowering effect. Furthermore, the furanone showed a significantly lower activity on the activation of the expression of lipogenic genes compared to T0901317. Taken together, the furanone exhibited a weak cytotoxicity but had powerful TC- and TG-lowering effects most likely through targeting LXRα and PPARα, respectively. These findings indicate that the furanone has a potential application for the treatment of dyslipidaemia. Show less
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) amplifies the risk of various liver diseases, ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocell Show more
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) amplifies the risk of various liver diseases, ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma. Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in the activation of cellular stress, inflammation, and fibrogenesis in hepatic cells at different stages of NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Here, we explored the potential role of miR-130b-5p in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, including lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, as well as the underlying mechanism. Initially, the expression of miR-130b-5p and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) was examined in the established high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mouse models. Then, the interaction between miR-130b-5p and IGFBP2 was validated using dual luciferase reporter assay. The effects of miR-130b-5p and IGFBP2 on lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, as well as the AKT pathway-related proteins, were evaluated using gain or loss-of-function approaches. miR-130b-5p was upregulated, and IGFBP2 was downregulated in liver tissues of NAFLD mice. miR-130b-5p targeted IGFBP2 and downregulated its expression. MiR-130b-5p inhibition or IGFBP2 overexpression reduced the expression of SREBP-1, LXRα, ChREBP, stearoyl CoA desaturase 1, acetyl CoA carboxylase 1, and fatty acid synthase, and levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, while increasing the ratio of p-AKT/AKT in NAFLD mice. Overall, downregulation of miR-130b-5p can prevent hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in NAFLD by activating IGFBP2-dependent AKT pathway, highlighting the potential use of anti-miR-130b-5p as therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Show less
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BMI and diabetes. However, lack of adequate data has for long time prevented Show more
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BMI and diabetes. However, lack of adequate data has for long time prevented investigations on the pathogenesis of diabetes where BMI was a mediator of the genetic causal effects on this disease. Of our particular interest is the underlying causal mechanisms of diabetes. We leveraged the summary statistics reported in two studies: UK Biobank (N = 336,473) and Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT, N = 339,224) to investigate BMI-mediated genetic causal pathways to diabetes. We first estimated the causal effect of BMI on diabetes by using four Mendelian randomization methods, where a total of 76 independent BMI-associated SNPs (R Show less
Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have been identified as susceptibility factors for Parkinson's disease (PD) as per genome-wide association studies, have not been fully character Show more
Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have been identified as susceptibility factors for Parkinson's disease (PD) as per genome-wide association studies, have not been fully characterized for PD patients in China. This study aimed to replicate the relationship between 12 novel SNPs of 12 genes and PD risk in southern Chinese population. Twelve SNPs of 12 genes were detected in 231 PD patients and 249 controls, using the SNaPshot technique. Meta-analysis was used to assess heterogeneity of effect sizes between this study and published data. The impact of SNPs on gene expression was investigated by analysing the SNP-gene association in the expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data sets. rs8180209 of SNCA (allele model: P = .047, OR = 0.77; additive model: P = .047, OR = 0.77), rs2270968 of MCCC1 (dominant model: P = .024, OR = 1.52), rs7479949 of DLG2 (recessive model; P = .019, OR = 1.52), rs10748818 of GBF1 (additive model: P < .001, OR = 0.37), and rs4771268 of MBNL2 (recessive model: P = .003, OR = 0.48) were replicated to be significantly associated with the increased risk of PD. Noteworthy, a meta-analysis of previous studies suggested rs8180209, rs2270968, rs7479949 and rs4771268 were in line with those of our cohort. Our study replicated five novel functional SNPs in SNCA, MCCC1, DLG2, GBF1 and MBNL2 could be associated with increased risk of PD in southern Chinese population. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy occurring in the digestive system. Despite progress in surgery and therapy options, CRC is still a considerable cause of cancer mortality worldwide. In t Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy occurring in the digestive system. Despite progress in surgery and therapy options, CRC is still a considerable cause of cancer mortality worldwide. In this study, a colon cancer patient-derived xenograft model was established to evaluate the antitumor activity of Shikonin. The protective effect underlying Shikonin was determined through assessing serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and kidney functions (BuN, Scr) in PDX mice. Proteomics and metabolomics profiles were integrated to provide a systematic perspective in dynamic changes of proteins and global endogenous metabolites as well as their perturbed pathways. A total of 456 differently expressed proteins (DEPs), 32 differently expressed metabolites (DEMs) in tumor tissue, and 20 DEMs in mice serum were identified. The perturbation of arginine biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and biosynthesis of amino acids may mainly account for therapeutic mechanism of Shikonin. Furthermore, the expression of mRNAs participating in arginine biosynthesis (CPS1, OTC, Arg1) and do novo purine synthesis (GART, PAICS, ATIC) were validated through RT-qPCR. Our study provides new insights into the drug therapeutic strategies and a better understanding of antitumor mechanisms that might be valuable for further studies on Shikonin in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer. Show less
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in many biological activities including immune defense against pathogens. In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing technology to examine miRNAs in Japanese Show more
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in many biological activities including immune defense against pathogens. In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing technology to examine miRNAs in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with Streptococcus iniae at different times. A total of 1038 miRNAs were identified, of which, 249 were novel miRNAs, and 81 showed differential expression (named DEmiRNAs) after S. iniae infection. Of the 81 DEmiRNAs identified, 34 and 58 occurred at 6 h and 24 h post-infection, respectively; most DEmiRNAs were strongly time-specific, and only 13.6% of the DEmiRNAs were shared between the two time points. A total of 9582 target genes were predicted for the 81 DEmiRNAs. The putative target genes were enriched in various GO and KEGG pathways of biological processes and molecular/cellular functions, in particular endocytosis, regulation of transcription, lysososme, and the signaling pathways of MAPK, ErbB, and AMPK. One of the DEmiRNAs, pol-3p-10740₁₇₅, was found to target dual specificity phosphatase 6 (Dusp6) and repress the expression of the latter. Transfection of flounder FG cells with pol-3p-10740₁₇₅ caused a significant inhibition on S. iniae invasion. The results of this study provided the first S. iniae-induced miRNA profile in Japanese flounder and indicated that flounder miRNAs play an important role in antibacterial immunity. Show less
Biochanin A (BCA), a dietary isoflavone extracted from red clover and cabbage, has been shown to antagonize hypertension and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, very little is known about Show more
Biochanin A (BCA), a dietary isoflavone extracted from red clover and cabbage, has been shown to antagonize hypertension and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, very little is known about its role in atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of BCA on atherosclerosis and explore the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that administration of BCA promoted reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), improved plasma lipid profile, and decreased serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and atherosclerotic lesion area in apoE Show less
Telmisartan (TLM), a highly selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) and partial PPAR-γ agonist, has versatile beneficial effects against oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory respon Show more
Telmisartan (TLM), a highly selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) and partial PPAR-γ agonist, has versatile beneficial effects against oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammatory responses and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, its underlying mechanism of inhibiting oxalate and calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal-induced EMT by activating the PPAR-γ pathway remains unclear. CCK-8 assays were used to evaluate the effects of TLM on cell viability. In addition, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by the cell-permeable fluorogenic probe 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Wound-healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the migration ability of HK2 cells exposed to oxalate. Moreover, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to examine the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and α-SMA and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms in HK2 cells and a stone-forming rat model. Our results showed that TLM treatment could protect HK2 cells from oxalate-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress injury. Additionally, TLM prevented EMT induction by oxalate and CaOx crystals via the PPAR-γ-AKT/STAT3/p38 MAPK-Snail pathway in vitro and in vivo. However, knockdown of PPAR-γ with small interfering RNA or the PPAR-γ-specific antagonist GW9662 abrogated these protective effects of TLM. As a PPAR-γ agonist, TLM can ameliorate oxalate and CaOx crystal-induced EMT by exerting an antioxidant effect through the PPAR-γ-AKT/STAT3/p38 MAPK-Snail signaling pathway. Therefore, TLM can block EMT progression and could be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and treating calcium oxalate urolithiasis formation and recurrence. Show less
Scabies is a neglected tropical disease of global significance. Our understanding of host-parasite interactions has been limited, particularly in crusted scabies (CS), a severe clinical manifestation Show more
Scabies is a neglected tropical disease of global significance. Our understanding of host-parasite interactions has been limited, particularly in crusted scabies (CS), a severe clinical manifestation involving hyper-infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Susceptibility to CS may be associated with immunosuppressive conditions but CS has also been seen in cases with no identifiable risk factor or immune deficit. Due to ethical and logistical difficulties with undertaking research on clinical patients with CS, we adopted a porcine model which parallels human clinical manifestations. Transcriptomic analysis using microarrays was used to explore scabies pathogenesis, and to identify early events differentiating pigs with ordinary (OS) and crusted scabies. Pigs with OS (n = 4), CS (n = 4) and non-infested controls (n = 4) were compared at pre-infestation, weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8 post-infestation. In CS relative to OS, there were numerous differentially expressed genes including pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL17A, IL8, IL19, IL20 and OSM) and chemokines involved in immune cell activation and recruitment (CCL20, CCL27 and CXCL6). The influence of genes associated with immune regulation (CD274/PD-L1 and IL27), immune signalling (TLR2, TLR8) and antigen presentation (RFX5, HLA-5 and HLA-DOB) were highlighted in the early host response to CS. We observed similarities with gene expression profiles associated with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and confirmed previous observations of Th2/17 pronounced responses in CS. This is the first comprehensive study describing transcriptional changes associated with the development of CS and significantly, the distinction between OS and CS. This provides a basis for clinical follow-up studies, potentially identifying new control strategies for this severely debilitating disease. Show less
DUSP6 functions as an important negative feedback component of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Although DUSP6 expression is tightly regulated by ERK1/2 signaling, the molecular mechanism of this regul Show more
DUSP6 functions as an important negative feedback component of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Although DUSP6 expression is tightly regulated by ERK1/2 signaling, the molecular mechanism of this regulation remains partially understood. In this work, we show that the transcriptional repressor CIC functions downstream of the ERK1/2 signaling to negatively regulate DUSP6 expression. CIC directly represses DUSP6 transcription by binding to three Show less
The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) accounts for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Although the elimination of cancer stem cells is crucial for cancer Show more
The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) accounts for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Although the elimination of cancer stem cells is crucial for cancer treatment, strategies for their elimination are limited. Here, we report that a remarkable increase in PIK3C3 was detected in HCC tissues and liver CSCs. Upregulated PIK3C3 facilitated liver CSC expansion in HCC cells; RNA interference-mediated silencing of PIK3C3 had an opposite effect. Furthermore, PIK3C3 inhibition by inhibitors effectively eliminated liver CSCs and inhibited the growth of tumors in vivo. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is considered an important hallmark of cancer. One of our recent studies found that prolonged inhibition by inhibitors of class I PI3K induces liver CSCs expansion. To our surprise, PIK3C3 inhibition blocked the expansion of CSCs induced by PI3K inhibitor; moreover, treatment with the combination of PIK3C3 inhibitor and PI3K inhibitor in maximal suppresses the expansion of liver CSCs of tumors in mice. Mechanistically, inhibition of PIK3C3 inhibit the activation of SGK3, a CSCs promoter, induced by PI3K inhibitor. We also show that PIK3C3 inhibitor suppresses liver CSCs by activation of the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). Although PIK3C3 plays a critical role in autophagy, we find that PIK3C3 regulates liver CSCs independent of the autophagy process. These findings uncover the effective suppression of liver CSCs by targeting PIK3C3, and targeting PIK3C3 in combination with PI3K inhibitor inhibits the expansion of liver CSCs efficiently, which is an attractive therapeutic regimen for the treatment of HCC. Show less
Pathological neovascularization and fibrosis are common pathological changes of many retinal diseases, such as proliferative retinopathy (PR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Treatment moda Show more
Pathological neovascularization and fibrosis are common pathological changes of many retinal diseases, such as proliferative retinopathy (PR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Treatment modalities for these pathological changes are limited. The purpose of the present study was to test the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endocannabinoid mimetic amide, on retinal neovascularization and fibrosis and to determine its molecular mechanism of action. A rat Müller cell line (rMC-1), a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), and the very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) knockout mouse model were used. PEA was intraperitoneally injected or orally administrated in animal models. Inflammation and profibrotic changes were evaluated by western blot analysis. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) were measured by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Profibrotic changes were present in OIR and Vldlr-/- retinas. PEA significantly alleviated inflammation and inhibited neovascularization in OIR and Vldlr-/- retinas and suppressed profibrotic changes in OIR and Vldlr-/- retinas. Moreover, PEA potently suppressed Müller gliosis in these retinas. In rMC-1 cells, PEA suppressed Müller gliosis, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated profibrotic changes. Further, both mRNA and protein levels of PPARα were elevated in the retina under PEA treatment, and the effects of PEA were abolished in Pparα-/- OIR mice. PEA reduced retinal neovascularization and fibrotic changes and suppressed Müller gliosis in experimental PR and neovascular AMD by activating PPARα. PEA may be a potential treatment for retinopathies with pathological neovascularization and fibrosis. Show less
IL-27 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that has been shown to have potent anti-tumor activity. We recently reported that systemic delivery of IL-27 using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) indu Show more
IL-27 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that has been shown to have potent anti-tumor activity. We recently reported that systemic delivery of IL-27 using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) induced depletion of Tregs and significantly enhanced the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in a variety of mouse tumor models. A potential caveat of systemic delivery of IL-27 using rAAV is that there is no practical method to terminate IL-27 production when its biological activity is no longer needed. Therefore, in this work, we tested if directly injecting AAV-IL-27 into tumors could lead to similar anti-tumor effect yet avoiding uncontrolled IL-27 production. We found that high levels of IL-27 was produced in tumors and released to peripheral blood after AAV-IL-27 intra-tumoral injection. AAV-IL-27 local therapy showed potent anti-tumor activity in mice bearing plasmacytoma J558 tumors and modest anti-tumor activity in mice bearing B16.F10 tumors. Intra-tumoral injection of AAV-IL-27 induced infiltration of immune effectors including CD8 Show less
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate a variety of cancerous biological processes, including the promotion of tumorigenicity in tumor parenchymal cells. However, there is a lack of studies assessing Show more
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate a variety of cancerous biological processes, including the promotion of tumorigenicity in tumor parenchymal cells. However, there is a lack of studies assessing the regulation of lncRNAs in cancer-associated fibroblasts. In the present study, a novel lncRNA, TIRY, was found to act as a miRNA sponge and to downregulate miR-14 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Fluorescence This study demonstrated the novel lncRNA, TIRY, enhances epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer-associated fibroblasts and promotes the metastasis of tumor via miR-14 sponging in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and thus provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the role of TIRY in CAFs in tumor biology and a potential target in OSCC. Further, the data showed that TIRY expression was negatively correlated with miR-14 transcription levels and was associated with poor prognosis in OSCC specimens. Therefore, TIRY may be a potential prognostic biomarker of overall survival and progression-free survival in OSCC. Moreover, TIRY adds to the understanding of regulatory mechanisms involved in CAFs and epithelial cancer cells in OSCC and may provide novel insights for further understanding tumor biology. Show less
Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for a series of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) family Show more
Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for a series of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) family, especially ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and ANGPTL8, which regulate lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, play pivotal roles in triglyceride (TG) metabolism and related diseases/complications. There are many transcriptional and post-transcriptional factors that participate in physiological and pathological regulation of ANGPTLs to affect triglyceride metabolism. This review is intended to focus on the similarity and difference in the expression, structural features, regulation profile of the three ANGPTLs and inhibitory models for LPL. Description of the regulatory factors of ANGPTLs and the properties in regulating the lipid metabolism involved in the underlying mechanisms in pathological effects on diseases will provide potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of dyslipidemia related diseases. Show less
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls synthesis of sex steroid hormones through hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in vertebrates. But in mollusks, research on GnRH and steroidogenesis Show more
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls synthesis of sex steroid hormones through hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in vertebrates. But in mollusks, research on GnRH and steroidogenesis pathways is still limited. In this study, we first identified two gonadotropin receptor like genes (LGR and LGR5L) and four steroidogenesis-related genes (CYP17A, HSD17B12, HSD3B1 and HSD3B2) in the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis. By examining the expression of 11 genes in the ganglia and/or gonad as well as the concentration of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol in the gonad, we postulate that a potential GnRH signaling pathway (GnRH-GnRHR-GPB5-LGR/LGR5L) in the cerebral and pedal ganglia (CPG) and steroidogenesis pathway (CYP17A, HSD17B12 and HSD3B1) in the gonad are involved in regulating sex steroid hormones. E Show less
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays important roles in regulation of multiple physiological processes, and interaction of MC4R and melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is suggested to pl Show more
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays important roles in regulation of multiple physiological processes, and interaction of MC4R and melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is suggested to play pivotal role in energy balance of vertebrates. Topmouth culter ( Show less
Metastasis is responsible for 90% of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related deaths. In the present study, we identified a novel key regulator of CRC metastasis, leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like d Show more
Metastasis is responsible for 90% of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related deaths. In the present study, we identified a novel key regulator of CRC metastasis, leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains protein 3 (LRIG3), which was significantly decreased in CRC tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of LRIG3 was attributed to copy number loss and promoter hypermethylation. Low LRIG3 expression was positively correlated with metastatic clinical features and shorter survival time. Functional experiments showed that knockout of LRIG3 markedly enhanced CRC cell migration and invasion ability, whereas reintroduction of LRIG3 exerted the opposite effects. Regarding the mechanism, LRIG3 could facilitate the binding of DUSP6 to ERK1/2, resulting in the dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and subsequently downregulation of slug, an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition trigger, thereby constraining CRC cell motility. Importantly, LRIG3 expression was strongly negatively correlated with slug or p-ERK1/2 expression in CRC tissues. Collectively, our data suggest that LRIG3 is a novel suppressor of CRC metastasis, reactivation of LRIG3 may be a promising therapeutic approach for metastatic CRC patients. Show less