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
Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, aka. juvenile Batten disease or CLN3 disease) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive blindness, seizures, cognitive and motor failur Show more
Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, aka. juvenile Batten disease or CLN3 disease) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive blindness, seizures, cognitive and motor failures, and premature death. JNCL is caused by mutations in the Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Neuronal 3 (CLN3) gene, whose function is unclear. Although traditionally considered a neurodegenerative disease, CLN3 disease displays eye-specific effects: Vision loss not only is often one of the earliest symptoms of JNCL, but also has been reported in non-syndromic CLN3 disease. Here we described the roles of CLN3 protein in maintaining healthy retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and normal vision. Using electroretinogram, fundoscopy and microscopy, we showed impaired visual function, retinal autofluorescent lesions, and RPE disintegration and metaplasia/hyperplasia in a Cln3 ~ 1 kb-deletion mouse model [1] on C57BL/6J background. Utilizing a combination of biochemical analyses, RNA-Seq, Seahorse XF bioenergetic analysis, and Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics (SIRM), we further demonstrated that loss of CLN3 increased autophagic flux, suppressed mTORC1 and Akt activities, enhanced AMPK activity, and up-regulated gene expression of the autophagy-lysosomal system in RPE-1 cells, suggesting autophagy induction. This CLN3 deficiency induced autophagy induction coincided with decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and ATP production. We also reported for the first time that loss of CLN3 led to glycogen accumulation despite of impaired glycogen synthesis. Our comprehensive analyses shed light on how loss of CLN3 affect autophagy and metabolism. This work suggests possible links among metabolic impairment, autophagy induction and lysosomal storage, as well as between RPE atrophy/degeneration and vision loss in JNCL. Show less
Neuroplasticity and connectivity in the central nervous system (CNS) are easily damaged after hypoxia. Long-term exposure to an anoxic environment can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms and increases t Show more
Neuroplasticity and connectivity in the central nervous system (CNS) are easily damaged after hypoxia. Long-term exposure to an anoxic environment can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms and increases the likelihood of depression. Demyelination is an important lesion of CNS injury that may occur in depression. Previous studies have found that the RhoA/ROCK pathway is upregulated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the chief aim of this study is to explore the regulatory role of the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the development of depression after hypoxia by behavioral tests, Western blotting, immunostaining as well as electron microscopy. Results showed that HIF-1α, S100β, RhoA/ROCK, and immobility time in FST were increased, sucrose water preference ratio in SPT was decreased, and the aberrant activity of neurocyte and demyelination occurred after hypoxia. After the administration of Y-27632 and fluoxetine in hypoxia, these alterations were improved. Lingo1, a negative regulatory factor, was also overexpressed after hypoxia and its expression was decreased when the pathway blocked. However, fluoxetine had no effect on the expression of Lingo1. Then, we demonstrated that demyelination was associated with failures of oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation and differentiation and increased apoptosis of oligodendrocytes. Collectively, our data indicate that the RhoA/ROCK pathway plays a vital role in the initial depression during hypoxia. Blocking this pathway in the early stage of hypoxia can enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants, rescue myelin damage, and reduce the expression of the negative regulatory protein of myelination. The findings provide new insight into the prophylaxis and treatment of depression. Show less
Mutations in cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C, encoded by MYBPC3) are the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Most MYBPC3 mutations result in premature termination codons ( Show more
Mutations in cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C, encoded by MYBPC3) are the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Most MYBPC3 mutations result in premature termination codons (PTCs) that cause RNA degradation and a reduction of MyBP-C in HCM patient hearts. However, a reduction in MyBP-C has not been consistently observed in MYBPC3-mutant induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (iPSCMs). To determine early MYBPC3 mutation effects, we used patient and genome-engineered iPSCMs. iPSCMs with frameshift mutations were compared with iPSCMs with MYBPC3 promoter and translational start site deletions, revealing that allelic loss of function is the primary inciting consequence of mutations causing PTCs. Despite a reduction in wild-type mRNA in all heterozygous iPSCMs, no reduction in MyBP-C protein was observed, indicating protein-level compensation through what we believe is a previously uncharacterized mechanism. Although homozygous mutant iPSCMs exhibited contractile dysregulation, heterozygous mutant iPSCMs had normal contractile function in the context of compensated MyBP-C levels. Agnostic RNA-Seq analysis revealed differential expression in genes involved in protein folding as the only dysregulated gene set. To determine how MYBPC3-mutant iPSCMs achieve compensated MyBP-C levels, sarcomeric protein synthesis and degradation were measured with stable isotope labeling. Heterozygous mutant iPSCMs showed reduced MyBP-C synthesis rates but a slower rate of MyBP-C degradation. These findings indicate that cardiomyocytes have an innate capacity to attain normal MyBP-C stoichiometry despite MYBPC3 allelic loss of function due to truncating mutations. Modulating MyBP-C degradation to maintain MyBP-C protein levels may be a novel treatment approach upstream of contractile dysfunction for HCM. 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
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
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
Ovarian carcinoma ranks fifth in the leading causes of cancer-relevant deaths among the female, with the highest fatality rate in all gynecological malignant tumors and the rising incidence worldwide. Show more
Ovarian carcinoma ranks fifth in the leading causes of cancer-relevant deaths among the female, with the highest fatality rate in all gynecological malignant tumors and the rising incidence worldwide. Mounting evidence has unveiled that lncRNAs are implicated in the tumorigenesis and cancer development. Several studies have proven the carcinogenic role of SNHG8 in various malignancies, but the physiological functions of SNHG8 in ovarian carcinoma need more detailed explanations. The present study certified that inhibition of SNHG8 executed suppressive activities in ovarian carcinoma by obstructing cell proliferation, migration, EMT process and stemness as well as driving cell apoptosis. Moreover, SNHG8 bound with CAPRIN1 and positively modulated the expression of CAPRIN1. Further experiments manifested that CTNNB1 and Axin1 displayed a binding affinity with CAPRIN1. Knockdown of CAPRIN1 promoted the mRNA degradation of CTNNB1 and Axin1. Finally, we corroborated that CTNNB1 (or Axin1) ectopic expression or activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway abrogated the effects of SNHG8 downregulation on the cellular process of ovarian carcinoma cells. To summarize, SNHG8 acted as an oncogene in ovarian carcinoma via targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway, providing a new insight into understanding ovarian carcinoma at the molecular level. Show less
The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression levels of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in breast cancer to investigate the association between ANGPTL4 and breast cancer. Immunohistochemist Show more
The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression levels of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in breast cancer to investigate the association between ANGPTL4 and breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, including 205 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of no special type, 40 normal breast, 40 atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 40 ductal carcinomas Show less
Epithelial homeostasis plays an essential role in maintaining endometrial function. But the epithelial role in endometrial fibrosis has been less studied. Previously, we showed that ectopic expression Show more
Epithelial homeostasis plays an essential role in maintaining endometrial function. But the epithelial role in endometrial fibrosis has been less studied. Previously, we showed that ectopic expression of ΔNp63α is associated with fibrosis process and epithelial dysfunction in endometria of patients with intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). Since ΔNp63α is profoundly involved in maintaining the epithelial homeostasis, we hereby focused on its roles in regulating the function and phenotype of endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) in context of endometrial fibrosis. We identified a typical type 2 epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in EECs from IUA patients and this process was induced by the forced expression of ΔNp63α in EECs. In transcriptomic analysis, we found that diverse signaling pathways regulated by ΔNp63α were involved in pro-EMT. We demonstrated that the DUSP4/GSK-3β/SNAI1 pathway was critical in transducing the pro-EMT signals initiated by ΔNp63α, while bFGF reversed ΔNp63α-induced EMT and endometrial fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo by blocking DUSP4/GSK3β/SNAI1 pathway. Taken together, our findings are important to understand the molecular mechanisms of endometrial fibrosis and to provide potential therapeutic targets. 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
Ying Bai, Zhihui Jiao, Ning Liu+3 more · 2020 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To detect variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes among five pedigrees affected with multiple osteochondromas and provide prenatal diagnosis for the families based on the results. The EXT1 and EXT2 genes of t Show more
To detect variants of EXT1 and EXT2 genes among five pedigrees affected with multiple osteochondromas and provide prenatal diagnosis for the families based on the results. The EXT1 and EXT2 genes of the probands were analyzed by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected pathological variants were validated by Sanger sequencing in the probands, their family members and 200 unrelated healthy controls. Multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to confirm the presence of gross deletions. Prenatal diagnosis was provided for 2 couples carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Five variants were detected in the pedigrees, which included EXT1 exon 2-3 deletion, c.1468dupC (p.Leu490ProfsX31), c.2084delC (p.Pro695LeufsX11), and EXT2 c.187delT (p.Phe63SerfsX29) and c.1362T>G (p.Tyr454X). Among these, EXT1 exon 2-3 deletion, c.2084delC (p.Pro695LeufsX11) and EXT2 c.187delT (p.Phe63SerfsX29) were unreported previously. The three novel variants were not found among unaffected members of the pedigree and the 200 healthy controls. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the two fetuses were found to carry the same variants of the the probands. Pathological variants of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes probably underlie the multiple osteochondromas among the 5 pedigrees. Prenatal diagnosis based on the results can effectively reduce the birth of further offspring affected with the disease. Show less
no PDFDOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1003-9406.2020.07.004
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) exists as full-length (FL) and exon 9 (E9)-deleted isoforms. The function of E9-deleted CETP is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of E9-delete Show more
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) exists as full-length (FL) and exon 9 (E9)-deleted isoforms. The function of E9-deleted CETP is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of E9-deleted CETP in regulating the secretion of FL-CETP by cells and explored its possible role in intracellular lipid metabolism. CETP overexpression in cells that naturally express CETP confirmed that E9-deleted CETP is not secreted, and showed that cellular FL- and E9-deleted CETP form an isolatable complex. Coexpression of CETP isoforms lowered cellular levels of both proteins and impaired FL-CETP secretion. These effects were due to reduced synthesis of both isoforms; however, the predominate consequence of FL- and E9-deleted CETP coexpression is impaired FL-CETP synthesis. We reported previously that reducing both CETP isoforms or overexpressing FL-CETP impairs cellular triglyceride (TG) storage. To investigate this further, E9-deleted CETP was expressed in SW872 cells that naturally synthesize CETP and in mouse 3T3-L1 cells that do not. E9-deleted CETP overexpression stimulated SW872 triglyceride synthesis and increased stored TG 2-fold. Expression of E9-deleted CETP in mouse 3T3-L1 cells produced a similar lipid phenotype. In vitro, FL-CETP promotes the transfer of TG from ER-enriched membranes to lipid droplets. E9-deleted CETP also promoted this transfer, although less effectively, and it inhibited the transfer driven by FL-CETP. We conclude that FL- and E9-deleted CETP isoforms interact to mutually decrease their intracellular levels and impair FL-CETP secretion by reducing CETP biosynthesis. E9-deleted CETP, like FL-CETP, alters cellular TG metabolism and storage but in a contrary manner. Show less
The β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the most commonly deregulated pathways in cancer cells. Amino acid substitutions within armadillo repeats 5 and 6 (K335, W383, and N387) of β-catenin are foun Show more
The β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the most commonly deregulated pathways in cancer cells. Amino acid substitutions within armadillo repeats 5 and 6 (K335, W383, and N387) of β-catenin are found in several tumor types, including liver tumors. We investigated the mechanisms by which these substitutions increase signaling and the effects on liver carcinogenesis in mice. Plasmids encoding tagged full-length β-catenin (CTNNB1) or β-catenin with the K335I or N387K substitutions, along with MET, were injected into tails of FVB/N mice. Tumor growth was monitored, and livers were collected and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Tagged full-length and mutant forms of β-catenin were expressed in HEK293, HCT116, and SNU449 cells, which were analyzed by immunoblots and immunoprecipitation. A panel of β-catenin variants and cell lines with knock-in mutations were analyzed for differences in N-terminal phosphorylation, half-life, and association with other proteins in the signaling pathway. Mice injected with plasmids encoding K335I or N387K β-catenin and MET developed larger, more advanced tumors than mice injected with plasmids encoding WT β-catenin and MET. K335I and N387K β-catenin bound APC with lower affinity than WT β-catenin but still interacted with scaffold protein AXIN1 and in the nucleus with TCF7L2. This interaction resulted in increased transcription of genes regulated by β-catenin. Studies of protein structures supported the observed changes in relative binding affinities. Expression of β-catenin with mutations in armadillo repeats 5 and 6, along with MET, promotes formation of liver tumors in mice. In contrast to N-terminal mutations in β-catenin that directly impair its phosphorylation by GSK3 or binding to BTRC, the K335I or N387K substitutions increase signaling via reduced binding to APC. However, these mutant forms of β-catenin still interact with the TCF family of transcription factors in the nucleus. These findings show how these amino acid substitutions increase β-catenin signaling in cancer cells. Show less
The phenotype via conventional cardiac MRI analysis of MYH7 (β-myosin heavy chain)- and MYBPC3 (β-myosin-binding protein C)-associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) groups is similar. Few studies Show more
The phenotype via conventional cardiac MRI analysis of MYH7 (β-myosin heavy chain)- and MYBPC3 (β-myosin-binding protein C)-associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) groups is similar. Few studies exist on the genotypic-phenotypic association as assessed by machine learning in HCM patients. To explore the phenotypic differences based on radiomics analysis of T Prospective observational study. In all, 102 HCM patients with pathogenic, or likely pathogenic mutation, in MYH7 (n = 68) or MYBPC3 (n = 34) genes. Cardiac MRI was performed at 3.0T with balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP), phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) T All patients underwent next-generation sequencing and Sanger genetic sequencing. Left ventricular native T Mann-Whitney U-tests and Student's t-tests were performed to assess differences between subgroups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the model's ability to stratify patients based on radiomic features. There were no significant differences between MYH7- and MYBPC3-associated HCM subgroups based on traditional native T Radiomic analysis of native T 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1714-1721. Show less
In dairy cows, fatty liver is one of the most common metabolic diseases that occurs during the periparturient period. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a well-known downstream target of peroxis Show more
In dairy cows, fatty liver is one of the most common metabolic diseases that occurs during the periparturient period. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a well-known downstream target of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate the glucose and fatty acid metabolisms. The inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity interferes with the storage of triglycerides (TG) in adipocytes, which plays an essential role in lipid metabolism in rodents. However, it remains unclear whether ANGPTL4 is involved in the pathological process of fatty liver in dairy cows as a result of the regulation of the hepatocellular lipid transport system. This study intended to investigate the effect of ANGPTL4 on the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly and secretion in bovine hepatocytes. Bovine hepatocytes were isolated using a modified two-step perfusion and collagenase digestion process, and treated with different concentrations of ANGPTL4 (0, 4, 12, and 24 ng/ml) for 24 hr. The results showed that a high concentration of ANGPTL4 could significantly increase the extracellular concentration of VLDL while reducing the intracellular content of TG. Thus, it was confirmed that ANGPTL4 could promote the transport of TG in the form of VLDL by partially regulating the expression of related proteins in hepatocytes, thereby contributing to the partial adaptive regulation of lipid transport in dairy cows. Show less
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with liver inflammation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, how ER stress links inflammation and HCC remains obscure. Mesencephalic astrocyte-d Show more
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with liver inflammation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, how ER stress links inflammation and HCC remains obscure. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an ER stress-inducible secretion protein that inhibits inflammation by interacting with the key subunit of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65. We hypothesized that MANF may play a key role in linking ER stress and inflammation in HCC. Here, we found that MANF mRNA and protein levels were lower in HCC tissues versus adjacent noncancer tissues. Patients with high levels of MANF had better relapse-free survival and overall survival rates than those with low levels. MANF levels were also associated with the status of liver cirrhosis, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and tumor size. In vitro experiments revealed that MANF suppressed the migration and invasion of hepatoma cells. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of MANF accelerated N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)-induced HCC by up-regulating Snail1+2 levels and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MANF appeared in the nuclei and was colocalized with p65 in HCC tissues and in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-treated hepatoma cells. The interaction of p65 and MANF was also confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Consistently, knockdown of MANF up-regulated NF-κB downstream target genes TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1α expression in vitro and in vivo. Finally, small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO1) promoted MANF nuclear translocation and enhanced the interaction of MANF and p65. Mutation of p65 motifs for SUMOylation abolished the interaction of p65 and MANF. MANF plays an important role in linking ER stress and liver inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB/Snail signal pathway in EMT and HCC progression. Therefore, MANF may be a cancer suppressor and a potential therapeutic target for HCC. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the role of circ0106714-miR-942-5p-discs large homolog 2 (DLG2), a novel interactome, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Circ0106714 was found to be the most significantly dow Show more
This study aimed to investigate the role of circ0106714-miR-942-5p-discs large homolog 2 (DLG2), a novel interactome, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Circ0106714 was found to be the most significantly downregulated circular RNA in CRC using a bioinformatics method, and we researched whether the ability of circ0106714 to sponge miR-942-5p and release DLG2 could affect CRC development via Hippo-YES-associated protein (YAP) signaling. We first employed qRT-PCR and immunoblotting to detect messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression, respectively. Live imaging of mice tumor xenografts was then conducted to study the effect of circ0106714 on tumor progression in vivo. Reporter gene assays were subsequently conducted to verify the predicted targeting relationship between circ0106714, miR-942-5p, and DLG2 mRNA in SW480 and HCT116 cell lines. As well as using flow cytometry for both apoptosis and cell cycle profile analyses, CCK-8 and clone foci formation assays were performed to assess cell survival. Wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were later carried out to evaluate the migration and invasion of the cell lines. Findings revealed that circ0106714 and DLG2 were significantly downregulated, while miR-942-5p was significantly upregulated in human CRC tissues and cell lines. However, circ0106714 upregulation significantly suppressed tumor progression in vivo and inhibited the malignancy phenotypes of tumor cells in vitro by targeting miR-942-5p. Also discovered in this research was that miR-942-5p could directly target DLG2 mRNA, thus enhancing the malignancy phenotypes of CRC cells. We even found that DLG2 overexpression resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of YAP, a critical downstream effector of DLG2. This downstream effector was demonstrated to have a tumor-suppressive capacity in CRC cell lines. In sum, circ0106714 could suppress CRC by sponging miR-942-5p and releasing DLG2, thus promoting YAP phosphorylation. Show less
Benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) is a well-known endocrine disruptor. Exposure to BaP is known to impair embryo implantation. The corpus luteum (CL), the primary source of progesterone during early pregnancy, pl Show more
Benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) is a well-known endocrine disruptor. Exposure to BaP is known to impair embryo implantation. The corpus luteum (CL), the primary source of progesterone during early pregnancy, plays a pivotal role in embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance. The inappropriate luteal function may result in implantation failure and spontaneous abortions. However, the effect of BaP on CL remains unknown. This study investigated the deleterious effects of BaP on the structure and function of CL during early pregnancy. Pregnant rats were dosed with BaP at 0.2 mg.kg-1. d from day 1 (D1) to day 9 (D9) of gestation. We found that BaP reduced the number of CLs, disturbed the secretion of steroid and impacted the luteal vascular networks. BaP significantly decreased the angiogenesis factor (VEGFR, Ang-1 and Tie2) and increased the anti-angiogenic factor THBS1. Inhibited THBS1 function by LSKL partially rescued the angiogenesis defect caused by BaP. In vitro, BaP metabolite BPDE also interfered the expression levels of angiogenesis-related factors in HUVECs and impaired the angiogenesis, whereas supplemented with rAng-1 can alleviate the anti-angiogenic effect of BPDE. Furthermore, Notch signaling molecules, including Notch1, Dll4, Jag1 and Hey2, which are essential for the establishment and maturation of vascular networks, were affected by BaP exposure. Collectively, BaP broke the molecular regulatory balance between luteal angiogenesis and vascular maturation, impaired the construction of luteal vascular networks, and further affected luteal formation and endocrine function during early pregnancy. Our findings might provide new insight into the relationship between BaP and luteal insufficiency in early pregnancy. These data also give a new line of evidence for curtailing BaP emissions and protecting the women of childbearing age from occupational exposure. Show less
Type 2 diabetes mellitus plagues many people in China and the world, and its nephritis complication is the leading cause of death for patients. Paecilomyces hepiali contained various functional compon Show more
Type 2 diabetes mellitus plagues many people in China and the world, and its nephritis complication is the leading cause of death for patients. Paecilomyces hepiali contained various functional components, especially polysaccharides, which possesses well pharmacological activities. In this study, polysaccharide purified from Paecilomyces hepiali fermented mycelium entitled PHEA was obtained, and its structure was systemically characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In C57BL/KsJ (BKS).Cg-Dock7 Show less
Lysyl oxidase‑like 2 (LOXL2), a member of the lysyl oxidase gene family, is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis. Increased expression of LOXL2 has been i Show more
Lysyl oxidase‑like 2 (LOXL2), a member of the lysyl oxidase gene family, is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis. Increased expression of LOXL2 has been identified in several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, LOXL2 has been reported to promote epithelial‑mesenchymal transition by reducing E‑cadherin expression via the upregulation of Snail expression. The present study provided evidence demonstrating that LOXL2 inhibited the expression of fructose‑1, 6‑biphosphatase (FBP1) and enhanced the glycolysis of Huh7 and Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in a Snail‑dependent manner. Overexpression of the point‑mutated form of LOXL2 [LOXL2(Y689F)], which lacks enzymatic activity, does not affect the expression of Snail1 or FBP1. Notably, targeting extracellular LOXL2 of Huh7 cells with a therapeutic antibody was unable to abolish its regulation on the expression of Snail and FBP1. Knockdown of LOXL2 also interrupted the angiogenesis of Huh7 and Hep3B cells, and this effect could be rescued by the overexpression of Snail. Furthermore, upregulation of hypoxia‑inducible factor 1α (HIF‑1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was observed in Huh7 and Hep3B cells expressing wild‑type LOXL2. Notably, the selective LOXL2 inhibitor LOXL2‑IN‑1 could upregulate the expression of FBP1 and inhibit the expression of Snail, HIF‑1α and VEGF in HCC cells, but not in FBP1‑knockdown cells. The results of the present study indicated that the intracellular activity of LOXL2 upregulated HIF‑1α/VEGF signaling pathways via the Snail‑FBP1 axis, and this phenomenon could be inhibited by LOXL2 inhibition. Collectively, these findings further support that LOXL2 exhibits an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and implicates LOXL2 as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of this disease. Show less
Estradiol (E2) enhances the anorectic action of apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), however, the intracellular mechanisms are largely unclear. Here we reported that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) Show more
Estradiol (E2) enhances the anorectic action of apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), however, the intracellular mechanisms are largely unclear. Here we reported that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway was significantly activated by E2 and apoA-IV, respectively, in primary neuronal cells isolated from rat embryonic brainstem. Importantly, the combination of E2 and apoA-IV at their subthreshold doses synergistically activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These effects, however, were significantly diminished by the pretreatment with LY294002, a selective PI3K inhibitor. E2-induced activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway was through membrane-associated ERα, because the phosphorylation of Akt was significantly increased by PPT, an ERα agonist, and by E2-BSA (E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin) which activates estrogen receptor on the membrane. Centrally administered apoA-IV at a low dose (0.5 µg) significantly suppressed food intake and increased the phosphorylation of Akt in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with E2, but not in OVX rats treated with vehicle. These effects were blunted by pretreatment with LY294002. These results indicate that E2's regulatory role in apoA-IV's anorectic action is through the ERα-PI3K pathway in the NTS. Manipulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling activation in the NTS may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and the treatment of obesity-related disorders in females. Show less
The detailed molecular mechanism of orbital venous malformation (OVM) is still not clear. Using whole exome sequencing, 4 types of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) mutation were detected in 7 of 27 pati Show more
The detailed molecular mechanism of orbital venous malformation (OVM) is still not clear. Using whole exome sequencing, 4 types of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) mutation were detected in 7 of 27 patients with OVM, and all types of MC4R mutations resulted in the upregulation of MC4R expression. Show less
RNF8 (ring finger protein 8), a RING finger E3 ligase best characterized for its role in DNA repair and sperm formation via ubiquitination, has been found to promote tumor metastasis in breast cancer Show more
RNF8 (ring finger protein 8), a RING finger E3 ligase best characterized for its role in DNA repair and sperm formation via ubiquitination, has been found to promote tumor metastasis in breast cancer recently. However, whether RNF8 also plays a role in other types of cancer, especially in lung cancer, remains unknown. We show here that RNF8 expression levels are markedly increased in human lung cancer tissues and negatively correlated with the survival time of patients. Overexpression of RNF8 promotes the EMT process and migration ability of lung cancer cells, while knockdown of RNF8 demonstrates the opposite effects. In addition, overexpression of RNF8 activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, knockdown of RNF8 by siRNA inhibits this activation, and pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K/Akt in RNF8-overexpressing cells also reduces the expression of EMT markers and the ability of migration. Furthermore, RNF8 is found to directly interact with Slug and promoted the K63-Ub of Slug, and knockdown of Slug disrupts RNF8-dependent EMT in A549 cells, whereas overexpression of Slug rescues RNF8-dependent MET in H1299 cells, and depletion of RNF8 expression by shRNA inhibits metastasis of lung cancer cells Show less
Fish of the genus Xiphophorus provide a prominent example of genetic control of male body size and reproductive tactics. In X.nigrensis and X.multilineatus, puberty onset and body length are determine Show more
Fish of the genus Xiphophorus provide a prominent example of genetic control of male body size and reproductive tactics. In X.nigrensis and X.multilineatus, puberty onset and body length are determined by melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) allelic and copy number variations which were proposed to fine-tune the signaling output of the system. Accessory protein Mrap2 is required for growth across species by affecting Mc4r signaling. The molecular mechanism how Mc4r signaling controls puberty regulation in Xiphophorus and whether the interaction with Mrap2 is also involved was so far unclear. Hence, we examined Mc4r and Mrap2 in X.nigrensis and X.multilineatus, in comparison to a more distantly related species, X.hellerii. mc4r and mrap2 transcripts co-localized in the hypothalamus and preoptic regions in large males, small males and females of X.nigrensis, with similar signal strength for mrap2 but higher expression of mc4r in large males. This overexpression is constituted by wild-type and one subtype of mutant alleles. In vitro studies revealed that Mrap2 co-expressed with Mc4r increased cAMP production but did not change EC50. Cells co-expressing the wild-type and one mutant allele showed lower cAMP signaling than Mc4r wild-type cells. This indicates a role of Mc4r alleles, but not Mrap2, in puberty signaling. Different from X.nigrensis and X.multilineatus, X.hellerii has only wild-type alleles, but also shows a puberty onset and body length polymorphism, despite the absence of mutant alleles. Like in the two other species, mc4r and mrap2 transcripts colocalized and mc4r is expressed at substantially higher levels in large males. This demonstrates that puberty and growth regulation mechanism may not be identical even within same genus. Show less
Alcohol intake influences plasma lipid levels, and such effects may be moderated by genetic variants. We aimed to characterize the role of aggregated rare and low-frequency protein-coding variants in Show more
Alcohol intake influences plasma lipid levels, and such effects may be moderated by genetic variants. We aimed to characterize the role of aggregated rare and low-frequency protein-coding variants in gene by alcohol consumption interactions associated with fasting plasma lipid levels. In the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium, fasting plasma triglycerides and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in 34 153 individuals with European ancestry from 5 discovery studies and 32 277 individuals from 6 replication studies. Rare and low-frequency functional protein-coding variants (minor allele frequency, ≤5%) measured by an exome array were aggregated by genes and evaluated by a gene-environment interaction test and a joint test of genetic main and gene-environment interaction effects. Two dichotomous self-reported alcohol consumption variables, current drinker, defined as any recurrent drinking behavior, and regular drinker, defined as the subset of current drinkers who consume at least 2 drinks per week, were considered. We discovered and replicated 21 gene-lipid associations at 13 known lipid loci through the joint test. Eight loci ( In conclusion, this study applied new gene-based statistical approaches and suggested that rare and low-frequency genetic variants interacted with alcohol consumption on lipid levels. Show less
The DEAH/RHA helicase DHX36 has been linked to cellular RNA and DNA quadruplex structures and to AU-rich RNA elements. In vitro, DHX36 remodels DNA and RNA quadruplex structures and unwinds DNA duplex Show more
The DEAH/RHA helicase DHX36 has been linked to cellular RNA and DNA quadruplex structures and to AU-rich RNA elements. In vitro, DHX36 remodels DNA and RNA quadruplex structures and unwinds DNA duplexes in an ATP-dependent manner. DHX36 contains the superfamily 2 helicase core and several auxiliary domains that are conserved in orthologs of the enzyme. The role of these auxiliary domains for the enzymatic function of DHX36 is not well understood. Here, we combine structural and biochemical studies to define the function of three auxiliary domains that contact nucleic acid. We first report the crystal structure of mouse DHX36 bound to ADP. The structure reveals an overall architecture of mouse DHX36 that is similar to previously reported architectures of fly and bovine DHX36. In addition, our structure shows conformational changes that accompany stages of the ATP-binding and hydrolysis cycle. We then examine the roles of the DHX36-specific motif (DSM), the OB-fold, and a conserved β-hairpin (β-HP) in mouse DHX36 in the remodeling of RNA structures. We demonstrate and characterize RNA duplex unwinding for DHX36 and examine the remodeling of inter- and intramolecular RNA quadruplex structures. We find that the DSM not only functions as a quadruplex binding adaptor but also promotes the remodeling of RNA duplex and quadruplex structures. The OB-fold and the β-HP contribute to RNA binding. Both domains are also essential for remodeling RNA quadruplex and duplex structures. Our data reveal roles of auxiliary domains for multiple steps of the nucleic acid remodeling reactions. Show less
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in cancer progression and is primarily regulated by several EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), including TWIST1, TWIST2, SNAI1, Show more
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in cancer progression and is primarily regulated by several EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), including TWIST1, TWIST2, SNAI1, SNAI2, ZEB1, and ZEB2. However, the prognostic value of EMT-TFs remains controversial in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Studies on the prognostic role of EMT-TFs in HNSCC were searched for in the Web of Science, Science Direct, Proquest, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis was performed by using Revman 5.2 software. The pooled analysis showed that overexpression of EMT-TFs indicated a poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.67-2.23) of HNSCC. Subgroup analysis for individual EMT-TFs revealed that overexpression of TWIST1 (HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.29-2.02), SNAI1 (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.63-2.88), SNAI2 (HR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.38-2.62), and ZEB1 (HR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.61-4.53) were significantly associated with poor OS of HNSCC. These findings support the hypothesis that overexpression of EMT-TFs indicates a poor prognosis for HNSCC patients. Show less
Recently, long noncoding RNA SNHG12 has been reported to be dysregulated in various types of cancer. This study investigated its biological function and the underlying molecular mechanism in cervical Show more
Recently, long noncoding RNA SNHG12 has been reported to be dysregulated in various types of cancer. This study investigated its biological function and the underlying molecular mechanism in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). We found that SNHG12 was significantly overexpressed in CSCC tissues. Further evidence showed that human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E6 and E7 might regulate the expression level of SNHG12 by modulating transcription factor c-Myc. Functional experiments suggested that SNHG12 knockdown dramatically repressed CSCC cells proliferation, migration, and invasion while induced apoptosis in vitro as well as suppressed tumor growth in vivo. In addition, SNHG12 could facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition through ERK/Slug/E-cadherin pathway at least in part. Our findings highlight SNHG12 functions as an oncogenic long noncoding RNA in malignant phenotype and tumorigenesis of CSCC, which implicate it may be a potential target for CSCC treatment. Show less