Clinical studies have demonstrated that trimetazidine (TMZ) possesses a synergistic hypolipidemic effect together with statins, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study Show more
Clinical studies have demonstrated that trimetazidine (TMZ) possesses a synergistic hypolipidemic effect together with statins, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of TMZ in non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). By investigating the TMZ treatment of NAFLD, it was identified that high‑fat diet (HFD) mice exhibit significant changes in several physiologic indices, including body weight, plasma lipids and glucose tolerance. Notably, hepatocyte bullous steatosis and fibrosis in HFD mice are greatly attenuated by 8 weeks of TMZ treatments. The results of the present study also indicated that the expression of carbohydrate‑responsive element‑binding protein (ChREBP), fatty acid synthase and acetyl‑CoA carboxylase were all significantly reduced in the HFD + TMZ group compared with the HFD group. In order to confirm the hypothesis in vitro, the palmitate‑treated liver cancer cell line (HepG2) was employed and similar results were obtained in TMZ‑treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, TMZ markedly upregulated the AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and reduced the expression of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) in the cells, while these effects controlled by TMZ were abolished by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. The present study reported that knockdown of FOXO1 expression by FOXO1 small interfering RNA resulted in a reduction of ChREBP protein expression and post‑transcriptional activity. In summary, for the first time, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study revealed a novel role of TMZ in hepatic steatosis; TMZ ameliorated ChREBP‑induced de novo lipogenesis by activating the AMPK‑FOXO1 pathway. Show less
Primary cilia are lost during cancer development, but the mechanism regulating cilia degeneration is not determined. While transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) protects cells Show more
Primary cilia are lost during cancer development, but the mechanism regulating cilia degeneration is not determined. While transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) protects cells from oxidative, proteotoxic, and metabolic stress in normal cells, hyperactivation of NRF2 is oncogenic, although the detailed molecular mechanisms by which uncontrolled NRF2 activation promotes cancer progression remain unclear. Here, we report that NRF2 suppresses hedgehog (Hh) signaling through Patched 1 (PTCH1) and primary ciliogenesis via p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1). PTCH1, a negative regulator of Hh signaling, is an NRF2 target gene, and as such, hyperactivation of NRF2 impairs Hh signaling. NRF2 also suppresses primary cilia formation through p62-dependent inclusion body formation and blockage of Bardet-Biedl syndrome 4 (BBS4) entrance into cilia. Simultaneous ablation of PTCH1 and p62 completely abolishes NRF2-mediated inhibition of both primary ciliogenesis and Hh signaling. Our findings reveal a previously unidentified role of NRF2 in controlling a cellular organelle, the primary cilium, and its associated Hh signaling pathway and also uncover a mechanism by which NRF2 hyperactivation promotes tumor progression via primary cilia degeneration and aberrant Hh signaling. A better understanding of the crosstalk between NRF2 and primary cilia/Hh signaling could not only open new avenues for cancer therapeutic discovery but could also have significant implications regarding pathologies other than cancer, including developmental disorders, in which improper primary ciliogenesis and Hh signaling play a major role. Show less
Postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) plays an important role in ischemic brain injury through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-triggered neurotoxicity. GTPase-activating protein for Ras (SynG Show more
Postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) plays an important role in ischemic brain injury through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-triggered neurotoxicity. GTPase-activating protein for Ras (SynGAP) is a GAP specifically expressed in the central nervous system to regulate nerve development and synaptic plasticity. However, the link between PSD-93 and SynGAP and their role in ischemic brain injury remain elusive. Here, we showed that PSD-93 interacted with SynGAP and mediated SynGAP ubiquitination and degradation following ischemic brain injury. Proteasome inhibitor MG-132 could reverse the decrease of SynGAP protein level in wild-type mice following cerebral ischemia reperfusion through inhibiting SynGAP ubiquitination. Furthermore, NMDA receptor inhibitor MK801 could increase SynGAP protein level in wild-type mice following cerebral ischemia reperfusion. However, in PSD-93 knockout mice, MG-132 or NMDAR inhibitor had no significant effect on SynGAP expression. Both MG-132 and PSD-93 knockout reduced infarct volume and improved neurological deficit in mice at different time points after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Furthermore, we identified that 670-685 amino acid sequence of SynGAP was essential to the binding of SynGAP to PSD-93, and designed a fusion peptide Tat-SynGAP (670-685aa) that could attenuate ischemic brain damage in wild-type mice. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that PSD-93 directly interacts with SynGAP and mediates its ubiquitination and degradation to aggravate ischemic brain damage. Tat-SynGAP (670-685aa) may be considered as a candidate for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. 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
Visceral obesity and fatty liver are prevalent in postmenopausal women. The stilbene-rich extract of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. has been reported to prevent ovariectomy-induced and diet-induced weight Show more
Visceral obesity and fatty liver are prevalent in postmenopausal women. The stilbene-rich extract of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. has been reported to prevent ovariectomy-induced and diet-induced weight gain in animal models, and stilbenoids from C. cajan are thought to have the potential to prevent postmenopausal obesity and fatty liver. Cajanolactone A (CLA) is the main stilbenoid from C. cajan with osteoblastogenic promoting activity. This study investigated the potential of CLA to prevent postmenopausal obesity and fatty liver. Underlying mechanisms were also investigated. Ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice fed a regular diet were used as mimics of postmenopausal women and given 10, 20, or 40Â mg/kg/d of CLA, 0.1Â mg/kg/d of estradiol valerate (EV, positive control), or vehicle (OVX) orally for 16 weeks. Mice of the same age subjected to a sham operation were used as control (Sham). Body weights were recorded every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Body compositions were analyzed via micro-CT. Serum levels of lipids, adipocytokines and aminotransferases were measured using the relevant kits. mRNA levels of genes of interest were detected by RT-qPCR. Proteomic study of perigonadal white adipose tissue (pWAT) was performed using tandem-mass-tags-based proteomic technology combined with Parallel-Reaction-Monitoring (PRM) validation. CLA showed potential equivalent to that of EV to prevent ovariectomy-induced overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, liver steatosis and liver dysfunction, but did not prevent uterine atrophy. In the liver, CLA significantly inhibited ovariectomy-induced upregulation in expression of lipogenic genes SREBP-1c and ChREBP, and stimulated the mRNA expression of apolipoprotein B gene ApoB. In pWAT, CLA reversed, or partially reversed ovariectomy-induced downregulation in the expression of a number of metabolism- and mitochondrial-function-related proteins, including Ndufa3, Pcx, Pdhb, Acly, Acaca, Aldh2, Aacs and Echs1. In addition, ovariectomy-inhibited mRNA expression of Pdhb, Aacs, Acsm5, Echs1, and Aldh2 genes in pWAT was also reversed. CLA was demonstrated to be a potential non-estrogen-like drug candidate for prevention of postmenopausal obesity and fatty liver. The underlying mechanism might involve the inhibition of lipogenesis and promotion of triglycerides output in the liver, and the promotion of metabolism and mitochondrial functions of visceral white adipose tissue. 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
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the main subtype of esophageal cancer in China, and the prognosis of patients remains poor mainly due to the occurrence of lymph node and distant metastasi Show more
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the main subtype of esophageal cancer in China, and the prognosis of patients remains poor mainly due to the occurrence of lymph node and distant metastasis. The long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been shown to have tumor‑suppressive properties and to play an important role in epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) in some solid tumors. However, whether MEG3 is involved in EMT in ESCC remains unclear. In the present study, the MEG3 expression level and its association with tumorigenesis were determined in 43 tumor tissues of patients with ESCC and in ESCC cells using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR analysis. Gene microarray analysis was performed to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Based on the functional annotation results, the effects of ectopic expression of MEG3 on cell growth, migration, invasion and EMT were assessed. MEG3 expression level was found to be markedly lower in tumor tissues and cells. Statistical analysis revealed that MEG3 expression was significantly negatively associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in ESCC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay demonstrated that MEG3 was expressed mainly in the nucleus. Ectopic expression of MEG3 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle progression in EC109 cells. Gene microarray results demonstrated that 177 genes were differentially expressed ≥2.0 fold in MEG3‑overexpressing cells, including 23 upregulated and 154 downregulated genes. Functional annotation revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in amino acid biosynthetic process, mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling, and serine and glycine metabolism. Further experiments indicated that the ectopic expression of MEG3 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT by downregulating phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1). In pathological tissues, PSAT1 and MEG3 were significantly negatively correlated, and high expression of PSAT1 predicted poor survival. Taken together, these results suggest that MEG3 may be a useful prognostic biomarker and may suppress EMT by inhibiting the PSAT1‑dependent glycogen synthase kinase‑3β/Snail signaling pathway in ESCC. Show less
Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis underlying dairy cow fertility under heat stress conditions Show more
Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis underlying dairy cow fertility under heat stress conditions. Our first goal was to estimate genetic components of cow conception across lactations considering heat stress. Our second goal was to reveal individual genes and functional gene-sets that explain a cow's ability to conceive under thermal stress. Data consisted of 74Â 221 insemination records on 13Â 704 Holstein cows. Multitrait linear repeatability test-day models with random regressions on a function of temperature-humidity index values were used for the analyses. Heritability estimates for cow conception under heat stress were around 2-3%, whereas genetic correlations between general and thermotolerance additive genetic effects were negative and ranged between -0.35 and -0.82, indicating an unfavorable relationship between cows' ability to conceive under thermo-neutral vs. thermo-stress conditions. Whole-genome scans identified at least six genomic regions on BTA1, BTA10, BTA11, BTA17, BTA21 and BTA23 associated with conception under thermal stress. These regions harbor candidate genes such as BRWD1, EXD2, ADAM20, EPAS1, TAOK3, and NOS1, which are directly implicated in reproductive functions and cellular response to heat stress. The gene-set enrichment analysis revealed functional terms related to fertilization, developmental biology, heat shock proteins and oxidative stress, among others. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetics underlying the reproductive performance of dairy cattle under heat stress conditions and point out novel genomic strategies for improving thermotolerance and fertility via marker-assisted breeding. Show less
Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK), the key enzyme of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism, has been reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis by upregula Show more
Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK), the key enzyme of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism, has been reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis by upregulating the MEK-ERK signaling pathway. However, the profile of BCKDK in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains unknown. Here, we report a novel role of BCKDK in mCRC. BCKDK is upregulated in CRC tissues. Increased BCKDK expression was associated with metastasis and poor clinical prognosis in CRC patients. Knockdown of BCKDK decreased CRC cell migration and invasion ex vivo, and lung metastasis in vivo. BCKDK promoted the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, by decreasing the expression of E-cadherin, epithelial marker, and increasing the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin, which are mesenchymal markers. Moreover, BCKDK-knockdown experiments in combination with phosphoproteomics analysis revealed the potent role of BCKDK in modulating multiple signal transduction pathways, including EMT and metastasis. Src phosphorylated BCKDK at the tyrosine 246 (Y246) site in vitro and ex vivo. Knockdown and knockout of Src downregulated the phosphorylation of BCKDK. Importantly, phosphorylation of BCKDK by Src enhanced the activity and stability of BCKDK, thereby promoting the migration, invasion, and EMT of CRC cells. In summary, the identification of BCKDK as a novel prometastatic factor in human CRC will be beneficial for further diagnostic biomarker studies and suggests novel targeting opportunities. 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
The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family is a relatively new family of cytokines consisting of 6 related factors (IL-17A-IL-17F), while the receptor family consists of 5 members: IL-17RA-IL-17RE. IL-17A is t Show more
The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family is a relatively new family of cytokines consisting of 6 related factors (IL-17A-IL-17F), while the receptor family consists of 5 members: IL-17RA-IL-17RE. IL-17A is the prototype member of this family, which is also the signature cytokine of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Th17 cells are involved in the development of autoimmune disease, inflammation, and tumors. Although IL-17D is similar to IL-17A in its ability to induce inflammatory cytokine production, there are fewer studies on IL-17D. Recently, the role of IL-17D in tumors and infections has attracted our attention. Some knowledge of function of IL-17D has been gained by studies using nonmammalian species. In this review, we introduce the structural characteristics, expression patterns, and biological characteristics of IL-17D along with its potential function in the pathogenesis of disease. Show less
Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the development and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying NPC metastasis remains poorly understo Show more
Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the development and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying NPC metastasis remains poorly understood. We aimed to find functional genes which regulate the metastasis of NPC and identify therapeutic targets for NPC treatment. Bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to analyze zinc finger protein 582 (ZNF582) methylation in NPC tissues and cell lines. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of ZNF582. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the biological function of ZNF582 in NPC. ZNF582-targeting genes were identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and were confirmed by ChIP-qPCR and luciferase assay. ZNF582 promoter was hypermethylated in NPC, and both the mRNA and protein levels of ZNF582 were down-regulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. The restoration of ZNF582 inhibited NPC migration, invasion, and metastasis, while the knockdown of ZNF582 promoted NPC migration, invasion, and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. ZNF582 directly regulated the transcription and expression of adhesion molecules Nectin-3 and NRXN3. Both Nectin-3 and NRXN3 were identified as functional targets of ZNF582, and the restoration or abrogation of these genes reversed the tumor suppressor effect of ZNF582 in NPC metastasis. ZNF582 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in NPC by regulating the transcription and expression of adhesion molecules Nectin-3 and NRXN3, which may provide novel therapeutic targets for NPC treatment. Show less
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Piperine, an active nontoxic ingredient in pepper, has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties Show more
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Piperine, an active nontoxic ingredient in pepper, has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. However, little is known about the anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects of piperine on colorectal cancer. We demonstrated piperine inhibited the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. Then, we found piperine reversed the biomarker expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and suppressed the EMT regulator Snail. Furthermore, signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) was downregulated by piperine. Finally, STAT3 inhibitors were applied to observe the role of STAT3 in colorectal cancer migration, invasion and EMT. Collectively, piperine inhibits colorectal cancer migratory and invasive capacities through STAT3/Snail mediated EMT. Therefore, piperine could be applied as a possible therapeutic regimen for the prevention of colorectal cancer metastasis. 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
The aims of the NYU Children's Health and Environment Study (CHES) are to evaluate influences of prenatal non-persistent chemical exposures on fetal and postnatal growth and pool our data with the US Show more
The aims of the NYU Children's Health and Environment Study (CHES) are to evaluate influences of prenatal non-persistent chemical exposures on fetal and postnatal growth and pool our data with the US National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program to answer collaborative research questions on the impact of the preconceptual, prenatal, and postnatal environment on childhood obesity, neurodevelopment, pre/peri/postnatal outcomes, upper and lower airway outcomes, and positive health. Eligible women were ≥ 18 years old, < 18 weeks pregnant, had a pregnancy that is not medically threatened, and planned to deliver at NYU Langone Hospital-Manhattan, Bellevue Hospital, or NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. Between March 22, 2016 and April 15, 2019, we recruited 2469 pregnant women, from whom 2193 completed an initial questionnaire and continued into NYU CHES. Of the 2193, 88 miscarried, 28 terminated, and 20 experienced stillbirth, while 57 were lost to follow up. We report here demographic and other characteristics of the 2000 live deliveries (2037 children), from whom 1624 (80%) consented to postnatal follow-up. Data collection in pregnancy was nested in clinical care, with questionnaire and specimen collection conducted during routine prenatal visits at < 18, 18-25, and > 25 weeks gestation. These have been followed by questionnaire and specimen collection at birth and regular postpartum intervals. Show less
Increased deposition of silica dust in pulmonary interstitial tissues leads to silicosis, in which autophagy plays a defensive role in silica dust-associated stress response and cell death. Our previo Show more
Increased deposition of silica dust in pulmonary interstitial tissues leads to silicosis, in which autophagy plays a defensive role in silica dust-associated stress response and cell death. Our previous studies revealed that silica dust exposure contributed to autophagy in pulmonary macrophages in vivo, while the specific regulatory mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to figure out the regulatory mechanism as well as the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of experimental silicosis. We used 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and ABT-737 to suppress the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3 (PIK3C3) and B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), two critical initiators of autophagy, and detected and evaluated the autophagy in NR8383 cells with or without silica dust exposure. We found that exposure of silica dust increased autophagy in NR8383 cells and elevated the expression of Beclin1 and PIK3C3, but it reduced the expression of Bcl-2. The relationship among Beclin1, PIK3C3, and Bcl-2 were then investigated using immunoprecipitation analysis, and we found that suppression of PIK3C3 and/or Bcl-2 using 3-MA and/or ABT-737 could alter the autophagy induced by silica dust in NR8383 cells, and the complexes of Beclin1/PIK3C3 and Beclin1/Bcl-2 were both downregulated, which may be that inhibition of PIK3C3 and Bcl-2 altered the affinity of Beclin1 with PIK3C3 and Bcl-2 and lead to the silence of PIK3C3 signaling. These findings indicate that silica dust exposure induces autophagy via changing the connectivity of Beclin1 from Bcl-2 to PIK3C3. Show less
To identify genes involving in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, the comprehensive analysis of GSE8157 was downloaded. Overlapping genes of differentially expressed Show more
To identify genes involving in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, the comprehensive analysis of GSE8157 was downloaded. Overlapping genes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and enrichment analysis for these genes was performed. A modular network of differentially expressed genes was constructed by weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA), and a total of 322 differentially expressed genes in 5 stable modules were screened. The correlations of genes of the stable modules in BioGRID 3.4, STRING 10.5, HPRD9 databases were screened, and the interaction network of 104 DEGs was constructed. In addition, some genes and the key words were searched in CTD. A total of 596 differentially expressed genes were screened, including 379 genes that were up-regulated in case group and down-regulated in control group and treat group, and 217 genes that were down-regulated in case group and up-regulated in control group and treat group. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in PPAR signaling pathway, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cAMP signaling pathway, of which pathways were involved in the cancer development. Finally, 7 important target genes were identified, such as APOC3 was interacted with pioglitazone, ADCY2 involved in cAMP signaling pathway, and the genes (C3AR1, HRH2, GRIA1, MLNR and TAAR2) involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. In addition, the important target genes were significantly differential expression. These results implied that the 7 important target genes were played an important role in the development and progression of PCOS. Our study implied that genes had played a key role in the development and progression of PCOS, the results showed that microarray can be use as a method for the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCOS. Show less
Vitamin D has a potential anticarcinogenic role, possibly through regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, stimulation of apoptosis, immune modulation and regulation of estrogen receptor Show more
Vitamin D has a potential anticarcinogenic role, possibly through regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, stimulation of apoptosis, immune modulation and regulation of estrogen receptor levels. Because breast cancer (BC) risk varies among individuals exposed to similar risk factors, we hypothesize that genetic variants in the vitamin D pathway genes are associated with BC risk. To test this hypothesis, we performed a larger meta-analysis using 14 published GWAS datasets in the Discovery, Biology, and Risk of Inherited Variants in Breast Cancer (DRIVE) Study. We assessed associations between 2,994 (237 genotyped in the DRIVE study and 2,757 imputed from the 1000 Genomes Project) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 33 vitamin D pathway genes and BC risk. In unconditional logistic regression analysis, we found 11 noteworthy SNPs to be associated with BC risk after multiple comparison correction by the Bayesian false-discovery probability method (<0.80). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for age, principal components and previously published SNPs in the same study populations, we identified three independent SNPs ( Show less
We aimed to identify potential differentially expressed proteins that play roles in the spinal cord injury. The mouse model of spinal cord injury was firstly built, followed by grip strength evaluatio Show more
We aimed to identify potential differentially expressed proteins that play roles in the spinal cord injury. The mouse model of spinal cord injury was firstly built, followed by grip strength evaluation. Then, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantization (iTRAQ) analysis was used to identify differentially expressed proteins at 1, 2, 3 and 8Â weeks after spinal cord injury. Finally, analysis of spinal cord injury repair related differentially expressed proteins in the early and middle-late stage of injury was performed followed by the functional analysis. The result of grip strength evaluation showed that the motor function of the forelimbs of the mouse was significantly impaired after spinal cord injury. In the iTRAQ analysis, a total of 29 common differentially expressed proteins (such as Hbb-bs, Hba, S100a6, Ca1, Apoa4, Hspb1, Hist1h1c, Hist1h1e, Hbb-b1, Apoa1 and S100a10) were obtained at 1, 2, 3 and 8Â weeks after spinal cord injury. A total of 70 and 180 common differentially expressed proteins were identified in the early and middle-late stage of injury, respectively. PPAR signaling pathway (involved Apoa1) and VEGF signaling pathway (involved Hspb1) were identified in the middle-late stage of spinal cord injury repair. Identified differentially expressed proteins and related signaling pathways may be associated with spinal cord injury. Show less
Metabolic abnormality is the major feature of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), however, the underlying mechanism remain largely elusive. Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), as the key rate-limit Show more
Metabolic abnormality is the major feature of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), however, the underlying mechanism remain largely elusive. Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), as the key rate-limiting enzyme of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), catalyzes dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA). In this study, we reported that the expression of FADS1 was upregulated in LSCC, high FADS1 expression was closely associated with the advanced clinical features and poor prognosis of the recurrent LSCC patients after chemotherapy. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed that FADS1 overexpression induced greater conversion of DGLA to AA, suggesting an increased activity of FADS1. Similarly, the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE Show less
Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 3 (EPB41L3) is an important membrane skeletal protein that may interact with numerous membrane proteins. Loss of EPB41L3 is reported in multiple cancer types Show more
Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like 3 (EPB41L3) is an important membrane skeletal protein that may interact with numerous membrane proteins. Loss of EPB41L3 is reported in multiple cancer types, and it is originally identified as a tumor suppressor. In this study, through analyzing expression profiling retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset, we find that EPB41L3 is upregulated in primary osteosarcoma (OS) and osteosarcoma cell lines. Importantly, EPB41L3 may promote osteosarcoma cell proliferation and suppress osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion. Reduced EPB41L3 leads to a decrease of E-cadherin as well as an increase of N-cadherin and Vimentin, implying a prominent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EPB41L3 inhibits the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through destabilizing the Snai1 protein, one of the most important transcription factors of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process. Collectively, our study has first established the complex and vital roles of EPB41L3 and implicated EPB41L3 as a potential biomarker in osteosarcoma. Show less
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the severe complications of diabetes. Nowadays, effective treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is still limited. HK-2 cells were stimulated with se Show more
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the severe complications of diabetes. Nowadays, effective treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is still limited. HK-2 cells were stimulated with serum from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or Jiawei Shuilu Erxiandan (JSE)-treated DN mice, then long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CLYBL-AS2 was discovered by RNA sequence, following the comparison of the serum from normal patients with DN patients to confirm the role of lncCLYBL-AS2. Next, we performed Show less
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants for quantitative traits (insulin resistance and impaired insulin release) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) across different ethnics inclu Show more
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common variants for quantitative traits (insulin resistance and impaired insulin release) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) across different ethnics including China, but results were inconsistent. The study included 1654 subjects who were selected from the 2010-2012 China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNNHS). Insulin resistance and impaired insulin release were assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The study included 64 diabetes-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were done using Mass ARRAY. A logistic regression model was employed to explore the associations of SNPs with insulin resistance and impaired insulin release by correcting for the confounders. The 5q11.2-rs4432842, RASGRP1-rs7403531, and SEC16B-rs574367 increased the risk of insulin resistance with OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.04-1.45, OR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.13-1.62), OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.07-1.67), respectively, while MAEA-rs6815464 decreased the risk of insulin resistance (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71-1.00). CENTD2-rs1552224, TSPAN8-rs7961581 and ANK1-rs516946 was associated with increased risk of impaired insulin release with OR = 1.47 (95% CI: 1.09-1.99), OR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.03-1.51), OR = 1.39 (95% CI: 1.07-1.81), respectively. Our findings would provide insight into the pathogenesis of individual SNPs and T2D. Show less
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
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
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