Observation of a Neutral Charmoniumlike State Z_{c}(4025)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0}

We report a study of the process e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} using e^{+}e^{-} collision data samples with integrated luminosities of 1092 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and 826 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We observe a new neutral structure near the (D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0} mass threshold in the π^{0} recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as Z_{c}(4025)^{0}. Assuming a Breit-Wigner line shape, its pole mass and pole width are determined to be (4025.5_{-4.7}^{+2.0}±3.1) MeV/c^{2} and (23.0±6.0±1.0) MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4025)^{0}π^{0}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} are measured to be (61.6±8.2±9.0) pb at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and (43.4±8.0±5.4) pb at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with coronary artery disease: A matched-pair case-control study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several recent studies have found an independent relationship between levels of plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD); however, few studies have investigated the associations of BCAAs with CAD and the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BCAAs and CAD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 143 patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography at Beijing Hospital (Beijing, China) during 2008-2011. Apparently healthy control individuals (n = 286) and the patients with CAD were matched (2:1 ratio) by age and gender. The healthy control individuals were selected at random from a set of subjects who attended an annual physical examination at the same hospital in 2011. Conditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between measured variables and CAD. After multivariate adjustment for traditional CAD risk factors, each one-standard-deviation increase in BCAA concentration was associated with an approximately twofold increase in the risk of CAD (odds ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-2.20, P = 0.001). As compared with subjects in the lowest quartile of BCAA levels, the odds ratios (95% CIs) for CAD risk in subjects belonging to quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were 1.65 (0.75-3.61), 2.04 (0.92-4.53), and 3.86 (1.71-8.69), respectively (P trend = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that BCAAs are significantly related to CAD development. This relationship is independent of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and body mass index.

Remission of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity with regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 in Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mice

The immunological mechanisms mediated by regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 are unclear in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the frequency of CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T (Treg ) and IL-10(+) regulatory B (Breg ) cells and related immunoregulatory mechanisms in a female Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mouse model of spontaneous lupus-like disease, with or without IL-35 treatment. A remission of histopathology characteristics of lupus flare and nephritis was observed in the MRL/lpr mice upon IL-35 treatment. Accordingly, IL-35 and IL-35 receptor subunits (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) and cytokines of MRL/lpr and BALB/c mice (normal controls) were measured. The increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased proinflammatory cytokines were possibly associated with the restoration of Treg and Breg frequency in MRL/lpr mice with IL-35 treatment, compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment. mRNA expressions of Treg -related FoxP3, IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and soluble IL-35 receptor subunit (gp130 and IL12Rβ2) in splenic cells were up-regulated significantly in IL-35-treated mice. Compared with the PBS treatment group, IL-35-treated MRL/lpr mice showed an up-regulation of Treg -related genes and the activation of IL-35-related intracellular Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signal pathways, thereby indicating the immunoregulatory role of IL-35 in SLE. These in vivo findings may provide a biochemical basis for further investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 for the treatment of autoimmune-mediated inflammation.

YAP induces high-grade serous carcinoma in fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells

Accumulating evidence indicates that ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) originates from fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of HGSC derived from FTSECs remains unclear. In this study, we found that the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway has a critical role in the initiation and progression of fallopian tube and ovarian HGSC. Importantly, YAP was overexpressed in inflammatory and cancerous fallopian tube tissues. Further, overexpression of wild-type YAP, or constitutively active YAP in immortalized FTSECs, induced cell proliferation, migration, colony formation and tumorigenesis. Moreover, the Hippo/YAP and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways formed an autocrine/paracrine-positive feedback loop to drive the progression of the FTSEC-derived HGSC. Evidence in this study strongly suggests that combined therapy with inhibitors of YAP (such as verteporfin) and FGF receptors (such as BGJ398) can provide a novel therapeutic strategy to treat fallopian tube and ovarian HGSC.

Observation of Z_{c}(3900)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ

Using a data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we observe a new neutral state Z_{c}(3900)^{0} with a significance of 10.4σ. The mass and width are measured to be 3894.8±2.3±3.2  MeV/c^{2} and 29.6±8.2±8.2  MeV, respectively, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. The Born cross section for e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ and the fraction of it attributable to π^{0}Z_{c}(3900)^{0}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ in the range E_{c.m.}=4.19-4.42  GeV are also determined. We interpret this state as the neutral partner of the four-quark candidate Z_{c}(3900)^{±}.

Observation and Spin-Parity Determination of the X(1835) in J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η

We report an observation of the process J/ψ→γX(1835)→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η at low K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} mass with a statistical significance larger than 12.9σ using a data sample of 1.31×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. In this region of phase space the K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} system is dominantly produced through the f_{0}(980). By performing a partial wave analysis, we determine the spin parity of the X(1835) to be J^{PC}=0^{-+}. The mass and width of the observed X(1835) are 1844±9(stat)_{-25}^{+16}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 192_{-17}^{+20}(stat)_{-43}^{+62}(syst)  MeV, respectively, which are consistent with the results obtained by BESIII in the channel J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η^{'}.

Amelioration of allergic airway inflammation in mice by regulatory IL-35 through dampening inflammatory dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

IL-35, a new member of the IL-12 family, is an inhibitory cytokine produced by regulatory T and B lymphocytes that play a suppressive role in the inflammatory diseases. This study focuses on the cellular mechanism regulating the anti-inflammatory activity of IL-35 in asthmatic mice.

METHODS

Ovalbumin-induced asthmatic and humanized asthmatic mice were adopted to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of IL-35. For monitoring the airway, Penh value (% baseline) was measured using a whole-body plethysmograph.

RESULTS

In this study using ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice, we observed that intraperitoneal injection of IL-35 during the allergen sensitization stage was more efficient than administration in the challenge stage for the amelioration of airway hyper-responsiveness. This was reflected by the significantly reduced concentration of asthma-related Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13, as well as eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (all P < 0.05). IL-35 also significantly attenuated the accumulation of migratory CD11b+CD103(-) dendritic cells (DC) in the mediastinal lymph node (mLN) and lung of mice (all P < 0.05). IL-35 markedly inhibited the ovalbumin-induced conversion of recruited monocytes into inflammatory DC, which were then substantially reduced in mLN to cause less T-cell proliferation (all P < 0.05). Further study using the humanized asthmatic murine model also indicated human IL-35 exhibited a regulatory impact on allergic asthma.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that IL-35 can act as a crucial regulatory cytokine to inhibit the development of allergic airway inflammation via suppressing the formation of inflammatory DC at the inflammatory site and their accumulation in the draining lymph nodes.

Observation of the ψ(1 3D2) State in e+e-→π+π-γχc1 at BESIII

We report the observation of the X(3823) state in the process e+e-→π+π-X(3823)→π+π-γχc1 with a statistical significance of 6.2σ, in data samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4.230, 4.260, 4.360, 4.420, and 4.600 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII electron positron collider. The measured mass of the X(3823) state is (3821.7±1.3±0.7)  MeV/c2, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic, and the width is less than 16 MeV at the 90% confidence level. The products of the Born cross sections for e+e-→π+π-X(3823) and the branching ratio B[X(3823)→γχc1,c2] are also measured. These measurements are in good agreement with the assignment of the X(3823) state as the ψ(1 3D2) charmonium state.

Luminal epithelial cells within the mammary gland can produce basal cells upon oncogenic stress

In the normal mammary gland, the basal epithelium is known to be bipotent and can generate either basal or luminal cells, whereas the luminal epithelium has not been demonstrated to contribute to the basal compartment in an intact and normally developed mammary gland. It is not clear whether cellular heterogeneity within a breast tumor results from transformation of bipotent basal cells or from transformation and subsequent basal conversion of the more differentiated luminal cells. Here we used a retroviral vector to express an oncogene specifically in a small number of the mammary luminal epithelial cells and tested their potential to produce basal cells during tumorigenesis. This in-vivo lineage-tracing work demonstrates that luminal cells are capable of producing basal cells on activation of either polyoma middle T antigen or ErbB2 signaling. These findings reveal the plasticity of the luminal compartment during tumorigenesis and provide an explanation for cellular heterogeneity within a cancer.

miR-23b-3p regulates the chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells by targeting ATG12 and HMGB2

Chemotherapy is an important treatment modality for gastric cancer (GC); however, it usually fails because of drug resistance, especially multidrug resistance (MDR). Previously, we found a novel subset of MDR-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) through high-throughput functional screening. In this report, we investigated the exact roles and mechanisms of miR-23b-3p in the MDR of GC. Using gain or loss-of-function in in vitro and in vivo experiments, we found that overexpression of miR-23b-3p reversed cancer cell resistance to multiple chemotherapeutics in vitro and sensitize tumors to chemotherapy in vivo. Reporter gene assay and western blot analysis showed that ATG12 and HMGB2 were the direct targets of miR-23b-3p. Meanwhile, ATG12 and HMGB2 were positively associated with the occurrence of autophagy. Reducing the expression of these target genes by siRNA or inhibition of autophagy both sensitized GC cells to chemotherapy. These findings suggest that a miR-23b-3p/ATG12/HMGB2/autophagy-regulatory loop has a critical role in MDR in GC. In addition, miR-23b-3p could be used as a prognostic factor for overall survival in GC. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that miR-23b-3p inhibited autophagy mediated by ATG12 and HMGB2 and sensitized GC cells to chemotherapy, and suggested the potential application of miR-23b-3p in drug resistance prediction and treatment.

Aberrant expression of regulatory cytokine IL-35 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective

This study characterizes an IL-35-mediated regulatory role in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Plasma of SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) was analyzed for the concentrations of IL-35 and soluble gp130 by using ELISA. mRNA expression of IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and its receptor (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the number of CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg cells and the expression of IL-35 receptor on the CD4+ helper (Th) cells and CD19+ B cells. Plasma collected from SLE patients and HCs was assayed for cytokine and chemokine expression by Luminex multiplex assay.

Results

Plasma IL-35 and soluble gp130 levels positively correlated with each other and were significantly higher in patients with severe SLE compared with HCs. Significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines CCL2, CXCL8, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10 and IL-17A were observed in plasma of SLE patients than HCs. mRNA levels of IL-35 and its receptor were significantly positively correlated in PBMCs from SLE patients and their levels were higher in SLE than HCs. The increase significantly correlated with changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (all p < 0.05). In addition, the number of Treg cells in severe and moderate SLE patients were both significantly lower than HCs, where the ratio of CD4+CD25−effector T cell %/CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg % was found to be significantly higher in severe SLE patients. Furthermore, the expression of gp130 on CD4+ Th cells and percentage of Tregs were positively correlated with each other, and both were negatively correlated with SLEDAI.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that high level of plasma IL-35 in active SLE patients expressed with low level of IL-35 receptor (gp130) on CD4+ Th cells. These data raise the possibility that the level of IL-35 expression in SLE patients is not sufficient to induce the production of CD4+CD25highCD127−Tregs, and subsequently suppress the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines upon inflammation.

Oncogenic c-Myc-induced lymphomagenesis is inhibited non-redundantly by the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways

The multifaceted oncogene c-Myc plays important roles in the development and progression of human cancer. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the ribosomal protein (RP)-Mdm2-p53 pathways are both essential in preventing oncogenic c-Myc-induced tumorigenesis. Disruption of each pathway individually by p19Arf deletion or by Mdm2(C305F) mutation, which disrupts RP-Mdm2 binding, accelerates Eμ-myc transgene-induced pre-B/B-cell lymphoma in mice at seemingly similar paces with median survival around 10 and 11 weeks, respectively, compared to 20 weeks for Eμ-myc transgenic mice. Because p19Arf can inhibit ribosomal biogenesis through its interaction with nucleophosmin (NPM/B23), RNA helicase DDX5 and RNA polymerase I transcription termination factor (TTF-I), it has been speculated that the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways might be a single p19Arf-RP-Mdm2-p53 pathway, in which p19Arf activates p53 by inhibiting RP biosynthesis; thus, p19Arf deletion or Mdm2(C305F) mutation would result in similar consequences. Here, we generated mice with concurrent p19Arf deletion and Mdm2(C305F) mutation and investigated the compound mice for tumorigenesis in the absence and the presence of oncogenic c-Myc overexpression. In the absence of Eμ-myc transgene, the Mdm2(C305F) mutation did not elicit spontaneous tumors in mice, nor did it accelerate spontaneous tumors in mice with p19Arf deletion. In the presence of Eμ-myc transgene, however, Mdm2(C305F) mutation significantly accelerated p19Arf deletion-induced lymphomagenesis and promoted rapid metastasis. We found that when p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and RP-Mdm2-p53 pathways are independently disrupted, oncogenic c-Myc-induced p53 stabilization and activation is only partially attenuated. When both pathways are concurrently disrupted, however, c-Myc-induced p53 stabilization and activation are essentially obliterated. Thus, the p19Arf-Mdm2-p53 and the RP-Mdm2-p53 are non-redundant pathways possessing similar capabilities to activate p53 upon c-Myc overexpression.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5)  pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6)  MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2)  MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate vs adefovir dipivoxil in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B after 48 weeks: a randomized controlled trial

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has demonstrated long-term efficacy and a high barrier to resistance in multiple chronic hepatitis B (CHB) populations outside of China. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDF compared with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in Chinese patients with CHB during 48 weeks of treatment (ClinicalTrial.gov number, NCT01300234). A Phase 3, multicentred, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of TDF with ADV in Chinese patients with CHB. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBV DNA <400 copies/mL in each treatment group at Week 48, using an unpooled Z-test for superiority. Secondary endpoints included viral suppression, serologic response, histological improvement, normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and the emergence of resistance mutations. A total of 509 patients, 202 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 307 HBeAg-negative, with HBV DNA ≥10(5) copies/mL received either TDF 300 mg od or ADV 10 mg od. At Week 48, TDF demonstrated superior viral suppression compared with ADV in both HBeAg-positive (76.7% vs 18.2%, P < 0.0001) and HBeAg-negative (96.8% vs 71.2%, P < 0.0001) patients. The majority of patients in both treatment arms achieved ALT normalization (>85%). No resistance to TDF was observed. The frequency of adverse events was comparable between treatment arms (TDF 3.9% vs ADV 4.8%). In this double-blind, randomized, clinical trial, TDF demonstrated superiority over ADV with respect to viral suppression in Chinese patients with CHB at 48 weeks of treatment and without the development of resistance.

Morin hydrate attenuates Staphylococcus aureus virulence by inhibiting the self-assembly of α-hemolysin

AIMS

To investigate the mechanism by which morin hydrate inhibits the haemolytic activity of α-hemolysin (Hla), a channel-forming toxin that is important for the pathogenesis of disease in experimental animals, and its therapeutic effect against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in a mouse model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The results from the in vitro (haemolysis, western blot and cytotoxicity assays) and in vivo (mouse model of intranasal lung infection) experiments indicated that morin hydrate, a natural compound with little anti-Staph. aureus activity, could effectively antagonize the cytolytic activity of Hla, alleviate human lung cell injury, and protect against mortality of Staph. aureus pneumonia in a mouse model of infection. Molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations and mutagenesis assays were further employed to determine the catalytic mechanism of inhibition, which indicated that a direct binding of morin to the 'Stem' domain of Hla (residues I107 and T109) and the concomitant change in conformation led to the inhibition of the self-assembly of the heptameric transmembrane pore, thus inhibiting the biological activity of Hla for cell lysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Morin inhibited Staph. aureus virulence via inhibiting the haemolytic activity of α-hemolysin.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These findings suggested that morin is a promising candidate for the development of anti-virulence therapeutic agents for the treatment of Staph. aureus infections.