FPR2 enhances colorectal cancer progression by promoting EMT process

Formyl peptide receptor-2 (FPR2) has been shown to promote various tumors, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been clearly illuminated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of FPR2 interference on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, pro-angiogenesis of CRC cells, and also the mechanisms involved. Quantitative PCR assays were applied to assess the expression levels of FPR2 in CRC tissues. CRC cell line SW1116 was chosen to perform this study. We knocked down FPR2 gene by sh-RNA. Then, the cell proliferation was assayed by soft agar colony formation assay, the cell migration capacity was checked by wound healing assay, and cell invasion ability was detected by transwell assay. In addition, flow cytometric analysis was used to detect apoptosis, while endothelial tube formation assay was used to evaluate the effects of FPR2 on pro-angiogenesis in vitro. Tumorigenesis experiment in vivo was performed in nude mice. EMT-related proteins were studied by western blotting. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that FPR2 mRNA was highly expressed in the colorectal cancer tissues. SW1116 cells' capacities of proliferation, migration, invasion, anti-apoptosis and pro-angiogenesis were distinctly suppressed after silencing FPR2 in SW1116 by sh-RNA. Suppression FPR2 mRNA in SW1116 cells suppressed tumorigenicity in nude mice. The expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, Slug and vimentin was changed after suppressing FPR2. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that FPR2 could promote CRC cells progression in vitro and in vivo that may relate to promoting EMT.

miR-155 Aggravates Liver Ischemia/reperfusion Injury by Suppressing SOCS1 in Mice

Liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs during partial liver resection and liver transplantation. Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is a key event triggered by a range of proinflammatory cytokines during liver I/R. Although it has been reported that miR-155 takes part in both innate and adaptive immune responses, the potential role of miR-155 in liver IRI remains unknown. In this study, we found that expression of miR-155 was upregulated during liver I/R by many inflammatory cytokines, and forced expression of miR-155 aggravated hepatocyte injury following liver I/R both in vivo and in vitro. Mice transfected with Ago-miR-155-a chemically modified miR-155-showed enhanced liver severity compared to those transfected with negative control miRNA by inhibiting the expression of SOCS1, the target of miR-155. Thus by the inhibition of SOCS1, the overexpression of miR-155 promoted activation of NF-κB, and elevating the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, miR-155 aggravates liver I/R injury in vivo and hepatocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by suppressing the expression of SOCS1.

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection: interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial

AIM

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPR) is challenging 'conventional' abdominoperineal excision (APR), yet the safety and efficacy of ELAPR is still under debate. We therefore developed a laparoscopic APR with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection (LAPR-TILT) approach and compared the outcome with a conventional laparoscopic APR (CLAPR).

METHOD

All eligible patients were entered a single-centre randomized controlled trial to compare CLAPR and LAPR-TILT. We assessed the first 185 patients, including operative findings, complications, histopathology and urogenital function.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients in the CLAPR group and 92 patients in the APR-TILT group were included for analysis. The APR-TILT procedure took less time [137 (101-175) min vs 146 (102-187) min; P = 0.03], mainly owing to faster perineal dissection. APR-TILT resulted in a reduced rate of bowel perforation (1.1% vs 8.6%; P = 0.04), circumferential resection margin positivity (1.1% vs 10.8%; P = 0.01) and postoperative wound complications (5.4% vs 16.2%; P = 0.02) compared with the CLAPR procedure. At a median follow-up of 19 months after surgery, three patients (3.2%) in the CLAPR group had tumour recurrence while no tumour recurrence occurred in the LAPR-TILT group. Patients who underwent LAPR-TILT reported fewer urinary or sexual problems (LAPR-TILT vs CLAPR, 10.9% vs 24.7% and 17.4% vs 38.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared with CLAPR, LAPR-TILT achieved better pathological results for factors that are surrogate parameters for local recurrence. LAPR-TILT could also reduce the risk of urogenital dysfunction.

Characterization of an entomopathogenic fungi target integument protein, Bombyx mori single domain von Willebrand factor type C, in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The insect cuticle works as the first line of defence to protect insects from pathogenic infections and water evaporation. However, the old cuticle must be shed in order to enter the next developmental stage. During each ecdysis, moulting fluids are produced and secreted into the area among the old and new cuticles. In a previous study, the protein Bombyx mori single domain von Willebrand factor type C (BmSVWC; BGIBMGA011399) was identified in the moulting fluids of Bo. mori and demonstrated to regulate ecdysis. In this study we show that in Bo. mori larvae, BmSVWC primarily locates to the integument (epidermal cells and cuticle), wing discs and head. During the moulting stage, BmSVWC is released into the moulting fluids, and is then produced again by epidermal cells after ecdysis. Fungal infection was shown to decrease the amount of BmSVWC in the cuticle, which indicates that BmSVWC is a target protein of entomopathogenic fungi. Thus, BmSVWC is mainly involved in maintaining the integrity of the integument structure, which serves to protect insects from physical damage and pathogenic infection.

NF-κB inhibition reveals a novel role for HGF during skeletal muscle repair

The transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/p65 is the master regulator of inflammation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Disease severity is reduced by NF-κB inhibition in the mdx mouse, a murine DMD model; however, therapeutic targeting of NF-κB remains problematic for patients because of its fundamental role in immunity. In this investigation, we found that the therapeutic effect of NF-κB blockade requires hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) production by myogenic cells. We found that deleting one allele of the NF-κB subunit p65 (p65+/-) improved the survival and enhanced the anti-inflammatory capacity of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) following intramuscular transplantation. Factors secreted from p65+/- MDSCs in cell cultures modulated macrophage cytokine expression in an HGF-receptor-dependent manner. Indeed, we found that following genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of basal NF-κB/p65 activity, HGF gene transcription was induced in MDSCs. We investigated the role of HGF in anti-NF-κB therapy in vivo using mdx;p65+/- mice, and found that accelerated regeneration coincided with HGF upregulation in the skeletal muscle. This anti-NF-κB-mediated dystrophic phenotype was reversed by blocking de novo HGF production by myogenic cells following disease onset. HGF silencing resulted in increased inflammation and extensive necrosis of the diaphragm muscle. Proteolytic processing of matrix-associated HGF is known to activate muscle stem cells at the earliest stages of repair, but our results indicate that the production of a second pool of HGF by myogenic cells, negatively regulated by NF-κB/p65, is crucial for inflammation resolution and the completion of repair in dystrophic skeletal muscle. Our findings warrant further investigation into the potential of HGF mimetics for the treatment of DMD.

RABEX-5 is upregulated and plays an oncogenic role in gastric cancer development by activating the VEGF signaling pathway

RABEX-5, a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RAB-5, is implicated in tumorigenesis and in the development of certain human cancers. Here, we report that RABEX-5 promotes tumor growth and the metastatic ability of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Expression of RABEX-5 is significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues and is associated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. In addition, targeted silencing of RABEX-5 reduced gastric cancer cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro via the induction of a G0/G1 phase arrest, and stimulated gastric cancer cell apoptosis. Knockdown of RABEX-5 also inhibited wound healing, migration and the invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells. The results of in vivo animal experiments were also consistent with these in vitro findings. Silencing of RABEX-5 led to decreased expression of VEGF. These results indicate that RABEX-5 is upregulated and plays an oncogenic role in gastric cancer development by activating the VEGF signaling pathway.

Decreased infarct volume and intracranial hemorrhage associated with intra-arterial nonionic iso-osmolar contrast material in an MCA occlusion/reperfusion model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Infarct volume and intracranial hemorrhage after reperfusion with nonionic low-osmolar and iso-osmolar iodinated IRCM has not been previously compared. We postulated that iso-osmolar and low-osmolar iodinated contrast media exert varied effects on cerebral infarct after intra-arterial injection. We compared infarct volume and hemorrhagic changes following intra-arterial infusion of iodixanol, iopamidol, or normal saline in a rat MCA occlusion/reperfusion model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Infarct was induced in 30 rats by a previously validated method of MCA suture occlusion. Reperfusion was performed after 5 hours with either iodixanol (n = 9), iopamidol (n = 12), or saline (n = 9). MR images were obtained at both 6 and 24 hours after ischemia, followed by sacrifice. Infarct volume was measured with T2WI and DWI by semiautomatic segmentation. Incidence and area of hemorrhage were measured on brain sections postmortem.

RESULTS

T2WI mean infarct volumes were 242 ± 89, 324 ± 70, and 345 ± 92 mm(3) at 6 hours, and 341 ± 147,470 ± 91, and 462 ± 71 mm(3) at 24 hours in the iodixanol, iopamidol, and saline groups, respectively. Differences in infarct volume among groups were significant at 6 hours (P < .03) and 24 hours (P < .05). In the iodixanol, iopamidol, and saline groups, mean areas for cortical intracranial hemorrhage were 0.8, 18.2, and 25.7 mm(2); and 28, 31, and 56.7 mm(2), respectively, for deep intracranial hemorrhage. The differences in intracranial hemorrhage area among groups were statistically significant for cortical intracranial hemorrhage (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-arterial infusion of nonionic iso-osmolar iodixanol showed reduced infarct volume and reduced cortical intracranial hemorrhage areas in comparison with nonionic low-osmolar iopamidol and saline. Our results may be relevant in the setting of intra-arterial therapy for acute stroke in humans, warranting further investigation.

The Processing Behavior of Liquid Sn/Molten Polyethylene during Internal Mixing

In our study, liquid tin (Sn) was mixed with molten polyethylene using an internal mixer; the interfacial tension between the liquid Sn and molten polyethylene was measured using the deformed drop retraction method. The results showed that liquid Sn separated when the Sn content was higher than approximately 2 % by volume because of the interfacial tension of up to 167 mN/m and the 106-fold viscosity difference between the liquid Sn and the molten polyethylene. When Sn separation did not occur, the effects of the mixing time and rotary speed on the degree of mixing and the Sn particle size were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the effects of mixing time and rotary speed on the degree of mixing and Sn particle size can be combined as the impact of specific energy input. With increasing specific energy input, the degree of mixing initially increased and subsequently remained constant, while the Sn particle size initially decreased and subsequently remained constant. The refinement of the dispersed phase was completed with a low specific energy input, but the homogenization of the dispersed phase required a higher specific energy input to achieve completion, revealing the relationship between distributive mixing and dispersive mixing.

Administration of S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline protects against brain injuries after intracerebral hemorrhage

Although intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) increases the level of glutamate in the perihematomal area and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the ICH acute phase, it is unclear whether elevated glutamate activates neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the ICH brain and whether nNOS is an important target for ICH treatment. Here, we assessed the role of the nNOS inhibitor S-methyl-l-thiocitrulline (SMTC) in the activity of NADPH-d and ICH-induced brain injuries. An autologous blood intracerebral infusion model in male rats was used. All of the rats were sacrificed 24h after ICH. ICH increased NADPH-d activity in the striatum. Administering SMTC 3h after ICH decreased the activity of NADH-d (p<0.05 vs. the ICH group). The activation of gelatinolytic enzymes in the perihematomal region of the striatum was reduced by SMTC treatment (p<0.01, vs. the ICH group). The loss of laminin- and occludin-stained vessels was significant in perihematomal regions after 24h of ICH and was significantly attenuated by the administration of SMTC (p<0.01 for laminin, p<0.05 for occluding, compared with the ICH group). Neuronal death and neurological deficits after ICH were also decreased in SMTC treatment rats (p<0.01, vs. the ICH group). The results suggest that the administration of the nNOS inhibitor SMTC after ICH protects against ICH-induced brain injuries and improves neurological function.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 deletions protect against hemorrhagic transformation after 1 h of cerebral ischemia and 23 h of reperfusion

Although elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 levels were highly related to the degradation of tight junction (TJ) proteins and basal lamina and neuronal injury after ischemia, until very recently, little experimental evidence was available to test the role of the MMP-2 knockout (KO) in blood-brain-barrier (BBB) injury and the development of hemorrhage transformation (HT). Here, we assessed the role of the MMP-2 KO in BBB injury, HT and other brain injuries after 1h of ischemia and 23 h of reperfusion. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in MMP-2 KO mice. Reperfusion was started 1h after the onset of MCAO. All mice were sacrificed 24h after the MCAO. MMP-2 deficiency reduced the decrease in protein levels of collagen IV and cellular membrane occludin (p<0.01 and 0.05 vs. wild-type (WT), respectively) and attenuated increase in cytosol occludin level in ischemic brain (p<0.01 vs. WT). The hemorrhage volume and brain infarction were significantly decreased in both the cortex and striatum in the MMP-2 KO mice (p<0.01 vs. WT). The MMP-2 KO also had reduced brain swelling in the cortex and improved neurological deficits (p<0.01 vs. WT). These studies provide direct evidence that targeting MMP-2 will effectively protect against collagen and occludin loss and HT after ischemia and reperfusion.

Cerebrospinal fluid derived from progressive multiple sclerosis patients promotes neuronal and oligodendroglial differentiation of human neural precursor cells in vitro

In the adult CNS, tissue-specific germinal niches, such as the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, contain multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) with the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into functional brain cells (i.e. neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes). Due to their intrinsic plasticity, NPCs can be considered an essential part of the cellular mechanism(s) by which the CNS tries to repair itself after an injury. In inflammatory CNS disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), neurogenesis and gliogenesis occur as part of an 'intrinsic' self-repair process. However, full and long-lasting repair in progressive MS is not achieved. Recent data suggest that endogenous NPCs, while trying to repair the damaged CNS in MS, may become the target of the disease itself. It is possible that factors produced during MS, like CNS-infiltrating blood-borne inflammatory mononuclear cells, reactive CNS-resident cells, and humoral mediators, can alter the physiological properties of NPCs, ultimately impairing their ability to promote neural regeneration. Here, we investigate the effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derived from primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS) MS patients (CSF-MS) on the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of commercially available human embryonic-derived NPCs named ENStem-A. We found that PPMS derived CSF markedly reduced the proliferation of ENStem-A and increased their differentiation toward neuronal and oligodendroglial cells, compared to control CSF. Similar but less striking results were seen when ENstem-A were treated with SPMS derived CSF. Our findings suggest that in both SPMS and PPMS the CNS milieu, as determined by extrapolation from CSF findings, may stimulate the endogenous pool of NPCs to differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes.

Spectroscopic Imaging of Metal-Enhanced Upconversion on Plasmonic Substrates

We use spectroscopic imaging to investigate the enhancement of infra-red to visible upconversion in rare-earth doped nano-particles (NaYF4:Yb:Er) supported on nano-fabricated plasmonic substrates consisting of square lattices of Au nano-pillars fabricated by electron beam lithography and designed to support a surface plasmon polariton at frequencies which are nearresonant with the rare-earth ion (Yb3+) absorption. We observe a systematic enhancement in the efficiency of upconversion associated with the interaction of the co-doped nano-particles with the plasmonic substrate. Spectrally-resolved imaging provides a massively parallel means of assessing the range of achievable enhancement and its relation to the specific configuration of the substrate / upconverting nano-particle system. Spectrally-resolved reflectivity of the plasmonic substrates confirms the role of the surface plasmon polariton in the upconversion enhancement. Experimental results are compared to Finite Difference Time Domain simulations of the frequency-dependent reflectivity of these metallic nanostructures.

Chain transplantation: initial experience of a large multicenter program

We report the results of a large series of chain transplantations that were facilitated by a multicenter US database in which 57 centers pooled incompatible donor/recipient pairs. Chains, initiated by nondirected donors, were identified using a computer algorithm incorporating virtual cross-matches and potential to extend chains. The first 54 chains facilitated 272 kidney transplants (mean chain length = 5.0). Seven chains ended because potential donors became unavailable to donate after their recipient received a kidney; however, every recipient whose intended donor donated was transplanted. The remaining 47 chains were eventually closed by having the last donor donate to the waiting list. Of the 272 chain recipients 46% were ethnic minorities and 63% of grafts were shipped from other centers. The number of blood type O-patients receiving a transplant (n = 90) was greater than the number of blood type O-non-directed donors (n = 32) initiating chains. We have 1-year follow up on the first 100 transplants. The mean 1-year creatinine of the first 100 transplants from this series was 1.3 mg/dL. Chain transplantation enables many recipients with immunologically incompatible donors to be transplanted with high quality grafts.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 or -9 deletions protect against hemorrhagic transformation during early stage of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion

MMP-9 deficiency protected against photochemical thrombosis-induced brain hemorrhagic transformation (HT), but it did not protect against tissue plasminogen activator-induced brain hemorrhage. The roles of MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 knockout (KO) in mechanical reperfusion induced HT after ischemia have not been investigated. Here we assessed the effects of MMP-2 KO, MMP-9 KO and MMP-2/9 double KO (dKO) in protecting against mechanical reperfusion induced HT and other brain injuries after the early stages of cerebral ischemia in mice of the same genetic background. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in mice. Reperfusion was started at 1 or 1.5h after onset of MCAO. All mice were sacrificed 8h after MCAO. We found that both pro- and active MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were significantly elevated in the early ischemic brain. After the early stages of ischemia and reperfusion, the hemorrhagic incidence was reduced in the cortex of MMP-2 KO mice (p<0.05 vs. WT). The hemorrhagic volume was significantly decreased in the cortexes of MMP-2 and/or -9 knockout mice (MMP-9 KO vs. WT: p<0.01, MMP-2 KO and dKO vs. WT: p<0.001). In the basal ganglia, MMP-2 KO and MMP-2/9 dKO mice displayed a remarkable decrease in hemorrhagic volume (p<0.01 or 0.05 vs. WT), but MMP-9 KOs did not protect against hemorrhage. MMP-2 and/or -9 knockout mice displayed significantly decreased infarction volume in both the cortex and striatum, in addition to improved neurological function (p<0.001 vs. WT). The results suggested that MMP-2 deficiency and MMP-2 and MMP-9 double deficiency were more protective than MMP-9 deficiency against HT after the early stages of ischemia and reperfusion. These studies increase our understanding of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HT development and will help to selectively target MMPs to protect the post-ischemic brain from injury and HT.