Long non-coding RNA BLACAT1 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation through sponging miR-361

OBJECTIVE

LncRNAs play a key role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this study, the effects of the lncRNA BLACAT1 in prostate cancer were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of BLACAT1 and miR-361 in prostate cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues (n=25). The function of BLACAT1 was detected through proliferation assay and apoptosis assay. The interaction between BLACAT1 and miR-361 in prostate cancer was studied by luciferase assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis were performed to detect the BLACAT1 binding proteins. The xenograft mice experiment was performed to further confirm the functional significance of lncRNA BLACAT1 in vivo.

RESULTS

In patient samples and prostate cancer cell lines, BLACAT1 was down-regulated and inversely proportional to DNMT1, HDAC1, EZH2, MDM2 and miR-361 expression. Treatment with 5-azacytidine and chidamide enhanced BLACAT1 expression and decreased the levels of miR-361. The BALCAT1 promoter was methylated in prostate cancer tissue and found to interact with miR-361 via luciferase assays. BLACAT1 bound to EZH2, DNMT1 and HDAC1. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that HDAC1 interacts with STAT3, while EZH2 interacts with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) promoter.

CONCLUSIONS

Two regulatory axes of BLACAT1-EZH2-MAPK and BLACAT1-HDAC1-STAT3 were identified to be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. Both chidamide and 5-azacytidine represent promising therapeutic options in prostate cancer treatment.

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid attenuates epidural fibrosis via inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation and increasing fibroblast apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Epidural fibrosis represents a fatal stage of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) of known and idiopathic etiology, but no valid therapy is presently available. Previous evidence demonstrated that suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylases inhibitor, has antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory potential. Current studies have proved that SAHA inhibits myofibroblast differentiation and increases fibroblast apoptosis to attenuate epidural fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of SAHA on repressing epidural fibrosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

First, the levels of acetylation of histone and α-tubulin in adult human fibroblasts (AHF) and human epidural fibroblasts (HEF) were analyzed following SAHA and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) treatment. Then, mRNA and protein obtained from human fibroblasts following TGF-β activation and SAHA treatment in vitro culture were used to test the influence of SAHA on the activation and apoptosis of fibroblasts, so as to further explore the related mechanism of SAHA. Then, a laminectomy model was established in rats to observe the therapeutic effect of SAHA on epidural scar tissue.

RESULTS

The present research proved that the increases of HDAC 3 and α-tubulin were observed in AHF and HEF after TGF-β administration, but SAHA decreased HDAC 3 and α-tubulin expressions. In addition, cell study demonstrated that SAHA inhibited fibroblast activation via decreasing TGF-β function and accelerated apoptosis by promoting cleaved-caspase-3. In the epidural fibrosis model, it was found that SAHA weakened scar hyperplasia and collagen deposition, and effectively inhibited the process of epidural fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that SAHA inhibited HDAC 3 expression, decreased TGF-β effect, and enhanced caspase-3 in fibroblasts, leading reduction of myofibroblast activation and apoptosis elevation. Hence, SAHA ameliorated epidural fibrosis development.

[Polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages induced by recombinant Trichinella spiralis cysteine protease inhibitors in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regulatory role of recombinant Trichinella spiralis cysteine protease inhibitors (rTs-Cys) in induction of polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in vitro.

METHODS

BMDMs were captured and cultured in conditioned medium for 7 days. Then, mature BMDMs were harvested and assigned into four groups. Cells in Group A (negative control) were given 10 ng/mL IFN-γ combined with 100 ng/mL LPS, cells in Group B (positive control) were treated with IL-4 and IL-10 (at 10 ng/mL both), and cells in Group C (recombinant protein alone) were stimulated with 1 μg/mL rTs-Cys, while cells in Group D (protein co-culture) were simultaneously treated with 1 μg/mL rTs-Cys, 10 ng/mL IFN-γ and 100 ng/mL LPS. Cells and culture supernatant were collected 24 hour post-treatment, and the proportions of F4/80⁺, CD11b⁺, CD206⁺ and CD11c⁺ cells were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin IL-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA and the CD86⁺ and CD206⁺ phenotypes were identified by immunofluorescent staining.

RESULTS

Flow cytometry detected no significant difference in the proportion of F4/80⁺ CD11b⁺ CD11c⁺ cells among the four groups (F = 46.184, P < 0.001), and a lower proportion of F4/80⁺ CD11b⁺ CD11c⁺ cells was seen in groups C and D than in group A (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the proportion of F4/80⁺ CD11b⁺ CD206⁺ cells among the four groups (F = 11.032, P < 0.001), and a greater proportion of F4/80⁺ CD11b⁺ CD206⁺ cells was seen in groups C and D than in group A (all P values < 0.01). Immunofluorescent staining showed higher CD206⁺ expression and lower CD86⁺ expression in groups C and D than in Group A. There were significant differences in the IL-6 and (F = 3.950, P < 0.001) and TNF-α (F = 205.827, P < 0.001) levels in the cell culture supernatants among the four groups, and significantly lower IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured in groups C and D than in Group A (both P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the IL-10 and (F = 8.274, P < 0.001) and TGF-β (F = 13.559, P < 0.01) levels in the cell culture supernatants among the four groups, and greater IL-10 and TGF-β levels were measured in Group C than in Group A (both P values < 0.01). In addition, the TGF-β level was significantly higher in Group D than in Group A (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the IL-10 level between groups D and A (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

rTs-Cys may induce the polarization of BMDMs to antiinflammatory M2 macrophages in vitro and inhibit the activation of M1 macrophages.

Functional characterization of the cis-regulatory region for the vitellogenin gene in Plutella xylostella

The vitellogenin gene promoter (VgP) is an essential cis-regulatory element that plays a significant role in transcription of the vitellogenin (Vg) gene, leading to the production of yolk protein in insects, including lepidopterans. However, the function of VgP is still not clear in Plutella xylostella. Here, we cloned a 5.1 kb DNA fragment of the cis-regulatory region adjacent to the 5' end of the Vg gene of P. xylostella (PxVg). We identified two promoter sites in that 5' upstream sequence of PxVg and performed in vitro analysis of two promoter sequences (PxVgP1, 4.9 kb, and PxVgP2, 2.9 kb) in the embryonic cell line of P. xylostella. PxVgP2 exhibited higher enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression, so PxVgP2 was used for in vivo analysis. Strong EGFP fluorescence was observed in adult females and the fat body of females, with low expression in embryos. Our results suggest that PxVgP is an important stage-, tissue- and sex-specific endogenous cis-regulatory element in P. xylostella.

Fasudil alleviates hepatic fibrosis in type 1 diabetic rats: involvement of the inflammation and RhoA/ROCK pathway

OBJECTIVE

Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs) are recognized to be involved in many pathophysiological processes caused by hyperglycemia. We performed experiments to evaluate the effects of fasudil, the Rho/ROCK inhibitor, on preventing hepatic fibrosis in type 1 diabetic rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control (NC), untreated diabetic (DM), low-dose fasudil-treated (L-Fas), high-dose fasudil-treated (H-Fas) and captopril-treated (Cap) groups. Streptozotocin was injected to establish the diabetes model. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining were used for histological observations. The expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), collagen type Iα (Coll α1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and ROCK-1 were measured to investigate the mechanisms involved in fibrosis.

RESULTS

The DM group exhibited hepatic fibrosis with remarkable liver damage and inflammation reaction by the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Treatment with fasudil or captopril suppressed not only the inflammation reaction but also the accumulation of the extracellular matrix due to the downregulation of TGF-β1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1, which induces the amelioration of the liver fibrosis with diabetes. Furthermore, fasudil significantly attenuated the activation of ROCK-1 and NF-κB in the livers of diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that fasudil exert anti-inflammation actions and markedly decrease the accumulation of extracellular matrix. Fasudil is a good candidate agent for treating hepatic fibrosis in diabetes.

[Protective effect of excretory-secretory protein from adult Trichinella spiralis on ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of excretory-secretory protein (AES) from adult Trichinella spiralis on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.

METHODS

Eighteen female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups, including the blank control group (Group A), OVA-induced rhinitis group (Group B) and AES treatment group (Group C). Mice in Group A were given PBS. Mice in Group B were intraperitoneally injected with antigen adjuvant suspension for systemic sensitization, once every other day for seven times; then, local excitation was intranasally induced with 5% OVA solution once a day for seven times to establish a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. In addition to induction of allergic rhinitis, mice in Group C were given 25 μg AES at baseline sensitization and local excitation. Following the final challenge, mice were observed for 30 min in each group, and the behavioral score was evaluated. The serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TGF-β were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in mice, and the pathological changes of mouse nasal mucosa were observed under a microscope.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the mouse behavioral scores among the three groups (F = 110.12, P < 0.01). The mouse behavioral score was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (7.17 ± 0.75 vs. 1.33 ± 0.52, P < 0.01), and more remarkable pathological damages of mouse nasal mucosa were seen in Group B than in Group A, while the mouse behavioral score was significantly decreased in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.01), and the pathological damages of mouse nasal mucosa remarkably alleviated in Group C relative to Group B. There was a significant difference in serum IFN-γ level among the three groups (F = 7.50, P < 0.01) and the serum IFN-γ level in Group B was significantly lower than in group A and C (both P < 0.05). There were significant differences in serum IL-4 (F = 470.81, P < 0.01) and IL-5 levels (F =68.20, P < 0.01) among the three groups, and significantly greater serum IL-4 and IL-5 levels were detected in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.01), while significantly lower serum IL-4 and IL-5 levels were detected in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in serum IL-10 (F = 174.91, P < 0.01) and TGF-β levels (F = 9.39, P < 0.01) among the three groups, and significantly greater serum IL-10 and TGF-β levels were seen in Group C than in Group B (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

T. spiralis AES has a remarkable protective activity against OVA-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.

Reduced c-Fos expression in orexin neurons of the lateral hypothalamic area and the locus coeruleus following injection of spinosin into mice

BACKGROUND

Spinosin, a major component of Samen Ziziphi spinosae, has been shown to modulate sedation and hypnosis; however, the underlying neuronal mechanisms of its stimulatory effects remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, we injected spinosin (15 mg/kg) or saline into mice, which were killed after 90 min. We isolated the brains, which were immunohistochemically stained for c-Fos as a biomarker for neuronal activation and assessed the expression profile of c-Fos in various sleep-arousal brain areas.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the expression of c-Fos in the nucleus accumbens and ventrolateral preoptic area, the vertical limb of the diagonal band nucleus, horizontal limb of the diagonal band nucleus, ventral tuberomammillary nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and dorsal raphe nucleus relative to saline between saline and spinosin-treated mice. Unlike saline, spinosin markedly decreased c-Fos expression in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) as well as the locus coeruleus (LC). Compared to the saline injection, the application of spinosin also resulted in a marked decrease in c-Fos expression in the LHA orexin neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that spinosin administration results in a restricted pattern of c-Fos expression within the LHA orexin neurons and the LC, suggesting that this particular neuronal inactivation contributes to sedation and hypnosis.

Physiological responses of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to 1-hexyl-3-methyl chloride ionic liquids with different cations

Ionic liquids (ILs) are massively used in multiple fields of industry, and consequently, they have entered the environment and become potential threats to the respective ecosystems. In this paper, the toxicity of two different cationic types of ILs (1-hexyl-3-methyl pyridine chloride ([C₆Py]Cl) and 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazole chloride ([C₆MIM]Cl)) to Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) was investigated. Growth inhibition increased with increasing ILs concentrations. C. pyrenoidosa showed a certain recovery at low ILs concentrations, the growth inhibition decreased from 6.13% to 1.57% of the control from 24 h to 96 h, respectively, in 0.5 mg/L [C₆MIM]Cl treatment. However, growth inhibition was negatively related with exposure time at high concentrations, and the strongest toxic effects were observed after 48 h. The IC₅₀ values (half inhibitory concentration) were 8.47, 6.65, 6.91 and 7.11 mg/L of [C₆MIM]Cl, respectively, in 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and were 9.05, 6.83, 7.79 and 8.14 mg/L of [C₆Py]Cl, respectively. Chlorophyll content declined with higher concentrations of the ILs. The values of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters: the maximum effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (F_v/F_m), maximum quantum yield in PSII (F_v/F₀), and photosynthetic efficiency in PSII (Y(II)), decreased, whereas the minimal fluorescence (F₀) increased following the ILs treatment, indicating damage to the photosystem II. [C₆MIM]Cl and [C₆Py]Cl caused deformation of algae cells, plasmolysis, and damage of the cell membrane and cell wall, and affected organelle structure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations increased with higher ILs concentrations from, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activity first increased and then decreased, indicating that the antioxidant defense system was activated to counteract ROS. ROS was the main stress in C. pyrenoidosa induced by ILs, and compared with [C₆Py]Cl, [C₆MIM]Cl were more toxic to C. pyrenoidosa.

Evaluation of surface infiltration performance of permeable pavements

Many different test methods are used in practice to evaluate the surface infiltration performance of permeable pavements. This has led to inconsistency in reporting of test results. This study recognizes the differences in nature between a soil infiltration study and the surface infiltration evaluation of permeable pavements, and identifies the main issues associated with the current practice of surface infiltration testing. It proposes that hydraulic conductivity be adopted as the flow property for measurement and reporting instead of the commonly used infiltration rate. The advantages of measuring hydraulic conductivity are elaborated from both theoretical and practical implementation points of view. The theoretical merits of providing a consistent and integrated treatment of surface infiltration performance of a permeable pavement during the design, construction and maintenance phases are presented. The practical benefits are addressed from the following aspects: consistency between laboratory and field testing, uniformity in reporting of test measurements, rationality in construction quality control and acceptance checking, effectiveness in surface infiltration performance monitoring, and enhanced ability in implementing effective maintenance management. It is emphasized that the techniques and methods needed for measuring hydraulic conductivity of permeable pavement materials, for laboratory testing as well as on-site field testing, are already readily available and have been used by researchers and some practitioners for surface infiltration testing. Two falling-head test methods are recommended: one applies Darcy's law and determines hydraulic conductivity in the conventional way; another measures the time history of falling head and calculates hydraulic conductivity using a modified Darcy equation. It is also highlighted that the measurement of hydraulic conductivity offers a convenient platform for assessing the durability of a permeable pavement against clogging.

Usability of daily SF36 questionnaires to capture the QALD variation experienced after vaccination with AS03A-adjuvanted monovalent influenza A (H5N1) vaccine in a safety and tolerability study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to describe the short-term reactogenicity of the AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine expressed through adverse events (AEs) and quality-adjusted life-day (QALD) scores. The AEs are likely to be short-term and therefore the quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, SF-36v2, was administered daily to record changes over seven days. A more sensitive application of this instrument should allow for a better understanding of short-term tolerability of adjuvanted vaccines.

METHODS

Participants (N = 50) received a 2-dose vaccination schedule. Solicited (collected daily: days 0 to 7 [post dose 1] and 21 to 28 [post dose 2]) and unsolicited (collected weekly until day 21) AEs were collected via diary cards. The QoL questionnaires were completed daily (days 0-6) and weekly (days 0, 6, 21, 27) after dose one. Questionnaire data were transformed into SF-6D scores to report QALDs. It was hypothesized post-hoc that the QALD and daily AEs scores should correlate if discrete QoL-changes were captured.

RESULTS

Pain (92%) and muscle ache (66%) were the most commonly reported solicited local and general AEs respectively, neither increased in intensity nor in frequency after dose 2. No safety concerns were identified during the study. A correlation between the daily AEs and QALD scores existed (correlation coefficient, - 0.97 (p < 0.001)). The impact of the AEs scores on the QALD was marginal (- 0.02 max for one day).

CONCLUSION

Similarly with other H5N1 studies, no safety concern was identified throughout the study. Some time-limited variations in QALD-scores were reported. Our results imply that daily administration of the SF-36v2 captures changes in QALD-scores.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov . NCT01788228. Registered 11 February 2013.

Higher lncRNA CASC15 expression predicts poor prognosis and associates with tumor growth in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of long non-coding RNA Cancer Susceptibility Candidate 15 (CASC15) in cervical cancer and its potential molecular mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The CASC15 expression was measured in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines by using quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry analysis and transwell cell invasion assays were employed to detect the capacities of cell proliferation and cell invasion. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was applied to detected the E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression in EMT pathway.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that lncRNA CASC15 expression was higher in cervical cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Higher lncRNA CASC15 expression associated with lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage. Moreover, our results showed that higher lncRNA CASC15 expression predicted poor prognosis of cervical cancer. Functional assays showed that knockdown of lncRNA CASC15 suppressed cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in cervical cancer. Moreover, we also found that knockdown of lncRNA CASC15 inhibited cell invasion ability and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) signaling pathway by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating N-cadherin expression in cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that lncRNA CASC15 expression may be a prognostic biomarker and contributed to cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis of neuromyelitis optic spectrum disease complicated with malignant tumor]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of patients involved with both malignant tumors and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Methods: The clinical data of 473 patients with NMOSD admitted into the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and the Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from June 2012 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Eleven NMOSD patients complicated with malignant tumors were screened out (3 with breast cancer, 2 with cervical cancer, 2 with rectal cancer, 2 with leukemia, 1 with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 1 with thyroid cancer). Fifty patients without NMOSD were included as controls. Results: Most of the NMOSD patients were complicated by low-moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma/adenocarcinoma, mainly seen in breast, reproductive system, digestive system and hematological system. In terms of sex ratio and autoantibodies, the NMOSD patients with and without malignant tumors showed no significant difference. However, comparing to the patients without malignant tumor, the ones with malignant tumor showed a tendency of lower rate of initial brain symptoms and relapse rate, while with older onset age, higher initial EDSS score, protein content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), higher rates of initial symptom resulted from the focus of posterior region of the medulla and of significant image focus. Of the 8 NMOSD patients who diagnosed as malignant tumors in our hospital, 2 with breast cancer and 1 with cervical cancer had a good prognosis (follow-up EDSS score <3). All the 3 patients received aggressive surgery and chemotherapy treatment. However, the other 5 patients had poor prognosis (follow-up EDSS score ≥3 points). All the 11 patients received anti-tumor therapy, 4 patients had first NMOSD attack after anti-tumor treatment and no relapse. Only one case from the remaining 7 patients had relapse; Among the 9 patients received immunosuppressive therapy, 7 patients had no relapse, and 8 cases maintained stable; while, among all the 9 patients received immunosuppressive agents and anti-tumor therapy, only one case had relapse. Conclusions: There are some differences in the clinical features between the NMOSD patients with malignant tumors and the NMOSD patients without malignant tumors. Immunosuppressive therapy can improve the prognosis of patients with NMOSD and tumor, without increasing the risk of malignant tumor. The pathological type, staging and antitumor therapy may influence the prognosis of NMOSD. NMOSD patients with malignant tumor could be treated with anti-tumor and immunosuppressive agents if needed.

The 9th Annual Biosimilar Asia 2018 (May 16-17, 2018 - Shanghai, China)

The 9^th Annual Biosimilar Asia, an event hosted by ICB Asia, was held at the Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao from May 16 to 17. It was held simultaneously with Biomanufacturing Asia, and Cell Line Development and Engineering Asia. These three events formed Biopharma Development and Production (BDP) 2018. The BDP 2018 event had more than 60 sessions, over 70 speakers and more than 300 companies from around the world.

Clofazimine improves clinical outcomes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

We carried out a randomized multicentre study in China to investigate whether the clofazimine would improve the efficacy of the standardized regimen in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

METHODS

Patients with MDR-TB managed in 17 TB specialist hospitals in China between September 2009 and September 2011 were randomly assigned to the treatment groups at enrolment. In the intervention group, 100 mg clofazimine per day was added to the standardized regimen. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful outcomes.

RESULTS

From the 156 patients that were screened, 74 were assigned to the control group and 66 to the clofazimine group. Of the 66 cases analysed for clinical outcome in the clofazimine group, 36 patients were cured, and seven completed treatment, yielding a favourable outcome rate of 65.1%. The proportion of patients with favourable outcomes receiving the control regimen was 47.3% (35/74), which was significantly lower than that in the clofazimine group (p 0.034, relative risk 0.661, 95% CI 0.243-0.949).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of clofazimine to the standard regimen improved the treatment of MDR-TB.