Effects of lncRNA ANRIL on proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating TGF-β/Smad pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of the long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in the proliferation and apoptosis of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells by regulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Human OSCC cells were cultured, and then transfected with small interfering (si)-ANRIL to inhibit the lncRNA ANRIL and ANRIL-OE to overexpress the lncRNA ANRIL. Next, the flow cytometry was carried out to detect the apoptosis rate, the proliferation was determined via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the changes in the protein level were detected through Western blotting (WB).

RESULTS

The lncRNA ANRIL was highly expressed in the tissues and serum of patients. The proliferation ability of the cells transfected with si-ANRIL was significantly reduced, while that of the cells transfected with ANRIL-OE was overtly increased. The apoptosis rate was (9.21±5.22)%, (22.3±1.34)%, and (13.21±6.22)% in lncRNA ANRIL-OE group, si-ANRIL group and control group, respectively. The protein expression level of the apoptotic protein active caspase-3 was lowered after the treatment with ANRIL-OE, and the key molecules of the TGF-β/Smad pathway were notably down-regulated after inhibiting ANRIL with si-ANRIL.

CONCLUSIONS

The lncRNA ANRIL regulates the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to promote the proliferation and suppress the apoptosis of OSCC cells.

Effects of sophorolipids on fungal and oomycete pathogens in relation to pH solubility

AIMS

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sophorolipids on several fungal and oomycete plant pathogens and the relationship between sophorolipids at different pH and antimicrobial activities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sophorolipids had different solubility at different pH with a dramatic increase in solubility when pH was 6 or higher. Inhibition of mycelial growth of Phytophthora infestans by sophorolipids was affected by pH values, showing that when the pH value was higher, the inhibition rate was lower. Sophorolipids inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of several fungal and oomycete pathogens in vitro including Fusarium sp., F. oxysporum, F. concentricum, Pythium ultimum, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctorzia solani, Alternaria kikuchiana, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and P. infestans and caused morphological changes in hyphae by microscope observation. Sophorolipids reduced β-1,3-glucanase activity in mycelia of P. infestans. In greenhouse studies, foliar application of sophorolipids at 3 mg ml^-1 reduced severity of late blight of potato caused by P. infestans significantly.

CONCLUSION

Sophorolipids influenced spore germination and hyphal tip growth of several plant pathogens and pH solubility of sophorolipids had an effect on their efficacy. Application of sophorolipids reduced late blight disease on potato under greenhouse conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The findings indicated that sophorolipids have the potential to be developed as a convenient and easy-to-use formulation for managing plant diseases.

[Determination of arsenic species compound in blood by high performance liquid chromatographyatomic fluorescence spectrometry]

Objective: To establish a method for determination of arsenic species in blood with high performance liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) . Methods: The effect of mobile phase about chromatography separation and sample pretreatment conditions and atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection parameters has been optimized to reliably measure the following four kinds of species arsenic compound including arsenic[As (III) ]、dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) 、monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and arsenate[As (V) ] in acute intoxication human blood. The method of technical standard about within-run, between-run and recoveries of standard were optimized. Results: The method showed As (III) linear relationship was 2.63-100.00 μg/L, The detection limit was 2.63 μg/L. The relative coefficient (r) was 0.9999; DMA linear relationship was 3.21-100.00 μg/L, The detection limit was 3.21 μg/L. The r was 0.9992; MMA linear relationship was 3.41-100.00 μg/L, The detection limit was 3.41 μg/L. The r was 0.9998; As (V) linear relationship was 3.90-100.00 μg/L, The detection limit was 3.90 μg/L. The r was 0.9996. The average recovery of four species arsenic in tested samples ranged from 91.3%-99.8% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) from 2.39% to 4.05%. The within-run and between-run relative standard deviations (RSD) of repetitive measurement at 10.00, 40.00, 80.00 μg/L concentration levels were 1.99%-4.59% and 2.72%-4.53%. Conclusion: This method is low detection limit, good accurate and high sensitivity, proposed method had been applied to the analysis of arsenic species in blood samples those who acute intoxication or poisoning diagnosis.

A meta-analysis of influence of MSMB promoter rs10993994 polymorphisms on prostate cancer risk

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between beta-microseminoprotein gene (MSMB) rs10993994 polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant databases were searched to identify studies investigating the association between rs10993994 polymorphisms and the risk of PCa using allele contrast, recessive, dominant, and additive models. The assessment of the association was used by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was checked for each study. The sensitivity analysis and the assessment of publication bias were also performed.

RESULTS

Six reports involving 13 eligible studies (a total of 11,385 PCa patients and 9,115 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Our data revealed that the T allele of MSMB rs10993994 polymorphism was significantly associated with PCa in all subjects (allele contrast: OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.19-1.29, p<0.001). Similarly, for recessive, dominant, and additive genetic models, significant associations were also found (recessive: OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.30-1.51; dominant: OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.21-1.36; and additive: OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.44-1.70). Significant associations were also found in Caucasians. The data for Asians showed significant association in allele contrast and recessive, additive genetic models, whereas no statistical significance was found in the dominant genetic model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated a significant association between the MSMB rs10993994 polymorphisms and PCa risk. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Emerging roles of aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer

Altered aerobic glycolysis is a well-recognized characteristic of cancer cell energy metabolism, known as the Warburg effect. Even in the presence of abundant oxygen, a majority of tumor cells produce substantial amounts of energy through a high glycolytic metabolism, and breast cancer (BC) is no exception. Breast cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in women worldwide. However, the precise role of aerobic glycolysis in the development of BC remains elusive. Therefore, the present review attempts to address the implication of key enzymes of the aerobic glycolytic pathway including hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose transporters (GLUTs), together with related signaling pathways including protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and transcription factors (c-myc, p53 and HIF-1) in the research of BC. Thus, the review of aerobic glycolysis in BC may evoke novel ideas for the BC treatment.

Mechanical loading inhibits cartilage inflammatory signalling via an HDAC6 and IFT-dependent mechanism regulating primary cilia elongation

OBJECTIVE

Physiological mechanical loading reduces inflammatory signalling in numerous cell types including articular chondrocytes however the mechanism responsible remains unclear. This study investigates the role of chondrocyte primary cilia and associated intraflagellar transport (IFT) in the mechanical regulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signalling.

DESIGN

Isolated chondrocytes and cartilage explants were subjected to cyclic mechanical loading in the presence and absence of the cytokine IL-1β. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) release were used to monitor IL-1β signalling whilst Sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) release provided measurement of cartilage degradation. Measurements were made of HDAC6 activity and tubulin polymerisation and acetylation. Effects on primary cilia were monitored by confocal and super resolution microscopy. Involvement of IFT was analysed using ORPK cells with hypomorphic mutation of IFT88.

RESULTS

Mechanical loading suppressed NO and PGE₂ release and prevented cartilage degradation. Loading activated HDAC6 and disrupted tubulin acetylation and cilia elongation induced by IL-1β. HDAC6 inhibition with tubacin blocked the anti-inflammatory effects of loading and restored tubulin acetylation and cilia elongation. Hypomorphic mutation of IFT88 reduced IL-1β signalling and abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of loading indicating the mechanism is IFT-dependent. Loading reduced the pool of non-polymerised tubulin which was replicated by taxol which also mimicked the anti-inflammatory effects of mechanical loading and prevented cilia elongation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that mechanical loading suppresses inflammatory signalling, partially dependent on IFT, by activation of HDAC6 and post transcriptional modulation of tubulin.

Serum Homocysteine Levels Had Important Associations with Activity and Quality of Daily Living in Chinese Centenarians

BACKGROUND

Population aging is an important problem worldwide, with activity and quality of daily living commonly reduced in elderly people. leading to increased hospitalization and mortality rates, and substantial individual and social burdens.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the associations of serum homocysteine levels with activity and quality of daily living in Chinese centenarians for the first time.

PARTICIPANTS

The China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study was performed in 18 cities and counties of Hainan Province.

MAIN MEASURES

Home interview, physical examination and blood analysis were performed in 787 centenarians following standard procedures.

KEY RESULTS

The median age was 102 years, ranging between 100 and 115 years. There were 634 females (80.6%) and 153 males (19.4%) in all. The median level of serum homocysteine was 23.80 (18.80-29.90) umol/L, whereas median values of Barthel Index and EuroQol 5 Dimensions were 85(60-95) and 0.661(0.558-0.766), respectively. The centenarians with serum homocysteine levels ≥23.8μmol/L were more likely to had lower values of Barthel Index and EuroQol 5 Dimensions than those with serum homocysteine levels <23.8μmol/L (P<0.05 for all). In multivariate linear regression analyses, serum homocysteine levels were significantly associated with Barthel Index and EuroQol 5 Dimensions (P<0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum homocysteine levels had important associations with activity and quality of daily living in Chinese centenarians. Future research should focus on the value of intervening in serum homocysteine levels by supplying folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 on improving activity and quality of daily living in elderly people.