MicroRNA-101 regulates autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis via targeting EZH2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal carcinoma is the second commonest head and neck carcinoma globally. MicroRNA-101 (miR-101) has been reported as a tumor suppressor in multiple malignancies including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of miR-101 in the development of LSCC have not been fully elucidated. In present study, RT-qPCR assay was performed to detect the expression of miR-101 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) mRNA. Western blot assay was conducted to determine protein expression of LC3-Ⅰ, LC3-Ⅱ, p62 and EZH2. Cell proliferative capacity was evaluated by MTS assay. The effect of miR-101 alone or along with EZH2 on cell apoptosis was assessed by apoptotic index and caspase-3 activity. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were carried out to investigate the interaction between miR-101 and EZH2. Results revealed that miR-101 expression was strikingly down-regulated in LSCC cell lines. Functional analyses showed that ectopic expression of miR-101 suppressed cell autophagy and proliferation and facilitated cell apoptosis in LSCC. Further investigations revealed that miR-101 inhibited EZH2 expression by direct interaction and EZH2 was highly expressed in LSCC cells. Also, EZH2 knockdown reduced the autophagic activity of LSCC cells. Moreover, restoration experiments showed that EZH2 up-regulation weakened miR-101-mediated anti-autophagy, anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects in LSCC cells. In conclusion, our findings suggested that miR-101 inhibited autophagy and proliferation and promoted apoptosis via targeting EZH2 in LSCC, providing a deep insight into the pathogenesis of LSCC and hinting the pivotal roles of epigenetic modifications especially histone methylation in the development of LSCC.

Methyl donor supplementation suppresses the progression of liver lipid accumulation while modifying the plasma triacylglycerol lipidome in periparturient Holstein dairy cows

Co-supplementation of methyl donors may lower hepatic lipid content in transition cows. To define the ability of methyl donor supplementation (MDS) to reduce hepatic lipid content and modify the plasma lipidome, 30 multiparous Holstein cows (2.04 ± 0.69 lactations; 689 ± 58 kg of body weight; 3.48 ± 0.10 units of body condition score) were fed a ration with or without rumen-protected methyl donors (22 g/d of Met, 10 g/d of choline chloride, 3 g/d of betaine, 96 mg/d of riboflavin, and 1.4 mg/d of vitamin B₁₂) from d -28 before expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Cows were randomly enrolled based on predefined selection criteria (body condition score and parity). Base diets without MDS were formulated for gestation (15.4% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.25; 1.44 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter) and lactation (16.6% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.36; 1.64 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter). Blood sampling occurred from d -28 relative to expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Liver tissue was biopsied at d -28 relative to expected calving and on d 5 and 14 postpartum. In addition to routine analyses, serum AA concentrations on d 10 and 12 were quantified using mass spectrometry. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) were qualitatively measured using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not modified by MDS. The transition from d -28 relative to expected parturition to d 14 postpartum was characterized by increased plasma fatty acid (0.15 to 0.71 mmol/L) and β-hydroxybutyrate (0.34 to 0.43 mmol/L) levels and liver lipid content (3.91 to 9.16%). Methyl donor supplementation increased the serum Met level by 26% and decreased the serum Lys-to-Met ratio by 21% on d 10 and 12, respectively. Moreover, the increase in hepatic lipid content from d 5 through 14 postpartum was suppressed with MDS relative to control (3.57 vs. -0.29%). Dietary MDS modified the TAG and CE lipidome. For example, MDS increased plasma TAG 46:3 (carbon number:double bond) by 116% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. Moreover, MDS tended to increase plasma CE 34:6. In contrast, MDS lowered plasma TAG 54:8 by 39% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. We concluded that in the absence of gains in dry matter intake and milk and milk protein yields, dietary MDS slows the progression of hepatic lipid accumulation and modifies the plasma TAG lipidome in transition cows.

An Autoimmune Basis for Raynaud's Phenomenon: Murine Model and Human Disease

OBJECTIVE

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is common in anti-RNP-positive patients with rheumatic diseases but is not itself known to be caused by autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to assess autoantibodies that could mediate this process.

METHODS

Antibodies derived from patient sera and from murine models of anti-RNP autoimmunity were screened for the ability to induce RP-like tissue ischemia and endothelial cell apoptosis in murine models and in vitro systems.

RESULTS

RNP-positive sera from RP patients and murine sera from RNP-positive B cell adoptive transfer recipients induced RP-like tissue ischemia and endothelial cell apoptosis. Proteomic analysis identified cytokeratin 10 (K10) as a candidate autoantigen in RP. Monoclonal anti-K10 antibodies reproduced patterns of ischemic tissue loss and endothelial cell apoptosis; K10 knockout or depletion of anti-K10 activity in serum was protective. Cold exposure enhanced K10 expression and in vivo tissue loss.

CONCLUSION

Anti-K10 antibodies are sufficient to mediate RP-like ischemia in murine models and are implicated in the pathogenesis of RP in patients with anti-RNP autoimmunity.

Therapeutic effect of tenecteplase on treatment of cerebral arterial thrombosis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy between tenecteplase (TNK) and alteplase (rt-PA). Furthermore, suitable dosage of TNK in cerebral arterial thrombosis treatment was explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The studies met with the predefined selection criteria were selected for the present study. The quality of each study was evaluated by Cochrane quality evaluation. The outcome indexes including early major neurological improvement (MNI), excellent recovery, good recovery, recanalization at 24 hours-complete or partial, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, any parenchymal hematoma and deaths were analyzed by using RevMan and Stata statistical software, under a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model. The safety and efficacy between TNK and rt-PA were investigated. Furthermore, the clinical efficacy outcomes between different dosages of TNK were evaluated. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the reliability.

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies were enrolled for the present study. Compared with the 0.1 mg/kg TNK group, 0.25 mg/kg TNK group had a significantly better MNI (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.88], p = 0.005) and excellent recovery (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: [0.53, 0.95], p = 0.02). TNK group achieved an increased MNI (RR = 1.59, 95% CI: [1.08, 2.34], p = 0.02) and a reduced parenchymal hematoma (RR = 0.26, 95% CI: [0.10, 0.71], p = 0.009) than rt-PA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with rt-PA, TNK could better improve the major neurological function. TNK 0.25 mg/kg had a better clinical treatment effect than TNK 0.1 mg/kg.

Interaction of fibrinogen and muramidase-released protein promotes the development of Streptococcus suis meningitis

Muramidase-released protein (MRP) is as an important virulence marker of Streptococcus suis (S. suis) serotype 2. Our previous works have shown that MRP can bind human fibrinogen (hFg); however, the function of this interaction in S. suis meningitis is not known. In this study, we found that the deletion of mrp significantly impairs the hFg-mediated adherence and traversal ability of S. suis across human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3). Measurement of the permeability to Lucifer yellow in vitro and Evans blue extravasation in vivo show that the MRP-hFg interaction significantly increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In the mouse meningitis model, wild type S. suis caused higher bacterial loads in the brain and more severe histopathological signs of meningitis than the mrp mutant at day 3 post-infection. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence observations reveal that the MRP-hFg interaction can destroy the cell adherens junction protein p120-catenin of hCMEC/D3. These results indicate that the MRP-hFg interaction is important in the development of S. suis meningitis.

Induction of ROS generation and NF-κB activation in MARC-145 cells by a novel porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Southwest of China isolate

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the cause of an economically important swine disease that has devastated the swine industry since the late 1980s. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NF-κB by PRRSV infection.

Results

We isolated the local strain of PRRSV from southwest China, designated YN-2011, then sequenced and analyzed the genome. YN-2011 was then used to evaluate the interaction of ROS and NF-κB. In PRRSV infected MARC-145 cells, there was a time-dependent increase in ROS and Maleic Dialdehyde (MDA). Accordingly, NF-κB activation was also increased as PRRSV infection progressed. Degradation of IκB mRNA was detected late in PRRSV infection, and overexpression of the dominant negative form of IκBα significantly suppressed NF-κB induced by PRRSV.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the generation of ROS is involved in PRRSV replication and this progression is associated with the alteration in NF-κB activity induced by ROS. These results should extend our better understanding the interaction between PRRSV and host MARC-145 cells.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0480-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Clozapine prescription and quality of life in Chinese patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care

OBJECTIVE

Clozapine is frequently used to treat schizophrenia in China. Maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by Chinese primary care physicians, but no study has investigated the frequency of its use prescribed by primary care physicians. This study described the frequency, demographic and clinical characteristics of clozapine treatment and its impact on insight and quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China.

METHOD

A total of 623 patients with schizophrenia treated in 22 primary care services in Guangzhou, China in 2013 formed the study sample. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including psychopathology, medication side effects and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection.

RESULTS

The frequency of clozapine prescription was 35.6% with a mean daily dose of 127.7±88.2 mg. There were no significant differences between the patients with and without clozapine in either of the QOL domains after controlling the confounding factors. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that patients on clozapine had younger age of onset, more hospitalizations, more severe extrapyramidal side effects, but better insight and fewer prescriptions of first generation antipsychotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Clozapine use was found to be common and associated with better insight in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. Further examination of the rationale and appropriateness of clozapine in primary care in China is warranted.

Production, characterization and immunogenicity of P particles derived from norovirus GII.4 genotype 2004 variant

Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of nonbacterial infectious gastroenteritis. Due to the difficulty of culturing the virus, research on vaccine against NoV is focused on virus-like particles (VLPs). On the other hand, the P particles assembled from the P domains of NoV capsid protein become a promising vaccine candidate. GII.4 is the most prevalent genotype of NoV. While the immunogenicity of P particles derived from the GII.4 1996 variant has been investigated, the research on P particles of more recently prevalent variants is lacking. In this study, the P domain of the capsid protein of GII.4 genotype 2004 variant was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and auto-assembled into P particles of 14-25 nm. Immunization with P particles induced specific serum antibodies with titers of 245,600 and 145,700 in mice and rabbits, respectively. The GII.4 NoV 2004 variant bound to type A, B and O secretor-positive saliva and immune sera blocked this binding, suggesting induction of neutralizing activity in such sera. Thus, this study demonstrated the immunogenicity of NoV P particles generated from E. coli and provided evidence supporting the development of this approach.

Catalytic helix-sense-selective polymerisation of achiral substituted acetylenes containing bulky π-conjugated planar substituents yielding soluble and statically stable one-handed helical polymers

Helix-sense-selective polymerisation of three new achiral substituted acetylenes containing two bulky π-conjugated planar substituents via imino groups by using catalytic amounts of a chiral source were achieved.

Association between CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) polymorphisms and asthma risk: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Findings regarding the associations between the CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms and asthma risk are controversial.We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CCL5 polymorphisms are associated with asthma risk.

METHODS

We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases for studies published before June 2013. The strength of associations was calculated using ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Twenty case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. We did not observe a significant association between the CCL5 -403G/A polymorphism and asthma risk (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.93-1.30; P = .25). The CCL5 - 28C/G polymorphism, however, was associated with a significantly elevated asthma risk (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33; P = .02). Subgroup analyses found that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism was significantly associated with asthma risk in Asians (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33; P = .04) and children (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.63; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism is a risk factor for asthma.

Effects of TNF-α polymorphisms on asthma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and asthma risk, but the results have been conflicting.

METHODS

A search was performed of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Data were extracted and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies were included. A significant association between the TNFA-308A/G polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for AA + AG vs GG (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.58; P < .001). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with asthma risk in whites (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.25-1.73; P < .001), atopic asthma risk (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P < .001), pediatric asthma risk (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23-1.79; P < .001), and adult asthma risk (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21-1.52; P < .001).There was also a significant association between the TNFA -857C/T polymorphism and asthma risk in the recessive model (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43; P < .001). In the subgroup analyses, asthma risk was significantly increased in Asians (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.41; P = .004) and atopic individuals (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-1.57; P < .001). No significant association was found for the TNFA-238A/G polymorphism. There were insufficient data to evaluate the associations between TNFA -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms and asthma risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that TNFA -308A/G and -857C/T polymorphisms are risk factors for asthma.

Studies on protective effects of human paraoxonases 1 and 3 on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice

Paraoxonase (PON) possesses antiatherogenic potentials, but the distinct functions of PON members in alleviating atherosclerosis are not yet clear. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of hPON1 and hPON3 against atherosclerosis, and thereby exploring their synergistic mechanism in atherosclerosis development. We generated the recombinant adenovirus AdPON1 and AdPON3, which were capable of expressing hPON1 and hPON3. After AdPON1 and AdPON3 were injected intravenously into 5-week-old apolipoprotein E knockout mice, abundant hPON1 and hPON3 mRNA expression levels were detected. However, increase in serum lactonase activity was detected only in AdPON1-treated mice. Serum antioxidation and anti-inflammation capabilities in AdPON1-treated mice, reflected by malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capability and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, were greatly enhanced, whereas those in AdPON3-treated mice were not significantly affected. Nevertheless, histological analysis revealed that adenovirus-mediated expression of hPON1, hPON3 or both of them reduced atherosclerotic plaque area to a similar extent. Although no synergistic mechanism was detected in reducing arterial lesion size, hPON1 and hPON3 showed synergistic effects on promoting macrophage cholesterol efflux. In conclusion, hPON1 and hPON3 exhibited similar potentials in reducing arterial lesion size, but they exerted antiatherogenic effects in distinct ways.

Association between CpG island methylation of the WWOX gene and its expression in breast cancers

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of the WWOX gene in breast carcinoma and to analyze the relationship between its expression and methylation.

METHODS

Methylation of the WWOX promoter and exon 1 as well as WWOX expression were determined by methylation-specific PCR, reverse transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry in 20 breast cancer tissue samples and corresponding nonneoplastic tissues. The expression of WWOX protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 2 breast cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

WWOX mRNA expression was reduced in breast cancer tissues as compared to adjacent tissues (p < 0.001). WWOX mRNA and protein expression was significantly reduced in breast cancer tissues with methylated WWOX CpG islands when compared to tissues without methylation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that WWOX levels were significantly decreased in tissues with WWOX methylation (p = 0.001). WWOX mRNA and protein expression was greatly reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells, partly due to the methylation of WWOX CpG islands, and recovered after hydralazine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential regulation of the WWOX gene plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer, due partially to methylation of the WWOX DNA CpG islands.

Increased expression of osteopontin in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with triple-negative [oestrogen receptor (ER) negative, progesterone receptor (PR) negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) negative] breast cancer, accounting for about 15% of breast cancer cases, are associated with aggressive histology, poor prognosis and shorter survival. Osteopontin is a chemokine-like phosphorylated glycoprotein that plays important role in cancer progression and is found to be a metastasis-associated protein in breast cancer. The goal of the study was to evaluate osteopontin protein expression levels in triple-negative breast carcinomas to determine if they correlated with clinicopathological parameters, thus providing additional support for osteopontin functioning and better understanding of triple-negative breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of 239 patients, in whom all three markers (ER, PR, and HER-2/neu) were available, was reviewed. We performed osteopontin protein expression analyses by means of immunohistochemistry on 117 breast carcinoma tissue samples, and then assessed the mean value of osteopontin expression against triple-negative status and clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Of the 239 patients in the study, 47 were classified as triple negative. Of the 117 osteopontin-test patients in this cohort, mean osteopontin levels were significantly higher in the triple-negative breast cancers than in non-triple-negative subtype (P = 0.035). TNM (tumours, nodes, metastases) stage were significantly associated with osteopontin levels (P = 0.038). Univariate analysis showed tumour cell osteopontin positivity above an optimized cut-point to be significantly associated with decreased disease-free survival, but not overall survival. In the multivariate model, osteopontin was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with osteopontin overexpression develop predominantly triple-negative tumours. Osteopontin overexpression is associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor prognosis.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of humans to inactivated influenza vaccine with or without QS21 adjuvant

To evaluate humoral (antibody) and cell mediated immune (CMI) responses, 30 healthy young adults were either given inactivated influenza vaccine with or without QS21 adjuvant. Vaccination site pain and postvaccination myalgias were greater in the QS21 group. Serum antibody increases occurred in 73-93% of subjects for each vaccine and antigen at 2 weeks and 4 weeks but frequencies and mean titers for the two vaccines were not different. No differences in T cell cytotoxicity were detected for either vaccine for influenza A or B infected cells. IFN-gamma for both vaccine groups was increased in supernates after 3 days but not 7 days of stimulation in the cytotoxicity tests; amounts for the two vaccines were similar. To further evaluate CMI, remaining PBMCs were stimulated overnight with cells infected with each vaccine strain; an increase in spot forming cells (sfc) for Granzyme B and IFN-gamma was found for all subjects and in 51 of 54 sfc tests. A slightly higher response in the Gran B test for QS21 subjects was suggested, but no clear immune response advantage was identified among healthy adults for QS21 adjuvanted influenza vaccine.