The Identification of Pivotal Transcriptional Factors Mediating Cell Responses to Drugs With Drug-Induced Liver Injury Liabilities

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of drug attrition during drug development and a common reason for drug withdrawal from the market. The poor predictability of conventional animal-based approaches necessitates the development of alternative testing approaches. A body of evidence associates DILI with the induction of stress-response genes in liver cells. Here, we set out to identify signal transduction pathways predominantly involved in the regulation of gene transcription by DILI drugs. To this end, we employed ATTAGENE's cell-based multiplexed reporter assay, the FACTORIAL transcription factor (TF), that enables quantitative assessment of the activity of multiple stress-responsive TFs in a single well of cells. Homogeneous reporter system enables quantitative functional assessment of multiple transcription factors. Nat. Methods 5, 253-260). Using this assay, we assessed TF responses of the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 to a panel of 64 drug candidates, including 23 preclinical DILI and 11 clinical DILI compounds and 30 nonhepatotoxic compounds from a diverse physicochemical property space. We have identified 16 TF families that specifically responded to DILI drugs, including nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 antioxidant response element, octamer, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha, farnesoid-X receptor, TCF/beta-catenin, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, activator protein-1, E2F, early growth response-1, metal-response transcription factor 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein, paired box protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, liver X receptor, interferone regulating factor, and P53, and 2 promoters that responded to multiple TFs (cytomegalovirus and direct repeat 3/vitamin D receptor). Some of TFs identified here also have previously defined role in pathogenesis of liver diseases. These data demonstrate the utility of cost-effective, animal-free, TF profiling assay for detecting DILI potential of drug candidates at early stages of drug development.

The emerging significance of secondary germline testing in cancer genomics

Many clinical laboratories now sequence the tumors from advanced cancer patients to identify oncogenic drivers and guide targeted therapies and clinical trials. One limitation of tumor sequencing is that it cannot distinguish between tumor-specific somatic (acquired) mutations and patients' germline (constitutional) variants. To definitively identify somatic variants, some clinical labs sequence both a normal sample from a patient and their tumor to subtract the germline variants from the somatic variants. Having a paired normal sample also allows for the identification of secondary germline mutations in cancer patients who may not meet the current clinical guidelines for genetic testing of cancer predisposition syndromes. Such simultaneous detection of somatic alterations and germline mutations during tumor-normal sequencing can guide therapeutic decision making for cancer patients and the identification and screening of at-risk family members. Here, we review the clinical workflow, advantages and disadvantages, and clinical utility of tumor-normal sequencing in the management of cancer patients. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Toward rapid analysis, forecast and discovery of bioactive compounds from herbs by jointly using thin layer chromatography and ratiometric surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique

Conventional isolation and identification of active compounds from herbs have been extensively reported by using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. However, how to quickly discover new bioactive ingredients from natural sources still remains a challenging task due to the interference of their similar structures or matrices. Here, we present a grand approach for rapid analysis, forecast and discovery of bioactive compounds from herbs based on a hyphenated strategy of thin layer chromatography and ratiometric surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The performance of the hyphenated strategy is first evaluated by analyzing four protoberberine alkaloids, berberine (BER), coptisine (COP), palmatine (PAT) and jatrorrhizine (JAT), from a typical herb Coptidis Rhizoma as an example. It has been demonstrated that this coupling method can identify the four compounds by characteristic peaks at 728, 708, 736 and 732 cm^-1, and especially discriminate BER and COP (with similar migration distances) by ratiometric Raman intensity (I₇₀₈/I₇₂₈). The corresponding limits of detection are 0.1, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 μM, respectively, which are about 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those of direct observation method under 254 nm UV lamp. Based on these findings, the proposed method further guides forecast and discovery of unknown compounds from traditional Chinese herb Typhonii Rhizoma. Results infer that two trace alkaloids (BER and COP) from the n-butanol extract of Typhonii Rhizoma are found for the first time. Moreover, in vitro experiments manifest that BER can effectively decrease the viability of human glioma U87 cells by inducing cell cycle arrest in a concentration-dependent manner.

Efficient azobenzene co-sensitizer for wide spectral absorption of dye-sensitized solar cells

Two azobenzene dyes, [Cu(azobenzene-4,4'-dicarboxylate) diethylenediamine] n (ADD), [Cd(4,4'-diazenediyldibenzoato)(H2O)] n (DDB), have been designed, synthesized, and characterized as efficient co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The optical, charge-transfer, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of ADD and DDB are investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, transient surface photovoltage measurement, cyclic voltammetry, and photocurrent-photovoltage measurement. The combination of ADD and DDB in DSSC leads to a wide spectral absorption over the whole visible range (350-700 nm). DSSC with ADD and DDB exhibits a short-circuit photocurrent density as high as 16.96 mA cm-2, open-circuit photovoltage of 0.73 V, a fill factor of 0.57, and overall light conversion efficiency of 7.1% under standard global AM1.5 solar irradiation conditions.

Abstract TP98: A Therapeutic Time Window & Dosage of Early Exercise for Rats With Cerebral Ischemia

Background: Although evidence from prior animal and clinical studies indicated exercise is a safe, cost-effective post-stroke rehabilitative intervention, the proper combination of time-window and dosage of exercise for maximal functional recovery, and its underlying mechanisms, are still unknown.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the optimal combination of exercise time-window and intensity by assessing mortality, neurological recovery, and underlying neurochemical mechanisms in MCAO rats.

Methods: The study contained two parts: the time-window and the dosage experiments. In the time-window experiment, 8 different groups (exercise initiated 24hr, 48hr, 72hr, 96hr and its corresponding control), along with moderate intensity exercise, were assessed. In the dosage experiment, 3 different intensity exercise groups (Low, Moderate, High) were assessed. Mortality (only for the time-window experiment), infarct volume and neurological function (measured by modified Neurological Severity Score at 14 days) were the main outcomes measures.

Results: In the time-window experiment, the mortality was the highest in the EXCISE 24h group (40%) than any of other three group ( p= 0.030, p= 0.030, p= 0.045 respectively). Additionally, infarct volumes were high and neurological function was poor. In the dosage experiment, the relative infarct volume of the Moderate (0.190±0.026, p < 0.01) was significantly smaller than the CON (0.318±0.035) and High (0.294±0.037) group, but no different than the Low group (0.188±0.012). Similarly, neurological function at 14 days was not different between Moderate and Low group although they both better than High and CON group. Moderate group was the most effective in reducing inflammation by decreasing IL-1β and TNF-α( p< 0.05, p< 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions: Exercise initiated within 24 hours was neither safe or effective. Moderate intensity exercise initiated within 48 hours post-stroke apears to be an optimal combination for maximal post-stroke functional recovery.

A highly sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells and mice

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an endogenous gaseous signalling molecule, has attracted attention in biochemical research.

Genetic Predictors of Response to Systemic Therapy in Esophagogastric Cancer

The incidence of esophagogastric cancer is rapidly rising, but only a minority of patients derive durable benefit from current therapies. Chemotherapy as well as anti-HER2 and PD-1 antibodies are standard treatments. To identify predictive biomarkers of drug sensitivity and mechanisms of resistance, we implemented prospective tumor sequencing of patients with metastatic esophagogastric cancer. There was no association between homologous recombination deficiency defects and response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with microsatellite instability-high tumors were intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy but more likely to achieve durable responses to immunotherapy. The single Epstein-Barr virus-positive patient achieved a durable, complete response to immunotherapy. The level of ERBB2 amplification as determined by sequencing was predictive of trastuzumab benefit. Selection for a tumor subclone lacking ERBB2 amplification, deletion of ERBB2 exon 16, and comutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase, RAS, and PI3K pathways were associated with intrinsic and/or acquired trastuzumab resistance. Prospective genomic profiling can identify patients most likely to derive durable benefit to immunotherapy and trastuzumab and guide strategies to overcome drug resistance.Significance: Clinical application of multiplex sequencing can identify biomarkers of treatment response to contemporary systemic therapies in metastatic esophagogastric cancer. This large prospective analysis sheds light on the biological complexity and the dynamic nature of therapeutic resistance in metastatic esophagogastric cancers. Cancer Discov; 8(1); 49-58. ©2017 AACR.See related commentary by Sundar and Tan, p. 14See related article by Pectasides et al., p. 37This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.

A highly sensitive fluorescent probe for selective detection of cysteine/homocysteine from glutathione and its application in living cells and tissues

A fluorescent probe NIPY-NBD was designed for detecting Cys/Hcy against GSH and applied in cell/tumor tissue imaging.

Ectodysplasin A regulates epithelial barrier function through sonic hedgehog signalling pathway

Ectodysplasin A (Eda), a member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily, plays an important role in ectodermal organ development. An EDA mutation underlies the most common of ectodermal dysplasias, that is X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) in humans. Even though it lacks a developmental function, the role of Eda during the postnatal stage remains elusive. In this study, we found tight junctional proteins ZO-1 and claudin-1 expression is largely reduced in epidermal, corneal and lung epithelia in Eda mutant Tabby mice at different postnatal ages. These declines are associated with tail ulceration, corneal pannus formation and lung infection. Furthermore, topical application of recombinant Eda protein markedly mitigated corneal barrier dysfunction. Using cultures of a human corneal epithelial cell line and Tabby mouse skin tissue explants, Eda up-regulated expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1 through activation of the sonic hedgehog signalling pathway. We conclude that EDA gene expression contributes to the maintenance of epithelial barrier function. Such insight may help efforts to identify novel strategies for improving management of XLHED disease manifestations in a clinical setting.

Physical Exercise Improves Cognitive Function Together with Microglia Phenotype Modulation and Remyelination in Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Myelin is closely associated with cognitive function and is extremely vulnerable to damage in ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. The failure of remyelination is mainly due to limitations in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) differentiation in the damaged area. Previous studies have shown that physical exercise can improve vascular cognitive impairment, but whether it can reverse the defect in remyelination during ischemic injury and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we observed the effects of physical exercise on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) established by bilateral carotid artery occlusion. The cognitive function, myelin integrity, OPCs proliferation and differentiation, as well as microglia polarization were analyzed at 28 days after CCH. Besides, the expression of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal cascades were also evaluated. We found that physical exercise improved the cognitive function of rats with CCH, alleviated myelin injury, triggered OPCs proliferation and differentiation, facilitated microglia polarization toward M2, augmented the expression of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis, and reduced ERK and JNK phosphorylation. The results indicated that physical exercise improved the cognitive function of rats with CCH, possibly through microglial phenotype modulation and enhancement of oligodendrocytegenesis and remyelination. Moreover, the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis played an important role in this process by mediating ERK- and JNK-dependent pathways.

[Application of half-dose spectral CT based on the automatic spectral imaging mode selection and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction in the CT examination of upper abdomen in obese patients.]

Objective: To investigate the value of combined use of half-dose spectral CT based on the automatic spectral imaging mode selection (GSI Assist) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) in the CT examination of upper abdomen in obese patients as compared with conventional CT. Methods: Eight-two obese patients (body mass index≥29 kg/m(2)) were prospectively selected from October to December 2016, and contrast-enhanced CT during arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PVP) were carried out in those patients.The patients were randomly assigned to the study group and control group with random number table (41 cases in each group). In the study group, half-dose spectral CT based on GSI Assist was applied and monochromatic images (40 to 70 keV, 10 keV as increment) were reconstructed using 50% ASIR (group A). In the control group, the fixed tube potential of 120 kVp was done with images reconstruction using 30% ASIR (group B). Quantitative parameters of radiation dose, CT value, contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and image noise were compared between the two groups by using two sample t test, while qualitative visual parameters (overall image quality as graded on a 5-point scale) were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There was significant difference in effective radiation dose between the two groups[(5.2±0.8) vs (10.4±1.7) mSv, t=-17.822, P<0.001], and it was decreased for 50% in group A. During the arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PVP), at the energy level of 40 keV and 50 keV, higher CT values, higher or similar CNRs, higher image noise and lower overall image quality scores were found in group A when compared with group B. At the energy level of 60 keV, group A had higher CT values, higher or similar CNRs, similar overall image quality scores with higher or similar image noise as compared with group B. At the energy level of 70 keV, the two groups had similar CT values, CNRs and image noise, and higher overall image quality scores were found in group A. Conclusions: In obese patients, combined use of half-dose spectral CT based on GSI Assist and ASIR can reduce effective radiation dose up to 50% when compared with conventional upper abdominal CT.Monochromatic images at 70 keV can maintain CNR and improve overall image quality.

[Enhancement of thermal damage to EpCAM-positive tumor cells by novel aptamer-guided magnetic nanoparticles]

Objective: To explore the thermal damage to epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)-positive tumor cells by novel aptamer-guided magnetic nanoparticles(AptNPs). Methods: EpCAM aptamer SYL3C was connected to NPs via biotin-streptavidin reaction. The diameter of AptNPs were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering(DLS). The binding feature of the aptamer to EpCAM-positive tumor cells was evaluated by Prussian blue dyeing. Thermal damage under alternative magnetic field was measured bylactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The apoptosis of EpCAM-positive tumor cells was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining. Results: The average size of AptNPs was 282 nm. Flow cytometry and Prussian blue dyeing showed that AptNPs exhibited strong binding to the EpCAM-positive tumor cells but not to the EpCAM-negative tumor cells. Moreover, when incubated with 1.5×10(8) AptNPs under alternative electromagnetic fieldfor 5 hours, the viability of EpCAM-positive HCT116 cells and A549 cells was 28.9% and 54.4%, respectively, significantly lower than 76.7% of EpCAM-negative HepG2 cells (P<0.05). Conclusions: AptNPs can improve the thermal damage to EpCAM-positive tumor cells, and may have potential utility in the development of tumor targeted therapy.

Characterization of a novel germline BRCA1 splice variant, c.5332+4delA

PURPOSE

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer a significant increase in risk for cancer, and determining pathogenicity of a BRCA variant can guide the clinical management of the disease. About 1/3 of BRCA1 variants reported in the public databases have uncertain clinical significance due to lack of conclusive evidence. This study aims to characterize a novel BRCA1 deletion affecting the + 4 splice donor site identified in an individual with early-onset breast cancer.

METHODS

The effect of BRCA1 c.5332+4delA variant on RNA splicing was evaluated by amplifying regions of BRCA1 from cDNA derived from the patient. The proportion of abnormal transcript in the total transcripts was quantified. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumor tissue was investigated using Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis.

RESULTS

BRCA1 c.5332+4delA caused skipping of exon 21 in patient-derived samples. Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that this aberrant RT-PCR product accounts for about 40% of the total transcript levels. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was observed in patient's tumor tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the BRCA1 c.5332+4delA variant contributes to cancer predisposition through disruption of normal mRNA splicing. We classify this variant as likely pathogenic.

Symptom clusters using the Brief Pain Inventory in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess symptom clusters in functional interference using the brief pain inventory (BPI) in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) during and after chemotherapy.

METHODS

A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was conducted on data from 228 patients to identify two clusters at baseline and two intervals following treatment.

RESULTS

Physical (general activity, normal work, walking ability) and psychosocial (mood, relationships, sleep, enjoyment of life) interference clusters were present at baseline. Clusters were observed at 1-month (cluster 1: general activity, normal work, enjoyment of life; cluster 2: relationships, sleep) and 3-month (cluster 1: general activity, normal work, relationships; cluster 2: sleep, enjoyment of life) post-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from our study suggest dynamic symptom clusters in this patient population, and encourage continued symptom management following completion of treatment.

Physical Exercise Promotes Novel Object Recognition Memory in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats after Ischemic Stroke by Promoting Neural Plasticity in the Entorhinal Cortex

Cerebral ischemia leads to memory impairment, and several studies have indicated that physical exercise (PE) has memory-improving effects after ischemia. This study was designed to further explore the specific role of PE in novel object recognition (NOR) memory after stroke and the exact cortical regions in which memory is restored by PE. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or sham surgery, followed by 26 days of PE starting on day 3 post-tMCAO. Thereafter, infarct volume, neurobehavioral outcome and NOR memory were assessed. Immunofluorescence staining and Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) staining were performed in the prefrontal cortex, entorhinal cortex and corpus callosum regions. Western blot analysis was performed to detect expressions of Nestin, Bcl-2 and SYN proteins in the entorhinal cortex. After tMCAO, NOR memory impairment was found in SHR. Rats subjected to PE post-tMCAO showed increased discrimination ratio, as well as significant decreases in infarct volumes and modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), when compared with tMCAO rats without PE. After stroke, NeuN-positive cell number was drastically reduced in the entorhinal cortex, rather than in the prefrontal cortex. Ischemic stroke had no impact on myelin and phospholipids, and the ratio of SMI-32/MBP in the corpus callosum. PE increased NeuN, Nestin, Ki67, MBP, SYN, PSD-95 and Bcl-2 expressions in the entorhinal cortex, while TUNEL and SMI-32 expressions were decreased. In conclusion, the NOR memory-improving capacity promoted by PE was closely related to neuronal cell proliferation and synaptic plasticity of the entorhinal cortex.

Discovery of Potent and Orally Bioavailable Macrocyclic Peptide-Peptoid Hybrid CXCR7 Modulators

The chemokine receptor CXCR7 is an attractive target for a variety of diseases. While several small-molecule modulators of CXCR7 have been reported, peptidic macrocycles may provide advantages in terms of potency, selectivity, and reduced off-target activity. We produced a series of peptidic macrocycles that incorporate an N-linked peptoid functionality where the peptoid group enabled us to explore side-chain diversity well beyond that of natural amino acids. At the same time, theoretical calculations and experimental assays were used to track and reduce the polarity while closely monitoring the physicochemical properties. This strategy led to the discovery of macrocyclic peptide-peptoid hybrids with high CXCR7 binding affinities (K_i < 100 nM) and measurable passive permeability (P_app > 5 × 10^-6 cm/s). Moreover, bioactive peptide 25 (K_i = 9 nM) achieved oral bioavailability of 18% in rats, which was commensurate with the observed plasma clearance values upon intravenous administration.

Reliable Pan-Cancer Microsatellite Instability Assessment by Using Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Data

Purpose

Microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status is increasingly important in the management of patients with cancer to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We determined MSI status from large-panel clinical targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) data across various solid cancer types.

Methods

The MSI statuses of 12,288 advanced solid cancers consecutively sequenced with Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets clinical NGS assay were inferred by using MSIsensor, a program that reports the percentage of unstable microsatellites as a score. Cutoff score determination and sensitivity/specificity were based on MSI polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and MMR immunohistochemistry.

Results

By using an MSIsensor score ≥ 10 to define MSI high (MSI-H), 83 (8%) of 996 colorectal cancers (CRCs) and 42 (16%) of 260 uterine endometrioid cancers (UECs) were MSI-H. Validation against MSI PCR and/or MMR immunohistochemistry performed for 138 (24 MSI-H, 114 microsatellite stable [MSS]) CRCs, and 40 (15 MSI-H, 25 MSS) UECs showed a concordance of 99.4%. MSIsensor also identified 68 MSI-H/MMR-deficient (MMR-D) non-CRC/UECs. Of 9,591 non-CRC/UEC tumors with MSS MSIsensor status, 456 (4.8%) had slightly elevated scores(≥3 and <10) of which 96.6% with available material were confirmed to be MSS by MSI PCR. MSI-H was also detected and confirmed in three non-CRC/UECs with low exonic mutation burden (< 20). MSIsensor correctly scored all 15 polymerase ε ultra-mutated cancers as negative for MSI.

Conclusion

MSI status can be reliably inferred by MSIsensor from large-panel targeted NGS data. Concurrent MSI testing by NGS is resource efficient, is potentially more sensitive for MMR-D than MSI PCR, and allows identification of MSI-H across various cancers not typically screened, as highlighted by the finding that 35% (68 of 193) of all MSI-H tumors were non-CRC/ UEC.

Impact of connexin 43 coupling on survival and migration of multiple myeloma cells

INTRODUCTION

Gap junctions (GJs) represent the best known intercellular communication (IC) system and are membrane-spanning channels that facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small signaling molecules to pass from cell to cell. In this study, we constructed an amino terminus of human Cx43 (Cx43NT-GFP), verified the overexpression of Cx43-NT in HUVEC cells and explored the impact of gap junctions (GJs) on multiple myeloma (MM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The levels of phosphorylated Cx43(s368) and the change of MAPK pathway associated molecules (ERK1/2, JNK, p38, NFκB) were also investigated in our cell models. Cx43 mRNA and proteins were detected in both MM cell lines and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dye transfer assays demonstrated that gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) occurring via Cx43 situated between MM and MSCs or MM and HUVEC^Cx43NT is functional.

RESULTS

Our results present evidence for a channel-dependent modulator action of connexin 43 on the migratory activity of MM cells toward MSCs or HUVECCx43-N was higher than those of spontaneous migration (p < 0.05) and protection them from apoptosis in the presence of dexamethasone via cytokines secretion. In the meantime, the migration of MM cells involves an augmented response of p38 and JNK signaling pathway of carboxyl tail of the protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that GJIC between MM and MSCs is one of the essential factors in tumor cell proliferation and drug sensitivity, and is implicated in MM pathogenesis.

Effect of iron source on iron absorption and gene expression of iron transporters in the ligated duodenal loops of broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of iron source on Fe absorption and the gene expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin 1 (FPN1) in the ligated duodenal loops of broilers. The in situ ligated duodenal loops from Fe-deficient broiler chicks (28-d-old) were perfused with Fe solutions containing 0 to 14.33 mmol Fe/L from 1 of the following: Fe sulfate (FeSO∙7HO), Fe methionine with weak chelation strength (Fe-Met W; chelation strength is expressed as quotient of formation [Q] value, Q = 1.37), Fe proteinate with moderate chelation strength (Fe-Prot M; Q = 43.6), and Fe proteinate with extremely strong chelation strength (Fe-Prot ES; Q = 8,590) for up to 30 min. The gene expression of DMT1 and FPN1 in the duodenal loops from the control group and the groups treated with 3.58 mmol Fe/L from 1 of 4 Fe sources was analyzed. The absorption kinetics of Fe from different Fe sources in the duodenum followed a saturated carrier-dependent transport process. The maximum transport rate (J) values in the duodenum were greater ( < 0.03) for Fe-Prot ES and Fe-Prot M than for Fe-Met W and FeSO∙7HO. The Fe perfusion inhibited ( < 0.05) the mRNA expression of but enhanced ( < 0.0008) the mRNA expression of in the duodenum and had no effect ( > 0.14) on the protein expression levels of the 2 transporters. These results indicated that organic Fe sources with greater Q values showed higher Fe absorption; however, all Fe sources followed the same saturated carrier-dependent transport process in the duodenum, and DMT1 and FPN1 might participate in Fe absorption in the duodenum of broilers regardless of Fe source.