Anti-CII antibody as a novel indicator to assess disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects a variety of organ systems. Anti-dsDNA Abs and complement factors have been used as indicators of lupus activity for more than 50 years. A novel indicator of activation in SLE is reported in this paper. Anti-collagen type II (CII) Ab was obviously elevated in patients with SLE compared to those patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy controls (HCs). Anti-CII-Ab-positive patients with SLE showed significantly higher levels of serum IgG and higher titers of ANA but lower levels of C3 and C4 than controls. A positive correlation was demonstrated between anti-CII Ab and serum IgG in SLE patients (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001). The negative correlations of anti-CII Ab with C3 and C4 were observed in SLE patients (r = -0.36, p = 0.0013; r = -0.37, p = 0.0006, respectively). The reduced anti-CII Ab level was accompanied by decreased level of serum IgG and increased levels of C3 and C4 after regular treatment. Therefore, anti-CII Ab could be a novel indicator for monitoring activity of SLE.

Dspp-independent Effects of Transgenic Trps1 Overexpression on Dentin Formation

The Trps1 transcription factor is highly expressed in dental mesenchyme and preodontoblasts, while in mature, secretory odontoblasts, it is expressed at low levels. Previously, we have shown that high Trps1 levels in mature odontoblasts impair their function in vitro and in vivo. Col1a1-Trps1 transgenic (Trps1-Tg) mice demonstrate defective dentin secretion and mineralization, which are associated with significantly decreased Dspp expression due to direct repression of the Dspp gene by Trps1. Here, by crossing Trps1-Tg and Col1a1-Dspp transgenic (Dspp-Tg) mice, we generated Col1a1-Trps1;Col1a1-Dspp double transgenic (double-Tg) mice in which Dspp was restored in odontoblasts overexpressing Trps1. Comparative micro-computed tomography analyses revealed partial correction of the dentin volume and no improvement of dentin mineralization in double transgenic mice in comparison with Trps1-Tg and wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, dentin of double-Tg mice has an irregular mineralization pattern characteristic for dentin in hypophosphatemic rickets. Consistent with this phenotype, decreased levels of Phex, Vdr, and Fam20c proteins are detected in both Trps1-Tg and double-Tg odontoblasts in comparison with WT and Dspp-Tg odontoblasts. This suggests that the Dspp-independent dentin mineralization defects in Trps1-Tg mice are a result of downregulation of a group of proteins critical for mineral deposition within the dentin matrix. In summary, by demonstrating that Trps1 functions as a repressor of later stages of dentinogenesis, we provide functional significance of the dynamic Trps1 expression pattern during dentinogenesis.

Identification and characterisation of tobacco microRNA transcriptome using high-throughput sequencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators that are involved in numerous biological processes in plants. In this study, we investigate miRNAs in Honghua Dajinyuan, an agronomically important species of tobacco in China. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression profiles in the leaf, stem and root using a high-throughput sequencing approach. A total of 165 miRNAs, representing 55 conserved families, and 50 novel miRNAs, representing 19 families, were identified in three libraries. In addition, 12 miRNAs were randomly selected from a differentially expressed conserved miRNA family in three libraries with expression alterations and subjected to qRT-PCR validation. Of these, the expression level of nta-miR167d is highly enriched in the leaf tissue. In addition, the expression level of nta-miR319a is prominently enriched in the stem, while nta-miR160c is highly enriched in the root. Moreover, the target prediction showed that most of the targets coded for transcription factors that are involved in cellular and metabolic processes. GO analysis showed that most of the targets were involved in organelle function, served binding functions, and take part in cellular and metabolic processes. This study helps shed new light on understanding the role of miRNAs in different parts of the tobacco plant and adds a significant number of novel miRNAs to the tobacco miRNA transcriptome.

Relationship between clinicopathological features and HIF-2α in gastric adenocarcinoma

Hypoxia influences tumor growth by inducing angiogenesis and genetic alterations. Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) plays an essential role in oxygen homeostasis. Expression of HIF-2α-inducible genes is associated with tumor progression. In this study, we investigated this correlation immunohistochemically and using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to examine various clinical and pathological features in 55 specimens of gastric cancer and 40 specimens of normal gastric tissue. The HIF-2α mRNA expression level and protein expression were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissue samples than in adjacent tissue samples. The positive rates of HIF-2α, matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein were 63.6% (35/55), 80.0% (44/55), and 65.5% (36/55) in gastric cancer tissue specimens, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those in normal gastric tissue samples (P = 0.001, P = 0.000, and P = 0.007, respectively). HIF-2α and MMP-9 were significantly correlated with primary tumor size (P = 0.0065 and P = 0.036, respectively) and invasion depth (P = 0.012 and P = 0.008, respectively). HIF-2α and VEGF were significantly correlated with lymph node involvement (P = 0.030 and P = 0.016, respectively). Expression of HIF-2α was positively correlated with the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 (P = 0.036 and P = 0.000, respectively). These results suggest that HIF-2α is involved in gastric carcinogenesis and disease progression and is a potential therapeutic target for gastric carcinoma.

The specific role of FAM20C in dentinogenesis

FAM20C is an evolutionarily reserved molecule highly expressed in mineralized tissues. Previously we demonstrated that Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice, in which Fam20C was ubiquitously inactivated, had dentin and enamel defects as well as hypophosphatemic rickets. We also showed that K14-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice, in which Fam20C was specifically inactivated in the epithelium, had enamel defects but lacked hypophosphatemia and defects in the bone and dentin. These results indicated that the enamel defects in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice were independent of dentin defects and hypophosphatemia. To determine if the dentin defects in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice were associated with the enamel defects and hypophosphatemia, we crossed Fam20C(fl/fl) mice with Wnt1-Cre and Osr2-Cre transgenic mice to inactivate Fam20C in the craniofacial mesenchymal cells that form dentin and alveolar bone. The resulting Wnt1-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) and Osr2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice showed remarkable dentin and alveolar bone defects, while their enamel did not show apparent defects. The serum FGF23 levels in these mice were higher than normal but lower than those in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice; they developed a mild type of hypophosphatemia that did not cause major defects in long bones. These results indicate that the dentin defects in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice were independent of the enamel defects.

Severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy through activating innate CD8(+)CD44(hi) T cells by upregulating IFN-γ

Thymic atrophy has been described as a consequence of infection by several pathogens including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and is induced through diverse mechanisms. However, whether influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy and the mechanisms underlying this process have not been completely elucidated. Our results show that severe infection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 led to progressive thymic atrophy and CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive (DP) T-cells depletion due to apoptosis. The viruses were present in thymus, where they activated thymic innate CD8⁺CD44^hi single-positive (SP) thymocytes to secrete a large amount of IFN-γ. Milder thymic atrophy was observed in innate CD8⁺ T-cell-deficient mice (C57BL/6J). Neutralization of IFN-γ could significantly rescue the atrophy, but peramivir treatment did not significantly alleviate thymic atrophy. In this study, we demonstrated that thymic innate CD8⁺CD44^hi SP T-cells have critical roles in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection-induced thymic atrophy through secreting IFN-γ. This exceptional mechanism might serve as a target for the prevention and treatment of thymic atrophy induced by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.

Danshensu-mediated protective effect against hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

The culprit of hepatic fibrosis (HF) is linked to suprathreshold deposition of collagen. Thus, collagen reduction by improved metabolism contributes to HF management. In this study, we aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Danshensu (DSS) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HF rats. The results showed that DSS-administrated rats resulted in decreasing in hepatosomatic indexes, and lowering serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased, while the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) was lessened in liver tissue of DSS administration group. In addition, the pro-fibrotic markers of hydroxyproline (Hyp), type III procollagen (PCIII) and hyaluronic acid (HA) contents were decreased. Histopathological examination confirmed that the hepatotoxicity in CCl4-injured rats was alleviated following the DSS administration. Furthermore, intrahepatic protein expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) were effectively down-regulated, respectively. Overall, this work demonstrates that DSS played the protective effect against CCl4-induced cytotoxicity in liver tissue, which the probable mechanism is associated with attenuation of lipid peroxidation, collagen accumulation and enhancement of anti-oxidative defense capability, as well as regulation of intrahepatic JAK/STAT pathway for maintaining collagenic homoeostasis.

HIF-2α as a prognostic marker for breast cancer progression and patient survival

Malignant cells show increased invasion potency in vitro and in vivo. This process is considered to be mediated by matrix-metalloproteases (MMPs). Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) may upregulate MMP-2 expression; however, little is known about the correlation between HIF-2α and MMP-2 expressions in breast cancer. The current study investigated this correlation immunohistochemically according to various clinical and pathological features in 102 paraffin-embedded archival tissue block specimens from patients with breast cancer. HIF-2α and MMP-2 expression was detected in 60.8% (62/102) and 65.7% (67/102) of tumor samples, respectively. HIF-2α expression was significantly correlated with tumor size (P = 0.019), lymph node involvement (P = 0.035), and metastasis (P = 0.035). MMP-2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node involvement (P = 0.043) and metastasis (P = 0.003). Univariate analyses revealed that HIF-2α (P = 0.001) and MMP-2 (P = 0.000) expressions were significantly associated with a poorer survival rate, as well as tumor size, lymph node invasion, and distant metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that HIF-2α (P = 0.003) and the T-stage (P = 0.000) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that HIF-2α and MMP-2 expressions were significantly correlated (r = 0.990; P = 0.041). These results suggest that high HIF- 2α expression is associated with poor overall survival in patients with breast cancer, indicating that HIF-2α could be a valuable marker of breast cancer progression.

An immunohistochemical study of matrix proteins in the craniofacial cartilage in midterm human fetuses

Immunohistochemical localization of collagen types I, II, and X, aggrecan, versican, dentin matrix protein (DMP)-1, martix extracellular phosphoprotein (MEPE) were performed for Meckel's cartilage, cranial base cartilage, and mandibular condylar cartilage in human midterm fetuses; staining patterns within the condylar cartilage were compared to those within other cartilaginous structures. Mandibular condylar cartilage contained aggrecan; it also had more type I collagen and a thicker hypertrophic cell layer than the other two types of cartilage; these three characteristics are similar to those of the secondary cartilage of rodents. MEPE immunoreactivity was first evident in the cartilage matrix of all types of cartilage in the human fetuses and in Meckel's cartilage of mice and rats. MEPE immunoreactivity was enhanced in the deep layer of the hypertrophic cell layer and in the cartilaginous core of the bone trabeculae in the primary spongiosa. These results indicated that MEPE is a component of cartilage matrix and may be involved in cartilage mineralization. DMP-1 immunoreactivity first became evident in human bone lacunae walls and canaliculi; this pattern of expression was comparable to the pattern seen in rodents. In addition, chondroid bone was evident in the mandibular (glenoid) fossa of the temporal bone, and it had aggrecan, collagen types I and X, MEPE, and DMP-1 immunoreactivity; these findings indicated that chondroid bone in this region has phenotypic expression indicative of both hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteocytes.

CHD1L is a novel independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA binding protein 1-like gene (CHD1L) is involved in malignancies. However, the role of CHD1L in gastric cancer (GC) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical role of CHD1L in GC.

METHODS

The gene and protein expression levels of CHD1L were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis in fresh samples of GC and paired adjacent noncancerous tissue (n = 34). We evaluated the CHD1L expression by immunohistochemistry in a large number of GC patients (n = 616) and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues from December 1, 2004 to December 1, 2008. The correlations of CHD1L expression with clinicopathological features and clinical outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

The gene and protein expression levels of CHD1L were higher in fresh samples of GC than in paired adjacent noncancerous tissues as determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that positive expression rates of CHD1L in GC and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues were 58.7 % (361/616) and 7.3 % (45/616), respectively. CHD1L positivity was significantly associated with clinical stage and distant metastasis. GC patients with positive CHD1L expression had shorter overall survival than those with negative CHD1L expression. Multivariate analysis showed that CHD1L was an independent prognostic marker for overall survival [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 5.952, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 3.194-11.187, P = 0.0043].

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that CHD1L could serve as a prognostic marker for GC.

The specific role of FAM20C in amelogenesis

Previously, we showed that Sox2-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice in which Fam20C was ubiquitously inactivated had severe defects in dentin, enamel, and bone, along with hypophosphatemia. It remains to be determined if the enamel defects in the mice with universal inactivation of Family with sequence similarity 20-C (FAM20C) were associated with the dentin defects and whether hypophosphatemia in the knockout mice contributed to the enamel defects. In this study, we crossed Fam20C(fl/fl) mice with keratin 14-Cre (K14-Cre) transgenic mice to specifically inactivate Fam20C in the epithelial cells, including the dental epithelial cells that are responsible for forming tooth enamel. X-ray, backscattered scanning electron microscopic, and histological analyses showed that the K14-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice had severe enamel and ameloblast defects, while their dentin and alveolar bone were not significantly affected. Accordingly, serum biochemistry of the K14-Cre;Fam20C(fl/fl) mice showed normal phosphate and FGF23 levels in the circulation. Analysis of these data indicates that, while FAM20C is a molecule essential to amelogenesis, its inactivation in the dental epithelium does not significantly affect dentinogenesis. Hypophosphatemia makes no significant contribution to the enamel defects in the mice with the ubiquitous deletion of Fam20C.

CMTM3 is frequently reduced in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and exhibits tumor suppressor activities

PURPOSE

CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing member 3 (CMTM3) is silenced in many kinds of cancers and inhibits tumor cells growth. We investigated the expression and role of CMTM3 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

METHODS

The expression of CMTM3 was detected in ccRCC tissue microarray, specimens, and cell lines by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. After transfected with CMTM3 plasmid or vector, the proliferation and migration of ccRCC 786-0 cells were determined by MTT assay and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the anchorage-independent growth of transfected cells was assessed using soft agar colony formation assay.

RESULTS

CMTM3 was down-regulated in 84 % (63/75) of ccRCC tissues and its expression had no correlation with the gender, age, clinical staging and histologic grade. CMTM3 protein was undetectable by western blot in most detected ccRCC specimens and two RCC cell lines (786-0 and ACHN). qRT-PCR analysis showed that CMTM3 mRNA was dramatically down-regulated in 40 ccRCC cancer tissues as compared with the paired adjacent normal ones. Restoration of CMTM3 significantly suppressed the anchorage-independent growth, proliferation and migration of 786-0 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that CMTM3 is significantly down-regulated in ccRCC and exerts remarkable tumor-suppressive functions in 786-0 cells. Reduction of CMTM3 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of ccRCC and CMTM3 may be a potentially target for therapeutic strategy.

Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) plays an essential role in the postnatal development and maintenance of mouse mandibular condylar cartilage

Recently, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) was found to be expressed in the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC), but the possible roles of this molecule in the formation, growth, and maintenance of the cartilage are largely unclear. To analyze such roles, we examined Dspp null mice compared with wild-type mice to assess the consequences of Dspp deletion on the morphology and structure of the MCC. Our data showed that DSPP is expressed in the prechondroblastic, chondroblastic, hypertrophic layers of the MCC. Dspp null mice exhibited decreases in the amount of MCC, with reduced formation of articular and prechondroblastic layers in which progenitor cell proliferation levels were distinctly affected. The expression of extracellular matrix molecules, including biglycan and collagen II, IX, and X, was remarkably altered. The findings in this study indicate that continuous DSPP action is required for the growth and/or maintenance of the MCC.

Loss of dentin sialophosphoprotein leads to periodontal diseases in mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and its cleaved products, dentin phosphoprotein (DPP) and dentin sialoprotein (DSP), play important roles in biomineralization. Recently, we observed that DSPP is highly expressed in the alveolar bone and cementum, indicating that this molecule may play an important role in the formation and maintenance of a healthy periodontium, and its deletion may cause increased susceptibility to periodontal diseases. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of Dspp ablation on periodontal tissues by analyzing Dspp null mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Newborn to 6-mo-old Dspp null mice were examined, and the 3- and 6-mo-old Dspp null mice were characterized in detail using X-ray radiography, histology and scanning electron microscopy (backscattered as well as resin-infiltrating). Wild-type mice of the same age groups served as the normal controls.

RESULTS

The Dspp null mice showed significant loss of alveolar bone and cementum, particularly in the furcation and interproximal regions of the molars. The alveolar bone appeared porous while the quantity of cementum was reduced in the apical region. The canalicular systems and osteocytes in the alveolar bone were abnormal, with reduced numbers of canaliculi and altered osteocyte morphology. The loss of alveolar bone and cementum along with the detachment of the periodontal ligaments (PDL) led to the apical migration of the epithelial attachment and formation of periodontal pockets.

CONCLUSION

Inactivation of DSPP leads to the loss of alveolar bone and cementum and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in PDL of Dspp null mice. The fact that the loss of DSPP results in periodontal diseases indicates that this molecule plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the periodontium.

Association between lncrna PCGEM1 polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) gene expression marker 1 (PCGEM1), a long noncoding RNA, has drawn increasing attention for its important role in PCa. However, the association between genetic variations in the PCGEM1 gene and risk of PCa has not been investigated yet.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of two tagging single-nucleotide polymorphism (tSNPs; rs6434568 and rs16834898) in PCGEM1 gene on PCa risk in the Chinese men. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association.

RESULTS

We found a significantly decreased risk of PCa for rs6434568 AC and AC/AA genotype (adjusted OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.60-0.97 for AC; adjusted OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.61-0.96 for AC/AA), as well as rs16834898 AC and AC/CC genotype (adjusted OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.59-0.97 for AC; adjusted OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.62-0.99 for AC/CC), compared with the CC and AA genotypes, respectively. When we evaluated these two tSNPs together based on the risk alleles (that is, rs6434568 C and rs16834898 A), we found that the combined genotypes with four risk alleles were associated with an increased risk of PCa compared with those carrying 0-3 risk alleles (1.53, 1.19-1.97), and this increased risk was more pronounced among subjects of≤70 years (1.80, 1.24-2.62), Gleason score≥7 (1.68, 1.28-2.22) and PSA level≥20 (1.64, 1.24-2.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that PCGEM1 polymorphisms may contribute to PCa risk in Chinese men. Additional functional analyses are required to detect the detailed mechanism underlying the observed association.

Enhanced phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p110α) activity prevents diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy and superoxide generation in a mouse model of diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterised by diastolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, apoptosis and pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)(p110α) is a cardioprotective kinase, but its role in the diabetic heart is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether PI3K(p110α) plays a critical role in the induction of diabetic cardiomyopathy, and whether increasing PI3K(p110α) activity in the heart can prevent the development of cardiac dysfunction in a setting of diabetes.

METHODS

Type 1 diabetes was induced with streptozotocin in adult male cardiac-specific transgenic mice with increased PI3K(p110α) activity (constitutively active PI3K [p110α], caPI3K] or decreased PI3K(p110α) activity (dominant-negative PI3K [p110α], dnPI3K) and non-transgenic (Ntg) mice for 12 weeks. Cardiac function, histological and molecular analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Diabetic Ntg mice displayed diastolic dysfunction and increased cardiomyocyte size, expression of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides (Anp, Bnp), fibrosis and apoptosis, as well as increased superoxide generation and increased protein kinase C β2 (PKCβ2), p22 ( phox ) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1) expression. Diabetic dnPI3K mice displayed an exaggerated cardiomyopathy phenotype compared with diabetic Ntg mice. In contrast, diabetic caPI3K mice were protected against diastolic dysfunction, pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis. Protection in diabetic caPI3K mice was associated with attenuation of left ventricular superoxide generation, attenuated Anp, Bnp, PKCβ2, Ask1 and p22 ( phox ) expression, and elevated AKT. Further, in cardiomyocyte-like cells, increased PI3K(p110α) activity suppressed high glucose-induced superoxide generation and enhanced mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These results demonstrate that reduced PI3K activity accelerates the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, and that enhanced PI3K(p110α) activity can prevent adverse cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in a setting of diabetes.