Nuclear factor-κB/p65 responds to changes in the Notch signaling pathway in murine BV-2 cells and in amoeboid microglia in postnatal rats treated with the γ-secretase complex blocker DAPT

Microglial cells constitutively express Notch-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB/p65 (NF-kappaB/p65), and both pathways modulate production of inflammatory mediators. This study sought to determine whether a functional relationship exists between them and, if so, to investigate whether they synergistically regulate common microglial cell functions. By immunofluorescence labeling, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry, and Western blot, BV-2 cells exhibited Notch-1 and NF-kappaB/p65 expression, which was significantly up-regulated in cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This was coupled with an increase in expression of Hes-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). In BV-2 cells pretreated with N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-1-alany1]-S-phenyglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a gamma-secretase inhibitor, followed by LPS stimulation, Notch-1 expression level was enhanced but that of all other markers was suppressed. Additionally, Hes-1 expression and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation decreased as shown by flow cytometry. Notch-1's modulation of NF-kappaB/p65 was also evidenced in amoeboid microglial cells (AMC) in vivo. In 5-day-old rats given intraperitoneal injections of LPS, Notch-1, NF-kappaB/p65, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta immunofluorescence in AMC was markedly enhanced. However, in rats given an intraperitoneal injection of DAPT prior to LPS, Notch-1 labeling was augmented, but that of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was reduced. The results suggest that blocking of Notch-1 activation with DAPT would reduce the level of its downstream end product Hes-1 along with suppression of NF-kappaB/p65 translocation, resulting in suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines. It is concluded that Notch-1 signaling can trans-activate NF-kappaB/p65 by amplifying NF-kappaB/p65-dependent proinflammatory functions in activated microglia.

Resistive and capacitive response of nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanotubes film humidity sensor

Dielectric oxides are traditionally used to fabricate resistive surface humidity-sensing devices, as well as capacitive sandwich-structured sensors. In the present work, relative humidity (RH) sensors were fabricated by employing vertically aligned TiO(2) nanotubes array (TNA) film produced using electro-chemical anodization of Ti foil followed by a nitrogen-doping process, simultaneously showing resistive and capacitive humidity-sensing properties in the range of 11.3-93.6%. For the sample formed at optimized experimental conditions, the capacitance (C(S)) and resistance (R(S)) of the as-fabricated RH sensors made from nitrogen-doped TiO(2) nanotubes film could be simultaneously obtained. Both the resistive and capacitive sensitivity (K(R) and K(C)) of the as-fabricated TiO(2) nanotube RH sensors show distinct dependence on the frequency of alternating current (AC) voltage signal and RH. At higher water coverage, water-water interaction will result in lowering of the water dissociation barrier, leading to an increase of conductance. With the increase of RH, the polarization of as-adsorbed water molecules will also occur, causing a sharp increase of capacitance. For an explanation of the frequency response of both C(S) and R(S), ionic transport, as well as the polarization effect, should be comprehensively considered. The changes of capacitance and resistance at different temperatures are plausibly caused by thermal expansion and surface state modification by adsorption and desorption of oxygen and water.

Copy number variations of the human histamine H4 receptor gene are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex genetic disease; the histamine H4 receptor (HRH4) has been shown to be related to different kinds of autoimmune disorders; and copy number variations (CNVs) have been found to be associated with various types of diseases.

OBJECTIVES

To explore a possible association between HRH4 (formerly H4R) CNVs and the risk of SLE.

METHODS

Genomic DNA and RNA from 340 patients with SLE and 392 healthy controls were extracted, and CNVs and mRNA levels of HRH4 were examined.

RESULTS

The expression of HRH4 mRNA was significantly increased in patients with SLE compared with controls. Amplification of HRH4 copy numbers significantly increased the risk of SLE [P < 0·001, odds ratio (OR) 2·26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·50-3·40]. HRH4 amplifications also positively correlated with the incidence of arthritis (P = 0·019, OR 1·96, 95% CI 1·11-3·47), and proteinuria (P < 0·001, OR 2·95, 95% CI 1·73-5·00) and antinuclear antibody abnormalities (P < 0·001, OR 2·97, 95% CI 1·66-5·33). Deletions of HRH4 copy numbers were protective against proteinuria (P = 0·03, OR 0·50, 95% CI 0·26-0·94).

CONCLUSION

CNVs of the HRH4 gene are associated with SLE.

Ginsenoside Rd attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction and sequential apoptosis after transient focal ischemia

We previously found that ginsenoside Rd (Rd), one of the major active ingredients in Panax ginseng, protects neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-glucose deprivation, an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia. In this study, we examined the protective effects of Rd in an animal model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats administered with Rd or vehicle were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rd (50 mg/kg) significantly reduced the infarct volume by 52.8%. This reduction of injury volume was associated with an improvement in neurological function and was sustained for at least 2 weeks after the induction of ischemia. To evaluate the underlying mechanisms of Rd against stroke, brain tissues were assayed for mitochondrial enzyme activities, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), energy metabolites, and apoptosis. Rd markedly protected mitochondria as indicated by preserved respiratory chain complex activities and aconitase activity, lowered mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production, and hyperpolarized MMP. Microdialysis results illustrated that Rd significantly decreased the accumulation of lactate, the end product of anaerobic glycolysis, and increased pyruvate, the end product of aerobic glycolysis, hence inducing a lower lactate/pyruvate ratio. Additionally, in vitro studies further exhibited that Rd protected isolated mitochondria from calcium-induced damage by attenuating mitochondrial swelling, preserving MMP and decreasing ROS production. Moreover, Rd treatment reduced mitochondrial release of cytochrome c (CytoC) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), thereby minimizing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis following ischemia. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that Rd exerts neuroprotective effects in transient focal ischemia, which may involve an integrated process of the mitochondrial protection, energy restoration and inhibition of apoptosis.

Effects of common dissolved anions on the reduction of para-chloronitrobenzene by zero-valent iron in groundwater

Batch tests were conducted to evaluate the influences of several common dissolved anions in groundwater on the reduction of para-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) by zero-valent iron (ZVI). The results showed that p-CNB reduction was enhanced by both Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-). HCO(3)(-) could either improve or inhibit p-CNB reduction, depending on whether the mixing speed was intense enough to rapidly eliminate Fe-carbonate complex deposited on ZVI surface. Above a concentration of 100 mg L(-1), NO(3)(-) increased the p-CNB reduction rate. The reduction rate by ClO(4)(-) decreased because the ClO(4)(-) competed with p-CNB for electrons. The p-CNB reduction was inhibited by PO(4)(3-), SiO(3)(2-) and humic acid, in the order humic acid < PO(4)(3-) < SiO(3)(2-), since these ions could form inner-sphere complexes on iron surface. The reaction even ceased when the ion concentrations were greater than 4, 0.5, and 30 mg L(-1), respectively. The results indicated that common dissolved anions in groundwater should be taken into account when ZVI is applied for contaminated groundwater remediation.

Abstract P6-05-05: Signaling Pathways Activated in Her 2 and ER Negative Breast Cancers

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (192,370 new cases in 2009) and the second leading cause of cancer death (40,000) among women in USA. Current multimodality treatment of breast cancer is based on the level of ER expression and Her 2 gene amplification. However, no effective treatment is currently available for breast cancers with low level expression of ER and no amplification of Her 2 gene. The aim of this study is to identify protein pathways activated in the breast cancer with negative expression of ER and Her 2. Method: Protein Pathway Array was used to assess the level of protein expression and phosphorylation in 71 paired fresh frozen breast samples (tumor and adjacent benign tissue). A total 159 antibodies were evaluated which represent most important signal transduction pathways involved in proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Several potential therapeutic kinase proteins were also assessed. Results: A total 20 proteins (PCNA, phospho-PTEN, cyclin B1 cyclin E1, CDK6, E-cadherin, NFkB, ect) were differentially expressed between normal and tumor tissues based on the statistical analysis. In Her 2 negative tumors (n=37), 3 proteins were differentially expressed and among them, 2 were up-regulated (CDK6 and HSD1) and 1 was down-regulated (IGF). In ER negative tumors (n=18), 4 proteins (HSD, SK, TDP and Slug) was up-regulated and 1 proteins were down-regulated (E-cadherin). In triple negative tumors (n=13), one protein (E-cadherin) down-regulated and 2 proteins (TDP and HSD) were up-regulated. Furthermore, based on the expression pattern of these proteins, tumors negative for both ER and Her 2 (n=15) can be clustered into 3 groups

Figure 1: Subclassification of breast cancers negative for ER and Her-2 based protein pattern.

Hierarchical clustering analysis of 20 differentially expressed proteins in

15 ER/Her-2 negative breast cancers. The cancers can be separated into 3 subtypes. Red indicates overexpression, green underexpression, black no change, and gray no expression. Each column represents a protein. Each row represents a sample.

Conclusion: Our study showed that distinct sets of signaling pathways activated in ER and Her 2 negative breast cancers. The increased expression of cell cycle progression proteins in Her 2 negative tumors suggests activation of cell proliferation via different growth promotion pathway. Similarly, different cell proliferation pathways are also activated in ER negative tumors. This finding may be used to design future clinical trial based on the activation of different signaling pathways.

Combined effects of short-term calorie restriction and exercise on insulin action in normal rats

The present study examined the effect of combination of short-term calorie restriction (CR) and moderate exercise on insulin action in normal rats. Rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: ad libitum, sedentary (A-Sed); calorie restriction, sedentary (CR-Sed); ad libitum, exercise (A-Ex); and calorie restriction, exercise (CR-Ex). Rats in the exercise groups were run on a rodent treadmill. Rats in the CR groups were fed every alternate day. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed improvements in both CR-Sed and A-Ex groups compared with the A-Sed group; no further improvement in glucose tolerance was observed in the CR-Ex group. In contrast, glucose infusion rates (GIRs) determined by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp method indicated that the GIR of the CR and exercise combination was significantly better than that of the sole intervention of CR or exercise. There was no difference in the levels of fasting glucose, insulin, or high-molecular weight forms of adiponectin among the 4 groups. Protein expression of GLUT-4 in the skeletal muscle increased by exercise, but not by CR. Our findings indicate that the combination of exercise and CR may be effective in enhancing insulin sensitivity at the skeletal muscle in normal subjects.

Multiorgan engraftment of human somatic cells in swine foetuses after intra-blastocyst transplantation

Adult human stem cells, mainly from hematopoietic lineage, have been injected into developing pre-immune animal foetuses, and xenogenic engraftment of liver and other organs has been reported. We isolated a rare cell population from adult human liver, fat and skin. Colonies with few cells became visible as early as 2-3 days, and a fully formed colony took 10-14 days to form. These colonies were named as liver-derived cell lines (LDCs), fat-derived cell lines (FDCs) and skin-derived cell lines (SDCs). All these cells express few pluripotency markers like Klf4, c-myc and Sox2. Pig blastocysts were injected with LDCs, FDCs and SDCs and transferred to recipient pigs. We achieved an overall pregnancy rate of 71.4% at day 35. The foetuses were analysed for human cell chimerism in liver, kidney and heart both by RT-PCR and real-time PCR using primers specific to human and pig mitochondrial DNA. The percentage of foetuses showing chimerism was 17.4% (4/23), 12.5% (2/16) and 11.1% (1/9) for LDCs, FDCs and SDCs, respectively. Of these, 42.9% (three out of seven) showed chimerism in liver and 71.4% (five out of seven) showed kidney chimerism. However, we did not detect any chimerism in the heart. The level of chimerism varied and was in the range of one human cell per one hundred thousand to one million pig cells.

Prognosis of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis: value of a prognostic index

The objective of the present study was to explore the factors related to the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to establish a prognostic model for the selection of patients who might benefit from hepatic resection for metastatic CRC. A total of 293 patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic CRC (172 males and 80 females ranging in age from 26 to 80 years) were selected and clinical, pathological and outcome data were examined in this retrospective study. The prognostic index (PI) of the patients was calculated on the basis of results of multivariate analysis. Patients were stratified into different groups, with survival curves projected according to PI. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 58.3, 26.4, and 11.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that degree of primary tumor differentiation, resection margin, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, number of liver metastases, and resection of liver metastases were associated with prognosis (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the last three factors were found to be independent prognostic factors. The resection of liver metastases was a favorable factor. Patients were classified into three groups according to PI, which differed significantly in survival rate (P < 0.05). The individual survival rate was evaluated based on PI. Resection of hepatic colorectal metastases may produce long-term survival and cure. The proposed PI was easy to use, was highly predictive of patient outcome, and permitted categorization of patients into treatment groups.

Proteome profile and lentiviral transduction of cultured honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) cells

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) play a vital role in agriculture as pollinators, and serve as model organisms of social behaviour and immunity. The lack of both immortalized cell lines and methods to introduce recombinant DNA reliably into primary cells hinders cellular and molecular studies in this organism. We hereby demonstrate the expression of a GFP gene delivered by lentivirus transduction to cultured embryonic cells. The success of this approach indicates that viral transduction could be used to deliver constitutively active oncogenes in order to immortalize honey bee cells. We were able to revive cells successfully after several months of cryogenic storage and we show how the proteome varies between freshly collected and cultured embryonic cells.

Polymorphisms of PXK are associated with autoantibody production, but not disease risk, of systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese mainland population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex immune disease. The genetic variation in the PXK gene was found to associate with SLE in Caucasian populations. However, the association of rs6445975 with SLE has not been extensively studied in a Chinese mainland population. A total of 288 SLE patients and 357 controls were recruited. Unlabeled probe-based high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) was used in genotyping. HRMA with unlabeled probe successfully distinguished all genotypes. Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of SNP rs6445975 showed statistically significant differences between SLE patients and controls. The association of SNP rs6445975 with the diagnostic criteria of SLE was also examined. No obvious association was observed between rs6445975 and the incidence of clinical symptoms. However, the minor allele (G) of rs6445975 was found to significantly associate with increased abnormalities of anti-Smith (p = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-3.09), anti-Ro (p = 0.015, OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.10-2.58), anti-La (p = 0.008, OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.17-2.93) and C3C4 (p = 0.007, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.17-2.74). Polymorphisms of rs6445975 in the PXK gene were associated with autoantibody production, but not disease risk, of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

Can colorectal cancer be prevented or treated by oral hormone replacement therapy?

Guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) is the receptor specifically expressed by intestinal cells for the paracrine hormones guanylin and uroguanylin and diarrheagenic bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins. This tissue-specific receptor coordinates lineage-dependent regulation of epithelial homeostasis, and its disruption contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis. It coordinates regenerative and metabolic circuits by restricting the cell cycle and proliferation and programming metabolic transitions central to organizing the dynamic crypt-surface axis. Further, mice deficient in GCC signaling are more susceptible to colon cancer induced by Apc mutations or the carcinogen azoxymethane. Moreover, guanylin and uroguanylin are gene products most commonly lost, early, in colon cancer in animals and humans. The role of GCC as a tumor suppressing receptor regulating proliferation and metabolism, together with the universal loss of guanylin and uroguanylin in tumorigenesis, suggests a model in which colorectal cancer is a paracrine hormone deficiency syndrome. In that context, activation of GCC reverses the tumorigenic phenotype by limiting growth of colorectal cancer cells by restricting progression through the G1/S transition and reprogramming metabolic circuits from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, limiting bioenergetic support for rapid proliferation. These observations suggest a pathophysiological hypothesis in which GCC is a lineage-dependent tumor suppressing receptor coordinating proliferative homeostasis whose dysregulation through hormone loss contributes to neoplasia. The correlative therapeutic hypothesis suggests that colorectal cancer is a disease of hormone insufficiency that can be prevented or treated by oral supplementation with GCC ligands.