Roles of the protein disulphide isomerases AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 in response to oxidant stress in Apis cerana cerana

Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes through its oxidoreductase activity and molecular chaperone activity. In this study, we cloned two PDI family members, AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3, from Apis cerana cerana. AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 had typical sequence features of PDI family members and were constitutively expressed in A. cerana cerana. The expression levels of AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 were generally upregulated after treatment with a variety of environmental stress factors. Inhibition assays showed that E. coli expressing recombinant AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 proteins was more resistant to oxidative stress than control E. coli. In addition, silencing AccPDIA1 or AccPDIA3 in A. cerana cerana resulted in significant changes in the expression levels of several antioxidant-related genes as well as the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and reduced the survival rate of A. cerana cerana under oxidative stress caused by high temperature. In conclusion, our results suggest that AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 may play important roles in the antioxidant activities of A. cerana cerana.

Genetic analyses of blood β-hydroxybutyrate predicted from milk infrared spectra and its association with longevity and female reproductive traits in Holstein cattle

Ketosis is one of the most prevalent and complex metabolic disorders in high-producing dairy cows and usually detected through analyses of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration in blood. Our main objectives were to evaluate genetic parameters for blood BHB predicted based on Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra from 5 to 305 d in milk, and estimate the genetic relationships of blood BHB with 7 reproduction traits and 6 longevity traits in Holstein cattle. Predicted blood BHB records of 11,609 Holstein cows (after quality control) were collected from 2016 to 2019 and used to derive 4 traits based on parity number, including predicted blood BHB in all parities (BHBp), parity 1 (BHB1), parity 2 (BHB2), and parity 3+ (BHB3). Single- and multitrait repeatability models were used for estimating genetic parameters for the 4 BHB traits. Random regression test-day models implemented via Bayesian inference were used to evaluate the daily genetic feature of BHB variability. In addition, genetic correlations were calculated for the 4 BHB traits with reproduction and longevity traits. The heritability estimates of BHBp, BHB1, BHB2, and BHB3 ranged from 0.100 ± 0.026 (± standard error) to 0.131 ± 0.023. The BHB in parities 1 to 3+ were highly genetically correlated and ranged from 0.788 (BHB1 and BHB2) to 0.911 (BHB1 and BHB3). The daily heritability of BHBp ranged from 0.069 to 0.195, higher for the early and lower for the later lactation periods. A similar trend was observed for BHB1, BHB2, and BHB3. There are low direct genetic correlations between BHBp and selected reproductive performance and longevity traits, which ranged from -0.168 ± 0.019 (BHBp and production life) to 0.157 ± 0.019 (BHBp and age at first calving) for the early lactation stage (5 to 65 d). These direct genetic correlations indicate that cows with higher BHBp (greater likelihood of having ketosis) in blood usually have shorter production life (-0.168 ± 0.019). Cows with higher fertility and postpartum recovery, such as younger age at first calving (0.157 ± 0.019) and shorter interval from calving to first insemination in heifer (0.111 ± 0.006), usually have lower BHB concentration in the blood. Furthermore, the direct genetic correlations change across parity and lactation stage. In general, our results suggest that selection for lower predicted BHB in early lactation could be an efficient strategy for reducing the incidence of ketosis as well as indirectly improving reproductive and longevity performance in Holstein cattle.

Case report: Clinical manifestations and genotype analysis of a child with PTPN11 and SEC24D mutations

BACKGROUND

The PTPN11 gene, located at 12q24. 13, encodes protein tyrosine phosphatase 2C. Mutations in the PTPN11 gene can lead to various phenotypes, including Noonan syndrome and LEOPARD syndrome. The SEC24D gene is located at 4q26 and encodes a component of the COPII complex, and is closely related to endoplasmic reticulum protein transport. Mutations in SEC24D can lead to Cole-Carpenter syndrome-2. To date, dual mutations in these two genes have not been reported in the literature.

METHODS

We report a patient with short stature and osteogenesis imperfecta as the primary clinical manifestation. Other clinical features were peculiar facial features, deafness, and a history of recurrent fractures. Whole exome sequencing was performed on this patient.

RESULTS

After whole-exome sequencing, three mutations in two genes were identified that induced protein alterations associated with the patient's phenotype. One was a de novo variant c.1403C>T (p.Thr468Met) on exon 12 of the PTPN11 gene, and the other was a compound heterozygous mutation in the SEC24D gene, a novel variant c.2609_2610delGA (p.Arg870Thrfs^*10) on exon 20 and a reported variant c.938G>A (p.Arg313His) on exon 8.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent mutations in PTPN11 and SEC24D induced a phenotype that was significantly different from individual mutations in either PTPN11 or SEC24D gene. Personalized genetic analysis and interpretation could help us understand the patient's etiology and hence develop treatments and improve the prognosis of these patients.

[Enlightment of routine vaccination under the prevention and control of COVID-19 based on the circulating event of type Ⅲ vaccine-derived poliovirus in Shanghai]

Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched by the World Health Assembly in 1988, significant progress has been made in global polio prevention and control. But the occurrence of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis cases and vaccine-derived poliovirus related cases have become a major challenge during the post-polio era. While coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) has brought serious disease burden and economic burden to all countries in the world, prevention and control of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases such as polio should not be neglected under the background of the global common fight against COVID-19. Taking the type Ⅲ VDPV cycle event in Shanghai as an example, the paper discussed how to do a good job of routine inoculation under the prevention and control of COVID-19 to strictly prevent the outbreak of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.

Functional analysis of a putative Bombyx mori cypovirus miRNA BmCPV-miR-10 and its effect on virus replication

Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is an important pathogen of silkworm (B. mori), the economically beneficial insect. The mechanism of its interaction with host immune defence system in the process of infection is still not yet completely clear. Researches have demonstrated that virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in regulating host-pathogen interaction, but few reports are available so far on miRNAs encoded by insect viruses, especially the RNA viruses. In this study, a putative miRNA encoded by the 10th segment of BmCPV genomic RNA, BmCPV-miR-10, was identified and functionally analysed. The expression of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could be detected via stem-loop RT-PCR (reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) in the midgut of silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV. BmCSDE1 (B. mori cold shock domain E1 protein) gene was predicted to be a candidate target gene for BmCPV-miR-10 with the miRNA binding site located in 3' untranslated region of its mRNA. The regulation effect of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 on BmCSDE1 was verified in HEK293 cells by lentiviral expression system, in BmN cells by transfecting BmCPV-miR-10 mimics. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) results showed that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1. By injection of BmCPV-miR-10 mimics into the silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV, it was further proved that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1 in vivo, then inhibit the expression of BmApaf-1 (B. mori apoptotic protease activating factor 1), while enhance the replication of BmCPV genomic RNAs to a certain extent. These results implied that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could down-regulate the expression of BmCSDE1, then suppress the expression of BmApaf-1, thereby created a favourable intracellular environment for virus replication and proliferation.

Quantifying Patient-Specific in vivo Coronary Plaque Material Properties for Accurate Stress/Strain Calculations: An IVUS-Based Multi-Patient Study

Introduction: Mechanical forces are closely associated with plaque progression and rupture. Precise quantifications of biomechanical conditions using in vivo image-based computational models depend heavily on the accurate estimation of patient-specific plaque mechanical properties. Currently, mechanical experiments are commonly performed on ex vivo cardiovascular tissues to determine plaque material properties. Patient-specific in vivo coronary material properties are scarce in the existing literature.

Methods:In vivo Cine intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) slices were acquired at 20 plaque sites from 13 patients. A three-dimensional thin-slice structure-only model was constructed for each slice to obtain patient-specific in vivo material parameter values following an iterative scheme. Effective Young's modulus (YM) was calculated to indicate plaque stiffness for easy comparison purposes. IVUS-based 3D thin-slice models using in vivo and ex vivo material properties were constructed to investigate their impacts on plaque wall stress/strain (PWS/PWSn) calculations.

Results: The average YM values in the axial and circumferential directions for the 20 plaque slices were 599.5 and 1,042.8 kPa, respectively, 36.1% lower than those from published ex vivo data. The YM values in the circumferential direction of the softest and stiffest plaques were 103.4 and 2,317.3 kPa, respectively. The relative difference of mean PWSn on lumen using the in vivo and ex vivo material properties could be as high as 431%, while the relative difference of mean PWS was much lower, about 3.07% on average.

Conclusion: There is a large inter-patient and intra-patient variability in the in vivo plaque material properties. In vivo material properties have a great impact on plaque stress/strain calculations. In vivo plaque material properties have a greater impact on strain calculations. Large-scale-patient studies are needed to further verify our findings.

[Autologous stem cell transplantation improves outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma receiving proteasome inhibitors and lenalidomide treatment]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) on treatment response and survival outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) receiving treatments with proteasome inhibitors and lenalidomide.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the clinical data of newly diagnosed MM patients, who were eligible for ASCT and received proteasome inhibitors or lenalidomide-based treatment in our hospital from January, 2015 to December, 2019. The patients were divided into transplantation group and non-transplantation group, and in transplantation group, the patients received 4 to 6 courses of induction therapy with proteasome inhibitors or lenalidomide before ASCT, while those in the non-transplantation group received more than 8 courses of induction and consolidation therapy with proteasome inhibitors or lenalidomide-based regimens. The therapeutic efficacy and survival outcomes of the patinets were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study, including 48 (45.7%) in transplantation group and 57 (54.3%) in non-transplantation group. The two groups were matched for gender, age and treatment response after 4 courses of induction therapy (P > 0.05). The rate of optimal response before relapse differed significantly between the two groups (P=0.000), and the patients receiving ASCT had significantly higher rates of complete response (85.4% vs 54.4%, P= 0.001) and very good partial response or better (95.8% vs 73.7%, P=0.002) than those without ASCT. At the end of follow-up, the median progression-free survival in the transplantation group was not reached, as compared with 29 months in the nontransplantation group (P=0.013). The median overall survival (OS) in the two groups was not reached, but the OS was better in the transplant group than in the non-transplant group (P=0.022).

CONCLUSION

ASCT can further improve the depth of remission and survival outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed MM receiving treatments with proteasome inhibitors and lenalidomide.

Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging to Quantify Coronary Plaque Cap Stress/Strain and Progression: A Follow-Up Study Using 3D Thin-Layer Models

Accurate plaque cap thickness quantification and cap stress/strain calculations are of fundamental importance for vulnerable plaque research. To overcome uncertainties due to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) resolution limitation, IVUS and optical coherence tomography (OCT) coronary plaque image data were combined together to obtain accurate and reliable cap thickness data, stress/strain calculations, and reliable plaque progression predictions. IVUS, OCT, and angiography baseline and follow-up data were collected from nine patients (mean age: 69; m: 5) at Cardiovascular Research Foundation with informed consent obtained. IVUS and OCT slices were coregistered and merged to form IVUS + OCT (IO) slices. A total of 114 matched slices (IVUS and OCT, baseline and follow-up) were obtained, and 3D thin-layer models were constructed to obtain stress and strain values. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) and least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) method were used to predict cap thickness change using nine morphological and mechanical risk factors. Prediction accuracies by all combinations (511) of those predictors with both IVUS and IO data were compared to identify optimal predictor(s) with their best accuracies. For the nine patients, the average of minimum cap thickness from IVUS was 0.17 mm, which was 26.08% lower than that from IO data (average = 0.23 mm). Patient variations of the individual errors ranged from ‒58.11 to 20.37%. For maximum cap stress between IO and IVUS, patient variations of the individual errors ranged from ‒30.40 to 46.17%. Patient variations of the individual errors of maximum cap strain values ranged from ‒19.90 to 17.65%. For the GLMM method, the optimal combination predictor using IO data had AUC (area under the ROC curve) = 0.926 and highest accuracy = 90.8%, vs. AUC = 0.783 and accuracy = 74.6% using IVUS data. For the LSSVM method, the best combination predictor using IO data had AUC = 0.838 and accuracy = 75.7%, vs. AUC = 0.780 and accuracy = 69.6% using IVUS data. This preliminary study demonstrated improved plaque cap progression prediction accuracy using accurate cap thickness data from IO slices and the differences in cap thickness, stress/strain values, and prediction results between IVUS and IO data. Large-scale studies are needed to verify our findings.

P–417 A comparison of baseline and sequential changes of extended cytokine profile during implantation window between women who did and did not conceive after embryo transfer

Study question

To compare the changing peripheral levels of inflammation-related cytokine profile during a 9-day period after blastocyst transfer between women who did and did not conceive.

Summary answer:Successful implantation is associated with transient increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile followed by a switch to anti-inflammatory cytokine profile prior to confirmation of pregnancy.What is known already: Immunomodulation is thought to be important for the prevention of rejection of the implanting semi-allograft embryo and successful establishment of pregnancy. A successful pregnancy is characterized by a dominance of anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in the peripheral blood in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. It is achieved by a complex interplay between various immune cells and cytokines at the fetal-maternal interface, among which the key-players are interleukine–10 (IL–10) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The circulating inflammatory response in the first few days after embryo transfer to the pathophysiology of implantation failure remains unclear. Study design, size, duration: This prospective observational and longitudinal study on 47 women with infertility was performed in an in vitro fertilization unit from December 2018 to August 2019. The amounts of a range of cytokines was measured on serial blood samples obtained during a 9-day period after blastocyst transfer.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Serial blood samples were obtained on the day of embryo transfer, and 3, 6, and 9 days afterward for measurement of serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)–2, IL–4, IL–10, IL–12, IL–13, IL–17, IL–18, and IL–22 using cytometric bead arrays; transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Main results and the role of chance

The cytokine profile was similar between the women who conceived and those who did not on the day of blastocyst transfer. In women who conceived, IFN-γ and IL–17 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) exhibited a transient and significant increase on day 3 after blastocyst transfer, which decreased to the baseline levels by day 6. Meanwhile, IL–10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) was increased significantly on days 6 and 9, and TGF-β1 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) was increased significantly on day 9 after blastocyst transfer. In women who did not conceive, there was a more pronounced increase in IFN-γ and IL–17 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) on day 3, which was sustained on days 6 and 9 without a switch to an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile. Among women who conceived after blastocyst embryo transfer, there was a transient and modest increase in serum pro-inflammatory cytokine profile (IFN-γ and IL–17) 3 days after blastocyst transfer, which was followed by a switch to anti-inflammatory cytokine profile (increase IL–10 and TGF-β1) by 6 days after blastocyst transfer and the latter increase was sustained 9 days after blastocyst transfer, when pregnancy was confirmed.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is an observational study on peripheral blood cytokine levels, so it is not possible to draw conclusions if the implantation failure is due primarily to failure of the embryo to elicit a trigger for the switch or failure of maternal response to a normal trigger released by the embryo.

Wider implications of the findings: The characteristic change in peripheral cytokine profile during successful implantation, well before confirmation of pregnancy, may provide an opportunity to develop serum biomarkers to monitor implantation and to understand the mechanism of its failure, especially in women who experience recurrent implantation failure after IVF.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Aggravates Food Allergy by Intestinal Barrier Destruction and Inflammation

INTRODUCTION

The increase in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and food allergy leads to an assumption that the 2 are related. This study aims to (1) systematic verification of HFD-induced obesity aggravates food allergy and (2) explore the correlation and molecular mechanisms of HFD-induced obesity promotes food allergy.

METHODS

Female BALB/c mice are divided into the control group (control), the ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized group (OVA), the HFD-induced obesity group (HFD), and HFD-induced allergic obesity group (HFD + OVA).

RESULTS

In vivo data showed that HFD feed enhance clinical symptoms and intestinal mucosa villi shed on allergic mice. Moreover, we found that HFD and OVA irritation enhanced levels of mast cell degranulation and Th2 humoral response. Additionally, Western blot analysis showed the potentiation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ) remarkably reduced on intestinal in HFD and OVA group, thereby inhibiting the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/PPAR γ signal the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our results suggest that HFD-induced obesity is a potential risk factor for food allergy, which related to intestinal barrier destruction and inflammation through the PPAR γ/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Characteristics and recovery of hearing loss in 573 patients with bacterial meningitis]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of hearing loss in children with bacterial meningitis. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in Beijing Children's Hospital between 2010 and 2016 and older than 28 days and younger than 18 years at symptom onset were included in this study (n=573). All clinical information including hearing assessment results during hospitalization were reviewed. All patients with hearing loss were followed up to repeat their hearing test and assess their hearing condition with parents' evaluation of aural and (or) oral performance of children (PEACH). Patients were grouped according to their hearing assessment results, and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for hearing loss in patients with bacterial meningitis. Results: Five hundred and seventy-three patients were enrolled in this study, including 347 males and 226 females. The onset age ranged from 29 days to 15.8 years. Two hundred and forty-six patients had identified causative pathogens, among whom 92 cases (37.4%) were pneumococcal meningitis cases. Hearing loss was found in 160 cases (27.9%) during hospitalization, involving 240 ears. Permanent hearing loss was found in 20 cases (16.9%), involving 32 ears. In the patients with permanent hearing loss, 87.5% (28/32) of ears were identified as severe or profound hearing loss during hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that dystonia, the protein concentration level in cerebrospinal fluid>1 g/L, glucose concentration level lower than 1 mmol/L and subdural effusion were independent risk factors for hearing loss (OR=2.426 (1.450-4.059), 1.865 (1.186-2.932), 1.544 (1.002-2.381) and 1.904 (1.291-2.809)). Conclusions: Hearing loss is a common sequela of bacterial meningitis in children. Most patients have transient hearing loss, but patients with severe or profound hearing impairment have a higher risk of developing permanent hearing loss.

Genome-wide epistatic interactions of litter size at birth in Chinese indigenous pigs

Improving litter size at birth (TNB) and the number of piglets born alive (NBA) are the main breeding goals related to litter traits, which are economically important. A better understanding of genetic architecture underlying TNB and NBA traits could increase pig production efficiency. However, most previous studies on these traits focus on additive genetic effects, while epistatic interactions underlying TNB and NBA traits has not yet been well investigated, which are essential to understand how traits-related genes interact. Herein, we conducted genome scans of epistatic interactions underlying TNB and NBA traits in a total of 150 Chinese indigenous pigs (75 Jinhua and 75 Shengxian Spotted pigs) with high throughput genomic data. Based on SNPs with high interaction values and connectivity scores, we identified eight promising candidate genes (AKT2, TSC1, MTOR, PIK3R5, TIAM1, FGF14, RALB and ROR2) potentially associated with litter traits in pigs. Moreover, the underlying pathways, e.g., calcium ion transport, pointed out their roles in litter size-related traits. Our findings provide new insight into genetic architecture of litter traits in pigs and will benefit economic profits in pig production.

Effects of rearing systems on production performance, antioxidant capacity and immune status of meat ducks at different ages

As potential substitutes for traditional free-range rearing system, floor-rearing system (FRS) and net-rearing system (NRS) are the current predominant dryland duck rearing systems. However, the influence of these two systems on production performance and duck health is poorly understood. In this study, a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two rearing systems (FRS and NRS) and three ages (4w, 8w and 13w) was conducted to study the effects of FRS and NRS on production, antioxidant capacity and immune status of Nonghua ducks. The production performance was mainly affected by the effect of rearing systems at 8w. Body weight, average daily gain, eviscerated weight and semi-eviscerated weight were higher in NRS ducks at 8w, but carcass yield at 8w and 13w was decreased (P < 0.05). Lipid deposition was enhanced in NRS and higher sebum and abdominal fat yields were seen at 8w and 13w (P < 0.05). NRS resulted in developmental retardation of the liver at 4w and decreased gizzard index at all ages (P < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity indicators were unaffected by rearing systems (P > 0.05), however, in NRS, slightly better antioxidant capacity was seen at 4w, while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was higher at 13w (P < 0.05). NRS ducks had higher thymus weight at 8w and higher spleen weight at 13w (P < 0.05). Immune cytokines were extensively affected by rearing system (P < 0.05) and higher levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-4 and immunoglobulins were seen in NRS ducks. Serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) showed that NRS was better for liver health, and in the liver of FRS ducks, ALP was higher at 13w, and both ALP and interferon-γ were higher at 13w than at 4w and 8w (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that NRS was, to an extent, conducive to production performance and duck liver health, but compared to FRS, defects were seen in visceral organ development and lipid deposition. Although antioxidant capacity was not significantly affected, NRS ducks may have better antioxidant capacity at the early breeding stage, and GSH-Px activity was increased for scavenging excess free radicals at the later one. NRS increased serum levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-4 and immunoglobulins and promoted thymus and spleen development, thus improving duck immune function. These findings will provide a reliable reference for selecting a rearing system.

Mutations of the c-Kit and PDGFRA gene in gastrointestinal stromal tumors among hakka population of Southern China

Aims

The aim of the present study was to investigate mutation status of the cKit and PDGFRA genes in patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Methods

In total, 96 patients with a GIST were included in the study, in which polymerase chain reaction amplification and gene sequencing were used to detect the sequences of exons 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 18 in KIT and exons 12, 14, and 18 in PDGFRA.

Results

KIT mutations were detected in 65 cases (67.71%), of which 81.54% (53/65) were located on exon 11, 12.31% (8/65) were located on exon 9, 4.61% (3/65) were located on exon 17, which included a concomitant mutation of exon 9 and 11, and 4.08% (2/65) were located on exon 13, which included a concomitant mutation on exon 11. The most common mutation in exon 11 was deletion, which accounted for 77.36% (41/53) of the cases, followed by a point mutation observed in 22.64% (12/53) of the cases. Among the 31 GIST cases without a KIT mutation, a mutation in PDGFRA was detected in 5 cases (5.21%, 5/96; 16.13%, 5/31). With respect to gender, age, tumor max diameter, tumor position, and mitotic index, there were no significant differences between KIT/PDGFRA mutations and non-mutations.

Conclusions

GIST mainly occurs in the stomach, and the cytological morphology is mainly spindle cells, and the mutations mainly occur in KIT genes. We need a large sample size to analyze the regularity of GIST gene mutations in Hakka population and understand the independent prognostic correlation of all KIT/PDGFRA genotypes.

Differentiating between micronucleus dose-responses induced by whole cigarette smoke solutions with Benchmark Dose potency ranking

Dose-response modeling of in vitro micronucleus test (IVMNT) data was evaluated to determine if the approach has value in discriminating among different tobacco products. Micronucleus responses were generated in L5178Y/Tk+/- mouse lymphoma cells and TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells from a series of whole smoke solutions (WSSs) expected to have different levels of genotoxicity based on differences in their machine-generated smoke constituents. Eight WSSs were prepared by machine smoking different numbers (20 or 60) of two commercial cigarettes (Marlboro Silver or Red) under International Standardization Organization (ISO) or Health Canada Intense (HCI) smoking machine regimens and tested in the two cell lines with and without rat liver S9 activation. The S9-mediated IVMNT dose-response data from the WSSs were evaluated with PROAST software and Benchmark Doses (BMDs) and their upper and lower confidence intervals (CIs) were generated. IVMNT data differed based on the number and type of cigarettes smoked and smoking machine regimen. The IVMNT responses produced in mouse lymphoma cells generally were greater than in TK6 cells, but the ability of the two cell types to differentiate between WSSs was similar. The results indicate that BMD potency ranking was useful for differentiating between IVMNT responses.

POS0369 ELEVATED EXPRESSION OF TIM-3 ON NEUTROPHILS CORRELATES WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY AND SEVERITY OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Background:

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of common, chronic inflammatory disease that compromises the axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints, causing inflammatory low back pain and progressive spinal stiffness, over time some patients develop spinal immobility and ankylosis which can lead to a decrease in quality of life. The last few decades, evidence has clearly indicated that neutrophil also plays key roles in the progression of AS. However, the immunomodulatory roles and mechanisms of neutrophils in AS are poorly understood. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) has been reported as an important regulatory molecule, expressed and regulated on different innate immune cells, plays a pivotal role in several autoimmunity diseases. Recent study indicates that Tim3 is also expressed on neutrophils. However, the frequency and roles of Tim3-expressing neutrophils in AS was not clear.

Objectives:

In this study, we investigated the expression of Tim3 on neutrophils in AS patients and explored the correlation between the level of Tim3-expressing neutrophils and the disease activity and severity of AS.

Methods:

Patients with AS were recruited from Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital (n=62). Age/sex-matched volunteers as Healthy controls (HC) (n=39). The medical history, clinical manifestations, physical examination, laboratory measurements were recorded. The expression of costimulatory molecules including programmed death 1 (PD-1), Tim-3 on neutrophils were determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 was determined by real-time PCR. The levels of Tim3-expressing neutrophils in AS patients were further analyzed for their correlation with the markers of inflammation such as ESR,CRP,WBC and neutrophil count(NE), as well as disease activity and severity of AS. The expression of Tim3 on neutrophils was monitored during the course of treatment (4 weeks).

Results:

The expression of Tim3 on neutrophils in patients with AS was increased compared to the HC (Figure 1A). However, significant difference was observed in the frequency of PD-1-expressing neutrophils between AS patients and HC (Figure 1B). The expression analysis of Tim-3 mRNA, but not PD-1, confirmed the results obtained from flow cytometry (Figure 1C). The level of Tim3-expressing neutrophils in patients with AS showed an positive correlation with ESR, CRP and ASAS-endorsed disease activity score (ASDAS) (Figure 1D). Moreover, the frequency of Tim3-expressing neutrophils in active patients(ASDAS≥1.3) was increased as compare with the inactive patients (ASDAS<1.3) (Figure 1E). As shown in Figure 1F, the frequency of Tim3-expressing neutrophils decreased after the treatment.

Conclusion:

Increased Tim-3 expression on neutrophils may be a novel indicator to assess disease activity and severity in AS, which may serves as a negative feedback mechanism preventing potential tissue damage caused by excessive inflammatory responses in AS patients.

References:

[1]Han, G., Chen, G., Shen, B. & Li, Y., Tim-3: an activation marker and activation limiter of innate immune cells. FRONT IMMUNOL 4 449 (2013).

[2]Vega-Carrascal, I. et al., Galectin-9 signaling through TIM-3 is involved in neutrophil-mediated Gram-negative bacterial killing: an effect abrogated within the cystic fibrosis lung. J IMMUNOL 192 2418 (2014).

Figure 1.

(A,B)The expression of Tim3 and PD-1 on neutrophils in AS and HC were determined by flow cytometry.(C) The expression of Tim3 and PD-1 on neutrophils in AS and HC were determined by RT-PCR.(D)The correction between Tim3-expressing neutrophils and ESR,CRP,ASDAS.(E) The expression of Tim3 on neutrophils in active and inactive patients.(F) Influence of treatment on the frequency of Tim3-expressing neutrophils.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Identification of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (AccMKK4) from Apis cerana cerana and its involvement in various stress responses

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade pathway is a ubiquitous signal transduction pathway in eukaryotes that regulates a variety of immune responses. This study accomplished the first isolation of an AccMKK4 gene from Apis cerana cerana and explored its function. Yeast two-hybrid experiments proved that AccMKK4 can interact with Accp38b, and the silencing of AccMKK4 in honeybees downregulated the expression level of Accp38b, which suggests that AccMKK4 might participate in the oxidative stress response through the p38 MAPK pathway. Tissue-specific expression levels of AccMKK4 analysis showed that AccMKK4 in the thorax, particularly muscle tissue, was higher than that in other tissues. The qRT-PCR results from different conditions demonstrated that AccMKK4 responds to various environmental stresses. After AccMKK4 silencing, the transcription level of some antioxidant genes and the activity of antioxidant-related enzymes are reduced, which indicated that AccMKK4 plays an important role in resistance against oxidative stress caused by external stimuli. In summary, our findings indicate that AccMKK4 probably plays an indispensable role in the response of honeybees to environmental stress and might aid for further research on the role of the MAPK cascade pathway in the antioxidant defence mechanisms of insects.

AB0066 MECHANISMS OF TOTAL SAPONINS OF PANAX JAPONICUS MITIGATES COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

Background:

Total saponins of Panax japonicus (TSPJ) are extracted from Panax japonicus (T.Nees) C.A.Mey and have achieved a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unfortunately, the mechanism of TSPJ acting on RA is not clear.

Objectives:

To investigate the potential mechanisms and key targets of TSPJ on RA.

Methods:

The raw data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the RStudio3.6.1 software was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The potential targets of active compounds from TSPJ were predicted by the Pharmmapper and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Based on the overlapping genes, we used Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct a protein-protein interactions (PPI) network and to determine the mechanisms of the treatment by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was established and treated with different doses of TSPJ. Arthritis index (AI) and histology score were used to evaluate the symptoms of CIA. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), IL-1β, and IL-17A tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and real time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Results:

A total of 2670 DEGs and 371 TSPJ targets were obtained, including 52 overlapping genes. 41 genes had protein interactions that are used to build the PPI network. The results of the KEGG enrichment analysis included VEGF and HIF-1 signaling pathway. Seven negative correlation genes and 16 positive correlation genes were obtained by correlational analysis of DEGs in VEGF and HIF-1 signaling pathway. SRC proto-oncogene, nonreceptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and the signal transducer and the activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3) had a higher value of degree in PPI and showed a significant correlation in the pathways; they were regarded as key targets. Compared with the CIA model group, TSPJ significantly decreased the AI and histology scores. Moreover, the expression of VEGF-A, HIF-1α, IL-1β, and IL-17A in serum or spleens significantly reduced in a dose-dependent.

Conclusion:

Present study show that SRC and STAT 3 may be the key targets of TSPJ acting on the VEGF and HIF-1 signaling pathways, thus inhibiting angiogenesis and improving RA.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared