The effect of unloading on gene expression of healthy and injured rotator cuffs

Tendon unloading following rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons can induce alterations in muscle physiology and tendon structure, which can subsequently affect reparability and healing potential. Yet little is known about the effects of muscle and tendon unloading on the molecular response of the rotator cuff. We determined the effect of mechanical unloading on gene expression and morphology of healthy supraspinatus tendons and muscles, and the same muscles after acute injury and repair. Mechanical unloading was achieved by tenotomy and/or botulinum toxin A (BTX) chemical denervation in a rat rotator cuff model of injury and repair. Gene expression profiles varied across regions of the muscle, with the greatest changes seen in the distal aspect of the muscle for most genes. Myogenic and adipogenic genes were upregulated in muscle when unloaded (tenotomy and BTX). Tendon injury, with and without repair, resulted in upregulation of fibrosis- and tendon-specific gene expression. The expression of scleraxis, a transcription factor necessary for tendon development, was upregulated in response to injury and repair. In summary, tendon detachment and repair had the greatest effect on tendon gene expression, while unloading had the greatest effect on muscle gene expression.

The in vitro apoptotic effects of A248 and A1659, newly synthetic histone deacetylase inhibitors in oral cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors represent potential therapeutic agents against various cancers. In this study, we attempt to identify whether newly synthesized HDAC inhibitors, A248 and A1659, can be effective anti-cancer drug candidates for oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-cancer activities of A248 and A1659 in MC-3 and HN22 human oral cancer cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-20yl)-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay, 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, and small interference RNA (siRNA) technology.

RESULTS

A248 and A1659 enhanced histone acetylation and decreased the viability of MC-3 and HN22 cells. A248 and A1659 also induced apoptosis, as evidenced by altered nuclear features and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage. A248 and A1659 markedly decreased Sp1 expression in a concentration- or time-dependent manner and blocked nuclear translocation of Sp1 protein from the cytosol, which contributed to an increase in p27 expression and a decrease in cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, the knockdown of Sp1 protein with siRNA caused marked alteration of p27 and cyclin D1 expression to induce apoptosis. The most popular HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) also induced apoptosis and reduced the expression level of Sp1 protein.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that A248 and A1659, two new HDAC inhibitors, may be attractive therapeutic drug candidates for targeting Sp1 in human oral cancer cells.

Inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in alopecia areata-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress in mice

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by rapid and complete hair loss in one or multiple areas of the scalp. Stress is an important triggering factor in AA.

AIM

To identify the inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in C57BL/6 mice with AA-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress (UWS).

METHODS

The mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 received oral tianeptine before and after UWS; group 2 received oral tianeptine only after UWS; group 3 was given UWS treatment only; and group 4 (negative control group) was not given any treatment. Phototrichigraphy and dermatoscopy were used for assessment. Histological analysis was performed using haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Masson trichrome and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed. The level of apoptosis and expression of neuropeptides in the skin were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and immunofluorescence assays.

RESULTS

Mice in group 1 had an increased rate of hair growth and greater hair-shaft thickness compared with mice in groups 2 and 3. In addition, mice in group 1 had a higher number of anagen hair follicles, increased synthesis of collagen and elastic fibres, decreased mast-cell degranulation, reduction in cell apoptosis in hair follicles, and recovery of vitamin D receptor expression. Expression of neuropeptides (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide) was not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Tianeptine might play a role in suppressing catagen induction in a stress-induced AA mouse model.

Dual-color imaging of magnesium/calcium ion activities with two-photon fluorescent probes

We report two-photon probes (FMg1 and FMg2) that can selectively detect intracellular free Mg(2+) ([Mg(2+)](i)) in live cells and tissues by two-photon microscopy. Combined with BCaM, a two-photon probe for near-membrane Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](m)), FMg2 allows dual-color imaging of Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) activities in live cells and [Mg(2+)](i) /[Ca(2+)](m) distributions in live tissues at a depth of 100-200 μm.

A highly sensitive two-photon fluorescent probe for mitochondrial zinc ions in living tissue

We report a highly sensitive two-photon probe (SZn2-Mito) which shows a 70-fold two-photon excited fluorescence enhancement in response to Zn(2+) and can selectively detect mitochondrial Zn(2+) in a rat hippocampal slice at a depth of 100-200 μm by using two-photon microscopy.

A mitochondria-localized two-photon fluorescent probe for ratiometric imaging of hydrogen peroxide in live tissue

We report a two-photon fluorescent probe (SHP-Mito) which can ratiometrically detect mitochondrial H(2)O(2) in live cells and intact tissues at >100 μm depth through the use of two-photon microscopy.

β-Phenethyl isothiocyanate induces death receptor 5 to induce apoptosis in human oral cancer cells via p38

OBJECTIVES

β-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) has been demonstrated to fight many types of cancers through various molecular pathways. In this study, we focused on its effect on the induction of apoptosis to inhibit cell growth and molecular mechanism in oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2-(4 sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was used to examine cell viability. The apoptotic effect was investigated using 4'-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining or Western blotting. Inhibitors were used to determine the molecular target and mechanism of PEITC-mediated apoptosis.

RESULTS

β-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate inhibited the growth of HN22 human oral cancer cells and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HN22 cells as evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and the activation of caspase 3. It increased cleaved caspase 8, truncated BID, and death receptor 5 (DR5) through the activation of p38 MAPK. This result was confirmed by blockage of PEITC-induced cleavages of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase, caspase-3, caspase-8, and DR5 by p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. We also found that PEITC activated p38 and augmented DR5 to induce apoptosis in other human oral cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DR5 is a potential molecular target for PEITC-induced apoptosis in oral cancer via p38 MAPK.

A two-photon turn-on probe for glucose uptake

We report a two-photon turn-on probe (AS1) that can be excited by 780 nm femto-second pulses and visualize glucose uptake and the changes in the intracellular glucose concentration in live cells and tissue by two-photon microscopy.

Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β and tau in LRRK2 mutation carriers

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the current investigation was to examine a cohort of symptomatic and asymptomatic LRRK2 mutation carriers, in order to address whether the reported alterations in amyloid β (Aβ) and tau species in the CSF of patients with sporadic Parkinson disease (PD) are a part of PD pathogenesis, the aging process, or a comorbid disease in patients with PD, and to explore the possibility of Aβ and tau as markers of early or presymptomatic PD.

METHODS

CSF Aβ42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau were measured with Luminex assays in 26 LRRK2 mutation carriers, who were either asymptomatic (n = 18) or had a phenotype resembling sporadic PD (n = 8). All patients also underwent PET scans with 18F-6-fluoro-l-dopa (FD), 11C-(±)-α-dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ), and 11C-d-threo-methylphenidate (MP) to measure dopaminergic function in the striatum. The levels of CSF markers were then compared to each PET measurement.

RESULTS

Reduced CSF Aβ42 and tau levels correlated with lower striatal dopaminergic function as determined by all 3 PET tracers, with a significant association between Aβ42 and FD uptake. When cases were restricted to carriers of the G2019S mutation, the most common LRRK2 variant in our cohort, significant correlations were also observed for tau.

CONCLUSIONS

The disposition of Aβ and tau is likely important in both LRRK2-related and sporadic PD, even during early phases of the disease. A better understanding of their production, aggregation, and degradation, including changes in their CSF levels, may provide insights into the pathogenesis of PD and the potential utility of these proteins as biomarkers.

Evaluation of the efficacy of immunocastration vaccine composed of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone conjugated with Salmonella typhimurium flagellin in rats

Immunocastration is an alternative method to replace surgical castration that is commonly performed in domestic and pet animals. In this study, a new immunocastration vaccine was developed, and its efficacy was evaluated in male rats. Six tandem copies of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) peptide were genetically fused to Salmonella typhimurium flagellin fljB (STF2) that is a ligand of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). The recombinant STF2-GnRH protein expressed in Escherichia coli was used as the immunocastration vaccine. Sixteen male rats were equally assigned to four groups. Excluding the control rats, three groups were immunized with 100, 200 and 400 μg of the STF2-GnRH vaccine, respectively. All of the immunized rats developed significantly higher titres of antibodies to GnRH than the control rats. The size and weight of both testes and epididymides from the immunized rats were significantly smaller than those of the control rats. Testicular tissues in the immunized rats demonstrated atrophy of seminiferous tubules and decreased numbers of both spermatogonia and spermatocytes. These data indicate that the newly developed STF2-GnRH vaccine has a potent immunogenicity to GnRH and efficiently suppresses the development of testes in rats.

Effect of public deliberation on attitudes toward surrogate consent for dementia research

OBJECTIVE

To assess the informed, deliberative views of the older general public toward a policy of allowing surrogate consent for Alzheimer disease (AD) research.

METHODS

A total of 503 persons aged 50+ recruited by random digit dialing were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: deliberation, education, or control. The deliberation group attended an all-day education/peer deliberation session; the education group received written information only. Participants were surveyed at baseline, after deliberation session (or equivalent time), and 1 month after the session, regarding their attitudes toward a policy of allowing surrogate consent for research studies of varying risks and potential benefits (a lumbar puncture study, a drug randomized controlled trial, a vaccine randomized controlled trial, and an early phase gene transfer trial).

RESULTS

At baseline, a policy of surrogate consent for AD research was supported by 55%-91%, depending on the scenario. The education group had a transient increase in support for one research scenario after receiving the information materials. In the deliberation group, support for surrogate consent was higher after deliberation for all scenarios (67% to 97%), with much of the increase sustained 1 month after the deliberation session. No changes occurred in the control group. The study's limitations include self-selection of participants due to the demanding nature of attendance at the deliberation sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

This sample of the older general public generally supported a policy of surrogate consent for AD research at baseline. Their support increased with democratic deliberation involving informed, in-depth exploration of the relevant scientific and ethical issues.

Ratiometric detection of mitochondrial thiols with a two-photon fluorescent probe

We report a ratiometric two-photon probe (SSH-Mito) for mitochondrial thiols. This probe shows a marked blue-to-yellow emission color change in response to RSH, a significant two-photon cross section, good mitochondrial thiol selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and insensitivity to pH over the biologically relevant pH range, allowing the direct visualization of RSH levels in live cells as well as in living tissues at 90-190 μm depth without interference from other biologically relevant species through the use of two-photon microscopy.

Two-photon fluorescent probes for metal ions

Two-photon microscopy (TPM) has become an indispensible tool in biology and medicine owing to the capability of imaging the intact tissue for a long period of time. To make it a versatile tool in biology, a variety of two-photon probes for specific applications are needed. In this context, many research groups are developing two-photon probes for various applications. In this Focus Review, we summarize recent results on model studies and selected examples of two-photon probes that can detect intracellular free metal ions in live cells and tissues to provide a guideline for the design of useful two-photon probes for various in vivo imaging applications.

Transport and metabolism of the antitumour drug candidate 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde in Caco-2 cells

The transport and metabolism of the antitumour drug candidate 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde (BCA) was characterized in Caco-2 cells. BCA disappeared rapidly from the donor side without being transported to the receiver side during its absorptive transport across Caco-2 cells. Its metabolites 2'-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA) and o-coumaric acid (OCA) were formed in both the donor and the receiver sides. HCA, in a separate study, also disappeared rapidly from the donor side, mostly being converted to its oxidative metabolite OCA during its absorptive transport across Caco-2 cells. OCA was transported rapidly in the absorptive direction across Caco-2 cells with a P(app) of 25.4 +/- 1.0 x 10(-6) cm s(-1) (mean +/- standard deviation (SD), n = 3). OCA was fully recovered from both the donor and the receiver side throughout the time-course of this study. Formation of HCA from BCA was inhibited almost completely by bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP), a selective inhibitor of carboxylesterases (CES), and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a broad specificity inhibitor of esterases in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that this hydrolytic biotransformation was likely mediated predominantly by CES. Conversion of HCA to OCA was inhibited significantly by isovanillin, a selective inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase (AO). Inhibitors for xanthine oxidase (XO) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are known to be involved in the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, did not have a significant effect on the biotransformation of HCA to OCA in Caco-2 cells. In summary, the present work demonstrates that BCA is hydrolysed rapidly to HCA, followed by subsequent oxidation to OCA, in Caco-2 cells. The results provide a mechanistic understanding of the poor absorption and low bioavailability of BCA after oral administration.