Electroporation of AsCpf1/RNP at the Zygote Stage is an Efficient Genome Editing Method to Generate Knock-Out Mice Deficient in Leukemia Inhibitory Factor

BACKROUND

CRISPR/Cpf1 is a class II, type V RNA-guided endonuclease that is distinct from the type II CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, widely used for genome editing. Cpf1 is a smaller and simpler endonuclease than Cas9, overcoming some limitations of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The applications of CRISPR to rodent embryos for the production of knock-out (KO) mice have been achieved mainly by microinjection, which requires heavily-equipped instruments with skillful hands. Here, we evaluated the genome editing efficiency between Cpf1/mRNA and Cpf1/ribonuclear protein (RNP) in mouse embryos, and established an easy, fast, and technically less demanding method to produce KO mice using electroporation of the Cfp1/RNP system.

METHODS

The efficiency of electroporation-based delivery of AsCpf1/mRNA and AsCpf1/RNP to target exon 3 of leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) into mouse zygotes was evaluated. Embryos that developed to the two-cell stage after zygote electroporation were transferred into the oviducts of surrogate mothers to produce AsCpf1-mediated LIF KO mice. The genome editing efficiency of blastocysts and pups was tested using the T7E1 assay and/or DNA sequencing. Congenital abnormalities and reproductive phenotypes in LIF KO mice produced by electroporation with AsCpf1/RNP were examined.

RESULTS

Survival and two-cell development of electroporated zygotes were comparable between the AsCpf1/mRNA and AsCpf1/RNP groups, whereas genome editing efficiency was relatively higher in the AsCpf1/RNP group (13.3% vs 18.1% at blastocyst and 33.3% vs 45.5% at offspring), respectively. Two mouse lines with a frameshift mutation in exon 3 of the Lif gene were established from the AsCpf1/RNP group. All congenital abnormalities of LIF KO mice produced by AsCpf1/RNP electroporation were observed. AsCpf1-mediated LIF KO mice showed postnatal growth retardation and implantation failure, both of which are major phenotypes of LIF KO mice generated by conventional gene targeting.

CONCLUSION

Electroporation of AsCpf1/RNP at the zygote stage is an efficient genome editing method to produce KO mice.

Role and Mechanism of LIF in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression

Background: Metastasis is a severe problem in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been studied in different cancers, while the role of LIF in OSCC remains unclear. Methods: LIF expression was detected in 100 OSCC samples by immunohistochemistry. Effects of LIF on cell motility were evaluated in OSCC cell lines. High-throughput microarray analysis was also conducted. The correlation between LIF and the downstream effector was analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: Patients with OSCC who had lymph node metastasis or advanced cancer stages showed high LIF expression. OSCC patients with higher LIF expression, advanced stage, large tumor size, or lymph node metastasis had significantly shorter overall survival. LIF regulated cancer cell motilities through outside-in signaling. The inhibin beta A subunit (INHBA) gene was identified as a crucial downstream effector of LIF-promoted OSCC progression and restored migration and invasion abilities in LIF knockdown transfectants. Conclusion: LIF enhances regional lymphatic spread, thus leading to an advanced cancer stage. Regulation of LIF downstream molecules such as INHBA inhibits the invasion or migration ability of cancer cells. Thus, LIF can be a potential target in preventing cancer metastasis and spread.

Evaluation of the inflammatory markers CCL8, CXCL5, and LIF in patients with anastomotic leakage after colorectal cancer surgery

PURPOSE

Anastomotic leakage constitutes a dreaded complication after colorectal surgery, leading to increased morbidity and mortality as well as prolonged hospitalization. Most leakages become clinically apparent about 8 days after surgery; however, early detection is quintessential to reduce complications and to improve patients' outcome. We therefore investigated the significance of specific protein expression profiles as putative biomarkers, indicating anastomotic leakage.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective cohort study serum and peritoneal fluid samples-from routinely intraoperatively inserted drainages-of colorectal cancer patients were collected 3 days after colorectal resection. Twenty patients without anastomotic leakage and 18 patients with an anastomotic leakage and without other complications were included. Protein expression of seven inflammatory markers in serum and peritoneal fluid was assessed by multiplex ELISA and correlated with patients' clinical data.

RESULTS

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (CCL8/MCP-2), leukemia-inhibiting factor (LIF), and epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating protein (CXCL5/ENA-78) were significantly elevated in peritoneal fluid but not in serum samples from patients subsequently developing anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. No expressional differences could be found between grade B and grade C anastomotic leakages.

CONCLUSION

Measurement 3 days after surgery revealed altered protein expression patterns of the inflammatory markers CCL8/MCP2, LIF, and CXCL5/ENA-78 in peritoneal fluid from patients developing anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. Further studies with a larger patient cohort with inclusion of different variables are needed to evaluate their potential as predictive biomarkers for anastomotic leakage.

Prognostic value of leukemia inhibitory factor and its receptor in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Currently, the prognostic effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and LIF receptor (LIFR) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) are not clear. In the present study, we utilized the large datasets from four public databases to investigate the expression of LIF and LIFR and their clinical significance in PAAD. Eight cohorts containing 1278 cases with PAAD were identified and the analysis results suggested that LIF was highly expressed while LIFR was lowly expressed in PAAD tissues compared with adjacent or normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier plot curves and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses indicated high LIF expression was associated with shorter overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.641, 95% CI: 1.399-1.925, p < 0.001) whereas high LIFR expression was associated with longer overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.653, 95% CI: 0.517-0.826, p < 0.001).

Derivation of LIF-Independent Embryonic Stem Cells Using Inducible OCT4 Expression

Pluripotent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of preimplantation stage embryos, are capable of self-renewing indefinitely in the presence of the external signal leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), activation of Wnt signaling through inhibition of GSK3, and inhibition of MAP kinase/ERK kinase signaling. The OCT4 transcription factor is expressed highly in pluripotent cells and is a central transcriptional regulator of the pluripotent state. Here, we describe a protocol to culture ES cells in LIF-independent and serum-free media using an inducible OCT4 (iOCT4) ES cell model system. This protocol is sufficient to sustain ES cell self-renewal in vitro in defined conditions in the absence of external signals. LIF-independent iOCT4 ES cells are fully capable of differentiating following deactivation of the inducible OCT4 transgene.

Bioaerosol detection over Athens, Greece using the laser induced fluorescence technique

The challenge in today's bioaerosol monitoring is to retrieve real-time information on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the ambient air in bioparticles implicated to human health. A pilot study was conducted during March-May 2018 in Athens, Greece in order to detect bioparticles within the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) by implementing the LIF LiDAR (Laser-Induced Fluorescence Light Detection and Ranging) technique at an excitation wavelength of 266 nm in order to determine the major components' contribution on the total fluorescence LiDAR signals aloft (30-100 m above our site). The laboratory characterization of the prevalent pollen grains and fungal spores fluorescence signatures enabled through deconvolution the breaking down of the retrieved LIF LiDAR signals and unravelled each bioparticle's contribution. The bioaerosol occurrence and concentration, as determined by the concurrent sampling with a volumetric particle sampler, verified that the detected fluorescence is related to the fungal and pollen aerosol concentration. The results of this study are very promising for the implementation of remote sensing technology in routine detection and quantification of airborne bioparticles in real-time which is important for allergy sufferers and physicians.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate but not Fingolimod protects neurons against excitotoxic cell death by inducing neurotrophic gene expression in astrocytes

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is an essential lipid metabolite that signals through a family of five G protein-coupled receptors, S1PR1-S1PR5, to regulate cell physiology. The multiple sclerosis drug Fingolimod (FTY720) is a potent S1P receptor agonist that causes peripheral lymphopenia. Recent research has demonstrated direct neuroprotective properties of FTY720 in several neurodegenerative paradigms; however, neuroprotective properties of the native ligand S1P have not been established. We aimed to establish the significance of neurotrophic factor up-regulation by S1P for neuroprotection, comparing S1P with FTY720. S1P induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) gene expression in primary human and murine astrocytes, but not in neurons, and to a much greater extent than FTY720. Accordingly, S1P but not FTY720 protected cultured neurons against excitotoxic cell death in a primary murine neuron-glia coculture model, and a neutralizing antibody to LIF blocked this S1P-mediated neuroprotection. Antagonists of S1PR1 and S1PR2 both inhibited S1P-mediated neurotrophic gene induction in human astrocytes, indicating that simultaneous activation of both receptors is required. S1PR2 signaling was transduced through Gα₁₃ and the small GTPase Rho, and was necessary for the up-regulation and activation of the transcription factors FOS and JUN, which regulate LIF, BDNF, and HBEGF transcription. In summary, we show that S1P protects hippocampal neurons against excitotoxic cell death through up-regulation of neurotrophic gene expression, particularly LIF, in astrocytes. This up-regulation requires both S1PR1 and S1PR2 signaling. FTY720 does not activate S1PR2, explaining its relative inefficacy compared to S1P.

Leukemia inhibitory factor: Recent advances and implications in biotechnology

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with several functions in health and disease ranging from inflammation to cancer. LIF is also a potential target and/or therapeutic agent for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke and even psychological disorders, where the function of LIF as a neurotrophic factor has only recently been explored. In recent years, a limited number of LIF clinical trials have been completed, which partially explains the shortage of effective applications as a therapeutic agent. With the increasing interest from biotechnology companies producing recombinant LIF, this status quo will certainly change, and the potential impact of LIF in terms of disease diagnosis, treatment and management will be realized.

A Zombie LIF Gene in Elephants Is Upregulated by TP53 to Induce Apoptosis in Response to DNA Damage

Large-bodied organisms have more cells that can potentially turn cancerous than small-bodied organisms, imposing an increased risk of developing cancer. This expectation predicts a positive correlation between body size and cancer risk; however, there is no correlation between body size and cancer risk across species ("Peto's paradox"). Here, we show that elephants and their extinct relatives (proboscideans) may have resolved Peto's paradox in part through refunctionalizing a leukemia inhibitory factor pseudogene (LIF6) with pro-apoptotic functions. LIF6 is transcriptionally upregulated by TP53 in response to DNA damage and translocates to the mitochondria where it induces apoptosis. Phylogenetic analyses of living and extinct proboscidean LIF6 genes indicates that its TP53 response element evolved coincident with the evolution of large body sizes in the proboscidean stem lineage. These results suggest that refunctionalizing of a pro-apoptotic LIF pseudogene may have been permissive (although not sufficient) for the evolution of large body sizes in proboscideans.

Rapid and Sensitive Analysis of Trace Leads in Medicinal Herbs Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy-Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIBS-LIF)

Toxic metals in medicinal herbs are potentially harmful for people taking herbal medicines. In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy-laser-induced fluorescence (LIBS-LIF) spectroscopy was first applied to carry out rapid and sensitive trace lead analysis in medicinal herb samples. To overcome the problem of diversity on the sample size, shape, and density for different samples, original samples were pulverized to powder and then pressed into pellets for spectral analysis. A series of standard samples were self-made for building a calibration curve. As an exemplary study, lead in Rheum officinale was analyzed with LIBS-LIF spectroscopy with significantly improved analytical sensitivity. The R² of the build linear calibration curve was 0.996 and the detection limit of lead in R. officinale was determined to be 0.13 ppm. The enhancement factor on the signal-to-background ratio was >100 under low lead concentrations if compared with LIBS analysis. The lead concentrations in several original R. officinale samples were quantitatively determined. This work demonstrated that LIBS-LIF can be successfully applied to carry out rapid, sensitive, and quantitative trace lead analysis for medicinal herbs.

Minimally invasive anterior and lateral transpsoas approaches for closed reduction of grade II spondylolisthesis: initial clinical and radiographic experience

OBJECTIVE Minimally invasive anterior and lateral approaches to the lumbar spine are increasingly used to treat and reduce grade I spondylolisthesis, but concerns still exist for their usage in the management of higher-grade lesions. The authors report their experience with this strategy for grade II spondylolisthesis in a single-surgeon case series and provide early clinical and radiographic outcomes. METHODS A retrospective review of a single surgeon's cases between 2012 and 2016 identified all patients with a Meyerding grade II lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) or anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) targeting the slipped level. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected and analyzed. Changes in radiographic measurements, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared using the paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test for continuous and ordinal variables, respectively. RESULTS The average operative time was 199.1 minutes (with 60.6 ml of estimated blood loss) for LLIFs and 282.1 minutes (with 106.3 ml of estimated blood loss), for ALIFs. Three LLIF patients had transient unilateral anterior thigh numbness during the 1st week after surgery, and 1 ALIF patient had transient dorsiflexion weakness, which was resolved at postoperative week 1. The mean follow-up time was 17.6 months (SD 12.5 months) for LLIF patients and 10 months (SD 3.1 months) for ALIF patients. Complete reduction of the spondylolisthesis was achieved in 12 LLIF patients (75.0%) and 7 ALIF patients (87.5%). Across both procedures, there was an increase in both the segmental lordosis (LLIF 5.6°, p = 0.002; ALIF 15.0°, p = 0.002) and overall lumbar lordosis (LLIF 2.9°, p = 0.151; ALIF 5.1°, p = 0.006) after surgery. Statistically significant decreases in the mean VAS and the mean ODI measurements were seen in both treatment groups. The VAS and ODI scores fell by a mean value of 3.9 (p = 0.002) and 19.8 (p = 0.001), respectively, for LLIF patients and 3.8 (p = 0.02) and 21.0 (p = 0.03), respectively, for ALIF patients at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Early clinical and radiographic results from using minimally invasive LLIF and ALIF approaches to treat grade II spondylolisthesis appear to be good, with low operative blood loss and no neurological deficits. Complete reduction of the spondylolisthesis is frequently possible with a statistically significant reduction in pain scores.

Integrated Laser Sensor (ILS) for Remote Surface Analysis: Application for Detecting Explosives in Fingerprints

Here, we describe an innovative Integrated Laser Sensor (ILS) that combines four spectroscopic techniques and two vision systems into a unique, transportable device. The instrument performs Raman and Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy excited at 355 nm and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) excited at 1064 nm, and it also detects Laser Scattering (LS) from the target under illumination at 650 nm. The combination of these techniques supplies information about: material change from one scanning point to another, the presence of surface contaminants, and the molecular and elemental composition of top target layers. Switching between the spectroscopic techniques and the laser wavelengths is fully automatic. The instrument is equipped with an autofocus, and it performs scanning with a chosen grid density over an interactively-selected target area. Alternative to the spectroscopic measurements, it is possible to switch the instrument to a high magnification target viewing. The working distances tested until now are between 8.5 and 30 m. The instrument is self-powered and remotely controlled via wireless communication. The ILS has been fully developed at ENEA for security applications, and it was successfully tested in two outdoor campaigns where an automatic recognition of areas containing explosives in traces had been implemented. The strategies for the identification of nitro-compounds placed on various substrates as fingerprints and the results obtained at a working distance of 10 m are discussed in the following.

Canopy chlorophyll fluorescence applied to stress detection using an easy-to-build micro-lidar

LEDFLEX is a micro-lidar dedicated to the measurement of vegetation fluorescence. The light source consists of 4 blue Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) to illuminate part of the canopy in order to average the spatial variability of small crops. The fluorescence emitted in response to a 5-μs width pulse is separated from the ambient light through a synchronized detection. Both the reflectance and the fluorescence of the target are acquired simultaneously in exactly the same field of view, as well as the photosynthetic active radiation and air temperature. The footprint is about 1 m² at a distance of 8 m. By increasing the number of LEDs longer ranges can be reached. The micro-lidar has been successfully applied under full sunlight conditions to establish the signature of water stress on pea (Pisum Sativum) canopy. Under well-watered conditions the diurnal cycle presents an M shape with a minimum (Fmin) at noon which is Fmin > Fo. After several days withholding watering, Fs decreases and Fmin < Fo. The same patterns were observed on mint (Menta Spicata) and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) canopies. Active fluorescence measurements with LEDFLEX produced robust fluorescence yield data as a result of the constancy of the excitation intensity and its geometry fixity. Passive methods based on Sun-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) that uses high-resolution spectrometers generate only flux data and are dependent on both the 3D structure of vegetation and variable irradiance conditions along the day. Parallel measurements with LEDFLEX should greatly improve the interpretation of SIF changes.

Identification of miRNAs and associated pathways regulated by Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in trophoblastic cell lines

INTRODUCTION

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) regulates behavior of trophoblast cells and their interaction with immune and endothelial cells. In vitro, trophoblast cell response to LIF may vary depending on the cell model. Reported differences in the miRNA profile of trophoblastic cells may be responsible for these observations. Therefore, miRNA expression was investigated in four trophoblastic cell lines under LIF stimulation followed by in silico analysis of altered miRNAs and their associated pathways.

METHODS

Low density TaqMan miRNA assays were used to quantify levels of 762 mature miRNAs under LIF stimulation in three choriocarcinoma-derived (JEG-3, ACH-3P and AC1-M59) and a trophoblast immortalized (HTR-8/SVneo) cell lines. Expression of selected miRNAs was confirmed in primary trophoblast cells and cell lines by qPCR. Targets and associated pathways of the differentially expressed miRNAs were inferred from the miRTarBase followed by a KEGG Pathway Enrichment Analysis. HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were transfected with miR-21-mimics and expression of miR-21 targets was assessed by qPCR.

RESULTS

A similar number of miRNAs changed in each tested cell line upon LIF stimulation, however, low coincidence of individual miRNA species was observed and occurred more often among choriocarcinoma-derived cells (complete data set at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ under GEO accession number GSE130489). Altered miRNAs were categorized into pathways involved in human diseases, cellular processes and signal transduction. Six cascades were identified as significantly enriched, including JAK/STAT and TGFB-SMAD. Upregulation of miR-21-3p was validated in all cell lines and primary cells and STAT3 was confirmed as its target.

DISCUSSION

Dissimilar miRNA responses may be involved in differences of LIF effects on trophoblastic cell lines.

A dose-dependent response to MEK inhibition determines hypoblast fate in bovine embryos

BACKGROUND

The segregation of the hypoblast and the emergence of the pluripotent epiblast mark the final stages of blastocyst formation in mammalian embryos. In bovine embryos the formation of the hypoblast has been partially studied, and evidence shows that MEK signalling plays a limited role in the segregation of this lineage. Here we explored the role of different signalling pathways during lineage segregation in the bovine embryo using immunofluorescence analysis of NANOG and SOX17 as readouts of epiblast and hypoblast, respectively.

RESULTS

We show that SOX17 starts to be expressed in 16-32-cell stage embryos, whereas NANOG is first detected from 8-cell stage. SOX17 is first co-expressed with NANOG, but these markers become mutually exclusive by the late blastocyst stage. By assessing the expression kinetics of NANOG/SOX17 we show that inhibition of MEK signalling can eliminate SOX17 expression in bovine blastocysts, without altering NANOG expression. Modulation of WNT, PKC and LIF did not affect NANOG expression in the epiblast when used in combination with the ERK inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that SOX17 can be used as a reliable early marker of hypoblast in the bovine, and based on its expression profile we show that the hypoblast segregates in day 7 blastocysts. Furthermore, SOX17 expression is abolished using 1 μM of PD0325901, without affecting the NANOG population in the epiblast. Modulation of WNT, PKC and LIF are not sufficient to support enhanced NANOG expression in the epiblast when combined with ERK inhibitor, indicating that additional signalling pathways should be examined to determine their potential roles in epiblast expansion.

Activation of Shc1 Allows Oncostatin M to Induce RANKL and Osteoclast Formation More Effectively Than Leukemia Inhibitory Factor

Background and Purpose: The gp130 family of cytokines signals through receptors dimerizing with the gp130 subunit. Downstream signaling typically activates STAT3 but also SHP2/Ras/MAPK pathways. Oncostatin M (OSM) is a unique cytokine in this family since the receptor (OSMR) activates a non-redundant signaling pathway by recruitment of the adapter Shc1. We have studied the functional relevance of Shc1 for OSM-induced bone resorption.

Experimental Approach: Osteoblasts were stimulated with OSM and STAT3 and Shc1 activations were studied using real-time PCR and Western blots. The role of STAT3 and Shc1 for OSM-induced RANKL expression and osteoclast formation was studied by silencing their mRNA expressions. Effects of OSM were compared to those of the closely related cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF).

Key Results: OSM, but not LIF, induced the mRNA and protein expression of Shc1 and activated phosphorylation of Shc1 in the osteoblasts. Silencing of Shc1 decreased OSM-induced activation of STAT3 and RANKL expression. Silencing of STAT3 had no effect on activation of Shc1, but prevented the OSM-mediated increase of RANKL expression. Silencing of either Shc1 or STAT3 in osteoblasts decreased formation of osteoclasts in OSM-stimulated co-cultures of osteoblasts and macrophages. In agreement with these observations, OSM was a more potent and robust stimulator than LIF of RANKL formation and bone resorption in mouse calvariae and osteoclast formation in bone marrow cultures.

Conclusions and Implications: Activation of the Shc1-dependent STAT3 signaling is crucial for OSM-induced osteoclast formation. Inhibition of Shc1 is a potential mechanism to specifically inhibit OSM-induced bone resorption.

Corrigendum: Continuous Release of Tumor-Derived Factors Improves the Modeling of Cachexia in Muscle Cell Culture

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00738.].

LIF, a Novel Myokine, Protects Against Amyloid-Beta-Induced Neurotoxicity via Akt-Mediated Autophagy Signaling in Hippocampal Cells

BACKGROUND

Leukemia inhibitory factor, a novel myokine, is known to be associated with neural function, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

HT-22 mouse hippocampal cells, primary hippocampal cells, and Drosophila Alzheimer's disease model were used to determine the effect of leukemia inhibitory factor on neurons. Immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence method were used to analyze biological mechanism.

RESULTS

Leukemia inhibitory factor increased Akt phosphorylation in a phosphoinositide-3-kinase-dependent manner in hippocampal cells. Leukemia inhibitory factor also increased the phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin and the downstream S6K. Leukemia inhibitory factor stimulated the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription via extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Leukemia inhibitory factor increased c-fos expression through both Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases. Leukemia inhibitory factor blocked amyloid β-induced neural viability suppression and inhibited amyloid β-induced glucose uptake impairment through the block of amyloid β-mediated insulin receptor downregulation. Leukemia inhibitory factor blocked amyloid β-mediated induction of the autophagy marker, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3. Additionally, in primary prepared hippocampal cells, leukemia inhibitory factor stimulated Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, demonstrating that leukemia inhibitory factor has physiological relevance in vivo. Suppression of the autophagy marker, light chain 3II, by leukemia inhibitory factor was observed in a Drosophila model of Alzheimer's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that leukemia inhibitory factor protects against amyloid β-induced neurotoxicity via Akt/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mediated c-fos induction, and thus suggest that leukemia inhibitory factor is a potential drug for Alzheimer's disease.

Acetone Tracer Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) at 282 nm Excitation as a Diagnostic Tool in Elevated Pressure and Temperature Systems

This paper provides new data at constant pressure, variable temperature and constant temperature, variable pressure over the range of temperature (295-750 K) and pressure (0.5-40 atm), in air and nitrogen bath gases at both constant number density and constant mole fraction needed to enable acetone laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) as a diagnostic tool in an elevated temperature and pressure environment. Results clearly indicate that the effect of elevated pressure on the temperature sensitivity of acetone LIF is negligible when the excitation wavelength is chosen near the absorption maximum, making acetone LIF ideal for measuring temperature fields in high-pressure systems. The data also show that the temperature sensitivity of fluorescence is relatively insensitive to changes in pressure at 282 nm excitation. Furthermore, at 282 nm, fluorescence per mole fraction can be used to extract temperature while fluorescence per molecule is relatively insensitive to temperature, making it optimal for concentration or pressure measurements.

Experimental Insight into the Hemodynamics and Perfusion of Radiological Contrast in Patent and Non-patent Aortic Dissection Models

PURPOSE

In a curved vessel such as the aortic arch, the velocity profile closer to the aortic root is normally skewed towards the inner curvature wall, while further downstream along the curve, the velocity profile becomes skewed towards the outer wall. In an aortic dissection (AD) disease, blood velocities in the true lumen (TL) and false lumen (FL) are hypothesized to depend on the proximity of the entry tear to the root of aortic arch. Faster velocity in the FL can lead to higher hemodynamic loading, and pose tearing risk. Furthermore, the luminal velocities control the perfusion rate of radiological contrast media during diagnostic imaging. The objective in this study is to investigate the effect of AD disease morphology and configuration on the blood velocity field in the TL and FL, and on the relative perfusion of radiological enhancement agents through the dissection.

METHODS

Eight in vitro models were studied, including patent and non-patent FL configurations. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to quantify the AD velocity field, while laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was implemented to visualize dynamical flow phenomena and to quantify the perfusion of injected dye, in mimicry of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

RESULTS

The location of the proximal entry tear along the aortic arch in a patent FL had a dramatic impact on whether the blood velocity was higher in the TL or FL. The luminal velocities were dependent on the entry/reentry tear size combination, with the smaller tear (whether distal or proximal) setting the upper limit on the maximal flow velocity in the FL. Upon merging near the distal reentry tear, the TL/FL velocity differential gave rise to the roll up and shedding of shear layer vortices that convected downstream in close proximity to the wall of the non-dissected aorta. In a non-patent FL, the flow velocity was practically null with all the blood passing through the TL. LIF imaging showed much slower perfusion of contrast dye in the FL compared to the TL. In a patent FL, however, dye had a comparable perfusion rate appearing around the same time as in the TL.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood velocities in the TL and FL were highly sensitive to the exact dissection configuration. Geometric case A1R, which had its proximal entry tear located further downstream along the aortic arch, and had its entry and reentry tears sufficiently sized, exhibited the highest FL flow velocity among the tested models, and it was also higher than in the TL, which suggest that this configuration had elevated hemodynamic loading and risk for tearing. In contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging, a time-delayed acquisition protocol is recommended to improve the detection of suspected cases with a non-patent FL.

STAT4 activation by leukemia inhibitory factor confers a therapeutic effect on intestinal inflammation

T helper 17 (Th17)-cell differentiation triggered by interleukin-6 (IL-6) via STAT3 activation promotes inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an IL-6 family cytokine, restricts inflammation by blocking Th17-cell differentiation via an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that microbiota dysregulation promotes LIF secretion by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in a mouse colitis model. LIF greatly activates STAT4 phosphorylation on multiple SPXX elements within the C-terminal transcription regulation domain. STAT4 and STAT3 act reciprocally on both canonical cis-inducible elements (SIEs) and noncanonical "AGG" elements at different loci. In lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs), STAT4 activation by LIF blocks STAT3-dependent Il17a/Il17f promoter activation, whereas in IECs, LIF bypasses the extraordinarily low level of STAT4 to induce YAP gene expression via STAT3 activation. In addition, we found that the administration of LIF is sufficient to restore microbiome homeostasis. Thus, LIF effectively inhibits Th17 accumulation and promotes repair of damaged intestinal epithelium in inflamed colon, serves as a potential therapy for IBD.

An improved clonogenic culture method for thymic epithelial cells

A clonogenic assay system for thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is of crucial importance for identifying thymic epithelial stem and/or progenitor cells, evaluating their activities, and understanding the mechanisms of thymic involution. However, current systems are not sufficiently sensitive at detecting and quantifying TEC colonies from the adult thymus. Here, we optimized the culture condition to detect visible colonies from adult TECs by modifying our previous culture methods. Epidermal growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor significantly enhanced the colony-forming efficiency of total TECs from embryo as well as adult mice when added 3 days after plating. Importantly, characteristics of the TEC colonies formed by the improved condition were almost equivalent to those by the original culture condition with respect to self-renewal and the expression of cell surface markers and intracellular keratins. Furthermore, the colonies derived from total TECs showed immature phenotypes and generated both mature cortical TECs and medullary TECs upon implantation in vivo. These data indicate a more sensitive clonogenic assay system for TECs was established and suggest the improved culture condition supports the colony formation of stem/progenitor cells for cTECs, mTECs and/or bipotent TECs.

JAK-STAT signalling controls cancer stem cell properties including chemotherapy resistance in myxoid liposarcoma

Myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) shows extensive intratumoural heterogeneity with distinct subpopulations of tumour cells. Despite improved survival of MLS patients, existing therapies have shortcomings as they fail to target all tumour cells. The nature of chemotherapy‐resistant cells in MLS remains unknown. Here, we show that MLS cell lines contained subpopulations of cells that can form spheres, efflux Hoechst dye and resist doxorubicin, all properties attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). By single‐cell gene expression, western blot, phospho‐kinase array, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and microarray analysis we showed that a subset of MLS cells expressed JAK–STAT genes with active signalling. JAK1/2 inhibition via ruxolitinib decreased, while stimulation with LIF increased, phosphorylation of STAT3 and the number of cells with CSC properties indicating that JAK–STAT signalling controlled the number of cells with CSC features. We also show that phosphorylated STAT3 interacted with the SWI/SNF complex. We conclude that MLS contains JAK–STAT‐regulated subpopulations of cells with CSC features. Combined doxorubicin and ruxolitinib treatment targeted both proliferating cells as well as cells with CSC features, providing new means to circumvent chemotherapy resistance in treatment of MLS patients.

What's new?

Despite improved survival of patients, existing therapies for Myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) present shortcomings as they fail to target all tumour cells. The nature of chemotherapy‐resistant cells in MLS remains unknown, however. Here, the authors show that myxoid liposarcomas are heterogeneous and contain subpopulations of cells with stem cell properties, including chemotherapy resistance. Moreover, JAK‐STAT signalling is active in MLS and regulates the size of the cancer stem cells‐like subpopulation via the SWI/SNF complex. The results shed light on the mechanisms of therapy resistance in MLS and point to JAK‐STAT inhibitors as a new avenue for targeted MLS therapies.

Regulation of Kit Expression in Early Mouse Embryos and ES Cells

Kit is a growth factor receptor that regulates proliferation and/or survival of many embryonic and postnatal stem cell types. When mutated, it can induce malignant transformation of the host cells. To dissect the Kit role in the control of ESC pluripotency, we studied its expression during early mouse embryogenesis and during the process of ESC derivation from inner cell mass (ICM) cells. We followed the in vitro development of early mouse embryos obtained from transgenic mice carrying Kit promoter regions fused to EGFP (Kit-EGFP) and found that they initiate EGFP expression at morula stage. EGFP expression is then maintained in the blastocyst, within the ICM, and its levels increase when cultured in the presence of MAPK and GSK3β inhibitors (2i) plus LIF compared with the LIF-only condition. Kit-EGFP ESCs showed nonhomogeneous EGFP expression pattern when cultured in LIF condition, but they upregulated EGFP expression, as well as that of Sox2, Nanog, Prdm14, when shifted to 2i-LIF culture. Similarly, primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the process of embryonic germ cell (EGC) conversion showed enhanced EGFP expression in 2i-LIF. Kit expression was affected by manipulating Sox2 levels in ESCs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that Sox2 binds Kit regulatory regions containing Sox2 consensus sequences. Finally, Kit constitutive activation induced by the D814Y mutation increased ESC proliferation and cloning efficiency in vitro and in teratoma assays in vivo. Our results identify Kit as a pluripotency-responsive gene and suggest a role for Kit in the regulation of ESC proliferation. Stem Cells 2019;37:332-344.

Association between estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) polymorphisms can help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate an association between polymorphisms related to the implantation process that together could help in the prediction of recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

Private fertility center and reproductive genetics laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Forty-four women presenting RIF, who were included in study group (RIF group), and two control groups, one with 63 women who were attended at our service and became pregnant after the first IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection attempt (control group I) and other with 65 fertile women who had at least two children without any treatment and no history of miscarriage (control group II).

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Genotyping was performed in the intron region of TP63, VEGFA, MMP2, ESR1, and ESR2 genes and in the 3' untranslated region of the LIF gene on genomic DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULT(S)

The presence of ESR1/AA (rs12199722) and LIF/GT (rs929271) genotypes was more frequent in the RIF group, leading to a 7.9-fold increase in the chance of women presenting with RIF when compared with women who became pregnant on their first cycle of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and a 2.8-fold increase when compared with women who became pregnant without treatment.

CONCLUSION(S)

The association between ESR1 and LIF polymorphisms can help in the prediction of RIF.