MicroRNA-155 Regulates ROS Production, NO Generation, Apoptosis and Multiple Functions of Human Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells Under Physiological and Pathological Conditions

The microRNA-155 (miR155) regulates various functions of cells. Dysfunction or injury of endothelial cells (ECs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the role and potential mechanisms of miR155 in human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs) under physiological and pathological conditions. We detected the effects of miR155 silencing on ROS production, NO generation, apoptosis and functions of HBMECs at basal and in response to oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Western blot and q-PCR were used for analyzing the gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and serine/threonine kinase(Akt), activated caspase-3, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Results showed that under both basal and challenge situations: (1) Silencing of miR155 decreased apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of HBMECs, whereas, promoted nitric oxide (NO) generation. (2) Silencing of miR155 increased the proliferation, migration, and tube formation ability of HBMECs, while decreased cell adhesion ability. (3) Gene expression analyses showed that EGFR/ERK/p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt were increased and that activated caspase-3 and ICAM-1 mRNA were decreased after knockdown of miR155. In conclusion, knockdown of miR155 could modulate ROS production, NO generation, apoptosis and function of HBMECs via regulating diverse gene expression, such as caspase-3, ICAM-1 and EGFR/ERK/p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways.

Unexpected increase in indoor pollutants after the introduction of a smoke-free policy in a correctional center

Correctional centers (prisons) are one of the few non-residential indoor environments where smoking is still permitted. However, few studies have investigated indoor air quality (IAQ) in these locations. We quantified the level of inmate and staff exposure to secondhand smoke, including particle number (PN) count, and we assessed the impact of the smoking ban on IAQ. We performed measurements of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PN concentrations, personal PN exposure levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nicotine both before and after a complete indoor smoking ban in an Australian maximum security prison. Results show that the indoor 24-h average PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 6 (±1) μg/m(3) to 17 (±3) μg/m(3) pre-ban. The post-ban levels ranged from 7 (±2) μg/m(3) to 71 (±43) μg/m(3) . While PM2.5 concentrations decreased in one unit post-ban, they increased in the other two units. Similar post-ban increases were also observed in levels of PN and VOCs. We describe an unexpected increase of indoor pollutants following a total indoor smoking ban in a prison that was reflected across multiple pollutants that are markers of smoking. We hypothesise that clandestine post-ban smoking among inmates may have been the predominant cause.

The four and a half LIM domains 2 (FHL2) regulates ovarian granulosa cell tumor progression via controlling AKT1 transcription

The four and a half LIM domains 2 (FHL2) has been shown to play important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, adhesion, motility and signal transduction in a cell type and tissue-dependent manner. However, the function of FHL2 in ovarian physiology and pathology is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role and functional mechanism of FHL2 in the progression of ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs). Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that FHL2 was overexpressed in GCT tissues. Cellular localization of FHL2 in GCT cells was cell cycle dependent. Knockdown of FHL2 suppressed GCT cell growth, reduced cell viability and inhibited cell migration. Consistently, ectopic expression of FHL2 in GCT cells with very low endogenous FHL2 promoted cell growth, improved cell viability and enhance cell migration. Importantly, overexpression of FHL2 promoted GCT progression in vivo. Mechanistic studies indicated that FHL2 regulates AKT1 gene expression in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of FHL2 or AKT1 in GCT cell lines induced very similar phenotypes. Ectopic expression of constitutively active AKT1 rescued FHL2 knockdown-induced arrest of GCT cell growth and reduction of GCT cell viability, suggesting that FHL2 regulates GCT cell growth and viability through controlling AKT1 expression. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that FHL2 functions as a co-activator of NFκB and AP-1 to regulate AKT1 gene transcription. In conclusion, results from the present study indicate that FHL2 exerts its oncogenic action in GCT cells via controlling AKT1 gene expression. FHL2 is a promising target for the development of novel drugs against ovarian granulosa cell tumor.

Microvascular endothelial cells-derived microvesicles imply in ischemic stroke by modulating astrocyte and blood brain barrier function and cerebral blood flow

BACKGROUND

Endothelial cell (EC) released microvesicles (EMVs) can affect various target cells by transferring carried genetic information. Astrocytes are the main components of the blood brain barrier (BBB) structure in the brain and participate in regulating BBB integrity and blood flow. The interactions between ECs and astrocytes are essential for BBB integrity in homeostasis and pathological conditions. Here, we studied the effects of human brain microvascular ECs released EMVs on astrocyte functions. Additionally, we investigated the effects of EMVs treated astrocytes on regulating BBB function and cerebral ischemic damage.

RESULTS

EMVs prepared from ECs cultured in normal condition (n-EMVs) or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD-EMVs) condition had diverse effects on astrocytes. The n-EMVs promoted, while the OGD-EMVs inhibited the proliferation of astrocytes via regulating PI3K/Akt pathway. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression (marker of astrocyte activation) was up-regulated by n-EMVs, while down-regulated by OGD-EMVs. Meanwhile, n-EMVs inhibited but OGD-EMVs promoted the apoptosis of astrocytes accompanied by up/down-regulating the expression of Caspase-9 and Bcl-2. In the BBB model of ECs-astrocytes co-culture, the n-EMVs, conversely to OGD-EMVs, decreased the permeability of BBB accompanied with up-regulation of zonula occudens-1(ZO-1) and Claudin-5. In a transient cerebral ischemia mouse model, n-EMVs ameliorated, while OGD-EMVs aggravated, BBB disruption, local cerebral blood flow (CBF) reduction, infarct volume and neurological deficit score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that EMVs diversely modulate astrocyte functions, BBB integrity and CBF, and could serve as a novel therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress eIF2α-ATF4 pathway-mediated cyclooxygenase-2 induction regulates cadmium-induced autophagy in kidney

The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is nephrotoxic. Recent studies show that autophagy plays an essential role in Cd-induced kidney injury. However, the mechanisms of Cd-induced kidney injury accompanied by autophagy are still obscure. In the present study, we first confirmed that Cd induced kidney damage and dysfunction, along with autophagy, both in vivo and in vitro. Then, we observed that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the eIF2α-ATF4 pathway of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were induced by Cd in both kidney tissues and cultured cells. Further studies showed that inhibition of COX-2 with celecoxib or RNA interference (RNAi) inhibited the Cd-induced autophagy in kidney cells. In addition, blocking ER stress with 4-phenylbutyrate or RNAi partially counteracted COX-2 overexpression and autophagy induced by Cd, which suggested that ER stress was required for Cd-induced kidney autophagy. Significantly, our results showed that Cd activated ATF4 and induced its translocation to the nucleus. Knockdown of ATF4 inhibited Cd-induced COX-2 overexpression. While COX-2 overexpression is involved in renal dysfunction, there is no prior report on the role of COX-2 in autophagy regulation. The results of the current study suggest a novel molecular mechanism that the ER stress eIF2α-ATF4 pathway-mediated COX-2 overexpression contributes to Cd-induced kidney autophagy and injury. The present study implies that COX-2 may be a potential target for therapy against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.

Randomized controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of fosfomycin trometamol for uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men

We assessed the efficacy of fosfomycin trometamol in treating uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men. We conducted an open randomized controlled trial in 152 consecutive men with any main complaints suggestive of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in Dujiangyan Medical Center between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2015. In total, 126 patients completed all aspects of this study. Sixty were provided therapy with fosfomycin trometamol 3 g orally on days 1, 3 and 5 in the intervention group; the other 61 were provided ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscularly plus azithromycin 1 g orally simultaneously as a single dose in the control group. The primary outcomes involved clinical and microbiologic cure on days 7 and 14 after receipt of all the study medications. At the day 7 follow-up visit, all the 121 participants had complete resolution of clinical symptoms and signs. In addition, five patients (two in the intervention group and three in the control group) discontinued intervention because of unsuccessful treatment. After receipt of all the study medications, these five patients still had urethral purulent discharge and were switched to other unknown treatment regimens by other doctors. The bacterial smears and cultures of urethral or urine specimens in the 121 patients who completed all aspects of the study were negative on a test-of-cure visit. In the per-protocol analysis, both clinical and microbiologic cure were experienced by 96.8% (60/62 patients) in the intervention group and 95.3% (61/64 patients) in the control group. There were no recurrences at the day 14 test-of-cure visit. This trial indicates that fosfomycin trometamol exhibits excellent efficacy for treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men. Serious adverse effects are rare.

The GGDEF-domain protein GdpX1 attenuates motility, exopolysaccharide production and virulence in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

AIMS

Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), a ubiquitous bacterial second messenger that is synthesized by diguanylate cyclase (DGC) with the GGDEF-domain, regulates diverse virulence phenotypes in pathogenic bacteria. Although 11 genes encoding GGDEF-domain proteins have been shown in the genome of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strain PXO99(A) , the causal pathogen of bacterial blight of rice, however, little is known about their roles in the c-di-GMP regulation of virulence in the pathogen. GdpX1, one of the GGDEF-domain proteins in Xoo was investigated in this study to reveal its regulatory function of bacterial virulence expression through genetic analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

GdpX1 was functionally characterized in virulence expression through deletion and overexpression analysis. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the GGDEF-domain in GdpX1 was well conserved, indicating it is a putative DGC. Deletion of gdpX1 resulted in significant increases in virulence, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and flagellar motility. In contrast, overexpression of gdpX1 dramatically reduced these virulence phenotypes. qRT-PCR analysis showed genes related to the type III secretion system (T3SS), EPS synthesis, and flagellar motility, were up-regulated in ∆gdpX1 and down-regulated in the gdpX1-overexpressed strains. In addition, overexpression of gdpX1 promoted biofilm formation and xylanase activity.

CONCLUSION

GdpX1 is the first GGDEF-domain protein functionally characterized in Xoo, which functions as a negative regulator of bacterial virulence via suppression of virulence-related gene transcription.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Identification and functional characterization of GdpX1 provided additional insights into molecular mechanisms of c-di-GMP regulation of bacterial virulence expression.

5-Fluorouracil induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in chemotherapy for treatment of colorectal cancer. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR) is known to participate in the occurrence and development of breast cancer by regulating the rebirth of tumor vessels. This study aimed to explore the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells treated with 5-FU and related molecular mechanisms. 5-FU (20 μg/mL) was used to treat cultured HCT116 cells. An MTT test, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the LGR4 protein in HCT116 cells. Small interference RNA or over-expression techniques were used to manipulate LGR4 expression in HCT116 cells and describe the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 treated with 5-FU. A dosage of 20 μg/mL 5-FU resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells and significantly decreased expression levels of LGR4. The specific gene silence or over-expression of LGR4 in HCT116 cells increased and decreased the levels of apoptosis in HCT116, respectively. 5-FU induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and inhibits proliferation by suppressing LGR4 proteins.

Abstract P5-04-09: Copper chaperons as novel targets for therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Background: Copper metabolism is frequently dysregulated in cancer and promotes tumorigenesis. Copper chelation was shown to delay tumor development, attenuate tumor growth, block angiogenesis and inhibit metastases in preclinical breast cancer models. Copper depletion with tetrathiomolybdate (TM) in on-going phase II study for breast cancer patients at high risk for relapse resulted in significant improvement in progression-free survival, especially in patients with TNBC. We hypothesized that targeting ATOX-1 and CCS, copper chaperons that are major regulators of copper trafficking, with novel selective inhibitor may disrupt cellular copper transport and suppress TNBC cell growth, block angiogenic activity, and enhance cytotoxicity of available chemotherapy.

Methods:We measured ATOX-1 and CCS protein expression using western blot in a panel of breast cancer cell lines including TNBC cell lines with basal-like (BL) and claudin-low (CL) subtypes. We compared potency and efficacy of ATOX-1/CCS inhibitor to induce cytotoxicity in MDA-MB231, MDA-MB436, MDA-MB468 and primary normal mammary HMECs. We evaluated ability of the inhibitor to disrupt tubulogenesis of endothelial cells. To determine if blocking copper transport can enhance sensitivity of TNBC to chemotherapy we used novel ATOX-1/CCS inhibitor in combination with Cisplatin to treat TNBC in a schedule-dependent manner.

Results: ATOX-1 protein expression was elevated in all tested TNBC cell lines compared to normal HMEC (1.7±0.2 and 2.1± 0.3 folds higher in BL and CL cells, respectively). Upregulated CCS protein expression was also observed in majority of tested cell lines compared to HMEC (2.8±0.6 and 1.2±0.1 times higher in BL and CL cells, respectively). Treatment of MDA-MB231, MDA-MB436, MDA-MB468 with the inhibitor resulted in reduced cell proliferation. IC50 doses for 72h treatment with single agent were: 0.23±0.02uM (MDA-MB468), 0.29±0.03uM (MDA-MB231) and 0.35±0.02uM (MDA-MB436). Additional cytotoxicity was observed in TNBC when ATOX-1/CCS inhibitor was applied in combination with Cisplatin. Interestingly, sequential treatment resulted in synergistic effect (CI< 1). Treatment with the inhibitor reduced growth of HMECs and HuVECs in vitro, and inhibited angiogenesis in tube formation assay with HuVECs.

Conclusions: Targeting copper trafficking by selective inhibition of chaperons ATOX-1 and CCS is promising and could potentially serve as a therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to chemotherapy in TNBC. In vivo studies investigating efficacy and biological activity of the novel compound in a xenograft model are ongoing and will help to elucidate molecular mechanisms of action, and further estimate potential clinical relevance of this approach.

Citation Format: Karginova O, Song A, Wang J, Luo C, Jiang H, He C, Olopade OI. Copper chaperons as novel targets for therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-09.

An immune regulatory CCT repeat containing oligodeoxynucleotide capable of causing hair loss in male mice

An oligodeoxynucleotide with CCT repeats (CCT ODN) has been found in our previous study to selectively downregulate Toll-like receptor 7/9 (TLR7/9)-mediated immune responses both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we unexpectedly found that CCT ODN induced severe patchy hair loss around the mouth in male F1 mice (female Balb/c × male C57BL/6) with lupus-like nephritis induced by injecting allogenic lymphocytes and also in male Balb/c mice, but not in female F1 mice and Balb/c mice and either gender of C57BL/6 mice. Increased infiltration of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D⁺) cells in hair loss skin and upregulated interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) messenger RNA expression in cultured splenocytes were observed in male Balb/c mice. The CCT ODN-conditioned supernatants of cultured mouse splenocytes caused catagen-like changes to hair follicles (HFs). We hypothesized that the CCT ODN could induce patchy hair loss in the male mice with certain genetic traits by mobilizing NKG2D⁺ cells to HFs and by inducing the production of IFN-γ from immune cells. Taken together these data indicated that a gender and genetic preference of immune-regulatory oligonucleotides is causing unexpected clinical situations such as hair loss.

YAP induces high-grade serous carcinoma in fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells

Accumulating evidence indicates that ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) originates from fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of HGSC derived from FTSECs remains unclear. In this study, we found that the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway has a critical role in the initiation and progression of fallopian tube and ovarian HGSC. Importantly, YAP was overexpressed in inflammatory and cancerous fallopian tube tissues. Further, overexpression of wild-type YAP, or constitutively active YAP in immortalized FTSECs, induced cell proliferation, migration, colony formation and tumorigenesis. Moreover, the Hippo/YAP and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways formed an autocrine/paracrine-positive feedback loop to drive the progression of the FTSEC-derived HGSC. Evidence in this study strongly suggests that combined therapy with inhibitors of YAP (such as verteporfin) and FGF receptors (such as BGJ398) can provide a novel therapeutic strategy to treat fallopian tube and ovarian HGSC.

Regulatory immune cells in regulation of intestinal inflammatory response to microbiota

The intestinal lumen harbors nearly 100 trillion commensal bacteria that exert crucial function for health. An elaborate balance between immune responses and tolerance to intestinal microbiota is required to maintain intestinal homeostasis. This process depends on diverse regulatory mechanisms, including both innate and adaptive immunity. Dysregulation of the homeostasis between intestinal immune systems and microbiota has been shown to be associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in genetically susceptible populations. In this review, we discuss the recent progress reported in studies of distinct types of regulatory immune cells in the gut, including intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells, alternatively activated macrophages, dendritic cells, and innate lymphoid cells, and how dysfunction of this immune regulatory system contributes to intestinal diseases such as IBD. Moreover, we discuss the manipulation of these regulatory immune cells as a potential therapeutic method for management of intestinal inflammatory disorders.

Collective Modes and Structural Modulation in Ni-Mn-Ga(Co) Martensite Thin Films Probed by Femtosecond Spectroscopy and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

The origin of the martensitic transition in the magnetic shape memory alloy Ni-Mn-Ga has been widely discussed. While several studies suggest it is electronically driven, the adaptive martensite model reproduced the peculiar nonharmonic lattice modulation. We used femtosecond spectroscopy to probe the temperature and doping dependence of collective modes, and scanning tunneling microscopy revealed the corresponding static modulations. We show that the martensitic phase can be described by a complex charge-density wave tuned by magnetic ordering and strong electron-lattice coupling.

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

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

Effects of whole-body vibration training with quadriceps strengthening exercise on functioning and gait parameters in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) with quadriceps strengthening exercise (QSE) with QSE alone on functioning and gait parameters in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled preliminary study.

SETTING

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-nine patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were assigned at random to one of two groups.

MAIN MEASURES

Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), timed up and go test (TUG), 6-minute walk distance test (6MWD), and three-dimensional gait analysis during level walking at baseline, 12 weeks and 16 weeks (follow-up).

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, significant improvements in VAS, all WOMAC scales, TUG, 6MWD and all spatiotemporal parameters were seen in both the WBVT+QSE group and the QSE alone group at 12 and 16 weeks. However, the WBVT+QSE group showed greater improvements than the QSE alone group in WOMAC scales (physical function), TUG, 6MWD and cadence at 12 weeks. No differences were found between the WBVT+QSE and QSE alone groups in VAS, WOMAC scales (pain, stiffness), kinematic and kinetic gait parameters, and other spatiotemporal parameters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Over a 3-month period, WBVT in combination with QSE improved symptoms, physical function and spatiotemporal parameters in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis, and led to greater improvement than QSE alone in WOMAC scales (physical function), TUG, 6MWD and cadence.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in MPO and COX genes with oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an intractable, chronic inflammatory disorder, and its pathogenesis is still largely unknown. Some literatures supported that genes involved in both oxidative stress and prostaglandin metabolism play an important role in the process of inflammation. To explore their association with OLP, we investigated four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) genes in 475 Chinese individuals (242 case and 233 controls) by MassArray. Although the genotype distributions had no significant differences between the patients and controls, we found that in different gender, rs2243828 from MPO displayed the statistically significant variance genotype frequencies between patients and controls (P = 0.018 in females, P = 0.035 in males). Moreover, for the major allele recessive model, this SNP also showed a significant difference between case and control groups in males (P = 0.015). In this study, we first observed significant association with MPO polymorphism and OLP risk in different gender groups in Chinese, suggesting MPO polymorphism is a gender-specific risk factor of OLP probably by influencing sex hormone-sensitive elements to regulate inflammatory gene expression networks, and we further revealed that oxidative stress was actually involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Moreover, these findings inspire us some constructive solutions to the treatment of this disease.