Genome-wide association study identifies variants in the CAPN9 gene associated with umbilical hernia in pigs

Pig umbilical hernia (UH) affects pig welfare and brings considerable economic loss to the pig industry. To date, the molecular mechanisms underlying pig UH are still poorly understood. To identify potential loci for susceptibility to this disease, we performed a genome-wide association study in an Erhualian × Shaziling F₂ intercross population. A total of 45 animals were genotyped using Illumina Porcine SNP60 BeadChips. We observed a SNP (rs80993347) located in the calpain-9 (CAPN9) gene on Sus scrofa chromosome 14 that was significantly associated with UH (P = 1.97 × 10^-10 ). Then, we identified a synonymous mutation rs321865883 (g.20164T>C) in exon 10 of the CAPN9 gene that distinguished two affected individuals (CC) from their normal full-sibs (TC). Finally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction was explored to investigate the mRNA expression profile of the CAPN9 gene in 12 tissues in Yorkshire pigs at different developmental stages (3, 90 and 180 days). CAPN9 showed high expression levels in the gastrointestinal tract at these three growth stages. The results of this study indicate that the CAPN9 gene might be implicated in UH. Further studies are required to establish a role of CAPN9 in pig UH.

Transcriptomic analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma reveals molecular features of disease progression and tumor immune biology

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops in the context of chronic inflammatory liver disease and has an extremely poor prognosis. An immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment may contribute to therapeutic failure in metastatic HCC. Here, we identified unique molecular signatures pertaining to HCC disease progression and tumor immunity by analyzing genome-wide RNA-Seq data derived from HCC patient tumors and non-tumor cirrhotic tissues. Unsupervised clustering of gene expression data revealed a gradual suppression of local tumor immunity that coincided with disease progression, indicating an increasingly immunosuppressive tumor environment during HCC disease advancement. IHC examination of the spatial distribution of CD8+ T cells in tumors revealed distinct intra- and peri-tumoral subsets. Differential gene expression analysis revealed an 85-gene signature that was significantly upregulated in the peri-tumoral CD8+ T cell-excluded tumors. Notably, this signature was highly enriched with components of underlying extracellular matrix, fibrosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Further analysis condensed this signature to a core set of 23 genes that are associated with CD8+ T cell localization, and were prospectively validated in an independent cohort of HCC specimens. These findings suggest a potential association between elevated fibrosis, possibly modulated by TGF-β, PDGFR, SHH or Notch pathway, and the T cell-excluded immune phenotype. Indeed, targeting fibrosis using a TGF-β neutralizing antibody in the STAM™ model of murine HCC, we found that ameliorating the fibrotic environment could facilitate redistribution of CD8+ lymphocytes into tumors. Our results provide a strong rationale for utilizing immunotherapies in HCC earlier during treatment, potentially in combination with anti-fibrotic therapies.

[The role of preoperative (18)F-FDG PET-CT in lymphatic metastasis diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma on extremities and trunk]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of preoperative (18)F-Fludeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG PET-CT) in lymphatic metastasis diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma on extremities and trunk. Methods: 112 patients with cutaneous melanoma pathologically of extremities and trunk from January 2006 to December 2016, who received (18)F-FDG PET-CT examination preoperatively, were retrospectively reviewed. The correlations between the maximal diameters of lymph nodes, the maximal standard uptake value (SUV) and the diagnostic impression grades of PET-CT examination, and the final pathological diagnosis were analyzed. The correlations between Breslow thickness of primary lesions and the diagnostic impression of PET-CT examination were also analyzed. All the above were analyzed with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve to get the cut-off value. Based on the final results of pathological diagnosis of lymph nodes as the golden standard, the statistically significant indicators of ROC curve analysis were used to evaluate the diagnostic effect, as well as to calculate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. With gender, age, maximal diameter of lymph nodes, maximal SUV, diagnosis impressions, and Breslow thickness as the independent variables and pathological diagnosis results of lymph nodes as the dependent variable, two-class stepwise Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independence of diagnostic indicators. ROC curve analysis and log rank test were used to analyze the relationship between Breslow thickness and patient survival. Results: To evaluate melanoma patients' lymph node status, the results of ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of lymph node maximal diameter, maximal SUV, diagnosis impression of PET-CT examinations were 0.789, 0.786 and 0.816, respectively (all P<0.05). The cut-off values were 0.85 cm, 1.45 and 2.5, respectively. The sensitivity of the cut-off values to determine the status of lymph nodes in melanoma patients were 71.4%, 64.9% and 72.1% respectively, and the specificities were 85.2%, 88.7% and 87.0% respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PET-CT diagnosis impressions had independent diagnostic significance for the lymph node status of melanoma patients (OR=11.296, 95%CI: 2.550~50.033). The area under the curve of Breslow thickness evaluating PET-CT diagnostic impression is 0.664 (P=0.042) and the cut-off value was 4.25 mm. The survival rate of the patients with Breslow thickness ≥ 4.25 mm was lower than that in the group <4.25 mm (P=0.006). Conclusions: (18)F-FDG PET-CT can help to evaluate metastases and make treatment decisions for cutaneous melanoma of extremities and trunk, especially for patients whose primary lesion's Breslow thickness has reached more than 4.25 mm. For the patients whose maximal SUV of regional lymph node is higher than 1.45 and short diameter of the largest lymph node is larger than 0.85cm, the possibility of metastases should be considered.

Effective combination therapy of percutaneous ethanol injection and chemotherapy based on injectable low molecular weight gels

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) therapy was used in liver cancer treatment, however, the therapeutic ethanol in PEI easily flew away from injected solid tumours and hinder the treatment effect. In this paper, injectable supramolecular gels formed by self-assembly of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) based on glycylglycine modified phenylboronic acid were prepared to localize ethanol and load chemotherapeutic drug for in situ synergistic therapy. The mechanism, morphology and rheological property of supramolecular gels were characterized by NMR, UV, SEM, etc. The rheological study revealed that the gels were formed in situ rapidly and recovered promptly once damaged. The gels were non-toxicity to both normal 3T3 fibroblasts cells and 4T1 breast cancer cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) hydrochloride and ethanol were encapsulated in the gels for the combination of chemotherapy and PEI therapy. The in vivo anticancer activity of the DOX-loaded gels was carried out in tumour bearing mice. The injected gels were coated around tumour tissues to lock ethanol, and DOX was released sustainingly from the gels to maintain effective concentration to induce the apoptosis of tumour cells. DOX-loaded gels and the ethanol exhibited excellent therapeutic efficacy and low side effects in local cancer therapy.

Placental inflammation in pre-eclampsia by Nod-like receptor protein (NLRP)3 inflammasome activation in trophoblasts

Pre-eclampsia is associated with increased levels of cholesterol and uric acid and an inflamed placenta expressing danger-sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Crystalline cholesterol and uric acid activate the PRR Nod-like receptor protein (NLRP)3 inflammasome to release interleukin (IL)-1β and result in vigorous inflammation. We aimed to characterize crystal-induced NLRP3 activation in placental inflammation and examine its role in pre-eclampsia. We confirmed that serum total cholesterol and uric acid were elevated in pre-eclamptic compared to healthy pregnancies and correlated positively to high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and the pre-eclampsia marker soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). The NLRP3 inflammasome pathway components (NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β) and priming factors [complement component 5a (C5a) and terminal complement complex (TCC)] were co-expressed by the syncytiotrophoblast layer which covers the placental surface and interacts with maternal blood. The expression of IL-1β and TCC was increased significantly and C5a-positive regions in the syncytiotrophoblast layer appeared more frequent in pre-eclamptic compared to normal pregnancies. In-vitro activation of placental explants and trophoblasts confirmed NLRP3 inflammasome pathway functionality by complement-primed crystal-induced release of IL-1β. This study confirms crystal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation located at the syncytiotrophoblast layer as a mechanism of placental inflammation and suggests contribution of enhanced NLRP3 activation to the harmful placental inflammation in pre-eclampsia.

A75 ROLE OF LRRK2 IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Background

Variants of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are associated with an increased susceptibility to Parkinson disease but also Crohn’s disease (CD).

Aims

The present research is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of LRRK2 in immune system modulation, and how dysfunction of this pathway may lead to the development of CD.

Methods

WT and LRRK2-deficient neutrophil were infected with Gram-positive Bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes-LM) in a gentamicin protection assays and colony-forming unit assessment will determine the competence of LRRK2 deficient cells for bacterial phagocytosis as well as killing capacity). To examine how LRRK2 is involved in the generation of ROS during the respiratory burst, we will first examine if neutrophil from LRRK2-KO mice have altered ROS generation upon infection with LM and addition of PMA. We evaluate in vitro the ability of neutrophils from LRRK2-KO versus WT mice to transmigrate in vitro in a transwell assay using fMLP as a chemattractant. Also, we investigate the peritoneal cells (by FACS analysis) after injection of different microbial stimuli including FK105 (NOD1 ligand), MDP (NOD2 ligand) and LPS (TLR4 ligand) and anti-cd3 model of ielitis.

Results

We found that LRRK2 KO mice have a defect in migration of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity after injection of different microbial stimuli including FK10565 (NOD1 ligand), MDP (NOD2 ligand) and LPS (TLR4 ligand). Neutrophils from LRRK2 mice were compromised in their ability to transmigrate in vitro in a transwell assay using fMLP as a chemoattractant. Chemotaxis was also compromised. In parallel, we designed experiments to examine reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in response to infection of myeloid cells with bacteria. Neutrophils from LRRK2 KO mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes were less able to restrict bacteria growth compared to WT cells. Consistent with these findings, cells from LRRK2 KO mice produced lower levels of ROS following bacterial infection. In order to determine whether myeloid cell migration is compromised in vivo during inflammation, we performed experiments in WT and KO mice looking at different models of ileitis/colitis.

Conclusions

With this work we will further characterize the role of LRRK2 in intestinal homeostasis and mucosal barrier maintenance, including how its deficiency may predispose an individual to developing CD.

Funding Agencies

CAG, CIHR

Fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) alters the synthesis of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids in goat mammary epithelial cells

Increased production of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFA) can have a positive effect on the nutritional value of ruminant milk for human consumption. In nonruminant species, fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) is a key enzyme for endogenous synthesis of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. However, whether ELOVL5 protein plays a role (if any) in ruminant mammary tissue remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed the mRNA abundance of ELOVL5 at 3 stages of lactation in goat mammary tissue. Results revealed that ELOVL5 had the lowest expression at peak lactation compared with the nonlactating and late-lactating periods. The ELOVL5 was overexpressed or knocked down to assess its role in goat mammary epithelial cells. Results revealed that ELOVL5 overexpression increased the expression of perilipin2 (PLIN2) and decreased diacylglycerolacyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) mRNA, but had no effect on the expression of DGAT1, FADS1, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). Overexpression of ELOVL5 decreased the concentration of C16:1n-7, whereas no significant change in C18:1n-7 and C18:1n-9 was observed. Knockdown of ELOVL5 decreased the expression of PLIN2 but had no effect on DGAT1, DGAT2, FADS1, FADS2, and SCD1 mRNA expression. Knockdown of ELOVL5 increased the concentration of C16:1n-7 and decreased that of C18:1n-7. The alterations of expression of genes related to lipid metabolism after overexpression or knockdown of ELOVL5 suggested a negative feedback regulation by the products of ELOVL5 activation. However, the content of triacylglycerol was not altered by knockdown or overexpression of ELOVL5 in goat mammary epithelial cells, which might have been due to the insufficient availability of substrate in vitro. Collectively, these are the first in vitro results highlighting an important role of ELOVL5 in the elongation of 16-carbon to 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant mammary cells.

Identical genotypes of community-associated MRSA (ST59) and livestock-associated MRSA (ST9) in humans and pigs in rural China

This study investigated the prevalence of MRSA in samples taken in households, with and without backyard pigs in villages in a rural area of Shandong Province, China. Community-associated MRSA and livestock-associated MRSA, belonging to ST59 and ST9, respectively, were identified in both humans and pigs. The genotypic and phenotypic comparison of isolates indicates that bidirectional transmission of MRSA has occurred between humans and pigs in the villages.

[Role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene modification in rejection reaction after liver transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene modification in rejection reaction after liver transplantation in rats and possible mechanisms. Methods: The modified Kamada's two-cuff technique was used to establish a Lewis-BN rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation, and a total of 75 rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, D, and E, with 15 rats in each group. The rats in group A (control group) were given infusion of isotonic saline via the portal vein during liver transplantation, those in group B (BMSC group) were given infusion of BMSCs via the portal vein during liver transplantation, those in group C (BMSCs with CTLA4Ig gene modification) were given infusion of BMSCs carrying the CTLA4Ig gene via the portal vein during liver transplantation, those in group D (BMSCs with CD40LIg gene modification) were given infusion of BMSCs carrying the CD40LIg gene via the portal vein during liver transplantation, and those in group E (BMSCs with CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene modification) were given infusion of BMSCs carrying CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene modification via the portal vein during liver transplantation. Postoperative survival and change in liver function were observed. HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of the graft liver, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of means of multiple samples, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis was used for comparison of survival rates between multiple groups. Results: Group E had a significantly longer survival time after surgery than groups A, B, C, and D (P < 0.05), groups C and D had a significantly longer survival time than groups A and B (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between groups C and D (P > 0.05). On day 10 after surgery, group A had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin than the other four groups (P < 0.05). HE staining showed severe rejection reaction in group A, moderate rejection reaction in group B, and mild rejection reaction in groups C and D; pathological examination showed no marked rejection reaction in group E. Group A had significant increases in the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ and significant reductions in the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 after surgery compared with the other four groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Infusion of BMSCs with modification of both CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg genes can significantly inhibit acute rejection reaction after liver transplantation in rats and effectively prolong the survival time of the graft liver, with a better effect than infusion of BMSCs alone or BMSCs with modification of CTLA4Ig or CD40LIg gene.

Clinical Complications of Combined Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy for Eyes with Coexisting Cataract and Vitreoretinal Diseases

Purpose

To discuss the intraoperative and postoperative complications of combining phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with significant cataract and coexisting vitreoretinal diseases.

Methods

This retrospective study consisted of 186 eyes of 149 patients with various vitreoretinal abnormalities and visually significant cataracts. Vitreoretinal surgery was combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation. Main outcome measures were the intraoperative and postoperative complications at from 6 to 56 months.

Results

The most common intraoperative complication was iatrogenic retinal hole (5.3%), transient corneal edema (3.2%), and posterior capsule break (2.1%). The most common postoperative complication was posterior capsule opacification (21.5%) and elevated intraocular pressure (9.7%), macular edema (8.1%), fibrinous reaction (6.9%), vitreous hemorrhage (3.7%), posterior synechiae (3.7%), and recurrent retinal detachment (3.2%). Postoperatively, in 162 eyes (87.1%), visual acuity improved by 3 lines or more on the Snellen chart. In 14 eyes (7.5%), vision remained within 3 lines of preoperative levels and in 10 eyes (5.3%), vision had decreased at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

Postoperative complications did not increase significantly in the combined phacoemulsification and vitreoretinal surgery. Combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification with foldable IOL implantation is safe and effective in treating vitreoretinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract. Based on extensive experience with the combined procedure, the authors suggest that combined surgery is recommended in select patients having simultaneous vitreoretinal pathologic changes and cataract.

[Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells regulate adaptive immune tolerance in the liver]

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells are a major group of nonparenchymal cells in the liver and are involved in immunological surveillance of the liver through the expression of various scavenger receptors and pattern recognition receptors. However, in case of several physiological states, viral infections, and tumor environment, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells maintain immune tolerance in the liver through various mechanisms and cause persistent viral infection and tumor metastasis. This article reviews the mechanisms of immune tolerance of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells in the liver induced by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.

Iron deficiency stress can induce MxNAS1 protein expression to facilitate iron redistribution in Malus xiaojinensis

Iron (Fe) is a vital trace element in plants, and deficiency of this element in apple trees can reduce fruit quality. Nicotianamine (NA) is known to play an important role in Fe transport and endogenous hormone balance. In the present study, we investigated the role of a nicotianamine synthase 1 gene (MxNas1) in an apple species, Malus xiaojinensis, that has a more Fe-efficient genotype than other apple species and ecotypes. To characterise the response of M. xiaojinensis to Fe deficiency, we used quantitative Q-PCR to determine the level of expression of MxNas1 and Western blot to measure protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining and GFP fluorescence localisation of the MxNAS1 protein were also carried out. HPLC and polarised absorption spectrophotometry were performed to investigate the effects of overexpression of MxNas1 in order to elucidate the role of MxNAS1 in the cellular uptake of active Fe in tobacco suspension cells. We found that MxNas1 expression and protein levels were higher under Fe deficiency stress than under Fe sufficiency. Immunohistochemical staining showed that MxNAS1 was localised mainly in the epidermal and vascular tissues of the roots, vascular tissues of the stem and palisade cells of mature leaves, and in parenchyma cells of young leaves. MxNAS1 was mainly localised in the plasma membranes and vesicles of protoplasts. In addition, overexpression of MxNas1 in stable transgenic tobacco cells increased NA and active Fe content under Fe sufficiency. The results suggest that MxNas1 expression in M. xiaojinensis is induced in response to Fe deficiency stress, resulting in higher levels of the protein. MxNAS1 may be involved in the redistribution of Fe in M. xiaojinensis under Fe deficiency.

[Analysis of the effect of mesial implant position on surrounding bone stress of mandibular edentulous jaw under dynamic loads]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different placement of mesial implants in edentulous jaws on the stress of the implant and the surrounding bone tissue by three-dimensional (3D)finite element analysis. Methods: Cone-beam CT data of mandibular edentulous patients was transferred into Mimics 17.0 and UG NX8.5 software, and three groups of 3D solid model were established: two mesial implants were implanted in the anterior region of the mandible (bilateral central incisor, lateral incisor, canine), and two distal oblique implant with 30° were implanted in the mandibular second premolar area(5 mm near the mental foramen). Set mandible 3D model with 4 implant by using UG NX8.5 software, produced 3 groups (mandible Ⅰ-Ⅲ). We took dynamic loading on models with help of software Abaqus 6.12, working side posterior teeth loading was set to 150 N and the simulation cycle was 0.875 s. The first stage: 0.000 s to 0.130 s, the lower jaw moves outward (moving toward the side of the work), with no contact between the upper and lower teeth; the second stage: 0.130 s to 0.150 s, mandibular upward, the same tooth tip of the working side were relative, the loading position were the posterior buccal tip, tongue tip; the third stage: 0.150 s to 0.260 s, the buccal slopes of buccal tips of mandibular posterior teeth glide along the lingual slopes of buccal tips of maxillary posterior teeth, the loading force was from the buccal side to the lingual side, the long axis of the tooth was 45°, loaded on the buccal slopes of buccal tips of posterior teeth; the fourth stage: 0.260 s to 0.300 s, the lingual slopes of buccal tips of mandibular posterior teeth glide along the buccal slopes of the tongue tips of maxillary posterior teeth, separate from the tip of the tooth at half the length, the loading force was from the lingual side to the buccal side, the long axis of the tooth was 45°, loaded on the lingual slopes of buccal tips of posterior teeth; the fifth stage: 0.300 s to 0.875 s, at the unloading stage, mandibular posterior teeth were separated from the maxillary teeth and returned to the intercuspal position. The loading position varied according to the mastication cycle. The stress distribution of implant and surrounding bone tissue at different stages of each model were observed. Results: From the early stage to chew occlusal contact to the end of the mastication cycle, three groups of models were displayed: the stress of distal implants was greater than that of mesial implants and the neck stress reached the maximum and gradually decreased to the root tip. The stress of distal implant bone was greater than that of mesial implant bone and the stress of distal bone of distal implant was greater than that of mesial bone of distal implant. All the stress peak showed a gradual increase, and the stress reach the maximum at the fourth stage. In the 3 models, the bone stress around the distal implant of model of the anterior implant located in the lateral incisor region was the lowest. The peak stress of cortical bone of the distal position of implant was 58.7 MPa. The bone stress around the distal implant of model of the anterior implant located in the canine region reached the maximum, and the peak stress of cortical bone of the distal position of implant was 135.6 MPa. Conclusions: When mesial implants of edentulous jaws located in the lateral incisor region, it is good for stress dispersion.