Strategy of STAT3β cell-specific expression in macrophages exhibits antitumor effects on mouse breast cancer

Recent studies underscore the importance of crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells in cancer progression and metastasis. In our study, AdCD68STAT3β, a recombinant adenovirus containing a STAT3β gene driven by CD68 macrophage-specific promoter, was used to suppress STAT3 and the downstream signaling pathways in TAMs. The results showed that STAT3β gene under the control of CD68 macrophage-specific promoter was only expressed in macrophages, which significantly inhibited the motility and invasion of breast cancer cells when co-cultured with 4T1 cells. Moreover, cell-specific STAT3β expression in TAMs extended survival of tumor-bearing mice and suppressed breast tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis, by regulating the crosstalk between tumor cells and TAMs. Therefore, our study provided a novel strategy for the antitumor effects of STAT3β.

Alendronate sodium/vitamin D3 combination tablet versus calcitriol for osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women: a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator-controlled study with a 6-month extension

This study compares efficacy of ALN/D5600 versus that of calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women. ALN/D5600 produced greater bone mineral density (BMD) increases, greater bone turnover marker decreases, and less vitamin D insufficiency. This study provided detailed clinical information regarding ALN/D5600 treatment versus calcitriol 0.25 μg/day. The study did not evaluate fracture risk.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to investigate efficacy of alendronate 70 mg/vitamin D3 5600 IU combination tablets (ALN/D5600) versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This study is a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator study with 6-month extension (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01350934) in postmenopausal women aged >55 years with osteoporosis (low bone mineral density (BMD) with/without prior fragility fracture). Patients were randomized to ALN/D5600 once weekly or calcitriol 0.25 μg daily. The primary efficacy end point of the base study was percent change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD (month 6). Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria were safety events of special interest.

RESULTS

A total of 219 patients (ALN/D5600 n = 111, calcitriol n = 108) were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar, 30.3 % baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤15 ng/mL. At months 6 and 12, changes in lumbar spine BMD from baseline were 3.5 versus 1.6 % and 5.2 versus 2.3 % for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol (between-group differences p < 0.001), respectively. Between-group differences for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol were significant (p < 0.001) at months 6 and 12 for change from baseline in procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (-59.1 versus -16.8 %, -68.1 versus -17.0 %) and serum C-telopeptides (-79.2 versus -27.2 %, -76.2 versus -24.2 %). Drug-related adverse events (AEs) and discontinuations due to drug-related AEs occurred in 15 (14.0 %) versus 8 (7.4 %) patients and 3 (2.8 %) versus 0 patients in the ALN/D5600 and calcitriol group, respectively. Hypercalciuria 12-month incidence (24-h urine Ca >300 mg) was 8.4 (ALN/D5600) versus 13.9 % (calcitriol) (p > 0.05). One patient (calcitriol) had hypercalcemia.

CONCLUSIONS

ALN/D5600 produced greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and greater decreases in bone turnover markers versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese women. It is not known whether the greater increase in BMD results in fewer fractures. ALN/D5600 was generally well tolerated in Chinese patients.

Delayed healing of lower limb fractures with bisphosphonate therapy

INTRODUCTION

Bisphosphonate therapy (BT) is used commonly in the management of osteoporosis. A systematic review was conducted investigating delayed union of lower limb, long bone fractures in patients on BT. We specifically assessed whether BT increases the risk of delayed union or non-union in lower limb, long bone fractures.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Embase™ on 4 November 2014. Articles that investigated lower limb fractures, history of BT and fracture union were included in the review.

RESULTS

A total of 9,809 papers were retrieved and 14 were deemed suitable for this review. The mean time to union in patients on BT was 8.5 months. A longer time to union was reported in a study investigating BT users versus controls (6.5 vs 4.8 months respectively). The mean rate of delayed or non-union for BT associated atypical fractures was 20% per fracture. Specifically in one study, delayed union was more common in the cohort with more than three years of BT (67%) than in the group with less than three years of BT (26%). Surgical fixation was associated with improved outcomes compared with non-operative management.

CONCLUSIONS

BT has been described to be associated with multiple adverse outcomes related to atypical fractures. Current evidence recommends operative management for this patient group. Further investigation is required to evaluate the exact effects of BT on lower limb fractures, in particular typical femoral fractures.

Stimulation of α1-adrenoceptors facilitates GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex

Whereas activation of α1-adrenoceptors (α1-ARs) modulates glutamatergic transmission, the roles of α1-ARs in GABAergic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are elusive. Here, we examined the effects of the α1-AR agonist phenylephrine (Phe) on GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal neurons in the deep layers of the mPFC. We found that bath application of Phe dose-dependently increased the amplitude of evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs). Phe increased the frequency but not the amplitude of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs). Ca(2+) influx through T-type voltage-gated calcium channels is required for Phe-induced increases in GABA release. Phe increases GABA release probability and the number of releasable vesicles. Phe depolarizes the fast-spiking (FS) interneurons without effects on the firing rate of action potentials (APs) of interneurons. Phe-induced depolarization is independent of extracellular Na(+), Ca(2+) and T-type calcium channels, but requires inward rectifier K(+) channels (Kirs). The present study demonstrates that Phe enhances GABAergic transmission onto mPFC pyramidal neurons through inhibiting interneurons Kirs, which further depolarizes interneurons leading to increase in Ca(2+) influx via T-type calcium channels. Our results may provide a cellular and molecular mechanism that helps explain α1-AR-induced PFC dysfunction.

Sirtuin 3 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth through the glycogen synthase kinase-3β/BCL2-associated X protein-dependent apoptotic pathway

SIRT3 is a class III histone deacetylase that has been implicated in a variety of cancers. The role of SIRT3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we found that SIRT3 expression was frequently repressed in HCC and its downregulation was closely associated with tumor grade and size. Ectopic expression of SIRT3 inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in HCC cells, whereas depletion of SIRT3 in immortalized hepatocyte promoted cell growth and decreased epirubicin-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that SIRT3 deacetylated and activated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which subsequently induced expression and mitochondrial translocation of the pro-apoptotic protein BCL2-associated X protein (Bax) to promote apoptosis. GSK-3β inhibitor or gene silencing of BAX reversed SIRT3-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Furthermore, SIRT3 overexpression also suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Together, this study reveals a role of SIRT3/GSK-3β/Bax signaling pathway in the suppression of HCC growth, and also suggests that targeting this pathway may represent a potential therapeutic approach for HCC treatment.

Health and production traits in bovine are associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene

The NOD2 gene plays a fundamental role in initiating the inflammatory and subsequent immune response. NOD2 was previously identified as a susceptibility locus for inflammatory bowel diseases in humans. In this study, we detected 2 mutations in exon 12 (A→T, G→A) among 5 cattle breeds (N = 315) and analyzed their associations with production traits and genetic resistance against bovine mastitis in Chinese Holstein and Chinese Simmental breeds (N = 218). The transitions (A→T) at position 114 bp were associated with somatic cell score (P < 0.01). The G→A at position 1594 bp plays a critical role in increasing 305-day milk yields. In Chinese Holstein and Chinese Simmental breeds, the BB genotype may contribute to disease susceptibility. Compared to all genotypic combinations, the A, B, and FF genotypes are beneficial not only for reducing somatic cell score but also for increasing production.

Sensitivity of drug-resistant mutants of hepatitis B virus to poly-IC

The long-term benefits of antiviral treatment are limited by the resistance of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the effect of interferon (IFN)α treatment on drug-resistant HBVs is so far unknown. We, therefore, investigated the effects of IFN-α inducer poly-IC on the replication of HBV mutants resistant to drugs such as lamivudine (LAM), adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and entecavir (ETV) in mice. HBV DNA and HBV DNA intermediate (RI) were employed as markers of the virus replication and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS) mRNA as a marker of IFN-α/β induction. Poly-IC inhibited wtHBV replication and increased levels of OAS mRNA. Compared to the wt virus, the capacity of virus replication was reduced in most LAMr and ETVr mutants except those with mutations rtM(204V+L180M+V173L), and was similary in the ADVr mutants except rt(A121V+N236T). The virus replication was reduced after poly-IC treatment with LAMr and ADVr mutants similary to the wt virus. In contrast, ETVr mutants were resistant to the poly-IC treatment. In conclusion, the capacity of HBV replication and the sensitivity to IFN therapy are influenced by drug-resistant mutations. The IFN therapy may effectively inhibit HBV replication in particular in patients with LAMr or ADVr mutations but not in patients with ETVr mutations.

DIGRE: Drug-Induced Genomic Residual Effect Model for Successful Prediction of Multidrug Effects

Multidrug regimens are a promising strategy for improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects, especially for complex disorders such as cancer. However, the use of multidrug therapies is very challenging, due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of drug interactions. We herein present a novel computational approach-Drug-Induced Genomic Residual Effect (DIGRE) Computational Model-to predict drug combination effects by explicitly modeling drug response curves and gene expression changes after drug treatments. The prediction performance of DIGRE was evaluated using two datasets: (i) OCI-LY3 B-lymphoma cells treated with 14 different drugs and (ii) MCF breast cancer cells treated with combinations of gefitinib and docetaxel at different doses. In both datasets, the predicted drug combination effects significantly correlated with the experimental results. The results indicated the model was useful in predicting drug combination effects, which may greatly facilitate the discovery of new, effective multidrug therapies.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate vs adefovir dipivoxil in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B after 48 weeks: a randomized controlled trial

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has demonstrated long-term efficacy and a high barrier to resistance in multiple chronic hepatitis B (CHB) populations outside of China. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDF compared with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in Chinese patients with CHB during 48 weeks of treatment (ClinicalTrial.gov number, NCT01300234). A Phase 3, multicentred, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of TDF with ADV in Chinese patients with CHB. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBV DNA <400 copies/mL in each treatment group at Week 48, using an unpooled Z-test for superiority. Secondary endpoints included viral suppression, serologic response, histological improvement, normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and the emergence of resistance mutations. A total of 509 patients, 202 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 307 HBeAg-negative, with HBV DNA ≥10(5) copies/mL received either TDF 300 mg od or ADV 10 mg od. At Week 48, TDF demonstrated superior viral suppression compared with ADV in both HBeAg-positive (76.7% vs 18.2%, P < 0.0001) and HBeAg-negative (96.8% vs 71.2%, P < 0.0001) patients. The majority of patients in both treatment arms achieved ALT normalization (>85%). No resistance to TDF was observed. The frequency of adverse events was comparable between treatment arms (TDF 3.9% vs ADV 4.8%). In this double-blind, randomized, clinical trial, TDF demonstrated superiority over ADV with respect to viral suppression in Chinese patients with CHB at 48 weeks of treatment and without the development of resistance.

Modification of human islet preparation: an effective approach to improve graft outcome after islet transplantation?

Revascularisation of transplanted islets is an essential prerequisite for graft survival and function. However, current islet isolation procedures deprive the islets of endothelial tubulets. This may have a detrimental effect on the revascularisation process of islets following transplantation. We hypothesise that modification of the isolation procedure that preserves islet endothelial vessels may improve the islet revascularisation process following transplantation. Here, we present a modified islet isolation method by which a substantial amount of endothelial cells still attached to the islets could be preserved. The islets with preserved endothelial cells isolated by this method were revascularised within 3 days, not observed in islets isolated by standard methods. Further, we observed that grafts of islets isolated by standard methods had more patches of dead tissue than islet grafts obtained by the modified method, indicating that attached endothelial cells may play an important role in the islet revascularisation process and potentially help to improve the transplantation outcome.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 is a predictor of survival and plays a tumor suppressive role in colorectal cancer

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) is a member of the RIP Ser/Thr kinase family, plays an important role in regulating cell survival, cell apoptosis and cell necrosis. However, the role of RIP3 in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer is still poorly understood.We used quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis to examine RIP3 expression in primary colorectal cancer and paired normal colorectal mucosa. RIP3 clinicopathological significance was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in 112 cases of primary colorectal cancer paired with noncancerous tissues. The biological function of RIP3 overexpression was measured by CCK8 assay and plate colony formation assay. Dual staining with fluorescent Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) was used to discriminate apoptotic or necrotic cell death.RIP3 expression was significantly lower in colorectal cancer and associated with T stage, M stage and AJCC stage. Cox proportional hazard models showed that RIP3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Overexpression of RIP3 significantly suppressed the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells in vitro.Our results suggest that RIP3 may function as a novel prognostic indicator after surgery and play a suppressive role in the colorectal carcinogenesis.

Using real-world data to evaluate the association of incretin-based therapies with risk of acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis of 1,324,515 patients from observational studies

AIM

To investigate the real-world incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with incretin-based therapy (IBT).

METHODS

We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies using Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Database, ClinicalTrials.gov and conference proceedings. We included: those studies in which AP was a pre-defined clinical outcome; longitudinal studies (case-control, cohort); studies that adjusted for confounders; studies that reported on a population exposed to IBT; studies in which non-IBT users or past users (who received IBTs >90 days before the index date) were used as the control group; studies that reported risk estimates [relative risks, odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for AP event with IBT use, or that reported sufficient data to estimate these; and publications in the English language. Data were extracted by two independent investigators, and a consensus was reached with involvement of a third. Study-specific ORs from seven cohort studies and two case-control studies were meta-analysed using random-effects models. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different patient characteristics and study quality.

RESULTS

A total of nine studies that included 1,324,515 patients and 5195 cases of AP were included in our meta-analysis. The summary estimate of OR for an association between IBT and AP was 1.03 (95% CI 0.87-1.20).

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis of real-world data does not suggest that IBT is associated with AP. Although we should continue to remain vigilant, IBTs should be regarded as reasonable options to consider adding to the regimen of a patient with type 2 diabetes.

In vivo osteoprotegerin gene therapy preventing bone loss induced by periodontitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene therapy on alveolar bone resorption caused by experimental periodontitis in rats, thus forming a foundation for potential clinical applications of OPG gene therapy in the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To study the effects of OPG on alveolar bone protection, an experimental periodontitis model was used by placing a bacterial plaque retentive silk ligature in the gingival sulcus around the maxillary second molar tooth, injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis and high carbohydrate diet. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, with 10 rats in each group: group I (control) was treated with 10 μL normal saline injection; group II with 10 μL mock vector; and group III with 10 μL local OPG gene transfer by transfection with in vitro constructed pcDNA3.1-human OPG (pcDNA3.1-hOPG). A subperiosteal injection was done adjacent to the second molars on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Four weeks later, all animals were killed and radiographic, histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and LSD-Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

Group III (OPG gene therapy) had significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) integrated optical density of OPG, had significantly decreased alveolar bone resorption volume and active osteoclast number (p < 0.05) through descriptive histological examination when compared with the other two groups at week 4.

CONCLUSION

Local recombinant OPG plasmid-mediated gene therapy suppresses osteoclastogenesis in vivo and inhibits alveolar bone height reduction caused by experimental periodontitis in rats. OPG gene therapy may be beneficial in preventing progressive periodontal bone loss.

Polymorphisms of KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes in four Chinese sheep breeds

High glycine-tyrosine proteins (HGTPs), also known as keratin-associated proteins (KAPs), play a key role in the major structures and mechanical properties of wool fiber. Sheep HGTPs consist of three multigene families: KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes. Polymorphisms of these three genes have been proposed to have important effects on wool fiber traits. The aim of the present study was to identify polymorphisms of the KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes in four sheep breeds, including Chinese Merino superfine wool sheep, Hu sheep, a Merino x Hu crossed breed, and Romney sheep. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product direct sequencing, PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism, and cloned sequencing methods were used to find genetic variation and identify polymorphisms in these genes. The Mutation Surveyor v3.97 software was used to analyze the sequences. These methods revealed six different sequences of the KAP6 gene, two different sequences of the KAP7 gene, and five different sequences of the KAP8 gene. Accordingly, three (with frequencies>1%) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the KAP6 gene, one SNP of the KAP7 gene, and five SNPs of the KAP8 gene were detected. Interestingly, some of these sequences were present in only certain sheep breeds, thereby suggesting that these special allele sequences could be used as candidate genes of wool characteristics in further studies.

Construction and functional identification of a hepatitis B virus S protein small hairpin RNA recombinant adenovirus

Hepatitis B virus S protein (HBs) plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. However, to date, no direct and effective methods exist to research the function of HBs. Here, we combined the technology of RNA interference with recombinant adenovirus, constructed a recombinant adenovirus-expressing small hairpin RNA of HBs, and infected HepG2.2.15 cells. Then, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot analysis were performed to verify the interference effects. As a result, a recombinant adenovirus was successfully constructed and effectively packaged in AD293 cells, and it significantly inhibited HBs mRNA and protein expression in vitro. Our study may provide a novel tool to study HBs function.

Selective killing of lung cancer cells by miRNA-506 molecule through inhibiting NF-κB p65 to evoke reactive oxygen species generation and p53 activation

The tumor suppressor p53, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have crucial roles in tumorigenesis, although the mechanisms of cross talk between these factors remain largely unknown. Here we report that miR-506 upregulation occurs in 83% of lung cancer patients (156 cases), and its expression highly correlates with ROS. Ectopic expression of miR-506 inhibits NF-κB p65 expression, induces ROS accumulation and then activates p53 to suppress lung cancer cell viability, but not in normal cells. Interestingly, p53 promotes miR-506 expression level, indicating that miR-506 mediates cross talk between p53, NF-κB p65 and ROS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-506 mimics inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo, implicating that miR-506 might be a potential therapeutic molecule for selective killing of lung cancer cells.

Expression of anti-inflammatory mediator lipoxin A4 and inflammation responsive transcriptive factors NF-kappa B in patients with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), NF-kappaB p65 in preeclampsia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LXA4 in blood serum and the lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX-R), NF-kappaB p65 mRNA, protein expressions in placenta-specific tissues were obtained from patients with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

RESULTS

Levels of lipoxin A4 in women with mild preeclampsia was significantly high (p < 0.05). There was no significant statistical difference between normal pregnancy and severe preeclampsia (p > 0.05). The mRNA expression of ALX-R was significantly low in women with preeclampsia than in control group (p < 0.01) and mRNA expression of NF- kappaB p65 was significantly high in preeclampsia (p < 0.01). The immunohistochemical staining of NF-kappaB p65 protein was stronger in severe preeclampsia group whereas staining of ALX-R in placental tissue was weaker than in control group (p < 0.01). ALX-R mRNA was negatively correlated with NF-kappaB (p < 0.0001), but there was no correlation between LXA4 and ALX-R mRNA.

CONCLUSION

There was an excessive maternal inflammatory response in preeclampsia. LXA4, ALX-R, and NF-kappaB p65 may be involved in the disease process ofpreeclampsia.