Recombinant bovine S100A8 and A9 enhance IL-1β secretion of interferon-gamma primed monocytes

Ring-finger protein 5 attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in cardiomyocytes by inhibiting the S100A8/MYD88/NF-κB axis

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely intertwined with the progression of heart failure (HF). Ring-finger protein 5 (RNF5) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase, whose deletion induces the enhanced S100A8 expression. S100A8 regulates the mitochondrial dysfunction and S100A8/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway promotes an inflammatory response; however, whether RNF5 modulated mitochondrial dysregulation and inflammation through the S100A8/MYD88/NF-κB axis remains unknown. Here, H9c2 cells were stimulated with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to build a HF model in vitro. RNF5 level was assessed in gene expression omnibus database and in OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells with reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The RNF5 level was overexpressed via transfecting RNF5 overexpression plasmids into H9c2 cells. The role and mechanism of RNF5 in OGD/R-elicited H9c2 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, spectrophotometry, flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurement, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot assays. The RNF5 expression was downregulated both in silico and in OGD/R-stimulated H9c2 cells. OGD/R treatment caused a decrease in the cell viability, the MMP level, and the translational expression of mito-cyt-c and NF-κB-cyto, and an elevation in the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase myocardial band, the apoptosis rate, the inflammatory factor release, and the relative protein expression of cyto-cyt-c, S100A8, MYD88 and NF-κB-nuc in H9c2 cells. Upregulation of RNF5 reversed these indicators in OGD/R-stimulated H9c2 cells. Altogether, based on these outcomes, we concluded that RNF5 impeded mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation through attenuating the S100A8/MYD88/NF-κB axis in OGD/R-stimulated H9c2 cells.

S100A8 enhances IL-1β production from nasal epithelial cells in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis is classified into eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (NECRS). ECRS is a refractory allergic disease involving a variety of immune and epithelial cells. S100A8 is a damage-associated molecular pattern that is closely related to allergic inflammation. However, the pathological implications of S100A8 in ECRS have not been clarified.

METHODS

We evaluated the role of S100A8 in the pathogenesis of ECRS. Gene expression profiles of nasal polyps obtained from patients with ECRS or NECRS were evaluated using RNA sequencing.

RESULTS

S100A8 was identified as a significantly upregulated gene in nasal polyps associated with ECRS. Immunohistochemistry consistently revealed intense S100A8 staining in nasal polyps from patients with ECRS. Human nasal epithelial cells expressed the receptor for advanced glycation end products and Toll-like receptor 4. Recombinant S100A8 protein induced interleukin-1β secretion in human nasal epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that S100A8 results in production of interleukin-1β in the nasal epithelium, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of ECRS.

Calprotectin as new potential clinical marker for multiple myeloma

Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the role of inflammation in disease pathogenesis, have recently been considered. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluation of fecal calprotectin (CP) as a non-invasive biomarker for the evaluation of inflammation in patients with multiple myeloma. This study is a hospital-based case control study. MM patients referred to patients referred to medical centers of Tehran province, Iran, were identified and classified into two groups of new MM patients (n = 40) and patients undergoing treatment (n = 28). Healthy individuals were included in the study as healthy control (n = 25). Morning stool samples were collected and CP was extracted immediately. After collecting the samples, CP was measured according to ELISA method and was determined in μg/g of feces. Values ​​above 50 μg/g of feces are positive and indicate inflammation. The results revealed that there is a significant difference between groups in terms if CP mean (p = 0.001). The mean of CP among new cases, under treatment and control groups were 301.3 (SD: 141.0), 165.1 (SD: 153.9) and 36.9 (SD: 13.5), respectively. Then the groups were compared in pairs, the results showed that the new case group was significantly different from the under-treatment group (p = 0.001), and also the control group showed a significant difference with the new case group (p = 0.001) and the under-treatment group (p = 0.001) that the amount of CP in the control group was significantly lower than the other two groups. In addition, the results of the study showed a significant correlation between age and plasma cells with CP value, so that with increasing age and plasma cells, CP value also showed a significant increase. The results indicate that quantitative evaluation of CP as a non-invasive laboratory biomarker has a high potential as a clinical marker in patients with multiple myeloma and inflammation should considered as a hallmark of cancer. Further diagnostic studies are recommended.

Calprotectin in nasal secretion: a new biomarker of non-type 2 inflammation in CRSwNP

Objective

We analysed calprotectin in sinonasal secretions of different chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) endotypes to assess its role as a biomarker of non-type 2 inflammation.

Methods

We included primary diffuse CRSwNP patients (n = 41) and three different control groups [non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) (n = 13), non-allergic eosinophilic syndrome (NARES) (n = 10) and healthy subjects (n = 12)]. Calprotectin levels were detected in nasal secretions using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA).

Results

Calprotectin levels in nasal secretions were significantly higher in all non-type 2 endotypes of CRSwNP compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, in type-2 CRSwNP calprotectin was significantly lower compared to controls (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between calprotectin levels and neutrophilic count/HPF was found in CRSwNP (p < 0.01). Clinically, mean levels of calprotectin and neutrophilia were significantly higher in patients who previously underwent 3 or more endoscopic sinus surgeries (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Calprotectin in nasal secretions may be a biomarker of non-type 2 inflammation. Low levels of calprotectin are indicative of a type-2 immune response in both CRSwNP and non-allergic rhinitis. We observed that calprotectin levels significantly increased based on the number of previous surgeries.

Defining Molecular Treatment Targets for Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis: Uncovering Adhesion Molecules

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a debilitating pain syndrome of unknown etiology that predominantly affects females. Clinically, BPS/IC presents in a wide spectrum where all patients report severe bladder pain together with one or more urinary tract symptoms. On bladder examination, some have normal-appearing bladders on cystoscopy, whereas others may have severely inflamed bladder walls with easily bleeding areas (glomerulations) and ulcerations (Hunner’s lesion). Thus, the reported prevalence of BPS/IC is also highly variable, between 0.06% and 30%. Nevertheless, it is rightly defined as a rare disease (ORPHA:37202). The aetiopathogenesis of BPS/IC remains largely unknown. Current treatment is mainly symptomatic and palliative, which certainly adds to the suffering of patients. BPS/IC is known to have a genetic component. However, the genes responsible are not defined yet. In addition to traditional genetic approaches, novel research methodologies involving bioinformatics are evaluated to elucidate the genetic basis of BPS/IC. This article aims to review the current evidence on the genetic basis of BPS/IC to determine the most promising targets for possible novel treatments.

S100A8/A9 Induced by Interaction with Macrophages in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Promotes the Migration and Invasion of Cancer Cells via Akt and p38 MAPK Pathways

Tumor-associated macrophages are associated with more malignant phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Previously, an indirect co-culture assay of ESCC cells and macrophages was used to identify several factors associated with ESCC progression. Herein, a direct co-culture assay of ESCC cells and macrophages was established, which more closely simulated the actual cancer microenvironment. Direct co-cultured ESCC cells had significantly increased migration and invasion abilities, and phosphorylation levels of Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) compared with monocultured ESCC cells. According to a cDNA microarray analysis between monocultured and co-cultured ESCC cells, both the expression and release of S100 calcium binding protein A8 and A9 (S100A8 and S100A9), which commonly exist and function as a heterodimer (herein, S100A8/A9), were significantly enhanced in co-cultured ESCC cells. The addition of recombinant human S100A8/A9 protein induced migration and invasion of ESCC cells via Akt and p38 MAPK signaling. Both S100A8 and S100A9 silencing suppressed migration, invasion, and phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK in co-cultured ESCC cells. Moreover, ESCC patients with high S100A8/A9 expression exhibited significantly shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.005) and cause-specific survival (P = 0.038). These results suggest that S100A8/A9 expression and release in ESCC cells are enhanced by direct co-culture with macrophages and that S100A8/A9 promotes ESCC progression via Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is independently correlated with early pouchitis following ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is one of the histologic predictors of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis (UC) following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Fecal calprotectin level has been shown to increase 2 months prior to the onset of pouchitis. We evaluated whether inflammation and calprotectin expression in appendiceal specimens correlate with early-onset pouchitis in UC and indeterminate colitis (IC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IPAA (2000-2018) cases with appendix blocks available in colectomy specimens were identified (n = 93, 90 UC, 3 IC). Histologic features thought to predict pouchitis were evaluated. The degree of appendiceal inflammation was scored. Calprotectin immunostain was performed on the appendix blocks and the extent of mucosal staining was quantified. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, smoking history, clinical pouchitis, time of onset of pouchitis, and clinical and endoscopic components of the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score. Follow-up pouch biopsies were reviewed and scored to generate histologic PDAI score, when available.

RESULTS

Among the patients with clinical pouchitis (n = 73), moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation independently correlated with earlier pouchitis compared to no/mild inflammation (median time to pouchitis 12.0 vs. 23.8, log rank p = 0.016). Calprotectin staining correlated with inflammatory scores of the appendix (Spearman's rho, r = 0.630, p < 0.001) but not with early pouchitis (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation at the time of colectomy was associated with a shorter time to pouchitis following IPAA. Calprotectin immunostain may be used to demonstrate the presence of inflammation in the appendix but its role in predicting early pouchitis remains limited.

Bioinformatic analysis identifies potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of septic-shock-associated acute kidney injury

Background

Sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening diseases with high mortality rate in intensive care unit (ICU). Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis, and its occurrence is a poor prognostic sign to septic patients. We analyzed co-differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) to explore relationships between septic shock and AKI and reveal potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of septic-shock-associated AKI (SSAKI).

Methods

Two gene expression datasets (GSE30718 and GSE57065) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The GSE57065 dataset included 28 septic shock patients and 25 healthy volunteers and blood samples were collected within 0.5, 24 and 48 h after shock. Specimens of GSE30718 were collected from 26 patients with AKI and 11 control patents. AKI-DEGs and septic-shock-DEGs were identified using the two datasets. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed to elucidate molecular mechanisms of DEGs. We also evaluated co-DEGs and corresponding predicted miRNAs involved in septic shock and AKI.

Results

We identified 62 DEGs in AKI specimens and 888, 870, and 717 DEGs in septic shock blood samples within 0.5, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The hub genes of EGF and OLFM4 may be involved in AKI and QPCT, CKAP4, PRKCQ, PLAC8, PRC1, BCL9L, ATP11B, KLHL2, LDLRAP1, NDUFAF1, IFIT2, CSF1R, HGF, NRN1, GZMB, and STAT4 may be associated with septic shock. Besides, co-DEGs of VMP1, SLPI, PTX3, TIMP1, OLFM4, LCN2, and S100A9 coupled with corresponding predicted miRNAs, especially miR-29b-3p, miR-152-3p, and miR-223-3p may be regarded as promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of SSAKI in the future.

Conclusions

Septic shock and AKI are related and VMP1, SLPI, PTX3, TIMP1, OLFM4, LCN2, and S100A9 genes are significantly associated with novel biomarkers involved in the occurrence and development of SSAKI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41065-021-00176-y.

The associations of serum S100A9 with the severity and prognosis in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies found that S100A9 may involve in the pathophysiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the role of S100A9 was unclear in the CAP. The goal was to explore the correlations of serum S100A9 with the severity and prognosis of CAP patients based on a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 220 CAP patients and 110 control subjects were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Serum S100A9 and inflammatory cytokines were measured.

RESULTS

Serum S100A9 was elevated in CAP patients on admission. Serum S100A9 was gradually elevated parallelly with CAP severity scores. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines were increased and blood routine parameters were changed in CAP patients compared with control subjects. Correlation analysis found that serum S100A9 was positively associated with CAP severity scores, blood routine parameters (WBC, NLR and MON) and inflammatory cytokines. Further, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that there were positive associations between serum S100A9 and CAP severity scores. Besides, the prognosis of CAP was tracked. Serum higher S100A9 on the early stage elevated the death of risk and hospital stay among CAP patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum S100A9 is positively correlated with the severity of CAP. On admission, serum higher S100A9 elevates the risk of death and hospital stay in CAP patients, suggesting that S100A9 may exert a certain role in the pathophysiology of CAP and regard as a serum diagnostic and managing biomarker for CAP.

Adverse reproductive effects of S100A9 on bovine sperm and early embryonic development in vitro

The phenomenon of aging arises from multiple, complex interactions causing dysfunction in cells and organs. In particular, fertility drastically decreases with age. Previously, we have demonstrated that the functional characteristics of the bovine oviduct and uterus change with the age-dependent upregulation of inflammation and noted that S100A9 triggers inflammatory responses in oviduct epithelial cells. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that S100A9 affects reproductive events to aspect such as sperm function, fertilization, and the development of the embryo in cows. To investigate the effect of S100A9 on bovine sperm, we incubated sperms in vitro with S100A9 for 5 h and observed significantly decreased sperm motility and viability. During in vitro fertilization, S100A9 treatment for 5 h did not affect the rate of fertilization, time of first division of embryos, or embryo development to blastocyst stage. Treatment of 2-cell stage embryos with S100A9 for 5 h significantly reduced the proportion of cells undergoing normal division (4-8 cell embryos) and embryo development to the blastocyst stage. In experiment involving 24 h treatment of 2-cell embryos, the development of all embryos stopped at the 2-cell stage in the S100A9-treated group. In blastocyst-stage embryos, S100A9 treatment significantly stimulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mRNA expression of ER stress markers, and activated caspase-3 with subsequent nuclear fragmentation. Pre-treatment with an ER stress inhibitor significantly suppressed caspase-3 activation by the S100A9 treatment, suggesting that S100A9 induces blastocyst dysfunction by apoptosis (via caspase-3 activation) depending on ER stress. These results indicate that direct exposure to S100A9 exerted adverse effects on sperm function and embryo development. These findings suggest that excessive dose of S100A9 may have an adverse effect to the reproductive machinery by inducing inflammation and tissue dysfunction.

Calprotectin in pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diseases: a systematic review and prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Calprotectin, a marker of acute and chronic inflammation, may play a role in pregnancy-associated disorders. We aimed to summarize available clinical data on calprotectin in pregnancy and to establish normal values of calprotectin during the course of pregnancy.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the databases PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify experimental and clinical evidence assessing the role of calprotectin in pregnancy. In addition, we performed a prospective cohort study assessing serum and urine calprotectin throughout pregnancy.

RESULTS

We identified 17 studies investigating 1638 pregnant women, 151 newborns, and 99 non-pregnant controls, measuring calprotectin in different compartments. Calprotectin was present in meconium and elevated in fecal samples of pregnant women with active inflammatory bowel disease. In women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, mild and severe preeclampsia (PE), calprotectin was significantly elevated in maternal plasma and serum, but not in fetal serum, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood. For the cohort study, we recruited 196 pregnant women. PE and concomitant renal disease were present in 6/196 (3%) and 11/196 (5.6%) of women, respectively. Throughout pregnancy, median serum and urine levels of calprotectin largely exceed reported concentrations of the healthy non-pregnant population, but showed no significant variations between trimesters 1-3 and post-partum. Calprotectin in serum was correlated with systolic blood pressure and in urine with leukocytes and total protein. No significant differences were found in subgroup analyses of smokers vs. non-smokers, PE vs. none, and renal disease (kidney stones, reflux) vs. none.

CONCLUSION

Calprotectin concentrations in amnion fluid and stools serve as potential indicators of inflammatory states during pregnancy. Urinary calprotectin concentrations are continuously high during pregnancy and show no significant variations between trimesters 1-3 and post-partum.

Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9): a key protein between inflammation and cancer

BACKGROUND

Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9), a heterodimeric EF-hand Ca²⁺ binding protein, are abundant in cytosol of neutrophils and are involved in inflammatory processes and several cancerous pathogens.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present systematic review is to evaluate the pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions of calprotectin and its relation to inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a review of studies published in the Medline (1966-2018), Scopus (2004-2018), ClinicalTrials.gov (2008-2018) and Google Scholar (2004-2018) databases, combined with studies found in the reference lists of the included studies.

RESULTS

Elevated levels of S100A8/S100A9 were detected in inflammation, neoplastic tumor cells and various human cancers. Recent data have explained that many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation, and inflammation. The inflammatory microenvironment which largely includes calprotectin, has an essential role on high producing of inflammatory factors and then on neoplastic process and metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Scientists have shown different outcomes in inflammation, malignancy and apoptosis whether the source of the aforementioned protein is extracellular or intracellular. These findings are offering new insights that anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents and anti-tumorigenic functions of calprotectin can lead to control cancer development.

Calgranulin C (S100A12) Is Differentially Expressed in Subtypes of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background Calgranulin C (S100A12) is an innate immune peptide at the air-mucosal interface associated with neutrophil involvement, which when overexpressed has been implicated as a biomarker of inflammatory diseases. Decreased epithelial expression of certain innate immune peptides has been reported in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We hypothesized that S100A12 is differentially expressed in the sinonasal mucosa of patients with CRS compared to controls and that S100A12 is a potential biomarker of CRS-specific quality of life (QOL) and disease severity. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted which included 70 patients: 17 controls, 28 having CRS without (CRSsNP), and 25 with (CRSwNP) nasal polyps. The expression of S100A12 and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was assessed in the anterior ethmoid tissues from all patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Disease-specific QOL (Rhinosinusitis Disability Index) and disease severity (computed tomography [CT] and endoscopy) were evaluated and correlated to the expression levels of S100A12. Results S100A12 and HNE were significantly elevated in patients with CRSsNP compared to normal controls ( P < .05 and P < .001, respectively) and patients with CRSwNP ( P < .05 and P < .001, respectively), as measured by ELISA and IHC analyses. Patients with CRS exhibited worse CRS-specific disease severity compared to normal controls ( P < .05), and the increased protein levels of S100A12 were significantly correlated to disease severity, represented by CT scores ( P < .05). Conclusions S100A12 is differentially expressed in CRS subtypes and is significantly elevated in patients with CRSsNP and associated with CRS-specific disease severity.

BVDV Npro protein mediates the BVDV induced immunosuppression through interaction with cellular S100A9 protein

The innate immune response is a vital part of the body's antiviral defense system. The innate immune response is initiated by various receptor interactions, including danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The S100A9 is a member of the DAMPs protein family and, is released by activated phagocytic cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages or endothelial cells, and S100A9 induces its effect through TLR4/MyD88 pathway.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the major devastating disease in the cattle industry worldwide. It shows its effect through immunosuppression and develops persistent infection in calves born from infected cows. The current study revealed that BVDV potentially induced immunosuppression by the interaction of BVDV Npro protein with cellular S100A9 protein. The Inhibition of S100A9 protein expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhanced the virus replication in infected cells. Overexpression of bovine S100A9 enhanced the ncpBVDV2a 1373 mediated Type-I interferon production. A co-immunoprecipitation experiment demonstrated a strong interaction between ncp BVDV2a 1373 Npro protein and cellular S100A9 protein. This suggested that BVDV Npro reduced the S100A9 protein availability/activity in infected cells, resulting in reduced Type-I interferon production. A further study of S100A9-BVDV interaction will be need for better understanding of BVDV pathophysiology.

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The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) nonstructural protein, Npro, is responsible for immunosuppression.

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The mechanism of Npro immune immunosuppression is not well characterized.

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S100A9, a cell protein that contains danger associated molecular patterns (DAMP), is important in innate immunity.

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S100A9 protein and Npro protein associate while overexpression of S100A9 enhanced Type-I interferon production.

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Inhibition of S100A9 by siRNA aided BVDV replication. Npro interacting with S100A9 may result in immunosuppression.

Deficiency of myeloid-related proteins 8 and 14 (Mrp8/Mrp14) does not block inflammaging but prevents steatosis

The Mrp8 and Mrp14 proteins (calprotectin) accumulate within tissues during aging and may contribute to chronic inflammation. To address this possibility, we evaluated female calprotectin-deficient Mrp14-KO and wild-type (WT) mice at 5 and 24 months of age. However, there was no evidence that age-related inflammation is blunted in KO mice. Inflammation markers were in fact elevated in livers from old KO mice, and microarray analysis revealed more consistent elevation of genes specifically expressed by B-cells and T-cells. Adipose-specific genes, however, were less consistently elevated in aged KO mice, suggesting an anti-steatosis effect of Mrp8/14 deficiency. Consistent with this, genes decreased by the anti-steatosis agent SRT1720 were decreased in old KO compared to old WT mice. Expression of lipid metabolism genes was altered in KO mice at 5 months of age, along with genes associated with development, biosynthesis and immunity. These early-age effects of Mrp8/14 deficiency, in the absence of any external stressor, were unexpected. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a pro-steatosis rather than pro-inflammatory role of calprotectin within the aging liver. This appears to reflect a developmental-metabolic phenotype of Mrp14-KO mice that is manifest at a young age in the absence of pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Age-dependent changes in inflammation and extracellular matrix in bovine oviduct epithelial cells during the post-ovulatory phase

The mammalian oviduct is an essential site for sperm storage, the transport of gametes, fertilization, and embryo development-functions that are aided by cytokines secreted from oviduct epithelial cells (OECs). Aging leads to cellular and organ dysfunction, with infertility associated with advanced maternal age. Few studies have investigated age-dependent changes in the oviduct as a possible cause of infertility, so we compared OECs from young (30-50 months) versus aged (more than 120 months) cattle. Next-generation sequencing was first used to identify age-related differences in gene expression. Several proinflammatory-related genes (including IL1B, IL1A, IL17C, IL8, S100A8, S100A9, and TNFA) were activated in OECs from aged (more than 120 months) compare to young (30-50 months) individuals, whereas genes associated with extracellular matrix-related factors (COLs, POSTN, BGN, and LUM) were down-regulation in aged OECs. Indeed, IL1 B and IL8 abundance was higher in aged OECs than in young OECs. Young OECs also tended to proliferate faster, and the revolution frequency of young, ciliated OECs was higher than that of their aged counterparts. In contrast, aged OECs possessed more F-actin, an actin cytoskeleton marker associated with reduced elasticity, and contained high levels of reactive oxygen species, which are mediators of inflammation and senescence. These different functional characteristics of bovine OECs during the post-ovulatory phase support the emerging concept of "inflammaging," that is, age-dependent inflammation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 815-826, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ESR1)-Dependent Regulation of the Mouse Oviductal Transcriptome

Estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) is an important transcriptional regulator in the mammalian oviduct, however ESR1-dependent regulation of the transcriptome of this organ is not well defined, especially at the genomic level. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate estradiol- and ESR1-dependent regulation of the transcriptome of the oviduct using transgenic mice, both with (ESR1KO) and without (wild-type, WT) a global deletion of ESR1. Oviducts were collected from ESR1KO and WT littermates at 23 days of age, or ESR1KO and WT mice were treated with 5 IU PMSG to stimulate follicular development and the production of ovarian estradiol, and the oviducts collected 48 h later. RNA extracted from whole oviducts was hybridized to Affymetrix Genechip Mouse Genome 430–2.0 arrays (n = 3 arrays per genotype and treatment) or reverse transcribed to cDNA for analysis of the expression of selected mRNAs by real-time PCR. Following microarray analysis, a statistical two-way ANOVA and pairwise comparison (LSD test) revealed 2428 differentially expressed transcripts (DEG’s, P < 0.01). Genotype affected the expression of 2215 genes, treatment (PMSG) affected the expression of 465 genes, and genotype x treatment affected the expression of 438 genes. With the goal of determining estradiol/ESR1-regulated function, gene ontology (GO) and bioinformatic pathway analyses were performed on DEG’s in the oviducts of PMSG-treated ESR1KO versus PMSG-treated WT mice. Significantly enriched GO molecular function categories included binding and catalytic activity. Significantly enriched GO cellular component categories indicated the extracellular region. Significantly enriched GO biological process categories involved a single organism, modulation of a measurable attribute and developmental processes. Bioinformatic analysis revealed ESR1-regulation of the immune response within the oviduct as the primary canonical pathway. In summary, a transcriptomal profile of estradiol- and ESR1-regulated gene expression and related bioinformatic analysis is presented to increase our understanding of how estradiol/ESR1 affects function of the oviduct, and to identify genes that may be proven as important regulators of fertility in the future.

Immune responses of bison and efficacy after booster vaccination with Brucella abortus strain RB51

Thirty-one bison heifers were randomly assigned to receive saline or a single vaccination with 10(10) CFU of Brucella abortus strain RB51. Some vaccinated bison were randomly selected for booster vaccination with RB51 at 11 months after the initial vaccination. Mean antibody responses to RB51 were greater (P < 0.05) in vaccinated bison after initial and booster vaccination than in nonvaccinated bison. The proliferative responses by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the vaccinated bison were greater (P < 0.05) than those in the nonvaccinated bison at 16 and 24 weeks after the initial vaccination but not after the booster vaccination. The relative gene expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was increased (P < 0.05) in the RB51-vaccinated bison at 8, 16, and 24 weeks after the initial vaccination and at 8 weeks after the booster vaccination. The vaccinated bison had greater (P < 0.05) in vitro production of IFN-γ at all sampling times, greater interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in various samplings after the initial and booster vaccinations, and greater IL-6 production at one sampling time after the booster vaccination. Between 170 and 180 days of gestation, the bison were intraconjunctivally challenged with approximately 1 × 10(7) CFU of B. abortus strain 2308. The incidences of abortion and infection were greater (P < 0.05) in the nonvaccinated bison after experimental challenge than in the bison receiving either vaccination treatment. Booster-vaccinated, but not single-vaccinated bison, had a reduced (P < 0.05) incidence of infection in fetal tissues and maternal tissues compared to that in the controls. Compared to the nonvaccinated bison, both vaccination treatments lowered the colonization (measured as the CFU/g of tissue) of Brucella organisms in all tissues, except in retropharyngeal and supramammary lymph nodes. Our study suggests that RB51 booster vaccination is an effective vaccination strategy for enhancing herd immunity against brucellosis in bison.

S100P antibody-mediated therapy as a new promising strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Despite progresses in diagnosis and treatment, pancreatic cancer continues to have the worst prognosis of all solid malignant tumors. Recent evidences suggest that the metastasis-promoting protein S100P stimulates pancreatic tumor proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis progression through extracellular functions. Moreover, its expression is strongly correlated with poor prognosis in patients with several types of cancer although the entire molecular mechanism responsible for the diverse biological functions is not fully understood. We showed that extracellular S100P stimulates pancreatic carcinoma BxPC3 cell line by promoting cell proliferation. We also demonstrated that S100P induces, in this cell line, the phosphorylation of IκBα and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). In addition, treatment with S100P protected cells from injuries induced by the cytotoxic agent Gemcitabine. On the basis of these results, we developed function-blocking anti-S100P monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that abolished all of its in vitro activities. Furthermore, in vivo treatment with the candidate 2H8 antibody decreased tumor growth and liver metastasis formation in a subcutaneous and orthotopic BxPC3 tumor model. We conclude here that a therapeutic strategy blocking the extracellular activity of S100P by means of specific mAbs could be an attractive therapeutic approach as a single agent or in combination with target-directed or chemotherapeutic drugs to treat pancreatic cancer.