Serum and cerebrospinal fluid Neudesin concentration and Neudesin Quotient as potential circulating biomarkers of a primary brain tumor

Neuron-derived neurotrophic factor promotes the differentiation of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes in goat

Adipocyte play an important role in human health and meat quality by influencing the tenderness, flavor, and juiciness of mutton It has been shown that neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NENF) is closely related to energy metabolism and adipocyte differentiation in bovine. However, the role of NENF in the goats remains unclear. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of NENF in goat subcutaneous and intramuscular adipocytes, temporal expression profiles of the NENF, and overexpressed NENF on the differentiation of different adipocytes. In this study, PCR amplification successfully cloned the goat NENF gene with a fragment length of 521 bp. In addition, the time point of highest expression of NENF differed between these two adipocytes differentiation processes. Overexpression of NENF in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes promoted the expression levels of differentiation markers CEBPβ and SREBP, which in turn promoted the differentiation of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes. This study will provide basic data for further study of the role of goats in goat adipocyte differentiation and for the final elucidation of its molecular mechanisms in regulating goat adipocyte deposition.

Cytoplasmic Shotgun Proteomic Points to Key Proteins and Pathways in Temozolomide-Resistant Glioblastoma Multiforme

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first line of chemotherapy to treat primary brain tumors of the type glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). TMZ resistance (TMZR) is one of the main barriers to successful treatment and is a principal factor in relapse, resulting in a poor median survival of 15 months. The present paper focuses on proteomic analyses of cytosolic fractions from TMZ-resistant (TMZR) LN-18 cells. The experimental workflow includes an easy, cost-effective, and reproducible method to isolate subcellular fraction of cytosolic (CYTO) proteins, mitochondria, and plasma membrane proteins for proteomic studies. For this study, enriched cytoplasmic fractions were analyzed in replicates by nanoflow liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS), and proteins identified were quantified using a label-free approach (LFQ). Statistical analysis of control (CTRL) and temozolomide-resistant (TMZR) proteomes revealed proteins that appear to be differentially controlled in the cytoplasm. The functions of these proteins are discussed as well as their roles in other cancers and TMZ resistance in GBM. Key proteins are also described through biological processes related to gene ontology (GO), molecular functions, and cellular components. For protein-protein interactions (PPI), network and pathway involvement analyses have been performed, highlighting the roles of key proteins in the TMZ resistance phenotypes. This study provides a detailed insight into methods of subcellular fractionation for proteomic analysis of TMZ-resistant GBM cells and the potential to apply this approach to future large-scale studies. Several key proteins, protein-protein interactions (PPI), and pathways have been identified, underlying the TMZ resistance phenotype and highlighting the proteins' biological functions.

New Insights on the Progesterone (P4) and PGRMC1/NENF Complex Interactions in Colorectal Cancer Progression

The literature data regarding the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the context of hormone therapy (HT), including both estrogen-progestogen combinations and estrogen alone, are inconclusive. The precise relationship underlying the action of progesterone (P4) and progesterone receptors in CRC has yet to be determined. We characterized the expression profiles of both nuclear and membrane progesterone receptors and their potential cofactors in CRC tissues. Additionally, we analyzed the P4 and NENF treatment effects on the cell proliferation and invasion of DLD-1 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. We observed a weak expression of the nuclear P4 receptor (PGR), but an abundant expression of the P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NENF) in the CRC tissues. P4 treatment stimulated the proliferation of the DLD-1 and HT-29 CRC cells. The co-treatment of P4 and NENF significantly increased the invasiveness of the DLD-1 and HT-29 cells. A functional analysis revealed that these effects were dependent on PGRMC1. AN immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated a cytoplasmic co-localization of PGRMC1 and NENF in the CRC cells. Moreover, the concentration of serum NENF was significantly higher in CRC patients, and P4 treatment significantly increased the release of NENF in the DLD-1 cells. P4 or NENF treatment also significantly increased the IL-8 release in the DLD-1 cells. Our data may provide novel insights into the action of P4 and PGRMC1/NENF in CRC progression, where NENF may act as a potential PGRMC1 co-activator in non-classical P4 signaling. Furthermore, NENF, as a secreted protein, potentially could serve as a promising circulating biomarker candidate for distinguishing between colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals, although large-scale extensive studies are needed to establish this.

Increased levels of plasma neudesin in adult growth hormone deficiency and their relationship with plasma liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 levels: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Adult growth hormone deficiency (aGHD) is characterized by an altered metabolic profile and increased cardiovascular risk. Neudesin is a newly discovered protein mainly secreted from adipose tissue and brain, under evaluation for its possible activity as a negative regulator of energy expenditure. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide (LEAP)-2 is a competitive antagonist of ghrelin on its receptor. An observational cross-sectional study was performed to test the hypothesis that plasma neudesin levels may be modified in aGHD. Given the role played in the energy balance, any possible relationships between neudesin, LEAP-2 and metabolic and anthropometric parameters were evaluated.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight patients were included: 18 aGHD patients (7 females and 11 males, aged 59.7 ± 2.6 years, BMI 30.2 ± 2.2 kg/m²); 20 healthy controls (12 females and 8 males, aged 47.1 ± 2.5 years, BMI 24.1 ± 0.9 kg/m²). All patients were evaluated for glucose, insulin, HOMA and QUICKI index, total/LDL/HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and IGF-1. Plasma neudesin, LEAP-2, and ghrelin were measured by ELISA. Fat mass was evaluated by DEXA.

RESULTS

Neudesin levels were significantly higher in aGHD versus controls. We confirmed the finding of significantly lower ghrelin levels and significantly higher LEAP-2/ghrelin ratio in aGHD patients and found a significant direct correlation between neudesin and LEAP-2 levels. A significant direct correlation between neudesin and fat mass percentage was found in the whole population.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the onset of adaptive responses to an altered metabolic picture in aGHD. The changes in two distinct pathways that modulate food intake and the still limited knowledge about neudesin suggest future developments in this field.

Many or too many progesterone membrane receptors? Clinical implications

Several receptors for nongenomically initiated actions of progesterone (P4) exist, namely membrane-associated P4 receptors (MAPRs), membrane progestin receptors (mPRs), receptors for neurosteroids [GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR), NMDA receptor, sigma-1 and -2 receptors (S1R/S2R)], the classical genomic P4 receptor (PGR), and α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2). Two drugs related to this field have been approved: brexanolone (Zulresso™) for the treatment of postpartum depression, and ganaxolone (Ztalmy™) for the treatment of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Both are derivatives of P4 and target the GABA_AR. Several other indications are in clinical testing. CT1812 (Elayta™) is also being tested for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Phase 2 clinical trials, targeting the P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1)/S2R complex. In this Review, we highlight emerging knowledge on the mechanisms of nongenomically initiated actions of P4 and its derivatives.

Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines Levels are Significantly Altered in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm (UIA) Patients

Introduction

Identifying all the relevant “players” in the formation and development of brain aneurysms may help understand the mechanisms responsible for the formation of an aneurysm, as well as in the search for non-invasive targets for aneurysm pharmacotherapy.

Aim

The evaluation of the concentration of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) in comparison to individuals without vascular lesions in the brain.

Methods

The concentration of 27 proteins in the CSF and serum of UIA patients (N = 40) and individuals without vascular lesions in the brain (N = 15) was evaluated using a multiplex ELISA kit (Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-Plex Panel).

Results

In the CSF 13 out of 27 proteins evaluated presented a concentration 1.36-fold or greater in UIA patients in comparison to the control group. Significantly higher were IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, INF-γ, MCP-1, and VEGF. In the serum none of the proteins evaluated significantly differ between UIA patients and the control group. The correlation coefficient analysis showed that CSF IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α positively, while IL-13 negatively correlated with the size of aneurysms. CSF IL-6 and MCP-1 concentrations positively correlated with the number of aneurysms.

Conclusion

In patients with UIA, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms are activated simultaneously, because the concentration of promoting and suppressing inflammatory response proteins was significantly higher in CSF of UIA patients compared to the control group. The preventive therapy of brain aneurysm development should be focused on IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-α, the concentration of which in CSF positively correlated with the size and number of aneurysms.

Plasma Levels of Neudesin and Glucose Metabolism in Obese and Overweight Children

Childhood overweight and obesity are among the major health problems of modern times, especially in Western countries, due to their association with increased cardiovascular and cancer risk in adulthood. Neudesin, a recently discovered peptide secreted mainly in the brain and adipose tissue, is being investigated for its possible activity as a negative regulator of energy expenditure. We conducted a cross-sectional observational preliminary study with the aim of testing the hypothesis that plasma levels of neudesin can be modified in obese and overweight children and to evaluate any possible relationship between plasma neudesin levels and metabolic and anthropometric parameters. 34 Children (Tanner's stage 1) were included and divided in two groups according to Cole's criteria. Group A included obese and overweight children (23 patients, 17 females and 6 males, aged 4-10 years); Group B included healthy normal-weight children (11 subjects, 7 females and 4 males, aged 3-10 years). Metabolic (glucose and insulin, total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid) and hormonal (fT3, fT4, TSH, IGF-1, leptin) parameters were evaluated. HOMA-IR and QUICKI index and the area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin after oral glucose load were calculated in obese and overweight children. Neudesin was measured by ELISA. Neudesin levels were significantly higher in obese/overweight children than in controls. In obese and overweight children, plasma neudesin levels were significantly directly correlated with blood glucose and glucose AUC. Taken together, these results, although preliminary, may suggest a possible age-related role of neudesin in glucose homeostasis in obese/overweight children.

The Relationship between Inflammation Markers (CRP, IL-6, sCD40L) and Colorectal Cancer Stage, Grade, Size and Location

The aim of the study was the evaluation whether in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (n = 55): age, sex, TNM classification results, WHO grade, tumor location (proximal colon, distal colon, rectum), tumor size, platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), mean platelet component (MCP), levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen (CA 19-9), as well as soluble lectin adhesion molecules (L-, E-, and P-selectins) may influence circulating inflammatory biomarkers: IL-6, CRP, and sCD40L. We found that CRP concentration evaluation in routine clinical practice may have an advantage as a prognostic biomarker in CRC patients, as this protein the most comprehensively reflects clinicopathological features of the tumor. Univariate linear regression analysis revealed that in CRC patients: (1) with an increase in PLT by 10 × 10³/μL, the mean concentration of CRP increases by 3.4%; (2) with an increase in CA 19-9 of 1 U/mL, the mean concentration of CRP increases by 0.7%; (3) with the WHO 2 grade, the mean CRP concentration increases 3.631 times relative to the WHO 1 grade group; (4) with the WHO 3 grade, the mean CRP concentration increases by 4.916 times relative to the WHO 1 grade group; (5) with metastases (T1-4N+M+) the mean CRP concentration increases 4.183 times compared to non-metastatic patients (T1-4N0M0); (6) with a tumor located in the proximal colon, the mean concentration of CRP increases 2.175 times compared to a tumor located in the distal colon; (7) in patients with tumor size > 3 cm, the CRP concentration is about 2 times higher than in patients with tumor size ≤ 3 cm. In the multivariate linear regression model, the variables that influence the mean CRP value in CRC patients included: WHO grade and tumor localization. R² for the created model equals 0.50, which indicates that this model explains 50% of the variance in the dependent variable. In CRC subjects: (1) with the WHO 2 grade, the mean CRP concentration rises 3.924 times relative to the WHO 1 grade; (2) with the WHO 3 grade, the mean CRP concentration increases 4.721 times in relation to the WHO 1 grade; (3) with a tumor located in the rectum, the mean CRP concentration rises 2.139 times compared to a tumor located in the distal colon; (4) with a tumor located in the proximal colon, the mean concentration of CRP increases 1.998 times compared to the tumor located in the distal colon; if other model parameters are fixed.

Intraoperative Peritoneal Interleukin-6 Concentration Changes in Relation to the High-Mobility Group Protein B1 and Heat Shock Protein 70 Levels in Children Undergoing Cholecystectomy

The aim was the evaluation of IL-6 concentration in peritoneal lavage fluid of children which underwent cholecystectomy to ascertain if there is a difference in early inflammatory response depending on the type of surgical approach (open vs. laparoscopy). The analysis of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was performed to find out if the source of IL-6 was related to tissue damage. IL-6 concentration in peritoneal lavage fluid samples, obtained at the beginning and at the end of the laparoscopic (N = 23) and open cholecystectomy (N = 14), was tested with a routinely used electrochemiluminescence assay. The concentrations of HMGB1 and HSP70 were analyzed with the use of an ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA PL release 12.5 Program. The differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Correlations were studied by using the Spearman correlation test. Our results demonstrated significant peritoneal lavage fluid IL-6 concentration growth measured at the end of the cholecystectomy as compared to the beginning, regardless of the type of the procedure. IL-6 growth during open cholecystectomy was greater compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (62.51-fold vs. 3.19-fold). IL-6 concentration did not correlate with HMGB1 and HSP70, which indicate that the significant growth of this cytokine was not related to mechanical tissue damage due to surgical procedure. A clinical significance of the study could be related to the fact that the evaluation of IL-6 concentration in peritoneal lavage fluid may be useful to assess an early local inflammatory response.

Ratio of IL-8 in CSF versus Serum Is Elevated in Patients with Unruptured Brain Aneurysm

Only scarce data pertaining to interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokines in human aneurysm can be found in the current literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum IL-8 and MCP-1 concentration in unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) patients (n = 25) compared to the control group (n = 20). IL-8 and MCP-1 concentrations were measured with ELISA method. We demonstrated that CSF IL-8 concentration of UIA patients is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that presented in the serum, which can indicate its local synthesis within central nervous system. CSF IL-8 concentration was also significantly related to aneurysm size, which may reflect the participation of IL-8 in the formation and development of brain aneurysms. IL-8 Quotient (CSF IL-8 divided by serum IL-8) in UIA patients was statistically higher compared to control individuals (p = 0.045). However, the diagnostic utility analysis did not equivocally indicate the diagnostic usefulness of the IL-8 Quotient evaluation in brain aneurysm patients. Nevertheless, this aspect requires further study.

Early eukaryotic origins and metazoan elaboration of MAPR family proteins

The membrane-associated progesterone receptor (MAPR) family consists of heme-binding proteins containing a cytochrome b₅ (cytb₅) domain characterized by the presence of a MAPR-specific interhelical insert region (MIHIR) between helices 3 and 4 of the canonical cytb5-domain fold. Animals possess three MAPR genes (PGRMC-like, Neuferricin and Neudesin). Here we show that all three animal MAPR genes were already present in the common ancestor of the opisthokonts (comprising animals and fungi as well as related single-celled taxa). All three MAPR genes acquired extensions C-terminal to the cytb₅ domain, either before or with the evolution of animals. The archetypical MAPR protein, progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), contains phosphorylated tyrosines Y139 and Y180. The combination of Y139/Y180 appeared in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians, along with an early embryological organizer and synapsed neurons, and is strongly conserved in all bilaterian animals. A predicted protein interaction motif in the PGRMC1 MIHIR is potentially regulated by Y139 phosphorylation. A multilayered model of animal MAPR function acquisition includes some pre-metazoan functions (e.g., heme binding and cytochrome P450 interactions) and some acquired animal-specific functions that involve regulation of strongly conserved protein interaction motifs acquired by animals (Metazoa). This study provides a conceptual framework for future studies, against which especially PGRMC1's multiple functions can perhaps be stratified and functionally dissected.