Jagged1 intracellular domain modulates steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells

Jagged2 targeting in lung cancer activates anti-tumor immunity via Notch-induced functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages

Signaling through Notch receptors intrinsically regulates tumor cell development and growth. Here, we studied the role of the Notch ligand Jagged2 on immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Higher expression of JAG2 in NSCLC negatively correlated with survival. In NSCLC pre-clinical models, deletion of Jag2, but not Jag1, in cancer cells attenuated tumor growth and activated protective anti-tumor T cell responses. Jag2-/- lung tumors exhibited higher frequencies of macrophages that expressed immunostimulatory mediators and triggered T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity. Mechanistically, Jag2 ablation promoted Nr4a-mediated induction of Notch ligands DLL1/4 on cancer cells. DLL1/4-initiated Notch1/2 signaling in macrophages induced the expression of transcription factor IRF4 and macrophage immunostimulatory functionality. IRF4 expression was required for the anti-tumor effects of Jag2 deletion in lung tumors. Antibody targeting of Jagged2 inhibited tumor growth and activated IRF4-driven macrophage-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Thus, Jagged2 orchestrates immunosuppressive systems in NSCLC that can be overcome to incite macrophage-mediated anti-tumor immunity.

Analysis of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of embryonic gonadal development in Mulard duck

The aim of the study was to explore the regulatory mechanism of differences in embryonic gonadal development between intergeneric distance hybrid offspring Mulard ducks and parent ducks. The morphological differences gonadal tissues of Muscovy ducks, Pekin ducks and Mulard ducks at 12.5-day embryonic age were observed by sectioning and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Then followed by transcriptome sequencing to screen for gonadal development-related differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network. Finally, qRT-PCR and luciferase reporter system were used to verify the sequencing data and targeting relationship of ceRNA pairs. The results showed that the seminiferous tubule lumen of Mulard ducks was not obvious, while there were obvious seminiferous tubules and tubular structures in testis of Pekin ducks and Muscovy ducks, with number and shape indicating maturity. There were 18 upregulated circRNAs and 16 downregulated circRNAs in Mulard ducks and Pekin ducks, respectively, and 39 upregulated circRNAs and 1 downregulated circRNA in Mulard ducks and Muscovy ducks, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis found that genes involves in dorso-ventral axis formation, for example, neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (NOTCH1), were significantly enriched (P < 0.05). The novel_circ_0002265-gga-miR-122-5p-PAFAH1B2 regulatory network was constructed. The qRT-PCR results showed that the sequencing results were reliable. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that gga-miR-122-5p exists binding site of circ_0002265 and PAFAH1B2, indicating circ_0002265-gga-miR-122-5p-PAFAH1B2 targeting relationship. In summary, the embryonic gonadal development of intergeneric hybrid Mulard ducks may be regulated by differentially expressed circRNAs and genes, such as novel_circ_0000519, novel_circ_0003537, NOTCH1, FGFR2, PAFAH1B1, and PAFAH1B2, among which circ_0002265-gga-miR-122-5p-PAFAH1B2 may participate in the targeted regulation of gonadal development in Mulard ducks. The findings of this study are helpful for analyzing the mechanism of embryonic gonadal development differences in avians.

Aberrant expression of PELI1 caused by Jagged1 accelerates the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. PELI1 has been reported to promote cell survival and proliferation in multiple cancers. As of now, the role of PELI1 in pancreatic cancer is largely unknown. Here, we found that the PELI1 mRNA was higher expressed in pancreatic tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues, and the high PELI1 level in pancreatic cancer patients had a short survival time compared with the low level. Moreover, the results showed that PELI1 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and inhibited apoptosis in vitro. Xenograft tumor experiments were used to determine the biological function of PELI1, and the results showed that PELI1 promoted tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, we found that Jagged1 activated PELI1 transcription in pancreatic cancer cells. To sum up, our results show that PELI1 affects the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer.

JAG1 Intracellular Domain Enhances AR Expression and Signaling and Promotes Stem-like Properties in Prostate Cancer Cells

JAG1 expression is upregulated in high-grade metastatic prostate carcinomas and associated with poor disease-free survival of patients with prostate cancer. Intriguingly, all JAG1-positive prostate carcinomas express JICD although JICD function in prostate cancer (PC) cells is poorly understood. In this study, we found that JICD overexpression increased the expression levels of AR, especially AR-Vs, in PC cell lines and significantly enhanced androgen-independent and androgen-dependent function of ARs. Interestingly, JICD overexpression upregulated the expression of the PCSC marker CD133 in PC cells as the expression of self-renewal markers; namely, NANOG and OCT3/4 increased. In addition, JICD overexpression highly increased the expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-XL protein, while it little affected the expression of apoptotic BIM protein. In 3D cell culture assays, the spheres formed by JICD-overexpressing PC subline cells (C4-2 and CWR22Rv1) were larger than those formed by control (EV) subline cells with undifferentiated morphology. Although JICD overexpression caused quiescence in cell proliferation, it activated the expression of components in PCSC-related signaling pathways, increased PC cell mobility, and promoted in vivo xenograft mouse tumorigenesis. Therefore, JICD may play a crucial role in enhancing androgen independence and promoting stem-like properties in PC cells and should be considered a novel target for CRPC and PCSC diagnostic therapy.

Nuclear and Membrane Receptors for Sex Steroids Are Involved in the Regulation of Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 Proteins in Rodent Sertoli Cells

Delta/Serrate/LAG-2 (DSL) proteins, which serve as ligands for Notch receptors, mediate direct cell–cell interactions involved in the determination of cell fate and functioning. The present study aimed to explore the role of androgens and estrogens, and their receptors in the regulation of DSL proteins in Sertoli cells. To this end, primary rat Sertoli cells and TM4 Sertoli cell line were treated with either testosterone or 17β-estradiol and antagonists of their receptors. To confirm the role of particular receptors, knockdown experiments were performed. mRNA and protein expressions of Jagged1 (JAG1), Delta-like1 (DLL1), and Delta-like4 (DLL4) were analyzed using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Testosterone caused downregulation of JAG1 and DLL1 expression, acting through membrane androgen receptor ZRT- and Irt-like protein 9 (ZIP9) or nuclear androgen receptor (AR), respectively. DLL4 was stimulated by testosterone in the manner independent of AR and ZIP9 in Sertoli cells. The expression of all studied DSL proteins was upregulated by 17β-estradiol. Estrogen action on JAG1 and DLL1 was mediated chiefly via estrogen receptor α (ERα), while DLL4 was controlled via estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and membrane G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). To summarize, the co-operation of nuclear and membrane receptors for sex steroids controls DSL proteins in Sertoli cells, contributing to balanced Notch signaling activity in seminiferous epithelium.

Clinico-molecular diagnosis and characterization of bovine lumpy skin disease virus in Andhra Pradesh, India

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging transboundary disease in India. In the recent past, Andhra Pradesh is experiencing outbreaks of LSD in several pockets with a severe economic impact on the farming community. The affected animals showed nodular lesions all over the body in severely affected cases, whereas the lesions were confined to the face, neck, jowl, back, udder, and scrotum in less affected cases. Young ones are highly susceptible to the disease than adults. The mortality was found to be more in young ones than adult cattle which might be due to subsequent secondary bacterial complications. Clinical samples like blood, serum, and tissues were collected randomly from affected animals from four different pockets of Andhra Pradesh. The tissue samples gave positive amplification in PCR targeting LSDV fusion protein gene (ORF 117) and yielded 472 bp product. Another gene specifically targeting ORF036 of LSDV also gave amplification in tissue samples with a product size of 606 bp. The representative samples from four different regions were sequenced for ORF 117 and 036 genes. The phylogeny of the sequenced products of ORF 117 showed more similarity with Kenya Neethling 2490 strain and Russian isolates of 2019. In addition, the phylogeny of ORF 036 showed the path of entry of the virus into the country and also to Andhra Pradesh. The isolates showed similarity with the isolates of India (Odisha), Bangladesh, Russia, Egypt, and Kenya. These studies paved way for the future perspective of developing a vaccine to control the disease.

FOXA3, a Negative Regulator of Nur77 Expression and Activity in Testicular Steroidogenesis

Biosynthesis of testosterone occurs mainly in the testicular Leydig cells. Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor that is expressed in response to the luteinizing hormone/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (LH/cAMP) signaling pathway, is one of the key factors that regulate steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. The function of Nur77 is modulated through interaction with other proteins. FOXA3, a transcription factor that is crucial for male fertility, is also expressed in Leydig cells. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of FOXA3 in testicular steroidogenesis by focusing on its interaction with Nur77. LH/cAMP signaling induces the onset of steroidogenesis in Leydig cells but has a repressive effect on the expression of FOXA3. Overexpression of FOXA3 in MA-10 Leydig cells repressed cAMP-induced expression of Nur77 and its target steroidogenic genes (StAR, P450c17, and Hsd3β). Furthermore, FOXA3 suppressed Nur77 transactivation of the promoter of steroidogenic genes. In mouse primary Leydig cells, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of FOXA3 had similar effects and resulted in decreased production of testosterone. Taken together, these results suggest the role of FOXA3 in the regulation of steroidogenic genes in Leydig cells and fine-tuning steroidogenesis in the testis.