GLCCI1 Deficiency Induces Glucocorticoid Resistance via the Competitive Binding of IRF1:GRIP1 and IRF3:GRIP1 in Asthma

The GLCCI1/STAT3 pathway: a novel pathway involved in diabetic cognitive dysfunction and the therapeutic effect of salidroside

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) is a complication of diabetes that seriously affects quality of life. Glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) has been found to be involved in inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in various diseases. However, the distribution of GLCCI1 in the brain and its role in DCD have not yet been revealed. In addition, the potential therapeutics effects of salidroside (SAL), a phenyl propyl glycoside compound known for its neuroprotective effects in treating DCD are unknow. In the present study, we found that GLCCI1 was localized in hippocampal neurons. C57BL/6 J mice with DCD presented downregulation of GLCCI1 and Bcl-2 and upregulation of p-STAT3/STAT3, Bax, Cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3. Overexpression of GLCCI1 or SAL administration relieved DCD, reversed the changes in the expression of these cytokines, and alleviated morphological alterations in hippocampal neurons. Interestingly, SAL alleviated DCD and attenuated the expression of GLCCI1 and p-STAT3, showing similar effects as GLCCI1 overexpression. These findings suggest that the GLCCI1/STAT3 axis plays a crucial role in DCD and is involved in SAL-mediated attenuation of DCD.

Involvement of ERK and Oxidative Stress in Airway Exposure to Cadmium Chloride Aggravates Airway Inflammation in Ovalbumin-Induced Asthmatic Mice

Inhalation represents a significant route of cadmium (Cd) exposure, which is associated with an elevated risk of lung diseases. This research study aims to evaluate the impact of repeated low-dose cadmium inhalation on exacerbating airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in asthma-afflicted mice. Mice were grouped into four categories: control (Ctrl), OVA, cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and OVA + cadmium chloride (OVA + CdCl2). Mice in the OVA group displayed increased airway mucus secretion and peribronchial and airway inflammation characterized by eosinophil cell infiltration, along with elevated levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs). These parameters were further exacerbated in the OVA + CdCl2 group. Additionally, the OVA + CdCl2 group exhibited higher levels of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), greater activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and higher phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) in lung tissue. Treatment with U0126 (an ERK inhibitor) and α-tocopherol (an antioxidant) in the OVA + CdCl2 group resulted in reduced peribronchial and airway inflammation as well as decreased airway mucus secretion. These findings indicate that CdCl2 exacerbates airway inflammation in OVA-induced allergic asthma mice following airway exposure. ERK and oxidative stress are integral to this process, and the inhibition of these pathways significantly alleviates the adverse effects of CdCl2 on asthma exacerbation.

Interaction between birth characteristics and CRHR1, MC2R, NR3C1, GLCCI1 variants in the childhood lymphoblastic leukemia risk

Background

The incidence rate of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) differs worldwide, and the interplay between hemostasis actors and the maladaptive responses to environmental exposures has been explored. It has been proposed that endogenous cortisol, induced by different triggers, would eliminate pre-leukemic clones originated in utero. Herein, we tested if the interaction between CRHR1rs242941 C>A, MC2Rrs1893219 A>G, NR3C1rs41423247 G>C, and GLCCI1rs37972 C>T (players in glucocorticoid secretion) and birth characteristics would be associated with ALL risk.

Methods

Children aged <10 years were enrolled within the EMiLI project (period: 2012 to 2020). The study had three steps: (1) observational analysis of birth characteristics (n = 533 cases and 1,603 controls); (2) genotyping to identify single-nucleotide variants (n = 756 cases and 431 controls); and (3) case-only to test gene-environment interactions (n = 402 cases). Genetic syndromes were exclusion criteria. The controls were healthy children. The distribution of the variables was assessed through Pearson's chi-square test. Logistic regression (LR) tests were run fitted and adjusted for selected covariate models to estimate the association risk. Formal interaction analysis was also performed. Genotyping was tested by qPCR with TaqMan probes (NR3C1) or by high-resolution melting (MC2R and GLCCI1). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was accessed by the chi-square test. The genotype-risk association was tested in co-dominant, dominant, and recessive models. The gene-environment interaction odds ratio (iOR) was assessed in case-only.

Results

Low birthweight, C-section, and low maternal schooling were associated with increased risk for ALL, adjOR 2.11, 95% CI, 1.02-4.33; adjOR 1.59, 95% CI, 1.16-2.17; and adjOR 3.78, 95% CI, 2.47-5.83, respectively, in a multiple logistic regression model. MC2R rs1893219 A>G was negatively associated with ALL (AG: OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.50-0.94 and GG: OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.42-0.85), while for GLCCI1 rs37972 C>T, TT was positively associated with ALL (OR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.21-3.00). The combination of genotypes for MC2R (AA) and GLCCI1 (TT) increased ALL risk (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.16-5.87). In a multiplicative interaction, MC2R rs1893219 A>G was associated with children whose mothers had less than 9 years of schooling (iOR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.11-1.55).

Conclusion

Our study has demonstrated a significant association between MC2R rs1893219 A>G (reduced risk) and GLCCI1 rs37972 C>T variants (increased risk) and childhood ALL susceptibility. Based on this evidence, genes controlling the HPA axis activity may play a role in leukemogenesis, and further investigation is needed to substantiate our findings.

Insights from the protein interaction Universe of the multifunctional "Goldilocks" kinase DYRK1A

Human Dual specificity tyrosine (Y)-Regulated Kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is encoded by a dosage-dependent gene located in the Down syndrome critical region of human chromosome 21. The known substrates of DYRK1A include proteins involved in transcription, cell cycle control, DNA repair and other processes. However, the function and regulation of this kinase is not fully understood, and the current knowledge does not fully explain the dosage-dependent function of this kinase. Several recent proteomic studies identified DYRK1A interacting proteins in several human cell lines. Interestingly, several of known protein substrates of DYRK1A were undetectable in these studies, likely due to a transient nature of the kinase-substrate interaction. It is possible that the stronger-binding DYRK1A interacting proteins, many of which are poorly characterized, are involved in regulatory functions by recruiting DYRK1A to the specific subcellular compartments or distinct signaling pathways. Better understanding of these DYRK1A-interacting proteins could help to decode the cellular processes regulated by this important protein kinase during embryonic development and in the adult organism. Here, we review the current knowledge of the biochemical and functional characterization of the DYRK1A protein-protein interaction network and discuss its involvement in human disease.

Screening marker genes of type 2 diabetes mellitus in mouse lacrimal gland by LASSO regression

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance and a relative deficiency of insulin. This study aims to screen T2DM-related maker genes in the mouse extraorbital lacrimal gland (ELG) by LASSO regression.C57BLKS/J strain with leptin db/db homozygous mice (T2DM, n = 20) and wild-type mice (WT, n = 20) were used to collect data. The ELGs were collected for RNA sequencing. LASSO regression was conducted to screen marker genes with the training set. Five genes were selected from 689 differentially expressed genes by LASSO regression, including Synm, Elovl6, Glcci1, Tnks and Ptprt. Expression of Synm was downregulated in ELGs of T2DM mice. Elovl6, Glcci1, Tnks, and Ptprt were upregulated in T2DM mice. Area under receiver operating curve of the LASSO model was 1.000(1.000-1.000) and 0.980(0.929-1.000) in the training set and the test set, respectively. The C-index and the robust C-index of the LASSO model were 1.000 and 0.999, respectively, in the training set, and 1.000 and 0.978, respectively, in the test set. In the lacrimal gland of db/db mice, Synm, Elovl6, Glcci1, Tnks and Ptprt can be used as marker genes of T2DM. Abnormal expression of marker genes is related to lacrimal gland atrophy and dry eye in mice.