Osteomacs promote maintenance of murine hematopoiesis through megakaryocyte-induced upregulation of Embigin and CD166

Maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function in the niche is an orchestrated event. Osteomacs (OM) are key cellular components of the niche. Previously, we documented that osteoblasts, OM, and megakaryocytes interact to promote hematopoiesis. Here, we further characterize OM and identify megakaryocyte-induced mediators that augment the role of OM in the niche. Single-cell mRNA-seq, mass spectrometry, and CyTOF examination of megakaryocyte-stimulated OM suggested that upregulation of CD166 and Embigin on OM augment their hematopoiesis maintenance function. CD166 knockout OM or shRNA-Embigin knockdown OM confirmed that the loss of these molecules significantly reduced the ability of OM to augment the osteoblast-mediated hematopoietic-enhancing activity. Recombinant CD166 and Embigin partially substituted for OM function, characterizing both proteins as critical mediators of OM hematopoietic function. Our data identify Embigin and CD166 as OM-regulated critical components of HSC function in the niche and potential participants in various in vitro manipulations of stem cells.

Association and expression study of SEPW1 and JAML as preliminary candidate genes related to lamb odor and flavor

The current study aimed to identify the SEPW1 and JAML genes in lamb as candidate genes related to lamb odor and flavor. The polymorphism study showed that the SEPW1 gene was polymorphic at the BanI restriction site with three genotypes (AA, AG, and GG), whereas the JAML gene was monomorphic at HhaI with genotype (GG). The association of SEPW1 between genotype and lamb odor and flavor (BCFAs and skatole) was analyzed using GLM (General Linear Model). MNA (4-methylnonanoic) was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with lamb odor and flavor. AA genotype has a lower level of MNA than AG and GG, while MOA (4-methyloctanoic), EOA(4-ethyloctanoic), MI (3-methylindole) and MP (3-methylphenol) was not significantly associated with lamb odor and flavor (p > 0.05). Furthermore, to analyze the mRNA expression of SEPW1 in liver tissues, the lambs were divided into three groups based on the genotypes AA, AG, and GG, however, mRNA expression was not differentially expressed between AA, AG, and GG (p > 0.05). These results will enhance the understanding of the functions of SEPW1 gene relation to odor and flavor traits and will shed light on the polymorphism of SEPW1 gene in lamb as a candidate gene for reducing MNA in lamb.

Neonatal Osteomacs and Bone Marrow Macrophages Differ in Phenotypic Marker Expression and Function

Osteomacs (OM) are specialized bone-resident macrophages that are a component of the hematopoietic niche and support bone formation. Also located in the niche are a second subset of macrophages, namely bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM Mφ). We previously reported that a subpopulation of OM co-express both CD166 and CSF1R, the receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF), and that OM form more bone-resorbing osteoclasts than BM Mφ. Reported here are single-cell quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), mass cytometry (CyTOF), and marker-specific functional studies that further identify differences between OM and BM Mφ from neonatal C57Bl/6 mice. Although OM express higher levels of CSF1R and MCSF, they do not respond to MCSF-induced proliferation, in contrast to BM Mφ. Moreover, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), without the addition of MCSF, was sufficient to induce osteoclast formation in OM but not BM Mφ cultures. OM express higher levels of CD166 than BM Mφ, and we found that osteoclast formation by CD166^-/- OM was reduced compared with wild-type (WT) OM, whereas CD166^-/- BM Mφ showed enhanced osteoclast formation. CD110/c-Mpl, the receptor for thrombopoietin (TPO), was also higher in OM, but TPO did not alter OM-derived osteoclast formation, whereas TPO stimulated BM Mφ osteoclast formation. CyTOF analyses demonstrated OM uniquely co-express CD86 and CD206, markers of M1 and M2 polarized macrophages, respectively. OM performed equivalent phagocytosis in response to LPS or IL-4/IL-10, which induce polarization to M1 and M2 subtypes, respectively, whereas BM Mφ were less competent at phagocytosis when polarized to the M2 subtype. Moreover, in contrast to BM Mφ, LPS treatment of OM led to the upregulation of CD80, an M1 marker, as well as IL-10 and IL-6, known anti-inflammatory cytokines. Overall, these data reveal that OM and BM Mφ are distinct subgroups of macrophages, whose phenotypic and functional differences in proliferation, phagocytosis, and osteoclast formation may contribute physiological specificity during health and disease. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Genetic Variants of Milk Protein Genes and Their Association with Milk Components in Holstein Friesian Cattle

Protein content in milk is an important indicator of milk. Accordingly, genetic improvement to produce Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cattle is important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variant of milk protein genes and its effect on milk component traits of Holstein Friesian (HF). A total of 100 HF were used in this study. The HF cattle used have physiological status in the lactation period 1 up to 3 and lactation change of 1 up to 12 months. Genotype variants of milk protein genes were identified using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction method.  Analysis of milk component was carried out covering the component of protein, fat, lactose, and solid non-fat (SNF) by using a milk quality measuring device (Lactoscan). Genotyping of cattle blood samples consisted of DNA extraction, genes amplification using the RT-PCR method. The result showed that<strong> </strong>protein milk was significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) by the genetic variants of CSN1S1-192 and CSN2-67 genes. Fat milk was significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) by the genetic variants of CSN1S1-192 and CSN3 genes.  Meanwhile, solid non-fat milk was significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) by the genetic variants of CSN-BMC9215, CSN-BMC6334, CSN1S1-14618, CSN2_67, and CSN3 genes. Lactose milk was significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) by the genetic variants of CSN-BMC9215 and CSN2-67 genes. It was concluded that genetic variants of the milk protein genes have an association with the component of cow's milk (protein, fat, solid non-fat, and lactose).

Impact of intended and relative dose intensity of R-CHOP in a large, consecutive cohort of elderly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with curative intent: no difference in cumulative incidence of relapse comparing patients by age

BACKGROUND

The increasing incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in ageing populations places a significant burden on healthcare systems. Co-morbidity, frailty, and reduced organ and physiological reserve contribute to treatment-related complications. The optimal dose intensity of R-CHOP to optimize outcome across different ages with variable frailty and comorbidity burden is unclear.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

We examined the influence of intended (IDI) and relative (RDI) dose intensity of the combination of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, age and comorbidity on outcomes for DLBCL patients ≥70 years in a representative, consecutive cohort across eight UK centres (2009-2018). We determined predictors of survival using multivariable Cox regression, and predictors of recurrence before death using competing risks regression.

RESULTS

Porgression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly inferior in patients ≥80 vs. 70-79 years (P < 0.001). In contrast, 2-year cumulative relapse incidence, when accounting for non-relapse mortality as a competing risk, was no different between 70-79 vs. ≥80 years (P = 0.27) or comorbidity status (CIRS-G: 0-6 vs. >6) (P = 0.27). In 70-79 years, patients with an IDI ≥80% had a significantly improved PFS and OS (P < 0.001) compared to IDI < 80%. Conversely, in patients ≥80 years, there was no difference in PFS (P = 0.88) or OS (P = 0.75) according to IDI <80% vs. ≥80%. On multivariable analysis, when comparing by age, there was a significantly higher cumulative relapse rate for patients aged 70-79 years with an IDI <80% (vs. >80%) (P = 0.04) but not for patients ≥80 years comparing IDI (P = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

'R-mini-CHOP' provides adequate lymphoma-specific disease control and represents a reasonable treatment option in elderly patients ≥80 years aiming for cure.

Abstract 1753: Refining breast cancer characterization through single-cell analysis of ex vivo reprogrammed tumor and adjacent normal cells

Discovery of inter-individual functional variations in gene regulatory elements and the observation that tumor and normal tissues of the same organ are in different differentiation states necessitate rethinking of gene expression based subclassification/characterization of tumors. To address this issue, we performed single cell genomics of breast tumors and adjacent-normal cells propagated using epithelial reprogramming growth conditions for a short duration. Epithelial cells analyzed were either unselected for specific subpopulation or phenotypically defined undifferentiated ALDH+/CD49f+/EpCAM+ luminal progenitors present in the normal breast, which express both basal and luminal-enriched genes. Expression of 93 genes that included PAM50 intrinsic subtype classifier and stemness-related genes was analyzed in 420 tumor and 284 adjacent-normal cells. ALDH+/CD49f+/EpCAM+ tumor and normal cells clustered differently compared to unselected tumor and normal cells. PAM50 genes-set analyses of ALDH+/CD49f+/EpCAM+ populations efficiently identified major and minor clones of tumor cells with the major clone resembling clinical parameters of the tumor. Similarly, stemness-associated gene set identified clones with divergent stemness pathway activation within the same patient sample. This refined technique distinguished genes truly deregulated in cancer from genes that identify cellular precursors of tumors. Collectively, assays presented here may enable precise identification of genes deregulated in cancer, early identification of therapeutically-targetable minor population of tumor cells, and eventually to refinement of precision therapeutics.

Citation Format: Harikrishna Nakshatri, Manjushree Anjanappa, Angelo Cardoso, Lijun Cheng, Safa Mohamad, Andrea Gunawan, Susan Rice, Yan Dong, Lang Li, Edward Srour. Refining breast cancer characterization through single-cell analysis of ex vivo reprogrammed tumor and adjacent normal cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1753. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1753

Individualized Breast Cancer Characterization through Single-Cell Analysis of Tumor and Adjacent Normal Cells

There is a need to individualize assays for tumor molecular phenotyping, given variations in the differentiation status of tumor and normal tissues in different patients. To address this, we performed single-cell genomics of breast tumors and adjacent normal cells propagated for a short duration under growth conditions that enable epithelial reprogramming. Cells analyzed were either unselected for a specific subpopulation or phenotypically defined as undifferentiated and highly clonogenic ALDH⁺/CD49f⁺/EpCAM⁺ luminal progenitors, which express both basal cell and luminal cell-enriched genes. We analyzed 420 tumor cells and 284 adjacent normal cells for expression of 93 genes that included a PAM50-intrinsic subtype classifier and stemness-related genes. ALDH⁺/CD49f⁺/EpCAM⁺ tumor and normal cells clustered differently compared with unselected tumor and normal cells. PAM50 gene-set analyses of ALDH⁺/CD49f⁺/EpCAM⁺ populations efficiently identified major and minor clones of tumor cells, with the major clone resembling clinical parameters of the tumor. Similarly, a stemness-associated gene set identified clones with divergent stemness pathway activation within the same tumor. This refined expression profiling technique distinguished genes truly deregulated in cancer from genes that identify cellular precursors of tumors. Collectively, the assays presented here enable more precise identification of cancer-deregulated genes, allow for early identification of therapeutically targetable tumor cell subpopulations, and ultimately provide a refinement of precision therapeutics for cancer treatment. Cancer Res; 77(10); 2759-69. ©2017 AACR.

Investigation on association and expression of ESR2 as a candidate gene for boar sperm quality and fertility

ESR2 is involved in oestrogen-related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis but their effects have not yet confirmed in pig. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the association of ESR2 polymorphism with sperm quality and boar fertility traits and to analyse the ESR2 mRNA and protein expressions in boar reproductive tissues. DNA samples from 203 Pietrain (PI) and 100 Pietrain × Hampshire (PIHA) pigs with records of sperm quality [sperm concentration (SCON), motility (MOT), semen volume (VOL), plasma droplet rate (PDR) and abnormal spermatozoa rate (ASR)] and fertility [non-return rate (NRR) and number of piglet born alive (NBA)] traits were available. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A>G in exon 5 was associated with MOT and PDR in the PI and with SCON, VOL, MOT and PDR in PIHA population. For mRNA and protein expression study, a total of six boars were divided into two groups with group I (G-I) and group II (G-II) where G-I characterized for relatively a better sperm quality according to the mean of two groups. mRNA expression was higher in brain and testis than that in all parts of epididymis. Both qRT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that the ESR2 gene expression and protein expression were significantly higher in testis collected from G-II compared with that of G-I boars. Moreover, ESR2 protein localization in germ cell, Leydig and Sertoli cells, epithelial cells and spermatozoa was remarkable, which indicated the important role of ESR2 in spermatogenesis process. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.

Derivatives of salicylic acid as inhibitors of YopH in Yersinia pestis

Yersinia pestis causes diseases ranging from gastrointestinal syndromes to bubonic plague and could be misused as a biological weapon. As its protein tyrosine phosphatase YopH has already been demonstrated as a potential drug target, we have developed two series of forty salicylic acid derivatives and found sixteen to have micromolar inhibitory activity. We designed these ligands to have two chemical moieties connected by a flexible hydrocarbon linker to target two pockets in the active site of the protein to achieve binding affinity and selectivity. One moiety possessed the salicylic acid core intending to target the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket. The other moiety contained different chemical fragments meant to target a nearby secondary pocket. The two series of compounds differed by having hydrocarbon linkers with different lengths. Before experimental co-crystal structures are available, we have performed molecular docking to predict how these compounds might bind to the protein and to generate structural models for performing binding affinity calculation to aid future optimization of these series of compounds.

Aneurysm of the membranous septum causing outflow obstruction of the venous ventricle in corrected transposition of the great arteries

A 58 year-old man with clinical and hemodynamic evidence of subpulmonic stenosis was admitted to our hospital. Angiography revealed corrected transposition of the great arteries and an aneurysm of membranous ventricular septum (AVS) that protruded into the venous outflow tract, causing severe subpulmonic obstruction during systole. The diagnosis was confirmed at surgery, and successful repair of the aneurysm was performed. This was an unusual case because the AVS caused such severe obstruction that the venous ventricular pressure was elevated to a value equal to the systemic level.