Lactobacillus casei HY2782 and Pueraria lobata Root Extract Complex Ameliorates Particulate Matter-Induced Airway Inflammation in Mice by Inhibiting Th2 and Th17 Immune Responses

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus casei HY2782 and Pueraria lobata root extract complex (HY2782 complex) in mitigating airway inflammation resulting from exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) in an animal model. Chronic inflammatory airway disease is associated with Th2-related cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and Th17-related cytokine IL-17A, which are the major contributors to allergy and asthma. Results indicated that PM2.5 elevates allergen-related airway inflammation and respiratory hyperresponsiveness in C57BL/6 mice. The HY2782 complex significantly reduced Th2/Th17-derived cytokines IL-4, IL5, IL-13, and IL-17A; immunoglobulin E; and leukotriene C₄ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum. Furthermore, the HY2782 complex was associated with the modulation of oxidative stress-related genes. Administration of the HY2782 complex resulted in a markedly reduced number of neutrophils and eosinophil infiltration in BALF. Histopathological observation of lung tissue also showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration into airways and surrounding tissue. The HY2782 complex may be a promising candidate for the preventive therapy of allergic diseases and airway inflammation caused by PM2.5 inhalation.

The Impact of Gut Microbiome on the Pharmacokinetics of Ginsenosides Rd and Rg3 in Mice after Oral Administration of Red Ginseng

Ginsenosides of orally administered red ginseng (RG) extracts are metabolized and absorbed into blood. Here, we examined the pharmacokinetic profiles of ginsenosides Rd and Rg3 in mice orally gavaged with RG, then investigated the correlations between these and gut microbiota composition. RG water extract (RGw), RG ethanol extract (RGe), or fermented RGe (fRGe) was orally gavaged in mice. The plasma concentrations of the ginsenosides were determined, and the gut microbiota composition was analyzed. RGe and fRGe-treated mice showed higher plasma concentration levels of ginsenoside Rd compared with RGw-treated mice; particularly, ginsenoside Rd absorbed was substantially high in fRGe-treated mice. Oral administration of RG extracts modified the gut microbiota composition; the modified gut microbiota, such as Peptococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Hungateiclostridiaceae, were closely correlated with the absorption of ginsenosides, such as Rd and Rg3. These results suggest that oral administration of RG extracts can modify gut microbiome, which may consequently affect the bioavailability of RG ginsenosides.

[MUC4 Silencing Inhibits TGF-β1-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition VIA the ERK1/2 Pathway in Human Airway Epithelial NCI-H292 Cells]

MUC4 is a predominant membrane-tethered mucin lubricating and protecting the epithelial surface and playing various biological roles in the renewal and differentiation of epithelial cells, cell signaling, cell adhesion, and carcinogenesis. Interestingly, recent studies have demonstrated that MUC4 expression regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells in ovarian, pancreatic, and lung cancer. However, the effects of MUC4 expression on EMT in human airway epithelial cells are not yet well known. Here, we describe the effects of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced MUC4 expression on EMT and evaluate its downstream signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells. In human airway epithelial NCI-H292 cells, exposure to TGF-β1 induced expression of MUC4, CDH2, VIM and SNAI1 genes and encoded by them proteins, MUC4, N-cadherin, vimentin and Snail, and reduced the level of CDH1 and its product, E-cadherin. In MUC4-knockdown cells, TGF-β1-induced expression levels of MUC4, CDH2, VIM and SNAI1 and corresponding proteins were suppressed, but CDH1 and E-cadherin levels were not. In addition, TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was suppressed, but that of Smad2/3, Akt, and p38 was not. The results of this study suggest that MUC4 silencing inhibits TGF-β1 -induced EMT via the ERK1/2 pathway, and a possible role of MUC4 in the induction of EMT in human airway epithelial cells.

Fermented Red Ginseng Alleviates Ovalbumin-Induced Inflammation in Mice by Suppressing Interleukin-4 and Immunoglobulin E Expression

Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng Meyer) has been reported to have many biologic therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory properties, and ginsenosides are considered as one of the factors responsible for these therapeutic effects. To improve their therapeutic action, probiotic bacteria are used to ferment and chemically transform ginsenosides in red ginseng (RG). In this study, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of RG fermented by probiotic bacteria (FRG) against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in a mouse model. We induced the mouse model via OVA inhalation; experimental results revealed increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-4 levels, leading to Th2-type cytokine response. The mice with induced allergy were then orally administered RG and FRG over 2 weeks, as a result of which, IL-4 and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal fluid, and serum were found to be ameliorated more effectively by FRG than by RG, suggesting that FRG has better immune regulatory effects than RG. FRG also downregulated immune cell levels, such as those of eosinophils and basophils, and significantly decreased the thickness of OVA-induced respiratory epithelium compared to RG. Collectively, the results showed that FRG treatment alleviates inflammation, thereby extending a protective effect to mice with OVA-induced inflammatory allergic rhinitis.

Fipronil upregulates inflammatory cytokines and MUC5AC expression in human nasal epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Airway inflammation and excessive mucin production are pathophysiological characteristics of airway diseases. Fipronil, a pesticide, is being extensively used in agriculture and veterinary medicine worldwide. However, this compound impairs immune function in non-target organisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of fipronil on pro-inflammatory cytokine and mucus production and signalling pathways in human primary nasal METHODOLOGY: The effect of fipronil on pro-inflammatory cytokine and MUC5AC expression and the signalling pathway of fipronil were investigated using real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassays, immunofluorescence, and immunoblot analysis with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

Fipronil treatment increased pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and MUC5AC expression in human primary nasal epithelial cells. It also induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB). MAPK and NF-kB inhibitor treatment significantly inhibited increases in IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and MUC5AC expression. Ex vivo data confirmed that fipronil-induced MUC5AC expression occurs through ERK1/2, p38, and NF-kB signalling pathways in nasal inferior turbinate tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Fipronil induced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and MUC5AC expression via ERK1/2 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kB in human primary nasal epithelial cells.

Gastroprotective Effects of Cudrania tricuspidata Leaf Extracts by Suppressing Gastric cAMP and Increasing Gastric Mucins

Cudrania tricuspidata has been used as an East Asian folk remedy to treat various symptoms. Recently, scientific evidence of the efficacy of C. tricuspidata has emerged. The objective of this study was to elucidate protective role of C. tricuspidata in the gastric mucosa using pylorus-ligated Sprague-Dawley rats and primary parietal cells. C. tricuspidata ethanol extracts attenuated gastric mucosal damage, secretion, and juice acidity in pylorus-ligated rats; however, it did not affect expression of gastric acid-related genes [muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 receptor (M3R), histamine H2-receptors (H2R), and cholecystokinin-2/gastrin receptors (CCK2R)] or serum gastrin concentrations. Furthermore, extracts greatly reduced levels of gastric cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and significantly increased mRNA levels of gastric-type mucins (MUC5AC and MUC6). To identify the mode of action of C. tricuspidata extract in regulating gastric acid secretion, intracellular cAMP and mRNA for H2R, M3R, and CCK2R were measured in primary parietal cells. mRNA levels of H2R, M3R, and CCK2R did not significantly differ following treatment with C. tricuspidata extract, whereas cAMP induced by the H2R-specific agonist was significantly decreased. C. tricuspidata may therefore reduce gastric acid secretion by inhibiting H2R activity rather than regulating mRNA expression. These finding suggest that ethanol extracts of C. tricuspidata inhibit H2R-related gastric acid secretion and increase gastric mucus to help prevent gastric mucosal damage. Therefore, C. tricuspidata extract has potential to be used in foods and medicines to prevent diseases related to gastric mucosal damage, such as gastritis and functional dyspepsia.

Regulatory effects of Lactobacillus plantarum HY7714 on skin health by improving intestinal condition

Despite increasing research on the gut-skin axis, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the improvement of skin health through the regulation of the intestinal condition in humans. In this study, we investigated the benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum HY7714 (HY7714) consumption on skin health through its modulatory effects on the intestine and ensuing immune responses. HY7714 consumption led to differences in bacterial abundances from phylum to genus level, including increases in Actinobacteria followed by Bifidobacterium and a decrease in Proteobacteria. Additionally, HY7714 significantly ameliorated inflammation by reducing matrix metallopeptidases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), zonulin, and calprotectin in plasma, all of which are related to skin and intestinal permeability. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed its efficacy at restoring the integrity of the gut barrier by regulating gene expression associated with the extracellular matrix and immunity. This was evident by the upregulation of IGFBP5, SERPINE1, EFEMP1, COL6A3, and SEMA3B and downregulation of MT2A, MT1E, MT1X, MT1G, and MT1F between TNF- α and TNF- α plus HY7714 treated Caco-2 cells. These results propose the potential mechanistic role of HY7714 on skin health by the regulation of the gut condition.

Cyclized Oligopeptide Targeting LRP5/6-DKK1 Interaction Reduces the Growth of Tumor Burden in a Multiple Myeloma Mouse Model

PURPOSE

Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) has been extensively investigated in mouse models of multiple myeloma, which results in osteolytic bone lesions. Elevated DKK1 levels in bone marrow plasma and serum inhibit the differentiation of osteoblast precursors. Present pharmaceutical approaches to target bone lesions are limited to antiresorptive agents. In this study, we developed a cyclized oligopeptide against DKK1-low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 5/6 interaction and tested the effects of the oligopeptide on tumor burden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cyclized oligopeptide based on DKK1-LRP5/6 interactions was synthesized chemically, and its nuclear magnetic resonance structure was assessed. Luciferase reporter assay and mRNA expressions of osteoblast markers were evaluated after oligopeptide treatment. MOPC315.BM.Luc cells were injected into the tail vein of mice, after which cyclized oligopeptide was delivered subcutaneously 6 days a week for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The cyclized oligopeptide containing NXI motif bound to the E1 domain of LRP5/6 effectively on surface plasmon resonance analysis. It abrogated the Wnt-β-catenin signaling inhibited by DKK1, but not by sclerostin, dose dependently. RT-PCR and alkaline phosphatase staining showed increased expressions of osteoblast markers according to the treatment concentrations. Bioluminescence images showed that the treatment of cyclized oligopeptide reduced tumor burden more in oligopeptide treated group than in the vehicle group.

CONCLUSION

The cyclized oligopeptide reported here may be another option for the treatment of tumor burden in multiple myeloma.

A Novel Human PTH Analog [Cys25]hPTH(1-34) Restores Bone Mass in Ovariectomized Mice

CONTEXT

Recently, an arginine-to-cysteine homozygous mutation at position 25 in mature PTH was reported in a Korean patient with hypoparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether the high bone mass phenotype observed in this patient was related to the hypoparathyroidism itself or to chronic elevation of mutant PTH.

METHODS

A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed in MC3T3E1, ROS 17/2.8, and SAOS2 cells treated with human (h)PTH(1-34), Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34), Ala¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34), and Bpa¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34). The peptides were then sc delivered to ovariectomized mice as daily single injections.

RESULTS

Compared with hPTH(1-34) and Ala¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34), treatment with Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) or Bpa¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) resulted in decreases in the cAMP response and promoter-cAMP-response element luciferase reporter activity. Although the cAMP response was sustained with hPTH(1-34) in MC3T3E1 cells, such response was not observed with the other mutated peptides. Meanwhile, all PTH analogues exhibited ERK phosphorylation and cytoplasmic Ca⁺⁺ signals comparable with hPTH(1-34). On microcomputed tomography analyses, trabecular and cortical bone parameters improved after 6 weeks of respective treatments as follows: hPTH(1-34) (80 μg/kg) = Ala¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) (80 μg/kg) = Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) (80 μg/kg) > Bpa¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) (80 μg/kg) > hPTH(1-34) (40 μg/kg). The increment of RANKL to OPG mRNA ratio in the MC3T3E1 cells after 6 hours of treatment of Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34), AL¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34), and Bpa¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) was less than that was obtained after hPTH(1-34) treatment. On bone histomorphometric analysis, AL¹Cys²⁵hPTH(1-34) increased the bone formation rate in both trabecular and periosteal bones compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

The high bone mass phenotype observed in this patient with hypoparathyrodism caused by a Cys mutation at the 25th residue of hPTH(1-84) may have arisen from both direct and indirect effects exerted by the mutant PTH itself on bone.

Wntless regulates dentin apposition and root elongation in the mandibular molar

Wnt signaling plays an essential role in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme during tooth morphogenesis. However, it remains unclear if Wnt ligands, produced from dental mesenchyme, are necessary for odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. Here, we show that odontoblast-specific disruption of Wntless (Wls), a chaperon protein that regulates Wnt sorting and secretion, leads to severe defects in dentin formation and root elongation. Dentin thickness decreased remarkably and pulp chambers enlarged in the mandibular molars of OC-Cre;Wls(CO/CO) mice. Although the initial odontoblast differentiation was normal in the mutant crown, odontoblasts became cuboidal and dentin thickness was reduced. In immunohistochemistry, Wnt10a, β-catenin, type I collagen, and dentin sialoprotein were significantly down-regulated in the odontoblasts of mutant crown. In addition, roots were short and root canals were widened. Cell proliferation was reduced in the developing root apex of mutant molars. Furthermore, Wnt10a and Axin2 expression was remarkably decreased in the odontoblasts of mutant roots. Deletion of the Wls gene in odontoblasts appears to reduce canonical Wnt activity, leading to inhibition of odontoblast maturation and root elongation.

Osterix regulates tooth root formation in a site-specific manner

Bone and dentin share similar biochemical compositions and physiological properties. Dentin, a major tooth component, is formed by odontoblasts; in contrast, bone is produced by osteoblasts. Osterix (Osx), a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, has been identified as an essential regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However, it has been difficult to establish whether Osx functions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. To understand the role of Osx in dentin formation, we analyzed mice in which Osx was subjected to tissue-specific ablation under the control of either the Col1a1 or the OC promoter. Two independent Osx conditional knockout mice exhibited similar molar abnormalities. Although no phenotype was found in the crowns of these teeth, both mutant lines exhibited short molar roots due to impaired root elongation. Furthermore, the interradicular dentin in these mice showed severe hypoplastic features, which were likely caused by disruptions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. These phenotypes were closely related to the temporospatial expression pattern of Osx during tooth development. These findings indicate that Osx is required for root formation by regulating odontoblast differentiation, maturation, and root elongation. Cumulatively, our data strongly indicate that Osx is a site-specific regulator in tooth root formation.

Development of a droplet-vitrification protocol for cryopreservation of Rubia akane (Nakai) hairy roots using a systematic approach

A systematic approach using a set of 13 treatments was applied to develop a droplet-vitrification protocol for Rubia akane hairy roots, based on their responses to preculture, loading, dehydration and cooling/rewarming steps. The roots were very sensitive to osmotic stress induced by both preculture in liquid sucrose-enriched medium (up to 0.5 M sucrose) and by dehydration with highly concentrated vitrification solutions (VSs). Loading was necessary before dehydration of explants with VS, and the composition of the loading solution (LS) significantly affected their post-cryopreservation regeneration. Due to high sensitivity of roots to both chemical cytotoxicity and osmotic stress produced by VSs, cryoprotection with alternative VSs, i.e. B5-80 percent (40 percent glycerol + 40 percent sucrose, w/v) at room temperature for 15 min or with A3-70 percent (29.2 percent glycerol + 11.7 percent DMSO + 11.7 percent EG + 17.4 percent sucrose, w/v) at 0 degree C for 20 min ensured the highest post-cryopreservation regeneration. However, when using these solutions, endothermic peaks (enthalpies) with -2.9 and -5.8 J per gram fresh weight, respectively, were recorded by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) during the rewarming phase. Droplet-vitrification using foil strips showed higher post-cryopreservation regeneration (86 percent) compared with vitrification in cryovials (59 percent), possibly due to the higher cooling and rewarming rates achieved with droplet-vitrification. The developed protocol was applied to hairy roots of five other species with minor modifications in explant type, the duration of the last subculture before explant excision, and the dehydration duration with VS B5-80 percent.

Excessive Wnt/β-catenin signaling disturbs tooth-root formation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling plays an essential role in cellular differentiation and matrix formation during skeletal development. However, little is known about its role in tooth-root formation. In a previous study, we found excessive formation of dentin and cementum in mice with constitutive β-catenin stabilization in the dental mesenchyme. In the present study we analyzed the molar roots of these mice to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in root formation in more detail.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We generated OC-Cre:Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) mice by intercrossing Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) and OC-Cre mice, and we analyzed their mandibular molars using radiography, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

OC-Cre:Catnb(+/lox(ex3)) mice showed impaired root formation. At the beginning of root formation in mutant molars, dental papilla cells did not show normal differentiation into odontoblasts; rather, they were prematurely differentiated and had a disorganized arrangement. Interestingly, SMAD family member 4 was upregulated in premature odontoblasts. In 4-wk-old mutant mice, molar roots were about half the length of those in their wild-type littermates. In contrast to excessively formed dentin in crown, root dentin was thin and hypomineralized in mutant mice. Biglycan and dentin sialophosphoprotein were downregulated in root dentin of mutant mice, whereas dentin matrix protein 1 and Dickkopf-related protein 1 were upregulated. Additionally, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 was significantly downregulated in the cementoblasts of mutant molars. Finally, in the cementum of mutant mice, bone sialoprotein was downregulated but Dickkopf-related protein 2 was upregulated.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that temporospatial regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in cell differentiation and matrix formation during root and cementum formation.

Genetic variation of Hoplolaimus columbus populations in the United States using PCR-RFLP analysis of nuclear rDNA ITS regions

Hoplolaimus columbus is an important nematode pest which causes economic loss of crops including corn, cotton, and soybean in the Southeastern United States. DNA sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA from H. columbus were aligned and analyzed to characterize intraspecific genetic variation between eleven populations collected from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In comparative sequence analysis with clones from either one or two individuals obtained from the eleven populations, we found variability existed among clones from an individual and that clonal diversity observed from within individuals was verified by PCR-RFLP. PCR-RFLP analysis with Rsa I and Msp I restriction enzymes yielded several fragments on 3.0% agarose gel that corresponded to different haplotypes in all populations and the sum of digested products exceeded the length of undigested PCR products, which revealed that ITS heterogeneity existed in a genome of H. columbus. This indicates that heterogeneity may play a role in the evolution of this parthenogenetic species.

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Hoplolaiminae Inferred from Combined D2 and D3 Expansion Segments of 28S rDNA

DNA sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S gene of ribosomal DNA from 23 taxa of the subfamily Hoplolaiminae were obtained and aligned to infer phylogenetic relationships. The D2 and D3 expansion regions are G-C rich (59.2%), with up to 20.7% genetic divergence between Scutellonema brachyurum and Hoplolaimus concaudajuvencus. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony was conducted using the D2-D3 sequence data. Of 558 characters, 254 characters (45.5%) were variable and 198 characters (35.4%) were parsimony informative. All phylogenetic methods produced a similar topology with two distinct clades: One clade consists of all Hoplolaimus species while the other clade consists of the rest of the studied Hoplolaiminae genera. This result suggests that Hoplolaimus is monophyletic. Another clade consisted of Aorolaimus, Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchus, and Scutellonema species. Phylogenetic analysis using the outgroup species Globodera rostocheinsis suggests that Hoplolaiminae is paraphyletic. In this study, the D2-D3 region had levels of DNA sequence divergence sufficient for phylogenetic analysis and delimiting species of Hoplolaiminae.