Rapid formed temperature-sensitive hydrogel for the multi-effective wound healing of deep second-degree burn with shikonin based scar prevention

Burns are a significant public health issue worldwide, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, disfigurement, disability and, in severe cases, death. Among them, deep second-degree burns are often accompanied by bacterial infections, insufficient blood flow, excessive skin fibroblasts proliferation and collagen deposition, all of which contribute to poor wound healing and scarring following recovery. In this study, SNP/MCNs-SKN-chitosan-β-glycerophosphate hydrogel (MSSH), a hydrogel composed of a temperature-sensitive chitosan-β-glycerophosphate hydrogel matrix (CGH), mesoporous carbon nanospheres (MCNs), nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and anti-scarring substance shikonin (SKN), is intended for use as a biomedical material. In vitro tests have revealed that MSSH has broad-spectrum antibacterial abilities and releases NO in response to near-infrared (NIR) laser to promote angiogenesis. Notably, MSSH can inhibit excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and effectively reduce scarring caused by deep second-degree burns, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo tests.

Establishment of a hydrodynamic delivery system in ducks

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant global health challenge as it can lead to acute or chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To establish a safety experimental model, a homolog of HBV-duck HBV (DHBV) is often used for HBV research. Hydrodynamic-based gene delivery (HGD) is an efficient method to introduce exogenous genes into the liver, making it suitable for basic research. In this study, a duck HGD system was first constructed by injecting the reporter plasmid pLIVE-SEAP via the ankle vein. The highest expression of SEAP occurred when ducks were injected with 5 µg/mL plasmid pLIVE-SEAP in 10% bodyweight volume of physiological saline for 6 s. To verify the distribution and expression of exogenous genes in multiple tissues, the relative level of foreign gene DNA and β-galactosidase staining of LacZ were evaluated, which showed the plasmids and their products were located mainly in the liver. Additionally, β-galactosidase staining and fluorescence imaging indicated the delivered exogenous genes could be expressed in a short time. Further, the application of the duck HGD model on DHBV treatment was investigated by transferring representative anti-HBV genes IFNα and IFNγ into DHBV-infected ducks. Delivery of plasmids expressing IFNα and IFNγ inhibited DHBV infection and we established a novel efficient HGD method in ducks, which could be useful for drug screening of new genes, mRNAs and proteins for anti-HBV treatment.

Traditional Scraping (Gua Sha) Combined with Copper-Curcumin Nanoparticle Oleogel for Accurate and Multi-Effective Therapy of Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent systemic disease caused by diverse factors, for which effective treatments are currently limited. Herein, the oleogel (OG) containing copper-curcumin (CuR) nanoparticles is developed, designated as CuRG, which is also combined with traditional naturopathic scraping (Gua Sha, SCR) as a multifunctional therapy for AGA. With the assistance of lipophilic OG and SCR, CuR can efficaciously penetrate the epidermal and dermal regions where most hair follicles (HFs) reside, thereby releasing curcumin (CR) and copper ions (Cu2+) subcutaneously to facilitate hair regeneration. Concomitantly, the mechanical stimulation induced by SCR promotes the formation of new blood vessels, which is conducive to reshaping the microenvironment of HFs. This study validates that the combination of CuRG and SCR is capable of systematically interfering with different pathological processes, ranging from improvement of perifollicular microenvironment (oxidative stress and insufficient vascularization), regulation of inflammatory responses to degradation of androgen receptor, thus potentiating hair growth. Compared with minoxidil, a widely used clinical drug for AGA therapy, the designed synergistic system displays augmented hair regeneration in the AGA mouse model.

Characterization and profiling of the microRNA in small extracellular vesicles isolated from goat milk samples collected during the first week postpartum

Colostrum contains nutrients, immunoglobulins, and various bioactive compounds such as microRNA (miRNA). Less is known about the temporal changes in miRNA profiles in ruminant milk samples during the first week postpartum. In this study, we characterized and compared the profiles of miRNA in the small extracellular vesicles (sEV) isolated from colostrum (CM, collected immediately after parturition, n = 8) and transition milk (TM, collected 7 d postpartum, n = 8) from eight 1-yr-old Guanzhong dairy goats with a milk yield of approximately 500 kg/year. A total of 192 unique sEV-associated miRNA (transcripts per million >1 at least 4 samples in either CM or TM) were identified in all samples. There were 29 miRNA uniquely identified in the TM samples while no miRNA was uniquely identified in the CM samples. The abundance of the top 10 miRNA accounted for 82.4% ± 4.0% (± SD) of the total abundance, with let-7 families (e.g., let-7a/b/c-5p) being predominant in all samples. The top 10 miRNA were predicted to target 1,008 unique genes that may regulate pathways such as focal adhesion, TGF-β signaling, and axon guidance. The expression patterns of EV miRNA were similar between the 2 sample groups, although the abundance of let-7c-5p and miR-30a-3p was higher, whereas that of let-7i-5p and miR-103-3p was lower in CM than in TM. In conclusion, the core miRNAome identified in the samples from CM and TM may play an important role in cell proliferation, bone homeostasis, and neuronal network formation in newborn goat kids. The lack of differential miRNA expression between the CM and TM samples may be due to a relatively short sampling interval in which diet composition, intake and health status of ewes, and environment were relatively stable.

An integrated mRNA-lncRNA signature for overall survival prediction in cholangiocarcinoma

The combination of mRNA and lncRNA profiles for establishing an integrated mRNA-lncRNA prognostic signature has remained unexplored in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients. We utilized a training dataset of 36 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and a validation cohort (GSE107943) of 30 samples from Gene Expression Omnibus. Two mRNAs (CFHR3 and PIWIL4) and 2 lncRNAs (AC007285.1 and AC134682.1) were identified to construct the integrated signature through a univariate Cox regression (P-value = 1.35E-02) and a multivariable Cox analysis (P-value = 3.07E-02). Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients with low risk scores had notably prolonged overall survival than those with high risk scores (P-value = 4.61E-03). Subsequently, the signature was validated in GSE107943 cohort with an area under the curve of 0.750 at 1-year and 0.729 at 3-year. The signature was not only independent from diverse clinical features (P-value = 3.07E-02), but also surpassed other clinical characteristics as prognostic biomarkers with area under the curve of 0.781 at 3-year. Moreover, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis and gene enrichment analyses found that the integrated signature were associated with metabolic-related biological process and lipid metabolism pathway, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CCA. Taken together, we developed an integrated mRNA-lncRNA signature that had an independent prognostic value in the risk stratification of patients with CCA.

Hair Derived Microneedle Patches for Both Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention and Healing

The large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by high glucose metabolism in diabetic patients not only induces inflammation but also damages blood vessels, finally resulting in low limb temperature, and the high glucose environment in diabetic patients also makes them susceptible to bacterial infection. Therefore, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) usually presents as a nonhealing wound. To efficaciously prevent and treat DFU, we proposed a near-infrared (NIR) responsive microneedle (MN) patch hierarchical microparticle (HMP)-ZnO-MN-vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (H-Z-MN-VEGF&bFGF), which could deliver drugs to the limbs painlessly, accurately, and controllably under NIR irradiation. Therein, the hair-derived HMPs exhibited the capacity of scavenging ROS, thereby preventing damage to the blood vessels. Meanwhile, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles endowed the MN patch with excellent antibacterial activity which could be further enhanced with the photothermal effect of HMPs under NIR irradiation. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor could promote the angiogenesis. A series of experiments proved that the MN patch exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-inflammatory capacities. In vivo, it obviously increased the temperature of fingertips in diabetic rats as well as promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis during wound healing. In conclusion, this therapeutic platform provides a promising method for the prevention and treatment of DFU.

Remediation of ABCG5-Linked Macrothrombocytopenia With Ezetimibe Therapy

To investigate refractory hypercholesterolemia, a female patient and relatives were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The proband was found to have compound heterozygous substitutions p. Arg446Gln and c.1118+3G>T in ABCG5, one of two genes causing sitosterolemia. When tracing these variants in the full pedigree, all maternally related heterozygotes for the intronic ABCG5 variant exhibited large platelets (over 30 fl), which segregated in an autosomal dominant manner, consistent with macrothrombocytopenia, or large platelet syndrome which may be associated with a bleeding tendency. In vitro cell-line and in vivo rat model experiments supported a pathogenic role for the variant and the macrothrombocytopenia was recapitulated in heterozygous rats and human cell lines exhibiting that single variant. Ezetimibe treatment successfully ameliorated all the symptoms of the proband with sitosterolemia and resolved the macrothrombocytopenia of the treated heterozygote relatives. Subsequently, in follow up these observations, platelet size, and size distribution were measured in 1,180 individuals; 30 were found to be clinically abnormal, three of which carried a single known pathogenic ABCG5 variant (p.Arg446Ter) and two individuals carried novel ABCG5 variants of uncertain significance. In this study, we discovered that identification of large platelets and therefore a possible macrothrombocytopenia diagnosis could easily be inadvertently missed in clinical practice due to variable instrument settings. These findings suggest that ABCG5 heterozygosity may cause macrothrombocytopenia, that Ezetimibe treatment may resolve macrothrombocytopenia in such individuals, and that increased attention to platelet size on complete blood counts can aid in the identification of candidates for ABCG5 genetic testing who might benefit from Ezetimibe treatment.

CARMN Is an Evolutionarily Conserved Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific LncRNA That Maintains Contractile Phenotype by Binding Myocardin

BACKGROUND

Vascular homeostasis is maintained by the differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The landscape of protein coding genes comprising the transcriptome of differentiated VSMCs has been intensively investigated but many gaps remain including the emerging roles of noncoding genes.

METHODS

We reanalyzed large-scale, publicly available bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from multiple tissues and cell types to identify VSMC-enriched long noncoding RNAs. The in vivo expression pattern of a novel smooth muscle cell (SMC)-expressed long noncoding RNA, Carmn (cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA), was investigated using a novel Carmn green fluorescent protein knock-in reporter mouse model. Bioinformatics and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to assess CARMN expression changes during VSMC phenotypic modulation in human and murine vascular disease models. In vitro, functional assays were performed by knocking down CARMN with antisense oligonucleotides and overexpressing Carmn by adenovirus in human coronary artery SMCs. Carotid artery injury was performed in SMC-specific Carmn knockout mice to assess neointima formation and the therapeutic potential of reversing CARMN loss was tested in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The molecular mechanisms underlying CARMN function were investigated using RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS

We identified CARMN, which was initially annotated as the host gene of the MIR143/145 cluster and recently reported to play a role in cardiac differentiation, as a highly abundant and conserved, SMC-specific long noncoding RNA. Analysis of the Carmn GFP knock-in mouse model confirmed that Carmn is transiently expressed in embryonic cardiomyocytes and thereafter becomes restricted to SMCs. We also found that Carmn is transcribed independently of Mir143/145. CARMN expression is dramatically decreased by vascular disease in humans and murine models and regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in vitro. In vivo, SMC-specific deletion of Carmn significantly exacerbated, whereas overexpression of Carmn markedly attenuated, injury-induced neointima formation in mouse and rat, respectively. Mechanistically, we found that Carmn physically binds to the key transcriptional cofactor myocardin, facilitating its activity and thereby maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

CARMN is an evolutionarily conserved SMC-specific long noncoding RNA with a previously unappreciated role in maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs and is the first noncoding RNA discovered to interact with myocardin.

A carbonized wormwood modified photothermal microneedle patch for the repair of damaged skeletal muscles

In this study, we aimed to achieve an efficient repair of damaged skeletal muscles using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) soluble microneedle patches (MNP) loaded with carbonized wormwood and prostaglandin E2 (inflammatory factors). The introduction of carbonized wormwood imparted the MNP with near-infrared light heating characteristics that improved the efficiency of prostaglandin E2 delivery while also promoting circulation in the damaged muscle area. Our experimental results showed that, compared with the classical moxibustion treatment, the system could more quickly restore muscle strength and the cross-sectional area of muscle bundle fibers in a mouse model of muscular injury. In addition, it could also successfully induce the proliferation and differentiation of muscle stem cells to effectively repair injured muscle tissues. Above all, this light-controlled photothermal MN (microneedle) drug-delivery system avoided the common problems of traditional moxibustion such as large levels of smoke, slow efficacy and risk of scalding. Collectively, we put forward a safe, accurate and efficient approach for skeletal muscle damage treatment using carbonized wormwood.

A versatile and low-toxicity material for photothermal therapy in deeper tissues

The limited depth of the near infrared (NIR) response is one of the major flaws of the present photothermal therapy (PTT). In this article, thermosensitive polyurethane urea (TPUU) was synthesized by polymerization. Subsequent experiments showed that, compared with classical photosensitizers, TPUU has higher photothermal effects and lower cytotoxicity. These valuable properties could make the present PTT research provide more therapeutic options among different tissues and organs. As a practical example, TPUU was applied to regulate the intestinal flora through external NIR irradiation, which implied its promising expanded applications in deeper tissues.

CD38 deficiency alleviates Ang II-induced vascular remodeling by inhibiting small extracellular vesicle-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell senescence in mice

CD38 is the main enzyme for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) degradation in mammalian cells. Decreased NAD levels are closely related to metabolic syndromes and aging-related diseases. Our study showed that CD38 deficiency significantly alleviated angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular remodeling in mice, as shown by decreased blood pressures; reduced vascular media thickness, media-to-lumen ratio, and collagen deposition; and restored elastin expression. However, our bone marrow transplantation assay showed that CD38 deficiency in lymphocytes led to lack of protection against Ang II-induced vascular remodeling, suggesting that the effects of CD38 on Ang II-induced vascular remodeling might rely primarily on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), not lymphocytes. In addition, we observed that CD38 deficiency or NAD supplementation remarkably mitigated Ang II-induced vascular senescence by suppressing the biogenesis, secretion, and internalization of senescence-associated small extracellular vesicles (SA-sEVs), which facilitated the senescence of neighboring non-damaged VSMCs. Furthermore, we found that the protective effects of CD38 deficiency on VSMC senescence were related to restoration of lysosome dysfunction, particularly with respect to the maintenance of sirtuin-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis and activation of the mitochondria-lysosomal axis in VSMCs. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that CD38 and its associated intracellular NAD decline are critical for Ang II-induced VSMC senescence and vascular remodeling.

Targeted Thrombolytic Therapy with Metal-Organic-Framework-Derived Carbon Based Platforms with Multimodal Capabilities

A dual-response (near-infrared, alternating magnetic field) multifunctional nanoplatform was developed based on urokinase plasminogen activators (uPA)-loaded metal-organic-framework (MOF)-derived carbon nanomaterials (referred to uPA@CFs below) for thrombolytic therapy. uPA loaded in mesoporous CFs could be released under the action of near-infrared (NIR)-mediated photothermy to achieve superficial thrombolysis. More importantly, with the assistance of alternating magnetic field (AMF), this system could also precisely heat the thrombosis in the deep tissue area. Quantitative experiments proved that the thrombolytic efficiency of this dual-response system at deep venous thrombosis was nearly 6 times than that of NIR alone. This is the first application that MOF-derived carbon nanomaterials in the field of targeted thrombolysis. To our delight, the MOF-derived carbon nanomaterials (CFs) not only maintained the drug-carrying capacity, but also endowed CFs with reliable magnetic targeting ability. More encouragingly, the CFs also showed extraordinary angiogenic performance, thus opening up the prospect of its clinical application.

Dual-Effective Chronic Wounds Management System through a Monoglyceride Binary Blend Matrix Based Thermal-Responsive Phase-Transition Substrate

A new monoglyceride-based heat-sensitive substrate is proposed, for the first time, as a wound management system. First, an appropriate portion of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) is mixed to provide a thermal phase responsive matrix (GMO-GMS, GG). Subsequently, to improve the photothermal responsive and antibacterial performance, silver nanoparticles (Ag) decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite (rGO-Ag) is added to the GG matrix to obtain (GG-rGO-Ag). According to the systematic studies from uninfected, infected, and diabetic wound models, by applying near infrared (NIR) laser, the phase change of GG-rGO-Ag can be triggered to release Ag on demand for sterilization. More importantly, this smart GG substrate can also promote the production of vascular endothelial growth factor protein, thus serving as a NIR defined mufti-effective wound management system.

A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial and Mechanistic Studies Using Improved Probiotics to Prevent Oral Mucositis Induced by Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Earlier evidence has proven that probiotic supplements can reduce concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The incidence of severe OM (grade 3 or higher) was the primary endpoint in this study. We first enrolled 85 patients with locally advanced NPC who were undergoing CCRT. Of them, 77 patients were finally selected and randomized (1:1) to receive either a probiotic cocktail or placebo. To investigate the protective effects and the mechanism of probiotic cocktail treatment on OM induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, we randomly divided the rats into the control (C) group, the model (M) group, and the probiotic (P) group. After treatment, samples from the tongue, blood, and fecal and proximal colon tissues on various days (7th, 14th, and 21st days) were collected and tested for the inflammatory response, cell apoptosis, intestinal permeability, and intestinal microbial changes. We found that patients taking the probiotic cocktail showed significantly lower OM. The values of the incidence of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 grades of OM in the placebo group and in the probiotic cocktail group were reported to be 0, 14.7, 38.2, 32.4, and 14.7% and 13.9, 36.1, 25, 22.2, and 2.8%, respectively. Furthermore, patients in the probiotic cocktail group showed a decrease in the reduction rate of CD3⁺ T cells (75.5% vs. 81%, p < 0.01), CD4⁺ T cells (64.53% vs. 79.53%, p < 0.01), and CD8⁺ T cells (75.59 vs. 62.36%, p < 0.01) compared to the placebo group. In the rat model, the probiotic cocktail could ameliorate the severity of OM, decrease the inflammatory response, cause cell apoptosis and intestinal permeability, and restore the structure of gut microbiota to normalcy. In conclusion, the modified probiotic cocktail significantly reduces the severity of OM by enhancing the immune response of patients with NPC and modifying the structure of gut microbiota.

Clinical Trial Registration: The Clinical Trial Registration should be the NCT03112837.

Regulation of Blood Glucose Using Islets Encapsulated in a Melanin-Modified Immune-Shielding Hydrogel

Islet transplantation is currently a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, the foreign body reaction and retrieval difficulty often lead to transplantation failure and hinder the clinical application. To address these two challenges, we propose a balanced charged sodium alginate-polyethyleneimine-melanin (SA-PEI-Melanin) threadlike hydrogel with immune shielding and retrievable properties. The attractiveness of this study lies in that the introduction of melanin can stimulate insulin secretion, especially under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. After demonstrating a good immune-shielding effect, we performed an in vivo transplantation experiment. The results showed that the blood glucose level in the SA-PEI-Melanin group was stably controlled below the diabetic blood glucose criterion, and this blood glucose level could be further adjusted after NIR irradiation. In addition, the evaluation after retrieving the SA-PEI-Melanin hydrogel indicated that the islets still maintained a normal physiological function, further proving its excellent immunological protection. This study provides a new approach for the accurate regulation of blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and contributes to developing a promising transplant system to reconcile real-time and precise light-defined insulin secretion regulation.

Engineered Bacteria of MG1363-pMG36e-GLP-1 Attenuated Obesity-Induced by High Fat Diet in Mice

Background

Although gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) has been widely used for treating diabetes, the extremely short half-life greatly limits its application. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an engineered bacteria with expression of GLP-1 on obese mice induced by high fat diet (HFD).

Methods

The engineered strain of MG1363-pMG36e-GLP-1 (M-GLP-1) was constructed and its anti-obesity effects were evaluated in vivo. The bodyweight, the morphology of adipose and liver tissue, and liver function were examined. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expressions of the genes involved in fatty acid oxidation synthesis. The intestinal microbial diversity was detected with high-throughput sequencing analysis.

Results

The engineered bacteria could produce GLP-1. It also significantly decreased the bodyweight and improved the glucose intolerance in the obese mice induced by HFD. Moreover, the strain also reduced the triglyceride (TG) in serum, protected liver, as well as decreased the intracellular TG in liver tissues of the obese mice. Furthermore, our results showed that the expressions of the genes including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPARα) and its target genes were enhanced in liver tissues when mice treated with M-GLP-1. Finally, we found that the engineered strain markedly increased intestinal microbial diversity.

Conclusion

Our results suggested the genetically engineered bacteria that constitutively secreted GLP-1 could improve obesity and the mechanism may be related to promoting fatty acid oxidation and increasing intestinal microbial diversity of the obese mice.

A multi-effective and long-acting immunotherapy through one single hydrogel based injection

A dual-effective (photothermal and immune) therapy employing gold nanorods (AuNRs) with a drug (two macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitors) sustained release hydrogel was designed in this paper. The subsequent cellular and animal studies demonstrated that the proposed therapy can not only inhibit the proliferation, migration, and recurrence of cancer cells, but also improve the immune function (increase the infiltration of CD8⁺ killer T cells in tumors) without the traditional multiple injections of expensive immune drugs.

AIMP3 inhibits cell growth and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma through activating a miR-96-5p-AIMP3-p53 axis

Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase‐interacting multifunctional protein‐3 (AIMP3) is a tumour suppressor, however, the roles of AIMP3 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are not explored yet. Here, we reported that AIMP3 significantly inhibited the cell growth and metastasis of NSCLC (lung adenocarcinoma) in vitro and in vivo. We have firstly identified that AIMP3 was down‐regulated in human NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent normal lung tissues using immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. Overexpression of AIMP3 markedly suppressed the proliferation and migration of cancer cells in a p53‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed that AIMP3 significantly suppressed tumour growth and metastasis of A549 cells in xenograft nude mice. Mechanically, we identified that AIMP3 was a direct target of miR‐96‐5p, and we also observed that there was a negative correlation between AIMP3 and miR‐96‐5p expression in paired NSCLC clinic samples. Ectopic miR‐96‐5p expression promoted the proliferation and migration of cancer cells in vitro and tumour growth and metastasis in vivo which partially depended on AIMP3. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the axis of miR‐96‐5p‐AIMP3‐p53 played an important role in lung adenocarcinoma, which may provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.

An accurate and dual-effective body slimming method through a soluble microneedle patch with variable temperature

Obesity is a chronic and recurrent disease with potential risks. Traditional weight-loss methods (like exercises, surgeries, oral drugs, etc.) have shown different side effects. In this experiment, the microneedle (MN) patch was selected as the drug carrier of the weight-loss drug Rosiglitazone (Rosi). Besides, melanin was added to enhance the photo-thermal effect and accelerate the release of drugs to the target fat region under near-infrared (NIR) light. Afterwards, with exterior cold stimulation, the significant and accurate effect of body slimming could be achieved. This combination of soluble MN patches and variable temperatures provides an attractive nonsurgical method for future accurate body slimming management.

Comprehensive Analysis of a Long Noncoding RNA-Associated Competing Endogenous RNA Network in Wilms Tumor

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays crucial roles in various biological processes of different cancers, especially acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). However, the role of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA in Wilms tumor (WT), which is the most common malignant kidney cancer in children, remains unknown. In present study, RNA sequence profiles and clinical data of 125 patients with WT consisting of 119 tumor and 6 normal tissues from Therapeutically Applicable Research To Generate Effective Treatments database were analyzed. A total of 1833 lncRNAs, 156 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 3443 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were identified as differentially expressed (DE) using "DESeq2" package. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network involving 748 DElncRNAs, 33 DEmiRNAs, and 189 DEmRNAs was constructed based on miRcode, Targetscan, miRTarBase, and miRDB database. Gene Ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in cell proliferation-related processes and tumor-related pathways, respectively, and 13 hub genes were identified by a protein-protein interaction network. Survival analysis detected 48 lncRNAs, 7 miRNAs, and 16 mRNAs to have significant impact on the overall survival of patients with WT. Additionally, we found that 6 DElncRNAs with potential prognostic value were correlated with tumor stage (DENND5B-AS1) and histologic classification (TMPO-AS1, RP3-523K23.2, RP11-598F7.3, LAMP5-AS1, and AC013275.2) of patients with WT. Our research provides a great insight into understanding the molecular mechanism underlying occurrence and progression of WT, as well as the potential to develop targeted therapies and prognostic biomarkers.

The acquisition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in village doctors in China: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure-related risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has been reported for village doctors in China. This prospective study aims to estimate the infection acquisition in this key population.METHODS: At baseline, all village doctors registered in Zhongmu County were tested by QuantiFERON^®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) and QuantiFERON^®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) in parallel. Those negatives for either of the tests were retested to identify conversions at the 2-year follow-up investigation.RESULTS: A total of 367 eligible participants completed the 2-year follow-up survey with frequency of conversion of 5.0% (18/361) for QFT and 6.1% (21/343) for QFT-Plus. The agreement of follow-up results between the tests was 93.2% with a κ coefficient of 0.43 (95%CI 0.20-0.65). Among QFT-Plus convertors, the difference between TB1 and TB2 tubes (TB2-TB1) was significantly increased as compared with baseline results (P = 0.039). Participants from the villages with occurrence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB showed higher frequency of QFT conversions (11.0% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.011) and QFT-Plus conversions (12.3% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.027) than those from the villages without occurrence.CONCLUSION: Our results consistently suggest that capability on occupational protection and M. tuberculosis infection control should be improved in village doctors in China.

Preparation and characterization of borosilicate-bioglass-incorporated sodium alginate composite wound dressing for accelerated full-thickness skin wound healing

Full-thickness skin injury is a serious and intractable clinical problem. Wound dressing is urgently needed to treat serious skin defects or induce skin reconstruction. For the first time, we demonstrated a borosilicate bioglass (BBG)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) wound dressing by a simple and effective technique for accelerated wound healing. The physical and chemical properties, in vitro and in vivo properties of SA-BBG composite wound dressing have been investigated. The results show that the SA-BBG composite dressing possesses good water absorption performance. The boron and silicon ions in BBG can maintain stable and sustained release. Most importantly, the SA-BBG composite wound dressing shows outstanding wound healing ability in full-thickness skin defects in rats. The wounds treated with SA-BBG composite dressing groups had almost closed at day 15. When the ratio of sodium alginate to bioglass in the sponge is 3:1, the wound healing effect is the best. In conclusion, the SA-BBG composite dressing shows great potential for application in skin wound healing and SA3BBG works best.

Knockdown of TRIM24 suppresses growth and induces apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia through downregulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling

Tripartite motif-containing protein 24 (TRIM24) has currently emerged as a crucial cancer-related gene present in a wide range of human cancer types. However, the involvement of TRIM24 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been well investigated. The present study aims to investigate the significance, cellular function, and potential regulatory mechanism of TRIM24 in AML. We found that TRIM24 expression was significantly upregulated in AML compared with normal tissues. AML patients with low expression of TRIM24 had higher survival rates than those expressing TRIM24 at higher levels. High expression of TRIM24 was also detected in AML cells and its knockdown markedly restricted proliferation and promoted apoptosis in AML cells. Further investigation revealed that TRIM24 contributed to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which was associated with modulating the phosphorylation status of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Inactivation of GSK-3β partially reversed the TRIM24 knockdown-mediated antitumor effects observed in AML cells. Furthermore, knockdown of TRIM24 retarded the growth of AML-derived xenograft tumors in nude mice in vivo. Overall, these findings demonstrate that knockdown of TRIM24 impedes the AML tumor growth through the modulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling. These findings highlight the potential TRIM24 as an attractive anticancer target to treat AML.

Injectable and bioactive bone cement with moderate setting time and temperature using borosilicate bio-glass-incorporated magnesium phosphate

In this study, borosilicate bio-glass (BG) was incorporated into magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) for the purpose of developing an injectable and bioactive composite cement with suitable physicochemical and biocompatible performance. Results show that the BG-incorporated MPC possesses an excellent injectability, and can be used to fill in different 3D printed defect models using a syringe with a moderate setting time. Meanwhile, BG can retard the setting time and adjust the exothermic temperature of MPC. When the MPC/BG ratio was 3:1 (MPC3-BG), its corresponding setting time, peak temperature, anti-washout ratio and compressive strength were 9.9 ± 0.7 min, 45.8 ± 1.6 °C, 87%-90% and 13.5 MPa, respectively, which were suitable for injection and bone reparation. Characterizations of MPC3-BG showed that it had a faster degradation rate than MPC and the functional ions of boron and silicon could be released from the dissolution of the composite cement. In vitro and in vivo experiments also demonstrated that MPC3-BG had a stimulatory effect on the cell proliferation and new bone regeneration.

BECN1 promotes the migration of NSCLC cells through regulating the ubiquitination of Vimentin

BECN1/Beclin1 is one of the key proteins in autophagy regulation. However, the biological functions of BECN1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were obscure. Here, we found that neither BECN1 knockdown nor overexpression affected the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Surprisingly, BECN1 overexpression increased cell migration and knocking down BECN1 significantly reduced the migratory ability of NSCLC cells. We further demonstrated that BECN1 could interact with Vimentin and affected its K48-linked ubiquitination. What’s more, BECN1 could also interact with ubiquitin-specific peptidase 14 (USP14), the key de-ubiquitinase of Vimentin, and regulated USP14 mediated de-ubiquitination of Vimentin. Thus, our studies revealed an oncosupportive role of BECN1 in the migration of NSCLC cells through regulating the ubiquitination of Vimentin.

Banana Peel-Derived Dendrite-Shaped Au Nanomaterials with Dual Inhibition Toward Tumor Growth and Migration

Purpose

In order to prepare functional Au nanoparticles with low toxicity and high antitumor properties, we have used fruit waste (banana peel) to synthesize a new dendrite-shaped gold nanoparticle and used it for the treatment of tumors.

Methods

Dendrite-shaped gold nanoparticle (Au-dendrite) was synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process. The banana peel was used as both the reducing agent and the protective agent for reducing chloroauric acid to obtain Au-dendrite. The safety assessment of the Au-dendrite was conducted by H&E staining of the mouse’s eyelid skin and CCK-8 assay. The antitumor effects were evaluated through in vitro tumor cytotoxicity experiments and in vivo treatment of animal tumors.

Results

In this work, a new type of gold nanomaterial (Au-dendrite) was synthesized by using a common agricultural waste (banana peel) through a facile hydrothermal process without any extra chemical reducing agent or protective agent. Subsequent experiments showed that, compared with some classical Au nanomaterials, the as-synthesized gold nanocomposites have superior biocompatibility and impressive characteristics of dual inhibition toward tumor growth and migration.

Conclusion

We successfully synthesized a dendrite-shaped gold nanocomposite which was derived from a common agricultural waste (banana peel). A facile and environmentally friendly synthetic process was proposed accordingly without regular chemical additives. The as-prepared Au-dendrite nanocomposites not only had better biocompatibility than some classical gold nanoparticles but also exhibited unique advantages in tumor inhibition.

TEAD1 (TEA Domain Transcription Factor 1) Promotes Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Through Upregulating SLC1A5 (Solute Carrier Family 1 Member 5)-Mediated Glutamine Uptake

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Rationale:

TEAD (TEA domain transcription factor) 1—a major effector of the Hippo signaling pathway—acts as an oncoprotein in a variety of tumors. However, the function of TEAD1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unclear.

Objective:

To assess the role of TEAD1 in vascular injury–induced smooth muscle proliferation and delineate the mechanisms underlying its action.

Methods and Results:

We found that TEAD1 expression is enhanced in mouse femoral artery after wire injury and correlates with the activation of mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling in vivo. Using an inducible smooth muscle–specific Tead1 KO (knockout) mouse model, we found that specific deletion of Tead1 in adult VSMCs is sufficient to attenuate arterial injury–induced neointima formation due to inhibition of mTORC1 activation and VSMC proliferation. Furthermore, we found that TEAD1 plays a unique role in VSMCs, where it not only downregulates VSMC differentiation markers but also activates mTORC1 signaling, leading to enhanced VSMC proliferation. Using whole-transcriptome sequencing analysis, we identified Slc1a5 (solute carrier family 1 member 5)—a key glutamine transporter—as a novel TEAD1 target gene. SLC1A5 overexpression mimicked TEAD1 in promoting mTORC1 activation and VSMC proliferation. Moreover, depletion of SLC1A5 by silencing RNA or blocking SLC1A5-mediated glutamine uptake attenuated TEAD1-dependent mTORC1 activation and VSMC proliferation.

Conclusions:

Our study unravels a novel mechanism by which TEAD1 promotes VSMC proliferation via transcriptional induction of SLC1A5, thereby activating mTORC1 signaling and promoting neointima formation.

Dynamic changes of interferon gamma release assay results with latent tuberculosis infection treatment

OBJECTIVES

Using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) for monitoring tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection treatment effect is controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the dynamic changes of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels along with latent TB infection treatment via a randomized controlled study.

METHODS

A total of 910 participants treated with 8 weeks of once-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid (group A), 890 treated with 6 weeks of twice-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid (group B) and 818 untreated controls (group C) were followed for 2 years to track active TB development. QFT-GIT tests were repeated three times for all groups: before treatment (T0), at completion of treatment (T1) and 3 months after completion of treatment (T2).

RESULTS

Similar rates of persistent QFT-GIT reversion were observed in groups A (19.0%, 173/910), B (18.5%, 165/890) and C (20.7%, 169/818) (p 0.512). The dynamic changes of IFN-γ levels were not statistically significant among the three groups. In treated participants, individuals with higher baseline IFN-γ levels showed increased TB occurrence (1.0%, 9/896) compared to those with lower baseline levels (0.2%, 2/904) (p 0.037). A similar but statistically insignificant trend was also observed in untreated controls (1.8% (7/400) vs. 0.5% (2/418), p 0.100). When TB cases were matched with non-TB cases on baseline IFN-γ levels, no significant differences were found with respect to the dynamic changes in IFN-γ levels with time, regardless of whether they received treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

QFT-GIT reversion or decreased IFN-γ levels should not be used for monitoring host response to latent TB infection treatment.

The key regulation of miR-124-3p during reprogramming of primary mouse hepatocytes into insulin-producing cells

Based on the action of small molecule compounds, the efficiency of differentiation of mouse primary hepatocytes into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) was improved by changing the expression of miR-124-2p. Hepatocytes were transfected with microRNA-124-3p (miR-124-3p) mimic or inhibitor, followed by a chemical-defined culture system for maturation of IPCs. Then, detect the expression of insulin-related genes and protein and insulin secretion of each stage during differentiation. The expression of Foxa2, PDX1, NeuroD, insulin1, and insulin2 in IPCs in the miR-124-3p inhibition expression group was significantly upregulated, while the results were opposite in the miR-124-3p overexpression group. The results of cell immunofluorescence and glucose stimulation in vitro of the miR-124-3p inhibition expression group showed that the expression of insulin, PDX1, and C-peptide was increased, and the differentiation efficiency was higher than those of the control group and overexpression group. The primary mouse hepatocytes were successfully reprogrammed into IPCs by small-molecule compounds. We found that miR-124-3p plays a negative regulatory role in the differentiation of hepatocytes into IPCs in vitro. Inhibition of miR-124-3p expression significantly increased the expression of FOXA2 and PDX1, promoted the differentiation of hepatocytes into IPCs, and increased the induction efficiency.

Fast-Acting Black-Phosphorus-Assisted Depression Therapy with Low Toxicity

A black phosphorus (BP)-nanosheet-based drug-delivery system containing a therapeutic drug (Fluoxetine, Flu) is synthesized. According to subsequent behavioral, biochemical, and electrophysiological analysis, BP-Flu, after irradiated with near-infrared light (808 nm), can significantly reduce the therapy time of depression. Meanwhile, the inherent biotoxicity of Flu is also alleviated.

Evaluation of the inhibitory effects of vaginal microorganisms on sperm motility in vitro

Female infertility usually occurs as a result of ageing, physical impairment, hormone disturbances and lifestyle or environmental factors. However, the potential role of Lactobacillus in female infertility has remained largely unexplored. In the present study, high-throughput sequencing, real-time PCR, bacterial adherence assays and sperm motility assays were used to evaluate the microbial diversity, adherence properties and effect on sperm motility of sperm bacteria, vaginal bacteria and vaginal bacteria that had been co-cultured with sperm. The results indicated that in the co-culture group, Lactobacillus adhered to sperm cells in numbers that were 332-fold higher than those of control species Enterococcus and analysis of sequencing data using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes indicated that adhered microbes reduced sperm cell motility. Vaginal isolates, as well as bacterial strains used as controls, were co-cultured with sperm and it was indicated that all strains were able to adhere to sperm cells in large numbers. The probiotic Lactobacillus (L.) strains L. crispatus, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. gasseri significantly reduced sperm motility (based on measurements of general, straightforward and non-straightforward progressive motility, total motility and average path velocity; P<0.05). Furthermore, L. crispatus, L. acidophilus, L. salivarius, L. helveticus and L. gasseri markedly reduced sperm penetration in a viscous medium. Based on these results, it may be hypothesized that the weakening effect of Lactobacillus on sperm motility may be beneficial for healthy couples to prevent the combination of abnormal sperms and eggs, but may be detrimental for males with severe asthenospermia, oligospermia or aspermia.

The mechanisms of Ang II-induced hypertensive vascular remodeling under suppression of CD68 in macrophages

OBJECTIVE

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, there were more and more studies on the function of inflammation in hypertension. CD68 mainly mediates the activation of cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway and participates in inflammatory responses. It has been studied the function of CD68 and IL-17 in hypertension, but it has not been reported whether it affected hypertension and vascular remodeling when macrophage CD68 expression inhibited. In this study, antisense-CD68 mice were used to study the effect and mechanism of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive vascular remodeling under specific suppression of macrophage CD68.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty 8-week-old male antisense-CD681 and C57 mice were divided into control and experimental group (angiotensin II group, 1000 ng•kg-1•min-1). After infusion of angiotensin II for 28 days, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the remodel of vascular. The changes of aortic inflammatory factors were detected by Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.

RESULTS

By specifically inhibiting the expression of macrophage CD68, macrophage infiltration was mitigated in Ang II-induced hypertensive vascular remodeling model mouse, which also down-regulated the expression of vascular tissue inflammatory factor and activation of vascular smooth muscle cell p65.

CONCLUSIONS

CD68 regulates the Ang II-induced hypertensive vascular remodeling through mediating macrophage inflammatory factor release.

Abstract P2013: Genomic Identification Of Key CircRNAs In Healthy And Dilated Cardiomyopathy Human Heart

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a primary cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death worldwide. Therefore, it is important to identify factors that function in both normal and diseased hearts for a better understanding of etiology of DCM. CircRNA is a newly discovered class of RNA molecule and has been found to play a critical role in both physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, we systematically analyzed whole transcriptome data of five normal and five DCM human heart samples to identify putative key circRNAs and predict their potential underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that many circRNAs produced from known cardiac diseases-related gene loci are dysregulated in DCM, such as circRNAs originated from TTN and RYR2 . Furthermore, our analysis revealed 40 conserved circRNAs that are putatively important in normal or DCM human heart, including 14 circRNAs with potential to act as sponges for DCM-related miRNAs and 4 circRNAs with potential coding ability. Importantly, our results identified that a novel class of circRNA, fusion-circRNAs are originated from MYH6 and MYH7 genes and exhibit most abundant expression in human heart with high conservation between different species. Furthermore, these fusion-circRNAs were dysregulated in DCM and have strong potential to sponge DCM-related miRNAs. In summary, our findings serve as a valuable resource for exploration of the function of circRNAs in human heart diseases.

Several biological benefits of the low color temperature light-emitting diodes based normal indoor lighting source

Currently, light pollution has become a nonnegligible issue in our daily life. Artificial light sources with high color temperature were deem to be the major pollution source, which could induce several adverse effects on human’s health. In our previous research, we have firstly developed an artificial indoor light with low color temperature (1900 K). However, the biological effects of this artificial light on human’s health are unclear. Here, four artificial lights (1900 K, 3000 K, 4000 K and 6600 K) were used to evaluate some biological changes in both human (in total 152 person-times) and murine models. Compared with other three high color temperature artificial lights, our lights (1900 K) presented a positive effect on promoting the secreting of melatonin and glutamate, protecting human’s eyes, accelerating would healing and hair regeneration. These systematical studies indicated that the proposed low color temperature (1900 K) light could provide several significant benefits in human’s daily life.

Surface nano-engineered wheat straw for portable and adjustable water purification

Wheat straw (WS), as a cheap and abundant agricultural waste, is usually burned directly in farmland and causes severe air pollution. Therefore, biochar derived from waste WS is prepared and modified by nanoscaled zinc oxide through a facile in-situ surface-modification process. For ease of use, a 3D printed finger-sized unit (FSU) loaded with the above as-prepared WS is designed and implemented. Each unit weighs only 4 g, and could simultaneously reduce three major water contaminants: bacteria, organic dyes, and heavy metal ions. Moreover, it is interesting to note that fresh wheat straw is a flexible material and has excellent electrical conductivity after carbonization. These two properties (flexibility and conductivity) could further adjust water purification performance. The subsequent cellular and animal tests confirmed the biosafety of the water purified with FSU alone.

[Risk factors and sonographic findings associated with the type of placenta accreta spectrum disorders]

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and sonographic findings of pregnancies complicated by placenta increta or placenta percreta. Methods: Totally, 2 219 cases were retrospectively analyzed from 20 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2011 to December 2015. The data were collected based on the original case records. All cases were divided into two groups, the placenta increta (PI) group (79.1%, 1 755/2 219) and the placenta percreta (PP) group (20.9%, 464/2 219) , according to the degree of placental implantation. The risk factors and sonographic findings of placenta increta or percreta were analyzed by uni-factor and logistic regression statistic methods. Results: The risk factors associated with the degree of placental implantation were age, gravida, previous abortion or miscarriage, previous cesarean sections, and placenta previa (all P<0.05), especially, previous cesarean sections (χ(2)=157.961) and placenta previa (χ(2)=91.759). Sonographic findings could be used to predict the degree of placental invasion especially the boundaries between placenta and uterine serosa, the boundary between placenta and myometrium, the disruption of the placental-uterine wall interface and loss of the normal retroplacental hypoechoic zone(all P<0.01). Conclusions: Previous cesarean sections and placenta previa are the main independent risk factors associated with the degree of placenta implantation. Ultrasound could be used to make a prenatal suggestive diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders.

Localized Light-Au-Hyperthermia Treatment for Precise, Rapid, and Drug-Free Blood Clot Lysis

Thrombus diseases, induced by blood stasis or vascular embolization normally, frequently occur with high disability and mortalities worldwide. At present, drug thrombolysis, a primary clinical therapy for blood clot lysis, could increase the lethal risk for hemorrhage when thrombolysis agents are overused in the whole body. Therefore, a novel and advanced therapy for blood clot lysis, based on remote physical signals, is helpful for assisting clinical therapy. Here, we used the localized light-Au-hyperthermia (LAH) treatment, induced by gold nanorods (Au NRs) irradiated with near-infrared light (808 nm), for precise, rapid, and drug-free blood clot lysis. The LAH technology was first introduced in the murine hematoma model and the murine myocardial infarction model for blood clot lysis. Compared with traditional therapy, LAH was assured to shorten the time of detumescence in the murine hematoma model owing to their precise and localized hyperthermia. Meanwhile, we also discovered that LAH was a benefit to vascular recanalization in the murine myocardial infarction model. In addition, the Au NRs used in LAH present ideal biocompatibility in the murine model, which endows it to be suitable for blood clot lysis in vivo.

Latex and a ZnO-based multi-functional material for cardiac implant-related inflammation

A new memory latex foam with ZnO modification was developed to reduce the incidence of both bacteria- and shaking-induced pocket inflammation.

Gene expression profile-based drug screen identifies SAHA as a novel treatment for NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.

Platelet-Mimic uPA Delivery Nanovectors Based on Au Rods for Thrombus Targeting and Treatment

Systemic thrombolytic drug administration has always gained an unideal therapeutic effect due to the rapid neutralization by its antidotes. It is significant to seek an approach for targeted thrombolytic drug delivery to the thrombus. Here a biocompatible, thrombus-targeted, and low-cost platelet-mimic nanovector was fabricated to accomplish a sustained urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) release at the thrombus site. The prepared system presented a sustained model drug release behavior for 30 h and burst release behavior under near-infrared laser irradiation with hyperthermia in vitro. We demonstrate that the fabricated nanovectors can arrive and aggregate at the pulmonary thrombus, followed by a sustained uPA release in the murine pulmonary embolism model. Therefore, according to the results, the formulated nanovector presented a hopeful application for targeted thrombolytic therapy clinically.

Abstract P4-03-07: Combined genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening with transcriptome sequencing to identify paclitaxel related drivers in triple negative breast cancer

Background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancers, for which the only standard therapeutics is chemotherapy containing Taxol. However, quite a number of TNBC patients cannot get the expected drug response after paclitaxel treatment and the resistant mechanism has not been clear yet. Other than the traditional “genotype-to-phenotype” means, the high-throughput functional screening, such as CRISPR-CAS9 library, selects genes with the phenotype of interest. Here, we combine the novel screening model with the drug-resistant genotype to explore the decisive role in paclitaxel effect.

Methods. Breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231(231WT) was treated by paclitaxel from 1ug/ml to 5ug/ml to establish a paclitaxel-resistant cell type (231PTX) for transcriptome sequencing. Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA library was made into lentivirus to affect MDA-MB-231 cells expressed Cas9 protein (231cas9). Then 231cas9-sgRNA was treated by low dose of paclitaxel for 14 days and was read by next generation sequencing. RNA sequencing data was processed to TPM values and sgRNA data to gene ranking and p value. The threshold of “231PTX TPM/231WT TPM” was above 2 or below 1/2 and the gene p value was smaller than 0.05. Biological technology applied in this study includes western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), real time PCR and cell proliferation assay. In vivo, 20 balb/c mouse were injected MDA-MB-231 in situ for tumor formation and were treated with paclitaxel/normal saline for six times.

Results. Crosstalk between these two sequencing data had result of 124 genes related to paclitaxel resistance (fold change&gt; 2 and p value&lt;0.05 compared Day 14 treated group to Day 14 untreated group) and 18 genes related to paclitaxel sensitivity (fold change&lt; 1/2 and p value&lt;0.05 compared Day 14 untreated group to Day 14 treated group). Considering clinical prognosis and gene information, six paclitaxel resistant candidates and four paclitaxel sensitive candidates were chosen for further research. Eight (STRA6, BIRC3, MTUS1, HDAC9, ADAM28, S1PR5, TNNC1, ZKSCAN7) of ten candidates displayed consistent phenotypes with sequencing results including mRNA expression and the cellular proliferation in paclitaxel treatment. HDAC9 is a histone deacetylation gene that is likely to be a paclitaxel resistant gene. Knockout HDAC9 (231H9 KO) contributed to nearly 2-fold decrease IC50 value (1.7nM versus 3.7nM, p value&lt;0.01). Confocal microscopy observed the formation of multiple spindle foci in the paclitaxel treated 231H9 KO cells. After treatment with paclitaxel, the mark of polymerized tubulin, acetylation tubulin and the mark of cell cycle G2/M, cyclin B1 were notably increased when HDAC9 knockout in both MD-MB1-231 and BT-100 cell lines. In vivo assays found that HDAC9 knockout induced the declined tumorigenesis and more sensitive breast tumors to paclitaxel.

Conclusions.Combined Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening with transcriptome sequencing is efficient to investigate potent drug targets. In vitro assays suggest that HDAC9 is conductive to paclitaxel resistance in TNBC cells. In vivo results imply inhibition HDAC9 may beneficial to paclitaxel therapeutic response.

Citation Format: Lian B, Xin H, Zhimin S. Combined genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening with transcriptome sequencing to identify paclitaxel related drivers in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-07.

AQR is a novel type 2 diabetes-associated gene that regulates signaling pathways critical for glucose metabolism

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disease influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we performed an in-house genotyping and meta-analysis study using three independent GWAS datasets of T2DM and found that rs3743121, located 1 kb downstream of AQR, was a novel susceptibility SNP associated with T2DM. The risk allele C of rs3743121 was correlated with the increased expression of AQR in white blood cells, similar to that observed in T2DM models. The knockdown of AQR in HepG2 facilitated the glucose uptake, decreased the expression level of PCK2, increased the phosphorylation of GSK-3β, and restored the insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, the suppression of AQR inhibited the mTOR pathway and the protein ubiquitination process. Our study suggests that AQR is a novel type 2 diabetes-associated gene that regulates signaling pathways critical for glucose metabolism.

Silver nanowire net knitted anisotropic aerogel as an ultralight and sensitive physiological activity monitor

A versatile and ultralight physiological activity monitor using celery derived inherent anisotropic aerogels with silver nanowire knitted net decoration.