High TXNIP expression accelerates the migration and invasion of the GDM placenta trophoblast

INTRODUCTION

Our previous study has proofed the glucose sensitive gene-thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression was up in the placenta of the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the pathological mechanisms underlying abnormal TXNIP expression in the placenta of patients with GDM is completely unclear and additional investigations are required to explain the findings we have observed. In the present study, we simulated the high TXNIP expression via introducing the Tet-On "switch" in vitro, approximate to its expression level in the real world, to explore the following consequence of the abnormal TXNIP.

METHODS

The expression and localization of TXNIP in the placenta of GDM patients and the health control was investigated via immunofluorescent staining, western blot and RT-qPCR. Overexpression of TXNIP was achieved through transfecting Tet-on system to the human trophoblastic cell line-HTR-8/Svneo cell. TXNIP knockout was obtained via CRISPR-Cas9 method. The cell phenotype was observed via IncuCyte Imaging System and flow cytometry. The mechanism was explored via western blot and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The expression level of TXNIP in the GDM placenta was nearly 2-3 times higher than that in the control. The TXNIP located at trophoblastic cells of the placenta. When the expression of TXNIP was upregulated, the migration and invasion of the cells accelerated, but cell apoptosis and proliferation did not changed compared with the control group. Furthermore, the size of the TetTXNIP cells became larger, and the expression level of Vimentin and p-STAT3 increased in the TetTXNIP cells. All the changes mentioned above were opposite in the TXNIP-KO cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal expression of TXNIP might be related to the impairment of the GDM placental function, affecting the migration and invasion of the placental trophoblast cells through STAT3 and Vimentin related pathway; thus, TXNIP might be the potential therapeutic target for repairing the placental dysfunction deficient in GDM patients.

A novel semi-synthesis of spinetoram-J based on the selective hydrolysis of 5,6-dihydro spinosyn A

Spinetoram is a novel kind of fermentation-derived insecticide with a broad range of action against lots of insect pests. Due to the broad pest spectrum, high insecticidal activity, low environmental impact, and low toxicity to non-target species, spinetoram has been widely applied in pest control and stored-grain protection. Spinetoram is a mixture of spinetoram-J (XDE-175-J, major component) and spinetoram-L (XDE-175-L). In this study, a novel selective hydrolysis of C9-glycosidic bond of 5,6-dihydro spinosyn A was developed. And a 3-step semi-synthesis of spinetoram-J based on the selective hydrolysis was designed and discussed. All compounds in the synthesis were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrum. In addition, the improved semi-synthesis also provides an efficient way to synthesize the rhamnose replacement analogues of spinetoram-J which may be promising in the pest control and fungus control.

Semi-synthesis and insecticidal activity of spinetoram J and its D-forosamine replacement analogues

Spinetoram, a mixture of spinetoram J (XDE-175-J, major component) and spinetoram L (XDE-175-L), is a new kind of fermentation-derived insecticide with a broad range of action against many insect pests, especially Cydia pomonella, Leaf miner and Thrips. Similar to spinosad, spinetoram is friendly to the environment, and non-toxic to animals and human beings. Therefore, spinetoram has been widely applied in pest control and grain storage. In a previous study, we had reported a semi-synthesis of spinetoram J. However, in that synthesis, there were more experimental steps, and the operations were troublesome. So an improved synthesis based on a self-protection strategy was designed and discussed. In this work, 3-O-ethyl-2,4-di-O-methylrhamnose was used as both the reaction substrate of C9-OH and the protecting group of C17-OH. The number of synthetic steps and costs were significantly reduced. In addition, a variety of D-forosamine replacement analogues of spinetoram J were synthesized based on the improved semi-synthesis, and their insecticidal activities were evaluated against third-instar larvae of Plutella xylostella. Although none of the analogues were as potent as spinetoram, a few of the analogues have only a 20-40 times lower activity than spinetoram. In particular, one of these analogues was approximately as active as spinosad. This study highlights the possibility of developing new insecticidal chemistries by replacing sugars on natural products with other groups, and the improved semi-synthesis will be helpful for further researches on spinetoram.

A semisynthesis of 3'-O-ethyl-5,6-dihydrospinosyn J based on the spinosyn A aglycone

Spinetoram, a mixture of 3'-O-ethyl-5,6-dihydrospinosyn J (XDE-175-J, major component) and 3'-O-ethylspinosyn L (XDE-175-L, minor component), is a novel kind of green and efficient insecticide with a broad range of action against various insects. Nowadays, spinetoram is widely used in agriculture and food storage. This work reports a 7-step semisynthesis of 3'-O-ethyl-5,6-dihydrospinosyn J from spinosyn A aglycone. The C9-OH and C17-OH of the aglycone are successively connected to 3-O-ethyl-2,4-di-O-methylrhamnose and D-forosamine after selective protection and deprotection steps. Then, with 10% Pd/C as catalyst, the 5,6-double bond of the macrolide was selectively reduced to afford 3'-O-ethyl-5,6-dihydrospinosyn J. In addition, the 3-O-ethyl-2,4-di-O-methylrhamnose is synthesized from rhamnose which is available commercially, while the D-forosamine and aglycone are obtained via the hydrolysis of spinosyn A. High yields were obtained in each step, and all intermediates in the synthesis were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS techniques. This study can be helpful for developing an efficient chemical synthesis of spinetoram, and it also offers opportunities to synthesize spinosyn analogues and rhamnose derivatives.