The ovarian function and endocrine phenotypes of lactating dairy cows during the estrous cycle were associated with genomic-enhanced predictions of fertility potential

The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to characterize associations among genomic merit for fertility with ovarian and endocrine function and the estrous behavior of dairy cows during an entire, non-hormonally manipulated estrous cycle. Lactating Holstein cows entering their first (n = 82) or second (n = 37) lactation had ear-notch tissue samples collected for genotyping using a commercial genomic test. Based on genomic predicted transmitting ability values for daughter pregnancy rate (gDPR) cows were classified into a high (Hi-Fert; gDPR > 0.6 n = 36), medium (Med-Fert; gDPR -1.3 to 0.6 n = 45), and low fertility (Lo-Fert; gDPR < -1.3 n = 38) group. At 33 to 39 DIM, cohorts of cows were enrolled in the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol for synchronization of ovulation and initiation of a new estrous cycle. Thereafter, the ovarian function and endocrine dynamics were monitored daily until the next ovulation by transrectal ultrasonography and concentrations of progesterone (P4), estradiol, and FSH. Estrous behavior was monitored with an ear-attached automated estrus detection system that recorded physical activity and rumination time. Overall, we observed an association between fertility group and the ovarian and hormonal phenotype of dairy cows during the estrous cycle. Cows in the Hi-Fert group had greater circulating concentrations of P4 than cows in the Lo-Fert group from d 4 to 13 after induction of ovulation and from day -3 to -1 before the onset of luteolysis. The frequency of atypical estrous cycles was 3-fold greater for cows in the Lo-Fert than the Hi-Fert group. We also observed other modest associations between genomic merit for fertility with the follicular dynamics and estrous behavior. There were several associations between milk yield and parity with ovarian, endocrine, and estrous behavior phenotypes as cows with greater milk yield and in the second lactation were more likely to have unfavorable phenotypes. These results demonstrate that differences in reproductive performance between cows of different genomic merit for fertility classified based on gDPR may be partially associated with circulating concentrations of P4, the incidence of atypical phenotypes during the estrous cycles, and to a lesser extent the follicular wave dynamics. The observed physiological and endocrine phenotypes might help explain part of the differences in reproductive performance between cows of superior and inferior genomic merit for fertility.

Discovery proteomics reveals potential protein signature associated with malignant phenotype acquisition in pleomorphic adenoma

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the proteomic profile of salivary pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) samples and correlate them with the malignant transformation of the PA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty samples (10 PA, 16 CXPA, and 4 residual PA) were microdissected and submitted to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proteomic data and protein identification were analyzed through LC-MS/MS spectra using the MaxQuant software.

RESULTS

The proteomic analysis identified and quantified a total of 240 proteins in which 135 were found in PA, residual PA, and CXPA. The shared proteins were divided into six subgroups, and the proteins that showed statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) and fold-change > or <2.5 in one subgroup to another subgroup were included. Seven proteins (Apolipoprotein A-I-APOA1, haptoglobin-HP, protein of the synaptonemal complex 1-SYCP1, anion transport protein of band 3-SLC4A1, subunit μ1 of AP-1 complex-AP1M1, beta subunit of hemoglobin-HBB, and dermcidin-DCD) were classified as potential protein signatures, being HP, AP1M1, and HBB with higher abundance for PA to residual PA, APOA1 with higher abundance for PA to CXPA, SLC4A1 with lower abundance in the PA to CXPA, SYCP1with lower abundance for residual PA to CXPA, and DCD with higher abundance in the CXPA with epithelial differentiation to myoepithelial differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this work, we demonstrated the comparative proteomic profiling of PA, residual PA, and CXPA, and seven were proposed as protein signatures, some of which may be associated with the malignant phenotype acquisition.

Follistatin-related protein 1 interacting partner of Syndecan-1 promotes an aggressive phenotype on Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) models

Syndecans belong to the family of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans and are associated with many physiopathological processes, including oral cancer. As previously shown soluble syndecan-1 (SDC1) fragments and synthetic SDC1 peptide were able to induce cell migration in oral cancer cell lines. In order to explore the role of SDC1 in oral cancer, we have investigated SDC1 interacting partners and its functional role in oral cancer models. Here we have shown that SDC1 interacts with follistatin-related protein 1 (FSTL1) by its ectodomain (ectoSDC1) and extracellular juxtamembrane peptide (pepSDC1) and that their transcript levels can affect tumor events. Using orthotopic mouse model we identified that the knock-down for FSTL1 (shFSTL1) or for both FSTL1 and SDC1 (sh2KD) produced less aggressive and infiltrative tumors, with lower keratinization deposition, but with increased levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferation compared to control and SDC1 knock-down. Based on cell culture assays, we suggest that the shFSTL1 effect on tumor tissues might be from significant increase of mRNA levels of Activin A (ActA) and its resceptors. This study shows for the first time two different complexes, SDC1 and FSTL1; pepSDC1 and FSTL1, exhibiting a close relationship in cell signaling events, as FSTL1 promotes a more aggressive phenotype. SIGNIFICANCE: This work contributes to the understanding of new SDC1 functions, based on the investigation of protein-protein complex formation in Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) models. The FSTL1 identification, as an interacting partner of SDC1 ectodomain and of its derived peptide promotes molecular events that favors cancer development and progression, as highlighted by Activin A (ActA) and Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene expression and by changes in the phenotype of orthotopic OSCC mouse tumor tissues when SDC1-FSTL1 expression is modulated.

A Reductionist Approach Using Primary and Metastatic Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reveals Hub Proteins Associated with Oral Cancer Prognosis

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has high mortality rates that are largely associated with lymph node metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive OSCC metastasis are unknown. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles that play a role in intercellular communication and impact cancer development and progression. Thus, profiling EVs would be of great significance to decipher their role in OSCC metastasis. For that purpose, we used a reductionist approach to map the proteomic, miRNA, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles of EVs derived from human primary tumor (SCC-9) cells and matched lymph node metastatic (LN1) cells. Distinct omics profiles were associated with the metastatic phenotype, including 670 proteins, 217 miRNAs, 26 metabolites, and 63 lipids differentially abundant between LN1 cell– and SCC-9 cell–derived EVs. A multi-omics integration identified 11 ‘hub proteins’ significantly decreased at the metastatic site compared with primary tumor–derived EVs. We confirmed the validity of these findings with analysis of data from multiple public databases and found that low abundance of seven ‘hub proteins’ in EVs from metastatic lymph nodes (ALDH7A1, CAD, CANT1, GOT1, MTHFD1, PYGB, and SARS) is correlated with reduced survival and tumor aggressiveness in patients with cancer. In summary, this multi-omics approach identified proteins transported by EVs that are associated with metastasis and which may potentially serve as prognostic markers in OSCC.

•

Proteomic, miRNA, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles were mapped in oral cancer EVs.

•

The molecular profile of EVs was associated with the lymph node metastatic phenotype.

•

A multi-omics integrative analysis revealed 11 highly connected ‘hub proteins.’

•

‘Hub proteins’ from EVs are candidates as prognostic markers in oral cancer.

Metformin impairs cisplatin resistance effects in A549 lung cancer cells through mTOR signaling and other metabolic pathways

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‑associated death worldwide and exhibits intrinsic and acquired therapeutic resistance to cisplatin (CIS). The present study investigated the role of mTOR signaling and other signaling pathways after metformin (MET) treatment in control and cisplatin‑resistant A549 cells, mapping pathways and possible targets involved in CIS sensitivity. MTT, flow cytometry, clonogenic assay, western blotting, proteomic analysis using the Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC) approach and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were performed. The results revealed that CIS treatment induced mTOR signaling pathway overactivation, and the mTOR status was restored by MET. MET and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA) decreased the viability in control and resistant cells, and decreased the cell size increase induced by CIS. In control cells, MET and RAPA decreased colony formation after 72 h and decreased IC₅₀ values, potentiating the effects of CIS. Proteomics analysis revealed important pathways regulated by MET, including transcription, RNA processing and IL‑12‑mediated signaling. In CIS‑resistant cells, MET regulated the apoptotic process, oxidative stress and G₂/M transition. Annexin 4 (ANXA4) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), involved in apoptosis and oxidative stress, respectively, were chosen to validate the SILAC analysis and may represent potential therapeutic targets for lung cancer treatment. In conclusion, the chemosensitizing and antiproliferative effects of MET were associated with mTOR signaling and with potential novel targets, such as ANXA4 and SOD2, in human lung cancer cells.

Concentrations of progesterone and a PGF2α metabolite during the interovulatory interval compared to the corresponding days of pregnancy in mares

The concentrations of progesterone (P4) and a metabolite of PGF2α (PGFM) in mares were compared between the interovulatory interval (IOI; n = 8) and the corresponding days of pregnancy (n = 9). In daily blood samples, P4 increased between the day of ovulation (Day 0) and ∼Day 6 and then gradually decreased until the beginning of luteolysis in the IOI group. Before the beginning of luteolysis, there were no significant differences in P4 concentrations between the IOI and early pregnancy. In the IOI, PGFM concentration on the day before the beginning of luteolysis began to increase (P < 0.04) and reached a maximum mean (42.9 ± 11.6 pg/mL) on Day 14. In pregnancy, a novel increase in PGFM occurred from Day 12 to a maximum mean on Day 15 (16.7 ± 3.1 pg/mL). Daily PGFM concentrations were not different between the two groups until the increase just before luteolysis in the IOI. During 8-h sessions of hourly blood sampling, the mean and maximum PGFM concentrations were significantly greater in IOI than in pregnancy for each 8-h session on Days 13, 14, and 15. The minimum was not different between groups on any day. Pulses of PGFM were identified by coefficient of variation during the hourly 8-h sessions on day-sets of Days 4-7, 9-11, and 13-16. Despite the PGFM increase in daily samples between Days 12 and 15 of pregnancy, the amplitude and peaks of CV-identified pulses did not differ in the pregnant mares among the three day-sets. The pulses were similarly small for day-sets 4-7 and 9-11 in the IOI and for all day-sets in pregnancy (eg, amplitude on Days 13-16: 43.4 ± 15.6 pg/mL vs 5.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL for IOI vs pregnancy). Hypothesis 1 was not supported that daily PGFM concentrations in an IOI increase at the intersection between the end of the rapid P4 increase and the gradual P4 decrease. Hypothesis 2 was supported that pregnant mares have low amplitude PGFM pulses during the days of the high amplitude pulses at luteolysis in the IOI.

Deregulation of desmosomal proteins and extracellular matrix proteases in odontogenic keratocyst

OBJECTIVE

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign lesion that tends to recur after surgical treatment. In an attempt to clarify the molecular basis underlining the OKC pathobiology, we aimed to analyze its proteomic profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared the proteomic profiles of five OKC and matched normal oral mucosa by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Then, we performed enrichment analysis and a literature search for the immunoexpression of the proteomics targets.

RESULTS

We identified 1,150 proteins and 72 differently expressed proteins (log2 fold change ≥ 1.5; p < .05). Twenty-seven peptides were exclusively detected in the OKC samples. We found 35 enriched pathways related to cell differentiation and tissue architecture, including keratinocyte differentiation, keratinization, desmosome, and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and degradation. The immunoexpression information of 11 out of 50 proteins identified in the enriched pathways was obtained. We found the downregulation of four desmosomal proteins (JUP, PKP1, PKP3, and PPL) and upregulation of ECM proteases (MMP-2, MMP-9, and cathepsins).

CONCLUSIONS

Proteomic analysis strengthened the notion that OKC cells have a similar proteomic profile to oral keratinocytes. Contextual investigation of the differentially expressed proteins revealed the deregulation of desmosome proteins and ECM degradation as important alterations in OKC pathobiology.

Abstract 2800: Oral cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles can modulate an immunosuppressive microenvironment through M2 phenotype polarization

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor among head and neck cancers, with 300,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths around the world per year, with less than 50% survival rate of advanced cases after five years of diagnosis. The molecular mechanisms involved in immunosurveillance and oral cancer development are poorly understood and, neither molecular markers nor immunotherapy response predictors are available. However, recent findings in molecular biology and immunology of cancer cell have shown that tumor-stroma communication promotes intense suppressive signaling in the microenvironment, which may contribute to failure of therapy. Tumor-stroma communication is not an unidirectional process, driven only by cancer cells. Other resident cells, like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells as macrophages and lymphocytes, endothelial cells and tumor stem cells, which are in an intense cross-talk by cell-cell contact, secreted factors and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), can alter and be altered by the microenvironment. In this context, the cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) acquire a significant pathological role in cell-cell communication by changing the phenotype of the recipient cells, promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we explored the role of three different source of EVs, originated from normal gingival keratinocyte (HMK) and from less (SCC9) and high (HSC3) aggressive OSCC cell lines in the modulation of monocyte-derived macrophage M1 or M2 phenotypes, and their ability to contribute to the suppressive phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. CD163 expression, a marker of M2 macrophages, was significantly increased in CD14+ monocytes stimulated by HSC3-EVs, in comparison with non-stimulated monocytes, HMK- and SCC9-EVs-stimulated cells. In addition, CD64+/CD86+/CD80+ M1 macrophage subset, differentiated by GM-CSF/IFN-gamma, showed a decreased expression of the T-cell co-stimulatory molecule, CD86 after stimulus with HSC3-EVs. Furthermore, the mass spectrometry analysis of HSC3-EV protein contents identified a set of up- and down-regulated candidate proteins that may be involved in immunoregulation and suppressive pathways. Since the M2 macrophage phenotype is associated with increased angiogenesis, immunological tolerance and development of neoplastic cells, the M1 subset, the classically activated macrophages, may recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Thus, our results indicate that EVs from aggressive cells HSC3 may contribute to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in oral cancer by deviating macrophages into a tumor-promoting instead of a tumor-controlling phenotype.

Citation Format: Ana Karina Oliveira, Thiago Andrade Patente, Rodrigo Nalio Ramos, Ariane Busso Lopes, Romênia Ramos Domingues, Mariane Tami Amano, Eliana Blini Marengo, Jose Alexandre Barbuto, Adriana Franco Squina. Oral cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles can modulate an immunosuppressive microenvironment through M2 phenotype polarization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2800.

Endogenous and exogenous effects of PGF2α during luteolysis in mares

An inhibitor of PGF2α biosynthesis (flunixin meglumine, FM) was used to study the role of endogenous PGF2α on the luteolytic effect of exogenous PGF2α in mares. A 2-h infusion of PGF2α at a constant rate (total dose, 0.1 mg) on Day 10 (ovulation = Day 0) was used to mimic the maximal concentrations of a spontaneous pulse of a PGF2α metabolite (PGFM). Treatment with FM (1.7 mg/kg) was done 1 h before and 5 h after the start of PGF2α infusion. In hourly blood samples beginning 1 h before the start of PGF2α infusion, progesterone decreased (P < 0.05) similarly by 5 h in each of the PGF2α and PGF2α+FM groups but not in the controls (n = 5). In a study of spontaneous luteolysis, the same FM dose was given every 6 h from Day 13 until Day 17 or earlier if CL regression was indicated by an 80% decrease in luteal blood-flow signals. Blood was sampled for progesterone assay each day and 8 h of hourly blood sampling was done each day to characterize PGFM concentrations and pulses. Progesterone (P4) was lower (P < 0.05) in controls than in an FM group (n = 7) by Day 15. Luteolysis (P4 < 1 ng/mL) ended on Days 14-19 in individual controls. In contrast, luteolysis did not end until after Day 20 in 4 of 7 FM-treated mares. In the three mares with completion of luteolysis before Day 20 in the FM group, the interval from beginning to end of luteolysis was longer (P < 0.02) (4.5 ± 0.6 days) than in the controls (3.0 ± 0.4 days). During 8-h sessions of hourly blood sampling on Day 14, concentration of PGFM was significantly lower in the FM group for the minimal, mean, and maximal per session. Pulses of PGFM were identified by a CV methodology on each day in 7 of 7 and 3 of 7 mares in the controls and FM group, respectively. The four FM-treated mares without a CV-identified pulse were the four mares in which luteolysis did not occur before Day 20. In mares with detected pulses, PGFM was lower at each nadir and at the peak (86% lower) in the FM group than in controls, but the interval between nadirs or base of a pulse was not different between groups. Hypothesis 1 that endogenous PGF plays a role in the luteolytic effect of exogenous PGF2α was not supported. Hypothesis 2 that an inhibitor of PGF2α biosynthesis prevented or minimized the prominence of PGFM pulses and increased the frequency of persistent CL was supported.

Human introduction or natural dispersion? Atlantic Ocean occurrence of the Indo-Pacific whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus

Occurrence of multiple whitetip reef sharks Triaenodon obesus in the Atlantic Ocean is reported for the first time from near a sunken ferry off the Paraná coast in south-eastern Brazil. This occurrence is hypothesized to have been caused by either a human introduction or a remarkably long oceanic displacement.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed Glypican-1 as a novel ADAM17 substrate

ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17) is a plasma membrane metalloprotease involved in proteolytic release of the extracellular domain of many cell surface molecules, a process known as ectodomain shedding. Through this process, ADAM17 is implicated in several aspects of tumor growth and metastasis in a broad range of tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). In this study, mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches revealed glypican-1 (GPC1) as a new substrate for ADAM17, and its shedding was confirmed to be metalloprotease-dependent, induced by a pleiotropic agent (PMA) and physiologic ligand (EGF), and inhibited by marimastat. In addition, immunoblotting analysis of GPC1 in the extracellular media from control and ADAM17shRNA pointed to a direct involvement of ADAM17 in the cleavage of GPC1. Moreover, mass spectrometry-based interactome analysis of GPC1 revealed biological functions and pathways related mainly to cellular movement, adhesion and proliferation, which were events also modulated by up regulation of full length and cleavage GPC1. Altogether, we showed that GPC1 is a novel ADAM17 substrate, thus the function of GPC1 may be modulated by proteolysis signaling.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Inhibition of metalloproteases as a therapeutic approach has failed because there is limited knowledge of the degradome of individual proteases as well as the cellular function of cleaved substrates. Using different proteomic techniques, this study uncovered novel substrates that can be modulated by ADAM17 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Glypican-1 was validated as a novel substrate for ADAM17, with important function in adhesion, proliferation and migration of carcinoma cells. Therefore, this study opens new avenues regarding the proteolysis-mediated function of GPC1 by ADAM17.

Insights into immune responses in oral cancer through proteomic analysis of saliva and salivary extracellular vesicles

The development and progression of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involves complex cellular mechanisms that contribute to the low five-year survival rate of approximately 20% among diagnosed patients. However, the biological processes essential to tumor progression are not completely understood. Therefore, detecting alterations in the salivary proteome may assist in elucidating the cellular mechanisms modulated in OSCC and improve the clinical prognosis of the disease. The proteome of whole saliva and salivary extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with OSCC and healthy individuals were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and label-free protein quantification. Proteome data analysis was performed using statistical, machine learning and feature selection methods with additional functional annotation. Biological processes related to immune responses, peptidase inhibitor activity, iron coordination and protease binding were overrepresented in the group of differentially expressed proteins. Proteins related to the inflammatory system, transport of metals and cellular growth and proliferation were identified in the proteome of salivary EVs. The proteomics data were robust and could classify OSCC with 90% accuracy. The saliva proteome analysis revealed that immune processes are related to the presence of OSCC and indicate that proteomics data can contribute to determining OSCC prognosis.

Five new records of Luvarus imperialis (Acanthuroidei: Luvaridae) in the south-west Atlantic Ocean

Five new records of louvars Luvarus imperialis are documented for the south-west Atlantic Ocean, extending its distribution range in this ocean. The presence of one ripe specimen, associated with the previous records of larvae and juveniles, suggests that L. imperialis spawn in this region. The possible association of juveniles with shoals of skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis is discussed.

Acidulated phosphate fluoride application changes the protein composition of human acquired enamel pellicle

We evaluated, by proteomic analysis, whether the chemical changes provoked on enamel by acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) application alter the protein composition of acquired enamel pellicle. Enamel slabs, pretreated with distilled water (negative control), phosphoric acid (active control) or APF solution, were immersed in human saliva for pellicle formation. The adsorbed proteins were extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Fifty-six proteins were identified, 12 exclusive to APF and 11 to phosphoric acid. APF decreased the concentration of histatin-1, but increased the concentration of S100-A9, which is confirmed by immunoblotting. The findings suggest that APF application changes the acquired enamel pellicle composition.