HSP47 Increases the Expression of Type I Collagen in Fibroblasts through IRE1α Activation, XBP1 Splicing, and Nuclear Translocation of β-Catenin

Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), also known as SERPINH1, functions as a collagen-specific molecular chaperone protein essential for the formation and stabilization of the collagen triple helix. Here, we delved into the regulatory pathways governed by HSP47, shedding light on collagen homeostasis. Our investigation revealed a significant reduction in HSP47 mRNA levels in the skin tissue of older mice as compared to their younger counterparts. The augmented expression of HSP47 employing lentivirus infection in fibroblasts resulted in an increased secretion of type I collagen. Intriguingly, the elevated expression of HSP47 in fibroblasts correlated with increased protein and mRNA levels of type I collagen. The exposure of fibroblasts to IRE1α RNase inhibitors resulted in the reduced manifestation of HSP47-induced type I collagen secretion and expression. Notably, HSP47-overexpressing fibroblasts exhibited increased XBP1 mRNA splicing. The overexpression of HSP47 or spliced XBP1 facilitated the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and transactivated a reporter harboring TCF binding sites on the promoter. Furthermore, the overexpression of HSP47 or spliced XBP1 or the augmentation of nuclear β-catenin through Wnt3a induced the expression of type I collagen. Our findings substantiate that HSP47 enhances type I collagen expression and secretion in fibroblasts by orchestrating a mechanism that involves an increase in nuclear β-catenin through IRE1α activation and XBP1 splicing. This study therefore presents potential avenues for an anti-skin-aging strategy targeting HSP47-mediated processes.

Distribution and Failure Patterns of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Related to Hippocampus

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Hippocampus (HC) injury by conventional whole brain radiotherapy (C-WBRT) contributes to the neurocognitive decline in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Hippocampal avoidance (HA-WBRT) could minimize neurocognitive impairment by reducing the radiation dose to HC. However, its feasibility in PCNSL has not been examined regarding the incidence of HC involvement and failures. In this retrospective study, we assessed the risk of hippocampal area involvement at diagnosis and after treatments in PCNSL patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We identified 278 immunocompetent PCNSL patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2020. After high dose methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy, patients were observed or given consolidation therapy including RT, cytarabine alone, or autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). HC was contoured on T1 MRI image and expanded with a 5mm margin, generating hippocampal avoidance region (HAR). The extent of initial and recurrent lesions was evaluated using pre-induction and post-consolidation T1 contrast-enhanced MRI images. HC failure was defined as recurrence or progression at HAR and those who progressed after induction were excluded. The median follow up was 38.7 months (3.1-239.4).

RESULTS

Of 278 patients diagnosed with PCNSL, 39.9% of them had initial lesions at HAR (Figure 1a). After induction therapy, 212 evaluable patients received following treatments: RT (n = 145, 68.4%) consisting of C-WBRT (n = 114), HA-WBRT (n = 23), and focal RT (n = 8), observation (n = 38, 17.9%), cytarabine only (24, 11.3%), and ASCT (n = 5, 2.4%). Intracranial failures occurred in 47.6% (n = 101) of patients, with 33.7% (n = 34) of them in HAR (Figure 1b). The multivariate analysis identified multifocal disease (HR 3.86, 95% CI 1.15-9.73, p = 0.004) as the only factor associated with the risk of HC failure. Those with unifocal lesion outside HAR showed the lowest HC failure rate, 7.0%, while the highest HC failure rate, 25.4% was observed in the subgroup with multifocal disease within HAR at diagnosis (Figure 2a). In the lowest risk group (unifocal lesion outside HAR, n = 66), C-WBRT was not significantly associated with HC failure (HR 0.57, CI 0.09-3.33, P = .572, Figure 2b) or intracranial failure (HR 0.88, CI 0.40-1.91, P = .748).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest the HA-WBRT could be explored in patients whose lesion is unifocal and located outside HAR. For patients without initial HAR involvement, hippocampal including WBRT did not significantly change HC failure. Further prospective study will be warranted to assess the feasibility of HA-WBRT in the subgroup with low risk of HC failure.

LRG1 Promotes ECM Integrity by Activating the TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Fibroblasts

Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) mediates skin repair and fibrosis by stimulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. In the present study, we investigated the effect of LRG1 on extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity in fibroblasts, as well as on skin aging. The treatment of dermal fibroblasts with purified recombinant human LRG1 increased type I collagen secretion and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1 secretion. Additionally, LRG1 promoted SMAD2/SMAD3 phosphorylation in a pattern similar to that of TGF-β1 treatment. An inhibitor of TGF-β receptor 1 abolished LRG1-induced SMAD2 phosphorylation. RNA sequencing identified "extracellular region", "extracellular space", and "extracellular matrix" as the main Gene Ontology terms in the differentially expressed genes of fibroblasts treated with or without LRG1. LRG1 increased TGF-β1 mRNA levels, suggesting that LRG1 partially transactivates the expression of TGF-β1. Furthermore, an increased expression of type I collagen was also observed in fibroblasts grown in three-dimensional cultures on a collagen gel mimicking the dermis. LRG1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in elderly human skin tissues with weakened ECM integrity compared to in young human skin tissues. Taken together, our results suggest that LRG1 could retard skin aging by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway, increasing ECM deposition while decreasing its degradation.

SPARC Is Highly Expressed in Young Skin and Promotes Extracellular Matrix Integrity in Fibroblasts via the TGF-β Signaling Pathway

The matricellular secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC; also known as osteonectin), is involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, cell-ECM interactions, and bone mineralization. We found decreased SPARC expression in aged skin. Incubating foreskin fibroblasts with recombinant human SPARC led to increased type I collagen production and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion at the protein and mRNA levels. In a three-dimensional culture of foreskin fibroblasts mimicking the dermis, SPARC significantly increased the synthesis of type I collagen and decreased its degradation. In addition, SPARC also induced receptor-regulated SMAD (R-SMAD) phosphorylation. An inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor type 1 reversed the SPARC-induced increase in type I collagen and decrease in MMP-1, and decreased SPARC-induced R-SMAD phosphorylation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that SPARC modulated expression of genes involved in ECM synthesis and regulation in fibroblasts. RT-qPCR confirmed that a subset of differentially expressed genes is induced by SPARC. These results indicated that SPARC enhanced ECM integrity by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway in fibroblasts. We inferred that the decline in SPARC expression in aged skin contributes to process of skin aging by negatively affecting ECM integrity in fibroblasts.

Knockdown of PTK7 Reduces the Oncogenic Potential of Breast Cancer Cells by Impeding Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), a catalytically defective receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), is often upregulated in various cancers. This study aimed to validate PTK7 as a target for breast cancer (BC) and investigate its oncogenic signaling mechanism. BC tissue analysis showed significantly elevated PTK7 mRNA levels, especially in refractory triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues, compared with normal controls. Similarly, BC cell lines exhibited increased PTK7 expression. Knockdown of PTK7 inhibited the proliferation of T-47D and MCF-7 hormone-receptor-positive BC cell-lines and of HCC1187, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-453 TNBC cells. PTK7 knockdown also inhibited the adhesion, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-453 cells, and reduced the phosphorylation levels of crucial oncogenic regulators including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Furthermore, PTK7 interacts with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed in MDA-MB-231 cells. Knockdown of PTK7 decreased the growth-factor-induced phosphorylation of FGFR1 and EGFR in MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating its association with RTK activation. In conclusion, PTK7 plays a significant role in oncogenic signal transduction by enhancing FGFR1 and EGFR activation, influencing BC tumorigenesis and metastasis. Hence, PTK7 represents a potential candidate for targeted BC therapy, including TNBC.

Expression of Polyamine Oxidase in Fibroblasts Induces MMP-1 and Decreases the Integrity of Extracellular Matrix

Polyamine oxidase (PAOX) (N¹-acetylpolyamine oxidase) is a major enzyme in the polyamine catabolism pathway that generates hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide plays a crucial role in skin aging via extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by increasing the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels. We analyzed the integrity of the ECM in foreskin fibroblasts using PAOX expression. PAOX increased the MMP-1 secretion and type Ι collagen degradation in 2D and 3D cultures of fibroblasts, respectively. Similarly, PAOX overexpression increased the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level of MMP-1. PAOX expression induced polyamine catabolism, decreased the spermine levels, and increased the putrescine levels. However, the exogenous polyamine treatment did not change the MMP-1 and type I collagen levels as much as PAOX expression. PAOX expression increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in fibroblasts, and exogenous hydrogen peroxide increased both the ROS production and MMP-1 secretion. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, reversed the PAOX-induced ROS production and MMP-1 secretion. PAOX induced the signaling pathways that activate activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which are important transcription factors for MMP-1 transactivation. We concluded that PAOX increased the ROS levels in fibroblasts, leading to an increase in MMP-1 expression. Therefore, we propose that PAOX is a potential target molecule in protecting the ECM integrity.

Polyamine Oxidase Expression Is Downregulated by 17β-Estradiol via Estrogen Receptor 2 in Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Polyamine levels decrease with menopause; however, little is known about the mechanisms regulated by menopause. In this study, we found that among the genes involved in the polyamine pathway, polyamine oxidase (PAOX) mRNA levels were the most significantly reduced by treatment with 17β-estradiol in estrogen receptor (ESR)-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with 17β-estradiol also reduced the PAOX protein levels. Treatment with selective ESR antagonists and knockdown of ESR members revealed that estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2; also known as ERβ) was responsible for the repression of PAOX by 17β-estradiol. A luciferase reporter assay showed that 17β-estradiol downregulates PAOX promoter activity and that 17β-estradiol-dependent PAOX repression disappeared after deletions (−3126/−2730 and −1271/−1099 regions) or mutations of activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding sites in the PAOX promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that ESR2 interacts with AP-1 bound to each of the two AP-1 binding sites. These results demonstrate that 17β-estradiol represses PAOX transcription by the interaction of ESR2 with AP-1 bound to the PAOX promoter. This suggests that estrogen deficiency may upregulate PAOX expression and decrease polyamine levels.

Diagnosis, management and follow up of peripheral T cell lymphomas: A Consensus Practice Statement from the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) represent a heterogeneous disease group accounting for 10% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. PTCL patients have typically poorer outcomes compared to aggressive B-cell lymphomas. However, such outcomes are heavily dependent upon subtype. Although anthracycline-based regimens such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) remain the standard first-line treatment for most aggressive PTCLs, there are important variations including incorporation of novel agents, use of radiotherapy and judicious consideration of stem cell transplantation. Relapsed or refractory disease represents a significant area of unmet need where chemotherapy intensification has limited efficacy and novel agents such as brentuximab vedotin and pralatrexate provide additional opportunities for attainment of remission and potential stem cell transplant. In the future, pre-therapy prognostic biomarkers including genomic characterisation, may aid in risk stratification and help guide initial patient management to improve survival. There is an urgent need to better understand the pathogenesis of PTCLs to facilitate novel drug combinatorial approaches to improve survival. This position statement represents an evidence-based synthesis of the literature for application in Australian and New Zealand practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A consensus practice statement from the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma subtype, accounting for 30-40% of lymphoma diagnoses. Though aggressive, cure is achievable in approximately 60% of cases with primary chemo-immunotherapy, and in a further substantial minority by salvage therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite promising activity in early phase clinical trials, no intensified or novel treatment regimen has improved outcomes over R-CHOP21 in randomised studies. However, there remain several areas of controversy including the most appropriate prognostic markers, CNS prophylaxis and the optimal treatment for patients with high-risk disease. This position statement presents an evidence-based synthesis of the literature for application in Australasian practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effects of Tenascin C on the Integrity of Extracellular Matrix and Skin Aging

Tenascin C (TNC) is an element of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of various tissues, including the skin, and is involved in modulating ECM integrity and cell physiology. Although skin aging is apparently associated with changes in the ECM, little is known about the role of TNC in skin aging. In this study, we found that the Tnc mRNA level was significantly reduced in the skin tissues of aged mice compared with young mice, consistent with reduced TNC protein expression in aged human skin. TNC-large (TNC-L; 330-kDa) and -small (TNC-S; 240-kDa) polypeptides were observed in conditional media from primary dermal fibroblasts. Both recombinant TNC polypeptides, corresponding to TNC-L and TNC-S, increased the expression of type I collagen and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in fibroblasts. Treatment of fibroblasts with a recombinant TNC polypeptide, corresponding to TNC-L, induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3. TNC increased the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA and upregulated the expression of type I collagen by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway. In addition, TNC also promoted the expression of type I collagen in fibroblasts embedded in a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Our findings suggest that TNC contributes to the integrity of ECM in young skin and to prevention of skin aging.

Prevalence of hypoxia and correlation with glycolytic metabolism and angiogenic biomarkers in metastatic colorectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

Hypoxia is associated with aggressive tumour behaviour and can influence response to systemic therapy and radiotherapy. The prevalence of hypoxia in metastatic colorectal cancer is poorly understood, and the relationship of hypoxia to patient outcomes has not been clearly established. The aims of the study were to evaluate hypoxia in metastatic colorectal cancer with [¹⁸F]Fluoromisonidazole ([¹⁸F]FMISO PET) and correlate these findings with glycolytic metabolism ([¹⁸F]FDG PET) and angiogenic blood biomarkers and patient outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer received routine staging investigations and both [¹⁸F] FMISO PET and [¹⁸F] FDG PET scans. Correlative blood specimens were also obtained at the time of the [¹⁸F] FMISO PET scan. Patient follow-up was performed to establish progression-free survival.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were recruited into the trial. [¹⁸F]FMISO and [¹⁸F]FDG PET scans showed a significant correlation of SUV_max (p = 0.003). A significant correlation of progression-free survival and [¹⁸F] FMISO TNR (p = 0.02) and overall survival with [¹⁸F]FMISO TNR (p = 0.003) and [¹⁸F]FDG TGV (p = 0.02) was observed. Serum levels of osteopontin, but not VEGF, correlated with [¹⁸F] FMISO and [¹⁸F]FDG PET scan parameters.

CONCLUSION

[¹⁸F]FMISO PET uptake in metastatic colorectal cancer significantly correlates with glycolytic metabolism and is predictive of progression-free and overall survival. These findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients with novel therapies which affect tumour angiogenesis and hypoxia.

The catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase EphA10 promotes tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer cells

EphA10 (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor A10) is a catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase in the ephrin receptor family. Although EphA10 is involved in the malignancy of some types of cancer, its role as an oncogene has not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the influence of EphA10 on the tumorigenic potential of pancreatic cancer cells. Analysis of expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas confirmed that EphA10 was elevated and higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues in some cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. EphA10 silencing reduced the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of MIA PaCa‐2 and AsPC‐1 pancreatic cancer cells. These effects were reversed by overexpression of EphA10 in MIA PaCa‐2 cells. Importantly, overexpression and silencing of EphA10 respectively increased and decreased the weight, volume, and number of Ki‐67‐positive proliferating cells in MIA PaCa‐2 xenograft tumors. Further, EphA10 expression was positively correlated with invasion and gelatin degradation in MIA PaCa‐2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of EphA10 enhanced the expression and secretion of MMP‐9 in MIA PaCa‐2 cells and increased the expression of MMP‐9 and the vascular density in xenograft tumors. Finally, expression of EphA10 increased the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, AKT, FAK, and NF‐κB, which are important for cell proliferation, survival, adhesion, migration, and invasion. Therefore, we suggest that EphA10 plays a pivotal role in the tumorigenesis of pancreatic epithelial cells and is a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

The acute toxicity of water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) in a goat model

Water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is one of the most toxic plants to livestock and humans. Little is known regarding the amount of plant required to cause death. The objective of this study was to determine a lethal dose of water hemlock in a goat model. Plants were dosed to goats via oral gavage of freeze-dried ground plant material. The results from this study suggest that 1-2 fresh tubers would be lethal to goats.

Prognostic Predictions for Patients with Glioblastoma after Standard Treatment: Application of Contrast Leakage Information from DSC-MRI within Nonenhancing FLAIR High-Signal-Intensity Lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Attempts have been made to quantify the microvascular leakiness of glioblastomas and use it as an imaging biomarker to predict the prognosis of the tumor. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the extraction fraction value from DSC-MR imaging within nonenhancing FLAIR hyperintense lesions was a better prognostic imaging biomarker than dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters for patients with glioblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 102 patients with glioblastoma who received a preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and DSC-MR imaging were included in this retrospective study. Patients were classified into the progression (n = 87) or nonprogression (n = 15) groups at 24 months after surgery. We extracted the means and 95th percentile values for the contrast leakage information parameters from both modalities within the nonenhancing FLAIR high-signal-intensity lesions.

RESULTS

The extraction fraction 95th percentile value was higher in the progression-free survival group of >24 months than at ≤24 months. The median progression-free survival of the group with an extraction fraction 95th percentile value of >13.32 was 17 months, whereas that of the group of ≤13.32 was 12 months. In addition, it was an independent predictor variable for progression-free survival in the patients regardless of their ages and genetic information.

CONCLUSIONS

The extraction fraction 95th percentile value was the only independent parameter for prognostic prediction in patients with glioblastoma among the contrast leakage information, which has no statistically significant correlations with the DCE-MR imaging parameters.

Determination of Medium Condition Effective to Cryopreservation of Primary Spermatogonial Stem Cells Derived from Porcine Neonatal Testes

BACKGROUND

The superior genetic resources of breeding pigs have been preserved for use through freezing the sperm or semen. However, because there is no way to collect their sperm or semen after depletion, the generation of sperm via the differentiation of porcine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) can be an alternative. To date, there have been no reports of techniques customized to in-vitro culture and differentiation into sperm in porcine SSCs. Accordingly, it is important to preserve porcine SSCs with outstanding genetic backgrounds until these technologies are developed. Unfortunately, a protocol for the long-term preservation of porcine SSCs has yet to be reported.

OBJECTIVE

We tried to develop a cryopreservation medium to preserve the characteristics of undifferentiated porcine SSCs for long-term cryopreservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SSCs retrieved from porcine testes were freeze-cryopreserved in StemPro-34 medium supplemented with various concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and trehalose; then, after 7 days, the viability and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was measured in thawed porcine SSCs. Additionally, we investigated the use of hypotaurine and/or glutathione as antioxidants in the optimized freezing medium for maintaining the viability and AP activity of porcine SSCs during the freezing-cryopreservation-thawing process.

RESULTS

Porcine SSCs frozen-cryopreserved-thawed in StemPro-34 medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) FBS, 10% (v/v) DMSO, 200 mM trehalose, 5 mM hypotaurine, and 5 mM glutathione showed the highest viability and AP activity.

CONCLUSION

We optimized a cryopreservation medium that inhibits the loss of viability and the increases differentiation post-thawing of the frozen porcine SSCs.

Catalytically inactive receptor tyrosine kinase PTK7 activates FGFR1 independent of FGF

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), a catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK), plays an oncogenic role by activating an unidentified TKI-258 (dovitinib)-sensitive RPTK in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Here, we demonstrate that among TKI-258–sensitive RPTKs, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1 is significantly up-regulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. We show that PTK7 colocalizes with FGFR1 and binds it via its extracellular domain in human embryonic kidney 293 and ESCC TE-10 cells. PTK7 knockdown not only reduced ligand-free and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-induced phosphorylation of FGFR1 but also the interaction of signaling adaptor proteins with FGFR1 and activation of downstream signaling proteins in TE-10 cells. In addition, PTK7 knockdown reduced FGF-induced oncogenic phenotypes including proliferation, anchorage-independent colony formation, wound healing, and invasion in ESCC cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that PTK7 binds and activates FGFR1 independent of FGF and thus increases oncogenicity of PTK7- and FGFR1-positive cancers such as ESCC.—Shin, W.-S., Lee, H. W., Lee, S.-T. Catalytically inactive receptor tyrosine kinase PTK7 activates FGFR1 independent of FGF.

Tyrosine 51 residue of the syndecan-2 extracellular domain is involved in the interaction with and activation of pro-matrix metalloproteinase-7

Although syndecan-2 is known to interact with the matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), the details of their interaction were unknown. Our experiments with a series of syndecan-2 extracellular domain deletion mutants show that the interaction is mediated through an interaction of the extracellular domain of syndecan-2 (residues 41 to 60) with the α2 helix-loop-α3 helix in the pro-domain of MMP-7. NMR and molecular docking model show that Glu7 of the α1 helix, Glu32 of the α2 helix, and Gly48 and Ser52 of the α2 helix-loop-α3 helix of the MMP-7 pro-domain form the syndecan-2-binding pocket, which is occupied by the side chain of tyrosine residue 51 (Tyr51) of syndecan-2. Consistent with this notion, the expression of a syndecan-2 mutant in which Tyr51 was changed to Ala diminished the interaction between the syndecan-2 extracellular domain and the pro-domain of MMP-7. Furthermore, HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells expressing the interaction-defective mutant exhibited reductions in the cell-surface localization of MMP-7, the processing of pro-MMP-7 into active MMP-7, the MMP-7-mediated extracellular domain shedding of both syndecan-2 and E-cadherin, and syndecan-2-mediated anchorage-independent growth. Collectively, these data strongly suggest that Tyr51 of the syndecan-2 extracellular domain mediates its interaction with and activating processing of pro-MMP-7 and regulates MMP-7-dependent syndecan-2 functions.

Assessment of endophyte-derived tremorgenic compounds in Ipomoea asarifolia using mouse models

Ipomoea asarifolia has been associated with a tremorgenic syndrome in livestock. Recently indole diterpene compounds were identified in I. asarifolia, some of which have been shown to cause a tremorgenic syndrome. In this study, the tremorgenic nature of I. asarifolia was assessed using a mouse model. Adult mice were fed rodent chow containing 10, 15, 20 and 25% endophyte infected (E+), or 25% endophyte free (E-), I. asarifolia for 14 days. The mice fed E+ chow developed a tremorgenic syndrome as characterized by visually observed muscle tremors and an inability to traverse a balance beam, whereas the mice fed E- chow did not develop tremors and had similar muscle coordination to control mice. A lactating mouse model was also used to determine if the compounds can be transferred to nursing pups via the milk. Nursing pups were exposed via their mother's milk for 21 days, from post-natal day 0-21. The pups from dams exposed to E+ chow developed a similar tremorgenic syndrome. Data presented in this study demonstrate that the tremorgenic compounds in I. asarifolia are endophyte derived. Additionally, both adult mice and nursing pups are good models for studying the tremorgenic nature of I. asarifolia and related plants.

Homology between alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(III) collagen promoters and evidence for negatively acting elements in the alpha 2(V) first intron and 5' flanking sequences

We have isolated a 17 kilobase pair (kb) genomic clone containing the 5' portion of the human alpha 2(V) collagen gene. Nucleotide sequence was determined for 1671 base pairs (bp) comprising the promoter region, first exon and 334 bp of the first intron, and the major transcriptional start site determined by primer extension and S1 nuclease analysis. Sequence comparison revealed the alpha 2(V) promoter to be similar in structure to the promoter of the alpha 1(III) collagen gene. This is the first instance of such similarities between promoter regions of genes encoding different fibrillar collagen chains. Homology, in 5' flanking sequences, extends upstream to about nucleotide -120 in each gene and is particularly striking near the TATTTA sequence (TATA box) present in each promoter. Some homology also surrounds the two transcription start sites. The 5' untranslated regions of the two genes also show strong homology. Chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) constructs were prepared with various fragments from the 5' portion of the alpha 2(V) gene. Transient expression assays, in human fibroblasts, localized the functional alpha 2(V) promoter to the region of 5' flanking sequence conserved between the alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(III) genes. Expression assays also identified negatively acting elements, in intron and 5' flanking sequences, which inhibit transcription from the alpha 2(V) promoter.

Complete inhibition of fetal movement in the day 40 pregnant goat model by the piperidine alkaloid anabasine but not related alkaloids

Four chemically similar alkaloids, anabasine, anabaseine, epibatidine and dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP), are potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists of fetal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in human TE-671 cells. Based on results with these cells, we hypothesized that the alkaloids would completely inhibit ultrasound-monitored fetal movement in a goat model. Different, single doses of anabasine, anabaseine, epibatidine, DMPP, or saline control were administered I.V. to pregnant goats on day 40 of gestation and the number of fetal movements per 5 min sample was measured by ultrasound at times 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h. The differences among does in fetal movements were more consistent at dosing and following recovery for doses of anabasine above 0.125 mg/kg compared to the other compounds and dosages. Anabasine actions were dose-dependent with an IC₅₀ value of ∼0.1 mg/kg, and, at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg, completely inhibited fetal movement for 1.5 h after dosing. Anabaseine, epibatidine, and DMPP failed to completely inhibit fetal movement in day 40 pregnant goats at doses predicted to be effective. These results suggest that while experiments with TE-671 cells provide valuable information and predictions of the actions of plant alkaloids on fetal movement, in vivo experiments are still required in order to determine the ability of an alkaloid to inhibit fetal movement in livestock species. Moreover, other pharmacological properties such as receptor differences between mammalian species and differences in the pharmacokinetic properties of the alkaloids also are likely to weaken teratologic predictions based solely on the in vitro data.

Identification of Plasma Membrane Glycoproteins Specific to Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Using Lectin Arrays and LC-MS/MS

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most malignant type of brain cancer and has poor prognosis with a median survival of less than one year. While the structural changes of tumor cell surface carbohydrates are known to be associated with invasive behavior of tumor cells, the cell surface glycoproteins to differentiate the low- and high-grade glioma cells can be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for GBMs. In the present study, lectin arrays consisting of eight lectins were employed to explore cell surface carbohydrate expression patterns on low-grade oligodendroglioma cells (Hs683) and GBM cells (T98G). Griffonia simplicifolia I (GS I) was found to selectively bind to T98G cells and not to Hs683 cells. For identification of the glioblastoma-specific cell surface markers, the glycoproteins from each cell type were captured by a GS I lectin column and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The identified proteins from the two cell types were quantified using label-free quantitative analysis based on spectral counting. Of cell surface glycoproteins showing significant increases in T98G cells, five proteins were selected for verification of both protein and glycosylation level changes using Western blot and GS I lectin-based immunosorbent assay.

Generation of embryonic stem-like cells from in vivo-derived porcine blastocysts at a low concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor

Although basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an essential factor supporting the maintenance of porcine embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal and pluripotency, its high cost has limited previous studies, and the development of a low-cost culture system is required. For these systems, in vivo blastocysts were progressively cultured under various conditions consisting of different culture mediums and/or different feeder cell numbers at a low concentration of bFGF. As the results, the sequential culture of in vivo-derived porcine blastocysts on 5.0 × 10⁵ mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells in alpha minimum essential medium-based medium for primary culture, on 2.5 × 10⁵ MEF feeder cells in Mixture medium for the 1st subpassage, and on 2.5 × 10⁵ MEF feeder cells in DMEM/Ham's F10-based medium for the post-2nd subpassage could support the establishment and maintenance of porcine ES-like cells at the low concentration of bFGF. The established porcine ES-like cells showed ES cell-specific characteristics such as self-renewal and pluripotency. We confirmed that porcine ES-like cells could be generated from in vivo-derived porcine blastocysts at a low concentration of bFGF.

MicroRNA-30a Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Metastasis Through Down-Regulation of Type I Insulin-Like Growth Factor Receptor

BACKGROUND

miR-30a expression is down-regulated and regulates tumor suppressors in various cancers.

AIM

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the biological role of miR-30a in CRC.

METHODS

MicroRNA, mRNA, and protein expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. The migration and invasion abilities of CRC were determined by wound healing assay, and trans-well migration and invasion. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the targets of miR-30a.

RESULTS

miR-30a expression was significantly down-regulated in CRC tissues and in CRC tissue with lymph node metastasis compared to CRC tissue without metastasis. Overexpression of miR-30a suppressed migration and invasion through insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in CRC cells. miR-30a suppresses IGF1R protein expression and inhibits β-catenin or p-AKT and increases E-cadherin expression. The IGF1R expression level is also up-regulated in CRC tumors and inversely correlated with miR-30a in CRC specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-30a functions as a tumor-suppressive miRNA, which may provide a therapeutic strategy for metastasis of CRC.

Integrative analysis for the discovery of lung cancer serological markers and validation by MRM-MS

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes approximately 80% of all diagnosed lung cancers, and diagnostic markers detectable in the plasma/serum of NSCLC patients are greatly needed. In this study, we established a pipeline for the discovery of markers using 9 transcriptome datasets from publicly available databases and profiling of six lung cancer cell secretomes. Thirty-one out of 312 proteins that overlapped between two-fold differentially expressed genes and identified cell secretome proteins were detected in the pooled plasma of lung cancer patients. To quantify the candidates in the serum of NSCLC patients, multiple-reaction-monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) was performed for five candidate biomarkers. Finally, two potential biomarkers (BCHE and GPx3; AUC = 0.713 and 0.673, respectively) and one two-marker panel generated by logistic regression (BCHE/GPx3; AUC = 0.773) were identified. A validation test was performed by ELISA to evaluate the reproducibility of GPx3 and BCHE expression in an independent set of samples (BCHE and GPx3; AUC = 0.630 and 0.759, respectively, BCHE/GPx3 panel; AUC = 0.788). Collectively, these results demonstrate the feasibility of using our pipeline for marker discovery and our MRM-MS platform for verifying potential biomarkers of human diseases.

Syndecan-2 cytoplasmic domain up-regulates matrix metalloproteinase-7 expression via the protein kinase Cγ-mediated FAK/ERK signaling pathway in colon cancer

The syndecan family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans contributes to cell adhesion and communication by serving as co-receptors for cell signaling and extracellular matrix molecules. Syndecan-2 is located at the cell surface, and we previously reported that it induces matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expression in colon cancer cells. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, we report that overexpression of syndecan-2 in HT-29 colon cancer cells increases the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and ERK in parallel with up-regulated MMP-7 expression, but a syndecan-2 mutant lacking the cytoplasmic domain showed significant reductions in these effects. Consistent with this observation, FAK inhibition via FAK-related non-kinase expression or inhibition of ERK with the ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 diminished the syndecan-2-mediated up-regulation of MMP-7. Activation of PKC enhanced syndecan-2-mediated MMP-7 expression, whereas inhibition of PKC had the opposite effect. Of note, the exogenous expression of syndecan-2 triggered localization of PKCγ to the membrane. Expression of syndecan-2 harboring a phosphomimetic (S198E) mutation of the variable region of the cytoplasmic domain enhanced MMP-7 expression and FAK phosphorylation. Finally, experimental suppression of shedding of the syndecan-2 extracellular domain did not significantly affect the syndecan-2-mediated up-regulation of MMP-7 in the early period after syndecan-2 overexpression. Taken together, these findings suggest that syndecan-2's cytoplasmic domain up-regulates MMP-7 expression in colon cancer cells via PKCγ-mediated activation of FAK/ERK signaling.

MicroRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a) regulates cell motility and EMT by directly targeting oncogenic TM4SF1 in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide, and many oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are involved in CRC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can negatively regulate gene expression. Previous studies have revealed that miRNAs regulate the development and progression of many cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a) in CRC and its unknown mechanisms.

METHODS

qRT-PCR was used to detect miR-30a and TM4SF1 mRNA expression in CRC specimens and cell lines. CRC cell migration and invasion were assessed after transfection with miR-30a or TM4SF1 using wound healing and trans-well migration and invasion assays. Transmembrane-4-L-six-family protein (TM4SF1) was validated as a target of miR-30a in CRC through luciferase reporter assay and bioinformatics algorithms. Moreover, two EMT regulators, E-cadherin and VEGF, were also identified using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We found that miR-30a was down-regulated in CRC tumor tissues and cell lines, and miR-30a was inversely associated with advanced stage and lymph node metastatic status compared with normal tissues. miR-30a decreased migration and invasion in CRC cell lines, and miR-30a overexpression not only down-regulated TM4SF1 mRNA and protein expression, but also inhibited the expression of VEGF and enhanced expression of E-cadherin. We also showed that TM4SF1 was up-regulated in CRC tumor specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues, and TM4SF1 expression was significantly associated with advanced stage and lymph node status compared with adjacent normal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that miR-30a is an important regulator of TM4SF1, VEGF, and E-cadherin for CRC lymph node metastasis, a potential new therapeutic target in CRC.

PTK6 Localized at the Plasma Membrane Promotes Cell Proliferation and MigratiOn Through Phosphorylation of Eps8

Protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6; also known as Brk) is closely related to the Src family kinases, but lacks a membrane-targeting myristoylation signal. Sublocalization of PTK6 at the plasma membrane enhances its oncogenic potential. To understand the mechanism(s) underlying the oncogenic property of plasma---membrane-associated PTK6, proteins phosphorylated by membrane-targeted myristoylated PTK6 (Myr-PTK6) were enriched and analyzed using a proteomics approach. Eps8 which was identified by this method is phosphorylated by Myr-PTK6 in HEK293 cells. Mouse Eps8 expressed in HEK293 cells is phosphorylated by Myr-PTK6 at residues Tyr497, Tyr524, and Tyr534. Compared to wild-type Eps8 (Eps8 WT), the phosphorylation-defective 3YF mutant (Eps8 3YF) reverts the increased proliferation, migration, and phosphorylation of ERK and FAK mediated by Eps8 WT in HEK293 cells overexpressing PTK6. PTK6 knockdown in T-47D breast cancer cells decreased EGF-induced phosphorylation of Eps8. Endogenous PTK6 phosphorylates ectopically expressed Eps8 WT, but not Eps8 3YF mutant, in EGF-stimulated T-47D cells. The EGF-induced Eps8 phosphorylation enhances activation of ERK and FAK, cell adhesion, and anchorage-independent colony formation in T-47D cells, but not in the PTK6-knokdown T-47D cells. These results indicate that plasma-membrane-associated PTK6 phosphorylates Eps8, which promotes cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration and, thus, tumorigenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2887-2895, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of rapamycin treatment during post-activation and/or in vitro culture on embryonic development after parthenogenesis and in vitro fertilization in pigs

This study investigated the effects of early induction of autophagy on embryonic development in pigs. For this, oocytes or embryos were treated with an autophagy inducer, rapamycin (RP), during post-activation (Pa), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or in vitro culture (IVC). When parthenogenesis (PA) embryos were untreated (control) or treated with various concentrations of RP for 4 hr during Pa, 100 nm RP showed a higher blastocyst formation (48.8 ± 2.7%) than the control (34.6 ± 3.0%). When PA embryos were treated during the first 24 hr of IVC, blastocyst formation was increased (p < .05) by 1 and 10 nm RP (61.9 ± 3.0 and 59.6 ± 3.0%, respectively) compared to the control (43.2 ± 1.8%) and 100 nm RP (47.8 ± 3.2%), with a higher embryo cleavage in response to 10 nm RP (87.3 ± 2.4%) than the control (74.1 ± 3.2%). RP treatment during IVC and Pa + IVC showed increased blastocyst formation (44.7 ± 2.5 and 44.1 ± 2.0%, respectively) compared to the control (33.2 ± 2.0%). In addition, RP treatment during Pa and/or IVC increased glutathione content and inversely reduced reactive oxygen species. In IVF, RP treatment for 6 hr during IVF significantly increased embryonic development (34.0 ± 2.6%) compared to the control (24.8 ± 1.6%), but treatment during IVC for 24 hr with RP did not (23.0 ± 3.8%). Autophagy was significantly increased in PA oocytes by the RP treatment during Pa but not altered by the treatment during the first 24 hr of IVC. Overall, RP treatment positively regulated the pre-implantation development of pig embryos, probably by regulating cellular redox state and stimulating autophagy.

The associated pyrazolopyrimidines PP1 and PP2 inhibit protein tyrosine kinase 6 activity and suppress breast cancer cell proliferation

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)6, also known as breast tumor kinase, is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase. It is closely associated with, but evolutionarily distinct from, the Src family members. PTK6 has a role in proliferation, migration and invasion in various cancers, and therefore has been suggested as a potentially valuable therapeutic target. In an attempt to develop PTK6 inhibitors, chemicals known to inhibit various kinases were screened for their ability to inhibit PTK6. Pyrazolopyrimidine (PP)1, PP2 and a lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor strongly inhibited the catalytic activity of PTK6 in vitro. These chemicals suppressed the phosphorylation of PTK6 substrate proteins, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells expressing hyperactive PTK6. They also expressed selectivity towards PTK6 over other PTK members in HEK 293 cells. PP1 and PP2 specifically inhibited the PTK6-dependent proliferation of human breast carcinoma T-47D cells. PP1 and PP2 were more selective for PTK6 than for Src family kinases, and may be useful for the treatment of PTK6-positive malignant diseases such as breast cancer.

DNA-templated silver nanoclusters: structural correlation and fluorescence modulation

12 years after the introduction of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs), exciting progress has been made and yet we are still in the midst of trying to fully understand this nanomaterial. The prominent excellence of DNA-AgNCs is undoubtedly its modulatable emission property, of which how variation in DNA templates causes emission tuning remains elusive. Based on the up-to-date DNA-AgNCs, we aim to establish the correlation between the structure/sequence of DNA templates and emission behaviour of AgNCs. Herein, we systematically present a wide-range of DNA-AgNCs based on the structural complexity of the DNA templates, including single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), triple-stranded DNA (tsDNA) and DNA nanostructures. For each DNA category, we discuss the emission property, quantum yield and synthesis condition of the respective AgNCs, before cross-comparing the impact of different DNA scaffolds on the properties of AgNCs. A future outlook for this area is given as a conclusion. By putting the information together, this review may shed new light on understanding DNA-AgNCs while we are expecting continuous breakthroughs in this field.

Growth-stimulatory activity of TIMP-2 is mediated through c-Src activation followed by activation of FAK, PI3-kinase/AKT, and ERK1/2 independent of MMP inhibition in lung adenocarcinoma cells

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) control extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are associated with ECM turnover. Recent studies have revealed that TIMPs are implicated in tumorigenesis in both MMP-dependent and MMP-independent manners. We examined a mechanism by which TIMP-2 stimulated lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, independent of MMP inhibition. The stimulation of growth by TIMP-2 in A549 cells required c-Src kinase activation. c-Src kinase activity, induced by TIMP-2, concomitantly increased FAK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/AKT, and ERK1/2 activation. Selective knockdown of integrin α3β1, known as a TIMP-2 receptor, did not significantly change TIMP-2 growth promoting activity. Furthermore, we showed that high TIMP-2 expression in lung adenocarcinomas is associated with a worse prognosis from multiple cohorts, especially for stage I lung adenocarcinoma. Through integrated analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data, TIMP-2 expression was significantly associated with the alteration of driving genes, c-Src activation, and PI3-kinase/AKT pathway activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that TIMP-2 stimulates lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation through c-Src, FAK, PI3-kinase/AKT, and ERK1/2 pathway activation in an MMP-independent manner.

Cystathionine metabolic enzymes play a role in the inflammation resolution of human keratinocytes in response to sub-cytotoxic formaldehyde exposure

Low-level formaldehyde exposure is inevitable in industrialized countries. Although daily-life formaldehyde exposure level is practically impossible to induce cell death, most of mechanistic studies related to formaldehyde toxicity have been performed in cytotoxic concentrations enough to trigger cell death mechanism. Currently, toxicological mechanisms underlying the sub-cytotoxic exposure to formaldehyde are not clearly elucidated in skin cells. In this study, the genome-scale transcriptional analysis in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) was performed to investigate cutaneous biological pathways associated with daily life formaldehyde exposure. We selected the 175 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 116 downregulated DEGs in NHKs treated with 200μM formaldehyde. In the Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the 175 upregulated DEGs, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) was identified as the most significant GO biological process in the formaldeyde-treated NHKs. Interestingly, the sub-cytotoxic formaldehyde affected NHKs to upregulate two enzymes important in the cellular transsulfuration pathway, cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH) and cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS). In the temporal expression analysis, the upregulation of the pro-inflammatory DEGs such as MMP1 and PTGS2 was detected earlier than that of CTH, CBS and other ER UPR genes. The metabolites of CTH and CBS, l-cystathionine and l-cysteine, attenuated the formaldehyde-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory DEGs, MMP1, PTGS2, and CXCL8, suggesting that CTH and CBS play a role in the negative feedback regulation of formaldehyde-induced pro-inflammatory responses in NHKs. In this regard, the sub-cytotoxic formaldehyde-induced CBS and CTH may regulate inflammation fate decision to resolution by suppressing the early pro-inflammatory response.

Locoweed (Oxytropis sericea)—induced Lesions in Mule Deer (Odocoileius hemionus)

Locoweed poisoning has been reported in wildlife, but it is unknown whether mule deer ( Odocoileius hemionus)are susceptible. In areas that are heavily infested with locoweed, deer and elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni)have developed a spongiform encephalopathy, chronic wasting disease (CWD). Although these are distinct diseases, no good comparisons are available. The purpose of this study was to induce and describe chronic locoweed poisoning in deer and compare it with the lesions of CWD. Two groups of four mule deer were fed either a complete pelleted ration or a similar ration containing 15% locoweed ( Oxytropis sericea). Poisoned deer lost weight and developed a scruffy, dull coat. They developed reluctance to move, and movement produced subtle intention tremors. Poisoned deer had extensive vacuolation of visceral tissues, which was most severe in the exocrine pancreas. Thyroid follicular epithelium, renal tubular epithelium, and macrophages in many tissues were mildly vacuolated. The exposed deer also had mild neuronal swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolation that was most obvious in Purkinje cells. Axonal swelling and dystrophy was found in many white tracts, but it was most severe in the cerebellar peduncles and the gracilis and cuneate fasciculi. These findings indicate that deer are susceptible to locoweed poisoning, but the lesions differ in severity and distribution from those of other species. The histologic changes of locoweed poisoning are distinct from those of CWD in deer; however, the clinical presentation of locoweed poisoning in deer is similar. Histologic and immunohistochemical studies are required for a definitive diagnosis.

Identification of ganglioside GM2 activator playing a role in cancer cell migration through proteomic analysis of breast cancer secretomes

Cancer cell secretomes are considered a potential source for the discovery of cancer markers. In this study, the secretomes of four breast cancer (BC) cell lines (Hs578T, MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231, and SK‐BR‐3) were profiled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 1410 proteins were identified with less than 1% false discovery rate, of which approximately 55% (796 proteins) were predicted to be secreted from cells. To find BC‐specific proteins among the secreted proteins, data of immunohistochemical staining compiled in the Human Protein Atlas were investigated by comparing the data of BC tissues with those of normal tissues. By applying various criteria, including higher expression level in BC tissues, higher predicted potential of secretion, and sufficient number of tandem mass spectra, 12 biomarker candidate proteins including ganglioside GM2 activator (GM2A) were selected for confirmation. Western blot analysis and ELISA for plasma samples of healthy controls and BC patients revealed elevation of GM2A in BC patients, especially those who were estrogen receptor‐negative. Additionally, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of GM2A in BC cells decreased migration in vitro, whereas the overexpression of GM2A led to an increase in cell migration. Although GM2A as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in BC should be carefully verified further, this study has established the potential role of GM2A in BC progression.

Different Functional and Structural Characteristics between ApoA-I and ApoA-4 in Lipid-Free and Reconstituted HDL State: ApoA-4 Showed Less Anti-Atherogenic Activity

Apolipoprotein A-I and A-IV are protein constituents of high-density lipoproteins although their functional difference in lipoprotein metabolism is still unclear. To compare anti-atherogenic properties between apoA-I and apoA-4, we characterized both proteins in lipid-free and lipid-bound state. In lipid-free state, apoA4 showed two distinct bands, around 78 and 67 Å on native gel electrophoresis, while apoA-I showed scattered band pattern less than 71 Å. In reconstituted HDL (rHDL) state, apoA-4 showed three major bands around 101 Å and 113 Å, while apoA-I-rHDL showed almost single band around 98 Å size. Lipid-free apoA-I showed 2.9-fold higher phospholipid binding ability than apoA-4. In lipid-free state, BS3-crosslinking revealed that apoA-4 showed less multimerization tendency upto dimer, while apoA-I showed pentamerization. In rHDL state (95:1), apoA-4 was existed as dimer as like as apoA-I. With higher phospholipid content (255:1), five apoA-I and three apoA-4 were required to the bigger rHDL formation. Regardless of particle size, apoA-I-rHDL showed superior LCAT activation ability than apoA-4-rHDL. Uptake of acetylated LDL was inhibited by apoA-I in both lipid-free and lipid-bound state, while apoA-4 inhibited it only lipid-free state. ApoA-4 showed less anti-atherogenic activity with more sensitivity to glycation. In conclusion, apoA-4 showed inferior physiological functions in lipid-bound state, compared with those of apoA-I, to induce more pro-atherosclerotic properties.

Biphasic effect of PTK7 on KDR activity in endothelial cells and angiogenesis

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is a member of the defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase family which lacks catalytic activity. Expression of PTK7 is increased in various cancers but its role in carcinogenesis is not well understood. We previously showed that disruption of PTK7 function suppresses VEGF-induced angiogenic phenotypes in HUVECs and mice. Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms for modulating VEGF-induced physiological effects by PTK7. Treatment with a high concentration of extracellular domain of PTK7 (soluble PTK7; sPTK7) or knockdown of PTK7 inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) but did not inhibit phosphorylation of fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT-1) in HUVECs. PTK7, more specifically sPTK7, interacted with KDR but not with FLT-1 in HUVECs and HEK293 cells. In vitro binding assay showed that sPTK7 formed oligomers with the extracellular domain of KDR (sKDR) up to an approximately 1:3 molar ratio, and vice versa. sPTK7 at lower molar ratios than sKDR enhanced the binding of VEGF to sKDR. At the same or higher molar ratios, it reduced the binding of VEGF to sKDR. Increasing concentrations of sPTK7 or increasing levels of PTK7 expression first increased and then decreased VEGF-induced KDR phosphorylation, migration, and capillary-like tube formation of HUVECs, as well as in vivo angiogenesis. Taken together, our data demonstrates that PTK7 regulates the activity of KDR biphasically by inducing oligomerization of KDR molecules at lower concentrations and by surrounding KDR molecules at higher concentrations.

The effect of intermittent dosing of Nicotiana glauca on teratogenesis in goats

Sustained inhibition of fetal movement in livestock species, induced by several poisonous plants, can result in numerous skeletal-contracture malformations. Lupines are responsible for a condition in cattle referred to as "crooked calf syndrome" that occurs when pregnant cattle graze teratogenic lupines. Similar malformations are also seen in animals poisoned by Conium maculatum (coniine) and Nicotiana glauca (anabasine). A proposed management strategy to limit these types of birth defects includes utilizing an intermittent grazing schedule to allow short durations of grazing lupine-infested areas interrupted by movement to a lupine-free pasture. The objective of this study was to use a goat model to determine if an intermittent schedule of five continuous days on treatment followed by two days off treatment would be sufficient to decrease, or prevent, the incidence of anabasine-induced malformations. The data from this study suggest that, for N. glauca in goats, the intermittent grazing program of five days exposure with two days of non-exposure is insufficient to prevent significant skeletal malformations from occurring. However, this study did demonstrate an inverse relationship between the amount of serum anabasine in the dam and the extent of fetal movement.

UV Light and Gas Sensing Properties of Hybrid Sensor Based on Indium-Tin-Oxide Nanocrystals

We proposed a hybrid sensor which is able to detect both UV light and gas species. The sensor was fabricated by screen printing using indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanocrystals. To improve the UV sensitivity, high temperature annealing (600 degrees C) under an external pressure (0.2 MPa) was applied. We could observe room temperature operation of the sensor under the simultaneous stimulation of UV light and CH4 gas. This is indicating that an improved fire warning is possible by using the proposed hybrid sensor.

Galangin and kaempferol suppress phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 degrades type IV collagen in the basement membrane and plays crucial roles in several pathological implications, including tumorigenesis and inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the effect of flavonols on MMP-9 expression in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. Galangin and kaempferol efficiently decreased MMP-9 secretion, whereas fisetin only weakly decreased its secretion. Galangin and kaempferol did not affect cell viability at concentrations up to 30 μM. Luciferase reporter assays showed that galangin and kaempferol decrease transcription of MMP-9 mRNA. Moreover, galangin and kaempferol strongly reduce IκBα phosphorylation and significantly decrease JNK phosphorylation. These results indicate that galangin and kaempferol suppress PMA-induced MMP-9 expression by blocking activation of NF-κB and AP-1. Therefore, these flavonols could be used as chemopreventive agents to lower the risk of diseases involving MMP-9.

A study on embryonic death in goats due to Nicotiana glauca ingestion

Numerous plants are known to be teratogenic in livestock. In addition to causing malformations, several plants can also cause embryonic death. These losses decrease the reproductive efficiency of animals exposed to these plants. The aim of this study was to determine if teratogenic plants such as lupines or tobaccos cause embryonic losses. A goat model using the plant Nicotiana glauca was used in this study, as this model has been used to characterize the mechanism of Lupinus, Conium, and Nicotiana-induced terata. Four groups of goats were dosed from gestational day 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, and 31-40. Goats were evaluated via ultrasound imaging for pregnancy after completion of the dosing regimen and kids were evaluated for malformations at the time of parturition. Overall, there was no evidence from this study that N. glauca (anabasine) at this dose (2 g/kg/day) would cause embryonic losses in goats. However, the dose of N. glauca used in this study was at the lower threshold that would be expected to produce terata. Therefore it is possible that higher doses of anabasine could cause embryonic loss. Further work is also needed to characterize the kinetic profile of anabasine, and other teratogenic alkaloids, in the fetal compartments.

Discovery of melanotransferrin as a serological marker of colorectal cancer by secretome analysis and quantitative proteomics

To discover serological colorectal cancer (CRC) markers, we analyzed cell line secretome to gather proteins of higher potential to be secreted from tissues into circulation. A total of 898 human proteins were identified, of which 62.2% were predicted to be released or shed from cells. The identified proteins were compared with tissue proteomes to find candidate proteins whose expressions were elevated in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues as revealed by (i) quantitative proteomic analysis based on cICAT and mTRAQ or (ii) data mining of immunohistochemical images piled in Human Protein Atlas database. By applying various stringent criteria, 11 candidate proteins were selected. Among these, we validated an significant increase (p = 0.0018) of melanotransferrin (TRFM) at the plasma level of CRC patients through Western blotting, using 130 plasma samples containing 30 healthy controls, 80 CRC patients, and 20 patients of other diseases. Finally, we measured the expression level of TRFM in 325 plasma samples containing 77 healthy controls and 228 CRC patients (34.6 ± 4.2 ng/mL and 67.0 ± 6.4 ng/mL, p < 0.0001) through ELISA and demonstrated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.723 (p < 0.0001) with a 92.5% specificity, 48.2% sensitivity, and 95.7% positive predictive value. Furthermore, unlike CEA and PAI-1, up-regulation of TRFM in pathological stages I & II groups compared with stages III & IV groups lead us to expect the use TRFM for early-stage diagnosis of CRC. In this study, we suggest TRFM as a potential serological marker for CRC and expect our discovery strategy to help identify highly cancer-specific and body-fluid-accessible biomarkers.

Discovery of (E)-5-(benzylideneamino)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one derivatives as inhibitors for PTK6

A lead compound 1, which inhibits the catalytic activity of PTK6, was selected from a chemical library. Derivatives of compound 1 were synthesized and analyzed for inhibitory activity against PTK6 in vitro and at the cellular level. Selected compounds were analyzed for cytotoxicity in human foreskin fibroblasts using MTT assays and for selectivity towards PTK members in HEK 293 cells. Compounds 20 (in vitro IC50=0.12μM) and 21 (in vitro IC50=0.52μM) showed little cytotoxicity, excellent inhibition of PTK6 in vitro and at the cellular level, and selectivity for PTK6. Compounds 20 and 21 inhibited phosphorylation of specific PTK6 substrates in HEK293 cells. Thus, we have identified novel PTK6 inhibitors that may be used as treatments for PTK6-positive carcinomas, including breast cancer.

In vitro-growth and Gene Expression of Porcine Preantral Follicles Retrieved by Different Protocols

This study was conducted to determine how the isolation method of the porcine preantral follicles influenced the following follicular growth in vitro. Mechanical and enzymatical isolations were used for retrieving the follicles from prepubertal porcine ovaries, and in vitro-growth of the follicles and the expression of folliculogenesis-related genes were subsequently monitored. The enzymatic retrieval with collagenase treatment returned more follicles than the mechanical retrieval, while the percentage of morphologically normal follicles was higher with mechanical retrieval than with enzymatic retrieval. After 4 days of culture, mechanically retrieved, preantral follicles yielded more follicles with normal morphology than enzymatically retrieved follicles, which resulted in improved follicular growth. The mRNA expression of FSHR, LHR Cx43, DNMT1 and FGFR2 genes was significantly higher after culture of the follicles retrieved mechanically. These results suggest that mechanical isolation is a better method of isolating porcine preantral follicles that will develop into competent oocytes in in vitro culture.

Studies on the teratogenicity of anabasine in a rat model

A number of plant toxins have been shown to be teratogenic to livestock. The teratogenic action of some of these alkaloids is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). However, for many of these alkaloids it is difficult to obtain sufficient quantities of individual alkaloids to perform teratology studies in livestock species. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine if a rat model can be utilized to characterize the teratogenic nature of individual plant toxins that are nAChR agonists. In this study, we evaluated the teratogenicity of anabasine by feeding pregnant rats anabasine-containing rodent chow from gestational day (GD) 6-21. On GD21, the dams were euthanized and the gravid uteri were removed. The gravid uteri and individual pups were weighed. The pups were evaluated for bone malformations including cleft palate and scoliosis. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the rat is not a good model to study the teratogenicity of plant toxins that are nAChR agonists. It is possible that in the rat model, anabasine administered orally via the chow may not result in sufficient reduction in fetal movement to cause the significant malformations observed in livestock species.

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 plays a tumor suppressor role by inhibiting ERK and AKT phosphorylation in lung cancer

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) is a catalytically inactive receptor tyrosine kinase that is also known as colon carcinoma kinase-4 (CCK-4). Recent reports have shown that PTK7 plays an important role in carcinogenesis, and it is known to be upregulated in gastric, colon and esophageal cancer, as well as in liposarcoma. However, the role of PTK7 in lung cancer has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression levels and the role of PTK7 in lung cancer. We found that PTK7 expression was downregulated at the mRNA as well as protein levels in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Upon investigation of the functional role of PTK7 in LSCC, we found that overexpression of PTK7 in LSCC cells resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Furthermore, we confirmed that these phenotypic changes are associated with the inactivation of AKT and ERK. Our findings suggest that PTK7 has different oncogenic roles in organs and target tumors.