Identification of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor as a target in intercellular regulation of epidermal basal cell growth by suprabasal retinoic acid receptors

The role of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in intercellular regulation of cell growth was assessed by targeting a dominant-negative RARalpha mutant (dnRARalpha) to differentiated suprabasal cells of mouse epidermis. dnRARalpha lacks transcriptional activation but not DNA-binding and receptor dimerization functions. Analysis of transgenic mice revealed that dnRARalpha dose-dependently impaired induction of basal cell proliferation and epidermal hyperplasia by all-trans RA (tRA). dnRARalpha formed heterodimers with endogenous retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRalpha) over RA response elements in competition with remaining endogenous RARgamma-RXRalpha heterodimers, and dose-dependently impaired retinoid-dependent gene transcription. To identify genes regulated by retinoid receptors and involved in cell growth control, we analyzed the retinoid effects on expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, EGF, transforming growth factor-alpha, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and amphiregulin genes. In normal epidermis, tRA rapidly and selectively induced expression of HB-EGF but not the others. This induction occurred exclusively in suprabasal cells. In transgenic epidermis, dnRARalpha dose-dependently inhibited tRA induction of suprabasal HB-EGF and subsequent basal cell hyperproliferation. Together, our observations suggest that retinoid receptor heterodimers located in differentiated suprabasal cells mediate retinoid induction of HB-EGF, which in turn stimulates basal cell growth via intercellular signaling. These events may underlie retinoid action in epidermal regeneration during wound healing.

Suprabasal expression of a dominant-negative RXR alpha mutant in transgenic mouse epidermis impairs regulation of gene transcription and basal keratinocyte proliferation by RAR-selective retinoids

To determine whether 9-cis retinoic acid receptors (RXRs) regulate the biological activity of all-trans retinoic acid (tRA) and its receptors (RARs) in skin, we have targeted a dominant-negative RXR alpha (dnRXR alpha) lacking transactivation function AF-2 to differentiated suprabasal keratinocytes in the epidermis of transgenic mice. Driven by the suprabasal-specific keratin-10 gene promoter, expression of dnRXR alpha severely reduced the ability of RAR-selective ligands tRA and CD367 to induce epidermal mRNA levels of the CRABPII, CRBPI, and CRBPII genes, which contain RA-responsive elements (RAREs) DR1 and/or DR2. It also reduced gene-specific, synergistic induction of CRBPI mRNA by a combination of CD367 and RXR-selective SR11237. Like endogenous RXR alpha, dnRXR alpha in epidermal nuclear extracts from the transgenic mice competitively formed heterodimers with endogenous RAR gamma on RAREs, suggesting that dnRXR alpha impairs retinoid signaling by competing with endogenous RAR gamma-RXR alpha heterodimers. Histologically, the epidermis of dnRXR alpha mice showed no detectable developmental abnormalities. Surprisingly, in adult animals, the suprabasal expression of dnRXR alpha significantly reduced the ability of topically applied tRA to stimulate proliferation of undifferentiated keratinocytes in the basal layer of epidermis. RXR-selective ligands alone had no detectable effects on both normal and transgenic mouse epidermis. Accordingly, we suggest that in vivo: (1) in suprabasal keratinocytes, retinoids regulate gene transcription via RAR-RXR heterodimers in which RAR confers a predominant ligand response, whereas RXR AF-2 is required for liganded RAR AF-2 to efficiently trans-activate target genes, and (2) this suprabasal RXR-assisted mechanism indirectly regulates proliferation of basal keratinocytes likely via intercellular signaling.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on hemichannel pannexin-1 and neural plasticity in rat model of cerebral infarction

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) on hemichannel pannexin-1 (PX1) in cortical neurons and neural plasticity, and explore the optimal time window of TDCS therapy after stroke. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=90) were randomly assigned to sham operation, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and TDCS groups, and underwent sham operation, unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) electrocoagulation, and unilateral MCA electrocoagulation plus TDCS (daily anodal and cathodal 10 Hz, 0.1 mA TDCS for 30 min beginning day 1 after stroke), respectively. Motor function was assessed using the beam walking test (BWT), and density of dendritic spines (DS) and PX1 mRNA expression were compared among groups on days 3, 7, and 14 after stroke. Effects of PX1 blockage on DS in hippocampal neurons after hypoxia-ischemia were observed. TDCS significantly improved motor function on days 7 and 14 after stroke as indicated by reduced BWT scores compared with the MCAO group. The density of DS was decreased after stroke; the TDCS group had increased DS density compared with the MCAO group on days 3, 7, and 14 (all P<0.0001). Cerebral infarction induced increased PX1 mRNA expression on days 3, 7, and 14 (P<0.0001), and the peak PX1 mRNA expression was observed on day 7. TDCS did not decrease the up-regulated PX1 mRNA expression after stroke on day 3, but did reduce the increased post-stroke PX1 mRNA expression on days 7 and 14 (P<0.0001). TDCS increased the DS density after stroke, indicating that it may promote neural plasticity after stroke. TDCS intervention from day 7 to day 14 after stroke demonstrated motor function improvement and can down-regulate the elevated PX1 mRNA expression after stroke.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated first trimester decidual cells enhance macrophage-induced apoptosis of extravillous trophoblasts

OBJECTIVE

As human blastocyst-derived extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade the early decidua, they are positioned to interact with immune cells and resident decidual cells, and remodel spiral arteries into high capacity vessels that increase blood flow to the developing fetal-placental unit. Shallow EVT invasion elicits incomplete vascular transformation and reduces uteroplacental blood flow that presages adverse pregnancy outcomes. Excess macrophages in the decidua induce EVT apoptosis via tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion. Our previous observation that pro-inflammatory cytokines enhance neutrophil and macrophage activator granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression in first trimester decidual cells is now extended to include: (1) the specific macrophage activator M-CSF; (2) macrophage activation and subsequent enhancement of EVT apoptosis by both GM-CSF and M-CSF.

STUDY DESIGN

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assessed M-CSF expression in first trimester decidual cells incubated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) or TNF-α. Peripheral monocyte-derived macrophages pre-incubated with conditioned media from decidual cell cultures were co-cultured with a first trimester EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo cells. Macrophage activation was examined and EVT apoptosis evaluated by DNA fragmentation, caspase activation and cell membrane asymmetry.

RESULTS

IL-1β or TNF-α significantly enhanced M-CSF expression in first trimester decidual cells. The conditioned media from these cultures activates macrophages, which promote caspase 3/7-dependent EVT apoptosis with antibodies against GM-CSF or M-CSF blocking this effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Pro-inflammatory cytokines increases synthesis of M-CSF in first trimester decidual cells. Both GM-CSF and M-CSF activate macrophages, which initiate caspase-dependent EVT apoptosis.

Caesarean Scar Pregnancy: Treatment with Bilateral Uterine Artery Chemoembolization Combined with Dilation and Curettage

Objective:

This study investigated bilateral uterine artery chemo -embolization (BUACE) combined with dilation and curettage (D&C) in caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Methods:

Nineteen women with CSP were referred for interventional radiology. In 13 patients, BUACE was performed before D&C, following a diagnosis of CSP. A further six patients received BUACE for massive vaginal bleeding after D&C for inevitable miscarriage; the diagnosis of CSP was subsequently confirmed ultrasonographically. BUACE of the uterine arteries was performed using gelfoam particles following intra-arterial infusion of 100 mg/m2 methotrexate.

Results:

BUACE was technically successful and immediate haemostasis was achieved in all patients. Blood loss was significantly greater during D&C undertaken before BUACE compared with D&C after BUACE, but this bleeding was controlled by BUACE. No patient required further surgical intervention and there were no severe complications. The gestational sac and placenta could no longer be detected ultrasonographically and the menstrual cycle returned to normal 2 - 3 months after treatment in all patients.

Conclusions:

BUACE followed by D&C seems to be a safe and effective treatment for CSP and should be considered as a treatment of choice.

Keratinocyte-specific retinoid regulation of human cellular retinoic acid binding protein-II (hCRABPII) gene promoter requires an evolutionarily conserved DR1 retinoic acid-responsive element

Transcription of the hCRABPII gene is retinoid inducible in human skin keratinocytes (KC) but, surprisingly, not in cultured cells. The promoter for the gene harbors three putative nuclear receptor binding sites: DR5, upstream of the transcription start site; DR1 (DR1d), distal to the site; and DR1 (DR1p), a proximal variant. DR1d, but not DR1p, is conserved between human and mouse. Although DR5 has been found to be a retinoid receptor target in COS-1 cells, the function of DR1 remains unknown. We examined the functions of these DR in retinoid regulation of the hCRABPII promoter in human KC. In reporter gene assays, no significant retinoid response was observed in the promoter in cultured KC; however, overexpression of retinoid receptor heterodimers RARgamma x RXRalpha restored the response. Gel supershift assays showed that endogenous RARgamma x RXRalpha levels are much lower in cultured KC than in skin in vivo. Ligand-binding assays showed that cultured KC contain only one-third of the level of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and one-eighth of the level of retinoid X receptor found in KC in skin. Deletion of the DR1d or DR5 sites reduced retinoid-induced promoter activity by 63% and 27%, respectively. Isolated DR1d and DR5 sites, but not DR1p, efficiently bound RARgamma-RXRalpha and conferred RAR-selective retinoid responsiveness on a heterologous promoter. These data indicate that: (i) the previously reported lack of retinoid regulation of endogenous hCRABPII gene transcription in cultured KC is likely due to insufficient levels of RARgamma x RXRalpha, but not their cofactors; (ii) the conserved DR1d site is the major functional target in RARgamma x RXRalpha regulation of hCRABPII in KC; (iii) the DR1p site is nonfunctional due to its lack of affinity for RARgamma x RXRalpha, although its half-sites share high sequence homology with the consensus retinoid receptor-binding half-site.

Area postrema syndrome as initial manifestation in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Area postrema syndrome (APS) is recognized as a core feature in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) diagnosis. Isolated APS can occur at NMO onset and frequently results in a delay of diagnosis, along with devastating secondary neurologic deficits. To date, few studies have characterized APS-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (APSO-NMOSD).

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the clinical and radiologic features of patients with APSO-NMOSD who are initially misdiagnosed in a cohort of patients from Zhengzhou, China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 15 patients who presented with APS as an initial manifestation, based on the 2015 international consensus diagnostic criteria for NMOSD, and reviewed their demographic, clinical, laboratory, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

RESULT

Fifteen patients (3 men, 12 women) aged 14-50 years old were included in our study. All patients presented with APS that included intractable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups (INVH) as the initial manifestation; many experienced a delay in diagnosis. Serum AQP4 was positive in eleven patients and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in one patient. All patients had a linear medullary lesion or a linear medulla-spinal lesion on sagittal MRI. An "inverted V sign" on axial medulla oblongata images, representing a lesion involving the area postrema, was noted in seven patients in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

APS can occur as a sole and initial manifestation of NMOSD, often leading to misdiagnosis in the early process of disease. Identifying patients with an "inverted V" sign and a linear medullary lesion upon MRI examination can help to quickly identify APS patients and avoid further diagnostic delays.

Monoclonal alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) complex: production of antibody, optimization of activity, and use in immunostaining

A mouse monoclonal antibody, FMC55 (an IgG1), to alkaline phosphatase was prepared and evaluated in immunostaining. Clones producing antibody to alkaline phosphatase were selected using a micro-ELISA which identified antibodies forming active soluble complexes (APAAP) with the enzyme. Conditions that influenced the formation of the complex were investigated by using a quantitative assay in which the complex was captured by a bridging anti-mouse antibody. The ratio of FMC55 to enzyme had a major influence on the activity of the complex. Although all complexes had some activity, those that contained excess antibody had reduced ability to bind to anti-mouse antibody because of competition with excess unlabeled antibody. The optimal complex was formed with 3 micrograms of FMC55 per unit of enzyme. This complex contained neither free enzyme nor free antibody. The molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography was 600,000, giving a composition of two enzyme and two antibody molecules or one enzyme and three antibody molecules. The size of the complex was not altered by adding excess antibody or excess enzyme. Immunoblotting showed that FMC55 bound only to the Mr 140,000 homodimeric form of alkaline phosphatase. The APAAP complex was used in combination with biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase reagent to detect two antigens labeled with two different mouse monoclonal antibodies in the same tissue preparation.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of Triptolide-loaded pluronic P105 polymeric micelles

Thin film method was applied successfully to prepare Triptolide (TP)-loaded micelles system. With a dynamic light scattering sizer and a transmission electron microscopy, it was shown that the TP-loaded micelles had a mean size of 84.3±6.4 nm with a spherical shape. The in vitro release profiles indicated that the release of TP from the micelles exhibited a sustained release behavior. A similar phenomenon was also observed in a pharmacokinetic study in rats, in which AUC of the micelles formulation were 4.7-fold higher than that of TP injection. The biodistribution study in rats showed that the TP-loaded micelles not only decreased drug uptake by liver, but also increased distribution of drug in ovary. The present work demonstrated the feasibility of controlled delivery of TP utilizing micelles system.

[Effect of S1PR2 inhibition on epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo]

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of S1PR2 inhibition on epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Methods: (1) A pair of S1PR2 gene small interference RNA (siRNA) , namely si-S1PR2, and a pair of negative control siRNA were designed. Western blot methods were used to detect the silence efficiency of the S1PR2 in the si-S1PR2 group, blank control group and negative control group. (2) Study in vitro: the experiment included three groups, namely si-S1PR2 group, blank control group and negative control group. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation inhibition rates of the transfected cells. The cell cycles of the transfected cells were measured by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the levels of phosph-extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) of the transfected cells. (3) Study in vivo:to establish intraperitoneal transplantation models, 8 mice in each group were intraperitoneally injected with 5×10(6) SKOV3 cells. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or JTE-013 were administered into mice twice per week starting on day 7 after the injection of the cancer cells. Twenty-eight days after nude mice intraperitoneal injection with JTE-013 or PBS, the mice were sacrificed and the number and the weight of visible tumors were calculated. Results: (1) The results of western blot showed that the relative S1PR2 protein expression levels were 0.24±0.04 in the si-S1PR2 group, which was lower than that in the blank control group (1.10±0.14, P<0.01) and negative control group (1.07±0.13, P<0.01) . (2) The results of CCK-8 assay indicated that after transfected for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the proliferation inhibition rate of si-S1PR2 group were respectively (26.6±3.3) %, (35.0±3.4) %, and (34.0±2.8) %, significantly lower than those in the blank control group (all 0; all P<0.01) and negative control group [ (1.7±0.9) %, (2.5±0.5) %,and (2.4±1.1) % respectively; all P<0.01]. The results of flow cytometry showed that the G(0)/G(1) ratio in the si-S1PR2 group [ (70.9±2.8) %] was significantly higher than those in the blank control group [ (61.7±2.4) %, P<0.01] and negative control group [ (62.1±3.3) %, P<0.01]. Western blot showed that the relative expression level of p-ERK1/2 in si-S1PR2 group (0.11±0.03) was significantly lower than those in the blank control group [ (0.62±0.09) , P<0.01] and negative control group [ (0.68±0.09) , P<0.01]. (3)Twenty-eight days after nude mice intraperitoneal injection with JTE-013 or PBS, the tumor number of the control group and JTE-013 group were respectively 15.4±4.3 and 8.2±3.7, the tumor weight were (0.45±0.12) and (0.21±0.07) g, respectively. The tumor number and weight in the JTE-013 group were significantly less than those in the control group (all P<0.01) . Conclusions: The growth of ovarian cancer cells could be decreased by S1PR2 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. One of the mechanisms of the growth inhibitory effect is probably that S1PR2 inhibition lower the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, which prevent the transformation of ovarian cancer cells from phase G(1) to S.

A simple LC-MS/MS method for determination of magnolol in rat blood and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for determination and pharmacokinetic study of magnolol in rat blood. Blood sample pretreatment involved a one-step extraction with methanol of 100 µL blood. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Agilent Zobax SB C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.2% formic acid (55:45, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring via electro spray ionization source with positive mode. A high throughput was achieved with a run time of 4 min per sample. The standard curve for magnolol was linear (r > 0.999) over the concentration range of 2-1 000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification of 2 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) values were not higher than 12% and the accuracy (relative error) was <5% at three quality control levels. This simple, fast and highly sensitive method was fully validated and successfully applied to a clinical pharmacokinetic study of magnolol in rats after oral administration.

BAC contig from a 3-cM region of mouse chromosome 11 surrounding Brca1

Even with the completion of a draft version of the human genome sequence only a fraction of the genes identified from this sequence have known functions. Chromosomal engineering in mouse cells, in concert with gene replacement assays to prove the functional significance of a given genomic region or gene, represents a rapid and productive means for understanding the role of a given set of genes. Both techniques rely heavily on detailed maps of chromosomal regions, initially to understand the scope of the regions being modified and finally to provide the cloned resources necessary to allow both finished sequencing and large insert complementation. This report describes the creation of a BAC clone contig on mouse chromosome 11 in a region showing conservation of synteny with sequences on human chromosome 17. We have created a detailed map of an approximately 3-cM region containing at least 33 genes through the use of multiple BAC mapping strategies, including chromosome walking and multiplex oligonucleotide hybridization and gap filling. The region described is one of the targets of a large effort to create a series of mice with regional deletions on mouse chromosome 11 (33-80 cM) that can subsequently be subjected to further mutagenesis.

[Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton immunotherapy for cervical high-risk HPV persistent infection]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) in the treatment of persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: A randomized, double blind, multi-center trial was conducted. A total of 688 patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed HR-HPV infection of the cervix diagnosed in 13 hispital nationwide were recruited and divided into: (1) patients with simple HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (2) patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ and HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (3) patients with the same HR-HPV subtype with no CINⅡ and more lesions after treatment with CINⅡ or CIN Ⅲ (CINⅡ/CIN Ⅲ). All participants were randomly divided into the test group and the control group at a ratio of 2∶1. The test group was locally treated with Nr-CWS freeze-dried powder and the control group was treated with freeze-dried powder without Nr-CWS. The efficacy and negative conversion rate of various subtypes of HR-HPV were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment. The safety indicators of initial diagnosis and treatment were observed. Results: (1) This study included 555 patients with HR-HPV infection in the cervix (included 368 in the test group and 187 in the control group), with an age of (44.1±10.0) years. The baseline characteristics of the two groups of subjects, including age, proportion of Han people, weight, composition of HR-HPV subtypes, and proportion of each subgroup, were compared with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) After 12 months of treatment, the effective rates of the test group and the control group were 91.0% (335/368) and 44.9% (84/187), respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=142.520, P<0.001). After 12 months of treatment, the negative conversion rates of HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58 infection in the test group were 79.2% (84/106), 73.3% (22/30), 83.1% (54/65), and 77.4% (48/62), respectively. The control group were 21.6% (11/51), 1/9, 35.1% (13/37), and 20.0% (8/40), respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (3) There were no statistically significant differences in vital signs (body weight, body temperature, respiration, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, etc.) and laboratory routine indicators (blood cell analysis, urine routine examination) between the test group and the control group before treatment and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment (all P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions related to the investigational drug between the two groups of subjects [8.7% (32/368) vs 8.0% (15/187), respectively; χ2=0.073, P=0.787]. Conclusion: External use of Nr-CWS has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of high-risk HPV persistent infection in the cervix.