Correlation analysis between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (BsmI) and hallux valgus

Hallux valgus is a common foot deformity disease caused by various extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and systemic conditions, but the etiopathogenesis and pathogenesis of this deformity are still unknown. Hallux valgus affects 10-20% of Chinese adults. Although considered highly heritable, the candidate gene is unclear. We conducted the first candidate gene study of hallux valgus to identify the biological mechanism. Between June 2015 and July 2018, the records and radiographs of 80 patients diagnosed with hallux valgus and 80 controls who were treated were analyzed. In order to compare the differences in severity associated with this deformity, the charts of 80 patients were divided into 3 groups from the angle of hallux valgus. Clinical and basic studies were also statistically compared by PCR and data analysis. Patients and controls had significant differences in age and gender, however, there were no significant differences in age and gender among the light, moderate and severe groups. Post-operative groups resulted in significant improvements in all of the measured radiographic parameters compared with pre-operative groups. BsmI seemed to show a specific variation, and may serve as a useful bio-marker for the disease (OR = 5.88, 95% CI 1.54-22.35, P <0.001). In this paper, the article which proved the VDR polymorphisms (BsmI) playing an important role in hallux valgus were studied to understand and manage the hallux valgus more scientifically.

MiR-130b/TNF-α/NF-κB/VEGFA loop inhibits prostate cancer angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is a critical biological process essential for solid cancer growth and metastasis. It has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in a variety of biological processes in cancers. However, whether miR-130b is involved in prostate cancer angiogenesis remains ill-defined.

METHODS

We performed the miRNA microarray to analyze miRNA expression in human prostate cancer specimens. In vitro gain-of-function assays and loss-of-function assays were conducted to explore the potential functions of miR-130b in human prostate cancer cells. Correlation analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to validate whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was a direct target of miR-130b. The Matrigel plug and tumor vascular imaging assays were performed to confirm the anti-angiogenic activity of miR-130b in nude mice.

RESULTS

We found that miR-130b was one of the miRNAs being most significantly downregulated. Subsequently, we found that miR-130b expression was markedly downregulated in human prostate cancer cell lines. Down-regulation of miR-130b in prostate cancer cells significantly promoted the proliferation, invasion and tubule formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), while ectopic expression of miR-130b blocked prostate cancer angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic analyses indicated that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was regulated by miR-130b directly. MiR-130b attenuated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and its downstream gene vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) by directly inhibiting TNF-α expression. Additionally, subsequent investigations identified that the ectopic level of VEGFA markedly abrogated the anti-angiogenic effect induced by miR-130b. Interestingly, VEGFA could in turn decrease the expression of miR-130b, thus forming a negative feedback loop that drives the angiogenesis of prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

These findings show that miR-130b/TNF-α/NF-κB/VEGFA feedback loop is significantly correlated with angiogenesis in prostate cancer and miR-130b could be regarded as potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer anti-angiogenesis treatment.

Leishmania mexicana: the circular DNA 1 (CD1) element contains genes encoding nucleotide-binding protein

OBJECTIVE

To determine the nucleotide sequence of cloned CD1 fragments from Leishmania mexicana and find ORFs predicted to have protein coding function.

METHODS

CD1 element was separated by CHEF and recovered by agarase, and the digested CD1 fragments were cloned into pZero vector. Nucleotide sequences were determined by the dideoxy chain termination method with the automatic sequencing system ALF using the M13 universal primers. Sequences were analyzed using GCG-PCGENE computer programs.

RESULTS

The sequence with 4,385 nucleotides was determined and two ORFs were considered to have protein coding function (encoding nucleotide-binding protein).

CONCLUSION

Genes encoding nucleotide-binding protein were identified from the amplified CD1 element of Leishmania mexicana.