Maternal Immune Activation Causes Social Behavior Deficits and Hypomyelination in Male Rat Offspring with an Autism-Like Microbiota Profile

Maternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Microbial dysbiosis is associated with ASD symptoms. However, the alterations in the brain-gut-microbiota axis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA offspring remain unclear. Here, we examined the social behavior, anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, microbiota profile, and myelination levels in LPS-induced MIA rat offspring. Compared with control offspring, MIA male rat offspring spent less time in an active social interaction with stranger rats, displayed more anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, and had more hypomyelination in the prefrontal cortex and thalamic nucleus. A fecal microbiota analysis revealed that MIA offspring had a higher abundance of Alistipes, Fusobacterium, and Ruminococcus and a lower abundance of Coprococcus, Erysipelotrichaies, and Actinobacteria than control offspring, which is consistent with that of humans with ASD. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was applied to determine the relative importance of the microbiota, which indicated that the abundance of Alistipes and Actinobacteria was the most relevant for the profile of defective social behavior, whereas Fusobacterium and Coprococcus was associated with anxiety-like and repetitive behavior. In summary, LPS-induced MIA offspring showed an abnormal brain-gut-microbiota axis with social behavior deficits, anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, hypomyelination, and an ASD-like microbiota profile.

Tetrac and NDAT Induce Anti-proliferation via Integrin αvβ3 in Colorectal Cancers With Different K-RAS Status

Colorectal cancer is a serious medical problem in Taiwan. New, effective therapeutic approaches are needed. The selection of promising anticancer drugs and the transition from pre-clinical investigations to clinical trials are often challenging. The deaminated thyroid hormone analog (tetraiodothyroacetic acid, tetrac) and its nanoparticulate analog (NDAT) have been shown to have anti-proliferative activity in vitro and in xenograft model of different neoplasms, including colorectal cancers. However, mechanisms involved in tetrac- and NDAT-induced anti-proliferation in colorectal cancers are incompletely understood. We have investigated possible mechanisms of tetrac and NDAT action in colorectal cancer cells, using a perfusion bellows cell culture system that allows efficient, large-scale screening for mechanisms of drug actions on tumor cells. Although integrin αvβ3 in K-RAS wild type colorectal cancer HT-29 cells was far less than that in K-RAS mutant HCT116 cells, HT-29 was more sensitive to both tetrac and NDAT. Results also indicate that both tetrac and NDAT bind to tumor cell surface integrin αvβ3, and the agents may have different mechanisms of anti-proliferation in colorectal cancer cells. K-RAS status appears to play an important role in drug resistance that may be encountered in treatment with this drug combination.

Maternal Vegetable and Fruit Consumption during Pregnancy and Its Effects on Infant Gut Microbiome

Maternal nutrition intake during pregnancy may affect the mother-to-child transmission of bacteria, resulting in gut microflora changes in the offspring, with long-term health consequences in later life. Longitudinal human studies are lacking, as only a small amount of studies showing the effect of nutrition intake during pregnancy on the gut microbiome of infants have been performed, and these studies have been mainly conducted on animals. This pilot study explores the effects of high or low fruit and vegetable gestational intake on the infant microbiome. We enrolled pregnant women with a complete 3-day dietary record and received postpartum follow-up. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was used to characterize the infant gut microbiome at 2 months (n = 39). Principal coordinate analysis ordination revealed that the infant gut microbiome clustered differently for high and low maternal fruit and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001). The linear discriminant analysis effect size and feature selection identified 6 and 17 taxa from both the high and low fruit and vegetable consumption groups. Among the 23 abundant taxa, we observed that six maternal intake nutrients were associated with nine taxa (e.g., Erysipelatoclostridium, Isobaculum, Lachnospiraceae, Betaproteobacteria, Burkholderiaceae, Sutterella, Clostridia, Clostridiales, and Lachnoclostridium). The amount of gestational fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with distinct changes in the infant gut microbiome at 2 months of age. Therefore, strategies involving increased fruit and vegetable consumption during pregnancy should be employed for modifying the gut microbiome early in life.

Rifaximin Modifies Gut Microbiota and Attenuates Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease: Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit distinct gut microbiota, which may promote gut-derived inflammation. Rifaximin is a nonabsorbable antibiotic that can modify gut microbiota. The present study investigated the effect of rifaximin on gut microbiota and inflammation status in PD. The study examined the effect of long-term rifaximin treatment on in vivo transgenic PD mice (MitoPark) and short-term rifaximin treatment on patients with PD. Rifaximin treatment caused a significant change in gut microbiota in the transgenic PD mice; in particular, it reduced the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Muribaculum, and Lachnospiraceae UCG-001. Rifaximin treatment attenuated serum interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, claudin-5 and occludin, which indicated the reduction of systemic inflammation and the protection of the blood-brain barrier integrity. The rifaximin-treated MitoPark mice exhibited better motor and memory performance than did the control mice, with lower microglial activation and increased neuronal survival in the hippocampus. In the patients with PD, 7-day rifaximin treatment caused an increase in the relative abundance of Flavonifractor 6 months after treatment, and the change in plasma proinflammatory cytokine levels was negatively associated with the baseline plasma interleukin-1α level. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that rifaximin exerted a neuroprotective effect on the transgenic PD mice by modulating gut microbiota. We observed that patients with higher baseline inflammation possibly benefited from rifaximin treatment. With consideration for the tolerability and safety of rifaximin, randomized controlled trials should investigate the disease-modification effect of long-term treatment on select patients with PD.

The Anti-Proliferative Activity of Secondary Metabolite from the Marine Streptomyces sp. against Prostate Cancer Cells

Many active substances from marine organisms are produced by symbiotic microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. Secondary metabolites from marine actinomycetes exhibited several biological activities and provided interesting drug leads. This study reported the isolation of Lu01-M, a secondary metabolite from the marine actinomycetes Streptomyces sp., with potent anti-proliferative activity against prostate cancers. Lu01-M blocked cell proliferation with IC₅₀ values of 1.03 ± 0.31, 2.12 ± 0.38, 1.27 ± 0.25 μg/mL in human prostate cancer PC3, DU145, and LNCaP cells, respectively. Lu01-M induced cytotoxic activity through multiple mechanisms including cell apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ER stress, and inhibiting colony formation and cell migration. Lu01-M induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and DNA damage. However, the activity of autophagy induced survival response in cancer cells. Our findings suggested that Lu01-M holds the potential to be developed as an anti-cancer agent against prostate cancers.

Phthalate Exposure Pattern in Breast Milk within a Six-Month Postpartum Time in Southern Taiwan

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plasticizer, has been detected in breast milk in many countries; however, whether phthalate metabolite concentration and the detection rate in breast milk change postpartum is still unknown. We measured phthalate metabolite concentrations in breast milk in the first 6 months postpartum in women enrolled in the E-Da hospital from January to July 2017. A total of 56 breastfeeding mothers and 66 samples were included in this study. We analyzed the samples’ concentration of eight phthalate metabolites using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The concentration of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) was significantly higher in the first month, and then decreased over time. The detection rate of ono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) was low in the first month and then increased over time. Compared with a previous study published in 2011, the levels of MEHP and MiBP in breast milk were much lower in the present study, suggesting an increased awareness of the health risks of phthalate exposure after a food scandal occurred in Taiwan. This study provides information for evaluating newborns’ exposure to different kinds of phthalate through human milk in the postpartum period.

Uteroplacental Insufficiency Causes Microbiota Disruption and Lung Development Impairment in Growth-Restricted Newborn Rats

Preclinical studies have demonstrated that intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with reduced lung development during the neonatal period and infancy. Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI), affecting approximately 10% of human pregnancies, is the most common cause of IUGR. This study investigated the effects of UPI on lung development and the intestinal microbiota and correlations in newborn rats with IUGR, using bilateral uterine artery ligation to induce UPI. Maternal fecal samples were collected on postnatal day 0. On postnatal days 0 and 7, lung and intestinal microbiota samples were collected from the left lung and the lower gastrointestinal tract. The right lung was harvested for histological assessment and Western blot analysis. Results showed that UPI through bilateral uterine artery ligation did not alter the maternal gut microbiota. IUGR impaired lung development and angiogenesis in newborn rats. Moreover, on postnatal day 0, the presence of Acinetobacter and Delftia in the lungs and Acinetobacter and Nevskia in the gastrointestinal tract was negatively correlated with lung development. Bacteroides in the lungs and Rodentibacter and Romboutsia in the gastrointestinal tract were negatively correlated with lung development on day 7. UPI may have regulated lung development and angiogenesis through the modulation of the newborn rats’ intestinal and lung microbiota.

The Antileukemic Effect of Xestoquinone, A Marine-Derived Polycyclic Quinone-Type Metabolite, Is Mediated through ROS-Induced Inhibition of HSP-90

Xestoquinone is a polycyclic quinone-type metabolite with a reported antitumor effect. We tested the cytotoxic activity of xestoquinone on a series of hematological cancer cell lines. The antileukemic effect of xestoquinone was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. This marine metabolite suppressed the proliferation of Molt-4, K562, and Sup-T1 cells with IC₅₀ values of 2.95 ± 0.21, 6.22 ± 0.21, and 8.58 ± 0.60 µM, respectively, as demonstrated by MTT assay. In the cell-free system, it inhibited the activity of topoisomerase I (Topo I) and II (Topo II) by 50% after treatment with 0.235 and 0.094 μM, respectively. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that the cytotoxic effect of xestoquinone was mediated through the induction of multiple apoptotic pathways in Molt-4 cells. The pretreatment of Molt-4 cells with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) diminished the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis, as well as retaining the expression of both Topo I and II. In the nude mice xenograft model, the administration of xestoquinone (1 μg/g) significantly attenuated tumor growth by 31.2% compared with the solvent control. Molecular docking, Western blotting, and thermal shift assay verified the catalytic inhibitory activity of xestoquinone by high binding affinity to HSP-90 and Topo I/II. Our findings indicated that xestoquinone targeted leukemia cancer cells through multiple pathways, suggesting its potential application as an antileukemic drug lead.

Thyroid Hormone Induces Oral Cancer Growth via the PD-L1-Dependent Signaling Pathway

Oral cancer is a fatal disease, and its incidence in Taiwan is increasing. Thyroid hormone as L-thyroxine (T₄) stimulates cancer cell proliferation via a receptor on integrin αvβ3 of plasma membranes. It also induces the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cell proliferation in cancer cells. Thyroid hormone also activates β-catenin-dependent cell proliferation in cancer cells. However, the relationship between PD-L1 and cancer proliferation is not fully understood. In the current study, we investigated the role of inducible thyroid hormone-induced PD-L1-regulated gene expression and proliferation in oral cancer cells. Thyroxine bound to integrin αvβ3 to induce PD-L1 expressions via activation of ERK1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Inactivated STAT3 inhibited PD-L1 expression and nuclear PD-L1 accumulation. Inhibition of PD-L1 expression reduced β-catenin accumulation. Furthermore, nuclear PD-L1 formed a complex with nuclear proteins such as p300. Suppression PD-L1 expression by shRNA blocked not only expression of PD-L1 and β-catenin but also signal transduction, proliferative gene expressions, and cancer cell growth. In summary, thyroxine via integrin αvβ3 activated ERK1/2 and STAT3 to stimulate the PD-L1-dependent and β-catenin-related growth in oral cancer cells.

Corrigendum: Tetrac and NDAT Induce Anti-proliferation via Integrin αvβ3 in Colorectal Cancers With Different K-RAS Status

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00130.].

2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside improves female ovarian aging

Reduced fertility associated with normal aging may reflect the over-maturity of oocytes. It is increasingly important to reduce aging-induced infertility since recent trends show people marrying at later ages. 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), a polyphenol extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. To evaluate whether THSG can reduce aging-related ovarian damage in a female mouse model of aging, THSG was administered by gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice weekly, starting at 4 weeks of age in a group of young mice. In addition, the effect of THSG in a group of aged mice was also studied in mice starting at 24 weeks of age. The number of oocytes in the THSG-fed group was higher than in the untreated control group. Although the percentage of secondary polar bodies (PB2) decreased during aging in the THSG-fed group, it decreased much more slowly than in the age-matched control group. THSG administration increased the quality of ovaries in young mice becoming aged. Western blotting analyses also indicated that CYP19, PR-B, and ER-β expressions were significantly increased in 36-week-old mice. THSG also increased oocyte numbers in aged mice compared to mice without THSG fed. Studies of qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses of ovaries in the aged mice groups were conducted. THSG increased gene expression of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a biomarker of oocyte number, and protein accumulation in 40-week-old mice. THSG increased the expression of pgc1α and atp6, mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes, and their protein expression. THSG also attenuated the fading rate of CYP11a and CYP19 associated with sex hormone synthesis. And THSG maintains a high level of ER-β expression, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of estrogen. Our findings indicated that THSG increased or extended gene expression involved in ovarian maintenance and rejuvenation in young and aged mice. On the other hand, THSG treatments significantly maintained oocyte quantity and quality in both groups of young and aged mice compared to each age-matched control group. In conclusion, THSG can delay aging-related menopause, and the antioxidant properties of THSG may make it suitable for preventing aging-induced infertility.

Clinical significance and intestinal microbiota composition in immunocompromised children with norovirus gastroenteritis

Background

Norovirus (NoV) infection is common in pediatric patients with immunodeficiency and is more likely to cause severe disease. Objective Our study aims to figure out the clinical differences and distribution of intestinal microbiota in immunocompromised children with NoV gastroenteritis.

Methods

Pediatric patients admitted to Shang-Ho Hospital with diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis including different immune status were enrolled and their medical records were reviewed. NoV gastroenteritis was validated using RT-PCR molecular methods. Viral shedding period was determined by real-time RT-PCR assays. Intestinal microbiota enrichment analysis was carried out by next generation sequencing after fecal DNA extraction and subsequent Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) method.

Results

Significantly higher frequency of diarrhea [mean, (IQR), 3.8 (3–5) /day] and longer viral shedding time [mean, IQR, 8.5 (5–13) days] was found in immunocompromised NoV infections than in immunocompetent patients without NoV infections (p = 0.013*) and immunocompetent patients with NoV infections (p = 0.030**). The fever prevalence was significantly lower in immunocompromised NoV infections than in different immune or infection status. Intestinal microbiota metagenomics analysis showed no significant community richness difference while the LEfSe analysis showed a significant difference in commensal richness at the phylum level, the family level, and the genus level in patients under different immune status.

Conclusion

We evaluated the clinical significances and microbiota composition in immunocompromised children with norovirus gastroenteritis. This will further facilitate studies of the interaction between the intestinal microbiota in such patients with precise determination of their bacterial infection control and probiotic supplements strategy.

Modulatory Effects of Heat-Inactivated Streptococcus Thermophilus Strain 7 on the Inflammatory Response: A Study on an Animal Model with TLR3-Induced Intestinal Injury

Rotavirus infections result in severe gastroenteritis with a detrimental inflammatory response in the intestine. Because probiotics have an anti-inflammatory effect and can modulate the gut microbiota profile, they can be used as a biotherapy for inflammatory intestinal diseases. In this study, we isolated Streptococcus thermophilus strain 7 (ST7) from cow milk and examined the effect of heat-inactivated ST7 on the intestinal histopathological score, inflammatory cytokine levels, T-cell activation and effector function, and microbiome profile in a mouse model with intestinal injury induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a Toll-like receptor 3 agonist. The results indicated that ST7 treatment prevented weight loss and intestinal injury and prevented the upregulation of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-15 levels in intestinal epithelial cells; prevented the upregulation of inflammation-associated Gammaproteobacteria and Alistipes; and increased the levels of Firmicutes in fecal microbiota after poly I:C stimulation. ST7 treatment also increased the serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level and promoted the expression of IFN-γ in both CD8 and CD4 T cells. In summary, ST7 prevented the inflammatory response, promoted the T-cell effector function, and modulated the microbiota profile of mice with poly I:C-induced small intestine injury.

KI Essence extract (a spleen-tonifying formula) promotes neurite outgrowth, alleviates oxidative stress and hypomyelination, and modulates microbiome in maternal immune activation offspring

Mushrooms and Chinese traditional herbs have bioactive nutraceuticals with multiple therapeutic functions, including antioxidant and antibacterial activities and microbiome modulation properties. Mushroom-derived bioactive compounds are used in medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders with abnormal brain–gut–microbiome axis. This study examined the effects of KI Essence extract, a spleen-tonifying formula, on neurite growth, antioxidant activity, hypomyelination modulation, and the microbiome profile in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) offspring. The KI Essence extract induced PC12 cell neurite growth by increasing extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, promoting 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, reducing the level of tert-butylhydroperoxide–induced lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates, protecting PC12 cells from H2O2-induced cell death (through the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation), alleviating hypomyelination, and downregulating interleukin‐1β through LPS-activated microglia production; moreover, the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, Actinobacteria, Peptostreptococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Bifidobacterium bacteria in MIA offspring increased. In summary, the KI Essence extract promotes neurite outgrowth, alleviates oxidative stress and hypomyelination, and modulates microbiota dysbiosis in MIA offspring.

Integrins and Actions of Androgen in Breast Cancer

Androgen has been shown to regulate male physiological activities and cancer proliferation. It is used to antagonize estrogen-induced proliferative effects in breast cancer cells. However, evidence indicates that androgen can stimulate cancer cell growth in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells via different types of receptors and different mechanisms. Androgen-induced cancer growth and metastasis link with different types of integrins. Integrin αvβ3 is predominantly expressed and activated in cancer cells and rapidly dividing endothelial cells. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) also plays a vital role in cancer growth. The part of integrins in action with androgen in cancer cells is not fully mechanically understood. To clarify the interactions between androgen and integrin αvβ3, we carried out molecular modeling to explain the potential interactions of androgen with integrin αvβ3. The androgen-regulated mechanisms on PD-L1 and its effects were also addressed.