Scinderin Promotes Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Lens Epithelial Cell Injury in Age-related Cataract

BACKGROUND

Scinderin (SCIN) is a calcium-dependent protein implicated in cell growth and apoptosis by regulating actin cleavage and capping. In this study, we investigated the role of SCIN in hydrogen peroxide-induced lens epithelial cell (LEC) injury related to age-related cataract (ARC).

METHODS

Anterior lens capsules from ARC patients were collected to examine SCIN expression levels. Immortalized human LEC cell line SRA01/04 and lens capsules freshly isolated from mice were induced by H2O2 to mimic the oxidative stress in ARC. The role of SCIN was investigated by gain-of-function (overexpression) and loss-offunction (knockdown) experiments. Flow cytometry (FCM) and Western-blot (WB) assays were performed to investigate the effect of SCIN on apoptosis. The oxidative stress (OS) was examined by detecting malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. The interaction between SCIN mRNA and miR-489-3p was predicted by StarBase and miRDB databases and validated by luciferase reporter activity assay.

RESULTS

SCIN was significantly elevated in cataract samples, and the expression levels were positively correlated with the nuclear sclerosis grades. SCIN overexpression promoted OS and apoptosis in H2O2-induced SRA01/04 cells, while SCIN silencing showed the opposite effect. We further showed that miR-489-3p was a negative regulator of SCIN. miR-489-3p overexpression suppressed apoptosis and OS in H2O2-induced SRA01/04 cells by targeting SCIN.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified SCIN as an upregulated gene in ARC, which is negatively regulated by miR-489-3p. Targeting miR-489-3p/SCIN axis could attenuate OS-induced apoptosis in LECs.

In vivo vascularized scaffold with different shear-exposed models for lymphatic tissue regeneration

Current clinical treatments on lymphedema provide promising results, but also result in donor site morbidities. The establishment of a microenvironment optimized for lymphangiogenesis can be an alternative way to enhance lymphatic tissue formation. Hemodynamic flow stimuli have been confirmed to have an influential effect on angiogenesis in tissue engineering, but not on lymphatic vessel formation. Here, the three in vivo scaffolds generated from different blood stimuli in the subcutaneous layer, in the flow through pedicle, and in an arterio-venous (AV) loop model, were created to investigate potential of lymphangiogenesis of scaffolds containing lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Our results indicated that AV loop model displayed better lymphangiogenesis in comparison to the other two models with slower flow or no stimuli. Other than hemodynamic force, the supplement of LECs is required for lymphatic vessel regeneration. The in vivo scaffold generated from AV loop model provides an effective approach for engineering lymphatic tissue in the clinical treatment of lymphedema.

Advances of endoscopic and surgical management in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

As one of the most common mesenchymal malignancies in the digestive system, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) occur throughout the alimentary tract with diversified oncological characteristics. With the advent of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era, the treatment regimens of patients with GISTs have been revolutionized and GISTs have become the paradigm of multidisciplinary therapy. However, surgery resection remains recognized as the potentially curative management for the radical resection and provided with favorable oncological outcomes. The existing available surgery algorithms in clinical practice primarily incorporate open procedure, and endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery together with combined operation techniques. The performance of various surgery methods often refers to the consideration of risk evaluation of recurrence and metastases; the degree of disease progression; size, location, and growth pattern of tumor; general conditions of selected patients; and indications and safety profile of various techniques. In the present review, we summarize the fundamental principle of surgery of GISTs based on risk assessment as well as tumor size, location, and degree of progress with an emphasis on the indications, strengths, and limitations of current surgery techniques.

Beyond PROX1: transcriptional, epigenetic, and noncoding RNA regulation of lymphatic identity and function

The lymphatic vascular system acts as the major transportation highway of tissue fluids, and its activation or impairment is associated with a wide range of diseases. There has been increasing interest in understanding the mechanisms that control lymphatic vessel formation (lymphangiogenesis) and function in development and disease. Here, we discuss recent insights into new players whose identification has contributed to deciphering the lymphatic regulatory code. We reveal how lymphatic endothelial cells, the building blocks of lymphatic vessels, utilize their transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic portfolio to commit to and maintain their vascular lineage identity and function, with a particular focus on development.

A Highly Efficient White Luminescent Zinc (II) Based Metallopolymer by RGB Approach

Three aryl-hydrazone O,N,O tridentate ligands with a different electron-withdrawing substituent were prepared. The introduction of a flexible charged chain in the ligands guaranteed solubility in many organic solvents and in water. The increasing withdrawing aptitude of the substituents red-shifted the emission in the correspondent metallopolymers. The metallated polymers were obtained by grafting ligand-zinc (II) coordination fragments onto commercial poly-(4-vinylpyridine). Metallopolymers thin films exhibited red, green and blue emission colors defined by Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates and medium to excellent photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (PLQYs) comparable with other highly-performing active materials for Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). By grafting a suitable mix of the three different coordination pendants, an efficient single-component white emissive metallopolymer with CIE (0.30, 0.31) was prepared. Thanks to the charged moiety, the polymers resulted miscible with an ionic liquid. The addition produced homogeneous polymeric layers with unaltered PL performances, potentially employable in Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells (LECs).

Leukocyte-Stromal Interactions Within Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes play a crucial role in the formation and initiation of immune responses, allowing lymphocytes to efficiently scan for foreign antigens and serving as rendezvous points for leukocyte-antigen interactions. Here we describe the major stromal subsets found in lymph nodes, including fibroblastic reticular cells, lymphatic endothelial cells, blood endothelial cells, marginal reticular cells, follicular dendritic cells and other poorly defined subsets such as integrin alpha-7+ pericytes. We focus on biomedically relevant interactions with T cells, B cells and dendritic cells, describing pro-survival mechanisms of support for these cells, promotion of their migration and tolerance-inducing mechanisms that help keep the body free of autoimmune-mediated damage.

Bit1-a potential positive regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lens epithelial cells

PURPOSE

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a common postoperative complication of cataract surgery. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) is an important initial step of PCO pathogenesis. We have previously shown that Bit1 expresses in rat LECs. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of Bit1 in the EMT of human LECs.

METHODS

The expression of Bit1 was firstly detected in human PCO-attached LECs and human lens cell line SRA01/04 by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. The proliferation and migration of Bit1 knockdown SRA01/04 cells were evaluated by cell counting, wound-healing assay, and transwell migration assay. The EMT of LECs was triggered by TGF-β2, and then the effect of Bit1 on EMT with a key biomarker of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was analyzed by siRNA knockdown assay, and the reversal of EMT was validated by real-time PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

Bit1 was obviously augmented in LECs derived from PCO tissues and Bit1 expressed with high levels in the cytoplasm of cultured SRA01/04 cells. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, as well as α-SMA expression, were significantly decreased in Bit1 knockdown SRA01/04 cells. While TGF-β2 elevated Bit1 and α-SMA expression levels in a dose-dependent manner, with peak levels at 10 ng/ml of TGF-β2 treatment, suppression of Bit1 in SRA01/04 cells reversed the EMT process. TGF-β2 induced elevation of α-SMA expression level, as well as migration, and invasion abilities were all suppressed by Bit1 deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal that Bit1 promotes TGF-β2 induced α-SMA expression and acts as an positive regulator of EMT. Suppressing Bit1 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and EMT of LECs. Bit1 may be a potential novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of PCO.

Emissive Polyelectrolytes As Interlayer for Color Tuning and Electron Injection in Solution-Processed Light-Emitting Devices

Herein we present a solution-processed hybrid device architecture combining organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) in a bilayer architecture. The LEC interlayer promotes the charge injection from an air-stable Ag cathode as well as permits the color tuning of the device emission. To this end, we used an alcohol-soluble anionic polyfluorene derivative, the properties of which were investigated by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry. The bilayer device exhibited operating voltages ∼6 V and a color tuning of the emission spectrum dependent on the LEC interlayer thickness. The hybrid devices presented a color emission ranging from the yellow (x = 0.39, y = 0.47) toward the green region (x = 0.29, y = 0.4) of the Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity diagram.

Excess Lymphangiogenesis Cooperatively Induced by Macrophages and CD4(+) T Cells Drives the Pathogenesis of Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a debilitating progressive condition that severely restricts quality of life and is frequently observed after cancer surgery. The mechanism underlying lymphedema development remains poorly understood, and no effective pharmacological means to prevent or alleviate the ailment is currently available. Using a mouse model of lymphedema, we show here that excessive generation of immature lymphatic vessels is essential for initial edema development and that this early process is also important for later development of lymphedema pathology. We found that CD4(+) T cells interact with macrophages to promote lymphangiogenesis, and that both lymphangiogenesis and edema were greatly reduced in macrophage-depleted mice, lymphocyte-deficient Rag2(?/?) mice or CD4(+) T-cell-deficient mice. Mechanistically, T helper type 1 and T helper type 17 cells activate lesional macrophages to produce vascular endothelial growth factor-C, which promotes lymphangiogenesis, and inhibition of this mechanism suppressed not only early lymphangiogenesis, but also later development of lymphedema. Finally, we show that atorvastatin suppresses excessive lymphangiogenesis and lymphedema by inhibiting T helper type 1 and T helper type 17 cell activation. These results demonstrate that the interaction between CD4(+) T cells and macrophages is a potential therapeutic target for prevention of lymphedema after surgery.

Engineering charge injection interfaces in hybrid light-emitting electrochemical cells

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) consists of a thin film of an ionic organic semiconductor sandwiched between two electrodes. Because of the large density of ions, LECs are often reported to perform independently on the electrodes work function. Here we use metal oxides as charge injection layers and demonstrate that, although electroluminescence is observed independently of the electrodes used, the device performances are strongly dependent on the choice of the interface materials. Relying on metal oxide charge injection layers, such hybrid devices are of interest for real lighting applications and could pave the way for new efficient, stable, low-cost lighting sources.

Cytokines are systemic effectors of lymphatic function in acute inflammation

The response of the lymphatic system to inflammatory insult and infection is not completely understood. Using a near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging system to noninvasively document propulsive function, we noted the short-term cessation of murine lymphatic propulsion as early as 4h following LPS injection. Notably, the effects were systemic, displaying bilateral lymphatic pumping cessation after a unilateral insult. Furthermore, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, cytokines that were found to be elevated in serum during lymphatic pumping cessation, were shown separately to acutely and systemically decrease lymphatic pulsing frequency and velocity following intradermal administration. Surprisingly, marked lymphatic vessel dilation and leakiness were noted in limbs contralateral to IL-1β intradermal administration, but not in ipsilateral limbs. The effects of IL-1β on lymphatic pumping were abated by pre-treatment with an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, L-NIL (N-iminoethyl-L-lysine). The results suggest that lymphatic propulsion is systemically impaired within 4h of acute inflammatory insult, and that some cytokines are major effectors of lymphatic pumping cessation through nitric oxide-mediated mechanisms. These findings may help in understanding the actions of cytokines as mediators of lymphatic function in inflammatory and infectious states.