Expression and Localization Profiles of Tight Junction Proteins in Immune Cells Depend on Their Activation Status

The ability of the immune system to combat pathogens relies on processes like antigen sampling by dendritic cells and macrophages migrating through endo- and epithelia or penetrating them with their dendrites. In addition, other immune cell subtypes also migrate through the epithelium after activation. For paracellular migration, interactions with tight junctions (TJs) are necessary, and previous studies reported TJ protein expression in several immune cells. Our investigation aimed to characterize, in more detail, the expression profiles of TJ proteins in different immune cells in both naïve and activated states. The mRNA expression analysis revealed distinct expression patterns for TJ proteins, with notable changes, mainly increases, upon activation. At the protein level, LSR appeared predominant, being constitutively present in naïve cell membranes, suggesting roles as a crucial interaction partner. Binding experiments suggested the presence of claudins in the membrane only after stimulation, and claudin-8 translocation to the membrane occurred after stimulation. Our findings suggest a dynamic TJ protein expression in immune cells, implicating diverse functions in response to stimulation, like interaction with TJ proteins or regulatory roles. While further analysis is needed to elucidate the precise roles of TJ proteins, our findings indicate important non-canonical functions of TJ proteins in immune response.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Departments to Improve Wait Times: Protocol for an Integrative Living Review

BACKGROUND

Long wait times in the emergency department (ED) are a major issue for health care systems all over the world. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) is a novel strategy to reduce ED wait times when compared to the interventions included in previous research endeavors. To date, comprehensive systematic reviews that include studies involving AI applications in the context of EDs have covered a wide range of AI implementation issues. However, the lack of an iterative update strategy limits the use of these reviews. Since the subject of AI development is cutting edge and is continuously changing, reviews in this area must be frequently updated to remain relevant.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide a summary of the evidence that is currently available regarding how AI can affect ED wait times; discuss the applications of AI in improving wait times; and periodically assess the depth, breadth, and quality of the evidence supporting the application of AI in reducing ED wait times.

METHODS

We plan to conduct a living systematic review (LSR). Our strategy involves conducting continuous monitoring of evidence, with biannual search updates and annual review updates. Upon completing the initial round of the review, we will refine the search strategy and establish clear schedules for updating the LSR. An interpretive synthesis using Whittemore and Knafl's framework will be performed to compile and summarize the findings. The review will be carried out using an integrated knowledge translation strategy, and knowledge users will be involved at all stages of the review to guarantee applicability, usability, and clarity of purpose.

RESULTS

The literature search was completed by September 22, 2023, and identified 17,569 articles. The title and abstract screening were completed by December 9, 2023. In total, 70 papers were eligible. The full-text screening is in progress.

CONCLUSIONS

The review will summarize AI applications that improve ED wait time. The LSR enables researchers to maintain high methodological rigor while enhancing the timeliness, applicability, and value of the review.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/52612.

MC-Injection Molding with Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) for Medical Technology

The multicomponent injection molding of liquid silicone rubbers (LSR) with thermoplastics, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyamide (PA), is a state-of-the-art technique and is used in the manufacturing process for many components in the automotive industry and in the field of sanitary engineering. Standard thermoplastics, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), cannot be bonded with silicone rubbers in injection molding because of their low heat deflection temperature. In this study, we investigated ABS grades approved for medical applications to show how dynamic mold heating and various pretreatment methods for thermoplastic surfaces can be used to produce ABS-LSR test specimens. In addition, such components' sterilization effect on the adhesive bond will be shown.

LSR targets YAP to modulate intestinal Paneth cell differentiation

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is a multi-functional protein that is best known for its roles in assembly of epithelial tricellular tight junctions and hepatic clearance of lipoproteins. Here, we investigated whether LSR contributes to intestinal epithelium homeostasis and pathogenesis of intestinal disease. By using multiple conditional deletion mouse models and ex vivo cultured organoids, we find that LSR elimination in intestinal stem cells results in the disappearance of Paneth cells without affecting the differentiation of other cell lineages. Mechanistic studies reveal that LSR deficiency increases abundance of YAP by modulating its phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation. Using gain- and loss-of-function studies, we show that LSR protects against necrotizing enterocolitis through enhancement of Paneth cell differentiation in small-intestinal epithelium. Thus, this study identifies LSR as an upstream negative regulator of YAP activity, an essential factor for Paneth cell differentiation, and a potential therapeutic target for necrotizing enterocolitis.

[Early results of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm]

BACKGROUND

Neurophysiological monitoring in surgery for hemifacial spasm has been used since the 1990s, when Moller et al. demonstrated the effectiveness of intraoperative assessment of lateral spread response (LSR) regarding postoperative outcomes. Currently, there are conflicting data on effectiveness and feasibility of this technique. Widespread hemifacial spasm determines the relevance of neurophysiological monitoring in surgical treatment of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm regarding early postoperative outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group included 43 patients (8 men and 35 women) aged 26-68 years. We assessed severity of hemifacial spasm using the SMC Grading Scale. All patients underwent vascular decompression of the facial nerve under neurophysiological control: monitoring of transcranial motor evoked potentials from facial muscles (m. orbicularis oculi, m. orbicularis oris, m. mentalis) and recording unilateral LSR. The control group included 23 patients (4 men and 19 women) aged 29-83 years. In this group, facial nerve decompression was performed without neurophysiological control. The effect of neurophysiological monitoring on postoperative outcomes (in-hospital period and 3 postoperative months) after vascular decompression of the facial nerve was assessed using the SMC Grading Scale. We considered severity and incidence of spasms.

RESULTS

Thirty-one (72%) patients in the main group had no spasms of mimic muscles at discharge. In the control group, there were no spasms in 15 patients (65%). At the same time, there were fewer Grade I patients in the control group (12%) compared to the main group (26%). Moreover, 27 (66%) and 12 (52%) patients were free from episodes of hemifacial spasm in both groups, respectively. Patients with hemifacial spasm grade I-II comprised 29% in the main group and 34% in the control group. The number of relapses within three months increased in the control group (13%).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative monitoring of transcranial motor evoked potentials from the facial muscles and LSR during vascular decompression of the facial nerve increases the efficiency of surgery for hemifacial spasm in early postoperative period. Less number of relapses and lower intensity of hemifacial spasm necessitate neurophysiological monitoring in neurosurgical treatment of these patients.

Atypical Macropinocytosis Contributes to Malignant Progression: A Review of Recent Evidence in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Cells

Simple Summary

A novel type of macropinocytosis has been identified as a trigger for the malignant progression of endometrial cancer. Transiently reducing epithelial barrier homeostasis leads to macropinocytosis by splitting between adjacent cells in endometrioid endometrial cancer. Macropinocytosis causes morphological changes in well-differentiated to poorly differentiated cancer cells. Inhibition of macropinocytosis promotes a persistent dormant state in the intrinsic KRAS-mutated cancer cell line Sawano. This review focuses on the mechanisms of atypical macropinocytosis and its effects on cellular function, and it describes the physiological processes involved in inducing resting conditions in endometrioid endometrial cancer cells.

Abstract

Macropinocytosis is an essential mechanism for the non-specific uptake of extracellular fluids and solutes. In recent years, additional functions have been identified in macropinocytosis, such as the intracellular introduction pathway of drugs, bacterial and viral infection pathways, and nutritional supplement pathway of cancer cells. However, little is known about the changes in cell function after macropinocytosis. Recently, it has been reported that macropinocytosis is essential for endometrial cancer cells to initiate malignant progression in a dormant state. Macropinocytosis is formed by a temporary split of adjacent bicellular junctions of epithelial sheets, rather than from the apical surface or basal membrane, as a result of the transient reduction of tight junction homeostasis. This novel type of macropinocytosis has been suggested to be associated with the malignant pathology of endometriosis and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. This review outlines the induction of malignant progression of endometrial cancer cells by macropinocytosis based on a new mechanism and the potential preventive mechanism of its malignant progression.

LSR antibody promotes apoptosis and disrupts epithelial barriers via signal pathways in endometrial cancer

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR), a lipid metabolism-related factor localized in tricellular tight junctions (tTJs), plays an important role in maintaining the epithelial barrier. LSR is highly expressed in well-differentiated endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC), and its expression decreases during malignancy. Angubindin-1, a novel LSR ligand peptide, regulates tTJs without cytotoxicity, enhances paracellular permeability, and regulates epithelial barrier via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/cofilin. In this study, we investigated the immune-modulatory roles of an anti-LSR antibody in the treatment of EEC in vitro compared to those of angubindin-1. We prepared an antibody against the extracellular N-terminal domain of human LSR (LSR-N-ab) and angubindin-1. EEC cell-line Sawano cells in 2D and 2.5D cultures were treated with 100 μg/ml LSR-N-ab or 2.5 μg/ml angubindin-1 with or without protein tyrosine kinase 2β inhibitor PF431396 (PF43) and JNK inhibitor SP600125 (SP60) at 10 μM. Treatment with LSR-N-ab and angubindin-1 decreased LSR at the membranes of tTJs and the activity of phosphorylated LSR and phosphorylated cofilin in 2D culture. Treatment with LSR-N-ab and angubindin-1 decreased the epithelial barrier measured as TEER values in 2D culture and enhanced the epithelial permeability of FD-4 in 2.5D culture. Treatment with LSR-N-ab, but not angubindin-1, induced apoptosis in 2D culture. Pretreatment with PF43 and SP60 prevented all the changes induced by treatment with LSR-N-ab and angubindin-1. Treatment with LSR-N-ab and angubindin-1 enhanced the cell metabolism measured as the mitochondrial respiration levels in 2D culture. LSR-N-ab and angubindin-1 may be useful for therapy of human EEC via enhanced apoptosis or drug absorption.

Liquid Silicone Rubber Foamed with Thermoplastic Expandable Microspheres

To reduce the material costs as well as the density of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), LSR foams can be produced in an injection molding process. Expandable thermoplastic microspheres can be used as blowing agents. This publication deals with the analysis of the cell structure of these LSR foams. For this purpose, cylindrical disks are injection molded and examined for their cell structure as a function of different proportions of microspheres using a scanning electron spectroscope. In addition, the density of the samples is determined. It was found that a very homogeneous cell structure is produced in this process, that heat transport has a significant influence on the expansion of the microspheres, and that the formation of a filler network limits the expansion at higher proportions of blowing agent.

VEGF-A-related genetic variants protect against Alzheimer's disease

The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype has been shown to be the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, both the lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) and the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) are involved in the development of AD. The aim of the study was to develop a prediction model for AD including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of APOE, LSR and VEGF-A-related variants.

The population consisted of 323 individuals (143 AD cases and 180 controls). Genotyping was performed for: the APOE common polymorphism (rs429358 and rs7412), two LSR variants (rs34259399 and rs916147) and 10 VEGF-A-related SNPs (rs6921438, rs7043199, rs6993770, rs2375981, rs34528081, rs4782371, rs2639990, rs10761741, rs114694170, rs1740073), previously identified as genetic determinants of VEGF-A levels in GWAS studies. The prediction model included direct and epistatic interaction effects, age and sex and was developed using the elastic net machine learning methodology.

An optimal model including the direct effect of the APOE e4 allele, age and eight epistatic interactions between APOE and LSR, APOE and VEGF-A-related variants was developed with an accuracy of 72%. Two epistatic interactions (rs7043199*rs6993770 and rs2375981*rs34528081) were the strongest protective factors against AD together with the absence of ε4 APOE allele. Based on pathway analysis, the involved variants and related genes are implicated in neurological diseases.

In conclusion, this study demonstrated links between APOE, LSR and VEGF-A-related variants and the development of AD and proposed a model of nine genetic variants which appears to strongly influence the risk for AD.

Solution state structure and equilibria of lanthanide (fod)3 complexes revisited: A 1 H, 13 C and 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance study of Eu(fod)3

In a qualitative approach, variable temperature ¹ H, ¹⁹ F and ¹³ C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize the solution state structure and equilibria of the widely used lanthanide solvent reagent Eu(fod)₃ . Despite the fact that the side chain fluorines are far from the coordination site, the ¹⁹ F-¹ H NMR spectra turned out to be sensitive reporters of self-coordination and/or adduct formation with other ligands. For example, they predict/explain immediately the otherwise hardly predictable magnitude of the expectable paramagnetic effects. The temperature-dependent Fermi-contact effects observed in the ¹³ C{¹ H} spectra were extremely important aides in their assignments. The equilibria could be manipulated by changing the solvent used and/or the reagent/ligand molar ratio. Depending on their coordination ability, the solvents possess a certain control over the adduct life times. Sharpening of the ¹⁹ F signals in the presence of associative solvent molecules such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or CH₃ CN is an indication of changing complex structure (shifting the equilibrium towards the monomeric form). In apolar solvents, relaxation and diffusion data confirmed the oligomerization of the Eu(fod)₃ -d₂₇ chelate complexes already at relatively low (≥3.0 mg/0.4 ml) concentration.

Angulin-1 (LSR) Affects Paracellular Water Transport, However Only in Tight Epithelial Cells

Water transport in epithelia occurs transcellularly (aquaporins) and paracellularly (claudin-2, claudin-15). Recently, we showed that downregulated tricellulin, a protein of the tricellular tight junction (tTJ, the site where three epithelial cells meet), increased transepithelial water flux. We now check the hypothesis that another tTJ-associated protein, angulin-1 (alias lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor, LSR) is a direct negative actuator of tTJ water permeability depending on the tightness of the epithelium. For this, a tight and an intermediate-tight epithelial cell line, MDCK C7 and HT-29/B6, were stably transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 and single-guide RNA targeting angulin-1 and morphologically and functionally characterized. Water flux induced by an osmotic gradient using 4-kDa dextran caused water flux to increase in angulin-1 KO clones in MDCK C7 cells, but not in HT-29/B6 cells. In addition, we found that water permeability in HT-29/B6 cells was not modified after either angulin-1 knockout or tricellulin knockdown, which may be related to the presence of other pathways, which reduce the impact of the tTJ pathway. In conclusion, modulation of the tTJ by knockout or knockdown of tTJ proteins affects ion and macromolecule permeability in tight and intermediate-tight epithelial cell lines, while the transepithelial water permeability was affected only in tight cell lines.

Pyk2 inhibitor prevents epithelial hyperpermeability induced by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in Caco-2 cells

The non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase 2β (Pyk2) phosphorylated tricellular tight junction (tTJ) molecules angulin-1/LSR and tricellulin (TRIC) and the inhibitor PF-431396 (PF43) suppress angulin-1/LSR and TRIC recruitment to tTJs. The disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier by high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and the inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ contributes to downregulation of angulin-1/LSR and TRIC in 2.5D culture of Caco-2 cells as a novel model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the present study, to investigate the roles of Pyk2 phosphorylated angulin-1/LSR and TRIC in the intestinal epithelial barrier, 2D and 2.5D cultures of Caco-2 cells were treated with the Pyk2 inhibitor PF-43 with or without HMGB1, inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ. Treatment with PF-43 increased expression of angulin-1/LSR, phosphorylated AMPK and phosphorylated MAPK and decreased that of phosphorylated JNK, with upregulation of the epithelial barrier and cellular metabolism measured as basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ATP production in 2D culture. Treatment with PF-43 prevented the downregulation of the epithelial barrier by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in 2D culture. Treatment with PF-43 prevented the epithelial hyperpermeability induced by HMGB1 and inflammatory cytokines in 2.5D culture. In 2.5D culture, treatment with PF-43 inhibited the decreases of angulin-1/LSR, TRIC, pJNK, pAMPK and pMAPK induced by HMGB1 and the inflammatory cytokines. Treatment with PF-43 inhibited in part the induced phosphorylation of the serine of angulin-1/LSR and TRIC. Pyk2 inhibitor PF-43 may have potential for use in therapy for IBD via its actions with regard to phosphorylated tTJs and cellular metabolism.

LSR promotes epithelial ovarian cancer cell survival under energy stress through the LKB1-AMPK pathway

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR), also known as a component of tricellular tight junctions, is highly expressing in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the biological role of LSR in EOC cells remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated liver kinase B1 (LKB1) mediated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and investigated the effect of LSR on EOC cell survival under energy stress. LSR increased the levels of phospho-AMPKα at Thr172 and phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) at Ser79 via LKB1-AMPK pathway in glucose deprivation in vitro. The increase of P-AMPKα (Thr172) and P-ACC (Ser79) was also detected in tumor microenvironment in vivo. Meanwhile, LSR promoted LKB1 localization at the cell membrane of EOC cells. By cell survival analysis, LSR attenuated glucose deprivation-induced cell death in EOC cells in vitro. Our results suggest that LSR promotes EOC cell survival and tumor growth through the LKB1-AMPK pathway.

Local Disease-Free Survival Rate (LSR) Application to Personalize Radiation Therapy Treatments in Breast Cancer Models

Cancer heterogeneity represents the main issue for defining an effective treatment in clinical practice, and the scientific community is progressively moving towards the development of more personalized therapeutic regimens. Radiotherapy (RT) remains a fundamental therapeutic treatment used for many neoplastic diseases, including breast cancer (BC), where high variability at the clinical and molecular level is known. The aim of this work is to apply the generalized linear quadratic (LQ) model to customize the radiant treatment plan for BC, by extracting some characteristic parameters of intrinsic radiosensitivity that are not generic, but may be exclusive for each cell type. We tested the validity of the generalized LQ model and analyzed the local disease-free survival rate (LSR) for breast RT treatment by using four BC cell cultures (both primary and immortalized), irradiated with clinical X-ray beams. BC cells were chosen on the basis of their receptor profiles, in order to simulate a differential response to RT between triple negative breast and luminal adenocarcinomas. The MCF10A breast epithelial cell line was utilized as a healthy control. We show that an RT plan setup based only on α and β values could be limiting and misleading. Indeed, two other parameters, the doubling time and the clonogens number, are important to finely predict the tumor response to treatment. Our findings could be tested at a preclinical level to confirm their application as a variant of the classical LQ model, to create a more personalized approach for RT planning.

Biallelic Mutations in the LSR Gene Cause a Novel Type of Infantile Intrahepatic Cholestasis

We identified biallelic pathogenic mutations in the Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) gene in a patient with infantile intrahepatic cholestasis. We established that mutations in the LSR gene, which encodes a protein which is critical for the formation of tricellular tight junctions in the liver, are a novel cause of pediatric cholestasis.

ASPP2 suppression promotes malignancy via LSR and YAP in human endometrial cancer

Apoptosis-stimulating p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) is an apoptosis inducer that acts via binding with p53 and epithelial polarity molecule PAR3. Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is an important molecule at tricellular contacts, and loss of LSR promotes cell migration and invasion via Yes-associated protein (YAP) in human endometrial cancer cells. In the present study, to find how ASPP2 suppression promotes malignancy in human endometrial cancer, we investigated its mechanisms including the relationship with LSR. In endometriosis and endometrial cancers (G1 and G2), ASPP2 was observed as well as PAR3 and LSR in the subapical region. ASPP2 decreased in G3 endometrial cancer compared to G1. In human endometrial cancer cell line Sawano, ASPP2 was colocalized with LSR and tricellulin at tricellular contacts and binding to PAR3, LSR, and tricellulin in the confluent state. ASPP2 suppression promoted cell migration and invasion, decreased LSR expression, and induced expression of phosphorylated YAP, claudin-1, -4, and -7 as effectively as the loss of LSR. Knockdown of YAP prevented the upregulation of pYAP, cell migration and invasion induced by the ASPP2 suppression. Treatment with a specific antibody against ASPP2 downregulated ASPP2 and LSR, affected F-actin at tricellular contacts, upregulated expression of pYAP and claudin-1, and induced cell migration and invasion via YAP. In normal human endometrial epithelial cells, ASPP2 was in part colocalized with LSR at tricellular contacts and knockdown of ASPP2 or LSR induced expression of claudin-1 and claudin-4. ASPP2 suppression promoted cell invasion and migration via LSR and YAP in human endometrial cancer cells.

Localization of Tricellular Tight Junction Molecule LSR at Midbody and Centrosome During Cytokinesis in Human Epithelial Cells

Epithelial integrity and barrier function are maintained during cytokinesis in vertebrate epithelial tissues. The changes in localization and the roles of tricellular tight junction molecule lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) during cytokinesis are not well known, although new tricellular tight junctions form at the flank of the midbody during cytokinesis. In this study, we investigated the changes in localization and the role of LSR at the midbody and centrosome during cytokinesis using human endometrial carcinoma cell line Sawano, comparing the tricellular tight junction molecule tricellulin; bicellular tight junction molecules occludin, claudin-7, zonula occludens-1, and cingulin; and the epithelial polarized related molecules apoptosis-stimulating of p53 protein 2, PAR3, and yes-associated protein. During cytokinesis induced by treatment with taxol, the epithelial barrier was maintained and the tricellular tight junction molecules LSR and tricellulin were concentrated at the flank of the acetylated tubulin-positive midbody and in γ-tubulin-positive centrosomes with the dynein adaptor Hook2, whereas the other molecules were localized there as well. All the molecules disappeared by knockdown using small interfering RNAs. Furthermore, by the knockdown of Hook2, the epithelial barrier was maintained and most of the molecules disappeared from the centrosome. These findings suggest that LSR may play crucial roles not only in barrier function but also in cytokinesis.

Effect of LSR polymorphism on blood lipid levels and age-specific epistatic interaction with the APOE common polymorphism

The lipolysis stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is an apolipoprotein (Apo) B and ApoE receptor that participates in the removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins during the postprandial phase. LSR gene is located upstream of APOE, an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since the APOE common polymorphism significantly affects the variability of lipid metabolism, this study aimed to determine the potential impact of a functional SNP rs916147 in LSR gene on lipid traits in healthy subjects and to investigate potential epistatic interaction between LSR and APOE. Unrelated healthy adults (N = 432) and children (N = 328, <18 years old) from the STANISLAS Family Study were used. Age-specific epistasis was observed between APOE and LSR, reversing the protective effect of APOE ε2 allele on cholesterol, ApoE and low-density lipoprotein levels (β: .114, P: .777 × 10^-8 , β: .125, P: .639 × 10^-3 , β: .059, P: .531 × 10^-3 , respectively). This interaction was verified in an independent adult population (n = 1744). These results highlight the importance of the LSR polymorphism and reveal the existence of complex molecular links between LSR and ApoE for the regulation of lipid levels, revealing potential new pathways of interest in type III hyperlipidemia and its involvement in CVD pathology.

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor overexpression is a novel predictor of poor clinical prognosis and a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer

The prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC) remains poor despite the recent advances in molecular targeted therapies, and the search for biomarkers that can predict prognosis and additional new agents with acceptable toxicity profiles are needed. Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is a lipoprotein receptor that binds to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and related to some malignancies. Herein, we examined the association between LSR expression and the prognosis of patients with GC, and investigated the antitumor effect of a previously developed anti-human LSR monoclonal antibody (#1-25). We first performed immunohistochemical analysis of LSR protein expression in GC and normal tissues, and then examined its association with the prognosis of 110 patients with GC. LSR was overexpressed in most of primary GC and metastatic tumors, but not in normal tissues. Patients with strong LSR expression (N = 80, 72.7%) had significantly poorer overall survival (OS) than those with weak expression (P = 0.017). Multivariate analysis identified strong LSR (as well as pT) as independent and significant prognostic factors for OS. Next, we demonstrated that very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) treatment increases cell proliferation in LSR-expressing GC cell lines in vitro; LSR inhibition using #1-25 inhibited VLDL-induced proliferation by suppressing JAK/STAT and PI3K signaling. In vivo, we demonstrated a marked antitumor effect of #1-25 in 2 distinct GC cell line xenograft mice models. Our findings suggest that LSR plays a key functional role in GC development, and that this antigen can be therapeutically targeted to improve GC treatment.

The roles of tricellular tight junction protein lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor in malignancy of human endometrial cancer cells

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) has been identified as a novel molecular constituent of tricellular contacts that have a barrier function for the cellular sheet. LSR recruits tricellulin (TRIC), which is the first molecular component of tricellular tight junctions. Knockdown of LSR increases cell motility and invasion of certain cancer cells. However, the behavior and the roles of LSR in endometrial cancer remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the behavior and roles of LSR in normal and endometrial cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. In endometriosis and endometrial cancer, LSR was observed not only in the subapical region but also throughout the lateral region as well as in normal endometrial epithelial cells in the secretory phase, and LSR in the cancer was reduced in correlation with the malignancy. Knockdown of LSR by the siRNA in cells of the endometrial cancer cell line Sawano, induced cell migration, invasion and proliferation, while TRIC relocalized from the tricellular region to the bicellular region at the membrane. In Sawano cells and normal HEEs, a decrease of LSR induced by leptin and an increase of LSR induced by adiponectin and the drugs for type 2 diabetes metformin and berberine were observed via distinct signaling pathways including JAK2/STAT. In Sawano cells, metformin and berberine prevented cell migration and invasion induced by downregulation of LSR by the siRNA and leptin treatment. The dissection of the mechanism in the downregulation of endometrial LSR during obesity is important in developing new diagnostic and therapy for endometrial cancer.

The value of lateral spread response monitoring in predicting the clinical outcome after microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm: a prospective study on 100 patients

Microvascular decompression represents an effective treatment for hemifacial spasm. The use of lateral spread response (LSR) monitoring remains a useful intraoperative tool to ensure adequate decompression of the facial nerve. The aim of this study was to assess the value of LSRs intraoperative monitoring as a prognostic indicator for the outcome of microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm. Our study included 100 patients prospectively. The patients were classified into four groups whether LSRs were totally, partially, not relieved, or not detected from the start. According to clinical outcome, the patients were classified into four groups depending on the clinical course after surgery and the residual symptoms if any. Then, correlations were made between LSR events and treatment outcome to detect its reliability as a prognostic indicator. LSRs were relieved totally in 56 % of the patients, partially relieved in 14 %, not relieved in 10 %, and were not detected in 20 % of the patients from the start. HFS was relieved directly after operation in 62 % with clinical improvement of 90-100 %. Thirty-one percent described 50-90 % improvement over the next 3 months after surgery. Almost all of these 31 % (28 out of 31 patients) reported further clinical improvement of 90-100 % within 1 year after surgery. Three percent suffered from a relapse after a HFS-free period, and 4 % reported minimal or no improvement describing 0-50 % of the preoperative state. The percentage of the satisfied patients with the clinical outcome who reported after 1 year a clinical improvement of 90-100 % was 90 %. Statistical analysis did not find a significant correlation between the relief of LSRs and clinical outcome. LSRs may only represent an intraoperative tool to guide for an adequate decompression but failed to represent a reliable prognostic indicator for treatment outcome.

microRNA-379 couples glucocorticoid hormones to dysfunctional lipid homeostasis

In mammals, glucocorticoids (GCs) and their intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), represent critical checkpoints in the endocrine control of energy homeostasis. Indeed, aberrant GC action is linked to severe metabolic stress conditions as seen in Cushing's syndrome, GC therapy and certain components of the Metabolic Syndrome, including obesity and insulin resistance. Here, we identify the hepatic induction of the mammalian conserved microRNA (miR)-379/410 genomic cluster as a key component of GC/GR-driven metabolic dysfunction. Particularly, miR-379 was up-regulated in mouse models of hyperglucocorticoidemia and obesity as well as human liver in a GC/GR-dependent manner. Hepatocyte-specific silencing of miR-379 substantially reduced circulating very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-associated triglyceride (TG) levels in healthy mice and normalized aberrant lipid profiles in metabolically challenged animals, mediated through miR-379 effects on key receptors in hepatic TG re-uptake. As hepatic miR-379 levels were also correlated with GC and TG levels in human obese patients, the identification of a GC/GR-controlled miRNA cluster not only defines a novel layer of hormone-dependent metabolic control but also paves the way to alternative miRNA-based therapeutic approaches in metabolic dysfunction.

Changes in the protein patterns in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots under the influence of long- and short-term chilling stress and post-stress recovery

Amongst many factors restricting geographical distribution of plants and crop productivity, low temperature is one of the most important. To gain better understanding of the molecular response of germinating pea (Pisum sativum L.) to low temperature, we investigated the influence of long and short chilling stress as well as post-stress recovery on the alterations in the root proteomes. The impact of long stress was examined on the pea seeds germinating in the continuous chilling conditions of 10 °C for 8 days (LS). To examine the impact of short stress, pea seeds germinating for 72 h in the optimal temperature of 20 °C were subjected to 24-h chilling (SS). Additionally, both stress treatments were followed by 24 h of recovery in the optimal conditions (accordingly LSR and SR). Using the 2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF MS protein identification, it was revealed, that most of the proteins undergoing regulation under the applied conditions were implicated in metabolism, protection against stress, cell cycle regulation, cell structure maintenance and hormone synthesis, which altogether may influence root growth and development in the early stages of plant life. The obtained results have shown that most of detected alterations in the proteome patterns of pea roots are dependent on stress duration. However, there are some analogical response pathways which are triggered regardless of stress length. The functions of proteins which accumulation has been changed by chilling stress and post-stress recovery are discussed here in relation to their impact on pea roots development.

Would CLSI M53-A have helped in the diagnosis of HIV in Canada? Results of the performance of Canadian laboratories participating in a recent NLHRS proficiency testing panel containing HIV-1 antigen positive (antibody negative) and HIV-2 samples

INTRODUCTION

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recently published M53-A, Criteria for Laboratory Testing and Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection; Approved Guideline (2011), which includes a state of the art algorithm for identifying HIV-1 acute and HIV-2 infections. To assess the ability of Canadian laboratories to detect these sample types and the impact of M53-A, the National Laboratory for HIV Reference Services distributed a special proficiency testing panel.

METHODS

HIVS425-2012Nov22 was sent to 42 laboratories across Canada. It contained one HIV negative sample (B), two HIV-1 positive samples (A and E), one HIV-2 positive sample (C) and one HIV-1/2 antibody negative-HIV-1 antigen positive sample (D). Data was collected and analyzed using DigitalPT; a standardized on-line tool.

RESULTS

Forty-one laboratories returned results. Sample B (HIV negative) was identified by 95% of laboratories (39/41) and samples A and E (HIV-1 positive) by 98% (40/41). No laboratory identified sample C as HIV-2 positive, although 85% (35/41) detected reactivity prompting a referral for further testing. The remaining laboratories identified sample C as HIV-1 positive (4), indeterminate (1) or gave no final status (1). Sample D (HIV antibody negative-antigen positive) was correctly identified by two laboratories as HIV-1 antigen positive while 78% (32/41) detected reactivity, recommending further testing. One laboratory did not provide a final status. Alarmingly, six laboratories called this sample HIV negative.

CONCLUSION

Although there is a high quality of HIV testing across Canada, introduction of the M53-A guideline would further improve the ability of laboratories to diagnose HIV-1 acute and HIV-2 infection.

Anxiety and depression associated with caregiver burden in caregivers of stroke survivors with spasticity

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between anxiety/depression and caregiver burden in informal caregivers of stroke survivors with spasticity.

DESIGN

Data were collected via online surveys from informal caregivers 18 years or older who cared for stroke survivors.

SETTING

Internet-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

2007 through 2009 U.S. National Health and Wellness Survey database or Lightspeed Research general panel respondents (N=153).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anxiety and depression were self-reported by the caregiver as a physician diagnosis. Depression severity was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Caregiver burden was measured by the Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale (OCBS) and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS). Logistic regression analyses were conducted with anxiety, depression, and the PHQ-9 depression severity categories as a result of each caregiver burden scale.

RESULTS

Data were analyzed for 153 informal caregivers; they were mostly women (70.6%) and white (78.4%), with a mean age of 51.6 years. For every 1-point increase in the OCBS Difficulty Scale, the odds of anxiety or depression were 2.57 times as great (P<.001) and 1.88 times as great (P=.007), respectively. The odds of PHQ-9 severe depression versus all other categories combined were 2.48 times as great (P<.001). For every 1-point decrease in the BCOS, the odds of anxiety or depression were 2.43 times as great (P<.001) and 2.27 times as great (P=.002), respectively. The odds of PHQ-9 severe depression versus all other categories combined were 4.55 times as great (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

As caregiver burden increases, caregivers are more likely to have anxiety and depression. Depression severity also increases. Providing treatment to stroke survivors with spasticity that lessens the time and more importantly, the difficulty of caregiving may lead to a reduction in caregiver anxiety and depression.