Obese and lean porcine difference of FoxO1 and its regulation through C/EBPβ and PI3K/GSK3β signaling pathway

Forkhead box O 1 (FoxO1) is an important transcription factor implicated in adipogenesis. In this study, we detected the breed differences in FoxO1 between Bamei pigs (an obese breed) and Large White pigs (a lean breed). Compared with Large White pigs, the BW of Bamei pigs was lower (P < 0.01), but back fat thickness, fat percent, and intramuscular fat content were greater (P < 0.01). The levels of FoxO1 mRNA and protein were lower (P < 0.01) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of Bamei pigs at 180 d, adipocytes and stromal-vascular fraction extracted from SAT of Bamei pigs at 1 d compared with Large White pigs. Knockdown of FoxO1 increased triglyceride content (P < 0.01) and upregulated the levels of adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein, PPARγ, and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) at 6 d after porcine preadipocytes were induced. Furthermore, the transcriptional regulation of FoxO1 through C/EBPβ during early porcine preadipocyte differentiation and the effect of insulin on phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) signal pathway by FoxO1 were examined. The results indicated that FoxO1 inhibited transcription activity of C/EBPβ, whereas C/EBPβ did not affect transcription activity of FoxO1. At 6 and 12 h of early differentiation, knockdown of FoxO1 triggered the transcription activity of C/EBPβ. In addition, FoxO1 protein interacted with C/EBPβ protein in porcine adipocytes at 12 h after induction. Under treatment with 100 nM insulin, knockdown or overexpression of FoxO1 mediated PI3K/GSK3β signaling via upregulating or downregulating the levels of GSK3β and its phosphorylation in adipocytes. Taken together, there is low, but detectable, expression of FoxO1 in SAT of obese pigs and FoxO1 inhibited adipogenesis through C/EBPβ and PI3K/GSK3β signaling pathway. These findings provide useful information to further the understanding of the function of FoxO1 in porcine adipogenesis.

Prophylaxis with anti-inhibitor coagulant complex improves health-related quality of life in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: results from FEIBA NF Prophylaxis Study

The Pro-FEIBA study reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improved following 6-month of Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) prophylaxis. This study investigates whether 12-month of FEIBA prophylaxis improved HRQoL in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. Thirty-six subjects in a 1-year prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-design study were randomized to prophylaxis (85 ± 15 U kg(-1) every other day) or on-demand treatment. HRQoL was assessed at screening, 6 and 12-month termination using the EQ-5D, Haem-A-QoL, Haemo-QoL and a general pain visual analog scale (VAS). To evaluate changes, paired t-tests and criteria for minimally important differences were applied. Repeated measures regression tested the association between annualized bleeding rate (ABR) and physical HRQoL. At 6 and 12 months, prophylaxis subjects reported clinically meaningful improvement in EQ-5D index (mean improvement, 0.10 and 0.08, respectively) and both clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in EQ-VAS scores (16.9 and 15.7, respectively; P < 0.05) vs. baseline. General pain was significantly reduced during prophylaxis at each follow-up (mean improvement, 20.3 and 23.2, respectively; both P <0.05). At 12 months, prophylaxis subjects achieved significant improvements in Haem-A-QoL Total Score and in four domains: Physical Health, Feeling, View, and Work and School (all P < 0.05). No statistically significant changes, except for Haem-A-QoL Physical Health at 6 months, were observed with on-demand treatment. ABR was decreased by 72.5% with prophylaxis vs. on-demand treatment (P = 0.0003) and reduced ABR was associated with better physical HRQoL (P < 0.05). FEIBA prophylaxis significantly reduced ABR and improved HRQoL in inhibitor patients. Subjects with lower ABR reported better physical HRQoL.

Pittsburgh compound B retention and progression of cognitive status--a meta-analysis

Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies assessing the association between Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) retention and the progression of cognitive status in healthy elderly, in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library up to April 2013 were searched for studies reporting PiB retention at baseline and conversion of clinical status at follow-up, with manual searches of bibliographies of key retrieved articles and relevant reviews. Two independent reviewers extracted data on individual numbers with PiB positive or negative status at baseline and corresponding numbers of patients with cognitive decline at follow-up (conversion from healthy elderly to MCI or AD, or from MCI to AD, or a Mini-Mental State Examination decline >3 for AD patients). Relative risks were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models as appropriate. Associations were tested in subgroups representing three different phases of AD. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots. Twelve cohort studies including 1275 participants were included with a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 3.8 years. The pooled adjusted relative risks were 3.75 (95% confidence interval 2.76-5.09; P for heterogeneity 0.16; fixed-effects model) for disease progression, 1.73 (0.63-4.75; P for heterogeneity 0.27; fixed-effects model) for AD patients (four studies), 4.03 (2.68-6.07; P for heterogeneity 0.49; fixed-effects model) for MCI patients (eight studies) and 3.67 (2.25-5.99; P for heterogeneity 0.26; fixed-effects model) for disease progression in healthy elderly (six studies). Baseline PiB positive status is associated with a significantly increased risk of cognitive progression in healthy elderly and MCI patients.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in preeclamptic and normal placental tissues

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To detect the candidate genes for preeclampsia (PE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The gene expression profiles in preeclamptic and normal placental tissues were analyzed using cDNA microarray approach and the altered expression of important genes were further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) technique. Total RNA was extracted from placental tissues of three cases with severe PE and from three cases with normal pregnancy. After scanning, differentially expressed genes were detected by software.

RESULTS

In two experiments (the fluorescent labels were exchanged), a total of 111 differentially expressed genes were detected. In placental tissue ofpreeclamptic pregnancy, 68 differentially expressed genes were up-regulated, and 44 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated. Of these genes, 16 highly differentially expressed genes were confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, and the result showed that the ratio of gene expression differences was comparable to that detected by cDNA microarray.

CONCLUSION

The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that encoding products of differentially expressed genes were correlated to infiltration of placenta trophoblastic cells, immunomodulatory factors, pregnancy-associated plasma protein, signal transduction pathway, and cell adhesion. Further studies on the biological function and regulating mechanism of these genes will provide new clues for better understanding of etiology and pathogenesis of PE.

NFAT gene family in inflammation and cancer

Calcineurin-NFAT signaling is critical for numerous aspects of vertebrate function during and after embryonic development. Initially discovered in T cells, the NFAT gene family, consisting of five members, regulates immune system, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, cardiac valve formation, myocardial development, axonal guidance, skeletal muscle development, bone homeostasis, development and metastasis of cancer, and many other biological processes. In this review we will focus on the NFAT literature relevant to the two closely related pathological systems: inflammation and cancer.

Construction of ureteral grafts by seeding bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and smooth muscle cells into bladder acellular matrix

BACKGROUND

Congenital or acquired abnormalities may cause an ureteral injury or defect. The main methods to reconstruct a long ureter often cause serious complications. In this study, we sought to construct a tissue-engineered graft by seeding bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into a bladder acellular matrix (BAM) for ureteral reconstruction.

METHODS

Isolated, proliferated, and in vitro identified rabbit bone marrow MSCs and SMCs were seeded into BAM as the experimental group. Grafts only seeding SMCs were the control group. Cell-seeded grafts were used to construct tissue-engineered tubular grafts (TETG) for transplantation into the rabbit's omentum for 2 weeks before ureteral reconstruction. Evolutionary histology was performed at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively. Renal function and ureteral obstruction were evaluated using intravenous urography at 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Flow cytometry demonstrated bone marrow MSCs to express CD29, CD44, CD90, but not CD34. Histological examination revealed consistent regeneration of TETG urothelium in the experimental group. At 8 and 16 weeks after TETG grafting in vivo, multilayer urothelium covered the entire lumen with visible neovascularization within the center. Organized smooth muscle bundles were observed. Intravenous urography demonstrated no ureteral stricture or hydronephrosis. The 5 rabbits were dead within 4 weeks postoperatively. Autopsy showed scar formation inside the graft with severe hydronephrosis.

CONCLUSION

We successfully constructed a TETG by seeding bone marrow MSCs and SMCs into BAM for ureteral reconstruction. Thus bone marrow MSCs can potentially promote urothelial regeneration to achieve a tissue-engineered ureter.

AQP1 expression alterations affect morphology and water transport in Schwann cells and hypoxia-induced up-regulation of AQP1 occurs in a HIF-1α-dependent manner

Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is the principle water channel in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and is specifically localized to Schwann cells in the PNS. However, the pathophysiological role of AQP1 in peripheral nerves is poorly understood. Here, we utilized RNA interference by lentiviral transduction to specifically down-regulate AQP1 expression and a lentiviral overexpression protocol to up-regulate AQP1 expression, in primary Schwann cell cultures. AQP1 gene silencing resulted in a cell shrinkage phenotype, while AQP1 gene overexpression caused a cell swelling phenotype, as validated by cell volume determinations. Secondly, we utilized an in vitro hypoxia model in Schwann cells to mimic in vivo facial nerve injury. We demonstrated that AQP1 expression was induced within 8h following hypoxia injury in vitro, and that AQP1 knockdown (KD) caused the cells to resist edema following hypoxia. Finally, we investigated the hypoxic regulation of the AQP1 gene, as well as the involvement of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in AQP1 modulation and we found that KD of HIF-1α decreased hypoxia-dependent induction of endogenous AQP1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these results indicate that (1) AQP1 is an important factor responsible for the fast water transport of cultured Schwann cells and is involved in cell plasticity; (2) AQP1 alterations may be a primary factor in hypoxia-induced peripheral nerve edema; (3) HIF-1α participates in the hypoxic induction of the AQP1 gene; (4) AQP1 inhibition might provide a new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of some forms of peripheral nerve edema.

Low-Dose Azithromycin Attenuates OVA-Induced Airway Remodeling and Inflammation via Down-Regulating TGF-βl Expression in RAT

Asthma is characteristic with chronic airway inflammation and remodeling. Azithromycin (AZM), the 15-member macrolide, is known to present an anti-inflammatory effect and is increasingly being used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases. We hypothesize that low-dose azithromycin can inhibit allergen-induced airway remodeling except allergic airway inflammation in rat model. Male SD rats underwent intraperitoneal ovalbumin sensitization on days 1 and 6 followed by an intranasal challenge on day 7–13. On day 14, airway inflammation and remodeling were assessed by quantifying leukocytes in the airway, expression of multiple inflammatory mediators in BALF, histological examination in lung and TGF-β1 mRNA and protein levels by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Treatment with low-dose azithromycin at the dose of 25 mg/kg significantly reduced ovalbumin-dependent airway inflammation, including accumulation of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils, secretion of IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and TNF-α. Moreover, airway remodeling was significantly abrogated by azithromycin in this model. The mucus cell hyperplasia, thickening of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer, secretion of ET-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and TNF-α, and increasing mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1 in lung tissue were all significantly decreased in azithromycin-treated rats. These findings demonstrate the protective effect of low-dose azithromycin on allergic airway remodeling in rat and suggest low-dose azithromycin may have beneficial effects in treating allergic airway inflammation.

In vitro analysis of ovarian cancer response to cisplatin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel identifies common pathways that are also associated with overall patient survival

Background:

Carboplatin and cisplatin, alone or in combination with paclitaxel, have similar efficacies against ovarian cancer (OVCA) yet exhibit different toxicity profiles. We characterised the common and unique cellular pathways that underlie OVCA response to these drugs and analyse whether they have a role in OVCA survival.

Methods:

Ovarian cancer cell lines (n=36) were treated with carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, or carboplatin–paclitaxel (CPTX). For each cell line, IC₅₀ levels were quantified and pre-treatment gene expression analyses were performed. Genes demonstrating expression/IC₅₀ correlations (measured by Pearson; P<0.01) were subjected to biological pathway analysis. An independent OVCA clinico-genomic data set (n=142) was evaluated for clinical features associated with represented pathways.

Results:

Cell line sensitivity to carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and CPTX was associated with the expression of 77, 68, 64, and 25 biological pathways (P<0.01), respectively. We found three common pathways when drug combinations were compared. Expression of one pathway (‘Transcription/CREB pathway’) was associated with OVCA overall survival.

Conclusion:

The identification of the Transcription/CREB pathway (associated with OVCA cell line platinum sensitivity and overall survival) could improve patient stratification for treatment with current therapies and the rational selection of future OVCA therapy agents targeted to these pathways.

Tumor development is associated with decrease of TET gene expression and 5-methylcytosine hydroxylation

The TET (ten-eleven translocation) family of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent dioxygenases catalyzes the sequential oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine, leading to eventual DNA demethylation. The TET2 gene is a bona fide tumor suppressor frequently mutated in leukemia, and TET enzyme activity is inhibited in IDH1/2-mutated tumors by the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate, an antagonist of α-KG, linking 5mC oxidation to cancer development. We report here that the levels of 5hmC are dramatically reduced in human breast, liver, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers when compared with the matched surrounding normal tissues. Associated with the 5hmC decrease is the substantial reduction of the expression of all three TET genes, revealing a possible mechanism for the reduced 5hmC in cancer cells. The decrease of 5hmC was also observed during tumor development in different genetically engineered mouse models. Together, our results identify 5hmC as a biomarker whose decrease is broadly and tightly associated with tumor development.

A novel way of visualizing the ductal and aortic arches by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound with live xPlane imaging

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel method of visualizing the ductal and aortic arches by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography with live xPlane imaging.

METHODS

Live xPlane imaging was used to display the ductal- and aortic-arch views in 107 women with singleton pregnancies, including seven cases with suspected congenital heart defects (CHDs). The three vessels and trachea (3VT) view was obtained in such an orientation that either the pulmonary artery or the aorta was parallel to the direction of the ultrasound beam. The xPlane reference line was then placed across the targeted vessel, which in a normal case would provide an image of the corresponding arch view as a dual-image display.

RESULTS

Once the 3VT view had been obtained, live xPlane imaging showed the aortic and ductal arches in all 100 normal cases. In seven cases with suspected CHD, the 3VT view was abnormal in five cases and normal in the other two. However, the ductal-arch view demonstrated by live xPlane imaging was abnormal in five cases of conotruncal anomalies and normal in two cases in which conotruncal anomalies were excluded. CHDs were confirmed at autopsy following termination of pregnancy in five cases and on postnatal echocardiography in one case. The heart was found postnatally to be normal in one case of suspected CHD; in this case live xPlane imaging showed that the observed abnormal 3VT view was caused by a tortuous course of the thoracic aorta associated with an abnormal diaphragm.

CONCLUSION

Live xPlane imaging is a novel and relatively simple method of visualizing the ductal- and aortic-arch views, and may potentially be a useful tool in the screening of fetal conotruncal and aortic-arch anomalies.

Preliminary experience of endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection for upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Although the majority of submucosal tumors (SMTs) are benign, some do have a malignant potential. Resection of SMTs would aid in establishing the diagnosis and may be curative. Our aim was to examine the feasibility and safety of a novel method for endoscopic resection of upper gastrointestinal SMTs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 12 patients who presented with an upper gastrointestinal SMT of ≤40 mm located in the esophagus or cardia, a submucosal tunnel was endoscopically created starting approximately 5 cm proximal to the lesion. After careful submucosal dissection with carbon dioxide or air insufflation, the SMTs were completely removed, and the entrance of the tunnel closed using endoclips.

RESULTS

SMTs had a mean size of 19.5 mm (range 10-40 mm); eight were located in the esophagus and four in the cardia. SMT resection was successful in all patients with en bloc resection in 10 patients (83.3%) and resection in two pieces in the remaining two patients. The mean time required for the procedure was 48.3 minutes (range 30-60 minutes). Two patients had both pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema. All the complications resolved with conservative management.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD) of esophageal and cardia SMTs was effective and appeared to be safe. Larger studies that also examine its application for gastric SMTs are warranted.