Different expression of GSK3β and pS9GSK3β depending on phenotype of cervical cancer: possible association of GSK3β with squamous cell carcinoma and pS9GSK3β with adenocarcinoma

The Combination of Host-Associated Bacillus megaterium R32 and Stachyose Promotes the Intestinal Health of Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus. L)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of host-associated Bacillus megaterium R32 and stachyose on the intestinal mucosal defense system of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus. L). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated: control diet (C), control diet with 1.0 × 108 CFU/g B. megaterium R32 (RC), and 1.0 × 108 CFU/g B. megaterium R32 + 1.5% stachyose (RS) supplementation separately. The results showed that diets RS and RC significantly inhibited the expression of cell development and apoptosis-related genes (β-catenin, CyclinD1, BAX, Bid); diets RS and RC significantly increased the expression of intestinal tight junction protein claudin-4, while RS group significantly decreased the expression of myosin light chain kinase; diets RS and RC significantly decreased the expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-13, IL-15, IFN- γ), diet RS also significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α and AP-1, and increased the expression of TGF-β. 16s rRNA gene sequencing results showed that diets RS and RC significantly decreased the abundance of conditional pathogenic bacteria (Corynebacterium, Desulfovibrio, Escherichia-Shigella). Among them, the abundance of Bacillus in the RS group was the highest. It is concluded that the combination of stachyose and B. megaterium R32 had a more positive effect on intestinal cell development and barrier function and strengthened the intestinal mucosal defense system of turbot.

Nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) is a positive prognosticator for cervical cancer

Purpose

Enzymes with epigenetic functions play an essential part in development of cancer. However, the significance of epigenetic changes in cervical carcinoma as a prognostic factor has not been fully investigated. Nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) presents itself as a potentially important element for epigenetic modification and as a potential prognostic aspect in cervical cancer.

Methods

By immunohistochemical staining of 250 tumor samples, the expression strength of NCoR was measured and evaluated by immunoreactive score (IRS) in the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Results

A low expression of NCoR in our patients was a disadvantage in overall survival. Expression of NCoR was negatively correlated with viral oncoprotein E6, acetylated histone H3 acetyl K9 and FIGO status, and positively correlated to p53.

Conclusions

Our study has identified epigenetic modification of tumor cells thus seems to be of relevance in cervical cancer as well for diagnosis, as a marker or as a potential therapeutic target in patients with advanced cervical carcinoma.

Immunogenomic Identification for Predicting the Prognosis of Cervical Cancer Patients

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). Moreover, tumor immune microenvironment plays a significant role in the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively identify predictive biomarkers from immunogenomics associated with cervical cancer prognosis. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) public database has stored abundant sequencing or microarray data, and clinical data, offering a feasible and reliable approach for this study. In the present study, gene profile and clinical data were downloaded from TCGA, and the Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort) database. Wilcoxon-test was used to compare the difference in gene expression. Univariate analysis was adopted to identify immune-related genes (IRGs) and transcription factors (TFs) correlated with survival. A prognostic prediction model was established by multivariate cox analysis. The regulatory network was constructed and visualized by correlation analysis and Cytoscape, respectively. Gene functional enrichment analysis was performed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). A total of 204 differentially expressed IRGs were identified, and 22 of them were significantly associated with the survival of cervical cancer. These 22 IRGs were actively involved in the JAK-STAT pathway. A prognostic model based on 10 IRGs (APOD, TFRC, GRN, CSK, HDAC1, NFATC4, BMP6, IL17RD, IL3RA, and LEPR) performed moderately and steadily in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients with FIGO stage I, regardless of the age and grade. Taken together, a risk score model consisting of 10 novel genes capable of predicting survival in SCC patients was identified. Moreover, the regulatory network of IRGs associated with survival (SIRGs) and their TFs provided potential molecular targets.