Automated cell culture system for the production of cell aggregates with growth plate-like structure from induced pluripotent stem cells

Programmable liquid handling devices for cell culture systems have dramatically enhanced scalability and reproducibility. We previously reported a protocol to produce cell aggregates demonstrating growth plate-like structures containing hypertrophic chondrocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). To apply this protocol to large-scale drug screening for growth plate-related diseases, we adapted it to the automated cell culture system (ACCS) consisting of programmable liquid handling devices connected to CO2 incubators, a refrigerator, and labware feeders, designed for up to 4 batches with several cell culture plates culturing for several months. We developed a new program preparing culture media with growth factors at final concentration immediately before dispensing them to each well and precisely positioning the tip for the medium change without damaging cell aggregates. Using these programs on the ACCS, we successfully cultured cell aggregates for 56 days, only needing to replenish the labware, medium, and growth factors twice a week. The size of cell aggregates in each well increased over time, with low well-to-well variability. Cell aggregates on day 56 showed histochemical, immunohistochemical, and gene expression properties of growth plate-like structures containing hypertrophic chondrocytes, indicating proper quality as materials for basic research and drug discovery of growth plate related diseases. The established program will be a suitable reference for making programs of experiments requiring long term and complex culture procedures using ACCS.

Near-complete de novo assembly of Tricholoma bakamatsutake chromosomes revealed the structural divergence and differentiation of Tricholoma genomes

Tricholoma bakamatsutake, which is an edible ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with Fagaceae trees, may have diverged before the other species in Tricholoma section Caligata. We generated a highly contiguous whole-genome sequence for T. bakamatsutake SF-Tf05 isolated in an Oak (Quercus salicina) forest in Japan. The assembly of high-fidelity long reads, with a median read length of 12.3 kb, resulted in 13 chromosome-sized contigs comprising 142,068,211 bases with an average guanine and cytosine (GC) content of 43.94%. The 13 chromosomes were predicted to encode 11,060 genes. A contig (122,566 bases) presumably containing the whole circular mitochondrial genome was also recovered. The chromosome-wide comparison of T. bakamatsutake and Tricholoma matsutake (TMA_r1.0) indicated that the basic number of chromosomes (13) was conserved, but the structures of the corresponding chromosomes diverged, with multiple inversions and translocations. Gene conservation and cluster analyses revealed at least 3 phylogenetic clades in Tricholoma section Caligata. Specifically, all T. bakamatsutake strains belonged to the "bakamatsutake" clade, which is most proximal to the "caligatum" clade consisting of Tricholoma caligatum and Tricholoma fulvocastaneum. The constructed highly contiguous nearly telomere-to-telomere genome sequence of a T. bakamatsutake isolate will serve as a fundamental resource for future research on the evolution and differentiation of Tricholoma species.

Am80, a retinoic acid receptor agonist, activates the cardiomyocyte cell cycle and enhances engraftment in the heart

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC) cardiomyocytes are a promising source for regenerative therapy. To realize this therapy, however, their engraftment potential after their injection into the host heart should be improved. Here, we established an efficient method to analyze the cell cycle activity of hiPSC cardiomyocytes using a fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system. In vitro high-throughput screening using FUCCI identified a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, Am80, as an effective cell cycle activator in hiPSC cardiomyocytes. The transplantation of hiPSC cardiomyocytes treated with Am80 before the injection significantly enhanced the engraftment in damaged mouse heart for 6 months. Finally, we revealed that the activation of endogenous Wnt pathways through both RARA and RARB underlies the Am80-mediated cell cycle activation. Collectively, this study highlights an efficient method to activate cell cycle in hiPSC cardiomyocytes by Am80 as a means to increase the graft size after cell transplantation into a damaged heart.

Elucidation of HHEX in pancreatic endoderm differentiation using a human iPSC differentiation model

For pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based regenerative therapy against diabetes, the differentiation efficiency to pancreatic lineage cells needs to be improved based on the mechanistic understanding of pancreatic differentiation. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic endoderm differentiation by searching for factors that regulate a crucial pancreatic endoderm marker gene, NKX6.1. Unbiasedly screening an siRNA knockdown library, we identified a candidate transcription factor, HHEX. HHEX knockdown suppressed the expression of another pancreatic endoderm marker gene, PTF1A, as well as NKX6.1, independently of PDX1, a known regulator of NKX6.1 expression. In contrast, the overexpression of HHEX upregulated the expressions of NKX6.1 and PTF1A. RNA-seq analysis showed decreased expressions of several genes related to pancreatic development, such as NKX6.1, PTF1A, ONECUT1 and ONECUT3, in HHEX knockdown pancreatic endoderm. These results suggest that HHEX plays a key role in pancreatic endoderm differentiation.

Evaluation of Broad Anti-Coronavirus Activity of Autophagy-Related Compounds Using Human Airway Organoids

To deal with the broad spectrum of coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that threaten human health, it is essential to not only drugs develop that target viral proteins but also consider drugs that target host proteins/cellular processes to protect them from being hijacked for viral infection and replication. To this end, it has been reported that autophagy is deeply involved in coronavirus infection. In this study, we used airway organoids to screen a chemical library of autophagic modulators to identify compounds that could potentially be used to fight against infections by a broad range of coronaviruses. Among the 80 autophagy-related compounds tested, cycloheximide and thapsigargin reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection efficiency in a dose-dependent manner. Cycloheximide treatment reduced the infection efficiency of not only six SARS-CoV-2 variants but also human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E and HCoV-OC43. Cycloheximide treatment also reversed viral infection-induced innate immune responses. However, even low-dose (1 μM) cycloheximide treatment altered the expression profile of ribosomal RNAs; thus, side effects such as inhibition of protein synthesis in host cells must be considered. These results suggest that cycloheximide has broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity in vitro and warrants further investigation.

Impact of Hospital Environmental Cleaning with a Potassium Peroxymonosulphate-Based Environmental Disinfectant and Antimicrobial Stewardship on the Reduction of Hospital-Onset Clostridioides difficile Infections

BACKGROUND

A 1% potassium peroxymonosulphate-based environmental disinfectant (PPED) produces sodium hypochlorite when combined with sodium chloride, which functions as a disinfectant. However, little is known about the impact of hospital cleaning with PPED on hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection (HO-CDI).

AIM

To reduce HO-CDI, we promote antimicrobial stewardship and hospital ward cleaning with PPED. This study was conducted to evaluate their impact.

METHODS

We began a promotion of post-prescription review with feedback for broad-spectrum antimicrobials and hospital ward cleaning with PPED. We reviewed the ratio of HO-CDI, PPED consumption, and days of therapy (DOT) of broad-spectrum antimicrobials between July 2014 and March 2018, dividing this time into the pre-promotion (July 2014 to June 2015) and post-promotion periods (July 2015 to March 2018).

FINDINGS

Using interrupted time series analysis, an immediate significant change in HO-CDI was observed after intervention (P = 0.03), although a downward trend was not observed over this period (P = 0.19). Trends in PPED consumption significantly changed over this period (P = 0.02). DOT of carbapenems decreased immediately after the intervention began (P < 0.01). A Poisson regression analysis showed that PPED consumption and DOT of carbapenems were independent factors affecting HO-CDI (P = 0.039 and 0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We revealed that DOT of carbapenems and use of PPED were associated with the HO-CDI ratio and that both interventions reduced the rate of HO-CDI. This is the first report on the impact of hospital ward cleaning with PPED on the reduction of HO-CDI.

Real-world safety and efficacy of twice-daily budesonide 2-mg foam in patients with ulcerative colitis: interim analysis of post-marketing surveillance

Background: Budesonide foam 2 mg twice daily induced complete mucosal healing in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in a phase 3 study. Post-marketing surveillance is underway to assess the real-world outcomes in UC patients.Research design and methods: The authors performed an interim analysis of post-marketing surveillance in 182 patients with mild-to-moderate UC who received 2 mg budesonide foam rectally.Results: Budesonide foam was prescribed twice daily to 76.4% of patients for 7.6 ± 3.8 weeks (mean ± standard deviation). Seven patients (3.8%) had at least one adverse drug reaction (ADR). A serious ADR of enteritis infectious and glucocorticoid-related ADRs of acne and hypertrichosis were observed in one patient (0.5%) each. The partial Mayo scores significantly decreased from baseline to week 2 in patients with proctitis, left-sided colitis, and pancolitis (p < 0.01 versus baseline each). Clinical response and remission at week 6 were 75.9% (60/79) and 68.4% (54/79), respectively. At week 6, 72.6% (77/106) of the patients reported as 'good compliance' and 54.7% (58/106) of the patients as 'very easy' for administration, using a self-administered questionnaire.Conclusions: Budesonide foam appeared to be safe, efficacious, and well-accepted in a real-world cohort of patients with UC. Trial registration: JapicCTI-183858.

iPSC screening for drug repurposing identifies anti-RNA virus agents modulating host cell susceptibility

Human pathogenic RNA viruses are threats to public health because they are prone to escaping the human immune system through mutations of genomic RNA, thereby causing local outbreaks and global pandemics of emerging or re-emerging viral diseases. While specific therapeutics and vaccines are being developed, a broad-spectrum therapeutic agent for RNA viruses would be beneficial for targeting newly emerging and mutated RNA viruses. In this study, we conducted a screen of repurposed drugs using Sendai virus (an RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae), with human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to explore existing drugs that may present anti-RNA viral activity. Selected hit compounds were evaluated for their efficacy against two important human pathogens: Ebola virus (EBOV) using Huh7 cells and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using Vero E6 cells. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), including raloxifene, exhibited antiviral activities against EBOV and SARS-CoV-2. Pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, also exhibited antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2, and both raloxifene and pioglitazone presented a synergistic antiviral effect. Finally, we demonstrated that SERMs blocked entry steps of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. These findings suggest that the identified FDA-approved drugs can modulate host cell susceptibility against RNA viruses.

Correction: Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived monocytic cell lines from a NOMID patient serve as a screening platform for modulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237030.].

Pluripotent stem cell-based screening identifies CUDC-907 as an effective compound for restoring the in vitro phenotype of Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome

Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (NNS) is an autoinflammatory disorder caused by a homozygous mutations in the PSMB8 gene. The administration of systemic corticosteroids is partially effective, but continuous treatment causes severe side effects. We previously established a pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived NNS disease model that reproduces several inflammatory phenotypes, including the overproduction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10). Here we performed high-throughput compound screening (HTS) using this PSC-derived NNS model to find potential therapeutic candidates and identified CUDC-907 as an effective inhibitor of the release of MCP-1 and IP-10. Short-term treatment of CUDC-907 did not induce cell death within therapeutic concentrations and was also effective on primary patient cells. Further analysis indicated that the inhibitory effect was post-transcriptional. These findings suggest that HTS with PSC-derived disease models is useful for finding drug candidates for autoinflammatory diseases.

Small molecule TCS21311 can replace BMP7 and facilitate cell proliferation in in vitro expansion culture of nephron progenitor cells

Several groups have developed in vitro expansion cultures for mouse metanephric nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) using cocktails of small molecules and growth factors including BMP7. However, the detailed mechanisms by which BMP7 acts in the NPC expansion remain to be elucidated. Here, by performing chemical screening for BMP substitutes, we identified a small molecule, TCS21311, that can replace BMP7 and revealed a novel inhibitory role of BMP7 in JAK3-STAT3 signaling in NPC expansion culture. Further, we found that TCS21311 facilitates the proliferation of mouse embryonic NPCs and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NPCs when added to the expansion culture. These results will contribute to understanding the mechanisms of action of BMP7 in NPC proliferation in vitro and in vivo and to the stable supply of NPCs for regenerative therapy, disease modeling and drug discovery for kidney diseases.

Synthesis of phthalimides cross-conjugated with an azulene ring, and their structural, optical and electrochemical properties

The preparation of phthalimides cross-conjugated with an azulene ring was established by a one-pot Diels-Alder reaction of the corresponding 2-aminofuran derivatives with several maleimides, without the isolation of the intermediately formed [4 + 2] cycloadducts. The structure, optical and electrochemical properties of the novel phthalimide derivatives were clarified by single-crystal X-ray analysis, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra, spectroelectrochemistry and voltammetry experiments, and theoretical calculations. These results indicated that the substituents on the azulene ring greatly affect the optical and electrochemical properties of the molecules.

Synthesis of azulenophthalimides by phosphine-mediated annulation of 1,2-diformylazulenes with maleimides

The reaction of 1,2-diformylazulene with maleimides in the presence of PPh₃ gave the azulenophthalimides. The optical and electrochemical properties of the azulenophthalimides were investigated.

Synthesis of azuleno[2,1-b]thiophenes by cycloaddition of azulenylalkynes with elemental sulfur and their structural, optical and electrochemical properties

The reaction of several azulenylalkynes having an aryl substituent with elemental sulfur afforded the corresponding azuleno[2,1-b]thiophenes in good yields.

iPSC-Based Compound Screening and In Vitro Trials Identify a Synergistic Anti-amyloid β Combination for Alzheimer's Disease

In the process of drug development, in vitro studies do not always adequately predict human-specific drug responsiveness in clinical trials. Here, we applied the advantage of human iPSC-derived neurons, which offer human-specific drug responsiveness, to screen and evaluate therapeutic candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using AD patient neurons with nearly 100% purity from iPSCs, we established a robust and reproducible assay for amyloid β peptide (Aβ), a pathogenic molecule in AD, and screened a pharmaceutical compound library. We acquired 27 Aβ-lowering screen hits, prioritized hits by chemical structure-based clustering, and selected 6 leading compounds. Next, to maximize the anti-Aβ effect, we selected a synergistic combination of bromocriptine, cromolyn, and topiramate as an anti-Aβ cocktail. Finally, using neurons from familial and sporadic AD patients, we found that the cocktail showed a significant and potent anti-Aβ effect on patient cells. This human iPSC-based platform promises to be useful for AD drug development.

Difference in Uptake of Tetrodotoxin and Saxitoxins into Liver Tissue Slices among Pufferfish, Boxfish and Porcupinefish

Although pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae contain high levels of tetrodotoxin (TTX) mainly in the liver, some species of pufferfish, boxfish of the family Ostraciidae, and porcupinefish of the family Diodontidae do not. To clarify the mechanisms, uptake of TTX and saxitoxins (STXs) into liver tissue slices of pufferfish, boxfish and porcupinefish was examined. Liver tissue slices of the pufferfish (toxic species Takifugu rubripes and non-toxic species Lagocephalus spadiceus, L. cheesemanii and Sphoeroides pachygaster) incubated with 50 µM TTX accumulated TTX (0.99-1.55 µg TTX/mg protein) after 8 h, regardless of the toxicity of the species. In contrast, in liver tissue slices of boxfish (Ostracion immaculatus) and porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus, D. liturosus, D. hystrix and Chilomycterus reticulatus), TTX content did not increase with incubation time, and was about 0.1 µg TTX/mg protein. When liver tissue slices were incubated with 50 µM STXs for 8 h, the STXs content was <0.1 µg STXs/mg protein, irrespective of the fish species. These findings indicate that, like the toxic species of pufferfish T. rubripes, non-toxic species such as L. spadiceus, L. cheesemanii and S. pachygaster, potentially take up TTX into the liver, while non-toxic boxfish and porcupinefish do not take up either TTX or STXs.

Synthesis of azulene-substituted benzofurans and isocoumarins via intramolecular cyclization of 1-ethynylazulenes, and their structural and optical properties

The preparation of azulene-substituted benzofurans and isocoumarins was established by two types of intramolecular cyclization reaction of 1-ethynylazulenes.

Adrenergic receptor agonists induce the differentiation of pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatoblasts into hepatocyte-like cells

Current induction methods of hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are neither low cost nor stable. By screening a chemical library of 1,120 bioactive compounds and known drugs, we identified the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist methoxamine hydrochloride as a small molecule that promotes the differentiation of hiPSC-derived hepatoblasts into ALBUMIN⁺ hepatocyte-like cells. Other α1-adrenergic receptor agonists also induced the differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells, and an α1-receptor antagonist blocked the hepatic-inducing activity of methoxamine hydrochloride and that of the combination of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Oncostatin M (OsM), two growth factors often used for the induction of hepatoblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. We also confirmed that treatment with methoxamine hydrochloride activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway downstream of IL-6 family cytokines including OsM. These findings allowed us to establish hepatic differentiation protocols for both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and hiPSCs using small molecules at the step from hepatoblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. The results of the present study suggest that α1-adrenergic agonists induce hepatocyte-like cells by working downstream of HGF and OsM to activate STAT3.

Small molecule AT7867 proliferates PDX1-expressing pancreatic progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells

While pancreatic islet transplantation achieves insulin independence in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, its widespread application is limited by donor tissue scarcity. Pancreatic progenitor cells (PPCs) give rise to all cell types in the pancreas during development. PPCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells have been shown to differentiate into functional β cells both in vitro and in vivo, and to reverse hyperglycemia, at least in mice. Therefore, PPCs have great potential to serve as an alternative cell source for cell therapy, and the identification of compounds that facilitate PPC proliferation could provide stable and large-scale pancreatic cell preparation systems in clinical settings. Here, we developed and performed cell-based screens to identify small molecules that induce the proliferation of hiPSC-derived PDX1-expressing PPCs. The screening identified AT7867, which promoted PPC proliferation approximately five-fold within six days through the maintenance of a high Ki67⁺ cell ratio. The induced proliferation by AT7867 does not result in DNA damage, as revealed by pHH2AX staining, and is observed specifically in PPCs but not other cell types. The established platform utilizing small molecules for PPC proliferation may contribute to the development of cell therapy for T1D using a regenerative medicine approach.

Identification of a small molecule that facilitates the differentiation of human iPSCs/ESCs and mouse embryonic pancreatic explants into pancreatic endocrine cells

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Pancreatic beta-like cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer an appealing donor tissue source. However, differentiation protocols that mainly use growth factors are costly. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to establish efficient differentiation protocols to change hiPSCs/hESCs to insulin (INS)⁺ cells using novel small-molecule inducers.

METHODS

We screened small molecules that increased the induction rate of INS⁺ cells from hESC-derived pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1)⁺ pancreatic progenitor cells. The differentiation protocol to generate INS⁺ cells from hiPSCs/hESCs was optimised using hit compounds, and INS⁺ cells induced with the compounds were characterised for their in vitro and in vivo functions. The inducing activity of the hit compounds was also examined using mouse embryonic pancreatic tissues in an explant culture system. Finally, RNA sequencing analyses were performed on the INS⁺ cells to elucidate the mechanisms of action by which the hit compounds induced pancreatic endocrine differentiation.

RESULTS

One hit compound, sodium cromoglicate (SCG), was identified out of approximately 1250 small molecules screened. When SCG was combined with a previously described protocol, the induction rate of INS⁺ cells increased from a mean ± SD of 5.9 ± 1.5% (n = 3) to 16.5 ± 2.1% (n = 3). SCG induced neurogenin 3-positive cells at a mean ± SD of 32.6 ± 4.6% (n = 3) compared with 14.2 ± 3.6% (n = 3) for control treatment without SCG, resulting in an increased generation of endocrine cells including insulin-producing cells. Similar induction by SCG was confirmed using mouse embryonic pancreatic explants. We also confirmed that the mechanisms of action by which SCG induced pancreatic endocrine differentiation included the inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein 4 signalling.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

SCG improves the generation of pancreatic endocrine cells from multiple hiPSC/hESC lines and mouse embryonic pancreatic explants by facilitating the differentiation of endocrine precursors. This discovery will contribute to elucidating the mechanisms of pancreatic endocrine development and facilitate cost-effective generation of INS⁺ cells from hiPSCs/hESCs.

DATA AVAILABILITY

The RNA sequencing data generated during the current study are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus ( www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo ) with series accession number GSE89973.

Activin-A enhances mTOR signaling to promote aberrant chondrogenesis in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and intractable disease characterized by extraskeletal bone formation through endochondral ossification. Patients with FOP harbor point mutations in ACVR1, a type I receptor for BMPs. Although mutated ACVR1 (FOP-ACVR1) has been shown to render hyperactivity in BMP signaling, we and others have uncovered a mechanism by which FOP-ACVR1 mistransduces BMP signaling in response to Activin-A, a molecule that normally transduces TGF-β signaling. Although Activin-A evokes enhanced chondrogenesis in vitro and heterotopic ossification (HO) in vivo, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be revealed. To this end, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) system using FOP patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (FOP-iPSCs) to identify pivotal pathways in enhanced chondrogenesis that are initiated by Activin-A. In a screen of 6,809 small-molecule compounds, we identified mTOR signaling as a critical pathway for the aberrant chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from FOP-iPSCs (FOP-iMSCs). Two different HO mouse models, an FOP model mouse expressing FOP-ACVR1 and an FOP-iPSC-based HO model mouse, revealed critical roles for mTOR signaling in vivo. Moreover, we identified ENPP2, an enzyme that generates lysophosphatidic acid, as a linker of FOP-ACVR1 and mTOR signaling in chondrogenesis. These results uncovered the crucial role of the Activin-A/FOP-ACVR1/ENPP2/mTOR axis in FOP pathogenesis.

A novel function of vitellogenin subdomain, vWF type D, as a toxin-binding protein in the pufferfish Takifugu pardalis ovary

Marine pufferfish of the Tetraodontidae family contain high levels of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the liver and ovary. TTX is suggested to transfer from the liver to the ovary in female pufferfish during maturation. TTX in pufferfish eggs may act as a repellent against predators and as a sexual pheromone to attract male pufferfish. The toxification mechanism of the pufferfish ovary is poorly understood. Here we evaluated the chemical form of TTX and its related substances in the ovary of the panther pufferfish Takifugu pardalis by LC-ESI/MS. TTX and its analogs 4-epi-TTX, 4, 9-anhydroTTX, deoxyTTX, dideoxyTTX, and trideoxyTTX were detected in a low molecular weight fraction by Sephacryl S-400 column chromatography. The finding of an unknown TTX-related substance in a high molecular weight fraction from the Sephacryl S-400 column suggested the occurrence of toxin-binding protein in the ovary. The toxin-binding protein in the ovary was purified by ion-exchange HPLC, gel filtration HPLC, and SDS-PAGE. Amino acid sequencing and cDNA cloning revealed that the toxin-binding protein, TPOBP-10 (Takifugu pardalis ovary toxin-binding protein with a molecular mass of 10 kDa) was homologous with the predicted vitellogenin-1-like protein [Takifugu rubripes] subdomain, a von Willebrand factor type D domain. TPOBP-10 mRNA was highly expressed in the ovary and liver and less in other organs of female individuals based on RT-PCR. These findings reveal a novel function of the vitellogenin subdomain as binding with TTX-related substances, and its involvement in the toxification of the pufferfish ovary.

The Src/c-Abl pathway is a potential therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal disease causing progressive loss of motor neurons, still has no effective treatment. We developed a phenotypic screen to repurpose existing drugs using ALS motor neuron survival as readout. Motor neurons were generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from an ALS patient with a mutation in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Results of the screen showed that more than half of the hits targeted the Src/c-Abl signaling pathway. Src/c-Abl inhibitors increased survival of ALS iPSC-derived motor neurons in vitro. Knockdown of Src or c-Abl with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) also rescued ALS motor neuron degeneration. One of the hits, bosutinib, boosted autophagy, reduced the amount of misfolded mutant SOD1 protein, and attenuated altered expression of mitochondrial genes. Bosutinib also increased survival in vitro of ALS iPSC-derived motor neurons from patients with sporadic ALS or other forms of familial ALS caused by mutations in TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) or repeat expansions in C9orf72 Furthermore, bosutinib treatment modestly extended survival of a mouse model of ALS with an SOD1 mutation, suggesting that Src/c-Abl may be a potentially useful target for developing new drugs to treat ALS.

Synthesis of 2-amino- and 2-arylazoazulenes via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 2-chloroazulenes with amines and arylhydrazines

The S_NAr reaction of 2-chloroazulene derivative 1 with ethoxycarbonyl groups at the 1,3-positions of the azulene ring with several amines afforded the corresponding 2-aminoazulenes 3-9 in excellent yields. 2-Chloroazulene (2) without the electron-withdrawing groups reacted with highly nucleophilic cyclic amines (i.e., morpholine, piperidine and pyrrolidine) under the high-temperature conditions in a sealed tube to produce the corresponding 2-aminoazulenes 10-12 in good yields. 2-Aminoazulenes 10-14 without the electron-withdrawing groups were also obtained in good yields by the treatment of compounds 3-7 with 100% H₃PO₄, but in the cases of the reaction of 8 and 9 with a secondary amine function, the decomposition of the products resulted. The synthesis of 2-arylazoazulenes 15-18 was also established via the S_NAr reaction of 1 with arylhydrazines. The optical and electrochemical properties of the 2-arylazoazulene derivatives were examined by UV/Vis spectroscopy, theoretical calculations and voltammetric experiments.

Micropore Formation of [Zn2(Oxac) (Taz)2]·(H2O)2.5 via CO2 Adsorption

As-synthesized [Zn₂(Oxac) (Taz)₂]·(H₂O)_2.5, referred to as ZOTW_2.5, was prepared from aqueous methanol solutions of Zn₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆ and two kinds of ligands of 1,2,4-triazole (Taz) and oxalic acid (Oxac) at 453 K for 12 h. The crystal structure was determined by the Rietveld method. As-synthesized ZOTW_2.5 was pretreated at 383 K and 1 mPa for t_pt h, ZOTW_x(t_pth). ZOTW_x(≥3h) showed a type I adsorption isotherm for N₂ at 77 K having a saturation amount (V_s) of 180 mg/g, but that pretreated shortly showed only 1/10 in V_s. CO₂ was adsorbed at 303 K in sigmoid on nonporous ZOTW_x(≤2h) and in Langmuir-type on ZOTW_x(≥3h) to reach the adsorption amount of 120 mg/g at 700 Torr. N₂ adsorption on ZOTW_x(≤2h)deCO₂, degassed after CO₂ adsorption on ZOTW_x(≤2h), was promoted 5-fold from 180 mg/g on ZOTW_x(t_pth) and ZOTW_x(≥3h)deCO₂ up to ca. 1000 mg/g. The interaction of CO₂ and H₂O molecules in micropores may lead to a new route for micropore formation.

A qPCR assay that specifically quantifies Tricholoma matsutake biomass in natural soil

Tricholoma matsutake is an ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete that produces prized, yet uncultivable, "matsutake" mushrooms along densely developed mycelia, called "shiro," in the rhizosphere of coniferous forests. Pinus densiflora is a major host of this fungus in Japan. Measuring T. matsutake biomass in soil allows us to determine the kinetics of fungal growth before and after fruiting, which is useful for analyzing the conditions of the shiro and its surrounding mycorrhizosphere, predicting fruiting timing, and managing forests to obtain better crop yields. Here, we document a novel method to quantify T. matsutake mycelia in soil by quantifying a single-copy DNA element that is uniquely conserved within T. matsutake but is absent from other fungal species, including close relatives and a wide range of ectomycorrhizal associates of P. densiflora. The targeted DNA region was amplified quantitatively in cultured mycelia that were mixed with other fungal species and soil, as well as in an in vitro co-culture system with P. densiflora seedlings. Using this method, we quantified T. matsutake mycelia not only from shiro in natural environments but also from the surrounding soil in which T. matsutake mycelia could not be observed by visual examination or distinguished by other means. It was demonstrated that the core of the shiro and its underlying area in the B horizon are predominantly composed of fungal mycelia. The fungal mass in the A or A₀ horizon was much lower, although many white mycelia were observed at the A horizon. Additionally, the rhizospheric fungal biomass peaked during the fruiting season.

Prevention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head in systemic lupus erythematosus by anti-coagulant

Although osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONF) is one of the serious complications in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with corticosteroid therapy, there has been few trials of prevention of ONF described. We aimed to prevent ONF in steroid-treated SLE patients using anticoagulant, warfarin, conducting a multicenter prospective study. Sixty newly diagnosed SLE patients requiring 40 mg/day or more prednisolone were alternately assigned to either of two groups; a warfarin group and a control one. Warfarin (1 ∼ 5 mg/day) was started together with the beginning of steroid therapy and continued at least for three months. Patients were observed for the development of silent ONF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and symptomatic ONF by plain radiography for over five years. The warfarin group consisted of 31 patients (62 hips) and the control one 29 patients (58 hips). Silent ONF developed in 13 hips (21%) and 19 hips (33%) in the warfarin group and the control group, respectively ( P = 0.13). On the other hand, warfarin tended to prevent symptomatic ONF; only three hips of 62 (4.8%) in the warfarin group and eight hips of 58 (14%) in the control group ( P = 0.08) developed silent ONF. It was also found that silent ONF developed, if it did, very early; within three months in 16 of 18 patients (89%). Among risk factors for silent ONF, steroid pulse therapy was most outstanding and it seemed to overcome the effect of warfarin. Taken together, for the time being, anticoagulant therapy, if not significantly sufficient, may be of use for the prevention of steroid-induced ONF in SLE. We consider that this study added to important evidence for the pathogenesis and prevention of ONF.

Very early development of steroid-associated osteonecrosis of femoral head in systemic lupus erythematosus: prospective study by MRI

The objective of this study was to define prospectively the early development of corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify the association of initial steroid treatment with the development of early (silent) ONF. Forty-five patients who were newly diagnosed as having SLE and required 40 mg/day or more prednisolone were enrolled. To detect silent ONF, examinations using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were done three months after starting steroid therapy, followed by every year’s MRI and plain radiography for over five years. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between silent ONF and non-ONF groups. Of 45 patients, 15 (33%) developed silent ONF and five (11%) symptomatic ONF. It was of interest that MRI detected silent ONF very early (by three months) in 14 patients (93%). It should be noted that pulse therapy with 1000 mg/day methylprednisolone was found to be done very frequently (13 of 15, 87%) in the silent ONF group compared to non-ONF group (11 of 30, 37%) (P, 0.01) although other clinical features were not significantly different between both groups. High dose corticosteroids caused elevation of serum levels of total cholesterol, albumin, and leukocyte count in most of patients. The degree of elevation of those parameters at one or three months was more prominent in the silent ONF group. In particular, the change ratio of total cholesterol at one month was outstanding in the silent ONF group compared to non-ONF group (0.551 versus 0.374, P, 0.05). In conclusion, pathological ONF develops very early in one-third of SLE patients who received high dose corticosteroids and steroid pulse therapy could be a significant risk factor. An abrupt elevation of serum total cholesterol and/or sensitivity to steroids seem to be associated with the pathogenesis of ONF.

[Molecular Identification and Toxicity of Pufferfish Juveniles Contaminating Whitebait Products]

Catches of whitebait, sardine fry, sometimes contains other marine animals, including fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans, and therefore boiled and dried whitebait products may contain these marine animals if sorting is incomplete. In September 2014, contamination of boiled and dried whitebait products with pufferfish juveniles became a serious food safety concern, as tiger pufferfish Takifugu rubripes juveniles are toxic and contain tetrodotoxin (TTX). The toxicity of the juveniles of other pufferfish species, however, is unclear. To evaluate the food safety of whitebait products contaminated with pufferfish juveniles, we identified the species and toxicity of pufferfish juveniles contaminating whitebait products processed between July and September, 2014. Nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rRNA or cytochrome b gene fragments of the mitochondrial DNA indicated that partial sequences of the polymerase chain reaction products of 15 specimens were identical with those of Lagocephalus spadiceus, and partial sequence from 2 specimens were identical with those of Takifugu vermicularis. We analyzed TTX by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. TTX was not detected in the L. spadiceus specimens and was below the quantification limits (30 ng/g) in a T. vermicularis specimen. Based on whitebait product manufacturer's research, 795 individuals and 27.2 g of pufferfish juveniles were detected in 8,245 kg whitebait product. Thus, the ratio of pufferfish to whitebait product was estimated to be 0.096 individual/kg whitebait product and 0.0033 g/kg whitebait product, respectively.