VDR promotes pancreatic cancer progression in vivo by activating CCL20-mediated M2 polarization of tumor associated macrophage

BACKGROUND

Activation of VDR pathway was a promising anti-tumor therapy strategy. However, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the effect of activating VDR is limited, which indicates that VDR plays a complex role in vivos.

METHODS

We analyzed the TCGA database to examine the association between VDR expression and immune cell infiltration in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Western blot, ELISA, ChIP, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine the mechanism of VDR regulating CCL20. Migration assay and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the role of CCL20 in M2 macrophage polarization and recruitment. We employed multiplexed immunohistochemical staining and mouse models to validate the correlation of VDR on macrophages infiltration in PAAD. Flow cytometry analysis of M2/M1 ratio in subcutaneous graft tumors.

RESULTS

VDR is extensively expressed in PAAD, and patients with elevated VDR levels exhibited a significantly reduced overall survival. VDR expression in PAAD tissues was associated with increased M2 macrophages infiltration. PAAD cells overexpressing VDR promote macrophages polarization towards M2 phenotype and recruitment in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, VDR binds to the CCL20 promoter and up-regulates its transcription. The effects of polarization and recruitment on macrophages can be rescued by blocking CCL20. Finally, the relationship between VDR and M2 macrophages infiltration was evaluated using clinical cohort and subcutaneous graft tumors. A positive correlation was demonstrated between VDR/CCL20/CD163 in PAAD tissues and mouse models.

CONCLUSION

High expression of VDR in PAAD promotes M2 macrophage polarization and recruitment through the secretion of CCL20, which activates tumor progression. This finding suggests that the combination of anti-macrophage therapy may improve the efficacy of VDR activation therapy in PAAD.

Homozygous DNAH1 frameshift mutation causes multiple morphological anomalies of the sperm flagella in Chinese

This study aimed to investigate the genetic pathogeny of multiple morphological anomalies of the flagella (MMAF), which is a genetically heterogeneous disorder leading to male infertility. Nine patients with severe asthenozoospermia caused by MMAF were recruited. Whole genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed, and we found that four of the nine patients were affected by the same homozygous frameshift mutation c.11726_11727delCT (p.[Pro3909ArgfsTer33]) in exon 73 of dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 ( DNAH1 ) gene. The parents and the sibling of proband 1 were all identified as heterozygous carriers. This mutation was distinct from previously reported DNAH1 mutations associated with MMAF and only affected the East Asian group. Furthermore, the variant DNAH1 protein could not be detected in spermatozoa by Western blot or immunofluorescence staining although DNAH1 mRNA was expressed in the spermatozoa. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the anomalies in sperm flagella morphology and ultrastructure in patients carrying this genetic variant. In conclusion, our results add to knowledge of the genetic pathogeny of MMAF and further confirmed the effectiveness of genetic screening in the diagnosis of MMAF.

[Effects of muscular position splint on maxillomandibular realignment]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of muscular position splint on maxillomandibular realignment.

METHODS

The changes of occlusal impression on splint in 102 craniomandibular disorder (CMD) patients were recorded after wearing the splint 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, two to three or six months. If there appeared instability of occlusal impression when biting, the original impression was cleared and new soft resin was placed on its surface in order to get a new impression. The splint was always adjusted to fit well. When the signs and symptoms of CMD disappeared, the splint was worn off. Finally, whether the muscular contact position harmonized with the intercuspal position (ICP) or not was recorded.

RESULTS

There appeared two different conditions: 1. The original occlusal impression remained unchanged in 66 patients; 2. Being unfitted in 36 patients, occlusal analysis revealed that 12/102 patients had abnormal occlusion including premature anterior teeth contact (2 cases), natural defective vertical dimension (1 case) and deflected ICP (9 cases). These abnormal occlusion could not be determined before treatment.

CONCLUSION

The muscular position splint can correct the abnormal muscular position. On the premise that the muscular position is normal, the muscular position splint can be used to judge whether the ICP is normal.