A network pharmacology- and transcriptomics-based investigation reveals an inhibitory role of β-sitosterol in glioma via the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway

Glioma is characterized by rapid cell proliferation, aggressive invasion, altered apoptosis and a poor prognosis. β-Sitosterol, a kind of phytosterol, has been shown to possess anticancer activities. Our current study aims to investigate the effects of β-sitosterol on gliomas and reveal the underlying mechanisms. Our results show that β-sitosterol effectively inhibits the growth of U87 cells by inhibiting proliferation and inducing G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. In addition, β-sitosterol inhibits migration by downregulating markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, network pharmacology and transcriptomics approaches illustrate that the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of β-sitosterol on glioma. Afterward, the results show that β-sitosterol effectively suppresses the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, β-sitosterol significantly inhibits tumor growth in a U87 xenograft nude mouse model. β-Sitosterol inhibits U87 cell proliferation and migration and induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in U87 cells by blocking the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway. These results suggest that β-sitosterol may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of glioma.

Association of Computed Tomography Radiomics Signature with Progression-free Survival in Neuroblastoma Patients

AIMS

To investigate the association of computed tomography radiomics signature with progression-free survival (PFS) in neuroblastoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively included 167 neuroblastoma patients who were divided into a training set and a test set through stratified sampling at a ratio of 7:3. Regions of interest of the primary tumours were delineated on pretreatment contrast-enhanced computed tomography images and radiomics features were extracted from them. The intraclass correlation coefficient, Pearson correlation coefficient, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression algorithm were applied to select radiomics features and construct the radiomics signature. The effectiveness of the signature in predicting PFS was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index) and 95% confidence interval in both the training and the test sets. The time-dependent receiver operator characteristic curve of the radiomics signature was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. A calibration curve was used to assess the difference between the predicted probability of the radiomics signature and the observed probability at different time points.

RESULTS

The radiomics signature was composed of six features, which achieved a C-index of 0.733 (95% confidence interval 0.664-0.803) in the training set and 0.734 (95% confidence interval 0.608-0.861) in the test set. In the training set, the radiomics signature yielded an AUC of 0.707, 0.737, 0.788, 0.859 and 0.829 for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year PFS, respectively. Similarly, the radiomics signature exhibited an AUC of 0.738, 0.807, 0.761, 0.787 and 0.818 for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year PFS, respectively, in the test set. The calibration curves showed no significant difference between the predicted probability of the radiomics signature and the observed probability for up to 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography radiomics features exhibit a significant correlation with the PFS of neuroblastoma patients, particularly in terms of long-term outcomes.

Effect and mechanism of chlorogenic acid on cognitive dysfunction in mice by lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation

Background

Neuroinflammation is an important factor causing numerous neurodegenerative pathologies. Inflammation can lead to abnormal neuronal structure and function and even death, followed by cognitive dysfunction. There is growing evidence that chlorogenic acid has anti-inflammatory effects and immunomodulatory activity.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of chlorogenic acid in the treatment of neuroinflammation.

Methods

We used the lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation mouse model and the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 cells in vitro model. Behavioral scores and experiments were used to assess cognitive dysfunction in mice. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were used to assess neuronal damage in the mouse brain. Immunofluorescence detected microglia polarization in mouse brain. Western blot and flow cytometry detected the polarization of BV-2 cells. The migration of BV-2 cells was detected by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Potential targets for chlorogenic acid to exert protective effects were predicted by network pharmacology. These targets were then validated using molecular docking and experiments.

Results

The results of in vivo experiments showed that chlorogenic acid had an obvious ameliorating effect on neuroinflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction. We found that chlorogenic acid was able to inhibit BV-2 cells M1 polarization and promote BV-2 cells M2 polarization in vitro while also inhibiting the abnormal migration of BV-2 cells. Based on the network pharmacology results, we identified the TNF signaling pathway as a key signaling pathway in which chlorogenic acid exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Among them, Akt1, TNF, MMP9, PTGS2, MAPK1, MAPK14, and RELA are the core targets for chlorogenic acid to function.

Conclusion

Chlorogenic acid can inhibit microglial polarization toward the M1 phenotype and improve neuroinflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice by modulating these key targets in the TNF signaling pathway.

Activation of Kir2.1 improves myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting Ca 2+ overload and the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway

The inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir2.1 is closely associated with many cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect and mechanism of Kir2.1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy remain unclear. In vivo, we use STZ to establish the model, and ventricular structural changes, myocardial inflammatory infiltration, and myocardial fibrosis severity are detected by echocardiography, histological staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis, respectively. In vitro, a myocardial fibrosis model is established with high glucose. The Kir2.1 current amplitude, intracellular calcium concentration, fibrosis-related proteins, and TGF-β1/Smad pathway proteins are detected by whole-cell patch clamp, calcium probes, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence, respectively. The in vivo results show that compared to diabetic cardiomyopathy, zacopride (a Kir2.1 selective agonist) significantly reduces the left ventricular systolic diameter and diastolic diameter, increases the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular short-axis shortening, improves the degree of cell necrosis, and reduces the expression of myocardial interstitial fibrosis protein and collagen fibre deposition area. The in vitro results show that the current amplitude and protein expression of Kir2.1 are both decreased in the high glucose-induced myocardial fibrosis model. Additionally, zacopride significantly upregulates the expression of Kir2.1 and inhibits the expressions of the fibrosis-related proteins α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III. Activation of Kir2.1 reduces the intracellular calcium concentration and inhibits the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and p-Smad 2/3. Activation of Kir2.1 can improve myocardial fibrosis induced by diabetic cardiomyopathy, and the possible mechanism may be related to inhibiting Ca ²⁺ overload and the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Methyl Ferulic Acid Alleviates Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Nox4-induced Ferroptosis in Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons in Rats

Neuropathic pain is a disease that has become one of the major public health problems and a global burden. Nox4-induced oxidative stress can lead to ferroptosis and neuropathic pain. Methyl ferulic acid (MFA) can inhibit the Nox4-induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to estimate whether methyl ferulic acid alleviates neuropathic pain by inhibiting the expression of Nox4 and its induction of ferroptosis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to spared nerve injury (SNI) model to induce neuropathic pain. After the establishment of the model, methyl ferulic acid was given 14 days by gavage. Nox4 overexpression was induced by microinjection of the AAV-Nox4 vector. All groups measured paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT), paw thermal withdrawal latency (PTWL), and paw withdrawal cold duration (PWCD). The expression of Nox4, ACSL4, GPX4, and ROS was investigated by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The changes in iron content were detected by a tissue iron kit. The morphological changes in mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. In the SNI group, the paw mechanical withdrawal threshold, the paw withdrawal cold duration decreased, the paw thermal withdrawal latency did not change, the Nox4, ACSL4, ROS, and iron content increased, the GPX4 decreased, and the number of abnormal mitochondria increased. Methyl ferulic acid can increase PMWT and PWCD but does not affect PTWL. Methyl ferulic acid can inhibit Nox4 protein expression. Meanwhile, ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4 expression was decreased, GPX4 expression was increased, ROS, iron content and abnormal mitochondrial number were decreased. By overexpressing Nox4, the PMWT, PWCD, and ferroptosis of rats were more severe than those of the SNI group, but they could be reversed after treatment with methyl ferulic acid. In conclusion, methyl ferulic acid can alleviate neuropathic pain, which is related to Nox4-induced ferroptosis.

[Capsaicin inhibits proliferation and migration of cerebral basilar artery smooth muscle cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Objective To investigate whether capsaicin (CAP) can improve the proliferation and migration of cerebral basilar artery smooth muscle cells (BASMCs) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Primary BASMCs of SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were cultured in vitro, randomly divided into control group (WKY group), SHR group and capsaicin treatment group (CAP group). The intervention concentration of CAP was determined by CCK-8 assay; Transwell^TM chamber assay and scratch test were used to detect the migration ability of BASMCs; the expression and distribution of osteopontin (OPN) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in BASMCs were detected by immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of OPN and PCNA in BASMCs. Results Compared with WKY group, the proliferation and migration ability of BASMC in SHR group were enhanced, while the CAP treatment undermined the proliferation and migration of BASMCs. OPN was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of BASMCs, while PCNA was mainly expressed in the nuclei. Compared with WKY group, the expression and protein level of OPN and PCNA were increased in SHR group, and decreased significantly after CAP treatment. Conclusion Capsaicin can reduce the proliferation and migration of SHR derived BASMCs.

[Emodin inhibits the proliferation and migration of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by blocking SMAD2/3 signaling pathway]

Objective To investigate the effect of emodin on the proliferation and migration of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Methods HPASMCs were cultured in vitro, and HPASMCs in logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group, TGF-β1 group, and TGF-β1 combined with emodin group. The activity of HPASMCs was detected by CCK-8 assay, the migration ability of HPASMCs was detected by Transwell^TM chamber assay and scratch assay, and the expressions of osteopontin (OPN) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of OPN and PCNA and the phosphorylation of SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) and SMAD family member 2 (SMAD3) in HPASMCs were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with those in the control group, in TGF-β1 group, the protein expressions of OPN and PCNA, the proliferation and migration of HPASMCs, and the phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 were increased. Compared with those in the TGF-β1 group, in the TGF-β1 combined with emodin group, the proliferation and migration of HPASMCs, the expressions of OPN and PCNA, and the phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 were decreased. Conclusion Emodin inhibits the up-regulation of OPN and PCNA and the proliferation and migration of PASMCs induced by TGF-β1, which may be related to the blocking of SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.

Molecular Mechanism of Naringenin Against High-Glucose-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation and Migration Based on Network Pharmacology and Transcriptomic Analyses

Although the protective effects of naringenin (Nar) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been confirmed, whether it has anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects in high-glucose-induced VSMCs has remained unclear. This study aimed to clarify the potential targets and molecular mechanism of Nar when used to treat high-glucose-induced vasculopathy based on transcriptomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo and in vitro assays. We found that Nar has visible anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects both in vitro (high-glucose-induced VSMC proliferation and migration model) and in vivo (type 1 diabetes mouse model). Based on the results of network pharmacology and molecular docking, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), the proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (Src) and the kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) are the core targets of Nar when used to treat diabetic angiopathies, according to the degree value and the docking score of the three core genes. Interestingly, not only the Biological Process (BP), Molecular Function (MF), and KEGG enrichment results from network pharmacology analysis but also transcriptomics showed that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) is the most likely downstream pathway involved in the protective effects of Nar on VSMCs. Notably, according to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptomic analysis, we found that cAMP-responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5) is a downstream protein of the PI3K/Akt pathway that participates in VSMCs proliferation and migration. Furthermore, the results of molecular experiments in vitro were consistent with the bioinformatic analysis. Nar significantly inhibited the protein expression of the core targets (VEGFA, Src and KDR) and downregulated the PI3K/Akt/CREB5 pathway. Our results indicated that Nar exerted anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects on high-glucose-induced VSMCs through decreasing expression of the target protein VEGFA, and then downregulating the PI3K/Akt/CREB5 pathway, suggesting its potential for treating diabetic angiopathies.

Inhibition of Connexin 43 reverses ox-LDL-mediated inhibition of autophagy in VSMC by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Background

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) may induce foam cell formation from the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) by inhibiting VSMC autophagy. This process accelerates the formation of atherosclerosis (AS). Connexin 43 (Cx43), which is the most widely distributed connexin in VSMC is associated with autophagy. However, the mechanism of action and the involvement of Cx43 in ox-LDL-inhibited VSMC autophagy remain unclear.

Methods

The primary VSMC were obtained and identified, before primary VSMC were pretreated with an inhibitor (Cx43-specific inhibitor Gap26 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002) and stimulated with ox-LDL.

Results

Ox-LDL not only inhibited autophagy in VSMC via downregulation of autophagy-related proteins (such as Beclin 1, LC3B, p62), but also increased Cx43 protein levels. Then we added Gap26 to VSMC in the ox-LDL+Gap26 group, in which autophagy-related proteins were increased and the accumulation of lipid droplets was reduced. These result suggested that an enhanced level of autophagy and an alleviation of lipid accumulation might be caused by inhibiting Cx43 in VSMC. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR were increased by ox-LDL, thus down-regulating autophagy-related proteins. However, this situation was partially reversed by the Gap26. Moreover, Cx43 expression were decreased by LY294002 in ox-LDL-induced VSMCs.

Conclusion

Inhibiting Cx43 may activate VSMC autophagy to inhibit foam cell formation by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Integrated analysis of whole genome and transcriptome sequencing reveals a frameshift mutation associated with recessive embryonic lethality in Holstein cattle

Embryo loss is an important factor affecting fertility in dairy production. HH2 was identified as a haplotype on chromosome 1 associated with embryonic lethality in Holstein cattle. In the current study, both short- and long-read WGS was performed on four carriers and four non-carriers of HH2 to screen for variants in concordance with HH2 haplotype status. Sequence variation analysis revealed five putative functional variants of protein-coding genes, including a frameshift mutation (g.107172616delT) in intraflagellar transport protein 80 (IFT80) gene. Transcriptome analysis of whole blood indicated that no gene exhibited significantly differential expression or allele-specific expression between carriers and non-carriers in the candidate region. This evidence points to g.107172616delT as the highest priority causative mutation for HH2. Protein prediction reveals that the frameshift mutation results in a premature stop codon to reduce the peptide chain from 760 to 383 amino acids and greatly alters the structure and function of IFT80 protein. Our results demonstrate that the use of a combination of multiple high-throughput sequencing technologies is an efficient strategy to screen for the candidate causative mutations responsible for Mendelian traits, including genetic disorders.

A Systematic Study of the Mechanism of Acacetin Against Sepsis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Sepsis is a dysregulated systemic response to infection, and no effective treatment options are available. Acacetin is a natural flavonoid found in various plants, including Sparganii rhizoma, Sargentodoxa cuneata and Patrinia scabiosifolia. Studies have revealed that acacetin potentially exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects on sepsis. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of acacetin on sepsis and revealed the underlying mechanisms using a network pharmacology approach coupled with experimental validation and molecular docking. First, we found that acacetin significantly suppressed pathological damage and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in mice with LPS-induced fulminant hepatic failure and acute lung injury, and in vitro experiments further confirmed that acacetin attenuated LPS-induced M1 polarization. Then, network pharmacology screening revealed EGFR, PTGS2, SRC and ESR1 as the top four overlapping targets in a PPI network, and GO and KEGG analyses revealed the top 20 enriched biological processes and signalling pathways associated with the therapeutic effects of acacetin on sepsis. Further network pharmacological analysis indicated that gap junctions may be highly involved in the protective effects of acacetin on sepsis. Finally, molecular docking verified that acacetin bound to the active sites of the four targets predicted by network pharmacology, and in vitro experiments further confirmed that acacetin significantly inhibited the upregulation of p-src induced by LPS and attenuated LPS-induced M1 polarization through gap junctions. Taken together, our results indicate that acacetin may protect against sepsis via a mechanism involving multiple targets and pathways and that gap junctions may be highly involved in this process.

The Role of TMEM16A/ERK/NK-1 Signaling in Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons in the Development of Neuropathic Pain Induced by Spared Nerve Injury (SNI)

Increasing evidence suggests that transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) in nociceptive neurons is an important molecular component contributing to peripheral pain transduction. The present study aimed to evaluate the role and mechanism of TMEM16A in chronic nociceptive responses elicited by spared nerve injury (SNI). In this study, SNI was used to induce neuropathic pain. Drugs were administered intrathecally. The expression and cellular localization of TMEM16A, the ERK pathway, and NK-1 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. Behavioral tests were used to evaluate the role of TMEM16A and p-ERK in SNI-induced persistent pain and hypersensitivity. The role of TMEM16A in the hyperexcitability of primary nociceptor neurons was assessed by electrophysiological recording. The results show that TMEM16A, p-ERK, and NK-1 are predominantly expressed in small neurons associated with nociceptive sensation. TMEM16A is colocalized with p-ERK/NK-1 in DRG. TMEM16A, the MEK/ERK pathway, and NK-1 are activated in DRG after SNI. ERK inhibitor or TMEM16A antagonist prevents SNI-induced allodynia. ERK and NK-1 are downstream of TMEM16A activation. Electrophysiological recording showed that CaCC current increases and intrathecal application of T16Ainh-A01, a selective TMEM16A inhibitor, reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons harvested from rats after SNI. We conclude that TMEM16A activation in DRG leads to a positive interaction of the ERK pathway with activation of NK-1 production and is involved in the development of neuropathic pain after SNI. Also, the blockade of TMEM16A or inhibition of the downstream ERK pathway or NK-1 upregulation may prevent the development of neuropathic pain.

Adiponectin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-induced Apoptosis by Regulating the Cx43/PI3K/AKT Pathway

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a crucial factor leading to myocardial dysfunction. Adiponectin (APN) has a cardiomyocyte-protective impact. Studies have shown that the connexin43 (Cx43) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways play an important role in the heart, but whether APN plays a protective role by regulating these pathways is unclear. Our study aimed to confirm whether APN protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and to explore whether it plays an important role through regulating the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In addition, our research aimed to explore the relationship between the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In vitro experiments: Before H9c2 cells were treated with LPS for 24 h, they were pre-treated with APN for 2 h. The cytotoxic effect of APN on H9c2 cells was evaluated by a CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Cx43, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and the apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry. APN attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by LPS. LPS upregulated Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 and downregulated Bcl2 in H9c2 cells; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, LPS upregulated Cx43 expression, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LPS induced apoptosis and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in H9c2 cells, and these effects were attenuated by Gap26 (a Cx43 inhibitor). Moreover, the preservation of APN expression was reversed by LY294002 (a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor). In vivo experiments: In C57BL/6J mice, a sepsis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and APN was injected into enterocoelia. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, and Cx43 were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect Cx43 expression and localization in myocardial tissue. LPS upregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulated Bcl2 in sepsis; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, the expression of Cx43 was upregulated in septic myocardial tissue, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression in septic myocardial tissue. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo, the data demonstrated that APN can protect against LPS-induced apoptosis during sepsis by modifying the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

A retrospective study assessing the acceleration effect of type I Helicobacter pylori infection on the progress of atrophic gastritis

Based on the antibody typing classification, Helicobacter pylori infection can be divided into type I H. pylori infection and type II H. pylori infection. To observe the effects of different H. pylori infection types on the distribution of histopathological characteristics and the levels of three items of serum gastric function (PG I, PG II, G-17). 1175 cases from October 2018 to February 2020 were collected with ratio 1:2. All patients were performed with ¹⁴C-Urea breath test (¹⁴C-UBT), H. pylori antibody typing classification, three items of serum gastric function detection, painless gastroscopy, pathological examination, etc. According to H. pylori antibody typing classification, patients were divided into three groups: type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group. Significant difference existed among type I H. pylori infection group, type II H. pylori infection group and control group in inflammation and activity (χ² = 165.43, 354.88, P all < 0.01). The proportion of three groups in OLGA staging had statistic difference (χ² = 67.99, P all < 0.01); Compared with type II H. pylori infection group and control group, the level of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin17 in type I H. pylori infection group increased, and PG I/PG II ratio (PG I/PG II ratio, PGR) decreased, which was statistically significant (χ² = 35.08, 166.24, 134.21, 141.19; P all < 0.01). Type I H. pylori infection worsened the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation and activity. H. pylori infection was prone to induce atrophy of gastric mucosa, while type I H. pylori infection played a key role in promoting the progress of atrophic gastritis and affected the level of serum gastric function. The study indicated that the eradication of H. pylori should be treated individually.

Caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ as a first-line therapy for moderate-to-severe PCP in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is limited with adverse events. Caspofungin, by inhibiting the cyst form of Pneumocystis jirovecii, may be an alternative therapy for PCP. However, the availability of clinical data about caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ in the treatment of PCP in HIV-infected patients is limited. Thus, we aimed to examine the clinical effectiveness and safety of caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ as a first-line therapy for moderate-to-severe PCP in HIV-infected patients.

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2019, data of HIV-infected patients with moderate-to-severe PCP who received either TMP/SMZ alone or caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ as first-line therapy were retrospectively reviewed to assess the effectiveness and safety of each regimen. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 278 patients met the criteria. The overall positive response rate of PCP treatment was 48.92%, and the overall all-cause in-hospital mortality rate was 33.09%. Patients who received combination therapy consisting of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ had a better positive response rate (59.44% vs. 37.78%, P < 0.001) and lower all-cause in-hospital mortality rate (24.48% vs. 42.22%, P = 0.003). Also, patients who received combination therapy had higher survival rate during a hospital stay (75.52% vs. 57.78%, P = 0.004), and those who received longer combination therapy were more likely to have higher survival rate (P = 0.042). We found that age (P = 0.019), CD4 cell count (P = 0.001) and therapeutic regimen (P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for all-cause in-hospital mortality rate in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only CD4 cell count and therapeutic regimen were statistically significant factors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality rate. Patients with a CD4 count of > 30 cells/µL and patients who received combination therapy consisting of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ were more likely to survive from PCP (P = 0.011 and P = 0.002, respectively). There were no additional severe adverse events caused by adding caspofungin.

CONCLUSIONS

For HIV-infected patients with moderate-to-severe PCP, combination therapy with caspofungin and TMP/SMZ is an effective and promising first-line therapy with no greater number of adverse events compared with TMP/SMZ monotherapy. Patients who received caspofungin had better positive response rates and lower all-cause in-hospital mortality rates. Also, we recommend early initiation of caspofungin.

ANO1 regulates cardiac fibrosis via ATI-mediated MAPK pathway

Cardiac fibrosis is associated with most of heart diseases, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Anoctamin-1 (ANO1), a calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) protein, plays a critical role in various pathophysiological processes. In the current study, we identified ANO1 expression in myocardial infarction (MI) model of rat and verified the role of ANO1 in cardiac fibrosis using transcriptomics combined with RNAi assays. we found that ANO1 expression was increased during the first two weeks, and decreased in the third week after MI. Fluorescence double labeling showed that ANO1 was mainly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and displayed an increased expression in CFs with proliferation tendency. The proliferation and secretion of CFs were markedly inhibited by knockdown of ANO1. RNA-Seq showed that most of the downregulation genes were related to the proliferation of CFs and cardiac fibrosis. After ANO1 knockdown, the expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and cell nuclear proliferation antigen were markedly reduced, and the phosphorylation levels of MEK and ERK1/2 was decreased significantly, indicating that ANO1 regulate cardiac fibrosis through ATIR-mediated MAPK signaling pathway. These findings would be useful for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting ANO1 to treat and prevent cardiac fibrosis.

[Up-regulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) by angiotensin II promotes the proliferation and migration of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells]

Objective To explore the role of Cx43 in the proliferation and migration of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Methods HPASMCs were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into four groups: control group, Ang II group, Ang II combined with DMSO group, and Ang II combined with candesartan group, and cells were collected in logarithmic growth phase. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay; the migration ability of HPASMCs were measured by wound-healing and Transwell^TM assay. The protein levels of Cx43, osteopontin (OPN), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), SMAD2 and SMAD3 in HPASMCs were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of OPN and PCNA proteins significantly went up in Ang II group, and the cell proliferation and migration ability increased. The cell proliferation and migration ability of the Ang II combined with candesartan group were significantly lower than that in the Ang II group. Compared with the control group, the Cx43 protein and its phosphorylation level increased significantly in the Ang II group, and the protein expression of SMAD2 and SMAD3 increased, while the expression of each protein in the Ang II combined with candesartan group was significantly lower than those in the Ang II group. Conclusion Ang II up-regulates the expression of Cx43 protein to promote the proliferation and migration of HPASMCs, which may be related to the activation of SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.

[Monocrotaline pyrrole induces A549 cells and activates TGF-β1/SMAD2/SMAD3 pathway to promote proliferation and migration of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells]

Objective To explore the effects of A549 cells on the proliferation and migration of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) and its mechanism. Methods A549 cells and HPASMCs were cultured in vitro. The A549 cells were randomly divided into four groups: control group, dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent group, monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP) group, MCTP combined with SB431542 group. The cells were assigned into four groups: HPASMC group, A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, MCTP-stimulated A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, MCTP and SB431542-stimulated A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, and IL-6-stimulated HPASMC group. A549 cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The level of IL-6 in the A549 cell culture supernatant was tested by ELISA. The mRNA levels of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in the A549 cells were detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of TGF-β1, SMAD2, SMAD3 and p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3 in the A549 cells were detected by Western blot analysis. The protein levels of TGF-β1, SMAD2, SMAD3 and p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3 in the A549 cells were examined by Western blot analysis. The protein levels of osteopontin (OPN) and proliferating nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the HPASMCs were determined by Western blot analysis. The migration ability of HPASMCs was measured by wound healing and Transwell^TM assay. Results In the A549 cells, compared with the control group, the cell proliferation ability decreased, the production of IL-6 increased, the mRNA levels of SMAD2 and SMAD3, and the expression of TGF-β1, SMAD2, SMAD3, p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3 proteins significantly increased in the MCTP group. Compared with the MCTP group, the cell proliferation ability increased, the production of IL-6 decreased, the mRNA levels of SMAD 2 and SMAD3, and the expression of TGF-β1, SMAD2, SMAD3, p-SMAD2, p-SMAD3 proteins significantly decreased in the MCTP and SB431542-stimulated group. In the co-culture system, compared with the HPASMC group, the expression of PCNA and OPN proteins and migration ability did not change significantly in the A549 and HPASMC co-cultured group. The expression of PCNA and OPN proteins significantly increased in the MCTP-stimulated A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, and the cell migration ability increased. Compared with the MCTP-stimulated A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, the expression of PCNA and OPN proteins significantly decreased in MCTP and SB431542-stimulated A549 and HPASMC co-culture group, and the cell migration ability decreased. Compared with the HPASMC group, the migration ability of HPASMCs increased and the expression of PCNA and OPN proteins increased in the IL-6 control group. Conclusion Activation of the TGF-β1/SMAD2/SMAD3 signaling pathway in A549 cells induced by MCTP increases IL-6 secretion, thus promoting the proliferation and migration of HPASMCs.

Pirfenidone attenuates homocysteine‑induced apoptosis by regulating the connexin 43 pathway in H9C2 cells

Pirfenidone (PFD) is an anti-fibrotic agent that is clinically used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. PFD has been shown to exert protective effects against damage to orbital fibroblasts, endothelial cells, liver cells and renal proximal tubular cells; however, its effect on myocardial cell apoptosis remains unclear. The present study aimed to characterize the effects of PFD on homocysteine (Hcy)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and investigated the underlying mechanisms. H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes were pre-treated with PFD for 30 min followed by Hcy exposure for 24 h. The effects of PFD on cell cytotoxicity were evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis rate of each group was determined by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA levels of connexin 43 (Cx43), Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3 were measured by western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. The present results demonstrated that the apoptotic rate increased following Hcy exposure, whereas the apoptotic rate significantly decreased following PFD pre-treatment. Furthermore, the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 was upregulated following Hcy exposure, and Hcy upregulated the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Cx43. Notably, these effects were prevented by PFD. Additionally, the effects of PFD were inhibited by the Cx43 agonist, AAP10. In summary, the findings of the present study demonstrate that PFD protects H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes against Hcy-induced apoptosis by modulating the Cx43 signaling pathway.

[A single-center retrospective study on axillary evaluation in 1 557 breast ductal carcinoma in situ patients between 2006 and 2016]

Objectives: To examine the influence factors on axillary evaluation in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, and the prognosis of different choices of axillary evaluation in a single-center retrospective study. Methods: Totally 1 557 DCIS patients admitted in Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from January 2006 to November 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. All patients were female. The median age was 49 years (range: 21 to 85 years). Surgical methods included modified radical mastectomy, simple mastectomy (with or without axillary evaluation) and breast conservation surgery (with or without axillary evaluation). Axillary evaluation included axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). T tests, χ(2) test and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze influence factors on axillary evaluation, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank analysis were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) in patients with different surgical methods. Results: Among the 1 557 DCIS patients, there were 1 226 cases received axillary evaluation, while 331 cases not received axillary evaluation. Patients were separated into 3 groups by different axillary evaluation choices: SLNB group (957 cases, 61.46%), ALND group (197 cases, 12.65%) and no evaluation group (403 cases, 25.88%). The patients in SLNB group increased significantly (P=0.000), from 3.85% (60/1 557) in 2006 to 75.19% (1 170/1 557) in 2016. The independent influence factors of receiving axillary evaluation were high nuclear grade (OR=3.191, 95%CI: 1.722 to 5.912, P=0.001) and tumor size>15 mm (OR=1.698, 95%CI: 1.120 to 2.573, P=0.012). Also, patients received breast conservation surgery were more likely to refuse axillary evaluation (OR=0.155, 95%CI: 0.103 to 0.233, P=0.000). There were no significant differences in RFS and LRRFS in patients with different axillary evaluation choices. Conclusions: The investigation in trends and influence factors of different axillary evaluation choices provided basis on surgical precision medicine in DCIS patients. Patients received SLNB increased significantly. The independent influence factors of axillary evaluation were nuclear grade, tumor size and surgical methods. There was no significant differences in prognosis among the groups receiving different axillary evaluations.

Abstract P6-05-01: A novel cleaved cytoplasmic lncRNA LacRNA interacts with PHB2 and suppresses breast cancer metastasis via repressing MYC targets

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in breast cancer metastases through largely unknown mechanisms. In this study, we used microarray analysis to compare lncRNAs expression levels between matched pairs of breast lymph node metastatic tissues and primary tumors. We discovered that lncRNA LINC00478 was substantially downregulated in the metastatic tumor samples. Interestingly, we found that LINC00478 could be cleaved by RNase to simultaneously generates the mature 5' ends of cytoplasmic RNA and 3' ends of nuclear RNA by polyadenylation. We named 5' ends 791-nt RNA as LacRNA (LINC00478-assciated cytoplasmic RNA). Over expression of full-length LINC00478 and LacRNA, but not LINC00478 3' RNA, significantly inhibited breast cancer proliferation, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.We used CRISPR-dCas9 complex to mediate efficient transcriptional activation of LacRNA at endogenous genomic loci followed by RNA-seq analyses. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the MYC pathway/targets were prominent gene sets negatively enriched in LacRNA-activated cells. Further study revealed that LacRNA exerted its tumor suppressive activity by directly binding with prohibitin2(PHB2) to enhance its protein stability, which promoted PHB2 competing with MYC for transcriptionally suppressing the MYC target genes (e.g., CDC20, CDC45, CCNA2 and MAD2L1). Mechanistically, LacRNA inhibits breast cancer invasion and metastasis by interacting with PHB2 through LacRNA's 1-300nt region. In addition, taking advantage of CRISPR system to knock-out and activate the expression of LacRNA, as well as rescue experiment, we uncovered the positive correlation between LacRNA and PHB2 and their role in suppressing MYC target genes and cancer metastasis. At the same time, LacRNA can attenuated the MYC induced activation of MYC targets through binding with PHB2, indicating that LacRNA plays a central role in the suppression of MYC target genes. We further explored the role of LacRNA in inhibiting lung metastasis by implanting LacRNA-activated LM2 cells into the mammary fat pads of NOD-SCID mice. Luciferase imaging and histological analysis were used to detect lung metastasis and found that LacRNA significantly suppressed lung metastasis. Immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of PHB2 and MYC targets in both orthotopic tumors and lung metastasis and verified their correlation in vivo. Extensive analyses of clinical data indicated that LacRNA level was substantially downregulated in metastases tumors accompanied by enrichment of MYC targets. The robustness value of LacRNA expression was further verified in two independent patient cohorts, including 530 invasive breast cancer tumors in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) and 819 breast patients' data from TCGA. High LacRNA expression level had a significantly better clinical outcome in both cohorts and represented an independent prognostic predictor for DFS (HR=0.48, P=0.006, multivariate analysis) and OS (HR=0.32, P=0.009, multivariate analysis) in FUSCC cohort. Collectively, LacRNA functions as a tumor suppressor lncRNA that inhibits breast cancer invasion-metastasis cascade.

Citation Format: Guo R, Su Y-H, Xue J-y, Si J, Chi Y-y, Wu J. A novel cleaved cytoplasmic lncRNA LacRNA interacts with PHB2 and suppresses breast cancer metastasis via repressing MYC targets [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-01.

[Candesartan inhibits the angiotensin II-induced proliferation and migration of rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells and its mechanism]

Objective To investigate the effect of candesartan on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and its effect on connexin 43 (Cx43). Methods A7r5 cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into control group, AngII group and AngII combined with candesartan group. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay; the migration and invasion ability of A7r5 cells were measured by wound-healing and Transwell^TM assay; the expression and distribution of Cx43 on A7r5 cells were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Cx43, osteopontin (OPN), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 protein levels of A7r5 cells were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the AngII group had higher cell proliferation and migration ability, and the AngII combined with candesartan group had a lower concentration than the AngII group. Cx43 was expressed in the A7r5 cell membrane and nuclear membrane. The expression of Cx43 were enhanced in the AngII group than in the control group, and the expressions of Cx43, OPN, PCNA, p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 significantly increased compared with AngII. The expression of protein significantly decreased in AngII combined with candesartan group. Conclusion Candesartan can reduce the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells induced by AngII, and its mechanism may be related to Cx43 and MEK/ERK signaling pathways.

[Angiotensin II induces macrophage M1 polarization by activating connexin 43]

Objective To observe the effect of connexin 43 (Cx43) on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced M1 polarization of RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into control group, AngII group and Gap26 pretreatment group. The AngII group was given AngII (10^-6 mol/L) for 12 hours. The pretreatment group was treated with Gap26 (10^-5 mol/L) for 30 minutes first and then AngII (10^-6 mol/L) for 12 hours. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression of Cx43, M1 markers CD86 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); the mRNA expression of CD86, iNOS and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the expression of CD86 and iNOS on macrophages in each group were observed by confocal microscopy. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of CD86, iNOS and TNF-α significantly increased in AngII group. The levels of CD86, iNOS and TNF-α in Gap26 pretreatment group were significantly lower than those in AngII group, however, higher than the control group. Moreover, the expression of CD86 was mainly on the cell membrane, and iNOS was expressed in the whole cell. Conclusion AngII could induce M1 polarization of macrophage, and Cx43 specific blocker Gap26 could inhibit AngII-induced M1 polarization.

[Nitric oxide inhibits the release of TNF-α and IL-6 by down-regulating the expression of connexin 40 (Cx40) in rat T lymphocytes]

Objective To investigate the effects of NO on the expression of connexin 40 (Cx40) on peripheral blood lymphocytes and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant of culture medium. Methods Peripheral blood lymphocytes of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were isolated from abdominal aorta and cultured in vitro, and then divided into control group, ConA group and ConA combined with NO group. ELISA was performed to test the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant of culture medium. Immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the expression and location of Cx40 on lymphocytes. Flow cytometry was used to determine the expression frequency of Cx40 on lymphocytes. Western blotting was conducted to examine the protein expression of Cx40 on lymphocytes. Results The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in the ConA group than in the control group, lower in the ConA combined with NO group than in the ConA group. Immunofluorescence showed that Cx40 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The expression of Cx40 on lymphocytes was higher in the ConA group than in the control group, lower in the ConA combined with NO group than in the ConA group. The expression frequency of Cx40 on lymphocytes was higher in the ConA group than in the control group, lower in the ConA combined with NO group than in the ConA group. The protein expressions of Cx40 and Cx43 on lymphocytes were significantly higher in the ConA group than in the control group, lower in the ConA combined with NO group than in the ConA group. Conclusion NO inhibits the release of TNF-α and IL-6 from lymphocytes and down-regulates the expression of Cx40 on lymphocytes, suggesting that Cx40 on lymphocytes may be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of NO.

Abstract P3-01-06: Can axillary evaluation be omitted in patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ by core needle biopsy?

Background

Patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) by core needle biopsy (CNB) have a great chance of upgrading invasive cancer on the final pathology. Positive axillary lymph nodes can be found in these patients. The present study sought to identify clinicopathological factors associated with upgrading and axillary lymph nodes metastasis in patients preoperatively diagnosed with DCIS by CNB.

Materials and Methods

This study identified 604 patients (cT1-3N0M0) with preoperative diagnosis of pure DCIS by CNB who had undergone axillary evaluation from August 2006 to December 2015 at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC). Predictors of upgrading and axillary lymph nodes metastasis were analyzed, respectively.

Results

Of all 604 patients, 513 (84.93%) and 91 (15.07%) patients had undergone sentinel lymph nodes biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph nodes dissection (ALND), respectively. Overall, 121 (20.03%) and 193 (31.95%) patients were upgraded to DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM) and IDC on final pathology, respectively. Positive axillary lymph nodes were identified in 41 (6.79%) patients, of which 35 (5.80%) patients had 1-2 positive axillary lymph nodes, 6 (0.99%) patients had 3 or more positive axillary lymph nodes. Among patients with axillary lymph nodes metastasis, 4 (9.76%), 4 (9.76%) and 33 (80.48%) patients were in DCIS, DCISM and IDC group, respectively. Predictors of upgrading included tumor size on ultrasonography (P=0.001), Ki-67 (P=0.046) and molecular subtype (P=0.007) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, patients with larger tumor size on ultrasonography (&gt;2cm) (OR 1.767, P=0.001) were more likely to be upgraded on final pathology. Also, ER+ HER2+ patients were more likely to be upgraded than ER+ HER2- patients (OR 1.659, P=0.047). Factors associated with axillary lymph nodes metastasis included nipple discharge (P&lt;0.001), tumor size on pathology (P=0.037), number of lesions (P=0.039), axillary evaluation methods (P=0.029) and molecular subtype (P=0.049) in univariate analysis. Whereas, only nipple discharge and larger tumor size on pathology (&gt;2cm) reached statistical significance in multivariate analysis (OR 5.959, P&lt;0.001; OR 2.361, P=0.042). In addition, further analysis showed upgrading on final pathology had a significant influence on axillary lymph nodes status (P&lt;0.001). However, this correlation was not shown between patients with DCIS and DCISM in pairwise comparison.

Conclusion

The data of upgrading and axillary lymph nodes metastasis in patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS by CNB was comparable in this cohort with published data. Despite of a 51.98% upgrading rate, the rate of axillary lymph nodes metastasis in these patients is low, which supports the omission of axillary evaluation in selected patients.

Citation Format: Si J, Yang B, Guo R, Huang N, Quan C, Chen J, Wu J. Can axillary evaluation be omitted in patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ by core needle biopsy? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-06.

Effects of activin A and its downstream ERK1/2 in oxygen and glucose deprivation after isoflurane-induced postconditioning

BACKGROUND

Isoflurane postconditioning (ISPOC) plays a neuroprotection role in the brain. Previous studies confirmed that isoflurane postconditioning can provide better protection than preconditioning in acute hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, such as acute craniocerebral trauma and ischemic stroke. Numerous studies have reported that activin A can protect rat's brain from cell injury. However, whether activin A and its downstream ERK1/2 were involved in isoflurane postconditioning-induced neuroprotection is unknown.

METHODS

A total of 80 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 50-70g were randomly divided into 10 groups of 8: normal control, oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), 1.5% ISPOC, 3.0% ISPOC, 4.5% ISPOC, blocker of activin A (SB431542), blocker of ERK1/2 (U0126), 3.0% ISPOC+SB431542, 3.0% ISPOC+U0126, and vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)) group. Blockers (SB431542 and U0126) were used in each concentration of isoflurane before OGD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, and propidium iodide (PI) staining were conducted to assess the reliability in the brain slices. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR(Q-PCR) were performed to validate the protein expression levels of activin A, Smad2/3, P-Smad2/3, ERK1/2, and phosphorylation ERK1/2 (P-ERK1/2).

RESULTS

The number of damaged neurons and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) of PI staining increased, but formazan generation, expression levels of activin A and P-ERK1/2 protein, and mRNA synthesis level of activin A decreased in the OGD group compared with the normal control group (p<0.05). The number of damaged neurons and MFI of PI staining decreased, but formazan production, expression levels of activin A, P-Smad2/3, and P-ERK1/2, and mRNA synthesis level of activin A increased significantly in the 1.5% ISPOC and 3.0% ISPOC groups (p<0.05) compared with the OGD group. The result in the 4.5% ISPOC group, was completely opposite to the 1.5% ISPOC and 3.0% ISPOC groups. The number of damage neuron and MFI of PI staining increased, but formazan production, expression levels of activin A, P-Smad2/3, and P-ERK1/2, and mRNA synthesis level of activin A decreased in the 4.5% ISPOC group. However, the expression levels of activin A, P-Smad2/3, and P-ERK1/2, and mRNA synthesis level of activin A in the 4.5% ISPOC group were higher than the OGD group (p<0.05). The other results were compared between the SB431542 group/the U0126 group and 3.0% ISPOC group. The MFI of PI staining increased, but the expression levels of activin A, P-Smad2/3, and P-ERK1/2 decreased (p<0.05). The expression level of ERK1/2 protein in all groups exhibited no change (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Results of this study showed that 3.0% concentration of isoflurane postconditioning provided better neuroprotection than 1.5% and 4.5% concentrations of isoflurane. Activin A/Smad 2/3 and activin A/ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be involved in ISPOC-induced neuroprotection.

Ras-association domain family 10 acts as a novel tumor suppressor through modulating MMP2 in hepatocarcinoma

Ras-Association Domain Family 10 (RASSF10) is the last identified member of the RASSF family. The functional characteristics of this new gene in human cancers remain largely unclear. Here, we examined RASSF10 for the biological functions and related molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that RASSF10 is expressed in normal human liver tissue, but is silenced or down-regulated in 62.5% (5/8) of HCC cell lines. The mean expression level of RASSF10 was significantly lower in primary HCCs compared with their adjacent normal tissues (P<0.005, n=52). The promoter methylation contributes to the inactivation of RASSF10 as demonstrated by bisulfite genomic sequencing and demethylation treatment analyses. Transgenic expression of RASSF10 in silenced HCC cell lines suppressed cell viability, colony formation and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice (QGY7703, P<0.01; HepG2, P<0.05). Furthermore, RASSF10 was shown to induce the cell accumulation in G1 phase with the increase of p27, as well as the decrease of cyclinD1 and CDK2/CDK4. Over-expression of RASSF10 also inhibited HCC cells migration (P<0.01) or invasion (P<0.05). Adhesion genes array revealed that Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was a downstream effector of RASSF10. RASSF10 acting as a tumor suppressor to inhibit HCC invasion partially mediated by Focal Adhesion Kinase or p38 MAPK to decrease the accumulation of MMP2. Our study suggests that RASSF10 acts as a tumor suppressor for HCC.

Transforming growth-beta 1 contributes to isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway

AIM

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a devastating complication in the perioperative period. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a key protein that can participate in the repair and control process responses after I/R injury. Isoflurane is widely used in neurosurgery. Previous studies have shown that isoflurane preconditioning plays an important role in neuroprotection. However, the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on cerebral I/R injury have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral I/R injury and investigated the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway and the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in neuroprotective mechanism. In particular, the JNK signaling pathway emerges as a possible target for brain repair after stroke.

METHODS

Cerebral I/R injury was produced in SD rat by using the middle cerebral artery occlusion model for 90 min, followed by 24h reperfusion. Postconditioning by inhalation of isoflurane was performed at different concentrations (1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%) for 1h after ischemia at the starting time point of reperfusion. The protective effect was tested by neurological deficit scoring with 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Apoptosis of CA1 cells in the hippocampus was detected by TUNEL method. Expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad 2/3, p-Smad2/3, JNK, and p-JNK were determined by immunostaining and Western blot.

RESULTS

Postconditioning by isoflurane at 1.5% and 3.0% concentrations significantly decreased the neurobehavioral deficit scores and infarct volume compared with the I/R group, but no significant difference in neurobehavioral deficit score was detected between the I/R and 4.5% isoflurane postconditioning groups. Additionally, 1.5% isoflurane postconditioning decreased the numbers of PI-positive cells at 24h after reperfusion compared with the I/R group. TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 protein gradually increased after I/R injury, with the highest values observed in the 1.5% and 3% isoflurane postconditioning groups. For Smad2/3 protein expression, no differences existed among all groups. After inducing the TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathway specific blocker (LY2157299), the neurological deficit scores increased, infarct volumes enlarged, apoptosis increased, and PI-positive CA1 cells in the hippocampus also increased. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 proteins were downregulated. During the pre-injection of LY2157299, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 decreased significantly, but compared with the sham group, the expression level of p-JNK significantly increased. When the injection of LY2157299 was abolished, the expression of p-JNK significantly decreased. The expression levels of p-JNK and TGF-β1 significantly decreased when LY2157299 and SP600125 were injected simultaneously. However, the protective effect mediated by SP600125 completely disappeared, and the role of LY2157299 became dominant. Compared with the sham group, the expression of TGF-β1 was almost unchanged by the injection of SP600125 alone, but the expression of p-JNK significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 1.5% isoflurane can upregulate the expression of TGF-β1 and downregulate that of p-JNK, which significantly mitigated I/R injury, leading to cerebral injury. However, this protective effect was abrogated when the TGF-β1 signaling pathway was blocked by LY2157299. Overall, the present results provided valid evidence to demonstrate that TGF-β1 contributes to isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.

[An increase in the ratio of peripheral blood CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes and the levels of connexin 40 and inflammatory factors in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationships of connexin 40 (Cx40) with peripheral blood CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory factors of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats.

METHODS

Flow cytometry was used to detect CD4(+), CD8(+) lymphocytes and Cx40 expression on the cells in the peripheral blood of Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) rats and SH rats. ELISA was performed to test the levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon γ (IFN-γ), IL-4 and IL-6.

RESULTS

Compared with WKy rats, the systolic blood pressure, the percentage of CD4(+) T lymphocytes, the expression of Cx40 on the surface of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) in the peripheral blood of SH rats were significantly higher, with the exception of the percentage of CD8(+) lymphocytes which was lower. Also, we found that the serum levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in the SH rats were significantly higher than those of WKy rats. However, there was no significant difference in the IFN-γ level between SH and WKy rats.

CONCLUSION

The ratio of peripheral blood CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocytes and the levels of Cx40, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 are significantly elevated in SH rats.

[Effects of acute hypoxia on potassium channels in spiral ganglion cells of SD rats]

OBJECTIVE

The present study was to investigate the effects of acute hypoxia on the electrophysiological properties and outward current of spiral ganglion cell (SGC).

METHODS

SGC of newborn's Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were isolated and digested, primary cultured neurons for 8 h. By perfusion with physical saline solution containing no glucose and low oxygen, SGNs model of acute hypoxia was established. The whole-cell patch clamp recording was used to clarify the effect of hypoxia on the outward currents of SGC.

RESULTS

The outward current of SGC showed characteristics of outward rectification, which contained two major components, one sensitive to the big conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels (BKCa) which blocked by TEA, and the other could be suppressed by the KV channel blocker 4-AP. When holding at -60 mV, acute hypoxia increased the outward current of SGC in a voltage-dependent manner, which mainly increased the amplitude of the current activated by the votage ranged from 0 mV to +60 mV, and increased the amplitude of outward current from (1 160.0 ± 129.1) pA to (2 428 ± 239.3) pA (n = 9, P < 0.01) at holding potential of -60mV. By perfusion with the Potassium channel blocker TEA or 4-AP, the former could significantly reduced the increasing of outward currents induced by hypoxia on the SGC, the latter had no significant effect on the outward current increased by the hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that acute hypoxia causes neuron hyperpolarization possibly by activating big conductance BKCa of the SGC. When the BKca channels are activated, K⁺ effluxes increase, which induces cell membrane hyperpolarization, and decreases cell excitability, which may affect the conducting function of SGC.

Effect of non-genomic actions of thyroid hormones on the anaesthetic effect of propofol

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease of the endocrine system and it is known that additional propofol anaesthesia is required during surgery for patients with hyperthyroidism compared with those with normal thyroid function. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanism through which thyroid hormones (THs) inhibit the effect of propofol anaesthesia. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to verify the difference between the expression quantities of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor subunits α2 and β2 in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of rats with hyperthyroidism and those in normal rats. Perforated patch clamp recordings in the whole-cell mode were performed to detect the GABA-activated current in acutely isolated rat DRG neurons from rats with hyperthyroidism and normal rats. This method was also used to evaluate the change in the GABA-activated currents following the pre-perfusion of propofol with and without 3,3',5-L-triiodothyronine (T₃). Compared with normal rats, rats with hyperthyroidism expressed same quantities of GABA_A receptor α2 and β2 subunits in DRGs. In addition, no difference in GABA-activated currents in the acutely isolated DRG neurons from the two types of rat was observed (P>0.05). T₃ inhibits or minimises the augmentation effect of propofol on the GABA-activated currents (P<0.05). The inhibitory effect of T₃ on propofol was minimised by increasing the propofol concentration (P<0.05). The inhibitory effect of T₃ on the anaesthetic effect of propofol is achieved through the inhibition of the function of GABA_A receptors through the non-genomic actions of the THs, rather than by changing the number of GABA_A receptors. This inhibitory effect can be mitigated by increasing the propofol concentration. In conclusion, rats with hyperthyroidism require a larger dose of propofol to induce anaesthesia since the non-genomic actions of THs suppress GABA receptors, which in turn inhibits the anaesthetic action of propofol.

Long Noncoding RNA: its partners and their roles in cancer

RNA transcripts, which do not encode proteins, have received considerable attention in recent years. These non-coding RNAs are classified into two groups: small non-coding RNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are emerging as key regulators in many biological processes. However, knowledge of the underlying mechanisms whereby they act is still limited. Here, we try to elucidate the way that lncRNAs function in the context of DNA, RNA and protein interaction networks. It is noteworthy that lncRNA and another type of non-coding RNA microRNA (miRNA) may 'talk' to each other more frequently than ever expected. Additionally, lncRNAs display aberrant expression profiles in different kinds of cancers, with their potential roles in carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis. We summarize the effect of some cancer related lncRNAs upon tumor biological events, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Finally, we focus on the clinical value of lncRNAs, considering their potential application in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic intervention.

Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α2 subunit in the dorsal root ganglion of rats with sciatic nerve injury

The γ-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter in the spinal cord dorsal horn plays an important role in pain modulation through primary afferent-mediated presynaptic inhibition. The weakening of γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated presynaptic inhibition may be an important cause of neuropathic pain. γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated presynaptic inhibition is related to the current strength of γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor activation. In view of this, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used here to record the change in muscimol activated current of dorsal root ganglion neurons in a chronic constriction injury model. Results found that damage in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons following application of muscimol caused concentration-dependent activation of current, and compared with the sham group, its current strength and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor protein expression decreased. Immunofluorescence revealed that γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α2 subunit protein expression decreased and was most obvious at 12 and 15 days after modeling. Our experimental findings confirmed that the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α2 subunit in the chronic constriction injury model rat dorsal root ganglion was downregulated, which may be one of the reasons for the reduction of injury in dorsal root ganglion neurons following muscimol-activated currents.

[Niflumic acid relaxes mesenteric small artery through downregulating connexin 43 expression in smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rat]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact of niflumic acid (NFA) on connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in smooth muscle cells of mesenteric small artery from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

Blood pressure of Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was measured by the tail cuff method. Relaxation and contraction of mesenteric small artery from Wistar rat and SHR were evaluated by pressure myograph system under various concentrations of NFA. Protein Cx43 expression on primary cultured mesenteric smooth muscle cells from Wistar rats and SHR was detected in the absence and presence of various NFA concentrations by Western blot.

RESULTS

Phenylephrine resulted in mesenteric small arteries contraction [(193 ± 13.5) µm], while NFA (3×10(-4) mol/L) could relax the artery [(275 ± 17.1) µm]. The relaxation response in Wistar rats was significantly stronger than that in SHR (P < 0.05). Cx43 expression of the first level branch and the third branch mesenteric artery of SHR were higher than the corresponding branch vessels of Wistar rats, and the Cx43 expression of the third branches of mesenteric artery was higher than that of the first branch (F = 1 014.43, P < 0.01). Cx43 expression in primary cultured mesenteric smooth muscle cells was significantly downregulated post NFA treatment in a concentration dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

In the SHR mesenteric small arteries, Cx43 may be involved in smooth muscle cells communication, thereby affecting vascular contraction and relaxation responses.NFA could downregulate the expression of Cx43 in SHR mesenteric artery vascular smooth muscle cells and induce vasodilation.

The effects of x-ray radiation on the eye development of zebrafish

The toxic effects of x-ray radiation on eye development was measured using zebrafish as a model organism. Zebrafish embryos at 8 h post-fertilization (hpf) were irradiated using X-rays at doses of 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gy. At 24 and 48 hpf, x-ray radiation induced a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and cell apoptotic signals. Both of these increases were dose dependent and there were significant positive relationships between them at 24 hpf. At 48 and 72 hpf, the increase of ROS concentration can be eliminated by increasing activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Although the ROS generated by x-ray radiation caused a significant increase in cell apoptosis at 24 and 48 hpf, the cellular layers of the retina and lens formation in the irradiated groups were not significantly disrupted at 144 hpf compared with the control group, with the exception of a heterogeneous distribution of the cells in inner nuclear cell layer and a significant decrease in the diameters of whole eyes after 8 Gy irradiation. X-Ray radiation at later stages of gastrulation may not cause distinct optic complications; however, there is still a risk of microophthalmia at high doses of irradiation.

Usefulness of 3T diffusion-weighted MRI for discrimination of reactive and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To study the diagnostic accuracy of 3T diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) for the discrimination of reactive and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

DW T1 and T2 weighted MRI was performed in 25 patients with biopsy-proved primary oral squamous cell carcinoma. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of 30 histopathologically proved reactive lymph nodes and 21 histopathologically proved metastatic lymph nodes were compared using an unpaired t-test. A cut-off ADC value with optimal diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve in discrimination of the two groups was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The mean ADC values of reactive lymph node and metastatic lymph node groups were (1.037 ± 0.149) × 10(-3) and (0.702 ± 0.197) × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1), respectively. A statistically significant difference in ADC values of the two groups was certified (p < 0.0001). An optimal ADC threshold value of 0.887 × 10(-3) mm(2) s(-1) was suggested as the cut-off point, which resulted in 93.33% sensitivity, 80.95% specificity, 88.20% accuracy and area under curve of 0.887.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary study indicates that the addition of 3T DW-MRI may be useful for discriminating between reactive lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, larger studies are still required to validate our results and to standardize this imaging technique for daily clinical practice.

Online learning control by association and reinforcement

This paper focuses on a systematic treatment for developing a generic online learning control system based on the fundamental principle of reinforcement learning or more specifically neural dynamic programming. This online learning system improves its performance over time in two aspects: 1) it learns from its own mistakes through the reinforcement signal from the external environment and tries to reinforce its action to improve future performance; and 2) system states associated with the positive reinforcement is memorized through a network learning process where in the future, similar states will be more positively associated with a control action leading to a positive reinforcement. A successful candidate of online learning control design is introduced. Real-time learning algorithms is derived for individual components in the learning system. Some analytical insight is provided to give guidelines on the learning process took place in each module of the online learning control system.

Principle component feature detector for motor cortical control

Principle component analysis (PCA) was performed on recorded neuronal action potentials from neural ensembles in rat's motor cortex when the rat was involved in a closed-loop real-time brain machine interface (BCI). The implanted rat was placed in a conditioning chamber, but freely moving, to decide which one of the two paddles should be activated to shift the light to the center. It is found that the principle component feature vectors revealed the importance of individual neurons and their temporal dynamics in relation to the intention of activating either left or right paddle. In addition, the first principle component feature has much higher discriminative capability than others although it represents only a few percentage of the total variance. Using the first principle component with the Bayes classifier achieved 90% classification accuracy, which is comparable with the accuracy obtained by a more sophisticated high performance support vector classifiers.