Multiple-Emitting Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework as an Array-on-a-MOF for Rapid Screening and Discrimination of Nitroaromatics

Fluorescence array technologies have attracted great interest in the sensing field because of their high sensitivity, low cost, and capability of multitarget detection. However, traditional array sensing relies on multiple independent sensors and thus often requires time-consuming and laborious measurement processes. Herein, we introduce a novel fluorescence array strategy of the array-on-a-metal-organic framework (MOF), which integrates multiple array elements into a single MOF matrix to achieve facile sensing and discrimination of multiple target analytes. As a proof-of-concept system, we constructed a luminescent MOF containing three different emitting channels, including a lanthanide ion (europium/Eu3+, red emission), a fluorescent dye (7-hydroxycoumarin-4-acetic acid/HCAA, blue emission), and the MOF itself (UiO-66-type MOF, blue-violet emission). Five structurally similar nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) were chosen as the targets. All three channels of the array-on-a-MOF displayed rapid and stable fluorescence quenching responses to NACs (response equilibrium achieved within 30 s). Different responses were generated for each channel against each NAC due to the various quenching mechanisms, including photoinduced electron transfer, energy competition, and the inner filter effect. Using linear discriminant analysis, the array-on-a-MOF successfully distinguished the five NACs and their mixtures at varying concentrations and demonstrated good sensitivity to quantify individual NACs (detect limit below the advisory concentration in drinking water). Moreover, the array also showed feasibility in the sensing and discrimination of multiple NACs in real water samples. The proposed "array-on-a-MOF" strategy simplifies multitarget discrimination procedures and holds great promise for various sensing applications.

[Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis.

METHODS

Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay.

RESULTS

Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

Nano-Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds Loaded with Bioactive Factors and Drugs for Bone Tissue Engineering

Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) is similar to human bone mineral in structure and biochemistry and is, therefore, widely used as bone biomaterial and a drug carrier. Further, n-HAp composite scaffolds have a great potential role in bone regeneration. Loading bioactive factors and drugs onto n-HAp composites has emerged as a promising strategy for bone defect repair in bone tissue engineering. With local delivery of bioactive agents and drugs, biological materials may be provided with the biological activity they lack to improve bone regeneration. This review summarizes classification of n-HAp composites, application of n-HAp composite scaffolds loaded with bioactive factors and drugs in bone tissue engineering and the drug loading methods of n-HAp composite scaffolds, and the research direction of n-HAp composite scaffolds in the future is prospected.

Three Novel Structural Variations at MHC and IL12B Predisposing to Psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Structural variations (SVs, defined as DNA variants ≥50 bp) have been associated with various complex human diseases. However, research to screen the whole genome for SVs predisposing to psoriasis is still lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association of SVs and psoriasis.

METHODS

We performed a genome-wide screen on SVs using an imputation method on 5 independent cohorts with 45,386 subjects from the Chinese Han population. Fine mapping analysis, genetic interaction analysis and RNA expression analysis were conducted to explore the mechanism of SVs.

RESULTS

We obtained 4,535 SVs in total and identified 2 novel deletions (esv3608550, OR=2.73, P<2.00×10^-308 ; esv3608542, OR=0.47, P=7.40×10^-28 ) at 6q21.33 (MHC), 1 novel Alu element insertion (esv3607339, OR=1.22, P=1.18×10^-35 ) at 5q33.3 (IL12B), and confirmed 1 previously reported deletion (esv3587563, OR=1.30, P=9.52×10^-60 ) at 1q21.2 (LCE) for psoriasis. Fine mapping analysis including SNPs and small Insertions/Deletions (InDels) revealed that esv3608550 and esv3608542 were independently associated with psoriasis, and a novel independent SNP (rs9378188, OR=1.65, P=3.46×10^-38 ) was identified at 6q21.33. By genetic interaction analysis and RNA expression analysis, we speculate that the association of 2 deletions at 6q21.33 with psoriasis might relate to their influence on the expression of HLA-C.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study constructed the most comprehensive SV map for psoriasis thus far and enriched the genetic architecture and pathogenesis of psoriasis as well as highlighted the nonnegligible impact of SVs on complex diseases.

ZNF424 Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Proliferation in Lung Carcinoma Cells

Background:

Previously, we showed that the Zinc finger-containing transcription factor ZNF424 inhibits p21 transcription, which has been widely associated with various cancers. However, because the roles of ZNF424 in tumorigenesis have not been characterized, we correlated ZNF424 expression with tumorigenesis in lung cancer.

Results:

The present immunohistochemical analyses show significantly lower ZNF424 expression levels in 43 of 60 lung cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues. Moreover, flow cytometry assays indicated that overexpression of ZNF424 induces apoptosis in A549 human lung carcinoma cells, and overexpression of ZNF424 significantly increases numbers of G1 phase cells and decreases numbers of S phase cells, suggesting that ZNF424 inhibits proliferation. Western Blot analyses show that overexpression of ZNF424 decreases protein expression levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling proteins P-P38 and P-ERK in A549 cells.

Conclusion:

These are the first data to associate ZNF424 with tumorigenesis and demonstrate an inhibitory role in lung cancer, indicating the potential of ZNF424 expression as a diagnostic marker of lung tumorigenesis.

[SIVA1 Regulates the Stability of Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein 3 Isoforms]

The assembly of LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcriptional complex plays important roles in early neuronal development. The stability of LIM-HD is controlled by single-strand binding protein 3 (SSBP3) via a cascade mechanism protecting it from proteasomal degradation. The expression level of SSBP3 has to be precisely regulated. Although a decrease of SSBP3 level is associated with several diseases, the mechanism of SSBP3 downregulation and whether SSBP3 itself is subject to proteasomal degradation remain largely unknown. Two strongly conserved transcripts of the SSBP3 gene, SSBP3a and SSBP3c, were cloned from a human brain cDNA library. By RT-PCR, we show that Ssbp3c is continuously expressed in both embryonic and adult mouse brain, whereas Ssbp3a is restricted to embryonic brain tissue. By co-IP and GST pulldown assays, we identified SIVA1 as a novel SSBP3-binding factor. In a ubiquitination assay, we show that SIVA1 enhances the ubiquitination of SSBP3 and regulates its abundance. Our findings reveal the proteasomal degradation of SSBP3 for the first time and provide a rationale for an SIVAl-SSBP3-dependent mechanism for the disassembly of LIM-HD multiprotein complexes.

The bHLH Protein Nulp1 is Essential for Femur Development Via Acting as a Cofactor in Wnt Signaling in Drosophila

Background:

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein families are a large class of transcription factors, which are associated with cell proliferation, tissue differentiation, and other important development processes. We reported that the Nuclear localized protein-1 (Nulp1) might act as a novel bHLH transcriptional factor to mediate cellular functions. However, its role in development in vivo remains unknown.

Methods:

Nulp1 (dNulp1) mutants are generated by CRISPR/Cas9 targeting the Domain of Unknown Function (DUF654) in its C terminal. Expression of Wg target genes are analyzed by qRT-PCR. We use the Top-Flash luciferase reporter assay to response to Wg signaling.

Results:

Here we show that Drosophila Nulp1 (dNulp1) mutants, generated by CRISPR/Cas9 targeting the Domain of Unknown Function (DUF654) in its C terminal, are partially homozygous lethal and the rare escapers have bent femurs, which are similar to the major manifestation of congenital bent-bone dysplasia in human Stuve-Weidemann syndrome. The fly phenotype can be rescued by dNulp1 over-expression, indicating that dNulp1 is essential for fly femur development and survival. Moreover, dNulp1 overexpression suppresses the notch wing phenotype caused by the overexpression of sgg/GSK3β, an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt cascade. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analyses show that seven target genes positively regulated by Wg signaling pathway are down-regulated in response to dNulp1 knockout, while two negatively regulated Wg targets are up-regulated in dNulp1 mutants. Finally, dNulp1 overexpression significantly activates the Top-Flash Wnt signaling reporter.

Conclusion:

We conclude that bHLH protein dNulp1 is essential for femur development and survival in Drosophila by acting as a positive cofactor in Wnt/Wingless signaling.

Role of Zebrafish fhl1A in Satellite Cell and Skeletal Muscle Development

Background:

Four-and-a-half LIM domains protein 1 (FHL1) mutations are associated with human myopathies. However, the function of this protein in skeletal development remains unclear.

Methods:

Whole-mount in situ hybridization and embryo immunostaining were performed.

Results:

Zebrafish Fhl1A is the homologue of human FHL1. We showed that fhl1A knockdown causes defective skeletal muscle development, while injection with fhl1A mRNA largely recovered the muscle development in these fhl1A morphants. We also demonstrated that fhl1A knockdown decreases the number of satellite cells. This decrease in satellite cells and the emergence of skeletal muscle abnormalities were associated with alterations in the gene expression of myoD, pax7, mef2ca and skMLCK. We also demonstrated that fhl1A expression and retinoic acid (RA) signalling caused similar skeletal muscle development phenotypes. Moreover, when treated with exogenous RA, endogenous fhl1A expression in skeletal muscles was robust. When treated with DEAB, an RA signalling inhibitor which inhibits the activity of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase, fhl1A was downregulated.

Conclusion:

fhl1A functions as an activator in regulating the number of satellite cells and in skeletal muscle development. The role of fhl1A in skeletal myogenesis is regulated by RA signaling.

Value of two-cycle docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Various studies have investigated laryngeal function and survival after induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma, but potential factors to help predict response rates after induction chemotherapy remain unknown. This retro- spective study evaluated which factors are related to an ineffective response to two-cycle docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluoro- uracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma to determine potential candidates for this treatment in clinical practice. From Jan 2005 to Dec 2015, 81 patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on a pathological examination were analyzed. They were administered two-cycle TPF induction chemotherapy, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after induction chemotherapy. The mean survival time was 5.7 years (95% confidence interval, 5.1-6.2 years). The 1, 3, 5 and 6-year survival rates were 98.8%, 80.1%, 64.5%, and 54.2%, respectively. TPF induction chemotherapy was well tolerated; the main adverse effects resolved with symptomatic treatment. A response to TPF induction chemotherapy was associated with lymph node size, tumor grade, invasion region, T stage, and primary tumor. The following issues were significantly associated with an increasing non-response rate to two-cycle induction chemotherapy: increasing lymph node size, moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, invasion of the esophagus along with the thyroid cartilage, and primary tumor in the piriform sinus. Lymph nodes of ≥2.15 cm, moderately differenti- ated tumor grade, or thyroid cartilage invasion were the best cutoff values for patients who did not respond to induction chemotherapy. However, the initial cancer site, cancer stage, and degree of cancer differentiation were not closely related to the efficacy of induction chemotherapy.

PCL-PGLA Composite Tubular Scaffold Preparation and Biocompatibility Investigation

The objective of this paper was to fabricate a biodegradable tubular scaffold for small diameter (d < 6 mm) blood vessel tissue engineering. The tube scaffold needed a porous wall for cell attachment, proliferation and tissue regeneration with its degradation. A novel method given in this paper was to coat a porous layer of poly (∊-caprolactone) (PCL) on the outside of a poly (glycolic-colactic acid) (PGLA with GA: LA = 90:10) fiber braided tube to give a PCL-PGLA composite. The PGLA tube was fabricated using a braiding machine by inserting a Teflon tube with the desired diameter in center of the 20 spindles, which are the carriers of PGLA fibers. Changing the diameter of the Teflon tube can vary the inner diameter of a braided PGLA tube. Thermally induced phase separation method was used for PCL solution coating on the surface of the PGLA braided tube. Controlling the polymer concentration, non-solvent addition and quenching temperature generated the pore structures, with pore sizes ranging from 10–30 μm. The fibroblast cells were seeded on the tubular scaffold and cultured in vitro for the biocompatibility investigation. Histology results showed that the fibroblast cells proliferated on the interconnected pore of the PCL porous layer in 1 week.

Oncologic doses of zoledronic acid induce site specific suppression of bone modelling in rice rats

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of zoledronic acid (ZOL) on cortical bone modelling and healing of extraction sockets in the jaw bones of a rodent model. We hypothesized ZOL suppresses both the bone formation in the modelling mode in the jaw bones and alters the extraction site healing.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Rice rats were administered saline solution and two dose regimens of ZOL: 0.1 mg/kg, twice a week, for 4 weeks (n=17, saline=8 & ZOL=9) and a higher dose of 0.4 mg/kg, weekly, for 9 weeks (n=30, saline=15 & ZOL=15). Two pairs of fluorochrome bone labels were administered. Extraction of maxillary teeth was performed in maxilla. Mineral apposition rate, mineralizing surface and bone formation rate (BFR) were quantified on periodontal (PDL), alveolar and basal bone surfaces, and in the trabecular bone of proximal tibia. Bone volume (BV) was evaluated at extraction sockets. Multivariate Gaussian models were used to account for repeated measurements, and analyzes were conducted in SAS V9.3.

RESULTS

ZOL suppressed bone modelling (BFR/BS) at the PDL surfaces in the mandible (P<.05), but its effect was not significant at the periosteal surfaces of both jaws. BV for the healing sockets of ZOL treated animals was not significantly different (P=.07) compared to the saline group. ZOL suppressive effect was higher in the tibia compared to the jaws.

CONCLUSION

ZOL severely suppresses coupled remodelling in the tibia, and the suppression of bone formation in the modelling mode in the jaws demonstrates the site specific effects of ZOL in rice rats.

Cardiac Specific Overexpression of hHole Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Hypertrophic Remodeling through Inhibition of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases (ERKs) Signalling

The human Hole gene (hHole) encodes a six-transmembrane protein with 319- amino acids. Our previous study showed that hHole was strongly expressed in adult heart and may act as a suppressor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), overactivation of which contributed to pathological cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, it was observed that Hole expression was up-regulated in murine hypertrophic hearts. In a cardiac specific transgenic mouse model, it was observed that overexpression of hHole specifically in heart attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by isoproterenol (ISO), with blunted transcriptions of ERK1/2, total ERK1/2 proteins and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) levels. Furthermore, overexpression of hHole in mice by hydrodynamic tail-vein injection with hHole plamids also inhibited cardiac hypertrophy induced by ISO. Our work identified hHole as a novel repressor of cardiac hypertrophy, and provided new insights into the possible target for the prevention or treatment of cardiac diseases.

Non-immunosuppressive FTY720-derivative OSU-2S mediates reactive oxygen species-mediated cytotoxicity in canine B-cell lymphoma

OSU-2S is a FTY720 (Fingolimod) derivative that lacks immunosuppressive properties but exhibits strong anti-tumour activity in several haematological and solid tumour models. We have recently shown OSU-2S to mediate potent cytotoxicity in human mantle cell lymphoma cell lines and primary cells. We report here the pre-clinical activity of OSU-2S in spontaneous B-cell lymphoma of dogs which shares many characteristics of human lymphoma. OSU-2S mediated apoptosis in canine B-cell lines and primary B-cell lymphoma cells obtained from spontaneous lymphoma bearing dogs. OSU-2S induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in canine lymphoma cells and inhibition of ROS partially rescued OSU-2S-mediated cell death. These studies provide a rational basis for the use of spontaneous lymphoma in pet dogs as a preclinical large animal model for the development of OSU-2S as small molecule for treating people and dogs with lymphoma.

A simplified method of walking track analysis to assess short-term locomotor recovery after acute spinal cord injury caused by thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a simplified method of walking track analysis to assess treatment outcome in canine spinal cord injury. Measurements of stride length (SL) and base of support (BS) were made using a 'finger painting' technique for footprint analysis in all limbs of 20 normal dogs and 27 dogs with 28 episodes of acute thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by spontaneous intervertebral disc extrusion. Measurements were determined at three separate time points in normal dogs and on days 3, 10 and 30 following decompressive surgery in dogs with SCI. Values for SL, BS and coefficient of variance (COV) for each parameter were compared between groups at each time point. Mean SL was significantly shorter in all four limbs of SCI-affected dogs at days 3, 10, and 30 compared to normal dogs. SL gradually increased toward normal in the 30 days following surgery. As measured by this technique, the COV-SL was significantly higher in SCI-affected dogs than normal dogs in both thoracic limbs (TL) and pelvic limbs (PL) only at day 3 after surgery. BS-TL was significantly wider in SCI-affected dogs at days 3, 10 and 30 following surgery compared to normal dogs. These findings support the use of footprint parameters to compare locomotor differences between normal and SCI-affected dogs, and to assess recovery from SCI. Additionally, our results underscore important changes in TL locomotion in thoracolumbar SCI-affected dogs.

von Frey anesthesiometry to assess sensory impairment after acute spinal cord injury caused by thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs

Sensory threshold (ST) was measured using an electric von Frey anesthesiometer (VFA) in all limbs of 20 normal dogs and 29 dogs with acute thoracolumbar spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by spontaneous intervertebral disc extrusion. ST values were measured at three separate time points in normal dogs and on days 3, 10 and 30 following decompressive surgery in dogs with SCI. ST values were compared between groups and correlated with locomotor recovery in SCI-affected dogs. ST values were significantly higher (consistent with hypoalgesia) in the pelvic limbs of SCI-affected dogs at day 3, day 10 and day 30 when compared to normal dogs (P <0.05), while no significant difference in thoracic limb ST values was observed between groups. A progressive decrease in pelvic limb ST values occurred in SCI-affected dogs over time, consistent with improvement toward normal sensation or development of allodynia. This finding correlated inversely with locomotor score at 3 and 10 days after surgery. A significant decline in ST values across testing sessions was observed for all limbs of normal and SCI-affected dogs and may be related to patient acclimation, operator training effect, or effect of analgesic medications. This study supports the feasibility of VFA to assess differences in ST between normal and SCI-affected dogs. However, future studies must focus on techniques to minimize or compensate for clinical, environmental and behavioral factors which may impact ST values in the clinical setting.

Inhibitory Effect of Berberine on Zeste Homolog 2 (Ezh2) Enhancement in Human Esophageal Cell Lines

Purpose: To investigate the inhibitory effect of berberine treatment on enhancement of zeste of homolog 2 (Ezh2) expressions in KYSE450 human esophageal cancer cells.Methods: Transwell motility chambers were used to analyze cell migration and invasion. Bio-Rad protein assay was used for the determination of protein concentration. Chemiluminescence with ECL system was employed for the detection of protein bands as per the manufacturer’s protocol. Staining was carried out with Alexa-Fluor 647 mouse anti-BrdU antibody. Flow cytometry was performed after adding DAPI. Annexin-V/DAPI staining and flow cytometry were used for the quantification of apoptotic cell death. Total RNA was isolated from KYSE450 cells using an RNA isolation kit.Results: Berberine-induced inhibition of Ezh2 expression led to inhibition of cell proliferation by G1 phase cell cycle arrest and induced anti-invasive properties of KYSE450 cells in Boyden chamber assays. There was 92 % reduction in invasive tendency of KYSE450 cells following treatment with berberine. Histone  methylation inhibitor, 3-deazaneoplanocin A (DZNep), also led to a similar effect on cell proliferation of KYSE450 cells. Berberine treatment also resulted in strong transcriptional reduction of the AXL receptor kinase. The results of qRT-PCR and FACS analyses showed significant inhibition of AXL mRNA and protein expression in KYSE450 carcinoma cells after treatment with berberine.Conclusion: Berberine may be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma.Keywords: Berberine, Histone methylation inhibitor, Anti-invasive, Cell proliferation, Human Esophageal cancer

Association between cytosolic expression of BRCA1 and metastatic risk in breast cancer

Background:

Although BRCA1 has been extensively studied for its role as a tumour-suppressor protein, the role of BRCA1 subcellular localisation in oncogenesis and tumour progression has remained unclear. This study explores the impact of BRCA1 mislocalisation on clinical outcomes in breast cancer.

Methods:

Tissue microarrays assembled from a cohort of patients with all stages of breast cancer were analysed for BRCA1 localisation and correlated with patient survival. Tissue microarrays of patients who had breast cancer that had metastasised to the lung were assembled from an independent cohort of patients. These were analysed for BRCA1 subcellular expression. In vitro studies using cultured human breast cancer cells were conducted to examine the effect of cytosolic BRCA1 on cell migration and efficiency of invasion.

Results:

An inverse association was found between cytosolic BRCA1 expression and metastasis-free survival in patients aged >40 years. Further analysis of BRCA1 subcellular expression in a cohort of breast cancer patients with metastatic disease revealed that the cytosolic BRCA1 content of breast tumours that had metastasised to the lung was 36.0% (95% CI=(31.7%, 40.3%), which was markedly higher than what is reported in the literature (8.2–14.8%). Intriguingly, these lung metastases and their corresponding primary breast tumours demonstrated similarly high cytosolic BRCA1 distributions in both paired and unpaired analyses. Finally, in vitro studies using human breast cancer cells demonstrated that genetically induced BRCA1 cytosolic sequestration (achieved using the cytosol-sequestering BRCA1 5382insC mutation) increased cell invasion efficiency.

Conclusions:

Results from this study suggest a model where BRCA1 cytosolic mislocalisation promotes breast cancer metastasis, making it a potential biomarker of metastatic disease.

PTPROt-mediated regulation of p53/Foxm1 suppresses leukemic phenotype in a CLL mouse model

The gene encoding PTPROt is methylated and suppressed in Chronic Lymphocytc Leukemia. PTPROt exhibits in vitro tumor suppressor characteristics through the regulation of B-cell receptor signaling. Here, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice with B-cell specific expression of PTPROt. While lymphocyte development is normal in these mice, crossing them with TCL1 Tg mouse model of CLL results in a survival advantage compared to the TCL1 Tg mice. Gene expression profiling of splenic B-lymphocytes before detectable signs of CLL followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the most prominently regulated functions in TCL1 Tg vs non-transgenic (NTg) and TCL1 Tg vs PTPROt/TCL1 double Tg are the same and also biologically relevant to this study. Further, enhanced expression of the chemokine Ccl3, the oncogenic transcription factor Foxm1 and its targets in TCL1 Tg mice were significantly suppressed in the double Tg mice suggesting a protective function of PTPROt against leukemogenesis. This study also showed that PTPROt mediated regulation of Foxm1 involves activation of p53, a transcriptional repressor of Foxm1, which is facilitated through suppression of B-cell receptor signaling. These results establish the in vivo tumor suppressive function of PTPROt, and identify p53/Foxm1 axis as a key downstream effect of PTPROt-mediated suppression of BCR signaling.

Tumor antigen ROR1 targeted drug delivery mediated selective leukemic but not normal B-cell cytotoxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells without compromising their normal counterparts pose a huge challenge for traditional drug design. Here we developed a tumor antigen targeted delivery of immunonanoparticle carrying a novel non-immunosuppressive FTY720 derivative OSU-2S with potent cytotoxicity against leukemic B cells. OSU-2S induces activation of protein phosphatase 2A, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SHP1^S591 and deregulation of multiple cellular processes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) resulting in potent cytotoxicity. To preclude OSU-2S mediated effects on these ubiquitous phosphatases in unintended cells and avoid potential adverse effects we developed a OSU-2S targeted delivery immunonanoparticles (2A2-OSU-2S-ILP), that mediated selective cytotoxicity of CLL but not normal B cells through targeting receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1 expressed in leukemic but not normal B cells. Developing a novel spontaneous CLL mouse model expressing human ROR1 (hROR1) in all leukemic B cells, we demonstrate the therapeutic benefit of enhanced survival with 2A2-OSU-2S-ILP in-vivo. The newly developed non-immunosuppressive OSU-2S, its delivery using human CLL directed immunonanoparticles and the novel transgenic mouse model of CLL that expresses hROR1 exclusively in leukemic B cell surface are highly innovative and can be applied to CLL and other ROR1+ malignancies including mantle cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.