Terminally differentiated cytotoxic CD4+ T cells were clonally expanded in the brain lesion of radiation-induced brain injury

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence supports the involvement of adaptive immunity in the development of radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI). Our previous work has emphasized the cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells in RIBI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence and potential roles of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells (CD4+ CTLs) in RIBI to gain a more comprehensive understanding of adaptive immunity in this context.

MAIN TEXT

Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we analyzed 3934 CD4+ T cells from the brain lesions of four RIBI patients and identified six subclusters within this population. A notable subset, the cytotoxic CD4+ T cells (CD4+ CTLs), was marked with high expression of cytotoxicity-related genes (NKG7, GZMH, GNLY, FGFBP2, and GZMB) and several chemokine and chemokine receptors (CCL5, CX3CR1, and CCL4L2). Through in-depth pseudotime analysis, which simulates the development of CD4+ T cells, we observed that the CD4+ CTLs exhibited signatures of terminal differentiation. Their functions were enriched in protein serine/threonine kinase activity, GTPase regulator activity, phosphoprotein phosphatase activity, and cysteine-type endopeptidase activity involved in the apoptotic signaling pathway. Correspondingly, mice subjected to gamma knife irradiation on the brain showed a time-dependent infiltration of CD4+ T cells, an increase of MHCII+ cells, and the existence of CD4+ CTLs in lesions, along with an elevation of apoptotic-related proteins. Finally, and most crucially, single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing (scTCR-seq) analysis at the patient level determined a large clonal expansion of CD4+ CTLs in lesion tissues of RIBI. Transcriptional factor-encoding genes TBX21, RORB, and EOMES showed positive correlations with the cytotoxic functions of CD4+ T cells, suggesting their potential to distinguish RIBI-related CD4+ CTLs from other subsets.

CONCLUSION

The present study enriches the understanding of the transcriptional landscape of adaptive immune cells in RIBI patients. It provides the first description of a clonally expanded CD4+ CTL subset in RIBI lesions, which may illuminate new mechanisms in the development of RIBI and offer potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the disease.

Amifostine-Loaded Nanocarrier Traverses the Blood-Brain Barrier and Prevents Radiation-Induced Brain Injury

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a severe, irreversible, or even life-threatening cerebral complication of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors, and there is no satisfying prevention and effective treatment available for these patients. Amifostine (AMF) is a well-known free radical scavenger with demonstrated effectiveness in preventing radiation-induced toxicity. However, the limited permeability of AMF across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) when administered intravenously reduces the effectiveness of AMF in preventing RIBI. Herein, we construct a nanoparticle (NP) platform for BBB delivery of AMF. AMF is conjugated with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-n-[poly(ethylene glycol)]-hydroxy succinamide [DSPE-PEG-NHS, PEG M 2000], and the product is DSPE-PEG-AMF. Then, the nanoparticles (DAPP NPs) were formed by self-assembly of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), DSPE-PEG-AMF, and polysorbate 80 (PS 80). PEG shields the nanoparticles from blood clearance by the reticuloendothelial system and lengthens the drug circulation time. PS 80 is used to encapsulate nanoparticles for medication delivery to the brain. The results of our study showed that DAPP NPs were able to effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in healthy C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, in a well-established mouse model of X-knife-induced brain injury, treatment with DAPP NPs (corresponding to 250 mg/kg AMF) was found to significantly reduce the volume of brain necrosis compared to mice treated with AMF (250 mg/kg). Importantly, the use of DAPP NPs was also shown to significantly mitigate the effects of radiation-induced neuronal damage and glial activation. This work presents a convenient brain-targeted AMF delivery system to achieve effective radioprotection for the brain, providing a promising strategy with tremendous clinical translation potential.

MRI Signal Intensity and Electron Ultrastructure Classification Predict the Long-Term Outcome of Skull Base Chordomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MR imaging is a useful and widely used evaluation for chordomas. Prior studies have classified chordomas into cell-dense type and matrix-rich type according to the ultrastructural features. However, the relationship between the MR imaging signal intensity and ultrastructural classification is unknown. We hypothesized that MR imaging signal intensity may predict both tumor ultrastructural classification and prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-nine patients with skull base chordomas who underwent 95 operations were included in this retrospective single-center series. Preoperative tumor-to-pons MR imaging signal intensity ratios were calculated and designated as ratio on T1 FLAIR sequence (R_T1), ratio on T2 sequence (R_T2), and ratio on enhanced T1 FLAIR sequence (R_EN), respectively. We assessed the relationships among signal intensity ratios, ultrastructural classification, and survival.

RESULTS

Compared with the matrix-rich type group, the cell-dense type chordomas showed lower R_T2 (cell-dense type: 1.90 ± 0.38; matrix-rich type: 2.61 ± 0.60 P < .001). The model of predicting cell-dense type based on R_T2 had an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92). In patients without radiation therapy, both progression-free survival (P = .003) and overall survival (P = .002) were longer in the matrix-rich type group than in the cell-dense type group. R_EN was a risk factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 10.24; 95% CI, 1.73-60.79); R_T2 was a protective factor for overall survival (hazard ratio  = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.87); and R_EN was a risk factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 4.76; 95% CI, 1.51-15.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in MR imaging signal intensity in chordomas can be explained by electron microscopic features. Both signal intensity ratios and electron microscopic features may be prognostic factors.

[Texture analysis of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to identify atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis]

Objective: To investigate the value of texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) and dysplastic nodules (DNs) in liver cirrhosis. Methods: Data of 59 cases with atypical enhancement and solitary cirrhotic nodule (≤2 cm) confirmed by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI and surgical pathology specimen were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 37 cases were of atypically enhanced sHCC and 22 cases of DNS. The DWI signal characteristics of the lesions were analyzed to measure the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the lesions, and the ADC ratio of the lesion to the liver parenchyma. MaZda software was used to manually draw the region of interest to extract the texture parameters of DWI lesions. The three sets (combination of Fisher coefficient, classification of error probability combined with average correlation coefficient and interactive information) were used to select the thirty optimal texture parameters. Raw data analysis (RDA), principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and non-linear discriminant analysis (NDA) were performed for texture classification. The difference of ADC value and ADC ratio between sHCC and DNS group was compared by independent sample t-test, and χ2 test was used to compare the count data (or rate). ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI high-signal in the identification of atypically enhanced sHCC and DNs were 94.6% (35/37), 68.2% (15/22), and 84.7% (50/59), respectively. The ADC ratio of atypically enhanced sHCC was significantly lower than DNs, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 2.99, P = 0.002). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of atypically enhanced sHCC were 73.0% (27/37), 72.7% (16/22) and 72.9% (43/59), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI texture analysis in diagnosing atypically enhanced sHCC were 94.6% (35/37), 95.5% (21/22) and 94.9% (56/59).The diagnostic efficiency of DWI texture analysis (AUC = 0.94) was significantly higher than DWI high-signal (AUC = 0.81) and ADC ratio (AUC = 0.72). Conclusion: The texture analysis based on DWI can identify atypically enhanced sHCC and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis, and its efficacy is better than qualitative and quantitative DWI.

Melatonin inhibits cell growth and migration, but promotes apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line, SGC7901

The pineal hormone, melatonin (MLT), has been shown to have therapeutic effects in patients with gastric cancer; however, the mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects are unknown. We investigated the effects of melatonin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, colony formation and cell migration in the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, SGC7901, using MTT assay, Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, western blot, caspase-3 activity assay, soft agar colony formation assay, and scratch-wound assay. Our results showed that melatonin could inhibit cell proliferation, colony formation and migration efficiency, and it promoted apoptosis of SGC7901 cells. Our findings suggest that the anti-cancer effects of melatonin may be due to both inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and reduction of the metastatic potential of tumor cells.

Expression of estrogen receptor α and growth factors in human prolactinoma and its correlation with clinical features and gender

BACKGROUND

Many studies demonstrate that growth factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of prolactinoma induced by estrogen. The effects of estrogen are mainly mediated through its nuclear receptor (ERα); however, expression of ERα and growth factors in prolactinoma and healthy pituitary and their relationship remain obscure.

AIM

To obtain new insights regarding the expression differences of these factors and their relationship and to investigate the correlation between gender and clinical features in patients with prolactinoma.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 21 human prolactinomas and 6 healthy human pituitaries were examined for mRNA expression of ERα, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor α (TGFα), TGFβ1, TGFβ3, and TGFβ receptor type II (TGFβRII) by means of real-time PCR. Patient clinical data was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Both PRL level and tumor volume of the male patient group were higher than that of the female patient group. There was a significant correlation between PRL level and tumor volume in the total patient group. Expression of ERα, bFGF, TGFα, and TGFβ3 mRNA levels of the patient group were significantly different from that of the control group. A significant correlation between ERα mRNA levels and PRL levels, tumor volume, TGFβ1 mRNA levels in the total patient group were found.

CONCLUSIONS

PRL level and tumor volume have a significant difference between genders in prolactinoma patients. ERα and some growth factors may be involved in the tumorigenesis of prolactinoma. ERα could potentially be an effective therapy target for treating prolactinoma.

Analysis of differential gene expression by bead-based fiber-optic array in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are relatively common, accounting for 30% of all pituitary adenomas; however, their pathogenesis remains enigmatic. To explore the possible pathogenesis of NFPAs, we used fiber-optic BeadArray to examine gene expression in 5 NFPAs compared with 3 normal pituitaries. 4 differentially expressed genes were chosen randomly for validation by reverse transcriptase-real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We then analyzed the differentially expressed gene profile with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The array analysis indentified significant increases in the expression of 1,402 genes and 383 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and decreases in 1,697 genes and 113 ESTs in the NFPAs. Bioinformatic and pathway analysis showed that the genes HIGD1B, FAM5C, PMAIP1 and the pathway cell-cycle regulation may play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression of NFPAs. Our data suggest fiber-optic BeadArray combined with pathway analysis of differential gene expression profile appears to be a valid approach for investigating the pathogenesis of tumors.

Population aging and the need for long term care: a comparison of the United States and the People's Republic of China

Both developing and major developed countries of the world are facing the global aging of their citizenry. The United States and the People's Republic of China each share in this phenomenon. The rapid growth of their aging populations comes as both countries are experiencing a sustained period of economic stability with an accompanying drop in fertility rates (Coale & Watkins 1986; Dyson & Murphy 1985). Together with longer expected life spans in both countries, these factors have caused a shift in the population structure which will result in increasingly large portions of the population who will potentially require assistance with ADL's and/or long term care (Olson 1990; Kennedy, LaPlante & Kaye 1997). The careful assessment and interpretation of available data to define the actual extent of need should be part of a process to help guide each country as they prepare for the future.

A new elderly support system in rural areas in Shanghai

"In early 1987, we started an experiment in the rural areas in Shanghai suburbs on how to replace the elderly support system then in effect, which was funded by the community, with one that was to be jointly supported by the State, the community and private individuals. The two-year experiment has yielded a new elderly support system applicable to China's rural areas that have a more developed economy and a fairly large number of collectively owned township enterprises.... This article gives a brief introduction to the economic and social background and characteristics of the system."

[Effect of kidney replenishing Chinese herbs on insulin-like growth factor-1 and its receptor in androgen induced sterile rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Kidney replenishing Chinese herbs (KRCH) on insulin-like growth factor-1 and its receptor (IGF-1/IGF-1R) in androgen induced sterile rats (ASR).

METHODS

ASR model was set up and screened by vaginal smear. The level of serum IGF-1 was detected by radioimmunoassay, and IGF-1R by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS

(1) Serum IGF-1 level in model rats group > model rats treated with KRCH group > normal control group, but no statistical difference was found among them. KRCH could lower the level of serum IGF-1. (2) Level of IGF-1R in pancreas, liver, ovary and adrenal gland showed an opposite sequence to that of serum IGF-1.

CONCLUSION

ASR shows a high IGF-1 level in serum and low IGF-1R level in main target organs, and KRCH could adjust the levels in certain degree. From this, it is inferred that the ovulation effect of KRCH on ASR may come true partly by adjusting the level of IGF-1/IGF-1R.

[Effect of kidney yin-yang replenishing Chinese herbs on the binding character of insulin receptor on hepatocyte membrane in androgen-induced sterility rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Kidney Yin-Yang replenishing Chinese herbs on the binding character of insulin receptor (IR) on hepatocyte membrane from androgen-induced sterility rats (ASR).

METHODS

The number and affinity of IR on hepatocyte membrane of ASR were determined with radioligand binding assay.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference of the number or affinity for both high and low affinity sites of IR between normal and ASR.

CONCLUSION

The treatment with Kidney Yin-Yang replenishing Chinese herbs had no effect on insulin binding although a relatively high rate of ovulation induction on ASR was observed.

A survey report on the life cycle of the Chinese elderly

"In August 1992...the Chinese-Japanese Survey Group on the Life Cycle of the Elderly conducted a sample survey on the life experience and status quo of the elderly in Zhejiang Province and the City of Shanghai, which covered 1,583 urban and rural elderly at or above the age of 60....[The aim was to] not only help change the attitudes towards reproduction among women at child-bearing age, but also contribute to a well-drafted development program for the elderly care system in China so as to prepare the country for the situation after the 2020s when the parents of only children become senior citizens."

A survey analysis of the status of influent reproductive age women in Shanghai--a survey report

Characteristics of the female transient population of reproductive age in Shanghai, China, are assessed using data from an October 1988 survey. "Not only did this survey supply large quantities of basic data on the floating population for the Shanghai government and related departments, but [it] was also very enlightening for our research into how to make a good job of family planning administration for China's urban-rural floating population."

Elderly populations in the Jingan district of Shanghai and the special districts of Tokyo: a comparative analysis

"The present paper is a comparative analysis of part of the survey of the elderly population conducted in the Jingan District of Shanghai in October 1987, and part of the survey on the social welfare (the actual living conditions) of the elderly in the special districts of Tokyo, with a view to finding the similarities and differences between the two localities.... The purpose...[is] to pinpoint certain measures adopted by Japan with respect to the aging issue that might be of interest to China." Consideration is given to marital status, family structure, number of children, health status, education, and employment. The role of family support of the elderly receives particular attention.