cDNA Microarray Assay Research Articles

The Neural Progenitor Cell-Associated Transcription Factor FoxG1 Regulates Cardiac Epicardial Cell Proliferation.

The epicardium is a layer of mesothelial cells that covers the surface of the heart. During development, epicardial cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to form multipotent precursors that migrate into the heart and contribute to the coronary vasculature by differentiating into adventitial fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Epicardial cells also provide paracrine signals to cardiac myocytes that are required for appropriate heart growth. In adult hearts, a similar process of epicardial cell EMT, migration, and differentiation occurs after myocardial infarction (MI, heart attack). Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with fibrosis, negative remodeling, and reduced cardiac function. In contrast, aerobic exercises such as swimming and running promote physiological (i.e., beneficial) hypertrophy, which is associated with angiogenesis and improved cardiac function. As epicardial cell function(s) during physiological hypertrophy are poorly understood, we analyzed and compared the native epicardial cells isolated directly from the hearts of running-exercised mice and age-matched, nonrunning littermates. To obtain epicardial cells, we enzymatically digested the surfaces of whole hearts and performed magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with antibodies against CD104 (integrin β4). By cDNA microarray assays, we identified genes with increased transcription in epicardial cells after running exercise; these included FoxG1, a transcription factor that controls neural progenitor cell proliferation during brain development and Snord116, a small noncoding RNA that coordinates expression of genes with epigenetic, circadian, and metabolic functions. In cultured epicardial cells, shRNA-mediated FoxG1 knockdown significantly decreased cell proliferation, as well as Snord116 expression. Our results demonstrate that FoxG1 regulates epicardial proliferation, and suggest it may affect cardiac remodeling.

Jumonji domain-containing protein RIOX2 is overexpressed and associated with worse survival outcomes in prostate cancers.

Histone demethylase RIOX2 was cloned as a c-Myc downstream gene involved in cell proliferation and has been implicated as an oncogenic factor in multiple tumor types. Its expression profiles and correlation with disease progression in prostate cancers are unknown. Transcriptomic profiles of Jumanji domain-containing protein genes were assessed using multiple public expression datasets generated from RNA-seq and cDNA microarray assays. RIOX2 protein expression was assessed using an immunohistochemistry approach on a tissue section array from benign and malignant prostate tissues. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using the bioinformatics software R package. Western blot assay examined androgen stimulation on RIOX2 protein expression in LNCaP cells. Among 35 Jumanji domain-containing protein genes, 12 genes were significantly upregulated in prostate cancers compared to benign compartments. COX regression analysis identified that the ribosomal oxygenase 2 (RIOX2) gene was the only one significantly associated with disease-specific survival outcomes in prostate cancer patients. RIOX2 upregulation was confirmed at the protein levels using immunohistochemical assays on prostate cancer tissue sections. Meanwhile, RIOX2 upregulation was associated with clinicopathological features, including late-stage diseases, adverse Gleason scores, TP53 gene mutation, and disease-free status. In castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPC), RIOX2 expression was positively correlated with AR signaling index but negatively correlated with the neuroendocrinal progression index. However, androgen treatment had no significant stimulatory effect on RIOX2 expression, indicating a parallel but not a causative effect of androgen signaling on RIOX2 gene expression. Further analysis discovered that RIOX2 expression was tightly correlated with its promoter hypomethylation and MYC gene expression, consistent with the notion that RIOX2 was a c-Myc target gene. The Jumanji domain-containing protein RIOX2 was significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer, possibly due to c-Myc upregulation. RIOX2 upregulation was identified as an independent prognostic factor for disease-specific survival.

Hypoxia-Induced Oxidative Stress Promotes Proteasome Inhibitor Resistance Via Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Multiple Myeloma

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematopoietic malignancy for which proteasome inhibitors have become available in recent years. However, many patients develop resistance to these drugs during treatment. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms underlying resistance acquisition by proteasome inhibitors. Side population (SP) cells, which have a high drug efflux capacity, as well as hypoxic responses in the microenvironment, have both provided important insights into drug resistance in MM; however, little is known about the characteristics of SP cells in hypoxic microenvironments. Aim and Methods To find novel therapeutic target for drug resistant MM cells, the SP cells and non-SP cells of MM cell lines (RPMI-8226 and KMS-11) were sorted for normoxic and hypoxic cultures (1% O2) for 48 h, respectively, and cDNA microarray assays were performed on these samples. Then, we conducted functional analysis of hypoxia-SP specific genes. Results Our comprehensive gene expression analysis identified four coding genes (HMOX1, BACH2, DUX4, and RASGEF1B) and seven non-coding genes (TUSC8, LOC101928738, lnc-WRAP73-1, LINC-PINT, LINC01004, MIR146A, and lnc-FAM133B-1) that are specifically highly expressed in SP cells under hypoxic conditions. Among protein-coding genes, RT-qPCR showed very low expression of BACH2 and no expression of DUX4; we decided to investigate the function of HMOX1/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in hypoxic environments. One of the functions of HO-1 is to protect cells from apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We found a significant increase in ROS under hypoxic conditions compared with normoxic conditions in MM cells, including MM patient samples. HMOX1 knockdown significantly increased ROS levels under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. These results suggest that hypoxic stress induced ROS and that HO-1 can neutralize hypoxia-induced ROS. The addition of PMA, a ROS inducer, significantly increased HMOX1/HO-1 in MM cells. Conversely, the addition of NAC, a ROS neutralizer, suppressed HMOX1/HO-1 expression under hypoxic conditions. These results suggest that HO-1 is induced in hypoxic environments by a ROS-mediated pathway. Next, we investigated the involvement of HO-1 in the effects of proteasome inhibitors in hypoxic environments. MTX assays showed that bortezomib against HMOX1 knockdown KMS-11 reduced cell viability under hypoxic rather than normoxic conditions. We transplanted HMOX1 knockdown or control KMS-11 (1×106 cells) into immunodeficient mice, injected bortezomib (1.0 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on days 14 and 18, and sacrificed the mice on day 22. There was no significant difference in subcutaneous tumor volume and weight between the control and HMOX1 knockdown cell lines, whereas HMOX1 knockdown resulted in a significant bortezomib-induced reduction in subcutaneous tumor volume and weight (p = 0.0009 and 0.0096, respectively). Lastly, we examined whether excessive levels of ROS enhance the effect of bortezomib. PMA and a low concentration of bortezomib (5 nM, which is lower than that for IC50) were added to KMS-11 and RPMI-8226, and an apoptosis assay was performed. As a result, PMA or a low concentration of bortezomib increased apoptotic cells by only a small percentage, while simultaneous exposure to both significantly increased apoptotic cells synergistically. This result indicates that excessive ROS levels enhance the anti-myeloma effect of proteasome inhibitors. Additionally, in clinical datasets, HMOX1 had a strong and significantly positive correlation with MAFB, but not MAF. We investigated whether MAFB actually regulates HMOX1 under hypoxic conditions. MAFB/MafB was induced by hypoxia even in a cell line without t(14;20) (q32;q12), such as KMS-11. Knockdown of MAFB significantly decreased HMOX1/HO-1 expression only under hypoxic condition, suggesting that MafB induction is involved in the elevated expression of HO-1 under hypoxic conditions. Conclusion We clarified the contribution of the hypoxia-ROS-HO-1 axis to proteasome inhibitor resistance in hypoxic environments. This axis might also be involved in hypoxia-induced MafB expression. Because mechanisms that reduce excessive ROS in hypoxic microenvironments are thought to be closely related to cell survival and drug resistance, targeting this mechanism may be a new strategy to overcome drug resistance in refractory MM.

TMEM158 expression is negatively regulated by AR signaling and associated with favorite survival outcomes in prostate cancers.

Membrane protein TMEM158 was initially reported as a Ras-induced gene during senescence and has been implicated as either an oncogenic factor or tumor suppressor, depending on tumor types. It is unknown if TMEM158 expression is altered in prostate cancers. Multiple public gene expression datasets from RNA-seq and cDNA microarray assays were utilized to analyze candidate gene expression profiles. TMEM158 protein expression was assessed using an immunohistochemistry approach on a tissue section array from benign and malignant prostate tissues. Comparisons of gene expression profiles were conducted using the bioinformatics software R package. COX regression-based screening identified the membrane protein TMEM158 gene as negatively associated with disease-specific and progression-free survival in prostate cancer patients. Gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels revealed that TMEM158 expression was significantly reduced in malignant tissues compared to benign compartments. Meanwhile, TMEM158 downregulation was strongly correlated with advanced clinicopathological features, including late-stage diseases, lymph node invasion, higher PSA levels, residual tumors after surgery, and adverse Gleason scores. In castration-resistant prostate cancers, TMEM158 expression was negatively correlated with AR signaling activity but positively correlated with neuroendocrinal progression index. Consistently, in cell culture models, androgen treatment reduced TMEM158 expression, while androgen deprivation led to upregulation of TMEM158 expression. Correlation analysis showed a tight correlation of TMEM158 expression with the level of R-Ras gene expression, which was also significantly downregulated in prostate cancers. Tumor immune infiltration profiling analysis discovered a strong association of TMEM158 expression with NK cell and Mast cell enrichment. The membrane protein TMEM158 is significantly downregulated in prostate cancer and is tightly associated with disease progression, anti-tumor immune infiltration, and patient survival outcome.

Yin Yang 1 regulates ITGAV and ITGB1, contributing to improved prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional transcription factor with critical roles in carcinogenesis and metastasis. However, its biological role and clinical impact in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In the present study, the function and underlying molecular mechanisms of YY1 in CRC progression were investigated. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 143 CRC tissues revealed a significant correlation of low YY1 expression with aggressive clinicopathological features, increased metastasis and recurrence and poor patient survival. Multivariate analysis identified low YY1 expression as an independent poor prognostic factor. Subsequently, the IHC of 66 paired CRC primary tumor and liver metastasis tissues revealed that low YY1 expression in the primary CRC was significantly associated with multiple liver metastases, major hepatectomy, extrahepatic metastasis and poor prognosis. In vitro experiments revealed that YY1 knockdown promoted the migration and invasion of CRC cells. To examine the downstream genes of YY1, a cDNA microarray assay was conducted and the differentially expressed genes between the YY1-knockdown and control cells were compared. Integrin alpha V (ITGAV) and integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) were identified as upregulated hub genes using gene enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analyses. Western blotting and IHC confirmed YY1 expression to be negatively correlated with ITGAV and ITGB1 expression. In summary, it was revealed that YY1, as a tumor-suppressor in CRC, contributes to the survival of patients with CRC. Low YY1 expression was associated with the poor prognosis of the patients with primary CRC and liver metastases. YY1 suppressed the expression of ITGAV and ITGB1, and this transcriptional regulation may lead to the suppression of CRC cell migration and invasion.

The effect of 4-hexylresocinol administration on SCC-9 cells: mass spectrometric identification of proteins and cDNA microarray analysis

BackgroundIn stress situations, bacteria produce dormancy-inducing factors to stop cell growth. The dormancy-inducing factors may have an inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth. Here we analyzed the differentially expressed protein profiles after 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR), one of the dormancy-inducing factors, administration using in vitro oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-9).MethodThe control group was SCC-9 cells culture without 4HR administration. The experimental group received 10 μg/mL of 4HR. Collected proteins from each group were loaded for 2D electrophoresis. Among the separated proteins, 20 differentially expressed proteins were selected and processed for LC-MS/MS.ResultsIn proteomic analysis, the expression of keratin 1, keratin 10, and histone H2B were increased. In cDNA microarray assay, the genes related to the cellular differentiation (involucrin, keratin 13, 14) were highly expressed in the 4HR treated group (fold ratio > 2.0; Table 2). Interestingly, histone family was upregulated in the cDNA microarray assay.ConclusionThe administration of 4HR on SCC-9 cells increased epithelial cell differentiation markers and histone.

Characterization and comparison of differentially expressed genes involved in Chlamydia psittaci persistent infection in vitro and in vivo

Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular zoonotic pathogen that can enter a persistence state in host cells. While the exact pathogenesis is not well understood, this persistence state may play an important role in chronic Chlamydia disease. Here, we assess the effects of chlamydial persistence state in vitro and in vivo by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cDNA microarray assays. First, IFN-γ-induced C. psittaci persistence in HeLa cells resulted in the upregulation of 68 genes. These genes are involved in protein translation, carbohydrate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, lipid metabolism and general stress. However, 109 genes were downregulated following persistent C. psittaci infection, many of which are involved in the TCA cycle, expression regulation and transcription, protein secretion, proteolysis and transport, membrane protein, presumed virulence factor, cell division and late expression. To further study differential gene expression of C. psittaci persistence in vivo, we established an experimentally tractable mouse model of C. psittaci persistence. The C. psittaci-infected mice were gavaged with either water or amoxicillin (amox), and the results indicated that the 20 mg/kg amox-exposed C. psittaci were viable but not infectious. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screened by cDNA microarray were detected, and interestingly, the results showed upregulation of three genes (euo, ahpC, prmC) and downregulation of five genes (pbp3, sucB_1, oppA_4, pmpH, ligA) in 20 mg/kg amox-exposed C. psittaci, which suggests that antibiotic treatment in vivo can induce chlamydial persistence state and lead to differential gene expression. However, the discrepancy on inducers between the two models requires more research to supplement. The results may help researchers better understand survival advantages during persistent infection and mechanisms influencing C. psittaci pathogenesis or evasion of the adaptive immune response.

BrEXLB1, a Brassica rapa Expansin-Like B1 Gene is Associated with Root Development, Drought Stress Response, and Seed Germination.

Expansins are structural proteins prevalent in cell walls, participate in cell growth and stress responses by interacting with internal and external signals perceived by the genetic networks of plants. Herein, we investigated the Brassica rapa expansin-like B1 (BrEXLB1) interaction with phytohormones (IAA, ABA, Ethephon, CK, GA3, SA, and JA), genes (Bra001852, Bra001958, and Bra003006), biotic (Turnip mosaic Virus (TuMV), Pectobacterium carotovorum, clubroot disease), and abiotic stress (salt, oxidative, osmotic, and drought) conditions by either cDNA microarray or qRT-PCR assays. In addition, we also unraveled the potential role of BrEXLB1 in root growth, drought stress response, and seed germination in transgenic Arabidopsis and B. rapa lines. The qRT-PCR results displayed that BrEXLB1 expression was differentially influenced by hormones, and biotic and abiotic stress conditions; upregulated by IAA, ABA, SA, ethylene, drought, salt, osmotic, and oxidative conditions; and downregulated by clubroot disease, P. carotovorum, and TuMV infections. Among the tissues, prominent expression was observed in roots indicating the possible role in root growth. The root phenotyping followed by confocal imaging of root tips in Arabidopsis lines showed that BrEXLB1 overexpression increases the size of the root elongation zone and induce primary root growth. Conversely, it reduced the seed germination rate. Further analyses with transgenic B. rapa lines overexpressing BrEXLB1 sense (OX) and antisense transcripts (OX-AS) confirmed that BrEXLB1 overexpression is positively associated with drought tolerance and photosynthesis during vegetative growth phases of B. rapa plants. Moreover, the altered expression of BrEXLB1 in transgenic lines differentially influenced the expression of predicted BrEXLB1 interacting genes like Bra001852 and Bra003006. Collectively, this study revealed that BrEXLB1 is associated with root development, drought tolerance, photosynthesis, and seed germination.

Long-term treatment with metformin in the prevention of fatty liver in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

BackgroundTreatment with metformin, the biguanide of hepatic insulin sensitizer, in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported with contradictory findings regarding the effectiveness on blood lipids and liver histology. In this study, we aimed to explore the preventive effects of metformin on NAFLD in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats.MethodsMale ZDF rats and Zucker lean rats aged 4–8 weeks were subjected to vehicle or metformin treatment for 6 months. Liver cDNA microarray assay, and protein semiquantitative and histological examinations were performed.ResultsData demonstrated that ZDF rats developed hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, liver deficiency and hepatocyte degeneration. The metformin treatment significantly reduced post-load blood glucose levels, but not blood lipid profiles or liver enzyme levels. Hepatocyte degeneration was not attenuated after the treatment. The metformin-treated ZDF rats showed activation of AMP-activated protein kinase by Western blot and overexpression of cytochrome c oxidase by immunofluorescent microscopy. Gene expression microarray assay demonstrated that a panel of genes participating in glucose and lipid metabolisms were changed in the ZDF rats, and most of the altered genes involved in glucose and cholesterol metabolisms, but not those in fatty acid metabolisms, were corrected by the metformin treatment. No genes associated with inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, or cell death were overexpressed in the metformin-treated ZDF rats.ConclusionsThese results suggest that long-term metformin treatment presents no preventive effect for NAFLD in ZDF rats.

Homeostatic Function of Dermokine in the Skin Barrier and Inflammation

Dermokine is a chiefly skin-specific secreted glycoprotein localized in the upper epidermis, and its family consists of three splice variants in mice and five in humans. To investigate the pathophysiological impact of dermokine, we generated mice deficient for two (βγ) or all dermokine isoforms (αβγ). Both variants, especially dermokine αβγ-deficient mice exhibited scale and wrinkle formation resembling ichthyosis accompanied by transepidermal water imbalance at the neonatal stage. Several dermokine αβγ-deficient mice died by postnatal day 21 when reared under low humidity. Moreover, the cornified envelope was vulnerable, and skin barrier lipid ceramides were reduced in the epidermis of dermokine αβγ-deficient mice. cDNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR assays of the epidermis revealed the upregulation of small proline-rich protein and late cornified envelope family members, as well as antimicrobial peptides in the dermokine αβγ-deficient mice. These barrier gene signatures were similar to that seen in psoriasis, whereas recent studies demonstrated that congenital ichthyosis has gene profiles resembling psoriasis. In line with these findings, adult dermokine αβγ-deficient mice exhibited aggravated phenotypes in psoriasis-like dermatitis models but not in allergic dermatitis models. Dermokine may play a regulatory role in inflammatory dyskeratotic diseases, such as congenital ichthyosis and psoriasis, in the crosstalk between barrier dysfunction and inflammation.

348 Homeostatic functions of dermokine in skin barrier and innate immunity

Dermokine (DMKN) is a secreted glycoprotein and its family members consist of five splicing variants (α, β, γ, δ and ε)in human and three variants (α, β and γ) in mice. Especially, α, β and γ isoforms are expressed in the upper epidermis. DMKN α represents the C-terminal end of β isoform, which is responsible for cytokine-like action and inhibits phosphorylation of ERK, leading to suppression of aberrant keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. To investigate the DMKN function in vivo, we generated mice deficient for all the three DMKN α, β and γ. The mice exhibited dry scaly skinand deep wrinkle formation with tail constriction and autoamputation in the neonatal stage, contributing to increased TEWL. Some of them showed growth retardation and death at low humidity. The skin pathology revealed thickening of corneal and granular layers with increased proteolytic activity in the corneal layers and cornified envelope fragility. cDNA microarray and quantitative RT-PCR assays using the mouse epidermis disclosed upregulation of small proline-rich protein and late CE family members, clustering genes for CE assembly, in parallel with increased levels of antimicrobial peptides. DMKN deficiency did not affect the development of DNFB- or FITC-induced contact hypersensitivity models, as well as OVA- or MC903-induced atopic dermatitis models in adult mice. However, DMKN-deficient mice showed exacerbation of psoriasiform dermatitis models induced by topical imiquimod application or intradermal IL-23 injection. Augmented expression profile of TNF-α/IL-17/IL-23 and ELR+ CXC chemokines were characteristic for psoriasis. Thus, DMKN possesses dual biological properties for skin barrier maintenance and regulatory innate immune response associated with psoriasis.

FOXE1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion of papillary thyroid cancer by regulating PDGFA

PurposeForkhead box E1 (FOXE1) plays an important role in the development, proliferation and differentiation of thyroid cells. However, the biological functions of FOXE1 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remain unclear. Materials and methodsIn this study, the level of FOXE1 expression was examined in human PTC tissues and cells. Then, the high expression of FOXE1 was specifically silenced by RNA interference in vitro. Subsequently, FOXE1-shRNA was transfected into PTC cells (TPC-1 and K1). The effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated. In addition, FOXE1 targets were screened by cDNA microarray assays. The correlation between the expression of target gene platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGFA) and clinicopathological features of PTC patients was analysed. ResultsFOXE1 is highly expressed in PTC tissues and PTC cell lines. The silencing of FOXE1 significantly promotes PTC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. The cDNA microarray analyses show that PDGFA is a critical downstream target gene of FOXE1 in PTC cells. It was also observed that PDGFA is negatively regulated by FOXE1 in PTC. The clinical data indicate that the low expression level of PDGFA is correlated with the small size of PTC. ConclusionCollectively, the results indicate for the first time that high expression of FOXE1 may function as a tumour suppressor in the early stage of PTC and restrain the proliferation, migration and invasion of PTC by negatively regulating PDGFA expression. Thus, FOXE1 could serve as a prognostic biomarker for PTC.

1920P - Role of pioglitazone on gene/protein expression profile, bioenergetics and TGFβ/SMAD signaling pathway in NSCLC

Background: Pioglitazone is an antidiabetic drug of the Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) class that acts as ligand for PPAR-γ, a member of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), that regulates lipid and glucose cell metabolism. Prior studies in in vitro and in vivo models of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that PPAR-γ modulation affects cancer cells proliferation and differentiation but few reported studies have investigated molecular pathways involved in the potential role of PPAR-γ agonists as anti-cancer agents. Methods: NSCLC cell lines H460 and H1299, were treated with different doses of Pioglitazone. Anti-proliferative effect was determined by MTT, colony-forming assay and flow-cytometry. Protein expression was detected by Western Blot analysis while functional mitochondrial measurements were performed with SeaHorse© stress test. Finally, cell lines samples were analyzed with a cDNA microarray assay. Results: Pioglitazone significantly reduces cell proliferation and invasion with an IC50 of 1-5 µM. Analysis of apoptosis confirmed the data. Western blot analysis demonstrated a dose-related reduction of Survivin and phosphorylated proteins of MAP kinase pathway and cDNA microarray expression profiling showed a down-regulation of MAPK, Myc and RAS genes. Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) and proportional Glut-1 protein expression reduction of treated cells demonstrated cell bioenergetics modulation. Interestingly cDNA microarray analysis showed that also TGFβ pathway is regulated by Pioglitazione through pTGFβR1 and pSMAD3 down-regulation and consecutive up-regulation of total TGFβR1. Conclusions: Pioglitazone regulates NSCLC cell lines proliferation and bioenergetics. Moreover, affecting TGFβ/SMAD signaling pathway, it could have a role in epitelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer invasive phenotype development. These results encourage the study of PPAR-γ agonists as anti-cancer agents and promote research to explore the mechanisms beyond their activity in NSCLC models. Legal entity responsible for the study: Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Transcription analysis of the responses of porcine heart to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) is the causative agent of swine erysipelas. This microbe has caused great economic losses in China and in other countries. In this study, high-throughput cDNA microarray assays were employed to evaluate the host responses of porcine heart to E. rhusiopathiae and to gain additional insights into its pathogenesis. A total of 394 DE transcripts were detected in the active virulent E. rhusiopathiae infection group compared with the PBS group at 4 days post-infection. Moreover, 262 transcripts were upregulated and 132 transcripts were downregulated. Differentially expressed genes were involved in many vital functional classes, including inflammatory and immune responses, signal transduction, apoptosis, transport, protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, metabolic processes, chemotaxis, cell adhesion, and innate immune responses. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the most significant pathways were Chemokine signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, TLR pathway, CAMs, systemic lupus erythematosus, chemokine signaling pathway, Cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Phagosome, HTLV-I infection, Measles, Rheumatoid arthritis and natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The reliability of our microarray data was verified by performing quantitative real-time PCR. This study is the first to document the response of piglet heart to E. rhusiopathiae infection. The observed gene expression profile could help screen potential host agents that can reduce the prevalence of E. rhusiopathiae. The profile might also provide insights into the underlying pathological changes that occur in pigs infected with E. rhusiopathiae.

Ouabain impairs cell migration, and invasion and alters gene expression of human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells.

Ouabain, the specific Na+ /K+ -ATPase blocker, has biological activity including anti-proliferative and anti-metastasis effects in cancer cell. There is no study to show ouabain inhibiting cell migration and invasion in human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells. Thus, we investigated the effect of ouabain on the cell migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells. Results indicated that ouabain significantly decreased the percentage of viable cells at 2.5-5.0 μM, thus, we selected 0.25-1.0 μM for inhibiting studies. Ouabain inhibited cell migration, invasion and the enzymatic activities of MMP-2, and also affected the expression of metastasis-associated protein in U-2 OS cells. The cDNA microarray assay indicated that CDH1, TGFBR3, SHC3 and MAP2K6 metastasis-related genes were increased, but CCND1, JUN, CDKN1A, TGFB1, 2 and 3, SMAD4, MMP13, MMP2 and FN1 genes were decreased. These findings provide more information regarding ouabain inhibited cell migration and invasion and associated gene expressions in U-2 OS cells after exposed to ouabain.

Gypenosides induce cell death and alter gene expression in human oral cancer HSC-3 cells.

Gypenosides (Gyp), the primary components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, have long been used as a Chinese herbal medicine. In the present study, the effects of Gyp on cell viability, the cell cycle, cell apoptosis, DNA damage and chromatin condensation were investigated in vitro using human oral cancer HSC-3 cells. The results of the present study indicated that Gyp induces cell death, G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in HSC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It was also demonstrated that Gyp decreased the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential in a time-dependent manner. A cDNA microarray assay was performed and the results indicated that a number of genes were upregulated following Gyp treatment. The greatest increase was a 75.42-fold increase in the expression of GTP binding protein in skeletal muscle. Levels of the following proteins were also increased by Gyp: Serpine peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 1 by 20.25-fold; ras homolog family member B by 18.04-fold, kelch repeat and BTB domain containing 8 by 15.22-fold; interleukin 11 by 14.96-fold; activating transcription factor 3 by 14.49-fold; cytochrome P450, family 1 by 14.44-fold; ADP-ribosylation factor-like 14 by 13.88-fold; transfer RNA selenocysteine 2 by 13.23-fold; and syntaxin 11 by 13.08-fold. However, the following genes were downregulated by GYP: Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate family member 4, 14.19-fold; γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor by 14.58-fold; transcriptional-regulating factor 1 by 14.69-fold; serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade B, member 13 by 14.71-fold; apolipoprotein L 1 by 14.85-fold; follistatin by 15.22-fold; uncharacterized LOC100506718; fibronectin leucine rich transmembrane protein 2 by 15.61-fold; microRNA 205 by 16.38-fold; neuregulin 1 by 19.69-fold; and G protein-coupled receptor 110 by 22.05-fold. These changes in gene expression illustrate the effects of Gyp at the genetic level and identify potential targets for oral cancer therapy.

Casticin impairs cell migration and invasion of mouse melanoma B16F10 cells via PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Casticin, a polymethoxyflavone, is one of the major active components obtained from Fructus viticis, which have been shown to have anticancer activities including induce cell apoptosis in human cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which casticin inhibits cell migration and invasion of mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay and the results indicated that casticin decreased the total percentages of viable cells in dose-dependent manners. Casticin affected cell migration and invasion in B16F10 cells were examined by wound healing mobility assay and Boyden chamber migration and invasion assay and results indicated that casticin inhibited cell migration and invasion in dose-dependent manners. Western blotting was used to examine the protein expression of B16F10 cells after exposed to casticin and the results showed that casticin decreased the expressions of MMP-9, MMP-2, MMP-1, FAK, 14-3-3, GRB2, Akt, NF-κB p65, SOS-1, p-EGFR, p-JNK 1/2, uPA, and Rho A in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, cDNA microarray assay was used to show that casticin affected associated gene expression of cell migration and invasion and the results indicated that casticin affected some of the gene expression such as increased SCN1B (cell adhesion molecule 1) and TIMP2 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2) and decreased NDUFS4 (NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein4), VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), and DDIT3 (DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3) which associated cell migration and invasion in B16F10 cells. Based on those observations, we suggest that casticin could be used as a novel anticancer metastasis of melanoma cancer in the future.

CDNA microarray assays to evaluate immune responses following intracranial injection of baculoviral vectors in non-human primates.

Recombinant insect baculoviral vectors efficiently transduce several types of cells in the brain and can possibly be used in gene therapy for brain disorders. However, together with contaminating insect cell proteins, they trigger immune responses that might damage host brain cells. To substantially reduce unwanted immune responses due to the insect cell impurities, we purified and concentrated baculoviral vectors by combining an ion-exchange membrane chromatography method with high-speed centrifugation and demonstrated reduced immune responses of the vector preparations in the mouse brain. To verify the suitability of using these viral vectors for gene therapy strategies in the brain, we evaluated immune reactions and vector toxicity upon acute administration of baculoviral vectors into the brains of cynomolgus macaques. We demonstrated that the virus inoculation caused no abnormalities to non-human primates but induced host anti-viral responses in the brain. With global cellular gene expression profiling, using cDNA microarray technology, we detected that the affected genes were mainly associated with innate immunity, involving the genes of RIG-1-like receptor signaling pathway as the major interferon production pathway. These findings in non-human primates, which share close physiological and genomic similarities with man, may better mimic the responses to baculoviral transduction in the human brain and should be useful in guiding rational therapeutic applications of baculoviral vectors to treat brain disorders.

Abstract 407: Functional analysis of discoidin domain receptor 2 mutation and expression in squamous cell lung cancer

Abstract The treatment strategy for lung cancer has been rapidly progressed, especially in molecular targeted therapy. However, most treatments are established for adenocarcinoma of lung, but not squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC). SQCC occupies approximately 30% among entire lung cancer patients, but the prognosis is worse than that of adenocarcinoma patients. Discoidin domain receptor (DDR) 2 mutations have been recently reported as one of the candidates of molecular targets for lung SQCC, and they are associated with sensitivity to dasatinib, which is already applicable to treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. However, precise roles of DDR2 on SQCCs of lung have not been clarified. We performed Sanger sequencing of DDR2 gene in a set of 44 primary lung SQCC samples and 7 lung SQCC cell lines, and identified a novel mutation (T681I) in a lung SQCC patient and a lung SQCC cell line, EBC-1. Endogenous protein expression level of DDR2 measured by Western blot technique was high in a lung SQCC cell line, PC-1. Overexpression of wild type and T681I of DDR2 promoted cancer cell invasion of a human lung SQCC cell line, H226B. In animal model, lung metastasis was enhanced and survival was shortened after transplantation of DDR2 wild type overexpressing cells into NOD/SCID/Jak3null (NOJ) mice, which exhibit deficiencies in NK cell activity, macrophage and dendritic cell function, and complement activation, as well as T and B cell deficiencies. Using the cDNA microarray and protein phosphorylation array assay, we found that ectopic expression of DDR2 induced TGF-β1 protein and mRNA expression accompanied with phosphorylation of c-Jun, p38 MAP kinase, and MMP1 elevation. During the process of metastasis, TGF-β pathway plays pivotal roles especially on disruption of basement membrane through induction of MMPs from fibroblasts mediated through both Smad and non-Smad pathways. Since phosphorylations of c-Jun and p38 MAPK were reported to be involved in non-Smad pathway, DDR2 would induce TGF-β mainly through non-Smad pathway, resulting in cancer invasion and metastasis. Taken together, elevation of DDR2 protein might contribute on tumor progression as well as some of DDR2 mutations in lung SQCC. Citation Format: Naomi Kobayashi-Watanabe. Functional analysis of discoidin domain receptor 2 mutation and expression in squamous cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 407.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Adipose Tissue in Obese Women in Response to Acupuncture Catgut Embedding Therapy with Moxibustion.

Complementary and alternative medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, represents an efficient therapeutic option for obesity control. It was previously reported that acupuncture catgut embedding therapy (ACET) with moxibustion reduces body weight and reverts insulin resistance in obese women. This study aimed to evidence changes in adipokines and gene expression in adipose tissue that could explain the effects of ACET with moxibustion. Overweight/obese women were treated with ACET with moxibustion or sham acupuncture as control. Peripheral blood samples and fat biopsies were taken before and after intervention. Circulating adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and resistin) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression in adipose tissue was determined by cDNA microarray assays and assessed by quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. ACET with moxibustion did not modify circulating adipokines levels. However, correlations with anthropometric and biochemical parameters were affected. Interestingly, transcriptional changes in adipose tissue revealed the modulation of genes participating in homeostasis control, lipid metabolism, olfactory transduction, and gamma-aminobutyric acid signaling pathway. The effects of ACET with moxibustion on body weight and insulin resistance were associated with the regulation of biochemical events that are altered in obesity.