Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels Research Articles

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Trophoblast Cell Proliferation and Migration by Targeting TFPI2 in Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by systemic organ damage and high blood pressure. It has been reported that microRNA-195 (miR-195) is associated with preeclampsia. In this study, we discovered the target of miR-195 in regulating human extravillous cytotrophoblast-derived transformed cell proliferation and migration. We analyzed the clinicopathological factors of preeclampsia and normal pregnancies. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of miR-195 and tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) were measured in placental tissues derived from normal and preeclampsia patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles were verified by western blot. HTR8-S/Vneo cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and cell migration rate was assessed by the transwell assay. Relative luciferase activities were measured in TFPI2 wild-type (WT) and mutant cells. miR-195 expression was negatively correlated with TFPI2 mRNA levels in preeclampsia patients. Extracellular vesicles derived from hUC-MSCs enhanced HTR8-S/Vneo cell proliferation and migration. In addition, miR-195 isolated from hUC-MSCs enhanced HTR8-S/Vneo cell proliferation and migration by targeting TFPI2. Our findings demonstrate that the upregulation of miR-195 in extracellular vesicles derived from hUC-MSCs promotes HTR8-S/Vneo cell proliferation and migration by targeting TFPI2.

STIM/Orai-mediated calcium entry elicits spontaneous TSLP overproduction in epidermal cells of atopic dermatitis mice

Aim: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is highly expressed in the epidermis of patients with AD and induces T helper 2 (Th2) immune responses and itching. Although the mechanism underlying the stimulus-induced TSLP production in normal keratinocytes has been intensively studied, whether the production capability of TSLP is naturally enhanced in epidermal cells in AD conditions remains unclear. Previous studies demonstrated that a deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) causes AD-like pruritic skin inflammation in special diet-fed hairless mice. The aim of the study was to examine the TSLP production capability of epidermal cells isolated from diet-induced AD mouse model and its mechanism. Methods: Epidermal cells were isolated from normal and AD mice and incubated under unstimulated culture conditions to assess spontaneous TSLP production. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels of TSLP were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results: TSLP level was markedly increased in the skin of AD mice. When epidermal cells were isolated from AD mice and cultured without stimulation, Tslp gene expression was upregulated, and a large amount of TSLP protein was extracellularly released. Such TSLP overproduction was not observed in the epidermal cells of normal mice. TSLP overproduction in AD epidermal cells was almost completely inhibited by extracellular calcium chelation, interference with plasma membrane interaction of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), blockade of the calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels Orai1 and Orai2, or treatment with a PUFA γ-linolenic acid (GLA). Conclusions: Epidermal cells isolated from AD mice can spontaneously produce TSLP through STIM/Orai-mediated calcium entry, and GLA may negatively regulate this TSLP production.

Upregulated Expression of ERBB2/HER2 in Multiple Myeloma as a Predictor of Poor Survival Outcomes.

The main goal of the present study was to examine if the RNA-sequencing (RNAseq)-based ERBB2/HER2 expression level in malignant plasma cells from multiple myeloma (MM) patients has clinical significance for treatment outcomes and survival. We examined the relationship between the RNAseq-based ERBB2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in malignant plasma cells and survival outcomes in 787 MM patients treated on contemporary standard regimens. ERBB2 was expressed at significantly higher levels than ERBB1 as well as ERBB3 across all three stages of the disease. Upregulated expression of ERBB2 mRNA in MM cells was correlated with amplified expression of mRNAs for transcription factors (TF) that recognize the ERBB2 gene promoter sites. Patients with higher levels of ERBB2 mRNA in their malignant plasma cells experienced significantly increased cancer mortality, shorter progression-free survival, and worse overall survival than other patients. The adverse impact of high ERBB2 expression on patient survival outcomes remained significant in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models that accounted for the effects of other prognostic factors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an adverse prognostic impact of high-level ERBB2 expression in MM patients. Our results encourage further evaluation of the prognostic significance of high-level ERBB2 mRNA expression and the clinical potential of ERBB2-targeting therapeutics as personalized medicines to overcome cancer drug resistance in high-risk as well as relapsed/refractory MM.

Intrarenal renin–angiotensin system activation and macrophage infiltrations in pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis

BackgroundThe current study tested the hypothesis that urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (UMCP-1) levels provide a specific index of intrarenal renin–angiotensin system (RAS) status and the degree of infiltration of macrophages associated with RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment in pediatric patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.MethodsWe measured baseline UAGT and UMCP-1 levels to examine the correlation between glomerular injury in 48 pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis patients before treatment. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemical analysis of angiotensinogen (AGT) and CD68 in 27 pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis patients treated with RAS blockades and immunosuppressants for 2 years. Finally, we examined the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in cultured human mesangial cells (MCs).ResultsBaseline UAGT and UMCP-1 levels positively correlated with urinary protein levels, scores for mesangial hypercellularity, rate of crescentic formation, and expression levels of AGT and CD68 in renal tissues (p < 0.05). UAGT and UMCP-1 levels were significantly decreased after RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment (p < 0.01), which was accompanied by AGT and CD68 (p < 0.01), as well as the magnitude of glomerular injury. Cultured human MCs showed increased MCP-1 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels after Ang II treatment (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe data indicates that UAGT and UMCP-1 are useful biomarkers of the degree of glomerular injury during RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment in pediatric patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

RHODIOLA ROSEA AND FERULIC ACID ACTIVATE EXPRESSION OF GENES RELATED TO AUTOPHAGY AND RESISTANCE TO HEAT SHOCK IN MICE OF DIFFERENT AGE

The aim of our study was testing whether R. rosea extract and ferulic acid activate expression of targets of FoxO, regulators of energy metabolism and autophagy in livers of young and old mice, and to what extent the effects of R. rosea extract and ferulic acid on the genes studied coincide. Methods. . C57BL/6J mice were reared at 22 ± 2 °С, 50-60% humidity, and 12/12 hour light/dark cycle. All groups were reared on a standard chow (4,8% fats, 21,8% protein, and 3,9% fibre). Experimental groups consumed water, supplemented with either sodium ferulate or R. rosea during 12 weeks prior sacrificing. The amounts of ferulate and R. rosea were adjusted to provide 4 mg of phenol-containing substances per 100 g weight, for a mouse, for 24 hours. We tested three-month-old (“young”) and twelve-month-old males (“old”). The levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were assessed using AriaMx real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) instrument (Agilent). Ribonucleic acid was purified using the Monarch Miniprep kit (New England BioLabs (NEB), T2010), complementary deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was performed using the ProtoScript II kit (NEB, E6560), and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using the Luna Universal kit (NEB, E3003). The expression of genes ATG5 (an autophagy marker), HSPB8 (a small heat shock protein, an FoxO target), UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2, a senescence marker), CDKN2 (cell cycle regulator, a senescence marker), PDK2 and PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases 2 and 4, regulators of oxidative metabolism), and TFEB (transcription factor EB, a transcriptional regulator of autophagy) was evaluated. Results. Livers of young mice that consumed food supplemented with either sodium ferulate or R. rosea extract had 3.2-fold and 3.6-fold higher levels of mRNA of the small heat shock protein HspB8 than control mice, respectively. In old mice, the levels of mRNA for this protein were 3.3-fold higher in mice reared on the diet containing R. rosea extract as compared with the control. However, there was no significant difference between control mice and those that consumed ferulate-supplemented food. In young mice, ferulate and R. rosea extract induced synthesis of mRNA of PDK4 by 4.3 and 6.6 times from the control level, respectively. Ferulate and R. rosea extract also affected the levels of mRNA of ATG5 and PDK2 in the livers of old mice. The levels of PDK2 were 1.5-fold higher in the livers of mice that consumed ferulate-supplemented food than in control mice. Conclusions. Both, R. rosea extract and one of its active components – ferulic acid – promote increasing in the levels of mRNA for genes HSPB8 and PDK4, coding for small heat shock protein and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4, respectively. In old mice, R. rosea promote expression of HSPB8, ATG5, PDK2, and PDK4. Thus, ferulic acid and R. rosea exert similar effects on gene expression by supposed activation of heat shock response and autophagy, and concomitant inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism via boosting expression of PDK2 and PDK4.

The translational landscape of human vascular smooth muscle cells identifies novel short open reading frame-encoded peptide regulators for phenotype alteration.

The plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) enables them to alter phenotypes under various physiological and pathological stimuli. The alteration of VSMC phenotype is a key step in vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Although the transcriptome shift during VSMC phenotype alteration has been intensively investigated, uncovering multiple key regulatory signalling pathways, the translatome dynamics in this cellular process, remain largely unknown. Here, we explored the genome-wide regulation at the translational level of human VSMCs during phenotype alteration. We generated nucleotide-resolution translatome and transcriptome data from human VSMCs undergoing phenotype alteration. Deep sequencing of ribosome-protected fragments (Ribo-seq) revealed alterations in protein synthesis independent of changes in messenger ribonucleicacid levels. Increased translational efficiency of many translational machinery components, including ribosomal proteins, eukaryotic translation elongation factors and initiation factors were observed during the phenotype alteration of VSMCs. In addition, hundreds of candidates for short open reading frame-encoded polypeptides (SEPs), a class of peptides containing 200 amino acids or less, were identified in a combined analysis of translatome and transcriptome data with a high positive rate in validating their coding capability. Three evolutionarily conserved SEPs were further detected endogenously by customized antibodies and suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by analysing the transcriptome and single cell RNA-seq data from patient atherosclerotic artery samples. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in human VSMCs and genetically engineered mice showed that these SEPs modulate the alteration of VSMC phenotype through different signalling pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and p53 pathway. Our study indicates that an increase in the capacity of translation, which is attributable to an increased quantity of translational machinery components, mainly controls alterations of VSMC phenotype at the level of translational regulation. In addition, SEPs could function as important regulators in the phenotype alteration of human VSMCs.

The Association between Deoxyribonucleic Acid Hypermethylation in Intron VII and Human Leukocyte Antigen-C∗07 Expression in Patients with Endometriosis.

Endometriosis, which is a common disease affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, usually causes dysmenorrhea and infertility, thus seriously harming the patients' physical and mental health. However, there is a mean delay of 6.7 years between the onset of the symptoms and the surgical diagnosis of endometriosis. There is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests that epigenetic aberrations, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, play a definite role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This study aimed to explore the noninvasive or minimally invasive biomarkers of this disease. Six patients with surgically confirmed ovarian endometriosis and six patients who received IUD implantation for contraception without endometriosis were recruited in the East Hospital of Tongji University in 2018. The genome methylation profiling of the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of ovarian endometriosis patients and normal endometrial specimens from healthy women was determined using a methylation microarray test. The test screened methylation-differentiated 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' (CpG) sites and then located the target genes affected by these sites following sequence alignment. Then, an additional 22 patients and 26 healthy controls were enrolled to further verify the difference in the selected genes between endometriosis patients and healthy women. The differential DNA methylation of the selected genes was validated via direct bisulfite sequencing and analysis of their messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Fifteen differentially methylated CpG sites were found among the patients and healthy women, and five CpG sites were mapped to the introns of the human leukocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) gene; these were highly polymorphic between different HLA-C alleles and were HLA-C∗07 specific. The results indicated that the HLA-C∗07 carrier patients exhibited significantly higher DNA methylation levels at the intron VII of HLA-C compared to the HLA-C∗07 carrier healthy controls. High HLA-C∗07 mRNA levels were also observed using qRT-PCR with HLA-C∗07-specific primers, which indicated that the hypermethylation of CpG in intron VII might suppress a silencer that regulates HLA-C∗07 expressions. Deoxyribonucleic acid hypermethylation in the intron VII of the HLA-C∗07 gene appears to regulate the expression of HLA-C∗07. The aberrant DNA methylation in this region was positively correlated with the occurrence of endometriosis.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists decrease hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia in dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome mice and are associated with mitigating inflammation and inducing browning of white adipose tissue†.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complicated hormonal and metabolic disorder. The exact pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome is not clear thus far. Inflammation is involved in the progression of polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, brown adipose tissue activity is impaired in polycystic ovary syndrome. Interestingly, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have been reported to alleviate inflammation and promote browning of white adipose tissue. In this study, the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on polycystic ovary syndrome mice were explored. Mice were randomly assigned into four groups: control, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone + liraglutide, and dehydroepiandrosterone + semaglutide. Relative indexes were measured after glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist intervention. Glucose metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome mice was ameliorated by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, while the reproductive endocrine disorder of polycystic ovary syndrome mice was partially reversed. The messenger ribonucleic acid levels of steroidogenic enzymes and the expression of inflammatory mediators in serum and ovaries of polycystic ovary syndrome mice were improved. Furthermore, toll-like receptor 4 and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B protein levels were decreased by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in ovary. Notably, after glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist intervention, the expression of brown adipose tissue marker levels was considerably raised in the white adipose tissue of polycystic ovary syndrome mice. In conclusion, the hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia of polycystic ovary syndrome mice were alleviated by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist intervention, which was associated with mitigating inflammation and stimulating adipose tissue browning.

Enhanced degradation of epidermal growth factor receptor by metformin

AbstractAimEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most extensively studied molecular targets for newly developed antitumor drugs. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug for type 2 diabetes, is expected to exhibit antitumor activity. Recently, it was reported that EGFR expression in tumor tissues from patients with type 2 diabetes was reduced in patients taking metformin compared with that in patients not taking metformin. Therefore, we investigated the effect of metformin on the expression of EGFR at the cellular level.MethodsCell lines derived from oral squamous cell carcinoma were used to investigate the effect of metformin on the cell proliferation and cellular content of EGFR. Cell proliferation was assessed by direct cell counting and water‐soluble tetrazolium (WST)‐based colorimetric assay. Expression level of EGFR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting, respectively.ResultsThe proliferation of all three cell lines used in this study (Ca9‐22, SAS, and HSC‐2) was suppressed by metformin. Metformin downregulated the cellular content of EGFR without affecting its mRNA expression. Ligand‐induced EGFR internalization was accelerated by metformin. Ligand‐induced EGFR degradation was inhibited by the lysosomal and proteasomal inhibitors bafilomycin A1 and MG132, respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest that metformin reduces EGFR by modifying the intracellular trafficking of the receptor, for example, promoting ligand‐induced internalization and degradation of EGFR, rather than suppressing the synthesis of the receptor. The effect of metformin on EGFR may affect therapeutic outcomes when metformin is combined with existing cancer treatments.

Association between CHFR and PARP-1, and Their Roles in Regulation of Proliferation and Apoptosis of B Cell Lymphoma

Background. Aberrant methylation of checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) was found in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), whereas its role in carcinogenesis is not clear. CHFR can control poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase levels by causing its degradation. The study was aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of CHFR in the pathogenesis of B-cell NHL. Methods. Short hairpin ribonucleic acid (ShRNAs) targeting CHFR and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) were transduced into Raji cells, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting were carried out to determine their expression. Afterwards, the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the cell growth and apoptosis. Tumor size and weight were determined using a xenograft model, and decitabine (5-Aza-dC) was used to further determine the methylation status of CHFR through a methylation specificity-PCR assay. Results. 5-Aza-dC-treatment promoted the expression of CHFR and decreased the expression of PARP-1 at both messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels. 5-Aza-dC also accelerated Raji-cell apoptosis and restrained its growth in vitro and in vivo ( P &lt; 0.05 ). These results were contrary to those observed in the shRNA-CHFR group but consistent with those observed in the shRNA-PARP-1 group. The expression profiles of CHFR and PARP-1 in the xenograft model were consistent with those in the cellular model. Treatment with 5-Aza-dC led to demethylation of CHFR in nude mice. Besides, there may be a negative correlation between CHFR and PARP-1 in B-cell NHL cells. Conclusion. Our findings indicated that 5-Aza-dC could lead to the demethylation of the CHFR promoter and suppress Raji cell growth.

The expression levels of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer and their correlation with drug resistance-related genes MDR1, TOPOII, and ERCC1.

To explore the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase (IKKβ) in epithelial ovarian cancer and the correlation analysis with multi-drug resistance-related genes 1 (MDR1), topoisomerase II (TOPOII) and nucleotide excision repair cross complementary group 1 (ERCC1). Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer group (50 cases), ovarian benign tumor group (30 cases), and normal ovary group (10 cases). The expression levels of NF-κB, IKKβ, MDR1, TOPOII and ERCC1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for comparison of numerical data. Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were carried out for analysis of non-numerical data. The levels of NF-κB, IKKβ, MDR1 and ERCC1 mRNA and protein were increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of TOPOII were decreased (P<0.05) in the epithelial ovarian cancer group compared to the normal ovary and benign ovarian tumor groups. The expression of NF-κB and IKKβ in epithelial ovarian cancer was significantly increased in patients with higher tumor stage, lower differentiation and presence of lymph node metastasis and positively correlated with MDR1 expression. NF-κB and IKKβ were negatively correlated with the expression of TOPOII and antagonized each other with TOPOII. The expression of NF-κB and IKKβ was positively correlated with the expression of MDR1, and negatively correlated with the expression of TOPOII. The correlation of NF-κB, IKKβ and resistance related genes, including MDR1, TOPOII, ERCC1, can predict the resistance of chemotherapy individuals to chemotherapy.

Effect of Formaldehyde and Curcumin on Histomorphological Indices, Gene Expression Associated with Ovarian Follicular Development, and Total Antioxidant to Oxidant Levels in Wistar Rats.

The present experimental study was undertaken to investigate the effect of formaldehyde (FA) and curcumin (CUR) on histomorphological features, antioxidant potential, and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of genes related to follicular development in FA-exposed rats. 24 Wistar female rats were divided into four study groups and given intraperitoneal injections of FA (10 mg/kg) (N = 6), FA (10 mg/kg) + CUR (100 mg/kg) (N = 6), sham (N = 6), and control (N = 6) for 14 days. Ovarian follicular histology, the related gene expression, blood factors, and anti/oxidation potentials were assessed using ovarian tissue and serum, respectively. The klotho was significantly overexpressed in the FA group compared with controls and shams. Contradictory, the factor in germ line alpha was significantly down-regulated in FA and FA + CUR groups compared to shams and controls. A significant decline was seen in the number of ovarian follicles in the FA group, independent of the developmental stage. Regarding the comparison of the FA + CUR group to other groups, a significant change was seen in the number of secondary, graafian, and atretic follicles. The FA group demonstrated significantly lower hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration than controls. The activity of glutathione peroxidase increased significantly in the FA group than in the controls. Despite the deleterious effects of FA on histological and molecular aspects of rat ovarian follicles, CUR does not appear to have a protective effect against the hazardous effects of this chemical. However, CUR in some cases has positive effects such as reducing follicular destruction and interstitial edema.

Analysis of the Mechanism of T Lymphocytes Promoting Immune Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness by Gene Chip Technique

The main objective of this study is to analyze the expression levels of messenger ribonucleic acid and long non-coding ribonucleic acid in patients with platelet transfusion refractoriness and reveal the mechanism of T lymphocytes in immune platelet transfusion refractoriness. The Agilent expression profile chip was used to detect the expression levels; gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis were performed on the differential genes to determine their main biological functions. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was used to process differential genes and the differential genes among samples were represented in a heat map. The differentially expressed messenger ribonucleic acids and long non-coding ribonucleic acids in different groups were found as 720 and 1719 in normal control group vs. platelet transfusion effective group; 4254 and 12491 in normal control group vs. platelet transfusion ineffective group and 1806 and 6216 in platelet transfusion effective group vs. platelet transfusion ineffective group. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes, and the results were annotated to be related to T cells. The co-expression of the target gene Ras-related protein 1A and long non-coding transactive response deoxyribonucleic acid binding protein 2 was determined through the national center for biotechnology information database and the interaction between micro ribonucleic acid-4739 and Ras-related protein 1A was predicted using the starBase and TargetScan databases. T lymphocytes play an important role in immune platelet transfusion refractoriness and long non-coding transactive response deoxyribonucleic acid binding protein 2 may affect the differentiation of T lymphocytes and promote the occurrence of immune platelet transfusion refractoriness through micro ribonucleic acid-4739 targeting Rasrelated protein 1A gene regulation.

Regulation of Pancreatic TXNIP-Insulin Expression Levels after Bariatric Surgery Using Diabetic Rodent Model.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on pancreatic thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and insulin expression levels. The research question is does bariatric surgery induce changes in the pancreatic TXNIP level, given that TXNIP has been proposed as a key glucose control factor? Using nondiabetic and diabetic rats, we investigated whether our streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models exhibited changes in pancreatic TXNIP regulation. Following this confirmation, we randomly divided the diabetic rats into the following three groups: the gastric bypass group (n = 16), pair-fed group (n = 10), and sham group (n = 10). Preoperatively and 3 weeks postoperatively, all the rats underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, and blood sampling procedures for hormonal analysis. The TXNIP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels were significantly lower in the gastric bypass group than in the other groups. Regarding the gastric bypass group, the pancreatic mRNA expression levels of microRNA-204 (miR-204) and MafA were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than in the other groups. Furthermore, the levels of pancreatic insulin expression at the mRNA and protein levels were also significantly higher in the gastric bypass group than in the other groups. Bariatric surgery significantly improved glucose control and regulated the pancreatic insulin production pathways of TXNIP, miR-204, and MafA. The regulation of TXNIP, miR-204, and MafA might play an important role in the mechanism of diabetes remission following bariatric surgery.

TRIM59 attenuates ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell inflammation, apoptosis, and monocyte adhesion through AnxA2.

Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory vascular disease, is a cause of heart attack and ischemic stroke. Tripartite motif-containing protein 59 (TRIM59), a member of the tripartite motif family, has been reported to be involved in inflammatory diseases. This study was to investigate the role of TRIM59 in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial cells and examine the mechanism of TRIM59. To simulate a cellular model of AS in vitro, varying concentrations of ox-LDL (i.e., 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL) were used to treat the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for 24 h. The messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein levels of TRIM59, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), and annexin 2 (AnxA2) were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. The transfection efficacy of overexpression (Ov)-TRIM59 and small-interfering RNA-AnxA2 was examined by RT-qPCR and western blot. Cell counting kit-8 assays, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining were used to examine viability, LDH expression, inflammation, and apoptosis in HUVECs. The protein levels of B-cell lymphoma 2, Bcl-2-associated X (BAX), cleaved caspase3, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 were assessed by western blot. Additionally, the adhesion of THP-1 to ox-LDL-induced HUVECs was detected using monocyte adhesion assays and the binding of TRIM59 and AnxA2 was verified by co-immunoprecipitation. This study showed that TRIM59 expression was decreased in the ox-LDL-induced HUVECs while LOX-1 expression was increased. After transfection with Ov-TRIM59, TRIM59 in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs was increased, and TRIM59 overexpression alleviated the viability damage, inflammation, and apoptosis of the ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. In addition, THP-1 adhesion to the ox-LDL-induced HUVECs was also suppressed by TRIM59 overexpression. This study also showed that TRIM59 could bind to AnxA2 and promote AnxA2 expression in ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs. Moreover, the rescue experiments revealed that TRIM59 suppressed the viability damage, inflammation, apoptosis, and monocyte adhesion of the ox-LDL-induced HUVECs via AnxA2. TRIM59 protected against ox-LDL-induced AS by binding to AnxA2.

Discoidin domain receptor 1 as a promising biomarker for high-grade gliomas.

Two fundamental challenges in the current therapeutic approach for central nervous system tumors are the tumor heterogeneity and the absence of specific treatments and biomarkers that selectively target the tumor tissue. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) expression and the prognosis and characteristics of glioma patients. Tissue and serum samples from 34 brain tumor patients were evaluated for DDR1 messenger ribonucleic acid levels in comparison to 10 samples from the control group, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis has performed. DDR1 expression was observed in both tissue and serum samples of the patient and control groups. DDR1 expression levels in tissue and serum samples from patients were higher in comparison to the control group, although not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A significant correlation between tumor size and DDR1 serum measurements at the level of 0.370 was reported (r = 0.370; P = 0.034). The levels of DDR1 in serum showed a positive correlation with the increasing size of tumor. The results of the 5-year survival analysis depending on the DDR1 tissue levels showed a significantly higher survival rate (P = 0.041) for patients who have DDR1 tissue levels above cutoff value. DDR1 expression was significantly higher among brain tumor tissues and serum samples and its levels showed a positive correlation with the increased size of tumor. This study can be a starting point, since it investigated and indicated, for the first time, that DDR1 can be a novel therapeutic and prognostic target for aggressive high-grade gliomas.

The Protective Effect and Mechanism of Baicalin on Postoperative Cognitive Function and Nerves in Aged Rats

To explore the effect of baicalin on cognitive function and nerves after splenectomy in aged rats is the main objective of the study. Aged rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group (to construct a splenectomy surgical model) and a baicalin treatment group (baicalin was given after the model was constructed). The pathological conditions like interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta content; brain detection by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method apoptosis of tissue cell; western blot method was used to detect the expression of related proteins and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid levels of related genes. Compared with the control group, the brain tissue cell apoptosis increased and the expression of inflammatory factors increased in the model group; compared with the model group, the brain tissue apoptosis of the baicalin treatment group decreased, the expression of Ki67 positive cells increased and the inflammation-related factor interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta levels were significantly decreased, N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B, phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphorylated-cAMP response element-binding protein expressions were significantly increased. Baicalin can improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction and nerve injury in aged rats after splenectomy by improving the pathological state of brain tissue, attenuating the inflammatory response and promoting apoptosis of brain tissue.

Angiotensin-(1-7) alleviates acute lung injury by activating the Mas receptor in neutrophil.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the clinic. None of the current pharmacological interventions has achieved a detectable benefit. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a complex humoral system essentially involved in the regulation of ALI. In the RAS family, angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) was found to provide protection by counteracting the effects of Ang II in various cardiopulmonary disease models. The downstream receptor of Ang-(1-7) is the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Mas. We hypothesize that the Ang-(1-7)-Mas pathway would protect patients from ALI. To establish a 2-hit ALI model, the mice underwent intratracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid followed by ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). ALI was evaluated based on lung edema, histology, myeloperoxidase activity, and proinflammatory cytokine production. The effects of the infusion or inhalation of Ang-(1-7) and Mas receptor blocker A779 were examined. The human neutrophils were isolated, and Mas receptor expression was examined. The neutrophil responses to platelet-activating factor (PAF) stimulation were tested by measuring the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), neutrophil adhesion, and chemotaxis. Next, in the mouse model, the neutrophils were depleted using an anti-ly6G antibody. The infusion or inhalation of Ang-(1-7) protected mice from ALI as evidenced by decreases in lung edema, the histological lung injury score, myeloperoxidase activity, and proinflammatory cytokine production. Such effects were largely blocked by the Mas receptor blocker A779. Mas receptor expression in the neutrophils was identified at both the messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels. Ang-(1-7) prevented neutrophil responses to PAF stimulation, including the formation of ROS, neutrophil adhesion, and chemotaxis, while A779 alleviated these effects. The importance of neutrophils in ALI was further confirmed by neutrophil depletion using the anti-ly6G antibody; however, A779 partially reversed the protective role of neutrophil depletion in ALI, indicating the critical role of Ang-(1-7)-Mas signaling in other pulmonary cells. Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor attenuates the key features of ALI by regulating neutrophil activation. Our study provides new evidence of their role in the pathogenesis of ALI and may lead to the development of a promising therapeutic strategy.

Decitabine enhances the tumoricidal potential of TRAIL via the epigenetic regulation of death receptor 4 in gastric cancer

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methyltransferase inhibitors, such as decitabine, have made great advances in cancer therapy as combinational drugs. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has an obvious anti-tumor effect; however, some gastric cancer (GC) cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced cell death. This study sought to explore the synergistic anti-tumor effect of TRAIL and decitabine, and the potential synergetic mechanism. The cell growth inhibition effect was monitored by the IncuCyte ZOOM Live-Cell Analysis System, and cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/Propidium Iodide double staining. Death receptor 4 (DR4) was knocked down by ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference, and the effect of DR4 deletion on TRAIL sensitivity was analyzed. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determine the methylation status of DR4. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The expression of the DRs on the cell membrane surfaces was analyzed by flow cytometry. The combined use of decitabine and TRAIL synergistically inhibited cell growth in 2 TRAIL-resistant cell lines. Further, decitabine augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. The co-application of decitabine and TRAIL facilitated the activation of caspase-7, -8, -9, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Notably, decitabine increased the expression of DR4 at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. DR4 expression on the cell membrane surfaces was also upregulated after decitabine exposure. The depletion of DR4 by specific inhibitors attenuated TRAIL-induced apoptosis and weakened the synergistic effects of decitabine and TRAIL. In addition, DR4 gene presented methylation status in SNU-1 cells. The low mRNA and protein expression of DR4 were also detected in SNU-1 cells. Decitabine enhances the effect of TRAIL by inhibiting the growth and inducing the apoptosis of GC cells. This is achieved by the epigenetic modification of decitabine, which upregulates DR4. Decitabine may act as a sensitizing agent of TRAIL. The combined use of decitabine and TRAIL may provide a novel idea for GC treatment.

Sulforaphane reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and enhances myogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic myoblasts via the toll-like receptor 4 and NLRP3 pathways.

Muscle loss and muscle weakness are manifestations of infection-induced sepsis, a condition that can lead to organ failure and death. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and the NLRP3 inflammasome are involved in the inflammatory storm and the development of sarcopenia during sepsis. They are also potential targets for sepsis treatment. To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane (SFN) on sepsis-associated inflammation and sarcopenia. Mouse C2C12 embryonic myoblasts were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate sepsis-induced sarcopenia. Molecular mechanisms were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sulforaphane significantly reduced the secretion of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by C2C12 cells after LPS treatment, and inhibited the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also increased the expression of E-myosin heavy chain, myosin ID heavy chain, and myogenin, and induced myogenic differentiation of LPS-treated C2C12 cells. Mechanistically, SFN reduced messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels of TLR4, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and Caspase-1 in C2C12 cells, thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response and promoting myogenic differentiation. In addition, the TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 induced myogenic differentiation in LPS-pretreated C2C12 cells in a similar manner. Sulforaphane can reduce sepsis-induced inflammatory responses and enhance myogenic differentiation by regulating the TLR4 and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways.