Sex-determining Region Y-box 2 Expression Research Articles

SOX9 promotes stemness in the CAL27 cell line of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a prevalent form of oral malignancy, with increasing incidence. Unfortunately, the 5-year survival rate for patients has not exceeded 50%. Studies have shown that sex-determining region Y box 9 (SOX9) correlates with malignancy and tumor stemness in a variety of tumors. To investigate the role of SOX9 in TSCC stemness, we analyzed its influence on various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, sphere and clone formation, and drug resistance in TSCC. Our data suggest a close association between SOX9 expression and both the stemness phenotype and drug resistance in TSCC. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed a progressive increase of SOX9 expression in normal oral mucosa, paracancerous tissues, and tongue squamous carcinoma tissues. Furthermore, the expression of SOX9 was closely linked to the TNM stage, but not to lymph node metastasis or tumor diameter. SOX9 is a crucial gene in TSCC responsible for promoting the stemness function of cancer stem cells. Developing drugs that target SOX9 is extremely important in clinical settings.

The transcription factor sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) in bladder cancer.

Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is a transcription factor with a central role in embryologic development. SOX2 is also an oncogene in several cancer types. Prior work by our group has shown SOX2 activity associates with cell cycle dysregulation in early-stage bladder cancer. The present study was thus undertaken to broadly investigate SOX2 in bladder cancer, with emphasis on associations with tumor stage, clinical outcomes, and tumorigenicity. Gene expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry in an established tissue microarray (n=303 cystectomy specimens, all stages) and whole tissue sections of noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma (n=25). Gene expression by RNA sequencing was evaluated in non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive cohorts from publicly available repositories. By immunohistochemistry, SOX2 was expressed in 40% of whole tissue sections of noninvasive papillary carcinoma, which correlated with SOX2 expression by RNA sequencing (r=0.6, P=0.001, Spearman correlation). Expression tended to be focal (median H-score =6). SOX2 was expressed in only 9% of TMA cases, consistent with focal expression. SOX2 expression was substantially higher in muscle-invasive compared with noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma by RNA sequencing (P<0.001, Wilcoxon rank sum test). SOX2 expression associated with stage progression in lamina-propria invasive cancers (hazard ratio =2, P=0.05, Cox model, binary, RNA sequencing) but not noninvasive papillary cancers (P=0.5, Cox model, binary, RNA sequencing). SOX2 expression did not associate with overall survival in muscle-invasive carcinoma. Activity of SOX2 in bladder cancer was tested in vivo using murine allografts created with MB49 cells that express human SOX2 (MB49-SOX). MB49-SOX allografts expressed this protein focally by immunohistochemistry, much like human tumors. Compared with controls, MB49 allografts demonstrated larger tumor size (P=0.03, Wilcoxon rank sum test) and higher tumor burden in mesenteric metastases (P=0.009, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Though SOX2 expression is focal within tumors, it may drive tumorigenesis, increase growth rate, and promote aggressive features of bladder cancer, particularly stage progression of early-stage disease.

LncRNA linc01194 promotes the progress of endometrial carcinoma by up-regulating SOX2 through binding to IGF2BP1.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignant tumors. Our study showed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) linc01194 plays an important role in EC. We explored the mechanism of lncRNA linc01194 in EC. The expression of lncRNA linc01194 was detected in The Cancer Genome Atlas database and starBase database. The potential targeted protein of linc01194 was predicted through the starBase database. To determine the role of linc01194 in EC, we downregulated or upregulated the level of linc01194 in EC cell lines and analyzed the cell behaviors and the changes of its potential target proteins. The expression of linc01194 in EC tissues is higher than that in normal endometrial tissues. The knockdown of linc01194 inhibited the cell proliferation, invasion and migration and promoted the apoptosis of EC cells, while overexpression of linc01194 promoted cell proliferation, invasion and migration and inhibited the apoptosis of EC cells. The starBase database revealed that linc01194 could bind to insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). Previous results showed that in EC, IGF2BP1 could promote the expression of sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) by promoting the stability of SOX2 mRNA. Our results showed that linc01194 regulate the expression of IGF2BP1 and SOX2. Linc01194 can promote the expression of downstream protein SOX2 through binding to IGF2BP1, thus promoting the occurrence and development of EC.

E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF180 impairs IPO4/SOX2 complex stability and inhibits SOX2-mediated malignancy in ovarian cancer.

RING finger protein 180 (RNF180), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is thought to be a tumor suppressor gene. However, the detailed mechanism of its effect on ovarian cancer (OV) has not been elucidated. Importin 4 (IPO4) which belongs to transport protein is reported to have cancer-promoting effects on OV. Here, we explored the potential signaling pathways related to RNF180 and IPO4. It was first verified that RNF180 is downregulated and IPO4 is upregulated in OV. By overexpressing or knocking down RNF180 in OV cells, we confirmed that RNF180 inhibited the malignant behaviors of OV cells both in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and proteomics experiments found that RNF180 could interact with IPO4 and promote the degradation of IPO4 through ubiquitination. In addition, overexpression of IPO4 removed the inhibitory effect of RNF180 on OV. We subsequently found that IPO4 could bind to the oncogene Sex determining Region Y-box 2 (SOX2). Knockdown of IPO4 in OV cells decreased SOX2 protein level in nucleus and promoted cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory protein-1 (p21) expression. Overexpression of RNF180 also inhibited the expression of SOX2 in nucleus. All these results indicated that RNF180 inhibited the nuclear translocation of SOX2 by promoting ubiquitination of IPO4, which ultimately promoted the expression of p21 and then suppressed the progression of OV. This study verified the tumor suppressor effect of RNF180 on OV, elucidated the mechanism of the molecule network related to RNF180 and IPO4 in OV and identified for OV.

Upregulation of SOX9 promotes the self-renewal and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Sry-box9 (SOX9) maintains stem cell properties and plays crucial roles in many cancers. However, whether SOX9 is correlated with cervical cancer cell stemness and its detailed mechanism remains obscure. We studied the relationship between SOX9 and prognosis of cervical cancer through public database, and SOX9 was related to poor prognosis of cervical cancer. Elevated SOX9 expression enhanced the self-renewal properties and promotes tumorigenicity in cervical cancer. Overexpression of SOX9 could promote the expression of stem cell-related factors in cervical cancer cells and xenografts. Meanwhile, overexpression of SOX9 could also enhance the expressions of FZD10, β-catenin, and c-Myc in cervical cancer cells and xenografts, while inhibiting the expression of DDK1. The activation of Wnt pathway by chir-99 021 raised the tumor spheroid ability of SOX9 knockdown HeLa cells. In addition, SOX9 could transcriptional inhibit DKK1 and activate FZD10 and MYC by binding to their promoters to affect the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These results demonstrated SOX9 regulated the self-renewal and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer through Wnt/β-catenin pathway by directly transcriptional activation of FZD10, MYC and transcriptional inhibition of DKK1.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Ki67 and SOX2 in Colorectal Cancer.

The purpose of the paper is to explore the expression levels and clinical significance of Ki67 and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) in colorectal cancer. From January 2013 to December 2016, 176 patients with colorectal cancer who were pathologically diagnosed after surgery in the Department of General Surgery in Xiamen Chinese Medical Hospital are included in this study. The pathological parameters, including gender, age, pathological stage, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, are recorded. Immunohistochemistry is used to detect the correlation between Ki67 and Sox2 protein expression and clinicopathological parameters in colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemistry shows that in each stage of colorectal cancer, the positive rate of SOX2 is higher than that of Ki67, and the sensitivity of SOX2 is relatively high. Moreover, the levels of Ki67 and SOX2 in the cancerous tissues are not related to gender, age, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (p > 0.05).

SOX9/NFIA promotes human ovarian cancer metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

To our knowledge, Sex-determining Region Y box 9 (SOX9) has been in connection with a wide range of human cancers. Nevertheless, there remains uncertainty regarding SOX9's role in metastasizing ovarian cancer. In our study, SOX9 was investigated in relation to tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer as well as its potential molecular mechanisms. First, we exhibited an apparent higher expression of SOX9 in ovarian cancer tissues and cells than in normative ones, and the prognosis of patients whose SOX9 levels were high was markedly lower than that of patients whose SOX9 levels were low. Besides, highly expressed SOX9 was correlated with high grade serous carcinoma, poor tumor differentiation, high serum CA125 and lymph node metastasis. Second, SOX9 knockdown exhibited striking inhibition of the migration and invasive ability of ovarian cancer cells, whereas SOX9 overexpression had an inverse role. At the same time, SOX9 could promote ovarian cancer intraperitoneal metastasis in a nude mice in the vivo. In a similar way, SOX9 knockdown dramatically decreased the expression of nuclear factor I-A (NFIA), β-catenin as well as N-cadherin but had an increased in E-cadherin expression, as opposed to the results when SOX9 was overexpressed. Furthermore, NFIA silencing inhibited the expression of NFIA, β-catenin and N-cadherin, in the same way that E-cadherin expression was promoted. In conclusion, this study shows that SOX9 has a promotional effect on human ovarian cancer and that SOX9 promotes the metastasis of tumors by upregulating NFIA and activating on a Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. SOX9 could be a novel focus for earlier diagnosis, therapy and prospective evaluation in ovarian cancer.

Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) inhibition attenuates glioblastoma formation

PurposeGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of adult brain tumor with extremely poor survival. Cystathionine-gamma lyase (CTH) is one of the main Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) producing enzymes and its expression contributes to tumorigenesis and angiogenesis but its role in glioblastoma development remains poorly understood. Methodsand Principal Results: An established allogenic immunocompetent in vivo GBM model was used in C57BL/6J WT and CTH KO mice where the tumor volume and tumor microvessel density were blindly measured by stereological analysis. Tumor macrophage and stemness markers were measured by blinded immunohistochemistry. Mouse and human GBM cell lines were used for cell-based analyses. In human gliomas, the CTH expression was analyzed by bioinformatic analysis on different databases.In vivo, the genetic ablation of CTH in the host led to a significant reduction of the tumor volume and the protumorigenic and stemness transcription factor sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2). The tumor microvessel density (indicative of angiogenesis) and the expression levels of peritumoral macrophages showed no significant changes between the two genotypes. Bioinformatic analysis in human glioma tumors revealed that higher CTH expression is positively correlated to SOX2 expression and associated with worse overall survival in all grades of gliomas. Patients not responding to temozolomide have also higher CTH expression. In mouse or human GBM cells, pharmacological inhibition (PAG) or CTH knockdown (siRNA) attenuates GBM cell proliferation, migration and stem cell formation frequency. Major ConclusionsInhibition of CTH could be a new promising target against glioblastoma formation.

SOX2 expression in prostate cancer drives resistance to nuclear hormone receptor signaling inhibition through the WEE1/CDK1 signaling axis

The development of androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) drug resistance in prostate cancer (PC) remains therapeutically challenging. Our group has described the role of sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) overexpression in ARSI-resistant PC. Continuing this work, we report that NR3C1, the gene encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR), is a novel SOX2 target in PC, positively regulating its expression. Similar to ARSI treatment, SOX2-positive PC cells are insensitive to GR signaling inhibition using a GR modulating therapy. To understand SOX2-mediated nuclear hormone receptor signaling inhibitor (NHRSI) insensitivity, we performed RNA-seq in SOX2-positive and -negative PC cells following NHRSI treatment. RNA-seq prioritized differentially regulated genes mediating the cell cycle, including G2 checkpoint WEE1 Kinase (WEE1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Additionally, WEE1 and CDK1 were differentially expressed in PC patient tumors dichotomized by high vs low SOX2 gene expression. Importantly, pharmacological targeting of WEE1 (WEE1i) in combination with an ARSI or GR modulator re-sensitizes SOX2-positive PC cells to nuclear hormone receptor signaling inhibition in vitro, and WEE1i combined with ARSI significantly slowed tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, our data suggest SOX2 predicts NHRSI resistance, and simultaneously indicates the addition of WEE1i to improve therapeutic efficacy of NHRSIs in SOX2-positive PC.

Diesel exhaust particles inhibit lung branching morphogenesis via the YAP/TAZ pathway

Prenatal exposure to air pollution may associated with inhibition of lung development in the child, however the possible mechanism is unclear. We investigated the effects of traffic-related diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure on fetal lung branching morphogenesis and elucidate the possible mechanism. Ex vivo fetal lungs collected from ICR mice at an age of 11.5 embryonic (E) days were exposed to DEPs at 0 (control), 10, and 50 μg/mL and branching morphogenesis was measured for 3 days. Normal IMR-90 human fetal lung fibroblast cells were exposed to DEPs at 0 (control), 10, and 50 μg/mL for 24 h. We observed that DEP exposure significantly inhibited lung branching morphogenesis with reduced lung branching ratios and surface areas on day 3. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) showed that DEP increased the inflammatory response and impaired lung development-related gene expressions. DEPs significantly decreased Yes-associated protein (YAP), phosphorylated (p)-YAP, transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and p-TAZ in IMR-90 cells at 10 and 50 μg/mL. Treatment of fetal lungs with the YAP inhibitor, PFI-2, also demonstrated restricted lung branching development similar to that of DEP exposure, with a significantly decreased lung branching ratio on day 3. DEP exposure significantly decreased the lung branching modulators fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and SOX9 in IMR-90 cells at 10 and 50 μg/mL. Fetal lung immunofluorescence staining showed that DEP decreased SOX2 expression in fibronectin+ fibroblasts. DEP exposure decreased the cellular senescence regulator, p-sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/SIRT1 in IMR-90 cells, with RNA-Seq showing impaired telomere maintenance. DEP exposure impaired fetal lung growth during the pseudoglandular stage through dysregulating the Hippo signaling pathway, causing fibroblast lung branching restriction and early senescence. Prenatal exposure to traffic-related air pollution has adverse effects on fetal lung development.

BIOM-57. DISSECTING STEMNESS IN AGGRESSIVE MENINGIOMAS: PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF SOX2 EXPRESSION

Abstract Aggressive meningiomas are prone to recur despite GTR and eventually progress: they represent a challenge and are difficult to recognize at first diagnosis. SOX2 (Sex-determining region Y-box2) is a transcription regulator whose role is crucial for cell’s fate and maintenance of progenitor’s identity during embryogenesis, and homeostasis and regeneration in adult tissue through stem cell activity preservation. We reviewed meningioma cases surgically treated at Gemelli Hospital, Rome between 2014 and 2019. We included all patients with diagnosis of grade 3 meningiomas, both progressive and de novo, grade 2 with at least one surgical recurrence after GTR and benign grade 1 and grade 2 without recurrence at 10 and 5 years long follow-up respectively. SOX2 expression was evaluated through IHC and RT-PCR. Its role in predicting progression, recurrence, OS and PFS was investigated. 87 patients were included: 16 de novo grade 3 meningioma, 7 progressive grade 1, 13 progressive grade 2, 12 recurrent grade 2, 20 benign grade 1, 19 benign grade 2. The IHC method for SOX2 was validated by correlation between IHC score and mRNA levels (Spearman R=0.0398, p=0.001, AUC 0.87). Although SOX2 expression is related to WHO grade in the series, its status doesn’t change with progression. SOX2 expression at first surgery is related to risk of progression (p&amp;lt; 0,0001) and represents a grade independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS (PFS 38,41 months in positive cases vs not reached in negative cases; p&amp;lt; 0,0001; OS 173,9 months in positive cases vs not reached in negative cases; p=0,0001) and both in grade 1 and grade 2. Histomorphological criteria, cornerstone of the current WHO classification, are inadequate to predict aggressiveness. SOX2 expression since first diagnosis is able to point out meningiomas prone to recur and progress. SOX2 status could integrate current classification as molecular biomarker of stemness and aggressiveness.

Dissecting Stemness in Aggressive Intracranial Meningiomas: Prognostic Role of SOX2 Expression.

Meningiomas are mostly benign tumors that, at times, can behave aggressively, displaying recurrence despite gross-total resection (GTR) and progression to overt malignancy. Such cases represent a clinical challenge, particularly because they are difficult to recognize at first diagnosis. SOX2 (Sex-determining region Y-box2) is a transcription factor with a key role in stem cell maintenance and has been associated with tumorigenesis in a variety of cancers. The purpose of the present work was to dissect the role of SOX2 in predicting the aggressiveness of meningioma. We analyzed progressive/recurrent WHO grade 1–2 meningiomas and WHO grade 3 meningiomas; as controls, non-recurring WHO grade 1 and grade 2 meningioma patients were enrolled. SOX2 expression was evaluated using both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR. The final analysis included 87 patients. IHC was able to reliably assess SOX2 expression, as shown by the good correlation with mRNA levels (Spearman R = 0.0398, p = 0.001, AUC 0.87). SOX2 expression was an intrinsic characteristic of any single tumor and did not change following recurrence or progression. Importantly, SOX2 expression at first surgery was strongly related to meningioma clinical behavior, histological grade and risk of recurrence. Finally, survival data suggest a prognostic role of SOX2 expression in the whole series, both for overall and for recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Thus, SOX2 assessment could be of great help to clinicians in informing adjuvant treatments during follow-up.

Altered immunoexpression of SOX2, OCT4 and Nanog in the normal-appearing oral mucosa of tobacco users.

Tobacco use is causatively associated with various human cancers, including oral carcinoma. A number of pathways have been delineated to describe its etiopathological link with oral carcinogenesis, including alterations in the expression of stem cell markers. Embryonic stem cell markers, such as sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), octamer-binding protein 4 (OCT4) and homeobox protein Nanog, which are mainly involved in the maintenance of stemness and pluripotency, have been positively associated with the pathogenesis of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancers. In this context, we attempted to explore the subcellular impact of tobacco through examining the expression of these stem cell markers in normal and normal-appearing oral mucosa in non-tobacco users and tobacco users. The aim of the study was to analyze the immunoexpression of SOX2, OCT4 and Nanog in the normal-appearing oral mucosa (NAOM) of tobacco users as compared to the normal oral mucosa (NOM) of non-tobacco users. The tissue samples of tobacco users and non-tobacco users (n = 50 per group) were immunohistochemically stained to assess the expression of SOX2, OCT4 and Nanog. In the oral mucosa of non-tobacco users, a peculiar parabasal expression pattern of SOX2 and OCT4 was observed, whereas Nanog was non-reactive. The grade of inflammation was found to be a predictive variable influencing the expression of the 2 markers. In tobacco users, variables such as male gender, mixed habit and basilar hyperplasia significantly controlled the basilar and suprabasilar expression of SOX2, OCT4 and Nanog. The expression of SOX2 and OCT4 was higher in tobacco users; in particular, OCT4 positivity was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in comparison with non-tobacco users. The altered expression of the examined stem cell markers could be an indication of early molecular changes in NAOM under the influence of tobacco.

Prognostic significance of sex determining region Y-box 2, E-cadherin, and vimentin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDSex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) can promote squamous cell carcinoma (SSC) because it regulates the migration and invasion of several different types of squamous carcinoma cells. However, few studies have examined the prognostic value of SOX2 and its effect on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in esophageal SSC (ESCC), a cancer characterized by high invasion and rapid metastasis.AIMTo verify the relationship of SOX2 and the EMT in ESCC and determine the prognostic value and significance of SOX2 and protein markers of the EMT in ESCC.METHODSOne hundred and eighty-five postsurgical ESCC patients were retrospectively examined. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SOX2, E-cadherin, and vimentin in ESCC tissues. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationships of the expression of these proteins with clinical data. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate factors associated with overall survival (OS).RESULTSSOX2 and vimentin had high expression in ESCC tissues and correlated with the depth of local carcinoma invasion. SOX2 expression had positive correlations with tumor size, vimentin expression, and the EMT, and a negative correlation with E-cadherin expression. Expression of SOX2 and vimentin had negative correlations with OS. SOX2 expression was an independent prognostic risk factor for poor OS in patients with ESCC. CONCLUSIONSOX2 expression was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with ESCC and its expression had a positive correlation with the expression of vimentin, a classic marker of the EMT. SOX2 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC, and this may related to its effect on vimentin in promoting the EMT.

SOX2 contributes to invasion and poor prognosis of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis.

The sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) has been identified to be involved in tumor progression and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, its action is paradoxical. Thus, we conducted the first meta-analysis based on eligible studies to evaluate the clinical utility of SOX2 in GC only. A thorough electronic search was performed to collect eligible studies. The hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated from included studies to assess the strength of the association between SOX2 and prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics in GC. A total of 10 studies comprising 1321 patients with GC were identified for the meta-analysis. The pooled results revealed that high SOX2 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival compared to low SOX2 expression (pooled HR = 1.485; 95% CI: 1.022-2.160; 𝑃 = .04). The statistical significance between SOX2 expression and overall survival was also established in univariate analysis (pooled HR = 1.606; 95% CI: 1.134-2.274; 𝑃 < .01), as well as recruitment time exceeding 2010 (pooled HR = 1.873; 95% CI: 1.041-3.371; 𝑃 = .04), follow-up time more than 5 years (pooled HR = 1.642; 95% CI: 1.066-2.527; 𝑃 = .02), and cutoff value of more than 5% of cells stained (pooled HR = 1.730; 95% CI: 1.162-2.577; 𝑃 < .01). Moreover, we verified that positive SOX2 expression was correlated with advanced tumor invasion depth (pooled OR = 0.494; 95% CI: 0.362-0.675; 𝑃 < .01) and positive vascular invasion (pooled OR = 1.515; 95% CI: 1.078-2.130; 𝑃 = .02). SOX2 could not only be an independent prognostic marker in GC but might also be a novel target for cancer therapy.

USP7-SOX9-miR-96-5p-NLRP3 Network Regulates Myocardial Injury and Cardiomyocyte Pyroptosis in Sepsis.

Sepsis is a common life-threatening pathology. This study investigated the role of transcription factor sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (SOX9) in sepsis-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. A murine model of sepsis was established, followed by detection of cardiac functions and myocardial injury. HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes were induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The levels of interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in myocardial tissues and HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes were determined. SOX9 ubiquitination level was measured. The binding relationships between SOX9-miR-96-5p and miR-96-5p-NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) were analyzed, and the interaction between ubiquitin-specific peptidase 7 (USP7) and SOX9 was measured. SOX9 was highly expressed in septic mice and LPS-induced HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes. SOX9 silencing improved cardiac function, alleviated myocardial injury, reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, cleaved caspase-1, gasdermin D N-terminal domain, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA in myocardial tissues and HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes, increased the level of SOD, and alleviated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. USP7 upregulated SOX9 expression through deubiquitination. SOX9 inhibited miR-96-5p expression and miR-96-5p targeted NLRP3. miR-96-5p silencing or USP7 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of SOX9 silencing on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. Collectively, USP7 upregulated SOX9 expression through deubiquitination, and SOX9 suppressed miR-96-5p expression by binding to the miR-96-5p promoter region, thereby promoting NLRP3 expression and then exacerbating sepsis-induced myocardial injury and cardiomyocyte pyroptosis.

FGF23 and SOX9 expression in haemophilic cartilage: In vitro studies of the effects of iron.

Clarifying the links between iron and FGF23, SOX9 expression in chondrocytes would be helpful for comprehending articular cartilage degradation pathogenesis in blood-induced arthritis and exploring new protective methods. The purpose of this study was to determine iron regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and SRY-box 9 (SOX9) in human chondrocytes, an area which is unexplored in blood-induced arthritis cartilage degradation pathogenesis. Expression of FGF23, SOX9, MMP13 and collagen Ⅱ in articular cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or haemophilic arthritis (HA) was determined by western blot (WB). Iron-induced FGF23 and SOX9 mRNA and protein expression in primary human normal chondrocyte cells (HUM-iCell-s018) was quantified by qRT-PCR and WB, respectively. We found that compared with OA patients, the expression of FGF23, MMP13 in articular cartilage of patients with HA was up-regulated, while the expression of SOX9, collagen Ⅱ was down-regulated. Iron-induced FGF23 and suppressed SOX9 expression in chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These findings demonstrated that iron was involved in hemophilic cartilage lesion directly via changing cartilage phenotype through regulation of FGF23 and SOX9 expression in chondrocytes.

Gene Expression of SOX2, OCT4, and Nanog by Small Molecule Compound VC6TFZ on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are a potential source of cells to be induced into pluripotent stem cells because the collection procedure is easy, minimally invasive, and can be stored in a frozen form. Small molecule compound VC6TFZ consisting of valproic acid (VPA), CHIR990210 (CHIR), 616452, Tranylcypromine, Farsokline, 3-deazaneplanocin (DZnep) and TTNPB has been shown to induce pluripotency in mouse fibroblasts, but this has not been proven in peripheral blood cells. This chemical reprogramming strategy has the potential to be used in producing the desired functional cell types for clinical applications. This study aims to determine whether the small molecule compound VC6TFZ can induce pluripotency of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral venous blood by density gradient centrifugation method. The cells are grouped into 4 groups. Group 1 was the control group, which was not exposed to the small molecule. Groups 2-4 were experimental groups exposed to different doses of the small molecule VC6TFZ. Identification of induced pluripotent stem cells was carried out by identifying colony morphology and pluripotent gene expression of Octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (OCT4), Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and Nanog using Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Colonies with a round shape, large, cobble stone like, and clear boundaries resembling pluripotent stem cell colonies appeared on the 9th day of the induction process. OCT4 and Nanog gene expression were significantly increased in the treatment group compared to the control.

Circular RNA from phosphodiesterase 4D can attenuate chondrocyte apoptosis and matrix degradation under OA milieu induced by IL-1β via circPDE4D/miR-4306/SOX9 Cascade

Background Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) is a novel molecular therapeutic agent for human diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, asthma, and cancers. Circular RNA from PDE4D (circPDE4D; ID hsa_circ_0072568) was one of the most downregulated circRNAs in OA patients. However, its precise role in OA-related chondrocytes was largely unknown. Methods Expressions of circPDE4D, microRNA (miR)-4306, and sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR; protein levels of SOX9 and proteins related to apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) were detected by Western blotting. Cell apoptosis was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate apoptosis assays. MiR-4306 response elements were predicted by bioinformatics algorithm and identified using dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and biotin-coupled miRNA capture assays. Results CircPDE4D was markedly downregulated in OA cartilages and interleukin (IL)-1β-stressed human normal chondrocytes (HNC). Ectopic expression of circPDE4D rescued cell viability, proliferation, and expressions of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Collagen type II α1 in IL-1β-insulted HNC, and meanwhile declined apoptosis rate and levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, matrix metalloproteinase-13, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5, IL-6, and IL-8. CircPDE4D and SOX9 were competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miR-4306, and circPDE4D could positively regulate SOX9 expression via miR-4306. Conclusion CircPDE4D and miR-4306 were important regulators in regulating IL-1β-induced HNC apoptosis and matrix degradation via regulating the key transcription factor SOX9, suggesting a novel circPDE4D/miR-4306/SOX9 ceRNA pathway in OA-related chondrocyte dysfunction.

Glucocorticoids inhibit the maturation of committed osteoblasts via SOX2.

During bone formation, mesenchymal progenitor cells mature into bone-forming osteoblasts after undergoing several stages of differentiation. Impaired bone formation is a predominant finding in glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Osteoblasts at different stages of maturation can be affected by excessive endogenous or therapeutic GCs. Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is normally expressed in immature osteoblasts, but its overexpression can suppress osteoblast differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate whether GC affects SOX2 expression in osteoblasts, and whether SOX2 contributes to GC-induced inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. Treatment with GCs such as dexamethasone (Dex) or hydrocortisone enhanced SOX2 expression. Silencing SOX2 improved inhibition of GC-induced osteoblast differentiation, whereas SOX2 overexpression decreased mineralized nodule formation and RUNX2 and Osterix expression in MC3T3-E1 cells. On the contrary, when C3H10T1/2 uncommitted mesenchymal stem cells were subjected to SOX2 overexpression, RUNX2 expression increased. As a mechanism of Dex-induced SOX2 upregulation in preosteoblasts, we found that the STAT3 pathway or GC receptor (GR) is involved, using a GR antagonist, STAT3 regulators, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Moreover, mice treated with Dex for 4 weeks showed a notable increase in SOX2 expression in the bones and an increased ratio of procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide to osteocalcin in the plasma than in control mice. This study demonstrated that GC enhances SOX2 expression in vitro in osteoblast and in vivo in the mice bone, which affects bone-forming activity differently depending on the differentiation stage of osteoblast-lineage cells. Our results provide new insights into prevention and treatment against impaired bone formation in GIO.