Search

The precise measurement of cosmic-ray antinuclei serves as an important means for identifying the nature of dark matter and other new astrophysical phenomena, and could be used with other cosmic-ray species to understand cosmic-ray production and propagation in the Galaxy. For instance, low-energy antideuterons would provide a "smoking gun" signature of dark matter annihilation or decay, essentially free of astrophysical background. Studies in recent years have emphasized that models for cosmic-ray antideuterons must be considered together with the abundant cosmic antiprotons and any potential observation of antihelium. Therefore, a second dedicated Antideuteron Workshop was organized at UCLA in March 2019, bringing together a community of theorists and experimentalists to review the status of current observations of cosmic-ray antinuclei, the theoretical work towards understanding these signatures, and the potential of upcoming measurements to illuminate ongoing controversies. This review aims to synthesize this recent work and present implications for the upcoming decade of antinuclei observations and searches. This includes discussion of a possible dark matter signature in the AMS-02 antiproton spectrum, the most recent limits from BESS Polar-II on the cosmic antideuteron flux, and reports of candidate antihelium events by AMS-02; recent collider and cosmic-ray measurements relevant for antinuclei production models; the state of cosmic-ray transport models in light of AMS-02 and Voyager data; and the prospects for upcoming experiments, such as GAPS. This provides a roadmap for progress on cosmic antinuclei signatures of dark matter in the coming years.

We have upgraded the new Tibet ASgamma experiment in China since 2014 to measure the chemical composition of cosmic rays around the knee. This hybrid experiment consist of an air-shower-core detector array (YAC-II) to detect high energy electromagnetic component, the Tibet air-shower array (Tibet-III) and a large underground water-Cherenkov muon-detector array (MD). We have carried out a detailed air-shower Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to study the performance of the hybrid detectors by using CORSIKA (version 7.5000), which includes EPOS-LHC, QGSJETII-04, SIBYLL2.1 and SIBYLL2.3 hadronic interaction models. The preliminary results of the interaction model checking above 50 TeV energy region are reported in this paper, and the primary proton and helium spectra in the energy range 50 TeV to 1015 eV was derived from YAC-I data and is smoothly connected with direct observation data at lower energies and also with our previously reported works at higher energies within statistical errors. The knee of the (P+He) spectra is located around 400 TeV. The interaction model dependence in deriving the primary (P+He) spectra is found to be small (less than 25% in absolute intensity, 10% in position of the knee), and the composition model dependence is less than 10% in absolute intensity.

We analyze the temporal variation of the solar diurnal anisotropy of the multi-TeV cosmic-ray intensity observed with the Tibet air shower array from 2000 to 2009, covering the maximum and minimum of the 23rd solar cycle. We comfirm that a remarkable additional anisotropy component is superposed on the Compton-Getting anisotropy at 4.0 TeV, while its amplitude decreases at higher energy regions. In constrast to the additional anisotropy reported by the Matsushiro experiment at 0.6 TeV, we find the residual component measured by Tibet at multi-TeV energies is consistent with being stable, with a fairly constant amplitude of 0.041% ± 0.003% and a phase at around 07.17 ± 00.16 local solar time at 4.0 TeV. This suggests the additional anisotropy observed by the Tibet experiment could result from mechanisms unrelated to solar activities.

A hybrid experiment has been started by the ASγ experiment at Yangbajing (4300m a.s.l.) in Tibet since May 2009, that consists of a high-energy air-shower-core array (YAC-I) and a high-density air-shower array (Tibet-III). In this paper, we report our results to check the hadronic interaction models SIBYLL2.3, SIBYLL2.1, EPOS-LHC and QGSJETII-04 in the multi-tens TeV energy region using YAC-I+Tibet-III experimental data from May 2009 through January 2010. The effective live time is calculated as 106.05 days. The results show that the description of transverse momentum, inelastic cross-section and inelasticity for the 4 hadronic interaction models is consistent with YAC-I experimental data within 15% systematic errors range in the forward region below 100 TeV. Among them, the EPOS-LHC model is the best hadronic interaction model. Furthermore, we find that the H4a composition model is the best one below the 100 TeV energy region.

We demonstrate that global observations of high-energy cosmic rays contribute to understanding unique characteristics of a large-scale magnetic flux rope causing a magnetic storm in August 2018. Following a weak interplanetary shock on August 25, 2018, a magnetic flux rope caused an unexpectedly large geomagnetic storm. It is likely that this event became geoeffective because the flux rope was accompanied by a corotating interaction region and compressed by high-speed solar wind following the flux rope. In fact, a Forbush decrease was observed in cosmic-ray data inside the flux rope as expected, and a significant cosmic-ray density increase exceeding the unmodulated level before the shock was also observed near the trailing edge of the flux rope. The cosmic-ray density increase can be interpreted in terms of the adiabatic heating of cosmic rays near the trailing edge of the flux rope, as the corotating interaction region prevents free expansion of the flux rope and results in the compression near the trailing edge. A northeast-directed spatial gradient in the cosmic-ray density was also derived during the cosmic-ray density increase, suggesting that the center of the heating near the trailing edge is located northeast of Earth. This is one of the best examples demonstrating that the observation of high-energy cosmic rays provides us with information that can only be derived from the cosmic ray measurements to observationally constrain the three-dimensional macroscopic picture of the interaction between coronal mass ejections and the ambient solar wind, which is essential for prediction of large magnetic storms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmic rays are charged particles whose flux observed at Earth shows temporal variations related to space weather phenomena and may be an important tool to study them. The cosmic ray intensity recorded with ground‐based detectors also shows temporal variations arising from atmospheric variations. In the case of muon detectors, the main atmospheric effects are related to pressure and temperature changes. In this work, we analyze both effects using data recorded by the Global Muon Detector Network, consisting of four multidirectional muon detectors at different locations, in the period between 2007 and 2016. For each Global Muon Detector Network directional channel, we obtain coefficients that describe the pressure and temperature effects. We then analyze how these coefficients can be related to the geomagnetic cutoff rigidity and zenith angle associated with cosmic ray particles observed by each channel. In the pressure effect analysis, we found that the observed barometric coefficients show a very clear logarithmic correlation with the cutoff rigidity divided by the zenith angle cosine. On the other hand, the temperature coefficients show a good logarithmic correlation with the product of the cutoff and zenith angle cosine after adding a term proportional to the sine of geographical latitude of the observation site. This additional term implies that the temperature effect measured in the Northern Hemisphere detectors is stronger than that observed in the Southern Hemisphere. The physical origin of this term and of the good correlations found in this analysis should be studied in detail in future works. Key Points: Pressure and temperature effects observed by ground muon detectors was experimentally analyzed inrelation to cutoff rigidity and zenith angleThe best correlation was found when considering product between cutoff rigidity and zenith angle secant (pressure) or cosine (temperature)The temperature effect only shows a global trend if a relationship with the sine of each detector's geographic latitude is included [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Muon Detector Network (GMDN) is composed by four ground cosmic ray detectors distributed around the Earth: Nagoya (Japan), Hobart (Australia), Sao Martinho da Serra (Brazil) and Kuwait city (Kuwait). The network has operated since March 2006. It has been upgraded a few times, increasing its detection area. Each detector is sensitive to muons produced by the interactions of ~50 GeV Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) with the Earth′s atmosphere. At these energies, GCR are known to be affected by interplanetary disturbances in the vicinity of the earth. Of special interest are the interplanetary counterparts of coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and their driven shocks because they are known to be the main origins of geomagnetic storms. It has been observed that these ICMEs produce changes in the cosmic ray gradient, which can be measured by GMDN observations. In terms of applications for space weather, some attempts have been made to use GMDN for forecasting ICME arrival at the earth with lead times of the order of few hours. Scientific space weather studies benefit the most from the GMDN network. As an example, studies have been able to determine ICME orientation at the earth using cosmic ray gradient. Such determinations are of crucial importance for southward interplanetary magnetic field estimates, as well as ICME rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of the present prospective study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a 12-h method to a 6-h method in chronic cancer pain management.Materials and Methods: Randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted between December 2007 and June 2009, enrolling 90 patients with chronic cancer pain. Patients with chronic cancer pain were randomly assigned to the conversion from continuous intravenous infusion to transdermal fentanyl using two-step taper of the continuous intravenous infusion in 12 h (12-h method) or the conversion in 6 h (6-h method). The parameters assessed in the present study included pain intensity (on a scale of 0 to 10) and bolus use frequency, and the adverse effects were assessed with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.Results: Pain intensity and the number of boluses during conversion remained stable in both arms. The incidence of adverse events was 25.6% in the 12-h method group and 2.3% in the 6-h method group (95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.55; p = 0.002). Adverse events occurred in four patients at 6-12 h, five patients at 12-18 h, two patients at 18-24 h, and one patient at 24-48 h after application.Conclusions: Excellent safety profile and sustained efficacy are shown for the 6-h conversion method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the three-dimensional anisotropy of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) intensities observed independently with a muon detector at Nagoya in Japan and neutron monitors over four solar activity cycles. We clearly see the phase of the free-space diurnal anisotropy shifting toward earlier hours around solar activity minima in A > 0 epochs, due to the reduced anisotropy component parallel to the mean magnetic field. This component is consistent with a rigidity-independent spectrum, while the perpendicular anisotropy component increases with GCR rigidity. We suggest that this harder spectrum of the perpendicular component is due to contribution from the drift streaming. We find that the bi-directional latitudinal density gradient is positive in the A > 0 epoch, while it is negative in the A < 0 epoch, in agreement with the drift model prediction. The radial density gradient of GCRs, on the other hand, varies with a ∼11 yr cycle with maxima (minima) in solar maximum (minimum) periods, but we find no significant difference between the radial gradients in the A > 0 and A < 0 epochs. The corresponding parallel mean free path is larger in A < 0 than in A > 0. We also find, however, that the parallel mean free path (radial gradient) appears to persistently increase (decrease) in the last three cycles of weakening solar activity. We suggest that simple differences between these parameters in A > 0 and A < 0 epochs are seriously biased by these long-term trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interleukin (IL)-17-producing γδT (γδT17) cells mediate inflammatory responses in barrier tissues. Dysregulated γδT17 cell activation can lead to the overproduction of IL-17 and IL-22 and the development of inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. IL-23 and IL-1β are known to synergistically activate γδT17 cells, but the regulatory mechanisms of γδT17 cells have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to reveal the contribution of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A) to γδT17 cell activation and psoriasis development., Methods: Anti-TL1A antibody was injected into an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced murine psoriasis model. TL1A receptor expression was analyzed in splenic and dermal γδT cells. γδT cells were tested for cytokine production in vitro and in vivo under stimulation with IL-23, IL-1β, and TL1A. TL1A was applied to a psoriasis model induced by intradermal IL-23 injection. Mice deficient in γδT cells were intradermally injected with IL-23 plus TL1A to verify the contribution of TL1A-dependent γδT-cell activation to psoriasis development., Results: Neutralization of TL1A attenuated γδT17 cell activation in IMQ-treated skin. TL1A induced cytokine production by splenic γδT17 cells in synergy with IL-23. Dermal γδT17 cells constitutively expressed a TL1A receptor at high levels and vigorously produced IL-22 upon intradermal IL-23 and TL1A injection but not IL-23 alone. TL1A exacerbated the dermal symptoms induced by IL-23 injection in wild-type but not in γδT cell-deficient mice., Conclusion: These findings suggest a novel regulatory mechanism of γδT cells through TL1A and its involvement in psoriasis pathogenesis as a possible therapeutic target., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Kozai, Hiraishi, Rubel, Ichii, Inaba, Matsuo and Takada.)

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by epidermal hyperplasia and cellular infiltration. Studies have shown that disease development depends on proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-17. It has been suggested that IL-23 produced by innate immune cells, such as macrophages, stimulates a subset of helper T cells to release IL-17, promoting neutrophil recruitment and keratinocyte proliferation. However, recent studies have revealed the crucial role of γδT cells in psoriasis pathogenesis as the primary source of dermal IL-17. The nuclear receptors REV-ERBs are ligand-dependent transcription factors recognized as circadian rhythm regulators. REV-ERBs negatively regulate IL-17-producing helper T cells, whereas the involvement of REV-ERBs in regulating IL-17-producing γδT (γδT17) cells remains unclear. Here we revealed the regulatory mechanism involving γδT17 cells through REV-ERBs. γδT17 cell levels were remarkably elevated in the secondary lymphoid organs of mice that lacked an isoform of REV-ERBs. A synthetic REV-ERB agonist, SR9009, suppressed γδT17 cells in vitro and in vivo. Topical application of SR9009 to the skin reduced the inflammatory symptoms of psoriasiform dermatitis in mice. The results of this study provide a novel therapeutic approach for psoriasis targeting REV-ERBs in γδT17 cells., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

We report observations of gamma-ray emissions with energies in the 100-TeV energy region from the Cygnus region in our Galaxy. Two sources are significantly detected in the directions of the Cygnus OB1 and OB2 associations. Based on their positional coincidences, we associate one with a pulsar PSR J2032+4127 and the other mainly with a pulsar wind nebula PWN G75.2+0.1, with the pulsar moving away from its original birthplace situated around the centroid of the observed gamma-ray emission. This work would stimulate further studies of particle acceleration mechanisms at these gamma-ray sources.

We report, for the first time, the long-awaited detection of diffuse gamma rays with energies between 100 TeV and 1 PeV in the Galactic disk. Particularly, all gamma rays above 398 TeV are observed apart from known TeV gamma-ray sources and compatible with expectations from the hadronic emission scenario in which gamma rays originate from the decay of π^{0}'s produced through the interaction of protons with the interstellar medium in the Galaxy. This is strong evidence that cosmic rays are accelerated beyond PeV energies in our Galaxy and spread over the Galactic disk.

Cholesterol is a major component of the lipid bilayers of cellular membranes. The synthesis of cholesterol is acutely elevated during T-cell activation to support T-cell growth and proliferation. There is a limited understanding of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming during T-cell activation. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors (RORs) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors that regulate the transcription of target genes. In this study, we demonstrated that the activation of RORs by a synthetic agonist (SR1078) impairs the proliferation and survival of postactivated CD8 + T cells. The inhibitory effects of SR1078 on CD8 + T-cell proliferation and survival were attributed to cholesterol depletion and downregulated expression of cholesterol metabolism-related genes. The overexpression of RORα or RORγt promoted apoptosis in the postactivated CD8 + T cells in vitro. The expression of RORα (but not that of RORγt) was markedly upregulated in the CD8 + T cells upon stimulation with an antigen in vivo. The functional deficiency of RORα enhanced CD8 + T-cell expansion during the response to bacterial infection. These results suggest that RORs are involved in the regulation of CD8 + T-cell-mediated immune response through the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, which can be modulated by a synthetic ROR agonist. The findings of this study can aid in the development of immunotherapeutic methods that target nuclear receptors., (© 2020 Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc.)

The thymic function to produce self-protective and self-tolerant T cells is chiefly mediated by cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs). Recent studies including single-cell transcriptomic analyses have highlighted a rich diversity in functional mTEC subpopulations. Because of their limited cellularity, however, the biochemical characterization of TECs, including the proteomic profiling of cTECs and mTECs, has remained unestablished. Utilizing genetically modified mice that carry enlarged but functional thymuses, here we show a combination of proteomic and transcriptomic profiles for cTECs and mTECs, which identified signature molecules that characterize a developmental and functional contrast between cTECs and mTECs. Our results reveal a highly specific impact of the thymoproteasome on proteasome subunit composition in cTECs and provide an integrated trans-omics platform for further exploration of thymus biology., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

We report on the highest energy photons from the Crab Nebula observed by the Tibet air shower array with the underground water-Cherenkov-type muon detector array. Based on the criterion of a muon number measured in an air shower, we successfully suppress 99.92% of the cosmic-ray background events with energies E>100  TeV. As a result, we observed 24 photonlike events with E>100  TeV against 5.5 background events, which corresponds to a 5.6σ statistical significance. This is the first detection of photons with E>100  TeV from an astrophysical source.

Levels and profiles of naturally produced halogenated bipyrroles (Br 4 Cl 2 -DBP and Cl 7 -MBP), methoxylated tetrabromodiphenyl ethers (6-MeO-BDE47), anthropogenic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were investigated in the livers of 14 cetaceans from the Sea of Japan and the North Pacific Ocean. The concentrations of Br 4 Cl 2 -DBP (4 to 4900 ng/g-wet), Cl 7 -MBP (16 to 3960 ng/g-wet) and 6-MeO-BDE47 (7 to 190 ng/g-wet) were higher in the order of killer whales > toothed whales > baleen whales. Profiles of PFASs were dominated by perfluoroundecanoic and perfluorotridecanoic acids (10 to 540 ng/g-wet), sum of which accounted for 70% of total measured PFASs. Regional difference was observed for Cl 7 -MBP and PFASs, which were higher in the Sea of Japan, whereas Br 4 Cl 2 -DBP was in the North Pacific Ocean. Specific accumulation pattern of these natural contaminants in cetaceans around northern Japan could help compare the exposure profile of PFASs and POPs among other geographic regions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The spatiotemporal regulation of immune responses in the lymph node (LN) depends on its sophisticated tissue architecture, consisting of several subcompartments supported by distinct fibroblastic stromal cells (FSCs). However, the intricate details of stromal structures and associated FSC subsets are not fully understood. Using several gene reporter mice, we sought to discover unrecognized stromal structures and FSCs in the LN. The four previously identified FSC subsets in the cortex are clearly distinguished by the expression pattern of reporters including PDGFRβ, CCL21-ser, and CXCL12. Herein, we identified a unique FSC subset expressing both CCL21-ser and CXCL12 in the deep cortex periphery (DCP) that is characterized by preferential B cell localization. This subset was clearly different from CXCL12 high LepR high FSCs in the medullary cord, which harbors plasma cells. B cell localization in the DCP was controlled chiefly by CCL21-ser and, to a lesser extent, CXCL12. Moreover, the optimal development of the DCP as well as medulla requires B cells. Together, our findings suggest the presence of a unique microenvironment in the cortex-medulla boundary and offer an advanced view of the multi-layered stromal framework constructed by distinct FSC subsets in the LN.

The physiological activity of the steroid derived hormone vitamin D is regulated by several enzymatic steps. Both 25-hydroxy vitamin D 3 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) modulate blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 , an activated form of vitamin D. We previously demonstrated that CYP27B1 expression was trans-activated by sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), although whether SREBP1 also regulates CYP24A1 transcription was unclear. Here we investigated the ability of SREBP1 to affect CYP24A1 transcription. In a luciferase reporter assay, mouse and human CYP24A1 promoter activity was strongly activated by SREBP1 in opossum kidney proximal tubular cells (OK-P). Three putative SREs (pSREs) were found in the mouse Cyp24a1 gene promoter and the SREBP1 protein showed specific binding to the pSRE1 element in EMSAs. Site-directed mutagenesis of the pSRE1 element strongly decreased SREBP1-mediated Cyp24a1 gene transcription. Moreover, siRNA-mediated SREBP1 knock-down repressed CYP24A1 expression in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC-8). In animal studies, mice given various doses of thyroid hormone (T 3 ) showed dose-dependent reductions in renal Srebp1c and Cyp24a1 mRNA levels. Taken together, our results suggest that SREBP1 trans-activates CYP24A1 expression through SREBP binding elements present in the promoter., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We analyze the Sun's shadow observed with the Tibet-III air shower array and find that the shadow's center deviates northward (southward) from the optical solar disk center in the "away" ("toward") interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) sector. By comparing with numerical simulations based on the solar magnetic field model, we find that the average IMF strength in the away (toward) sector is 1.54±0.21&#95;{stat}±0.20&#95;{syst} (1.62±0.15&#95;{stat}±0.22&#95;{syst}) times larger than the model prediction. These demonstrate that the observed Sun's shadow is a useful tool for the quantitative evaluation of the average solar magnetic field.

The chemokine receptor CCR7 directs T cell relocation into and within lymphoid organs, including the migration of developing thymocytes into the thymic medulla. However, how three functional CCR7 ligands in mouse, CCL19, CCL21Ser, and CCL21Leu, divide their roles in immune organs is unclear. By producing mice specifically deficient in CCL21Ser, we show that CCL21Ser is essential for the accumulation of positively selected thymocytes in the thymic medulla. CCL21Ser-deficient mice were impaired in the medullary deletion of self-reactive thymocytes and developed autoimmune dacryoadenitis. T cell accumulation in the lymph nodes was also defective. These results indicate a nonredundant role of CCL21Ser in the establishment of self-tolerance in T cells in the thymic medulla, and reveal a functional inequality among CCR7 ligands in vivo., (© 2017 Kozai et al.)

The thymic cortex provides a microenvironment for the development and positive selection of immature T cells. Cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs), which structurally and functionally support the thymic cortical microenvironment, originate from endodermal epithelial progenitors that arise in the third pharyngeal pouch. Recent studies have revealed that thymic epithelial progenitors pass through a stage where the cells express cTEC-associated molecules prior to lineage separation into cTECs and medullary TECs (mTECs). Here, we review the molecular signatures of cTECs and highlight the development and developmental potential of cTECs., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (Npt2a) plays a critical role in reabsorption of inorganic phosphate (Pi) by renal proximal tubular cells. Pi abnormalities during early stages of sepsis have been reported, but the mechanisms regulating Pi homeostasis during acute inflammation are poorly understood. We examined the regulation of Pi metabolism and renal Npt2a expression during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mice. Dose-response and time-course studies with LPS showed significant increases of plasma Pi and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels and renal Pi excretion, while renal calcium excretion was significantly decreased. There was no difference in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, but the induction of plasma intact fibroblast growth factor 23 levels peaked 3 h after LPS treatment. Western blotting, immunostaining, and quantitative real-time PCR showed that LPS administration significantly decreased Npt2a protein expression in the brush border membrane (BBM) 3 h after injection, but there was no change in renal Npt2a mRNA levels. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor-α injection also increased plasma iPTH and decreased renal BBM Npt2a expression. Importantly, we revealed that parathyroidectomized rats had impaired renal Pi excretion and BBM Npt2a expression in response to LPS. These results suggest that the downregulation of Npt2a expression in renal BBM through induction of plasma iPTH levels alter Pi homeostasis during LPS-induced acute inflammation.

Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 subfamily, including FGF23, FGF15/19, and FGF21, have a role as endocrine factors which influence the metabolism of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and vitamin D, bile acid, and energy. It has been reported that dietary Pi regulates circulating FGF23. In this study, the short-term effects of dietary Pi restriction on the expression of FGF19 subfamily members in mice were analyzed. An initial analysis confirmed plasma FGF23 levels positively correlated with the amount of dietary Pi. On the other hand, ileal Fgf15 gene expression, but not hepatic Fgf21 gene expression, was up-regulated by dietary Pi restriction. In addition, we observed the increase of plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels by dietary Pi restriction, and the up-regulation of ileal Fgf15 mRNA expression by 1,25(OH)2D3 and vitamin D receptor (VDR). Importantly, dietary Pi restriction-induced Fgf15 gene expression was prevented in VDR-knockout mice. Furthermore, diurnal variations of plasma triglyceride concentrations and hepatic mRNA expression of the bile acid synthesis enzyme Cyp7a1 as one of Fgf15 negative target genes was influenced by dietary Pi restriction. These results suggest that dietary Pi restriction up-regulates ileal Fgf15 gene expression through 1,25(OH)2D3 and VDR, and may affect hepatic bile acid homeostasis.

Excessive inorganic phosphate (Pi) intake and hyperphosphatemia have both been speculated to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia, and dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism can lead to atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between Pi and cholesterol metabolism has not been investigated in detail. Our recent study showed that triiodothyronine can induce both hyperphosphatemia and hypocholesterolemia in mice. We therefore hypothesized a possible linkage between Pi and cholesterol metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary Pi intake on cholesterol metabolism in mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups, which were fed diets containing 1.2% or 0.1% Pi and with or without 2% cholesterol (Pi-sufficient, Pi-restricted, Pi-sufficient + Chol, and Pi-restricted + Chol), for 12 days. Inorganic phosphate-restricted mice exhibited significantly higher liver weights than did Pi-sufficient mice. Interestingly, dietary Pi restriction significantly increased high-cholesterol diet-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that dietary Pi restriction decreased expression of hepatic genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. In addition, hepatic messenger RNA levels of several transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and liver X receptor were markedly decreased by Pi restriction. Furthermore, plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile analysis showed that dietary Pi restriction reduced susceptibility to high-cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Importantly, we found that there was a significant negative correlation between plasma levels of Pi and total cholesterol. These results suggest that dietary Pi plays an important role in the development of fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet through regulation of lipid metabolism-related gene expression in the liver., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The primary determinant of circulating 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH](2)D) levels is the activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase (cytochrome P450 27B1 [CYP27B1]) in the kidney. Hyperthyroid patients have been reported to have low levels of plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D. However, the detailed mechanism of thyroid hormone action on vitamin D metabolism is still poorly understood. The present study determined whether renal CYP27B1 gene expression was negatively regulated by thyroid hormones. T(3)-induced hyperthyroid mice showed marked decreases in plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D levels and in renal expression of CYP27B1 mRNA but no changes in plasma concentrations of calcium, PTH, or fibroblast growth factor-23. In addition, we observed that T(3) administration significantly decreased plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D and renal CYP27B1 mRNA levels that were increased by low-calcium or low-phosphorus diets and induced hypocalcemia in mice fed a low-calcium diet. Promoter analysis revealed that T(3) decreases the basal transcriptional activity of the CYP27B1 gene through thyroid hormone receptors (TRα and TRβ1) and the retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) in renal proximal tubular cells. Interestingly, we identified an everted repeat negative thyroid hormone response element (1α-nTRE) overlapping the sterol regulatory element (1α-SRE) and the TATA-box -50 to -20 base pairs from the human CYP27B1 gene transcription start site. Finally, we established that CYP27B1 gene transcription is positively regulated by SRE-binding proteins and that a T(3)-bound TRβ1/RXRα heterodimer inhibits SRE-binding protein-1c-induced transcriptional activity through the 1α-nTRE. These results suggest that transcriptional repression of the CYP27B1 gene by T(3)-bound TRs/RXRα, acting through the 1α-nTRE, results in decreased renal CYP27B1 expression and plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D levels.

The type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter (Npt2a) is important to maintain renal inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis and the plasma Pi levels. It has reported that disorder of Pi metabolism in kidney can be risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as hypercholesterolemia. However, the relationship between Pi and cholesterol metabolism has not been clarified. The current study investigated the effects of Npt2a gene ablation that is known as hypophosphatemia model on cholesterol metabolism in mice. Npt2a deficient (Npt2a(-/-)) mice and wild type mice were fed diets with or without 2% cholesterol for 12 days. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile analysis revealed that plasma lipid levels (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol) were significantly higher in Npt2a(-/-) mice than wild type (WT) mice. Interestingly, high cholesterol diet markedly increased plasma levels of total, LDL and HDL cholesterol in WT mice, but not Npt2a(-/-) mice. On the other hand, there were no differences in body and liver weight, intake and hepatic lipid accumulation between WT and Npt2a(-/-) mice. These results suggest that ablation of Npt2a gene induces hypercholesterolemia and affects the ability to respond normally to dietary cholesterol.

Stanniocalcin 1 and stanniocalcin 2 are two glycoprotein hormones, which act as calcium phosphate-regulating factor on intestine and kidney. We have previously reported that stanniocalcin 2 expression is positively and negatively controlled by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and parathyroid hormone in renal proximal tubular cells. However, it has been unclear whether they regulate the stanniocalcin 1 gene expression. In this study, we identified the opossum stanniocalcin 1 cDNA sequence. The opossum stanniocalcin 1 amino acid sequence had 83% homology with human stanniocalcin 1, and has a conserved putative N-linked glycosylation site. Real-time PCR analysis using opossum kidney proximal tubular (OK-P) cells revealed that the mRNA levels of stanniocalcin 1 gene is up-regulated by both 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and parathyroid hormone in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. We also demonstrated that the stanniocalcin 1 expression was increased in parathyroid hormone injected rat kidney. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of stanniocalcin 1 and stanniocalcin 2 were oppositely regulated by phorbol 12,13-myristic acetate, a specific PKC activator. Interestingly, the up-regulation of stanniocalcin 1 gene by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and phorbol 12,13-myristic acetate were not prevented in the presence of actinomycin D, an RNA synthesis inhibitor. These results suggest that the stanniocalcin 1 gene expression is up-regulated by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and parathyroid hormone through mRNA stabilization in renal proximal tubular cells.

Ectopic calcification of soft tissues can have severe clinical consequences especially when localized to vital organs such as heart, arteries and kidneys. Mammalian stanniocalcin (STC) 1 and 2 are glycoprotein hormones identified as calcium/phosphate-regulating hormones. The mRNA of STCs is upregulated in the kidney of α-klotho mutant (kl/kl) mice, which have hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypervitaminosis D and exhibit a short life span, osteopenia and ectopic calcification. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and localization of STCs in kl/kl mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that renal mRNA expression of STC2 was increased in both kl/kl mice and fibroblast growth factor 23 (Fgf23)-null mice compared with wild type mice. Interestingly, STC2 protein was focally localized with the calcified lesions of renal arterioles, renal tubular cells, heart and aorta in kl/kl mice. In vitro analysis of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle (A-10) cells showed that inorganic phosphate (Pi) stimulation significantly increased STC2 mRNA levels as well as that of osteocalcin, osteopontin and the type III sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter (PiT-1), and induced STC2 secretion. Interestingly, the knockdown with a small interfering RNA or the over-expression of STC2 showed acceleration and inhibition of Pi-induced calcification in A-10 cells, respectively. These results suggest that the up-regulation of STC2 gene expression resulting from abnormal α-klotho-Fgf23 signaling may contribute to limitation of ectopic calcification and thus STC2 represents a novel target gene for cardio-renal syndrome., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The type II sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporters Npt2a and Npt2c play critical roles in the reabsorption of Pi by renal proximal tubular cells. The vitamin A metabolite ATRA (all-trans-retinoic acid) is important for development, cell proliferation and differentiation, and bone formation. It has been reported that ATRA increases the rate of Pi transport in renal proximal tubular cells. However, the molecular mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we observed the effects of a VAD (vitamin A-deficient) diet on Pi homoeostasis and the expression of Npt2a and Npt2c genes in rat kidney. There was no change in the plasma levels of Pi, but VAD rats significantly increased renal Pi excretion. Renal brush-border membrane Pi uptake activity and renal Npt2a and Npt2c expressions were significantly decreased in VAD rats. The transcriptional activity of a luciferase reporter plasmid containing the promoter region of human Npt2a and Npt2c genes was increased markedly by ATRA and a RAR (retinoic acid receptor)-specific analogue TTNPB {4-[E-2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetra-methyl-2-naphtalenyl)-1-propenyl] benzoic acid} in renal proximal tubular cells overexpressing RARs and RXRs (retinoid X receptors). Furthermore, we identified RAREs (retinoic acid-response elements) in both gene promoters. Interestingly, the half-site sequences (5'-GGTTCA-3': -563 to -558) of 2c-RARE1 overlapped the vitamin D-responsive element in the human Npt2c gene and were functionally important motifs for transcriptional regulation of human Npt2c by ATRA and 1,25(OH)2D3 (1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), in both independent or additive actions. In summary, we conclude that VAD induces hyperphosphaturia through the down-regulation of Npt2a and Npt2c gene expression in the kidney.

The type IIa renal sodium-dependent phosphate (Na/Pi) co-transporter Npt2a is implicated in the control of serum phosphate levels. It has been demonstrated previously that renal Npt2a protein and its mRNA expression are both up-regulated by the thyroid hormone T3 (3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine) in rats. However, it has never been established whether the induction was mediated by a direct effect of thyroid hormones on the Npt2a promoter. To address the role of Npt2a in T3-dependent regulation of phosphate homoeostasis and to identify the molecular mechanisms by which thyroid hormones modulate Npt2a gene expression, mice were rendered pharmacologically hypo- and hyper-thyroid. Hypothyroid mice showed low levels of serum phosphate and a marked decrease in renal Npt2a protein abundance. Importantly, we also showed that Npt2a-deficient mice had impaired serum phosphate responsiveness to T3 compared with wild-type mice. Promoter analysis with a luciferase assay revealed that the transcriptional activity of a reporter gene containing the Npt2a promoter and intron 1 was dependent upon TRs (thyroid hormone receptors) and specifically increased by T3 in renal cells. Deletion analysis and EMSAs (electrophoretic mobility-shift assays) determined that there were unique TREs (thyroid-hormone-responsive elements) within intron 1 of the Npt2a gene. These results suggest that Npt2a plays a critical role as a T3-target gene, to control phosphate homoeostasis, and that T3 transcriptionally activates the Npt2a gene via TRs in a renal cell-specific manner.

We have cloned the arginine deiminase (ADI) gene from Mycoplasma hominis PG21 genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction, and changed four TGA tryptophan codons (stop codon in E. coli) to TGG codons in the coding region by site-directed mutagenesis in order to express in E. coli. The recombinant ADI (rADI) was purified to apparent homogeneity by Ni-affinity chromatography after extraction from inclusion bodies followed by refolding. The rADI expressed in E. coli was estimated to be 50 kDa. Dimeric forms of rADI exerted enzymatic activity. We found that high concentration of potassium dihydrogenphosphate (PDP) and L-arginine addition in refolding reaction increases the enzyme activity. The specific activity of rADl was calculated as 0.618 U/mg. In addition, the enzyme activity of purified rADI remained for at least one month in 100 mM PDP solution (pH 6.5), but diminished within one week in 100 mM PDP solution (pH 7.4). Anti-tumor activity of the purified rADI was estimated to be 0.036 U/ml as 50% growth inhibitory activity against human melanoma cell line G-361.