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Abstract Little is known about the outcome for HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HIV-HL) as this is less common than HIV-negative lymphoma. Therefore, we performed a multi-center study to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV-HL patients in China. Nineteen cases of HIV-HL were diagnosed and treated at three center and including the sixth people’s hospital of Zhengzhou, Peking union medical college hospital, and Chongqing university cancer hospital, between December 2013 and June 2022. Data on the clinical features, laboratory results, response, and prognosis were collected and analyzed. The median age at diagnosis was 43(22–74) years. All patients were infected with HIV through sexual transmission, with ten cases transmitted through man having sex with man (MSM) and nine cases transmitted through heterosexual transmission. Seven patients were diagnosed with lymphoma and found to be infected with HIV. Four cases were in stage III, and fifteen cases were in stage IV. After a median follow up of 46.8(4.0-112.9) months, 17 cases were alive after ABVD regimen chemotherapy combined with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rate were 83.9% and 89.5%,respectively. HIV-HL exhibits an invasive process in clinical practice, and cART combined with ABVD regimen chemotherapy can achieve long-term survival for patients.

IntroductionAdoption of allogeneic T cells directly supplements the number of T cells and rapidly induces T-cell immunity, which has good efficacy for treating some tumors and immunodeficiency diseases. However, poor adoptive T-cell engraftment and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) limit the application of these methods. Alloreactive T-cell clones were eliminated from the donor T-cell repertoire, and the remaining T-cell clones were prepared as Tscm for T-cell adoptive treatment to reconstruct recipient T-cell immunity without GVHD.MethodsThe subjects in this study included three different strains of mice. Lymphocytes from mice (C57BL/6) were used as the donor T-cell repertoire, from which the Tscm allo-reactive T cell clone was depleted (ATD-Tscm). This was confirmed by showing that the Tscm was not responsive to the alloantigen of the recipient (BALB/c). To prepare ATD-Tscm cells, we used recipient lymphocytes as a simulator, and coculture of mouse and recipient lymphocytes was carried out for 7 days. Sorting of non-proliferative cells ensured that the prepared Tscm cells were nonresponsive. The sorted lymphocytes underwent further expansion by treatment with TWS119 and cytokines for an additional 10 days, after which the number of ATD-Tscm cells increased. The prepared Tscm cells were transferred into recipient mice to observe immune reconstitution and GVHD incidence.ResultsOur protocol began with the use of 1×107 donor lymphocytes and resulted in 1 ×107 ATD-Tscm cells after 17 days of preparation. The prepared ATD-Tscm cells exhibited a nonresponse upon restimulation of the recipient lymphocytes. Importantly, the prepared ATD-Tscm cells were able to bind long and reconstitute other T-cell subsets in vivo, effectively recognizing and answering the “foreign” antigen without causing GVHD after they were transferred into the recipients.DiscussionOur strategy was succeeded to prepare ATD-Tscm cells from the donor T-cell repertoire. The prepared ATD-Tscm cells were able to reconstitute the immune system and prevent GVHD after transferred to the recipients. This study provides a good reference for generating ATD-Tscm for T-cell adoptive immunotherapy.

Empirical studies have indicated that excessive tea consumption may potentially decrease folate levels within the human body. The main active component in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), significantly reduces the concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) in both solution and serum. However, our findings also demonstrate that the pro-degradation effect of EGCG on 5-MTHF can be reversed by L-ascorbic acid (AA). Subsequent investigations suggest that EGCG could potentially expedite the degradation of 5-MTHF by generating hydrogen peroxide. In summary, excessive tea intake may lead to reduced folate levels in the bloodstream, yet timely supplementation of AA could potentially safeguard folate from degradation.

BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication defined by new onset hypertension and proteinuria or other maternal organ damage after 20 weeks of gestation. Although non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been widely used to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities during pregnancy, its performance in combination with maternal risk factors to screen for PE has not been extensively validated. Our aim was to develop and validate classifiers that predict early- or late-onset PE using the maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) profile and clinical risk factors.MethodsWe retrospectively collected and analyzed NIPT data of 2,727 pregnant women aged 24–45 years from four hospitals in China, which had previously been used to screen for fetal aneuploidy at 12 + 0 ~ 22 + 6 weeks of gestation. According to the diagnostic criteria for PE and the time of diagnosis (34 weeks of gestation), a total of 143 early-, 580 late-onset PE samples and 2,004 healthy controls were included. The wilcoxon rank sum test was used to identify the cfDNA profile for PE prediction. The Fisher’s exact test and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to compare categorical and continuous variables of clinical risk factors between PE samples and healthy controls, respectively. Machine learning methods were performed to develop and validate PE classifiers based on the cfDNA profile and clinical risk factors.ResultsBy using NIPT data to analyze cfDNA coverages in promoter regions, we found the cfDNA profile, which was differential cfDNA coverages in gene promoter regions between PE and healthy controls, could be used to predict early- and late-onset PE. Maternal age, body mass index, parity, past medical histories and method of conception were significantly differential between PE and healthy pregnant women. With a false positive rate of 10%, the classifiers based on the combination of the cfDNA profile and clinical risk factors predicted early- and late-onset PE in four datasets with an average accuracy of 89 and 80% and an average sensitivity of 63 and 48%, respectively.ConclusionIncorporating cfDNA profiles in classifiers might reduce performance variations in PE models based only on clinical risk factors, potentially expanding the application of NIPT in PE screening in the future.

Plants are adversely affected by abiotic stress conditions such as heat, drought, cold, and salinity. The physiological determinants of cotton stress tolerance and its processes were investigated to mitigate the effect of abiotic stress on cotton growth and development. The DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING protein (DREB) transcription factors are stress-responsive and regulate the expression of downstream stress-inducible genes, leading to subsequent resistance to several abiotic stressors. Advanced omics technologies have recently improved our understanding of the complex molecular events of cotton that precede abiotic stress responses. We highlight the central abiotic stress resistance mechanisms in cotton, elaborating on the identified and unidentified regulatory variables. The evolutionary relationship between DREB transcription factors (TFs), divided into six subtypes in Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium raimondii, and Arabidopsis thaliana, was reviewed. Moreover, the evolutionary antecedents, conserved motifs, and gene structure of the cotton DREB gene family have been discussed. This review offers an in-depth perspective on the contribution of DREB TFs to cotton tolerance to abiotic stress conditions, such as cold, drought, salt, heat, and heavy metals. Overall, this review identified essential genes in Gossypium spp and other species that could hasten applied studies toward their engineering into plants to mitigate abiotic stress.

Abstract Background Fruit aroma is an important quality with respect to consumer preference, but the most important aroma compounds and their genetic regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Results In this study, we qualitatively analysed volatile compounds in the pulp and skin of five table grape cultivars with three aroma types (muscat, strawberry, and neutral) using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We identified 215 aroma compounds, including 88 esters, 64 terpenes, and 29 alcohols, and found significant differences in the number of compounds between the pulp and skin, especially for terpenes. Skin transcriptome data for the five grape cultivars were generated and subjected to aroma compound-gene correlation analysis. The combined transcriptomic analysis and terpene profiling data revealed 20 candidate genes, which were assessed in terms of their involvement in aroma biosynthetic regulation, including 1 VvCYP (VIT_08s0007g07730), 2 VvCCR (VIT_13s0067g00620, VIT_13s0047g00940), 3 VvADH (VIT_00s0615g00010, VIT_00s0615g00030, VIT_ 00s0615g00020), and 1 VvSDR (VIT_08s0040g01200) in the phenylpropanoids synthesis pathway, and 1 VvDXS (VIT_05s0020g02130) and 6 VvTPS (VIT_13s0067g00370, Vitis_vinifera_newGene_3216, VIT_13s0067g00380, VIT_13s0084g00010, VIT_00s0271g00010, and VIT_13s0067g00050) in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (involved in the production and accumulation of aromatic compounds). Additionally, 2 VvMYB (VIT_17s0000g07950, VIT_03s0063g02620) and 1 VvGATA (VIT_15s0024g00980) transcription factor played important regulatory roles in the accumulation of key biosynthetic precursors of these compounds in grapes. Our results indicated that downstream genes, specifically 1 VvBGLU (VIT_03s0063g02490) and 2 VvUGT (VIT_17s0000g07070, VIT_17s0000g07060) are involved in regulating the formation and volatilization of bound compounds in grapes. Conclusions The results of this study shed light on the volatile compounds and “anchor points” of synthetic pathways in the pulp and skin of muscat and strawberry grapes, and provide new insight into the regulation of different aromas in grapes.

Abstract Circular RNA (circRNAs) is a covalently closed circular non-coding RNA formed by reverse back-splicing from precursor messenger RNA. It is found widely in eukaryotic cells and can be released to the surrounding environment and captured by other cell types. This, circRNAs serve as connections between different cell types for the mediation of multiple signaling pathways. CircRNAs reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), a key factor involved in all stages of cancer development, by regulating epithelial-stromal transformation, tumor vascularization, immune cell function, and inflammatory responses. Immune cells are the most abundant cellular TME components, and they have profound toxicity to cancer cells. This review summarizes circRNA regulation of immune cells, including T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages; highlights the impact of circRNAs on tumor progression, treatment, and prognosis; and indicates new targets for tumor immunotherapy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The causes of ALS are not fully understood. About 10% of ALS cases were associated with genetic factors. Since the discovery of the first familial ALS pathogenic gene SOD1 in 1993 and with the technology advancement, now over 40 ALS genes have been found. Recent studies have identified ALS related genes including ANXA11, ARPP21, CAV1, C21ORF2, CCNF, DNAJC7, GLT8D1, KIF5A, NEK1, SPTLC1, TIA1, and WDR7. These genetic discoveries contribute to a better understanding of ALS and show the potential to aid the development of better ALS treatments. Besides, several genes appear to be associated with other neurological disorders, such as CCNF and ANXA11 linked to FTD. With the deepening understanding of the classic ALS genes, rapid progress has been made in gene therapies. In this review, we summarize the latest progress on classical ALS genes and clinical trials for these gene therapies, as well as recent findings on newly discovered ALS genes.

Cotton is one of the major cash crops globally. It is characterized by determinate growth and multiple fruiting, which makes the source–sink contradiction more obvious. Coordination between source and sink is crucial for normal growth, yield, and quality of cotton. Numerous studies reported how the assimilate transport and distribution under varying environmental cues affected crop yields. However, less is known about the functional mechanism underlying the assimilate transport between source and sink, and how their distribution impacts cotton growth. Here, we provided an overview of the assimilate transport and distribution mechanisms , and discussed the regulatory mechanisms involved in source-sink balance in relation to cotton yield. Therefore, this review enriched our knowledge of the regulatory mechanism involved in source–sink relationship for improved cotton yield.

IntroductionThe gradual loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in ALS are still not fully understood.MethodsBased on 75 ALS-pathogenicity/susceptibility genes and large-scale single-cell transcriptomes of human/mouse brain/spinal cord/muscle tissues, we performed an expression enrichment analysis to identify cells involved in ALS pathogenesis. Subsequently, we created a strictness measure to estimate the dosage requirement of ALS-related genes in linked cell types.ResultsRemarkably, expression enrichment analysis showed that α- and γ-MNs, respectively, are associated with ALS-susceptibility genes and ALS-pathogenicity genes, revealing differences in biological processes between sporadic and familial ALS. In MNs, ALS-susceptibility genes exhibited high strictness, as well as the ALS-pathogenicity genes with known loss of function mechanism, indicating the main characteristic of ALS-susceptibility genes is dosage-sensitive and the loss of function mechanism of these genes may involve in sporadic ALS. In contrast, ALS-pathogenicity genes with gain of function mechanism exhibited low strictness. The significant difference of strictness between loss of function genes and gain of function genes provided a priori understanding for the pathogenesis of novel genes without an animal model. Besides MNs, we observed no statistical evidence for an association between muscle cells and ALS-related genes. This result may provide insight into the etiology that ALS is not within the domain of neuromuscular diseases. Moreover, we showed several cell types linked to other neurological diseases [i.e., spinocerebellar ataxia (SA), hereditary motor neuropathies (HMN)] and neuromuscular diseases [i.e. hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)], including an association between Purkinje cells in brain and SA, an association between α-MNs in spinal cord and SA, an association between smooth muscle cells and SA, an association between oligodendrocyte and HMN, a suggestive association between γ-MNs and HMN, a suggestive association between mature skeletal muscle and HMN, an association between oligodendrocyte in brain and SPG, and no statistical evidence for an association between cell type and SMA.DiscussionThese cellular similarities and differences deepened our understanding of the heterogeneous cellular basis of ALS, SA, HMN, SPG, and SMA.

Abstract Background Recent studies have identified susceptibility genes of HBV clearance, chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and showed the host genetic factors play an important role in these HBV-related outcomes. Methods Collected samples from different outcomes of HBV infection and performed genotyping by Affymetrix 500 k SNP Array. GCTA tool, PLINK, and Bonferroni method were applied for analysis of genotyping and disease progression. ANOVA was used to evaluate the significance of the association between biomarkers and genotypes in healthy controls. PoMo, FST, Vcftools and Rehh package were used for building the racial tree and population analysis. FST statistics accesses 0.15 was used as a threshold to detect the signature of selection. Results There are 1031 participants passed quality control from 1104 participants, including 275 HBV clearance, 92 asymptomatic persistence infection (ASPI), 93 chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 188 HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis (DC), 214 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 169 healthy controls (HC). In the case–control study, one novel locus significantly associated with CHB (SNP: rs1264473, Gene: GRHL2, P = 1.57 × 10−6) and HCC (SNP: rs2833856, Gene: EVA1C, P = 1.62 × 10−6; SNP: rs4661093, Gene: ETV3, P = 2.26 × 10−6). In the trend study across progressive stages post HBV infection, one novel locus (SNP: rs1537862, Gene: LACE1, P = 1.85 × 10−6), and three MHC loci (HLA-DRB1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DPA2) showed significant increased progressive risk from ASPI to CHB. Underlying the evolutionary study of HBV-related genes in public database, the derived allele of two HBV clearance related loci, rs3077 and rs9277542, are under strong selection in European population. Conclusions In this study, we identified several novel candidate genes associated with individual HBV infectious outcomes, progressive stages, and liver enzymes. Two SNPs that show selective significance (HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1) in non-East Asian (European, American, South Asian) versus East Asian, indicating that host genetic factors contribute to the ethnic disparities of susceptibility of HBV infection. Taken together, these findings provided a new insight into the role of host genetic factors in HBV related outcomes and progression.

BackgroundCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are cell cycle regulators, and abnormal activation can accelerate tumor cell proliferation. However, The relation between CDKs dysregulation to colorectal cancer incidence and progression have not been examined in detail. Methods:Differences in CDKs expression between colorectal cancer and normal tissues, associations between expression and clinical prognosis, incidence and frequencies of CDKs gene mutations, and the influences of CDKs on tumor infiltration by immune cells were examined by analyses of Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, and TIMER databases.ResultsColorectal cancer tissues showed enhanced expression levels of CDKs 1/2/4/5/6/8/12/13/19 but reduced CDK3 expression. CDK7 was highly expressed in some colorectal cancer tissues but downregulated in others. Expression levels of CDK1/3/4/7/8/10/11b/13/18/19/20 were correlated with clinical stage, and CDK 5/10/12/16 expression levels predicted prognosis and survival. Differential CDKs expression correlated with cell cycle progression, amino acid polypeptide modifications, and activation of other protein kinases. Expression levels of all CDKs except CDK16 were correlated with infiltration of CD4+T, CD8+T, B and Tregs cells.ConclusionsCDK 1 and 4 could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC. CDK 5/10/12/16 can be utilized as prognostic biomarkers.

Abstract Background Genome structural variations (SVs) have been associated with key traits in a wide range of agronomically important species; however, SV profiles of peach and their functional impacts remain largely unexplored. Results Here, we present an integrated map of 202,273 SVs from 336 peach genomes. A substantial number of SVs have been selected during peach domestication and improvement, which together affect 2268 genes. Genome-wide association studies of 26 agronomic traits using these SVs identify a number of candidate causal variants. A 9-bp insertion in Prupe.4G186800, which encodes a NAC transcription factor, is shown to be associated with early fruit maturity, and a 487-bp deletion in the promoter of PpMYB10.1 is associated with flesh color around the stone. In addition, a 1.67 Mb inversion is highly associated with fruit shape, and a gene adjacent to the inversion breakpoint, PpOFP1, regulates flat shape formation. Conclusions The integrated peach SV map and the identified candidate genes and variants represent valuable resources for future genomic research and breeding in peach.

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a metabolic disorder and able to be relieved by traditional Chinese medicines. However, the effect of Ligusticum wallichii on OA is unknown. Methods Cytokine IL-1β and L. wallichii extracts were used to stimulate the primary mouse chondrocytes. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability. The mRNA and protein level of each gene were test by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The rate of apoptotic cell was measured by flow cytometry. GC/MS-based metabolomics was utilized to characterize the variation of metabolome. Results Here, we found that L. wallichii attenuated the IL-1β-induced apoptosis, inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in mouse chondrocytes. Then we used GC/MS-based metabolomics to characterize the variation of metabolomes. The established metabolic profile of mouse chondrocytes showed that the abundance of most metabolites (n = 40) altered by IL-1β stimulation could be repressed by L. wallichii treatment. Multivariate data analysis identified that cholesterol, linoleic acid, hexadecandioic acid, proline, l-valine, l-leucine, pyruvate, palmitic acid, and proline are the most key biomarkers for understanding the metabolic role of L. wallichii in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. Further pathway analysis using these metabolites enriched fourteen metabolic pathways, which were dramatically changed in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes and capable of being reprogrammed by L. wallichii incubation. These enriched pathways were involved in carbon metabolisms, fatty acid biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolisms. Conclusions These findings provide potential clues that metabolic strategies are linked to protective mechanisms of L. wallichii treatment in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and emphasize the importance of metabolic strategies against inflammatory responses in OA development.

Currently, no suitable clinical drugs are available for patients with neurodegenerative diseases complicated by depression. Based on a fusion technique to create effective multi–target–directed ligands (MTDLs), we synthesized a series of (R)–N–(benzo[d]thiazol–2–yl)–2–(1–phenyl–3,4–dihydroisoquinolin–2(1H)–yl) acetamides with substituted benzothiazoles and (S)–1–phenyl–1,2,3,4–tetrahydroisoquinoline. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory potency against monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cholinesterase (ChE) by in vitro enzyme activity assays, and further tested for their specific inhibitory potency against monoamine oxidase B (MAO–B) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Among them, six compounds (4b–4d, 4f, 4g and 4i) displayed excellent activity. The classical antidepressant forced swim test (FST) was used to verify the in vitro results, revealing that six compounds reduced the immobility time significantly, especially compound 4g. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed by the MTT method and Acridine Orange (AO) staining, with cell viability found to be above 90% at effective compound concentrations, and not toxic to L929 cells reversibility, kinetics and molecular docking studies were also performed using compound 4g, which showed the highest MAO–B and BuChE inhibitory activities. The results of these studies showed that compound 4g binds to the primary interaction sites of both enzymes and has good blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration. This study provides new strategies for future research on neurodegenerative diseases complicated by depression.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in various biological processes and human diseases, including cancer. In this study, we demonstrated a regulatory relationship between lncRNA GRIK1-AS1 and miR-375/IFIT2 axis in gastric cancer. Our results show a decreased expression of GRIK1-AS1 in gastric cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal gastric tissues. Gastric cell lines also have reduced levels of GRIK1-AS1 compared to gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. Ectopic expression of GRIK1-AS1 in gastric cancer cell lines significantly inhibits cellular viability, migration, and invasion. RNA-pull down and the luciferase activity assays show that GRIK1-AS1 mainly interacts specifically with miR-375. We further demonstrate a negatively regulatory relationship between lncRNA GRIK1-AS1 and miR-375. We discovered that IFIT2 was one of the direct key downstream target genes of miR-375, and established the important role of the GRIK1-AS1/miR-375/IFIT2 axis in the progression of gastric cancer. Taken together, our results revealed a novel mechanism of GRIK1-AS1 as a sponge to miR-375 that impacts gastric cancer progression via modulating target mRNA IFIT2 translation, and as a result, opens a new strategy to future GRIK1-AS1 based therapeutic development.

Abstract Background Peach (Prunus persica L.) is a diploid species and model plant of the Rosaceae family. In the past decade, significant progress has been made in peach genetic research via DNA markers, but the number of these markers remains limited. Results In this study, we performed a genome-wide DNA markers detection based on sequencing data of six distantly related peach accessions. A total of 650,693~1,053,547 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 114,227~178,968 small insertion/deletions (InDels), 8386~12,298 structure variants (SVs), 2111~2581 copy number variants (CNVs) and 229,357~346,940 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected and annotated. To demonstrate the application of DNA markers, 944 SNPs were filtered for association study of fruit ripening time and 15 highly polymorphic SSRs were selected to analyze the genetic relationship among 221 accessions. Conclusions The results showed that the use of high-throughput sequencing to develop DNA markers is fast and effective. Comprehensive identification of DNA markers, including SVs and SSRs, would be of benefit to genetic diversity evaluation, genetic mapping, and molecular breeding of peach.

Abstract Background Human selection has a long history of transforming crop genomes. Peach (Prunus persica) has undergone more than 5000 years of domestication that led to remarkable changes in a series of agronomically important traits, but genetic bases underlying these changes and the effects of artificial selection on genomic diversity are not well understood. Results Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of peach evolution based on genome sequences of 480 wild and cultivated accessions. By focusing on a set of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), we provide evidence supporting that distinct phases of domestication and improvement have led to an increase in fruit size and taste and extended its geographic distribution. Fruit size was predominantly selected during domestication, and selection for large fruits has led to the loss of genetic diversity in several fruit weight QTLs. In contrast, fruit taste-related QTLs were successively selected for by domestication and improvement, with more QTLs selected for during improvement. Genome-wide association studies of 11 agronomic traits suggest a set of candidate genes controlling these traits and potential markers for molecular breeding. Candidate loci for genes that contributed to the adaption to low-chill regions were identified. Furthermore, the genomic bases of divergent selection for fruit texture and local breeding for different flavors between Asian and European/North American cultivars were also determined. Conclusions Our results elucidate the genetic basis of peach evolution and provide new resources for future genomics-guided peach breeding.

Abstract Background As the implantation and long-term existence of tumor-specific T cells in host are the prerequisite for adoptive immunotherapy, memory stem T cells (TSCM) with self-renewal and differentiation capacity show the greatest potential to implant and long-term exhibit function in vivo, compared with other T cells of differentiation stages. Hence, tumor-specific TSCM have become potential candidate for adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Here, we reported a protocol to generate allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. Methods To prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM, we used an LCL named E007 of defined HLA allotyping as simulator, a co-culture of E007 and allogeneic PBLs was carried out in the presence of differentiation inhibitor TWS119 for 7 days. Sorting of proliferation cells ensured the E007-specificity of the prepared TSCM cells. The sorted lymphocytes underwent further expansion by cytokines IL-7 and IL-15 for further 7 days, making the E007-specific CD8 + TSCM expanded in number. The stem cell and T memory cell properties of the prepared CD8+ TSCM were observed in NOD-SCID mice. Results Our protocol began with 1 × 107 PBLs and resulted in 2 × 107 E007-specific CD8+ TSCM cells in 2 weeks of preparation. The prepared TSCM cells exhibited a proliferative history and rapid differentiation into effector cells upon the E007 re-stimulation. Importantly, the prepared TSCM cells were able to exist long and reconstitute other T cell subsets in vivo, eradicating the E007 cells effectively after transferred into the LCL burden mice. Conclusions This protocol was able to prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. The prepared TSCM showed the properties of stem cells and T memory cells. This study provided a reference method for generation of antigen-specific TSCM for T cell adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an important, progressive neurodegenerative disease, with a complex genetic architecture. A key goal of biomedical research is to seek out disease risk genes, and to elucidate the function of these risk genes in the development of disease. For this purpose, expanding the AD-associated gene set is necessary. In past research, the prediction methods for AD related genes has been limited in their exploration of the target genome regions. We here present a genome-wide method for AD candidate genes predictions. Methods We present a machine learning approach (SVM), based upon integrating gene expression data with human brain-specific gene network data, to discover the full spectrum of AD genes across the whole genome. Results We classified AD candidate genes with an accuracy and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 84.56% and 94%. Our approach provides a supplement for the spectrum of AD-associated genes extracted from more than 20,000 genes in a genome wide scale. Conclusions In this study, we have elucidated the whole-genome spectrum of AD, using a machine learning approach. Through this method, we expect for the candidate gene catalogue to provide a more comprehensive annotation of AD for researchers.

Fruit shape is an important external characteristic that consumers use to select preferred fruit cultivars. In peach, the flat fruit cultivars have become more and more popular worldwide. Genetic markers closely linking to the flat fruit trait have been identified and are useful for marker-assisted breeding. However, the cellular and genetic mechanisms underpinning flat fruit formation are still poorly understood. In this study, we have revealed the differences in fruit cell number, cell size, and in gene expression pattern between the traditional round fruit and modern flat fruit cultivars. Flat peach cultivars possessed significantly lower number of cells in the vertical axis because cell division in the vertical direction stopped early in the flat fruit cultivars at 15 DAFB (day after full bloom) than in round fruit cultivars at 35 DAFB. This resulted in the reduction in vertical development in the flat fruit. Significant linear relationship was observed between fruit vertical diameter and cell number in vertical axis for the four examined peach cultivars (R2 = 0.9964) at maturation stage, and was also observed between fruit vertical diameter and fruit weight (R2 = 0.9605), which indicated that cell number in vertical direction contributed to the flat shape formation. Furthermore, in RNA-seq analysis, 4165 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected by comparing RNA-seq data between flat and round peach cultivars at different fruit development stages. In contrast to previous studies, we discovered 28 candidate genes potentially responsible for the flat shape formation, including 19 located in the mapping site and 9 downstream genes. Our study indicates that flat and round fruit shape in peach is primarily determined by the regulation of cell production in the vertical direction during early fruit development.

A new series of 2-(5-methyl-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)acetamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsive activity in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-evoked convulsion model and antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test (FST) model. Eleven synthesized compounds were found to be protective against PTZ-induced seizure and showed the anticonvulsant activity. In addition, four of the synthesized compounds (4l, 4m, 4p and 4q) showed potent antidepressant-like activity. Among these compounds, compound 4l was found to have the most potent antidepressant-like activity, and significantly reduced the duration of immobility time at 100 mg/kg dose level when compared to the vehicle control, which is similar to the reference drug fluoxetine.

The dissacharide trehalose is an important intracellular osmoprotectant and the OtsA/B pathway is the principal pathway for trehalose biosynthesis in a wide range of bacterial species. Scaffolding proteins and other cytoskeletal elements play an essential role in morphogenetic processes in bacteria. Here we describe how OtsA, in addition to its role in trehalose biosynthesis, functions as an osmotic stress sensor to regulate cell morphology in Arthrobacter strain A3. In response to osmotic stress, this and other Arthrobacter species undergo a transition from bacillary to myceloid growth. An otsA null mutant exhibits constitutive myceloid growth. Osmotic stress leads to a depletion of trehalose-6-phosphate, the product of the OtsA enzyme, and experimental depletion of this metabolite also leads to constitutive myceloid growth independent of OtsA function. In vitro analyses indicate that OtsA can self-assemble into protein networks, promoted by trehalose-6-phosphate, a property that is not shared by the equivalent enzyme from E. coli, despite the latter's enzymatic activity when expressed in Arthrobacter. This, and the localization of the protein in non-stressed cells at the mid-cell and poles, indicates that OtsA from Arthrobacter likely functions as a cytoskeletal element regulating cell morphology. Recruiting a biosynthetic enzyme for this morphogenetic function represents an intriguing adaptation in bacteria that can survive in extreme environments.

Thirty-four new benzo[d]thiazol derivatives 2a−2i, 3a−3r, and 4a−4g were synthesized and investigated for their potential antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects. In a forced swimming test, 2c and 2d showed the highest antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects. 2c and 2d displayed a higher percentage decrease in immobility duration (89.96% and 89.62%, respectively) than that of fluoxetine (83.62%). In the maximal electroshock seizure test, 3n and 3q showed the highest anticonvulsant effect, with ED50 values of 46.1 and 64.3 mg kg−1, and protective indices of 6.34 and 4.11, respectively, which were similar to those of phenobarbital or valproate. We also found that the mechanism for the antidepressant activity of 2c and 2d may be via increasing the concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Camptodactyly is a digit deformity characterized by permanent flexion contracture of one or both fifth fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. Though over 60 distinct types of syndromic camptodactyly have been described, only one disease locus (3q11.2-q13.12) for nonsyndromic camptodactyly has been identified. To identify the genetic defect for camptodactyly in a four-generation Chinese Han family, exome and Sanger sequencings were conducted and a missense variant, c.1016C>T (p.S339L), in the talin 2 gene (TLN2) was identified. The variant co-segregated with disease in the family and was not observed in 12 unaffected family members or 1,000 normal controls, suggesting that p.S339L is a pathogenic mutation. Two asymptomatic carriers in the family indicated incomplete penetrance or more complicated compensated mechanism. Most of p.S339L carriers also have relatively benign cardiac phenotypes. Expression of wild and mutant TLN2 in HEK293 cells suggested the predominant localization in cytoplasm. Our data suggest a potential molecular link between TLN2 and camptodactyly pathogenesis.

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA, OMIM 121050), also known as Beals-Hecht syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue. CCA is characterized by arachnodactyly, dolichostenomelia, pectus deformities, kyphoscoliosis, congenital contractures and a crumpled appearance of the helix of the ear. The aim of this study is to identify the genetic cause of a 4-generation Chinese family of Tujia ethnicity with congenital contractural arachnodactyly by exome sequencing. The clinical features of patients in this family are consistent with CCA. A novel missense mutation, c.3769T>C (p.C1257R), in the fibrillin 2 gene (FBN2) was identified responsible for the genetic cause of our family with CCA. The p.C1257R mutation occurs in the 19th calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domain. The amino acid residue cysteine in this domain is conserved among different species. Our findings suggest that exome sequencing is a powerful tool to discover mutation(s) in CCA. Our results may also provide new insights into the cause and diagnosis of CCA, and may have implications for genetic counseling and clinical management.

This study aimed to identify the genetics underlying dominant forms of inherited retinal dystrophies using whole exome sequencing (WES) in six families extensively screened for known mutations or genes. Thirty-eight individuals were subjected to WES. Causative variants were searched among single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertion/deletion variants (indels) and whenever no potential candidate emerged, copy number variant (CNV) analysis was performed. Variants or regions harboring a candidate variant were prioritized and segregation of the variant with the disease was further assessed using Sanger sequencing in case of SNVs and indels, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for CNVs. SNV and indel analysis led to the identification of a previously reported mutation in PRPH2. Two additional mutations linked to different forms of retinal dystrophies were identified in two families: a known frameshift deletion in RPGR, a gene responsible for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and p.Ser163Arg in C1QTNF5 associated with Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration. A novel heterozygous deletion spanning the entire region of PRPF31 was also identified in the affected members of a fourth family, which was confirmed with qPCR. This study allowed the identification of the genetic cause of the retinal dystrophy and the establishment of a correct diagnosis in four families, including a large heterozygous deletion in PRPF31, typically considered one of the pitfalls of this method. Since all findings in this study are restricted to known genes, we propose that targeted sequencing using gene-panel is an optimal first approach for the genetic screening and that once known genetic causes are ruled out, WES might be used to uncover new genes involved in inherited retinal dystrophies.

Mutations in the transmembrane channel-like gene 1 (TMC1) can cause both DFNA36 and DFNB7/11 hearing loss. More than thirty DFNB7/11 mutations have been reported, but only three DFNA36 mutations were reported previously. In this study, we found a large Chinese family with 222 family members showing post-lingual, progressive sensorineural hearing loss which were consistent with DFNA36 hearing loss. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test of the youngest patient showed a special result with nearly normal threshold but prolonged latency, decreased amplitude, and the abnormal waveform morphology. Exome sequencing of the proband found four candidate variants in known hearing loss genes. Sanger sequencing in all family members found a novel variant c.1253T>A (p.M418K) in TMC1 at DFNA36 that co-segregated with the phenotype. This mutation in TMC1 is orthologous to the mutation found in the hearing loss mouse model named Bth ten years ago. In another 51 Chinese autosomal dominant hearing loss families, we screened the segments containing the dominant mutations of TMC1 and no functional variants were found. TMC1 is expressed in the hair cells in inner ear. Given the already known roles of TMC1 in the mechanotransduction in the cochlea and its expression in inner ear, our results may provide an interesting perspective into its function in inner ear.

In this study, a five-generation Chinese family (family F013) with progressive autosomal dominant hearing loss was mapped to a critical region spanning 28.54 Mb on chromosome 9q31.3-q34.3 by linkage analysis, which was a novel DFNA locus, assigned as DFNA56. In this interval, there were 398 annotated genes. Then, whole exome sequencing was applied in three patients and one normal individual from this family. Six single nucleotide variants and two indels were found co-segregated with the phenotypes. Then using mass spectrum (Sequenom, Inc.) to rank the eight sites, we found only the TNC gene be co-segregated with hearing loss in 53 subjects of F013. And this missense mutation (c.5317G>A, p.V1773M ) of TNC located exactly in the critical linked interval. Further screening to the coding region of this gene in 587 subjects with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) found a second missense mutation, c.5368A>T (p. T1796S), co-segregating with phenotype in the other family. These two mutations located in the conserved region of TNC and were absent in the 387 normal hearing individuals of matched geographical ancestry. Functional effects of the two mutations were predicted using SIFT and both mutations were deleterious. All these results supported that TNC may be the causal gene for the hearing loss inherited in these families. TNC encodes tenascin-C, a member of the extracellular matrix (ECM), is present in the basilar membrane (BM), and the osseous spiral lamina of the cochlea. It plays an important role in cochlear development. The up-regulated expression of TNC gene in tissue repair and neural regeneration was seen in human and zebrafish, and in sensory receptor recovery in the vestibular organ after ototoxic injury in birds. Then the absence of normal tenascin-C was supposed to cause irreversible injuries in cochlea and caused hearing loss.

The goal of this study was to identify mutations in 25 known causative genes in 47 unrelated Chinese families with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD).Forty-seven probands from unrelated families with CORD were recruited. Genomic DNA prepared from leukocytes was analyzed by whole exome sequencing. Variants in the 25 genes were selected and then validated by Sanger sequencing.Fourteen potential pathogenic mutations, including nine novel and five known, were identified in 10 of the 47 families (21.28%). Homozygous, compound heterozygous, and hemizygous mutations were detected in three, four, or three families, respectively. The 14 mutations in the 10 families were distributed among CNGB3 (three families), PDE6C (two families), ABCA4 (one family), RPGRIP1 (one family), RPGR (two families), and CACNA1F (one family).This study provides a brief view on mutation spectrum of the 25 genes in a Chinese cohort with CORD. Identification of novel mutations enriched our understanding of variations in these genes and their associated phenotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first systemic exome-sequencing analysis of all of the 25 CORD-associated genes.

The purified total sterols and β-sitosterol extracted from Sargassum horneri were evaluated for their antidepressant-like activity using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Total sterols and β-sitosterol significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST and TST. Total sterols were administered orally for 7 days at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, and β-sitosterol was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg. β-sitosterol had no effect on locomotor activity in the open field test. In addition, total sterols and β-sitosterol significantly increased NE, 5-HT, and the metabolite 5-HIAA in the mouse brain, suggesting that the antidepressant-like activity may be mediated through these neurotransmitters.

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Syndactyly is one of the most common hereditary limb malformations, and is characterized by the fusion of specific fingers and/or toes. Syndactyly type I-c is associated with bilateral cutaneous or bony webbing of the third and fourth fingers and occasionally of the third to fifth fingers, with normal feet. The aim of the present study was to identify the genetic basis of syndactyly type I-c in four generations of a Chinese Han family by exome sequencing. Exome sequencing was conducted in the proband of the family, followed by direct sequencing of other family members of the same ancestry, as well as 100 ethnically-matched, unrelated normal controls. A missense mutation, c.917G>A (p.R306Q), was identified in the homeobox D13 gene (HOXD13). Sanger sequencing verified the presence of this mutation in all of the affected family members. By contrast, this mutation was absent in the unaffected family members and the 100 ethnically-matched normal controls. The results suggest that the c.917G>A (p.R306Q) mutation in the HOXD13 gene, may be responsible for syndactyly type I-c in this family. Exome sequencing may therefore be a powerful tool for identifying mutations associated with syndactyly, which is a disorder with high genetic and clinical heterogeneity. The results provide novel insights into the etiology and diagnosis of syndactyly, and may influence genetic counseling and the clinical management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) is a pivotal skeletal growth factor. Sodium alginate (SA) is a natural polysaccharide polymer extracted from brown alga. Partial uronic acid units of sodium alginate can be transformed into aldehyde groups, namely dicarboxymethyl trisodium alginate (DCMTSA). In this investigation, rats with traumatic femoral neck fractures were selected. The rats treated with dicarboxymethyl trisodium alginate intervention were assigned to the experimental group, those treated with sodium alginate intervention were in the control group, and those receiving no medical intervention were in the placebo group. The expression of BMP-7 at both the protein and mRNA levels in the rat fracture tissues in all three groups was quantitatively detected by immunohistochemicals SP and RT-PCR. Results revealed that both dicarboxymethyl trisodium alginate and sodium alginate induced the up-regulation of BMP-7 expression. However, the effect of dicarboxymethyl trisodium alginate was superior to that of sodium alginate. Therefore, dicarboxymethyl trisodium alginate can be used to promote the release of BMP-7 from bone cells and contribute to the bone union in traumatic femoral neck fracture in rat models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although interspecific chimeras can be identified using laborious techniques, more accurate and rapid detectable methods need to be established. The present study develops a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay to detect human-mouse chimeras. A set of previously validated outer primers, specific to the human SRY gene, was used for conventional one-step PCR, while the inner primers for nPCR were designed. The specificities of PCR and nPCR assays were examined; both primer sets yielded PCR amplification products from male human epidermis-derived mesenchymal stem cell-like pluripotent cell DNA but no amplification products from negative control DNA. The sensitivity of this nPCR was determined using mixed DNA. Measurable amplification of SRY transcripts was a male human to female mouse DNA ratio of 1:10,000. We then tested the nPCR assay on tissues from female mouse chimeras. The nPCR products were selected randomly for sequencing and positive samples were further analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using specific probes for the human SRY gene and by immunofluorescence staining for species-specific markers. There was 100% concordance among nPCR, FISH, and immunofluorescence results, and the nPCR product sequences were consistent with the human SRY gene. Taken together, we developed a new, highly specific, sensitive, and reliable method to detect human-mouse chimeras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stomata are highly specialized epidermal structures that control transpiration and gas exchange between plants and the environment. Signal networks underlying stomatal development have been previously uncovered but much less is known about how signals involved in stomatal development are transmitted to RNA polymerase II (Pol II or RPB), which plays a central role in the transcription of mRNA coding genes. Here, we identify a partial loss-of-function mutation of the third largest subunit of nuclear DNA-dependent Pol II (NRPB3) that exhibits an increased number of stomatal lineage cells and paired stomata. Phenotypic and genetic analyses indicated that NRPB3 is not only required for correct stomatal patterning, but is also essential for stomatal differentiation. Protein-protein interaction assays showed that NRPB3 directly interacts with two basic helixloop- helix (bHLH) transcription factors, FAMA and INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1 (ICE1), indicating that NRPB3 serves as an acceptor for signals from transcription factors involved in stomatal development. Our findings highlight the surprisingly conserved activating mechanisms mediated by the third largest subunit of Pol II in eukaryotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have potential clinical applications in different types of diseases. In order to acquire enough cells, hUCMSCs have to be expanded ex vivo. However, it remains to be elucidated whether the characteristics of hUCMSCs are altered during ex vivo expansion. In the present study, the quality of hUCMSCs, which is important for successful therapeutic use, was systematically examined during hUCMSC expansion ex vivo. Morphologically, hUCMSCs exhibited no visible changes during culture. In addition, hUCMSCs retained their proliferative ability between passages 0-5. At the molecular level, the cells continued expressing the specific positive surface markers, CD29, CD73 and CD90, and did not express the negative surface markers, CD14, CD34 or CD45, during culture ex vivo. Furthermore, the hUCMSCs exhibited low immunogenicity, which was maintained when cultured for five passages. However, the immunological properties of hUCMSCs were altered at passage 10, at which the percentage of hUCMSCs expressing human leukocyte antigen-I was significantly increased. Collectively, these results suggested that hUCMSCs used for cell-based therapies require obtaining from cells, which have been expanded for fewer than five passages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic defects underlying approximately half of all retinitis pigmentosa (RP) cases are unknown. A number of genes responsible for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) may also cause RP when they are mutated. Our previous study revealed that variants in the most frequently mutated nine exons accounted for approximately half of the mutations detected in a cohort of patients with LCA. The aim of the present study was to detect mutations in LCA-associated genes in patients with RP using two different strategies. Sanger sequencing was used to screen mutations in the nine exons in 293 patients with RP and exome sequencing was used to detect variants in 12 LCA-associated genes in 157 of the 293 patients with RP and then to validate the variants by Sanger sequencing. Potential pathogenic mutations were identified in four patients with early onset RP, including homozygous CRB1 mutations in two patients, compound heterozygous CRB1 mutations in one patient and compound heterozygous CEP290 mutations in one patient. The present study indicated that mutations in CEP290 may also be associated with RP but not with LCA. With the exception of CEP290, the remaining 11 genes known to be associated with LCA but not with RP are unlikely to be a common cause of RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plants, cell morphogenesis is dependent on intercellular auxin accumulation. The polar subcellular localization of the PINFORMED (PIN) protein is crucial for this process. Previous studies have shown that the protein kinase PINOID (PID) and protein phosphatase6-type phosphatase holoenzyme regulate the phosphorylation status of PIN1 in root tips and shoot apices. Here, we show that a type-one protein phosphatase, TOPP4, is essential for the formation of interdigitated pavement cell (PC) pattern in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf. The dominant-negative mutant topp4-1 showed severely inhibited interdigitated PC growth. Expression of topp4-1 gene in wild-type plants recapitulated the PC defects in the mutant. Genetic analyses suggested that TOPP4 and PIN1 likely function in the same pathway to regulate PC morphogenesis. Furthermore, colocalization, in vitro and in vivo protein interaction studies, and dephosphorylation assays revealed that TOPP4 mediated PIN1 polar localization and endocytic trafficking in PCs by acting antagonistically with PID to modulate the phosphorylation status of PIN1. In addition, TOPP4 affects the cytoskeleton pattern through the Rho of Plant GTPase-dependent auxin-signaling pathway. Therefore, we conclude that TOPP4-regulated PIN1 polar targeting through direct dephosphorylation is crucial for PC morphogenesis in the Arabidopsis leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) I deficiency is a rare medical condition caused by missense mutations in PRPS1 that lead to three different phenotypes: Arts Syndrome (MIM 301835), X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTX5, MIM 311070) or X linked non-syndromic sensorineural deafness (DFN2, MIM 304500). All three are X-linked recessively inherited and males affected display variable degree of central and peripheral neuropathy. We applied whole exome sequencing to a three-generation family with optic atrophy followed by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in all three cases, and ataxia, progressive peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss with variable presentation. Methods Whole exome sequencing was performed in two affecteds and one unaffected member of the family. Sanger sequencing was used to validate and segregate the 12 candidate mutations in the family and to confirm the absence of the novel variant in PRPS1 in 191 controls. The pathogenic role of the novel mutation in PRPS1 was assessed in silico and confirmed by enzymatic determination of PRS activity, mRNA expression and sequencing, and Xchromosome inactivation. Results A novel missense mutation was identified in PRPS1 in the affected females. Age of onset, presentation and severity of the phenotype are highly variable in the family: both the proband and her mother have neurological and ophthalmological symptoms, whereas the phenotype of the affected sister is milder and currently confined to the eye. Moreover, only the proband displayed a complete lack of expression of the wild type allele in leukocytes that seems to correlate with the degree of PRS deficiency and the severity of the phenotype. Interestingly, optic atrophy and RP are the only common manifestations to all three females and the only phenotype correlating with the degree of enzyme deficiency. Conclusions These results are in line with recent evidence of the existence of intermediate phenotypes in PRS-I deficiency syndromes and demonstrate that females can exhibit a disease phenotype as severe and complex as their male counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alport syndrome (AS) is a monogenic disease of the basement membrane (BM), resulting in progressive renal failure due to glomerulonephropathy, variable sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular anomalies. It is caused by mutations in the collagen type IV alpha-3 gene (COL4A3), the collagen type IV alpha-4 gene (COL4A4), and the collagen type IV alpha-5 gene (COL4A5), which encodes type IV collagen α3, α4, and α5 chains, respectively. To explore the disease-related gene in a four-generation Chinese Han pedigree of AS, exome sequencing was conducted on the proband, and a novel deletion mutation c.499delC (p.Pro167Glnfs *36) in the COL4A5 gene was identified. This mutation, absent in 1,000 genomes project, HapMap, dbSNP132, YH1 databases, and 100 normal controls, cosegregated with patients in the family. Neither sensorineural hearing loss nor typical COL4A5-related ocular abnormalities (dot-and-fleck retinopathy, anterior lenticonus, and the rare posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy)were present in patients of this family. The phenotypes of patients in this AS family were characterized by early onset-age and rapidly developing into end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Our discovery broadens the mutation spectrum in the COL4A5 gene associated with AS, which may also shed new light on genetic counseling for AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We isolated human epidermis-derived mesenchymal stem cell-like pluripotent cells (hEMSCPCs) and demonstrate efficient harvesting, maintenance in vitro for at least 30 passages, reprogramming into multiple phenotypes in vivo, and integration into adult host tissues after injection into the mouse blastocyst to create chimeras. Cell phenotype was examined by karyotyping, immunostaining, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. A nested PCR protocol using primers specific for human SRY genes was designed to detect hEMSCPC-derived cells in female chimeric mice. FISH was used to validate the results of nested PCR. Results indicated that hEMSCPCs were derived from epidermis but were distinct from epidermal cells; they resembled mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) morphologically and expressed the main markers of MSCs. About half of all female offspring of mice implanted with embryos injected with hEMSCPCs at the blastocyst stage harbored the human Y chromosome and tissue-specific human protein, thereby demonstrating the transdifferentiation of hEMSCPCs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]