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BackgroundChronic sympathetic stimulation drives desensitization and downregulation of β1 adrenergic receptor (β1AR) in heart failure. We aim to explore the differential downregulation subcellular pools of β1AR signaling in the heart.Methods and resultsWe applied chronic infusion of isoproterenol to induced cardiomyopathy in male C57BL/6J mice. We applied confocal and proximity ligation assay to examine β1AR association with L-type calcium channel, ryanodine receptor 2, and SERCA2a ((Sarco)endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a) and Förster resonance energy transfer-based biosensors to probe subcellular β1AR-PKA (protein kinase A) signaling in ventricular myocytes. Chronic infusion of isoproterenol led to reduced β1AR protein levels, receptor association with L-type calcium channel and ryanodine receptor 2 measured by proximity ligation (puncta/cell, 29.65 saline versus 14.17 isoproterenol, P

Cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI) are neurological complications associated with cancer treatment, and greatly affect cancer survivors' quality of life. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an essential role in neurogenesis, learning and memory. The reduction of BDNF is associated with the decrease in cognitive function in various neurological disorders. Few pre-clinical studies have reported on the effects of chemotherapy and medical stress on BDNF levels and cognition. The present study aimed to compare the effects of medical stress and cisplatin on serum BDNF levels and cognitive function in 9-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats to age-matched controls. Serum BDNF levels were collected longitudinally during cisplatin treatment, and cognitive function was assessed by novel object recognition (NOR) 14 weeks post-cisplatin initiation. Terminal BDNF levels were collected 24 weeks after cisplatin initiation. In cultured hippocampal neurons, we screened three neuroprotective agents, riluzole (an approved treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), as well as the ampakines CX546 and CX1739. We assessed dendritic arborization by Sholl analysis and dendritic spine density by quantifying postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) puncta. Cisplatin and exposure to medical stress reduced serum BDNF levels and impaired object discrimination in NOR compared to age-matched controls. Pharmacological BDNF augmentation protected neurons against cisplatin-induced reductions in dendritic branching and PSD-95. Ampakines (CX546 and CX1739) and riluzole did not affect the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin in vitro. In conclusion, we established the first middle-aged rat model of cisplatin-induced CRCI, assessing the contribution of medical stress and longitudinal changes in BDNF levels on cognitive function, although future studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of BDNF enhancement in vivo on synaptic plasticity. Collectively, our results indicate that cancer treatment exerts long-lasting changes in BDNF levels, and support BDNF enhancement as a potential preventative approach to target CRCI with therapeutics that are FDA approved and/or in clinical study for other indications.

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a crucial role in neuropathic pain (NP) by targeting mRNAs. This study aims to analyze the regulatory function and mechanism of miR-382-5p/dual specificity phosphatase-1 (DUSP1) axis in NP. Methods: We utilized rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve as the NP model. The levels of miR- 382-5p and DUSP1 were reduced by intrathecal injection of lentiviral interference vectors targeting miR-382-5p and DUSP1. The mRNA levels of miR-382-5p and DUSP1 in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were measured by RT-qPCR assay. The pain behavior was evaluated by mechanical nociceptive sensitivity and thermal nociceptive sensitivity. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the DRGs were analyzed by ELISA assay. The targeting relationship between miR-382-5p and DUSP1 was verified by DLR assay and RIP assay. Results: Compared to the Sham group, the CCI rats exhibited higher levels of miR-382-5p and lower levels of DUSP1. Overexpression of miR-382-5p significantly decreased DUSP1 levels. Reducing miR-382-5p levels can lower the mechanical nociceptive sensitivity and thermal nociceptive sensitivity of CCI rats and inhibit the over-activation of pro-inflammatory factors. Reduced miR-382-5p levels decreased NP in CCI rats. DUSP1 is the target of miR-382- 5p, and down-regulation of DUSP1 reverses the inhibitory effect of reduced miR-382-5p levels on NP. Conclusions: Down-regulation of miR-382-5p inhibits the over-activation of pro-inflammatory factors by targeting and regulating the expression of DUPS1, thereby alleviating NP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: Drivers of the drug tolerant proliferative persister (DTPP) state have not been well investigated. Histone H3 lysine-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), an active histone mark, might enable slow cycling drug tolerant persisters (DTP) to regain proliferative capacity. This study aimed to determine H3K4me3 transcriptionally active sites identifying a key regulator of DTPPs. METHODS: Deploying a model of adaptive cancer drug tolerance, H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq data of DTPPs guided identification of top transcription factor binding motifs. These suggested involvement of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT), which was confirmed by metabolomics analysis and biochemical assays. OGT impact on DTPPs and adaptive resistance was explored in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: H3K4me3 remodeling was widespread in CPG island regions and DNA binding motifs associated with O-GlcNAc marked chromatin. Accordingly, we observed an upregulation of OGT, O-GlcNAc and its binding partner TET1 in chronically treated cancer cells. Inhibition of OGT led to loss of H3K4me3 and downregulation of genes contributing to drug resistance. Genetic ablation of OGT prevented acquired drug resistance in in vivo models. Upstream of OGT, we identified AMPK as an actionable target. AMPK activation by acetyl salicylic acid downregulated OGT with similar effects on delaying acquired resistance. CONCLUSION: Our findings uncover a fundamental mechanism of adaptive drug resistance that governs cancer cell reprogramming towards acquired drug resistance, a process that can be exploited to improve response duration and patient outcomes.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric malignancy originating from neural crest cells of the sympathetic nervous system that accounts for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite advances in treatment, high-risk NB remains difficult to cure, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is a deubiquitinase that plays a critical role in tumor suppression and DNA repair, and USP7 overexpression has been associated with tumor aggressiveness in a variety of tumors, including NB. Therefore, USP7 is a potential therapeutic target for NB. The tumor suppressor p53 is a known target of USP7, and therefore reactivation of the p53 pathway may be an effective therapeutic strategy for NB treatment. We hypothesized that inhibition of USP7 would be effective against NB tumor growth. Using a novel USP7 inhibitor, Almac4, we have demonstrated significant antitumor activity, with significant decreases in both cell proliferation and cell viability in TP53 wild-type NB cell lines. USP7 inhibition in NB cells activated the p53 pathway via USP7 and MDM2 degradation, leading to reduced p53 ubiquitination and increased p53 expression in all sensitive NB cells. In addition, USP7 inhibition led to decreased N-myc protein levels in both MYCN-amplified and -nonamplified NB cell lines, but no correlation was observed between MYCN amplification and treatment response. USP7 inhibition induced apoptosis in all TP53 wild-type NB cell lines. USP7 inhibition also induced EZH2 ubiquitination and degradation. Lastly, the combination of USP7 and MDM2 inhibition showed enhanced efficacy. Our data suggests that USP7 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for children with high-risk and relapsed NB.

The aim of this study is to review the role of renin-angiotensin in skin regeneration and wound healing with a focus on molecular mechanisms. Angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R) are abundant in the wounded area, and thus, lead to the activation of ERK, STAT1, and STAT3 which can lead to epidermal self-renewal. The expression of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) components was significantly lower in wounds caused by burning, rather than intact skin, noting that RAS is involved in the re-epithelialization of skin. ERK, STAT and STAT3 are the targets of Ang II, indicating that RAS active components are involved in fibroblast, stem cells and keratinocyte migration. The effect of inhibiting the RAS on wound healing is context-dependent. On one hand, it is suggested that inhibiting RAS during this phase may slow down wound healing speed. On the other hand, studies have shown that RAS inhibition in this phase can lead to α-SMA activation, ultimately accelerating the wound healing process. Most of the investigations indicate that the inhibition of RAS with Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays a significant role in tissue remodeling in the last phase of wound healing. It has been shown that the inhibition of RAS can inhibit scar formation and fibrosis through the downregulation of inflammatory and fibrogenic agents, such as TGF-β, SMAD2/3, and TAK1, PDGF-BB, and HSP47. To sum up, that local administration of RAS regulators might lead to less scar formation and inflammation in the last phase of wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commonly employed methods for reversibly disrupting gene expression, such as those based on RNAi or CRISPRi, are rarely capable of achieving >80-90% downregulation, making them unsuitable for targeting genes that require more complete disruption to elicit a phenotype. Genetic deletion, on the other hand, while enabling complete disruption of target genes, often produces undesirable irreversible consequences such as cytotoxicity or cell death. Here we describe the design, development, and detailed characterization of a dual-function "TRE-Lox" system for effecting either (a) doxycycline (Dox)-mediated downregulation or (b) genetic deletion of a target gene-the lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D (CatD)-based on targeted insertion of a tetracycline-response element (TRE) and two LoxP sites into the 5' end of the endogenous CatD gene (CTSD). Using an optimized reverse-tetracycline transrepressor (rtTR) variant fused with the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain, we show that CatD expression can be disrupted by as much as 98% in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). This system is highly sensitive to Dox (IC50 = 1.46 ng/mL) and results in rapid (t1/2 = 0.57 d) and titratable downregulation of CatD. Notably, even near-total disruption of CatD expression was completely reversed by withdrawal of Dox. As expected, transient expression of Cre recombinase results in complete deletion of the CTSD gene. The dual functionality of this novel system will facilitate future studies of the involvement of CatD in various diseases, particularly those attributable to partial loss of CatD function. In addition, the TRE-Lox approach should be applicable to the regulation of other target genes requiring more complete disruption than can be achieved by traditional methods.

The host transmembrane protein SERINC5 is incorporated into retrovirus particles and inhibits HIV-1 infectivity. The lentiviral Nef protein counteracts SERINC5 by downregulating it from the cell surface and preventing its incorporation into virions. The ability of Nef to antagonize the host factor varies in magnitude between different HIV-1 isolates. After having identified a subtype H nef allele unable to promote HIV-1 infectivity in the presence of SERINC5, we investigated the molecular determinants responsible for the defective counteraction of the host factor. Chimeric molecules with a subtype C Nef highly active against SERINC5 were constructed to locate Nef residues crucial for the activity against SERINC5. An Asn at the base of the C-terminal loop of the defective nef allele was found in place of a highly conserved acidic residue (D/E 150). The conversion of Asn to Asp restored the ability of the defective Nef to downregulate SERINC5 and promote HIV-1 infectivity. The substitution was also found to be crucial for the ability of Nef to downregulate CD4, but not for Nef activities that do not rely on the internalization of receptors from the cell surface, suggesting a general implication in promoting clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Accordingly, bimolecular fluorescence complementation revealed that the conserved acidic residue contributes to the recruitment of AP2 by Nef. Altogether, our results confirm that Nef downregulates SERINC5 and CD4 by engaging a similar machinery and indicates that, in addition to the di-leucine motif, other residues in the C-terminal flexible loop are important for the ability of the protein to sustain clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Future research will continue to be carried out in terms of looking for molecular markers involved in the early processes of carcinogenesis, metastasis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that contribute to prostate cancer progression by controlling genes involved in the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway, ectopic expression of proteins involved in the cell cycle and apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study was an exploratory study, the aim was to assess miRNA expression in low histopathological grade prostate cancer compared with high histopathological grade prostate cancer. The novelty of this research is to assess the 25 most increased (up-regulated) and 25 lowest (down-regulated) miRNAs from 800 types of miRNA. Next, we will analyze the mechanisms and confirm the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. The research results can be used for further research data, especially for targeted therapy in prostate cancer patients.

Introduction. It is established that the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections varies between individuals without underlying health conditions and those with chronic illnesses like asthma. Aim: to assess the gene expression of COVID-19 patients with and without asthma. Materials and Methods. 20 patient profiles out of a total of 288 were selected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE178399). All patients have positive PCR tests and were divided into 4 groups. GEO2R was used to estimate the comparison between groups. STRING tool was used to measure the correlation between genes. The phylogenetic tree was extracted using iTOL. The heat map was extracted using iDEP.96. Results. MMP10 (Matrix metalloproteinase-10), TNFRSF11B (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B), CCL23 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 23), CD274 (Programmed cell death 1) CX3CL1 (C-X3-C motif chemokine), and IL17C (Interleukin-17C) had down-regulation for all patients. Transcriptome data conducted no correlation between the expression of MMP10 and asthma, although there is a significant correlation between the expression of MMP1 and sensitivity. The expression of IL17A, which is strongly related to allergic asthma, is decreased in non-asthmatic individuals but elevated in asthmatic patients, notably in survivors. Patients who were not asthmatic had significantly higher CXCL9 levels. Conclusions. The study revealed a disparity in the relationship between imbalanced gene expressions in the groups examined. The gene expression of asthma patients who survived and died was not significantly different.

The multifaceted health benefits of curcumin (Curcuma longa), attributed to its antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities, have drawn significant scientific attention. Curcumin shows promise as a potential modulator of macrophage polarization, offering a natural strategy for managing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. However, a limiting factor for this beneficial molecule is its limited bioavailability due to its low solubility in water. This study aimed to quantify the effect of curcumin gold nanoparticle (CurAuNP)-mediated ultrasound irradiation on THP-1-derived macrophages as potential therapeutic targets. The photoreduction method was applied to synthesize the gold nanoparticles with curcumin as a ligand (CurAu). The effect of adding polyethylene glycol in the synthesis process was studied (CurAuPEG). CurAuNP characterization included UV/Vis, Zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, and FTIR. The amount of singlet oxygen released by curcumin and CurAuNPs was quantified by observing 1.3-diphenylisobenzofuran quenching upon ultrasound irradiation (1 MHz and 1 W/cm2). The results indicated that ultrasound therapy for 4 min with CurAuNPs significantly enhanced singlet oxygen generation and reduced macrophage viability compared to curcumin alone. The increased sonoluminescence and curcumin delivery facilitated by CurAuNPs led to greater curcumin activation. Consequently, CurAuNPs could offer promising therapeutic options for modulating macrophage polarization in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory stages.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most lethal form of AML due to disease relapse. Cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the family of Cyclin-dependent kinases and is an emerging target for the treatment of AML. MK256, a potent, selective, and orally available CDK8 inhibitor was developed to target AML. We sought to examine the anticancer effect of MK256 on AML. In CD34+/CD38- leukemia stem cells, we found that MK256 induced differentiation and maturation. Treatment of MK256 inhibited proliferation of AML cell lines. Further studies of the inhibitory effect suggested that MK256 not only downregulated phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726), but also lowered mRNA expressions of MCL-1 and CCL2 in AML cell lines. Efficacy of MK256 was shown in MOLM-14 xenograft models, and the inhibitory effect on phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726) with treatment of MK256 was observed in vivo. Pharmacologic dynamics study of MK256 in MOLM-14 xenograft models showed dose-dependent inhibition of the STAT pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that MK256 could effectively downregulate the STAT pathway. In vitro ADME, pharmacological kinetics, and toxicity of MK256 were profiled to evaluate the drug properties of MK256. Our results show that MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with a desirable efficacy and safety profile and has great potential to be a promising drug candidate for AML through regulating the STAT pathway.

Modern energy needs require controlled and clean power generation. This demands that the wind turbines be integrated into joint generation groups (wind farms) and the power supply passes be managed by the grid. In this case, the control system of both the wind farm and the individual machines needs the ability to decrease and increase the power output as required. This control system feature is normally implemented by changing control strategies and an associated switching logic. This makes the control system additionally complex and prone to errors. This paper proposes an integrated control configuration for torque and pitch based on a cascade power tracking control (PTC) approach that extends the traditional wind turbine control to enable or disable up/down-regulation. Hence, the resulting control system topology is not complex, and its theoretic dynamic behaviour is known and expected. The new control configuration is studied within a simulation environment with a 20 MW reference machine. The simulation results are very promising from the control performance viewpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multifaceted health benefits of curcumin (Curcuma longa), attributed to its antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities, have drawn significant scientific attention. Curcumin shows promise as a potential modulator of macrophage polarization, offering a natural strategy for managing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. However, a limiting factor for this beneficial molecule is its limited bioavailability due to its low solubility in water. This study aimed to quantify the effect of curcumin gold nanoparticle (CurAuNP)-mediated ultrasound irradiation on THP-1-derived macrophages as potential therapeutic targets. The photoreduction method was applied to synthesize the gold nanoparticles with curcumin as a ligand (CurAu). The effect of adding polyethylene glycol in the synthesis process was studied (CurAuPEG). CurAuNP characterization included UV/Vis, Zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, and FTIR. The amount of singlet oxygen released by curcumin and CurAuNPs was quantified by observing 1.3-diphenylisobenzofuran quenching upon ultrasound irradiation (1 MHz and 1 W/cm2). The results indicated that ultrasound therapy for 4 min with CurAuNPs significantly enhanced singlet oxygen generation and reduced macrophage viability compared to curcumin alone. The increased sonoluminescence and curcumin delivery facilitated by CurAuNPs led to greater curcumin activation. Consequently, CurAuNPs could offer promising therapeutic options for modulating macrophage polarization in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MiR-126 and miR-155 are key microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate, respectively, hematopoietic cell quiescence and proliferation. Herein we showed that in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the biogenesis of these two miRNAs is interconnected through a network of regulatory loops driven by the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). In fact, FLT3-ITD induces the expression of miR-155 through a noncanonical mechanism of miRNA biogenesis that implicates cytoplasmic Drosha ribonuclease III (DROSHA). In turn, miR-155 down-regulates SH2-containing inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1), thereby increasing phosphor-protein kinase B (AKT) that in turn serine-phosphorylates, stabilizes, and activates Sprouty related EVH1 domain containing 1 (SPRED1). Activated SPRED1 inhibits the RAN/XPO5 complex and blocks the nucleus-to-cytoplasm transport of pre-miR-126, which cannot then complete the last steps of biogenesis. The net result is aberrantly low levels of mature miR-126 that allow quiescent leukemia blasts to be recruited into the cell cycle and proliferate. Thus, miR-126 down-regulation in proliferating AML blasts is downstream of FLT3-ITD–dependent miR-155 expression that initiates a complex circuit of concatenated regulatory feedback (i.e., miR-126/SPRED1, miR-155/human dead-box protein 3 [DDX3X]) and feed-forward (i.e., miR-155/SHIP1/AKT/miR-126) regulatory loops that eventually converge into an output signal for leukemic growth.

Researchers generally agree that when upregulating and downregulating emotion, control regions in the prefrontal cortex turn up or down activity in affect-generating brain areas. However, the affective dial hypothesis that turning up and down emotions produces opposite effects in the same affect-generating regions is untested. We tested this hypothesis by examining the overlap between the regions activated during upregulation and those deactivated during downregulation in 54 male and 51 female humans. We found that upregulation and downregulation both recruit regulatory regions, such as the inferior frontal gyrus and dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus, but act on distinct affect-generating regions. Upregulation increased activity in regions associated with emotional experience, such as the amygdala, anterior insula, striatum, and anterior cingulate gyrus as well as in regions associated with sympathetic vascular activity, such as periventricular white matter, while downregulation decreased activity in regions receiving interoceptive input, such as the posterior insula and postcentral gyrus. Nevertheless, participants subjective sense of emotional intensity was associated with activity in overlapping brain regions (dorsal anterior cingulate, insula, thalamus, and frontal pole) across upregulation and downregulation. These findings indicate that upregulation and downregulation rely on overlapping brain regions to control and assess emotions but target different affect-generating brain regions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many contexts require modulating ones own emotions. Identifying the brain areas implementing these regulatory processes should advance understanding emotional disorders and designing potential interventions. The emotion regulation field has an implicit assumption we call the affective dial hypothesis: both emotion upregulation and downregulation modulate the same emotion-generating brain areas. Countering the hypothesis, our findings indicate that up- and down-modulating emotions target different brain areas. Thus, the mechanisms underlying emotion regulation might differ more than previously appreciated for upregulation versus downregulation. In addition to their theoretical importance, these findings are critical for researchers attempting to target activity in particular brain regions during an emotion regulation intervention.

Modulating the number of muscle stems cells, called satellite cells, during early postnatal development produces long-term effects on muscle growth. We tested the hypothesis that high expression levels of the anti-aging protein Klotho in early postnatal myogenesis increase satellite cell numbers by influencing the epigenetic regulation of genes that regulate myogenesis. Our findings show that elevated klotho expression caused a transient increase in satellite cell numbers and slowed muscle fiber growth, followed by a period of accelerated muscle growth that leads to larger fibers. Klotho also transcriptionally downregulated the H3K27 demethylase Jmjd3, leading to increased H3K27 methylation and decreased expression of genes in the canonical Wnt pathway, which was associated with a delay in muscle differentiation. In addition, Klotho stimulation and Jmjd3 downregulation produced similar but not additive reductions in the expression of Wnt4, Wnt9a, and Wnt10a in myogenic cells, indicating that inhibition occurred through a common pathway. Together, our results identify a novel pathway through which Klotho influences myogenesis by reducing the expression of Jmjd3, leading to reductions in the expression of Wnt genes and inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling.

SARS-CoV-2 infects less than 1% of cells in the human body, yet it can cause severe damage in a variety of organs. Thus, deciphering the non-cell-autonomous effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection is imperative for understanding the cellular and molecular disruption it elicits. Neurological and cognitive defects are among the least understood symptoms of COVID-19 patients, with olfactory dysfunction being their most common sensory deficit. Here, we show that both in humans and hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 infection causes widespread downregulation of olfactory receptors (ORs) and of their signaling components. This non-cell-autonomous effect is preceded by a dramatic reorganization of the neuronal nuclear architecture, which results in dissipation of genomic compartments harboring OR genes. Our data provide a potential mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 infection alters the cellular morphology and the transcriptome of cells it cannot infect, offering insight to its systemic effects in olfaction and beyond.

BackgroundLong-term alcohol drinking is associated with numerous health complications including susceptibility to infection, cancer, and organ damage. However, due to the complex nature of human drinking behavior, it has been challenging to identify reliable biomarkers of alcohol drinking behavior prior to signs of overt organ damage. Recently, extracellular vesicle-bound microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) have been found to be consistent biomarkers of conditions that include cancer and liver disease.MethodsIn this study, we profiled the plasma EV-miRNA content by miRNA-Seq from 80 nonhuman primates after 12 months of voluntary alcohol drinking.ResultsWe identified a list of up- and downregulated EV-miRNA candidate biomarkers of heavy drinking and those positively correlated with ethanol dose. We overexpressed these candidate miRNAs in control primary peripheral immune cells to assess their potential functional mechanisms. We found that overexpression of miR-155, miR-154, miR-34c, miR-450a, and miR-204 led to increased production of the inflammatory cytokines TNFα or IL-6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimulation.ConclusionThis exploratory study identified several EV-miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers of long-term alcohol drinking and provide a mechanism to explain alcohol-induced peripheral inflammation.

Branching morphogenesis is a fundamental process by which organs in invertebrates and vertebrates form branches to expand their surface areas. The current dogma holds that directional cell migration determines where a new branch forms and thus patterns branching. Here, we asked whether mouse Lgl1, a homolog of the Drosophila tumor suppressor Lgl, regulates epithelial polarity in the mammary gland. Surprisingly, mammary glands lacking Lgl1 have normal epithelial polarity, but they form fewer branches. Moreover, we find that Lgl1 null epithelium is unable to directionally migrate, suggesting that migration is not essential for mammary epithelial branching as expected. We show that LGL1 binds to Integrin β1 and inhibits its downstream signaling, and Integrin β1 overexpression blocks epithelial migration, thus recapitulating the Lgl1 null phenotype. Altogether, we demonstrate that Lgl1 modulation of Integrin β1 signaling is essential for directional migration and that epithelial branching in invertebrates and the mammary gland is fundamentally distinct.

The dysregulation of energy homeostasis in obesity involves multihormone resistance. Although leptin and insulin resistance have been well characterized, catecholamine resistance remains largely unexplored. Murine β3-adrenergic receptor expression in adipocytes is orders of magnitude higher compared with that of other isoforms. While resistant to classical desensitization pathways, its mRNA (Adrb3) and protein expression are dramatically downregulated after ligand exposure (homologous desensitization). β3-Adrenergic receptor downregulation also occurs after high-fat diet feeding, concurrent with catecholamine resistance and elevated inflammation. This downregulation is recapitulated in vitro by TNF-α treatment (heterologous desensitization). Both homologous and heterologous desensitization of Adrb3 were triggered by induction of the pseudokinase TRIB1 downstream of the EPAC/RAP2A/PI-PLC pathway. TRIB1 in turn degraded the primary transcriptional activator of Adrb3, CEBPα. EPAC/RAP inhibition enhanced catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis and energy expenditure in obese mice. Moreover, adipose tissue expression of genes in this pathway correlated with body weight extremes in a cohort of genetically diverse mice and with BMI in 2 independent cohorts of humans. These data implicate a signaling axis that may explain reduced hormone-stimulated lipolysis in obesity and resistance to therapeutic interventions with β3-adrenergic receptor agonists.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which encode proteins that negatively regulate mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Current treatment strategies focus on mTOR inhibition with rapamycin and its derivatives. While effective at improving some aspects of TSC, chronic rapamycin inhibits both mTORC1 and mTORC2 and is associated with systemic side-effects. It is currently unknown which mTOR complex is most relevant for TSC-related brain phenotypes. Here we used genetic strategies to selectively reduce neuronal mTORC1 or mTORC2 activity in mouse models of TSC. We find that reduction of the mTORC1 component Raptor, but not the mTORC2 component Rictor, rebalanced mTOR signaling in Tsc1 knock-out neurons. Raptor reduction was sufficient to improve several TSC-related phenotypes including neuronal hypertrophy, macrocephaly, impaired myelination, network hyperactivity, and premature mortality. Raptor downregulation represents a promising potential therapeutic intervention for the neurological manifestations of TSC.

Attempts to minimize scarring remain among the most difficult challenges facing surgeons, despite the use of optimal wound closure techniques. Previously, we reported improved healing of dermal excisional wounds in circadian clock neuronal PAS domain 2 (Npas2)-null mice. In this study, we performed high-throughput drug screening to identify a compound that downregulates Npas2 activity. The hit compound (Dwn1) suppressed circadian Npas2 expression, increased murine dermal fibroblast cell migration, and decreased collagen synthesis in vitro. Based on the in vitro results, Dwn1 was topically applied to iatrogenic full-thickness dorsal cutaneous wounds in a murine model. The Dwn1-treated dermal wounds healed faster with favorable mechanical strength and developed less granulation tissue than the controls. The expression of type I collagen, Tgfβ1, and α-smooth muscle actin was significantly decreased in Dwn1-treated wounds, suggesting that hypertrophic scarring and myofibroblast differentiation are attenuated by Dwn1 treatment. NPAS2 may represent an important target for therapeutic approaches to optimal surgical wound management.

The major biological methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (adoMet) synthesis occurs mainly in the liver. Methionine adenosyltransferase 1A (MAT1A) and glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) are two key enzymes involved in the functional implications of that variation. We collected 42 RNA-seq data from paired hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its adjacent normal liver tissue from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). There was no mutation found in MAT1A or GNMT RNA in the 42 HCC patients. The 11,799 genes were annotated in the RNA-Seq data, and their expression levels were used to investigate the phenotypes of low MAT1A and low GNMT by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The REACTOME_TRANSLATION gene set was enriched and visualized in a heatmap along with corresponding differences in gene expression between low MAT1A versus high MAT1A and low GNMT versus high GNMT. We identified 43 genes of the REACTOME_TRANSLATION gene set that are powerful prognosis factors in HCC. The significantly predicted genes were referred into eukaryotic translation initiation (EIF3B, EIF3K), eukaryotic translation elongation (EEF1D), and ribosomal proteins (RPs). Cell models expressing various MAT1A and GNMT proved that simultaneous restoring the expression of MAT1A and GNMT decreased cell proliferation, invasion, as well as the REACTOME_TRANSLATION gene EEF1D, consistent with a better prognosis in human HCC. We demonstrated new findings that downregulation or defect in MAT1A and GNMT genes can enrich the protein-associated translation process that may account for poor HCC prognosis. This is the first study demonstrated that MAT1A and GNMT, the 2 key enzymes involved in methionine cycle, could attenuate the function of ribosome translation. We propose a potential novel mechanism by which the diminished GNMT and MAT1A expression may confer poor prognosis for HCC.

The tricyclic quinazoline alkaloid deoxyvasicinone (DOV, 1) was isolated from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. CNQ-617, and its anti-melanogenic effects were investigated. Deoxyvasicinone was shown to decrease the melanin content of B16F10 and MNT-1 cells that have been stimulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In addition, microscopic images of the cells showed that deoxyvasicinone attenuated melanocyte activation. Although, deoxyvasicinone did not directly inhibit tyrosinase (TYR) enzymatic activity, real-time PCR showed that it inhibited the mRNA expression of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2). In the artificial 3D pigmented skin model MelanodermTM, deoxyvasicinone brightened the skin significantly, as confirmed by histological examination. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the marine microbial natural product deoxyvascinone has an anti-melanogenic effect through downregulation of melanogenic enzymes.

Background: Zingiber officinale rhizome is rich in phenolic and flavonoids contributing antioxidant and anticancer activity. Methods: This study was designed to assess the in vitro antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities of Z. officinale rhizome. Ethanol extract of Z. officinale rhizome was tested for total phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH scavenging and ABTS assay methods. The cytotoxic potential of ethanolic rhizome extract was tested against MCF-7 cell lines and anti-apoptotic genes were determined. Results: Ethanol extract of Z. officinale rhizome exhibited phenols (266.57 ± 4.09 mg GAE/g dry weight of the dry extract) and flavonoid (114.04 ± 2.46 mg QE/g mg dry weight of the dry extract). The ethanol extract significantly affected the generation of free radicals and the IC50 values were 107.19 ± 1.7 μg/mL (DPPH method) and 121.94 ± 0.32 μg/mL (ABTS method) (p

Patients with diabetes with coronary microvascular disease (CMD) exhibit higher cardiac mortality than patients without CMD. However, the molecular mechanism by which diabetes promotes CMD is poorly understood. RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) is a key regulator of mRNA stability and translation; therefore, we investigated the role of HuR in the development of CMD in mice with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic mice exhibited decreases in coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR; a determinant of coronary microvascular function) and capillary density in the left ventricle. HuR levels in cardiac endothelial cells (CECs) were significantly lower in diabetic mice and patients with diabetes than the controls. Endothelial-specific HuR-KO mice also displayed significant reductions in CFVR and capillary density. By examining mRNA levels of 92 genes associated with endothelial function, we found that HuR, Cx40, and Nox4 levels were decreased in CECs from diabetic and HuR-KO mice compared with control mice. Cx40 expression and HuR binding to Cx40 mRNA were downregulated in CECs from diabetic mice. Cx40-KO mice exhibited decreased CFVR and capillary density, whereas endothelium-specific Cx40 overexpression increased capillary density and improved CFVR in diabetic mice. These data suggest that decreased HuR contributes to the development of CMD in diabetes through downregulation of gap junction protein Cx40 in CECs.

Mutations in SPOP E3 ligase gene are reportedly associated with genome-wide DNA hypermethylation in prostate cancer (PCa) although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that SPOP binds and promotes polyubiquitination and degradation of histone methyltransferase and DNMT interactor GLP. SPOP mutation induces stabilization of GLP and its partner protein G9a and aberrant upregulation of global DNA hypermethylation in cultured PCa cells and primary PCa specimens. Genome-wide DNA methylome analysis shows that a subset of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) including FOXO3, GATA5, and NDRG1, are hypermethylated and downregulated in SPOP-mutated PCa cells. DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine effectively reverses expression of the TSGs examined, inhibits SPOP-mutated PCa cell growth in vitro and in mice, and enhances docetaxel anti-cancer efficacy. Our findings reveal the GLP/G9a-DNMT module as a mediator of DNA hypermethylation in SPOP-mutated PCa. They suggest that SPOP mutation could be a biomarker for effective treatment of PCa with DNA methylation inhibitor alone or in combination with taxane chemotherapeutics.

Studies suggest that the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy is influenced by intestinal bacteria. However, the influence of the microbiome on radiation therapy is not as well understood, and the microbiome comprises more than bacteria. Here, we find that intestinal fungi regulate antitumor immune responses following radiation in mouse models of breast cancer and melanoma and that fungi and bacteria have opposite influences on these responses. Antibiotic-mediated depletion or gnotobiotic exclusion of fungi enhances responsiveness to radiation, whereas antibiotic-mediated depletion of bacteria reduces responsiveness and is associated with overgrowth of commensal fungi. Further, elevated intratumoral expression of Dectin-1, a primary innate sensor of fungi, is negatively associated with survival in patients with breast cancer and is required for the effects of commensal fungi in mouse models of radiation therapy.

In traumatic brain injury (TBI), a diversity of brain resident and peripherally derived myeloid cells have the potential to worsen damage and/or to assist in healing. We define the heterogeneity of microglia and macrophage phenotypes during TBI in wild-type (WT) mice and Ccr2-/- mice, which lack macrophage influx following TBI and are resistant to brain damage. We use unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing methods to uncover 25 microglia, monocyte/macrophage, and dendritic cell subsets in acute TBI and normal brains. We find alterations in transcriptional profiles of microglia subsets in Ccr2-/- TBI mice compared to WT TBI mice indicating that infiltrating monocytes/macrophages influence microglia activation to promote a type I IFN response. Preclinical pharmacological blockade of hCCR2 after injury reduces expression of IFN-responsive gene, Irf7, and improves outcomes. These data extend our understanding of myeloid cell diversity and crosstalk in brain trauma and identify therapeutic targets in myeloid subsets.

The PD-L1 overexpression is an important event of immune escape and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but the molecular mechanism remains to be determined. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) represents a major driving force behind PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment, and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is required for IFN signaling. Here, we investigated the regulation of HDAC2 on the IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression in TNBC cells. We found the HDAC2 and PD-L1 expression in TNBC was significantly higher than that in non-TNBC, and HDAC2 was positively correlated with PD-L1 expression. HDAC2 promoted PD-L1 induction by upregulating the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2, and STAT1, as well as the translocation of STAT1 to the nucleus and the recruitment of STAT1 to the PD-L1 promoter. Meanwhile, HDAC2 was recruited to the PD-L1 promoter by STAT1, and HDAC2 knockout compromised IFNγ-induced upregulation of H3K27, H3K9 acetylation, and the BRD4 recruitment in PD-L1 promoter. In addition, significant inhibition of proliferation, colony formation, migration, and cell cycle of TNBC cells were observed following knockout of HDAC2 in vitro. Furthermore, HDAC2 knockout reduced IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression, lymphocyte infiltration, and retarded tumor growth and metastasis in the breast cancer mouse models. This study may provide evidence that HDAC2 promotes IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression, suggesting a way for enhanced antitumor immunity when targeting the HDAC2 in TNBC.

Normal contractile function of the heart depends on a constant and reliable production of ATP by cardiomyocytes. Dysregulation of cardiac energy metabolism can result in immature heart development and disrupt the ability of the adult myocardium to adapt to stress, potentially leading to heart failure. Further, restoration of abnormal mitochondrial function can have beneficial effects on cardiac dysfunction. Previously, we identified a novel protein termed Perm1 (PGC-1 and estrogen-related receptor (ERR)-induced regulator, muscle 1) that is enriched in skeletal and cardiac-muscle mitochondria and transcriptionally regulated by PGC-1 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1) and ERR. The role of Perm1 in the heart is poorly understood and is studied here. We utilized cell culture, mouse models, and human tissue, to study its expression and transcriptional control, as well as its role in transcription of other factors. Critically, we tested Perm1's role in cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function and its ability to protect myocytes from stress-induced damage. Our studies show that Perm1 expression increases throughout mouse cardiogenesis, demonstrate that Perm1 interacts with PGC-1α and enhances activation of PGC-1 and ERR, increases mitochondrial DNA copy number, and augments oxidative capacity in cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we found that Perm1 reduced cellular damage produced as a result of hypoxia and reoxygenation-induced stress and mitigated cell death of cardiomyocytes. Taken together, our results show that Perm1 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse cardiomyocytes. Future studies can assess the potential of Perm1 to be used as a novel therapeutic to restore cardiac dysfunction induced by ischemic injury.

Background & aimsAlterations in microRNA (miRNA) and in the intestinal barrier are putative risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aimed to identify differentially expressed colonic mucosal miRNAs, their targets in IBS compared to healthy controls (HCs), and putative downstream pathways.MethodsTwenty-nine IBS patients (15 IBS with constipation [IBS-C], 14 IBS with diarrhea [IBS-D]), and 15 age-matched HCs underwent sigmoidoscopy with biopsies. A nCounter array was used to assess biopsy specimen-associated miRNA levels. A false discovery rate (FDR) < 10% was considered significant. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to validate differentially expressed genes. To assess barrier function, trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and dextran flux assays were performed on Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells that were transfected with miRNA-inhibitors or control inhibitors. Protein expression of barrier function associated genes was confirmed using western blots.ResultsFour out of 247 miRNAs tested were differentially expressed in IBS compared to HCs (FDR < 10%). Real-time PCR validation suggested decreased levels of miR-219a-5p and miR-338-3p in IBS (P = .026 and P = .004), and IBS-C (P = .02 and P = .06) vs. HCs as the strongest associations. Inhibition of miR-219a-5p resulted in altered expression of proteasome/barrier function genes. Functionally, miR-219a-5p inhibition enhanced the permeability of intestinal epithelial cells as TEER was reduced (25-50%, P < .05) and dextran flux was increased (P < .01). Additionally, inhibition of miR-338-3p in cells caused alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway genes.ConclusionTwo microRNAs that potentially affect permeability and visceral nociception were identified to be altered in IBS patients. MiR-219a-5p and miR-338-3p potentially alter barrier function and visceral hypersensitivity via neuronal and MAPK signaling and could be therapeutic targets in IBS.

SOX9 (Sex-determining region Y Box 9) is a well-characterized transcription factor that is a marker for progenitor cells in various tissues. In the liver, cells delineated by SOX9 are responsible for regenerating liver parenchyma when cell proliferation is impaired following chronic injury. However, whether these SOX9+ cells play a role in liver carcinogenesis has not been fully understood, although high SOX9 expression has been linked to poor survival outcome in liver cancer patients. To address this question, we developed a liver cancer mouse model (PtenloxP/loxP; Sox9-CreERT+; R26RYFP) where tumor suppressor Pten (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) is deleted in SOX9+ cells following tamoxifen injection. In this paper, we employ lineage-tracing to demonstrate the tumorigenicity potential of the Pten-, SOX9+ cells. We show that these cells are capable of giving rise to mixed-lineage tumors that manifest features of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Our results suggest that PTEN loss induces the transformation of SOX9+ cells. We further show that to activate these transformed SOX9+ cells, the presence of liver injury is crucial. Liver injury, induced by hepatotoxin 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) or high-fat diet (HFD), substantially increases tumor incidence and accelerates liver carcinogenesis from SOX9+ cells in Pten null mice but not in control mice. We further examine the mechanisms underlying tumor formation in this model to show that concurrent with the induction of niche signal (i.e., Wnt signaling), liver injury significantly stimulates the expansion of tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Together, these data show that (1) SOX9+ cells have the potential to become TICs following the primary transformation (i.e. Pten deletion) and that (2) liver injury is necessary for promoting the activation and proliferation of transformed SOX9+ cells, resulting in the genesis of mixed-lineage liver tumors.

ObjectivesCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that compete against other endogenous RNA species, such as microRNAs, and have been implicated in many diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of a new circRNA (circSLC7A2) in osteoarthritis (OA).Materials and methodsThe relative expression of circSLC7A2 was significantly lower in OA tissues than it was in matched controls, as shown by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Western blotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence experiments were employed to evaluate the roles of circSLC7A2, miR-4498 and TIMP3. The in vivo role and mechanism of circSLC7A2 were also conformed in a mouse model.ResultscircSLC7A2 was decreased in OA model and the circularization of circSLC7A2 was regulated by FUS. Loss of circSLC7A2 reduced the sponge of miR-4498 and further inhibited the expression of TIMP3, subsequently leading to an inflammatory response. We further determined that miR-4498 inhibitor reversed circSLC7A2-knockdown-induced OA phenotypes. Intra-articular injection of circSLC7A2 alleviated in vivo OA progression in a mouse model of anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT).ConclusionsThe circSLC7A2/miR-4498/TIMP3 axis of chondrocytes catabolism and anabolism plays a critical role in OA development. Our results suggest that circSLC7A2 may serve as a new therapeutic target for osteoarthritis.

Arsenic stress causes rapid transcriptional responses in plants. However, transcriptional regulators of arsenic-induced gene expression in plants remain less well known. To date, forward genetic screens have proven limited for dissecting arsenic response mechanisms. We hypothesized that this may be due to the extensive genetic redundancy present in plant genomes. To overcome this limitation, we pursued a forward genetic screen for arsenite tolerance using a randomized library of plants expressing >2,000 artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs). This library was designed to knock-down diverse combinations of homologous gene family members within sub-clades of transcription factor and transporter gene families. We identified six transformant lines showing an altered response to arsenite in root growth assays. Further characterization of an amiRNA line targeting closely homologous CBF and ERF transcription factors show that the CBF1,2 and 3 transcription factors negatively regulate arsenite sensitivity. Furthermore, the ERF34 and ERF35 transcription factors are required for cadmium resistance. Generation of CRISPR lines, higher-order T-DNA mutants and gene expression analyses, further support our findings. These ERF transcription factors differentially regulate arsenite sensitivity and cadmium tolerance.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), such as adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), have the most impressive ability to reduce inflammation through paracrine growth factors and cytokines that participate in inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α bioactivity is a prerequisite in several inflammatory and autoimmune disease models. This study investigated the effects of TNF-α stimulate on ADSCs in the tumor microenvironment. The RNAseq analysis and cytokines assay demonstrated that TNF-α stimulated ADSCs proliferation and pro-inflammatory genes that correlated to leukocytes differentiation were upregulated. We found that upregulation of TLR2 or PTGS2 toward to IRF7 gene-associated with immunomodulatory and antitumor pathway under TNF-α treatment. In TNF-α-treated ADSCs cultured with the bladder cancer (BC) cell medium, the results showed that apoptosis ratio and OCT-4 and TLR2 genes which maintained the self-renewal ability of stem cells were decreased. Furthermore, the cell survival regulation genes including TRAF1, NF-kB, and IRF7 were upregulated in TNF-α-treated ADSCs. Additionally, these genes have not been upregulated in BC cell medium. A parallel study showed that tumor progressing genes were downregulated in TNF-α-treated ADSCs. Hence, the study suggests that TNF-α enhances the immunomodulatory potential of ADSCs during tumorigenesis and provides insight into highly efficacious MSC-based therapeutic options for BC.

Lung cancer (LC) and pancreatic cancer (PC) are the first and fourth leading causes of cancer‑related deaths in the US. Deregulated cell cycle progression is the cornerstone for rapid cell proliferation, tumor development, and progression. Here, we provide evidence that a novel combinatorial miR treatment inhibits cell cycle progression at two phase transitions, through their activity on the CDK4 and CDK1 genes. Following transfection with miR‑143 and miR‑506, we analyzed the differential gene expression of CDK4 and CDK1, using qPCR or western blot analysis, and evaluated cell cycle inhibition, apoptosis and cytotoxicity. The combinatorial miR‑143/506 treatment downregulated CDK4 and CDK1 levels, and induced apoptosis in LC cells, while sparing normal lung fibroblasts. Moreover, the combinatorial miR treatment demonstrated a comparable activity to clinically tested cell cycle inhibitors in inhibiting cell cycle progression, by presenting substantial inhibition at the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle transitions. More importantly, the miR‑143/506 treatment presented a broader application, effectively downregulating CDK1 and CDK4 levels, and reducing cell growth in PC cells. These findings suggest that the miR‑143/506 combination acts as a promising approach to inhibit cell cycle progression for cancer treatment with minimal toxicity to normal cells.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a high remission, high relapse fatal blood cancer. Although mTORC1 is a master regulator of cell proliferation and survival, its inhibitors have not performed well as AML treatments. To uncover the dynamics of mTORC1 activity in vivo, fluorescent probes are developed to track single cell proliferation, apoptosis and mTORC1 activity of AML cells in the bone marrow of live animals and to quantify these activities in the context of microanatomical localization and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. When chemotherapy drugs commonly used clinically are given to mice with AML, apoptosis is rapid, diffuse and not preferentially restricted to anatomic sites. Dynamic measurement of mTORC1 activity indicated a decline in mTORC1 activity with AML progression. However, at the time of maximal chemotherapy response, mTORC1 signaling is high and positively correlated with a leukemia stemness transcriptional profile. Cell barcoding reveals the induction of mTORC1 activity rather than selection of mTORC1 high cells and timed inhibition of mTORC1 improved the killing of AML cells. These data define the real-time dynamics of AML and the mTORC1 pathway in association with AML growth, response to and relapse after chemotherapy. They provide guidance for timed intervention with pathway-specific inhibitors.

PURPOSE: The role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in orbital fibroblasts (OFs) is rarely known. In this study, we investigated the effect of FGF10 on fibrosis and the inflammation mechanism of Graves orbitopathy (GO). METHODS: Orbital tissue from GO (n = 15) and non-GO (n = 15) was obtained for this study. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FGF10 and FGF receptor 2b (FGFR2b) in orbital tissue were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and confocal microscopy. The effects of FGF10 on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 induced fibrotic proteins and interleukin (IL)-1β- or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α- induced inflammatory proteins were investigated using recombinant human (rh) FGF10 and small interfering (si) RNA transfection against FGF10. RESULTS: FGF10 and FGFR2b mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in GO orbital tissues than in non-GO orbital tissues (p = 0.009 and 0.005, respectively). Immunostaining of FGF10 in orbital adipose tissues showed differences in FGF10 expression between GO and control samples. Immunostaining of FGF10 was very weak in the orbital tissues of GO patients. TGF-β1-induced fibronectin, collagen Iα, α-smooth muscle actin protein expression in GO OFs was attenuated by rhFGF10 treatment and increased by knockdown of FGF10 via siFGF10 transfection. Similarly, IL-1β- or TNF-α-induced IL-6, IL-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein production in GO OFs was either blocked by rhFGF10 treatment or further upregulated by inhibition of FGF10 via siFGF10 transfection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that FGF10 has beneficial effects on the inflammatory and fibrotic mechanisms of GO in primary cultured OFs, providing new insights into GO pathology and the discovery of FGF10 as a promising novel therapeutic application for the treatment of GO.

Increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 on the activated arterial endothelial cell (EC) surface critically contributes to atherosclerosis which may in part be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. This study investigated whether and how the clinically available histone deacetylases 1 and 2 (HDAC1/2) inhibitor drug Romidepsin epigenetically modulates VCAM-1 expression to suppress atherosclerosis. Methods: VCAM-1 expression was analyzed in primary human aortic EC (HAEC) treated with Romidepsin or transfected with HDAC1/2-targeting siRNA. Methylation of GATA6 promoter region was examined with methylation-specific PCR assay. Enrichment of STAT3 to GATA6 promoter was detected with chromatin immunoprecipitation. Lys685Arg mutation was constructed to block STAT3 acetylation. The potential therapeutic effect of Romidepsin on atherosclerosis was evaluated in Apoe -/- mice fed with a high-fat diet. Results: Romidepsin significantly attenuated TNFα-induced VCAM-1 expression on HAEC surface and monocyte adhesion through simultaneous inhibition of HDAC1/2. This downregulation of VCAM-1 was attributable to reduced expression of transcription factor GATA6. Romidepsin enhanced STAT3 acetylation and its binding to DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), leading to hypermethylation of the GATA6 promoter CpG-rich region at +140/+255. Blocking STAT3 acetylation at Lys685 disrupted DNMT1-STAT3 interaction, decreased GATA6 promoter methylation, and reversed the suppressive effects of HDAC1/2 inhibition on GATA6 and VCAM-1 expression. Finally, intraperitoneal administration of Romidepsin reduced diet-induced atherosclerotic lesion development in Apoe -/- mice, accompanied by a reduction in GATA6/VCAM-1 expression in the aorta. Conclusions: HDAC1/2 contributes to VCAM-1 expression and atherosclerosis by suppressing STAT3 acetylation-dependent GATA6 promoter methylation. These findings may provide a rationale for HDAC1/2-targeting therapy in atherosclerotic heart disease.

A history of chronic cigarette smoking is known to increase risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but the corresponding risks associated with chronic e-cigarette use are largely unknown. The chromosomal fragile site gene, WWOX, is highly susceptible to genotoxic stress from environmental exposures and thus an interesting candidate gene for the study of exposure-related lung disease. Lungs harvested from current versus former/never-smokers exhibited a 47% decrease in WWOX mRNA levels. Exposure to nicotine-containing e-cigarette vapor resulted in an average 57% decrease in WWOX mRNA levels relative to vehicle-treated controls. In separate studies, endothelial (EC)-specific WWOX knockout (KO) versus WWOX flox control mice were examined under ARDS-producing conditions. EC WWOX KO mice exhibited significantly greater levels of vascular leak and histologic lung injury. ECs were isolated from digested lungs of untreated EC WWOX KO mice using sorting by flow cytometry for CD31+ CD45-cells. These were grown in culture, confirmed to be WWOX deficient by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and analyzed by electric cell impedance sensing as well as an FITC dextran transwell assay for their barrier properties during methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or LPS exposure. WWOX KO ECs demonstrated significantly greater declines in barrier function relative to cells from WWOX flox controls during either methicillin-resistant S. aureus or LPS treatment as measured by both electric cell impedance sensing and the transwell assay. The increased risk for ARDS observed in chronic smokers may be mechanistically linked, at least in part, to lung WWOX downregulation, and this phenomenon may also manifest in the near future in chronic users of e-cigarettes.

Among cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections that result in serious conditions or death, many have pre-existing conditions such as hypertension and are on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. The angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2), a key protein of the RAAS pathway, also mediates cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. RAAS inhibitors might affect the expression levels of ace2, which could impact patient susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. However, multi-organ-specific information is currently lacking and no species other than rodents have been examined. To address this knowledge gap, we treated adult zebrafish with the RAAS inhibitors aliskiren, olmesartan, and captopril for 7 consecutive days and performed qRT-PCR analysis of major RAAS pathway genes in the brain, gill, heart, intestine, kidney, and liver. Both olmesartan and captopril significantly increased ace2 expression in the heart, gill, and kidney. Olmesartan also increased ace2 expression in the intestine. Conversely, aliskiren significantly decreased ace2 expression in the heart. Discontinuation of compound treatments for 7 days did not return ace2 expression to baseline levels. While potential risks or benefits of antihypertensive RAAS inhibitors to SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans remain uncertain, this study provides new insights regarding the impact of RAAS inhibitors on organ-specific ace2 expression in another vertebrate model, thereby providing comparative data and laying scientific groundwork for future clinical decisions of RAAS inhibitor use in the context of COVID-19.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) aberration is related to high-risk neuroblastomas and is an important therapeutic target. As acquired resistance to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors is inevitable, novel anti-ALK drug development is necessary in order to overcome potential drug resistance against ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors. In this study, to overcome ALK inhibitor resistance, we examined the growth inhibition effects of newly developed ALK-targeting pyrrole-imidazole polyamide CCC-003, which was designed to directly bind and alkylate DNA within the F1174L-mutated ALK gene. CCC-003 suppressed cell proliferation in ALK-mutated neuroblastoma cells. The expression of total and phosphorylated ALK was downregulated by CCC-003 treatment but not by treatment with a mismatch polyamide without any binding motif within the ALK gene region. CCC-003 preferentially bound to the DNA sequence with the F1174L mutation and significantly suppressed tumor progression in a human neuroblastoma xenograft mouse model. Our data suggest that the specific binding of CCC-003 to mutated DNA within the ALK gene exerts its anti-tumor activity through a mode of action that is distinct from those of other ALK inhibitors. In summary, our current study provides evidence for the potential of pyrrole-imidazole polyamide ALK inhibitor CCC-003 for the treatment of neuroblastoma thus offering a possible solution to the problem of tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance.

For a sperm to successfully fertilize an egg, it must first undergo capacitation in the female reproductive tract and later undergo acrosomal reaction (AR) upon encountering an egg surrounded by its vestment. How premature AR is avoided despite rapid surges in signaling cascades during capacitation remains unknown. Using a combination of conditional knockout (cKO) mice and cell-penetrating peptides, we show that GIV (CCDC88A), a guanine nucleotide-exchange modulator (GEM) for trimeric GTPases, is highly expressed in spermatocytes and is required for male fertility. GIV is rapidly phosphoregulated on key tyrosine and serine residues in human and murine spermatozoa. These phosphomodifications enable GIV-GEM to orchestrate two distinct compartmentalized signaling programs in the sperm tail and head; in the tail, GIV enhances PI3K→Akt signals, sperm motility and survival, whereas in the head it inhibits cAMP surge and premature AR. Furthermore, GIV transcripts are downregulated in the testis and semen of infertile men. These findings exemplify the spatiotemporally segregated signaling programs that support sperm capacitation and shed light on a hitherto unforeseen cause of infertility in men.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) results, in part, from the interaction of metabolic derangements with predisposing genetic variants, leading to liver-related complications and mortality. The strongest genetic determinant is a highly prevalent missense variant in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3 p.I148M). In human liver hepatocytes PNPLA3 localizes to the surface of lipid droplets where the mutant form is believed to enhance lipid accumulation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Less is known about the role of PNPLA3 in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Here we characterized HSC obtained from patients carrying the wild type (n = 8 C/C) and the heterozygous (n = 6, C/G) or homozygous (n = 6, G/G) PNPLA3 I148M and investigated the effect of genotype and PNPLA3 downregulation on baseline and TGF-β-stimulated fibrotic gene expression. HSCs from all genotypes showed comparable baseline levels of PNPLA3 and expression of the fibrotic genes α-SMA, COL1A1, TIMP1 and SMAD7. Treatment with TGF-β increased PNPLA3 expression in all 3 genotypes (~2-fold) and resulted in similar stimulation of the expression of several fibrogenic genes. In primary human HSCs carrying wild-type (WT) PNPLA3, siRNA treatment reduced PNPLA3 mRNA by 79% resulting in increased expression of α-SMA, Col1a1, TIMP1, and SMAD7 in cells stimulated with TGF-β. Similarly, knock-down of PNPLA3 in HSCs carrying either C/G or G/G genotypes resulted in potentiation of TGF-β induced expression of fibrotic genes. Knockdown of PNPLA3 did not impact fibrotic gene expression in the absence of TGF-β treatment. Together, these data indicate that the presence of the I148M PNPLA3 mutation in HSC has no effect on baseline activation and that downregulation of PNPLA3 exacerbates the fibrotic response irrespective of the genotype.

The growing knowledge of ferroptosis has suggested the role and therapeutic potential of ferroptosis in cancer, but has not been translated into effective therapy. Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is highly lethal with limited treatment options. LIFR is frequently downregulated in HCC. Here, by studying hepatocyte-specific and inducible Lifr-knockout mice, we show that loss of Lifr promotes liver tumorigenesis and confers resistance to drug-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, loss of LIFR activates NF-κB signaling through SHP1, leading to upregulation of the iron-sequestering cytokine LCN2, which depletes iron and renders insensitivity to ferroptosis inducers. Notably, an LCN2-neutralizing antibody enhances the ferroptosis-inducing and anticancer effects of sorafenib on HCC patient-derived xenograft tumors with low LIFR expression and high LCN2 expression. Thus, anti-LCN2 therapy is a promising way to improve liver cancer treatment by targeting ferroptosis.

IgA is the predominant antibody isotype at intestinal mucosae, where it plays a critical role in homeostasis and provides a first line of immune protection. Dysregulation of IgA production, however, can contribute to immunopathology, particularly in kidneys in which IgA deposition can cause nephropathy. Class-switch DNA recombination (CSR) to IgA is directed by TGF-β signaling, which activates Smad2 and Smad3. Activated Smad2/Smad3 dimers are recruited together with Smad4 to the IgH α locus Iα promoter to activate germline Iα-Cα transcription, the first step in the unfolding of CSR to IgA. Epigenetic factors, such as non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs, have been shown to regulate T cells, dendritic cells and other immune elements, as well as modulate the antibody response, including CSR, in a B cell-intrinsic fashion. Here we showed that the most abundant miRNA in resting B cells, miR-146a targets Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 mRNA 3'UTRs and keeps CSR to IgA in check in resting B cells. Indeed, enforced miR-146a expression in B cells aborted induction of IgA CSR by decreasing Smad levels. By contrast, upon induction of CSR to IgA, as directed by TGF-β, B cells downregulated miR-146a, thereby reversing the silencing of Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4, which, once expressed, led to recruitment of Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 to the Iα promoter for activation of germline Iα-Cα transcription. Deletion of miR-146a in miR-146a -/- mice significantly increased circulating levels of steady state total IgA, but not IgM, IgG or IgE, and heightened the specific IgA antibody response to OVA. In miR-146a -/- mice, the elevated systemic IgA levels were associated with increased IgA+ B cells in intestinal mucosae, increased amounts of fecal free and bacteria-bound IgA as well as kidney IgA deposition, a hallmark of IgA nephropathy. Increased germline Iα-Cα transcription and CSR to IgA in miR-146a -/- B cells in vitro proved that miR-146a-induced Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 repression is B cell intrinsic. The B cell-intrinsic role of miR-146a in the modulation of CSR to IgA was formally confirmed in vivo by construction and OVA immunization of mixed bone marrow μMT/miR-146a -/- chimeric mice. Thus, by inhibiting Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 expression, miR-146a plays an important and B cell intrinsic role in modulation of CSR to IgA and the IgA antibody response.