Effect and Potential Mechanism of Immunotherapy on Cognitive Deficits in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Immunotherapy has been reported to ameliorate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the animal model; however, the immunologic approaches and mechanisms have not been specifically described. Thus, the systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to explore the effect and potential mechanism of immunotherapy on AD animal experiments based on behavioral indicators. METHODS: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and the inclusion/exclusion criteria of immunotherapy in animal studies, 15 studies were systematically reviewed after extraction from a collected database of 3,742 publications. Finally, the effect and mechanism of immunotherapy on AD models were described by performing multiple subgroup analyses. RESULTS: After immunotherapy, the escape latency was reduced by 18.15 seconds and the number of crossings over the platform location was increased by 1.60 times in the Morris Water Maze. Furthermore, compared to the control group, active and passive immunization could markedly ameliorate learning and memory impairment in 3 × Tg AD animal models, and active immunization could ameliorate the learning and memory ability of the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 AD animal model. Meanwhile, it could be speculated that cognitive dysfunction was improved by immunotherapy, perhaps mainly via reducing Aß40, Aß42, and Tau levels, as well as increasing IL-4 levels. CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy significantly ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction of AD animal models by assessing behavioral indicators.

Discovery of Anti-Hypercholesterolemia Agents Targeting LXRα from Marine Microorganism-Derived Natural Products.

A strategy integrating in silico molecular docking with LXRα and phenotypic assays was adopted to discover anti-hypercholesterolemia agents in a small library containing 205 marine microorganism-derived natural products, collected by our group in recent years. Two fumitremorgin derivatives, 12R,13S-dihydroxyfumitremorgin C (1) and tryprostatin A (3), were identified as potential LXRα agonists, by real-time qPCR and Western blot (WB) analysis, together with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. The anti-hypercholesterolemic effects of 1 and 3, together with their mechanisms, were investigated in depth using different cell and mouse models, among which the study of LXRα is of crucial importance. Compound 1 or 3 exhibited the capacity to effectively reverse excessive lipid accumulation in a hepatic steatosis cell model and significantly reduce liver damage and blood cholesterol levels in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed wild-type mice, whereas those beneficial effects were completely nullified in HCD-fed LXRα-knockout mice. Furthermore, 1 and 3 outperformed common LXRα agonists by suppressing the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in HCD-fed mice, mitigating lipotoxicity. Thus, this study highlights the discovery of two marine microorganism-derived anti-hypercholesterolemia agents targeting LXRα.

Functional Validation of the RQR8 Suicide /Marker Gene in CD19 CAR-T Cells and CLL1CAR-T Cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) is a novel treatment that has produced unprecedented clinical effects in patients with hematological malignancies. Acute adverse events often occur following adoptive immunotherapy. Therefore, a suicide gene is helpful, which is a genetically encoded mechanism that allows selective destruction of adoptively transferred T cells in the face of unacceptable toxicity. RQR8 is a gene that integrates CD34 and CD20 epitopes. In our study, we incorporated the suicide gene RQR8 into CAR-T cells, so it enabled rituximab to eliminate vector/transgene-expressing T cells via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement dependent cytotoxicity. In this work, we explored the functionality of RQR8 CAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo. We believe that RQR8 as a safety switch will make CAR-T cell therapy safer and less costly.

Addition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors to fulvestrant for advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To analyze whether adding PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors to fulvestrant could restore endocrine therapy sensitivity for the treatment of postmenopausal patients with HR+, HER2- breast cancer. Methods: This meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 analysis software. Results: Nine studies that included a total of 3199 patients were analyzed. Compared with fulvestrant alone, the addition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors significantly prolonged progression-free survival, overall survival and objective response rate of patients in both the total and PI3K-pathway-activated population. The number of grade 3-5 adverse events was also significantly higher. Conclusion: The addition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR to fulvestrant resulted in potential benefits; however, there may be a higher risk, which needs to be carefully managed.

Optimization of metabolism to improve efficacy during CAR-T cell manufacturing.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy is a relatively new, effective, and rapidly evolving therapeutic for adoptive immunotherapies. Although it has achieved remarkable effect in hematological malignancies, there are some problems that remain to be resolved. For example, there are high recurrence rates and poor efficacy in solid tumors. In this review, we first briefly describe the metabolic re-editing of T cells and the changes in metabolism during the preparation of CAR-T cells. Furthermore, we summarize the latest developments and newest strategies to improve the metabolic adaptability and antitumor activity of CAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo.

Delayed recovery of surface water chemistry from acidification in subtropical forest region of China.

The three largest acid rain regions of current earth are located in northern and western Europe, eastern North America, and East Asia. Sulfur and nitrate concentrations in headwater streams in Europe and North America decreased as atmospheric sulfur and nitrogen deposition decreased, albeit with a considerable delay. However, how water chemistry responds to the declining sulfur and nitrogen deposition in China is unclear. The regional survey of surface water chemistry during 2010 and 2018 within the Sichuan Basin in southwestern China showed that the recovery of the surface water chemistry was delayed for at least 5 years owing to the release of previously deposited sulfur and nitrogen stored in the soil. After sulfur deposition declined from its peak value, the subregions of purplish soil with low sulfate adsorption capacity still exhibited a net sulfur release in 2010, but this release was no longer evident by 2018. The subregions with the red and yellow soils, which have a high sulfate adsorption capacity, operated as sulfur sinks during 2010 and 2018, indicating a continuous immobilization process through sulfate reduction despite a decrease in sulfur deposition. Additionally, this sulfate reduction countered the release of sulfate caused by sulfur desorption. There was a substantial nitrogen sink within the Sichuan Basin. Nitrogen leaching decreased slowly with the declined nitrogen deposition, except in regions where nitrogen deposition exceeded the critical threshold. Compared to temperate forest regions in Europe, the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas have experienced higher decline rates in the leaching of sulfur and nitrogen, highlighting that the subtropical forest region undergoes a faster restoration of surface water chemistry.

Effect and Mechanism of Rapamycin on Cognitive Deficits in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, remains long-term and challenging to diagnose. Furthermore, there is currently no medication to completely cure AD patients. Rapamycin has been clinically demonstrated to postpone the aging process in mice and improve learning and memory abilities in animal models of AD. Therefore, rapamycin has the potential to be significant in the discovery and development of drugs for AD patients. Objective: The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of rapamycin on animal models of AD by examining behavioral indicators and pathological features. Methods: Six databases were searched and 4,277 articles were retrieved. In conclusion, 13 studies were included according to predefined criteria. Three authors independently judged the selected literature and methodological quality. Use of subgroup analyses to explore potential mechanistic effects of rapamycin interventions: animal models of AD, specific types of transgenic animal models, dosage, and periodicity of administration. Results: The results of Morris Water Maze (MWM) behavioral test showed that escape latency was shortened by 15.60 seconds with rapamycin therapy, indicating that learning ability was enhanced in AD mice; and the number of traversed platforms was increased by 1.53 times, indicating that the improved memory ability significantly corrected the memory deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin therapy reduced age-related plaque deposition by decreasing AßPP production and down-regulating ß-secretase and γ-secretase activities, furthermore increased amyloid-ß clearance by promoting autophagy, as well as reduced tau hyperphosphorylation by up-regulating insulin-degrading enzyme levels.

Water extract of moschus alleviates erastin-induced ferroptosis by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in HT22 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Moschus, first described in the Shennong's Classic of the Materia medicine, is a scarce and precious animal medicine. Modern pharmacological researches have suggested that Moschus has neuroprotective actions, and its mechanism is related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptosis effects. Ferroptosis is one of the major pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is widely implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Although previous studies have suggested that Moschus possesses neuroprotective effect, whether Moschus could mitigate neuronal damages by inhibiting the onset of ferroptosis is unknown in model cells of AD. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of study was to explore the water extract of Moschus (WEM) on ferroptosis caused by erastin and the potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Erastin was used to stimulate HT22 cells to form ferroptosis model to evaluate the anti-ferroptosis effect of WEM by cell counting kit-8 and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) tests. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) kits are used for detection of MDA and GSH levels, and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate and C11 BODIPY 581/591 fluorescence probe are used for evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxide (LOOH) levels. And Western blot was used to test nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and ferroptosis associated proteins including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), cystine/glutamate antiporter subunit (SLC7A11), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), ferroportin1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor (TFRC). In addition, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was applied to verify whether WEM prevents erastin-induced ferroptosis by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. RESULTS: After WEM treatment, erastin-induced HT22 cell survival was significantly elevated, the accumulation of intracellular MDA, ROS, and LOOH were significantly reduced, the level of GSH and expressions of ferroptosis inhibitors GPX4 and SLC7A11 were significantly increased, and iron metabolism-related proteins TFRC, FPN1, and FTH1 were regulated. These effects of WEM are implemented by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that WEM could perform neuroprotective effects by alleviating ferroptosis, verified that WEM treatment of AD can be mediated by the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, and provided theoretical support for the application of WEM in the treatment of AD.

Metabolism characterization and toxicity of N-hydap, a marine candidate drug for lung cancer therapy by LC-MS method.

N-Hydroxyapiosporamide (N-hydap), a marine product derived from a sponge-associated fungus, has shown promising inhibitory effects on small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, there is limited understanding of its metabolic pathways and characteristics. This study explored the in vitro metabolic profiles of N-hydap in human recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), as well as human/rat/mice microsomes, and also the pharmacokinetic properties by HPLC-MS/MS. Additionally, the cocktail probe method was used to investigate the potential to create drug-drug interactions (DDIs). N-Hydap was metabolically unstable in various microsomes after 1 h, with about 50% and 70% of it being eliminated by CYPs and UGTs, respectively. UGT1A3 was the main enzyme involved in glucuronidation (over 80%), making glucuronide the primary metabolite. Despite low bioavailability (0.024%), N-hydap exhibited a higher distribution in the lungs (26.26%), accounting for its efficacy against SCLC. Administering N-hydap to mice at normal doses via gavage did not result in significant toxicity. Furthermore, N-hydap was found to affect the catalytic activity of drug metabolic enzymes (DMEs), particularly increasing the activity of UGT1A3, suggesting potential for DDIs. Understanding the metabolic pathways and properties of N-hydap should improve our knowledge of its drug efficacy, toxicity, and potential for DDIs.

A probe into the acid deposition mitigation path in China over the last four decades and beyond.

China currently has the highest acid deposition globally, yet research on its status, impacts, causes and controls is lacking. Here, we compiled data and calculated critical loads regarding acid deposition. The results showed that the abatement measures in China have achieved a sharp decline in the emissions of acidifying pollutants and a continuous recovery of precipitation pH, despite the drastic growth in the economy and energy consumption. However, the risk of ecological acidification and eutrophication showed no significant decrease. With similar emission reductions, the decline in areas at risk of acidification in China (7.0%) lags behind those in Europe (20%) or the USA (15%). This was because, unlike Europe and the USA, China's abatement strategies primarily target air quality improvement rather than mitigating ecological impacts. Given that the area with the risk of eutrophication induced by nitrogen deposition remained at 13% of the country even under the scenario of achieving the dual targets of air quality and carbon dioxide mitigation in 2035, we explored an enhanced ammonia abatement pathway. With a further 27% reduction in ammonia by 2035, China could largely eliminate the impacts of acid deposition. This research serves as a valuable reference for China's future acid deposition control and for other nations facing similar challenges.

[Response of Forest Ecosystems to Decreasing Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition].

Nitrogen deposition has serious consequences to global change. Excessive nitrogen deposition leads to nitrogen saturation in forests, resulting in soil acidification, nitrate leaching, an increase in nitrous oxide emissions, and a decrease in plant species diversity and vegetation productivity. Under the reduction of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe, North America, and China, summarizing the response of forests to decreasing nitrogen deposition can not only improve the knowledge framework of the impact of nitrogen deposition on forests, but also evaluate the effects of emission abatement actions, as well as provide scientific basis for future air pollution control. This study reviewed the response of soil, surface water, nitrogen cycle, and vegetation of temperate forests in Europe and North America and subtropical forests in southwest China to the reduction in atmospheric nitrogen pollution gases and thus nitrogen deposition. The soil water nitrogen concentration responded rapidly to the nitrogen deposition reduction, although the trend was inconsistent. The soil acidification and nitrogen cycles showed a delayed response of recovery from high nitrogen deposition. The nitrogen mineralization and immobilization, soil carbon retention, and net primary production might take decades to respond to the nitrogen deposition reduction. However, the soil inorganic nitrogen pool and nitrogen leaching decreased with the decline in nitrogen deposition, although a one-or two-year lag existed. The surface water nitrogen concentration was closely related to nitrogen status in forests. After the nitrogen deposition decreased, the nitrogen leaching and thus the surface water nitrogen concentration decreased in the areas with historically high nitrogen deposition. However, the low surface water nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen-limited forests was not significantly affected by the nitrogen deposition changes. The recovery of surface water acidification was affected by soil sulfur desorption/mineralization and nitrification/denitrification. The foliar nitrogen concentration decreased with the decline in nitrogen deposition. The nitrogen-saturated forests and regional surface water in southwest China showed a recovery trend from high nitrogen deposition, as a consequence of the implementation of the Total Emissions Control of Air Pollutants and later the Action Plan of Air Pollution Prevention and Control.

Effect of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents on breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been reported to increase the risk of death in cancer patients. In this study, we selected breast cancer, which is currently the most prevalent cancer worldwide, for a meta-analysis to re-examine the advantages and disadvantages of using ESAs. All relevant studies were searched by PubMed, Embase, Web of science, and Cochrane Library. Endpoints including mortality, incidence of thrombo-vascular events, hemoglobin, and transfusion requirements were meta-analyzed based on random-effects model or fixed-effect model. 10 studies were finally included, with a total sample size of 6785 patients. The risk of mortality was higher in patients using ESA than in controls (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13, P = 0.03); subgroup analysis found that the mortality rate was higher in patients treating with ESA for > 6 months (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.55, P = 0.01) and epoetin α (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14, P = 0.03). The incidence of thrombo-vascular adverse events was higher in patients using ESA than in controls (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.27-1.86, P < 0.0001). The ESA group was more effective in improving anemia in cancer patients (MD 1.20, 95% CI 0.77-1.63, P < 0.00001). The blood transfusion needs of patients in the ESA group were significantly lower (RR 0.52, 95%CI 0.44-0.60, P < 0.00001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in disease progression-related conditions (HR 1.03, 95%CI 0.95-1.12, P = 0.52). ESAs increase the risk of mortality and the incidence of thrombo-vascular adverse events in breast cancer patients, while reducing their anemia symptoms and transfusion requirements. Registration PROSPERO CRD42022330450.

CAR-T cells dual-target CD123 and NKG2DLs to eradicate AML cells and selectively target immunosuppressive cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have not made significant progress in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in earlyclinical studies. This lack of progress could be attributed in part to the immunosuppressive microenvironment of AML, such as monocyte-like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2 cells), which can inhibit the antitumor activity of CAR-T cells. Furthermore, AML cells are usually heterogeneous, and single-target CAR-T cells may not be able to eliminate all AML cells, leading to disease relapse. CD123 and NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are commonly used targets for CAR-T therapy of AML, and M-MDSCs and M2 cells express both antigens. We developed dual-targeted CAR-T (123NL CAR-T) cells targeting CD123 and NKG2DL by various structural optimization screens. Our study reveals that 123NL CAR-T cells eradicate AML cells and selectively target immunosuppressive cells. A highly compact marker/suicide gene, RQR8, which binds targeting epitopes of CD34 and CD20 antigens, was also incorporated in front of the CAR structure. The binding of Rituximab to RQR8 leads to the elimination of 123NL CAR-T cells and cessation of their cytotoxicity. In conclusion, we successfully developed dual effects of 123NL CAR-T cells against tumor cells and immunosuppressive cells, which can avoid target escape and resist the effects of immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Moschus exerted protective activity against H2O2-induced cell injury in PC12 cells through regulating Nrf-2/ARE signaling pathways.

The pivotal characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are irreversible memory loss and progressive cognitive decline, eventually causing death from brain failure. In the various proposed hypotheses of AD, oxidative stress is also regarded as a symbolic pathophysiologic cascade contributing to brain diseases. Using Chinese herbal medicine may be beneficial for treating and preventing AD. As a rare and valuable animal medicine, Moschus possesses antioxidant and antiapoptotic efficacy and is extensively applied for treating unconsciousness, stroke, coma, and cerebrovascular diseases. We aim to evaluate whether Moschus protects PC12 cells from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cellular injury. The chemical constituents of Moschus are analyzed by GC-MS assay. The cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels, oxidative stress-related indicators, and apoptotic proteins are determined. Through GC-MS analysis, nineteen active contents were identified. The cell viability loss, lactate dehydrogenase releases, MMP levels, ROS productions, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) activities decreased, and BAX, Caspase-3, and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 expression also significantly down-regulated and heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and quinine oxidoreductase 1 expression upregulated after pretreatment of Moschus. The result indicated Moschus has neuroprotective activity in relieving H2O2-induced cellular damage, and the potential mechanism might be associated with regulating the Nrf-2/ARE signaling pathway. A more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of Moschus in the pathogenesis of AD will provide a fundamental basis for in vivo AD animal model research, which may be able to provide further insights and new targets for AD therapy.

Moschus ameliorates glutamate-induced cellular damage by regulating autophagy and apoptosis pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, causes short-term memory and cognition declines. It is estimated that one in three elderly people die from AD or other dementias. Chinese herbal medicine as a potential drug for treating AD has gained growing interest from many researchers. Moschus, a rare and valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine, was originally documented in Shennong Ben Cao Jing and recognized for its properties of reviving consciousness/resuscitation. Additionally, Moschus has the efficacy of "regulation of menstruation with blood activation, relief of swelling and pain" and is used for treating unconsciousness, stroke, coma, and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it is uncertain whether Moschus has any protective effect on AD patients. We explored whether Moschus could protect glutamate (Glu)-induced PC12 cells from cellular injury and preliminarily explored their related action mechanisms. The chemical compounds of Moschus were analyzed and identified by GC-MS. The Glu-induced differentiated PC12 cell model was thought to be the common AD cellular model. The study aims to preliminarily investigate the intervention effect of Moschus on Glu-induced PC12 cell damage as well as their related action mechanisms. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell apoptosis, autophagic vacuoles, autolysosomes or autophagosomes, proteins related to apoptosis, and the proteins related to autophagy were examined and analyzed. Seventeen active compounds of the Moschus sample were identified based on GC-MS analysis. In comparison to the control group, Glu stimulation increased cell viability loss, LDH release, mitochondrial damage, loss of MMP, apoptosis rate, and the number of cells containing autophagic vacuoles, and autolysosomes or autophagosomes, while these results were decreased after the pretreatment with Moschus and 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Furthermore, Glu stimulation significantly increased cleaved caspase-3, Beclin1, and LC3II protein expression, and reduced B-cell lymphoma 2/BAX ratio and p62 protein expression, but these results were reversed after pretreatment of Moschus and 3-MA. Moschus has protective activity in Glu-induced PC12 cell injury, and the potential mechanism might involve the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. Our study may promote research on Moschus in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, and Moschus may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the expression and prognostic significance of TSC22D domain family genes in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: TSC22D domain family genes, including TSC22D1-4, play a principal role in cancer progression. However, their expression profiles and prognostic significance in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unknown. METHODS: The online databases, including HPA, CCLE, EMBL-EBI, GEPIA2, BloodSpot, GENT2, UCSCXenaShiny, GSCALite, cBioportal, and GenomicScape, utilized the data of TCGA and GEO to investigate gene expression, mutation, copy number variation (CNV), and prognostic significance of the TSC22D domain family in adult AML. Computational analysis of resistance (CARE) was used to explore the effect of TSC22D3 expression on drug response. Functional enrichment analysis of TSC22D3 was performed in the TRRUST Version 2 database. The STRING, Pathway Commons, and AnimalTFDB3.0 databases were used to investigate the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of TSC22D3. Harmonizome was used to predict target genes and kinases regulated by TSC22D3. The StarBase v2.0 and CancermiRNome databases were used to predict miRNAs regulated by TSC22D3. UCSCXenaShiny was used to investigate the correlation between TSC22D3 expression and immune infiltration. RESULTS: Compared with normal adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the expression of TSC22D3 and TSC22D4 in adult AML tissues was markedly up-regulated, whereas TSC22D1 expression was markedly down-regulated. The expression of TSC22D1 and TSC22D3 was significantly increased in adult AML tissues compared to normal adult tissues. High TSC22D3 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in adult AML patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis showed that overexpression of TSC22D3 was independently associated with adverse OS of adult AML patients. High TSC22D3 expression had a adverse impact on OS and EFS of adult AML patients in the chemotherapy group. TSC22D3 expression correlated with drug resistance to BCL2 inhibitors. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that TSC22D3 might promote AML progression. MIR143-3p sponging TSC22D3 might have anti-leukemia effect in adult AML. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in TSC22D3 expression was observed in adult AML tissues compared to normal adult HSCs and tissues. The prognosis of adult AML patients with high TSC22D3 expression was unfavorable, which could severe as a new prognostic biomarker and potential target for adult AML.

Bicistronic CAR-T cells targeting CD123 and CLL1 for AML to reduce the risk of antigen escape.

PURPOSE: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous neoplastic disease with a poor prognosis that relapses even after its treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting a single antigen. CD123 and CLL1 are expressed in most AML blasts and leukemia stem cells, and their low expression in normal hematopoietic stem cells makes them ideal targets for CAR-T. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a new bicistronic CAR targeting CD123 and CLL1 can enhance antigenic coverage and prevent antigen escape and subsequent recurrence of AML. METHODS: CD123 and CLL1 expressions were evaluated on AML cell lines and blasts. Then, in addition to concentrating on CD123 and CLL1, we introduced the marker/suicide gene RQR8 with a bicistronic CAR. Xenograft models of disseminated AML and in vitro coculture models were used to assess the anti-leukemia efficacy of CAR-T cells. The hematopoietic toxicity of CAR-T cells was evaluated in vitro by colony cell formation assays. It was demonstrated in vitro that the combination of rituximab and NK cells caused RQR8-mediated clearance of 123CL CAR-T cells. RESULTS: We have successfully established bicistronic 123CL CAR-T cells that can target CD123 and CLL1. 123CL CAR-T cells effectively cleared AML cell lines and blasts. They also demonstrated appreciable anti-AML activity in animal transplant models. Moreover, 123CL CAR-T cells can be eliminated in an emergency by a natural safety switch and don't target hematopoietic stem cells. CONCLUSIONS: The bicistronic CAR-T cells targeting CD123 and CLL1 may be a useful and secure method for treating AML.

The cellular model for Alzheimer's disease research: PC12 cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and irreversible memory impairment. Currently, several studies have failed to fully elucidate AD's cellular and molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, research on related cellular models may propose potential predictive models for the drug development of AD. Therefore, many cells characterized by neuronal properties are widely used to mimic the pathological process of AD, such as PC12, SH-SY5Y, and N2a, especially the PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line. Thus, this review covers the most systematic essay that used PC12 cells to study AD. We depict the cellular source, culture condition, differentiation methods, transfection methods, drugs inducing AD, general approaches (evaluation methods and metrics), and in vitro cellular models used in parallel with PC12 cells.

[Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils Around Mining Areas and Pollution Assessment].

In order to explore the spatial distribution and ecological risk of heavy metals in farmland soil around Tongguan Mining area, surface soil samples from Tongguan Mining area were collected in September 2020, and the contents and distribution characteristics of eight heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Hg, Cr, Ni, Zn, and As) in the samples were analyzed. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate soil pollution. The results showed that the contents of the eight types of heavy metal elements in this area exceeded the standard, and the exceeding rates were 97.91%, 84.79%, 100%, 95.41%, 96.87%, 98.54%, 91.45%, and 28.95%, respectively. The variation coefficients of the eight heavy metals were ranked as Hg>Pb>Cu>Cd>Zn>As>Ni>Cr. The variation coefficients of Hg, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn were all greater than 1. Correlation analysis showed that these five heavy metals were obviously correlated. In terms of spatial distribution, Pb, Cd, Cu, Hg, Zn, and As were distributed in patches, whereas Cr and Ni were distributed in flakes. The high values of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were mainly distributed in the southern and central part of the study area. The comprehensive pollution of Nemerow showed that the severe pollution rate reached 87.91%, and the moderate pollution rate and the mild pollution rate were 9.58% and 2.5%, respectively; thus, the overall pollution was severe. The potential ecological risk index showed that Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cu were the main risk elements. The total potential ecological risk index showed that the proportion of samples with strong pollution was 97.08%, and the proportion of extremely strongly, very strongly, and strongly polluted samples were 55.63%, 27.08%, and 14.37%, respectively, indicating that the overall potential ecological risk in the study area was very strong. Combining the two pollution assessment methods, it can be seen that the heavy metal pollution around Tongguan mining area, primarily by Hg, Cd, and Pb, was serious. These results can provide data support for regional pollution control, soil remediation, and ecological protection. It is suggested that the state of soil heavy metal pollution and its transformation in various media should be monitored continuously in the future.

Temporal variations of soil NO and NO2 fluxes in two typical subtropical forests receiving contrasting rates of N deposition.

Soils have been widely acknowledged as important natural sources of nitric oxide (NO) and meanwhile sinks of nitric dioxide (NO2). High nitrogen deposition across South China could potentially result in large NO emissions from subtropical forests soils there. In this study, the dynamic chamber method was applied to monitor NO and NO2 fluxes at two subtropical forest sites in South China, namely "Qianyanzhou" (QYZ) and "Tieshanping" (TSP). Chronically higher N deposition occurred at TSP than that at QYZ. Besides soil water filled pore spaces (WFPS) and temperature, ambient NO concentration could also possibly be important in regulating temporal NO emissions, especially in the winter. For both sites, the optimum soil temperature was above 25 °C, while the optimum WFPS for NO release at QYZ was higher (65-70%) than that at TSP (<23%). Moreover, heavy rainfall could trigger NO emission pulses from moist soils at QYZ, while rainfall-induced NO pulses were only observed after a long drying period at TSP. Distinctly different contents of mineral nitrogen and soil moisture conditions between the two sites might induce the divergent preference of WFPS and responses to rainfall. The cumulative soil emission of NO reached 0.41 ± 0.01 and 0.76 ± 0.01 kg N ha-1 yr-1 at QYZ and TSP, contributing to 2.5% and 1.4% of the annual throughfall N input, respectively. At both sites, NO2 were mainly deposited to soils, accounting for 2% and 21% of soil-emitted NO at QYZ and TSP, respectively. The observed annual NO emissions at these two sites were larger than the median values observed for tropical and temperate forests and unfertilized croplands. Higher N deposition could induce larger NO emission potential, while soil temperature and pH might also be important in regulating regional soil NO emissions as N-loss from subtropical forests.