S1P promotes inflammation-induced tube formation by HLECs via the S1PR1/NF-κB pathway.

Inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis is a widely accepted concept. However, most of the inflammatory factors and their related mechanisms have not been clarified. It has been reported that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is not only closely related to the chronic inflammatory process but also affects angiogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the inflammatory effects of S1P on human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs). Our results showed that S1P promotes tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) secretion in HLECs. We also confirmed that S1P-stimulated TNF-α and IL-1ß secretion is mediated through S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1). Using TNF-α siRNA and IL-1ß siRNA, we found that TNF-α and IL-1ß play essential roles in S1P-induced HLEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation. S1P induces phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and activation of NF-κB nuclear translocation. A S1PR1 antagonist (W146) and NF-κB inhibitor (BAY11-7082) inhibited S1P-induced TNF-α and IL-1ß secretion and prevented NF-κB nuclear translocation. Taken together, the results demonstrated for the first time that S1P promotes the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1ß in HLECs via S1PR1-mediated NF-κB signaling pathways, thus affecting lymphangiogenesis. The study provides a new strategy for finding treatments for lymphangiogenesis-related diseases.

Biological function of SPNS2: From zebrafish to human.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive metabolite of sphingolipid, has an important role in lymphocyte trafficking, immune responses, vascular and embryonic development, cancer, bone homeostasis, etc. S1P is produced intracellularly and then secreted into the circulation to engage in the above physiological or pathological processes by regulating the proliferation, differentiation and survival of target cells; however, the underlying mechanisms of S1P secretion and function remain poorly understood. Recently, Spinster 2 (SPNS2), a newly identified transporter of S1P, was shown to act as a mediator of intracellular S1P release and play an important role in the regulation of S1P. In this review, we focus on the primary biological characteristics and functions of SPNS2 and provide novel insights into the development of therapies for S1P-related disorders.

Effective Pneumothorax Detection for Chest X-Ray Images Using Local Binary Pattern and Support Vector Machine.

Automatic image segmentation and feature analysis can assist doctors in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases more accurately. Automatic medical image segmentation is difficult due to the varying image quality among equipment. In this paper, the automatic method employed image multiscale intensity texture analysis and segmentation to solve this problem. In this paper, firstly, SVM is applied to identify common pneumothorax. Features are extracted from lung images with the LBP (local binary pattern). Then, classification of pneumothorax is determined by SVM. Secondly, the proposed automatic pneumothorax detection method is based on multiscale intensity texture segmentation by removing the background and noises in chest images for segmenting abnormal lung regions. The segmentation of abnormal regions is used for texture transformed from computing multiple overlapping blocks. The rib boundaries are identified with Sobel edge detection. Finally, in obtaining a complete disease region, the rib boundary is filled up and located between the abnormal regions.

MicroRNA-24 aggravates atherosclerosis by inhibiting selective lipid uptake from HDL cholesterol via the post-transcriptional repression of scavenger receptor class B type I.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Liver scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) exerts atheroprotective effects through selective lipid uptake (SLU) from high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Low hepatic SR-BI expression leads to high HDL-C levels in the circulation and an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, macrophage SR-BI mediates bidirectional cholesterol flux and may protect against atherogenesis. Previous studies have revealed that miR-24 is closely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which miR-24 participates in SR-BI-mediated selective HDL cholesteryl ester (HDL-CE) uptake and further atherogenesis in apoE-/- mice. METHODS: Bioinformatic predictions and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to detect the association between miR-24 and the SR-BI 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), and RT-PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate SR-BI mRNA and protein expression, respectively. The effects of miR-24 on Dil-HDL uptake were determined by flow cytometry assay. Double-radiolabeled HDL (125I-TC-/[3H] CEt-HDL) was utilized to measure the effects of miR-24 on HDL and CE binding and SLU in HepG2 and PMA-treated THP-1 cells. In addition, total cholesterol (TC) levels in HepG2 cells were analyzed using enzymatic methods, and macrophage lipid content was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and pcDNA3.1(-)-hSR-BI plasmid transfection procedures were utilized to confirm the role of SR-BI in the effects of miR-24 on Dil-HDL uptake, SLU and cholesterol levels in both cell types. Hepatic SR-BI level in apoE-/- mice was measured by western blotting. Liver TC, FC and CE levels and plasma triglycerides (TG), TC and HDL-C levels were evaluated enzymatically using commercial test kits. Atherosclerotic lesion sizes were measured using Oil Red O and hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: miR-24 directly repressed SR-BI expression by targeting its 3'UTR. In addition, miR-24 decreased Dil-HDL uptake and SLU in HepG2 and THP-1 macrophages. In the presence of HDL, miR-24 decreased TC levels in HepG2 cells and TC, free cholesterol (FC) and CE levels in macrophages. Overexpression and down-regulation assays showed that SR-BI mediated the effects of miR-24 on Dil-HDL uptake, SLU and cholesterol levels. Lastly, miR-24 administration decreased hepatic SR-BI expression and promoted atheromatous plaque formation in apoE-/- mice, findings in line with those of our in vitro studies. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that miR-24 accelerates atherogenesis by repressing SR-BI-mediated SLU from HDL-C.

[Optical parameters of Er3+ in Er3+ : YVO4].

In the present paper the authors firstly measured the absorption spectra of Er3+ in the sample Er3+ : YVO4 (0.5%), then calculated the intensity parameters are calculated by using the Judd-Ofelt theory. After that the authors dealed with some predicted spectroscopic parameters, such as the oscillator strength, spontaneous radiative transition rate, branching ratio and integrated emission cross section. And Er : YVO4 crystal application value has been analyzed with the optical parameters. Especially there are large oscillator strengths and large integrated emission cross sections in the transitions of 4 I1/2 --> 4 I15/2, 2 H11/2 --> 4I15/2, 4S3/2 --> 4 I15/2, and 4F9/2 --> 4 I15/2. So, they are more worth of attention. Moreover, by comparing the Er-doped yttrium vanadate crystal and other Er-doped crystal optical properties, the authors can see the advantages of YVO4 as laser crystal. Finally, the authors discussed the splitting of the energy levels of Er3+ in the crystal YVO4 based on the group theory.

[The initiation of G2/M checkpoint by diallyl disulfide requires the activation of p38 MAP kinase in HL-60 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms of G(2)/M checkpoint initiated by diallyl disulfide (DADS) in HL-60 cells. METHODS: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle was assayed by flow cytometry. The expression of phospho-p38, Cdc25B and Cdc2, and p38 mRNA were measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: After treatment with DADS at 5 - 160 micro mol/L for 0 - 72 h, the growth of HL-60 cells were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner and the inhibitory effect of DADS (20 micro mol/L) was similar to that of ATRA (10 nmol/L) (P > 0.05). Incubation of HL-60 cells with DADS (20 micro mol/L) for 12 h could activate G(2)/M checkpoint and increase the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK, followed by the expression of phospho-Cdc25B and phospho-Cdc2 (P < 0.05). SB202190, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, markedly blocked the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, Cdc25B and Cdc2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DADS could induce the G(2)/M arrest in HL-60 cells which may be involved in the activation of p38 MAP kinase.