FOXA3 regulates cholesterol metabolism to compensate for low uptake during the progression of lung adenocarcinoma.

Cholesterol metabolism is vital for multiple cancer progression, while how cholesterol affects lung, a low-cholesterol tissue, for cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we found that metastatic lung adenocarcinoma cells acquire cellular dehydrocholesterol and cholesterol by endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, instead of uptake upon cholesterol treatment. Besides, we demonstrated that exogenous cholesterol functions as signaling molecule to induce FOXA3, a key transcription factor for lipid metabolism via GLI2. Subsequently, ChIP-seq analysis and molecular studies revealed that FOXA3 transcriptionally activated Hmgcs1, an essential enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, to induce endogenous dehydrocholesterol and cholesterol level for membrane composition change and cell migration. Conversely, FOXA3 knockdown or knockout blocked cholesterol biosynthesis and lung adenocarcinoma metastasis in mice. In addition, the potent FOXA3 inhibitor magnolol suppressed metastatic gene programs in lung adenocarcinoma patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Altogether, our findings shed light onto unique cholesterol metabolism and FOXA3 contribution to lung adenocarcinoma metastasis.

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into functional hepatocytes via CRISPRa activation of endogenous Gata4 and Foxa3.

BACKGROUND: The ability to generate functional hepatocytes without relying on donor liver organs holds significant therapeutic promise in the fields of regenerative medicine and potential liver disease treatments. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) activator (CRISPRa) is a powerful tool that can conveniently and efficiently activate the expression of multiple endogenous genes simultaneously, providing a new strategy for cell fate determination. The main purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of applying CRISPRa for hepatocyte reprogramming and its application in the treatment of mouse liver fibrosis. METHOD: The differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into functional induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) was achieved by utilizing the CRISPRa synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system, which drove the combined expression of three endogenous transcription factors- Gata4, Foxa3 , and Hnf1a -or alternatively, the expression of two transcription factors, Gata4 and Foxa3 . In vivo , we injected adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) carrying the CRISPRa SAM system into liver fibrotic Col1a1-CreER ; Cas9fl/fl mice, effectively activating the expression of endogenous Gata4 and Foxa3 in fibroblasts. The endogenous transcriptional activation of genes was confirmed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RNA-seq, and the morphology and characteristics of the induced hepatocytes were observed through microscopy. The level of hepatocyte reprogramming in vivo is detected by immunofluorescence staining, while the improvement of liver fibrosis is evaluated through Sirius red staining, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunofluorescence staining, and blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) examination. RESULTS: Activation of only two factors, Gata4 and Foxa3 , via CRISPRa was sufficient to successfully induce the transformation of MEFs into iHeps. These iHeps could be expanded in vitro and displayed functional characteristics similar to those of mature hepatocytes, such as drug metabolism and glycogen storage. Additionally, AAV6-based delivery of the CRISPRa SAM system effectively induced the hepatic reprogramming from fibroblasts in mice with live fibrosis. After 8 weeks of induction, the reprogrammed hepatocytes comprised 0.87% of the total hepatocyte population in the mice, significantly reducing liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: CRISPRa-induced hepatocyte reprogramming may be a promising strategy for generating functional hepatocytes and treating liver fibrosis caused by hepatic diseases.

Hepatic FOXA3 overexpression prevents Western diet-induced obesity and MASH through TGR5.

Forkhead transcription factor 3 (FOXA3) has been shown to regulate metabolism and development. Hepatic FOXA3 is reduced in obesity and fatty liver disease. However, the role of hepatic FOXA3 in regulating obesity or steatohepatitis remains to be investigated. In this work, C57BL/6 mice were i.v. injected with AAV8-ALB-FOXA3 or the control virus. The mice were then fed a chow or Western diet for 16 weeks. The role of hepatic FOXA3 in energy metabolism and steatohepatitis was investigated. Plasma bile acid composition and the role of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) in mediating the metabolic effects of FOXA3 were determined. Overexpression of hepatic FOXA3 reduced hepatic steatosis in chow-fed mice and attenuated Western diet-induced obesity and steatohepatitis. FOXA3 induced lipolysis and inhibited hepatic genes involved in bile acid uptake, resulting in elevated plasma bile acids. The beneficial effects of hepatic FOXA3 overexpression on Western diet-induced obesity and steatohepatitis were abolished in Tgr5-/- mice. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of hepatic FOXA3 prevents Western diet-induced obesity and steatohepatitis via activation of TGR5.

Ergothioneine suppresses hepatic stellate cell activation via promoting Foxa3-dependent potentiation of the Hint1/Smad7 cascade and improves CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a bioactive compound derived from certain edible mushrooms. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is critically involved in the etiology of liver fibrosis (LF). Here, we report that in LX-2 HSCs, EGT upregulates the expression of Hint1 and Smad7 and suppresses their activation provoked by TGFß1. The EGT-triggered inhibition of HSC activation is abolished by knocking down the expression of Hint1. Overexpression of Hint1 increases Smad7 and represses TGFß1-provoked activation of LX-2 HSCs. In silico predictions unveiled that in the promoter region of the human Hint1 gene, there are two conserved cis-acting elements that have the potential to interact with the transcription factor Foxa3 termed hFBS1 and hFBS2, respectively. The knockdown of Foxa3 obviously declined Hint1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Transfection of Foxa3 or EGT treatment increased the activity of the luciferase reporter driven by the Hint1 promoter in an hFBS2-dependent manner. The knockdown of Foxa3 eliminated EGT-mediated upregulation of Hint1 promoter activity. Additionally, EGT triggered the nuclear translocation of Foxa3 without obviously affecting its expression level. Molecular docking analysis showed that EGT has the potential to directly interact with the Foxa3 protein. Moreover, Foxa3 played a critical role in EGT-mediated hepatoprotection. EGT modulated the Foxa3/Hint1/Smad7 signaling in mouse primary HSCs and inhibited their activation. The gavage of EGT considerably relieved CCl4-induced LF in mice. Our data provide new insights into the anti-LF activity of EGT. Mechanistically, EGT triggers the nuclear translocation of Foxa3 in HSCs, which promotes Hint1 transcription and subsequently elevates Smad7.

Impact of Fetal Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Mixtures on FOXA3 Gene and Protein Expression in Adult Rat Testes.

Perinatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been shown to affect male reproductive functions. However, the effects on male reproduction of exposure to EDC mixtures at doses relevant to humans have not been fully characterized. In previous studies, we found that in utero exposure to mixtures of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and the soy-based phytoestrogen genistein (Gen) induced abnormal testis development in rats. In the present study, we investigated the molecular basis of these effects in adult testes from the offspring of pregnant SD rats gavaged with corn oil or Gen + DEHP mixtures at 0.1 or 10 mg/kg/day. Testicular transcriptomes were determined by microarray and RNA-seq analyses. A protein analysis was performed on paraffin and frozen testis sections, mainly by immunofluorescence. The transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FOXA3), a key regulator of Leydig cell function, was identified as the most significantly downregulated gene in testes from rats exposed in utero to Gen + DEHP mixtures. FOXA3 protein levels were decreased in testicular interstitium at a dose previously found to reduce testosterone levels, suggesting a primary effect of fetal exposure to Gen + DEHP on adult Leydig cells, rather than on spermatids and Sertoli cells, also expressing FOXA3. Thus, FOXA3 downregulation in adult testes following fetal exposure to Gen + DEHP may contribute to adverse male reproductive outcomes.

Hypoxia-induced LncRNA DACT3-AS1 upregulates PKM2 to promote metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma through the HDAC2/FOXA3 pathway.

Growing evidence has revealed that hypoxia is involved in multiple stages of cancer development. However, there are limited reports on the effects of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression under hypoxia. The main purposes of this study were to analyze the effect of the novel lncRNA DACT3-AS1 on metastasis in HCC and to elucidate the related molecular mechanism. Bioinformatics tools were employed. RT-qPCR or western blot assays were conducted to detect RNA or protein expression. Clinical samples and in vivo assays were utilized to reveal the role of DACT3-AS1 in HCC. Other mechanism and functional analyses were specifically designed and performed as well. Based on the collected data, this study revealed that HIF-1α transcriptionally activates DACT3-AS1 expression under hypoxia. DACT3-AS1 was verified to promote metastasis in HCC. Mechanistically, DACT3-AS1 promotes the interaction between HDAC2 and FOXA3 to stimulate FOXA3 deacetylation, which consequently downregulates the FOXA3 protein. Furthermore, FOXA3 serves as a transcription factor that can bind to the PKM2 promoter region, thus hindering PKM2 expression. To summarize, this study uncovered that HIF-1α-induced DACT3-AS1 promotes metastasis in HCC and can upregulate PKM2 via the HDAC2/FOXA3 pathway in HCC cells.

FOXA3 Polymorphisms Are Associated with Metabolic Parameters in Individuals with Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Healthy Controls-The GEA Mexican Study.

FOXA3 is a transcription factor involved in the macrophage cholesterol efflux and macrophage reverse cholesterol transport reducing the atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, the present study aimed to establish if the FOXA3 polymorphisms are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) and cardiometabolic parameters. Two FOXA3 polymorphisms (rs10410870 and rs10412574) were determined in 386 individuals with SA and 1070 controls. No association with SA was observed. The rs10410870 polymorphism was associated with a low risk of having total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, non-HDL-cholesterol > 160 mg/dL, and a high risk of having LDL pattern B and insulin resistance adipose tissue in individuals with SA, and with a high risk of having interleukin 10 p75 in individuals with SA, and with a low risk of LDL pattern B and a high risk of a magnesium deficiency in controls. Independent analysis in 846 individuals showed that the rs10410870 polymorphism was associated with a high risk of aortic valve calcification. In summary, FOXA3 polymorphisms were not associated with SA; however, they were associated with cardiometabolic parameters in individuals with and without SA.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies FOXL2, FOXA2 and FOXA3 as candidate genes for monogenic congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) constitute the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the first three decades of life. Variants in four Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors have been associated with CAKUT. We hypothesized that other FOX genes, if highly expressed in developing kidneys, may also represent monogenic causes of CAKUT. METHODS: We here performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 541 families with CAKUT and generated four lists of CAKUT candidate genes: (A) 36 FOX genes showing high expression during renal development, (B) 4 FOX genes known to cause CAKUT to validate list A, (C) 80 genes that we identified as unique potential novel CAKUT candidate genes when performing WES in 541 CAKUT families and (D) 175 genes identified from WES as multiple potential novel CAKUT candidate genes. RESULTS: To prioritize potential novel CAKUT candidates in the FOX gene family, we overlapped 36 FOX genes (list A) with lists C and D of WES-derived CAKUT candidates. Intersection with list C identified a de novo FOXL2 in-frame deletion in a patient with eyelid abnormalities and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and a homozygous FOXA2 missense variant in a patient with horseshoe kidney. Intersection with list D identified a heterozygous FOXA3 missense variant in a CAKUT family with multiple affected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We hereby identified FOXL2, FOXA2 and FOXA3 as novel monogenic candidate genes of CAKUT, supporting the utility of a paralog-based approach to discover mutated genes associated with human disease.

miR-221 confers lapatinib resistance by negatively regulating p27kip1 in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Development of acquired resistance to lapatinib, a dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, severely limits the duration of clinical response in advanced HER2-driven breast cancer patients. Although the compensatory activation of the PI3K/Akt survival signal has been proposed to cause acquired lapatinib resistance, comprehensive molecular mechanisms remain required to develop more efficient strategies to circumvent this therapeutic difficulty. In this study, we found that suppression of HER2 by lapatinib still led to Akt inactivation and elevation of FOX3a protein levels, but failed to induce the expression of their downstream pro-apoptotic effector p27kip1 , a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. Elevation of miR-221 was found to contribute to the development of acquired lapatinib resistance by targeting p27kip1 expression. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-221 was mediated by the lapatinib-induced Src family tyrosine kinase and subsequent NF-κB activation. The reversal of miR-221 upregulation and p27kip1 downregulation by a Src inhibitor, dasatinib, can overcome lapatinib resistance. Our study not only identified miRNA-221 as a pivotal factor conferring the acquired resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer cells to lapatinib through negatively regulating p27kip1 expression, but also suggested Src inhibition as a potential strategy to overcome lapatinib resistance.

FOXA3 induction under endoplasmic reticulum stress contributes to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the liver has been shown to play a causative role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Forkhead box A3 (FOXA3), a member of the FOX family, plays critical roles in metabolic homeostasis, although its possible functions in ER stress and fatty liver progression are unknown. METHODS: Adenoviral delivery, siRNA delivery, and genetic knockout mice were used to crease FOXA3 gain- or loss-of-function models. Tunicamycin (TM) and a high-fat diet (HFD) were used to induce acute or chronic ER stress in mice. Chromatin immunoprecipiation (ChIP)-seq, luciferase assay, and adenoviral-mediated downstream gene manipulations were performed to reveal the transcriptional axis involved. Key axis protein levels in livers from healthy donors and patients with NAFLD were assessed via immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: FOXA3 transcription is specifically induced by XBP1s upon ER stress. FOXA3 exacerbates the excessive lipid accumulation caused by the acute ER-inducer TM, whereas FOXA3 deficiency in hepatocytes and mice alleviates it. Importantly, FOXA3 deficiency in mice reduced diet-induced chronic ER stress, fatty liver, and insulin resistance. In addition, FOXA3 suppression via siRNA or adeno-associated virus delivery ameliorated the fatty liver phenotype in HFD-fed and db/db mice. Mechanistically, ChIP-Seq analysis revealed that FOXA3 directly regulates Period1 (Per1) transcription, which in turn promotes the expression of lipogenic genes, including Srebp1c, thus enhancing lipid synthesis. Of pathophysiological significance, FOXA3, PER1, and SREBP1c levels were increased in livers of obese mice and patients with NAFLD. CONCLUSION: The present study identified FOXA3 as the bridging molecule that links ER stress and NAFLD progression. Our results highlighted the role of the XBP1s-FOXA3-PER1/Srebp1c transcriptional axis in the development of NAFLD and identified FOXA3 as a potential therapeutic target for fatty liver disease. LAY SUMMARY: The molecular mechanisms linking endoplasmic reticulum stress to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression remain undefined. Herein, via in vitro and in vivo analysis, we identified Forkhead box A3 (FOXA3) as a key bridging molecule. Of pathophysiological significance, FOXA3 protein levels were increased in livers of obese mice and patients with NAFLD, indicating that FOXA3 could be a potential therapeutic target in fatty liver disease.

Transcription factor FOXA3 promotes the development of Hepatoblastoma via regulating HNF1A, AFP, and ZFHX3 expression.

OBJECTIVE: In this research paper, we aimed to study the role of FOXA3 in hepatoblastoma (HB) and the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression situation of FOXA3 and AFP in HB tissues and the adjacent normal tissues. FOXA3, HNF1A, and ZFHX3 expressions in HB tissues and the normal tissues were measured by Western blot. HB cell lines were randomly divided into 4 groups: Model, si-NC, si-FOXA3-1, and si-FOXA3-2 group. The HB cell viability and colony formation characteristics in the 4 groups were explored by CCK-8 and cell cloning formation assay, respectively. The expression of FOXA3, AFP, HNF1A, ZFHX3, and MYC in HB cells after knockdown of FOXA3 was measured. RESULTS: FOXA3, AFP, and HNF1A expressions were significantly up-regulated in HB tissues, while ZFHX3 expression was down-regulated. Knockdown of FOXA3 markedly inhibited HB cell viability and cloning formation ability. Knockdown of FOXA3 decreased FOXA3, AFP, and HNF1A/MYC expression, while increased ZFHX3 expression. CONCLUSION: FOXA3 promotes the occurrence and development of HB by up-regulating AFP and HNF1A/MYC expression, and down-regulating ZFHX3 expression.

m6A RNA methylation-mediated HNF3γ reduction renders hepatocellular carcinoma dedifferentiation and sorafenib resistance.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3γ (HNF3γ) is a hepatocyte nuclear factor, but its role and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Herein, we report that HNF3γ expression is downregulated in patient HCC and inversely correlated with HCC malignancy and patient survival. Moreover, our data suggested that the HNF3γ reduction in HCC could be mediated by METTL14-dependent m6A methylation of HNF3γ mRNA. HNF3γ expression was increased during hepatic differentiation and decreased in dedifferentiated HCC cells. Interestingly, HNF3γ delivery promoted differentiation of not only HCC cells but also liver CSCs, which led to suppression of HCC growth. Mechanistic analysis suggested an HNF3γ-centered regulatory network that includes essential liver differentiation-associated transcription factors and functional molecules, which could synergistically facilitate HCC cell differentiation. More importantly, enforced HNF3γ expression sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib-induced growth inhibition and cell apoptosis through transactivation of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 expression, which are major membrane transporters for sorafenib uptake. Clinical investigation showed that patient-derived HCC xenografts with high HNF3γ expression exhibited a sorafenib response and patients with high HCC HNF3γ levels benefited from sorafenib therapy. Together, these results suggest that HNF3γ plays an essential role in HCC differentiation and may serve as a therapeutic target and predictor of sorafenib benefit in patients.

Direct reprogramming of human umbilical vein- and peripheral blood-derived endothelial cells into hepatic progenitor cells.

Recent advances have enabled the direct induction of human tissue-specific stem and progenitor cells from differentiated somatic cells. However, it is not known whether human hepatic progenitor cells (hHepPCs) can be generated from other cell types by direct lineage reprogramming with defined transcription factors. Here, we show that a set of three transcription factors, FOXA3, HNF1A, and HNF6, can induce human umbilical vein endothelial cells to directly acquire the properties of hHepPCs. These induced hHepPCs (hiHepPCs) propagate in long-term monolayer culture and differentiate into functional hepatocytes and cholangiocytes by forming cell aggregates and cystic epithelial spheroids, respectively, under three-dimensional culture conditions. After transplantation, hiHepPC-derived hepatocytes and cholangiocytes reconstitute damaged liver tissues and support hepatic function. The defined transcription factors also induce hiHepPCs from endothelial cells circulating in adult human peripheral blood. These expandable and bipotential hiHepPCs may be useful in the study and treatment of human liver diseases.

Glucose restriction delays senescence and promotes proliferation of HUVECs via the AMPK/SIRT1-FOXA3-Beclin1 pathway.

Caloric restriction (CR) is an important means to delay senescence, and glucose restriction is one of the measures to achieve CR. On the basis of our previous work and bioinformatics analysis, we hypothesized that glucose restriction can up-regulate autophagy, inhibit senescence and promote proliferation via the AMPK/SIRT1-FOXA3-Beclin1 pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that compared with 5.5 mmol/L and 25 mmol/L glucose, 2.5 mmol/L glucose restriction significantly reduced senescence, enhanced autophagy, increased migration speed, relieved G0/G1 phase arrest and enhanced proliferation of HUVECs. Furthermore, glucose restriction up-regulated AMPKα1, SIRT1, FOXA3 and Beclin1 expression in HUVECs. Additionally, we demonstrated that AMPKα1 phosphorylated FOXA3 at S170 and S305 in the cytoplasm and promoted FOXA3 nuclear translocation under glucose restriction. FOXA3 in the nucleus was deacetylated by SIRT1 at K214 and K221. Deacetylated FOXA3 specifically bound to +109 C in the Beclin1 transcriptional regulatory region, and significantly enhanced Beclin1 transcription and expression. siRNA knock down of AMPKα1, SIRT1, FOXA3 or Beclin1 expression impaired the glucose restriction-induced inhibition of senescence, enhanced autophagy, increased migration, and induced proliferation of HUVECs. This study confirmed that glucose restriction can enhance autophagy, inhibit senescence, and enhance proliferation of HUVECs through the AMPK/SIRT1-FOXA3-Beclin1 pathway.

The Dynamics of Transcriptional Activation by Hepatic Reprogramming Factors.

Specific combinations of two transcription factors (Hnf4α plus Foxa1, Foxa2, or Foxa3) can induce direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic reprogramming are largely unknown. Here, we show that the Foxa protein family members and Hnf4α sequentially and cooperatively bind to chromatin to activate liver-specific gene expression. Although all Foxa proteins bind to and open regions of closed chromatin as pioneer factors, Foxa3 has the unique potential of transferring from the distal to proximal regions of the transcription start site of target genes, binding RNA polymerase II, and co-traversing target genes. These distinctive characteristics of Foxa3 are essential for inducing the hepatic fate in fibroblasts. Similar functional coupling of transcription factors to RNA polymerase II may occur in other contexts whereby transcriptional activation can induce cell differentiation.

Collapse of the hepatic gene regulatory network in the absence of FoxA factors.

The FoxA transcription factors are critical for liver development through their pioneering activity, which initiates a highly complex regulatory network thought to become progressively resistant to the loss of any individual hepatic transcription factor via mutual redundancy. To investigate the dispensability of FoxA factors for maintaining this regulatory network, we ablated all FoxA genes in the adult mouse liver. Remarkably, loss of FoxA caused rapid and massive reduction in the expression of critical liver genes. Activity of these genes was reduced back to the low levels of the fetal prehepatic endoderm stage, leading to necrosis and lethality within days. Mechanistically, we found FoxA proteins to be required for maintaining enhancer activity, chromatin accessibility, nucleosome positioning, and binding of HNF4α. Thus, the FoxA factors act continuously, guarding hepatic enhancer activity throughout adult life.

Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 Induces Regulatory T Cell Populations by Suppressing Apoptotic Signaling Pathway.

Bee venom phospholipase A2 is a lipolytic enzyme in bee venom that catalyzes hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond of membrane phospholipids to produce free fatty acid and lysophospholipids. Current evidence suggests that bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) induces regulatory T cell expansion and attenuates several immune system-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The induction of Treg cells is directly mediated by binding to mannose receptors on dendritic cells. This interaction induces the PGE2-EP2 signaling pathway, which promotes Treg induction in CD4+ T cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of bvPLA2 treatment on the apoptotic signaling pathway in Treg populations. Flow cytometry was performed to identify early apoptotic cells. As a result, early apoptotic cells were dramatically decreased in bvPLA2-treated splenocytes, whereas rapamycin-treated cells showed levels of apoptotic cells similar to those of PBS-treated cells. Furthermore, bvPLA2 treatment increased expression of anti-apoptotic molecules including CTLA-4 and PD-1. The survival rate increased in bvPLA2-treated Tregs. Our findings indicate that bvPLA2-mediated modulation of apoptotic signaling is strongly associated with the Treg induction, which exhibits protective effects against various immune-related diseases. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that bvPLA2 is the major bee venom (BV) compound capable of inducing Treg expansion through altering apoptotic signal.

Amino acid levels determine metabolism and CYP450 function of hepatocytes and hepatoma cell lines.

Predicting drug-induced liver injury in a preclinical setting remains challenging, as cultured primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), and hepatoma cells exhibit poor drug biotransformation capacity. We here demonstrate that hepatic functionality depends more on cellular metabolism and extracellular nutrients than on developmental regulators. Specifically, we demonstrate that increasing extracellular amino acids beyond the nutritional need of HLCs and HepG2 cells induces glucose independence, mitochondrial function, and the acquisition of a transcriptional profile that is closer to PHHs. Moreover, we show that these high levels of amino acids are sufficient to drive HLC and HepG2 drug biotransformation and liver-toxin sensitivity to levels similar to those in PHHs. In conclusion, we provide data indicating that extracellular nutrient levels represent a major determinant of cellular maturity and can be utilized to guide stem cell differentiation to the hepatic lineage.

Opposing Roles of FoxA1 and FoxA3 in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Progression.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a malignancy of biliary epithelium, is related to liver stem cell deregulation. FoxAs are a group of transcription factors that play critical roles in liver stem cell differentiation. In this study, the expression levels of FoxAs (i.e., FoxA1, FoxA2 and FoxA3) were detected in intrahepatic CCA tissues and the functions of FoxAs were studied in CCA cell lines. FoxA1 and FoxA2 were mainly localized in the nuclei of normal bile duct (NBD) cells and some of the cancer cells. Low expression of FoxA1 in CCA tissues (72%) was significantly correlated with poor prognosis. FoxA3 expression of CCA cells was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas it was slightly detected in NBDs. High expression of FoxA3 in cancer tissues (61%) was significantly related to high metastasis status. These findings suggest the opposing roles of FoxA1 and FoxA3 in CCA. Moreover, the FoxA1-over-expressing CCA cell line exhibited a significant reduction in proliferative and invasive activities compared to control cells. Knockdown of FoxA3 in CCA cells resulted in a significant decrease in proliferative and invasive activities compared with control cells. Taken together, in CCA, FoxA1 is down-regulated and has tumor suppressive roles, whereas FoxA3 is up-regulated and has oncogenic roles.

Co-expression of Interleukin-17A molecular adjuvant and prophylactic Helicobacter pylori genetic vaccine could cause sterile immunity in Treg suppressed mice.

The increasing clinical significance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in human stomach cancer has led to global efforts to eradicate this pathogen. Recent studies have confirmed the importance of some cytokines such as Interleukin-18 (IL-18), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Interleukin-22 (IL-22) in the pathogenesis of the so-called bacterium. This study was designed to compare the effects of Type 1T helper (Th1), Type 2T helper (Th2) cells, Regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) modulatory effects on the efficacy of designed H. pylori vaccine by incorporating some molecular adjuvants in Treg competent and Treg suppressed groups. A bicistronic vector was used for simultaneous expression of codon-optimized Outer inflammatory protein a (OipA) gene and modified mice IL-18, IL-17A, IL-22 and Foxp3 (forkhead box P3) cytokines from four cassettes. Immunization of mice groups was performed using produced plasmids intradermally. Specific IgG1 and IgG2 and IgA antibody titers produced in mice were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera and intestine obtained four weeks after the last immunization. After being stimulated with a mixture of both anti-CD28 mAb and H. pylori lysate, frequencies of single Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ), single IL-17 and dual IFN-γ/IL-17-secreting T-cells were documented using dual-color FluoroSpot. The kinetics of Th1, Th2 and Th17 in the immunized animals was determined by relative quantification of IL-17A, IL-22, IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-2 and IL-4 specific mRNAs. Four weeks after bacterial challenge, quantitative colony count in the isolated and homogenized stomachs was utilized to assess the level of protective immunity among all groups. The results of immunologic assays showed that the highest cell-mediated immunity cytokines were produced in IL-17 receiving group in which the Treg responses were suppressed previously by the administration of the Foxp3 as an immunogen. In addition, potent clearance of Helicobacter pylori infection was seen in this group as well.