Prebiotic Potential of Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) in Improving Intestinal Integrity and Inflammatory Profiles via Modification of the Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats.

Background: Imbalances in gut microbiota and subsequent destabilization of intestinal barrier equilibrium have been related to the evolution of metabolic disorders. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum; GB) and their fermented counterpart (FGB) have been identified for their prebiotic capacity in managing intestinal barrier functions and inflammatory profiles Consequently, this research was designed to investigate the effects of supplementing GB and FGB on intestinal integrity, inflammation, and changes in the composition of gut microbiota in high-fat (HF)-fed rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old, 8 per group) were divided into four categories based on their weight and provided with either respective diets over a 6-week period: low-fat (LF; 10% of calories from fat), HF (45% of calories from fat), and HF diets supplemented with either GB or FGB at a 2% (w/w). Results: Supplementation of GB and FGB resulted in compositional changes in the gut microbiota, denoted by a distinct abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii with GB and Akkermansia muciniphila species with FGB, which have been linked to ameliorated obesity phenotypes and metabolic parameters. These alterations were correlated with enhancements in gut barrier integrity, thereby protecting against local and systemic inflammation induced by a HF diet. Supplementation with GB and FGB also mitigated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through inhibition of its downstream pathway. Conclusion: These findings indicate that both GB and FGB supplementation can improve gut barrier function and inflammatory profiles in HF-fed rats via modulation of the microbial composition of the gut, supporting the potential application of GB and FGB in improving gut barrier function and managing inflammation amid metabolic challenges.

Computed tomographic evaluation of portal vein indices in cats with the extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

IMPORTANCE: The portal vein to aorta (PV/Ao) ratio is used to assess the clinical significance of extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS). Previous studies using computed tomography (CT) were conducted in dogs but not in cats. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish normal reference values for PV indices (PV/Ao ratio and PV diameter) in cats and determine the usefulness of these for predicting symptomatic EHPSS. METHODS: This study included 95 dogs and 114 cats that underwent abdominal CT. The canine normal (CN) group included dogs without EHPSS. The cats were classified into feline normal (FN, 88/114), feline asymptomatic (FA, 16/114), and feline symptomatic (FS, 10/114) groups. The PV and Ao diameters were measured in axial cross-sections. RESULTS: The group FN had a higher PV/Ao ratio than the group CN (p < 0.001). Within the feline groups, the PV indices were in the order FN > FA > FS (both p < 0.001). The mean PV diameter and PV/Ao ratio for group FN were 5.23 ± 0.77 mm and 1.46 ± 0.19, respectively. The cutoff values between groups FN and FS were 4.115 mm for PV diameter (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 97.7%) and 1.170 for PV/Ao ratio (90%, 92.1%). The cutoff values between group FA and FS were 3.835 mm (90%, 93.8%) and 1.010 (70%, 100%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results demonstrated significant differences in PV indices between dogs and cats. In cats, the PV/Ao ratio demonstrated high diagnostic performance for symptomatic EHPSS. The PV diameter also performed well, in contrast to dogs.

Autophagy suppression in DNA damaged cells occurs through a newly identified p53-proteasome-LC3 axis.

Macroautophagy is thought to have a critical role in shaping and refining cellular proteostasis in eukaryotic cells recovering from DNA damage. Here, we report a mechanism by which autophagy is suppressed in cells exposed to bacterial toxin-, chemical-, or radiation-mediated sources of genotoxicity. Autophagy suppression is directly linked to cellular responses to DNA damage, and specifically the stabilization of the tumor suppressor p53, which is both required and sufficient for regulating the ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent reduction in cellular pools of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3A/B), a key precursor of autophagosome biogenesis and maturation, in both epithelial cells and an ex vivo organoid model. Our data indicate that suppression of autophagy, through a newly identified p53-proteasome-LC3 axis, is a conserved cellular response to multiple sources of genotoxicity. Such a mechanism could potentially be important for realigning proteostasis in cells undergoing DNA damage repair.

Deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy in HER2-Overexpressing breast cancer via SERS immunoassays of tumor-derived urinary exosomal biomarkers.

Monitoring drug efficacy is significant in the current concept of companion diagnostics in metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a drug targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is an effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer. However, some patients develop resistance to this therapy; therefore, monitoring its efficacy is essential. Here, we describe a deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy based on a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunoassay against HER2-overexpressing mouse urinary exosomes. Individual Raman reporters bearing the desired SERS tag and exosome capture substrate were prepared for the SERS immunoassay; SERS tag signals were collected to prepare deep learning training data. Using this deep learning algorithm, various complicated mixtures of SERS tags were successfully quantified and classified. Exosomal antigen levels of five types of cell-derived exosomes were determined using SERS-deep learning analysis and compared with those obtained via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Finally, drug efficacy was monitored via SERS-deep learning analysis using urinary exosomes from trastuzumab-treated mice. Use of this monitoring system should allow proactive responses to any treatment-resistant issues.

Potential Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Treatment and Computational Approach for Future Drug Development.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by swelling in at least one joint. Owing to an overactive immune response, extra-articular manifestations are observed in certain cases, with interstitial lung disease (ILD) being the most common. Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the interstitial space, which causes fibrosis and the scarring of lung tissue. Controlling inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in RA-ILD is important because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pirfenidone and nintedanib are specific drugs against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and showed efficacy against RA-ILD in several clinical trials. Immunosuppressants and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with anti-fibrotic effects have also been used to treat RA-ILD. Immunosuppressants moderate the overexpression of cytokines and immune cells to reduce pulmonary damage and slow the progression of fibrosis. DMARDs with mild anti-fibrotic effects target specific fibrotic pathways to regulate fibrogenic cellular activity, extracellular matrix homeostasis, and oxidative stress levels. Therefore, specific medications are required to effectively treat RA-ILD. In this review, the commonly used RA-ILD treatments are discussed based on their molecular mechanisms and clinical trial results. In addition, a computational approach is proposed to develop specific drugs for RA-ILD.

Limited Hyperoxia-Induced Proliferative Retinopathy (LHIPR) as a Model of Retinal Fibrosis, Angiogenesis, and Inflammation.

The progression to fibrosis and traction in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and other ischemic retinopathies remains an important clinical and surgical challenge, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis. Fibrosis is an unbalanced deposition of extracellular matrix components responsible for scar tissue formation with consequent tissue and organ impairment. Together with retinal traction, it is among the main causes of retinal detachment and vision loss. We capitalize on the Limited Hyperoxia Induced Retinopathy (LHIPR) model, as it reflects the more advanced pathological phenotypes seen in ROP and other ischemic retinopathies. To model LHIPR, we exposed wild-type C57Bl/6J mouse pups to 65% oxygen from P0 to P7. Then, the pups were returned to room air to recover until later endpoints. We performed histological and molecular analysis to evaluate fibrosis progression, angiogenesis, and inflammation at several time points, from 1.5 months to 9 months. In addition, we performed in vivo retinal imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) or OCT Angiography (OCTA) to follow the fibrovascular progression in vivo. Although the retinal morphology was relatively preserved, we found a progressive increase in preretinal fibrogenesis over time, up to 9 months of age. We also detected blood vessels in the preretinal space as well as an active inflammatory process, altogether mimicking advanced preretinal fibrovascular disease in humans.

RNA Editing Enzyme ADAR1 Suppresses the Mobility of Cancer Cells via ARPIN.

Deamination of adenine or cytosine in RNA, called RNA editing, is a constitutively active and common modification. The primary role of RNA editing is tagging RNA right after its synthesis so that the endogenous RNA is recognized as self and distinguished from exogenous RNA, such as viral RNA. In addition to this primary function, the direct or indirect effects on gene expression can be utilized in cancer where a high level of RNA editing activity persists. This report identified actin-related protein 2/3 complex inhibitor (ARPIN) as a target of ADAR1 in breast cancer cells. Our comparative RNA sequencing analysis in MCF7 cells revealed that the expression of ARPIN was decreased upon ADAR1 depletion with altered editing on its 3'UTR. However, the expression changes of ARPIN were not dependent on 3'UTR editing but relied on three microRNAs acting on ARPIN. As a result, we found that the migration and invasion of cancer cells were profoundly increased by ADAR1 depletion, and this cellular phenotype was reversed by the exogenous ARPIN expression. Altogether, our data suggest that ADAR1 suppresses breast cancer cell mobility via the upregulation of ARPIN.

Unraveling the Pathobiological Role of the Fungal KEOPS Complex in Cryptococcus neoformans.

The KEOPS (kinase, putative endopeptidase, and other proteins of small size) complex has critical functions in eukaryotes; however, its role in fungal pathogens remains elusive. Herein, we comprehensively analyzed the pathobiological functions of the fungal KEOPS complex in Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), which causes fatal meningoencephalitis in humans. We identified four CnKEOPS components: Pcc1, Kae1, Bud32, and Cgi121. Deletion of PCC1, KAE1, or BUD32 caused severe defects in vegetative growth, cell cycle control, sexual development, general stress responses, and virulence factor production, whereas deletion of CGI121 led to similar but less severe defects. This suggests that Pcc1, Kae1, and Bud32 are the core KEOPS components, and Cgi121 may play auxiliary roles. Nevertheless, all KEOPS components were essential for C. neoformans pathogenicity. Although the CnKEOPS complex appeared to have a conserved linear arrangement of Pcc1-Kae1-Bud32-Cgi121, as supported by physical interaction between Pcc1-Kae1 and Kae1-Bud32, CnBud32 was found to have a unique extended loop region that was critical for the KEOPS functions. Interestingly, CnBud32 exhibited both kinase activity-dependent and -independent functions. Supporting its pleiotropic roles, the CnKEOPS complex not only played conserved roles in t6A modification of ANN codon-recognizing tRNAs but also acted as a major transcriptional regulator, thus controlling hundreds of genes involved in various cellular processes, particularly ergosterol biosynthesis. In conclusion, the KEOPS complex plays both evolutionarily conserved and divergent roles in controlling the pathobiological features of C. neoformans and could be an anticryptococcal drug target. IMPORTANCE The cellular function and structural configuration of the KEOPS complex have been elucidated in some eukaryotes and archaea but have never been fully characterized in fungal pathogens. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the pathobiological roles of the KEOPS complex in the globally prevalent fungal meningitis-causing pathogen C. neoformans. The CnKEOPS complex, composed of a linear arrangement of Pcc1-Kae1-Bud32-Cgi121, not only played evolutionarily conserved roles in growth, sexual development, stress responses, and tRNA modification but also had unique roles in controlling virulence factor production and pathogenicity. Notably, a unique extended loop structure in CnBud32 is critical for the KEOPS complex in C. neoformans. Supporting its pleiotropic roles, transcriptome analysis revealed that the CnKEOPS complex governs several hundreds of genes involved in carbon and amino acid metabolism, pheromone response, and ergosterol biosynthesis. Therefore, this study provides novel insights into the fungal KEOPS complex that could be exploited as a potential antifungal drug target.

Enzyme activity of Aspergillus section Nigri strains isolated from the Korean fermentation starter, nuruk.

Aspergillus section Nigri is a fungus used industrially because of its ability to produce enzymes such as cellulolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes. In this study, we obtained twenty-eight strains of Aspergillus section Nigri from the traditional Korean fermentation starter, nuruk, which is known as a mixed culture of enzymatic filamentous fungi and yeasts. All strains were identified as Aspergillus section Nigri through combined phylogenetic analysis using partial ß-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequences. The cellulase, amylase and protease activities of Korean strains were measured and compared with ten reference strains of Aspergillus niger. Most Korean strains showed higher cellulolytic activity than reference strains, and Aspergillus neoniger KCN5 showed the highest ß-glucosidase activity. Two-thirds of the Korean strains showed similar levels of α- and glucoamylase activity as the reference strains. The protease activity of Aspergillus section Nigri strains was the highest at pH 3.0, and A. niger KSJ2 showed the highest acidic protease activity. By comparing ten reference strains and twenty-eight Korean strains, our results suggested useful Aspergillus section Nigri strains from nuruk with high enzyme activity, such as KCN5 and KSJ2, and their potential for industrial applications as enzyme producers.

Genome-wide functional analysis of phosphatases in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.

Phosphatases, together with kinases and transcription factors, are key components in cellular signalling networks. Here, we present a systematic functional analysis of the phosphatases in Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening fungal meningoencephalitis. We analyse 230 signature-tagged mutant strains for 114 putative phosphatases under 30 distinct in vitro growth conditions, revealing at least one function for 60 of these proteins. Large-scale virulence and infectivity assays using insect and mouse models indicate roles in pathogenicity for 31 phosphatases involved in various processes such as thermotolerance, melanin and capsule production, stress responses, O-mannosylation, or retromer function. Notably, phosphatases Xpp1, Ssu72, Siw14, and Sit4 promote blood-brain barrier adhesion and crossing by C. neoformans. Together with our previous systematic studies of transcription factors and kinases, our results provide comprehensive insight into the pathobiological signalling circuitry of C. neoformans.

Characteristics of sediment affecting monomethylmercury accumulation in benthic fish of the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong River Delta (Vietnam) is a flat, low-lying area formed by a dense network of main tributaries of the Tien and Hau Rivers, providing a nourishing habitat for aquatic organisms. A sediment survey of the total mercury (Hg), monomethylmercury (MMHg), and geochemical variables was carried out from the coast to 131 km upriver to establish an overview of the environmental factors affecting the bioaccumulation of Hg and MMHg in delta fish. The survey results revealed that the total Hg (12-90 ng g-1 ) and MMHg (0.014-1.5 ng g-1 ) concentrations were in the range of uncontaminated sediment. Statistical analysis using various geochemical factors demonstrated that sediment MMHg concentrations and fractions of MMHg over total Hg in sediment were higher at sites with higher total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen sites. The current levels of TOC in Mekong Delta sediment are relatively low (0.2-1.5%); however, expanding dam constructions and aquacultures related to salinity intrusion are reinforcing the carbon burial rate by increasing the fine fractions. Based on the positive relationship found between MMHg and TOC in sediment, proper management efforts are necessary to reduce MMHg production in the Mekong River Delta sediment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:503-510. © 2018 SETAC.

Systematic functional analysis of kinases in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is the leading cause of death by fungal meningoencephalitis; however, treatment options remain limited. Here we report the construction of 264 signature-tagged gene-deletion strains for 129 putative kinases, and examine their phenotypic traits under 30 distinct in vitro growth conditions and in two different hosts (insect larvae and mice). Clustering analysis of in vitro phenotypic traits indicates that several of these kinases have roles in known signalling pathways, and identifies hitherto uncharacterized signalling cascades. Virulence assays in the insect and mouse models provide evidence of pathogenicity-related roles for 63 kinases involved in the following biological categories: growth and cell cycle, nutrient metabolism, stress response and adaptation, cell signalling, cell polarity and morphology, vacuole trafficking, transfer RNA (tRNA) modification and other functions. Our study provides insights into the pathobiological signalling circuitry of C. neoformans and identifies potential anticryptococcal or antifungal drug targets.

Mediation of Autophagic Cell Death by Type 3 Ryanodine Receptor (RyR3) in Adult Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells.

Cytoplasmic Ca(2+) actively engages in diverse intracellular processes from protein synthesis, folding and trafficking to cell survival and death. Dysregulation of intracellular Ca(2+) levels is observed in various neuropathological states including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), the main Ca(2+) release channels located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, are known to direct various cellular events such as autophagy and apoptosis. Here we investigated the intracellular Ca(2+)-mediated regulation of survival and death of adult hippocampal neural stem (HCN) cells utilizing an insulin withdrawal model of autophagic cell death (ACD). Despite comparable expression levels of RyR and IP3R transcripts in HCN cells at normal state, the expression levels of RyRs-especially RyR3-were markedly upregulated upon insulin withdrawal. While treatment with the RyR agonist caffeine significantly promoted the autophagic death of insulin-deficient HCN cells, treatment with its inhibitor dantrolene prevented the induction of autophagy following insulin withdrawal. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the RyR3 gene abolished ACD of HCN cells. This study delineates a distinct, RyR3-mediated ER Ca(2+) regulation of autophagy and programmed cell death in neural stem cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the critical, yet understudied mechanisms underlying the regulatory function of ER Ca(2+) in neural stem cell biology.

Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 as a probiotic confers protection against influenza virus by modulating innate immunity.

Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 (DK119) isolated from the fermented Korean cabbage food was used as a probiotic to determine its antiviral effects on influenza virus. DK119 intranasal or oral administration conferred 100% protection against subsequent lethal infection with influenza A viruses, prevented significant weight loss, and lowered lung viral loads in a mouse model. The antiviral protective efficacy was observed in a dose and route dependent manner of DK119 administration. Mice that were treated with DK119 showed high levels of cytokines IL-12 and IFN-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and a low degree of inflammation upon infection with influenza virus. Depletion of alveolar macrophage cells in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavages completely abrogated the DK119-mediated protection. Modulating host innate immunity of dendritic and macrophage cells, and cytokine production pattern appeared to be possible mechanisms by which DK119 exhibited antiviral effects on influenza virus infection. These results indicate that DK119 can be developed as a beneficial antiviral probiotic microorganism.