MiR-452-5p mediates the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting COLEC10.

Objective: This study explored the potential function of miR-452-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clarified the mechanism underlying HCC progression. Materials & methods: Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect miR-452-5p and COLEC10 mRNA expression in HCC, western blot was performed to test COLEC10 protein expression. The regulatory mechanism of miR-452-5p/COLEC10 in HCC cells was explored using CCK-8, wound healing assay, Transwell and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: MiR-452-5p was greatly upregulated in HCC cells, and it served as an oncogene playing an active role in HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. COLEC10 was identified as the target of miR-452-5p in HCC attenuating the promoting effect of miR-452-5p on HCC cells upon overexpression. Conclusion: MiR-452-5p can promote the progression of HCC via targeting COLEC10.

Galectins and collectinis expression are increased in Haemonchus contortus-infected corriedale sheep.

Galectins and collectins are proteins classified in the lectin family that have the ability to recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Studies on cattle have demonstrated high expression of these proteins during infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep. Twelve Corriedale sheep exposed to natural infection with nematodes were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 7) and group 2 (G2, n = 5), with low and high parasite burdens, respectively, based on fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts. The fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Galectin and collectin gene expression was observed in all sheep abomasal samples. However, animals with lower infection levels showed lower expression of the genes Gal14, SPA and CGN (p < 0.05). Expression of lectins was associated with the abomasal H. contortus burden, thus suggesting that these proteins may have a role in controlling of this infection.

Galectins and collectinis expression are increased in Haemonchus contortus-infected corriedale sheep / Aumento da expressão gênica de colectinas e galectinas em ovinos corriedale infectados por Haemonchus contortus

Galectins and collectins are proteins classified in the lectin family that have the ability to recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Studies on cattle have demonstrated high expression of these proteins during infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep. Twelve Corriedale sheep exposed to natural infection with nematodes were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 7) and group 2 (G2, n = 5), with low and high parasite burdens, respectively, based on fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts. The fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Galectin and collectin gene expression was observed in all sheep abomasal samples. However, animals with lower infection levels showed lower expression of the genes Gal14, SPA and CGN (p < 0.05). Expression of lectins was associated with the abomasal H. contortus burden, thus suggesting that these proteins may have a role in controlling of this infection.

Colectinas e galectinas são proteínas da família das lectinas que possuem a capacidade de reconhecer padrões moleculares associados aos patógenos. Estudos em bovinos têm demonstrado a alta expressão dessas proteínas durante a infecção por nematoides gastrintestinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se o nível de infecção de Haemonchus contortus altera a expressão de colectinas (SPA e CGN) e galectinas (Gal11 e Gal14) de ovinos. Doze ovinos da raça Corriedale expostos a infecção natural com nematoides foram separados em dois grupos: grupo 1 (G1, n=7) com menor grau de parasitismo; e grupo 2 (G2, n=5) com maior grau, a partir da contagem do número de parasitos recuperados do abomaso e OPG. A contagem de OPG e de parasitos recuperados do abomaso dos grupos G1 e G2 apresentaram diferença estatística (p<0,05). A expressão dos genes de colectinas e galectina foi observada em todas as amostras de abomaso dos ovinos, porém animais com menor grau de infecção apresentaram menor expressão dos genes de Gal14, SPA e CGN (p<0,05). A expressão de lectinas foi associada ao número de H. contortus encontrados no abomaso de ovinos, indicando um possível papel dessas proteínas no controle da infecção.

Endometriotic mesenchymal stem cells exhibit a distinct immune phenotype.

Endometriosis is a significant debilitating gynecological problem affecting women of the reproductive age group and post-menopause. Recent reports suggest a role for endometriotic mesenchymal stem cells (ectopic MSCs) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. To investigate the plausible mechanisms leading to the pathogenic behavior of ectopic MSCs, we compared the immunomodulatory properties of eutopic (healthy) and ectopic MSCs. We analyzed MSC phenotypes, differentiation potential, differential gene expression for an array of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and pro-inflammatory cytokine release along with markers of migration and angiogenesis among eutopic and ectopic MSCs. Further, alterations in immunosuppressive functions of eutopic and ectopic MSCs were examined by co-culturing them with mitogen-activated allogeneic PBMCs. Transcripts of PRRs such as all Toll-like receptors (TLR1-10), except TLR8, collectins (CL-L1, CL-P1 and CL-K1), NOD-1 and NOD-2 receptors and secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IFN-γ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated in ectopic MSCs. The anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor-ß showed significant down-regulation, while IL-10 showed a significant increase in ectopic MSCs. Further, ectopic MSCs showed up-regulated expression for markers of migration and angiogenesis such as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3 and MMP-9 and VEGF, respectively. We report here that proliferation of PBMCs was less inhibited upon co-culture with ectopic MSCs compared with eutopic MSCs. The findings suggest that ectopic MSCs with increased levels of TLRs, collectins, pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of migration and angiogenesis exhibit a distinct immune phenotype compared to eutopic MSCs. This distinct phenotype may be responsible for the reduced immunosuppressive property of ectopic MSCs and may be associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

The induction of human CL-P1 expression in hypoxia/reoxygenation culture condition and rat CL-P1 after ischemic/reperfusion treatment.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) might play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We recently identified a vascular endothelial scavenger receptor, collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1), which acts as a receptor for oxidized LDL as well as for microbes. METHODS: We demonstrate how hypoxic and oxidative stress induced CL-P1 expression and compared their effects with the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), an endothelial scavenger receptor expressed by oxidative stress. RESULTS: Hypoxia/reoxygenation induced CL-P1 mRNA and protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of LOX-1 mRNA in these cells peaked slightly at 24 h, while the expression of CL-P1 had an onset at 72 h and was sustained for 120 h after reoxygenation. Furthermore, the exposure of rat carotid artery endothelium to ischemia/reperfusion increased the maximal CL-P1 mRNA expression at 72 h and expression of its protein peaked at 7 days after this treatment. We demonstrate that CL-P1 up-regulation is induced in vitro and in vivo by oxidative stress. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The inducible expression of CL-P1 by oxidative stress might play a crucial role in endothelial dysfunction or chronic activation leading to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Isolation and expression of a novel MBL-like collectin cDNA enhanced by LPS injection in the body wall of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis.

Collectins are a family of calcium-dependent lectins that are characterized by their collagen-like domains. Considerable interest has been focused on this class of proteins because of their ability to interact with components of the complement system activating a cascade of events responsible for the activation of the innate immune system. A differential screening between LPS-challenged and naïve Ciona intestinalis has been performed allowing the isolation of a full length cDNA encoding for a 221 AA protein. In silico analysis has shown that this polypeptide displays protein domains with similarities to mannose-binding lectins. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that C. intestinalis MBL has evolved early as a prototype of vertebrate MBL. Real-time PCR assay demonstrated that this gene is strongly activated after LPS injection in the tunica. In situ hybridization performed in LPS-induced animals has shown that this gene is expressed in granular amoebocytes and large granules hemocytes in the inflamed body wall tissue. Finally, an antimicrobial activity of the C. intestinalis MBL has been demonstrated.

Gene profiling studies in the neonatal ovine lung show enhancing effects of VEGF on the immune response.

Preterm and young neonates have an increased predisposition to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) associated with an immature development of lung surfactant. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the major immunomodulatory agents used to increase lung development and reduce the mortality and morbidity of preterm infants with RDS. However, their safety remains uncertain, and the precise mechanisms by which they improve lung function are unclear. In previous studies, we found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) enhances the innate immune response by respiratory epithelial cells, causes a monocytic infiltration into the lung, and reduces the severity of infection by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory pathogen known to affect preterm infants at a high prevalence. The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of VEGF administration on local immune responses in neonatal lambs, as the ovine lung is well suited for comparison to the human lung, due to similarities in alveolar development, immune responses, and RSV susceptibility. We hypothesized that VEGF induces the expression of genes necessary for host immune responses. We analyzed global gene expression profiles in the lungs of neonate lambs treated with VEGF by real-time qPCR. We report that VEGF induced the expression of chemokines (IL-8, RANTES, MCP-1), cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-6, TNF-alpha, GMCSF), Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, complement family members (C3, CFB, CFH) and collectins (SP-A, SP-D). These results suggest that VEGF can regulate local immune gene expression in vivo and should be further explored as a potential exogenous therapy for various lung diseases.

Collectrin is involved in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension by facilitating the membrane trafficking of apical membrane proteins via interaction with soluble N-ethylmaleiamide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complex.

BACKGROUND: Collectrin, a homologue of angiotensin converting enzyme 2, is expressed in pancreatic beta cells and renal proximal tubular and collecting duct cells under the control of hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha and -1beta. Because collectrin interacts with the soluble N-ethylmaleiamide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes, we investigated whether collectrin is involved in sodium handling in hypertension by vesicle trafficking of apical membrane proteins. METHODS AND RESULTS: Collectrin physically interacts with the SNARE complex: snapin, synaptosomal-associated protein 23 kDa, syntaxin-4, and vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 in mIMCD-3 cells. siRNA knockdown of collectrin resulted in a reduction in membrane-associated aquaporin-2, alpha-epithelial Na+ channel, and H+-ATPase. Collectrin and SNARE proteins were abundantly expressed in collecting ducts of Wistar-Kyoto rats. Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats 7 weeks of age were subjected to normal-salt (1% NaCl) and high-salt (8% NaCl) chow for 10 weeks. High-salt chow prominently elevated blood pressure, oral intake, and urinary excretion of NaCl and water in both groups. Although urinary excretion of aldosterone was significantly suppressed in both groups, collectrin expression was upregulated and associated with the maintenance of aquaporin-2, alpha-epithelial Na+ channel, and H+-ATPase in membrane fractions. Collectrin promoter activities and mRNA and protein expressions were upregulated and ubiquitinated collectrin was reduced by high NaCl (175 to 225 mmol/L) and not altered by 1 micromol/L aldosterone in mIMCD-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of collectrin by high NaCl independent of aldosterone functionally links to the trafficking of apical membrane proteins via the SNARE complex, and collectrin may be responsible for the sodium retention in salt-sensitive hypertension.

CL-46, a novel collectin highly expressed in bovine thymus and liver.

Collectins are oligomeric molecules with C-type lectin domains attached to collagen-like regions via alpha-helical neck regions. They bind nonself glycoconjugates on the surface of microorganisms and inhibit infection by direct neutralization, agglutination, or opsonization. During the characterization of the gene encoding bovine CL-43 (43-kDa collectin), we identified a novel collectin-gene. We report the cloning and partial characterization of the novel collectin CL-46. The mRNA comprises 1188 nucleotides encoding a protein of 371 aa with an included leader peptide of 20 residues. CL-46 has two cysteine residues in the N-terminal segment, a potential N-glycosylation site in the collagen region, and an extended hydrophilic loop close to the binding site of the carbohydrate recognition domain. It is expressed in the thymus, liver, mammary gland, and tissues of the digestive system. Recombinant CL-46 corresponding to the alpha-helical neck region and the C-type lectin domain binds preferential N-acetyl-D-glucoseamine and N-acetyl-D-mannoseamine. The gene encoding CL-46 spans approximately 10 kb and consists of eight exons, with high structural resemblance to the gene encoding human surfactant protein D. It is located on the bovine chromosome 28 at position q1.8 together with the gene encoding conglutinin and CL-43. Several potential thymus-related cis-regulatory elements were identified in the 5'-upstream sequence, indicating that the expression in thymus may be modulated by signals involved in T cell development.

Molecular cloning of mouse collectin liver 1.

Collectins are members of the superfamily of vertebrate C-type lectins that contain a collagen-like region, and are involved in first-line host defense. We earlier cloned and characterized a new kind of collectin, collectin liver 1 (CL-L1). In this study, we isolated the mouse homologue of CL-L1 encoding 277 amino acid residues; its deduced protein sequence was 88% identical with human CL-L1. Mouse CL-L1 mRNA was expressed mainly in the liver and stomach, but was found also in muscles, testes, intestines, and embryos. In mouse embryos, the level of CL-L1 mRNA gradually increased with embryonic age. In 16-day-old mouse embryos, CL-L1 mRNA was expressed in the liver, amnion, and visceral yolk sac. The mouse CL-L1 gene, Cll1 was found on chromosome 15 in a region syntenic with human chromosome 8q. CL-L1 was a highly conserved protein in mammals, birds, and fish.