Study on the value of Inhibin B in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine syndromes: An observational study.

To investigate the expression of Inhibin B between various clinical stages, Chinese medicine dialectic typing, and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues and serum, and to evaluate the potential of Inhibin B as a new biomarker for NPC. Paraffin specimens of pathologically confirmed NPC tissues and paracancerous tissues were retrospectively collected, and the expression of Inhibin α (INHA) and Inhibin ßB (INHBB) was detected by SP method, and their relationship with clinicopathological indexes was analyzed; in addition, patients with NPC who had received radiotherapy were included as the study subjects, and Epstein-Barr virus DNA (EBV-DNA), INHA, and INHBB in patients were detected by using the fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and chemiluminescent immuno-sandwiching method, respectively. EBV-DNA, EBV-viral capsid antigen-immunoglobulin A (VCA IgA), INHA, and INHBB were detected in the patients, respectively, and their relationships with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns were also analyzed. The expression of INHA and INHBB in NPC tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and the expression of INHA in NPC patients was correlated with lymphatic metastasis, clinical staging, and TCM staging; the levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA were higher than that of healthy populations in NPC patients and were higher than that of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II, and the levels of INHA and INHBB were lower than those of healthy populations and were lower than those of patients with stage III + IV than that of patients with stage I + II. The levels of INHA and INHBB in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were lower than those in healthy people, and the levels in stage III + IV patients were lower than those in stage I + II patients. The levels of EBV-DNA and VCA IgA in nasopharyngeal cancer patients were correlated with the Chinese medicine patterns, and had different patterns. The expression of Inhibin B may be related to the progression of NPC, and it has certain typing significance for different TCM syndromes of NPC, which is helpful for TCM typing diagnosis.

Visfatin impact on the proteome of porcine luteal cells during implantation.

Visfatin (VIS) is a hormone belonging to the adipokines' group secreted mainly by the adipose tissue. VIS plays a crucial role in the control of energy homeostasis, inflammation, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. VIS expression was confirmed in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis structures, as well as in the uterus, placenta, and conceptuses. We hypothesised that VIS may affect the abundance of proteins involved in the regulation of key processes occurring in the corpus luteum (CL) during the implantation process in pigs. In the present study, we performed the high-throughput proteomic analysis (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS) to examine the in vitro influence of VIS (100 ng/mL) on differentially regulated proteins (DRPs) in the porcine luteal cells (LCs) on days 15-16 of pregnancy (implantation period). We have identified 511 DRPs, 276 of them were up-regulated, and 235 down-regulated in the presence of VIS. Revealed DRPs were assigned to 162 gene ontology terms. Western blot analysis of five chosen DRPs, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 1 (ADAMTS1), lanosterol 14-α demethylase (CYP51A1), inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA), notch receptor 3 (NOTCH3), and prostaglandin E synthase 2 (mPGES2) confirmed the veracity and accuracy of LC-MS/MS method. We indicated that VIS modulates the expression of proteins connected with the regulation of lipogenesis and cholesterologenesis, and, in consequence, may be involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones, as well as prostaglandins' metabolism. Moreover, we revealed that VIS affects the abundance of protein associated with ovarian cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as CL new vessel formation and tissue remodelling. Our results suggest important roles for VIS in the regulation of ovarian functions during the peri-implantation period.

Discovery of PELATON links to the INHBA gene in the TGF-ß pathway in colorectal cancer using a combination of bioinformatics and experimental investigations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major worldwide health issue, with high rates of both occurrence and mortality. Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) signaling pathway is recognized as a pivotal factor in CRC pathogenesis. Notably, the INHBA gene and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key contributors to CRC progression. The aim of this research is to explore the immunological roles of INHBA and PELATON in CRC through a combination of computational predictions and experimental validations, with the goal of enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this study, we utilized bioinformatics analyses, which involved examining differential gene expression (DEG) in the TCGA-COAD dataset and exploring the INHBA gene in relation to the TGF-ß pathway. Additionally, we analyzed mutations of INHBA, evaluated the microenvironment and tumor purity, investigated the INHBA's connection to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and measured its potential as an immunotherapy target using the TIDE score. Utilizing bioinformatics analyses of the TCGA-COAD dataset beside experimental methodologies such as RT-qPCR, our investigation revealed significant upregulation of INHBA in CRC. As results, our analysis of the protein-protein interaction network associated with INHBA showed 10 interacting proteins that play a role in CRC-associated processes. We observed a notable prevalence of mutations within INHBA and explored its correlation with the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our study highlights INHBA as a promising target for immunotherapy in CRC. Moreover, our study identified PELATON as a closely correlated lncRNA with INHBA, with experimental validation confirming their concurrent upregulation in CRC tissues. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of INHBA and PELATON in driving CRC progression, suggesting their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. By integrating computational predictions with experimental validations, this research enhances our understanding of CRC pathogenesis and uncovers prospects for personalized therapeutic interventions.

Hepatic Activin E mediates liver-adipose inter-organ communication, suppressing adipose lipolysis in response to elevated serum fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: The liver is a central regulator of energy metabolism exerting its influence both through intrinsic processing of substrates such as glucose and fatty acid as well as by secreting endocrine factors, known as hepatokines, which influence metabolism in peripheral tissues. Human genome wide association studies indicate that a predicted loss-of-function variant in the Inhibin ßE gene (INHBE), encoding the putative hepatokine Activin E, is associated with reduced abdominal fat mass and cardiometabolic disease risk. However, the regulation of hepatic Activin E and the influence of Activin E on adiposity and metabolic disease are not well understood. Here, we examine the relationship between hepatic Activin E and adipose metabolism, testing the hypothesis that Activin E functions as part of a liver-adipose, inter-organ feedback loop to suppress adipose tissue lipolysis in response to elevated serum fatty acids and hepatic fatty acid exposure. METHODS: The relationship between hepatic Activin E and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) released from adipose lipolysis was assessed in vivo using fasted CL 316,243 treated mice and in vitro using Huh7 hepatocytes treated with fatty acids. The influence of Activin E on adipose lipolysis was examined using a combination of Inhbe knockout mice, a mouse model of hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Activin E, and mouse brown adipocytes treated with Activin E enriched media. RESULTS: Increasing hepatocyte NEFA exposure in vivo by inducing adipose lipolysis through fasting or CL 316,243 treatment increased hepatic Inhbe expression. Similarly, incubation of Huh7 human hepatocytes with fatty acids increased expression of INHBE. Genetic ablation of Inhbe in mice increased fasting circulating NEFA and hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Treatment of mouse brown adipocytes with Activin E conditioned media and overexpression of Activin E in mice suppressed adipose lipolysis and reduced serum FFA levels, respectively. The suppressive effects of Activin E on lipolysis were lost in CRISPR-mediated ALK7 deficient cells and ALK7 kinase deficient mice. Disruption of the Activin E-ALK7 signaling axis in Inhbe KO mice reduced adiposity upon HFD feeding, but caused hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that Activin E functions as part of a liver-adipose feedback loop, such that in response to increased serum free fatty acids and elevated hepatic triglyceride, Activin E is released from hepatocytes and signals in adipose through ALK7 to suppress lipolysis, thereby reducing free fatty acid efflux to the liver and preventing excessive hepatic lipid accumulation. We find that disrupting this Activin E-ALK7 inter-organ communication network by ablation of Inhbe in mice increases lipolysis and reduces adiposity, but results in elevated hepatic triglyceride and impaired insulin sensitivity. These results highlight the liver-adipose, Activin E-ALK7 signaling axis as a critical regulator of metabolic homeostasis.

Genetic analysis of activin/inhibin ß subunits in zebrafish development and reproduction.

Activin and inhibin are both dimeric proteins sharing the same ß subunits that belong to the TGF-ß superfamily. They are well known for stimulating and inhibiting pituitary FSH secretion, respectively, in mammals. In addition, activin also acts as a mesoderm-inducing factor in frogs. However, their functions in development and reproduction of other species are poorly defined. In this study, we disrupted all three activin/inhibin ß subunits (ßAa, inhbaa; ßAb, inhbab; and ßB, inhbb) in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9. The loss of ßAa/b but not ßB led to a high mortality rate in the post-hatching stage. Surprisingly, the expression of fshb but not lhb in the pituitary increased in the female ßA mutant together with aromatase (cyp19a1a) in the ovary. The single mutant of ßAa/b showed normal folliculogenesis in young females; however, their double mutant (inhbaa-/-;inhbab-/-) showed delayed follicle activation, granulosa cell hypertrophy, stromal cell accumulation and tissue fibrosis. The ovary of inhbaa-/- deteriorated progressively after 180 dpf with reduced fecundity and the folliculogenesis ceased completely around 540 dpf. In addition, tumor- or cyst-like tissues started to appear in the inhbaa-/- ovary after about one year. In contrast to females, activin ßAa/b mutant males showed normal spermatogenesis and fertility. As for activin ßB subunit, the inhbb-/- mutant exhibited normal folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis and fertility in both sexes; however, the fecundity of mutant females decreased dramatically at 270 dpf with accumulation of early follicles. In summary, the activin-inhibin system plays an indispensable role in fish reproduction, in particular folliculogenesis and ovarian homeostasis.

Testicular Sertoli Cell Hormones in Differences in Sex Development.

The Sertoli cells of the testes play an essential role during gonadal development, in addition to supporting subsequent germ cell survival and spermatogenesis. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the TGF-ß superfamily, which is secreted by immature Sertoli cells from the 8th week of fetal gestation. lnhibin B is a glycoprotein, which is produced by the Sertoli cells from early in fetal development. In people with a Difference or Disorder of Sex Development (DSD), these hormones may be useful to determine the presence of testicular tissue and potential for spermatogenesis. However, fetal Sertoli cell development and function is often dysregulated in DSD conditions and altered production of Sertoli cell hormones may be detected throughout the life course in these individuals. As such this review will consider the role of AMH and inhibin B in individuals with DSD.

M2-phenotype tumour-associated macrophages upregulate the expression of prognostic predictors MMP14 and INHBA in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal gastrointestinal tumours, the most common pathological type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). In recent year, immune imbalanced in tumour microenvironment has been shown to play an important role in the evolution of tumours progression, and the efficacy of immunotherapy has been gradually demonstrated in clinical practice. In this study, we propose to construct an immune-related prognostic risk model based on immune-related genes MMP14 and INHBA expression that can assess the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients and identify potential therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer, to provide new ideas for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We also investigate the correlation between macrophage infiltration and MMP14 and INHBA expression. First, the gene expression data of pancreatic cancer and normal pancreatic tissue were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) and The Genotype-Tissue Expression public database (GTEx). The differentially expressed immune-related genes between pancreatic cancer samples and normal sample were screened by R software. Secondly, univariate Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between immune-related genes and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. A polygenic risk score model was constructed by Cox regression analysis. The prognostic nomogram was constructed, and its performance was evaluated comprehensively by internal calibration curve and C-index. Using the risk model, each patient gets a risk score, and was divided into high- or low- risk groups. The proportion of 22 types of immune cells infiltration in pancreatic cancer samples was inferred by CIBERSOFT algorithm, correlation analysis (Pearson method) was used to analyse the correlation between the immune-related genes and immunes cells. Then, we applied macrophage conditioned medium to culture pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1, detected the expression of MMP14 and INHBA by qRT-PCR and Western blot methods. Knock-down MMP14 and INHBA in PANC1 cells by transfected with shRNA lentiviruses. Detection of migration ability of pancreatic cells was done by trans-well cell migration assay. A subcutaneous xenograft tumour model of human pancreatic cancer in nude mice was constructed. In conclusion, an immune-related gene prognostic model was constructed, patients with high-risk scores have poorer survival status, M2-phenotype tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) up-regulate two immune-related genes, MMP14 and INHBA, which were used to establish the prognostic model. Knock-down of MMP14 and INHBA inhibited invasion of pancreatic cancer.

Visceral adipose tissue remodeling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cachexia: the role of activin A signaling.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients display distinct phenotypes of cachexia development, with either adipose tissue loss preceding skeletal muscle wasting or loss of only adipose tissue. Activin A levels were measured in serum and analyzed in tumor specimens of both a cohort of Stage IV PDAC patients and the genetically engineered KPC mouse model. Our data revealed that serum activin A levels were significantly elevated in Stage IV PDAC patients in comparison to age-matched non-cancer patients. Little is known about the role of activin A in adipose tissue wasting in the setting of PDAC cancer cachexia. We established a correlation between elevated activin A and remodeling of visceral adipose tissue. Atrophy and fibrosis of visceral adipose tissue was examined in omental adipose tissue of Stage IV PDAC patients and gonadal adipose tissue of an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC. Remarkably, white visceral adipose tissue from both PDAC patients and mice exhibited decreased adipocyte diameter and increased fibrotic deposition. Strikingly, expression of thermogenic marker UCP1 in visceral adipose tissues of PDAC patients and mice remained unchanged. Thus, we propose that activin A signaling could be relevant to the acceleration of visceral adipose tissue wasting in PDAC-associated cachexia.

Tubule-derived INHBB promotes interstitial fibroblast activation and renal fibrosis.

Upstream stimuli for myofibroblast activation are of considerable interest for understanding the mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis. Activin B, a member of the TGF-ß family, exists as a homodimer of inhibin subunit beta B (INHBB), but its role in renal fibrosis remains unknown. We found that INHBB expression was significantly increased in various renal fibrosis models and human chronic kidney disease specimens with renal fibrosis. Notably, the increase of INHBB occurred mainly in the tubular epithelial cells (TECs). In vivo, inhibiting INHBB blocked the activation of interstitial fibroblasts and ameliorated the renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction or ischemia-reperfusion injury, while ectopic expression of INHBB in the TECs was able to activate interstitial fibroblasts and initiate interstitial fibrosis. In vitro, overexpression of INHBB in TECs led to the secretion of activin B, thereby promoting the proliferation and activation of interstitial fibroblasts through activin B/Smad signaling. Furthermore, inhibition of activin B/Smad signaling attenuated the fibrotic response caused by tubular INHBB. Mechanistically, the upregulation of INHBB depended on the transcription factor Sox9 in the injured TECs. Clinical analyses also identified a positive correlation between Sox9 and INHBB expression in human specimens, suggesting the Sox9/INHBB axis as a positive regulator of renal fibrosis. In conclusion, tubule-derived INHBB is implicated in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis by activating the surrounding fibroblasts in a paracrine manner, thereby exhibiting as a potential therapeutic target. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Inhibin subunit beta A promotes cell proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) is dysregulated and plays a critical role in various cancers. With the development of sequencing technology, studies have discovered that INHBA is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues. However, the biological roles of INHBA in breast cancer are still far to clear. In the present study, we analyzed the INHBA expression in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to assess the expression of INHBA in breast cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined by using CCK-8, EdU, Transwell and western blot assays. The result showed that INHBA was highly expressed in breast cancer cell lines. Functional analysis revealed that silence or elevation of INHBA inhibited or promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-related markers of MCF-7 cells. Mechanically, blocking of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by XAV939 reversed the promotion effect of INHBA overexpression on breast cancer cells' proliferation, migration and invasion. Our findings emphasized that INHBA may act as an oncogene via activating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.

Profiling Activins and Follistatin in Colorectal Cancer According to Clinical Stage, Tumour Sidedness and Smad4 Status.

This study explored the roles of activins and follistatin in colorectal cancers. Paired malignant and normal colonic tissues were collected from archived paraffin-embedded (n = 90 patients) alongside fresh (n = 40 patients) specimen cohorts. Activin ß-subunits, follistatin and Smad4 mRNAs and proteins were measured by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Mature activin-A, -B, -AB and follistatin proteins were measured by ELISA. Cancer tissues having ≤ the 20th percentile of the Smad4 IHC score were considered as low (L-S4) group. The Smad4-intact SW480 and Smad4-null HT29 colon cancer cell lines were treated with activins and follistatin, and cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. The cell cycle inducing (CCND1/CCND3) and inhibitory (p21/p27) proteins alongside the survival (survivin/BCL2) and pro-apoptosis (Casp-8/Casp-3) markers were measured by immunofluorescence. Thirty-nine patients had right-sided cancers (30%) and showed higher rates of L-S4 tumours (n = 17; 13.1%) alongside worse clinicopathological characteristics relative to left-sided cancers. The ßA-subunit and activin-A increased, whilst ßB-subunit and activin-AB decreased, in malignant sites and the late-stage cancers revealed the greatest abnormalities. Interestingly, follistatin declined markedly in early-stage malignant tissues, whilst increased significantly in the advanced stages. All activin molecules were comparable between the early stage right- and left-sided tumours, whereas the late-stage right-sided cancers and L-S4 tumours showed more profound deregulations. In vitro, activin-A increased the numbers of the SW480 cells in sub-G1 and G0/G1-phases, whereas reduced the HT29 cell numbers in the sub-G1 phase with simultaneous increases in the G0/G1 and S phases. The p21/p27/Casp-8/Casp-3 proteins escalated, whilst CCND1/CCND3/BCL2/survivin declined in the SW480 cells following activin-A, whereas activin-A only promoted p21 and p27 alongside reduced CCND3 in the HT29 cells. By contrast, activin-AB increased the numbers of SW480 and HT29 cells in Sub-G1 and G0/G1-phases and promoted the anti-cancer and reduced the oncogenic proteins in both cell lines. In conclusion, activins and follistatin displayed stage-dependent dysregulations and were markedly altered during the advanced stages of right-sided and L-S4 cancers. Moreover, the activin-A actions in CRC could be Smad4-dependent, whereas activin-AB may act as a Smad4-independent tumour suppressor protein.

Inhibin ßA is an independent prognostic factor that promotes invasion via Hippo signaling in non­small cell lung cancer.

Inhibin ßA (INHBA) serves a prognostic and tumor­promoting role in numerous types of cancer. The present study aimed to determine the clinical significance of INHBA in non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the mechanisms underlying its potential tumor­promoting effect. INHBA expression was detected in clinical NSCLC samples using immunohistochemistry. In vivo loss­ and gain­of­function studies were performed to determine the effects of INHBA on NSCLC invasion. In addition, protein and mRNA expression levels of INHBA, yes­associated protein (YAP), large tumor suppressor 1/2 kinase (LATS1/2), connective tissue growth factor, cysteine rich angiogenic inducer 61 and Merlin were assessed using western blotting and reverse transcription­quantitative PCR, respectively, to investigate the mechanism by which INHBA may affect the invasion of NSCLC. The present study revealed that INHBA was significantly upregulated in 238 clinical NSCLC samples compared with its expression levels in paired adjacent non­cancerous tissues, and in metastatic nodules compared with in primary tumors. Notably, high INHBA expression was statistically associated with clinicopathological features, including poor differentiation and advanced tumor stage. INHBA positivity was statistically related to decreased 5­year overall survival, for which INHBA was an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, INHBA promoted NSCLC invasion in vitro. In NSCLC, INHBA expression was associated with the nuclear levels of YAP and INHBA overexpression enhanced the invasive abilities of NSCLC cells via inhibiting the Hippo pathway. Mechanistically, INHBA inhibited l LATS1/2 phosphorylation and induced YAP nuclear translocation by downregulating the protein expression levels of Merlin. In conclusion, INHBA may negatively regulate the Hippo pathway to act as a tumor promotor, and could represent a marker of prognosis in NSCLC.

TGF-ß/activin signaling promotes CDK7 inhibitor resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells through upregulation of multidrug transporters.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a master regulatory kinase that drives cell cycle progression and stimulates expression of oncogenes in a myriad of cancers. Inhibitors of CDK7 (CDK7i) are currently in clinical trials; however, as with many cancer therapies, patients will most likely experience recurrent disease due to acquired resistance. Identifying targets underlying CDK7i resistance will facilitate prospective development of new therapies that can circumvent such resistance. Here we utilized triple-negative breast cancer as a model to discern mechanisms of resistance as it has been previously shown to be highly responsive to CDK7 inhibitors. After generating cell lines with acquired resistance, high-throughput RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of genes associated with efflux pumps and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) signaling pathways. Genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition of ABCG2, an efflux pump associated with multidrug resistance, resensitized resistant cells to CDK7i, indicating a reliance on these transporters. Expression of activin A (INHBA), a member of the TGF-ß family of ligands, was also induced, whereas its intrinsic inhibitor, follistatin (FST), was repressed. In resistant cells, increased phosphorylation of SMAD3, a downstream mediator, confirmed an increase in activin signaling, and phosphorylated SMAD3 directly bound the ABCG2 promoter regulatory region. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of TGF-ß/activin receptors or genetic silencing of SMAD4, a transcriptional partner of SMAD3, reversed the upregulation of ABCG2 in resistant cells and phenocopied ABCG2 inhibition. This study reveals that inhibiting the TGF-ß/Activin-ABCG2 pathway is a potential avenue for preventing or overcoming resistance to CDK7 inhibitors.

Inhibin ß-A (INHBA) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and accelerates the motility of breast cancer cells by activating the TGF-ß signaling pathway.

Accumulating evidence indicates that INHBA (Inhibin ß-A, a member of the TGF-ß superfamily) functions as an oncogene in cancer progression. However, little is known as to how INHBA regulates the progression and aggressiveness of breast cancer (BC). This study explored the function and underlying mechanism of INHBA in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of BC cells. INHBA expression in BC cell lines was measured using RT-qPCR and Western blot. The would-healing and transwell migration assays were used to investigate the effect of INHBA overexpression or silencing on BC cell motility. Moreover, the expression levels of EMT-related genes were quantified after overexpressing or silencing of INHBA. Based on published dataset, INHBA was significantly upregulated in BC tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissues. A higher level of INHBA expression was also correlated with a poor survival in BC patients. In addition, in vitro study showed that INHBA played an indispensable role in promoting BC cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanistically, INHBA induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and accelerated the motility of BC cells by activating TGF-ß-regulated genes. In conclusion, INHBA plays a functional role in supporting EMT phenotype of BC cells, and it may serve as a diagnostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Elevated expression of inhibin α gene in sterile allotriploid crucian carp.

Inhibin and Activin, belong to the transforming growth factor ß superfamily (TGF-ß), which associate with the regulation of the reproductive process by the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. In this study, we reported the molecular cloning and tissue expression of inhibin α in allotriploid crucian carp and its parent- diploid red crucian carp. The full-length cDNA of inhibin α were respectively 1632 bp and 1642 bp in allotriploids and diploids, which both consisted of a 1044 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 347 amino acids. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that allotriploids and diploids had significant expression of inhibin α in testis and ovary, and the expression of inhibin α in the gonads of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. The immunohistochemistry indicated that the ovarian development of allotriploids was abnormal, and the expression of Inhibin α in the ovary of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. Results of co-immunoprecitation (co-IP) demonstrated that the Inhibin α and Activin ßA, Inhibin α and Activin ßB can form dimers. These findings suggested that the elevated expression of inhibin α and the competitive binding of Inhibin α subunit with Activin ß subunits in allotriploids may be releted to the sterility of allotriploids. Furthermore, these results will facilitate the investigation of reproduction characteristics in allotriploids and provide theoretical basis for the study of polyploid breeding in the future.

Effect of Mouse Ovarian Vitrification on Promoter Methylation of Inhba and Inhbb in Granulosa Cells of Follicles.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation can induce cellular, genomic, and epigenetic abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of ovarian vitrification on follicular development and its epigenetic effect on promoter methylation of Inhba and Inhbb in granulosa cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse ovaries were divided into control, toxicity, and vitrified groups. The growth and development of follicles were examined. After in vitro culture of follicles, DNA was extracted from isolated granulosa cells and treated with sodium bisulfite. The promoter methylation of Inhba and Inhbb was analyzed by direct PCR sequencing. RESULTS: Vitrification reduced the growth of follicles; however, antral cavity formation was not influenced negatively. Vitrification reduced the percentage of 5-methylcytosine in the Inhba promoter, while CpG sites in the promoter of Inhbb remained unmethylated. CONCLUSION: Vitrification had adverse effects on follicle growth and the epigenetics of granulosa cells. The results of the current study show that vitrification methods of ovary need more improvement.

Identifying the tumor-progressive gene expression profile in high-risk papillary thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is generally associated with a favorable prognosis. However, some patients have fatal disease, with locally infiltrating tumors or progressive distant metastases; yet few studies have investigated the characteristics of the tumor-progressive gene expression profile in advanced PTC. We conducted this study to clarify the gene expression status in advanced PTC and identify candidate molecules for prognostic biomarkers. METHODS: We analyzed 740 tumor-progressive gene expression levels from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of samples from six patients with low-risk PTC and six patients with high-risk PTC, using the nCounter PanCancer Progression panel. Then, we investigated the association between the expression levels of focused genes and pathological factors in PTC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. RESULTS: The expression levels of 14 genes in the high-risk PTC specimens were more than two-fold those in the low-risk PTC specimens. In the TCGA database, expression levels of four genes (CCL11, COL6A3, INHBA, and SRPX2) were significantly higher in patients with advanced PTC. Among the patients with advanced PTC, those with high SRPX2 expression levels had poor disease-free survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that high SRPX2 expression was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, CCL11, COL6A3, INHBA, and SRPX2 are potential biomarkers that indicate advanced PTC. SRPX2, in particular, is considered a prognostic biomarker.

microRNA-6785-5p-loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes suppress angiogenesis and metastasis in gastric cancer via INHBA.

OBJECTIVE: Exosomes (Exos) are known to transfer microRNAs (miRNAs) to participate in human diseases. We aim to identify the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs)-derived Exos (HUCMSC-Exos) conveying miR-6785-5p in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: MiR-6785-5p and inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) expression in GC tissues and cells were determined. GC cells were transfected with the vectors that altered miR-6785-5p or INHBA expression. HUCMSCs were transfected with altered miR-6785-5p or INHBA vectors, and the HUCMSC-Exos were extracted. Then, HUCMSC-Exos were co-cultured with GC cells. The proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and angiogenesis of GC cells were assessed. The binding relationship between miR-6785-5p and INHBA was verified. RESULTS: MiR-6785-5p was down-regulated and INHBA was up-regulated in GC tissues and cells. Elevation of miR-6785-5p or inhibition of INHBA restricted the malignant development of GC cells. HUCMSC-Exos suppressed malignant episodes of GC cells, which could be further enhanced by up-regulated miR-6785-5p or down-regulated INHBA. Elevated INHBA abolished the impacts of up-regulated miR-6785-5p in HUCMSC-Exos on GC cells. INHBA was confirmed as a target gene of miR-6785-5p. CONCLUSION: HUCMSC-Exos containing elevated miR-6785-5p suppress angiogenesis and metastasis in GC via inhibiting INHBA. This study may further the understanding on molecular mechanisms of GC.

A muscle growth-promoting treatment based on the attenuation of activin/myostatin signalling results in long-term testicular abnormalities.

Activin/myostatin signalling acts to induce skeletal muscle atrophy in adult mammals by inhibiting protein synthesis as well as promoting protein and organelle turnover. Numerous strategies have been successfully developed to attenuate the signalling properties of these molecules, which result in augmenting muscle growth. However, these molecules, in particular activin, play major roles in tissue homeostasis in numerous organs of the mammalian body. We have recently shown that although the attenuation of activin/myostatin results in robust muscle growth, it also has a detrimental impact on the testis. Here, we aimed to discover the long-term consequences of a brief period of exposure to muscle growth-promoting molecules in the testis. We demonstrate that muscle hypertrophy promoted by a soluble activin type IIB ligand trap (sActRIIB) is a short-lived phenomenon. In stark contrast, short-term treatment with sActRIIB results in immediate impact on the testis, which persists after the sessions of the intervention. Gene array analysis identified an expansion in aberrant gene expression over time in the testis, initiated by a brief exposure to muscle growth-promoting molecules. The impact on the testis results in decreased organ size as well as quantitative and qualitative impact on sperm. Finally, we have used a drug-repurposing strategy to exploit the gene expression data to identify a compound - N6-methyladenosine - that may protect the testis from the impact of the muscle growth-promoting regime. This work indicates the potential long-term harmful effects of strategies aimed at promoting muscle growth by attenuating activin/myostatin signalling. Furthermore, we have identified a molecule that could, in the future, be used to overcome the detrimental impact of sActRIIB treatment on the testis.

Effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on circulating follistatin, activin A, and peripheral ActRIIB signaling in humans with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is a therapeutic intervention for morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) that improves metabolic regulation. Follistatin (Fst) could be implicated in improved glycemia as it is highly regulated by RYGB. However, it is unknown if metabolic status, such as T2D, alters the Fst response to RYGB. In addition, the effect of RYGB on the Fst target, activin A, is unknown in individuals with obesity and T2D, but is needed to interpret the functional effects of altering Fst. Finally, whether Fst-regulated intracellular signaling contributes to beneficial effects of RYGB is undetermined. METHODS: Circulating Fst and activin A were measured before, 1 week, and 1 year after RYGB surgery in a total of 20 individuals with obesity, 10 with normoglycemia (NGT) and 10 with preoperative T2D. Intracellular signaling downstream of the Activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) signaling pathway was analyzed in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. RESULTS: The doubling in circulating Fst observed in subjects with NGT 1-week and 1-year post surgery was absent in T2D. After 1 week, RYGB reduced activin A by 27% (p < 0.001) and 20% (p < 0.01) in subjects with NGT and T2D, respectively; a reduction that tended to be maintained in the subjects with T2D at 1-year post-RYGB (-15%; p = 0.0592). RYGB had no effects on skeletal muscle ActRIIB signaling. In contrast, adipose tissue phosphorylation of SMAD2Ser465/467, p70S6KThr389, S6RPSer235/236, and 4E-BP1Thr37/49 was highly regulated, particularly 1-year post-RYGB (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with preoperative T2D, RYGB did not increase circulating Fst contrasting subjects with NGT, while the reduction in activin A was maintained. ActRIIB signaling was upregulated in adipose tissue, but not skeletal muscle, following RYGB in both individuals with NGT and T2D. Our results suggest a role of adipose tissue ActRIIB signaling for the beneficial effects of RYGB surgery.