PRDX2 regulates stemness contributing to cisplatin resistance and metastasis in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy has emerged as the primary treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and metastatic bladder cancer. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of patients experience rapidly developed chemoresistance, leading to treatment ineffectiveness. Existing evidence suggests that chemoresistance is governed by various factors, including tumor stem cells, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, limited research has been conducted on the role of PRDX2, a crucial ROS scavenger, in the modulation of chemoresistance in bladder cancer. METHODS: Cisplatin-resistant cell lines were established using the concentration gradient overlay method, and differentially expressed genes in resistant cells were screened through RNA sequencing. The expression of PRDX2 in cells and tissues was assessed using RT-qPCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry. The expression of PRDX2 in bladder cancer and adjacent tissues was evaluated using a bladder cancer tissue microarray. Furthermore, the impact of PRDX2 knockdown on tumor formation and metastasis was investigated in vivo by applying subcutaneous tumor xenografts tail vein metastasis assays. RESULTS: We demonstrated that PRDX2 is significantly upregulated in bladder tumors and cisplatin-resistant bladder tumor cell lines. Overexpression of PRDX2 can promote tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. We have found that knockdown of PRDX2 expression can effectively reverse cell resistance to cisplatin. Mechanistically, our findings suggest that PRDX2 is involved in regulating tumor stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Knockdown of PRDX2 affects the PI3K-AKT and mTOR signaling pathways, thereby influencing tumor stemness and EMT, ultimately impacting the chemotherapy resistance of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a new insight into the regulation of chemotherapy resistance in bladder cancer by PRDX2. Targeting PRDX2 can serve as a potent therapeutic target for chemotherapy resistance.

A SIRT6 Inhibitor, Marine-Derived Pyrrole-Pyridinimidazole Derivative 8a, Suppresses Angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis refers to the process of growing new blood vessels from pre-existing capillaries or post-capillary veins. This process plays a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis. As a result, developing antiangiogenic agents has become an attractive strategy for tumor treatment. Sirtuin6 (SIRT6), a member of nicotinamide adenine (NAD+)-dependent histone deacetylases, regulates various biological processes, including metabolism, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and DNA damage and repair. Some SIRT6 inhibitors have been identified, but the effects of SIRT6 inhibitors on anti-angiogenesis have not been reported. We have identified a pyrrole-pyridinimidazole derivative 8a as a highly effective inhibitor of SIRT6 and clarified its anti-pancreatic-cancer roles. This study investigated the antiangiogenic roles of 8a. We found that 8a was able to inhibit the migration and tube formation of HUVECs and downregulate the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins, including VEGF, HIF-1α, p-VEGFR2, and N-cadherin, and suppress the activation of AKT and ERK pathways. Additionally, 8a significantly blocked angiogenesis in intersegmental vessels in zebrafish embryos. Notably, in a pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse model, 8a down-regulated the expression of CD31, a marker protein of angiogenesis. These findings suggest that 8a could be a promising antiangiogenic and cancer therapeutic agent.

Novel MAGL Inhibitors Alleviate LPS-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammatory Vesicles, Modulating Intestinal Flora, Repairing the Intestinal Barrier, and Interfering with Serum Metabolism.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication of a wide range of serious illnesses for which there is still no better therapeutic agent. We demonstrated that M-18C has a favorable inhibitory effect on monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), and several studies have demonstrated that nerve inflammation could be effectively alleviated by inhibiting MAGL, suggesting that M-18C has good anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of M-18C on LPS-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), both in vivo and in vitro, by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that both in vivo and in vitro M-18C reduced the release of TNF-α and IL-1ß by inhibiting the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) protein; in addition, M-18C was able to intervene in LPS-induced AKI by ameliorating renal pathological injury, repairing the intestinal barrier, and regulating gut bacterial flora and serum metabolism. In conclusion, this study suggests that M-18C has the potential to be a new drug for the treatment of AKI.

Effects of metoprolol, methyldopa, and nifedipine on endothelial progenitor cells in patients with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical for vascular regeneration and function, but are reduced in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We aimed to determine the possible effects of antihypertensive drugs, such as metoprolol, methyldopa, and nifedipine, on EPC number and functions in patients with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. We collected blood samples from 30 normal pregnant women, 67 patients with gestational hypertension and 48 patients with preeclampsia. The patients received no drug or an antihypertensive drug, such as metoprolol, methyldopa, or nifedipine, between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. The number of EPCs and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in the blood was measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, colony formation and migration assays were performed on the isolated EPCs. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) increased, while the percentage of flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) decreased in patients with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, compared to the healthy controls at 20 weeks of gestation. CEC number increased in the patients, whereas EPC counts decreased. Furthermore, EPC colony formation and migration abilities were also impaired in the patients. However, administration of metoprolol, methyldopa, or nifedipine effectively restored the systolic and diastolic BP, FMD%, EPCs, and CEC numbers, as well as EPC migration capacity. Endothelial progenitor cells colony formation ability selectively improved with methyldopa and nifedipine. In patients receiving no drugs, most of these indexes worsened within 4 weeks (study duration). This study revealed a new pharmacological action of these antihypertensive drugs against gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, thus supporting their clinical use.

Super enhancers at the miR-146a and miR-155 genes contribute to self-regulation of inflammation.

Inflammatory response is essential to host defense and repair, and requires tight regulation as excessive and constant inflammatory response is deleterious. We recently identified that one of the general but key mechanisms for inflammatory gene transcription regulation is controlled by the formation of super enhancers mediated by NF-κB, and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins. Given that microRNA transcription shares a similar mechanism to mRNA, we assume that the inflammatory microRNAs transcription could be NF-κB and BET bromodomain dependent. In the present study, we confirmed that inflammatory stimuli changed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) microRNA profile. Among these microRNAs, miR-146a and miR-155, two well-established inflammatory microRNAs, are both downregulated at transcriptional level by NF-κB and BET bromodomain inhibition. To pursue this mechanism, we analyzed the ChIP-seq data and found that NF-κB, BRD4 and RNA POL II were rapidly distributed at the upstream regions of miR-146a and miR-155, and more importantly mediated the formation of the super enhancers that drive miR-146a and miR-155 transcription. These microRNAs transcription driven by super enhancers in turn downregulate both in vitro and in vivo canonical inflammatory genes expression through targeting inflammatory mediators. This novel finding demonstrated how the host self-regulates inflammatory genes expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional level to ensure the appropriate level of the host inflammatory response.

[Comparison of differentiated endothelial cells from the embryonic stem cells with human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differentiated endothelial cells from the embryonic stem cells in vitro with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
 Methods: Induction of the stem cells HUES9 to endothelial cells follows 2 steps. Stem cells were treated with CHIR99021 (10 µmol/L) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (25 ng/mL) for 3 days to keep mesoderm state, then subsequent exposure them to VEGF165 (200 ng/mL) and Forskolin (2 µmol/L) to differentiate into endothelial cells. The morphology of differentiated endothelial cells were compared with HUVECs. The surface marker CD144 on differentiated cells and HUVECs were detected. The capabilities of two types of endothelial cells in migration and angiogenesis were examined.
 Results: The differentiated endothelial cells show the same morphology with HUVECs. After 6 days of differentiation, the efficiency reached 73.4%. The positive percentage of CD144 for the differentiated endothelial cells and HUVECs was 86.6% and 94.4%, respectively. Both of them show capabilities of migration and angiogenesis, especially when they were treated with SB431542 to inhibit TGF-ß signal pathway.
 Conclusion: The method for induction of stem cells to endothelial cells is productivity and it can be used for further study.

Identification of IL-7 as a candidate disease mediator in osteoarthritis in Chinese Han population: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the biochemical mediators IL-7 that correlate with the initiation and progression of OA. We performed this study to assess the role of variants of IL-7 in OA susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, case-control study in the Chinese Han population from 2013 to 2015. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped (using a ligase detection reaction) in 602 patients and 454 controls. Differences between groups were analysed, and association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Among these polymorphisms, rs2583764, rs2583760 and rs6993386 showed no significant association with OA in the Chinese Han population {rs2583764 [P-allele = 0.98651, P-genotype = 0.40392, OR (95% CI): 1.00162 (0.83066, 1.20775)]; rs2583760 [P-allele = 0.384500, P-genotype = 0.58752, OR (95% CI): 0.69859 (0.30996, 1.57449)]; rs6993386 [P-allele = 0.69525, P-genotype = 0.50712, OR (95% CI): 0.96432 (0.80406, 1.15653)]}. However, the results showed that the rs2583759 polymorphism was significantly associated with OA [P-allele = 0.00 P-genotype = 3.86 × 10(-30), OR (95% CI): 0.27794 (0.22407, 0.34476)], even when the 10 000 times permutation was performed (P-allele-permutation < 0.00010, P-genotype-permutation = 0.00010). Haplotype analyses showed A-G-A-C, A-G-A-T and G-G-G-C of rs2583764-rs2583760-rs6993386-rs2583759 were risk factors for OA, both before or after the 10 000 times permutation, indicating IL-7 to be associated with OA. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between IL-7, especially rs2583759, and OA in the Chinese Han population.

[Circulating miR-214 level and its correlation with the extent of coronary lesion in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the circulating levels of miR-214 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and to explore the relationship between the circulating levels of miR-214 and the degree of coronary lesion. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with AMI (AMI group) were enrolled from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between September, 2011 and January, 2012. Twenty healthy volunteers served as a normal control group (n=20). According to the coronary artery lesion area, AMI group was also divided into a single-branch group, a double-branch group and a triple-branch group (n=20, 13, 12 respectively). Circulating levels of miR-214 and plasma levels of placental growth factor (PLGF) were measured by real time-PCR assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively on the day when the patients admitted to the hospital. The plasma levels of miR-214 and PLGF were compared among the various branch groups. The correlation between miR-214 and PLGF was analyzed in AMI subgroups. RESULTS: The miR-214 levels in the AMI subgroups were lower than that in the control group. The more decrease in miR-214 level, the larger size of coronary lesion. There was significant difference in the different groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of plasma PLGF were significantly higher in the AMI subgroups. The more increase in PLGF level, the larger size of coronary lesion. There was significant difference in the different groups (all P<0.05). The plasma levels of miR- 214 were negatively correlated with that of PLGF in the AMI group (r=-0.588, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The circulating level of miR-214 was significantly decreased in the AMI group, which might be correlated with the extent of the coronary lesion. Circulating miR-214 may be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of severe AMI.

NLRP3 gene is associated with ulcerative colitis (UC), but not Crohn's disease (CD), in Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether NLRP3 is associated with IBD in Chinese Han population. METHODS: Three SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers in 288 patients [232 Crohn's disease (CD) patients, 56 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients] and 274 controls. RESULTS: In IBD group, the results showed no significant association. When subdivided to CD and UC, it showed in CD subgroup, there was no significant association. However, in UC subgroup, rs10754558 (P allele=0.015272, P genotype=0.029776, OR [95% CI]=0.604190[0.401200-0.909886]) and rs10925019 (P allele=0.013042, P genotype=0.037045, OR [95% CI]=2.022613[1.149854-3.557812]) have significant associations with UC. The G and T alleles were risk factors of the susceptibility of UC, the GG and TT genotypes may increase risk of this disease. Rs4925648 has no association with UC. The haplotypes analysis results showed as follow: for rs4925648-rs10925019, CC and TT are risk factors for UC (for CC, χ2=3.605, P=0.057613, OR [95% CI]=1.645 [0.980-2.761], for TT, χ2=5.522, P=0.018804, OR [95% CI]=0.426[0.205-0.884]), and for rs10754558-rs10925019, CT and GC haplotypes are risk factors for UC (for CT, χ2=3.545, P=0.059739, OR [95% CI]=0.571[0.317-1.029], for GC, χ2=9.359, P=0.002228, OR [95% CI]=1.904 [1.255-2.887]). CONCLUSIONS: We first demonstrated that rs10754558 and rs10925019 are significantly associated with the susceptibility of UC, but not CD in Chinese Han population, suggesting that NLRP3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC.

Shexiang tongxin dropping pill alleviates myocardial injury induced by coronary microembolization by down-regulating APOC1 to inhibit STAT3 signaling pathway.

AIM: This study determines to validate the mechanism of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill (STDP) in attenuating coronary microembolization (CME) induced myocardial injury. METHODS: CME rat models were established and underwent corresponding treating. Gene chip analysis was performed in rat myocardial tissues for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The differentially expressed genes were detected by qRT-PCR. H&E staining and ELISA were used for pathological analysis and detection of troponin (cTnI) and Creatine Kinase Isoenzyme (CK-MB). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated primary cardiomyocytes were used to mimic inflammatory in vitro models. Cell viability and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were determined by MTT and flow cytometry. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic proteins and proteins related to the STAT3 signal pathway were detected by western blot. APOC1 mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used for subcellular localization of p-STAT3 and the binding of APOC1 with STAT3 was verified using Co-IP. RESULTS: STDP can attenuate myocardial injury in CME rat models, and lead to decreased expression of APOC1 and suppressed STAT3 signal pathway. In vitro models found STDP can suppress the cell viability and cell apoptosis of primary cardiomyocytes, in addition to suppressing the secretions of IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α, while the protective effect of STDP can be reversed by overexpression of APOC1. Co-IP found that APOC1 can bind STAT3 directly. APOC1 can increase p-STAT3 expression in the nucleus to activate the STAT3 signal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: STDP can suppress APOC1 and STAT3 signal pathway to inhibit inflammation and cell apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. APOC1 may be one of the key regulatory factors in CME-induced myocardial injury.

Effects of ion concentration and natural organic matter on arsenic(V) removal by nanofiltration under different transmembrane pressures.

The removal of As(V) from synthetic water was studied using four different nanofiltration (NF) membranes (ESNA-1-K1, NF270, ESNA-1-LF, and HODRA-CORE). The influences of ion concentration, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and the presence of natural organic matter (humic acid, HA) on the arsenic removal efficiency and permeate flux were investigated. The arsenic rejection of ESNA-1-LF was higher than those of the other membranes in all experiments (> 94%), and the HODRA-CORE membrane gave the lowest removal of arsenic (< 47%). An increase in the ion concentration in the feed solution and addition of HA decreased the arsenic rejection of the HODRA-CORE membrane. However, both increasing of the ion concentration and addition of HA made the rejection increased for the other membranes (ESNA-1-K1, NF270, and ESNA-1-LF). With increasing TMP, for all four NF membranes, increases in both arsenic rejection and permeate flux were observed. The permeate fluxes of the four NF membranes decreased to some extent after addition of HA to the solutions for operating time of 6 hr.

Association of Nucleostemin Polymorphisms with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Chinese Han Population.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) is a common infectious disease that poses a global economic and health burden due to its high morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated that host genetic factors play critical roles in the susceptibility and outcome of CHB. Aims: In this study, we aimed to assess the potential role of genetic variants of the nucleostemin (NS) gene with respect to CHB susceptibility. Materials and Methods: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NS gene were genotyped in 446 patients with CHB and 399 healthy controls all of Chinese Han origin using the polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction method. Results: The results showed that the three SNPs, rs3733039, rs1866268, and rs11177, were significantly associated with CHB. After a Bonferroni correction, the positive association of the rs3733039 SNP with CHB remained significant. Further analyses based on gender demonstrated that these SNPs are associated with CHB in both the female and male subgroups. After correction for multiple comparisons, all three SNPs in the female group were associated with CHB, whereas only the rs1866268 SNP in the male group was associated with CHB. Haplotype analysis showed that the C-C-G and T-T-T haplotypes in the block consisting of rs3733039-rs1866268-rs11177 were significantly associated with CHB. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a genetic association between SNPs in the NS gene and the risk of CHB in the Chinese Han population for the first time. Thus, variations in the NS gene might serve as potential genetic biomarkers of CHB.

Evidence for 5-HT1A receptor-mediated antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of apigenin in mice suffering from mononeuropathy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuropathic pain places a devastating health burden, with very few effective therapies. We investigated the potential antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of apigenin, a natural flavonoid with momoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity, against neuropathic pain and investigated the mechanism(s). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The neuropathic pain model was produced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerves in male C57BL/6J mice, with pain-related behaviours being assayed by von Frey test and Hargreaves test. In this model the role of 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptor-related mechanisms were investigated in vivo/in vitro. KEY RESULTS: Apigenin repeated treatment (p.o., once per day for 2 weeks), in a dose-related manner (3, 10 and 30 mg·kg-1 ), ameliorated the allodynia and hyperalgesia in chronic nerve constriction injury in mice. These effects seem dependent on neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine, because (i) the antihyperalgesia and antiallodynia were attenuated by depletion of 5-HT with p-chlorophenylalanine and potentiated by 5-hydroxytryptophan and (ii), apigenin-treated chronic constriction injury mice caused an increased level of spinal 5-HT, associated with diminished MAO activity. In vivo administration, spinally or systematically, of the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635 inhibited the apigenin-induced antiallodynia and antihyperalgesia. In vitro, apigenin acted as a positive allosteric modulator to increase the efficacy (stimulation of [35 S]GTPγS binding) of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT. Apigenin attenuated neuronal changes caused by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve in mice, without causing a hypertensive crisis. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Apigenin antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic actions against neuropathic pain crucially involve spinal 5-HT1A receptors and indicate it could be used to treat neuropathic pain.

5-HT1A receptor-mediated attenuation of heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia by chrysin in mice with experimental mononeuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Persistent neuropathic pain poses a health problem, for which effective therapy or antidote is in dire need. This work aimed to investigate the pain-relieving effect of chrysin, a natural flavonoid with monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity, in an experimental model of neuropathic pain and elucidate mechanism(s). METHODS: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) was produced by loose ligation of sciatic nerve in mice. The pain-related behaviors were examined using von Frey test and Hargreaves test. The serotonin-related mechanisms were investigated by serotonin depletion with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) and antagonist tests in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Repeated treatment of CCI mice with chrysin (orally, two times per day for 2 weeks) ameliorated heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent fashion (3-30 mg/kg). The chrysin-triggered pain relief seems serotonergically dependent, since its antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic actions were abolished by chemical depletion of serotonin by PCPA, whereas potentiated by 5-hydroxytryptophan (a precursor of 5-HT). Consistently, chrysin-treated neuropathic mice showed enhanced levels of spinal monoamines especially 5-HT, with depressed monoamine oxidase activity. Moreover, chrysin-evoked pain relief was preferentially counteracted by 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 delivered systematically or spinally. In vitro, chrysin (0.1-10 nM) increased the maximum effect (Emax, shown as stimulation of [35S] GTPγS binding) of 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A agonist. Beneficially, chrysin was able to correct comorbid behavioral symptoms of depression and anxiety evoked by neuropathic pain, without causing hypertensive crisis (known as 'cheese reaction'). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic efficacies of chrysin, with spinal 5-HT1A receptors being critically engaged.

Cotreatments with Dex and Na2SeO3 further improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection of myocardial cells from I/R injury compared to their individual treatments.

Dexmedetomidine (Dex), a sedative and analgesic agent, is known to have a cardioprotective effect against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via regulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signals. In contrast, Se shows a cardioprotective effect against I/R injury, because it is a key component of selenoproteins, most of which are antioxidant enzymes such as GPxs and TrxRs. This study aimed to determine whether the protective effects on myocardial cells against I/R injury were further improved when treatment with Dex and Se in combination. H9C2 cells were treated with Dex and Na2SeO3, alone or in combination, before oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). OGD/R-induced myocardial cell injury was evaluated using cell viability, apoptosis rate, the release of LDH, and intracellular ROS levels. Both Dex and Na2SeO3 improved cell viability and reduced the apoptosis rate, LDH release, and intracellular ROS. This cytoprotection was higher with Dex and Na2SeO3 cotreatment than their individual treatments. Treatment with Dex increased the SOD1, SOD2, GPx1, and GPx2 expression in H9C2 cells in OGD/R, while Na2SeO3 increased the GPx1-4 and TrxR1-3 mRNA levels. Notably, cotreatment with Dex and Na2SeO3 increased the mRNA expression of all these antioxidant enzymes. Dex treatment attenuated the activation of JNK, p65 (NF-κB), Camk1, and NLRP3 signals. Na2SeO3 enhanced the inhibitory effect of Dex on phosphorylated (p)-p65, p65, and NLRP3 in OGD/R. However, TrxR1 knockdown attenuated the positive effect of Na2SeO3 on Dex-mediated anti-inflammatory effects. In summary, cotreatments with Dex and Na2SeO3 further improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection of myocardial cells from I/R injury compared to their individual treatments.

[Change of serum MCP-1 level and CCR2 protein expression in isolated monocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of serum MCP-1 level and CCR2 expression in isolated monocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its possible relationship with ACS pathogenesis. METHODS: Thirty ACS patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum MCP-1 levels were determined by ELISA in all subjects. The protein expression of CCR2 in isolated monocytes was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Serum MCP-1 concentrations in ACS patients were higher than those in healthy controls (P<0.05) and the ratio of CCR2 protein expression in monocytes in ACS patients was higher than that in healthy controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The serum MCP-1 concentrations and protein expression of CCR2 in ACS patients are significantly higher than those in healthy controls, which might be associated with the pathogenesis of ACS.

Identification of MAVS as a Novel Risk Factor for the Development of Osteoarthritis.

Evidence indicated that inflammatory response and some pattern-recognition receptors play important roles in the occurrence and progression of osteoarthritis. This study is conducted to evaluate the role of RIG-I and its adaptor protein MAVS in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Four SNPs in RIG-I gene and four in MAVS gene were genotyped in 1056 Chinese Han population. We also overexpressed MAVS in murine chondrogenic ATDC5 cells and analyzed the cell viability and apoptosis. Rs11795343 (P-allele: 0.063394) in RIG-I, rs17857295 (P-allele: 0.073518) and rs7262903 (P-allele: 0.054052, P-genotype: 0.067930) in MAVS were marginally associated with OA. Rs7269320 (P-allele: 0.014783, P-genotype: 0.03272) in MAVS was significant associated with OA. Further analyses in different genders indicated that rs7262903 (P-allele: 0.017256, P-genotype: 0.045683) and rs7269320 (P-allele: 0.013073, P-genotype: 0.038881) are significantly associated with OA in female group. Haplotype analyses indicated G-C-G (χ2: 4.328, P-value: 0.037503) in rs10813821-rs11795343-rs659527 block of RIG-I, G-C-A-T (χ2: 4.056, P-value: 0.044028) and G-C-C-C (χ2: 14.295, P-value: 0.000158) in rs17857295-rs2326369-rs7262903-rs7269320 block of MAVS were significantly associated with OA. Furthermore, forced expression of MAVS could suppress the viability and promote the apoptosis of ATDC5 chondrogenic cells. In conclusion, this study indicated that RIG-I and MAVS are probably associated with OA in the females of Chinese Han population. And MAVS might be a novel risk factor for OA which may involve in growth of chondrocytes and cartilage homeostasis.

Chronic itch impairs mood and HPA axis function in mice: modulation by CRFR1 antagonist.

Chronic itch is clinically correlated with the development of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Nonetheless, whether this relevance exists in rodents is unknown, and evidence demonstrating chronic itch can affect mood is lacking. The aim of this study is to characterize the affective consequences of chronic itch, and explore potential mechanisms and interventional strategy. We subjected mice to chronic itch by repetitive cutaneous treatment with acetone and diethylether followed by water (AEW) that models "dry skin." After 3 to 4 weeks AEW treatment, the mice developed behavioral phenotypes of anxiety and depression assessed by a battery of behavioral paradigms, such as light-dark box and forced swim test. These behavioral symptoms of mood disturbance were independent of cutaneous barrier disruption, but correlated well with the degree of the irritating itch sensation. Although AEW mice showed normal circadian hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, their neuroendocrine functionality was dampened, including impaired endocrine stress responsivity, altered neuroendocrine-immune interaction, and blunted corticosterone response to both dexamethasone and CRF. Parameters of HPA functionality at the level of mRNA transcripts are altered in stress-related brain regions of AEW mice, implying an overdrive of central CRF system. Remarkably, chronic treatment of AEW mice with antalarmin, a CRFR1 antagonist, ameliorated both their mood impairment and stress axis dysfunction. This is the first evidence revealing mood impairment, HPA axis dysfunction, and potential therapeutic efficacy by CRFR1 antagonist in mice with chronic itch, thus providing a preclinical model to investigate the affective consequence of chronic itch and the underlying mechanisms.

LncRNA MEG3 has anti-activity effects of cervical cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explain the lncRNA MEG3 had anti-cancer effects to suppress cervical carcinoma biological activity. METHODS: The Hela cell were divided into three groups (NC group,BL group and lncRNA group). The cells of lncRNA or BL groups were transfered with lncRNA MEG3 or blank carrier. Evaluating the cell proliferation rate of difference groups by MTT assay; measuring the cell apoptosis and cell cycle of difference groups' cell by flow-cytometry; the cell invasion activity of difference groups were measured by transwell assay, the cell migration ability of difference groups were evaluated by wound healing testing. Measuring the relative gene expressions (PI3K, AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Bax and P21) and protein expressions (PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Bax and P21) by RT-PCR or WB assay. RESULTS: Compared with NC group, The cell proliferation rate of lncRNA group was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and the cell apoptosis and G1 phase were significantly increased (P<0.05, respectively). The invasion cell of lncRNA MEG3 group were significantly difference compared with NC group (P<0.05), and the wound healing rate of lncRNA MEG3 group was significantly shorter than NC group (P<0.05). The PI3K, AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 gene expression of lncRNA group were significanlty down-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively), and Bax and P21 gene expression of lncRNA group were significantly up-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively) by RT-PCR testing. The PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, MMP-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 protein expression of lncRNA group were significanlty down-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively), and Bax and P21 protein expression of lncRNA group were significantly up-regulation compared with NC group (P<0.05,respectively) by WB assay. CONCLUSION: The lncRNA MEG3 had effects to supress cervical cancer by regulation PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2/Bax/P21 and PI3K/AKT/MMP-2/9 signaling pathway.

SPINK1 Gene is Significantly Associated With Pancreatitis: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This research was applied to case-control studies of the association between pancreatitis and SPINK1 gene to assess the joint evidence for the association, the influence of individual studies, and evidence for publication bias. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify longitudinal studies evaluating pancreatitis and SPINK1. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled using random-effect models and calculated using Carlin method. Publication bias was assessed using Egger et al's approach (A famous statistic method by Egger et al). Sensitivity, heterogeneity, and trim and fill analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Based on the results, we found that (1) the results support for the association between pancreatitis and SPINK1, when analyzed totally and by subdivision (total [OR, 7.771; 95% CI, 5.232-11.543; P < 0.000]; European [OR,6.400; 95% CI, 4.346-9.426; P < 0.000]; Asian [OR, 11.823; 95% CI, 4.612-30.310; P < 0.000]; American [OR, 3.777; 95% CI, 1.596-8.939; P = 0.002]; mixed: [OR, 13.566; 95% CI, 2.322-79.252, P = 0.004]); (2) no evidence indicates that this association is accounted for by any one study, and no evidence indicates any publication bias exists. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that SPINK1 gene, particularly the N34S mutation, has a genetic association with the development of pancreatitis.