Cellular senescence induction leads to progressive cell death via the INK4a-RB pathway in naked mole-rats.

Naked mole-rats (NMRs) have exceptional longevity and are resistant to age-related physiological decline and diseases. Given the role of cellular senescence in aging, we postulated that NMRs possess unidentified species-specific mechanisms to prevent senescent cell accumulation. Here, we show that upon induction of cellular senescence, NMR fibroblasts underwent delayed and progressive cell death that required activation of the INK4a-retinoblastoma protein (RB) pathway (termed "INK4a-RB cell death"), a phenomenon not observed in mouse fibroblasts. Naked mole-rat fibroblasts uniquely accumulated serotonin and were inherently vulnerable to hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). After activation of the INK4a-RB pathway, NMR fibroblasts increased monoamine oxidase levels, leading to serotonin oxidization and H2 O2 production, which resulted in increased intracellular oxidative damage and cell death activation. In the NMR lung, induction of cellular senescence caused delayed, progressive cell death mediated by monoamine oxidase activation, thereby preventing senescent cell accumulation, consistent with in vitro results. The present findings indicate that INK4a-RB cell death likely functions as a natural senolytic mechanism in NMRs, providing an evolutionary rationale for senescent cell removal as a strategy to resist aging.

Repeated activation of Trpv1-positive sensory neurons facilitates tumor growth associated with changes in tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

It is considered that sensory neurons extend into the tumor microenvironment (TME), which could be associated with tumor growth. However, little is known about how sensory signaling could promote tumor progression. In this study, chemogenetic activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (Trpv1)-positive sensory neurons (C-fibers) by the microinjection of AAV-hSyn-FLEX-hM3Dq-mCherry into the sciatic nerve dramatically increased tumor volume in tumor-bearing Trpv1-Cre mice. This activation in Trpv1::hM3Dq mice that had undergone tumor transplantation significantly reduced the population of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells and increased the mRNA level of the M2-macrophage marker, CX3C motif chemokine receptor 1 (Cx3cr1) in immunosuppressive cells, such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-infiltrating monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs). Under these conditions, we found a significant correlation between the decreased expression of the M1-macrophage marker Tnf and tumor volume. These findings suggest that repeated activation of Trpv1-positive sensory neurons may facilitate tumor growth along with changes in tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

Possible mechanism for improving the endogenous immune system through the blockade of peripheral µ-opioid receptors by treatment with naldemedine.

BACKGROUND: It has been considered that activation of peripheral µ-opioid receptors (MORs) induces side effects of opioids. In this study, we investigated the possible improvement of the immune system in tumour-bearing mice by systemic administration of the peripheral MOR antagonist naldemedine. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of naldemedine on MOR-mediated signalling was tested by cAMP inhibition and ß-arrestin recruitment assays using cultured cells. We assessed possible changes in tumour progression and the number of splenic lymphocytes in tumour-bearing mice under the repeated oral administration of naldemedine. RESULTS: Treatment with naldemedine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of both the decrease in the cAMP level and the increase in ß-arrestin recruitment induced by the MOR agonists. Repeated treatment with naldemedine at a dose that reversed the morphine-induced inhibition of gastrointestinal transport, but not antinociception, significantly decreased tumour volume and prolonged survival in tumour-transplanted mice. Naldemedine administration significantly decreased the increased expression of immune checkpoint-related genes and recovered the decreased level of toll-like receptor 4 in splenic lymphocytes in tumour-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS: The blockade of peripheral MOR may induce an anti-tumour effect through the recovery of T-cell exhaustion and promotion of the tumour-killing system.

Normal aging induces PD-1-enriched exhausted microglia and A1-like reactive astrocytes in the hypothalamus.

Hypothalamic aging is considered to be critical for systemic aging, and the accumulation of "exhausted glial cells" in the hypothalamus may contribute to brain dysfunction. In this study, we used normal aging mice and investigated aging-specific transcriptional identities of microglia and astrocytes in the hypothalamus. We confirmed that normal aging promoted anxiety, induced impairment of motor coordination and reduced physical strength of muscle in mice. To investigate the senescence of hypothalamic glial cells, we isolated CD11b-positive microglia and ACSA-2-positive astrocytes from the hypothalamus of aged mice using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). The mRNA level of p16INK4A was dramatically increased in the hypothalamic microglia of aged mice compared to young mice. Furthermore, the expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) as well as A1-like astrocyte mediators in the hypothalamic microglia was dramatically induced by aging, indicating that normal aging may produce PD-1-enriched "exhausted microglia" in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, neuroinflammatory A1-like reactive astrocytes with a p16INK4A-positive senescent state were predominantly detected in the hypothalamus of aged mice. Exhausted microglia were also detected in the prefrontal cortex of aged mice, whereas astrocytic neuroinflammation was milder than that observed in the hypothalamus, even with p16INK4A-positive senescence. These results suggest that the production of PD-1-enriched exhausted and senescent microglia and neuroinflammatory A1-like reactive astrocytes in the hypothalamus may partly contribute to aging-related emotional and physical dyscoordination.

Further investigation of the rapid-onset and short-duration action of the G protein-biased µ-ligand oliceridine.

TRV130 (oliceridine), a G protein-biased ligand for µ-opioid receptor, has recently been synthesized. It is considered to have strong antinociceptive effects and only minor adverse effects. However, whether or not oliceridine actually exhibits an ideal pharmacological profile as an analgesic has not yet been fully clarified in animal studies. This study examined the pharmacological profile of oliceridine in cells and animals. Oliceridine (10 µM) did not produce any µ-opioid receptor internalization in cells even though it increased impedance, which reflects the activation of Gi protein using the CellKey™ system, and inhibited the formation of cAMP. In mice, oliceridine (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect with a rapid-onset and short-duration action in the hot-plate test, as well as antihyperalgesia after sciatic nerve ligation without the development of antinociceptive tolerance using the thermal hyperalgesia test. On the other hand, oliceridine inhibited gastrointestinal transit. Furthermore, oliceridine produced rapid-onset hyperlocomotion at antinociceptive doses; sensitization developed in mice and an emetic effect was observed in ferrets. These results indicate that, although oliceridine may produce dopamine-related behaviors even through selective stimulation of the G-protein-biased µ-opioid receptor pathway, it still offers advantages for breakthrough pain without antinociceptive tolerance with adequate doses.

Direct evidence that the brain reward system is involved in the control of scratching behaviors induced by acute and chronic itch.

In the present study, we demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between scratching behaviors induced by itch and functional changes in the brain reward system. Using a conditional place preference test, the rewarding effect was clearly evoked by scratching under both acute and chronic itch stimuli. The induction of ΔFosB, a member of the Fos family of transcription factors, was observed in dopamine transporter (DAT)-positive dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of mice suffering from a chronic itch sensation. Based on a cellular analysis of scratching-activated neurons, these neurons highly expressed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DAT genes in the VTA. Furthermore, in an in vivo microdialysis study, the levels of extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) were significantly increased by transient scratching behaviors. To specifically suppress the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway using pharmacogenetics, we used the TH-cre/hM4Di mice. Pharmacogenetic suppression of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons significantly decreased scratching behaviors. Under the itch condition with scratching behaviors restricted by an Elizabethan collar, the induction of ΔFosB was found mostly in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-containing neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). These findings suggest that repetitive abnormal scratching behaviors under acute and chronic itch stimuli may activate mesolimbic dopamine neurons along with pleasant emotions, while the restriction of such scratching behaviors may initially induce the activation of PVN-CRH neurons associated with stress.

Cell-specific overexpression of COMT in dopaminergic neurons of Parkinson's disease.

The mechanism by which dopaminergic neurons are selectively affected in Parkinson's disease is not fully understood. In this study, we found a dramatic increase in the expression of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), along with a lower level of DNA methylation, in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons from patients with parkin (PARK2) gene mutations compared to those from healthy controls. In addition, a significant increase in the expression of COMT was found in dopaminergic neurons of isogenic PARK2 induced pluripotent stem cell lines that mimicked loss of function of PARK2 by CRISPR Cas9 technology. In dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre mice, overexpression of COMT, specifically in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, produced cataleptic behaviours associated with impaired motor coordination. These findings suggest that upregulation of COMT, likely resulting from DNA hypomethylation, in dopaminergic neurons may contribute to the initial stage of neuronal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Dexamethasone exacerbates cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy.

Dexamethasone for antiemetic therapy is typically administered with anticancer drugs such as cisplatin. We previously reported that cisplatin upregulates the muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase genes, namely muscle ring-finger protein 1 (MuRF1) and atrophy gene-1 (atrogin-1), and promotes muscle atrophy in mice. It is well known that dexamethasone causes upregulation of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 expression in skeletal muscles. Although it is speculated that a combination of dexamethasone and cisplatin worsens muscle atrophy, there are no reports based on research. We thereby investigated the effects of cisplatin and dexamethasone, alone or in combination, on the expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 in murine skeletal muscles and C2C12 myotubes. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin or the vehicle control once daily for 4 days. Dexamethasone or the vehicle control was subcutaneously administered 30 minutes prior to the administration of cisplatin. Dexamethasone enhanced MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression upregulated by cisplatin in murine quadriceps muscles and C2C12 myotubes. Cisplatin-caused upregulation of myostatin and downregulation of IGF-1 gene expression were also enhanced by co-administration of dexamethasone in murine quadriceps muscles and C2C12 myotubes. This study shows that the combination treatment of cisplatin and dexamethasone exacerbated muscle atrophy in mice. Therefore, this treatment regimen might exacerbate muscle atrophy in cancer patients.

Increased Cytotoxicity of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Expression in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold enormous promise for regenerative medicine. The major safety concern is the tumorigenicity of transplanted cells derived from iPSCs. A potential solution would be to introduce a suicide gene into iPSCs as a safety switch. The herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, in combination with ganciclovir, is the most widely used enzyme/prodrug suicide system from basic research to clinical applications. In the present study, we attempted to establish human iPSCs that stably expressed HSV-TK with either lentiviral vectors or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. However, this task was difficult to achieve, because high-level and/or constitutive expression of HSV-TK resulted in the induction of cell death or silencing of HSV-TK expression. A nucleotide metabolism analysis suggested that excessive accumulation of thymidine triphosphate, caused by HSV-TK expression, resulted in an imbalance in the dNTP pools. This unbalanced state led to DNA synthesis inhibition and cell death in a process similar to a "thymidine block", but more severe. We also demonstrated that the Tet-inducible system was a feasible solution for overcoming the cytotoxicity of HSV-TK expression. Our results provided a warning against using the HSV-TK gene in human iPSCs, particularly in clinical applications.

Extracellular N-acetylaspartylglutamate released in the nucleus accumbens modulates the pain sensation: Analysis using a microdialysis/mass spectrometry integrated system.

Various small molecules act as neurotransmitters and orchestrate neural communication. Growing evidence suggests that not only classical neurotransmitters but also several small molecules, including amino acid derivatives, modulate synaptic transmission. As conditions of acute and chronic pain alter neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens, we hypothesized that small molecules released in the nucleus accumbens might play important roles in modulating the pain sensation. However, it is not easy to identify possible pain modulators owing to the absence of a method for comprehensively measuring extracellular small molecules in the brain. In this study, through the use of an emerging metabolomics technique, namely ion chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, we simultaneously analyzed the dynamics of more than 60 small molecules in brain fluids collected by microdialysis, under both the application of pain stimuli and the administration of analgesics. We identified N-acetylaspartylglutamate as a potential pain modulator that is endogenously released in the nucleus accumbens. Infusion of N-acetylaspartylglutamate into the nucleus accumbens significantly attenuated the pain induced by the activation of sensory nerves through optical stimulation. These findings suggest that N-acetylaspartylglutamate released in the nucleus accumbens could modulate pain sensation.

Activation of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons reverses pathological allodynia resulting from nerve injury or bone cancer.

Chronic pain induced by nerve damage due to trauma or invasion of cancer to the bone elicits severe ongoing pain as well as hyperalgesia and allodynia likely reflecting adaptive changes within central circuits that amplify nociceptive signals. The present study explored the possible contribution of the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuit in promoting allodynia related to neuropathic and cancer pain. Mice with ligation of the sciatic nerve or treated with intrafemoral osteosarcoma cells showed allodynia to a thermal stimulus applied to the paw on the injured side. Patch clamp electrophysiology revealed that the intrinsic neuronal excitability of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (N.Acc.) was significantly reduced in those mice. We used tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-cre mice that were microinjected with adeno-associated virus (AAV) to express channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) to allow optogenetic stimulation of VTA dopaminergic neurons in the VTA or in their N.Acc. terminals. Optogenetic activation of these cells produced a significant but transient anti-allodynic effect in nerve injured or tumor-bearing mice without increasing response thresholds to thermal stimulation in sham-operated animals. Suppressed activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons is likely to contribute to decreased inhibition of N.Acc. output neurons and to neuropathic or cancer pain-induced allodynia suggesting strategies for modulation of pathological pain states.

Effect of ghrelin on the motor deficit caused by the ablation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cells or the inhibition of striatal dopamine receptors.

Ghrelin plays roles in a wide range of central functions by activating the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). This receptor has recently been found in the substantia nigra (SN) to control dopamine (DA)-related physiological functions. The dysregulation of DA neurons in the SN pars compacta (SNc) and the consequent depletion of striatal DA are known to underlie the motor deficits observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we further investigated the role of the SN-ghrelin system in motor function under the stereotaxic injection of AAV-CMV-FLEX-diphtheria toxin A (DTA) into the SN of dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre (DATSN::DTA) mice to expunge DA neurons of the SNc. First, we confirmed the dominant expression of GHSR1a, which is a functional GHSR, in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive DA neurons in the SNc of control mice. In DATSN::DTA mice, we clearly observed motor dysfunction using several behavioral tests. An immunohistochemical study revealed a dramatic loss of TH-positive DA neurons in the SNc and DAT-labeled axon terminals in the striatum, and an absence of mRNAs for TH and DAT in the SN of DATSN::DTA mice. The mRNA level of GHSR1a was drastically decreased in the SN of these mice. In normal mice, we also found the mRNA expression of GHSR1a within GABAergic neurons in the SN pars reticulata (SNr). Under these conditions, a single injection of ghrelin into the SN failed to improve the motor deficits caused by ablation of the nigrostriatal DA network using DATSN::DTA mice, whereas intra-SN injection of ghrelin suppressed the motor dysfunction caused by the administration of haloperidol, which is associated with the transient inhibition of DA transmission. These findings suggest that phasic activation of the SNc-ghrelin system could improve the dysregulation of nigrostriatal DA transmission related to the initial stage of PD, but not the motor deficits under the depletion of nigrostriatal DA. Although GHSRs are found in non-DA cells of the SNr, GHSRs on DA neurons in the SNc may play a crucial role in motor function.

Neuropeptide oxytocin enhances µ opioid receptor signaling as a positive allosteric modulator.

Oxytocin (OT) is a 9-amine neuropeptide that plays an essential role in mammalian labor, lactation, maternal bonding, and social affiliation. OT has been reported to exert an analgesic effect in both humans and animals, and the results of certain animal experiments have shown that the analgesic effect of OT is partially blocked by opioid receptor antagonists. To investigate the relationship between OT and µ opioid receptor (MOR), we evaluated how OT affects MOR in vitro by performing an electrical impedance-based receptor biosensor assay (CellKey™ assay), an intracellular cAMP assay, and a competitive receptor-binding analysis by using cells stably expressing human MOR and OT receptor. In both the CellKey™ assay and the intracellular cAMP assay, OT alone exerted no direct agonistic effect on human MOR, but treatment with 10-6 M OT markedly enhanced the MOR signaling induced by 10-6 M endomorphin-1, ß-endorphin, morphine, fentanyl, and DAMGO. Moreover, in the competitive receptor-binding assay, 10-6 M OT did not alter the affinity of endomorphin-1 or morphine for MOR. These results suggest that OT could function as a positive allosteric modulator that regulates the efficacy of MOR signaling, and thus OT might represent a previously unrecognized candidate analgesic agent.

ELR+ chemokine-mediated neutrophil recruitment is involved in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity.

Contact dermatitis is a form of delayed-type hypersensitivity characterized by localized thickening, papules, redness and vesicles of the skin. A model of contact dermatitis involving repeated challenge of a hapten is adapted to assess dermatitis as characterized by skin thickening. Recently, it was reported that neutrophils have crucial roles in contact hypersensitivity. We thus examined the involvement of CXC chemokines bearing the glutamic acid-leucine-arginine (ELR) motif ("ELR+ chemokines") and neutrophils in the ear swelling induced by 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) challenges in the present study. Mice were sensitized by application of TNCB on their abdominal skin. They were then challenged thrice with TNCB to the ear. The CXCR2 antagonist SB225002 (9 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered before each TNCB challenge. Gene expressions and protein levels of the ELR+ chemokines CXCL1, 2 and 5 was increased markedly in mouse ear after the final TNCB challenge. In addition, we indicated that gene expression of CXCL1 was enhanced in the epidermis and dermis upon TNCB challenge. Expression of the CXCL2 gene was enhanced in the epidermis, and that of the CXCL5 gene was enhanced in the dermis. The swelling induced by TNCB challenges was significantly attenuated by SB225002. Furthermore, the increases in myeloperoxidase activity, and expression of myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase induced by TNCB challenge in mouse ear were inhibited by SB225002. These data suggest that ear swelling resulting from TNCB challenges might be concerned by upregulated ELR+ chemokine-induced neutrophil recruitment.

Brain Reward Circuit and Pain.

Pain plays an important role in alerting the body to potential tissue injury and drives behavior that protects the body from further harm. In contrast, chronic pain does not serve this function and instead only provides a persistent sensation of pain and a negative experience. The mesolimbic dopaminergic system has been recognized to play a central role in motivated behaviors, including various types of reward and pleasure. Many dopaminergic neurons may release multiple neurotransmitters, and the physiological role of the co-release of these transmitters has been revealed incrementally. However, it was not yet clear whether the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and small molecules released in the nucleus accumbens (N.Acc.), the input region of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, are involved in pain modulation. Recently, we revealed that the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and small molecules released in the N.Acc. could contribute to pain modulation. In this review, we provide an overview of the relationship between pain and the brain reward circuit using a combination of optogenetics, electrophysiology, and in vivo microdialysis/mass spectrometry integrated system.

Effect of acute treadmill exercise on cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy in the mouse.

Cisplatin, a platinum-based anti-cancer drug, is one of the most effective broad-spectrum anti-cancer agents used against various cancers. It has been recently suggested that low skeletal muscle mass is predictive of mortality in patients with cancer. Although several molecules produced by the actual tumor itself contribute to skeletal muscle impairment, we recently suggested that the administration of cisplatin could increase levels of muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1, possibly leading to muscle atrophy in the mouse. Exercise is an important factor that induces muscle protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy by enhancing the positive effects of the Akt/mTOR/p70S6 kinase pathway. In the present study, we therefore investigated the effect of treadmill exercise on cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy. C57BL/6J mice were treated with cisplatin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for four consecutive days. On day 4, the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles were isolated from the mice. The animals in the treadmill exercise groups were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 20 min once a day for 9 days. In addition to muscle mass, the decrease in myofiber diameter associated with cisplatin administration was significantly restored by treadmill exercise. This exercise also significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced upregulation of MuRF1 and atrogin-1 in quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle. The decreased Akt, p70S6 kinase, and Foxo3a phosphorylation observed with cisplatin treatment was significantly recovered by treadmill exercise in both the muscles. In the present study, myostatin (Mstn) gene expression, upregulated by cisplatin administration, was also attenuated by treadmill exercise. These findings suggest that treadmill exercise could attenuate cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy, at least partially, and could improve prognosis.

Usefulness for the combination of G-protein- and ß-arrestin-biased ligands of µ-opioid receptors: Prevention of antinociceptive tolerance.

Background: µ-Opioid receptor internalization is considered to be critically linked to antinociceptive tolerance. Although µ-opioid receptor agonists have been administered simultaneously with other drugs to control pain, little information is available regarding opioid­opioid interactions. Therefore, the present study was designed to further investigate the utility of a new G protein-biased ligand for µ-opioid receptors, TRV130, which has an antinociceptive effect without ß-arrestin-dependent µ-opioid receptor internalization, and its combination with fentanyl using µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells and mice. Results: In the present study, we confirmed that fentanyl produced a profound increase in ß-arrestin-2 recruitment accompanied by µ-opioid receptor internalization, whereas TRV130 did not induce either the recruitment of ß-arrestin-2 or µ-opioid receptor internalization in µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells. Under these conditions, ß-arrestin-2 recruitment accompanied by µ-opioid receptor internalization induced by fentanyl was abolished by TRV130, whereas TRV130 did not alter the reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation by fentanyl in µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells. In a behavioral assay, TRV130 exerted an antinociceptive effect in a hot-plate test in mice. In a combination test, the antinociceptive effect of TRV130 was synergistically increased by fentanyl. Fentanyl induced antihyperalgesia and development of its tolerance under a neuropathic pain-like state following sciatic nerve ligation. However, treatment of mice with an antinociceptive dose of TRV130 did not induce the rapid development of tolerance to its antihyperalgesic effect under a neuropathic pain-like state. Furthermore, the rapid development of tolerance to the antihyperalgesic effect induced by fentanyl plus TRV130 in mice with sciatic nerve ligation was not observed, unlike in the case of fentanyl alone. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that activation of the G protein-biased pathway through µ-opioid receptors can alter signaling in the ß-arrestin-2 pathway linked to the stimulation of µ-opioid receptors. Furthermore, the combination of G protein-biased and ß-arrestin-biased ligands of µ-opioid receptors exerts an ideal antinociceptive effect without the rapid development of antinociceptive tolerance.

Endocan as a prognostic biomarker of triple-negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has aggressive characteristics and fewer treatment options than other subtypes. The purpose of this study was to explore prognostic biomarkers for TNBC that can be easily detected from the blood samples. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231BR, a brain metastatic variant of the human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, were used as less and more aggressive models of TNBC, respectively. The extent to which the candidate gene/protein identified by RNA sequencing correlated well with aggressiveness of TNBC and how much protein was detected from the blood of tumor-bearing mice were evaluated. RESULTS: Both the in vitro proliferation and in vivo tumor growth of MDA-MB-231BR were more rapid than those of MDA-MB-231. RNA sequencing identified ESM1 as a gene that was expressed significantly more in MDA-MB-231BR than in MDA-MB-231, and qRT-PCR confirmed a significantly higher expression of ESM1 in MDA-MB-231BR xenograft in vivo. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis of relapse-free survival demonstrated that TNBC patients with high ESM1 expression had clearly worse relapse-free survival than those with low ESM1 expression, which was consistent with our preclinical findings. Endocan, a protein of ESM1 gene product, was successfully detected in both conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231BR and plasma samples from mice bearing MDA-MB-231BR xenograft, which showed a significantly distinct pattern from less aggressive MDA-MB-231. Moreover, bisulfite sequence analysis revealed that overexpression of ESM1 in MDA-MB-231BR might be attributed to DNA demethylation in an upstream region of the ESM1 gene. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that endocan could be used as a blood-based prognostic biomarker in TNBC patients.

Curcumin inhibits epigen and amphiregulin upregulated by 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene associated with attenuation of skin swelling.

OBJECTIVES: Contact dermatitis model involving repeated application of hapten is used as a tool to assess dermatitis, as characterized by thickening. Involvement of cell proliferation, elicited by repeated hapten-stimulation, in this swelling has been unclear. Curcumin is reported to reduce inflammation. We examined involvement of cell proliferation and the role of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) challenge-induced ear swelling. We also examined the effects of curcumin in this model. METHODS: Mice were sensitized with TNCB to the abdominal skin. Then, they were challenged with TNCB to the ear three times. The ERK activation inhibitor U0126 or curcumin was applied 30 min before each TNCB challenge. RESULTS: TNCB challenge-induced increased epidermal cell number and dermal thickening. Gene expressions of epithelial mitogen (EPGN), amphiregulin (AREG) and heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) were increased in the ears after the last TNCB challenge. Ki-67 immunoreactivity was increased in the dermis in TNCB-challenged ears. TNCB-induced swelling was inhibited by U0126 and curcumin. Curcumin also attenuated TNCB-induced ERK phosphorylation and expression of EPGN and AREG genes. CONCLUSION: Ear swelling induced by TNCB challenge might be mediated, in part, by the EPGN- and AREG-ERK proliferation pathway and was inhibited by curcumin.

Controlled Secretion of the Anticancer Protein MDA-7 from Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been explored as a "live" carrier of cytokines for targeted cancer therapy, but, in earlier reports in the literature, the secretion process of therapeutic cytokines was not regulated. The purpose of this study was to generate MSCs to conditionally secrete the melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7) tumor-suppressor protein. To control the secretion of MDA-7 from MSCs, a well-established tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation system was incorporated into MDA-7 plasmid. MDA-7 gene expression was induced in the engineered MSCs only in the presence of doxycycline, as characterized by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) also revealed that the MDA-7 protein was secreted from the engineered MSCs only after the cells had been exposed to doxycycline. Both recombinant human MDA-7 protein and the conditioned medium from the engineered MSCs in the presence of doxycycline significantly inhibited tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs), indicating that our system could be used for targeted, antiangiogenic therapy. Overall, this study provides useful information on the potential use of engineered MSCs for the controlled secretion of therapeutic proteins, in this case MDA-7, for targeted cancer therapy.