Local TSH/TSHR signaling promotes CD8+ T cell exhaustion and immune evasion in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to tumor immune escape and immunotherapy tolerance. The effects of hormones such as leptin, steroid hormones, and glucocorticoids on T cell function have been reported previously. However, the mechanism underlying thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)/thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) signaling in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and tumor immune evasion remain poorly understood. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of TSH/TSHR signaling on the function of CD8+ T cells and immune evasion in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: TSHR expression levels in CD8+ T cells were assessed with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Functional investigations involved manipulation of TSHR expression in cellular and mouse models to study its role in CD8+ T cells. Mechanistic insights were mainly gained through RNA-sequencing, Western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase activity assay. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to investigate the source of TSH and TSHR in CRC tissues. RESULTS: TSHR was highly expressed in cancer cells and CD8+ T cells in CRC tissues. TSH/TSHR signaling was identified as the intrinsic pathway promoting CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Conditional deletion of TSHR in CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) improved effector differentiation and suppressed the expression of immune checkpoint receptors such as programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2 or TIM3) through the protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway. CRC cells secreted TSHR via exosomes to increase the TSHR level in CD8+ T cells, resulting in immunosuppression in the TME. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was the main source of TSH within the TME. Low expression of TSHR in CRC was a predictor of immunotherapy response. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings highlighted the role of endogenous TSH/TSHR signaling in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and immune evasion in CRC. TSHR may be suitable as a predictive and therapeutic biomarker in CRC immunotherapy.

Functional study of the ST6GAL2 gene regulating skeletal muscle growth and development.

ST6GAL2, a member of the sialoglycosyltransferase family, primarily localizes within the cellular Golgi apparatus. However, the role of the ST6GAL2 gene in skeletal muscle growth and development remains elusive. In this study, the impact of the ST6GAL2 gene on the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of primary chicken myoblasts at the cellular level was investigated. Quantitative fluorescent PCR was used to measure the expression levels of genes. Subsequently, using gene knockout mice, we assessed its effects on skeletal muscle growth and development in vivo. Our findings reveal that the ST6GAL2 gene promotes the expression of cell cycle and proliferation-related genes, including CCNB2 and PCNA, and apoptosis-related genes, such as Fas and Caspase-9. At the individual level, double knockout of ST6GAL2 inhibited the formation of both fast and slow muscle fibers in the quadriceps, extensor digitorum longus, and tibial anterior muscle, while promoting their formation in the gastrocnemius and soleus. These results collectively demonstrate that the ST6GAL2 gene facilitates the proliferation, apoptosis, and fusion processes of primary chicken myoblasts. Additionally, it promotes the enlargement of cross-sectional muscle fiber areas and regulates the formation of fast and slow muscle fibers at the individual level, albeit inhibiting muscle fusion. This study provides valuable insights into the role of the ST6GAL2 gene in promoting proliferation of skeletal muscle.

Unveiling the Regulatory Role of LncRNA MYU in Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenesis via the miR-23a-3p Axis in Endothelial Cells.

Background: Angiogenesis is essential for various physiological and pathological processes, such as embryonic development and cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in normal homeostasis and disease processes by regulating gene expression through various mechanisms, including competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) of target microRNAs (miRNAs). The lncRNA MYU is known to promote prostate cancer proliferation via the miR-184/c-Myc regulatory axis and to be upregulated in vascular endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions, which often occurs in solid tumors. In the present study, we investigated whether MYU might affect cancer growth by regulating angiogenesis in vascular endothelial cells under hypoxia. Methods: The expression of MYU-regulated miR-23a-3p and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in HUVEC cell lines was examined using qRT-PCR. The CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, wound-healing assay, and tube-formation assay were used to assess the effects of MYU on cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVEC cells in vitro. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to examine the effects of miR-23a-3p on MYU and IL-8 expression. Results: We found that the overexpression of MYU and knockdown of miR-23a-3p in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hypoxia promoted cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Mechanistically, MYU was shown to bind competitively to miR-23a-3p, thereby preventing miR-23a-3p binding to the 3' untranslated region of IL-8 mRNA. In turn, increased production of pro-angiogenic IL-8 promoted HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation under hypoxia. Conclusion: This study identified a new role for lncRNA MYU as a ceRNA for miR-23a-3p and uncovered a novel MYU-miR-23a-3p-IL-8 regulatory axis for angiogenesis. MYU and/or miR-23a-3p may thus represent new targets for the treatment of hypoxia-related diseases by promoting angiogenesis.

Metagenomic profiling uncovers microbiota and antibiotic resistance patterns across human, chicken, pig fecal, and soil environments.

The ongoing and progressive evolution of antibiotic resistance presents escalating challenges for the clinical management and prevention of bacterial infections. Understanding the makeup of resistance genomes and accurately quantifying the current abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are crucial for assessing the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to public health. This comprehensive study investigated the distribution and diversity of bacterial community composition, ARGs, and virulence factors (VFs) across human, chicken, pig fecal, and soil microbiomes in various provinces of China. As a result, multidrug resistance was identified across all samples. Core ARGs primarily related to multidrug, MLS (Macrolides-Lincosamide-Streptogramins), and tetracycline resistance were characterized. A significant correlation between ARGs and bacterial taxa was observed, especially in soil samples. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus harbored ARGs, potentially contributing to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. We screened subsets of ARGs from samples from different sources as indicators to assess the level of ARGs contamination in samples, with high accuracy. These results underline the complex relationship between microbial communities, resistance mechanisms, and environmental factors, emphasizing the importance of continued research and monitoring to better understand these dynamics.

Dynamics of single-nuclei transcriptomic profiling of adipose tissue from diverse anatomical locations during mouse aging process.

Adipose tissue plays critical roles in an individual's aging process. In this research, we use single-nucleus RNA sequencing to create highly detailed transcriptional maps of subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue in young and aged mice. We comprehensively identify the various cell types within the white adipose tissue of mice, our study has elucidated seven distinct cell types within this tissue. Further analyses focus on adipocytes, fibro-adipogenic progenitors, and immune cells, revealing age-related declines in the synthetic metabolic activity of adipocytes, diminished immune regulation, and reduced maturation or proliferation of fibroblasts in undifferentiated adipocytes. We confirm the presence of distinct subpopulations of adipocytes, highlighting decreases in adipogenesis subgroups due to aging. Additionally, we uncover a reduction in immune cell subpopulations, driven by age-associated immune system dysregulation. Furthermore, pseudo-time analyses indicate that Adipocyte1 represents the 'nascent' phase of adipocyte development, while Adipocyte2 represents the 'mature' phase. We use cell-cell interaction to explore the age-dependent complexities of the interactions between FAPs and adipocytes, and observed increased expression of the inflammation-related Retn-Tlr4 interaction in older mice, while the anti-inflammatory Angpt1-Tek interaction was only detected in young mice. These transcriptional profiles serve as a valuable resource for understanding the functional genomics underlying metabolic disorders associated with aging in human adipose tissue.

Effects of miR-29c on proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of porcine bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

microRNAs (miRNAs), a subclass of noncoding short RNAs, direct cells fate decisions that are important for cell proliferation and cell lineage decisions. Adipogenic differentiation contributes greatly to the development of white adipose tissue, involving of highly organized regulation by miRNAs. In the present study, we screened and identified 78 differently expressed miRNAs of porcine BMSCs during adipogenic differentiation. Of which, the role of miR-29c in regulating the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation was proved and detailed. Specifically, over-expression miR-29c inhibits the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which were reversed upon miR-29c inhibitor. Interference of IGF1 inhibits the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Mechanistically, miR-29c regulates the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting IGF1 and further regulating the MAPK pathway and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, respectively. In conclusion, we highlight the important role of miR-29c in regulating proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Silver Nanowire-Based Flexible Strain Sensor for Human Motion Detection.

Accurately capturing human movements is a crucial element of health status monitoring and a necessary precondition for realizing future virtual reality/augmented reality applications. Flexible motion sensors with exceptional sensitivity are capable of detecting physical activities by converting them into resistance fluctuations. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have become a preferred choice for the development of various types of sensors due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, transparency, and flexibility within polymer composites. Herein, we present the design and fabrication of a flexible strain sensor based on silver nanowires. Suitable substrate materials were selected, and the sensor's sensitivity and fatigue properties were characterized and tested, with the sensor maintaining reliability after 5000 deformation cycles. Different sensors were prepared by controlling the concentration of silver nanowires to achieve the collection of motion signals from various parts of the human body. Additionally, we explored potential applications of these sensors in fields such as health monitoring and virtual reality. In summary, this work integrated the acquisition of different human motion signals, demonstrating great potential for future multifunctional wearable electronic devices.

Effects of the commensal microbiota on spleen and mesenteric lymph node immune function: investigation in a germ-free piglet model.

Commensal microbial-host interaction is crucial for host metabolism, growth, development, and immunity. However, research on microbial-host immunity in large animal models has been limited. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the commensal microbiota on immune function in two model groups: germ-free (GF) and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) piglets. The weight and organ index of the spleen of the GF piglet were larger than those in the SPF piglet (P < 0.05). The histological structure of the red pulp area and mean area of germinal centers were larger in the SPF piglet than in the GF piglet (P < 0.05), whereas the areas of staining of B cells and T cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were lower in the GF piglet (P < 0.05). We identified immune-related genes in the spleen and MLNs using RNA sequencing, and used real-time quantitative PCR to analyze the expression of core genes identified in gene set enrichment analysis. The expression levels of genes in the transforming growth factor-ß/SMAD3 signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor 2/MyD88/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, and pro-inflammatory factor genes IL-6 and TNF-α in the spleen and MLNs were higher in the SPF piglet and in splenic lymphocytes compared with those in the GF and control group, respectively, under treatment with acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or concanavalin A (ConA). The abundances of plasma cells, CD8++ T cells, follicular helper T cells, and resting natural killer cells in the spleen and MLNs were significantly greater in the SPF piglet than in the GF piglet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the commensal microbiota influenced the immune tissue structure, abundances of immune cells, and expression of immune-related pathways, indicating the importance of the commensal microbiota for spleen and MLNs development and function. In our study, GF piglet was used as the research model, eliminating the interference of microbiota in the experiment, and providing a suitable and efficient large animal research model for exploring the mechanism of "microbial-host" interactions.

Multiomics Reveals the Microbiota and Metabolites Associated with Sperm Quality in Rongchang Boars.

In this study, we investigated the correlation between the composition and function of the gut microbiota and the semen quality of Rongchang boars. Significant differences in gut microbial composition between boars with high (group H) and low (group L) semen utilization rates were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with 18 differential microbes observed at the genus level. Boars with lower semen utilization rates exhibited a higher relative abundance of Treponema, suggesting its potential role in reducing semen quality. Conversely, boars with higher semen utilization rates showed increased relative abundances of Terrisporobacter, Turicibacter, Stenotrophomonas, Clostridium sensu stricto 3, and Bifidobacterium, with Stenotrophomonas and Clostridium sensu stricto 3 showing a significant positive correlation with semen utilization rates. The metabolomic analyses revealed higher levels of gluconolactone, D-ribose, and 4-pyridoxic acid in the H group, with 4 pyridoxic acid and D-ribose showing a significant positive correlation with Terrisporobacter and Clostridium sensu stricto 3, respectively. In contrast, the L group showed elevated levels of D-erythrose-4-phosphate, which correlated negatively with Bifidobacterium and Clostridium sensu stricto 3. These differential metabolites were enriched in the pentose phosphate pathway, vitamin B6 metabolism, and antifolate resistance, potentially influencing semen quality. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay between the gut microbiota and boar reproductive health and may offer important information for the discovery of disease biomarkers and reproductive health management.

Exploring the dynamic three-dimensional chromatin architecture and transcriptional landscape in goose liver tissues underlying metabolic adaptations induced by a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Goose, descendants of migratory ancestors, have undergone extensive selective breeding, resulting in their remarkable ability to accumulate fat in the liver and exhibit a high tolerance for significant energy intake. As a result, goose offers an excellent model for studying obesity, metabolic disorders, and liver diseases in mammals. Although the impact of the three-dimensional arrangement of chromatin within the cell nucleus on gene expression and transcriptional regulation is widely acknowledged, the precise functions of chromatin architecture reorganization during fat deposition in goose liver tissues still need to be fully comprehended. RESULTS: In this study, geese exhibited more pronounced changes in the liver index and triglyceride (TG) content following the consumption of the high-fat diet (HFD) than mice without significant signs of inflammation. Additionally, we performed comprehensive analyses on 10 goose liver tissues (5 HFD, 5 normal), including generating high-resolution maps of chromatin architecture, conducting whole-genome gene expression profiling, and identifying H3K27ac peaks in the livers of geese and mice subjected to the HFD. Our results unveiled a multiscale restructuring of chromatin architecture, encompassing Compartment A/B, topologically associated domains, and interactions between promoters and enhancers. The dynamism of the three-dimensional genome architecture, prompted by the HFD, assumed a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of crucial genes. Furthermore, we identified genes that regulate chromatin conformation changes, contributing to the metabolic adaptation process of lipid deposition and hepatic fat changes in geese in response to excessive energy intake. Moreover, we conducted a cross-species analysis comparing geese and mice exposed to the HFD, revealing unique characteristics specific to the goose liver compared to a mouse. These chromatin conformation changes help elucidate the observed characteristics of fat deposition and hepatic fat regulation in geese under conditions of excessive energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: We examined the dynamic modifications in three-dimensional chromatin architecture and gene expression induced by an HFD in goose liver tissues. We conducted a cross-species analysis comparing that of mice. Our results contribute significant insights into the chromatin architecture of goose liver tissues, offering a novel perspective for investigating mammal liver diseases.

Assessment of different enrichment methods revealed the optimal approach to identify bovine circRnas.

Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in regulating gene expression, the understanding of circRNAs in livestock animals is scarce due to the significant challenge to characterize them from a biological sample. In this study, we assessed the outcomes of bovine circRNA identification using six enrichment approaches with the combination of ribosomal RNAs removal (Ribo); linear RNAs degradation (R); linear RNAs and RNAs with structured 3' ends degradation (RTP); ribosomal RNAs coupled with linear RNAs elimination (Ribo-R); ribosomal RNA, linear RNAs and RNAs with poly (A) tailing elimination (Ribo-RP); and ribosomal RNA, linear RNAs and RNAs with structured 3' ends elimination (Ribo-RTP), respectively. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that different approaches led to varied ratio of uniquely mapped reads, false-positive rate of identifying circRNAs, and the number of circRNAs per million clean reads (Padj <0.05). Out of 2,285 and 2,939 highly confident circRNAs identified in liver and rumen tissues, respectively, 308 and 260 were commonly identified from five methods, with Ribo-RTP method identified the highest number of circRNAs. Besides, 507 of 4,051 identified bovine highly confident circRNAs had shared splicing sites with human circRNAs. The findings from this work provide optimized methods to identify bovine circRNAs from cattle tissues for downstream research of their biological roles in cattle.

Diversity and host interaction of the gut microbiota in specific pathogen-free pigs.

Pigs are widely used as animal models in various studies related to humans. The interaction between the gut microbiota and the host has significant effects on the host's health and disease status. However, although there have been many studies investigating the pig gut microbiota, the findings have been inconsistent due to variations in rearing conditions. Interactions between the gut microbiota and host have not been fully explored in pigs. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs are ideal non-primate large animals to study the interactions between the gut microbiota and the host. In this study, we performed high-throughput sequencing analysis of the gut microbiota and the gut tissue transcriptome of six SPF pigs to provide a systematic understanding of the composition, function, and spatial distribution of gut microbiota in SPF pigs. We identified significant differences in microbial diversity and functionality among different gastrointestinal tract sites. Metagenomics data analysis revealed significant differences in alpha diversity and beta diversity of microbiota in different gastrointestinal sites of SPF pigs. Additionally, transcriptomic data indicated significant differences in gene expression as well as KEGG and GO functional enrichment between the small intestine and large intestine. Furthermore, by combining microbial metagenomics and host transcriptomics analyses, specific correlations were found between gut microbiota and host genes. These included a negative correlation between the TCN1 gene and Prevotella dentalis, possibly related to bacterial metabolic pathways involving vitamin B12, and a positive correlation between the BDH1 gene and Roseburia hominis, possibly because both are involved in fatty acid metabolism. These findings lay the groundwork for further exploration of the co-evolution between the microbiota and the host, specifically in relation to nutrition, metabolism, and immunity. In conclusion, we have elucidated the diversity of the gut microbiota in SPF pigs and conducted a detailed investigation into the interactions between the gut microbiota and host gene expression. These results contribute to our understanding of the intricate dynamics between the gut microbiota and the host, offering important references for advancements in life science research, bioproduct production, and sustainable development in animal husbandry.

A chromosome-level genome of Chenghua pig provides new insights into the domestication and local adaptation of pigs.

As a country with abundant genetic resources of pigs, the domestication history of pigs in China and the adaptive evolution of Chinese pig breeds at different latitudes have rarely been elucidated at the genome-wide level. To fill this gap, we first assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome of the Chenghua pig and used it as a benchmark to analyse the genomes of 272 samples from three genera of three continents. The divergence of the three species belonging to three genera, Phacochoerus africanus, Potamochoerus porcus, and Sus scrofa, was assessed. The introgression of pig breeds redefined that the migration routes were basically from southern China to central and southwestern China, then spread to eastern China, arrived in northern China, and finally reached Europe. The domestication of pigs in China occurred ∼12,000 years ago, earlier than the available Chinese archaeological domestication evidence. In addition, FBN1 and NR6A1 were identified in our study as candidate genes related to extreme skin thickness differences in Eurasian pig breeds and adaptive evolution at different latitudes in Chinese pig breeds, respectively. Our study provides a new resource for the pig genomic pool and refines our understanding of pig genetic diversity, domestication, migration, and adaptive evolution at different latitudes.

PREX2 contributes to radiation resistance by inhibiting radiotherapy-induced tumor immunogenicity via cGAS/STING/IFNs pathway in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) lacks established biomarkers or molecular targets for predicting or enhancing radiation response. Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor 2 (PREX2) exhibits intricate implications in tumorigenesis and progression. Nevertheless, the precise role and underlying mechanisms of PREX2 in CRC radioresistance remain unclear. METHODS: RNA-seq was employed to identify differentially expressed genes between radioresistant CRC cell lines and their parental counterparts. PREX2 expression was scrutinized using Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. The radioresistant role of PREX2 was assessed through in vitro colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, comet assay, and in vivo xenograft tumor models. The mechanism of PREX2 was elucidated using RNA-seq and Western blotting. Finally, a PREX2 small-molecule inhibitor, designated PREX-in1, was utilized to enhance the efficacy of ionizing radiation (IR) therapy in CRC mouse models. RESULTS: PREX2 emerged as the most significantly upregulated gene in radioresistant CRC cells. It augmented the radioresistant capacity of CRC cells and demonstrated potential as a marker for predicting radioresistance efficacy. Mechanistically, PREX2 facilitated DNA repair by upregulating DNA-PKcs, suppressing radiation-induced immunogenic cell death, and impeding CD8+ T cell infiltration through the cGAS/STING/IFNs pathway. In vivo, the blockade of PREX2 heightened the efficacy of IR therapy. CONCLUSIONS: PREX2 assumes a pivotal role in CRC radiation resistance by inhibiting the cGAS/STING/IFNs pathway, presenting itself as a potential radioresistant biomarker and therapeutic target for effectively overcoming radioresistance in CRC.

Building Haplotype-Resolved 3D Genome Maps of Chicken Skeletal Muscle.

Haplotype-resolved 3D chromatin architecture related to allelic differences in avian skeletal muscle development has not been addressed so far, although chicken husbandry for meat consumption has been prevalent feature of cultures on every continent for more than thousands of years. Here, high-resolution Hi-C diploid maps (1.2-kb maximum resolution) are generated for skeletal muscle tissues in chicken across three developmental stages (embryonic day 15 to day 30 post-hatching). The sequence features governing spatial arrangement of chromosomes and characterize homolog pairing in the nucleus, are identified. Multi-scale characterization of chromatin reorganization between stages from myogenesis in the fetus to myofiber hypertrophy after hatching show concordant changes in transcriptional regulation by relevant signaling pathways. Further interrogation of parent-of-origin-specific chromatin conformation supported that genomic imprinting is absent in birds. This study also reveals promoter-enhancer interaction (PEI) differences between broiler and layer haplotypes in skeletal muscle development-related genes are related to genetic variation between breeds, however, only a minority of breed-specific variations likely contribute to phenotypic divergence in skeletal muscle potentially via allelic PEI rewiring. Beyond defining the haplotype-specific 3D chromatin architecture in chicken, this study provides a rich resource for investigating allelic regulatory divergence among chicken breeds.

Haplotype-resolved 3D chromatin architecture of the hybrid pig.

In diploid mammals, allele-specific three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture may lead to imbalanced gene expression. Through ultradeep in situ Hi-C sequencing of three representative somatic tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, and brain) from hybrid pigs generated by reciprocal crosses of phenotypically and physiologically divergent Berkshire and Tibetan pigs, we uncover extensive chromatin reorganization between homologous chromosomes across multiple scales. Haplotype-based interrogation of multi-omic data revealed the tissue dependence of 3D chromatin conformation, suggesting that parent-of-origin-specific conformation may drive gene imprinting. We quantify the effects of genetic variations and histone modifications on allelic differences of long-range promoter-enhancer contacts, which likely contribute to the phenotypic differences between the parental pig breeds. We also observe the fine structure of somatically paired homologous chromosomes in the pig genome, which has a functional implication genome-wide. This work illustrates how allele-specific chromatin architecture facilitates concomitant shifts in allele-biased gene expression, as well as the possible consequential phenotypic changes in mammals.

An intronic enhancer of Cebpa regulates adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue development via long-range loop formation.

Cebpa is a master transcription factor gene for adipogenesis. However, the mechanisms of enhancer-promoter chromatin interactions controlling Cebpa transcriptional regulation during adipogenic differentiation remain largely unknown. To reveal how the three-dimensional structure of Cebpa changes during adipogenesis, we generated high-resolution chromatin interactions of Cebpa in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes using circularized chromosome conformation capture sequencing (4C-seq). We revealed dramatic changes in chromatin interactions and chromatin status at interaction sites during adipogenic differentiation. Based on this, we identified five active enhancers of Cebpa in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through epigenomic data and luciferase reporter assays. Next, epigenetic repression of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 or -En3 by the dCas9-KRAB system significantly down-regulated Cebpa expression and inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, experimental depletion of cohesin decreased the interaction intensity between Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 and the Cebpa promoter and down-regulated Cebpa expression, indicating that long-range chromatin loop formation was mediated by cohesin. Two transcription factors, RXRA and PPARG, synergistically regulate the activity of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2. To test whether Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 plays a role in adipose tissue development, we injected dCas9-KRAB-En2 lentivirus into the inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice to suppress the activity of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2. Repression of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 significantly decreased Cebpa expression and adipocyte size, altered iWAT transcriptome, and affected iWAT development. We identified functional enhancers regulating Cebpa expression and clarified the crucial roles of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 and Cebpa promoter interaction in adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue development.

Laminated structural Al2O3/YAG:Ce composite ceramic phosphor with high front light emission for transmissive laser lighting.

The realization of high front light emission in laser lighting under transmissive modes is heavily constrained by low thermal stability and light extraction efficiency of color converter materials. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the heat dissipation capacity and light utilization efficiency of the color converter through appropriate microstructural adjustments. In this study, what we believe to be a novel laminated structure consisting of Al2O3 and YAG:Ce was designed and fabricated for transmissive laser lighting. Through this design, it was possible to change the phosphor emission angle, overcoming the limitations of total internal reflection and enabling maximal emission of yellow phosphor from the ceramic surface. This laminated structure enhanced the front light emission efficiency by 24.4% compared to composite ceramic phosphor. In addition, the thermal conduction area between the phosphor layer and the heat dissipation layer have been effectively enhanced. Ultimately, under a high-power density of 47.6 W/mm2, all ceramics showed no luminous saturation threshold. A high-brightness front light with a luminous flux of 651 lm, a luminous efficiency of 144 lm/W, a correlated color temperature of 6419 K and the operating temperature as low as 84.9 °C was obtained. These results suggest that laminated structural Al2O3/YAG:Ce composite ceramic is a promising candidate for transmissive mode laser lighting.

Identification of a Novel Long Non-Coding RNA G8110 That Modulates Porcine Adipogenic Differentiation and Inflammatory Responses.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been extensively studied, and their crucial roles in adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and gene expression have been revealed. However, the exact regulatory or other mechanisms by which lncRNAs influence the functioning of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) remain largely unknown. In this paper, we report the identification of a new lncRNA, named G8110, from the MAT of Bama pigs. The coordinated expression levels of lncRNA G8110 and NFE2L1 were significantly decreased in the MAT of obese Bama pigs compared with those in the MAT of lean pigs. Using a bone mesenchymal stem cell adipogenic differentiation model, we found that lncRNA G8110 played a role in adipocyte differentiation by positively regulating NFE2L1. We also found that lncRNA G8110 inhibited the formation of intracellular lipid synthesis, promoted lipid metabolism, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Our findings regarding lipid synthesis may further promote the role of lncRNAs in driving adipose tissue remodeling and maintaining metabolic health.

Dynamic changes of fecal microbiota in a weight-change model of Bama minipigs.

Introduction: Obesity is closely related to gut microbiota, however, the dynamic change of microbial diversity and composition during the occurrence and development process of obesity is not clear. Methods: A weight-change model of adult Bama pig (2 years, 58 individuals) was established, and weight gain (27 weeks) and weight loss (9 weeks) treatments were implemented. The diversity and community structures of fecal microbiota (418 samples) was investigated by using 16S rRNA (V3-V4) high-throughput sequencing. Results: During the weight gain period (1~27 week), the alpha diversity of fecal microbiota exhibited a "down-up-down" fluctuations, initially decreasing, recovering in the mid-term, and decreasing again in the later stage. Beta diversity also significantly changed over time, indicating a gradual deviation of the microbiota composition from the initial time point. Bacteroides, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Escherichia-Shigella showed positive correlations with weight gain, while Streptococcus, Oscillospira, and Prevotellaceae UCG-001 exhibited negative correlations. In the weight loss period (30~38 week), the alpha diversity further decreased, and the composition structure underwent significant changes compared to the weight gain period. Christensenellaceae R-7 group demonstrated a significant increase during weight loss and showed a negative correlation with body weight. Porphyromonas and Campylobacter were positively correlated with weight loss. Discussion: Both long-term fattening and weight loss induced by starvation led to substantial alterations in porcine gut microbiota, and the microbiota changes observed during weight gain could not be recovered during weight loss. This work provides valuable resources for both obesity-related research of human and microbiota of pigs.