Active ingredients Isorhamnetin of Croci Srigma inhibit stomach adenocarcinomas progression by MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Gastric cancer (GC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world, and ninety-five percent of GC are stomach adenocarcinomas (STAD). The active ingredients of Croci Stigma, such as Isorhamnetin, Crocin, Crocetin and Kaempferol, all have antitumor activity. However, their chemical and pharmacological profiles remain to be elusive. In this study, network pharmacology was used to characterize the action mechanism of Croci Stigma. All compounds were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and active ingredients were selected by their oral bioavailability and drug-likeness index. The targets of Croci Stigma active ingredients were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine integrated database (TCMID), whereas the related genes of STAD were obtained from DisGeNET platform. Cytoscape was used to undertake visual analyses of the Drug Ingredients-Gene Symbols-Disease (I-G-D) network, and 2 core genes including MAPK14, ERBB3 were obtained, which are the predicted targets of isorhamnetin (IH) and quercetin, respectively. Data analysis from TCGA platform showed that MAPK14 and ERBB3 all upregulated in STAD patients, but only the effect of MAPK14 expression on STAD patients' survival was significant. Molecular docking showed that IH might affect the function of MAPK14 protein, and then the underlying action mechanisms of IH on STAD were experimentally validated using human gastric cancer cell line, HGC-27 cells. The results showed that IH can inhibit cell proliferation, migration, clonal formation, and arrest cell cycle, but promote the apoptosis of HGC-27 cells. qRT-PCR data demonstrated that IH downregulated the MAPK14 mRNA expression and EMT related genes. WB results showed that IH regulates MAPK/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that IH has the therapeutic potential for the treatment of STAD.

Chevalones H-M: Six New α-Pyrone Meroterpenoids from the Gorgonian Coral-Derived Fungus Aspergillus hiratsukae SCSIO 7S2001.

Six new α-pyrone meroterpenoid chevalones H-M (1-6), together with six known compounds (7-12), were isolated from the gorgonian coral-derived fungus Aspergillus hiratsukae SCSIO 7S2001 collected from Mischief Reef in the South China Sea. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1-5 and 7 showed different degrees of antibacterial activity with MIC values of 6.25-100 µg/mL. Compound 8 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against SF-268, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 12.75, 9.29, and 20.11 µM, respectively.

Structurally Diverse Polycyclic Salicylaldehyde Derivative Enantiomers from a Marine-Derived Fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452.

To enlarge the chemical diversity of Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452, a talented marine-derived fungus, we further investigated its chemical constituents from a large-scale fermentation with modified culture. Four pairs of new salicylaldehyde derivative enantiomers, euroticins F-I (1-4), as well as a known one eurotirumin (5) were isolated and characterized. Compound 1 features an unprecedented constructed 6/6/6/5 tetracyclic structures, while 2 and 3 represent two new types of 6/6/5 scaffolds. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, X-ray diffraction, 13C NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Selected compounds showed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and moderate cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, HepG2, and A549 cell lines.

Asperorydines N-P, three new cyclopiazonic acid alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavus SCSIO F025.

Three new tricyclic cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) related alkaloids asperorydines N-P (1-3), together with six known compounds (4-9) were isolated and characterized from the fungus Aspergillus flavus SCSIO F025 derived from the deep-sea sediments of South China Sea. The structures including absolute configurations of 1-3 were deduced from spectroscopic data, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All compounds were evaluated for the antioxidative activities against DPPH, cytotoxic activities against four tumor cell lines (SF-268, HepG-2, MCF-7, and A549), and antimicrobial activities. Compound 9 showed significant radical scavenging activities against DPPH with an IC50 value of 62.23 µM and broad-spectrum cytotoxicities against four tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 24.38 to 48.28 µM. Furthermore, compounds 4-9 exhibited weak antimicrobial activities against E scherichia coli, and compound 9 also showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus thuringiensis, Micrococcus lutea, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

[Effects of Exosomes Derived from miR-486 Gene Modified Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Biological Characteristics of Rat Cardiomyocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from miR-486 gene-modified umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) on biological characteristics of rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) were isolated and cultured, then the immunophenotypes and ability of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of UC-MSC were identified. The structure of exosomes was observed by electron microscopy; the effect of exosomes on cell migration was detected by transwell cell migration test; the miR-486 high expression of UC-MSC was mediated by using recombinant adenovirus vector, moreover the UC-MSC with high expression of miR-486 were identified by qPT-PCR. The exosomes were isolated from cell culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation and the miR-486 expression level of UC MSC exosomes was detected by qRT-PCR. The effect of exosomes on the proliferation of cardiomyocytes was evaluated by Dye670 marking. The H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis model was established, and the effect of exosomes on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining. RESULTS: The exosomes derived from UC-MSCs had the diameter between 40-100 nm and double membrane stracture. The recombinant adenovirus could effectively mediate the expression of miR-486 in UC-MSC, and the expression level of miR-486 in exosomes of miR-486-modified UC-MSC significantly increased. The exosomes with miR-486 high expression possessed the pro-proliferation and pro-migration effects on cardiomyocytes, moreover the preventive effect on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: The exosomes derived from UC-MSC and accompamied by high expression of miR-486 can promote the proliferation and migration of cardio myocytes, yet can prevent the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Eurotiumins A⁻E, Five New Alkaloids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452.

Three new prenylated indole 2,5-diketopiperazine alkaloids (1⁻3) with nine known ones (5⁻13), one new indole alkaloid (4), and one new bis-benzyl pyrimidine derivative (14) were isolated and characterized from the marine-derived fungus Eurotium sp. SCSIO F452. 1 and 2, occurring as a pair of diastereomers, both presented a hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole skeleton. Their chemical structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, quantum chemical calculations of electronic circular dichroism, and single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Most isolated compounds were screened for antioxidative potency. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 showed significant radical scavenging activities against DPPH with IC50 values of 13, 19, 4, 3, 24, 13, and 18 µM, respectively. Five new compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities.

[MiR-486 Regulates the Glycometabolism of Hematopoietic Cells by Targeting Sirt1].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-486 on glycometabolism of hematopoietic cells. METHODS: qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-486 or Sirt1 on TF-1 cells under hypoxia. Lentivirus was used to mediate the overexpression or inhibition of miR-486 on TF-1 cells and qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of Sirt1, glucose transporter 1(Glut1) and glucose transporter 4(Glut4). Lentivirus-mediated Sirt1-shRNA transduction was used to knockdown Sirt1 expression which was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The expressions of Glut1 and Glut4 were determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Hypoxia promoted the expression of miR-486 and inhibited the expression of Sirt1. MiR-486 overexpression could inhibit the expression of Sirt1 and promote the expressions of Glut1 and Glut4, whereas miR-486 silencing upregulated the sirt1 expression and inhibited the expressions of Glut1 and Glut4. And inhibition of Sirt1 expression increased the expressions of Glut1 and Glut4. CONCLUSION: MiR-486 can regulate the glycometabolism of hematopoietic cells by targeting Sirt1.

[Roles of SPK in Regulation of Hypoxia Induced Proliferation and Glucose Consume of Leukemia Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the roles of SPK pathway in the regulation of proliferation, survival and glucose consume of human erythroleukemia TF-1 cells. METHODS: The interfering in SPK expression of TF-1 cells was performed using leutivirus vector-mediated shRNA, the interference efficacy of SPK in TF-1 cells was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, the viability of TF-1 cell proliferation was detected by using CCK-8 method, the apoptosis of TF-1 cells was determined by flow cytmetry with Annexin V staining. RESULTS: Hypoxia up-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and SPK in TF-1 cells. SPK treatment resulted in reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis in TF-1 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of the SPK significantly reduced utilization and consumption of glucose. CONCLUSION: The SPK is key signalling molecule involved in regulation of hypoxia-induced proliferation and glucose metabolism in TF-1 cells, and plays an important rote in proliferation and energy metabolism of leukemia cells.

Exosomal miR-486 regulates hypoxia-induced erythroid differentiation of erythroleukemia cells through targeting Sirt1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the hypoxia-induced erythroid differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In this study, we identified that miR-486 was a rapid response miRNA to hypoxia in erythroleukemia TF-1 cells. Hypoxia exposure increased both intracellular and miR-486 levels of TF-1 cells. Ectopic miR-486 expression enhanced the growth and erythroid differentiation of TF-1 cells, whereas miR-486 inhibition suppressed their growth and erythroid differentiation. Treatment of TF-1 and cord blood CD34+ cells with exogenous containing miR-486 resulted in an increase of intracellular miR-486 level and enhanced erythroid differentiation. Furthermore, we identified that Sirt1 is a miR-486 target gene which modulates hypoxia-induced erythroid differentiation of TF-1 cells. Thus we identified a novel miRNA regulatory network that contributes to hypoxia-induced erythroid differentiation of hematopoietic cells.

Ptpmt1 induced by HIF-2α regulates the proliferation and glucose metabolism in erythroleukemia cells.

Hypoxia provokes metabolism misbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in both human and animal cells. However, the mechanisms which hypoxia causes mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism misbalance still remain unclear. In this study, we presented evidence that mitochondrial phosphatase Ptpmt1 is a hypoxia response molecule that regulates cell proliferation, survival and glucose metabolism in human erythroleukemia TF-1 cells. Exposure to hypoxia or DFO treatment results in upregulation of HIF1-α, HIF-2α and Ptpmt1. Only inhibition of HIF-2α by shRNA transduction reduces Ptpmt1 expression in TF-1 cells under hypoxia. Ptpmt1 inhibitor suppresses the growth and induces apoptosis of TF-1 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ptpmt1 inhibition reduces the Glut1 and Glut3 expression and decreases the glucose consumption in TF-1 cells. In additional, Ptpmt1 knockdown also results in the mitochondrial dysfunction determined by JC1 staining. These results delineate a key role for HIF-2α-induced Ptpmt1 upregulation in proliferation, survival and glucose metabolism of erythroleukemia cells. It is indicated that Ptpmt1 plays important roles in hypoxia-induced cell metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.

MiRNA-486 regulates angiogenic activity and survival of mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxia through modulating Akt signal.

MicroRNA-486 (miR-486) was first identified from human fetal liver cDNA library and validated as a regulator of hematopoiesis. Its roles in regulating the biological function of bone marrow-derived mesnechymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) under hypoxia have not been explored yet. In this study, we demonstrated that exposure to hypoxia upregulates miR-486 expression in BM-MSCs. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of miR-486 resulted in increase of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in both mRNA and protein levels. MiR-486 expression also promotes proliferation and reduces apoptosis of BM-MSCs. Whereas MiR-486 knockdown downregulated the secretion of HGF and VEGF and induced apoptosis of BM-MSCs. Furthermore, PTEN-PI3K/AKT signaling was validated to be involved in changes of BM-MSC biological functions regulated by miR-486. These results suggested that MiR-486 mediated the hypoxia-induced angiogenic activity and promoted the proliferation and survival of BM-MSCs through regulating PTEN-PI3K/AKT signaling. These findings might provide a novel understanding of effective therapeutic strategy for hypoxic-ischemic diseases.

Cytotoxic indole diketopiperazines from the deep sea-derived fungus Acrostalagmus luteoalbus SCSIO F457.

Two new indole diketopiperazines, namely luteoalbusins A-B (1-2), along with eight known ones (3-10), were isolated from the fungus Acrostalagmus luteoalbus SCSIO F457 originated from deep-sea sediment. Their structures were determined by 1D/2D NMR, MS, and CD data analyses. Each of these compounds was evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 cell lines, and compounds 1-5 showed significant cytotoxicties against all four cancer cell lines. Moreover, new compounds 1 and 2 had more potent cytotoxicity than the other ones and cisplatin.

[Progress in research of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in China in past 5 years].

In the past 5 years of the new century, with the development of national power and the accompanied increase of international academic communication, the researchers and clinical scientists of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in China actively participated in the international academic communication and competition and made great achievements. Many excellent works of clinical studies or basic researches in this field were recognized by the academic community of the world. Young ophthalmologists in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus have been trained and well developed. The position of Chinese pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in the global academic community has been moved up gradually.

[Clinical features and therapy of benign lymphoepithelial lesion].

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features of benign lymphoepithelial lesion and to further characterize recommendations for its therapy strategy. METHODS: It was a retrospective case sires. Retrospective analyze the clinical characteristics, imaging features, pathological manifestation and the treatment effect from the clinical materials of 9 cases of patients with benign lymphoepithelial lesion presenting to Tianjin Eye Hospital from Jan 2006 to Dec 2007. RESULTS: The 9 cases, in which 7 cases were female, 7 cases had lesions on both eyes, demonstrated unpainful swelling of the lacrimal glands and in different degree of salivary glands or had history of tumor resection of salivary glands. Orbital CT scanning showed increased homogeneous density with clear boundary in the lacrimal gland area. Color doppler ultrasonography displayed elliptical space occupying with clear boundary and homogeneous internal echos of the lacrimal gland area. Six patients received treatment with large dose of glucocorticoid for 1 - 2 courses, and the symptoms and signs were significantly alleviated. Three patients were operated to excise the lacrimal gland masses due to imperfect treatment effect of medication or in order to make definite diagnosis. The postoperative pathological results supported the diagnosis of benign lymphoepithelial lesion. No recurrence happened in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical condition with swelling of either or both lacrimal gland and of any salivary gland, and accompanied with systemic relative diseases should be considered benign lymphoepithelial lesion. Imaging examinations are helpful to definite diagnosis. Most patients are sensitive to the glucocorticoid treatment. The dose of glucocorticoid should be large at the beginning of treatment. Surgical excision can be applied to the cases insensitive to medications or difficult to be diagnosed. The definite diagnosis should be made through pathological examinations.