A Unique G-Quadruplex Aptamer: A Novel Approach for Cancer Cell Recognition, Cell Membrane Visualization, and RSV Infection Detection.

Surface staining has emerged as a rapid technique for applying external stains to trace cellular identities in diverse populations. In this study, we developed a distinctive aptamer with selective binding to cell surface nucleolin (NCL), bypassing cytoplasmic internalization. Conjugation of the aptamer with a FAM group facilitated NCL visualization on live cell surfaces with laser confocal microscopy. To validate the aptamer-NCL interaction, we employed various methods, including the surface plasmon resonance, IHC-based flow cytometry, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The G-quadruplex formations created by aptamers were confirmed with a nuclear magnetic resonance and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay utilizing BG4, a G-quadruplex-specific antibody. Furthermore, the aptamer exhibited discriminatory potential in distinguishing between cancerous and normal cells using flow cytometry. Notably, it functioned as a dynamic probe, allowing real-time monitoring of heightened NCL expression triggered by a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on normal cell surfaces. This effect was subsequently counteracted with dsRNA transfection and suppressed the NCL expression; thus, emphasizing the dynamic attributes of the probe. These collective findings highlight the robust versatility of our aptamer as a powerful tool for imaging cell surfaces, holding promising implications for cancer cell identification and the detection of RSV infections.

Characterization of two novel knock-in mouse models of syndromic retinal ciliopathy carrying hypomorphic Sdccag8 mutations.

Mutations in serologically defined colon cancer autoantigen protein 8 ( SDCCAG8) were first identified in retinal ciliopathy families a decade ago with unknown function. To investigate the pathogenesis of SDCCAG8-associated retinal ciliopathies in vivo, we employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed recombination (HDR) to generate two knock-in mouse models, Sdccag8Y236X/Y236X and Sdccag8E451GfsX467/E451GfsX467 , which carry truncating mutations of the mouse Sdccag8, corresponding to mutations that cause Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and Senior-Løken syndrome (SLS) (c.696T>G p.Y232X and c.1339-1340insG p.E447GfsX463) in humans, respectively. The two mutant Sdccag8 knock-in mice faithfully recapitulated human SDCCAG8-associated BBS phenotypes such as rod-cone dystrophy, cystic renal disorder, polydactyly, infertility, and growth retardation, with varied age of onset and severity depending on the hypomorphic strength of the Sdccag8 mutations. To the best of our knowledge, these knock-in mouse lines are the first BBS mouse models to present with the polydactyly phenotype. Major phototransduction protein mislocalization was also observed outside the outer segment after initiation of photoreceptor degeneration. Impaired cilia were observed in the mutant photoreceptors, renal epithelial cells, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from the knock-in mouse embryos, suggesting that SDCCAG8 plays an essential role in ciliogenesis, and cilium defects are a primary driving force of SDCCAG8-associated retinal ciliopathies.

Prognostic power of abnormal cytogenetics for multiple myeloma: a multicenter study in China.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal abnormalities have been shown to play an important prognostic role in multiple myeloma (MM). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) has been much more effective to identify cytogenetic aberrations in MM than conventional cytogenetic technique (CC). To clearly determine the cytogenetic features of Chinese MM patients and identify their prognostic implications, we designed a multicenter study based on i-FISH including 672 patients from 52 hospitals in China. METHODS: All 672 patients were systematically screened for the following genomic aberrations: del(13q), IgH rearrangement, del(p53) and 1q21 amplifications. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the chromosomal changes were detected in 22.1% patients by CC and in 82.3% patients by i-FISH. The most common abnormalities by CC were chromosome 1 aberrations (48.4%), -13/13q- (37.6%), hyperdiploidy (36.6%), hypodiploidy (30.1%) and IgH rearrangements (23.7%). The most frequent abnormalities by FISH was del(13q), which was found in 60.4% patients, whereas IgH rearrangement, 1q21 amplification and p53 deletions were detected in 57.6%, 49.0% and 34.7% cases, respectively. By statistical analysis, -13/13q- by CC was associated with low level of platelet (P = 0.015), hyperdiploidy was associated with low level of serum albumin (P = 0.028), and IgH rearrangement by FISH was associated with high level of ß2 microglobulin (P = 0.019). Moreover, 1q21 amplification and del(p53) by FISH conferred a high incidence of progressive disease (PD) after initial therapy. Metaphase detection of IgH rearrangements and chromosome 1 aberrations concurrently was associated with a short progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.036). No significant prognostic implications of other cytogenetic abnormalities were found associated with overall survival and PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese MM patients had similar cytogenetic abnormalities compared with the previous reported studies. However, the prognostic significance of FISH aberrations were not clearly determined and further study is required.

[Study of relationship between inflammatory response and apoptosis in perihematoma region in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in the perihematoma region in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Surgical specimens were obtained from the area 1 cm adjacent to the hematoma. Thirty patients with ICH were divided into five groups: 6, 7, 5, 6, 6 patients in surgery<6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-24 hours, 24-72 hours and >72 hours groups after the onset, respectively. The control group specimens were obtained from the brain tissues distant to the hematoma in the process of craniotomy in the patients of two former groups. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for the examination of pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were applied to determine apoptosis cells, Bax and Bcl-x protein and mRNA. RESULTS: The tissues from perihematoma region were almost normal in control group and <6 hours group. They were slightly damaged in 6-12 hours group, became worse in 12-24 hours group and most severe in 24-48 hours group, and they became better latter and were similar to the control group on 8th day. Infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocyte appeared gradually at 6-12 hours, and became much more prominent at 12-24 hours (all P<0.01). The reactive gliosis began to appear at 24-72 hours, and enhanced after 72 hours (all P<0.01). The expression of the apoptosis and Bax protein increased gradually after 6 hours, reaching the peak at 12-24 hours (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and decreased gradually later. The changes in the levels of Bax mRNA were similar to that of the result of immunohistochemistry. Although the expression of Bcl-x protein and mRNA seemed to be increased at 12-72 hours, there was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocyte was positively correlated to the TUNEL positive cells and expression of Bax protein and mRNA (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and showed no correlation to Bcl-x protein and mRNA (all >0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between inflammatory response and apoptosis and tissue damage in the perihematoma area in ICH.