Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals differences between force application and bearing in ankle cartilage.

Chondrocytes are the major functional elements of articular cartilage. Force has been demonstrated to influence the structure and function of articular cartilage and chondrocytes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate chondrocytes under different force conditions to gain deep insight into chondrocyte function. Six cartilage tissues from the distal tibia (referred to as the AT group) and five cartilage tissues from the trochlear surface of the talus (referred to as the ATa group) were obtained from 6 donors who had experienced fatal accidents. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used on these samples. A total of 149,816 cells were analyzed. Nine chondrocyte subsets were ultimately identified. Pseudotime analyses, enrichment analyses, cell-cell interaction studies, and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering were performed for each cell type, and the differences between the AT and ATa groups were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was used to verify the existence of each chondrocyte subset and its distribution. The results suggested that reactive oxygen species related processes were active in the force-applied region, while tissue repair processes were common in the force-bearing region. Although the number of prehypertrophic chondrocytes was small, these chondrocytes seemed to play an important role in the ankle.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis for Better Understanding of Telomeric Zinc Finger-Associated Protein-Induced Pathogenesis in Cardiomyocytes.

Telomere length is highly related to cardiovascular diseases. Telomeric zinc finger-associated protein (TZAP) directly binds to telomeric TTAGGG repeats via zinc finger domains and triggers the initiation of the telomere trimming process. However, proteomics analysis of TZAP in cardiomyocytes is slightly unknown. In our study, TZAP was overexpressed by adenovirus transfection in cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes, and then mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics research strategies, including Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, subcellular localizations, predicted functional domains, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, were performed to explore TZAP-induced potential pathogenesis in cardiomyocytes. A total of 184 upregulated and 228 downregulated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified among identified 5693 quantifiable proteins in TZAP-overexpressed cardiomyocytes. These DEPs were mainly distributed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. DEPs were enriched in biological processes including cardiac muscle cell contraction, acute inflammatory response, cell-cell junction assembly, and macromolecule biosynthetic process. They were enriched in 9 KEGG pathways, including Hippo signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption, and cytokine receptor interaction, and enriched in 17 protein domains, including translation initiation factor 1A/IF-1, class I histocompatibility antigen, and zinc finger. PPI analysis indicated that TZAP interacted with NDUFC2, Gja1, and HDAC2. Further, as proteins closely related to cardiovascular function, the mRNA levels of BRD4, Gja1, HDAC2, MAP2K3, Plakophilin 4, and Syndecan 1 significantly decreased, while Trpm7, clusterin, and NDUFC2 remarkably increased in TZAP-overexpressed cardiomyocytes by RT-PCR assay, which were consistent with the proteomics analysis. Collectively, we provided candidate proteins and enrichment pathways in TZAP-overexpressed cardiomyocytes, which need further investigation.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the impact of mechanical loading on knee tibial cartilage in osteoarthritis.

Articular cartilage degeneration is one of the major pathogenic alterations observed in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Mechanical stress has been verified to contribute to KOA development. To gain insight into the pathogenic mechanism of KOA development, we investigated chondrocyte subsets under different mechanical loading conditions via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Articular cartilage tissues from both high mechanical loading (named the OATL group) and low mechanical loading (named the OATN group) surfaces were obtained from the proximal tibia of KOA patients, and scRNA-seq was conducted. Chondrocyte subtypes, including a new subset, HTC-C (hypertrophic chondrocytes-C), and their functions, development and interactions among cell subsets were identified. Immunohistochemical staining was also conducted to verify the existence and location of each chondrocyte subset. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their functions between regions with high and low mechanical loading were identified. Based on Gene Ontology terms for the DEGs in each cell type, the characteristic of cartilage degeneration in the OATL region was clarified. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be involved in the KOA process in the OATN region.

Effects of reaction environments on the structure and physicochemical properties of chitosan and its derivatives.

The structural transformation of chitosan caused by reaction environment is one of the main factors affecting its functional properties. Herein, the effects of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions on the structure and properties of chitosan were investigated. The pretreatment of reaction increased the deacetylation degree (DD) of chitosan and resulted in its degradation. In contrast, the effect of alkali dissolution process on the above characteristics was less than 8 %. In addition, the modification of functional groups and alkaline reaction environment leaded to further degradation and deacetylation of chitosan. The alkali swelling increased the specific surface area of chitosan particles, but not completely destroy its internal structure to ensure the uniformity of reaction. Interestingly, the homogeneous modification of dissolved chitosan at lower temperature reduced the degree of substitution (DS) of its derivatives but made them exhibit self-assembly properties. This study provided theoretical basis for precise preparation and application of chitosan derivatives.

Single-cell RNA sequence presents atlas analysis for chondrocytes in the talus and reveals the potential mechanism in coping with mechanical stress.

Chondrocytes are indispensable for the function of cartilage because they provide the extracellular matrix. Therefore, gaining insight into the chondrocytes may be helpful in understanding cartilage function and pinpointing potential therapeutical targets for diseases. The talus is a part of the ankle joint, which serves as the major large joint that bears body weight. Compared with the distal tibial and fibula, the talus bears much more mechanical loading, which is a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). However, in most individuals, OA seems to be absent in the ankle, and the cartilage of the talus seems to function normally. This study applied single-cell RNA sequencing to demonstrate atlas for chondrocyte subsets in healthy talus cartilage obtained from five volunteers, and chondrocyte subsets were annotated. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses for each cell type, cell-cell interactions, and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering for each cell type were conducted, and hub genes for each cell type were identified. Immunohistochemical staining was used to confirm the presence and distribution of each cell type. Two new chondrocyte subsets were annotated as MirCs and SpCs. The identified and speculated novel microenvironment may pose different directions in chondrocyte composition, development, and metabolism in the talus.

MicroRNA-509-3p Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration via Upregulation of XIAP in Gastric Cancer Cells.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer globally. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested to be closely associated with tumorigenesis. Aberrant expression of miR-509-3p has been reported in cancer studies. However, the expression and mechanism of its function in GC remain unclear. Here we showed that miR-509-3p was downregulated in GC specimens, which was associated with overall survival. Functional investigations demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-509-3p inhibited the migration and proliferation of the GC cells. Additionally, we identified X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) as a direct target of miR-509-3p. Knockdown of XIAP significantly attenuated the ability of proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. The data therefore suggest that miR-509-3p plays an important role in the development and progression of GC, implicating possible applications in the clinic as a biomarker and a potential new target.

Baicalin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction through iNOS, inflammation, oxidative stress and P38MAPK pathway in rat.

Baicalin is one of the active ingredients in the skullcap, with a variety of pharmacological effects, such as blood pressure reduction, sedation, liver-protection, gallbladder-protection, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation, etc. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential cardioprotective effects of baicalin ameliorates isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inflammation, oxidative stress and P38MAPK passageway in rat. Rat model of AMI was induced by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg) and then treated baicalin (various does of baicalin: 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 24 h. Infarct size, the heart weight to body weight ratio and creatine kinase (CK), the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) of rats with AMI induced by isoproterenol were used to evaluate curative effect of baicalin on AMI. Meanwhile, iNOS and phosphorylation-p38 MAPK (p-p38) protein expressions, inflammatory factor and oxidative stress were inspected using western blot and commercial kits, respectively. In the present study, pre-treatment with baicalin (10 or 100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated infarct size, the heart weight to body weight ratio and CK, CK-MB, LDH and cTnT levels in rats with AMI induced by isoproterenol. iNOS protein expression, the serum TNF-α, IL-6, MDA and SOD levels and p-38 protein expressions were significantly suppressed by treatment with baicalin (10 or 100 mg/kg). These results suggest that acute treatment with baicalin ameliorates AMI, iNOS, inflammation, oxidative stress and P38MAPK pathway in rat with AMI induced by isoproterenol.

Blocking transforming growth factor-ß signaling pathway augments antitumor effect of adoptive NK-92 cell therapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells hold great potential for improving the immunotherapy of cancer. However, existing data indicate that tumor cells can effectively escape NK cell-mediated apoptosis through immunosuppressive effect in the tumor microenvironment. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a potent immunosuppressant. The present study was intended to develop a treatment strategy through adoptive transfer of TGF-ß insensitive NK-92 cells. To block TGF-ß signaling pathway, NK-92 cells were genetically modified with dominant negative TGF-ß type II receptor (DNTßRII) by optimizing electroporation using the Amaxa Nucleofector system. These genetically modified NK-92 cells were insensitive to TGF-ß and able to resist the suppressive effect of TGF-ß on Calu-6 lung cancer cells in vitro. To determine the antitumor activity in vivo, recipient mice were challenged with a single subcutaneous injection of Calu-6 cells. Adoptive transfer of TGF-ß insensitive NK-92 cells decreased tumor proliferation, reduced lung metastasis, produced more IFN-γ, and increased the survival rate of nude mice bearing established Calu-6 cells. Hence, we have demonstrated that blocking transforming growth factor-ß signaling pathway in NK cells provides a novel therapeutic strategy and warrants further investigation.