A nitrogen isotopic shift in fish otolith-bound organic matter during the Late Cretaceous.

The nitrogen isotopes of the organic matter preserved in fossil fish otoliths (ear stones) are a promising tool for reconstructing past environmental changes. We analyzed the 15N/14N ratio (δ15N) of fossil otolith-bound organic matter in Late Cretaceous fish otoliths (of Eutawichthys maastrichtiensis, Eutawichthys zideki and Pterothrissus sp.) from three deposits along the US east coast, with two of Campanian (83.6 to 77.9 Ma) and one Maastrichtian (72.1 to 66 Ma) age. δ15N and N content were insensitive to cleaning protocol and the preservation state of otolith morphological features, and N content differences among taxa were consistent across deposits, pointing to a fossil-native origin for the organic matter. All three species showed an increase in otolith-bound organic matter δ15N of ~4‰ from Campanian to Maastrichtian. As to its cause, the similar change in distinct genera argues against changing trophic level, and modern field data argue against the different locations of the sedimentary deposits. Rather, the lower δ15N in the Campanian is best interpreted as an environmental signal at the regional scale or greater, and it may be a consequence of the warmer global climate. A similar decrease has been observed in foraminifera-bound δ15N during warm periods of the Cenozoic, reflecting decreased water column denitrification and thus contraction of the ocean's oxygen deficient zones (ODZs) under warm conditions. The same δ15N-climate correlation in Cretaceous otoliths raises the prospect of an ODZ-to-climate relationship that has been consistent over the last ~80 My, applying before and after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction and spanning changes in continental configuration.

Tissue-Matched IgH Gene Rearrangement of Circulating Tumor DNA Shows Significant Value in Predicting the Progression of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has demonstrated that monitoring of the variable, diversity, and joining gene segments (VDJ) rearrangement of the immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is of value in predicting the outcomes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this study, we investigated the role of VDJ rearrangement proportion in ctDNA for predicting DLBCL progression. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with newly diagnosed DLBCL were included in this study. The VDJ sequences of IgH were detected using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and/or peripheral blood. The clonotype of the highest proportion in the peripheral blood was defined as the "dominant circulating clonotype," whilst the clonotype of the highest proportion in matched tissue that is detected in peripheral blood was defined as the "dominant tissue-matched clonotype." The decision tree, a machine learning-based methodology, was used to establish a progression-predicting model through a combination of "dominant tissue-matched clonotype" proportion or "dominant circulating clonotype" proportion, and the clinicopathological information, including age, sex, cell of origin, stage, international prognostic index, lactate dehydrogenase, number of extranodal involvements and ß2-microglobulin. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with eligible sequencing data were used for prognosis analysis, among which 36 patients had matched tissue samples. The concordance rate of "dominant circulating clonotype" and "dominant tissue-matched clonotype" was 19.44% (7/36). The decision tree model showed that the combination of extranodal involvement event and "dominant circulating clonotype" proportion (≥37%) had a clinical value in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL following combined chemotherapy (sensitivity, 0.63; specificity, 0.81; positive prediction value (PPV), 0.59; negative prediction value, 0.83; kappa value, 0.42). Noticeably, the combination of the "dominant tissue-matched clonotype" and extranodal involvement event showed a higher value in predicting the progression (sensitivity, 0.85; specificity, 0.78; PPV, 0.69; kappa value, 0.64). CONCLUSION: IgH proportion detected in the ctDNA samples traced from tissue samples has a high clinical value in predicting the progression of DLBCL.

A redox homeostasis disruptor based on a biodegradable nanoplatform for ultrasound (US) imaging-guided high-performance ferroptosis therapy of tumors.

The synergistic disruption of intracellular redox homeostasis through the combination of ferroptosis/gas therapy shows promise in enhancing the antitumor efficacy. However, the development of an optimal delivery system encounters significant challenges, including effective storage, precise delivery, and controlled release of therapeutic gas. In this study, we propose the utilization of a redox homeostasis disruptor that is selectively activated by the tumor microenvironment (TME), in conjunction with our newly developed nanoplatforms (MC@HMOS@Au@RGD), for highly efficient ferroptosis therapy of tumors. The TME-triggered degradation of HMOS initiates the release of MC and AuNPs from the MC@HMOS@Au@RGD nanoplatform. The released MC subsequently reacts with endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and H+ to enable the on-demand release of CO gas, leading to mitochondrial damage. Simultaneously, the released AuNPs exhibit GOx-like activity, catalyzing glucose to generate gluconic acid and H2O2. This process not only promotes the decomposition of MnCO to enhance CO production but also enhances the Fenton-like reaction between Mn2+ and H2O2, generating ROS through the modulation of the H+ and H2O2-enriched TME. Moreover, the generation of CO bubbles enables the monitoring of the ferroptosis treatment process through ultrasound (US) imaging. The efficacy of our prepared MC@HMOS@Au@RGD disruptors in ferroptosis therapy is validated through both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

A strategy of disrupted redox homeostasis specifically initiated by the tumor microenvironment and our constructed MC@HMOS@Au@RGD nanoplatforms is proposed for ultrasound (US) imaging-guided potent ferroptosis therapy of tumors.

Clinical Outcomes of Afatinib Versus Osimertinib in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Uncommon EGFR Mutations: A Pooled Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of afatinib compared to that of osimertinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbored uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. METHODS: A PubMed database-based literature review was conducted to retrieve related studies. Patients harboring EGFR mutations besides the deletion in exon 19 (19del) and point mutation of L858R were included in this analysis. The primary outcome events were the objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Propensity score matching (PSM) at a ratio of 1:1 was used between afatinib and osimertinib groups to control the confounding factors. Uncommon EGFR mutations were categorized into 4 groups: insertion in exon 20 (ex20ins), non-ex20ins single uncommon EGFR mutations, compound EGFR mutations that with 19del or L858R, and compound EGFR mutations without 19del or L858R. RESULTS: After PSM, 71 patients in either the afatinib or osimertinib group were matched. The afatinib group had an ORR of 60.6%, slightly higher than the osimertinib group's (50.3%), the difference was not statistically significant (P = .610). However, the afatinib group showed a significantly superior PFS benefit than the osimertinib group (11.0 vs. 7.0 months, P = .044). In addition, patients harboring non-ex20ins single uncommon EGFR mutations yield the best ORR and PFS, following treatment of either afatinib (ORR: 76.7%, mPFS: 14.1 months) or osimertinib (ORR: 68.8%, mPFS: 15.1 months). Moreover, there was no significant difference in terms of ORR or PFS between the cohort of patients treated with afatinib or osimertinib, regardless of whether or not the patients had brain metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Both afatinib and osimertinib displayed favorable clinical activities toward uncommon EGFR mutations. Afatinib showed a more profound and durable PFS benefit than osimertinib, although no efficacy advantage was observed.

Edible and cation-free kiwi fruit derived vesicles mediated EGFR-targeted siRNA delivery to inhibit multidrug resistant lung cancer.

Clinically, activated EGFR mutation associated chemo-drugs resistance has severely threaten NSCLC patients. Nanoparticle based small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy representing another promising alternative by silencing specific gene while still suffered from charge associated toxicity, strong immunogenicity and poor targetability. Herein, we reported a novel EGFR-mutant NSCLC therapy relying on edible and cation-free kiwi-derived extracellular vesicles (KEVs), which showed sevenfold enhancement of safe dosage compared with widely used cationic liposomes and could be further loaded with Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 interfering RNA (siSTAT3). siSTAT3 loaded KEVs (STAT3/KEVs) could be easily endowed with EGFR targeting ability (STAT3/EKEVs) and fluorescence by surface modification with tailor-making aptamer through hydrophobic interaction. STAT3/EKEVs with a controlled size of 186 nm displayed excellent stability, high specificity and good cytotoxicity towards EGFR over-expressing and mutant PC9-GR4-AZD1 cells. Intriguingly, the systemic administration of STAT3/EKEVs significantly suppressed subcutaneous PC9-GR4-AZD1 tumor xenografts in nude mice by STAT3 mediated apoptosis. This safe and robust KEVs has emerged as the next generation of gene delivery platform for NSCLC therapy after multiple drug-resistance.

Tumor to liver maximum standardized uptake value ratio of FDG-PET/CT parameters predicts tumor treatment response and survival of stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To assess the predictive values of primary tumor FDG uptake for patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: A total of 107 patients with diagnosis of stage III NSCLC and CCRT were enrolled. The tumor maximum uptake value (SUVmax) was standardized by calculating several ratios between tumor and each background tissues. The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was used to compare the predictive power of prognostic models. The tumor objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS) were compared and analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. RESULTS: The areas under ROC curve (AUCs) ranged from 0.72 to 0.81 among these tumor SUVmax and standardized SUVmax ratios, and the tumor SUVmax and tumor SUVmax-to-liver SUVmean ratio (TLMR) were more predictive of ORR (AUC, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73-0.88 for tumor SUVmax and AUC, 0.84; 95%CI, 0.76-0.91 for TLMR) than any of other SUVmax ratios. The patients with lower tumor SUVmax, SUVmean and SUVmax ratios had a significantly better OS than those with their corresponding higher ones. Moreover, both univariate and multivariable analyses revealed that TLMR was significantly associated with better ORR and OS after adjustment with other prognostic variables. CONCLUSIONS: TLMR, a standardized tumor SUVmax, was an independent prognostic predictor for tumor ORR and OS of patients with stage III NSCLC after CCRT.

A baseline study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons distribution, source and ecological risk in Zhanjiang mangrove wetlands, South China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants and pose a severe threat to human health. Here, 38 surface sediment samples collected from the Gaoqiao mangrove wetland in Zhanjiang, south China, were analyzed to determine 16 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority PAHs. Total PAHs concentrations ranged from 33.5 µg/kg to 404.8 µg/kg with an average of 147.7 ± 77.7 µg/kg, inferring a moderate pollution level. Three and four-ring compounds dominated the PAHs composition patterns. Significant positive correlations were observed between the PAHs and the physicochemical properties of the sediments. According to the characteristic molecular ratio method, PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from combustion sources, including the incomplete combustion of liquid fossil fuels, grass, wood, and coal. The result based on the PMF model indicates that the primary combustion sources of PAHs are coal combustion, diesel-powered vehicles, biomass combustion and gasoline-powered vehicles, with a share of 39.01%, 25.21%, 12.72% and 10.48%, respectively. The petrogenic source contributes 12.58% PAHs to the sediments. The mean effects range median quotient (m-ERM-Q) and toxic equivalent method (TEQ) indicate a low comprehensive ecological risk of PAHs in the study area. Still, the evaluation results of effects range low (ERL) suggest that PAHs in the sediment would occasionally have adverse biological effects. Therefore, this situation demands attention and calls for protection strategies in the processes of urbanization and industrialization in south China.

Combined prognostic value of the SUVmax derived from FDG-PET and the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio in patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the prognostic potential of tumor 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake derived from positron emission tomography (PET) and known inflammatory hematological markers, both individually and in combination, for chemosensitivity and survival in patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 149 patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC (based on TNM 7th edition) were retrospectively reviewed. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were used to quantitatively assess FDG uptake. The lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were selected as hematological markers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for the determination of optimal cut-off values to predict chemotherapeutic response. RESULTS: Patients with SUVmax > 11.6 or LMR ≤3.73 exhibited a significantly lower objective response rate (ORR) to chemotherapy (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, both the SUVmax and LMR were identified as independent predictive factors for chemotherapeutic response (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). Furthermore, a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model identified a high SUVmax (> 11.6) and low LMR (≤3.73) as independent predictors of poor PFS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025) and OS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.032). A novel score system was constructed based on the SUVmax and LMR (SUV_LMR score), and patients were stratified into three subgroups. The patients with a score of 0 had a significantly higher ORR (88.9%) than did those with a score of 1 (59.6%) and score of 2 (25.0%) (p < 0.001). Moreover, multivariable Cox analysis further identified the SUV_LMR score as an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-treatment SUVmax and LMR were not only predictive factors for chemotherapeutic response but also independent prognostic factors of survival in stage IIIB-IV NSCLC. Moreover, the SUV_LMR score, which is based on primary tumor metabolic activity and the systemic inflammatory response, might provide a promising tool to predict chemosensitivity, recurrence and survival of advanced NSCLC.

Liver injury in COVID-19: clinical features and treatment management.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to many countries around the world. In addition to lung disease, severe cases also displayed varying degrees of liver injury. This article will describe the latest developments regarding coronavirus and the pathogenesis of liver injury, the prone population and clinical characteristics of these patients, as well as providing some suggestions for clinical treatment.

Constructing a Talent Identification Index System and Evaluation Model for Cross-Country Skiers.

A talent identification index system for male and female cross-country skiers in four age groups (11-12 years old, 13-14 years old, 15-16 years old, and 17-18 years old) was established. The system comprises five body shape indexes ( i =5): Leg-to-Body Ratio (LBR), body fat percentage, maturity status, spreaded brachia index, and upper extremity length. The physiological function indexes ( i =2) are VO2max and haemoglobin mass (Hb). The psychological indexes ( i =5) cover reaction time, perception speed, a quality-of-will scale, an attention test, and operational thinking. The physical fitness indexes ( i =11) comprise upper limb explosiveness, vertical jump, 3000-metre run, orthostatic forward flexion, closed-eyes single-leg stand, standing long jump, 20-metre sprint, pull-ups (males), flexed arm hang (females), hexagon jump, and a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test. The athletic performance indexes ( i =3) comprise on-snow time trials for 1.2 km, 5 km, and 10 km. The talent identification evaluation model was created using automated evaluation software. The talent identification index system and evaluation standard table for cross-country skiers passed the P60 shortlist and P90 elite boundaries established using the percentile method. Thus, the results of this test profile verify that the evaluative model is objectively effective.

PD-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a biomarker for different stages of primary gouty arthritis.

There is currently a lack of biomarkers to assist the diagnosis and prediction of primary gouty arthritis (PG). Therefore, we evaluated the clinical value of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PG. This study included 36 patients with acute phase PG (APPG), 48 with non-acute phase PG (NAPPG), 42 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH) and 79 normal controls (NCs). PD-1 mRNA expression levels were detected by qRT-PCR. PD-1 mRNA expression was statistically analysed by ANOVA or t tests, while correlations between PD-1 mRNA and clinical variables were assessed using Pearson correlation tests. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of PD-1 in different PG stages. PD-1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in patients with APPG than that in NAPPG, AH and NCs (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed that PD-1 mRNA levels correlated negatively with T-score (r = -0.209, P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that serum uric acid (SUA), PD-1 mRNA and both combined displayed higher diagnostic value in patients with PG, NAPPG and APPG compared to that in NCs and patients with non-PG arthritis (NPG). Moreover, ROC curve analysis showed that SUA and PD-1 mRNA had good diagnostic value in APPG, with the greatest diagnostic power when combined. PD-1 mRNA could be a clinical auxiliary diagnostic biomarker for APPG, and the combined use of PD-1 mRNA and SUA is better than that of SUA alone.

A predictive model for treatment response in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after concurrent chemoradiotherapy: based on SUVmean and NLR.

BACKGROUND: We conducted this study to combine the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to establish a strong predictive model for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 163 newly diagnosed ESCC patients treated with CCRT. Eighty patients (training set) were randomly selected to generate cut-off SUVmean and NLR values by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and to establish a predictive model by using the independent predictors of treatment outcomes. Then, we evaluated the performance of the prediction model regarding treatment outcomes in the testing set (n = 83) and in all sets. RESULTS: A high SUVmean (> 5.81) and high NLR (> 2.42) at diagnosis were associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes in patients with ESCC. The prediction model had a better performance than the simple parameters (p < 0.05). With a cut-off value of 0.77, the prediction model significantly improved the specificity and positive predictive value for treatment response (88.9 and 92.1% in the training set, 95.8 and 97.1% in the testing set, and 92.2 and 91.8% in all sets, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The pretreatment SUVmean and NLR were independent predictors of treatment response in ESCC patients treated with CCRT. The predictive model was constructed based on these two parameters and provides a highly accurate tool for predicting patient outcomes.

Potential diagnostic value of PD-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is an estrogen deficiency-induced skeletal disorder. Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. However, its sensitivity for fracture risk assessment is low. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a key immune checkpoint molecule implicated in the pathophysiology of bone remodeling, but its role in osteoporosis has not yet been explored. Thus, this study aimed to assess the expression and diagnostic utility of PD-1 in PMOP. METHODS: A total of 56 patients with PMOP and 37 postmenopausal healthy controls (NC) were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and PD-1 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Pearson's correlation test was performed to explore the associations between PD-1 level and clinical variables, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the potential diagnostic value of PD-1 in patients with PMOP. RESULTS: We found that PD-1 level was significantly upregulated in the PBMCs of PMOP patients than those of NC (P = .016). PD-1 expression was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. ROC curve analysis showed that PD-1 had certain diagnostic value for PMOP (area under the curve = 0.65, standard error = 0.06, 95% confidence interval [0.53,0.76], P = .016), with a sensitivity and specificity of 44.64% and 81.08%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Programmed cell death protein 1 is significantly upregulated in the PBMCs of PMOP patients and has certain diagnostic value for PMOP.

Hsa_Circ_0001275: A Potential Novel Diagnostic Biomarker for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers. In this study, we aimed to identify a potential biomarker from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). METHODS: CircRNA expression in PBMCs from three pairs of samples from PMOP patients and controls was initially detected by circRNA microarray. The changes in selected circRNAs in PBMCs from 28 PMOP patients and 21 age- and sex-matched controls were confirmed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Next, samples from 30 PMOP patients and 20 controls were used for further verification. Pearson correlation test was performed to assess the correlation between circRNAs and clinical variables. The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the diagnostic value. RESULTS: Six differentially expressed circRNAs were identified by chip microarray analysis, of which only hsa_circ_0001275 showed consistency and statistical significance in qRT-PCR. The correlation analysis between age, body weight, height, WBC, lymphocyte and monocyte count, bone density, T-score, ß-CROSSL, OSTEOC, and TP1NP showed that hsa_circ_0001275 was negatively correlated with T-score. ROC curves showed that hsa_circ_0001275 has significant diagnostic value in PMOP (AUC=0.759, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hsa_circ_0001275 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for PMOP.

HK2 Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells Synthesize and Secrete Plasma Proteins Predominantly Through the Apical Surface.

Renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) are known to reabsorb salts and small plasma proteins filtered through Bowman's capsule. Following acute kidney injury, PTECs assume some characteristics of hepatocytes in producing various plasma proteins. We now demonstrate that even at a resting state, a PTEC cell line, HK2 expresses mRNAs for and synthesizes and secretes plasma proteins in a complex with complement C3, an α2 -macroglobulin family chaperone, including albumin, transferrin, α1 -antitrypsin, α1 -antichymotrypsin, α2 -HS-glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, C1-inhibitor, secreted phosphoprotein-24, and insulin-like growth factor-1. When grown on transwell inserts, HK2 cells predominantly secrete (∼90%) plasma proteins into the apical side and a smaller fraction into the basolateral side as determined by ELISA assays. When cultured in the presence of exogenous cytokines such as IL1ß, IL6, TNFα, BMP2, or TGFß1, HK2 cell mRNA expressions for plasma proteins were variably affected whereas basolateral secretions were elevated to or in excess of those of the apical level. In addition, HK2 cells produce proTGFß1 with its intact N-terminal latency associated peptide and latent-TGF-ß-binding proteins. The complex cannot be dissociated under conditions of SDS, heating, and electrophoresis. Moreover, HK2 cells maintain their ability to quickly uptake exogenously added serum proteins from the culture medium, as if they are recognized differently by the endocytic receptors. These results provide new insight into the hepatization of PTECs. In addition to their unique uptake of plasma proteins and salts from the filtrate, they are a source of urinary proteins under normal conditions as wells as in chronic and acute kidney diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 924-933, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Production of Transgenic Pigs with an Introduced Missense Mutation of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Type IB Gene Related to Prolificacy.

In the last few decades, transgenic animal technology has witnessed an increasingly wide application in animal breeding. Reproductive traits are economically important to the pig industry. It has been shown that the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IB (BMPR1B) A746G polymorphism is responsible for the fertility in sheep. However, this causal mutation exits exclusively in sheep and goat. In this study, we attempted to create transgenic pigs by introducing this mutation with the aim to improve reproductive traits in pigs. We successfully constructed a vector containing porcine BMPR1B coding sequence (CDS) with the mutant G allele of A746G mutation. In total, we obtained 24 cloned male piglets using handmade cloning (HMC) technique, and 12 individuals survived till maturation. A set of polymerase chain reactions indicated that 11 of 12 matured boars were transgene-positive individuals, and that the transgenic vector was most likely disrupted during cloning. Of 11 positive pigs, one (No. 11) lost a part of the terminator region but had the intact promoter and the CDS regions. cDNA sequencing showed that the introduced allele (746G) was expressed in multiple tissues of transgene-positive offspring of No.11. Western blot analysis revealed that BMPR1B protein expression in multiple tissues of transgene-positive F1 piglets was 0.5 to 2-fold higher than that in the transgene-negative siblings. The No. 11 boar showed normal litter size performance as normal pigs from the same breed. Transgene-positive F1 boars produced by No. 11 had higher semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm per ejaculate than the negative siblings, although the differences did not reached statistical significance. Transgene-positive F1 sows had similar litter size performance to the negative siblings, and more data are needed to adequately assess the litter size performance. In conclusion, we obtained 24 cloned transgenic pigs with the modified porcine BMPR1B CDS using HMC. cDNA sequencing and western blot indicated that the exogenous BMPR1B CDS was successfully expressed in host pigs. The transgenic pigs showed normal litter size performance. However, no significant differences in litter size were found between transgene-positive and negative sows. Our study provides new insight into producing cloned transgenic livestock related to reproductive traits.

Fibroblastic synoviocytes secrete plasma proteins via α2 -macroglobulins serving as intracellular and extracellular chaperones.

Changes in plasma protein levels in synovial fluid (SF) have been implicated in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It was previously thought that the presence of plasma proteins in SF reflected ultrafiltration or extravasation from the vasculature, possibly due to retraction of inflamed endothelial cells. Recent proteomic analyses have confirmed the abundant presence of plasma proteins in SF from control and arthritic patients. Systematic depletion of high-abundance plasma proteins from SF and conditioned media from synoviocytes cultured in serum, and protein analysis under denaturing/reducing conditions have limited our understanding of sources and the native structures of "plasma protein" complexes in SF. Using Western blotting, qPCR, and mass spectrometry, we found that Hig-82 lapine fibroblastic synovicytes cultured under serum-free conditions expressed and secreted plasma proteins, including the cytokine-binding protein secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (Spp24) and many of the proteases and protease inhibitors found in SF. Treating synoviocytes with TGF-ß1 or BMP-2 for 24 h upregulated the expression of plasma proteins, including Spp24, α2 -HS-glycoprotein, α1 -antitrypsin, IGF-1, and C-reactive protein. Furthermore, many of the plasma proteins of mass <151 kDa were secreted as disulfide-bound complexes with members of the α2 -macroglobulin (A2M) family, which serve as intracellular and extracellular chaperones, not protease inhibitors. Using brefeldin A to block vesicular traffic and protease inhibitors to inhibit endogenous activation of naïve A2M, we demonstrated that the complexes were formed in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and that Ca(2+) cysteine protease-dependent processes are involved.

Spp24 derivatives stimulate a Gi-protein coupled receptor-Erk1/2 signaling pathway and modulate gene expressions in W-20-17 cells.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (Spp24) is an apatite- and BMP/TGF-ß cytokine-binding phosphoprotein found in serum and many tissues, including bone. N-terminally intact degradation products ranging in size from 14 kDa to 23 kDa have been found in bone. The cleavage sites in Spp24 that produce these short forms have not been definitively identified, and the biological activities and mechanisms of action of Spp24 and its degradation products have not been fully elucidated. We found that the C-terminus of Spp24 is labile to proteolysis by furin, kallikrein, lactoferrin, and trypsin, indicating that both extracellular and intracellular proteolytic events could account for the generation of biologically-active Spp18, Spp16, and Spp14. We determined the effects of these truncation products on kinase-mediated signal transduction, gene expression, and osteoblastic differentiation in W-20-17 bone marrow stromal cells cultured in basal or pro-osteogenic media. After culturing for five days, all forms inhibited BMP-2-stimulated osteoblastic differentiation, assessed as induction of alkaline phosphatase activity, in basal, but not pro-osteogenic media. After 10 days, they also inhibited BMP-2-stimulated mineral deposition in pro-osteogenic media. Spp24 had no effect on Erk1/2 phosphorylation, but Spp18 stimulated short-term Erk1/2, MEK 1/2, and p38 phosphorylation. Pertussis toxin and a MEK1/2 inhibitor ablated Spp18-stimulated Erk 1/2 phosphorylation, indicating a role for Gi proteins and MEK1/2 in the Spp18-stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation cascade. Truncation products, but not full-length Spp24, stimulated RUNX2, ATF4, and CSF1 transcription. This suggests that Spp24 truncation products have effects on osteoblastic differentiation mediated by kinase pathways that are independent of exogenous BMP/TGF-ß cytokines.

A carboxy terminal BMP/TGF-ß binding site in secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD independently affects BMP-2 activity.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (spp24) is a bone matrix protein isolated during attempts to identify osteogenic proteins. It is not osteogenic but performs other important roles in the regulation of bone metabolism, at least in part, by binding to and affecting the activity of members of the BMP/TGF-ß family of cytokines. Spp24 exists in a number of forms that preserve the N-terminus and are truncated at the C-terminus. The hypothesized cytokine binding domain is present within the cystatin domain which is preserved in all of the N-terminal products. In this report, we describe a C-terminal fragment that is distinct from the cystatin domain and which independently binds to BMP-2 and TGF-ß. This fragment inhibited BMP-2 activity in an ectopic bone forming assay. A shorter C-terminal product did not inhibit BMP-2 activity but improved bone quality induced by BMP-2 and produced increased calcium deposition outside of bone. Spp24 has been used to develop several potential therapeutic proteins. These results provide more information on the function of spp24 and provide other materials that can be exploited for clinical interventions.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) inhibits growth of human pancreatic cancer cells caused by BMP-2.

The emerging role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the initiation and progression of multiple cancers has drawn great attention in cancer research. In this study, we report that BMP-2 can promote the proliferation of the pancreatic tumor cell line, PANC-1. Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24), a BMP binding protein, did not affect the proliferation of the cells but promoted the apoptosis of the cells in vitro. In a xeneograft tumor model using PANC-1 cells, BMP-2 dramatically promoted tumor growth, while Spp24 not only abolished the effect of BMP-2, but also dramatically induced tumor shrinking when used alone. Activation of Smad1/5/8 participated in this process as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining of phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8. We conclude that Spp24 can be developed into a therapeutic agent that could be employed in clinical situations where the inhibition of BMPs and related proteins is advantageous.