Energy stress promotes P-bodies formation via lysine-63-linked polyubiquitination of HAX1.

Energy stress, characterized by the reduction of intracellular ATP, has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer. Here, we show that energy stress promotes the formation of P-bodies in a ubiquitin-dependent manner. Upon ATP depletion, the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM23 catalyzes lysine-63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitination of HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX1). HAX1 ubiquitination triggers its liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS) and contributes to P-bodies assembly induced by energy stress. Ubiquitinated HAX1 also interacts with the essential P-body proteins, DDX6 and LSM14A, promoting their condensation. Moreover, we find that this TRIM23/HAX1 pathway is critical for the inhibition of global protein synthesis under energy stress conditions. Furthermore, high HAX1 ubiquitination, and increased cytoplasmic localization of TRIM23 along with elevated HAX1 levels, promotes colorectal cancer (CRC)-cell proliferation and correlates with poor prognosis in CRC patients. Our data not only elucidate a ubiquitination-dependent LLPS mechanism in RNP granules induced by energy stress but also propose a promising target for CRC therapy.

Iron Drives T Helper Cell Pathogenicity by Promoting RNA-Binding Protein PCBP1-Mediated Proinflammatory Cytokine Production.

Iron deposition is frequently observed in human autoinflammatory diseases, but its functional significance is largely unknown. Here we showed that iron promoted proinflammatory cytokine expression in T cells, including GM-CSF and IL-2, via regulating the stability of an RNA-binding protein PCBP1. Iron depletion or Pcbp1 deficiency in T cells inhibited GM-CSF production by attenuating Csf2 3' untranslated region (UTR) activity and messenger RNA stability. Pcbp1 deficiency or iron uptake blockade in autoreactive T cells abolished their capacity to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Mechanistically, intracellular iron protected PCBP1 protein from caspase-mediated proteolysis, and PCBP1 promoted messenger RNA stability of Csf2 and Il2 by recognizing UC-rich elements in the 3' UTRs. Our study suggests that iron accumulation can precipitate autoimmune diseases by promoting proinflammatory cytokine production. RNA-binding protein-mediated iron sensing may represent a simple yet effective means to adjust the inflammatory response to tissue homeostatic alterations.

Metasurface-Enabled On-Chip Manipulation of Higher-Order Poincaré Sphere Beams.

An integrated way to generate and manipulate higher-order Poincaré sphere beams (HOPBs) is a sought-after goal in photonic integrated circuits for high-capacity communication systems. Here, we demonstrate a novel method for on-chip generation and manipulation of HOPBs through combining metasurface with optical waveguides on lithium niobate on insulator platform. With phase modulation by a diatomic geometric metasurface, guided waves are extracted into free space with a high signal-to-noise ratio in the form of two orthogonal circularly polarized optical vortices which are linearly superposed into HOPBs. Meanwhile, a dual-port waveguide crossing is established to reconfigure the output states into an arbitrary point on a higher-order Poincaré sphere based on in-plane interference of two guided waves. Our approach provides a promising solution to generate and manipulate the HOPBs in a compact manner, which would be further enhanced by employing the electro-optical modulation on a lithium niobate waveguide to access a fully tunable scheme.

STAT4 activation by leukemia inhibitory factor confers a therapeutic effect on intestinal inflammation.

T helper 17 (Th17)-cell differentiation triggered by interleukin-6 (IL-6) via STAT3 activation promotes inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an IL-6 family cytokine, restricts inflammation by blocking Th17-cell differentiation via an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that microbiota dysregulation promotes LIF secretion by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in a mouse colitis model. LIF greatly activates STAT4 phosphorylation on multiple SPXX elements within the C-terminal transcription regulation domain. STAT4 and STAT3 act reciprocally on both canonical cis-inducible elements (SIEs) and noncanonical "AGG" elements at different loci. In lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs), STAT4 activation by LIF blocks STAT3-dependent Il17a/Il17f promoter activation, whereas in IECs, LIF bypasses the extraordinarily low level of STAT4 to induce YAP gene expression via STAT3 activation. In addition, we found that the administration of LIF is sufficient to restore microbiome homeostasis. Thus, LIF effectively inhibits Th17 accumulation and promotes repair of damaged intestinal epithelium in inflamed colon, serves as a potential therapy for IBD.

On-chip non-uniform geometric metasurface for multi-channel wavefront manipulations.

Metasurfaces integrated with waveguides have been recently explored as a means to control the conversion between guided modes and radiation modes for versatile functionalities. However, most efforts have been limited to constructing a single free-space wavefront using guided waves, which hinders the functional diversity and requires a complex configuration. Here, a new, to the best of our knowledge, type of non-uniformly arranged geometric metasurface enabling independent multi-channel wavefront engineering of guided wave radiation is ingeniously proposed. By endowing three structural degrees of freedom into a meta-atom, two mechanisms (the Pancharatnam-Berry phase and the detour phase) of the metasurface are perfectly joined together, giving rise to three phase degrees of freedom to manipulate. Therefore, an on-chip polarization demultiplexed metalens, a wavelength-multiplexed metalens, and RGB-colored holography with an improved information capacity are successively demonstrated. Our results enrich the functionalities of an on-chip metasurface and imply the prospect of advancements in multiplexing optical imaging, augmented reality (AR) holographic displays, and information encryption.

Dispersionless Coupling among Optical Waveguides by Artificial Gauge Field.

Coupling among closely packed waveguides is a common optical phenomenon, and plays an important role in optical routing and integration. Unfortunately, this coupling property is usually sensitive to the working wavelength and structure features that hinder the broadband and robust functions. Here, we report a new strategy utilizing an artificial gauge field (AGF) to engineer the coupling dispersion and realize a dispersionless coupling among waveguides with periodically bending modulation. The AGF-induced dispersionless coupling is experimentally verified in a silicon waveguide platform, which already has well-established broadband and robust routing functions (directional coupling and splitting), suggesting potential applications in integrated photonics. As examples, we further demonstrate a three-level-cascaded AGF waveguide network to route broadband light to desired ports with an overwhelming advantage over the conventional ones in comparison. Our method provides a new route of coupling dispersion control by AGF and benefits applications that fundamentally rely on waveguide coupling.

IL-10-producing B cells are enriched in murine pericardial adipose tissues and ameliorate the outcome of acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) provokes an inflammatory response in the heart that removes damaged tissues to facilitate tissue repair/regeneration. However, overactive and prolonged inflammation compromises healing, which may be counteracted by antiinflammatory mechanisms. A key regulatory factor in an inflammatory response is the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10, which can be produced by a number of immune cells, including subsets of B lymphocytes. Here, we investigated IL-10-producing B cells in pericardial adipose tissues (PATs) and their role in the healing process following acute MI in mice. We found that IL-10-producing B cells were enriched in PATs compared to other adipose depots throughout the body, with the majority of them bearing a surface phenotype consistent with CD5+ B-1a cells (CD5+ B cells). These cells were detected early in life, maintained a steady presence during adulthood, and resided in fat-associated lymphoid clusters. The cytokine IL-33 and the chemokine CXCL13 were preferentially expressed in PATs and contributed to the enrichment of IL-10-producing CD5+ B cells. Following acute MI, the pool of CD5+ B cells was expanded in PATs. These cells accumulated in the infarcted heart during the resolution of MI-induced inflammation. B cell-specific deletion of IL-10 worsened cardiac function, exacerbated myocardial injury, and delayed resolution of inflammation following acute MI. These results revealed enrichment of IL-10-producing B cells in PATs and a significant contribution of these cells to the antiinflammatory processes that terminate MI-induced inflammation. Together, these findings have identified IL-10-producing B cells as therapeutic targets to improve the outcome of MI.

Diminishing impairments in glucose uptake, mitochondrial content, and ADP-stimulated oxygen flux by mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the infarcted heart.

A constant provision of ATP is of necessity for cardiac contraction. As the heart progresses toward failure following a myocardial infarction (MI), it undergoes metabolic alterations that have the potential to compromise the ability to meet energetic demands. This study evaluated the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation into the infarcted heart to minimize impairments in the metabolic processes that contribute to energy provision. Seven and twenty-eight days following the MI and MSC transplantation, MSC administration minimized cardiac systolic dysfunction. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, coupled with 2-[(14)C]deoxyglucose administration, were employed to assess systemic insulin sensitivity and tissue-specific, insulin-mediated glucose uptake 36 days following the MI in the conscious, unrestrained, C57BL/6 mouse. The improved systolic performance in MSC-treated mice was associated with a preservation of in vivo insulin-stimulated cardiac glucose uptake. Conserved glucose uptake in the heart was linked to the ability of the MSC treatment to diminish the decline in insulin signaling as assessed by Akt phosphorylation. The MSC treatment also sustained mitochondrial content, ADP-stimulated oxygen flux, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in the heart. Maintenance of mitochondrial function and density was accompanied by preserved peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. These studies provide insight into mechanisms of action that lead to an enhanced energetic state in the infarcted heart following MSC transplantation that may assist in energy provision and dampen cardiac dysfunction.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the infarcted heart: therapeutic potential for insulin resistance beyond the heart.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation to mitigate abnormalities in cardiac-specific and systemic metabolism mediated by a combination of a myocardial infarction and diet-induced insulin resistance. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were high-fat fed for eight weeks prior to induction of a myocardial infarction via chronic ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MSCs were administered directly after myocardial infarction induction through a single intramyocardial injection. Echocardiography was performed prior to the myocardial infarction as well as seven and 28 days post-myocardial infarction. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps coupled with 2-[14C]deoxyglucose were employed 36 days post-myocardial infarction (13 weeks of high-fat feeding) to assess systemic insulin sensitivity and insulin-mediated, tissue-specific glucose uptake in the conscious, unrestrained mouse. High-resolution respirometry was utilized to evaluate cardiac mitochondrial function in saponin-permeabilized cardiac fibers. RESULTS: MSC administration minimized the decline in ejection fraction following the myocardial infarction. The greater systolic function in MSC-treated mice was associated with increased in vivo cardiac glucose uptake and enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. MSC therapy promoted reductions in fasting arterial glucose and fatty acid concentrations. Additionally, glucose uptake in peripheral tissues including skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was elevated in MSC-treated mice. Enhanced glucose uptake in these tissues was associated with improved insulin signalling as assessed by Akt phosphorylation and prevention of a decline in GLUT4 often associated with high-fat feeding. CONCLUSIONS: These studies provide insight into the utility of MSC transplantation as a metabolic therapy that extends beyond the heart exerting beneficial systemic effects on insulin action.

Two functional microRNA-126s repress a novel target gene p21-activated kinase 1 to regulate vascular integrity in zebrafish.

RATIONALE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of vascular development and diseases. The function and underlying mechanism of endothelial miRNAs have not been fully defined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of endothelial miR-126 in zebrafish vascular development. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two homologs of miR-126, miR-126a (namely miR-126 in previous literature) and miR-126b, with only 1 nucleotide difference in their mature sequences, were identified in zebrafish genome. In vitro analysis showed that both precursors could sufficiently produce mature functional miRNAs. Expression analyses by Northern blot and quantitative RT-PCR showed that both miR-126s accumulated significantly 12 hours after fertilization and were specifically expressed in endothelial cells of zebrafish. Inhibition of miR-126a or miR-126b with specific morpholinos caused cranial hemorrhage, and simultaneous inhibition of both miR-126s resulted in a pronounced hemorrhage in higher percentage of embryos. Bioinformatics prediction showed that the targets of miR-126a/b partially overlapped but essentially differed. p21-activated kinase1 (pak1) was identified as a novel target of miR-126a/b, and pak1 3' untranslated region was differently regulated by these 2 miRNAs. Quantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and Western blot analyses showed that the level of pak1 was reduced when miR-126a/b were overexpressed. Notably, pak1 expression in endothelial cells was increased when miR-126a/b were knocked down. Furthermore, overexpression of the active form of human pak1 caused cranial hemorrhage, and knockdown pak1 effectively rescued the hemorrhage caused by inhibiting miR-126a/b. CONCLUSIONS: Two functional endothelial cell-specific miRNAs, miR-126a and miR-126b, synergistically regulate zebrafish vascular integrity, and pak1 is a critical target of miR-126a/b in vascular development.

Analysis of Factors of Productivity of Tight Conglomerate Reservoirs Based on Random Forest Algorithm.

The tight conglomerate reservoir of Baikouquan formation in the MA 131 well block in the Junggar basin abounds with petroleum reserves, yet the vertical wells in this reservoir have achieved a limited development effect. The tight conglomerate reservoirs have become an important target for exploration and exploitation. The high-efficiency development scheme of a small well spacing three-dimensional (3D) staggered well pattern has been determined by a series of field tests on well pattern and well spacing development. Multistage fracturing with a horizontal well has been demonstrated as the primary development technology. The horizontal wells in the MA 131 small well spacing demonstration area have achieved significantly different development effects, and the major controlling factors for high and stable production of a single well remain unclear. In this study, we proposed an evaluation model of major productivity controlling factors of the tight conglomerate reservoir to provide a reference for oil recovery based on a random forest (RF) machine-learning algorithm. The productivity factors were investigated from two aspects: petrophysical facies that are capable of indicating the genetic mechanism of geological dessert and engineering dessert parameters forming complex fracture networks. Resultantly, the reservoir in the MA 131 well block can be classified into 12 petrophysical facies according to the sedimentary characteristics and diagenesis analysis. The mercury injection curves of a variety of petrophysical facies can be classified into four reservoir quality types. The RF model was trained on 80% of the data to predict the oil well class using the selected features as primary inputs while the remaining 20% of the data were set to test the model performance. The results indicated that the RF model produced excellent results with only 12 misclassifications across the entire data set of 627 samples that represent <2% error. The important evaluation score of the random forest algorithm model showed that the reservoir type, oil saturation, horizontal stress difference, and gravel content are the most important four indicators, with each value exceeding 15%. Brittleness and maximum horizontal stress are considered the least important indexes, with values of less than 5%. Reservoir quality and oil saturation were confirmed as the major controlling factors and material foundation for oil wells' high and stable production. As indicated in this study, stress difference and gravel content are the major controlling factors in the formation of a complex fracture network.

Acetylation licenses Th1 cell polarization to constrain Listeria monocytogenes infection.

T helper 1 (Th1) immunity is typically viewed as a critical adaptation by vertebrates against intracellular pathogens. Identifying novel targets to enhance Th1 cell differentiation and function is increasingly important for anti-infection immunity. Here, through small-molecule screening focusing on epigenetic modifiers during the in vitro Th1 cell differentiation process, we identified that the selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors ricolinostat and nexturastat A (Nex A) promoted Th1 cell differentiation. HDAC6-depleted mice exhibit elevation of Th1 cell differentiation, and decreased severity of Listeria monocytogenes infection. Mechanistically, HDAC6 directly deacetylated CBP-catalyzed acetylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4)-lysine (K) 667 via its enzymatic activity. Acetylation of STAT4-K667 is required for JAK2-mediated phosphorylation and activation of STAT4. Stat4K667R mutant mice lost the ability to normally differentiate into Th1 cells and developed severe Listeria infection. Our study identifies acetylation of STAT4-K667 as an essential signaling event for Th1 cell differentiation and defense against intracellular pathogen infections, and highlights the therapeutic potential of HDAC6 inhibitors for controlling intracellular pathogen infections.

Engineering Endogenous Tumor-Associated Macrophage-Targeted Biomimetic Nano-RBC to Reprogram Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment for Enhanced Chemo-Immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has shown encouraging results in various cancers, but the response rates are relatively low due to the complex tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor hypoxia correlates significantly with potent immunosuppressive activity. Here, a hemoglobin-poly(ε-caprolactone) (Hb-PCL) conjugate self-assembled biomimetic nano red blood cell (nano-RBC) system (V(Hb)) is engineered to deliver chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) and oxygen for reprogramming TIME. The Hb moiety of V(Hb)@DOX can bind to endogenous plasma haptoglobin (Hp) and specifically target the M2-type TAMs via the CD163 surface receptor, and effectively kill the cells. In addition, the O2 released by the Hb alleviates tumor hypoxia, which further augments the antitumor immune response by recruiting fewer M2-type macrophages. TAM-targeting depletion and hypoxia alleviation synergistically reprogram the TIME, which concurrently downregulate PD-L1 expression of tumor cells, decrease the levels of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-ß, elevate the immunostimulatory IFN-γ, enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and boost a strong memory response. The ensuing TAM-targeted chemo-immunotherapeutic effects markedly inhibit tumor metastasis and recurrence. Taken together, the engineered endogenous TAM-targeted biomimetic nano-RBC system is a highly promising tool to reprogram TIME for cancer chemo-immunotherapy.

Tumor-suppressive function of EZH2 is through inhibiting glutaminase.

Tumors can use metabolic reprogramming to survive nutrient stress. Epigenetic regulators play a critical role in metabolic adaptation. Here we screened a sgRNA library to identify epigenetic regulators responsible for the vulnerability of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to glucose deprivation and found that more EZH2-knockout cells survived glucose deprivation. Then, we showed that EZH2 expression was significantly downregulated in response to glucose deprivation in a glucose-sensitive CRC cell line, and EZH2-knockdown cells were more resistant to glucose deprivation. Mechanistically, EZH2 deficiency upregulated the expression of glutaminase (GLS) and promoted the production of glutamate, which in turn led to increased synthesis of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and eventually attenuated the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death induced by glucose deprivation. Although EZH2 functioned as an oncogene in cancer progression and EZH2 knockout abolished colorectal cancer development in a mouse model, here we revealed a mechanistic link between EZH2 and metabolic reprogramming via the direct regulation of GLS expression and observed a negative correlation between EZH2 and GLS expression in colorectal cancer tissues. These findings further confirmed the importance of heterogeneity, provided an explanation for the clinical tolerance of cancer cells to EZH2 inhibitors from the perspective of metabolism, and proposed the possibility of combining EZH2 inhibitors and glutamine metabolism inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

Metabolic implications of reduced heart-type fatty acid binding protein in insulin resistant cardiac muscle.

Insulin resistance is characterized by elevated rates of cardiac fatty acid utilization resulting in reduced efficiency and cardiomyopathy. One potential therapeutic approach is to limit the uptake and oxidation of fatty acids. The aims of this study were to determine whether a quantitative reduction in heart-type fatty acid binding protein (FABP3) normalizes cardiac substrate utilization without altering cardiac function. Transgenic (FABP3(+/-)) and wild-type (WT) littermates were studied following low fat (LF) or high fat (HF) diets, with HF resulting in obese, insulin-resistant mice. Cardiovascular function (systolic blood pressure, % fractional shortening) and heart dimension were measured at weaning and every month afterward for 3 mo. During this period cardiovascular function was the same independent of genotype and diet. Catheters were surgically implanted in the carotid artery and jugular vein for sampling and infusions in mice at 4 mo of age. Following 5 d recovery, mice underwent either a saline infusion or a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (4 mU kg(-1) min(-1)). Indices of long chain fatty acid and glucose utilization (R(f), R(g); mumol g wet weight(-1) min(-1)) were obtained using 2-deoxy[(3)H]glucose and [(125)I]-15-rho-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid. FABP3(+/-) had enhanced cardiac R(g) compared with WT during saline infusion in both LF and HF. FABP3(+/-) abrogated the HF-induced decrement in insulin-stimulated cardiac R(g). On a HF diet, FABP(+/-) but not WT had an increased reliance on fatty acids (R(f)) during insulin stimulation. In conclusion, cardiac insulin resistance and glucose uptake is largely corrected by a reduction in FABP3 in vivo without contemporaneous deleterious effects on cardiac function.

Dysregulated transmethylation leading to hepatocellular carcinoma compromises redox homeostasis and glucose formation.

OBJECTIVE: The loss of liver glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) promotes liver steatosis and the transition to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous work showed endogenous glucose production is reduced in GNMT-null mice with gluconeogenic precursors being used in alternative biosynthetic pathways that utilize methyl donors and are linked to tumorigenesis. This metabolic programming occurs before the appearance of HCC in GNMT-null mice. The metabolic physiology that sustains liver tumor formation in GNMT-null mice is unknown. The studies presented here tested the hypothesis that nutrient flux pivots from glucose production to pathways that incorporate and metabolize methyl groups in GNMT-null mice with HCC. METHODS: 2H/13C metabolic flux analysis was performed in conscious, unrestrained mice lacking GNMT to quantify glucose formation and associated nutrient fluxes. Molecular analyses of livers from mice lacking GNMT including metabolomic, immunoblotting, and immunochemistry were completed to fully interpret the nutrient fluxes. RESULTS: GNMT knockout (KO) mice showed lower blood glucose that was accompanied by a reduction in liver glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. NAD+ was lower and the NAD(P)H-to-NAD(P)+ ratio was higher in livers of KO mice. Indices of NAD+ synthesis and catabolism, pentose phosphate pathway flux, and glutathione synthesis were dysregulated in KO mice. CONCLUSION: Glucose precursor flux away from glucose formation towards pathways that regulate redox status increase in the liver. Moreover, synthesis and scavenging of NAD+ are both impaired resulting in reduced concentrations. This metabolic program blunts an increase in methyl donor availability, however, biosynthetic pathways underlying HCC are activated.

[Phagocytic function of macrophage after partial splenectomy of rabbits using microwave tissue coagulation].

The immune function of spleen after partial splenectomy (PSM) of rabbits was stuided using microwave tissue coagulation (MTC). Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension was injected into the ear veins of rabbits 4 weeks after they were subjected to partial splenectomy using microwave tissue coagulation (PSM) group and to sham operation (SO groups), respectively. India ink was given via portal vein. Residual spleen were resected and microscopic examinations were performed on spleen slices stained using HE to compare phagocytic functions of macrophage. Gradings of phagocytic function in macrophage were of no significant difference between PSM and SO groups (P > 0.05). Weights of spleens showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The phagocytic function of macrophage after PSM can be preserved well. The result of this experiment implies that splenic salvage using MTC is a clinically applicable method.

Mutation of kri1l causes definitive hematopoiesis failure via PERK-dependent excessive autophagy induction.

Dysregulation of ribosome biogenesis causes human diseases, such as Diamond-Blackfan anemia, del (5q-) syndrome and bone marrow failure. However, the mechanisms of blood disorders in these diseases remain elusive. Through genetic mapping, molecular cloning and mechanism characterization of the zebrafish mutant cas002, we reveal a novel connection between ribosomal dysfunction and excessive autophagy in the regulation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). cas002 carries a recessive lethal mutation in kri1l gene that encodes an essential component of rRNA small subunit processome. We show that Kri1l is required for normal ribosome biogenesis, expansion of definitive HSPCs and subsequent lineage differentiation. Through live imaging and biochemical studies, we find that loss of Kri1l causes the accumulation of misfolded proteins and excessive PERK activation-dependent autophagy in HSPCs. Blocking autophagy but not inhibiting apoptosis by Bcl2 overexpression can fully rescue hematopoietic defects, but not the lethality of kri1l(cas002) embryos. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors (3-MA and Baf A1) or PERK inhibitor (GSK2656157), or knockdown of beclin1 or perk can markedly restore HSPC proliferation and definitive hematopoietic cell differentiation. These results may provide leads for effective therapeutics that benefit patients with anemia or bone marrow failure caused by ribosome disorders.

Temporal changes in ventricular function assessed echocardiographically in conscious and anesthetized mice.

The mouse is an important model system for cardiovascular biology, with echocardiography a critical tool for noninvasive measurement of cardiac morphology and function. The feasibility and short-term temporal consistency of repeated echocardiographic measurements in conscious mice has not been previously evaluated. We performed serial 2-dimensional guided M-mode transthoracic echocardiographic measurements at 5- to 10-minute intervals over 60 minutes in conscious mice and in mice treated with 1 of 3 anesthetic regimens: ketamine and acepromazine (n = 14); pentobarbital (n = 14); and ketamine and xylazine (n = 13). Unanesthetized mice received intraperitoneal saline (n = 6) or no injection (n = 7). In sequentially repeated measurements over 1 hour in conscious mice, none of the measured or derived echocardiographic parameters differed from baseline, whereas all 3 anesthetic regimens produced significant, prolonged, and temporally variable decreases in heart rate and fractional shortening. The relationship between heart rate and fractional shortening was not altered by anesthetic choice. Serial echocardiographic assessments of cardiac function, dimension, and mass can be performed with high reproducibility in conscious mice.