Effects of mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium hydroxide, biodentine and Emdogain on osteogenesis, Odontogenesis, angiogenesis and cell viability of dental pulp stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Vital pulp therapy preserves and maintains the integrity and the health of dental pulp tissue that has been injured by trauma, caries or restorative procedures. The enhancement of cells viability and formation of reparative dentine and new blood vessels are vital determinants of the success of direct pulp capping. Therefore, the aims of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro osteogenic, odontogenic and angiogenic effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], Biodentine and Emdogain on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and examine the effects of the tested materials on cell viability. METHODS: DPSCs were treated with MTA, Ca(OH)2, Biodentine or Emdogain. Untreated cells were used as control. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay on day 3. Real-Time PCR with SYBR green was used to quantify the gene expression levels of osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin), odontogenic marker (dentin sialophosphoprotein) and angiogenic factor (vascular endothelial growth factor) on day 7 and day 14. RESULTS: All capping materials showed variable cytotoxicity against DPSCs (77% for Emdogain, 53% for MTA, 26% for Biodentine and 16% for Ca(OH)2 compared to control (P value < 0.0001). Osteopontin (OPN) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene expression was increased by all four materials. However, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was upregulated by all materials except Emdogain. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was upregulated by all four tested materials except Ca(OH)2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest MTA, Biodentine and Emdogain exhibit similar attributes and may score better than Ca(OH)2. Emdogain could be a promising alternative to MTA and Biodentine in enhancing pulp repair capacity following dental pulp injury. However, further future research is required to assess the clinical outcomes and compare it with the in vitro findings.

Identification of a recurrent frameshift mutation at the LDLR exon 14 (c.2027delG, p.(G676Afs*33)) causing familial hypercholesterolemia in Saudi Arab homozygous children.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease, predominantly caused by variants in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene (LDLR). Herein, we describe genetic analysis of severely affected homozygous FH patients who were mostly resistant to statin therapy and were managed on an apheresis program. We identified a recurrent frameshift mutation p.(G676Afs*33) in exon 14 of the LDLR gene in 9 probands and their relatives in an apparently unrelated Saudi families. We also describe a three dimensional homology model of the LDL receptor protein (LDLR) structure and examine the consequence of the frameshift mutation p.(G676Afs*33), as this could affect the LDLR structure in a region involved in dimer formation, and protein stability. This finding of a recurrent mutation causing FH in the Saudi population could serve to develop a rapid genetic screening procedure for FH, and the 3D-structure analysis of the mutant LDLR, may provide tools to develop a mechanistic model of the LDLR function.

Role of protein kinase C ß and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in malignant pleural mesothelioma: Therapeutic implications and the usefulness of Caenorhabditis elegans model organism.

PURPOSE: To examine the role of both protein kinase C (PKC)-ß and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) using respective inhibitors, enzastaurin and KRN633. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MPM cell lines, control cells, and a variety of archived MPM tumor samples were used to determine the protein expression levels of PKC-ß, VEGFR-2, VEGF, and p-AKT. Effects of enzastaurin and KRN633 on phosphorylation status of key signaling molecules and viability of the mesothelioma cells were determined. The common soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, was treated with enzastaurin to determine its suitability to screen for highly potent kinase inhibitors. RESULTS: PKC-ß1, PKC-ß2 and VEGFR-2/KDR were overexpressed in MPM cell lines and MPM tumor tissues. Enzastaurin treatment resulted in significant loss in viability of VEGF induced cell proliferation; however, the effect of KRN633 was much less. Enzastaurin also dramatically decreased the phosphorylation of PKC-ß, its downstream target p-AKT, and surprisingly, the upstream VEGFR-2. The combination of the two drugs at best was additive and similar results were obtained with respect to cell viability. Treatment of C. elegans with enzastaurin resulted in clear phenotypic changes and the worms were hypermotile with abnormal pattern and shape of eggs, suggesting altered fecundity. CONCLUSIONS: PKC-ß1 and VEGFR-2 are both excellent therapeutic targets in MPM. Enzastaurin was better at killing MPM cells than KRN633 and the combination lacked synergy. In addition, we show here that C. elegans can be used to screen for the next generation inhibitors as treatment with enzastaurin resulted in clear phenotypic changes that could be assayed.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) in Lung Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Lung cancer is the leading type of cancer worldwide today. Kinases play a crucial role in mediating the signaling pathways, and it directs to control several necessary cellular processes. Conversely, the deregulation of tyrosine kinases leads to oncogenic conversion, uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Tyrosine kinases are largely deregulated in lung cancer and specifically in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, the inhibition of pathogenic kinases is a breakthrough development in cancer research, treatment and care, which clinically improve the quality of life. In the last decades, various single or combination inhibitors are approved by U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and commercially available in clinics, and currently, several preclinical studies are ongoing and examining the kinase inhibitors. However, many gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of kinase inhibitors and their selectivity. In this analysis, we focus on a class of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their novel role in lung cancer.

Meta-analysis of functional expression and mutational analysis of c-Met in various cancers.

Comprehensive genomic profiling is expected to revolutionize cancer therapy. c-Met signaling is responsible for tumorigenesis in various cancers. In this prospective, we present the prevalence of c-Met mutations and copy number alterations across various solid tumors. We used major databases like cBioportal, PubMed, and COSMIC for c-Met mutation and amplification data collection from various cancers. Our result shows complete details about c-Met mutation and its clinical data of various cancers. Hotspot mutation of human c-Met protein reveals that repeatedly and most mutated regions and these hotspots may be a diagnostic tool for cancer confirmation. Amino acid and nucleotide changes and their prevalence were reported in a number of individual cancers. However, we collectively present the amino acid and nucleotide changes in various cancers in this review. Our collection of data for c-Met mutation and its distribution in different cancer tissue is showing that the missense mutation is the major one in all type of cancers. Copy number variation data showing amplification and deletion of human c-Met from various tumor types, lung and central nervous system tumors showing high amplification comparatively other types.

Examination of neurons in wild type and mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans using antibodies to horseradish peroxidase.

Antibodies to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) recognize 27 of 302 neurons and several non-neuronal cells in adult hermaphrodites of the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and can be used to label these cells for cytological analysis in whole animals. The antibodies bind to the anterior members, but not to the posterior members of a set of mechanosensory neurons in wild type animals. Binding to one of the posterior mechanosensory neurons (PVM) occurs when this neuron migrates to an abnormal anterior position in mab-5 mutant animals, suggesting that expression of the epitope recognized by these antibodies is position dependent or that mab-5 mutations transform PVM into AVM intrinsically. The antibodies were used to characterize morphologies of two pairs of lumbar neurons (PHC and PVN) in uncoordinated mutants representing 95 unc genes. PHC and PVN morphologies were normal in most of the unc mutants examined, however, in mutants of 9 unc genes (unc-6, unc-13, unc-33, unc-44, unc-51, unc-61, unc-71, unc-73, and unc-98), misdirected PHC and/or PVN processes were observed at a high frequency. The morphologies of 2 other lumbar neurons, PHA and PHB, were determined previously in these mutants (Hedgecock et al., 1985). Mutations in most, but not all of these 9 unc genes affect the growth of the embryonic lumbar neurons PHA and PHB differently than they affect the growth of the postembryonic lumbar neurons PHC and PVN, indicating that these neurons require different, but overlapping sets of genes for different stages of normal growth and guidance.

Unique Toll-Like Receptor 4 Activation by NAMPT/PBEF Induces NFκB Signaling and Inflammatory Lung Injury.

Ventilator-induced inflammatory lung injury (VILI) is mechanistically linked to increased NAMPT transcription and circulating levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl-transferase (NAMPT/PBEF). Although VILI severity is attenuated by reduced NAMPT/PBEF bioavailability, the precise contribution of NAMPT/PBEF and excessive mechanical stress to VILI pathobiology is unknown. We now report that NAMPT/PBEF induces lung NFκB transcriptional activities and inflammatory injury via direct ligation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Computational analysis demonstrated that NAMPT/PBEF and MD-2, a TLR4-binding protein essential for LPS-induced TLR4 activation, share ~30% sequence identity and exhibit striking structural similarity in loop regions critical for MD-2-TLR4 binding. Unlike MD-2, whose TLR4 binding alone is insufficient to initiate TLR4 signaling, NAMPT/PBEF alone produces robust TLR4 activation, likely via a protruding region of NAMPT/PBEF (S402-N412) with structural similarity to LPS. The identification of this unique mode of TLR4 activation by NAMPT/PBEF advances the understanding of innate immunity responses as well as the untoward events associated with mechanical stress-induced lung inflammation.

RNA interference targeting transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor suppresses ocular inflammation and fibrosis.

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) is an important mediator of wound healing responses. In the eye, TGF-beta activity has been implicated in causing corneal haze after laser surgery and subconjunctival scarring following glaucoma surgery. The purpose of the study was to determine whether small interference RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the type II receptor of TGF-beta (TbetaRII) could be used to suppress the TGF-beta action. METHODS: TbetaRII specific siRNAs designed from the human gene sequence were transfected into cultured human corneal fibroblasts. The protein and transcript levels of the receptor were determined by immunofluorescence, western blotting, and real time PCR. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were carried out to examine fibronectin assembly. A wound closure assay was used to assess cell migration in in vitro fibroblast cultures. In addition, the in vivo effects of TbetaRII siRNA were evaluated in a mouse model of ocular inflammation and fibrosis generated by subconjunctival injection of phosphate buffered saline and latex beads. Mouse TbetaRII siRNA was introduced into experimental eyes. Cellularity on tissue sections was evaluated after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Collagen deposition was visualized by picrosirius red staining. RESULTS: TbetaRII siRNAs abrogated the receptor transcript and protein expression in cultured corneal fibroblasts. The gene knockdown inhibited fibronectin assembly and retarded cell migration. In the mouse model, introduction of TbetaRII specific siRNA significantly reduced the inflammatory response and matrix deposition. CONCLUSIONS: TbetaRII specific siRNAs were efficacious both in vitro and in vivo in knocking down the TGF-beta action. A direct application of siRNA into eyes to downregulate TbetaRII expression may provide a novel therapy for preventing ocular inflammation and scarring.

Regulation of fat storage and reproduction by Krüppel-like transcription factor KLF3 and fat-associated genes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Coordinated regulation of fat storage and utilization is essential for energy homeostasis, and its disruption is associated with metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis in humans. Across species, Krüppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) have been identified as key components of adipogenesis. In humans, KLF14 acts as a master transregulator of adipose gene expression in type 2 diabetes and cis-acting expression quantitative trait locus associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Herein we report that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, mutants in klf-3 accumulate large fat droplets rich in neutral lipids in the intestine; this lipid accumulation is associated with an increase in triglyceride levels. The klf-3 mutants show normal pharyngeal pumping; however, they are sterile or semisterile. We explored important genetic interactions of klf-3 with the genes encoding enzymes involved in fatty acid (FA) ß-oxidation in mitochondria or peroxisomes and FA synthesis in the cytosol, namely acyl-CoA synthetase (acs-1 and acs-2), acyl-CoA oxidase (F08A8.1 and F08A8.2), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (fat-7). We show that mutations or RNA interference in these genes increases fat deposits in the intestine of acs-1, acs-2, F08A8.1, and F08A8 animals. We further show that acs-1 and F08A8.1 influence larval development and fertility, respectively. Thus, KLF3 may regulate FA utilization in the intestine and reproductive tissue. We demonstrate that depletion of F08A8.1 activity, but not of acs-1, acs-2, F08A8.2, or fat-7 activity, enhances the fat phenotype of the klf-3 mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that klf-3 regulates lipid metabolism, along with acs-1, acs-2, F08A8.1, and F08A8.2, by promoting FA ß-oxidation and, in parallel, may contribute to normal reproductive behavior and fecundity in C. elegans.

Partner in fat metabolism: role of KLFs in fat burning and reproductive behavior.

The abnormalities caused by excess fat accumulation can result in pathological conditions which are linked to several interrelated diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. This set of conditions, known as metabolic syndrome, is a global pandemic of enormous medical, economic, and social concern affecting a significant portion of the world's population. Although genetics, physiology and environmental components play a major role in the onset of disease caused by excessive fat accumulation, little is known about how or to what extent each of these factors contributes to it. The worm, Caenorhabditis elegans offers an opportunity to study disease related to metabolic disorder in a developmental system that provides anatomical and genomic simplicity relative to the vertebrate animals and is an excellent eukaryotic genetic model which enable us to answer the questions concerning fat accumulation which remain unresolved. The stored triglycerides (TG) provide the primary source of energy during periods of food deficiency. In nature, lipid stored as TGs are hydrolyzed into fatty acids which are broken down through ß-oxidation to yield acetyl-CoA. Our recent study suggests that a member of C. elegans Krüppel-like factor, klf-3 regulates lipid metabolism by promoting FA ß-oxidation and in parallel may contribute in normal reproduction and fecundity. Genetic and epigenetic factors that influence this pathway may have considerable impact on fat related diseases in human. Increasing number of studies suggest the role of mammalian KLFs in adipogenesis. This functional conservation should guide our further effort to explore C. elegans as a legitimate model system for studying the role of KLFs in many pathway components of lipid metabolism.

C. elegans as a model organism for in vivo screening in cancer: effects of human c-Met in lung cancer affect C. elegans vulva phenotypes.

Cancers typically harbour several mutant forms of key cellular genes that contribute to its complex phenotype. Our lab has previously identified gain-of-function mutations in some of the receptor tyrosine kinases such as c-Met in lung cancer. In order to investigate the mutant gene in the context of a whole organism, the current choice of in vivo model is limited to the mouse. To rapidly screen the functional aspects of mutant forms of c-Met detected in lung cancer, we used the nematode C. elegans as the model organism. Transgenic worms were generated that harbour wild type or the frequently seen mutant forms of c-Met in lung cancer (c-MetR988C and c-MetT1010I). Expression of the mutant human c-Met forms in C. elegans consistently resulted in significantly low fecundity and abnormal vulval development characterized by hyperplasia. Interestingly, exposure of c-Met mutant transgenic worms to nicotine resulted in enhanced abnormal vulval development, fecundity and locomotion. Our studies provide first evidence that human c-Met mutations can be studied in C. elegans, and that carcinogens can enhance mutant c-Met function expressed in C. elegans transgenic animals. We therefore propose the use of C. elegans as a model to rapidly assess the role of cancer specific gene mutations in the context of a whole organism.

p38 MAPK activation coupled to endocytosis is a determinant of endothelial monolayer integrity.

We show in rat lung microvessel endothelial cells (RLMVEC) that endocytosis is a critical determinant of activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and thereby regulates endothelial monolayer integrity. In RLMVEC grown in serum-free medium, we observed that albumin supplementation induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK within 30 min, which persisted for up to 2 h. Engagement of the endocytic machinery regulated the activation of p38 MAPK that contributed to endothelial cell proliferation and reduction of apoptosis. We also observed an interaction between the caveolar protein caveolin-1 and p38 MAPK with reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation assays and colocalization using double-label immunofluorescence staining. Knockdown of caveolin-1 expression with small interfering RNA significantly reduced endocytosis and activation of p38 MAPK and interfered with the ability of endothelial cells to form a confluent monolayer. Thus caveolae-mediated endocytosis and concomitant activation of p38 MAPK may help to maintain endothelial monolayer integrity by signaling proliferation and survival of endothelial cells.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma signaling through protein kinase Czeta induces NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidant generation and NF-kappaB activation in endothelial cells.

We addressed the role of class 1B phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) isoform PI3Kgamma in mediating NADPH oxidase activation and reactive oxidant species (ROS) generation in endothelial cells (ECs) and of PI3Kgamma-mediated oxidant signaling in the mechanism of NF-kappaB activation and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression. We used lung microvascular ECs isolated from mice with targeted deletion of the p110gamma catalytic subunit of PI3Kgamma. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha challenge of wild type ECs caused p110gamma translocation to the plasma membrane and phosphatidylinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production coupled to ROS production; however, this response was blocked in p110gamma-/- ECs. ROS production was the result of TNFalpha activation of Ser phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) and its translocation to EC membranes. NADPH oxidase activation failed to occur in p110gamma-/- ECs. Additionally, the TNFalpha-activated NF-kappaB binding to the ICAM-1 promoter, ICAM-1 protein expression, and PMN adhesion to ECs required functional PI3Kgamma. TNFalpha challenge of p110gamma-/- ECs failed to induce phosphorylation of PDK1 and activation of the atypical PKC isoform, PKCzeta. Thus, PI3Kgamma lies upstream of PKCzeta in the endothelium, and its activation is crucial in signaling NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidant production and subsequent NF-kappaB activation and ICAM-1 expression.

Metazoan motor models: kinesin superfamily in C. elegans.

In eukaryotic cells members of the kinesin family mediate intracellular transport by carrying cellular cargo on microtubule tracks. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans genome encodes 21 members of the kinesin family, which show significant homology to their mammalian orthologs. Based on motor domain sequence homology and placement of the motor domain in the protein, the C. elegans kinesins have been placed in eight distinct groups; members of which participate in embryonic development, protein transport, synaptic membrane vesicles movement and in the axonal growth. Among 21 kinesins, at least 11 play a central role in spindle movement and chromosomal segregation. Understanding the function of C. elegans kinesins and related proteins may help navigate through the intricacies of intracellular traffic in a simple animal.

Albumin endocytosis in endothelial cells induces TGF-beta receptor II signaling.

Vascular endothelial cells undergo albumin endocytosis using a set of albumin binding proteins. This process is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. We showed by several criteria that the previously described 73-kDa endothelial cell surface albumin binding protein is the 75-kDa transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type II (TbetaRII). Albumin coimmunoprecipitated with TbetaRII from a membrane fraction from rat lung microvascular endothelial cells. Albumin endocytosis-negative COS-7 cells became albumin endocytosis competent when transfected with wild-type TbetaRII but not when transfected with a domain-negative kinase mutant of TbetaRII. An antibody specific for TbetaRII inhibited albumin endocytosis. A mink lung epithelial cell line, which expresses both the TGF-beta receptor type I (TbetaRI) and the TbetaRII receptor, exhibited albumin binding to the cell surface and endocytosis. In contrast, mutant L-17 and DR-26 cells lacking TbetaRI or TbetaRII, respectively, each showed a dramatic reduction in binding and endocytosis. Albumin endocytosis induced Smad2 phosphorylation and Smad4 translocation as well as increased protein expression of the inhibitory Smad, Smad7. We identified regions of significant homology between amino acid sequences of albumin and TGF-beta, suggesting a structural basis for the interaction of albumin with the TGF-beta receptors and subsequent activation of TbetaRII signaling. The observed albumin-induced internalization of TbetaRII signaling may be an important mechanism in the vessel wall for controlling TGF-beta responses in endothelial cells.

Identification and molecular characterization of the G alpha12-Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans.

G alpha 12/13-mediated pathways have been shown to be involved in various fundamental cellular functions in mammalian cells such as axonal guidance, apoptosis, and chemotaxis. Here, we identified a homologue of Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) in Caenorhabditis elegans (CeRhoGEF), which functions downstream of gpa-12, the C. elegans homologue of G alpha 12/13. CeRhoGEF contains a PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 domain and a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain upstream of the Dbl homology-pleckstrin homology region similar to mammalian RhoGEFs with RGS domains, PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1-RhoGEF and leukemia-associated RhoGEF. It has been shown in mammalian cells that these RhoGEFs interact with activated forms of G alpha 12 or G alpha 13 through their RGS domains. We demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation that the RGS domain of CeRhoGEF interacts with GPA-12 in an AIF4- activation-dependent manner and confirmed that the Dbl homology-pleckstrin homology domain of CeRhoGEF was capable of Rho-dependent signaling. These results proved conservation of the G alpha 12-RhoGEF pathway in C. elegans. Expression of DsRed or GFP under the control of the promoter of CeRhoGEF or gpa-12 revealed an overlap of their expression patterns in ventral cord motor neurons and several neurons in the head. RNA-mediated gene interference for CeRhoGEF and gpa-12 resulted in similar phenotypes such as embryonic lethality and sensory and locomotive defects in adults. Thus, the G alpha 12/13-RhoGEF pathway is likely to be involved in embryonic development and neuronal function in C. elegans.