Characterization of sexual maturity-associated N6-methyladenosine in boar testes.

BACKGROUND: The health and size of the testes are crucial for boar fertility. Testicular development is tightly regulated by epigenetics. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a prevalent internal modification on mRNA and plays an important role in development. The mRNA m6A methylation in boar testicular development still needs to be investigated. RESULTS: Using the MeRIP-seq technique, we identify and profile m6A modification in boar testes between piglets and adults. The results showed 7783 distinct m6A peaks in piglets and 6590 distinct m6A peaks in adults, with 2,471 peaks shared between the two groups. Enrichment of GO and KEGG analysis reveal dynamic m6A methylation in various biological processes and signalling pathways. Meanwhile, we conjointly analyzed differentially methylated and expressed genes in boar testes before and after sexual maturity, and reproductive related genes (TLE4, TSSK3, TSSK6, C11ORF94, PATZ1, PHLPP1 and PAQR7) were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that differential genes are associated with important biological functions, including regulation of growth and development, regulation of metabolic processes and protein catabolic processes. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that m6A methylation, differential expression and the related signalling pathways are crucial for boar testicular development. These results suggest a role for m6A modification in boar testicular development and provided a resource for future studies on m6A function in boar testicular development.

Biocompatible Ferrofluid-Based Millirobot for Tumor Photothermal Therapy in Near-Infrared-II Window.

Ferrofluidic robots with excellent deformability and controllability have been intensively studied recently. However, most of these studies are in vitro and the use of ferrofluids for in vivo medicinal applications remains a big challenge. The application of ferrofluidic robots to the body requires the solution of many key problems. In this study, biocompatibility, controllability, and tumor-killing efficacy are considered when creating a ferrofluid-based millirobot for in vivo tumor-targeted therapy. For biocompatibility problems, corn oil is used specifically for the ferrofluid robot. In addition, a control system is built that enables a 3D magnetic drive to be implemented in complex biological media. Using the photothermal conversion property of 1064 nm, the ferrofluid robot can kill tumor cells in vitro; inhibit tumor volume, destroy the tumor interstitium, increase tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vivo. This study provides a reference for ferrofluid-based millirobots to achieve targeted therapies in vivo.

Arf1 GTPase Regulates Golgi-Dependent G2/M Transition and Spindle Organization in Oocyte Meiosis.

ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1) is a small GTPase belonging to the Arf family. As a molecular switch, Arf1 is found to regulate retrograde and intra-Golgi transport, plasma membrane signaling, and organelle function during mitosis. This study aimed to explore the noncanonical roles of Arf1 in cell cycle regulation and cytoskeleton dynamics in meiosis with a mouse oocyte model. Arf1 accumulated in microtubules during oocyte meiosis, and the depletion of Arf1 led to the failure of polar body extrusion. Unlike mitosis, it finds that Arf1 affected Myt1 activity for cyclin B1/CDK1-based G2/M transition, which disturbed oocyte meiotic resumption. Besides, Arf1 modulated GM130 for the dynamic changes in the Golgi apparatus and Rab35-based vesicle transport during meiosis. Moreover, Arf1 is associated with Ran GTPase for TPX2 expression, further regulating the Aurora A-polo-like kinase 1 pathway for meiotic spindle assembly and microtubule stability in oocytes. Further, exogenous Arf1 mRNA supplementation can significantly rescue these defects. In conclusion, results reported the noncanonical functions of Arf1 in G2/M transition and meiotic spindle organization in mouse oocytes.

SENP3 facilitates M1 macrophage polarization via the HIF-1α/PKM2 axis in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

M1/M2 macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/pyruvate kinase M2 (HIF-1α/PKM2) axis, which functions upstream of macrophage polarization, has been implicated in this process. The function of HIF-1α is known to be tightly regulated by SUMOylation. Upregulation of SUMO-specific peptidase 3 (SENP3), a deSUMOylation enzyme, is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are abundantly produced during ALI. To explore the links between SENP3, macrophage polarization, and lung injury, we used mice with Senp3 conditional knockout in myeloid cells. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI model, we found that in vitro and in vivo SENP3 deficiency markedly inhibited M1 polarization and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and alleviated lung injury. Further, we demonstrated that SENP3 deficiency suppressed the LPS-induced inflammatory response through PKM2 in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. Moreover, mice injected with LPS after PKM2 inhibitor (shikonin) treatment displayed inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization and reduced lung injury. In summary, this work revealed that SENP3 promotes M1 macrophage polarization and production of proinflammatory cytokines via the HIF-1α/PKM2 axis, contributing to lung injury; thus, SENP3 may represent a potential therapeutic target for ALI treatment.

Reconfigurable Vortex-like Paramagnetic Nanoparticle Swarm with Upstream Motility and High Body-length Ratio Velocity.

Drug delivery systems with high-targeted doses can minimize excipients, reduce side effects, and improve efficacy. Human blood circulation is a complex circulatory system, and the motion control of microrobots in the static flow field in vitro is completely different from in vivo. How to achieve precise counterflow motion for targeted drug delivery without vascular blockage and immune rejection is the biggest challenge for micro-nano robots. Here, we propose a control method that enables vortex-like paramagnetic nanoparticle swarm (VPNS) to move upstream against the flow. By mimicking the clustering motion of wild herring schools and the rolling of leukocytes, VPNS are incredibly stable even when subjected to high-intensity jet impacts in the blood environment, can travel upstream, anchor at the target location, and dissipate when the magnetic field is withdrawn, which greatly reduces the risk of thrombosis. VPNS can also upstream along the vessel wall without an additional energy source and has a marked targeted therapeutic effect on subcutaneous tumors.

Exposure to acrylamide induces zygotic genome activation defects of mouse embryos.

Acrylamide (ACR) is an important chemical raw material for wastewater treatment, paper industry and textile industry, which is widely exposed from occupational, environmental and dietary situation. ACR has neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, potential carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. Recent study indicates that ACR affected oocyte maturation quality. In the present study, we reported the effects of ACR exposure on zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in embryos and its related mechanism. Our results showed that ACR treatment caused 2-cell arrest in mouse embryos, indicating the failure of ZGA, which was confirmed by decreased global transcription levels and aberrant expression of ZGA-related and maternal factors. We found that histone modifications such as H3K9me3, H3K27me3 and H3K27ac levels were altered, and this might be due to the occurrence of DNA damage, showing with positive γ-H2A.X signal. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction and high levels of ROS were detected in ACR treated embryos, indicating that ACR induced oxidative stress, and this might further cause abnormal distribution of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes. In conclusion, our results indicated that ACR exposure disrupted ZGA by inducing mitochondria-based oxidative stress, which further caused DNA damage, aberrant histone modifications and organelles in mouse embryos.

Mcrs1 regulates G2/M transition and spindle assembly during mouse oocyte meiosis.

Microspherule protein 1 (Mcrs1) is a component of the nonspecific lethal (NSL) complex and the chromatin remodeling INO80 complex, which participates in transcriptional regulation during mitosis. Here, we investigate the roles of Mcrs1 during female meiosis in mice. We demonstrate that Mcrs1 is a novel regulator of the meiotic G2/M transition and spindle assembly in mouse oocytes. Mcrs1 is present in the nucleus and associates with spindle poles and chromosomes of oocytes during meiosis I. Depletion of Mcrs1 alters HDAC2-mediated H4K16ac, H3K4me2, and H3K9me2 levels in nonsurrounded nucleolus (NSN)-type oocytes, and reduces CDK1 activity and cyclin B1 accumulation, leading to G2/M transition delay. Furthermore, Mcrs1 depletion results in abnormal spindle assembly due to reduced Aurora kinase (Aurka and Aurkc) and Kif2A activities, suggesting that Mcrs1 also plays a transcription-independent role in regulation of metaphase I oocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the transcription factor Mcrs1 has important roles in cell cycle regulation and spindle assembly in mouse oocyte meiosis.

Coupling heterostructured CoP-NiCoP nanopin arrays with MXene (Ti3C2Tx) as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.

Developing a highly effective bifunctional electrocatalyst for alkaline-condition electrochemical water splitting is both essential and challenging. The work presented here successfully synthesizes and employs a heterostructured CoP-NiCoP ultra-long nanopin array in situ growing on MXene (Ti3C2Tx) as a stable bifunctional electrocatalyst for electrochemical water-splitting. The heterogeneous structure formed by CoP nanoparticles and NiCoP nanopins provides extra active sites for water-splitting. Also, Ti3C2Tx works as a support substrate during electrochemical operations, accelerating mass transfer, ion transport, and rapid gas product diffusion. Meanwhile, throughout the catalytic process, the dense nanopin arrays shield Ti3C2Tx from further oxidation. At a result, the CoP-NiCoP-Ti3C2Tx (denoted as CP-NCP-T) demonstrated excellent catalytic activity, with overpotentials of just 46 mV for hydrogen evolution at 10 mA cm-2 and 281 mV for oxygen evolution at 50 mA cm-2. Furthermore, in 1.0 M KOH solution, the outstanding bifunctional electrode (CP-NCP-T || CP-NCP-T) exhibits efficient electrochemical water splitting activity (1.54 V@10 mA cm-2) and outperforms the comparable device Pt/C || IrO2 (1.62 V@10 mA cm-2).

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with callus browning in Dongxiang common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.).

BACKGROUND: Genetic transformation of indica rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) is limited by callus browning, which results in poor in vitro tissue culturability. Elucidating the genes in common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) that control callus browning is fundamental for improving the tissue culturability of indica rice varieties. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used a population of 129 O. rufipogon (Dongxiang common wild rice; DXCWR) introgression lines in the elite cultivar GC2 (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) background and 159 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with callus browning. We evaluated callus browning based on the indices of callus browning rate (CBR), callus browning index (CBI), and standard callus browning index (SCBI). CONCLUSIONS: We detected 30 QTLs associated with callus browning across all lines, mapping to chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 12. These genomic regions were repeatedly associated with differences in CBR, CBI, and SCBI. The alleles from DXCWR showed additive effects in reducing callus browning. We identified new QTLs near the markers RM247 and RM7003 on chromosome 12, indicating that these QTLs are unique to DXCWR. Furthermore, we identified six introgression lines with significantly lower callus browning. These lines will be useful germplasms for genetic transformation and fine-mapping of the culturability trait.

High-dose zearalenone exposure disturbs G2/M transition during mouse oocyte maturation.

Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium, which has severe toxicity on animal and human health including reproduction. Previous study showed that zearalenone exposure inhibited oocyte polar body extrusion, while in present study we found that high dose zearalenone disturbed oocyte meiosis resumption. Our results showed that a high concentration of 100 µM zearalenone reduced the rate of germinal vesicle (GV) breakdown in mouse oocytes. Further analysis indicated that zearalenone caused the decrease of Cyclin B1 and CDK1 expression, indicating MPF activity was affected, which further induced G2/M arrest, and this could be rescued by the inhibition of Wee1 activity. We found that the oocytes under high concentration of zearalenone showed lower γ-H2A.X expression, suggesting that DNA damage repair was disturbed, which further activated of DNA damage checkpoints. This could be confirmed by the altered expression of CHK1 and CHK2 after zearalenone treatment. Moreover, the organelles such as mitochondria, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were diffused from germinal vesicle periphery after zearalenone exposure, indicating that zearalenone affected protein synthesis, modification and transport, which further induced the arrest of G2/M transition. Taken together, our results showed that high dose of zearalenone exposure induced G2/M transition defect by affecting organelle function-related CHK1/2-Wee1-MPF pathway.

Magnetically Actuated Cell-Robot System: Precise Control, Manipulation, and Multimode Conversion.

Border-nearing microrobots with self-propelling and navigating capabilities have promising applications in micromanipulation and bioengineering, because they can stimulate the surrounding fluid flow for object transportation. However, ensuring the biosafety of microrobots is a concurrent challenge in bioengineering applications. Here, macrophage template-based microrobots (cell robots) that can be controlled individually or in chain-like swarms are proposed, which can transport various objects. The cell robots are constructed using the phagocytic ability of macrophages to load nanomagnetic particles while maintaining their viability. The robots exhibit high position control accuracy and generate a flow field that can be used to transport microspheres and sperm when exposed to an external magnetic field near a wall. The cell robots can also form chain-like swarms to transport a large object (more than 100 times the volume). This new insight into the manipulation of macrophage-based cell robots provides a new concept by converting other biological cells into microrobots for micromanipulation in biomedical applications.

Clinical observation and genetic analysis of a SYNS1 family caused by novel NOG gene mutation.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of a rare Chinese family with Multiple synostoses syndrome and identify the causative variant with the high-throughput sequencing approach. METHODS: The medical history investigation, physical examination, imaging examination, and audiological examination of the family members were performed. DNA samples were extracted from the family members. The candidate variant was identified by performing whole-exome sequencing of the proband, then verified by Sanger sequencing in the family. RESULTS: The family named HBSY-018 from Hubei province had 18 subjects in three generations, and six subjects were diagnosed with conductive or mixed hearing loss. Meanwhile, characteristic features including short philtrum, hemicylindrical nose, and hypoplastic alae nasi were noticed among those patients. Symptoms of proximal interdigital joint adhesion and inflexibility were found. The family was diagnosed as Multiple synostoses syndrome type 1 (SYNS1).The inheritance pattern of this family was autosomal dominant. A novel mutation in the NOG gene c.533G>A was identified by performing whole-exome sequencing of the proband. The substitution of cysteine encoding 178th position with tyrosine (p.Cys178Tyr) was caused by this mutation, which was conserved across species. Co-segregation of disease phenotypes was demonstrated by the family verification. CONCLUSION: The family diagnosed as SYNS1 was caused by the novel mutation (c.533G>A) of NOG. The combination of clinical diagnosis and molecular diagnosis had improved the understanding of this rare disease and provided a scientific basis for genetic counseling in the family.

Precise Control of Customized Macrophage Cell Robot for Targeted Therapy of Solid Tumors with Minimal Invasion.

Injecting micro/nanorobots into the body to kill tumors is one of the ultimate ambitions for medical nanotechnology. However, injecting current micro/nanorobots based on 3D-printed biocompatible materials directly into blood vessels for targeted therapy is often difficult, and mistakes in targeting can cause serious side effects, such as blood clots, oxidative stress, or inflammation. The natural affinity of macrophages to tumors, and their natural phagocytosis and ability to invade tumors, make them outstanding drug delivery vehicles for targeted tumor therapy. Hence, a magnetically controlled cell robot (MCR) based on a macrophage drug carrier is proposed. Here, living macrophages are converted into MCRs through endocytosis of specially-designed magnetic nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin and indocyanine green. Following this, the MCRs can be transported to tumors through the blood vessels using external magnetic fields, and penetrate the blood vessels into the interior of the tumor due to their deformability. With the MCR's cascaded drug release, targeted killing of tumors in mice is demonstrated, with minimal effects on the normal surrounding tissue. The ability to impart precise drug doses onto natural cells, such as macrophages, and load various functional components into the MCRs, offers an efficient method for precise targeted therapy.

Identification and characterization of novel compound variants in SLC25A26 associated with combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency 28.

BACKGROUND: Combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency 28 (COXPD28) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mutations in SLC25A26, the gene which encodes the mitochondrial S-adenosylmethionine carrier (SAMC) that responsible for the transport of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) into the mitochondria. OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize pathogenic variants of SLC25A26 in a Chinese pedigree, provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. METHODS: We conducted a systematic analysis of the clinical characteristics of a female with COXPD28. Whole-exome and mitochondrial genome sequencing was applied for the genetic analysis, together with bioinformatic analysis of predicted consequences of the identified variant. A homotrimer model was built to visualize the affected region and predict possible outcomes of this mutation. Then a literature review was performed by online searching all cases reported with COXPD28. RESULTS: The novel compound heterozygous SLC25A26 variants (c.34G > C, p.A12P; c.197C > A; p.A66E) were identified in a Chinese patient with COXPD28. These two variants are located in the transmembrane region 1 and transmembrane region 2, respectively. As a member of the mitochondrial carrier family, the transmembrane region of SAMC is highly conserved. The variants were predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis and lead to a change in the protein structure of SAMC. And the change of the SAMC structure may lead to insufficient methylation and cause disease by affecting the SAM transport. CONCLUSIONS: The variants in this region probably resulted in a variable loss of mitochondrial SAMC transport function and cause the COXPD28. This study that further refine genotype-phenotype associations can provide disease prognosis with a basis and families with reproductive planning options.

Characteristics and possible mechanisms of 46, XY differences in sex development caused by novel compound variants in NR5A1 and MAP3K1.

BACKGROUND: Dozens of genes are involved in 46, XY differences in sex development (DSD). Notably, about 3/4 of patients cannot make a clear etiology diagnosis and single gene variant identified cannot fully explain the clinical heterogeneity of 46, XY DSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic clinical analysis of a 46, XY DSD patient, and applied whole-exome sequencing for the genetic analysis of this pedigree. The identified variants were analyzed by bioinformatic analysis and in vitro studies were performed in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK-293T) cells which were transiently transfected with wild type or variant NR5A1 and MAP3K1 plasmid. Furthermore, protein production of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) was analyzed in cell lysates. RESULTS: A novel NR5A1 variant (c.929A > C, p. His310Pro) and a rare MAP3K1 variant (c.2282T > C, p. Ile761Thr) were identified in the proband, whereas the proband's mother and sister who only carry rare MAP3K1 variant have remained phenotypically healthy to the present. These two variants were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. In vitro, NR5A1 variant decreased the SOX9 production by 82.11% compared to wild type NR5A1, while MAP3K1 variant had little effect on the SOX9 production compared to wild type MAP3K1. Compared to wild type NR5A1 transfection, the SOX9 production of cells transfected with both wild type plasmids decreased by about 17.40%. Compared to variant NR5A1 transfection, the SOX9 production of cells transfected with both variant plasmids increased by the 36.64%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested the novel compound variants of NR5A1 and MAP3K1 can alter the expression of SOX9 and ultimately lead to abnormality of sex development.

Lower Plasma Melatonin in the Intervertebral Disk Degeneration Patients Was Associated with Increased Proinflammatory Cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) was considered to be the pathological basis of intervertebral disc herniation (IDH). However, the plasma melatonin in the IDD cases and healthy controls remained unclear. METHODS: In this case-control study, a total of 71 IDD cases and 54 healthy controls were enrolled between April 2020 and August 2020. The diagnostic effect of plasma melatonin for IDD was detected using receiver operating characteristic curve. The correlations between two continuous variables were detected with the Pearson linear analyses. RESULTS: It was found that lower melatonin concentration was detected in the IDD cases (1.906 ± 1.041 vs 3.072 ± 0.511 pg/mL, P<0.001). Through receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, it was found that plasma melatonin could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for IDD (area under curve=0.808, P<0.001). In advanced correlation analyses, it was found that plasma melatonin concentration was negatively associated with the age, symptom durations, IDD disease severity and proinflammatory factors, including IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations (P<0.05). Comparing with the higher melatonin groups, significantly increased IL-6 (0.601 ± 0.085 vs 0.507 ± 0.167 pg/mL, P=0.028) and TNF-α (3.022 ± 0.286 vs 2.353 ± 0.641, P<0.001) were detected in the patients with lower melatonin concentration. CONCLUSION: The plasma melatonin concentration was significantly decreased in the IDD cases and plasma melatonin could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for IDD. Lower plasma melatonin was associated with longer disease durations, elevated disease severity and higher inflammatory cytokines levels in IDD patients.

Posttranslational Modification Defects in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 as a Reason for Normosmic Isolated Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.

Some mutations in FGFR1 affect the sense of smell while others do not, resulting in Kallmann syndrome (KS) and normosmic isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nIHH), respectively. The underlying mechanism is still unclear. FGFR1 variants are found in less than 10% of patients with KS and nIHH, and among them, only some have undergone functional analysis. Thus, the correlation between the phenotype and genotype cannot be clearly verified. This study reports a case of nIHH and explores the potential mechanism of the FGFR1 gene in the pathogenesis of nIHH. A preschooler with cryptorchidism, micropenis, strabismus, and hypopsia is described. As he had a normal sense of smell, he was diagnosed with nIHH. A de novo mutation in FGFR1 (c.2008G>A) was detected in the patient along with a novel variant in CEP290 (c.964G>A) inherited from his mother. We present compelling in vitro evidence that this FGFR1 mutation-induced posttranslational modification defect, including defective glycosylation and impaired trans-autophosphorylation, along with the final reduction in expression, could lead to impairment of the receptor and abnormal signaling and eventually result in developmental abnormalities and inhibition of GnRH neuron release. The identification of an additional variant suggests that CEP290 might play a potential role in GnRH development.

Identification of Oliver-McFarlane syndrome caused by novel compound heterozygous variants of PNPLA6.

OBJECTIVES: Oliver-McFarlane syndrome (OMCS) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease resulting from PNPLA6 mutations that results in intellectual impairment and profound short stature. To obtain a better understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlations for PNPLA6-related disorders, we reported the 14th OMCS case and summarized all the reported cases of OMCS. METHODS: We collected clinical biochemical and data and brain MRI data and used whole-exon gene detection and analysis tools to evaluate the pathogenicity of the variants, including PolyPhen-2 and Mutation Taster, and we also generated three-dimensional protein structures and visualized the effects of altered residues with I-TASSER and PyMOL Viewer software. RESULTS: The patient presented with trichomegaly and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies. Brain MRI showed small pituitary and bilateral paraventricular leukomalacia. Novel variants (c.1491G > T and c.3367G > A) in the PNPLA6 gene were detected in the proband and verified by direct sequencing. Amino acid residues of Gln497 and Gly1123 are predicted to be damaging and destroy the three-dimensional protein structures of the protein. In follow-up, this patient could neither walk nor hold his head erect and had not spoken one word at the age of one year and ten months. Moreover, there is no obvious hot spot mutation in any of the reported allelic variants. Interestingly, the majority of mutations are located in the phospholipid esterase domain, which is responsible for esterase activity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified two novel variants of the PNPLA6 gene in an OMCS patient, which will help to better understand the function of PNPLA6 and genotype-phenotype correlations for PNPLA6-related disorders.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Protects H2O2-Induced Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis and Inflammation by Inhibiting cGAS/Sting/NLRP3 Activation.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common diagnosis of patients with lower back pain. IDD is the underlying lesion of many spinal degenerative diseases; however, the role of cGAS/Sting/NLRP3 pathway and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the development of IDD remained unclear. METHODS: The expressions of cGAS, Sting and NLRP3 mRNA of intervertebral disc (IVD) samples from IDD patients and controls were detected by RT-PCR. The nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and used as an in-vitro model. Both 5 µM and 25 µM EGCG treatment were used to detect the effect of EGCG on the in-vitro model. Cell viability was detected by the MTT method, and cell apoptosis and cell cycle would be detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used in the detection of the expression of cGAS/Sting/NLRP3 as well as apoptosis-related protein level. ELISA was used in the detection of pro-inflammatory factors, including IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. RESULTS: The expressions of cGAS, Sting and NLRP3 mRNA were significantly increased in the IVD samples from IDD patients and NLRP3 was associated with cGAS and Sting. Advanced in-vitro study showed that H2O2 significantly increased the expression of cGAS, Sting and NLRP3 protein levels. Advanced experiments showed that EGCG treatment demonstrated significant protective effects in cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and inflammatory status through down-regulation of cGAS/Sting/NLRP3 pathway. CONCLUSION: It was shown that the cGAS, Sting and NLRP3 up-regulation was associated with the incidence of IDD. Our findings also suggest that EGCG treatment would provide anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and promote cell viability in H2O2 treatment-incubated NPCs through inhibiting cGAS/Sting/NLRP3 pathway.

Novel compound variants of the AR and MAP3K1 genes are related to the clinical heterogeneity of androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS; OMIM 300068) is the most frequent cause of 46, XY disorders of sex development (DSD). However, the correlation between genotype and phenotype has not been determined. We conducted a systematic analysis of the clinical characteristics, hormone levels, ultrasonography data and histopathology of a 46, XY Chinese patient with AIS. The family was followed up for nearly 8 years. We applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) for genetic analysis of the pedigree and performed bioinformatic analysis of the identified variants. Human embryonic kidney 293T/17 (HEK293T/17) cells were transiently transfected with wild-type or mutant AR and MAP3K1 plasmid. Cell lysates were used to analyze androgen receptor (AR) production. A novel hemizygous AR variant (c.2070C>A, p. His690Glu) and a rare heterozygous MAP3K1 variant (c.778C>T, p. Arg260Cys) were identified by WES in the proband and her mother. Bioinformatic analysis predicted these two variants to be pathogenic. Multiple amino acid sequence alignments showed that p. His690 and p. Arg260 are conserved among various species. His690Glu is a mutation that decreased the AR production, whereas the Arg260Cys mutation increased the AR production. The novel compound variants of the AR and MAP3K1 genes also increased the production of AR protein. Thus, the phenotype of the patient may be caused by defects in both the AR and MAP3K1 signaling pathways. Compound variants of the AR and MAP3K1 genes resulted in a specific phenotype in this patient with AIS. WES might reveal genetic variants that explain the heterogeneity of AIS.