Metformin ameliorates calcium oxalate crystallization and stone formation by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway: Two birds with one stone.

Deposition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals and oxidative stress-induced injury of renal tubular epithelial cell are the primary pathogenic factors of nephrolithiasis. In this study we investigated the beneficial effects of metformin hydrochloride (MH) against nephrolithiasis and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. Our results demonstrated that MH inhibited the formation of CaOx crystals and promoted the transformation of thermodynamically stable CaOx monohydrate (COM) to more unstable CaOx dihydrate (COD). MH treatment effectively ameliorated oxalate-induced oxidative injury and mitochondrial damage in renal tubular cells and reduced CaOx crystal deposition in rat kidneys. MH also attenuated oxidative stress by lowering MDA level and enhancing SOD activity in HK-2 and NRK-52E cells and in a rat model of nephrolithiasis. In both HK-2 and NRK-52E cells, COM exposure significantlylowered the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2, which was rescued by MH treatment even in the presence of Nrf2 and HO-1 inhibitors. In rats with nephrolithiasis, MH treatment significantly rescued the down-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the kidneys. These results demonstrate that MH can alleviate CaOx crystal deposition and kidney tissue injury in rats with nephrolithiasis by suppressing oxidative stress and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential value of MH in the treatment of nephrolithiasis.

Tim3scFv-Transforming Lactobacillus Inhibits Transplanted Tumor of Renal-Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: T-cell immunoglobulin-3 (Tim-3) antibody drugs can treat malignant renal tumors but are expensive. To overcome this limitation, Lactococcus lactis host bacteria were used to express Tim-3 single-chain antibodies. METHODS: The pLAN-CTB-Tim3scFv plasmid was constructed using molecular cloning technology and transformed into Lactococcus lactis. Expression and immune activity of proteins in the transformed bacteria were analyzed using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in vitro. A mouse subcutaneously transplanted tumor model of renal adenocarcinoma was constructed. The promoting effect of transformed bacteria on mouse spleen lymphocyte activation and their inhibitory effect on transplanted tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: Transformed L. lactis NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv and NZ-Tim3scFv were successfully constructed. CTB-Tim3scFv secreted by NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv showed immunological activity. Compared with the NZ-Tim3scFv and NZ-Vector groups, the subgroups of splenic lymphocytes in the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group had a higher proportion of CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8a+, and CD3+CD69+ cells. Ki67 and CD31 expression in the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group was significantly reduced. Tumor volume in the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group increased the least. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Secretion of CTB-Tim3scFv promoted the proliferation and activation of spleen lymphocytes and inhibited growth, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis of tumors. The proposed method is low cost and convenient with potential to become a new immunotherapy approach for renal-cell carcinoma.

Smart nanoplatform for sequential drug release and enhanced chemo-thermal effect of dual drug loaded gold nanorod vesicles for cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: The combination of multiple chemotherapeutics has been used in the clinic for enhanced cancer chemotherapy, however, frequent relapse, chemo-resistance and side effects remains therapeutic hurdles. Thus, the development of co-delivery system with enhanced targeting and synergistic different modal treatments has been proposed as promising strategies for intensive improvement of the therapeutic outcomes. RESULTS: We fabricated a nanocarrier based on gold nanorods (Au NRs), cRGD peptide-modified and multi-stimuli-responsive paclitaxel (PTX) and curcumin (CUR) release for synergistic anticancer effect and chemo-photothermal therapy (PTX/CUR/Au NRs@cRGD). The specific banding of cRGD to αvß3 integrin receptor on the tumor cell surfaces facilitated the endocytosis of PTX/CUR/Au NRs@cRGD, and the near-infrared ray (NIR) further enhanced the drug release and chemotherapeutical efficiency. Compared to single drug, single model treatment or undecorated-PTX/CUR/Au NRs, the PTX/CUR/Au NRs@cRGD with a mild NIR showed significantly enhanced apoptosis and S phase arrest in three cancer cell lines in vitro, and improved drug accumulation in tumor sites as well as tumor growth inhibition in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The tumor targeted chemo-photothermal therapy with the synergistic effect of dual drugs provided a versatile strategy for precise cancer therapy.

Controlled release of insulin-like growth factor 1 enhances urethral sphincter function and histological structure in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of controlled release of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) from alginate-poly-L-ornithine-gelatine (A-PLO-G) microbeads on external urethral sphincter (EUS) tissue regeneration in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), as SUI diminishes the quality of life of millions, particularly women who have delivered vaginally, which can injure the urethral sphincter. Despite several well-established treatments for SUI, growth factor therapy might provide an alternative to promote urethral sphincter repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 44 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into four groups: vaginal distension (VD) followed by periurethral injection of IGF-1-A-PLO-G microbeads (VD + IGF-1 microbeads; 1 × 104 microbeads/1 mL normal saline); VD + empty microbeads; VD + saline; or sham-VD + saline (sham). RESULTS: Urethral function (leak-point pressure, LPP) was significantly lesser 1 week after VD + saline [mean (sem) 23.9 (1.3) cmH2 O] or VD + empty microbeads [mean (sem) 21.7 (0.8) cmH2 O) compared to the sham group [mean (sem) 44.4 (3.4) cmH2 O; P < 0.05), indicating that the microbeads themselves do not create a bulking or obstructive effect in the urethra. The LPP was significantly higher 1 week after VD + IGF-1 microbeads [mean (sem) 28.4 (1.2) cmH2 O] compared to VD + empty microbeads (P < 0.05), and was not significantly different from the LPP in sham rats, demonstrating an initiation of a reparative effect even at 1 week after VD. Histological analysis showed well-organised skeletal muscle fibres and vascular development in the EUS at 1 week after VD + IGF-1 microbeads, compared to substantial muscle fibre attenuation and disorganisation, and less vascular formation at 1 week after VD + saline or VD + empty microbeads. CONCLUSION: Periurethral administration of IGF-1-A-PLO-G microbeads facilitates recovery from SUI by promoting skeletal myogenesis and revascularisation. This therapy is promising, but detailed and longer term studies in animal models and humans are needed.

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 improves spermatogenesis in Immp2l mutant mice.

Previous studies have confirmed that spermatogenesis in homozygous Immp2l mutant male mice was normal at the age of 6 months, but was significantly abnormal at the age of 13 months. Meanwhile, oxidative stress is reported to be involved in spermatogenic impairment in old mutant mice. However, it is unclear whether antioxidant treatment is a suitable intervention for improving spermatogenesis in old mutant mice. This study sought to investigate the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 on spermatogenesis in homozygous Immp2l mutant mice. Immp2l mutant mice were treated with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 from the age of 6 weeks until 13 months. SkQ1 treatment significantly improved spermatogenesis in old Immp2 l mutant mice. Moreover, SkQ1 treatment improved the morphology of testicular seminiferous tubules, significantly reduced the apoptosis of germ cells and increased the level of GPX4 expression in old Immp2 l mutant mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 is effective in improving spermatogenesis in Immp2 l mutant mice and might be used for the treatment of male infertility.

Saikosaponin-d: A potential chemotherapeutics in castration resistant prostate cancer by suppressing cancer metastases and cancer stem cell phenotypes.

Androgen deprivation therapy is the gold standard regimen for advanced Prostate cancer (PCa) patients, nevertheless, patients eventually develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Currently only a few chemotherapeutics are available for CRPC. Therefore, it is critical for identifying a new drug. In this study, we will explore a new agent, Saikosaponin-d (SSd), for CRPC therapy based on its mechanism of action. DU145 and CWR22Rv1 cells representing CRPC were employed in this study. A series of cell, biochemical, and molecular biologic assays such as Immunofluorescence, Zymography, Sphere formation, Colony formation, and MTT were used. Finally, we find SSd can significantly inhibit the growth of PCa cells in both dose- and time-dependent and suppress the colony formation during a long-term drug administration, it also can inhibit their migration and invasion abilities, which was accompanied by reverse the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppress MMP2/9 expression as well as activities. Furthermore, SSd can suppress cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes such as self-renewal ability. Mechanistically, SSd blocks Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by decreasing GSK3ß phosphorylation to affect EMT and CSC. These findings demonstrate the mechanism of anti-cancer activity of SSd in targeting EMT and CSC, suggesting SSd can be a potent agent for CRPC therapy.

Construction and Characterization of n6-Methyladenosine-Related lncRNA Prognostic Signature and Immune Cell Infiltration in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) lacks effective prognostic biomarkers and the role and mechanism of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in KIRC remain unclear. Methods: We extracted standard mRNA-sequencing and clinical data from the TCGA database. The prognostic risk model was obtained by Lasso regression and Cox regression. We randomly divided the samples into training and test sets, each taking half of the cases. Based on Lasso regression and Cox regression for training set, the prognostic risk signature was constructed; risk scores were calculated with the R package "glmnet." Based on the median value of the prognostic risk score, risk scores were calculated for each patient and we divided all KIRC samples into high-risk and low-risk groups. Then, high- and low-risk subtypes were established and their prognosis, clinical features, and immune infiltration microenvironment were evaluated in test set and the entire sampled data set. The reliability of the prognostic model was confirmed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: We found 28 prognostic m6A-related lncRNAs and established a m6A-related lncRNAs prognostic signature. Risk score=AC015813.1∗(0.0086)+EMX2OS∗(-0.0101)+LINC00173∗(0.0309)+PWAR5∗(-0.0146)+SNHG1∗(0.0043). The signature showed a better predictive ability than other clinical indicators, including tumor node metastasis classification (TNM), histological, and pathological stages. In the high-risk group, M0 macrophages, CD8+ T cells, and regulatory T cells had significantly higher scores. Contrarily, in the low-risk group, activated dendritic cells, M1 macrophages, mast resting cells, and monocytes had significantly higher scores. In the high-risk group, LSECtin was overexpressed. In the low-risk group, PD-L1 was overexpressed. Moreover, high-risk patients may benefit more from AZ628. Conclusions: In conclusion, prognosis prediction of patients with KIRC and new insights for immunotherapy are provided by the m6A-related lncRNA prognostic signature.

Coalbed Methane Production Model Based on Random Forests Optimized by a Genetic Algorithm.

It is of great significance to evaluate and predict coalbed methane (CBM) production for the exploitation and exploration of CBM. The flow characteristics of gas and water are very complicated and important in the process of CBM exploitation. In recent years, machine learning has been introduced to analyze CBM well production and its influence based on the historical production data. However, there are some problems with the determination of hyperparameters in machine learning algorithms. Some previous random forests (RF) models of CBM production prediction were suitable for individual CBM wells, but for different types of CBM wells, a large amount of time is needed to adjust the hyperparameters. Therefore, a genetic algorithm (GA) was applied to optimize RF, and a hybrid GA-RF algorithm was presented to solve this problem, which can automatically adjust two important hyperparameters, n tree and m try, and adapt different types of CBM wells. Meanwhile, the Pearson method and RF were carried out in this work to analyze the data of CBM well production to avoid multicollinearity caused by the improper selection of the model's independent variables. The importance and correlation analysis of drainage control parameters, including casing pressure (P c), bottom-hole pressure (P b), stroke frequency (f s), liquid column depth (D L), daily decline of bottom-hole pressure (P bd), and daily decline of casing pressure (P cd) were obtained. It was found that the casing pressure, bottom-hole pressure, and stroke frequency had more effects on the gas production of CBM wells than other drainage control parameters. Furthermore, the correlation and importance order of the influencing factors were: P c > P b > f s > P bd > P cd > D L and P c > P b > f s > D L > P bd > P cd, respectively. A CBM production model based on the GA-RF algorithm was constructed to study and predict the gas production of CBM wells in Qinshui Basin, China. Compared with the production model based on RF, this model can automatically optimize its hyperparameters to adapt to different types of CBM wells, and the mean-square-error of the GA-RF algorithm can be reduced by 40-60% than that of RF. 93% of the training errors were less than 5%, and 89% of the prediction errors were less than 10%. The GA-RF model can spot promptly the main influencing factors of CBM production and has high accuracy for the production prediction of CBM wells.

Paclitaxel-loaded poly(n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticle delivery system to overcome multidrug resistance in ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test the ability of paclitaxel-loaded poly(butylcyanoacrylate) (PBCA) nanoparticles to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) in human ovarian resistant cells (A2780/T) and investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS: We prepared paclitaxel-loaded PBCA nanoparticles by interfacial polymerization method. The physicochemistry of the nanoparticles was characterized. The cytotoxicity of paclitaxel-loaded PBCA nanoparticles was measured by MTT assay. Calcein-AM assay was used to analyze the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function, and the expression of MDR-1 mRNA in A2780/T cells treated with drug-loaded nanoparticles was defined by QRT-PCR. RESULTS: The nanoparticles were approximately spherical in shape with an average diameter of 224.5 ± 5.7 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was 99.23%. The in vitro drug release profile exhibited a biphasic pattern. The drug formulated in PBCA nanoparticles showed a greater cytotoxicity than paclitaxel against A2780/T cells. Paclitaxel-loaded PBCA as well as blank PBCA nanoparticles decreased P-gp function in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the efficacy of the drug-loaded nanoparticle system on overcoming MDR. There was no significant effect on inhibition to the expression of MDR1 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel-loaded PBCA nanoparticles can enhance cytotoxicity and overcome MDR through a mechanism of the inhibition of P-gp function caused by the nanoparticles system.

Hierarchical dual-responsive cleavable nanosystem for synergetic photodynamic/photothermal therapy against melanoma.

Currently, the combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photothermal therapy (PTT) modalities based on a single near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and highly selective internalization still remain a challenge. Herein, a hierarchical dual-responsive cleavable nanosystem for synergetic NIR triggered PDT/PTT is reported. The engineered nanoplatform (Au NRs/Cur/UCNPs@PBE) is designed by loading curcumin (Cur, photosensitizer) on gold nanarods (Au NRs) to build PDT/PTT therapy system, which was encapsulated outside with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and then modified with phenylboronic double ester (PBE). The pH and ROS-responsive feature made Au NRs/Cur/UCNPs@PBE provide a fundamental structural evolution and improve the specificity and intracellular accumulation to tumors. Au NRs/Cur/UCNPs@PBE exhibited significant PDT and PTT efficiency against two type melanoma cells due to upconversion nanoparticles and Au NRs induced by an 808 nm laser. Notably, the platform can mainly activate apoptosis and partial ferroptosis to achieve the synergistic PDT/PTT, furthermore, the integrated PDT with PTT using Au NRs/Cur/UCNPs@PBE showcased a great antitumor efficacy in vivo superior to the other alone treatment. Our findings highlight that this intelligent nanoagents for synergistic phototherapy facilitate enhanced fighting melanoma and provide a promising strategy for melanoma theranostics.

Oncogenic potential of macrophage­capping protein in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Macrophage­capping protein (CapG) is a newly characterized oncogene involved in several types of cancer. However, the expression patterns and biological mechanisms of CapG in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of CapG in the prognosis, proliferation and metastasis of ccRCC. In the present study, the expression of CapG was analyzed by western blotting in 24 paired ccRCC and adjacent normal tissue samples. Another 152 tissue samples from 152 patients with ccRCC were examined by immunohistochemistry. Compared with normal tissue, CapG expression was significantly increased in ccRCC tissue, and high CapG expression was associated with advanced tumor stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival. Moreover, CapG was an independent predictor of survival. Lentivirus­mediated CapG knockdown significantly inhibited 786­O cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and increased apoptosis in vitro. Microarray analysis indicated that RAC, CDC42 and ERK/MAPK signaling were disrupted by CapG knockdown in 786­O cells. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that CapG plays an oncogenic role in ccRCC and may represent a potential therapeutic target for this disease.

Mimotopes selected with a neutralizing antibody against urease B from Helicobacter pylori induce enzyme inhibitory antibodies in mice upon vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Urease B is an important virulence factor that is required for Helicobacter pylori to colonise the gastric mucosa. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that inhibit urease B enzymatic activity will be useful as vaccines for the prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection. Here, we produced murine mAbs against urease B that neutralize the enzyme's activity. We mapped their epitopes by phage display libraries and investigated the immunogenicity of the selected mimotopes in vivo. RESULTS: The urease B gene was obtained (GenBank accession No. DQ141576) and the recombinant pGEX-4T-1/UreaseB protein was expressed in Escherichia coli as a 92-kDa recombinant fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Five mAbs U001-U005 were produced by a hybridoma-based technique with urease B-GST as an immunogen. Only U001 could inhibit urease B enzymatic activity. Immunoscreening via phage display libraries revealed two different mimotopes of urease B protein; EXXXHDM from ph.D.12-library and EXXXHSM from ph.D.C7C that matched the urease B proteins at 347-353 aa. The antiserum induced by selected phage clones clearly recognised the urease B protein and inhibited its enzymatic activity, which indicated that the phagotope-induced immune responses were antigen specific. CONCLUSIONS: The present work demonstrated that phage-displayed mimotopes were accessible to the mouse immune system and triggered a humoral response. The urease B mimotope could provide a novel and promising approach for the development of a vaccine for the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection.

HOTAIR expands the population of prostatic cancer stem-like cells and causes Docetaxel resistance via activating STAT3 signaling.

Prostatic cancer stem-like cells (PCSLCs) play an essential role in PCa development. Accumulating evidence suggests that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or chemotherapy using docetaxel could expand the population of PCSLCs. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms responsible for PCSLCs expansion has broadly scientific interest. Here, our results revealed that lncRNA HOTAIR could increase PCSLCs population via activating STAT3 signaling. Mechanistically, HOTAIR functioned as miR-590-5p sponge and prevented it from targeting the 3'UTR of IL-10, one upstream molecule of STAT3 signaling, leading to IL-10 upregulation and STAT3 activation. We also found that HOTAIR was required and sufficient to cause Docetaxel resistance (DocR) in C4-2 PCa cells. Moreover, our in vivo animal study also confirmed that Du145-HOTAIR mice had a faster tumor growth rate and a poorer survival rate compared to control cohorts. Our data build compelling rationale to target HOTAIR for the depletion of PCSLCs and alleviation of Docetaxel resistance.

Investigation on the pore characteristics of coal specimens with bursting proneness.

To achieve further insight into the pore characteristics, the coal specimens with different bursting proneness before and after uniaxial compression failure are tested and compared in this paper. The data of mercury intrusion test is corrected by that of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and desorption test (LTNAD). The pore size distribution and pore volume of specimens are obtained. The pore compressibility coefficient is determined based on the fractal dimension of pore. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and computed tomography (CT) are combined to evaluated the pore connectivity. The value of pore compressibility coefficient of specimens with high bursting proneness is larger than that of medium bursting proneness. It means more compressibility and abrupt failure under stress. The researches of both SEM and CT indicate that the pore connectivity of specimens with medium bursting proneness is better. The results show that great differences exist in the pore characteristics of specimens with high and medium bursting proneness, and uniaxial compression failure exacerbates the complexity of pore characteristics.

Investigation of the In-Plane Mechanical Anisotropy of Magnesium Alloy AZ31B-O by VPSC⁻TDT Crystal Plasticity Model.

The in-plane mechanical anisotropy of magnesium alloy sheet, which significantly influences the design of the parts produced by Mg alloy sheets, is of great importance regarding its wide application. Though the stress-strain response and texture evolution have been intensively investigated, and the anisotropy of Mg alloy can be significantly substantiated by its R-value, which reveals the lateral response of a material other than the primary response. As a consequence, the conjunction of viscoplastic self-consistent model and twinning and detwinning scheme (VPSC-TDT) is employed to investigate the in-plane anisotropy of magnesium alloy AZ31B-O sheet. The loading cases include both tension and compression along different paths with respect to the processing direction of the sheet. It is revealed that the stress-strain relation, texture evolution, R-value, and involved deformation mechanisms are all loading path-dependent. The unique R-values of Mg alloys are interpreted with the aid of modeling behaviors of Mg single crystals. The results agree well with the corresponding experiments. It is found that the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) crystallographic structure, deformation twinning, and initial basal texture are responsible for the characteristic behavior of Mg alloys.

Rational design of multi-stimuli-responsive gold nanorod-curcumin conjugates for chemo-photothermal synergistic cancer therapy.

In recent decades, the development of novel photorelated nanomedicines as precise cancer nanotheranostics has received extensive attention. However, strategies aimed at integrating various stimuli-responsive multimodal therapies are needed. Herein, we developed a novel system for combined plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) and chemotherapy using the tumor microenvironment and near-infrared (NIR)-responsive gold nanorod-drug conjugates (Au NR@Curcumin). To synthesize this conjugate, the alkanethiol aliphatic acid (11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, MUA) group was covalently linked to curcumin via an ester bond. MUA-curcumin conjugates and thiol-end-functionalized PEG were used to replace cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) while modifying the surface of the Au NRs. The size, zeta potential and shape were measured to characterize Au NR@Curcumin. The release of curcumin from Au NR@Curcumin was achieved by the cleavage of the esterase-labile ester bond in the tumor microenvironment which was enriched in esterase. Under NIR irradiation, the release of curcumin from Au NR@Curcumin was accelerated, caused by the excellent photothermal effect of the Au NRs. The antitumor effects of Au NR@Curcumin were tested on A549 human lung cancer cells, KB human oral epidermoid carcinoma cells and HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells. The ability of the nanosystem to efficiently control the drug release responding to NIR laser irradiation and act as an outstanding hyperthermia agent was demonstrated. The systematic mechanistic elucidation of the tumor cell killing effect is achieved by inducing apoptosis and the arrest of the cell cycle in the treated cells. The combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy using the compact Au NR@Curcumin system showed a strong in vivo anticancer effect superior to that of either of the two treatments alone due to a synergistic effect. These results suggest that Au NR@Curcumin is a novel and promising photoablation agent that may be used for cancer nanotheranostics.

[Infiltrating mast cells promote neuroendocrine differentiation and increase docetaxel resistance of prostate cancer cells by up-regulating p21].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of infiltrating mast cells on neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and docetaxel sensitivity of prostate cancer (PCa) cells in vitro. METHODS: Human PCa cell lines (LNCaP and C4-2) were co-cultured with human mast cell line (HMC-1) in Transwell chambers. Androgen receptor (AR) was silenced in C4-2 cells using sh-AR lentivirus, and p21 was knocked down and overexpressed by transfecting C4-2 cells with pLKO.1-sh-p21 and pCMV-p21, respectively. The morphological changes of LNCaP and C4-2 cells were observed. MTT assay and colony formation assay were used to assess the proliferation of LNCaP and C4-2 cells. CCK8 assay was used to detect the cell viability of C4-2 cells following docetaxel trreatment. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of neuroendocrine markers, AR and p21 in the cells. RESULTS: Co-culture with HMC-1 cells enhanced the neuroendocrine phenotypes, inhibited the proliferation and up-regulated the expression of p21 in LNCaP and C4-2 cells. P21 positively regulated NED through a non-AR-dependent signaling pathway, while p21 knockdown partially reversed NED promoted by the mast cells. PCa cells co-cultured with HMC-1 cells showed increased resistance to docetaxel, and silencing p21 partially reversed docetaxel resistance in PCa cells. CONCLUSION: Infiltrating mast cells up-regulates p21 to promote NED and increase docetaxel resistance in PCa cells in vitro.

[Quantitative and comparative proteomics analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and adjacent noncancerous tissues by 2-D DIGE].

OBJECTIVE: To identify specific protein markers for renal cell carcinoma detection and diagnosis, as well as develop new potential therapeutic targets of the disease. METHODS: We used two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) technique conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of significant differentially expressed proteins between 15cases of paired clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and adjacent normal renal tissues. The protein spots were considered as differentially expressed if a 1.5-fold altered expression level was observed (Student's t test, P value<0.05). RESULTS: Of the 27 differentially expressed protein spots, 26 proteins were successfully identified. 11 proteins up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma,15 proteins down-regulated. Among them Short/branched chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (ACDSB), Aldose 1-epimerase (GALM), Peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4), Macrophage-capping protein (CAPG), Beta-defensin 107 (D107A), Microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 (MFAP4) were first time screening as new differential expressed proteins by protomic study in renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: 2-D DIGE is a useful technique for screening and analysis differential expressed proteins in renal cell carcinoma. These new differently expressed proteins may be useful for development new molecular markers for the tumor.

Fast clearance of lipid droplets through MAP1S-activated autophagy suppresses clear cell renal cell carcinomas and promotes patient survival.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is composed of cells whose cytoplasm filled with lipid droplets, subcellular organelles coated with adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADFP) for the storage of triacylglycerol converted from excess free fatty acids. Mammalian cells primarily use the autophagy-lysosome system to degrade misfolded/aggregated proteins and dysfunctional organelles such as lipid droplets. MAP1S (originally named C19ORF5) is an autophagy activator and promotes the biogenesis and degradation of autophagosomes. Previously, we reported that MAP1S suppresses hepatocellular carcinogenesis in a mouse model and promoted the survival of patients with prostate adenocarcinomas by increasing the degradation of aggregated proteins and dysfunctional mitochondria. Here we show that a suppression of MAP1S in renal cells causes an impairment of autophagic clearance of lipid droplets. In contrast, an overexpression of MAP1S causes an activation of autophagy flux and a reduction of lipid droplets so less DNA double strand breakage is induced. The levels of MAP1S in normal renal cells are dramatically higher than those in the ccRCC tissues and cell lines derived from renal cell carcinomas. High levels of MAP1S are associated with a reduced malignancy and metastasis of ccRCC and predict a better survival of ccRCC patients. Therefore, autophagy defects in the degradation of lipid droplets triggered by the MAP1S deficiency may enhance the initiation and development of ccRCC and reduce the survival of ccRCC patients.

[Nephron-sparing surgery for small renal cell carcinoma: clinical analysis of 21 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of nephron-sparing surgery in patients with early-stage small renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Nephron-sparing surgery was performed in 21 patients with renal cell carcinoma including 1 with solitary kidney, 3 with unilateral tumor and contralateral renal compromise, and 17 with unilateral tumor and normal contralateral kidney. The diameter of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 cm, with a mean of 2.8 cm. The tumor diameter in 17 patients with normal contralateral kidney was less than 4 cm (mean 2.5 cm) and the average diameter in 4 patients with contralateral renal compromise was 4.2 cm. Sixteen cases were in stage T(1), 4 in stage T(2), and 1 in stage T(3). Of the 21 patients, 4 underwent tumor enucleation, 10 polar nephrectomy and 7 wedge resection. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average of 40.8 months (7 to 66 months). One patient suffered a right lung and mediastinum metastasis 3 years after the surgery later and 1 with chronic glomerulonephritis required dialysis 27 months after the operation. No surgical complication or local recurrence were found in other patients. CONCLUSION: As a safe and effective therapy for early-stage small renal cell carcinoma, nephron-sparing surgery can be considered as the gold-standard therapy for patients with lesions less than 4 cm in T(1) and T(2) stages of localized unilateral tumor with normal contralateral kidney.