Insulin signaling establishes a developmental trajectory of adipose regulatory T cells.

Systematic characterizations of adipose regulatory T (Treg) cell subsets and their phenotypes remain uncommon. Using single-cell ATAC-sequencing and paired single-cell RNA and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to map mouse adipose Treg cells, we identified CD73hiST2lo and CD73loST2hi subsets with distinct clonal expansion patterns. Analysis of TCR-sharing data implied a state transition between CD73hiST2lo and CD73loST2hi subsets. Mechanistically, we revealed that insulin signaling occurs through a HIF-1α-Med23-PPAR-γ axis to drive the transition of CD73hiST2lo into a CD73loST2hi adipose Treg cell subset. Treg cells deficient in insulin receptor, HIF-1α or Med23 have decreased PPAR-γ expression that in turn promotes accumulation of CD73hiST2lo adipose Treg cells and physiological adenosine production to activate beige fat biogenesis. We therefore unveiled a developmental trajectory of adipose Treg cells and its dependence on insulin signaling. Our findings have implications for understanding the dynamics of adipose Treg cell subsets in aged and obese contexts.

SUCLA2-coupled regulation of GLS succinylation and activity counteracts oxidative stress in tumor cells.

Glutaminase regulates glutaminolysis to promote cancer cell proliferation. However, the mechanism underlying glutaminase activity regulation is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that kidney-type glutaminase (GLS) is highly expressed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) specimens with correspondingly upregulated glutamine dependence for PDAC cell proliferation. Upon oxidative stress, the succinyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase ADP-forming subunit ß (SUCLA2) phosphorylated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) at S79 dissociates from GLS, resulting in enhanced GLS K311 succinylation, oligomerization, and activity. Activated GLS increases glutaminolysis and the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione, thereby counteracting oxidative stress and promoting tumor cell survival and tumor growth in mice. In addition, the levels of SUCLA2 pS79 and GLS K311 succinylation, which were mutually correlated, were positively associated with advanced stages of PDAC and poor prognosis for patients. Our findings reveal critical regulation of GLS by SUCLA2-coupled GLS succinylation regulation and underscore the regulatory role of metabolites in glutaminolysis and PDAC development.

Low-dose metformin targets the lysosomal AMPK pathway through PEN2.

Metformin, the most prescribed antidiabetic medicine, has shown other benefits such as anti-ageing and anticancer effects1-4. For clinical doses of metformin, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a major role in its mechanism of action4,5; however, the direct molecular target of metformin remains unknown. Here we show that clinically relevant concentrations of metformin inhibit the lysosomal proton pump v-ATPase, which is a central node for AMPK activation following glucose starvation6. We synthesize a photoactive metformin probe and identify PEN2, a subunit of γ-secretase7, as a binding partner of metformin with a dissociation constant at micromolar levels. Metformin-bound PEN2 forms a complex with ATP6AP1, a subunit of the v-ATPase8, which leads to the inhibition of v-ATPase and the activation of AMPK without effects on cellular AMP levels. Knockout of PEN2 or re-introduction of a PEN2 mutant that does not bind ATP6AP1 blunts AMPK activation. In vivo, liver-specific knockout of Pen2 abolishes metformin-mediated reduction of hepatic fat content, whereas intestine-specific knockout of Pen2 impairs its glucose-lowering effects. Furthermore, knockdown of pen-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans abrogates metformin-induced extension of lifespan. Together, these findings reveal that metformin binds PEN2 and initiates a signalling route that intersects, through ATP6AP1, the lysosomal glucose-sensing pathway for AMPK activation. This ensures that metformin exerts its therapeutic benefits in patients without substantial adverse effects.

Targeted long-read sequencing of the Ewing sarcoma 6p25.1 susceptibility locus identifies germline-somatic interactions with EWSR1-FLI1 binding.

Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare bone and soft tissue malignancy driven by chromosomal translocations encoding chimeric transcription factors, such as EWSR1-FLI1, that bind GGAA motifs forming novel enhancers that alter nearby expression. We propose that germline microsatellite variation at the 6p25.1 EwS susceptibility locus could impact downstream gene expression and EwS biology. We performed targeted long-read sequencing of EwS blood DNA to characterize variation and genomic features important for EWSR1-FLI1 binding. We identified 50 microsatellite alleles at 6p25.1 and observed that EwS-affected individuals had longer alleles (>135 bp) with more GGAA repeats. The 6p25.1 GGAA microsatellite showed chromatin features of an EWSR1-FLI1 enhancer and regulated expression of RREB1, a transcription factor associated with RAS/MAPK signaling. RREB1 knockdown reduced proliferation and clonogenic potential and reduced expression of cell cycle and DNA replication genes. Our integrative analysis at 6p25.1 details increased binding of longer GGAA microsatellite alleles with acquired EWSR-FLI1 to promote Ewing sarcomagenesis by RREB1-mediated proliferation.

Histone H3.3 phosphorylation amplifies stimulation-induced transcription.

Complex organisms can rapidly induce select genes in response to diverse environmental cues. This regulation occurs in the context of large genomes condensed by histone proteins into chromatin. The sensing of pathogens by macrophages engages conserved signalling pathways and transcription factors to coordinate the induction of inflammatory genes1-3. Enriched integration of histone H3.3, the ancestral histone H3 variant, is a general feature of dynamically regulated chromatin and transcription4-7. However, how chromatin is regulated at induced genes, and what features of H3.3 might enable rapid and high-level transcription, are unknown. The amino terminus of H3.3 contains a unique serine residue (Ser31) that is absent in 'canonical' H3.1 and H3.2. Here we show that this residue, H3.3S31, is phosphorylated (H3.3S31ph) in a stimulation-dependent manner along rapidly induced genes in mouse macrophages. This selective mark of stimulation-responsive genes directly engages the histone methyltransferase SETD2, a component of the active transcription machinery, and 'ejects' the elongation corepressor ZMYND118,9. We propose that features of H3.3 at stimulation-induced genes, including H3.3S31ph, provide preferential access to the transcription apparatus. Our results indicate dedicated mechanisms that enable rapid transcription involving the histone variant H3.3, its phosphorylation, and both the recruitment and the ejection of chromatin regulators.

TIMAHAC: Streamlined Tandem IMAC-HILIC Workflow for Simultaneous and High-Throughput Plant Phosphoproteomics and N-glycoproteomics.

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial in plant cellular processes, particularly in protein folding and signal transduction. N-glycosylation and phosphorylation are notably significant PTMs, playing essential roles in regulating plant responses to environmental stimuli. However, current sequential enrichment methods for simultaneous analysis of phosphoproteome and N-glycoproteome are labor-intensive and time-consuming, limiting their throughput. Addressing this challenge, this study introduces a novel tandem S-Trap-IMAC-HILIC (S-Trap: suspension trapping; IMAC: immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography; HILIC: hydrophilic interaction chromatography) strategy, termed TIMAHAC, for simultaneous analysis of plant phosphoproteomics and N-glycoproteomics. This approach integrates IMAC and HILIC into a tandem tip format, streamlining the enrichment process of phosphopeptides and N-glycopeptides. The key innovation lies in the use of a unified buffer system and an optimized enrichment sequence to enhance efficiency and reproducibility. The applicability of TIMAHAC was demonstrated by analyzing the Arabidopsis phosphoproteome and N-glycoproteome in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Up to 1954 N-glycopeptides and 11,255 phosphopeptides were identified from Arabidopsis, indicating its scalability for plant tissues. Notably, distinct perturbation patterns were observed in the phosphoproteome and N-glycoproteome, suggesting their unique contributions to ABA response. Our results reveal that TIMAHAC offers a comprehensive approach to studying complex regulatory mechanisms and PTM interplay in plant biology, paving the way for in-depth investigations into plant signaling networks.

Serum biomarkers are altered in UK Biobank participants with mosaic chromosomal alterations.

Age-related clonal expansion of cells harbouring mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) is one manifestation of clonal haematopoiesis. Identifying factors that influence the generation and promotion of clonal expansion of mCAs are key to investigate the role of mCAs in health and disease. Herein, we report on widely measured serum biomarkers and their possible association with mCAs, which could provide new insights into molecular alterations that promote acquisition and clonal expansion. We performed a cross-sectional investigation of the association of 32 widely measured serum biomarkers with autosomal mCAs, mosaic loss of the Y chromosome, and mosaic loss of the X chromosome in 436 784 cancer-free participants from the UK Biobank. mCAs were associated with a range of commonly measured serum biomarkers such as lipid levels, circulating sex hormones, blood sugar homeostasis, inflammation and immune function, vitamins and minerals, kidney function, and liver function. Biomarker levels in participants with mCAs were estimated to differ by up to 5% relative to mCA-free participants, and individuals with higher cell fraction mCAs had greater deviation in mean biomarker values. Polygenic scores associated with sex hormone binding globulin, vitamin D, and total cholesterol were also associated with mCAs. Overall, we observed commonly used clinical serum biomarkers related to disease risk are associated with mCAs, suggesting mechanisms involved in these diseases could be related to mCA proliferation and clonal expansion.

PIP2 regulating calcium signal modulates actin cytoskeleton-dependent cytoadherence and cytolytic capacity in the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a prevalent causative agent that causes trichomoniasis leading to uropathogenic inflammation in the host. The crucial role of the actin cytoskeleton in T. vaginalis cytoadherence has been established but the associated signaling has not been fully elucidated. The present study revealed that the T. vaginalis second messenger PIP2 is located in the recurrent flagellum of the less adherent isolate and is more abundant around the cell membrane of the adherent isolates. The T. vaginalis phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (TvPI4P5K) with conserved activity phosphorylating PI(4)P to PI(4, 5)P2 was highly expressed in the adherent isolate and partially colocalized with PIP2 on the plasma membrane but with discrete punctate signals in the cytoplasm. Plasma membrane PIP2 degradation by phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway concomitant with increasing intracellular calcium during flagellate-amoeboid morphogenesis. This could be inhibited by Edelfosine or BAPTA simultaneously repressing parasite actin assembly, morphogenesis, and cytoadherence with inhibitory effects similar to the iron-depleted parasite, supporting the significance of PIP2 and iron in T. vaginalis colonization. Intriguingly, iron is required for the optimal expression and cell membrane trafficking of TvPI4P5K for in situ PIP2 production, which was diminished in the iron-depleted parasites. TvPI4P5K-mediated PIP2 signaling may coordinate with iron to modulate T. vaginalis contact-dependent cytolysis to influence host cell viability. These observations provide novel insights into T. vaginalis cytopathogenesis during the host-parasite interaction.

Dexamethasone potentiates chimeric antigen receptor T cell persistence and function by enhancing IL-7Rα expression.

Dexamethasone (dex) is a glucocorticoid that is a mainstay for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies, including immunotherapy-associated toxicities, yet the specific impact of dex on the activity of CAR T cells is not fully understood. We assessed whether dex treatment given ex vivo or as an adjuvant in vivo with CAR T cells impacted the phenotype or function of CAR T cells. We demonstrated that CAR T cell expansion and function were not inhibited by dex. We confirmed this observation using multiple CAR constructs and tumor models, suggesting that this is a general phenomenon. Moreover, we determined that dex upregulated interleukin-7 receptor α on CAR T cells and increased the expression of genes involved in activation, migration, and persistence when supplemented ex vivo. Direct delivery of dex and IL-7 into tumor-bearing mice resulted in increased persistence of adoptively transferred CAR T cells and complete tumor regression. Overall, our studies provide insight into the use of dex to enhance CAR T cell therapy and represent potential novel strategies for augmenting CAR T cell function during production as well as following infusion into patients.

Genomic and Proteomic Resolution of Heterochromatin and Its Restriction of Alternate Fate Genes.

Heterochromatin is integral to cell identity maintenance by impeding the activation of genes for alternate cell fates. Heterochromatic regions are associated with histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) or H3K27me3, but these modifications are also found in euchromatic regions that permit transcription. We discovered that resistance to sonication is a reliable indicator of the heterochromatin state, and we developed a biophysical method (gradient-seq) to discriminate subtypes of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 domains in sonication-resistant heterochromatin (srHC) versus euchromatin. These classifications are more accurate than the histone marks alone in predicting transcriptional silence and resistance of alternate fate genes to activation during direct cell conversion. Our proteomics of H3K9me3-marked srHC and functional screens revealed diverse proteins, including RBMX and RBMXL1, that impede gene induction during cellular reprogramming. Isolation of srHC with gradient-seq provides a genome-wide map of chromatin structure, elucidating subtypes of repressed domains that are uniquely predictive of diverse other chromatin properties.

Plasma metabolome and cytokine profile reveal glycylproline modulating antibody fading in convalescent COVID-19 patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has incurred tremendous costs worldwide and is still threatening public health in the "new normal." The association between neutralizing antibody levels and metabolic alterations in convalescent patients with COVID-19 is still poorly understood. In the present work, we conducted absolutely quantitative profiling to compare the plasma cytokines and metabolome of ordinary convalescent patients with antibodies (CA), convalescents with rapidly faded antibodies (CO), and healthy subjects. As a result, we identified that cytokines such as M-CSF and IL-12p40 and plasma metabolites such as glycylproline (gly-pro) and long-chain acylcarnitines could be associated with antibody fading in COVID-19 convalescent patients. Following feature selection, we built machine-learning-based classification models using 17 features (six cytokines and 11 metabolites). Overall accuracies of more than 90% were attained in at least six machine-learning models. Of note, the dipeptide gly-pro, a product of enzymatic peptide cleavage catalyzed by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), strongly accumulated in CO individuals compared with the CA group. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination experiments in healthy mice demonstrated that supplementation of gly-pro down-regulates SARS-CoV-2-specific receptor-binding domain antibody levels and suppresses immune responses, whereas the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin can counteract the inhibitory effects of gly-pro upon SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Our findings not only reveal the important role of gly-pro in the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection but also indicate a possible mechanism underlying the beneficial outcomes of treatment with DPP4 inhibitors in convalescent COVID-19 patients, shedding light on therapeutic and vaccination strategies against COVID-19.

PGD: Shared gene linking polycystic ovary syndrome and endometrial cancer, influencing proliferation and migration through glycometabolism.

The relationship among polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometrial cancer (EC), and glycometabolism remains unclear. We explored shared genes between PCOS and EC, using bioinformatics to unveil their pathogenic connection and influence on EC prognosis. Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE226146 (PCOS) and GSE196033 (EC) were used. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify the central genes. Candidate markers were screened using dataset GSE54250. Differences in marker expression were confirmed in mouse PCOS and human EC tissues using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effect of PGD on EC proliferation and migration was explored using Ki-67 and Transwell assays. PGD's impact on the glycometabolic pathway within carbon metabolism was assessed by quantifying glucose content and lactic acid production. R software identified 31 common genes in GSE226146 and GSE196033. Gene Ontology functional classification revealed enrichment in the "purine nucleoside triphosphate metabolism process," with key Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways related to "carbon metabolism." The PPI network identified 15 hub genes. HK2, NDUFS8, PHGDH, PGD, and SMAD3 were confirmed as candidate markers. The RT-PCR analysis validated distinct HK2 and PGD expression patterns in mouse PCOS ovarian tissue and human EC tissue, as well as in normal and EC cells. Transfection experiments with Ishikawa cells further confirmed PGD's influence on cell proliferation and migration. Suppression of PGD expression impeded glycometabolism within the carbon metabolism of EC cells, suggesting PGD as a significant PCOS risk factor impacting EC proliferation and migration through modulation of single carbon metabolism. These findings highlight PGD's pivotal role in EC onset and prognosis.

Enhancing the efficiency of lung cancer cell capture using microfluidic dielectrophoresis and aptamer-based surface modification.

Metastasis remains a significant cause to cancer-related mortality, underscoring the critical need for early detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). This study presents a novel microfluidic chip designed to efficiently capture A549 lung cancer cells by combining dielectrophoresis (DEP) and aptamer-based binding, thereby enhancing capture efficiency and specificity. The microchip features interdigitated electrodes made of indium-tin-oxide that generate a nonuniform electric field to manipulate CTCs. Following three chip design, scenarios were investigated: (A) bare glass surface, (B) glass modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) only, and (C) glass modified with both AuNPs and aptamers. Experimental results demonstrate that AuNPs significantly enhance capture efficiency under DEP, with scenarios (B) and (C) exhibiting similar performance. Notably, scenario (C) stands out as aptamer-functionalized surfaces resisting fluid shear forces, achieving CTCs retention even after electric field deactivation. Additionally, an innovative reverse pumping method mitigates inlet clogging, enhancing experimental efficiency. This research offers valuable insights into optimizing surface modifications and understanding key factors influencing cell capture, contributing to the development of efficient cell manipulation techniques with potential applications in cancer research and personalized treatment options.

The upregulation of VGF enhances the progression of oral squamous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent neoplasm worldwide, necessitating a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis. VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF), a neuropeptide, plays critical roles in nerve and endocrine cell regulation. METHODS: In this study, the TCGA datasets were initially screened, identifying the upregulation of VGF in various malignancies. We focused on OSCC cell lines, identifying the suppressor mRNA miR-432-5p as a negative regulator of VGF. Additionally, we examined the prognostic value of VGF expression in OSCC tumors and its impact on cellular functions. RESULTS: VGF expression was found to be an independent prognostic predictor in OSCC tumors. Cells expressing VGF exhibited increased oncogenicity, influencing the proliferation and migration of oral mucosal fibroblast. Transcriptome analysis revealed associations between VGF and various pathological processes, including malignancies, exosome release, fibrosis, cell cycle disruption, and tumor immune suppression. Moreover, IL23R expression, a favorable OSCC prognostic factor, was inversely correlated with VGF expression. Exogenous IL23R expression was found to suppress VGF-associated mobility phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the multifaceted role of VGF in OSCC pathogenesis and introduces the miR-432-5p-VGF-IL23R regulatory axis as a critical mediator. The combined expression of VGF and IL23R emerges as a potent predictor of survival in oral carcinoma cases, suggesting potential implications for future therapeutic strategies.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A nationwide population-based study and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have off-target effects on haemoconcentration and anti-inflammation. The impact of SGLT-2i on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of newly diagnosed VTE in patients with DM using SGLT-2i in comparison to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with diabetes aged 20 years or older who received SGLT-2i, DPP-4i, or GLP-1RA between 1 May 2016, and 31 December 2020, were included. The risks of VTE in SGLT-2i users were compared with those of DPP-4i and GLP-1RA users. A Cox regression model with stabilised inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) for VTE risk. Additionally, a meta-analysis of relevant articles published before 23 May 2023, was conducted. RESULTS: Data from 136,530 SGLT-2i, 598,280 DPP-4i, and 5760 GLP-1RA users were analysed. SGLT-2i use was associated with a lower risk of VTE than DPP-4i (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.84; p < 0·001), but not with GLP-1RA (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.32-5.94; p = 0.66). Our meta-analysis further supported these findings (SGLT-2i vs. DPP-4i: HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.82; p < 0·001; SGLT-2i vs. GLP-1RA: HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.73-1.15; p = 0.43), suggesting the robustness of our retrospective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DM, SGLT-2i was associated with a lower risk of VTE compared to DPP-4i, but not GLP-1RA.

Targeting MicroRNA in myopia: Current insights.

Myopia, the most prevalent eye condition, has sparked notable interest regarding its origin and prevention. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA strands typically consisting of 18-24 nucleotides. They play a central role in post-transcriptional gene regulation and are closely associated with both normal and pathological processes in organisms. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics have provided novel insights into miRNA expression and its regulatory role in myopia. This review discusses the distinct expression patterns, regulatory functions, and potential pathways of miRNAs involved in the onset and progression of myopia. The primary objective of this review was to provide valuable insights into molecular mechanisms underlying myopia and the contribution of miRNAs. These insights are expected to pave the way for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical applications of myopia.

TEM1/endosialin/CD248 promotes pathologic scarring and TGF-ß activity through its receptor stability in dermal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic scars, including keloids and hypertrophic scars, represent a common form of exaggerated cutaneous scarring that is difficult to prevent or treat effectively. Additionally, the pathobiology of pathologic scars remains poorly understood. We aim at investigating the impact of TEM1 (also known as endosialin or CD248), which is a glycosylated type I transmembrane protein, on development of pathologic scars. METHODS: To investigate the expression of TEM1, we utilized immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques. We conducted in vitro cell culture experiments and an in vivo stretch-induced scar mouse model to study the involvement of TEM1 in TGF-ß-mediated responses in pathologic scars. RESULTS: The levels of the protein TEM1 are elevated in both hypertrophic scars and keloids in comparison to normal skin. A re-analysis of scRNA-seq datasets reveals that a major profibrotic subpopulation of keloid and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts greatly expresses TEM1, with expression increasing during fibroblast activation. TEM1 promotes activation, proliferation, and ECM production in human dermal fibroblasts by enhancing TGF-ß1 signaling through binding with and stabilizing TGF-ß receptors. Global deletion of Tem1 markedly reduces the amount of ECM synthesis and inflammation in a scar in a mouse model of stretch-induced pathologic scarring. The intralesional administration of ontuxizumab, a humanized IgG monoclonal antibody targeting TEM1, significantly decreased both the size and collagen density of keloids. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that TEM1 plays a role in pathologic scarring, with its synergistic effect on the TGF-ß signaling contributing to dermal fibroblast activation. Targeting TEM1 may represent a novel therapeutic approach in reducing the morbidity of pathologic scars.

The effect of magnetic bead size on the isolation efficiency of lung cancer cells in a serpentine microchannel with added cavities.

An investigation was conducted to examine the effect of magnetic bead (MB) size on the effectiveness of isolating lung cancer cells using the immunomagnetic separation (IMS) method in a serpentine microchannel with added cavities (SMAC) structure. Carboxylated magnetic beads were specifically conjugated to target cells through a modification procedure using aptamer materials. Cells immobilized with different sizes (in micrometers) of MBs were captured and isolated in the proposed device for comparison and analysis. The study yields significance regarding the clarification of device working principles by using a computational model. Furthermore, an accurate evaluation of the MB size impact on capture efficiency was achieved, including the issue of MB-cell accumulation at the inlet-channel interface, despite it being overlooked in many previous studies. As a result, our findings demonstrated an increasing trend in binding efficiency as the MB size decreased, evidenced by coverages of 50.5%, 60.1%, and 73.4% for sizes of 1.36 µm, 3.00 µm, and 4.50 µm, respectively. Additionally, the overall capture efficiency (without considering the inlet accumulation) was also higher for smaller MBs. However, when accounting for the actual number of cells entering the channel (i.e., the effective capture), larger MBs showed higher capture efficiency. The highest effective capture achieved was 88.4% for the size of 4.50 µm. This research provides an extensive insight into the impact of MB size on the performance of IMS-based devices and holds promise for the efficient separation of circulating cancer cells (CTCs) in practical applications.

A Single miRNA-mRNA Interaction Affects the Immune Response in a Context- and Cell-Type-Specific Manner.

MicroRNA (miRNA)-dependent regulation of gene expression confers robustness to cellular phenotypes and controls responses to extracellular stimuli. Although a single miRNA can regulate expression of hundreds of target genes, it is unclear whether any of its distinct biological functions can be due to the regulation of a single target. To explore in vivo the function of a single miRNA-mRNA interaction, we mutated the 3' UTR of a major miR-155 target (SOCS1) to specifically disrupt its regulation by miR-155. We found that under physiologic conditions and during autoimmune inflammation or viral infection, some immunological functions of miR-155 were fully or largely attributable to the regulation of SOCS1, whereas others could be accounted only partially or not at all by this interaction. Our data suggest that the role of a single miRNA-mRNA interaction is dependent on cell type and biological context.

Preparation of Indolin-3-one-Containing 1,4-Naphthoquinone Derivatives via Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition Reaction.

This article explores the asymmetric Michael addition reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and indole-3-ones catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids. This strategy utilizes 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and easily prepared indole-3-one as substrates, resulting in the synthesis of 23 unprecedented indolin-3-ones bearing a 1,4-naphthoquinone unit at the C2 position of indole under simple and mild reaction conditions, with up to 88% yield, 98% ee, and >20:1 dr.