Evolution of nanobodies specific for BCL11A.

Transcription factors (TFs) control numerous genes that are directly relevant to many human disorders. However, developing specific reagents targeting TFs within intact cells is challenging due to the presence of highly disordered regions within these proteins. Intracellular antibodies offer opportunities to probe protein function and validate therapeutic targets. Here, we describe the optimization of nanobodies specific for BCL11A, a validated target for the treatment of hemoglobin disorders. We obtained first-generation nanobodies directed to a region of BCL11A comprising zinc fingers 4 to 6 (ZF456) from a synthetic yeast surface display library, and employed error-prone mutagenesis, structural determination, and molecular modeling to enhance binding affinity. Engineered nanobodies recognized ZF6 and mediated targeted protein degradation (TPD) of BCL11A protein in erythroid cells, leading to the anticipated reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression. Evolved nanobodies distinguished BCL11A from its close paralog BCL11B, which shares an identical DNA-binding specificity. Given the ease of manipulation of nanobodies and their exquisite specificity, nanobody-mediated TPD of TFs should be suitable for dissecting regulatory relationships of TFs and gene targets and validating therapeutic potential of proteins of interest.

Structural Basis and IP6 Requirement for Pds5-Dependent Cohesin Dynamics.

The ring-shaped cohesin complex regulates transcription, DNA repair, and chromosome segregation by dynamically entrapping chromosomes to promote chromosome compaction and sister-chromatid cohesion. The cohesin ring needs to open and close to allow its loading to and release from chromosomes. Cohesin dynamics are controlled by the releasing factors Pds5 and Wapl and the cohesin stabilizer Sororin. Here, we report the crystal structure of human Pds5B bound to a conserved peptide motif found in both Wapl and Sororin. Our structure establishes the basis for how Wapl and Sororin antagonistically influence cohesin dynamics. The structure further reveals that Pds5 can bind inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6). The IP6-binding segment of Pds5B is shaped like the jaw of a plier lever and inhibits the binding of Scc1 to Smc3. We propose that Pds5 stabilizes a transient, open state of cohesin to promote its release from chromosomes.

Transcriptional Repressor BCL11A in Erythroid Cells.

BCL11A, a zinc finger repressor, is a stage-specific transcription factor that controls the switch from fetal (HbF, α2γ2) to adult (HbA, α2ß2) hemoglobin in erythroid cells. While BCL11A was known as a factor critical for B-lymphoid cell development, its relationship to erythroid cells and HbF arose through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Subsequent work validated its role as a silencer of γ-globin gene expression in cultured cells and mice. Erythroid-specific loss of BCL11A rescues the phenotype of engineered sickle cell disease (SCD) mice, thereby suggesting that downregulation of BCL11A expression might be beneficial in patients with SCD and ß-thalassemia. Common genetic variation in GWAS resides in an erythroid-specific enhancer within the BCL11A gene that is required for its own expression. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of the enhancer revealed a GATA-binding site that confers a large portion of its regulatory function. Disruption of the GATA site leads to robust HbF reactivation. Advancement of a guide RNA targeting the GATA-binding site in clinical trials has recently led to approval of first-in-man use of ex vivo CRISPR editing of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) as therapy of SCD and ß-thalassemia. Future challenges include expanding access and infrastructure for delivery of genetic therapy to eligible patients, reducing potential toxicity and costs, exploring prospects for in vivo targeting of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and developing small molecule drugs that impair function of BCL11A protein as an alternative option.

Interaction of the Warsaw breakage syndrome DNA helicase DDX11 with the replication fork-protection factor Timeless promotes sister chromatid cohesion.

Establishment of sister chromatid cohesion is coupled to DNA replication, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. DDX11 (also named ChlR1) is a super-family 2 Fe-S cluster-containing DNA helicase implicated in Warsaw breakage syndrome (WABS). Herein, we examined the role of DDX11 in cohesion establishment in human cells. We demonstrated that DDX11 interacts with Timeless, a component of the replication fork-protection complex, through a conserved peptide motif. The DDX11-Timeless interaction is critical for sister chromatid cohesion in interphase and mitosis. Immunofluorescence studies further revealed that cohesin association with chromatin requires DDX11. Finally, we demonstrated that DDX11 localises at nascent DNA by SIRF analysis. Moreover, we found that DDX11 promotes cohesin binding to the DNA replication forks in concert with Timeless and that recombinant purified cohesin interacts with DDX11 in vitro. Collectively, our results establish a critical role for the DDX11-Timeless interaction in coordinating DNA replication with sister chromatid cohesion, and have important implications for understanding the molecular basis of WABS.

Methylprednisolone alleviates multiple sclerosis by expanding myeloid-derived suppressor cells via glucocorticoid receptor ß and S100A8/9 up-regulation.

Methylprednisolone is an effective drug in the treatment of autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), due to long-acting anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and immunosuppressant. Previous studies have noted the importance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in MS progression. However, it is still not known whether methylprednisolone could influence the ratio and function of MDSC during MS treatment. In the current study, we found an increased ratio of MDSC at the onset of EAE in mice model; but methylprednisolone pulse therapy (MPPT) did not alter the percentage and suppressive function of MDSC during disease attenuation. However, the percentage of G-MDSC in PBMC significantly increased in patients with MS. Surprisingly, relapsing MS patients showed a significant increase in both M-MDSC and G-MDSC after MPPT. The disease remission positively correlated expansion of MDSC and expression of arginase-1. Additionally, MPPT reduced the expression of inhibitory glucocorticoid (GCs) receptor ß subunit on MDSC while elevating serum levels of immune regulatory S100A8/A9 heterodimer. Thus, MDSC dynamics and function in mouse EAE differ from those in human MS during MPPT. Our study suggested that GCs treatment may help relieve the acute phase of MS by expanding MDSC through up-regulating of GR signalling and S100A8/A9 heterodimers.

PKD1 Promotes Functional Synapse Formation Coordinated with N-Cadherin in Hippocampus.

Functional synapse formation is critical for the wiring of neural circuits in the developing brain. The cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin plays important roles in target recognition and synaptogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the localization of N-cadherin and the subsequent effects remain poorly understood. Here, we show that protein kinase D1 (PKD1) directly binds to N-cadherin at amino acid residues 836-871 and phosphorylates it at Ser 869, 871, and 872, thereby increasing the surface localization of N-cadherin and promoting functional synapse formation in primary cultured hippocampal neurons obtained from embryonic day 18 rat embryos of either sex. Intriguingly, neuronal activity enhances the interactions between N-cadherin and PKD1, which are critical for the activity-dependent growth of dendritic spines. Accordingly, either disruption the binding between N-cadherin and PKD1 or preventing the phosphorylation of N-cadherin by PKD1 in the hippocampal CA1 region of male rat leads to the reduction in synapse number and impairment of LTP. Together, this study demonstrates a novel mechanism of PKD1 regulating the surface localization of N-cadherin and suggests that the PKD1-N-cadherin interaction is critical for synapse formation and function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Defects in synapse formation and function lead to various neurological diseases, although the mechanisms underlying the regulation of synapse development are far from clear. Our results suggest that protein kinase D1 (PKD1) functions upstream of N-cadherin, a classical synaptic adhesion molecule, to promote functional synapse formation. Notably, we identified a crucial binding fragment to PKD1 at C terminus of N-cadherin, and this fragment also contains PKD1 phosphorylation sites. Through this interaction, PKD1 enhances the stability of N-cadherin on cell membrane and promotes synapse morphogenesis and synaptic plasticity in an activity-dependent manner. Our study reveals the role of PKD1 and the potential downstream mechanism in synapse development, and contributes to the research for neurodevelopment and the therapy for neurological diseases.

Identification of the association between rs41274221 polymorphism in the seed sequence of microRNA-25 and the risk of neonate sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the role of microRNA-25 (miR-25) in the initiation and progression of sepsis in newborns. In this study, we aim to explore how rs41274221 polymorphism in miR-25 compromises the interaction between miR-25 and CD69, so as to understand the mechanisms involved in the control of sepsis in newborns. METHODS: Computational analysis, luciferase assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and western blot analysis were performed in this study. RESULTS: The luciferase assays results showed that CD69 was a target gene of miR-25, because the luciferase activity in cells transfected with wild type CD69 was much lower than that in the cells transfected with mutant CD69 or the scramble control. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis results showed that the expression of miR-25 in sepsis patients was significantly upregulated as compared with that in the normal control group, and the CD69 position ratio as well as the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level of CD69 in sepsis patients was much higher than those in the normal control group. As compared with the scramble control, miR-25 mimics, and CD69 small interfering RNA (siRNA) downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of CD69, whereas the expression of CD69 mRNA and protein in cells transfected with miR-25 inhibitors was significantly higher as compared with that in the scramble control. In addition, interferonγ production was significantly downregulated in cells transfected with miR-25 inhibitors but notably upregulated in cells transfected with miR-25 mimics or CD69 siRNA. CONCLUSION: The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs41274221) in miR-25 is associated with the risk of sepsis in newborns.

Association between indel polymorphism (rs145204276) in the promoter region of lncRNA GAS5 and the risk of febrile convulsion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the regulatory relationship between growth arrest special 5 (GAS5) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) implicated in the development of febrile seizure (FS). METHOD: The presence of FS and the genotype of GAS5 were used as two different indicators to divide the 50 newborn babies, recruited in this study, into different groups. The potential regulatory relationship among GAS5, miR-21, and IL-1ß was identified by measuring their expression using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry assays among different sample groups. Computational analyses and luciferase assays were also conducted to verify the interaction between GAS5, miR-21, and IL-1ß. RESULT: GAS5 and IL-1ß expression was upregulated in cells collected from FS patients or genotyped as INS/DEL and DEL/DEL, whereas the expression of miR-21 was decreased in above samples, indicating a negative relationship between miR-21 and GAS5/IL-1ß. Results of the computational analysis showed that miR-21 directly bound to and increased the expression of GAS5, whereas the expression of IL-1ß was suppressed by miR-21. In the presence of GAS5, the expression of miR-21 was lowered, whereas the expression of IL-1ß was increased. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study supported the conclusion that GAS5 negatively regulated the expression of miR-21, which in turn negatively regulated the expression IL-1ß. Therefore, the overexpression of GAS5 could decrease the magnitude of FS.

Mutations in GAS5 affect the transformation from benign prostate proliferation to aggressive prostate cancer by affecting the transcription efficiency of GAS5.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of GAS5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on GAS5 expression. And the signaling pathways underlying the function of GAS5 during the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PC) were clarified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with PC were recruited and grouped according to their specific genotypes of rs55829688 and rs145204276. Kaplan-Meier overall survival curves were calculated and compared among different groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were conducted to examine the expression of different factors involved in PC. And computational analyses and luciferase assays were conducted to clarify the regulatory relationships among the above factors. MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), flow cytometry, and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assays were used to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis. RESULTS: The expression of GAS5, PDCD4, PTEN, and AKT was decreased gradually in the order of patient Group 1-4, whereas the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and miR-1284 showed an opposite trend. GAS5 was identified to target miR-21 and miR-1284, whereas miR-21 and miR-1284 regulated the expression of PDCD4/PTEN and AKT, respectively. Moreover, the GAS5/miR-21/PDCD4/PTEN and GAS5/miR-1284/AKT signaling pathway was found to be closely related to the tumorigenesis of PC. CONCLUSIONS: GAS5 SNPs affected the survival rate and prognosis in patients with PC via regulating the expression of miR-21/miR-1284, which in turn affected the expression of PDCD4, PTEN, and AKT. GAS5 downregulated the expression of miR-21/miR-1284, thus leading to the elevated expression of key regulators of apoptosis. Therefore, the GAS5 SNPs may be used as key indicators for the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of PC.

Differentiation expression of toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) caused by the dysregulation of microRNA-140-5p is responsible for the development of postoperation infection.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) has proven to be an important factor that's responsible for the development of postoperation infection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely regarded as key mediators of gene expression. The objectives of our study were to identify miRNA(s) and the target genes differentially expressed in monocytes in the individuals with postoperation infection. METHODS: MiRNA microarrays were performed to identify and compare miRNA expression in monocytes from those with or without postoperative infection. In-silico analysis was used to further investigate the target miRNAs and finally, luciferase assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to confirm the target miRNA identified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time PCR and Western-blot were performed to explore the role of miR-140 involved in postoperation infection. RESULTS: MiRNA microarray results showed that ten miRNAs were upregulated in the postoperation infection group, while six miRNAs were downregulated, compared with those in the postoperation group without infection. Computational analysis was further performed to reveal that four miRNAs (miR-140, miR-7, miR-448, and miR-217) targeted the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of TLR4 mRNA. The luciferase assay showed that only miR-140 inhibited luciferase activity of wild-type TLR4 3'-UTR and the luciferase activity of the cells cotransfected with miR-7, miR-448 or miR-217 and wild-type or mutant TLR4 3'-UTR was comparable with the control. Furthermore, only miR-140 levels were significantly lower in the postoperation infection group, while levels of miR-217, miR-7, and miR-448 showed no obvious difference between the postoperation infection and postoperation without infection groups. TLR4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 levels were much higher in the postoperation infection group. In comparison with the control group, TLR4, TNF-α and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in cells were decreased following transfection with miR-140 mimics and TLR4 small interfering RNA. However, the cells treated with lipopolysaccharides increased TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that miR-140 is differentially expressed in monocytes collected from patients diagnosed with postoperation infection. The downregulation of miR-140 cause upregulation of toll-like receptor4 (TLR4), a proinflammatory factor, and is associated with infection risk in patients received surgery.

NAFLD Induction Delays Postoperative Liver Regeneration of ALPPS in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation (ALPPS) is a promising two-step hepatectomy that is beneficial for accumulative regeneration of the future liver remnant (FLR) and avoids postoperative liver failure. AIMS: Our study aimed to evaluate whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affected the liver regeneration induced by ALPPS. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet were used to construct the NAFLD model. ALPPS were performed, and blood and future liver remnant samples were collected at postoperative days 1 (POD1), POD3, and POD7. RESULTS: The hepatic regeneration rate (HRR) of ALPPS was higher than that of portal vein ligation (PVL) at POD3 and POD7 (p < 0.05), and the number of Ki-67-positive hepatocytes (POD3) and CD68-positive Kupffer cells (POD7) per visual field was higher in the ALPPS group than in the PVL group (p < 0.05). The serum TNF-α, hepatocyte growth factor protein, and the serum IL-6 level were higher in the ALPPS group than in the PVL group at POD3 and POD7. Compared with those of the standard laboratory diet (SLD)-fed rats, the rats with NAFLD exhibited a decrease in the HRR, Ki-67-positive hepatocytes, and CD68-positive Kupffer cells in the FLR. The number of CD68-positive Kupffer cells was lower in rats with NAFLD than that in SLD-fed rats; noteworthily, the serum level of IL-6 and TNF-α changed dramatically after surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD induction delayed liver regeneration induced by the ALPPS procedure, which might be associated with hepatocyte proliferation and the number of Kupffer cells.

Effect of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, against DENA-induced liver cancer in rats mediated via NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokines.

The target of the current research was to investigate the anticancer activity of sitagliptin on diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced cancer in the liver. Wistar rats were treated with or without sitagliptin before DENA treatment. We detected liver weight, blood glucose, and histopathology of the liver. Serum biochemical markers like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), total bilirubin (TBR), total protein (TPR), and albumin (ALB) were also evaluated. In addition, lipid profile parameters comprising total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein were also measured. Inflammatory mediators like interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined in liver homogenate. Furthermore, the activity of nuclear factor (NF-κB) was also measured. Our results showed that sitagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner expressively decreased the DENA-induced elevation of SGPT, SGOT, SALP, and GGTP. Whereas sitagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent mode reduced the level of TBR and increased the TPR and ALB as well as improved the liver histopathology alterations in DENA-exposed rats. Lipid profile was also restored by the sitagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg) in a DENA-treated rats. The level of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were suggestively suppressed. Moreover, pretreatment with sitagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg) prevented the activation of NF-κB. In conclusion, sitagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg) has a potential protective effect against DENA-induced liver cancer by inhibition of inflammation and NF-κB activation.

Structure of the human cohesin inhibitor Wapl.

Cohesin, along with positive regulators, establishes sister-chromatid cohesion by forming a ring to circle chromatin. The wings apart-like protein (Wapl) is a key negative regulator of cohesin and forms a complex with precocious dissociation of sisters protein 5 (Pds5) to promote cohesin release from chromatin. Here we report the crystal structure and functional characterization of human Wapl. Wapl contains a flexible, variable N-terminal region (Wapl-N) and a conserved C-terminal domain (Wapl-C) consisting of eight HEAT (Huntingtin, Elongation factor 3, A subunit, and target of rapamycin) repeats. Wapl-C folds into an elongated structure with two lobes. Structure-based mutagenesis maps the functional surface of Wapl-C to two distinct patches (I and II) on the N lobe and a localized patch (III) on the C lobe. Mutating critical patch I residues weaken Wapl binding to cohesin and diminish sister-chromatid resolution and cohesin release from mitotic chromosomes in human cells and Xenopus egg extracts. Surprisingly, patch III on the C lobe does not contribute to Wapl binding to cohesin or its known regulators. Although patch I mutations reduce Wapl binding to intact cohesin, they do not affect Wapl-Pds5 binding to the cohesin subcomplex of sister chromatid cohesion protein 1 (Scc1) and stromal antigen 2 (SA2) in vitro, which is instead mediated by Wapl-N. Thus, Wapl-N forms extensive interactions with Pds5 and Scc1-SA2. Wapl-C interacts with other cohesin subunits and possibly unknown effectors to trigger cohesin release from chromatin.

TNF-α-positive patients with recurrent pregnancy loss: The etiology and management.

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). These elevated levels may be associated with the presence of autoantibodies. Although TNF-α inhibitors have shown promise in improving pregnancy rates, further research is needed to comprehend their impact and mechanisms in RPL patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association between elevated TNF-α levels and autoantibodies in RPL patients, as well as evaluate the effect of TNF-α inhibition on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A total of 249 RPL patients were included in this study. Serum levels of TNF-α, autoantibodies, and complement were measured and monitored. Among these patients, 138 tested positive for TNF-α, while 111 tested negative. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Additionally, 102 patients with elevated TNF-α levels were treated with TNF-α inhibitors, and their pregnancy outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: TNF-α-positive RPL patients had higher levels of complement C1q, anti-cardiolipin (ACL)-IgA, ACL-IgM ,ACL-IgG, thyroglobulin antibody, and Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin IgM antibody, as well as a higher positive rate of antinuclear antibodies compared to TNF-α-negative patients (23.19% vs. 12.6%, P< 0.05). Conversely, complement C3 were lower in TNF-α-positive patients (t test, P< 0.05). The use of TNF-α inhibitors led to a reduction in the early abortion rate (13.7% vs. 44.4%, P< 0.001) and an improvement in term delivery rate (52.0% vs. 27.8%, P= 0.012). Furthermore, patients who used TNF-α inhibitors before 5 weeks of pregnancy had a lower early abortion rate (7.7% vs. 24.3%, P= 0.033) and a higher term delivery rate (69.2% vs. 48.6%, P= 0.033). CONCLUSION: TNF-α plays a role in the occurrence and development of RPL, and its expression is closely associated with autoantibodies and complements. TNF-α inhibitors increase the term delivery rate in TNF-α-positive RPL patients, and their use before 5 weeks of pregnancy may more beneficial.

Sexual orientation disparities in the prevalence of suicidal ideation among U.S adults aged 20 to 59 years: Results from NHANES 2005-2016.

Existing studies have been limited in providing nationally representative data on the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation (SI) among adults in the U.S. particularly in terms of gender and racial differences. To fill this research gap, we conducted a study using data from the NHANES conducted between 2005 and 2016. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and SI risk. Additionally, we performed further analysis by stratifying the data based on demographic variables and performed sensitivity analysis to ensure the reliability of our findings. This study included a weighted sample of 16,564 adults, representing a noninstitutionalized U.S population of 840.1 million. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of SI was found to be 3.5 %. After adjusting for relevant covariates, the study revealed that individuals who identified as something else, homosexual, and bisexual had a higher prevalence risk of suicidal ideation (SI) compared to heterosexual participants. Additionally, the study found that heterosexual participants were 74.4 % less likely to experience SI compared to bisexual individuals. These findings highlight the urgent requirement for inclusive and supportive prevention strategies to effectively address SI among adult sexual minorities in the U.S.

Crinkly4 receptor-like kinase is required to maintain the interlocking of the palea and lemma, and fertility in rice, by promoting epidermal cell differentiation.

The palea and lemma are unique organs in grass plants that form a protective barrier around the floral organs and developing kernel. The interlocking of the palea and lemma is critical for maintaining fertility and seed yield in rice; however, the molecules that control the interlocking structure remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that when OsCR4 mRNA expression was knocked down in rice by RNA interference, the palea and lemma separated at later spikelet stages and gradually turned brown after heading, resulting in the severe interruption of pistil pollination and damage to the development of embryo and endosperm, with defects in aleurone. The irregular architecture of the palea and lemma was caused by tumour-like cell growth in the outer epidermis and wart-like cell masses in the inner epidermis. These abnormal cells showed discontinuous cuticles and uneven cell walls, leading to organ self-fusion that distorted the interlocking structures. Additionally, the faster leakage of chlorophyll, reduced silica content and elevated accumulation of anthocyanin in the palea and lemma indicated a lesion in the protective barrier, which also impaired seed quality. OsCR4 is an active receptor-like kinase associated with the membrane fraction. An analysis of promoter::GUS reporter plants showed that OsCR4 is specifically expressed in the epidermal cells of paleas and lemmas. Together, these results suggest that OsCR4 plays an essential role in maintaining the interlocking of the palea and lemma by promoting epidermal cell differentiation.

The impact of pension insurance types on the health of older adults in China: a study based on the 2018 CHARLS data.

Introduction: Pension insurance is an essential safeguard for the quality of life and health of older adults because it provides a stable and dependable source of income after retirement. China has constructed a multi-level social security system to accommodate the diverse needs of older adults, and offers various levels of pension insurance to maximize their interests. Methods: This study uses propensity score matching and ordinary least squares techniques to analyze 7,359 data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in order to explore the relationship between different pension insurance categories and the health of older individuals. Results: The research findings reveal that advanced insurances greatly benefit the health of older adults more than basic pension insurances, and the findings pass the robustness test. In addition, the effect was found to be heterogeneous, depending on the location of retirement and the marital status of older adults.Our findings suggest that both material and non-material consumption may be potential mechanisms by which pension insurance affects the health of older adults, providing new evidence for the causal mechanism between pension insurance and the health of older adults. Discussion: This study expands the scope of research on the health effects of pension insurance by covering a large representative sample across the country. The results show the important impact of the level of pension insurance on the health of older adults and can contribute to the development of social policies to promote the physical and mental health of older adults.

Metabolic reprogramming induced by DCA enhances cisplatin sensitivity through increasing mitochondrial oxidative stress in cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma has obvious primary multidrug resistance and is generally resistant to cisplatin and other chemotherapy drugs and high glycolytic levels may be associated with chemotherapy resistance of cholangiocarcinoma cells. Dichloroacetate (DCA) is a specific inhibitor of PDK, which can promote mitochondrial aerobic oxidation process by activating PDH. In the past few years, there have been an increasing number of studies supporting the action of DCA against cancer, which also provided evidence for targeting metabolism to enhance the efficacy of cholangiocarcinoma chemotherapy. Methods: Glucose uptake and lactic acid secretion were used to detect cell metabolism level. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected to confirm cell fate induced by cisplatin combined with DCA. Mito-TEMPO was used to inhibit mtROS to explore the relationship between oxidative stress and cell cycle arrest induced by DCA under cisplatin stress. Finally, PCR array and autophagy inhibitor CQ were used to explore the potential protective mechanism under cell stress. Results: DCA changed the metabolic model from glycolysis to aerobic oxidation in cholangiocarcinoma cells under cisplatin stress. This metabolic reprogramming increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) levels, which promoted cell cycle arrest, increased the expression of antioxidant genes and activated autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy further increased the synergistic effect of DCA and cisplatin. Conclusion: DCA increased cisplatin sensitivity in cholangiocarcinoma cells via increasing the mitochondria oxidative stress and cell growth inhibition. Synergistic effects of DCA and CQ were observed in cholangiocarcinoma cells, which further increased the cisplatin sensitivity via both metabolic reprogramming and inhibition of the stress response autophagy.

MUC1 induces the accumulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment to promote the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma through the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the progression of cholangiocarcinoma. This study aims to explore whether Mucin 1 (MUC1) regulates Foxp3+ Treg cells in the TME of cholangiocarcinoma through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. High-throughput sequencing dataset in the GEO database combined with GeneCards and Phenolyzer databases was used to obtain key genes in cholangiocarcinoma, followed by downstream pathway prediction. The relationship among MUC1, EGFR, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was explored. CD4+ T cells extracted from peripheral blood were induced to differentiate into Treg cells, followed by co-culture with cholangiocarcinoma cells. A mouse model was constructed to detect the role of MUC1 in the accumulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells, malignant phenotypes of cholangiocarcinoma, and tumorigenesis in vivo. MUC1, highly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma, might be involved in cholangiocarcinoma development. MUC1 interacted with the EGFR to activate the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. MUC1 overexpression could activate the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which promoted the accumulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells in the TME and the malignant phenotypes of cholangiocarcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo and enhanced tumorigenesis in vivo. MUC1 may interact with EGFR to activate the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which induces the accumulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells, enhancing the malignant phenotypes of cholangiocarcinoma cells and tumorigenesis in vivo and ultimately augmenting cholangiocarcinoma growth and metastasis.

Education, Income, and Happiness: Evidence From China.

Happiness is the continuous joy that people experience when they are satisfied with their lives long term, and is the ultimate goal pursued by all citizens. In this study, we investigate the relationship between education, income, and happiness in the migrant population in China. Using 1,31,186 individuals in the 2012 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) as research samples, the estimated results of ordinal logistic regression show that education, including secondary education and higher education, has a significant and direct impact on individual happiness, and that the impact of education on happiness can also be mediated by income as an intermediary mechanism. In addition, factors such as gender, flow distance, flow time, employment status, type of housing, number of children, degree of preference for the city, and degree of discrimination by locals have obvious effects on happiness. This work provides important insights for countries seeking to implement an active education policy in order to increase economic income and thus achieve the development goal of universal happiness among their citizens.