TMCO1 Is an ER Ca(2+) Load-Activated Ca(2+) Channel.

Maintaining homeostasis of Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for proper Ca(2+) signaling and key cellular functions. The Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel is responsible for Ca(2+) influx and refilling after store depletion, but how cells cope with excess Ca(2+) when ER stores are overloaded is unclear. We show that TMCO1 is an ER transmembrane protein that actively prevents Ca(2+) stores from overfilling, acting as what we term a "Ca(2+) load-activated Ca(2+) channel" or "CLAC" channel. TMCO1 undergoes reversible homotetramerization in response to ER Ca(2+) overloading and disassembly upon Ca(2+) depletion and forms a Ca(2+)-selective ion channel on giant liposomes. TMCO1 knockout mice reproduce the main clinical features of human cerebrofaciothoracic (CFT) dysplasia spectrum, a developmental disorder linked to TMCO1 dysfunction, and exhibit severe mishandling of ER Ca(2+) in cells. Our findings indicate that TMCO1 provides a protective mechanism to prevent overfilling of ER stores with Ca(2+) ions.

Reduced Expression of miR-146a Potentiates Intestinal Inflammation following Alcohol and Burn Injury.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression. Within the intestinal epithelium, miRNAs play a critical role in gut homeostasis, and aberrant miRNA expression has been implicated in various disorders associated with intestinal inflammation and barrier disruption. In this study, we sought to profile changes in intestinal epithelial cell miRNA expression after alcohol and burn injury and elucidate their impact on inflammation and barrier integrity. Using a mouse model of acute ethanol intoxication and burn injury, we found that small intestinal epithelial cell expression of miR-146a is significantly decreased 1 d following injury. Using in vitro studies, we show that reduced miR-146a promotes intestinal epithelial cell inflammation by promoting p38 MAPK signaling via increased levels of its target TRAF6 (TNFR-associated factor 6). Furthermore, we demonstrate that in vivo miR-146a overexpression significantly inhibits intestinal inflammation 1 d following combined injury and potentially supports intestinal barrier homeostasis. Overall, this study highlights the important impact that miRNA expression can have on intestinal homeostasis and the valuable potential of harnessing aberrant miRNA expression as a therapeutic target to control intestinal inflammation.

p300-Mediated Lysine 2-Hydroxyisobutyrylation Regulates Glycolysis.

Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) is an evolutionarily conserved and widespread histone mark like lysine acetylation (Kac). Here we report that p300 functions as a lysine 2-hyroxyisobutyryltransferase to regulate glycolysis in response to nutritional cues. We discovered that p300 differentially regulates Khib and Kac on distinct lysine sites, with only 6 of the 149 p300-targeted Khib sites overlapping with the 693 p300-targeted Kac sites. We demonstrate that diverse cellular proteins, particularly glycolytic enzymes, are targeted by p300 for Khib, but not for Kac. Specifically, deletion of p300 significantly reduces Khib levels on several p300-dependent, Khib-specific sites on key glycolytic enzymes including ENO1, decreasing their catalytic activities. Consequently, p300-deficient cells have impaired glycolysis and are hypersensitive to glucose-depletion-induced cell death. Our study reveals an p300-catalyzed, Khib-specific molecular mechanism that regulates cellular glucose metabolism and further indicate that p300 has an intrinsic ability to select short-chain acyl-CoA-dependent protein substrates.

The Drosophila blood-brain barrier regulates sleep via Moody G protein-coupled receptor signaling.

Sleep is vital for most animals, yet its mechanism and function remain unclear. We found that permeability of the BBB (blood-brain barrier)-the organ required for the maintenance of homeostatic levels of nutrients, ions, and other molecules in the brain-is modulated by sleep deprivation (SD) and can cell-autonomously effect sleep changes. We observed increased BBB permeability in known sleep mutants as well as in acutely sleep-deprived animals. In addition to molecular tracers, SD-induced BBB changes also increased the penetration of drugs used in the treatment of brain pathologies. After chronic/genetic or acute SD, rebound sleep or administration of the sleeping aid gaboxadol normalized BBB permeability, showing that SD effects on the BBB are reversible. Along with BBB permeability, RNA levels of the BBB master regulator moody are modulated by sleep. Conversely, altering BBB permeability alone through glia-specific modulation of moody, gαo, loco, lachesin, or neuroglian-each a well-studied regulator of BBB function-was sufficient to induce robust sleep phenotypes. These studies demonstrate a tight link between BBB permeability and sleep and indicate a unique role for the BBB in the regulation of sleep.

Mindfulness meditation enhances interbrain synchrony of adolescents when experiencing different emotions simultaneously.

Mindfulness is considered to benefit social behavior and interpersonal communication. However, the underlying neural mechanism has not been fully examined. This study aimed to explore how mindfulness practice affected the interbrain synchrony within adolescent peer dyads when sharing emotional experience together by using the electroencephalograph hyperscanning approach. Thirty adolescent dyads were randomly assigned to a mindfulness group or a non-mindfulness group. Mindfulness group performed a 20-min mindfulness exercise. Non-mindfulness group were instructed to rest. Simultaneously, electroencephalograph was recorded when they completed a picture-processing task. Phase-locking-value in the gamma band was used to calculate adolescent dyads' brain-to-brain synchrony. Results showed that greater interbrain synchrony in the frontal region was observed when viewing different emotional stimuli together after the mindfulness than before the mindfulness in the mindfulness group. However, there was no significant difference in the interbrain synchrony in the non-mindfulness group. Moreover, greater interbrain synchrony was observed in the mindfulness group than in the non-mindfulness group after mindfulness or rest in the frontal region. However, there was no significant difference between the mindfulness and non-mindfulness group before mindfulness or rest. The findings are discussed in light of the broader theoretical questions of how mindfulness may promote interpersonal functioning from a psychophysiological perspective.

Unraveling CCL20's role by regulating Th17 cell chemotaxis in experimental autoimmune prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), a prevalent urological ailment, exerts a profound influence upon the well-being of the males. Autoimmunity driven by Th17 cells has been postulated as a potential factor in CP/CPPS pathogenesis. Nonetheless, elucidating the precise mechanisms governing Th17 cell recruitment to the prostate, triggering inflammation, remained an urgent inquiry. This study illuminated that CCL20 played a pivotal role in attracting Th17 cells to the prostate, thereby contributing to prostatitis development. Furthermore, it identified prostate stromal cells and immune cells as likely sources of CCL20. Additionally, this research unveiled that IL-17A, released by Th17 cells, could stimulate macrophages to produce CCL20 through the NF-κB/MAPK/PI3K pathway. The interplay between IL-17A and CCL20 establishes a positive feedback loop, which might serve as a critical mechanism underpinning the development of chronic prostatitis, thus adding complexity to its treatment challenges.

Protein lysine four-carbon acylations in health and disease.

Lysine acylation, a type of posttranslational protein modification sensitive to cellular metabolic states, influences the functions of target proteins involved in diverse cellular processes. Particularly, lysine butyrylation, crotonylation, ß-hydroxybutyrylation, and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, four types of four-carbon acylations, are modulated by intracellular concentrations of their respective acyl-CoAs and sensitive to alterations of nutrient metabolism induced by cellular and/or environmental signals. In this review, we discussed the metabolic pathways producing these four-carbon acyl-CoAs, the regulation of lysine acylation and deacylation, and the functions of individual lysine acylation.

A real-world observation on thrombopoietic agents for patients with cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia in China: A multicenter, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Studies on various thrombopoietic agents for cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia (CTIT) in China are lacking. This study aimed to provide detailed clinical profiles to understand the outcomes and safety of different CTIT treatment regimens. METHODS: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 1664 questionnaires were collected from 33 hospitals between March 1 and July 1, 2021. Patients aged >18 years were enrolled who were diagnosed with CTIT and treated with recombinant interleukin 11 (rhIL-11), recombinant thrombopoietin (rhTPO), or a thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA). The outcomes, compliance, and safety of different treatments were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1437 analyzable cases, most patients were treated with either rhTPO alone (49.3%) or rhIL-11 alone (27.0%). The most common combination regimen used was rhTPO and rhIL-11 (10.9%). Platelet transfusions were received by 117 cases (8.1%). In multivariate analysis, rhTPO was associated with a significantly lower proportion of platelet recovery, platelet transfusion, and hospitalization due to chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) than rhIL-11 alone. No significant difference was observed in the time taken to achieve a platelet count of >100 × 109/L and chemotherapy dose reduction due to CIT among the different thrombopoietic agents. The outcomes of thrombocytopenia in 170 patients who received targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy are also summarized. The results show that the proportion of platelet recovery was similar among the different thrombopoietic agents. No new safety signals related to thrombopoietic agents were observed in this study. A higher proportion of physicians preferred to continue treatment with TPO-RA alone than with rhTPO and rhIL-11. CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides an overview of CTIT and the application of various thrombopoietic agents throughout China. Comparison of monotherapy with rhIL-11, rhTPO, and TPO-RA requires further randomized clinical trials. The appropriate application for thrombopoietic agents should depend on the pretreatment of platelets, treatment variables, and risk of bleeding. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: To provide an overview of the outcome of cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia in China, our cross-sectional study analyzed 1437 cases treated with different thrombopoietic agents. Most of the patients were treated with recombinant interleukin 11 (rhIL-11) and recombinant thrombopoietin (rhTPO). rhTPO was associated with a significantly lower proportion of platelet recovery and platelet transfusion compared with rhIL-11.

SIRT1 regulates cardiomyocyte alignment during maturation.

Cardiomyocyte elongation and alignment, a critical step in cardiomyocyte maturation starting from the perinatal stage, is crucial for formation of the highly organized intra- and inter-cellular structures for spatially and temporally ordered contraction in adult cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the control of cardiomyocyte alignment remains elusive. Here, we report that SIRT1, the most conserved NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase highly expressed in perinatal heart, plays an important role in regulating cardiomyocyte remodeling during development. We observed that SIRT1 deficiency impairs the alignment of cardiomyocytes/myofibrils and disrupts normal beating patterns at late developmental stages in an in vitro differentiation system from human embryonic stem cells. Consistently, deletion of SIRT1 at a late developmental stage in mouse embryos induced the irregular distribution of cardiomyocytes and misalignment of myofibrils, and reduced the heart size. Mechanistically, the expression of several genes involved in chemotaxis, including those in the CXCL12/CXCR4 and CCL2/CCR2/CCR4 pathways, was dramatically blunted during maturation of SIRT1-deficient cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological inhibition of CCL2 signaling suppressed cardiomyocyte alignment. Our study identifies a regulatory factor that modulates cardiomyocyte alignment at the inter-cellular level during maturation.

Transcriptome screening identifies TIPARP as an antiviral host factor against the Getah virus.

IMPORTANCE: Alphaviruses threaten public health continuously, and Getah virus (GETV) is a re-emerging alphavirus that can potentially infect humans. Approved antiviral drugs and vaccines against alphaviruses are few available, but several host antiviral factors have been reported. Here, we used GETV as a model of alphaviruses to screen for additional host factors. Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-inducible poly(ADP ribose) polymerase was identified to inhibit GETV replication by inducing ubiquitination of the glycoprotein E2, causing its degradation by recruiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase membrane-associated RING-CH8 (MARCH8). Using GETV as a model virus, focusing on the relationship between viral structural proteins and host factors to screen antiviral host factors provides new insights for antiviral studies on alphaviruses.

Recent approaches for the synthesis of heterocycles from amidines via a metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reaction.

Transition metal catalyzed C-H bond activation has become one of the most important tools for constructing new chemical bonds. Introducing directing groups to the substrates is the key to a successful reaction, these directing groups can also be further transformed in the reaction. Amidines with their unique structure and reactivity are ideal substrates for transition metal-catalyzed C-H transformations. This review describes the major advances and mechanistic investigations of the C-H activation/annulation tandem reactions of amidines until early 2024, focusing on metal-catalyzed C-H activation of amidines with unsaturated compounds, such as alkynes, ketone, vinylene carbonate, cyclopropanols and their derivatives. Meanwhile this manuscript also explores the reaction of amidines with different carbene precursors, for example diazo compounds, azide, triazoles, pyriodotriazoles, and sulfoxonium ylides as well as their own C-H bond activation/cyclization reactions. A bright outlook is provided at the end of the manuscript.

Comparison of cognitive performance in first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia, bipolar II disorder, and major depressive disorder patients after treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a recognized fundamental deficit in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar II disorder (BD II), and major depressive disorder (MDD), among other psychiatric disorders. However, limited research has compared cognitive function among first-episode drug-naïve individuals with SZ, BD II, or MDD. METHODS: This study aimed to address this gap by assessing the cognitive performance of 235 participants (40 healthy controls, 58 SZ patients, 72 BD II patients, and 65 MDD patients) using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) before and after 12 weeks of treatment in SZ, BD II, and MDD patients. To clarify, the healthy controls only underwent RBANS testing at baseline, whereas the patient groups were assessed before and after treatment. The severity of symptoms in SZ patients was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and depression in BD II and MDD patients was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 items (HAMD-24 items). RESULTS: Two hundred participants completed the 12-week treatment period, with 35 participants dropping out due to various reasons. This group included 49 SZ patients, 58 BD II patients, and 53 MDD patients. Among SZ patients, significant improvements in immediate and delayed memory were observed after 12 weeks of treatment compared to their initial scores. Similarly, BD II patients showed significant improvement in immediate and delayed memory following treatment. However, there were no significant differences in RBANS scores for MDD patients after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that individuals with BD II and SZ may share similar deficits in cognitive domains. It is important to note that standardized clinical treatment may have varying degrees of effectiveness in improving cognitive function in patients with BD II and SZ, which could potentially alleviate cognitive dysfunction.

Californium-252 Intracavitary Radiotherapy for Primary Vaginal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Clinical Study.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Cf-252 neutron intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) in the treatment of primary vaginal carcinoma of stage I-III, along with advanced complications. Methods: Between August 2009 and August 2013, 41 patients with intact primary vaginal carcinoma based on the histological diagnosis at the Second Cancer Hospital of Heilongjiang Province (Beidahuang Group General Hospital) and the Daping Hospital of the Third Military Medical University were included in this study. Among them, 32 patients were squamous cell carcinoma, and 9 adenocarcinomas. Stage I patients were treated with ICBT alone. Patients at stages II and III were treated using ICBT combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Results: The mean age, the rate of the 5-year local control, the rate of the 5-year overall survival was increased. The rate of the 5-year tumor-free survival was 56.1%, and the incidence of advanced serious complications (grade II and above radiation cystitis, proctitis, etc.) was 29.3%. Compared to later stages, early-stage patients are in better physical shape, so they are better able to withstand the toxic side effects of treatment. The local control (LC), overall survival (OS), or disease-free survival (DFS) rate in stage III patients was significantly lower than those in stage I and stage II. The rate of OS in stage I patients was 90.9% (10/11), which was significantly higher than that in all patients (56.1%; 23/41). Moreover, the mean survival time was significantly different between stage III and stage I. In addition, the survival status of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was also very different. Conclusion: In summary, the use of Cf-252 ICBT radiotherapy resulted in a higher rate of local control of vaginal cancer and a lower rate of recurrence, better-shrinking effect, and efficacy for advanced tumors, and has clinical prospects.

Aberrant METTL14 gene expression contributes to malignant transformation of benzene-exposed myeloid cells.

Benzene is a known contributor to human leukaemia through its toxic effects on bone marrow cells, and epigenetic modification is believed to be a potential mechanism underlying benzene pathogenesis. However, the specific roles of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a newly discovered RNA post-transcriptional modification, in benzene-induced hematotoxicity remain unclear. In this study, we identified self-renewing malignant proliferating cells in the bone marrow of benzene-exposed mice through in vivo bone marrow transplantation experiments and Competitive Repopulation Assay. Subsequent analysis using whole transcriptome sequencing and RNA m6A methylation sequencing revealed a significant upregulation of RNA m6A modification levels in the benzene-exposed group. Moreover, RNA methyltransferase METTL14, known as a pivotal player in m6A modification, was found to be aberrantly overexpressed in Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells of benzene-exposed mice. Further analysis based on the GEO database showed a positive correlation between the expression of METTL14, mTOR, and GFI and benzene exposure dose. In vitro cellular experiments, employing experiments such as western blot, q-PCR, m6A RIP, and CLIP, validated the regulatory role of METTL14 on mTOR and GFI1. Mechanistically, continuous damage inflicted by benzene exposure on bone marrow cells led to the overexpression of METTL14 in LSK cells, which, in turn, increased m6A modification on the target genes' (mTOR and GFI1) RNA. This upregulation of target gene expression activated signalling pathways such as mTOR-AKT, ultimately resulting in malignant proliferation of bone marrow cells. In conclusion, this study offers insights into potential early targets for benzene-induced haematologic malignant diseases and provides novel perspectives for more targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Thiolutin, a selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced impairment of sperm and fertility in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in male infertility. Our study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of Thiolutin (THL), an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, on oligoasthenospermia (OA) and to elucidate its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen from 50 OA and 20 healthy males were analyzed to assess the sperm quality and levels of inflammatory markers. Their correlation was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneal injected by cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg/day for five days to induce OA, followed by a two-week treatment with THL or L-carnitine. Reproductive organ size and H&E staining were determined to observe the organ and seminiferous tubule morphology. ELISA and western blotting were utilized to measure sex hormone levels, inflammatory markers, and NLRP3 inflammasome levels. Furthermore, male and female mice were co-housed to observe pregnancy success rates. RESULTS: OA patients exhibited a decrease in sperm density and motility compared to healthy individuals, along with elevated levels of IL-1ß, IL-18 and NLRP3 inflammasome. In vivo, THL ameliorated OA-induced atrophy of reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance, and improved sperm density, motility, spermatogenesis and pregnancy success rates with negligible adverse effects on weight or liver-kidney function. THL also demonstrated to be able to inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and associated proteins in OA mice. DISCUSSION: THL can improve sperm quality and hormonal balance in OA mice through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, THL holds promising potential as a therapeutic agent for OA.

An empirical predictive model for determining the aqueous solubility of BCS class IV drugs in amorphous solid dispersions.

CONTEXT: Determining solubility of drugs is laborious and time-consuming process that may not yield meaningful results. Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is a widely used solubility enhancement technique. Predictive models could streamline this process and accelerate the development of oral drugs with improved aqueous solubilities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a predictive model to estimate the solubility of a compound from the ASDs in polymer matrices. METHODS: ASDs of model drugs (acetazolamide, chlorothiazide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfamethoxazole) with model polymers (PVP, PVPVA, HPMC E5, Soluplus) and a surfactant (TPGS) were prepared using hotmelt process. The prepared ASDs were characterized using DSC, FTIR, and XRD. The aqueous solubility of the model drugs was determined using shake-flask method. Multiple linear regression was used to develop a predictive model to determine aqueous solubility using the molecular descriptors of the drug and polymer as predictor variables. The model was validated using Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation. RESULTS: The ASDs' drug components were identified as amorphous via DSC and XRD Studies. There were no significant chemical interactions between the model drugs and the polymers based on FTIR studies. The ASDs showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in solubility, ranging from a 3-fold to 118-fold, compared with the pure drug. The developed empirical model predicted the solubility of the model drugs from the ASDs containing model polymer matrices with an accuracy greater than 80%. CONCLUSION: The developed empirical model demonstrated robustness and predicted the aqueous solubility of model drugs from the ASDs of model polymer matrices with an accuracy greater than 80%.

Ivonescimab Plus Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR Variant: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: For patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose disease progressed while receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy, particularly third-generation TKIs, optimal treatment options remain limited. Objective: To compare the efficacy of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone for patients with relapsed advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) variant. Design, Setting, and Participants: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, phase 3 trial at 55 sites in China enrolled participants from January 2022 to November 2022; a total of 322 eligible patients were enrolled. Interventions: Participants received ivonescimab (n = 161) or placebo (n = 161) plus pemetrexed and carboplatin once every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by maintenance therapy of ivonescimab plus pemetrexed or placebo plus pemetrexed. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population assessed by an independent radiographic review committee (IRRC) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. The results of the first planned interim analysis are reported. Results: Among 322 enrolled patients in the ivonescimab and placebo groups, the median age was 59.6 vs 59.4 years and 52.2% vs 50.9% of patients were female. As of March 10, 2023, median follow-up time was 7.89 months. Median progression-free survival was 7.1 (95% CI, 5.9-8.7) months in the ivonescimab group vs 4.8 (95% CI, 4.2-5.6) months for placebo (difference, 2.3 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.46 [95% CI, 0.34-0.62]; P < .001). The prespecified subgroup analysis showed progression-free survival benefit favoring patients receiving ivonescimab over placebo across almost all subgroups, including patients whose disease progressed while receiving third-generation EGFR-TKI therapy (HR, 0.48 [95% CI 0.35-0.66]) and those with brain metastases (HR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.22-0.73]). The objective response rate was 50.6% (95% CI, 42.6%-58.6%) with ivonescimab and 35.4% (95% CI, 28.0%-43.3%) with placebo (difference, 15.6% [95% CI, 5.3%-26.0%]; P = .006). The median overall survival data were not mature; at data cutoff, 69 patients (21.4%) had died. Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 99 patients (61.5%) in the ivonescimab group vs 79 patients (49.1%) in the placebo group, the most common of which were chemotherapy-related. Grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events occurred in 10 patients (6.2%) in the ivonescimab group vs 4 (2.5%) in the placebo group. Grade 3 or higher vascular endothelial growth factor-related adverse events occurred in 5 patients (3.1%) in the ivonescimab group vs 4 (2.5%) in the placebo group. Conclusions: Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival with tolerable safety profile in TKI-treated non-small cell lung cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05184712.

Loss of Gucy1a3 causes poor post-stroke recovery by reducing angiogenesis via the HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway in mice.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke is a common and debilitating disease that can cause permanent neurological damage. Gucy1a3, which encodes the α1 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase, has been reported to be associated with functional recovery after ischemic stroke. However, the mechanism is still not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Gucy1a3 on (i) post-stroke recovery; (ii) vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression; and (iii) angiogenesis after ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wild-type and Gucy1a3 knockout C57BL/6J male mice were respectively used to establish the models of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Neurological deficit scores were evaluated at 24 h and 96 h after pMCAO. Cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. For determining microvessel density, immunohistochemical analysis was performed with CD31. The expression of VEGFA and HIF-1α was detected by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results suggest that loss of Gucy1a3 increased the infarct volume and aggravated neurological deficits after pMCAO. In addition, the Gucy1a3 knockout brains exhibited significantly lower microvessel densities and VEGFA and HIF-1α expression levels than the wild-type brains at 96 h post-pMCAO. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that GUCY1A3 might be involved in angiogenesis after ischemic stroke. Further investigation of GUCY1A3 will provide a new therapeutic target for stroke.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a patient with Baraitser-Winter syndrome due to variant of ACTG1 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of a child with Baraitser-Winter syndrome (BWS). METHODS: A BWS child who had sought medical attention at the Linyi People's Hospital on April 8, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The child, a 5-year-and-6-month-old male, had typical clinical features of BWS including congenital non-myogenic ptosis, arched eyebrows, wide philtrum, and pointed chin. Neurological symptoms included microcephaly, developmental delay, epilepsy, and deafness. Cranial MRI revealed enlarged frontal lobes, decreased white matter, and hydrocephalus. WES has identified a heterozygous c.430G>A (p.Asn144Tyr) missense variant in the ACTG1 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that neither of his parents has carried the same variant. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PS2+PM2_Supporting+PP3_Moderate+PP4). CONCLUSION: The heterozygous c.430G>A (p.Asn144Tyr) missense variant of the ACTG1 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of BWS in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutation spectrum of BWS-related genes and provided a basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Loss of VGLL4 suppresses tumor PD-L1 expression and immune evasion.

Targeting immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1 and its receptor PD-1, has opened a new avenue for treating cancers. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 and PD-1 will improve the clinical response rate and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in cancer patients and the development of combinatorial strategies. VGLL4 inhibits YAP-induced cell proliferation and tumorigenesis through competition with YAP for binding to TEADs. However, whether VGLL4 has a role in anti-tumor immunity is largely unknown. Here, we found that disruption of Vgll4 results in potent T cell-mediated tumor regression in murine syngeneic models. VGLL4 deficiency reduces PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. VGLL4 interacts with IRF2BP2 and promotes its protein stability through inhibiting proteasome-mediated protein degradation. Loss of IRF2BP2 results in persistent binding of IRF2, a transcriptional repressor, to PD-L1 promoter. In addition, YAP inhibits IFNγ-inducible PD-L1 expression partially through suppressing the expression of VGLL4 and IRF1 by YAP target gene miR-130a. Our study identifies VGLL4 as an important regulator of PD-L1 expression and highlights a central role of VGLL4 and YAP in the regulation of tumor immunity.