Thermo-Reversible Cellulose Micro Phase-Separation in Mixtures of Methyltributylphosphonium Acetate and γ-Valerolactone or DMSO.

We have identified cellulose solvents, comprised of binary mixtures of molecular solvents and ionic liquids that rapidly dissolve cellulose to high concentration and show upper-critical solution temperature (UCST)-like thermodynamic behaviour - upon cooling and micro phase-separation to roughly spherical microparticle particle-gel mixtures. This is a result of an entropy-dominant process, controllable by changing temperature, with an overall exothermic regeneration step. However, the initial dissolution of cellulose in this system, from the majority cellulose I allomorph upon increasing temperature, is also exothermic. The mixtures essentially act as 'thermo-switchable' gels. Upon initial dissolution and cooling, micro-scaled spherical particles are formed, the formation onset and size of which are dependent on the presence of traces of water. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and 13 C cross-polarisation magic-angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR spectroscopy have identified that the cellulose micro phase-separates with no remaining cellulose I allomorph and eventually forms a proportion of the cellulose II allomorph after water washing and drying. The rheological properties of these solutions demonstrate the possibility of a new type of cellulose processing, whereby morphology can be influenced by changing temperature.

PTPL1 suppresses lung cancer cell migration via inhibiting TGF-ß1-induced activation of p38 MAPK and Smad 2/3 pathways and EMT.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables dissemination of neoplastic cells and onset of distal metastasis of primary tumors. However, the regulatory mechanisms of EMT by microenvironmental factors such as transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) remain largely unresolved. Protein tyrosine phosphatase L1 (PTPL1) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase that plays a suppressive role in tumorigenesis of diverse tissues. In this study we investigated the role of PTPL1/PTPN13 in metastasis of lung cancer and the signaling pathways regulated by PTPL1 in terms of EMT of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We showed that the expression of PTPL1 was significantly downregulated in cancerous tissues of 23 patients with NSCLC compared with adjacent normal tissues. PTPL1 expression was positively correlated with overall survival of NSCLC patients. Then we treated A549 cells in vitro with TGF-ß1 (10 ng/mL) and assessed EMT. We found that knockdown of PTPL1 enhanced the migration and invasion capabilities of A549 cells, through enhancing TGF-ß1-induced EMT. In nude mice bearing A549 cell xenografts, knockdown of PTPL1 significantly promoted homing of cells and formation of tumor loci in the lungs. We further revealed that PTPL1 suppressed TGF-ß-induced EMT by counteracting the activation of canonical Smad2/3 and non-canonical p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Using immunoprecipitation assay we demonstrated that PTPL1 could bind to p38 MAPK, suggesting that p38 MAPK might be a direct substrate of PTPL1. In conclusion, these results unravel novel mechanisms underlying the regulation of TGF-ß signaling pathway, and have implications for prognostic assessment and targeted therapy of metastatic lung cancer.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase L1 represses endothelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting IL-1ß/NF-κB/Snail signaling.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) plays a pivotal role in various diseases, including pulmonary hypertension (PH), and transcription factors like Snail are key regulators of EnMT. In this study we investigated how these factors were regulated by PH risk factors (e.g. inflammation and hypoxia) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We showed that treatment with interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) induced EnMT of HUVECs via activation of NF-κB/Snail pathway, which was further exacerbated by knockdown of protein tyrosine phosphatase L1 (PTPL1). We demonstrated that PTPL1 inhibited NF-κB/Snail through dephosphorylating and stabilizing IκBα. IL-1ß or hypoxia could downregulate PTPL1 expression in HUVECs. The deregulation of PTPL1/NF-κB signaling was validated in a monocrotaline-induced rat PH (MCT-PH) model and clinical PH specimens. Our findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of EnMT, and have implications for identifying new therapeutic targets for clinical PH.

Blockade of NEAT1 represses inflammation response and lipid uptake via modulating miR-342-3p in human macrophages THP-1 cells.

Atherosclerosis has been recognized as a chronic inflammation process induced by lipid of the vessel wall. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can drive atherosclerosis progression involving macrophages. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in atherosclerosis development. In our current study, we focused on the biological roles of lncRNA NEAT1 in atherosclerosis progress. Here, we found that ox-LDL was able to trigger human macrophages THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, apoptosis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent course. In addition, we observed that NEAT1 was significantly increased in THP-1 cells incubated with ox-LDL and meanwhile miR-342-3p was greatly decreased. Then, NEAT1 was silenced by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) of NEAT1 into THP-1 cells. As exhibited, CD36, oil-red staining levels, total cholesterol (TC), total cholesterol (TG) levels and THP-1 cell apoptosis were obviously repressed by knockdown of NEAT1. Furthermore, inhibition of NEAT1 contributed to the repression of inflammation in vitro. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) protein levels were remarkably depressed by NEAT1 siRNA in THP-1 cells. By using bioinformatics analysis, miR-342-3p was predicted as a downstream target of NEAT1 and the correlation between them was confirmed in our study. Moreover, overexpression of miR-342-3p could also greatly suppress inflammation response and lipid uptake in THP-1 cells. Knockdown of NEAT1 and miR-342-3p mimics inhibited lipid uptake in THP-1 cells. In conclusion, we implied that blockade of NEAT1 repressed inflammation response through modulating miR-342-3p in human macrophages THP-1 cells and NEAT1 may offer a promising strategy to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Crosstalk between the Akt/mTORC1 and NF-κB signaling pathways promotes hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by increasing DPP4 expression in PASMCs.

Abnormal wound healing by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) promotes vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Increasing evidence shows that both the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) are involved in the development of HPH. In this study, we explored the crosstalk between mTORC1 and NF-κB in PASMCs cultured under hypoxic condition and in a rat model of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). We showed that hypoxia promoted wound healing of PASMCs, which was dose-dependently blocked by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin (5-20 nM). In PASMCs, hypoxia activated mTORC1, which in turn promoted the phosphorylation of NF-κB. Molecular docking revealed that mTOR interacted with IκB kinases (IKKs) and that was validated by immunoprecipitation. In vitro kinase assays and mass spectrometry demonstrated that mTOR phosphorylated IKKα and IKKß separately. Inhibition of mTORC1 decreased the level of phosphorylated IKKα/ß, thus reducing the phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Bioinformatics study revealed that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was a target gene of NF-κB; DPP4 inhibitor, sitagliptin (10-500 µM) effectively inhibited the abnormal wound healing of PASMCs under hypoxic condition. In the rat model of HPH, we showed that NF-κB activation (at 3 weeks) was preceded by mTOR signaling activation (after 1 or 2 weeks) in lungs, and administration of sitagliptin (1-5 mg/kg every day, ig) produced preventive effects against the development of HPH. In conclusion, hypoxia activates the crosstalk between mTORC1 and NF-κB, and increased DPP4 expression in PASMCs that leads to vascular remodeling. Sitagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor, exerts preventive effect against HPH.

Long-term progression-free survival in an advanced lung adenocarcinoma patient harboring EZR-ROS1 rearrangement: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Crizotinib is recommended as first-line therapy in ROS1-driven lung adenocarcinoma. However, the optimal first-line therapy for this subgroup of lung cancer is controversial according to the available clinical data. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma and EGFR/KRAS/ALK-negative tumors. The patient received six cycles of pemetrexed plus cisplatin as first-line therapy and then pemetrexed as maintenance treatment, with a progression-free survival (PFS) of 42 months. The patient relapsed and underwent re-biopsy. EZR-ROS1 fusion mutation was detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The patient was prescribed crizotinib as second-line therapy and achieved a PFS of 6 months. After disease progression, lorlatinib was administered as third-line therapy, with a favorable response. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged PFS in patients receiving pemetrexed chemotherapy might be related to the EZR-ROS1 fusion mutation. Lorlatinib is an optimal choice in patients showing crizotinib resistance.

Impact of GGCX polymorphisms on warfarin dose requirements in atrial fibrillation patients

Background/aim: Warfarin is a common anticoagulant with large interindividual differences and a narrow therapeutic range. The polymorphisms of gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) are important genetic factors for warfarin dose requirements. Materials and methods: Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing methods were used to detect the GGCX rs699664 genotype in 215 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with warfarin administration. The effects on warfarin dose by different genotypes were analyzed. A warfarin dosing algorithm was developed based on age, height, CYP2C9, VKORC1, and GGCX genotype. Results: In 215 AF patients, there were 104 cases of wild-type GG genotype (48.4%), 92 cases of GA genotype (42.8%), and 19 cases of AA genotype (8.8%). Patients with the GGCX rs699664 A allele (GA or AA genotypes) needed higher warfarin doses than those with the GG genotype (P < 0.05). A warfarin dosing algorithm showed that age, height, CYP2C9, VKORC1, and GGCX genotype were the best variables for estimating warfarin dose (R2 = 41.2%). Another independent cohort of 60 AF patients showed a significant linear correlation between predicted warfarin maintenance dose and actual dose (R = 0.660, P < 0.01). Conclusion: AF patients with the GA and AA genotypes in GGCX rs699664 required significantly higher warfarin doses. GGCX rs699664 is a potential predictor for the warfarin dose of AF patients.

Upregulated dual oxidase 1-induced oxidative stress and caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis reflect the etiologies of heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) might be important in heart failure development through its mediating role in oxidative stress. This study was designed to evaluate the potential role of DUOX1 in heart failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AC16 cells were treated with 2 µmol/L of doxorubicin (DOX) for 12, 24, and 48 h to construct a heart failure model. DUOX1 overexpression and silencing in AC16 cell were established. DUOX1 expression was detected by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Increased DUOX1 expression levels were observed after DOX treatment for 24 h in AC16 cells. DUOX1 silencing inhibited DOX-induced pyroptosis and ROS production. The release of IL-1ß, IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins were also decreased. DUOX1 overexpression increased pyroptosis, ROS production, IL-1ß, IL-18, and LDH release, and pyroptosis-related protein expression. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) significantly reversed DUOX1-induced pyroptosis, ROS, and related factors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DUOX1-derived genotoxicity could promote heart failure development. In the process, oxidative stress and pyroptosis may be involved in the regulation of DUOX1 in heart failure.

Function and Mechanism of Antiviral Wasp Venom Peptide Protopolybia-MP III and Its Derivatives against HSV-1.

Viruses are one of the leading causes of human disease, and many highly pathogenic viruses still have no specific treatment drugs. Therefore, producing new antiviral drugs is an urgent matter. In our study, we first found that the natural wasp venom peptide Protopolybia-MP III had a significant inhibitory effect on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vitro by using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blotting, and plaque-forming assays. Immunofluorescence analysis showed Protopolybia-MP III could enter cells, and it inhibited multiple stages of the HSV-1 life cycle, including the attachment, entry/fusion, and post-entry stages. Furthermore, ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy detected that Protopolybia-MP III significantly suppressed HSV-1 virion infectivity at different temperatures by destroying the integrity of the HSV-1 virion. Finally, by comparing the antiviral activity of Protopolybia-MP III and its mutants, a series of peptides with better anti-HSV-1 activity were identified. Overall, this work found the function and mechanism of the antiviral wasp venom peptide Protopolybia-MP III and its derivatives against HSV-1 and laid the foundation for the research and development of wasp venom-derived antiviral candidate peptide drugs.

Hub Genes and Immune Cell Infiltration in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: Bioinformatics Analysis and In Vivo Validation.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) represents a severe pulmonary disorder with high morbidity and mortality, which necessitates identifying the critical molecular mechanisms underlying HPH pathogenesis. METHODS: The mRNA expression microarray GSE15197 (containing 8 pulmonary tissues from HPH and 13 normal controls) was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were executed by RStudio software. The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was visualized and established using Cytoscape, and the cytoHubba app from Cytoscape was used to pick out the hub modules. The infiltration of immune cells in HPH was analyzed using the CIBERSORTx. To confirm the potential hub genes, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted using lung tissues of rat HPH models and controls. RESULTS: A total of 852 upregulated and 547 downregulated genes were identified. The top terms in biological processes were apoptosis, proliferation, and regulation of the MAPK cascade, including ERK1/2. Cytoplasm, cytosol, and membrane were enriched in cellular component groups. Molecular functions mainly focus on protein binding, protein serine/threonine kinase activity and identical protein binding. KEGG analysis identified pathways in cancer, regulation of actin cytoskeleton and rap1 signaling pathway. There was significantly different immune cell infiltration between HPH and normal control samples. High proportions of the memory subsets of B cells and CD4 cells, Macrophages M2 subtype, and resting Dendritic cells were found in HPH samples, while high proportions of naive CD4 cells and resting mast cells were found in normal control samples. The qRT-PCR results showed that among the ten identified hub modules, FBXL3, FBXL13 and XCL1 mRNA levels were upregulated, while NEDD4L, NPFFR2 and EDN3 were downregulated in HPH rats compared with control rats. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the key genes and the involvement of immune cell infiltration in HPH, thus providing new insight into the pathogenesis of HPH and potential treatment targets for patients with HPH.

Characteristics and comparison of rapidly growing and slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease (PD) has rapidly increased globally. The characteristics and comparison of rapidly growing mycobacteria PD (RGM-PD) and slowly growing mycobacteria PD (SGM-PD) are still unclear. Methods: Our study enrolled 31 NTM-PD patients. Clinical data, including baseline, symptoms, underlying disease, laboratory tests, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results, radiological images, treatment, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. Results: Of the 31 patients with NTM-PD, 22 patients were female and 9 were male. It included 11 RGM-PD and 20 SGM-PD. There was no difference in age (P = 0.425) and body mass index (P = 0.152) between the two groups. The common respiratory diseases in prevalence included bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Three patients had positive results of T-SPOT tuberculosis (TB), and none had positive Xpert-Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampin results. On admission, patients were symptomatic and included cough/sputum production, fever, weight loss, fatigue, and hemoptysis. In comparison to RGM-PD, patients with SGM-PD had a greater chance of experiencing fatigue (P = 0.012). No significance was found in serum biomarkers between RGM and SGM-PD, including CD4/CD8 ratio, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, procalcitonin, ferritin, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No liver or kidney impairment was found. Patients with RGM-PD were more likely to have right lower lobe (RLL) impairment (P = 0.021) and a cavity characteristic (P = 0.012). All 31 cases had positive mNGS results. The duration of mNGS was shorter than conventional methods (3.4 ± 0.7 vs. 26.4 ± 20.9, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with SGM-PD were more likely to experience fatigue. The cavity and RLL involvement were more frequent in the RGM-PD. mNGS increases the identification of NTM specimens and complements the capabilities of conventional methods.

NDRG1 promotes endothelial dysfunction and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by targeting TAF15.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) represents a threatening pathophysiologic state that can be induced by chronic hypoxia and is characterized by extensive vascular remodeling. However, the mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling is not fully elucidated. Methods and Results: By using quantitative polymerase chain reactions, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that the expression of N-myc downstream regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) is markedly increased in hypoxia-stimulated endothelial cells in a time-dependent manner as well as in human and rat endothelium lesions. To determine the role of NDRG1 in endothelial dysfunction, we performed loss-of-function studies using NDRG1 short hairpin RNAs and NDRG1 over-expression plasmids. In vitro, silencing NDRG1 attenuated proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) under hypoxia, while NDRG1 over-expression promoted these behaviors of HPAECs. Mechanistically, NDRG1 can directly interact with TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15) and promote its nuclear localization. Knockdown of TAF15 abrogated the effect of NDRG1 on the proliferation, migration and tube formation capacity of HPAECs. Bioinformatics studies found that TAF15 was involved in regulating PI3K-Akt, p53, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathways, which have been proved to be PH-related pathways. In addition, vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy induced by hypoxia were markedly alleviated in NDRG1 knock-down rats compared with their wild-type littermates. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that hypoxia-induced upregulation of NDRG1 contributes to endothelial dysfunction through targeting TAF15, which ultimately contributes to the development of hypoxia-induced PH.

EphrinA3 is a key regulator of malignant behaviors and a potential prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As a member of the Ephrin protein family that elicits short distance cell-cell signaling, EphrinA3 has been shown to promote or inhibit tumorigenesis depending on tumor types, but its roles and the underlying mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The TCGA database and Kaplan-Meier Plotter database were used to analyze the differential expression of EphrinA3 between LUAD and para-carcinoma tissues, and its effect on overall survival of LUAD patients. CCK-8 assay, Edu assay, and flow cytometry were used to probe the effect of EphrinA3 on the proliferation of LUAD cells, and transwell assay was employed to examine its effect on migration and invasion. In addition, the effect of EphrinA3 on the growth of LUAD was further evaluated using a xenograft tumor model. RESULTS: EphrinA3 was expressed highly in LUAD, and its expression level was negatively correlated with the prognosis of LUAD patients. In addition, EphrinA3 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells, and accelerated tumor growth in a xenograft LUAD model. The reported EphrinA3 receptors, EphA1 and EphA10, were expressed in clinical LUAD tissues and co-localized with EphrinA3 in LUAD cells. Mechanistically, EphrinA3/Eph signaling activated AKT, ERK, and p38MAPK, induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and upregulated matrix metalloproteases-2 and -9 (MMP-2/-9). CONCLUSION: EphrinA3 expression was negatively correlated with prognosis of patients with LUAD. EphrinA3 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells. EphrinA3 enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, and potentiates EMT and MMP expression in LUAD cells.

Stable glycosylamines at the reducing ends of cellulose nanocrystals.

The reaction of reducing end groups in cellulose nanocrystals with dodecylamine was examined. Using a direct-dissolution solution-state NMR protocol, the regioselective formation of glucosylamines was shown. This provides an elegant approach to sustainably functionalize these bio-based nanomaterials, that may not require further reduction to more stable secondary amines.

Inflammatory mediators in induced sputum and airway hyperresponsiveness in cough variant asthma during long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate improvements in inflammatory mediator levels in induced sputum and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in cough variant asthma (CVA) during long-term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CVA (N = 35) and classic asthma (N = 26) and healthy subjects (N = 24) were recruited into this study. All patients were treated with budesonide (400 µg/day). Measurement of inflammatory mediators in induced sputum and PD20-FEV(1) (the accumulated provocative dose resulting in a 20% decrease in FEV(1)) in histamine-challenged subjects was performed every three months after the start of medication. Interleukin- (IL-) 5 and IL-10 were assayed by ELISA, and the percentage of eosinophils was detected with Giemsa stain. Trends during the follow-up period were analyzed using a general linear model. RESULTS: Inflammatory mediator levels in induced sputum and PD20-FEV(1) in patients with CVA and classic asthma differed from those in the control group, although no differences were found in the two asthmatic groups. PD20-FEV(1) significantly increased in CVA patients after ICS treatment for 3 months, while classic asthma patients exhibited a delayed change in AHR. After ICS treatment, levels of IL-5 and IL-10 as well as the percentage of eosinophils in the CVA group were altered at 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Accordingly, the level of inflammatory mediators in classic asthma changed more slowly. CONCLUSION: CVA has a greater improvement in airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) than classic asthma with respect to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Short-term ICS considerably reduces AHR although longer treatment is required for complete control of airway inflammation.

Mxi1-0 Promotes Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension Via ERK/c-Myc-dependent Proliferation of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells.

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is a challenging lung arterial disorder with remarkably high incidence and mortality, and so far patients have failed to benefit from therapeutics clinically available. Max interacting protein 1-0 (Mxi1-0) is one of the functional isoforms of Mxi1. Although it also binds to Max, Mxi1-0, unlike other Mxi1 isoforms, cannot antagonize the oncoprotein c-Myc because of its unique proline rich domain (PRD). While Mxi1-0 was reported to promote cell proliferation via largely uncharacterized mechanisms, it is unknown whether and how it plays a role in the pathogenesis of HPH. Methods: GEO database was used to screen for genes involved in HPH development, and the candidate players were validated through examination of gene expression in clinical HPH specimens. The effect of candidate gene knockdown or overexpression on cultured pulmonary arterial cells, e.g., pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), was then investigated. The signal pathway(s) underlying the regulatory role of the candidate gene in HPH pathogenesis was probed, and the outcome of targeting the aforementioned signaling was evaluated using an HPH rat model. Results: Mxi1 was significantly upregulated in the PASMCs of HPH patients. As the main effector isoform responding to hypoxia, Mxi1-0 functions in HPH to promote PASMCs proliferation. Mechanistically, Mxi1-0 improved the expression of the proto-oncogene c-Myc via activation of the MEK/ERK pathway. Consistently, both a MEK inhibitor, PD98059, and a c-Myc inhibitor, 10058F4, could counteract Mxi1-0-induced PASMCs proliferation. In addition, targeting the MEK/ERK signaling significantly suppressed the development of HPH in rats. Conclusion: Mxi1-0 potentiates HPH pathogenesis through MEK/ERK/c-Myc-mediated proliferation of PASMCs, suggesting its applicability in targeted treatment and prognostic assessment of clinical HPH.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPL1 suppresses lung cancer through Src/ERK/YAP1 signaling.

BACKGROUND: To reveal the function of protein tyrosine phosphatase-L1 (PTPL1) in lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Lung cancer cell lines were transfected with short hairpin RNA against PTPL1 (shPTPL1 group) or negative control (shmock group). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were used to verify the transfection efficacy. Cell proliferation was analyzed by ethynyldeoxyuridine (EdU), Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), and colony formation assay after PTPL1 or PTPL1 and yes-associated protein (YAP1) knockdown. The effect of PTPL1 on tumor growth was examined in a xenograft lung cancer model. RESULTS: PTPL1 was downregulated in various types of lung cancer cell lines. The EdU, CCK8, colony formation assays and investigation using a xenograft lung cancer model indicated that PTPL1 knockdown increased the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, PTPL1 knockdown induced the activation of the Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase SRC (Src)/Extracellular regulated MAP kinase (ERK) pathway and thereby promoted yes-associated protein (YAP1) nuclear translocation and activation. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, PTPL1 played a crucial suppressive role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer potentially through counteracting the Src/ERK/YAP1 pathway.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ improves pemetrexed therapeutic efficacy in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The folic acid analog pemetrexed (PMX) is recommended for the first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms underlying PMX cytotoxicity in NSCLC remain to be fully explored. METHODS: PMX effect was evaluated in a urethane-induced lung adenocarcinoma mouse model. The interaction between PMX and intracellular proteins, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), was investigated. The role of PPARγ in mediating pemetrexed cytotoxicity was investigated using NSCLC cell lines, mouse models and clinical specimens. RESULTS: This study found that PPARγ expression was correlated with prolonged progression-free survival in NSCLC patients. PPARγ downregulated hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT), a key enzyme for nucleotide salvage synthesis, thereby sensitizing cells to PMX inhibition on nucleotide de novo synthesis. PMX was also a candidate partial agonist of PPARγ, and PMX-activated PPARγ bound to NF-κB and transcriptionally suppressed the NF-κB target gene, c-Myc. PMX inhibited tumor growth by activating PPARγ in a urethane-induced lung cancer model characterized by elevated NF-κB activity. CONCLUSION: PPARγ improves pemetrexed therapeutic efficacy in non-squamous NSCLC. The cytotoxicity effect of PMX can be synergized by activating PPARγ and thereby inhibiting NF-κB pathway.

EIF4A3-Induced circ-BNIP3 Aggravated Hypoxia-Induced Injury of H9c2 Cells by Targeting miR-27a-3p/BNIP3.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results from long-term diminished blood supply diminishment (ischemia) to the heart, and the main reason for ischemia is hypoxia. BCL2 interaction protein 3 (BNIP3) can be upregulated by hypoxia and participates in the mediation of hypoxia-activated apoptosis in cardiac myocyte death. The purpose of this study was to interrogate the mechanism of BNIP3 in hypoxia-activated cardiac myocyte injury. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL), and caspase-3 activity assays. Molecular interactions were assessed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and pull-down assays. Gene levels were assessed via quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. BNIP3 expression was upregulated by hypoxia in H9c2 cells. We found that circ-BNIP3 (hsa_circ_0005972), whose annotated gene was BNIP3, was induced by hypoxia and positively regulated BNIP3 expression. Knockdown of BNIP3 or circ-BNIP3 reversed the effect of hypoxia in attenuating H9c2 cell viability and inducing apoptosis. circ-BNIP3 sponged miRNA-27a-3p (miR-27a-3p) to upregulate BNIP3 expression. Moreover, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 (EIF4A3) bound with the upstream region of the circ-BNIP3 mRNA transcript and induced circ-BNIP3 expression in H9c2 cells. EIF4A3-induced circ-BNIP3 aggravated hypoxia-caused injury of H9c2 cells through targeting miR-27a-3p/BNIP3 pathway, indicating circ-BNIP3 as a new target for relieving hypoxia-induced injury of cardiac myocytes.

The long noncoding RNA THRIL knockdown protects hypoxia-induced injuries of H9C2 cells through regulating miR-99a.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in heart disease pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effect and the molecular basis of THRIL on hypoxia-injured H9C2 cells. METHODS: THRIL, miR-99a and Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) expressions in H9C2 cells were altered by transient transfections. The cells were subjected to hypoxia for 4 h, and then the levels of THRIL, miR-99a and Brg1 were investigated. Cell viability, migration and invasion, and apoptotic cells were respectively measured by trypan blue exclusion assay, transwell migration assay and flow cytometry assay. Dual luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the interaction between miR-99a and THRIL. Furthermore, levels of apoptosis-, PI3K/AKT and mTOR pathways-related factors were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: Hypoxia induced an increase of THRIL but a reduction of miR-99a and Brg1. THRIL inhibition significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced cell injuries, as increased cell viability, migration and invasion, and decreased cell apoptosis. THRIL negatively regulated miR-99a expression through sponging with miR-99a binding site, and miR-99a inhibition abolished the protective effects of THRIL knockdown against hypoxia-induced injury in H9C2 cells. Furthermore, miR-99a positively regulated the expression of Brg1. Brg1 inhibition promoted hypoxia-induced cell injuries, while Brg1 overexpression alleviated hypoxia-induced cell injuries. Moreover, Brg1 overexpression activated PI3K/AKT and mTOR pathways. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that THRIL inhibition represented a protective effect against hypoxia-induced injuries in H9C2 cells by up-regulating miR-99a expression.