Histological and Immunohistochemical Studies to Determine the Mechanism of Cleft Palate Induction after Palatal Fusion in Mice Exposed to TCDD.

Rupture of the basement membrane in fused palate tissue can cause the palate to separate after fusion in mice, leading to the development of cleft palate. Here, we further elucidate the mechanism of palatal separation after palatal fusion in 8-10-week-old ICR female mice. On day 12 of gestation, 40 µg/kg of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), sufficient to cause cleft palate in 100% of mice, was dissolved in 0.4 mL of olive oil containing toluene and administered as a single dose via a gastric tube. Fetal palatine frontal sections were observed by H&E staining, and epithelial cell adhesion factors, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were observed from the anterior to posterior palate. TUNEL-positive cells and Ki67-positive cells were observed around the posterior palatal dissection area of the TCDD-treated group. Moreover, in fetal mice exposed to TCDD, some fetuses exhibited cleft palate dehiscence during fusion. The results suggest that palatal dehiscence may be caused by abnormal cell proliferation in epithelial tissues, decreased intercellular adhesion, and inhibition of mesenchymal cell proliferation. By elucidating the mechanism of cleavage after palatal fusion, this research can contribute to establishing methods for the prevention of cleft palate development.

Identification of SYS1 as a Host Factor Required for Shiga Toxin-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Vero Cells.

Shiga toxin (STx) or Vero toxin is a virulence factor produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. The toxin binds to the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) for its entry, and causes cell death by inhibiting ribosome function. Previously, we performed a loss-of-function screen in HeLa cells using a human CRISPR knockout (KO) library and identified various host genes required for STx-induced cell death. To determine whether this library targeted to the human genome is applicable to non-human primate cells and to identify previously unrecognized factors crucial for STx-induced cell death, we herein performed a similar screen in the African green monkey kidney-derived Vero C1008 subline. Many genes relevant to metabolic enzymes and membrane trafficking were enriched, although the number of enriched genes was less than that obtained in the screening for HeLa cells. Of note, several genes that had not been enriched in the previous screening were enriched: one of these genes was SYS1, which encodes a multi-spanning membrane protein in the Golgi apparatus. In SYS1 KO Vero cells, expression of Gb3 and sphingomyelin was decreased, while that of glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide was increased. In addition, loss of SYS1 inhibited the biosynthesis of protein glycans, deformed the Golgi apparatus, and perturbed the localization of trans-Golgi network protein (TGN) 46. These results indicate that the human CRISPR KO library is applicable to Vero cell lines, and SYS1 has a widespread effect on glycan biosynthesis via regulation of intra-Golgi and endosome-TGN retrograde transports.

Pig lacks functional NLRC4 and NAIP genes.

The NLRC4 inflammasome, which recognizes flagellin and components of the type III secretion system, plays an important role in the clearance of intracellular bacteria. Here, we examined the genomic sequences carrying two genes encoding key components of the NLRC4 inflammasome-NLR family, CARD-containing 4 (NLRC4), and NLR apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP)-in pigs. Pigs have a single locus encoding NLRC4 and NAIP. Comparison of the sequences thus obtained with the corresponding regions in humans revealed the deletion of intermediate exons in both pig genes. In addition, the genomic sequences of both pig genes lacked valid open reading frames encoding functional NLRC4 or NAIP protein. Additional pigs representing multiple breeds and wild boars also lacked the exons that we failed to find through genome sequencing. Furthermore, neither the NLRC4 nor the NAIP gene was expressed in pigs. These findings indicate that pigs lack the NLRC4 inflammasome, an important factor involved in monitoring bacterial proteins and contributing to the clearance of intracellular pathogens. These results also suggest that genetic polymorphisms affecting the molecular functions of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and other pattern recognition receptors associated with the recognition of bacteria have a more profound influence on disease resistance in pigs than in other species.

Role of Intracellular Lipid Logistics in the Preferential Usage of Very Long Chain-Ceramides in Glucosylceramide.

Ceramide is a common precursor of sphingomyelin (SM) and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in mammalian cells. Ceramide synthase 2 (CERS2), one of the six ceramide synthase isoforms, is responsible for the synthesis of very long chain fatty acid (C20-26 fatty acids) (VLC)-containing ceramides (VLC-Cer). It is known that the proportion of VLC species in GSLs is higher than that in SM. To address the mechanism of the VLC-preference of GSLs, we used genome editing to establish three HeLa cell mutants that expressed different amounts of CERS2 and compared the acyl chain lengths of SM and GSLs by metabolic labeling experiments. VLC-sphingolipid expression was increased along with that of CERS2, and the proportion of VLC species in glucosylceramide (GlcCer) was higher than that in SM for all expression levels of CERS2. This higher proportion was still maintained even when the proportion of C16-Cer to the total ceramides was increased by disrupting the ceramide transport protein (CERT)-dependent C16-Cer delivery pathway for SM synthesis. On the other hand, merging the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by Brefeldin A decreased the proportion of VLC species in GlcCer probably due to higher accessibility of UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) to C16-rich ceramides. These results suggest the existence of a yet-to-be-identified mechanism rendering VLC-Cer more accessible than C16-Cer to UGCG, which is independent of CERT.

Anti-WASP intrabodies inhibit inflammatory responses induced by Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 9, in macrophages.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is an adaptor molecule in immune cells. Recently, we showed that the WASP N-terminal domain interacted with the SH3 domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), and that the complex formed by WASP and Btk was important for TLR2 and TLR4 signaling in macrophages. Several other studies have shown that Btk played important roles in modulating innate immune responses through TLRs in immune cells. Here, we evaluated the significance of the interaction between WASP and Btk in TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9 signaling. We established bone marrow-derived macrophage cell lines from transgenic (Tg) mice that expressed intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) that specifically targeted the WASP N-terminal domain. One intrabody comprised the single-chain variable fragment and the other comprised the light-chain variable region single domain of an anti-WASP N-terminal monoclonal antibody. Both intrabodies inhibited the specific interaction between WASP and Btk, which impaired the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in response to TLR3, TLR7, or TLR9 stimulation. Furthermore, the intrabodies inhibited the phosphorylation of both nuclear factor (NF)-κB and WASP in response to TLR3, TLR7, or TLR9 stimulation, in the Tg bone marrow-derived macrophages. These results suggested that WASP plays important roles in TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9 signaling by associating with Btk in macrophages.

Questionnaire survey on public awareness of cleft lip with/without palate in Mongolia.

The frequency of cleft lip with/without palate (CL/P) in the Mongolian population is approximately 1 in 1314 live births. This research aims to disseminate information about this congenital disability to the public to better understand CL/P, and people's fissures, and review administrative measures, as there is a lack of research in this area. A questionnaire survey was conducted using Google Forms, with 1000 Mongolian participants. Most participants (86.7%) said they had knowledge of the word, whereas 86.2% said they had knowledge of the condition. Most participants' answers were question-related disadvantages of CL/P patients, including statements such as "It's uncomfortable in human relationships" and "It makes an uncomfortable impression on the person you meet the first time." The results of this study revealed that most Mongolians were aware of CL/P and are concerned about patients. However, the causes of CL/P in the general population remain unknown, and further research is needed in this area.

Pneumococcal sialidase promotes bacterial survival by fine-tuning of pneumolysin-mediated membrane disruption.

Pneumolysin (Ply) is an indispensable cholesterol-dependent cytolysin for pneumococcal infection. Although Ply-induced disruption of pneumococci-containing endosomal vesicles is a prerequisite for the evasion of endolysosomal bacterial clearance, its potent activity can be a double-edged sword, having a detrimental effect on bacterial survivability by inducing severe endosomal disruption, bactericidal autophagy, and scaffold epithelial cell death. Thus, Ply activity must be maintained at optimal levels. We develop a highly sensitive assay to monitor endosomal disruption using NanoBiT-Nanobody, which shows that the pneumococcal sialidase NanA can fine-tune Ply activity by trimming sialic acid from cell-membrane-bound glycans. In addition, oseltamivir, an influenza A virus sialidase inhibitor, promotes Ply-induced endosomal disruption and cytotoxicity by inhibiting NanA activity in vitro and greater tissue damage and bacterial clearance in vivo. Our findings provide a foundation for innovative therapeutic strategies for severe pneumococcal infections by exploiting the duality of Ply activity.

Individual Atg8 paralogs and a bacterial metabolite sequentially promote hierarchical CASM-xenophagy induction and transition.

Atg8 paralogs, consisting of LC3A/B/C and GBRP/GBRPL1/GATE16, function in canonical autophagy; however, their function is controversial because of functional redundancy. In innate immunity, xenophagy and non-canonical single membranous autophagy called "conjugation of Atg8s to single membranes" (CASM) eliminate bacteria in various cells. Previously, we reported that intracellular Streptococcus pneumoniae can induce unique hierarchical autophagy comprised of CASM induction, shedding, and subsequent xenophagy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes and the biological significance of transient CASM induction remain unknown. Herein, we profile the relationship between Atg8s, autophagy receptors, poly-ubiquitin, and Atg4 paralogs during pneumococcal infection to understand the driving principles of hierarchical autophagy and find that GATE16 and GBRP sequentially play a pivotal role in CASM shedding and subsequent xenophagy induction, respectively, and LC3A and GBRPL1 are involved in CASM/xenophagy induction. Moreover, we reveal ingenious bacterial tactics to gain intracellular survival niches by manipulating CASM-xenophagy progression by generating intracellular pneumococci-derived H2O2.

Association between IRF6, TP63, GREM1 Gene Polymorphisms and Non-Syndromic Orofacial Cleft Phenotypes in Vietnamese Population: A Case-Control and Family-Based Study.

This study aims to identify potential variants in the TP63-IRF6 pathway and GREM1 for the etiology of non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOFC) among the Vietnamese population. By collecting 527 case-parent trios and 527 control samples, we conducted a stratified analysis based on different NSOFC phenotypes, using allelic, dominant, recessive and over-dominant models for case-control analyses, and family-based association tests for case-parent trios. Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium analyses were also conducted. IRF6 rs2235375 showed a significant association with an increased risk for non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in the G allele, with pallele values of 0.0018 and 0.0003, respectively. Due to the recessive model (p = 0.0011) for the NSCL/P group, the reduced frequency of the GG genotype of rs2235375 was associated with a protective effect against NSCL/P. Additionally, offspring who inherited the G allele at rs2235375 had a 1.34-fold increased risk of NSCL/P compared to the C allele holders. IRF6 rs846810 and a G-G haplotype at rs2235375-rs846810 of IRF6 impacted NSCL/P, with p-values of 0.0015 and 0.0003, respectively. In conclusion, our study provided additional evidence for the association of IRF6 rs2235375 with NSCLP and NSCL/P. We also identified IRF6 rs846810 as a novel marker associated with NSCL/P, and haplotypes G-G and C-A at rs2235375-rs846810 of IRF6 associated with NSOFC.

Single-chain variable fragment intrabody impairs LPS-induced inflammatory responses by interfering with the interaction between the WASP N-terminal domain and Btk in macrophages.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) plays important roles in both acquired and innate immune responses. We recently uncovered that the WASP N-terminal domain specifically binds the Src homology (SH) 3 domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) in macrophages. Over-expression of the WASP N-terminal domain impairs LPS-induced inflammatory responses. To evaluate the significance of this interaction in LPS signaling, we established bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) cell lines from transgenic (Tg) mice expressing anti-WASP N-terminal domain single-chain variable fragment (scFv) intrabody. Anti-WASP scFv specifically bound endogenous WASP and inhibited its specific binding to the SH3 domain of Btk in the Tg BMDMs. Tyrosine phosphorylation in WASP was inhibited after LPS stimulation. As a result, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß gene transcription and NF-κB phosphorylation were impaired. These observations strongly suggest that the phosphorylation of WASP by Btk plays a pivotal role in transducing the LPS signaling pathway in macrophages.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Vero E6 (VERO C1008) and Comparative Analysis of Four Vero Cell Sublines.

The Vero cell line is an immortalized cell line established from kidney epithelial cells of the African green monkey. A variety of Vero sublines have been developed and can be classified into four major cell lineages. In this study, we determined the whole-genome sequence of Vero E6 (VERO C1008), which is one of the most widely used cell lines for the proliferation and isolation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs), and performed comparative analysis among Vero JCRB0111, Vero CCL-81, Vero 76, and Vero E6. Analysis of the copy number changes and loss of heterozygosity revealed that these four sublines share a large deletion and loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 12, which harbors type I interferon and CDKN2 gene clusters. We identified a substantial number of genetic differences among the sublines including single nucleotide variants, indels, and copy number variations. The spectrum of single nucleotide variants indicated a close genetic relationship between Vero JCRB0111 and Vero CCL-81, and between Vero 76 and Vero E6, and a considerable genetic gap between the former two and the latter two lines. In contrast, we confirmed the pattern of genomic integration sites of simian endogenous retroviral sequences, which was consistent among the sublines. We identified subline-specific/enriched loss of function and missense variants, which potentially contribute to the differences in response to viral infection among the Vero sublines. In particular, we identified four genes (IL1RAP, TRIM25, RB1CC1, and ATG2A) that contained missense variants specific or enriched in Vero E6. In addition, we found that V739I variants of ACE2, which functions as the receptor for SARS-CoVs, were heterozygous in Vero JCRB0111, Vero CCL-81, and Vero 76; however, Vero E6 harbored only the allele with isoleucine, resulting from the loss of one of the X chromosomes.

Changes in the birth prevalence of orofacial clefts in Japan: Has the birth prevalence of orofacial clefts been affected by improved accuracy of prenatal diagnosis?

We have been conducting a survey on the birth prevalence of orofacial clefts, including cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate, in the Tokai area in central Japan every year for 37 years. Along with the yearly trends in the birth prevalence of orofacial clefts in that area for the past 37 years, we discuss whether the artificial abortion rate of fetuses with orofacial clefts has increased through the improved performance of ultrasonic imaging equipment. We also compare the yearly trends in the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies, including orofacial clefts, in Japan with those in other countries or areas where artificial abortion due to birth defects is legally permitted, and discuss the impact of improved accuracy of ultrasound imaging on the rate of artificial termination of pregnancy. The fact that the birth prevalence of orofacial clefts has basically remained unchanged for more than 30 years, even with recent more detailed prenatal diagnosis based on the improvement of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, has allowed us tentatively to conclude that prenatal diagnosis is not currently threatening the right to life of the fetuses with orofacial clefts.

A CRISPR Screen Identifies LAPTM4A and TM9SF Proteins as Glycolipid-Regulating Factors.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are produced by various GSL-synthesizing enzymes, but post-translational regulation of these enzymes is incompletely understood. To address this knowledge disparity, we focused on biosynthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), the Shiga toxin (STx) receptor, and performed a genome-wide CRISPR/CAS9 knockout screen in HeLa cells using STx1-mediated cytotoxicity. We identified various genes including sphingolipid-related genes and membrane-trafficking genes. In addition, we found two proteins, LAPTM4A and TM9SF2, for which physiological roles remain elusive. Disruption of either LAPTM4A or TM9SF2 genes reduced Gb3 biosynthesis, resulting in accumulation of its precursor, lactosylceramide. Loss of LAPTM4A decreased endogenous Gb3 synthase activity in a post-transcriptional mechanism, whereas loss of TM9SF2 did not affect Gb3 synthase activity but instead disrupted localization of Gb3 synthase. Furthermore, the Gb3-regulating activity of TM9SF2 was conserved in the TM9SF family. These results provide mechanistic insight into the post-translational regulation of the activity and localization of Gb3 synthase.

Novel endogenous simian retroviral integrations in Vero cells: implications for quality control of a human vaccine cell substrate.

African green monkey (AGM)-derived Vero cells have been utilized to produce various human vaccines. The Vero cell genome harbors a variety of simian endogenous type D retrovirus (SERV) sequences. In this study, a transcriptome analysis showed that DNA hypomethylation released the epigenetic repression of SERVs in Vero cells. Moreover, comparative genomic analysis of three Vero cell sublines and an AGM reference revealed that the genomes of the sublines have ~80 SERV integrations. Among them, ~60 integrations are present within all three cell sublines and absent from the reference sequence. At least several of these integrations consist of complete SERV proviruses. These results strongly suggest that SERVs integrated in the genome of Vero cells did not retrotranspose after the establishment of the cell lineage as far as cells were maintained under standard culture and passage conditions, providing a scientific basis for controlling the quality of pharmaceutical cell substrates and their derived biologics.

Cleft palate formation after palatal fusion occurs due to the rupture of epithelial basement membranes.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces cleft palate and hydronephrosis in the mouse embryo. Cleft palate occurs due to failure in palatal grow, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the mechanisms of cleft palate development in TCDD-exposed mouse embryos. We administered olive oil (control group) or TCDD diluted in olive oil (40 µg/kg) via gastric tubes to pregnant mice on gestational day (GD) 12. Embryos of control and TCDD-exposed groups were removed from pregnant mice on GD 14 and GD 15, respectively. One mouse embryo from the control group had anteroposterior palatal fusion. Palatal fusion was observed in three TCDD-exposed mouse embryos. Palates of TCDD-exposed mice fused from the interior to the middle of the palates, while the palates were separated in the posterior region. The middle of the embryonic palatal shelves in TCDD-exposed animals was narrow and split at the fusional position. At this position, palatal and blood cells were dispersed from the palatal tissue and the epithelium was split, with a discontinuous basement membrane. The results suggest that decreased intercellular adhesion or insufficient tissue strength of the palatal shelves may be involved in the development of cleft palate following palatal fusion.

Association of MEOX2 polymorphism with nonsyndromic cleft palate only in a Vietnamese population.

To evaluate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs227493 in the MEOX2 gene and nonsyndromic cleft palate only, this research was conducted as a case-control study by comparing a nonsyndromic cleft palate only group with an independent, healthy, and unaffected control group who were both examined by specialists. Based on clinical examination and medical records, we analyzed a total of 570 DNA samples, including 277 cases and 293 controls, which were extracted from dry blood spot samples collected from both the Odonto and Maxillofacial Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Hospital in Ben Tre province, respectively. The standard procedures of genotyping the specific SNP (rs2237493) for MEOX2 were performed on a StepOne Realtime PCR system with TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Significant statistical differences were observed in allelic frequencies (allele T and allele G) between the non-syndromic cleft palate only and control groups in female subjects, with an allelic odds ratio of 1.455 (95% confidence interval: 1.026-2.064) and P < 0.05. These study findings suggest that nonsyndromic isolated cleft palate might be influenced by variation of MEOX2, especially SNP rs2237493 in Vietnamese females.

Specific binding of the WASP N-terminal domain to Btk is critical for TLR2 signaling in macrophages.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is an adaptor molecule in immune cells. Recently, we revealed that WASP is involved in lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 signaling in macrophages by association of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) with the WASP N-terminal domain. Btk has been shown to play important roles in the signaling of several TLRs and to modulate the inflammatory response in macrophages. In this study, we evaluated the importance of the interaction between Btk and WASP in TLR2 signaling by using bone marrow-derived macrophage cell lines from transgenic (Tg) mice expressing anti-WASP N-terminal domain single-chain variable fragment (scFv) or VL single-domain intrabodies. In this Tg bone marrow-derived macrophages, specific interaction between WASP and Btk were strongly inhibited by masking of the binding site in the WASP N-terminal domain. There was impairment of gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß and phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB α/ß (IKKα/ß) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB upon stimulation with TLR2 ligands. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP following TLR2-ligand stimulation was severely inhibited in the Tg bone marrow-derived macrophages, as shown by the impairment in WASP tyrosine phosphorylation following lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results strongly suggest that the association between the WASP N-terminal domain and Btk plays an important role in the TLR2-signaling pathway in macrophages.

Production of scFv-conjugated affinity silk film and its application to a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Bombyx mori (silkworm) silk proteins have been utilized as unique biomaterials for various medical applications. To develop a novel affinity silk material, we generated a transgenic silkworm that spins silk protein containing the fibroin L-chain linked with the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) as a fusion protein. Previously, the scFv-conjugated "affinity" silk powder specifically immunoprecipitated its target protein, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein. To expand the applicability of affinity silk materials, we processed the scFv-conjugated silk protein into a thin film by dissolving it in lithium bromide, then drying it in the wells of 96-well plates. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated specific detection of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, both as a recombinant protein and in its native form extracted from mouse macrophages. These findings suggest that this scFv-conjugated silk film serves as the basis for an alternative immunodetection system.