Knockdown of lysyl oxidase like 1 inhibits the proliferation and pro-fibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-ß1-induced hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

The excessive healing response during wound repair can result in hypertrophic scars (HS). Lysyl oxidase like 1 (LOXL1) has been reported to be associated with fibrosis via targeting transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) signaling. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LOXL1 on HS formation. The expression of LOXL1 in HS tissues and TGF-ß1-induced HS-derived fibroblasts (HSFs) was detected via reverse transcription quantitative PCR and Western blot. LOXL1 was silenced in HSFs using transfection with short hairpin RNA (shRNA), then wound healing process including cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition along with Smad expression were measured by cell counting kit-8, EdU staining, flow cytometry, transwell, immunofluorescence, and Western blot assays. LOXL1 was upregulated in HS tissues and TGF-ß1-induced HSFs. Knockdown of LOXL1 inhibited proliferation and migration but promoted cell cycle G0/G1 phase arrest in TGF-ß1-induced HSFs; it increased expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, MMP2, MMP9, COL1A1, COL1A2, fibronectin, COL3A1, α-SMA, but decreased expression of p27, and the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 caused by TGF-ß1 were also blocked by LOXL1 silencing. Silence of LOXL1 could effectively inhibit TGF-ß1-induced proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition in HSFs via inactivating Smad pathway. Targeting LOXL1 may have future therapeutic implications for HS treatment.

Increased Plasma Levels of S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin disorder with an important immunologic profile. S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 are the members of S100 family that have been reported to play important role in autoimmune diseases, but the characteristics of these three S100 members have not been defined in CSU. AIMS: This study was performed to investigate the levels of these three S100s in patients with CSU and to study whether they were associated with the severity and clinical characteristics of CSU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of plasma S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 were measured in 51 CSU patients and 20 healthy controls using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. The values in the patient group and that of the healthy controls were statistically compared. The relationships between the different markers were evaluated by correlation analysis. RESULTS: The plasma levels of S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 were significantly higher in CSU patients than those in controls. Interestingly, the level of S100A12 was significantly correlated with S100A8 and S100A9 in CSU patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 were all significantly inversely correlated with blood basophil percentage. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 levels were elevated in CSU patients. They might be useful biomarkers of CSU, with the potential role in the pathogenesis of CSU.

Increased plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is considered in a subset of patients to be an autoimmune disorder. Interleukin(IL)-17, IL-31, and IL-33 are involved in some immune response. The aim of this study was to quantify plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in CSU patients and to examine their relationships with disease severity. Plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 concentration were measured in 51 CSU patients and 20 healthy subjects (HCs). Plasma IL-17 (P < 0.001), IL-31 (P < 0.001), and IL-33 (P < 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients when compared with those of HCs. Concerning UAS7, severe group of CSU patients had significantly higher IL-17 levels than the moderate and mild groups (P = 0.028 and 0.007, respectively), and significantly higher IL-33 concentrations than the mild group (P = 0.026). Regarding only pruritus, severe group of patients had significantly higher IL-31 levels than the mild group (P = 0.003). The IL-33 levels in the total IgE positive group were significantly higher than that of negative group (P = 0.010). Our results showed higher plasma levels of IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 among CSU patients which may highlight a functional role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of CSU.

Repression of M-phase phosphoprotein 8 inhibits melanoma growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Metastatic melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths due to its aggressiveness and high resistance to current therapies. M-phase phosphoprotein 8 (MPP8) has been shown to bind to methylated H3K9 and promote tumor cell motility and invasion. The current study aimed to investigate the role of MPP8 in melanoma growth and metastasis. Our results showed that MMP8 was up-regulated in the metastatic melanoma specimens. Knockdown of MPP8 inhibited melanoma cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, down-regulation of MPP8 induced S-phase cell cycle arrest as well as altered expression of cell cycle-related proteins in melanoma cells. In addition, repression of MPP8 inhibited the migration and invasion of melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that MPP8 knockdown could inhibit the growth and metastasis of melanoma cells and provide novel therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.