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1.
Exp Hematol ; 124: 45-55.e2, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37225048

ABSTRACT

TET2 is a member of the Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of DNA dioxygenases that regulate gene expression by promoting DNA demethylation (enzymatic activity) and partnering with chromatin regulatory complexes (nonenzymatic functions). TET2 is highly expressed in the hematopoietic lineage, where its molecular functions are the subject of continuous investigations because of the prevalence of TET2 mutations in hematologic malignancies. Previously, we have implicated Tet2 catalytic and noncatalytic functions in the regulation of myeloid and lymphoid lineages, respectively. However, the impact of these functions of Tet2 on hematopoiesis as the bone marrow ages remains unclear. Here, we conducted comparative transplantations and transcriptomic analyses of 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month-old Tet2 catalytic mutant (Mut) and knockout (KO) bone marrow. Tet2 Mut bone marrow of all ages exclusively caused hematopoietic disorders of the myeloid lineage. In contrast, young Tet2 KO bone marrow developed both lymphoid and myeloid diseases, whereas older Tet2 KO bone marrow predominantly elicited myeloid disorders with shorter latency than age-matched Tet2 Mut bone marrow. We identified robust gene dysregulation in Tet2 KO Lin- cells at 6 months that involved lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndrome and/or leukemia-causing genes, many of which were hypermethylated early in life. There was a shift from lymphoid to myeloid gene deregulation in Tet2 KO Lin- cells with age, underpinning the higher incidence of myeloid diseases. These findings expand on the dynamic regulation of bone marrow by Tet2 and show that its catalytic-dependent and -independent roles have distinct impacts on myeloid and lymphoid lineages with age.


Subject(s)
Dioxygenases , Hematologic Diseases , Hematologic Neoplasms , Myelodysplastic Syndromes , Humans , Infant , Bone Marrow/metabolism , Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/metabolism , Hematopoiesis/genetics , Hematologic Diseases/genetics , Dioxygenases/genetics , Dioxygenases/metabolism , Mutation
2.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord ; 109: 105353, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36863113

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial membrane protein‒associated neurodegeneration (MPAN) is a rare genetic disease characterized by progressive neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulations combined with neuronal α-synuclein and tau aggregations. Mutations in C19orf12 have been associated with both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant inheritance patterns of MPAN. METHODS: We present clinical features and functional evidence from a Taiwanese family with autosomal dominant MPAN caused by a novel heterozygous frameshift and nonsense mutation in C19orf12, c273_274 insA (p.P92Tfs*9). To verify the pathogenicity of the identified variant, we examined the mitochondrial function, morphology, protein aggregation, neuronal apoptosis, and RNA interactome in p.P92Tfs*9 mutant knock-in SH-SY5Y cells created with CRISPR-Cas9 technology. RESULTS: Clinically, the patients with the C19orf12 p.P92Tfs*9 mutation presented with generalized dystonia, retrocollis, cerebellar ataxia, and cognitive decline, starting in their mid-20s. The identified novel frameshift mutation is located in the evolutionarily conserved region of the last exon of C19orf12. In vitro studies revealed that the p.P92Tfs*9 variant is associated with impaired mitochondrial function, reduced ATP production, aberrant mitochondria interconnectivity and ultrastructure. Increased neuronal α-synuclein and tau aggregations, and apoptosis were observed under conditions of mitochondrial stress. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of genes in clusters related to mitochondrial fission, lipid metabolism, and iron homeostasis pathways was altered in the C19orf12 p.P92Tfs*9 mutant cells compared to control cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide clinical, genetic, and mechanistic insight revealing a novel heterozygous C19orf12 frameshift mutation to be a cause of autosomal dominant MPAN, further strengthening the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of MPAN.


Subject(s)
Frameshift Mutation , Neuroblastoma , Humans , Frameshift Mutation/genetics , alpha-Synuclein/genetics , Pedigree , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Mitochondria/genetics , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mutation , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Iron/metabolism
3.
Stem Cell Res ; 69: 103068, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36933359

ABSTRACT

Pathogenic variants of the WFS1 gene can cause recessive-inherited Wolfram syndrome or dominant-inherited Wolfram-like syndrome with optic atrophy and hearing impairment. Using the Sendai virus delivery system, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a female patient with the WFS1 pathogenic variant c.2051C > T (p.Ala684Val). The resulting induced pluripotent stem cells exhibited a normal karyotype and pluripotency, as confirmed using immunofluorescence staining, and differentiated into three germ layers in vivo. This cellular model provides a useful platform for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of both blindness and deafness related to WFS1 variants.


Subject(s)
Hearing Loss , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Wolfram Syndrome , Humans , Female , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology , Hearing Loss/genetics , Wolfram Syndrome/genetics , Wolfram Syndrome/pathology , Mutation
4.
Int J Public Health ; 68: 1605585, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36776738

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Staying physically active is a cost-efficient strategy for disease prevention during a pandemic. The purposes of this study were to explore precautionary behaviors, psychological factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior, and impacts of active and sedentary lifestyles on the quality of life in the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods: Participants were community-dwelling adults aged over 20 years who had not been infected with COVID-19 and who lived in the United States. A study with a cross-sectional design was conducted between July and October 2020. Quantitative data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire. Results: In total, 467 valid responses were obtained. Participants who engaged in an active lifestyle had significantly higher scores on all domains of quality of life compared to those who engaged in an inactive lifestyle. Participants with a non-sedentary lifestyle had significantly higher scores of psychological and social domains of quality of life than those with a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: Engaging in an active lifestyle and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle are recommended when facing future, unpredictable pandemics similar to COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Sedentary Behavior , Quality of Life , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Life Style , Disease Outbreaks
5.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 1170, 2023 01 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36670125

ABSTRACT

The aim of current single-center study was to compare the short-term outcome of suction and gauze wiping alone versus the irrigation and suction technique for peritoneal decontamination among patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of PPU. Using data from our institution's prospectively maintained database, 105 patients who underwent laparoscopic repair were enrolled in this study. The participants were further divided into the group who received peritoneal irrigation (irrigation group, n = 67) and group who received gauze wiping and suction only (suction only group, n = 38). The irrigation group had a longer operative time (140 vs. 113 min, p = 0.0001), higher number of drainage tubes (38.8% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001) and a higher incidence of intra-abdominal abscess (10.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.0469) than the suction only group. Peritoneal irrigation may be associated with a prolonged operative time and a higher number of abdominal drains. Meanwhile, gauze wiping and suction may be sufficient for peritoneal decontamination during the laparoscopic repair of PPU as further infectious complications are not observed.


Subject(s)
Laparoscopy , Peptic Ulcer Perforation , Humans , Suction/methods , Decontamination , Treatment Outcome , Laparoscopy/methods , Peptic Ulcer Perforation/complications , Postoperative Complications/etiology
6.
Stem Cell Res ; 64: 102903, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36075118

ABSTRACT

Pathogenic variants of OPA1 have been associated with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA), leading to optic, auditory, and other sensorineural neuropathies and myopathies. Using the Sendai virus delivery system, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a female patient with the OPA1 pathogenic variant c.1468T>C (p.Cys490Arg). The resulting induced pluripotent stem cells exhibited a normal karyotype and pluripotency, as confirmed using immunofluorescence staining, and differentiated into three germ layers in vivo. This cellular model is a useful platform for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of both blindness and deafness related to OPA1 variants.


Subject(s)
Hearing Loss , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant , Humans , Female , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology , Mutation , Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/genetics , Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/pathology , Hearing Loss/genetics , GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics
7.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 58(9)2022 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36143976

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: This single-center study aimed to assess the role of laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) in bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: Using data from our institution's prospectively maintained database, we identified adult patients with obesity who underwent either laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or LGCP between January 2012 and July 2017. In total, 280 patients were enrolled in this study. Results: The body mass index was higher in the LSG group than in the LGCP group (39.3 vs. 33.3, p < 0.001). Both groups achieved significant weight loss during the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.001). The weight-reduction rate was higher in the LSG group than in the LGCP group 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.012, respectively). The reoperation rate of the LGCP group was higher than that of the LSG group (p = 0.001). No deaths were recorded in either group. Conclusions: Although both the LGCP and LSG groups achieved significant weight loss over three years, the LGCP group demonstrated a lower weight-reduction rate and a higher reoperation rate than the LSG group. Thus, it is necessary to reassess the role of LGCP in bariatric surgery, particularly when LSG is a feasible alternative.


Subject(s)
Bariatric Surgery , Gastroplasty , Laparoscopy , Obesity, Morbid , Adult , Body Mass Index , Gastrectomy , Humans , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Postoperative Complications/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Weight Loss
8.
Stem Cell Res ; 61: 102770, 2022 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35390758

ABSTRACT

The Inhibitor of disheveled and axin (Idax) and its ortholog the Retinoid inducible nuclear factor (Rinf) are DNA binding proteins with nuclear and cytoplasmic functions. Rinf is expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) where it regulates transcription of the Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) enzymes, promoting neural and suppressing mesendoderm/trophectoderm differentiation. Here, we find that Idax, which is not expressed in ESCs, is induced upon differentiation. Like Rinf, Idax facilitates neural and silences trophectodermal programs. Individual or combined loss of Idax and Rinf led to downregulation of neural and upregulation of trophectoderm markers during differentiation of ESCs to embryoid bodies as well as during directed differentiation of ESCs to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and trophoblast-like cells. These defects resemble those of Tet-deficient ESCs. Consistently, Tet genes are direct targets of Idax and Rinf, and loss of Idax and Rinf led to downregulation of Tet enzymes during ESC differentiation to NPCs and trophoblast-like cells. While Idax and Rinf single and double knockout (DKO) mice were viable and overtly normal, DKO embryos had reduced expression of several NPC markers in embryonic forebrains and deregulated expression of selected trophoblast markers in placentas. NPCs derived from DKO forebrains had reduced self-renewal while DKO placentas had increased junctional zone and reduced labyrinth layers. Together, our findings establish Idax and Rinf as regulators of Tet enzymes for proper differentiation of ESCs.


Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Neural Stem Cells , Animals , Cell Differentiation/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Embryoid Bodies/metabolism , Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism , Mice , Neural Stem Cells/metabolism
9.
Stem Cell Res Ther ; 12(1): 508, 2021 09 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34551822

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The c.G6055A (p.G2019S) mutation in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the most prevalent genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing by homology-directed repair (HDR) has been applied to correct the mutation but may create small insertions and deletions (indels) due to double-strand DNA breaks. Adenine base editors (ABEs) could convert targeted A·T to G·C in genomic DNA without double-strand breaks. However, the correction efficiency of ABE in LRRK2 c.G6055A (p.G2019S) mutation remains unknown yet. This study aimed to compare the mutation correction efficiencies and off-target effects between HDR and ABEs in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying LRRK2 c.G6055A (p.G2019S) mutation. METHODS: A set of mutation-corrected isogenic lines by editing the LRRK2 c.G6055A (p.G2019S) mutation in a PD patient-derived iPSC line using HDR or ABE were established. The mutation correction efficacies, off-target effects, and indels between HDR and ABE were compared. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses between the LRRK2 p.G2019S iPSCs and isogenic control cells were performed to identify novel molecular targets involved in LRRK2-parkinsonism pathways. RESULTS: ABE had a higher correction rate (13/53 clones, 24.5%) than HDR (3/47 clones, 6.4%). Twenty-seven HDR clones (57.4%), but no ABE clones, had deletions, though 14 ABE clones (26.4%) had off-target mutations. The corrected isogenic iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons exhibited reduced LRRK2 kinase activity, decreased phospho-α-synuclein expression, and mitigated neurite shrinkage and apoptosis. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis identified different gene expression patterns in energy metabolism, protein degradation, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathways between the mutant and isogenic control cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study envision that ABE could directly correct the pathogenic mutation in iPSCs for reversing disease-related phenotypes in neuropathology and exploring novel pathophysiological targets in PD.


Subject(s)
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Parkinson Disease , Dopaminergic Neurons , Gene Editing , Humans , Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2/genetics , Mutation , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Phenotype , Proteomics
10.
Nat Commun ; 12(1): 4445, 2021 07 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34290245

ABSTRACT

Immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate clinical activity in many tumor types, however, only a fraction of patients benefit. Combining CD137 agonists with these inhibitors increases anti-tumor activity preclinically, but attempts to translate these observations to the clinic have been hampered by systemic toxicity. Here we describe a human CD137xPD-L1 bispecific antibody, MCLA-145, identified through functional screening of agonist- and immune checkpoint inhibitor arm combinations. MCLA-145 potently activates T cells at sub-nanomolar concentrations, even under suppressive conditions, and enhances T cell priming, differentiation and memory recall responses. In vivo, MCLA-145 anti-tumor activity is superior to immune checkpoint inhibitor comparators and linked to recruitment and intra-tumor expansion of CD8 + T cells. No graft-versus-host-disease is observed in contrast to other antibodies inhibiting the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathway. Non-human primates treated with 100 mg/kg/week of MCLA-145 show no adverse effects. The conditional activation of CD137 signaling by MCLA-145, triggered by neighboring cells expressing >5000 copies of PD-L1, may provide both safety and potency advantages.


Subject(s)
4-1BB Ligand/agonists , Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology , B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , 4-1BB Ligand/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology , B7-H1 Antigen/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Epitopes , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/immunology , Immune Tolerance/drug effects , Immunologic Memory/drug effects , Immunotherapy , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
11.
Stem Cell Res ; 51: 102190, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33517123

ABSTRACT

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by basal ganglia iron deposition. Mutations in Pantothenate Kinase 2 (PANK2) are major genetic causes for patients with NBIA. The location of PANK2 in the mitochondria suggests mutant PANK2 causing mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of NBIA. Here, we used the Sendai virus delivery system to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a female patient having compound heterozygous mutations in PANK2. This cellular model could provide a platform for pathophysiological studies of NBIA in the future.


Subject(s)
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Iron Metabolism Disorders , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Mutation , Neuroaxonal Dystrophies , Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)/genetics
12.
Brain ; 143(11): 3352-3373, 2020 12 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33141179

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with a multifactorial aetiology. Nevertheless, the genetic predisposition in many families with multi-incidence disease remains unknown. This study aimed to identify novel genes that cause familial Parkinson's disease. Whole exome sequencing was performed in three affected members of the index family with a late-onset autosomal-dominant parkinsonism and polyneuropathy. We identified a novel heterozygous substitution c.941A>C (p.Tyr314Ser) in the mitochondrial ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) gene, which co-segregates with disease within the family. Additional analysis of 699 unrelated Parkinson's disease probands with autosomal-dominant Parkinson's disease and 1934 patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease revealed another two variants in UQCRC1 in the probands with familial Parkinson's disease, c.931A>C (p.Ile311Leu) and an allele with concomitant splicing mutation (c.70-1G>A) and a frameshift insertion (c.73_74insG, p.Ala25Glyfs*27). All substitutions were absent in 1077 controls and the Taiwan Biobank exome database from healthy participants (n = 1517 exomes). We then assayed the pathogenicity of the identified rare variants using CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell lines, Drosophila and mouse models. Mutant UQCRC1 expression leads to neurite degeneration and mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells. UQCRC1 p.Tyr314Ser knock-in Drosophila and mouse models exhibit age-dependent locomotor defects, dopaminergic neuronal loss, peripheral neuropathy, impaired respiratory chain complex III activity and aberrant mitochondrial ultrastructures in nigral neurons. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of levodopa could significantly improve the motor dysfunction in UQCRC1 p.Tyr314Ser mutant knock-in mice. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo studies support the functional pathogenicity of rare UQCRC1 variants in familial parkinsonism. Our findings expand an additional link of mitochondrial complex III dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.


Subject(s)
Mitochondria/genetics , Parkinsonian Disorders/genetics , Polyneuropathies/genetics , Age of Onset , Aged , Animals , Antiparkinson Agents/therapeutic use , Cell Line , Chromosome Aberrations , Drosophila , Electron Transport Complex III/genetics , Female , Frameshift Mutation , Gene Knock-In Techniques , Genes, Dominant , Humans , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Mutation/genetics , Parkinsonian Disorders/complications , Parkinsonian Disorders/drug therapy , Pedigree , Polyneuropathies/etiology , Exome Sequencing
13.
Stem Cell Res ; 49: 102031, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33070102

ABSTRACT

A novel missense mutation, c.941A > C (p.Y314S), in mitochondrial ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein I (UQCRC1) gene, was recently identified in a family with autosomal-dominant late-onset parkinsonism and polyneuropathy. UQCRC1 encodes a mitochondria respiratory complex III protein. Mutant UQCRC1 cells showed decreased mitochondrial activity and neurite degeneration. Here, we used the Sendai virus delivery system to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a male patient having a heterozygous UQCRC1 p.Y314S mutation. The established iPSCs could differentiate into three germ layers in vivo. This cellular model provides a platform for further studies of UQCRC1-related parkinsonism and polyneuropathy.


Subject(s)
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Parkinsonian Disorders , Polyneuropathies , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Male , Mutation , Parkinsonian Disorders/genetics
15.
Obes Surg ; 29(2): 387-393, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30251090

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is a new bariatric procedure that is similar to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in that it uses a restrictive mechanism. Comparative studies between LGCP and LSG were still limited. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of the two procedures based on the same clinical conditions. METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2015, 260 patients with morbid obesity underwent LGCP and LSG in a single center. Data on patient demography, operation time, complications, hospital stay, body mass index loss, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and improvement in comorbidities were collected. A propensity-matched analysis, incorporating pre-operative variables, was used to compare the short-term outcomes between LGCP and LSG. RESULTS: Propensity matching produced 48 patients in each group. Patients who underwent LGCP were predominately female (75.5%, 41.1% of the LSG patients were female, p = 0.028). Baseline BMI and excess weight were significantly lower in the LGCP group (p < 0.001). The LSG group showed a greater decrease in excess body weight than the LGCP group (LSG, 47.36 ± 12.95% in 3 months, 57.97 ± 19.28% in 6 months, 66.28 ± 25.42% in 12 months; LGCP, 39.67 ± 12.58% in 3 months, 47.40 ± 19.30% in 6 months, 48.02 ± 20.17% in 12 months, p = 0.008, 0.032, 0.010). Perioperative complications and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: LGCP and LSG are both feasible and safe procedures for surgical weight reduction. In short-term follow-ups, LSG demonstrates a better excess body weight reduction while having perioperative complications similar to LGCP.


Subject(s)
Gastrectomy , Jejunoileal Bypass , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Adult , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Comorbidity , Female , Gastrectomy/adverse effects , Gastrectomy/methods , Gastrectomy/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Jejunoileal Bypass/adverse effects , Jejunoileal Bypass/methods , Jejunoileal Bypass/statistics & numerical data , Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Laparoscopy/methods , Laparoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity, Morbid/epidemiology , Operative Time , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Weight Loss , Young Adult
16.
Stem Cell Res ; 33: 51-55, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30316039

ABSTRACT

Recessive mutations in the GJB2 gene are the most common genetic cause of hearing loss in humans. By using the Sendai-virus delivery system, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a female patient with the p.V37I (c.109G > A) mutation, a GJB2 mutation highly prevalent in the Asian population. The resulting iPSCs had a normal karyotype. The iPSCs also showed pluripotency, as confirmed by immunofluorescence staining, and differentiated into the three germ layers in vivo. This cellular model will provide a useful platform for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of deafness related to GJB2 mutations.


Subject(s)
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Adult , Female , Hearing Loss/genetics , Humans , Mutation
17.
AAPS PharmSciTech ; 18(3): 838-845, 2017 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27357422

ABSTRACT

Monoclonal antibodies have become the fastest growing protein therapeutics in recent years. The stability and heterogeneity pertaining to its physical and chemical structures remain a big challenge. Tryptophan fluorescence has been proven to be a versatile tool to monitor protein tertiary structure. By modeling the tryptophan fluorescence emission envelope with log-normal distribution curves, the quantitative measure can be exercised for the routine characterization of monoclonal antibody overall tertiary structure. Furthermore, the log-normal deconvolution results can be presented as a two-dimensional plot with tryptophan emission bandwidth vs. emission maximum to enhance the resolution when comparing samples or as a function of applied perturbations. We demonstrate this by studying four different monoclonal antibodies, which show the distinction on emission bandwidth-maximum plot despite their similarity in overall amino acid sequences and tertiary structures. This strategy is also used to demonstrate the tertiary structure comparability between different lots manufactured for one of the monoclonal antibodies (mAb2). In addition, in the unfolding transition studies of mAb2 as a function of guanidine hydrochloride concentration, the evolution of the tertiary structure can be clearly traced in the emission bandwidth-maximum plot.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Tryptophan/chemistry , Fluorescence , Guanidine , Protein Denaturation , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/methods
18.
J Virol ; 89(16): 8365-82, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26041286

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Vaccinia virus, the prototype of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae, infects a wide range of cell lines and animals. Vaccinia mature virus particles of the WR strain reportedly enter HeLa cells through fluid-phase endocytosis. However, the intracellular trafficking process of the vaccinia mature virus between cellular uptake and membrane fusion remains unknown. We used live imaging of single virus particles with a combination of various cellular vesicle markers, to track fluorescent vaccinia mature virus particle movement in cells. Furthermore, we performed functional interference assays to perturb distinct vesicle trafficking processes in order to delineate the specific route undertaken by vaccinia mature virus prior to membrane fusion and virus core uncoating in cells. Our results showed that vaccinia virus traffics to early endosomes, where recycling endosome markers Rab11 and Rab22 are recruited to participate in subsequent virus trafficking prior to virus core uncoating in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, we identified WASH-VPEF/FAM21-retromer complexes that mediate endosome fission and sorting of virus-containing vesicles prior to virus core uncoating in the cytoplasm. IMPORTANCE: Vaccinia mature virions of the WR strain enter HeLa cells through fluid phase endocytosis. We previously demonstrated that virus-containing vesicles are internalized into phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate positive macropinosomes, which are then fused with Rab5-positive early endosomes. However, the subsequent process of sorting the virion-containing vesicles prior to membrane fusion remains unclear. We dissected the intracellular trafficking pathway of vaccinia mature virions in cells up to virus core uncoating in cytoplasm. We show that vaccinia mature virions first travel to early endosomes. Subsequent trafficking events require the important endosome-tethered protein VPEF/FAM21, which recruits WASH and retromer protein complexes to the endosome. There, the complex executes endosomal membrane fission and cargo sorting to the Rab11-positive and Rab22-positive recycling pathway, resulting in membrane fusion and virus core uncoating in the cytoplasm.


Subject(s)
Multiprotein Complexes/physiology , Vaccinia virus/physiology , Vesicular Transport Proteins/metabolism , Biological Transport/physiology , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , DNA Primers/genetics , Fluorescence , Genetic Vectors/genetics , HeLa Cells , Humans , Microfilament Proteins/metabolism , Microscopy, Confocal , Mutagenesis , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics , Virion/metabolism , rab GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism
19.
Mol Med Rep ; 7(3): 1045-9, 2013 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23358553

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease worldwide. Tanshinone IIA (Tan­IIA) is one of the active constituents of Danshen (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae). Tan­IIA has been hypothesized to inhibit numerous human cancer cells by various molecular mechanisms. However, the efficacy and molecular mechanism of Tan­IIA action in pancreatic cancer has not been well studied. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of Tan­IIA in human pancreatic cancer BxPC­3 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis of BxPC­3 cells treated with Tan­IIA was performed by flow cytometry (FACS). Protein expression levels of TCTP, Mcl­1, Bcl­xL, Bax and Caspase­3 in BxPC­3 cells were measured by western blot analysis. The results revealed that Tan­IIA inhibited BxPC­3 cells in a time­ and dose­dependent manner. FACS analysis demonstrated that Tan­IIA increases the rate of sub­G1 phase. BxPC­3 cells treated with Tan­IIA were identified to upregulate protein expression of Bax and Caspase­3 and downregulate expression of TCTP, Mcl­1 and Bcl­xL. These results indicate that Tan­IIA may inhibit BxPC­3 human pancreatic cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis by decreasing protein expression of TCTP, Mcl­1 and Bcl­xL and increasing Bax expression in vitro. The chemotherapeutic potential of Tan­IIA for human pancreatic cancer warrants further study.


Subject(s)
Abietanes/toxicity , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/toxicity , Apoptosis/drug effects , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/metabolism , bcl-X Protein/metabolism , Abietanes/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Down-Regulation/drug effects , Humans , Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry , Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1 , Up-Regulation/drug effects , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism
20.
PLoS One ; 7(9): e46171, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23049968

ABSTRACT

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its derivatives are the most widely used molecular reporters for live cell imagining. The development of organelle-specific fusion fluorescent proteins improves the labeling resolution to a higher level. Here we generate a R26 dual fluorescent protein reporter mouse, activated by Cre-mediated DNA recombination, labeling target cells with a chromatin-specific enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and a plasma membrane-anchored monomeric cherry fluorescent protein (mCherry). This dual labeling allows the visualization of mitotic events, cell shapes and intracellular vesicle behaviors. We expect this reporter mouse to have a wide application in developmental biology studies, transplantation experiments as well as cancer/stem cell lineage tracing.


Subject(s)
Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Integrases/metabolism , Alleles , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Integrases/genetics , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Mitosis/genetics , Mitosis/physiology
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