Identification and Functional Characterization of a Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Gene Pathogenic Variant in Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

We report a single-point variant of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in a Chinese proband with a clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with a comprehensive functional analysis. Target exome capture-based next-generation sequencing was used for sequencing and identification of genomic variants in the LDLR gene. The expression, cellular location, and function of the mutant LDLR were analyzed. Sequencing of LDLR in FH patients indicated a point variant of single-base substitution (G < A) at a position of 2389 in the 16th exon, which led to a loss of the 16th exon in the LDLR messenger RNA. This genomic variant was found to cause exon 16 deletion in the mutant LDLR protein. Subsequent functional analyses showed that the mutant LDLR was retained in the Golgi apparatus and rarely expressed in the cellular membranes of HepG2 cells. Accordingly, the intake ability of HepG2 cells with the mutant LDLR was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that a mutant with a single-base substitution (c. 2389G > A) in the 16th exon of the LDLR gene was associated with miscleavage of messenger RNA and the retention of mutant LDLR in the Golgi apparatus, which revealed a pathogenic variant in LDLR underlying the pathogenesis of FH.

Aloe emodin relieves Ang II-induced endothelial junction dysfunction via promoting ubiquitination mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation.

Recent studies have revealed that aloe emodin (AE), a natural compound from the root and rhizome of Rheum palmatum L., exhibits significant pharmacologic activities. However, the pharmacologic relevance of the compound, particularly for cardiovascular disease, remains largely unknown. Here, we hypothesized that AE could improve endothelial junction dysfunction through inhibiting the activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulated by NLRP3 ubiquitination, and ultimately prevent cardiovascular disease. In vivo, we used confocal microscopy to study the expression of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1/2 (ZO-1/2) and the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome in coronary arteries of hypertension. And the experimental serum was used to detect the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by ELISA assay. We found that AE could restore the expression of the endothelial connective proteins ZO-1/2 and decrease the release of high mobility group box1 (HMGB1), and also inhibited the formation and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Similarly, in vitro, our findings demonstrated that AE could restore the expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1/2 and decrease monolayer cell permeability that related to endothelial function after stimulation by angiotensin II (Ang II) in microvascular endothelial cells (MECs). We also demonstrated that AE could inhibit Ang II-induced NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation, which were regulated by NLRP3 ubiquitination in MECs, as shown by fluorescence confocal microscopy and Western blot. Together with these changes, we revealed a new protection mechanism of AE that inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and decreased the release of HMGB1 by promoting NLRP3 ubiquitination. Our findings implicated that AE exhibited immense potential and specific therapeutic value in hypertension-related cardiovascular disease in the early stage and the development of innovative drugs.

Cancer inhibition mechanism of lung cancer mouse model based on dye trace method.

To minimize the incidence and mortality of cancer, dye trace method was used to explore the mechanism of drug inhibition. 60 mice were selected as the research objects and randomly divided into five groups: model group, shikonin group, aconitine group, notoginsenoside R1 group, and compound group. When establishing the model, begin to administrate the medicine by gavage. The permeability of lung barrier was measured, and H.E staining, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot test were carried out. The results showed that the mice in model group had decreased autonomic activity, increased permeability of the lung barrier, white nodules on the lung tissue, decreased protein expression related to cell proliferation and differentiation, and decreased protein expression associated with cell proliferation and differentiation, increased expression of related proteins in cancer stem cells, and low level of cell-linked communication. And the incidence of lung cancer in the model group mice was 100%. The histopathological changes in mice were improved to varying degrees after the intervention of the three drugs. Especially in the compound group, the incidence of lung cancer decreased to 8.3%. This study demonstrated that the combination of shikonin, aconitine and notoginsenoside R1 had a good anti-cancer effect, which provided a theoretical basis for clinical research.

A novel indel variant in LDLR responsible for familial hypercholesterolemia in a Chinese family.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevation of serum cholesterol bound to low-density lipoprotein. Mutations in LDLR are the major factors responsible for FH. In this study, we recruited a four-generation Chinese family with FH and identified the clinical features of hypercholesterolemia. All affected individuals shared a novel indel mutation (c.1885_1889delinsGATCATCAACC) in exon 13 of LDLR. The mutation segregated with the hypercholesterolemia phenotype in the family. To analyze the function of the indel, we established stable clones of mutant and wild-type LDLR in Hep G2 cells. The mutant LDLR was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and failed to glycosylate via the Golgi. Moreover, the membrane LDLR was reduced and lost the ability to take up LDL. Our data also expand the spectrum of known LDLR mutations.

Assembly of dandelion-like Au/PANI nanocomposites and their application as SERS nanosensors.

The monodisperse, uniform dandelion-like Au/polyaniline (PANI) composite nanospheres were synthesized by a simple one-step process without any additives or templates. The nanospheres are really composed of many short nanorods and the average diameter of whole nanospheres is about 180 nm. The morphology of Au/PANI composites could be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of HAuCl(4) to aniline. The prepared nanocomposite is developed as a wonderful sensor for the detection of Hg(2+) ions, which is based upon the Raman intensity response of PANI to Hg(2+) ions. Results from the morphology-dependent sensitivity investigations show that the dandelion-like nanospheres have an ultra sensitive response (as low as 10(-11)M) compared with other morphologies. The nanosensor also exhibits good reproducibility and greater selectivity for Hg(2+) ions than the other heavy metal ions. And the mechanism was proposed. The proposed nanosensors can be applied for highly sensitive and selective chemical analysis in a variety of environmental detection.