BRG1 mediates epigenetic regulation of TNFα-induced CCL2 expression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Strong evidence has indicated that upregulation of chemokine (CC motif) ligand-2 (CCL2) expression and the presence of an inflammatory tumor microenvironment significantly contribute to the migratory and invasive properties of oral squamous cell carcinoma, specifically oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). However, the precise epigenetic mechanism responsible for enhanced CCL2 expression in response to the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in OTSCC remains inadequately elucidated. We have demonstrated that the production of CCL2 can be induced by TNF-α, and this induction is mediated by the chromatin remodel protein BRG1. Through the use of a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, we have found that BRG1 was involved in the recruitment of acetylated histones H3 and H4 at the CCL2 promoter, thereby activating TNF-α-induced CCL2 transcription. Furthermore, we have observed that recruitment of NF-κB p65 to the CCL2 promoter was increased following BRG1 overexpression and decreased after BRG1 knockdown in OTSCC cells. Our Re-ChIP assay has shown that BRG1 knockdown completely inhibits the recruitment of both acetylated histone H3 or H4 and NF-κB to the CCL2 promoter. In summary, the findings of our study demonstrate that BRG1 plays a significant role in mediating the production of CCL2 in OTSCC cells in response to TNF-α stimulation. This process involves the cooperative action of acetylated histone and NF-κB recruitment to the CCL2 promoter site. Our data suggest that BRG1 serves as a critical epigenetic mediator in the regulation of TNF-α-induced CCL2 transcription in OTSCC cells.

Evaluating surgical excision to prevent progression of oral precancerous lesions: Highlighting randomized controlled trials and cohort studies.

Currently, surgical excision remains a common intervention for oral precancerous lesions (OPL). However, the studies focusing on conventional surgery by scalpel for OPL are not analyzed collectively in detail. Therefore, the objective of this short communication is to summarize and evaluate the evidence on scalpel surgery in preventing the progression of OPL patients. There are 16 eligible studies on surgery management of the recurrence (13 studies) or malignant transformation (13 studies) of OPL. The pooled recurrence rate (95% confidence interval) of OPL patients received scalpel surgery and laser therapy is 29.5% (26.3-33.0%) and 32.2% (26.1-38.9%), respectively. The pooled rate of malignant transformation of OPL patients received scalpel surgery, laser therapy, and clinical observation is 8.9% (7.3-10.9%), 6.0% (3.5-10.1%), and 10.2% (8.6-12.1%), respectively. The important limitation of current evidence available for prognosis of dysplastic OPL is based on retrospective observational studies. It highlights that surgical management of OPL needs more randomized controlled trials and cohort studies to explore more reliable methods for routine clinical use to facilitate high- or low-risk stratification and further select more appropriate treatment option.

Quality Evaluation of Ilex asprella Based on Simultaneous Determination of Five Bioactive Components, Chlorogenic Acid, Luteoloside, Quercitrin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol, Using UPLC-Q-TOF MS Study.

Background: Ilex asprella (Hook. Et Arn.) Champ. Ex Benth. is one of the representative medicinal plants that naturally grows in South China. It serves as a major component of herbal tea as an aid for sore throat, toothache, and acne, and it is a folk medicine for treating upper respiratory tract inflammation resulting from fever, infectious hepatitis, and enteritis. Objective: To evaluate the quality of Ilex asprella, the bioactive components were identified comprehensively using quadruple time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS, and the HPLC method for quality evaluation was established for the first time. Methods: Detection was conducted under the positive electrospray ionization mode with the 110 V fragment voltage and 4.0 kV capillary voltage for the ultra-performance LC-Q-TOF MS study. A Thermo Fisher C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 µm) associated with the 0.10% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase and gradient elution was carried out for separation process, and the HPLC quality evaluation was detected at a wavelength of 340 nm. Results: The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization regulation including LOQ, LOD, recovery, replication, precision, and linearity. The contents of five components were important for quality evaluation of Ilex asprella. Moreover, luteoloside and quercitrin had more significant impact than others. Conclusions: A specific accurate method has been proposed for the identification of the bioactive components and applied to simultaneous quantification analysis of five components in Ilex asprella. Highlights: The quality evaluation of Ilex asprella established based on its bioactive components can provide a solid promotion for applications of Ilex asprella in food and drug fields.

[Orbicular muscular-mucous advancement flap for repairing the lower lip loss after lip cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a new technique for the treatment of lower lip defect after carcinoectomy. METHOD: Six lower lip defects (more than two third of the length of the lower lip) after the tumor resection were treated with an orbicular muscular-mucous advancement flap. RESULTS: All of the patients had achieved good results functionally and cosmetically with the following-ups from 6 months to 3 years. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned techique could be a simple, safe and effective method for repairing lower lip defect.