[Multi-index evaluation of different parts of Amomum villosum].

To investigate the quality differences between the seeds and husks of Amomum villosum and explore the rationality of using the seeds without husks, this study determined the content of protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, epicatechin, quercitrin, volatile oil, water extract, and ethanol extract. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were determined to evaluate the antioxidant activities of seeds and husks. The quality differences between the seeds and husks were assessed through orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and analytic hierarchy process(AHP) combined with the entropy weight method(EWM). Significant differences(P<0.05) were observed in all 10 indicators between the seeds and husks. The levels of epicatechin, quercetin, and volatile oil were higher in the seeds, whereas those of protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, water extract, and ethanol extract were higher in the husks. The seeds showed stronger scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals, while the husks showed a stronger scavenging effect on hydroxyl radicals. OPLS-DA significantly discriminated between the seeds and husks. Furthermore, volatile oil, water extract, DPPH radical scavenging rate, quercitrin, ABTS radical scavenging rate, hydroxyl radical scavenging rate, and vanillic acid were selected as the main differential indicators by variable importance in projection(VIP). Comprehensive scores calculated by AHP combined with EWM indicated that the seeds were superior to husks in terms of overall quality. However, there are still some dominant components and a certain antioxidant effect in the husks. Therefore, it is suggested to using Amomi Fructus with a certain amount of husks or utilizing the husks for other purposes.

An Open-Label, Uncontrolled, Single-Arm Clinical Trial of Tofacitinib, an Oral JAK1 and JAK3 Kinase Inhibitor, in Chinese Patients with Keloid.

BACKGROUND: The keloid treatment is still a thorny and complicated clinical problem, especially in multiple keloids induced by wound, severe burn, ethnic background or cultural behaviors, or unexplained skin healing. Mainstream treatments have limited efficacy in treating multiple keloids. As no oral treatment with painlessness and convenience is available, oral treatment strategies should be formulated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and therapeutic mechanism of oral tofacitinib in keloid patients. METHODS: We recruited the 7 patients with keloid scars and prescribed 5 mg of tofacitinib twice a day orally with a maximum follow-up of 12 weeks. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), ANTERA 3D camera, and the DUB Skin Scanner 75 were used to assess the characteristics of the lesion. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate collagen synthesis, proliferation, and relative molecular pathways. Moreover, the effects of tofacitinib were assessed on keloid fibroblast in vitro. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of oral tofacitinib, significant improvement in POSAS, VSS, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores was observed (p < 0.05). The volume, lesion height, and dermis thickness of the keloid decreased (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant decreases in the expression of collagen I, Ki67, p-STAT 3, and p-SMAD2 were observed after 12 weeks of administration. In vitro experiments suggested that tofacitinib treatment inhibits fibroblast proliferation and collagen I synthesis via suppression of STAT3 and SMAD2 pathway. CONCLUSION: Tofacitinib, a new candidate oral drug for keloid, could reduce keloid lesion volume by inhibiting collagen synthesis and inhibiting fibroblast proliferation, and alleviate itch and pain to obtain a better life quality.

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue.

Fibroblasts, the major cell type in keloid tissue, play an essential role in the formation and development of keloids. The isolation and culture of primary fibroblasts derived from keloid tissue are the basis for further studies of the biological function and molecular mechanisms of keloids, as well as new therapeutic strategies for treating them. The traditional method of obtaining primary fibroblasts has limitations, such as poor cellular state, mixing with other types of cells, and susceptibility to contamination. This paper describes an optimized and easily reproducible protocol that could reduce the occurrence of possible issues when obtaining fibroblasts. In this protocol, fibroblasts can be observed 5 days after isolation and reach nearly 80% confluency after 10 days of culture. Then, the fibroblasts are passaged and verified using PDGFRα and vimentin antibodies for immunofluorescence assays and CD90 antibodies for flow cytometry. In conclusion, fibroblasts from keloid tissue can be easily acquired through this protocol, which can provide an abundant and stable source of cells in the laboratory for keloid research.

Risk single-nucleotide polymorphism-mediated enhancer-promoter interaction drives keloids through long noncoding RNA down expressed in keloids.

BACKGROUND: Keloids represent one extreme of aberrant dermal wound healing and are characterized by fibroblast hyperproliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Genetics is a major factor for predisposition to keloids and genome-wide association study has identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs873549 at 1q41 as a susceptibility locus. The SNP rs873549, and the SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs873549, may be involved in keloid development. However, the functional significance of these SNPs in keloid pathogenesis remains elusive. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the function and mechanism of SNP rs873549 and the SNPs in strong LD with rs873549 in keloids. METHODS: SNPs in strong LD with rs873549 were analysed using Haploview. The expression levels of the genes near the susceptibility locus were analysed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The interaction between rs1348270-containing enhancer and the long noncoding RNA down expressed in keloids (DEIK) (formerly RP11-400N13.1) promoter in fibroblasts was investigated using chromosome conformation capture. The enhancer activity of the rs1348270 locus was evaluated using luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown experiments were used to explore the function of DEIK in keloids. RNA-Seq was performed to investigate the mechanism by which DEIK regulates the expression of collagens POSTN and COMP. RESULTS: rs1348270, an enhancer-located SNP in strong LD with rs873549, mediated looping with the promoter of DEIK. The risk variant was associated with decreased enhancer-promoter interaction and DEIK down-expression in keloids. Mechanistically, downregulation of DEIK increased the expression of collagens POSTN and COMP through upregulating BMP2. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that DEIK expression was inversely correlated with BMP2, POSTN and COMP expression in both keloid and normal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the risk variant rs1348270 is located in an enhancer and is associated with the downregulation of DEIK in keloids, and that downregulation of DEIK increases the expression of collagens POSTN and COMP through BMP2 in keloid fibroblasts. These findings will help to provide a more thorough understanding of the role played by genetic factors in keloid development and may lead to new strategies for screening and therapy in keloid-susceptible populations.

Relief of Extracellular Matrix Deposition Repression by Downregulation of IRF1-Mediated TWEAK/Fn14 Signaling in Keloids.

Keloids represent a fibrotic disorder characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the mechanisms through which ECM deposition in keloids is regulated remain elusive. In this study, we found that the expression of both TWEAK and its cognate receptor Fn14 was significantly downregulated in keloids and that TWEAK/Fn14 signaling repressed the expression of ECM-related genes in keloid fibroblasts. The IRF1 gene was essential for this repression, and the TWEAK/Fn14 downstream transcription factor p65 directly bound to the promoter of the IRF1 gene and induced its expression. Furthermore, in patients with keloid, the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 was negatively correlated with that of ECM genes and positively correlated with that of IRF1. These observations indicate that relief of TWEAK/Fn14/IRF1-mediated ECM deposition repression contributes to keloid pathogenesis, and the identified mechanism and related molecules provide potential targets for keloid treatment in the future.

TSP1 promotes fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition via the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway in keloids.

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative diseases with abnormally proliferated bulges beyond the edge of the skin lesions, and they are characterized by uncontrolled fibroblast proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition in the dermis. However, the definite mechanisms that increase fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition in keloids remain unclear. Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) has been suggested to play an important role in wound healing and fibrotic disorders, but its role in keloids is unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the specific role of TSP1 in keloids and explore the potential mechanism. Our results demonstrated that TSP1 was highly expressed in keloid lesions compared to normal skin. Knockdown of TSP1 in keloid fibroblasts decreased cell proliferation and collagen I deposition. Exogenous TSP1 treatment increased cell proliferation and collagen I deposition in normal fibroblasts. We further investigated the underlying mechanism and found that TSP1 promoted fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition by upregulating the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Moreover, we verified that TSP1 expression was positively correlated with IL6/STAT3 signalling activity in keloids. Taken together, our findings indicate that TSP1 promotes keloid development via the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway and blocking TSP1 may represent a potential strategy for keloid therapy.

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals fibroblast heterogeneity and increased mesenchymal fibroblasts in human fibrotic skin diseases.

Fibrotic skin disease represents a major global healthcare burden, characterized by fibroblast hyperproliferation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Fibroblasts are found to be heterogeneous in multiple fibrotic diseases, but fibroblast heterogeneity in fibrotic skin diseases is not well characterized. In this study, we explore fibroblast heterogeneity in keloid, a paradigm of fibrotic skin diseases, by using single-cell RNA-seq. Our results indicate that keloid fibroblasts can be divided into 4 subpopulations: secretory-papillary, secretory-reticular, mesenchymal and pro-inflammatory. Interestingly, the percentage of mesenchymal fibroblast subpopulation is significantly increased in keloid compared to normal scar. Functional studies indicate that mesenchymal fibroblasts are crucial for collagen overexpression in keloid. Increased mesenchymal fibroblast subpopulation is also found in another fibrotic skin disease, scleroderma, suggesting this is a broad mechanism for skin fibrosis. These findings will help us better understand skin fibrotic pathogenesis, and provide potential targets for fibrotic disease therapies.

TRAF4 Promotes Fibroblast Proliferation in Keloids by Destabilizing p53 via Interacting with the Deubiquitinase USP10.

Keloids represent one extreme of aberrant dermal wound healing. One of the important characteristics of keloids is uncontrolled fibroblasts proliferation. However, the mechanism of excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in keloids remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that TRAF4 was highly expressed in keloid fibroblasts and promoted fibroproliferation. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanism and found that TRAF4 suppressed the p53 pathway independent of its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Specifically, TRAF4 interacted with the deubiquitinase USP10 and blocked the access of p53 to USP10, resulting in p53 destabilization. Knockdown of p53 rescued cell proliferation in TRAF4-knockdown keloid fibroblasts, suggesting that the regulation of proliferation by TRAF4 in keloids relied on p53. Furthermore, in keloid patient samples, TRAF4 expression was inversely correlated with p53-p21 signaling activity. These findings help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying keloid development and indicate that blocking TRAF4 could represent a potential strategy for keloid therapy in the future.

Loss of MED12 Induces Tumor Dormancy in Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer via Downregulation of EGFR.

A high rate of disease relapse makes epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) the leading cause of death among all gynecologic malignancies. These relapses are often due to tumor dormancy. Here we identify the RNA polymerase II transcriptional mediator subunit 12 (MED12) as an important molecular regulator of tumor dormancy. MED12 knockout (KO) induced dormancy of EOC cells in vitro and in vivo, and microarray analysis showed that MED12 KO decreased expression of EGFR. Restoration of EGFR expression in MED12 KO cells restored proliferation. Additionally, MED12 bound to the promoter of EGFR, and correlation studies showed that MED12 expression positively correlated with EGFR expression in EOC patient samples. Clinical data demonstrated that chemotherapy-resistant patients expressed lower levels of MED12 compared with responsive patients. Overall, our data show that MED12 plays an important role in regulating dormancy of EOC through regulation of EGFR.Significance: MED12 is identified as a novel, important regulator of tumor dormancy in human ovarian cancer. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3532-43. ©2018 AACR.

A novel Smac mimetic APG-1387 demonstrates potent antitumor activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis.

Despite advances in the development of radiation against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the management of advanced NPC remains a challenge. Smac mimetics are designed to neutralize inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, thus reactivating the apoptotic program in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel bivalent Smac mimetic APG-1387 in NPC. In vitro, APG-1387 in combination with TNF-α potently decreased NPC cell viability by inducing apoptosis in majority of NPC cell lines. The in vitro antitumor effect was RIPK1-dependent, whereas it was independent on IAPs, USP11, or EBV. Of note, the inhibition of NF-κB or AKT pathway rendered resistant NPC cells responsive to the treatment of APG-1387/TNF-α. In vivo, APG-1387 displayed antitumor activity as a single agent at well-tolerated doses, even in an in vitro resistant cell line. In summary, our results demonstrate that APG-1387 exerts a potent antitumor effect on NPC. These findings support clinical evaluation of APG-1387 as a potential treatment for advanced NPC.

Unconjugated Bilirubin Is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Inhibits Its Metastasis via Antioxidation Activity.

Distant metastasis is the most common cause of treatment failure and mortality in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanism of NPC metastasis and identify reliable prognostic factors. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), which was previously considered a byproduct of heme catabolism, in NPC patients and examined the effects of UCB on NPC metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic analysis-generated UCB cutoff point for DMFS was 9.7 µmol/L. We found that higher UCB levels were significantly associated with favorable distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, 93.3% vs. 84.2%, P < 0.001) in NPC patients and was an independent predictor for DMFS (HR, 0.416; 95% confidence interval, 0.280-0.618; P < 0.001). We next found that UCB treatment impaired the invasion capability of NPC cells and potently inhibited lung metastasis of NPC cells in nude mice. Further investigation showed that UCB inhibited reactive oxygen species production, which is involved in the repression of ERK1/2 activation and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. Moreover, lower levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and MMP-2 expression were observed in the NPC lung metastases of nude mice administered UCB. Taken together, our results indicate that UCB is a significantly favorable factor for DMFS in NPC patients and may play an important role in NPC chemoprevention.

NOP14 suppresses breast cancer progression by inhibiting NRIP1/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

NOP14, which is functionally conserved among eukaryotes, has been implicated in cancer development. Here, we show that NOP14 is poorly expressed in breast cancer cells and invasive breast cancer tissues. In vivo and in vitro studies indicated that NOP14 suppressed the tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Further investigations revealed that NOP14 enhanced ERα expression and inhibited the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by up-regulating NRIP1 expression. Survival analysis indicated that low NOP14 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (P = 0.0006) and disease-free survival (P = 0.0007), suggesting that NOP14 is a potential prognostic factor in breast cancer. Taken together, our findings reveal that NOP14 may suppress breast cancer progression and provide new insights into the development of targeted therapeutic agents for breast cancer.

Monoacylglycerol lipase promotes metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a serine hydrolase that hydrolyzes monoacylglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. It has recently been found to be involved in cancer progression through the free fatty acid or endocannabinoid network after studies on its function in the endocannabinoid system. Here, we determined a role for MAGL in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is known for its high metastatic potential. Among the different NPC cells we tested, MAGL was highly expressed in high metastatic NPC cells, whereas low metastatic potential NPC cells exhibited lower expression of MAGL. Overexpression of MAGL in low metastatic NPC cells enhanced their motile behavior and metastatic capacity in vivo. Conversely, knockdown of MAGL reduced the motility of highly metastatic cells, reducing their metastatic capacity in vivo. Growth rate was not influenced by MAGL in either high or low metastatic cells. MAGL expression was associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins, such as E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail. It was also related to the sidepopulation (SP) of NPC cells. Our findings establish that MAGL promotes metastases in NPC through EMT, and it may serve as a target for the prevention of NPC metastases.

Nigericin selectively targets cancer stem cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in southern China, northern Africa, and Alaska. The prognosis for NPC patients at early stage is good, while it is poor for patients at late stages. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to be associated with tumor initiation, relapse and metastasis, and the poor prognosis of NPC likely results from residual CSCs after therapy. Study on the therapy targeting CSCs in NPC remains poor, though it received intensive attentions in other cancers. Here, we used NPC cell lines with high and low proportion of CSCs as models to explore the effect of nigericin, an antibiotic, on CSCs. We found that nigericin could selectively target CSCs and sensitize CSCs in NPC to the widely used clinical drug cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, downregulation of the polycomb group protein Bmi-1 may contribute to the inhibitory effect of nigericin on CSCs. Furthermore, by using the in vitro NPC cell models, we found that nigericin could significantly decrease the migration and invasion abilities, which are known to be associated with CSCs. Taken together, our results suggest that nigericin can selectively target CSCs in NPC, which could be a candidate CSCs targeting drug for clinical evaluation.