Cloning, characterization, expression, and feeding response of thyrotropin receptor in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that regulates the synthesis, storage, and secretion of thyroid hormones in the thyroid tissue. The aims of the present study were to characterize the full-length TSHR cDNA in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and to determine the TSHR gene transcription levels in different tissues. In addition, the response of TSHR transcription levels to daily feeding in thyroid tissue was investigated. The results showed that the full-length cDNA sequence was 2743 bp with an open reading frame of 2340 bp encoding a 779-amino acid peptide. BLAST analysis indicated that the amino acid sequence displayed 58.4-90.2% identity and 5.6-125.8 divergence, compared with other known fish species. The most abundant TSHR transcription levels were found in the spleen, head kidney, and kidney. Feeding did not affect the transcription level of TSHR in thyroid tissue over the course of the day. Thus, the current study suggests that there was no relationship between daily nutritional status and TSHR transcription level in the thyroid tissue of largemouth bass. The spleen, head kidney, and kidney exhibited the most abundant TSHR transcription levels.

RIG-I detects HIV-1 infection and mediates type I interferon response in human macrophages from patients with HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders.

The aim of this study was to explore the precise role of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) signaling in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected macrophages from patients with HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Postmortem brain tissues were collected from patients with HIV-1-associated dementia and were compared to samples collected from HIV serum-positive patients without dementia and HIV serum-negative patients. A human monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) primary culture system was established to evaluate the expression of RIG-I in these samples. Knockdown of RIG-I pathways genes was employed and STAT1 expression and phosphorylation levels were examined to explore the molecular mechanisms of HAND. The expression of RIG-I in postmortem brain tissue from HAND patients was significantly higher than in patients who were HIV serum-positive without dementia or HIV serum-negative. Moreover, we demonstrated that HIV-1 infection could result in a significant increase in the level of RIG-I in human MDMs. Moreover, a correlation was found between the increase in RIG-I expression and STAT1 expression and phosphorylation. Accordingly, knockdown of RIG-I decreased the phosphorylation of STAT1 and downregulated interferon-related genes. These observations highlight the importance of RIG-I signaling in anti-HIV innate immunity in macrophages, which may be beneficial for the treatment of HIV and aid in the understanding of the neuropathogenesis of HAND.

Mitochondrial ND3 G10398A mutation: a biomarker for breast cancer.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations have been found to play important roles in carcinogenesis. The most common G10398A mutation, a non-conservative amino acid substitution from Thr to Ala, seems to be involved in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer. Results from studies concerning this mutation remain inconclusive. In the current study, we first took clinical and molecular datasets from case-control studies to determine the association between the G10398A mutation and breast cancer. We further used the Phylotree to determine the haplogroups of this mutation. The frequencies of this mutation in 500 unrelated healthy controls were also screened. We found that this mutation is very common in the human population, and may be a polymorph.

Xuemaitong granules attenuate carotid atherosclerosis by decreasing the expression of CD14+CD16+ monocytes, IL-6, TNF-α, and hsCRP.

Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) has been extensively studied because its position can be easily observed. Our objective was to investigate the effects of Xuemaitong granules on the generation and activation of CD14+CD16+ monocytes on the inflammatory reaction in CAS patients. In this study, 22 male apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice were fed a high-fat diet for 13 weeks. After induction of an atherosclerotic plaque, the animals were randomly divided into the Xuemaitong granule group (450.5 mg/kg via intragastric administration, N=11) and the control group (equal volume saline via intragastric administration, N=11). Venous blood was obtained to analyze monocyte and CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocyte levels, as well as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). For clinical studies, 100 CAS patients received oral administration of Xuemaitong granules for 6 months. Monocytes, CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes, and the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and hsCRP were analyzed. Compared with the control group, a remarkable decrease in the number of monocytes and CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes as well as TNF-a, hsCRP, and IL-6 was noted in the Xuemaitong group. Compared with before treatment levels, the proportions of monocytes and their subsets of CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes and the concentration of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and hsCRP significantly decreased. Xuemaitong granules played a significant role in the anti-inflammatory reactions. In addition, the granules attenuated the expression of the CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes, resulting in the downregulation of the cytokines IL-6, TNF-a, and hsCRP.