E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1 affects the mTORC1 pathway through p62 and participates in regulating the differentiation of follicular helper T cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The abnormal expansion of Tfh cells plays a key role in chronic inflammation of RA joint. We speculated that STUB1 is an important regulatory factor in promoting the differentiation of Tfh cells in RA. CONTENT AND METHODS: The proportion of Tfh cells and the level of STUB1 in Tfh cells was measured. CD4+T cells were isolated from PBMCs of RA patients, and the percentage of Tfh cells was detected after up- or down-regulating the expression of STUB1. The levels of mTORC1 pathway activator p-mTOR and p-S6K were measured by Western blot. The ubiquitination of p62 by STUB1 and its ubiquitination type as well as the activation of mTORC1 was detected in vitro, and the activation of the mTORC1 and the differentiation of Tfh cells was detected in STUB1-upregulated CD4+ T cells with overexpressed p62. RESULTS: The level of STUB1 is elevated in Tfh cells of patients. Up-regulation of STUB1 can promote the differentiation of Tfh cells. STUB1 promotes the degradation of p62 via K48-linked ubiquitination and promotes the activation of mTORC1. Overexpression of p62 can reverse the promoting effect of STUB1 on the differentiation of Tfh cells and the activation of mTORC1. CONCLUSION: STUB1 can promote the differentiation of Tfh cells in RA by mediating the activation of mTORC1 pathway through ubiquitination of p62.

Tree Visualization By One Table (tvBOT): a web application for visualizing, modifying and annotating phylogenetic trees.

tvBOT is a user-friendly and efficient web application for visualizing, modifying, and annotating phylogenetic trees. It is highly efficient in data preparation without requiring redundant style and syntax data. Tree annotations are powered by a data-driven engine that only requires practical data organized in uniform formats and saved as one table file. A layer manager is developed to manage annotation dataset layers, allowing the addition of a specific layer by selecting the columns of a corresponding annotation data file. Furthermore, tvBOT renders style adjustments in real-time and diversified ways. All style adjustments can be made on a highly interactive user interface and are available for mobile devices. The display engine allows the changes to be updated and rendered in real-time. In addition, tvBOT supports the combination display of 26 annotation dataset types to achieve multiple formats for tree annotations with reusable phylogenetic data. Besides several publication-ready graphics formats, JSON format can be exported to save the final drawing state and all related data, which can be shared with other users, uploaded to restore the final drawing state for re-editing or used as a style template for quickly retouching a new tree file. tvBOT is freely available at: https://www.chiplot.online/tvbot.html.

Opacimonas viscosa gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from phycosphere.

A novel strain of a member of the family Alteromonadaceae was isolated from the phycosphere of a diatom and designated as LMIT007T. LMIT007T could form milk-white, opaque, circular and smooth colonies on 2216E marine agar. LMIT007T cells were around 1.0-1.8 µm long, 0.8-1.8 µm wide, round or oval shaped and had polar flagella but were non-motile. Optimum conditions for growth were 25 °C, pH 7.0 and 6 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of 16S rRNA gene-based analysis indicated that LMIT007T had the highest similarity with the type strains Aestuaribacter halophilus JC2043T (95.95 %), Alteromonas lipolytica JW12T (95.60 %) and Alteromonas halophila KCTC 22164T (94.21 %). Furthermore, the results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and of phylogenomic analysis indicated that LMIT007T could be clustered into the family Alteromonadaceae but formed a separate branch. The genome size of the strain was 2.95 Mbp and the DNA G+C content was 41.6 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of orthologous genes between LMIT007T and species of other closely related genera within the family Alteromonadaceae ranged from 66.9 to 69.2 %, and the average amino acid identity (AAI) values ranged from 60.0 to 65.7 %. The main respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c / C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile contain phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, two phospholipid and an unknown polar lipid. On the basis of the results of the polyphasic analysis, strain LMIT007T is suggested to represent a novel genus and species within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Opacimonas viscosa gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMIT007T (=MCCC 1K08161T=KCTC 92597T).

Identification of antibacterial metabolites produced by a marine bacterium Halobacillus marinus HMALI004.

AIMS: This study examined and characterized the extract for metabolites of Halobacillus marinus HMALI004 to understand their antibacterial activities against opportunistic marine pathogens, that is, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial strain HMALI004 was characterized as H. marinus, and an antibacterial spectral test revealed its inhibition against two opportunistic marine pathogens (V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholera). Fermentation broth of strain HMALI004 was subjected to column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography to separate antibacterial substances. Two compounds were successfully isolated and identified as 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 4-chloro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) values of 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 4-chloro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid for V. parahaemolyticus were 25 µg/ml, while their MIC values for V. cholerae were 50 and 100 µg/ml, respectively. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of two pathogen strains treated with 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 4-chloro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid were detected to investigate the antimicrobial mechanism. The results suggested that 4-chloro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid exerted enhanced ROS production in V. parahaemolyticus, whereas 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid had a weaker effect. Both compounds caused a significant rise in ROS production in V. cholerae, causing severe damage to the cell wall and cytoplasm, leading to cell death. CONCLUSIONS: The bacterium H. marinus HMALI004 was isolated from a shrimp pond and was found to produce antimicrobial compounds, which could inhibit the growth of opportunistic marine pathogens V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae by increasing ROS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Successfully isolated antibacterial-producing strain, H. marinus HMALI004, and its antimicrobial compounds could be used as biological control agents for marine pathogens.

E3 ubiquitin ligases STUB1/CHIP contributes to the Th17/Treg imbalance via the ubiquitination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in rheumatoid arthritis.

STIP1-homologous U-Box containing protein 1 (STUB1) is involved in the development of immune pathologies and the regulation of T cell. However, the potential role of STUB1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in the regulation of T cells, remains elusive. Here we show that STUB1 promotes the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells through non-degradative ubiquitination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Using Western blot and flow cytometry analysis, we observe that the level of STUB1 was increased in RA patients compared with healthy controls. In particular, the expression of STUB1 protein was different in Th17 cells and Treg cells of RA patients. We also demonstrated that STUB1 facilitates Th17/Treg imbalance by up- or downregulating the expression of STUB1. In a subsequent series of in vitro experiments, we revealed that STUB1 promoted the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells through non-degradative ubiquitination of AHR. Both knockdown of the AHR expression by siRNA and assays of CYP1A1 enzymatic activity by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) supported this conclusion. Furthermore, we explored the ubiquitination sites of AHR responsible for STUB1-mediated ubiquitination and revealed that STUB1 promotes ubiquitination of AHR via K63 chains. Together, STUB1 may induce the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells via ubiquitination of AHR and serve as a potential therapeutic target for RA.

Bacterial community structure and bacterial isolates having antimicrobial potential in shrimp pond aquaculture.

Diseases outbreaks in pond aquaculture have resulted in huge losses to the aquaculture industry. The emergence of non-antimicrobial and environment friendly agents (probiotics) is the potential consideration for the healthy shrimp aquaculture. The present study was aimed to compare the bacterial community compositions in shrimp ponds and surrounding seawater, as well as isolate probiotic bacteria from the shrimp ponds. Based on the high-throughput of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, all sequences were assigned to 3584 unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% similarity levels, which were affiliated with 24 phyla, 54 classes, 235 families, and 367 genera. The 10 most abundant phyla were Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Planctomycetota, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Desulfobacterota, Patescibacteria and Verrucomicrobiota. Notably, the alpha diversity (Shannon diversity) of shrimp ponds was significantly differences (P < 0.05) with that of surrounding seawater. There were 2498 and 791 unique OTUs in shrimp ponds and surrounding seawater, respectively. A total of 15 isolates were obtained in the culturable bacterial diversity, and the antibacterial activities were recorded for potential probiotic bacterial isolates against different tested bacterial isolates including pathogenic bacteria. An isolate Hallobacillus marinus HMALI004 showed strong inhibitory effects against three pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio cholerae CECT 514, non AHPND V. parahaemolyticus BCRC12959 and AHPND V. parahaemolyticus PD-2. The isolates Algophigus sanaruensis AGALI005, Algoriphagus taiwanensis ATALI009 and Bacillus aequororis BAALI008 were also identified as potential probiotics strains.

Serum Uric Acid as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

Previous studies have suggested a correlation between uric acid (UA) and lung lesion in some diseases. However, it remains unknown whether UA contributes to the lung injury in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study aimed to investigate the clinical value of the UA level in the severity of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We measured UA in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and UA levels of subjects were compared. As for the role of UA on ILD, we incubated A549 cells with UA and the expression of EMT markers was measured by immunofluorescence staining. The concentrations and messenger RNA expression of IL-1, IL-6, and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. We observed that serum UA levels in RA were significantly higher than those in controls. And, higher UA was measured in both serum and BALF of patients with RA-ILD, particularly those with interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. Additionally, the correlation of the serum and BALF UA levels with serum KL-6, a biomarker of ILDs, in RA was significant (r = 0.44, p < 0.01; r = 0.43, p < 0.01). And, the negative correlations of UA, in both serum and BALF, with forced vital capacity (r = -0.61, p < 0.01; r = -0.34, p < 0.01) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (r = -0.43, p < 0.01; r = -0.30, p < 0.01) were measured in patients. In the ROC curve analysis, the AUC value of UA for RA-ILD was 0.744 (95% CI: 0.69-0.80; p < 0.01), and the AUC of serum UA for predicting UIP pattern of patients with RA-ILD was 0.845 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91; p < 0.01), which showed the significance of the UA in clinical settings. Also, the in vitro experiment showed that UA induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and production of IL-1, IL-6, and TGF-ß in A549 cells. Therefore, the elevated UA levels may be a diagnostic marker in RA-ILD, particularly RA-UIP.

Composition and functional profiles of microbial communities in two geochemically and mineralogically different caves.

Microbial communities in cave ecosystems have specific survival strategies, which is far from being well explicated. Here, we reported the genetic and functional diversity of bacteria and archaea in typical limestone (Kashmir Cave) and silicate-containing (Tiser Cave) caves. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analyses revealed the different geochemical and mineral compositions of the two caves. Amplicon barcode sequencing revealed the dominancy of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in Kashmir and Tiser Caves. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in Tiser Cave, and the abundance is relatively small in Kashmir Cave. Archaea was also abundant prokaryotes in Kashmir Cave, but it only accounted for 0.723% of the total prokaryote sequences in Tiser Cave. Functional analysis based on metagenomic sequencing data revealed that a large number of functional potential genes involved in nutrient metabolism and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in Tiser and Kashmir Cave samples could significantly influence the biogeochemical cycle and secondary metabolite production in cave habitats. In addition, the two caves were also found to be rich in biosynthetic genes, encoding bioactive compounds, such as monobactam and prodigiosin, indicating that these caves could be potential habitats for the isolation of antibiotics. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the diversity of bacteria and archaea in cave ecosystems and helps to better understand the special survival strategies of microorganisms in cave ecosystems.Key points• Geochemically distinct caves possess unique microbial community structure.• Cavernicoles could be important candidates for antibiotic production.• Cavernicoles are important for biogeochemical cycling.

Penaeicolahalotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the family Cyclobacteriaceae isolated from a shrimp pond.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium (designated as LMIT005T) was isolated from shrimp ponds in Shantou, China. The new isolate was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain LMIT005T was found to be affiliated with the family Cyclobacteriaceae of the order Cytophagales while appearing as a distinct lineage. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain LMIT005T and Algoriphagus yeomjeoni KCTC 12309T, the closest type strain in the family, was 91.3 %. Strain LMIT005T grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 7 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content (data from genome sequence) was 40.5 mol%. Compared with reference strain A. yeomjeoni KCTC 12309T, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of LMIT005T was 70 %. The sole respiratory quinone of LMIT005T was menaquinone (MK-7), and the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c / C16 : 1 ω7c). The polar lipids of strain LMIT005T were mainly composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified amino lipids, two unidentified lipids, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The draft genome of strain LMIT005T comprised 3 089 781 bp (3.09 Mb) nucleotides and 2773 genes. Antimicrobial resistant-related genes (blal, mexA, and mexb) were annotated in the genome of strain LMIT005T, which indicated that it might be able to resist ß-lactam antibiotics. This was further verified by antimicrobial resistant test. Given its distinct genomic, morphological, and physiological differences from previously described type strains, strain LMIT005T is proposed as a representative of a novel genus of the family Cyclobacteriaceae, with the name Penaeicola halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is LMIT005T (=KCTC 82616T=CICC 25047T).

Semaphorin 4D Induces an Imbalance of Th17/Treg Cells by Activating the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objectives: Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) is constitutively expressed on T cells and osteoclasts, and regulates T cell proliferation and bone remodeling. In addition, several studies have shown that Sema4D is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. We undertook this study to investigate the mechanism by which Sema4D affects the pathogenic progress of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: Soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) levels in serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cell surface levels and transcripts of Sema4D were evaluated in CD4 + and CD19 + cells from the AS patients and healthy individuals. The mRNA expression levels were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The proportions of Treg cells and IL-17-producing T-cells (Th17 cells) differentiated from CD4 + T cells were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonistic effect of Sema4D was detected by analyzing the activation of downstream signaling pathways and target genes using Luciferase and EROD assay. Results: Levels of sSema4D were elevated in both serum from AS patients, and clinical features markers were correlated with serum sSema4D levels. Sema4D facilitated CD4 + T cells proliferation and Th17 cells differentiation and inhibited Treg cells differentiation by enhancing RORγt expression and reducing Foxp3 expression, with increasing expression and secretion of IL-17 and IL-22. It induced the expression and activity of AhR target gene CYP1A1 and XRE reporter activity via interaction with CD72. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Sema4D as a potent activator of T cells in the immune response contributes to the inflammation of AS by inducing imbalance in Th17 and Treg cell populations in an AhR-dependent manner, suggesting it is a crucial participant in AS pathogenesis.

Semaphorin 7A as a potential immune regulator and promising therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A) is expressed by several different classes of lymphoid and myeloid cells and is a potent immunomodulator. We examined the role of Sema7A in modulating cellular immune responses and to provide experimental data validating the therapeutic potential of Sema7A in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Soluble Sema7A (sSema7A) levels in the serum and synovial fluid from patients with RA or osteoarthritis, as well as cytokine secretions, were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cell surface levels and transcripts of Sema7A were evaluated in T cells and monocytes from patients with RA. The effect of Sema7A on the functions of primary T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors was observed. Detection of the activation of the signal mediator focal adhesion kinase was performed by Western blotting. Shedding of sSema7A was evaluated in monocytes. The introduction of anti-Sema7A antibody to mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was observed in vivo. RESULTS: Upregulation of sSema7A levels in both the serum and synovial fluid of patients with RA was correlated with disease activity markers. sSema7A markedly increased Th1/Th17 cytokine secretion and induced evident upregulation of T-bet and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt levels in T cells. Cell surface Sema7A was cleaved by a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) in monocytes. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α stimulated ADAM17 secretion in synovial macrophages. Blocking of ß1-integrin abrogated the Sema7A-mediated cytokine secretion. Treatment with an anti-Sema7A antibody significantly attenuated CIA. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that Sema7A as a potent activator of T cells and monocytes in the immune response contributes to the inflammation and progression of RA, suggesting its therapeutic potential in the treatment of RA.

[Correlation between sclerostin level and radiographic changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the serum level of sclerostin in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and evaluate its diagnostic value and the relationship of sclerostin with inflammation and ossification process in AS. METHODS: A total of 75 AS patients and 45 healthy controls were enrolled into this randomized controlled study. The clinical indices (age, gender, course of disease and disease activity), changes in radiographic studies and indices of bone metabolism or inflammation, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated or measured. The disease activity was assessed by Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI) and Bath arthritis spondylitis radiology index (BASRI). And radiographic changes were evaluated according to the modified Stoke AS spine score (mSASSS) and serum level of sclerostin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship between sclerostin and clinical indices, radiographic scores and inflammatory indices was estimated by SPSS software and the diagnostic value of sclerostin analyzed by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The levels of ESR and CRP were higher in AS patients than those in healthy controls. However, serum sclerostin was lower (55.6±19.5 pmol/L) compared with healthy controls (78±27.6 pmol/L, P<0.01). ROC analysis revealed that the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of sclerostin were 91.5% and 82.02% respectively with a cut-off of 62.75 pmol/L (Youden index 0.735, AUC 0.905, 95% CI 0.812-0.947). And the diagnostic validity was high. No significant correlation existed between sclerostin and ESR, CRP, BASDAI, BASMI and BASFI scores. ESR, CRP, BASDAI, BASMI and BASFI score were improved significantly in AS patients after anti-TNF treatment compared with baseline (P<0.01). There was little difference between BASRI and mSASSS score after anti-TNF treatment compared with baseline (P=0.19, 0.67). A significant negative correlation existed between the radiographic progression in spine of patients with AS and sclerostin serum levels (r=0.768, P<0.01). This correlation became stronger when radiographic scores rose (mSASSS>10, r=0.768, P<0.01) and it diminished when radiographic scores dropped (0

Identification of C-terminal Hsp70-interacting protein as a mediator of tumour necrosis factor action in osteoblast differentiation by targeting osterix for degradation.

In patients with inflammatory arthritis, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α are overproduced in inflamed joints. This leads to local erosion of cartilage and bone, periarticular osteopenia, as well as osteoporosis. But less is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effect of TNF-α on osteoblast function. The purpose of this study was to test that C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) has a specific role in suppressing the osteogenic activity of osteoblasts under inflammatory conditions. C2C12, MC3T3-E1 and HEK293T cell lines were cultured and cotransfected with related plasmids. After transfection, the cells were cultured further in the presence or absence of murine TNF-α and subjected to real time RT-PCR, Western blot, Ubiquitination assay, Co-immunoprecipitation, Luciferase reporter assay, Small interfering RNAs and Mineralization assay. The expression levels of TNF-α-induced CHIP and Osx were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays revealed ubiquitinated Osx, confirmed that CHIP indeed interacted with Osx and identified K55 and K386 residues as the ubiquitination sites in Osx, Luciferase reporter assay and Small interfering RNAs examined whether TNF-α target the bone morphogenetic protein signalling through CHIP. We established stable cell lines with the overexpression of HA-CHIP, Mineralization assay and CHIP siRNA demonstrated the important roles of CHIP on osteoblast function in conditions in which TNF-α is overexpressed. We found that the K55 and K386 residues are ubiquitination site(s) in Osx, and that TNF-α inhibits osteoblast differentiation by promoting Osx degradation through up-regulation of E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP in osteoblast. Thus, CHIP targets Osx for ubiquitination and degradation in osteoblasts after chronic exposure to TNF-α, and inhibition of CHIP expression in osteoblasts may be a new mechanism to limit inflammation-mediated osteoporosis by promoting their differentiation into osteoblasts.

[Association of C677T gene polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasma homocysteine level with hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T mutation and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 1591 adults for detecting MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), plasma Hcy levels with enzymatic cycling method, and blood lipid levels as well. The patients were divided according to the lipid levels into hyperlipidemia group (n=694) and healthy control group (n=897) and the differences in MTHFR gene C677T polymorphisms and plasma Hcy levels were compared. RESULTS: The hyperlipidemia group and healthy control group showed no significant differences in CC, CT, or TT genotype frequencies or C and T allele frequencies of MTHFR C677T gene, and had comparable plasma Hcy levels (P>0.05). Patients with 3 different MTHFR C677T genotypes had significant differences in plasma Hcy levels (P<0.01) but not in blood lipid levels (P>0.05). Pairwise comparison indicated a significantly higher plasma Hcy level in TT genotype than in CC and CT genotypes (P<0.01), and the latter two genotypes showed no significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and plasma Hcy levels are closely related but neither of them is associated with hyperlipidemia. The TT genotype is associated with a significantly higher plasma Hcy level than CC and CT genotypes.

A knockdown of Maml1 that results in melanoma cell senescence promotes an innate and adaptive immune response.

Maml1 is emerging as a coactivator of many signaling pathways, including the Notch and Wnt pathways. Targeting Maml1 in melanoma cells efficiently knocks down the downstream transcriptional repressors Hey1 and Hes1, resulting in melanoma cell senescence, cellular differentiation, and increased melanin production. Significantly, higher IFNß and chemokine gene transcripts have been observed, together with increased STAT1 and decreased STAT3 and NF-κB signaling activities. Although decreased cell proliferation contributes to slower tumor growth in vivo, the depletion of NK and CD8(+) T cells in an shMaml1-B16 tumor carrier mouse leads to more rapid tumor growth than that observed in control shC002-B16 tumors. This result demonstrates that the knockdown of Maml1 transcription and function contributes to increased immune surveillance. The knockdown of Maml1 transcription in the human melanoma cell line M537 also results in senescence, IFNß upregulation, increased chemokine gene expression, and greater NK and CD8(+) T cell migration in a transwell system. This study demonstrated that targeting Maml1-induced tumor cell senescence and differentiation may alter the tumor microenvironment and cytokine and chemokine profiles and may also promote innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration and function.

Targeted knock down of CCL22 and CCL17 by siRNA during DC differentiation and maturation affects the recruitment of T subsets.

Chemokines secreted by DC are instrumental for DC to regulate their own migratory capacities and to recruit T lymphocytes during local tumour immune response. Using the recently developed chemokine protein arrays, we analyzed 38 chemokines associated with monocyte-derived DC (MoDC), including the CC family (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL17, CCL18, CCL22, CCL23, CCL24, CCL27) and the CXC family (CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL7, CXCL8, CXCL16) chemokines. Our results indicate that MoDC largely inherit the chemokines constitutively expressed by monocytes, with a significant induction of CCL17, CCL22 and CCL23. Spent culture supernatant collected from MoDC exhibited chemotatic abilities to activate CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD25(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). Selective knock down of CCL22 and CCL17 expression by siRNA decreased the ratios of CD4(+) to CD8(+), as well as the frequency of Tregs recruited by MoDC. Intratumoural injection of MoDC transfected with siCCL22 and siCCL17, significantly reduced the number of Tregs while increasing the number of infiltrating CD8(+) T cells in human tumour xenografts in athymic nude mice. This study demonstrates that chemokine expression of MoDC is complex and may change dynamically. Using siRNA to selectively knock down chemokines which are highly chemoattractive to Tregs may consequentially alter the lymphocyte populations recruited into the tumour microenvironment, therefore has the potency to provide insight into cellular interactions in cancer immunology. This may lead to a new strategy for DC vaccine development to improve cancer immunobiotherapy.

[Clinical significance and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in serum of patients with acute leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in patients with acute leukemia and to elucidate the relation of its level with the carcinogenesis or relapse of acute leukemia and its clinical significance. METHODS: The VEGF levels in the serum and leukemic cell cultured supernatants were measured by sandwich ELISA in 88 acute leukemia patients and 30 healthy individuals. RESULTS: The pre-chemotherapeutic serum and supernatant VEGF level in newly diagnosed or relapsed patients with acute leukemia were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (P < 0.01). The serum VEGF level was correlated with the count of blast cells in bone marrow or peripheral blood of patients with acute leukemia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The pretherapeutic serum VEGF level of patients with acute leukemia appears to be a predictor of the carcinogenesis or relapse of acute leukemia and reflects the tumor burden of acute leukemia.

Prophylactic anti-inflammation inhibits cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in guinea pigs.

In this study, the effect of prophylactic anti-inflammation on the development of smoke-induced emphysema was investigated. Young male guinea-pigs aged 1.5-2 months (weighing 198.3+/-26.9 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (cigarette smoke exposure only), group B (cigarette smoke exposure plus pentoxifylline-rich (PTX, 10 mg/d) forage feeding), group C (cigarette smoke exposure plus intermittent cortical steroid injection (Triamcinolone acetonide, 3 mg, i.m., every three weeks) and control group (group D: animals with sham smoke exposure, raised under the same conditions). Animals in group A, B and C were exposed to smoke of cigarettes for 1 to 1.5 h twice a day, 5 days a week. All animals were killed at the 16th week and followed by morphometrical analysis of the midsagittal sectioned lung slices. Smoke exposure of 16 weeks resulted in visible emphysematous development in Group A but not in Group B and C. It was evidenced by the indicator of air-space size, mean linear intercept (Lm): 120.6+/-16.0 microm in Group A; 89.8+/-9.2 microm in Group B and 102.4+/-17.7 microm in Group C. The average Lm in either group B or group C was shorter than that in Group A (ANOVA and Newman-Keuls test, F=8.80, P=0.0002) but comparable to that (94.8+/-13.2 microm) in group D (P>0.05). It is concluded that long-term prophylactic anti-inflammation inhibits pulmonary emphysema induced by cigarette smoking in the guinea pigs.