Understanding the role of Cripto-1 in cancer progression and therapeutic strategies.

During the initial stages of gastrulation during embryonic differentiation and wound healing, Cripto-1 is a critical protein for human growth. The epithelial adhesion molecules' downregulation, the mesenchymal overexpression, and mobile proteins are important mechanisms by which Cripto-1 initiates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). As a result, the function of Cripto-1 for inducing EMT to increase cell migration is advantageous during embryogenesis; however, it is deleterious during the formation, growth, and malignant tumor metastasis. The majority of malignancies are reported to have elevated levels of Cripto-1. Cripto-1 can modify cancerous cells through its function in EMT, which enables these cells to migrate via the extracellular matrix, bloodstream, and lymphatic vessels, on their way for metastasizing to other organs. The goal of this review is to explain what role Cripto-1 plays in common cancers and to summarize how therapeutic strategies are used to interfere with this molecule to target cancers.

Building Programs to Eradicate Toxoplasmosis Part IV: Understanding and Development of Public Health Strategies and Advances "Take a Village".

Purpose of Review: Review international efforts to build a global public health initiative focused on toxoplasmosis with spillover benefits to save lives, sight, cognition and motor function benefiting maternal and child health. Recent Findings: Multiple countries' efforts to eliminate toxoplasmosis demonstrate progress and context for this review and new work. Summary: Problems with potential solutions proposed include accessibility of accurate, inexpensive diagnostic testing, pre-natal screening and facilitating tools, missed and delayed neonatal diagnosis, restricted access, high costs, delays in obtaining medicines emergently, delayed insurance pre-approvals and high medicare copays taking considerable physician time and effort, harmful shortcuts being taken in methods to prepare medicines in settings where access is restricted, reluctance to perform ventriculoperitoneal shunts promptly when needed without recognition of potential benefit, access to resources for care, especially for marginalized populations, and limited use of recent advances in management of neurologic and retinal disease which can lead to good outcomes. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-022-00268-x.

Building Programs to Eradicate Toxoplasmosis Part III: Epidemiology and Risk Factors.

Purpose of Review: Review comprehensive data on rates of toxoplasmosis in Panama and Colombia. Recent Findings: Samples and data sets from Panama and Colombia, that facilitated estimates regarding seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma and risk factors, were reviewed. Summary: Screening maps, seroprevalence maps, and risk factor mathematical models were devised based on these data. Studies in Ciudad de Panamá estimated seroprevalence at between 22 and 44%. Consistent relationships were found between higher prevalence rates and factors such as poverty and proximity to water sources. Prenatal screening rates for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were variable, despite existence of a screening law. Heat maps showed a correlation between proximity to bodies of water and overall Toxoplasma seroprevalence. Spatial epidemiological maps and mathematical models identify specific regions that could most benefit from comprehensive, preventive healthcare campaigns related to congenital toxoplasmosis and Toxoplasma infection.

Building Programs to Eradicate Toxoplasmosis Part II: Education.

Purpose of Review: Review work to create and evaluate educational materials that could serve as a primary prevention strategy to help both providers and patients in Panama, Colombia, and the USA reduce disease burden of Toxoplasma infections. Recent Findings: Educational programs had not been evaluated for efficacy in Panama, USA, or Colombia. Summary: Educational programs for high school students, pregnant women, medical students and professionals, scientists, and lay personnel were created. In most settings, short-term effects were evaluated. In Panama, Colombia, and USA, all materials showed short-term utility in transmitting information to learners. These educational materials can serve as a component of larger public health programs to lower disease burden from congenital toxoplasmosis. Future priorities include conducting robust longitudinal studies of whether education correlates with reduced adverse disease outcomes, modifying educational materials as new information regarding region-specific risk factors is discovered, and ensuring materials are widely accessible.

Measurable Residual Disease Response and Prognosis in Treatment-Naïve Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Venetoclax and Azacitidine.

PURPOSE: There is limited evidence on the clinical utility of monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with lower-intensity therapy. Herein, we explored the outcomes of patients treated with venetoclax and azacitidine who achieved composite complete remission (CRc; complete remission + complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery) and MRD < 10-3 in the VIALE-A trial. METHODS: The patients included in this report were treated with venetoclax and azacitidine. Bone marrow aspirate samples for multiparametric flow cytometry assessments were collected for central analysis at baseline, end of cycle 1, and every three cycles thereafter. MRD-negative response was defined as < 1 residual blast per 1,000 leukocytes (< 10-3 or 0.1%) with an estimated analytic sensitivity of 0.0037%-0.0027%. CRc, duration of remission (DoR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed. A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified prognostic factors associated with OS. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four of one hundred ninety (86%) patients with CRc were evaluable for MRD. MRD < 10-3 was achieved by 67 of 164 (41%), and 97 of 164 (59%) had MRD ≥ 10-3. The median DoR, EFS, and OS were not reached in patients with CRc and MRD < 10-3, and the 12-month estimates for DoR, EFS, and OS in this group were 81.2%, 83.2%, and 94.0%. Among patients with CRc and MRD ≥ 10-3, the median DoR, EFS, and OS were 9.7, 10.6, and 18.7 months. Multivariate analysis showed that CRc with MRD < 10-3 was a strong predictor of OS (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.285; 95% CI, 0.159 to 0.510; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients who achieved CRc and MRD < 10-3 with venetoclax and azacitidine had longer DoR, EFS, and OS, than responding patients with MRD ≥ 10-3.

Identification of LincRNA from Dermatophagoides farinae (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) for Potential Allergen-Related Targets.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), especially their important subclass of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs), have been identified in some insects. They play important roles in the regulation of biological processes, such as immune response or cell differentiation and as possible evolutionary precursors for protein coding genes. House dust mites (HDMs) are recognized as allergenic mites because allergens are found in their feces and bodies. Dermatophagoides farinae is one of the most important pyroglyphid mites because of its abundance in the household. To determine if lincRNAs can regulate allergen presentation in HDMs, we analyzed RNA-seq data for HDMs. We identified 11 lincRNAs that are related to mRNAs coding for allergens in HDMs. Using qRT-PCR, we amplified 10 lincRNAs and their putative target allergen-encoding mRNAs, confirming expression of these lincRNAs and allergen genes. The results suggest that lincRNAs might be involved in the regulation of allergen production in HDMs and might represent potential acaricidal candidates to inhibit mite allergen production.

Comparison of the prognostic value of platelet-based prognostic models in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic value of 17 platelet-based prognostic scores in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy. METHODS: In total, 92 patients were divided into death group and survival group according to long-term follow-up results. The AUC was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting prognosis. To determine better prognostic models, platelet-based models were analyzed separately after being showed as binary according to cut-off values. Cumulative survival rates of malignant hepatic tumors were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and differences were analyzed by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify platelet-based prognostic scores associated with overall survival. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that APGA, APRI, FIB-4, FibroQ, GUCI, King's score, Lok index, PAPAS, cirrhosis, number of tumors, vascular cancer embolus, AFP, ALP and APTT were significantly related to prognosis. A multivariate analysis showed that the APGA, number of tumors, ALP and APTT were independently associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the APGA, a platelet-based prognostic score, was an independent marker of prognosis in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE and was superior to the other platelet-based prognostic scores in terms of prognostic ability.

Comparison of the prognostic value of platelet-based prognostic models in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of 17 platelet-based prognostic scores in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy. Methods: In total, 92 patients were divided into death group and survival group according to long-term follow-up results. The AUC was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting prognosis. To determine better prognostic models, platelet-based models were analyzed separately after being showed as binary according to cut-off values. Cumulative survival rates of malignant hepatic tumors were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and differences were analyzed by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify platelet-based prognostic scores associated with overall survival. Results: Univariate analysis showed that APGA, APRI, FIB-4, FibroQ, GUCI, Kings score, Lok index, PAPAS, cirrhosis, number of tumors, vascular cancer embolus, AFP, ALP and APTT were significantly related to prognosis. A multivariate analysis showed that the APGA, number of tumors, ALP and APTT were independently associated with overall survival. Conclusion: This study showed that the APGA, a platelet-based prognostic score, was an independent marker of prognosis in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE and was superior to the other platelet-based prognostic scores in terms of prognostic ability.(AU)

Comparison of the prognostic value of platelet-based prognostic models in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of 17 platelet-based prognostic scores in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy. Methods: In total, 92 patients were divided into death group and survival group according to long-term follow-up results. The AUC was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting prognosis. To determine better prognostic models, platelet-based models were analyzed separately after being showed as binary according to cut-off values. Cumulative survival rates of malignant hepatic tumors were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and differences were analyzed by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify platelet-based prognostic scores associated with overall survival. Results: Univariate analysis showed that APGA, APRI, FIB-4, FibroQ, GUCI, King's score, Lok index, PAPAS, cirrhosis, number of tumors, vascular cancer embolus, AFP, ALP and APTT were significantly related to prognosis. A multivariate analysis showed that the APGA, number of tumors, ALP and APTT were independently associated with overall survival. Conclusion: This study showed that the APGA, a platelet-based prognostic score, was an independent marker of prognosis in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE and was superior to the other platelet-based prognostic scores in terms of prognostic ability.

Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on growth performance, small intestine morphology and antioxidant status in ducks under heat stress conditions / Efectos de la suplementación con picolinato de cromo en el rendimiento de crecimiento, morfología del intestino delgado y estado antioxidante en patos bajo condiciones de estrés calórico

SUMMARY: The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental chromium (Cr) on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, mucosa Hsp70 mRNA expression and antioxidant status of ducks reared under heat stress conditions. All ducks were randomly divided into three treatment groups, respectively, control group (Control, 23 ± 2 °C), heat stress group (HS, 32 ±2 °C), Cr picolinate group (CrPic, 32 ± 2 °C, 0.2 mg Cr/kg). Feed and distilled-deionized water were available ad libitum for an experimental phase of 35 days. Samples were collected on the day 14, 21 and 35 to determine biological and hematological values. Results showed that heat stress or dietary supplemental Cr both didn't have distinct influence on growth performance (P>0.05), compared to controls. Ducks fed 0.2 mg Cr/kg diet had greater ultimate pH (pHu)(P<0.05) than HS group. At day 14, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in CrPic group significantly increased (P<0.05) than that of HS group in jejunum. Heat stress remarkably increased Hsp70 mRNA expression in jejunum compared with controls (P<0.05). While the expression of Hsp70 mRNA in CrPic group was significantly decreased compared with HS (P<0.05). At day 21, the V/C of ileum in CrPic group significantly increased compared with HS group (P<0.05). Serum SOD levels in CrPic group were significantly higher than those in HS group (P<0.05). At day 35, Hsp70 mRNA expression and serum T-SOD levels in CrPic group significantly increased compared with controls (P<0.05). T-AOC in HS group significantly decreased compared with controls (P<0.05). Results indicate that dietary Cr supplementation doesn't influence ducks' growth performance, but has a positive effect on meat quality, small intestine morphology, also regulates Hsp70 mRNA expression under heat stress conditions, and enhances the antioxidant status.

RESUMEN: Se evaluó los efectos del cromo (Cr) dietético suplementario sobre el rendimiento del crecimiento, la calidad de la carne, la morfología intestinal, la expresión del ARNm Hsp70 en la mucosa y el estado antioxidante de los patos criados bajo condiciones de estrés por calor. Todos los patos se dividieron aleatoriamente en tres grupos: grupo control (control, 23 ± 2 °C), grupo de estrés térmico (HS, 32 ± 2 °C) y grupo de picolinato de Cr (CrPic, 32 ± 2 °C, 0,2 mg Cr / kg). El alimento y el agua desionizada destilada estuvieron disponibles ad libitum durante la fase experimental de 35 días. Las muestras se recogieron los días 14, 21 y 35 para determinar los valores biológicos y hematológicos. Los resultados mostraron que el estrés térmico o la suplementación dietética de Cr no tuvieron una influencia distinta en el rendimiento del crecimiento (P> 0,05), en comparación con los controles. Los patos alimentados con 0,2 mg de Cr / kg de dieta tuvieron un mayor pH final (pHu) (P <0,05) que el grupo HS. En el día 14, la relación de la altura de las vellosidades a la profundidad de la cripta (V / C) en el grupo CrPic aumentó significativamente (P <0,05) en relación a la del grupo de HS en el yeyuno. El estrés por calor incrementó notablemente la expresión del ARNm de Hsp70 en el yeyuno en comparación con los controles (P <0,05). Mientras que la expresión del ARNm de Hsp70 en el grupo CrPic se redujo significativamente en comparación con HS (P <0,05). En el día 21, la relación V / C del íleon en el grupo CrPic aumentó significativamente en comparación con el grupo HS (p <0,05). Los niveles séricos de SOD en el grupo CrPic fueron significativamente más altos que los del grupo HS (P <0,05). En el día 35, la expresión de ARNm de Hsp70 y los niveles séricos de T-SOD en el grupo CrPic aumentaron significativamente en comparación con los controles (P <0,05). T-AOC en el grupo HS disminuyó significativamente en comparación con los controles (P <0,05). Los resultados indican que la suplementación dietética de Cr no influye en el rendimiento de crecimiento de los patos, pero tiene un efecto positivo en la calidad de la carne, en la morfología del intestino delgado, y también regula la expresión de ARNm de Hsp70 en condiciones de estrés calórico y mejora el estado antioxidante.

Multiple vulvar dilated pores in a postmenopausal woman.

Winer's dilated pore is an infrequent appendageal tumor characterized by a giant comedone on the face, neck, and upper trunk in adults. We report a 57-year-old woman who developed multiple asymptomatic black papules on both labia majora. Histopathology showed grouped dilated follicles lined by keratinizing squamous epithelium in the superficial dermis. The superficial lining epithelium and interfollicular epidermis were atrophic, while the deep epithelium showed mild proliferation and melanin pigmentation with a few short projections extending into the surrounding dermis. We diagnosed multiple Winer's dilated pores based on late-onset lesions and pathological features. This patient may represent the first case of multiple vulvar Winer's dilated pores. We suggest that electrocautery may be effective for treating this type of superficial entity.

Multiple vulvar dilated pores in a postmenopausal woman

Abstract: Winer's dilated pore is an infrequent appendageal tumor characterized by a giant comedone on the face, neck, and upper trunk in adults. We report a 57-year-old woman who developed multiple asymptomatic black papules on both labia majora. Histopathology showed grouped dilated follicles lined by keratinizing squamous epithelium in the superficial dermis. The superficial lining epithelium and interfollicular epidermis were atrophic, while the deep epithelium showed mild proliferation and melanin pigmentation with a few short projections extending into the surrounding dermis. We diagnosed multiple Winer's dilated pores based on late-onset lesions and pathological features. This patient may represent the first case of multiple vulvar Winer's dilated pores. We suggest that electrocautery may be effective for treating this type of superficial entity.

The impact of admission neutrophil-to-platelet ratio on in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with increased neutrophil and reduced platelet counts. We assessed the relationship between the neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR) on admission and adverse outcomes in patients with IE. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IE between January 2009 and July 2015 (n=1293) were enrolled, and 1046 were finally entered into the study. Study subjects were categorized into four groups according to NPR quartiles: Q1<18.9 (n=260); Q2: 18.9-27.7 (n=258); Q3: 27.7-43.3 (n=266); and Q4>43.3 (n=262). Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify risk factors for long-term mortality; the optimal cut-off was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Risk of in-hospital death increased progressively with NPR group number (1.9 vs. 5.0 vs. 9.8 vs. 14.1%, p<0.001). The follow-up period was a median of 28.8 months, during which 144 subjects (14.3%) died. Long-term mortality increased from the lowest to the highest NPR quartiles (7.6, 11.8, 17.4, and 26.2%, respectively, p<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that lgNPR (HR=2.22) was an independent predictor of long-term mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that subjects in Q4 had an increased long-term mortality compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased NPR was associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with IE. As a simple and inexpensive index, NPR may be a useful and rapid screening tool to identify IE patients at high risk of mortality.

High-throughput ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method for the rapid analysis and characterization of multiple constituents of Radix Polygalae.

Radix Polygalae, the dried roots of Polygala tenuifolia and P. sibirica, is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plants. It is an important medicinal plant that has been used as a sedative and to improve memory for a number of years in most of Asia. However, the in vivo constituents of the multiple constituents from Radix Polygalae remain unknown. In the current study, ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the MarkerLynxTM software combined with multiple data processing approach were used to study the constituents in vitro and in vivo. A rapid and efficient method for the characterization of multiple constituents in the herbal medicine Radix Polygalae by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry is described. In total, 35 compounds in the Radix Polygalae and 13 compounds absorbed into blood were characterized. Of the 35 compounds in vitro, ten were reported for first time. In the 13 compounds in vivo, six were prototype components and seven were metabolites were also elucidated for first time. This work narrowed the range of screening the potentially bioactive components and provided a basis for the quality control and mechanism of action.

Effect of visfatin on the structure and immune levels in the small intestine of LPS-induced rats / Efecto de la visfatina sobre la estructura y los niveles de inmunidad en el intestino delgado de ratas inducidas por lipopolisacáridos

This study investigated the effects of visfatin on the structure and the immunity levels in the small intestine of LPS-induced rats. Forty Wistar male and female SPF rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups: the saline (control), vistfatin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and visfatin+LPS co-stimulated. The functions of visfatin in the intestinal mucosal immunity were investigated by examining the variation of tissue structure, inflammation and immunity-related proteins in the intestine of immunologically stressed rats using HE staining, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. The results showed that, when compared with the control group, the visfatin-treated group showed a decrease in the intestinal villus height and width, and a significant increase in the levels of IL-6 and TNF-ð as well as Immunoglobulin A (IgA) positive cells. Additionally, when compared with the LPS-treated group, the visfatin+LPS co-stimulated group showed a decrease in the villus height and width as well as the levels of IL-6 and TNF-ð, and an increase in IgA levels, implying a shrinking response to LPS injection. All the results suggest that, under normal physiological conditions, visfatin disturbs the body's homeostasis and causes intestinal villus atrophy by increasing IgA expression. While under immune response conditions, LPS acts as an exogenous antigen to promote visfatin against LPS-induced inflammation by decreasing the expression of IgA. Under immune stress conditions, visfatin as an exogenous stimulus promotes the immune response by regulating the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-ð and IgA.

Este estudio investigó los efectos de la visfatina sobre la estructura y los niveles de inmunidad en el intestino delgado de ratas inducidas por lipopolisacáridos (LPS). Cuarenta ratas Wistar se dividieron aleatoriamente e igualmente en cuatro grupos: solución salina (control), vistafin, LPS y visfatina + LPS co-estimuladas. Las funciones de la visfatina en la inmunidad de la mucosa intestinal se investigaron mediante el examen de variación de la estructura del tejido, la inflamación y las proteínas relacionadas con la inmunidad en el intestino de ratas estresadas inmunológicamente; usando tinción HE, ELISA, inmunohistoquímica y Western Blot. Los resultados mostraron que, en comparación con el grupo control, el grupo tratado con visfatina presentó una disminución en la altura y ancho de las vellosidades intestinales, y un aumento significativo en los niveles de IL-6 y TNF-ð, así como inmunoglobulina A (IgA células positivas). Además, al comparar este grupo con el grupo tratado con LPS- el grupo visfatina + LPS co-estimulado mostró una disminución en la altura y ancho de las vellosidades, así como en los niveles de IL-6 y TNF-ð, y un aumento en los niveles de IgA, lo que implica reducción de una respuesta a la inyección LPS. Todos los resultados sugieren que, en condiciones fisiológicas normales, la visfatina perturba la homeostasis del cuerpo y provoca la atrofia de las vellosidades intestinales mediante el aumento de la expresión de IgA. Mientras que bajo condiciones de la respuesta inmune, LPS actúa como un antígeno exógeno para promover visfatina contra la inflamación inducida por LPS por la disminución de la expresión de IgA. En condiciones de estrés inmunológico, la visfatina como estímulo exógeno promueve la respuesta inmune mediante la regulación de los niveles de proteína de IL-6, TNF-ð e IgA.

First case of congenital idiopathic hypohidrosis in China.

A 43-year-old Chinese man presented with generalized hypohidrosis, which he had had since birth, without obvious abnormalities of other skin appendages except a sparse beard and axillary hairs. The sweat test revealed localized sweating on the face, axillae and palms. Histopathologic examination showed that the sweat glands were absent in the forearm and thigh, but some eccrine and apocrine sweat glands were present in the right axilla. S-100 was expressed in the nerve terminals surrounding the acini and ducts of the eccrine sweat glands, while PGP9.5 was positive in the acini of apocrine glands and the nerve terminals surrounding the eccrine glands in the axilla. To our knowledge, this is the first case of congenital idiopathic hypohidrosis in China.

First case of congenital idiopathic hypohidrosis in China

AbstractA 43-year-old Chinese man presented with generalized hypohidrosis, which he had had since birth, without obvious abnormalities of other skin appendages except a sparse beard and axillary hairs. The sweat test revealed localized sweating on the face, axillae and palms. Histopathologic examination showed that the sweat glands were absent in the forearm and thigh, but some eccrine and apocrine sweat glands were present in the right axilla. S-100 was expressed in the nerve terminals surrounding the acini and ducts of the eccrine sweat glands, while PGP9.5 was positive in the acini of apocrine glands and the nerve terminals surrounding the eccrine glands in the axilla. To our knowledge, this is the first case of congenital idiopathic hypohidrosis in China.

Sox2 function as a negative regulator to control HAMP expression.

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin, encoding by HAMP gene, is the pivotal regulator of iron metabolism, controlling the systemic absorption and transportation of irons from intracellular stores. Abnormal levels of HAMP expression alter plasma iron parameters and lead to iron metabolism disorders. Therefore, it is an important goal to understand the mechanisms controlling HAMP gene expression. RESULTS: Overexpression of Sox2 decrease basal expression of HAMP or induced by IL-6 or BMP-2, whereas, knockdown of Sox2 can increase HAMP expression, furthermore, two potential Sox2-binding sites were identified within the human HAMP promoter. Indeed, luciferase experiments demonstrated that deletion of any Sox2-binding site impaired the negative regulation of Sox2 on HAMP promoter transcriptional activity in basal conditions. ChIP experiments showed that Sox2 could directly bind to these sites. Finally, we verified the role of Sox2 to negatively regulate HAMP expression in human primary hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: We found that Sox2 as a novel factor to bind with HAMP promoter to negatively regulate HAMP expression, which may be further implicated as a therapeutic option for the amelioration of HAMP-overexpression-related diseases, including iron deficiency anemia.

Sox2 function as a negative regulator to control HAMP expression

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin, encoding by HAMP gene, is the pivotal regulator of iron metabolism, controlling the systemic absorption and transportation of irons from intracellular stores. Abnormal levels of HAMP expression alter plasma iron parameters and lead to iron metabolism disorders. Therefore,itis animportant goal to understand the mechanisms controlling HAMP gene expression. RESULTS: Overexpression of Sox2 decrease basal expression of HAMP or induced by IL-6 or BMP-2, whereas, knockdown of Sox2 can increase HAMP expression, furthermore, two potential Sox2-binding sites were identified within the human HAMP promoter. Indeed, luciferase experiments demonstrated that deletion of any Sox2-binding site impaired the negative regulation of Sox2 on HAMP promoter transcriptional activity in basal conditions. ChIP experiments showed that Sox2 could directly bind to these sites. Finally, we verified the role of Sox2 to negatively regulate HAMP expression in human primary hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: We found that Sox2 as a novel factor to bind with HAMP promoter to negatively regulate HAMP expression, which may be further implicated as a therapeutic option for the amelioration of HAMP-overexpression-related diseases, including iron deficiency anemia.